“Who goes there?!”
From the grove, a black-clad man emerged, strolling casually. Under the dim moonlight, one could make out his resolute features – a middle-aged man with deep-set features carved like knife strokes, and a touch of gray at his temples, regarding the group beneath the moon with indifference.
“Mu Qingcang?” Ling Tiehan asked in a deep voice.
“Master Ling, it’s been many years.” Mu Qingcang nodded faintly. This was indeed the former number one expert of Da Chu who had mysteriously vanished years ago. Mu Qingcang glanced at Ye Li standing to the side and said, “The Princess Consort may leave with her people.”
Ye Li went over to help up Zhuo Jing and Lin Han, nodding, “Thank you for your assistance, Master Mu.”
Ling Tiehan silently watched as Ye Li left with her group, making no move to pursue. He knew clearly that without dealing with Mu Qingcang first, he wouldn’t be able to touch a hair on Ye Li’s head tonight. Though he was confident he could defeat Mu Qingcang, one of the former Four Great Masters couldn’t be dealt with casually. Moreover, he could sense that Mu Qingcang seemed different from ten years ago. Back then, during their one chance encounter and brief exchange, he had felt Mu Qingcang declining. Since then, he had never taken Mu Qingcang seriously. While declining strength was inevitable with age, Mu Qingcang had still been in his prime then. But meeting now, he discovered Mu Qingcang wasn’t as diminished as he’d expected – he’d even improved somewhat.
Furthermore, Ling Tiehan had some questions. Frowning slightly, he said, “This one wasn’t aware that Mu Qingcang had sworn allegiance to Prince Ding’s manor.” Others might not know, but how could Ling Tiehan, master of the King of Hell’s Pavilion, not know Mu Qingcang’s true identity? Mu Yang and Mu Jingmin had just fallen to Prince Ding’s forces, yet here was Mu Qingcang rescuing the Prince’s consort – it was quite beyond Ling Tiehan’s expectations.
“I’m not Prince Ding’s man,” Mu Qingcang said coldly.
Ling Tiehan raised an eyebrow. “Then Brother Mu is here because…?”
“Merely a transaction with Prince Ding’s manor,” Mu Qingcang explained. “I promised to protect the Princess Consort for three days. After that, whether you kill her or not is entirely up to you.”
Ling Tiehan sighed helplessly. “Though this one doesn’t wish to fight Brother Mu now, it seems we have no choice.” In three days, Ye Li would be back at the Mo Family Army camp. By then, with hundreds of thousands of Mo troops and over a thousand Qilin guards protecting her, forget about killing Ye Li – even getting close to her would be nearly impossible.
“Please,” Mu Qingcang nodded indifferently.
Soon, two figures were engaged in intense combat on the ancient road. Under the moonlight, their forms separated and merged, sword qi flying in all directions as fierce winds swept through. The presence of true masters fighting was entirely different from the earlier skirmish with Ye Li’s group.
In the shadows, Cold Liu Yue and the Sick Scholar watched as Ye Li’s group rode away. Cold Liu Yue frowned, “Should we help Big Brother stop them?” Though they didn’t agree with targeting the Princess Consort, since their brother insisted, they could only support him fully as younger siblings.
The Sick Scholar shook his head. “No, let them go. Prince Ding’s manor isn’t so easily dealt with, and besides… Big Brother was holding back earlier.” With Ling Tiehan’s skills, if he truly wanted to kill Ye Li, he could have struck from hiding – even Mo Xiuyao himself might not have been able to defend against a surprise attack without preparation. They were assassins – why stand by the road exchanging words?
Cold Liu Yue considered this and nodded. “True enough. Big Brother promised to intercept and kill Ye Li on the road. If she escapes back to the Mo Family Army, it’s no longer our concern.” Moreover, with one of the Four Great Masters helping them, even if Big Brother failed, none could fault them.
