The white deer kneels and bows, appearing almost godlike.
Amidst the boundless mountain breeze Xie Wuyang slowly rises and returns the bow.
Man and deer gaze at each other beneath the luminous dawn. For that moment amidst heaven and earth, all falls silent. As if from beyond, the faint sound of flowing water rings out. Long-tailed birds alight and warble within the leafy canopy overhead. Wind rustles through chirping foliage, sweeping across the endless wilderness.
Xie Wuyang sways slightly and Jiang Kui steadies him from behind. They exchange a glance before Jiang Kui says softly, “Let it go on its way.”
Xie Wuyang gently replies, “Alright.”
Thus the white deer slowly turns and crosses the babbling stream to enter deep into the woods ahead, each step seeming to tread on clouds. For an instant serenity hangs over the entire mountain forest before the myriad sounds of the wild gradually swell up once more – grass and trees whispering, wind scattering leaves across the ground.
Xie Wuyang gives a muted cough and tiredly sits down, raising his head to look at Jiang Kui. “Thank you for last night…”
“No need to thank me,” Jiang Kui snorts without meeting his eyes. “It wasn’t for your sake. The futures of both your Eastern Palace faction and my family are intertwined, I did it for my own people.”
After a brief pause she curiously asks: “After you wake up do you always forget what happened?”
In the month they spent together she swiftly noticed this. Whenever Xie Wuyang wakes he appears to have completely forgotten the events prior to falling asleep. Sometimes he remains silent for a spell, observing Jiang Kui before tentatively sounding her out with a few words, attempting to grasp the situation without her noticing.
“Not every time,” Xie Wuyang says softly. “I…remember everything about last night.”
Jiang Kui’s face slightly reddens. She turns around with her back facing him, voice muffled as it drifts over. “You would do best to forget.”
Behind her Xie Wuyang smiles silently. “Alright.”
“Let’s go, mount up.” Jiang Kui stoops to grab the saddles, efficiently strapping them onto the horses before leading hers over to stand before Xie Wuyang. Tilting up her face she looks him over. “Given your current plight you shouldn’t go anywhere else. We’ll return to the Eastern Palace as swiftly as possible and throw you into the medicine pool.”
Xie Wuyang stubbornly shakes his head. “Go find Ruhang.”
He takes the reins from her and steps up to mount the stirrup but his body abruptly sways. He plunges straight down.
Jiang Kui jumps, hurrying forward to support him. He breathes heavily for a spell before shaking his head, pushing her hands away as he clutches the reins and uses all strength to pull himself onto the stirrup once more.
Only to topple down again.
Xie Wuyang stares silently at the reins in his hand.
Jiang Kui heaves a sigh before leading her horse over. “That’s enough. Ride together with me.”
She reaches out to pull the reins from his hand but he grips them tightly, attempting to mount the stirrup yet again. “I…can do this…”
Jiang Kui appears to recall something as she blinks twice. “Xie Wuyang… could it be you still mind what Beiyue said about you not being able to ride a horse?”
She gazes at him helplessly. “Her words were meant to provoke me, not you.”
Xie Wuyang offers a few muted coughs. Jiang Kui pats his back and assists him onto her horse before swinging up herself. Sitting in front of him she holds the reins as he bows his head despondently without another word.
“Ride!” She squeezes her legs against the horse’s flank.
With Jiang Kui leading astride one horse and Xie Wuyang behind her, the other riderless horse spiritually follows closely at their tail. The two steeds gallop through the mountain wilds side by side, hooves kicking up sandy gravel and swirling dust clouds, leaving a trail of flattened grass in their wake.
They break through a dense forest into an expansive prairie. Jiang Kui abruptly reins in her mount and calls back over her shoulder: “Do you know which direction to head in?”
She stills for a second. There is no response from the man behind her. The instant she tugged the reins forcing the horse to an abrupt standstill, the violent jerk almost causes him to topple straight off the horse’s back.
“Hey!” Jiang Kui hurriedly reaches back to brace his shoulders.
Xie Wuyang forces his eyes open, coughing weakly for some time as he struggles to remain seated on the horse’s back. Once his breath evens out he slowly says, “East… Ruhang is over there.”
Jiang Kui watches him for a spell, brows tightly knitted together. “You ought to immediately rest back at the Eastern Palace.”
Xie Wuyang shakes his head. “Ruhang.”
Given his stubborn insistence to meet Prince Wen despite the travails, there is high chance of even greater danger that way. Jiang Kui bites her lip before assenting, spurring her mount back into breakneck flight.
Wind whistles shrill in her ears. Once more the man behind her makes no sound at all. She hesitates briefly before twisting around in her saddle to glance back at him. She spies his look of exhaustion.
Her voice turns awkward. “If you really cannot endure… you may lean against me.”
Xie Wuyang murmurs, “Alright.”
Amidst the vast winds two horses race across the expansive prairie, their rolling dust clouds dancing amidst the swaying grass.
