PART 7. PHOENIX EMPIRE DIARIES
Chapter 61
Beast of the day
A pair of cold eyes, sharp eyebrows, and a calm face beheld the sight of snowflakes slowly falling on the frozen Chisui Lake. Covered in a shining silver sheen, a small red bird flew to the center, its eyes twinkling beneath the weight of tiny snowflakes on its eyelids. It wiggled its wings, causing white flakes to drift from its feathers, and then closed its eyes, as if meditating, unmoving.
The Great Summer Emperor was contemplating his next move: whether to support a protectorate state or pursue his wild dream of staging a fight, all while secretly deploying the black seal within Yanbei.
Ever since the fake wedding of Chu Qiao and Yuan Song, the Wei Empire had remained dormant, never declaring war against Yanbei, nor attempting to rescue the Black Prince Zaru, nor opening trade between Wei and Yanbei to negotiate the return of their hostages.
The Wei Emperor wondered why Yan Xun had not reacted to the wedding of Chu Qiao and Yuan Song. He had expected the event to enrage the newly crowned King of Yanbei, hoping it would provoke him into rash decisions that would lead to a mistake.
Instead, Yan Xun had announced a successful marriage alliance between Yanbei and Liang a year ago, though no heir had yet been born despite their month-long honeymoon. The Emperor, seated at his desk, returned to his game of Chinese chess, known as "Xiangqi," and said to Wei Guang:
"Yan Xun may not be able to give his Queen an heir, but neither can he make his General a concubine, as his first Queen defected to another empire to bear an heir for his enemies. What is more amusing than watching him in chaos, pretending not to care?"
The Emperor moved a chess piece. Wei Guang, who had been observing the game, his face calm and composed, was slightly taken aback. He asked, "Your Majesty, is that your final move?"
The Emperor replied, "If it is, you'll lose face—and your head—at my garrison today." He let out a hearty laugh. Wei Guang moved his piece, tapping his jaw as if counting silently. The Emperor nodded, understanding.
The Great Summer Emperor's favorite pastime was "Xiangqi," Chinese chess. No one could survive the shame of putting the Emperor in an embarrassing position. Death awaited those who dared to humiliate him.
Players always had to lose in the Emperor's presence, with the goal of subtly hinting at how he was losing and allowing him to figure out how to win. The Emperor would tap his fingers on his jaw in thought, bored with the same strategies, before moving his "Shi" piece, the Counselor, across the board. Wei Guang, trapped in his defense, could only sacrifice his General or Governor.
"I lost. The wise Emperor has figured it out," Wei Guang declared, faking defeat and bowing.
"The Counselor (Shi) is my best piece next to the Elephant (Xiang)," the Emperor said, squinting at his Prime Minister, sending him a secret message with his eyes.
Wei Guang responded calmly, "Indeed, the Counselor or Queen is the best ally and the worst enemy, while the Minister (Xiang), or Bishop, protects the General (Jiang). It cannot be moved, or the entire empire will crumble."
Suddenly struck by a thought, Wei Guang reported: "I have just heard that King Tang invited the Turkish Prince to Daoming Palace. Recently, the undefeated Polo champions, despite being foreigners, finished in second place. And the new champion—"
The Emperor's cold eyes brightened. "Who is the beast of the day, if not the Great Summer?"
Wei Guang replied, "Prince Lou, a prince in his prime, led China to victory over Turkey."
Wei Guang suggested, "What if we invite the slumbering Eastern Empire to play against Your Majesty and rival King Tang's achievements?"
The Emperor, intrigued by the idea, considered it, although he was proud of the Turkish envoy's defeat by King Tang's Prince. However, the Emperor could not allow King Tang to take all the credit without matching his own accomplishments. "In foreign sports, I know the Qinghai King will make excuses, but if his Crown Prince visits, I will grant him one request—if he beats me on this golden board."
Wei Guang, hesitant, asked, "Your Majesty, what if he asks for a concubine or a princess of Wei? That would cost you both face and possession."
"Anyone may go, except my Crown Prince Yuan Song. An Emperor must honor his word. I am confident no one can beat me, just like King Tang," said the Emperor, brimming with confidence.
Wei Guang, skeptical, shook his head slightly but refrained from voicing his doubts.
The Emperor, waiting for a response, continued, "In return, if I defeat the Qinghai Crown Prince, he will owe me a favor."
Wei Guang, surprised by the idea, inquired, "And if it's a stalemate?"
The Great Summer Emperor stood, looking once more at Chisui Lake. "If it's a stalemate, home court advantage will apply. I will still win."
Wei Guang questioned, "And if the Qinghai Crown Prince refuses to yield?"
The Wei Emperor replied confidently, "The Wei Crown Princess will ensure he yields."
Wei Guang squinted and asked, "Your Majesty, the Crown Princess is sacred. How do you know the Qinghai Prince will yield to her and not harm her?"
The Wei Emperor revealed, "I saw the desire in his eyes for the Wei Crown Princess. We will let her handle the situation, but if she fails to prove her innocence, we will execute her, as we have done before."
Wei Guang, unsettled by this departure from Wei's conservative traditions, chose not to challenge the Emperor's ideas. The eunuchs were already drafting the necessary orders.
The murky sound of water greeted the 13th Wei Crown Prince, Yuan Song, as he stood in his courtyard. Suddenly, from behind, a pair of lovely eyes silently watched him, and soon two stones were thrown into the koi pond, landing exactly where he stood. He knew immediately that it was her.
"You may report, I am alone," Yuan Song said, his once childlike face now assuming a more formal look.
A woman dressed in tight-fitting clothes leaped into view, small hand daggers at her waist. She moved swiftly, hiding among the bamboo near the pond like a frog. Yuan Song pretended to play with the koi fish in the pond, reciting lines like poetry in a secret conversation: "The future is bright, but when can I see the true sunlight? Every day I turn a blind eye, for my heart cannot last a day without her in sight."
Meng Feng responded in a hushed tone:Zài yú zuǐ lǐ de píngzi lǐ liúyán, bùduàn zhuīzōng bùduàn děngdài("A message in a bottle inside the mouth of the fish, keep tracking, keep waiting").
Meng Feng caught a large koi fish and placed a thin bottle into its mouth. Attaching a small bell to its dorsal fin, she threw the fish back into the pond, the bell jingling as it swam. Prince Yuan Song listened carefully for the sound, then used a long-handled net to catch the fish.
No one suspected that this was his method of receiving secret information from outside the palace.
Back in his playful mood, Yuan Song spoke to the fish: "Ah, a good catch. I hope to have a delicious meal today."
His servants, waiting outside the palace doors, dared not look at the prince. Yuan Song beamed at the large fish and, carrying it, retreated to his secret chambers to cut it open.
Inside the bottle, Yuan Song found a letter:
"Your Highness, your sister is still safe in the hands of Master Yuwen Huai, but recently, palace ministers have been receiving gifts addressed to her. The sender is unknown, but the Emperor believes the gifts are from a nobleman with a high position in the land.
Master Yuwen Huai is preparing to be reinstated and take over the Wei Supreme Court, but the Yuwen elders and noble relatives are seeking to nominate new Yuwen blood to replace him. They believe Yuwen Huai has already settled into a comfortable life outside the Wei Empire. However, their petition to the Emperor did not succeed, and the entire Yuwen family was put to death."
Chu Qiao has been secretly meeting Queen Xiao Yu of Yanbei, but the reasons are unclear. According to the Afterlife Assassins Guild, Xiao Yu has hired additional assassins to conceal her movements. Their last raid occurred at a small lodge near the Wei and Liang borders.
The house of a poor peddler was destroyed, and both the peddler and his wife were murdered. It is suspected that either the Wei Crown Princess Chu Qiao or Queen Xiao Yu of Yanbei was responsible. Meanwhile, the Prince of Yanbei has abandoned the Xuili Army, forcing He Xiao to exhaust their resources to defend Meilin border pass.
However, something strange has occurred. The townsfolk have begun providing arms, shelter, and food to the army, aided by a dark underworld spy. Rumor has it that this spy, in secret, assists Xuili Deputy General He Xiao. The spy's leader is known asMìmì gōngzhǔ(Secret Princess).
Yuan Song reflected on the matters at hand: "An unknown suitor, the return of Yuwen Huai, Xiao Yu, the peddler and his wife, the underworld spy, and their leader, Mìmì gōngzhǔ."
He inhaled deeply. Though many issues occupied his mind, he decided to focus on his wife first. Their marriage had been strained due to his immature actions, but he never meant to hurt her. He suspected that someone or something had driven a wedge between them. Yuan Song knew this was not just a personal matter but a crisis that could affect the entire Wei Empire.
He understood that his wife was hurt, but he could not ignore her growing strength, wildness, and strange behavior toward him. He never knew this side of Chu Qiao, but now he was eager to find out what had gone wrong and whether their marriage could be salvaged.
The 13th Prince devised a plan to take his wife to the secret garden he had preserved over the years and tell her the story of Yuwen Yue. Though Yuan Song feared the memories might hurt her, he believed this might be the only way to reconnect with her and start a conversation.
He thought, "She became my wife, but we haven't even begun our life together, and we are already falling apart."
Yuan Song left his secret chamber, rang a bell in the south side of the palace, and the servants appeared. "Take this koi fish and prepare it for your lunch," he ordered.
Xia Chong had enjoyed playing the role of the Wei Crown Princess, courtesy of Prince Xiao Ce and Queen Xiao Yu. She acted as a double agent for the two Liang royals, though she feared Xiao Ce might abandon her after giving her a royal pass into Wei with Xiao Ba.
Feeling tired, Xia Chong allowed her servants to wipe her forehead. Then, in a sudden outburst, she grabbed one of the servants and nearly broke her wrist. The servant cried out in pain.
Yuan Song, watching from a distance, squinted his eyes and raised his brows.This isn't Chu Qiao,he thought.Chu Qiao would never harm a humble servant like that.
Xia Chong, with an evil smile, released the servant's wrist and warned, "Do not touch me when I'm tired, ever!" Finished with her martial arts practice, she stepped on a thin, unseen rope and almost fell. "Huh!" she gasped.
A young prince rushed to catch her before she could fall into the palace fountain. His expression was cold, and his eyes were emotionless as he stared at her.
Xia Chong had expected him to say something, but instead, he gave her a long, silent stare as if he didn't recognize her. Without a word, he walked away, tall and proud, followed by his palace servants.
Afterward, Yuan Song acted as if nothing had happened. No smiles, no words—just cold air passing between them. In his thoughts, he silently counted: "One."
Later, palace maids served Xia Chong dinner, but her mind was elsewhere as she stared blankly at the table.
Xia Chong was not only one of the brightest assassins under Luo He, but she also bore a striking resemblance to Chu Qiao. Even her mother, Lou He, had passed down some of her Kungfu of Ice powers. Yet despite this, she felt an unexpected attraction to the 13th Prince.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ba completed her beauty rituals in anticipation of the 13th Prince's arrival. But a palace servant knocked on the door of the 13th Prince's harem and announced, "The 13th Prince will not be attending tonight."
The announcement was brief, cold, and final. The concubines stopped their dancing, and the atmosphere turned somber. Xiao Ba, heartbroken, ran to her room and wept.
One woman was stirred with feelings, while the other was saddened by the prince's absence.
Back in his palace courtyard, Yuan Song, dressed in archery gear, tested his crossbow, carefully adjusting the silver arrows. Using his right hand, he practiced his aim, his left arm now appearing more normal after being previously injured. Satisfied with his shooting, Yuan Song planned another trap, hoping to make his wife fall for him. Remembering how Yuwen Yue had treated Chu Qiao when she was his maidservant in Green Hills Courtyard, Yuan Song instructed his servants to arrange a staged fight along the road to surprise the Wei Crown Princess.
The next day, an Afterlife camper shot an arrow with a note attached toward the Wei Crown Princess's palace, then galloped off into the woods.
Xia Chong, still in her sleeping robes, retrieved the arrow from a wooden post. Surprised, she read a summons from Queen Xiao Yu, asking her to meet in the middle of the forest. "Hmm... after a year of silence, Her Majesty is calling again?" Xia Chong murmured.
At twilight, Xia Chong left on horseback, threatening the palace guards at the back gate: "Do not dare stop me, or I'll slit your throats."
They nodded and let her pass. Soon after, hoofbeats echoed through the Wei-Liang forest. From the shadows, a rider on a dark brown horse, wearing a red hood, chased after Xia Chong's white horse.
Feeling the presence behind her, Xia Chong slowed her horse and sharpened her ears, listening to the distant hoofbeats. When the time was right, she tapped her horse, but its hooves became entangled, forcing her to jump aside as the horse rolled down a cliff.
Xia Chong was unafraid, having sensed the presence of assassins. She unsheathed her two daggers and kept her short sword reserved for the main fight.
Moments later, Afterlife campers surrounded her. Their leader, upon seeing her, mistook her for Chu Qiao and felt a shiver of fear, recalling how Yuwen Yue had fought to save her.
Xia Chong believed it was impossible to escape from her assassins. Summoning the wind, she stretched her legs and began using them to inflict pain on her attackers.
Meng Feng was the only one who evaded the blows. She pulled out two forked daggers and started attacking Xia Chong. Despite the calmness in her stance, Xia Chong didn't hesitate. Suddenly, a man in a white fur cape and a white ninja suit, with a white band around his head, descended from the air with his Cheng Yin sword held vertically in front of his closed eyes.
The man immediately counterattacked Meng Feng, and the rest of the Afterlife Campers activated their deadly weapons, but none could withstand the power of the Cheng Yin sword.
For a moment, Xia Chong was confused about who her rescuer was. The man's face remained hidden under his white fur cape, but the jade band on his head revealed he was a prince, not an ordinary man.
The Afterlife Campers, realizing they were outmatched, faked their injuries and groans. However, Meng Feng did not show fear. She said coldly, "You have been warned!" before she and the assassins retreated.
The man swiftly pulled Xia Chong onto his horse and whistled loudly. A white horse, like a flash of light, responded to its master's call. Xia Chong, frozen like a statue, was suddenly swept up by the man. Both destined fighters rode the white horse towards the secret garden. The man, his voice gentle but panting, said, "Two."
Xia Chong, unable to move and feeling frail, realized her hands were quickly bound by the man. She could no longer perform her martial arts, and her so-called knight in shining armor had tied her feet under the moonlit sky. As they arrived at the secret garden, with clear skies overhead, the man softly whispered into her ear, "Three."
He then returned to his white horse, which was panting and dripping saliva, and placed his Cheng Yin sword in the saddle.
He took out a lantern, a matchstick, and lit the lantern's fire.
Feeling uncomfortable, Xia Chong asked, "What are you going to do with that lantern?"
The man replied, "To light up this place. It's so dark here."
Annoyed, Xia Chong asked, "Where on earth are we?"
The man smiled slightly and answered, "In paradise."
Xia Chong wrinkled her brows and said, "Do you even know who I am and what you just did?"
The man raised his eyebrows and said, "And what about me? Do you know who I am and what I am going to do?"
Xia Chong felt goosebumps as the cold air passed between them. "Show yourself!" she demanded, trying to untie her hands and feet.
The man made a clicking sound with his tongue. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. You forget too easily. I'll help you remember."
"Remember what?" Xia Chong asked.
The man raised the lantern slightly to reveal his face. Xia Chong's breath caught in her throat as she whispered, "The 13th Prince of Wei!"
Yuan Song smiled at her and said, "I hope you can forgive a husband who saved you and now steals his wife away from a fight. It was dangerous out there. I just want to spend this night with you, away from the empire, away from everyone—just you and me in this secret garden."
Xia Chong suddenly grew quiet, overwhelmed. She didn't know how to respond now that the 13th Prince stood before her, asking her to spend the night with him.
In one corner of her mind, she thought the 13th Prince was looking at Chu Qiao, not Xia Chong. Feeling a twinge of sadness, she snapped herself back to reality and said, "You're on a mission, not chasing a love affair."
Yuan Song, showing his romantic side, added more thoughts for Xia Chong to consider. "Do you remember the first time we came to this secret garden?"
Xia Chong couldn't answer truthfully. If she said no, she would expose herself. But feeling the romance in the air, she let go of her doubts and, with a voice full of emotion, replied, "Yes, and I wish I had been here with you from the very beginning."
Yuan Song, confused by her response but touched by a spark of happiness, replied, "Is this moment right at all?"
"No one can predict who their heart will choose to love."
"At that time, was it the Prince of Yanbei or the Master of the Eyes of God?" Yuan Song, weighed down by his emotions, finally opened up.
Xia Chong didn't respond immediately. After a long pause, she finally said, "I wish I were the girl you truly liked, and that it was only me."
Yuan Song, again confused by her words, nonetheless found comfort in them. He gently took Xia Chong's head and rested it against his chest, thinking to himself,So, Chu Qiao can feel my heartbeat.
Overflowing with joy, Yuan Song whispered under the moonlight, "Don't worry. You're in my arms now. No one will ever hurt or use you again."
Xia Chong remained silent, as Yuan Song's words struck at the heart of what she was feeling. She began to cry in his arms.
Feeling the wetness on his chest, Yuan Song asked, "Are you crying?"
Xia Chong didn't respond, and Yuan Song continued, "I've also wanted to apologize for our first night… It was all my fault."
Through her tears, Xia Chong replied, "I know. You're a good man."
Yuan Song gently tilted her head to look into her eyes and said, "Then why waste our precious time with useless, cold fights? The truth is, Xiao Ba became a concubine by accident. I was wrong, and I'll spend my life making up for it if you'll let me. You are my future Queen, the heir to Wei's throne. Come back to me."
If only the real Chu Qiao had heard these words, would she yield to the 13th Prince? It seemed the prince had matured in his own way, but he still hadn't found the truth about Chu Qiao.
Meanwhile, Xia Chong wrestled with the urge to confess her lies to the 13th Prince. Would he forgive her, or would the puppet Chu Qiao face death?
Chapter 62
One of the King's arm
In the stillness of the night, Yuan Song and Xia Chong gazed at each other. Yuan Song spoke softly, "I made a wish a long time ago."
Xia Chong asked, "What is your wish, Your Highness?"
Yuan Song replied, "That you and I would sit together in this secret cherry blossom garden under the moonlight. And tonight, that wish came true."
Xia Chong, wanting to tell the truth but holding back, warned Yuan Song instead: "Your Highness, if I could make one wish right now, it would be for you to free me from these shackles and return me to my land. If you don't grant it, things will only get worse."
Disturbed by her words, Yuan Song asked, "Why do you want to run away from me? This is your home now. You are the future Queen."
With firm resolve, Xia Chong responded, "This is not my home, and I don't want to be Queen. I only want a simple life among familiar people. I want to be free."
Yuan Song, feeling the weight of her words, replied, "I've heard this story before. Your former master, Yuwen Yue, who left this world, died giving you this freedom. Was it worth it?"
Though Xia Chong did not know the full story, she felt as if she were living Chu Qiao's life, fighting for freedom. She answered, "It was worth it. And I don't want you to end up like him."
As the night deepened, Yuan Song's dark eyes locked onto hers, and in a husky voice, he said, "The outcome will never be different. I will likely meet the same fate if I grant you freedom. It's a priceless thing, Xia Chong. Even a prince isn't free to do all he desires. We are bound by duty and protocol, just as we rule our empire. So if a prince cannot have freedom, what hope is there for common people?"
Tired and secure in the 13th Prince's arms, Xia Chong drifted off to sleep, while Yuan Song continued speaking to her. Looking down, he saw that she was already sleeping peacefully.
Both slept soundly, but in Xia Chong's dream, she awoke to find a man in purple robes, his face hidden behind a black mask, violently taking her away from Yuan Song. She heard the clashing of swords and saw Yuan Song leaping into battle, wielding his Cheng Yin sword against the masked man. In the midst of the fight, the man's mask fell off, revealing his face.
The 13th Prince was stunned. "Yan Xun!" he exclaimed.
Xia Chong awoke suddenly, finding herself inside the 13th Prince's carriage. Yuan Song sat beside her, waiting for her to wake up. He smiled warmly when she opened her eyes. No longer bound, Xia Chong stepped out of the carriage and beheld a stunning sight: a garden filled with pink cherry blossoms, with fog gently resting on the ground like clouds—a heaven on earth.
Yuan Song descended from the carriage and said, "This is my gift to you. From now on, this place will no longer be called the secret garden, but the Freedom Garden. Here, you are free to speak your mind without fear of judgment. You are not a princess here, but a common woman. You are my wife, and I am your husband. I will build a Freedom Palace for you, and this place will be yours."
Xia Chong wanted to leap for joy, but instead, her expression turned somber. She replied quietly, "Thank you, Your Highness. I only hope you won't change your heart toward a simple woman like me."
Yuan Song thought of Chu Qiao, once a lowly slave in the Green Hills Courtyard, and saw the same qualities in Xia Chong today. The same principles that drove Chu Qiao—the pursuit of freedom over power and riches—were alive in Xia Chong now. He felt inspired by her simplicity and strength.
But how far would this inspiration take them?
Could this be a happy ending for two people seeking enlightenment from each other? Yuan Song, searching for the happiness of his long-lost love, and Xia Chong, desiring nothing more than a simple life with a husband who valued freedom?
The truth remained: her husband, Yuan Song, was the heir to the Wei throne. Staying any longer in Wei without a bailout plan from Prince Xiao Ce would place Xia Chong in grave danger. She would never be able to return to her land of freedom, as had once been promised to her.
Xia Chong knew that, sooner or later, Yuan Song would discover she was not Chu Qiao. What awaited her then? Only a future filled with shame and possibly death.
She realized it was time to escape while she still could, for if she fell too deeply for her fake husband, she might lose her chance at freedom forever.
A pair of calm eyes looked back at the path from the remote eastern tribes, and in a flash, the memories of the Qinghai Crown Prince's tribal battles resurfaced in Yuwen Yue's mind.
Yuwen Yue knew the journey would not be easy, but it had proven to be the most challenging and fulfilling of his life.
He could still smell the fresh blood of the tribesmen—warriors wielding weapons he had never seen before: long spears, unique bows, sharp arrows. The archers were skilled, with eyes devoid of mercy, men born to fight.
But none could make him bow, nor did anyone succeed in defeating him and his Poe Yue Jian sword. In the end, all surrendered their arms and submitted to the Qinghai Crown Prince.
Yuwen Yue's impressive victory won him the hearts of many eastern tribes, but it also left him with scars that would last a lifetime.
His cavalry lost some Qinghai men in their battles to protect the smaller tribes from the larger ones that sought to plunder and conquer them.
Yuwen Yue, dressed in tribal attire and draped in thick lion's fur, marched slowly toward the gates of Qinghai's empire. A single bow, made from animal tendons and bone, rested on his back, along with a wooden arrow tipped with sharp elephant ivory. His Poe Yue Jian sword also hung on his back as he rode his magnificent warhorse with calm eyes and a serene face, like a spring breeze.
His palanquin carried various goods from the far east, gifts from the small tribes with whom he had spent a month.
Zuo and Yue Qi, his trusted men, looked different in their thick lion furs and white ivory necklaces, gifts from the barbaric tribes of eastern China.
Beside Yuwen Yue rode another handsome young man—the son of the tribal leader Dongyi—accompanied by several of his tribesmen. They had come to Qinghai to escort Yuwen Yue and represent Dongyi's father.
Looking back, Yuwen Yue remembered how they had learned the tribes' culture and blended into their traditions. Another young man rode behind them, his hands bound in chains. He was the son of a rival tribal leader, captured by Yuwen Yue as ransom. He was to be presented to his father, where the Qinghai King would decide his fate for the crimes and discord he had brought upon neighboring tribes.
Though Yuwen Yue could not speak the tribes' language, a local tribesman served as their interpreter, making the mission a success. Yuwen Yue could finally rest before embarking on his next journey.
Upon returning to Qinghai, Ra Zheng was the first to meet him.
The two brothers exchanged glances before Yuwen Yue shifted his gaze to the two young tribal warriors beside him. One appeared haggard, with large chains around his neck, while the other, bare-chested in his tribal garb, bowed to Ra Zheng, the Prince of Qinghai.
Ra Zheng, though he could smell the fresh blood, kept his expression calm as he nodded in acknowledgment but said little.
In the distance, Ra Zhun watched the arrival of Yuwen Yue's envoy with disdain. He did not like Ra Yue's tribal attire, and seeing his royal guards dressed the same made him nauseous.
Unable to bear the sight any longer, Ra Zhun turned away, grumbling to the eunuch beside him, "Who are these savages he has brought into the empire?"
"This is not what the Qinghai ministers agreed upon. What is our gain here?"
As Yuwen Yue, Zuo Zong, Yue Qi, and the two tribal warriors entered the Majestic Qinghai Throne, they were greeted by a long aisle covered in a red fur carpet.
In the center of the hall stood a gigantic incense burner, its fragrance filling the air with solemnity. Five steps led to the Queen's seat, with the King's seat beside her noticeably empty. Below the five steps were the seats reserved for the princes. Ra Zheng took his position on the right, while Ra Zhun was already seated on the left. The center seat was reserved for Yuwen Yue, the Qinghai Crown Prince.
Yuwen Yue walked tall and proud, the eyes of the hundred Qinghai palace ministers, scholars, and nobles following his every step. Murmurs filled the hall as the crown prince approached.
"He smells of blood. But not of rot, it's fresh."
"Why is he dressed like a tribesman?"
"Are those two guards brothers? They look alike."
"How did Ra Yue manage to find two men who resemble each other? Are they twins?"
"I didn't expect the Qinghai Crown Prince to appear so barbaric, but look at his brows. His cold, godlike face still shines through."
