She defied her family’s orders.
It was certain that injuring the old woman who had come to take her back would provoke a response from the Assassin organization under her family’s jurisdiction, a fact that had become clear to her when they left Fufeng City together, and her right hand had gripped the hilt of the short sword behind her back.
Then, she felt not the slightest hesitation in her heart.
Fierce and straight, as unswerving as ever, the reflection in the astonished and puzzled eyes of the old woman, who had been knocked unconscious, was mirrored in those brown eyes, as serene as frost.
She was never a person with many emotions.
Her mind was just like that of her ancestor who secretly assassinated the Ancestral Dragon a millennium ago.
Then, she cleared the scene with the fastest speed, disguised the evidence, and turned to leave. When she exited the inn, she stopped at a nearby tavern to order a pot of the strongest liquor, which scathingly cut through her throat, bringing a sensation as intense as flames.
She narrowed her eyes.
Such ’stimulation,’ like ’exhilaration,’ rippled through her usually placid heart, which after crying at the age of thirteen, rarely allowed anything to disturb its equanimity; that night seemed to leave the last of her weaknesses at her mother’s grave.
Only equal combat, life-and-death struggles, and fiery liquor could ripple her calm heart, reminding her that she was ’alive.’
However, since two years ago, a question had been lingering in her heart, unanswered.
That’s why she was reluctant to leave Fufeng so easily. Experience tales at freewebnovel
The murderous aura outside was gradually becoming chaotic.
Seemingly unable to contain their impatience, the blades and the worn whaling scabbards rubbed against each other, making a fine sound.
Xue Qinshuang raised her hand to remove the Jade Hairpin that held her hair in place.
Her slightly disheveled black hair spilled down like ink.
She seemed oblivious to the practically unmasked killing intent outside.
Raising her hand, she placed the sword in her hand on the dressing table.
Raising her right hand, she composedly tied up her loose long hair; she never used rouge or powder, because she neither knew how nor needed to. Feeling the rising restlessness of the murderous intent in the courtyard, a sense of proud combat will arose in her heart.
In the hazy bronze mirror, those brown eyes shone brilliantly.
Xue Qinshuang secured the wine pot at her waist, gripped the plain white longsword in her right hand, stood up, and pushed the door open.
With a resounding sword cry,
There was a bright gleam of the sword, cutting through the air like the light of heaven amidst the clouds.
...............
A moment later, the longsword returned to its sheath.
She didn’t kill any of them, and every person lying on the ground knew her confidence sprang from the fact that she could allow that plain white longsword to pass easily across everyone’s throat.
One of the middle-aged men, coughing, propped himself up and, not daring to look at Xue Qinshuang’s face, simply said,
"Third Miss, please go back..."
Xue Qinshuang’s expression remained calm as she replied lightly,
"When I wish to return, I will naturally go back."
The man seemed to be about to say something more, but having been struck in the chest and abdomen by the sword, with his vigorous qi cutting off his meridians, the act of getting up brought intolerable sharp pain. He couldn’t help but kneel down, coughing up a mouthful of fresh blood, and could only let the young girl pass by him composedly.
He knew the burden that the girl in front of him carried, which made her composure all the more significant.
The man’s gaze flashed, unable to do anything except heave a sigh, feeling a sense of regret in his heart.
The Third Miss was exceptionally talented, a rarity in this world.
It’s just a pity...
It’s simply a pity.
Xue Qinshuang held her sword and continued forward, but after just a few steps, her gait suddenly paused, she turned to look back, her brown eyes vivid as she gazed in a certain direction. She might just be a beautiful woman, but those eyes, like morning stars, gave her an indescribable grace as she said,
"Since you are here, why not come out?"
"I just wonder which one of the many Elders has come this time? Is it Elder Sun?"
"I would prefer it if it were Elder Sun."
A smile appeared on her face, a shallow dimple on her left cheek.
Sun Elder was the seventh elder of the Xue Family’s external clan and also a master assassin ranked thirty-seventh on the assassin rankings, skilled in swordsmanship, a rare practitioner of longsword assassination.
Ripples created illusions.
