Fight For Love

Hearing these words, Gu Chusheng felt a chill in his heart.

In his past life, it was Wei Yun who had killed him. After Chu Yu was gone, he no longer knew what to seek. Wei Yun had always harbored discontent toward the imperial family, while he himself was a staunch royalist. For this, they had fought for nearly twenty years. In the end, the new emperor, unable to tolerate Wei Yun, plotted against him. Wei Yun then led his men straight into the capital, and though Gu Chusheng resisted fiercely, he was ultimately crushed by a single letter from Wei Yun.

In that letter, Wei Yun told him that he still possessed Chu Yu’s marriage contract with the Wei family from back then and asked whether he wanted it or not.

Everyone thought this was Wei Yun’s jest—how could a mere marriage contract of someone who had been dead for twenty years compare to the safety of the emperor? No matter how foolish Gu Chusheng was, he wouldn’t be that deluded.

Yet Gu Chusheng knew Wei Yun had seen right through him.

There was nothing left for him to seek in this life. What he had been desperately chasing was merely the shadow of that person. Others said she was dead, but in his heart, she had always lived on.

Naturally, he had to retrieve his wife’s marriage contract with another man.

So he opened the gates of Hua Jing and stood before them. According to his calculations, if he held the city for just one more day, Wei Yun would collapse.

But in the end, he still lost—defeated by a departed soul from twenty years ago.

Chu Yu’s words had indeed struck true.

He didn’t hate Wei Yun; in fact, he was even somewhat grateful to him. At least Wei Yun had given him a reason for his death. He was already a wandering ghost in this world—what more could he ask for?

He fell silent. Seeing he had nothing more to say, Chu Yu turned and left.

Gu Chusheng slowly lowered the sword in his hand and slumped onto the bed, his mind in complete disarray.

After Chu Yu stepped outside, Changyue and Wanyue hurried over, their faces filled with concern. “Madam, did he do anything to you?”

Hearing this, Wei Qiu glanced up at Chu Yu. Chu Yu quickly smiled. “With his current state, what could he possibly do to me? Alright, everyone, go about your tasks. Once he’s recovered, we’ll set off.”

With Chu Yu’s reassurance, everyone dispersed to their duties. Chu Yu returned to her room with Wanyue and Changyue. As soon as they entered, Wanyue anxiously stepped forward. “Madam, you didn’t agree to anything with him, did you?”

Chu Yu understood Wanyue’s worry. Wanyue had always been sharp—back when she had been determined to elope, it was Wanyue who had desperately stopped her. Wanyue knew how deeply she had cared for Gu Chusheng and feared she might do something reckless now.

Chu Yu chuckled. “Don’t worry, I didn’t agree to anything. He just invited me to elope with him.”

At this, both maids’ eyes widened. Changyue immediately turned with her sword. “I’ll go kill him.”

“Come back!”

Wanyue quickly called out to stop her hot-tempered sister, then turned to Chu Yu with a serious expression. “Madam, did you agree?”

Seeing their anxious expressions, Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh. She poured tea into a clay cup and said lightly, “Of course not. I’m not that foolish. I told him I’m already married, that I quite liked Wei Jun, and that I intend to remain a widow for him.”

Hearing this, Wanyue let out a relieved sigh. She looked at Chu Yu, her face softening with approval. “Young Miss has finally grown up.”

She didn’t use “Madam” but instead referred to her as “Young Miss,” the title from before her marriage. Chu Yu paused mid-sip and looked up at Wanyue, meeting her clear, unclouded gaze.In her past life, Changyue had passed away early, leaving only Wanyue to accompany her. Later, she arranged for Wanyue to marry, and thanks to Gu Chusheng's influence and Wanyue's tact, the marriage turned out well—she became the wife of a wealthy merchant. Even after her marriage, Wanyue often visited Chu Yu, taking care of her until the day Chu Yu died.

Seeing this woman who had been like an elder sister to her, Chu Yu couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. Her voice was slightly hoarse as she spoke slowly, "I was immature all these years, causing you much trouble."

"It's nothing," Wanyue replied gently. "As long as you are well, I am at peace. Whether sooner or later makes no difference."

How could it make no difference?

In her past life, she had realized things far too late.

But these words remained unspoken. Chu Yu simply smiled faintly and changed the subject. "Since Gu Chusheng has such intentions, perhaps it's best if we avoid him from now on."