Despite the whispers, Yuwen Yue's gaze remained distant yet focused. When he reached his designated seat, he did not sit. Yue Qi and Zuo Zong stopped in front of the throne, guarding it as Ra Yue climbed the five steps and knelt before the Queen, as was customary. Unsheathing his sword, he laid it on the ground and bowed three times.
The Queen, her massive headdress and sleeves nearly touching the floor, remained motionless, her stern expression acknowledging his presence and victory over the eastern tribes.
Following Ra Yue's lead, the rest of the cavalry, including his two guards and the two tribal warriors, bowed in the same manner.
The eunuch then stepped forward and passed a decree: the son of the rival tribal leader was to be imprisoned for his crimes, while the son of Dongyi would be rewarded with 100 taels of gold, as per Qinghai customs.
Excitement rippled through the room when a legendary sword was presented. Carried on a long tray, the eunuch, with a servant by his side, announced, "From the seven thousand islands and seven thousand rising suns, we present the Bat Sword. Forged in steel, with a grip that forms the head of a bat, it is designed so that even a single finger can spin it. Inspired by the fierce mountain tribes, it is a rare sword, untamed and wild."
"The Qinghai King has personally chosen this sword from his collection to reward the brave and virtuous hero of the far eastern tribes. Do you accept?"
Ra Yue stood and signaled the son of Dongyi to step forward. "Please come and accept your reward," he said.
The interpreter whispered the message to the young warrior, who approached, and Ra Yue handed him the Bat Sword, saying, "Your time has come."
All eyes watched as Ra Yue bestowed the sword upon the warrior, his cold gaze softened with a proud smile.
After the ceremony, the Qinghai ministers and nobles gathered for a banquet to celebrate the victory. In a quiet corner, a man in a neatly tailored Tang suit, one of the King's advisors, observed Ra Yue closely.
"Your time has come," the man whispered.
Ra Zhun, his fiery eyes gleaming, raised a toast to the victory of the Qinghai Empire, while Ra Yue, from another corner, scanned the room, waiting for someone to catch his eye. But no one did.
Late into the night, the Qinghai King returned to his human form, no longer a mysterious and invisible entity. He breathed deeply and took his seat in his hall. Suddenly, the man in the Tang suit appeared, his shadow cast against the windows of the King's chamber.
The Qinghai King opened the window, then turned away as the man leaped toward him, attacking with swift precision.
Without much effort, the Qinghai King evaded the attack. His cold eyes glinted as he unsheathed his double-edged sword. The man, satisfied with the King's reaction, stood straight, bowed, and clasped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, your son has passed his first test among the barbaric tribes. What is your next move?"
The Qinghai King, hands clasped behind his back, replied, "My son, Ra Yue, will not take over the Qinghai Empire until he proves himself in the eyes of the palace ministers, the nobles, and the people of Qinghai. I am impressed by his courage and chivalry in facing unknown territories.
"Thanks to your assistance, Ra Yue has begun to tame the barbaric tribes—a long-standing problem in my reign. His next task will be to breach the Moon Kingdom."
"Your Majesty, while Ra Yue is skilled in Gongfu and swordplay, and though he made those tribes bow to his Poe Yue Jian sword, I do not believe he is ready to take on the Moon Kingdom. He has a strong Chi flow, but he lacks supernatural abilities. Though born with potential, his body has not yet been trained to accept the supernatural."
The Qinghai King asked, "Then what do you propose?"
"We must open Ra Yue's path to the Five Legendary Worlds."
The Qinghai King turned to him and said, "Hellfrost, Moon Kingdom, the Underworld's Forgotten River, the Last Valley, and the Paradise of Higanbana. Summon the four brothers of the Eastern Realms for a meeting. Ra Yue needs to retrain and align his meridians to reach the supernatural level, on top of the mortal skills he has obtained from the West."
"Consider it done, Your Majesty," Qi Hui replied, before leaping out of the hall window, vanishing like the wind.
Back in his royal chambers, after all the celebrations, Yuwen Yue found himself alone again. He hadn't drunk much, but his thoughts lingered on someone from his past.
In his lonely heart, he thought of Chu Qiao and his mother.
Yuwen Yue walked to a room adjacent to his chambers, filled with incense and tea candles. He lit two red incense sticks, performed three kowtows, and paid tribute to his mother's bronze spirit tablet, a gift from his uncle, Xie Tai Shan.
With his eyes closed, Yuwen Yue performed his filial duties in silence.
The sound of horse hooves echoed in the distance as the King of Yanbei made his way toward Xuili Mountain. Viper turned to Chu Qiao and urged, "Hurry, the King must not see you. Or we could make our way to the Yan Palace since the King is heading this way. I'll distract Xiao Yu's spies. I know where all of them are hidden, including their secret prisons."
"Hiya! Drive!"
Two horses set off toward the Yan Palace capital—Chu Qiao, wearing her indigo scarf, rode her white horse, while Viper, in her red scarf, rode her black horse.
Before leaving Xuili Mountain, Viper shot an arrow with a message to Ge Qi's quarters.
By the time the two arrived at the Yan Palace, Yan Xun had already reached Xuili Mountain with his cavalry.
Lieutenant Ge Qi went to meet the King of Yanbei while Chu Qiao and Viper strolled through the marketplace, asking the locals for any news about the captured Black Prince from the Bathuja family.
A local vendor responded, "He was tortured, forced to his knees, tied to a horse."
Viper asked, "What do you think of that?"
The local vendor replied, "I think it's just. The Yan royal family suffered the most at their hands. Our people were thrown into chaos, with murder, the rape of our daughters, and countless of us made into slaves. Because of the Bathuja family, Yanbei has been trapped in a cycle of bloodshed and the killing of innocents."
Chu Qiao, twitching her hands in anger, said, "But that doesn't justify responding with the same brutality."
The local vendor smiled at her and said, "Miss, have you ever heard the saying, 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?'"
Chu Qiao strongly disagreed, shaking her head. "That is not a way to find peace."
Back at Xuili Mountain, Ge Qi greeted Yan Xun. "Your Grace, how can we serve the King?"
"Where is Viper?" Yan Xun asked.
"We don't know, Your Majesty. As you know, Viper acts independently. She cannot be governed by military rules," Ge Qi explained.
Yan Xun acknowledged this with a cold stare. "Very well. Tell He Xiao to come to the Yan Palace. I have something important to discuss."
Ge Qi nodded and bowed, watching as Yan Xun turned and rode off with the sound of horse hooves echoing once again toward the Yan Palace.
Yan Xun had visited Xuili Mountain to check on the condition of the Xuili army. He was mildly surprised to see that, despite the lack of provisions from him, the regiment had survived. "They must be skilled plunderers and looters," he thought to himself.
He had hoped to see Viper in person since the last time they had met for an important task. Unfortunately, her whereabouts were unknown.
Yan Xun had given Viper the freedom to roam without military jurisdiction to ease his guilty conscience from the failed rescue of Chu Qiao. After that incident, Viper began acting independently, especially after being imprisoned in Liang.
Viper had endured intense suffering, pretending to be strong while her body endured the blows. She had withstood 50 lashes, while He Xiao was bound hand and foot. Upon Yan Xun's orders, Xiao Yu eventually released Viper and He Xiao, but only on the condition that the wedding proceed as scheduled.
On the eve of his wedding day, Yan Xun had been put into a strange half-sleep. He couldn't remember what had happened, only that he was dressed in his wedding garments by his servants, his muscles strangely relaxed but paralyzed. He felt powerless, unable to summon his usual strength.
As he lay beside his bride-to-be, Xiao Yu, she spoke softly, "Even if certain things must be done to protect you from harm and destruction, I will do them. I cannot bear to see you fall, like Yuwen Yue."
Xiao Yu, like Xiao Ce, kept a close connection to Yuwen Yue's memory. She cherished both his allies and enemies. She had discovered Yue Qi's identity but spared him, even as he served in Kong Sang Mountain.
Instead of harming Yue Qi, Xiao Yu hired Xiao Qi, Chu Qiao's seventh sister, to care for him during his recovery. Although Xiao Ce objected, Xiao Qi insisted on staying by Yue Qi's side, even if it meant defying her brother. Xiao Ba, who had followed Xiao Ce, also objected, but Xiao Qi's determination won out. Xiao Ce eventually gave in, allowing Xiao Qi to serve Xiao Yu.
Author's Note:
Incorporating elements of cultural significance, I have drawn from the legendaryBikol Bat Head Swordof the far northeastern Philippine tribes to enhance the story of the awarded sword to Dongyi's tribal warrior son.
Chapter 63
Trickster Prince
Hidden within the Kong Sang Mountain lies a secret cave known as the Afterlife Nirvana Hub. Zhan Ziyu, the Grand Master of the Afterlife Camp, gathered the camp supervisors from Jian Kang City in Southern Liang and other parts of Wei to witness the ascension to immortality—or the promotion and elimination of supervisors. This event, called the "Ascension to Nirvana Kills," occurs every ten years, where the supervisors compete for control of the highly coveted Dengxian Pill supply.
The Dengxian Pill is an essential possession for Afterlife Camp supervisors, used to empower their spy leaders and associates.Dengxian, meaning "immortality," is a title that comes with a deadly price: only those who kill their rivals and emerge victorious will receive a ten-year supply of the pill, bestowed by Zhan Ziyu himself.
While the Mohist masters focus on building traps and devices to protect their people, the Celestial Dao Masters are preoccupied with the transformation of matter, conducting experiments with base metals, gold, and minerals in their quest to create a universal elixir.
Zhan Ziyu, a descendant of the alchemist clans and one of the original Celestial Dao Masters, once held control over the Royal Temple of Alchemist Monks. He was one of the greatest Alchemists in the Liang Empire until Empress Lu Zhi was dethroned.
After Empress Lu Zhi's downfall, Zhan Ziyu's work on the Immortal Pill was abandoned. The new Empress, Yuan, dismissed his research, labeling him as a man of deceit and corruption. She ordered the closure of all Daoist temples, severing Zhan Ziyu's ties with the royal court.
Originally, Zhan Ziyu's mission was to find a cure for the frailty of mortal bodies and achieve immortality. But one day, he found his lab in ruins, his experiments reduced to ashes. His work on the Immortal Pill, which had reached a promising stage, ended in disaster.
The Immortal Pill, composed of potent potions, metal solutions, and powerful ingredients, was later renamed the Dengxian Pill. The pill, made from a mixture of gold and herbal extracts, was meant to prolong life and enhance the mind. Initially administered to the brightest Southern Liang spy agents, it is now the reward for the deadliest of Liang's hired killers.
After the fall of Empress Lu Zhi, Zhan Ziyu became destitute and retreated to Kong Sang Mountain, living like a hermit. He had nothing left but his knowledge and skills. Withdrawn from noble society, he devoted himself to meditation, growing thin and frail.
One day, a familiar figure passing through Kong Sang recognized Zhan Ziyu. She took him to the small town of Xue Fu, where she nursed him back to health, giving him some of her treasures to start anew.
It was during this time that Zhan Ziyu realized the true value of life—only when he had nearly lost it. This marked the turning point in his evolution from a Celestial Dao Master into a ruthless Killer Master.
Having experienced poverty firsthand, Zhan Ziyu gained wisdom and ambition. He established one of the most powerful spy networks, based on a client-driven, no-strings-attached system, offering assassination services for hire. Any mission could be accomplished, as long as the price was right.
Zhan Ziyu's appearance changed dramatically. Gone were his long hair and beard, replaced by a sharp, cold look. He no longer sought the greater good; he sought opportunity—and wealth.
As his network flourished, Zhan Ziyu found that most of his clients were from the noble class, willing to pay him in gold or rare relics in exchange for his services. His fortune grew, allowing him to purchase land and build a secret workshop in Kong Sang Mountain, where he continued his experiments.
He successfully released the first batch of Dengxian Pills, along with poison-tipped needles that were nearly impossible to cure. These inventions solidified his reputation as a master of spying, infiltration, assassination, and hunting.
Fascinated by spy gadgets and killing machines, Zhan Ziyu invented the Afterlife Camp's signature black mouth mask and backpack killing devices, two of their most feared trademarks.
Zhan Ziyu's influence extended beyond espionage. He purchased a ship, originally for pleasure, but it soon became a vessel for smuggling goods and gathering intelligence for his spy network, under the guise of a trading ship operating between Wei and Liang.
One day, Zhan Ziyu heard about the capture of a powerful spy leader from the East, detained in the Wei garrison prison. Aware of the leader's supernatural abilities, Zhan Ziyu recognized their importance and recalled a previous encounter where this spy had thwarted one of his missions.
Determined to see this leader, Lou He, in person, Zhan Ziyu bribed the prison guards with gold. He even went as far as replicating the dress of the Underworld Spies, wearing a black hood and mask to distinguish his Afterlife Camp agents from the Underworld's white-hooded leaders.
Zhan Ziyu had always sought to capture the leader of the Underworld Spies, but despite his efforts, he repeatedly lost battles against them, unable to track their movements or find any trace of their existence.
What he didn't anticipate, however, was the fate that awaited him. During one fateful encounter, Zhan Ziyu's legs were paralyzed by an invisible attack—a sharp, icy strike that he could neither predict nor prevent.
From that day forward, Zhan Ziyu was left with a permanent scar, both physical and psychological. He wore a jade ring on his thumb, a symbol of the powerful individuals who were either destined to die or to kill at any cost.
His next client was none other than Empress Yuan of Liang. Meeting in a secret location, Zhan Ziyu, cloaked in black, revealed his face in the dim candlelight as he exclaimed, "Your Highness, this is the Crown Prince of Liang."
The Empress, her face twisted with disgust, replied, "I thought the rules were clear—no strings attached. Only this…"
She gestured toward a casket her servants had brought, and they opened it to reveal a trove of riches and treasures.
"All of this is yours," she said. "Shall I have it unloaded?"
"But once this casket is emptied, I want his body inside it, delivered to me."
Zhan Ziyu stood frozen, gripped by a personal crisis he hadn't anticipated. The next target was his nephew.
Good thing the Empress Yuan doesn't know—and probably doesn't even remember him. Zhan Ziyu stood there, like frozen ice, unable to respond to his client. For the first time in his life, he felt a flicker of conscience, if he even had any left. His next kill would be family—his own blood—and a man with whom he had once worked.
Zhan Ziyu chose not to reveal his blood relation to the Crown Prince, nor did he speak of the deposed Empress Lu Zhi, the prince's real mother. Secrets like these were dangerous and could easily lead to death. He avoided any connection to the prince, not wanting to arouse suspicion.
He knew the prince had been raised in the care of the present Liang Empress and had no knowledge of his true mother's fate.
Zhan Ziyu had long sought answers about the family rival that destroyed his life and transformed him into the killer he had become. But now, the path he had taken led him to an unimaginable fate—being asked to kill his own nephew. Was it all worth it, for the sake of what? The power struggles of the current Empress?
Maintaining his professional stance, Zhan Ziyu asked the Empress, his beautiful but dangerous client, "This is not an easy target to kill. We're talking about a heavily guarded royal—an almost impossible assassination unless he's caught in a vulnerable moment or left without his guards. May I ask why you wish to do this?"
Empress Yuan raised an eyebrow, irritated by Zhan Ziyu's prying. "I think you're clever enough to know who I am and what I aim to achieve for Liang's future. I'm somewhat annoyed that you would question my intentions for such a simple task."
Zhan Ziyu began to play his cards. "For every drop of royal blood spilled, I, Zhan Ziyu, do not kill without understanding the reason behind it. Whether it's out of petty envy or some deeper cause, I don't need to ponder it. I ask only because for a mission this difficult, I need to determine the appropriate method and the right poison."
Empress Yuan, momentarily caught off guard, realized Zhan Ziyu was testing her. But she played along, responding, "If you must know, jealousy would be an acceptable answer. You are free to interpret it further if you wish."
Zhan Ziyu chuckled, replying, "Jealousy—the deadliest poison of all. Consider it done, Your Highness."
He thought to himself that her ambitions were high, and she was lucky to have chosen him for the task. He would crush her plans, just as they had crushed him so many years ago.
Zhan Ziyu added with a wry smile, "If it's revenge, it can wait. But if it's jealousy, it cannot. A sharp poisoned blade and a casket to bury it in."
And just like that, Zhan Ziyu agreed to seal the deal. He cut a small wound on his wrist, letting the blood drip into a small plate, and used it to mark the document that Empress Yuan had prepared. She smiled as she watched the paper dry beside the flickering tea candle.
Left alone, for the first time in a long while, Zhan Ziyu found himself thinking deeply.
After serving thirty days of house arrest inside his palace one year ago, the Liang Crown Prince had learned his lessons well. He had since kept to himself, usually in the company of a few of his finest maids. But now, he had made a decision.
He was going to leave the palace.
His first destination was to visit the old lady on Xue Fu Street. Xiao Ce, unfamiliar with his new set of royal guards, randomly selected his company, requesting that Ping'An serve as his close-in bodyguard, along with his spies scattered around him for protection.
This time, he obtained an official pass from King Tang and followed the empire's protocols.
The King agreed, but doubled Xiao Ce's entourage of royal guards and spies to ensure his safety during this rare visit. Though, in Xiao Ce's mind, he had another plan.
Dressed in flashy, flowery orange robes, Xiao Ce traveled in his palanquin, with three horses leading his entourage. He tapped Ping'An on the shoulder and said, "Blindfold yourself; I'm changing my clothes."
After a while, having completed his disguise, Xiao Ce tapped Ping'An again. "How do I look?"
"You look... poor," Ping'An said, with a faint smile.
Xiao Ce playfully tapped him on the head. "That's the goal! Imustlook poor. Now, come on, put these on."
Xiao Ce closed his eyes and when he opened them, his appearance matched Ping'An's: a simple V-neck sleeveless black jumper suit with a black belt at the waist and a black headband. He now resembled a lowly peasant.
"Now it's your turn. Let me see," Xiao Ce said.
Ping'An, dressed in Xiao Ce's royal garments, turned toward his prince. Xiao Ce, beaming with satisfaction, showed off his two perfect white teeth. "You're going to pretend to be the crown prince, and you're going to be good at it, right?"
"Your Highness, I... I..." Ping'An stammered.
"Hep... hep... hep," Xiao Ce interrupted, "What did I tell you to call me?"
With an awkward expression, Ping'An said, "Lotus Prince..."
"Hep... hep... hep. You're not a spy. Call me something else," Xiao Ce said, tapping his head with his fingers, his foxy eyes urging Ping'An to think of something ridiculous.
"Yaling?" Ping'An ventured.
"Hmm..." Xiao Ce hummed thoughtfully. "Yǎ means 'elegant, graceful, refined,' andlingmeans 'tinkling of jade.' Perfect slave name. Not bad!"
Ping'An followed his prince's advice, as Xiao Ce believed this disguise would work. However, Xiao Ce didn't bother to transfer his jade ring to Ping'An, as it didn't fit. Instead, he slipped it into his pocket.
Xiao Ce applied a bit of powder to Ping'An's face, styled his hair, and transformed him into a convincing crown prince. Meanwhile, he deliberately messed up his own hair, letting bangs fall over his forehead, completing his disguise as a disposable slave.
No one knew what was happening inside the palanquin except the two of them. Suddenly, another cavalry approached their route and blocked the way.
One of Prince Lou's guards recognized the banners of the crown prince and quickly rode back to Prince Lou, who was seated on his black horse. "Prince Lou, it is Prince Xiao Ce's envoy."
The Liang royal guard turned back to Xiao Ce's palanquin and tapped on the window. "Your Highness, Prince Lou is passing through. What shall we do?"
Xiao Ce slightly pulled his cloak over his face and said, "Do not let him approach. I am meditating."
The royal guard scratched his head, thinking,If he's meditating, why did he answer my question?He called out, "Understood, Your Highness. We will not allow any contact."
Prince Lou, always playful, thought,What if I surprise him?He turned to his guard with a grin. "I think it's time for some fun."
Without warning, Prince Lou urged his horse forward, its hooves thundering toward Xiao Ce's palanquin. His guards couldn't block him in time. His horse leapt high, landing beside the palanquin. Laughing, Prince Lou said, "I know you're in there. You can't escape a good sword fight with me."
One of Xiao Ce's guards shouted, "Your Highness, Prince Lou, the crown prince cannot be disturbed! He is meditating!"
Xiao Ce, unsure of how to react, suddenly heard the sound of a sword being drawn from its scabbard. The next moment, the blade slashed through the silk curtains of his palanquin. A thin hand countered the attack from inside.
Prince Lou grinned, baring his white teeth. "Meditating, or counterattacking me?"
Xiao Ce, faking arrogance, responded, "What do you think? Do I have another choice?"
"No, you don't," Prince Lou laughed as he adjusted his sword and attacked the palanquin again.
Another quick counterattack met his sword, surprising him.Could my brother have improved his swordplay?he wondered.
"Quite fast, but not enough to make an army kneel," Prince Lou teased. He slashed the window again, tearing the silk further. When he saw the figure inside, he froze in shock.
Xiao Ce, now wrapped in a long cloak from head to toe, hiding his face, looked like Mary Magdalene. Prince Lou, bewildered, asked, "What? Why are you dressed like this?"
"None of your business!" Xiao Ce snapped, his face a mask of indifference. He turned away, avoiding his brother's gaze.
Prince Lou tried to peer closer into the palanquin. "You hiding someone in there? A girl, perhaps? Or are you pretending to be one yourself?"
Annoyed, Xiao Ce rolled his eyes. "Even if I were pretending to be a girl, I still bested you with the sword."
"That's exactly what I wanted to find out!" Prince Lou laughed. "Your hands may have improved, but they still fight like a girl. I'll admit, I had to put in a little more effort, but looking at you now, I feel like I'm going to be sick."
The two brothers, as they always did, teased each other. Xiao Ce beamed at his brother, saying, "It just means you're getting old and need to retrain."
Prince Lou laughed even harder, his posture tall and straight on his horse. "Very well, I must go, or I might make you cry, Lee Cecilia."
Xiao Ce, not taking the joke seriously, laughed back. "Go away, you're not needed here."
Prince Lou rode off, laughing as he waved a hand to his cavalry.
Once Prince Lou was gone, Xiao Ce removed his cloak and tapped Ping'An, signaling it was time to return to their plan. Ping'An put his sword back in its sheath, exhaling slowly. Xiao Ce had successfully tricked his brother again, without even displaying his true skills.
As Prince Lou's company moved through the woods, a cold wind blew across his face, giving him a sense of foreboding. He signaled his cavalry to halt.
Prince Lou's sharp ears picked up the sound of swords and arrows—not directed at him, but behind them. He turned to see arrows raining down on Xiao Ce's envoy from different directions.
His heart raced. Fearing for his brother's life, Prince Lou tapped his horse, and his men followed. But before they could reach Xiao Ce, a massive iron net dropped in front of their horses, blocking their path. Prince Lou unsheathed his sword and slashed at the net, but it wouldn't break.
His men raised shields to protect him as Prince Lou watched in horror. Xiao Ce's guards had been shot down by cloud arrows, their bodies littering the ground. Desperate, Prince Lou's cavalry pulled him away from the net, fearing for his safety, but he cried out in anguish, believing his brother had been assassinated.
One of Prince Lou's guards fired a flare, signaling Sun Di for reinforcements.
Inside the palanquin, Xiao Ce, though used to such situations, knew this was serious. "It's party time!" he exclaimed, activating his clever plan.
Xiao Ce's clothes were rigged with hidden weapons. His signature move—the hundred flying needles—was ready to be deployed, killing enemies within 360 degrees in under 60 seconds.
Ping'An, still uncertain whether to continue pretending to be the crown prince or to fight, hesitated. But Xiao Ce, always one step ahead, said, "Stick to the plan. We're ready."
Ping'An nodded. The sound of arrows hitting the palanquin grew louder. Suddenly, everything went silent.
Xiao Ce pushed a hidden button. The ceiling of the palanquin opened, ejecting two decoy bodies to mislead their attackers.
Both Xiao Ce and Ping'An landed on the side of the riverbank, unharmed but cautious.
Sensing potential traps and danger, Xiao Ce whispered to Ping'An, "Shhh... don't move." Ping'An nodded, remaining still.
The sounds of battle echoed in the distance as Xiao Ce's royal guards clashed with their enemies, clearly outnumbered. He strained to identify the assassins who had come to kill him.
Further along the riverbank, two figures moved stealthily. Viper, agile as ever, climbed a tree with her whip, while Chu Qiao adjusted her indigo scarf and sharpened her senses. Her heightened hearing picked up the battle's sounds, but she continued walking calmly along the road.
Chu Qiao soon sensed two people running toward her but didn't bother to look, trusting her instincts.
Xiao Ce, with his sharp eyes, spotted the approaching assassins—women, not men, moving with a terrifying grace. His hand instinctively reached for the crossbow slung over his back. He imagined himself playing the hero, defending the young Prince Ping'An.
"Ping'An, run and hide in the trees," Xiao Ce ordered.
Confident and armed, Xiao Ce boldly stood his ground as the two spies advanced toward him.
The cobra spy and the flying spy, both tasked with abducting the Liang crown prince, paid no attention to Xiao Ce, dismissing him as a weak guardian. As they approached, a cold wind blew between them, but they didn't even glance his way.
Frustrated at being ignored, Xiao Ce raised his crossbow and fired two arrows. The flying spy merely flicked her sleeve, sending a gust of wind that caught the arrows mid-air. She didn't bother to acknowledge Xiao Ce's presence.
Annoyed and feeling incompetent, Xiao Ce kneeled to aim at their feet, this time firing smaller arrows. Just as he released them, the cobra spy unleashed several venomous cobras from her sleeves, sending them slithering toward Ping'An, who was running in Chu Qiao's direction, calling for help.
