A City Swept by Wind and Snow GL - Chapter 12

◎Suddenly, there was a dizzying, almost intoxicating haze◎

With the revelation of Jinyu’s identity, Jinse’s mission as the Spring River Academy’s manager had come to an end.

After a brief, suffocating silence, Zhuque turned to He Qishu and asked, “Your Highness, should we not pursue the person who killed Jinyu?”

He Qishu waved his hand dismissively. “It’s likely impossible to catch them.”

Jinse smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming with a penetrating wisdom. She didn’t know whether the “leader of the Xiaoyao Sect” Jinyu referred to was Longwen, He Qishu, or Xifeng, but judging by He Qishu’s reaction, he clearly was hiding a secret of utmost importance. Even if the exact identity of the target was unclear, he would eliminate the threat immediately. And Xifeng, who had stepped in at a critical moment to resolve the threat to Zhuang Wang—was that merely fulfilling royal orders? Regardless, the intelligence Jinyu had stolen had likely already reached the hands of the Shuoyue Palace’s master. He Qishu and Xifeng—how would they strategize next?

Xue Qianxun could not consider such deep intrigue. She quietly observed Jinse’s pale, flushed face and the slight upward curve of her lips, feeling both respect and fear, sensing a profound and unfathomable depth.

Tang Fei, still slightly intoxicated, scratched the back of his head and called out cautiously, “Jinse.”

Jinse turned her head, smiling. “You know my name already?”

Tang Fei’s face flushed red. “Uh… yes. Because everyone calls you that.”

Jinse’s face was like a blooming peach blossom. “Tang Fei, could I ask you for a favor?”

“What favor? What favor?” Tang Fei was elated and clapped his hands.

Jinse pointed at Jinyu’s body on the ground. “Drag it out.”

Without hesitation, Tang Fei rolled up his sleeves, lifted the corpse, and with a flick of his arm, effortlessly tossed it into the lotus pond several dozen feet away. Jinyu had, at last, returned to the water.

He Qishu regained his composure and asked Jinse, “By the way, Jinse, you still haven’t told me who he really was?”

Jinse calmly replied, “San Dao.”

“What?!”

“—a fake,” Jinse mischievously added, then continued, “though the two of them are likely closely connected.”

He Qishu finally understood why, yesterday at Xianyin Terrace, Jinse had warned him, “That person may be dangerous.” It seemed he had been wise to secretly bring someone along besides Zhuque.

At that moment, Tang Fei returned gleefully, bumping into He Qishu’s vigilant gaze.

He Qishu asked sternly, “Tang Fei, do you know who hired San Dao to assassinate me? Did he ever tell you?”

Tang Fei smiled. “Your Highness, you know my name now! But I must tell you, even an assassin has professional ethics. They won’t reveal the client’s identity, not even to their closest confidants. So when Jinyu was exposed, I was just as surprised as you.”

He Qishu snorted. “What is your true relationship with the real San Dao?”

“The real San Dao? You mean Tang Ran? As Jinse said, we are very close—he’s my older brother,” Tang Fei said proudly. Then he turned to Jinse: “How did you know we were close but not the same person?”

Jinse smiled. “Because your style is completely different from the previous San Dao. That Tang Ran was arrogant and greedy. He never accepted missions for less than 500 taels, and after sending a cat-tail letter, he would wait at least seven days before acting—always giving the prey a chance to escape, though it often didn’t help. You, Tang Fei, are different: flashy, impulsive, eager, and you flaunt San Dao’s name openly. I suspect you did it to catch the attention of the real San Dao.”

Tang Fei nodded in admiration. “Exactly. I wanted Tang Ran to notice me.”

Jinse smiled. “Don’t you know Tang Ran is already dead?”

Tang Fei shouted. “Impossible! He was so strong, the legendary ‘Three Blades of No Fate’! Surely you’ve heard of him! And his messenger is still alive!” Tang Fei then noticed the black cat that had been so obediently resting at Jinse’s feet—it was clear she was its master. He marveled at her subtle beast-taming skills.