As assassins, whether the naturally cold Cold Liu Yue or the grim and proud Sick Scholar, both were fundamentally cool-headed and rational. For the King of Hell’s Pavilion’s influence in the jianghu to challenge Prince Ding’s manor, which now controlled most of the original Xi Ling and Da Chu territories, was truly unwise. Whether Mo Xiuyao was seriously injured or not, as long as he lived, the Mo Family Army and Prince Ding’s manor remained deeply formidable entities. After all, even when Mo Xiuyao had been crippled and poisoned, he had still preserved the then-teetering Prince Ding’s manor. Not to mention now, when Prince Ding’s power was at its zenith.
If Lei Zhenting hadn’t sent people to find their brother this time, they would never have known that their orphaned Big Brother was a prince of the Xi Ling royal family. But for all these years, the Xi Ling royal family had nothing to do with them, and Big Brother had never received any benefit from them – they had even been oppressed by Lei Zhenting. Why should Big Brother face off against Prince Ding’s manor for the Xi Ling royal family?
The battle between Ling Tiehan and Mu Qingcang continued until dawn the next day. As morning light spilled onto the ancient road, Ling Tiehan stood leaning on his iron sword, looking down at Mu Qingcang in the distance. Blood silently trickled down his arm from his sleeve, dripping into the dust at his feet. “Da Chu’s number one expert – truly worthy of the title,” Ling Tiehan said quietly.
Not far before him, Mu Qingcang knelt pale-faced, his right shoulder nearly pierced through, his abdomen stained red with blood. Unlike Ling Tiehan’s previous exchanges with Mo Xiuyao, this had been a true life-or-death battle. These past years, Mu Qingcang had withdrawn from the world, living in seclusion to focus on martial arts. Having cast off his former shackles, he had gradually recovered and even advanced further in his skills. Though slightly inferior to Ling Tiehan, when fighting with his life on the line, he had managed to hold Ling Tiehan here for an entire night.
Mu Qingcang wiped the blood from his lips, smiling bitterly. “Master Ling is too kind. I concede defeat.”
Ling Tiehan shook his head without speaking. Cold Liu Yue and the Sick Scholar appeared before him, noting the dark blood at his feet and glaring hostilely at the kneeling, gravely wounded Mu Qingcang. “Big Brother…”
Ling Tiehan stopped the Sick Scholar who wanted to kill Mu Qingcang. “The victor is decided. No need for further trouble.” The Sick Scholar nodded, asking, “Big Brother… shall we pursue?”
Ling Tiehan smiled at his worried siblings, raising his sword hand. “This one has internal injuries. Let’s return.”
Joy flashed in Cold Liu Yue and the Sick Scholar’s eyes – Big Brother truly hadn’t intended to kill the Princess Consort.
“Yes, Big Brother, let’s go back,” Cold Liu Yue stepped forward to support Ling Tiehan. Ling Tiehan waved her off, “Brother Mu, do you need us to send someone to assist you?”
“Thank you, Master Ling, but Prince Ding’s manor will take care of Master Mu.” At some point, Mo Hua had appeared by the ancient road, regarding the three with an icy expression. Seeing Mo Hua, Ling Tiehan frowned – the many King of Hell’s Pavilion assassins sent to block the Qilin guards and Mo Family’s hidden guards were likely finished. Ling Tiehan didn’t recognize Mo Hua, but could tell his martial arts far exceeded Zhuo Jing and Lin Han’s. For such a person to have no reputation in either court or jianghu showed that Prince Ding’s manor truly housed hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
So be it – he had grown somewhat weary of the King of Hell’s Pavilion anyway. Nodding, Ling Tiehan said, “Farewell. If Prince Ding wishes revenge, this one will await him at any time.” Cold Liu Yue wanted to say something but was silenced by Ling Tiehan’s glance, and could only follow helplessly as he left.
Only Mo Hua and Mu Qingcang remained by the road. Mo Hua said gravely, “Thank you for your aid, Master Mu. How are your injuries?”
Mu Qingcang stood, swaying unsteadily. Though he had fought Ling Tiehan for several hours, his injuries far exceeded Ling Tiehan’s. Ling Tiehan claimed internal injuries, but Mu Qingcang knew well they were mere flesh wounds.
