Chapter 122: “I don’t like it,” Xue Li shook…

Chapter 122

"I don't like it," Xue Li shook...

War was about to erupt.

This was a conflict that occurred in Northern Zhou, yet nominally had nothing to do with Northern Zhou. The two sides involved were the Southern Zhou Marriage Alliance Mission and the Huoqiu Army, who had taken refuge in Northern Zhou—the Huoqiu people had lost a Western Regions princess, who, it was said, had betrayed them and joined the Southern Zhou Marriage Alliance Mission.

The Huoqiu people demanded the Southern Zhou Marriage Alliance Mission hand over the princess. To force compliance, the Huoqiu Army directly marched towards Fengxiang.

Along the way, the Troopers left no one alive in their wake.

The Northern Zhou emperor was furious, expressing his rage by—sternly condemning the act, sending angry letters.

The Northern Zhou empress dowager's birthday celebration was approaching, and Emperor Xuanming was stationed at the Luoyang imperial lodge, waiting only for the Southern Zhou Young Master. Now, before the Young Master had even arrived in Luoyang, why was the Huoqiu Army heading south?

In reality, according to the message from the arrow Ming Jing had sent, Emperor Xuanming had lent troops to the Huoqiu Army. Wei Changyin's temporary military actions were not of his own volition but coerced by Emperor Xuanming.

The moment the message reached Fengxiang, Lin Ye and Xue Li could no longer dwell on their personal grudges. Xue Li didn't even have time to look back at the little aunt in the slums.

Without a word, Xue Li pulled Lin Ye onto a horse.

The two rode together to the residence where the Marriage Alliance Mission was stationed. Xue Li hadn't had the chance to tell Lin Ye about the "Wind Slayer" mark she had discovered, nor had Lin Ye told Xue Li about "the little aunt's death" or "Yu Long's brief return and departure."

Only as they left the long alley did Xue Li glance back at the slums behind her.

She thought, she would come back to visit another day.

Meanwhile, the Marriage Alliance Mission at the residence reacted swiftly.

Before Lin Ye and Xue Li arrived, Ah Zeng took charge of the Marriage Alliance Mission, fighting against the local garrison in Fengxiang. Before anyone could react, the Marriage Alliance Mission swept through like a whirlwind, not only capturing the Reception Envoy sent by Northern Zhou but also gaining control over the current Prefect of Fengxiang.

That Prefect was now merely a puppet official, looking on helplessly at the Marriage Alliance Mission, completely at a loss.

Ah Zeng's target for questioning was clearly the Reception Envoy, who seemed to know something—"We have come deep into Northern Zhou, yet enemy troops are marching towards Fengxiang. What does Emperor Xuanming mean by this?"

The Reception Envoy, trussed up like a chicken, was fat-faced and pot-bellied. Bound to a long chair in the residence by the Marriage Alliance Mission, his beady eyes darted shiftily. The Reception Envoy, looking uneasy, stammered his replies but was cunning: "This has nothing to do with us, this is between the Huoqiu Army and you all..."

Kong Laoliu, leading a group of wanderers, burst into the residence just in time to hear this, his expression darkening. Kong Laoliu shouted, "So the Reception Envoy is saying that the Huoqiu Army has truly allied with your court?"

"Absolutely not!" the Reception Envoy vowed solemnly. "Our emperor is inclined towards you and would never collaborate with barbarians. Rumors in the wanderers' world are all slander. You are all people of principle and must not believe them lightly."

Ah Zeng stared at the Reception Envoy, weary and disappointed, and couldn't muster the energy to argue further.

He turned his back and walked to the long table, unfolding a battle map to study the military situation.

Meanwhile, Dou Yan and the other wanderers were far less astute in military affairs than Ah Zeng. They still surrounded the Reception Envoy, incredulous: "But as the Huoqiu Army marches west, leaving devastation in their wake like locusts, what about the people in your territory? Doesn't your emperor care? If we hadn't taken Fengxiang..."

"If we hadn't taken Fengxiang at the first opportunity, there would be no point in discussing the subsequent battles," a young man's voice, calm and devoid of laughter, came from outside as he entered. "Thanks to the advance warning from Ming Jing and the others."

