Chapter 104

Xie Yan appeared.

But Xiao Jingyuan stared at him and uttered a title that left Shen Shuangning feeling quite unfamiliar.

"Cangji, you finally dare to show yourself."

Xiao Jingyuan glanced at the young man not far away and slightly narrowed his eyes.

He had long known that the rebel faction was deeply entrenched in the capital, and behind it surely lurked a leader, or more accurately, a loyal lackey of the cult leader, who held some sway within the Holy Sect.

Later, from the secret report left by his maternal uncle before his death, he learned that such a person indeed existed.

This person was known as the Recluse of the Hidden Machine.

He controlled affairs in the capital, commanding the sect's followers among the commoners, nobles, and even the imperial court; every move of the rebel faction required his nod, and if those believers were likened to the Holy Sect's blood, he would be its brain.

Since Xiao Jingyuan took over the Investigative Bureau, he had rooted out countless hidden agents in the capital, yet could never find the fox hiding behind the scenes.

Everyone guessed that whoever could mobilize such massive power must be a high-ranking, supremely smooth senior official in the court, and even Xiao Jingyuan once thought so.

Therefore, when the Crown Prince told him that Song Zhang had ties to the Holy Sect and had once ordered the assassination of Yuan Zhenfeng, Xiao Jingyuan instinctively assumed Song Zhang was his target.

After all, Song Zhang was scheming and experienced, also a court official and Grand Secretary, fully matching people's conception of the Recluse of the Hidden Machine.

Moreover, after Song Zhang's capture, the rebel faction in the capital indeed scattered in panic; all kinds of signs conveyed to the outside world the signal that Song Zhang was indeed the rumored Recluse of the Hidden Machine.

But Song Zhang, in prison, said he had mistaken his enemy and arrested the wrong person.

Yet he knew nothing of "Cangji," despite having long heard the name but never seeing the person. How could that be?

Given Song Zhang's position in the court, he should be a top figure in the sect as well, yet he could not even make contact with that Recluse of the Hidden Machine—who would believe that if he said it?

Yet a faint premonition told Xiao Jingyuan that he should trust Song Zhang once.

So he temporarily spared Song Zhang's life, keeping it hidden, awaiting the true Cangji's appearance.

At this moment, these sect followers before him each had sharp, murderous eyes, exuding the ruthlessness of desperate outlaws, far beyond ordinary Holy Sect members.

Only Cangji could make such a force lurk in the capital undetected by the Investigative Bureau and mobilize it at lightning speed.

Seeing Xie Yan appear among those sect followers at that instant, Xiao Jingyuan had a startling intuition: he was the legendary Recluse of the Hidden Machine, whose like is never seen.

When the other party uttered that distant title, Xie Yan's expression remained calm, only slightly raising his brows, neither admitting nor denying.

Xiao Jingyuan observed his expression, already had the answer in his heart, and coldly said: "Indeed it's you!"

"Hah, another person who lets me misjudge."

Xiao Jingyuan couldn't help but chuckle coldly.

Most likely it was the thought of the goal he had painfully sought, which had actually been right under his nose all along, having met countless times, that gave rise to a feeling of absurdity and ridicule.

Who could imagine that an unremarkable aristocratic youth, law-abiding and obscure, no different from most idle young nobles, would actually be the dangerous figure stirring up storms behind the scenes?

"Cangji" appeared, and Qingyun and the others were horrified, instantly as if facing a great enemy.

Xie Yan did not know who had previously made Xiao Jingyuan misjudge, nor was he curious.

He had nothing to say to Xiao Jingyuan, his gaze lightly sweeping over the pale maiden behind Xiao Jingyuan, as if looking at a tree or a blade of grass—no difference.

Shen Shuangning, however, suddenly felt a chill that made her spine tremble with cold!

When the masked men appeared, Xiao Jingyuan had at once placed Shen Shuangning behind him for protection.

Shen Shuangning, however, suddenly felt a chill that made her spine tremble with cold!

His brows and eyes resembled Xie Lin's by three parts, equally handsome, yet gave a wholly different impression.

Xie Lin's eyes were always full of light, pure and blazing like the sun, naturally sharp yet harmless; while Xie Yan's gaze, though gentle and warm, seemed veiled by an unfathomable mist—clear to look at, but unfathomably deep.

