Reign of the Phoenix

Meng Xia hissed in pain and got up. “Peh! I thought you didn’t beat women?”

Chiyun Yuexuan snorted, “I don’t see it. Where do you look like a woman?”

Meng Xia flew into a rage out of embarrassment. “You dare say I’m not?! Then I’ll just make your little lady into my woman.”

Chiyun Yuexuan suddenly remembered that he couldn’t act out of whim just for a moment of satisfaction when Murong Zhining’s life was still in the hands of others’.

Thinking of Murong Zhining, his heart ached with every beat. After his sanity had returned, however, he could understand her fear and the reason why she couldn’t help but run away from him.

“I have been offending. I’m asking you, Miss Meng, please return my wife to me. I’ll be very thankful.”

Meng Xia arrogantly snorted. “If that young miss is your wife, why was she so afraid of you? And even ran away from you?”

Chiyun Yuexuan painfully frowned. “She was fed a poison of Wuli and lost her memory. Please do not make it difficult for me, Miss Meng.”

Meng Xia circled around him and stared intently at his face. “You’re really that legendary Darkface Halberd Fiend. There’s no shortage of rumors about you in jianghu, actually. So, the little lady is the princess of Shangxia, right?”

His brows knitted, Chiyun Yuexuan muttered to himself, “Has this news spread that badly?”

Meng Xia snorted. “They all say General Chiyun of Huayan grew so outraged for the beauty to the point that he opposed the imperial decree and ran to Shangxia to capture Princess Fengyi of his own accord. If you bring her back to Huayan, I’m afraid you’ll be punished by the emperor. Who knows? Maybe the little lady will even become a beloved concubine of the emperor. Why don’t you just stay here in my mountain and live like a happy immortal?”

Chiyun Yuexuan furiously clenched his fists. “In the last guest house, I heard all about your bad deeds. They said you claimed the Immortal Dwelling Ridge to yourself and often rob the villages at the mountain base for wealth and women. As a woman yourself, why would you do such a cruel thing? Be a happy immortal when you’re the terror of the entire region? If it wasn’t to guarantee my wife’s safety, I would have destroyed your lair. Smart enough, you’ll let me go as soon as possible and mend your ways. Otherwise, I will definitely return to flatten your bandit camp sooner or later.”

Meng Xia was a little shy. Chiyun Yuexuan’s righteousness and words of justice had just swept her off her feet. She tried to explain herself, “Haven’t you heard that thieves have their own ideals? I only rob the rich, inhumane local tyrants and evil gentry. And the women I take are those who are either forced to marry or about to be sold to brothels. I only rescue them. Many of those women voluntarily remain in my camp. Those who don’t want to, I would have them sent to their trusted relatives.”

Chiyun Yuexuan sneered contemptuously. “You can really put feathers in your cap. Thieves are thieves. No need to make excuses for your lair of desperadoes and strumpets!”

Meng Xia was furious in her heart but pretended like she didn’t care. “If you insist on leaving, Meng Xia won’t keep you. The mountain isn’t safe in the evening. Rest here for tonight. Tomorrow morning, I’ll personally escort you down the mountain.”

When waking up the next morning, Chiyun Yuexuan found himself tightly bound. Meng Xia had drugged the water he drank last night, and he therefore slept like a log.

Upon seeing him awake, the bandit guarding him reported to Meng Xia, who came and threw him an angry slap in the face. “You shall pay a price for what you said yesterday. Men, take him to the yard.”

In the yard, the bandits threw him on the ground. Chiyun Yuexuan swept a glance around and saw Murong Zhining curling up next to Meng Xia’s seat.

Meng Xia was dashing as she sat on a high back chair with a tiger skin under her feet. Her high and mighty aura didn’t fall short to a field general at all. In the yard, roughly a hundred people of varied ages and genders were chatting and pointing at him.

Meng Xia slightly raised her hand. In a blink, the yard quieted down, giving way for her voice that contained an unquestionable authority, “This bastard of a general called our camp a lair of desperadoes and strumpets. That’s simply intolerable! Today, I shall let him see his little wife die right in front of him and let him know what cannot be violated!”

