Chapter Seventeen: The Clash

In truth, Ye Pei had no concrete plan for rescuing Meng Huaicheng. The defenses of the Xinghe Prison were impenetrable, and at best, she only knew the rough location of Meng Huaicheng’s cell. A direct assault was out of the question. If Yue Zhe were present, perhaps a diversion could be orchestrated; but as things stood, their fighting strength was sorely lacking. Alan might hold his own against a single warden, but a prison break was far beyond their means. Jiang Zhongqing had just left his days of hunting in the wilds behind and learned some decent swordsmanship, but his prowess was still limited. To carry out a plan where one person lured away the guards and another slipped in to rescue the prisoner would require at least one more fighter of Ye Pei’s caliber.

Lei Ting's arrival was wholly unexpected. At the words, "I am Lei Ting, Warden of Xinghe District One," Ye Pei immediately stepped out from behind the table, her hand instinctively dropping to her waist.

"An honor to meet you, Warden Lei," Ye Pei said. "May I ask what brings you here in plain clothes?"

Lei Ting had little patience for intrigue and cut straight to the point, pressing his fists together in a salute. "Young Lord Ye, you must realize the gravity of this matter—it may concern the fate of the world. I hope you will tell me what you know."

"Warden Lei, forgive my ignorance, but I do not follow your meaning."

Lei Ting, growing anxious, raised his voice without realizing it. "Young Lord Ye! Did you not abduct Shi Yuheng’s wife and child to rescue Meng Huaicheng? You—"

Ye Pei cut him off. "Warden Lei, mind your words. There’s no need to get agitated."

Lei Ting realized his slip and lowered his voice, speaking urgently. "Young Lord Ye, if you know anything at all, you must tell me. I know Meng Huaicheng was never meant for Xinghe Prison—I can help you save him."

Ye Pei was caught off guard. "Why would you do that?"

"Because Duan Xingyun, using his status as the general’s son, sent Meng Huaicheng here—surely he has something to hide! Young Lord Ye, even if you remain silent, I have my suspicions. Is this not a glimmer of hope?"

Ye Pei thought to herself that this man was indeed astute. The worry etched on his face did not seem feigned; perhaps he was a worthy official.

Seeing Ye Pei remain silent, Lei Ting pressed on, "Young Lord Ye, if this is all true, the entire Wangmai is at stake. Why are you hesitating?"

Ye Pei made up her mind. "Warden Lei, the young lord in black who accompanied Duan Xingyun is without doubt of the Flame Clan."

Lei Ting’s suspicion was confirmed. He exhaled slowly. "May I ask what you intend to do?"

Ye Pei waved her hand helplessly. "What can I possibly do? If I can rescue him, I’ll return home. Though I’ve held a court title since I was sixteen, I have no real position. And even if I told someone, who would believe me? I’ll take things as they come."

Lei Ting sighed. "You speak truth, Young Lord Ye. When war breaks out, do you have any troops ready for battle? If our two forces are prepared, perhaps we will not be caught off guard."

Ye Pei laughed. "Warden Lei jests. I am but my father’s son—I can only promise that I myself will be ready."

Lei Ting shook his head. "Ah... that was careless of me. I have trusted commanders within Xia’s borders—I can warn them and prepare. But first things first, Young Lord Ye, I can help you rescue Meng Huaicheng. I don’t wish to see him languish in Xinghe Prison any longer."

Ye Pei nodded. "That would be most welcome."

...

With Lei Ting’s assistance, the task became far simpler. Soon, the two settled on a plan to rescue Meng Huaicheng. Yet after the plan was made, Lei Ting said:

"Young Lord Ye, there remains an important variable that could determine our success."

Ye Pei smiled. "Please, Warden Lei, enlighten me."

---

Lei Ting asked, "May I inquire, Young Lord Ye, as to your martial prowess? If you cannot best Lu Chenguang, the cost of this plan may be too high."

Ye Pei laughed. "So that’s all? Warden Lei, a single bout will make it clear."

She was supremely confident. Despite Shi Yuheng's claim that the wardens were unmatched in combat, Ye Pei trusted more in her own decade of diligent training.

Lei Ting did not stand on ceremony. He and Ye Pei stepped out into the courtyard, faced each other, exchanged a courteous "Please," and assumed their stances, ready to engage.

Both, judging from the other's posture and aura, sensed formidable strength, and neither wished to make the first move. Thus they stood, eye to eye, for nearly half an hour, neither budging an inch.

Nearby, Jiang Zhongqing asked Alan, "How long will they stand like that? Can they really decide a winner?"

Alan, affecting a sage-like air, half-closed his eyes and murmured, "Don’t speak, just feel it with your heart—the aura of true masters..."

