Chapter 79
Chain of memories
In the soft morning light, Chu Qiao finds herself in a timeless space. She looks at a peasant girl sitting with a chair and table in the middle of a green field.
The green fields sway in the wind, and the peasant girl notices her.
With a formal expression, the girl welcomes the leader of the wind and cloud decree, but at her small table and the empty chair beside it, she continues her work.
Chu Qiao walks toward the peasant girl, and when she is closer, she sees what the peasant girl is working on. Chu Qiao says, "I came here to ask for your intervention."
"How could I possibly help Mimi Gongzhu?" the peasant girl asks.
"There is a man named Yuwen Yue," Chu Qiao says, looking at the green field as her eyes fill with tears.
"And why would the Mimi Gongzhu care for this man?" The peasant girl continues working on the wooden table.
Chu Qiao's lips want to say more, but she finds herself empty of words. Instead, she simply says, "I am asking for a favor to rewrite this man's destiny in exchange for this…"
Suddenly, Chu Qiao is lifted into the air, slowly performing the wind and cloud decree with the movements of her hands.
Her back trickles with fire, sending small sparks of an ancient flower. The Oracle of the Higanbana flower swirls endlessly in the air, inscribed with many Chinese characters.
The beauty and fragrance of the flower drift from her back and, suspended in mid-air, form the red Higanbana flower.
"You're giving up your powers to the underworld realms to save him?" the peasant girl asks.
"No. I am offering it to open another chance for the man named Yuwen Yue," Chu Qiao replies, still suspended in her divine-like figure while the Higanbana flower floats in the air.
"Is he worth it?" The peasant girl begins aligning and carving white rectangular marble stones on the table.
"If it is worthy to do so, then yes," Chu Qiao says softly.
"The leader of the cloud and decree is the only one who can handle both powers of darkness and light. Do you accept the consequences?"
"Even if I must face oblivion," Chu Qiao replies.
The peasant girl picks up the white marbles and throws them into the air. They gently float up, covering the Higanbana flower. The girl reads the new Oracle: "The Qinghai Prince will be restored to the human realm. So it shall be done."
At her words, the remaining white marbles form a line in the air. A light begins to imprint on each stone.
Another Oracle is uttered to the wind: "The Mimi Gongzhu who abandons her powers will pursue the subject of her will. She will be given a quarter of the Ersatz divine incense. If the time runs out, she will face oblivion and be forever trapped in the Ersatz realm. Do you accept?"
Without hesitation, Chu Qiao casts her words to the wind: "I accept."
"The decree is now sealed."
This world has never been an easy place.
As the dew of the morning drops, everyone expects to meet a new beginning.
After three years, the Moon Kingdom sleeps like an abandoned child, while the Qinghai Empire expands its influence over the Ximeng Continent.
Grand preparations have been made for the royal state visit of the Qinghai Crown Prince. Every hotel around Liang State has been booked for the royal entourage.
Every street corner is blocked, and no one can pass except the royal guards.
Tons of Qinghai goods have been shipped in long caravans crossing the Liang State borders.
Baskets of flowers were showered on the aisle of Jinwu Palace as the Qinghai Crown Prince walked toward the Liang Throne.
After exchanging royal gestures and courtesies, Xiao Ce warmly greeted an old and familiar face.
This time, instead of a masked prince, the Qinghai Crown Prince revealed his face to everyone, breaking the customs and protocols of the Qinghai Empire.
The neighboring Wei State was shocked and felt threatened, but they secretly formed alliances with the Qinghai Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, Yanbei remained indifferent and found the situation amusing. The King of Yanbei remarked, "Yuwen Yue, how many lives do you have left?"
Xiao Ce squinted his foxy eyes and said, "Hello, my old friend. How's everything?"
Ra Yue, with his usual cold and serious expression, replied, "Am I really that old of a friend? We only met when you visited the Qinghai Empire."
Xiao Ce smirked and said, "You can never be too old with good friends. And today is my lucky day because you accepted my invitation to visit Liang State. Besides pretty girls, what can I offer you? How can I please you? Tell me."
Ra Yue, aware of the Liang Emperor's easygoing yet cunning reputation, replied, "May I take advantage of your majesty's kindness by visiting Xue Fu Street?"
Xiao Ce's eyes widened like an owl's, and he said, "Of all the riches and pretty girls I can offer, why ask for Xue Fu Street? Is there something special about that place?"
Xiao Ce's curiosity was piqued, while Ra Yue squinted his eyes and said, "I once heard a story about a deposed Queen who lived with the Empress-to-be of the Liang Empire."
Xiao Ce swallowed hard before responding, "And I once heard about a prince from a land of defectors and criminals who lost his memory when he entered the Moon Kingdom and left the surreal realms."
Ra Yue, dismissing the comment, said, "Besides Qinghai, there is no Moon Kingdom or surreal realms."
The corners of Xiao Ce's eyes became even foxier as he replied, "Really? Look at me. I'm alive because of it."
