Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 71: Hard to Kill
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
Before dawn, the darkness enveloped the earth. The sparkling lake reflected a subtle light, cold and pale. Footsteps on both sides of the strait echoed like stunned souls and finally caught up. Chu Qiao, wounded with blood on her shoulders, her lips pale, had fought repeatedly and fled while injured. Her physical strength had reached its limit. But when the scent of the enemy filled the air, she immediately stood up with great willpower. Her eyes narrowed, sharp like an agile leopard, waiting for the crisis to come.
With soft footsteps, the team of over 20 people, accompanied by four vicious dogs, moved silently through the grass. Their leader was an experienced jungle tracker. Perhaps having seen his former companions die tragically, he knew the people they were trying to kill were not lambs to be slaughtered. The group of 20 moved so quietly that not even a sound was heard, and even the hounds held their breath as they slowly moved forward.
Under the sad moonlight, Chu Qiao remained calm and expressionless. As a former commander of the National Security Agency, maintaining composure in times of crisis was a necessary code of conduct. It wasn't by chance that she had maintained a superb record in difficult missions. While her solo combat ability might not have surpassed that of the other elite agents, her calmness, alertness, quick responses, and unwavering confidence made her a formidable leader.
As the group approached, the hounds suddenly rushed to the left, breaking the silence with their howls.
The black-clad assassins rejoiced. One said, "Quick! They're over there!"
More than 20 people rushed past Chu Qiao. She clenched her dagger, exhaling a long breath as she silently followed behind them. The group was preoccupied with the barking hounds ahead, ignoring other sounds. They did not know that death lurked behind them.
With precision, Chu Qiao closed in on the rear, covering the enemy's mouth, and swiftly plunging the dagger into his neck. Blood splattered soundlessly as the man struggled briefly before falling limp. Chu Qiao made sure her strike was lethal and moved forward unnoticed.
The crowd continued their advance, unaware. She quickly replaced the dead man's clothing, wrapping her head and face in black like the rest of the assassins. In the dim light, no one would suspect her.
Chu Qiao mingled among the group, and, using the barking hounds as a distraction, sent two more assassins to their deaths. Then, the hounds stopped and began barking up a tree. The assassin leader turned, cautiously saying, "They're in the tree. Light the torches!"
When the bright torches were lit, the group readied their crossbows, waiting for the right moment. The leader shouted coldly, "You can't escape!"
Suddenly, a gust of wind stirred the branches. A red figure flashed by, and a hail of arrows was released. But there were no cries, no sign of success.
Another sound echoed from the branches. The red figure appeared briefly before vanishing again. Confusion spread through the group.
The leader, frowning, commanded, "Cut down the trees!"
The assassins pulled out their swords and began hacking at the trees. Chu Qiao, still disguised in black, blended in with the group.
The towering trees of the Hong Chuan Plateau were not easy to cut, especially without proper tools. After much effort, a tree finally began to fall. Just then, a red shadow flashed overhead, disappearing into another tree. The assassins were dumbfounded. Could this be the legendary stance?
The plateau's cold climate and tall, hardy trees added to their struggle. As the assassins stared up at the gap in the canopy, the squad leader gave an order, "Climb up and see!"
Reluctantly, the named men began climbing the tree. Once they reached the top, the leader frowned. Something was off. "Are there fewer people than expected?" he muttered.
Before they could react, a sudden burst of crossbow fire erupted. The short-range arrows found their mark, killing five men instantly. The torches fell to the ground, quickly extinguished by the damp forest floor. Darkness enveloped the scene.
All dressed alike, it was impossible to tell friend from foe. Suddenly, a figure whispered, "Over there!"
The leader turned, but before he could react, a dagger pierced his throat. He died without a sound.
"Head?"
A confused voice called out, but the only reply was another blood-drenched arrow. The throat of the speaker was silenced.
Chu Qiao moved like a ghost, efficiently dispatching her enemies. In a short span, the skilled assassins were all dead. None were left.
At that moment, the eight remaining assassins atop the tree realized something was wrong. They began descending quietly. Chu Qiao, however, was ready. She struck the partially sawed tree with her war knife.
With a thunderous crash, the tree fell in the direction of the assassins. Unable to react in time, they plummeted from over 20 meters, landing with sickening thuds. None survived the fall.
Chu Qiao didn't give them time to recover. Another rain of arrows followed, ensuring none would rise again.
Amid the stillness, a red shadow floated down. Chu Qiao removed her black face covering, revealing her true self. She glanced at the bird tied beneath her red robe. The little yellow bird, bound by heavy clothes, chirped as she released it. It flapped its wings weakly but soon soared into the night.
"Li Ce!"
A clear voice echoed by the poolside.
"I'm still here," a man's voice replied.
Li Ce stood, shaking his arm happily as Chu Qiao approached. His eyes scanned her, concern evident.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
Without responding, Chu Qiao bent down to drink from the pool.
"Amazing as always, Jojo," Li Ce said with a grin. He took off his robe and handed it to her. "Here, put this on."
