Upon entering the Forbidden City, with a great army pressing in from the outside, the atmosphere was naturally one of strict security and widespread panic.

Although the city walls were heavily garrisoned and the soldiers stood ready for battle, Zou Feng felt that they had no morale.

Every one of them was fraught with worry, as if preoccupied by some deep concern.

Seeing this, Zou Feng didn’t want the hassle of having the soldiers announce his arrival to Bian Yixia.

Instead, he used a Body Skill so fast that no one on the scene could follow his movements. With just a few leaps, he entered the Forbidden City and quickly infiltrated the Imperial City.

Zou Feng was no stranger to this Imperial City of the former Great Yan.

After all, he had once bombarded Jinluan Hall.

At the time, Jinluan Hall had buckled under the assault and collapsed with a thunderous crash.

But it had long since been repaired, and now it looked even more magnificent than before.

At this moment, many ministers were kneeling outside Jinluan Hall, every one of them in a posture of desperate supplication.

Farther away, the soldiers were all looking on in confusion, murmuring amongst themselves.

With his enhanced hearing, Zou Feng could easily tell they were discussing why Her Majesty the Empress had locked herself in Jinluan Hall when a rebel army was at the city gates.

For the past few days, she had neither come out nor allowed anyone inside.

A military official had once forced his way in over an urgent military matter, only to be sent flying out by a single punch from the Empress. His injuries were so severe that he almost kicked the bucket.

After that, no one dared to force their way in again. That was why they were all kneeling outside, submitting their various pleas.

Even from this considerable distance, Zou Feng could sense a familiar aura emanating from within Jinluan Hall.

’Could it be? Has Bian Yixia sensed my return, and thus completely lost interest in playing empress? Is she just waiting for me to come and see her?’

’That’s not impossible. Originally, both Bian Yixia and Tian Yun were the type of women who follow their hearts.’

’Their conquest was likely just a way to gather the world’s resources to build a spirit ship suitable for traveling to the Eastern Earth Immortal Realm.’

’It would also make it easier for me to find them, should I one day return.’

’And now, having sensed my return through some profound, mystical connection, everything that came before has become dull and tasteless.’

’All they want to do now is wait for my arrival; nothing else matters...’

Thinking this, Zou Feng released a wave of colorless toxic gas, temporarily blocking the vision of everyone outside Jinluan Hall before slipping inside.

In the vast, empty hall, a lone woman sat upon the Throne.

It was Bian Yixia, who froze the moment she saw him enter.

Her features hadn’t changed much, but her disposition was vastly different from before.

She had the air of one who had weathered countless storms, completely devoid of any joy in life.

Only upon seeing him did her listless eyes suddenly shine with light.

Her Martial Arts Realm, as expected, had reached First Grade, and she was likely very close to the Spiritual Energy Realm.

After all, having been nourished by the Dragon and Tiger Kan and Li Skill, it was no surprise she had made such progress after more than ten years.

"Feng!?"

Bian Yixia called out, her voice trembling.

Although she had sensed his presence earlier, one could only imagine the immense shock and surprise she felt now, finally seeing him for real.

More than a decade of hopeless yearning burst forth at this very moment.

Zou Feng was certain his guess was correct because he knew both women well.

Neither of them fell in love easily, but once they did, their devotion was absolute and until death.

"Miss!" Zou Feng used the name he had first called Bian Yixia.

Tears were already streaming down Bian Yixia’s face. "Feng... is... is it really you?!"

Zou Feng nodded with a smile. "The one and only!"

"Where have you been all these years? Why didn’t you send word that you were safe?" Bian Yixia rose unsteadily, the initial joy of her surprise giving way to a profound sense of grievance.

Zou Feng replied helplessly, "It’s a long story. You might not believe it, but I had no idea I was gone for so long..."

It was the truth. Who could have predicted that while he was in the Glazed Immortal Palace, more than ten years would pass in the outside world?

He originally thought he had only been away from Great Yan for less than a year. On top of that, he hadn’t yet established his Dao Foundation and felt his state was unstable, so he hadn’t rushed back to retrieve the two women.

"Where’s Sister Yun?"

Bian Yixia sighed. "Sister Yun has cried herself nearly blind... Her temper has gotten incredibly strange. I rarely even see her myself!"

’That serious?’

All Zou Feng could do was hope he could properly console her when he saw her later.

"Miss, are you willing to go with me to the Eastern Earth Immortal Realm?" Zou Feng asked, getting straight to the point.

Bian Yixia vigorously wiped the tears from her eyes. "What do you think!?"

Before the words were even out of her mouth, she was sprinting toward him, looking as if she would throw herself into his arms with all her might.

Seeing this, Zou Feng immediately opened his arms and ran toward Bian Yixia as well!

The long-lost lovers were finally about to embrace, ready to soothe the ache of their separation.

"Feng!"

"Miss!"

Just as this touching scene was about to reach its perfect conclusion, Zou Feng’s right hand suddenly shot up, viciously chopping down toward Bian Yixia’s skull.

At almost the exact same moment, Bian Yixia also executed a Yin-Teasing Leg, kicking viciously at Zou Feng’s vital area.

BOOM—

Neither of them dodged or evaded as they exchanged a single, direct blow.

Bian Yixia staggered from the blow, so dizzy she nearly lost her footing.

And though Zou Feng had used his Iron Block technique, his vital area still throbbed with a dull ache.

But as for who had taken the heavier damage, it was clearly Bian Yixia.

Not only was she dizzy from the blow to her head, but the foot she had just kicked Zou Feng with had struck his "Iron Block," resulting in a fractured bone.