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Chapter 131: Willing To Sacrifice

The Changle Inn, located by the street, was usually a place for travelers to come and go. The town was small and uneventful, with no thieves or soldiers causing trouble. The innkeeper and the staff were all locals, who had never traveled farther than Zhili and had only seen the county magistrate as the most important person. They had never witnessed a truly significant event. At this moment, they all stood trembling in the corner of the main hall, not daring to breathe, for fear of angering the people in front of them.

The man standing quietly in the hall was like an immortal.

Dressed in a snow-white Taoist robe, he had an imposing and majestic presence. His long face had a serene and distant quality, like a painting of distant mountains, with a hint of cold dew from the journey. A single glance from him made people feel completely seen through, with nowhere to hide.

Most of the people who came with him did not enter the inn but surrounded it tightly, preventing anyone from entering. Fortunately, it was close to the New Year, and there were not many guests, so it did not cause much panic.

Jian Shu quickly searched the entire inn with his men.

When he came down from upstairs, he was empty-handed.

The person they were looking for was not there.

Jian Shu glanced at Xiao Bao, whose face was pale, feeling uneasy. He walked up to Xie Wei and said, “Sir, no one is here.”

Xie Wei remained silent.

When Xiao Bao heard the innkeeper say that no woman had checked in at dawn, he knew something was wrong. Hearing Jian Shu’s report, he immediately knelt down and pleaded guilty, “It was my negligence and lack of consideration that caused us to lose track of the Second Miss.”

Xiao Bao was Xie Wei’s planted agent within the Tianjiao Sect.

Despite his young age, he was very clever.

However, being in Tongzhou while Xie Wei was in the capital, even though he had secretly instructed Xiao Bao to rescue Jiang Xuening, he couldn’t provide detailed instructions. Xiao Bao, following common sense, assumed that since he had rescued Jiang Xuening and brought her to the inn, she, being a weak girl, would obediently enter the inn.

Who would have thought she could disappear without a trace?

She had never entered the inn at all!

The hall was cold and silent.

There was no sound.

Xie Wei did not tell Xiao Bao to get up, nor did he scold him. He simply placed his hand lightly on the corner of the table and sat down on a chair that Jian Shu had carefully wiped clean.

After a moment, Dao Qin entered with some men and bowed, saying, “Sir, someone from the prefectural office is here.”

The man, dressed in a dark blue silk robe, was a clerk from the prefectural office.

Dao Qin had dragged him in, causing him to stumble and fall in front of Xie Wei, kowtowing in fear, “This humble servant greets the Grand Tutor. Indeed, a young lady came to the prefectural office half an hour ago, asking to see the prefect.”

Xie Wei lowered his eyes, “What did she say?”

The clerk, sweating profusely, recalled, “She said that members of the Tianjiao Sect were gathering in Tongzhou with rebellious intentions, and that a court official from the Ministry of Justice was trapped and urgently needed rescue. The prefect didn’t believe her at first, but soon heard from the city gate guards that the Duke of Dingguo had entered the city with troops heading straight for Shangqing Temple. So, he quickly gathered some officials and soldiers to assist.”

Xie Wei asked, “Where is she now?”

The clerk, hearing the word “she,” instinctively wanted to say the prefect had gone to Shangqing Temple, but then thought better of it and changed his answer, “The young lady insisted on going with the prefect and couldn’t be stopped. By now, she should have reached Shangqing Temple.”

Jian Shu, standing nearby, gasped.

Miss Jiang, a weak girl, dared to take such a risk!

Xiao Bao’s eyes widened.

Only Xie Wei seemed to have expected this, and he suddenly laughed. It was a laugh that was hard to describe, as if something was stuck in his throat, both vague and sharp. Finally, he said, “Good, good.”

He had underestimated her courage!

In the palace, she was obedient and well-behaved, but outside, she was rebellious!

She dared to oppose him for Zhang Zhe!

Xie Wei’s fingers pressed against the cold table edge, and the lingering hostility in his eyes spread. He stood up, flicked his sleeves, and headed outside the inn, coldly saying, “To Shangqing Temple.”

---

On that afternoon by the village riverbank, Jiang Xuening had confided in Zhang Zhe, saying she didn’t want to stay in the capital or the palace and wanted to take this opportunity to escape far away.

He thought he had experienced enough to find his true self.

Even if they couldn’t see each other often in the future, he hoped she would fulfill her wish and go far away, never to return.

But she came back.

And in such a dangerous situation.

Zhang Zhe was both angry at her foolishness and reckless behavior. His harsh words surprised even himself.

Even Meng Yang beside him couldn’t help but glance at him.

Jiang Xuening, seeing him, felt a weight lifted from her heart. She hadn’t expected Zhang Zhe to shout at her like that, and she was momentarily stunned, “I…”

For you.

