Chapter 461 - Night Ambush

The moonlight was limpid and the wind was silent. Xiao Chen’s fingertips brushed against Huangfu Xin’er’s cold cheek, feeling recurrent stabs of pain in his heart. He remembered how young they were when their families decided on their engagement. Back then, she hid behind the screen, refusing to come out.

Right now, they were moving further and further apart. It was as if their memories were stranded on a beach; they could no longer return to the past.

“Xin’er…”

Xiao Chen moved his lips ever so subtly, calling her name. Once upon a time, her name was a knot in his heart that he couldn’t undo. She looked at him. They could see themselves reflected in each other’s pupils. His gentle gaze, however, prompted a sharp pain in her heart. She swatted his hand away.

“You’re also cursed with the Heartless Curse! Why are you saying things like that now? You still have to fight Mo Jinyan tomorrow! Go back!”

Huangfu Xin’er flicked her sleeves and looked away.

Xiao Chen said nothing and continued to sit beside her, staring at the warmth-less moonlight pouring in for a long time. Moments later, faint sound of footsteps across the snow-covered ground reached their ears. Then came a woman’s voice. “My Lord, are you here?”

Xiao Chen got up and walked out to see one of the ladies of the Hidden Fragrance Wafting Under The Moon waiting outside. In her hands was a tray containing two small jars of wine, two delicate cups, and several pieces of mooncakes.

“These are from Young Master Yi Tong.”

Xiao Chen nodded, chuckling. He glanced at the cave he had come from and asked, “What about Qingluan and Ziyun’er?”

“They’re drinking with Young Masters Yi Tong and None-flower Dust. Their alcohol tolerance isn’t high… so they’re already drunk.”

Xiao Chen nodded and took the tray off her hands. “Go back and rest.”

“Yes, my Lord. I’ll be taking my leave.”

When the lady was gone, Xiao Chen returned to the cave and placed the tray in front of Huangfu Xin’er. He asked softly, “Hungry?”

“No!”

Xiao Chen chuckled. He pulled his sleeves up and poured wine into the cups until they were more than half full. He picked one up and handed it to Huangfu Xin’er. She snatched it out of his hand and drained the cup in one shot. However, she did it so quickly that she started coughing instead.

Xiao Chen immediately supported her with his hand, caressing her back. Suddenly, an acute pain shot through his heart. Huangfu Xin’er watched his face instantly turned pale and pointed at several acupuncture points on his abdomen. Only then did his complexion improve.

“Once I fully grasp the Heartless Cultivation Method, I’ll help you undo your Heartless Curse.”

Xiao Chen gradually evened out his breathing. He smiled. “No need.”

“What?” Huangfu Xin’er abruptly raised her head to look at him. Unnatural emotions flitted across her pupils.

Xiao Chen took a deep breath and looked at the moon overhead. He chuckled and said, “If my heart hurts again one day, I’ll know that I’m missing you.”

“You!” Huangfu Xin’er never thought she would hear such words from him. Her face was sheet-white and her heart was twisting with agony. With much difficulty, she said, “You’re inflicted with the Heartless Curse, and me… me too… Why do you still insist on… We’re… We’re already…” By the time she finished speaking, tears were pouring down her face.

Xiao Chen propped her up. “Don’t panic. I’ll stop speaking!” His heart was also in great pain, so much that he couldn’t help but grit his teeth and scold, “That d*mned Huashang, all she knows is how to harm people. What she couldn’t get, she refuses to let others have. I swear I’ll…”

“You!” Huangfu Xin’er pinched his arm with force and said angrily, “If you keep scolding my master, don’t blame me for being merciless!”

Even though Xiao Chen was facing pain unlike any other, he still tried his best to suppress it with a smile. “Okay, okay, Xin’er. I won’t scold her anymore.”

It took a while for their anguish to subside. Xiao Chen said, “That d*mned grandma…”

“You!” Huangfu Xin’er pointed at him. “You’re going to scold her again, aren’t you!”

