The faces of the soldiers holding torches high all around showed astonished expressions. Even the Liangqiu brothers couldn’t help but share some of the same sentiment. Though they were Ling Buyi’s private troops, they previously didn’t know the details. Instead, it was Shaoshang who understood everything. She slowly stepped back, reaching out to support herself against a nearby tree, supporting her body that seemed to have lost all hope.

Ling Buyi looked at her sorrowfully: “How did you figure it out?”

Shaoshang’s palm pressed against the rough bark and said dully: “No wonder you didn’t want to marry. I finally understand—I’ve only been by your side for a year and could detect several flaws. If you’d married a few years earlier, I’m afraid everything would have been discovered by someone.”

Ling Buyi said in a low voice: “I didn’t want to implicate others. I thought there were other methods, but there were never any leads until a year ago when I tracked down news of the Huo family’s former subordinates. I was overjoyed. Who knew it would still come to nothing.”

“What about the several troop transfer orders tonight? Those have nothing to do with the grievances between the Huo and Ling families! Heh heh, the good deeds you’ve done—your blood is simply cold… Ling Buyi, have you ever spoken one true word to me!” Shaoshang’s fingertips forcefully dug into the bark, painfully piercing.

Ling Yi, pressed to the ground, trembled uncontrollably, his eyes looking at Ling Buyi emitting a terrified light: “You, you actually… Junhua she…” He seemed to think of something and cried out in pain, “A’li, my A’li… my poor A’li…!”

Shaoshang looked at him coldly, thinking that at least in this matter the Ling family hadn’t lied. Ling Yi probably truly did dote on his eldest son very much—that unlucky, early-deceased “real” A’li.

Ling Buyi said: “Uncle-in-law is still the same as always. The first thing you thought of when you knew enemies were attacking was to preserve yourself. You deliberately arranged the defenses loose in the east and tight in the west, making it appear the Ling family masters were all in the western buildings, while you yourself hid in a hidden chamber in the eastern quarters, planning to escape through the tunnel later—Uncle-in-law truly hasn’t changed at all, using every bit of scheming possible.”

Ling Yi said venomously: “You’re no different… After Junhua died, you pretended closeness and filial piety, deceiving me by saying you wanted to celebrate my birthday to fulfill a son’s filial duty, even saying that with His Majesty watching in the capital, it wouldn’t be good to celebrate grandly, better to come to the villa outside the city!” Speaking to this point, he raised his voice in resentment, “All these years, you’ve had plenty of opportunities to kill me. Why go to such trouble!”

Ling Buyi said coldly: “Uncle-in-law doesn’t understand. What is your dog’s life worth by itself? What I want is your entire household. How could I accomplish this in the capital?”

Ling Yi was both shocked and afraid, shouting: “What guilt do they have? Why must you exterminate everyone!”

Ling Buyi said: “The matter back then wasn’t done by you alone. You three brothers worked together in concert, acting separately. One lured the enemy into the city, one slaughtered women and children to silence witnesses, and you—took advantage of my father’s unpreparedness to murder him! You probably don’t know, at that time I was hidden in father’s study’s secret chamber!”

Ling Yi gasped. He originally thought that since Ling Buyi was young at the time, he might not know the details and still wanted to plead a bit. He never expected that his deeds from back then had been seen by a child one by one. Since this was so, then pleading for anything was useless.

“Ling Yi, will you not bow your head and confess your crimes!” Ling Buyi stepped forward and shouted sternly.

How clever was Ling Yi? In a flash of lightning, something flashed through his mind. He blurted out: “Tonight’s matter, does His Majesty know of it?”

Shaoshang started. She had originally only worried about the troop transfer matter, but now discovered there was an even greater hidden concern.

Ling Buyi paused: “I must observe mourning for three years. I can’t wait that long.”

Ling Yi laughed loudly: “Not right. His Majesty doesn’t know about tonight’s matter!”

“Observe mourning for three years? Can’t wait that long? Ha ha ha, also right, also not right—I once said that after Lady Cheng and Princess Yuchang bore children, I would lead the entire clan back to our ancestral home to pay respects, to comfort my early-deceased parents. If you wanted my entire household, you could easily act during the journey! At that time, if you cleaned up the traces and falsely claimed bandits attacked, it would be better than making such a big commotion tonight not far from the capital!”

The middle-aged man under the firelight seemed to understand everything, laughing both wildly and triumphantly.

“You indeed couldn’t wait, but it wasn’t that you couldn’t wait three years of mourning. Rather, you couldn’t wait to watch the Ling family flourish with branches and leaves, descendants multiplying! Second brother’s and third brother’s several new daughters-in-law are either pregnant or have already given birth. Once Princess Yuchang enters the family, among the Ling family descendants there will also be imperial blood… The more children and grandchildren, the broader the marriage connections, the harder it becomes for you to act! So you absolutely had to act before mourning, fearing the Ling family’s backing would grow ever stronger! Is this not so!”

