Xiao Chengyan watched the direction where the three figures had disappeared, frowning in thought for a long time, but he still couldn’t understand it.
“They... just left like that? Weren’t they here to kill me?”
Xiao Chengyan didn’t dwell too much on the fact that someone had suddenly appeared to assassinate him.
Without even thinking, it was definitely the work of those in Grand Shuo who opposed his father.
Ye Zhibai was also filled with confusion.
“Assassins from the Ghost Gate Chamber never do things halfway.
There is a saying in the martial world: ‘When the Ghost Gate opens, death follows without end.’
Since they accepted the bounty, they should have pursued their target to the ends of the earth until they were dead.
Even though that cloaked man was forced back by you just now, he clearly still had strength to spare. Why would he suddenly retreat?”
Chen Zui did not answer immediately.
He leaned his long spear against his shoulder, pulled the wine flask from his waist, and took a leisurely gulp before finally speaking slowly.
“Because from the very beginning, they never intended to actually kill this kid.”
Ye Zhibai’s brow furrowed.
“What do you mean?”
“Think about it. While I was entangled with that cloaked man, did the other two take the opportunity to move against the boy?
Also, did they even use their full strength at the start?”
Ye Zhibai froze for a moment. Recalling carefully, it seemed that was indeed the case.
The short, stout assassin had been fighting her from start to finish. Although he claimed he wanted Xiao Chengyan’s life, every move was directed at her; he hadn't spared even half a strike to attack the prince.
As for the tall, thin one...
She remembered that he had indeed lunged toward Xiao Chengyan at the beginning.
But when she turned back to thrust her sword at his heart, he had abandoned his offensive without any hesitation to engage her instead.
For a prestigious assassin of the Ghost Gate Chamber, how much effort would it take to kill a defenseless Xiao Chengyan?
He could have easily slit Xiao Chengyan’s throat before she even turned back to help.
But he didn’t do it.
“Are you saying...” Ye Zhibai’s voice dropped, “they didn’t want to kill Prince Xiao at all?”
“Not only did they not want to kill him, but they actually had to ensure his safety.
The reason these three suddenly appeared was likely to test our motives for being near this kid.”
By now, Ye Zhibai and Xiao Chengyan were completely lost in a fog of confusion.
Why would an assassin organization like the Ghost Gate Chamber protect a prince from a foreign country?
Chen Zui’s gaze fell upon the ravaged snowy ground.
“Think about it. What is Xiao Chengyan’s identity?
He is a Prince of the Grand Shuo Dynasty.
If he were to die within the borders of Grand Zhao and the news reached Grand Shuo, what would the consequences be?”
Xiao Chengyan’s expression changed slightly.
As a member of the imperial kin, he naturally understood the stakes better than anyone.
“Within the Grand Shuo court, the pro-war and pro-peace factions have been fighting for decades.
Although my uncle leans toward peace, the influence of the pro-war faction cannot be underestimated.
If I were to die in Grand Zhao, the pro-war faction would definitely use it as an excuse to pressure my uncle into deploying troops against Grand Zhao.”
Hearing this, Ye Zhibai nodded thoughtfully.
“So Grand Zhao won’t let you die within their borders.”
Chen Zui took over the explanation.
“If a foreign prince dies in Grand Zhao, regardless of the reason, Grand Zhao will lose the moral high ground.
If Grand Shuo uses it as a pretext for war, Grand Zhao will be the party in the wrong.
Therefore, even if the Grand Zhao court dislikes Xiao Chengyan, they must ensure he leaves the country safely.”
As he said this, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing an intriguing smile.
“But the problem is, someone specifically wants Xiao Chengyan to die in Grand Zhao.”
Xiao Chengyan’s pupils constricted.
“You mean there are people in Grand Zhao who want me dead too?”
Chen Zui nodded gently.
“Whether it’s on the side of Grand Shuo or Grand Zhao, there are always restless people.
Someone in Grand Shuo deliberately leaked word of you sneaking into Grand Zhao, but their goal isn't necessarily your death.
In fact, from beginning to end, whether you live or die doesn't matter.
Their goal is simply to have an excuse.
An excuse that can trigger a war between the two nations.
And some people here in Grand Zhao are more than happy to give them a helping hand.”