"Oh," she said as she accepted the robe, her face calm, though excitement flickered beneath.
"Shall we go find the others now?" Li Ce asked.
Chu Qiao frowned, causing Li Ce to hesitate. "I thought we could kill them all and make our escape easier," he explained awkwardly.
Raising a finger, Chu Qiao quietly corrected him. "First, this is my fight, not ours. Second, the enemy has thousands of men. How many do you think we can kill? If you continue like this, you'll be the one getting us killed. If there's no retreat, I'll have no choice but to surrender to you."
Li Ce frowned, his expression sad as he tugged at her clothes. "Don't be so harsh, Jojo," he muttered.
Chu Qiao suddenly winced, and Li Ce noticed the blood soaking through her side.
"You're hurt again?" he asked, worried. "What happened?"
With her hand on the wound, Chu Qiao leaned against a tree. "Help me bandage it."
"What?"
"Bandage it!"
Li Ce quickly tore off a piece of cloth and exposed the bloody arrow wound on her side. He hesitated before pulling the arrow out. Blood spurted, and Chu Qiao groaned in pain, falling forward. Li Ce caught her, holding her close as he pressed the cloth to the wound.
"Jojo? Jojo?" Li Ce called out, panic rising as he felt the blood on his hands. "Are you okay?"
"I'm not dead yet," Chu Qiao replied in a low, hoarse voice, breathing heavily.
Li Ce sighed in relief and continued to bandage her. The cold night surrounded them, and Li Ce realized Chu Qiao could no longer fight.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the distance. The two sat up, tense and alert.
"What should we do?" Chu Qiao whispered. They were in no condition to fight. The smell of blood was strong, and the only option seemed to be a desperate exchange of outfits to buy time for an escape.
Chu Qiao glanced at Li Ce, who, for once, looked serious.
She wasn't a savior. She needed to survive for the people who depended on her. And if Li Ce's death would benefit Yan Xun, she knew what she had to do.
Her fingers brushed the dagger at her calf, ready to act.
"Qiao Qiao!" Li Ce suddenly turned to her. "I'll distract them. You take the opportunity to escape. Be careful."
Chu Qiao stared at him, surprised.
Li Ce removed his coat, placing it over her shoulders. He handed her a metal tube. "This is a self-defense weapon from my father, the emperor. Pull the wire, and fifty poisoned needles will fire. Use it carefully—it could save your life."
Chu Qiao held the metal cylinder, frowning in confusion. Li Ce, smiling, patted her shoulder. "What? Did you suddenly fall in love with me?"
Rolling her eyes, Chu Qiao sighed. "Be careful."
"I will," Li Ce replied, staggering away into the forest. As he disappeared, Chu Qiao loosened her grip on the dagger, her decision made.
"Li Ce!" Chu Qiao suddenly called out, stopping him as he turned to leave. Softly, she said, "I don't need this thing you gave me."
"I don't need it either," Li Ce replied with a grin. "I don't even know how to use it. It sounds so scary, I was afraid I might accidentally trigger it and hurt myself. Why don't you try it first and see? We can make more when we get back."
Chu Qiao frowned, biting her lip. After a moment, she let go of her doubts and quietly said, "Be careful."
Li Ce smiled. "You too, Qiao Qiao. I'll have to find you to learn Kung Fu when we get back."
Chu Qiao nodded. Li Ce stood up, stumbling over the thorns on the ground as he walked toward the direction of the noisy footsteps, his movements unsteady.
"Hey! Take a knife with you!" Chu Qiao called after him.
Li Ce didn't turn back. He waved his hand dismissively, and under the cold moonlight, Chu Qiao saw that he was holding a rugged stone, stained with blood. His clothes were disheveled, his steps clumsy, and any trace of his princely demeanor had vanished. He looked like a beggar rather than the crown prince of a kingdom.
Chu Qiao watched him go, her grip on the dagger slowly loosening.
AC Afterthoughts
This chapter strikes a delicate balance between intense action and character development. Chu Qiao's stoic, tactical nature contrasts with Li Ce's carefree and humorous demeanor, creating a compelling dynamic between the two. Despite the looming danger, Li Ce's light-heartedness offers a brief but effective moment of levity in the midst of the tension.
The pacing in this chapter is fast and sharp, reflecting the urgency of the situation. The narrative is propelled forward by Chu Qiao's survival instincts and combat skills, while Li Ce's character brings out a softer, more human side to the battle-hardened Chu Qiao. Their brief interaction adds depth to their relationship, showing that even in the face of peril, bonds of loyalty and trust can flourish.
The closing moments of the chapter, where Chu Qiao watches Li Ce walk away, signal a quiet reflection. Her loosening grip on the dagger suggests a rare moment of vulnerability, perhaps hinting at an unspoken affection or trust between them. The contrast between their personalities—Li Ce's reckless courage and Chu Qiao's careful precision—adds richness to their characters and sets the stage for further development in their relationship.