Intelligence Ultime

Chapitre 227

She got lost in a silent, snowy field. The air was frigid, and her blood seemed to freeze. She trudged alone through the thick snow...

The flute suddenly rose several notes, as if the Milky Way were reversed, one layer, two layers, three layers, higher and higher, until it soared into the distant sky, where the Milky Way flowed, the wind howled, and the heights were unbearably cold.

The flute music seemed to carry a cold, sharp edge, piercing into Zhu Huihui's heart. Her heart immediately raced several times faster, and all the blood in her body rushed upward with the soaring flute notes. She couldn't help but reach up and press her ears; blood was already seeping from her mouth and nose.

Echoing the flute, the zither's melody abruptly shifted, becoming high-pitched and resonant, imbued with an ancient charm yet filled with a chilling atmosphere. It was as if an ancient battlefield was playing out, with two armies shouting and clashing, mountains and rivers crumbling, blood and flesh flying everywhere, and the deep, stirring beat of drums echoing through the valley…

Forced by the vast and lofty sound, the flute music gradually lowered, first like a clear spring flowing gently beneath a rock, then like the tender whispers of lovers, and then like the powerless sigh and silent sob from the deepest part of the heart of a wandering traveler, a soldier guarding the frontier, a passerby in the ups and downs of officialdom, and a beautiful woman in her secluded chamber, filled with melancholy…

Amidst the vast expanse of misty waters, the flute music grew colder and more ethereal, almost imperceptible, its low melody stirring a feverish passion within. Zhu Huihui felt as if an invisible rope had gripped her neck; her breath caught in her throat. Her heart sank, sank lower and lower until it could sink no further. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she collapsed to the ground, unconscious, spitting out a mouthful of blood…

"The soldiers on the front lines are half dead and half alive, while beauties sing and dance in their tents."

Gao Shi's poem "Yan Ge Xing" describes a scene on the frontier battlefield, where soldiers fight to the death in the desolate desert, while the general indulges in pleasure in his brocade tent, surrounded by fine clothes, wine, and dancing courtesans...

As Zhu Huihui walked alone late at night, she inadvertently stumbled upon the scene of two masters clashing with their inner strength. As a result, she coughed up blood, was severely injured, and collapsed on the ground, her life hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, in the lakeside pavilion of Xuan Yue Water Island, the exquisite banquet had not yet ended.

As the maple leaves turned snowy and the wind began to dance, Xi Yeyan and Feng Jueya, the Thousand Miles Soul Chaser, casually discussed old stories of the martial world and the grudges of the Jianghu. Miss Chen Muwan of Beikong Valley listened quietly, without interrupting, but her charming smile and the sparkling eyes made everyone feel happy and the conversation flowed even better.

Just then, a subordinate reported that Miss Zhu, leading a pig and carrying a large bag, left the manor gate and rode away.

Inside the waterside pavilion, all was silent for a moment as everyone turned to look at Feng Xuese.

Feng Xuese lowered his head slightly, staring at the jade cup in his palm with a hazy gaze. After a long silence, he asked, "Brother Fang, which martial arts figures have been appearing near Yueyang recently?"

The area around Dongting Lake is within the sphere of influence of Jietianshui Island, and no movement in the martial arts world can escape Fang Jianwu's notice.

Fang Jianwu counted on his fingers: "Seven days ago, Meng Zhao, the Jade-Faced Swordsman from Luoyang, and his wife came to visit their old friend Dong Yuan and have been staying at Dong's residence; the Shaolin monk Huixin is staying at Dingjun Temple in Yueyang; Qu Jingcai of the Wuji Sect only entered the city three days ago; Tiesuo Ke Youliang and Beijian Tian Dabiao came at the invitation of Luo Laosan from Yueyang to congratulate him on his son's wedding; Huo Xiaoqing, who can control everything, is infatuated with the courtesan of Mianhua Tower and has been lingering there for several days without leaving..."

Feng Xuese felt slightly relieved, as they were all insignificant figures in the martial arts world and shouldn't pose any threat to Zhu Huihui.

Fang Jianwu continued, "In addition, this evening, Brother Yan Shenhan from the Deep Water Realm also came to Yueyang, but disappeared outside the city and has not contacted me since. I don't know why."

Xi Yeyan laughed and said, "Brother Jianwu, there's no need to worry. The guards that Yan Shenhan brought into the Central Plains have already met up with my subordinates. Old Yan had a last-minute appointment and is keeping his promise to enter the city. With his pair of broken jade floating rings, how many people in the martial world can rival him in a one-on-one fight? If nothing unexpected happens, he should arrive around 1 a.m. tonight!"

Fang Jianwu asked, "Whom did you invite?"

