Chapter 69
Check the Pulse
"Yah! Yah! Heee…!"
A man and his horse raced through the vast, open field of snow.
Thick snowflakes began to fall heavily, reducing visibility to almost nothing.
Suddenly, the white horse slowed and came to a halt, its hooves sinking into the cold snow, forming deep prints as it laid its body down on the frozen ground.
Its rider, exhausted and reckless, collapsed into the snowfield like a godly figure falling from grace.
Was Yuwen Yue blinded, frozen in both body and soul?
Did he still care, or had he lost the will to face the naked truth?
Snow began to cover his eyelids as Yuwen Yue, too tired to move, gradually succumbed to sleep.
Flashbacks of memories swirled before him.
A year ago, at the lantern festival, he had met Xinger.
But on the second day, Yuwen Yue had let her go. By the third day, no one expected that the Wei Emperor would emerge victorious in the Chinese chess competition, outplaying even the foreign dignitaries.
While many dignitaries packed up to leave Wei, the Qinghai princes stayed, indulging the Emperor's capricious whims.
Ra Yue sensed something was wrong but remained to avoid raising suspicion.
The competition had been held in private, with carefully selected witnesses, palace ministers, Zhao nobles, Yuwen nobles, high-ranking military official Meng Tian, and the elders of the Wei valve.
The Chinese chess game, known as "Crossing the River," was like a life-and-death sentence. It was a best-of-three match, and the score had been close, two wins and one loss. The Wei Emperor, however, had rigged the game, confident in his victory.
To secure his triumph, the Emperor decreed that the three Qinghai princes must compete and lose except for the final match.
But Ra Yue won the last match, causing the Emperor to lose face in front of his officials. The Emperor's calm exterior hid a growing rage, which would only reveal itself the next day.
"Did you know an Emperor must always win?" the Wei Emperor had said, speaking softly as he stood with Ra Yue.
The Emperor had turned to face Ra Yue's masked face and continued, "Come, let's walk."
They walked to the highest peak of the palace, and from there, the Emperor pointed out into the distance. "Look," he said, his voice calm but threatening. "Should I do something horrible if you do not comply with my wishes?"
Ra Yue, still bowed, squinted behind his mask, sensing dark clouds gathering.
Archers and blackguards were stationed, ready to eliminate his two brothers, while spies stood poised to strike at the Qinghai troops. Ra Yue had been warned of this by Yue Qi and Zuo Zong, who had learned of the Emperor's plans in advance.
"State your wish, Your Majesty," Yuwen Yue asked calmly, his palms twitching as he awaited the Emperor's demand.
The Wei Emperor, turning his back to Ra Yue, said softly, "I lost face yesterday, and I intend to take it back. Can you guess my wish?"
Yuwen Yue, as the former master of the Eyes of God, knew the Emperor had reactivated the blackguard squad. The Eyes of God had been shut down, its failure leaving the Yuwen family humiliated. Now, the blackguards had replaced it, ruthless and bloodthirsty, ready to destroy any opposition.
The Emperor continued, "You are a bright prince, capable of finding a solution to this pain in my neck. It has plagued me long enough."
He paused, then continued, "Enough of your bowing! Listen to my wish. You must go to Yanbei and find Prince Zaru. Return him to Wei, and your brothers will remain safe here."
The Wei Emperor turned, giving Ra Yue an evil grin. "Only then will I recover the face you made me lose in front of my empire."
Ra Yue nodded and asked, "Your Majesty, will you allow the Wei crown princess to join this mission?"
The Emperor smiled, anticipating the request. "I would have been surprised if you hadn't asked. Yes, you may bring her, along with Princess Zama and the blackguards. But you must return all three royals unharmed."
The Emperor's voice darkened. "Do not let your brothers know this is a deal between us, or you might find yourself slaughtering your own blood within these palace walls."
Ra Yue took the oath. "It shall be done, Your Majesty."
The Emperor called to his eunuch, "Gather the princesses and the blackguards."
Meanwhile, two spy women lurked in the high tower of the palace, catching brief glimpses of each other before vanishing like ghosts.
Meng Feng, unable to pursue the other spy, quickly descended to report what she had learned via the fish koi at the 13th Prince's palace.
Prince Yuan Song, conflicted, whispered to himself, "I cannot allow Xia Chong to be sent on this mission, but if I pretend ignorance, my cover will be blown."
The second spy hid among the palace bushes. Viper, watching Meng Feng relay the information, whispered, "A fish kill to relay intel? Clever."
With the Emperor's intentions exposed, Yuwen Yue began formulating his plan. His goal was simple, trade and, if necessary, kill. He intended to bring back Xia Chong, Princess Zama, and Prince Zaru.
The extended stay of the Qinghai princes also gave Yuwen Yue time to secretly meet his grandfather, Yuwen Zhuo. But it would only happen after the mission, and his brothers could use this extra time to study Wei and identify its weaknesses.
He could only hope his brothers discovered the Eyes of God and the blackguards, and found a way to escape, with or without him.
But Yuwen Yue knew this would not happen without sparking a war.
If such chaos ensued, he had backup troops stationed at Long Guan mountains, ready for battle. He hoped Yuan Che did not discover their existence.
Meanwhile, Yan Xun had likely already scouted the Qinghai troops, suspecting them to be Turkish or Korean guerillas. To avoid provoking the Yan army and exhausting his forces, Yuwen Yue kept a safe distance.
"It's time," Yuwen Yue thought, his mind sharp and ready. "Time to meet Yan Xun, not as a friend, but as his most lethal enemy."
