Chapter 127

By the time we left the military camp, it was already pitch black. There was no moon in the night sky, only a few sparse, cold stars dotting the inky darkness.

Xiao Qiyun's carriage was already waiting outside the military camp. The two silently boarded the carriage. The interior was spacious, with thick carpets and a heater, which kept out the cold outside, but the atmosphere remained heavy.

Su Zhelan leaned back in the carriage, his body slightly curled up, his face appearing even paler in the dim light. He still gripped the dossier tightly in his hand, his knuckles white from the pressure. The confrontation in the military tent, Sheng Chi's burning worry, Xiao Qiyun's promise… and the bloody and gruesome descriptions in the cold words on the dossier, all swirled in his mind like a revolving lantern. A tremendous sense of exhaustion washed over him, not just physical, but also a heavy mental burden.

Xiao Qiyun sat opposite him, eyes closed in contemplation, his demeanor still composed, yet a subtle hint of gravity lingered between his brows. The only sounds in the carriage were the rumble of the wheels over the frozen earth and the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire in the heater.

The carriage traveled for a long time in the silent night before finally arriving at the mansion. The main gate was already closed, except for a side gate that remained open for them. The two stepped out of the carriage, and the chill of the night hit them in the face, causing Su Zhelan to shiver involuntarily.

The mansion was silent, save for the distant echoes of the footsteps of the night patrol guards. Lanterns swayed in the cold wind, casting dim, flickering shadows.

Xiao Qiyun and Su Zhelan walked silently through the courtyard towards Shuyu Courtyard. Neither of them spoke a word along the way. A heavy atmosphere weighed on their hearts.

Finally, they returned to Shuyu Courtyard. The courtyard gate closed gently behind them, shutting out the cold wind and darkness outside. The steam from the hot spring inside carried a hint of warmth, but it could not dispel the chill in their hearts.

Xiao Qiyun stopped and turned to look at Su Zhelan. In the dim light, Su Zhelan's face was as pale as paper, with heavy shadows under her eyes, and her gaze was tired and empty, as if all her strength had been drained away.

"It's late." Xiao Qiyun's voice was low, with a hint of barely perceptible gentleness. "Go and rest first. Things... have only just begun."

Su Zhelan raised his head, looking into Xiao Qiyun's deep eyes. There was concern, determination, and perhaps many other emotions he couldn't discern at the moment. He knew Xiao Qiyun was right; things had only just begun. The road to revenge was long and treacherous. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately only nodded wearily, his voice hoarse: "...Yes, Your Highness."

However, just as he was holding the files and turning to walk towards his room, a thought flashed through his chaotic mind like lightning—Master!

Master Su Yan's previous instructions echoed clearly in her ears: "Su Zhelan, remember, no matter what clues you find, no matter what action you decide to take, you must consult with me first! Do not act impulsively!"

Her steps abruptly halted. Su Zhelan turned around, looking at Xiao Qiyun who was still standing there, her eyes filled with a hint of apology, but even more so with an undeniable firmness: "Your Highness, please rest first. I... still have some matters to attend to."

Xiao Qiyun looked at him, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly: "What is it? I'll go with you."

Su Zhelan shook her head, her tone resolute: "No need. I think... I'll go by myself."

Xiao Qiyun's gaze fell on Su Zhelan's pale face, which was full of exhaustion, but a stubborn light burned deep in her eyes.

He looked at Su Zhelan in silence, his deep eyes seeming to pierce through Su Zhelan's soul and see through all his struggles and determination at this moment.

A night breeze swept through the courtyard, ruffling their clothes and bringing a chill to their bones. Steam rose from the hot spring under the lamplight, but it couldn't dispel the heavy atmosphere.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Qiyun slowly spoke, his voice devoid of emotion: "...Okay." He didn't press further or insist, but calmly accepted Su Zhelan's rejection.

