Chapter 61: Clash

Chapter 61: Clash

The man's voice was as clear as jade falling, calmly revealing his identity:

"I am Prince Chen Yingqi of the Wuyue Kingdom."

In this palace for hostages, there were at least fifty people detained, and Wan Pijiang didn't even recognize Liu Que Dan, let alone the tiny, unheard-of Wuyue Kingdom.

Pointing his sword at Chen Yingqi, Wan Pijiang said, "Fine lad, if you have the guts, come down and fight me. If you win, this General will spare your life!"

Liu Que Dan, who had been calm until then, changed expression upon hearing this and suddenly stood up from the ground. "No!"

"General Wan, the one you want to test is me; why involve the innocent!"

Wan Pijiang sneered. "Prince Que Dan, but you said you don't know swordsmanship. How should this General seek guidance from you? Since someone is stepping forward for you, just be happy about it!"

Just now, he had been hit by a stone thrown by the youth named Chen Yingqi, which had deflected his sword. Feeling the depth of the other's strength, he immediately abandoned Liu Que Dan. A cold glint flashed in his hand as he leaped towards Chen Yingqi.

"Oh ho! General Wan, I'm unarmed. Aren't you intentionally trying to kill me?!"

Chen Yingqi deliberately yelled from atop the courtyard wall, but there was no sign of panic on his face. He was agile, leaping back and forth on the eaves, easily evading Wan Pijiang's pursuit. Although weaponless, he was not at a disadvantage.

Wan Pijiang's sword techniques were heavy and powerful, following a broad and open style. Facing such a nimble opponent inevitably gave him the frustrating feeling of hitting cotton with a punch: "Brat! Don't run, fight me head-on!"

How shameless!

Everyone below silently cursed in their hearts. Not only did he fail to catch his target, but he also wanted the other to fight him unarmed. Where did he get such a thick skin? At the very least, give him a sword first!

Hearing this, Chen Yingqi finally stopped. Landing on the roof, he hadn't broken a sweat after running for so long. Smiling, he said, "General Wan, you have the energy to waste, but this Prince hasn't had dinner yet. How about this: we'll decide victory or defeat within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Quick and clean."

Wan Pijiang, wearing heavy armor, was panting. Hearing this, he tore off his helmet and threw it heavily into the snow, left only in his thin underclothes. His bronze chest was already sweating: "You said it. If you can't win within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, don't blame this General for taking your head!"

Chen Yingqi snapped his fingers. "Deal!"

A guard immediately brought over an incense burner and lit the incense. In the snowy season, the wind was biting, but despite shielding it from the snow, the incense burned quickly.

Gongsun Wuyou anxiously exclaimed, "Oh, what should we do? He doesn't have a sword, how can he fight Wan Pijiang?"

Liu Que Dan was also worried. They were locked in the palace for hostages, and their swords had long been taken away. Even if they wanted to help, they were powerless.

Chen Yingqi picked up a bamboo branch from the corner of the courtyard. He tried bending it, finding its flexibility acceptable, and temporarily used it as a weapon. He made a starting gesture for a sword technique: "General Wan, please."

Seeing this, Wan Pijiang couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Fool, you dare to fight me with a bamboo branch. Today, you will surely die!"

Without giving Chen Yingqi any chance to react, Wan Pijiang immediately attacked with his sword. Without the hindrance of his armor, his speed was more than doubled.

This time, Chen Yingqi didn't dodge. He somersaulted off the wall and tangled with the opponent. The courtyard was instantly filled with flying sand and stones, only two swift figures visible.

Zhao Yuzhang watched from the shadows, truly alarmed. Unable to resist, he whispered to Shang Junnian beside him, "Although Wan Pijiang's swordsmanship isn't among the best, it can still rank second-rate. His sword techniques are powerful, and few can withstand his full-strength strike. Where did this Chen Yingqi pop out from? So young, yet he's evenly matched with Wan Pijiang."

Shang Junnian stared at the martial arts in the arena, inexplicably feeling that person seemed familiar, yet unable to pinpoint where. His tone was indifferent: "Evenly matched? Can't you see he's playing with Wan Pijiang? After a hundred moves, Wan Pijiang hasn't harmed Chen Yingqi at all, yet he himself has suffered continuous injuries. If the other held a sword instead of a bamboo branch, he would be dead."

