"yes."
"According to the established plan, the One Leaf Alliance should have suffered heavy casualties due to the previous interference. Before they realize what's happening, we must wipe them out in one day."
"Know."
"You—you won't go easy on me, will you?"
"Won't."
"That's good." The man's weathered voice held a profound meaning. "Alright, I'm going to rest now. Go back and get ready."
"promise."
A faint sound of a door closing, followed by complete silence. Zhuang Su felt a chill, as if it were the beginning of a conspiracy. As the surroundings quieted down, she felt her fingers grow cold. She hadn't expected that simply staying at an inn would lead her to the Ye Alliance; it felt as if it were destiny.
Someone wanted to destroy the One Leaf Alliance, taking advantage of the alliance's meeting. It wasn't unexpected that Su Qiao and her group were ambushed; judging from the two people's words, it seemed that other organizations within the One Leaf Alliance had also been attacked.
The casualties were heavy.
These four words felt like an invisible hand choking my throat, making my breathing seem deep and difficult.
Su Qiao and the others arrived safely in Zhangzhou, but what about the others? Zhuang Su calmed herself down, and the surroundings seemed to suddenly grow cold. All sleepiness vanished instantly. She sat on the edge of the chair, lost in thought, anxiously waiting for dawn to break.
Zhuang Su thought she no longer had deep feelings for the One Leaf Alliance, but now, seeing the situation, she realized she hadn't truly let go. A blood-soaked, imagined scene slowly surfaced in her mind, sending a chill down her spine. Her first reaction was to inform them, but then she calmed down and hesitated. After all, she had no right to intervene in the One Leaf Alliance's affairs now, and in what capacity should she go… If she went, would they believe her? Moreover, she didn't have an invitation; how could she get in?
She frowned slightly, then suddenly raised her eyebrows, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.
She turned and opened her bag, inside which was a yellow handkerchief. She reached out and picked it up; the coolness of the handkerchief seeped into her palm. She remembered the expression on that person's face when they left this thing behind, and her eyes dimmed slightly.
This was something that would completely sever their relationship, and she didn't really know why she had kept it up until now...
Chapter Twenty: Where Do Soldiers Come From Among Grass and Trees (Part 1)
Zhuang Su hurried to Peizhuang in the west of the city early in the morning, and could see people coming from all directions. The meeting of the One Leaf Alliance was a grand event, and those who received invitations felt honored, all wearing beaming expressions. However, Zhuang Su could not be patient. Her beautiful face showed little joy, and instead, her brows were slightly furrowed, making her stand out from the crowd.
The front gate was brightly decorated, a truly enchanting sight. The person carrying the invitation had it handed to the gatekeeper, who checked it before allowing entry. Sometimes, a few people tried to sneak in, but no matter how they protested, they were swiftly and decisively kicked out. Zhuang Su stood under a tree, frowning. If things continued like this, she knew she would never get in.
She looked around and groped her way to a side door. There were guards there, of course. As Zhuang Su approached, several thick, swaying sticks suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her way. One of the guards sized her up, speaking respectfully, "Young lady, if you're here to attend the alliance meeting, please use the main gate."
“I am not here to attend the alliance meeting.” Zhuang Su took out a piece of cloth wrapped in a handkerchief from his bosom and handed it over, his expression calm. “Please give this to Miss Su Qiao Su.”
The gatekeeper hesitated for a moment after receiving the gift, but seeing Zhuang Su's composed expression, he turned and went inside. There were many who wanted to infiltrate the alliance, but most only mentioned the names of prominent figures. Su Qiao rarely appeared in public, and few people outside the One Leaf Alliance knew of her, which is why he wondered if she was truly an old acquaintance.
Zhuang Su had been waiting anxiously for a long time when she faintly heard a lively sound in the distance. Several firecrackers exploded in the sky, indicating that the alliance meeting had begun. She frowned, wondering if Su Qiao was busy with something else and the gatekeeper hadn't found her. Just then, she saw a figure flash in the courtyard; it was the gatekeeper leading someone over. The person, dressed lightly and gracefully, didn't seem surprised to see her from afar, only raising an eyebrow slightly and saying, "Oh, I wondered who it was. Isn't this the Zhuang Su I've been worrying about?"
