Double-dealing

Xie Wuji saw that there were more than ten people ahead. He knew that charging forward recklessly would only lead to certain death. Though he could use the ancient mirror’s power to escape on his own, if he did so, what would become of Song Xiaoyu?

Yet Song Xiaoyu remained unexpectedly calm. She said, “Brother Wuji, we can’t keep moving forward now.”

“What do you propose?” Xie Wuji asked, for Song Xiaoyu was far more experienced in the ways of the martial world than he was. For example, on the narrow bridge before, she had not hesitated to kill the young sect master. Clearly, Song Xiao had trained his daughter well from an early age.

Song Xiaoyu bit her lip, then immediately took Xie Wuji’s hand and led him into another small alley. Since the main road was now impassable, she intended to take the back alleys and move away from the city gate.

The gates were likely sealed by now. Their only chance to leave would be at dawn, and tonight, without doubt, the Bluecloud Sect would be searching everywhere without respite.

Yet they had not walked far back before Qian Duoduo suddenly appeared, stroking his thin mustache as he said, “It seems you two are in some trouble?”

“Shopkeeper Qian, you’ve come at just the right time. You’re a man who seeks profit, aren’t you? Why not help me out, and I’ll pay you again?” Xie Wuji offered.

Song Xiaoyu nodded in agreement, thinking it a sound idea.

But Qian Duoduo narrowed his eyes, glancing at Song Xiaoyu. “I’m not after money this time. Compared to silver, I’m far more interested in that gold-inlaid jade dagger you carry…”

He looked shifty and sly, his scheme already well-formed in his mind.

Song Xiaoyu quickly hugged the dagger to her chest. “That’s impossible. It’s the only memento my mother left me. How could I give it to you? Even if I were starving, I’d never sell it.”

Qian Duoduo shook his head with exaggerated regret. “So, in your eyes, this young man’s life is worth less than your precious dagger… How unfortunate! The Bluecloud Sect has already posted wanted notices for you both. The moment you left, their men arrived, and I recognized you at once. I was willing to help, but since you won’t accept, there’s nothing I can do.”

With that, he turned as if to leave.

Song Xiaoyu bit her lip, turmoil in her heart. She was a clever girl, and in that instant, a thought flashed through her mind. If her hesitation now led to Xie Wuji being harmed, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

She looked at Xie Wuji. He seemed puzzled and asked, “Is it the poison acting up again? Are you feeling unwell?”

Even at such a moment, Brother Wuji was worried for her.

Bittersweet emotions rose within her—pain mixed with an unfamiliar, gentle warmth. She gazed at the dagger in her hands. Though it was her mother’s keepsake, it could not compare to Xie Wuji’s life.

“All right, I agree,” Song Xiaoyu said to Qian Duoduo. Her hand trembled as she handed over the gold-inlaid jade dagger.

Qian Duoduo had long recognized the dagger’s value. Opening it, he saw two characters inscribed within.

“Chuyun!”

These two words were written in an ancient script, illegible to most, but Qian Duoduo was an expert in such matters. He knew it was not a magical weapon, but a symbol of status.

This dagger was most likely connected to the royal family of Chuyun.

Though the realm was filled with many sects, none would be foolish enough to challenge a nation. Among the seven great kingdoms, the state itself was the greatest sect of all, hiding many mysterious masters and commanding vast armies.

A sect might number a few hundred or thousand; the larger ones perhaps ten thousand. But what were ten thousand before an army of hundreds of thousands?

Thus, while the dagger was not a magical artifact, its connection to royalty made its origin extraordinary.

Qian Duoduo’s thoughts were hidden from Song Xiaoyu, who could only see the dagger as her mother’s keepsake. Her father, Song Xiao, rarely spoke of her mother, only ever saying she had been a good woman, and nothing more.

“Come, follow me.” Qian Duoduo tucked the dagger away, patting it fondly. “I know a way out of the city—a secret tunnel. But you must keep this to yourselves.”

“Thank you, Shopkeeper Qian.” Xie Wuji saluted with cupped fists. To leave safely with Song Xiaoyu was the best outcome he could hope for. He had originally planned to purchase a plot of land near the county seat, but that seemed impossible now.

If not Qingpi County, there were plenty of others. It would only take more time, nothing more. Though frustrated, Xie Wuji accepted it as necessary.

Qian Duoduo was clearly pleased, squinting as he led them to the city wall. With no one around and the night deepening, he quickly removed a bundle of dry straw leaning against the wall.

“Where’s the exit?” Xie Wuji asked.

The wall behind the straw looked solid—there was no sign of any exit.

“No need to rush,” Qian Duoduo replied, taking a small iron rod from his sleeve and working it into a gap in the wall. He pried loose a brick.

Xie Wuji was amazed.

Qian Duoduo removed ten or so bricks, then explained, “My father built this wall. It’s mostly rammed earth inside, not all blue bricks, so we dug a tunnel. Whenever we needed to bring goods into the city, we used the tunnel to avoid the Bluecloud Sect’s tariffs.”

He stepped aside. “Hurry, before anyone sees you. If you’re caught, I can’t help. From now on, you don’t know me, and I don’t know you. Go!”

“Understood.” Xie Wuji didn’t hesitate. He and Song Xiaoyu slipped inside.

No sooner had they gone than Qian Duoduo’s sly eyes narrowed further. They were small to begin with, now almost slits. He weighed the dagger in one hand and a blue cloth bag of silver in the other, shaking his head. “What a pair of star-crossed lovers… But you’re monsters, and it’s the fault of Master Huang—the reward for your heads is five hundred taels each. You’re too valuable; I can’t help but send you here…”

Chuckling to himself, he packed up his spoils and left at a leisurely pace.

Within the tunnel, Xie Wuji moved with great care. Song Xiaoyu felt even more miserable. Though she did not regret trading the dagger for their lives, the loss of her mother’s keepsake left an aching void in her heart. She clutched her chest, unable to suppress the pain.

“I’ll get that dagger back for you,” Xie Wuji promised.

“It’s all right. Even if my mother were alive, she’d agree that saving a life matters more. Besides, I’m the one who killed the man and caused all this trouble. I thought that with Huang Tianci dead, it would all be over, but one of those men pressed beneath the scorpion-tailed tiger survived. If only I’d thought to finish him, we wouldn’t be here now. We haven’t even bought the deed yet. Our plan to build the sect is ruined—all my fault,” she choked, on the verge of tears.

Xie Wuji smiled. “Sister, let me be honest. Even if we used all three thousand taels, how much land could we buy? At most, an acre and a half. The land here is expensive anyway. Buying at the outskirts or in the wilds makes no difference. If we don’t buy, we can use the silver to do business, make money work for us, and enjoy ourselves.”

Consoled by his words, Song Xiaoyu felt better.

They emerged safely outside the city. Nearby stood a stack of firewood, likely left by villagers to be collected in the morning.

“It seems Qian Duoduo didn’t deceive us,” Song Xiaoyu said, relieved to be free.

But Xie Wuji could not relax. He saw in the distance a large group of people approaching—perhaps over a hundred—all dressed in Bluecloud Sect attire.