Chapter 54
The art of trespassing
Between the perfect sunrise and the perfect bloom of flowers in the summer forest lies a small, secluded lodge where a Cangwu bird lives on its roof.
Late in the afternoon, after finishing her usual household duties and martial arts practice, Chu Qiao felt the need for some female companionship.
She decided to visit her old lady friend on Xue Fu Street. She cooked and brought some delicacies, eager and excited to meet her.
Having Yue Qi in the Liang Palace meant increased mobility for Xiao Ce. He asked Yue Qi to spy on a little street known as Xue Fu. Yue Qi agreed, and in his noble Hanfu disguise, complete with a hat and shoes, he set out.
Xia Chong finished her cold tea and received a pigeon courier with a note attached to its foot as it landed on the veranda of the Wei Crown Princess's palace.
She opened the note, read it, and swiftly took her coat, sneaking out on her own, bypassing the security and protocols of the Wei palace.
The royal guards were used to her behavior by now. She had threatened to kill them if they refused to let her pass. Furthermore, if any of her secret getaways were ever reported to the 13th Prince of Wei, Yuan Song, she swore she would cut their throats on the spot. Like a falcon, the false Chu Qiao rode away on her horse, heading for Xiao Yu's usual meeting place.
When she arrived, Xiao Yu gave her instructions to follow.
Yan Xun never forgets the last night he spent with Chu Qiao. He clearly remembers every word she told him, including her suspicions about Xiao Yu spying on him. Yan Xun believed his Queen was doing it out of love for him, but deep down, he didn't fully trust her.
On Xiao Yu's way out of Yan Palace, he secretly followed her and saw her meeting with Chu Qiao. His heart raced as he watched the two of them together.
He had never felt so angry until that moment, knowing they were secretly allied and meeting in the forest at twilight. He calmed himself and continued to follow them.
Yuwen Yue, returning home late at night after his routine work, found the lodge in order, except for a small note tucked in the corner of the dining table.
He moved past the dining area to the bedroom and saw a shiny, shimmering bed of silk, with a pearly white figure lying on it. The bed was veiled with a thin curtain, but a quick glance revealed who was lying there.
Yuwen Yue, cold and uninvited, suddenly found his gaze fixed on the beautiful woman in the bed.
"Is that really my wife?" Yuwen Yue wondered.
He blinked, trying to confirm what he was seeing.
But he was momentarily distracted by the memory of the note he had read earlier. In the letter, Chu Qiao had mentioned she was visiting an old friend at Kowloon House and wouldn't be back until later that night.
Yuwen Yue squinted, thinking perhaps Chu Qiao was playing a game to lure him in.
Or maybe she was initiating the first steps toward consummating their long-delayed intimacy.
"Have I deprived her of something?" Yuwen Yue thought, bewildered.
Despite this, Yuwen Yue had never felt as though Chu Qiao had ever taken the initiative. It was always he who made the first move, only to stop himself before going too far.
"Look at her," Yuwen Yue mused to himself, doubting his own thoughts.
Right now, it seemed as though his wife, lying like a serpent on their bed, was demanding her husband fulfill his duties.
Yuwen Yue swallowed, his throat dry, shaking off his erotic thoughts.
He started to doubt his wife but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. He entered the room, removed his peasant dress, and donned his neat Hanfu sleeping robes.
Yuwen Yue could no longer hide his desire for his wife. His mind was racing with the anticipation of what was about to happen, though part of him sensed danger and suspected Chu Qiao might be luring him into a trap.
While the moment felt heavenly, his instincts told him to stay alert. He slid a small dagger into his innerwear, just in case.
Carefully, Yuwen Yue approached the bed and saw his wife's curvy back.
He immediately noticed something was off, there was no small red tattoo on her back, something he had glimpsed before.
Yuwen Yue's thoughts raced. While he was drawn to the woman he believed to be Chu Qiao, memories of their past together flooded his mind, including when she had served as his bedchamber maid.
Suddenly, the fragrant smoke in the room made Yuwen Yue feel as though he might faint. The woman on the bed turned to face him.
Before losing consciousness, Yuwen Yue realized what Chu Qiao was about to do. As her naked body came into view, he nearly lost control, entranced by her eyes until someone drew a clean blade, aiming for his neck.
Yuwen Yue, now on top of the woman he thought was Chu Qiao, pressed a sharp blade to her throat.
He had faked his fall, leading Chu Qiao to believe he had succumbed to the effects of the fragrant smoke.
Though it was difficult, Chu Qiao didn't move.
Yuwen Yue told her, "I have survived a hundred assassination attempts, including this honey trap you're trying now. Who are you? Tell me why you're doing this."
Suddenly, the Cangwu bird flew to the window and began squawking loudly, shouting, "Fool, fool, fool!"
