Chapter Six: The Fate of Blackwind Fortress Is About to Change!

Shadow immediately bowed his head. "Your Highness is wise! It was I who was reckless."

He quickly asked, "Then, Your Highness, what should we do next? The item is right here in this stronghold."

Xiao Heng’s gaze sharpened instantly, becoming as keen as a blade. He slowly turned, looking toward the heart of Blackwind Stronghold, where the lights burned brightest and the guards were most vigilant—the Hall of Brotherhood.

“That item is something I must obtain,” he declared.

His voice was low, yet carried an irrevocable resolve.

He had to get his hands on the remnants of the previous dynasty’s treasure map, as well as the secret ledger recording the collusion between high-ranking officials and mountain bandits in arms trafficking.

This concerned the very foundation of the imperial court.

And, more importantly, the realm he sought to command.

Shadow responded solemnly, “Understood! However, now that Liu Meimei has become a variable, I’m afraid complications will arise.”

A cold, thin smile curled at Xiao Heng’s lips. “A variable? That may not be a bad thing.”

He recalled the silent confrontation in the room just moments ago, the sharpness and hunger for control that flashed in Liu Meimei’s eyes.

“A clever adversary is far more valuable than a foolish ally. At least… she has shown me that this stronghold is not filled solely with useless men.”

He pondered a moment, then commanded, “Shadow, investigate personally! Activate every secret line we’ve planted in the stronghold. Find out everything about Liu Meimei in the shortest time possible!”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Shadow replied in a deep voice.

“In addition,” Xiao Heng added, his gaze unfathomable, “continue to search for the whereabouts of those two items.”

“At once!” Like a wraith, Shadow melted into the night, vanishing silently behind a boulder.

Xiao Heng stood alone in the shadows. Moonlight poured over him, casting a solitary and austere figure.

He glanced once toward Liu Meimei’s courtyard, the cold smile still lingering at his lips, then turned and blended soundlessly into deeper darkness.

...

Three days later, at dawn.

On the mountain path leading from Blackwind Stronghold to the place of the contest, the air was crisp and chill with the unique freshness of the highlands, yet there was an unmistakable tension, as if a storm were imminent.

Today was the day of the Five Strongholds’ contest for the mountain summit.

The old tradition of a bloody fight for supremacy had, under pressure from the imperial campaign against banditry, been changed into a competition. Still, the scent of gunpowder hung heavy.

Wen Changning had risen early, already strategizing how to sow chaos in the contest, hoping to claim a few more heads from the rival strongholds.

Ideally, she could set those villains upon each other like snarling dogs!

She had just stepped out of her courtyard, intent on walking to the competition, when two young bandits blocked her path.

“Fifth Chief!”

The two stood ramrod straight, faces plastered with exaggerated, sycophantic smiles, voices booming with forced enthusiasm.

“You’re the pillar of our Blackwind Stronghold! How can you arrive without proper display? Walking? That’s beneath your station!”

Wen Changning paused, arching a brow at them.

Their faces were animated, yet their eyes were empty, like puppets trained to perfection.

“Exactly!” The other bandit quickly chimed in, gesturing theatrically to the side. “Look! We’ve prepared a carriage for you! Finest nanmu wood, lined with tiger pelts for your comfort!”

“We’ll escort you personally! Just wait till the others see how imposing our Fifth Chief is!”

Following their gaze, she saw an outrageously ostentatious carriage. Its body was painted a glaring red, hung with clanging gold bells; the curtains were of bright crimson brocade, embroidered with gaudy peonies.

The two horses harnessed to it were well-fed and powerful, but in such a carriage, the whole scene was utterly incongruous.

Wen Changning’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

What a taste…

This was precisely the style Liu Meimei would favor.

But on her face, she instantly donned Liu Meimei’s signature bold and self-indulgent expression, waving a lazy hand. “At least you two know your place. Let’s go!”

She stepped onto the low stool placed before the carriage, assuming a languid, alluring posture as she climbed inside.

The carriage set off, golden bells jingling, ostentatious in the morning mountain light.

Reclining on the tiger pelt cushions, Wen Changning felt the carriage lurching, her mind already calculating.

They hadn’t gone far when a plaintive, girlish wail rose from behind, mixed with a man’s deep, soothing words.

“Fourth Brother—look at her! Look at how smug she is!”

Su Wan’er, dressed all in pink, clung tearfully to Liu Qiang’s arm, looking as delicate and pitiable as a weeping pear blossom. “She… she crippled my martial arts yesterday!”

“Fourth Brother, you must stand up for Wan’er!”

