Chapter 5: The Strong

Above the viewing platform, there was only a single grand master's chair, upon which Murong Yan sat. More than ten guards, dressed in black, stood in formation on either side, brandishing knives and swords, their expressions fierce. The young men did not dare to breathe loudly. Murong Yan scanned the surroundings and slowly spoke: "When I first brought you here, I mentioned that I could not save anyone's life. I can only give you time, allowing you the ability to choose your fate anew. Now, it is time for you to make your own choices. Pick up your weapons and fight for yourselves. I can only give you time, allowing you the ability to choose your fate anew. Now, it is time for you to make your own choices. Pick up your weapons and fight for yourselves. I will take away the last person who survives."

Leng Feiyan leaned against the headboard, unsure why she felt no trace of sleep. Her thoughts drifted back to that year on Nanshan, to the moment she first laid eyes on him, each fragment floating away. Every piece that included him was a seed of memory. His expression, his voice, the winding pattern on the hem of his clothing, everything about him was enough to be savored a thousand times, entwined in the rivers of darkness or light, growing flowers and leaves that reached the sky.

She turned her head to look at Zuo Canglang. Zuo Canglang's opponent was not particularly strong, but she did not have a suitable weapon, making the fight somewhat difficult. In the cage, the bow and arrow could indeed not be utilized. Fortunately, the opponent was not formidable; although it was challenging, she still managed to win.

When night fell, Wang Yunzhao, the steward of Murong Yan's residence, personally came to invite them. Leng Feiyan and the other two had already awakened. He often accompanied Murong Yan, and the three of them knew his status was not low, so they all bowed in respect. Wang Yunzhao said, "No, no, this time the Second Prince is hosting a banquet for the three young lords in Qianbi Forest, and he will surely entrust important responsibilities to you. I am merely a steward in the residence; how can I bear such a great honor?"

Wang Yunzhao poured tea for the three individuals and said, "Not yet, but His Highness has already arranged a marriage engagement, so it seems that a joyful event is approaching." Leng Feiyan glanced at Zuo Canglang and asked, "Has His Highness already been betrothed? Which family's daughter is it? Is she beautiful?"

The white robe is soft and flowing, and when worn by the young man, it resembles winter snow reflecting plum blossoms. A maid entered from outside and respectfully said: "Your Highness, please allow the three young masters to rest for a while; someone will come to invite you later in the evening"

The scenery of Qianbilin is just perfect, with cherry blossoms falling like a woven tapestry on the ground. Three people pass through the flower forest, and a crescent moon peeks out vaguely from the sky, leaving only a deep black shadow on the earth. The sound of the guqin drifts softly, and Leng Feiyan says: "I really wish to embrace a tree and shake down a rain of petals."

Yang Lianting tightly grasped the cup, yet still nodded his head

Among all the individuals here and the owners of the books, if one must be chosen as the strongest by force, it would undoubtedly be her. Time is running out, and Leng Feiyan is pushed into the iron cage. Her opponent holds a short knife, gripping the handle tightly with a look of great tension.

Yang Lianting was taken aback and turned to look at Zuo Canglang. Zuo Canglang's forehead was covered in sweat, her clothes damp and then dried, forming a white crust of salt. Her final arrow ultimately did not get released. She lowered her bow and knelt on the ground: "My lord commands us to turn against each other, undoubtedly seeking to determine the ultimate victor. However... however, I believe that each person has their own strengths. Now, the one with the highest martial skills has already sustained serious injuries and is not fit to continue fighting. I dare to request, please allow us to remain and permit us to serve you together."

She raised her sword and thrust it straight forward. Yang Lianting knew he was no match for her and did not counterattack, focusing solely on defense. Zuo Canglang quickly dealt with the opponent beside him and suddenly picked up the bow he had brought with him but had never used until now

Left alone by the gray wolf, several individuals were led by the attendants to a separate courtyard, where hot water had already been prepared, along with clean clothing nearby. Before long, a maidservant presented them with medicinal ointment. After Yang Lianting finished bandaging Leng Feiyan's wounds, the three of them each took the time to freshen up. When they emerged again after a short while, they looked at each other and felt as though they had changed their appearances.