Ra Yue thought this Emperor was out of his mind and wanted to brush off Xiao Ce's half-serious jokes, so he said, "When you find one, invite me. I'll be sure to come."
Meanwhile, Chu Qiao had just returned from the mountain temple, where she prayed, when she encountered a royal envoy passing by. Mei Xiang, dressed in fine white satin with her head and face covered by a white veil, and Ping'An, dressed in brown sackcloth like a pauper, bowed to the ground. Chu Qiao slowly pulled her hood over her head, letting the taupe veil cover her face as she knelt.
The royal envoy didn't recognize Chu Qiao and her companions, passing by as though they were strangers. Chu Qiao felt somewhat relieved, but her thoughts returned to the memory of the wind and cloud decree, remembering the quarter incense of the Ersatz realm.
Suddenly, the royal passenger felt a chill. He slowly pulled back the curtain of the palanquin to glance at the roadside, but by then, the three figures were already far in the distance. His cold eyes squinted as if he wanted to command the envoy to stop and check the strangers.
Yue Qi, noticing the Qinghai Crown Prince's glance, tapped his horse and rode beside the palanquin window. "Your Highness, is something wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," came a soft, cold voice.
Yue Qi was about to move away when the Qinghai Crown Prince suddenly said, "Turn back. We must catch up with them!"
Though Chu Qiao's powers had disintegrated within her, her sharp senses remained intact. She could still sense whether danger or threats were real. She quickly tapped Mei Xiang's shoulder and said, "They're coming back toward us. Stay put and be alert. Ping'An, don't move unless I draw my sword."
The royal envoy swiftly turned their prime horses around, galloping toward the three, who continued walking as if nothing were amiss.
Yue Qi shouted, "Stop!"
Yet the three figures continued walking, fearlessly.
Yue Qi halted his horse, and the horses of the envoy behind him kicked up dust as they stopped. From his position, Yue Qi drew an arrow from his quiver, pulled the bowstring taut, and released it, the arrow trailing a rainbow-like path through the air.
Swoosh…
Chu Qiao suddenly stopped walking, her palms twitching.
Although they appeared unarmed, Yue Qi knew better than to underestimate these kinds of unexpected intruders. His horse charged toward the three as he prepared to inspect them.
Suddenly, the leaves by the roadside began to sway, and the sound alerted Chu Qiao's senses, causing her veins to swell as her palms readied for a kill.
Yue Qi focused on the woman covered with a white veil over her head and face. He had already marked her as a target. Now, the situation grew hostile as he moved to kidnap the lady in white.
Chu Qiao didn't panic, and Ping'An remained calm as well. Both continued walking ahead, listening to the approaching footsteps from behind, heavy, cold, and ominous.
Yuwen Yue stepped down from the palanquin and approached Yue Qi. "Is this really a coincidence or an intruder spy?" he asked.
At the right moment, Chu Qiao leaped into action, springing into the air to protect Mei Xiang. Her sword slashed through the air, shocking the entire envoy. Time seemed to freeze as Yuwen Yue drew his Poe Yue Jian sword and countered the strike from Chu Qiao's Canhong sword.
Yuwen Yue realized that the girl in white was merely a decoy.
The howling wind echoed in Yuwen Yue's ears as the two swords clashed. The sound triggered long-buried memories, fragments of the Greenhills courtyard, the Eyes of God, the Wei Empire, and forgotten episodes from his past.
Blow after blow flashed before the onlookers' eyes, but no one dared to interfere. Yuwen Yue and Chu Qiao continued to spar, their swords moving as if they were not battling but engaged in a deadly dance. Their martial arts complemented one another, each move balanced by the other.
Yuwen Yue, sensing that this was a battle he could not win, eventually halted. He turned to Yue Qi and said, "Release her. We will meet again."
The Qinghai men, exhausted and aching, dropped their swords, which were neatly piled up. Meanwhile, Ping'An clapped his hands with an innocent expression, as if he had nothing to do with the fight. The job was done.
Chu Qiao, with her hood still covering her head, looked down and said, "When we meet again, you will remember."
Ra Yue, without looking at her, replied coldly, "Who am I supposed to remember?"
Chu Qiao heard the chilling words, and they pierced her heart like a haunting pain. Time was running out, and the danger loomed closer. How would this cold man ever recognize her before the incense of time ran out, dooming her to be trapped forever in the Ersatz realm?
Later, Xiao Ce eagerly welcomed the Qinghai Crown Prince to a tea ceremony in a gazebo overlooking a pond. The maids meticulously arranged everything, making the scene feel like a glimpse into the past.
Ra Yue found himself gazing at the lotus flowers scattered across the man-made lake. Suddenly, one lotus slowly unfolded its petals, and he was stunned. "Why do I feel like I've seen this before?" he thought to himself.
"Ahem…"
Xiao Ce gave a fake cough, ready to play games. Clapping his hands, he signaled for a puppet show to begin in the middle of the Chinese gazebo pond.
