Before Zhong Zhiwei on the hillside could respond, the Qingyi clansmen below had already spoken loudly, “Since the lord has managed to escape, our mission here is accomplished. Even if we all fall in battle, we shall have no regrets!” They drew their long blades and shouted to their fellows, “Who dares to follow me and fight to the death for our lord?”
These men had entered Jianping with Xiao Xichi, supporting each other for years, and their bond ran deep. They were willing to live or die for her. With someone taking the lead, the rest drew their blades one after another. Ignoring the Imperial Guard’s powerful bows and sturdy horses, they actually prepared to charge into the mountain pass.
Given the sheer strength of the Imperial Guard’s archers and crossbows, this move of theirs was nothing short of a death wish.
Zhong Zhiwei said no more. She drew her bowstring and loosed an arrow that struck the Qingyi man in the right shoulder. She was immensely strong, and the bow she used was a powerful three-dan weapon. When the arrow hit, the man felt as though half his body had been smashed by a heavy hammer, losing sensation almost instantly. Strangely, there was none of the piercing agony of a flesh wound – Zhong Zhiwei had removed the arrowhead before shooting.
Just then, a voice somewhere between that of a young maiden and a child carried down from the hillside. “You claim you won’t say more, yet you rush so desperately to throw your lives away – doesn’t that itself betray General Xiao’s whereabouts?”
Her voice was not particularly loud, but Zhong Zhiwei had the Imperial Guards beside her memorize the words and shout them out in unison, making it impossible for those below to pretend they hadn’t heard.
The leader of the Qingyi clansmen below felt a wave of confusion. Once he grasped the underlying meaning of the enemy’s words, he was first struck with fear and alarm, then worried it might simply be a trick of the Central Plains people.
Wen Yanran raised a hand, signaling the Imperial Guards to cease their shouting. With a faint smile, she said, “Sir… of the Qingyi tribe, General Xiao’s character is well known to both you and me. If she were covering the retreat of her kin and comrades, that would indeed be believable. But if she had truly taken another route, would she not fear losing track of all of you? The reason she lingered in Jianping and delayed her departure until now is precisely her deep affection for her people. How could someone who cares so much abandon her friends and flee? Therefore, she must be nearby at this very moment!”
The Qingyi clansman shouted loudly, “The lord has not abandoned us! It was only to avoid drawing attention that we split up and traveled separately, planning to regroup later…”
Before he could finish, the voice from the hillside cut him off. Wen Yanran said, “In that case, why must you all be in such a hurry to throw your lives away?” She continued, “If word spread from Great Zhou after today that you were merely captured, and that Xiao Xichi must come to rescue you, however uncertain the truth might be, could she possibly stay away?
You dare to be so certain that your deaths will surely reach General Xiao’s ears, which means she must be nearby – right behind you all, arriving here before long. You fear being taken as hostages, and that is precisely why you insist on rushing to your deaths. Once General Xiao sees there is no way to save you, she will no longer show herself.”
As the Qingyi clansmen stood shocked into silence, the voice above spoke once more, “By now, the Imperial Guard has long since dispatched troops to cut off General Xiao’s retreat. Her whereabouts have been exposed. It would be best for you all to remain calm for now and wait to see General Xiao again.”
The leader of the Qingyi clansmen remained silent for a long moment before finally letting out a deep sigh. “Are there indeed such talents among the people of the Central Plains?” He raised his head, first offering a respectful bow before asking, “Might I ask your name?”
Though the Imperial Guards before them were not their allies, the border peoples have always held genuine ability in high regard. The young girl on the hillside had spoken with piercing insight, and through her wisdom and perception, she had won the Qingyi’s respect.
Zhong Zhiwei urged her horse forward a step, her eyes gleaming with pride as she answered loudly, “My lord bears the surname Wen.”
The Qingyi clansmen’s pupils abruptly contracted.
Surname Wen, young in years, and with the authority to mobilize the Imperial Guard – in all of Jianping, only one person met those criteria!
Having had their escape route cut off, they had felt somewhat resentful at first – most of the Qingyi clansmen regarded Xiao Xichi as a figure of the highest caliber in the world. Yet she had been trapped like a caged tiger, unable to put her ambitions into action for far too long, and even her attempts to leave the capital had been repeatedly blocked. But now, knowing that the one who had thwarted her was the current emperor, they found themselves greatly at ease in their hearts.
No wonder the ministers of the Central Plains all said their emperor was born under the Mandate of Heaven!
