Chapter Two: The Crossing Between Life and Death (Part Two)

“Hmph!” Han Geng let out a cold snort, his tone full of disdain. “Demoness, do you think a few words from you could sway a member of the Embroidered Guards? If I were to agree, the moment I identified you in court, I’d already be a dead man.”

Hearing this, Yu Nianci wasted no more time on words. Dozens of throwing knives circled around her. “Since that’s the case, I won’t bother talking either. But rest assured, the others will accompany you to the underworld soon enough.”

Han Geng, having long since given up resistance, let his saber hang by his side, closed his eyes, and murmured, “Mother, forgive your unfilial son. In the next life, I’ll serve you as a beast of burden.”

The sharp whistling of daggers sliced through the air, each aimed at a vital point. Yet, just as the blades were a mere few meters from Han Geng, they stopped miraculously mid-flight. A cascade of metallic clatters followed as the knives fell to the ground.

Sensing something amiss, Han Geng opened his eyes in confusion, only to be struck dumb by the scene before him.

The maid, Xiao Zhao, who had seemed faint and collapsed by the sedan, now stood silently behind Yu Nianci, a dagger plunged toward her heart.

Yu Nianci had not expected Xiao Zhao to be the final stage of the assassination. The girl had cleverly hidden her presence, deceiving Yu Nianci. Only when all her attention was elsewhere did Xiao Zhao strike.

But Yu Nianci was not one to yield so easily. Her immense inner strength gathered at her fingertips—before her body even turned, she had already struck Xiao Zhao.

Yu Nianci immediately leapt back, sealing her own acupoints to staunch the bleeding at her chest, then, with her right hand forming a claw, she swept up the fallen knives and returned them into the steel orb on her left.

Han Geng, watching the turn of events, held back from action. He understood the mission to assassinate the Lady of the West March was a one-way path to death—a trap set for them. Yu Nianci still had strength to spare; it would be unwise to act rashly. Better to observe as the two fought, and claim the prize when both were spent.

Yu Nianci slowly lifted her frost-pale face. If the earlier assassination had merely angered her, now she was truly filled with a desire to cut her enemies into pieces.

“You know well how I’ve treated you these years. Why betray me?” Yu Nianci demanded coldly, ignoring her wounds.

Xiao Zhao, far from remorseful, wiped blood from her lips and laughed with a hint of madness. “How you treated me? Ha! Yu Nianci, you demoness. Do you think all these years at the West March can wash away the crimes you committed twenty years ago? You dare ask me that?”

Yu Nianci’s expression turned ugly. “You’re one of the Shao family’s wretched survivors?”

“You butchered my entire clan—hundreds dead. I survived only by clinging to life.” Xiao Zhao’s face twisted, her voice turning eerie. “For revenge, I’d pay any price. Yu Nianci, today is the day you die!”

“Oh? Are you sure?” Yu Nianci smiled, drawing a flare from her bosom. Before either could stop her, she fired it skyward.

A red signal shot into the air with a sharp whistle.

Xiao Zhao, panicked, checked for her own flare, only to find a stone in its place.

Realizing time was running out and that the guards would arrive within minutes, Xiao Zhao turned to Han Geng. “I am your contact with the Embroidered Guards, codename Qi Cat. You must help me kill Yu Nianci now.”

But Han Geng stood unmoved as a statue. Qi Cat’s face darkened. “Don’t forget, this mission is of utmost importance to all of us. If you refuse, I’ll make sure you’re reported and punished.”

Still, Han Geng did not so much as twitch. He neither attacked Yu Nianci nor Qi Cat, nor did he offer a word.

Seeing this, Yu Nianci sneered at Qi Cat. “Each of you fights for yourselves. How could he be at your command?” She coughed, blood flecking her lips.

Yet even as she spoke, Yu Nianci kept part of her attention on Han Geng, wary of any treachery from these people. She knew, however, that with her injuries, she could not afford a prolonged fight. Every use of her inner strength tore at her wound, risking internal bleeding. She had only managed to seal the heart wound temporarily, so she relied on words to stall for time, hoping for rescue.

But just as she opened her mouth, Qi Cat’s blade was already within thirty feet.

Despite knowing her dire state, Yu Nianci could only grit her teeth and face her attacker.

The Great Yan Sect was founded on formation and mechanized arts, and their teachings in martial arts were minimal. Yet Yu Nianci’s reputation in the martial world was not unfounded.

Back and forth the two dueled, neither yielding. Yu Nianci tried repeatedly to create distance and use her mechanisms, but Qi Cat, having served at her side and studied her files, anticipated every move. Each time Yu Nianci tried to retreat, Qi Cat pressed closer.

The pain in Yu Nianci’s heart was excruciating, tearing at her with every breath. Inside her, the child pressed urgently to be born.

“I can’t go on like this. I’ll never last until they arrive. Is this truly my destined end?” Yu Nianci’s hands never slowed, but in her heart she was already resigned to death.

Qi Cat, seeing Yu Nianci still handling her killer moves with ease, grew anxious. “This isn’t working. She shows no sign of strain. If she keeps dragging this out, I’ll never escape alive. But how can I not avenge the blood-debt of the Shao family?”

