Chapter 84
Are we born enemies
The snowflakes fell into delicate hands as the cold wind whistled.
With her thick fur and white winter boots, a quiver full of white arrows, similar to Yan Xun's, hung behind her. She scooped a handful of snow and rubbed it in her soft palms. She needed the coldness of snow to steady her pulse.
A passing reindeer powerfully leaped into her sight. Her beautiful eyes followed its every movement, her breath steadying her pulse.
The bowstring brushed her cheek, but it made no sound as the arrow was ready to fly.
Silently counting, one, two, and on three, the white arrow whizzed through the air just as the reindeer made its final leap.
"Bullseye! You're mine!"
Huan Huan, pleased with the result of her hunt, approached the reindeer. It was still breathing, though shallow and labored. Expressionless and cold, Huan Huan pushed the arrow in deeper, and the last of the animal's life returned to nature. Yet, another pair of eyes watched her from a distance, impressed and proud.
"Mr. Wu? Mr. Wu? Are you there? Spare me a moment! Come see my hunt!"
Huan Huan suddenly dropped the animal, her curious eyes scanning the surroundings as she continued to call her guardian's name. "Mr. Wu? Mr. Wu?"
Her almond-shaped eyes widened when she saw a trail of blood on the ground. She walked slowly, following it, and discovered more blood spilled inside Wu Dao Ya's room. But the man was nowhere to be found. Goosebumps rose on her skin as her pulse quickened.
She started to hyperventilate, convinced something terrible had happened to Mr. Wu, but unable to imagine what.
She didn't know of any enemies or unexpected visitors except for a handsome man who had visited him many years ago. She could still vividly remember that day, the man's back cold and distant.
An unarmed man was now running, panting, toward the bamboo forest. A group of ninja assassins chased him, throwing several star-shaped darts.
One dart hit his leg, freezing his veins, while he held his wounded chest. It was a surprise attack, years of planning and spying on the Longyi Guan mountains led to this moment, sealing his fate.
"Whatever happens, I must reach the Feather Girl, or she will die."
Through excruciating pain, the man removed the dart as his vision began to blur.
By then, Wu Dao Ya realized who the enemy was. His wound had turned blue, a sign of poison. He had to reach the Feather Girl or end his life now.
Which would he choose?
All he had left was this breath, and everything would be meaningless if Zhong Yu died.
He continued down the bamboo hills, running toward the lime rock mountain he had to climb.
Huan Huan grabbed her fur coat, preparing to go outside.
Her feet trembled, her face anxious. She felt alone, yet not entirely, silent eyes watched her every move.
A call for help seemed necessary, but the observer couldn't reveal himself. He must follow his master's orders.
"You can only use this flare if it's a life-or-death situation. Otherwise, avoid being caught and come out clean."
Meanwhile, Princess Huan Huan decided to leave Mr. Wu's residence. Before taking the final step, she glanced back at the door.
A gloomy expression crossed her face as childhood memories flashed before her, weighing her heart with sadness.
She didn't know what lay ahead if she left, nor was she sure if Mr. Wu would return. Only two things were certain: she had to stand up and grow. It was time to leave her comfort zone and find Mr. Wu.
It was time to go, no turning back.
With her state-of-the-art bow and a quiver of sharp white arrows, Huan Huan, taller than most girls her age, walked away in her fur boots, as though she might never return to the place she once called home.
A day had passed when a man, covered in wounds, wearing tattered clothes, and with a dirty face and weary eyes, reached the edge of the cliff.
There was no hope left. A call for help would be futile, there was no one to aid him. He had sworn to protect the Feather Girl and Princess Huan Huan.
But now, he could hardly take a few steps, limping in pain.
The group of chasing ninjas finally caught up, forming a line, ready for the kill.
Wu Dao Ya thought, "Looks like I'm in the middle of an execution squad."
One of the ninjas removed his black mask, exposing himself to the Datong Way Grand Master. Wu Dao Ya's face turned blue as he took a deep breath.
Both men remained calm, but neither wanted to acknowledge that they had known each other since childhood, trained together in Gongfu martial arts. Yesterday, they were brothers in arms; today, they were enemies.
A sad tune seemed to play in Wu Dao Ya's ears.
How could he forget his enemy's face? He recalled the last celestial warfare when Yuwen Hao massacred all the royal princes and princesses, including the Chu Jing King.
Wu Dao Ya remembered how Dong Fangyi had made their last stand, shouting, "Go! Save the Secret Princess and her protector! I'll hold them off until my last breath!"
Wu Dao Ya had felt miserable about leaving his best friend behind but promised, "Hold on until I return. I'll save the children and come back."
Dong Fangyi saw a faint ray of hope, believing his best friend would honor his word. But, in his last breath, he closed his eyes, losing the cliff battle to Yuwen Hao. White dandelions filled the air, and one flower landed in Wu Dao Ya's palm. Dong Fangyi, his body broken and bleeding, died, whispering Wu Dao Ya's name. But Wu Dao Ya had come too late to fulfill his promise.
