Looking into the distance, it was clear that someone had set fire to Peizhuang. The sky was a deep, heavy red, with thick, billowing smoke.
Murong Shuangfei glanced at the billowing smoke, initially with indifference, but something flashed through his mind, and he hurriedly turned back, his expression suddenly freezing. He had been so busy with the evacuation of the One Leaf Alliance that he had completely forgotten to check on Zhuang Su's whereabouts. Had she already left after informing him?
Su Qiao, who was standing next to him, glanced at his expression and asked, "Shuangfei, what's wrong?"
"Xiao Qiao, Su Su... she might still be in Pei Zhuang?"
"Su!...Su Su?" Su Qiao almost shouted out loud, then hurriedly lowered her voice, "How could she be here?"
Murong Shuangfei said with distress, "It was she who informed me that I was going to be ambushed today. But she may have already left and may not be trapped there." She said this to herself, but it was only to comfort herself. For once, the smile on her face was gone, replaced by a hint of worry.
Su Qiao's face paled slightly. She turned around abruptly, about to mount her horse, when Murong Shuangfei turned around and grabbed her, saying, "Xiao Qiao, what are you doing? Are you crazy?!"
Su Qiao struggled a few times but still couldn't break free from his hold. She turned back to glare at him angrily: "How could you forget Su Su? Su Su doesn't know martial arts, how did you expect her to escape! Let me go! I need to save her!"
"Save me? What right do you have to save me? Are you sending me to my death?" Murong Shuangfei grabbed her tightly, tightening his grip even more.
Su Qiao bit her lip, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes, and raised her hand to slap him.
This palm strike was merciless, and Murong Shuangfei barely managed to dodge it. As the palm wind swept past, a piece of yellow silk fell from his arms and landed on the ground. The contents inside rolled over several times and were exposed on the ground.
Murong Shuangfei sighed inwardly, and was about to hurriedly retrieve it when a gust of wind suddenly swept past her. A slender, graceful hand gently picked up the token, and Qingchen's voice was indifferent, devoid of emotion: "Where did this—come from?"
Murong Shuangfei felt as if the blood in his body had suddenly frozen the moment he asked such a casual question. When he looked up, he saw Qingchen's eyes, which were still unfocused, but beneath their depths lay a surging, overwhelming darkness that seemed to swirl and howl in the abyss.
"Susu...she might still be in Peizhuang." As he spoke, his throat felt dry.
A figure flashed past Su Qiao's eyes, and the horse in front of her suddenly disappeared from sight. In the blink of an eye, she was already galloping away like lightning.
"Qingchen, where are you going!" Murong Shi's terrified voice rang out, but as the voice faded, only her white robes fluttered away, disappearing into the dust and heading straight for Peizhuang.
The background before him was ablaze with intense flames. The scene was desolate, filled with a palpable sense of impending doom.
Chapter 2: Ups and downs with bare hands (Part 1)
Zhuang Su paced back and forth in the room. Hearing the commotion outside, she knew that her fears had come true. Pushing open the door, she saw a vast expanse of flames engulfing the sky. She ran out into the courtyard and saw the Yiye Alliance members fighting against the attacking forces. The alliance was in complete chaos; apart from the sea of red and billowing smoke, it was almost impossible to see anything in the distance.
In the chaos, people frantically fled for their lives, and in their haste, no one cared about the whereabouts of others.
Zhuang Su's gaze darted frantically through the crowd, but seeing no man in white, she gradually relaxed. A swarm of fleeing people rushed towards her, and after a few collisions, she stumbled and staggered. Just as she regained her footing, she saw several men wielding knives, their eyes bloodshot, indiscriminately hacking and slashing at anyone they saw, friend or foe alike.
At this point, the alliance was filled only with the scent of blood. Zhuang Su was jostled and disoriented by the crowd, gradually losing her bearings. Someone shouted from behind, splattering blood onto her skirt. She turned to see that someone had caught up; the person lagging behind had been slashed down and fell silent instantly.
Zhuang Su lifted the hem of her skirt, gritted her teeth, and hurriedly fled for her life. Actually, she was a little resentful, and really didn't understand why such things always happened around her whenever the One Leaf Alliance was involved.
