A City Swept by Wind and Snow GL - Chapter 10
◎The entire martial world’s order relies solely on the eleventh-generation Jianghu, Nangong Qing◎
Xue Qianxun’s performance of half of Thirteen Forms at the Xianyin Terrace had indeed angered He Qishu. Yet, even he did not expect that after arriving at Yingxue Pavilion that night, he would not only refrain from killing her but would even willingly forgive her. He Qishu did not favor women with grand ambitions, but as a man, he was willing to pardon any mistake made by a headstrong, possessive young woman in the name of love.
However, Jin Se had deliberately invited He Qishu and Zhuque to Yingxue Pavilion, and it was clearly not merely to examine Xue Qianxun’s “minor mistake.” He Qishu looked toward Jin Se, waiting for her explanation.
Suppressing a cough, Jin Se said slowly, “Your Highness, I request that Xue Qianxun be allowed to join our organization.”
He Qishu was taken aback, a flash of displeasure in his heart. — Jin Se’s request was less a petition and more a subtle coercion. Everything she said, every point she raised, effectively told Xue Qianxun that Prince Zhuang, He Qishu, was intricately connected to the mysterious Xiaoyao Sect. Now that Xue Qianxun knew these secrets, if she were not killed to silence her, she must be brought into use. But He Qishu, of course, could not bring himself to kill her—and Jin Se seemed to know this before anyone else.
He Qishu gave a meaningful smile and said in a deep voice, “Reason?”
Jin Se’s expression was solemn. She raised a single finger toward the sky: “I observed the stars last night and discovered that Xue Qianxun is destined to be with our group.”
With a slap, He Qishu pressed his folding fan onto the table. After a moment of silence, he gave a long, cold laugh: “Hmm, star observation… didn’t expect Jin Se to practice astrology!”
Zhuque also frowned at Jin Se’s answer: “Do you think such an absurd explanation can serve as reason?”
Jin Se smiled charmingly: “Why not?”
He Qishu countered: “Then I observed the stars just now and discovered that the heavens warn you not to harbor ulterior motives.”
Jin Se blinked her dark eyes and chirped: “Perhaps.”
He Qishu raised his arm, signaling silence: “Jin Se speaks correctly. Xue Qianxun has long been mine by destiny. Fate—” He turned to look directly at Xue Qianxun, enunciating each word: “You are on the same path as me.”
Xue Qianxun was startled. She would join the Xiaoyao Sect just like that? She was completely unprepared. At that moment, Jin Se gently clapped her hands: “Let us congratulate the little wolf cub on joining us!” She said it with such joy that the words “little wolf cub” slipped out naturally.
“Wait!” Xue Qianxun finally spoke. “I don’t even know what kind of organization I’m joining. Your Highness… are you the sect leader, Long Wen?”
He Qishu smiled warmly: “Of course not. I am equal in rank with Long Wen within the Xiaoyao Sect. Because I require the sect’s strength, I represent the court in cooperating with them.”
“By imperial order?”
“Correct.” He Qishu continued: “Since you are no longer an outsider, I might as well tell you a secret known only to those above the rank of Protector. Do you know about the ‘Demon-Slaying Decree’ issued four years ago?”
The decree issued in the sixth year of the Huading Dynasty?! Xue Qianxun’s breath caught. Though she had been only thirteen, the massacre left a lasting impression she could never forget.
He Qishu continued: “Though the Susa clan has been destroyed for four years, I presume you know something about them.”
Xue Qianxun nodded: “Susa was the most relied-upon pillar of the former Da Ye dynasty, famed as the ‘Holy Sword of Da Ye.’”
He Qishu said: “The Susa family was renowned for their military might, serving as the loyal sword of the Da Ye dynasty and as leaders of the Jianghu. Successive heads of the martial alliance came from the Susa clan. Even the prominent Jianghu often hailed from the Susa family.”
“So… the Huading Empire could not tolerate the Susa clan?” Xue Qianxun whispered.
“If the emperor could tolerate Susa, he would not have waited six years into the dynasty to eliminate them, nor would he have personally visited Susa Fortress to form kinship with the clan head, Susa Xingjian.” He Qishu’s eyes darkened, voice low: “…The emperor issued the Demon-Slaying Decree because the Susa clan possessed something the Huading Empire could not tolerate.”
