Chapter 18: Mei Xi (Eighteen)

Black Hawk was like a ghost blending into the night, with its hooves wrapped in cloth, galloping across the cold wilderness.

He leaned over the horse's back, pressing his body against the horse's neck to minimize wind resistance.

The cold wind blew across his dark cheeks like a knife, but it could not cool the boiling blood in his chest or the heavy mission on his shoulders.

The bamboo slips hidden close to his body were like red-hot irons, constantly reminding him of the weight of the secret report - it concerned the survival of the royal court and the safety of Princess Yuan. He chose the most hidden and dangerous path.

This road winds through the wild mountains and hills, rarely traveled, but it can avoid the inspections on the official road and possible spies of the Sikou. The night is the best cover, with no stars or moon, and only he and his horse are riding forward in the dead silence.

He did not dare to slack off at all, and changed his route every once in a while, like the most cunning fox, leaving no trace for tracking.

[External Environment: Tracking Risk: Medium → Low (Host Strategy Effective). Target (Secret Letter Delivery) Progress: 30%…Continuously Increasing.] The system's notification chime echoed in Lin Jiaojiao's mind, with a subtle, steady tone.

Within the royal court, time dragged on like solidified lead, heavy and slow. Lin Jiaojiao maintained a calm exterior, strolling through the courtyard daily with Chun's support, basking in the sun on the slopes. Even knowing Ku Ding might have betrayed her, she remained silent. Occasionally, he would summon her to inquire about supplies and soothe the growing panic of Wanyan and the other two girls. But her inner tension was strained to the bone. Every moment of waiting felt like walking on a knife's edge.

Sikou Zhao Qian also seemed to have noticed something strange. Ku Ding became more and more taciturn and his eyes were evasive, especially when facing Lin Jiaojiao.

The spy Zhao Qian sent to monitor the side hall reported back that Concubine Yuan was doing fine, but General Shi Hu seemed to have tightened security within the royal court, especially along the main roads leading out of the palace. This subtle change made Zhao Qian feel uneasy. Could it be... that woman had noticed something?

He did not dare to delay and stepped up his contact with "that side" outside the city. At the same time, he urged Ku Ding to complete the final transfer of supplies as soon as possible, and began to look for the best time to "invite" Princess Yuan away.

The Mingtiao area is not a fertile land, but a remote mountain range with dangerous terrain that is easy to defend but difficult to attack.

The remnants of the defeated army led by Xia Jie were stationed here. The camp was simple and the morale was low. The shame of the defeat at Mingtiao gnawed at Xia Jie's heart like a poisonous snake. He became more violent and capricious, whipping his soldiers and killing his generals to vent his anger. The camp was filled with an atmosphere of despair and fear.

One day, Xia Jie was sitting on a rough, makeshift stone seat covered with tiger skin, roaring at several generals who were kneeling and trembling on the ground: "Waste! A bunch of waste! You can't even defend a small pass! What use are you?! Drag you out! Behead you!"

"Your Majesty, please spare us! Your Majesty, please spare us!" The generals kowtowed like crazy, tears streaming down their faces.

At this moment, there was a commotion outside the tent, and a knight, covered in dust and almost exhausted, was dragged in by two armored soldiers. He was covered in mud, his lips were cracked and bleeding, but his eyes were surprisingly bright. He struggled to push the armored soldiers away, fell to his knees with a thud, and used up his last bit of strength to take out the bundle of bamboo slips from his arms, which were soaked with sweat but still tied tightly, and held it high above his head.

"Your Majesty! Princess Yuan...has a secret report! It concerns...the survival of the royal court! Your Majesty, please...speak in person!" Black Hawk's voice was as hoarse as a broken gong, but with an unquestionable urgency!

The entire tent fell silent in an instant; even Xia Jie's roar stopped abruptly, and everyone's eyes were focused on the bundle of inconspicuous bamboo slips.

"Prince Concubine... a secret report?" Xia Jie narrowed his eyes, a hint of doubt flashing in his crimson pupils, and then was covered by a violent possessive desire. Mei Xi? She sent me a letter? He waved his hand: "Show it!"

A close attendant hurried forward, carefully took the bamboo slips, untied the hemp rope, and respectfully presented the bamboo slips engraved with words to King Jie of Xia.