The shouts of battle behind him grew louder and louder. Zhuang Su listened to the deep pounding of his heart, feeling it suddenly close to his ear. At that moment, a thought flashed through his mind. He knew that following the crowd would eventually lead to his annihilation. So, while running, he paid attention to his surroundings, seized the opportunity, and slipped into a side path, running away alone.
Zhuang Su breathed a sigh of relief as the footsteps faded into the distance. Pei Zhuang had never been here before, so she could only keep a close watch on her surroundings while trying to figure out an escape route. There was no one around at the moment. As Zhuang Su looked around, she suddenly heard footsteps outside. Startled, she noticed the room next door was unlocked and hurriedly slipped inside. Hidden behind the wardrobe, she forced herself to calm down.
A flurry of footsteps sounded outside, followed by a jumble of voices talking. Amidst the hurried activity, bursts of firelight gradually rose.
Zhuang Suxin was suddenly taken aback, not expecting them to actually set a fire.
Outside, a constant stream of people came and went, and the surrounding heat gradually intensified. She stood there motionless, neither rushing out nor acting rashly, but silently waiting for the people outside to leave. She knew that if she went out, she would become the target of everyone's anger; only by waiting for them to leave would she have any chance of survival.
A thin layer of sweat had already formed on my back, which was pressed against the wardrobe.
The flames grew stronger, and her face, already soaked with sweat, reflected the faint blush on her otherwise plain face.
Time passed slowly, and the sounds outside gradually subsided. Zhuang Su glanced at the intense flames around her; the roof beams above her head were teetering on the verge of collapse. She hurriedly turned and fled outside. Behind her, there was a loud crashing sound as something crashed to the ground. When she turned back, she saw that the spot where she had just stood had been crushed by a huge wooden plank, and the entire wardrobe had been blasted open by the violent impact.
Zhuang Su silently chanted "Amitabha," grateful that she had escaped death, and turned to run back outside, but a huge dark shadow loomed over her. When she looked up, she saw a roof beam pressing down on her. She stumbled, and seeing that she was about to die, she instinctively closed her eyes in terror.
She felt a force suddenly pull her forward, and her body lurched into a broad embrace. Instantly, she felt a scent that was both distant and familiar. A deafening crash echoed in her ears, so close yet so far, but she felt no pain as if her body were being crushed.
Zhuang Su felt the embrace around her tighten, and her body stiffened as she slowly opened her eyes.
He had a pair of peach blossom eyes, long and narrow with deep, unfathomable pupils. When she looked at him, he was also staring at her intently, his gaze lingering and tender. In that one glance, she felt as if she had been embedded in his eyes. Zhuang Su's heart suddenly began to race for no apparent reason. She stared at him blankly, then slumped to the ground, leaning against him, unable to recover for a long time.
Perhaps it was because she had always wanted to forget him that she remembered him so vividly, so that their sudden reunion felt like a dream. The intense heat of the raging fire finally cleared her mind, but when she opened her mouth, she found herself at a loss for words.
My first impression was that he had lost weight. Although the firelight reflected off his skin, it still appeared somewhat translucent white. The loose white robes draped over him seemed to be just a loose cloak, fluttering slightly in the wind, thus making his figure appear even more slender.
Her eyes were deeper, with a hint of weariness accumulated over the years in the corners. Her lips were a little dry, and her chin seemed even more pointed, making her demeanor even more unapproachable... Zhuang Su scrutinized and compared every detail, not even knowing why she saw so clearly.
However, she remained silent, and Qingchen simply stared at her, letting her gaze linger on him, saying nothing. But the near-death experience of just moments ago had caused him to press his weight down on her even harder. He had clearly felt his breath catch in his throat the instant the beam fell. Perhaps he was too terrified, for even now his fingertips remained icy cold.
"Alright, it's all over now, let's go." Finally, he let out a soft breath and said.
Zhuang Su then came to her senses and noticed the dust on his clothes, so she asked, "Why haven't you left yet? Didn't Shuang Fei go to inform you?"