Upon hearing Zhong Zhiwei’s words, Luo Yue beside them paled drastically. Pushing off the ground with his feet, he leapt backward swiftly, intending to vanish into the forest. Zhong Zhiwei had been keeping a close eye on his movements; she drew her longbow and loosed an arrow straight at his chest and abdomen.
Zhong Zhiwei’s archery skills were peerless, nearly flawless in their accuracy. When her right hand released the bowstring, the thunderous sound that followed was like a clap of lightning. Yet Luo Yue’s reflexes proved equally formidable – with a reverse slash of his blade, he forcefully knocked the arrow’s trajectory off by three inches.
He could have used even greater strength, but an unexpected crack had appeared in the long blade he wielded.
As the commander overseeing the Imperial Guards of the North Park, with Chi Yi and Zhang Luo assisting in handling logistics and meticulous arrangements, Zhong Zhiwei had long suspected Luo Yue’s treachery. Naturally, she had replaced his weapon with a substandard one prone to breaking.
As a seasoned military commander, Zhong Zhiwei harbored no mercy for enemies in battle. She did not hold back simply because the opponent was wounded. Her first arrow injured the enemy’s arm, and the second pierced cleanly through his throat. After Luo Yue fell dead, dozens of Imperial Guards with red bands tied around their arms emerged from the forest, swiftly capturing the remaining loyalists under Luo Yue with practiced efficiency – a clear sign of prior preparation.
Those who had accompanied Xiao Xichi to Jianping had initially considered resisting while they had the chance. Witnessing this scene, however, they realized that not only had the Qingyi clansmen’s affairs been exposed, but every incident that had unfolded today in the North Park had likely failed to escape the notice of the Emperor.
The bodies were cleared away in complete silence. None of them spoke, nor did the Qingyi clansmen utter a word. The mountain pass fell into absolute stillness – devoid of even the faintest rustle of grass, chirp of insects, or call of birds or beasts.
Roughly fifteen minutes later, this heavy, stifling silence was finally broken.
The bushes rustled, and a figure stepped forth with head held high – a person with a longbow strapped to her back, a blade at her side, and features sharp and striking. Seeing the blood and bodies scattered on the ground, as well as the Imperial Guards standing watch – clearly not loyalists of Luo Yue – she showed no trace of shock. Instead, she cupped her hands respectfully toward the higher ground and asked, “Has Your Majesty come in person?”
Seeing Xiao Xichi approach, Zhong Zhiwei dismounted and personally took hold of the reins for the person beside her.
Under the flickering torchlight, they could all clearly see that the figure on horseback was indeed a very young person dressed in dark robes.
Wen Yanran called down from above, “How did General Xiao rest yesterday?”
Xiao Xichen replied, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. I am perfectly well.”
Their exchange remained as courteous and harmonious as it had been during their usual meetings. Judging solely by the tone of their conversation, it was difficult to imagine that the two were not in the warm, brightly lit halls of a palace, but rather in a cold, windswept mountain forest.
A wave of sorrow and desolation rose in Xiao Xichi’s heart. Not until today had she truly grasped the meaning behind that phrase “best of three” – the first match was when the young emperor had pitted her against Zhong Zhiwei in a sword duel; the second was the ambush and killing of the prince of the Wuliu tribe during the first month. After failing twice in a row, she should have known her limits and withdrawn, remaining quietly in the capital thereafter. Yet, unwilling to admit defeat, she had mustered her strength for one final gamble, only to lose all three rounds.
Though utterly defeated, she acknowledged it with genuine acceptance.
On the hillside, Wen Yanran seemed to say something to the person beside her. Then, Zhong Zhiwei took hold of the reins and led the Emperor down from above.
Xiao Xichi was somewhat astonished – their plot had already been exposed. The only possible way for the Qingyi to break the deadlock now was to capture Wen Yanran as a hostage. Yet, the other side had abandoned the advantage of terrain and actively closed the distance with the dangerous faction. What was the reason?
High on her horse, Wen Yanran looked down and smiled. “I know General Xiao ultimately refuses to stay long in Jianping. Since that is the case, I had no choice but to come myself and bring something for the General.”
With matters having reached this point, Xiao Xichi’s heart was now calm and resolute. Whether what the other intended to give was a dagger or poisoned wine, it no longer mattered to her. She cupped her hands respectfully and said, “What Your Majesty bestows, I dare not refuse. There is only one matter I hope Your Majesty will grant.”