She cried as she spoke, casting venomous sidelong glances at the ostentatious carriage ahead.

Liu Qiang, burly and fit in his martial attire, was being tugged along, looking both helpless and indulgent.

He patted Su Wan’er’s hand, gruffly trying to comfort her. “Alright, alright, don’t cry, little Wan’er.”

“Fifth Sister… she’s a bit hot-tempered. I’ll talk to her later.”

Yet even as he spoke, his eyes flickered toward the carriage ahead, a flash of discontent visible.

To cripple someone’s martial arts was tantamount to taking their life.

Wan’er was so pure and innocent.

How could that venomous woman be so heartless?

“Talk to her? Fourth Brother, you’re just appeasing me.” Su Wan’er pouted, twisting coquettishly. “She’s grown arrogant with her newfound strength—she doesn’t care about anyone! Not even you…”

“She probably looks down on you now! Did you see her carriage? It’s grander than even the chief’s! What is she scheming?”

She was deliberately sowing discord.

Liu Qiang’s brow furrowed as he stared at the flamboyant carriage, his dissatisfaction swelling.

He snorted. “Hmph! It is a bit much! Don’t worry, Wan’er, your fourth brother will get you justice!”

Wan’er was right.

Everyone in Blackwind Stronghold knew Wan’er was his woman.

For her sake, he should have at least a show of backbone!

Hmph!

Lately, Liu Meimei had been getting too big for her boots, not only ignoring others but even slighting him, her fourth brother.

A flash of menace crossed his eyes—not that he really wanted to harm Liu Meimei, for the sake of their sworn sibling bond.

But…

Letting her suffer a little—

Perhaps an “accidental” collision with her carriage.

Humiliating her in public, taking her down a peg, would do no harm.

He vaulted onto his horse, pulling Su Wan’er up into his lap.

With a sharp squeeze of his knees, his steed whinnied and surged forward, charging straight at Wen Changning’s carriage—

Aimed directly at its side!

Inside the carriage, Wen Changning had long since sensed the commotion behind her.

Her gaze grew cold; her fingers moved subtly, gathering her inner strength.

So you want to ram me?

Then let skill decide!

At the very instant Liu Qiang’s horse was about to crash into the carriage—

“Hey! Liu, you old fool, what do you think you’re doing?!”

A thunderous shout split the air!

A short, stocky figure in yellow shot out from the side like a cannonball.

It was none other than the Third Chief, Meng Chang!

Brandishing his pair of heavy octagonal bronze hammers, his movements were blindingly fast, outpacing even Liu Qiang.

His eyes blazed with fury; aiming at the front leg of Liu Qiang’s mount, he swung his hammer with a whistling wind.

With a sickening crack, the horse’s leg snapped.

The great beast toppled forward with a thunderous crash.

“Ah!”

“Fourth Brother!”

Liu Qiang and Su Wan’er, caught off guard, tumbled to the ground in a tangled, pitiful heap.

Meng Chang didn’t spare them a glance. He hefted his still-bloody hammer and, in a flash, stood by Wen Changning’s carriage, his face immediately splitting into a fawning, eager smile as he bowed to the curtain.

“Fifth Sister! Are you alright? You scared your third brother half to death!”

His booming voice was laced with a desperate need for approval. “I saw Liu the Fourth sneaking up to ram your carriage from a mile away! Clearly, it was that little wretch Su Wan’er who put him up to it, trying to disgrace you! I’ve already taught them a lesson!”

Wen Changning lifted the curtain, regarding Meng Chang’s earnest, oafish face, then glanced at the dust-covered, disheveled pair of Liu Qiang and Su Wan’er, who were now spewing curses at Meng Chang.

Suddenly, she found this bloodthirsty dwarf… rather amusing.

Perhaps it would be more interesting to keep him around until the end, rather than deal with him now?

Her phoenix eyes swept over the bedraggled Liu Qiang, the venomous Su Wan’er, and the ingratiating Meng Chang, a slow, coolly amused smile curving her lips.

Sometimes…

Why dirty one’s own hands?

Let dogs bite dogs; isn’t that far more entertaining?

Meng Chang saw the faint, elusive curve of “Liu Meimei’s” lips and was overjoyed.

The goddess had smiled at him!

His chance had come! If only he could protect her, she would surely look at him differently.

His gaze toward Liu Qiang turned instantly hostile and provocative.

“Meng, you dwarf! Are you insane?” Liu Qiang struggled to his feet, trembling with rage, jabbing a finger at Meng Chang. “Just to curry favor with that vixen, you’d dare raise a hand against me?”

