The sky was dark and heavy, the clouds hanging oppressively low. The air felt stifling as fierce winds swept leaves and stones in swirling eddies across the ground, roaring like wild beasts. Trees swayed violently, as if about to snap in half. Though it was noon, the sun remained hidden, leaving only a gloomy gray light enveloping the entire Tang Capital City.
A torrential downpour was brewing.
The carriage raced forward, the driver shouting urgently. Soldiers on horseback formed a thunderous formation, escorting the carriage along the wall-adjacent road as they hurried through the vast imperial city.
Gale-force winds hurled sand and stones against the carriage, producing a rustling sound. Chu Qiao, her hands stained with blood and her face half-covered by a white silk cloth, calmly assessed her surroundings, waiting for the perfect moment to escape.
She had to find Yan Xun immediately. He likely hadn’t entered the city yet—otherwise, he would have appeared today. He might still be outside the city walls. But if news of this reached him, she dreaded to imagine the consequences. Though Zhao Chun’er was foolish, she had been right about one thing: she and Yan Xun were not only each other’s support but also each other’s fatal weakness.
As for Li Ce, she refused to believe anyone could easily outmaneuver him. He was a fox—if he wasn’t scheming against others, they should count themselves lucky. Even if trouble arose, she trusted Li Ce had the ability to turn the situation around effortlessly.
The clatter of hooves shattered the silence of the long street. The autumn wind whistled, whipping up dust and debris, intensifying the ominous atmosphere.
As the carriage was about to turn onto the main road leading into the inner imperial city, Chu Qiao knew she had to act now or risk losing her chance. Gritting her teeth, she reached for the dagger strapped to her calf, poised to strike at the right moment.
But just then, a sharp whistle cut through the rhythmic hoofbeats, followed instantly by the whoosh of powerful crossbows!
Screams of warhorses filled the air as Daxia’s soldiers and their mounts were thrown into disarray. Angry shouts and cries of pain erupted, plunging the scene into chaos. From the tall trees and walls on either side, deadly figures leaped down, armed with flying daggers, arrows, crossbows, and sharp blades—each strike precise and flawless. Caught off guard after recent upheavals, the Xia soldiers had no chance to resist. Half were wounded and thrown from their horses, and the three-hundred-strong formation quickly crumbled.
"Heaven helps me!" Chu Qiao rejoiced inwardly. It seemed Zhao Chun’er had no shortage of enemies. Such a heaven-sent opportunity would be foolish to waste.
She agilely leaped from the carriage, ready to make her escape, when a cold gleam flashed before her eyes. Two black-clad, masked figures closed in from both sides. Chu Qiao clenched her teeth—it appeared these assassins were targeting the unlucky princess, Zhao Chun’er.
Twisting her body, she lunged forward in a swift charge. In a head-on clash, speed would decide the outcome.
Two dull thuds echoed as Chu Qiao delivered fierce kicks to the men’s groins. Piercing screams tore through the eerie street, sounding particularly gruesome. Without a backward glance to admire her handiwork, Chu Qiao broke into a sprint. Considering they were also Zhao Chun’er’s enemies, she had held back from lethal force—but whether they would ever function as men again after those kicks was beyond her concern.The air was thick with murderous intent, filled with flashing blades and swords. The black-clad assailants struck with ruthless precision, clearly intending to leave no survivors. Those following behind wielded heavy axes, smashing them down on anyone still breathing. Everywhere one looked, there was nothing but gruesome bloodstains and splattered brains—a sight that would make any ordinary person vomit instantly.
How vicious!
Chu Qiao narrowed her eyes, summoning every ounce of her strength as she sprinted at an astonishing speed. If she could just make it out of this alley and onto the main street, she would be safe. She refused to believe these thugs had the audacity to commit murder openly in broad daylight.
It seemed her pursuers had guessed her plan. Suddenly, a dark figure shot forward from behind, moving with agility that rivaled her own. In an instant, he closed the gap, running parallel to her just five or six steps away. While still in motion, he drew a crossbow from his back, nocked an arrow, and let it fly with a sharp whizz!
