Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 92: The sword hangs in the air, we gather

92. A Sharp Sword Across the Sky, a Reunion

Contrary to their methodical approach of previous days, the rebel army was now noticeably impatient. Before dawn, their attack on the city began, becoming increasingly ferocious as the day brightened. If it were not for the fact that there was not enough room to accommodate more troops outside Yonglin City, Mo Jingli would undoubtedly have wanted to deploy his entire force of over one hundred thousand soldiers to besiege this tiny city.

For the city’s defense, two thousand Black Cloud Cavalry would not be significantly more effective than two thousand Biancheng City defenders. By noon, the remaining garrison in Yonglin City was utterly exhausted. The city gate teetered under the relentless battering of the rebel forces.

"Prince... Young Master Xu, we can’t hold on any longer! You should leave first!" Xia Shu, covered in bloodstains and exhausted, stood before Ye Li. "And the brothers of the Black Cloud Cavalry, defending the city was always our duty. We owe you our thanks for holding out this long."

"Leave?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "Where could we possibly go now? There’s an army of over one hundred thousand outside the city."

"The Black Cloud Cavalry’s two thousand ironclad riders haven’t suffered losses; being trapped in the city is merely like a dragon stranded in shallow waters. As long as they get out of the city, they can surely break through," Xia Shu said. Ye Li pointed to the people behind her. "Ask them if they want to leave." Standing behind Ye Li were the grim-faced Commander Qin Feng of the Black Cloud Cavalry, Darky Two, and Darky Three. Qin Feng stated solemnly, "The Black Cloud Cavalry exists to defend Great Chu. If we abandon the city and desert the defending soldiers, when we return, our brothers will have no choice but to apologize before all Black Cloud Cavalrymen." Darky Three, smiling, looked at Xia Shu and said, "We are shadow guards. Wherever our master is, we will be." Xia Shu stared at the people before him, his eyes feeling dry and stinging. He gritted his teeth. "It’s not worth it! To let Yonglin City become the burial ground for a Princess Consort Ding and two thousand elite Black Cloud Cavalrymen... Such a price..."

Darky Three patted Xia Shu’s shoulder and chuckled. "If Yonglin City truly falls, we will protect Young Master Xu and fight our way out, even if it costs us our lives. Whether we can break through or not is up to fate. But what’s the sense in abandoning the city and fleeing now? We might as well have abandoned it a few days earlier and avoided so many deaths."

Xia Shu, stunned for a moment, swatted Darky Three’s hand away and turned to leave. "Do as you please!"

Darky Three shrugged and said helplessly to the others behind him, "He seems shy?"

Darky Two helplessly patted his eccentric third brother. We’re on a battlefield, you know?

Watching the city gate begin to crack under the heavy impacts, Ye Li sighed helplessly. In the end, we couldn’t hold on until reinforcements arrived. "Black Cloud Cavalry, prepare!"

"Yes!" The few remaining defenders took their positions on the city wall, while below, the two thousand Black Cloud Cavalrymen stood ready, like drawn bows waiting to be loosed. Ye Li turned back and nodded to Xia Shu and Yun Ting on the wall, then waved her hand. The city gate crashed to the ground. In the instant before the rebel soldiers outside could rush in, the black-armored cavalry swept out like a whirlwind, leaving a trail of blood in their wake.

"Prince, they’re here! The Black Cloud Cavalry!" Behind the main army, Mo Jingli, high on his horse, watched the battlefield intently. Even without his attendant’s reminder, he had naturally spotted the agile, black-clad figures.

"Truly the Black Cloud Cavalry..." The generals beside him could not help sighing. "If we had such an army, how could the realm not be pacified? Even though they are now our enemies, one cannot help but admire such elite warriors."