Since there was no court rescue at Yongding Pharmacy, Zhang Zhe must have been kept in the dark. Xiao Bao had gone to great lengths to rescue her, indicating that the person behind Xiao Bao wanted to save her. Xiao Bao had used the Yongding Pharmacy to deceive her, showing that they didn’t care about Zhang Zhe’s life.

Without court reinforcements, Zhang Zhe would be in grave danger!

At the prefectural office, she learned that the Xiao family was leading the raid on the Tianjiao Sect, which made her even more anxious. She decided to follow the prefectural reinforcements, taking a gamble—

She bet that the mastermind behind the scenes didn’t want her dead!

If she was with Zhang Zhe, those people would have to reconsider if they wanted to harm him or let him die.

If she won the bet, she could save Zhang Zhe’s life;

If she lost, she would give her life for Zhang Zhe’s.

So, when Zhang Zhe’s anger hit her, she felt a moment of bitterness and grievance, but then realized his anger was more out of worry and frustration, which warmed her heart.

Jiang Xuening’s eyes reddened.

In her previous life, she owed Zhang Zhe, bullied him, targeted him, and took out her anger on him. In this life, she would repay him.

In the end, she was willing to endure it all.

She didn’t want to hide her feelings and continued to look at him, tears streaming down her face as she choked out, “I was worried about you.”

The red scratches on her delicate face were particularly striking.

Zhang Zhe’s anger was extinguished by her words, and he felt a deep pain in his heart: she could have left, but she came back. What else could it be for?

He knew it, but he couldn’t control his momentary irrational anger.

However, this was not the time for words.

Seeing the Tianjiao Sect members, who had been temporarily repelled, attacking again, he couldn’t say anything more. With a cold expression, he pulled Jiang Xuening to his side and moved to a safer place with his sword.

Jiang Xuening felt his hand gripping hers, sticky with blood.

Looking down, she saw her hand covered in blood.

It was his hand, stained with blood from the wound on his left shoulder, glaringly red.

She suddenly hated her own weakness and inability to help him more in this situation, only able to follow closely behind him, trying not to be a burden.

The chaotic battle between the Tianjiao Sect, the prisoners, and the Xiao family’s forces became more organized with the arrival of the prefectural reinforcements, easing the pressure on Zhang Zhe and Meng Yang.

The Tianjiao Sect was caught off guard.

The group sent to kill Zhang Zhe was blocked by swords, clearly failing. Feng Mingyu, not expecting this turn of events, cursed loudly.

Wu Feng advised, “Don’t let a small matter disrupt the bigger plan. Don’t focus solely on Zhang Zhe.”

Feng Mingyu swallowed his anger and asked, “How much further?”

Wu Feng looked around: the Tianjiao Sect members had completely withdrawn from Shangqing Temple, moving along a mountain path towards a valley overgrown with weeds.

A flash of light appeared in his eyes, “Fifteen or sixteen zhang, retreat!”

Amidst the chaotic battle, a whistle sounded from the Tianjiao Sect’s side.

The battle line was stretched, and few heard it.

The Xiao father and son, far behind, didn’t hear it. Seeing the commotion ahead and the prefectural reinforcements, their expressions turned grim.

Xiao Yuan aimed to take all the credit, even leaving Xie Wei behind. He didn’t expect a prefect to dare to intervene.

The more so, the less he could let the prefect succeed!

Frowning, his temples graying, he commanded with authority, “No retreat! Push forward! Anyone who retreats will face military law!”

The soldiers, trained in the imperial guard, obeyed Xiao Yuan.

After all, fighting the Tianjiao Sect was a small matter compared to real battles on the frontier. They didn’t take it seriously. At Xiao Yuan’s command, they charged forward without fear.

Zhang Zhe, though far away, could sense Xiao Yuan’s reckless ambition. Considering the Tianjiao Sect’s strange actions, he felt uneasy.

Seeing the Xiao family’s forces closing in, pushing them towards the back mountain, he frowned.

They couldn’t go any further.

Zhang Zhe decisively said, “They’re luring us into a trap. Be careful of an ambush!”

The prefect of Tongzhou was confused.

The Xiao father and son were dismissive.

But before they could voice their doubts or mockery, a terrifying explosion erupted from the mountainside, shaking the ground beneath everyone’s feet, leaving no time to dodge!

Rocks flew, crashing into the crowd.

Dirt sprayed everywhere.

Small stones shot into people’s heads, piercing their skulls!

Even Meng Yang, a seasoned fighter, couldn’t stand firm, exclaiming, “Gunpowder!”

This substance, accidentally created by Taoist alchemists, had been used in warfare for decades, made into cannons with devastating effects, like thunder from the heavens.

