Her fingers gave a faint tremor as she slowly traced down, brushing away the frosted flakes clinging to his lashes.
“So cold,” she murmured, a note of complaint entering her tone. “Aren’t you freezing?”
“Absolutely frigid. Nearly frozen stiff in fact,” he replied lightly, stamping his feet free of powder before stretching both arms overhead with a jaw cracking yawn. “Let’s head back.”
From within, he retrieved a wineskin for a slow swig of something warming that finally eased the endless shivers wracking his frame. Jiang Kui turned towards him, imperiously extending a demanding palm. “I want some too.”
“Not a chance.” His grin flashed bright with mischief. “Far too pricey for sharing. I can barely stand drinking it myself.”
She pouted sullenly. “Stingy.”
“As if we only just met.” Another lazy ripple of lean muscle as he flexed his shoulders, clearly enjoying teasing her. “Quickly now, we need to review plans one more time then sleep.”
They slipped back through the window to pour over scattered diagrams by candlelight, heads bent in murmured discussion finalizing arrangements. Jiang brushed flowing strokes over the papers, occasionally prompted by Zhu’s quiet interjections as he propped his chin on steepled fingers in thought.
“With roads blocked by the storm, many will be forced to shelter here at San Jia Dian town,” he mused.
Jiang flipped through several folded notices with a contemplative frown creasing her brow. “The intermediary known as ‘Elder White’ has covertly released astronomical bounties, doubtless drawing martial artists to convene and ambush my family enroute.” *
Zhu stifled another yawn behind his palm. “We’ll have to identify and handle them. No allies positioned here beyond the capital. Completely reliant on your leads.” *
She nodded briskly. “I’ll dispatch orders via the Northern Beggar Sect to scout for suspicious newcomers. We’ll likely be quite busy these next days. Enemies will trickle in waves rather than outright attacking in force. But they’ll consist of highly skilled fighters.” *
“Mere footsoldiers pose no threat.” Zhu seemed wholly unconcerned, tone still lazy. “That old fox likely doesn’t expect those bounties useful beyond testing if I intervene on the general’s behalf.” *
“He remains rather fascinated by this ‘Patriarch Geng’ persona,” Jiang flicked an assessing glance his way. “Never mind you haven’t published any notices about my family. He still believes you may get involved.” *
“Suspects ties to the imperial court after probing during our first meeting at Ping Kang borough.” *
Zhu failed to smother another huge yawn. “I avoid court intrigues. This time I’m acting out of personal friendship without utilizing underground connections. Doubt the old bandit discerned anything concrete.” *
A frosty gleam entered his eyes as they narrowed fractionally. “But make no mistake… he’s now my enemy. And I will slaughter him.” *
The soft utterance carried a bone-chilling promise.
Jiang hesitated, cautioning seriously, “Don’t be rash. From what I know, this black-robed Demon Envoy has intimate access to the inner palaces as the powerful eunuch Supervisor Yu. Any suspicions towards you may prompt covert retaliation outside the martial world’s jurisdiction.” *
“I’m aware.” He inclined his head.
“Let’s shift topics.” Zhu tapped the spread documents. “Various wandering swordsmen tempted by bounties will be simple to counter. Real trouble starts after we leave San Jia Dian towards Blue Pass. THEN the South Beggars may strike enroute.” *
Jiang pondered deeply before musing, “A rather risky idea comes to mind…”
Zhu’s smile held tolerant fondness. “Neither of us shy from danger after all.”
Amidst intermittent coal crackles they hashed out a workable strategy before she neatly rolled up the finished outline, cheeks pillowed on folded arms to watch her partner. He had gradually slumped over the table, head pillowed on one elbow and eyes peacefully closed in exhausted slumber.
Candle flames danced over his faint frown. On sudden impulse, she reached out to lightly trace the strained lines bracketing his eyes – hesitating at the last second so her hovering fingertips just barely grazed skin.
Long lashes slowly lifted as he blinked up at her, chagrined laughter spilling past his lips. “Apologies… nearly drifted off just now.”
Jiang gave an acknowledging tilt of her chin. After wishing her good night, Zhu shuffled over to his claimed corner and cocooned into blankets with a huge yawn. Soon nothing peeked out save tousled hair.
She watched him a while longer before extinguishing the lamps. Navigating by dim snow glow towards bed, she carefully settled atop the covers still fully dressed – facing her slumbering companion upon his makeshift nest.