“I’m fine. I hope Prince Ding’s manor will keep its promise,” Mu Qingcang stared at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua nodded and clapped lightly. Two black-clad men approached with an old man – or rather, dragging one. The old man’s hair was snow-white, his face so wrinkled he looked well past seventy. But those who knew him knew he wasn’t even sixty yet, and just half a month ago had looked like a middle-aged man in his forties.
“What did you do to him?!” Mu Qingcang’s eyes turned cold as he demanded sharply.
Mo Hua replied calmly, “Nothing. He was like this when we brought him back.” Since seeing Mu Yang’s corpse, the Marquis of Mu Yang had aged twenty or thirty years overnight. His mind seemed unclear, existing in a daze regardless of how others treated him. When occasionally lucid, he would grab anyone and call them Yang’er. Even Mo Xiuyao, who had wanted to see him, lost interest. If not for this, Mu Qingcang likely wouldn’t have been allowed to see him either.
Mu Qingcang steadied his swaying body and went forward to support the Marquis of Mu Yang, calling softly, “Fa… Father?”
Perhaps hearing the word “father,” the Marquis’s blank, confused eyes turned slightly, staring at Mu Qingcang before finally speaking: “Yang… Yang’er?” Darkness flashed in Mu Qingcang’s eyes as he took the Marquis from the two black-clad guards. “Father, let’s go home.”
The Marquis offered no resistance, allowing Mu Qingcang to support him away. Behind them, Mo Hua said gravely, “In exchange for saving the Princess Consort, the Marquis is in your custody. But… if he does anything he shouldn’t, Master Mu had best remember His Highness’s words.”
Mu Qingcang paused, saying heavily, “I understand. You’ll never see him or me again.” Watching their departing figures, a guard beside Mo Hua asked quietly, “Commander, we’re just letting them go?”
Mo Hua nodded. “Mu Qingcang saved the Princess Consort.” In matters concerning the Princess Consort, His Highness always kept his word. Besides, His Highness hadn’t killed Mu Qingcang all these years – naturally, he wouldn’t be interested in killing him now. “Let’s return – there are matters at camp.” Soon, the three black-clad figures vanished from the ancient road.
On the official road, in an unremarkable wayside inn, Lei Tengfeng sat drinking tea with leisure. Though previously tricked by Mo Xiuyao into rushing back to Yu Ming Pass, subsequent developments had brought no harm to Xi Ling and the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s manor. Instead… unexpectedly, Mo Jingli had made quite a splash, easing the somewhat passive Xi Ling armies on the battlefield. So Lei Tengfeng had been in good spirits these past few days.
Seeing three people strolling over in the distance, Lei Tengfeng’s smile grew even broader. He even rose to greet them personally. “Tengfeng pays respects to Imperial Uncle.”
Ling Tiehan regarded the man before him indifferently. “A mere jianghu wanderer doesn’t dare accept such courtesy from the Young Master.”
Lei Tengfeng smiled, “How could that be? Imperial Uncle is Grandfather Emperor’s son and blood kin of our Xi Ling royal family. It’s only natural for Tengfeng to pay proper respects.” Ling Tiehan studied him for a moment, suddenly showing a faint, cold smile. “Lei Tengfeng, didn’t your father tell you to keep… far away from me?”
Lei Tengfeng’s heart jumped – his father had indeed warned him. But he had been too anxious about matters and came personally anyway. Now he realized he’d lost his composure. Though countless thoughts raced through his mind, Lei Tengfeng maintained an outwardly calm demeanor, respectfully saying, “This nephew was discourteous, please forgive me, Master Ling.”
Ling Tiehan gave a light snort and walked forward. Lei Tengfeng glanced at Ling Tiehan’s blood-stained sleeve with slightly furrowed brows, hurriedly following to ask, “Master Ling, what about Princess Consort Ding…”
“The Princess Consort has left,” Ling Tiehan said calmly.
“What?!” Lei Tengfeng exclaimed involuntarily. He truly hadn’t expected that even the Master of the King of Hell’s Pavilion couldn’t kill Ye Li. His father had clearly said Ling Tiehan’s martial arts might now surpass his own. How could he fail to kill Ye Li, whose martial arts weren’t even first-rate?