Xie Wuyang shuts both eyes, pillowing against the front maiden. Her fragrant hair billows towards him alongside the scents of grass, trees and the crisp sweetness of morning dew — bringing warmth and tranquility.
He drifts asleep amidst the winds.
“Rip—”
Xie Cheng tears off a swathe of unsullied robe with her bare hands, fully intending to bandage Xie Ruhang.
“Chengbei, I’m fine,” Xie Ruhang chuckles lightly, brushing her hands aside. “Truly fine.”
The sounds of clashing blades surround them on all sides. They have been locked in bitter fight for half the night already.
Prince Wen’s convoy was ambushed at dusk. Xie Ruhang seemed to anticipate an assault yet vastly underestimated the scale of attackers. The group slowly retreated into the shelter of dense woods on his orders to leverage the tall trees for cover as they battled the enemy.
While retreating Xie Ruhang shielded Xie Cheng from an arrow at the cost of his own injury. The projectile barely grazed past him, a shallow wound that nevertheless startled Xie Cheng badly as this was her first skirmish.
“Chengbei, don’t be scared,” Xie Ruhang strokes her head comfortingly. “As a princess you must learn to remain calm during danger.”
His broad, warm palm helps settle Xie Cheng. She schools her expression into one of composure.
The encirclement rapidly tightens. Foes continue to attack in droves as more defenders fall from increasing hits. At first Xie Cheng believes that after persisting half an hour reinforcements from the Imperial Guards on patrol will arrive to turn the tide… yet midnight has already passed without any sign of rescue.
Xie Ruhang’s brows gradually knit together. “I wasn’t counting on the Imperial Guards. I’m waiting for Wuyang. We agreed earlier to suspect the hunting grounds may harbour assassins targeting me. If that occurs I would retreat here and he would set up an ambush in advance. Our plan was to lure the attackers out for a decisive blow, capturing some alive for interrogation on who orchestrated this.”
“But he hasn’t come…” Xie Ruhang ponders with a vague sense of disquiet. “Could it be the enemy is truly so audacious and powerful to attack both him and I simultaneously?”
A fresh wave of arrows rain down with more injured defenders collapsing. The remaining guards staunchly surround Xie Ruhang and Xie Cheng at the center, clustering protectively. The skirmish enters hand-to-hand combat as their foes in the woods pull tighter to them once more. The ominous scrape of blades leaving scabbards echoes as shadowy figures creep nearer.
Xie Ruhang unsheathes a longsword, gripping the hilt with poised tip angled forward. His tutelage focused solely on the scholarly arts, nothing of martial skills. But pushed to such dire straits he has no choice but to take up arms regardless of lacking ability.
Just then the shrill neigh of a warhorse rings out from the woods!
A cavalry unit bursts out from the trees. Arrows pierce the skies in a relentless sleet to take down the waves of attackers. What follows are the unceasing clashes of steel ringing as rider and footsoldier join in fierce combat, the victor unclear.
A dark steed breaks out from the chaos like thunder through clouds and rain. The black-armored youth on its back slashes aside rows of enemies as he reins to a stop before Xie Ruhang, dismounting to cup fists respectfully. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Captain Luo,” Xie Ruhang returns the courtesy.
“Captain Luo!” Xie Cheng exclaims.
As a regular visitor to the Eastern Palace grounds Xie Cheng would often try to sneak off guard patrols to pilfer lotus roots. Thus she is quite familiar with the sentries, Captain Luo’s exploits often circulating as gossip.
Each of the Crown Prince’s personal Left and Right Guards have a Captain and two Vice Captains. The most mysterious among them is this Vice Captain Luo from the Left Guards. His elusiveness stems from barely making any public appearance, to the point even his given name remains unknown. People only know his surname Luo, likely a descendant of some branch lineage from the prominent Crimson Lotus Luo Clan.
Yet that aloof Vice Captain Luo now stands right before their eyes. His youth astonishes – seemingly still a teenager despite the cold and seasoned maturity belying his age that discourages unnecessary intimacy.
Xie Ruhang surveys his surroundings with a frown. “Where is Wuyang?”
Vice Captain Luo deeply bows his head. “This subordinate has failed his duty. His Highness…his location is currently unknown.”
“What happened?” Xie Ruhang’s expression shifts subtly.
“His Royal Highness made arrangements with me to meet after his return from the hunt before coming here together. However…he was also attacked.” Vice Captain Luo softly reports. “By the time my troops rushed over night had already fallen with grievous casualties amongst his guards. According to the Captain of the Guard, His Highness already slipped through the encirclement alone. His current whereabouts remain a mystery.”
Xie Ruhang’s mien turns solemn. “Since your arrival is later than the decided time, I guessed Wuyang may have met trouble as well…Duke Qi alone does not have the courage or ability to simultaneously strike at both him and I. As expected there are others pulling the strings.”
Vice Captain Luo hangs his head. “Ever since the banquet I had people investigating on my lord’s orders…I was incompetent.”
Another whinny cuts through the forest!
The conversing duo jerk up their heads simultaneously.
