The two groups met at a courier station north of Xu County. Comrade Wan Songbai still carried himself with full grandeur—his general’s belly hadn’t shrunk a bit, his mustache remained sleek and shiny, and his entourage of guards, servants, maids, cooks, plus two handlers for his hunting dogs was all present. For the first time, Shao Shang noticed a certain aristocratic young master’s demeanor in Old Wan.
Watching her father saunter around so leisurely, Wan Qiqi was so furious that her eyes shot daggers, wishing she could scatter them like heavenly blossoms and pierce his belly open—let’s see if her dear old dad could still act so smug then!
“Father! How can you still be so carefree! Do you even know that I—”
“Enough.” Wan Songbai cut his daughter off with authority. “We’ll talk inside.”
Shao Shang subtly pinched Wan Qiqi, who had no choice but to suppress her anger and follow the Cheng brothers into the best room in the courier station. Once the surroundings were cleared, Wan Qiqi couldn’t hold back any longer: “Father, do you know—”
“I already know everything!” Wan Songbai declared, then turned to the three Cheng siblings. “The imperial edict reached me four days ago by express courier, but your mother’s secret report arrived five days prior. I know it all—that accursed Huang Wen! I’ve never had any grudge against him, yet he’s inexplicably come to frame me! Just wait till I return to the Capital City for my imperial audience—I’ll lodge a fierce complaint against him!”
Hearing this, Shao Shang felt a wave of relief and exclaimed joyfully, “So then, the accusations made by Censor Huang are completely baseless? Uncle, you haven’t actually violated laws or harmed the people?”
Wan Songbai slammed the table with a thunderous force. “Do I look like that kind of man to you?!”
“Father, speak properly—don’t scare my little sister!” Wan Qiqi protectively shielded Shao Shang.
Cheng Shaogong, slumped weakly by the fire pit, stretched his hands toward the warmth and muttered, “She’s not that easily scared.”
“The reason I only set out two days ago is because I couldn’t go empty-handed to the imperial audience! That dog Huang accused me of abducting common girls… Hmph! I now hold signed petitions from several prominent families in my jurisdiction, declaring nothing of the sort ever happened. I merely took pity on those orphaned girls and helpless children and arranged for respected elders to care for them. Would I even look at those pitiful girls? Give me a break—they’re all sallow-faced and skinny as sticks! Am I blind or mad?!”
“And he accused me of seizing farmland? Is Xu County some fertile paradise with endless fields? Seventy percent of it is mountainous—seventy percent! I’m too busy reclaiming wasteland for farming to even think of enclosing land! What would I do with fenced-off mountains—dig up rocks and dirt to build Huang Wen’s grave mound?!” Wan Songbai’s sharp tongue was truly something to behold.
“So Uncle didn’t actually enclose any land either?” Cheng Shaogong frowned.
Wan Songbai scoffed, “Enclosing land only serves two purposes: either for profit—farming or mining—or to build estates. Am I going to be the governor of this commandery forever? What would I even do with land in Xu County?!”
Shao Shang sensed something odd and glanced at her twin brother. “…If it’s so easy to refute, why would Huang Wen impeach Uncle? Unless… Uncle has some feud with him…?”
Wan Songbai suddenly deflated, hesitating. “Well… I’m not entirely sure…” He turned to ask an elderly servant beside him, “Ah Fu, have I ever offended that Huang fellow?”Wan Fu was a lifelong servant of the Wan family, having been Wan Songbai's attendant since childhood and rising to become the chief steward. He hesitated slightly, "...I don't think so. Our family has no dealings with Lord Huang."
"That's hard to say. Father has a terrible temper and speaks without thinking. Who knows when he might have offended someone without realizing it," Wan Qiqi said, rolling her eyes.
"Or maybe you're the one who offended someone outside and dragged your old father into it!" Wan Songbai pointed at his daughter and scolded.
Cheng Song's thinking was more straightforward: "Since we can't figure it out, let's not dwell on it. We should hurry back to the Capital City as soon as possible. After Uncle has his Imperial audience and explains the situation, we can discuss it in detail with Grandmother and Mother."
Wan Songbai slapped his knee heartily, completely unburdened. "Exactly! Even if Qiqi's grandmother can't figure it out, your mother's mind is sharper than ten ordinary people—she'll surely understand. We'll rest briefly today and set off tomorrow morning."
The younger generation all voiced their agreement in unison.
Throughout the journey, Shao Shang's greatest worry had been whether Old Man Wan had committed any unlawful acts. Now, after hearing this explanation, she felt much more at ease and slept soundly that night. Early the next morning, the convoy set off. Wan Songbai, eager to have his Imperial audience and plead his case, suggested taking a shortcut. Now that the two groups had merged, there was no risk of missing each other.
