The Changle Inn opened on the street had originally welcomed and sent off guests. The city was small with few incidents—never encountering thieves or soldiers. Whether the innkeeper or the shop assistants, all were local people. The farthest place they’d been was Zhili, the most formidable person they’d seen was the county magistrate. Where would they have witnessed any truly grand scenes? At this moment, every single one stood trembling in the corner of the main hall with lowered heads, not daring to breathe too loudly, fearing to anger this gang of people before them.

Only that male standing quietly in the hall was truly a celestial figure.

Dressed entirely in snow-white Daoist robes, his bearing lofty and transcendent, deep and still as a mountain lake. His elongated face held a distant, pure elegance like distant mountains painted in ink. His eyes and brows seemed still touched by the damp, cold dew from the journey. Just one ordinary glance made people feel thoroughly seen through, giving rise to a feeling of having nowhere to hide.

Most of the dense mass of people who came with him hadn’t entered the door, only surrounding the inn so tightly not even water could leak through, preventing miscellaneous people from entering. Fortunately, near the New Year season, there truly weren’t many travelers staying at the inn, so it didn’t cause too much panic.

Jian Shu led people to quickly search through the entire inn.

When he came down from upstairs, his hands were empty.

The person they sought wasn’t here.

Jian Shu glanced at Xiao Bao, whose face had paled somewhat. His own heart also beat uneasily. Walking before Xie Wei, he said: “Master, no one.”

Xie Wei remained silent without speaking.

Having heard the innkeeper say that at dawn no woman had checked into the inn, Xiao Bao already knew things had changed. Now hearing Jian Shu’s words, he bowed his head and knelt down, requesting punishment: “It was my negligence and carelessness, inadequate consideration—I lost track of Second Miss’s whereabouts.”

Xiao Bao was naturally Xie Wei’s hidden chess piece planted in the Heavenly Teachings.

Though young in years, he was quite clever in handling matters.

Only since he was in Tongzhou while Xie Wei was in the capital, even secretly sending word for him to rescue Jiang Xuening first, there was no way to explain matters in detail. Therefore, Xiao Bao had reasoned by common logic: having already rescued Jiang Xuening and brought her before the inn, this young lady had no strength to truss a chicken and didn’t look like someone with great capabilities—naturally she would obediently enter the inn.

How could he have imagined a living person could vanish into thin air?

From beginning to end, she’d never entered this inn!

The main hall was cold and desolate.

All voices absent.

Xie Wei didn’t call Xiao Bao to rise, but also didn’t verbally rebuke him. He only raised his hand to lightly support the table’s edge, sitting in a chair that Jian Shu had carefully wiped clean.

Before long, Dao and Qin entered with someone, bowing: “Master, someone from the prefecture yamen.”

This person wore a navy blue silk robe—a secretary from the prefecture yamen.

Being dragged through the door by Dao and Qin, he stumbled, practically wetting himself in terror, falling awkwardly before Xie Wei. Prostrating himself with his forehead on the ground, he trembled: “This humble person pays respects to Grand Tutor—indeed, indeed, indeed there was a young lady who came to the prefecture yamen half a shichen ago, specifically asking by name to see our Prefect.”

Xie Wei lowered his eyelids: “What did she say?”

Cold sweat poured like rain from the secretary’s forehead. Recalling, he said: “She said Heavenly Teachings members were gathering in Tongzhou with rebellious intentions, that a court official from the Ministry of Justice investigating was trapped among them, urgently needing reinforcement. The Prefect originally didn’t believe it, but very soon heard from the city gate guards that Duke Dingguo was leading troops into the city heading straight for Shangqing Temple. So he couldn’t sit still and hurriedly mustered the yamen’s runners and soldiers, taking a shortcut to lend assistance.”

Xie Wei asked: “Where is she?”

Hearing the word “she,” the secretary instinctively wanted to say the Prefect went to Shangqing Temple. But thinking again, his heart jumped. He quickly swallowed back the words on his lips, changing his answer: “That young lady insisted on following the Prefect, couldn’t be stopped no matter what. Calculating by pace, she’s probably already reached Shangqing Temple by now.”

Jian Shu, standing at his side, almost immediately drew a sharp breath.

