Legend of The Frost Blade - Chapter 14

Yan Qingqiu looked closely and noticed that the three attackers moved mysteriously. Their long swords were entirely black, and their steps varied in speed as if they were coordinating with each other. Yan Qingqiu raised his hand to block one sword, while the other two attackers thrust from the sides. He gathered strength in his legs and kicked towards their lower bodies, breaking the attack. However, he knew it would not be easy to ensure the safety of both himself and Murong Ai.

Taking advantage of the moment when all three attackers fell to the ground, he whipped the horse and drove the cart away.

The assassins were also very agile, quickly leaping up and following closely. Yan Qingqiu had Murong Ai take the reins while he drew his bamboo flute and stood at the back to fend off the attackers.

Two of the assassins feigned attacks, while the third tried to climb onto the cart. The black swords were like black snakes, constantly aiming for Murong Ai’s back. Yan Qingqiu had guessed earlier that they were after the Demon Blade, and now it was confirmed. The three were determined to kill Murong Ai, as if they had an irreconcilable enmity, but their origins were still a mystery. Murong Ai had mentioned they came from beyond the border. Could they be from another faction within the Guangming Sect?

While thinking, Yan Qingqiu seized an opportunity to step on a sword, sweeping one assassin off the cart with his bamboo flute. The assassin screamed as the cart wheel crushed his leg, rendering him disabled. The other two, ignoring their companion’s injury, continued to attack single-mindedly. The three dogs, nestled in the goods, barked furiously at them.

At this moment, the two assassins changed their tactics again. They clung to the cart, entangling Yan Qingqiu in combat. One attacked his upper body while the other targeted his lower body; if one struck from the left, the other would strike from the right. This made their attacks impervious to the wind, even more seamless than when the three had attacked together. This left Yan Qingqiu fully occupied, with no time to consider anything else.

Suddenly, the black dog seized the opportunity and leapt fiercely, biting the left hand of one assassin. The assassin, in pain, flung the black dog off the cart, causing it to hit the ground and crack its skull. It let out a pained yelp and died. This gave Yan Qingqiu a moment of respite, and he struck the remaining assassin’s chest with the bamboo flute, hitting a vital point.

Murong Ai turned around and saw the black dog dead, his face becoming unpleasantly dark.

At that moment, the remaining assassin stopped attacking and stood still at the back of the cart, not showing any intention of fleeing. Yan Qingqiu felt suspicious and dared not make a rash move.

Murong Ai lashed the horse a few times, causing it to run frantically forward in pain. He turned around and saw Yan Qingqiu and the assassin in a standoff. With a cold smile, he said: “Juechen, well done. This last one is just right for me to vent my anger.”

It turned out that although the dog was bought for show, it had already recognized Murong Ai as its master. Now, seeing the black dog die tragically while protecting its master, Murong Ai’s fierce nature was provoked, and despite his current weakness, he intended to personally deal with the assassin.

Yan Qingqiu was shocked and couldn’t let him act so recklessly.

However, even though Murong Ai was seriously injured, his movements were still as agile as ever. He truly threw down the whip and got up.

Seeing Murong Ai indeed making a move, the assassin’s eyes became even more fierce. Yan Qingqiu gripped his bamboo flute tightly, ready to guard against a sudden attack. The remaining two dogs barked more fiercely, and Murong Ai patted the yellow dog’s head: “Don’t worry, I’ll avenge your Xiong Di soon.”

Yan Qingqiu whispered, “Da Ge’s injuries are not healed yet. Let Xiaodi handle this person ba!”

But Murong Ai was unwilling. He picked up a black sword left by one of the assassins and said: “I haven’t fought in a long time, and my skills have rusted. Today is a good day to practice.”

Then he smiled at the assassin and said: “Since I’m not in the sect, I suppose Hall Master Yelü must be very pleased. Did he instruct you all to make sure I never leave the Central Plains?”

The assassin didn’t respond, just stood silently at the back of the cart. Murong Ai sneered, then suddenly thrust his sword forward! This move was originally just a starting stance, seemingly ordinary, but the assassin not only didn’t dodge but even welcomed the sword with his chest. With a sou, the black sword pierced through him. Murong Ai realized something was wrong and quickly let go. The assassin then pulled down the cloth covering his face and spat out a mouthful of bl00d. Murong Ai couldn’t dodge in time, and although he turned his head, his face and chest were still splattered. The bl00d was greenish-black. At a glance, it was clear that it was highly toxic!

