Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 30: Head to Head
Zhuge Yue, Yan Xun, and Wei Shu Ye were riding swiftly, whipping their horses as they galloped quickly towards the Zhuge Xi Mansion. The mansion was usually filled with the lively sounds of young ladies and children, but on this night, it was filled with the silence of those caught in a lonely death.
Blood dripped slowly from the tip of a sharp dagger. In the western room, a carpet made of white camel hair fibers was stained with a bright red pattern, the result of rapid penetration from the spilled blood. The night wind blew in through the corner of the window, dispersing a cold and extravagant aroma throughout the room. The Zhuge Xi mansion was brightly lit, and an old man, his face panicked, clutched at his neck. It was strange for him to see a tall child standing over him. As the hourglass's sand slipped away, the old man fell heavily onto the blood-soaked carpet, kneeling in agony.
"You asked me to do what?" The child's voice was soft, her head slightly lowered as her eyes glanced at the old man's face. Her stomach churned at the sight of him, nearly sickened by the memory of the night. She recalled how Ju Xiang and others had to deal with this old master as if he were a corpse. But tonight, her heart was ablaze with anger, as sharp as a thousand blades. Leaning over, she whispered, "Many children begged you to let them go. Was mercy never enough for you?"
Zhuge Xi lay on the carpet, blood gushing from his neck. His aristocratic pride faded, replaced by the trembling fear of a man facing his death. He desperately clawed at the blood-streaked carpet, trying to drag himself away from the brutal child. A long trail of blood marked his struggle, a grotesque and graphic scene.
"You've lived far too long," the child said coldly. "But tonight is your reckoning. If the heavens won't accept you, then surely hell will." With a swift, crisp sound, the dagger cut through his collarbone, and dark, stinking blood gushed from the wound.
Chu Qiao held Zhuge Xi's severed head, her face emotionless as she threw it to the ground. She turned toward the corner where ten young female slaves were huddled, cringing in fear. They stared at her in horror as she began untying the ropes that bound them. Tonight, Chu Qiao was a figure of wrath, drenched in anger, descending into a bloodbath that ended the reign of an evil master. If she hadn't been there, none of them would have survived the night in this den of brutality.
She pulled a young girl, pretty but pale with fear, her lips trembling, her words faltering. Chu Qiao looked down at her, her voice cold and faint, "Are you afraid?"
The girl, her straight hair trembling, nodded quickly, terrified she would become the next headless body. Tears streamed silently down her face.
"If you're afraid, then let it out," Chu Qiao said impatiently.
The girl, confused and panicked, cried, "I'm a good girl! I didn't see anything! Please let me go."
Chu Qiao frowned. "Didn't I make myself clear? I told you to let it out."
The girl misunderstood, thinking Chu Qiao was going to kill her. Trembling, she closed her eyes, waiting for death. But instead of feeling a dagger at her neck, she heard the sound of the blade embedding itself in the pillar behind her.
Suddenly, the door burst open. "Assassins!" a voice screamed. Servants rushed in, seeing Zhuge Xi's bloody corpse. Panic spread through the room as they stumbled over each other in fear. Chu Qiao quickly hid her dagger and counted the seconds, knowing the entire mansion's security would soon be on high alert. Arrows and swords would soon fly as the guards were activated.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the halls. The guards rushed into the room and froze, staring in horror at the gruesome scene. "What happened here?" demanded the troop leader, furious.
An eight-year-old child cried out, tears streaming down her cheeks, "They killed Master Zhuge! They killed him! It was terrible!"
"Where did they go?" the leader snapped.
The child pointed to the open window. "They ran that way!"
The guards stormed out, leaving only a few behind to guard Zhuge Xi's body. As soon as they were gone, Chu Qiao emerged from her hiding place, her crossbow ready. Her face was calm, but her eyes were cold as she looked at the remaining guards. "Busy, are you?" she asked mockingly.
Before they could react, three arrows flew through the air, piercing their heads. They fell to the ground, blood pooling beneath them. Their loyalty had cost them their lives.
One of the young slaves screamed, but Chu Qiao quickly covered her mouth. "When I ask you to scream, you don't. Now is not the time to add more chaos," she said sternly.
The children, pale and crying, huddled together. Chu Qiao sighed and said softly, "Listening to instructions is important. It can save your life."
The children stared at her, their fear momentarily replaced by understanding.
"You're all slaves of the Zhuge household," Chu Qiao continued. "But starting today, you are also criminals. Don't let anyone from the Zhuge family know what happened here, especially Zhu Shun, the housekeeper. He won't save you. He'll only bring you harm."
The children nodded quickly, like frightened rabbits.
Chu Qiao smiled faintly. The net had been cast, and now it was only a matter of waiting for the fish to swim into it. Even if the children managed to become righteous, enduring the punishment and swearing never to reveal what had happened, the Zhuge household might not believe them. However, the entire Aoyama courtyard had seen Zhu Shun's people taking her out of Zhuge Yue's residence. He was trapped now, and death was the only escape. But Chu Qiao was curious to see what kind of death Zhu Shun would meet.
She glanced at the hourglass. The timing was perfect—there was still enough time to quietly slip out through the back door and rescue the youngest, the eighth sister.
Everything had gone according to plan.
Just as she was about to leave through the main entrance, a hand suddenly gripped her ankle tightly. Chu Qiao looked down to see a bodyguard still alive, clinging to her.
"Draw the crossbow like a tiger, then kill!" Chu Qiao's eyes flashed coldly as she swiftly pulled the arrows from the man's forehead. His body twitched a few more times before becoming completely still.
She struggled to free her foot from the dead man's grasp, trying several times but failing as his hand clung to her like a vice. Seeing no other option, she drew the guard's long sword from his waist. With a swift, popping sound, she severed his palm from his arm, finally freeing herself from his grip.