Yin Zhan’s weapon was a saber, which looked extrely heavy with a ferocious wolf head carved into the hilt, yet it seed as light as a swan feather when he wielded it. He scoffed at Jih Heng’s golden silk folding fan and said with a loud laugh, "Nephew, your weapon is far too redolent of rouge and powder!"
Jih Heng replied with a faint smile, "As long as it’s effective." The fan flicked open and closed, grazing past Yin Zhan, leaving a streak of blood on his face.
Unperturbed, he wiped off the blood and said, "Such a treacherous hidden weapon!"
"After all, uncle, my parents have already experienced your despicable nature; I dare not take you lightly," Jih Heng replied indolently.
The saber’s gleam was like silver snow, and the wolf head also radiated murderous intent—likely because it had followed Yin Zhan into battle, claiming countless souls, making the saber malevolent. Yet entangled with it was the splendid folding fan. The saber’s edge drew blood, and the fan’s breeze was also injurious. After several exchanges, both n were wounded.
The Actor below sang, "Oh, Concubine, how could you know! In the past, each hero fought their own battles, and I could extinguish one fire only to seize another area. Now, all troops are attacking in concert; at Gaixia, with fewer n and no food left, we cannot hold; though the eight thousand troops are valiant and strong, they have been scattered; I sally forth to battle the enemy, and victory or defeat is uncertain. Alas, Concubine! Given the situation, today is the day we part!"
Into the jade bowl goes the pearl, gold falls onto the silver plate. With a loud shout from Yin Zhan, figures of soldiers clad in Armored Clothing leapt out from several beaded curtains atop the Red Building. Jih Heng laughed, "Uncle, your baseness truly does not disappoint ."
"The new waves of the Yangtze River push the old waves ahead," Yin Zhan retorted, "In war, deceit is not scorned. Behold the saber!"
Jih Heng chuckled as well, his laugh tinged with mockery, and then from the upper floors and behind the beaded curtains, a group of opulently dressed young n appeared all at once.
He had a killing move, and was he not the sa?
Yin Zhan’s face did not show much surprise, as if he had anticipated this mont. Indeed, both n were fully aware of what the other intended to do; it was a contest of who was luckier, who was tougher. Jih Heng was ruthless, and was Yin Zhan any less so? He was capable of harming his own flesh and blood, betraying and killing his brothers and friends—how could he be a man of tenderness?
Above the Red Building, the sounds of clashing swords filled the air. Those blooming hibiscus candles fell to the ground, and the snowy white wool carpet was already drenched with human blood. Bodies lay strewn about, flesh ripped asunder. And in their midst, the two n fought to the death, neither willing to yield.
"After all, nephew, you have lived several decades less than I have," Yin Zhan said with a smile. "Even though you are exceedingly clever, you are sowhat tender-hearted."
"The sa to you," Jih Heng replied softly, smiling. "Compared with , it seems you have more vulnerabilities."
Yin Zhan’s smile stiffened slightly. His vulnerabilities: Lin Roujia was one, Yin Zhili another. He indeed had many, whereas Jih Heng, heartless and unprincipled, had few loved ones. Even his sole grandfather was not close to him. Perhaps now there was Jiang Li, but that too was a gamble, and no one knew the value of Jiang Li’s chip.
He hoped to kill Jih Heng, whose existence posed a great threat to Yin Zhili. If Jih Heng fell, Emperor Hongxiao would pose no threat, and the world would be within his grasp. Yet today, as he faced Jih Heng, he knew it was impossible for him to leave alive. This youth had lain in wait for decades, displaying fearso patience, and the revenge he sought was inescapable.
But even in death, he would clear the path for Roujia and Yin Zhili! He would drag Jih Heng to hell with him; they would perish together!
Yu Ji on stage sang gently, "I urge the Commandery Prince to drink and listen to Yu’s song, to soothe your sorrows with a dance. Qin Shi Huang’s tyranny broke the empire, and heroes from all sides took up arms. Since ancient tis, it is said we reap what we sow; success or failure, rise or fall, all in a mont. Drink with ease and sit upon the treasured mat."
As he struggled with Jih Heng, Yin Zhan showed a strangely joyful smile and bellowed, "Burn!"
The torch, carefully shaped like a mythic beast and ant for devoted use, was tossed without a glance onto the hanging red drapes, and a great fire burst forth, engulfing the building in flas. The wooden structure turned instantly into a sea of fire on the second floor.
"You truly don’t plan to live to return," Jih Heng sneered, saying, "You even burn the paths beneath you."
"As long as it kills you," Yin Zhan replied, "my death is worth it." His saber lunged directly at Jih Heng. Their underlings might escape, but in the second floor, Yin Zhan tenaciously hindered Jih Heng’s movents, preventing any escape. Or perhaps, Jih Heng had no intention of fleeing as his fan traced beautiful arcs in the inferno, like the delicate dance of a beauty or the legendary grace of an assassin awaiting the mont to strike.
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