Dong Fangyi's last words echoed:
"I'm dead, but the sad part is that death is freedom from this world. I should be thankful for dying. What you see is a dead person, though he's alive today. The beauty in it is you no longer care about this world or anyone in it. There is no more 'you,' and no amount of pain can hurt 'you.' That's the only gift death brings, freedom from pain, love, hate, and fear. Remember, I've given you this grace, even as you continue to live and pay for whatever you owe."
Wu Dao Yao, though breathing shallowly, forced himself to speak slowly and in a whisper: "I do not expect gratitude from you. But I do expect respect and common sense. Let me free your soul for the life I owe, and may the winds carry this flower to the Feather Girl."
After saying this, Wu Dao Yao looked at the white dandelion in his palm and blew it into the wind.
The remaining energy in his body faded like thin paper, and finally, he fell from the cliff.
A pair of teary eyes watched her guardian's last moment. She wanted to scream and cry.
She longed to kill all the Chasing Ninjas, starting with their leader. Her trembling hands aimed three arrows at their foreheads.
The arrows whizzed sharply through the air, and Huan Huan, hidden in the tall golden grasses, seemed invisible.
Just like hunting reindeers, two of the arrows hit their targets' foreheads, killing them instantly. However, Dong Fangyi, with ears sharper than the others, dodged her white arrows.
The tension was high, and the Chasing Ninjas suddenly lost the will to pursue her. Dong Fangyi, knowing Princess Huan Huan's significance, planned to capture her alive and use her as bait for Yan Xun to achieve his goals.
He warned the remaining ninjas, "Do not harm her, or I will kill you all here."
Dong Fangyi understood the girl was untrained in warfare and still new to this world of killing, but not hunting. He softly said, "Wu Dao Yao must have taught her well, but not well enough to defeat the Chasing Sand Drizzle Master!"
A young witness, hidden behind Princess Huan Huan, had already activated his flare just in time. He stepped forward, using his sword as a shield to protect her from the Sand Drizzle star darts. After Dong Fangyi's failed attempt, the youngster grabbed Huan Huan's hand, and together they ran away.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Yue received a ground report. His brows wrinkled as he listened to the whisper.
"Master! It's a life-or-death situation, it cannot wait."
"Send this mooncake. Here is a gold coin. Quickly, go!" Yuwen Yue instructed Yue Lui.
"Nuo! (Yes)" Yue Lui responded.
Riding fast, Yue Lui arrived at the Thousand Caves. At the entrance, a beggar woman, pretending to be blind, ugly, and filthy, asked for the token. Yue Lui handed her the gold coin while holding the mooncake.
Another man, cloaked in a spooky hood that covered his entire head, mimicked the same action and entered the cave.
It was Yue Lui's first visit to the Thousand Caves, and he felt uneasy, as though someone were stalking him. But he knew the druid priest within the cave was like a ghost, capable of appearing at any moment.
Suddenly, Yue Lui bumped into someone behind him. His killer instincts kicked in, and he immediately strangled the man who had touched his shoulder. The man tried to speak but was choking and unable to move.
At that moment, another hand touched Yue Lui's opposite shoulder. "You do not want to die here," said a voice.
The cave was dark, but light filtered through from the other side, illuminating the beautiful rock formations. Yue Lui released the man's neck but demanded, "Step into the light!"
The man obeyed, and when he stepped into the light, Yue Lui's eyes widened in shock.
"Yue Qi! Little brother! What are you doing here?" Yue Lui exclaimed, wanting to hug him.
"I am not Yue Qi."
"What? Then who are you? Come on! Why are you doing this to me?" Yue Lui asked, completely surprised.
"Brother Yue Lui, I am Yue Qi." Yue Lui glanced behind him, seeing the face of the man he had strangled. "Ah, don't play games with me! This isn't a ghost cave!"
"Brother Yue Lui, please listen to me. This is Zuo Zong, our eighth brother."
"Eighth brother?" Yue Lui was confused, but as he looked from left to right, both faces seemed identical. Frantically, he exclaimed, "This can't be happening! This cave is full of ghosts! No!"
"No, I am not a ghost!" Yue Qi insisted, while Zuo Zong wanted to slap Yue Lui for being so frantic.
"The Yue guard brothers finally meet again! Hand me the mooncake, and don't ruin my cave with your reunion!" Zao Baocung suddenly appeared before the three men.
"What reunion? No! These are ghosts! I'm seeing ghosts!" Yue Lui exclaimed, still feeling incredibly unsettled.
Zao Baocung laughed heartily and said, "I can explain, but perhaps you'd rather hear it from your brothers first. Try to kill them if you think they're really ghosts!"
Yue Lui couldn't bring himself to harm Yue Qi, but the twin faces were unnerving. He frantically said, "I would never kill my brother Yue Qi, but I saw him die years ago in the frozen lake."
Zao Baocung said, "Believe what you will, but what you see here is real and alive."
Zuo Zong drew closer to Yue Lui, making funny faces to scare him. Yue Lui, still in denial, said, "Ah… Ah… Get away from me! You're both ghosts!"
