Upon hearing the inquiry, the man gripping the wooden stick ceased his movements. His sinister eyes fixed intently on Ye Jiao, then suddenly shifted into a smiling mask."Miss," he raised his voice, "I am Zhang Li, ensnared by a sorcerer who robbed me. I beg you to help loosen my bonds, and I shall reward you handsomely."
Struggling desperately on the ground, his head twisted at a grotesque angle, emanating a chilling aura. Ye Jiao approached. Though unfamiliar with Zhang Li, she recalled the words from Prince Su's men—Liu Yan had seized Zhang Li, and that was why Prince Su sought to silence him. Silently, Ye Jiao contemplated, then glanced at the man who had captured Zhang Li. Was this the "sorcerer" they spoke of? Could it be—
Striding forward, Ye Jiao snatched the wooden stick from Zhang Li's hand, halting his assault, then addressed the bloodied man:"May I ask, are you the Immortal Wang Zhenren?"
The man clung tightly to Zhang Li's leg, exerting force:"I am Lin Daozhen, Zhang Li's uncle. Zhang Li committed a crime and was apprehended by the Jingzhao Prefecture's magistrate. He now seeks to escape in this chaos, but I fear he may cause greater disaster, hence I hold him fast. Miss, please bind Zhang Li's hands."
Not far from Zhang Li lay a severed grass rope—evidently, Zhang Li had come seeking his uncle, who had no intention of shielding the culprit.
"What kind of uncle are you?" Zhang Li spat venomously."Do you realize being taken back means a death sentence? Now bandits attack—let me go!"
Before he finished, Ye Jiao kicked him sharply."And what kind of nephew are you?" she scolded fiercely."That's no bandit! Open your eyes—those are Prince Su's men sent to silence you!"
Zhang Li barely lifted his head, his gaze piercing through the dense forest. Ahead, bandits clashed with Jingzhao's men, too distant to discern identities. Pale and panicked, he ceased struggling, curling inward instinctively.
"Prince Su…""Stop sacrificing yourself for him," Ye Jiao said sternly.
She handed the stick to Lin Daozhen:"If you wish your nephew to live, there is but one path—denounce Prince Su. Should he act recklessly again, strike him down without mercy."
Lin Daozhen took the stick, nodding gravely. Ye Jiao then inquired,"Where is Immortal Wang Zhenren? Is he present?"
"He is," Lin Daozhen pointed toward the chaotic ravine, "perched atop the tallest cedar."
Ye Jiao dashed toward the cedar. No one stood beneath it. Looking up three zhangs, she saw a man clad in a Taoist robe clinging tightly to the trunk. Just as she spoke, an arrow whizzed past her temple, embedding in the cedar. She dodged swiftly and heard a trembling voice above:"Miss, please do not climb. I fear the branch may break."
The man was surprisingly youthful, slender, exuding an ethereal Taoist aura. Yet his embrace of the tree was somewhat awkward.
"Immortal Zhenren, please come down," Ye Jiao urged, "I will protect you."
The Immortal lowered his gaze, fingers swiftly weaving intricate calculations. Finally, he nodded:"Blessings of boundless heaven. This is truly a fateful encounter! Miss, indeed you can protect me."
Carefully, he descended, and as soon as he touched the ground, flames erupted around them. Surrounded by fire, Ye Jiao led the Immortal forward.
She snatched a bow and arrows, agilely leaping over bushes and wading through grass. In the turmoil, she released volley after volley, clearing the path and drawing attention.
Before long, several injured and frightened constables gathered by her side."Go save the Prefect!" one urged."Where?" Ye Jiao asked."Just ahead! We were scattered!"
But the raging fire blocked their way again. Ye Jiao stood resolute and suddenly raised her hand:"Signal arrows!"
Signal arrows, bound with bone whistles on their tips, shriek sharply when shot, serving as alarms and beacons.
"Will anyone come through the mountain blockade?" she wondered aloud.
She believed they would—family would search if she failed to return overnight. Perhaps friends would come too. That friend, pale-skinned and clad in black, clever enough to find her.
The arrows pierced the sky, their piercing whistle echoing thunderously.
"And then?" the constables asked.
"Against the wind," Ye Jiao replied, "seek Liu Yan."
She moved into the wind, shielding the Immortal behind her. Flames flickered wildly; she wetted her cloak to cover his head and face. Bandits clashed nearby; she grasped the Immortal with one hand while fending off foes with the other. Thorns barred their path, but she severed them carefully, fearing to injure him.
