With personal affairs settled, it was time to attend to official business. The emperor had been driven nearly mad by these wretched days. The enemy army at the border was closing in, war could erupt at any moment, and the traitors within the court remained unchecked. Yet the very man tasked with both investigations and war management had casually tossed aside his duties to indulge in romantic trysts beneath the moonlight with his beauty. How could he bear it?
Not flipping the table and going on a killing spree was already a sign of restraint. Being emperor was truly exhausting.
Fortunately, Murong Qiufeng also kept her senior brother’s affairs in mind. She couldn’t bring herself to indulge in sweet nothings with the unscrupulous prince without a pang of guilt. So, she opened her mouth slightly, intending to go out and find clues herself.
Shangguan Ye’s face darkened all day over this. Finally, he dumped every task on his subordinates, made sure everything was arranged, then led his steed and his beloved off together. It might have been better if those few glaring third wheels weren’t around.
The others were manageable, but the Snow Mountain Elders shed their ethereal composure entirely, transforming into mischievous old pranksters. This made Murong Qiufeng realize that Shangguan Ye’s starkly contrasting personalities weren’t entirely without precedent.
As for Yun Tian, he was left behind at the prince’s residence under the pretext of recuperating, while Youxiang was also retained by Shangguan Ye, ostensibly for her care.
Six people, three horses, and a carriage quietly departed Luzhou. The other two individuals were: • A Si, Murong Qiufeng’s current shadow guard. Shangguan Ye chose to keep him primarily for errands, distrusting the others who were full of scheming. Shadow guards had their merits—loyalty, unwavering devotion, diligence, and discretion. • The young boy who had stolen Murong Qiufeng’s jade pendant to obtain the dagger. Shangguan Ye kept him under the pretext of training. The other was the young boy who had stolen Murong Qiufeng’s jade pendant and received the dagger in return. Shangguan Ye brought him along under the pretext of training him.
“Are you tired?” After walking for quite some time, Shangguan Ye couldn’t resist reaching out to grasp Murong Qiufeng’s hand, hidden beneath his cloak. He asked softly, still worried that his body might not withstand such a long, bumpy journey.
Murong Qiufeng shook his head gently, but only because he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Should he admit his back ached terribly, or that something down below still felt uncomfortable? He could only curse Shangguan Ye silently in his heart.
Shangguan Ye saw the hint of anger in his expression and knew he was stubbornly refusing again. When he offered the carriage, he had refused. Sighing, Shangguan Ye suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him forcefully.
Caught completely off guard, Murong Qiufeng was yanked forcefully across and landed on the saddle. His waist was supported by Shangguan Ye’s hand, his entire body tilted sideways, practically nestled into the man’s embrace.
His entire face flushed crimson beneath the silk hat, and he immediately snapped, “What are you doing? This is a public road. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Shangguan Ye chuckled softly, his hand still gently massaging her waist as he supported her, minimizing the jolts. “Hehe, still so easily embarrassed. Adorable. Don’t worry, there’s no one else around here for now. And of course, I wouldn’t do anything rash. Your husband just wants to make sure you’re comfortable.”
“You—I’m not uncomfortable at all! I’m perfectly comfortable! Let go of me!” Murong Qiufeng gritted his teeth, his face flushed as he hissed the rebuke.
Shangguan Ye feigned deafness, smiling as he playfully continued the game of resistance and suppression.
Mo Yan and Xue Luo, the two horses, had grown up together since childhood like sweethearts, sharing a deep bond. When together, they were naturally affectionate, walking side by side, occasionally nuzzling their muzzles against each other in intimate closeness. Beside them, Ah Si kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, focused on the road, though a hint of amusement flickered in his gaze from time to time.
Inside the carriage, the two elders drew down the curtain, smiling warmly as they remarked on the splendid weather. The fresh air lifted their spirits, yet the child within sat tense and silent, offering no reply.
The two elders found the little one endearing and often teased him, teaching him various things to lay a foundation during the carriage ride. After all, this was a loyal servant crafted by their own disciple for Feng Xiao—he couldn’t be too weak.
They left the wild, desolate mountains and entered a small town.
Despite the depths of winter, the town bustled with activity, especially around noon when nearly every restaurant was packed. Yet the liveliness bordered on excessive.