Mo Jingli sneered. "They’ve finally come out." With a wave of his hand, two fresh detachments that had not yet joined the battle surged onto the field. "They say the Black Cloud Cavalry excels at swift assaults. With so many men, let’s see how you handle this!" The area before the already small Yonglin City became overcrowded with the addition of these two forces, rendering warhorses almost useless. The Black Cloud Cavalrymen clearly understood this and quickly dismounted, plunging into the chaotic fray. For two thousand men to try and hold back tens of thousands was naturally a futile endeavor, but the gateway itself was narrow. Tens of thousands could not charge through simultaneously, so for a time, the two armies remained locked in a struggle at the gate. Even when a few rebels managed to break through, they were quickly cut down by the defenders inside.

"Who is that?" Mo Jingli, observing the battle, suddenly pointed to a conspicuously petite figure in black amidst the melee. She wore the same black, cloud-patterned attire as the other Black Cloud Cavalry, but her movements and actions were entirely different. If the Black Cloud Cavalry’s movements were agile and fierce, hers seemed incredibly simple yet brutal. There were no discernible techniques, yet almost every simple move sent a soldier falling before her. Whether common soldiers or commanding officers, none seemed to fare any differently against her.

"That is..." Everyone was silent; no one knew who that person was. Besides a smaller stature and quicker, sharper movements, she showed no other obvious differences from the other Black Cloud Cavalry members. Staring at the fierce figure in the chaotic battle, Mo Jingli’s dark eyes gradually narrowed. The figure struck him with a strange sense of familiarity. After a long moment, he finally spat out a name through gritted teeth, "Ye Li!"

The military advisor beside him was stunned. Quickly looking at the person in the fray, he exclaimed, "Your Highness, are you saying that is Princess Consort Ding?!"

Mo Jingli ignored his question, pointed his whip forward, and commanded, "Capture that person alive! This prince will reward one thousand taels of gold!"

"Yes!"

Although the Black Cloud Cavalry held the rebels at the city gate, the defenders on the city walls were clearly overwhelmed. Numerous rebels had already scaled the walls and were engaged in fierce combat with the garrison. Below, Ye Li also felt the mounting pressure. She swept her blade, deflecting a lunging rebel, then spun and thrust, piercing the throat of another attacker from behind. Darky Two and Darky Three moved closer. Darky Two whispered, "Young Master, it’s time to retreat."

Darky Three, his sword a blur of motion drawing blood, added, "Did Mo Jingli spot the Princess Consort? The men heading our way don’t seem like ordinary soldiers." The enemies surrounding them clearly possessed considerable martial skill, making them far more difficult to handle than common troops.

Ye Li felt equally helpless. The fall of Yonglin City was now a foregone conclusion; further sacrifices by the Black Cloud Cavalry would be meaningless. They had held the gate for well over two hours, which should have been enough time for news to reach Broken Snow Pass. It’s decided then. "Black Cloud Cavalry, all units, retreat from the battlefield!"

"Yes! Squads One, Two, and Three, cover the rear! All other units, withdraw!" Qin Feng ordered loudly.

"Trying to run?!" From a distance, Mo Jingli had a clear view of the battlefield. The Black Cloud Cavalry excelled at swift attacks, infiltration, and, equally, at retreating. The terrain around Yonglin was complex; if they managed to disengage, catching them would be truly difficult. From the outset, the Black Cloud Cavalry had not charged deep into the enemy ranks but had instead focused on blocking the city gate. Now, upon receiving the order, they immediately began to withdraw—some to the left, some to the right, and others back into the city—while skilled archers remained to cover their retreat. However unwilling the rebel army was, they could only watch as the cavalry swiftly distanced themselves from the battle. Mo Jingli snorted coldly, turned, and drew the bow and arrows from his saddle. He took aim at the small, black-clad figure amidst the chaos.

In the midst of the fierce fighting, Ye Li clearly sensed a dangerous aura. Looking back into the distance, she saw Mo Jingli’s baleful eyes and an arrow hurtling through the air towards her. Ordinarily, Ye Li would have had no trouble dodging it, but she was currently entangled with several rebels and unable to evade. Darky Three cried out in alarm and lunged towards her. Ye Li cursed silently, grabbed the saber-wielding arm of a rebel, and flung him towards Darky Three. As she turned and threw the man, a searing pain shot through her left arm; the arrow was now perilously close.

"Young Master!"

