#13: A Close Call in the Killing Formation

Back at Maple Garden, I heard the news of Consort Ying’s death from Hong Ye. It was the only big news that had happened recently. Not only did Hong Ye clap her hands in delight, but all the officials in the court were also lamenting that it was a blessing from heaven that the seductive concubine who had caused chaos in the imperial harem had suddenly died of illness. Many old officials took the opportunity to submit memorials, listing her crimes. Although Emperor Yan did not posthumously grant her an official title, he showed no other signs of approval.

The maple shadows by the pond were like ghostly claws, and when the wind occasionally passed, their sound was like a ghost’s cry.

The moonlight overhead was exceptionally bright, frighteningly so, even a little dazzling. Like frost or silver, it fell on the ground, making it appear ghastly white. The lanterns at the corners of the pavilion were eclipsed.

The moon’s reflection in the pond was bright and flawless.

The moonlight poured into the wine, and the cup shone with a brilliant light.

By the railing of the winding bridge, Yan Chu closed her eyes and slowly poured the wine into the pond.

The wine splattered onto the surface of the water, making a broken, continuous sound, shattering the moon’s reflection and stirring up countless ripples. The shimmering silver light undulated, like the moonlight on the river back then.

The silent, melancholic, and beautiful girl by the river, the seductive concubine known throughout the Yan Kingdom, who bore the reputation of being ungrateful and lost the understanding of everyone, had fulfilled her promise. She had repaid the Yue family’s kindness, and far too much.

A hurried reunion after a hundred years was now a final farewell.

She could disbelieve Hong Ye, but she never doubted her, even when she repeatedly created difficulties. She never doubted her.

The wine was gone, and the cup was empty.

Yan Chu silently walked back to the pavilion and sat down, gazing at the moon’s reflection.

Xiao Qi had been watching from the shadows of the trees for a long time. He finally walked along the winding bridge to the pavilion in the middle of the pond and stopped in front of her.

After this incident, she was much thinner than before. Her chin had become sharper, and she looked even more delicate. Sitting there, she resembled a wisp of a ghost. Her phoenix-like eyes were lifeless, and the air of death surrounding her made his heart ache faintly.

After a long time, Xiao Qi spoke. “She took her own life. She wasn’t tortured.”

Yan Chu said “Hmm.”

Xiao Qi said, “Blame me if you want, but I hope you... take care of yourself.”

“Thank you anyway...” Yan Chu lowered her eyes, picked up the wine pot, and poured some wine. “Thank you for worrying about me. I went back to the Land of Eternity and didn’t pay attention to what was happening outside.”

Xiao Qi was silent.

He didn’t want to make another mistake, but fate had turned against him. Things were developing in the opposite direction, and he watched helplessly as the two of them drifted farther and farther apart, with more and more blood flowing between them.

The choice he made a hundred years ago—he saved Liuyu, but even if he were given another chance, he might still not be able to give up Liuyu’s life.

The choice in front of him was even more cruel. He and she were destined to fight for the same outcome.

Time passed silently between the two of them. Finally, there was a hint of dew in the wind.

Xiao Qi said in a low voice, “She served Xiluo after all. Old General Lushan was very sad when he heard about this. You might want to go and talk to him. He might feel a little better.”

Yan Chu clenched the wine cup.

This person had clearly betrayed her and caused her to lose everything, yet the entire Yan Kingdom praised his deep affection. He had done such a hateful thing, but his heart was not ruthless enough. She had thought she would never have the chance to see Lu Shan again. She didn’t expect that a sacrifice would give her an opportunity to see him. He even wanted to comfort her and show her such concern. If she didn’t know the story behind it all, would she have forgiven him?

If he hadn’t presented that seemingly perfect battle tactic, how would her victorious father and brother have dared to venture deep into enemy territory alone?

