The girl's face was smooth, reflecting the soft glow of Hetian white jade under the snow's illumination. Her eyes were pitch-black like ink, her features delicate yet exuding an aura of independence and steadiness. Though still young and not fully grown, her icy, plum-blossom-like coldness radiated from within.
The man's eyes narrowed slowly, his right hand unconsciously clenching. Under the crimson sunset, the snow took on a reddish hue, revealing that the middle, ring, and little fingers of his hand were severed at the joints, covered by golden finger sheaths that added a touch of eeriness.
"Beat her."
A low voice suddenly echoed in the desolate wind. The servants on both sides, who had long been eager for action, immediately closed in. A burly man swung a palm as large as a cattail leaf fan, aiming a fierce slap at the girl's cheek.
With a "thud," the slap did not land on the girl's face as expected. Instead, she blocked it. Chu Qiao raised her head, her expression impassive, and asked in a steady voice, "Young Master Wei, you order your servants to harm others at will. Shouldn't you give me a reason?"
"A reason?" Wei Shuyou sneered coldly, a sinister smile curling at the corners of his lips. "The reason is that a lowly slave like you dares to question my words."
"Young Master Wei, if your memory serves you well, you should recall that last month, during the hunting grounds, His Majesty personally granted me emancipation from slavery and appointed me as the archery instructor of the Elite Cavalry Camp. You and I now serve together in the court, both working for Daxia. I show you respect because you are a scion of a noble clan. Otherwise, given your current status, you are not entitled to receive my obeisance. After all, you have just been stripped of your official position. A mere commoner, how dare you act so arrogantly in the Holy Gold Palace?"
The girl's expression was as sharp as ice and snow. She pushed the burly man away, brushed her knees twice, and stood up.
"I have matters to attend to. I beg your pardon."
"How audacious!"Wei Shuyou snorted coldly, his voice deep." "Let's see if anyone dares to seek justice for you when I kill you, the archery instructor of the Elite Cavalry Camp, today!"
"Attack!"
As soon as the words fell, four guards behind Wei Shuyou instantly stepped forward. Before Chu Qiao could react, one of the guards drew the long sword at his waist and swung it fiercely at her head!
Chu Qiao never expected Wei Shuyou to be so bold today—not only openly carrying weapons but also daring to commit violence within the Holy Gold Palace. However, time waited for no one, and the sudden turn of events left her no room for further thought.
Strike! Claw! Seize the wrist!
Without any flashy moves, a crisp "crack" of breaking bone echoed. In the blink of an eye, the guard was already crumpled on the ground, his hand bone fractured, howling in agony.
In one fluid motion, she seized the guard's long sword. As if she had eyes in the back of her head, she executed a graceful aerial back kick, striking squarely the chest of a guard sneaking up from behind. The force was immense, accompanied by a dull thud. The guard let out a miserable cry, blood gushing from his mouth as he staggered backward.
Immediately after, she moved like lightning, seizing another guard's wrist while swinging the long sword with her other hand. It was a standard ninja sword technique—a lateral slash, executed with precision, stability, and ruthlessness. Cracking sounds followed one after another. Before the pain could register, two guards had already collapsed to the ground!
All the actions took place within a second. Four highly skilled guards were defeated, each disabled with a single move, leaving them utterly incapacitated.A long wind swept through as Chu Qiao stood amidst the sprawled men, her expression calm and posture erect. Clad in a white fur cloak, she appeared even more transcendent and cold as snow, as if she hadn’t moved at all from beginning to end. Her icy gaze fixed on Wei Shuyou, whose face was contorted with hatred, she said coolly, "Step aside."
Wei Shuyou’s face turned ashen. The grudge of his severed finger had tormented his mind for years, like a venomous snake robbing him of his usual composure and self-control.
"Kill her!"
His low voice was like a vengeful spirit from the underworld. The long wind swept through Xuandao, rushing between the high walls on either side and whipping up flurries of swirling snow.
Over a dozen guards in blue robes immediately stepped forward, dropping to one knee and crouching before Wei Shuyou. Reaching behind, they magically produced a row of crossbows from within their heavy cloaks!
Chu Qiao’s brows furrowed slightly as she cautiously retreated half a step. Wei Shuyou had actually brought crossbows into the palace—what did this mean? Was it a sign of the Wei Clan’s expanding influence now that Zhao Qi had gained power, or did he possess some special imperial decree allowing him to carry weapons into the palace?