But it was difficult to produce and strictly controlled by the court.

How did the Tianjiao Sect get it?!

Even those with some knowledge felt disaster looming.

The explosion was just the beginning.

Moments later, a series of terrifying blasts followed, accompanied by screams.

Shangqing Temple’s mountain, already unstable, shook violently. The explosions caused landslides, burying half the people in dirt and the other half in rocks.

Blood and flesh flew, bodies scattered everywhere!

Zhang Zhe, anticipating an ambush, never expected the Tianjiao Sect to use gunpowder. As the mountainside collapsed, he only had time to pull Jiang Xuening towards the Tianjiao Sect members ahead!

Several prefectural officers were immediately lost.

The Xiao father and son, charging too far ahead, couldn’t retreat in time. They were caught in the explosion’s range, dragged down by the collapsing mountain.

Xiao Ye let out a terrified scream!

A falling rock from above had struck his leg.

Xiao Yuan was luckier, only getting a scratch, but he was still shaken. Seeing his precious son injured, he shouted “Ye’er” and rushed to help, but he couldn’t move the rock alone.

He called for help, but everyone else was too busy saving themselves.

Most of the Tianjiao Sect members had retreated to safety in the valley behind. Seeing the landslide and the hellish scene on the mountainside, Feng Mingyu laughed triumphantly.

“We’ve been waiting for you to come to your deaths!”

The Tianjiao Sect had known in advance that the court would send troops to raid them and had prepared a deadly trap. Although some sect members were killed, it was worth it compared to the near-total annihilation of the court’s forces.

The court’s reinforcements were reduced to scattered survivors.

The Tianjiao Sect counterattacked, slaughtering them, and the situation suddenly reversed!

Zhang Zhe, pulling Jiang Xuening towards the safe area of the Tianjiao Sect, avoided the explosion but entered another danger.

The Tianjiao Sect was eager to kill him.

Seeing Zhang Zhe approaching, Huang Qian seized the opportunity to attack.

Zhang Zhe, already injured and not skilled in combat, struggled to protect Jiang Xuening.

Seeing his concern for her, the attackers targeted Jiang Xuening.

Zhang Zhe, more concerned for her than himself, fell into their trap and was stabbed in the side, nearly collapsing.

Jiang Xuening screamed, “Zhang Zhe!”

Huang Qian laughed, pulling Jiang Xuening over and holding a knife to her neck, “Drop your sword and tell your men to do the same.”

Zhang Zhe, covered in blood, silently looked at Jiang Xuening.

She panicked for a moment.

Then, a strange calmness settled over her.

Even with a knife at her neck, she felt this was the best position she could be in.

Jiang Xuening calmly said, “Master Huang, you still have a chance.”

Huang Qian was surprised, “What?”

Jiang Xuening’s voice didn’t waver, “Surrender now, and you might have a chance to live.”

Huang Qian thought it was a joke.

Was this woman crazy?

But sometimes, things are strange, or perhaps she had her reasons. As he was about to laugh, shadows appeared on the walls and buildings of the temple.

They were hidden archers!

Wu Feng, the Tongzhou branch leader, immediately knew things were bad and shouted, “Retreat, retreat!”

But the Tianjiao Sect, having turned the tide, was eager to pursue the fleeing Xiao family’s soldiers, chasing them too far, almost to the back wall of Shangqing Temple.

They were completely exposed!

How could they retreat?

Arrows whistled through the air, a dense barrage, raining down like a storm!

Many couldn’t react in time and were pierced by arrows, falling like porcupines.

Wave after wave of arrows fell, leaving only the wounded screaming in agony. From a distance, those untouched were silent.

The arrows didn’t just target the Tianjiao Sect!

The Xiao family’s retreating soldiers were also killed without distinction.

Blood pooled, flowing from the back wall of Shangqing Temple to the nearby mountain path.

Xiao Yuan, still holding the unconscious Xiao Ye, wept bitterly.

But everywhere else was silent.

The louder the wails and screams, the more they highlighted the eerie silence and horror of the scene.

In the weed-filled valley, Feng Mingyu, Wu Feng, and some lucky Tianjiao Sect leaders were still there.

Huang Qian was also there.

But at this moment, he had forgotten what he wanted to say. The knife at Jiang Xuening’s neck trembled in his hand, and his eyes involuntarily showed fear as he looked at the tightly closed gate of the back courtyard of Shangqing Temple.

The cold wind rustled the weeds.

The dark sky was filled with clouds.

Apart from the wind, there was no sound, but everyone’s eyes were fixed on the closed gate, as if they could hear footsteps approaching from behind it.

Finally, the gate opened.

From a distance, they could only see a white figure.

Then it walked towards them.