Next morning brought windless snowfall, thick flakes plunging straight down to shroud buildings and trees alike under muffled silence.
Roused by movement nearby, Jiang turned from the frosted window she had been meditatively regarding the hypnotic dance of icy motes beyond. On the table rested covered dishes wafting savory aromas alongside a pot of gently steaming tea.
“Eat first after freshening up,” she informed the sleepy young man scrubbing at his face. “Just received an update from the Beggar Sect. We’ll be heading into town shortly.”
“Mm.” Still blinking back vestiges of sleep, Zhu obediently went to clean up.
Their breath plumed whitely through the crystalline air as they trudged towards the sole tavern in San Jia Dian, snow crunching underfoot…
Even at this early hour, the building blazed with light and rang loud with boisterous laughter alongside clinking cups. Merchants, wandering martial artists, students journeying to sit for the civil exams – all travel weary souls passing along the main trade artery congregated here for respite. Business never ebbed, day or night.
Pushing through hanging strands of coins past the threshold released an intense wall of sensations – piping hot dishes aromatic alongside the mellow fragrance of fine wine. Patrons packed shoulder to shoulder, lively discussions and impromptu toasting over brimming cups. Servers expertly threaded through without spilling a drop, heading towards curtained alcoves further within that muffled raucous groups…
One such private chamber had been secured by a party that instantly marked themselves as highly dangerous.
Uniformly garbed for combat with visible weaponry, the dozen dangerous looking fighters had a certain restless violence to their manner belying hair-trigger tempers. Some wore only open robes displaying impressive musculature with thick chains strapped across bared chests. One appeared a ragged scholar but kept a naked blade close to hand. Their self-appointed leader was an aged veteran with long, shaggy beard gripping a high quality wineskin and idly stroking his sword’s pommel.
This gathering consisted of disparate bands assembled to collaborate for an exceptionally perilous and profitable bounty issued through the shadowy underground information network…
Now the grizzled elder smoothly twisted his wrist, ejecting an pearly unbroken stream of wine to perfectly brim each extended cup then lifted his own vessel in salute. “Fine fortune brings us together, brothers! Bottom’s up!”
Amidst echoing shouts of camaraderie, all were on the verge of imbibing when a courteous rap at the door gave them abrupt pause – its deliberation conveying utter calm when any ordinary patron would have simply entered.
In the next breath, an unfamiliar polite voice carried clearly to their ears. “Might several seats at your table remain unclaimed? If I may be so bold, I’ve heard praise for this establishment’s wine and simply had to sample some.”
So mild yet it simultaneously set every man bristling in surprise for underlying steel. Sounds of live steel unsheathing instantly broke the taut silence as they traded loaded glances towards the fluttering window curtain…
Clearly limned against the gauzy screen loomed an elegant silhouette. Seeming quite young but wearing refinement with unconscious nobility.
“Let him enter.” The white-bearded man gestured curtly.
With visible reluctance, the brawny fighter closest reluctantly slid the painted door ajar. Framed within stood a refined looking gentleman bearing a wineskin over one shoulder, lazily appraising them from beneath casually dropped lids. His courteous smile conveyed only idle curiosity – as though they were simply fellow connoisseurs of good drink he hoped to share libations with on a whim.
Yet before the newcomer could cross the threshold, a rough voice barked out in shock, “Patriarch Geng?!” *
Ripples of disquiet now stirred the group, covert whispers circulating amongst those who had heard legends about this mysterious character… yet never anticipated someone so young.
“Well spotted, I’m afraid.” The elegant young man gave an unconcerned chuckle, wholly untroubled by recognition. “To what do I owe the pleasure, gentleman?” His tone remained light, as though they were all bosom friends and he had merely stopped by on social call.
The white haired leader sternly demanded, “State your purpose here.” Wary of needlessly offending someone so influential.
“Nothing beyond a great thirst upon hearing praise for this establishment’s wine quality.” The careless smile didn’t waver. “Might I trouble you fellows for a humble cup?”
A weighty pause before their elder slowly poured out more liquor with a casual flip of his wrist – shooting the streaming mouthful straight towards the young man’s face!
Casually as swatting a fly, those deceptively slender fingers tapped the moment it came within range. The ceramic cup’s trajectory instantly arrested, dropping neatly into his grasp without spilling a single bead of wine.
After slowly draining the cup dry, the elegant gentleman laughed. “Superb indeed! Much obliged.”
