Chaos Clash Chapter 103: A Deadly Encounter on a Narrow Path

By the morning of the fourth day, Yang Ruiyun and his party finally reached the outskirts of Chang'an. At that point, there were still eleven hours left before Li Qiutong was to be executed.

At the Qin residence,

"Madam, there are a few strangers at the gate asking for you."

"Show them in." With that, Qin Shuyu went outside to greet them.

"Madam, long time no see."

"Come, let's talk inside."

In the main hall, after Yang Ruiyun, Ren Xingtian, Deng Zhanxuan, and Biluo had taken their seats, Qin Shuyu produced a map of the prison grounds.

"Look here. I had someone draw this up temporarily. Xiaotong is being held here."

Ren Xingtian began studying the map carefully.

Yang Ruiyun also asked Qin Shuyu, "Madam, have there been any new developments lately?"

"None. The Wuyuan prison is under extremely strict guard. Even Xiaomei has been unable to find out anything."

"Rest assured, Madam. We will rescue Big Brother tonight."

Qin Shuyu gave a slight nod. "By the way, once you rescue Xiaotong, where do you plan to go?"

Yang Ruiyun glanced at Ren Xingtian, hesitated, but still told the truth. "We’re heading to the Han lands to seek refuge with King Liu Bei of Shu Han. Zhu Long has already left with the advance force."

"I’m going with you as well." Qin Shuyu said this almost without a moment’s thought.

"Madam, this journey is fraught with danger. It would not be proper for you to come with us," Yang Ruiyun urged.

But Qin Shuyu looked at Ren Xingtian and asked, "Where are Yuling and Yuying now?"

Ren Xingtian, caught off guard by the question, looked up in surprise. "They... they’ve gone with the Northern Army camp to the border of the Tang realm."

"Good. If you don’t take me with you, I’ll have them return to Chang'an at once." Qin Shuyu said firmly.

Yang Ruiyun and Ren Xingtian were momentarily speechless.

"Madam, have you truly decided to leave with us?" Yang Ruiyun asked one final time.

"Yes. I must stay by Xiaotong's side, wherever he goes."

"Very well, Madam. I’ll have someone escort you to the army outside the city shortly," Yang Ruiyun could only decide.

"Nonsense. Qin Shuyu, what are you thinking?"

A furious shout came from outside the door.

Right behind it came General Qin Shubao, holding his golden maces. He silently looked at his younger sister. At last, he spoke. "I don't trust anyone else. I’ll personally escort you out of the city."

"Brother, you..." Qin Shuyu had not expected him to say this all of a sudden.

Then he looked at Yang Ruiyun and asked, "No problem?"

"None. If General Qin is going to do it himself, we can be even more at ease."

"And us, we’re going too. Madam, don’t forget us." Two odd figures also ran in.

"Who are you?" Yang Ruiyun asked in confusion.

Qin Shuyu smiled. "They’re two bodyguards your big brother picked up on the road. You may come out with me together."

Since Qin Shuyu said so, Yang Ruiyun did not dwell on it, and then looked at Ren Xingtian. "How is it? Have you confirmed the route?"

Ren Xingtian nodded. "More or less."

Then he looked at Qin Shuyu and asked, "Madam, Big Brother Tong's condition should have mostly recovered by now, right?"

"Yes. After these past few days, he should be fully recovered." Though he had been injured again earlier, with the help of pure yin-yang blood, his recovery had in fact been even faster.

"That’s good. Once Li Qiutong comes out of the prison, his strength should be almost at the level of a four-star Saint Warrior. Then, I, A-Xuan, Biluo, and Ruiyun..."

"And me." The ever-silent Rose suddenly interjected.

Ren Xingtian glanced at her, then continued, "Yes, and you. We’ll enter the imperial palace through Black Tortoise Gate. Ruiyun will clear the way, then we’ll take the side passage into the prison. At that point, A-Xuan and Biluo, you two will guard the prison gate and keep anyone from entering. Once we rescue Big Brother Tong, he’ll use martial essence shaping to carry us out."

"What if Big Brother’s body hasn't recovered? We have to consider the worst-case scenario," Yang Ruiyun said gravely.

"Then we’ll have to fight our way out and rendezvous with Yang Hu’s troops inside the city."

After hearing Ren Xingtian’s answer, Yang Ruiyun nodded without any objection.

"Then six hours from now, we begin the operation."

Outside the city, Qin Shubao personally escorted Qin Shuyu out of Chang'an. According to Yang Ruiyun’s description, they easily found the Western Army camp soldiers hiding in the woods.

"General Qin, Madam Qin, how did you come here?" Seeing that someone had found them, Yang Hu hurried over and gathered the others around. But when he realized it was the Qin siblings and two strangers, he felt at ease about Qin Shuyu, yet Qin Shubao’s presence was somewhat sensitive.

"Commander Yang, no need to be nervous. My brother is here to see me off," Qin Shuyu explained.

Qin Shubao glanced at the tense Yang Hu, saying nothing. He only looked at his sister, unable to hide his reluctance.

"I’m leaving. This parting may well be forever. I won’t say much else—just have that boy protect you well." With that, Qin Shubao turned to go.

But Qin Shuyu stopped him. "Brother, thank you. You always have been."

Qin Shubao looked back at his sister and said, "That’s enough if you know it." Having said that, he mounted his horse and rode away without another glance back.

Qin Shuyu watched her brother disappear into the distance, tears gradually filling her eyes.

Qin Shubao, riding farther and farther away, also closed his eyes, trying to suppress the sorrow in his heart. He could not bear to part with his sister, but he wanted even more for her to live on happily.

