In the afternoon, everyone from the Orphan Camp was taken to a different location. Leng Feiyan looked around; it was a long-abandoned colosseum. The rocks were cracked, wild grass grew through the crevices, and the sunken center of the arena was filled with rusted iron cages. Mottled, scattered bloodstains were visible everywhere.
Upon the spectator stands sat a single grand armchair. Murong Yan sat regally within it, flanked by over a dozen guards dressed in black. They stood in rows, swords and sabers hanging at their waists, their expressions grim and murderous. The youths dared not even breathe loudly. Murong Yan scanned the group and spoke slowly, "When I first brought you here, I said that I could not save anyone’s life. I could only give you time, allowing you the ability to choose your own fate once more. Now, the time has come for you to make that choice. Take up your weapons and fight for yourselves. I will take away only those who are left standing at the end."
The youths were stunned, but there was no time for them to react. The "instructors" stepped forward, letting each of them choose their most proficient weapon before pushing them into the iron cages in pairs. Leng Feiyan glanced at Zuo Canglang, and Zuo Canglang looked back at her.
Among everyone here, if a single strongest person had to be chosen by force, the one to survive would undoubtedly be Leng Feiyan. There was no more time; Leng Feiyan was pushed into a cage. Her opponent held a short blade, his fingers gripping the hilt so tightly it was clear he was incredibly nervous.
Leng Feiyan turned her head to look at Zuo Canglang one last time before picking up a short sword. Zuo Canglang lifted her gaze to the stands where Murong Yan sat upright. He was not very old, yet he possessed an innate, heavy authority. After a moment's hesitation, she chose a bow and arrows.
This choice clearly surprised everyone. In such a cramped iron cage, how could a bow and arrow be utilized?
Murong Yan watched the arena with interest. To ensure a level of spectacle, the first round of duels pitted the weak against the strong. The few youths with top-tier skills did not face each other directly. Leng Feiyan quickly dispatched her opponent. Looking back, she saw that Yang Lianting had also secured his victory. His skills weren't great—at best, he ranked sixth or seventh here—and he might not even get the chance to face her.
She didn't know whether she should hope for him to win or lose. What if he won? It would only be the difference between dying by her hand or someone else's. But... he was the first person in her life she had considered a friend!
She turned to look at Zuo Canglang. Zuo Canglang’s opponent wasn't strong either, but without a suitable weapon for close quarters, she was struggling. In the cage, the bow was indeed impossible to use. Fortunately, her opponent was truly unskilled; though it was difficult, she eventually emerged victorious.
Facing opponents in a life-and-death struggle, no one had the luxury of showing mercy. The corpses were quickly dragged away. Among the victors, some felt joy, while others were solemn.
There was no time to rest. The victors were soon sent back into the cages to face other winners. Zuo Canglang picked up the weapon left by her previous opponent—a dagger lined with deep blood grooves. As soon as her second opponent entered the cage, they lunged. Zuo Canglang swung her blade to meet them. It was an early spring day, the sky overcast and filled with gloom. The wind carried rain, bringing a biting spring chill. Sweat poured from the youths' heads, and their youthful eyes were stained with the color of blood, looking frantic and wild.
The number of people in the arena dwindled one by one. Blood stained the newly sprouted spring grass, appearing dull rather than vibrant. By the final round, Yang Lianting was covered in multiple knife wounds, while Leng Feiyan remained largely unscathed. Most of the blood on her belonged to her deceased opponents.
Zuo Canglang locked eyes with her from across the cages. Leng Feiyan raised her weapon and lightly licked her tongue across the edge, wiping away the fresh blood.
The final confrontation was at hand. Yang Lianting was pushed into Leng Feiyan’s cage. Leng Feiyan’s hand gripped her blade with a slight tremor, but she quickly steadied herself. Having come this far, how much life and death had she witnessed? She hadn't wanted companions or friends precisely because she didn't want a moment like this. But she was incapable of sacrificing her own life for the sake of righteousness, so she didn't even want to waste words.
She raised her sword and lunged straight ahead. Yang Lianting knew he was no match for her; he didn't even try to counterattack, focusing entirely on defense. Zuo Canglang quickly finished off the opponent in her own cage and suddenly picked up the bow she hadn't used since entering.