Ling Buyi sighed quietly, closed his eyes then opened them, seeing the girl to the side with a face full of confusion, his heart violently wringing with pain—the last hope had shattered.

Ling Yi had already changed his expression. His eyes were cunning and vicious, but his face displayed the expression of an old father in heart-wrenching pain, saying mournfully: “A’li, back then you were only five or six years old. How could you know what happened? Naturally whatever your mother said, you believed. But your mother hated me deeply, hated that I had a change of heart, hated that I married another from the Chunyu clan, so she fabricated many vicious stories to deceive you into hating me! A’li, as your father I don’t blame you, but you cannot be confused. You absolutely must not be deceived by your mother into committing the great crime of patricide!”

Shaoshang’s heart was in chaos, not understanding why Ling Yi was putting on this performance. Ling Buyi’s heart, however, was crystal clear. He made a gesture behind him, and Liangqiu Qi immediately removed the White Rainbow long sword carried on his back, holding it with both hands before Ling Buyi.

Ling Buyi’s wrist turned lightly. A flash of silver light passed, and he had already drawn the sword to slash through the ropes on Ling Yi’s body, saying lightly: “You needn’t pretend anymore. A’fei, give him a sword… Ling Yi, today you and I will settle this.”

Ling Yi refused to pick up the sword Liangqiu Fei threw on the ground, continuing his heartbroken weeping.

Liangqiu Fei impatiently stepped forward: “Quickly pick up the sword, don’t dawdle…”

The brothers were the orphaned relatives of subordinate units who had died in repeated campaigns under the Huo family, always sheltered by the Huo family. The year Ling Buyi first entered the palace, he requested the Emperor to have them found and made into private troops, so naturally whatever Ling Buyi said was what it was.

Who knew that while Ling Yi was crying, he suddenly leaped up. With a reverse twist of his arm, he already had the sword on the ground pressed against Liangqiu Fei’s throat, then said sinisterly: “Though you unfilial son are greatly disobedient, as your father I cannot lower myself to your level. Quickly move aside, I want to leave…”

Before the words fell, Ling Buyi’s wrist shook lightly. The silver light in his hand flashed out a string of dazzling sword flowers. The sword body shot toward Ling Yi like a startled swan, striking right at his throat. Fresh blood gushed from the wound. Ling Yi’s eyes widened in terror, as if unable to believe what had just happened, then his body slowly went limp and toppled to the ground.

A lifetime of scheming and opportunism, a life of cunning and calculation, just like that turned into a pool of lifeless flesh and blood.

Shaoshang covered her mouth with both hands, unable to stop herself from retreating several steps.

Ling Buyi slowly walked to her side, seeming to have light flashing in his eyes: “Shaoshang, I have no way back.”

Shaoshang’s heart was filled with extreme hatred. She said loudly: “You could have had a way back! You could have had many paths to take!”

Ling Buyi said: “The revenge for my entire clan’s slaughter, I must take. No matter how many paths there are, I can only walk this one!”

Shaoshang cried out uncontrollably: “Then what about me! Have you ever thought of me! Since you were going to sacrifice your life for revenge, why did you provoke me! What does this have to do with me! You damned bastard… Ling Buyi, have you ever spoken one true word to me!”

Ling Buyi didn’t speak, his eyes full of sorrow.

Shaoshang wiped the tears from her face, turned and walked away. Ling Buyi grabbed her in one move, breathing heavily: “Where are you going?”

Shaoshang turned her head with a cold laugh: “You want to emulate the Orphan of Zhao, painstakingly working only for revenge. I won’t accompany you in your madness. Lord Ling, oh no, Lord Huo, you and I part here. No need to see me off!”

Ling Buyi gripped her arm tightly, his handsome long eyes revealing a pleading expression. Shaoshang knew he was begging her not to leave him—what a pity, she was the most cold-hearted and unfeeling person under heaven.

Shaoshang shook her hand forcefully and mocked: “You’d better hurry and chase down the remaining Ling family members. Before I came, I already sent someone to the palace to report your wrongdoing. His Majesty’s army will soon come killing. By that time, forget about the entire Ling household—I’m afraid you may not even be able to eliminate second uncle Ling and third uncle Ling!”

As if to corroborate her words, a soldier rushed over hurriedly to report: “Young master, a large force of men and horses is coming from the capital’s direction!”