Chu Qiao, with her sharp senses, smelled the stench of poisoned blood on the cobras. She recognized the danger.
Ping'An, desperate and out of breath, struggled to maintain his disguise, knowing he couldn't reveal his martial arts skills without blowing their cover. Just as the cobras were about to reach him, Chu Qiao calmly opened her palms and allowed the snakes to slither into her hands.
The two spies, startled by what they saw, exchanged glances, bewildered by how this mysterious woman had tamed their deadly cobras as if they were harmless pets.
Chu Qiao stared deeply into the cobras' eyes, using her internal energy to control them. She communicated with the snakes, instructing them to abandon their masters and live in peace. After tapping their heads gently, the cobras' black scales turned white, and they slithered away, no longer a threat.
The spies, now fully aware of Chu Qiao's presence, realized they were dealing with someone formidable. Chu Qiao, her eyes glowing with intensity, stood fierce and ready. Her aura resembled that of a cobra, and even Ping'An, watching from a distance, felt a chill.
The flying spy, her long sleeves whipping through the air, attacked from above, while the cobra spy focused on capturing Ping'An. The cobra spy grabbed Ping'An, but Chu Qiao was already in action.
Dressed in her white hooded robe and boots, Chu Qiao tapped the ground, freezing the flying spy's sleeves in mid-strike. The icy surface locked the fabric in place. Meanwhile, she exhaled a gust of wind that strangled the cobra spy, causing her face to turn pale yellow.
The cobra spy, refusing to let go of Ping'An, drew a small needle from her fingernail and quickly stabbed it into Ping'An's palm.
Seeing this, Chu Qiao's anger flared. With a mere flick of her wrist, the cobra spy's neck tightened as if an invisible force was choking her. The spy's face turned blue from the pressure.
The flying spy, out of Chu Qiao's sight, prepared another strike. But before she could land the blow, Viper appeared from the shadows, her whip slicing through the spy's long sleeves.
Chu Qiao's powers surged, but she could feel them overwhelming her. She knew that if she continued pushing herself, she'd be in danger.
Ping'An, weakened from the poisoned needle, tried to fight off the effects, but it was too late. His eyes fluttered, and he collapsed to the ground.
Xiao Ce, witnessing the scene, was frozen with shock. He didn't recognize Chu Qiao, but his legs refused to move as the flying spy caught him by the ankle. Desperate, Xiao Ce shouted, "Save him, Miss! I cannot let him die!"
Realizing the situation was dire, Xiao Ce shouted to the spy, "Take me instead! I have the jade ring! I'm the crown prince of Liang!" He closed his eyes, bracing himself for what was to come.
The flying spy, now intrigued, approached Xiao Ce with deliberate calm. Her body was cloaked in a red hood, her eyes lined with black, giving her a sinister but beautiful appearance. She leaned in close to Xiao Ce's ear and whispered, "So, you admit you tricked us. Impressive, but today is not your lucky day."
With swift precision, she tied Xiao Ce's feet, dragging him across the ground like a beaten dog. Xiao Ce, complying for now, had a plan in mind for a last resort.
Meanwhile, Chu Qiao, feeling her strength fading, reached Ping'An's side. His skin had turned pale, and the needle wound was already showing signs of poison spreading. Without wasting time, Chu Qiao pressed the wound, channeling her energy to draw out the poison.
The cobra spy, sensing her defeat, vanished like a mist into the trees.
Viper, standing off to the side, taunted the flying spy, "Today is your lucky day."
The flying spy, unhurried, responded with an eerie calm, "Step aside. You can't save him. He's destined to die."
Just as the spy moved to finish Xiao Ce, he unleashed his secret weapon—hundreds of flying needles. Viper, her eyes wide, whipped her weapon, deflecting most of the needles, but one managed to lodge itself in her arm, causing her to fall.
At that moment, Prince Lou and his cavalry arrived, just in time to catch Viper as she collapsed.
Meanwhile, Chu Qiao successfully absorbed the poison from Ping'An, restoring him. But the effort had drained her completely, and she collapsed beside him.
Xiao Ce, his voice filled with desperation, called out to his brother, "Please take her—this dark lady—to the palace!"
Rushing to Ping'An's side, Xiao Ce's heart sank when he saw the woman's face. Gently cradling her, he checked her pulse. His pale face filled with worry, Xiao Ce called for a horse.
With great care, Xiao Ce placed the unconscious Chu Qiao onto the horse, climbing up behind her. His knight in shining armor persona came to life as he rode off at full speed, leaving the battlefield behind.
Ping'An, also rescued by the royal guards, looked at his disheveled state. He knew there would be a great deal of explaining to do once they returned to the Liang Empire, particularly when it came to convincing the trees of the forest how they survived this ordeal.
Chapter 64
Mother's knows best
Inside Jian Kang City stands the magnificent Daoming Palace, a grand achievement by Empress Yuan that brought joy and fulfillment to the Liang Emperor. Empress Yuan, a woman who rose to power, captivated not just one, but two heirs to the Liang Empire. Her beauty was unmatched, and her ambitions led to the rise of a new city in the Southern State, home to many foreign traders who prospered, second only to the Great Summer Dynasty.
It was rumored that past Liang Emperors chose foreign princesses as consorts, leading many commoners to believe that the imperial family bore distinct foreign features. However, both Xiao Ce and Prince Lou were exceptions, as their mothers—the former and present Empresses—came from pure, noble Chinese bloodlines of the Liang Empire.
Empress Yuan had already planned a future for her son, Prince Lou. She secretly arranged a bond with her close family clan and selected a companion for him. This child, whom she secretly adopted, grew up in Daoming Palace alongside Prince Lou and Xiao Ce. Her name was A'Fu, and the three became childhood friends.
A'Fu was brave, strong, and far from the typical daughter of the Liang Palace. She enjoyed traditionally masculine activities, such as hunting, camping, and playing ball games. Later, A'Fu requested to enlist in the military and became one of the female lieutenants of Liang. Her boldness and strength inspired noblewomen and commoners alike, and she became a role model, earning honor and admiration across the state.
As children, Xiao Ce developed an innocent affection for A'Fu. He often told his parents that one day he would marry her, to which A'Fu always responded with a sad smile. Despite Xiao Ce's puppy love, it was one-sided—A'Fu did not return his affections.
Empress Yuan, aware of the situation, did not interfere, confident that young hearts would change with time. Meanwhile, Prince Lou, who was five years older than A'Fu, showed little romantic interest in her. A'Fu, however, admired Prince Lou, enchanted by his handsome appearance, his heroism, and his kind heart. Many women in the Liang court viewed him as the perfect match, but Empress Yuan kept these women at bay, ensuring A'Fu remained his constant companion.
Xiao Ce, envious of his brother's close relationship with A'Fu, often complained to his father, seeking ways to keep A'Fu at the palace and away from Prince Lou.
As time passed, this innocent love triangle grew into a more complex situation. While Xiao Ce's harem resembled a garden of exotic beauties, none of his concubines had ever captured his heart because he remained set on marrying A'Fu. Eventually, however, Xiao Ce learned the painful truth—A'Fu did not feel the same about him. Instead, she harbored feelings for his brother.
Heartbroken and jealous, Xiao Ce confronted Prince Lou. But Prince Lou, who considered the matter trivial, suggested they settle it with a sword fight.
Xiao Ce agreed, stating, "Whoever loses will give up A'Fu. Whoever wins will marry her."
A'Fu, upon witnessing the sword fight, saw how unskilled Xiao Ce was compared to Prince Lou's superior swordsmanship. The outcome was inevitable—Xiao Ce lost. In his anger and humiliation, Xiao Ce ordered his guards to arrest Prince Lou.
Prince Lou was detained in the royal prison and had to defend himself before the Liang court ministers, nobles, and scholars. He claimed the duel was just swordplay, not a serious attempt to harm his brother. However, he concealed the fact that Xiao Ce had initiated the fight and brought it to the brink of life and death.
Prepared to face punishment, Prince Lou awaited his sentence—death.
In a dramatic turn, A'Fu came forward to defend him, falsely claiming that she was the one who had wounded Xiao Ce. Her testimony spared Prince Lou's life, but A'Fu was now facing punishment herself. Just as she was about to receive her sentence, Xiao Ce intervened, confessing the truth to the Emperor.
Empress Yuan, deeply concerned for her sons and A'Fu, stood before the Emperor and begged for mercy.
Moved by Xiao Ce's love for A'Fu, the Emperor declared that A'Fu's punishment would be to marry Xiao Ce, making her his first wife and the future Queen of Liang. As for Prince Lou, he was ordered to stay away from A'Fu. She was reassigned to palace duties, no longer under Prince Lou's command.
Empress Yuan had not anticipated such a decree, but she accepted the Emperor's decision. Prince Lou retained his position as deputy commander of Liang's military, but the emotional toll was far greater than he had expected. It was only after A'Fu was removed from his life that Prince Lou realized how deeply he cared for her.
When the weight of A'Fu's absence became unbearable, Prince Lou secretly sent a letter to her at Daoming Palace. A'Fu received the letter, but she did not reply. Instead, she tossed it into the palace fountain, knowing that words alone could not save her from the life she was sinking into.
As her wedding day to Xiao Ce approached, A'Fu's spirit waned. She had lost her dreams of being with Prince Lou, was barred from returning to the military, and now faced a future as Xiao Ce's wife—a role she had never desired. The value she once saw in her life faded, and she felt as though she had become a prisoner of her own fate.
Empress Yuan, desperate to save A'Fu, decided to take a dangerous gamble. She knew that intervening could put her son, Prince Lou, in the crosshairs of the imperial power struggle, potentially costing him his position in the military. But it was the only way she saw to save A'Fu from the misery she was about to face.
On the eve of Xiao Ce and A'Fu's wedding, Empress Yuan visited A'Fu in secret, presenting her with a final option for escape.
"Do you love Prince Lou?" Empress Yuan asked quietly.
A'Fu, her face haggard, eyes swollen from crying, sat in her torn night robes. She reeked of hard liquor, her voice shaky as she replied, "I've loved him all my life, but all he ever did was send me a letter. That's not enough."
"What would be enough?" Empress Yuan asked, pitying the woman she had adopted and raised as her own daughter.
"Prince Lou can do anything—fight, kill, even destroy nations," A'Fu mumbled drunkenly, not fully aware of who she was speaking to. "But why can't he defend his heart?"
Empress Yuan, burdened with guilt, handed A'Fu a way out. She produced a small bottle containing a mysterious potion. "Take this potion," she instructed, placing the bottle on the carpet. "Within 24 hours, you'll wake up with the man you love, not the one who haunts your nightmares."
The Empress walked halfway across the room, leaving the bottle on the floor. "If you trust me, take a drop at midnight. I'll handle the rest."
With that, Empress Yuan left A'Fu's chambers, her graceful exit hiding the uncertainly in her heart. A'Fu, out of options and deep in despair, stared at the potion. She hesitated, then out of desperation, took a drop and soon collapsed on the expensive carpet.
Hearing the faint sound of a body falling, Empress Yuan returned to the room. She found A'Fu lying unconscious, as expected. Swiftly, she hid the potion to erase any trace of her involvement. Then, she called for her guards, quietly instructing them to prepare Prince Lou.
"Tomorrow," she murmured to herself, "the state will not attend a wedding, but a funeral. One woman will become a sleeping beauty, two princes will face their destinies. One will mourn, the other will rejoice. But whether I intervened or not, both will live to regret the fate written in the stars."
Like a tragic love story akin toRomeo and Juliet, what Empress Yuan didn't realize was that this tale, too, would end in sorrow. When A'Fu awoke, she wasn't beside Prince Lou as she had hoped. Instead, she found herself in a beautiful temple atop the Tan Jing Mountains, isolated and alone.
She waited for Prince Lou, but he, caught in the duties of his station, did not come immediately. His role as Deputy General stationed at Duodu, one of Liang's largest military borders, prevented him from leaving unnoticed—especially now that the empire was mourning the supposed death of the crown princess.
After waiting days in despair, A'Fu, unable to bear the isolation, took her own life by jumping from a cliff. As fate would have it, Prince Lou and his entourage arrived two days later. Upon their arrival, they found locals pulling A'Fu's broken body from the cliffside.
Prince Lou, heartbroken, embraced her lifeless form, devastated that he had arrived too late. He cried for days, unable to forgive himself. He then arranged a proper military burial for A'Fu, who had once been a promising young female lieutenant under his command.
The weight of her death pushed Prince Lou to the brink. Fueled by anger and grief, he began to plot a rebellion against the empire. With control over six of Liang's eight border prefectures, he planned a coup, hoping to avenge A'Fu and challenge the Emperor's rule.
However, his military power was still weaker compared to the massive forces of the Great Summer Dynasty, led by Seventh Prince Yuan Che. Sun Di, a childhood friend of Xiao Ce and now a military governor, controlled the other two prefectures, and Prince Lou knew that rebellion would be a dangerous gamble.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ce had no idea of the events unfolding in the shadows. But as time passed, he discovered a shocking truth. Curious and suspicious, Xiao Ce ordered a secret investigation into A'Fu's death. Upon exhuming her body, he realized that the corpse buried in the royal tomb was not A'Fu.
Xiao Ce, heart heavy with regret, kept this discovery to himself. He came to understand the depth of his brother's love for A'Fu—a love he had been too blind to see before. Realizing that both A'Fu and Prince Lou had been victims of a cruel fate, Xiao Ce chose to forgive his brother and buried the secret in his heart.
Though Xiao Ce distanced himself from Prince Lou after the revelation, he could never forget what had happened. He harbored quiet resentment toward his stepmother, Empress Yuan, who had orchestrated the events that led to A'Fu's death.
In the end, Xiao Ce, Prince Lou, and A'Fu were all victims of the same tragic fate—bound by love, torn apart by power, and haunted by the choices they could not undo.
The tragic story of Xiao Ce's first love left a deep scar. After losing A'Fu, he vowed never to propose marriage again. Instead, he immersed himself in short-term affairs, earning the reputation of being China's hottest playboy prince.
For a few years, he indulged in fleeting romances until a state visit to Wei changed everything. It was then that his heart began to rekindle the hope of love when he met Chu Qiao. Thoughts of marriage crept back into his mind, and he couldn't help but remember A'Fu—Chu Qiao reminded him of the kind of woman who could make him fall to his knees.
Chu Qiao became the light that broke the chains around Xiao Ce's heart. Like a beacon in the darkness, she made him believe that perhaps, love could heal his past wounds. She brought hope where there had only been sorrow.
But the hope was short-lived. Every rainbow has its end, and for Xiao Ce, that moment came when he learned that Yuwen Yue was still alive. He realized that his chance with Chu Qiao was gone. Understanding that she would never be his lifetime partner, he quietly let go of the idea of pursuing her.
Retreating to his palace, Xiao Ce sank into his private grief. King Tang, determined to end his son's long-standing mourning for A'Fu and his unreciprocated love for Chu Qiao, filled Xiao Ce's harem with foreign concubines after Xiao Yu's marriage to Yan Xun. However, none of them could heal the wounds in Xiao Ce's heart.
In a further attempt to distract him, King Tang invited beautiful women from Liang's noble households, hoping to catch the crown prince's eye. But none of them could mend his broken heart.
The pressures of succession soon forced Xiao Ce to take a concubine. Liang's palace ministers insisted he produce an heir since his first crown princess, A'Fu, was long gone. Complying with palace protocols, Xiao Ce entered a relationship with his first concubine, Zhan Ziming, from the noble Zhan household. She bore him his first son, Li Xuiyi, to the empire's great joy. Li Xuiyi was expected to inherit the empire from King Tang.
Later, Zhan Ziming gave birth to another son, Li Qingrong. As Xiao Ce's family grew, Empress Yuan realized her ambitions to become the ultimate ruler of the Liang Empire were fading. With Xiao Ce's two sons securing the royal line, Empress Yuan saw her chances of holding power in the future slipping away.
Faced with this reality, Empress Yuan began plotting. In a bold and dangerous move, she secretly conspired to kill Emperor Tang and all members of the Li royal clan. Her goal was to establish herself as regent, and eventually, crown herself the first female Emperor of Liang. It was an outrageous scheme, but in Liang—a state known for passing unconventional laws—it wasn't entirely impossible. Liang's ministers were notorious for turning impossibilities into reality.
Unlike Wei, with its conservative governance and strict protocols that limited women's roles, Liang's more flexible laws made such ambitions more plausible. However, exceptions existed in Wei as well, such as when Chu Qiao was appointed the first female archery coach in the Xiaoqi Elite Forces Camp and earned the prestigious title of "Mulan." Still, this was presented as a rare honor, a unique exception bestowed by the Emperor.
Meanwhile, Prince Lou, Xiao Ce's brother, remained in his military role as General Sui's deputy commander. General Sui, the Grand Duke of Liang, had become a father figure to Prince Lou, especially in the absence of his older brother and father, Emperor Tang. The complexity of these relationships, though difficult to imagine, was perfectly legal within Liang's royal clans.
Xiao Yu, having married Yan Xun, became more passive after a year of inactivity. It was unclear whether this was her own choice or Yan Xun's doing. If Emperor Tang ever discovered that his daughter had been attacked by Blackguard assassins, it could spell disaster for Yan Xun and possibly lead to war with the Batuja royal family, a protectorate state of Wei.
Back in Jinwu Palace, Chu Qiao slowly awoke, her senses sharp as she recognized the unfamiliar surroundings. As she opened her eyes, the high ceiling above her came into view. She rose from the luxurious bed, observing the room, when suddenly a young boy entered carrying a tray.
Without hesitation, Chu Qiao tapped the carpet, sending a gust of air that knocked the boy down before catching the tray from his hands. Grabbing a chopstick, she held it to the boy's neck and asked sternly, "I will only ask once. Where am I?"
The boy looked up at her, unfazed, as though waiting for her to recognize him. Chu Qiao blinked, then realized who he was. She dropped her guard, and with a sigh of relief, said, "Ping'An! What are you doing here?"
"Master Chu, I work here now, in Jinwu Palace," he replied.
Memories of the past week flooded back to Chu Qiao. "Where is Viper?" she asked. "Did you see her?"
"Yes, Master," Ping'An said, trying to reassure her. "She's safe, too."
Just then, Viper entered the room, accompanied by Tie You. As she approached, Chu Qiao whispered to her, "Call me Chu Qiao. Do not expose me as Mimi Gongzhu."
Tie You greeted her, "General Chu, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Chu Qiao replied, then immediately asked, "Where is Prince Xiao Ce?"
Her memories had returned, and she was back to her old self.
As the group conversed, Sun Di approached. His eyes briefly lingered on Chu Qiao, admiring her beauty, though she was still dressed in her night robes. He addressed her respectfully, "General Chu Qiao, it's rather unexpected that fate has brought you here to the palace."
Behind him, Xiao Ce appeared, a bright smile on his face as he beamed at Chu Qiao. "Qiao Qiao," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "who said I was going to let you leave?"
"And why not?" Chu Qiao retorted with her usual sharpness.
Xiao Ce sighed theatrically. "You haven't changed, and you're still as beautiful as ever. What about that ring on your hand? Are you engaged to someone?"
Before Chu Qiao could respond, Viper interjected, "No, she isn't engaged to anybody."
Xiao Ce sensed the sadness in Chu Qiao's eyes. "I'm glad to hear that," he said gently. "Like I told you before, the future belongs to those who wait."
Sun Di stepped in, offering to break the tension. "How about we all enjoy a hearty meal? My treat at my mansion. Shall we?"
Xiao Ce nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds like a great idea. Chu Qiao, let me introduce you to Sun Di, my childhood friend and now one of Liang's military governors."
"How should I address you?" Chu Qiao asked with a smile. "Governor Sun Di?"
Sun Di laughed. "Please, just call me Sun Di. Xiao Ce and I would be honored if you joined us for a meal."
Chu Qiao hesitated briefly, then replied, "Yes, after I talk with Viper."
Xiao Ce, beaming again, said, "Happy to hear that."
Tie You, eager to share more information, said, "This palace was newly constructed. It's called Yehua Palace. You won't believe it, but my master decided to build it after he saw a falling star. He said that if the falling star ever came down, this would be its home."
Xiao Ce rolled his eyes and smacked Tie You's head playfully. "Enough with your bedtime stories."
But Chu Qiao understood the significance of Tie You's words. "Whoever that falling star was, she's not just lucky to have this palace but must be favored by the crown prince himself," she mused.
Everyone fell silent, realizing that Tie You had been alluding to Chu Qiao all along. Xiao Ce quickly cut off the conversation, but Chu Qiao had already caught on, letting the moment pass without comment.
Xiao Ce smiled at her, a smile that spoke of new beginnings. It was the smile of a man who had matured, of someone ready to take care of the matters of the heart. As for Chu Qiao, she noticed the wrinkles that had started to form around Xiao Ce's eyes, but she could also see that his playful spirit had not changed.
Though their paths had crossed again, both felt that this time, perhaps, they were in the right place at the right time.
Chapter 65
Deposed Queen
"Master Xie Tai Shan, my old friend! What can I do to help you today?" exclaimed Lu Zhi.
"Your Highness, like the beauty of the lotus flower that never fades, still running her humble business. How is it going so far?" Xie Tai Shan smiled warmly as he stepped into the Kowloon noodle house, dressed in a green Hanfu.
As he greeted Lu Zhi, the door creaked open again. A man cloaked in black, his face hidden beneath a hood, entered. The lively atmosphere dimmed instantly, and the warm sunshine seemed to be shrouded in darkness. The air grew tense.
Zhan Ziyu, the man in black, locked eyes with Xie Tai Shan, both recognizing each other immediately. Though no words were spoken, the tension between them was noticeable.
Sensing the killer instincts in Zhan Ziyu, Xie Tai Shan instinctively stepped back, his eyes lowering to the floor. Meanwhile, Lu Zhi remained calm, seemingly indifferent to the brewing confrontation. She silently walked to the door, closed it, and retreated to the kitchen.
Mei Xiang, Lu Zhi's old palace maid who had taken over as chef after Chu Qiao left, was busy preparing ginseng soup. Lu Zhi instructed her, "Two bowls of ginseng soup for the gentlemen outside."
Zhan Ziyu, not one to let such an encounter pass without testing his old adversary, quickly threw several needles at Xie Tai Shan. Despite being retired from Emperor Tang's service, Xie Tai Shan's martial skills were far from diminished. He deftly countered the flying needles with his "Kam Sleeves" technique, leaping into the air and landing gracefully on one of the tables.
Zhan Ziyu smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, but then lunged forward, launching into a martial assault.
Xie Tai Shan, tired of the needless skirmish, delivered a precise yet controlled strike aimed at Zhan Ziyu's temple. Although Zhan Ziyu was able to block it, the energy behind the blow left him momentarily stunned. He felt a familiar numbness spreading through his body—he recognized the martial art technique immediately. It was designed to paralyze its target.
Zhan Ziyu struggled to control his meridians, staving off the full effect of the attack. Xie Tai Shan, seeing the brief pause, smiled and said, "Greetings, old friend." He bowed courteously, even as Zhan Ziyu was recovering.
Zhan Ziyu prepared to counterattack, but before he could, Xie Tai Shan used the "Hunting Wind Force" technique. His hand, shaped like a sword, unleashed a powerful gust that halted just at Zhan Ziyu's neck, spreading a numbing force through his shoulder. Once again, Zhan Ziyu found himself immobilized, unable to move for a few seconds.
As Zhan Ziyu regained control over his body, Xie Tai Shan bowed again and said, "Master Ziyu, today is not for fighting. What brings you here?"
Zhan Ziyu regained his composure, clasped his hands, and returned the bow, acknowledging Xie Tai Shan's superior skill. "Even in retirement, you remain a dangerous man, capable of putting a Celestial Dao Master in his place."
Xie Tai Shan chuckled and patted Zhan Ziyu's shoulder. "I've no wish to fight today, brother. If you wish for a duel, perhaps another time."
Before Zhan Ziyu could respond, Lu Zhi reappeared, her presence commanding the room. "No one leaves this place without trying my ginseng soup," she declared.
Zhan Ziyu narrowed his eyes but smiled slightly. "Master Xie Tai Shan, you've bested me once again. I simply wanted to see if the old master's skills were still as sharp as they once were." His tone was cold, yet there was a grudging respect in his words. "Tell me, how did you recover from the poison in your body?"
Xie Tai Shan paused, then returned to his seat. Zhan Ziyu followed, joining him at the table. Mei Xiang brought two steaming bowls of ginseng soup, setting them down before the men.
"This is truly delicious," Xie Tai Shan remarked as he tasted the soup. Zhan Ziyu waited for him to finish before taking a spoonful himself.
"I never thought we'd meet here, of all places," Zhan Ziyu mused, his eyes lingering on Xie Tai Shan.
Lu Zhi took a seat between the two men and said, "Perhaps it's fate."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Xie Tai Shan.
Zhan Ziyu leaned back slightly. "A lot has happened since we last met. Today, we find ourselves in the same place once more—it's no ordinary coincidence."
Xie Tai Shan's expression darkened slightly. "Has the crown prince learned the truth about his real mother?"
Zhan Ziyu shook his head. "If he had, he would have paid her a visit by now."
Lu Zhi sighed, her eyes distant with sorrow. "I followed the advice Zhan Ziyu gave me. When the prince came here, chasing after a woman I knew wasn't meant for him, I didn't reveal myself. I didn't give him any clue to look back into his past."
Xie Tai Shan, disappointed by her response, said, "You had the chance to tell him the truth. Why didn't you?"
Zhan Ziyu interjected, "It's not that simple. I'm here to tell you both—the crown prince's life is in danger. My network tells me that the last time he left the palace, he was ambushed on the road. The present Empress manipulated the report, blaming the Afterlife spies."
