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Outside, the white snow was drifting down. Shangguan Shaoyi held Cheng Mo Su close as they sat by the fire pit, the flames leaping high with a warmth that seemed capable of melting anyone. Cheng Mo Su nestled closer into his embrace, and with the glow of the fire and his body heat, her icy body began to warm slightly, her face flushed with a rosy hue that resembled the evening sky.
He picked up a Porcelain Bowl from the edge of the table; it had a small chip and looked somewhat shabby, but neither of them minded. "I had the logistics prepare a bowl of red date and lotus seed soup for you to warm you up," he said, looking at Cheng Mo Su, who was quietly leaning against his shoulder, her complexion and lips tinted with a rose-colored blush.
Cheng Mo Su reached out to take the Porcelain Bowl, sipping it slowly. As the not-so-thick soup diminished, the sweet taste melted between her lips and teeth. Although it was a simple dish, it surprisingly had an extraordinary flavor. She set down the Porcelain Bowl and looked at him reproachfully, saying, "I really feel bad; you always have to make something special for me. Please don't do this anymore."
"If I don't do this, I would feel bad," Shangguan Shaoyi replied, ruffling her hair with a smile full of affection. A sudden warmth filled her heart, contrasting sharply with the cold weather outside. She gazed into his cold Eyes; his Lip Corners were serene.
Shangguan Shaoyi straightened his tone and said, "This place is too dangerous. From now on, you are not allowed to come here without my permission, understand?"
"Mm." Cheng Mo Su's eyes flickered with hesitation, but she nodded anyway; she would agree for now but would still come when necessary. However, there was something weighing on her mind that she couldn't voice; it felt like a heavy stone hanging in her heart, causing her unease. Slowly, she spoke about her doubts regarding Zhang Chi Qi.
Shangguan Shaoyi chuckled lightly after hearing her concerns. "Mo Su, I think you are overthinking it. The information Zhang Chi Qi provided me was about the defense situation in Feng Province; how could he be a traitor?" Cheng Mo Su lowered her beautiful brows in embarrassment, realizing she had been overly suspicious and felt a bit guilty towards Zhang Chi Qi. She thought to herself that she should apologize to him for doubting him for so long.
Shangguan Shaoyi watched her quietly; her calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the howling cold wind outside, creating two different worlds. Her dark hair brushed lightly against his arm as she furrowed her delicate brows slightly in an unexplainable solitude. Though her tone was gentle, it was also firm as she looked back at him with clear determination in her dark eyes. He tightened his embrace around her arm even more. "You don't have to go that far."
"It is necessary," she replied, meeting his dark gaze with a bright smile.
His breath caught; how could someone so proud as she easily apologize? She was doing this for him. He held her hand tightly, his smile becoming even brighter. "Then I'll go with you."
Heavy snow fell at the city gate, blanketing everything in silver. The light in the sky turned gray and oppressive, unsettling people's hearts. On the massive city wall stood two figures, weapons drawn and tension thick in the air; conflict was imminent. Both sides pointed their guns directly at each other's heads, ready for a deadly confrontation.
"Shaofeng! I have treated you well alongside the General; why did you lie about his orders to me and cause Shangguan Lin to take Feng Province?" Zhang Chi Qi glared fiercely at him, mentally torturing him countless times over in his mind.
Shaofeng smiled coldly, tightening his grip on the trigger. "Lin Hongyao, that scoundrel, killed my parents. The hatred of killing a father cannot be shared under heaven. How can I allow him to continue ruling in the Northeast? This time, I will only make him lose a Feng Province, but next time, I will take his life!"
Zhang Chiqi was taken aback for a moment, then understood Shaofeng's reason for betraying them, but his arm showed no sign of relaxing. Shaofeng continued, "You are a person who values loyalty and righteousness. Why follow Lin Hongyao and his ilk? He treats you well now because you still have value to him. Once he has used you up, your fate will not be any better. Join me and pledge allegiance to the Young Marshal!"
"Shut up!" Zhang Chiqi shouted angrily. He was not as rough and brainless as he appeared; he understood most of what Shaofeng said deep down. He just could not allow himself to do such a thing. "Ten years ago, in a snowstorm like today, I suffered from hunger and cold. That day, I was so hungry that I couldn't bear it anymore and tried to rob someone's purse, but unfortunately, I was caught on the spot."
Why was he telling himself this? Shaofeng was puzzled but continued to listen as Zhang Chiqi spoke: "His subordinates wanted to kill me, and he just laughed and asked if I was afraid. I am a tough guy; I said I wasn't afraid. He had his men take me back, fed and clothed me, personally taught me how to ride horses, shoot arrows, fire guns, and military strategy. It is thanks to him that I have achieved what I have today!"
"That person is Lin Hongyao?" Shaofeng asked. This was the first time he heard Zhang Chiqi talk about his background; it might also be the last time.
Zhang Chiqi nodded and continued, "Not long after, he gave me a mission to infiltrate the Shangguan army as a spy. So I went, pretending to be reckless and crude, covering the ears of many people; even the usually clever and cautious Shangguan Lin believed me." He laughed bitterly. "If it weren't for General Lin saving me, I would have frozen or starved to death long ago. He is like my reborn parents. You are willing to betray us for your parents; I would kill you and Shangguan Lin for mine. Our starting points are the same; it's just that our parents are different!"
"Good!" Shaofeng shouted loudly. "Then let's see whose gun is faster!"
The snow in the sky fell heavier and faster; the sound of gunfire disturbed the floating clouds. Two vastly different people were dueling over fundamentally similar matters, carving a huge hole in the sky while blocking out the light completely. The hidden power consumed and chewed on both of them.
As the dark clouds dispersed and the heavy snow ceased, one person's life ended as another's began.
It seemed like gunshots were heard. Cheng Mo Su looked at Shangguan Shaoyi beside her. Shangguan Shaoyi furrowed his sword-like brows; he indeed heard gunshots. What had happened? Cheng Mo Su broke free from Shangguan Shaoyi's grip with a calm smile. "It might not be good if Vice Officer Zhang sees this later." Shangguan Shaoyi smiled slightly and let her go.
Cheng Mo Su jogged up onto the city wall while Shangguan Shaoyi steadily followed behind her. She was about to tease him for not being as fast as her when she felt something cold pressed against her temple—a chilling sensation that penetrated to her bones, causing her to hold her breath.
Everything happened too suddenly; Shangguan Shaoyi's breathing became erratic as he frowned deeply, his face filled with coldness and anger. "Zhang Chiqi! What are you doing? Let her go!" His gun was aimed directly at Zhang Chiqi, and the surrounding cold air quickly condensed as if forming a thick layer of ice.
"Shangguan Lin! At this point, I can only take a gamble! You need to give the order to withdraw from Feng Province immediately, or else..." His gun pressed against Cheng Mo Su's skin again, and Cheng Mo Su felt a burning pain where the gun was touching him, as if it were about to pierce through him. "Or else, Cheng Mo Su will die right away!"
The air, the breath, the time all suddenly came to a standstill.
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