Chapter 9: The Shadow of Royalty and the Voices of Reproach
Beneath the clear blue skies, the bustling city of Lin Si overflowed with clamor and life, befitting its reputation as one of Qi Kingdom's grandest capitals. Endless rows of merchant stalls lined the long avenues, where hawkers shouted to draw in customers. Caravans carrying goods from distant lands rumbled in steadily, weaving an ever-restless, vibrant atmosphere.
Ye Ninghe, Ye Ningjian, and Li Feitian arrived at a roadside inn and decided to rest on the open second floor, from which the entire cityscape sprawled before them.
Down below, at a corner plaza, a little girl was performing acrobatics, flipping deftly through the air while an old man beat a small wooden drum in rhythm, calling out spiritedly to gather the crowd.
Laughter and applause rose from the throngs of onlookers, and silver coins clinked as passersby tossed them into a basket placed before the girl.
Ye Ninghe murmured under her breath,"Such a young child, yet her skills are remarkable."
Ye Ningjian nodded in agreement."Indeed. These arts have been passed down for generations. Though but street performances, they are worthy of respect."
The festive mood continued—until a group of uniformed officials pushed through the crowd.The leader, a portly man with a haughty gleam in his eye, barked imperiously,
"Halt! Who permitted this performance here?"
Startled, the little girl froze. The old man quickly stopped drumming and bowed low.
"Sir, we cause no disturbance. We merely perform to earn our livelihood," he pleaded.
The official sneered coldly."Disrupting commerce in the area—especially the inn across the street—is cause enough. Complaints have been lodged. If you wish to perform, go elsewhere!"
Without another word, another officer strode forward, snatched up the donation basket, and emptied it into his own hands without ceremony.
The little girl, pale with fear, lunged toward him."Stop! That money belongs to us!"
The officer shoved her aside roughly, sending her sprawling onto the ground."Yours? Once I take it, it becomes mine!"
A cold voice sliced through the commotion.
"Such brazen abuse of authority."
All heads turned.Ye Ninghe descended the stairs from the inn's upper floor, her dark eyes glinting with icy fire, her ink-black hair fluttering in the breeze.
She approached without hurry, coming to stand directly before the official.
The portly man raised a brow."And who are you, lady in black? What do you intend to do?"
Ye Ninghe smiled coldly."It is not I who must answer that question, but you."
The official sneered."This is none of your concern. Begone!"
In a flash, Ye Ninghe moved—her slender hand lashing out to seize the man's wrist in a steely grip, wrenching the coin-filled basket free.
"Agh!"The official cried out, his bones feeling as though they were being crushed.
Ye Ninghe's voice was like the winter frost."This money belongs to them. What right do you have to seize it?"
Whispers rippled through the gathered crowd, murmuring discontent at the official's shamelessness.
Face paling, the official barked to his underlings,"What are you waiting for? Seize her!"
Three or four officers lunged forward—only to find their path blocked.
Li Feitian, who had remained silent until now, stepped out calmly.A sly glint flickered in his eyes.
"Are you truly certain you wish to fight us?"
Ye Ningjian, watching from the second floor, sighed softly to herself."Here she goes again... stirring up trouble..."
Tension coiled thick in the air. The crowd watched, holding their breath.
With the whoosh of her sword slicing the wind, Ye Ninghe launched into the fray. Her black robes billowed like shadows made flesh. Moving with ghostlike swiftness, she struck with the flat or hilt of her sword, felling officer after officer without killing, though their cries of pain rang out loudly.
The remaining officers hesitated, forming a wary circle.
"Ahh!"A cry rang out from the other side.
Li Feitian, using a fighting style foreign to the martial world, struck fiercely with fists and feet.Each blow was heavy, precise, and devastating.Unlike the flowing arts of the pugilists, his attacks were brutal and direct.
One heavy kick sent an officer sprawling against a shop wall. Others collapsed after swift, decisive strikes. Within moments, the officials lay groaning on the ground.
