Chapter 122. 1: The Eldest Princess

When Dong Yun unexpectedly revealed the person behind their actions in one sentence, the group was instantly stunned.

Liu Ji stammered nervously, “Since… you already know, why did you still come with us?”

Dong Yun found it utterly ironic. “You’ve already put a knife to the villagers’ throats. How could I not come? Besides, you took me away in front of everyone. At the very least, if Yuwen Jing comes looking for someone later, he’ll go after Zhang Xiaoshi and the Eldest Princess, won’t he?”

Liu Ji snorted coldly, “So what if you understand now? You can’t escape from the palm of our hands. In the end, won’t you still be sent to Lady Li, left at her mercy?”

Bai Choushen, standing nearby, couldn’t help but swallow nervously and added, “Lady Li has instructed us: if you refuse to obey, we can handle you ourselves. Even if we kill you, it’s within the scope of her permission.”

But then his tone shifted, and he put on a smile. “Of course, if you choose to cooperate with… us, there’s no need for you to die. Wouldn’t it be better if we became… closer?”

Before he could finish, Zhang Xiaoshi slapped him hard across the face. “At a time like this, and you’re still thinking about that filthy nonsense of yours? You just caused the deaths of six of my trusted men! Do you know how many years they’ve followed me? All gone now, because of you!”

Unable to contain his anger any longer, Zhang Xiaoshi struck him again and again, alternating blows to his face.

Bai Choushen’s head buzzed from the beating, and he quickly cried out in pleading tones, “General, spare me! This was truly an accident; I swear it wasn’t me! It must have been Junko who made a mistake somewhere! He’s dead too, isn’t he? I also lost one of my followers! I’m suffering too!”

Dong Yun coldly watched the scene unfold, her gaze detached. Everyone here was part of the same trap. Having entered it, no one was innocent. If anyone claimed innocence, was she not just as innocent?

After finishing his beating, Zhang Xiaoshi stood to the side, panting heavily.

But Bai Choushen still wouldn’t give up. “General, let’s talk this through. How about giving her to me? Lady Li won’t tolerate her anyway. If it comes to it, we’ll just say she’s dead, and I’ll take her somewhere else to live in hiding. How about it?”

Hearing this, the mute girl under Dong Yun’s cloak gripped her hand tightly.

Dong Yun gently reassured her, interlocking their fingers and stroking the back of her hand with her thumb.

“There’s always a type of person whose shamelessness knows no bounds,” Dong Yun said mockingly. “An old man like you, still lusting after young women. But let me tell you, everyone who’s ever had designs on me has met a miserable end. Even those who aren’t dead yet… have gone mad.”

Bai Choushen flushed with embarrassment and anger at her words. Remembering her earlier insults, he couldn’t hold back anymore. Limping over, he raised his hand to strike Dong Yun.

Since things had come to this, there was no need to pretend civility any longer.

But before he could act, the mute girl suddenly sprang up and shoved him hard to the ground, pinning him there. Her long, slender arms locked around his throat like a vice.

Bai Choushen struggled violently, his face quickly turning the color of a liver.

Zhang Xiaoshi only gave a casual glance, not taking the mute girl seriously. After all, what strength could a young girl possibly have?

He harbored no sympathy for Bai Choushen, who had caused the deaths of his men, and was content to let him suffer a little longer.

But Bai Choushen’s thrashing grew more intense. In the flickering firelight, his eyes bulged and his face turned from red to purple, as if on the brink of suffocation.

Realizing something was amiss, Zhang Xiaoshi hurried over, grabbing the girl’s arm to pull her off Bai Choushen.

To his surprise, the girl’s elbow suddenly dropped and drove sharply into his chest, forcing him to release her in pain. Clutching his chest, he stared at her in disbelief.

Dong Yun finally spoke. “Let go.”

The mute girl obediently released Bai Choushen and quietly returned to sit beside Dong Yun.

By now, Bai Choushen lay on the ground like a dying dog, gasping for air as if he had just walked out of death’s door.

Still reeling from shock, Zhang Xiaoshi drew his sword and pointed it at the mute girl. “Who are you, really?”

Dong Yun chuckled. “Didn’t you buy her for me in town as a mute maid? What’s the matter, General Zhang, don’t you recognize her anymore?”