She drew the bow and notched an arrow. The shaft flew like the wind, accurately passing through the gaps in the iron bars. Leng Feiyan, who was facing Zuo Canglang’s direction, cursed aloud and swung her sword back to defend. However, Zuo Canglang’s second and third arrows followed in rapid succession!
The space inside the cage was narrow, and she still had to watch Yang Lianting. Unable to dodge in time, Leng Feiyan was struck in the right arm by an arrow.
The arena fell into a dead silence. The instructors stole glances at Murong Yan on the high seat. The corners of Murong Yan’s mouth curled slightly. In a flash, Zuo Canglang fired again, hitting Leng Feiyan in the thigh. As she raised her bow to aim once more, Leng Feiyan cursed, threw down her weapon, and simply gave up resistance.
Yang Lianting was stunned and turned to look at Zuo Canglang. Zuo Canglang’s forehead was drenched in sweat, and her clothes had soaked and dried repeatedly, leaving behind white crusts of salt. Ultimately, she did not fire her final arrow. She lowered her bow and knelt on the ground. "My Lord ordered us to kill one another, undoubtedly wishing to obtain the ultimate survivor. But... but your subordinate believes that everyone has their own strengths. Now, the one with the highest martial skill is heavily injured and unfit to fight further. Your subordinate boldly begs the Lord to keep us, and allow us to serve the Lord together."
After a brief silence, everyone looked toward Murong Yan on the stands. Murong Yan lightly turned the bone thumb ring on his hand. After a long while, he said softly, "You have all worked hard today. Go and wash up."
Everyone in the arena breathed a sigh of relief. Before long, the cages were opened, and people led them away to bathe and change. The moment Leng Feiyan stepped out of the cage, she snarled, "Despicable!" Zuo Canglang glanced at her sideways. It was Yang Lianting who stepped forward to check the wound, saying, "It’s alright, the injuries aren't deep. Find a place and I’ll pull the arrows out for you."
Leng Feiyan gritted her teeth. "You think this counts as a win? No way. Once I’m healed, we’re finding another place to fight again!"
Zuo Canglang ignored her. The three of them followed the attendants to a side courtyard where hot water and clean clothes were already prepared. Soon, maidservants brought medicinal ointments. After Yang Lianting finished bandaging Leng Feiyan, the three of them washed separately. When they emerged a short while later, they looked like completely different people.
The white robes were soft and flowing; worn by the youths, they looked like winter snow reflecting plum blossoms. A maidservant entered the room and said respectfully, "His Highness asks the three Young Masters to rest for a while. Someone will come to invite you in the evening."
Yang Lianting immediately flopped onto the soft, snow-white couch. "Perfect, I'm exhausted. I’m going to sleep for a bit." Leng Feiyan collapsed beside him, saying, "Zuo Canglang, you just wait. Once I’m better, I’ll definitely take your..." Before she could finish the word "life," she too fell asleep.
Zuo Canglang leaned against the headboard, but for some reason, she didn't feel sleepy at all. Her thoughts drifted back to the Southern Mountains, starting from the very first moment she saw him. Every fragment of his appearance was a seed of memory. His expression, his voice, the winding pattern on the hem of his robe—everything about him was enough to savor a thousand times over, twisting through the rivers of darkness and light until they grew into towering flowers and leaves.
Perhaps a passing woodcutter, having seen all the cycles of blooming and withering, would ask, "Why love?"
But in the distant beginning of a person's journey, the first time the heart races, the first time one is at a loss, the first time longing finds no harbor, one becomes like a madman. Who can truly explain why we love?
When night fell, Wang Yunzhao, the head steward of Murong Yan’s estate, came personally to invite them. Leng Feiyan and the others had already woken up. He was often by Murong Yan’s side, and the three of them knew his status was not low, so they all bowed in greeting. Wang Yunzhao said, "Please, don't. This time, the Second Prince is hosting a banquet for the three Young Masters at Qianbi Woods; he will surely entrust you with great responsibilities. I am but a mere steward of the estate; I cannot accept such a grand gesture."
As he spoke, he led the three of them out to a waiting carriage. The exterior was not particularly lavish, but the interior was spacious and comfortable. Wang Yunzhao shared the carriage with them. Leng Feiyan was the first to ask, "Steward Wang, are we going to be working at the Second Prince’s estate from now on?"