Before she could ponder further, a volley of crossbow bolts shot forth with explosive force. At such close range, the crossbows were immensely powerful, cutting through the cold wind with thunderous momentum, aimed directly at where Chu Qiao stood.
Chu Qiao swiftly dropped to the ground, rolling forward until she reached the burly man whose hand bones she had crushed earlier. Grabbing his collar, she heard a series of sickening thuds—blood splattered everywhere. The man didn’t even have a chance to scream before he was riddled with holes, collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Using his momentum against him, Chu Qiao delivered a powerful kick to the man’s body. His corpse soared through the air and crashed with a thud into the crossbowmen, disrupting their formation. Seizing the opportunity, she darted forward like lightning, her movements swift and precise. With a swift pull, a drag, and a forceful impact, she broke a man’s wrist in an instant. In the same motion, she grabbed another guard’s head, leaping into the air to deliver a side kick to the chest of a third guard who charged forward with a roar. As she descended, she tore out a handful of the man’s hair with a sharp rip.
The onlookers were stunned. The brutal close-quarters combat left no room for their crossbows to be of use. The girl’s merciless methods and composed expression swept over them like a nightmare, leaving chaos in her wake. No matter how many guards there were, none could match the speed of her hands. Every move she made was crippling, every strike ruthless. Behind her lay the twisted bodies of fallen men, and so far, not a single one had managed to so much as touch the hem of her garment.
It was only at this moment that everyone truly understood the meaning of "one man guarding the pass, ten thousand cannot breach it"—even though the one standing before them was merely a slender, young girl.
The guards’ attacks grew increasingly feeble, their courage waning and faces paling. Her professional combat skills and ruthless tactics struck terror into the hearts of these men, who had once prided themselves on their close-quarters fighting prowess.
In the blink of an eye, Chu Qiao closed in on Wei Shuyou. For the first time, a trace of unconcealed panic flashed in his eyes as he frantically reached for the sword at his waist. But in the next second, Chu Qiao had already kicked aside the two guards in front of her and reached out to seize him.Chu Qiao's hands now appeared more terrifying than a guillotine blade. Having witnessed her prowess, the Wei Clan subordinates instantly erupted with noble sentiments of loyal protection. Two guards charged from behind, swinging their blades toward her.
Unbelievably fast! The young woman instantly pivoted and leaped into the air, delivering a fierce kick that struck a burly man squarely in the neck. The force was so tremendous that the man flew backward, crashing into other guards along the way, tumbling across the ground like rolling gourds.
Seizing this opportunity, Wei Shuyou rapidly retreated under the protection of two guards. By the time Chu Qiao turned around, he had already put two body lengths between them. No matter how swift Chu Qiao was, her arms couldn't possibly reach that far.
The sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the distance. Apparently, the earlier commotion had alerted the imperial palace guards. Wei Shuyou, who had moments ago been brimming with imposing momentum to eliminate the root of the problem, now felt a shameful secret delight.
Then, at that very moment, a green shadow suddenly appeared. Green cotton cloth fluttered through the air as a chill touched Wei Shuyou's neck - a pale cyan mystical iron sword point came to a perfect stop right at his throat!
The long wind howled, heavy snow swirled!
The young woman stood clad in white fox fur, her dark hair flying in the wind. Her pitch-black eyes looked down slightly, glancing sideways as she coldly stared at the dumbfounded young master of the Wei Clan, her expression filled with undisguised contempt.
"Halt!" Former city gate guard commander Song Que approached coldly with his troops, saying in a deep voice: "Who dares act so recklessly within the imperial city? Everyone stand down!"
Chu Qiao coldly watched Wei Shuyou's ashen face, her expression calm yet carrying a trace of mockery in her eyes. With a cold snort, she withdrew her sword with a swift reverse motion and stood proudly in place.
"Commander Song," Wei Shuyou said while trying to control his rapid breathing, "What is her status that she can carry weapons within the imperial city?"
Seeing that he didn't explain why there was fighting within the imperial city but instead fixated on the weapon issue, Song Que slowly furrowed his brows. Though stubborn by nature, he was no fool. To survive in the imperial court, one couldn't afford to offend powerful noble families. Suppressing his displeasure, Song Que turned to Chu Qiao and said: "Miss Chu, shouldn't you explain why you're carrying weapons within the imperial city?"
