Chapter 92

Chapter 92

The men who had seized Yun Shen and “Zhong Xiao” hustled them out of the Small Turret. The moment they were out of Chen Shu’s sight, they hastily lowered their weapons, bowing low and muttering frantic apologies with utmost deference.

“Tears” still glistened on “Zhong Xiao’s” face from his earlier struggle. Yet, in the blink of an eye, his expression shifted utterly. A playful smirk appeared as he casually flicked his wrist. Instantly, the thugs fell silent and scurried away, not daring even to breathe heavily.

The two men descended the stairs unhurriedly to the ground floor—the level where the Small Turret met the clear pool. Yun Shen kept his head down, thoughtfully silent, while “Zhong Xiao” glanced back repeatedly. Finally, the bald man who had strode off earlier on the top floor reached the ground level too. He veered into the corridor in their direction, melting into the shadows.

As the bald man approached, he knelt respectfully. “My liege.”

“Did she buy it?” asked “Zhong Xiao”—or rather, Xiao Zhong—eagerly.

Yun Shen, who had been staring absently into the void, finally focused his gaze, joining Xiao Zhong in looking at the bald man. Xiao Zhong glanced sideways at Yun Shen, seeming to reach some internal conclusion. He gave a soft, knowing chuckle before turning back to the bald man. “Just say it. Don’t worry about this Scholar—this whole play was his plot anyway.”

“…She bought it,” the bald man reported, visibly startled by Yun Shen’s cunning. Unable to resist, he looked up to study Yun Shen.

But in this deep gloom, what could he discern? Only Yun Shen’s slender silhouette—hair simply tied back, posture impeccably upright. His features were blurred, defined only by their gaunt sharpness.

He looked every bit the reserved, steady Scholar—unchanged from the man seen in the hall moments ago.

Yun Shen paid no attention to the observer’s expression. At the words “She bought it,” he lowered his eyelids. Darkness pooled in his eyes, deeper and calmer than the night sky. He exhaled softly, utterly composed, betraying no emotion. “And?” he inquired.

“And what?” the bald man asked, bewildered.

“Her mood… when you walked away?” Yun Shen pressed.

“Angry?” The bald man, clearly caught off guard by the question, faltered before replying, “She just stood there… The whole time I was leaving, she kept glaring at me.”

“Well then, warn those shadowing her to tread carefully.” A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Yun Shen’s lips as he murmured, “Don’t let her wreck half the valley before the troops even breach the gates—her temper isn’t something mere mortals like you should provoke.”

The bald man froze again, likely finding Yun Shen’s words overblown. Even in the shadows, his eyes darted uncertainly toward Xiao Zhong, clearly seeking confirmation before responding. But Xiao Zhong wasn’t looking at him at all. He was puckering his lips, staring at Yun Shen with intense fascination before nodding slowly. Finally, seeming to remember the bald man awaited instruction, he chimed in.

“Keep her comfortable!” Xiao Zhong echoed, though his concern wasn’t Yun Shen’s warning. He spoke cryptically: “It could be dangerous any time. Best to win her over sooner rather than later.”

The bald man cupped his hands silently and retreated toward the exit just as torchlight spilled down from above. All three fell quiet. Hidden in darkness, they silently watched Chen Shu descend the stairs.

The spot in the corridor was deeply concealed—pitch-black at night without lamps, impossible to see human figures within. Yet, inexplicably, all three held their breath as Chen Shu descended, holding a flickering candle, her face tense, guided by her unseen escort.

Unconsciously, Yun Shen’s fingers traced the fabric of his sleeve again—a subtle motion, as if restraining himself. But his expression, swallowed by the dark, betrayed no need for restraint. Xiao Zhong, watching Chen Shu, shifted his gaze halfway to study Yun Shen’s reaction. Seeing nothing, his interest only deepened. He leaned closer, whispering: “I think that girl has feelings for you. When we were captured earlier, after all my shouting, she didn’t even glance my way—she only looked at you. Tell me truthfully, have you two…”

“She hasn’t left yet,” Yun Shen stated calmly.

“Isn’t it precisely because she hasn’t left that I need to ask?” Xiao Zhong said, his gaze piercing like a sharp blade. “Even if your belly is full of malicious schemes, surely you can still speak a word of truth while watching her back?”

“… All I’ve said to you, Sir, was truth.”

“You think I’d believe that?” Xiao Zhong gave a laugh, reached out, grabbed Yun Shen, and almost shoved him out from the sheltered corridor into full moonlight. Dropping his voice, he said, “Come. Look at her. Imagine her finally realizing it was your trap that made her sink so deep… Her wounded eyes fixed on you…”

A flicker of emotion finally crossed Yun Shen’s features. But it wasn’t anger, nor likely the vulnerability Xiao Zhong had hoped for. Instead, it was an unyielding, yet inscrutable resolve, seeming to solidify just then because of those words. He stated sharply: “— That just shows how little you truly understand her. Chen Shu, by nature, refused to be constrained. Nothing could hold her back, not objects, and certainly not emotional bonds… Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gone to such exhausting lengths to set this trap.”