Xia Jie grabbed the bamboo slip and scanned the inscriptions carved with a knife and an axe with his eyes like lightning. At first, his brows were furrowed with impatience, but soon, his expression began to change drastically! Like dark clouds brewing a storm, it grew darker and more terrifying!

"Withholding food and wages... lining one's own pockets..."

"Spreading rumors...shaking the morale of the troops..."

"I want to surrender the city and seek peace to protect myself..."

"To alienate the ruler and his subjects... to plot evil..."

Each word burned like a red-hot iron, searing Xia Jie's nerves. The phrases "wanting to offer the city in exchange for peace to protect himself" and "separat[ing] the ruler and his ministers" especially ignited the pent-up violence and suspicion within him. He seemed to see Zhao Liang's fat, greedy face, leaping about in the royal court, colluding with outsiders, attempting to betray him, and perhaps even... possibly even trying to get his hands on Mei Xi?!

"Zhao! Liang!" A roar like a wounded beast suddenly burst out from Xia Jie's throat. The voice was filled with overwhelming rage and deep murderous intent, shaking the entire tent. The generals kneeling on the ground were frightened out of their wits and crawled back.

Xia Jie stood up suddenly, his burly body trembling slightly with rage. His red eyes stared at the bamboo slips as if he wanted to burn through them. He threw the bamboo slips to the ground, and bamboo pieces flew everywhere.

"Good! What a good Zhao Liang! I treated you well! How dare you betray me! How dare you... How dare you covet my court! Covet my woman!" Xia Jie's voice was like two pieces of pig iron rubbing against each other, with a creepy smell of blood. "Come here!"

"I am here!" Several bodyguards, as fierce as wolves and tigers, immediately stepped forward.

"Pass on my royal decree!" Xia Jie's voice was like thunderbolt, brimming with an unquestionable will to destroy. "Order the Blood Wolf Guards to immediately assemble three hundred elite cavalrymen, march day and night, and return to the capital. Execute Zhao Liang's entire family! Take their heads and hang them on the city walls as a warning to others! Anyone who stands in my way... will be killed without mercy!" He paused, his eyes gleaming with a fierce gleam. "Also! Investigate all his accomplices! Leave no one alive!"

"Yes!" The commander of the personal guards accepted the order, his voice as cold as iron, turned around and strode away with murderous intent.

Black Hawk looked at the thunderous scene before him, and a huge stone fell from his heart. It worked! Princess Yuan's plan... worked! He could no longer hold on, his vision went black, and he fainted.

In the royal court, Zhao Liang was still immersed in his dream of "surrendering the city and the concubine". He hugged his new beauty, drank and had fun in the luxurious secret room, dreaming of becoming a meritorious official of the new dynasty and enjoying wealth and honor.

Sikou Zhao Qian, on the other hand, reported the "progress" in a flattering manner: "Sir, the supplies from the warehouse have been transferred! The city defenses are also ready! We are just waiting for the arrival of the Shang army..."

At this moment, there was a sudden earth-shaking clamor outside the mansion. The heavy sound of horse hooves rolled through the streets like thunder, accompanied by the harsh sound of weapons colliding and shrill screams.

"What's going on?!" Zhao Liang suddenly pushed the beauty in his arms away and stood up in shock and confusion.

"Report!!" A servant covered in blood rushed into the secret room, his voice filled with extreme fear, "Sir! This is bad! Blood... Blood Wolf Guards! The Blood Wolf Guards are coming! They kill everyone they see! We can't stop them... We can't stop them!!"

"Blood Wolf Guards?!" Zhao Liang and Zhao Qian's faces instantly turned pale. The Blood Wolf Guards were Xia Jie's most elite, ruthless personal guards, obeying only Xia Jie's orders. Their presence here... could only mean one thing—Xia Jie knew! And... he was furious!

"No... Impossible!!" Zhao Liang screamed, his fat body shaking violently with fear. "Quick! Stop them!" He frantically tried to grab the sword hanging on the wall.

But it's too late!

The door of the secret room was slammed open by a violent force, and several Blood Wolf Guards wearing dark red leather armor, with hideous oil paint on their faces, like evil spirits from hell rushed in. Their eyes were cold, without a trace of human emotion, and the blood-stained bronze swords in their hands exuded a strong smell of blood.

