Legend of The Frost Blade - Chapter 11

Yan Qingqiu heard Tang Hong scolding behind him, and felt a surge of irritation. Thinking it over, he blamed Tang Hong for not using his brain—how could he have stabbed Qin through without a clear plan? However, this was neither the time nor place for arguments, just needing to figure out how to defeat the other three.

Yan Qingqiu didn’t understand why Yang Chong acted the way he did, but he couldn’t trust him easily. So he leaped about two zhang away, hiding behind a pine tree. He saw Tang Hong in the dark, briefly examining the corpse. Then Tang Hong stood up, took something out of a deerskin bag with both hands, and looked around warily, ready to defend. Chen Dajiang soon arrived, and when he saw the body on the ground, he was shocked. Tang Hong said to him: “Now that the southeast position is broken, we can’t move as we said before. We must stay together.”

Chen Dajiang replied angrily: “I never expected that Yan scoundrel to be so insidious!”

As they were speaking, Yang Chong finally arrived late. His longsword still faintly glowed red in the moonlight, but there was no trace of blood on it. Yan Qingqiu was puzzled, and suddenly an idea struck him. He then used the tip of his toes to gather leverage and, like a nimble monkey, leaped onto a branch and headed north.

His Qinggong was extremely high, and he held his breath and focused, so even though he wasn’t far away, the other three didn’t notice him. However, once he moved, his position was naturally exposed. Tang Hong, reacting quickly, immediately shot two poison coated Bone-Piercing Darts. Yan Qingqiu dodged one and knocked down the other before quickly escaping again.

“Cunning rascal!” Chen Dajiang cursed as he chased after him. Yang Chong, however, stopped him and said, “Chen Xiong, your martial arts are robust; you should hold the line for Tang Xiong and I. The two of us are more agile, and can confront that scoundrel Yan first.”

Tang Hong agreed, “Exactly,” and without waiting, pursued Yan Qingqiu. The three of them, one in front of the other, followed his tracks northward.

Tang Hong, being hot-tempered, threw his darts and iron spikes at the slightest movement, seemingly unbothered by the expenditure. His small deerskin bag seemed inexhaustible. However, Yan Qingqiu moved like a ghost through the forest, darting back and forth, as if there were ten or more clones of him, leading the three of them on a wild chase, exhausted and unable to catch even a piece of his clothing.

Tang Hong, who held himself in high esteem, was determined to avenge his Xiongdi and capture the suspect for the Five Great Clans, as well as to earn the first merit and bring honor to the Tang Clan. Unexpectedly, he was being toyed with by Yan Qingqiu without even encountering the Demon Blade, which enraged him even further. Fury raged in his heart, and his attacks became even more fierce.

Under the moonlight, a shadow suddenly flickered among the pines, difficult to discern clearly, followed by the sound of wind behind him. Tang Hong coldly smiled and shot four Bone-Piercing Darts. Unexpectedly, there was a light ding sound, followed by a miserable scream from Chen Dajiang.

It turned out that Yan Qingqiu intentionally confused them, causing Tang Hong to be alarmed and randomly use his strength. All the hidden weapons were thrown behind him, and Yan Qingqiu took the opportunity to shoot a handful of stones at them, which happened to cause one to strike Chen Dajiang in the upper arm.

When Tang Hong and Yang Chong heard the scream, they knew things had gone awry. Tang Hong’s face turned pale—his hidden weapons were highly toxic, and without a timely antidote, it could be fatal. So,  not caring where Yan Qingqiu had fled, he hurriedly took out two pills and gave them to Chen Dajiang, then tore open the sleeve to extract the Bone-Piercing Dart.

Yang Chong lit a branch with a fire starter, stuck it into the ground, and said to Tang Hong: “Chen Xiong urgently needs you to save him, there’s no time to delay. Let me go after Yan Qingqiu alone!”