Xiao Chen grinned. “Oh, alright. I won’t say anything. If it weren’t for that d*mned… I mean, Senior Huashang, how would I know that to me, you’re… ” The sound of feet treading on snow suddenly cut his words short. Huangfu Xin’er immediately signaled for him to be quiet. “Shh!”

Xiao Chen’s expression turned serious. He covered up his aura and heard Huangfu Xin’er whisper, “It’s that b*tch, Chu Lingjiao.”

Xiao Chen didn’t think twice after hearing what she said and immediately hid inside the cave where the moonlight couldn’t reach. The sound of footsteps gradually became louder. Judging from the sound, there were three of them.

Huangfu Xin’er was sitting cross-legged. She flicked her sleeve to hide the tray of wine jars and cups on the ground before saying dully, “Why don’t you show up and meet me if you’re already here, Senior Sister?”

“Hehe. How clever of you to guess that it’s me, Junior Sister. Then, I don’t suppose you’re the only one in this cave.” Chu Lingjiao’s laughter drifted in from outside the cave.

Huangfu Xin’er chuckled. “Since you dare come here, I’m sure you’ve made preparations as well. Why don’t you come in and see for yourself?”

“Hehehehe…” Chu Lingjiao chortled. She continued to keep a safe distance from the mouth of the cave. She smiled and said, “You’ve injured yourself after traveling such a long distance. I’m sure your Heartless Curse is acting up after seeing that Xiao boy today. You haven’t recovered, have you, Junior Sister?”

Xiao Chen’s brows furrowed. He looked at Huangfu Xin’er and saw that she was smiling despite looking pale. “Since you want to kill me, why don’t you take advantage of this chance to do so?”

A gust of wind resounded as a silhouette moved. Chu Lingjiao was soon in front of the cave, with two men standing behind her. One of them was the man in cyan that Ziyun’er slapped twice earlier in the day.

“Haha!” Chu Lingjiao threw her back in laughter when she saw how pale Huangfu Xin’er looked. “Tsk, tsk. Junior Sister, what should I even say about you? Your mind cultivation methods cannot tolerate feelings, yet you refuse to listen. How many days can you still live? Why don’t you just hand me the mind cultivation method scrolls…”

Xiao Chen trembled. He looked a little lost as he stared at Huangfu Xin’er. Layers upon layers of thick fog seemed to be gathering in his pupils.

Huangfu Xin’er’s gaze abruptly sharpened. “Said enough yet? The Heartless Cultivation Method is in my hands! Come get it if you’re capable!”

“Is that so…” Chu Lingjiao’s gaze turned just as sharp as she stepped forward slowly and carefully. Even knowing that her opponent was suffering from the Heartless Curse’s countercharge, she didn’t dare to be hasty.

She was slowly moving forward when she suddenly thrust her palm at Huangfu Xin’er, producing a purple palm print in the air with violent force. Huangfu Xin’er raised her palm at once to block the attack. “Poom!” The rocks in the cave were crushed into smithereens. Huangfu Xin’er clutched her abdomen, barely stopping herself from coughing up blood.

Chu Lingjiao guffawed. “Sure enough, the curse’s retaliation is severe!” Her gaze suddenly turned as sharp as a blade, with her murderous aura became apparent. “Junior Sister, don’t blame me for being vicious. If there’s anyone to blame, pin it on your unfortunately short life as a beautiful woman. That Xiao boy will be joining you tomorrow, so go on your way in peace!”

Chu Lingjiao’s True Energy exploded, giving rise to purple fog around her. She bounced off her feet, brandishing her five fingers as blades, and charged at Huangfu Xin’er like a bolt of lightning. Right then, the sound of something cutting through the wind resonated. A stone flew from a secret corner of a cave, hitting her on the abdomen.

Chu Lingjiao groaned in pain and sprayed a mouthful of blood as she became stagnant in midair. She knew at once that she had been ambushed but before she could fully recover her senses, Xiao Chen came out of hiding and reached for her neck.

The sudden appearance of Xiao Chen frightened Chu Lingjiao out of her wits. The man in cyan suddenly cried, “Watch out, Sister-in-law!” Before his voice faded, he had already blocked Xiao Chen’s attack.

