NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27. Lost Soul.
Cang Ling Ye lingered in the Dark Moon Forest from dusk till dawn, waiting for Wu’er, but she never returned. Realizing he couldn’t stay any longer, he prepared to leave.
The sunlight outside was as bright and warm as it had been the day he arrived; yet, Cang Ling Ye felt as cold as winter, his heart filled with sorrow.
Standing on the grass before the cave, he felt the sunlight on his body, but it offered no warmth.
He had waited here all night, sleeplessly recalling the first time he met Wu’er and the joyous moments they shared.
For years, he had yearned for her.
The always-strong Cang Ling Ye closed his eyes tightly, a single tear escaping.
He had fought hard all these years, driven by his love for Wu’er.
But now, she was gone, vanished into the forest without a trace.
He had believed the Dark Moon Forest was the safest place for her, but now she was missing.
Though hard to accept, he had no choice. Despite his hardened heart, Wu’er and his mother held tender spots.
He had never seen his mother, but he had always cherished memories of Wu’er, who had now disappeared so suddenly.
He blamed himself. He had hoped to take Wu’er away once he succeeded, but she vanished before he could act.
Cang Ling Ye had never felt such sorrow. Wu’er had occupied an important place in his heart, and the pain of her loss was unbearable.
He felt as if his soul had left his body, a walking corpse, as he left the Dark Moon Forest.
Before leaving, he took a comb from Wu’er’s cave, a memento they had made together. Since she hadn’t taken it, he kept it as a keepsake.
This comb was his only hope and connection to Wu’er. He believed they would meet again, just like the first time.
Cang Ling Ye now had another pressing matter to investigate: what had happened to Wu’er in the Dark Moon Forest and her current whereabouts.
Throughout his life, Cang Ling Ye had never forgotten his mother.
When he was young, he had timidly asked Emperor Cang Qian about his Imperial Mother. The Emperor’s fierce reprimand and warning to never mention her again frightened Cang Ling Ye, making him vow to avoid the subject in the Emperor’s presence.
Emperor Cang Qian’s intense reaction suggested something very serious about his mother’s past. This mystery only fueled Cang Ling Ye’s determination to investigate in secret.
Despite his efforts, no one in the palace would speak of it. Even the old nannies were terrified, and no amount of questioning yielded useful information.
Cang Ling Ye had some knowledge that a tragic event had occurred in the palace after his birth, but no one would share the details.
This mystery was a key reason behind Cang Ling Ye’s ambition for the throne. He believed that as Emperor, he could uncover the truth about his mother.
His teacher, Qin Yuan, aware of Cang Ling Ye’s quest for answers, had subtly advised him that some truths were too tragic to uncover and knowing them might not bring any benefit.
Despite Qin Yuan’s caution, Cang Ling Ye remained determined. He suspected that Qin Yuan’s background was more complex than just a guard or teacher, and that his dedication to teaching him had a deeper purpose.
There were many things Cang Ling Ye felt powerless to address now. Only by growing stronger and gaining more authority could he uncover the truths hidden in his heart.
Disheartened, Cang Ling Ye returned to the Night King’s Palace, where Nangong Yu and Mo Fan awaited him in the study. They had never seen him in such a state, and their concern was palpable.
“Are you alright? Why do you look so down? Did something happen?” Nangong Yu asked, worry etched on her face.
“It’s nothing, just feeling a bit sad. It’s fine. What’s the matter?” Cang Ling Ye replied, struggling to find the words to explain Wu’er’s disappearance.
“We’re okay, but we’re worried about you. We’ve never seen you like this,” Mo Fan added, noticing the sorrow in Cang Ling Ye’s eyes.
Cang Ling Ye took a deep breath. “There’s something I need to tell you. It’s about six years ago, when we were being hunted. I fell into the Dark Moon Forest.”
He decided it was time to share his burden with them, hoping they could help him find Wu’er.
Normally, Cang Ling Ye wouldn’t trouble others with his problems, preferring to solve them himself. But now, he had no other choice and needed their support more than ever.