Jinse said leisurely, “Old legends always crumble to make way for new heroes. The myth of ‘Three Blades of No Fate’ has been broken.”

Tang Fei refused to believe it. “Nonsense! You know how terrifying his fourth blade was! Compared to that, the first three were just playthings!”

Xue Qianxun recalled that night when Xifeng, once a terrifying figure, suddenly appeared weak.

Jinse glanced at Zhuque and said softly, “Although I did not see it, I can guess: the most unpredictable, hardest to counter thing in the world is when a person who always claims to be honorable and proud suddenly becomes despicable.”

Tang Fei’s face changed color.

Jinse laughed, “Seems I guessed right. Tang Ran’s fourth blade was a poisoned hidden throwing knife. The crescent shape made it perfect for spinning, didn’t it?”

Tang Fei broke into a cold sweat. “Right, Tang Ran had two crescent blades—Upper and Lower. The fourth blade, poisoned, was his true trump card. No one could survive it.”

Jinse sighed, smiling. “You are very stubborn! So confident in Tang Ran?”

“Of course! He would never lose!” Tang Fei shouted. “No body, right? None of you saw his body, right?!”

He Qishu rose and said slowly, “It’s better to say that San Dao disappeared without a trace rather than died. Your appearance once made me suspect: had he returned?”

Tang Fei’s joy was boundless. “Then he couldn’t have died! Your Highness, if Jinyu already paid all the fees, even if the client died, Tang Ran would still complete the mission! —An assassin’s principles are sacred and unbreakable.”

He Qishu sneered, “No such possibility. If someone says San Dao is dead, then he is dead. Seeing the body is irrelevant.”

Tang Fei asked in shock, “Who said that?”

Jinse replied, “The one who saw the fourth blade—Xifeng. You must have heard the commotion on the roof. In our Xiaoyao Sect, Zhuang Wang is equal to Longwen the sect leader. On the day Tang Ran carried out the mission, guarding Zhuang Wang was our High Priestess Xifeng. If you hold a grudge, you may seek her out.”

Zhuque urged, “Jinse, why tell him to find the High Priestess?”

Jinse laughed coldly, “To punish Tang Fei for an unforgivable mistake.”

Tang Fei was confused. “Punish me? Aren’t you helping me?”

Zhuque whispered urgently, “Stop being foolish! If you seek revenge against High Priestess Xifeng, it will only lead to your death. Jinse is using the sword indirectly—you’re still in the dark!”

Tang Fei was even more bewildered. “Why is there only one path to death? Why would Jinse harm me?”

Jinse smiled wickedly, “Since I took over Spring River Academy, I never forgave any man who made my girls cry. Tang Fei, do you remember? One night, you harassed four of our top girls. I’ve kept this score, perhaps my last chance to help them before leaving.”

Zhuque could not bear to add another life to the tally and tried to reason with him: “People in the martial world act under circumstances beyond control. Dueling for one’s life is unavoidable. If one dies under a superior’s sword, one must accept it. Tang Ran’s death at the hands of Xifeng, fulfilling her duty, was honorable. Seeking revenge would insult his profession!”

Tang Fei gradually understood and nodded repeatedly.

Finally, Zhuque softened. “Good, now you understand.”

Tang Fei resolutely declared, “I understand! If Tang Ran truly died by Xifeng’s hand, I will not seek vengeance. Tang Ran would not want it. So—” He emphasized, “I, Tang Fei, will wager my life and duel Xifeng personally!”

Zhuque covered her face in despair.

Jinse lightly laughed and warned Tang Fei: “Before the duel, better repay Ruhua the money. If there’s no chance later, she won’t be happy.”

Tang Fei faced Jinse boldly. “Ruhua is a good girl. Since I’ve kissed her, I won’t let her down! I will do anything she wishes, not just repay the money.”