Yuwen Yue sent instructions to Yue Qi, who would lead 10,000 Qinghai troops in an intimidation offensive, intended to appear as an attack on Yanbei but without engaging unless provoked.
"You must wait until the creature acts. The creature is immune to fear," Yuwen Yue told Yue Qi.
Yue Qi responded, "Master, I understand, but will the impact weaken if we wait too long?"
Yuwen Yue smiled grimly. "Make sure the troops are prepared, moving swiftly and with coordination. You know how to handle a killing squad. This time, you lead the Qinghai troops while Zuo and I handle the negotiations."
"Let's go."
Yan Xun, surrounded by his armies, prepared to face an opponent unknown to him, an enemy whose battle gear spoke of impending intimidation.
The battleground thundered with the hooves of horses, black clouds of soldiers charging forward with destructive momentum. Yan Xun stood tall, his eyes narrowed as he watched the advance.
He laughed, throwing an insult at the masked prince before him. "Intimidation? Without substance? You'll need more than theatrics if you plan to make a king submit."
Yuwen Yue, masked and faceless, turned to Xia Chong, who had been disguised as Chu Qiao, and made sure Yan Xun could hear him. "If the creature is committed to a fight, it will take more than a display to intimidate him into submission."
But instead of unleashing hell, Yuwen Yue chose to open the heavens.
His white horse trotted forward, approaching Yan Xun with calculated steps. White arrows were drawn and loaded, poised to shoot. The horse continued its approach.
Suddenly, the arrows were loosed, flying through the air toward the frail woman beside Yan Xun. Ra Yue moved with lightning speed, grabbing a sword from a Yan soldier and deflecting every arrow with precision.
The arrows fell to the ground, and Yuwen Yue threw the sword down before Yan Xun. Their distance was now only three steps apart.
Ra Yue, with a swift motion, pulled down the woman's scarf, revealing the face of Chu Qiao… or so it seemed. In truth, it was Xia Chong, masquerading as the one person Yan Xun had once loved.
While two women lurked around the battle perimeters, spying and collecting information for the upcoming conflict, their interests were separate.
Meng Feng, hidden among the bamboo trees, was ready to rescue Chu Qiao, while Viper, perched in a tall tree, observed below with dismay. Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of Yan's military adviser, Dong Fangyi.
About 10 miles from the battlefield, a White Prince stood, with Yuwen Gao's servant loading the famous Bingxue ("snow") arrows into a mini-crossbow, aimed directly at Yan Xun's heart.
The battlefield was eerily still, no one daring to move or speak. In a blink of an eye, Yan Xun's face turned pale and blue, his usual steel composure melting like clay. Yet, before anyone could forget that they were standing on a battlefield, not at a reunion, Ra Yue remained calm and unreadable, his gaze locking with Yan Xun's. Without a word, his message was clear: "This is no bluff, but rather a deception, followed by intimidation to exploit your vulnerability. Is she truly a flimsy figure? Call me when your eyes are no longer blind, and your mind no longer foolish. I am open to negotiation."
From her perch, Viper whispered, "Impressive. If the threat is real, you can skip straight to action."
Yan Xun, recognizing the gestures and mannerisms of the masked figure, forced himself to raise his hand, signaling his army to lower their bows. His eyes remained on Chu Qiao as he said coldly, "I will negotiate, but not for peace with the Batuha family. This will be an exchange of hostages. Nobody dares fire an arrow, or I will take heads."
Yuwen Yue took hold of Chu Qiao's reins, and together they walked away from Yan Xun's trembling hands and teary eyes. As the 20,000 Yan troops faded from view, Yan Xun's heart shattered once again. He wanted to scream her name A'Chu...but found himself speechless as the apple of his eye slipped away for what felt like the thousandth time.
Zhong Yu, who knew this wasn't Chu Qiao, remained silent, pretending not to understand the truth.
Dong Fangyi's discovery of Yuwen Yue
Shortly after, Yanbei's military counselor Dong Fangyi hardened his resolve, commanding his men to ready their crossbows as the horses of the retreating group gained speed.
A few dozen arrows flew, though they were too sparse to stop the momentum of the horses.
Yuwen Yue, holding the flickering torch of hope, watched anxiously as his horse instinctively veered away from the threat, its movements too slow to match the speed of the incoming projectiles.
Dong Fangyi, like a storm crashing against the cliffs, recognized that Yuwen Yue would not reach his target in time. His soldiers, sensing a brief relief from the close escape, shouted and swelled in victory.
But before the triumph could settle, Yuwen Yue, Zuo, and their squad were surrounded by Dong Fangyi's forces. It was an unexpected move, and Xia Chong found herself caught in the crossfire.
Dong Fangyi, seizing the moment, turned Xia Chong into a bargaining chip, forcing Yuwen Yue to switch from an offensive to a defensive strategy. He couldn't afford to lose Xia Chong, as it would unravel all of his plans.
With calm composure, Yuwen Yue began the second negotiation. "What a fine afternoon to see you again, General," he said.
Dong Fangyi responded with equal coldness. "Indeed, a beautiful afternoon. And a priceless jewel is about to be destroyed." He reached out, his hand about to caress Xia Chong's face when suddenly, a stray arrow struck his hand.
Yuwen Yue, startled, thought, This isn't Yue Qi's style. Definitely one of Yuwen's crossbow arrows. Someone from the Yuwen household was nearby, following them.
Dong Fangyi, though calm on the surface, seethed with anger as he grabbed Xia Chong by the neck, raising his sword to kill her.
