26 A Frame-up (1/2)

Pei Yuan watched attentively as Meng Fuyao formed the Cleaving Nine Heavens gesture with her hand, her expression fluctuating as she took two steps back.

The atmosphere around them gradually turned threatening.

Meng Fuyao exhaled noiselessly. Her movements were well-controlled, but her back was so sweaty that it started itching as her garment started sticking to it.

Pei Yuan looked frostily at her, saying, ”Tell me who did it and I won't touch you again, I swear. Otherwise, don't think about escaping unscathed. I will not let you go, no matter how wounded I may be.”

”Really?” Meng Fuyao blinked.

”Of course,” Pei Yuan asserted. ”I always mean what I say.”

”You swear?” Meng Fuyao smiled. ”More crosses appear on your face if you go back on your word. Your body will be filled with circles and crosses, as will your whole family.”

”You–––” Pei Yuan was about to collapse from anger. She clenched her teeth but swore nonetheless.

Meng Fuyao lost it, albeit inwardly when Pei Yuan got to the part about her family being circled and crossed. However, on the surface, she remained grim. ”Sigh, I'll tell you, but you'll have to keep it between us. That guy... he's not human. I can't afford to get on his bad side.”

”Who?” Pei Yuan asked, biting down on her teeth so hard that sparks could appear any time.

”Family name's Yuan. Yuan Bao's his name.” Meng Fuyao obliged in all seriousness.

Somewhere far away, Lord Yuan Bao let out a sneeze.

”Yuan Bao?” Pei Yuan repeated slowly and in a low voice. ”This name...”

”He's a powerful fighter from the wild mountains, and that's just his nickname. I heard that your political enemy, the Yun Family, had engaged a formidable killer but no one's heard of his name,” Meng Fuyao added, smiling a little.

'Yuan Bao ah, Yuan Bao, who asked you to be such a bully? I'm framing you now, but it's true that you're not human. Plus, you did play a part anyway.'

Gradually believing her words, Pei Yuan hardened her gaze. ”I don't care how formidable he is. If I don't get my revenge, I will cease being Pei Yuan.”

Pei Yuan looked indignantly at Meng Fuyao. She was upset that Yan Jingchen still harbored feelings for her. Pei Yuan had so much hate for her, but it was a fact that her skills weren't on par with Meng Fuyao's and that Yan Jingchen was nearby. As such, she could only let the chance to kill her go...

Before her thoughts faded, a figure sped toward them from afar, bringing a gust of wind along with him.

”Meng Fuyao! Trying to run? Looks like locking your inner energy wasn't enough. I should've crippled you on top of that.”

Both Pei Yuan and Meng Fuyao's expression instantly changed. 'Not good.'

'D*mn, why does this guy have to show up now and expose the lies I've so painstakingly invented?'

Without the time to ponder over things, Meng Fuyao immediately took to her heels.

Unfortunately, Pei Yuan's reaction was fast too. Upon her revelation she gathered whatever suppressed exasperation and bitterness she had within her, extending her hands and curling all her fingers into dagger-like claws. As the wind whizzed toward Meng Fuyao's shoulders, Pei Yuan roared, ”How dare you lie to me? Guards!”

At the same time, she spun so quickly that she had turned into a red tornado, her golden accessories twinkling and reflecting glaring golden rays. Amid the incessant ringing of bells, flowers and leaves were carried up by the strong wind before scattering and disintegrating into multi-colored powder.

Pzzt.

Pei Yuan's long and sharp nails had penetrated into Meng Fuyao's shoulder, causing blood to splatter. A menacing gaze flashed across her face before she dragged her fingers backward so forcefully that it could potentially split Meng Fuyao's back open.

As Meng Fuyao sensed the immense danger, she dropped on her knees and slid a meter forward, effectively distancing herself from Pei Yuan's claws.

Not giving up, Pei Yuan took a step forward and reached for Meng Fuyao's head when a thunderous voice boomed from behind. ”Release her!”

A black-red figure appeared and moved so fast that his face wasn't clearly visible. A golden ray flickered even before he reached them and a thin sword carrying a heavy gust of wind flashed forward, accurately trapping Pei Yuan's hand.

The force was so great that she tumbled 10 meters away. Nevertheless, she preserved the cold smile on her face.

The guards surged forward, unsheathing their swords and fixing their arrows, and took aim at Zhan Beiye.

”These trespassers are plotting an assassination! Take them down!” Pei Yuan ordered sharply.

Zhan Beiye stayed in his spot, his black robe rolling angrily as its red corners rose up like flames. His ferocity radiated cuttingly and in a pressing manner, yet falling short of the deadly aura he was exuding from between his brows. Under the crystal clear sky, sparks could be seen in his crow-black pupils as he dove for the domineering woman in red.

”How dare you touch me?”