Wanyue nodded in agreement, while Changyue plopped back into her seat angrily, placing her sword across her lap and grumbling, "So we just let him off like that?"

"Then tell me, what exactly has he done wrong that you refuse to let him go?" Chu Yu teased, amusement in her voice.

Changyue opened her mouth but found herself unable to pinpoint any real fault in Gu Chusheng. He and Chu Yu had barely interacted, and the only conflict between them was his rejection of her elopement letter.

After struggling for a long moment, Changyue finally blurted out, "He must be blind to reject you! And after that, he has the nerve to come back? Just looking at that scoundrel makes me want to run him through with my sword!"

"Go ahead," Chu Yu said breezily.

Changyue blinked in surprise. "Huh?"

Chu Yu lifted her eyes with a smile. "Once the war is over and he's no longer useful, if you have the guts to kill him, I'll wholeheartedly support you. If you lack a sharp blade, I’ll even lend you my own sword to slay the villain!"

Changyue had only been venting. If Chu Yu truly encouraged her to kill him, she wouldn’t dare. The frustration welled up in her chest until, after a long pause, she finally sighed. "Fine."

With the intention of avoiding Gu Chusheng, Chu Yu didn’t seek him out again in the following days. Two days later, when Wei Qiu reported that Gu Chusheng’s injuries had healed enough for travel, Chu Yu immediately set off with her group.

Using forged travel permits, they disguised themselves as merchants escorting a sickly young master to the capital for medical treatment. Their journey to Hua Jing was smooth and uninterrupted.

As they neared Hua Jing, everyone was exhausted. Seeing the capital just ahead, Chu Yu calculated the time and decided to rest at an inn first, while sending someone ahead to inform Wei Yun of their imminent arrival.

When the group entered the inn, there were few patrons inside. A waiter came forward to greet them, smiling as he asked, "Will you be dining or staying the night, young master?"

Gu Chusheng, supported by Wei Qiu, coughed lightly and glanced at Chu Yu. She quickly stepped forward. "We’ll be staying."

She then confirmed their numbers and booked rooms with the waiter. As they sat down to eat, Wei Qiu discreetly tested the food for poison before allowing everyone to partake.

The inn was quiet, but soon a rowdy group of burly men entered, laughing and carrying swords. They immediately called for hot wine, filling the tavern with boisterous noise.

Gu Chusheng cast a glance at the newcomers but said nothing. After a few drinks, one of the men approached Chu Yu’s table, grinning as he addressed the group. "Well, well, what a pretty little lady we have here."

"How dare you!"A guard suddenly stood up, and the people around burst into laughter. The burly man turned his head and said, "This little chick dares to talk back to me?"

As he spoke, the man turned to his companion and laughed, "So what if I'm bold? Not only will I say the young lady is beautiful, but I’ll also take her for some fun—"

Before he could finish, Wei Qiu’s sword shot forward.

Chu Yu took a sip of wine and heard Gu Chusheng coughing violently. She quickly feigned concern and rushed over, "Brother, what’s wrong?"

Hearing the cough, Wei Qiu suddenly remembered the situation and hastily withdrew his sword, but the other party refused to back down.

Gu Chusheng reached out toward Chu Yu, coughing urgently. She hurriedly supported him, "Brother, what’s wrong? Let’s go upstairs and rest!"

With that, she helped Gu Chusheng upstairs, with Wanyue and Changyue following closely. The burly men tried to advance, but the Wei family guards immediately blocked them with drawn blades.

As soon as Chu Yu and Gu Chusheng reached the upper floor, Gu Chusheng grabbed her and whispered urgently, "They’re Yao Yong’s men. We need to leave now!"

Chu Yu had no time to ask how he recognized them. She whistled sharply, grabbed Gu Chusheng, and dashed down the hallway, leaping straight out the window.

The night was dark, but the moment they landed, a volley of arrows shot toward them!

Gu Chusheng flung his coat toward the arrows, momentarily obscuring the attackers’ vision. Seizing the opportunity, Chu Yu lifted him and darted like a hare into the forest.

Hearing the whistle, Wei Qiu and the others knew something was wrong and immediately gave chase. However, the enemy had clearly assessed their strength—they were outnumbered two to one and quickly surrounded.

Wanyue and Changyue covered the rear. Chu Yu took one look and knew the situation was dire. Frowning, she whistled again.

