Consultor de vida de la dinastía Song del Sur

Capítulo 97

If Shuiyin is dressed in white and has a bright presence, how much better can the Imperial Guards be?

Amidst the chaos of battle, the Azure Dragon forces, along with their arrow formation, retreated in a tight formation. The situation crumbled in a fan shape, greatly benefiting Old Jin.

The owl cried out and took flight, disappearing into the night sky with a mournful, piercing cry. As it flew further away, its echoes could be faintly heard.

A strong wind surged up above the woods, like a gale bending the tough grass, making a whooshing sound as clothes billowed.

Old Jin stood at the rear of the formation, surrounded and protected by numerous warriors. He was the most relaxed among them, and amidst the roaring battle, he heard everything most clearly. He glanced up unintentionally and saw that the newcomer's aura was so intense, as if carrying wind, clouds, thunder, and lightning, with a heavy killing intent descending straight to the dust.

Old Jin's heart stirred. The newcomer's aura was domineering and fierce. There were no more than five people in the world who could match him. Qiu Ye was seriously injured and could not get up. The young master was not in Qinglong. Who else could take the initiative like this?

A white figure flashed by, skimming past the tips of the leaves in the forest. The white clothes shone brightly as if on fire. The speed was so fast that only a phantom remained, swaying heavily in the vast twilight.

The white clothes stood out against the darkness, making the movement and stillness distinct.

Old Jin followed the figure leaping through the air, noticing that he moved with the wind like a startled swan. As the crowd shifted, he relentlessly led the long line of arrows. No matter how dense the arrows or how intense the killing intent, they all vanished upon contact with his body. He simply leaped lightly and landed in front, disappearing into the night.

Only medicine and water were in the lead.

After regaining his senses from the shock, Lao Jin suddenly remembered someone: Yu Xue.

Silverlight strained to make out the trees, then turned and shouted, "Retreat quickly! Do not linger!"

A white figure, like a drifting cloud, suddenly appeared before him. The newcomer turned his face, his expression cold and handsome, and uttered a single word: "Bow."

Guards surrounded Yin Guang, protecting him and relentlessly firing arrows at the shadowy figure. Yin Guang stopped abruptly, startled, and exclaimed, "Young Master Xue, what brings you here? Where is my young mistress?"

"Bow." Yu Xue said impatiently, her tone becoming increasingly cold.

A man beside her offered her a silver bow with both hands. Yu Xue took it and said coldly, "A repeating crossbow."

Yin Guang, unaware of the situation, but seeing the urgency of the moment, hesitantly handed over his family's unique arrows—two arrows, one gold and one silver.

Yu Xue swiftly withdrew her arrows and said, "You only need to retreat, there's no need to fight. It's just a trap, and I'm sure that's what Lonely Triumph intended." Yin Guang was puzzled and was about to ask a question when Yu Xue coldly leaped onto a branch that stretched out horizontally, floating lightly like a wisp of smoke. Her clothes fluttered like a fairy, but her lower body remained perfectly still.

The tree trunk was thick and the canopy was wide open. At such a height, the white figure quickly perched on top of it, and the silver light was shocked by Yu Xue's skill. After a moment's thought, he understood his actions: the treetop offered a wide view, and he had taken advantage of the high ground, so he could probably shoot down the servants more easily.

Yu Xue nocked an arrow, her arms full and round like the moon, the golden and silver arrowheads aimed at the dark crowd below.

A sharp whistle came from the sky, and golden and silver lights burst forth one after the other. At the same time, Old Jin's astonished whistle rang out. It was his hasty whistle after he had been watching for a long time and realized that Yu Xue was actually chasing the medicine man.

The arrow, its tail gleaming silver, pierced through the deep, roaring battle cries, swooping down sharply from high to low. The golden arrow pierced the path of the one blocking its way, and with a silver whistle, it accurately pierced a person's throat.

Lin Qingluan fell straight down.

