Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 38

Lu Qingcheng wasn't in much better shape; he stumbled upon landing, unsteady on his feet. Qing Jianyue rushed forward to support him. Heavy footsteps approached, and Cao Wei, clutching his chest with one hand and dragging his sword with the other, limped over.

Lu Qingcheng, covered in blood, demanded fiercely, "Where is Qingfeng?"

Cao Wei's face contorted with pain. He glared fiercely at Qing Jianyue and the white fox at his feet, gritting his teeth as he said, "Young Master is awaiting the Lord's arrival at the Peony Garden. Lu Qingcheng, do you dare come with me to see my Young Master?"

Kiyoshi was furious. "Fox, bite his throat off!"

The white fox roared. Cao Wei was terrified, lost his balance, and fell to the ground. He flailed his sword wildly and hissed, "You beast, come here and watch me cleave you in two!"

Whether frightened by his threat or not, the white fox suddenly darted back, its beautiful ears twitching a few times. In an instant, it darted back to its master's feet, letting out a sharp cry.

Lu Qingcheng and Qing Jianyue immediately became alert. Six men dressed in Lu Family Fortress warrior attire appeared silently and surrounded them in an instant. The leader was a man in his forties, with a fierce appearance and imposing presence, almost comparable to Lin Feng. Cao Wei, upon seeing the man, was overjoyed and leaped to his feet, rushing towards him.

Qing Jianyue's heart sank, and he instinctively hugged Lu Qingcheng tightly. In an instant, his face changed drastically as if struck by lightning; blood was flowing from Lu Qingcheng's right abdomen. What to do? Was she destined to die in this ancient pine forest tonight?

No one expected the turn of events to happen so suddenly. Without a word, the imposing man drew his sword and plunged it into Cao Wei's chest with a sharp thud. Cao Wei's bloodshot eyes bulged out, and he didn't even have a chance to cry out before he died.

Kiyomi Tsuki opened her mouth wide in shock, but couldn't utter a sound.

The man brazenly scrutinized Lu Qingcheng. The purple-gold sword was deeply embedded in the earth, Lu Qingcheng's hands gripping the hilt, standing as steady as a mountain. The night wind ruffled his long, black hair, revealing a resolute and handsome face; his imposing gaze made the man unconsciously abandon his contempt.

"What is your name? Who are you working for? Why have I never seen you before?" Lu Qingcheng's voice was deep and pleasant, filled with an irresistible power.

Qing Jianyue thought to herself: Lu Qingcheng is confused. This man looks like an assassin no matter how you look at him.

Unexpectedly, Lu Qingcheng's question caused the man to hesitate for a moment. Soon, he became impassioned, "Your subordinate is late in coming to your rescue, please forgive me, Lord. I am Lu Quan, a newly promoted leader by Lord Lin the Second, and I have not yet had the opportunity to pay my respects to you. Lord Lin the Second received news that Lu Qingfeng is a wolf in sheep's clothing, disregarding brotherhood and plotting revenge for the Lord's theft of his wife and the murder of his father, and has set up this deception tonight."

In an instant, Qing Jianyue understood. Lu Qingcheng's move was a delaying tactic; the fear was that while things were slow here, reinforcements might not arrive in time.

"Lu Qingfeng, you've been unkind to me, so don't blame me for being unjust to you." Lu Qingcheng was extremely fierce and angry. "Where is Lin Feng?"

The man who called himself Lu Quan said, "The Second Lord has already led his men to the Peony Garden."

"Very good." Lu Qingcheng shouted, "Jianyue, give the jade pendant from my waist to Lu Quan. Lu Quan, take my jade pendant to see Lin Feng and order Lin Feng to immediately capture that traitor."

Qing Jianyue quickly untied the jade pendant from Lu Qingcheng's waist and walked towards Lu Quan. Lu Quan's sharp eyes were fixed on Qing Jianyue, who was so frightened that her heart pounded wildly.

The white fox suddenly let out a joyful cry. In the distance, bright lights and sounds of commotion rapidly approached. The white fox vanished like a bolt of lightning. Lu Quan swiftly reached out and took the jade pendant from Qing Jian Yue's hand, bowing and saying, "This subordinate takes his leave." Like a swift current, Lu Quan and his men disappeared into the dark ancient pine forest in the blink of an eye.

Qing Jianyue let out a long sigh of relief. With a thud, Lu Qingcheng could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground. Qing Jianyue was terrified and rushed over to catch him, crying, "Lord of the Fortress!"

Lu Qingcheng said in a weak, almost groaning voice, "It's not Qingfeng."