Yuwen Yue, still wearing his metal mask, felt the pulse of the hunting wind and the familiar scent of the Yuwen crossbows. He stepped in front of Xia Chong and Dong Fangyi, countering the swift arrows aimed at them.
The air went still. The arrows crashed into the snow-covered ground.
Dong Fangyi smirked, though his eyes burned with rage. "No one counters the Yuwen household's Bingxue arrows… except a Yuwen heir!" With one quick movement, he slashed Yuwen Yue's metal mask, revealing his face.
Dong Fangyi stood, shocked by the revelation, but Yuwen Yue wasted no time. He struck with his sword, disarming Dong Fangyi, and swiftly grabbed Xia Chong. Arrows rained down from Yan troops and another familiar force, attempting to stop Yuwen Yue's escape, but Zuo intercepted them all, cutting them down.
Out of nowhere, Viper jumped into the fray, her whip striking with deadly precision as she cleared the path.
As another wave of arrows poured down, Yuwen Yue, Xia Chong, Princess Zama, and their squad escaped the range, while Zuo and Viper continued to fend off the attackers.
Zuo, deflecting arrows, found a moment to tease Viper. "Are you stalking me?" he asked with a smirk.
Viper, irritated, snapped, "No, but after I finish with these arrows, I'm going to kill you!"
Zuo grinned. "It's just a plan for now. It might change later."
Annoyed, Viper whipped a barrage of arrows in Zuo's direction, but he leaped into the air, using the pine trees to evade them, flashing a mischievous smile at her.
The two continued to deflect the incoming storm of arrows until Dong Fangyi raised his hand, signaling his men to stop. "Save your arrows for the real target," he ordered.
Dong Fangyi knew that an underworld spy was at play, and their continued efforts would only exhaust their forces. The real threat had already escaped.
Picking up Yuwen Yue's half-broken metal mask, Dong Fangyi smirked. "I'm quite skilled at identifying my enemies. This… is a good catch."
Meanwhile, Yan Xun ordered his men to fetch and prepare Prince Zaru like cattle bound for slaughter. It would take about a day to travel to Yanbei and return to the Longyi Guan mountains.
Unexpectedly, another familiar prince arrived at Long Guan's command post to visit the anxious Yan Xun, seeking a coalition for the brewing battle ahead. The prince declared, "Cracking the code of our coalition troops would mean defeat for Xiaoqi camp under Yuan Che's command."
The Yan army, standing guard outside the command tent, did not allow the prince to approach. They stood tall, their spears crossed, blocking the path to "The World's" command post.
Without looking up, Yan Xun waved his hand twice, signaling the guards to allow the royal visitor inside.
The prince, calm and composed, entered and took a seat in one of Yan Xun's royal chairs. Before him, a table with a brewing tea kettle and two cups awaited. He poured the tea, waiting for a toast, and said, "But I will be treated as the son of a traitor to the Emperor." He glanced at Yan Xun, waiting for a response.
Yan Xun, taking his cup and raising it slightly, replied, "You will use Prince Zaru as your excuse. The Emperor may see you as a traitor for a while, but if you play your cards right, you'll win back his favor."
The prince, Yuan Yang, remained calm but stern. "Didn't you meet the Crown Prince of Qinghai yesterday? You agreed to trade Zaru for your Tiger General, Chu Qiao."
Yan Xun, thinking of nothing else, replied, "I don't care who the Qinghai prince is that holds my Xuili General. I need to get her back, and your coalition troops will help me do that."
Yuan Yang, displeased with Yan Xun's bluntness, noticed the ambition in his eyes and suspected he was aiming for the Wei throne. He reasoned, "If Yuan Che dies, the Emperor will rely on you and Yuan Song. But Yuan Song cannot lead an army; he's an easy target after the death of the seventh prince."
With a sharp look, Yuan Yang asked, "So, you plan to deceive the Qinghai prince and have no intention of handing over Zaru?"
Yan Xun, calculating his ally's loyalties, smirked. "There are no permanent enemies, only real traitors."
Yuan Yang chuckled. "Yan Shi Zi, we were never close as children. In fact, I always thought we were born to be enemies. But here we are, forging an alliance." Yuan Yang tossed his teacup toward Yan Xun.
Yan Xun squinted at Yuan Yang's remark, the words stirring memories of their childhood rivalry.
Back in their childhood days…
Yuan Yang had always been in a silent competition to win Yan Shi Zi's friendship. One particular incident remained clear in Yan Xun's memory.
When Yan Xun had secretly left the palace to hunt a rabbit, violating palace protocols, he had been caught and reported to the Emperor. Upon his return to the Shen Jin palace, Yan Xun knew it was Yuan Yang who had ratted him out.
After receiving a fatherly reprimand and punishment, Yan Xun left the Wei palace, now barred from hunting outside the palace grounds.
Strangely, it was Yuan Yang who had then ordered his servants to tie up Yan Xun's palace guards, allowing the crown prince of Yanbei to sneak out and continue his hunting adventure. Feng Mian, excited to return to the hunt, joined Yan Xun, and surprisingly, Yuan Yang silently accompanied them.
They held a small competition, each trying to shoot a hare, a wild rabbit with longer limbs and ears. Yuan Yang missed his target, only to see Yan Xun shoot cleanly with his white-feathered arrows.
From that day forward, Yuan Yang began to see Yan Xun as a rival, but one whose friendship he desired. However, Yan Xun never bent to him. Instead, he grew closer to Yuan Che and Yuan Song, treating them like brothers.
