Chapter 78: The Sting

Chapter 78: The Sting

The third month was often drenched in rain, and by nightfall, the streets would be deserted except for the watchmen, cloaked in their straw capes, patrolling the alleys. Just as he passed through the vermilion street, he saw from afar a troop of cavalry charging from the direction of the palace, their horses' hooves pounding like thunder, causing him to hastily hide in an alley.

The rain was heavy, and amidst the downpour, only faint sounds of angry shouts could be heard on the street:

"By the decree of His Imperial Majesty! The princes of Tian Shui and Dong Li have escaped. Immediately seal all four city gates, and assist in their capture!"

The tranquil night of Xian Ling was suddenly stirred by countless ripples, much like the raindrops falling into water, creating waves upon waves.

Gongsun Wuyou had never been so flustered in his entire life. Disguised, he fled on horseback with Master Xuan Hong, with relentless pursuers at their heels. The cold rain pelted his face, making it difficult for him to see clearly. In a panic, he asked,

"Master! Didn't you say that the Emperor agreed to release me back to my country after receiving the Heart Sutra of the Sword Sect? Why are we running?!"

"My lord, you're being naive! The Emperor is ruthless; how could he truly let you go? That was merely a temporary measure to lower his guard! I've already arranged with Dong Li, we'll meet at the eastern gate and break out together. Once we reach the ferry, there will be someone to help us. This old minister will risk my life to ensure your safe return to your homeland!"

Xuan Hong's expression was tense as he kept an eye out for the imperial guards while leading Gongsun Wuyou towards the eastern gate at full gallop. A few hundred loyal soldiers protected them in the middle, ready to face the impending bloodbath.

The envoy of Dong Li had been lying in wait near the city gate for some time. Seeing them approach, Prince Liu hurriedly led his men forward. The rain poured heavily, drenching them to the bone, his voice barely concealing his anxiety: "Hurry! We have less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before the guards change shifts. My men won't be able to help much longer!"

Prince Liu had planted a deeply hidden pawn in Xian Ling, now a young commander guarding the eastern gate. During the ensuing chaos, he would secretly open the city gate to let them escape. If they missed the shift change, escaping would be much harder!

Xuan Hong ordered several fast horses to be given to the men of Dong Li: "Prince Liu, time is of the essence. We must act quickly. Safeguarding the two princes out of the city is our priority. The pursuers are almost upon us!"

Liu Que Dan, dressed in black night attire, followed behind Prince Liu, his expression solemn but relatively calm.

Seeing Xuan Hong's resolute face, Gongsun Wuyou sensed that many might die soon, possibly including his master who had watched him grow up. Panicked, he said,

"Master, I... I don't want to leave. I'll stay in Xian Ling for three years, then return..."

"My lord, what foolish words! With the king gravely ill, the court is beset by internal strife and external threats. How can we wait three years?"

Xuan Hong wiped the rain from his face and gritted his teeth as he spoke to Prince Liu, "When the pursuers arrive, I will do everything in my power to hold them back. Should anything happen to me, I beg Your Highness to take care of Prince Wuyou and safely escort him to the ferry!"

In the face of the nation's fate, even the most brilliant individuals seemed to become mere feathers floating in the wind. Whether it was Xuan Hong, Prince Liu, or those nameless loyal soldiers, they were all pillars of the state, the wisest people in the world. Yet, wise people often did foolish things, just like loyal ministers and capable generals rarely met good ends.

That night, the capital of Xian Ling was filled with the sounds of battle.

That night, the entire imperial city was shaken by storms.

That night, the peach blossoms of early March fell onto the stone streets, stained red by the blood on the ground.

Gongsun Wuyou couldn't remember how he managed to escape the capital. He only remembered the flashes of swords and spears, the pungent smell of blood, and the screams of agony. The guards fought to the death, finally carving out a bloody path.

The remaining troops fled towards the outskirts, but the pursuing forces grew larger. He Jian Shuang led the Longquan Division in hot pursuit, his hooves trampling the muddy road as he shouted,

"Chase them! By the emperor's decree, alive or dead, none shall escape!"

After speaking, he drew his bow in the rainstorm, aiming an arrow at Xuan Hong's back, shooting him off his horse.

"Master!"

Gongsun Wuyou cried out, dismounting immediately to lift him up. His face was wet, a mix of tears and rain, as he frantically asked, "Master, are you alright?"

"Halt!"

Liu Que Dan pulled his reins sharply, shouting, "Wuyou! Run! He Jian Shuang and his men are catching up!"

