Chapter 95: Mantis Stalks Cicada

A wisp of clear tea was poured into the cup. Just as it was about to overflow, Qie Lan's hand holding the cup was suddenly held gently from behind. Moonlight flowed, in the man's charming handsome eyes, the whole lake was crystal clear, and the stars scattered into the human world.

The golden silk jade brocade like jade and moon, Qie Lan was familiar with the noble scent of dragon saliva incense on it, and the strong tenderness under his hand, a soft and pleasant laughter sounded in her ear, "Does Qie Lan know that she caused me to be scolded by Shufu yesterday?"

She turned her face softly, her hair was fragrant, and the jade light was clear, "Shufu... must be for Senior Brother's good."

Huang Fei laughed low, a pair of white cranes flew up from the center of the lake, skimming over the ten thousand lotus clusters, startling the moonlight to ripple with the waves.

Huang Fei let go of her, leaned on the jade table leisurely, his expression was incomparably free and easy, "That's right, Shufu scolded me for being confused, flirting with flowers and grass all day, not knowing how to cherish the person in front of me."

Qie Lan's heart jumped slightly, and a pair of white cranes flew up from the center of the lake, skimming over the ten thousand lotus clusters, startling the moonlight to ripple with the waves.

Huang Fei looked at her, "But Qie Lan, I know you are unwilling, I, Huang Fei, will never force any woman to follow me, Qie Lan should understand."

Qie Lan sighed softly: "Senior Brother is still like before, always so loving to Qie Lan."

Huang Fei looked at her, "But I also promised Shufu that I would never let you marry into the Di Du. Qie Lan, don't blame me."

Qie Lan was startled and looked up, meeting his star-waving eyes. Under the moonlight, it seemed to hide a psychedelic and unpredictable world, which could not be explored to the bottom, and could not be seen through the shore. She had long known that Shufu did not approve of the marriage between the Nine Yi tribe and the Di Du, but she didn't expect him to actually take action to stop it. She looked at Huang Fei and didn't speak, her thoughts were thousands. After a long time, she smiled, and said quietly: "Why does Senior Brother say this? How could Qie Lan blame Senior Brother for this kind of thing?"

Huang Fei raised his eyebrows and drank tea, and suddenly turned his eyes: "Zhao Yu, why did you break into the water pavilion?"

Ice curtain, silver gauze, silk light, a graceful and beautiful shadow knelt outside. Qie Lan felt sharp eyes piercing through the moonlight light and shadow. That fleeting hostility could only be perceived by a woman's keen intuition.

"Yu'er has an important matter to report to Young Master."

Huang Fei smiled at Qie Lan and stepped out of the curtain. Zhao Yu had already withdrawn her gaze from Qie Lan, "The Zizai Hall ships have entered the Ranxiang Lake area. According to the dark line report, the person on the boat with Bai Shu'er is the Third Young Master Ye Xuanshang of the Mu State. If you want to take action, it is the right time. Yu'er dare not make her own claim, please show me."

Although the voice was light, Qie Lan could still hear a few words from behind the curtain, but saw a cold light of autumn water, flashing in Huang Fei's ink-dyed eyes, "Yu'er, do whatever you want, and don't let me hear this person's name again."

The ships sailed out of the mist, and the bright moon was in the sky. A small boat appeared in the distance on the lake. Under the clear moonlight, a woman lay on the side of the boat, rowing leisurely. The small boat drifted with the waves, slender and permissible.

Ye Xuanshang had already walked into the cabin, when he suddenly turned and looked at the center of the lake. The night sky was like a painting, the lake surface was golden with waves, and the beautiful scenery in front of him made people suspect that this flat boat came from the moon in the sky, not like something in the world. After a long time, Ye Xuanshang ordered, "Order everyone to withdraw from this place."

Yan Ling shrugged, and gave Bai Shu'er a wink. Bai Shu'er looked at the center of the lake meaningfully, watched him break the cable and land on the side of the boat, left the boat alone, and the Zizai Hall ships changed direction and sailed into the wider lake waves.

A pour of flowing light, and the fragrance of wine overflowed. The empty pot was tossed into the center of the lake, and Zi Rao slapped the side of the boat and clapped her hands, laughing aloud, "Drinking wine is indeed best done with Third Young Master Ye!"

A tilt of flowing light, the fragrance of wine overflowed. The empty pot fell into the center of the lake, Zi Rao clapped her hands on the side of the boat, and laughed loudly: "Drinking is really better to find Third Young Master Ye!"

Under the starlight of the lake waves, her snow-jade-like face produced a light flying halo due to some drunkenness, charming, charming, and romantic.

"Inviting the bright moon on a boat, a beauty giving fine wine, how lucky is Xuanshang!" Ye Xuanshang then opened another pot of wine, drank it in a few gulps, and asked: "Where did Zi Rao come from?"