Chu Qiao’s head was wrapped in white cloth, her face smeared with blood, and her hair tangled wildly over her forehead, making her look like a madwoman. Yet none of this hindered her movements or vision. Seeing the arrow aimed at her thigh, she grabbed a protruding edge of the wall and used the momentum to leap aside.
A crisp crack echoed as the arrowhead shattered against the wall, a testament to the shooter’s formidable strength.
What skill!
Chu Qiao glanced sideways and saw that her pursuer, undeterred by his missed shot, was already drawing another arrow.
Did he think he could succeed every time? With a cold snort, Chu Qiao reached into her robe and shouted hoarsely, "Hidden weapons!"
After her earlier clash with the Central Army, Chu Qiao was already at the end of her tether, completely drained. But now, cornered and desperate, she tapped into her last reserves of energy. Though her voice was too raspy to recognize, her pursuer heard her clearly in this life-or-death chase. The dark figure reacted with uncanny agility, twisting mid-air to evade—but there were no hidden weapons in sight.
By the time he realized the ruse, Chu Qiao had already put distance between them. With a frustrated grunt, he resumed the pursuit.
The area was remote, a maze of narrow alleys. Ignoring the shadow tailing her, Chu Qiao darted left and right, fleeing blindly through the labyrinthine passages.
But soon, she sensed something amiss. Her pursuer’s reactions were too precise—when she sped up, he matched her pace; when she slowed, he did the same; when she turned, he mirrored her movements without hesitation, staying in sync step for step, silent all the while.
What kind of fool has Zhao Chun’er provoked now?
Fury simmered in Chu Qiao’s chest. As her mind raced, a large banyan tree loomed ahead, blocking the path. Her eyes narrowed. She sprinted toward it, then slammed to an abrupt halt, ducking behind the trunk. By logic, no one could stop so suddenly without preparation. Even if her pursuer was agile, he would overshoot by a step—or so she calculated, gripping her dagger tightly.
But at that moment, a sharp sense of danger prickled her instincts. Without a second thought, she dropped into a crouch. Just then, a blade swept over her head from the other side of the tree, shearing off a few strands of hair that drifted softly to the ground.Damn!
Chu Qiao nearly couldn't stop herself from cursing aloud. It seemed her opponent had anticipated this move of hers, timing his steps perfectly. While she was confidently waiting to outmaneuver him, he had already prepared a countermove!
How utterly infuriating!
In that split second, Chu Qiao mobilized all her combat instincts, adjusted her stance, and immediately assumed the optimal fighting posture.
If she didn't take him down, she'd be letting down her modern-day instructors and tarnishing the reputation of contemporary special agents.
But just then, a whooshing sound erupted overhead, fierce and accompanied by a rush of wind. Startled, before she could process what was happening, a searing pain exploded on her back as something slammed into her with tremendous force. The agony was so intense she nearly coughed up blood!
Yet what followed next truly made her want to spit blood.
Immediately after, a loud wail pierced the air. A child of about seven or eight was now straddling her back, wiping his tear-streaked face as he bawled.
It turned out that before they had arrived, a child had been playing in the tree. She, who prided herself as a top commander of the Military Intelligence Department, had failed to detect someone hiding there. During their fight, the frightened child lost his grip and plummeted from the sky, landing squarely on Chu Qiao.
Was there anything more exasperating than this?
Chu Qiao shoved the child aside and, clinging to a sliver of hope, prepared to mount a desperate counterattack. But a blade was already pressed against her neck.
The chaotic footsteps closed in rapidly, surrounding her completely. Several more blades were leveled at her. Chu Qiao glared fiercely at the still-crying child. Then, she overheard someone muttering, "I never expected the princess to be so skilled in combat."
Another replied, "The Zhao Clan rose to power through archery and horsemanship, so it's no surprise she knows some martial arts. But I didn't anticipate her skills would be this exceptional."
What did they call Zhao Chun'er?
Princess? Could they be from Daxia?
A warhorse galloped from the distance, its rider dismounting swiftly. He too had his face wrapped in black cloth and hurried over, saying, "Our men are still holding them off. We have time."
The black-clad man who had been fighting Chu Qiao nodded. Another beside him added, "Take her to the square."