Xuan Hong, using his last breath, gripped his sword and shakily stood up, covered in blood. He pushed Gongsun Wuyou away, "My lord, run! This old minister will hold them off!"

"No! I won't leave! Master, I won't go. I'll return and confess to the Emperor, begging him to heal your wounds! Waaah..."

Gongsun Wuyou sobbed heart-wrenchingly, but he was dragged onto a horse by Prince Liu's men and rushed towards the ferry. As He Jian Shuang approached, he saw Xuan Hong alone, blocking the road, his gaze falling on the other man's graying temples. He sneered, "Xuan Hong, do you really think you can stop my Xian Ling cavalry with just yourself?"

Xuan Hong stood alone, sword in hand, guarding the road, his laughter bleak. "Though this old man is advanced in years, I can still wield a sword. General He, I've heard you're the bravest warrior of Xian Ling, and I am the greatest fighter of Tian Shui. Let's see who wins today!"

"Foolish! Overestimating your own strength!"

He Jian Shuang's arrogance made him unwilling to fight an injured elder, so he merely ordered his guards to block the way. He drew his bow again, aiming at the fleeing group. However, as the arrow left the string, it was suddenly struck by a flying pebble, breaking it in half with a snap.

He Jian Shuang's eyes widened, "Who?!"

Suddenly, countless black-clad figures appeared on the hilltop above them. They wore masks with green faces and fangs, each equipped with crossbows, their countless hidden weapons aimed at the Longquan Division, their intent clear.

The deputy general's face changed, "Bad news, Commander! They have reinforcements!"

He Jian Shuang recognized these people as the assassins who attacked the embassy. His chiseled face showed a hint of anger as he angrily discarded his bow and drew his sword with a clang, slicing through the rain, "Kill them!"

A fierce battle erupted. Although the Longquan Division consisted of carefully selected experts, they struggled against the dense barrage of hidden weapons, which were more numerous than the rain. The silver needles, dipped in paralyzing poison, pierced the skin, leaving their victims numb within moments.

Master Xuan didn't know what was happening, but his first instinct was to get away from the chaos. He covered his bleeding wound and staggered away, but his strength gave out, and he fell heavily into the mud. In a daze, he saw a familiar figure scrambling towards him—it was Gongsun Wuyou, who had returned.

"Master! Master!"

Seeing Xuan Hong covered in blood, Gongsun Wuyou hurriedly lifted him up from the ground, his eyes red and panicked, "I'm going back to Tian Shui with you! We have to go back to Tian Shui together! I can't leave you behind!"

He was a fool, having never done anything smart in his life. He lived according to his heart, unable to abandon Xuan Hong.

Prince Liu and his remaining guards also turned back, holding off the pursuers as they anxiously shouted, "Prince Wuyou! Run!"

Gongsun Wuyou, after saying this, carried the exhausted Xuan Hong on his back, struggling step by step towards the ferry. Seeing this, He Jian Shuang leapt off his horse, intending to stop them, but another group suddenly appeared before him.

Although this group was also dressed in black, they bore the crest of a three-legged golden crow on their shoulders, and they carried imperial swords at their waists. Their identity was obvious. They stood in the rain like a solid black wall, exuding a murderous aura.

He Jian Shuang was startled, "Golden Crow Guards?!"

The people of Prince Feng Ling's Mansion?!

Behind the human wall, an equestrian figure appeared at some unknown moment. The man was clad in black, his face obscured by a red demon mask, giving him a fearsome appearance, yet his voice belonged to a young man, clear and melodious:

"Envoy He, return. Consider this a debt owed by this prince."

He Jian's pupils constricted. "You... you are..."

The masked man shook his head slightly, indicating that he could not reveal more:

"Why make enemies? The emperor is misguided."

After speaking, he whistled, a sharp sound piercing through the rainy night. "Retreat!"

The Golden Crows remained in place, blocking the approaching Imperial Forest Army. They were people of the Fengling Prince's household, avoiding conflict and sparing casualties. Only the crowd from Heavenly Pivot Palace, who had been lying in ambush above the cliff, retreated like a receding tide, mounting their horses to follow Lu Yan away.

Prince Gongsun Wuyou heard the sound of hooves behind him and panicked, stumbling on the mountain path. In a frenzy, he helped Xuan Hong up, only to see a group of black-clad men wearing ghost-tooth masks approaching.

"Get on!"

