A City Swept by Wind and Snow GL - Chapter 19

“Then tell me—do you want it divided, or do you want it whole?”

Xue Qianqian, Xifeng, the three guardians, and Tang Fei were returning from the shores of Lingbo Lake through a secret path to an entrance of Yaqin Villa—the Moonlight Spring. A small green sedan chair had already been waiting there for some time.

The curtains inside the chair lifted, revealing a semi-open, dark-green folding fan, translucent like bones.

“The Xinghai of Shuiyue Palace truly refuses to give up,” said He Qishu calmly, his voice cold and emotionless. He then glanced at Xue Qianqian, showing a fleeting tenderness, and softly asked, “Are you unharmed?”

Xue Qianqian shook her head slightly, responding.

Seeing her indifferent attitude, He Qishu’s expression hardened slightly. He turned his face and lightly tapped Tang Fei on the head with the fan. “Alive, are you?”

Jinse smiled and replied, “If he were dead, wouldn’t he have been discarded already?”

He Qishu was accustomed to Jinse’s unpredictability and did not mind. Talented people often had strong personalities; only those who wielded the authority of kings could control them.

He Qishu nodded approvingly and said, “Leave him to Zhuque.” His gaze finally swept over Xifeng, held in Jinse’s arms. She was pale, barely conscious. He frowned lightly and asked, “She’s been reckless. How is she?”

Jinse replied, “Just as expected.”

“So that means…?”

“She will wake within two hours. If you have instructions, you can speak with her then.”

“Two hours…” He Qishu repeated the words with a hint of disbelief.

Jinse turned to Zhuque. “This has already been confirmed by you, right?”

Zhuque nodded firmly.

He Qishu finally relaxed, smiling. “She understands her own body well.” Then, his sharp gaze fell on the elder couple, Xuanwu and Baihu, whose answers to the next questions concerned him most.

Xuanwu understood immediately. “Indeed, as the Azure Dragon Guardian said, Shuiyue Palace sent an unusually large number of people, well-prepared, and initially full of momentum, ready for a fight.”

He Qishu smiled coldly. “Yes, especially when they saw Xifeng go berserk. For them, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Baihu hurriedly added, “Fortunately, Xiao Jin intercepted and altered the information sent by Goldfish, making the enemy believe that once Xifeng went berserk, she would quickly lose consciousness and be at their mercy.”

He Qishu sneered. “Now the world knows that Xifeng transforms into a ‘Demon Queen’ when berserk. But…” He carefully examined the bloodied Xifeng and frowned. “If I were there, I might also think she would be at their mercy. After all, her prior wounds have not yet healed. How difficult is it to cure San Dao’s poison? Why haven’t her injuries healed by now?”

Zhuque blushed and lowered her head, saying nothing.

Xuanwu quickly explained, “It’s precisely because the High Priest revealed weakness before the world that all the hidden enemies were drawn out.”

He Qishu nodded. “A gamble of truly significant stakes.”

“Fortunately, the High Priest won,” Xuanwu said with emotion.

Baihu added, “Xinghai of Shuiyue Palace has planted numerous undercover agents. They are like the ears and eyes of Shuihai, embedded in other sects. Our Xiaoyao Cult also has more than just Goldfish. When Xifeng lost control, the enemies thought the High Priest had perished and a few long-hidden spies revealed themselves.”

He Qishu snorted coldly. “Those spies will be dealt with slowly by me.”

Jinse said, “In short, the outcome of this fierce battle was entirely as Xifeng had predicted.”

He Qishu replied calmly, “Xifeng is very talented. But our Xiaoyao Cult has more than just her as a pillar. Jinse—” His gaze pierced the youthful, peach-blossom-like face, “your performance greatly exceeded my expectations. Xifeng did not choose wrongly.”

Jinse smiled awkwardly. “Please don’t flatter me. I risked my life at the time.”

“Risked your life?” He Qishu’s tone darkened, hinting at deeper meaning. “It’s rare to see you risk your life. Too bad I missed it.”

At this moment, Zhuque timidly said to He Qishu, “Prince, the High Priest and Tang Fei are injured… I want to help them…”

He Qishu nodded. “Perhaps Jinse should also assist.”

“I’ll go too!” Xue Qianqian interjected.

He Qishu remained silent, merely raising an arm to block her path.

Xuanwu and Baihu were concerned for Xifeng, their eyes scanning her pale face. He Qishu noticed and said, “You should all withdraw.”

The elders bowed and left, but Zhuque politely refused to accompany them, shy by nature, reluctant to be observed while treating important injuries.

At Moonlight Spring, only He Qishu and Xue Qianqian remained.

Earlier, Xue Qianqian realized that much had been hidden from her, fueling her frustration. She resolved to confront Jinse once He Qishu departed. Unexpectedly, the person left before her was the one she least wanted to face.

He Qishu looked at her with a hint of indulgence. “Little wolf cub…”

“Why not learn from Jinse? Learn to give people nicknames!” Xue Qianqian snapped. She had been holding back in front of others, but now her anger burst forth, cutting off his words. “All this was part of your scheme! Why didn’t you tell me?”

