Chapter 61: Yang Qi Captured Alive

At midnight, the world was cloaked in silence. Save for the night watchmen, everyone in Wangcheng was deep in slumber, and the city gates had long since closed. Two shadowy figures flickered past the gate; to the guards, it seemed as though a wisp of black mist had swept by and vanished in the blink of an eye. Unable to discern what they’d seen, the sentries shook their heads, dismissing it as a trick of the night.

But it was no illusion. Those two dark figures were Zhongli Yu and Zhan Yan. Light as feathers, they sped toward the Western Garrison outside the pass—their goal: to capture Yang Qi alive.

Half an hour later, they halted about twenty paces from the enemy camp. The soldiers of the Western Garrison were fast asleep, with only a few men posted on watch. All the tents were dark, and the star-strewn sky lent the night a faint silver glow. With their keen eyes, Zhongli Yu and Zhan Yan could clearly discern the layout of the entire camp.

“Yan’er, Yang Qi should be in that largest tent,” Zhongli Yu whispered, pointing to a grand pavilion at the center.

“I think so too,” Zhan Yan nodded in agreement.

“Let’s deal with the sentries first.” As soon as Zhongli Yu finished speaking, he struck out with his palm, sealing the acupoints of several guards from a distance. The watchmen collapsed without a sound, as if felled by an invisible hand.

“A fine display, husband,” Zhan Yan praised with a nod.

“With me here, there’s no need to trouble my lady,” Zhongli Yu replied, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“In that case, I’ll stand guard here. You go and fetch our prize,” Zhan Yan said with a laugh.

“As you wish, my dear. Just wait for me.” With a light spring of his toes, Zhongli Yu darted toward the largest tent.

Zhan Yan kept a vigilant watch, her senses attuned to the slightest movement around her.

At the tent’s entrance, Zhongli Yu lifted the curtain and slipped inside without a sound. Yang Qi was already asleep. Zhongli Yu moved to seal his sleeping acupoint, but before he could strike, the man on the bed leapt up and dodged away. Yang Qi was indeed a martial master; even with Zhongli Yu’s presence concealed, he had sensed the intrusion.

Seeing a masked intruder in his tent, Yang Qi immediately struck out with his palm and shouted, “Assassin!” His cry, infused with inner strength, rang through the camp like a peal of thunder. Though most soldiers were still deep in sleep, they were all jolted awake by the shout. Within moments, the camp was ablaze with torchlight.

Zhongli Yu and Yang Qi clashed fiercely, their martial prowess so great that no one dared intervene. When Zhan Yan saw the entire Western Garrison roused, she cursed under her breath and rushed to join the fray. Two against one, Yang Qi quickly found himself at a disadvantage. After a few exchanges, Zhongli Yu landed a powerful blow, causing Yang Qi to stagger; Zhan Yan seized the opportunity to seal his acupoints. Zhongli Yu hoisted Yang Qi and said, “Let’s go.” Understanding at once, Zhan Yan used her lightness skill and followed him. The Western soldiers tried to give chase, but their quarry had vanished as if into thin air.

“Who are you people? Why have you taken me?” Yang Qi demanded as soon as they paused, unable to recognize them with their faces masked.

“Feng Lin,” Zhongli Yu ignored Yang Qi and called softly into the shadows. At once, Feng Lin appeared before him.

“Master,” Feng Lin greeted respectfully. He had arrived in Wangcheng the day after Zhan Yan but had kept to the shadows.

“Watch him closely,” Zhongli Yu commanded, indicating the immobilized Yang Qi.

“Yes, Master.” Feng Lin shouldered Yang Qi and disappeared into the night.

“Yan’er, let’s go home,” Zhongli Yu said gently, giving Zhan Yan a tender look.

“Shall we use our lightness skill again?” Zhan Yan glanced up at him, her bright eyes shining even more radiantly in the night.

“The night is beautiful. Let’s walk back,” Zhongli Yu said, gazing at the starlit sky, suddenly taken by the mood.

“As you wish,” Zhan Yan answered with a soft laugh.

“Then let’s go.” He took her hand, and together they strolled at an unhurried pace. The dew dampened their shoes, but they paid it no mind. Now and then, the scent of wildflowers drifted on the breeze. Hand in hand, they savored the rare tranquility.

“Are you tired, Yan’er? Would you like me to carry you?” Zhongli Yu suddenly stopped and offered softly.

“Yes, please.” Zhan Yan wrapped her arms around his shoulders, contentedly nestling against his back. It felt as if she had returned to ten years ago—back then, he had offered to carry her when she twisted her ankle. Now, she was his wife, living a life she had never dared to dream.

He walked on in silence, his pace unhurried, as if she weighed nothing at all. Perhaps the night was too serene, too beautiful; he did not wish to break the spell.

Resting against his back, Zhan Yan breathed in the clean, masculine scent of him and felt utterly at peace. Drowsiness overtook her, and she fell into a deep sleep. When Zhongli Yu heard her even breathing, he couldn’t help but smile. He remembered how, ten years ago, she had also fallen asleep on his back. His heart softened; he wished the road could go on forever, so that he could carry her like this for as long as she wished.

When Zhan Yan woke, she was still on Zhongli Yu’s back. He was walking steadily, one hand lightly supporting her so she wouldn’t slip.

“Aren’t you tired, my love?” she asked, deeply moved. To have someone willing to carry you as you sleep, never tiring, cherishing you as though you were a precious treasure—she felt as if she were soaking in a hot spring, warmed through and through.

“Not at all. You’re so light, Yan’er. Remember to eat more in the future,” he answered with a gentle laugh.

“We’re almost there. Let me down, I can walk,” she said softly, her eyes brimming with emotion.

“No need. I want to carry you as long as I can,” he replied quietly, afraid to disturb the peace of the night.

“When I’m old and gray, will you still carry me like this?” she asked.

“Even if you’re old, you’ll still be my Yan’er. Of course I will,” he answered without hesitation.

“You answered so quickly; it doesn’t sound sincere,” she teased.

“Even when you’re old, I’ll still carry you,” he said after a moment’s thought.

“You took so long to answer; you must not really want to,” she teased him again.

“Yan’er, you seem full of energy. Once we’re home, perhaps I should tire you out myself,” Zhongli Yu threatened playfully.

Zhan Yan wisely fell silent, nestling contentedly against his back once more.