“Nonsense!” Meng Chang roared back, spittle flying. “You’re the vixen! Your whole family’s full of vixens! Trying to harm my Fifth Sister? We’re not finished here!”

He brandished his hammer, ready to strike again.

Su Wan’er screamed, “Fourth Brother! Save me!”

Liu Qiang, furious and alarmed, had not anticipated Meng Chang’s madness for Liu Meimei would go this far.

He knew he was no match for Meng Chang, especially in his current rage.

Swallowing his anger, he tried to placate him. “Third Brother, calm down! It’s a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! My horse was startled, that’s all!”

“A misunderstanding, my foot!” Meng Chang would have none of it, pointing his hammer at Su Wan’er. “And you, you little troublemaker! Always sowing discord! Today, I’ll drive you out of Blackwind Stronghold for good!”

He advanced on her.

Su Wan’er, white as a sheet, clung desperately to Liu Qiang’s arm. “Fourth Brother! Save me! Please!”

Liu Qiang’s face was ashen. He dared not completely tear off the mask in front of everyone, especially not with Meng Chang in a murderous mood.

He gritted his teeth and looked toward the carriage, speaking with forced restraint. “Fifth Sister, please… talk to Third Brother! We’re all family, there’s no need…”

Wen Changning lounged by the window, propping her chin on one hand, watching the spectacle unfold with great interest, as if it were a particularly entertaining monkey show.

Her scarlet lips parted in a lazy, careless drawl. “Talk? Third Brother is standing up for me. Why would I stop him?”

Her gaze fell dismissively on Su Wan’er. “As for little sister Su… Third Brother is right. Stirring up trouble all day long is not very appropriate for someone living in the stronghold.”

Her words were nothing less than oil on the fire.

Meng Chang was even more energized. “Hear that? Fifth Sister has spoken! Su Wan’er! Get out of Blackwind Stronghold! And you, Liu the Fourth, if you try to shield her, I’ll beat you too!”

Liu Qiang trembled from head to toe, pointing at Wen Changning. “You… you…”

But with one glance at Meng Chang’s lethal hammers, he swallowed his threats.

He dared not. Meng Chang was a madman—he would truly risk his life for Liu Meimei.

Su Wan’er was utterly desperate. She looked at Liu Qiang’s shrinking gaze, then at Meng Chang’s ferocious expression.

Finally, her resentful eyes were fixed on Wen Changning’s smiling, radiant face.

With a harsh bite to her lip, she dropped to her knees with a thud, facing Wen Changning, her voice breaking with both tears and venomous hatred. “Fifth Chief, I was wrong! Wan’er knows her mistake! Please, be merciful—spare me just this once!”

Her pleas were hollow; inwardly, she cursed wildly: Liu Meimei, just you wait! I’ll see you torn to pieces!

Wen Changning’s smile deepened, cold and sardonic, as she watched Su Wan’er kneel.

Already begging?

Not enough yet.

Meng Chang was not satisfied either. He strode over, hammer in hand, towering over Su Wan’er. “What’s with all the dawdling? Kneel properly! Kowtow and apologize! I want to hear it, or I’ll smash your head right here and now!”

Su Wan’er shuddered, humiliation brimming in her eyes. She looked to Liu Qiang for help, but he turned away, avoiding her gaze.

Her heart turned to ice, anger gnawing at her like a snake.

Trembling, she prepared to kowtow heavily…

“What are you all doing?!”

A thunderous, authoritative shout exploded in their ears.

The chief, Lei Zhentian, approached with several personal guards, striding like a tiger, his imposing presence undeniable. His expression was dark and his eyes swept the chaotic scene.

Su Wan’er clung to him as if to a lifeline, weeping more pitifully than ever. “Chief! Save me! The Third Chief… he wants to kill me! And the Fifth Chief…”

Her sobs were nearly incoherent, as if she’d suffered some immense wrong.

Lei Zhentian frowned deeply, glancing at the tear-stained Su Wan’er, then at Meng Chang, hammer dripping blood, and finally at Liu Qiang’s ashen face.

At last, his gaze settled on the languid, detached figure of “Liu Meimei” within the carriage.

He felt a surge of displeasure, but also some misgiving.

Su Wan’er belonged to Liu Qiang, a trusted lieutenant—he could not offend him too much.

But Liu Meimei…

She was riding a wave of momentum lately, her strength had soared, and she had always been the most obedient to him.

Clearing his throat, he tried to smooth things over. “Enough! All of you, stop! We’re brothers here—what kind of spectacle are you making?”

He looked at Meng Chang with a placating tone. “Third Brother, put the hammer down first. Let’s talk this out.”