Jinse smiled. “She only wants the money. Since you have some conscience, I’ll be lenient: if you die in the duel, I’ll handle your remains. If you survive, I’ll no longer pursue your mistakes!”

Zhuque tried to object again. He Qishu stood and clapped loudly. “Very well! The duel is settled. If you win, I have no words. If you lose, I guarantee Xifeng will not take your life—but you must henceforth serve the Xiaoyao Sect!”

Tang Fei loved freedom, and being bound to the Xiaoyao Sect frustrated him, clearly visible on his face.

He Qishu asked, “Afraid?”

Tang Fei straightened his chest. “Of course not! I never lost to Tang Ran in 108 bouts: fifty victories each, eight draws. After dueling Xifeng, I’ll know if Tang Ran lives or dies!”

Zhuque still tried to dissuade him. Jinse said, smiling, “Even if you lose, you won’t die. Worry not. Aren’t you concerned about Xifeng? As the Xiaoyao Sect’s High Priestess, second only to the King and Longwen, if Tang Fei can’t beat her, she can’t maintain her position. Once you leave Spring River Academy, I’ll be free and bored.”

“Compete for the High Priestess position?” Zhuque exclaimed. “Jinse, you’re too presumptuous! Xifeng would never lose!”

Jinse smiled elegantly. “Then you have no reason to stop the duel. The Xiaoyao Sect has already clashed with Shuoyue Palace. Isn’t having Xifeng subdue Tang Fei before that advantageous? He’s a true talent!”

“Talent? Him?” Zhuque scrutinized Tang Fei, making him blush.

The duel between Tang Fei and Xifeng was set three days later at Lingbo Lake in the eastern capital.

After leaving Yinxue Pavilion with his messenger black cat, He Qishu also departed. As he glanced at Xue Qianxun, who had been quietly perched behind Jinse like a small animal, he couldn’t help but smile tenderly.

Zhuque followed He Qishu but noticed her ankle entangled by Jinse’s two venomous snakes. She looked back at Jinse in surprise.

Jinse smiled: “Dear sister, everyone may leave, but you cannot.”

“Why?”

Jinse extended her snow-white hands with a mischievous grin. “Medicine.”

Zhuque realized she hadn’t treated Jinse’s cold poison yet.

Xue Qianxun finally interjected: “Zhuque, is there truly no cure for her cold poison?”

Zhuque replied, “At present, even I cannot treat it. Since the Taiyin Doll was born in the Cold Marrow Abyss, if there is an antidote, it can only be found there.”

Xue Qianxun said, “Isn’t Shuoyue Palace near Zuyang Mountains? When we attack it, we could get the antidote then.”

Zhuque frowned. “Easier said than done. I’ve only heard of Jinse ever seeing a Taiyin Doll, such a rare evil beast.”

Jinse called out beside her, “Stop sulking, first relieve my temporary suffering!”

Zhuque sighed helplessly, producing prepared medicines and dozens of small silver needles. Seeing Xue Qianxun staring, she said, “Step outside. I’m giving full-body acupuncture, so… you’d better leave.”

Once Xue Qianxun left, Jinse quickly removed Zhuque’s veil, gazing at her for a long moment, then rolled on the bed in delight.

Zhuque exclaimed, “You brat! What are you laughing at?”

Jinse said, “Look at how disappointed Tang Fei is. You tricked him.”

“I didn’t! I truly didn’t use disguise!”

Jinse deftly grabbed Zhuque’s plump, red lips, kneading them before murmuring, “Really? All for High Priestess Xifeng?”

Zhuque, truly annoyed, packed up the needles and rose.

Xue Qianxun, still worried, had snuck back and, peeking through the window, saw Jinse with half her arm exposed, embracing Zhuque’s waist. Dizzily, she felt as if she had committed a mistake and fled, too embarrassed to linger.