Yan Qingqiu raised his hand and struck the assassin, sending him flying. The assassin rolled on the ground a couple of times and was clearly beyond saving. Murong Ai wiped his face with his sleeve, but there were still some green marks on his skin that couldn’t be removed. Just as he was about to speak, a sharp pain shot through his Dantian, causing his legs to go weak.

Yan Qingqiu rushed over to stop the horse and supported Murong Ai, repeatedly asking him how he was.

Murong Ai’s face turned pale, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Gritting his teeth, he cursed: “Yelü, that old scoundrel, actually used the Si Shi from Yao Tang!”

Hearing this, Yan Qingqiu understood that it was internal strife within the Guangming Sect and refrained from interfering. He only asked what was crucial: “Was the bl00d that man spat out extremely toxic? Do you have any antidote, Da Ge?”

Murong Ai shook his head and said: “These are the Si Shi specialized in assassination by our sect. Before taking on a mission, they ingest a deadly poison, making their entire body a lethal weapon. Yelü has long wanted me dead, but I never thought he could mobilize the Si Shi from Yao Tang!” Before he could finish speaking, bl00d trickled from the corner of his mouth. Murong Ai wiped it with the back of his hand and said bitterly: “The poisons crafted by Yao Tang are countless, even the sect leader might not have an antidote.”

Yan Qingqiu said: “Da Ge, the residual poison in your body hasn’t been cleared, and you’ve suffered a hidden attack. This is very bad. Since these people could ambush us halfway, they must have already figured out our whereabouts. In my humble opinion, it seems we can’t continue on this path.”

By now, the sky was completely dark, and the snow in the air was getting heavier. Murong Ai’s face looked even more ashen. After a brief contemplation, he smiled bitterly and said: “Despite a thousand and even ten thousand degrees of unwillingness, there is ultimately only one place to go.”

Yan Qingqiu was puzzled, but Murong Ai said: “Although I’m seriously injured, I’m still capable of riding a horse. I’ll have to trouble Juechen to pack up a bit. I know a place where we can temporarily hide. Let me rest for a bit before we continue on our way ba.”

So, Yan Qingqiu turned back to where the escorts had died, untied the best horse, and gathered some dry food and clothes, bundling them up. Murong Ai strapped Kuaiyi Qiushuang to his waist, dismantled a box, laid soft cloths inside, and placed it on the horse’s back, putting the yellow and gray dogs inside. Yan Qingqiu was taken aback and said: “Da Ge, are you planning to take them with us?”

Murong Ai replied: “It’s freezing with heavy snow now, and all around are desolate wilderness. Leaving them here would only mean their death by freezing. They have been loyal to me before, so I naturally cannot abandon them.”

Yan Qingqiu felt a warmth rise in his heart upon hearing this, and couldn’t help but smile: “Whatever Da Ge wishes, Xiaodi will do his utmost to achieve it,” 

The two of them traveled swiftly through the official road towards Jizhou, heading northwest through the night. Despite the fierce wind and snow, they wrapped their heads and faces and did not stop, their mounts running until they were drenched in sweat. Murong Ai’s injuries worsened, but he didn’t utter a word, leading the way only a few zhang ahead. Yan Qingqiu was secretly worried, always keeping an eye on him. If there was any sign of instability, he was ready to assist. However, Murong Ai was indeed tough, showing no sign of slackening.

Around dawn, the snow gradually stopped, and they slowed their pace, arriving outside a small town. Yan Qingqiu saw Murong Ai dismount, his lips turned purple, looking very different from his usual spirited self, even worse than a few days ago. He wanted to persuade Murong Ai to rest for a while, but seeing him shake his head repeatedly, he could only find a small shop to buy some meat buns to fill their stomachs.

Hurrying on in this manner, after about five days, they reached Luan City.

Yan Qingqiu had no acquaintances here and didn’t understand why Murong Ai would lead him to this place. Now, not only were they being pursued by people from the Central Plains martial arts community, but even the Guangming Sect had inserted itself into the fray. Along the way, to avoid their enemies, the two were very cautious, silently avoiding any figures of Jianghu they encountered. They never went to inns or taverns where people gathered and instead found shelter in the woodsheds of commoners at night. Yan Qingqiu, who had been proud and successful most of his life, had never experienced such hardship. However, seeing that someone as wild and unrestrained as Murong Ai never complained, he naturally didn’t say much.

