The Abandoned Empress General | Chapter 51 | To Slay a God | Novela.app

The rhythmic dripping of the water clock echoed through the room as candle flames flickered. The Palace of Yan was profoundly silent. Murong Yan reviewed the memorials on his desk before suddenly asking, "Is there still no news from the Swallow’s Nest?" Wang Yunzhao replied, "Young Lord Leng sent word back saying that the identities of the assassins in the dungeon are still being verified." "The Swallow’s Nest has always been swift in its dealings," Murong Yan said. "Why has there been no news for so long this time? I only want to confirm if those seven people belong to Hidden Sword Villa. Is it truly that complicated?" Wang Yunzhao said with a smile, "After all, Hidden Sword Villa is currently on the run. It is likely their disciples have scattered, making confirmation difficult. I believe Young Lord Leng is merely being cautious, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Otherwise, if the assassins are not from Hidden Sword Villa but supported by some other hidden power, would that not leave Your Majesty exposed to danger?" Murong Yan remarked, "This sword is becoming less and one less obedient." Wang Yunzhao was slightly startled, only to hear him continue, "Regardless, I have no intention of letting Hidden Sword Villa remain. Since they are willing to pledge their lives in loyalty to my Royal Father, I shall grant them their wish. Send word to Leng Feiyan: eradicate Hidden Sword Villa. I do not wish to see even a single root or fiber of this martial power left in the world." "Understood," Wang Yunzhao replied. As the Imperial Guard patrolled past outside, Wang Yunzhao suggested, "Your Majesty, it is getting late. Shall you go to the Queen’s palace to rest?" Murong Yan said, "The Queen has likely retired by this hour. I shall not disturb her." "What are you saying, Your Majesty?" Wang Yunzhao countered. "No matter when you visit, the Queen is always boundlessly delighted." "Is that so?" Murong Yan mused. After a moment’s thought, he finally said, "Then let us go." Wang Yunzhao led the way with a lantern. As they approached the Resting Phoenix Palace, the cold aura surrounding Murong Yan gradually dissipated, replaced by a tangible air of gentle elegance. Upon entering the palace, Murong Yan stopped the maids who intended to announce his arrival and walked in himself. His footsteps were incredibly light. Behind the dark red floral gauze curtains, Jiang Bilan was sleeping soundly, a beauty like a begonia in bloom. He lifted the curtains, changed his clothes, and lay upon the bed, carefully avoiding waking her. However, a jade-like arm still reached out, wrapping around him with practiced familiarity. Seeing that she truly hadn't woken, Murong Yan slowly moved that slender, smooth hand away. Had his Royal Brother also been captivated by and kissed such a beautiful, flawless arm in years past? The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly suppressed it. The beauty beside him was now his wife, the woman he had chosen for a lifetime. What was the point of such thoughts? *** At Jade Throat Pass, Leng Feiyan received Murong Yan’s command. It consisted of only a few simple words: *Eradicate Hidden Sword Villa.* She crumbled the letter into ash and stood by the window. At that moment, the moonlight stretched for a thousand miles over Jade Throat Pass. Under the lunar glow, the sand and stone possessed a mesmerizing charm. She sighed unconsciously, only for a voice to suddenly ask from behind, "Why are you sighing?" Leng Feiyan turned around to see Wugu standing behind her, his expression cold and somber. She reached out and hooked her finger under his chin. "Next time you enter, you should announce yourself first. After all, this is your Tower Master’s bedchamber. If I happened to be changing or doing something unseemly, it would be rather awkward for a grown man like you to barge in so silently." Wugu grabbed her wrist. "Every inch of your body—if those other men can look and touch, why can't I?" Suddenly, he felt a numbing pain in his wrist and involuntarily doubled over. Leng Feiyan raised her right knee, slamming it into his abdomen. Wugu felt his stomach acid churning upward, his brain feeling as though it were boiling. Leng Feiyan said, "You see? You really can't." Wugu couldn't stand up for a long time, unable to even speak. Leng Feiyan waited until he had mostly recovered before saying, "His Majesty has ordered us to eradicate Hidden Sword Villa." Wugu was momentarily stunned, then a glimmer of something bordering on predatory joy flashed in his eyes. "Including that 'Brother Zang' of yours?" Leng Feiyan replied, "Zang Tianqi is a man of peerless skill. If we face him head-on, we may not be his match." Only then did Wugu realize she was serious. Moreover, she had already begun considering how to execute the order. A faint chill rose in his heart. Over these past few days, though he didn't come here often, he couldn't help but keep an eye on her every move. She had been living here like a young bride. Whenever Zang Ge returned, she would wash clothes and cook, and she had even learned to play the flute from him. Sometimes the two of them would wash clothes together in the courtyard; usually, Zang Ge did the work while she sat by and watched. They would talk and laugh, and occasionally their eyes would meet—no words were needed to convey the depth of their affection. But now, after receiving the order to kill Zang Ge’s entire family, the first thing she thought about was how to deal with Zang Tianqi. Wugu’s expression slowly turned serious. "Do you have a plan?" She stood facing the moon, her black hair unpinned and cascading down to her waist. Her tea-white skirts trailed on the ground; as the moonlight poured over her, her sleeves seemed to glow, her beauty world-shaking. For some reason, Wugu’s anger dissipated. "I will return to the Swallow Tower and see if I can contact other experts. In the meantime, do not act rashly." "You are the one who shouldn't act rashly," Leng Feiyan said. "Duanmu Qiu, the former head of the Duanmu Clan, lost to Zang Tianqi three times. After the final defeat, he severed his own tendons and has been a cripple ever since." Wugu froze. Leng Feiyan turned slowly and said, "But believe it or not, I am certain I can defeat him." As she spoke, a world-shaking arrogance and murderous intent emanated from her eyes, sharp enough to prick the skin of anyone nearby. Wugu naturally did not believe her. He said, "Leng Feiyan, you’ve gone mad." Leng Feiyan laughed until she couldn't straighten her back. Once her laughter subsided, her expression turned cold. She traced his cheek with the pad of her right thumb and said, "Find out where he is. I will slay a god for you to see." *** | Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 屠神 | To Slay a God | Chapter title; literally "Slaughtering a God." | | 燕子巢 | Swallow's Nest | Murong Yan's intelligence/assassin organization. | | 冷少君 | Young Lord Leng | Respectful address for Leng Feiyan. | | 藏剑山庄 | Hidden Sword Villa | A martial arts sect/manor currently targeted by the King. | | 王允昭 | Wang Yunzhao | The Chief Eunuch serving Murong Yan. | | 栖凤宫 | Resting Phoenix Palace | The Queen's residence. | | 玉喉关 | Jade Throat Pass | A strategic location/pass where Leng Feiyan is stationed. | | 巫蛊 | Wugu | An assassin/subordinate; name literally means "Witchcraft" or "Voodoo." | | 藏天齐 | Zang Tianqi | The Master of Hidden Sword Villa. | | 藏歌 | Zang Ge | Son of Zang Tianqi; Leng Feiyan's love interest. | | 燕楼 | Swallow Tower | Likely a headquarters or branch of the Swallow's Nest. | | 端木秋 | Duanmu Qiu | Former head of the Duanmu Clan. |