Chapter 170: She Is Mine (1)

The intersection of nightfall and dawn should have been the most beautiful moment, but Gu Yun's mood was currently shrouded in gloom, unable to see a single ray of light.

Su Ling's deep, dark eyes stared at her coldly, like a hawk watching its prey, as if he would pounce the moment she moved. A powerful aura enveloped her. Gu Yun took a deep, silent breath to steady her emotions slightly. When meeting on a narrow path, the brave one wins; she would not lose!

Lifting her head slightly to meet his cold gaze, Gu Yun said in a low voice, "Move aside."

"I said, I won't allow you to go out." His voice, which brooked no argument, revealed clear restraint; Su Ling was trying his best to suppress his anger. He didn't want to keep clashing with her, but every time, she challenged his patience with those defiant eyes and stubborn nature!

Just like now—

"And I said, I am leaving tonight!" Gu Yun's icy voice was equally resolute.

"You had best not interfere in Lou Xiyan's case. His affairs do not require your involvement, and you cannot handle them anyway." Su Ling's tone was always cold and overbearing, and the consolation in his words sounded incredibly grating.

Sure enough, his overbearing attitude caused Gu Yun's expression to darken instantly. Gu Yun replied without compromise, "They have already performed the wedding ceremony; Lou Xiyan is my brother-in-law, and I am definitely going to handle his affairs! As for whether I can handle them or not, that has nothing to do with you."

The two had clashed many times before. Su Ling understood that neither could convince the other, and using force against her would only result in mutual injury. Sighing silently, Su Ling said in a low voice, "As a Prime Minister of the nation, Lou Xiyan's guilt or innocence will be decided by the Emperor. Stay in the General's Mansion and act naturally; everything will be resolved."

Everything will be resolved? Gu Yun's intelligent eyes flickered. He sounded so certain, could it be... Gu Yun looked into Su Ling's deep, pool-like black eyes and guessed, "Do you mean to say that all of this is actually a trap set by Yan Hongtian in collusion with you all?"

Given her intelligence, Su Ling believed she already understood the stakes. He did not spell it out, merely replying indifferently, "Court affairs are not as simple as you think. Pulling one hair affects the whole body. If you act rashly, you will not only fail to save Lou Xiyan, but you will also drag yourself and your sister into it."

So it really was a trap they set? Gu Yun sneered. Just because Yan Hongtian was the Emperor, the so-called Nine-Five Supreme, he could use others as chess pieces at will? Why choose to arrest someone during their wedding of all times? Or was Lou Xiyan also in on it, and the only one left in the dark was that heartbroken bride?

Hmph! From the moment they took Lou Xiyan away at the wedding, Qing was already dragged into it! Now they come to tell her to consider the big picture—where were they before?

A faint disdain and anger flickered in those cat-like eyes, but Gu Yun said nothing more; she remained silent. Su Ling was anxious to take her back. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, "Let's go, we'll talk after we return."

"No." Gu Yun replied coldly, "It's dawn; I must go to the Prime Minister's Mansion." She had promised Qing yesterday that she would find her. Regardless of whether this was a trap or a lie Su Ling told to keep her steady, she had to go see Qing. She could not play at disappearing at a time like this; that would only make Qing worry for her while she was already anxious about Lou Xiyan.

Actually, if Gu Yun had clearly stated she wanted to go keep Zhuo Qing company, Su Ling might not have refused. But she was never one to explain herself. Su Ling had rarely been willing to explain things to anyone, even revealing inside information to her, yet she still insisted on wading into these muddy waters. Su Ling's long-suppressed irritation soared instantly. He roared, "You are not allowed to go! Come with me."

Su Ling's grip on Gu Yun's hand tightened abruptly as he dragged her back. Gu Yun naturally refused to submit and reached out to draw her sword. Su Ling had been prepared and struck her acupoints with lightning speed. Gu Yun felt her whole body go numb; she couldn't move at all!

