I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 439 Xu Longxiang confessed his love to the fake Moon Goddess?!

When Xu Longxiang returned to the Moon Goddess Sect's headquarters, it was already broad daylight.

Morning light streamed down from the opening of the tunnel, bathing the white buildings in a pale golden glow.

White-clad believers knelt on both sides of the passageway, their foreheads touching the ground, chanting incantations, like a group of puppets on strings.

Instead of immediately going to find Fan Li, he turned and headed towards the Moon Goddess's bedroom.

Xu Longxiang felt an inexplicable sense of urgency.

That means he must see the moon goddess one more time.

Otherwise, once we leave, we don't know when we'll see each other again.

After all, the North and the Southwest are far apart, and he can't come back often.

So this parting may be a long time before we meet again.

Thinking of this, Xu Longxiang felt a deep sense of reluctance.

He didn't want to leave like this; he wanted to see her one more time.

Even just once would be fine.

Xu Longxiang had the white-clad maid at the door announce his arrival.

The maid went in and came out a moment later, bowing and saying that the Moon Goddess had invited her.

Xu Longxiang took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and went inside.

Chen Ruoyao sat on the soft couch by the window, holding a book in her hands. Her eyes were on the pages. When she heard footsteps, she slowly raised her head.

She wasn't wearing a mask; her stunning face was almost transparently white in the morning light, with eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like autumn water, and lips of delicate color.

A faint smile played on her lips, neither too deep nor too shallow, just right.

"Young Master Xu, are you leaving so soon?"

Xu Longxiang walked up to her, stopped, and looked at her face with eyes full of reluctance.

"Miss Suxin, the journey to the Northern Border is long, and I'm afraid I won't be back for some time. I don't know when we'll meet again."

His voice was hoarse, carrying an overwhelming sense of longing.

Chen Ruoyao smiled, put down the book in her hand, leaned back on the soft pillow, and looked at him calmly.

"Young Master Xu is the lord of the Northern Territory and is very busy, so he cannot stay long. The alliance has been agreed upon, and any news in the future can be sent by peregrine falcons."

Her tone was indifferent, as if she were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

There was no reluctance, no lingering attachment, and not even any unnecessary formalities.

Xu Longxiang's heart sank slightly, as if struck by a heavy hammer.

He gritted his teeth, suppressing the surging impulse in his heart, his fingers clenching and unclenching in his sleeve.

Xu Longxiang wanted to say something to express his feelings, but Fan Li's words of advice to him that day were still ringing in his ears, and he didn't know whether he should say it or not.

Romantic relationships are indeed not suitable for his current situation.

But if he doesn't say it, he will feel very regretful and upset.

Xu Longxiang hesitated for a long time, his lips opening and closing, opening and closing again.

Forget it, I should just say it out loud, otherwise my mind won't be clear, and I won't be able to do anything smoothly in the future.

Xu Longxiang took a deep breath and gritted his teeth.

Finally, Xu Longxiang mustered his courage, raised his head, and met her gaze.

"Miss Suxin, there's something I've been holding in my heart for a long time, and today... I want to tell you."

His voice trembled slightly, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down, like a naive young man confessing his love for the first time, his palms sweating with nervousness.

Chen Ruoyao looked at him, her eyes showing no surprise or astonishment, only a calm, unwavering light.

"Please speak, Young Master Xu."

Xu Longxiang took a deep breath, staring intently at Chen Ruoyao's face, and spoke slowly and deliberately, with utmost seriousness:

"Miss Suxin, from the very first moment I saw you, I...I have admired you. As we have spent time together these past few days, I have come to realize that you are not only my best ally, but also...the most important person in my heart."

"I know these words are somewhat presumptuous. But I don't want to regret it later. If I don't speak up today, I'm afraid... I'll never have another chance."

After Xu Longxiang finished speaking, he lowered his head, not daring to look at her.

His heart was pounding so hard, like a drum being struck, thump-thump-thump, that even his breathing became erratic.

Xu Longxiang couldn't believe he was like this.

You should know that he never even frowned once when he was fighting on the battlefield.

He had never lost his composure like this when facing his childhood sweetheart, Jiang Qingxue.

But today, he seems like a young man just entering the world, at a loss.

Looking back now, it's clear that he only acted this way when he was facing Zhao Qingxue.

Thinking of this, Zhao Qingxue's face flashed through Xu Longxiang's mind again.

The thought that Zhao Qingxue had married Qin Mu made Xu Longxiang feel a pang of sadness!

He quickly suppressed the thought; the most important thing now was the Moon Goddess, and he shouldn't have such nonsense thoughts.

Chen Ruoyao remained silent for a moment.

The silence was short, but Xu Longxiang felt it was as long as a lifetime.

Then Chen Ruoyao spoke, her voice still indifferent and detached, as if she were talking about something unrelated to herself.

"Young Master Xu, you and I are merely allies. The Northern Territory and the Moon Goddess Cult will help each other and each get what they need. You need not worry about anything else, Young Master Xu."

Xu Longxiang suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with resentment and urgency.

"Miss Suxin, we can definitely take our alliance to the next level and make it even stronger! Not just allies, but also..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant by leaving it unsaid.

Chen Ruoyao looked at him, the smile still lingering on her lips, neither deep nor shallow, but beneath that smile was a clear sense of estrangement.

"Young Master Xu, you are a powerful ruler, commanding 300,000 iron cavalry and bearing the lives of millions of people in the northern border. Romantic feelings will only cloud your judgment and ruin your great cause."

She paused, her gaze falling on the sky outside the window illuminated by the morning light, her voice carrying a hint of earnestness.

"The alliance between the Moon Goddess Cult and the North is based on interests, trust, and shared goals. These are far stronger than any romantic feelings."