Tang Hong was full of frustration and unwillingness, but had no choice and agreed: “Yang Xiong, be careful, that scoundrel is extremely cunning!”

Yang Chong nodded, and with his longsword in hand, walked into the forest.

Yan Qingqiu, taking advantage of Tang Hong’s injury to Chen Dajiang, saw that two of his three strong enemies were out of action in the blink of an eye. However, he knew from experience that Yang Chong was formidable, and even with the current favorable conditions, he dared not be complacent. Watching Yang Chong follow him alone, he recalled the sudden assassination of his companion, which left many doubts. He hoped to find an opportunity to take him down and then meet up with Murong Ai, leaving the doubts to be resolved later.

At this time, he was in the dark, while Yang Chong was in the open, giving him a significant advantage. However, Yang Chong was not as impulsive and frivolous as Tang Hong, so approaching him would require even more caution.

Yan Qingqiu understood the intricacies of the situation, becoming increasingly cautious. He dared not leap between the branches and trunks, fearing the rustling of leaves would give him away. Instead, he carefully stepped on the patches of moonlit soil that were barely visible. 

After several such movements, he finally got close to Yang Chong from behind. Gripping his bamboo flute tightly, he was about to launch a decisive attack when Yang Chong, as if having eyes on the back of his head, blocked the strike with a backhand flick, the bamboo flute clashing hard against his sword.

Yan Qingqiu was shocked and immediately tried to retreat upon the failed strike, but Yang Chong suddenly spoke: “Feihua Gongzi, don’t leave just yet. Please hear me out.”

Yan Qingqiu leaned against a pine tree, cautiously defensive, and replied: “Yang Shaoxia, if you have something to say, please feel free to speak. I also wish to understand the purpose of your actions today.”

Yang Chong’s face remained expressionless, though the red scar between his brows grew even fainter. He lowered his sword and said in a low voice: “Feihua Gongzi, don’t be suspicious. I had no choice today. If I hadn’t acted this way, I couldn’t have helped you escape your predicament.”

“Yang Shaoxia, weren’t you and Sima Gongzi trying to capture me? Where does this aid come from?”

Yang Chong’s expression was uncertain, and he replied vaguely: “The Five Great Clans are after the Demon Blade, but Feihua Gongzi was innocently implicated. It’s best not to get involved in this murky situation any further.”

Yan Qingqiu’s suspicions deepened: “I have no acquaintance with Yang Shaoxia. Why are you willing to believe in my innocence and even harm your companions for my sake?”

Yang Chong’s face changed color, but he did not argue. He just sighed: “Feihua Gongzi, it’s best for you to cut ties with that demon Murong Ai. This entanglement cannot be resolved by your strength alone. This series of bloody incidents involves more than just those deaths.”

Yan Qingqiu was secretly alarmed and pressed further: “What do you mean by that, Yang Shaoxia? Can you please explain it clearly?”

Yang Chong did not speak further. Instead, he sheathed his sword, bowed hurriedly, and said: “I have said all I can. Take care, Feihua Gongzi!” With that, he did not wait for Yan Qingqiu to respond and disappeared into the forest.

Yan Qingqiu was in turmoil, unable to make sense of it all. He was worried about Murong Ai, so seeing Yang Chong deliberately avoid him and knowing that Tang Hong and Chen Dajiang were busy, he realized he truly had an opening. Without further delay, he gathered his strength and ran in the direction from which he had come.

As soon as he exited the pine forest, he saw under the dim moonlight, several figures engaged in a fierce battle.

On Murong Ai and Sima Xiao’s side, the battle was very different.

Although four people were fighting against Murong Ai, the one actually engaging was Sima Xiao, while Wu Xia and the other three stood by with their weapons. Yan Qingqiu observed carefully and saw that besides Wu Xia wielding a longsword, there was a short man also using a sword, and another person holding a single hook.