Chu Qiao slightly raised her eyebrows, her gaze shifting meaningfully toward the sword in Wei Shuyou's hand and the scattered combat knives and crossbows on the ground - the implication was clear: there were others carrying weapons too.
Song Que's face reddened, but before he could speak, Wei Shuyou coldly snapped: "What status do you have to compare yourself to me? Not only are you carrying weapons in the imperial city, you even dared to assault me. I'd like to see who would dare defend you today. Commander Song, how do you propose to handle this matter?"
Song Que frowned deeply, not daring to offend this Wei family young master whose temperament had drastically changed since losing his finger. Just as he was about to speak, a clear, cold voice suddenly sounded behind them. Everyone froze and turned to look.
"This sword - I told her to carry it."
A black warhorse, tall and straight, slowly approached.
Zhuge Yue, clad in sable fur, his expression gloomy, rode slowly forward. When he reached the crowd, he didn't dismount but remained high on his horse, looking down at the young woman below. He stretched out his hand and said in a deep voice: "How long did you plan to keep me waiting? Give it to me."Chu Qiao remained silent, her gaze fixed steadily on Zhuge Yue's indifferent eyes. The cold wind swept past, blowing through the space where their eyes met, like an ancient gust traversing the tracks of time. Those doubts, those tests, those hatreds were like stone steles firmly rooted along the tracks, never to fade away. It felt as though a long time had passed, yet it was only a moment. Chu Qiao extended her hand slowly, just as she had many years ago at the Lantern Festival, and handed over the sword in her palm.
"General Song, I asked you to summon her earlier precisely for this matter. I have a sword at Young Master Yan's Yingge Courtyard and was merely retrieving it from this maid."
Song Que nodded respectfully. "So that's how it is. I overstepped."
Zhuge Yue's eyes swept over the burly men lying haphazardly on the ground, his expression unchanged as he said calmly, "I sent you to fetch a sword, yet you're here sparring with the Wei Clan's young master's subordinates. This is utterly lawless. Is this how Young Master Yan disciplines his servants?"
Sparring?
Wei Shuyou's expression shifted, and he immediately grew angry. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Zhuge Yue turn to face him, looking at him calmly as he said in a deep voice, "Young Master Wei, I'll be taking this person with me first. This matter originated with me, and I will surely pay a visit to your residence another day."
With that, he turned to leave.
"This matter has nothing to do with the Fourth Young Master of the Zhuge family. Why are you forcibly taking responsibility for it?"
Wei Shuyou snorted coldly, his face dark and gloomy as he spoke in a low voice.
Zhuge Yue turned back, his brows slightly furrowed. "Are you suggesting I have ulterior motives and am meddling in others' affairs?"
"Newly promoted to the rank of Blade-Carrying Commander, and already so eager to equip your guards with crossbows to patrol the imperial city. Young Master Wei, your actions are rather hasty."
Wei Shuyou was furious, but before he could speak, Zhuge Yue continued, "Spreading today's events won't do you any good, Young Master Wei. You come from a noble family and should understand the stakes involved—distinguishing priorities and weighing consequences. Acting so recklessly and impulsively—even if Lord Wei Guang were here today, he wouldn't be pleased."
Wei Shuyou's eyes turned red, his lips pale, but he said nothing more.
How could he not understand the pros and cons? It was just that a resentment had been burning in his chest for seven years, and every time they met, it felt like a raging fire in his heart, impossible to endure.
"Let's go."
Zhuge Yue spoke calmly, turning his horse around. Song Que respectfully saw them off from behind. Chu Qiao glanced at Wei Shuyou's nearly blazing eyes, then followed behind Zhuge Yue.
Snow fell heavily from the sky as the sun set in the west and night descended. Along the long Xuandao Road, snow swirled and danced incessantly. Chu Qiao followed behind Zhuge Yue, gradually disappearing into the flurry of snow.
Wei Shuyou clenched his teeth, then suddenly let out an angry roar, kicking one of his subordinates in the abdomen before storming off in a rage.
The serene emerald lake was now blanketed in snow. The scenery on both banks was like a painting, with carved corridors and jade trees adorned in glistening white. An exquisite stone arch bridge spanned the lake, leading distantly to a small octagonal pavilion at the lake's center.