Zhang Xiaoshi backed away cautiously, his eyes filled with suspicion. “No, she’s no ordinary maid. It’s too coincidental—far too coincidental. She appeared just when I needed someone. I didn’t want a beautiful one, and she conveniently had a birthmark on her face. I didn’t want a chatterbox, and she just happened to be mute—”

Dong Yun interrupted with a smile. “I think General Zhang is just being overly paranoid.”

Zhang Xiaoshi shook his head. “This girl reeks of bloodlust. Only those who’ve killed or been on the battlefield have such an aura. She’s no mute. Who is she?”

Dong Yun’s lips curled into a smirk. She reached out to pat the girl’s head affectionately. “Why don’t you tell them who you are?”

The mute girl pulled off the scarf covering her face and rubbed away the red birthmark around her mouth, revealing a fair and clean face.

She looked at Zhang Xiaoshi and said, “You’ve got sharp eyes. You could tell I’ve killed before.”

The crowd was stunned.

Bai Choushen blurted out, “You… you’re not mute? Then who are you?”

The girl smiled coldly at him. “Poor thing. You don’t even recognize the one who destroyed your bandit lair!”

“Pear Blossom! You’re Pear Blossom from Daliushu Village! You wretched woman!” Bai Choushen screamed in fury, his eyes bloodshot.

Enemies truly did have grudges as deep as the sea.

Bai Choushen glared at her with gritted teeth. “Why didn’t Ghost kill you, you vile woman?!”

Pear Blossom sneered. “I killed Ghost that day, broke the siege of Jincheng, and then tracked you all down.”

When Bai Choushen heard that Pear Blossom had killed Ghost, he began trembling uncontrollably.

Pear Blossom continued coldly, “These past days, you’ve lusted after the princess and spoken insolently at every turn. Your sins are unforgivable. And as a former bandit, you’ve harmed countless innocent people and plagued the region. You deserve a thousand deaths! That you escaped justice was my failure.”

“But it’s not too late to make amends.”

Before Bai Choushen could react, a sharp pain exploded in his chest.

Looking down, he saw a dagger piercing through his chest.

He stared in disbelief, his eyes wide open: “You… you…”

Liu Ji, being the closest, saw everything clearly. She screamed and shrank to the side, trembling in fear.

The surroundings were cloaked in darkness, with only the faint glow of a campfire. Zhang Xiaoshi hadn’t noticed Pear Blossom’s movements until he heard Bai Choushen’s groan of pain. Realizing something was amiss, he raised his sword and approached.

But the man was already lying on the ground.

Pear Blossom casually withdrew the dagger from Bai Choushen’s chest, wiped the blood off on his clothes, and glanced at Zhang Xiaoshi, who was now glaring at her with caution. Her expression remained calm and unbothered.

“General Zhang, when you had eight guards, I might’ve been hesitant. But now you’re down to just two, who are sleeping like logs and wouldn’t even be able to mutter in their dreams, let alone help you. Now it’s just you. Do you think I’d still be afraid of you?”

Zhang Xiaoshi gripped his sword tightly, pointing it at Pear Blossom, and demanded, “Tell me, were my six men poisoned by you?”

Pear Blossom shook her head. “Not by me.”

She had only placed the poison in the wine jar; she hadn’t personally forced it down anyone’s throat. Technically, she hadn’t poisoned them herself.

Besides, if those men hadn’t died, how would she and Dong Yun have turned the tables tonight?

Without their deaths, they would’ve truly become fish on the chopping block, helpless against their fate. Who would have spoken for them then?

Hearing her reply, Zhang Xiaoshi lowered his sword slightly, his mind racing with thoughts as he considered the current and future situation.

Yet he was unwilling to concede. Gritting his teeth, he said, “They say you’re formidable, but I don’t believe it. I’ll fight you myself to see what you’re truly capable of!”

With that, he raised his sword again.

Pear Blossom chuckled. “Why not? But I don’t have a weapon at hand.”

Zhang Xiaoshi scoffed, bent down to grab a sword from a guard lying on the ground, and tossed it to her.