One of the men restraining Chu Qiao ordered, "Drop your weapon."
When under someone else's roof, you have to lower your head—she'd heard that saying before.
With a clatter, she threw down her dagger. As she debated whether to reveal her identity to these mysterious assailants and clarify that she wasn't Zhao Chun'er, the highly skilled black-clad man suddenly stepped forward. He reached out with a slender, powerful hand and gripped her chin firmly.
Chu Qiao snorted coldly, a surge of defiance rising within her. She jerked her head away and sank her teeth fiercely into the man's hand.
The sound of flesh tearing was almost audible as blood immediately flowed from the wound. Chu Qiao's pale, delicate face was set in a fierce glare, her eyes wide and unyielding like a wolf's, a trail of blood trickling down her chin as she stared venomously at the man.
"Ah!"
A collective gasp rang out, yet no one stepped forward to react to her audacious and rebellious act.The man stared at Chu Qiao, seemingly stunned, allowing her to bite him without speaking or moving. A black hood covered his head, revealing only a pair of eyes whose shape was obscured—yet in those eyes, aside from the initial shock, a hint of amusement gradually emerged.
Chu Qiao was also frozen. Those eyes were far too familiar. As if entranced, she slowly released her bite and stared upward in a daze.
"Haha!"
The man suddenly burst into laughter, tore off the hood, pulled Chu Qiao to her feet, and then spread his arms, embracing her tightly in his chest.
"I knew you wouldn’t die so easily!"
Zhuge Yue laughed like an overjoyed child. His eyes shone with delight, though his face remained somewhat pale, with a shadow of stubble on his chin. His voice overflowed with happiness, yet his arms held her so tightly, as if trying to press her into his very being!
Chu Qiao’s head was pressed against his chest. Through his sturdy frame, she could hear the steady, powerful beat of his heart. Recalling all that had happened before, her vision suddenly blurred. After narrowly escaping death, emotions surged wildly within her, making her lose herself for a moment. She, too, spread her arms, wrapped them around Zhuge Yue’s waist, buried her face in his chest, and let her tears flow freely.
———————*—
The entire square fell into dead silence, with only the wind whipping the banners, roaring as it passed.
Everyone lifted their heads to gaze up at Rose Plaza. Three hundred years ago, this square first gained fame across the land. On that high bronze platform, the first heinous traitor of the empire—Helan Ye—was burned to death.
As the highest-ranking official of the Hongchuan Plateau at the time, he had stood by and watched as the Zhao Clan seized the plateau without mounting any effective counterattack. Even when the Zhao Clan’s wolf soldiers attacked Zhenhuang, he fled overnight with his entire family, abandoning the city. In doing so, he surrendered the northern barrier of Great Tang, relinquishing thousands of miles of territory. This forced Great Tang to retreat to the Biandu Plains, turning the continent’s sole ruler into a relic of history and marking the beginning of Great Tang’s fragmentation. Eventually, under threat from the Xia and Song nations, it was even compelled to change its name to Biantang, writing one of the most shameful chapters in the history books.
From that point on, the Bronze Sparrow Platform in Rose Plaza became the site for executing criminals. At this moment, a woman stained with blood was tied to the high bronze platform, her clothes torn, her dark hair flying wildly. Her face was so covered in blood and grime that her original features were completely unrecognizable.
Beneath her feet lay a large pile of firewood, with soldiers holding torches standing nearby. A long time had passed, and there had been a minor disturbance earlier—some had attempted a rescue. These people appeared to be ordinary civilians, but those with keen perception noticed that they were secretly armed.
The clamor grew louder, countless people waving their arms and shouting loudly. Zhao Chun'er weakly opened her eyes. Her repeated struggles and screams had earned her only sharp slaps. The rough hands of the brutish soldiers, calloused and coarse, struck her face with searing pain, along with an overwhelming sense of humiliation and fury that nearly consumed her entirely.Her dislocated jaw prevented her from uttering a single word. Her eyelashes were matted with blood, and she could only peer through a blurred crimson haze at the scene below—everywhere were agitated crowds, unfamiliar faces, and expressions of furious indignation.
Suddenly, she was seized by such terror that her entire body trembled.