The men surrounding Wanyue and Changyue instantly pinpointed Chu Yu’s location and charged toward her. She hurled Gu Chusheng into a dense part of the woods, whispering urgently, "Stay hidden."

Then she plunged deeper into the forest.

Numerous assassins pursued her. Chu Yu hid motionless in a tree while they circled below.

Gu Chusheng glanced at her position, picked up a stone, and threw it in the opposite direction.

"There!"

The men rushed toward where the stone landed. Instantly understanding his plan, Chu Yu waited until they passed beneath her, then swung down in a flash of steel, cutting down several from behind before swiftly leaping to another tree and freezing again.

Blood pooled on the ground. In the distance, the sounds of the Wei family guards clashing with the enemy echoed, but the forest remained eerily silent.

A cold-faced young man strode in, a massive blade strapped to his back. His voice was icy. "What are you waiting for?"

"Sir…" a guard stammered, "They’re hiding in the trees. We can’t find them!"

The young man said nothing. He hurled his greatsword, sending it spinning through the air. In an instant, a dozen trees trembled on the verge of collapse—including the one Chu Yu was in!

With no choice, she leaped down. At that very moment, the young man lunged forward, his massive blade raised high!The blade techniques were ruthless and swift. Chu Yu dodged nimbly, yet still found it somewhat strenuous. Gu Chusheng, hidden in the shadows, calculated the movements of the two, deliberately suppressing his breath and remaining silent.

A dozen assassins surrounded Chu Yu, who struggled to evade as the cold glint of blades sliced through the night. She dared not block them head-on with her sword. From the darkness, Gu Chusheng watched as one of the guards lunged at Chu Yu. Unable to hold back any longer, he flicked a stone from his hand straight at the attacker!

At that very moment, the sword-wielding youth charged toward Gu Chusheng’s hiding spot. Chu Yu’s sword chased after him, while Gu Chusheng tightened his grip on the dagger hidden in his sleeve, waiting for the moment of the man’s assault.

Unexpectedly, the youth abruptly unleashed a palm strike mid-charge, sweeping through the dense woods where Gu Chusheng was concealed. Already injured, Gu Chusheng was violently thrown back by the force, crashing into a tree and coughing up blood.

Only after confirming Gu Chusheng’s condition did the youth raise his blade to strike. Chu Yu rushed forward, dragging Gu Chusheng aside just as the blade descended. The edge was about to slash Chu Yu when Gu Chusheng’s mind went blank—he threw himself in front of her. The blade struck him hard, splattering blood across Chu Yu’s face. As the second strike loomed, the sharp whistle of arrows suddenly pierced the night, silver streaks cutting through the darkness. The youth twisted away, but three more arrows shot from different directions.

These arrows didn’t fly straight—they ricocheted off trees, each at an impossibly tricky angle. Despite the youth’s agility, the third arrow pinned him squarely against a tree.

Enraged, he yanked the arrow free, eyes bloodshot as he swung his blade at Chu Yu. In that instant, a white-clad youth with a long spear flipped down from his horse, landing before Chu Yu without hesitation, spear pointed straight at the attacker.

His spear techniques were grand and unrestrained, each strike carrying the crushing weight of a collapsing mountain. The youth, slowed by his arrow wound, faltered as reinforcements rushed in. Chu Yu tossed Gu Chusheng aside and plunged into the fray, intercepting the surrounding assassins.

The spear danced like a dragon through the night, forcing the youth into retreat. Yet the newcomer, barely more than a boy himself, moved effortlessly, showing no sign of fatigue.

The final spear strike struck like thunder, piercing the youth’s chest and pinning him to the tree. Blood gushed as he rasped, “Who… are you?”

The boy lifted his gaze, his beautiful eyes utterly calm.

“The one who kills—Wei Yun of the Wei family.”

Author’s Note:

When will I ever have a backlog of drafts? Cries in despair.

Listening to the song “My General” that you all recommended (the non-rap part), every time it plays, I can’t help but think of my dear Xiao Qi. Fangirling face.

[Mini Theater]

(Today’s Summary)

Wei Yun (Xiao Qi): From now on, I’m a man with my own BGM. Every step must have background music.

Gu Chusheng: As a mage, lurking in the bushes is a must-have skill.

Chu Yu: Can I at least get a chance to fight? How else am I supposed to gain fans?

Wei Yun: No.

Chu Yu: Why not???

Wei Yun: First, I can’t show off. Second, you can’t get hurt.

Chu Yu: …