He ordered the ropes to be checked once more to prevent any accidents during the descent.
One by one, the Yulin Guards slid down the ropes with practiced caution. Pei Yunting turned to the man still standing by the edge, his words as sparse as ever. "Your turn."
"You go first," the man in the ink-black robe replied leisurely, his hands clasped behind his back.
He gazed at the sea of orange flames consuming the mountainside below. The heat-laden wind whipped his hem, making it flutter and dance like a dark butterfly.
"Hmm?" Pei Yunting let out an ambiguous sound. Studying the man’s profile, he blurted out, "Are you afraid to go down?"
He followed up with, "I can carry you."
Climbing down a cliff hundreds of feet high was indeed a daunting test of courage for an ordinary person. He assumed Ye Zhao was terrified.
But this time, he had overthought it. Ye Zhao let out a short laugh, sounding utterly unconcerned. "It’s just a cliff. I’ve jumped off them more times than I can count. Why would I fear this height?"
In his past life, having grown weary of bungee jumping and skydiving, Ye Zhao naturally felt no fear at such a height. However, his words—tinged with reminiscence and sentiment—left both Pei Yunting and Xiao Hongfei stunned.
"You’ve jumped off cliffs?" Pei Yunting asked, taken aback.
"Indeed. With a rope tied to my body, I would plummet from the heights. Leaping from thousands of feet in the air, passing through clouds and wind... it felt like returning to the mortal world from a vast, empty void. It was exhilarating from the inside out..."
Ye Zhao recalled the sensation of skydiving, his heart quickening in his chest. After a brief pause, he added in a mischievous tone, "I’ve experienced that feeling many times in my dreams."
*Wait, what?*
the atmosphere shifted instantly, making his previous words sound like utter nonsense.
Visibly, Pei Yunting’s face returned to its expressionless state. Xiao Hongfei half-closed his eyes, looking at the man who had just killed the conversation with wordless exasperation before silently turning away.
By the cliff’s edge, only Pei Yunting, Ye Zhao, Xiao Hongfei, and the young Wei Yang remained. Wei Jiaojiao was indeed braver than Wei Yang; she had already allowed a Yulin Guard to carry her down on his back.
As for Wei Yang...
Ye Zhao watched the chubby boy peering over the edge with extreme caution and teased idly, "Fatty Jin, surely you aren't scared?"
"You're the one who's scared!" The little fatty jumped in indignation, but his eyes accidentally caught a glimpse of the abyss, and he instinctively shuffled two steps back toward the interior.
Looking up and realizing the three men were watching him, Wei Yang’s expression stiffened. He suddenly raised his voice, "It’s just going down! Let’s go!"
Only then did he remember something, and he turned to Ye Zhao in a fit of rage. "Don't call me that!!!"
Seeing that he had agreed, Pei Yunting wasted no words. He used a rope to secure Wei Yang to his back, preparing to carry him down.
Ye Zhao smiled but said nothing. The more he smiled, the angrier Wei Yang became; and the angrier Wei Yang became, the more radiant Ye Zhao’s smile grew.
Finally, having no other choice, Wei Yang chose to ignore the loathsome fellow. His body remained stiff as he let Pei Yunting secure him. He held still, but his small hands, unsure of where to rest, betrayed his anxiety and fear.
"Wait... wait! Why aren't you coming down yet?!" Just as the rope was looped around his waist, Wei Yang caught sight of Ye Zhao still standing there as if he had nothing to do, and he suddenly found his spirit again.
Indeed, Pei Yunting and Xiao Hongfei were already wrapping ropes around their waists, but Ye Zhao showed no sign of moving.
"You go first. I’ll enjoy the scenery for a bit and follow shortly," Ye Zhao said calmly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his eyes.
Wei Yang grumbled irritably, "What’s there to see? It’s hot and smoky!"
In truth, it wasn't quite so. The moonlight was bright tonight. Standing atop the cliff, one could vaguely see the miniaturized landscape below. Light and shadow spilled across the terrain like strokes of ink and wash.
The first group of Yulin Guards had already reached the bottom, while the rest were halfway down the mountainside.
The corners of Ye Zhao’s mouth curled into a faint, silent smile. He replied, "There really isn't much to see. But if we all go down and someone pops out of nowhere to cut the ropes, wouldn't we be like grasshoppers on a single string—in grave danger?"
Ye Zhao’s words caused Pei Yunting and Xiao Hongfei to pause.
