The sorry state of the princess consort pleased Anari to no end, who was all too eager to spectate a great performance.
The leader of the men grabbed a fistful of Qin Yining's clothes. At the sound of ripping cloth, a gust of wind blew the wooden doors open. A black, shadowy phantom drifted inside.
Anari's jaw dropped, dumbfounded. Before she could even process the sight, the eight men were left sprawling on the floor, the room painted in their blood.
Behind her, someone pressed a dagger against her neck and clamped his hand over her mouth. In the Tatar language, they said, "Don't move, khan."
Anari stared as the masked man clothed in black untied Qin Yining. The voice of the person behind her seemed awfully familiar, shocking her into silence. It was none other than Lu Heng!
Qin Yining was freed from her bonds before she could recover from the shock and terror. Her clothes were bloodied from the whip and torn by the men. Every movement hurt—she was truly a complete mess.
In spite of herself, her heart jolted as the man untying her tossed the ropes aside and moved to stand. She already had her answer for his true identity.
Lu Heng kept his hold on Anari. "If the khan agrees to remain silent, I will not kill you," he stated in a low voice. "If you start shouting, I'll have the entire royal clan follow you to your grave!"
Anari's slips twitched as she reached to pull on Lu Heng's arm. He knew she wanted to speak, but didn't let go to prevent her from screaming the moment he removed his hand.
"If you promise you will not make an uproar, I will let go and allow you to speak. Otherwise, I will end you in one move. We can see if your men are faster than my dagger. If you agree to my terms, nod your head."
Despite her immense displeasure, Anari nodded.
Lu Heng relaxed his hand slightly, but drew his knife closer to Anari's neck, forcing her to tilt her head back. Not daring to cause a ruckus, she hissed, "You people from Great Zhou are despicable!"
"Despicable? You flatter us—our methods don't even hold a candle to the khan's."
"You won't escape! When Siqin finds out I’m missing, he’ll dispatch a search party! You won't be able to fly away from all the guards in the palace even if you sprout wings!" At this, Anari regained her composure somewhat. She glanced at the masked man who had already helped Qin Yining to her feet. "A shame you followed the wrong master. Otherwise, someone of your prowess would’ve been a valuable asset for our military forces. I would’ve promoted you to a high position."
Lu Heng drew his dagger across Anari's neck, leaving a faint line. "Sarcastic as ever. Evidently, you don't fear death."
Anari trembled from the pain, but refused to surrender. "If I die, none of you will make it out of Khanbaliq!" she spat. "My consort will avenge me, so prepare to go down with me!"
Lu Heng pressed his dagger against Anari's neck at any sign of her raising her voice, scaring the khan into abrupt silence. Conquests and greatness awaited her future—why was she to meet her end here?
Face still pale, Qin Yining adjusted her clothes so that her modesty was at least preserved. She walked to a window and looked out to see a small courtyard where a few people laid scattered about. It seemed that they’d just been dealt with.
She endured the pain of walking to stand before Anari. "Does the khan insist on acting tough at a time like this?" she murmured. "I know you care for your consort deep down, and I know you dearly wish me dead. However, your consort's public image is more important, no?
"The khan knows that your consort has been discussing a possible collaboration with the Lu clan. If you let us go, not only will I never appear before your consort again, but the negotiations with the Lu clan will not be affected by what you've done. You can kill two birds with one stone. What does the khan think?"
Anari's face grew ruddy with anger and she lost all rational thought.
"What do I think? How dare you ask me that, you slutty fox?! How were my plans for tonight foiled?! I will end you no matter what! If you have it in you then kill me now. We'll see how you can get past my Tatar warriors, you whore!"
At this, Qin Yining couldn't help a wry smile with a shake of her head. "Nearly a dozen of your esteemed warriors have lost their lives thanks to khan's impulsive behavior. Do you still refuse to count your blessings?"
"Was I the one who killed them?! Spare me your crocodile tears! I will never let you go! Either cut me down now or face my wrath!"