He Qishu did not get angry; instead, he smiled gently. If Xue Qianqian had lost her temper earlier, he might have been upset; if she had remained silent throughout, he might have been disappointed. But she was exactly the Xue Qianqian he liked: spirited, brave, yet measured.

“I know,” He Qishu’s voice softened, appearing very gentle. “Back at Chunjiang Academy, you often bickered with Jinse, yet you were actually close friends. Your anger stems from concern for her. But you’ve also seen her strength. Only she can control Xifeng in her demon state while remaining unharmed herself.”

Xue Qianqian realized: she had thought she cared only for Xifeng—or rather, for Su Sha Qianqian.

Xue Qianqian hesitated. “Prince…”

“Hm?” He Qishu raised his long brows.

“Since Xue Qianqian is also part of the Xiaoyao Cult, I hope that in the future—”

He Qishu interrupted gently, “Xue Qianqian, what is your position in the Xiaoyao Cult? Disciple? Elder? Guardian? Know that many secrets, known to only three or four people including myself, are not shared lightly. When I allowed you to join the Xiaoyao Cult, it was through Jinse’s recommendation. It is better that fewer people know of our connection. Now, though I recognize you as part of the cult, I will not assign you any formal position.”

Xue Qianqian understood: in the Xiaoyao Cult, to gain more knowledge, one must have matching strength.

He Qishu continued, “Xifeng, Jinse, Xuanwu… all are talented. Their current status was earned by defeating competitors with their strength.”

His casual words stung Xue Qianqian’s pride. In He Qishu’s eyes, she was merely a weakling who could write, paint, or perform—of little strategic value.

“Tell me, what do you want to know?” He Qishu asked with interest, curious about her ambitions.

Xue Qianqian looked at him earnestly. “I am not interested in fighting or killing. I only want my friends to be safe.”

He Qishu smiled, nodding in satisfaction. “As expected of a young lady. Don’t worry, Jinse will be safe.”

The wind suddenly grew strong.

He Qishu draped his battle cloak over Xue Qianqian’s shoulders. “I must return. When Xifeng awakens, tell her to come find me.”

Xue Qianqian hurriedly protested, “But she’s so badly hurt!”

He Qishu smiled faintly. “Do not think of Xifeng as a mortal.”

“Prince,” Xue Qianqian persisted, “aren’t you too cold toward your subordinates?”

“Xifeng is not my subordinate,” He Qishu explained.

“…?” Xue Qianqian did not understand.

“Only when Xifeng is pleased is she my subordinate,” he clarified, then added with a faint smile, “She and Jinse are priceless double-edged swords. If anyone can dominate them, it is me.”

Xue Qianqian shivered: He Qishu, what gives you such confidence?!

Indeed, in his hands was an incredibly powerful team: the formidable Xifeng, the unfathomable Jinse, the top-tier healer Zhuque, the eccentric but powerful elder couple Xuanwu and Baihu, and the rumored Eastern Guardian, Qinglong. With so many first-class martial artists gathered, what could the Xiaoyao Prince truly intend?

Xue Qianqian pondered these questions while wandering along a small path.

After a while, she looked up sharply and whispered, “Oh no! Where am I?”

She had lost her way. Yaqin Villa was vast, with complex layouts and few people. He Qishu had abandoned his sedan chair and disappeared without a trace. Xue Qianqian had gone in the opposite direction, unknowingly losing her way.

“Oh well,” she thought. She had no intention of finding her room; she just aimed for any occupied building.

She wandered, passing a dozen or so buildings, all with locked doors. Just as she began to panic, she noticed a trail of bl00d in the snow, and instinctively followed it.

The bl00d led her to a square stone house. Its gray, mottled walls had no visible doors, only three small round windows in the center, neatly aligned.

Curious, Xue Qianqian climbed a stone to peek inside. She was disappointed: there was only a wall.

“Do they dislike sunlight?” she wondered aloud.

Then she heard the sound of cups breaking inside, followed by a voice, “So cool!”

It was Xifeng. Another voice responded—clearly Jinse’s: “Why are you holding my hand? How can I continue?”

Xifeng scolded, “Do you understand what ‘measure’ means?” Her voice was soft, obviously still weak.

Jinse replied gently, “Then tell me—do you want it divided, or do you want it whole?”

Xifeng said nothing.

After a moment, Jinse asked softly, “Does it hurt?”

Xifeng grumbled, “It hurts like death!”

Xue Qianqian grew even more curious, gripping the windowsill, standing on tiptoe. “What are you two doing? Let me in!”

Jinse laughed. “It’s the little wolf cub! How did she find this place?”

Before she finished speaking, the two artificial hills opposite the stone house slowly parted, revealing a dark entrance.

“Xue Qianqian, did you see the entrance?” Xifeng asked from inside.

Xue Qianqian stepped in and met the silver fox Xiaoxue, who guided her in. The interior was even colder and eerier than the outside.