Zi Rao laughed lazily, "Where you came from, I came from."

Ye Xuanshang wiped the wine stains from the corners of his mouth, turned to look at her, and asked again with a faint smile, "Then where is Zi Rao going?"

Zi Rao's crystal eyes flowed with star light, "Where you are going, I am going."

Ye Xuanshang couldn't help laughing, lowered his voice and said: "But I came to fight."

"I thought you came to steal fragrance and jade." Zi Rao swung a pot of fine wine with her fingertips, her long, narrow phoenix eyes raised a faint light, "I remember you when I drink, but you don't remember me when you fight. Is it a bit unfriendly?"

Ye Xuanshang couldn't help laughing loudly, "Good! Then I will accompany Zi Rao to fight happily!"

Zi Rao suddenly bloomed, the charm of the night, the brightness of the bright moon, as if ten thousand flowers were blooming, in this thousand-acre bright wave, crystal light, secluded lake. Ye Xuanshang turned his head and looked at her without blinking. The small boat swayed gently in the center of the waves. Looking at each other like this, smiling silently. The misty moon night of Ranxiang Lake, the lake light also had the charm of intoxicating fragrance and jade.

The breeze was permissible, Zi Rao's hair, which poured down in front of her like a waterfall, shone with soft and clear light. Ye Xuanshang was used to her wanton beauty, but at this moment, he was moved by her slender clothes and thin sleeves, and her weak posture of supporting her chin with her side hand.

"Zi Rao, are you willing?" He suddenly asked softly, his deep black eyes reflecting the charming and tired eyebrows of the woman.

Zi Rao leaned on the side of the boat, her slender fingers gently brushing the hair blown by the lake wind, her red lips raised slightly, "No one can force me to do things I don't like, even if it is the Royal Brother."

Ye Xuanshang nodded, revealing a smile, "Good, then I have nothing to say."

Zi Rao looked at him and said softly: "The night of the wedding, Huang Fei and Helian Yiren will have no time to take care of other things. It is the best time for you to return to the country. You must not miss it, otherwise, even the royal family may not be able to protect your safety."

Ye Xuanshang's heart was slightly shaken, knowing that Huang Fei had already won, and after the wedding with Zi Rao, he would never allow him to leave the Chu capital alive.

To escape from the Shao Yuan Jun in the Chu State, I am afraid that no one in the world dares to make an absolute guarantee.

Facing Zi Rao's clear water-like gaze, he smiled indifferently, raised his eyes and said: "Zi Rao, don't forget, wine quality must be good, and gambling quality must also be good."

Zi Rao was stunned, her gaze stayed in his eyes for a moment, then smiled and responded to this inexplicable sentence, "Willing to bet and lose."

Ye Xuanshang raised his wine and raised his eyebrows. At this time, a firework suddenly shot up on the lake, exploding silver light in mid-air, then rushing up several feet, blooming with blood-colored light, illuminating the night sky above Ranxiang Lake.

Zi Rao sat up straight, leisurely said: "The person I am waiting for is here."

Dozens of lights appeared on the lake directly in front, spreading in a fan shape and surrounding the Zizai Hall fleet.

"The new master is here, why don't you come forward to greet him, aren't you afraid of losing the opportunity to ask for rewards?" Bai Shu'er didn't know when she came behind the five envoys, her voice was charming like cold snow and fragrant blade, making people feel a chill from the heart while intoxicated.

The five envoys were all startled, looked at each other, and knelt down in unison: "I am loyal to the Hall Master, and have no dissent at all. Please Hall Master to identify!"

The enemy ships approached, and the enemy ships were divided into three groups, advancing rapidly, forcing the Zizai Hall ships in a "pin" shape.

Bai Shu'er laughed charmingly, swept her eyes over, "Only you five knew about this operation. Tonight, just after entering Ranxiang Lake, there were enemy ships tailing. If I say there is no traitor on this ship, do you believe it?"

The five envoys were looked at by her soul-hooking gaze until they lowered their heads, and no one dared to look directly. Bai Shu'er stepped forward, glared at everyone, "Whoever leaked the wind, stand out now. I can still spare his life, otherwise don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The leading warship held the main force of the enemy. In the middle, a graceful and tall beauty in purple, whose appearance and temperament were no less than Bai Shu'er's, stood against the wind; she was the former Princess Zhao Yu of the Hou Feng State. Behind her, several others guarded her on both sides like stars surrounding the moon. Yan Ling, who knew the military figures of every state like the back of his hand, recognized that at least five of them were Chu generals qualified to be on the Upper-Grade Expert List.

