Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 52: Revenge begins

By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua

The next day marked the beginning of the big summer royal family hunting conference.

Those eligible to participate in the summer field hunts, in addition to royal family members, princes, and ministers, included family members, relatives, and pilgrims near the fiefs. The scene was grand, though less so than the autumn hunt. The hunting grounds were covered in snow, and pine forests lined the edges. The children of noble households were dressed in fine costumes and large fur coats, crossbows strapped to their backs, appearing fierce and valiant.

Looking at the grandeur of the Big Summer, it was no less impressive than that of the Song and Tang Dynasties. A woman, as striking as a red cardamom flower, rode her horse forward. Chu Qiao, watching her, seemed lost in thought, while others glanced at her with interest.

"A'Chu," Yan Xun glanced back at Chu Qiao's small, red face and asked, "Are you cold?"

"Not cold," Chu Qiao replied, looking up. "It's been a while since I've woken up this early, and the air feels good."

Yan Xun smiled, about to respond, when a team of people suddenly approached. Muhe Xi Feng, wearing a long sable fur coat, looking dashing, caught many eyes as he passed.

"Yan Shi Zi, it's been a long time," Muhe Xi Feng said with a smile. "You seem well."

Yan Xun turned, his eyes narrowing as he looked up and down at Muhe Xi Feng. He offered a faint smile. "Mu, it has been a while. You've been busy with your duties, so it's no surprise."

"Indeed," Muhe Xi Feng responded, smiling lightly. "I've been dealing with unrest in Yanbei lately, but now I'm here to enjoy some leisure. Life in the capital has its perks."

Yan Xun and Chu Qiao continued smiling, though their expressions were unchanged. Yan Xun nodded and replied, "Hard work is always necessary. I'm sure Mu's son will do his best during the hunt."

Muhe Xi Feng laughed. "Well then, fasten your horses."

As Muhe Xi Feng rode away, he glanced at Chu Qiao with a strange smile. "You seem familiar," he remarked.

Chu Qiao respectfully saluted. "Master Mu, I don't think we've met. I'm Chu Qiao, Deputy Commander-in-Chief."

"An impressive name," Mu Xi Feng said with a grin before riding off.

At that moment, drums sounded loudly, both short and long beats, signaling the start of the event. From a distance, Xia Wang (the Emperor) and Mu He were visible, surrounded by bodyguards as they slowly ascended the platform. Tens of thousands of guards stood at attention on both sides, while the people outside the thick golden curtain couldn't see Xia Wang's features, only feeling the warmth emanating from the curtain.

The audience, awestruck, knelt and chanted, "Long live the Emperor!" while kowtowing in unison.

The long-anticipated summer hunt had finally begun.

From afar, flags lined the coast of Chishui like a sea of colors. Beside Yan Xun stood Chu Qiao, observing the military deployment below. Their eyes squinted slightly as they took in the scene.

The grandeur of the Great Summer army was truly extraordinary. Even for a royal hunt, such a large formation of soldiers was impressive. One could only imagine how powerful they would be in actual combat.

The Zhang household was at the center, with the Xia people positioned in the plains, surrounding the offensive ring camps such as the Guards Army, Green Camp, and Xiaoqi Camp. Cavalry from Beijing stood to the southeast, while communication soldiers were stationed every thirty steps, with defensive troops spread a hundred steps apart. Thousands of legionnaires stood guard at the four corners of the camp, leaving no gaps in their defense.

A gust of wind blew, horses neighed, and flags fluttered. Yan Xun, his expression calm, said slowly, "A'Chu, go back and rest."

Chu Qiao turned to Yan Xun, her heart understanding his intent. She nodded quietly and said, "Be careful."

Yan Xun smiled faintly. "This is a rare opportunity, A'Chu. Trust me, there will be good news."

Throughout the afternoon, the atmosphere in the Yandu Daying Camp was tense. Chu Qiao, wearing black robes, sat inside the large battalion, looking focused. She drew the final stroke on a map, then quietly said, "Be cautious, and don't reveal anything."

The crowd nodded. "Rest assured, Chu girl!"

That afternoon, the best of the Muhe family's younger generation disappeared into the northwest jungle. Muhe Xi Feng, nephew to the Xia country's queen mother, led a search party but found no trace of them. Muhe Nayun, furious, demanded to use the cavalry to search herself, but Zhao Chuan-Yi, now in charge of the cavalry camp, refused. This disagreement caused friction, but Zhao Che could not have predicted how today's events would haunt him in the future.

Meanwhile, other noble families were too immersed in the hunting festivities to concern themselves with Muhe's predicament. Mu Xi Feng, known for his cruel and domineering nature, was widely disliked. Most believed he had simply lost his way in the jungle. After all, the security around the imperial camp was too tight for anyone to approach undetected.

But they were mistaken.

In a hidden cave deep in the northwest jungle, Yan Xun stood over Mu Xi Feng's bloodied and mutilated body. A cold smile played on his lips as he spoke, "Mu Xi Feng, are you still alive?"

Mu Xi Feng, his eyes sharp and wild like a ferocious wolf, glared at Yan Xun. His voice, low and filled with hatred, said, "Yan Xun, I swear, one day you will regret ever being born into this world."

Yan Xun chuckled, a hint of mockery in his tone.

Mu Xi Feng, his voice hoarse and filled with rage, continued, "You wait and see. I'll make sure you suffer. Your sister… I've already…"

Before he could finish, Mu Xi Feng's eyes widened, his words cut off as blood spilled down his pale neck.

Yan Xun looked down at him with disdain and said coldly, "Even as a prisoner, you still have such foul words. You're nothing but a dog."

With a final thud, Mu Xi Feng's body collapsed. Yan Xun wiped the blood from his dagger and turned to one of his men. "A'Jing, feed this to the tigers and leave no trace. Mislead the Muhe family so they don't find us."

"The girl is ready to attack Zhao Che and Wei Shu You. Should we proceed?"

Yan Xun nodded. "Yes, as she instructed."

In the camp, Chu Qiao was busy ensuring all preparations were in place. She gave her final instructions and dismissed her men to rest.

As the camp grew quiet, Yan Xun returned. Chu Qiao brushed the snow off his cloak and asked, "Did everything go well?"

"Perfectly," Yan Xun replied. "By tomorrow morning, chaos will begin."

Chu Qiao nodded but added, "There's always a type of person who, even in death, leaves uncertainty. We need to be cautious. We've taken risks, but our enemies won't know where the blow came from."

Yan Xun smiled. "He didn't bother you last night, did he?"

Chu Qiao shook her head and smiled. "No, I wasn't bothered."

Yan Xun nodded with a smile. "I always remember."

As snow swirled outside, Yan Xun crossed Mu Xi Feng's name off a list. Yan Bei's vengeance had claimed another victim.

AC Afterthoughts

This chapter is a crucial turning point, not only in terms of plot progression but also in deepening the emotional stakes for the characters. The tension between Yan Xun and Mu Xi Feng highlights the deadly undercurrents of the political struggle, while Chu Qiao's presence hints at larger plans unfolding behind the scenes. As the royal hunt begins, the reader is left with the sense that this is just the start of something far more dangerous—a game of survival where the true hunt has only just begun.