Zuo Zong laughed loudly, while Yue Qi's eyes welled up with tears. "Can I touch you, brother?" he asked emotionally.
Yue Lui, seemingly deaf to the situation, continued to deny that his seventh brother was alive. "No! Get away from me, ghost!"
The two brothers chased after Yue Lui, while Zao Baocung cracked open the mooncake and read the hidden message.
"You're not ready to die yet!"
A man of strong stature drew his sword. Underestimating the determined boy, Yuan Che attacked. The boy remained calm, countering Yuan Che's long sword with precision. Everyone watching saw that this innocent-looking boy was lethal. Yuan Che's arm was dripping with blood, and he must have already felt mortal pain.
Ping'An, not wanting to kill more but angry, knew what mattered most at that moment. In a tired voice, he said, "Can't you see? The crown prince is dying. My master can save him if you let me pass! My master can help him!"
"I don't care who you are! How dare you touch the crown prince's body? You are a lowly slave!" Yuan Che raged.
Ping'An looked at Yuan Song. The crown prince's breathing was weak, his life slipping away.
Feeling deep compassion, Ping'An replied, "He saved my life, so I will touch him. I can't let him die! It doesn't matter if he's the crown prince and I'm a slave. I owe him my life. This kindness must be repaid by saving him. Let us pass!"
For the first time in his life, Ping'An was bold enough to command the Seventh Prince of Great Summer. But his boldness only hardened Yuan Che's heart.
"Who dares to command me to obey humble blood? Who dares?"
Yuan Che was furious, deaf to reason.
Yuan Song's pale face showed he was nearing death. This was not the time to raise a sword or waste precious time.
The sound of horse hooves echoed suddenly. The leader of the cavalry dismounted and approached Yuan Che, speaking in a cold, calm voice. "Let them pass. I will ensure the crown prince is in good hands. You have other work to do. The Third Prince, Yuan Yang, has taken Xiaoqi Camp Seven. Either leave this place or die here."
Yuan Che looked at Yuwen Yue with a mix of pain, anger, and uncertainty, then slanted his head, eyes sharp with a heavy heart. Reluctantly, he let the boy and the crown prince pass.
Yuwen Yue gave Yuan Song a pitying look, then nodded at Ping'An. "Take the fastest route possible. The crown prince must stay alive. You know what to do," he ordered Meng Feng.
Meng Feng nodded, quickly wrapping a white scarf around Yuan Song's shoulder to stop the bleeding. She mounted her horse and let Yuan Song cling to her waist, while Ping'An supported him from behind to prevent him from falling.
"Hiyah!"
On the other side, a pair of lovely eyes watched everything unfold. The situation seemed to favor the unexpected visitor, or was this person an ally of the Seventh Prince?
Chu Qiao smirked, mocking as she spoke. "Who can predict its ways? Who can count the hairs of every lowly slave and dictate whether a royal lives or dies?"
With the Great Summer crown prince missing and heavy casualties at Xiaoqi Camp, Yuan Che had no choice but to order the remaining men to abandon the frontier. It had been occupied by an unfamiliar family member who sought to control the Great Summer throne.
The results were clear: victory was secured by none other than the King of the Black Hawk Cavalry. All Xiaoqi flags were burned, and Yuan Yang's exceptional troops, ever-ready for promotion, raised their flags.
From a distance, Xiaoqi's generals and Yuan Che watched with regret, their hearts heavy in defeat.
There was no more Xiaoqi Camp.
Now the pressing question was how to report this. Would it benefit the Great Summer Emperor if Yuan Che marched back with his generals, parading the failure of Xiaoqi Camp's collapse?
They weren't heroes but disgraced men who would let these tragic events be buried in history.
Yan Xun, with his sharp sword-like eyebrows, flashed a debonair smile and swayed his head, saying, "Now, what will you do for me?"
Yuan Yang, having triumphed at the expense of his younger brother's life and inexperience, raised a goblet in victory. "We are allies today, but you cannot invade my Chang'An. The heart of Great Summer is mine. You'll have to bury me before you can conquer it and make it yours! I'm telling you, ask for anything else, but leave Chang'An alone."
Yuan Yang struck Yan Xun hard with his words, forcing the King of Yanbei to draw his dagger. In a tense standoff, the two leaders tested the strength of their alliance.
Yuan Yang, exhausted, faced Yan Xun, who showed no signs of tiring. "Do you want me to prove now that I can bury an ally in just seconds?" Yan Xun asked, pressing the dagger closer to Yuan Yang's throat.
But Yuan Yang, fearless, retorted in a hoarse voice, "You cannot win anything if you kill your allies so easily. Allies should be treated well, not threatened like this. Without me, you have no one. The world could still be yours if you keep me around longer."
"And what if I don't?" Yan Xun whispered, his dagger still at Yuan Yang's neck. "I want Chang'An. Can't you see how hard I've worked for this?"
"That can be arranged," Yuan Yang replied, reversing their positions and preparing to strike.
Yan Xun, even as Yuan Yang's dagger pressed into his throat, asked, "How?"