Before Ling Buyi could make a decision, another soldier also came running urgently from the side: “Young master, the western quarters have been pacified. The women and children have all been detained. The remaining male members either killed or surrendered. However, the Marquis of Chengyang’s two younger brothers took advantage of the darkness and led a group of death warriors to break out, fleeing toward the cliff direction!”

Liangqiu Qi knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice: “Young master, this place is not suitable to stay long. And those women and children, should we handle them as previously instructed?”

Shaoshang said in alarm: “What, you’re also going to kill the Ling family women and children!”

“Why not!” Ling Buyi’s face overflowed with killing intent. “The entire Huo household was exterminated. It should be eye for eye, blood for blood! They all lived by consuming the Huo family’s flesh and blood. They should share the same crime!”

Shaoshang pulled him back with her other hand, saying with a trembling voice: “Don’t be like this. You’re not this kind of person. Ling Yi is livestock, a beast. You are not.”

Ling Buyi looked at her for a long time. The killing aura on his body slowly receded.

“Young master…” Liangqiu Fei said anxiously, “Please decide quickly.”

In the distance could faintly be heard the sounds of weapons clashing, hooves trampling the ground, killing and shouting growing nearer and nearer.

Ling Buyi’s spirit suddenly changed at this moment. The previous sorrow, grief, reluctance, all kinds of soft and tender feelings completely disappeared. In their place was the decisiveness of burning bridges.

He smiled at Shaoshang: “Shaoshang, are you afraid? You said you would treat me well. Tonight let’s go together.”

Shaoshang couldn’t believe it, crying shrilly: “What are you saying… no, no, let go of me. I won’t go with you to die! Let go of me!”

But how could she be Ling Buyi’s match? With his hands applying slight force, he restrained her in his arms. Shaoshang’s body was as if bound with iron hoops, unable to move. Then with a spin of heaven and earth, she was shouldered with one hand.

The four martial maids saw this and tried to stop him, but were immediately knocked to the ground by Liangqiu Qi and others.

Shaoshang screamed, constantly striking Ling Buyi’s shoulders and back. Ling Buyi drew out a hemp rope from the saddle’s pouch, bound her wrists together, then holding the girl, mounted his steed. Ling Buyi’s horse was a fine steed one in ten thousand, with a scaled belly and tiger chest, dragon head held high. Compared to it, Shaoshang’s spotted cow-pattern horse was like a dumb, adorable household pet.

Ling Buyi’s right hand held Shaoshang tightly in his arms. His left hand pulled the reins. The fine horse reared its head and neighed, its four hooves trampling snow, one rider leaving all others in the dust. Shaoshang only felt wind pouring into both ears, her whole body as if riding clouds and mist, swift as lightning.

Outside was the fierce cold wind, sharp as a blade scraping painfully against skin. She had nowhere to hide and could only huddle in his embrace.

She wanted to use a sharp knife to cut open his chest and see what that heart beneath the flesh and blood looked like. He kept saying he regarded her as a treasure, yet how could he deceive and hurt her like this?

She also wanted to run barefoot wildly to mountain peaks and ocean shores, crying out her grievances in places where no one was, from then on living in solitude, never seeing anyone again, never trusting anyone again.

She hated, was angry, detested everything, but aside from ice-cold tears covering her face, she was completely helpless.

Approaching the cliff, under bright torches a group of fierce death warriors guarded second uncle Ling and third uncle Ling, fighting against Ling Buyi’s soldiers while retreating.

Ling Buyi used the remaining hemp rope to wrap around Shaoshang several times then tied her firmly in his arms, then freed his right hand to remove from the saddle that radiant Red Phoenix Reaching Heaven gilded halberd, shouted once, and charged forward to kill.

Shaoshang tightly closed her eyes. The terrifying sounds of interwoven cursing, screaming, and the clash of weapons were everywhere.

The horse’s body violently jolted. She opened her eyes and looked up, only to see under the blood-colored moonlight, that face handsome as a deity was stained with spots of blood, like an ancient demon beast, revealing its fierce appearance completely. She trembled like a child, curling herself into a tiny ball, densely enveloped under the tall, powerful body.

The long halberd swung out. Third uncle Ling didn’t even have time to cry out before being split in two, blood splattering everywhere. Second uncle Ling frantically whipped his horse desperately, fleeing toward the cliff in panic without choosing his path. The remaining death warriors followed one after another.

Ling Buyi withdrew the long halberd and drove his horse in pursuit. At this time the pursuing troops from behind arrived.

The leading golden-armored general Shaoshang recognized very well—it was precisely the Palace Gentlemen of the Tiger Guard Corps Colonel. He anxiously shouted loudly toward Ling Buyi: “General Wei, don’t be impulsive. Whatever matter there is, talk it out properly. His Majesty will do you justice!… Someone, quickly stop them!”