Zhao Yuzhang finally saw the subtlety, but still hesitated: "Could Wan Pijiang be intentionally trying to learn his sword techniques?"

Shang Junnian slowly shook his head. "Look closely at Chen Yingqi's moves. Don't they seem familiar?"

Zhao Yuzhang focused his gaze, awakening as if from a dream, and couldn't help but exclaim softly, "His moves are exactly the same as Wan Pijiang's!"

It turned out that Chen Yingqi's dodging on the eaves earlier was to elicit Wan Pijiang's sword techniques. During the fight, he directly returned the opponent's moves after slightly adapting them. This way, he could avoid Wan Pijiang learning his techniques while openly winning the match—a perfect case of fighting fire with fire!

Wasn't Wan Pijiang trying to steal the ultimate sword techniques? Let him steal; they were all moves from his own Wan family.

Zhao Yuzhang sighed again. "What a smart person!"

At this moment, the incense in the burner was almost burnt out. Chen Yingqi's wrist moved like a snake, the bamboo branch directly attacking Wan Pijiang's face. The latter immediately bent over to avoid it, but Chen Yingqi seized the opportunity to leap up. His hand, like an eagle's claw, struck straight down, accurately seizing Wan Pijiang's throat.

"Boom—!"

Unable to withstand this heavy blow, Wan Pijiang's massive body crashed heavily into the snow, nearly spitting blood. He stared in shock at the youth above, his face pale and ugly.

He lost?

He actually lost?!

Silence fell around them. No one expected such a formidable character to emerge from the palace for hostages.

Chen Yingqi, in an inverted position, gripped Wan Pijiang's throat and smiled. "General Wan, you lost."

After speaking, he lightly struck Wan Pijiang's chest with his palm, using the force to withdraw. He flipped over and gracefully retreated several meters away, his posture beautiful like a graceful blue bird.

The guards nearby rushed forward upon seeing this, helping Wan Pijiang up from the ground. They asked in a flurry,

"General, are you alright?"

"Should we call the imperial physician!"

Wan Pijiang sternly shouted, "All of you shut up!"

He pushed away those supporting him and looked at Chen Yingqi with a fierce gaze, both angry and admiring. "Fine lad, never thought that the tiny Wuyue Kingdom could produce someone like you. This General remembers you!"

"Today, it was because Wan Pijiang's skills were lacking. When the Chief Envoy of Longquan Office arrives, I hope you're still as arrogant today! Let's go!"

Having lost face, Wan Pijiang naturally wouldn't stay longer. After speaking, he led his troops onto their horses, the dull sound of hooves rapidly fading away, leaving behind a trail of muddy tracks in the snow.

When the people from Longquan Office left, everyone felt relieved. They all looked at the youth in the arena, various gazes intertwining into a web, tightly enclosing him, with suspicion being the most prevalent.

For no other reason, this youth was simply too unfamiliar. It seemed he had never been seen before in the palace.

In the end, it was Liu Que Dan who stepped forward first, bowing to Chen Yingqi. "Thank you for coming to our aid. I will never forget today's kindness."

Gongsun Wuyou approached like a sprightly bird and asked, "Your name is Chen Yingqi? From the Moonless Kingdom? Why haven't I seen you before? But your swordsmanship is impressive, to have defeated Wan Pijiang!"

Chen Yingqi dusted off his hands and smiled, "I'm not a hostage prince from the Moonless Kingdom. I'm assigned to guard the entrance of this place. I just couldn't stand seeing Wan Pijiang bully others, so I came in for a little fun. You don't need to worry about it."

Although these princes were confined within the walls, unable to venture out, they had seen all the guards patrolling outside. Chen Yingqi's face was unfamiliar.

Gongsun Wuyou scratched his head, "With skills like yours, you're just guarding the gate? I've never seen you among the guards."

Chen Yingqi explained, "Today is my first day on duty, naturally, you wouldn't have seen me. As for my skills, they're just passable. You're all princes, your skills must be far superior to mine. There are plenty of experts here."

Upon hearing this, many eyes in the courtyard subconsciously turned towards a dimly lit corridor. There stood a man draped in a dark outer robe. His appearance was exquisite, with fox-like eyes that were gloomy and indifferent. He exuded an impressive aura, yet he seemed ill, his complexion pale and bloodless, revealing a sickly demeanor.