Pear Blossom caught the longsword and turned to Dong Yun. “Rarely do I get to display my skills in front of you, sister. Watch closely.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she moved swiftly, her sword flashing like a silver serpent as it aimed straight for Zhang Xiaoshi’s face.

Caught off guard by her speed, Zhang Xiaoshi quickly raised his sword to block.

“Clang—” The clash of steel echoed sharply.

Zhang Xiaoshi felt a numbness in his arm and almost lost his grip on his sword.

He was secretly shocked. How could this girl possess such immense strength?

Realizing he couldn’t underestimate her, he focused his energy and charged forward with renewed determination.

Their swordsmanship was vastly different. Zhang Xiaoshi’s techniques were precise and masterful, while Pear Blossom’s moves were simple yet incredibly swift and fierce, leaving no room to dodge.

Despite being a girl, her strength was unparalleled, even exceeding his own.

Never before had he faced such an opponent, and it left him deeply shaken. He dared not hold back any longer, his strikes becoming increasingly ruthless.

For a while, the clash of swords illuminated the night as sword qi filled the air.

After dozens of intense exchanges, Zhang Xiaoshi was panting heavily.

He realized, to his frustration, that he couldn’t overpower this young girl. Anxiety crept into his heart.

Suddenly, he feinted a move, his figure darting like lightning as he charged straight toward Dong Yun.

Pear Blossom hadn’t expected such a tactic. Her heart tightened as she roared in fury, “How dare you!”

She moved at her fastest speed ever, rushing to Dong Yun and pulling her into a tight embrace.

Spinning rapidly, she used her back to shield against Zhang Xiaoshi’s incoming sword.

Surprisingly, the expected pain never came. At the last moment, Zhang Xiaoshi had halted his strike. He flipped backward, leaping out of the fight, and clasped his hands together in salute. “Impressive! Pear Blossom, your swordsmanship is extraordinary!”

To shield someone with one’s own life was easy to say but hard to truly accomplish.

Especially for someone of her skill, who wouldn’t easily risk their hard-earned strength or life for another.

The more one possesses, the harder it is to give it up.

Yet this young woman before him was pure and unwavering. Reflecting on her actions over the past few days—disguising herself, enduring hardship, and remaining loyal to save the princess—Zhang Xiaoshi felt a growing admiration for her.

Still caught up in her fury, Pear Blossom glared at him. “You dishonorable man! What are you trying to pull? Don’t make me despise you.”

Zhang Xiaoshi replied, “It was merely a test. Pear Blossom, your loyalty is admirable, and I truly respect you.”

After a pause, he added, “As for traveling west, I’ll abandon the mission. Go wherever you please.”

Pear Blossom was stunned, staring at him in disbelief.

Even Liu Ji hadn’t anticipated such a turn of events. She looked at Zhang Xiaoshi and couldn’t help asking, “You’re just letting them go? What will you tell lady Li and the General Zhenxi?”

Zhang Xiaoshi shrugged. “Using women and children as pawns was never my wish. If it comes to it, I’ll just return east and continue being a rebel.”

His tone carried an unexpected hint of freedom and nonchalance.

Liu Ji hesitated, her initial words swallowed. Truth be told, staying in the east wasn’t so bad. She was his only concubine there, better than coming west where she constantly worried about losing him to another woman.

Thinking this, she decided not to argue further.

Dong Yun finally stood, bowing to Zhang Xiaoshi. “General Zhang, your righteousness is admirable. I am deeply moved.”

Zhang Xiaoshi glanced at her, then at Pear Blossom behind her. “No wonder the sage once prophesied that the princess was a woman of destiny. I doubted it at first, but reflecting now—how she has escaped countless perils, gained loyal allies, and endured with grace—it seems either fate or her virtue has brought her such blessings.”

Dong Yun smiled and said, “The noble benefactor for Mingyue this time comes from the general.”

Zhang Xiaoshi forced a smile and replied, “I am but a humble warrior, how can I dare be considered a benefactor to the princess? However, if the princess wishes to fulfill the Holy Monk’s prophecy in the future, just give the command, and I will surely respond.”

The latter part was said casually, just a test, something that could either succeed or fail.

However, after hearing this, Dong Yun’s expression became serious, and she spoke earnestly, “In that case, General, please return and diligently train your troops, and wait for my orders.”