The people in the room turned in surprise: "Young Master, Xue Li..."

Lin Ye, usually full of smiles, wasn't smiling this time.

Xue Li stood beside him, both dust-covered. The young man's face was pale, the young woman willowy and quiet, only their eyes calm.

Everyone could tell the situation was dire.

--

Lin Ye wiped his face: "Let's look at the battle map first." This war had caught everyone off guard.

Lin Ye had made many preparations in advance, but because the war broke out too suddenly, many of his arrangements couldn’t be activated in time. This clearly showcased Wei Changyin’s cunning—he was aiming precisely for this element of "surprise."

Lin Ye and Ah Zeng stood at the front, examining the military sand table together.

Dou Yan and Xue Li stood behind them. Dou Yan kept sneaking glances at Xue Li, hesitating as if wanting to say something.

They heard Lin Ye’s voice: "The enemy has suddenly risen, demanding hostages from the Marriage Alliance Mission. Clearly, this is just an excuse, but we must rescue Ming Jing and Liang Chen. Our problem is that Fengxiang isn’t Southern Zhou territory—we can only barely mobilize the local Fengxiang troops. Emperor Xuanming will block any additional forces. If Lady Lu reacts swiftly, Southern Zhou’s troops might enter Fengxiang through Dasan Pass to assist us. But that will take time… Before reinforcements arrive, we must hold out. And clearly, this period is exactly the time Wei Changyin wants for his operations."

Kong Laoliu grew agitated: "We wanderers can try to contact other wanderers… but in such a short time, they may not trust us. Besides, this is Northern Zhou territory. As long as the emperor remains unharmed, wanderers generally won’t willingly involve themselves in war…"

Xue Li spoke softly: "What if among the enemy forces, there’s ‘Qin Yueye’? If the Wind Master leads ‘Qin Yueye’ to aid Huoqiu, the enemy from 120 years ago, would Northern Zhou’s wanderers still stay neutral?"

Everyone froze.

Kong Laoliu stared at her intently: "If that’s the case… it’s worth a try. But the Wind Master, the Wind Master…"

He was your *shixiong* (martial senior brother). After "killing your master," must you also shoulder the guilt of "killing your senior brother"?

Such words, even a blunt man like Kong Laoliu, couldn’t bring himself to say them in the face of the girl’s lonely gaze. Xue Li looked away, appearing distant.

Lin Ye: "So, we’ll have to gamble. Huoqiu Kingdom marches west, yet Emperor Xuanming remains in the Luoyang palace. If I can circle behind enemy lines, storm the palace and seize Emperor Xuanming, we could turn things around. We all know Emperor Xuanming and Wei Changyin must be collaborating…"

"No," Xue Li’s voice was calm, her gaze still unfocused, drifting absently over the sand table. "It’s a trap. Emperor Xuanming flaunts his presence in the Luoyang palace—he’s waiting for a fish to take the bait. The fish he wants is none other than the ‘General of the Shining Night.’ You can’t go."

Lin Ye fell silent.

The others also looked at Xue Li in surprise.

Normally, Xue Li rarely spoke.

But today, she had already contradicted them twice.

Lin Ye chuckled, faking a casual shrug and placing his hands on his hips: "Of course I thought of such a simple trick too. Don’t worry, A Xue, I won’t go. I’m frail as a kitten now—I can’t handle the strain. I have another plan."

He winked at the group: "I’ve been in contact with the Zhang family—the most powerful Guannei clan in Northern Zhou. The son of Northern Zhou’s prime minister, Mr. Zhang Bing, is my friend. If he stages a palace coup and confines Emperor Xuanming, the Huoqiu Army’s reserves will be affected."

Everyone was stunned: Since when is Zhang Bing your buddy?

But since Young Master Lin declared it so confidently, they felt reassured.

Ah Zeng added: "I also know some military officers. I’ll contact them and ask them to defend Fengxiang against the enemy for my sake. That might buy us some time."

Ah Zeng smiled faintly: "Don’t let looks fool you—I’ve had my share of friends too."

Lin Ye glanced at him.

Ah Zeng nodded back.