Ling Tiehan turned back, sweeping his gaze over the shocked young man behind him. Lei Tengfeng felt his scalp tingle but still had to press on under Ling Tiehan’s pressure: “Master Ling, you promised Father…”
“I said I would do my best,” Ling Tiehan cut him off. “I have done my best.”
“But Ye Li and those around her, their martial arts…” Lei Tengfeng said disbelievingly. The Sick Scholar cast a grim glance at Lei Tengfeng: “Haven’t you noticed Big Brother is injured? If you think anyone could fight Mu Qingcang and still catch up to kill Ye Li, why did you seek out Big Brother in the first place?”
“Mu Qingcang…” Lei Tengfeng’s heart sank. For all their careful calculations, they hadn’t accounted for Mu Qingcang. Da Chu’s former number one expert, after nearly ten years of silence, chose to interfere with Prince Ding’s affairs as his first act! “But…” Seeing the three stroll so casually, even Lei Tengfeng’s usually good temper felt somewhat irritated. With Ling Tiehan acting this way, who would believe he hadn’t held back?
Perhaps Lei Tengfeng’s thoughts showed too clearly on his face. Ling Tiehan frowned, looking at him: “Lei Tengfeng… do you think that because I’m injured, I wouldn’t dare kill you?”
Lei Tengfeng’s expression changed slightly. Lowering his gaze, he said, “Your nephew wouldn’t dare. If that’s all, this nephew will take his leave.”
Ling Tiehan made no response, only saying, “Go back and tell Lei Zhenting that I’ve repaid his debt of kindness. From now on… it’s time to settle the grudge between us.”
Lei Tengfeng replied quietly, “Nephew will certainly convey this to Father. Farewell.” Though he didn’t know what grudge had existed between his father and Ling Tiehan, Lei Tengfeng knew that Ling Tiehan hadn’t truly troubled the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s manor all these years because he had owed his father a great debt of gratitude. Otherwise, if Ling Tiehan had chosen to support the Xi Ling Emperor, the King of Hell’s Pavilion’s influence alone could have given the Marquis’s manor serious problems.
To someone like Ling Tiehan, there was no such thing as mutual cancellation of debts and grudges. Once a debt of gratitude was repaid, it was time to collect on grudges. At this moment, Lei Tengfeng couldn’t help wondering if he and his father had both been wrong to ask Ling Tiehan to deal with Ye Li.
After bidding farewell to Ling Tiehan, Lei Tengfeng rushed back to the Xi Ling army camp without delay. Seeing his defeated expression, Lei Zhenting sighed and asked before Lei Tengfeng could speak, “Ling Tiehan failed?”
Lei Tengfeng nodded, “Father…”
“Ling Tiehan deliberately let Ye Li go?” Lei Zhenting asked, his expression darkening. Though he had considered this possibility when seeking out Ling Tiehan, the man had always kept his word absolutely, and there wasn’t anyone more suitable – he had to trust him. Lei Tengfeng said uncertainly, “Ling Tiehan was injured too. It was the long-missing Da Chu’s number one expert Mu Qingcang who blocked him. They fought fiercely all night, and by the time they determined a victor at dawn, Ye Li and the others had already entered territory controlled by Prince Ding’s manor.” Whether Ling Tiehan had held back or not, he didn’t know, but at least he hadn’t been very enthusiastic about killing Ye Li.
“Mu Qingcang?” Lei Zhenting frowned. “Absurd. Ye Li just destroyed the Mu Yang Marquis’s manor – why would Mu Qingcang save her?”
Lei Tengfeng said, “Son sent people to investigate. The one who suddenly appeared to block Ling Tiehan’s sword was indeed Mu Qingcang. After their great battle, Mu Qingcang was gravely wounded but took an old man from Prince Ding’s people. According to subordinates’ reports, it was likely the old Marquis of Mu Yang, Mu Jingmin. Originally… Ling Tiehan had nearly killed Ye Li.” At this point, Lei Tengfeng also felt some regret. Though he admired Ye Li’s abilities and intelligence, they were enemies. Missing a chance to eliminate such a powerful foe, how could Lei Tengfeng not feel frustrated?