A decoy, an encirclement—what a brilliant plan. With the support of the Yue army, the battle would surely be won. No one had suspected a problem with the rations. It was “accidental” that the rations, the most important aspect of a military campaign, had an accident during transport!

General Yue and his son personally led the elite guards and temporarily replaced him, who was originally tasked with luring the enemy. General Yue loved his daughter the most.

Because of her marriage to Xiao Qi, her father and daughter had been holding a grudge for an entire year. It wasn’t until the day of their departure for the campaign, when he saw her worrying, that young General Yue smiled and told her, “Your brother-in-law’s plan is excellent. Father praises it highly. Don’t worry, he is actually worried about Xiao Qi. When he comes back this time, he will definitely not be angry anymore.”

His father’s love was used by the person he trusted the most. How could he have the heart to do that?

With the rations cut off, the request for help was intercepted by a malicious person. There was no news from the capital. Thousands of people were trapped in the mountains for six months, suffering from hunger, plague, and bloody battles to break through... and she was completely unaware. She only thought about how to please the man in front of her every day, and how to make him fall in love with her.

And now, he came to comfort her.

Yan Chu slowly drank the wine in her cup and said hoarsely, “I don’t feel well. I’ll go after I’ve rested for a few days.”

Xiao Qi nodded. “Just let me know whenever you want to go.”

Yan Chu said, “I saw the madam from afar just now, and she looked quite haggard. She is truly devoted to you.”

Xiao Qi was stunned. “You...”

“I’m fine,” Yan Chu said faintly. “Maybe when a person figures things out, many things become less important.”

It was hard to tell if her tone was genuine, but these words made him desperately want to believe her.

Xiao Qi’s eyes immediately brightened. “Xiluo!”

Yan Chu curled her lips and let out a bitter smile. “What’s the use of continuing, and what’s the use of not continuing? The past cannot be undone, and the dead cannot be brought back to life. The people who helped and loved me must want me to live well. Was I too stubborn, which is why I ended up with nothing?”

“I’m so glad you’re thinking this way,” Xiao Qi couldn’t help but lean forward and hold her shoulders. “You haven’t lost everything. You still have me.”

Yan Chu turned her face away. “Although that’s true, it’s still not easy to let go.”

Xiao Qi’s eyes dimmed slightly. “I understand. I can wait.”

I can wait. Those were the very words she had said on their wedding night. Yan Chu picked up the pot and poured wine into the cup again. “It’s late. You should go back, Prince Ding.”

“Don’t drink anymore,” Xiao Qi reached out to stop her, his voice showing a hint of affection. “I...”

Their hands touched, and both of them stiffened before silently pulling back.

Yan Chu looked away. “I’ll sit here for a while longer.”

Knowing that she was set in her ways, Xiao Qi sat down next to her. “I’ll keep you company.”

Yan Chu said “Oh” and lowered her head, letting the shadows cover her face.

She hadn’t waited for him to change, and he was also destined not to wait. She regretted her choice back then, and he was also destined to regret his softheartedness today. If a woman’s weakness could make him lower his guard, Qin Chuan Liuyu could do it, and so could she.

The news of Xiao Qi staying at Maple Garden was not a secret. The next day, news of Liuyu’s illness spread. The illness was real. Despite seeing a doctor and taking medicine, she didn’t get better. After leaving in a fit of rage that day, Xiao Qi had been staying in the study. It was the first time he had neglected her for so long. He thought she should know better and would be more reserved in the future. Therefore, after receiving the news, Xiao Qi immediately went to see her. Liuyu was also very remorseful. She no longer argued with him. Seeing that he still cared about her, her heart ailment went away, and she got better in three to five days.

After this incident, even though Liuyu was uncomfortable with Xiao Qi’s frequent visits to Maple Garden, she didn’t say much. Fortunately, except for that night, Xiao Qi never stayed overnight at Maple Garden. In addition, she had placed spies around Yan Chu, and she soon found out the truth about that night. She was even more triumphant, thinking that Xiao Qi was ultimately loyal to her.

