Xue Liulan's smile stiffened for a fraction of a second. Murong Jin's eyes went wide, her mind already racing, mapping the compound, searching for an escape route.
It's fine, he mouthed, and at the same time, sent a pulse of internal energy to release the pressure points he had sealed.
He turned slowly, a lazy smile on his face, and looked at the man before them. He wore black armor, a longsword in his hand. There was no killing intent in his eyes, only a cold, arrogant pride.
Silence.
"First Prince, this is one of the leader's shadow guards," a Yanyun soldier finally said. "Great hero, this is the First Prince."
So this is Sayatu's eldest son, Moke, Murong Jin thought, her eyes narrowed. She had heard he was a cunning one.
"Of course. My respects, First Prince," Xue Liulan said with a slight nod. The man's temples were pronounced. An expert in internal arts.
"You're one of my father's shadow guards?" Moke asked, his voice cold.
"I am."
"I've never seen you." He took a step forward, his gaze falling to Murong Jin. A beautiful woman, even in a common soldier's uniform. His expression flickered, then his sharp eyes returned to Xue Liulan.
Xue Liulan just smiled. "If I am a shadow, is it not best that as few people as possible know of my existence?"
"Are you saying my father doesn't trust me?"
"You misunderstand," he said, sensing this man would not be easy. "As the saying goes, walls have ears. Some things are better left unsaid."
Moke looked him up and down. "You self-righteous swordsmen of the Central Plains… you'd wear the clothes of a common soldier?"
"To blend in, one must become invisible. As a shadow, is it not my duty to remain unseen?"
"True enough," Moke said, his voice still cold. He paused. "The woman in your arms… is she Murong Jin, daughter of the North-Pacifying General?"
"She is." How does he know her?
Moke sneered. "The Murong family has always fought the Turks. Has Sushen now fallen into their hands as well?"
"Is that your concern, First Prince?" Murong Jin shot back. "Or are you afraid of my family's iron cavalry?"
"So arrogant, for a prisoner."
"Hmph. The Murong family has soldiers who die in battle, not soldiers who are taken prisoner." She lifted her chin, and for a moment, he was taken aback by her pride.
Xue Liulan's arms tightened around her. Her words were a deliberate provocation, but he worried Moke would simply draw his sword. He could find another chance to kill Sayatu. But at this range, against an unknown opponent, he couldn't guarantee he could get her out alive.
Moke looked at the guards. "Return to your posts," he said with a wave.
The soldiers retreated. Now, it was just the three of them.
"Attempting to assassinate my father… your methods are rather childish," Moke said with a cold snort, his hand still behind his back.
Murong Jin's hand tightened on Xue Liulan's robe, her palm slick with sweat.
Xue Liulan's own chest felt tight. "You jest, First Prince. I came to serve the great leader. How could I harbor rebellious thoughts? It was she who tried to force her way in. I was merely lying in wait."
The words hung in the air. The three of them stood frozen, each calculating.
After a long moment, Moke coughed into his fist. Xue Liulan's coiled muscles finally relaxed.
"Follow me," Moke said, and stepped into the inner courtyard. They exchanged a look and followed.
The guards all knew Moke. They passed without incident, stopping before Sayatu's study. A bright light shone from within, his silhouette moving back and forth.
"This is my father's study," Moke said. "The rest is up to you."
What does he mean? Murong Jin looked from Moke to Xue Liulan, confused.
"Thank you, First Prince." Xue Liulan bowed. When he looked up, Moke's gaze was on Murong Jin. He tapped the hilt of his sword once, a light, deliberate motion. "Then I will take this assassin to see the leader."
"Mm," Moke said, his eyes still on her.
"Please, First Prince," Xue Liulan said, setting her down and giving a formal salute.
A faint smile touched Moke's lips. "Until we meet again," he said, and was gone.
Murong Jin stared after him, then looked at Xue Liulan. He just frowned, then gestured to the study.
Sayatu was hunched over the diagrams of the Heavenly Tomb. It was supposed to be impenetrable. Yet it had been broken, and he had lost nearly his entire right flank. He could not accept it.
"No matter how much you study it, you will never understand the culture of the Central Plains," a voice said. Murong Jin was standing before his desk.
"You…" Before he could say another word, cold steel was at his throat. Xue Liulan's sword.
"The troops you gave to Deng Qinyao. Where are they?" Xue Liulan asked, his voice low.
"Hmph. The rot always starts from within," Sayatu sneered. He glanced at the blade. "That sword style… it belongs to Chengyan Valley. You must be the Fourth Prince, Xue Zhuoran."
"If you don't speak, this blade will sever your throat." Xue Liulan casually sat on the edge of the desk, the sword unwavering.
"If I speak, you will kill me anyway." Sayatu leaned back and closed his eyes. "To think that I, Sayatu, who have fought on the battlefield my entire life, will die at the hands of two nameless youths."
Murong Jin glanced at Xue Liulan. He just stared at Sayatu, the pressure of his blade increasing until a thin line of red trickled down the old man's neck.
"Then let me allow you to die knowing the truth," Xue Liulan said, standing. He leaned down and whispered in Sayatu's ear. "I am the Fifth Prince of the dynasty, Xue Liulan. And I will be its ruler."
He straightened up. A single, sharp motion. A spray of red arced through the air, spattering the diagrams on the desk. The paper screens behind him trembled, and the coppery scent of hot blood filled the small room.
Murong Jin stared. In that moment, he was a stranger. The arrogance of a king, the air of a world-conqueror. Not a trace of the lazy prince remained.
"Let's go." He sheathed his sword, rolled up the diagrams, and took her hand.
They were in the forest before they heard the shouts from within. Moke must have returned.
"I wonder what happened to Uncle Liu," she said as they sat on a branch high in the trees.
"I found him. He should be on his way home by now," he said, his eyes half-closed, a deep weariness in his features. The phantom ache from the Kongjue blade's energy still lingered deep in his chest.
"Are you tired?" she asked, her hand covering his.
He took her hand. "It's fine. It's over now."
"Was that really the First Prince, Moke?"
"Why do you ask?" He pulled her closer.
"He knew we were there to kill his father, yet he let us pass. Don't you think that's strange?"
"I did. But now, it makes sense."
"You've figured it out?"
"Moke is the son of Sayatu's principal wife. He should have been the heir. But he wasn't."
"With his skills, that doesn't seem right."
"Sayatu favored a concubine and wanted to name her son as his heir. He was only held back by the elders."
Understanding dawned. "So with Sayatu dead, Moke becomes the rightful leader. We solved his problem for him. And he doesn't have to bear the crime of patricide."
Xue Liulan nodded.
She was quiet for a moment. "To think power can make family worthless." She looked up at him. "What about you, Xue Liulan? Will you one day become a second Moke?"
"No." He shook his head, his hand caressing her face. "As long as you are here, I will always remember that in this world, I am not beyond love."