After a short underground passage, they reached the inside of the stone house. A few lights flickered along the blue stone walls, casting shadows.

On the east side was a simple bed, where Xifeng lay half-reclined, propping her chin, wrapped in thick blankets. She nodded to Xue Qianqian, explaining, “This is my room.”

Xue Qianqian felt a pang of bitterness. “It’s so cold here.”

Xifeng replied lightly, “Cold?”

“You used to like sunlight everywhere. You liked houses full of flowers and vines on windows, paintings on walls…”

Xifeng smiled slightly at Jinse. “She seems to know me well.”

Jinse continued her work, not responding to Xue Qianqian’s words. She remained focused on preparing herbs.

Xue Qianqian was hurt by Xifeng’s cool reply, but seeing her seriously injured, she couldn’t help but worry. She stepped forward, asking, “How are your injuries?”

Xifeng sat up slightly, smiling softly, “It’s okay.”

“What about Zhuque?”

“Tang Fei has multiple fractured ribs and internal injuries, so Zhuque is busy,” Jinse interjected, bringing the medicine bowl to Xifeng. “Continue. This time, I understand the proper measure.”

“You were applying medicine?” Xue Qianqian asked.

Jinse nodded. “This is all I can do. What else did you think?”

“I thought you were fighting,” Xue Qianqian said.

“Fighting?” Jinse laughed. “It’s too early for that. We’ll fight when you agree to stand on my side.”

Xifeng clenched her blanket, smiling silently.

Jinse frowned. “Quickly turn over for your back!”

Xifeng stubbornly insisted, “I’ll wait for Zhuque.”

Jinse said, “This medicine was prepared by Zhuque. Who applies it doesn’t matter—it won’t leave any scars.”

“Really?” Xue Qianqian rejoiced. “Even wounds that deep?”

Jinse nodded. “Of course. Zhuque’s medical skills are top-tier, and these precious ingredients come from the Prince’s estate. No need to save them, not a bit.”

“What about old scars?”

Jinse shook her head. “That might be difficult.”

“I know the measure. I want to apply the medicine to Xifeng!” Xue Qianqian exclaimed, trying to pull the blanket.

Xifeng, fully alert, repeated, “I’ll wait for Zhuque!”

Jinse blocked her. “Without the anesthetic, she’d die of pain. Better let her be.”

Xue Qianqian, eyes wide and black, finally relented. “Zhuque only cares about Tang Fei, not you! And it’s all Tang Fei’s fault, naughty thing!”

Xifeng exhaled, wrapping the blanket tighter. “Actually, it was I who instructed him to notify everyone about the San Dao incident, to lure Shuiyue Palace.”

Jinse smiled. “Tang Fei wasn’t that bad. Before Xifeng went berserk, he yielded at every turn, not once striking maliciously. Unlike his brother Tang Ran.”

“Then that’s your fault!” Xue Qianqian scolded Jinse.

Jinse pouted, looking at Xifeng with slight grievance.

Xifeng said, “Jinse’s plan was excellent. Xiaoyao Cult needed a chance to reclaim Tang Fei. Someone like him is better as a companion.”

Xue Qianqian asked, puzzled, “What’s so great about him?”

Xifeng explained, “At first Jinse only suspected. Later, the Eastern Guardian Qinglong confirmed Tang Fei is the famed Western thief—Fanghua Yishun. His lightness skills are superb; even unmasked, few can discern him. His greatest skill: unparalleled infiltration techniques. Any mechanism or formation cannot stop him. After all, he’s a thief.”

Jinse added, “Shuiyue Palace planted top-level spies in our cult. Clearly, they have ill intentions. But the challenge is that Shuiyue Palace’s entrance is extremely secret. Only those invited to the ‘Tianyuan Martial Debate’ can enter. Recruiting Tang Fei, skilled in formations and infiltration, is all benefit, no harm.”

Xue Qianqian asked, “What’s Prince He Qishu’s next plan?”

Jinse said, “He has decided to issue a challenge to Shuiyue Palace. We must wait until Xifeng and Tang Fei recover. Once approved by Dragon Kiss Leader, we’ll head to Eagle-blocking Mountains. The Eastern Guardian Qinglong will rejoin us, fighting alongside.”

Xue Qianqian’s gaze darted nervously. “Where is Dragon Kiss Leader? He’s on the same level as He Qishu. Where is he?”

Jinse looked at Xifeng, helplessly. “We only know he is in Xiaoyao Palace. No one has seen him. Only Xifeng can communicate with him.”

“So that’s why He Qishu said Xifeng is only his subordinate when pleased?” Xue Qianqian realized.

Jinse smiled. “He Qishu knows Xifeng well. But did he say how rarely she is pleased?”

Xue Qianqian asked Xifeng, “You wouldn’t willingly submit. Who is Dragon Kiss that you would pledge loyalty?”

Xifeng’s expression stiffened. “Too many questions. From now on, I refuse to answer.”