"Follow the king's order! Kill the traitor Zhao Liang!" The voice of the leader of the Blood Wolf Guard was as cold as ice.

"No! I am innocent! Your Majesty! I want to see Your Majesty!" Zhao Liang roared in despair, his fat body slumped to the ground.

He was responded with an icy cold light.

Phew——!

Blood splattered, and Zhao Liang's fat head rolled to the ground with an expression of incredible horror. Blood gushed out like a fountain, staining the gorgeous animal skin spread on the ground red.

"Ah——!" Zhao Qian was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground. His pants were instantly soaked and a fishy smell filled the air. He tried to escape by rolling and crawling, but another Blood Wolf Guard stepped on his back and pressed the cold sword against his throat.

"Tell me! Who are the other accomplices?!" The voice of the Blood Wolf Guard leader sounded like it came from the Nine Nether Hell.

Zhao Qian was so frightened that his heart and liver were broken. In order to save his life, he revealed the names of Ku Ding and several city defense captains he bribed.

"Kill!" the commander ordered coldly.

The screams rang out again, and after a moment, the secret room returned to silence, leaving only the strong smell of blood and a few twitching corpses.

The Blood Wolf Guards evacuated as quickly as they had arrived, leaving Zhao Liang's mansion in ruins and a cloud of blood. Zhao Liang's head, still with its eyes wide open, was hung high above the city wall of the royal capital, swaying slightly in the cold wind, announcing to everyone the fate of the traitor.

The news spread throughout the royal court in an instant as if it had wings.

"Zhao Liang... was murdered by the Blood Wolf Guards! His entire family was executed! His head was hung on the city wall!"

"Oh my god! The Blood Wolf Guards! The King's most trusted Blood Wolf Guards!"

"I heard... it's because he withheld military pay, spread rumors, and even wanted to surrender the city!"

"Good thing he died! This traitor who brought disaster to the country and the people!"

Panic and shock spread like a plague, but soon, an almost morbid excitement and awe replaced the panic. People talked a lot, and their eyes looking into the depths of the palace were full of fear of the royal power or the tyranny of King Jie of Xia.

In the side hall, Chun rushed in, her face pale and her voice trembling with excitement and fear: "My Lady! My Lady! Zhao... Zhao Liang is dead! Killed by the Blood Wolf Guards! His head... his head is hanging on the city wall!"

Upon hearing this, the two girls, Wanyan, screamed in fear and hugged each other, trembling.

Lin Jiaojiao's hand holding the ceramic bowl trembled suddenly, and some of the warm water in the bowl spilled out and landed on the back of her hand, bringing a slightly cool touch. She slowly put down the ceramic bowl and raised her head. There was not much surprise on her face, only a calmness as if the dust had settled. She walked to the window and looked towards the direction of the city wall with a deep gaze.

It's done, she thought to herself. Xia Jie's knife is indeed sharp! Fast! ruthless! Accurate!

Objective (borrowed knife kill) achieved! Threatening individual (Zhao Liang) eliminated! External environment: Panic index rising (Blood Wolf Guard deterrence). Internal threat (Si Kou) level: rising (increased risk of exposure). The system's prompt calmly analyzed the situation.

At this moment, a burst of hurried and panicked footsteps was heard outside the hall. Ku Ding rushed in, crawling and rolling, and knelt down in front of Lin Jiaojiao with a plop. His face was as pale as paper, his whole body was shaking like a sieve, and his goatee was covered with cold sweat and dust.

"Empress Yuan! Help! Help, Empress Yuan!" Ku Ding's voice was filled with tears and extreme fear. "Sikou... Sikou Zhao Qian has been arrested, and the Blood Wolf Guards... Blood Wolf Guards are searching the whole city for his accomplices! Your humble servant... Your humble servant..." He was so scared that he couldn't speak, but kowtowed desperately, and his forehead hit the cold ground heavily, making a dull sound.

Lin Jiaojiao turned around and looked calmly at Ku Ding, who was lying on the ground like a stray dog. The sunlight shone through the window lattice and fell on her calm face. There was no mercy in her clear eyes, only a coldness that saw through everything.