Jianghu Demolition Squad

Between Buddha and Demon (Part Four)

When Yan Li came back to the present from her reminiscences, the night was deep and serene, with the moon and wind as constant companions.

She sighed again, understanding that although her determination had not wavered, the relentless obsession from Wu Yu had muddled the clarity of their relationship.

“I wish to sever these ties of love with my sword, yet how can I when she has taken it from me…”

Finally, Yan Li left the courtyard through that gate and headed towards Wu Yu’s courtyard.

Since the arrival of Wuwei Palace, Jile City had been under martial law. Yan Li could feel it as she walked the streets.

Although Wu Yu forbade her from leaving the palace, Yan Li had attempted to escape. Alone, her efforts proved futile, but Wu Yu did not strictly guard her, allowing her access anywhere within the palace. Thus, the patrolling guards did not stop her when they saw her; they merely saluted and asked where she was headed.

Just as Yan Li stepped out of the western garden, she suddenly heard the fluttering garments above her. Her expression hardened as she demanded, “Who’s there?”

Sitting on a towering tree branch on the other side of the wall was a man twirling his mustache, laughing, “Miss Yan Li, long time no see.”

There were two people on the wall. One stood upright, his demeanor elegant, while the other squatted, his posture agile.

“Swindler, you’re hiding here, enjoying a good life.”

“Finding you was no easy task.”

Reunited after a long separation and suddenly seeing familiar faces, Yan Li stared in stunned silence at Hua Lian, Tang Linzhi, and Yan Chun. The gentle breeze and the full moon overhead made it all feel like a dream, so she remained silent, fearing she might disturb this dreamlike moment.

“Junior Sister.”

Turning to her left, Yan Li saw Wei Ran and Yu’er approaching quietly.

Yu’er said, “Yan Li.”

Yan Li looked at everyone, her lips trembling slightly as she pressed them together, her expression one of restrained emotion: “Yu’er.”

She observed the transformed figures before her, feeling as if separated by lifetimes.

“Senior Sister,” Wei Ran, now able to walk normally, brought unspeakable relief to Yan Li.

In a gentle voice, Wei Ran said, “I’m sorry, we came late.”

As Yan Li was about to respond, Qing Jiu also arrived, standing not far behind Yu’er.

Seeing her, Yan Li first blinked, then a smile crept across her face, but the smile was fleeting. Her expression quickly shifted as she struggled to contain her anger. Her emotions were usually subtle, but Yu’er and the others, having known her well for a long time, could immediately tell.

But it was too late when Yu’er noticed Yan Li’s anger.

Yan Li drew her sword, the blade flourishing gracefully as she lunged at Qing Jiu.

Despite six years of tranquility, Yan Li had not neglected her martial arts; her skills had progressed, her movements fluid and effortless, her attacks and retreats in perfect harmony, every move exquisitely free.

Wei Ran, observing her sudden action, was not surprised by the attack itself, but he was initially startled by her improved swordsmanship, noting, “Junior Sister’s swordsmanship has become even more transcendent, reflecting her great progress in state of mind.”

Qing Jiu had no sword in hand, but fortunately, the chains on her hands were long enough to be used as a weapon to defend herself.

Yan Li’s single sword stroke split into three shadows, Qing Jiu flung her chain, entwining the sword. Yan Li vibrated her long sword, breaking the chain, and with a sidestep, slashed Qing Jiu’s left arm, slicing through the sleeve and cutting into the flesh, deep enough to wound but not to break the bone.

Hua Lian and the others, seeing Yan Li engage, were baffled, but Yu’er, quick-witted, was the first to grasp the underlying complications.

Yu’er exclaimed, “Yan Li, she’s not Qing Jiu!”

Yan Li sheathed her sword, looking towards Yu’er. Yu’er explained, “This is Miss Zhi Huan from the Ghost Sect.”

Yan Li looked bewildered, her face still showing disbelief, then turned her gaze back to Qing Jiu. Holding her arm and stepping back, Qing Jiu chuckled, “Third Miss Jun, your friend sure knows how to make an interesting first impression, greeting me with blades and swords.”

