Chapter 72: Queen of the Nine Yi

The cold sword edge reflected the clear light, remaining with the woman's warm blood. When the fingertips touched, it gradually cooled down. The smell of blood, mixed with a trace of elegant light fragrance, entangled in the darkness and passed over Ye Xuanshang's eyes like the deep night, vaguely reflecting various strange emotions such as surprise, shock, and deep thought, and finally returned to a condensed and deep silence. He made a gesture to stop Yan Ling's question that had reached his mouth. After the two left the secret passage, it was indeed the inner lake connected to the Chu Jiang near the Shao Yuan Jun Mansion. A flagship engraved with the Nine Yi tribe's emblem was docked near the shore, and the light was vaguely visible on the boat.

Compared with the bright fire light in other places, this place was obviously not listed as a search target and appeared very quiet. "Are you really going to board the boat? I have nine points of certainty to leave the Monarch's Mansion smoothly. It seems unnecessary to bet on this game." Yan Ling finally couldn't help but remind. No matter what, the other party was the Shao Yuan Jun's fellow apprentice sister. Perhaps this flagship was simply a trick to lure the enemy.

A crescent moon passed through the clouds, casting dim light. Ye Xuanshang's lips revealed that uninhibited smile again, "Sometimes taking some risks may have unexpected gains." He raised his hand and held Yan Ling's shoulder, "I will board the boat to meet this Queen of the Nine Yi. If there is any accident, remember not to act rashly, and find an opportunity to leave the Monarch's Mansion."

Yan Ling gave him a big white eye without politeness, "What is this? Are you teaching me to abandon a friend in a dangerous situation and leave first?"

Ye Xuanshang laughed, "It's not dangerous. Since the other party has already discovered my identity, I just need to notify Huang Fei. It seems unnecessary to set up a trap again. The Nine Yi tribe has a very special status among the various forces, so I must go on this trip to find out what her intention is."

Yan Ling said, "If you want to go, go together. Otherwise, it won't count as brothers!" After saying that, the person had already flashed out of the hiding place, rushing to the flagship first. Ye Xuanshang couldn't stop him, shook his head helplessly, and then exerted his figure to follow closely.

Because it was docked in the inner lake of the Monarch's Mansion, the bright lamps originally hanging high on the flagship had been lowered, leaving only a row of wind lamps under the eaves to reveal quiet light. The two sneaked to the dark corner of the boat hull, Yan Ling flicked his hook and rope, borrowed a little strength, and turned onto the bow after a few ups and downs. Ye Xuanshang arrived later. There were only a few guards left on the boat, and the two successfully reached the upper deck, avoided a few maids, and entered the main cabin, just finished using their internal energy to dry their clothes, when they heard noisy human voices coming from outside.

The suspension bridge on the side of the boat was slowly lowered. Dozens of bright lamps on the main cabin, watchtower, and mast were raised, illuminating the inside and outside, showing the elegant and gorgeous outline of the flagship—this was a gift from Huang Fei to Qie Lan half a month ago to celebrate her being named queen, and also included an exquisite mansion located outside Shangying City and countless servants, which had caused quite a sensation in Chu Du at the time, not only expressing the Chu State's attitude toward the Nine Yi State, but also unreservedly explaining that the Shao Yuan Jun and the Nine Yi Queen had an extraordinary relationship.

Several rows of guards escorted the two to board the boat and went straight to the upper cabin. "Your Highness! Monarch..." Low calls sounded outside, and someone seemed to wave his hand, followed by the sound of maids withdrawing from the room one after another. Through the brocade painting screen, Huang Fei seemed to say something to Qie Lan, the lamp beside the case was as bright as jade, the moon shadow flowed on the window, the Shao Yuan Jun who spoke softly, the tenderness that no one could ignore, and the smile that no one could resist, made this side of the world reveal a softness completely different from the murderous atmosphere outside.

Perhaps because of the sword injury, Qie Lan leaned against the case, her eyebrows slightly frowned under the lamp color, looking much weaker than her usual heroic appearance. She raised her head and said: "The injury is not heavy, it doesn't matter anymore. It's all my fault for being careless, which allowed those two people to escape."