Gongsun Wuyou muttered to himself, "We do have an expert among us..."

Unfortunately, his shoulder bones were pierced, his injury still unhealed, making even holding a sword a question.

Shang Junnian noticed everyone looking at him but showed no emotion as he withdrew his gaze and turned back into his room, appearing solitary and aloof.

Chen Yingqi deliberately asked, "What's wrong with him? He doesn't seem very happy."

Gongsun Wuyou explained, "Brother Junnian doesn't talk much."

Chen Yingqi, this new face, brought a breath of fresh air to the usually quiet hostage palace. According to him, the soldier in charge of meals was his sworn brother. Although he couldn't promise them gourmet food, there would definitely be hot meals from now on.

In the freezing cold, after months of eating cold, hard steamed buns, today they were presented with a basket of warm sugar-filled dumplings and sticky, soft red rice porridge. Everyone scrambled for their share, fearing they might miss out if they were late.

Only Shang Junnian stayed in his room by the fire. In front of him was a charcoal basin filled with damp twigs. The fire was lit, but the smoke was suffocating.

Zhao Yuzhang entered carrying a tray. Seeing this, he sat opposite and handed him a triangular sugar bun, saying, "Eat something. It's rare to have warm buns with sugar today. They won't taste good once they cool down. You've been too wronged eating those cold buns all this time."

Shang Junnian didn't take it, continuing to warm himself by the fire. He spread out his hands, marked with calluses from sword training. The flickering flames painted his side profile a warm orange-yellow, but his eyes were deep pools of ink, devoid of emotion as he retorted,

"When I led troops in battle, during the toughest times when supplies were cut off, I ate clay and tree bark. What's wrong with steamed buns?"

His tone carried a faint mockery, or perhaps it was just a casual remark.

Zhao Yuzhang sighed bitterly, recalling something, "They say the imperial family is heartless, but I never thought they could be so ruthless, sending you over to please the Immortal Emperor!"

Shang Junnian lowered his eyes, his eyelashes casting a shadow of darkness, "Even you, the crown prince, were sent over. What am I then?"

Zhao Yuzhang gave a self-deprecating laugh, "What does being the crown prince matter? There are too many princes in Wuyun. I'm worthless."

As they spoke, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. It was Chen Yingqi from earlier. He held a cloth bundle, its contents unknown. Curiously, he asked, "Why aren't you two eating? Why are you hiding here by the fire?"

Zhao Yuzhang, who had a good impression of him, replied amiably, "Oh, we're just a bit cold, so we're staying inside. Aren't you supposed to be guarding the hostage palace? Why aren't you wearing armor and standing guard outside like the others?"

Squatting down, Chen Yingqi said, "It's my first day. I'm just getting familiar with things. Besides, the captain of the guards, Chen Zhong, is my older brother. No one dares to manage me."

Zhao Yuzhang thought to himself that it made sense why this person was so carefree and relaxed. "Unfortunately, you offended the Dragon Spring Office today. If they come after you in the future, even your brother might not be able to protect you."

Chen Yingqi waved his hand dismissively, "Worry about the future when it comes. By the way, I have a roasted chicken. Do you want some?"

Unwrapping the cloth bundle, inside was a golden-brown beggar's chicken, wrapped in lotus leaves, its aroma tantalizing. Zhao Yuzhang, having gone without meat for too long, almost forgot what a chicken looked like.

Pausing for a moment, he struggled to tear his gaze away from the roasted chicken, "No need, you should eat it yourself."

Shang Junnian also said indifferently, "Not necessary."

Chen Yingqi said, "I already ate when I came. With the fire here, it's perfect for roasting. Just make sure no one finds out, or there won't be enough to share."

He tore off a chicken leg and stuffed it into Zhao Yuzhang's hand, then offered another to Shang Junnian. However, the latter wasn't grateful. Instead, he looked at him coldly with his slightly upturned fox-like eyes, his thin lips parting to utter words that were harshly incongruous with his handsome face:

"I said no. Can't you understand human speech?"

Since his shoulder bones were pierced, Shang Junnian's personality had drastically changed, losing even a pretense of civility. In his eyes, Chen Yingqi appeared out of nowhere, inexplicably showing kindness to them. His identity and martial arts were questionable, and every aspect of him screamed "danger." Before understanding everything, they absolutely shouldn't become close friends.

