A City Swept by Wind and Snow GL - Chapter 14

◎“She’s so soft.”◎

“Xifeng!?” Xue Qianxun was startled beyond measure and hurried forward. “How are you here?”

Xifeng smiled faintly. “The Southwestern vassal prince has rebelled. He Qishu is discussing strategy with the Emperor. Not only has he been too busy to visit you these past few days, but in a few days he’ll personally lead troops to quell the rebellion. Since he’s unavailable, he asked me to protect you at all times.”

Fidgeting with her fingers, Xue Qianxun murmured softly, “Um… because I’m too weak… But I really want to become stronger, to be able to…”

“You don’t need to become stronger,” Xifeng reached out a hand. “Let’s go back.”

Xue Qianxun sat atop the wide back of the giant eagle Wuyah. The wind howled past her ears. She looked at Xifeng, reluctantly asking, “Why do you say I don’t need to become stronger? Do you think it’s impossible for me?”

Xifeng turned his face, smiling warmly. “Because as long as you’re by my side, that’s enough.”

No sooner had he spoken than Wuyah suddenly flipped in midair. The two of them, seated atop the eagle, were instantly thrown in a graceful arc.

Xue Qianxun watched helplessly as the eagle righted itself and soared decisively into the sky, while Xifeng remained calm, hovering slightly ahead, gazing at the sky and leisurely counting stars. Xue Qianxun’s heart sank. He said as long as I’m by his side it’s enough! And yet… I’m about to die, thrown to the ground by a dumb eagle.

Just as she was thinking this, a voice called from below: “Hey! Little wolf cub! Learning to fly?”

Looking down, Xue Qianxun saw a flickering light, revealing a mischievous smile—it was Jinse! At that moment, Jinse had her arms spread wide, ready to catch Xue Qianxun.

“Ah, Wuyah’s original master is Jinse! She must be behind this,” Xue Qianxun realized. Despite being slightly annoyed, she calmed down. Judging by Jinse’s posture, she seemed confident she could catch her. But what about Xifeng?

Just as she was about to land, Xue Qianxun’s left hand suddenly warmed, then was gently pulled upward. A graceful figure twirled in midair, and the jade-like face was suddenly close. A warm voice asked, “Are you scared?”

“Hmm?…” Xue Qianxun had no time to answer. Her body landed in a warm, soft embrace. The wind stopped—but it wasn’t Jinse’s arms.

Xifeng had landed lightly on the ground, yet did not immediately release Xue Qianxun. Instead, he glanced at Jinse, smiling elegantly, with a hint of challenge. “She’s so soft.” Saying this, he lifted his feet and soared upward, carrying her all the way to her room’s door.

Jinse followed swiftly, applauding as she flew. “The High Priestess Xifeng’s skills are as stunning as ever! Earlier, Zhuque was all disheveled, furious about the duel, ready to fight me.”

Xifeng looked surprised. “Disheveled?”

“Yes, probably because she couldn’t beat me, so she tried to scare me,” Jinse said thoughtfully. She pushed open the door and suddenly turned serious, staring at Xifeng. “Hey, how long are you going to hold her? Can’t she walk herself?”

Xifeng smiled faintly and set the little red-carpped girl gently on the ground.

Zhuque, tidying her hair, came forward. Xifeng asked, “Did the fight get messy?”

Zhuque scowled. “All Jinse’s doing. She claims to have invented the most beautiful hairstyle in the world and pounced on me to fix my hair. But who knew her claws would ruin the hairstyle with just one move?”

Xifeng laughed. “Sister Zhuque is too naive. Jinse has bullied her hundreds of times, yet she never learns.”

Jinse snorted. “Among us, you, Xifeng, are the youngest, right? Hmph, you old-fashioned, prematurely aging fellow.”

Zhuque’s face turned red. She rushed forward at Jinse, laughing and scolding, “What do you mean ‘prematurely aging’? You can’t say that just because someone is mature for their age!” In the commotion, her hair became undone again.

Jinse giggled. “You’re pretending to be scared again? Haha, but I’m never afraid of ghosts!”

Xifeng smiled faintly, gently pulling Zhuque back and tidying her hair. “Seems you’ve neglected the master of this place.”

