Deep night, wind and snow came hurtling.
A thin line of moonlight spilled through cracks in the clouds, falling on the ochre-yellow carriage at the heart of the Imperial Hunting Grounds.
The Son of Heaven’s imperial carriage had twelve sections, the long blue embroidered banners trailing on the ground, covered entirely in coiling gold dragons. Twenty white horses pulled at the front, vermilion silk nets and green canopies like clouds on both sides, twelve gold bells ringing out crisp echos in the wind and snow.
On the carriage seat inlaid with jade and gold, the carriage driver stared tensely ahead, fists clenched white around the reins.
Armored Imperial Guards clustered tightly in layers around the imperial entourage, forming an iron barrel blockade. Over the shrieking winds, warhorses stamped restlessly, the sounds of blades unsheathing resounded back and forth.
Silence echoed tangibly in all directions, heavy breathing clanking between armor.
Everyone awaited a great battle.
A “poff” sounded as a clump of snow tumbled from the tree branches onto the imperial carriage canopy, rolling down the eaves without a sound.
The carriage driver jolted, instinctively looking wildly around, but nothing was visible. He clutched his chest, inhaling deeply to steady his racing heart.
“Pardon me,” a mild voice spoke by his ear. “Let me borrow this carriage.”
The carriage driver whipped around! A young man in a conical hat dropped soundlessly from the tree behind, landing lightly and rapping him sharply on the head with a sword hilt before tossing him neatly off the carriage.
The young man spun into the carriage seat, hat brim lowered. His long sword flashedquickly shredding the long banners into strips, stripping decorative elements from the carriage before sheathing his blade. Gripping the reins tightly he snapped a long whip.
Twenty horses neighed in unison, charging forward!
“Ambush!” Imperial Guardsmen drew weapons one after another.
At the same time, the ground shook!
A thousand warhorses neighed approaching from the distance, kicking up fine swirling snow like thunder.
A thousand cavalry trampled through the snow as if a unsheathed blade slicing straight into the encirclement.
In the shrieking wind three hundred mounted archers broke from the ranks. Pulling bows taut they shot down the frontmost rank of foot soldiers. Seven hundred cavalry lancers charged into the enemy formation, their charge opening a bloody path for the oncoming imperial carriage.
Right after, three thousand Forest Guards burst out from the flanks, tangled in slaughter with six thousand Imperial Guards. In an instant chaos erupted within the hunting grounds, countless warhorses screaming wildly amidst the endless ringing clashes of steel.
“Stop that carriage!” someone yelled through the melee.
Twenty white horses neighed in chorus, hooves rising and falling. A squad of Guards charged from both sides to surround the carriage’s path.
Amidst neighing horses the young man in the carriage jerked the reins taut. Craning upwards he shouted brightly, “Little Bai the Master! I’ve troubled you!”
Before his voice faded another figure leaped down from the tree. A crisp girl’s voice roared, “Get lost!”
A lithe young girl landed at the carriage edge, wildly swinging a huge mace, single-handedly smashing back the encroaching hordes to clear a path forward.
The youth snapped the reins urging the white horses into a wild run, but more Guards flooded forth. The carriage was surrounded once more. He tightened his grip shouting again, “Young Master Tie, free today?”
A scholar in plain robes vaulted down from the tree, landing directly ahead of the carriage. His iron fan flashed coldly, countless fanning blades swirling like a typhoon, clanging aside the oncoming troops and leaving a blood sprayed road behind.
Guarded fore and aft, the carriage broke through the blockade to meet the thousand cavalry charging ahead from the flank. Galloping through the windy snow they raced towards the forest ahead.
Bai Ying and Tie Gongzi leaped down to join the slashing cavalry press, staunchly dragging the pursuing troops.
Just then, an arrow screamed towards the carriage!
Four warhorses burst from the struggling mass, bellowing straight for the carriage. The lead rider drew his bow, viperous arrow seeking the youth driving the carriage.
Hearing the arrow’s shriek the young man spun on the carriage seat, hooking longsword fingers. Swordlight flashed, incredibly swatting the incoming arrow aside in a circle.
Swiftly he snatched up a golden scaled bow from the carriage, nocking the arrow and drawing full string, standing firmly on the jostling carriage.
