Небо над реками и озерами очень чистое

Глава 49

"In your opinion?" He laughed angrily.

She hesitated for a moment.

"Get up, stand aside and don't interfere. We'll decide who to side with after this is over."

Upon hearing this, the two could hardly believe it and stared blankly as they looked up.

"go."

Upon hearing Qingyin's shout, he instinctively stood up and stepped aside, adopting a posture of watching from the sidelines.

Xiao Shicheng's face was as cold as ice.

"You certainly have a compassion for your subordinates." He smiled insincerely, his anger already turning to murder. "Why don't you let them lend you a hand?"

“What’s the point of forcing someone to do something? Don’t you think so, Your Highness?” she said casually. “If Blue Owl admits defeat, please move on to the next one.”

"Congratulations, young lady, on winning a match without lifting a finger," Xiao Shicheng mocked.

"It's all thanks to the young master's help." As if she couldn't detect any sarcasm, she smiled calmly.

Finally, her opponent, Jia Ye, was the last one to face, far surpassing her peers in strength. She fought for a long time, luring her opponent into an opening, before being pierced through the back, her internal organs pierced. She sustained several minor injuries, her face was pale, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead; she had expended considerable energy. The series of battles had taken a toll even on her.

Upon seeing their victory, the Bai family members all showed joy.

“Indeed, your skills are impressive. I can’t imagine how you mastered them.” Xiao Shicheng didn’t miss a single move she made. “Master Xuanzhi said your appearance has never changed. How old are you exactly?”

"It's none of your business." She steadied her breathing and sheathed her sword.

"Could it be that you're an old woman?" he speculated maliciously, his sharp eyes scanning up and down.

"Perhaps you guessed right."

"Who exactly did you ask, Young Master Xie?" Xiao Shicheng became generous. "Whatever conditions he offered you, I can double them."

"The condition is that Xie Qinglan be brought back intact." She smiled calmly and answered fluently.

"I'll let him go with you, as long as he doesn't interfere in the Bai family's affairs."

"Don't even think about it! I'd rather die with the Bai family than live a life of humiliation!" Xie Qinglan shouted at the top of her lungs. "If we all die, let's see how you explain it to Third Brother..." After suppressing her emotions for so long, she finally let out a torrent of words. The boy in her arms was startled by the sudden sound and kicked his legs, trying to get down.

"You heard that." She sighed with a hint of regret, then suddenly raised her voice. "Mo Yao, tell him to shut up."

"yes."

She acted swiftly and decisively, leaving Xie Qinglan unable to utter a sound or even move a finger, glaring angrily at her.

"Why does the master insist on resisting? Why not just knock this kid out and take him away?" Blue Owl muttered as she walked over, and decided to press the child's pressure points as well to prevent the little guy from struggling. "She never does such troublesome things."

"I don't understand either. This guy is so annoying. He was rescued and he still acted all arrogant, like he owed him something." Mo Yao shook his head in confusion and kicked him hard.

"The five battles are over. Is the Crown Prince willing to release the prisoners as promised?" The people in the room ignored the murmurs and spoke calmly.

After pretending to think it over for a moment, Xiao Shicheng shook his head without any remorse.

"I'm sorry, young lady, you've only had four battles to go, so it's difficult for you to keep your promise at the moment."

"oh?"

“The first person you killed was purely to save Young Master Xie; how can that be considered a formal battle?” he explained without changing his expression. “Therefore, you must pass another test before I can release you.”

Many members of the Bai family were furious, and numerous disciples shouted curses, using all sorts of vulgar language. The guards tried to stop them by kicking and hitting them, but to no avail.

"And who will be your next opponent?" she asked politely.

Xiao Shicheng paused for a moment, then grinned, revealing a sharp and self-assured demeanor.

"I."

Jia Ye smiled too, softly and gently, as if looking at a mischievous butterfly on her fingertip.

"You really didn't disappoint me."

Both injured

You can't beat me.

"You are very confident."

"I know your movements like the back of my hand. They are indeed ghostly and you are very experienced. Your killing moves are sharp and fierce. You are an extremely difficult person to deal with. However, your internal energy is not strong enough to last long, and you are exhausted after repeated battles. You are no match for me."

“You definitely have the upper hand,” she nodded in acknowledgment.

"If you are willing to follow me, I will treat you as an honored guest. Why insist on a battle you are destined to lose and put yourself in a deadly situation?"

"Thank you for your kind offer."

"you…………"

"please."

Two figures, one in blue and one in white, danced under the moonlight.

The advances and retreats, the attacks and counterattacks, the flashing blades—it was all incredibly dangerous, yet it was a sight to behold.

Although Xiao Shicheng was the heir apparent, his martial arts skills were not to be underestimated. He saw through Jia Ye's weakness and used his profound internal strength to press her, employing stillness to control movement, and gradually gained the upper hand. The white figure was as light and nimble as a dream, advancing and retreating without a sound. A clear short sword appeared and disappeared like a ghost, narrowly missing a vital spot.

As time passed, signs of depletion and damage began to appear. After a while, specks of deep red appeared on the white robe, like the first rays of the sun reflecting on snow, or plum blossoms falling on snow, but full of alarming ominous signs.

