076. Trapped in the Abyss

He swung his sword, and Yue Qianxue raised her own to block, but the difference in strength between man and woman became apparent, and her arm went numb from the impact.

The Windshadow guard let out a cold laugh, surprised that Yue Qianxue was not as weak as he’d assumed.

But it was all futile. They bore the name Windshadow for a reason—they had undergone countless trials to become what they were.

His sword sliced past Yue Qianxue’s side; had she not dodged so swiftly, she would have been injured.

“To think you show no mercy to a woman. It seems you truly are nothing but a killing machine,” Yue Qianxue said icily, sheathing her sword as she spoke.

The Windshadow guard was momentarily stunned. Was she giving up?

Yet, his body suddenly wavered, though he couldn't say why at first.

He looked down and saw a silver needle embedded in the back of his hand.

The skin was already turning black—poison.

As the head of Tang Sect, Yue Qianxue was more than adept at using poison.

She exhaled in relief. She’d risked everything to use that trick just now; under normal circumstances, with the Windshadow guard’s speed, she would never have succeeded in killing him with a needle.

At this moment, Yuan Tianci leaped down from the beam above and said, “Qianxue, I never thought you’d surpass me in skill.”

“Too bad our true calling is as healers. Martial arts are just a sideline,” Yue Qianxue replied. “Let’s go, there must be more Windshadow guards outside.”

She hadn’t expected the Emperor would truly send men to kill her—he was indeed ruthless.

But after all, she was a traitor to both sides. She’d betrayed Yan Luoyu’s whereabouts; it was only natural the Emperor would have her killed.

It was a pity, though, that she and Zhan Lianjing shared such a complicated past. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be in such a dire predicament now.

As expected, there were other Windshadow guards at the inn. The moment they stepped outside, eight men aimed crossbows at them in unison.

Yuan Tianci’s eyes widened. It was a trap, waiting for them to walk in—no need even to fire yet.

Yue Qianxue’s expression remained cold, but she stayed calm.

She tightened her grip on her sword, then abruptly tossed it to the ground.

Yuan Tianci cried out, “What are you doing? Surrendering?”

It was clear the guards weren’t intent on killing them, otherwise arrows would have flown already.

That night, both she and Yuan Tianci were tightly bound and thrown into a carriage, bound for the capital.

Fortunately, Yue Qianxue still had her belongings with her. Otherwise, her alchemy cauldron would have been left behind at the inn.

The Windshadow guards, seeing only medicinal herbs and the like, made no attempt to confiscate them, allowing the packages onto the carriage.

Yuan Tianci looked utterly despondent. After so many days of fleeing, they’d barely gotten away from the capital, only to be dragged back—what misery!

Seeing Yuan Tianci’s sorrowful expression, Yue Qianxue said nothing. After all, her mouth was stuffed with cloth, making her all the more wretched.

Only eight Windshadow guards remained, but they guarded the carriage without pause, not giving the captives the slightest chance to escape.

Yue Qianxue’s hands were tied tight; escape was near impossible. Even a single Windshadow guard surpassed her in skill—how could she hope to break free?

They traveled a full day like this, rarely leaving the carriage save for bodily necessities.

That morning, as Yue Qianxue mulled over how to untie the ropes, she heard a voice outside: “Innkeeper, four steamed buns, please.”

She started. The voice was slightly disguised, but she recognized it—it was Zhan Lianjing.

She made muffled sounds, but the cloth prevented her from speaking, leaving her frustrated.

Yue Qianxue struggled to no avail, unable to loosen the ropes. Yuan Tianci watched her curiously, wondering what she was up to.

Seeing Yuan Tianci, Yue Qianxue had an idea. Silently apologizing, she prepared to use him as a pawn.

Yuan Tianci saw the strange glint in her eyes and immediately sensed trouble. Sure enough, Yue Qianxue kicked him out of the carriage with both feet.

The carriage was parked by the roadside, the Windshadow guards keeping watch on only one side.

Yuan Tianci tumbled out, rolling to the ground with a loud crash—drawing everyone’s attention, especially since the Windshadow guards were at work. Curiosity sparked among the few travelers at the small post station.

The cloth fell from Yuan Tianci’s mouth as he landed, and his first words were a shout: “Help! Help! I’m an upstanding citizen!”

A Windshadow guard quickly struck him unconscious to silence his cries.

Inside the post station, a black-clad man drinking tea glanced back. Seeing Yuan Tianci knocked out, he calmly set down his teacup.

The Windshadow guard who’d gone to buy buns grabbed the food and hurried back, anxious to avoid further trouble.