“Manager Duan!” he cried loudly. “I return this arrow!”
The arrow shot forth! A silvery streak split the air, the horseback man tumbling from his mount.
The youth turned back into his seat, gathering the reins. Only three of the four warhorses still chased bellowing after the carriage. Their greater speed soon caught up to the carriage just before it entered the forest.
Without looking back the youth in the carriage seat shouted ahead, “Rong’er!”
Then slicing the wood and rope traces he fled ahead pulled by one white horse, plunging into the forest’s density.
At the forest edge a slender shadow dropped down. The crimson robed woman grabbed a white horse’s reins in one hand, the other drawing a longsword to meet the three pursuers.
“Who goes there?” Barked Ruan Wuxi in the lead.
“Xing Shuang Sect, 19th disciple, Shangguan Rong,” the woman said coolly. “Today I take your life.”
High astride her horse, swordlight churned like raging blizzard through her hands.
On the other side of the forest, the carriage crashed over snowblown earth, swirling endless dancing snow.
Whipping the lone horse on, the youth lazily upended a winesack draining it. Calmly he gazed ahead.
“They’ve come chasing after all.” He murmured.
Accumulated snow blanketed the path where the Inner Minister Steward Yu Zhaoyuan emerged, dressed in imperial Weizi purple robes. Grasping a nine chi great blade, his horse rounded the bend ahead as a line of moonlight streamed gently through the trees, limning a man and mount in sparse cold radiance, the six chi keen edge glinting.
“Who dares abduct the Son of Heaven?” Lord Yu bellowed harshly.
“Isn’t the one abducting His Majesty Lord Yu himself?” The youth chuckled lightly.
Doffing his conical hat he cupped fists. “Xing Shuang Sect, first disciple’s son, Zhu Zi’an.”
“Master Pu Liu…” Lord Yu said coldly, “or should I say, Crown Prince. I’d wanted you dead, yet here you deliver yourself to my door.”
“I should return those words to Lord Yu,” Xie Wuyan smiled faintly. “Today I will surely kill you.”
Lord Yu’s face was expressionless. With a flick of his wrist the heavy blade tip slashed down.
Silence swelled unnaturally in the scant blink between the two. Snow floated soundlessly around them, wind stirring the snow laden leaves. Somewhere afar birds were crying.
Then the warhorse screamed wildly. Lord Yu hurtled his mount in a charge!
At the same moment Xie Wuyan whipped the carriage forward, galloping to meet him!
Lord Yu braced his feet in the stirrups and vaulted high atop his horse with a roar, giant frame oppressive as thunderclouds, great blade cleaving a howl from above!
Xie Wuyan gazed up from the carriage, gripping sword hilt, parrying over a shimmer of vibrating leaves.
Burgeoning swordlight came pouring like snowstorm! Countless spinning arcs diffuse the crashing knife wind. Churning energy blasted snow drifting down from trembling tree tips.
One carriage one mount brushed past each other.
Lord Yu landed back on his horse, hands clamped to his saber hilt. Xie Wuyan slipped off his carriage seat, half kneeling on the ground, longsword braced to hold himself up as he panted lightly.
He suddenly chuckled lowly.
Lord Yu froze briefly in surprise.
The next instant, the carriage canopy burst apart!
Instead of the Son of Heaven within, a long spear!
During the time Xie Wuyan had driven into the woods, hidden masters had already rescued the emperor. Right now hiding inside this carriage was the spear wielding girl, Jiang Kui.
This was a trap. Its purpose was to lure Lord Yu’s pursuit.
This was both their scheme. While Imperial Guards clashed fiercely with the Forest Army, Lord Yu had come chasing alone to seize the emperor. They would seize this chance to kill him on the spot.
The canopy tore and the arrow robed girl thrust out her spear! Long spear hauled up a swirling gale, stabbing straight at Lord Yu’s backheart atop his mount.
Caught unprepared, Lord Yu slashed down to meet it. Thick saber edge collided with the spearpoint, huge ringing vibrations rippling out as watery circles trembled on the blade.
Next instant, the great blade shattered!
The sword body fractured as if sliced paper, pieces crumbling down in a rain of steel to puff up fine snow and metal dust.
