Huangfu Wu Xiang, the retired Emperor Yan's son with former Empress Xie, was said to be an individual gifted with talent and intellect. He could recite poetry by the age of four and began practicing martial arts at age six. He was a talent that was hard to come by but unfortunately he had succumbed to an illness and had passed away at an early age.
Disheartened by the news of his death, the retired Emperor Yan's health declined and he was bedridden for many months. The officials all lamented that the gods must've been envious of his talents.
That person had already passed away. How could he be leading the troops?
“Nonsense!” Huangfu Wu Shuang roared. Suppressing the rising apprehension in his heart, he sneered, "Those traitors must be possessed to make up such a lie. Zhen will go out and take a look. Let's go, I'll oversee the battle from the gate towers!"
"There's no need for you to leave," Ji Feng Li said with a faint smile as he motioned his hand and the maidservant and attendant quickly entered.
Huangfu Wu Shuang suddenly turned towards Ji Feng Li. "You intend to stop me with just these two? However, I am quite interested to know why exactly did you come to Southern Kingdom for?"
Hua Zhu Yu was also confused and looked up at the man but only saw him smiling as he replied emphatically, "This prince just said it was to steal the bride!"
When he mentioned it the first time, Hua Zhu Yu took it as a joke and didn't think much of it. Now upon hearing it again, she began to grow doubtful. Why did he want to steal the bride? Why did he want to steal her? She tried to make sense of the situation.
She speculated that perhaps this prince Na Lan had cooperated with that so-called Huangfu Wu Xiang to usurp the throne. If that's the case, he entered Huangfu Wu Shuang's room to capture him. As for her, he was taking her hostage right? But for some reason, Hua Zhu Yu felt things were not precisely as she had guessed because she couldn't sense any traces of hostility from him towards her. But no matter what, she wasn't going to follow him, nor was she going to remain here with Huangfu Wu Shuang.
Hua Zhu Yu tried to struggle free but found that his hand firmly held onto her waist. No matter how much she tried, she could not break away. He seemed to notice her intentions and forcefully pulled her closer into his arms. His gorgeous voice rung beside her ear, charmingly as he said, "Want to escape? Futile, unless you kill me first!" He said word for word, confidently.
His resilient, domineering voice compelled Hua Zhu Yu to temporarily stop struggling. Who was he, she wondered. His voice was undoubtedly that of a stranger. But why was the warmth of his hold giving her a sense of security? This sudden awareness startled her.
“You've misunderstood, I have no intentions of running away, I'll gladly follow you!” Hua Zhu Yu asserted as she looked up at him with a sweet, charming smile playing across her lips.
Momentarily, he was mesmerized by her smile and in that moment Hua Zhu Yu's hand reached towards his mask while she bent her other hand and used her elbow to hit the accupoint at his waist.
If he dodged her attack, she would succeed in lifting up his mask. But unexpectedly, he didn't dodge. His hand raised to catch her wrist right in time before she could touch the mask.
Hua Zhu Yu grew annoyed. She disliked being held by others so she used her free hand to hit him.
“Xiao Bao'er, come back to me! That person's dangerous, don't fight recklessly," Huangfu Wu Shuang said anxiously.
The noise outside was getting louder and louder. Inside the room, a lantern fell and smashed against the table.
translations at peachblossomgrove . com
Huangfu Wu Shuang was concerned about the battle occuring outside but he was momentarily trapped here. His eyes flashed with a sudden sharpness as he attacked Ji Feng Li with his sword.
Instantly, Huangfu Wu Shuang's hidden guards and the Yu Lin Imperial guards began fighting with Ji Feng Li's maidservant and attendant.
Within the room, the sound of weapons colliding resonated.
As Huangfu Wu Shuang and Ji Feng Li engaged in battle, Hua Zhu Yu tried to silently slip away. But suddenly, a hissing sound resounded through the air as an arrow was pierced a pillar. Immediately after, countless arrows slit through the air, descending like rain.
Startled, Hua Zhu Yu looked up and saw countless Imperial Guards in heavy armor pouring into the room, and the leader was the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, An Xiao'er.
"Protect the Emperor!" An Xiao'er calmly ordered.
Hua Zhu Yu sneered; as expected, An really was working for her father.
Na Lan Xue grew worried. Everything had been perfectly planned. Once Dong Zhao's Wang Yi arrived with his troops, they were to attack Yu City together with the Feng Yun troops. Everything was going according to plan except for the fact that they were currently in Huangfu Wu Shuang's palace. Surrounded by the Imperial guards, it would be difficult for them to escape. Moreover, Ji Feng Li's martial arts had yet to completely recover.