Ever since entering the territory of Luancheng, Murong Ai’s injuries had become increasingly severe. Several times he nearly fell off his horse, and though he managed a forced smile after Yan Qingqiu helped him up, his brow showed an ashen color, which secretly alarmed Yan Qingqiu.

That day, the two arrived at a desolate village outside Luancheng. The sky had already darkened, the bitter wind was blowing fiercely, and snow was swirling chaotically. There wasn’t a single light in any direction, nor any signs of life on the ground. Yan Qingqiu stepped forward and asked: “Da Ge, you mentioned there was a place to rest and recuperate, so why have we come to such a desolate place?”

Murong Ai, wrapped in a large cloak, both cheeks somewhat sunken and a bluish hue on his jaw, but his eyes still shone with spirit. He pointed ahead and said: “Juechen, don’t worry. We just need to go another li.”

Yan Qingqiu asked doubtfully: “Why doesn’t Xiaodi know what’s ahead?”

Murong Ai gave a faint smile and said: “Ahead is the Fuyue Mountain Manor.”

Yan Qingqiu found the name vaguely familiar, but couldn’t recall it. He wanted to ask more, but Murong Ai had already urged his horse forward. Yan Qingqiu followed behind, repeatedly muttering the name.

The two lit torches in the wind and snow and walked for another half hour, gradually entering a forest of withered poplars. The bare branches,covered in snow like white burial shrouds, stood rigid on the hillside, while the cold wind howled through the treetops like the wails of restless spirits. The flickering firelight cast shadows that seemed to dance and leap, making it feel as if countless little ghosts were hiding among the trees. The ground was muddy and difficult to traverse, as it appeared there had once been a path that had fallen into disrepair. The stones, once carefully laid, had sunk, and the mud and dead grass mixed together, causing the horses to frequently slip.

They continued forward for another half-li, when suddenly a large stretch of walls appeared in the darkness ahead. In the flickering firelight, the silhouette of curved eaves and ridgepoles emerged, revealing a grand manor.

Yan Qingqiu was very surprised and took a closer look —

The manor, though built magnificently, had many parts of its outer wall collapsed. Some of the eaves were chipped, and there was no light inside, giving it a long-abandoned appearance.

However, Murong Ai seemed familiar with the place. He dismounted at the side gate of the manor wall, pushed the creaking door open, and turned to Yan Qingqiu, saying: “Juechen, aren’t you cold? Come in quickly to shelter from the wind and snow.”

Yan Qingqiu hesitated for a moment, then also dismounted, anxiously asking: “Is this place an abandoned house? If there’s an owner, wouldn’t entering without permission make us seem like thieves?”

Murong Ai smiled without answering and led the horse inside. Yan Qingqiu, left with no choice, followed.

Entering through the side gate, they saw that it indeed looked long abandoned. Piles of rubble blocked the corridors, and the wind made the open doors creak. Cobwebs and dust covered the corners, and bird droppings littered the floor.

Murong Ai tied the horse in a sheltered spot and took out the two dogs. Yan Qingqiu, carrying their luggage, followed him inside. Yan Qingqiu thought: This place seems long abandoned and usually uninhabited, making it a good place to hide. If Murong Ai recuperates here, he’ll just need to hunt some wild animals for food, which isn’t too difficult. Clearly, Murong Ai knows much more about the Central Plains than I thought.

They walked through a dilapidated walkway, passing through moon gates and small courtyards, until they stopped in front of a house. Though the house looked old, it was very clean, with no dust at all. The windows and doors were covered with oiled paper, without even a hole, indicating someone was living there.

Murong Ai pushed the door open and entered. Inside, there was only a bamboo bed with a thin quilt on it; two lacquered wooden boxes stacked against the wall, showing signs of being gnawed by rats; and a basin of charcoal fire in the middle, with ashes still glowing red.

Yan Qingqiu was filled with doubts and was about to speak, but suddenly saw the two dogs that had followed them in and were sniffing around started barking furiously at something outside. Turning his head, he saw the shadow of a figure standing in the corridor.