Miss Jiang Er, a boudoir daughter’s family with no strength to truss a chicken—how dare she venture into such danger!

Xiao Bao also had his eyes wide open.

Only Xie Wei, as if having some premonition of this, suddenly laughed once. That laugh truly held an indescribable flavor—something choked in his throat, vague yet acrid. Finally it transformed into two heavy words: “Good, good.”

He’d actually underestimated her courage!

So obedient and well-behaved as a student in the palace, but outside she was full of rebelliousness!

For a mere Zhang Zhe, she dared oppose him!

Xie Wei’s fingers resting on the table’s edge pressed against a sheet of cold. That lingering, inescapable violent aura spread again from the depths of his eyes. Rising, he swept his sleeves and headed outside the inn, only saying coldly: “Go to Shangqing Temple.”

That afternoon by the village riverside, Jiang Xuening had confided to Zhang Zhe, saying she didn’t want to stay in the capital, didn’t want to stay in the palace, wanted to take this opportunity to flee far, far away.

He thought he had lived through all splendor and found his true heart again.

Even if they couldn’t meet often afterward, he still hoped her wish would be fulfilled—going far away, with sea and sky vast, never to return.

But she came back after all.

And in such dangerous circumstances.

Zhang Zhe was first angry at her foolishness, second resenting her recklessness. When his voice emerged, that severity was so sharp it even startled himself.

Even Meng Yang beside him couldn’t help glancing at him.

Seeing him, Jiang Xuening felt a great stone in her heart fall to ground. She also hadn’t expected Zhang Zhe to shout at her like this right off the bat. She immediately froze: “I…”

For you.

Since Yongding Apothecary had no court reception at all, Zhang Zhe must also have been kept in the dark. Since Xiao Bao had gone through considerable trouble to bring her out, this showed at least the schemer behind Xiao Bao wanted to save her. Yet Xiao Bao had deceived her about Yongding Apothecary to settle her heart, but never actually went to the apothecary—showing they didn’t care about Zhang Zhe’s life or death.

If the court had no reinforcements, Zhang Zhe would certainly fall into a dangerous situation!

After arriving at the prefecture yamen, she’d heard that those leading the raid on the Heavenly Teachings were the Xiao father and son, making her even more frightened. She’d simply steeled her heart to follow the yamen’s reinforcements here together, putting all her eggs in one basket—

Betting that the schemer behind it all didn’t want her dead!

If she came and stayed by Zhang Zhe’s side, if this gang wanted to stand by and watch or wanted to harm Zhang Zhe as well, they’d have to think twice, even be forced to rescue!

If she won the bet, she could save Zhang Zhe’s life.

If she lost the bet, it was merely her life compensating Zhang Zhe.

So when Zhang Zhe’s anger came at her face-on, her heart held that moment of bitterness and grievance. But in a flash, she understood Zhang Zhe’s anger came more from worry and frustration, so it transformed into warm comfort spreading through her.

Jiang Xuening’s eyes reddened.

In her previous life, she’d owed Zhang Zhe—bullying him, targeting him, venting her temper at him. This lifetime, she’d consider it repaying him.

In any case, she was willing and content.

She didn’t want to hide her feelings. Still gazing steadily at him, tears still falling patter-patter, she said with some choking: “I was worried about you.”

Those several red marks scratched across her tender face were especially glaring.

Whatever full measure of fire Zhang Zhe had, she extinguished it all. His heart actually felt painfully lashed as if by whips: She could have walked away but came back instead—what else could it be for?

He clearly knew, yet couldn’t control that moment of anger that exceeded reason.

However, now wasn’t the time for many words.

Seeing the Heavenly Teachings members temporarily beaten back now surging toward them again, he couldn’t say anything more. Coldly setting his face, he directly raised his hand and pulled Jiang Xuening to his side, holding his blade horizontally as he retreated to safer ground.

Jiang Xuening’s hand was gripped by his hand, feeling a sticky wetness.

Looking down, she found her hand covered in blood.

The hand with which he gripped hers had been dyed red by fresh blood flowing down from his left shoulder wound—extremely shocking to see.

She suddenly hated her own weakness and incompetence. At such a time, unable to help him more, she could only follow step by step behind him, trying hard not to drag him down.