Lin Ye grinned: "Good. Looks like we’ve got more cards to play…"

Dou Yan: "There’s still those corpse-like *Troopers*. Our greatest threat is the undead *Troopers*. Back at Dasan Pass, if not for the *Magic Flute* sound, Xue Li fainting, and Wei Changyin’s retreat… we’d have been slaughtered."

"Now, we’re facing an even larger ‘Battle of Dasan Pass.’ If Wei Changyin unleashes all the *Troopers*, we’re done for."

Kong Laoliu nodded, recalling the battle with lingering fear.

Ah Zeng: "We must find a way to deal with the *Troopers*. If we can break their control—even if they just froze up…"

Lin Ye laughed: "Why the long faces? Have you forgotten? I’m Southern Zhou’s young master!"

The room was filled with all sorts of people, including the bound Northern Zhou reception envoy, and all eyes fell upon Young Master Lin Ye.

Among the dust-covered men in the room, the young master stood out in the most vibrant attire. Tilting his head back, he spoke in a radiant, boastful tone, gleaming with golden light that dazzled the onlookers: "My blood is the rarest restorative in the world. It might even be able to stop these Troopers..."

The crowd suddenly realized—they had completely forgotten this fact.

Only the bodyguards who had long followed General Lin looked at the young master anxiously, hesitating to speak: After all, General Shining Night wasn't truly a young nobleman. There must be some reason behind his blood's curative power. But would this reason allow him to keep saving others without consequence? What about his health...?

"No." The entire room fell silent as they once again heard Xue Li’s clear voice.

Today, it seemed like Xue Li had been rejecting them at every turn.

Across the sea of people, Xue Li and Lin Ye locked eyes. She repeated firmly: "No."

Lin Ye watched her quietly.

The others looked between them in confusion.

Only Xue Li knew—Lin Ye's blood could only be used three times. His body was already at its limit; he couldn’t possibly endure a third round of bloodletting so soon. Moreover, the sheer number of Troopers meant that a single drop wouldn't free them from control. They would need copious amounts... far too much for him to supply.

So—"No."

The crowd glanced around blankly. Some began to wonder whether Lin Ye, having already given blood twice recently, might be overexerting himself. People like Dou Yan and Kong Laoliu attempted to diffuse the tension: "Let's think of another way. Isn't Ming Jing's Magic Flute quite effective? Though where is Ming Jing now...?"

Lin Ye opened his mouth, smiling slightly as if about to say something. But before he could speak, a voice came from outside the room: "Taking a little blood from the Southern Zhou young master is possible."

Everyone quickly turned their heads to see Li Weiyan stepping inside.

This fastidious young noble had shown no interest in their discussion and hadn’t participated at all. Only when mealtime arrived and no one in the estate had prepared food did he come looking for someone with a scowl, having overheard part of the conversation outside.

Li Weiyan tilted his chin toward Xue Li and blinked. "The Southern Zhou young master's blood can be taken."

Xue Li’s lashes trembled slightly.

Though slow to understand, she wasn’t moved by his words. Yet perceptive enough, she grasped their hidden meaning—

In this room, only she and Lin Ye knew that Li Weiyan was the true Southern Zhou young master.

Li Weiyan was saying he was willing to give his blood.

Privately, Li Weiyan said lazily, "Giving some blood won’t affect me. Isn’t that the whole point of my existence? My condition is that I won’t be the Puppet Emperor. If the Junior General can persuade the Lu family to abandon that idea, then I’ll agree to give blood."

Lin Ye stared at Li Weiyan.

The medicinal subjects were artificially created. The reason Li Weiyan's blood was so precious was due to his maternal lineage—generation after generation imprisoned by Lake Xuanwu, forced into endless trials, living in hellish conditions. Countless sacrifices had shaped his unique bloodline. But was there truly no cost?

Could such blood really be drawn endlessly without consequence?

And would someone as extreme as Li Weiyan truly be willing to sacrifice for the Troopers?

Xue Li said, "I’ll speak with the young lord privately."

Li Weiyan smirked. "If you’re so moved you offer your hand in marriage, I wouldn’t mind changing my terms to accept."