Qi Cat suddenly unleashed a surge of inner power so fierce that Yu Nianci was forced to use all her strength merely to withstand the onslaught.

The clash of their forces sent tiles and stones flying, buildings along the street shattering all around. Dust filled the air, obscuring everything but the sound of steel and inner energy colliding.

“If I help you, will you guarantee my safety afterward?” At last, Han Geng, who had watched from a distance, broke his silence.

No sooner had he spoken than a figure darted toward him—no words, only flashing blades. Han Geng stood his ground, not striking back. As the dagger neared his face, a longsword intercepted it, deflecting both weapon and wielder.

Yu Nianci’s cold voice sounded in Han Geng’s ear. “Go try your hand against her. Truth and lies will reveal themselves.”

Without glancing at her, Han Geng strode toward Qi Cat. His right hand summoned his saber from where it lay.

Qi Cat watched him approach, her expression growing darker. “Think carefully. The Embroidered Guards have spies everywhere in the empire. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you and your mother will be found. Help me take down this demoness, and the highest honors will be yours—far more than what your current rank can offer.”

But her words only sharpened the killing intent in Han Geng’s eyes.

“Very well! You wish to die, I’ll oblige!” Qi Cat attacked, holding nothing back.

“Am I being overly suspicious?” Yu Nianci wondered as the two battled fiercely. “No matter. It would be best if both died. Once help arrives, not a single one will escape.”

She coughed up a mouthful of blood, counting the moments. “It should be less than half a cup of tea now. Hurry... hurry!”

But fate was unkind. Han Geng’s skills were inferior; Qi Cat, desperate and reckless, fought with everything she had. Han Geng was forced back again and again until, finally, he was kicked in the abdomen and sent sprawling like a beaten dog at Yu Nianci’s feet.

Lying on the ground, Han Geng gasped out, “I did my best. You’ll keep your word, won’t you?”

Yu Nianci replied heavily, “We’ll talk if we both make it back alive.” She slid the steel orb behind her, preparing a final trick.

Suddenly, all three felt a strange tremor in their souls. In a flash, Yu Nianci and Qi Cat were locked in combat again.

The more Yu Nianci fought, the more blood poured from her wounds, her life force draining rapidly. In a matter of moves, her face was drained of all color. She could only parry the deadliest attacks, taking others with her body. Every blow aimed at her abdomen she blocked completely.

Each minute dragged on like an eternity.

Just as Yu Nianci’s mind began to waver, Han Geng, who had seemed utterly spent, suddenly leapt up, saber swinging down at her with shocking speed.

Faced with attacks from both sides, Yu Nianci remained unperturbed, lips curled in a wry smile, as if she had anticipated it all.

Qi Cat shouted, “No! Fall back!”

Too late. As Han Geng’s blade neared, the steel bead behind Yu Nianci shot out as if guided by fate, homing in on the saber.

Han Geng, startled, tried to retreat, but stumbled. Yu Nianci kicked him hard in the chest, sending him flying. In that instant, the bead exploded, shrapnel shredding his face and leaving him incapacitated by pain.

“Let’s see how much more blood you can spill,” Qi Cat spat, her eyes venomous as her plan was foiled.

Yu Nianci’s consciousness blurred; she could no longer fend off the blows. Blood gushed from her mouth. She glanced down at her wounded belly, regret filling her heart. “Child, I truly cannot protect you. I am not a worthy mother. I selfishly chased after the world’s splendors, but cannot offer you a single ray of light.” With that, she closed her eyes in unwilling surrender...

But in the next moment, sturdy arms caught her as she fell. Through her haze, she thought it was Qing rushing from the western frontier, scolding her for always being reckless and clever, never caring for her own safety.

“Madam, are you all right?” The guards rushed to her side in a panic.

“Was she hurt by that attacker just now?”

“Unfortunately, as soon as we caught her, she took poison and died. We searched the bodies but found nothing.” A guard looked at the unconscious Yu Nianci, furious. “What do we do now?”

As they fretted, a voice called out, “I just found an old woman hiding in a thatch pile. She claims she’s a midwife—let her have a look.”

The others turned to see a man carrying a woman of fifty or sixty, panting as he brought her over.

The guard set her down and she approached Yu Nianci, somewhat nervous. Seeing her condition, the old woman immediately said, “The madam is about to give birth. You must find a place for her at once.”

“What?” The men stared at the ravaged street, utterly at a loss.

Before they could resolve the mess, further bad news came from the midwife: “Hurry and think of something! She hasn’t much time. It’s unlikely she’ll survive the birth at all.”

“What! What now?” They all turned to their leader, helpless.

The leader himself was uncertain, but with things as they were, he could only try to save the future heir. The rest would have to wait.

He stood, resolute. “There are still a few rooms left in the inn nearby. The princess will give birth there!”

“Brother—”

He interrupted, “What are you hesitating for? Can the princess hold out until a physician arrives? If the young heir is lost because we delayed, all our heads will roll! Move!”