Wen Yanran nodded. “You may speak frankly.”
Xiao Xichen bowed slightly and said, “After my death, the affairs of Qingyi will no longer be within my reach. Those who accompanied me to Jianping, though all from prominent clans, have been away from home for a long time and lack the authority to unify the entire tribe. I beg Your Majesty to show leniency and confine them to their estates for twenty years. Even if I am beheaded, I will never forget Your Majesty’s great mercy.”
She knew full well that she had no chance of survival. All she sought now was to preserve the lives of her kin and comrades.
Her companions were deeply loyal to Xiao Xichi. If released back to Qingyi, they would undoubtedly incite the clan to wage war against the Central Plains. She truly did not wish for too many casualties to arise on account of her alone.
Wen Yanran glanced at her and smiled. “That might be rather difficult to arrange.”
Xiao Xichi lifted her head and pleaded once more, “Your Majesty!”
The Qingyi clansmen who had come with her were already choking back sobs. If it weren’t for their fear of implicating these companions, with Xiao Xichi’s abilities, she would certainly have succeeded in escaping long ago. How could she have ended up like this – cornered by the Imperial Guard at the mountain pass, utterly at their mercy?
Wen Yanran raised her hand slightly. An Imperial Guard dressed as a captain stepped forward from behind her, holding a set of armor in his hands.
The Emperor, clad in dark robes, said with a smile, “I told you that fine horses, bows, and armor have all been prepared, waiting only for the General to claim them. Why did you leave without them?”
The stifled sobs in the forest abruptly ceased.
Wen Yanran ordered the armor to be placed before Xiao Xichi. Then, supported by Zhong Zhiwei, she dismounted from her horse. From the ranks of the Imperial Guards accompanying the Emperor, several dozen riderless horses were also led forward.
Xiao Xichi stared at the scene before her, remaining motionless as before, as if she had lost the ability to speak.
Wen Yanran said, “It’s getting late, and the night road is treacherous. General Xiao, you may take my horse to leave.” She added with a smile, “Your clansmen, naturally, are best kept under your own care.”
Xiao Xichi seemed somewhat dazed, standing still as the Imperial Guard draped the armor over her. Yet when she was helped onto the horse, she suddenly stirred as if waking from a dream. Pushing aside those around her, she strode to Wen Yanran’s side, knelt, and bowed deeply, pressing her forehead to the ground. Reverently, she said, “For years in Jianping, I have been like a frog at the bottom of a well, blind and ignorant. Not until today have I truly understood the breadth of Your Majesty’s heart!”
The Qingyi clansmen in the forest followed their leader, kneeling and bowing in unison, addressing the Emperor with reverence.
They now understood that the Emperor had the means to intercept their journey, yet was still willing to let them go. It was clear that all her actions came genuinely from the heart.
Recalling past events, Xiao Xichi also began to understand – back when she was first summoned to the palace to spar with Zhong Zhiwei, the Emperor had likely intended to find a pretext to allow her to return home. It was her own excessive suspicion and endless worries that had delayed matters until today.
As for the incident with the Wuliu tribe, the Emperor had not been uncertain about whether they were connected to Qingyi. On the contrary, she had known all too well and had long suspected the Marquis of Quanling of harboring ill intentions, which was why she had intervened to intercept them.
She had repeatedly doubted the Emperor’s intentions, yet the Emperor had never failed her. Such trust and esteem could not be repaid even if she were to give her life ten thousand times over.
Xiao Xichi said, “Your Majesty has often summoned me to the palace…”
Perhaps because the torchlight cast a warm, orange glow, Wen Yanran’s eyes also took on a gentle gleam. “I knew your mind was set on leaving. Jianping and Qingyi are separated by thousands of miles, and after parting, it may not be easy to meet again. That is why, before your departure, I summoned you to the palace as often as I could.” She personally reached out and helped her up. “After you return home, you must take good care of the people. If you encounter any difficult matters that are hard to handle, remember to send word to me.”
She spoke these words sincerely.
The position of Qingyi Commandery within Great Zhou was an awkward one. The borderfolks did not see the Central Plains people as their own, nor did the Central Plains people regard the border peoples as their own. The deep divide between them could not be resolved in a day or two. Therefore, those who wished to turn back the clock of time certainly did not include Xiao Xichi. Since that was the case, she could only hope that in this chaotic world, they might find a small, beautiful dream of peace in their corner of the land.