Xie Tai Shan, already suspecting foul play, asked, "Were there others involved?"
Zhan Ziyu's eyes darkened. "If I hadn't intervened, the prince would already be dead. My rules are clear: payment first, then the target. But now, I've learned that someone has already paid for the crown prince's death."
The room fell silent as Zhan Ziyu continued. "I've come here to ask you both—is this really my fate? To kill my own nephew?"
Lu Zhi's voice was heavy with resignation. "Is anything truly new in this world? Perhaps this is the answer to my suffering, why I've hidden away all these years."
Zhan Ziyu added, "Exactly. Why did I become this monster, only to now be faced with the task of killing my own blood?"
Xie Tai Shan, ever the realist, responded, "If not you, then someone else will kill him. Fate is written. Whether you go through with it or not, his destiny is set. But maybe, just maybe, we're here to alter that fate."
Lu Zhi's eyes filled with tears. "I've already given everything for his sake. If we don't protect him, the Empire will fall into chaos under the current Empress's greed."
Zhan Ziyu paused before speaking. "For the first time, I'm considering doing something right. My life has been about killing, not saving. But this time, I can't ignore the urge to protect. The prince doesn't even know I've saved him once before. Now, I'll save him again, not for anyone else, but because I choose to."
Xie Tai Shan raised an eyebrow. "So, you were the one who intervened when the blackguards attacked?"
Zhan Ziyu nodded. "Had I been a few seconds late, he'd be dead by now."
He turned to Lu Zhi. "The crown prince recently requested permission from the Emperor to visit Xue Fu Street. He's unknowingly drawn closer to you. Sooner or later, even if we keep hiding the truth, it will come to light."
Lu Zhi reflected, "I saw a bird's nest fall from the roof that day. It felt like a vision—a fleeting glimpse of his face."
Xie Tai Shan gave her a knowing look. "The signs are there. It's only a matter of time. You must be ready to reveal the truth when the moment comes."
Zhan Ziyu then spoke with determination. "And what about me? The Empress plays a dangerous game, but I'll turn it against her. I kill for a living, but this time, I'll reverse it—I'll kill the client instead of the target."
Lu Zhi looked at him with sorrow. "When I found you on the Kong Sang road, I wanted to help you recover. I couldn't change your path, but perhaps now, you can still change your fate."
Zhan Ziyu chuckled darkly. "When it's done, I'll collect payment. But for now, don't worry about it."
Xie Tai Shan stood, ready to leave. "Very well, Your Highness. I'll be watching closely."
He turned to Zhan Ziyu. "When the moment comes, aim your poisoned needles at the right target—the one who truly deserves it."
Outside, in the fragrant Li garden, Emperor Tang enjoyed a peaceful afternoon of music and poetry. He turned to his court poet, Li Bai, and asked, "Write me a poem about a happy excursion."
Li Bai bowed. "What subject, Your Majesty?"
"The Northern Ocean," the Emperor replied.
Li Bai began to recite:
"A fish named Kun, the size of a mountain,
Transforms into a bird, Peng, soaring above.
From the Southern Ocean to the Celestial Lakes,
It flies for six months, carried by the great winds.
Beneath the bird's wings, the mists of spring rise,
The snowy clouds dance, and life breathes below."
The bird wondered whether the skies were truly blue. Was that its real color, or was it merely a reflection of the ocean—a result of distance without end?
As the bird continued to glide through the wind, its wings suddenly became too heavy. The air could no longer hold them aloft, and the bird crashed into the ocean. Yet, the shallow waters accepted it, and the bird continued its journey southward.
Li Bai asked, "A phoenix, Your Majesty? Is that the story you're telling?"
Emperor Tang smiled and replied, "A cicada burrows itself into the roots of a tree and remains there for ten years before it resurfaces. But for a man to journey the depths of every ocean and scale every mountain, he must first fill his stomach. Otherwise, he won't survive. How could these little cicadas understand what a man endures to live righteously, without expecting anything in return?"
Li Bai responded, "Your Majesty, do not speak like this. The Empire is strong. What can any man do to harm it?"
Emperor Tang shook his head. "You still don't understand, do you? For one who is charioteer of Heaven and Earth, driving before him the changing elements as his people roam through the realms of the Infinite, what need has such a person of worldly support? Thus, it is said: the perfect man ignores the self; the divine man ignores achievement; the true Sage ignores reputation."
Li Bai replied solemnly, "Your Majesty, when the time comes, it comes. Not even Heaven can stop it."
The Emperor placed a hand on Li Bai's shoulder, his expression grave. "Continue to write your poems. I will rest for now."
The music in the Pear Garden ceased as the Emperor walked away, heading towards his palace. The musicians quietly packed up their instruments, and a sense of finality hung in the air.
The next day, all of Liang mourned. Royal clansmen, palace ministers, and commoners alike shed tears for Emperor Tang. His reign, the Great Tang Era, ended with the arrival of spring. Empress Yuan took charge of organizing the royal funeral, informing neighboring empires of the Emperor's passing.
As Emperor Tang was finally laid to rest in the Li royal burial chamber, the Liang Palace began preparing for the next chapter: the ascension of Crown Prince Xiao Ce as the new Emperor.
Chu Qiao, always hiding her identity beneath her indigo scarf, quietly witnessed these somber events. She helped Xiao Ce focus on the well-being of the Liang people, subtly guiding him as he navigated the complexities of a nation on the verge of potential revolt and power struggles.
Li Bai, the imperial poet, approached Chu Qiao with a collection of his poems. He handed them to her before departing the Liang Palace for good.
As Chu Qiao read through the poems, she found within them confessions from Emperor Tang about his first Empress, Lu Zhi. She sighed, the weight of the past heavy on her mind.
Meanwhile, Xie Tai Shan and Lu Zhi, the former Empress, secretly visited the royal burial chamber. They bribed the guards to ensure no one from the palace would find out about their visit.
Lu Zhi, standing before the tomb of Emperor Tang, wept for hours. In a quiet, personal moment, she left behind a handkerchief—an intimate token from their first meeting. She whispered her thanks to Emperor Tang for choosing her as his first Empress. Though their love had ended tragically, she carried no regrets about the life they had shared.
Afterward, Lu Zhi and Xie Tai Shan quietly left the chamber. Shortly after, Tie You arrived to place more flowers at the Emperor's grave. It was there he found the handkerchief, inscribed with the words "卢智"—"Lu Zhi, my first and last Empress."
As autumn approached, the Liang Empire continued its year-long mourning period for the Emperor. The palace was draped in white, with black ribbons tied to the posts and white flowers decorating the corridors. The changing colors of the season—brown and orange leaves—added to the melancholy atmosphere, deepening the collective grief.
The royal tomb, open to visitors from sunrise to sundown, saw thousands of mourners from distant lands, though the neighboring empires had yet to visit and pay their respects to the fallen Emperor.
This autumn also marks the Annual Celebration of Wei's Lantern Festival, held to commemorate the ancestors' hunting grounds. Yet, despite the festivities, Chu Qiao feels the pressure to leave the Liang palace and Xiao Ce behind.
Her stay in Liang has long overstayed, but Xiao Ce begs for her to remain, unable to sleep without her near. Like a child clinging to a comforter, Xiao Ce pleads, "I need you… please don't go away again. I've waited so long for this moment to be with you. Promise me you'll stay."
Not wanting to burden the soon-to-be Emperor, Chu Qiao always ends up saying yes, and their bond deepens daily, making it harder for her to break away. Their friendship grows stronger, but Viper continues her mission to spy on Yan Xun's army, bringing troubling news.
Yan Xun has become tyrannical, oppressing the Xuili Army with unfair and impossible conditions. The man Chu Qiao once knew is gone, leaving her torn. Should she help the Xuili Army escape Yan Xun's control and seek freedom, or let them stay, risking their deaths defending their homeland? The latter would mean digging their own graves and a confrontation with Yan Xun, something Chu Qiao wishes to avoid. Yet, time is running out, and the confrontation seems inevitable.
Faced with a difficult choice, Chu Qiao requests Xiao Ce's permission to attend Wei's Lantern Festival and visit an old friend in Xue Fu Street.
"Thank you, Your Highness, but I don't need a large entourage. I will take Viper with me," Chu Qiao says.
Xiao Ce, worried, replies, "Please, let Sun Di accompany you. I won't forgive myself if anything happens to you."
Sincerely, he holds her hands and looks into her eyes. "Please, take Sun Di and his envoy."
Reluctantly, Chu Qiao agrees. "Alright, but don't blame me if your envoy complains about me."
Xiao Ce smiles sadly. "No one would dare blame you, Qiao Qiao."
With that, Chu Qiao, Viper, and Sun Di begin their journey. Dressed in a simple Hanfu, Chu Qiao first visits the old lady in Xue Fu Street.
Surprised, Lu Zhi exclaims, "What brings you here? It's been so long! I heard your home was set on fire, and you disappeared. Where is Ra Yue?"
Before Chu Qiao could respond, Viper enters, and Lu Zhi, startled, asks, "Who is she?"
Smiling, Chu Qiao replies, "There's a lot to explain, but I can't right now. I'll come back later, and we'll talk."
Understanding, the old lady nods. "Alright, come back when you can."
Chu Qiao bids her farewell and continues toward Wei. Along the way, they stop briefly at Master Xie Tai Shan's wooden cottage. After a short conversation, Chu Qiao promises to return after the Lantern Festival. She doesn't ask for more details about Yuwen Yue, though she knows Master Xie has much to share.
Sun Di's envoy, along with Chu Qiao and Viper, continue their journey, heading toward the Wei-Liang border.
Meanwhile, He Xiao and the Xuili Army face harassment from Yan Xun's forces. Ge Qi quietly leads the Xuili Army out of the mountains, avoiding confrontation with the Yan Army.
The veterans with sharp eyes scout ahead, leading the way. The soldiers, their horses' feet wrapped in cloth strips, march silently through the night. Snow begins to fall as they press southward. Wu Danyu, leading the soldiers, feels the quiet resilience of the troops, knowing they are on the brink of exhaustion.
After a night of marching nearly 40 miles, the Xuili Army halts. The soldiers, starving and weary, eat a quick meal of dry rations. But as they prepare to move again, they spot a figure approaching—Viper, holding her whip.
Relief floods He Xiao's face as Chu Qiao and her group arrive, bringing much-needed supplies and hope. The Xuili Army, though starving, maintains discipline as they queue for food provided by Sun Di's troops.
After they eat, He Xiao, despite his own exhaustion, shares his last meal with his most trusted officers, Wu Danyu and Ge Qi. The soldiers, having endured so much, find new strength in the arrival of their allies. Survival, once again, becomes their badge of honor.
Chu Qiao, observing the state of the Xuili Army, asks, "Is everyone ready?"
He Xiao, grim but resolute, responds, "Yes, General. But we have many wounded soldiers who cannot travel."
Ge Qi reports, "We left 648 wounded soldiers in a safe place near the Yanbei-Liang border. But without shelter, food, or water, they won't last long."
The situation is dire, and Chu Qiao knows that the Xuili Army cannot survive without help. They need a refuge. Her mind turns to Xiao Ce, hoping he will allow the Liang Empire to take in the refugees. But with tensions rising, she knows convincing Xiao Ce will be a challenge.
Chu Qiao and Viper head toward Wei, planning to confuse Yan Xun's spies and throw them off the Xuili Army's trail. As they move, Viper uses her powers to erase the army's tracks, ensuring their safety for now.
Back at the Liang border, Sun Di approaches with the Xuili Army, seeking refuge. But the Liang prefectures are heavily guarded, and the gatekeepers, suspicious of the fugitive army, refuse them entry. Sun Di is forced to retreat, setting up camp at the seventh prefecture.
In the palace, Empress Yuan receives word of the Xuili Army's arrival. She orders that they be turned away, branding them as traitors. But Xiao Ce, determined to save the refugees, confronts his mother in her palace court.
"Your Majesty," Xiao Ce says, "We must help them. They are not animals to be slaughtered. We claim to uphold pro-life values, and yet we refuse them mercy?"
Empress Yuan, cold and calculating, replies, "These traitors cannot be trusted. They have abandoned their loyalties too many times."
Xiao Ce, standing firm, retorts, "They are human beings, just like us. If we deny them, who will help them? Have we forgotten the values my father instilled in us?"
The court ministers murmur in agreement, swayed by Xiao Ce's argument. Realizing she is losing control, Empress Yuan seethes in silence, allowing Xiao Ce to issue a decree for the Xuili Army's safe passage.
The royal guards deliver the decree to Prince Lou, who initially agrees to follow it. However, General Sui, sensing an opportunity, suggests that Prince Lou use this moment to seize power from Xiao Ce.
Prince Lou, though loyal to his brother, is torn. General Sui tempts him with promises of power, but Prince Lou remains conflicted, unwilling to betray his brother. He hides his true feelings from General Sui, determined to warn Xiao Ce of the brewing conspiracy.
As the tension between the brothers mounts, the fate of the Liang Empire hangs in the balance.
Chapter 66
Lantern festival
The Shen Jin Palace was once again filled with the soothing sounds of the harp and guqin, their harmonious notes providing tranquility and peace in the grand halls of the Golden Palace. The Emperor, seated upon his misty, fragrant throne, listened intently, his eyes closed as he absorbed the heavenly music. He resembled a godly figure as he welcomed the guests from the Eastern Empire.
The princes of the Eastern Empire, seated at their designated royal tables, arrived wearing metal masks and grand attire, showcasing their unique fashion. Wei's palace maids, elegant and graceful, escorted the guests. The majestic dining hall glittered with the finest Imperial dresses, each guest seeking to be noticed and praised.
As the lovely princesses of Wei prepared to perform a royal dance for the visiting princes, their faces were hidden behind delicate scarves, adding an air of mystery. Their movements were poised, intending to capture the attention of their guests and please the Shen Jin Emperor with their flawless performance. Among them was Xia Chong.
This day marked the first of the most awaited and extravagant lantern festival in Wei. The city of Chang'An bustled with excitement, its streets adorned with a myriad of lanterns, firecrackers, lucky charms, and high-quality silk garments. Visitors from across China had arrived to partake in the Festival of Lights.
The streets were alive with vibrant energy, filled with rich merchants and ordinary citizens alike, all mingling together. From porcelain kitchenware to delicate moon cakes and rice cakes, every corner offered something beautiful and delectable. Magicians and street performers entertained the crowds, showcasing their talents to the masses.
While the city celebrated in lights, high upon a sinister mountain, Yan Xun looked out across layers of terraced fields, his mind elsewhere. He gazed in awe at the steep terrain of Longyin Guan and the meandering river, but his thoughts wandered to A'Chu.
The view below revealed a small basin surrounded by mountains. Villages dotted the landscape, with no sign of the Xuili Army. The once-thriving military encampments were now desolate, replaced by a peaceful village scene. Women worked in the mulberry groves, the wheat fields golden and ripe for harvest. The serenity of the place was unsettling, and Yan Xun's eyes narrowed.
A'Jing, one of Yan Xun's trusted men, cautioned, "Your Highness, do not be fooled by the peaceful appearance of this village. The lack of visible danger hides something far more dangerous."
Yan Xun understood the unspoken warning. "Search for the highest house and set up a temporary command post," he ordered. "I'll join you shortly."
His general nodded and began preparations.
Sitting atop his horse, Yan Xun inhaled the scent of the wheat fields, watching as the golden stalks waved in the wind. It was a good harvest year, but it didn't bring him peace. His mind was already on the coming battle.
Suddenly, from the south, a squad of soldiers appeared at the valley's entrance, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. They looked ready for war. Villagers nearby, accustomed to such movements, would no doubt have retreated to their hiding places, secret compartments carved into their homes, where they could observe the chaos unfolding around them.
The Xuili Army, once the village's protectors, was now gone, leaving the villagers vulnerable.
A pair of Yan scouts returned from their mission, delivering their report to Yan Xun. "Your Highness, we've located two separate troops, but we're unsure if either belongs to the Xuili Army. However, we spotted some soldiers in silver armor heading toward us."
Yan Xun, still deep in thought, responded, "Those armors belong to Wei's troops. If they're on their way here, we must act quickly. Set traps and mines around the terrain, and prepare for an ambush. But do not attack until I give the order."
Just as Yan Xun finished giving his commands, another scout approached, breathless and panicked. "Your Highness, we lost the battle at the Tangshui border."
Yan Xun's face darkened, his fury barely contained. "Lost? To Tangshui's army? Speak clearly, or I will ensure you never speak again."
General Zhong Yu arrived, confirming the report. "Your Highness, we collected some of the enemy's armor and helmets, and they don't belong to Tang's army."
Yan Xun, sarcastic and seething, questioned, "Are we facing a new army now?"
The soldiers remained silent, afraid to speak. In his rage, Yan Xun grabbed the young scout by the throat and hissed, "Is it the Turkish guerillas?"
The scout, terrified but resolute, replied, "No, Your Highness. We don't know who they are, but they are certainly not the Turkish guerillas."
Ra Yue, like a tranquil lake without ripples, sat at the royal table without touching a drop of palace wine. Behind his metal mask, he narrowed his eyes and shook his head subtly. He tapped Yue Qi and quietly asked, "Did you make sure that Yan Xun knows who led the Xuili Army out of Yanbei through TangShui?"
Yue Qi, half of his face also covered by a metal mask, whispered in response, "Your Highness, by now, Yan Xun must be in a serious crisis. He's likely trying to figure out if it was the Turkish guerrillas, the barbarians of the Bathuja clan, Yuan Che's Wei troops, or some other elite force from the East."
Ra Yue smirked at the mention of the last possibility and replied, "Interesting. Any news about the Xuili General?"
Zuo, who had been listening closely, leaned in and whispered, "Your Highness, I saw Viper with a woman she calls 'Mimi Gongzhu.'"
Ra Yue felt a brief sting of emotion. "The girl with the whip? With another woman covered in a scarf?"
Zuo nodded. "Yes."
Ra Yue, who had been feeling eager earlier, suddenly lost interest after hearing about Mimi Gongzhu. His tone flattened. "No trace of the Xuili General?"
Yue Qi replied, "Our troops ensured He Xiao's safe passage to the Tang Army gates. We hope Prince Xiao Ce will be hospitable and allow them to camp. He Xiao hasn't revealed the Xuili General's location. He's keeping it hidden."
Satisfied, Ra Yue leaned back in his seat, his attention drifting back to the unremarkable dance performance before him. However, his thoughts lingered on the mysterious woman who continued to captivate his mind.
Meanwhile, Chu Qiao and Viper had crossed into Wei territory, moving cautiously to avoid attention. Chu Qiao was dressed in a dark brown, rough canvas dress with worn-out boots, while Viper wore her usual rugged, barbaric attire. Both women had their faces partially hidden behind scarves as they mingled in the busy marketplace, scouting for information.
Chu Qiao knew that if she wasn't careful, she risked exposing her identity and, worst of all, being captured by Wei palace guards.
As they walked, Chu Qiao's eyes fell on a worn paper posted on one of the marketplace walls:Chinese Chess Competition, Swordplay Competition, Archery Competition. Rewards in the following order: 1,000 taels, 500 taels, and 300 taels of gold.
She shook her head with a sigh, recalling how poorly she had fared in Chinese chess the last time she tried her hand at it. The reward was tempting—enough to restore an entire palace—but the competition was only open to royals and foreign dignitaries this year. She wondered who might challenge her if she dared enter.
Her mind wandered to the one person she knew to be a daily practitioner of Chinese chess: the late Fourth Young Master, Yuwen Yue—her former husband, from whom she had divorced.
The reward, however enticing, was likely a treasure the Emperor would not part with easily. Chu Qiao dismissed the thought and continued walking, her past haunting her thoughts like a faint shadow.
Back when Chu Qiao was still a maidservant in the Yuwen household, Yuwen Yue had opened a competition for the position of chambermaid. One of the events was a Chinese chess match, which she quickly lost. Determined to win for her sisters, who were often bullied by the other maids, Chu Qiao didn't give up. She focused on the tea-making competition instead, knowing she could excel there.
Her reinvention of the tea-making ceremony impressed everyone and secured her a spot in the final test: memorizing and transcribing ancient Buddhist Sanskrit. While most of the competitors were unfamiliar with the ancient language, Chu Qiao had a surprising advantage, her memories and experiences making the script feel strangely familiar.
Despite the low regard Yuwen Yue and the entire household had for her abilities, she remained fearless. She ignored the skeptical looks and whispers about her humble position, focusing only on the task at hand.
In the end, Chu Qiao surpassed all expectations. She won the contest, earning not only the chambermaid position but also the privilege of being promoted from an iron bell servant to a silver bell servant in the Yuwen household.
After a brief moment of recollection, assessing the dire condition of the Xuili Army, Chu Qiao realized she had to act swiftly. Without food, shelter, and adequate armaments, the army's survival would be impossible. The annual competition offered a potential solution, with its prizes of gold—a fortune she could use to re-arm and provision her ailing soldiers.
"Viper," Chu Qiao said, eyes alight with determination. She nudged her companion. "Do you know what I'm thinking?"
Viper, ever sharp, responded with a flat, "Which one?"
Chu Qiao's voice held a touch of pride. "I may not win Chinese Chess, but I can win the swordplay and archery competitions."
Viper's eyes darkened, her tone turning serious. "Do not even dare to try, Mimi Gongzhu. We're not here to compete."
Their conversation was interrupted by an old man who approached them with curiosity. "Are you planning to register?" he asked, his voice wavering. "You should know, this competition is strictly for royals."
Viper stepped forward, her eyes narrowing at the old man. "If there was a whip challenge," she said slowly, drawing her whip with a sharp crack in the air, "I'd register myself without hesitation."
The old man, visibly shaken, took a step back, his legs quivering. "M-Miss, that whip of yours is... alarming! But you must understand, Wei's roots run deep. This state was formed by nomadic ancestors. Our people have perfected the sword and bow as essential skills. Every household keeps them. Competing here isn't easy. If you want, you can try me."
Viper's eyes flashed with irritation at the old man's audacity, but Chu Qiao quickly intervened, grabbing Viper's hand before things escalated further. "We're here to win a prize, not to punish an old man who doesn't know better," Chu Qiao said, flashing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
The old man, seemingly did not mind Viper's fury, continued. "Again, this is a royal competition. Are you a princess?"
Before Viper could retort with her whip again, Chu Qiao held her back, smiling at the old man with barely concealed sarcasm. "For elders like you, respect is due. I may not be a princess of this land, but I am one in a faraway place."
The old man laughed heartily, not believing a word of it. "A pauper princess, I see. Perhaps you're just in disguise?"
Chu Qiao said nothing, choosing to remain silent. Her eyes were unwavering, focused on her goal. The old man, still unconvinced, chuckled once more. "Very well, the competition begins in an hour. I'll be watching—either to see you crowned champion or thrown into the Wei garrison prison."
Viper, thoroughly irritated by now, clenched her teeth. "Watch her become the champion and shake this place to its core," she hissed.
The old man laughed again, continued. "If not, you might as well keep those pretty faces hidden, for you'll be marked by disgrace."
Viper's patience was wearing thin. She raised her eyes to the skies and, with a sharp brow raised, she coldly replied, "The heavens have already sealed our fates today, old man. Soon enough, you'll be bowing three times in respect when you hear the news."
Ignoring the old man's smirk, Chu Qiao strode forward and stamped her seal, registering herself for the swordplay and archery competitions.
After evaluating the dire situation of the Xuili Army, Chu Qiao knew she had to act swiftly to secure resources. Without food, shelter, and weaponry, her troops would be doomed. The local competition, with its grand prize of gold, presented an opportunity she couldn't ignore.
"Viper, do you know what I'm thinking?" Chu Qiao asked, her eyes gleaming with purpose as she nudged her companion.
Viper, ever vigilant, raised an eyebrow. "Which one?"
Chu Qiao straightened up, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "I can't win at Chinese Chess, but I can win the swordplay and archery competitions."
Viper's expression darkened, her tone turning stern. "Do not even think about it, Mimi Gongzhu. We are not here to compete."
Before they could argue further, an old man approached them with a curious look. "Are you planning to register?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "You should read the rules—this competition is strictly for royals."
Viper stepped forward, her look is sharp. "If there's a whip challenge," she said, drawing her whip and cracking it sharply in the air, "I'll register without a second thought."
The old man visibly trembled, looking like he might faint at any moment. "M-Miss, your whip... it's terrifying!" he stammered. "But you must understand, Wei's ancestors were nomads, warriors. Our people have perfected the arts of the sword and bow for generations. We take pride in these skills. You can test me if you'd like."
Viper's anger flared, and she was about to lash out when Chu Qiao grabbed her hand, stopping her just in time. "Hey, this isn't what we're here for. I'll compete to claim our reward, not to punish an old man who doesn't know better," Chu Qiao said calmly.
The old man, still unbothered by Viper's threatening whip, continued, "Again, this is for royals. Are you a princess?"
Viper, irritated beyond measure, made another move, but Chu Qiao held her back. Turning to the old man with a sly smile, Chu Qiao said, "For elders like you, respect is due. I may not be a princess in this land, but I am one in a distant place."
The old man laughed heartily, clearly disbelieving. "A pauper princess? Perhaps you're in disguise!"
Chu Qiao said nothing, her silence speaking volumes as she kept her focus on the competition. Still unconvinced, the old man chuckled once more. "Well, the competition starts in an hour. I'll be watching—either to see you win or to watch you escorted to the garrison prison."
Viper, growing more exasperated by the minute, clenched her teeth. "Watch her become the champion and leave this place shattered."
The old man merely smirked. "If not, you might as well hide those beautiful faces for good."
