71.2

The capital, inside the princess's residence. Princess Shunde's bandages had been removed from her face, but she still refused to show herself. She wore a veil while sitting behind a bamboo curtain. Zhu Ling stood behind her in his usual black iron armor, guarding her. He was holding some fresh berries.

Fresh fruits were difficult to find in winter. Princess Shunde grabbed a berry and threw it on the ground, then stepped on it with her bare foot, bursting it. Servants wiped her clean as soon as she lifted her foot. She threw another one down and stepped on it again. The juice of the berries splashed out and landed onto the shoes of the person outside the curtain. Lin Haoqing looked at his shoes and bowed.

"Princess."

"Valley Master Lin, I'm sorry for the delay."

The servants once again wiped the princess's feet clean. Princess Shunde took another berry and threw it outside the bamboo curtain. The berry rolled to Lin Haoqing and stopped at the tip of his toe.

"This small fruit doesn't taste anything special, but stepping on it is very interesting. The shell seems hard but cracks easily and the juice bursts out. It feels really good. Master Lin, why not give it a try?" Lin Haoqing crushed the berry with one foot.

"May I ask why did the princess summon me to the capital?"

"To stomp on berries." Lin Haoqing waited for her to continue.

Princess Shunde stood up behind the curtain and spilled all the fruits in Zhu Ling's hand onto the ground, then went on a stomping craze until they all turned into mush. She stopped, but her breath was heavy and rapid.

"The fruits inside the hall are finished, there are more outside the hall." She looked through the bamboo curtain and the hair on her forehead hung down in a slight mess.

"Ji Yunhe of the Northlands, I remember you two grew up together, right?" Lin Haoqing respectfully answered, "Yes."

"You've been heading the Demon Valley for six years now, and you are doing a great job. Your reputation has been soaring."

"It is my duty."

"Valley Master Lin, managing the Demon Valley is only part of your duty, sharing the woes of the court is your top priority."

Princess Shunde walked back to her seat and sat down. The servants wiped at her feet again. "Over the years fighting with the north, aside from the disciples of the Grand Master's house, all other demon masters only seem to be helping the court, but in reality… you know very well." Lin Haoqing tightened his brows slightly and immediately got down on one knee.

"Princess..." Princess Shunde waved her hand.

"No need for explanations, I didn't summon you today to hear false pretenses." Princess Shunde continued,

"The northern border has been a problem for many years, yet the three demon master quarters keep failing to do their best in eliminating the threat. That is a punishable sin. I want to blight our rivers and lakes with the frost poison." Princess Shunde smiled behind her veil. Lin Haoqing tightened his hands inside his sleeves.

"As you know, the frost poison is harmless to ordinary people and demons, but it is deadly to those with a double pulse." Lin Haoqing raised his head.

"Princess, you also have a double pulse, so do the people of the Grand Master's house..."

"We will be fine inside the Imperial City. As for the rest of you demon masters out there, I don't expect to kill all, but as many as possible..." Lin Haoqing's gaze grew slightly cold.