An aged, helpless voice came through, laden with a touch of tender laughter, as if looking at a child throwing a tantrum, said,
"Oh dear, oh dear, Qinshuang, such a temper is not too good."
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freewebnovel.cσ๓.
"What, can’t I even persuade you now?"
Xue Qinshuang’s steps faltered, she almost thought she was hearing things, and the combat will in her heart instantly vanished.
She could draw her sword against many people, even against that nominal father and brother without a hint of hesitation, but facing this old woman, she just couldn’t summon any will to fight. The young girl looked up and saw an old granny with white hair and a kindly face standing not far away, leaning on a cane with a warm smile.
That was the only warmth she remembered.
Xue Qinshuang pursed her lips and said,
"Granny..."
...............…
Xue Qinshuang was sitting in her place, raising her hand to make tea.
The plain sleeves of her robe slid down, revealing a segment of wrist as white as jade, her fingers slender and tender.
By the wine jar, a beauty like the moon, her pale wrists stark against the frosty snow.
The fragrance of the tea wafted through the air, bringing with it a feeling of tranquillity and quiet.
The kindly-faced old woman sat opposite her, looking at her most beloved granddaughter, and said,
"Why... don’t you want to go back?"
Xue Qinshuang’s eyes narrowed slightly, her tea-making motions uninterrupted, as she calmly responded,
"Why go back?"
"I left home from a young age because I didn’t want to compete with my brothers for that position. I’ve always dressed as a man, dabbling in the arts of the Hundred Clans, from music, chess, literature, to painting, practicing martial arts, and making a big name for myself. Each place I stopped, I sought out local experts to exchange blows, attracting the attention of various noble clans, so that my elder brother and younger brother could grow up at ease."
"I have no regrets, being able to immerse myself in martial arts is a great fortune to me."
"I never intended to compete with them. Blood ties do have their significance to me. My little brother once followed behind me trying to walk, and my elder brother personally taught me the essence of swordsmanship. But now I realize not everyone wants a sister like me. Looking back, I find the distance has only grown."
"As for my father, he sees me as nothing more than a sharp sword that could help the future family head—whether it be my elder or younger brother—clear obstacles. Since thirteen days after my fifth birthday, he hasn’t bothered with me. The Xue Family may be grand, but it’s nothing but a cage."
Xue Qinshuang spoke calmly, mentioning these matters as if they were unrelated to herself.
But the old woman opposite her felt a twinge of heartache.
She knew the young girl’s temperament well.
She was never one to talk so much at once.
The elder held the teacup the young girl had handed her, remaining silent for a long while, gazing at Xue Qinshuang, resolved in her heart. Even if it meant stirring up a storm within the clan, she could not let the child in front of her suffer so much anymore.
They all shared the blood of the Xue Family, why treat them so differently? Even if, even if there was that one matter, the children are still innocent after all.
With a mind swirling with thoughts, the old woman’s face broke into a kind smile, and said,
"Do you really think that way?"
"Or are you just throwing a tantrum with your granny? Do you want to hear, "This isn’t your fault, you’ve tried hard enough," or, ’I know you’ve suffered a lot, no need to struggle so much from now on’?"
Xue Qinshuang hesitated for a moment, ripples finally stirring in her heart.
Human beings are a peculiar creature. Sometimes, one can bear all the pain and grievances alone, without showing any sign of it, but when someone truly close offers a word of comfort, overwhelming feelings of grievance well up inside. At that moment, it seemed as if even the wounds on her shoulders hurt more.
Memories of waking from a dream in pain repeatedly, of being bloodied over and over again, of moving her battered body forward, and of agonies only dull with strong liquor seemed to resurface at that moment, accumulating together and surging like an ocean.
Xue Qinshuang closed her eyes, blinking slightly, her brown pupils glistening with unshed tears, but she quickly composed herself. Lifting her face to the sunlight, the beautiful features carried a smile that was heartrendingly tender to the old woman, and she said,
"I’m used to it."
She was smiling.
She said she was used to it.
Xue Qinshuang, with those words, her brown pupils filled with a void, as if nothing else existed.
PS: The cleverness of buttoning up, the strength of those who are strong surely comes from intolerable pain and tears.