Originally it was a three-way melee difficult to distinguish friend from foe among the Heavenly Teachings, prisoners, and the Xiao family’s people. After the yamen’s gang of emergency-relief runners joined in, things suddenly became somewhat more orderly. At least the pressure on Zhang Zhe and Meng Yang’s side suddenly lightened.

Instead, the Heavenly Teachings’ side was caught off guard.

Those who’d come earlier to kill Zhang Zhe were blocked by blades and swords—clearly unsuccessful. Feng Mingyu, not expecting complications to arise, was already cursing furiously.

Wu Feng’s side advised: “Not bearing small matters disrupts great plans—no need to fixate on Zhang Zhe alone.”

Only then did Feng Mingyu forcibly swallow his breath, saying: “How much farther?”

Wu Feng raised his eyes to survey the surroundings: Currently the Heavenly Teachings’ people had completely withdrawn from Shangqing Temple, circling to a mountain path halfway up the mountain leading to the back mountain. Further back lay a valley overgrown with wild grass.

A strange gleam flashed in his eyes: “Fifteen or sixteen zhang. Retreat!”

Amidst the multi-sided melee, a whistle could faintly be heard from the Heavenly Teachings’ side.

The battle line had stretched long—not many heard it.

The Xiao father and son following far behind didn’t hear it at all. Seeing commotion ahead and the Tongzhou prefecture yamen people cutting in midway, both father and son’s expressions grew somewhat ugly.

Xiao Yuan’s purpose this time was precisely to claim sole credit, deliberately even leaving Xie Wei behind.

How could he have expected this ignorant prefect to dare come share a piece of the pie?

The more so, the less they could let the other side take precedence!

His brow furrowed. Though his temples had already grayed somewhat, it didn’t impede in the slightest that imposing aura when he issued orders. Shouting loudly and forcefully: “No retreating! Push hard inside! Whoever retreats one step will face military law upon return!”

These soldiers were all brought from the imperial guards, always obeying Xiao Yuan.

Besides, this was merely fighting a small Heavenly Teachings—compared to truly fighting at the borders, it was really a trifling matter. They hadn’t taken this matter seriously at all. When Xiao Yuan told them to charge forward, not one showed fear. Raising blades and swords, they pressed forward!

Though Zhang Zhe was distant, he heard the general situation from both sides. Easily detecting that Xiao Yuan’s side actually showed an attitude of greedily pursuing merit and advancing rashly, thinking again of the strange aspects of the Heavenly Teachings’ actions, his heart remained uneasy.

Seeing the Xiao family’s people pressing closer and closer, even they were being swept along toward the back mountain, his brow furrowed.

They couldn’t advance further inside.

Zhang Zhe said decisively: “The enemy is luring us deep—beware of ambush!”

The Tongzhou Prefect looked utterly confused.

The Xiao father and son regarded it with disdain.

However, before they could even voice their doubts or mockery, just as Zhang Zhe’s words fell, on the mountainside came a sudden “boom”—a terrifying explosion. The ground beneath everyone’s feet began shaking. There was simply no time to dodge!

Hard rocks flew up, smashing down toward the crowd.

Dirt splattered everywhere.

Occasionally small stones shot out, striking people’s heads, directly piercing through skulls, wedging inside!

Even a martial practitioner like Meng Yang couldn’t stand steady. Shocked, he said: “Gunpowder!”

This substance had been accidentally created by Daoists when refining pills. After several decades, it was used on battlefields, made into cannons. Often it had the miraculous effect of killing a hundred with one—when fired, it rolled like heavenly thunder, imposing and magnificent.

Only this substance was difficult to produce, and being of great importance, had always only been usable by the court’s military.

How could the Heavenly Teachings have it?!

Never mind Meng Yang—anyone with even slight knowledge already felt catastrophe descending.

One explosion was merely the beginning.

Only moments later, it was like opening a terrifying floodgate. “Boom boom boom”—explosive sounds rang incessantly. All manner of screams rose continuously.

This Shangqing Temple mountain wasn’t high to begin with—the soil and rock layers weren’t solid enough.

When several buried gunpowder caches exploded, the mountain rocks shook violently, actually collapsing from bottom to top in a sheet. Immediately half the people were dragged into the earth, the other half buried in mountain stones.