"They've already retreated to the back mountain, let's go meet them." Qingchen didn't explain further, and simply pulled her along. Zhuang Su knew that time was of the essence, and although she felt a mix of emotions, she could only purse her lips.
With a soft whistle, a horse galloped over from a distance. He helped Zhuang Su onto the horse and then sat down himself.
Five years had passed between the two bodies pressed together, and their feelings had inexplicably undergone a subtle change. Zhuang Su felt a heat on her face, unsure if it was from the intense firelight around her. She felt his breath on her neck, a rough, warm touch, but she didn't dare turn around to look. Because they hadn't seen each other for so long, she felt a sense of estrangement. A thousand times she had thought of him, yet none of it could compare to the earth-shattering impact of this sudden appearance.
People noticed the commotion and rushed over. The leader recognized them and shouted, causing even more chaos behind him. After the order was given, people poured in from all directions, gathering from all sides.
Zhuang Su watched this unfold, her face paling. She instinctively straightened up, about to say something, when she heard Qing Chen's calm voice from behind: "Hold on tight, don't fall." Hearing this, she instinctively steadied herself. Suddenly, the horse lurched, and Qing Chen lashed out with his whip, accelerating sharply towards the oncoming crowd.
The horses carried the two away with a roar. With a light dust and a long whip in hand, they casually flicked the whip, and with each cry of pain, a group of people fell to the ground.
The wind that blew against her face stung her eyes slightly, and her heart pounded. In a daze, she felt the person behind her lean slightly closer. It was a simple gesture, but it protected her more closely, gently pressing against her back, letting her feel his warmth and his presence. For a moment, it seemed to bring her a sense of peace.
Zhuang Su's eyelashes drooped slightly, her mind was silent, and her expression was blank, making it impossible to know what she was thinking. Only when the deployment in the distance came into her view did her pupils open slightly, and her lips involuntarily tightened.
Facing them was a densely packed column of archers, their bearing solemn and imposing.
"Close your eyes and hold onto the horse. I'm here, it'll be alright." Even though she could clearly feel his body straighten slightly, Qingchen still said this to her.
Zhuang Su didn't know what he wanted to do, but he closed his eyes and obediently seemed to need no conditions.
A smile played on Qingchen's lips. With a flick of his whip, he charged straight towards the door, seemingly oblivious to the sharp, piercing arrows. He subtly gathered his strength in his saddle, his nonchalant expression masking his keen observation of the archers' movements. He was ready to leap at the moment the arrows were released. He was confident that he could ensure Zhuang Su's safe departure with her horse.
As he drew nearer, a chilling sharpness appeared between Qingchen's usually calm brows. Suddenly, he caught sight of someone, and his gaze fell upon that person, a smile instantly appearing in his eyes.
Perhaps this time, it won't be as bad as we imagine...
Behind the dense troop of archers, the handsome man in a long robe vaguely sensed that meaningful gaze. Liu Su's brow furrowed slightly. He hadn't expected Qing Chen to notice him at this moment.
"Second Young Master, please give orders at any time." Nayan, dressed simply, stood beside him and reminded him when he saw Liusu lost in thought.
Liu Su nodded silently, watching Qing Chen get closer and closer, falling into firing range. He slowly raised his hand, a seemingly casual glance, but then his movement abruptly stopped.
He saw the woman sitting on the light dust horse clearly, and his raised hand trembled slightly unconsciously, but did not fall for a long time.
"Second Young Master, please give the order quickly!" Na Yan said anxiously as Qing Chen rushed towards him. However, the token in Liu Su's hand remained untouched for a long time. Na Yan didn't understand why he was hesitating like this, so he snatched the token from his hand and was about to throw it away.
"No shooting!" Liu Su's usually gentle voice suddenly turned sharp, shaking everyone's hearts. Her voice was clear and distinct: "No one is allowed to shoot an arrow!"
Nayan paused, not dropping the token in his hand, but seeing that Qingchen was about to escape the blocking range, he hardened his heart and ordered, "Fire!"
