Небо над реками и озерами очень чистое - Глава 8
"You hate people from the Central Plains?"
She paused for a moment, then answered casually, "Not really, it's just that it's very difficult for people from the Central Plains to survive in the church."
"Why did you personally check your luggage before setting off?" The level of care was far beyond what is usually expected.
"What do you want to ask?" His dark, jet-black eyes glanced at me indifferently. "My situation within the church?"
"Telling you won't hurt. It's a matter of life and death, and I never trust others."
"Whose people are Lü Yi?"
"You figured it out?" She flipped her wrist to sheath her sword, the gleaming blade disappearing into her wide sleeve without being seen at all. "She's Qianming's woman, and she might even be exchanging information with Zisu."
"Why keep her alive?" Given her status, even if she weren't replaced, killing a few maids wouldn't elicit any complaints.
"Why bother with all that? She won't get anything out of me anyway." His expression remained calm, showing no sign of concern. "If you don't want to go to Mei Garden when you get back, you can take her in."
Meiyuan is a place of pleasure within the religion. Anyone of the Assassin's Group or above can move freely and receive the most courteous hospitality. It gathers beauties from all over the world, from charming and fiery Persian women to gentle and delicate Jiangnan women, and even has many handsome boys to cater to different tastes. It is the most enchanting and gentle paradise in the Western Regions.
"What kind of person is Qianming?" The young man frowned slightly and asked the next question.
"Ambitious, lustful, and cunning," the girl commented expressionlessly. "If possible, it's best to avoid him."
"Zi Su?"
"Skilled in seduction and murder, with sophisticated methods, she can obtain clandestine intelligence that no one else knows." She smiled faintly, as if recalling something. "Don't try to extract any information from her, or you won't even know how you died."
"I have no such plans," he blurted out, a hint of embarrassment beneath the slight irony.
"Shuying, you are very smart and you will learn quickly." She lowered her eyes and slowly curled up in the blanket.
"But don't forget, your life belongs to me."
The return journey was not quick.
They rushed back at a leisurely pace, even lingering a while longer at Peacock Lake.
Peacock Sea, a rare oasis in the desert, is like a bright pearl, attracting weary travelers from afar.
The vegetation was lush, and the willows swayed gently. This was the first time I had seen such abundant water in the Western Regions since leaving the Tianshan Mountains.
After several days of rest, the fatigue from days of travel was gone. The closer they got to the Tianshan Mountains, the less Jia Ye spoke, as if he was deep in thought.
Just then, I met someone.
As soon as the woman in the black veil stepped into the inn, Jia Ye took notice and observed her discreetly from the shadows. As if sensing her presence, the woman looked up and her expression suddenly changed.
Jia Ye slightly furrowed her brows.
"How did you get here?" The slightly hoarse voice was a little lower than that of an ordinary woman.
Moving indoors, the other person removed her veil, revealing herself to be older than Kayo, a young woman in her early twenties with a delicate oval face and captivating charm.
"Feiqin, that's the question I should be asking you."
"I was ordered to go out and do my job."
Jia Ye hesitated for a moment. "I remember the King ordered you to stay in the inner palace to protect the Dharma."
Fei Qin's eyes flickered slightly. "That was before you left, and later you changed your orders and sent me to Loulan."
Loulan…………
"Now that you've arrived here, your trip to Shache must have been quite successful. Why don't you hurry back to Tianshan?"
“Since Fei Qinruo’s matter is settled, why don’t we travel together back to our church?” Jia Ye stared into her eyes.
"This mission will take a little longer, you should go back first."
"But it's tricky? Or should I help?"
"No need," she refused decisively. "Thank you for your kindness, but please don't underestimate me, Jia Ye."
"I have been away from the religion for a long time. Is everything still as usual?" Jia Ye smiled and asked about other things.
"Nothing has changed from the past."
"Does Elder Liao have Islam?"
"I had already arrived at the church before I descended the mountain."
"Since we have nothing else to do, why don't I go with you to Loulan?"
"It would be best for Jia Ye to return to the church to report back, as the Pope is quite concerned about the matter in Shache."