Viper glared at the man, then raised her eyes to the sky as if seeking divine intervention. "The heavens have already sealed our fates today," she said coldly. "Soon enough, you'll be bowing three times when you see the outcome."
Ignoring the final exchange, Chu Qiao walked over and firmly placed her seal on the registration scroll, officially entering herself into the swordplay and archery competitions.
Chu Qiao, having sealed her registration for the competition, knew it was now time to take her next steps in preparation. The world would soon witness the rebirth of the Chu Jing princess, a persona she would have to embody to shock the royal courts.
"Viper, I need to visit an old friend in Xianyang City," Chu Qiao said with determination.
Viper, ever cautious, asked, "Mimi Gongzhu, are you doing this for Xuili army?"
Chu Qiao shot her a firm look. "If you already know the answer, then stop asking," she said bluntly.
Viper, accepting the response, began preparing the horses. "Fine. Who are we visiting this time?"
"We are going to prepare ourselves to join the competition," Chu Qiao said as she mounted her horse. Viper followed, and with a sharp crack of the whip, the two horses galloped through the autumn leaves, racing toward Xianyang City.
The crisp autumn air brushed past their faces as they rode swiftly, the landscape blurring by. An hour later, they arrived at their destination, the familiar old shop nestled on a quiet street. Chu Qiao gently pulled the reins of her horse, calming the tired animal with a gentle touch. Viper followed close behind.
The two women dismounted, tying the horses beside the stable post, and walked cautiously toward the old shop. Chu Qiao heightened her senses, recalling her last visit when she had encountered Liang spies in the vicinity.
Finally, they arrived at the shop of Zao Baocung, the eccentric old merchant who seemed to be perpetually napping in his rattan chair. Today was no different—he was sleeping, surrounded by flies. As they approached, he clapped his hands, pretending to be asleep but fully aware of their presence.
Viper, impatient as always, snapped her whip near Zao Baocung's feet.
Startled, the old man jumped up, wincing in pain. "Why did you whip my feet? Am I some criminal? You've disturbed my peace!" he complained, rubbing his legs.
Chu Qiao laughed, her voice filled with warmth. "I'm sorry to disturb you, my old friend."
Zao Baocung blinked and cleared his eyes, finally recognizing the voice. "Is that you, Xinger?"
"Yes," Chu Qiao smiled at hearing the familiar name from her days in the Yuwen household.
"Aha! You finally came to visit this old man. How are you, my dear?" he asked, beaming with joy. But then, noticing Viper, his expression shifted. "Oh, please don't show off your fighting skills in my shop. Look at my business—barely holding on as it is!"
Chu Qiao chuckled. "We're here to do exactly that, my friend—right in your shop!"
Zao Baocung raised an eyebrow, but his smile quickly faded when he saw Viper. "Wait... Is she the…?" he stammered, but before he could finish, Viper clamped her hand over his mouth.
Chu Qiao stepped closer and whispered, "Whatever you're thinking, the answer is yes."
Zao Baocung looked at her with wide eyes, now understanding the gravity of the situation. He motioned for them to follow him inside. "Come, follow me."
"No," Chu Qiao replied, shaking her head. "I can't stay long. And no cave traps this time," she added with a smirk.
The old man's eyes welled up slightly. "As Xinger, you owe me the wind and cloud decree. But as Mimi Gongzhu, I owe you a thousand stories and a way to heal your Chibi."
Chu Qiao's expression softened. "Look, I don't have time for stories right now. I need your help. I'll come back when Xuili army is safe. For now, I must act in my role as their General. Xiao Ce cannot be involved in everything; I need to save them myself."
Zao Baocung nodded in understanding. "All right, tell me what you need."
"I need to transform into a royal Chu Jing princess. I need a sword-fighting suit, a bow and arrow set, and an archery attire for the competition," Chu Qiao said.
Viper, always on guard, locked the shop door as Zao disappeared into the back to retrieve the requested items. After a few minutes, he returned with several boxes, setting them down on the table for Chu Qiao to inspect.
She opened them one by one, selecting a flowing white princess dress with gold embroidery, accessories, and a delicate crown. For the swordplay competition, she chose a tight-fitting black battle suit. For archery, she picked out a burgundy suit complete with a chest and arm guard. Her eyes then landed on a striking black coat with a wide hood, chest-length in the front and flowing nearly to the ground at the back.
Zao Baocung returned with a large golden box and placed it on the table. "This is the infinite bow and arrow," he said with reverence. "It's an ancient treasure of Chu Jing Kingdom, fit only for a crown princess. By day, it's just a golden bow and diamond-tipped arrows. But at night, it holds the power of unlimited light arrows. Guard it well—it's a gift from the gods."
Fascinated, Chu Qiao slipped the finger tab onto her middle finger and tested the bowstrings. The arrows, tipped with diamonds, rested perfectly in the back quiver made of fresh suede.
Chu Qiao dressed herself and stepped out to reveal her transformation. Zao Baocung's jaw dropped while Viper's normally stern face softened with approval.
Dressed in a simple white silk tube dress embroidered with gold, Chu Qiao had her hair arranged in a peacock style, adorned with a crown. Draped over her was a thin stardust gold dress that created a gentle chiming sound as she moved. Her shoes, made of snow-gold glass, made no sound as she walked, and the wide hood and flowing coat she wore gave her an air of mystery.
"How do I look?" Chu Qiao asked, slightly unsure of their reactions.
Zao Baocung, still in awe, said, "I haven't seen this dress worn in ages. Make them pay for what they did to the Chu Jing Kingdom."
Viper, more practical as always, added, "You look stunning. But don't forget—you can't remove your indigo scarf. It'll make my life easier if you don't."
Zao Baocung presented the final touch: a glass box containing the Chu Jing crown princess tiara. Chu Qiao bent slightly to receive the crown, and Zao explained its significance. "The five white jades represent the five realms of the Moon Kingdom, and the small indigo crystal represents the star of the Moon Kingdom. Your indigo scarf is your protection—wear it at all times to guard against poisons."
Chu Qiao nodded. "Thank you, my friend. I owe you more than I can ever repay."
Zao Baocung smiled gently. "Go now, before you miss the competition."
With their transformations complete, Chu Qiao and Viper mounted their horses and rode back toward Wei, their mission in Xianyang complete and their next challenge just beginning.
As the late afternoon shadows stretched across the city of Zhen Huang, the grand competition opened, and the city once again honored its nomadic roots. The royal hunting grounds came alive with the buzz of anticipation. Nobles from the Yuwen household proudly displayed their hunting prowess, dressed in their distinctive hunting attire and coats of arms. Young noblemen paraded through the grounds, flaunting their skill and status, while foreign dignitaries and princes from distant lands mingled among them, eager to showcase their own abilities.
Yuan Song, adorned in a fierce hunting outfit, stood at the forefront with a hundred loyal servants behind him. He looked ready to conquer the field, his expression calm but determined. Yuan Yang, however, watched him from afar, his eyes filled with bitterness and anger. Surrounded by only a few, albeit highly skilled men, Yuan Yang prepared to challenge the day's hunt with his usual fervor, driven by a desire for vengeance.
Among the notable foreign guests were the Bathuja family's representatives, General Bali and Shi Da, who had traveled from the north. Yet conspicuously absent from the event was any representative of the Liang state, as the empire was still in mourning for Emperor Tang.
The day passed quickly as the snowflakes began to fall, covering the fields in a thin layer of cold white. The hunt ended in a brutal display of violence, and the once-lush plains were now littered with the bodies of animals and men alike. The smell of decay filled the air, a stark contrast to the celebratory atmosphere that had preceded it.
As the day's events concluded, foreign dignitaries murmured their disapproval of Wei's brutal tradition. While some found honor in the hunt, others were appalled at the needless bloodshed, condemning the tradition as heartless and barbaric.
Yuan Che, calm and collected despite the debates surrounding him, pressed on with his military campaign against Yan Xun's forces. Despite his vast experience, he knew that dislodging Yan's army from Longyin Guan would not be an easy task. Yan Xun's army, bolstered by foreign mercenaries and new tactics, proved to be a formidable adversary.
Yan Xun, bloodthirsty and driven by ambition, had even turned against his own Xuili army, forcing them to flee to Tangshui, the southernmost part of Yanbei. He raided their provisions, spreading word that the Xuili army had betrayed the Yan throne, marking them as traitors.
Meanwhile, on the serene riverbanks, the setting sun painted the sky in shades of gold and orange. Chu Qiao, standing by the calm waters, looked out at the wide river surface, her chest filled with a burning ache. As she stared into the distance, she felt the weight of all she had lost and all she still carried.
She softly whispered, "Against the crown, all odds conquered... eight thousand miles of road, of moon and stars, I wish you were here just like the good old days... when you said you needed me too."
Her words were swallowed by the wind, but the yearning in her heart was unmistkable. She stood there, torn between letting go of her past and holding onto the hope that someone might respond to her call, her gaze lingering on the glowing lanterns that floated across the river.
Viper, watching from a distance, saw Chu Qiao's actions and shouted in disbelief, "This is insane! What are you doing?"
Chu Qiao had bought thirty-six small rabbit lanterns and, with the help of local children, had placed them in bamboo floats, setting them adrift on the river. The small lanterns bobbed gently on the water's surface, their lights flickering as a strong wind began to blow.
"It's been thirty-six months," Chu Qiao murmured to herself, her voice heavy with emotion. "And yet I haven't seen your face."
Testing the golden bow and arrows she had recently acquired, Chu Qiao aimed at the lanterns, firing off a diamond-tipped arrow that released a cascade of magical stardust as it struck. The display was mesmerizing, with the brilliance of the fire lighting up the night sky.
Suddenly, a pair of cold eyes locked onto her floating lanterns, and a whistling sound pierced the air. An arrow shot across the river, sinking one of her lanterns.
Zuo, watching the scene, complained, "Why did you sink the lantern?"
Yue Qi, who had fired the arrow, shrugged. "It's a pity to let those lanterns burn and never reach the other side."
Zuo watched as Yue Qi continued to sink the lanterns one by one, growing more exasperated by the second. "You're going to make someone very angry."
Meanwhile, Chu Qiao noticed her lanterns were disappearing and quickly realized someone was tampering with her tribute. Filled with determination, she ran towards the source of the arrows, spotting two men standing on the opposite riverbank.
As the men celebrated their marksmanship, Chu Qiao let loose an arrow of her own, hitting both men squarely on their backsides. Startled, the two yelped in pain and threw themselves into the river to extinguish the flames now licking at their clothes.
Unbeknownst to her, a tall figure loomed behind her—Yuwen Yue. His face was concealed by a mask, his eyes sharp and penetrating. He carried a large rabbit lantern, his expression stern as he took hold of her arm.
Startled, Chu Qiao attempted to fight back, but Yuwen Yue quickly countered her moves, blocking her attack with ease. The moment she sensed the calm authority in his presence, her body weakened.
With Poe Yue Jian in hand, Yuwen Yue held her at bay, his voice calm but firm. "Why did you shoot my two brothers and send them into the river?"
"They sank eighteen out of my thirty-six lanterns," Chu Qiao retorted. "They deserved it."
Yuwen Yue's expression softened slightly. "Then take this lantern as payment for the trouble." He handed her the large rabbit lantern.
Just as Chu Qiao reached for it, Viper's voice echoed across the river, "Mimi Gongzhu! I found the culprits!"
Yuwen Yue's face lit up in recognition. "So it's you—the secret princess of Chu Jing Kingdom."
Chu Qiao, looking fearless, swiftly raised her bow to fire another arrow, but Yuwen Yue was faster. Before she could react, he disarmed her and pulled her close, using her as a shield against Viper.
Viper, now standing at the riverbank, had already subdued Yue Qi and Zuo, her whip coiled around their necks like a leash. "If something happens to my master, you two won't make it out of here alive," she growled.
Yuwen Yue, holding Chu Qiao in his arms, caught a whiff of her familiar plum blossom scent. Memories flooded his mind, and his heart raced. Before he could say another word, Chu Qiao, overwhelmed by emotion, lost consciousness in his arms.
He caught her as she collapsed, carefully cradling her in his arms. Without hesitation, he carried her away from the riverbank, disappearing into the woods to find shelter for the night.
Under the darkening sky, with the snowflakes gently falling, Chu Qiao woke to find herself by a crackling bonfire. Yuwen Yue, now unmasked, sat across from her, his gaze fixed on the flames.
Seeing him up close, her heart skipped a beat. The man she had loved, the man she had left behind, was sitting just feet away.
"You," she whispered, her voice catching in her throat. "Why did you take me here?"
Yuwen Yue's eyes softened as he spoke. "We missed our proper introduction earlier, don't you think? You can't escape me this time, Xinger."
Chu Qiao's hands trembled as she slowly removed the indigo scarf covering her face. Her eyes, filled with emotion, locked onto his.
"Yuwen Yue," she whispered, her voice heavy with longing and pain. "Is it really you?"
The silence between them stretched, filled with years of unspoken words. Finally, Yuwen Yue broke the silence, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire.
"Why did you leave me?"
Chu Qiao's heart ached as she remembered the past. Tears filled her eyes, and she answered him softly, "I left because I didn't know who you were anymore. I only knew Ra Yue, the peddler man... not Yuwen Yue, the fourth young master of the Yuwen household."
Yuwen Yue's eyes glistened with his own pain. "We are together now," he said, pulling her closer. "And I won't let you leave again."
The world around them faded into the background as their lips met in a long, passionate kiss. Under the falling snow, their love, long buried beneath years of separation and heartache, was finally rekindled. And as the rabbit lanterns floated down the river, they found solace in each other's arms, their hearts beating as one beneath the moonlit sky.
Chapter 67
Must you go to afterlife
After that long, passionate kiss, Xinger and Yuwen Yue stayed for the night, offering each other warm company under the romantic moonlight. As snowflakes gently fell, the lovers embraced each other, losing all sense of time as they closed their eyes.
The two tired hearts came to rest, and not many words were exchanged, for they both knew that when the sun rose, another difficult day awaited them.
At dawn, the foggy and misty forest came into view. Silence filled the air by the river lake. Yuwen Yue touched Chu Qiao's chin; she was still asleep.
Yuwen Yue didn't want to let go of Chu Qiao—he wished to stay there forever. Gazing at her delicate, sleeping figure made his heart skip a beat.
Chu Qiao stirred slightly, opening her eyes to meet Yuwen Yue's calm gaze. She slowly sat up.
The look in Yuwen Yue's eyes hinted at another kiss, and before he could act, Chu Qiao leaned in and kissed him on the lips.
However, without any words or plans, Chu Qiao quickly gathered all her belongings—her cape, her indigo scarf, her crown, her bow and arrows, and her Canhong sword.
Yuwen Yue didn't even have a chance to speak as Chu Qiao suddenly ran away from him.
Left sitting under the fir tree, Yuwen Yue said, "Is this how the Chu Jing princess says good morning to her Qinghai prince?"
Chu Qiao, happy as a clam, turned and looked back at Yuwen Yue, shouting, "You have work to do, and I don't want to be your distraction." She continued walking, securing her bow and arrows on her back.
Yuwen Yue shouted after her, "Is this it? After kissing, holding each other, and waking up, you just walk away from me?"
Chu Qiao, now some distance away, laughed and shouted back, cupping her hands around her mouth, "I can't be your fairytale today. Back to the real world, Qinghai Prince!"
Yuwen Yue did the same, forming his hands into an "O" and shouting, "How am I supposed to find you again?"
Chu Qiao shouted back, "You always seem to know where to find me!"
"Fine, I'll find you again. You're lucky to walk away from me today, but not tomorrow."
"I'll come find you again!" Yuwen Yue called as he stood up, putting on his metal mask before walking in the opposite direction, back to the Golden Palace.
Chu Qiao faded from Yuwen Yue's sight as she walked toward the river lake. She found Viper standing beside it and approached her, gently patting her back. "I'm here. I'm okay. You can release them now."
Viper glanced at Chu Qiao, rolling her eyes. "Where have you been? And that guy with the metal mask—isn't he one of the Qinghai royal princes? Were you hurt?"
"I'm fine. Please, let them go. Their master will worry if they don't return soon," Chu Qiao replied. Viper finally released her grip on the two captives' necks, and they flew free like birds.
Chu Qiao was momentarily startled when she saw Yue Qi and exclaimed, "Seventh Yue! And—oh, another Yue?!"
Yue Qi looked at her face as Chu Qiao unveiled her indigo scarf.
Yue Qi, slightly surprised to see her again, said, "Xinger! You recognized me! Good thing!"
Chu Qiao smiled warmly at him and said, "It's hard not to recognize you. And who's this man beside you? He looks just like you."
Viper eyed Zuo, recalling that they had fought a few times before but had never been close enough to exchange names.
"Zuo, meet Xinger," Yue Qi said plainly.
"Hi, Xinger, I'm Yue Qi's eighth brother," Zuo said, glancing at Viper as if he wanted to ask her name, but he remained silent, already knowing it.
"Good to meet you," Chu Qiao replied. "By the way, meet Viper, your lifeline keeper from last night."
Zuo reacted first, pretending to be surprised. "Aha! So the whip girl's name is Viper!"
Viper was about to lash out with her whip, but Yue Qi quickly stepped between them, saying, "Miss Viper, my brother is just teasing you. Please give him another chance and put down your whip." He smiled at her.
Chu Qiao looked at Viper, as if to say, "It won't hurt to give him another chance—I'm with them!" She winked at Viper.
Viper let go and said nothing, though her disdain for Zuo's face was obvious.
This morning's events did not stop the autumn trees from shedding their leaves, which fell to the ground and covered the grass of the Golden Palace. The green pastures were now mixed with yellow-orange leaves. The Banner Commander agreed to begin and issued the command.
Shortly after the parade of colors was called, a team of black-helmeted cavalrymen appeared and marched across the grounds.
They took formation and, as if heading into battle, halted at their posts.
For a moment, standing on the stage, the Eunuch signaled for the audience's attention. He shouted, unrolled a scroll, and read aloud: "Everyone's attention, please! We will now begin the competition of Swordplay and Archery, respectively. The Emperor is pleased to welcome 12 royals from various states and countries, both men and women, who have come to participate in this year's royal competition. The Emperor extends his best wishes to the players and hopes they win heaven's favor."
The participants hailed from various regions of China, including the eastern Qinghai princes, Han Chinese royals, Mongolian royals, the Bathuja royal family, as well as foreign dignitaries such as Turkish princes, Pakistani and Indian royals, Middle Eastern royals, and Thai and Malay royals. With their banners and royal guards, they paraded in order, giving the Golden Palace grounds a grand display of international royalty.
The spectators, who came to watch, were seated in an orderly fashion according to their status—from the thousands of palace officials of Wei, to the hundreds of Wei nobles and royals, including the Zhao, Yuwen, and Wei noble families. Also present were shrine and temple elders and their selected servants, as well as traders and businessmen.
Meanwhile, dog slaves and other unfortunate servants, though unable to enter, gathered outside the palace walls. They pressed their ears to the walls, imagining that hearing the sounds was as good as watching the spectacle.
The royal concubines of the Wei Palace were also present, beautifying the Golden Palace grounds with their ornate headdresses and imperial dresses.
Xia Chong was accompanied by a hundred palace maids, while the ex-princess Chuner followed alone, her entire face still hidden beneath a wide, veiled hat.
Zhao Song sat proudly in his seat and watched his crown princess, his eyes mesmerized by her imperial autumn dress as she walked toward him.
Yuwen Huai remained by the side of a mysterious lady, never leaving her. She had become the subject of gossip among the nobles and palace ministers.
Yuwen Huai, proud as ever, gave the nobles an evil grin and a few smirks.
The nobles' reactions varied—some wore poker faces, others faked smiles, stealing glances at the elegant and sophisticated lady beside him.
Zhao Yang, with his servants, took a back seat. After bowing to the Emperor as was customary, he paid little attention to anyone but himself.
General Bali and Princess Zama, the most imposing and intimidating royals present, wore thick furs. The elderly Batu's servants matched their ivory accessories with animal-skin boots and leather uniforms, complete with arm guards. They carried the scent of blood and smoke, and some had the fierce appearance of Indian warriors, their cheeks painted black, their eyelids heavily lined in black eyeliner. Some royals noticed the absence of Prince Zaru, but none dared inquire of Princess Zama.
The Blackguards were not visible on the site, but they were scattered around, ready to strike in case of disaster.
Zhao Che, the prince of sacrifice, was absent, as he was guarding Wei's borders to ensure the safety and protection of the palace grounds.
Yan Xun, however, fully aware of the events unfolding inside Wei, had not been invited. Originally, he planned to make his presence known by sending an explosive device. Unfortunately for him, his Xuili army did not align with his forces and became a distraction for Yan's army.
Chu Qiao was trying to decipher the prince who refused to share his feelings. Aside from mourning his father, Emperor Tang, Chu Qiao could only hope that Xiao Ce would endure the waiting period until the day of his enthronement.
Viper was Chu Qiao's only guide when she confessed that she had experienced discord in her internal chi flow on the day the Liang Emperor died.
Viper said, "Do you know what this means, Your Highness?"
Chu Qiao asked, "No. What is this all about?"
Viper answered, "It means the Jianghu spies are nearby, within the Liang Empire."
Chu Qiao asked, "Jianghu? Weren't these the underworld spies we left in Chu Jing Kingdom?"
Viper replied, "After Chu Jing Kingdom's downfall, the underworld spies scattered when your mother, Lou He, died. Sand Drizzle, the second-best spy leader after your mother, took command of the Wind underworld spies, led by Zhong Yu, while the Cloud spies, including me, fell under your control. We were about to reunite, but it never happened. You lost your memories during your battle with Yuwen Hao, the former master of the Eyes of God. I've searched for you and your siblings ever since."
Viper, helping Chu Qiao recover her memories of the lost Chu Jing Kingdom, said, "I cannot return to Chu Jing Kingdom without aiding the Xuili army. You must understand where I'm coming from."
Viper, renewing her vow, told Chu Qiao, "I swore to protect you, and your battles are mine as well. We'll secure the Xuili army and save them from Yanbei's cold king and merciless heart." The two decided to track the Xuili army by heading west. They also planned to surprise Xiao Ce, hoping to expose his true feelings and decisions on this matter without Chu Qiao's direct involvement.
This way, Chu Qiao would know if Xiao Ce, with his sealed lips, was willing to assist and grant a temporary command post for the Xuili army.
Meanwhile, Empress Yuan felt utterly ineffective after the last bureaucratic meeting held in her palace. The interim Emperor had stormed her gates and swayed all votes in favor of the Xuili army over her claim to the Liang Empire's Empress seat.
Feeling powerless and unable to exercise her authority, despite holding temporary powers to bestow the Emperor's seal, she called one of the eunuchs and said, "It seems the bureaucrats of this empire have forgotten the principles they claim to live by. The people are always defenseless against abuse, and heaven is difficult to accuse. The palace ministers should know their place. They do not act as parents of the people. The people are the true parents, and the officials of this palace are their children. It is the people who fund their salaries, homes, and all the benefits that come from their positions. They need to be reminded."
She wrote a letter to Prince Luo, asking him to form a military revolt and help her overthrow the interim Emperor before his enthronement.
She also hinted that if Prince Luo declined, she had other means and methods, though she did not reveal them to him.
Zhan Ziyu was her dark backup plan. What the Empress did not know was that she had hired a master assassin with a conscience, not a mere killing machine. At the last moment, Ziyu might still spare Xiao Ce's life if there was a glimmer of hope or mercy.
The truth remains that the throne is not a place of happiness. On the contrary, it is where unquenchable wild weeds grow, devouring the good seeds. It is where persistent evil vines creep until they can fully grasp power and dictate who lives or dies.
Back in the Wei Empire, the sword competition had begun.
Surprisingly, Ra Zheng was chosen as one of the judges.
The Emperor hand-picked him because he was a legendary sword master from the East. Ra Zheng, along with two other foreign royals, sat in front of a massive yin-yang fighting circle. The ring, made of white and black alabaster stone, symbolized balance.
Like the yin-yang symbol, the circle featured a curved line through the middle, marking two sides, each with a small flat fountain at the center. The fountains were turned off, leaving small pools of water inside the fighting circle. The rules were simple: if a player landed in one of the small pools, it would count against them. If a player landed outside the circle, the match was over.
Each competitor wore light breastplate armor, and withdrawal from the match was allowed. Gongfu practitioners had an advantage, but the foreign royals might still surprise the audience with their own martial arts techniques.
Ra Yue and Ra Zhun sat beside each other in the royal seats, watching. None of the three princes joined the swordplay, as Ra Zheng, one of the judges, would ensure impartiality.
Despite winning their matches, none of the foreign royal dignitaries could sustain their games, often landing outside the fighting circle.
After several rounds of swordplay, Xia Chong entered the championship round, awaiting the announcement of her opponent.
Finally, the eunuchs declared: "The crown princess of Wei will face the crown princess of the Far East."
The audience was in awe, still unsure of the identity of the brave crown princess from the Far East. Though they had seen her fight, she was the least expected to win, yet she had made it to the championship round.
Chu Qiao, assuming her normal fighting stance, made no grand moves to impress the crowd. After two swift strikes, the match was over.
She bowed to the Great Emperor, whom she loathed, and smirked at the noble crowd. No one recognized her, as her face was covered with a white scarf.
Ra Yue squinted when he heard about the crown princess of the Far East.
Ra Zhun murmured, "What is this? Two royal women defeated all the royal men? Unbelievable!"
"And who is this crown princess representing the Far East?"
Ra Zhun threw a funny look at Ra Yue and chuckled. "It seems all the royal men have soft hands and trembling knees after seeing these beautiful crown princesses!"