As they were talking, the white fox led Cai Bo'an, his deputy Fang Runmin, Zhang Zhichun, Wang Jie, and thirty Lujiabao warriors into the ancient pine forest.

"Lord of the Fortress." Cai Bo'an, Fang Runmin, Zhang Zhichun, Wang Jie and others all swarmed around.

Kiyomi Tsuki shouted, "Quiet!"

Cai Bo'an, Fang Runmin, Zhang Zhichun, and Wang Jie immediately shut up.

"Take my golden arrow. Go quickly." Lu Qingcheng closed her eyes.

Qing Jianyue immediately reached into his robes and quickly pulled out a heavy little golden arrow. "Great Enforcer, the Lord of the Fortress is entrusted to you. Deputy Enforcer Fang, please bring your men and come with me immediately. Fox."

The white fox, understanding its master's intent, let out a cry and shot off like lightning. Kiyoshi Tsuki followed swiftly, while Fang Runmin, without a word, waved his hand and led his men in pursuit.

Chapter Nineteen: Good Betrayal

The gates of the peony garden were wide open, like a gaping maw of a beast waiting to devour everything in its path. Strangely, there wasn't a single guard outside, which only made it more unsettling. Rushing into the garden, through the halls and courtyards, not a single guard or servant emerged.

Has Qingfeng already met with misfortune? Everything that happened tonight was an elaborate deception, and both Lu Qingcheng and Qingfeng could very well become victims of this scheme. This shows just how terrifying the mastermind behind it all is!

A surge of anger welled up in Kiyomi Tsuki's chest.

We must stop it. We must never let this tragedy happen again.

A white fox darted along the pebbly path through the flower-lined woods, followed closely by Qing Jianyue, Fang Runmin, and twenty Lujiabao warriors who rushed into the back garden through a small gate. Climbing the artificial hill, Qing Jianyue gazed into the distance. The trees, the mist, the distant mountains, the houses and pavilions, the carved beams and painted oaks—all were shrouded in moonlight, becoming hazy and indistinct, dreamlike and ethereal, exuding a gentle, tranquil beauty that was intoxicating. If these things hadn't happened, what a beautiful night it would have been! Qing Jianyue couldn't help but sigh.

The strong fragrance of osmanthus blossoms wafted on the breeze, and the mournful sound of a flute lingered in the air. It was Qingfeng! Qingjian Yue was overjoyed.

The white fox let out a sharp cry. Kiyomi looked over and saw the white fox facing the wind in the moonlight, its sharp golden eyes coldly staring at another path.

Fang Runmin asked, "What is it?"

Kiyomi Tsuki said, "The assassin escaped along another route."

Fang Runmin said without a doubt, "In that case, we have no choice but to split into two groups." Then, he called over two tall and strong men and ordered them to stay behind to protect Qing Jianyue.

"I'll have Fox lead the way for you."

Kiyomi Tsuki looked at the white fox, and the white fox turned back to gaze at its master. The two exchanged unspoken messages through their eyes. Suddenly, the white fox let out a long howl and shot off like a white ribbon down a dark path. Fang Runmin led his men in hot pursuit.

Qing Jianyue was even more agile than a monkey, climbing and leaping down the mountain. The two burly men left behind by Fang Runmin were also as fast as lightning. They passed through a grove of trees with small purple flowers, and suddenly a large lotus pond appeared before them.

The moon's reflection lay quietly in the lotus pond. Qingfeng stood beneath an osmanthus tree, playing her flute. Golden osmanthus blossoms drifted down, carpeting Qingfeng's snow-white robes. The beautiful flute music, amidst the rich fragrance of osmanthus, was so desolate, sorrowful, lingering, and heart-wrenching.

The lotus pond was surrounded by soldiers from Lu Family Fortress, and the one leading the conversation was Lin Feng. He was imposing, and his voice was as deep and melodious as a golden bell, "Young Master Qingfeng, please order your subordinates to lay down their weapons and follow me to see the Grand Enforcer. I would never dare to be disrespectful to you."

Hearing this from afar, Qingjian Yue thought to herself: Lin Feng has indeed brought his men. But what methods did the assassins use to make Lin Feng so convinced that he would accept the order to capture Qingfeng? Was it just a jade pendant?

Two burly men following behind Qing Jianyue suddenly reached out and grabbed him, saying, "Young Master Jianyue, please wait a moment."

Kiyomi Tsuki stopped in her tracks, asking in confusion, "Is there a problem?"

"Young Master Jianyue, please allow us to clear the way for you."