Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 31: Escape from birth

"What are you doing?"

The words were spoken slowly, one by one, with a voice as low as hell, dipped in the blood of ghosts, and filled with deep disappointment. Zhuge Yue, dressed in a long red fur coat covered in snow, followed by a large group of Castle Peak Hill guards, looked dreary. Her child-like hands were stained with blood.

Chu Qiao looked up, her delicate, beautiful eyes (Xiu Mei) slowly narrowing. Why was Zhuge Yue here?

The child gazed at him calmly, her voice clear and crisp, with a faint smile: "As you can see, I killed this wicked old man, evil enough to deserve it."

Zhuge Yue, his expression desolate, his eyes like dark clouds, spoke: "Those things are in the past. What good does it do you now?"

"A lot!" the child replied, grinning sweetly and innocently in such an improper environment. Her hand held a severed palm. Smiling, she said: "Unfortunately, you're too late. Perhaps you'd like to go back and think about how you'll explain this to the Zhuge family. After all, I was in your courtyard, commanding your people before Zhuge Xi died, and the biggest beneficiary is someone close to you."

"Come!" Zhuge Yue commanded, his voice divine. "I will handle them later!"

"Think of the Zhuge family later, but for now, let's deal with this child first!" Zhuge Yue spoke in military terms. His guards moved forward but did nothing yet.

The child scoffed, her brow furrowed. She waved and shouted: "Hidden weapon!"

Suddenly, a burst of panic erupted among the people of Aoyama courtyard. Another skillful child appeared, rushing toward the crowd. Zhuge Yue was surrounded by his guards, but the small child launched an attack, displaying undeniable skill. She quickly grabbed a sword from one of his guards and drew it. She danced in the wind, sweeping away, leaving a round arc of white light. Ice water splashed everywhere.

A soft "sheik" sound echoed as the sword cut Zhu Qi, a thin line of blood appearing on his palm. The crowd looked down to see the bloody wound.

Outside the window, the cold voice of a child, firm and beautiful (Li Li), could be heard: "Zhuge Yue, I'm sorry, but tonight is not our time."

Under the moonlight, the child's petite and exquisite figure disappeared into the boundless night.

The youngster stood still, his eyes filled with sadness. Zhu Cheng looked at him carefully, shouting anxiously at the other attendants: "Are you stupid? What are you waiting for? Go chase her!"

Everyone snapped to attention, shouting, "Catch the child! Go catch her!"

Amidst the flowers in the courtyard, the child ran swiftly, her body as agile as a cat, darting along a winding trail. Footsteps could be heard approaching quickly from the front. The child sensed them and stopped coldly.

"Aha! It's you!" The boy exclaimed, recognizing the group. He rushed up and asked, "Haven't you caught the thief yet?"

The boy leading the group frowned at the crying little slave girl and coldly said: "Get out of the way! You're delaying us! Don't block our path!" He pushed the boy aside and continued moving quickly.

Back at the mansion, a messenger was speaking: "An assassin came to Zhuge Xi's mansion, killing many. They claim it was done by someone from the Aoyama courtyard, and I came to deliver this message."

"What?" A man exclaimed in shock. "This is nonsense! There are also thieves outside the estate, around three hundred people. If the Zhuge family can't handle this, it will be unacceptable to the brothers. I came back to save the soldiers."

Meanwhile, two girl slaves whispered softly: "Are Zhuge Yue's followers still outside the mansion?" Chu Qiao frowned but remained calm. "They're Ye's followers," she said. "There's no way out. If we go to the other side, it will be more dangerous. So, you hide here. If there's a surprise attack, we're not prepared. I'll let them wander first, then come back for you."

Back to the man, he said: "The heart of this little slave is truly brave. Well, once everything is done, I will report this matter in full detail."

Chu Qiao, still hiding, whispered in response: "As long as we escape tonight, we can shed our slave status."

At that moment, the people of Qing Shan (Verdant Hills) were busy chasing the children, ordering them not to speak of what had happened. The entire Zhuge household became cold and dark, as if no one knew each other. Zhu Qi, seeing a horse approaching with a prominent figure, asked: "Who are you? The Zhuge household is under tight security."

Zhu Qi identified himself: "I am the fourth young master's personal bodyguard!"

"Go back to your grandmother!" A dominant Shu Ye son mocked him, introducing himself with disdain. "I am one of the Sheng Jin Gong, with troops from the icy Wei borders. Brothers, are you with me?"

The crackling of weapons could be heard as the child's footsteps gradually faded from Zhuge Xi's mansion.

Soon, outside the wall, the child frowned, surveying the surroundings for a climbing tool. Suddenly, a storm burst from behind. Chu Qiao reacted quickly, pulling out a rope from her crossbow, prepared for anything.

"Ah!" the child cried out, trapped neatly just as she was about to escape, now perched on top of the wall.

"Hey, this isn't cute," Yan Xun said, with a trace of a cynical smile on his lips, his striking black hair swaying in the wind. Zhuge House was in chaos, torches burning high, the crowd noisy, as if the house were on fire. Yan Xun shook his head and sighed: "Look at you, such a little child, yet you've caused so much trouble. Who will be next? The Zhuge household will hunt you down for destroying their peace."

Chu Qiao coldly hummed, struggling. "Let me go!" she demanded.

The young prince laughed, his voice filled with amusement: "Little girl, you still owe me so many favors. How do you plan to repay the world of Yan?"

"Who asked you to help, self-righteous fool?"

Yan Xun laughed again. "But it doesn't matter. As long as the little stars are alive and aware, I'm happy. Now hold on tight. You don't want to get burned, do you?"

Then, the boy jumped down from the wall, with Chu Qiao clinging to him, cursing under her breath. She thought to herself, hoping that one day the world would truly become legendary, or else it would all be a waste.

With a sudden thud, they landed on the saddle of a horse, galloping away swiftly. Yan Xun grinned, saying: "If the world waits for the little stars for too long, it will indeed be a waste."

Sitting on the horse, with sword-like eyebrows and a jade star band, he laughed out loud and said: "Then let's go."

Behind them, the fires of the Zhuge mansion burned high as they disappeared into the night, riding toward Yanbei in the North.

At almost the same time, Wei Shu and Zhuge Huai also received secret letters. The lights flickered as they read. After exchanging a few words, they swiftly left their homes.

Over the horizon, clouds loomed. Snow filled the cold month, as if fate itself were being declared.

Afterthoughts"

The original title of this chapter is "Escape from Birthday" because, at the beginning of the previous chapter (Chapter 030), we see an hourglass fall, with the old master in a kneeling position. In Chinese culture, it is taboo to give clocks, pocket watches, or wristwatches as birthday gifts because they symbolize that time is running out. Offering such a gift can be interpreted as a funeral ritual about to begin. It also suggests the end of a relationship.

It seems that Chu Qiao gave an hourglass to Old Zhuge Yue as a warning of his impending death at her hands. To the child, she had just attended a birthday party, but in the reverse sense, it became a funeral ritual for the old master. This event is a moment of triumph for her but one of sadness for Zhuge Yue.