The bird then called out Chu Qiao's former name: "Xinger… Xinger… Xinger…"
Its voice grew hoarse as it repeated the distress call. Yuwen Yue looked at Chu Qiao and said, "If you don't learn your lesson today, you won't last the night."
He released her, but kept the cold dagger ready to strike at her neck. Chu Qiao understood his warning. She stood up and slowly walked away from the bed. Like a snake, fearless yet wary of the man's dragon-like eyes.
A snake couldn't survive this divine, predatory human, his calm gaze only heightened his deadly instincts.
Xia Chong could no longer withstand Yuwen Yue's killer instincts and bolted from the room, leaving Yuwen Yue behind.
From a distance, Xiao Yu saw the man, barely able to make out his face. She felt as if she had seen a ghost, and fear crept through her veins.
Meanwhile, Xia Chong rode back to the Wei palace. Unbeknownst to her, another pair of eyes had been watching the scene. Yan Xun, on his horse, followed Xia Chong.
Once Yuwen Yue realized the woman had left, he knew his lodge had been compromised. There were eyes everywhere..."illegal channels" must have been set up.
Yuwen Yue calmed himself, thinking of Chu Qiao, still on her way home.
He wasn't overly worried about the chaos but was deeply concerned for Chu Qiao's safety.
Yuwen Yue suddenly rushed out of the room, inspecting every corner of their lodge for the Canhong sword.
When he didn't find it, he thought, "She took it with her."
Returning to the room, he arranged the bed as though nothing had happened, but left a mark. Meanwhile, Xia Chong, following Xiao Yu's instructions, was working to sabotage Chu Qiao's marriage.
Yuwen Yue left a small trace of blood on the bed, a ticking time bomb that would explode when the truth was revealed, showing that Yuwen Yue had been unfaithful.
He knew that once disturbed, snakes always return with reinforcements.
Just then, Chu Qiao arrived, her face bright with happiness as she knocked on the door. But she felt something strange, the bird was staring at her, not its usual lively self.
Yuwen Yue, attempting to act normal, opened the door coldly to greet his wife. He then walked straight to the kitchen, waiting for the water to boil. Chu Qiao scanned the lodge and everything seemed fine.
"Have you eaten dinner?" Chu Qiao asked.
Yuwen Yue responded coldly, "Yes, I did."
"Well, the old lady gave me this. If you want, we can eat again," Chu Qiao said with a sweet smile.
Yuwen Yue, with his cold eyes, replied briefly, "Sure."
Still running on adrenaline, Yuwen Yue suddenly moved toward his wife without warning and passionately kissed her.
He didn't care how long his mind raced.
Chu Qiao was shocked, her husband's desire seemed mixed with anger. Yuwen Yue wanted her so badly, with such intensity, that he pushed her hard, laying her down on their dining table.
Chu Qiao did not respond to the intense kiss. She allowed Yuwen Yue to continue, but it hurt her back and lips.
Feeling nervous, Chu Qiao's tension became apparent, and when Yuwen Yue sensed it, he stopped. He said, "I'm sorry, Iwascarried away," placing emphasis on "was."
Yuwen Yue, secretly speaking in code for his wife to decipher, was offering an apology, something unusual for him, which should have served as a clue for Chu Qiao. However, she remained clueless.
The cold, charming man, now looking flushed with desire, with wet lips, stopped kissing and sat down on a chair, gazing at his wife. His calm eyes reflected the adrenaline rush now dissipated after the long, passionate kiss.
"Let's eat first," Chu Qiao suggested.
She stared at him, feeling something strange, then arched herself off the table and gathered her clothes from the floor.
Yuwen Yue nodded, watching as his wife served their dinner bowls and prepared the night tea they usually drank before bed.
Like any other night, they ate and went to sleep, at peace.
As the night deepened, the cold summer forest filled with the howls of foxes, and owls began their eerie hooting. The Yuwen parrot, half-asleep, occasionally opened its eyes, its distress not fully quelled.
Several dark figures surrounded the lodge. Yuwen Yue, careful not to wake his wife, stood up and silently stepped outside. The surroundings were filled with traps designed to ward off intruders.
Yuwen Yue, a former master of the Eyes of God, knew that sooner or later, this lodge would be compromised. He had built hidden caches of his weapons, nearly impossible for anyone but him to find.
Sensing danger closing in, he placed a flare beside a wooden stool near the well. Knowing enemies were watching, Yuwen Yue began fetching water as usual.
He pulled up the wooden pail, poured the water onto the ground, and retrieved something before repeating the action.
As the dark entity watched him carefully, a feminine voice called out, "You're about to be killed, and yet here you are, still fetching water?"
