Chapter 80: Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng

I stared, raising the corners of my mouth, "One of the Seven Holy Maidens?"

"How do you know about the Seven Holy Maidens?" Qiran frowned slightly, displeased, and placed the vegetables in my bowl; I struggled to chew.

"Qianqian told me, oh, right, Qianqian is Qingyi."

Qiran nodded in realization and continued, "Cheng'er is not one of the Seven Holy Maidens; actually, three of the Seven Holy Maidens died six years ago. Cheng'er..." Qiran paused, glanced at the expressionless Bu Sha, then said, "She is Hongxiu's sister."

Hongxiu? I bit my chopsticks, tilted my head, thinking for a long time; that name sounds familiar… "Ah! It was that red-clothed woman who stopped me at the Empress Dowager's Evergreen Palace that day. Hey, Bu Sha, right?"

Bu Sha nodded, as always drinking alcohol.

"You only drink and don't eat vegetables?" I looked at him in surprise, placing the vegetables in the bowl before his cup, "Huh, I remember that day leaving Evergreen Palace, I seemed to hear your conversation with her..." What was it saying?

The melodious music suddenly echoed and reverberated within the hall, then gradually softened; only Ma Yingyan's gentle voice rose, neither restrained nor exaggerated: "Today Yingyan will play a piece, its lyrics and melody not composed by herself, but obtained from a friend's transcription."

Her voice was soft and gentle; each character seemed to carry a soft, lingering resonance, twining around the ears, accompanied by the occasional undulation of her ten slender fingers, the notes flowing out, making people unconsciously intoxicated.

"Yingyan, upon first seeing it, fell in love and couldn't let go; therefore, today she specially performs this piece here to share with everyone."

The hall burst into enthusiastic applause, then gradually quieted; when silence reached its peak, Ma Yingyan's ten fingers lightly plucked, a melodious and pleasant sound rose, as if springing from the ground, winding in a low chant.

This… this is…

My hand holding the vegetables froze instantly; the pastry caught between two bamboo chopsticks swayed with the rising and falling melody, wobbling, about to fall but not quite.

"What's wrong?" Qiran turned his head, focusing on waiting for the next lyrics, not noticing my abnormality. On the contrary, Bu Sha, uninterested in these, seeing my expression change, couldn't help but ask coldly.

Qiran turned his head at the sound; at that moment, Ma Yingyan's voice, a thousand times more moving and pleasing than mine, poured forth completely.

"Each time, I remain strong while wandering in loneliness

Each time, even if I am badly hurt, I do not shed tears

I know I have always had a pair of invisible wings

"

"Ah—" a low exclamation sounded in the hall, "I know this piece."

Those who had been listening attentively, about to become angry, upon hearing this, lowered their voices and inquired one after another.

"Don't you know? Half a year ago, this song spread throughout Ye City in Qi State, with everyone vying to transmit and sing it, yet no one could piece together a truly complete version."

I shook my hand, placed the pastry into the bowl, and a faint sweat appeared on my forehead.

"Could this be that song, personally played and sung by the current Qi State's Qin Ning Empress before boarding the ship to marry… a world‑shaking piece?!"

"I finally saw all dreams blossom

the pursuing young voices resound loudly

"

Ma Yingyan paid no heed to the improper whispers below, merely wearing a faint smile, blending emotion into the scene as she sang softly.

I swallowed with difficulty, looked up at Qiran and Bu Sha's wide‑eyed stares, gave a dry laugh twice, and lowered my voice: "Actually, I didn't compose this either; you should know best—it's just a popular song from our world."

The bystanders' low talk again faintly reached my ears.

"I never imagined that a shameless woman who sells out her country for glory, even betraying her own father, could actually play and sing such a piece."

"That's not how to speak." An indignant female voice cried out lowly, "I've heard that the Empress fell deeply in love with the Qi King. Although she clearly knew it was treasonous, for love she had no choice but to willingly be used."

"Exactly!" Another enamored female voice continued, "Senior brother, you simply don't understand; for a woman, for the one she loves, there's nothing she cannot do. Although the Qin Ning Empress is not worthy of admiration, she evokes pity; I believe the Qi King also…"

I didn't catch a word of what followed; my face almost buried itself in the bowl. In my heart I cursed those two gossipy women overflowing with sympathy eighteen thousand times—damn it! Who said that? Which bastard said it?

I lifted my head and glanced sideways; Bu Sha remained icy as ever, furrowing his brows at me and Qiran. Qiran's face was a bit gloomy, yet he was still attentively listening to this piece.