He took a step forward, reaching out as if to pat Su Zhelan's shoulder, but in the end, he only gently brushed against Su Zhelan's fingers, which were tightly gripping the dossier. The movement was gentle yet carried an invisible strength, as if conveying some silent promise. His voice was deep and clear: "Then I'll wait for you in the room. No matter how late."

Su Zhelan's fingers trembled slightly under Xiao Qiyun's touch, feeling the coolness and undeniable authority emanating from his fingertips.

He looked up and met Xiao Qiyun's calm, unfathomable eyes. A complex emotion welled up inside him—gratitude, pressure, and perhaps even a hint of something indescribable...fluttering? But he quickly suppressed this strange feeling and nodded vigorously: "...Yes."

Xiao Qiyun said no more, gave Su Zhelan a deep look, turned and walked towards his room, his back looking tall and lonely in the swaying lamplight.

Su Zhelan watched Xiao Qiyun's figure disappear behind the door before abruptly turning his gaze away. He took a deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs and clearing his muddled mind somewhat. Without further hesitation, he picked up the dossier, turned, and strode out of the courtyard.

The mansion was eerily silent in the dead of night. The footsteps of the night patrol guards had long since faded away, and only a few lanterns swayed in the cold wind, casting eerie shadows.

Su Zhelan's footsteps were quick and firm, echoing clearly on the cold stone pavement, sounding particularly abrupt in the dead of night.

The bamboo forest appears even more secluded and tranquil in the night, with swaying bamboo shadows and rustling sounds like whispers.

Su Zhelan walked quickly to the door of the small house and knocked on the door without hesitation.

"Knock knock knock".

The knocking sounded particularly clear in the quiet bamboo forest.

There was a moment of silence in the room, then a steady voice said, "Come in, the door isn't locked."

Su Zhelan pushed open the door, and a faint fragrance of herbs mixed with the scent of ink wafted out. The room was simply furnished, with a single lamp illuminating Master Su Yan sitting under it, writing something.

Su Yan looked up and saw Su Zhelan standing at the door, her face pale but her eyes surprisingly bright, and the dossier clutched in her hand. There was no surprise in her eyes, only a calm that seemed to know everything.

“Master…” Su Zhelan’s voice trembled slightly. He went into the house, closed the door behind him, and shut out the cold wind outside.

Su Yan put down his pen and calmly looked at Su Zhelan: "You've come." His tone was indifferent, as if he had expected Su Zhelan to appear in the middle of the night.

Su Zhelan walked quickly to the desk, about to put down the file in her hand and begin to explain in detail—

"Yawn—what did I tell you? I knew this kid was definitely coming tonight!"

A voice, still cheerful despite being heavy with sleep, came from the inner room. Immediately afterward, the curtain was lifted, and Gu Linzhao emerged, yawning and rubbing his eyes. He had clearly just gotten out of bed; his hair was still a little messy, and he was only wearing an outer robe, but his eyes were perfectly clear, showing no signs of sleepiness.

Gu Linzhao grinned when he saw Su Zhelan, a hint of smugness in his eyes: "See? I told you so! I knew it was you as soon as I heard the noise outside!"

He walked to the table, poured himself a cup of cold tea and gulped it down, then looked at Su Zhelan, his eyes becoming serious. "What? What did Sheng Chi say about the military camp? Has something happened? Those lunatics... have they made a move again?"

Seeing Gu Linzhao's "I knew it" expression, and then looking at Master Su Yan's still calm face, Su Zhelan instantly understood. So… Master and Gu Linzhao had been watching all along! They knew all along! They might have even known before him!

A warm feeling mixed with bittersweetness welled up in his heart. He was no longer alone in bearing all of this. His master and Gu Linzhao had always been there for him.

“Master…” Su Zhelan’s voice choked with emotion. He took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent emotions, and solemnly placed the dossier in his hand on the table in front of Master Su Yan. “Yes, something has happened. The cult… slaughtered the entire Black Stone Village on the border last night, all 137 people in the village… were killed. Moreover… all 23 children in the village… are missing! Cult totems were left at the scene!”