Was she going to die? Was she going to be burned alive?
Then, a name flashed through her mind like lightning—the woman’s sharp gaze, her cold words, her disdainful expression—all swept through her heart like a raging fire.
Chu Qiao! Chu Qiao! Chu Qiao!!!
Her expression gradually twisted into something ferocious, a hatred so profound it could destroy heaven and earth, ravage everything, a hatred that not even the highest heavens or the deepest hell could diminish by half.
It was her—she had stolen her beloved, snatched away her happiness, overthrown her nation, trampled on her dignity, and caused her to wander destitute, suffering endlessly, even being insulted by those vile, lowly, disgusting scum!
And now, it was also her who had brought her to the brink of death here!
She could not let her go!
Even if she became a ghost, even if she descended to the eighteen layers of hell, even if she turned into a vengeful spirit, she would never let her off!
Zhao Chun’er gritted her teeth, like a ferocious demon, swearing she must kill her, must kill her, must!
"Carry out the execution!"
A loud shout rang out, but just then, another commotion erupted in the crowd—it was the same group of troublemakers from before!
A desperate desire to survive surged in Zhao Chun’er’s heart, and she gazed over with burning eyes, but another strange thought abruptly surfaced.
Those daring to storm the execution grounds at such a time must have come to rescue Chu Qiao!
Suddenly, perversely, she hoped no one would come. She couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh, a sound like a night owl, full of self-mockery. Would it be that, even if she were saved today, it would be thanks to Chu Qiao?
The people below, seeing her mad laughter, thought she had lost her mind, pointing and whispering among themselves.
The howling wind carried all sounds far away. The densely packed Central Avenue was a chaotic crush, like churning waters, as if someone was deliberately stirring the disorder to prevent outsiders from breaking through.
Situ Yu watched the chaos on Central Avenue, his brow furrowed tightly. Over a dozen young Yanbei warriors quickly approached. Zuo Tingling said gravely, "Major Situ, the Central Army’s numbers are too great. We can’t break through, and even if we did, we wouldn’t be able to rescue the lady."
Xiao He frowned and said, "I’ve already sent a carrier pigeon to notify the young master."
"It’s too late to notify the young master now," Situ Yu replied grimly. "Have you identified who that group stalling for time is?"
Zuo Tingling answered, "No, they’ve been very covert. But in my opinion, among the lady’s allies, those who could lend a hand at such a time are either the fourth young master of the Zhuge family or the Crown Prince of Li Tang."
"It’s likely the Zhuge family’s people," Situ Yu nodded. "The Tang Crown Prince is still outside Central Avenue."
"What should we do now? Since the Zhuge family is stalling for time, they must have a plan."
"We can’t rely solely on them," Situ Yu shook his head, his eyes fixed on Central Avenue. Suddenly, he raised a finger and said, "We go there!"
"Central Avenue?"
"Yes!" Situ Yu nodded firmly. "We’ll clear the path for the Crown Prince of Li Tang!"However, just as the Yanbei warriors charged into the chaotic crowd, someone suddenly screamed in terror. In an instant, everyone lifted their heads, revealing expressions of unbelievable horror!
Under the dark clouds, atop the high rooftops, a snow-white steed was galloping across the roofs, leaping and running as if treading on flat ground. The man on the horse wore a pine-green brocade robe, his features as exquisite as a painting, so handsome he seemed otherworldly!
The horse, a divine steed, had its hooves wrapped in cloth. Wherever it passed, the rooftops cracked and collapsed, raising clouds of dust and leaving a trail of debris. Amid the swirling dust, the man’s figure moved like a ghost. After a few leaps, the horse suddenly reared up, let out a long neigh, and plunged downward, landing with a thunderous crash on the vast plaza. A cloud of dust billowed up, and countless voices cried out in unison. Thousands of Central Army spearmen from the periphery rushed forward, their spears pointed uniformly at the lone rider.
"Who dares to stop me?"
The man raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze cold and indifferent as it swept over the crowd. His voice, though not particularly loud, instantly struck fear into everyone’s hearts.
