Chapter Thirty-One: The Warrior Who Felled a Thousand

The location that Xiao Bi mentioned for their transaction turned out to be a picturesque mountaintop park. It was merely a small hill built at the heart of the city, and a fit person could reach its summit in twenty minutes.

For Xiao Bi, the climb was a breeze—he ascended in a flash.

Leaning against the stone railing, Kai Ming was reminded of her hometown, surrounded by mountains and rivers. She recalled countless times climbing halfway up the hills with friends, shouting into the wind atop bridges spanning rocky cliffs. The memories remained vivid.

“Have you decided what you want yet?” Xiao Bi asked impatiently beside her.

Kai Ming glanced at him, admiring the token in her hand. It was flat, cold to the touch, and shone with dazzling gold under the sun. On one side, a fierce dragon was depicted, and on the other, a single large character was engraved.

She tossed the gold token to him. “Here.”

Xiao Bi quickly caught it, surprised. “What’s this for?”

“I’m giving it back to you.”

“You’re not asking for money?” Xiao Bi stammered, flustered.

“I was going to extort you a bit, but being here changed my mind.” She smiled at him. “I was just teasing you earlier. Who told you to eavesdrop and act so arrogant?”

Xiao Bi’s mouth hung open for a while. Kai Ming eyed him and said, “But, if you want to give me that token, I wouldn’t mind.”

He hurriedly tucked the gold token away. Kai Ming mocked him, “Stingy.”

“Anything else, sure. But not this. It’s an identity token. You can’t use it, and it would only bring trouble.” He blushed slightly as he spoke, embarrassed.

She turned her gaze back to the mountain scenery. He asked tentatively, “You really don’t want anything?”

She laughed, “What did you want to give me?”

“It’s a bit embarrassing to have it returned like this.” Xiao Bi scratched his head. “How about this: if we meet again, I promise you one request. Any request.”

“Any request?” She smiled, wondering why the one making promises should be her, not Xiao Bi. “Are you so capable that you can grant any wish?”

“Of course, except anything excessive—like asking for someone’s life.” Xiao Bi grinned, mimicking her pose as he leaned on the stone railing. “What’s your name?”

“Kai Ming.”

“Kai Ming?” Xiao Bi tilted his head and thought for a moment before blurting, “Kai Ming, as in the one born with the morning star?”

She asked curiously, “Why does everyone here recite that line when they hear my name? Is it some kind of prophecy?”

“Not a prophecy, just a constellation name.” Xiao Bi propped himself on the stone railing and jumped onto it, squatting. “The General Da Yin from the Central Palace and the Jade Heng Lord from the Purple Palace both have constellation names too.”

“Tell me more,” Kai Ming said, her interest piqued.

“There’s no special meaning, except Jade Heng is interesting—it comes from the Big Dipper. The three Jade Heng stars are all main stars of the Dipper, with none more important than the others.”

“Jade Heng?” Hearing these names, Kai Ming felt something was different. Lord Xuan, Commander Ji, and Jade Heng of the Dai family—all people she had encountered. If the three stars aren’t ranked, did this hint at something deeper?

“The Five Palaces pick names with meaning—like Si Kong and Qing Yun in the Southern Palace, Zhao Ming in the Western Palace, Ying Huo in the Northern Palace. Every name has a story.”

“What about the Eastern Palace?” she asked.

“The Eastern Palace?” Xiao Bi looked slightly uneasy. “That counts, I suppose.”

“What’s your name?”

“Xin Bi.” He blurted it out before quickly covering his mouth, muttering, “Just call me Xiao Bi.”

Kai Ming laughed, “Xiao Bi, you really don’t hide things well.”

“Me? I usually hide things just fine, but I’ve spent years away from home and rarely talk to women.” Xiao Bi smiled awkwardly.

“Years away? What do you do?” Kai Ming grew more curious—this Xiao Bi seemed to have secrets of his own.

“That’s not something you ladies need to know!” Xiao Bi shook his head, suddenly remembering something, and smiled at her, “Sister, weren’t you worried at all about coming here with me?”

“What?”

“If I wanted to harm you, stab you, or push you off the mountain while you weren’t looking, wouldn’t you be doomed?” Xiao Bi chuckled, “You’re really that careless with men?”

“Are you a man?” Kai Ming raised her eyebrow at him. “Besides, you’re Xiao Bi.”

“That’s true.” Xiao Bi agreed absentmindedly, suddenly realizing she was teasing him for not being a man. He jumped up, face red with embarrassment. “Sister, you’re messing with me again!”

“How would I dare?” Kai Ming laughed. “Xiao Bi is genuine—his emotions are real, unlike those adults who always put on airs.”

“Well said—hahaha!” Xiao Bi joined in her laughter.

“Who are these pretentious adults?” A cold voice echoed from behind, startling them both. Without noticing, Commander Ji—who had been tangled with the white-robed lord—had silently followed them up the mountain and now stood just a few yards away, his face dark.