Yuan Yang, weary, tossed the sharp dagger aside, his pulse calming as his adrenaline rush faded. Annoyed, he said, "Two conditions: under my reign, and you give up the girl. Then, it's yours."
Yan Xun, now relaxed, laughed loudly. "What? Two impossible conditions! They can't be met!"
The mood between the two rulers softened, and both, exhausted, laughed together.
Yuan Yang, wanting the final word, said, "For my reign, that's possible. But to give up the girl? Ah… you can kill anyone and trade anything, but not the girl."
Yan Xun felt a familiar sting in his heart. Yuan Yang's words always hit harder than any blade. The truth often leaves the heart in silence.
The sound of a flowing stream calmed the surroundings.
A woman sat by the water, scooping the clear liquid to wash her hands. Her hands were soft and delicate, yet stained with blood and sin.
She had killed more than any man ever could, all in pursuit of true peace, becoming the defender of the cold Yan state.
Flashbacks of her childhood flickered in her mind of when she was an innocent little girl, a big sister to her younger sibling.
She tried to recall the happy times in the field of white dandelions she used to gather and play in. Closing her eyes, she remembered how she always cast a secret wish before blowing the delicate petals. It was a ritual she never tired of. The act always felt magical, as if those little petals could reach the realm of the impossible and make her wishes come true.
Even now, wild dandelions carried her wishes. Suddenly, a beautiful wild dandelion dipped itself into the calm stream, and she couldn't resist picking it up.
Her delicate hand gently plucked the white flower. As light as a feather, she held it close.
Closing her eyes again, she felt the innocence of childhood return. She was about to blow the flower's petals, just as she used to, when a strong wind swept them away. The wind continued to sway her face, turning cold as her warrior garment fluttered in the air.
Then she saw a man's face coming closer, his hand caressing her cheek.
It felt like an ethereal dream. The man seemed real, his face exuding calmness, his countenance promising daylight in her darkest nights. But then, he turned away, and she couldn't understand why. She wanted to follow him, to join him.
The man looked back, sending her a gentle smile, warming her heart.
She heard his voice, soft yet clear. "Feather Girl, don't resist the changes that come our way. Let them flow, let them fly. My love for you will never die."
He extended his open palm, and the Feather Girl accepted it. But suddenly, her eyes opened, and she found herself unable to move her body or turn her head.
Her consciousness had returned to the real world. She lay in a humble tent, her fragile body covered in wounds and bruises, stabbed in the abdomen.
The harsh reality began to unfold.
Her eyes, swollen and barely able to open, made her unrecognizable. She had been a loyal warrior, but now she was abandoned and betrayed.
Her physical form was destroyed, and she wasn't even sure if she was still alive or just another living ghost wandering the world.
As she tried to move, the dormant pain spread through her veins. She seemed paralyzed, knowing any movement would worsen her condition.
All she could do was release tiny drops of tears and remain still.
She longed to ask, "Wu Dao Ya, after all this, can you see the end of the road?"
But there were no answers, only lingering questions.
During the Yanming Guan all-out war, Yan Xun destroyed many small cities inside and outside of the strategic mountain pass.
General Yu's cavalry rode back and forth to provide reinforcements, and everything was reported as a success. However, Yan Xun, suspicious and unpredictable, ordered General Yu to search for and destroy a small village near Meilin to save the Yan children held hostage there.
On the surface, it seemed like a noble order, one that could produce a noble act. General Yu, with her army behind her, promised to save them all.
Because of this, Zhong Yu lost track of Dong Fangyi and failed to monitor his movements, leaving Wu Dao Ya unprotected. This led to a series of tragic events, culminating in Wu Dao Ya's death.
Zhong Yu had trusted Yan Xun too much, blinding herself to his dark side. Now, faced with harsh reality, she wished she were dead. She wished she had never pledged herself to loyalty. She wished she had never met anyone else but Wu Dao Ya. Most of all, she wished she had been by his side when he was dying.
After confirming that Wu Dao Ya had fallen from the mountain's high cliff, Dong Fangyi did not continue his pursuit of Princess Huan Huan. Yet, he kept time in reserve, determined to uncover the identity of the young man who had helped her escape their sand drizzle attacks in the tall golden grass fields.
Dong Fangyi believed he had all the time in the world, so he let go of yesterday's mistakes.
"General Yu, I believe there's a mistake in the spy report that was passed to our Commander in Chief," reported one of Zhong Yu's scout rangers.
Zhong Yu, attentive, asked, "Why do you think so? What did you discover?"
The ranger, crying silently, presented a sackcloth and opened it.
Zhong Yu, unable to contain herself, turned away in fury. She unsheathed her sword, pointing it at the trembling scout.
The scout sobbed, begging for mercy. "General Yu, I beg your mercy! I only followed your orders, but I could never do this! I am no traitor. I am a loyal servant to General Yu."
Zhong Yu's cavalry, shocked, stood frozen, their minds unable to process what lay inside the sackcloth. The sound of clashing swords filled the air as they drew their weapons, ready to face an enemy they could no longer identify. Was the enemy among them, wearing the same uniform, or was it someone else entirely?