SWOOSH—! A white-feathered arrow with a brilliant gold tip shot through the air, colliding with Mo Jingli’s arrow just three feet in front of Ye Li and sending it clattering harmlessly to the ground. The white-feathered arrow, seemingly unaffected, pierced through one rebel and then into the chest of another behind him. The second man stared down in disbelief at the arrow that had mostly buried itself in his chest, unable to comprehend how an arrow could have passed through his comrade and then him. Ye Li, momentarily stunned by the incredible shot, quickly shook off her surprise and kicked away another rebel attempting a sneak attack.

"Gods..." Darky Two and Darky Three both sighed in relief. Darky Three had lunged forward, but the rebel Ye Li had thrown intercepted the path, making it seem for a horrifying instant that the arrow would strike the Princess Consort. Realizing how close it had been, they broke out in a cold sweat and quickly moved towards Ye Li.

"Golden-feathered arrows?! It’s the Prince!" The Black Cloud Cavalrymen covering the retreat saw the golden fletching on the arrow protruding from the fallen man and cried out in astonishment.

Far away, Mo Jingli was enraged that his shot had been thwarted. He gripped his bow, preparing to shoot again, when suddenly the ground began to tremble faintly, the sound of hooves thundering like an approaching storm. Mo Jingli sneered. "You think you can fool me with that old trick again?"

"No... That’s not it, Prince!" The nearby military advisor’s face turned ashen. Pointing at the roiling dust cloud in the distance, he cried, "This time, it’s real!" Like a dark storm, black-armored cavalry swept forward, their sharp whistles accompanied by golden flares shooting into the sky. Upon seeing the golden flares, the Black Cloud Cavalry, who had been retreating, simultaneously turned and charged back into the fray. Unseen until now, dark figures appeared on the surrounding hills. At their head was a man on a white horse, wielding a silver spear. His white robes, adorned with shimmering cloud patterns, flowed around him. A silver mask concealed half his face, but the exposed half revealed sharp, elegant brows and unparalleled handsome features. His usually gentle eyes now blazed with a sharpness that dared no direct gaze, and they swept lightly over Ye Li. Ye Li felt her heart tremble, and she drew in a sharp breath.

The man in white tugged the reins, and his white steed seemed to take flight as it leaped down the hill and into the chaotic enemy ranks. None dared to stand in his path. "Black Cloud Cavalry, hear my command! For those who plot treason and betray the nation, kill without mercy!" His low voice, imbued with internal energy, resonated across the entire battlefield.

"Yes, Prince!" The reply thundered, shaking the heavens.

For an instant, the entire battlefield seemed to freeze. Everyone forgot they were in the midst of a hail of spears and swords, staring blankly at the man in white amidst the enemy. One name was on the verge of everyone’s thoughts... Could it be...?

"Mo Xiuyao... How is this possible?!" Mo Jingli glared at the scene before him, his eyes filled with utter disbelief. "Beat the drums! Kill them!"

DUM, DUM, DUM!

The heavy sound of the war drums reverberated, seeming to pound on everyone’s heart. The rebels, trembling inwardly, surged towards the man in white. They were facing... the undefeated War God of Great Chu! Mo Xiuyao arched an eyebrow, a hint of disdain in his expression. The silver spear in his hand danced, tracing a stunning arc, its point everywhere bringing forth brilliant sprays of blood. From the hillside, countless arrows rained down, weaving a dazzling net of death. The Black Cloud Cavalry were famed throughout the land for their archery; faced with such an overwhelming volley, the rebels not only failed to retaliate effectively but even lost the courage to raise their own bows. With the vast army advancing from behind as well, it took only moments for the rebel force of over one hundred thousand to show signs of imminent collapse.