The wound on her arm had already been bandaged and medicated, and had been carefully treated. Huang Fei pulled her outer robe for her, turned and sat down, and said faintly: "That person can block my sword without being hurt. No matter internal energy or sword technique, it is extraordinary. Fortunately, he had no intention of hurting your life, otherwise I would be difficult to explain to Master."

Qie Lan said: "It's a pity that I couldn't see his appearance clearly. The defense of the Monarch's Mansion is so tight, I don't know how they mixed into the Liefeng Cavalry guards, and what was their purpose?"

Huang Fei sneered, "I have sent someone to check. The mechanism of the secret passage from the Monarch's Mansion to the inner palace was destroyed, and the dark arrows controlled by the five-fold mechanism were all fired, but no corpse was seen. These two people must have come for the 'Secret Record of Ye Zi' in Hengyuan Hall, but accidentally bumped into the secret passage next door to avoid the mechanism, killed two patrolling guards and pretended to be them to sneak into the mansion. Humph, the courage is not small!"

The two people in the dark were terrified. After the incident, Huang Fei hadn't even been to the Hengyuan Hall secret passage, but he pushed the facts so accurately. No wonder the Liefeng Cavalry was invincible. With such subtle inference and amazing intuition, how many people on the battlefield could plan and strategize with him? Then he heard Huang Fei say again: "According to the report, one of the guards was killed by an extremely thin sharp blade. It must be the knife cut off by your Fuxuan Sword. The person who used the knife was able to avoid your sword when the weapon was broken. His light work is very good, and his identity can be traced from this. Qie Lan, did the person who hurt you use his left hand or right hand?"

He suddenly turned his head and asked, Qie Lan couldn't help but be stunned. Under the lamp, Huang Fei's handsome eyes were like the scorching sun, sweeping over, with heroic wind between his eyebrows, reaching people's hearts in an instant.

Qie Lan's heartbeat missed a beat, and everything around seemed to stop. The gaze that penetrated all things was as long as a thousand years, but in fact it was only a short moment, and she replied quietly: "Didn't I tell Senior Brother? The reason I was hurt by him was because I didn't expect that he could use his left hand to use the sword."

Huang Fei's eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile flowed like spring water, "No wonder the wound on your arm is deep on the outside and shallow on the inside. I was wondering why the sword momentum of this person was so special."

Qie Lan's gaze had never avoided his eyes for half a moment, and only then did she close her eyes lazily. The fatigue that was there or not in her eyebrows showed a bit of pitiful charm. She brought up the topic without changing her expression, as if his question was just a casual question, and she just answered casually, "Senior Brother, I have one thing I don't understand. You know that the various countries covet the 'Secret Record of Ye Zi', why do you deliberately release the news that the full version of the secret record is in the Chu State, and even reveal the Hengyuan Hall, causing so many troubles?"

Huang Fei raised his eyebrows faintly, "Even if I don't release this news, someone will help me spread it, why should I waste my efforts?"

"Is it the Xuan King? Looking at the current situation, Senior Brother has decided not to buy Ji Cang's favor and really wants to move the Xuan State?" Qie Lan's pupils reflected the gentle lamp color, crystal clear like glaze, with strands of admiration flashing, as if she was extremely curious about the possible war that would topple the country, and also full of worship and respect for the man in front of her.

Huang Fei turned his head and smiled, with deep meaning, "The time has not come, I don't want to fight Ji Cang to the death for nothing." Before Qie Lan could answer, he stood up and said, "It's getting late, you have injuries, I will send you back to rest first."

Qie Lan was suffocated by the pride that suddenly swayed in his eyes, but she couldn't help but fix her gaze on the tenderness of that moment, and shook her head slightly: "Just a little injury, why do you need Senior Brother to escort me personally? Moreover, the matter tonight involves the military secrets of the Liefeng Cavalry, so it is better not to be public. If Senior Brother sends me specifically, it will be seen by others."

After watching Huang Fei leave the boat, the smile on Qie Lan's lips slowly disappeared, replaced by a look of relief.

The flagship slowly sailed out of the Monarch's Mansion, passing through without obstruction, and soon turned into the wide middle section of the Chu Jiang. After sending away the maids who came in to greet her, Qie Lan ordered to the outside: "You extinguish the lamps and withdraw for the time being. Don't come up to disturb me without an order."