Murong Shuangfei's tone was entirely frivolous and teasing. When Zhuang Su heard him call her that, she already knew that Su Qiao must have informed him of her arrival. She felt a little more at ease and replied with a calm smile, "I only came to see Miss Su Qiao. I didn't expect to trouble Young Master Murong."
Murong Shuangfei flicked his folding fan, his tone teasing, "Miss Zhuang Su, it seems inappropriate for you to say that. We were old friends, after all. You keep mentioning Su Qiao, which really hurts me." He lightly wiped away a tear, feigning tears. Zhuang Su glanced at him, knowing that his pretentious habit had resurfaced. She sighed inwardly, and sure enough, she heard him say in a tearful, pitiful tone, "If Su Qiao and you hadn't been busy with the alliance meeting in the front hall, how would I have known that Miss Zhuang Su would come to visit an old friend?"
It turned out that Su Qiao was busy, which was why the gatekeeper couldn't find her. Finally hearing the key point, Zhuang Su breathed a sigh of relief and smiled slightly: "Actually, it's the same to tell Young Master Murong about this. May I ask if we can talk in private?"
Murong Shuangfei smiled and leaned against Zhuang Su, glancing at her casually: "Then please come inside the manor with me, Miss. After all, we are guests, and it is not right to leave them outside."
Zhuang Su had intended to leave after giving a private reminder outside, but hesitated slightly upon hearing Murong Shuangfei's words. However, the gatekeepers nearby were all watching their "intimate" behavior intently, their faces subtly showing amusement. Coupled with Murong Shuangfei's clearly malicious expression, it was obvious he was doing it on purpose. Zhuang Su secretly glared at him, then lightly stepped on his foot, maintaining her humble demeanor: "Then I'll trouble Young Master Murong to lead the way."
This stomp was done with skill, and fortunately, Murong Shuangfei only stiffened for a moment without shouting loudly and ruining her image.
Zhuang Su suppressed a laugh and walked ahead. Soon, she heard deep footsteps behind her and knew that the person was pretending to be calm. After entering a room and closing the door, she turned around and saw Murong Shuangfei sitting on a chair, desperately rubbing her ravaged jade feet.
"Oh, what's wrong, Young Master Murong?" Zhuang Su's tone suddenly became tinged with amusement.
Murong Shuangfei looked at her with a mournful expression, somewhat indignant: "Honestly, Susu, can't you be a little gentler? How come you haven't changed at all after all these years? Xiao Qiao even told me that you've become more mature, but I can't see it at all?"
Zhuang Su chuckled and clicked his tongue, saying, "You haven't changed at all, all you know how to do is criticize me."
Murong Shuangfei shook his folding fan helplessly, exasperated: "You... such a handsome young man in front of you, yet you don't know how to cherish him. What exactly is it about Xiao Qiao? Is it something your father gave you? You even used this..." He pulled a package from his pocket and threw it on the table: "If it wasn't me who stopped you this time but someone else, are you prepared to reveal your identity?"
The force of the throw caused the contents of the yellow turban to be vaguely revealed, and a silver corner could be seen through the light. There are several types of One Leaf Tokens in the One Leaf Alliance, but this silver token is the symbol of supreme power within the alliance. It is said that with this token, one can mobilize the entire alliance's power, and there are only three such tokens in the entire world.
Zhuang Su glanced over indifferently, her voice cold and clear: "Shuang Fei, at this alliance meeting, I'm afraid someone will try to assassinate you. I came here to tell you this." She casually picked up the token and tossed it back to Murong Shuang Fei: "Keep this safe. You might be able to use it if necessary. It's useless to me."
The moment she threw it out, she felt as if some of its residual heat had been taken away. In fact, she had never wanted it when Qingchen gave it to her.
Murong Shuangfei raised an eyebrow slightly, her eyes darkening beneath her smile: "Someone is plotting against the One Leaf Alliance. This is hardly good. All the various factions suffered injuries when they gathered for the alliance meeting. If someone is making plans now..."