The puppet show started, and Ra Yue turned to watch. The puppets danced, telling a story of two lovers who had forgotten each other. Xiao Ce glanced at Ra Yue and said, "Are you going to stand there forever?"
"No," Ra Yue replied in a short, bland voice.
"Then come over here so we can watch together," Xiao Ce said, giving him a flirty smile.
Ra Yue, aiming to please his host, responded, "You never fail to surprise."
Ra Yue walked from the open corridor toward the gazebo pond, with his envoy following behind. The two men watched the show in silence, but Ra Yue showed no hint of emotion. Inside, however, memories flickered like a candle, small sparks igniting his thoughts. He gave Xiao Ce no chance to see into his soul. Meanwhile, Xiao Ce, already thinking ahead, asked, "Yuwen Yue, how was your trip to Xue Fu Street?"
Ra Yue responded, "Is that what you wish to call me during my state visit to Liang? Who is Yuwen Yue?"
"Oh, my brother, you don't wish to remember your true identity? Have you forgotten all about the Wei Empire?" Xiao Ce teased with a smile.
Yuwen Yue stared at him for a moment and said, "Are you referring to the heir of the Eyes of God?"
"Oh! Thank goodness you remember!" Xiao Ce said, throwing him a sly glance.
Ra Yue smirked and said, "I used it to my advantage to expand my influence in the Wei Empire. It has been useful. They truly believe I am Yuwen Yue, the lost heir to the Eyes of God. No one dares to question it. But I refuse to indulge the Yuwen family's illusions in the Wei Empire any longer, or they will perish."
"A Trojan horse, eh? You walked into their empire, and they were stunned to see your face, but they had no idea what to expect from you!" Xiao Ce laughed, teasing Yuwen Yue even more.
Yuwen Yue shot a glare at Xiao Ce and replied, "I haven't changed?"
Xiao Ce sighed deeply, as if preparing to tell a long story. "The fourth young master of the Yuwen household was always the coldest and most indifferent of all. He had eyes but chose not to see, ears but chose not to hear, a heart but chose not to love. They used to call him 'Master Ice Cube.' They thought it would be better for him to drown in an icy lake than to live, denying his family and Xinger."
"Xinger?" A bell seemed to ring in Ra Yue's mind.
"Yes, Xinger!" Xiao Ce continued, oblivious to the effect his words had on Ra Yue.
Ra Yue paused and asked, "Why should I remember this name Xinger?"
Yue Qi leaned in close and whispered, "Your Highness, Xinger was Master Yuwen Yue's agent of sacrifice. She was personally trained by the heir of the Eyes of God. There are many stories if you wish to hear them."
Ra Yue understood but replied, "Yue Qi, I appreciate your help, but don't elaborate unless I command you to do so. No offense should be taken literally tonight."
Yue Qi, feeling ashamed, returned to his post, standing straight and emotionless. He hadn't meant to offend his master, but he feared he had not been helpful either.
Xiao Ce, reclaiming the moment, waved his hand to end the puppet show. "Very well. As the puppet show concludes, let's begin the banquet early. Tonight, I am your extravagant host, the master showman. Who knows what surprises I've prepared for you?"
Ra Yue whispered to himself, "Is there anything good that could come from this?"
Out loud, he said, "Let's start the banquet early so we can also end it early. The Qinghai men look tired and need rest."
Xiao Ce squinted his eyes with a sly smile. "We haven't even started the day, and the Qinghai men are already tired? They haven't even had the chance to enjoy Liang's finest women yet! Where's the vigor? Ha ha ha!"
Xiao Ce laughed heartily, but the Qinghai envoy remained serious, unmoved by the Emperor's joke.
Ra Yue, unable to ignore the joke, said, "We didn't know Liang's Xue Fu Street was full of decoys. We were caught by a woman in burlap sackcloth who fought with the martial arts skills of a civet cat. The Qinghai men had to unsheathe their swords for a little while."
"Oh! You mean the black cat, the white fairy, and the pauper boy?! You met the weeds along the road and got pricked by their thorns! What did you do, or should I ask what they did to you?" Xiao Ce laughed even louder.
Ra Yue asked, "What? You sent them as an advance party to clear our path?"
Xiao Ce responded, "Treacherous paths are the civet cat's playground. You are alive because she chose for you to live."
Still laughing, Xiao Ce walked away from the gazebo pond, followed by his maids and eunuchs. Ra Yue glanced coldly at Yue Qi.
Yue Qi didn't react, silently following his master, though he remembered Ra Yue's words.
"Have Zuo Zong investigate the woman in burlap sackcloth with martial arts skills like a civet cat. I want to remember her from now on."
Xiao Ce and Ra Yue arrived at the banquet. The Emperor and the Qinghai Crown Prince faced a different audience now, Prime Ministers, Elders, the Royal Liang Council, and other branches of the Liang government, all gathered to honor their guests.
Sun Di, standing not far from Xiao Ce, spoke: "Before our banquet begins tonight, may I have the honor of presenting Liang's finest musicians and dancers to welcome our esteemed guest, the Qinghai Crown Prince Ra Yue."