Following a command from outside, the wind lanterns on the deck were extinguished one by one, and the upper cabin immediately plunged into silence. Only a single exquisite silver lamp remained in the room, casting a faint, soft, and gentle glow. Qie Lan leaned against the desk, quietly gazing at the river flowing under the moonlight outside the porthole, the misty waves vast and boundless, as if waiting for something. A moment later, a soft sound came from near the window lattice, and suddenly two people appeared before her eyes.

Qie Lan's lips showed a faint smile, "Third Young Master is indeed bold and daring. I thought you wouldn't board the boat."

Ye Xuanshang also laughed, "I received Your Highness's help tonight, and I haven't had time to say a word of thanks. How can I leave without saying goodbye?" He sat down generously in front of the seat, "Huang Fei didn't seem to fully believe Your Highness just now."

Qie Lan asked: "Does Third Young Master think that you fully believe me?"

Ye Xuanshang raised his eyebrows slightly. This subtle movement made him naturally bring out a bit of openness and uninhibitedness. He didn't seem to worry about the current situation at all, and answered frankly: "Not necessarily. At least I can't think of a suitable reason. It is not easy to hide from Huang Fei. If Your Highness was not careful just now, I am afraid that you would have been found to be inappropriate."

Qie Lan stared at him for a moment, sighed softly: "Senior Brother has always been flamboyant and doesn't put anyone in his eyes, but anyone who has fought with him knows that the Shao Yuan Jun has a meticulous mind and extremely keen insight that no one can compare." She raised her head slightly, her gaze passing through the window. A crescent moon was like a blade, hidden in the floating clouds that appeared and disappeared. The river was covered with heavy fog, empty and vast. Although three years had passed, the scene of boarding the boat and talking with that person when he entered Chu alone was still vivid. Seeing him for the first time by the river, she finally understood why there was such a rumor in the world—

Chu has Huang Fei, no one in the world claims beauty; Chu has Shao Yuan, the Nine Domains dare not speak of soldiers.

That man, white clothes and gorgeous clothes, unparalleled style; that man, looking down on the world and waving his hands. Facing the ruthless suppression of the royal army to destroy the country and the threats of the Mu and Xuan states waiting for opportunities, there is only one person in the world who can save the Nine Yi tribe from danger, and only this one person dares to be the backer of the Nine Yi tribe.

She borrowed soldiers, she worshipped a teacher, and she carefully cooperated with his plan to knock on the palace gate step by step.

His arrogance, his strength, his invincible power, and his strands of tenderness all turned into a net.

Crossing the boat on the great river, he once talked and used soldiers, broke the enemy with a flick of his finger, and helped her kill a bloody path; chasing the enemy on horseback, he once shook his sword and roared, swept across the battlefield, and raised his eyebrows and smiled to break a thousand cities.

Stepping on the bright moon, climbing the dangerous river, he once welcomed the wind and drank, pointed at the country, and his flying posture took the sun and the moon; the flower rain fell, the stars filled the sky, he once pulled the sword into water, smiled gently, and his elegant style moved his heart.

Three years of revenge, three years of fighting, three years of brother and sister, three years of affection, time is like water, blood is like flowers... He stood at the end of the road to hell, his whole body was bright and he couldn't see his face. Every step she took, she could feel the collapse of the earth under her feet, as if countless quicksand passed away, and a huge black hole was waiting in a place that people had never seen. Light and dark, light and shadow, were destined to be trapped, and would eventually cease to exist.

Even knowing it was drinking poison to quench thirst, she still had to choose, to exchange one person's body for a thousand people's lives, to exchange the old country's death for the bloodline's survival. The moment the sword pointed at the gate of the Imperial Capital, she knew clearly what kind of road she would open, and how the fate of the Nine Yi tribe and herself would be, but she went forward without hesitation until she met that person.

Faint green shirt, faint smile, cold style, cold eyes.

The mortal enemy of three years ago, but three years later, it may be the opportunity for the Nine Yi tribe to break free from fate.