In the Imperial Study, Xiao Qi bowed to the emperor. “Your Majesty, you have urgently summoned me to the palace. What is the matter?”

Emperor Yan stood in front of the desk, his face a little grim. “I have received a secret report that an envoy from the Mu Feng Kingdom went to the Extreme Ice Kingdom the other day, and they may have the intention to form an alliance.”

In the war over territory, the Yue army had severely defeated the Mu Feng Kingdom, causing its vitality to be greatly damaged and rendering it unable to invade again. As a result, there were fewer battles at the Yan Kingdom’s borders. However, after a hundred years of recuperation, the Mu Feng Kingdom’s national strength was gradually recovering and they were starting to become restless again. On the other hand, the Yan Kingdom had suffered from frequent natural disasters, with sporadic internal strife, and the King of the South was seizing power. It could be said that they were suffering from both internal and external troubles. If the Extreme Ice Kingdom really agreed to an alliance with the Mu Feng Kingdom, it would be a significant threat to the Yan Kingdom.

Emperor Yan tapped the desk with a light touch, his cold tone revealing a hint of helplessness and anxiety. “Does the Ice Emperor also want to get involved?”

Xiao Qi frowned slightly and said, “Your Majesty, please be calm. The Extreme Ice Kingdom and our Yan Kingdom have always been on good terms. Emperor Gongzu once sent troops to help them drive out the army of the Thunder Marsh Kingdom. Based on that friendship alone, it is a deeper relationship than the one with the Mu Feng Kingdom.”

When Emperor Yan heard this, his eyes lit up, and he motioned for him to continue.

Xiao Qi said, “The Ice Kingdom’s interior may seem stable now, but they have the Land of the Five Colors to the north and the Thunder Marsh Kingdom to the west. The Thunder Marsh Kingdom has always coveted the Ice Kingdom. The new emperor of the Land of the Five Colors has Prime Minister Xiang assisting him, and the country is rich and the army is strong, so they should not be underestimated. How could the Ice Emperor easily send troops to help the Mu Feng Kingdom? Furthermore, the Mu Feng Kingdom is ambitious. Cooperating with them would be inviting a wolf into the house.”

After listening to his words, Emperor Yan nodded, showing a hint of joy. “What do you think we should do?”

Xiao Qi said, “The Ice Emperor has not been muddled on major issues during his years in power. In my humble opinion, Your Majesty should also send an envoy. One is to test their intentions. The other is that the Ice Kingdom has a favored official, Feng Yue, on the outside, and a favored concubine, Noble Consort Jin, on the inside. Their influence is almost greater than the crown prince’s. Your Majesty may as well prepare a generous gift for the two of them. I once met that Feng Yue. If the two of them are willing to speak for the Yan Kingdom, all the better.”

Emperor Yan’s expression had already softened. “Who in the court can be entrusted with this important task?”

“I don’t have a suitable candidate at the moment,” Xiao Qi said thoughtfully. “This trip should not be made public, as the Mu Feng Kingdom might try to sabotage it if they find out. We must also be on guard against the King of the South.”

“You should handle this matter,” Emperor Yan interrupted him. “I have also discovered something else. The King of the South seems to have connections with Prime Minister Xiang of the Land of the Five Colors.”

Xiao Qi said, “Your Majesty, please don’t worry. The new emperor is not at fault, and the old officials support him. How could Prime Minister Xiang give anyone a reason to criticize him? As long as the new emperor is on the throne, he cannot make a move.”

Emperor Yan said “Hmm” with satisfaction. After a few more words, Xiao Qi excused himself and returned to his residence to discuss and plan the matter of sending an envoy to the Ice Kingdom with his advisors.

The summer was hot. Yan Chu walked slowly along the corridor, leisurely fanning herself, but her heart was filled with anxiety.