Everyone began to talk one after another. “What’s wrong about robbing the rich to help the poor? What’s wrong with us rescuing those poor girls from the pit of hell?”

Meng Xia raised her hand again, motioning for them to be quiet. “As the punishment for his mindless words, bring the poisoned wine.”

Receiving a small bowl from an underling, Meng Xia walked before Murong Zhining. “Little lady, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being so unlucky to be with the wrong man. Come, drink this. There will be no pain, I promise.”

Murong Zhining looked full of guilt. “It’s me who harmed General. If I drink this, will you let him go?”

Chiyun Yuexuan struggled. “Ning’er don’t drink it! Don’t believe what these bandits say, they have no sense of honor. Meng Xia, let her go. I’m willing to remain in your camp.”

Meng Xiao strolled to Chiyun Yuexuan and squatted before him. “Too late. You think my camp is a vegetable garden you can come and go as you wish? How about, you drink this wine in her stead? Only one of you can live.”

Chiyun Yuexuan didn’t hesitate a little. “I’ll drink it. Let her go.”

Tears rolling all over her face, Murong Zhining repeatedly shook her head. “No, it’s me who put General in this situation, I’ll drink it. Since I don’t have any memory, living is painful anyway.”

Chiyun Yuexuan shouted, “What bullshit! You think I can live on if you’re dead? And given how we’re not destined to live long – you won’t last more than a month with that poison in your body – I don’t want to see that day coming, so it’s not a bad thing that I depart this life before you do. Listen to me, let them send you back to Nanjin. Your parents are still waiting for you.”

Her tears fell like rain. “Although I can’t remember anything, I don’t want you to die because of me.”

Meng Xia coldly laughed. “So who’s drinking this? Made your decision yet?”

Chiyun Yuexuan roared, “Cut the crap and bring it here. This is Shangxia territory. You think you can keep on being your mountain king if you kill the Shangxia princess? I’m only a sinned object of Huayan, no one will look into it no matter where I die.”

Meng Xia burst into laughter and clapped. “Interesting, very reasonable, very very touching.”

She took the bowl to Chiyun Yuexuan, who lifted his head. Meng Xia then poured the wine straight down his throat in the desperate cry Murong Zhining who was firmly held down by two women.

Not wanting Murong Zhining to feel guilty, Chiyun Yuexuan disguised his eyes with resentment and ruthlessness. “Murong Zhining you troublesome woman, whoever gets involved with you is always damned in the end. Get out of my sight, I don’t ever want to see you again before I die. Scram!”

Murong Zhining broke free from her holders and rushed to Chiyun Yuexuan. “I’m sorry I harmed you. I’ll accompany you to die.”

Chiyun Yuexuan screamed, “You unlucky star, who f*cking wants to die with you? I don’t want your bad luck. Get away!”

Meng Xia clapped her hands cheerfully. “What a touching drama! Now that’s true love.” She came over and lifted Murong Zhining up. “Little lady, can you see it? If a man is willing to die for you, then his love for you must be very deep, very sincere. Come, bring their belongings. I’ll personally send them down the mountain.”

The courtyard suddenly erupted with cheers, whistles and applaud.

After Chiyun Yuexuan was untied, he cupped his fists towards Meng Xia with respect. “For once, I was actually blind. I am now convinced that Miss Meng is a righteous person. I apologize for what I said yesterday.”

Meng Xia also returned with cupped hands. “I’ve read books, so I know the basic principles of being a human. Your love for Miss Murong moved me, and I wanted her to see it. You two have my blessings. In the future, if you guys have any need for our camp, I will bring my people to help no matter what.”

Before they departed, Meng Xia handed over a heavy sack. “This is the valuables in your carriage, please check it.”

Chiyun Yuexuan received it, incredulous. “This doesn’t seem to belong to me.” He opened the sack to see ten-odd gold ingots, which Huyan Qi had Tuoba Zhi placed this in the carriage without Chiyun Yuexuan knowing.

Chiyun Yuexuan smiled and shook his head. “A gift from my friends. They’re useless in my hands. I’ll leave them to you, Miss Meng, you can distribute them to those in need.”