The elite soldiers and strong generals under Zhongshi Mountain, the sword-shaking crowd in Xima Valley, she saw a road clearly from that person's eyes. When she handed the Moonstone with both hands, she had already made up her mind. Even if the person in front of her was really the murderer who destroyed her home and country, this step of submission would have to be taken, only because the Nine Yi tribe had to face the Shao Yuan Jun with unparalleled edge.

"Senior Brother will naturally have doubts about what happened tonight, but he will never take any action against the Nine Yi tribe because of this." After a slight silence, Qie Lan took back her gaze and said.

"Oh? Why is Your Highness so sure?" Ye Xuanshang asked.

Qie Lan raised her head and smiled, "I dare to think so, because someone has already laid out the situation for me, invisibly restraining Huang Fei."

That person, who has always acted calmly, but only treats the Nine Yi tribe's affairs differently. The ceremony of Nine Sorrows, the sword of Fuxuan, the enfeoffment of land and king, the great favor of the monarch's grace—facing the royal family's open appeasement, the Shao Yuan Jun only needs to not want the Nine Yi tribe to lean toward the royal family, and he must maintain a good relationship with Qie Lan. Ye Xuanshang was a person of such character, and after a little thought, he realized the reason, "The person who laid out the situation is also the reason why Your Highness helped tonight, but I don't know which one is more important to Your Highness, him or the Shao Yuan Jun?"

Qie Lan looked at him quietly, "Why does Third Young Master ask this?"

Ye Xuanshang said: "The weapon manufacturing plant in the Monarch's Mansion is an important secret. Huang Fei and Your Highness enter and exit together, which shows that the trust is extraordinary. Just looking at the respectful attitude of the Liefeng Cavalry toward Your Highness, it is also known that they are very clear about Your Highness's status in the Monarch's Mansion. However, the sword that Your Highness blocked the two of us at the exit of the secret passage clearly left room, not only giving the two of us a chance to escape, but also causing chaos afterward, leaving Huang Fei no time to execute Su Ying. Su Ying has never been truly loyal to the Chu State, and even has the heart to assassinate Huang Fei. Leaving him is equivalent to leaving a sharp weapon against the Shao Yuan Jun Mansion..."

"Xuan doesn't know who Your Highness is really interested in and what you intend to do, it is very confusing to think about."

A flash of surprise flashed in Qie Lan's eyes. She didn't expect that under that kind of situation, he even noticed the true intention of Su Ying's casual sword. She smiled: "Third Young Master has a sharp eye, but your question is like asking someone to choose whether to cross the sword and commit suicide or drink poison and commit suicide. If it were you, what would you do?"

With the ups and downs of the waves in the river, the boat swayed slightly, maintaining a clever balance between the dark currents and whirlpools, riding the wind and breaking the waves, and drifting down the river. The lamp light in the cabin cast ghostly and beautiful light and shadows. The river mist was misty, and it permeated between the woman's clear and jade-like eyebrows with a bit of elegant desolation, but the gaze had a calm as clear as water. Ye Xuanshang seemed to be stunned, and then praised softly: "Well said, Your Highness's metaphor is truly appropriate!"

Qie Lan said: "Does Third Young Master know my answer?"

Ye Xuanshang laughed: "Xuan feels the same way."

The four eyes met in the air, and the shadow of the lamp jumped gently. Qie Lan pursed her lips and smiled, turning to Yan Ling, "Golden Matchmaker Yan Ling?"

Yan Ling had been listening to the two of them talking with his arms crossed against the cabin. At this time, he cupped his hands and laughed: "It is me. Thank you for your mercy just now, Your Highness, so I can save my little life."

Qie Lan smiled: "If you really want to save your life, you should leave the Chu Du quickly and don't come back in the near future. If Senior Brother is determined to investigate, he won't be soft-hearted because you sold Ji Cang's military intelligence in the Battle of Shaochong Mountain."

Yan Ling touched his nose, "I didn't expect Your Highness to know even this, so I have to listen to this advice."

Qie Lan said: "This place has entered the middle section of the Chu Jiang, far away from the Monarch's Mansion. The two of you should be careful."

Ye Xuanshang stood up and said: "Thank you for sending me, Your Highness." His gaze fell on Qie Lan's left arm, "I owe the Nine Yi tribe a favor. If there is a need in the future, Your Highness might as well say it, Xuan will definitely do his best."

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 73 =====