Murong Yan said: "You all accompany Yang Lianting to repair the grave and pay respects to the ancestors first. I have other arrangements in a couple of days." Leng Feiyan nodded, and when they had almost finished eating, Murong Yan waved his hand. Wang Yunzhao came over with three attendants, each holding a black tray.

"Young girl?" Yang Lianting glanced at her. Cold Feiyan shrugged and continued walking forward. Yang Lianting approached a cherry blossom tree, intentionally or unintentionally bumped into it, and immediately petals fell like rain. Cold Feiyan caught a handful: "Yang Lianting, keep going!"

Murong Yan interrupted him and asked, "Do you have any evidence?" Yang Lianting was taken aback, then despondently replied, "After my father passed away, that memorial was lost without a trace, and all the letters he exchanged with Tu He have also disappeared."

The left gray wolf locked eyes with her in the cage, as Leng Feiyan raised the weapon in her hand, lightly licking the tip of her tongue to wipe away the blood from the blade.

The space in the cage was cramped, and moreover, she had to be wary of Yang Lianting. In a moment of being unable to dodge, she was struck in the right arm by a shot from Zuo Canglang's arrow

Yang Lianting gritted his teeth, and Zuo Canglang said: "Not Yan!" Leng Feiyan, with a playful smile, poured her another glass of wine and said: "I was just joking, come on, let's go outside for a stroll"

"We respectfully send you off, Your Majesty." The three individuals bowed in unison as Murong Yan rose to leave. Wang Yunzhao followed closely, attending to him, while the surroundings suddenly fell silent. Leng Feiyan caressed the blood-red sleeve sword in her hand; its blade was semi-transparent, glimmering with a cold light, indicating it was no ordinary weapon. She clicked her tongue in admiration: "His Highness the Second Prince truly understands our thoughts."

Wang Yunzhao smiled broadly and said, "It's hard to say; perhaps His Highness has other arrangements." Leng Feiyan nodded and replied, "If I can avoid entering the residence, it would be better not to. I am used to being free-spirited and do not like places with too many rules."

Murong Yan said, "Here is a welcome gift for you." On the tray lay a blood-red hidden weapon, a box of gold needles of various lengths and thicknesses, and a bow and arrow. These were precisely the weapons that the three of them were accustomed to using. For the first time, they possessed their own weapons, and for a moment, they were at a loss for words. Murong Yan continued, "The scenery of Qianbi Forest is different from that of other places. You may stay here and enjoy the night stroll, which has its own charm. If I were present, you might feel constrained, so I shall take my leave now."

Yang Lianting's eyes brimmed with tears: "I thank Your Majesty for your great grace and virtue! However, Your Majesty, my Yang family has been wronged! My father intended to expose Wen Weishu's collusion with Tu He and the matter of secretly selling military horses..."

The left gray wolf's face turned slightly red as he spat at her: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

She is the daughter of the Right Chancellor Jiang Sanyi. Ah, the three young lords have grown up in the orphan camp since childhood, so they may not be very familiar with the affairs of the Great Yan. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will elaborate on it.

Then, drawing the bow and nocking an arrow, the arrow flew like the wind, precisely piercing through the gaps of the iron cage. Leng Feiyan was already facing Zuo Canglang and cursed loudly, swinging his sword to defend. However, Zuo Canglang's second and third arrows quickly followed!

There was no time for rest, and the victor soon faced other winners in the cage. Zuo Canglang picked up the weapon left by the previous opponent, a dagger covered in blood channels. As soon as the second opponent entered the cage, he immediately lunged forward. Zuo Canglang swung his sword to meet him. On this early spring day, the sky was overcast, shrouded in gloom. The wind carried rain, bringing a biting chill of spring, while the boys sweated profusely, their tender eyes stained with blood, as if in a frenzy.

After traveling for a while, the carriage finally stopped at a place filled with blooming flowers and clear springs. The coachman helped Wang Yunzhao down, and the three of them immediately dismounted. Wang Yunzhao said, "Gentlemen, we have arrived at Qianbi Forest. His Highness has been waiting for some time. Please follow me."