“You mean the Dragon-Controlling Talisman?” Xue Qianxun asked calmly.
He Qishu fixed his gaze on her.
Xue Qianxun said: “In places like the Chunjiang Academy, it’s nearly impossible not to have heard of the Dragon-Controlling Talisman.”
He Qishu snorted. In crowded places, even secret matters are often discussed in vivid detail. The matter involved the renowned Susa clan, after all.
Xue Qianxun continued: “It is said that the talisman was entrusted by the ancient Dragon God to the Susa clan for generations.”
He Qishu nodded: “All believe that whoever gains the talisman gains the world. Yet Nangong Qing of the Jianghu筆 said: whoever gains it destroys the world. Nangong Qing’s words, of course, are unquestionable.”
Xue Qianxun asked: “If such a talisman exists, why did Da Ye fall? Why was Susa slaughtered?”
He Qishu scrutinized her: “And your opinion?”
Xue Qianxun calmly said: “Perhaps the Dragon-Controlling Talisman is merely a breathtaking lie. They say it was left by a dragon—but who has ever seen a dragon?”
He Qishu’s cold, serious face gradually softened into a smile: “Relying solely on what one sees and confined by limited imagination—this is indeed the insight a young woman like you possesses.” He looked at Xue Qianxun’s bright, rebellious eyes and spoke more warmly: “But you haven’t considered another possibility: they may not use the talisman, not for lack of desire, but because they cannot. Some rumors are better believed than dismissed, and many things in this world surpass human imagination.”
When the emperor issued the Demon-Slaying Decree, the Susa clan was accused of using the talisman to coerce the emperor and plotting to restore the old dynasty.
The only person who knew whether the Susa Fortress truly held the talisman was Prince Zhuang, He Qishu, who executed the decree.
Xue Qianxun fell into thought, her expression serious, as if plotting something extraordinary. He Qishu smiled inwardly. Unlike others, Xue Qianxun never hid her emotions. Her joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness were all easily seen—she was uncalculating. Because of this, whatever her reaction, He Qishu never doubted her.
“Xue, what are you thinking? Don’t strain your little brain,” He Qishu teased.
Xue Qianxun frowned: “I can’t figure it out.”
He Qishu chuckled: “If you can’t figure it out, then don’t try.” Though he knew Xue Qianxun was reclusive at Chunjiang Academy and would not leak secrets, he still did not want her knowing too much.
“Then, working with Long Wen, does it relate to the talisman?” she asked.
He Qishu did not answer directly: “With Susa gone, the Jianghu lost its strongest leadership. In recent years, the martial world has been unsettled. The Xingye Sect, the Thieves’ Gang, Crocodile Fort, and other evil sects have been restless, causing bloodshed. Beyond the North, the Shuiyue Palace appears isolated but in truth…” He paused, then continued: “The so-called reputable sects have long relied on the Susa clan’s protection; many are only in name, lacking real strength. Presently, the Jianghu’s order relies solely on the eleventh-generation Jianghu筆, Nangong Qing. Yet Nangong Qing is a mysterious, unpredictable lone figure; even his gender is a puzzle. Heaven and earth are vast, but he cannot be everywhere. The title ‘Martial Supreme Jianghu筆’ is more a revered name than a reality. Importantly, Nangong Qing has held the position for ninety years—he must now be an elderly man.”
Xue Qianxun asked plainly: “So the court intends to emulate Da Ye, designating a Jianghu force to act as leader?”
He Qishu did not deny it: “North of the Hengjiang River, only the Xiaoyao Sect has the strength to rival Shuiyue Palace. Yet the Xiaoyao Sect is isolated and feared by both the righteous and underworld factions, which benefits the court. The ‘Huading Holy Sword’ may not suffice, but at least it can serve as a dagger in our hand.” He slightly bowed and asked Xue Qianxun kindly: “Now, do you understand the organization you’ve joined?”
Xue Qianxun said: “Roughly. But what use is me joining the Xiaoyao Sect? I know nothing.”
“Heh, that you must ask Jin Se. I do not know why she brought you in.”
Jin Se shrugged: “I do not expect the little wolf cub to be of much use. But as a friend, I want my companion on the same boat.”
“You are friends? I thought you were rivals,” He Qishu remarked.
Xue Qianxun made no denial, only snorted at Jin Se.