Zhong Yu's deputy shouted, "The King of Yanbei will kill us all if we don't find the traitor or identify the real enemy! If we don't resolve this today, we'll all die a painful death!"
Facing an internal military crisis, Zhong Yu said, "If not us, then who?"
Suddenly, Yanbei's Black Hawk Cavalry arrived, and Yan Xun dismounted from his horse. His sharp eyes locked onto Zhong Yu, his face serious. He spoke softly, "A'Yu, what have you done?"
Zhong Yu, caught in this moment of crisis, felt the weight of her commander's doubt. None of her deputies dared to speak.
A'Jing, confused, dismounted and inspected the evidence. Guilt and anger rose in his heart, though he could not place all the blame on Zhong Yu.
Breaking the silence, A'Jing pleaded, "My Lord, please give her a chance to explain what has happened."
Yan Xun shot a sharp look at A'Jing and responded angrily, "Very well. General, you have this moment to explain this horrendous bloodbath and the killing of innocent Yan children, or face my wrath!"
Zhong Yu, though defensive, knew it hardly mattered now. How could she explain what had happened when she had only just arrived to assess the situation?
The scout rangers had reported too late; the killing had occurred the previous night. The helpless Yan children had been brutally dismembered and stuffed into a sack. It was an unforgivable atrocity, deserving of immediate punishment.
Zhong Yu's integrity and morals were now compromised. A'Jing awaited her explanation, hopeful that she had no part in this gruesome massacre.
In the midst of this life-and-death dilemma, whatever General Yu said would determine the fate of her troops.
At that moment, another cavalry arrived.
Dong Fangyi dismounted and walked toward Yan Xun. Bowing his head, he said, "I hate to interrupt, Your Majesty, but I bring important news." He made sure Zhong Yu could hear every word.
Yan Xun, glaring at Dong Fangyi, demanded angrily, "What could be more important than this bloodbath of innocents, Military General Adviser Dong?"
Dong Fangyi relished the tension, knowing he was about to ignite even more rage. "Datong Way died yesterday. He was buried this morning."
He presented proof, which Zhong Yu immediately recognized.
Her world collapsed.
For a moment, she stood frozen, her heartbeat accelerating.
Zhong Yu felt as though all the swords from this bloodbath had come to slit her throat and stab her heart a hundred times over.
She wished it were a lie, but this was Dong Fangyi reporting. She knew him to be an adviser who didn't play games with Yan Xun's emotions.
After all, Yan Xun had once said, "Don't you think it's time to redraw the map, one without Datong?"
Yan Xun, appearing unaffected, turned to Zhong Yu, his cold emotions masking any response. He awaited her answer regarding Datong's death.
Zhong Yu gave him a blank stare.
Dong Fangyi anticipated a harsh reaction from Zhong Yu, and he wasn't disappointed. She drew her sword, pointing it at Yan Xun, and said painfully, "You murdered Wu Dao Ya and these children. You are the true offender here!"
That day, General Yu's troops clashed with Black Hawk Cavalry. Dong Fangyi's forces crushed them, while A'Jing, caught off guard by the sudden chaos, attempted to protect both sides.
But Dong Fangyi had already stabbed Zhong Yu in the abdomen. She collapsed in front of A'Jing, who caught her falling body, her blood staining his military uniform.
The rest of the troops continued fighting until all of General Yu's soldiers were dead. Words could not capture the misfortune of that day.
When the dust settled, Yan Xun, blood and dirt smeared across his face, approached A'Jing, who was kneeling, desperately trying to stop Zhong Yu's bleeding. A'Jing wept silently over the lifeless body of his comrade.
Yan Xun, cold and distant, gave him a heavy stare and tapped his shoulder.
In a soft voice, A'Jing said, "She had nothing to prove. She was spotless and loyal to you, but you still doubted her."
A'Jing, though addressing Yan Xun as his king, spoke as if he were no longer subservient.
Yan Xun, knowing he should punish A'Jing for such behavior, chose to excuse it. He understood A'Jing's grief. "You can arrange a proper burial for her, but do not bury her in Yanbei. She died a traitor, not a hero."
"Is that an order to follow or a concern for a trusted servant and comrade?" A'Jing asked, wanting to understand Yan Xun's feelings.
Without looking back, Yan Xun replied in a cold, painful voice, "An order to follow."
Still grieving, A'Jing ordered his men to carry Zhong Yu's body and find a burial site.
On their way, something unexpected happened. A group of women dressed in white hoodies and scarves attacked A'Jing's men and took Zhong Yu's body. One of the leaders said, "Time is up for your mortal body, but not for your soul."
The squad formed a protective circle and used their powers to revive her. Zhong Yu's blood was stopped just in time, her life barely saved by A'Jing's efforts and her sister Viper's knowledge.
Viper cut her wrist and let her blood drip onto Zhong Yu's wound. Something miraculous began to happen, something difficult to comprehend.
Call it magic or divine intervention, but the underworld spies had the ability to protect and save whomever they chose.