Wang Yunzhao’s face was full of smiles. "That is hard to say. Perhaps His Highness has other arrangements." Leng Feiyan nodded and said, "If I can avoid entering the estate, that would be for the best. I’m used to being casual; I don't like places with too many rules."
Wang Yunzhao said with a smile, "The Second Prince is not yet married, and the staff at the estate is simple, so there aren't that many rules." Leng Feiyan asked curiously, "The Prince doesn't have a consort yet?"
Wang Yunzhao poured tea for the three of them and said, "Not yet. However, His Highness has already entered into a marriage contract. I imagine the joyous occasion is drawing near." Leng Feiyan glanced at Zuo Canglang and asked again, "The Prince is already engaged? Which family is the lady from? Is she pretty?"
"She is the daughter of the Right Chancellor, Jiang Sanyi. Ah, you three grew up in the Orphan Camp, so you likely don't know much about the people and affairs of Great Yan. If there is a chance in the future, this old man will explain it in detail."
Leng Feiyan nodded. Wang Yunzhao then asked Yang Lianting about the Yang family, saying, "I recall that back in the day, the elder Master Yang Xuanhe even treated my mother’s illness. I didn't expect that as times changed, the Yang family would suffer such a great calamity. Fortunately, a bloodline remains; it can be said that Heaven has eyes."
Hearing that he knew his ancestors, Yang Lianting immediately asked many questions about them. The carriage sped through the night, passing the night scenery of Jinyang, the capital of Great Yan. Zuo Canglang lifted the carriage curtain. From time to time, Wang Yunzhao pointed out famous sights outside the window. In this entire world, there wasn't a single inch that was familiar to her.
After traveling for a long time, the carriage finally stopped at a place filled with lush flowers and clear springs. The driver helped Wang Yunzhao down, and the three youths jumped out after him. Wang Yunzhao said, "Young Masters, we have arrived at Qianbi Woods. His Highness has been waiting for some time. Please follow me."
The three followed him through a deep, winding path, seeing cherry blossoms in bud, about to bloom. There was a faint, sweet fragrance in the air. In the distance, the mountains were like dark ink, and someone was playing the zither, the sound drifting through the flower forest. At the end of the path, early-blooming cherry blossoms were clustered thickly on the branches. Beneath a tree sat a small red clay stove with wine warming atop it. Mats and tables were laid out on the ground. Murong Yan sat by a table, with no other guards around him.
The three approached and bowed to him. He scalded the cups in boiling water, lifted them out with wooden tongs, and said while pouring the wine, "Sit." The three sat around the stove. Murong Yan smiled and handed the cups to them one by one. Startled, the three stood up to receive them with both hands.
Murong Yan signaled that they needn't be so formal. He first said to Yang Lianting, "After the Yang family was executed, there was no one to collect the bodies. I had them buried at the foot of the Southern Mountains. If you wish, you may go to pay your respects and renovate the ancestral tombs. However, since the case remains unclear, do not erect a headstone yet."
Tears welled in Yang Lianting’s eyes. "Thank you for your great kindness, My Lord! But My Lord, my Yang family was framed! My father wanted to expose Wen Weishu for colluding with the Tuhe Tribe and privately selling military horses..."
Murong Yan interrupted him, asking, "Do you have evidence?" Yang Lianting froze, then slumped dejectedly. "After my father died, that memorial disappeared. The letters he exchanged with the Tuhe are also all gone."
Murong Yan said, "Wen Weishu is the current Grand Master of the Stud; he has managed horse administration for so many years. If you simply say he is colluding with foreign tribes, who would believe you?"
Yang Lianting lowered his head. Murong Yan said, "Endure. Wait for the opportunity."
Yang Lianting gripped his cup tightly but still nodded.
Maidservants began to serve the dishes. Murong Yan took a single bite and gestured for them to eat, and only then did the three pick up their chopsticks. The dishes were very lavish, but Murong Yan didn't touch them again after that first bite. Leng Feiyan asked, "My Lord, what are we to do next?"
Murong Yan said, "First, accompany Yang Lianting to repair the graves and pay respects to his ancestors. I will have other arrangements in a couple of days." Leng Feiyan nodded. Once they had mostly finished eating, Murong Yan waved his hand. Wang Yunzhao approached with three attendants, each carrying a black tray.
