Chapter 31: Biting the Tongue to End It All

The night was as dark as ink, and the sea breeze, thick with the scent of salt and brine, buffeted the fleet returning home. Feng Ruqing stood at the bow, her gaze as sharp as a falcon’s, scanning the surroundings. The eerily smooth entry into the harbor during the day had only intensified the sense of unease gnawing at her.

The fleet had now reached the edge of a dense forest. On both banks, towering trees blotted out the sky, casting deep, heavy shadows that seemed to harbor countless unknown dangers. She narrowed her eyes, an indescribable premonition of crisis surging within her. It was no mere illusion, but an instinct honed by countless brushes with death on the battlefield. She slowed the ship, observing her surroundings with composure; the forest echoed only with the rustling of leaves and the occasional cry of a night bird. Yet, this deceptive calm felt like an undercurrent of mounting tension.

Suddenly, a dark figure lunged from the depths of the woods, moving with lightning speed and cloaked in a chilling murderous intent. The figure was agile, wielding a sharp scimitar aimed directly at Feng Ruqing’s heart. The blade sliced through the air with a piercing whistle, like the scythe of death reaping a soul. A cold glint flashed in Feng Ruqing’s eyes. She shifted slightly, narrowly evading the lethal strike. Her reaction was instantaneous; she drew the soft sword from her waist and engaged the shadow in combat.

Steel clashed against steel, sparks flying and carving eerie shadows into the night. The assailant’s offensive was fierce, every move calculated to kill, showing no mercy. He moved with the agility of a hunting leopard, seeking a fatal blow. Though Feng Ruqing felt the strain at first, she quickly adjusted her stance. Every parry and every strike was precise and forceful. Her swordsmanship was sharp, like a blade cutting through withered wood on the battlefield, gradually forcing the assailant back.

The people on the ship were stunned by the sudden turn of events, scrambling to hide. Only Brother Ma stood agape, watching the figure at the bow locked in fierce combat, his eyes wide with shock. He had never seen such swift fighting, and a profound sense of admiration for Feng Ruqing welled up within him.

Just as the assailant launched another assault, Feng Ruqing spotted a flaw. With a flick of her wrist, her soft sword darted out like a serpent, aimed straight at the shadow’s vital point. Realizing the danger, the shadow tried to retreat, but it was too late. Feng Ruqing curled her lips into a cold sneer and raised her leg. Seizing the moment, she delivered a ruthless side kick. The strike carried the force of her years of campaigning—fast as lightning, fierce as thunder.

With a dull thud, the shadow was sent flying like a kite with a snapped string, crashing heavily into the mud on the bank. The villagers who had been hiding poked their heads out, breathing a collective sigh of relief. They had never witnessed such a magnificent fight, and they were stunned that the seemingly delicate woman before them possessed such formidable power. The looks they cast at Feng Ruqing were filled not just with awe, but with deep admiration.

Feng Ruqing walked slowly to the assailant and looked down at him. The man struggled to rise, only to find he was at the end of his tether, lacking the strength to move a finger. Under the moonlight, the face obscured by the night-garb became clear.

"Speak, who sent you?" Feng Ruqing’s voice was as cold as frost, devoid of emotion.

The man raised his head, staring fixedly at her, a hideous grin spreading across his face. Before Feng Ruqing could react, he bit down hard. A metallic, fishy scent instantly filled the air. He had bitten his tongue to commit suicide.

Feng Ruqing’s pupils contracted, and a surge of anger rose from the depths of her heart. She had not expected the assassin to be so resolute, choosing death over revealing the mastermind. This made her realize that the assassination was not a simple act of江湖 vengeance; the forces behind it were far more complex than she had imagined.

The air around them seemed to solidify, becoming suffocatingly heavy. Feng Ruqing clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white, a cold light flickering in her eyes. "It seems that beneath this calm facade, there are massive waves hidden..." she whispered, her tone carrying a hint of imperceptible killing intent.

Suddenly, the rapid sound of horse hooves shattered the silence of the night, approaching from afar. Feng Ruqing looked up to see a rider galloping toward them, the figure on horseback appearing exceptionally anxious in the moonlight.

"Report! We have found traces of Miss Wang!" the rider shouted.

The horse skidded to a halt. The man dismounted and hurried to Feng Ruqing, kneeling on one knee. "Young General, I have discovered traces of Miss Wang on the outskirts of the town!"

Upon hearing this, joy surged through Feng Ruqing, a wave of warmth filling her heart. She quickly asked, "Where is Miss Wang? Is she injured?"

The man reported truthfully, "Miss Wang is being held by a group of men. Her life is not currently in danger, and I have already ordered my men to surround them."

Feng Ruqing immediately mounted her horse, her voice clear and decisive: "Lead the way!"