I involuntarily turned back, my eyes fixed on the quietly singing Ma Yingyan; her faint smile, her voice neither sad nor joyful, yet a hint seeped into people's hearts. My soul seemed to leave my body, drifting to the seaside half a year ago, beside that self—wounded to the core yet still yearning to fly…

Red clothing, black hair, clear song ringing bright. Water light shimmering, it seemed like a dream.

Not thinking about their beautiful sun

I see that even the daily sunset will change

……

I finally soared, gazing intently without fear

Wherever there is wind, I will fly as far as possible

……

When the piece ended, the lovely lady had already leapt from the building and drifted away; the audience present, however, remained immersed in the music, unable to return to themselves for a long time.

It must be said, Ma Yingyan sang exceptionally well—whether melody, tune, singing technique, or blending emotion into the scene, she gave it her all. What I heard was no longer merely a popular song, but a wonderful music that truly releases spiritual emotion.

The people in the tavern gradually came to their senses, and after expressing admiration, each returned to their seats, resuming normal chatter.

The lively bustle continued, yet besides those nearby, no one would pay attention to anyone else.

I buried my head and shoved rice into my mouth, then lifted my head to glance at Qiran; suddenly my hand was gently grasped, and I happened to meet his eyes filled with pity and heartache.

I startled, then realized he had discerned my pain from the song, and I couldn't help but flash him a bright smile; my heart warmed, feeling extraordinarily comfortable.

Suddenly, with a "bang—", a long sword was neither lightly nor heavily placed horizontally on our dining table; the blade slightly peeked out of its scabbard, its body covered in blotchy rust, yet it exuded a pressing chill.

Qiran also didn't lift his head, drained a cup in one go, glanced at the sword, and uttered two words: "Condensed Chapter?"

"Good eyesight." The newcomer lightly turned, sat opposite me, his voice low and resonant yet with a hint of gentleness, very pleasant to hear, "This sword is precisely one of the four divine weapons, the Condensed Chapter."

I raised my head and saw a young man about twenty‑five or twenty‑six, roughly the same height as Qiran. His features, viewed separately, were not particularly striking, but combined they gave an unexpected refined and handsome air, faintly revealing a simple, childlike innocence.

Only his eyes were deep and distant, at times flashing with sharp light, at times withdrawn and tranquil, making them hard to fathom, yet vaguely familiar. His complexion was slightly pale, as if long deprived of sunlight, yet paired with his upright stature, he showed no sign of weakness.

Upon meeting my gaze, he involuntarily grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, "I am Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng."

I nodded and replied politely, "Hello." Strange—why does this person seem somewhat familiar?

"Waiter, another pair of chopsticks!" This person called Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng, with a cheek thick enough, simply took the chopsticks and began eating with us at the table as if it were nothing.

However, compared to the unflappable composure of the two beside me, I sighed at my own restraint… and continued eating.

"Xiao Qiran, I want to compete with you." Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng glanced at Qiran, his face showing a smile that was both shallow and deep.

"First strategist under the Front Key King's Seat, the highest‑valued swordsman of the Tianhe Continent—Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng?" Qiran set down his wine cup, looked back at him, and asked in surprise, "Do we know each other?"

I was startled in my heart, vaguely recalling having heard of this person before. Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng had once been the most scheming and crafty strategist under Fu Jing five years ago, but for some unknown reason, he suddenly defected from the Yao State three years ago.

Moreover, because he knew too many of Fu Jing's secrets, King Yao devoted nearly all his military strength to assassinate him, yet each time he escaped calmly, and he even successively assassinated all the princes except Fu Junmo.

Such a blatant warning, though King Yao Fu Jing felt wary in his heart, he no longer dared to joke with his own life, sending troops to make things difficult for him.

Afterward, he intermittently served various countries, hearing that he only took a few trivial odd jobs to make a living, yet he never pledged allegiance to anyone.

Anyone who came to challenge him out of admiration, or tried to force him into their service, all met defeat and a miserable end. Thus, the Heaven Harmony Continent's foremost swordsman, a strategist who could sway the world—Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng—became renowned throughout the land.

Half a year later, the Cold Moon Sect's assassin Bu Sha emerged unexpectedly, being hailed as the world's top assassin, only then could they stand as equals; yet Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng, for unknown reasons, suddenly vanished at this time, as if he had evaporated from the mortal realm.