She retreated step by step, slowly backing to the edge of the field. He pressed forward relentlessly, his swordsmanship becoming increasingly fierce. In the blink of an eye, her slender figure seemed to be lifted by a night breeze, effortlessly flipping through the air. He leaned forward and struck, and in mid-air, a metallic clang rang out. The short sword that had slipped from her grasp drew a long arc and embedded itself in the sand, half of the blade reflecting a cold, chilling light in the night wind.

Everyone's hearts sank. Jia Ye was pushed to the limit by the sword's momentum and took a desperate gamble, actually lunging forward. Xiao Shi swung his longsword, and the thousands of sword shadows suddenly transformed into a straight thrust, instantly becoming a charge towards the sword tip.

A gasp escaped as a sharp sword pierced through the small body, emerging from behind. The gleaming blade, stained with blood, disappeared down to the hilt.

The room was eerily quiet.

All that could be heard was the sound of drops of blood falling.

Jia Ye's face was so white it was almost transparent, and she bit her lip tightly.

The two were very close together, and from the side, they looked like a couple cuddling.

She tilted her head back, gazing with some difficulty at the face above her.

His face was expressionless, and he was looking down at her.

After a long while, a bitter smile appeared on his face.

A small, white hand rested on his neck.

Cool and soft, like a lover's hand, gently and affectionately pressing against it.

As his blood pulsed slightly, he lost all his strength.

"You lost."

His dark, bright eyes were calm, and his voice was soft, subtly announcing his defeat.

Blood dripped from the sword, piercing through Xiu's narrow shoulder.

"Killing doesn't always require a sword," she said with a slight smile, offering a nonchalant reminder. "Sometimes I use my hands too."

"You're ruthless." That was all he could say.

This woman sacrificed half of her shoulder and arm in exchange for the opportunity to be close to her side.

"If I don't ruthlessly defeat you, how can I win?" She smiled gently, as if the sword were piercing someone else. "I'm already at my limit."

"Is it worth it?" He simply couldn't understand. "Why would someone like you risk your life for someone you don't even know?"

"I wanted to ask you that too." Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, but her expression remained calm.

"What."

Is it worth risking your life for ambition?

His face was pale and bloodless, as white as ice and snow. The hand on his neck grew colder and colder. He looked down at the pale, trembling person, at the weak yet determined face, and was momentarily lost in thought.

"Please, Your Highness, swear in the name of the Prince of Nanjun that you will not take any action against the Bai and Xie families within five years. Is that acceptable?"

"Or else you'll kill me?" He could no longer laugh. "Do you know the consequences of killing the Prince's heir?"

"I really don't know, or perhaps we could try?" A murderous intent flashed in his dark eyes, dangerous and eerie, radiating a captivating aura. "Anyway, whatever the outcome, you won't see it."

A silent stalemate ensued.

Mo Yao cleared his throat. "Your Highness, I advise you not to take the risk. Our lord... has killed countless people of higher status than you."

The blue owl nodded in agreement.

The hand around his neck, radiating murderous intent, was not to be ignored; he spoke with a bitter smile.

"I swear in the name of the Prince of Nanjun that I will not harm the Bai and Xie families for five years. If I break this vow, may I be condemned by heaven and earth." The man's voice echoed throughout the Bai residence. "Is that enough?"

"Today, I will lead the people to withdraw, and we will never wage war again. If I break this oath, may our ancestors never have peace, and may our family and clan be reduced to ashes overnight," Jia Ye added with a slight smile. "Since the young master is sincere, it doesn't matter if the oath is a little more severe."

Xiao Shicheng had never been threatened like this before. His eyes seemed to spit fire. When Jia Ye's internal force penetrated through him, he instantly couldn't breathe. His face turned increasingly pale. Finally, he managed to nod and read it aloud.

As the words were spoken, the rapid, thunderous sound of horses' hooves reached their ears, and in no time, five figures suddenly rushed in. They were all stunned by the scene before them.

Xie Yunshu opened his mouth to call out, but his voice was hoarse.

As I approached, drops of blood from the sword tip formed a small pool of blood, so red it was almost blinding.

"You're taking so long," Jia Ye complained softly, suppressing her trembling as she loosened her grip little by little.

"Please let go, Your Highness." It wasn't until she reminded him that Xiao Shicheng realized he was still gripping the sword hilt, and half of his arm was soaked in her cold sweat.

The man who arrived took her away, carefully avoiding touching the longsword.

"Pull it out, I avoided the vital points." Her small body nestled in my arms, she whispered in my ear, her voice trembling uncontrollably.

"Bear with it, bite my shoulder."

Staring at the terrifyingly long sword, he reminded him in a hoarse voice, his face paler than the wounded man.

With both hands on the sword, the steel longsword broke in two with a sharp clang, and blood trickled from the cuts on the edges of the fingers.

The mere vibration was enough to make her faint from the pain. The fine teeth dug deep into her shoulder. Xie Yunshu swiftly pulled out the broken sword, and blood gushed out, washing away the medicinal powder he had applied. He tore off his sleeve to make a cloth and tightly bound it, barely managing to control the injury.

Everyone watched this scene in complete silence.

Xiao Shicheng was the first to come to his senses.