Jinse finally broke free of Zhuque’s clutches. She turned to Xue Qianxun, her smile fading. Her dark eyes were unfathomable.

Hesitating, Xue Qianxun asked, “I thought the villa’s main gate was locked?”

Jinse said, “There’s a secret passage by Moonlight Spring, leading straight to Xiaoyao Palace. Xifeng, I, and the Four Guardians can come and go freely. The twelve attendants left in the villa, while officially serving the prince’s mansion, are actually disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect. By the way, the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Guardians also reside here. Didn’t He Qishu tell you?”

Xue Qianxun exhaled. “I thought I had all the territory to myself.”

Xifeng smiled indulgently. “You’re small but so confident. How much space could a little one like you occupy?”

Xue Qianxun looked at Xifeng and laughed foolishly.

Jinse tilted her head, snorted, and said, “If I said that, little wolf cub, your sharp teeth would show. Boring, let’s go!”

Xue Qianxun grabbed her. “By the way, why did you suddenly come?”

Jinse said bluntly, “To see Xifeng.” Turning to Zhuque, she added, “See? Alive and well.”

Zhuque scolded, “The High Priestess hasn’t fully recovered, yet tomorrow she must duel Tang Fei. All your fault!” She glared fiercely at Jinse and rushed to check Xifeng’s injuries. Suddenly she exclaimed, “Ah! That struggle just now reopened the wound! Jinse! Jinse! …” Zhuque’s voice trembled as she hurriedly applied medicine.

Jinse was startled. “Xifeng, what about your injury? It’s been a month, hasn’t it?”

Xifeng furrowed her brow, as if suddenly realizing, and mused, “A month already… what an unbelievable wound.” She remained calm.

Jinse said, “Let me see!” Xifeng tried to dodge, but Jinse was too fast. She flew behind Xifeng and saw the long wound, its bl00d still dark. Nearby, on the back of her vest, was an old scar, as if pierced by a sword.

Xue Qianxun, impatient, jumped forward, wanting to see. Xifeng flinched. “Dirty… don’t look!”

“They can look, why not me?”

“Because…” Xifeng hesitated. “Because they’re closer to me.”

Xue Qianxun’s eyes sparkled. She bit her lip in frustration, then stubbornly stepped forward. “I want to see, let me see!”

Jinse raised her arm, stopping her. “She said no. Don’t be willful!”

Xue Qianxun had never seen Jinse so serious and stern toward her. She felt a bit scared and wronged.

Jinse looked at Xifeng, serious. “Are you practicing some forbidden skill again? Not even easing up while injured?”

Xifeng extended her long fingers, counting stars in the sky.

Jinse grabbed Xifeng’s face. “Don’t play dumb.”

Xifeng smiled but said nothing, neither admitting nor denying.

“Must you push yourself this hard? How strong do you want to be?”

Xifeng exhaled lightly. “Because… besides becoming stronger, I don’t know what else I can do.”

Jinse stared at Xifeng’s eyes. “Tomorrow’s duel, you’ll win, right?”

Xifeng pressed her lips together. “Of course.”

Jinse said, “Remember, if you win, you must spare him. But if he wins… think about what you did to Tang Ran.”

Xifeng replied calmly, “There is no ‘if he wins.’”

Xue Qianxun, tears welling, murmured pitifully, “What are you talking about? What does it mean? It sounds… not fun.”

Zhuque suddenly burst into tears. “Of course it’s not fun! Jinse is a troublemaker.”

Rarely, Jinse softened in front of Zhuque. She quietly glanced at Xue Qianxun, regretting having been so harsh.

Xifeng straightened her clothes and yawned. “Sleepy. Farewell.” Before anyone could respond, she vanished like lightning.

Jinse sighed. “She got away.”

Zhuque stomped her foot, chasing after Xifeng.

Jinse smiled bitterly. “Don’t worry, she said she’d win, and she will.” She waved to Xue Qianxun and left without delay.

The three of them had appeared suddenly and vanished just as quickly, leaving the lavish, empty room with only Xue Qianxun, able to hear the echo of her own breathing.

“So uncomfortable…” Xue Qianxun whispered in her heart. I don’t want to be a weak, helpless fool anymore.