Chapter 442 The Red Lotus Cult is completely dismantled

Situ Feng stood quietly in front of the Xuanming Gate.

Gazing at that dilapidated door, an indescribable emotion welled up in my heart.

The once magnificent Xuanming Gate is now a dilapidated ruin, surrounded by broken walls, as if silently telling the story of that tragic disaster.

The once exquisitely carved walls are now blackened by the flames, their former glory gone.

Situ Feng took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart.

“Little sister…” he called Li Xi’s name softly, his voice trembling slightly. “I remember everything: grandparents, father, mother, older brother… and you, little sister!”

He remembered everyone, and the disciples in the sect were all his family.

Li Xi brought him to Qingning Mountain.

Looking at the cemetery before him, Situ Feng could no longer bear it and knelt down.

He wished he hadn't secretly left in the first place; the pain of losing a loved one was more intense than any punishment.

This belated pain was too much for him to bear.

Li Xi stood to the side, unable to bear seeing him like this, and advised, "Third Brother, the dead are gone, but the living must go on. I understand your pain. Now you must pull yourself together and avenge your family!"

Upon hearing this, Situ Feng's body trembled slightly.

He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Little sister, you're right."

Then, he picked up his glass and poured the wine onto the ground, as if bidding farewell to the past, "Let's go."

With Situ Feng's addition, Li Xi led the Zhenfu Division in carrying out operations to eradicate the remnants of the cult in various places with exceptional success.

Although Situ Feng's own strength was average, he had accumulated extensive connections within the Red Lotus Sect over the years, which enabled them to quickly track down the remnants of the cult.

With his assistance, the efficiency of the Zhenfu Division's operations was greatly improved, and the crackdown on the remnants of cults became even more powerful.

Pulling out the radish brought out the mud, and only then did Situ Feng realize that the Red Lotus Sect had been doing so many shady things behind the scenes.

The Red Lotus Cult's reach is far deeper and wider than imagined.

As Puritanism deepened, a series of heinous crimes gradually surfaced: human trafficking, the production of forbidden drugs, manipulation of power, and even collusion with foreign enemies in an attempt to overthrow the government.

Situ Feng never expected that the cult leader's arrangement for the Grand Protector to help him build the Benevolent Hall was also for them to secretly do some shady things.

He was distressed that he had been blind and deaf, unknowingly becoming an accomplice to evil.

When the night is still and quiet, Situ Feng's heart is gnawed by self-blame and remorse, but this pain also transforms into his firm determination to eliminate the remnants of the cult and atone for his sins.

He was more dedicated than Li Xi in the Puritan movement.

Although he has not been valued by the cult leader over the years, he often travels abroad and has met many talented and extraordinary people.

With the help of these people, Li Xi was like a tiger with wings.

Just before the end of the year, the Red Lotus Sect was completely dismantled.

With the Red Lotus Sect no longer causing trouble, the chaos in several border areas gradually subsided.

The people were finally able to catch their breath and welcomed the long-awaited peace.

The streets are decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the festive atmosphere is growing stronger. Every household is busy cleaning their homes and preparing for the New Year. Laughter and cheerful voices are filled with boundless hope for the future.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the imperial court promulgated a series of policies to benefit the people, including reducing taxes and encouraging agriculture and commerce.

However, what worried Li Xi was that after the cult leader was rescued by the mysterious person, all forces launched a thorough search, but they still could not find any trace of him.

It was as if he had completely disappeared from this world.

This became a thorn in Li Xi's side. Whenever she thought of it, her blood would surge and she would feel a sense of loss of control.

Meng Zhelan then concocted some pills for her to suppress the restlessness within her body.

But this feeling terrified and unsettled her.

Meng Zhelan and Prince Qi Yu of An's wedding day is set for the fifth day of the third month of next year.

This news finally put a huge weight off his mind, and he felt exceptionally relieved.

Recently, Qi Yu has been in high spirits, enjoying both love and career success.

After finishing his official duties, he rushed to Tingfeng Courtyard.

When he saw his beloved drying medicinal herbs there, his heart was filled with joy.

He strode forward and said softly, "Lan'er, the date has been set. The fifth day of the third month next year will be our wedding day. When should we go to the mansion to see where it needs repair and how we should decorate the courtyard where we will live?"

Qi Yu smiled and looked at Meng Zhelan with gentle eyes, and continued, "I also plan to clear out a plot of land in the manor to grow herbs, so that you can use fresh herbs to refine pills in the future."

As he spoke, he imagined their future life together, a happy smile spreading across his face.

I look forward to that day coming soon.

As Meng Zhelan listened to Qi Yu's description, her thoughts drifted to Li Xi.

She had been pondering what medicinal herbs could be used to suppress Xiaoxi's inner demons.

Therefore, she only responded absentmindedly to Qi Yu's words. It wasn't until Qi Yu gently took her hand that she came back to her senses.

"Lan'er, what's wrong? Is something on your mind?" Qi Yu asked with concern.

Meng Zhelan was slightly taken aback, then raised her head and looked into those expectant eyes, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.

She shook her head gently and said with a smile, "It's nothing, I was just thinking about some things."

Then, she put down the herbs in her hand, gently patted the dust off her hands, and said, "Your Highness, it's up to you to decide. I don't know much about these things. But I would like to trouble Your Highness to have a small courtyard prepared so that I can use it as a medicine-making room."

Qi Yu nodded, indicating that he understood.

He knew that Meng Zhelan always strived for excellence in her medical skills and was willing to fully support her. Even after marriage, he would not restrict her.

Meng Zhelan sighed softly, lost in thought about Xiao Xi.

She must never let anyone know that she is on the verge of losing control. If the emperor finds out, I wonder how he will treat her.

In the eyes of those in power, any factor that threatens the stability of the country must be eradicated.

Even though Xiaoxi is highly regarded now, if she were to threaten the imperial power one day, she would probably not escape her fate.

Thinking of this, Meng Zhelan's eyes became deep and complicated.

"Lan'er, what are you worried about?" Qi Yu noticed the change in her emotions and his eyes were full of tenderness.

She forced a smile and said softly, "It's nothing, I just suddenly thought of my mother..."

Qi Yu knew that Meng Zhelan had lost her mother at a young age, and seeing the sorrow on her face, his heart ached.

He reached out and took Meng Zhelan's hand with heartache. "Lan'er, if anything makes you unhappy, you must tell me. I hope you can share all your happiness and unhappiness with me, and not suffer in silence alone."

"good."