Yuwen Yue didn't look at her but replied, "How sure are you that I'll be killed tonight?"
Still in the middle of pulling the pail of water, the woman hurled deadly needles at him.
Without looking, Yuwen Yue detached a piece of bolo wood from the well, catching the needles with no effort, using it as a shield.
"I can tell by what you're doing," said the woman, clearly impressed.
Yuwen Yue, still focused on the well, didn't move as she brandished a dagger, aiming for his body.
In a fluid motion, Yuwen Yue evaded the attack, swinging his body around the well's lever before resuming his position, still fetching water.
The woman, now more than impressed, was visibly annoyed. She laughed mockingly. "Ha… Ha… Ha… Why do you look so foolish?"
"Foolish? Am I?" Yuwen Yue asked calmly, still looking down at the well.
As his hand gripped the pail for the third time, the sound of a lock clicking filled the air. The well seemed as though it would explode, and suddenly, a sword shot out with a gush of water, leaping toward his Poe Yue Jian sword mid-air.
"Wow!"
A sudden exclamation and the sound of clapping came from the distance. Another figure had joined the scene. Yuwen Yue closed his eyes and recognized the scent immediately. There was no mistaking the identity.
Two Liang royals had come to ambush him, but neither recognized his face, now concealed beneath a beard that made him appear older than he was.
Xiao Ce, with a sly grin, revealed his white teeth, easing the tension as he mocked both combatants. "Sister, why are you disturbing a humble man who just wants to fetch water from his well?"
He turned to Yuwen Yue, adding, "And you, flying sword man, or whatever martial art you're practicing, why would you disrespect my sister by drenching her in water while she's in her sacred black ninja suit?"
Xiao Yu, drenched in water but maintaining her fierce gaze, unsheathed her belt sword, preparing for what she considered the real fight to come.
Yuwen Yue, still calm, replied, "Why don't you ask your sister?"
Xiao Ce, tired of Yuwen Yue's silver tongue, stepped between them, blocking the potential conflict with his body.
Yuwen Yue had yet to fully unsheathe his Poe Yue Jian sword, which was still covered in mud from the well.
Seeing no immediate danger, Yuwen Yue calmly walked back to the well and continued his routine.
The two Liang royals stared in disbelief, their patience wearing thin.
Xiao Yu rolled her eyes, while Xiao Ce raised his brows in amusement, clearly enjoying the mischief. He quipped, "Seriously, what are you doing?"
Despite the tension, Yuwen Yue's movements were slow and unhurried, as if he were in sync with the wind blowing through the bamboo forest, which whispered like falling rain, sending chills through the air.
Yuwen Yue pulled up the pail once more, pouring water onto his sword sheath, while the two royals continued to watch him in bewilderment.
His face remained calm and expressionless.
Suddenly, a new group of dark ninja figures arrived. Their target was not Yuwen Yue but the two Liang royals. They charged forward to attack Xiao Yu and Xiao Ce.
A sniper shot a double arrow at Xiao Ce, who narrowly escaped injury. Xiao Yu, however, was struck on the back by a blackguard assassin.
Yuwen Yue, seemingly uninterested in the chaotic scene, focused on his sword, cleaning the sheath of his Poe Yue Jian.
Finally, as if time had slowed, Yuwen Yue's eyes flashed with the mastery of a true swordsman. He unsheathed his glowing sword.
Xiao Yu, frozen in place, watched as another assassin flew toward her, ready to strike.
With one swift movement, Yuwen Yue countered the attack, cutting off the assailant's head.
In an instant, Yuwen Yue, who had been her enemy, became her savior.
He lifted Xiao Yu's blood-soaked body into his arms. Looking into his eyes, Xiao Yu asked, "Was it you?"
Yuwen Yue did not answer her. She repeated the question: "Is it really you?"
Yuwen Yue glanced at her wound and said, "Don't move, or you'll lose more blood." He gently positioned Xiao Yu near the well to shield her.
Suddenly, the sniper Bowman lowered his bow and arrows, eyes wide with disbelief.What did I just see? Is it a ghost?he wondered.
Yue Qi couldn't approach, but as he stared, he felt it in his veins he could not deny that this man was his original master, Yuwen Yue.
Xiao Ce, pretending its incompetence, was attacked by another blackguard, and then another. Yuwen Yue moved swiftly, defending both royals with ease.
His movements were flawless every swing of his sword was precise, cutting down his enemies effortlessly. He chopped through their necks with a master's precision.
In the final strike, he swiftly finished the last foe with a perfect cut.
The fine art of a master swordsman was on full display. His expressionless, handsome face tilted downward as he observed the carnage.