Xue Li replied coolly, "I’m not that moved. The Troopers' existence isn’t my doing. The safety and peace of the world aren’t my responsibility. I only care about A Ye’s well-being."

Beside them, Lin Ye seemed distracted—he hadn’t even heard Li Weiyan’s “offer.” Only when Xue Li spoke did he seem to refocus, smiling at her. "Alright, go talk with the young lord. Dou Yan, I need to speak with you as well."

Dou Yan, who had been watching the drama unfold from the sidelines: "Me? What?"

Lin Ye nodded firmly.

Confused and preoccupied, Dou Yan followed Lin Ye. At the end of the corridor, with their backs turned, Xue Li and Li Weiyan departed.

--

Ah Zeng donned a straw hat and mounted a steed, riding off to call in favors from old allies for reinforcements. Kong Laoliu reached out to the wanderers, uniting them to resist the fast-moving Huoqiu Army. After sending a message to Lu Qingmei and attempting to contact Ming Jing and Liang Chen, Lin Ye prepared to lead their remaining forces, along with Li Weiyan, to confront the swift Huoqiu troops.

Xue Li would accompany Lin Ye and Li Weiyan.

Their plan was to use the frozen Luo River to break the Troopers' siege and ease their own battle strain.

As for Xue Li, her plan was simple: "I'll deal with Bai Li."

To Xue Li, the greatest threat from the Huoqiu Army was only "Bai Li." No one asked what she'd do if the Wind Master showed up too.

Before dawn, the group bid farewell, each slipping into the alleys to carry out their separate tasks.

Before leaving the estate, Xue Li saw Lin Ye sitting on the front steps, gazing at the frosty mist in the morning alley, lost in his thoughts.

She stood behind him for a long time, but he didn't notice. Only when she approached and sat beside him on the steps did he snap back to reality and turned to look at her.

This scene at daybreak reminded her of the time she returned from Nangong Mountain, when he had waited for her on the inner courtyard steps. Among the shadows of trees and eaves, with snow falling along the corridor, they felt no chill—only warmth.

But Xue Li felt almost no warmth. She just wanted to stay with him before daybreak, before they set off.

Xue Li whispered, "A Ye, don’t use the third drop of blood."

--

Beneath the snow-covered corridor, Lin Ye paused, then laughed. "What? I never said I would. Besides, even if I did, I’d use it on you. No one else is worth it."

Xue Li shook her head.

She hadn’t visited the slums to see her aunt, nor had she had time to sort through her emotions or deal with the impact of past events. And being slow to understand, she couldn’t make sense of them anyway. She focused only on what she could grasp—"I don’t want you to use your heart’s blood on me either."

After a long silence, Lin Ye said, "You don’t want real emotions anymore? Or to become the true number one under heaven?"

Xue Li replied, "I don’t want emotions. Being number one was what Master and Song Wanfeng wanted—not me."

Lin Ye studied her quietly, then suddenly leaned in and kissed her cheek lightly. Xue Li turned to look at him as he drew back, smiling. "You don’t want emotions? I don’t believe it. You’ve never felt them, so you think you don’t. Now that you’ve glimpsed a fraction, do you truly still not want them?"

Xue Li lifted her long lashes, her eyes cold as ice.

Lin Ye, seated on the steps beneath the corridor, had been smiling, but his smile faded under her frosty gaze. He lowered his face, then leaned in again, giving her cheek another light kiss.

This time, his lips met hers.

Their lips, cool at first, warmed. Their breaths mingled, not in passion but in tenderness. He trembled, gentle—as if not trying to kiss her, but only to be close. He longed to be near yet feared hurting her, so when she leaned in, he pulled back slightly.

Xue Li murmured, "Emotions… what kind of emotions are these?"

Lin Ye’s breath lingered at the corner of her lips, still smiling. She looked up. Unlike before, his face didn’t flush red—it was pale and weak. Yet when Xue Li tried to study him closely, he looked away.

Half-teasing, Lin Ye said, "These are… emotions telling you to leave quickly."

"I won’t leave," Xue Li said earnestly. "I’m here for revenge. I’m not going."

Lin Ye's eyes, sorrowful yet tender, murmured: "Silly Ah Xue."