"Madam Qin, are you all right?" Yang Hu came forward in concern.

Lightly dabbing away her tears with a handkerchief, the mature woman instead smiled. "I’m fine. Commander Yang, no need to worry about me."

Yang Hu was silent for a moment before saying, "Then please rest for a while, Madam. We still have a long road ahead."

"Mm."

In the dead of night, the group put on the black stealth suits brought by Rose and slipped into the imperial palace under cover of darkness.

"Miss Rose, really, is there no larger size?" This was the third time Deng Zhanxuan had complained about it. The others in their black fitted outfits blended perfectly into the night, but for him, not only were the sleeves and trouser legs several inches too short, but many of the seams had been torn apart by his muscles.

Rose could only stare in silence at the scene. This was already the largest size, and it still ended up like this.

"General Deng, I truly apologize. Your build is simply too massive. There’s nothing to be done," Rose explained helplessly.

"Forget it, A-Xuan. Don’t mind it. If anything, just strip the clothes off and fight later," Biluo said, patting his arm.

"That works?"

Biluo smiled. "It’s not as if we’ve never seen it before."

"All right then."

Just as the group was crossing over the city wall, a killing arrow came shooting straight toward them. Deng Zhanxuan hurriedly raised his shield and stepped forward.

"Divine Tortoise Guard." The shield met the arrow head-on. Biluo was not idle either; at the same moment, she drew her bow and loosed a pale white arrow toward the figure standing in the square.

After a loud crash, the arrow was deflected, but Deng Zhanxuan actually felt a slight numbness in his hand.

The arrow fired by Biluo was casually caught in the other man’s hand.

Yet that person did not launch another attack. He simply watched as the group landed one after another on the ground. Upon landing, Biluo immediately released her martial essence shaping, and a snow-white divine eagle came to rest on her shoulder, majestic and keen. The others also prepared for battle.

"The Northern Darkness Snow Arrows of Beitang Mo were just like that back then. Girl, you’re from the Beitang family, aren’t you?" Along with a steady voice, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

Recognizing the newcomer, Yang Ruiyun exclaimed, "Uncle Xue."

Xue Rengui gave a faint smile. "Who would have thought that our reunion would be here of all places? Ruiyun, put down the spear in your hand. I, Xue Rengui, can ensure that nothing happens to you."

"Uncle Xue, since I’ve come this far, I have no second choice. Make your move." With that, Yang Ruiyun pointed his long spear at Xue Rengui.

"I had thought you would be the future of the Tang realm. It seems I was mistaken," Xue Rengui said calmly.

"I have never fought for the Tang realm. The only things I want to protect are my brothers and my family." Yang Ruiyun instantly pushed his martial essence to its limit.

"Xingtian, take them and go first. I’ll hold him off here."

"Ruiyun, alone, you’re afraid..." Ren Xingtian understood all too well the difference in their strength. Xue Rengui’s power was at the very least that of a three-star Saint Warrior, while Yang Ruiyun, in true terms, was only a martial arts master.

"Save Big Brother first. Trust me." Yang Ruiyun’s gaze was extraordinarily resolute.

"All right. Let’s go." Ren Xingtian took the lead and moved forward.

"Second Brother, hold on."

Xue Rengui merely watched the group head toward the prison and did nothing to stop them.

"Yang Ruiyun, make your move." For the first time, Xue Rengui leveled the square halberd at Yang Ruiyun.

"You flatter me." Before the words had fully faded, Yang Ruiyun charged forward with his spear, his speed almost beyond the limits the human eye could catch.

The spear struck straight for the brow, yet Xue Rengui remained motionless. Only when the spear was a mere fraction from his forehead did Xue Rengui’s head tilt slightly, instantly evading the piercing thrust.

Then his halberd swept out, forcing Yang Ruiyun to withdraw his spear and retreat.

"Do you know what the greatest weakness of the Yang family spear technique is?"

"The Yang family spear technique has no weakness," Yang Ruiyun said firmly. Then he thrust again at Xue Rengui. But Xue Rengui merely lifted his square halberd lightly, and Yang Ruiyun was driven back once more.

"If there were no weakness, you would have struck me just now. In this battle, if you do not overcome the weakness of the Yang family spear, you will never defeat me."

At these words, Yang Ruiyun had no choice but to reflect on what, exactly, was wrong with his spear technique. From their previous sparring, he had already sensed the enormous gulf between himself and Xue Rengui. Although Xue Rengui could not match his speed, he was able to evade every strike and easily break apart his attacks.

"The Yang family spear technique lies in speed. The faster the chain of strikes, the stronger it becomes. Only a storm of blows can suppress an opponent." This was the principle Yang Yan had always instilled in him.

"But Father, if the opponent’s attack is too strong and I must evade it, won’t the chain of strikes be broken?"

"Who told you that evading an attack means the chain is broken?"

For a time, Yang Ruiyun did not know how to answer. But if the spear must be swift, the footing must be stable; and if one dodges, how can one continue to swing the spear in succession? This was a question he had never been able to understand.

Seeing his son’s confusion, Yang Yan reminded him again, "The true Yang family spear technique moves with the body, the spear swings with the body. Spear and man become one, and there is no distinction between them."

"One with the spear? Father, can you do that?"

"Think it over carefully. In the hundred years of the Yang family, only one person has reached the realm of man and spear as one."

His father’s words kept echoing in Yang Ruiyun’s mind.

"Body follows spear. Man and spear become one."

Yang Ruiyun once again tightened his grip on the long spear. Thick silver martial essence flooded over his spear and his entire body.