Ra Yue, still silent, was curious and excited to see how the mysterious crown princess from the Far East, covered in a white scarf, would challenge the Wei crown princess.
He finally spoke, "We've underestimated these princesses long enough. Did you know that behind every strong king is a smarter queen?"
"These crown princesses may not be physically strong, but their wits and quick thinking give them an advantage. Before you realize it, they've already overtaken you."
Yuwen Yue recalled his encounter with Chu Qiao the previous night, when she fell into his arms like a fragile snowflake—so delicate yet so agile. He found himself unable to lower his guard around her. Despite this, her vulnerability stirred his desire to protect her.
Yuwen Yue no longer fought against her. In fact, he saw himself fighting for her.
Whether to save or kill her no longer mattered. His encounter with the Chu Jing Princess had clouded his judgment, forcing him to surrender to her vulnerability. His gentlemanly side could no longer remain hidden. Before he knew it, his soft spot for her had been exposed.
The Wei Emperor, proud of the Wei crown princess's victory, believed everything was working in his favor.
The Emperor's gaze never left Ra Yue and Ra Zhun as they conversed.
Confident in his underestimation of the Far East crown princess, the Emperor believed there was no chance she would win. He knew that Chu Qiao (posing as Xia Chong) couldn't afford to make the slightest mistake.
The 13th crown prince, Yuan Song, felt victorious for his wife. The foreign royals, however, all had a common remark: "She is a trophy wife, a secret weapon revealed."
It was a strong statement, more so than a sincere compliment.
The swordplay began, with Xia Chong standing on the black (Yin) side of the circle and the Far East crown princess on the white (Yang) side.
Neither dared to move. Xia Chong sensed that her opponent was stronger and seemed to control the wind and external elements. Chu Qiao, on the other hand, realized her opponent was a puppet princess—Xiao Yu's replacement for her on the eve of her engagement.
The same energy flowed from her opponent, and Chu Qiao noted their similar facial features. "No wonder Ra Yue fell for her and was seduced by her that night," she thought.
Uncertain of what truly happened between Ra Yue and Xia Chong that night, Chu Qiao gathered her resolve for revenge against the two who had trespassed upon her heart. She was unaware that Ra Yue, the peddler she met on the eve of her engagement to Yuan Song, was actually the Qinghai crown prince.
She recalled how Xiao Chong helped her escape that night but remained uncertain of her true intentions. Whoever was behind it all would pay dearly.
Her thoughts raced. Not only had she discovered that Ra Yue was the Qinghai crown prince, but he had also revealed himself as Yuwen Yue, the fourth young master of the Yuwen Household—a secret known only to her, as Yuwen Yue hid behind his metal mask.
"How did this happen?" she wondered. Her memories from that fateful night on the frozen lake resurfaced, revealing Yuwen Yue's face in crystal-clear detail. His passionate kiss had been sincere, filled with comfort and love.
However, she knew that if she allowed herself to be consumed by fleeting moments of romance, she might lose herself again and fall for him. What she needed was a heart of iron, especially now. Any mistake could cost her the Xuili army and the future of Chu Jing Kingdom.
She couldn't believe everything she saw or fall for him just because Ra Yue resembled Yuwen Yue. Ra Yue had to prove he was truly Yuwen Yue, and only then would she consider accepting him again.
Xia Chong, unable to read her opponent's mind or predict her next move, was forced to the defensive when Chu Qiao swiftly leaped and struck with her Canhong sword. Xia Chong, running out of space, tumbled back and nearly lost control, barely avoiding the small pool of water.
The ripple effect from the water reached Chu Qiao's sharp ears, allowing her to calm herself. She counted silently, "One."
Meanwhile, Xia Chong, now enraged, summoned the rain. The audience, unaware of the battle overhead, suddenly felt thin drops of rain falling. Still captivated by the duel, no one moved, while their servants and dog slaves surrounded them, opening umbrellas.
Ra Yue remained motionless.
Ra Zhun, his expression twisted in annoyance, kicked away a servant who approached to shield him with an umbrella, saying, "Did I ask you to disturb this ultimate duel?"
The servant cried in silent pain, apologized, and limped away.
The Emperor, watching from a distance, stood up. The eunuchs quickly draped his furry coat over him and placed his hood on his head, making him resemble a fearsome predator ready to pounce.
Chu Qiao, aware that this was not a natural rainfall, knew her opponent possessed the power of the wind. Determined not to use her ice kungfu powers, she opted to rely on her Canhong sword to continue the fight.
Xia Chong began to wield her sword, the Sword of Elegance and Invisibility, lent to her by her husband.
The battle soon escalated to a new level as both fighters unleashed the power of their magical swords. Two shining blades clashed in the air.
The Cheng Yin sword, now invisible, swiftly cut through Chu Qiao's scarf. But she twirled, managing to hold onto her mask with her left hand, while her right hand gripped the Canhong sword, which was stuck in the alabaster stone. The Cheng Yin sword fell in front of her, and she whispered, "Two."
Meanwhile, Xia Chong, haunted by the power of the Canhong sword, heard howling fox sounds and found herself surrounded by fire. Half of the black side of the fighting circle was now ablaze.
With a sarcastic smile, Chu Qiao said, "How will you retrieve your borrowed sword now, when you have to cross a ring of fire?"
Xia Chong, attempting to deceive, replied, "Your Grace, I am merely a tool in this palace. Without me, you will be in danger and hunted. I am not your enemy!"
The audience, still unaware of the true nature of the duel, was delighted by the spectacle of the magical swordplay and murmured among themselves.
"Where did the fire come from? This is now fire swordplay. I love the effects—what a performance!"
Some of the spectators clapped and stood up, watching Xia Chong, while Chu Qiao remained kneeling, her gaze fixed on the white stone ground.
The Emperor clapped his hands in delight. "This is an amazing performance. Is this part of the competition?" he asked, though none of his servants could answer him. The eunuchs exchanged glances, unsure.
The Emperor's face lit up with joy at the unexpected turn of events, which broke his usual sleepy mood.
Meanwhile, the audience couldn't tell if either competitor had been injured.
Chu Qiao asked, "Are you a servant of the Sand Drizzle Jianghu spies?"
Xia Chong responded, "No, Your Grace. I serve the Lotus Flower."
Chu Qiao knew Xia Chong was lying and pressed further, "Who? Xiao Ce? Or are you under Xiao Yu's control?"
Xia Chong, a double agent working for both Xiao Yu and Xiao Ce, suddenly recalled her former master Lou He's final words: "Protect her, no matter what happens."
In a bid to turn the situation, Xia Chong summoned heavy rain, which extinguished the ring of fire. Thunder and lightning swept across the fighting circle, and the audience, startled, turned to see Xia Chong lying still on the ground. Yet, she was not dead.
Chu Qiao stood up, pulled her Canhong sword from the white stone, and picked up the Cheng Yin sword with her left hand.
She approached Xia Chong, and the audience marveled at what they saw.
Ra Yue stood up, his cold eyes fixed on the crown princess from the faraway East.
The results were clear—the Wei princess had lost.
Chu Qiao's face was cold but compassionate as she knelt beside Xia Chong and returned her Cheng Yin sword.
She offered her hand, and Xia Chong accepted it, allowing herself to be helped up. Chu Qiao wasn't concerned with winning the competition but rather in understanding her opponent and uncovering who was behind her. She set an example of grace and integrity that everyone could follow.
The Wei Emperor, witnessing this, stood up and addressed the crowd. "This is more than just swordplay."
"The crown princess from the faraway East has exemplified our ancestors' heroism, displaying the noble-minded behavior of true heroes. She deserves an honorable welcome from this empire."
The audience was left speechless, and even the slaves and servants outside the walls, who had been listening closely, were astonished. Inside, the crowd erupted into applause, welcoming their new champion.
Although Ra Yue had pretended not to know Chu Qiao earlier, watching her wield the sword took his breath away.
Ra Yue knew she was Chu Qiao, the Chu Jing crown princess, and it was dangerous for her face to be exposed to the Emperor.
Ra Yue moved to approach Chu Qiao, but Ra Zheng stepped in front of him, saying, "Can't you wait until the banquet to meet her?"
Ra Yue looked at him and replied, "Do we really have to wait and miss this opportunity?"
Ra Zheng smiled and said, "Oh, brother, I've been watching you throughout this competition. Truth is, I've never seen your eyes stray from her for even a moment. Save the moment for later!"
Ra Zhun interrupted, "You take the crown princess champion from the East, and I'll take the crown princess archer champion later!"
Ra Zheng laughed, "Seems like you both have a date, and I'm left alone. Too bad for me."
Ra Yue joked, "Maybe I'll set up a date for you with the whip girl later?"
"Whip girl? Who's that?" Ra Zheng asked, perplexed.
Ra Yue grinned and said, "See you later, brothers!"
After the competition, the Emperor invited all the guests to a grand movable feast prepared by the Golden Palace.
Two chests of gold lay at the foot of the Emperor's throne, ready to be distributed.
The champion of the archery contest entered in her imperial dress, her face concealed by a mask.
She had won on the first day, defeating several royal princes with her archery skills. In the final round, she faced Princess Zama of the Bathuja family and won with her equestrian and archery abilities.
Princess Zama, having lost by a single point, could barely hide her frustration, while the mysterious princess had made her victory look easy.
Even Ra Zhun, who had participated in the archery contest, lost to this mysterious princess by just one point—a defeat he would never forget.
When it was time for the awards ceremony, the eunuch called for the princess from the West. She walked gracefully to the center of the hall and approached the Emperor's throne with perfect poise.
The Emperor, eager to see her face, ordered, "Show your face to the nobles and receive your reward."
The princess removed her scarf, revealing her face, and the crowd gasped—except for Yuwen Huai and Zhao Song.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ce, who had been monitoring Chu Qiao and Viper, received an intelligence report from his spies.
He instructed Tie You to secure Chu Qiao's escape and to allow Viper to stay behind and receive the reward. He also ordered Viper to inform the Emperor that the faraway princess was unwell and wished to return to her kingdom.
Chu Qiao did not hesitate; Viper stayed behind.
As Chu Qiao moved to meet Tie You, who had disguised himself, the Wei guards failed to recognize him as a spy from Liang state. Their plan worked, and Tie You safely escorted Chu Qiao away.
The cavalrymen turned their horses and galloped away from the Wei gates with Chu Qiao. However, just outside Chang'An city, a man with a sturdy build blocked their path.
Ra Yue suddenly appeared, stopping the cavalrymen in their tracks. He unsheathed his Poe Yue Jian sword, while Zuo and Yue Qi stood nearby, ready for action.
Chu Qiao lowered her white hood and said calmly, "An unsheathed sword is dangerous. It can kill—or it can let me pass in peace."
Ra Yue, his face calm but his voice husky, replied, "I can't let you go, but I won't kill you either."
Tie You and the other spies from Liang drew their swords, prepared to protect the Chu Jing princess. But Chu Qiao's commanding voice rang out, "Spare him!"
"I will keep walking and trust your sword won't kill me."
Ra Yue twitched slightly, tightening his grip on his sword. "Try me," he said, his voice firm as Chu Qiao walked toward him.
For a brief moment, their eyes met, but neither spoke. Chu Qiao walked past him, unharmed.
Ra Yue stood still as if frozen, breathing heavily. Slowly, he sheathed his sword, letting the moment pass, as did the love of his life. His calm eyes and dry red lips barely moved as he called out after her, "I will find you. Until then, wait for me!"
Chu Qiao continued walking, her heart heavy with his words. Silent tears fell as she walked away. Yesterday had been full of unspoken love, but tonight was a testament to unbreakable hearts walking away from one another.
Once Chu Qiao was safe, Tie You and the other spies sheathed their swords, whipped their horses, and continued their journey into the woods, finally reaching the Wei-Liang border.
Back at the royal banquet, Ra Yue, drunk and numb, had lost all interest in the celebrations. He no longer paid attention to the winners or the events unfolding around him.
The crowd, still captivated by the princess from the West, marveled at her stern but beautiful face.
"Father, please forgive me," Chun'er said softly, throwing herself into a kowtow and remaining there.
The Wei Emperor, stunned, seemed unable to move or speak.
Zhao Song had anticipated this moment. It was a plan devised by Yuwen Huai and his sister to force their father to accept Chun'er and restore her status as the Wei crown princess. Though it was a risky situation, Zhao Song was prepared to intercede if their father did not comply.
The awards ceremony quickly turned into a father-daughter reconciliation, and the Emperor, though baffled, could not refuse. In front of the noble crowd, it was a tense moment, like sharks circling their prey, waiting for the Emperor's reply.
With a calm voice, the Emperor finally spoke, "Can a father truly turn away from his daughter?"
He signaled his servants, and the eunuchs helped Chun'er to her feet so she could face the Emperor.
The Emperor's eyes softened, and a slight smile touched his lips as he said, "Welcome back, Princess Chun'er of Wei!"
And just like that, the ex-princess was restored to her royal status, with all her fortunes returned to her that very night.
Afterward, the Emperor instructed one of his eunuchs to have Zhao Song announce the remaining winners, including the faraway crown princess.
Without any further courtesies, the Emperor stood and walked away from the banquet.
The next morning, Chu Qiao awoke in Yehua Palace in Liang state when suddenly Sun Di knocked on her door, reporting that Xiao Ce was lying unconscious.
Chu Qiao's heart raced, and she felt the urge to fly to his side at Jinwu Palace. Still in her night robes, she quickly mounted her horse and rode hard, whipping it to go faster, with Sun Di following close behind.
Chu Qiao arrived in time, unsheathing her sword as she entered the palace. No one, not even the guards, could stop her. She found the frail prince lying motionless on an expensive carpet.
For the first time, Chu Qiao didn't know what to do. Seeing her friend like this made her heart skip a beat. She tried to wake Xiao Ce, but the prince didn't respond.
Chu Qiao checked his pulse—weak. She leaned closer to his mouth to feel his breath and caught the scent of poison. Tears welled up as she hugged Xiao Ce, shouting at Sun Di, "The brazier—throw it out!"
Xiao Ce had been poisoned by the brazier, but Chu Qiao believed it wasn't too late. Sun Di swiftly ordered the palace to be shut down, seizing all the palace maids and guards.
Chu Qiao commanded everyone to leave Xiao Ce's room and lock the door. Sun Di and Tie You were both confused, but Chu Qiao yelled, "If you don't obey my orders, Xiao Ce may never come back! Now go! Out!"
She added, "Tie You, stay! Turn your back and guard the door!"
With no time to waste, Chu Qiao tore her night robes and summoned her Higanbana powers. She didn't hesitate, fully aware of the consequences and where this path would lead.
Having only recently regained her memories, she was now trading them once again for the sake of saving Xiao Ce. She prayed he hadn't crossed the forgotten river yet.
No matter the cost, she was determined to pull Xiao Ce's soul back into the mortal world.
Chu Qiao, no longer in the mortal realm, raced through the underworld, battling against time.
After passing through the dark castle of the underworld spies, she found herself standing on beautiful paradise slopes, with divine winds swaying the flowers.
Butterflies flitted around her, one of them landing on her shoulder and kissing her skin. She gently held the largest butterfly and gazed at it.
The butterfly, as if sensing what the Mimi Gongzhu was missing, flew ahead, guiding Chu Qiao to follow. Before long, she saw two men standing by the river.
One was old, the other a young adult.
They both turned and looked at her. In this dreamy, otherworldly state, words were unnecessary—only the echoes of the heart were heard.
Chu Qiao approached the two men, and the butterfly, like stardust, disappeared.
Xiao Ce, seeing Chu Qiao for the first time in this suspended world, took her hands. They didn't need words—his eyes spoke, as if to say, "I'm okay, this is my path now."
Chu Qiao, speaking through her heart, without uttering a word, replied, "No, it's not your time yet. You cannot go. I won't let you go…"
Xiao Ce's solemn eyes met hers as he echoed, "Is this how you save a soul?"
The old man on the boat interjected, "Time is running out. The Mimi Gongzhu is coming to the other side to trade her mortal memories."
Xiao Ce understood, looking at Chu Qiao one last time. With compassion in her eyes, Chu Qiao handed him a Higanbana flower. Moments later, Xiao Ce's soul returned to the mortal world, but Chu Qiao remained and crossed the forgotten river.
Six months later, Empress Lu Zhi was playing with her grandsons, teaching them the wisdom of King Tang and telling them bedtime stories at night.
The deposed queen, Xiao Ce's real mother, had been reinstated, and Xiao Ce, now enthroned, had become the rightful ruler of Liang.
The handsome Emperor sat quietly in his garden, lost in thought as he trimmed the branches of his flower stems.
Suddenly, he was captivated by the sight of a beautiful woman walking toward him.
He stopped trimming and let the flower stem fall as the woman, dressed in her imperial gown, approached and said, "How lovely to see the Emperor trimming his roses again. Come, let's eat—the turkey is ready and perfectly roasted."
Chapter 68
The Empress is impressed to the public
The mourning period was over, and the Liang Empire blossomed into a new season under its new ruler, Emperor Xiao Ce.
The Emperor strolled around the Li courtyard and crossed the golden bridge, pausing to admire the reflection of the new moon in the crystal-clear waters of the man-made lake.
In the distance, the royal boatman sailed slowly towards him. Xiao Ce's foxy eyes gleamed as he spotted the colorful, decorated lanterns in the mounted theater located in the middle of the gazebo lake.
He inhaled the cool breeze of the young night and asked the eunuch, "Did you double-check if everything is prepared?"
The eunuch replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, everything is ready and in place."
He arrived at the beautiful, dream-like Chinese gazebo on the lake. The performers greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty. Please, have a seat."
A king-like chair, positioned next to a queen-like chair, awaited him in the center of the gazebo. Swans glided gracefully nearby in the crystal-clear waters.
Dressed in his regal robes embroidered with a golden phoenix, Xiao Ce exuded elegance. Holding the long Kam sleeves of his robes, he grabbed two small bouquets of fresh ylang-ylang blossoms wrapped in banana leaves. Basking in the moment, he sniffed the flowers and said, "What a delightful scent."
He had instructed his servants to harvest all the ylang-ylang flowers from the trees around Jinwu Palace, and now, the baskets were full. The finest palace maids of Liang scattered the flowers around the lake.
Xiao Ce adored these fragrant blossoms, not only for their delicate perfume but for their use in highly aromatic essential oils. He also valued their antibacterial properties, thinking they purified the air around his palace.
More than that, the word "Ylang" symbolized "wilderness," as his late father had once told him. The ylang-ylang was known as the sea star flower, having crossed seven thousand seas before reaching the shores of China.
For Xiao Ce, the Empress-to-be, Qiao Qiao, was like this flower. Wild, yet beautiful—growing high in the branches, where only the brave could climb to gather its blossoms.
As he waited, Xiao Ce also noticed the spy sniper markers positioned around the lake. Whenever the Emperor was outdoors, invisible forces were deployed to protect him and his future Empress.
A flare shot into the air, signaling the arrival of Lady Qiao Qiao. Xiao Ce's heart raced.
Before long, Xiao Ce held his breath as he caught sight of the beautiful woman slowly approaching on a royal oriental boat.
She wore a simple jade hairpin, her pristine eyes and delicate face illuminated by the soft glow of lantern light. Holding an umbrella over her head, she took Xiao Ce's breath away.
The sky above was a tapestry of dark red and orange hues, post-sunset silhouettes blending with thin wisps of clouds.
This was no surprise treat—it was a long-overdue date with Lady Qiao Qiao. As the boatman docked, the Emperor flashed his charming, foxy smile and said, "Lady, give me your hand."
"This is the moment," Xiao Ce thought.
But instead of giving him her hand, Qiao Qiao threw a small basket at him.
Xiao Ce caught it mid-air, smiling mischievously. "What's this?"
"Your favorite. Muqing (Mother Empress Lu Zhi) asked me to send this as a midnight snack for you," Qiao Qiao replied.
Standing tall once more, Xiao Ce gently took Qiao Qiao's hand, helping her out of the boat.
Qiao Qiao, surprised by the mounted theater and the yellow-green flowers scattered across the lake, yawned, almost lulled to sleep by the scent. "What is this? A fairytale?" she asked.
"This is the world of ylang-ylang," Xiao Ce answered.
"Wow," Qiao Qiao said, bending down to scoop some of the floating star-shaped flowers from the lake.
Behind her, Viper, who had accompanied her, stayed behind in the boat, chewing on a stalk of grass. Rolling her eyes at Xiao Ce's extravagant display, she thought, "Six months ago, there were rabbit lanterns. Now baskets of ylang-ylang blossoms are pouring into the lake. What's next?"
The fragrance nearly sent Viper into a deep sleep. To stay awake, she covered her mouth with her red scarf, waiting in the boat.
As Qiao Qiao played with the flowers, she suddenly saw something—like a monster lurking in the quiet lake. In a blink, those horrifying eyes disappeared.
Xiao Ce asked again, "Give me your hand."
Qiao Qiao looked up at him, then placed her hand in his, and together they walked slowly toward their seats.
Before they sat down, Xiao Ce said, "These flowers are for you, for your eyes to enjoy." He handed her the two bouquets of ylang-ylang blossoms.
"Xie Xie," Qiao Qiao said, accepting the flowers. "I didn't think banana leaves could wrap flowers so beautifully."
Xiao Ce smiled. "The scent of banana leaves complements the fragrant ylang-ylang. Smudging the leaves with ember coal produces an aroma that guides the heart from darkness into light."
"What do you mean by 'guides the heart from darkness into light'?" Qiao Qiao asked.
Xiao Ce's expression softened. "When you were in your deep sleep for almost a month, I sought wise counsel. The soft, wooden scent of ember coal combined with the sweet floral aroma of banana leaves was meant to call your soul back from darkness to light. At first, I feared you wouldn't return, but I never gave up. I found an undying ember of coal in the secret palaces of the Xiu Xiu Mountains in Yanbei. I burned it day and night in Yehua Palace until you woke up, looked for me, and told me you wouldn't let me go."
Xiao Ce turned his gaze to the stage and clapped his hands. "Let the performance begin."
Qiao Qiao, her eyes heavy with sleep but her heart excited, asked, "What is this?"
"See for yourself," Xiao Ce replied, flashing his foxy smile at his future Empress.
As Qiao Qiao watched the performance unfold, tears welled up in her eyes. Noticing her emotion, Xiao Ce handed her a golden royal handkerchief.
She accepted it and wiped her tears. The performance was a reenactment of their first meeting—when Qiao Qiao had thrown him off his horse, when he had visited the West as Prince Lee Cecilia, when she had saved him from blackguard assassins and been wounded in the process. The performance showed how Xiao Ce had rescued her with his Black Palanquin, the incident with the turkey on fire, and the frozen lake tragedy.
Xiao Ce was trying to help Qiao Qiao remember their shared past, but one particular scene at the frozen lake brought a deep sadness to her.
She couldn't recall the memory clearly, but the pain lingered. Tearfully, she whispered, "Yuwen Yue…"
Xiao Ce allowed her this moment to reconnect with her old self, Chu Qiao.
He wasn't jealous or afraid because he understood the pain came from her past.
Though Qiao Qiao had recovered physically, her heart still clung to something that could not be forgotten.
Xiao Ce now understood why Chu Qiao hadn't recognized him when they met again after the frozen lake incident.
Xiao Ce had returned to life, but he never forgot what had happened in the afterlife, where he had seen Chu Qiao cross the forgotten river before they parted ways.
He realized that his return to the mortal realm had come at the cost of Chu Qiao's memories.
Hoping the performance would help her recall their past before she entered the Liang palace courts as Empress, Xiao Ce silently prayed.
In a few short hours, Qiao Qiao would take the crown of the Phoenix Empress, elevating her status beyond his wildest dreams.
Yet Xiao Ce knew that with every dream fulfilled, tragedy often followed.
He was ready for his dream to come true, but as for the tragedy, he had made no plans. For the first time in his life, he wanted to free his heart and become Qiao Qiao's lifetime partner.
He didn't want to confine her to the palace, trapped by the protocols of the empire. He wanted her to be happy and free, in his arms—whether in love or hate.
Xiao Ce would live to cherish it all.
After the night of remembrance, both Xiao Ce and Qiao Qiao retired to their respective palaces. Qiao Qiao, staring into her mirror, thought to herself,"I am Chu Qiao, leader of the Wind and Cloud Decree, crown princess of Chu Jing Kingdom, General of the Xuili army, and tomorrow I will wear the crown of the Phoenix Empress of the Liang Empire."
She gazed blankly at her reflection, tears suddenly falling from her eyes. She whispered,"If no one comes tomorrow, then why should I wait?"
Meanwhile, Xiao Ce stood by his window, staring at the twinkling stars in the bright southern skies of Liang. His thoughts were firm,"Yuwen Yue, if you do not come tomorrow, don't be angry with me. This is your last chance. She will be mine forever."
The Liang palace grounds, once again dressed in grandeur and magnificence, stood ready. Despite its civil war, where six of its eight strongholds had once fractured, they were now united to celebrate an important chapter in their history.
Six months had passed since Xiao Ce's enthronement as Emperor of Liang.
He waited another six months to seal the position of his Empress. Today, the Phoenix State of the South would witness two significant events: the stepping down of the current Empress and the enthronement of the new Empress.
These two powerful women had tirelessly supported the Emperor's reforms, guiding the Liang government through civil wars, navigating palace intrigues, and managing the complexities of the military, scholars, foreign and local dignitaries, servants, and slaves alike.
The news of the coronation spread across the empires, drawing foreign dignitaries from far and wide.
Nothing was left to chance. A grand White Palanquin, escorted by hundreds of silver-gray uniformed soldiers, steady and disciplined, entered the gates of Liang Palace. The royal guards approached and asked for the dignitary's name and pass. He answered,"The Lord of Qinghai."