Xiao Yan had promised to deliver a message to the old general, but he had not returned yet. She knew that he had a capricious personality and was not a good person to cooperate with, but if he was truly willing to help, the results would be twice as effective, and she was truly reluctant to give up using him. With the lesson from their first meeting, she was certainly not foolish enough to trust him completely, which was why she only asked him to deliver that seemingly unimportant message. Even if he betrayed her again, Xiao Qi might not see anything wrong with it.

Yan Chu comforted herself, unknowingly pacing back and forth along the corridor.

“Is Master missing me?” A figure suddenly appeared in front of her.

Hearing his magnetic voice, Yan Chu was overjoyed. She used her fan to cover half of her face and complained in a low voice, “You’re so slow at doing a simple task.”

The joy on Xiao Yan’s face faded. “This disciple followed Master’s instructions and took two days to sneak up the mountain without disturbing them. I didn’t expect to be blamed by Master.”

Yan Chu saw his wronged, childlike expression and couldn’t help but laugh. She gave a perfunctory comfort. “All right, it’s my fault.” Then she quickly asked about the important matter. “Well, did you see the old general?”

Xiao Yan’s eyes curved. “Master is so eager to know the result, and this disciple is also eager to receive a reward.”

The fan was placed behind his head. Yan Chu wrapped her arms around his neck without hesitation, as she was already prepared.

Xiao Yan also cooperated by lowering his face.

“Yunze Xiao Yan!” A furious shout suddenly rang out.

Yan Chu was startled when she saw the person who had come.

Xiao Yan was not surprised. He laughed softly with a hint of wickedness. “How unfortunate. He went to the palace to discuss sending an envoy to the Ice Kingdom. The candidates for the escort team haven’t been decided yet, and he caught us as soon as he came back.”

Sending an envoy to the Ice Kingdom, candidates for the escort team? Yan Chu’s eyes darted around. She calmly let go of him.

“Brother, you work so hard for the country. It’s truly a lot of work,” Xiao Yan said with a friendly smile to the person who had come, and then he left.

Xiao Qi took a few steps forward and grabbed Yan Chu. “I will restrain him. Are you all right?”

That lunatic was clearly doing it on purpose! Yan Chu was a little annoyed. She hadn’t gotten the answer to the most important question, and she didn’t have the energy to waste time. She lazily pulled her hand away from his. “I’m a little tired. I’m going back to my room to rest.”

“Xiluo!”

“The madam is waiting for you.”

Xiao Qi stopped in his tracks when he heard that and didn’t follow her.

Yan Chu was anxious to know the outcome of Xiao Yan’s meeting with Lu Shan, but Xiao Yan seemed to be deliberately making her anxious. He didn’t show up for two consecutive days. Yan Chu was so angry that she cursed him a thousand times in her mind, but there was nothing she could do.

It was another day to cultivate the flower. The sun was shining brightly in the Land of Eternity, and the already lush vegetation looked even greener, with a hint of summer.

Yan Chu entered the cave to feed the flower and came out to find that Envoy Lan was no longer there. She had to go back alone.

Stepping through the stone gate, the Maple Mountain reappeared. Against the clear sky, it looked even more beautiful than the last time.

Fengling? Yan Chu was surprised and stopped.

To be fair, the scenery in front of her was beautiful, but suddenly appearing in an unexpected place was not a good thing. The two gates, the one leading to the Yan Kingdom and the one to Fengling, were very different. It was unlikely that she had gone through the wrong one.

Yan Chu turned to go back but found that the gate had disappeared. She couldn’t help but smile bitterly. It seemed she would have to wait for someone to find her. She hoped they would notice her absence soon.

This was her second time entering Fengling, and the familiar feeling was even stronger. Since this was Lord Xiling’s place of seclusion, it was even more unusual to have this feeling. Yan Chu already felt that something was strange, so she simply walked along the path, trying to find the reason.

The layers of branches and leaves opened up on both sides, creating a variety of beautiful shapes. As she walked, they appeared in an orderly fashion, like a series of scenes.