"It’s… it’s the Crown Prince…"
Someone in the crowd trembled as they spoke, and like a plague, panic spread instantly. The sound of clattering echoed incessantly as the front-row spearmen, their hands shaking with fear, dropped their weapons and knelt on the ground, one after another.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince!"
"It’s the Crown Prince!"
"His Highness has arrived!"
A deafening roar erupted like a tidal wave. No matter how bold the Central Army soldiers were, they dared not confront the Crown Prince of Great Tang directly. Once their psychological defenses crumbled, they knelt like sheep at Li Ce’s feet. On the pristine Rose Plaza, countless figures knelt densely, their heads—once held high with righteous indignation—now bowed in fear, as if wishing to bury them in the ground.
Li Ce, dressed in luxurious brocade robes, cast a cold, indifferent glance without even looking at them.
He held his head high, his eyes fixed on the Bronze Sparrow Tower, then took a firm step forward.
One of Zhao Chun’er’s close advisors, unwilling to see all their efforts go to waste, stepped forward to block his path. But before he could utter a word, a flash of silver light sliced through the man’s throat. In the blink of an eye, as he crossed paths with Li Ce, the man fell to the ground, his eyes wide open.
With a "thud," a cloud of dust billowed upward.
Li Ce took out a spotless silk handkerchief, casually wiped the blood from his wrist, and tossed it aside.
The white handkerchief, now dotted with bright red, fluttered fiercely in the wind before being carried away.
No one dared to speak, no one dared to lift their heads, not even a whisper or a breath was heard.
Li Ce, the Crown Prince known for his recklessness, debauchery, and unruly behavior, had suddenly appeared in such a dazzling manner before the eyes of all, radiating immense fury and an aura fierce enough to make even the fiercest beasts within a hundred miles retreat.
Faced with such a man, even the proud and unruly soldiers of the Central Army could not muster the slightest courage to resist.
"All of you, disperse!"The main thoroughfare of Central Avenue was finally cleared, as Li Ce's entourage surged forth like a tide from the distance. Each man wielded a wolf blade, their faces fierce and intimidating. A single glance was enough to send chills down one's spine.
These were the continent's most notorious rogue soldiers—the Empire's Wolf Troops, a force with a formidable name yet infamous for losing even brothel brawls to the Central Army. They were Li Ce's personal legion, loyal to him alone. At this moment, their expressions were stern, their military bearing impeccable. Gripping sharp blades with unwavering resolve, they charged into the crowd like a honed dagger!
Li Ce stood atop the Bronze Sparrow Platform, slanting a glance at the Central Army soldier holding the torch. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he coldly uttered, "Scram!"
The man was startled, his legs instantly going weak, and he actually tumbled down the Bronze Sparrow Platform.
"Sorry I'm late."
A long wind blew past, carrying an indescribable apology in Li Ce's expression. His brows tightly furrowed as he looked at the woman before him, covered in blood and grime to the point where her original features were unrecognizable. He felt as though his heart were being sliced apart, each cut drawing blood.
He untied the ropes binding the woman and then gathered her into his arms.
Through the haze of blood and disheveled hair, Zhao Chun'er watched as Li Ce approached step by step like a deity descending to earth. The wild joy of escaping death instantly surged into her heart.
Is this the man I'm supposed to marry?
For a moment, she felt confused, her mind unclear. She only knew she had been about to die, and now, the man she was to marry had come to save her.
Tears immediately poured from her eyes as she broke into mournful sobs.
Li Ce's brows remained tightly knit as he swept her up in his arms and headed down from the platform.
Freed from her restraints and granted liberty, Zhao Chun'er clung tightly to Li Ce's waist like an injured young animal, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Yet, the next moment, the man well-versed in the ways of the world halted. He looked at her, seemingly stunned, then crouched down, holding her partially in his embrace. He reached out a finger to gently push aside her jet-black hair, but there was still so much blood.
He was so gentle, as if afraid of frightening someone, his tone like the calm waters of a lake in early spring as he softly asked, "You? Who are you?"
Zhao Chun'er made incoherent sounds but couldn't form words.