While speaking, he led the three individuals outside, where a carriage awaited. The exterior of the carriage was not extravagant, but the interior was spacious and comfortable. Wang Yunzhao shared the carriage with the three, and Leng Feiyan was the first to ask: "Chief Wang, will we be working at the residence of the Second Prince in the future?"

A brief silence fell as everyone turned their gaze towards Murong Yan on the platform. Murong Yan gently twirled the bone flute in his hand and after a moment, spoke softly: "You have all worked very hard today, please go down and freshen up."

Leng Feiyan turned her head and glanced at Zuo Canglang, picking up a short sword. Zuo Canglang raised his head, and on the platform, Murong Yan sat upright, young yet exuding an innate sense of authority. After a moment's hesitation, she chose the bow and arrow

Leng Feiyan chuckled and turned to squeeze over to Yang Lianting's side, saying: "Stop crying, where is that Taipu? Come on, sister will help you dismember him into eight pieces to avenge your family!" Yang Lianting suddenly came to her senses, and there seemed to be a spark of fire in her eyes, quietly burning. Leng Feiyan said: "I am serious, this matter is not difficult to handle."

Leng Feiyan and Zuo Canglang laughed until their stomachs hurt, with not a single one showing any intention to help

Zuo Canglang looked at her, and she leaned closer, suddenly speaking earnestly: "A Zuo, someone like him, just think about it, don't take it too seriously."

Zuo Canglang said: "The master of Qianbilin would not allow it, otherwise I would have done it long ago" Yang Lianting scoffed: "Aren't you all boring!"

Three individuals approached and greeted him. He dipped the cups in boiling water, removed them with wooden tongs, and while pouring the wine, he said, "Sit down." The three gathered around the stove, and Murong Yan smiled as he handed the cups to them one by one. The three were taken aback and stood up to receive them with both hands.

In the face of a life-and-death struggle against formidable opponents, no one has the luxury of mercy. The bodies were quickly dragged away, and among the victors, some expressed joy while others bore a solemn demeanor

Yang Lianting lowered his head, and Murong Yan said: "Endure, wait for the right moment"

In the afternoon, all the inhabitants of the orphan camp were taken to another location. Leng Feiyan looked around; this was an abandoned arena, with cracked rocks and wild grass growing between the crevices. In the sunken center of the arena, there were numerous rusty iron cages. Scattered, mottled bloodstains could be seen around the surroundings.

The maid began to serve the dishes, and Murong Yan picked up a pair of chopsticks, signaling for them to start eating. Only then did the three of them begin to use their chopsticks. The spread was quite lavish, yet Murong Yan only picked up a single piece with his chopsticks and did not make any further moves. Leng Feiyan asked, "My lord, what shall we do next?"

The final confrontation is imminent, and Yang Lianting has been pushed into the cage of Leng Feiyan. Leng Feiyan's hand holding the knife trembles slightly, but she quickly regains her composure. Throughout this journey, how many lives and deaths has she witnessed? She did not wish for companions, nor did she desire friends, precisely because she wanted to avoid this moment. However, when it comes to sacrificing her life for a cause, she finds herself unable to do so, and thus she does not even wish to utter any unnecessary words.

The young men were taken aback, yet there was no time for them to react. The "masters" stepped forward, allowing each of them to choose the weapon that suited them best, and then paired them off into groups of two, pushing them into the iron cage. Leng Feiyan glanced at Zuo Canglang, who was also looking at her.

This choice clearly surprised everyone; how can one wield a bow and arrow in such a confined space as a steel cage

Leng Feiyan pointed at his head and said: "This is called the feelings of a young girl, do you understand?"

Yang Lianting, upon hearing that he was acquainted with his ancestors, immediately inquired about many matters concerning his forebears. The carriage sped through the night, flanked by the nightscape of Jinyang City, the capital of the Great Yan Kingdom. Zuo Canglang lifted the carriage curtain, while Wang Yunzhao occasionally pointed out famous sights outside the window. In this entire world, there was not a single inch of land that she recognized.