The musical performers began to form a line, bowing to the royal guests. What caught the audience's attention the most was theBianzhong, an ancient Chinese musical instrument consisting of a set of bronze bells played melodically. Hung on a wooden frame, it was struck slowly with a mallet, filling the air with a deep, resonant sound.
This wasn't Ra Yue's first time witnessing such an ancient performance. As the graceful hands struck the bells, the melody unfurled like the opening petals of flowers, and a group of finely dressed women dancers emerged onto the stage.
They stood like statues of Greek gods, posing as if no one was allowed to breathe, waiting for the star dancer of the night.
The women were draped in satin fabric, covering their heads with what must have been expensive silk, and a fragrance filled the air, enhancing the atmosphere of the banquet. Their eyes were adorned with pearls and luminous powder, causing them to glimmer in the dim light, though their faces remained mostly hidden.
Ra Yue, unmoved so far, finally had his attention captured when the lights were dimmed, leaving only a single spotlight illuminating the stage. Suddenly, plum blossoms began to rain down from above.
An expensive silk rope descended in the center of the stage, and from it, a beautiful woman, with a perfect figure, held on tightly as she gracefully lowered herself. Sparkles of light shimmered around her as the audience stared in awe, entranced by her entrance.
Like an angel descending fromQians(heaven) to earth, her face glowed beneath an expensive, silverish Kashmiri silk hood. The entire audience stood mesmerized by her grand entrance.
Even Ra Yue, cold as ice, couldn't resist stealing a glance at the woman. As the music of theBianzhongplayed, she began to dance, moving her hands and feet with grace, her body arching perfectly, blending her motions with martial arts poses. Her face remained mysterious, a phantom of the night.
With no doubt in her heart, she aimed to capture the attention of the cold man in front of her, who stared back indifferently.
Yuwen Yue's memories sparked with each strike of theBianzhongbells. The woman's presence unsettled him, stirring long-buried memories.
Distorted fragments of the past flashed before his eyes, like a fading dream, they lingered briefly before vanishing, like smoke from incense.
He felt upset, but deep down, his heart was being pulled apart by the dance of this jade-skinned beauty before him. Her fragrance and her moves weren't merely artistic, they were reminiscent of his own martial arts training, the empire, and long-forgotten nights in a bed filled with plum blossom incense smoke.
Unable to resist the thoughts, Yuwen Yue turned to the Emperor beside him and said, "The woman in burlap sackcloth earlier said I must remember something."
Xiao Ce, lost in intoxication and the performance, was momentarily distracted. "What do you have to remember?" he asked, his voice distant.
Ra Yue replied, "She is the woman we encountered earlier on Xue Fu Street, her martial arts were as quick and sharp as a civet cat."
Xiao Ce, still drinking wine, snorted with amusement. "Oh? Was she really that aggressive?"
Without looking away from the performance, Xiao Ce continued, "A hair like Rapunzel, a face like an angel, and a belly like a whore."
Ra Yue, shocked, checked the Emperor's sanity. "Is she a whore?" he asked in disbelief.
Xiao Ce, his silver tongue loosened by the wine, winked at Ra Yue and said, "In Liang State, calling a woman's belly like a whore is a compliment, not an insult."
The woman continued her martial arts-infused dance, but soon, she faded from sight.
Yuwen Yue strained to see her again, but she was gone, leaving him with a feeling of regret.
A new dancer appeared, and the scene shifted. This time, a sword was displayed in the spotlight at the center of the stage. The music changed to a sorrowful tune, and the star dancer re-emerged, her face now revealed, though her head remained covered.
Rather than dancing, she took the sword and began an exquisite, hair-raising swordplay.
Yuwen Yue was captivated, watching her hands and feet move in perfect coordination. He closed his eyes, mentally following her movements, and when he opened them, the woman was standing directly in front of him.
She spoke softly, "You must remember."
Her words struck him like an echo from the past, and he was lost again in a daze, unsure if this was reality or a dream. He murmured, "If I must remember, you will soon forget."
Chu Qiao, her brows creased, threw her sword into the air, stunning the audience. She caught it effortlessly on the other side and said, "I can remember anything. Test me!"
Yuwen Yue, perhaps pretending to be deaf to her words, whispered, "Whether you like it or not, you will fall for me before you even know it."
Chu Qiao, hearing his words like music in her ears, responded, "Never let me fall, for if I do, I will make you regret it."
Yuwen Yue, cold as ice, replied, "Then make me regret it, because I would like to see you fall."
Chu Qiao sighed, "You never learn."
Without hesitation, she snatched Yuwen Yue'sPoe Yue Jiansword, taking it from the cold and handsome crown prince, who remained calm and unbothered by her boldness.
His calm voice spoke slowly, "This is truly offensive, my lady. But tonight, I will show you how you can fall, because you always forget why you fell in the first place."
Chu Qiao, hearing the double meaning in his words, realized that Ra Yue, the Qinghai Crown Prince, seemed to knowXingerfor a long time.