Yu Xue glanced at it, tossed aside her bow and arrows, spread her sleeves slightly, and in a flash, she was like a floating cloud, gently landing in front of the crowd.

He drew a slender sword, its tip pointing to the ground, his face bearing an unchanging indifference.

One more act was needed, and then the killing began again.

5. Loneliness

Yu Xue, one of the Four Gentlemen of the Jianghu, is a renowned swordsman. His sword is narrow and sharp, as cold as ice, and he is ruthless when he draws it. Therefore, he obtained the famous sword "Shang Que", which means lacking in human feelings.

Qiu Yeyijian knew all this. He was as cold and ruthless as Yu Xue, and his disguise as Young Master Xue was flawless. However, some things were beyond his expectations, such as Leng Shuangcheng.

He discovered that whenever he encountered Leng Shuangcheng, his long-planned schemes might change. She wasn't like a pawn in a standard game; she always seemed to transcend his boundaries.

Long ago, he devised a plan, meticulously planned and far-reaching, but kept it a secret from everyone, not even Leng Shuangcheng. The reason was simple: once she knew the inside story, he couldn't guarantee she wouldn't slip up. What he was pursuing was for the people around him to be completely natural and unpretentious. If he could deceive his close friends, no matter how many hidden sentries Huang Yushuxue had planted, they would definitely fall for it.

He knew full well that going to the appointment with Huangyu was very dangerous, but he went without hesitation. The reason was simple: the Medicine King was by his side, and he had a back mountain to rely on for his self-inflicted injury.

Several months ago, Yuwen Xiaobai stole the Sun and Moon Golden Wheel, which triggered some adverse reactions. The reason he suppressed the matter and calmed the turmoil was because the Medicine King took the initiative to find him and seek protection for Yuwen Xiaobai.

He immediately became suspicious: what was the relationship between Yuwen Xiaobai and the Medicine King? The Medicine King did not answer, and he pondered it carefully.

In the bamboo forest of Ye Mansion, Leng Shuangcheng revealed all his experiences to him, including the story of how the Medicine King used the Kongtong Secret Treasure "One-Stop Rope" to bind Yang Wan. The One-Stop Rope was later given to him, and he used it to pierce Lin Qingluan's collarbone.

The appearance of the "One-Strike Chain" at the headquarters was a mark left by the Medicine King for Yuwen Xiaobai, suggesting that this secret was known only to the grandfather and grandson. On the day of the gathering, Yuwen Xiaobai told Zhao Yingcheng that she had discovered her grandfather's whereabouts and came to the headquarters to find her relatives. Hearing this, he became even more certain that Yuwen Xiaobai was Yang Wan. This guess was later confirmed by Yu Xue. After all, the Medicine King was a reclusive master and would not be so concerned about a junior for no reason. Apart from Yang Wan, he could not think of any other reason.

The Medicine King's medical skills were indeed superb. Not only did he cure Tianzhuzi's poison, but he also disguised him as Yu Xue according to his wishes, and no one could tell the difference. — Yu Xue's chest had been injured by his touch on a major acupoint, and the wound was even exactly the same as the one he had been wounded by the Golden Wheel Bullet. It was this detail that he took advantage of, and thus secretly switched identities with Yu Xue, having her lie on the bed disguised as him, and leave the camp.

There's another advantage to Yu Xue becoming him: when he secretly leaves the Central Plains, if Huang Yu Shu Xue attacks Yuan and captures Yu Xue, he can still keep track of Huang Yu's last movements, and capturing her himself will be a piece of cake.

He remembered the mistake Huang Yu had made by faking his death before. Since Ruan Hong was also a member of the Tantric sect, she must have learned the "Turtle Breathing Technique". After making this deduction, he began to use Ruan Hong as a pawn.

He asked Linghui to cooperate with him in acting out that scene, and then instructed her to tell Leng Shuangcheng to kill Ruan Hong after returning from the appointment.

