Chapter 15: I Set the Trap, Now You’re the Prey

When Bloodfeather emerged from the water, the two pursuers hadn’t followed. The three figures in his line of sight had become little more than distant dots, still locked in confrontation, too preoccupied to notice him.

A flicker of relief at narrowly escaping death mingled with an inexplicable sense of loss.

Who would have thought that someone as significant as himself would ultimately be ignored? He couldn’t fathom the origin of that fiery mass either—what was it that had instilled such profound dread within him?

The immense form gradually shrank. Though it didn’t revert to the vermilion sparrow, it now resembled only a red-feathered falcon.

It had always been a red-feathered falcon. A century ago, by chance, it had drunk several mouthfuls of blood from some unknown demon beast, enabling its transformation and setting it upon the true path of cultivation.

After gradually calming his emotions, he suddenly discovered with delight that during the battle, the restraints within his body seemed to have been severed by the white-robed woman’s final, unintentional strike.

Feeling the restraints loosen, he was overcome with joy. It wouldn’t be long now before he could break free from these shackles on his own.

Dragging his exhausted body, Bloodfeather Lord cast one last glance back at Phoenix Lake, a pained smile flickering in his eyes.

Many years ago, it had been much the same. Severely wounded, he had fled, believing no one could stand against him. Just as he channeled his demonic power to mend his wounds, plotting future vengeance against the imperial city, he suddenly heard the crunch of fallen leaves behind him.

It was a sound he could never forget:

“You’re a promising little sparrow. If you choose to serve me, I may spare your life.”

He turned, ready to strike, but suddenly his bones felt as heavy as a thousand tons. A tearing pain sliced through his skin and deep into his body, then his form deflated like a punctured balloon, shrinking frantically until he was truly no larger than a sparrow.

Then he heard that woman’s soft laughter:

“Truthfully, you never had a choice.”

From that day on, he was kept in a cage for the amusement of a young girl, said to be the woman’s daughter. Yet throughout his captivity, he never once saw the woman’s face.

Bloodfeather raised his head as autumn rain fell upon him. Recalling his decades as a messenger pigeon, he felt his sharp spirit worn down, his heart heavy with emotion.

“Fortunately, misfortune has brought fortune. Given time, I shall break free from these restraints. Best to leave the city sooner rather than later…”

Just as he dismissed the idea of reporting back to Zhao Xiang’er and prepared to depart alone, a cool, distant voice sounded behind him:

“Little Red, where are you going?”

His heart jolted violently. After a long moment, he turned his head to see a girl in a black dress standing gracefully in the rain, smiling at him.

Bloodfeather stood frozen in place.

Time rewound half an hour earlier.

The autumn rain was still gathering, clouds rolling in from all directions. The white-robed woman of the Sword Mandate Heaven Sect still dozed within the blue-and-white sedan chair. The Witchmaster, fingering an ancient scroll, divined the mist-shrouded future, pondering repeatedly the prophetic words at the scroll’s end.

Deep within the underground palace, smoke danced like firefoxes. The girl’s black dress glowed faintly with firelight, the small yellow flower at the hem appearing all the more captivating.

Zhao Xiang’er said,

“Of these six chains of heavenly destiny, I can sever four for you. Whether you escape depends on yourself.”

The old fox was puzzled.

“You cannot kill me here within the underground palace. Once we leave this place, what weapon would you wield against me?”

Zhao Xiang’er replied,

“Shall we find out?”

The old fox chuckled.

“I’d be delighted. When might the young lady intend to release me from these six chains?”

Zhao Xiang’er shook her head.

“Only four of these chains possess keys.”

The old fox’s eyes pierced through the flames, fixing on her.

“One is in the Grand Preceptor’s residence, one in the Witchmaster’s Hall, one in the Qianyu Palace, and one in the Imperial Palace. Four keys are enough. With these four, I can free four strands of my soul. The remaining two? Once my four souls merge, I’ll sever them myself!”

Zhao Xiang’er smiled faintly.

“So you knew all along? It seems these years you’ve truly left your mark on the Zhao Kingdom.”

The old fox’s form within the flames grew increasingly distinct. From within the furnace that occupied half the underground palace, the figure slowly emerging gave an illusion of towering height, as if it could pierce the heavens and stand firm against the earth.