Qin Yining pursed her lips. Just as she was about to reply, Lu Heng suddenly raised a hand and hit Anari hard at the base of her skull. The khan’s eyes lost focus before she crumpled to the floor.
"What did you do?" Qin Yining cried out.
"I knocked her out," Lu Heng replied. "She never shuts up and we can't afford to let her waste our time."
Chapter 493: Fresh Blood
Qin Yining nodded, clenching her teeth through the pain to turn back and smile at the man in black. “Thank you, Sir Mu.”
The man stiffened and responded woodenly, “You, I…”
“There’s no need to conceal yourself. We’ve known each other for a good amount of time now, how would I not recognize your body and eye shape? You’ve kept this rescue operation a secret from your uncle-master, haven’t you?”
Mu Jinghu pulled down his black face covering, looking guiltily at Qin Yining and not knowing what to do with himself.
“This is no place to linger,” offered Lu Heng. “We should leave and find a hiding spot.”
“Alright.” The three followed Mu Jinghu’s instructions out of the yard.
At the same time, Anari blearily opened her eyes and was startled into full wakefulness by the enormous pain at her neck. Just as she was about to struggle to a sitting position, she noticed a man’s boots in front of her.
The khan lifted her head to see a brocade wearing Siqin standing in front of her.
“My consort, you’ve come!” Anari rose, rubbing her neck with one hand and tugging on Siqin’s robes with the other. “Did you come looking for me after discovering my disappearance in the palace? That bitch Qin Yining seduced a random man to help her escape! She even injured me! My neck hurts so much!”
Siqin smiled sympathetically and pulled her into an embrace with his long arms. He massaged her neck and murmured lovingly, “Is this the spot?”
Anari closed her eyes and butted her forehead against Siqin’s shoulder. “That’s it. That Lu Heng grabbed my arms and knocked me out. He also has a very skilled martial artist with him, his servant’s stronger than my…”
Her words abruptly cut off.
She looked down incredulously at the bloody hole in her chest. It’d been formed by a dagger now dripping with blood.
A dagger wielded by the man in front of her, the man she deeply loved.
“You!”
Another brutal stab, this time to her stomach.
Tremendous pain blossomed; shock crashed into her like a lightning bolt. Eyes widened, blood dribbled out the corner of her lips.
“Siqin, we have such a good life together. I love you so much, so why…”
Another stab.
After the third strike, Siqin slowly laid Anari down on the ground. Boundless tenderness in his eyes, his voice rasped softly, “Go in peace. I will rule Tatar and unite the world. I will also avenge your death at the hands of Great Zhou.”
Fresh blood continuously streamed out of her as Anari’s body convulsed. Her staring eyes screamed with rage and sorrow. She never thought that she would die at the hands of this man!
She suddenly recalled the repeated hints that Qin Yining had dropped, some subtle, others more overt. The princess consort had once mentioned that Siqin’s popularity with the people was too high, that he grasped too much power. Had the girl seen something then?
What a shame that she, the fool in love that she was, never gave Qin Yining’s words the full consideration they deserved.
“Ba, bastard!” Bloody froth bubbled from Anari’s lips as she glared viciousl
y at Siqin. “You. will. die. like. a. dog!”
Siqin hugged himself and stooped in front of Anari with a chuckle. “You’re dying, so it’s not up to you how I die. Let’s call it even after enduring your temper for so many years and fighting for you all this time. If you don’t think it too much of a bother, go ahead and hate me.”
Anari opened her mouth and struggled to lift her arm, but didn’t manage it in the end. As endless darkness and cold swallowed her, the last sight etched into her eyes was that of her consort’s relieved smile, a great burden finally off his shoulders.
Siqin’s grin grew wider when he saw the khan spasm painfully for her last breath. Her body went slack, leaving only a pair of unfocused eyes still staring widely.
He plonked himself down on the ground and leisurely wiped off his dagger on Anari’s clothes, tucking it back into his boot. He then clutched the grimy late khan to his chest, like he was holding a sleeping child. Siqin ran one hand over her eyes, closing them as tears flowed from his.