Arrows whistled through the air as they flew from the bowstrings, the sound ringing in his ears, when Na Yan felt a sudden sharp pain in his hand. Liu Su gripped his arm tightly, the friction causing a slight sting. Na Yan looked at Liu Su's expression, which held a hint of anger, but instead gave a sorrowful smile: "Second Young Master, if you fail to complete this mission, I'm afraid you'll have to..."
Liu Su's hand trembled slightly, her grip loosening a little, as she hurriedly looked towards the door. The Na Yan's order hadn't been given soon enough; the stray arrows that had been thrown landed behind the receding figure, appearing somewhat mottled. Liu Su knew the situation she would face after letting the person go, but seeing Qing Chen leave, she inexplicably felt a sense of relief.
At first, they were far apart, but as he got closer, he realized that the woman Qingchen was protecting was actually—Zhuang Su.
She really wasn't dead, was she...? Liu Su subconsciously wanted to laugh, but found himself feeling empty all over. Perhaps it was from excessive joy, which made him momentarily powerless. He recalled the scene five years ago when he was told of Su Su's death, and even now, he still felt lingering fear.
"Nayan, let's go back." Liusu only realized the dryness in her throat when she spoke, and shook her head with a wry smile. She turned and walked away, not looking at Nayan's worried gaze behind her.
He wasn't afraid of what he was about to face; today was the happiest day of his five years because he knew that person hadn't died...
The wind howled, carrying the scent of fire. His flowing robes, adorned with tassels, outlined his slender, thin figure. In the distance, the deafening shouts of battle still echoed. But it seemed that all of that was no longer relevant to him.
Chapter 2: Ups and downs with bare hands (Part 2)
The two figures gradually disappeared into the distance, kicking up clouds of dust beneath their horses' hooves. The sounds of arrows and shouts of battle were slowly left behind.
Zhuang Su slowly opened her eyes and looked back, seeing a grove of trees receding into the distance. She instinctively glanced at Qing Chen, relieved to see no serious injuries. Her gaze fell on his arm, grazed by a stray arrow; only a faint red stain remained, with no signs of poisoning. Although there were some minor wounds, they were all small.
Zhuang Su let out a soft sigh, looked up, and saw Qing Chen's gaze fixed ahead, his face strangely pale. She frowned, surprised by his unusual cold sweat. Just then, Qing Chen noticed her gaze, looked down, and their eyes met. A smile suddenly appeared in his narrow eyes, his lips slightly upturned, and he said, "It's alright, Su Su." His voice was dry and low from exhaustion, but it was pleasant to hear.
Zhuang Su was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. Suddenly, she felt that the person before her couldn't resonate with the man in her memory who had coldly told her she was just a tool. For years, she would occasionally dream of that resolute figure, but now she felt ashamed of her doubts. Perhaps she had wronged him; at least he would return to Pei Zhuang alone to save her, instead of being as indifferent as he had been five years ago.
Thinking this, Zhuang Su felt a slight warmth in his heart, and subconsciously shrank back under his protection. Qing Chen sensed Zhuang Su's movement, his body stiffened slightly, and he flicked the reins again.
Looking into the distance, a woman in flowing robes stood in the middle of the mountain path, her peach-blossom eyes gazing into the distance. Only when she saw the two people in the distance did her expression soften slightly. Zhuang Su dismounted, feeling slightly embarrassed that the two had been seen being intimate. Just as she was about to greet her, Murong Shi let out a soft cry and, in the blink of an eye, her flowing robes brushed past her, catching the light dust that had fallen from her horse.
Zhuang Su rushed over in a panic, only to see Qing Chen, supported by Murong Shi, standing up steadily. Her face was still pale, but she smiled nonchalantly and said, "It's nothing, just an injury from a while ago."
Seeing Murong Shi's reproachful expression, Zhuang Su knew that this person still did not care about his health. She frowned slightly, walked to his side, and helped him up, saying gently, "Let me help you."
Qingchen's expression seemed to freeze for a moment. He looked down and saw only Zhuang Su's indifferent expression. His deep eyes glanced over him briefly, and he smiled casually, saying, "Alright."