She replied, "If I've forgotten, why must I make you remember?"
Yuwen Yue stared at her beautiful face, his cold eyes blinking, speechless for a moment. He opened his mouth to speak, but Chu Qiao interrupted, "The walls have ears, illegal channels."
Yuwen Yue, upset but still cold, engaged her in a fight using their martial arts and swordplay.
The audience, in awe, watched the spectacle, amazed by the ancientJiansword techniques.
Some murmured, "It cannot be! Wow! It's like watching our ancestors come to life."
Eventually, Chu Qiao slowed her movements, allowing Yuwen Yue to tap her left wrist, causing her veins to swell. She lost her grip on theCanhongsword, but before it hit the ground, Yuwen Yue swiftly caught it.
To end the short battle and please the audience, Yuwen Yue bowed before them, then before Chu Qiao.
With the conduct of a cold gentleman, he handed theCanhongsword back to her in exchange for thePoe Yue Jiansword.
It wasn't a gesture of surrender, but rather a silent acknowledgment of the stalemate between them.
Chu Qiao bowed to the Qinghai Crown Prince, then kowtowed, returning thePoe Yue Jiansword.
Xiao Ce clapped, and the stunned audience of Liang's nobles followed his lead, applauding in amazement.
As she left, Chu Qiao whispered, "Don't forget you own aCangwubird, a lodge in the heart of the forest, and an empty cenotaph."
Yuwen Yue gave her a cold look, taking the sword and walking away as if deaf to her words.
His steps were heavy, weighed down by the emotions stirring in his heart. He suddenly remembered: "Different scene, but why does this feel like it's happened before?"
Chu Qiao watched his back with a painful gaze before taking herCanhongsword and disappearing from view.
The two parted, burdened with the awakening of unfinished business.
Meanwhile, at the borders of Liang and Wei, a master swordsman was sharpening his blade outside his barracks.
Suddenly, the cages ofCangwubirds fluttered as a handsome man leaped from the high trees, striking at the old man.
Despite his age, the master's experience spoke for itself. With ease, he defended himself against the fierce attack, the two shadows dancing in swordplay amidst the cold morning mist.
As the mist revealed their familiar faces, the old man spoke, "You've taken off your mask, yet you remain unseen."
The old master sheathed his sword, sat down, and lit a small roll of tobacco.
Yuwen Yue sheathed his own sword and replied, "Is it wrong to teach my enemies the lesson they deserve?"
The old master chuckled. "Why teach them lessons they'll use against you?"
"I don't teach them to learn. I teach them to straighten their crooked paths," Yuwen Yue said, gazing at the misty mountains.
The old master puffed his tobacco. "After they fed your fake body to the foxes and denounced your name, why not just kill them?"
"Death is too easy," Yuwen Yue replied. "I cannot forget the suffering they've caused."
The old man smirked as a bird's whistle echoed through the morning mist.
Recap of Qinghai Empire...
Meanwhile, in Qinghai, Queen Zhejue rejoiced at the reports from her spies that the Moon Kingdom was on the brink of extinction, soon to be just a memory.
With Crown Prince Ra Yue's return from Liang, a decree was about to be passed, finalizing the plan to eradicate the Moon Kingdom and disprove its prophecies.
Ra Yue, however, was playing a different game. He had been working in reverse, concealing his true intentions and making difficult-to-read moves to outsmart Queen Zhejue.
As the King of Qinghai remained an absentee ruler, Ra Yue realized that his curse was irreversible.
If the Moon Kingdom fell to ashes, his father's body would rot. Ra Yue whispered, "Everything in Qinghai is ruthless and enchanted. The impossible becomes possible."
"You must not forget, the Moon Kingdom is the key to the lost Qinghai power," whispered Ra Zheng, his secret spy hidden in the shadows.
Lan Shuyi knelt with her face hidden beneath a dark cloak. She spoke, "I've seen Jianghu spies gathering, led by none other than Zhong Yu. It seems they are protecting a child named Huan Huan."
Ra Zheng, intrigued, leaned forward. "Who is he?" he asked.
"She is not a 'he,' my lord," Lan Shuyi replied, her tone short and precise.
Ra Zheng stood up, gently taking hold of Lan Shuyi's delicate face. "Why are you giving me this thrill?" he asked.
Lan Shuyi looked back at him and said, "Huan Huan is very mysterious, my lord. They say she was raised by the Datong Way. What I know is that she's very close to Wu Dao Ya, whom she looks to as a father figure after King Yan Shicheng's death."
"You've been clever and useful in kidnapping Xiao Ba, but you still can't uncover anything about this Huan Huan?" Ra Zheng smirked, continuing, "If I were to reveal your son Hao'Er's whereabouts, would you then find a way to break the Jianghu spies' secrets or infiltrate the Datong Way?"
"My lord, Crown Princess Xiao Ba is an easy target. She's no problem at all."