Meng Xia didn’t refuse. She received the sack, took out a gold ingot and stuffed it in Chiyun Yuexuan’s hands. “I’ll keep the rest. You keep this one for travel expenses.”

Chiyun Yuexuan cupped his fists farewell. “With your skills, taking your people to join the army is also a good way out. If there comes a day when you get tired of being the mountain king, you can come find me in Huayan.”

Meng Xia was nearly moved to tears. Helping Murong Zhining into the carriage, she said, “Live a good life with General Chiyun. If you don’t hold on to him tight, someone else might steal him.”

After the carriage was far, far away, Meng Xia reluctantly led the crowd back to the mountain. A subordinate asked, “If you don’t want to part with him, why let him go so easily?”

Meng Xia was in a low mood. “If you truly adore someone, you’ll only wish the best for them. Not to say that our little camp cannot hold a roaming dragon.”

The subordinate said, “I heard Miss Murong was poisoned and wouldn’t be able to live after a month. Maybe you shouldn’t have given up on General Chiyun so soon?”

Meng Xia, on the contrary, was able to resume a clear mind. “Even if there was no ‘Miss Murong,’ he still didn’t belong to me or this place.”

——

Still angry about Murong Zhining running away earlier, Chiyun Yuexuan sat at the front of the carriage in silence.

Murong Zhining curled up inside the carriage. “General, are you still angry about yesterday? Ning’er won’t run from now on, so don’t be mad?” In an ingratiating manner, she offered him a wild fruit that Meng Xia had put in their carriage.

Chiyun Yuexuan ignored her and didn’t say a word. Murong Zhining crawled over to his side and held the fruit to his lips. Turning around to see those teary almond eyes, whatever anger was all gone in a flash. He bent and gently bit her hand as a punishment.

Murong Zhining exaggeratedly cried out, “Ouch…”

Chiyun Yuexuan’s eyes reddened. He recalled a strong and stubborn Murong Zhining who hadn’t uttered a sound even when the red-hot iron seal was pressed on her back. His heart felt like it had melted into liquid. He gently pulled the girl over and dropped a kiss on her forehead.

On the way, Murong Zhining actually grew talkative. “Are we really husband and wife before? How did I get from Huayan to Shangxia? If we were so far apart, how did we even meet each other in the first place?” she asked while leaning on his chest.

Chiyun Yuexuan slightly nudged her head with his chin. “How come my Little Tabby has so many questions? Of course you’re my wife, no doubt. Good girl, say ‘husband.’”

Murong Zhining looked up just when Chiyun Yuexuan looked down at her. She smiled sweetly, revealing a pair of dimples on her cheeks. “Husband.”

Chiyun Yuexuan lowered his head to kiss her. Murong Zhining raised her head with eyes tightly closed, shyly welcoming his lips. Sunlight fell through the window and danced on their faces, time seemed to have frozen at this moment.

…

Chiyun Yuexuan stopped the carriage by the road where there was a river on the right side. He carried Murong Zhining out of the carriage. “My wife must be tired. Let’s rest by the river for a while. Look at this beautiful scenery, there are so many wild flowers too.”

Murong Zhining joyfully skipped towards the river. Chiyun Yuexuan watched her, his eyes full of affection. “Slow down, careful not to twist your legs.”

Murong Zhining took off her shoes and stepped into the water with bare feet. With an excited expression, she bent down to paddle the water. “The water is so clear. Hurry come see! There are so many fish and shrimp.”

Chiyun Yuexuan also jumped down on the shore. Sitting down on a big stone, he watched Murong Zhining without blinking.

Murong Zhining mischievously splashed some water at his face. Chiyun Yuexuan pretended to be angry and took off his shoes to chase her around. Laughing happily, they splashed each other like two little kids.

After playing enough, the two sat down on a big stone, and Chiyun Yuexuan helped Murong Zhining comb her hair.

Murong Zhining suddenly exclaimed, “Just now, someone suddenly flashed in my mind. It was my nanny. I remember her taking me to the river to wash our clothes.”