Only then did Li Ce realize her jaw was dislocated. Using some technique, with a soft click, her jaw snapped back into place. Tears welled up in the woman's eyes like a spring, immense sorrow rising from the depths of her heart. Weeping, she said, "I am the Eighth Princess of Daxia, I am Zhao Chun'er."
Li Ce froze completely. He lifted his head and looked downward—the Wolf Soldiers were confronting the Central Army, some already preparing to fight. The common people knelt on the ground trembling, gazing at him in panic. Dark clouds hung heavy in the sky, and a fierce wind raged everywhere.
Suddenly, Li Ce laughed. His laughter was so gentle. He lowered his head, looked at Zhao Chun'er, and said something she couldn't understand:
"I knew it—who could possibly bully her?"
Then, with a thud, the Crown Prince of Great Tang abruptly stood up, completely disregarding the beautiful princess in his arms, letting Zhao Chun'er tumble to the ground like a ball.
He even stepped directly over Zhao Chun'er, striding quickly into the midst of the two confronting armies. Waving his arms exaggeratedly, he shouted to the Central Army soldiers, "Don't be rash, don't be rash! Everyone calm down!"
In the blink of an eye, he had transformed back into that nonsensical, scoundrel Crown Prince. Standing before the Wolf Soldiers, he grinned cheekily and said, "I heard there was something big happening here, so I came to join the fun. I even brought them along to watch. Don't mind us, carry on, carry on!"And the fifty thousand wolf soldiers behind him, seeing the change in their master's expression, instantly relaxed as well, immediately reverting to their usual demeanor. They slung arms over each other's shoulders in a slovenly manner, with no semblance of formation left—as if what everyone had just witnessed was an illusion.
They cheerfully walked up, patting the Central Army soldiers on the shoulders, blinking and saying, "So, bro, how was our formation just now? Pretty impressive, huh? We practiced for months, haha, pretty neat, right?"
The entire scene erupted in an uproar, and some soldiers ran toward Zhao Chun'er, who had fallen to the ground.
The woman lifted her head and cried out indignantly, "I am the princess of Daxia!"
The Daxia officials, suddenly hearing the princess's voice, were startled and rushed forward in unison. Moments later, chaos broke out across the field.
Zhao Chun'er was hastily helped up by the Daxia officials. Through the layers of people, she could only see Li Ce happily mingling with the soldiers, laughing boisterously without any regard for decorum, slinging arms over shoulders without a trace of the Crown Prince's dignity.
Recalling his earlier actions and those words, everything felt like a sharp arrow piercing her heart. She allowed her subordinates to wrap her in a blanket, her pearly white teeth clenched so tightly on her lower lip that it nearly drew blood.
Chu Qiao, Chu Qiao, how can I not hate you?
The grief and indignation in her chest nearly overwhelmed her in that moment. Her tears had long dried up. She slowly raised her head, gazing at the dark clouds above, but didn't even have the strength to let out a single roar.
Zhao Chun'er swore an oath here today: In this lifetime, I will personally witness you being betrayed and abandoned by all, see you stripped of everything, and watch you die in misery and disgrace. If I fail, I vow to no longer be human!
The long wind howled as this farce finally drew to a close. The chaotic crowd gradually dispersed, and who would cast another glance at the disgraced princess?
"Heaven is fair."
On the way back, Li Ce rode on his warhorse, a faint smile on his lips as he murmured, "Those who scheme against others will be schemed against in turn. Before the end, who can say for certain who will emerge victorious?"
"Your Highness,"
Sun Di stepped forward and said, "We've found Tie You."
"How is he?"
"Severely injured, but not fatally. The Central Army soldiers haven't completely lost their minds."
Li Ce nodded and said, "Good. They've saved themselves once again."
"Zhao Chun'er..."
"Pay her no mind," Li Ce sneered. "She's caused such a huge mess. Let's wait and see how Daxia handles this."
Sun Di nodded. "Then what should we do now?"
A cold glint flashed in Li Ce's eyes, sharp as a blade. He lowered his head casually and chuckled softly. "Someone has given me such a grand gift. It would be impolite not to return the favor. I've never been one to accept anonymous goodwill."
The long wind blew, carrying the man's voice, so gentle yet so chilling.
"It's my turn to make a move."
OpenNovel