It seemed the enemy had either realized they had alerted their targets, or felt they had gathered enough intelligence. They came earlier than the previous night and made more commotion.
"Being brazenly surrounded and attacked like insignificant insects - Aunt Feng, I'm not pleased," said Zhu Changle as she stood up. She dared not imagine what might have happened to her family if she hadn't returned in time.
Aunt Feng walked to the door, opened it, and presented the long sword with both hands.
The clashing of weapons could be heard outside from time to time. Black-clad figures leapt down from the rooftops, their arrogant intrusion as if entering unoccupied territory made Zhu Changle smile. She drew her sword, and her figure vanished from the room.
Aunt Feng walked out of the room holding the scabbard. Layers upon layers of sword shadows filled the entire courtyard. The black-clad intruders who had just landed in the yard found themselves back on the rooftops in various postures. The sword shadows converged, and Zhu Changle stood with her sword behind her back after a flourish.
Aunt Feng nodded with satisfaction. The characteristic of the Tidal Sword Technique was like the tides, with waves following waves. The more waves produced, the deeper the skill. The young miss's swordsmanship was only half a step away from mastery.
Clearly, Zhu Changle was not one to passively defend. She pursued the attackers onto the rooftops, taking the initiative.
Doors opened one after another. Aunt Feng turned back, intending to remind them not to come out, only to see them standing inside their doors with no intention of coming out. That's right, during dinner, the young miss had instructed them not to leave their rooms. They had complied, but they hadn't closed their doors to protect themselves, unwilling to abandon the young miss.
"Aunt Feng, aren't you going to help Changle?" asked Lady Zhang.
Aunt Feng looked at Lady Zhang, who was tightly gripping her husband's arm. Though frightened, she was still concerned about the young miss. Aunt Feng suddenly remembered what her master had said years ago - that the young miss was fortunate to have such responsible parents. Over the years, this had proven true. If not for their disregard of others' opinions, the young miss wouldn't have been able to grow up so freely.
"The young miss can handle it," Aunt Feng replied.
Lady Zhang was still worried, craning her neck trying to see where her daughter was, how she was faring, and if she was injured.
Zhu Maonian patted her hand, covering it firmly to reassure her, even though he too was tense with worry.
It seemed like they hadn't waited long, yet it also felt like an eternity. Zhu Changle gracefully landed in the courtyard, tossed her sword to Aunt Feng, and rushed to hug her father. "I've driven them all away, Father. Aren't I amazing?"
The smell of blood was overwhelming, but Zhu Maonian pretended not to notice. He embraced his daughter fully, quietly letting out a sigh of relief as he patted her back. "All those years of training weren't wasted."
"Of course not," Zhu Changle raised her head proudly, then rushed to hug her mother. "Mother, don't be afraid. Changle will protect you."
Lady Zhang hugged her, not knowing how to express her love. She felt that her precious daughter was perfect in every way, the best in the world, incomparable to anyone else.
Zhu Changwang, hearing his little sister's coquettish behavior next door, lowered his head and smiled. Despite fighting on the rooftops of the post station against so many opponents, not a single one had managed to enter the courtyard. Even this had been calculated. He could see that his little sister had everything well under control, and Aunt Feng hadn't even joined the fight yet, nor had the helpers Changle had requested arrived.
It was only now that Zhu Changwang truly felt some relief.
The pursuit suddenly ceased. For three consecutive days, all was calm. The Zhu family naturally didn't believe that their pursuers had given up. It felt more like the calm before a storm. Throughout the journey, even Madam Xu gritted her teeth and endured, not uttering a single unnecessary word.
As always, only Zhu Changle remained mischievous and unrestrained. Lady Zhang tried to endure, managing to treat her as her precious darling for only one day before finding her unbearable. Her lioness roar made a comeback.
"Finally, they're here," Zhu Changle stretched lazily. "If they had waited any longer, my mother's lioness roar would have reached a breakthrough prematurely."
