Chapter Fifty-Five: Crossing Blades

Another night descended. Silver Yao stood atop the mountain, draped in a pale blue and white gauze dress. The wind swept past, billowing the hem of her garment—a striking sight against the darkness, beautiful and bold. She raised a confident smile, the colorful chain on her right wrist swaying with the breeze, its bells chiming melodiously. Tonight, Silver Yao would infiltrate the imperial palace under cover of darkness. She was here to probe, to test Ji Xuanmu’s strength. To know oneself and the enemy is to win a hundred battles without fail.

Inside the resplendent palace hall, Ji Xuanmu, clad in a dark yellow dragon robe, sat upon the throne, gazing indifferently at the assembled ministers. Not a sound disturbed the silence; none dared even to breathe deeply, cold sweat trickling down every brow. It was the second time their emperor had inspired such fear—the first when the Ling Yu Pavilion purged the court of powerful officials, and the second was today. Without uttering a word, he instilled a chill in their hearts.

Silver Yao wandered through the palace, eyeing the brightly lit hall with a trace of confusion. What was Ji Xuanmu planning at such a late hour? She could not guess. Surveying her surroundings, she knew countless hidden guards lurked nearby. Her conspicuous white attire would surely draw their attention, so she ceased hiding; they would find her regardless.

With a graceful leap, Silver Yao landed on the roof of the hall. She gently lifted a tile and pressed her ear to the rooftop, eyes fixed on the people below. Watching their frightened faces, she mused, Surely they haven’t wet themselves? Cowards, trembling like that! Please, don’t make me despise you…

A group of men clad in black approached, forming a circle around the white-robed woman atop the hall. Silver Yao sensed their presence long before, and let out a quiet, cold laugh—how presumptuous!

Ji Xuanmu detected the faintest sound from the rooftop and felt the aura of the hidden guards. His phoenix eyes narrowed, lips curling into an amused smile.

The ministers, seeing the emperor’s sudden smile, exchanged bewildered glances, afraid to speak, communicating only with their eyes. Looking at their king’s mysterious expression, they felt chills down their spines.

“So,” Ji Xuanmu spoke lazily, “you’ve come to the hall, yet why not show yourself?” His words sent the ministers into a panic, glancing about in terror. Only Ji Xuanmu remained composed, as though waiting for something.

“Haha! The emperor is indeed full of hidden depths!”

With a bright laugh, a figure in white descended from above. A woman stood in the center of the hall, utterly fearless, disregarding the emperor’s imposing presence, a smile at her lips as she walked toward Ji Xuanmu.

Her steps were graceful as lotus petals, her figure slender, her face exquisitely beautiful. Long black hair fell carelessly over her shoulders.

Ji Xuanmu felt a stir in his heart, then curved his lips into a seductive smile, addressing Silver Yao, “May I ask your name, lady?”

Silver Yao took in Ji Xuanmu’s appearance—he bore a resemblance to Ji Xuanyu, and was indeed a handsome man, one who evidently enjoyed flaunting his charm.

“Hehe~” Her laughter was as clear as silver bells, accompanied by the sound of her wrist bells. Silver Yao’s right hand had already swept out, the colorful chain flying straight toward Ji Xuanmu.

Though Ji Xuanmu anticipated her attack, he was surprised by her speed. Suppressing his astonishment, he gathered thirty percent of his internal force in his right hand and struck back—a mere test.

Seven golden threads broke through Ji Xuanmu’s internal force, the bells ringing sweetly. Ji Xuanmu narrowed his eyes; this Silver Yao was truly extraordinary, shattering his protective shield with ease. Worthy of a duel!

He unleashed fifty percent of his internal force, reclining casually in the throne, utterly untroubled. The ministers stood dumbfounded, unsure how to react. When they finally came to their senses, they shouted, “Protect the emperor! Protect the emperor!”

Annoyed by their clamor, Silver Yao’s irritation grew, and Ji Xuanmu felt the same. In rare harmony, both released their palms, a powerful wave striking the ministers. By the time the palace guards rushed in, they found the ministers huddled together at one side of the hall, while the emperor remained unharmed, locked in a stare with the mysterious woman.

Silver Yao sensed the fluctuation of his internal force and responded without hesitation, matching him with fifty percent of her own. The colorful chain hovered in midair, neither advancing nor retreating.

Moments later, another group entered the hall, dressed in bright yellow uniforms—clearly the Imperial Guards. Silver Yao flashed Ji Xuanmu a smile, pushed off the ground, spun gracefully, her right hand still controlling the chain. Ji Xuanmu grew serious, rising to meet her, focused solely on defense.

“Hehe~ Your Majesty, shall we continue outside so as not to damage your grand hall?” Ignoring the guards, Silver Yao didn’t wait for Ji Xuanmu’s answer, but flew straight out the hall, her white robes fluttering with an ethereal grace, the chain now an unremarkable bracelet on her wrist.

Ji Xuanmu signaled the guards to stand down, cast a meaningful glance at the ministers, then followed her without hesitation.

On an ancient tree outside the hall, Silver Yao stood lazily, casually shaking her right hand, the bells chiming crisply, composing a melody from her seemingly random motions.

Ji Xuanmu had to admit this woman was not to be underestimated.

“Will you not tell me your name?”

“Do you really not know who I am?” Silver Yao idly touched the whip at her waist.

“The whip… so you are Silver Yao, the Snake Woman. I’ve long heard of your fame~” Ji Xuanmu replied with a playful smile.

“Hehe~” Silver Yao merely smiled at his reaction, saying nothing.

As the two conversed outside the hall, the Imperial Guards encircled them, forbidding any from approaching, swords drawn and eyes fixed on the pair.

A breeze stirred, the air rippling strangely, yet Silver Yao seemed not to notice, continuing to sway her hand. Ji Xuanmu, however, furrowed his brow in vigilance, power gathering in his palm.

Soon, the sound of wings came from the sky. In the darkness, countless red points appeared, and after a while, it became clear—swarms of bats had formed a circle, closing in, their ranks tightening.

The bells continued to ring. Silver Yao wore a faint smile, shaking her hand unhurriedly. Suddenly, the ringing intensified, and her eyes gleamed with amusement.

The bats swept toward Ji Xuanmu, launching their attack. Ji Xuanmu narrowed his eyes—remarkable! She could summon flying creatures with nothing more than a simple bell. Her bell must possess unique qualities; was this beast mastery?

Ji Xuanmu’s robe billowed in the wind. There was no fear in his eyes, only excitement and curiosity. With a wave of his hand, he sent the bats flying.

Archers hidden in the shadows hesitated, afraid to strike for fear of harming the emperor.