Murong Yan said, "Meeting gifts for you." On the trays were a blood-red sleeve sword, a box of gold needles of varying lengths and thicknesses, and a bow and arrows. These were exactly the weapons the three were accustomed to using. Having their own weapons for the first time, the three were momentarily speechless. Murong Yan said, "The scenery of Qianbi Woods is distinct from other places. You may stay the night here; walking hand-in-hand through the night has its own charm. If I remain, I fear you will be constrained, so I shall take my leave now."
"We respectfully see the Lord off." The three bowed together as Murong Yan rose and left. Wang Yunzhao followed to attend him, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet. Leng Feiyan stroked the blood-red sleeve sword in her hand. The blade was translucent with a faint, cold glint, clearly no ordinary object. She clicked her tongue in admiration. "The Second Prince really knows our hearts."
Zuo Canglang looked at her. Leng Feiyan leaned in and suddenly said seriously, "A-Zuo, for a man like him, just thinking about him is enough. Don't take it too seriously."
Zuo Canglang’s face flushed slightly, and she spat, "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Leng Feiyan giggled and turned to squeeze over to Yang Lianting’s side. "Stop crying. Where is that Grand Master of the Stud? Come on, big sister will take you to chop him into eight pieces to avenge your family!" Yang Lianting suddenly snapped out of it, a spark of fire seemingly burning deep in his eyes. Leng Feiyan said, "I’m serious. This thing isn't that hard to do."
Yang Lianting gritted his teeth. Zuo Canglang warned, "Feiyan!" Leng Feiyan poured her another cup of wine with a cheeky grin. "Just kidding! Come on, let's go for a walk outside."
The scenery of Qianbi Woods was at its peak, with cherry blossoms drifting down like a woven tapestry on the ground. The three walked through the flower forest. A crescent moon peeked hazily from the sky, leaving only dark shadows upon the earth. The sound of the zither lingered. Leng Feiyan said, "I really want to hug a tree and shake down a rain of petals."
Zuo Canglang said, "The master of Qianbi Woods probably wouldn't allow it, otherwise I would have done it long ago." Yang Lianting was dismissive. "Aren't you two bored?"
Leng Feiyan smacked him on the head. "This is called 'maidenly sentiment,' do you understand?"
"Maiden? You?" Yang Lianting glanced at her. Leng Feiyan shrugged and continued walking. Yang Lianting approached a cherry tree and, intentionally or not, bumped into it, causing a flurry of blossoms to fall. Leng Feiyan caught some in her hand. "Yang Lianting, keep going, keep going!"
Seeing no one around, Yang Lianting simply climbed into the tree and shook a carpet of cherry blossoms down. Leng Feiyan and Zuo Canglang stood beneath the tree as the petals fell like rain, covering their hair and shoulders. The two girls caught handfuls and threw them at each other. One tree wasn't enough, so they moved to another. Eventually, they played too wildly and were discovered by the night watchmen. They were chased by men and dogs, sending Yang Lianting sprinting into the mountains.
Leng Feiyan and Zuo Canglang laughed until their stomachs ached, neither having any intention of helping him.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 斗兽场 | Colosseum / Arena | Literally "Beast-fighting arena." |
| 太师椅 | Grand armchair | A traditional high-backed chair, often associated with high-ranking officials. |
| 少君 | Young Master / Young Lord | A respectful form of address for young elites or those under a high-ranking patron. |
| 王允昭 | Wang Yunzhao | The head steward of Murong Yan's estate. |
| 千碧林 | Qianbi Woods | "Thousand Azure Woods," a scenic location. |
| 晋阳 | Jinyang | The capital city of the Great Yan state. |
| 姜散宜 | Jiang Sanyi | The Right Chancellor of Great Yan. |
| 闻纬书 | Wen Weishu | The Grand Master of the Stud (Taipu), an official in charge of horses. |
| 太仆 | Grand Master of the Stud | An ancient Chinese official title (Taipu) responsible for the state's horses and carriages. |
| 屠何 | Tuhe | A non-Han ethnic tribe/group. |
| 骨韘 | Bone thumb ring | An archer's ring, usually made of bone or jade, used to protect the thumb from the bowstring. |
| 袖里剑 | Sleeve sword | A small, concealable sword or dagger hidden in a sleeve. |
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