Volume 1, Chapter 36: Utilizing Ling Qingxue

Zhao Wujiang did not speak, but his mind was in turmoil. It turned out that something major was not happening within the Imperial Palace; it was happening to him. To avoid implicating the princes and princesses, they had been ordered to return to the capital immediately.

Very well!

Zhao Wujiang gripped his sword hilt tightly, wrapping a piece of cloth around his right hand and the hilt to ensure he would not lose his grip due to excessive blood when he began his slaughter.

"Move! Bring his head back!" the masked leader commanded with a cold snort.

The masked men swarmed in. Even though Zhao Wujiang’s sword techniques were plain and unremarkable, the power of the Heavenly Sword was enough to bridge many gaps, granting him the formidable ability to fight those of higher cultivation. A crimson sword aura swept out like a scythe through grass, instantly forcing the assailants back.

"I’ll fight you to the death!" Zhao Wujiang shouted, appearing ready for a bloody battle.

"A bit of talent, brothers. Get serious," the masked leader said with a smirk, waving his hand.

But just as the others assumed their combat stances, Zhao Wujiang turned and bolted. The masked men were stunned. "The brat is playing us for fools! Chase him!"

Zhao Wujiang ran for his life. Ten assassins! Every one of them was his equal in martial arts. Fight? Only a fool would throw his life away! However, glancing back, he cursed inwardly. These men were just as fast as he was, and as they ran, they spread out to flank him, preventing him from doubling back.

"This looks like the Imperial Court's technique for capturing fugitives..." Zhao Wujiang thought, despairing. It made sense; who else in the capital would dare attack him besides the person in the Imperial Palace?

In his desperation, he saw another figure ahead. As he drew closer, he recognized the flowing white silks and the exquisite, painting-like features of Ling Qingxue. She had noticed him as well. After leaving the woods and meditating to heal, her vision had returned, and she saw him clearly.

"Shameless accomplice! If you hadn't wounded me first, I wouldn't have been humiliated!" Ling Qingxue had intended to leave the capital, but upon seeing him, she drew her sword in a rage.

Trapped between wolves in front and tigers behind, a flash of inspiration hit Zhao Wujiang. His eyes turned red, and he cried out, "My wife, save me! Your husband knows he was wrong; I will never leave your side again..."

Ling Qingxue froze—what was this nonsense? But the pursuers behind them also hesitated; the brat had an accomplice!

"Take her down as well!" the masked leader commanded.

Having just lost her innocence, Ling Qingxue was already in a foul mood, and these men had just hit a sore spot. "You are courting death!" she retorted, counterattacking as if to vent her fury. This, in turn, helped Zhao Wujiang.

"Well done, my wife!"

"Zhao Wujiang, you are shameless!"

"As my wife says, it is these shameless wretches who are hunting me!"

Hearing this, Ling Qingxue was so enraged that her chest heaved.

"We are ordered to execute the heir Zhao. Death to anyone who stands in our way!" The assassins split into two groups, five surrounding Zhao Wujiang and five surrounding Ling Qingxue.

Ling Qingxue’s eyes flashed; the only way out now was to force them back. She thrust her sword at her pursuers. Zhao Wujiang did the same, his blood-red sword aura surging like a waterfall, striking the enemies in tandem with her.

"My thanks, wife." Zhao Wujiang smirked. Ling Qingxue gritted her teeth; seeing the numerical disadvantage and her own unhealed injuries, she pulled a bead from her robes and crushed it.

Zhao Wujiang recognized the item and immediately grabbed her. As the bead exploded, a pink mist filled the air, compounded by the poor visibility of the night. When the smoke cleared, the two were gone.

The assassins scanned the area, gnashing their teeth. "Damn it! He got away!"

"Report back. We’re in trouble now..."

...

Zhao Wujiang and Ling Qingxue made their way toward the Prince of Zhenbei’s estate, sticking to the shadows near the city walls to avoid being tracked. Suddenly, they heard a man shouting:

"Heroes! I am truly Shen Hao! Spare me, and I will gift you a thousand taels of gold once I return!"

A group of martial artists was surrounding a man. Zhao Wujiang recognized him as someone from the Fusheng Demonic Sect. He had assumed these demons had already fled the capital, but they were likely still here, eyeing some prize.

The burly leader of the demons growled, "Shen Hao, the world’s greatest merchant, we are here for you. Hand over the silk box in your chest, and we will let you go."

Shen Hao clutched the box. "I can give you any amount of money, but not this."

"How much? Do you take us for fools? You’re clutching this thing for dear life—it must be worth a fortune!"

Ling Qingxue did not understand why Zhao Wujiang was stopping to watch the show while being hunted. "You watch, then. We shall never meet again."

"Wait."

"What?"

"Won't you stay with me a little longer?"

Ling Qingxue was furious. "Zhao Wujiang, it’s a miracle I haven't stabbed you to death yet! Don't push your luck!"

Zhao Wujiang knew this woman was cold and stubborn, so he pivoted. "Those assassins are likely still hunting us. If you are alone and they catch you..." He swept his gaze over her figure. "Well, I imagine they would be very interested."

"You! Vile wretch!" Though she cursed, she did not leave. Zhao Wujiang was right; it was safer to travel together under the circumstances.

Seeing her stay, Zhao Wujiang looked at Shen Hao. He recalled the original story: after the Heavenly Sword plot, Shen Hao had gone alone to perform a task for the Grand Princess Li Zhaohua. Because of the required secrecy, he had no guards. He was indeed captured by the Fusheng Demonic Sect, and the Grand Princess, in her rage, had used her hidden forces to eradicate the sect entirely.

Based on the timeline, this man claiming to be Shen Hao was almost certainly the real one.

"Do me a favor," Zhao Wujiang said, tugging at her sleeve. "Save this man."

"Why should I listen to you?" Ling Qingxue replied coldly. "Save him yourself!"

Zhao Wujiang’s tone hardened. "Fine, then let’s part ways! Go out there and let those assassins play with you!"

"You!" Ling Qingxue’s heart fluttered with unease. "Wait... just this once!"

She gritted her teeth and leapt toward the demonic sect members. Zhao Wujiang followed, keeping a sharp eye on his surroundings, ready to bolt if things went wrong.

As a direct disciple of the Daoist Sect master, dealing with a low-tier group like the Fusheng Demonic Sect was easy. Ling Qingxue incapacitated them in moments. Terrified of drawing the attention of the authorities, the remaining demons fled in disarray.

Zhao Wujiang stepped forward to face Shen Hao. Seeing they were not part of the sect, Shen Hao cupped his hands. "My thanks to you both for your help."

Zhao Wujiang waved his hand dismissively and leaned in. "I am Zhao Wujiang. I serve the Grand Princess..."