The summer moon, shining brightly, bore witness to the bloodbath, casting light upon the clear sky. In the distance, a black horse charged toward the scene, its rider, the black-hooded prince, returning to the lodge to check on his Queenonly to be too late to see the action.
Yan Xun saw his Queen lying near the well, weakened by blood loss. He spurred his horse forward, quickly intruding upon the scene. Xiao Yu saw him and reached out her hand. Yan Xun grabbed her arm, lifting her effortlessly onto his horse.
Without glancing at the others, Yan Xun sped away, his horse, Blast, Yanbei's unmatched war horse, carrying them like a flash.
And just like that, the night's events unfolded quickly. Yuwen Yue had seen all his former comrades, but not once did he catch a glimpse of his former best friend, Yan Xun, King of Yanbei.
He felt oddly at home, though the stench of blood returned with it.
When the danger had passed and the bodies lay still, Xiao Ce approached Yuwen Yue. His sharp gaze betrayed no confusion. He finally spoke: "Who else but YOU…"
With his signature sly grin, Xiao Ce added, "I made no mistake. I knew they were lying when they told me you were dead. Iknewit was a lie."
Yuwen Yue surveyed the mess outside his lodge. He knew he'd have to clean it up soon, but his wife, still asleep inside, was blissfully unaware of what had just transpired.
He didn't want to explain or complicate things with her.
Xiao Ce, his voice filled with genuine concern, said, "Yuwen Yue, I'll clean this mess. By morning, everything will be whitewashed…"
In a softer tone, he added, "Just take care ofherfor me."
Yue Qi, perched in the tree with his bow and arrow, wiped tears from his face, frozen in place. His feet felt like ice as he stared down at his long-lost master, unable to move.
Yuwen Yue called up to him, "Come down. It's safe."
Yue Qi climbed down and, for the first time in years, faced the original master to whom he had sworn his life. Bowing deeply, Yue Qi paid his respects to Yuwen Yue.
A flashback crossed Yuwen Yue's mind when the Bowman shot a blackguard, aiming not to kill, but to send a signal. Yuwen Yue had already realized that the sniper was intentionally avoiding fatal blows, knowing full well the blackguards were from Wei state.
Yue Qi, the only one capable of such precision, had aimed to exhaust their weak spots, confirming his identity.
Relaxed, Yuwen Yue had allowed the unseen ally to buy him time to unsheathe his sword. Through his flawless mastery of the Jian sword, he communicated silently with Yue Qi, a skill only a Yuwen heir could execute with such precision, targeting the blackguards' tattooed necks.
Yuwen Yue stared at Yue Qi, his gaze cold yet welcoming. Relief washed over him, his loyal comrade, his brother, was alive.
As for tonight, Yuwen Yue thought Yue Qi deserved a drinking session, a man-to-man talk but not just yet.
Xiao Ce, sensing the silent exchange between former master and servant, squinted his foxy eyes and said, "Yue Qi, from this day forward, STAY ALIVE. I don't want to be burdened by another dead body, but you're welcome to visit Liang, your second home. Just don't forget to bring me some fresh tea leaves, harvested within three days."
Yue Qi nodded, replying, "Your Highness, I don't know why you place such value on a lowly servant like me. I could never repay you, not even in seven lifetimes."
Xiao Ce, unwilling to dwell on the pain of letting go and suppressing the jealousy he felt toward Yuwen Yue's luck in having such a loyal companion, said, "May the Qians bless me and send me someone like Yue Qi to replace the brother and friend I gave away today."
Yuwen Yue, sensing Xiao Ce's attachment to Yue Qi, replied, "Your Highness, thank you for looking after my servant. It wasn't required, nor was it worth your time, but you did it anyway. I'm sure you'll find someone to replace what you've so graciously given today."
He added, "Since it's already midnight, I cannot let the Crown Prince travel through the dangerous forest…"
But before he could finish, Xiao Ce triggered a flare, lighting up the sky.
The three of them knew what that meant. Within minutes, the sound of horse hooves approached to fetch the Prince, who had already begun his journey through the cold forest, ensuring he remained undiscovered.
Yue Qi knew the Crown Prince would soon face an interrogation from Liang's elders and Emperor Tang, forced to explain his actions from the night.
Xiao Ce, ever mischievous, clicked his tongue in amusement. "Tsk, tsk, tsk," he said, hinting at the games and masks the Crown Prince of Liang would once again put on after tonight.
Yuwen Yue stared coldly into the dark forest, while a sincere smile spread across Yue Qi's face as he shook his head from side to side.
The misty night was alive with the presence of something sinister. Somewhere in the dark, a bloodthirsty figure lurked, her eyes burning with hellish fury. She thought,This can't be real. They claim the heir to the Eyes of God died and was despised…
He isn't real. No one must believe. No one must kno
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