As soon as Mo Xiuyao appeared, Ye Li retreated into Yonglin City. After she and the Black Cloud Cavalry had cleared out the rebels who had breached the walls, she stood on the city ramparts, watching the scene below. All eyes were involuntarily drawn to the man in white. White robes and a silver spear, as agile as a roaming dragon. Wherever he went, the rebels scattered, daring not to confront him. Ye Li recalled Xu Qingchen once remarking that the young Mo Xiuyao was as dazzling as fire, but after the great upheaval, the young adult Mo Xiuyao was like calm water, concealing astonishing undercurrents. And the Mo Xiuyao of today... he was like a peerless, famous sword, forged through a thousand trials, hidden for a thousand years, now unsheathed and taking to the sky. Its edge was now contained, its killing aura diminished, yet the brilliance refined through countless baptisms and trials still commanded the world’s attention.

"Prince... Prince Ding?" Yun Ting leaned weakly against a crenellation, forgetting the blood smearing his face as he gazed with awe at the figure dominating the battlefield below.

Xia Shu stood beside him, his expression completely relaxed. "Clearly, it is indeed him."

"So... does this mean... we have reinforcements? We’ve defended Yonglin City?" Yun Ting’s voice sounded surreal, as if he could not distinguish dream from reality.

Darky Three chuckled, patting Yun Ting’s shoulder comfortingly. "Congratulations, Colonel Yun. You’ll likely be promoted after this." Yun Ting ignored him, blinking as he stared hopefully at Ye Li beside them, but she was too focused on the battle below to notice him.

The battle did not rage for long this time; after about an hour, the rebel forces began to retreat eastward. Watching the rebels recede like a tide, Yun Ting was speechless. "What... What does this mean?" Are these rebels only capable of picking on the weak? Did he not see many of them flee without even engaging the Black Cloud Cavalry? Then what was the point of their desperate struggle these past few days?

Darky Three laughed. "Colonel Yun, don’t feel bad. Let alone with reinforcements, even if our Prince stood there alone, those cowards wouldn’t dare to take a single step forward. This... is called presence. Something others can’t replicate." Just the sight of Prince Ding standing unharmed at the gates of Yonglin City was enough to scare most of them out of their wits. How could they possibly fight?

"When will I ever have such a presence?" Yun Ting murmured.

"Take your time. If you had slain twenty generals and defeated an army of three hundred thousand by the age of fifteen or sixteen, you’d have this presence by now," Darky Three offered with little sincerity.

Ye Li had no patience for their idle chatter and turned to descend the city wall, but Murong Ting, who had slipped back at some point, grabbed her arm. Ye Li frowned. "Murong, why are you back again?"

Murong Ting huffed, glanced down at the scene below the city, and laughed. "Prince Ding is here with reinforcements! I’d be a fool not to return. No... wait, you’re the one who dragged me away! I never really left!"

Ye Li waved dismissively. "We’ll talk about that later. I’m going down first."

"Aiya!" Murong Ting quickly grabbed her again, chattering as they hurried down. "Are you even a woman? That’s Prince Ding down there... Prince Ding! And he’s your husband! Aren’t you going to change your clothes before you greet him? Look at what you’re wearing! If Tianxiang and Zheng’er were here, they’d lecture you to death!"

Ye Li could not help but feel exasperated. Despite her frank personality, Murong is still a young woman, after all, to be thinking about such things at a time like this! "Murong, this is a battlefield."

"What’s wrong with a battlefield? The fighting is over, isn’t it? Prince Ding is here! Even if the rebels attack again, your absence for a moment won’t cause anyone’s demise. Come on!" Ignoring Ye Li’s stiff, helpless expression, she dragged her towards their lodgings, not far from the city wall’s stairs.

Murong Ting’s efficiency would truly make her an excellent battlefield medic, Ye Li thought, admiring the clothes and accessories neatly laid out before her. In less than an hour, she managed to rush back from the road to Broken Snow Pass, find all these garments and adornments—which are not easy to come by in Yonglin City—and then get to the city wall to intercept me before the battle even ended. She’s truly well-trained.

"Hurry, hurry! Get changed so we can go greet His Highness Prince Ding." Murong Ting snatched the clothes from the table, shoved them into Ye Li’s hands, and pushed her into an inner room to change. Murong herself began arranging the accessories on the table. Yonglin City is so small; good things are hard to find. Especially today, when it looked like a fight to the death, no shops were open. I had to search so many places to find these, she thought.