The sound of hooves echoed once more, galloping along the country path. The night wind whistled, tousling the stray locks of hair on her forehead and blowing away the gloom caused by the assassination attempt. Before long, they arrived at an abandoned residence. The estate was already surrounded by her men; the torches illuminated the dilapidated walls, making them look like mottled, clawing ghost shadows, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Feng Ruqing dismounted, soft sword in hand, and charged into the courtyard with athletic grace. She saw Miss Wang surrounded by several thugs armed with knives and swords, her face filled with terror and unease. When Miss Wang caught sight of Feng Ruqing, her eyes flooded with surprise and agitation, and tears welled up.

"Sister Ruqing!" Miss Wang choked out, her voice filled with a mixture of grievance and relief.

Feng Ruqing’s gaze softened as she gently comforted her, "Don’t be afraid, I am here."

Like a Valkyrie on the battlefield, she moved with her soft sword in an impenetrable dance. Every strike carried sharp, lethal intent, and she quickly struck down all the thugs. She walked over to Miss Wang and pulled her into a gentle embrace. The familiar warmth and scent brought a long-lost sense of comfort to Feng Ruqing. They held each other tightly, as if trying to pour all the longing of the past days into their embrace.

In Feng Ruqing’s arms, Miss Wang could not help but sob, clutching her sleeves as if afraid of losing her again. Feng Ruqing patted her back, offering soothing words. Looking at Miss Wang’s haggard face, she felt both heartache and relief—relief that she had arrived in time to prevent further harm, but heartache that her hometown had endured so many tribulations in the short time since her return.

After settling Miss Wang, Feng Ruqing stood outside the residence, her gaze sweeping over the dilapidated walls, her heart growing heavy. She realized that the defenses of her hometown were far weaker than she had imagined. Many sections of the city walls had collapsed from years of neglect, and the guards appeared lax and incompetent. If the enemy were to strike again, the town would surely struggle to hold out.

She frowned, a sense of urgency taking root. She realized that she needed not only to unmask the mastermind but also to strengthen the town’s defenses as quickly as possible to truly protect the people.

At that moment, Brother Ma stepped forward. Watching Feng Ruqing’s busy figure, his expression grew complex, and a strange, new emotion stirred within him. He took a step forward, wanting to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.

Feng Ruqing suddenly turned, looking toward the distance as if sensing something, and murmured softly, "I need to take another look at this land."

Watching her, the strange emotion in Brother Ma’s heart grew even more intense. He had never seen such a heroic woman; every move she made was filled with strength and charm, making him unconsciously want to draw closer and share some of her burdens. He quietly walked to her side, clumsily trying to help organize the weapons scattered on the ground.

Feng Ruqing noticed the movement behind her and glanced back, seeing the faint, shy flush on Brother Ma’s honest face. She smiled faintly and said nothing, simply handing him the sword in her hand. "Help me wipe this down."

Brother Ma took the sword, his hands trembling, his heart pounding so hard it felt as if it might leap from his chest. He wiped the blade with extreme care, stealing glances at Feng Ruqing from time to time with a foolish grin. Feng Ruqing saw it all, the corners of her mouth lifting as a trace of warmth rose in her heart.

After ensuring Miss Wang was secure, Feng Ruqing headed to Shopkeeper Zhang’s inn. Under the dim lamp light, the proprietress was sitting behind the counter, clicking away at an abacus; the sound of the beads was exceptionally clear in the quiet night. Seeing Feng Ruqing enter, she hurriedly stood up, her face wreathed in smiles. "Miss Feng, you’ve arrived. Please, have a seat."

Feng Ruqing went straight to the point: "Proprietress, has there been anything unusual in town lately?"

Shopkeeper Zhang’s eyes darted around before she lowered her voice. "Miss Feng, you don’t know—the town hasn't been peaceful lately. People have been going missing, and what’s more..." She stopped abruptly, her expression hesitant.

Seeing this, Feng Ruqing took an ingot of silver from her sleeve and placed it on the table. "Proprietress, please, speak freely."

The woman’s eyes lit up at the sight of the silver. She quickly tucked it into her pocket before continuing: "Furthermore, I’ve heard that these disappearances are all related to Secretary Sun."

"Secretary Sun?" Feng Ruqing furrowed her brow, feeling that there was more to this than met the eye. Secretary Sun was an aide to the magistrate, usually keeping a low profile and rarely seen. How could he be linked to these disappearances?

After thanking the proprietress, Feng Ruqing left the inn. The night had deepened, and the cold wind whistled, making the leaves rustle like ghostly whispers. She looked toward Secretary Sun’s residence—a secluded compound hidden within a dense grove of trees. It was eerily quiet.

Feng Ruqing took a deep breath, gripped her sword tightly, and walked toward the darkness.

"I hope he’s still awake," she whispered, her tone carrying a trace of chilling intent.