Viper had missed much during her time in the ersatz realm, where she had fought underworld monsters and proven herself as the best spy and protector of the Chu Jing Secret Princess. After escaping the realm, she wandered through the five realms, her memories fragmented.
She eventually encountered Yuwen Yue in the Black Forest, who, by sprinkling golden ashes on her, temporarily blinded her. But when her eyesight returned, her lost memories were restored, and she was back on track.
Suddenly, Viper remembered her past and her mission to protect the Mimi Gongzhu.
She rallied the roaming underworld spies, while the Jianghu spies, scattered, awaited their leader, the Feather Girl, Zhong Yu.
Zhong Yu had not yet recovered from her wounds. She lay bedridden, unable to walk or talk. Though Viper's powers had saved her life, Zhong Yu had to choose to heal and return to the world.
Princess Huan Huan, exhausted from a day of running, slept soundly in the arms of the handsome young man beside her. Unaware of the world beyond their shelter, she instinctively trusted this young man, sensing kindness in his heart.
The young man gazed at her serene, sleeping face and felt his affection for her grow beyond mere friendship. Embarrassed by his feelings, he quickly dismissed the thought, reminding himself of the mission: to secure the princess and the future of Yanbei.
"Hey!" Mo'Er called out, noticing the princess was half awake.
Princess Huan Huan, with her eyes barely open, felt hunger for the first time.
"Come on, let's eat! We need to leave before dawn, or we'll be trapped at the border."
Mo'Er lit a bonfire, its flickering light casting shadows between them. He refused to meet her eyes.
"This is a good hunt," he said, referring to the meal he prepared.
Princess Huan Huan walked towards the fire, warming herself as she sat down comfortably. She gazed at the gloomy night sky, seeing only a hazy moonlight.
"Take this," Mo'Er said, handing her a winter cape. After a pause, he added, "Kindness should not be rejected."
The princess couldn't refuse the offer, knowing the cape would protect her from the cold night. She accepted it graciously and said, "What else did you bring that I should accept your kindness as if it's a rare commodity? Aside from forcing me to run miles away from my guardian, what else do you plan to do to me?"
Her words were direct, and Mo'Er had to choose his response carefully.
"My kindness ends once we cross the border," he replied. "Don't expect me to be around all the time."
Princess Huan Huan didn't sense any ill intentions from him, but still seeking reassurance, she asked, "Who are you?"
Mo'Er knew this could lead to a long conversation, so he kept it brief. "Don't worry, Princess. I'm not going to kill you. I'm one of the good guys."
Princess Huan Huan studied his mannerisms, the way he carried himself, the way he spoke. She realized he wasn't an ordinary young man who just happened upon her in the forests of Longyi Guan Mountains. His angular features, his composed stance, and even the heart-shaped hairline revealed that Mo'Er wasn't from any common clan.
As a skilled shooter, Princess Huan Huan suddenly picked up a stone and raised her slingshot, aiming at Mo'Er's head. But Mo'Er, anticipating her move, skillfully deflected the stone. He stepped closer to her and said, "If you want to kill me, here's a tip...don't use a stone. Use something sharp, like this."
He held out a sharp dagger, offering it to the princess.
The gesture only confirmed to Princess Huan Huan that Mo'Er was not just a fighter, but possibly a warrior. Yet, despite her curiosity, she dismissed the idea that he might be a pirate. Mo'Er was becoming an intriguing mystery to her, but she finally dismissed her suspicions.
"Keep the dagger, if you want to live until dawn," she said, with a tone that almost sounded like a threat.
Mo'Er smirked, letting out a short, sarcastic laugh. "I'll keep it. I want to live until dawn."
With a swift move, Princess Huan Huan suddenly snatched the dagger from his hand and held it to his neck. "Shhh..." she whispered.
Mo'Er, showing no fear, remained calm. He recognized this moment as a test of trust between them. Softly, he said, "Not bad, Princess."
Without warning, Princess Huan Huan slashed the dagger against the bark of a tree behind Mo'Er, revealing a snake that had been lurking in the shadows. She had just saved his life.
"I wasn't born to be your enemy, nor your friend," she said coolly. "You can thank me later."
She returned to her seat, crossing her legs in a meditative position, while Mo'Er stood there, silently admiring her.
He knew that he would continue to admire this girl for the rest of his life.
The death of Wu Dao Yao had stirred chaos among the members of Datong Way, who were also Yan army generals, as well as among the Yan elites in the secret chamber of commerce. Speculation arose over the sudden disappearance of Princess Huan Huan, and the members called a secret meeting to discuss both the death of General Yu and the princess's disappearance.
But in the end, the Datong Way members avoided delving too deeply into the truth behind these events. They could already surmise that a single mastermind had ordered the deaths and orchestrated the disappearance.
While some Yan generals accepted this belief, the Yan elites sought answers and preferred to conduct a secret investigation to uncover the underlying causes.
A strong wind suddenly swept through the path, forcing Meng Feng to stop her horse, her eyes partially injured by the gust. On high alert, Ping'An drew two small daggers from his waist, ready for an attack.
The air grew still, but the leaves continued to sway in the wind.