As he spoke, Chen Shu descended the final step, passing before the crowd. They truly had no need to worry about being detected, especially by her; as she walked past the corridor, her eyes didn’t even glance towards this section winding beside the pond.

The moonlight was distant, not particularly bright, yet the shimmering ripples of the water reflected that faint glow, washing over the feet of the three men as if the dampness from the pond was rising as mist, soaking the hem of Yun Shen’s robe.

Had Chen Shu turned her head, she would have seen the figure Xiao Zhong pushed towards the water’s edge, and she certainly would have recognized one of the people she knew best.

But she didn’t. Her usual excitable nature, looking every which way, was strangely subdued in this moment.

Her hair, pulled high in a tail, swept past like a gust of wind with her steps, obscuring the moonlight and veiling the scheming minds of the three beneath the covered walkway.

As Yun Shen’s words fell, a moment later, Xiao Zhong silently released his grip, seemingly affected, or perhaps just bored. He spun around, flicked his hand out, and smacked the bald minion on the back of the head, reprimanding: “Hanging around? Get lost!”

The bald minion left with a torrent of grateful murmurs. Once he had headed towards the bustle of the encampment, disappearing like Chen Shu, the other two men finally emerged from the corridor’s shadow.

Of these two, Xiao Zhong needed no guide, and Yun Shen, having visited more than once and possessing the map besides, had the layout of the Valley of Villains memorized. He immediately headed towards an area beside the drilling soldiers – the direction of his chamber.

Unexpectedly, after only half a step out, a quiet question drifted from behind him:

“— How did you know troops were gathering outside?”

By now, all the servants and subordinates had been dismissed by Xiao Zhong. The innate violence in his very bearing radiated unchecked, like storm clouds darkening a face. Though his voice was restrained, that quiet murmur only heightened the sense of Xiao Zhong’s deep calculation.

A man like him, rotten by nature, high in rank, accustomed to absolute rule for years — his casual violence towards underlings was commonplace when he wanted nothing more. But when he did have designs, when he deliberately curbed his temper — that was truly dangerous —

Like the past few days obeying Yun Shen’s plan to lure Chen Shu into the valley.

Like right now, posing an ambiguous question to Yun Shen.

He had likely replayed their earlier exchange in his mind after the underlings left, finally catching the implication in that statement.

Yun Shen paused mid-step, slowly turned around. He looked first in the direction where Chen Shu had vanished, then brought his gaze back before answering with a question of his own:

“And how, Sir, did you come to know your Valley of Villains was ‘in mortal peril’?”

“… What do you think?” Xiao Zhong watched him, the smile on his face growing more distinct, and more dangerous. “These past days, more and more of those annoying Members of the Wulin Community kept flooding into Fangcheng. Claiming they’re seeking a famed sword. But the truth behind the rumor of that sword — unknown to others, but known to us — is utter fabrication. So where did all these idiots believing idle gossip come from? Whatever their real aim, if I didn’t sense something brewing, wouldn’t I be as big a fool as they are? Isn’t that right?”

Yun Shen blinked, then laughed aloud.

The sound seemed to carry across the busy Valley, drawing looks from those working in the distance. Whether they sought amusement or were concerned for Xiao Zhong’s safety, several pairs of eyes, substantial in the deep night, turned towards them. Yun Shen, however, appeared oblivious, utterly unperturbed. He took half a step back towards Xiao Zhong so that they stood face to face, gazes locked.

“Your logic holds merit.” he said. “But I sensed nothing brewing. Not until I saw your sect’s mark on that prisoner’s corpse did I know this day was inevitable — for why else would a mere Scholar like myself command the obedience of a local despot like you? Why else lure Chen Shu into the Valley of Villains, deep in the night, at such a time? Surely it wasn’t merely for sport, such a simple reason… Don’t you agree?”

He gave another small laugh as he spoke, his unwavering stance laid bare before Xiao Zhong. Forget Xiao Zhong himself; even the few thugs waiting nearby for the two to finish conversing sensed the shift. They took a few steps forward, only to be halted by Xiao Zhong’s raised hand.

“So what if the mark was found? So what if they connect the Diancang Pass floods to that prisoner? They wouldn’t know it was—” Xiao Zhong dropped his voice to a murmur.

“Perhaps before. But these past days, so many Members of the Wulin Community entered Fangcheng. Even with your strict checks, some must have slipped through, and the Valley of Villains’ marks within Fangcheng aren’t exactly rare… Don’t you think, Sir?”

In the darkness, Yun Shen still wore his plain gray robe. Having stood by the pond, he now carried a subtle chill about him. Gradually, it mingled with the slight autumn breeze drifting through the valley, striking Xiao Zhong’s face. Even that gentle wind felt abrasive across his cheek through the rough cloak, reddening his skin.

