A blustery gale swept across the vast snowfield.
The two mounted forces faced off, ringing steel punctuating the frigid air.
Dismounting after an exchange, Demon Envoy Yu surveyed Jiang Kui with a vulturine glare promising murder. “Well girl, no reinforcements this time. What can you alone do to stop me?”
Jiang laughed brightly, tossing back unbound tresses. “Geezer, I spared you last time. Care to try your luck again?” Her heels pushed off the prison wagon as she lunged forward speartip gleaming!
“Arrogant brat!” Yu snorted derisively, hefting his huge saber aloft!
Sparks flew violently from the weapons’ clash, the explosive collision’s shockwave churning snowflakes into blinding cyclones. Squinting against gusts threatening her stance, Jiang leapt into a backwards somersault through the turbulence before using the spear to neatly vault astride her galloping mount once more.
“Again!” She cried joyously, seizing the reins to wheel her horse about in a spray of powder.
Both riders now thundered towards each other, hooves churning clouds in their wake. Jiang released the leather straps to grip her spear low by its weighted end, bracing the slivery tip unwaveringly forward.
The legendary Chui Cheng – Severing Retreat – a lethal one strike certain to fell the opponent. *
Realizing slim odds of evading such a gambit, Yu immediately abandoned weapons to shift into unarmed style. Swaying atop the saddle, he inhaled deeply, summoning immense inner power into both palms that slowly pushed out to meet the oncoming spearpoint.
Snow billowed wildly around two horses brushing past each other ear-to-ear!
Jiang’s merry laughter rang clearly amidst the blizzard. “I don’t fight alone!”
A dawn glow suffused the heavens suddenly darkening under Zhu’s sweeping sword blossoms, relentless tides of radiance surging in from Yu’s rear guard. While Jiang pressed the frontal charge, Zhu’s flashing signals neatly hemmed their mark within an inescapable arena of light. Spear and sword seamlessly coordinating as though long accustomed – their debut cooperation near flawless.
“Inspector!” Luo XI reined up before the convoy, fist clasped over chest towards the official overseeing prisoner transport. “Ambushers approach. Priority rests with securing the accused’s departure!”
Other sect reinforcements had engaged the enemy while Luo chose to personally obstruct the South Beggar leaders, buying time for the wagons to leave the danger zone.
Crackling length of braided leather at the ready, Ruan Wuji soared high astride his galloping mount. Twin threats approached from both flanks – Zhao Buqun’s mighty war hammer and Zhang Yunshan’s twinned sabers. Luo flew to meet all three head-on!
The dark clothed youth exploded upwards from his saddle in a eyeblink. Amidst the abandoned hat only a curving silhouette could be glimpsed…
Weapons crashed thunderously together yet the sliced hat drifted lazily down. Then suddenly its wearer plummeted within range towards Ruan’s vulnerable throat, scythe-like blade keening a fatal arc through the frigid air!
“Brother, beware!” Zhao’s bellowed warning accompanied the crushing hammerblow ricocheting off gleaming metal.
Luo’s strange sword strobed too fast to follow, somehow warping distance to appear instantly stabbing towards Zhao’s wrist between blinks.
Zhang sneered contemptously and started his paired weapons spinning – only for the deceptive sword to meet his swirling offense!
“The two of us will pin this brat down.” Zhang commanded the sect leader. “Elder brother, seize this chance to capture the prisoners!”
Hemmed in by their mounts amidst a blistering assault, no chance remained for Luo to assist the fleeing wagon train. Taking prompt advantage, Ruan snapped his whip and raced after the cumbersome vehicle lagging further and further behind.
Once through the nearby passage, their route opened onto the wide official causeway. Constant patrols and checkpoints would guarante safe conduct so this narrow window was Ruan’s only opportunity.
Taut humming sliced the frigid air – loosing an arrow already nocked to full draw!
There atop the snow plain reined South Beggar Chief, Duantian De, leisurely taking aim upon the wagon’s precious cargo – the disgraced general marked for death by royal decree. Ever the cunning viper, this poisonous foe avoided participating in the actual battle, choosing instead to ambush inevitable survivors marching towards shelter.
Eyes narrowing against the shrieking gusts, Jiang Kui cried out in anguish towards her endangered father. Spurring her stallion forward, she desperately tried intercepting the missile yet Yu’s derisive laughter presaged a shockwave blast that sent her skidding away.
The veteran master angled his bow contemplatively. A single bitter smile as the taut string loosed.
Lethal promise arced through the swirling snow!
Thundering hooves drowned all else!
At some point amidst struggling to free herself from Yu’s relentless assault, Zhu had managed to break completely clear. Now he charged wildly across the killing field towards the deadly trajectory. Flinging himself vertical atop the saddleback, boots braced wide for balance, his upraised sword shimmered into a bulwark shielding the convoy ahead.