Lei Zhenting shook his head, “Never mind, it’s heaven’s will. As long as Mo Xiuyao is truly finished, let Ye Li live. Now we should focus on the situation on the battlefield.” Lei Tengfeng nodded, putting aside his slight disappointment to say gravely, “Father speaks truly. Though we don’t know if he lives or dies, Mo Xiuyao is now grievously wounded and won’t appear. Judging by the Mo Family Army’s performance these past days, Mo Xiuyao must indeed be seriously injured. Otherwise, Feng Zhiyao wouldn’t be so anxious to have the Princess Consort return.” These past days, the Mo Family Army had reversed their previous pattern of appearing and disappearing unpredictably on the battlefield. Someone else was now commanding. That Mo Xiuyao was too injured even to handle military affairs was absolutely good news for Xi Ling.
“Mo Jingli’s several hundred thousand reinforcements have also reached the north, likely preparing to counterattack. As long as we quickly defeat the Mo Family Army here, Lu Jinxian probably won’t be able to withdraw to provide reinforcements,” Lei Tengfeng said.
At the mention of Mo Jingli, Lei Zhenting frowned slightly and said, “Let him run wild – that’s all he’s good for anyway. However… Tengfeng, Mo Jingli is narrow-minded and vindictive. He’ll certainly harbor resentment over this incident. Be careful if you meet him on the battlefield. If necessary… find a way to eliminate him!”
“Father?” Lei Tengfeng started, looking at Lei Zhenting with vague unease. Though his father usually taught him many things, he wouldn’t normally discuss matters of dealing with another country’s ruler. Lei Zhenting smiled faintly, “You’re not young anymore – it’s time you stood on your own. After this campaign ends, the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s manor will pass to you.”
“Father?!” Lei Tengfeng was shocked, looking worriedly at Lei Zhenting. Lei Zhenting smiled dismissively, waving his hand, “Enough, don’t worry about these things now. We must be vigilant in defending Yu Ming Pass. After all, we’re the Mo Family Army’s true enemies. In a real crisis, Lu Jinxian might abandon Mo Jingli and bring troops back to assist.” Even if they were unwilling to admit it, the Mo Family Army’s hostility toward the Chu army was far less than toward Xi Ling. Even on the battlefield, engagements between the Mo Family Army and Chu forces weren’t as fierce as with Xi Ling forces. It wasn’t that Lu Jinxian’s troops weren’t brave and strong, but that both sides still fundamentally acknowledged they were once one family. So in a real crisis for Prince Ding’s manor, Lu Jinxian was very likely to abandon everything outside Yu Ming Pass and turn to attack the Xi Ling army instead.
Lei Tengfeng nodded, “Son understands.”
Lei Zhenting nodded with satisfaction, “Alright, go attend to your duties.”
Lei Tengfeng considered, then asked, “Father, did you know from the start that Ling Tiehan couldn’t kill Ye Li?” When he had just reported back, though his father showed some displeasure, he hadn’t seemed particularly surprised or enraged. Lei Zhenting shook his head, “If he could kill her, that would be best. If not, it doesn’t matter much.”
Lei Tengfeng looked at Lei Zhenting in confusion, brows tightly knitted. All these years, it was precisely because Ling Tiehan owed his father a debt of gratitude that he hadn’t moved against the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s manor. Now that debt was repaid – hadn’t they just gained another enemy?
Lei Zhenting sighed, “Even without this incident, I would have had to find a way to have him repay that debt.”
“Your son is slow-witted,” Lei Tengfeng truly couldn’t understand his father’s thinking.
“Foolish child, Ling Tiehan’s debt was to me, not to you.” In Ling Tiehan’s mind, there was neither mutual cancellation of debts and grudges, nor passing of debts to the next generation. But most of those who had wronged Ling Tiehan still lived under the protection of the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s manor. Either he had to kill Ling Tiehan before his death, or kill all these people when dying – otherwise, Ling Tiehan would still trouble Lei Tengfeng in the future. However, neither choice was very realistic.
Lei Tengfeng withdrew in confusion, pausing at the doorway as he suddenly understood his father’s meaning. Frowning and gritting his teeth, he didn’t go back in. He truly wasn’t strong enough yet, which was why his father worried so for him…