Yan Li asked Yu’er, “This is not Qing Jiu…?”

Yu’er shook her head. Only then did Yan Li turn, sword in hand, and formally bowed to Qing Jiu, still visibly confused, “Miss Zhi Huan, I mistook you for an old acquaintance of mine and injured you. I apologize.”

Qing Jiu stepped back, “Oh, no, no need.”

Hua Lian laughed, “What has Qing Jiu done to make you so angry with her?”

Yan Li explained, “It’s a long story, but in short, because of her, I’ve ‘enjoyed’ six years of ‘bliss’ here. Should I thank her for that?”

Yu’er glanced at Qing Jiu, “Poor Miss Zhi Huan had to bear the blame. We are truly sorry for the trouble.”

Qing Jiu remained silent.

Yan Li asked, “Why don’t I see Mo Wen and Brother Qi? And what about Qing Jiu? How is she…?” She thought of the past events, where only Qing Jiu was left, barely escaping whole. She hoped that Hua Lian and the others might bring good news, perhaps that Yanyu Pavilion or Yu’er had arrived in time…

Hua Lian responded, “Considering you’ve been isolated from the outside world, it’s hard to explain so much in a few words. We’ll talk more once we’re out of here.”

Yu’er suddenly exclaimed, “Someone’s coming!”

Everyone’s expressions changed, and they quickly leaped over the wall, hiding inside the courtyard.

Footsteps approached rapidly outside, accompanied by shouts, “Assassins have entered the city!”

Yan Chun remarked, “They discovered us so quickly.”

Yan Li said, “Jile City’s defenses are strict. Wu Yu has already been alerted. If she’s determined, we won’t be able to escape unharmed.”

Wei Ran turned to Yan Li, “Junior Sister, we came specifically to get you out. Five disciples from Wuwei Palace are missing. Wuwei Palace and Jile City are already on the brink of war. Shishu will lead the disciples in an attack tomorrow, and it might start with a battle without even a chance for negotiations.”

Yan Li frowned, “Disciples are missing? Could it be Wu Yu’s doing?”

Wei Ran replied, “It’s unclear, but she’s the likely suspect, perhaps to threaten Wuwei Palace or even you. Did Wu Yu ever mention this to you?”

After a long pause, Yan Li said, “I’ll go ask her.”

“You’re going to ask her?!” Yan Chun was incredulous. “You should be avoiding her at all costs, and here you are, rushing to find her.”

Yan Li didn’t respond to Yan Chun. If she didn’t seek out Wu Yu, Wu Yu would come looking. Entering the city had been easy, leaving would not be.

The group had sneaked in from the south side at the rear; by now, that area was surely heavily guarded. They left through the east side instead, with Yan Chun leading swiftly, attempting to scale the palace walls when a dark shadow struck from below.

Alert, Yan Chun flipped to dodge, seeing it was a black whip.

With that delay, a figure emerged from the shadows, and two squads of soldiers appeared on both sides, blocking their way.

Recognizing the woman, Hua Lian grinned, “Enemies often cross paths.” He remembered her from a previous encounter as one of Wu Yu’s top generals.

Tang Linzhi declared, “Looks like we have to fight our way out.”

“Yan Li.” A stern, cold voice called from behind them.

They all turned to see Wu Yu, already catching up with her followers.

Wu Yu stated, “It’s too chaotic outside right now. You should stay in the western garden for now.”

Hua Lian and Tang Linzhi stepped to either side of Yan Li, shielding her with a defiant stance, showing that she was not alone anymore and no longer at the mercy of others.

Yan Li stepped forward, passing between them, and confronted Wu Yu, “Wu Yu, I’m leaving.”

“I won’t allow it!” Wu Yu declared.

Yan Li, as if she hadn’t heard, asked, “Wu Yu, did you have anything to do with the disappearance of five disciples from Wuwei Palace?”

Wu Yu tilted her head slightly, her hair cascading back as she seemed to have rushed over in haste. She wore a thin, black silk robe that was disheveled, and through the parting of her robe, a bandage was visible on her shoulder.