“How many guests, sir? Just stopping for a bite or staying the night?”
A Si tossed a silver ingot to the waiter and said coldly, “Three upper rooms, a table with wine and food, and a quiet spot to settle the horses and carriage.”
“Aye, aye! Right away, sirs! This way, please!” The waiter snatched the hefty silver ingot and fawned over them, clearing a path to guide them to a table separated by a curtain in the inner room.
Still, this was just an ordinary inn. There were no private chambers; even the quietest spots were merely separated from the noisy main hall by a curtain. The clamor from the crowd could still be heard.
What surprised them, however, was that most of the people gathered here didn’t look like ordinary commoners. They were martial artists—and members of various sects at that.
” Strange. Has something major happened in the martial world lately? Why are so many martial artists gathered here?” Murong Qiufeng peered through the mat at the bustling crowd outside, her brow slightly furrowed. The clamor made it hard to make out what they were saying.
Shangguan Ye pushed the curtain aside and peered through the gap, scanning the area carefully before saying, ” “It might be related to the recent cases. Didn’t several sects suffer bloody incidents not long ago? We had Yun Feiyang investigating, but now even he’s vanished. It’d be strange if things stayed calm. These righteous martial artists are just looking for trouble when they have nothing better to do.”
The Snow Demon Sage sipped his hot tea, raising an eyebrow in a dismissive snort. “The martial world has enjoyed peace for far too long. These fellows have grown complacent. A little turmoil might do them good—at least it’ll stop them from parading around like show-offs, flaunting their skills for no reason.”
“Xiao Wu, go find out what’s happening.” ” Shangguan Ye turned to the slightly nervous child and said coldly.
The boy froze, then glanced at Murong Qiufeng. Only after Murong Qiufeng nodded did he take the order, lifting the bamboo curtain and dashing out. However, he didn’t go directly to question the martial artists. Instead, he ran outside to help the waiter tend to the horses and carriages before casually gathering information.
Shangguan Ye nodded in satisfaction. The boy was quick-witted—a lesson Shangguan Ye had taught him: always keep Murong Qiufeng at the center, for Murong Qiufeng was his sole master.
Murong Qiufeng frowned slightly but said nothing. He understood Shangguan Ye was testing him.
Before long, Xiao Wu returned, panting. “Master, those men are heading to the Immortal Sword Sect. They say they’re searching for the Lord of Mufeng Tower. Rumors suddenly spread through the martial world days ago that the Mist Wind Tower Master is actually Yun Feiyang of the Immortal Sword Sect. He might be hiding under the pretext of investigating a case to evade punishment. Now they’re all heading to the Immortal Sword Sect to demand his surrender. Several groups of representatives from righteous martial arts factions have already surrounded the sect. Many of these people are just following the buzz to join the commotion.”
Upon hearing this, Murong Qiufeng’s expression darkened instantly. “They’re besieging the Immortal Sword Sect?”
Shangguan Ye quickly grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “It seems those people are advancing step by step. Their goal is likely to force Yun Feiyang out.”
“Not only that. The Mufeng Tower has remained untouched, while the Xianjian Sect has been targeted. If their goal is to force Yun Feiyang out, attacking the Mufeng Tower would be far more direct. After all, the Xianjian Sect holds considerable standing in the martial world. Besieging such a prestigious orthodox sect with little concrete evidence yields far less impact than attacking the Mufeng Tower. Moreover, doing so would incur the wrath of a venerable master.” Elder Bai Feng suddenly spoke up.
Murong Qiufeng also calmed down, pursing her lips. “Could it be they have ulterior motives? But what exactly are their goals? Involving both the imperial court and the martial world…”
“Hmph, we’ll find out soon enough. I was planning to visit your master, the Revered Sword Saint, during this trip anyway. Now it’s convenient—I’ll pay him a visit.”
“My master rarely stays at the Immortal Sword Sect. He likely isn’t there this time either. I’m a bit worried.”
“Don’t worry. Those martial artists wouldn’t dare cause trouble. After all, the Immortal Sword Sect still has your master, the Revered Sword Saint. His authority isn’t something just anyone can challenge.” The Snow Demon Revered smiled reassuringly.
With a loud crash, the sound of bowls and plates shattering echoed through the hall. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the main hall seemed to grow tense.