"You say that because you don't know her as I do," Ra Zheng said. "I've seen her suffer in the cold-blooded empire of Wei. She hides immense pain in her heart and loves a man who's already lost his head. That man only sees a shadow of a ghost in her. I can't bear it." Ra Zheng took a sip from his teacup, its gold finish glinting in the dim light.
Lan Shuyi was taken aback by this revelation. She sensed a deep care in Ra Zheng, Qinghai's Silver Prince.
The kidnapping was not a crime driven by greed or violence. Ra Zheng had planned to steal Xiao Ba away from the Wei Empire, with Lan Shuyi orchestrating the abduction while Ra Zheng played the hero, rescuing the damsel princess.
Before Xiao Ba could suspect that it was all a charade, Ra Zheng whisked her away after she was pricked with a sleeping needle on the night of her abduction.
Ra Zheng left no room for mistakes.
He ordered his Qinghai men to stage the crime scene meticulously, ensuring that Great Summer would mourn the second loss of the Crown Princess of the Wei Empire.
Before the royal palanquin departed, he spoke to Lan Shuyi.
"Your ex-husband, the Emperor of Great Summer, will fall this time. With the second loss of a crown princess, the Crown Prince will not recover, and unrest will stir among his people. This is sweet revenge."
The next day, a young maidservant entered Xiao Ba's royal residence, offering, "Good morning, Princess. Would you like a cup of tea?"
An older maidservant, around fifty years old, followed with a serious expression, whispering, "What's so good about the morning?"
Xiao Ba didn't respond but asked, "How long am I to stay here? I want to return to my empire. My Crown Prince, Yuan Song, must be worried about me."
Two pairs of eyes observed the beautiful princess as she stared longingly from her window. The eunuch behind her whispered, "The lady says she wants to return to the Wei Empire, and the Crown Prince is surely worried."
Ra Zheng, overhearing this, grew upset. He slammed his fist against the wall, walking briskly out of the room.
The young maidservant, sensing the princess's loneliness, said softly, "When the time is right, the Silver Prince of Qinghai will meet you."
"Meet who? Silver Prince?" Xiao Ba asked, her curiosity piqued.
The older maidservant responded sarcastically, "You don't need to know. You should be grateful to your savior instead of thinking about someone who doesn't care about you!"
Those last words hit Xiao Ba like a dagger to her heart, and her face grew gloomy.
Ra Zheng, consumed by jealousy over Yuan Song, called to his servants, "Bring my bow and arrows! Now!"
The servants, eager to please the Silver Prince, hurried to remove his princely garments and dress him in his warrior armor. Minutes later, Ra Zheng emerged, his face still handsome but now hardened with fury, like a predator ready to hunt.
The old eunuch bowed and said, "My lord, isn't it time to meet your familiar guest from childhood?"
Ra Zheng, fastening the last of his armor, snapped, "No!"
The eunuch, unaffected by Ra Zheng's outburst, calmly replied, "You have all the time in the world, my lord."
Ra Zheng mounted the prime horses waiting in the palace corridors, followed by his royal guards as they rode to the royal garrison.
His chest pounded as he held his breath and then released a silver arrow with a perfect arc.
"Missed!"
A deep male voice echoed through the woods, and a man wearing velvet red hunting garments stepped out, standing atop his panting horse.
The startled hare bolted away.
"Who invited you to disturb my hunt?" Ra Zheng demanded coldly, loading another arrow and pointing it at Ra Zhun's horse.
Ra Zhun, feeling the thrill in his veins, responded, "Do you think you're challenging a beginner?"
"No," Ra Zheng replied icily, "I'm challenging a weak spot, my color-blind brother."
Ra Zhun loved wearing red, but he had been born with a curse that made him unable to distinguish between yellow, red, and brown. Every day, he trained his eyes to see by wearing these colors, hoping to cure his affliction.
With a playful tone, Ra Zhun said, "Oh, you've noticed my improvement, brother! You don't want to try me!"
Mockery filled the air, and Ra Zheng, consumed by jealousy and frustration, released another silver arrow.
The Velvet Prince of Qinghai leaped into the air, his two PersianShamshirswords flashing. With agility, he spurred his horse into a fast run, rejecting the silver arrows with expert precision, just inches from piercing his chest.
"Impressive!" Ra Zheng mocked, still unwilling to let his brother grow too confident. "Close to death, yet you survive."
Ra Zhun, annoyed by the mockery, replied, "You praise me, yet insult me even more. What is it you truly want?"
Ra Zhun flung several small daggers in a spiraling pattern toward Ra Zheng, forcing him to leap from his horse. With a graceful flip, Ra Zheng tumbled back into the air.
A loud crack signaled a tree collapsing nearby, cut at its bark. The royal guards scattered from their defensive positions.
Ra Zheng laughed heartily. "Oh, my brother! This is child's play! Look what you've done, poor pine tree!"
Ra Zhun, pleased with his handiwork, replied, "What's done is done. I had no choice."
Ra Zheng's voice softened, but his words remained sharp. "You don't need to force nature to suffer your damage! Is this what Father's training in the Persian Empire has taught you? It's disappointing!"
