Chapter Seventy: The Tree Longs for Stillness, but the Wind Will Not Cease (Part Five)

As the party was about to exit the narrow path through the dense forest, a woman's voice rang out from inside the carriage: "Stop!" The voice was cold as ice. This woman was Yin Ruyun, dressed in black, with a black veil hanging from her bamboo hat, seated beside the eldest prince, Jing Min, within the carriage.

Upon hearing the command from within, everyone halted and instantly entered a state of alert.

Meng Kuo, vigilant, scanned his surroundings before riding up to the carriage window at Yin Ruyun’s side and whispering, "Left Guardian, what is the reason for stopping?"

Yin Ruyun furrowed her elegant brows and replied softly, "There is an ambush. Tell them to hide in the forest for now. I’ll bring the eldest prince and meet you all at the predetermined rendezvous point."

When Jing Min heard Yin Ruyun mention an ambush, he pressed a hand to his wound and frowned, but seeing her arrangements were in order, he remained silent.

Meng Kuo, trusting Yin Ruyun implicitly, nodded and straightened up, only to notice that people were emerging from the forest, both ahead and behind them, encircling the group and slowly tightening the net. The deadly aura emanating from these men unsettled even the sturdy horses, whose restless hooves shuffled anxiously.

Meng Kuo spoke in a deep voice, "Left Guardian, we’re surrounded. Their numbers are many; it seems escaping into the forest is no longer possible. We’re in for a tough fight."

Yin Ruyun had been covertly protecting Jing Min all along, only revealing herself at the hidden carriage site within the woods. At first, she noticed nothing amiss, but as their party was about to leave the forest, she suddenly realized the edge of the woods was eerily quiet compared to before. She was certain an ambush had been laid there. Yin Ruxin had instructed Yin Ruyun: if their movements were exposed and escape impossible, she must ensure Jing Min’s safe return to Tianjing, no matter what, so at least his life would be preserved for the loyalists to answer for.

Upon hearing Meng Kuo's report, Yin Ruyun understood that their enemies had planned meticulously to surround them. They had no choice but to attempt a break; failing that, she would have to retreat with Jing Min back to the city. The gates would surely be closed now, but only she could ensure his safe return. Everyone else, except for Meng Kuo, belonged to Jing Min and would have to rely on their own fortune.

After a brief consideration, Yin Ruyun coldly ordered Meng Kuo, "Have everyone concentrate their attack on the eastern flank. If you can tear open a breach, everyone should flee into the woods. Meng Kuo, stay close to the eldest prince and protect him. If the breach cannot be made, look after yourself; I will take the prince back to the city and seek a new plan from the master."

Meng Kuo nodded in assent and relayed her command to the others.

As the ring of enemies tightened, the tension escalated, swords drawn and ready. Suddenly, Yin Ruyun took the initiative, hoping to catch them off guard and break through.

With all her strength, she leapt from the carriage roof, using the frame as a springboard, landing firmly on its edge. She hurled the roof toward the eastern encirclement. The force behind her throw was formidable—anyone struck by the flying roof would be gravely injured, if not killed.

Meng Kuo, seeing this, supported the prince who had already dismounted and shouted, "Attack!" The group charged in the direction the roof had been thrown.

"How dare you!" Jing Yijun, observing the woman atop the carriage, recognized her as the one whose skill matched her own suspicions. With a whistle, she descended from the tree, drawing her sword midair and swinging it fiercely. A flash of blade accompanied by a sharp sound cleaved through the wooden roof, splintering it into shards that scattered with undiminished momentum toward the encircling forces.

Jing Yijun, prepared for this, flicked her wrist, revealing a second long sword from the hilt. Gripping the handle between the two blades, she spun it with strength and pushed forward, not only intercepting all the incoming fragments but reflecting them back at high speed.

Those at the front, caught off guard and unable to react in time, were pierced and shredded by the returning splinters.

Jing Yijun’s sudden appearance instantly shifted the balance. The horsemen, witnessing their comrades’ brutal demise, instinctively reined in their mounts, which whinnied and reared before halting their charge. Gradually, they retreated toward the carriage.

The soldiers’ encirclement tightened only up to Jing Yijun’s position and went no further. Qin Haizhou stepped behind her, his expression stern, awaiting her command.

The moon hung in the sky like a silver platter, casting its gentle light across the brightened earth. An autumn breeze rustled the leaves, making the garments of Yin Ruyun, clad in black on the carriage, and Jing Yijun, dressed in white on the ground, flutter gracefully. Were it not for the tense atmosphere and the cold expressions of the two women, the scene would resemble an evocative ink painting.

Yin Ruyun drew a long sword from somewhere, her grip tight enough to make her veins stand out. Standing atop the carriage, brow furrowed, she stared intently at Jing Yijun below, unable to fathom how such an extraordinary martial woman had appeared at this moment.

One wore a black veil, the other a white, their faces obscured from each other. Jing Yijun, unaccustomed to looking up at anyone, cast a cold glance at the elevated Yin Ruyun, then turned her gaze to Jing Min. Her voice was clear and chill, "Jing Min, you are wounded, and the night is deep. It is hardly the time for an outing. Tonight, the city is lively for the Mid-Autumn Festival, as you have always enjoyed. You should return with me."

Jing Min’s eyes widened in shock and suspicion as he stared at Jing Yijun. After a moment, he burst out laughing, "So that’s who you are; my uncle sent you to cultivate with a master from a young age, my dear sister Yijun. It seems you have inherited your master’s true skills. My uncle truly has a clever hand, even bringing back a hidden immortal like you. But of course, you are his daughter. Even if you are an immortal, you must descend to the mortal world to help him."

Yin Ruyun was surprised to realize that this extraordinary woman in white was none other than the emperor’s daughter, a princess of the Great Zhou.

Jing Yijun’s expression remained calm. With her right hand behind her back, holding her sword now transformed into its ordinary form, she spoke lightly, "I didn’t expect you to remember me, brother. I am pleased, but this is not the place for reminiscing. I only wish to know, brother, will you return to the city with me?"

Jing Min’s mind raced. He knew what fate awaited him upon return—not death, but certainly not an easy life. Though Jing Yijun had many people, as long as the black-clad woman could engage her and Meng Kuo could deal with Qin Haizhou, his own experts could focus their attack and he might still escape. With a grim smile, he snapped, "Left Guardian, I leave my sister to you. Meng Kuo, deal with Qin Haizhou. The rest of you, help me escape and you will earn a hundred gold and a promotion. Attack!"

Yin Ruyun had no better plan, so she followed Jing Min’s orders. Sword in hand, she summoned all her strength, its blade glowing green as she launched herself at Jing Yijun.

Jing Yijun’s brows knitted; she dared not be careless. Channeling her own power, her sword shone blue as she met Yin Ruyun’s unstoppable assault.

The two women clashed fiercely, swords ringing and sparks flying. The two sides collided, and battle erupted in a whirl of chaos.