Небо над реками и озерами очень чистое

Глава 4

Upon hearing the cool, clear voice, her jade-like hand suddenly froze. A smile then spread across her face as she turned to look at the person approaching from the corridor.

"So you're my sister's person. How have you been lately?"

"Zi Su has just returned to the mountain; she must be exhausted."

"Indeed, nothing outside the mountains is as comfortable as within the cult." The young woman covered her mouth and giggled. "Before you left, I heard that the cult leader bestowed upon you a shadow guard. Was it him?"

"good."

"Speaking of which, the King is really good to Jiaye." She said, her voice a mix of resentment and reproach. "He's left such a handsome man to his younger sister."

"It's all thanks to the King's grace."

"But I heard you don't really like it." Her watery eyes flickered, and her breath was sweet as orchids. "How about switching with my sister? You can choose whoever's around me."

"Thank you, Zisu. It's a pity that Jiaye cannot alter what the King has bestowed upon her."

"What a pity," she sighed. "Such an outstanding person, I'm even smitten. Would you mind if I talked to him often, sister?"

"As Zi Su wishes." She didn't care at all and turned to leave.

"Sister, is it true that the King sent you to Shache Kingdom this time?" She leaned lazily against the flower stand, very close to him.

"Zi Su is indeed well-informed."

"Aren't you taking him with you?"

"I have my own plans."

"Perhaps I'm being nosy, sister, but what use is a shadow guard in name only?" Zi Su chuckled a few times. "You may not care, but I think it's a waste. How about I petition the King to replace you with a more efficient one?"

"Such a humble shadow guard, yet Zi Su has gone to so much trouble." She smiled slightly. "But the King's arrangements have their reasons, and Jia Ye dares not presume to know, much less trouble him."

"I have other matters to attend to; let's talk another day." With that, he nodded to Shuying, then turned and walked along the corridor.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, her fingertips, adorned with bright red nail polish, plucked a fragrant flower, a playful smile on her face.

"Really... Qianming, what do you think?"

As the words were spoken, a figure stepped out from behind the tree.

His hair was bound with a jade crown, his features were dignified, and there was a kind of nonchalant languor in his expression, but his eyes held an indescribable fervor. He nestled close to the woman, his hands naturally clasping her waist.

"How can you tell? She's too young, probably completely clueless." He murmured, rubbing her delicate earlobe, as he watched her receding figure. "You've taken a fancy to that boy."

"It's quite interesting." A slight tingling sensation made her chuckle. "You're the same, it's a pity you can't beat her, otherwise..." Suddenly, the hand around her waist tightened, and she cried out softly.

"Don't provoke me, it won't do you any good." He held her firmly in his grasp. "She won't escape my control sooner or later."

"Yes, just like me." The woman's eyes flickered, a look that seemed both reproachful and resentful.

He looked at her slightly annoyed face and smiled again, leaning down to coax her gently, but his words were completely contrary to his relaxed expression.

"The Left Envoy and Elder Xiao held a secret meeting for an hour yesterday. Did you know that?"

"Have you found out any details?" The young woman was startled, but her face still held a playful expression.

"He's very guarded; my men can't get close."

“I only know that the Left Envoy has secretly ordered Elder Jing to return to the sect.” She lowered her voice considerably. “The King has ordered the Right Envoy to thoroughly investigate the annual tribute lists from the Western Regions over the years, and at the same time secretly sent Elder Kui to various countries to verify them.”

………………

"Has anyone else noticed?"

“Jia Ye probably guessed something…” the woman sneered. “That girl is always cunning, otherwise why would she have volunteered to go to Shache?”

"She's quite clever. What do you plan to do?" Jiaxu smiled and buried his head to gently nibble at her snow-white neck.

"Me?" The woman breathed heavily, closing her eyes to conceal the cold light. "What can I do? Of course, I'll listen to you."

He remained silent for a long time, his gaze deep as if calculating something, his fingers wandering unconsciously before suddenly reaching for his ample bosom and giving it a sharp pinch. "Listen to me... then come back to the room with me first." His body temperature gradually rose, and he smirked wickedly as he scooped up the alluring woman in his arms.

The young woman giggled and curled up obediently, the flowers in her hands somehow crushed and scattered on the ground.

humiliation

Suddenly someone patted him on the shoulder.

He flipped his wrist, grabbed the pulse point, and then relaxed his grip for a fleeting moment.

"Nine Micro!"

The boy smiled broadly, his slightly dark skin gleaming with a healthy sheen, like a colt on the plains.

"When did you get back?"

"Yesterday." She tossed the things she was carrying into his arms. "I brought them for you."

A Damascus steel scimitar came into view, its handle made of sheepskin mixed with black silk, exquisitely crafted, with a short blade, making it perfect for carrying.

"Thank you." He didn't refuse. "Were you injured this time?"

