Who Are You? . . .
With one swift strike, the decisive victor had been established. Ning Biluo, the world's number one assassin, had been vanquished by an unfamiliar young woman, marking a stunning upset.
After concluding her confrontation with Ning Biluo, Wenren Chuchu turned her gaze toward Cha Eun Xiao. For a time, she remained silent, as though contemplating something. Then, she spurred her horse and retraced her path back to the encampments.
As she departed, she left an ethereal impression in the minds of onlookers.
Cha Eun Xiao, still captivated by the lotus patterns adorning Wenren Chuchu's robe, knit his brows in thought. Those patterns had remained a constant presence, regardless of the color or style of her attire. This apparent fixation intrigued him, even though he couldn't pinpoint the significance behind it. He had a strong sense that it held a deeper meaning.
Song Jue wore a solemn expression as he observed Wenren Chuchu, inquiring, "So, she is the princess of the Kingdom of Lan-Feng?"
Cha Eun Xiao responded, "I believe she is."
On the other side of the encounter, Ning Biluo outwardly appeared composed, but beneath the surface, a single bead of sweat had formed along his hairline.
He alone was privy to the tremendous pressure that Wenren Chuchu had imposed, for he had been the one to experience it fully. In that moment, Ning Biluo had sensed the specter of death looming close. Although he had reacted quickly to mitigate the danger, he couldn't escape the reality that a second strike from the lady could have spelled his demise.
He was painfully aware of the implications.
Song Jue's expression grew more serious as he spoke, "That girl is no ordinary princess. The martial art she just demonstrated is exceptional. It comprised only a few maneuvers, yet it felt as though there were countless variations. Unless I am mistaken, it must be... the Ice Jade Supreme Art, a prime treasure of the Misty Cloud Palace, one of the three major powers in the Qing-Yun Realm."
"The fluidity of her movements, her attacks... they undeniably bear the mark of the Misty Cloud Palace."
"Xiao Xiao, she is not your average adversary. You must exercise caution," Song Jue cautioned, his gaze affixed to Wenren Chuchu's retreating figure.
Cha Eun Xiao responded with a bland demeanor, "No matter. She is no match for my Uncle Song. There's no need for undue concern."
He chuckled and then rode back, his confidence unshaken.
This wasn't a display of arrogance; it was his genuine belief that Song Jue held the upper hand.
Wenren Jianyin had intended to speak, but upon realizing the strength of his three adversaries, he elected to withdraw without saying a word.
His cautious nature was a defining trait, and it had served him well in the past. While a resounding victory might have been preferable, stability had allowed him to endure and prosper in numerous battles. Wenren Jianyin was genuinely apprehensive, though he was averse to taking reckless risks.
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but worry, contemplating how to confront such a cautious individual. A furrow etched his brow.
However, his efforts to concentrate were in vain, as he was persistently aware of a pair of eyes scrutinizing him from afar.
Wenren Chuchu, on her return to the camp, felt her heart pounding as if it would burst from her chest.
She all but fled from the battlefield. But why? The disconcerting behavior of Wenren Chuchu did not go unnoticed by her uncle, Wenren Jianyin. Her face was flushed, as if she were intoxicated. Concerned for her well-being, he inquired, "Chuchu, what's troubling you?"
Startled, Wenren Chuchu paused and then stammered, "I... I'm fine."
Wenren Jianyin's concern deepened. "Fine? Are you sure you're not feeling unwell, Chuchu? If you're not well, you must inform our medic. Please don't keep anything from them."
"No... I'm fine. I... I'm just not thinking about anything," she replied incoherently. Her heart was in turmoil, overwhelmed by complex emotions. She genuinely couldn't discern her own thoughts at that moment.
Though perplexed, Wenren Jianyin refrained from pressing further. Instead, he instructed her maid, "Accompany the princess to her camp."
Wenren Chuchu departed with her maid, returning to her camp with a racing heart. She couldn't even recollect how she had made the journey back.
Her heart continued to race, pounding heavily. Seated on her bed with a vacant mind, she felt as though she had just recovered from a severe illness, her emotions surging.
"Ning Biluo! He's the world's number one assassin, Ning Biluo!"
"Cha Eun Xiao... Why do I find him so familiar?"
"Why is Ning Biluo here? He's a trusted aide to the Feng Monarch of Ling-Bao Hall. What's he doing by Cha Eun Xiao's side? What does it signify?"
"Ning Biluo respects Cha Eun Xiao. I sensed it in his eyes. He would never so readily obey anyone else. The Chaotic Storms House tried to recruit him multiple times, and he declined. Why is Cha Eun Xiao able to keep him by his side? It's baffling."
After some time, she finally managed to extract a few coherent thoughts from the jumbled mess in her mind.
"I decided to test Ning Biluo, and his reaction was as expected. It was an impulsive decision, and I had no reservations about confronting Ning Biluo. So why did I hastily withdraw once I recognized his face?"
"Am I afraid of Ning Biluo? No. Whether I knew his identity or not, I was always confident I could defeat him. Overpowering him would not have been a difficult feat."
"What was I thinking? Shouldn't I have tested Cha Eun Xiao or Song Jue next?"
"Why didn't I?"
"Why did I awkwardly withdraw?"
"I shouldn't have."
"Was I... too frightened to continue?"