Their bond was further strengthened by their shared affection for Princess Yuan Chun'er, who doted on Yan Xun as her childhood sweetheart. As time passed, the connection between Yan Xun and Chun'er only deepened.
Despite this, Yan Xun spent more time at the Yuwen household than at the Wei palace. Everyone knew that his favorite place to visit was with his ice-cold friend, Yuwen Yue. Their friendship was built on a cold, bloody pact, Yuwen Yue had sworn premature allegiance to the Crown Prince of Yanbei.
Yuan Yang, meanwhile, grew distant from Yuwen Yue, often devising strategies to undermine him. But his efforts always backfired, leading to his own humiliation. He had never bested Yuwen Yue, nor had he won Yan Xun's favor until now.
"Do you remember the cracked ice at Chisui Lake?" Yan Xun asked, breaking the silence.
Yuan Yang tilted his head slightly. "How could I forget? It was the day you forced the heir of the Eyes of God to choose a side, and the same day I swore to kill you if I survived."
Yan Xun smirked at the memory. "I never thought Yuwen Yue had a soft spot for dying people. He promised his friendship if I saved you first."
Yuan Yang's eyes narrowed. "You tricked him into thinking I was dying when I was drowning in the lake. He was also on the verge of death, but you saved us both. I hate you for that."
Yan Xun chuckled. "We became enemies, but I gained Yuwen Yue's friendship. Why would you want him dead when he asked me to save you first?"
Yuan Yang's expression darkened. "Because even at his last breath, Yuwen Yue was cold-hearted. He only agreed to your terms for the sake of his role. He used you to save himself, not me."
Yan Xun sighed. "Why do you always twist the truth?"
Yuan Yang didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "At the frozen lake, why didn't you show mercy?"
Yan Xun turned away, unable to answer.
Leaning forward slightly, Yuan Yang whispered, "Was it because of a lowly maidservant? Or was it because he belonged to the family responsible for the execution of your own?"
Yan Xun remained silent.
Yuan Yang sat back and smirked. "Was it for vengeance, or jealousy?"
Yan Xun clenched his fists. "Both."
Yuan Yang let out a low laugh. "An unfortunate conflict, wrath versus brotherhood. You looked to him to settle the Yuwen family's debts under the weight of your revenge. You threw away your loyalty and killed him. I thought Yuwen Yue was cold, but I was wrong. You became colder. That's why I, Yuan Yang, am willing to join your forces. I could never be friends with the weak, empathic prince you once were. You've proven your worth."
Yan Xun, hearing these words, did not take offense.
Instead, he welcomed Yuan Yang's alliance with a knowing squint, both men understanding the significance of this union. "That weak, empathic prince is gone," Yan Xun said quietly.
"And now I'm looking at...?" Yuan Yang teased.
"You're looking at 'The Notorious World,'" Yan Xun replied with a smirk.
The sound of hooves echoed across the wetlands of Yanbei as a purple palanquin raced toward the open field. Inside, the passenger, Xiao Yu, had her eyes closed, lost in thought. She envisioned the shadow of a peddler man, someone she believed to be Yuwen Yue.
It had been two years since her encounter with the blackguard spies and the mysterious peddler. She was convinced it was him, though the truth remained elusive.
But Yan Xun, refusing to give up on her, sought the help of northern shamans to heal the damage inflicted by the dark attack of Blackguards.
What Xiao Yu didn't know was that in the time she had been lost in her own torment, her world had changed. Her father had passed, her brother Xiao Ce now sat on the throne, and her mother, Empress Yuan, had been dethroned. The Liang Empire was in the midst of a civil war, divided in two.
Yan Xun had done everything he could to help her. At one point, he had traded undying embers from Yanbei for a Dengxian Pill that could temporarily ease Xiao Yu's madness. Xiao Ce, in exchange, needed the embers to save Chu Qiao, who lay in a deep sleep. But the pill, while offering temporary relief, had left Xiao Yu addicted, her condition worsening with each passing day.
Xiao Ce, uncertain where to find a permanent cure for his sister, had sought the help of the deposed Empress Lu Zhi. Xie Tai Shan and Zhan Ziyu had approached various sources, but Zhan Ziyu had outright refused to help upon hearing Xiao Yu's name. "She can rot as far as I care," he had said, his hatred for her unwavering.
This left Xiao Yu trapped in a vicious cycle, fighting against her own mind and the relentless hallucinations. At her worst, she had even attempted suicide, tormented by the idea that Yuwen Yue was still alive, watching her from the shadows, a haunting presence in her nightmares.
"The World, the Queen of Yanbei..."
The royal guard's announcement was cut short as Xiao Yu, her face masked and her gown elegant, stepped into Yan Xun's command post, immediately spotting Prince Yuan Yang seated inside.
"I suppose I should take my leave so you can speak in private," Yuan Yang said, rising from his chair.
Xiao Yu barely acknowledged him, giving him only a passing glance before bowing slightly to Yan Xun. Taken aback, Yan Xun did not reject the gesture, though he asked, "What brings the Queen here at this hour?"
Her voice steady, Xiao Yu replied, "It is urgent. I came to warn you about Dong Fangyi's report."
Yan Xun's relaxed appearance didn't change, but his curiosity was piqued. "What report?" he asked. "Tell me."
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yu turned her back before answering, "He claims to have seen Yuwen Yue and Chu Qiao together."
Yan Xun's face drained of color, his veins turning cold. The mere mention of Yuwen Yue's name struck him deeply, but he struggled to remain composed. He couldn't believe this... how many times had Xiao Yu's unstable mind conjured such visions? The Dengxian Pill had often caused her to see things that weren't there.