Scoundrel! She had forgotten about the acupoint-pressing technique. She couldn't move, and she wasn't good at cursing, so Gu Yun could only glare fiercely at Su Ling with the most venomous look she could muster. Who knew that not only was he unfazed, he even seemed to be in a good mood. Su Ling's thin lips curled upward; he lifted her hand to hook around his neck and easily scooped her up horizontally. Seeing his smug look, Gu Yun was incensed and shouted, "Su Ling, you scoundrel! Let me go!"

The woman's sharp cry rang out in the early morning, sounding particularly jarring. Just as the woman's voice faded, Qian Jing felt the tree trunk shake. A black shadow flashed past his eyes with extreme speed. Qian Jing was startled and whispered, "Senior Brother!" He reached out to stop him, but unfortunately, he didn't even touch the hem of his clothes; the black shadow had already sped off in the direction of the two.

Su Ling was holding Gu Yun and turning to head back when the keenness honed on the battlefield made him sense a dangerous aura approaching. He held Gu Yun tighter and swiftly dodged to the side. Looking back, a dark shadow was already standing silently in the spot where he had just been.

The man before him had a tall, slender build that appeared somewhat thin, but Su Ling dared not underestimate him in the slightest. The man just stood there silently, and a cold, ruthless aura pressed in on them. In the morning light, only his head of silver hair was the most dazzling. His pale complexion paired with his cold, dark eyes gave one a chilling feeling, and his movements were so fast they were completely soundless.

It was him! Was he the bounty hunter who had saved Qing Mo at the General's Mansion last time? Su Ling secretly wondered what he was doing hiding in the back mountain of the General's Mansion, and why he had suddenly appeared now.

Ao Tian? Gu Yun recognized him at a glance as well. It wasn't strange for him to appear here, but what she wondered was, what did he want by revealing himself now?

"Let her go." A low male voice rang out coldly, devoid of any warmth. Both Su Ling and Gu Yun were stunned.

Did he come for Qing Mo? Was he here to help her?

Both had their own thoughts. Gu Yun didn't understand the situation and chose to remain silent for the time being to observe the changes. Knowing his target was Gu Yun, Su Ling slowly set her down, released her acupoints, and shielded her behind him.

Gu Yun could finally move, but her limbs were still somewhat numb and not very agile. She took a few steps back, using Ice Lotus to support her body, and began to exercise her limbs on her own. What she didn't know was that the two men were already at odds over her.

Hawk-like sharp eyes met night-wolf-like cold pupils. The two equally cold and taciturn men had nothing more to say; the weapons in their hands were both restless. In Su Ling's hand was the crimson Red Snow, and in Ao Tian's hand was the ink-black Magnetic Spirit soft sword. The two had not yet moved, but their cold and wild auras were already making Qian Jing, far away in the Wutong tree, feel his heart racing. The sun had risen, and Qian Jing could finally see clearly who the man and woman on the lawn were: the woman was Qing Ling's sister, Qing Mo, and the man was the Zhenguo General, Su Ling!

Why would his usually reclusive Senior Brother go and provoke them? Qian Jing was puzzled, but now was not the time to ponder this question; the war between the two men was already on the verge of breaking out.

Even Qian Jing, far away in the tree, could feel the strange atmosphere. Gu Yun naturally sensed the tense, sword-drawn situation between the two. She really didn't want to return to the General's Mansion with Su Ling, but it would be bad if Ao Tian got hurt because of it. Just as she was about to speak to persuade them, the Red Snow in Su Ling's hand was already unsheathed, taking the initiative to attack Ao Tian opposite him.

Gu Yun knew the power of Red Snow well and urged, "Be careful!"

Ao Tian's cold eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint, cold sneer curled his lips. He brandished the soft sword in his hand. The black Magnetic Spirit was as thin as paper, as resilient as silk, and as agile as a snake. Following Ao Tian's movement, it followed Red Snow and wrapped around Su Ling's arm. Su Ling's arm tightened abruptly, and he was secretly startled. What kind of weapon was this? It actually didn't fear the scorching heat of Red Snow?

Su Ling injected internal energy into Red Snow and flipped the sword body extremely fast. Flames instantly surged onto the ink-black Magnetic Spirit soft sword. Ao Tian also felt the heat in his palm and had no choice but to retract Magnetic Spirit, leaping back a step to avoid it.