Suddenly, a sharp, high-pitched scream exploded in her mind.

The scream was clearly from a woman. It was a little distorted, as if it came from a place of extreme suffering and agony. It made her tremble all over.

“Does it hurt? I only regret that I can’t make you hurt more!” A familiar and cold laugh from a woman also rang out. The difference was that it was much more real, so real that it was as if it was right next to her ear.

Yan Chu suddenly woke up and stopped abruptly. She raised her hand to touch her red lips, her heart filled with shock.

Such venomous words... had come from herself!

What exactly had happened two hundred years ago? Why had she lost her memory? And why had she been afflicted with the Ice Dissolution technique? Had she really treated that woman so cruelly? Who was that woman?

Her father and brother had already passed away, and now Qiuying was also gone. Who could tell her the truth?

With countless questions in her mind, Yan Chu became more and more flustered. She continued to walk forward aimlessly. After walking for less than ten steps, she suddenly stopped again.

The surrounding maple trees moved without any wind. The rustling of the leaves was continuous, and a murderous aura quickly filled the forest.

As a martial artist, Yan Chu’s alertness was already high. Realizing that something was wrong, she immediately cut off her thoughts, planted her feet on the ground, and focused her vital energy to be on guard. At the same time, she moved her gaze to scan her surroundings.

Suddenly, a sword energy burst out from between the leaves, with incredible speed and accuracy!

Yan Chu dodged in time, but she saw soil and stones fly, and a pit immediately appeared on the ground. It scared her so much that she broke out in a cold sweat. The attack did not end there. Before she could catch her breath, one after another, sword energy came from all directions, relentlessly, and she had no idea how many people were ambushing her in the forest.

In this moment of extreme danger, Yan Chu had no time to think. She decisively reached for her waist.

When she attacked, she was holding a curved blade.

It was slightly narrower than a normal blade. When vital energy was injected into it, the blade glowed with a fiery luster, tracing a beautiful arc in the air. It was the Yue family blade, which had been famous in the Yan Kingdom and had been missing for a hundred years.

The blade’s wind created a wave of air, and with a series of explosive sounds, several maple trees were torn to shreds!

The sword energy was dense, and her blade skills were also excellent. Her defense was watertight. There was a continuous sound of clashing as Yan Chu blocked several sword energies. She tapped her toes on the ground and used the momentum to fly into the air, intending to retreat. However, the other party seemed to have anticipated this move. The sword energy pressed down like a large net, forcing her back to the ground.

The same sword energy, the same strength. Where could they find so many equally skilled experts to form a sword formation?

Yan Chu suddenly realized.

There was no one in the maple forest at all. She had been careless and walked into the legendary, extremely dangerous killing formation!

Born into a family of generals, Yan Chu had learned many formations. After understanding her situation, she relied on her excellent blade skills to both block and look for weaknesses. However, this formation was extremely brilliant. Not only could she not find any weaknesses, but as time went on, it became more and more difficult to deal with. It was like a general surrounded by an army, with the number of enemies constantly increasing, making it impossible to break out. Even a master, when faced with such a killing formation, would eventually be exhausted to death, even if they were not pierced by a thousand swords. Fortunately, her excellent blade skills allowed her to hold on until now.

Yan Chu gasped and smiled bitterly.

As expected of a formation set up by Lord Xiling himself, she had no confidence in escaping on her own. All she could do now was try to buy time and wait for him to come and save her, otherwise, she would die here in vain...

Just as she was getting anxious, a great force from behind pushed her out of thin air!

The scenery in front of her suddenly changed. She was now standing on a small path with flowers and shades. The sunlight overhead was intense, dazzlingly so.

In front of her, under the shade of the flowers, there was a low wooden table. On the table was an exquisite wooden chessboard. Lord Xiling sat on a bamboo mat, letting red and white petals fall all over him.