Thus, except for Cheng Shaogong, who continued to huddle in the carriage, the rest of them rode on horseback, chatting and laughing the day away. They camped at the foot of a mountain that night and resumed their journey early the next morning.
"We're not far from the Shouchun area, Niao Niao. Don't you want to go see Ling Buyi?" Wan Songbai teased, patting his belly.
"No!" Shao Shang refused outright. "Finally, no one's watching over me... cough I mean, 'Northwest towers stand tall, reaching the floating clouds.' Lord Ling is busy serving the nation—how could I disturb him...?"
Wan Qiqi, well aware of her sworn sister's thoughts, grinned and glanced at Cheng Song, who made a funny face. Cheng Shaogong poked his head out of the carriage window: "Why put on an act in front of us? If you're so bold, try fooling Lord Ling too."
Shao Shang snapped, "Weren't you the one who complained about A Yao being naive and indecisive? Now that we've got Ling Buyi as your future brother-in-law, aren't you overjoyed? Next time he comes over for dinner, you can join us!"
Just as Cheng Shaogong was about to retort, a cold arrow suddenly whizzed through the air, narrowly missing the carriage. Immediately, whistles sounded from all around, and the guards up ahead shouted—"Bandits!"
This time was different from the incident in Hua County. With Old Comrade Wan Songbai leading the group, her two elder brothers by her side, and Wan Qiqi—who had been skilled in horseback riding and archery since childhood—Shao Shang wasn't particularly worried.
Ahead, fifty or sixty bandits swarmed toward them, dressed in a motley assortment of outfits—some as hunters, some in commoner's short attire, and others in worn-out armor, all with black cloth covering their faces.
At first, no one was overly concerned, as their own group numbered nearly a hundred. But to their surprise, these bandits proved unexpectedly formidable. When the guards fired arrows in unison, the bandits knew how to block them with woven vine shields. When the guards charged on horseback, the bandits knew to raise spears as barricades. And when it came to close combat, the bandits moved with agility, each skilled in martial arts.
The two sides fought fiercely for over half an hour before the bandit leader whistled, and the attackers retreated cleanly.Wan Songbai led Cheng Song to assess the casualties, while Cheng Shao Gong stood guard beside Shao Shang with his sword drawn, puzzled: "Are bandits these days so bold? Daring to rob government troops in broad daylight!"
Shao Shang replied, "Indeed, it's quite strange. They didn't even bother with the usual 'This mountain is ours' spiel."
Wan Qiqi chimed in, "Perhaps they wanted to kill us all first to take everything without resistance? When Father and I were traveling before, we encountered ruthless mountain bandits. They'd flee if outmatched, but if they had the upper hand, they'd leave no survivors to avoid any leaks to the authorities."
Shao Shang found this reasoning sound.
At that moment, the leader of the guards Ling Buyi had left behind approached Shao Shang, cupping his hands respectfully: "Reporting to the Female Lord, the situation is not favorable. I request permission to seek reinforcements."
"Not favorable? Didn't we just achieve a great victory?" Shao Shang was confused.
The guard leader explained, "Female Lord, please observe our current location."
Shao Shang and the others looked around. They were in a narrow mountain pass, dense forests flanking both sides. While Shao Shang still didn't grasp the significance, Cheng Shao Gong's voice turned grave: "Thick forests, deep mountains, and a narrow path—Father always said this terrain is perfect for ambushes."
The guard leader bowed again: "The Young Master is perceptive. Though we repelled the bandits, they left only ten to twenty corpses while we suffered thirty to forty casualties. The dead can be buried here for now, but what of the wounded? We can't abandon them, yet caring for them would further deplete our fighting strength. If another ambush comes before we exit these mountains, we'll be hard-pressed to defend ourselves."
Shao Shang was astonished: "You mean the bandits might return? Weren't they already driven off?"
The guard leader said, "Hopefully not. But we must prepare for the worst to ensure safety. Should any harm come to you, Female Lord, we could never atone."
Recognizing the gravity, Shao Shang nodded solemnly: "Then whom should we seek for reinforcements? The post station we left yesterday didn't seem to have many men."
The guard leader suggested, "Xu County lies northwest of Shouchun. Marquis Cui's forces are advancing from the north to press Shouchun like a landslide. We can dispatch swift riders northward—any troops encountered will surely send aid once they hear the Young Master's name."
Understanding immediately, Shao Shang had someone fetch writing materials from the carriage. She penned four urgent letters, stamped each with Ling Buyi's personal seal, sealed them with wax, and handed them to four skilled horsemen.
As the riders galloped away, Wan Qiqi joked, "Might be wasting some of your Son-in-law's favors for nothing."