Ra Zhun, absorbing the criticism, laughed. "Are you jealous or angry because Father prefers me? Your hunting skills are outdated. The old ways don't match my new methods!"
"Don't be too sure of yourself," Ra Zheng retorted. "The ancient ways are tried and true. They've stood the test of time. Don't underestimate them."
Whistling, Ra Zheng called for his horse.
"I am the future, and you are the past," Ra Zhun teased. "I'm moving forward, while you're stuck rewinding. What good will that do you?"
Both brothers whistled for their horses, which came obediently to their sides.
Meanwhile, Queen Zhejue of Qinghai, as radiant as the rising sun, was seen bathing in the pool of light. The pool, shaped like the human eye, had a thin line separating hot and cold water. Below was a cone-like structure mounted on the diamond-shaped tiles of the Queen's palace.
It was said that anyone who swam too deep into the cone never returned.
Rumor had it that the Queen's lover, a merman, had been imprisoned in the pool for his unfaithfulness after returning to Qinghai with another woman. The tale, however, was her twisted version of the punishment she'd inflicted on the King of Qinghai. To this day, her heart remained bitter, and her thirst for revenge unquenchable.
Behind her mask of grace, Queen Zhejue harbored a desire to conquer the entire Ximeng continent. She believed Ra Yue, the son of the Qinghai King, was her key to success, thinking they were both cold and ruthless enough to unite the fractured tribal and political factions.
Only Qinghai would remain strong and standing.
The Qinghai Empire had not recovered since the King was cursed, his body barely alive after the Moon Kingdom's fall.
The celestial warfare had ended with the Yuwen bloodline hailed as heroes, and the Jianghu spies defeated. The half-bred underworld spies had taken on different roles, but the ruins still held the cursed King in limbo, unable to die or live in peace.
The curse could only be broken with thePoe Yue Jiansword and theBroken Moon Sword.
It was said that the true beauty of pain can only be realized when the door to happiness is finally opened.
Reports of Jianghu Spies
A group of spies gathered in a secret cave nestled in the farthest steppes of the snow-capped mountains of Yanbei. Each spy dropped a snow paper into a stone pot suspended above a star-shaped fireplace.
The leader hadn't arrived yet and had never given any notice of their coming. Whenever the leader showed up, it was always an ambush visit.
Their heads were covered in white hessian burlap fabric, their faces angelic, and their eyes lined heavily with white eyeliner. They looked divine when they gathered, but in their spy roles, they resembled fierce ninjas.
Jianghu spies never reveal themselves to ordinary people. They intervene only for the side they choose to support. Often, they secretly visit leaders or Emperors to foretell the future, issue warnings, or alert them to threats if they don't heed the spies' advice.
Jianghu spies maintain the balance between good and evil. They can either strengthen or destroy an empire. Unlike the underworld spies, who are half-human with supernatural abilities, Jianghu spies are fully human, possessing no supernatural powers. Instead, they rely on superior skills and belong to a league of non-governmental spies. Unlike theAfterlife Campspies, who work as hired assassins, Jianghu spies don't work for money. They operate according to a secret code.
When a mission is completed successfully, a tattoo of the secret code is inscribed onto their bodies, signifying the completion of the Nirvana cycle. This is crucial for liberating a soul from the endless cycle of karma, leading to the ultimate attainment of peace.
The Lesser Leader arrived, her face hidden beneath a dark cloak, while the Greater Leader had not been seen for some time. The Lesser Leader sat before the star-shaped fireplace.
No one dared to speak. No one dared to look at her.
Her origins remained unknown to the spies, but they followed her commands without question.
She stirred the stone pot, retrieved the first snow paper, and sprinkled appearing powder on it before reading aloud: "Misery."
A Jianghu spy stood and spoke. "Misery is everywhere. As long as misery torments the people, the curse of poisonous vines will continue to flow through their veins. The Moon Kingdom has suffered long to protect its Sun. The Sun Kingdom, Qinghai, seeks to devour the Moon. There is no hope. The leader of the wind and cloud decree has given up."
The Lesser Leader responded, "To understand misery is to delay death. But death always marks a new beginning. This time, we cannot stop it. The Moon must come to its full form, or the new crescent will not rise. Misery transforms the full moon into a new moon."
The spies were satisfied to hear her words.
The Lesser Leader sprinkled disappearing powder on the snow paper, placing it in a wooden flask bracelet before handing it to the spy who had spoken. She then retrieved another snow paper from the pot and sprinkled appearing powder over it.
"After Misery comes Wisdom," she declared.
Another spy stood. "Ignorance traps people in their own foolishness. Forgetting wisdom leads to Chibi, or shortness. When one becomes short in wisdom, memories fade, and oblivion, amnesia...takes over. This is the greatest enemy of the Sun Kingdom. The Moon Kingdom controls this, preserving wisdom while suppressing the Underworld realms, the keepers of evil. If the Moon Kingdom falls, who will balance the scales of Qinghai? Will wisdom still find its way into the hearts of those who have forgotten?"