His breath brushed against her cheek as he whispered, "Don't look at me like that... With so many people around, I might act impulsively. I'm the mighty little general—I can't afford to embarrass myself."

"Snow? What kind of look?" Snow asked.

Lin Ye wrapped an arm around her shoulders and looked up, changing the subject. "Ah Xue, look—doesn’t it look like snow?"

Snow lifted her head to the sky.

She scanned the morning mist carefully, but saw nothing that resembled snow. Then she heard the boy beside her chuckle again, his breath warming her cheek. Her own cheeks warmed, flustered.

He murmured, "Being a general’s such a pain."

"What?" Snow turned toward him.

Something cold pressed against her neck, settling there.

Snow blinked. She saw the boy leaning in, tying a small embroidered pouch around her neck. Beside it hung a jade pendant, its chill giving her goosebumps.

Seeing her about to look down, Lin Ye said solemnly, "No peeking! It’s a family heirloom passed from my mother to her daughter-in-law. If you peek, you’ll have to marry me."

Snow’s hand gripping the pouch stilled before she looked up at him.

He grinned, pressing his forehead to hers and nuzzling gently, whining teasingly, "So annoying. Yesterday was your birthday, and I didn’t even get to celebrate with you. Now we’re off to war again. Ugh, what a drag."

Snow’s lashes fluttered slightly—how’d he know yesterday was her birthday?

Was it… Little Aunt who told him?

But how’d Little Aunt know?

Master had chosen the day she was found as her birthday. Was that the same day Little Aunt lost her child? What grudges lay between Little Aunt and Master...

Snow pursed her lips and clutched the pouch and pendant tight. As she thought, Lin Ye reminded her, "No peeking, got it? Seriously."

"When *can* I look?" she asked.

Lin Ye’s eyes widened slightly. He stared for a moment.

He teased, "Wait, you’re actually considering marrying me? That won’t do. My standards are high. If you don’t like me—even if you were a fairy—I wouldn’t take you. So, Ah Xue, tell me, have you changed your mind? Do you like me now?"

Snow tightened her grip on the pouch around her neck, inhaling his scent. She loved the trace of him there, so she lowered her head, sniffing again and again, then peeked up at him with shining dark eyes. "Do you think I should?"

… Neither yes nor no. She asked if she *should*, and how should he answer?

Lin Ye sat on the steps, propping his chin on his hand as he gazed at her. His eyes were warm as spring, cold as ice. After a long silence, he turned away, waving his sleeve like a fan. "Geez, now I’m all worked up."

Snow didn’t press the matter of liking or not. Instead, she persisted, "Then when *can* I look?"

Lin Ye seemed lost for a moment before slowly smiling. "When you fall in love with me, then you can look."

Snow gave a small nod. Still clutching the pendant and fidgeting with the pouch, she couldn’t help making a request. "After the war… give me a proper birthday celebration, okay?"

Lin Ye blinked, surprised. "Why? Do you really like birthdays?"

"I don’t," Snow shook her head. "I just want to wait for you."

"You said yourself—we’ll do many things together. You promised you’d stay."

At this moment, the boy sat motionless like a puppet beneath the snow-draped corridor in the dawn light.

He heard the sound of glaciers breaking through the snow, snaking endlessly.

He heard the melting and shattering of ice from all directions, the icy waters meandering and winding, surging toward him like spring tides from afar, drowning him in their embrace.

Lin Ye tilted her head back, her eyes clear as rainflower stones, shimmering with rippling light, reflecting a dazzling hue. Her unintentional words were innocent yet sharp as a blade, her extreme simplicity cutting with ruthless intent, lacerating him until he surrendered.

The boy, unable to restrain his affection, leaned in despite knowing he should not bind her, and wrapped his arms around her: “Silly A Xue.”

Xue Li looked up as Li Weiyan’s voice drifted out from the courtyard behind them, dry and teasing: “Young lovers, it’s time to mount and ride. Since we’re traveling together, must you squeeze in every last whisper?”

Blushing, Lin Ye pulled Xue Li to her feet.

Shortly after, Dou Yan also emerged, informing the three that everyone was assembled. Together they left the estate, leading every able-bodied follower, and rode swiftly out of the city.