Creating a scene of flesh and blood flying everywhere, corpses strewn across the field!

Though Zhang Zhe had anticipated an ambush, he absolutely never imagined the Heavenly Teachings could produce gunpowder. The instant the mountainside collapsed, he only had time to pull Jiang Xuening toward the direction where the Heavenly Teachings members stood!

Several yamen runners behind them were almost immediately gone.

The Xiao father and son’s side never expected such a turn of events. Having already charged forward too fiercely to retreat in time, their positions happened to fall right within this gunpowder ambush range. Immediately they were dragged down by the exploding mountain.

Xiao Ye let out a terrified, miserable scream!

A rock rolling down from above had struck his leg.

Xiao Yuan’s luck was somewhat better—only scraping his skin. But he was also frightened with his soul unsettled. Suddenly seeing his precious son actually have his leg crushed, he shouted “Ye’er!” and rushed over to rescue him. But one person’s strength was limited—how could he push away that large stone?

Wanting to call everyone to help, but others were preoccupied with their own survival.

“Hahahaha—Master’s move is called ‘inviting the gentleman into the urn,’ also called ‘closing the door to beat the dog’!”

Most of the Heavenly Teachings members had already retreated to safe ground, withdrawing to the valley behind. Seeing the mountainside collapse in a hellish scene, Feng Mingyu actually burst into loud laughter, rarely triumphant.

“We’ve been waiting for you to come die!”

The Heavenly Teachings’ side had actually known early on that the court would send troops to raid, preparing and arranging in advance to leave them a harsh lesson! Even though some teaching members also mistakenly died within, compared to exchanging for the court’s side nearly complete annihilation, it was truly incomparably worthwhile!

Among the court’s reinforcement soldiers, survivors were merely scattered stragglers.

The Heavenly Teachings’ side pressed down to slaughter them. The scene was brutally intense for a time—the situation suddenly reversed!

Zhang Zhe pulling Jiang Xuening had dodged toward the Heavenly Teachings’ safe area. Though timely avoiding the power of gunpowder exploding the mountain, he’d also sent himself into another dangerous situation.

The Heavenly Teachings were worried about failing to kill him.

Huang Qian, seeing Zhang Zhe actually like a sheep entering a tiger’s mouth voluntarily approaching them, how could he not seize this opportunity to fiercely attack him?

Zhang Zhe had to protect Jiang Xuening, already bore serious injuries, and moreover wasn’t highly skilled in martial arts. Almost immediately he struggled to defend both sides.

The other side also saw he cared for Jiang Xuening, so blades and swords simply pressed toward Jiang Xuening.

Zhang Zhe’s heart to protect her exceeded his heart to preserve himself. Inevitably falling into their scheme, he was again stabbed by someone’s sword beneath his ribs. His entire body stumbled, nearly falling.

Jiang Xuening cried out: “Zhang Zhe!”

But Huang Qian laughed loudly. Taking this opportunity, he yanked Jiang Xuening over, directly placing a blade across her neck, saying to Zhang Zhe: “Put down your blade, and have your people put down their blades.”

Zhang Zhe held the blood-stained blade, himself also covered in blood.

He silently looked at Jiang Xuening, not speaking.

She panicked only for an instant.

Immediately afterward, a strange calm arose.

Even though her life hung on Huang Qian’s blade that could behead her at any moment, she actually felt there was no better situation than being held hostage right now.

Jiang Xuening spoke calmly and composedly: “Incense Master Huang, you still have an opportunity now.”

Huang Qian was astonished: “What?”

Jiang Xuening’s voice didn’t even tremble: “Abandon darkness for light now, and there may be a thread of survival.”

Huang Qian simply felt he’d heard the world’s greatest joke.

Had this woman gone mad?

However, things in this world were just this strange—or perhaps this woman indeed had her own support. Just as he wanted to open his mouth to sneer coldly, on the rear wall and buildings of that temple ahead appeared sheets of swiftly moving black shadows!

They were countless archers hidden in darkness!

Tongzhou branch helmsman Wu Feng almost immediately knew the general situation had turned bad. Nearly hoarse, he shouted loudly: “Retreat, retreat!!!”