Seeing the growing number of Imperial Guards, Ji Feng Li did not panic. He brandished his sword and slayed an attacking guard. The sword in his hand trembled slightly as he wielded it against the wave of oncoming attacks, moving skillfully and swiftly as an illusion.
The sword was light yet held much power for he had poured all his internal strength into this one move for one purpose: to defeat Huangfu Wu Shuang. In this situation, they could only escape the palace safely if they could capture Huangfu Wu Shuang.
The sword was pointed directly at Huangfu Wu Shuang's throat, it was merely inches away from making contact before it came to a stop.
Huangfu Wu Shuang's whole body became cold as ice. He immediately shouted.
“Everyone stop!” The guards heard the order and turned around to see Huangfu Wu Shuang with a sword held against his throat. Instantly, they all pulled back in fear.
The room fell silent as a gust of wind blew pass.
Huangfu Wu Shuang narrowed his eyes and said, "You may leave now, I won't make things difficult for you."
Ji Feng Li narrowed his eyes as he callously smiled. The subtle danger behind his gaze made it difficult for Huangfu Wu Shuang to breathe.
"Won't make things difficult for me? That's not necessary. Huangfu Wu Shuang, listen carefully!" He calmly stated.
Huangfu Wu Shuang's face became ashen as his heart shook. Outside, there was an earth-shaking rumble as countless torches entered through the open gate, winding like a snake, illuminating his palace. There were countless soldiers in armor, subduing the eunuchs and palace maidservants outside. Their armors were completely different from those of the Imperial Guards. Under the light of the torches, Hua Zhu Yu could see the character "Feng" decorated in front of their armors.
Feng Yun troops?
It was said that the Feng(wind) Yun troops were different from the Lei Ting troops. While the Lei Ting troops were known for their bravery and might, the Feng Yun troops were known for their speed. The Feng Yun troops had excellent lightness skills. Moreover, their armors were also famous for its lightness. In every battle, their attacks were swift and startling, obtaining victory as fast as the wind.
If the Feng Yun troops had entered the palace then that means Yu City really was attacked by the Feng Yun troops!
Hua Zhu Yu was stunned; the Feng Yun troops truly lived up to its reputation.
Huangfu Wu Shuang's cold gaze swept across the Feng Yun troops entering his palace. His dark eyes flashed with a cold light as he said, "The enemy was able to break through so fast, was the Lei Ting troops that useless?"
Ji Feng Li casually replied, "There is a saying, the best way to attack a city is to let it crumble from within."
Huangfu Wu Shuang's eyes darkened in fury as he coldly said, "Crumble from within? Could it be…" His brows rose in disbelief.
"Exactly, Huangfu Wu Shuang. It's not that Lei Ting troops are useless but you had forgotten, in the end, who does the Lei Ting troops belong to?" Ji Feng Li slowly said in a frosty tone.
Who does the Lei Ting troops belong to, even a palace servant would know the answer. They clearly belong to the retired Emperor Yan. Huangfu Wu Shuang was able to ascend the throne thanks to the assistance of the Lei Ting troops and the Imperial Guards forcing Huangfu Wu Shang to abdicate. Afterwards, the Lei Ting troops were mobilized by Huangfu Wu Shuang. But as soon as the retired Emperor Yan gives a command, Huangfu Wu Shuang's orders would become meaningless.
The implications behind his words were that perhaps it was the retired Emperor Yan's orders?
“Not possible!” Huangfu Wu Shuang said incredulously.
Ji Feng Li slowly withdrew his sword and watched him with a faint smile.
Hua Zhu Yu also felt it was impossible as well. From her impression of Emperor Yan, he always supported Huangfu Wu Shuang. Is it because of that so-called Huangfu Wu Xiang that came back to life that he wants to take the throne from Huangfu Wu Shuang? Whether Huangfu Wu Xiang truly came back to life or not was still unconfirmed. Hua Zhu Yu suddenly recalled Hua Mu's words, he had said Huangfu Wu Shuang didn't carry the surname Huangfu. If that's true then did Emperor Yan learn of this?
Hua Zhu Yu was very puzzled. She wanted to find Hua Mu to get answers as well as leave the palace as soon as possible. She couldn't stay here any longer, it was too dangerous.
Hua Zhu Yu's eyes congealed as she quietly bypassed the screen to escape from the palace. All of a sudden, a rush of air sounded beside her body. Huangfu Wu Shuang's movements were light as he rushed towards her, one arm stretching out to seize her while the other pressed towards an unknown space.
Instantly, the screen behind shifted to reveal a dark passageway.