The current exchange between Sima Xiao and Murong Ai was vastly different from their encounter in Zhejiang, both using deadly moves, swift as lightning, the back-and-forth movements were actually somewhat difficult to see clearly. Yan Qingqiu was secretly impressed but also worried: Sima Xiao had previously joked about “winning by numbers,” but now he had Wu Xia and others watching. He most likely remembered Murong Ai’s methods from their last battle, intending to wear him down before signaling the others to finish him.

Realizing the situation, Yan Qingqiu couldn’t help but become angry and anxious, charging towards Wu Xia and the others.

Wu Xia, originally a noble lady from an official’s family in Daming Prefecture, had been guided by a master since childhood to strengthen her body through martial arts. After a romantic betrayal, she cut her hair and became a nun, developing a very strict temperament, especially towards men. Her swordsmanship was ruthless, and though her strength not very powerful, she was extremely crafty, earning her quite a reputation in Jianghu.

Seeing Yan Qingqiu charging from the forest, she laughed angrily: “Good! I was just getting bored, Feihua Gongzi, come and keep me company!”

As she spoke, Yan Qingqiu’s bamboo flute, carried by a cold wind, came striking towards her. She took five steps forward, using her longsword to block it. The two behind her reacted slightly slower, and Yan Qingqiu had already exchanged three moves with her.

Wu Xia shouted: “Wang Daxia, Feng Zhuangzhu, today, let this poor nun have some fun!”

The two men exchanged glances and stopped in their tracks, holding their weapons firmly, prepared to intervene should Wu Xia show any sign of defeat.

From the moment Yan Qingqiu was aware of Sima Xiao’s plans, he was greatly angered and began using his most powerful techniques, which he rarely employed. And Wu Xia, already ruthless by nature, now aimed every move directly at Yan Qingqiu’s vital points.

Feihua Gongzi was typically a gentleman. In past encounters, he always stopped at the appropriate point, not wanting to cause unnecessary transgressions. But today, truly enraged, Wu Xia’s aggressive behavior only fueled his anger further. He channeled ten segments out of ten of his full internal strength into his bamboo flute. A single misstep, and his uncontrolled force broke a young pine tree, as thick as a bowl, in half at its middle.

Wu Xia’s expression finally changed slightly, but she gritted her teeth and said: “So, Yan Qingqiu, you usually pretend to be upright, but you’re just a hypocrite! Do you think I’m afraid of you?”

Yan Qingqiu, with a stern face, didn’t want to say more. He aimed repeatedly at her wrist acupoints, seemingly intent on disabling her hand.

Initially, Wu Xia could cope, but her internal strength was far inferior to Yan Qingqiu’s. Before long, she was struggling, her movements becoming flustered. Only a cry of pain was heard, Yan Qingqiu’s bamboo flute striking her Neiguan acupoint, causing her to drop her long sword, which clattered onto the rocks.

The sound not only made Wu Xia’s face pale but also startled Wang and Feng, the two assisting men. They hadn’t expected Yan Qingqiu to defeat her so quickly.

The commotion also distracted Sima Xiao and Murong Ai.

Sima Xiao was only heard saying mockingly: “Murong Zuoshi, what great ability you have to train a biting attack dog ah!”

Murong Ai didn’t get angry and replied: “Sima Gongzi is still young, but your eyesight is already failing. Feihua Gongzi is clearly using a bamboo flute to hit the dog ne! What a pity, there are plenty of wooden sticks here……”

His humiliation might have been bearable to others, but Wu Xia, being proud and arrogant, immediately picked up her sword with her left hand and charged at Yan Qingqiu—It was a desperate fighting style intended to ensure mutual destruction.

Wang and Feng exclaimed in surprise and tried to stop her, but it was too late. Yan Qingqiu simply sidestepped and struck Wu Xia’s back with his palm, sending her crashing into a tree. Wu Xia immediately bled from her face and fainted.

Wang and Feng were horrified, exchanged glances, and both rushed forward.