"Do you have any proof that this man is Yuwen Yue?" Yan Xun asked, his voice measured.
Xiao Yu turned to face him, her expression calm, her eyes sharp. "No proof, except for this."
She extended her hand, offering a piece of a metal mask.
Yan Xun took it, examining it closely. His eyes widened in recognition. "This... this is the mask of the faceless prince who took Chu Qiao and opened negotiations for Prince Zaru."
Xiao Yu nodded. "Yes. But the woman with him was not General Chu Qiao. She was my double, Xia Chong. And the masked prince, my King, is Yuwen Yue. Please, do not harm him. Do you remember the night the blackguards attacked me? The peddler man who saved me, it was Yuwen Yue."
Yan Xun stiffened. He had heard this story countless times, Xiao Yu insisting that Yuwen Yue had rescued her from the blackguards. But Yan Xun had always dismissed it, telling her that Yuwen Yue had died three years ago. He had been the one to save her that night, not some ghost of the past.
Once more, he reminded her, "I was the one who rescued you, not a peddler man."
Though convinced Xiao Yu was still under the influence of the Dengxian Pill, Yan Xun promised his Queen he would look into the matter further. Still, one name lingered in his mind...Xia Chong. Who was she really?
Xiao Yu did not argue further. Before leaving the command post, she glanced at the metal mask in Yan Xun's hands and asked, "May I keep this?"
Yan Xun hesitated for a moment before nodding. "You may."
Taking the mask, Xiao Yu left the command post, Xiao Qi following closely behind.
Yan Xun ordered his spies to send a note to General Dong Fangyi's camp.
Upon receiving the note, Dong Fangyi touched his beard with a wicked grin, realizing he now had an opportunity to juggle his fake loyalty between Yan Xun and Xiaoqi camp under Seventh Prince Yuan Che.
"Two strong birds in my hands, not bad," Dong Fangyi mused to himself.
What Dong Fangyi didn't realize was that Prince Yuan Yang's coalition of forces would eventually force him to choose between his two masters, betraying one for the other.
As night fell, the daybreak loomed, bringing with it the weight of their foolish schemes. The impending battle threatened Yanbei's fragile recovery from the ashes. Would the land be suffocated by dark spies, its newfound breath snuffed out before it even fully healed?
Meanwhile, Princess Zama had secretly ordered the deployment of the Black Seal, with two blackguard spies surrounding the Longyi Guan command post and three more stationed around Yanbei. These blackguards were the darkest of weapons, capable of mass destruction once activated. The plan was to unleash them after Prince Zaru was released.
Yuwen Yue, unaware of the wicked scheme, sensed Zama's change in behavior and began to follow her in secret.
At the same time, Xia Chong searched frantically for Ra Yue but couldn't find him. Desperate, she tried to escape, only to be grabbed by someone.
A white figure appeared, Prince Yuan Song, dressed in his battle gear with his Cheng Yin sword at his waist. Without a word of explanation, he kissed her.
Xia Chong, shocked by the kiss, pushed him away. She didn't even know who he was at first, the darkness obscuring his features. Acting on instinct, she quickly reversed their positions and, within a moment, had her hands around his throat, ready to crack his neck.
"Chu Qiao, please don't kill me. I'm not your enemy!" Yuan Song gasped, barely able to breathe.
Recognizing his voice, Xia Chong released her hold, her heart pounding. Yuan Song's face was pale, and though he looked shaken, he didn't resist, as if resigned to die by her hand.
Feeling drained and emotionally overwhelmed, Xia Chong sat down and silently wept, her tears flowing without restraint.
Yuan Song, gazing at her, felt his heart skip a beat. He reached out and gently touched her pale cheek. "Don't worry. I'm here now. When the morning comes, this won't be the world your eyes will see anymore."
His words, spoken with such tenderness, only made Xia Chong's tears flow harder. The burden she carried was too heavy to bear.
"Come with me," Yuan Song urged. "Let's return to the Empire. I'll explain everything to the Emperor. He won't abandon the crown princess of Wei."
Still sitting, her head resting on her knees, Xia Chong whispered, her voice breaking, "Go away, Crown Prince. You don't understand what's coming."
Yuan Song, hearing the despair in her voice, felt a sharp pain in his heart. "What don't I understand?" he asked softly. "That you're living in this hell, pushing me away?"
Summoning her courage, Xia Chong finally spoke the truth. "Please leave. I am not Chu Qiao."
Yuan Song, stunned by her words, clenched his fists in anger. "What are you saying? Don't do this to me. Not this time."
Xia Chong looked up at him, her face illuminated by the faint light of the fire. "Didn't you hear me? I'm not Chu Qiao!"
For a moment, Yuan Song stood frozen, struggling to comprehend what she had just said. But the truth hung heavy in the air, undeniable. His voice was sharp, but tinged with heartbreak. "If you're not Chu Qiao... then who are you?"
As the sun began to rise, 20,000 soldiers of the Yan Army gathered on the Longyi Guan grounds, waiting to witness the historic exchange of hostages.
Prince Zaru, the aristocratic prince of the Batuha family, was dragged before them, unrecognizable, thin, dirty, and covered in wounds. He knelt with his hands tied, awaiting the arrival of the Qinghai Prince and Chu Qiao, along with their mysterious envoy, whose faces were hidden beneath black sackcloth.
