Chapter 139: The Traitor to His Master

He stood there, his handsome face bearing a faint, unreadable smile—a look more terrifying than coldness or cruelty.

“I know, Prince Ji, you began doubting me early on. But why didn’t you end this before now?” Ling Yin held Xue in her arms, unfazed by his words.

“That would be no fun. The cat-and-mouse game is much more interesting,” he said, lightly curling his lips. The gentle look on his face had long since vanished, replaced by an impatience barely concealed.

“Indeed, it is interesting. Prince Ji, you shattered the Yu Kingdom. I might have let that slide, but she is my queen. Naturally, I must take her away...”

“Preposterous! She is my wife. If you speak another word, I cannot guarantee you'll leave here in one piece,” Ji Wuqing said, glancing at the unharmed Xue before fixing his gaze on Ling Yin. Though a smile played on his lips, his words were no idle threat.

“In that case, if Prince Ji insists on stopping me, I won’t hesitate to make it a fight to the death or mutual destruction.” Hugging Xue tighter, a terrifying smile appeared on Ling Yin’s face, fearless. “I’ve already died once. If she dies with me, at least my long-standing wish will be fulfilled.”

“Are you threatening me?” Ji Wuqing raised an eyebrow coolly, his tone sharp as a blood-stained blade.

“Not at all. If Prince Ji truly cares for her, you wouldn’t ‘force’ me to harm her.” Ling Yin seemed to have found Ji Wuqing’s weak spot, a hint of triumph flashing across his face. “Indeed, in a royal family, showing real emotion is forbidden if one wishes to achieve greatness...”

Ji Wuqing said nothing. His deep eyes were like black onyx soaked beneath water—visible yet untouchable.

Suddenly, he struck. The folding fan concealed in his sleeve flicked open like a drawn sword, cutting swiftly toward Ling Yin’s face.

His speed was lightning-fast, but Ling Yin dodged deftly. The wind whooshed past his ear, and a few strands of his long hair drifted to the ground.

“So this is Prince Ji’s skill?” Ling Yin sneered, his face hardening with cruelty.

“Don’t be impatient; this is only the beginning.” Ji Wuqing tilted his head as muffled sounds of combat drifted faintly from outside. He listened calmly, as if he already knew what was unfolding.

Ling Yin smiled slightly. “My men have arrived. Prince Ji, if you intend to drag this out, you can’t afford to lose such a beauty for the sake of a kingdom.”

“You speak wisely,” Ji Wuqing agreed. “Therefore, this must be settled quickly...”

With that, he wielded the folding fan once more—each move swift and precise, as if the fan had a life of its own, too swift to counter.

At last, he grasped Xue’s hand and with a sudden force pulled her from Ling Yin’s arms, one hand already wrapping around her waist. Ling Yin seemed to abandon any thought of taking her back, releasing her completely, pushing her into Ji Wuqing’s embrace.

Seeing Ji Wuqing holding Xue with her back turned to him, Ling Yin’s hand gathered a surge of energy, swiftly aimed at Ji Wuqing.

Ji Wuqing appeared unaware. A triumphant smile flickered on Ling Yin’s face.

But Xue, who had been resting in Ji Wuqing’s arms, suddenly moved. She pushed Ji Wuqing away, then effortlessly blocked Ling Yin’s attack. A delicate hand spun gracefully, dispersing the energy into a mere breeze.

“How… how can you do that?” Ling Yin stumbled, caught off guard.

“I gave you a chance. What now?” Xue said coolly.

“Do you intend to kill me? Then do it,” Ling Yin laughed, seemingly resigned. “I never expected you to suspect me so early. That’s why you pretended to fall for my trap. I thought I was clever, but I was foolish.”

“I was merely playing along. Besides, I never intended to kill you. Having died once, it’s wise to cherish life.”

In the end, Xue let Ling Yin go. Ji Wuqing did not stop it but said seriously, “Xue, this is dangerous.”

“I know. But why didn’t you stop me?”

“I wasn’t referring to you letting him go,” Ji Wuqing shook his head with earnestness. “Ling Yin is your man; how you handle him is your choice. I never intended to decide for you.”

Yet, if they crossed paths again, he would have no such reservations.

“Oh, I only caught that blow for you because I was confident. No need to thank me, or blame me.”