“My friends, pray excuse the intrusion.” Their host rose to his feet and bowed in dismissal. “These old bones grow weary so I shall take my leave.”
“Please, one last request if you would permit it…” The mild voice halted him mid-bow.
“How may this one assist?” The bearded elder sank back down warily.
“Word reached my ears concerning a most sanguine bounty drawing many rivers and lakes masters to this little hamlet.” * The pleasant young man sipped again, wholly relaxed. “Might I prevail upon you gentleman to kindly withdraw from such gruesome affairs?” *
Their reaction was instant outrage.
This contract represented a grossly profitable windfall. Moreover these desperadoes fully acknowledged themselves dead men walking yet still dared the attempt – success would set them up in luxury possibly for life.
Now this brat thought to deny their payday and escape unscathed?!
“If we refuse…?” The gruff challenge held a dangerous rumble.
The careless grin sharpened. “Then you leave me no choice but to take out the trash.”
His parting words unleashed chaos – the confined space exploding into violence!
Roaring oaths mixed with ringing steel. Tables crashed aside under their stampede towards death and dismemberment…
Only to pull up short as their sole focus turned to the irritating interloper still standing utterly motionless in the doorway wearing that infuriating smirk.
One hand idly stroking his sword hilt while the other raised in mocking salute, crystal clear amusement laced the indolent voice. “Time to dance, little knight.”
An outraged shriek answered. “Who’re you calling little?!”
Then a long spear arced down from the rafters overhead!
Wielding it, the slim girl in dark green slippers alighted weightlessly amidst them. Her whirling weapon smashed aside slashing blades, forcing the mob to stumble over debris and each other. Sprawled on the floor slippery with wine they were just clambering back upright when the unknown fighter took stance before Zhu – snapping out glorious ink dark tresses like the shake of a leopard’s majestic ruff before fluidly spiraling into their midst.
Spear whistling silver blurs through the air, after a dizzying flurry punctuated by resounding clangs, the sturdy table splintered cleanly in two. Cups sprayed in all directions amidst shattering porcelain and loud groans or worse from those knocked unconscious.
Zhu leaned against the doorway pinching the bridge of his nose in profound dismay. “Again with the overkill…” He sighed heavily, anticipating the damages they would doubtless be billed for later. “So very expensive.”
Jiang ignored him, idly using the spear haft to prod the slumped forms. “Cheapskate.”
“Troublesome girl, you’ve no concept of money’s worth.” Zhu shook his head mournfully and commenced binding up the subdued bounty hunters. Soon finished, he dusted off his hands and hooked thumbs smugly under his belt. “Now then! All packaged for travel.”
Raising both eyebrows, Jiang wordlessly stooped to seize the end of the rope leash and proceeded dragging their involuntary baggage outside.
Zhu led the way down a winding path to stow prisoners inside a boarded up cellar on the town outskirts. They would be contained until certain the general’s party had reached safety at Blue Pass.
Enroute lay an overgrown courtyard long fallen into disrepair after its manor house collapsed. Zhu scythed down waist high grass and weeds with a broken tree branch. “Watch your step please.”
Unnoticed by the pair, one bandit was rousing early… With an ugly glare he suddenly lashed out horizontal from the ground, concealed wrist mounted blade glinting ominously!
Jiang barely registered the faint whistle before disaster loomed beyond evasion. She desperately twisted aside but too slow – doom mere inches from punching under her shoulder blade…
Abruptly Zhu pivoted on his heel and intervened. Lilting melody of leaf on leaf marked his impromptu weapon – shorn end of wood intercepting the sneak attack. A negligent flick of his wrist sent the small blade spinning from nerveless fingers.
Then in less than a blink, the makeshift switch transformed. Given speed no human eye could follow, its razor tip embedded deep in vulnerable flesh.
“I’ve no wish to kill.” The quiet statement held glacial promise.
Mere severed kindling yet somehow the sheer intensity of focus became an icy blade pricking skin, freezing marrow and blood. Stuttering pleas for mercy gushed nonstop from the other man now quaking uncontrollably until a precisely aimed blow efficiently rendered him insensate.
Zhu exhaled slowly as his frame relaxed from utmost tension. “Any louder would have roused suspicion… else you would already be dead.”
“Zhu Zi’an.” Jiang’s call brought his attention back to her.
A stray beam of light at the perfect angle… his grip and stance in that split second of interveneing – so achingly familiar. Where had she glimpsed such peerless swordsmanship before?
“What style was that you just used?” She carefully enunciated each word.
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