On his way to the northern border, Zhao Yingcheng believed that although no urgent reports had yet come from the frontier, he was certain that Huang Yushuxue had fallen for his deception. Given his previous attempt to intimidate Ruan Hong into faking her death and Leng Shuangcheng's subsequent act of killing Ruan Hong out of genuine emotion, it was only a matter of time before Yelü Bao launched an attack.

This is exactly what they mean by killing two birds with one stone. Everything is ready except for the east wind. He was just waiting to head to the northern border to join the Snow Shadow Camp, which had been arranged the day he set out to find Leng Shuangcheng, so that, following the Battle of Gujing, they could once again launch a surprise attack to pacify the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

All of this happened without anyone knowing, and as long as his identity is not exposed, final victory is just around the corner.

He had ordered the Yangzhou prince's residence to prepare for the wedding banquet in advance, as he was waiting to bring Leng Shuangcheng home after the battle.

Like countless streams flowing into the ocean, the plan seems poised to come to fruition.

However, another accident occurred, an accident he could not make up for, so he hated Lin Qingluan very much.

After finally finding Leng Shuangcheng, she requested to personally capture Huang Yu, which he agreed to. He also secretly mobilized the remaining Imperial Guards, urging them to study Leng Shuangcheng's gunpowder-tipped archery techniques. He arranged everything and paved the way for her, waiting to meet Huang Yu. He willingly fell into the ambush, allowing the subsequent plans to begin like gears turning.

Lin Qingluan arrived, and Leng Shuangcheng was unable to make a move against her. He then used a trick to get captured by Huang Yu, but was instead afflicted with the cold poison.

All the suffering was caused by Lin Qingluan. If I had known this would happen, I should have killed him back in the camp!

This was the first thought that surged in Qiu Yeyi's mind after seeing Leng Shuangcheng again.

Her once fair face had lost its luster, paler than white jade, with a bluish tinge on the surface of snow. Her shockingly white hair fell in disarray, each strand withered yet resilient like grass. Her eyes were tightly closed, her body covered in countless bloodstains and wounds, and a deep gash ran down her thin right palm.

She was sleeping peacefully like a child, her features so serene and gentle, her face so expressionless. The sight of her filled him with deep dread: Could she just sleep like this and never wake up again?

He stared blankly for a long time, his heart aching so much he forgot to breathe. He could only hold her tightly to his chest, unconsciously murmuring, pressing his cheek against hers again and again, gently swaying her: "Why is it that every time you leave me, you end up in a terrible state? And each time it's more cruel, each time it scares me more?"

No one told him that fate, like an invisible hand, tightly gripped the people in the chaotic world.

"Kill Lin Qingluan. We must prevent him from threatening Leng Shuangcheng again and eliminate any future troubles."

The time has come; all we need to do is strike decisively.

The anger in his heart was like a sharp whip, pointing directly at the culprit. The flames hissed up his throat, and his eyes warmed. Ignoring that his body had not yet recovered, that his chest was still aching, and that he should be heading to Beizhou at this moment, he rushed outside like a blizzard.

He hadn't forgotten that Huang Yushuxue was also involved in the matter; he simply preferred to settle accounts one by one: he clearly remembered Lin Qingluan's assassination attempt on Leng Shuangcheng and Huang Yushuxue's two curses at Leng Shuangcheng as "bitch."

Yin Guang lived up to expectations and brought back Leng Shuangcheng. During his conversation with Gu Du Kaixuan, he revealed the entire course of the Wufang battle and said, "My wife has always sighed about Boss Chai's intelligence and ingenuity. It seems she is thinking of the Divine Hand Wu You."

He stood silently in the darkness, watching as Yin Guang led Leng Shuangcheng up the dark building. He heard Dugu Kaixuan instruct Yin Guang to set up defenses on the west side, fighting and retreating. He immediately understood Dugu's intention: to use all firepower to attract the Japanese to attack, luring them uphill, probably into an ambush.