“Tch!” A short-lived sound rang throughout the cave. It was the sound of Xiao Chen’s finger perforating the cyan-dressed man’s chest. Immediately, blood gushed forth.

“Move!” Xiao Chen slammed his palm onto the man, sending him flying with the force. Unfortunately, Chu Lingjiao had retreated to the cave entrance. She flicked her sleeves and two glinting daggers came flying at him. Xiao Chen moved his head, dodging one of them, but the other was heading toward Huangfu Xin’er.

Xiao Chen soared, retreating backward, and flicked. “Clang!” He managed to send the dagger flying but found that numbness was spreading through his arm. Chu Lingjiao and her two accomplices had also taken advantage of the moment to flee.

Ignoring his numb arm, Xiao Chen made a beeline for Huangfu Xin’er. He helped her up and asked, “Are you okay?”

The pale-faced Huangfu Xin’er groaned, looking like she was swallowing something. She frowned and replied, “I’m fine.”

Xiao Chen frowned deeply. “You can’t stay here anymore. Go to my side.”

“No need. Go back on your own.” Huangfu Xin’er moved his hand away. Her voice carried not even the slightest hint of warmth.

“They’ll come again. Listen to me…”

“I told you to leave! Didn’t you hear me?” Huangfu Xin’er suddenly sounded terrifying, as if she was roaring at him. When he was still not moving, she raised her hand and produced five red lights at the tip of her fingers. “Are you going to make me attack you?” she said in a cold voice.

Xiao Chen clenched his fingers and gritted his teeth. “Then, be careful when you’re on your own. Just yell if you need help.” He took another glance at her before sighing and turning around to walk out of the cave.

Huangfu Xin’er let out a quiet scoff. It wasn’t until she couldn’t hear Xiao Chen’s footsteps anymore that she suddenly choked and spat out copious amounts of blood. Her eyes turned red and even her lips seemed to be dyed with blood. Her fingernails were now five or six inches in length. Numerous strange red patterns had also surfaced on her neck, flickering in the night. They were terrifying to look at.

…

The night of the full moon was quiet, with cold breeze sweeping the land. Xiao Chen returned to the cave where the rest of his friends were. The drunk Ziyun’er and Qingluan were leaning against each other, resting in a corner. Yi Tong and None-flower Dust were still drinking. The former chuckled when he saw him. “We heard commotion earlier. Did something happen?”

Xiao Chen shook his head. He turned around to tell a few of the ladies of the Hidden Fragrance Wafting Under The Moon, “Please watch over Empress Huangfu tonight.”

“Yes, my Lord!”

The night soon came to a pass. Xiao Chen only woke up when noon rolled around the next day, possibly because he had too much to drink last night. Today, the snow had piled up on the summit of Mount Wuyue, bouncing off brilliant sunlight. The whiteness of the snow strained his eyes when he walked on them. The summit seemed to be filled with people.

Mo Jinyan had been waiting at the arena on the summit for a while. He watched as Xiao Chen walked toward him with both hands clasped behind his back and sleeves swaying in the wind. His gaze was as cold and sharp as thunderbolts, making people afraid to look him in the eye.

“He’s here, he’s here! Xiao Chen is here!”

Clamor immediately swept through the crowd under the arena. They watched Xiao Chen and his entourage marching across the snow toward them. Their steps were firm and neither too fast nor too slow. When Xiao Chen came close, he leaped into the air and flew toward the arena in one swift, graceful movement.

In a matter of seconds, Xiao Chen was standing on the arena on the summit. Mo Jinyan looked at him coldly. “I fear you won’t be able to leave this arena alive today!”

Xiao Chen sneered. “I remembered Mo Yu telling me the exact same words.”

“I’ve told you that I’m not like them.” Mo Jinyan’s gaze turned even more vicious. The power of his True Energy was coming to a boiling point, causing a flurry of snow to fall around him.

“Make your move then. Show me the power of your so-called heaven-exterminating family.”