"Look out!" someone shouted.
Suddenly, like a rain of fire, sand drizzle star darts flooded their path. A woman quickly removed her indigo scarf, using it to shield three people, excluding herself.
Despite the chaotic attack, she appeared divine and serene, clearly not an enemy. Her scarf shielded them from the darts, which turned to ash as they made contact.
Once the attack subsided, she approached the dying prince, counting to three before speaking.
"He won't last long. We need to take him to Zao Baocung."
Ping'An stood at attention and said, "Yes, Master."
Meng Feng, recognizing the woman, said, "Haven't we met before?"
Chu Qiao, remembering their past encounter, replied, "How did you go from killing to saving this savage prince?"
Meng Feng, without denying the truth in her words, simply said, "People change, and so did I."
Chu Qiao smirked. "Tsk! You must have found a new master to whom you owe your life, a debt even your life can't repay."
Meng Feng nodded. "Yes, I owe my master a great deal."
Dong Fangyi, observing from the shadows, stood frozen, unable to make a move. He was strong, but the ghosts of the past were stronger. "This can't be happening," he thought.
"How is he?" Chu Qiao asked Zao Baocung.
"It's bad. I've done everything I can to help him endure the pain, but the blood loss is severe. Only a miracle could save him now."
Zao Baocung admitted that without a matching blood donor, there was little hope for the 13th Prince.
Chu Qiao, looking at her delicate arms, asked, "Aren't my veins miracle blood?"
Zao Baocung shrugged. "You have royal blood that can accept any blood, but the 13th Prince can only accept the blood of eminence."
Confused, Chu Qiao asked, "What is the blood of eminence?"
Zao Baocung, wiping sweat from Yuan Song's forehead, responded, "If you want him to live, you need to find the blood of eminence."
Impatient, Chu Qiao pressed, "What's it called, and who has it?"
Zao Baocung explained, "Among the royal family, the father or mother's blood would be a 100% match, a sibling's would be 50%, and a distant relative's blood would have only a 20% chance of matching. You don't want to be killed before the prince dies."
Meng Feng interjected, "The Imperial Concubine Ning'Er died years ago, but the Great Summer Emperor might be a match!"
Chu Qiao considered Yuan Che but knew they had different mothers.
The last thought in her mind was Yan Xun, with only a 20% chance of a match, but it would be a suicide mission.
"I told you, there's nothing more we can do," Zao Baocung said, giving up on Yuan Song's fate.
Chu Qiao, determined, said, "I will extract both blue bloods."
Suddenly, a calm yet cold voice echoed through the room.
"It's a fact that those born into the highest social classes possess blue blood."
A man with a serene figure but a cold aura appeared.
Chu Qiao, recognizing the man but knowing this was no time for personal feelings, asked sarcastically, "Are you?"
In a calm voice, Yuwen Yue replied, "By pure chance, twice over, in the face of vanishingly small odds. Try my veins."
Zao Baocung hesitated, saying, "No, I cannot extract the blood of the crown prince of Qinghai. It's forbidden. It's golden blood, and I can't waste it."
Yue Qi, standing by, said, "You're a disgrace to the Highness."
Zao Baocung, complained under his breath, protested, "I won't! I will never mix blue bloods! It's not my job, and I've never done such a thing!"
Yuwen Yue flashed a hand sign to Yue Qi and calmly said, "He'll do it."
Yuwen Yue then took Chu Qiao by surprise, holding a dagger to her neck. The room fell silent as Yuwen Yue whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry, but this is the only way. Order your healer, or we'll spend all day with this charade."
Despite the harshness of his actions, Yuwen Yue remained calm. Chu Qiao, though startled, regained control and whispered back, "Do it, or I will…"
Before she could finish, she smoothly reversed their positions, pressing the dagger to Yuwen Yue's chest, just beneath his skin, drawing a tiny bead of blood.
Yuwen Yue remained still, seemingly enjoying the closeness, while Chu Qiao whispered in his ear, "I'm sorry, but this is my way of giving orders. Don't try to take the dagger, or I'll be forced to extract your blue blood."
Despite the tension, Yuwen Yue relished every word whispered in his ear. "This is the real Chu Qiao," he thought. "Fearless and lethal, never missing her aim."
Zao Baocung, frustrated, scratched his head and complained, "I have no freedom in this! I'm not a free man!"
Chu Qiao pressed further. "Do it, or I'll drain the Qinghai crown prince's blood myself!"
Finally, Zao Baocung relented. "Alright, alright, I'll do it. Put the dagger down, and I'll handle it."
Zao Baocung explained that he hadn't tested Yuwen Yue's blood for compatibility, but there was an 80% chance of a match since both were from royal bloodlines.
With a resigned sigh, Zao Baocung performed the blood transfusion, extracting Yuwen Yue's blood for Yuan Song.
An hour later, the procedure was done. Yuwen Yue recovered quickly, but Yuan Song's condition remained precarious. Yuwen Yue, feeling tired, found Chu Qiao waiting anxiously outside.
"Did I hear you right when you said you would extract both blue bloods?" he asked with a smirk.