Gu Linzhao's smile vanished instantly, his eyes turning sharp as knives. He slammed his hand on the table: "Damn it! These beasts! It really was them!"

Master Su Yan's gaze also turned serious instantly. He did not immediately look at the dossier, but instead looked up at Su Zhelan and asked in a deep voice, "General Sheng, how should we deal with this?"

Su Zhelan quickly recounted how Sheng Chi blocked the roads, dispatched troops to search for him, and how he and Xiao Qiyun went to the military camp to confront Sheng Chi, ultimately reaching a compromise with Xiao Qiyun's intervention. He emphasized the deduction that the Burning Heart Sect purchased large quantities of highly poisonous herbs and refined "Holy Sons."

“…Master,” Su Zhelan’s voice trembled slightly with anger and urgency, “They can’t have me… so they use these innocent children… use those deadly poisons… to forcibly create substitutes! They are… insane! I… I absolutely cannot let them succeed! I must…”

"You must avenge them, you must uproot them completely, grind their bones to dust!" Gu Linzhao interjected, his voice filled with deep-seated hatred and icy killing intent. "That's right! These bastards deserve to be torn to pieces!"

Master Su Yan remained silent. He slowly reached out and opened the file on the table. Under the dim light, his steady fingers traced the shocking descriptions, reading the names and quantities of the highly poisonous herbs. His gaze grew increasingly sharp, like a drawn sword.

"Hmph," Gu Linzhao snorted coldly, crossed his arms and leaned against the table, looking at Su Zhelan, "You brat, you rushed to the military camp with the Crown Prince today, and then came rushing back to find Su Yan. I knew it must be about this! Did you think we were really drinking tea and playing chess in the room all this time?"

He glanced at Su Yan. "Su Yan already had me send people to keep an eye on those suspicious corners in the city. We'll know as soon as those lunatics make a move! We knew about the border massacre even before you did!"

Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Master Su Yan. Master Su Yan was still focused on the dossier, but his slight nod confirmed Gu Linzhao's words.

“Master…” Su Zhelan’s heart was filled with gratitude and guilt. It turned out that her master and Uncle Gu Linzhao had never stood idly by; they had been secretly protecting him and sharing his heavy burden.

Su Yan stood up, walked to Su Zhelan, and gently placed his aged but strong hand on Su Zhelan's shoulder. His voice was deep and powerful: "Zhelan, I have never forgotten your grudge."

Gu Linzhao straightened up, his eyes burning: "That's right! I've wanted to settle accounts with those bastards for a long time!"

Master Su Yan looked at Su Zhelan, his eyes filled with a hint of barely perceptible relief and a deeper resolve: "Speak, tell us your thoughts. We... will figure out a solution together."

When Su Zhelan finally left, the night was as deep as ink. Pushing open the gate of Shuyu Courtyard, a warm, humid air mixed with the familiar scent of ink rushed towards her, dispelling the chill outside.

The courtyard was filled with a warm, misty atmosphere. Su Zhelan immediately noticed the dim candlelight shining through the window of her room.

His heart skipped a beat. Xiao Qiyun... was still waiting for him.

He tiptoed to the door, took a deep breath, and pushed it open before going inside.

Inside, the candlelight flickered. Xiao Qiyun sat on a soft couch by the window, holding a book in his hand, but his gaze was not on the pages; instead, he quietly looked out at the deep night. Hearing the door open, he slowly turned his head.

In the candlelight, Xiao Qiyun's face remained gentle and refined, his eyes deep and calm, showing no sign of weariness or dissatisfaction. He put down his book and looked at Su Zhelan, taking in his slightly tired yet clear eyes, which carried a hint of relaxation and determination.

"You're back?" Xiao Qiyun's voice was low and calm, revealing no emotion.

"Hmm." Su Zhelan responded softly, walked to the table, and gently put down the file in his hand. He felt exhausted all over, but his mind was unusually clear.