In the pavilion stood two figures. The man wore a purple sable cloak, his features handsome, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, carrying a faint hint of roguish charm. The woman was no more than fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a white fox fur cloak that made her appear even more delicate, elegant, and transcendent.
These two were none other than Zhuge Yue and Chu Qiao, who had just left Xuandao Road."I didn't save you. It's just that your sword was given by me, and I happened to dislike Wei Shuyou. There's no need for your gratitude."
The woman lifted her head, her expression cold. "I never intended to thank you."
Zhuge Yue smiled. "Still so stubborn. Seven years have passed, yet it seems Yan Xun hasn't taught you anything about flexibility."
"You're no different. It appears the sages of Wolong Mountain haven't taught you what foolishness is—you remain just as arrogant and conceited."
As soon as the words fell, Zhuge Yue's eyebrows arched, and his figure abruptly shot up, retreating swiftly backward. At the same moment, the girl who had been standing calmly suddenly dashed forward like lightning, her steps bizarre and her movements agile. She executed a small grappling technique, swift and precise. Zhuge Yue raised his arms to block, his hands parting and twisting as he grabbed for her wrists. Chu Qiao nimbly withdrew, flipped forward, and landed outside the pavilion, her feet stepping on the frozen lake's surface. The snow-covered ground instantly erupted into the air.
She drew the Can Hong sword wrapped in blue cloth, its blade sharp and gleaming, moving like a wandering dragon with unorthodox strikes. Her style blended wide, sweeping moves with intricate techniques, stirring up a whirlwind of snow that danced and twirled.
Without a suitable weapon at hand, Zhuge Yue casually broke off a plum branch in full bloom from the edge of the pavilion. The white plum blossoms suddenly met the attack.
From a distance, amidst the swirling wind and snow, on the frozen emerald lake, the vast snowscape stretched silver-white. Two agile figures tangled together, their moves fierce yet carrying an indescribable grace. A long wind swept across, filling the sky with snow and mist. Plum blossoms from both shores scattered and fell, red and white mingling with the fluttering snow, swirling and hovering in midair.
Chu Qiao's white fox fur cloak billowed in the wind as her three-foot green blade entangled like a dragon, momentarily holding her own against Zhuge Yue.
Just then, for some reason, her footing suddenly slipped, leaving her unsteady. Her long sword was struck by Zhuge Yue and instantly flew from her grasp. Chu Qiao was startled, bracing one hand on the ground to stand, but at that moment, a crisp crack sounded beneath her feet. The impact was too great—the ice layer split, and frigid lake water seeped through. The girl froze, letting out a low gasp, but it was too late to turn and flee. Her body trembled, and she began to fall downward.
In the blink of an eye, Zhuge Yue's expression darkened. His figure moved like a startled swan as he grabbed Chu Qiao's arm, gripping it tightly, and pulled her back with force.
"You're still so foolish!"
In that split second, a cold dagger pressed firmly against Zhuge Yue's throat. The girl's eyes were fierce, a cold smile curling her lips. "In the past, you were easily fooled by me. Now, after seven years, have you still made no progress?"
Zhuge Yue sneered, curling his lip disdainfully. "Must you always be so overconfident?"
Similarly, a sharp dagger was held in Zhuge Yue's palm, its blade pressed tightly against Chu Qiao's back. A slight thrust would strike a vital spot.
Tit for tat! Equally matched! The outcome remained undecided!
A cold wind suddenly rose, carrying icy snow that whipped against their faces. They stood close, breathing the same air, skin nearly touching. From afar, it might have looked like an intimate embrace, a heartfelt confession. Only the nearby wind, snow, and plum blossoms could sense the tension—how sharp and strained the atmosphere truly was."Zhuge Yue, the enmity between us runs deeper than the sea, with no hope of reconciliation. The only reason I'm not killing you today is because I don't want to implicate Yan Xun. I'll let you keep your head on your shoulders for now, but as long as I live, it will never truly belong to you."
Zhuge Yue sneered, "With what ability?"
"With mine!" Chu Qiao's voice rang firm and resolute, each word deliberate. "The children of the Jing family will not have died in vain."
"Fine!" Releasing his grip, he spun away and picked up the broken crimson sword from the ground. Standing beneath the plum tree, Zhuge Yue said coldly, "I'll wait for you. When you have the capability, come and reclaim this sword."