"Stop it! Can't you see what you made me do?" Chu Qiao responded, her tone a mixture of sarcasm and concern.
Yuwen Yue, despite his exhaustion, couldn't help but engage in the banter. "How are you going to do that?" he asked, locking eyes with her.
Chu Qiao, unable to resist his gaze, replied sarcastically, "Why would I tell you? Maybe I'll become a vampire, like the gorge spies, or practice black magic like the underworld spies. What can you do?"
For the first time in years, Yuwen Yue smiled genuinely, his cold look softened. Chu Qiao felt a shiver run through her, goosebumps forming on her skin.
Capturing her heart with his smile, Chu Qiao wanted to check his wound. "How's that wound on your chest?" she asked.
Yuwen Yue touched the stain on his robe. "It's nothing, like an ant biting a giant's foot."
"Oh…" Chu Qiao, momentarily speechless, said nothing more. She didn't want to diminish the impact of their earlier exchange.
"If you have nothing more to say, may I take some time to rest?" Yuwen Yue asked.
Chu Qiao, unsure whether to respond politely or indifferently, simply nodded with a neutral expression.
Inside, her emotions were waging a war. Pushing and pulling her feelings for Yuwen Yue was no easy task.
Yuwen Yue had a way of creating happy endings from tragic moments. But was this truly a happy ending?
Back in his palace, Yuwen Yue spent the day writing in his library, while Yue Qi provided updates on Yuan Song's condition. Though Yuan Song hadn't fully recovered, his condition improved day by day.
Yuwen Yue refrained from visiting Yuan Song or Chu Qiao after his last encounter. He knew the Qinghai Queen was closely monitoring his movements, and he didn't want to draw unnecessary attention.
Meanwhile, Chu Qiao believed Yuwen Yue still hadn't fully recovered his memories. As the path of fate began to unfold, she realized the unavoidable truth of her journey.
Finally, Yuan Che looked at the final headcount of the Xiaoqi military troops.
From a once great and powerful force, the all-out war between Yan Mingguan Pass and Xiaoqi Camp had reduced the numbers to a significant loss, though the exact tally was impossible to confirm. The war was considered the bloodiest in Great Summer's history.
Yuan Che now had to report the situation to the Great Summer Emperor, after Yuwen Yue sent him a snow paper informing him of Yuan Song's condition. He thought this might be some good news his father could appreciate, or, at worst, just another piece of bad news. However, Yuwen Yue had not revealed the location of the 13th Prince, or that the Moon Kingdom still existed. He preferred to keep this hidden until all things reached their inevitable conclusion, when the day of reckoning would finally come.
When the Great Summer Emperor read the royal letter from Yuan Che, he collapsed from his throne. Tai Wei rushed the emperor to his royal chambers, and many physicians were summoned to check his condition immediately.
Yuan Che didn't disclose the exact location of the remaining Xiaoqi troops, but he mentioned:
"We are safe, secure, and well-nourished, with provisions provided by an esteemed ally from the Far East. In exchange for their courtesies, we offer security to the Freedom Community. I've learned many new things and enjoyed the company of a few. A new world is emerging, where aristocrats and slaves can mutually benefit from one another, creating a balance of respect and freedom. They serve us happily, swearing loyalty in exchange for their security. Hence, we've become an iron wall. Although these slaves still see themselves as the muddy ground upon which the elites stand, all they wish for is to safeguard their lives and be defended in times of trouble."
Yuan Che's words invoked memories of the noble acts of old. It was the foundation their forefathers had built over generations, which had earned them their place in the nobility. But as time passed, Imperial governance had grown more complex, and with it came the abuses of both the people and the nobility. The nobles, in turn, became tyrannical and brutal. The old ways were forgotten, and constant changes only made things worse.
Days and nights passed, and the Great Summer Emperor fell gravely ill.
There was no good news to be found.
The Wei and Yuwen nobles were shocked when they heard the royal proclamation from the Shin Jin Gong Palace. Fear began to grip them over the fate of their lands and properties. Even though it was Yuan Yang's troops that had taken over Xiaoqi Camp, insecurity simmered within Great Summer. The once carefree Elite Wei Lords grew more ruthless in their actions, slipping back into their warring state of mind, tightening security around their estates and relying on their family and loyal slaves. No foreigners were allowed into Chang'An, the capital of Great Summer.
Meanwhile, the economy of Great Summer continued to worsen. Basic commodities were being held up at Qinghai due to raids by Black Pirates along the coasts. Food shortages began to affect even the noble households, who were now experiencing an insufficiency they had never known.
And what of the poor households? Could they survive if the nobles grew greedier and began hoarding these precious goods? One could only expect the worst.
In a world growing darker and more heartless, where regret filled the eyes and anguish weighed on the hearts, the questions arose:
Who will protect whom?
Who can stand for the slaves and the poor?
Who will win freedom for the throbbing souls?
Who can stand against tyranny and woe?
When loyalty is given, can the receiver remain faithful?
When freedom is won, who truly benefits?
If there is one good thing left in this world, it is YOU, if you choose to be.
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