The moment the soft sword released Su Ling's arm, Su Ling seized the opportunity to grip Red Snow tightly and thrust it toward Ao Tian's chest.

Gu Yun's heart tightened abruptly. If he were struck by this sword, he would be dead or severely injured! Ao Tian leaped backward in mid-air, having no time to dodge the sword. He had come to help her; she couldn't just let him die on the spot! Gu Yun made a split-second decision, drew Ice Lotus, and met the attack.

Ding—with a crisp sound, Ice Lotus parried Red Snow, blocking the sword for Ao Tian.

Gu Yun had intervened, and Ao Tian was safe, but Su Ling was burning with rage because of it. She had actually helped that man attack him! Damn it! Had they been acquainted for a long time, or were they meeting here by appointment?! Gu Yun's all-out assistance, combined with his own subjective assumptions, made Su Ling want to swallow Ao Tian alive right now, and his attacks naturally became even more ruthless.

Su Ling attacked Ao Tian again. Gu Yun was helpless; she had wanted to dissuade them, but seeing Red Snow coming with flames, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and take another strike. Ice and fire met again. This time, Su Ling used his full strength. Gu Yun felt a thick, rigid force strike her. She braced herself to take it and knelt heavily on one knee. Hearing her muffled groan of pain, Su Ling's hawk-like eyes turned cold. He retracted Red Snow and stared coldly at the woman on the ground who was putting on a brave front. What exactly was her relationship with that silver-haired man, that she would block his sword for him again and again?

Ao Tian reached out, wrapped his arm around Gu Yun's shoulder, and helped her up from the ground into his embrace. His deep, dark eyes scanned her body without a trace. Seeing that she had no obvious injuries, his suspended heart finally settled a little. He had never experienced this feeling of his heart suddenly tightening until he couldn't breathe. Seeing her step forward to block the sword for him just now, he finally understood what heartache and panic were!

The hand holding the sword was still trembling. Gu Yun still didn't understand what deep hatred existed between Su Ling and Ao Tian. Su Ling seemed unwilling to stop until he took Ao Tian's life. Gu Yun urged Ao Tian beside her, "You should go quickly, his Red Snow is very powerful!" The gap in strength between men and women was still very obvious. Although they both had sharp weapons, she clearly couldn't withstand a sword strike from him when he was in a rage!

Gently releasing the hand wrapped around her waist, Ao Tian didn't leave; instead, he whispered in her ear, "Stand still and don't move." After saying this, Ao Tian actually rushed up recklessly!

Ao Tian! Watching Ao Tian's dark figure rush toward Su Ling, Gu Yun's heart jumped into her throat. Su Ling always liked to use offense as defense. When Ao Tian rushed to a distance of more than a zhang away from him, Su Ling made the first move. Ao Tian stopped, his body swayed, and he narrowly dodged the sword. Suddenly, his ink-black figure split into two, then into four... In a short while, Su Ling was surrounded by a circle of figures. Each figure was dressed in black with silver hair, holding an ink-black soft sword, yet it seemed impossible to see each person's face clearly; one didn't know which was Ao Tian and which was an illusion.

This... what a ghostly movement technique! How did he do it?

Such bizarre martial arts not only left Gu Yun dumbfounded, but even Su Ling was stunned by the scene before him. It was as if he were being besieged by dozens of people in an instant. Although he knew most of them were illusions, he couldn't distinguish which one was Ao Tian, making it difficult for him to defend.

Ao Tian seized the opportunity, channeled his energy into his long sword, and thrust it toward Su Ling's heart.

Su Ling, who had walked on the edge of life and death for many years, sensed the danger at the very last moment. Su Ling turned to meet Ao Tian. With the sword tip inches away, Su Ling could only wave his sword to block while channeling his energy to retreat.

The moment Su Ling was forced back, Ao Tian's low, deep voice rang in Gu Yun's ear, "Go." Gu Yun only felt her waist tighten, and her whole person was already circled in Ao Tian's arms, speeding toward the direction of the forest.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 171 =====