After regrouping, Wan Songbai also deemed the area unsafe and ordered the convoy to move quickly. They traveled at speed for most of the day as dusk approached, nearing the edge of the gloomy forest when masked figures dressed as bandits surged from both sides, encircling them in a pincer formation.
Without a word, another fierce battle erupted. This time, Shao Shang couldn't muster a smile. Watching their casualties mount while the enemy advanced methodically, she saw Wan Songbai and Cheng Song—now personally engaged—covered in blood and grime.At this moment, the mental fortitude of Ling Buyi's guards truly shone. Despite the fierce battle, they remained calm and composed. The captain of the guards directed the remaining household servants to gradually tighten their formation, fighting while retreating into the forest.
By the time darkness fell, the bandits had been repelled once more. A headcount revealed that, even including the Cheng brothers, fewer than thirty able-bodied fighters remained.
The guard captain led everyone into a large cave hidden among the mountain boulders. They pulled the intact carriages into a defensive circle to serve as a cheval-de-frise, extinguishing all torches and lanterns. Shao Shang asked, "We're nearly out of the forest—why don't we make a break for it?"
Before the captain could respond, Cheng Song, his face streaked with blood and exhaustion, answered, "We're outnumbered, and there's no telling how many more bandits are out there. Open terrain would be our death sentence. Here, at least we have cover. With the darkness and dense woods, they won't dare attack immediately. But come dawn..."
Shao Shang understood, a chill running down her spine.
The guard captain tried to reassure her, "Don't be afraid, young female lord. Reinforcements may arrive by morning."
Before Shao Shang could catch her breath, a sudden cry came from the leather tent—"Father! Father!"—Wan Qiqi's voice.
Shao Shang and the Cheng brothers immediately sprang to their feet and rushed over. Inside the dimly lit tent, they found Wan Songbai lying on a stretcher, covered in blood and moaning weakly. Wan Qiqi sobbed, "The steward just brought him back. He was stabbed in the chest and struck hard on the back."
While Shao Shang remained composed, the Cheng brothers, who had grown up under Wan Songbai's care and shared a bond deeper than blood, knelt beside the stretcher, calling out to him in distress.
Wan Songbai struggled to open his eyes and grasped Cheng Song's arm tightly. "It was... my carelessness. I should have taken the longer route... How could I have chosen this path...?"
Tears streamed down Cheng Song's face, while Cheng Shao Gong trembled, pale-lipped and speechless.
"You can't blame yourself, Uncle," Shao Shang sighed. "With Cui Hou's forces blocking the north, Rebel Peng would have fled south—where my father could have intercepted him. Who could have predicted bandits here?"
"You... must go..." Wan Songbai clutched Cheng Song's wrist, his bloodshot eyes filled with regret. "Your father has four sons and one daughter... and now most of you are in my hands... I can't let you all perish here... I'd have no face to meet your father in death... Take the horses and flee under cover of darkness..."
Outside the tent, the guard captain lowered his head slightly, exchanging a meaningful glance with his men. They understood—if their mission was solely to escort the young female lord to safety, their chances were better. But judging by the bandits' brutality, those left behind would surely die. Still, if it came to it, they would have no choice but to prioritize her survival.
Before Wan Songbai could finish, Cheng Song shouted, "Uncle, how could you say such a thing? If we fled to save our own skins, we'd never be able to face anyone again!" He grabbed Wan Qiqi's hand. "Qiqi, if we die, we die together!"
Wan Qiqi, tears streaming down her face, threw herself into Cheng Song's arms, too overcome with emotion to speak.Cheng Shaogong stared blankly for a long while before saying to Wan Songbai in a daze, "Uncle, when Father took us hunting in the mountains as children, I would always slack off and refuse to climb. You feared Father would punish me, so you secretly carried me on your back..."
Recalling these memories, tears streamed down Wan Songbai's face.
Shao Shang's eyes grew warm.
In truth, Old Man Wan was a man who dearly loved his children, and he didn't even favor sons over daughters much. He cherished all his many daughters before, properly selecting sons-in-law for all twelve girls and sending them off with generous dowries. If not for continuing the incense offering, he might not have been so desperate for sons.
Wan Songbai was deeply moved but still insisted they leave first. After much back-and-forth, they decided to wait one more night. If reinforcements didn't arrive by dawn, the younger generation would depart.
Outside the tent, Cheng Song whispered to Shao Shang, "Little sister, we'll split into two groups later. Lord Ling's guards will escort you and Qiqi, with Shaogong going too. I'll carry Uncle on my back and take another route."
Heart aching, Shao Shang forced a smile. "Can't we think positively? Maybe reinforcements will come."