A silence enveloped the arena as the instructors secretly observed Murong Yan in the upper seat. A slight smile appeared at the corner of Murong Yan's mouth, and in the blink of an eye, Zuo Canglang shot another arrow that struck Leng Feiyan's thigh. She raised her bow again to aim, but Leng Feiyan cursed, discarded her weapon, and simply gave up the fight

Murong Yan gestured for them not to be overly polite and first addressed Yang Lianting: "After the Yang family was executed, no one collected the bodies. I buried them at the foot of Nanshan Mountain. If you wish, you may go pay your respects and renovate the ancestral tomb. However, since the case remains unclear, it is best not to erect a stele."

Everyone in the arena let out a sigh of relief. Before long, the cage was opened, and someone led them to bathe and groom themselves. As soon as Leng Feiyan stepped out of the cage, she angrily shouted, "Despicable!" Zuo Canglang shot her a sidelong glance, but it was still Yang Lianting who stepped forward, checked her wounds, and said, "Fortunately, it's not serious. Find a place, and I will help you remove the arrow."

She did not know whether she should hope for his defeat or victory. What difference does it make if he wins? It is merely a matter of dying by one's own hand or by another's... But...! ... This is the first time in her life that she regards someone as a friend!

Murong Yan watched the arena with great interest. In the first round of the competition, for the sake of entertainment, the matchups were arranged with the weak facing the strong. Several exceptionally skilled youths did not directly encounter each other. Leng Feiyan quickly dealt with his opponent, and upon looking back, he saw that Yang Lianting had also secured his victory. His skills were not particularly impressive, ranking at most sixth or seventh here, and perhaps he would not even have the chance to face off against him.

Yang Lianting looked around and found no one, so she simply climbed up a tree and shook down a shower of cherry blossoms. Leng Feiyan and Zuo Canglang stood beneath the tree, as petals fell like rain, covering their hair and shoulders. The two girls caught a handful and tossed it at each other; one tree was not enough, so they moved to another. In the end, they played too much and were discovered by the night watchman, prompting a frantic chase with both the girls and the dog, which led Yang Lianting deep into the mountains.

Three people followed him, passing through winding and secluded paths, where cherry blossoms were in bud, on the verge of blooming. There was a subtly sweet fragrance in the air, and in the distance, the mountains appeared dark like indigo. Someone was playing the qin, the sound drifting into the flower grove. At the end of the path, early-blooming cherry blossoms were densely clustered on the branches, and beneath the tree, there was a small red clay stove, warming wine. A mat was spread on the ground with a table set, and Murong Yan sat at the table, with no other guards beside him.

Yang Lianting immediately collapsed onto the snow-white, soft couch, saying: "Just right, I am exhausted, I will take a nap." Leng Feiyan fell beside him and said: "Zuo Canglang, you wait for me, once I recover, I will definitely take you..." The words 'dog life' were left unspoken, and she too fell asleep.

Perhaps there was a passing woodcutter who, having witnessed the cycles of withering and flourishing, then asked: "Why love?"

Leng Feiyan nodded, and Wang Yunzhao inquired about the Yang family from Yang Lianting, saying: "It is likely that in the past, Elder Yang Xuanhe had treated my mother, yet who would have thought that time would change circumstances, leading the Yang family to suffer such great misfortune. Fortunately, a branch of the family still exists, which can be considered a sign of heaven's mercy"

Wang Yunzhao said with a smile, "The Second Prince is not yet married, and the household affairs are simple, so there are not so many rules." Leng Feiyan was somewhat curious, "Does the Prince not have a consort yet?"

But in the distant beginning of humanity, the first accelerated heartbeat, the first feeling of helplessness, the first unreciprocated longing, all seemed like madness. Who can truly explain why we love?

Murong Yan said: "Wen Weishu is the current Grand Master of the Horse, having been in charge of equine affairs for many years. If you say he has illicit dealings with foreign nations, who would believe you?"

The number of people on the field is gradually decreasing, and the blood stains on the newly sprouted spring grass are not vivid. By the last round, Yang Lianting has sustained multiple knife wounds, while Leng Feiyan remains relatively unscathed. Most of the blood on their bodies comes from fallen opponents.

Leng Feiyan gritted his teeth: "Is this what you call winning? No way, no way. Once I recover, we will choose another place and fight again!"