The leading man reached out, pulling Gongsun Wuyou onto the horseback. Another masked man lifted the heavily injured Xuan Hong onto a horse. They galloped toward the ferry with the men of Prince Liu, the pursuing soldiers gradually becoming distant specks.

Several boats were already docked at the ferry. A beautiful woman, draped in a cloak, waited anxiously on the deck. Seeing Gongsun Wuyou and company arrive in disarray, she hurriedly disembarked, calling out: "Wuyou!"

"Mother?!"

Gongsun Wuyou dismounted hastily, shocked yet delighted as he supported the woman. "Mother?! Why are you here?!"

The empress's eyes were red-rimmed as she wiped the blood-stained face of Gongsun Wuyou. "You've been away for so long, your mother has been worried. I secretly followed Master Xuan here. The ships are ready; we can go home soon. Thank goodness you escaped, thank goodness..."

She sobbed uncontrollably, fearing her son would be caught again if he hadn't escaped.

"It was... someone on the road saved Master Xuan and me..."

Gongsun Wuyou thought of something and turned to look at the squad of black-clad riders standing by the shore. Though the leading man wore a mask, it wasn't hard to discern his handsome figure. His slender fingers gripped the reins, his pale hand appearing like cold jade under the rain.

Master Xuan, with the help of his attendants, struggled to his feet, bowing to the man in gratitude. "May I ask the name of the hero who saved us? We will never forget your kindness!"

Though he felt fortunate to have survived, he was more puzzled than anything else. After all, saving them meant offending Immortal Spirit. Xuan Hong reviewed all his close friends in his mind but couldn't identify the source of this mysterious force.

"It was nothing, don't worry about it. Now that the storm has passed, you may depart."

The masked man seemed unwilling to reveal his identity. After speaking, he lightly squeezed his horse's sides, preparing to leave, when a cold voice suddenly sounded from behind:

"You're Prince Fengling?!"

Everyone was startled by this revelation, except for Liu Que Dan, who stared intently at the masked leader, stepping forward and saying in a heavy tone:

"You're Lu Yan!"

This time, it was not a question but a statement.

The masked man chuckled softly, turning to look at Liu Que Dan. Due to the mask, his expression was unclear. "Why do you say that?"

Liu Que Dan clenched his fists at his sides. "The troops that held off the pursuers were the Golden Crows!"

His tone was complicated, unable to understand why Lu Yan would save them. This person always acted in ways that defied his expectations.

Gongsun Wuyou was also stunned. "You're Prince Fengling?!"

The man fell silent for a moment before lifting his hand to the edge of the mask, removing the demonic mask to reveal a face that captivated all. His eyes lowered, making his handsome features appear even more charming. The gloomy rain seemed to brighten around him:

"Crown Prince Que Dan has keen eyes."

Though Liu Que Dan had guessed the man was Lu Yan, seeing him confirmed still sent a shock through his heart. He subconsciously took two steps back, his face pale, asking the question everyone wanted answered: "Why... why did you help us?!"

Lu Yan smiled amiably. "No reason. I just wanted to help."

He knew that even if he had killed Gongsun Wuyou and company here today, there would be no benefit, only increased enmity. It was better to extend a favor and gain goodwill.

After speaking, Lu Yan remembered something and pulled out a red pendant from his chest, accurately tossing it into Gongsun Wuyou's arms:

"The storms of life are tumultuous, mountains hard to cross. This prince has offended you in the past. Immortal Spirit's pursuers won't come any further. You may now return in peace."

Gongsun Wuyou looked at the Blood Soul Jade pendant in his hand, his pupils contracting in shock. Wasn't this what he had given Chen Yingqi? How did it end up in Lu Yan's possession?!

Gongsun Wuyou's mind, unusually sharp for once, exclaimed in delight: "Chen Yingqi?! You're Chen Yingqi, right?!"

Innocent and straightforward, he didn't think much, merely surprised that the little guard who brought him snacks every day was actually Lu Yan in disguise. Suddenly feeling a sense of closeness, he ignored the empress's protests and ran up to the horse, looking up and asking: "You're Chen Yingqi?!"

His round eyes were filled with joy.

Lu Yan glanced at Liu Que Dan, whose expression had changed dramatically. Neither confirming nor denying, he simply said: "I should be going."

After speaking, he lightly squeezed his horse's sides, preparing to lead his men away. However, Gongsun Wuyou suddenly tiptoed, forcing the jade into his hand. "In Tianshui, when we give something, we don't take it back. This jade is yours now."

After stepping back a few paces, Gongsun Wuyou paused before quietly saying: "Thank you, Chen Yingqi."

