Upon approaching, they discovered a person wearing a black night garment, motionless and curled up, with an arrow piercing his back. The blood flowing from the arrow had already coagulated.
“Are you dead?” Shan Xiaoya said while forcefully kicking his shoulder to check if he was dead.
The black-clad man rolled over from her kick, facing Shan Xiaoya and Shen Zhonglei. Seeing his appearance, Shan Xiaoya was stunned. How could he look exactly like Shen Zhonglei? She looked again at Shen Zhonglei beside her. They were like they were cast from the same mold, not a millimeter different.
Shen Zhonglei looked at the familiar face before him, frowning. Uncertainly, he asked Shan Xiaoya, “Xiaoya, do I know him? He seems so familiar.”
Before Shan Xiaoya could speak, the person on the ground stirred. “Hmm!” Shan Xiaoya signaled Shen Zhonglei, who understood and helped the man up, letting him lean on his shoulder. “Hey! Wake up! How are you?”
The black-clad man barely opened his eyes. When he saw the people before him, he was momentarily stunned, his eyes showing joy, conflict, and many fleeting emotions. Finally, it seemed he made an important decision. His gaze became steady, and he said almost pleadingly, “I am dying. Before my death, I hope you can agree to one thing.” His now-cold hands gripped Shen Zhonglei’s hand tightly.
Shen Zhonglei looked at him questioningly. “Tell me. I’ll try!”
“I am the emperor of Manyi Country. Misled by slanderous words, I attacked Jin Ri Country and was defeated. I was unfortunately killed by the treacherous prime minister Liu Demin.”
I hope that after my death, you can take over my country in the name of ‘Lian’, provide a way out for my people, and take revenge on the prime minister by strengthening Manyi Country.”
Shen Zhonglei looked troubled. “But I’m not from here, I’m afraid I can’t…”
Before he could finish, Shan Xiaoya asked, “Does your country have world-transcending masters? Like enlightened monks who can see through everything?”
The black-clad man’s gaze flickered as he turned to Shan Xiaoya. Weakly, he said, “We have many such people, mostly used by the royal family. If someone becomes emperor, they’ll do whatever he commands.”
“Is this true?”
“I never speak nonsense.”
“Good! In that case, brother, you’ll be his body double. We might have a chance to return.”