"Let's persuade the alliance leader and the others to retreat first." Zhuang Su frowned, his lips pursed tightly. "If we leave secretly as soon as possible, it shouldn't be difficult to escape with prior precautions."
"I understand." Murong Shuangfei snapped her fingers, then suddenly turned to Zhuang Su with a sweet smile, "Actually, there's something you'd be very interested in. Your father, Qingchen, is actually..."
"No need to tell me." Zhuang Su interrupted him in a calm voice, sounding inexplicably cold. "He is no longer my father, and everything about him has nothing to do with me."
Upon hearing this, Murong Shuangfei's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his lips twitched slightly, but he finally swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and shook his head, saying, "If you don't want to listen, then don't listen. I'll go and discuss it with them right now. And you?"
"Just tell Xiao Qiao that I'm fine. As for the others... you don't need to tell them. Go on your way." Zhuang Su waved her hand.
Murong Shuangfei noticed the pallor between her swaying fingers, his expression suddenly calm. He glanced at her indifferently, then turned and walked out of the house.
He didn't know what had happened between the two, but under that look, he ultimately didn't tell her anything more. Actually, he originally wanted to say that the idle Qingchen who called himself the Valley Master of Shengxiao Valley was actually—the Alliance Leader "Ye Chen"... Dressed in green, his figure finally fell among the empty grass and trees, leaving only a heartbreakingly green expanse.
Zhuang Su's gaze pierced through the half-open doorway, meeting only a desolate scene. She vaguely sensed the lingering effects of the word "father," which had stirred a sudden unease within her previously tranquil heart... making it impossible for her to find peace. But that person was no longer "Qingchen," but rather her "Father"...
Standing in the room, Zhuang Su listened to the commotion coming from afar, hoping that Murong Shuangfei could handle things properly.
In truth, the annual alliance meeting was always the most cautious day for the One Leaf Alliance, but when Murong Shi first heard Murong Shuangfei's message, a look of surprise appeared on her face. After all, no force had ever dared to act rashly at such a grand event known throughout the land. Could it be that the imperial court was truly driven to desperation and was preparing to take drastic measures? A frown settled on her brow as she asked, "Shuangfei, where did this news come from? Is it reliable?"
Murong Shuangfei glanced at Su Qiao and replied with a smile, "It's not convenient to tell Master the source of the information, but if I, your disciple, can deliver it, how could it be unreliable?" At this moment, there was a hint of deeper meaning in his smile.
Seeing his expression, Su Qiao vaguely sensed that something was amiss.
"Alliance Leader, look..." Murong Shi looked at the person sitting between the chairs in the hall with some concern.
He was dressed in white, which accentuated his stunningly handsome face. He had been casually toying with the wine cup in his hand, but his long, alluring peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile flashed across them: "So the imperial court has finally lost its composure? However, it seems that their time to break with Liuyun Manor is drawing near."
Murong Shi understood his meaning. Qingchen's so-called eldest disciple, Mo Nian, was actually the adopted son of Mo Liyuan of Liuyun Manor, but the imperial court was unaware of this. If the imperial court still planned this operation while Mo Nian was still in Pei Manor, it seemed to be yet another act secretly planned behind Liuyun Manor's back.
Even so, now doesn't seem like the time for jokes. Murong Shi gave the man a reproachful look: "Alliance Leader, what exactly are you planning to do now?"
"Of course we'll continue. What kind of logic is it to withdraw halfway through an alliance meeting?" Qingchen glanced at her indifferently, her smile chilling. "If the imperial court wants to take down the One Leaf Alliance, it would have to disregard the pressure on the border and mobilize all its troops to besiege it. Otherwise—I'm afraid it doesn't have that kind of power."
Murong Shi's heart skipped a beat: "Isn't it a bad idea to confront them head-on?"
"Take some of the wounded and secretly evacuate first. The rest of you, everything remains the same." The tone was calm and brooked no argument.
"But you're also injured!" Murong Shi was provoked by his tone and, disregarding Murong Shuangfei and Su Qiao who were still present, unconsciously raised her voice.