“You know I wasn’t talking about that,” she said. He reached out, hooking his hand around her waist, bringing his face close to her ear, deliberately disturbing her thoughts with his breath. The tactic was effective; Xue turned her head slightly, feeling a tickle from his breath.

“Do you want to blame me or praise me?” she asked, lifting her head to look at him.

“Don’t give me that innocent look; I won’t be able to resist,” he said, narrowing his deep eyes.

Xue ignored him, holding her gaze. Finally, he sighed. “I know what you’re thinking, but none of it concerns you. You are Xue. He cares for Yuan Xue. I will handle everything. You don’t need to be the first to act, understand?”

“Then, are you blaming me or praising me?” she pressed.

“You wishful thinker. Praise you? What merit do you have? Blame you? I couldn’t bring myself to do that,” Ji Wuqing sighed again. “But don’t ever do that again. Otherwise, I’ll send you straight back to Xi City.” His last words were a gentle warning.

As expected, Xue paid no mind. “I just thought playing along would let me see where Ling Yin would take me. Perhaps he has connections with Wu Kingdom. Then I could adapt as needed... hmm…”

Before she finished, his lips bit hers.

The pain sharpened her senses. Her lips felt raw.

His large hands cradled her face, his forehead resting against hers. “Fool, you don’t need to do anything. Just stand by my side. If you disappear, I might just go mad.”

He would go mad...

“Mm,” Xue nodded quietly, then whispered, “I’d quite like to see you go mad.”

“...Xue, I heard that.”

“I’m just joking. Don’t take it seriously,” she quickly clarified.

“Naughty,” he said, tapping her forehead. Xue felt as if he were teasing a child.

Their relationship, before they knew it, had become strangely intertwined...

---

Wu Kingdom’s camp.

The night was quiet, stars shimmering softly, enhancing the serene beauty of the darkness.

Inside the tent, three sat together: one stern and cold, one strikingly beautiful, and one as tranquil as moonlight.

“It’s been so long. Shouldn’t Lord Wu break the stalemate between the two kingdoms?” It was well known that Wu Kingdom and Ji Kingdom were at war, but the battle had reached a painful standstill.

“Speaking of which, Dan Kingdom is our ally. Shouldn’t the Crown Prince make a move?” Zuo Qiu Liye glanced slyly at Dan Ying, his phoenix-like eyes calculating. “Or is the Crown Prince still not in charge of Dan Kingdom?”

His words carried a subtle challenge.

“Does Her Highness expect Dan Kingdom to fight this war for Wu Kingdom?” The tone was daring, directly questioning Wu Kingdom’s authority and capability.

Yet Zuo Qiu Liye’s words were blunt, and the two sides ended at a stalemate.

“The Crown Prince is mistaken. Allies share the same boat; why be so distant?” Elder Yue intervened smoothly, his face soft with a smile. “Besides, the Crown Prince’s guest has arrived. It would be good to meet them. What do you think?”

Dan Ying said nothing, sipping wine calmly, showing no urgency to hide the person Elder Yue mentioned.

“It seems I’ve come at an inconvenient time, with these two present,” Ling Yin emerged calmly. He looked at Zuo Qiu Liye and Elder Yue. “Regarding Ji Kingdom, I am willing to serve you loyally.”

“Such arrogance,” Zuo Qiu Liye’s tone darkened. “I remember you—you are close to Xiao Xue. Are you betraying your master?” His words were hostile.

“She’s not my master, and never will be,” Ling Yin replied indifferently, his cold face unmoved.

“Is that so?” Zuo Qiu Liye’s gaze was sharp and appraising. “Does the Dan Crown Prince believe we should trust him?”

He looked toward the silent Dan Ying, eyes gleaming with cunning inquiry.

“As the saying goes, trust your men, distrust no one. Lord Wu should not hesitate, lest he lose the people’s hearts,” Dan Ying said, detached. He treated Ling Yin, once an ally, with indifference. “However, I can offer Lord Wu some news: he is the Marquis Yu of Yu Kingdom, and there is a deep hatred between him and Ji Kingdom.”

“That’s strange. Wasn’t the Marquis Yu supposed to be dead?” Zuo Qiu Liye mused playfully.

“To be honest, I was saved by the current Queen of Ji Kingdom. She indeed possesses a mysterious power, as rumored in Wu Kingdom: the ability to ensnare souls and manipulate them.”