After more than fifty moves, both men’s skills were on par with Wu Xia’s. Yan Qingqiu could hold them off but was inevitably caught in a bitter struggle. He worried that even if he could defeat Wang and Feng, his strength would be drained, and time was not on his side. Tang Hong and Yang Chong would eventually emerge from the pine forest, and then he and Murong Ai would surely be defeated. Moreover, from Yang Chong’s tone, while he might spare Yan Qingqiu, Murong Ai would absolutely be taken back. Considering Yang Chong’s skills, which Yan Qingqiu could not match even in Hangzhou, how could he have any chance after this exhausting series of battles?

Thinking this, his movements became somewhat impatient.

Feng Zhuangzhu, with his dexterous hook and sharp eyes, seized the momentary gap and hooked Yan Qingqiu’s bamboo flute. Then, with a quick flick of his wrist, he slashed a piece of clothing and flesh from Yan Qingqiu’s upper arm.

Yan Qingqiu’s wound hurt terribly, but he still didn’t drop his bamboo flute. He was indeed tough, not uttering a single groan.

Wang and Feng, seeing him injured, were greatly encouraged and pressed their attack. At this critical moment, there was a sudden commotion from the pine forest—it turned out that Yang Chong, having “failed to find” Yan Qingqiu, returned to Tang Hong and Chen Dajiang, and after a brief discussion, they decided to come back to Sima Xiao.

Chen Dajiang, having been poisoned by the Tang Clan’s deadly toxin, had taken the antidote in time, but his body was still weakened, causing him to stagger, supported by Yang Chong and Tang Hong.

When the three emerged from the forest, they saw two battlefields. Yang Chong remained calm, but Tang Hong immediately fixed his gaze on Yan Qingqiu, who was fighting Wang and Feng, and cursed angrily: “You treacherous scoundrel, you haven’t escaped yet!”

Saying this, he handed Chen Dajiang over to Yang Chong and rushed towards Yan Qingqiu while pulling a box from his deerskin pouch. When he was about three zhang away, he triggered the mechanism, and dozens of silver needles shot toward Yan Qingqiu.

Previously, Tang Hong had set up a trap for Yan Qingqiu, accidentally injuring Chen Dajiang. He didn’t gain the first merit and instead suffered repeated setbacks, fueling his anger. Now, seeing Yan Qingqiu slightly injured, he seized the opportunity, disregarding whether it was against the chivalrous way, and aimed to take the other party’s life.

Yan Qingqiu knew that Tang Hong and the others had left the forest and sensed the danger. He wanted to retreat but had no chance. Seeing Tang Hong’s actions, he knew the hidden weapons this time were more formidable than those in the forest, and with Wang and Feng tightly engaging him, he feared he was truly doomed.

Just as the silver needles were about to hit Yan Qingqiu, there was a flash of silver and a series of crisp ding ding sounds. Murong Ai suddenly dashed out from the side, and with a single sweep of Kuaiyi Qiushuang, knocked all the fine silver needles to the ground.

The onlookers were astonished, not expecting the Demon Blade to be so agile and capable of escaping from Sima Xiao’s clutches to rescue a companion.

Yan Qingqiu was both surprised and delighted, but then he frowned—standing back to back with him, Murong Ai was still upright, but his shoulder was clearly wet, and upon closer inspection, it was due to a sword wound.

Yan Qingqiu immediately understood: given Sima Xiao’s skill, although Murong Ai could divert attention to monitor the surrounding changes, it was very difficult to withdraw from such an intense battle. This sudden assistance came at the cost of his own flesh and blood.

He was greatly shaken, but Murong Ai turned to him with a smile and said: “That was close! The elegant Feihua Gongzi almost turned into a porcupine. Juechen, what do you have to thank me with?”

Footnotes

Titles

Zhuangzhu: “Village Chief” or “Manor Lord”

Other

“Ten segments out of ten”: 十成十的” (shí chéng shí de)  which conveys the sense of “complete” or “full.