"Take the wounded and evacuate. The rest of you stay." Qingchen glanced at her almost imperceptibly, his voice still indifferent. "I don't want to say it a third time." He loosened his grip, and the cup in his hand fell to the ground, shattering into countless pieces. Amidst the cruelty, his gaze remained indifferent: "Murong, don't I have the right to order you around?"
Murong Shi trembled, and amidst the sudden chill that enveloped her, she gritted her teeth, turned, and walked away. Behind her lay a gaze that was extremely light, extremely fleeting, and extremely...ruthless.
Chapter Twenty: Where Do Soldiers Come From Among Grass and Trees (Part Two)
"You two go out too." Qingchen watched Murong Shi leave, her tone devoid of emotion. Murong Shuangfei and Su Qiao glanced at her and obediently withdrew as well. The room suddenly felt empty, and the surrounding wind seemed somewhat desolate.
Qingchen coughed lightly twice, pulling at the bandages around his body to tighten them, causing a sharp pain throughout his body. His brow furrowed slightly, but he simply smiled and leaned back lazily in his chair, half-lying down, feeling the deep wounds tearing at his flesh. His expression remained completely indifferent.
He did indeed faint in public half a month ago at Mount Hua, due to his injuries.
The imperial court… While the One Leaf Alliance had its subordinate Beilou, the imperial court naturally also had its own hidden agents. Five years. He recalled how, when he first turned against the entire nation, he had already prepared himself for the perilous life that awaited him. These were days of walking on thin ice; perhaps, if he wasn't careful, his life, like his body, would be suddenly slashed open in a sudden, gruesome attack.
The wound was too deep, and he was constantly on the go, so it's still not healed.
Qingchen's lips curled slightly. Life is like this, really; when the wound is too deep, one is unwilling to quiet it down. Yet, the quieter one is, the more one feels the pain. Therefore, one tries every means to avoid looking at the wound, but once it's touched, it may only worsen the injury. He knew that he was like that…
Qingchen sighed softly. He knew this wasn't the time to be reckless. But if he abandoned the alliance now, Yiye Alliance would inevitably lose a lot. His gaze fell on the gently drifting clouds outside, almost imperceptibly.
Qingchen knew what she needed to do now.
Let the imperial court make the first move; only after they do so can we evacuate. Although there are risks, only by letting the world see the chaos within the alliance will someone investigate, such as—Mo Liyuan.
"Make a scene, the bigger the better..." Qingchen's slender fingertips slowly tapped on the table, the light tapping sound scattering around, sounding long and shallow.
A hint of melancholy in his eyes suggested he might be thinking of someone.
The alliance meeting continued in a lively manner, but Qingchen, citing illness, did not participate and appeared unusually free at the moment.
Murong Shuangfei's words had only served as a small warning; the alliance members who were originally waiting in Peizhuang had all begun to deploy according to their orders. Qingchen saw figures flashing around the courtyard from time to time, which was Yanbei secretly making arrangements. There was a vague sense of paranoia and fear.
Those outside were unaware of what was about to happen, and the atmosphere within the alliance remained intense. Every year, those who came to the alliance were all leaders from various fields, gathering together in small groups to discuss their ideas, creating a strong academic atmosphere.
The banquet was lavishly arranged. Amidst the enchanting lights and red lanterns, a cloud of dust suddenly billowed up on the road outside Pei Manor. A troop of soldiers appeared out of nowhere in the previously deserted road, fully equipped and dressed in solemn uniforms. Each of them looked lifeless, as if they were inanimate objects.
The unseen forces shrouded the once open area around Pei Zhuang in a dark gray hue.
Murong Shi had just finished arranging for the wounded to leave through the back door when she saw this scene. Her expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly turned around and headed to the villa where Qingchen was.
Far away on the hillside, two people gazed at Pei Zhuang, who appeared calm on the surface, their eyes filled with profound emotions.
“It seems they’ve already noticed…” The man wore a light blue short shirt, his eyes and brows exuding a cool and domineering aura, his expression deep and profound. A gentle voice drifted past beside him, but he simply shook his head: “It doesn’t make sense; the information couldn’t have leaked.”
