Chapter 114: Hidden Wing Gathering

At the Mao hour of early morning, the sky was only dimly lit, and Xin Luo and I tiptoed out of the Shuiyi Pavilion where I was imprisoned. Xin Luo drugged the guard into unconsciousness; several times on the way we nearly were spotted by the night‑watch soldiers, but fortunately each time we escaped without incident.

A thunderous drumbeat rose outside the city; I knew another wave of siege had begun. In recent days Fu Junmo's frequency and intensity of attacks were clearly much higher than before. But I believe that once we get through this bout, the situation in Qi Kingdom will gradually turn from peril to safety.

"Miss, the waterway gate is just ahead. Because the current is fast year‑round, there aren't many guards. In a moment I'll lure those guards away; you then take the chance to let water flow into the city and open the gate. I'm sure the Young Master's men will be able to slip in soon."

I nodded, watching Xin Luo's departing back, and couldn't help letting out a long sigh.

Hidden Wing City is a city with a rather odd terrain. First, because it sits atop a mountain hollow, it is ten or so zhang higher than ordinary cities, making it easy to defend but hard to attack. Yet the hollow happens to lie on the largest tributary of the Huai River, so although most water is diverted into the main channel, there remains a fairly rapid tributary that flows through the watergate outlet into Hidden Wing City, serving as a moat.

Today Xin Luo wants me to open all the four‑direction gates in the waterway channel, directing the tributaries that had gathered there toward the city. This was originally prepared for flood season to prevent the current from being so swift as to wash the city away. Though the volume of water entering the city is large, it won't cause a flood and can slow the flow.

I waded through the underground channel, reduced by the gate to a trickle, and arrived at the iron gate. The surroundings were silent; none of the soldiers who should have been guarding were present, presumably dealt with by Xin Luo.

I closed my eyes, steadied my swaying body in the water, and breathed deeply. My true qi circulated twelve cycles, my ears and eyes suddenly cleared, I could hear no breath, no heartbeat, yet I could distinctly sense at least twenty adept masters, both internal and external, silently lurking around.

I suppose this is what they call spiritual perception.

I smiled, a smile so bitter. Though I've long been accustomed to scheming and deceit, when the deceiver and the deceived are friends and family I trust and cherish, that bitter taste is still indescribable.

I inhaled again, lightly tapping a single foot underwater, my inner breath racing. Suddenly, like a phantom, I moved in front of the four‑direction gates.

However, what I did was not open the left and right gates; instead I completely sealed the outlet gate that was used for water discharge, while loosening the front gate. After sealing the sides, I seized the moment before the hidden onlookers could react, and raced back along the route at top speed.

"Bang—" with a sound, the last waterway gate was also sealed by me. I heard the coarse, angry shouts of the man behind the iron gate, the roar of the water, and he dared not linger, fleeing outward for his life.

After running far, a speck of light expanded before my eyes, fresh air like sweet dew rushed into my mouth and nose, and from behind came a booming crash, followed by the thundering rush of water.

I exhaled fully, weaving left and right to bury myself in the panicked crowd. The plan had finally succeeded; this amount of water, though fierce, was insufficient to wash away civilian homes. Yet opening a waterway that would let Qi Ran and his men enter was more than enough. Now the worry is how to hide until Qi Ran comes to rescue.

Just as I was thinking, the surrounding crowd suddenly scattered in panic. I looked up and a dense army, like summer storm clouds, suddenly filled my view, marching orderly toward me. My heart startled; as I turned to flee, a clear, youthful voice that chilled me to the bone rang in my ears, halting my movement.

"Miss." Xin Luo stopped in front of the army; the tens of thousands of soldiers halted in unison at his voice.

A brilliant smile lit his face, yet his eyes were ice‑cold to the bone. He stepped toward me, holding in his hand the military spear I had seen in Xiao Chi's grasp, his voice clearer and more melodious than tinkling water, "Miss, we truly underestimated you."

I gave a wry smile, water dripping from the hem of my skirt, the wet streak reaching him. I said, "Xin Luo, I'm sorry."

Xin Luo is untrustworthy—those five words were the message I sent to Qi Ran and the others via my phone.

"Sorry for what?" Xin Luo sneered, "Miss, how did you see it?"

"I promised I wouldn't abandon you again, yet I irresponsibly left—truly sorry." I saw his slightly pale face, trembling hands, felt a pain in my heart, and continued, "I knew it when you first arrived. Your eyes, gold and silver, are dazzling. I've seen Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng's eyes; yours are identical. So I guessed… Xiao Chi certainly wasn't just injured, but… dead."

"Silence!!" Xin Luo's spear slashed hard, cutting my garment but not drawing blood; he gasped and roared, "Don't look at me with that gaze! Where were you when my brother died? Where were you when I was tormented? You kept saying you'd come to save me, that you'd protect me, but the result? Only abandonment, again and again! You even… when you left, never even considered what kind of life I was living!"