The Qinghai Prince Ra Yue, known by many as the former Yuwen Yue, heir to the Eyes of God, arrived late. His usual calm appearance betrayed nothing of the chaos brewing inside. He had been delayed by pressing matters, matters that would complicate this already tense exchange between former friends and comrades.
Two hours earlier, Viper had ambushed Yuan Song, placing a sack over his head, while Zuo captured Xia Chong and bound her hands. Yuan Song, overwhelmed by emotion, had been slow to react, and Viper quickly subdued him, tying his feet with her whip before hypnotizing him into unconsciousness.
Yuwen Yue, cold and expressionless, observed the scene. When Xia Chong, now tied and helpless, shot him a defiant look, she said, "Don't you dare hurt him, or the trade today will fail."
Yuwen Yue said nothing. He merely removed the sack from Yuan Song's head, revealing the sleeping prince.
"Viper, take the crown prince back to the Wei Palace," Yuwen Yue ordered.
"No!" A sudden voice rang out from behind.
Meng Feng and the ex-afterlife campers dropped down from the trees, ready for battle.
Yuwen Yue, momentarily startled by the sight of his former spy servants, stepped forward and removed his mask.
Meng Feng froze in shock, her body covered in goosebumps. The rest of the ex-afterlife campers fell to their knees, unable to believe they were seeing their former master, alive and well.
Yuwen Yue drew his sword, showing it to Meng Feng, who stared at it in disbelief. The icy truth settled in her bones. "Master... we searched for you everywhere... The Yuwen household declared you dead..."
One of the other campers, Yue Lui, stepped forward, his voice cracking. "Master... you're alive!" He dropped to his knees, weeping before Yuwen Yue.
Yuwen Yue remained cold as his former spy servants let out their emotions, kneeling and sobbing at his feet. For a moment, he allowed them their release, his face unreadable.
Zuo, seeing the moment unfold, interrupted. "Master brother, where are Princess Zama and the rest of our envoy?"
Yuwen Yue's voice was cold and deliberate. "Don't expect them to cooperate. They've planted the black seal around Yanbei."
Yue Lui's eyes widened. "Then we're all doomed," he whispered.
Yuwen Yue approached him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Stand up. You need to find Yue Qi and warn him of the brewing disaster. Take this flare and signal him. He's not far. We'll need his help, or none of us will survive."
Viper, intrigued by the conversation, smirked and asked, "Really? Are the blackguards truly the most powerful spies in the world?"
Ignoring her, Yue Lui turned to Yuwen Yue. "Master, Yue Qi... he's alive?"
Yuwen Yue, still focused on the task at hand, answered Viper first. "Aren't they? In the mortal realm, the blackguards are buried beneath the earth, only to emerge to sow destruction. Who can defeat them?"
Yue Lui answered solemnly, "Only a Yuwen heir."
Yuwen Yue nodded. "Go. Warn Yue Qi."
He then turned to Meng Feng. "Take the crown prince back to the Wei Palace. He is not to be harmed. If anything happens to him, my brothers and the Qinghai troops will suffer at the hands of the Emperor."
Meng Feng, understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded and obeyed Yuwen Yue's command. She prepared to take Yuan Song away, but Viper interjected with a sly smile. "He won't wake until he smells plum blossoms. And when he does, he won't remember anything that happened here."
With their paths now set, the three groups mounted their horses and rode off in different directions, except for Viper, who lingered behind.
The Prince of Qinghai, Ra Yue, and Chu Qiao rode separate horses as Zuo, disguised as a soldier, stayed behind to face the formidable 20,000 Yan army.
Yan Xun, riding tall and proud on his black warhorse, smirked in satisfaction, believing today's goal was achieved. Little did he know, Ra Yue had plans to deceive him.
The sound of drums filled the air as Yan Generals waved their black eagle flags. Chu Qiao and Ra Yue walked in the center, with Poe Yue Jian strapped to Ra Yue's waist. Nearby, some Yan soldiers dragged the weakened Prince Zaru to his feet. Zaru, barely able to stand, tripped and fell face-first into the dirt, blood gushing from his mouth as no one rushed to help him.
Yan Xun, scarred from past victories but still strong and sovereign, rode toward them, his eyes fixed on Chu Qiao, dressed in a pristine white Hanfu, pale and frail. Behind her was Ra Yue, wearing a torn metal mask. The prince's presence exuded a cold, divine power, as if he were a faceless god, unrelenting and merciless.
The battlefield hummed with tension. Twenty thousand cavalrymen stretched across the plains, encircling the fallen Prince Zaru. Opposite them, 10,000 Qinghai soldiers, led by Yue Qi, formed a resolute line. Their spears, swords, and bows gleamed, ready for combat.
Ra Yue glanced at the sky, whispering, "Heavens, if there is any mercy left, grant us rain." He was fully aware of the crime he was committing using Chu Qiao's likeness to deceive Yan Xun was unforgivable. But just like in his past life as the spymaster of the Eyes of God, Ra Yue understood that for the sake of Qinghai and his troops, sacrifices had to be made. The trade must proceed without flaw.
His mind wasn't on Xia Chong's fate. He knew Yan Xun's obsession with Chu Qiao would blind him to the truth. He believed that Xia Chong, playing the role of Chu Qiao, would be in good hands after the trade, allowing her to escape Wei's brutal empire. It was a one-way ticket to freedom.
But Princess Zama, now out of his sight, had other plans. She had already set the blackguards in motion, preparing Yanbei's graveyard in advance. Only Yuwen Yue could stop the disaster looming ahead.