The world seemed to hold its breath when another palanquin—this one purple—arrived at the palace gates.
The guards approached again, asking for the dignitary's name and pass. A soft voice answered,"The World and its Queen."
The guards exchanged glances, preparing to speak, but were interrupted when the beautiful and angelic face of Xiao Yu appeared from the palanquin. She handed the guards the Truce jade pass.
Immediately, the two guards fell to their knees, bowing."Forgive us, Your Majesty, you may pass."
With her usual grace, Xiao Yu replied,"Thank you,"then closed the window and continued into the palace.
Yanbei's envoys arrived as well, their presence rare in public affairs. Among them were General Zhong Yu, Yan Schicheng's military adviser Dong Fangyi, Xiao-Qi, the Seventh Sister of Chu Qiao, and several Yan military generals.
Their Black Eagle cavalry was stationed in the seventh prefecture under the command of Sun Di as part of the truce. Xiao Ce and Yan Xun had agreed on the terms of this historic event.
While everyone was busy welcoming the Queen of Yanbei, Yan Xun clenched his hands and composed his face.
Now, for the first time since that fateful night, he would see A'Chu again—the night he had tried to rescue her from becoming Wei's crown princess.
There were so many truths hidden between them, secrets that had pulled them apart.
Yan Xun had learned the truth too late, burdened with regret over how he had treated A'Chu—the only woman he had ever truly cared for and loved. His mind wandered to when he had pretended to be Lui Xi, the wealthy leader of the Chamber of Commerce in Xianyang.
Rumors had spread that Lui Xi was killed by Yan Xun, along with Lord Ouyang, one of Lui Xi's most trusted associates, leaving Mo'er, Ouyang's child, an orphan.
It was one of Yan Xun's darkest nights. Driven by vengeance, he committed vile acts to unearth Yanbei's fortunes from the depths of its struggles.
But Yan Xun's conflicts weren't just external. He also faced betrayals within Yanbei's secret trading circles.
Former General of Yan, Cheng Yuan, approached Yan Xun,"Your Highness,"he began.
With an anxious expression, Yan Xun asked,"What's causing the commotion outside?"
Cheng Yuan replied, his eyes gleaming,"We've found the boy from the Ouyang household. However, two people are trying to rescue him."
Still wearing a grim expression, Yan Xun listened as Cheng Yuan continued,"They've been following us. I believe they're subordinates of the Ouyang clan. They're staging a fight to take revenge. It's a bloodbath outside the camp."
Yan Xun stood, his eyes fierce."They are brave indeed."
As the chaos continued outside, Chu Qiao's voice pierced through the air as she called out,"Lui Xi, get out of there!"
A'Jing whispered,"It sounds like Miss Chu."
Yan Xun's fierce gaze softened, his anxiety growing. He sat back down, while Cheng Yuan prepared to give orders."I will handle them,"Cheng Yuan said, but Feng Mian interjected,"Wait. Wear a mask. We'll be meeting them sooner or later."
Cheng Yuan looked puzzled."Is that necessary?"he asked.
Before any more words could be exchanged, Chu Qiao's furious voice rang out again,"Lui Xi, you traitor! Get out here! I'm going to kill you!"
Yan Xun felt numb, the weight of guilt pressing down on him.
Chu Qiao, like a madwoman, charged toward the tent where Lui Xi was hiding. Meanwhile, Yuwen Yue fought off enemies, chopping down foes as the blindfolded child, Mo'er, clung to his back, oblivious to the danger.
Suddenly, a thunderstorm struck the camp. Cold winds howled as Lui Xi emerged from the tent, his subordinates cloaked in black hoods, their faces hidden. Chu Qiao found the sight strange, and Yuwen Yue, sensing something familiar, momentarily halted his attack.
Yan Xun, cloaked in loneliness and despair, stepped forward. His eyes no longer held their usual fierceness, but instead reflected the desolation within his soul. In front of Chu Qiao and Yuwen Yue, Yan Xun faked his voice, speaking in a haunting tone,"Let them go."
Feng Mian echoed his master's command,"Our master says let them go."
Yan Xun, once more in that eerie voice, repeated,"You have one hour. Leave!"
Thunder roared again, as if the heavens themselves were haunted. The faces of the enemies remained shrouded, like ghosts from a nightmare.
As the killing squad retreated, Yan Xun could no longer suppress his emotions. He broke character, his voice cracking with raw vulnerability."Do you want to die here? Leave!"
Yuwen Yue, feeling the strangeness of the situation, broke the silence."Someday, if I catch you, I'll let you survive too."His noble heart could not ignore a noble act, and he uttered a promise of honor.
Turning to Chu Qiao, Yuwen Yue said,"Let's go."
He knew their chances of survival were slim, but he also sensed that Lui Xi was not who he claimed to be. A chill ran through Yuwen Yue's bones as he realized that Yan Xun was pretending to be Lui Xi.
The cruelty of Yan Xun's methods weighed on Yuwen Yue's mind, reminding him of the harshness he had experienced firsthand.
Yuwen Yue walked away in peace, with the child Mo'er still on his back, and Chu Qiao, unsettled by the eerie encounter, followed.
After they left, Yan Xun's guard dropped. He stood, catching his breath, letting the desolation of his soul surface.
As A'Chu turned her back and walked away from him, Yan Xun thought bitterly,"A'Chu, I finally saw you, standing before me, safe and sound. But I can't face you now."
As thunder rumbled through the skies, Yan Xun felt the pain of loss wash over him once again. His heart broke that day, though no one knew why.
Was it jealousy over Yuwen Yue, or was it the sight of Mo'er, the orphaned child he had left behind?
Yan Xun, reminded of the mercy he was never granted, cursed the heavens in his heart,"God has never shown me mercy."
True to his word, Master Xie Tai Shan wasn't truly retired. He stood waiting for Empress Lu Zhi while also looking for the mysterious Lord of Qinghai. Was it the King of Qinghai or Crown Prince Ra Yue?
There had been a period of unrest following the eastern prince's visit to Wei's lantern festival, where he lost on the third day of competition, and the Wei Emperor won the game.
Ra Yue had already suspected the Wei Emperor had set up a trap, and he should have left when Chu Qiao departed on the second day, avoiding the risk of exposure.
However, he stayed in Wei because of Viper. He intended to follow her after Chu Qiao left her behind in Changan, wanting to know her whereabouts.
Yet, instead of chasing after Xinger, Ra Yue encountered Dong Fangyi in Yanbei, who forced him to reveal his identity as Yuwen Yue. This led to a bitter fight between Yan Xun and Yuwen Yue in Yanbei.
The battle was fierce and painful, leaving both men scarred. Xiao Yu, realizing the depth of Ra Yue's wounds, made a choice—to kill the person who had captured her heart. In the end, the fight left Wei suffering but saved Prince Zaru of the Bathuja family.
After his exposure, Ra Yue didn't return to Qinghai. With Xiao Yu's help, he escaped and hid in the Long Guan terraced mountains, recovering from his wounds inflicted by Yan Xun. Yan Xun, too, shared the same agony, especially when the apple of his eye perished.
Yuwen Yue aided the Xuili army in fighting against both Wei and Yanbei, receiving significant help from Xiao Ce, who was also dealing with civil unrest in Liang. Accepting the fugitive Xuili army was not easy for Xiao Ce.
On top of everything, Xiao Ce had to protect himself while caring for Chu Qiao, who slept like a dead beauty in Yehua Palace. Yuwen Yue, enduring the darkest nights of his life, faced battles on all fronts, including those with the Eyes of God and the Yuwen household.
What transpired during those days was complex, almost indescribable. Only time and wisdom could truly heal the wounds.
During those months, Chu Qiao remained in Yehua Palace as she slowly recovered.
Many times, Yuwen Yue came to visit her, but as a ghost from her past, she did not recognize him at all.
All Yuwen Yue could do was gaze into her eyes as if she were a stranger, passing by without any acknowledgment. His heart grew colder with each encounter, his pain deepening.
Xiao Ce, on the other hand, looked at Chu Qiao with mixed emotions—happiness and sorrow. He was both glad and tormented by Yuwen Yue's visits. Every time Yuwen Yue came, it stirred something in Chu Qiao, as if she were agonizingly close to remembering everything, only to turn away and run back into Xiao Ce's arms.
One day, she even asked Xiao Ce,"Are you giving me away because you're not sure what we have is real?"
Had Xiao Ce's words come true when he said,"The future belongs to those who wait"?Was it really happening?
Xiao Ce's heart swelled with joy, a greedy desire to finally tell Yuwen Yue,"Your time is up. I am the final man in her story."
But deep down, Xiao Ce knew that if Chu Qiao hadn't sacrificed her mortal memories for his soul, he wouldn't have this chance at a happy ending. This left Yuwen Yue in a barren land of hopelessness. And what about Yan Xun?
Could Yan Xun, who had faced death time and again, bear the sight of Chu Qiao becoming the wife of Emperor Xiao Ce? Could he accept that the woman who was once his general, confidante, and nearly his Yan Queen would now be a relative?
There was a time when Yuwen Yue visited Chu Qiao and, in a soft, broken voice, said,"What more pain must I endure in this world? But losing your memories of me, again and again, for the sake of someone else—I cannot bear it anymore. Xinger, I am Yuwen Yue. Come back to me, please… I need you."
The moment finally arrived.
The Lord of Qinghai, his searching eyes ever watchful, stopped when he heard the eunuchs announce the arrival of the Liang Emperor.
Xiao Ce, dressed in a bright red imperial robe, walked down the aisle, followed by his finest maidservants, who carried his thick, long cape trailing on the golden carpet.
The cape, embroidered with an ancient dragon that wrapped around Xiao Ce's frail body, symbolized the eternal flame of his reign. A shimmering crown adorned his head, and as he walked, the air filled with the fragrance of ylang-ylang blossoms, scattered along the aisle.
This handsome young Emperor was a sight to behold, his foxy eyes gleaming with delight and happiness. It was the happiest day of his life as he solemnly took his seat on the Liang Emperor's throne.
This long golden aisle was now waiting to receive its Empress.
The eunuchs announced the arrival of Empress Lu Zhi, who walked down the aisle and took her place beside the Emperor.
Then, the drums rolled, and the long-awaited princess began her walk down the aisle, the Empress Dowager crown waiting to meet its new owner.
Yan Xun held his breath as the glorious harmony of music filled the air.
Chu Qiao, with no adornments on her head but a radiant face, closed her eyes and opened them to the reality of the moment. A moment that could not be reversed.
For the last time, the Lord of Qinghai looked at her radiant, calm, and delicate face. His eyes, full of sadness and tears, welled up as he realized he no longer belonged to this time. He quietly began to walk away.
The Emperor, observing him, thought,"Is there anyone else but him?"He knew it was Yuwen Yue.
Chu Qiao's gown shone like a real phoenix, adorned with beaded pheasants, pearls, and gemstones. The design on her back resembled the wings of the mythical Phoenix bird draped around her shoulders.
She walked as though on a path of stars, the royal and noble crowd mesmerized as if they were witnessing eternity. Xiao Ce, proud and happy, winked at her with a playful, foxy smile.
At last, Chu Qiao reached the throne. Empress Lu Zhi placed the Fengguan Empress Dowager crown on her head. As this sacred moment unfolded, a man in the shadows slipped out of Daoming Hall, mounted his horse, and rode away as fast as he could.
Xiao Ce stood to hail his Empress, but suddenly, a beautiful woman stepped forward, pulling down her white hood and declaring,"You cannot become my family!"
Bang!
Blood splattered, and a body spiraled to the ground. The glorious ceremony descended into chaos. The crowd panicked, royal guards sealed the palace entrances, and swords were unsheathed.
Bang!
Another body fell lifeless to the floor. From his wheelchair, a man had unleashed a surprise attack, killing someone with precision.
Xie Tai Shan unsheathed his sword to protect Empress Lu Zhi, preventing her from approaching Xiao Ce's body.
Chu Qiao, trembling, bent down, her Fengguan crown shimmering as she cradled Xiao Ce's bloodied, pale face.
Xiao Ce coughed, blood staining his hands as he smiled weakly at Chu Qiao."This is the happiest moment of my life. You chose me over Yuwen Yue. It's like a dream that will last forever."
Seeing his life slipping away, Chu Qiao cried out,"You must hold on…"
Nearby, Xiao Yu looked at her mother, pulling out needles from her sleeve and warning,"Don't move. It could spread the poison faster."
The former Empress Yuan, struggling to breathe, softly called,"Xiao Yu…"
Xiao Yu caressed her mother's face, whispering,"Mother, I will avenge you. Stay alive."
Meanwhile, Yan Xun, unable to process the chaos, stood frozen, as Liang guards surrounded the Yanbei officials. Sun Di ordered their capture.
Zhong Yu unsheathed her sword, declaring,"I cannot allow the World to be captured here."
Viper, torn between staying by Chu Qiao's side and confronting her sister, stepped forward, saying,"I cannot allow criminals to walk away as if nothing happened."
Peng!The sound of sword and whip clashing echoed through the hall.
Dong Fangyi, watching the fight, thought,"The legendary whip girl. I finally see her today. She guards the Mimi Gongzhu, the one who killed her own mother, Lou He."
Zhan Ziyu, recognizing Viper as an underworld spy, moved his wheelchair forward, vowing,"You must die!"
As Zhan Ziyu unleashed his deadly needles, a ninja warrior descended from above, countering the attack and saving Viper. Other spies from the afterlife camp arrived to protect their leader, as Zuo fought fiercely to defend Viper.
Yue Qi, eyes sharp as a sniper, shot down enemies with precision, sniping around Zuo to keep him safe.
Xiao Ce, still aware of the tragedy unfolding in Daoming Palace, spoke his final words in a faint, broken voice: "Please... do not come to the forgotten river. Do not trade your mortal memories for the sake of my soul. I cannot live knowing you would leave for me… this is better for me."
And just like that, Xiao Ce took his last breath…
(I cried like a river here)
Lu Zhi cried out, her voice breaking with grief, as she struggled to reach her precious son. "Your Highness, my son! You cannot die!"
The fighting came to an abrupt halt as the Emperor's death sent shockwaves through the palace. A blinding light suddenly exploded, filling the room with a supernatural glow. Chu Qiao's phoenix dress, now glowing like a sun burning with fire, lifted Xiao Ce's body into her embrace.
Everyone stood in stunned silence, including Yan Xun and Xiao Yu. No one dared to move. Their eyes fixed on Chu Qiao as the room began to freeze over, slowly consumed by cold ice creeping across the palace floor.
Outside, the sky darkened, and hail mixed with fire rained from the heavens, sending waves of terror through those who witnessed it.
The palace walls, encased in ice, began to crack and crumble as the fiery hail scorched their surfaces, casting waves of heat and cold in a terrifying dance of destruction.
Viper, watching in horror, understood the severity of the moment. If Mimi Gongzhu's power goes unchecked, everyone in this palace will die, she thought, including herself. She was the only one unaffected by the storm of hail and fire as humanity struggled to survive the impending doom.
Yan Xun, lips turning purple from the cold, his skin pale as snow, whispered through chattering teeth, "A'Chu... let go of the world."
Suspended in the air, Chu Qiao heard Yan Xun's voice. Without opening her eyes, she responded, "Who wants to hear the world?"
Her eyes, full of compassion, shifted toward Viper as she said softly, "I must save the Emperor."
Viper's eyes widened in terror, like an owl's. She shouted desperately, "Come back, Mimi Gongzhu! You cannot save a soul twice!"
Suddenly, Chu Qiao, still hovering in the air, began to descend slowly, like a delicate snowflake, her body cradled by the wind. Like an autumn leaf, she drifted gently down, until her form rested on the white, fine snow that now covered the ground.
The Higanbana flower, glowing faintly at her back, flickered like a dying firefly. Its light slowly dimmed, fading piece by piece, until it was extinguished.
This was no longer the Liang Palace. It had become a realm of no return—a place from which no one escapes alive. Chu Qiao lay unconscious, her body lifeless and helpless, trapped in the desolate expanse.
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 loves—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?"
Chapter 70
Queen at day, concubine at night
Flashbacks from the war...
The drums began to roll, the sound of death rumbling from the ground, making everyone's heart surrender to either fear or courage.
Wei's Battalion Army ground commander calmly shouted into the air to release the flaming arrows to the far side. Like a million-fire rain, they landed and burned down their own shields, setting ablaze the uniforms of Wei's frontlines.
After millions of flaming arrows reached the far side, the archers stepped back and exchanged positions to bring forth ancient explosives and blasting weapons, aiming to annihilate at least thirty percent of Prince Yuan Yang's troops. The flammable fireballs and gun-like weapons were set like artillery to destroy the deserted defenders of the Great Summer Empire.
Like a large-scale landmine, the dramatic artillery sent their own troops to hell. Once ignited with a fuse, they immediately exploded, sounding like thunder, deafening the soldiers, and filling the air with smoke as their front liners collapsed.
Yuan Che, determined to uproot the King termite of Wei's empire, gave the signal to release the fireballs, causing massive damage to his troops on the west wing.
More than 9,000 soldiers were killed.
Afterward, Prince Yuan Yang, knowing his brother's tactics and strategies, found that Prince Yuan Che did not expect his brother's latest weapon of war.
Looking at Yuan Yang's frontlines swept with black smoke and dead bodies, another round of archers fired small cannons, reminiscent of Judas firecrackers, which were thick and thin and contained in jars. Yuan Yang's troops mounted a fuse at the jar's mouth and lit the bow. When the other side's line of defense was hit, the canisters exploded.
The fierce fire spread, and the sizzling sound sent the Seventh Prince into a panic, watching as their first line of defense was blown away.
Many bodies flew into the air, creating several massive holes in the defensive lines. Confused troops clustered together, withdrawing from their positions, while some dropped dead in an instant.
The estimated death toll was between 5,000 and 8,000 soldiers killed instantly.
Marching sounds were heard from a distance. Bones trembled as the Qinghai troops' silver iron uniforms clanged with every step they took.
They walked valiantly in a reversed U-shaped formation and quickly captured the Qinghai Prince and the Yan Queen as prisoners.
Yue Qi tapped Zuo and passed him a wooden piece as a sign of authority. They moved away from the battlefield, with Xiao Yu looking at the distant figure of the Yan King. Her hands were tied, and she pleaded, "Mercy, spare some mercy."
For some reason, Yan Xun paralyzed his powerful army while the allied Wei troops destroyed their own uniforms and shields. Endless black smoke spread in the air, and from afar, the sound of blasts echoed, while the heavy smell of sulfur and charcoal filled the muddy battlefield.
Yan Xun, holding the dying face of Chu Qiao, whispered, "Say a word, and I will surrender this thousand-strong army for you..." His hands were covered in blood, and Chu Qiao, barely able to breathe, murmured, "You don't have to do anything. It all ends here."
From a distance, Viper shed a single tear, which fell to the ground and violently shook the earth, as the blood of Xia Chong continued to spill.
There was nothing she could do to save one of the Jianghu underworld spies. Viper took something from her pocket and blew it into the wind, saying, "This is not the end, it is just the beginning. Thank you for your life, sister. May we meet again in another life."
Yan Xun shouted and cried hard in the rain. Just as when he had lost his family in a day, he now lost everything once again, holding the lifeless body of Chu Qiao.
For a long time, he cried until his tears ran dry, his body trembling from blood loss. No one dared to approach him without his command.
Zhong Yu, understanding the world's anguish, defied battlefield protocols and bravely stepped in front of the devastated Yan King, who suddenly passed out on the battlefield.
Other Yan generals gathered around their King and carried the two bodies from the muddy earth, while the Qinghai troops watched them wave white flags of withdrawal and sounded their gongs.
The Seventh Prince heard the gongs from afar and thought they had won the battle, believing victory was theirs. But then a Wei scout foot soldier reported:
"The Wei crown princess died in the battle, and the Yan King has withdrawn his troops. Your Highness, what is your next command?"
Prince Yuan Yang, after receiving the ground report, said, "I can smell the split of an empire. Everyone should retreat and await my command!"
All Wei troops under Yuan Yang followed the Yanbei military, seen marching, packing their saddles, and retreating to the far north.
Viper raced through secret paths as though competing with the Blackguard leader, Princess Zama, and reached Yanbei's capital.
With the Yan King and Queen away from their kingdom, dread had fallen upon their land.
Many people suffered as the five strongest Blackguard spies were deployed, turning the landmass into a minefield of human flesh. The smell of poison filled the air, emanating from cobra snakes slithering across the ground. Strangled bodies hung from every tree and building, blind people wandered the empty streets, and slumbering children never woke up. Cicadas filled the air with a deafening sound, confusing the few survivors. But one spy was missing— the honey spy was nowhere to be found.
Like a doomed stretch of land, Yanbei could no longer be called the land of freedom.
Viper had defended and spared the remaining cities like Beisuo and Hong Chuan, saving the few populations that remained. She battled four of the five Blackguard onslaughts, standing as the only underworld spy looking after the welfare of the people.
Suddenly, a man in a divine Hanfu dress, with long black hair like ink and calm, compassionate eyes, came to her aid. He uttered, "I cannot let you do this alone." Wu Dao Ya sliced through the necks of the cobras flying over the damned place.
Viper said, "You're welcome, Master Wu. This isn't your first time!"
Wu Dao Ya replied, "I missed the last time!"
While chopping off another cobra's head, Viper said, "Then we'll work twice as hard as yesterday!"
Wu Dao Ya smiled. "I guess so. See you later; we've got work to do!"
Viper nodded, and Wu Dao Ya disappeared from sight.
Princess Zama, possessing some kind of mortal corruptness, said, "I can sense some stench of resistance in this place."
A man in dark blue, with long sleeves, hair, and a white Hanfu dress, said, "The last time I checked, you turned this place to ashes. What is a little resistance against your strong abilities and doomsday powers?"
Princess Zama replied, "The problem with a grass dynasty is that after you uproot it and burn it, it grows back again."
The man responded, "You must understand, the blade of grass is the work of the stars."
Meanwhile, Viper, with her head bowed, stood drenched in the rain, raindrops dripping from her fingers. Standing in the middle of a grassy, snowy road, she suddenly sensed two warm bodies crossing her path.
Her whip began to glow steadily, lighting up the dark. Her eyes turned black, a mask seemed to paint itself over her face, her pupils magnified. At first glance, one couldn't tell if she was an angel of death or an angel of light.
On the far side, a woman, dressed in pitch-black clothes with bloodstained hands holding a long sickle, sprinkled blood on the ground as her eyes flashed. The man beside her looked familiar as he attacked Viper's meridians. Viper suddenly lost her balance and was forced to take a knee.
Viper's knees, soft like the grass, buckled as she saw the man staring at her with disgust. Exhausting her last bit of strength and coughing blood, she softly but coldly whispered, "Sand Drizzle Master…"
Viper gasped for breath as her meridians slowed down.
Princess Zama watched Viper's strength decline, her weakness controlled by Dong Fangyi, who was dressed in a dark wizard costume. Uncovering his dark blue hood, he revealed his face and said, "You never forget."
Viper, coughing more blood, exclaimed, "And you never learn!"
"Yanbei is doomed. Why do you fight so hard?" Dong Fangyi spoke calmly as he doubled his powers to control Viper.
Suddenly, snakes slithered onto the snowy, grassy road, ready to strike, but Viper cracked her whip. A blast of light flipped the ground, and the snakes melted like ice.
Princess Zama was impressed, but Dong Fangyi reassured her, "Do not worry. It is a desperate act of an underworld spy."
Zama scratched the ground with her nails, summoning more snakes to attack. She sneered, "You're human after all. Where is your master now?"
Just when Viper was about to die, Wu Dao Yao, like a midnight raven—fierce, protective, sacred, and wise—swooped in to purge the old and filthy, attacking Dong Fangyi.
Sounds of swords clashing and extraordinary martial arts swept the area as dust filled the air. A man was pinned to the ground.
Meanwhile, Viper regained her strength, her meridians flowing once again, and she stopped coughing blood. Zama, watching her closely, came to attack her with her spear sickle.
Viper leaped twice, and without warning, a cold presence engulfed her—eyes and lips like hell, ready to send Zama back to where she belonged.
Zama turned around and quickly grabbed Viper's whip, but her long fingernails burned as the whip changed form and ignited with fire.
Both men looked at the spreading flames. Wu Dao Ya, calm and composed, was about to finish Dong Fangyi when the latter countered his sword strike.
As Viper's power intensified, the two men felt the fire slowly consume them. Their mortal bodies burned, and the last thing they wanted to witness was their own bodies engulfed in hellfire.
Wu Dao Yao broke off his fight with Dong Fangyi, who fled with Zama from the advancing flames.
Wu Dao Ya knew that after such a display of power, the underworld spy would lose control and potentially her life in the fight. He sat in a Zen position, called for rain to douse the fire, and hummed in peace.
The only untouched spots were where Viper stood and where Wu Dao Ya sat. Meanwhile, Dong Fangyi and Zama vanished into secret paths.
The grasslands of Yanbei burned fiercely. From a distance, black smoke rose into the air, turning the land into a desolate place.
Viper's whip extinguished like a blown-out candle. Like a leaf, her body collapsed onto the ground just as the thin raindrops began to fall.
Recap of the Liang Empire…
While Northern Yan was engulfed in flames, Wei sat comfortably in their courts, and the Qinghai Empire sharpened their blades, Southern Liang experienced several nights of coups.
Empress Yuan, leading the sudden overthrow of the imperial government, executed her plan by ordering General Sui, the Duke of Liang, and Prince Lou's cavalrymen to attack the seventh and eighth prefectures, forcing Governor Sun Di to withdraw and abandon his strongholds.