Back when he was confined in the small courtyard, missing his family and shedding secret tears, only Chen Yingqi would sit on the wall to cheer him up, always bringing him snacks. Gongsun Wuyou always felt that the other wasn't a bad person, never expecting him to be Lu Yan.

Lu Yan didn't speak again, only giving him a half-smile before leading his men away on horseback.

As the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, a sliver of light finally pierced the dark night sky. The banks of the ferry were flanked by green mountains, dotted with countless peach trees. After a night of wind and rain, petals scattered, falling to the ground with the rhythmic sound of hooves.

Petals fall and turn to dust, yet their fragrance lingers.

When Shang Jun Nian woke early in the morning and walked outside in his outer robe, he saw a carpet of fallen flowers. He usually lacked the sentimentality for such scenes, merely standing at the bottom of the steps, looking up at the sky, wondering why Lu Yan hadn't returned yet.

Lu Yan had originally been unaware of the hostage's escape. On the night of the incident, he had been sleeping soundly in bed. It was Shang Jun Nian who, noticing the unusual silence at Zifeng Courtyard, realized something was amiss and woke him up.

Shang Jun Nian had intended to join the search, but due to the injuries sustained during the assassin's attack—pretending to roll down the slope—he was unable to assist and might have caused trouble instead. Thus, he stayed at the residence to wait.

"Junian, why are you awake so early? The sky has just begun to brighten."

Zhao Yuzhang strolled into the courtyard from outside the gate, holding a steaming bun in his hand, clearly snatched from the kitchen.

Seeing this, Shang Junian raised an eyebrow slightly, "Your appetite is quite good. Aren't you worried?"

The other two hostages had left, leaving only Zhao Yuzhang behind. By all rights, he should be making plans for himself, not carefree eating buns like this.

Zhao Yuzhang clearly didn't care, "What do I have to rush for? Zhao Yuxi was crippled by a kick from King Fengling. When we return to Wuyun, his position as crown prince will likely be revoked. The remaining princes are no older than six years old; they're not a threat."

Shang Junian: "If you wish, I can find a way for you to return home now."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuzhang paused in eating his bun. The idea of going home wasn't as joyous as he imagined; instead, it felt heavy and oppressive. He pursed his lips and looked at Shang Junian, "Are you going to stay in Xianling, to be with him?"

This 'him' could only refer to Lu Yan.

Although Shang Junian didn't answer, his attitude was one of tacit agreement. The early spring sunlight fell upon him, melting the coldness in his dark eyes, revealing a rare hint of warmth that was almost imperceptible. In a low voice, he said, "Perhaps my life isn't entirely useless..."

"I want to help him become the crown prince, the emperor, the master of all twelve continents."

Zhao Yuzhang spoke gloomily, "Once he becomes the emperor, he'll have harems. Are you still going to follow him?"

Shang Junian shook his head, "That's too far away. I haven't thought about what will happen then. Even if he has harems in the future, it's not something I need to worry about now."

Shang Junian had taken the remaining half of the Blood Toad Pill, and the hidden injuries in his body were slowly healing. However, he suspected that Lu Yan had bewitched him. Whenever he thought of the other's face, his heart would race uncontrollably.

Zhao Yuzhang frowned in confusion, "Is he worth all this from you?"

Shang Junian closed his eyes, "In my life, I've schemed and plotted for the country, for the king, all for others. This is the first time I've met someone who schemes and plots for me."

"Yuzhang, I've never met such a person before... how can I not like him?"

Zhao Yuzhang paused upon hearing this, about to say something when a man in black suddenly rushed into the courtyard from outside the gate. Covered in blood, he stumbled to Shang Junian's feet and delivered news that was akin to a thunderbolt out of clear skies:

"Bad news, Chancellor! On his way back to the city, King Fengling suddenly encountered an ambush by assassins. He was stabbed through the heart and is in grave danger!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Junian and Zhao Yuzhang's faces changed simultaneously. Shang Junian reacted first, grabbing the newcomer by the collar. His gaze was so fierce it seemed he wanted to devour the man, "What did you say?!"

The man was on the verge of tears, "The prince's breathing stopped, his pulse vanished. He's probably dead!"

Boom!

Upon hearing this, Shang Junian's mind went blank, as if he'd been struck by a club, unable to stand steadily. He struggled to open his eyes but saw only fallen flowers scattered across the courtyard. It was early March, yet the scene presented one of decay.

Lu Yan, dead?