Chen Zui hung the wine flask back at his waist, his voice lowering slightly.
“So the Ghost Gate Chamber’s arrival this time was just for show.
They just wanted to create a trace of ‘having once pursued the Grand Shuo Prince.’
As for whether they succeeded in killing you, that’s not important.
What matters is that you almost died in Grand Zhao.
This way, when the news reaches Grand Shuo, the pro-war faction will have an excuse to incite public opinion.
‘Assassins in Grand Zhao were hunting our Grand Shuo Prince, yet the Grand Zhao court stood by and did nothing.’
See? What a perfect reason for war.
In this way, those who want to make a name for themselves in chaotic times will have achieved their goal.”
Xiao Chengyan’s face darkened bit by bit.
Born into the imperial family, he was all too familiar with the schemes and power plays of the court.
Chen Zui’s words were like a bucket of ice water poured over his head, making every inch of his bones feel cold.
“But...” Ye Zhibai hesitated, “the Ghost Gate Chamber is just an assassin organization that takes money to do jobs. Can they really think that far ahead?”
Chen Zui smiled.
“Lady Ye, oh Lady Ye, you really are naive.
How can an assassin organization as hated as the Ghost Gate Chamber run rampant in the martial world for decades without being wiped out?
Especially in Grand Zhao—except for those sects with a Grandmaster backing them, which one isn't supported by the court to survive?
And why was your Frost-Sigh Sect surpassed by the Jinyang Sect in just twenty short years?
Do I really need to say more about the reasons?”
Ye Zhibai suddenly looked up.
“Are you saying... the Ghost Gate Chamber is an organization cultivated by the court?”
“It’s more likely than not,” Chen Zui said nonchalantly.
“Even if it doesn’t belong entirely to the court, it should serve under some powerful figure sitting high in the halls of power.”
Chen Zui smiled, his expression carrying an indescribable meaning.
After hearing these words, Ye Zhibai’s face turned pale.
Although she had grown up in the Frost-Sigh Sect since childhood, she knew the relationship between the court and the martial world was very delicate.
However, she had never imagined that the twists and turns within could be so deep.
Even after Chen Zui explained everything, she was unwilling to believe that an organization like the Ghost Gate Chamber—which struck terror into the hearts of martial artists and was intolerable to the righteous path—could actually be something the court intentionally cultivated.
Chen Zui glanced at her and let out a soft sigh.
“The truly terrifying ones are never the warriors who kill each other with blades and swords, but the powerful officials and strategists who sit securely in the court, harboring ill intentions every day, and can stir up storms just by moving their lips.”
Chen Zui then turned his gaze to Xiao Chengyan, who was frozen in place, and his tone became serious.
“Xiao Chengyan, if you stay in Grand Zhao, there might still be hope for you to live.
But if you take one step out of the border pass, there’s no telling how many blades will be waiting for your life.
You’d better think this through.”
Xiao Chengyan paused, unable to say a word for a long time.
He had never imagined that his life was entangled in such a complex court game.
Someone in Grand Shuo wanted to kill with a borrowed knife, while the Grand Zhao court wanted to beat them at their own game.
And he was merely a pawn being pushed back and forth by both sides.
He was no fool; he had simply been playing dumb all these years, unwilling to touch the filthy dealings of the court.
But Chen Zui’s words today had forcefully dragged him out of his shell of feigned ignorance.
“I’ve decided. I’m going back to Grand Shuo to let those people see that this Prince’s life isn't something those bastards can just claim.”
“Based on your strength at the Knocking Realm?” Chen Zui teased.
Xiao Chengyan wasn’t discouraged by the remark, though his voice was a bit dry as he spoke.
“How will I know if I don’t try?”
Hearing this, Chen Zui smiled slightly and patted his shoulder.
“Fine, at least you have some backbone. You didn't beg me to protect you out of the pass at a time like this.”
The force was neither heavy nor light, yet Xiao Chengyan felt his shoulder grow heavy, as if a mountain were pressing down on it.
Chen Zui then looked at Ye Zhibai.
“Are you still going to Luoyan City?”
“I’m going to observe the sword to comprehend the Dao; I’m not meddling in their affairs. Why wouldn't I go?”
Ye Zhibai frowned in confusion.
Chen Zui’s lips quirked up. “Fine, then let’s continue on our way.”
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