Chapter 21: Wounded

"You... you, what a fine gentleman you are..." Jun Xiao's lips curled faintly as he once more pressed the slender sword—still gripped in his right hand—against the throat of the man in green. Only then did the black-clad men, who had been stunned at the side, come to their senses. One tightened his grip on his curved blade and lunged at Jun Xiao, but he was not nearly fast enough. In the blink of an eye, every black-clad man present had fallen to Jun Xiao's sword, and what’s more, he dispatched them using the very techniques that the man in green had just employed.

This scene stunned not only Mingyue but also the man in green, whose eyes went wide. He looked to Jun Xiao and asked, "What do you mean by this... Young master, you have cornered me, leaving me no path to retreat. Are you perhaps planning..."

His expression shifted to a smile, but before he could finish his sentence, Jun Xiao pressed a finger lightly to his lips and chuckled softly, "That's right. I intend to keep you here."

The man in green suddenly wiped the smile from his face, pushed Jun Xiao away, and retreated several steps. He transformed the sword in his hand back into a silver hairpin and pinned it elegantly into his hair, then smiled demurely. "My apologies, but here in Shu, I have long been branded a witch. Taking a few more lives matters little. If you think this is enough to stop me and buy Shu a little more time, you are sorely mistaken."

He turned, his raised sleeve tracing a graceful arc in the air—like a crimson butterfly in flight.

"Did you truly think I did this for Shu?" Jun Xiao called after him.

He paused and looked back. "In a few days, you will inherit the position of master. It would be best not to invite trouble."

With that, he strode away. Jun Xiao, as if recalling something, lowered his gaze and allowed a faint smile to appear.

At this, Mingyue realized how much Jun Xiao resembled his brother Jun Yi—even the hint of devilishness in his smile was the same. Sadly, four years later, Jun Xiao would never wear such a smile again. As Mingyue drew closer, she suddenly caught sight of the crimson silk in his hand.

"Our righteous young master has such skills? What a pity you’re not a master thief!" Mingyue cried out in delight, just as Jun Xiao tucked the red silk into his robes and turned to walk back toward the Gentlemen’s Hall.

No sooner had he returned than he was summoned by the elders of the Jun family, in the very hall where Mingyue had first seen him. The only difference now was that the seat of honor was occupied by a white-haired elder.

Jun Xiao had already composed himself by the time he entered, and now he knelt before the elders, sweeping his robes aside. "Jun Xiao pays respects to the elders."

The elder lifted a hand, and when Jun Xiao rose, he said, "You and Jun Yi must have received the news. The Emperor of Que has sent spies into Shu, seeking to steal the royal seal. As subjects of Shu and with our hall within its borders, we cannot stand by."

"And what do you wish me to do, Elder?"

"In seven days, you will succeed as master of the Gentlemen’s Hall. Many in the martial world will come to offer their congratulations. The elders present and I will find a way to contain the Que agents among them. On that very night, you and Jun Yi will each lead a party from the hall—Jun Yi to the border to assist in battle, and you to the capital to pursue the spies. The royal seal must not fall into the hands of the Que Emperor!"

Jun Xiao frowned, hesitating a moment before asking, "Elder, is it appropriate for our hall to meddle in state affairs?"

"Jun Xiao, though we live by the sword and those officials may call us mere outlaws, never forget we are sons of Shu. How could we watch our home and country be swallowed whole by the enemy? Even if we cannot withstand them, we must try. At a time like this, the distance between court and martial world matters little." The elder stroked his beard and spoke gravely, deep lines furrowing his brow.

At this, Jun Xiao bowed deeply. "I understand."

"Good. Go and make ready. The coming seven days will not be peaceful."

Jun Xiao nodded, and as he stepped out he saw Jun Yi approaching.

"Brother, they summoned you too? What’s going on?"

Jun Xiao hesitated briefly, then replied, "Nothing much. You’ll understand when you go in."

Jun Yi eyed him suspiciously for a moment, then turned and entered the hall.

Once Jun Xiao had left, he continued walking ahead, with Mingyue and Qin Shi following, unable to discern his destination. After a while, Mingyue couldn’t help but say, "That man in green—he’s clearly Gu Yanrong. Could she be the spy sent by the Que Emperor?"