I… was speechless. Apologize, beg forgiveness? Yet the harm is done, Xiao Chi is dead, and no amount of repentance can bring him back.

I stepped back, bowed low, deeply, deeply bowing, and said, "Xin Luo, I'm sorry." Knowing it's useless, I still said it—for the mistake I made, for the harm inflicted on that boy.

"Too late…" Xin Luo laughed bleakly, "Too late… you think saying that will make me spare you? Mu Li Feng, since the story about her being pregnant is false, you may deal with her as you wish!"

I was startled, watching the man who years ago had sliced through my body and kicked me off a cliff step out, expressionless, and say, "Yes, Master Xin Luo, rest assured, I will leave her a whole corpse."

Xin Luo's body swayed, the hand gripping the spear at his side trembling slightly, but he gave me no more glance, stepping back into the thick ranks. At that moment Mu Li Feng sneered and waved.

The formation moved, swift as wind, agile as a rabbit; in the blink of an eye I was surrounded in the center by soldiers like wolves and tigers. What does it mean that ants bite to death? Moreover, at this moment I'm not even a sheep.

Facing these well‑trained, iron‑faced, ruthless soldiers, with only my ultimate technique, how long can I sustain, and how long should I sustain?

A flash of silver caught my eye; reflexively I reached out and grasped a sharp longsword that had already fallen into my hand.

I was stunned, seeing Mu Li Feng's slightly cold expression, while Xin Luo's clear voice came from the outer ranks, emotionless, "If I don't give you a chance to resist, you wouldn't be satisfied, would you? Let's see how long you can struggle to the death!"

This hard‑mouthed, soft‑hearted brat, my heart softened, I couldn't help a laugh, yet… he's right; opening the waterway fully for people to pass takes at least half an hour. How long can I struggle to death?

What does a scene of fifty‑thousand men besieging one person look like? Is it an absolute disparity where even a single drop of saliva could drown, a swift slaughter by a mob, or a slow, torturous death? I saw the black‑mass of troops retreat, leaving a five‑meter square clearing, and I stood in the center of that space.

A breakout? Hundreds of arrows flashing cold light were firmly aimed at me. They stood in the middle ranks, neither retreating nor advancing. Yet I have no doubt that if I charge in any direction, those arrows will rain down like meteors, turning me into a porcupine.

Mu Li Feng gave a cruel smile, raised his left hand to the sky, raised his index finger, and lightly waved his right hand; at that moment a few hundred of the fifty thousand troops, brandishing spears and swords, surrounded me, attacking in coordinated succession.

The instinct to survive made me instantly raise my sword to parry, without hesitation; my carefree Swordplay spread like starlight. On this battlefield there is no room for even a hint of doubt or softness. Even if the blade pierces my heart and blood splatters over me, I must keep killing.

Even though I don't know how long I can hold out, even though I know Mu Li Feng enjoys watching my struggle, my despair, slowly torturing me, the survival instinct still cannot be stopped; even when my hand aches so I can't lift the sword, my strength drains to a numb chest, I will still fight to the last breath. Perhaps, I suddenly think, perhaps this is what a battlefield is—where the crueler one survives.

But when I saw Mu Li Feng raise his left index finger and wave his right hand again, I couldn't help but feel the nearly thousand men surging back like a tide, trembling on the brink of collapse. Though none were seriously wounded, and these soldiers were merely average in skill, their strength was spent! Their hands shook! I let my despair, hopelessness, and the overwhelming, relentless longing swallow my heart. That's enough! I thought, as I waved to block a thrusting spear, my arm jolted, the longsword slipped from my hand. I couldn't help laughing, a laugh that was bleak and desolate yet oddly calm; I truly am unsuited for the battlefield, it's really enough!

"Wham—" a sudden roar, accompanied by a fierce aura, sliced a passage through the impenetrable human wall.

Those wounded by the icy aura didn't even have time to moan; they were flung sideways, crushing a large panicked crowd beside them, then fell unconscious.

Memory seemed to return to a distant past. That longsword that always appeared across my sight at my most desperate moments, its blade jet‑black, tip slightly upturned. The man who always showed up when I needed him most, clad in black, hair black, his dark, bright eyes flashing cold indifference yet full of concern.

I swayed, my body on the verge of collapse, watching the black‑clad, black‑haired man grip the longsword, his stern face advancing step by step toward me. Scores of soldiers with long spears stood beside him, countless archers drew bows, trembling as they aimed, yet none dared to act. I recalled a saying: one man holds the pass, ten thousand cannot breach it.

Suddenly I wanted to shout his name loudly, using every means to express my excitement and joy, and then I actually did so.

I cupped my hand to my lips like a trumpet and shouted, "Bu Sha—, I'm back! I'm back!!" My voice, hoarse and choked, carried far, far. Tears instantly welled up.

Bu Sha's eyes flickered slightly, countless intertwined ripples of water constantly swirling in his dark, stone‑shining gaze, finally settling on me. A barely perceptible smile curled at his lips; his right hand drew a few drops of blood, rose and fell a few times, and he leapt to my side, supporting my limp body with one hand.

