“The wind rises…” in Qinzheng Hall, the Empress Dowager suddenly sighed with cryptic meaning.

Among the wind came the clear, melodious tinkling of bells – those hanging beneath the flying eaves. Occasionally palaces would hang one or two, but today the bell sounds seemed particularly heavy, layered upon layers, high and low, as if many bells were harmonizing in the wind.

Initially, Shen Xihe paid it no mind, but somehow the sound grew increasingly irritating. Looking again at the Empress Dowager toying with her teacup, her gaze gained a gravity she couldn’t quite grasp: “Mo Yu, order someone to shoot down those bells.”

As she gave the order, Shen Xihe watched the Empress Dowager intently, indeed seeing her fingers pause. That ominous feeling grew stronger, and she immediately demanded coldly: “Who have you cast your spell on?”

After learning about the soul-manipulating sorcerer from Xiao Changyan’s side, Shen Xihe gradually collected bits and pieces about soul manipulation. Over the past year, while not mastering it, she had gained a deep understanding. She knew it was a strange art that could control people’s thoughts, bewitch minds, making those under its influence become like puppets.

Those under the spell remained unaware unless triggered by specific dark commands. Once triggered, they would become possessed, forgetting everything except the commands planted deep in their bones by the spell!

“You’re so clever, why not take a guess?” The Empress Dowager watched Shen Xihe with composure.

Mo Yu and others flashed out of Qinzheng Hall, targeting the copper bells swaying beneath the flying eaves. The bells were about the size of a grown man’s fist, swaying in the wind, making clear ding-a-ling sounds.

When Mo Yu ordered them shot down, arrows were intercepted mid-flight by arrows from unknown directions. The opponent’s archery was incredibly precise, alarming Mo Yu and others into deep vigilance.

They shot again, only to be blocked again.

Mo Yu personally leaped up along the corridor pillars, trying to reach the eaves to cut down the bells. Before she could get close, arrows flew at her. She quickly dodged, countering with her sword to cut down the incoming arrows. Just as she rose and approached within a few steps of the bells, another arrow shot as swiftly as a meteor.

“Your Highness, there’s more than one,” Tian Yuan watched the arrows’ directions intently, realizing they came from multiple distant positions.

Even with Mo Yu’s skills, she couldn’t reach the bells. Especially when suddenly three directions shot arrows at her simultaneously, making Shen Xihe’s heart tighten. Mo Yu rolled down from under the eaves, fortunately avoiding the arrows.

She suddenly looked at the composed Empress Dowager: “It’s Prince Xin.”

The Empress Dowager started, and then admiration again filled her eyes. She hadn’t expected Shen Xihe to guess correctly in one try.

Soul manipulation worked best on those with weak will and unstable minds. The Empress Dowager had failed once with young Xiao Huayong, making her extremely cautious afterward. Normally, she would never risk trying it on someone like Xiao Changqing.

But when Xiao Changqing was in turmoil, his mind unstable, it became too easy.

Half a year ago, just such an opportunity arose.

Having figured it out, Shen Xihe grew calmer instead. Among Xiao Changqing’s group, he was the leader. Shen Xihe didn’t want to believe he was under a spell, but besides him, no one could make the Empress Dowager so confident!

Anyone else could be suppressed by Xiao Changqing, but no one could suppress him.

“Now, does Youyou still have any chance of winning?” The Empress Dowager’s smile deepened.

“How can victory be determined before the final moment?” Shen Xihe showed no panic.

The Empress Dowager had always admired Shen Xihe. She said: “Why must we both suffer losses? I promise you the northwest will be secure – why not turn hostility into friendship?”

Shen Xihe’s gaze was serene as she quietly watched the Empress Dowager. She believed the Empress Dowager’s words now were not deceptive, but sincere.

But she disliked allying with people like the Empress Dowager.

Though Shen Xihe disapproved of the Empress Dowager’s actions, she had to admit one thing she said was right.

Power was only secure in one’s own hands.

The Empress Dowager yearned for power but lacked a ruler’s vision and breadth. Perhaps because she wasn’t yet in position – when she held great power later, truly becoming the second Empress, she would understand she couldn’t tolerate the northwest either.

Shen Xihe had already spent too much energy planning for her clan. She didn’t want to maneuver for this her whole life.

In today’s struggle, she would not yield!

“It seems my overtures still can’t move you.” The Empress Dowager understood Shen Xihe’s choice, unsurprised, having expected it.

How could one so exceptional willingly submit to others?

Shen Xihe didn’t care how the Empress Dowager imagined her. She worried about Xiao Changqing, fearing he might kill Xiao Changying under the spell’s influence.

She knew well how deep the brotherhood between them ran. If Xiao Changqing truly killed Xiao Changying, even upon awakening, he would likely go mad.

What Shen Xihe didn’t know was that the brothers were already locked in desperate combat.

In martial arts, Xiao Changying surpassed his brother Xiao Changqing, but he held back everywhere, unable to use killing moves or even harsh moves against Xiao Changqing. In contrast, Xiao Changqing seemed to treat Xiao Changying as an enemy, with every move lethal.

After their exchanges, Xiao Changqing remained unharmed while Xiao Changying bore many sword wounds.

Xiao Changying believed Xiao Changqing had fallen victim to some scheme, anxiously trying to get close enough to knock him unconscious. But Xiao Changqing’s martial arts weren’t weak, and Xiao Changying never got the chance.

As for Xiao Changqing’s men, though following his orders, they knew of the brothers’ deep bond. While they surrounded others, they didn’t move against Xiao Changying.

Xiao Changqing deflected Xiao Changying’s sword. In Xiao Changying’s eyes, his brother’s sword flourishes. He could easily dodge, but somehow, suddenly seeming to realize something, he didn’t move away.

A sword pierced Xiao Changying’s chest. Xiao Changqing’s eyelids suddenly trembled, unconsciously withdrawing his blade so only two inches of the tip penetrated Xiao Changying’s flesh.

Seeing his brother indeed hold back, Xiao Changying’s heart lifted: “Brother…”

Just as Xiao Changying began to speak, Xiao Changqing withdrew his sword, leaped up with a kick sending Xiao Changying flying, and coldly ordered: “Surround him!”

“Brother, stop, I beg you to stop—” Xiao Changying tried to rush forward but was trapped by several men in black fitted clothing.

He could only watch helplessly as Xiao Changqing walked further away.

Under the eaves, the evening wind brushed, blood surged, and copper bells rang.

As if some mysterious guidance pulled at Xiao Changqing’s mind, leading him and his men to follow the bell sounds.

While Xiao Changying held back against Xiao Changqing, he showed no mercy to Xiao Changqing’s men. These men dared not truly try to kill him, and Xiao Changying soon forced his way through, though his chest was now stained red with blood.

“Your Highness, you can’t go after Prince Xin!” You Wenjun blocked Xiao Changying’s path.