Kai Ming was terrified. Speaking ill of others behind their backs was always risky, and to have him overhear it—she feared what punishment awaited her.

Xiao Bi jumped off the stone railing, standing protectively in front of Kai Ming, chin raised. “A dignified commander from the Central Palace, stooping to eavesdrop?”

Ji remained impassive. “Which hero was squatting in the alley earlier, eavesdropping and peeking?”

“That was because…” Xiao Bi blushed but stubbornly retorted, “I saw you bullying Sister Kai Ming!”

Ji’s lips twitched, eyes narrowing. “My soldiers are mine to discipline, Lord Xin Bi.” He met Xiao Bi’s astonished gaze with a smile. “I trust I’m correct in addressing you this way—Lord Xin Bi of the Eastern Palace.”

“Xiao Bi!” Another figure leapt onto the summit, robes fluttering beautifully. The white-clad lord arrived in an elegant rush.

Xiao Bi greeted him, dropping his guard. “Didn’t you stop him?”

“My subordinate…”

Xiao Bi raised a hand to cut him off, then turned to Ji, raising his voice, “Since you know my identity, what do you plan to do with me?”

“I’ve long heard of Lord Xin Bi’s reputation, but to find you are just a child is rather surprising.” Ji’s sharp gaze swept over the lurking shadows nearby. “I’m simply out for a stroll today. Meeting you here is pure coincidence. Your infiltration of the Central Palace—I’ll pretend I didn’t see it. Please leave, Lord Xin Bi.”

He beckoned to Kai Ming. “Come, we must return to camp.”

Kai Ming responded, starting to walk. Xin Bi suddenly grabbed her hand, shielding her behind him, his eyes shining as he smiled at Ji, “Commander Ji, you’re indeed clever. I’m sure you noticed all these hidden guards around me!”

Ji thought to himself, this child seemed so guileless, yet his words struck right to the heart. Had he been fooled by appearances, thinking the other was just an innocent youth?

Ji watched him calmly. “Lord Xin Bi, we really must be going.”

“I never said you couldn’t leave!” Xin Bi grinned slyly, stepping closer and whispering in Ji’s ear, “Don’t bully Kai Ming anymore, and don’t kiss her either.”

Ji’s eyes narrowed coldly. “On what grounds, Lord Xin Bi?”

Xin Bi retreated, laughing, “On what grounds? I’ve just made her my sister!”

Kai Ming was startled. “Xiao Bi, when did I—”

“Enough, let’s go!” Xin Bi waved to the white-robed lord and to the hidden guards, his eyes still on Ji. “Commander Ji, I suppose we’ll meet again?”

“We will.” Ji’s gaze followed him, a faint mocking smile on his lips.

“Sister, until fate brings us together again!” Xin Bi laughed, bounding down the mountain. The shadows behind rocks and in grass vanished like the wind.

Kai Ming watched Xin Bi depart with a chuckle, then turned to meet Ji’s stormy gaze—like the sky before thunder.

She quickly stood upright, awaiting his scolding.

“Do you know who he is?” Ji said coldly. “Have you thought about the consequences of being so close to a strange man?”

“He’s just a child…” she muttered under her breath.

Ji heard her and snapped, “What child! Xin Bi of the Eastern Palace, a warlord who’s slain a thousand. And with the most distinguished identity…” He stopped abruptly, sighing, “Forget it. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”

A warlord? She mulled over the weight of that title. It sounded impressive, though she never would have guessed the child had such a background.

“Come here!”

“Huh?”

“Hurry up! Down the mountain!” Ji impatiently grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the stone steps.

She whispered in distress, tears nearly spilling. Why did he use such force? Didn’t he know his grip could kill a buffalo?

Just as they stepped down two stairs, the nearby bushes rustled. Slowly, a person emerged, smiling at them. “You two seem to be enjoying yourselves.”

Ji suddenly froze, staring at the newcomer, his face paling. “Zi…”

The youth with a folding fan and a smile bright as spring was none other than Dai Yu Heng of the Dai family. More astonishing, a second figure stepped out behind him—smooth skin, beautiful eyes and lips, dressed in a pink gown that trailed the ground—it was Xiao Qiao.

Kai Ming was stunned by Xiao Qiao’s restored feminine beauty, left gaping.

Yu Heng’s gaze lingered on their interlaced fingers. Ji trembled, quickly released her hand, and moved to Yu Heng’s side, speaking softly, “Why are you here, sir?”

“Why shouldn’t I be?” Yu Heng gave Kai Ming a sly glance, then looked at Ji. “Commander Ji, you caused such a stir in the capital—how could you not be noticed?”

Ji lowered his head further. “I know my mistake.”

“Come with me, we need to talk.” Yu Heng smiled at Xiao Qiao. “Cousin, stay here and catch up with your old roommate. I have some matters to attend to.”

Xiao Qiao smiled, “Go ahead, cousin, I haven’t seen Kai Ming in ages and we have much to talk about.”

Yu Heng nodded, stepping away.