Shen Shuangning's gaze swept over the raptor on his arm—the jade-like young lord and the fierce, cruel azure hawk, an odd combination that now appeared strangely harmonious.

Only then did Xie Yan slightly raise his arm, and the azure hawk spread its wings and soared into the sky!

Qingyun couldn't help but look up at that hawk.

That icy gaze circled above their heads, making Qingyun's heart turn cold, as if they had become prey.

Unbeknownst to them, their backs were already soaked in cold sweat.

Only then did Xie Yan retreat two steps, lift his hand, and solemnly command: "Attack! Quick battle, quick decision!"

At his command, all the masked men drew their long sabers, eyes bursting with terrifying ferocity!

The Investigative Bureau was practically their arch‑enemy, hated by all. Their murderous gazes unanimously fixed on Xiao Jingyuan, never glancing at Shen Shuangning.

If they could take Xiao Jingyuan's head, it would be a great merit!

Few know that it was Cangji who set up the scheme to kill Yuan Zhenfeng back then, which is why he enjoys his present status.

Now, Xiao Jingyuan is the second Yuan Zhenfeng!

Truly, heaven aids the Holy Sect, letting them encounter this once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years opportunity!!!

Among the many gazes fixed on Xiao Jingyuan were hatred, exhilaration, and greed, yet for a moment no one dared to be the first to stand out.

Shen Shuangning beheld the lopsided scene—few against many, outnumbered—and truly felt worried.

Her gaze swept past those sect followers and landed on Xie Yan.

Such worldly affairs are truly marvelous.

The first time they met at the marquis's residence, they were still strangers, exchanging polite pleasantries, neither taking the other to heart.

Upon meeting again, he nevertheless sought to kill her.

At that moment, a burly masked man with disheveled hair let out a ferocious glare, roared "Kill!" and brandished his saber to charge at Xiao Jingyuan head‑on.

The man's strong reek of blood almost made Shen Shuangning's breath catch; she instantly judged that he must have borne countless lives on his hands.

Xiao Jingyuan's face showed no change, he didn't turn his head and said: "Qingyun, protect her."

As soon as the words fell, he flicked his finger, the long blade already in hand, exuding a chilling aura.

Almost at the moment the masked person moved, the others also simultaneously attacked, forming an encirclement that surrounded Qingyun and the others!

In the forest, instantly rang out a clatter of sword and blade collisions; splashed blood droplets fell on the withered leaves, spreading dark red spots.

Everyone in the Jinwu Si knows Shen Shuangning's importance; they waved blades to meet the enemy while tightly guarding her side, with Xiao Jingyuan leading the charge, carving out a bloody path.

Xiao Jingyuan alone drew most of the fire, while Qing Yun's side became comparatively relaxed.

Shen Shuangning didn't know whose blood had splattered on her, but she had no time to wipe it off.

Perhaps sensing that today was more ominous than auspicious, Shen Shuangning inexplicably found a surge of courage; she spotted the gap and swiftly snatched a bow and arrow from a fallen follower.

When the arrow was nocked onto the bowstring, her mind was unusually calm.

These followers didn't even regard a weak woman as worth noting, and their doctrine even held "do not harm the old, weak, women, or children," so they subconsciously didn't look toward Shen Shuangning.

Either they first deal with Xiao Jingyuan, or they go kill Qing Yun and the others—either way, today none of these people will get out alive!

Everyone was red-eyed with killing, the blade light mixed with howls and grunts, only Qing Yun noticed Shen Shuangning's movement.

He flashed with surprise, but there was no time to think before he raised his blade to face the next thug.

Only when people nearby kept falling with arrows did someone realize, damn, someone was shooting hidden arrows!!

A masked man with an arrow shaft in his shoulder writhed in pain, shouting, "Who? Who is it!!"

He even wondered whether the Guard Command secretly had more men hidden, and thus he began to curse Xiao Jingyuan:

"Damn it, you Xiao, the jianghu values open blades and spears, yet your Guard Command actually plays these sneaky tricks!"

Xiao Jingyuan had just slit a rebel's throat with a blade, his hand still bloody, when he unexpectedly heard this scolding, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes.

He turned his gaze to that person, saw he had been shot, and then understood what he was cursing about.

Truly absurd—clearly they were the ones who set the ambush first, yet now they have the nerve to bite back?

But who shot this arrow? He couldn't recall anyone in the Guard Command carrying a bow and arrow.