“Do you think I’m responsible?” Wu Yu replied.

Yan Li did not answer, which was taken as a tacit admission of her suspicions.

Standing next to Wu Yu, Si Yu frowned and interjected, “The City Lord has not captured any disciples from Wuwei Palace. On the contrary, it was the disciples of Wuwei Palace who joined forces with some people from jianghu and injured the City Lord.”

“The City Lord’s martial skills are exceptional, far beyond the reach of junior disciples,” Wei Ran countered, unconvinced. “How could they possibly injure her? We came here to settle our sect’s internal affairs and did not invite other people from wulin. These individuals only arrived today. Your accusation is baseless.”

Wei Ran looked the part of a refined scholar, but now he spoke sharply, clearly angered by Wu Yu’s long imprisonment of Yan Li.

Si Yu shot Wei Ran a cold glance, retorting sharply, “This is Jile City. We can do whatever we want. We don’t need to lie in front of you!”

Wu Yu raised her hand to silence Si Yu and then said to Yan Li, “Yesterday, eight individuals attacked. Five of them wore Wuwei Palace disciple robes. Although their skills were unrefined, they used Wuwei Palace’s sword techniques. The other three were masked and displayed exceptional skills worthy of grandmasters. I managed to injure two of them with my whip. They should have wounds on their waists.”

“That’s strange,” Wei Ran remarked, pondering her words. “The disciples we sent are young, but their skills are far from unrefined. As for Grandmasters…”

Wei Ran couldn’t help but glance towards Yu’er and the others; up until now, only Yu’er and her group could be considered martial allies.

Yan Chun called out, “Miss Yan Li’s Senior Brother, why are you looking at us? We only arrived during the day.” He did a somersault to show he had no injuries on his waist.

The others caught Si Yu’s scrutinizing look. Hua Lian snapped open his folding fan with a flick and laughed, “Would you like to test whether I have any injuries on my waist?”

Yan Li firmly stated, “Wu Yu, those were not Wuwei Palace disciples.”

“This matter is suspicious. I will report it to Shishu for further investigation.”

“Report?” Wu Yu shook her head, “I won’t let you leave.”

Yan Li turned her head to look at the bright moon, deliberately avoiding Wu Yu’s gaze. She knew all too well how easy it was to get lost in those eyes, having experienced their compelling pull before.

Wei Ran, Yu’er, and the others braced themselves, knowing that a confrontation was now inevitable.

Only Qing Jiu stood empty-handed, relaxed and to the side. Yan Li alone had drawn her sword, yet showed no intent to fight.

Si Yu spoke solemnly, “Lady Yan Li, the City Lord has at least saved your life and has not mistreated you these six years. And now you want to side with her enemies and take her life?”

Yan Li remained silent for a long moment before responding, “You’re right.”

“I can never repay your kindness. I won’t raise my sword against you. If you attack, I won’t resist.” Yan Li elegantly danced her sword, then placed it against her own neck and said, “But I cannot stand by and watch my friends face difficulties because of me. Since this all started because of me, it should end with me. You saved my life, and now I return it to you.”

“You!” Wu Yu trembled, then laughed bitterly, “Fine! Very well! Very well indeed!”

“Let them go!”

“City Lord… as you command!”

The crowd parted to make way, with Yan Chun and Tang Linzhi leading the way. Following them were Hua Lian, Yu’er, and Qing Jiu, with Wei Ran and Yan Li turning to leave.

Wu Yu called out, “Yan Li.”

Yan Li paused and looked back. Wu Yu said, “The disappearance of your five disciples has nothing to do with Jile City.”

Wu Yu looked down, “I, Wu Yu, do not operate in secrecy. The only deceitful thing I have ever done in my life… was lying to you.”

Yan Li sighed softly, “Wu Yu, you and I…”

Yan Li’s lips parted as if to say something more, but the words dissolved silently into the air, like fallen petals turning into dust, disappearing without a trace: “We were never meant to be.”

With that, Yan Li decisively turned and walked away, her robe fluttering in the wind, blending into the distance.