I narrowed my eyes, observing the people nearby for a while, then lowered my head to keep eating; I simply couldn't believe that, judging by appearance alone, this person bore any resemblance to a legendary figure—he looked like a mere child who had just grown up.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng smiled and shook his head without answering Qi Ran's words, lightly resting his hand on the sword's hilt and sheathing the blade entirely. He then lifted his head, gave a faint smile, and said, 'As for the wager—let's use the woman beside you.'

"Cough—" a mouthful of food lodged in my throat, making my face flush red. Bu Sha kindly handed me a cup of tea, which I hastily gulped down.

"It's so cold—I shivered from the chill all over, quickly looked up at Qi Ran, almost raising my hand to swear, and blurted out, 'I've never provoked this person; I don't even know who he is!'

"Miss, saying that hurts me deeply." Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng glanced at me, then at Qi Ran, smiling with a childish air that begged for a beating, and said, "Not to mention you casually took my horse and still haven't returned it. Do you really forget so quickly the kiss we shared on the street a few days ago?"

"Ah—" I exclaimed, nearly drawing the attention of everyone in the teahouse. Mortified, I wanted to bury my face in my bowl again, sighed in realization, and snapped, "So it's you."

"The world's greatest swordsman? Why would he challenge Qi Ran instead of Bu Sha? My chest tightened slightly."

Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng smiled with a deep, mysterious look, turned his gaze to Qi Ran, and leisurely said, 'The wager was just a joke, but may I have a match with you? Ice Ling… Young Master.'

My whole body jolted; I knew the name Xiao Qiran wasn't uncommon, since whether registering at an inn or otherwise, Qiran had never concealed it, but the identity of Young Master Ice Ling…

I lifted my head to look at Qiran and Bu Sha; although their faces were solemn, they remained calmly unperturbed, and my heart eased a little.

Qiran raised his head, his blue eyes calmly regarding him, transferred the vegetables from his chopsticks to my bowl, and said lightly, 'Fine.'

"How can I possibly eat all this?" I muttered helplessly as the vegetables piled higher and higher in my bowl.

"Bu Sha…" I idly plucked at the grass, asking, "Who do you think will win between them?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?!" I exclaimed, startlingly lifting my head, "Will that person's martial arts surpass Qiran's?"

Bu Sha seemed to sigh faintly, but upon closer inspection, he showed no expression at all.

"His internal energy is erratic, seeming present yet absent; moreover, I cannot sense his emotions at all."

"Are you saying Qiran has no choice but to accept the match?" I frowned slightly, "Otherwise, even with his abilities, he might not be able to keep both of us safe."

A flash of cold light crossed Bu Sha's eyes, then a complex expression flickered and vanished: 'Whether this person is friend or foe remains unclear.'

"Ah! So Qiran already knew. Then why won't he let us watch? Is he afraid of losing face?"

Bu Sha's mouth twitched, wanting to speak but saying nothing.

Suddenly, he wiped the expression from his face, focused, and roughly pulled me behind him, leaning on the lightly trotting horse, his whole body tensed.

Murderous aura erupted abruptly, as if even the black wind sensed danger and let out a roar.

I furrowed my brows at the surroundings; having been discovered, a crowd instantly gathered around us.

"Long time no see, Bu Sha!" A green-clad man with somewhat handsome features stepped slowly from a group of black-clad masked figures standing in an eerie formation; his voice sounded in my ears like a slimy, disgusting reptile sliding over my skin, making me shudder all over.

His pair of upturned eyes, utterly mismatched with his handsome face, revealed him to be none other than the one I had encountered in Changping Commandery of Qi State who had tried to seize the Black Tortoise Stone—Qin Ye.

"When you broke my arm that day, you were incredibly arrogant!" He raised his arm encased in an iron bracer, glanced vacantly behind him, and laughed with triumph, madness, and perversion, "Your martial arts have been abolished, hah… I never expected you to have a day like this!"

At this moment, my shock was far from slight. The fact that Bu Sha had lost all his martial arts was known only to me, Qiran, my master, Xinhui, and Wuye; how could the news have spread so swiftly?

Moreover, why did it happen precisely when Qiran was about to duel someone?

"Wait a moment," Bu Sha whispered close behind me, "When I give a signal, you mount the black wind and flee."

I sighed, lifted my gaze to Bu Sha's icy, solemn expression, then jerked my mouth sideways and kicked him hard.

Bu Sha let out a low groan, furrowed his brows at me.

I licked my dry, trembling lips, about to speak, but Qin Ye would not allow us any delay; his intact left hand slowly rose, his face twisted with vengeful pleasure yet unexpectedly grave, he said, 'Remember, that woman must be taken alive—on no account harm her. Go!'