Indeed, while sliding down, their weight relied primarily on the ropes. If the ropes were cut midway, even the most skilled martial artist might fall to their death due to a momentary lapse in reaction.
Seeing their hesitation, Ye Zhao waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry... I was just talking. There’s a sea of fire behind us and a cliff in front. Where would anyone come from?"
Wei Yang thought the same and couldn't help but mock him triumphantly, "I think you're just a coward! You're afraid to go down."
*What a brat,* Ye Zhao thought, exhaling slowly and choosing not to argue.
At that moment, Pei Yunting, fearing that leaving Ye Zhao alone might lead to further complications and waste more time, said, "Let us head back quickly. His Majesty and the others are waiting."
"Very well..." Ye Zhao glanced back at the roaring forest fire behind them and finally agreed.
But if time could be rewound by a few minutes, Ye Zhao would surely have rushed back to slap his past self for running his mouth.
In the night air between the cliffs, the vigorous wailing of a child echoed.
"Waaa... waaaah! Ye Zhao! You jinx! We're really going to fall to our deaths this time..."
"Imperial Father—!"
"Imperial Brother! Come save me!"
...
Not long after Ye Zhao had slid down from the edge, a figure suddenly appeared directly above them.
His entire body was charred by the fire. Scraps of black cloth clung to a scorched, steaming torso, making it impossible to distinguish flesh from fabric. His face was a bloody mess, his original features long gone.
Fortunately, Ye Zhao had noticed him early. He alerted the others just before the man cut the ropes.
Now, the three of them were clinging to the cliff face like geckos, with dozens of feet of empty air beneath them.
His heart still pounding wildly from the narrow escape, Ye Zhao heard the clamor in his ear and barked, "Shut up! Don't move! Stay still on Pei Yunting’s back, or you’ll turn into a puddle of mush if you fall!"
"Uwaaa..." Wei Yang, his bravado completely gone, could only sob. He clung to Pei Yunting’s back, trembling uncontrollably.
The ropes on all three of them had been severed. Pei Yunting, carrying a burden of several dozen pounds, was under the most pressure.
At the very start of the crisis, he had immediately ordered those below to be careful. Those using the other ropes had also quickly pressed themselves against the cliff wall.
Currently, Ye Zhao was the closest to the top. He looked left and right, then glanced at the figure above. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and said solemnly, "I’ll go deal with him. Stay where you are."
"You’ll deal with him? Can you handle it?" Xiao Hongfei, positioned not far below Ye Zhao to the right, spoke up.
"If not me, then who?" Ye Zhao looked down and countered.
Pei Yunting on the left was hindered by his burden. Ye Zhao could also tell at a glance that Xiao Hongfei was currently "strong in appearance but weak in reality" due to his physical condition. He said calmly, "General Xiao is injured. You should look after yourself first."
"Heh..." The latter forced a joyless smirk. He hadn't expected to be seen through.
Though his martial arts were top-tier, he had fought those assassins for so long; it was impossible not to have sustained injuries. He truly lacked the strength to climb back up.
However, that assassin was no simple character. He warned, "If you go up, I fear you’ll be dealt with before you even show your head."
Ye Zhao naturally knew this. The opponent held the natural geographical advantage. In a fair fight on level ground, he would have no chance of winning.
He didn't respond. He looked up to meet the gaze of the man on the cliff. After a few seconds, he recognized something and gasped, "It’s you?!"
The man whose face was unrecognizable showed no reaction, his eyes remaining fixed on Ye Zhao with cold intensity.
Just then, the sound of galloping hooves echoed from the cliff on the opposite side of the valley. A long line of torches soon reached the edge, and the people there naturally saw the peril of those hanging on the cliff.
"My son!"
"Tianshu!"
"Watch out!"
Ye Zhao looked up and saw the black-clad man’s gaze shift. Before he could think, almost at the same moment the voices rang out, a steel blade lunged toward Ye Zhao’s back.
Twisting his upper body, Ye Zhao grabbed the man’s hand with one hand while the other gripped a protruding rock on the cliff face.
The tip of the blade slowly pressed toward Ye Zhao’s chest. This familiar scene instantly reminded him of their first encounter. Back then, in that narrow alleyway, this man had made him feel the intent to kill at close range for the first time.
Under the pressure, Ye Zhao’s voice turned low and heavy. "You finally came in person. You must really regret letting me escape back then."
The man gripped a rope with one hand while continuing to exert force against Ye Zhao. He spoke in a rasping, hoarse voice, "That is the greatest regret of my life."