“Before my physical form perished, I had already ascended to a five-path demon. You’ve imprisoned me beneath the imperial city for a century—I can certainly offer some repayment.”

He narrowed his eyes, mockingly observing Zhao Xiang’er.

“You claim you wish to kill me—surely that’s not the only reason?”

Zhao Xiang’er smiled faintly.

“Is that reason insufficient?”

The old fox’s form writhed within the flames, his laughter tinged with inscrutable scorn.

“Over the years, I may have killed many unseen, but those were mere ant lives—hardly worth…”

He paused, his tone suddenly softening.

“Could it be… you wish to become a Saint?”

Zhao Xiang’er offered no reply.

Within the roaring flames, a faint wind seemed to wail softly. The old fox’s voice rose and fell like flickering fire.

“Earlier, I harbored a measure of respect for your youthful promise. But now I see you’re merely hypocritical—seeking to use me as a seed for your own sanctity.”

Zhao Xiang’er replied,

“I merely wish to borrow your blade to kill.”

“Kill whom?”

She drew a jade seal from her sleeve and laid it open in her palm.

The old fox stared at the seal, his expression trembling. Even the flames quivered, as if overcome by an uncontrollable palpitation.

“This is…”

“The Imperial Seal—the first key to the Grand Preceptor’s residence. Once you swallow this key, you may break free a strand of your soul. But the Grand Preceptor’s residence sustains the nation’s fortune. Should you act against that fortune after breaking free, the backlash will be a hundredfold, a thousandfold.”

The old fox’s expression shifted between shock and doubt.

“Even if it’s only a sliver of my soul, I could still kill you. What makes you so confident?”

Zhao Xiang’er smiled faintly.

“I represent the very fortune of the Zhao Kingdom. And besides…”

She suddenly opened the umbrella she held. Hundreds of bamboo ribs unfurled the ancient, faintly crimson canopy. Now illuminated by the firelight, its hues grew even more vivid.

The old fox had noticed the umbrella the moment she entered, probing it with faint demonic thoughts, yet he had found no answers.

Now, the ancient umbrella stood open, the girl beneath it. Her smile faded, her expression becoming serene, carrying an air of pure sanctity.

“Is this the key to the Qianyu Palace?”

The girl nodded.

“Kill the Witchmaster. Devour the ancient scroll in his hands. Then you may sever another chain. When that time comes, I shall give you this umbrella.”

The old fox sneered.

“I know this umbrella may hold some secret. A single soul fragment of mine might indeed be powerless against you. But with three souls united as one, such trinkets become meaningless. To kill you would be but a flick of the finger.”

The girl propped her umbrella and walked unhindered to the furnace. Bathed in the firelight, her figure appeared even more delicate. Sparks danced at the hem of her jet-black skirt. She stood like a solitary admirer before a blazing sun, as if the surging waves of light were about to swallow her whole.

Human and fox gazed silently at each other, as if each were confirming something within the other.

Gradually, the flames cooled. Through the crisscrossing black iron bars, the girl continued to watch the fire fox. Then, with a casual flick of her wrist, she tossed the imperial seal high into the flames.

“Little girl, I’m starting to feel scared for you.”

The voice erupted in maniacal laughter as a vast, pitch-black figure burst through the flames, snatching the jade seal in its jaws.

“Fear not. I shall bury you.”

The girl’s lips curved into a faint smile, delicate and elegant as a flower nestled in her sleeve.

The black fox shadow stretched its neck, swallowing the jade seal whole. The brilliantly lit underground palace suddenly dimmed. The sound of chains snapping echoed in her ears. Before her eyes, a colossal form rose like the arched back of a fish breaking the sea’s surface.

A fierce wind swept toward her, lifting the strands of hair at her forehead and making her eyes and brows appear even paler.

Countless jet-black shadows emerged from the flames, gliding past her, streaking toward the rear. They were fragments of the old fox’s spirit, struggling to break free.

The girl stood silently, umbrella raised, unmoved.

As the dark spirits neared the well’s edge, the aged voice sounded one last time:

“Zhao Xiang’er, we shall meet again.”

The girl turned and waved.

Behind her, the old fox—now noticeably smaller—continued to watch silently.

“I’m curious. What exactly do you intend to do?”

“You’ve already released a strand of your soul. With no room left for maneuvering, why ask?”

The old fox fell silent for a moment before replying,

“Interesting.”