Hearing that, my heart stirred involuntarily; the dagger hidden in my sleeve slipped silently into my right palm.

"Bu Sha, please watch closely…" I stepped forward three paces, turned my back to Bu Sha, faced the people charging straight at us, slowly drew the Absolute Silk, and smiled faintly, "This is who I am now!"

My body moved—like a ghostly phantom.

A suffocating heaviness pressed on my chest, impossible to vent, as if blood were about to burst from my body at any moment.

My face turned pale; I barely kept my footing, and when the tension in my hand eased, the corpse that had been hanging from it collapsed like rotten cotton, limp on the ground.

Around a dozen black-clad men showed no expression, yet their eyes held obvious alarm. Though I had killed only one with a simple, unusual method, they could not help but be shocked.

Because no one saw clearly how I, in the span of a breath, slit the throat of the man before me.

I drew a deep breath, forced my complexion to become a normal flush, then turned my head to look at Bu Sha.

"Bu Sha, I am not as weak as you imagine." I gave a light smile, steadily gazing into those icy yet tenderly undulating black eyes, and earnestly pleaded, "Even if I still lack the power to protect you, at least let me stand beside you and fight shoulder to shoulder."

Bu Sha lowered his head, slowly drew the black blade from his hand, and whispered low, 'At least three people still lurk in the shadows—be careful.'

The air seemed to fill with irritable grit, leaving me with a vague premonition I could not call good or bad.

Qin Ye suddenly stepped forward a few paces, filling the spot left by the black-clad man I had slain, and shouted with a trembling voice, 'Don't break the formation—separate them, and kill Bu Sha first.'

No one responded, yet the scattered people abruptly shifted positions and began to move.

"A formation?" Watching the crowd continually shift and change while its essence remained unchanged, my heart suddenly cleared—I finally realized where the problem lay.

The clashing of weapons, panting, and shouted orders mingled in the air, sparse yet drawing near.

I and Bu Sha were gradually separated; thirty-odd masked men, over seventy percent of them, gathered around him. Perhaps, even though I had just shown a trick, and even though Bu Sha now lacked all inner strength, they still feared most the world's top assassin.

Perhaps there were other reasons as well—who knows…

At this moment I finally grasped the greatest flaw of assassination techniques—only suited for close combat. The number of people isn't the issue; the difficulty I face is their dozen or so members cooperating flawlessly, leaving me no way to cleanly cut down any one of them.

However, when their longswords touched my Absolute Silk, they snapped in two; after wounding two, they dared not attack rashly. For a while, neither side could gain an advantage, and that was that.

Yet Bu Sha's side of the battle was far from optimistic. The black-clad men surrounding him seemed to soak up the anger I couldn't vent, their swords fierce, even fighting to the death, evidently determined to kill him at any cost.

Bu Sha's footwork is first-rate, no doubt. Yet each of his strikes now lacks the former aura that could shock even Shi Potian, unmatched by anyone. Occasionally when blade meets blade, he is forced to retreat a few steps or take a few hits, blood slowly seeping from the corners of his mouth and body.

Moreover, each time he was forced to retreat a step, the encirclement gradually formed, and his situation became a bit more dangerous.

I panicked inside, and two gashes appeared on my arm; the person who wounded me had eyes even more panicked and fearful than mine, glancing around wildly.

The resolve in my heart grew heavier; I glanced at the pale, exhausted Bu Sha, and clenched my teeth.

I know that at this moment I have no choice but to gamble once.

I suddenly withdrew the Absolute Silk and surged southwest. The balance was instantly broken; those surrounding me hesitated, raising their swords to strike me, hoping to force me back, but at the instant they were about to wound me, they flinched and withdrew.

I suddenly lifted my qi and lightened my body, lightly tapping the tips of a few swords rushing at me with my toes, leapt up, and landed on the target position to the southwest.

There stood a person, an inconspicuous man in black. But when I raised the dagger in my hand and attacked him, everyone, including Qin Ye, panicked.

His body hardly moved; a pair of gloomy, dark eyes simply gazed at me with a cold, indifferent, all‑or‑nothing expression. Then, as the dagger brushed his neck, he shifted slightly, avoiding the blade.

I sneered inwardly, and the corner of my mouth rose. The hand that had just relinquished the Absolute Silk and had been resting at my waist suddenly drew out, aiming precisely at the beating heart beneath his black garb, and I said coldly:

"If you don't want to feel the agony of a bullet through the heart again, order them all to stop—Fu Jun Mo!"

(End of chapter)