His words barely left his lips when the two duelists immediately showed signs of distraction: the corners of their mouths twitched, and the steady rhythm of their breathing faltered. Seizing the fleeting moment, both let out a low shout and sprang at each other.

The courtyard resounded with Lei Ting’s thunderous shouts. Ye Pei met them with calm, showing no sign of panic. Back and forth they went, evenly matched and relishing the contest.

Lei Ting, tall and powerfully built, fought with great sweeping motions, overwhelming in his strength. Beside him, Ye Pei’s upright form seemed almost delicate, her strength less than Lei Ting’s, but her technique was clearly superior. Victory was hard to call.

Suddenly, Lei Ting swept a leg at Ye Pei with the force of a thunderbolt. She leapt, her right leg swinging overhead for a downward strike. Lei Ting reacted quickly, catching her foot with both hands and hurling her toward the ground. Ye Pei twisted her waist, caught herself with a one-armed push-up, cushioning the force, and kicked Lei Ting in the chest with her free leg. They separated.

Lei Ting glanced down at his chest and brushed the dust away. "Your skill is truly remarkable, Young Lord Ye! But if this is all, it is still not enough."

Ye Pei laughed. "Then let’s go again!" She lunged forward, Lei Ting raised his arms to meet her, and their battle resumed, blows ringing out.

As time wore on, Ye Pei began to feel her strength flag. She could not match Lei Ting’s raw power, and her evasive maneuvers were even more exhausting. Anxiety crept in.

Lei Ting, sensing Ye Pei’s movements losing their initial sharpness, prepared to unleash several deadly moves, gathering his strength for a rapid assault.

Ye Pei had anticipated this, but after so long, her stamina had waned, and she found herself at a disadvantage.

"Bang!" With nowhere to dodge, they clashed palm to palm, a shockwave rippling, forcing both to retreat. Lei Ting steadied himself in two steps; Ye Pei had yet to find her footing before Lei Ting surged forward, palm raised. As danger loomed, Ye Pei’s mind grew utterly clear. She searched inward, recalling the mysterious power she possessed—where was it now, and how could she summon it?

A faint thought flickered, darting through her body and soul, seeking that hidden force. Suddenly, from her core, a cry seemed to ring out, and a surge of invisible energy responded, streaming into Ye Pei’s arm at her command.

In the blink of an eye, just as Lei Ting’s mountainous palm strike bore down, Ye Pei smiled instead of flinching, raised her right arm, and struck. Around her palm, faint ripples of energy shimmered, distorting the air.

"Crack!" The sound was sharp and clear. Lei Ting’s eyes widened in disbelief as he coughed blood and flew backward, collapsing to the ground, unable to rise.

At the very moment this blow landed, far away in the Star Realm...

A woman of regal bearing, splendidly adorned, was writing when she suddenly looked up at a gently billowing silk screen. She called out, "Qingfan!"

Moments later, a young man entered, bowing. "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

---

The woman said, "There has been a violent fluctuation in spiritual power. Go and see who is responsible."

Qingfan approached the silk, laid his hands upon it, and closed his eyes. Light flowed around him in radiant streams—a striking sight.

Soon, he lifted his hands, opened his eyes, and turned to the Star Empress. "Your Majesty, it is a youth from Wangmai."

The Star Empress frowned slightly. "How old is this youth?"

"Seventeen," Qingfan replied.

The Star Empress pondered aloud, "This cannot be ignored. Have someone take care of it. Go to the Flame Clan."

Qingfan nodded and turned to leave, but the Star Empress called after him, "Qingfan, what news of Ni Manxiu?"

"He has returned to the Flame Lands, but I do not know where he was these past ten years."

"Is he as he was in his youth?"

Qingfan hesitated. "Since his return, he has shown even less respect for our Star Clan and no longer presides over the rites."

The Star Empress frowned. "This is troublesome. To act is impossible."

Qingfan said, "Your Majesty need not worry. He has made no public declaration of his reasons for neglecting the Star Clan. I do not believe he poses a threat."

"Let us hope so. How is your own cultivation? Can you find my daughter’s whereabouts?"

Qingfan looked troubled. "Your Majesty, the young lady is of the Imperial bloodline. With my current abilities, I cannot sense her at all."

The Star Empress sighed and waved him away. "Very well. You may go."

...

As Lei Ting was hurled backward, his mind was a torrent of incredulity.

"Is this boy truly so strong? Does that mean he wasn’t even fighting seriously before? I, the proud Warden of Xinghe Prison, with over forty years of hard training, cannot defeat a mere teenager?"

Meanwhile, Ye Pei stared at her right hand, dazed and unmoving.

(Many readers, seeing this scene, are surely expecting a familiar trope.)

(But would I really write it that way?)