The Lesser Leader elaborated on the spy's words. "Wisdom is the most elusive virtue. Misery can strike without warning, but wisdom must be pursued like a lover longing for the unattainable. It cannot be gained through listening or study alone."
"Wisdom must be cultivated and developed. If you possess it, you must nurture it, for wisdom values itself and will abandon those who take it for granted. Those who have forgotten its ways will struggle to regain it unless they find the Teacher who carries both peace and a good heart, for only then will wisdom reveal its secrets."
The Jianghu spies, eyes closed, tapped their noses and foreheads, a gesture believed to invite insight into their minds.
Once again, the Lesser Leader sprinkled disappearing powder on the snow paper, placing it in another wooden flask bracelet and handing it to the spy who had spoken about wisdom. She reached into the stone pot for the last snow paper, but a sudden violent wind shook the cave. The final snow paper flew to the stone slab of the cave's door, and all the spies bowed their heads.
The Greater Leader had arrived.
Her presence was commanding and autocratic, her steps filling the air with the delicate scent of plum blossoms. She appeared like a vision, her beautiful form draped in thin satin from head to foot, her face calm yet authoritative.
She picked up the last snow paper, her hands adorned with intricate white floral henna tattoos. Without using appearing powder, she crumpled the paper in her hands, shocking everyone.
No one dared move as they recognized the wooden bracelet on her wrist.
It was a gift fromDong FangyitoLou He.
Dong Fangyi had been Lou He's secret admirer. His affection stirred Lou He's heart, and she fell for him. The bracelet was their pledge to defend the Moon Kingdom against the Sun Kingdom and break Qinghai Queen's curse. But Dong Fangyi betrayed Lou He, causing her untimely death.
The Greater Leader, aware that the spies had noticed the bracelet, walked to the fireplace and removed the bracelet. The Lesser Leader, calm and composed, handed her the ash of the appearing powder. The Greater Leader sprinkled the powder on the snow paper within the bracelet, revealing the word:自由, meaningFreedom.
Zao Baocung and Skyshadow
"Skyshadow, do not disturb me," Zao Baocung said, opening his eyes momentarily from his meditation. Standing before him was a cold, deadly woman in a Hanfu fighting garment, her sword resting at her waist.
"You'll need more than calm to deal with this," Skyshadow replied, handing him a piece of snow paper.
"Where are you going?" Zao Baocung asked hurriedly.
"To rectify the situation," she said coolly. Skyshadow acted on her own terms, never seeking permission.
"When the enemy is strong, make them closer than your friends."
Zao Baocung read the snow paper. He wasn't surprised by its message. The Jianghu spies had begun working overtime as the Greater Leader declared the sacred wordFreedom, a declaration that had cost her life. He knew Lou He was rumored to be dead, but he never believed it.
A Turn Back in Time: Lou He's Escape
"Call meLi Yul," the enemy whispered as they sneaked into the Wei garrison. Taking Lou He's bloodied hand, they wrapped it in a soft cloth to stop the bleeding.
Lou He, on the verge of death from blood loss, was spirited out of the Wei garrison by an unknown figure.
Xia Chong arrived too late, finding the prison cell empty. She called out Lou He's name, but only a group of chanting monks emerged from the darkness, encircling her.
They began casting spells on her. Xia Chong tried to resist, using all her underworld powers, but it wasn't enough. The monks bound her with chains belonging to her Greater Leader, Lou He.
As she struggled, she cursed Lou He's name, feeling betrayed. The monks vanished into the night, taking Lou He with them along a secret path.
Meanwhile,Viperwaited outside, sensing Xia Chong's delay. She continued her surveillance of the Wei garrison.
Outside the Black Palanquin,Trailkoyasensed the approaching monks and their strange energy. "Have you come to die?" he asked, his voice cold.
A monk in the group stepped forward. "We have come to save an enemy."
Before the situation escalated, ice needles rained down, interrupting the confrontation.
Trailkoya ignored the monks, spurring the horses into action and driving the palanquin away. Inside,Chu Qiaolay unconscious, her body weak and close to death.
Viper took the reins of the underworld horses, speeding toward the Moon Kingdom.
AsZhan Ziyuand theAfterlife Campspies nursed their wounds, another shadowless spy arrived to continue the mission.
Xia Chongwas captured byTao Ye.
"Stop!" shoutedSkyshadow, just as she was about to execute Xia Chong. Tao Ye intervened, blocking the fatal strike.
"Master, she can still be of use. Why kill her now?" Tao Ye urged, deflecting Skyshadow's belt sword.
Skyshadow hesitated. "She's a dangerous underworld spy. We must finish her."
"Master, we need her alive until she reveals the underworld spy network's secrets," Tao Ye argued.
Skyshadow, her face calm once again, relented. "Tie her up and send her to Liang's secret prison. She will be our captive."
"Nuo," Tao Ye responded with a promise.
As the deep night gave way to dawn, a new chapter began.
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