"Luckily I ran fast." Jiuwei gestured exaggeratedly, "Those arrows flew past me with a cold whistling sound, and I almost got a few more holes in my butt."

Imagining his partner's disheveled state, he couldn't help but chuckle, forgetting his earlier worries.

A gust of wind blew, ruffling his hair. The boy was momentarily stunned, then suddenly cried out.

"My God, please don't smile like that in front of strangers, I'm afraid..."

"What?" He didn't understand.

The boy didn't say anything more, but just shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

"Now I understand why the Pope betrothed you to Jia Ye." Jiu Wei glanced sideways, scanning him up and down. "If it were someone else..."

What if it were someone else?

"Your situation is definitely much better than it is now," the boy scoffed. "That guy's too young, he probably doesn't understand. If it were Zi Su or Fei Qin... tsk tsk..."

Finally, he roughly guessed what Jiuwei meant, and was both amused and exasperated. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Jiuwei's expression suddenly turned serious. "Shuying, be careful of someone."

"who?"

"Elder Xiao, no matter what, remember to stay away from him."

"Why?"

"He... is a homosexual, and I heard he once forced himself on his disciple." After hesitating for a long time, she finally said it. "Jia Ye lives in a very remote place, and you don't come out often, so you might not know."

His face turned cold.

“To be honest, something might happen in the church soon.” Jiuwei sat down next to him and stretched out her legs.

"What kind of thing?"

"A big deal." The young man raised his eyebrows, a hint of excitement and anticipation in his eyes. "It could turn the world upside down."

"You mean..." He frowned slightly.

"What has Jia Ye been up to lately?"

"I will be heading to Shache soon."

The young man chuckled softly, "The Seven Killers are indeed not simple. Shall I not take you with me?"

"Um."

"That's good. As long as Jia Ye can protect herself, you won't be affected." He patted his shoulder. "After she leaves, try not to leave the courtyard."

"What are you planning to do?" The boy's eager expression made him sense something was off.

“I’ll take the gamble.” Jiuwei turned her head, a ruthless glint flashing in her bright eyes. “Life and death are predestined. If I succeed, I will no longer be a pawn to be driven around by others.”

"How confident are you?" He suppressed his worries and didn't ask for details.

"Sixty percent, I guess, it depends on luck." Noticing his expression, the boy smiled. "Don't be nervous, I'm very confident. Besides, I don't need to worry about you anymore, Jia Ye is even better than I expected..."

He stopped talking and lay flat on the ground.

"Shuying, I know you're unwilling, but you have no choice but to endure it under these circumstances."

He knew perfectly well.

“Jia Ye may not have good intentions towards you, but at least with her protecting you, your life won’t be too difficult.”

"I can't help you anymore, take care of yourself." He remained silent for a long time before slowly replying.

Jiuwei might still be able to exchange his flesh and blood for an opportunity, but his identity as a Central Plains person... meant he was destined to be guarded against and monitored. Even similar conversations would implicate Jiuwei to some extent, and he wasn't unaware of this.

How should one cope with such an unpredictable predicament?

A complete upheaval... Is there a change within the religion?

The so-called situation is nothing more than a power struggle. Why did Jia Ye leave? What did Jiu Wei choose?

Watching the servants pack up Jia Ye's belongings for his trip, he was interrupted from his thoughts. He followed the servants who were selecting horses to the stables, where he had nothing to do all day and was getting a little bored.

The horses here are also graded.

Looking at the well-fed, sturdy, and glossy horses, and glancing around, I vaguely remembered this place. This was probably where I was dragged out of that suffocating carriage.

I never imagined I'd be alive today.

It was rather amusing to see the fierce servant transform into a fawning, obsequious man, terrified of failing in his duty. The steward even went so far as to pick out a horse for him to ride and have some fun while waiting.

Having not ridden a horse in a long time, he needed no urging; the steed galloped swiftly, leaving the houses behind in the blink of an eye. The mountains were vast, with expanses of verdant grasslands, exuding the fresh scent of grass and trees in the summer heat. He rode to a clear stream, and the horse, slightly panting after its vigorous run, couldn't resist the temptation and entered the stream, burying its head in the water to drink. He simply dismounted, the cool water washing over his ankles, with nimble fish occasionally darting by.

Suddenly sensing something, he looked up and saw a man staring at him from several dozen steps away, his eyes filled with a strange light.

Suppressing his surprise, he looked back at the other person, a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance. There was no malice on his face, but it made him secretly wary.

"Who are you........."

His gaze fell on the man's collar, where a pair of tiny black wings were embroidered, with three faint golden points visible on the wings. He suddenly broke out in a cold sweat and bowed his head in respect.

"I am Jia Ye's shadow guard in the Seven Killings Sect."

“That shadow guard… I’ve heard of him.” The man paused slightly, as if he was thinking about something.

"I have matters to attend to and must take my leave now. Please forgive me." He respectfully withdrew.