"Young miss, I'll take the lead tonight," said Aunt Feng.
"They've been preparing for days. I want to test their abilities," Zhu Changle walked out the door. "Guard well."
"Yes," Aunt Feng replied.
This time, Zhu Changle didn't give them a chance to show themselves. She intercepted them outside first.
The Tidal Sword Technique consisted of nine forms, each with nine moves. Zhu Changle had mastered all but the final move, 'Tides Create Myriad Phenomena'. Usually, she only used the first six forms in daily practice. The last three forms required too much inner energy, and she had only reached the sixth level of the Tidal Inner Cultivation Method. There were no shortcuts in cultivation; it could only be achieved step by step.
Her sword was named the Tidal Sword. Its blade was thinner and longer than ordinary swords, with a groove in the middle perfect for bloodletting.
When she was six years old, her master gave her the Tidal Sword along with these words: "Only the strong have the privilege of being merciful and showing leniency."
Zhu Changle had never forgotten this, nor had she forgotten the rules she should follow.
After pinning the last opponent under her foot, Zhu Changle flicked the blood off her blade and sheathed it. "The martial world does not interfere in court disputes. This is the rule."
The person under her foot stiffened, then suddenly arched his body before going still.
Zhu Changle didn't stop him from taking his own life. She didn't even try to remove his face covering. She turned and returned to the post station, comforted her parents, and then went back to her room.
"Young miss, you were gone for quite some time," said Aunt Feng.
"They were from the martial world," Zhu Changle replied.
Aunt Feng frowned. "Someone broke the oath?"
Seventy years ago, martial artists had become involved in political factions, violating the law with their martial arts. Many officials died at the hands of these martial artists. Afterward, they were no longer tolerated by the court and were subjected to a bloody purge, severely weakening the martial world. For self-preservation, led by the Zhong Family, various factions swore a blood oath not to associate with the court again, strictly prohibiting involvement in court disputes. They were especially forbidden from becoming swords in the hands of court officials to commit murders. For a time, the capital even became a forbidden zone for martial artists.
"Relations between the two sides have eased quite a bit in recent years. It's not surprising. Seventy years have passed, people have changed twice over - enough time for them to forget everything," Zhu Changle played with her sword tassel. "Aren't I a beneficiary too?"
"You're different," Aunt Feng said matter-of-factly. "Should we send a message back?"
"Master wouldn't care about this mess. If there were to be another bloody purge, she'd just prepare some wine and watch the show," Zhu Changle snorted. "Later, we'll buy information from the Exquisite Pavilion. Not a single one of them will escape."
Aunt Feng nodded. "It won't be peaceful ahead either."
"Starting tomorrow, you scout ahead to guard against daytime attacks."
"Understood."
Zhu Changle didn't mention these matters to her family, but seeing her and Aunt Feng guarding Zhu Changwang one in front and one behind, they knew the situation wasn't good. After pondering over a newly drawn map for a long time, Zhu Changwang called Changle over.
"Today we'll travel further, pushing on to stay at this post station," he said.
Zhu Changle calculated that the distance was about two hundred li. Although it would be more tiring, it was not impossible. Last night, she hadn't left a single survivor, so their pursuers might not take action today. The closer they got to their destination, the more intense the interceptions would become. Only by eliminating all witnesses could they cover up their violation of the rules.
Zhu Changwang was extremely perceptive. Noticing his little sister's prolonged contemplation, he became alert. "Is there another problem?"
"It's nothing. I'll follow big brother's plan," Changle replied.
As Changle was about to ride off, Zhu Changwang called her back. "Be flexible in your actions. As long as you can keep the family safe, nothing else matters."
Zhu Changle grinned and leaned in to whisper to her brother, "Big brother, how did you know that's exactly what I was planning?"
Zhu Changwang patted her head. He had realized last night that their little Changle might not be so easy to deal with outside the family.