The main force of the enemy was on the leading warship. A purple-clothed beauty with a graceful and tall figure, whose appearance and temperament were not inferior to Bai Shu'er, stood against the wind. It was Zhao Yu, the former princess of the Houfeng State. Behind her, several people were surrounded by stars and moons, and Yan Ling knew the military figures of various countries well, recognizing that at least five of them were qualified to rank among the top-grade experts. Especially "Double Ling Hook" Fang Feibai and "Wanderer Spear" Xiao Luchen were deeply trusted, and were core figures of the Shao Yuan Jun mansion. "Soul Rope" Kuang Tian was an old general who had followed Huang Fei's father Huang Yu since the time of "Ghost Master", and his status was highly respected. The other two, "Jade Yao Sword" Yi Qingqing from the Nanchu Wuhua tribe, and "Silver Halberd" Zhan Xing, had helped the Liefeng Cavalry sweep the Nanchu states, made great military achievements, inherited the title of Countess, and had countless experts under their command, and their strength could not be underestimated. These five people usually guarded the fortress and were not often in the Chu capital. They suddenly appeared on the Ranxiang Lake at the same time, which showed that the Shao Yuan Jun mansion's operation this time was not just aimed at Zizai Hall.

The Zizai Hall fleet was divided into two formations, and several warships from the rear wing bypassed from the left and right sides, greeting the enemy ships.

Dots of fire on the lake, illuminating the night sky. The painted boat raised three high masts, lowered the protective wall, and two rows of oars protruded from both sides of the boat, instantly turning into a building ship warship, not inferior to the opposite water army at all.

Lv Yi appeared on the watchtower, and a clear sound from a jade flute in her hand resounded through the night sky, conveying the attack order with a unique technique.

Zhao Yu stood on the bow, her hair fluttering in the wind, indifferent to the tragic battle situation behind her, and ordered in a deep voice: "Lower half sails, full speed ahead!"

All the Chu army warships lowered their half sails, and countless long oars on both sides of the ship protruded at the same time, brushing back into the water, and the ship speed suddenly accelerated. The opponent's flute sound turned high, and the Zizai Hall subordinates on the small boats suddenly abandoned the boats and entered the water, and nearly a hundred people sank and disappeared instantly. Under Zhao Yu's command, the Chu army warships accelerated with all their might, breaking the waves, rushing into the enemy formation, ignoring the fuel spilled on the lake by dozens of small boats, and seeing the frontal confrontation with the Zizai Hall ship array!

Zhao Yu calmly watched the enemy ships getting closer and closer, and decisively ordered: "Rocket at the stern!"

Following her pleasant voice, hundreds of burning strong arrows shot out from the stern at the same time, drawing fiery arcs, throwing them into the night sky, illuminating the Ranxiang Lake as red as blood, and the rain of fire fell on the lake, exploding into the sky with flames.

At this time, the Zizai Hall warships that bypassed the Chu army just formed a siege, but because the Chu army warships rushed forward at high speed, they fell behind and were completely in the disadvantage of headwind, instantly involved in the sea of fire, and none were spared.

The Chu army warships beat drums and charged, and their morale was greatly boosted.

Zhao Yu's jade face remained calm, not moved by the favorable situation at all, ordered to replace the warriors, continued to urge the ship speed, turned to the generals and said: "Later we will engage in close combat with the Zizai Hall main ship. I have to trouble the generals to intercept and kill the experts on the other side with all their might. The highest martial arts on the other side is that Third Young Master Ye of the Mu State. Please Old General Kuang and the two generals Fang and Xiao work together to deal with this person, and don't let the Monarch down."

"Jade Yao Sword" Yi Qingqing smiled: "Then our

Bai Shu'er's graceful figure appeared within the shadows of the light gauze, spinning as she landed. With a flick of her sleeves, she lifted her eyes to look at the pale-faced An Se, who was clutching his chest, and covered her lips with a coquettish laugh, "Yo, why be in such a hurry to kill to silence me? I haven't finished speaking yet!"

Shou Hun and the others only just landed at this moment, showing how fast she had moved.

Duo Yan arrived at Bai Shu'er's side, "Hall Master, it really was him!"

Bai Shu'er moved with graceful steps and said to An Se with a smile, "It seems that little slut Zhao Yu's charm technique has greatly improved; she actually bewitched you to the point of losing your soul, to the extent that you dared to betray even me. Where were you two having a tryst last night, leaking our arrangements to her—the Muyun Pavilion or the Shuiyue Studio?"

Fresh blood trickled from the corners of An Se's lips. With a ferocious expression, he asked in a hoarse voice, "When did you find out?"

Bai Shu'er said sweetly, "Just now. If you hadn't been in such a rush to kill Multi-Eye to frame him, I truly wouldn't have believed you had the guts to betray the Zizai Hall, but now I believe it."