Xiao Qiyun stood up and walked slowly to Su Zhelan. He didn't ask where Su Zhelan had gone or what she had done, nor did he look at the file. He simply reached out and gently grasped Su Zhelan's wrist with an extremely natural movement.

Su Zhelan was slightly taken aback. She felt the cool touch of Xiao Qiyun's fingertips on her wrist, which carried an undeniable force.

"It's late." Xiao Qiyun's voice remained calm, yet it carried an invisible pressure and... a hint of indescribable gentleness? "Go and rest."

Su Zhelan looked into Xiao Qiyun's unfathomable eyes, which seemed to hold an all-knowing calm and a silent acceptance. He didn't struggle or explain, but simply nodded obediently: "...Okay."

Xiao Qiyun pulled Su Zhelan by the wrist and led him to the excessively large new bed. The brocade quilt on the bed was neatly laid out and exuded a faint fragrance.

This bed was originally prepared for three people. At this moment, Sheng Xuan was strictly confined to his courtyard by Sheng Chi and was not allowed to go out. The large bed was empty, with only two brocade quilts on it.

Xiao Qiyun released Su Zhelan's wrist, then took off his outer robe with elegant and composed movements. He lifted the blanket, lay down on the outer side, and looked at Su Zhelan, gesturing for him to lie down as well.

Su Zhelan looked at the empty bed, then at Xiao Qiyun's calm and expressionless face, a complex emotion passing through his heart. He silently took off his outer robe, walked to the inside of the bed, lifted the quilt, and lay down.

The bed was really big. The two of them lay on it, with a wide distance between them, as if there was an invisible chasm between them. The soft quilt was warm and comfortable, but Su Zhelan's body was a little stiff. He could clearly feel Xiao Qiyun's presence on the other side, his steady breathing, the faint scent of ink, all carrying an invisible pressure.

Xiao Qiyun turned to face Su Zhelan. The dim candlelight cast soft shadows on his face, making his deep eyes appear even more profound in the darkness.

"Go to sleep." Xiao Qiyun's voice was deep and clear, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.

Su Zhelan didn't respond; he simply closed his eyes. He tried to relax his body, but his mind remained unusually clear. He felt exhausted but couldn't fall asleep.

Just then, he felt the bed beside him sink slightly. Xiao Qiyun seemed to have moved a little closer to him.

Su Zhelan's body tensed instantly.

However, Xiao Qiyun didn't get too close. He merely shortened the distance between them, and the invisible chasm seemed to shrink somewhat. A warm breath brushed against Su Zhelan's ear, carrying the unique, elegant scent of ink emanating from Xiao Qiyun.

"Don't think about it." Xiao Qiyun's voice was low, almost a whisper, carrying a strange soothing power. "I'll take care of everything."

These words, spoken softly, were like a boulder thrown into Su Zhelan's heart, stirring up countless ripples. "I've got you covered..." What kind of power and promise did these simple four words contain? Was it the confidence to control the situation? A declaration of fighting side-by-side? Or... a deeper form of protection?

Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat. He kept his eyes closed, but his body involuntarily relaxed a little. His turbulent thoughts seemed to be temporarily suppressed by those simple four words.

He felt Xiao Qiyun move a little closer, his arm seemingly casually resting on the brocade quilt beside him, forming a subtle embrace. The warmth of his body wafted through the quilt, bringing a comforting warmth.

Su Zhelan didn't move or resist. He simply lay there quietly, feeling the steady breathing and warm body temperature beside him. A wave of overwhelming exhaustion finally washed over him, engulfing his consciousness. His taut nerves slowly relaxed, and his heavy eyelids could no longer stay open.

Xiao Qiyun gently extinguished the candle with a wave of his hand, plunging the room into a dark silence. In the darkness, Xiao Qiyun lay with his eyes open, listening to Su Zhelan's breathing gradually become long and even, feeling the person beside him relax, and gradually fell asleep as well.