A lone rider emerges clad in black without any armor, a lone hand wielding a blade as the stallion charges forth. From astride he brandishes the huge saber, the whistling edge stirring up a torrent of air!
“Your Highness, danger!” Vice Captain Luo steps forth saber drawn. “Please retreat!”
He recognizes that rider in black. At Tonghua Gate with a single slash he severed Jiang Kui’s spear before effortlessly fighting three people at once. After crossing palms with Xie Wuyang it induced a bout of severe chills and unconsciousness.
Vice Captain Luo deeply exhales, gripping his curved sword as he spurs his mount onwards!
Amidst dense woods two warhorses charge towards each other at full gallop! Rolling thunderous hoofbeats startle all birds from the surrounding woods into frantic flight just as their ironshoes trample fallen leaves into the mud. Curved blade clashes with broadsword, the piercing screech of steel nearly shattering eardrums.
The two narrowly brush past one another astride their steeds.
Vice Captain Luo plummets from his saddle to one knee on the ground. Supporting himself with his saber stabbed into earth, a long gash splits his chest armour with blood splattering the chaotic foliage around him.
“Run, Your Highness!” He roars hoarsely.
But Xie Ruhang has no opportunity to flee at all. That sable-robed horseman astonishingly rises to full height atop his still-galloping mount. Raising the lengthy cleaver high overhead with both hands clasped around the hilt, he hurtles through air to crash down with a mighty chop!
“Chengbei, move aside!” Xie Ruhang yanks Xie Cheng towards himself.
Xie Cheng vehemently shakes her head, gritting teeth while throwing both arms wide to shield Xie Ruhang. Beneath lustrous brows her petite face is etched with steely resolve towards inevitable doom.
Abruptly all timidity and panic evaporates away. Squaring off against the swooping blade she stands firm as a mountain, stalwart as a fortress wall.
“Chengbei!” Xie Ruhang shouts harshly.
Never has he used such a fierce tone that nevertheless fails to frighten her at all. Nearly wrenching her shoulders in his grip, he shoves her aside with all strength. She tumbles to the ground, glossy teardrops glinting in her eyes.
Xie Ruhang lifts his head to meet the descending death blow.
Yet the anticipated end does not arrive.
The resounding chime of steel-on-steel echoes amidst the woods.
A swordswoman darts through the melee, movements lithe and nimble as deer. Every step leaves bloody carnage in her wake until she draws up her sword to block the gap between Xie Ruhang and the black-garbed horseman!
She withstands the crushing blow!
A thrumming vibration rattles out as sword grinds against broadsword.
The woman’s feet sink inch by inch into the soft loam. She muffles a cough just as the black-garbed rider snorts disdainfully once, pulling back his tremendous saber to regain his stance atop the horse as they eye one another warily.
The swordswoman shields Xie Ruhang, frosted edge poised motionlessly akin to unstirred waters.
“May I have the honor of your name, Miss?” Xie Ruhang inquires.
“A Rong,” the sword-bearing woman casually flicks blood from her lips as she replies blandly. “It matters not.”
“You have my gratitude for coming to our aid.”
“No need for thanks. I was hired by someone and only here for the money. My original orders were to kill you.”
She shakes her unbound hair loose and lifts up her sword, gaze boring into her mounted foe. The bloodied strands fluttering wildly in the wind accentuate the keenness of her blade and glinting eyes — as if she herself is a streak of flashing frost.
The rider in black examines the grip she holds her weapon with before slowly remarking in a low tone: “To still encounter this sword style on the jianghu…how unexpected.”
“I did not ask for your opinion,” A Rong says evenly.
Once again she flourishes her sword and springs forth! In the darkened woods slicing sabers endlessly hack through the shadows in blinding exchange — the dense metallic barrage like the entire chime of sixty-five bronze bells playing in unison.
Gradually A Rong loses more ground. Her sandaled feet sink deeper into the muck at every clash. With a fierce shout she flicks fresh blood from her lips again before angling her sword up lightly. Icy radiance whirls around the glinting tip, conjuring a blizzard of dancing snowflakes that shoots towards his throat.
The sable swordsman lifts his own hefty weapon to counter! His immense strength cleaves apart her frigid squall, pitilessly hacking without mercy towards A Rong’s form!
“Too young!” His gravelly laughter jeers. “Too young! What a pity for this sword to break in my hands!”
Suddenly, a fourth warhorse neighs resoundingly…no, nearer to three hundred!
In the next instant, three hundred cavalry materialize from the dense forests to slowly encircle the fighters within their midst. The steady cadence of their hoofbeats resounds as bowstring after bowstring draws taut. Endless bristling arrowheads glimmer ominously beneath the canopy shadows.
Then a bejewelled phoenix-crested carriage parts the crowds and halts serenely before them.
A magnificently robed woman steps down as the shimmering tassels flutter aside, casually righting the swaying golden hairpin in the gentle breeze.
Amongst the masses Xie Ruhang straightens up and greets her with a bow. “Princess Yongjia, it has been awhile.”
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