Xu Longxiang's eyes reddened.

His lips trembled violently; he wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a sound.

He felt as if his heart had been ripped out, leaving him empty and chilly.

Xu Longxiang recalled what Fan Li had said that day.

"The North cannot do without you, and it cannot do without a rational prince."

He remembered his promise to Fan Li. "I understand, I'll be careful."

But when he stood before the Moon Goddess and looked at her face, which was almost transparent in the morning light, all those words, those promises, and that reason vanished like smoke blown away by the wind, leaving not even a trace.

Xu Longxiang lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

Chen Ruoyao didn't say anything, just sat there quietly, her gaze fixed on the window, like a beautiful but cold porcelain statue.

After a long while, Xu Longxiang raised his head, his eyes dim, and said:

"Miss Suxin, I will not force you. I just want you to know that no matter when or what happens, my feelings for you will never change."

He paused, then lowered his voice even further. "I... take my leave."

He turned around and walked towards the door.

Chen Ruoyao's voice drifted from behind, still calm and aloof.

"Have a safe journey, Young Master Xu."

Xu Longxiang paused for a moment.

He didn't turn around, but simply nodded, stepped over the threshold, and disappeared into the morning light outside.

The door closed slowly behind him with a soft "bang".

Chen Ruoyao sat on the soft couch, staring at the tightly closed door, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

She remembered the task His Majesty had given her before he left.

Continue to mislead Xu Longxiang, making him believe that the Moon Goddess Cult and the Northern Territory have an unbreakable alliance.

It would be best to deepen his feelings for the Moon Goddess, making him unable to extricate himself and sinking deeper and deeper into her affections. This way, the chess piece will become more obedient and more useful.

Her deliberate aloofness and indifference in the hall just now was intentional.

She knew Xu Longxiang too well; the colder you were, the more he longed for you. The more distant you were, the more reluctant he was to let go.

The best bait is one that is both close and distant.

Then, she waited a while before seeing him off, appearing when he was about to leave and feeling most lost, to give him a little hope and a little sweetness.

In this way, he will definitely have a deep impression of her, never forget her, and on his way back to the North, he will think about her words, her smile, and every look and every movement of hers over and over again.

Thinking of this, Chen Ruoyao's eyes flashed with even more disdain, as if she were looking at a cow being led by the nose without even realizing it.

.......

at the same time,

When Xu Longxiang entered Fan Li and An Ya's room, his face was as gloomy as the sky before a storm.

Fan Li was sitting at the table drinking tea, while An Ya was leaning against the bed with his eyes closed, resting.

Hearing the door open, the two of them looked up at the same time.

Fan Li frowned slightly when he saw Xu Longxiang's pale and ashen face. He put down his teacup and stood up.

"Your Highness, what's wrong? Did the plan... fail?"

His voice was very low, with a hint of cautious probing.

Xu Longxiang walked to the table and sat down. He picked up his teacup and took a sip. The cold tea went down his throat and tasted bitter and spicy.

He shook his head, his voice hoarse.

"The plan was a great success. That playboy has been brought under control and will return to the capital tomorrow."

Fan Li's brows did not relax; instead, they furrowed even more.

Looking at Xu Longxiang's dejected appearance, he vaguely guessed what was going on.

"Then what is it, Your Highness...?"

Xu Longxiang waved his hand, interrupting him, his voice tinged with weariness.

"It's nothing. Let's pack up and go."

Fan Li opened his mouth, wanting to ask again, but looking at Xu Longxiang's face which clearly said "I don't want to talk," he swallowed his words back.

He nodded, didn't ask any further questions, and turned to start packing his things.

Dark Raven sat up from the bed, his face still pale and his lips chapped, but he was in much better spirits than he had been two days ago.

He walked slowly to the table, put the teacups and teapot into his bundle. His movements were slow and somewhat laborious, but he was already able to walk.

"Dark Raven, can you still ride a horse?" Xu Longxiang looked at him, his brows slightly furrowed.

Dark Raven shook his head, his voice hoarse. "I'm afraid not. I'm not fit to ride a horse."

Xu Longxiang nodded. "Then let's take the carriage. There's no rush. Take good care of yourself."

Dark Raven clasped his hands and bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness."

The things were packed up quickly.

Actually, there wasn't much to pack. A few changes of clothes, a few secret letters, a few bottles of wound medicine, and that was all in one bundle.

Fan Li carried the bundle on his back, An Ya leaned against the wall, and Xu Longxiang walked in front. The three of them walked out of the room and along the corridor toward the main altar.

The morning light grew brighter, illuminating the white buildings.

The white-robed believers on both sides of the passageway had dispersed, leaving only a few maids sweeping and cleaning as they moved through the corridors, their footsteps light and silent.

When he reached the entrance of the main altar, Xu Longxiang stopped.

He didn't turn around, but just stood there, gazing at the distant mountain ridge illuminated by the morning light, and at the tallest white palace deep inside the cave.

He knew she was there, behind that closed door, in some corner he couldn't see.

He wanted to see it one more time, even if it was just from afar.

Fan Li stood behind him, looking at the prince's back, at his slightly turned head, and at the direction of his gaze, and immediately understood.

He sighed inwardly.

But he didn't say anything.

It's already very good that His Highness didn't say he wanted to stay or see her again.

This shows that His Highness still has the Northern Frontier, his great cause, and the 300,000 soldiers waiting for his return in his heart.

He was already very satisfied and couldn't ask for anything more.

Xu Longxiang withdrew his gaze, turned around, and was about to step towards the carriage.

"Young Master Xu."

A voice came from behind, soft and gentle, like a spring breeze, refreshing and soothing.

Xu Longxiang's body stiffened abruptly!