“Khan, my khan! I will avenge you!” His sobs grew louder and louder as he wailed and howled with grief.
His followers disposing of the guards’ bodies in the yard came rushing in. The scene of the khan consort dyed red from the blood of his beloved, weeping for the end of his world greeted their eyes. Anguished keening rose and fell, as if he were a wounded beast on the brink of despair.
His followers knelt and lowered their heads, saluting their fallen khan.
Siqin abruptly lifted his head and gnashed his teeth. “The Faithful Princess Consort of the First Rank, née Qin, and the official son of House Lu, Lu Heng, conspired to kill the khan. All of you are to go out into the city immediately and capture these two alive! Also, have all of the officials immediately enter the palace for a court session!
“Understood!” His followers boomed back in ringing tones and dashed off to carry out their orders.
Siqin refused to let go of the late khan’s body and carried her back to the palace, wailing with broken-heartedness all along the way. An untold number of citizens came out to investigate the disturbance. They too fell into the throes of sorrow when they saw the bloody figure of the khan consort.
……
Qin Yining, Lu Heng, and Mu Jinghu were hiding in an abandoned shack in the depths of a narrow alleyway. Though no one knew when it’d been deserted, roof tiles speckled with weather and time and an enormous hole in the roof bore testament that it’d been empty for a very long while. Bunches of weeds called a corner home, already withered in this season. Meanwhile, only cracks and wooden windows devoid of window panes called the walls home.
“The southern gate is the closest way out,” Mu Jinghu whispered. “Shelter here for a bit while I prepare clothing, food, and water for you. Think of a way to get out when the city gates open at dawn.”
Qin Yining nodded with a smile. “Alright, thank you so much. I was very surprised and happy to see you today.”
The young man shook his head. “I just happened to bump into the Lu second master tailing the khan’s men. I followed because I was curious. I had no idea I would see the khan kidnap you in the middle of the night.”
“The khan’s long disliked me for a suspected relationship between me and her consort. Add to that the Soothsayer saying we have similar destinies… well, I knew she would want to kill me.” The princess consort shook her head with a wry smile. “I have a prior relationship with the priestess, I hadn’t anticipated that she’d want to harm me.”
Mu Jinghu lowered his head, hiding an expression full of awkwardness. Even he, someone who spent all his days with the Soothsayer, had no idea what his uncle-master was brewing. Why did she have to set the khan at odds with her consort, and then provoke the khan into killing Qin Yining?
Uncle-master can’t be bothered to share with me, maybe because I’m not smart enough.
But Mu Jinghu treasured his friendship with Pang Xiao at the end of the day, and also felt that Qin Yining was a good person. She shouldn’t lose her life here—which was what urged him onto night reconnaissance for peace of mind.
Then they’d actually run into some things happening.
Chapter 494: From Spark to Flame (I)
Judging from the helpless look on Mu Jinghu's face, Qin Yining could tell he was having a hard time choosing between the Soothsayer and Pang Xiao.
He was an honest man. Since he’d already received orders from his grandmaster—his true master—to protect the Soothsayer, he would never go back on his word. In truth, he’d already taken a substantial risk by defying her to come rescue Qin Yining.
Given the Soothsayer's actions, she was certainly greatly valued by the Tatar royals. There was no telling what would happen if she knew Mu Jinghu had squandered the favoritism she’d earned. The priestess didn't stand a chance against Mu Jinghu's superior martial arts skills in a fight, but Mu Jinghu was far too honest for his own good. There was no way he would raise a hand against his uncle-master.
Qin Yining also knew from the priestess’ nature that she wouldn't spare Mu Jinghu any mercy. With this thought in mind, she urged, "You best hurry back. I fear it won’t be good if your uncle-master found out what you've been up to. Second Master Lu and I will manage on our own. We’ll figure out a way to slip out once the city gate opens."
Mu Jinghu shook his head. "Forget it. I’m afraid the khan will immediately start searching for you once she wakes up. I'll go scout around outside and find some food and clothes for the two of you. And medicine for your injuries—it would be troublesome if you fell ill now."
