Chapter 219

A light breeze blew through the square, which only a moment ago had been bustling but now stood completely empty.

Senju Yukika said in a low voice, "That's impossible. An Lushan is a loyal and good minister of the Loulan Kingdom. How could he possibly do anything to harm Loulan? Loulan's current prosperity is largely thanks to his contributions."

Maple Leaf shook his head. "That's just to win your trust. Everything he's done is for his own purpose—the power of the Dragon Vein. He needed you to trust him. Your mother knew of An Lushan's plans and tried to stop him, but in the end, she died at his hands."

A cold flash swept by. Maple Leaf stepped back just in time to dodge a kunai that grazed past him.

Yukika's eyes were red with rage. She shouted, "If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll kill you right here! Loulan's prosperity is all thanks to my mother and An Lushan. I respect them deeply. Don't you dare insult them. This must be the work of other traitors!"

Maple Leaf wasn't angry. He looked at Yukika with quiet pity. What had happened today was overwhelming. For Yukika, it was shocking to realize that Loulan's prosperity was just a false image, that the people who seemed to love her were puppets controlled by others, and now, to hear that everything was orchestrated by the very minister she respected—and that her mother had died at his hands. How could she possibly accept that?

By now, the real citizens of Loulan were slowly gathering in the square, staring quietly at their princess. Someone cautiously asked, "Princess, do you know where you took my son?"

"Yes, and my brother too. He said he was going on a mission after you sent him out, but he never came back."

"And my father was taken away that night and never returned."

"My sister said the government was preparing to start a war to restore Loulan's glory and ordered people to help develop the Dragon Vein. After that, she disappeared..."

The square buzzed with voices—these people had come looking for their missing family members.

Yukika looked around in confusion. "What do you mean? Why are so many people missing? I never gave such orders. I never intended to start a war."

The crowd fell silent. Even their princess didn't know what was happening. Where could ordinary citizens turn for answers?

A little girl suddenly cried out, "Everyone says Queen Yukika is just a puppet princess. It must be true. Bring my brother back!"

"Yes! Bring back my father!"

"Return my family!"

"You are the Princess of Loulan, and yet you don't even know the tragedies befalling Loulan!"

The pain and accusations on their faces were like knives stabbing Yukika's heart. She staggered back a few steps and frantically said, "Everyone, calm down! I promise I will find your families and uncover the truth. I will give you justice."

"All of Loulan's people are gone, and the princess hasn't heard a thing. How can we stay calm?!"

Just then, a commanding voice rang out. "Silence!"

The voices of the Loulan people stopped instantly, their eyes turning to the man beside Yukika.

Someone asked suspiciously, "Who are you? This is Loulan's own matter. Why are you interfering?"

Maple Leaf didn't bother arguing. A flash of black light streaked by, and the man's head was instantly severed, falling to the ground and turning into rotted wood—it was another puppet.

"Looks like An Lushan's men aren't dead yet—they've tampered with things here. They are determined to take you down, Princess. If I'm not mistaken, they've even made a puppet version of you to replace you."

Yukika said in a low voice, "Maple Leaf, all of this is just your speculation. Without proof, please stop making baseless claims."

Maple Leaf sighed, then turned to the Loulan people. "Don't you want to know where your family members are? I know where they are, but your princess must lead the way. Those who disappeared are at the Dragon Vein. I believe Princess Yukika knows where that is."

Yukika stared at him in shock. She had never revealed that she could sense the Dragon Vein. How did he know?

"If you want to know whether I'm lying or not, let's go to the Dragon Vein and see for ourselves," Maple Leaf said softly.

Yukika hesitated. The Dragon Vein was important—her mother had warned her never to reveal it easily. But Loulan was in danger, and Maple Leaf's words stirred deep concern. If he was telling the truth...

Finally, Yukika nodded. "Follow me."

She led them to a tall tower in the center of Loulan, known to ordinary people as the Lost Tower.

"At the base of this tower lies the Dragon Vein. My mother, following An Lushan's advice, developed the Dragon Vein and used this place as its base. An Lushan's ministers are usually stationed beneath this tower."

Maple Leaf narrowed his eyes. To others, this was just an ordinary lost pagoda, but to him, it was a pagoda imbued with pure, dense spiritual power—clearly built to suppress the Dragon Vein.

Suddenly, a woman appeared atop the Lost Tower—she looked exactly like Yukika!

This "Yukika" stood on the tower and declared, "My dear people, this is an important site for restoring Loulan's glory. You should not be here. Leave immediately, or you will be severely punished!"

The Loulan people looked at each other in confusion. Why were there two princesses?

Maple Leaf sighed. "As expected, An Lushan really did prepare a puppet identical to you."

Yukika lowered her head, her voice dazed. "Help me destroy her."

Maple Leaf shrugged, supporting Yukika as she swayed unsteadily. Then he casually flicked a black light from his finger—Cero's power blasted into the tower.

A golden barrier shimmered around the tower, blocking Cero's attack. However, the shockwave knocked the fake "Yukika" from the tower. She crashed to the ground and shattered into fragments.