Yue Qi, stationed in the distance, watched the battlefield intently. He was ready to exact vengeance for his master, Ra Yue. His heart pounded as memories of the frozen lake returned the day he lost both his master and his own life.
In the silence, he murmured, "You only die once, where legends are born in the valley of death."
He prepared his bow, his pulse steady, his focus sharp, and aimed directly at Yan Xun's heart.
On the west wing, Dong Fangyi's cavalry observed from afar, their eyes fixed on the tense scene unfolding before them. "The tiger general meets the Xiaolong King again," someone whispered.
At that moment, Princess Zama, watching her brother's broken form, cracked a pill in her hand. The transformation was instantaneous. Her fingernails grew sharp, her hair extended until it could sweep over an entire army, and her face turned as black as ink. Her burning yellow eyes glowed with unnatural power. She had unleashed her inner chi, becoming something more than human something monstrous.
Xia Chong, still playing the role of Chu Qiao, paused as she reached Prince Zaru, who was barely breathing. She stared at him, emotionless, before turning to face Yan Xun, who had stopped his horse a few steps away.
Yan Xun's eyes welled with unspoken emotions as he tried to steady himself, taking deep breaths to hold back the tears threatening to spill.
Meanwhile, Ra Yue dismounted and slowly approached Prince Zaru, the cold wind biting his face. He lifted the broken prince to his feet, his movements slow and deliberate. As Ra Yue turned to leave, Xia Chong cast one final glance at him.
From a distance, Zuo shouted desperately and ran toward Ra Yue, but the battlefield was too vast.
On the far side another war is brewing...
Further away, Yuan Che arrived with 50,000 Wei soldiers. Their reinforcements took the field by surprise, as layer upon layer of armies began to reveal themselves.
However, it was Prince Yuan Yang who met Yuan Che's forces head-on. Thirty thousand troops marched under his command, but this time, they were not allies they were enemies.
Yuan Che, furious at the betrayal, ordered his men to fire, and an arrow struck Yuan Yang's front lines. "You are termites to the Wei Empire!" Yuan Che shouted. "You deserve to die ten times over for committing treason!"
Yuan Yang, his voice sharp, fired back, "Enough with your pretty words! You betrayed Father long ago by joining Dong Fangyi's alliance. Who's the real traitor between us, Yuan Che?"
Back on the battlefield, a white feathered arrow whistled through the air and struck Yuwen Yue in the back. He had used his body to shield Prince Zaru, who lay helpless before him.
Yue Qi, eyes brimming with tears, pulled his bow taut, readying a triple-shot in defiance of his master's orders. He released the arrows with unrelenting force, two of them striking the ground near Yan Xun's warhorse, causing it to fall. The third hit Yan Xun in the upper left chest.
Yan Xun gasped, blood staining his chest, but the arrow had missed his heart. Blast, his warhorse, tried to rise but faltered. Yue Qi, now a mixture of rage and relief, prepared another shot, though his heart was heavy with sorrow.
Yuwen Yue, feeling the weight of his own injury, raised his hand, signaling Yue Qi to hold fire. Blood poured from his wound, but he did not let Prince Zaru see his pain. "Hold on," he whispered to the prince. "Help is coming."
Prince Zaru, weak and barely able to respond, looked at Yuwen Yue as if he were a god and nodded in obedience.
No one dared to move. All eyes were on Yan Xun, who lay on the ground, struggling to rise. Above, dark clouds began to gather as Chu Qiao stood beside him, emotionless and silent.
Yan Xun grasped her hand, and with her help, he stood, though the blood loss had turned his lips purple. His cavalry stood still, not attacking the Qinghai Prince or his troops.
As Yuwen Yue tried to stand, Zuo rushed forward and took Prince Zaru's body into his arms. Looking into his master's eyes, Zuo said quietly, "If you must end it here, then go. But do not live with regret."
Ra Yue, cold and unreadable, accepted Zuo's words and rose to his feet once more. Though his old wound in his chest throbbed, he unsheathed his sword, his gaze fixed on Yan Xun.
Yan Xun threw aside his bow and drew his Xiaolong sword, dragging its tip along the ground as he walked toward Yuwen Yue.
The two men, former friends, now bitter enemies moved slowly toward each other. Their swords gleamed in the fading light, and with one final clash, they collided, the force of their blows shaking the earth.
Blood sprayed through the air as their martial arts clashed, the sound of steel ringing across the battlefield. Yan Xun's sword twirled, sending needles flying toward Yuwen Yue's wrist. Caught off guard, Yuwen Yue's pulse was pricked, and his Poe Yue Jian sword slipped from his grip.
He fell to the ground, his sword lying before him, his face reflecting the world's judgment.
From the shadows, Yue Qi, unable to watch his master fall, fired another set of arrows. But before they could strike, a voice rang out.
"Enough!"
A woman, clad in black, moved swiftly toward them, her presence halting the battle. Yan Xun, caught by surprise, paused, his sword raised in mid-strike.
The duel between Yuwen Yue and Yan Xun reached its final moments as Yue Qi, with great restraint, held back his arrows, while Zuo Zong, confident in his master's abilities, watched the clash unfold. Yuwen Yue, faking weakness, swiftly disarmed Yan Xun by knocking his sword away, forcing the fight into a hand-to-hand brawl.
With a quick blow to Yan Xun's face, Yuwen Yue drew first blood. Yan Xun, stunned and enraged, retaliated with a powerful kick to Yuwen Yue's gut, causing him to fall to the ground. Blood loss from previous injuries overwhelmed Yuwen Yue, and as he lay in the mud, his mind flashed back to the icy lake where death had almost claimed him once before.