Another blue-armored general, however, said coldly: “What nonsense! Ling Buyi committed patricide and raised troops, committing a monstrous crime. No one can protect him! All under my command listen—if Ling Buyi refuses to surrender, you may shoot to kill!”

The golden-armored general was furious: “What madness are you spouting! When did His Majesty say to take Ling Buyi’s life!”

The blue-armored general said: “But His Majesty also didn’t say we couldn’t harm his life! Tonight six camps are in chaos. The several generals of Panqing Great Camp and Dongtai Great Camp thought enemy invaders were attacking and almost deployed all their troops! Having reached this point, Ling Buyi still resists desperately—are national law and military law just decorations!” Though he said this, he ultimately didn’t order arrows to be released.

Shaoshang, disheveled, called out hoarsely toward above her head: “Quickly stop. Explain properly to His Majesty. He’s a soft-hearted, sentimental person. He’ll surely show leniency!”

“That’s right, His Majesty is soft-hearted and sentimental.” Ling Buyi said in a low voice. “Even a great crime like Peng Zhen’s didn’t result in clan extermination… I can only take matters into my own hands.”

Speaking to this point, he suddenly raised his voice, angrily rebuking loudly: “You thin-hearted, cruel woman! Since you won’t live and die together with me, what use do I have for you!”

Shaoshang was stunned.

Ling Buyi drew out a short knife and cut the hemp rope binding the two of them together with one stroke—like severing an umbilical cord connecting flesh and blood. Then he pulled off his fur cloak and wrapped it around the girl.

Shaoshang still didn’t understand what was happening. She felt the top of her head being gently kissed, hearing him whisper in her ear—”We’ll never meet again.”

She was thrown high into the air. After a burst of rapid dizziness, her body heavily fell to the ground.

This place was full of mountain rocks, yet where she landed was a soft pile of withered grass. Following the momentum, she rolled several circles before stopping. She felt pain throughout her body, her muscles and bones ready to split, but at this moment she couldn’t attend to checking her injuries. Enduring the severe pain, she propped up her body to look toward the bright light.

Ling Buyi sat bolt upright in the saddle, solitary and resolute.

He seemed to say something to the two pursuing generals, then waved his hand to have Liangqiu brothers and other soldiers lay down their weapons and surrender. Just when everyone thought the matter was concluded, Ling Buyi suddenly pulled up his horse high, turned the horse’s head and continued pursuing second uncle Ling.

The golden-armored general was stunned for a moment. The blue-armored general immediately called out, and his subordinates surged forward like a tide.

Second uncle Ling, seeing himself at the end of his road, had the remaining six or seven death warriors surround him. Ling Buyi alone on horseback pursued, thrusting left and slashing right, picking off the death warriors in a few moves. Just as he was about to strike down at second uncle Ling’s head, the blue-armored general and his deputy barely caught up.

The blue-armored general’s weapons were a pair of iron melon heavy hammers. His deputy wielded a long-handled broad sword. Ling Buyi clearly sensed the wind sound of weapons swinging behind him. He only needed to turn and block. However, he paid no heed and continued slashing down at second uncle Ling.

This scene was breathtaking. Layer upon layer of officers and soldiers all fixed their gazes on that spot at the cliff—

First, second uncle Ling was horizontally split across the neck by a golden light, immediately his head separated from his body, the head rolling down the slope. Then the blue-armored general’s and his deputy’s hammer and blade simultaneously struck Ling Buyi’s back!

The surrounding soldiers cried out in unison. The Liangqiu brothers’ cries were especially shrill.

The blue-armored general knew Ling Buyi’s capabilities well. He hadn’t expected to actually succeed with one strike and was also stunned there for a moment.

Shaoshang’s eyes blurred, not knowing if it was tears or blood flowing from her forehead. Her palms had already been torn open, flesh exposed, during the rolling, yet not knowing pain, she propped herself on the rough gravel ground.

She raised the back of her hand to forcefully wipe her eyes. The moment she lowered her hand, she watched helplessly as that deep red and dark gold figure fell from the horse, then rolled down the cliff.

The Red Phoenix Reaching Heaven halberd, when falling, was planted obliquely in the ground. The brilliantly golden twin wings trembled slightly in the cold wind.

—Her thoughts suddenly returned to this time last year. It was also the cold of early spring, also corpses strewn everywhere. In the hunting lodge, she pulled the broken arrow from his back. He turned to smile at her, asking if her hand hurt.

His smile at that time was gentle and lasting, as if one glance spanned ten thousand years.

Shaoshang pitched forward headfirst, knowing nothing more.