His burned face was as hideous as a ghost's, and his eyes held nothing but hatred for Ye Zhao.
The two were extremely close now. Cold sweat began to bead on Ye Zhao’s forehead. He knew very well that his current position was highly disadvantageous.
Staring intently at the man before him, a small curve slowly formed on his lips. He chuckled darkly, "You want the West Mountain to be my burial ground? In your dreams!"
Before his voice had even faded, Ye Zhao made a daring turn. The two almost brushed past each other. The sharp blade skimmed past his face, instantly leaving a bloody scratch between his brows.
Before the onlookers could even scream, he grabbed the rope below the assassin.
It was a split-second maneuver!
But Ye Zhao was clearly not satisfied with just that. He reached out and grabbed the man’s foot. Using the cliff wall for leverage, he kicked off with both legs while simultaneously yanking downward with all his might. "Get down there!"
The rope they were on swung violently backward. Before the assassin could react to his missed strike, the momentum allowed Ye Zhao to actually drag him down.
Unexpectedly, as the man fell, he suddenly grabbed the severed rope hanging from Pei Yunting’s body. The weight of the fall instantly dragged the other two down with him.
"Imperial Father—!"
"Little Fourth!"
On the opposite side, Emperor Wei’s heart skipped a beat, and he cried out in alarm.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ye Zhao let go and jumped down after them. "Pei Yunting!"
Pei Yunting had been falling through the air for barely two seconds. Before he could react, Ye Zhao had already grabbed his collar.
"Quick! Grab my hand!"
Pei Yunting reflexively grabbed Ye Zhao’s hand. At this moment, burdened by his own weight plus that of two adults and a child, the palm Ye Zhao used to grip the rope was already soaked red with blood.
"Cut the rope!"
In fact, Pei Yunting was already doing so without being told. He drew his dagger and severed the rope tied to his waist.
However, the assassin was equally quick to react. He used his limbs to steady himself against the nearby rock wall.
Now, it was Pei Yunting and the others who dared not approach easily. If the opponent suddenly lunged at them while they were suspended in mid-air, their movements would certainly not be as swift as his.
Hanging below Ye Zhao, Pei Yunting watched the man—who was now at roughly the same height—with wary caution.
"Waaaaah! Imperial Father! Imperial Father!" The chubby boy on Pei Yunting’s back was pale with fright, trembling and hugging Pei Yunting with heart-wrenching sobs.
But no one had time for Wei Yang now. As soon as he saw the man, who was charred like coal, move, Wei Yang screamed in terror, "He’s coming! He’s coming!!"
"Don't move!" Pei Yunting barked, feeling the frantic movements behind him.
If he were alone, he wouldn't fear a head-on clash, but he had Wei Yang on his back.
Yet, instead of attacking the more vulnerable Pei Yunting, the assassin chose Ye Zhao as his target.
Just as they were about to breathe a sigh of relief, Pei Yunting discovered a fatal problem—due to the fall just now, the rope securing Wei Yang had begun to loosen!
"Fourth Highness! Hold onto me! Do not move!"
Wei Yang wrapped his arms and legs around Pei Yunting even tighter, crying out for his father.
The people on the opposite bank were equally frantic, but no matter how Emperor Wei tried to comfort him, it was useless. He could not magically bring Wei Yang down from mid-air.
Pei Yunting used one hand to support Wei Yang’s backside, but human strength has its limits. Ye Zhao looked down at the man getting closer and cursed inwardly, *This really is never-ending!*
He made a swift decision and slid down. "Give him to me."
Ye Zhao grabbed Wei Yang’s arm. Pei Yunting’s supporting hand was already aching. With a look of grim endurance, he saw the man appear before him and spat out two short words: "No."
He knew very well that Ye Zhao’s situation was even worse than his own. Handing Wei Yang over would undoubtedly make things harder. In the end, both might be in danger.
While keeping an eye on the man below, Ye Zhao countered rapidly, "How much longer can you hold on? If you don't give him to me, none of the three of us will escape once that guy gets up here!"
Their eyes met. Pei Yunting saw the absolute seriousness in the other’s face.
After only a moment’s hesitation, he had to admit they had no other choice. He began to cooperate with Ye Zhao’s movements.
But Wei Yang’s mind was filled with nothing but the terror of being suspended in the air.
"Let go, Fatty Jin. Don't hug him. Come, hold onto me," Ye Zhao urged gently as he transferred the child from Pei Yunting’s back to his own arms.