The three arrived at the manor where the Yiye Alliance had temporarily settled. The place was not far from Peizhuang, but it was very secluded. After Qingchen was taken to her room, she fell into a coma. Murong Shi was about to go find a doctor when Zhuang Su stopped her.
"Let me do it." Zhuang Su smiled slightly at her, and after asking for some necessary medicinal herbs and tools, she carefully examined Qing Chen. But the deeper she probed, the more her brows furrowed. Qing Chen's condition was worse than she had expected. She glanced at the person sleeping soundly on the bed, her expression becoming profound.
She silently fumed, wondering if this person had no manners at all. She wrote down a prescription and had someone prepare it, while she remained in the room, staring blankly at Qingchen. After the initial agitation subsided, everything felt somewhat unreal.
Zhuang Su heard a creak at the door. Murong Shi walked in, smiled slightly at her, and said with a hint of reproach in her tone, "Su Su, thankfully it was a close call this time. Why didn't you tell us you were coming? You even encouraged Shuang Fei to keep it a secret for you. Does the One Leaf Alliance really dislike you that much?"
Zhuang Su also felt slightly apologetic, but changed the subject: "Miss Murong, I just checked Qingchen's pulse. Don't you know he should rest more?"
Murong Shi smiled wryly upon hearing this: "He should have time to rest and recuperate. In the past few years, he probably hasn't even had a few days of proper sleep. It would be strange if he got better."
Zhuang Su frowned: "Does the Silver Hall of the One Leaf Alliance have so many things to handle? He never seemed that busy before."
He didn't want to before, but now he has to do it for someone else... Murong gave Su a deep look and said, "Su Su, I'm afraid you're the only one who doesn't know yet. Qingchen is 'Ye Chen,' the leader of the One Leaf Alliance."
The powerful and influential leader of the One Leaf Alliance, the one rumored many years ago to have defied the world for the sake of a former leader, Qing Yuan—was this "Ye Chen"? Zhuang Su felt a sudden jolt in her heart. She bit her lip, recalling the scene of that person drunk alone in the bamboo forest, and realized that he had hurt himself because he was too infatuated. Knowing this, however, only made her feel inexplicably depressed.
Just then, a melodious voice reached her ears, tinged with a hint of amusement: "What's wrong, Susu? Were you scared after finding out I'm 'Ye Chen'?" Qingchen had woken up at some point, propping himself up against the edge of the bed, glancing at her with a half-smile. His clothes hung loosely, vaguely revealing his bare chest, through which one could see the thick bandages—a somewhat alluring sight.
Just then, a maidservant entered and brought in the prepared medicine, placed it on the table, and then left. Murong Shi's gaze lightly swept over the two of them, then she turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. Only the two of them remained, gazing at each other, in a moment of silence.
Zhuang Su sighed in silence, picked up the medicine and handed it over, saying, "This prescription is good for your health, drink it."
She approached the bedside with the bowl in her hand, but no one took it. Qingchen, who had been watching her with a detached expression, suddenly smiled, took something from her bosom, and threw it on the bed, asking in a soft voice, "Is something I gave you something you can just give away? You really are heartbreaking, Susu..." The item thrown out was the token that Zhuang Su had given to Murong Shuangfei.
Zhuang Su awkwardly looked away and said softly, "This thing is useless to me, I don't need it." She felt a tightness under her jaw as slender fingers pressed down on her skin, lifting her face and forcing her closer to the person's body, meeting a pair of narrow, smiling peach-shaped eyes.
Qingchen smiled sweetly: "You have to accept it even if it's useless. No one but you is worthy of taking it." Her tone was inexplicably irresistible.
The gentle touch sent a blush creeping down Zhuang Su's face, yet the smiling eyes so close to hers were fixed on her, leaving her nowhere to hide. Zhuang Su pulled away from Qing Chen's grasp, her embarrassment barely concealing her words: "Drink your medicine quickly, or it'll get cold." She held out her hand, but still no one took it. Finally, she couldn't help but glare at him.
Qingchen lay there calmly watching Zhuang Su's expression change several times in an instant, a hint of a smile clearly in his eyes: "Su Su, do you still remember the promise we made in Shengxiao Valley back then?"