Chapter 449 - Resurrection and Return (1/2)

The flames of the candle lamps flickered and wavered gently. But they could hardly sooth or calm Ziyun’er, whose convulsions only grew stronger. Her lithe and slender frame shook as the rest of her pale purplish dress slipped off her, leaving only the soft and tender white skin of her naked body. The folds of her dress fell into a crumble. A heap clinging to her calves.

The girls of the Hidden Fragrance Wafting Under the Moon were sworn to celibacy. Even at the pain of death, they were to guard their chastity without fail. Yet now, with only the filmy sheet of the last remaining bodice on her, the bareness of Ziyun’er’s body was utterly revealed under the swaying effulgence of the lamps. The deadly assassin now a petite and meek little lass, the womanly curves down her waist could easily make any man water.

Not even Liu Liancheng could hold back his placid demeanor. He had never once laid eyes on a little lass of such ravishing beauty and the tears dribbling down her face only made his heartbeat race.

Ziyun’er held back a choke and whimpered, “Please, please tell nothing of this to my lord and sister…”

Liu Liancheng’s lips trembled as if he was trying to speak. But no words came out. He merely smiled, although his stare turned into a hungry look, his usual icy placidness slowly melting. It was the first time he felt such an urge to lunge at a girl. To tear off her final article of clothing and feast with his own eyes the complete allure of the perfect woman’s body.

Ziyun’er gagged, another sob welling up and more tears fell, a deluge that soaked the silky bodice covering her chest as she trembled uncontrollably. Her shaking hands moved slowly, tracing inch by inch to her back and tugged at the straps on her back.

Liu Liancheng felt an electrifying sensation that made his body jerk as soon as Ziyun’er’s fingers clasped at the straps. His eyes burned with passion unblinkingly and his breath began to rise. Her graceful movements were enticingly sensuous to him and her limber and supple frame in the candlelight only made him yearn for her more.

But out of nowhere came a bang that he would have thought it was a bolt of lightning. The doors of his Chamber opened, torn off their hinges in a blast of timber debris and splinters and two silhouetted figures stood in its wake.

Before Liu Liancheng hardly moved an inch, Ziyun’er was already reclothed and it was Qingluan who had helped her. Xiao Chen stormed in, his bloodshot eyes on the brink of popping out as he roared, “BEAST! I’LL SKIN YOU ALIVE!” The Unsullied appeared in his hand and he stabbed furiously at the healer.

The powerful stroke churned up a vacuum in its wake that instantly extinguished all the candles in the hall. A loud clang ensued and the force from the collision shook the whole Chamber and dust began falling from all quarters. Qingluan had, in the nick of time, parried Xiao Chen’s attack with her Royal-blood Blade.

“Please, My Lord! You need to calm down!” She would have wanted to skin Liu Liancheng alive with her own hands. But he was the only one who could help Xiao Chen. The only one they needed alive.

Tears rained down Ziyun’er’s face as she choked with sobs. Qingluan helped her aside, casting a cold glare at Liu Liancheng. “You will heal him this very instant. As of now, I’ll give no d*mn to your rules! And if he dies, rest assured that no one in Jueming Gorge lives! I’ll make sure this place is razed to the ground!”

For once, Qingluan’s eyes blazed with malice and contempt. Unlike the many times she had killed upon command, this time, she was truly angered enough to kill. Truly angered enough that the entire room was tensed with the suffocating pressure from the desire to kill emanating from her.

Liu Liancheng felt his breath coming to a still as the burning passion within him slowly died down. But he was nowhere near panicking. He waved off the acolytes rushing to his defense from outside, motioning for them to leave. He smiled. “So you say. Kill me if you will. Raze this place to the ground if you will. I am the Young Maestro Liu Liancheng. My decision stays. Bow and knock your head on the ground if you please, and still, I’d refuse you.”

“Let’s see how stubborn you’d be…” Qingluan hissed insidiously with a veil of chill shrouding over her. The Royal-blood Blade shook in her grasp, trembling in resonation to her spiking emotions.

Gleefully pleased with himself, Liu Liancheng cried out loud, “NO!” And he yawned while gesturing towards the door. “Kindly see yourselves out. But if you wish to stay here for the night, I can have my people make arrangements.”

“YOU SCUM!” Qingluan spat, her knuckles cracking. But Liu Liancheng was not even the slightest afraid. But how could it be possible? That a man had no weak points?

Xiao Chen reached his hand at the Unsullied which had been struck out of his grasp and driven deep into a pillar. The weapon dislodged itself and flew back into his hand before he tucked it away. “Qingluan,” he muttered coldly, “Let us leave. I’d not have scum like him to cure me. I, Xiao Chen, would rather die than beg him!” He turned, his voluminous sleeves flailing as he spun and began walking out when Liu Liancheng shouted suddenly, “Wait! Just wait!”

Xiao Chen stopped, but he did not turn. “I’m sparing your life because I have no feud with you, you vermin! You should be thanking the stars that I was not too late to save my subordinate!”

“Wait!” Liu Liancheng screamed again. For the first time, he looked anxious and flustered. “What did you say your name was?!”

Xiao Chen looked back. A pair of icy glares shot from him. “I am Xiao Chen. The one and only. What is that to you?”

“The very same Xiao Chen who had wreaked havoc at the residence of Zuoqiu family?”

“Indeed, I am!”

A quick shift occurred to his expression although it quickly recovered. Then he burst into a peal of laughter. “I see! This is Xiao Chen. Brother Xiao! Long I have heard of your name. I’m sorry that we have to meet in such circumstances. My apologies indeed!”

“Begone with you! You worthless rubbish! I am no ‘Brother Xiao’ to you!” Xiao Chen was still seething with resentment, rage, and disgust at the unscrupulous behavior of the healer.

“But why is Liu Liancheng suddenly so amicable,” Qingluan brooded quietly. “What do you want, Master Liu?” she asked coolly.

As if he had turned over a new leaf, Liu Liancheng smiled benignly. “I am so, so sorry, everyone. I have always admired Brother Xiao and his heroics. I’d even hoped to have a drink with him one day. Believe me, I would never have wanted for our first meeting to be like this…” He bowed to Ziyun’er. “I have never been so badly wrong, my lady. Please accept my humblest apologies. I understand full well that perhaps only with my death, you would feel more assuaged. But if you’re really in pursuit of reprisal, I’d gladly allow you to hit me twice on my face.”

Ziyun’er took a deep breath, looking away. “So, you are saying that you would help us, Master Liu?” Qingluan frowned and asked carefully.