Ye Li, resigned, took the clothes and went in. If I don’t, I’m afraid Murong Ting will barge in, tear off my current clothes, and change me herself, she mused.

Outside the city, the battlefield had quieted. Some soldiers remained to clear the field, while Feng Zhiyao was ordered to lead the Mo Family Army into the city to take over its defense. Mo Xiuyao rode into the city, where the remaining soldiers of Yonglin City lined the street to welcome him. Yet, as Mo Xiuyao scanned the crowd, he did not see the figure he longed to find. Feng Zhiyao, riding beside Mo Xiuyao, whispered curiously, "Where did the Princess Consort go?" Just now, out there, I saw her clearly. Princess Consort Ding moving through the fray, her every move deadly, her methods of killing... so perfectly in sync with Mo Xiuyao’s. I must remember never to provoke the Princess Consort in the future. A woman who can become like that... is simply too terrifying, Feng Zhiyao thought.

"Ah... I know where the Princess Consort went," Feng Zhiyao said, pointing to an intersection ahead.

Following Feng Zhiyao’s gesture, Mo Xiuyao looked and saw two figures, one tall and one short, appear at the side of the street. A tall young woman in red was excitedly pulling an azure-clad lady towards them. Mo Xiuyao’s gaze locked onto the petite, elegant lady. The woman who, moments before on the battlefield, had been valiant and fierce in her black combat attire, now wore a faint, helpless smile. Her azure robes fluttered, wide sleeves billowing. Her smooth, dark hair was loosely coiled and adorned with a pearl tassel hairpin. Her movements were as gentle and graceful as the most refined young lady from a noble house.

Ye Li had evidently also seen Mo Xiuyao. She faltered slightly, then stopped. Mo Xiuyao urged his horse forward. The white steed, under its master’s guidance, trotted happily to Ye Li and affectionately nuzzled its head against her.

"Ah-Li..." Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, leaning down and extending his hand to Ye Li. She raised her hand and took his. With a gentle pull, he drew her up onto the horse, settling her in front of him. Then, the magnificent white steed galloped away, leaving Murong Ting staring in stunned amazement. The red-clad young woman remained dumbfounded for a long moment before muttering, "Talk about being ungrateful... This young lady didn’t even get to touch a warhorse... So stingy..."

From his horse in the distance, Feng Zhiyao watched the dumbstruck soldiers and the curious Black Cloud Cavalrymen, then shrugged and dismounted. Well, isn’t a subordinate’s job to handle necessary matters when the master is... otherwise occupied? he thought.

The two of them on one horse galloped through Yonglin City and out, riding straight on. The steed was truly magnificent; in what felt like no time, Broken Snow Pass was visible in the distance. Ye Li looked down at Mo Xiuyao’s arm around her waist, which felt a little tight, and whispered, "Mo... Xiuyao, where are we going?"

Mo Xiuyao glanced down at her, then finally reined in the horse and dismounted. Ye Li raised an eyebrow, preparing to dismount as well, but as she looked down, she was met by Mo Xiuyao’s open arms. "Come down."

Seeing his insistence, Ye Li allowed him to lift her from the horse. Nestled in his slightly cool embrace, she felt an unexpected sense of peace and relaxation, while an inexplicable warmth spread across her face, leaving her a little flustered.

Looking up, the refined and pleasant scent of the man washed over her. Ye Li’s eyes widened in surprise as his kiss descended like a sudden, fierce storm, overwhelming her in her astonishment.

"Xiuyao..."

Ye Li stared in surprise at the man before her.

Mo Xiuyao gently held her in his arms and whispered, "Ah-Li, you frightened me." When I arrived outside Yonglin City and saw that scene, no one could have known the shock and terror in my heart. Even I didn’t know what I was thinking at that moment; I just loosed that arrow instinctively. When I saw it pierce two men in succession, creating those brilliant sprays of blood, the savage fury that surged within me did not abate in the slightest. If not for my extraordinary self-control, my second arrow then would have been aimed at Mo Jingli. If I hadn’t been able to stop his arrow... if I hadn’t stopped that arrow, not a single rebel present today would have been left alive!