A look of fear and hatred shot from An Se's eyes. Bai Shu'er leaned in slightly, a trace of seductive fragrance wafting from her sleeves. She raised a slender hand and said softly, "Zhao Yu can make you a mole here; do you think she doesn't have my people among her three envoys? However, your actions were considered confidential, and even he didn't know it was you, causing me so much trouble. Sigh... I really don't want to kill you, but there's no other way. Let me send you on your way myself!" An Se had long been gathering his power in secret. At this moment, he gritted his teeth fiercely and struck out with both palms simultaneously. The palm wind broke into the sleeve shadows, and Bai Shu'er swung her sleeve to trade a blow with him, her body swaying as she drifted back. An Se performed a side flip and plunged into the lake, disappearing instantly, escaping by water. Duo Yan and the others moved to pursue, but were stopped by Bai Shu'er's beautiful voice, "Forget it, you were fellow disciples once; do not drive them to extinction." Saying this, she ignored the bewildered crowd and turned gracefully to walk into the cabin.

Yan Ling flipped down from the observation deck and chased to her side, leaning in with a grin, "Hey! What kind of trick is the beauty playing? I don't believe you're soft-hearted enough to let that traitor go."

Bai Shu'er pinched his ear and laughed softly, "You're the only one who's clever; you can even see that. The living are always more useful than the dead, aren't they? It's better to spare his life than to kill him now, don't you think?"

With Yan Ling's light-body technique, he actually failed to avoid this seemingly slow but fast hand. Grimacing, he was dragged into the cabin, unable to help but feel a sense of unpredictability toward this scheming and changeable beauty.

Above the observation deck, a strand of flute music drifted clearly and melodiously from Lv Yi's lips, forming an incredibly beautiful rhythm.

The Zizai Hall warships heading toward the Chu army had already closed in on the enemy's flanks. At this time, they slowed down one after another. Small boats were lowered from each ship, filled with round wooden barrels, each operated by four warriors. Dozens of small boats spread out between the two camps, gradually closing in on the enemy ships.

On the Chu army's flagship, Zhao Yu also raised her voice to give the order, "Lower the sails halfway, full speed ahead!"

All Chu warships lowered their sails halfway, and countless long oars extended from both sides of the hulls, striking the water in unison to counterattack. The ship's speed increased abruptly. The opponent's flute music turned higher, and the Zizai Hall subordinates on the small boats suddenly abandoned their ships and entered the water; nearly a hundred people sank and disappeared in an instant. Under Zhao Yu's command, the Chu warships accelerated with all their might, breaking through the wind and waves, charging into the enemy formation, ignoring the fuel being spilled over the lake surface from the dozens of small boats, as they faced a head-on confrontation with the Zizai Hall fleet!

Zhao Yu watched the approaching enemy ships calmly and ordered decisively, "Prepare the fire arrows at the stern!"

Following her melodious voice, hundreds of burning, powerful arrows were fired simultaneously from the stern, drawing intense arcs and casting them into the night sky like a rain of fire, illuminating the Ranxiang Lake for several miles as red as blood. The rain of arrows fell upon the lake surface, exploding into soaring flames.

At this moment, the Freedom Hall warships that were encircling the Chu army happened to form a pincer, but because the Chu warships were charging forward at high speed, they ended up in the rear, completely at a disadvantage against the wind, and were instantly engulfed in a sea of fire, with none escaping.

The Chu warships beat their drums and charged, their morale greatly boosted.

Zhao Yu's jade countenance remained calm, unmoved by the favorable situation. She ordered the replacement of warriors, continued to urge the ship's speed, and turned to the generals, "Later, when we engage in close-quarters combat with the Freedom Hall's flagship, I must trouble you generals to intercept and kill their experts with all your might. The one with the highest martial arts among them is that Third Young Master Ye of the Mu State. I ask General Kuang and the two generals Fang and Xiao to join forces to deal with this person; do not let His Highness down."

"Yao Sword" Yi Qingqing laughed, "Then we, husband and wife, will naturally join the young lady to deal with that Bai Shu'er? I really want to see what kind of person she is, to make His Highness mobilize such a large force."

A smile of confidence flashed across Zhao Yu's lips, "A mere Bai Shu'er can be left to Zhao Yu. There is another person on this ship; if he can be captured alive, it will be extremely useful to His Highness. The Countess's Yao Sword Art is both offensive and defensive, sharp and lingering, far surpassing Zhao Yu's, and is best suited to deal with this person of exceptional light-body technique. If General Zhan's silver halberd is added to the mix, it will be foolproof."

Fang Feibai was more familiar with the situation than the others and asked, "Is it the Golden Matchmaker Yan Ling?"

Zhao Yu lifted her chin slightly, "Correct. Capturing this person alive is equivalent to mastering countless confidential intelligence reports of various states. Unless absolutely necessary, his life should be spared."

At this moment, the two sides' warships were less than a hundred zhang apart.

(End of chapter)