The follower clutched his bleeding shoulder, his eyes blood-red as he stared at Xiao Jingyuan, completely unaware that another arrow had quietly been nocked on the bowstring behind him, its tip aimed at his back.

At that moment, Xiao Jingyuan's gaze swept past the follower's shoulder and saw Shen Shuangning holding a bow and shooting from behind him, his brow involuntarily twitching.

That very glance made the follower suddenly realize something; he jerked his head back and snatched the incoming arrow out of the air!

Yet it was already too late—the arrowhead still pierced his chest.

The follower slowly lifted his eyes, disbelievingly staring at the not‑far‑off girl, a sound of unwillingness spilling from his throat: "You—"

He collapsed and died.

This was the fifth person Shen Shuangning had killed.

Her head felt a little numb, the fingertips reddened by the bowstring trembling slightly; only one arrow remained in her quiver.

She gritted her teeth, pulled it out, and readied it on the string—killing one more would buy them a sliver of hope.

Yet, because of that sturdy man's death, the other followers also noticed Shen Shuangning's presence.

To be ambushed by a mere girl—utter disgrace!

Someone shouted, and the crowd that had been surrounding Xiao Jingyuan instantly dispersed half, turning ferociously toward Shen Shuangning instead!

Qing Yun and the others immediately rushed to shield Shen Shuangning; though none had fallen, they all bore serious wounds, and if the fight dragged on they would surely be overwhelmed.

Seeing this, Xiao Jingyuan wanted to go protect her, but four or five men immediately blocked his path.

The leader simply tore off his mask, revealing a face covered in scars—none other than the fugitive criminal Feng Liangce, who had escaped prison after Yuan Zhenfeng's death over a decade ago and even led a jailbreak.

Xiao Jingyuan's pupils contracted.

Feng Liangce, a butcher by origin, wielded two bone‑cleaving knives, tall and rugged, yet with a pair of exceptionally sharp eyes; he sneered, "Young Master Xiao looks nervous about that girl—could she be your woman?"

"Seek death!" Xiao Jingyuan didn't waste words on him.

At a glance Feng Liangce was clearly a subordinate of Cangji, one of only two who could command these followers, his prestige immense; he bellowed, "Capture that woman alive!"

Upon receiving the order, the crowd even ignored Xiao Jingyuan, surging madly toward Shen Shuangning.

Feng Liangce was calculating; since they couldn't break Xiao Jingyuan after a prolonged assault, perhaps changing tactics would be quicker.

Feng Liangce's eyes glinted; as he lifted his gaze he caught a glimpse of Xie Yan quietly drawing his bow nearby, and pretended not to notice.

Meanwhile Xiao Jingyuan's attention was wholly on Shen Shuangning's side, utterly unaware of the killing intent silently approaching from behind.

"Young Master Xiao, if you don't want to see her die, just surrender quietly."

Feng Liangce wore that ravined, ferocious face, yet his voice held a strange softness, coaxing like a snake's tongue: "Maybe if I'm in a good mood I'll still let her have a way out."

His words were both a lure to surrender and a means to distract Xiao Jingyuan's focus.

Yet Feng Liangce himself hadn't realized that deep in the woods another arrow had already been trained on him.

Almost the instant Xie Yan's arrow was released, Pei Zhi also let loose his shot.

Shen Shuangning was tightly guarded behind Qing Yun; unintentionally glancing toward Xie Yan, she gasped in shock.

She cried out, "Watch out!!"

Feng Liangce fixed his stare on the arrow shooting toward Xiao Jingyuan's rear; as it drew nearer and nearer, his pupils constricted with excitement, his nostrils flaring from wild joy—once Xiao Jingyuan fell, the situation would be decided!

"Pu—"

Feng Liangce didn't get to see the scene he expected; instead an arrow precisely pierced his left and right brain.

Red blood and white brain matter sprayed out, splattering the faces of the nearby followers.

Nobody had anticipated this.

Xiao Jingyuan also, thanks to Shen Shuangning's warning, shifted his body in time, but still took an arrow.

Inside his white inner garment a large swath of bright, shocking blood quickly spread; he staggered to his knees, gripping his blade to prop himself up, as if the only sound in heaven and earth was the thud of his knee hitting the ground.

And Pei Zhi's next arrow was aimed at Xiao Jingyuan...