But the Heavenly Teachings gang had finally reversed their defeat and were about to press their advantage pursuing like beating drowning dogs. Chasing those remnant soldiers the Xiao family brought, they’d already pursued too deep, almost chasing back beneath the rear wall of Shangqing Temple ahead.

Completely delivering themselves to the door!

How could they retreat?

“Swish swish swish”—arrows broke through the air, making sharp sounds. Due to the massive quantity, they almost howled into a sheet, densely packed, shooting from the sky!

Many people had no time to react before being turned into porcupines by the arrows entering their bodies.

Shhhhhh…

One wave of arrow rain fell—a sheet collapsed. Another wave of arrow rain fell—another sheet collapsed. When the third wave of arrow rain fell, on the back mountain except for the wounded who still had breath to wail and cry miserably, looking from afar, all others who remained unaffected had fallen utterly silent.

Because what this arrow rain covered wasn’t limited to the Heavenly Teachings alone!

Even those defeated remnant soldiers led by the Xiao family—without distinction, all perished!

Fresh blood pooled into marshes, from Shangqing Temple’s rear wall rushing to the nearby mountain paths.

Xiao Yuan still held the unconscious Xiao Ye, weeping in grief.

Yet everywhere else was a sheet of deathly silence.

The louder those wailing, agonized cries, the more they set off this deathly silence’s pallor and terror.

In the valley overgrown with wild grass, Feng Mingyu was still there, Wu Feng was still there. Some lucky Heavenly Teachings decision-makers were all still there.

Huang Qian was also there.

However, at this moment, he’d already forgotten what he’d wanted to say earlier. The blade resting on Jiang Xuening’s neck, his hand couldn’t help trembling slightly. His eyes involuntarily held several degrees of fear, looking toward that rear courtyard of Shangqing Temple whose gate had closed at some unknown time.

Cold wind blew the wild grass.

The dark, heavy sky densely covered with dark clouds.

Clearly besides the wind’s sound, nothing could be heard. Yet when everyone’s gazes gathered on those tightly closed door panels, they seemed able to hear footsteps gradually approaching from behind the doors.

Finally, the door opened.

Too distant—they could only see it was a white shadow.

Then walking toward them.

On the exploded mountain path still stood some solid rocks jutting abruptly. This person stood atop the most precipitous of these, the north wind sweeping his robes. Yet he calmly and indifferently overlooked the few remaining Heavenly Teachings remnants in the valley.

Jiang Xuening saw this person’s face clearly.

The blade Huang Qian pressed on her neck transmitted bone-piercing cold.

She also saw clearly this person’s pair of eyes.

With the post-rebellion Xie Wei of her previous life—exactly the same.

Having shed the sage’s skin, having cut open the demon’s heart.

On the Heavenly Teachings’ side, seemingly not one person recognized his identity.

Xiao Dingfei, who’d originally wanted to flee but by strange coincidence hadn’t escaped, his brocade clothing long since soiled and filthy, now seeing Xie Wei, only quietly retreated backward, hiding behind everyone, burying his head low, as if fearing being seen by anyone.

Feng Mingyu and Wu Feng couldn’t believe it.

They were the mantis stalking the cicada, not thinking the oriole was behind!

This gang had only about a hundred people left. Compared to that dense black mass of people overlooking them from the mountain rocks, they truly appeared to have no power of resistance. Moreover, the other side had many archers.

But fortunately, they had hostages.

Huang Qian forced himself to remain composed: “Didn’t expect the court to actually send two waves of people—our teaching miscalculated. But your court official, and this woman are both in our hands! If you advance one step, I’ll immediately kill her!”

Xie Wei’s Daoist robes met the wind, hunting and billowing. He glanced at Huang Qian, asking blandly: “Who is she?”

Huang Qian was immediately stunned.

But the next moment, a chill rose from his heart: Yes—who was she? All along the way they hadn’t known this woman’s identity, only knowing Zhang Zhe cared for her. But Zhang Zhe caring didn’t mean this person high above controlling their life and death also cared!

Using Jiang Xuening as leverage was simply impossible!

This thought arising, Huang Qian’s forehead broke out in cold sweat. In his panic, he involuntarily became distracted.

But he heard Wu Feng shout loudly: “Careful!”