"I don’t think so," Qin Shi replied softly. "Her appearance was too conspicuous. She’s drawn too much attention from the border to the capital, which is why those black-clad men came after her."

"Then who is she?"

Qin Shi frowned slightly, and as the scenery around them shifted again, he said, "She’s the catalyst."

Night had fallen, and with the war between the two kingdoms, the streets were deserted. Jun Xiao walked alone through the gloom.

Mingyue pondered Qin Shi’s words, pursing her lips. "If you can think of this, don’t you think they have as well? Maybe they sent a group after her on purpose, to trick the real spies into dropping their guard?"

"And don’t you find it odd?" she continued, "We’ve been in this Canglan Illusion for some time, but nothing’s happened so far."

Qin Shi’s words made Mingyue suddenly realize something. She glanced at her empty hands—there was no sign, no sensation at all. In all the past stories, after witnessing the protagonists’ fates, there had always been a token or clue—like the heavy copper piece in Wen Yan’s tale. This time, there was nothing. Mingyue grabbed Qin Shi’s sleeve, panic in her eyes. "Could this be a trap?"

"I don’t think we have anything they want," Qin Shi replied calmly.

Mingyue rolled her eyes. "You never know. What if it’s your soul lamp they’re after? And by the way—see, even though you never offended Master Gu, he still wants to kill you!"

"Are we not going in? I believe the room with the lit candle belongs to the man in green."

Following Qin Shi’s gaze, Mingyue saw that a room on the second floor of the inn was indeed aglow. After a moment’s hesitation, she gritted her teeth, grabbed Qin Shi by the wrist, and strode toward the inn. With nothing to fear, her movements grew bold—she pushed open the door and ran up the stairs.

But as soon as they entered the man in green’s room, Mingyue and Qin Shi froze.

It was indeed the right room; Jun Xiao had entered as well. What left Mingyue at a loss was the sight before her—the man in green half-dressed, leaning against Jun Xiao’s chest, eyes closed, lashes trembling, his face pale, though tinged with a flush. Mingyue raised a hand to cover her eyes, but Qin Shi stood unmoved, staring straight ahead. Annoyed, Mingyue pinched his arm and whispered, "Do you really want to watch?"

"That’s not it," Qin Shi replied coolly. "He’s clearly injured. Whatever you’re imagining isn’t happening."

"Really?" Mingyue peered through her fingers and saw that Jun Xiao was supporting the man in green with one hand, the other pressed against his back as if channeling healing energy. Relieved, she dropped her hands and dragged Qin Shi closer. But before they could approach, Jun Xiao shot them a cold look, his icy gaze making Mingyue instinctively retreat.

Jun Xiao released his hold, supporting the man in green by the waist, and thrust his sword at Mingyue and Qin Shi.

Mingyue yelped, but before she could ask what was happening, Qin Shi had already pulled her aside by the waist. The sword grazed Mingyue’s cheek, then plunged behind her, eliciting a muffled groan. Mingyue looked back to see a black-clad, unmasked man collapse. The rest, momentarily stunned, immediately rushed toward the bed.

Mingyue wiped her face, and when she saw blood on her fingers, she reached for Qin Shi’s sleeve but couldn’t grasp it, panic rising. "Qin—Qin Shi, does this mean we can be hurt in this story? I thought they couldn’t see us... but how did that sword wound me? If we die in here, can we even get out?"

Receiving no answer, Mingyue looked up in alarm, just in time to see Jun Xiao leap from the inn window, the man in green in his arms.

Again with the jumping?!

Before Mingyue could say a word, Qin Shi grabbed her by the wrist and followed, leaping after the black-clad men. Jun Xiao, carrying the man in green, bounded up to the roof, the black-clad men vanishing in pursuit. Mingyue stood, body stiff, and raised a finger to silence Qin Shi.

She swore she’d heard a crack when she landed. Testing her right foot, a sharp pain lanced through her, and she gripped Qin Shi’s arm with all her strength.

Qin Shi frowned.

On the silent street, Mingyue’s furious shout rang out: "To hell with the martial world! I quit!"

Qin Shi massaged his brow and calmly advised, "You stay here and keep watch. Jun Xiao will surely seek medicine for his companion. I’ll follow him."