For a long moment, the normally arrogant Xiao Zhong was struck dumb before Yun Shen, staring fixedly at him.

“I recommend, Sir,” Yun Shen said, even reaching out to pat him on the shoulder with a small smile, “that you focus your energies on keeping a close watch on Chen Shu and preparing for the imminent ‘upheaval’. I imagine that mysterious advisor who constantly offers you counsel… advised the same thing, didn’t he?”

Without waiting for Xiao Zhong to recover from his surprise, Yun Shen turned and calmly walked towards his own chamber. As he passed a few minions peering curiously from nearby, he even nodded at them in brisk acknowledgment.

Those men had never seen anyone, unarmed and clad only in simple gray robes, who could admonish Xiao Zhong, walk away unscathed, and leave Xiao Zhong speechless yet murderous. The low-level thugs were momentarily unsettled by Yun Shen’s cool, slight smile, unable to meet his eyes. They parted to let him through, watching as he strode confidently away.

By now, the hour had turned to midnight.

After passing the darkest period of the night, the moonlight gradually brightened. The chamber Yun Shen temporarily occupied in the Valley of Villains was actually no more than one of several small rooms originally built to imprison captured merchants and commoners. Now that the Valley of Villains had expanded its territory and recruited numerous “virtuous talents,” it naturally required “guest rooms” that could meet the standards of scholars and literati.

Thus arose this makeshift, incongruous chamber.

Yun Shen stepped inside with one foot. Within, it was utterly still. Unlike outside, where moonlight bathed everything, the interior remained pitch-dark. It was impossible to distinguish the bed, the table, the wardrobe, or even the wolf skin hanging on the wall—a decoration meant as an adornment, yet with its grotesque expression and bared fangs, it offered no comfort, only a savage-looking visage.

Yet he seemed intimately familiar with every detail of the room. He first removed his outer robe and hung it on a dilapidated screen beside the wardrobe. Then he walked steadily to the bed, smoothed out the bedding, cold from disuse, and sat down. Leaning toward the small table by the bed, he struck a spark and lit the candle upon it.

The faint yellow flame crept upward like twining vines, slowly filling the tiny chamber. At last, it illuminated the space on the wall where the wolf skin had hung—

Revealing abruptly a face, ashen and bloodless!

As the candlelight grew brighter, it flickered and swayed like a lingering embrace. The shadows cast upon the wall behind it deepened and then paled. With the candle’s fluctuating glow, that face seemed suspended like a decapitated head, wavering slightly in the air as if it might tumble at any moment.

Only when the candlelight strengthened further, illuminating the black robes this figure wore, could one see this was not merely a head hung on the wall, but a complete person—a living human being.

Dressed entirely in black, this person had merged into the gloom of the wall. When the room was without light, her features had been invisible, and her form indistinct.

Yet Yun Shen had walked inside, stepped to the bed, and lit the candle as if he had known all along someone else was present. When he had perched on the edge of the bed, it even seemed deliberately calculated—whether because he knew the chair was already occupied or not—he didn’t grope in the dark for that seat, instead heading straight to the bed.

Confronted with that deathly, corpse-like face, he showed not an ounce of fear. His hands didn’t cease their movements as he pushed the candle closer to the figure. The light lit up the hands resting on the table: bony and emaciated, like a cadaver’s, fingers folded over each other. Only at the approach of the candle did the slightest stir reveal a large, ugly, glaringly fresh scar.

It was Wei Mian.

Neither of them spoke. Outside the door, soldiers who might have followed Yun Shen or patrolled past this spot, seeing the soft candlelight ignite within the room, finally paced away. Their footsteps grew faint until they dissolved entirely into silence.

A short while later, both figures inside appeared to perceive that the soldiers had withdrawn. At last, someone spoke, breaking the silence steeped in amber glow.

“Gone?” Wei Mian asked.

Yun Shen pressed his lips together, withdrew the hand that had steadied the candle, and carelessly set it on the table as he replied, “Which one are you asking about? Xiao Zhong, leader of the Valley of Villains? Or…

“He Yu? Xuan Qin? Or perhaps even that young disciple from Qin Xin Bluff, Ying Wei?”

A spark snapped from the lamp wick. It leaped out, as if struggling with effort to escape its own halo of light and land upon the wooden table. In the blink of an eye, that tiny spark died, stripped of its earlier surge of vitality. It spiraled downward onto the table, rolling one moment bright, one moment dim, leaving a faint trace of white smoke before abruptly extinguishing, never to flare again.

It was then that Wei Mian’s indifferent eyes seemed to flicker back to life. She finally lifted her gaze to look directly at Yun Shen. For a long moment, they regarded each other silently. Then Wei Mian said: “I know. Great calamity is headed for Yubei. There’s no more room to second-guess this.”

“But what I do not know,” Yun Shen said steadily, “is why it has ended like this. I asked Your Honor twice. Twice, Your Honor denied and evaded me. Now, instead of waiting for my third arrival, you came to me and delivered… a map… directly to my inn. Why?”

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