He vaguely felt that it was related to Leng Shuangcheng, but he had already promised her and believed in her abilities, so he would not interfere. He would only secretly help Gu Dukaixuan to complete her plan.

So he stepped out from the shadows, disguised as Young Master Xue, and secretly helped her and himself to complete their plan.

Neither Silver Light nor Lonely Triumph recognized his identity, so it seems his disguise was very successful. He had some chest pain, which made his voice low, and this was the best cover for his identity as Yu Xue.

After settling Leng Shuangcheng in, he went to find Lin Qingluan and, incidentally, brought back the Boss Chai she had mentioned.

The twilight was eerily dark, and my clothes billowed and flew along the way, leaving a resounding echo.

He secretly hoped there was still time. He would visit Leng Shuangcheng before heading to Yanyun to stabilize the situation and finally take her home.

There are many skilled swordsmen in the martial world, and some of their swords are beautiful, their ethereal sword shadows like celestial music, pear blossoms, and plum blossoms in snow—a beauty unimaginable to mortals. But Yu Xue's sword is not like that.

His sword techniques were simple, practical, and each strike was like splitting Mount Hua with an axe, without any fancy or complicated movements, but clean and crisp.

Qiu Ye held the sword tightly, "Shang Que," his hand holding something as light and ethereal as a pool of moonlight, a chill seeping into his fingertips from below.

This sword is different from the one used for the Sun-Eroding Sword; it's not very handy, but he can't afford to reveal any flaws, as long as it can kill people.

Still lacking a single movement, like an icy peak or snow pillar, it seemed to freeze the surrounding frigid air. Qiu Ye, gathering eighty percent of her strength on her sword, unleashed a series of chilling slashes. Clusters of white light instantly exploded, sword energy soaring, and the black-clad figures on either side, like ants collapsing from a nest, fell to the roadside.

Old Jin, with his sharp eyes, noticed that the formation ahead had been stagnant for a long time. He gathered his strength and leaped into the woods, landing on the side of the foothills in a few swift movements, where he roared and directed the others.

The gray-brown and silver-white hues, like waves rolling up mud, slowly receded into the depths of the road. As the tide receded for a long time, it occasionally shook the night, and bursts of silver-white arrows flew out from the darkness, constantly piercing and killing the Black Tide warriors.

After a fierce battle with Qiu Ye, he realized that the silver light had almost faded away. Suddenly, a chill ran through his sword, and he thrust it forward like a dragon, still missing a thin line of light, as if a thin mist was dissipating.

Instead of his usual ruthless and decisive style, he unleashed a sword technique called "Like a Shadow," which was filled with light and shadow. The sword energy condensed into a whirlwind, billowing clouds and mist as it rushed forward. As the name "Like a Shadow" suggests, it captured the sword intent of the snow-capped peaks reflected in the mirror-like lake, which was windless, desolate, hazy yet clear.

Old Jin was dodging arrows and unable to look after the medicine-using people in the chaos.

The sword's sharp point pierced the air, flashing with a chilling light, and struck Chai Jincai squarely in the chest. The sword pierced right through him, and blood rolled down the blade like a clear, rushing stream, leaving his chest untouched by any filth.

It lacked an elegant meaning, and its force was also exquisite. The two-inch-wide body, as thin as silk, pierced the lung lobe just right, without tearing the wound or killing the person.

The men in black, their faces fierce, lunged forward. Qiu Ye swiftly drew her sword, unleashing a powerful, sweeping attack that unleashed a torrent of sword energy, sending countless beams of light hurtling towards the men's chests.

The screams of agony rose like waves of air. A sword, frost-like and still as a beam of light, slashed out an arc-shaped gap. With a series of flicks of the sword tip, Chai Jin finally landed steadily on his left hand. After another slash, the gap widened, and his body, like a lone wild goose, nimbly swept into the night.