"Waaaah! N-n-no! I'm going to die! I'm going to be smashed into mud!"
"Don't! Don't touch me! If you move, I'll fall!"
"I’ve got you. You won't fall."
"Go away! Go away! Don't touch me!"
Ye Zhao and the boy struggled with each other. Wei Yang clung to Pei Yunting’s back so tightly he couldn't be peeled off. If he could maintain that strength, Ye Zhao would have been content to let him stay there, but how long could a child’s strength last?
Seeing the assassin closing in, Ye Zhao lost his patience. He used force to pull the boy into his arms, securing him with one hand.
"Watch out!" Pei Yunting let out a sharp cry.
Almost as Pei Yunting’s expression changed, Ye Zhao whipped his head around. He spun and leaned back, his back slamming hard against the cliff face.
"Ugh..." He couldn't help but let out a groan of pain, but his arm around Wei Yang tightened.
Pei Yunting caught the assassin’s wrist in time and kicked out to interrupt the attack. Amidst the flashing blades, the lower half of the rope was severed, and the three of them became entangled.
Pei Yunting and the assassin traded blows while Ye Zhao shielded Wei Yang with one hand, dodging left and right.
The people in the distance watched this series of thrilling, dangerous maneuvers with their hearts in their throats.
As Ye Zhao dodged, his gaze caught a figure two meters away. His eyes fell on the long spear strapped to the man’s back, and a spark of inspiration flashed through his mind. In the next moment, he shouted, "General Xiao, I'm delivering a gift! Catch!"
*What gift?*
Xiao Hongfei, who was halfway up the cliff, looked over in confusion. In the next instant, the rope holding the three of them began to swing violently from side to side. Ye Zhao kicked off the cliff wall repeatedly while gripping the rope tight.
Wait... wait!
Was he planning to...!
"Ye Zhao!" Almost as Xiao Hongfei guessed the intent, the three suspended figures swung toward him with immense momentum.
Without time to think, Xiao Hongfei drew his spear with one hand while gripping the rock wall with the other to steady himself.
*Squelch—*
The sound of a weapon piercing flesh.
The charred assassin’s eyes widened. He slowly looked down at his pierced chest. The blood-stained spearhead stopped just centimeters away from the man in front of him.
Ye Zhao was hunched over, their eyes meeting. The splattered blood was invisible against his black robes, but a few crimson droplets stained his fair face.
Suddenly, Ye Zhao smiled. It was a faint, silent smile, carrying a hint of something demonic.
"Go to hell and wait for me. I’ll send your master down to join you soon enough, alright?"
"Heh... heh... you..."
He seemed to want to say something more, but his body went limp and began to fall. His wide eyes were filled with nothing but resentment and unwillingess.
As the rope continued to sway, Ye Zhao looked down at the man’s eyes until he heard the sound of the body hitting the ground far below. Only then did he look away.
He looked up at the man clinging to the cliff on the other side and smiled. "General Xiao, well done!"
"Heh..." Xiao Hongfei let out a cold laugh. The arm he used to grip the rock was still trembling, his muscles aching. "Young Master Ye need not praise me. It was merely for self-preservation. I only hope I never have the chance to share such life-and-death tribulations with you again."
Having nearly knocked the man off the cliff, Ye Zhao showed not a hint of embarrassment. Instead, he laughed, "General Xiao’s martial skills are extraordinary; naturally, we must rely on your protection. Look at that—your spear technique is one strike, one kill. Hahaha..."
Xiao Hongfei’s face darkened instantly. He almost couldn't resist another cold laugh. "I cannot compare to Young Master Ye, who is so adept at using others to solve his own crises."
His tone was thick with mockery and sarcasm.
Ye Zhao’s expression remained unchanged, still grinning. "As comrades, surely General Xiao wouldn't have wanted to withhold his help?"
Xiao Hongfei choked on his words. He stared at that smiling face for two seconds before adjusting his expression and saying calmly, "Naturally not."
But in truth, when Ye Zhao and the others were in danger, he had hesitated. He truly hadn't intended to intervene.
Ye Zhao’s death brought him no benefit, but the man’s survival filled him with a sense of dread—especially as he began to act more and more like *that person* from the rumors.
Hearing this, Ye Zhao gave a non-committal hum and said no more. In his heart, however, he didn't believe a word of the man’s nonsense.
If he hadn't dragged the general into the fray, wouldn't the man have just quietly climbed down on his own?
***