………………
“Feiqin…” The girl’s eyes gradually turned cold. “Where are you going… Loulan or Liangzhou?”
Liangzhou has already crossed Dunhuang and is far from the Western Regions, which are under the control of the Demonic Sect.
The air suddenly became stiff and cold.
Before anyone knew it, Fei Qin's hand gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
"Have you thought this through?" Jia Ye's expression was cold and stern, his voice light and indifferent.
"If you really make a move... you might not be able to kill me."
"But don't force me." Fei Qin's grip tightened, and the room was filled with murderous intent.
"Are you really going to abscond with the religion?"
"I am merely apostate."
Have you considered the consequences?
“I have made up my mind.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Jia Ye, we have no past grievances, why push me so far?”
"If I leave the religion now, the Pope will surely consider it a betrayal."
“I’m willing to take the risk,” she said resolutely. “I will not regret it even if I die.”
Jia Ye lowered her eyelashes. "The reason."
“It’s none of your business,” she replied coldly, then softened her tone. “Jia Ye, just pretend you didn’t see anything, and I will be grateful for the rest of my life.”
"You want to enter the Central Plains?"
I guess so.
"For one person?"
“I…” His unwavering gaze softened for a moment.
"worth?"
“It’s worth it.” She gritted her teeth. “He’ll be waiting for me in Liangzhou. Once I enter Dunhuang, the emperor will be far away.”
"Isn't he coming to pick you up?"
"I won't let him come." Her face paled. "This opportunity is uncertain, and I'm not confident."
"Feiqin, you've always been rational."
"Jia Ye, I beg you, please let me live or die as I please."
After a long silence, the girl closed her eyes.
"Go ahead."
Jia Ye remained silent.
As dusk deepened, he lit a candle, its warm yellow light gently dancing and enveloping the room.
In the candlelight, her eyes were lowered.
Fei Qin was also one of the Seven Killers, and he often accompanied the King of the Sect. He had only heard of him.
"What a fool..." the girl sighed softly, filled with endless regret.
"Is leaving the church stupid?" he couldn't help but ask. In his view, escaping such a place was the greatest blessing.
Jia Ye did not raise her eyes.
"To believe a man... Fei Qin could be so naive."
"She thinks it's worth it."
"Worth it?" She gave a slight sneer. "What's the point of a man who doesn't even have the courage to go to the Western Regions to fetch her?"
His words were full of disdain, and although he didn't think much of it, he said nothing more.
"If we betray the sect now, we will have nowhere to go in the Western Regions, and what will the Central Plains think of the members of the Demonic Sect?" she murmured to herself, with a hint of pity.
"I hope I truly won't regret it."
Rebellion
The atmosphere in the church was strange.
I had this feeling as soon as I entered the mountains.
There were far fewer people than before, and the security was exceptionally tight.
As I inadvertently passed the high walls of the Cuifeng Camp, my gaze fell upon the training ground, where the daily battles and shouts had ceased, now eerily silent and deserted.
Jia Ye had obviously seen it too, but silently walked around it and headed straight for the main hall.
As the two passed by, the church members whispered behind them, but she pretended not to hear them.
On the steps outside the main hall, a man with his hair tied up in a jade crown stood smiling, waiting for her to approach step by step.
"It's been a long time since you left the sect, but you've finally returned." There was an undisguised fervor in those eyes. "The sect has been in turmoil recently, and it's a pity that Jia Ye missed it."
"I wonder what kind of storm Qianming is referring to." Jia Ye gave a symbolic smile.
Without keeping him in suspense, the man readily revealed the truth: "The Left Envoy, along with Elders Xiao and Jing, plotted rebellion and caused chaos in front of the palace."
"What a bold and ignorant bunch of thieves! They're like ants trying to shake a tree—utterly overestimating themselves." Jia Ye remained calm, offering a light rebuke. "How could the King of the Nation be something these petty scoundrels could even dream of?"
"It is indeed foolish, but it cannot be underestimated. After all, the Left Envoy has been teaching for many years and has many followers."