Fengling, the scream, the killing formation... it all felt like a dream. Only the blade in her hand proved that it had truly happened. Yan Chu was both grateful and surprised. Her breathing was still not steady, and her hand holding the blade was sweaty. She was almost completely exhausted.

Seeing him, Yan Chu couldn’t help but think of what had happened that night. In fact, she still found it hard to believe. As a person famous throughout the Five Spirit Realms, he had seen countless women. If he wanted to, women from all over the Five Spirit Realms would probably be eager to throw themselves at him. So why would he do something as undignified as taking advantage of someone?

Her mind changed in an instant. Yan Chu took a deep breath, slowly put away her blade, and went over to thank him. “Lord Xiling’s formation is indeed brilliant.”

Lord Xiling picked up a chess piece and didn’t even look at her. “You don’t need to tell me that.”

His tone was as cold as the last time, and his expression was completely unchanged. It was as if he had no memory of ever making such a condition to a woman.

Getting lost in Fengling, triggering the killing formation, and being rescued in time—on the surface, there was nothing to be suspicious of. Yan Chu said in a low voice, “Perhaps I took the wrong path...”

“Yes, I don’t blame you.”

His forgiving words, however, sounded deliberately difficult. Yan Chu was silent for a moment and then asked, “Lord Xiling, do you know who in this world can use the Ice Dissolution technique?”

Lord Xiling said, “I do.”

Yan Chu was stunned.

Lord Xiling said, “You can leave now.”

Yan Chu said, “The killing formation just now...”

Lord Xiling interrupted her. “You have too many questions. I have no need to answer them.”

Yan Chu bit her lip and finally said with determination, “I want to make a deal with you, Lord Xiling.”

“Oh?” Lord Xiling observed the situation on the chessboard, calmly placed a piece, and then slightly turned his face and glanced at her. His gaze was cold and impolite, with the accustomed posture of a person in a high position. Even though he was sitting, he still gave people the feeling that they could only look up to him.

Yan Chu lowered her head, allowing him to examine her.

His making a condition and her voluntarily offering herself were two different things. He was re-evaluating her worth, and what was more humiliating was that she was also worried that he would refuse her.

After a long while, he moved his gaze back to the chessboard. His tone was calm. “I was joking about that.”

She refused him, and he used the same words to refuse her. This situation was nothing short of embarrassing. The cruel and bloody historical facts had long told her that he was not a gentle person, but a powerful judge. He didn’t like to be refused. She should have known the consequences when she refused him that night.

Yan Chu’s tone was stiff. “Retaliating against a woman in such a way is beneath you, Lord Xiling.”

Lord Xiling said, “I’m retaliating against you?”

Yan Chu’s face was pale. She said with difficulty, “No, I have a request.”

Lord Xiling said “Oh,” and asked, “What is your request?”

“I ask that you, Lord Xiling...” Her voice trembled, but Yan Chu finally uttered the most difficult words. “...accept my deal.”

She was asking him to accept her deal, asking him to take her. Her refusal had challenged his authority. Now, she could only adopt the most humble and humiliating posture. Only in this way could she satisfy him and make him give up on holding a grudge.

From the moment she came back to life, she had been determined to do whatever it took to achieve her goal. What was there that she couldn’t sacrifice?

The sound of the chess pieces being placed was neither loud nor soft, neither fast nor slow. Besides the composure of the person playing, no other emotions could be heard. The more this was the case, the more she felt uncertain. He hadn’t even looked at her again.

After a long time with no response, Yan Chu found that she couldn’t continue. She just wanted to escape from this place as soon as possible. She quickly bowed and said, “I understand, Lord Xiling. I will take my leave.”

He flicked his sleeve, messing up the entire chessboard. “Come back in three days.”

While Yan Chu was still in a daze, he stood up and walked toward the弈崖 (Yi Cliff). When he passed her, he deliberately stopped. “Be prepared.”