"He didn't explain that."

Fang Jianwu nodded and added, "By the way, yesterday at noon, the heir of Prince Xin secretly entered the city and is currently staying at the villa of Prefect Liu of Yueyang."

Feng Xuese raised her eyebrows: "So Zhu Liuyue has also arrived in Yueyang."

Zhu Liuyue, son of the Prince of Xin, is a prodigy. From a young age, he received instruction from a mysterious master, acquiring unparalleled martial arts skills. Furthermore, he is proficient in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, and chess. Although he is the heir apparent to the Prince of Xin, he is a refined and elegant man, indulging in the beauty of nature and rarely staying in the palace. He spends most of the year traveling the martial world. However, few in the martial world know of his princely identity.

Recalling the valley of Xifeng Mountain, where her eyes were injured and Zhu Liuyue chased after the enemy... these things seem like they happened yesterday. Now, Liuyue has arrived in Yueyang, but Zhu Huihui has run away!

Maple Snow Scent sighed softly.

Chen Muwan was very observant. After a moment's thought, she understood and said, "Young Master Feng, that Miss Zhu is clever and lovely. She should be fine."

Although he couldn't see, Feng Xuese still politely turned his face towards her and gave a wry smile: "I'm worried that she's too smart!"

Zhu Huihui, that girl, always thinks she's cunning and full of schemes, but she's actually incredibly stupid. All her mischievous ideas are written on her face! She hasn't suffered any major losses in all this time only because no one bothers with a child like her. Otherwise, aside from anything else, just for her petty theft, she'd have been spanked a hundred times over…

Nishino En advised, "Xue Se, Zhu Huihui has a limp and can't go far at all. I'll send someone to find her and bring her back right away!"

Feng Xuese laughed and said, "Jietianshui Island is heavily guarded. Even I might not be able to leave easily under the watchful eyes of the sentries, let alone this silly girl who brazenly ran away with the stuff! Brother Fang's men have been following her, haven't they?"

Fang Jianwu smiled and said, "Yes, Qin Er and Song San have been following her. Are they going to capture her for you?"

Feng Xuese was immediately relieved and smiled, "So Brother Qin and Brother Song are here. Thank you so much!"

Ghost Sword Qin Er and Spirit Sword Song San are two of the Four Great Swords of Jietianshui Island. The Four Great Swords were originally first-rate swordsmen in the martial arts world. Later, they were invited by the previous leader of Jietianshui Island and given important positions. Over the years, they have made many meritorious contributions and have a very high status. The fact that they personally took action this time shows that Jietianshui Island values Zhu Huihui, this little rascal, very much.

Hmm! In that case, even if Zhu Huihui wanders around alone, there shouldn't be any problem, right?

So Feng Xuese smiled again and continued, "That child is wild and unruly, and prefers activity to stillness. Once we arrive in Fengxue City, we won't be able to control her. Let her wander around for now, and when she's had enough, then..." Her voice suddenly stopped.

Just then, a figure streaked across the waterside pavilion like a shooting star, knelt on one knee, and shouted, "Reporting to the leader, the disciples of Xuan Yue Hall have discovered the bodies of Master Qin and Master Song at Jiaoya Isle, thirty miles away. Master Jiang and Master Ji have already rushed there!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the waterside pavilion paled in shock.

In the back hall of Xuan Yue Shui Yu, two stretchers were placed on the blue brick floor, with two people lying flat on them.

The one on the left was slightly overweight, with a sallow complexion, swollen and cracked lips, and bloodstains on his dark gray clothes. The one on the right was relatively thinner, his body hunched over as if his muscles and bones had contracted, and his skin was wrinkled all over.

Among the four great swords of Jietianshui Island, the divine sword Jiang Dahu had tears in his eyes and clenched fists; the demon sword Ji Si had a thin face full of murderous intent.

The two people on the stretcher are their good brothers.

More than 20 years ago, four passionate young men met by chance in the martial arts world and embarked on a journey of chivalry. From then on, the martial arts world gained the "Four Great Swordsmen of Gods, Ghosts, Spirits and Demons".

Fifteen years ago, the four swordsmen once again joined forces on Jietianshui Island, risking their lives and drinking blood, never abandoning each other.

Just a few hours ago, the four brothers were drinking together and discussing going fishing by the lake early the next morning.

Now, two of the four have become cold, stiff corpses.

For twenty years, the four brothers had never been apart. Who could have imagined that their only separation would be their eternal farewell!

Jiang Da, the Divine Swordsman, trembled slightly, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

A hand gently rested on his shoulder. Jiang Da turned around and met a pair of determined eyes.

Those eyes were like moonlit flames, burning with a cold, intense heat.