Old Jin cleaved through the arrows and roared down, "Quick! Everyone follow! Don't let them escape, kill them all while we're at it!"

The west wind has subsided, leaving a light, lingering chill. The lights are bright, and all is quiet; the deep alleyways are empty, reflecting the carved beams and coffered ceilings.

Returning in solitude, like a lone sail, he leaped lightly from the dark bottom of the building, landing on the inside of the balustrade. As the hem of his robe rustled against the crossbeam, it was like willow catkins falling, leaving a lonely echo.

Pushing open the door, the room was quiet and serene. Her black and silver hair was spread out like cattail leaves, touching a corner of the brocade quilt.

Leng Shuangcheng slept soundly, her face gaunt and pale, like the scene on Yuxi Peak in early spring after a snowfall, a solitary peak that terrified the heart. Lonely Triumph gazed at the figure in the dim light, his heart like ripples on a still lake, spreading bitter waves: "Year after year, to the ends of the earth, my temples grow gray." He murmured a sigh, bent down to embrace her, and swiftly descended the stairs.

His fluttering white hair was still so striking, and the plum blossoms were covered in spring snow. He and she had only been separated by a year, but when they met again, their temples were already streaked with gray, and they looked at each other speechlessly.

One of his men led the white horse over, while the remaining few stood sparsely in the shadows, preparing to evacuate with their town lord.

With one hand free, Lonely Triumph wrapped a pure white brocade quilt around Leng Shuangcheng's slender body, his movements gentle and fluid, as if he had been carefully caring for her for many years. Embracing the cloud-like figure in his arms, he leaped onto his horse, took the reins, and said, "Let's go to Seven Star Manor."

Galloping away, the wind swirled around them, their clothes fluttered like mist, their hair flowed like clouds, and they rode straight along the forest path, their speed echoing as they headed towards the next stop for the Azure Dragon, where they would seize the Seven Stars.

Legend has it that there are seven exceptionally skilled craftsmen who are difficult to gather together. They are all highly skilled and specialize in their respective areas of expertise. The late Master Mu built the Seven Star Manor, a magnificent and ingeniously crafted residence that serves as the gathering place for the seven of them.

Seven Star Manor played a crucial role this time, acting as a vital choke point in the defensive line. The official road connects to the exit of Qinglong Town, far from Qingzhou, and meanders northward towards Yangzhou.

This location is crucial. If the Japanese are lured to Qixing, the roads to the left, west, and right will split into two options. He heard Leng Shuangcheng mention in his letter that the left side was originally Jiangning Prefecture, where Qiu Yeyijian had set up an ambush. Later, she handed over the command of the battle to her and secretly withdrew her troops. According to her new plan, after luring the enemy to the fork in the road at Qixing, she would then find a way to make Huang Yushuxue chase after them, abandon Jiangning, and enter Baishi Mountain, 500 miles to the east, to ambush them.

A night breeze brushed against my face, the air still cool despite the sudden warmth. The inky clouds in the sky gradually thinned, like a mischievous child accidentally breaking a glass lamp, revealing a few wisps of light against the dark backdrop.

The sky shone with extraordinary brilliance, and dawn was about to break. The Japanese esoteric sect, having fought fiercely all night, must be like a leopard lurking in the darkness, waiting for the second night to arrive, hoping to ambush them.

The crisp, rhythmic sound of horses' hooves echoed along the quiet mountain path.

The foothills on the right stretch endlessly across the landscape, and a line of more than ten horses lay on the road in front of them, forming a constantly rolling axle. As people gallop along the road, their hearts stretch out like the trees in the mountains, their branches intertwined and ever-changing in the face of the mountain scenery.

Leng Shuangcheng murmured softly in her sleep, and with the help of the wind, the words reached Gu Du Kaixuan's ears clearly: "Autumn Leaves... Ward Off Evil..."

Autumn leaves, the Evil-Repelling Manor has sunk.