Chapter 142 (1/2)

Chapter 142: Spies

Jun Huang ducked her head to hide the emotions flas.h.i.+ng through her eyes. A faint smile tugged at her lips. She stared at the pitch black river and said, ”If possible, I want a love that will last for a lifetime. It doesn't have to be with an important official or someone from a rich family. I hope only to have a companion when I retired to somewhere peaceful. I hope to live freely and stay true to my heart.”

Nan Xun was silent for a moment. He tried for a laugh, but it sounded bitter. ”Who doesn't want to lead a peaceful life? Yet we are trapped in such chaotic time. We will never be truly at peace.”

Jun Huang nodded without a word, but in her heart there was a storm brewing. There was an answer she would like to get, but she struggled to find the right question.

With the darkness of the night as her cover, she gave Nan Xun a smile and asked jokingly, ”If you were a woman, would you be willing to be my wife?”

Nan Xun's eyes crinkled. He responded with a crooked smile, ”I don't have to be a woman. As long as you are willing to take my hand as your husband, I am more than willing to marry you as a man.”

Jun Huang averted her gaze. She knew how Nan Xun felt about her. She could have joked back to Nan Xun, but –

Jun Huang sighed. With her eyes fixed on the river, she said, ”The world is not yet in peace. Our words can't be anything other than jests.”

Jun Huang didn't dare to continue with this line of conversation. She was planning to provoke a war between Northern Qi and Eastern Wu! If that led to lives being lost and people losing their homes… someone with a strong moral compa.s.s like Nan Xun would never forgive her. How could she ever hope for a future with him?

Nan Xun couldn't read Jun Huang's thoughts. Her response worried him. Was Jun Huang still possessed with revenge and had no room in her heart for anyone else? A hint of hurt flashed through his eyes. He didn't say anything.

The change in his expression did not escape Jun Huang's attention. She suddenly felt at loss. Everything she had done to this point was for her revenge, but how would she feel if Northern Qi as they knew it was destructed in the process? Should she really go through with her plan? Northern Qi was Qi Chen's home. If she destroyed the prosperity Nan Xun had risked his life to protect, what would he think about her?

Nan Xun could tell Jun Huang was troubled. She always put up walls whenever she started doubting herself. His heart ached for her.

He tightened his fists and swore to himself that he would help her achieve her goal despite his responsibilities as a general. He would help her even if he would be a laughing stock for generations to come.

Jun Huang suddenly realized how quiet it had been. She turned away from Nan Xun and looked up. The bright moon hung high in the sky, surrounded by a great many stars. The world looked peaceful like this, and time seemed to have come to a halt.

It took a moment for Jun Huang to recover. She couldn't stop herself from agonizing over her choices. She took a deep breath and schooled her expression into one of indifference. She put on a smile that didn't reach her eyes. ”I need some time on my own today. Please excuse me. I'll return to my place for the night.” She cupped her hands and walked away.

She walked with silent steps and navigated through the streets on autopilot. She was familiar enough with the city to not have to think about where she was going. Under the moonlight, everything seemed to be glowing a faint silver light.

Jun Huang turned into an alley. The moonlight wasn't bright enough to illuminate the path. She slowed down her pace and kept to the side, her robe brus.h.i.+ng against the wall, casting a faint shadow.

”…Western Que…Northern Qi…”

A man's voice broke the silence. Jun Huang frowned and followed the sound while holding her breath.

Her training with Nan Xun had not been in vain. She was able to make her way to the man without making a sound.

She let her ears guide her to a house. Through the half-open door she could see there were three people inside. Even from afar, Jun Huang could tell that they were well-trained in martial arts.

She stayed hidden at the corner of the wall, as silent as a ghost. She was undetectable.

”You both are cowards,” said the man who had his back to the door. He was dressed in all black. ”It's such a simple task. Yet you overcomplicate it.”

”Simple?” another man scoffed. He had a face that demanded respect. It was obvious that he considered his companion a fool. ”Then how about you do it on your own? Do you really think it's that easy to do what we need to do in the imperial city of Northern Qi? This is the city where the emperor resides in. If you are found out, our enemies will be alerted.”

”Agreed,” said the man standing by the authoritative man. ”Do you really think it's that easy to infiltrate the palace and poison the emperor?”