The northern wind swept fiercely as Chu Qiao stood in place, watching Zhuge Yue's retreating figure gradually fade into the distance. The hand at her side slowly clenched into a tight fist.
Everything that had just transpired was merely an act.
With her return imminent, there was no time to entangle with the Zhuge family. Back then, Zhuge Yue had spared her, concealing her identity and letting Xiao Ba take the fall—executed by lingchi as the assassin of the old master Zhuge. Now, his return marked the beginning of danger.
Let him wait—wait for her to seek vengeance. As long as he didn't strike first or expose her identity, it would buy precious time for Yan Xun.
Whether he believed it or not, it was a risk worth taking.
The winter plums bloomed fiercely, the setting sun as crimson as blood. The woman's slender figure stood alone on the vast frozen lake, appearing both desolate and unyieldingly strong.
Zhuge Yue did not look back. His brows were furrowed, his gaze profound, with sharp intensity clashing within.
"This person cannot be allowed to remain.Exiting the plum garden, the young master of the Zhuge family slowly lifted his face, letting the snowflakes dust his cheeks.
Time was running short. He could no longer passively wait for others to come to him, nor could he afford to give anyone the time and opportunity to grow stronger.
"Xing'er, do you still think Zhuge Yue is the same fourth young master from seven years ago?"
Seven years of trials, surviving amidst human cunning and treachery, witnessing endless bloodshed among kin—would he still be as gullible as he once was?
"Young Master." Zhu Cheng approached, presenting a sealed letter.
Zhuge Yue tore open the envelope, read its contents, then lit a match and burned the letter. In a grave tone, he asked, "What did he say?"
"He expressed willingness to form an alliance with you, Young Master. He promised that the Zhuge family would not be treated unfairly once his goals are achieved."
"Hah," Zhuge Yue let out a cold laugh. "That little wolf cub, still wallowing in the mud yet already dreaming of heavenly rewards. I'd rather support Zhao Che than watch him grow powerful."
"However, we can use him to drive a wedge between Zhao Che and the Muhe Clan."
Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow. "Did Father say that?"
Zhu Cheng nodded. "Yes."
"Good." Tossing aside the ashes of the burned letter, Zhuge Yue stared at the scattered remnants on the ground, murmuring, "Zhao Yang, the fourteenth imperial prince..."
"Young Master," Zhu Cheng called out as Zhuge Yue turned to leave, speaking softly, "About Xing'er..."
"Have her watched. If there's any unusual movement," he paused slightly, "proceed according to the original plan."
With that, he strode forward. Zhu Cheng stood frozen in place—original plan? What original plan? Elimination?
Just then, the departing figure suddenly halted and turned back, his voice low as he said, "Remember, she must be taken alive."
Zhu Cheng was startled by his own assumption and immediately dropped to his knees, exclaiming loudly, "This servant obeys!"The wind howled, and by the time he looked up, the person before him had vanished. (From the Forensic Qin Ming series)
Chu Qiao stood for a moment before leaving Plum Garden alone. On the other side of the emerald lake, flowering trees swayed and pines stood tall as A Jing and Yan Xun emerged at a leisurely pace.
"A Jing, when you lured Zhuge Yue to the Dark Gate Path earlier, did he notice you?"
"No," A Jing replied firmly in a low voice. "I was very careful."
Yan Xun nodded slowly, his voice deep and measured. "That's good."
"Crown Prince," A Jing frowned in confusion. "Why are you so certain that Zhuge Yue would help the young lady out of that situation?"
"Heh," Yan Xun chuckled softly. "Presumably, he's wondering the same question himself—why did he help A Chu out of that predicament?"
Yan Xun spoke words that A Jing couldn't comprehend: "In this world, perhaps only I alone understand him, know why he would do such a thing."
"A Jing, from now on you must stay alert. The Zhuge family has become involved, making the situation more complex. Double the number of night watchmen. If anyone is discovered, kill them immediately without exception."
A Jing was taken aback. "Kill? Crown Prince, is that acceptable?"
"Don't worry, it's absolutely acceptable. Because even if they suffer casualties, no one would dare speak out about it. The deeper and more chaotic these waters become, the more advantageous it is for us."
Yan Xun lifted his head, gazing at the gloomy sky, murmuring to himself: "It's time to make our move."
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