The man in the blue robe glanced at him almost imperceptibly, a cold smile playing on his lips: "You really didn't secretly tip him off, Liusu?"
The thin long robe accentuated her slender figure. Her face, slightly feminine, still possessed soft, smooth curves. Under that gaze, Liusu merely pursed her lips slightly and replied calmly, "I've already said no. What, don't you believe me, elder brother?"
Liu Ye's demeanor was somewhat cold due to his years of military service. He withdrew his gaze from Liu Su and instructed her, "This is the first important mission your father has entrusted to you. Don't disappoint him. You should know that the greater the expectations, the less room there is for failure; otherwise, you will have to pay the price." With that, he handed her the token in his hand: "Be prepared. Attack Peizhuang immediately. Since they are already prepared, we should act swiftly and decisively."
"Yes." Liu Su took it, responded calmly, turned around, flicked the reins, and rode into the camp.
Liu Ye's eyes held nothing but desolation, devoid of any other emotion. He watched him depart, then his gaze shifted to Pei Zhuang, looking down upon her. At this moment, Pei Zhuang was nothing more than a vessel trapping people, and the members of the One Leaf Alliance were nothing more than ants struggling in their death throes.
With the whistling of arrows and cries of alarm, the lively and peaceful atmosphere of Pei Zhuang was shattered. The sudden surge of bloodlust caused people to scream and instinctively struggle for survival, but the densely packed guards raining down from outside Pei Zhuang sent all those who tried to escape to their deaths.
The North Tower assassins dispatched by Yanbei seemed to appear out of thin air from all around, instantly engaging in fierce combat with the attackers.
Yan Bei stood with a somber expression at the archway leading to the backyard. Every now and then, he would swiftly and ruthlessly dispatch any stragglers who broke through and charged forward. His cold eyes betrayed no emotion. His movements remained fast, accurate, and vicious, without any feints, though occasionally a glance would drift behind him, revealing a hint of unease.
When Murong Shi arrived at the backyard, she saw Qingchen already standing at the door, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, perhaps looking at the clouds faintly stained with blood. Anxious, she disregarded Qingchen's current status and pulled him outside without a word: "The court is here. A massacre has begun outside. We need to leave quickly."
"Murong, you're still as impatient as ever." Qingchen chuckled teasingly, and this time she didn't resist, letting her pull her along.
Murong Shi was furious at his attitude, but she still couldn't do anything about it. She just said in an unfriendly tone, "If you were willing to listen to me, would I need to be in such a hurry? I know you want to make the court's position even more embarrassing, but why do you always use yourself as bait!"
A sudden mist welled up in Qingchen's narrow, peach-blossom eyes, but she chuckled in her ear: "Without me as the 'bait,' would that 'fisherman' still be willing to invest so much in such a huge gamble..."
A soft voice brushed past her ear, causing Murong Shi's eyelashes to flutter. The two had arrived at the secluded back gate of Pei Zhuang, where horses were already prepared. In the distance, the sounds of clashing weapons and bloodthirsty shouts could be heard.
Qingchen glanced back indifferently, then mounted his horse, leaving a lingering, meaningful smile on his lips. He weighed the situation in his mind, a hint of sneer playing on his lips. The imperial court. Once the news spread widely, it would be tantamount to announcing to the world the breakdown of the One Leaf Alliance. So, what attitude would the various forces that had originally assisted them because of the One Leaf Alliance's support take? He suddenly found this very interesting.
Despite widespread speculation, the imperial court has never publicly acknowledged its awkward relationship with the One Leaf Alliance, precisely for this reason. However, seeing the Chu court's large-scale, costly actions, it seems—the Han's actions are beginning to show results…
On the distant hillside behind the mountain, those who had not yet been evacuated were waiting there, evacuating in an orderly manner. Mo Nian could be seen directing the evacuation from ahead, while Murong Shuangfei and Su Qiao were also busy implementing the procedures. When they saw Qingchen and Murong Shi arriving one after the other, they couldn't help but feel relieved and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.