A single frozen heartbeat.
Blossoming blades sheared the arrow to harmless fragments peppering his frame like icy needles – though one deeply grazing his shoulder through torn cloth.
Zhu exhaled heavily but quickly called out, “Xiaoman!”
The instant diversion worked perfectly. Seizing advantage of Yu’s lapse in focus, Jiang drove her spear savagely forward to knock him from the rearing horse onto the trampled snow!
“Master!” Zhang Yunshan immediately reacted to catch Yu before the heavyset man could be trampled by milling hooves. Safe in the saddle before him, Yu rasped, “Fall back!”
The South Beggars swiftly withdrew, leaving only scattered armaments and crimson spatters rapidly disappearing under fresh accumulation.
More thick flakes swirled down, nature’s intermittent silencing of humanity’s ceaseless conflicts.
“Zi’an!” Jiang maneuvered her snorting mount next to his.
“It’s fine.” Zhu attempted reassurance despite obviously favoring one shoulder. He smiled while tugging free the voluminous cloak he had cushioned earlier as impromptu saddle pad. A careless shrug sent the garment rippling down his lean frame.
Soon a subordinate separated from the milling fighters to offer clipped report and receive orders dispersing their makeshift squadron before melting into the worsening flurries.
Only the two girls remained, walking their horses closer for quiet conversation. “Working hard I see!” Jiang teased the smiling maid.
Xiao Qing seized her former mistress’ hand, fussing over certain things only intimate attendants might notice. “When did you become so skilled in hair ornaments, my lady?” She marveled at the elegant loops and jeweled pins.
“Mm-hm.” Jiang hummed noncommittally.
Next the anxious Luo stepped over, hardly able to disguise poorly concealed worry towards Zhu – who lightly shook his head in refusal when the other moved as if to assist him.
Zhu glanced up at the darkening horizon. “Still some ways from Blue Pass. If that stubborn old bandit attempts further assassination, it would fall within this stretch of journey.”
Picking up his cue, Jiang continued outlining, “Limited numbers to avoid suspicion from officials ahead. Most likely small covert attacks we can easily overwhelm.”
She smiled warmly at Xiao Qing, covering the hand clutching hers. “Guarding us all this time… you’ve worked hard.”
The petite girl stubbornly shook her head. “It’s nothing. I owe the general’s estate a debt of gratitude.”
Xiao Qing fell briefly silent as though struggling internally before resolutely meeting Jiang’s fond gaze. “I’ll accompany them all the way to exile in Feng Prefecture.” *
Jiang’s breath caught, rendered momentarily speechless.
“Please my lady, no need for thanks,” Xiao Qing gave her hair another fond ruffle. “Three thousand li into banishment and another three thousand home. His Majesty will declare amnesty eventually. We’ll return together, yes? Let me dress your hair properly then!”
Unable to speak, Jiang simply embraced her tightly.
Parting reluctantly, both young women blinked back sentimental tears.
“I’ll await everyone’s homecoming in Chang’an,” Jiang finally managed thickly.
Xiao Qing beamed through watery eyes. “When that joyous day arrives, I’ll bring you the sweetest Lychees from Lingnan!” *
Jiang nodded hard, not trusting her voice.
Pale sunlight gradually vanished as snowfall intensified. Having bid their farewells, Xiao Qing and Luo rode ahead to rejoin the convoy while Jiang and Zhu followed further back – gazing after the fading figures until swirling white obscured everything.
Donning wide bamboo hats against the weather, they proceeded in single file – sporadic dialogue carrying between.
“Dying for a drink,” Zhu randomly commented through chattering teeth.
His muted words nearly scattered amongst snowflakes before reaching Jiang. “Since when did you start enjoying alcohol so much?” She asked curiously. “You’ve been hitting the wine nonstop recently.”
“Just this stretch I suppose.” Even his tone sounded lazy. “Didn’t I already say? It’s freezing. Hot wine warms me up.”
Jiang smiled unseen. “Once we’re back, drinks are on me! I’ll treat you to the best cassia flower wine at any teahouse along East Villa Lane.” *
“Sounds perfect.” His grin was obvious despite layers of cloth concealing their faces. “How surprisingly gracious. I’m touched~”
“It’s only right after imposing so greatly these days,” she shot back primly. “Anything else you might want? I intend expressing fullest gratitude.”
“Ah…” The barest whisper behind her.
“What does ‘ah’ mean?” Jiang blinked rapidly in confusion. “Go ahead and tell me if there’s something you want.”
No reply came.
“Zi’an?” She turned to check on him.
Slumped in the saddle, his loosening grip slowly slid free of the reins. Then with frightening abruptness, he toppled sideways off the horse into the thick snow!
“Zi’an!!”
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