"I’ll be alright. These are mere flesh wounds. My body recovers quickly, so they won’t hinder me."
In truth, Qin Yining's body ached terribly, but their abnormal circumstances called for her to endure the pain. Mu Jinghu had already gone against his sect by saving her, so his obligation toward the wife of his friend was no more. She had no wish to cause him further trouble.
Mu Jinghu, however, shook his head. "You should still be careful," he insisted. "You will suffer once you leave Khanbaliq. It’s not certain you’ll have the chance to recover from your wounds, so you should at least procure some medicine and basic necessities for your journey."
Finished, he made a hand gesture indicating for Qin Yining to stop arguing with him and promptly turned to exit through the door.
As Lu Heng watched Mu Jinghu disappear into the distance, he sighed, "We are indebted to this hero. Were it not for him, I couldn't have fended off the khan's bodyguards on my own. It seems that birds of a feather do indeed flock together—a good friend of Pang Zhixi would naturally be skilled at martial arts like him."
Qin Yining seated herself atop the worn old wooden recliner and heaved a long sigh.
"He’s an old friend of His Highness and his uncle-master is the Soothsayer. I daresay the priestess did something to provoke the khan into going after my head so aggressively."
Lu Heng nodded. He didn't probe into the relationship between the priestess and Pang Xiao, but the way she’d provoked Anari was highly suspicious indeed. "An esteemed hermit like the Soothsayer wouldn't waggle her tongue arbitrarily. She must have her reasons for doing so."
Qin Yining nodded and wearily leaned back against the wall. "She certainly isn’t someone who would stir trouble for no good reason. However, this matter is all the more perplexing should this be the case."
"Indeed. That’s why I think she’s plotting something," Lu Heng lamented with a touch of helplessness. "There’s no use in overthinking things, though. Our main priority as of now is to make it out of here alive. If we breathe our last here after surviving the earth dragon turning over, a trek through the desert, and all these days of suffering, don’t you think that would well, really suck?"
Qin Yining admired how Lu Heng still had it in him to crack jokes despite how the odds were stacked against them. Perhaps there was a certain fragility to those who attained a status similar to that of Lu Heng. It wasn't that they didn't feel fear or terror; rather, the
y were merely adept at controlling their emotions and keeping their cool. Because they were able to maintain a level head, their judgement remained unimpaired.
In truth, she had felt genuine fear today. In the heat of the moment, she’d been able to put on a brave front and convince herself to think of whatever to come as dog bites. However, when she thought back to how she’d been surrounded by Anari and her bodyguards, the looming despair she’d felt at the sight of their leering faces squeezed her heart tightly.
If they’d actually laid a hand on her, even she didn't know what drastic measures she would’ve resorted to.
These thoughts flashed through her mind but for an instant; a carefree smile still shone brightly on her face. "Well spoken. We’ve already survived the worst of the tempest—it would indeed suck if we fell down here."
Lu Heng gazed at Qin Yining's profile, his eyes warm with gentle admiration. "As you say. You should rest awhile, considering how you’re injured."
Qin Yining dimpled. "Very well. You should rest for a while and conserve your strength. We may have rendered the khan unconscious and escaped, but we don't know what kind of tantrum she’ll throw once she comes to. She may very well dispatch her entire army after us."
Finished, Lu Heng promptly seated himself three meters away from Qin Yining. Seeing how there was only the one old wooden recliner in this shack, she didn't particularly mind sharing it. They were running for their lives—what was the point of worrying over propriety? Furthermore, Lu Heng was a man of honor. She had nothing to worry about.
Qin Yining then closed her eyes and fell into a light slumber.
Lu Heng, however, didn't sleep. Through the holes in the roof, he stared at the twinkling stars scattered across a pitch black sky. In his mind, he mapped out their escape route again and again. If they were to go around the desert they’d passed through, what direction should they head in?
As Qin Yining rested and Lu Heng fell into deep contemplation, Mu Jinghu suddenly sidestepped inside. His voice was hushed with anxiety as he exclaimed, "Something’s gone wrong!"
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