Zhao Xiang’er turned her back, waving her hand dismissively.

“I have matters to attend to. We shall converse again another time.”

With that, she propped her umbrella and slowly departed.

The old fox stared at her, his eyes suddenly erupting with murderous intent as fierce as a blizzard. She did not look back. Finally, she ascended another passageway and vanished from his sight.

Once Zhao Xiang’er confirmed the old fox’s demonic thoughts could not pursue her, she immediately closed her umbrella and sprinted outward at breakneck speed.

This passage led to the well within the Undying Forest.

Though she had appeared calm and unhurried during her exchange, how could she truly be at ease? This was a life-and-death struggle measured against time itself.

Even with every step meticulously planned and executed flawlessly, she still lacked absolute certainty. Thus, she could not afford the slightest misstep.

The obstacles and traps along the way were already etched into her memory; none could hinder her progress.

Soon, she glimpsed the light at the well’s mouth. Drops of autumn rain fell upon her brow as she leapt upward, scrambling up the wall with agility. In a few swift movements, she scaled the rim and burst out. Then, she sprinted away from the Witch Lord’s Hall, toward Phoenix Lake.

At that very moment, Xue Yujun plunged into the lake, fleeing north toward the imperial city.

Zhao Xiang’er glanced at the lake’s surface. Three distant specks began moving slowly. A vast surge of spiritual energy swept across the sky. Several tornadoes, swirling with lake water, rose from the depths, appearing from afar like giant serpents raising their heads.

“Xiao Hong, did you… try to escape just now?”

Her soft question made Bloodfeather’s heart tremble. He hurriedly replied,

“Am I not here awaiting Your Highness?”

Zhao Xiang’er smiled.

“Hmm, it seems you’re quite aware whose hands hold the power over your life and death.”

Bloodfeather nodded repeatedly.

“There’s no need for Your Highness to say more. This servant has no other allegiance but to you!”

Zhao Xiang’er sighed, leaning closer.

“You’ve committed countless atrocities—slaughtering cities, murdering innocents. I should have boiled you in soup long ago. But these years, you’ve delivered messages diligently enough. Now, freedom lies just one step away. Someday, you might even try to kill me. So, Little Red… from here on out, don’t make any foolish mistakes.”

The restraints within his body activated. His entire being felt like it was being sliced by knives. He dared only crawl on the ground, begging for mercy.

Zhao Xiang’er suddenly gripped the umbrella handle and yanked it upward with a sharp jerk.

A clear, resonant sound echoed as a soft glow swept past her. Silver yet restrained, slender yet crystalline—it seemed as though she had drawn forth nothing more than a pool of pure water.

It was the sword concealed within the umbrella.

Xue Yujun dared not entertain further defiance, crying out,

“Your Highness, this humble servant has reformed over the years, diligently fulfilling duties without the slightest presumption! Without your orders, I would never have left the imperial city!”

Zhao Xiang’er smiled faintly.

“Drawing the sword doesn’t mean I’ll strike you. Why such fear? Have you something to hide?”

She tossed the ancient umbrella—now stripped of its blade—to Bloodfeather.

“Later, when that old fox kills the Witchmaster and devours the ancient scroll, you shall give him this umbrella. He will let you go.”

Bloodfeather swiftly seized the umbrella with his beak, cautiously asking with his mind:

“What exactly… is that thing?”

Zhao Xiang’er replied,

“You needn’t know. Follow my orders. No more second thoughts.”

Having served her for years, Bloodfeather had watched her grow from a young girl into a little devil. He knew exactly which words were jest and which were earnest.

He nodded immediately, banishing the last vestiges of hope from his mind.

Zhao Xiang’er glanced at him, then turned and walked away.

“Where is Your Highness headed?”

“The Imperial Palace.”

“The palace is heavily guarded now. Nearly all the skilled warriors of the Zhao capital have gathered there. It’s extremely dangerous. Shall this servant clear the way for Your Highness first?”

“Unnecessary.”

She would not take the main path to the palace.

Soon, the old fox in the underground palace saw the girl return. This time, however, she carried no umbrella—only a sword as slender and luminous as water.

She didn’t even acknowledge him, charging straight toward the passage leading to the imperial palace well.

This was the true path, completely unguarded.

Meanwhile, within the palace walls, great upheaval was unfolding.