The bystanders gasped, never having seen such unorthodox combat skills.
Suddenly—
"Stop this at once!"
A commanding voice rang out.From the crowd emerged a tall, imposing man in an officer's uniform. His sharp gaze widened in shock at the scene before him, and even more so when his eyes fell upon Li Feitian.
He studied him closely—and then exclaimed,
"The Ninth Prince!"
At his shout, the noisy plaza fell into stunned silence.The officials, who moments ago had been eager to strike, now recoiled in fear.
The officer clasped his hands respectfully and bowed deeply.
Li Feitian—or rather, Qi Dongyang, the Ninth Prince of Qi.
Ye Ninghe and Ye Ningjian stood frozen, their eyes wide in disbelief.
"You... You are the Ninth Prince, Qi Dongyang?"Ye Ningjian stammered, her voice thick with confusion.
Ye Ninghe furrowed her brows, gripping her sword tighter.
Li Feitian sighed softly. He knew he could no longer hide the truth.
Ye Ninghe glared at him coldly."Why did you not tell us the truth?"
Li Feitian met her gaze calmly."You never asked," he said.
"You!"Ye Ningjian bit her lip hard, her anger surging.
"We crossed life and death together! What were we to you, mere pawns?"
Ye Ninghe's voice dripped with scorn."From the beginning, you intended to use us, didn't you?"
The air grew heavy.
Li Feitian lowered his gaze, his voice barely above a whisper."I never thought of you that way... not even once."
Yet he knew deep down, no words could now soothe their hurt.
Silence engulfed them.Ye Ninghe and Ye Ningjian stood rigid for a moment—then turned, their faces cold with fury and betrayal.
"If you had told us from the beginning, we could have decided whether to stand beside you. Instead, you deceived us..."
Li Feitian remained silent, letting their condemnation wash over him like cold rain.
Finally, without another word, the sisters turned and walked away.
He watched their retreating backs vanish into the crowd, his heart a storm of regret.
The officer approached with a bow."Your Highness, please return to the palace."
Li Feitian nodded, heavy-hearted.
Yet before they could depart—
"Hahaha! So the Ninth Prince shows himself at last!"
From across the street came a mocking voice.
A man clad in splendid embroidered robes, fluttering his ornate fan with disdain, strode forward with a retinue of officials.
Qi Feizhen, the Second Prince of Qi.
He sneered openly at Li Feitian.
"I thought you would rot somewhere far away. No matter—better you return, so you may disgrace the royal family here instead of abroad!"
The sycophants around him laughed derisively.
The officer furrowed his brow and said gravely,"Second Prince, please restrain yourself."
"Restrain myself?"Qi Feizhen chuckled darkly."Must I show courtesy to one who brought shame upon our royal house? A wastrel who brawled in the streets, neglected court duties, and burdened the throne?"
Li Feitian narrowed his eyes coolly.
He chuckled under his breath and said,"Brother, you speak as though you yourself were a model of virtue."
Qi Feizhen's smile stiffened, but he quickly masked it with a sneer.
"What of it? Should a vagrant like you lecture me? Know this: if you hope to survive the court, you must abandon your foolish ways!"
Li Feitian's voice was calm."I need no crow to teach me how to fly."
Qi Feizhen's eyes flashed with rage."You dare!"
The officer hastily stepped between them."Please, Your Highnesses—let us not quarrel here."
The officer bowed low to both princes, desperate to ease the tension.
Li Feitian smirked slightly.
"I have wasted enough time."
With that, he turned and followed the officer away, leaving Qi Feizhen fuming behind him.
Though he wore a mask of serenity, Li Feitian's heart seethed with turmoil.
Whether it was the betrayal of the Yao sisters, or the treacherous currents of succession within the palace, he knew the true storm had only just begun.
"So this is my grand rebirth? Not power, not ease, but endless troubles and schemes..."
He muttered to himself bitterly.
To be continued...