"Clank—"

After speaking, Shang Junnian got up, kicked away the stool he had been sitting on, and left, leaving only the two people staring at each other by the charcoal basin.

Zhao Yuzhang felt somewhat guilty, after all, Chen Yingqi had good intentions. Embarrassedly, he accepted the chicken leg, "He's just like that. He'll be better once you get to know him. Don't mind him. If he won't eat, I will."

Chen Yingqi also smiled, "This Grand Chancellor is truly a man of character."

The tone of his voice, upon closer listening, carried a certain depth and familiarity, unfortunately, Shang Junnian had already walked away.

After speaking, Chen Yingqi took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands, "It's getting late, I should go. If you need any help when I'm on duty, just let me know."

Zhao Yuzhang felt even more embarrassed, rising to bow, although holding a chicken leg made it look somewhat comical, "Thank you then."

"It's nothing."

Chen Yingqi left the house and headed out of the palace. Just a few steps away, he suddenly sensed something odd behind him and instinctively turned around, only to see Liu Que Dan.

Chen Yingqi raised his eyebrows in puzzlement, "Prince Que Dan, do you have something important?"

Liu Que Dan looked at Chen Yingqi, his feelings inevitably complicated. Hesitantly, he spoke, "Thank you for coming to our aid today."

Chen Yingqi smiled, his eyes bright and clear, completely different from the gloominess of the others in the palace. "Prince Que Dan has already thanked me. There's no need to thank me again. Since I'm responsible for guarding the hostage palace, I can't just sit idly by when Wan Pijiang causes trouble. It's just part of my job."

Liu Que Dan tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Others might not think as you do. There are so many guards outside the palace, yet only you were willing to help."

Chen Yingqi pretended not to hear the sarcasm in his words, "I'm on duty every five days. If Prince Que Dan needs any assistance, feel free to ask."

Liu Que Dan nodded, "You don't have to call me prince. Call me by my name. We've already fallen to this state, why should we still differentiate between high and low?"

Chen Yingqi simply said, "Etiquette cannot be neglected."

Seeing the sky darken, he finally turned and left the hostage palace. The guards at the gate watched him leave boldly, acting as if they didn't see him, their eyes fixed straight ahead as if he were someone of great importance.

Leaving the Prince's residence, Chen Yingqi took another turn down a street where a luxurious carriage drawn by two horses awaited silently. Its corners adorned with pearls and jade, servants stood by, its opulence evident at first glance. Yet, Chen Yingqi, who claimed to be a guard of the Prince's residence, lifted the curtain and stepped inside without hesitation.

Lanterns illuminated the interior, casting a warm glow.

Chen Yingqi reclined on the soft couch within, letting out a contented sigh. Recalling something, he reached up to his cheek, feeling around for a moment before peeling off a thin, gossamer-like mask that had been covering his face.

The carriage jolted slightly as it was set in motion, driven forward by an unseen hand. The aged voice of Eunuch He drifted in from outside the curtain, "Your Highness, you were too reckless today."

Chen Yingqi was, in fact, Lu Yan in disguise.

He had merely acted on a whim to see what Shang Junnian was up to at the Prince's residence, only to coincidentally encounter Wan Pijiang causing trouble, which he promptly intervened in.

"It's fine. This prince has the means to deal with Wan Pijiang. Besides, with your covert protection, nothing could go wrong."

Lu Yan lounged lazily on the couch, his eyes suddenly opening as if struck by a thought:

"Oh, by the way, when we return to the residence, would you kindly make a trip back to the Prince's residence for me, Eunuch He?"

Eunuch He steered the carriage through the dimming light of dusk, the hooves of the horses crunching crisply on the snow. He flicked the reins, the clear azure sky above clean and vast, yet twilight was fast approaching: "What is Your Highness' command?"

Lu Yan's voice held a hint of amusement: "Naturally, to bring my beautiful lady over."

Back at the residence, although Shang Junnian had been somewhat unruly, he had still been relatively obedient. But in the Prince's residence, he had been like a hedgehog, ready to prick anyone who came near. Lu Yan had received an unexpected cold shoulder from him earlier, and now he intended to find a way to regain the upper hand.