The girl landed slowly back on the carriage, gazing icy at Lord Yu.
Yet Lord Yu cackled wildly instead.
“You’ve planned very well,” he looked upon the pair, sighing regretfully. “Too bad…”
Tossing aside the broken sword he exhaled forcefully, bounding atop his horse and shooting both palms out. Gales shrieked out shaking the entire mountain forest as he rocketed over two zhang high! Thundering palms pressed down like hills, murderous aura flooding the skies.
The palm force was nearly suffocating. But the girl clenched her spear tightly, resolutely rising to meet it halfway.
Spear stab! Two contrary winds collided.
The entire mountain forest quivered slightly. Countless birds exploded into the air, churned snow crashing down in a sudden squall shrouding everything from sight.
Next second the carriage waist snapped cleanly!
In the raging storm the girl was blasted flying like a snapped kite, plunging straight from the carriage!
She abruptly fell into an embrace.
The scent of snowplums flooded her entire body snugly warm.
A gentle voice whispered by her ear, “I’m sorry…”
Identical inner energy poured steadily, almost flooding into her body, unceasingly gushing inside without end.
In that instant her injured channels were swiftly repaired, her inner turmoil rapidly settling. Spear gripping strength multiplied, spearpoint faintly vibrating with low hums.
Yet she desperately shook her head. “Xie Kang!”
“Focus,” he murmured by her ear.
Reaching both hands out he lightly covered her ears, helping her settle her chaotic mind.
She closed her eyes briefly, inhaling deeply the cold air. Both hands clamped firmly again on the spear’s butt.
Then once more, spear thrust!
A spear to topple cities.
The mountain forest rumbled! Nearly every snowflake leapt up, every tree branch shook free of clinging snow. Deafening spear wind hauled swirling snow to surge farther, farther, farther yet!
Her spear pierced the wind and snow, punching into open air.
Spearpoint nailing the enemy to a pine tree beneath.
Spattered blood landed on her amidst fluttering snow.
Releasing the spear she didn’t even glance at the dead man, only turned to run towards that person through the wind and snow.
The squall gradually faded. A line of dawn emerged from sky’s edge, lighting the snowy woods.
He leaned against a winter plum, drifts of snow covering his face. Head bowed lightly, eyes softly shut, as if merely napping this snowy dawn.
“Xie Kang!” She cried.
Half kneeling by his side she hugged him fiercely to her chest, pouring large amounts of inner energy trying to mend his wrecked channels, to oppose the deeply accumulated chill air.
Yet the influxing inner force dissipated like faint smoke, a gust scattering it all away.
His body slowly grew colder by increments.
“Xie Kang…” she desperately shouted. “Xie Kang, don’t sleep in the snow…”
He leaned weakly in her embrace, seemingly hearing her as he struggled to open his eyes a sliver.
“I’m going to sleep for a very long time,” he whispered gently.
His breaths slowly grew fainter in her arms, cool and quiet as a passing winter wind, instantly disappearing at a touch.
“You can’t sleep!” She screamed by his ear, voice going hoarse. “You promised to stay with me always…”
“I’m sorry,” he murmured again.
Shaking her head fiercely she hugged him tightly to her, burying her face by his neck. Her entire body quivered faintly.
His fingers trailing the snow twitched slightly, seeming to attempt hugging her back, but his strength had already depleted fully away.
He started losing consciousness bit by bit. Mustering everything he still struggled against the overwhelming urge to sleep, straining to gently comfort her further. “Don’t cry…Little Man, you promised me…”
His voice grew lighter, brokenly faint as if sleep talking. “My life was too short…yours still long…
“A few decades left…for you to live…until you’re…a granny…”
Finally he whispered, “Forget about me.”
“Xie Kang!” She yelled forcefully. “Don’t you sleep!”
“I’ll never forget you! I’ll remember you forever!”
She babbled out whatever came to mind, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.
“Even when I’m a granny I’ll still call for you everyday…bothering you everyday…keeping you from sleeping…”
The man in her arms seemed to breathe a faint laugh.
“Kang,” he answered weakly. “Too good to be true.”
He slowly shut his eyes, finally falling asleep all the same.
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