Then he turned to Wen Changning, his voice carrying the authority of an elder. “Fifth Sister, say a word to Third Brother as well. Su Wan’er was wrong, but a small punishment is enough—there’s no need to go so far as to drive her out.”

Meng Chang couldn’t wait for Wen Changning to reply and jumped in, “Big Brother, don’t listen to that little wretch’s nonsense!”

He rattled off the entire incident, his voice loud enough for all the onlookers to hear.

Lei Zhentian’s expression turned even grimmer as he glared at Liu Qiang. “Fourth Brother, is this true?”

Under his chief’s piercing gaze, Liu Qiang’s courage melted away. He tried to protest, but wilted under the scrutiny and finally bowed his head in silent admission.

Lei Zhentian’s anger surged.

The fool! For a woman, he would turn against his sworn sister!

Taking a deep breath, he reined in his temper and looked back to the carriage.

“Fifth Sister, your fourth brother was momentarily foolish. As for Su Wan’er—”

He was interrupted.

The ever-silent Wen Changning suddenly moved!

Her lips curled into a devilish, icy smile. Without sparing Lei Zhentian a glance, she fixed her gaze on the kneeling, faintly hopeful Su Wan’er.

Her slender finger rose, flicking lightly at a low shrub by the roadside.

A green leaf, drawn by unseen force, shot forth like a streak of jade, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle and striking Su Wan’er behind the knees!

“Ah!”

A searing pain stabbed through the tendons at the back of Su Wan’er’s knees, as if stabbed by steel.

She screamed, lurching forward uncontrollably.

Her forehead thudded against the hard, stony ground—the sound was deep and dull.

Blood instantly welled from both her brow and knees.

A stunned silence fell.

Everyone was dumbstruck.

Even Lei Zhentian, Liu Qiang, Meng Chang, and all the gathered bandits stared wide-eyed at the languid, seemingly indifferent “Liu Meimei” in the carriage.

To pluck a leaf and hurl it with such force?

To wield inner strength so deftly?

This was the mark of a first-class master of the martial world!

When had the Fifth Chief become so formidable?

Wasn’t she only skilled in the art of Yin Harvesting?

A tidal wave of shock washed over the crowd.

Meng Chang’s mouth hung agape; moments later, worship blazed in his eyes.

Fifth Sister, my goddess! Incredible!

Liu Qiang turned pale as death, cold sweat soaking his back.

He had actually tried to ram her carriage moments ago?

He swallowed in fear, now looking at Wen Changning with awe and terror.

Lei Zhentian’s pupils contracted, his heart in turmoil.

He stared at Wen Changning’s familiar yet unfamiliar, bewitching face, and for the first time, felt a powerful apprehension.

Qian Tong had been right…

Fifth Sister had absorbed a demon’s power and grown immensely stronger.

Such strength… perhaps even he…

Wen Changning acted as if she’d done something trivial, lazily withdrawing her hand, not even glancing at the writhing, hate-filled Su Wan’er.

Her eyes drifted to Lei Zhentian, her tone careless. “Brother, it’s getting late. The contest is more important.”

She paused, lips curling. “As for her, since Third Brother says she should be driven out, then so be it. Less of an eyesore.”

Her words were calm but carried the weight of finality.

Lei Zhentian looked at the wailing Su Wan’er, then at the cold, commanding Fifth Sister in the carriage, and weighed his options.

At last, he took a deep breath and said gravely, “Very well, as Fifth Sister wishes.”

He waved his hand at his guards. “Take Su Wan’er away. Escort her out of the stronghold!”

“Chief! No! Fourth Brother, save me!” Su Wan’er cried in despair.

Liu Qiang’s lips moved, but under Lei Zhentian’s warning glare and Wen Changning’s icy gaze, he hung his head in defeat, silent.

Satisfied, Wen Changning let the curtain fall. “Let’s go.”

The carriage started anew, bells jingling.

Meng Chang strutted alongside, the perfect loyal guardian.

Liu Qiang followed, face ashen.

Lei Zhentian gave a complicated look at the gaudy carriage, then strode after them.

Dust rose on the mountain road.

An outrageously flamboyant red-and-gold carriage led the way, followed by Blackwind Stronghold’s chief Lei Zhentian, Third Chief Meng Chang, and Fourth Chief Liu Qiang.

Three infamous bandit chiefs, trailing behind as if mere attendants.

All the lesser bandits looked on, dumbstruck, their hearts in tumult.

When had Fifth Chief Liu Meimei become so exalted?

Even the chief followed her carriage?

It seemed the sky over Blackwind Stronghold was about to change.