But the man in black flicked his sleeve, drawing his sword. In a flash, the blade blocked the guard’s path.

The guard frowned behind his dark mask, sizing up the bold, veiled stranger.

“Is Yue Qianxue inside the carriage?” the man in black asked.

The Windshadow guard narrowed his eyes, refusing to answer. He discarded the buns, drew his sword, and attacked.

Zhan Lianjing had been prepared. His sword gleamed coldly as he moved with deadly speed. Blood splattered; the Windshadow guard fell dead.

Seeing a man killed in broad daylight, the inn’s guests scattered in terror, desperate to avoid becoming collateral.

The remaining seven Windshadow guards closed ranks, charging Zhan Lianjing together.

Inside the carriage, Yue Qianxue’s heart pounded as she heard the clashing blades. She couldn’t believe Zhan Lianjing had come in person, nor did she know the state of his injured leg. It seemed he was alone—could he hold his own?

She inched toward the door, forcing herself to stay calm. Panic now would only worsen her chances of survival.

Finally, she managed to reach the edge of the carriage. The sounds of fighting had lessened; some Windshadow guards must have fallen.

Yue Qianxue tumbled out, her feet still bound, rolling painfully over stones.

Looking up, she saw Zhan Lianjing fighting four guards at once. His movements were sharp and decisive, but these men had been trained since childhood—they were formidable. No wonder the mere name Windshadow inspired fear throughout Tianlong.

Through the gauzy veil of his hat, Zhan Lianjing saw Yue Qianxue stumbling out. He didn’t know whether to be angry or amused.

But these guards were relentless.

The new moon had just passed; coupled with his prior injuries, even though most of his internal energy had returned, fighting four at once pushed him to his limits.

He resorted to a hidden weapon to kill one, but not without taking a sword wound to his arm.

Zhan Lianjing didn’t make a sound, instead striking back to injure another.

Yue Qianxue saw blood splatter across the ground—some of it Zhan Lianjing’s. She held her breath and worked frantically to free herself from the ropes.

In the mountain wilds, the clang of steel echoed on.

She barely dropped her head before Zhan Lianjing was struck again, this time in the abdomen where his wound hadn’t healed. It slowed him.

Though his black clothes hid the blood, she could tell the stain was growing.

She saw everything clearly. In the end, with a feint, Zhan Lianjing killed the last two guards in a single motion.

Yue Qianxue breathed a sigh of relief, her heart brimming with joy—until she saw Zhan Lianjing sink to one knee. Blood soaked the gauze of his hat; she couldn’t see his face, yet she could imagine his pain.

Blood continued to seep from his abdomen and hand.

He had won, but had not come to her side. His legs must have been injured.

He raised his head, using his sword to steady himself, his hand trembling.

All he could see was Yue Qianxue, her face streaked with dust and tears—an ugly sight, yet so heartbreakingly real.

He drew a shuddering breath, tried to stand and untie her.

But as he rose, dizziness overcame him and he fell once more.

Yue Qianxue’s eyes widened; she made muffled cries, terror gripping her heart as if the world were collapsing.

Zhan Lianjing did not rise again—he had fainted.

Yue Qianxue kept crying. She had always hated her own tears, seeing them as a sign of weakness.

But now, bound hand and foot, Yuan Tianci unconscious, and no one around to help, she was truly afraid.

Afraid of what?

Afraid that Zhan Lianjing would die.

Don’t die… Don’t die, Zhan Lianjing!

After what seemed a lifetime, Yue Qianxue finally managed to cut through the rope with a stone. She quickly freed her legs, tore the cloth from her mouth, and staggered over to him.

Lifting his hat, she saw two black scars on his face, as if his veins were bulging—an unsettling sight. Her tears fell hot and fast onto the back of his hand.

Steadying herself, she took his pulse.

No internal injury, but severe blood loss, and multiple wounds. Most serious of all, he had been poisoned by a Gu worm.

Yue Qianxue forced herself to calm down, rushed to the carriage for her belongings, and slapped Yuan Tianci awake.

He shouted, “What—who hit me? Who hit me?!”

But seeing Yue Qianxue’s tear-streaked face, he froze in shock. “Qianxue, why are you crying?”

She didn’t know, either, but she yanked him up. “Help me treat Prince Zhan’s wound—now!”

Yuan Tianci nodded dazedly. The commanding tone in Yue Qianxue’s voice left no room for argument—she was terrifying in her desperation.

“Wait, wait! Untie me first!” Yuan Tianci protested.

Yue Qianxue turned, picked up a sword from the ground, and with one slash, cut him free.