Standing on a precarious rock on the destroyed mountain path, the figure’s robe fluttered in the wind. He looked down indifferently at the remaining Tianjiao Sect members in the valley.

Jiang Xuening saw the man’s face.

The knife at her neck felt icy cold.

She also saw his eyes.

They were the same as Xie Wei’s after his rebellion in her previous life—

The saintly facade stripped away, revealing the heart of a demon.

No one in the Tianjiao Sect seemed to recognize him.

Xiao Dingfei, who had failed to escape, his fine clothes now dirty, quietly retreated, hiding behind the others, his head lowered, afraid of being seen.

Feng Mingyu and Wu Feng couldn’t believe it.

They were the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind them!

With only about a hundred men left, they were no match for the black-clad archers on the rocks above.

But they had a hostage.

Huang Qian forced himself to stay calm, “I didn’t expect the court to send two groups. We miscalculated. But we have your court official and this woman! If you come any closer, I’ll kill her!”

Xie Wei’s robe fluttered in the wind as he looked at Huang Qian and asked calmly, “Who is she?”

Huang Qian was stunned.

Then a chill rose in his heart: Who was she? They didn’t know her identity, only that Zhang Zhe cared about her. But just because Zhang Zhe cared didn’t mean the person controlling their fate did!

Using Jiang Xuening as a hostage was impossible!

As this thought crossed his mind, Huang Qian broke into a cold sweat, momentarily distracted.

Wu Feng shouted, “Watch out!”

A flash of cold light came from the side, a bright dagger from the weeds behind, cutting through Huang Qian’s neck with such force it nearly severed it!

Blood sprayed like mist!

At the same time, a hand grabbed Huang Qian’s knife, preventing it from cutting Jiang Xuening’s throat as it fell.

Only then did everyone see the ghostly figure.

Shorter than Jiang Xuening, it was a small figure.

The red string still tied his hair in a high ponytail, but his face no longer had the familiar cheerfulness. Instead, it was filled with a stern and mature ruthlessness that didn’t match his age.

“Xiao Bao!”

Feng Mingyu never expected, nor saw, when Xiao Bao had returned to the group.

He was originally from the Tianjiao Sect, so his return went unnoticed.

Because of this, no one paid attention to him, giving him the chance to redeem himself!

The Tianjiao Sect’s reaction was too late.

Jiang Xuening was already out of danger.

Huang Qian lay on the ground, eyes wide open, but lifeless.

Xiao Bao threw his long sword to the ground, turned to face the Tianjiao Sect members, and gripped his dagger tightly, ready to fight anyone who tried to harm Jiang Xuening.

At this point, the Tianjiao Sect’s defeat was inevitable.

Feng Mingyu laughed bitterly, “I never thought our plan would fall into someone else’s trap. Master Du Jun’s strategy was one step short! The situation is beyond our control. We are not cowards, but our brothers in the sect are kind-hearted and have no rebellious intentions. You, a divine figure, may kill us, but please spare the ordinary members and do not implicate the innocent!”

These words moved the remaining Tianjiao Sect members.

Even the archers above, watching intently, felt some admiration.

However, Xie Wei remained unmoved, not even responding. He simply looked down and extended his hand, palm open.

Standing beside him was Dao Qin.

Dao Qin glanced at Xie Wei, silently handed him the longbow from his back, and gave him an arrow.

Those hands, usually playing the zither, had long, jade-like fingers, now drawing the bowstring taut, forming a full moon. His stance was as steady as an ancient pine, unwavering.

The six arts of a gentleman include archery, and his movements were fluid and graceful.

But his overly calm face and emotionless eyes revealed a cold indifference and a chilling intent to kill.

The Tianjiao Sect members below turned pale.

But the next moment, they realized—

Xie Wei’s arrow was not aimed at any of them, but at the court official, Zhang Zhe, whose robe was soaked in blood!

Coldly observing the ruined mountain, the sage drew his bow!

Zhang Zhe, pressing his wounded side, blood seeping through his fingers, looked up, his gaze meeting Xie Wei’s cold, unwavering eyes.

Xie Wei’s hand did not tremble.

The back mountain of Shangqing Temple was crowded but silent.

Xie Wei could see his arrowhead aligned with Zhang Zhe’s head, ready to release with perfect accuracy.

But in that silence, another figure stepped in front of Zhang Zhe.

Thin, frail.

A pale face from the weeds, with a hint of fear, but stubbornly spreading her slender arms, standing firmly in the path of the arrow!

Jiang Xuening! Xie Wei’s anger, barely contained at the inn, now surged a hundredfold, uncontrollable and unrestrained.

His face was frozen, devoid of warmth.

For a moment, Xie Wei wanted to shoot her, to erase the memory of ever teaching this student!

“Thwang!”

The bowstring vibrated, and the arrow flew like lightning!

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