Yan Qingqiu stopped the dogs and looked up at the man. He saw that the man was elderly, with white hair and beard, short in stature, his face like orange peel, and his hands resembling chicken claws. His eyes, however, were bright and piercing, like those of a wild wolf. The man’s clothes were tattered, a gray cotton jacket full of patches, but he held a crossbow steadily in his hands. He rasped: “Where did you little thieves come from? How dare you cause trouble at Fuyue Manor! Get out at once, or this Lao Ye will show no mercy and shoot you both dead!”

Yan Qingqiu thought to himself, this is bad, if the residents returned and saw them, they would surely think they were burglars. He quickly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and apologized, saying: “Lao Zhang, please don’t be angry. We are traveling merchants who got caught in the snowstorm. We thought this place was abandoned and came in to rest, we have no malicious intent!”

Unexpectedly, this remark made the old man even angrier. He shouted: “You tactless brat! How could you think Fuyue Manor, of all places, would be abandoned! Your flowery words and cunning speech can’t deceive this grandfather! If you know what’s good for you, get out of here immediately. Be careful, with just a flick of my hand, your life will be in danger!”

Yan Qingqiu felt wronged but knew better than to argue with a crazy old man. He turned to Murong Ai with a bitter smile, hoping they could retreat and leave the place.

Murong Ai patted him on the shoulder, took a couple of steps forward with the torch, and smiled at the old man, saying, “Feng Bo, can’t I even stay here for a night?”

The old man’s hands trembled, his eyes widened, and as Murong Ai approached, he began to tremble like a sifting chaff.

Yan Qingqiu, worried, quickly followed. He was afraid the old man might attack in anger, but also worried that Murong Ai might hurt the old man in his temper.

However, the two stood facing each other without saying a word. Murong Ai just smiled, while the old man stared at his face to death, a mixture of joy and sorrow on his face, and tears gradually welled up in his eyes.

This scene was indeed strange, and Yan Qingqiu didn’t utter a sound. He squatted down to calm the restless dogs while waiting for the two to speak.

Suddenly, the old man dropped the crossbow, grabbed Murong Ai’s arms, and cried, “Shao Ye……”

Yan Qingqiu was shocked and puzzled, suddenly remembering: Could this be the “Fuyue Manor” from twenty years ago?

Before Yan Qingqiu became a master, he knew almost nothing about Jianghu, except for the stories of old events that Mijiu Xian told him. One of these stories was about the decline of Fuyue Manor.

Who would have thought that Murong Ai, a distinguished Zuoshi of the Guangming Sect and a long-standing enemy of the Central Plains martial arts community, would be a descendant of Fuyue Manor?

FOOTNOTES

Titles

Si Shi: “死士” (sǐ shì) “Death Warriors” or “Suicide Fighters,” refers to a group of warriors or soldiers who are willing to sacrifice their lives for a cause or mission. They are often characterized by their extreme loyalty, courage, and readiness to die in combat or for their beliefs.

Lao Zhang: A respectful way to address an elderly man. It can be translated as “elder” or “venerable elder.”

Bo: Typically means “uncle” or “elder brother” and is often used as a term of respect for an older man.

Shao Ye: “Young Master”.

Places

Yao Tang: “药堂” (yào táng) translates to “Medicine Hall”, but I think “Drug Hall” would be more fitting in this case. A location in the Guangming Sect where various drugs and poisons are crafted.

Objects:

Moon Gate: Originally from Chinese garden designs, a circular opening in a garden wall or hedge that acts as a passageway.

Oiled Paper: A traditional material used in East Asian architecture, particularly for window and door coverings. This material allows light to pass through while providing privacy, creating a soft, diffused light effect inside the room.

Other

“Impervious to the wind”: 密不透风 (mì bù tòu fēng):This idiom means extremely tight or without any gaps.

Dantian: (丹田) Refers to an important energy center in the body where Qi (vital life energy) is stored and cultivated. Lower Dantian: Located about two inches below the navel and a few inches inward, this is the primary center for storing and generating qi. It is the most important Dantian in martial arts and qigong. Middle Dantian: Located at the level of the heart, this Dantian is associated with the circulation of qi and the emotions. Upper Dantian: Located at the forehead, between the eyebrows, this Dantian is related to spiritual and mental activities.

Li: “里” is the character representing the unit of distance, similar to a mile.