Yan Xun, struggling to remain composed despite his own injuries, looked at Yuwen Yue drenched in blood. Slowly, Yan Xun retrieved his Xiaolong sword. With cold determination, he raised it, ready to finish Yuwen Yue, not caring to remove the metal mask that concealed his identity.
Suddenly, Xiao Yu's voice rang out through the rain-soaked battlefield: "Stop!"
Her words, sharp and commanding, echoed in the chaotic stillness. Xiao Yu, drenched in rain, stood with a dagger pressed to Xia Chong's neck, the blood trickling from the wound as Xia Chong (who had been pretending to be Chu Qiao) summoned a heavy downpour. The rain mixed with the blood on the battlefield, heightening the tension.
"Didn't I ask Your Grace not to harm the heir of the Eyes of God?" Xiao Yu's voice, calm yet resolute, reached Yan Xun's ears. He hesitated, momentarily stunned by her intervention.
Yuwen Yue, exhausted and soaked in his own blood, barely conscious, reflected on his fate. "So this is how it ends? Is this what you call freedom?" he thought, recalling the image of a happy Chu Qiao within the safe walls of Castle Peak.
As Xiao Yu released Xia Chong, the impostor collapsed, her body sliding lifelessly to the muddy ground. Yan Xun, heartbroken and filled with anguish, let out a scream: "A'Chu!" He threw down his sword and rushed toward her body, scooping her into his arms, his tears mixing with the rain.
Xiao Yu, standing motionless in the pouring rain, watched Yuwen Yue's blood wash away into the earth. The weight of everything she feared had come to pass. Her strength gave out, and she collapsed into the mud, her eyes wide as she watched Yan Xun cradle the lifeless form of Chu Qiao.
With the last of her resolve, Xiao Yu crawled across the muddy ground, dragging her weakened body toward Yuwen Yue, desperate to reach him before it was too late. Yue Qi and Zuo Zong, having secured Prince Zaru, quickly returned to Yuwen Yue's side, forming a protective line around him.
The Yan army generals readied their bows, aiming directly at Yuwen Yue, but Xiao Yu, defiant and unyielding, stood between them, shielding Yuwen Yue with her own body. Her love, her fear, her resolve all crystallized into a single act of defiance.
Yan Xun, still holding Xia Chong's limp body, raised his hand, ordering his army to halt. His mind was in chaos torn between revenge and the devastation of losing Chu Qiao.
"This is madness, a chaos not written in the books," he complained under his breath. Yan Xun could stop his army for now, but how could he call this a victory when the very essence of his soul... Chu Qiao...was slipping through his fingers?
For a brief moment, he considered what it meant to win. Was victory worth losing Chu Qiao and Xiao Yu on the same battlefield? Yan Xun, torn between duty and love, froze, paralyzed by the choices before him.
The Qinghai troops, led by Yue Qi, swiftly surrounded Xiao Yu and Yuwen Yue, forming a protective circle with their shields raised high. Crossbows aimed at the Yan army, creating a tense standoff.
Yue Qi, kneeling beside Yuwen Yue, pressed his fingers to his master's pulse. Relief washed over him when he felt the faint but steady beat of life still within him. "He's alive, but just barely," he whispered to Zuo, who hurriedly wrapped Yuwen Yue's wounds with a clean cloth.
Grass mowers Blackguards in Yanbei
Dark clouds passed overhead as rain continued to pour, staining the battlefield with the blood of the fallen. Overhead, Princess Zama's dark presence loomed, her chi energy surging as she unleashed the black seal, plunging the land into a terrifying scene of destruction.
Viper, finding herself in a deadly battle with Princess Zama and Dong Fangyi, quickly realized she was up against not just a powerful foe, but an underworld spymaster. Recognizing the danger, she called out into the chaos: "Sand Drizzle Master!"
At the sound of that name, the underworld spy, known as Sand Drizzle, revealed himself. He was a feared figure, a master of deception and death, and Viper knew she was in deep trouble. The ground beneath them trembled as the blackguard spies, unleashed by Zama, prepared to finish what they had started.
A fierce battle raged between them, with Viper using every ounce of her training and skill to survive the onslaught. The blackguards, sensing the impending devastation, pressed harder, their lethal techniques honed for mass destruction.
Back on the battlefield, Yan Xun stood still, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. The rain drenched his face, hiding his tears as he held Xia Chong's lifeless body. He glanced towards the unconscious Xiao Yu, shielding Yuwen Yue, and then at his army, waiting for his command.
The sight of his two greatest lovers...Chu Qiao and Xiao Yu... in peril, combined with the weight of his choices, made him realize that no victory today would be worth the cost.
"Is this what freedom is?" Yan Xun whispered to himself, his voice cracking with the weight of his sorrow.
With a heavy heart, he raised his hand once more, but this time, it was not to fight. Yan Xun, the great warrior, Lord of Yanbei, signaled his army to stand down.
The battlefield fell silent.
The Qinghai troops, seeing the gesture, lowered their weapons, but remained vigilant.
In the distance, Princess Zama felt the shift in the battlefield and halted her attack, her eyes narrowing as she observed the scene. The blackguards, sensing her hesitation, ceased their movements as well.
Yan Xun knelt beside Xia Chong, his hands trembling as he gently laid her down on the ground. He turned his gaze toward Yuwen Yue, barely clinging to life, and Xiao Yu, who had collapsed in exhaustion.
A bitter smile crossed Yan Xun's face as he whispered, "In the end, what did we really win?"
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