"I’m sorry..." Ye Li whispered. Even though I knew he would worry, I also have my own responsibilities and pride. I couldn’t possibly hide in safety while watching our soldiers fight and bleed on the front lines.

"Ah-Li..."

Ye Li’s face flushed crimson. For the first time in her life, she was so embarrassed she didn’t know where to put her hands or feet. She... she was actually kissing a man by the roadside, where people could pass by at any moment...

But when she heard Mo Xiuyao’s sigh-like utterance of "Ah-Li," all her struggles and attempts to push away vanished.

"Mo Xiuyao, it’s so good to see you again," Ye Li murmured with a sigh.

Mo Xiuyao lowered his head, his gaze gentle and tender as he looked at her. "Ah-Li... I’ve missed you terribly. I truly shouldn’t have let you come to the Southern Border alone."

Ye Li smiled faintly but said nothing. I don’t plan on telling him that after being apart for so long, I also... alright, more than just a little... missed him.

The well-behaved white horse had wandered off somewhere. They were only a few miles from Broken Snow Pass, its majestic gate clearly visible. However, Mo Xiuyao had no intention of returning to Yonglin City immediately or going to see Murong Shen. Instead, he led Ye Li to a nearby hillside to sit and rest.

Ye Li leaned against Mo Xiuyao and sat down, finally relaxing her body, which had been tense for days. She let out a comfortable sigh. Looking up, she noticed Mo Xiuyao’s slightly furrowed brow. "What’s wrong? Are you unwell, or injured?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "I’ve been rushing for several days straight; I’m a bit tired. Speaking of injuries..." He took her left arm, pushed up the wide sleeve to reveal a long scratch, and frowned. "Why didn’t you bandage this?"

Ye Li hadn’t expected Mo Xiuyao to see her injury. She shook her head and smiled. "It’s just a graze. It’s already stopped bleeding. It’ll heal faster this way."

"Nonsense," Mo Xiuyao chided softly. He took out a few small medicine vials he carried with him. Using a clear liquid from one, he cleaned her wound, then carefully sprinkled medicinal powder on it. Finally, he took a white handkerchief from his robes and bandaged the injury.

Ye Li admired Mo Xiuyao’s perfectly bandaged arm and smiled. "Really, it’s fine. It’ll heal in two days."

Mo Xiuyao pulled her into his embrace, stroking her soft hair. "Promise me you won’t get hurt again," he said in a low voice. "Otherwise, you’re not allowed to go anywhere!"

Ye Li remained silent. Accidents happen all the time; I can’t guarantee that. I’ll try my best. Besides, haven’t you been injured many times in battle yourself? The title of "Young War God" wasn’t earned for nothing; Mo Xiuyao wasn’t some deity incarnate, invulnerable to blades and arrows.

"How can I be the same as you?"

Ye Li lifted her head, narrowing her eyes at him unhappily. "Are you discriminating against women?"

Mo Xiuyao sighed helplessly. "I’m not discriminating against women. And even if I were, I would never discriminate against you." My Ah-Li is so formidable; if even she were to be discriminated against, all the men in the world might as well go and kill themselves.

"Then are you saying I’m not like a woman?"

"Ah-Li." Mo Xiuyao looked at her with an expression that was half a smile, half serious. "Are you angry, or are you pouting?"

Ye Li was taken aback, staring blankly at Mo Xiuyao’s warm, gentle smile. I almost want to pounce on him and bite him, or else hit myself! Am I actually being unreasonable with Mo Xiuyao again? This is even more childish than Murong! Murong would never ask such immature, silly questions!

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and, before she could become truly exasperated, pulled her back into his embrace. "Just sit with me for a while. I’m a bit tired."

Ye Li shifted slightly but soon settled down again. Mo Xiuyao’s health isn’t good, and it’s impossible for him to have miraculously recovered in such a short time. Even though he tried his best to hide it, I didn’t miss the fatigue and pallor in his brow. Leaning closely against him in his arms, Ye Li’s thoughts drifted, and before long, she gradually sank into sleep...