“Heh, Jin Se, I now realize—you are the most willful of all,” He Qishu said.
“Your Highness,” Jin Se’s tone suddenly turned serious, “it is time for Xue Qianxun to leave Chunjiang Academy.”
Xue Qianxun was momentarily stunned. Jin Se had drawn her into the Xiaoyao Sect to help her leave Chunjiang Academy?
He Qishu glanced coldly at Jin Se: “How do you know when Xue Qianxun should leave?”
“She was never meant to be here,” Jin Se said calmly.
A fleeting, unfathomable cold smile crossed He Qishu’s eyes. He tapped his fan in his palm and said casually: “You are right. Xue Qianxun should leave Chunjiang Academy. It is fine for her to be on the same boat as you, so you can continue caring for her.”
Xue Qianxun gazed at Jin Se, her eyes clear, expression complex. Jin Se did not meet her gaze, lips curved slightly: “She is no longer a child; she needs no one to care for her.”
After some time, Zhuque, growing impatient, glanced toward the door: “Jin Se, where is the other person you mentioned? Why hasn’t he arrived?”
Jin Se: “He arrived long ago. For some reason, he likes to stay outside, enjoying the breeze, unwilling to enter.”
Before she finished, chaotic footsteps and frantic yells sounded from the roof: “You filthy fox! Let go of my cat!”
Zhuque leaped outside first, looking at the roof, stunned.
He Qishu followed closely, asking: “Who is it?” and instinctively touched his cheek in surprise.
Xue Qianxun recognized the frustrated voice: “Is it him?” she asked Jin Se.
Jin Se called: “Tang Fei, is the view up there good?”
A grand brocade robe fell gracefully to the ground, tracing a smooth arc into the room. Behind the arc trailed two tails, black and white—the black one was Tang Fei’s cat, the white one Jin Se’s little silver fox.
“Why come but not enter?” Xue Qianxun asked him.
Tang Fei stood before them, squinting at Zhuque, his expression a mixture of joy and desire to escape.
Jin Se said: “Now that everyone is here, we can talk.”
Zhuque said: “Shouldn’t you first introduce this newcomer?”
Jin Se: “No rush. But I want to ask, why do you think I invited you to accompany Prince Zhuang instead of Qinglong, Baihu, or Xuanwu?”
Zhuque replied: “I heard you recently contracted a cold, leading to internal poison, which the imperial physician misdiagnosed as accumulated cold.”
Jin Se smiled: “In matters of poison, the imperial physician cannot compare to Zhuque.”
Xue Qianxun hurriedly asked: “When did you contract the poison?”
Jin Se: “As a young fool, I went alone into the Frozen Marrow Abyss under Tianyuan Peak to capture the Taiyin Doll. Its friends and relatives trapped me in the cave.”
He Qishu had never heard of the source of her poison before and asked with curiosity: “The Taiyin Doll—an untamable evil beast of legend? What does it look like?”
Jin Se said: “It wears a sweet smile but is deadly.” She spoke casually, as if it had nothing to do with her.
Xue Qianxun asked: “Why hasn’t the poison been cured all these years?”
Jin Se frowned: “This cold poison is extremely rare; even Zhuque could not find a cure.” She turned to Zhuque: “Indeed, I asked you here to help alleviate my poison, but more importantly, to show you something remarkable.”
“For me?”
Jin Se nodded: “Zhuque, your two proudest skills are medicine and disguise. Soon, I will show you a master of disguise, perhaps worthy of learning from.”
Tang Fei, previously bored and confused, perked up when he heard Zhuque excelled at disguise, eyes blazing.
Zhuque shivered, sensing something amiss, yet she could not react in time. A dazzling shadow suddenly darted before her, snatching off her veil. Tang Fei laughed: “So you tricked me—you used disguise!” He grabbed her mouth with both hands.
Zhuque screamed: “I swear I didn’t! Ugh… it hurts!”
Tang Fei let go, sighing in disappointment: “But you have such beautiful eyes…”
Zhuque, blushing furiously, repositioned her veil and glared at Jin Se: “It’s all your fault! Now tell me, who is this master of disguise?”
Jin Se turned away, shoulders shaking, pointing toward the door.
Suddenly, a terrifying hissing and pitiful cry rang out: “Help… help me…”