A chilling inner breath pierced my body; his smile vanished instantly, replaced by a cold murderous aura. Wherever his gaze fell, even Mu Li Feng couldn't stop his body from trembling slightly.

He withdrew the icy killing aura, looked at me, and asked, "Are you all right?"

I gave a weak smile and shook my head. Feeling the continuous flow of inner breath from his palm, my body instantly revived as if reborn.

Mu Li Feng's complexion flashed blue and white; he crossed his hands and waved, and the formation that Bu Sha had split rejoined swiftly, encircling the two of us like a copper wall of iron.

He gritted his teeth, staring at Bu Sha, and hissed, "What a Bu Sha, you slipped into the city silently. But that's fine; this formation, prepared for Xiao Qiran, is perfect to test you!"

"Why test?" a clear, pleasant voice suddenly came from above the city wall, "Am I not right here?"

I, my spirit and mind trembling, could barely stand, could barely think. Even Bu Sha beside me trembled from excitement.

I cannot describe how distant and moving that voice was, how magnetic it was; each word, each sentence, even each beat like music, etched deeply into my heart.

I lifted my head, and everyone else lifted theirs. Sunlight poured down, forcing me to squint, yet it didn't hinder me from seeing the tall, slender youth standing on the city wall, as transparent as crystal, as bright as moonlight. Bu Sha's murderous intent softened, a gentle divine light appearing in his eyes. I suddenly raised my hand to cover my mouth, able to stop the sob in my throat, but unable to stop the burning in my eyes and my trembling heart.

Sunlight fell on the youth's long hair still dripping with water; his light‑blue robe fluttered, his tied hair silver strands swaying. A swirl of mist rose around him, framing the icy‑glint longsword in his hand, his unparalleled visage, his deep blue eyes. Everyone was stunned.

They saw the youth spread his hands lightly, stepping into the wind and mist, soaring gracefully, his body radiant, lightly landing, leaping into the battle formation, leaping before me.

It was a divine son, the wing‑unfurling deity! The formation kept retreating, pulling back until the soldiers' feet no longer trembled, their hands steadied, then it stopped. It truly was a deity‑like presence!

Qi Ran stood before me, his whole body covered in water, the vapor evaporated by his inner force, yet mist still swirled around him. He stared at me steadily, from top to bottom, again and again, his blue eyes flashing emotions as vast as the sky and deep as the sea, carefully appraising me.

My soul seemed to suddenly detach from the battlefield, leaving only us, only… us. I spoke silently, trembling, "Qi Ran, I'm back…"

My body was suddenly pulled into a warm, damp embrace; his scorching lips, carrying the familiar scent of a secluded valley, pressed down on me with endless longing and joy, kissing me deeply. The arms around my waist seemed to want to snap me in half, burying themselves into his body, merging into his blood, holding me tight, tight.

Qiran… Qiran… I held him tightly in return, feeling his love and his emotions, over and over replying: I'm back! I'm back! Qiran, I've finally… returned to your side!

"Attack now!" In my hazy consciousness, I heard Muli Feng's voice, panicked and defeated.

My heart jolted; I suddenly remembered I was still on the battlefield, the danger not yet passed. I hurriedly pushed Qiran away, feeling his hand locked around my waist, unmoving, my face flushing involuntarily as I panted lowly: "Be careful, they're attacking…"

His grip tightened, and I pressed closer to his half‑dry body; his lips met mine again, a low, sensual, magnetic voice lingering on my lips, making me tremble. He said: "With Bu here, what's there to fear?"

That voice had no affectation, no hesitation—natural as breathing, full of wholehearted trust.

In the corner of my eye I saw Bu Sha's black eyes deepen; the blood‑drawing blade swept horizontally, carving a gorgeous arc, dust rising, soldiers falling in droves—truly a sight that chilled the blood. Without missing a beat, he switched the blade to his left hand, just as fierce, with not a single extra motion, another terrifying one‑man‑stand slaughter.

He sheathed the blood‑drawing blade, switched the sword to his right hand, glanced at us clinging to him, couldn't help but roll his eyes skyward, yet a faint smile tugged at his lips.

I was shocked, as if witnessing a heavenly marvel; I pointed a trembling finger at the black‑clad, black‑haired man, lips parting, and cried urgently: "Qiran, did you just see Bu Sha's expression? He actually…"

My voice trailed off, the rest of my words swallowed by Qiran's mouth; after a moment he released my breathless self, his tone amused, brushing my lips as he murmured hoarsely: "Focus." Saying that, he backhanded a sword, thrusting it into the chest‑abdomen of the sneak attacker behind us.

Lost in the kiss, dazed and enamored, I was shifted left and right in his embrace; my hazy gaze saw him uninterruptedly backhand‑stab the ambush attacker, each strike flawlessly precise, yet I couldn't bring myself to part my lips even for a breath. I couldn't help but curse in my heart: Damn! Tell me to focus while you're off doing what?

(End of chapter)