Never before had Ye Jiao guarded someone with such meticulous care, her heart wholly devoted to preserving his life.
This man, revered as "Immortal," was in truth but in his twenties, his fingers ceaselessly performing calculations, occasionally directing them toward safer routes. Truly gifted—how fortunate!
Yet soon they stepped onto lifeless bodies."Dashan! Zheng Er!" the constables recognized the fallen comrades. Grief and fury erupted, yet they were helpless.
Refusing to let their comrades' bodies be consumed by fire, they hoisted them with great effort and pressed onward.
Breaking free of the flames, eyes stinging from smoke, they paused to raise another companion—Liu Yan.
The Jingzhao Prefecture's magistrate was gravely wounded, eyes open but speechless.
"Prefect! Sir!" the constables panicked, frantic and disoriented. Yet the Immortal remained calm:"He will not die."
Hearing this, the constables' frantic handling of Liu Yan softened.
But Ye Jiao soon realized that while Liu Yan might survive, she herself could perish.
They stood in a barren valley, flames raging behind them, seven bandits before them. All raised bows and crossbows, aiming at Ye Jiao's group escaping the inferno.
Behind the bandits stood Prince Su, Li Long."Miss Ye," he extended a hand, "come to me. You need not die."
Marry him, and she would be his—husband and wife sharing secrets.
"And what of them?" Ye Jiao asked.
Li Long shook his head solemnly."Their fates are grim. Attacked by bandits and ravaged by wildfire, their lives will be claimed by Mount Li."
"The audacity of these bandits," Ye Jiao sneered, "to attack the Prefect of Jingzhao, a high-ranking imperial official."
She discarded her bow, feigning surrender. Li Long smiled smugly."In truth, we are alike—both disdain scheming, preferring to solve matters with force."
He flicked the hairpin in his hand and continued his invitation:"Come. The path down the mountain is perilous. I shall carry you myself."
Ye Jiao stood silently. The sight of the hairpin stirred anger within her. Robbing her, murdering those she protected—she knew that if she stepped forward, arrows would fly. Liu Yan would die, the constables would perish, the calculating Taoist would be lost.
No rescue had arrived—was there none coming?
Glancing into the distance, she suddenly spotted a bush gently swaying, then nearby saplings quivering. Like a firecracker exploding within her chest, a thunderous roar surged through her veins.
Help was coming—someone was stealthily approaching!
Suppressing her emotions, Ye Jiao strove to buy more time.
"Let us bargain," she said slowly, "Immortal Wang must not die."
"What use is he?" Li Long scoffed. "To cultivate elixirs for Li Ce?"
"Daoists possess unique powers," Ye Jiao replied, "Have you heard of Feng Shui, the Eight Trigrams, fate patterns? The road ahead is long—would you not desire an ally?"
She spoke intermittently, urging Li Long, while her eyes caught the advancing figures, now mere dozen paces away, motionless.
Impatient, Li Long raised his hand:"Enough! Let me send Miss Ye off."
Now!
Ye Jiao flicked her sleeve, releasing hidden daggers. Two blades flew, knocking aside a bandit's bow and piercing another's shoulder.
Amidst the chaos, arrows flew.
"Drop down!" Ye Jiao shouted, her voice accompanied by agonized cries from the bandits as arrows struck them from behind, bloodied tips protruding.
A man sprinted from afar. Though his pace was uneven, breath ragged, and steps faltering as if one blow could topple him, he pressed on.
His body and spirit waged war, drawing strength from deep within to close the distance, step by step, toward the fiery glow in his eyes.
"Li Ce!" Ye Jiao leapt forward, steadying his nearly collapsing form.
Li Ce gazed at her. The grueling night of crossing mountains had drained him, but his concern for Ye Jiao pierced his soul. With tender care, he brushed her soot-darkened hair behind her ear.
"Ye Jiao," Li Ce's eyes held not only worry but anger, "how could you be so… reckless?"
Was he about to scold? This time, it would not be easy to soothe.
Suddenly, Ye Jiao burst into tears, wailing,"I was so scared, I was so scared, Sisi…"
Burying her face in Li Ce's embrace, she wept, clutching his waist while wiping tears."Thank heavens you came, thank heavens you came! I knew you would…"
Her sobs choked her breath, easing only when Li Ce's chest rose and fell steadily.
Had he calmed down?
Ye Jiao stole a glance.