From an angle, a cold gleam flashed past. Actually, a snow-bright dagger attacked Huang Qian from behind in the wild grass, lightning-like severing Huang Qian’s nape, using such fierce force it nearly cut off half of Huang Qian’s neck!

Blood immediately sprayed out like mist!

Simultaneously, a hand reached over in time to grip the blade in Huang Qian’s hand, preventing it from falling unsteadily and cutting Jiang Xuening’s throat!

Only at this moment did everyone see clearly this ghost-like shadow.

Not tall—even shorter than Jiang Xuening by a head.

Red cord still tied in an upward ponytail, but on his face was completely gone all that familiar cheer everyone knew. Only remained severity and maturity unsuited to his age, utterly fierce!

“Xiao Bao!”

Feng Mingyu never expected it, moreover never saw when Xiao Bao had returned among everyone.

He was originally a Heavenly Teachings person—even returning wouldn’t be conspicuous.

Precisely because of this, others hadn’t noticed him, giving him such an opportunity to atone for his failure!

The Heavenly Teachings’ side reacted too late.

Jiang Xuening had already escaped danger.

Huang Qian lay on the ground, eyes wide open, but breathless.

Xiao Bao threw his long blade onto the ground. Turning around to face the Heavenly Teachings crowd, he gripped tight the dagger in his hand—clearly if anyone moved against Jiang Xuening, he would fight desperately!

At this point, the Heavenly Teachings’ side’s situation was utterly lost.

Feng Mingyu laughed bitterly: “Never thought our schemes ultimately fell into others’ urn. Master Du Jun’s schemes also fell one move short! Circumstances are stronger than people. We aren’t those who fear death. Only our teaching’s brothers were originally benevolent people, truly without rebellious hearts. Your Honor is a celestial figure—killing us isn’t worth lamenting, but we hope you’ll spare ordinary teaching members, absolutely don’t implicate the innocent!”

At these words, the remaining Heavenly Teachings members were all moved.

Even the menacing archers above held some admiration.

However, Xie Wei remained unmoved, not even replying with a single word. He only looked below, lightly extending his hand to the side, spreading his palm open.

Standing at that side was Dao and Qin.

He glanced at Xie Wei, wordlessly unstrapping the longbow from his back and handing it to his palm, then taking an arrow, delivering it to his hand.

That pair of hands—hands that usually played the qin, long fingers carved as if from jade, slender as green bamboo—at this moment gripped the bowstring tightly, drawing the bow and nocking the arrow, nearly bending the bow into a full moon. Yet his form was like a vigorous ancient pine, nailed to the ground, not wavering in the slightest.

Among the Six Arts of a gentleman was archery. Performed by him, the movements were truly flowing like clouds and water.

However, that excessively calm face, those deeply silent and emotionless eyes, made people see in these pleasing movements a kind of cold indifference, congealed killing intent!

The Heavenly Teachings members below all changed expression simultaneously!

But the next moment they discovered—

The arrow Xie Wei aimed wasn’t at any one of them, but at the other side, at that court official whose robes were already soaked through with blood—Zhang Zhe!

Coldly observing the ruined mountain, the sage draws his bow!

Zhang Zhe pressed one hand on the wound beneath his ribs, blood still seeping through his fingers. Raising his head to look up, his gaze across the cold, distant void collided with Xie Wei’s utterly unrippling gaze.

The other’s hand showed not half a tremor.

At the back mountain of Shangqing Temple, though people crowded together, it was silent as death.

Xie Wei could see his arrow tip across this stretch of void, overlapping with Zhang Zhe’s head. If he lightly released his hand, the arrow would certainly hit without fail.

But in this silence, another figure blocked in front of Zhang Zhe.

Slender, thin.

In the wild grass, a deathly pale face, carrying some desolation, yet stubbornly spread open her delicate arms, standing firm as bedrock at the very forefront of where his arrow pointed!

Jiang. Xue. Ning!

Carefully biting through this name, if that violent aura in the inn had been merely one degree, at this moment it was ten times, a hundred times surging up, making him unable to suppress it, nor wanting to suppress it anymore.

His face frozen, utterly without warmth.

For that moment, Xie Wei truly wanted to tear her apart with one arrow, treating it as if he’d never taught this student!

“Twang!”

The bowstring resonated, the arrow flying like lightning!