However, Sun Di, anticipating this outcome, had already planned a counter-attack. With the help of Interim Emperor Xiao Ce, Sun Di wiped out the sixth stronghold prefecture and seized the rebellious armies.
As they advanced towards the fifth prefecture, General Sui did not expect Sun Di's reinforcements, brought by thousands of Xuili soldiers under his command. The fifth prefecture was ransacked and set ablaze, leaving only ruins. Some soldiers who surrendered were spared.
Continuing their push toward the fourth prefecture, Sun Di's strategy slowed down the cavalry. He Xiao, temporarily taking command, ordered the forces to press on to avoid losing their progress.
He commanded both the Xuili and Tang armies to attack and lay siege to the fourth prefecture, rescuing over 10,000 civilians caught in the middle of the fighting.
A pontoon bridge, the only link between the fourth and third prefectures, was set on fire by General Sui's finest archers, delaying the Xuili and Tang armies' entry into Daoming Palace, the capital of Southern Liang.
Many Xuili soldiers pursuing the enemy drowned, marking another casualty for the renowned Firefox soldiers. The first prefecture was closed off, leaving the second and third prefectures isolated in the middle.
The situation in Daoming Palace worsened following the attempted assassination of the interim Emperor. Chu Qiao saved him but remained in a coma for nearly a month. Amid Southern Liang's civil unrest, Xiao Ce uncovered the truth about his mother, the first Empress Lu Zhi.
With Empress Yuan struggling to retain power, she challenged the capital's ministers, scholars, and scribes, demanding that the imperial law be amended to support Prince Lou's enthronement and to abandon Xiao Ce.
Empress Yuan even attempted to kill Xiao Ce's two royal sons, and Zhan Ziming, pregnant with the third heir, was imprisoned on fabricated charges.
Zhan Ziming became the suspect in the interim Emperor's failed assassination. However, Sun Di uncovered the truth: it was Empress Yuan who had conspired to assassinate the Emperor.
Empress Lu Zhi, the true grandmother of Xiao Ce's two sons, intervened and took custody of the royal children. Master Xie Tai Shan was recalled to his royal position as their protector and defender while Xiao Ce sought to punish their mother and step-grandmother.
Years passed, and the first Empress Lu Zhi, who had remained in a precarious position, eventually returned to Liang's palace courts to wear the Fengguan Dowager crown once more.
This marked the end of Empress Yuan's reign. Xiao Ce, out of love and mercy for the woman who had raised him, spared her from public execution. Instead, he decreed her exile to the royal Tan Jing temple, forbidding her from returning to the capital for the rest of her days.
This was the second time Empress Yuan was exiled to the same place, where she had once been ordered to live as a nun before Emperor Tang took her as his concubine.
She could not accept her fate, one that had been written in the stars long ago, and so she began plotting new coups and attempted to escape the palace with the help of General Sui and her son, Prince Lou.
However, Prince Lou had no intention of harming the brother he cherished and loved.
As events unfolded, Empress Yuan revealed to Prince Lou that Xiao Ce was not his real brother but his enemy for the Liang throne.
Adding further injury, she claimed that the late King of Liang had assassinated their brothers and forced their father to abdicate the throne, seizing power for himself and becoming Emperor by force.
At first, Prince Lou didn't believe these stories. He went to General Sui for confirmation. When he still couldn't accept it, he ran away and traveled far.
At the Tanjing temple, he visited A'Fu's grave and spoke with some of his father's concubines, who had been forced to live there as nuns. They confirmed Empress Yuan's story.
The truth was that King Tang and Prince Lou were equals if seen as brothers, not as father and son.
However, due to Empress Yuan's vicious ways, Prince Lou was now caught in a difficult position. Whether his mother intervened or not, his status should have remained equal to the late King Tang. But as long as Prince Lou remained a threat to the throne, his life would always be at risk if Empress Yuan hadn't seized her golden opportunity to rise to power.
Later, Empress Yuan said, "The gates of empires cannot be knocked with faint hearts. They must be knocked with bold hearts."
After some time, Sun Di sent word to Xiao Ce via a bird courier that, out of eight prefectures, only two remained as hostile territory.
Xiao Ce also learned that his deposed stepmother, Empress Yuan, was the primary source of strength and support for these hostile territories, providing them with food and military supplies.
Together with Prince Lou and his uncle, General Sui, they continued to pose a fierce and threatening rebellion, immersing themselves in the pot of insurrection.
Outside Liang's First Prefecture
Sharp Watcher-Archers stand ready to shoot anything that moves or creeps across the surface of the soil. This became the first line of defense against defectors and renegade troop leaders.
Xiao Ce implemented a strict policy: no one leaves to tell, and no one dies without first giving up useful information for military strategy and tactics.
He ordered the royal guards to close the borders, making it harder for the trapped military battalions inside the second and third prefectures.
Despite numerous attempts to send spies to gather information or supplies for their camps, the enemy's efforts always failed.
Xiao Ce, ever cunning, built traps around the walls to ensure that everything was deadly and unforgiving.
This applied equally to assassins who dared to approach the Emperor's gate. The order was simple: shoot to kill. Whether it was animal or human, it was considered already dead.
Meanwhile, Sun Di, recovering from his wounds, did not rest or sleep.
Instead, he gathered a group of builders and ordered them to scout the mountainous terrain and construct another pontoon bridge, hidden from sight.
The bridge was meant to provide an alternative route across the rocky river that divided the two territories.
It took six months to complete the project, but it proved to be a dangerous passage. Every time Sun Di ordered his soldiers to cross it, some fell from the cliffs, making it almost impossible for anyone to pass due to the steep trails and rocky landscape.
Sun Di later concluded that the route could not guarantee safe passage for thousands of troops.
On Yuwen Yue's Recovery…
"Master, please wake up, it's time for your medicine."
Yuwen Yue, recovering from a severe back wound, leaned against his bed and drank the concoction prepared by Zao Baoccung.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his back, causing Yuwen Yue to cry out quietly. Yue Qi, looking concerned, asked, "Master, are you alright?"
"Yue Qi, do you have anything to do? I'm fine," Yuwen Yue replied.
After drinking his medicine, Yuwen Yue gazed out the window at the beautiful wetland terraces. It had been two months since he escaped the bloody battle.
"Can you please call Zuo?" Yuwen Yue asked.
Yue Qi nodded. "Sure, Master, please rest."
Yuwen Yue, now regaining more of his strength, was able to stand and walk straight. He took something from his table and sat on a chair, waiting for Zuo.
Zuo entered, bowed, and said, "Master brother, what can I do for you?"
Yuwen Yue asked, "What is the situation? How bad is it?"
Yuwen Yue knew that Xia Chong had died at the hands of Xiao Yu while defending him. It was both sad and enlightening, he thought.
Although Yuwen Yue managed to save Prince Zaru, he couldn't stop the war between Yanbei and Wei, nor could Xiao Ce, who had agreed to help but failed. However, Yuwen Yue did manage to stop Princess Zama by sending a message via arrow to Wu Dao Ya and Longyi Guan Mountains to assist Viper in her mission to stop the Black Seal.
Yuwen Yue had met Wu Dao Ya on his way to the Woolong Mountains after the ice lake tragedy. They both studied under the same Master, gaining wisdom in their shared journey.
While they enjoyed each other's company, they had different views regarding Yan Xun.
Zuo Zong replied, "Prince Yuan Yang and Prince Yuan Che have split Wei's military strength, while Crown Prince Yuan Song grieves Xia Chong's death."
Viper visited Yuan Song, restoring his senses as he remembered Xia Chong's last words. He knew Xia Chong wasn't Chu Qiao, but he still mourned without the proper royal burial after Yan Xun took Xia Chong's body and buried it somewhere in the Xui Xui Mountains. Both empires grieved her untimely death, while everyone believed she was Chu Qiao, the Queen of Yanbei, who is still waiting for your Highness to speak with her.
Back in Wei, after the palace protocols took effect, the first concubine replaced Xia Chong to comfort Yuan Song. But problems surfaced when Prince Ra Zheng noticed the Imperial Concubine Xiao Ba...
Zuo paused.
Yuwen Yue then asked, "What about my brothers? How are they?"
Zuo responded, "While the Wei Empire grieved the sudden death of their crown princess, Ra Zhun and Ra Zheng paid their respects at the empty coffin. A royal envoy from the East sent their condolences and inquired about your Highness. The Emperor explained that you had left earlier, while the two princes remained behind to enjoy their vacation in Beijing, where wine and women abound."
Yuan Song's Rebellion
Yuan Song, in denial and anger over Xia Chong's death, began plotting a rebellion against the Emperor.
The Wei Emperor, expecting this, had already planned for the consequences. He said to Wei Guang, "Chu Qiao is dead by their hands. I have won. It is beyond repair and will bring eternal agony."
Wei Guang immediately summoned the Wei valve elders and palace ministers, who voted for Xiao Ba to become the next Imperial Concubine, attending to the needs of the 13th Prince and attempting to stabilize the empire, which had descended into depression and political strife.
The repercussions weren't fully realized until the 13th Prince began to display hostility toward Shen Jin Gong. He no longer believed in the values he had been taught, instead seeking to kill anyone involved in Xia Chong's death, suspecting that Xiao Ba was complicit.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ba, followed by hundreds of palace maids, walked through the halls. Though she didn't hold the same status as Chu Qiao in the Wei Empire, she became the most revered concubine in Wei, destined to produce an heir for the crown prince.
Yuan Song, with a smirk, said, "So, you've finally reached your dreams?"
Xiao Ba, head bowed before the crown prince, remained silent and innocent, offering no response.
Her heart ached deeply, tears welling in her eyes as she understood Yuan Song's grief.
Yuan Song, his eyes cold and uninviting, took Xiao Ba by force and threw her onto the Imperial bed. "Don't expect me to treat you like I treated the crown princess. After all, you were just a slave, a woman who warmed filthy beds in the brothels!"
Xiao Ba was stunned by Yuan Song's words. She hadn't expected him to bring up her painful past as a prostitute in the streets of Liang.
Yuan Song didn't understand what had happened to her after Chu Qiao's ice lake tragedy and her sister Xiao Qi. They had been living in Yanbei's camps when unknown men, disguised as Prince Xiao Ce's royal guards, kidnapped them to save them from Prince Yan Xun's threat.
Without Chu Qiao's sisters' consent, they were violently kidnapped, tricked, and sold to a group of bandits running a brothel in Liang.
Xiao Qi had fallen ill for nearly a year, leaving Xiao Ba to care for both herself and her sister. Starting as a waitress at the brothel, Xiao Ba worked tirelessly, day and night, without pay.
Over time, men began to notice her fair skin and beauty.
They started offering money in exchange for her company and pleasure. At first, Xiao Ba struggled against her fate, bearing daily whippings from the bandits. She had no other options and no way to save her ailing sister.
One day, in despair but with a strong mind, she accepted her fate. Xiao Ba could still remember those dark days as she recalled her memories.
The bandit leader entered the darkroom and snarled, "Get out! Clean yourself up! If you don't treat this customer well, I'll make sure your sister doesn't live to see another day!"
With no words left, Xiao Ba stepped into the light.
The bandit leader was stunned by her seductive appearance, the way she exuded confidence and allure. She pushed him aside and gave him a lustful stare, running her fingers from his chest to his pants.
Curious and aroused, the bandit leader swallowed nervously. But Xiao Ba meant to torture him. She whispered softly in his ear, "Where's the customer's room?"
After her first experience, she became the most sought-after woman in the brothel.
How Xiao Ba endured didn't matter; what mattered was that every man who left her bed was a satisfied customer by morning.
The bandits' guilty-pleasure business flourished, eventually turning into a renowned courtesan house, where nobles and royal guards alike flocked to seek the fleeting pleasure of "the fallen snowflake."
The Fallen snow flake
The bandit leader knew they had secretly left the palace, and Tie You, extremely drunk and seduced by other women, ended up in bed with Xiao Ba, unaware of where he was.
The next morning, Tie You awoke startled by the beautiful woman lying beside him. He peeked at her for a moment, captivated by her smooth skin, and felt an immediate attraction.
Consumed by lustful thoughts, he hurriedly covered her body but couldn't take his eyes off her graceful neck. He waited for her to wake up, but he didn't expect the woman to be dangerous.
"Easy, easy..." Tie You said calmly. He then asked, "What do you want?"
Xiao Ba, using her manipulative charm, pressed a sharp dagger to his neck and replied, "I want your jade pass in exchange for your life." She stared directly into his eyes.
Tie You, a skilled royal guard, knew how to reverse the situation, but as he gazed at the flawless, undressed woman before him, he thought to himself,She's not in her thirties; she has the body of a delicate girl—so tempting, so beautiful...
His mind raced with lustful thoughts, lost in the sight of her.
Seeing him distracted, Xiao Ba demanded again, "The jade pass!"
By this time, Tie You, completely bewitched by her angry eyes, began to undress. The jade pass, something forbidden to give to anyone else, was now being handed over. He reasoned to himself,My life is in danger, and my manhood was provoked.
He slowly removed his Hanfu, keeping his eyes fixed on Xiao Ba's, while her dagger remained steady at his throat.
Finally, only his undergarments remained as he took something out from inside.
His royal jade pass—containing all his authority and duty to the Liang Empire—was tossed to the floor. "There you go. Do you have anything else to ask?"
Xiao Ba bent down to pick up the jade pass and quickly grabbed something from a nearby table. Without hesitation, she threatened, "I want you to deliver this to the royal crown prince, Xiao Ce."
"A letter in exchange for the jade pass? How cruel! Is this it?" Tie You chuckled, glancing at the letter. Xiao Ba shot back, "Is there a problem if I set this on fire?"
Tie You's expression stiffened, his voice dropping low. "No, don't do it, Fallen Snowflake."
Xiao Ba smirked. "Wrong answer. You men don't feel threatened unless your livelihood is at stake…"
She was about to drop the jade pass when Tie You shouted in anger, "Fine! I don't take orders from anyone but the crown prince! But I swear I will deliver your letter to His Highness!"
Pleased, Xiao Ba pushed him further. "Really? How can I be sure?"
Tie You, now serious, responded with a steady voice, "If you don't see His Royal Highness arrive here in three days, then I'm dead. Keep the jade pass, and buy yourself a free life…"
Tie You's voice carried a hint of sadness. For the first time in his life, despite his attraction to Xiao Ba, he willingly gave up his jade pass, even if it meant digging his own grave.
As Tie You and his group of royal guards left the courtesan house, he felt an unusual lightness in his heart. Instead of anxiety, he smiled, knowing that without his jade pass, he wouldn't be able to enter Daoming Palace again.
This situation would soon lead Crown Prince Xiao Ce into a serious imperial meeting with Liang's dreaded prosecutor and investigator of the royal house, with Tie You's neck on the line.
After enduring tense conversations with bureaucrats, prosecutors, and investigators, Xiao Ce finally lost his temper with Tie You. "What on earth did you do with your jade pass?" he demanded.
Tie You, with his head bowed, asked for forgiveness. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was momentarily lost in a paradise with a fallen snowflake, and she gave me this."
Speaking in coded terms, Tie You handed the letter to Xiao Ce.
Curious, Xiao Ce opened the letter and read:
Your Majesty, unless you want a scandal, you may want to redeem one of your treasured possessions at the courtesan house. Your escorts snuck out of your palace in secret. I am sure he is your person.
Until then, your escort knows where to find a former maid from the Yuwen household.
"The Fallen Snowflake."*
Xiao Ce threw the letter to the floor, deep in thought. "Fallen snowflake, scandal, redeem, treasure, courtesan, Yuwen household... coincidence." He whispered the words, decoding the message. He realized that the courtesan was asking for desperate help.
Suddenly, Xiao Ce's eyes widened, and he grabbed the collar of Tie You's uniform. "Take me to this brothel in secret, or I'll be the one to cut off your head!"
"Also, bring all the treasures and load them into the palanquin. This is an urgent order!" Xiao Ce commanded.
A short while later, the excited prince stood by the palace windows and said to himself, "If my guess is correct, this could be my lucky day."
Tie You, still baffled by the prince's behavior, scratched his head.One moment he's furious, the next he's like an excited child wanting to buy a brothel!
Xiao Ce disguised himself in his usual getaway attire, choosing a crimson hood to cover his face. He walked beside Tie You at night. Since Tie You no longer had his jade pass, Xiao Ce used his own. When the royal palace guards saw it, they immediately knew it was the crown prince.
They quickly straightened their backs and avoided eye contact as one of them spoke: "The crown prince of Liang is forbidden to be outside at night by order of the Emperor."
Irritated, Xiao Ce threw off his hood and replied, "Seriously, are you blocking my way?"
Silence fell as the royal guards recognized his face. Xiao Ce, blinking his foxy eyes and maintaining a calm yet angry expression, raised his brows and stepped closer to them. "Who dared to look at my face?"
No one moved. Xiao Ce struck each one with his palms, one by one, saying, "Who dared to look at my face?"
His voice remained calm, almost like the waters, as he examined his palms. "Look what you've done to these hands. Looks like they hurt—and want to kill someone today."
The royal guards trembled in fear, quickly opening the doors with their heads bowed low.
Behind him, Tie You chuckled quietly. It was the first time he had seen his master intimidate fellow royal guards. Xiao Ce caught it and asked, "Why are you laughing?"
Tie You, startled, replied, "Pardon me, Your Highness!" He glanced over his shoulder, looking for someone else to blame.
Xiao Ce put his crimson hood back on and walked tall and proud, free to roam the night.
Instead of his usual club-hopping, Xiao Ce visited the brothel and ordered a round of drinks.
With Tie You and the toothless Afterlife Camp spy sitting at one of the empty tables, they observed the brothel's floor show—ancient Chinese drums, bells, percussion, and gongs filled the air. The crown prince came unarmed, but the perimeter of the brothel was surrounded by Liang's hired killers—the Afterlife Camp snipers.
Lotus Flower, the bandit leader, was now ready to talk. Xiao Ce, with his head slightly bowed, raised it just enough to reveal his eyes from under the crimson hood and said, "Did you make sure he would accept the taels of gold?"
"Yes, Lotus Flower, it's guaranteed," replied the toothless spy.
The bandit leader and his group entered arrogantly, their presence threatening. He sat before the regular guest, unaware of his royal title, but knowing it was forbidden to look at his face.
The bandit leader suddenly felt a chill creep over his skin. He started to shiver, but then the man in front of him grabbed his hand, sending a shock of static electricity through him. Startled, the bandit leader jumped up.
"Sit," Xiao Ce commanded, his voice laced with authority. The bandit leader obeyed instantly.
"Who are you?" the bandit leader asked in a trembling voice.
Xiao Ce replied calmly, "Does it matter if I tell you I'm the head of the palace eunuchs?"
The bandit's group behind him chuckled, but Tie You swiftly punched one of them in the gut, causing the man to gasp in pain and spit up blood.
"Behave," Tie You warned, showing his metal punch ring, thorns glinting at the top. The rest of the group fell silent, like tamed dogs, obeying his command.
Xiao Ce chuckled briefly, then resumed his poker-faced expression. Leaning closer to the bandit leader, he said, "Is this how I should be treated? I'm wasting time here."
Xiao Ce's fingers tapped impatiently on the table, signaling his boredom as he waited for the negotiation to begin.
The bandit leader cleared his throat and started, "The Fallen Snowflake is forbidden to render external services. She's confined to this brothel because she's our golden egg."
Still tapping his fingers, Xiao Ce looked at him as though he hadn't heard a word and casually said, "Double the asking price." The toothless spy tossed another bag of gold onto the table.
The bandit leader inspected the bag, then looked back at Xiao Ce. "Not enough."
Xiao Ce leaned back in his chair, laughing. "Toothless spy, what else can you offer?"
The toothless spy responded, "Come and see for yourself."
One of the bandits followed the spy outside and was stunned by what he saw. Moments later, he returned and whispered to the bandit leader.
The bandit leader raised his eyebrow. "Go ahead. It's a deal. I'll allow the Fallen Snowflake to perform at your Li (pear) Garden."
Xiao Ce clapped his hands, his voice firm. "Since you've entered into a do-or-die negotiation, those dark forces won't leave this place until the Fallen Snowflake is out of here."
Before leaving, Xiao Ce gave one final instruction to the bandit leader. "Oh, and I need the sister of the Fallen Snowflake to perform as well, by special request. She must go with her, or this place will be known as 'Ashfall.'"
"It will be done, Your Grace. I'll make sure both sisters attend tomorrow night at your Li Garden," the bandit leader promised, as everyone bowed to Xiao Ce.
The bandit leader twitched nervously, glancing outside at the dark forces continuing to encircle the brothel.
The brothel's women, noticing the lack of customers, started gossiping that a royal palace eunuch had visited. Xiao Ba overheard and knew it was a secret visit from Xiao Ce.
Later, the bandit leader knocked loudly on the Fallen Snowflake's dark room door. Xiao-Qi, terrified, stayed silent, but Xiao Ba did not open the door.
Frustrated, the bandit member handed the leader the keys. Just as he was about to open it, the door swung open.
Xiao Ba, in her off-shoulder Hanfu dress, exposed her bare, luscious skin as she stepped out, her fragrance filling the air. The men, unable to hide their lustful gazes, were immediately disarmed by her beauty.
Xiao Ba, without shame, began to play with her fingers on the bandit leader's chest, letting her hand wander below his waist. The bandit leader swallowed hard, ordering his men to leave.
As he enjoyed his moment of dirty pleasure, groaning in satisfaction, Xiao Ba suddenly stopped, turning her usual manipulation into torment. She insulted him, saying, "You cannot make anyone happy with this."
Her emotionless face further enraged the bandit leader, who grabbed her and tore her clothes. But Xiao Ba remained unmoved, allowing him to try his best, knowing he would fail.
Finally, she whispered into his ear, "You will never have me." This was her way of revenge, slowly chipping away at the bandit leader's confidence.
Frustrated and emasculated, the bandit leader composed himself. "Tomorrow night, you are summoned to perform at Li Garden, and your sister will join you. If you don't comply, I'll chop off your heads and feed your bodies to the dogs."
Xiao Ba, unbothered, hugged her sick sister. But Xiao-Qi pushed her away, saying, "I am not your sister!"
Understanding Xiao-Qi's reaction, Xiao Ba stood up, straightened herself, and turned away. Fighting back tears, she wiped her face and faced Xiao-Qi again. "I don't need to explain myself," she said, her face a mask of cold determination. Xiao Ba closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to the heavens.
Above, gray clouds drifted across the crescent moon as the stillness of the lake painted a picture-perfect scene beneath Daoming Palace's skies.
Xiao Ba and the ailing Xiao-Qi were fetched by the palace convoy and arrived at the grand palace.
The grandeur of the place left Xiao Ba in awe as she admired the lantern lights and sculptures around the courtyard. For the first time, she dared to dream of becoming part of Li's courtyards, perhaps even a royal princess. Xiao-Qi, however, looked pale and agitated in her revealing dress.
Xiao Ba took a deep breath. After almost a year of living in the dark, underground brothel, she finally saw a glimmer of moonlight in her life.
The handsome, foxy prince turned around as palace maids draped him in his royal robes, preparing to meet the sisters of Chu Qiao. Tonight, everything was planned.
A fragrant and romantic stage stood before Xiao Ba and Xiao-Qi, illuminated by moonlight. Xiao Ba touched the sculptures, admiring the poetic details scattered around the ground.
On the west wing, musicians gathered around the ancient Chinese instruments—Guqin, Zither, percussion, drums, bells, and gongs. They began fine-tuning their instruments as they waited.
Xiao Ce, dressed in his grandest robes and exuding a fragrant presence, arrived. Xiao Ba and Xiao-Qi rose and bowed to His Highness.
Without looking at them, Xiao Ce took the long sleeves of his robe and seated himself on a throne-like chair. The musical maestro signaled the beginning of the performance.
The air filled with calm, inviting music as the two sisters, their faces half-covered by masks, began their dance. Xiao-Qi mirrored her younger sister's movements with grace.
Xiao Ce, impressed, had never seen such a graceful mirror dance before.
After a few elegant hand and body strokes, Xiao Ba approached the crown prince, ready to remove her mask. But Tie You quickly intervened, placing a dagger at her neck. "It is forbidden to approach the crown prince."
Xiao Ba looks daring, gently pushed Tie You's hand aside and removed her mask, revealing her face. Tie You stood in stunned silence, captivated by her beauty.
Xiao Ce rebuked Tie You, "Step aside! I want to see her face."
As Tie You obeyed, Xiao Ba's angelic face met Xiao Ce's gaze. For a moment, Xiao Ce thought he was seeing Chu Qiao. The resemblance was uncanny, casting a magical spell over him. But just as Xiao Ce was about to speak—
Peng!
A loud sound echoed through the air as Xiao-Qi collapsed, unconscious.
The performance turned into an emergency. Xiao Ce calmly walked over and removed Xiao-Qi's mask. He then ordered his servants to prepare accommodations for both sisters at Jinwu Palace, ready to defend his decision before the Liang ministers when morning came.
He also commanded the Afterlife Camp spies to burn down the brothel as an act of vengeance for the two sisters, balancing the scales of justice.
Meanwhile, the beautiful Imperial Concubine sat on the edge of the bed, tears welling in her eyes. She couldn't hold them back any longer. Silently crying, she whispered, "I cannot undo the past…"
Stars twinkled above as Yuan Song, still bitter and broken, coldly said, "You may be Wei's future Queen by day, but you will always be its concubine at night."
Bang!
The door slammed shut as Yuan Song stormed out of the room, angry and full of rage. He had made sure Xiao Ba would feel rejected forever.