Cheng Song said coldly, "I can't abandon Uncle, but we can't all die together. If... you must avenge me in the future!" With these words, the tall, sturdy young man turned and left. In that instant, Shao Shang seemed to see Old Man Cheng's reliable figure.
That night, stars and moon gave no light. In the cold, silent mountain forest, everyone waited quietly.
Past midnight, as everyone was growing drowsy, faint cries of pain came from ahead. Shao Shang jolted awake—they had set many bamboo spikes and caltrops on the ground earlier. Could it be... Before she could finish the thought, sounds of combat erupted outside.
The bandits had actually climbed the mountain before dawn!
With no choice, Shao Shang drew her sword and stayed protected by two guards at the rear. Seeing their front line gradually losing, the guard captain, covered in blood, rushed back: "Female lord, we can't hold them off. We'll escort you away first."
Calmly, Shao Shang replied, "Fine, but we must take Sister Qiqi and my third brother."
The captain nodded and left, soon returning with an unconscious Wan Qiqi slung over his shoulder and a dazed Cheng Shaogong in tow. Meanwhile, Shao Shang saw Cheng Song had already tied Wan Songbai to his back and was preparing to mount a horse.
In the flickering firelight, the siblings exchanged a distant glance, neither knowing if they'd meet again. Unable to suppress her tears, Shao Shang let out a low "Second Brother" from her throat.
Just then, a burst of brilliant fireworks suddenly lit up the distant sky, golden, purple, and orange sparks forming a strange pattern in the air. The guard captain exclaimed joyfully, "It's the Young Master! The Young Master has come!... Brothers, hold on a little longer! The Young Master brings reinforcements!"
As he spoke, he pulled out a slender black iron tube from his robe, raised it skyward, and lit the fuse. A magnificent firework instantly shot upward—this time Shao Shang clearly saw: in the sky was the fierce head of a Zheng beast.With newfound confidence, the group's courage surged. Cheng Song quickly set down Wan Songbai and joined the battle, filling the mountain forest with thunderous war cries. Before long, the distant rumble of galloping horses grew closer, shaking the gentle yet dense woods like vegetables being sifted in a winnowing basket. Dewdrops barely formed on the leaves tumbled down, dampening everyone's faces and clothes.
As the cavalry came into view, Shao Shang immediately spotted the familiar tall figure at the forefront—and the pair of deadly weapons in his hands.
She finally saw the legendary Beast-Patterned Cloud-Cleaving Battle Axes. It was said the Emperor had paid ten thousand gold to commission a master blacksmith from the previous dynasty to forge them from dark iron. The razor-sharp blades left no trace of blood, while both sides of the axe heads were carved with bloodthirsty beasts. The unusually long handles could separate into short halberds or combine into a long weapon.
If Ling Buyi's previous Crimson Phoenix Golden Halberd had been like a dazzling golden crow whose brilliance none could withstand, then these pitch-black battle axes were now iron-blooded phantoms—silent yet murderous.
Ling Buyi's movements were never flashy. With simple swings and chops, he created a sea of blood around him, reaping lives like the Grim Reaper wielding his scythe. Bright splashes of blood stained his pale, indifferent face.
This was the first time Shao Shang had seen him kill at such close range, and an inexplicable fear gripped her heart.
As the path cleared, the guards who had been standing beside Shao Shang immediately stepped forward, kneeling on one knee before their Young Master's horse—all except the captain, who remained at Shao Shang's side while kneeling.
Ling Buyi transferred his right axe to his left hand, then slowly dismounted. He stood about ten paces away from Shao Shang, staring at her coldly.
Cheng Shaogong's dizziness had faded. Swallowing hard, he envied Wan Qiqi who was blissfully unconscious against the rocks, then wisely retreated several steps to give the stage to the leading pair.
Shao Shang stood frozen, unsure what to do. She knew the man was furious but didn't know how to appease him. Now that he was on military duty, she wondered if he'd abandoned some important mission to rescue her.
When Ling Buyi left the Capital City, she'd promised to "wait obediently" for him. And yet...
She resolved that if he wanted to scold her, she'd let him. If that still didn't quell his anger, she'd even accept being struck a few times.
"...Come here," Ling Buyi said.
Shao Shang stared at him blankly.
Ling Buyi raised his bloodstained right hand and beckoned.
Suddenly overwhelmed with grievance, Shao Shang flew into his broad embrace like a fluttering butterfly.
Ling Buyi kept both axes lowered at his side with his left hand while using his right to stroke the girl's hair and nape. "As long as you're safe," he sighed.
Author's Note: Too exhausted. Will fix typos this afternoon. Will also post a map on Weibo then to prevent confusion. Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solutions~
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