Huang Bei Shuang’s face turned pale with fear as Ruo Wen stormed into the room and, without a word, threw her onto the bed. Her red wedding gown spread out like butterfly wings, the jeweled headpiece on her forehead catching the dim light with an eerie glow.
For a moment, Ruo Wen seemed confused, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. He unbuckled the weapons from his waist—his knife, spear, and sword—and tossed them aside. Leaning down, he studied her closely. “You’re truly beautiful. I never imagined I’d meet a woman this stunning.” His voice grew more excited as he brushed a hand across her cheek. “What makes you different? Your eyes? They’re filled with anger and pride. Your voice? Cold and mocking. And then…” His tone shifted as he pressed a hand against her chest. “Your heart—it’s full of passion and fearlessness. Ernaqi tribe, are you? You must be from the north. What’s your name? Tell me…”
Huang Bei Shuang bit her lip and glared at him fiercely. Seizing an opportunity, she rolled to the side and grabbed a curved sword and a saber from beside the bed, holding them up defensively toward Ruo Wen.
But Ruo Wen simply laughed mockingly, as if watching an amusing show.
He picked up his spear from the ground and slowly approached her, as though playing with prey. “Heavy, isn’t it? Getting heavier by the moment, isn’t it? The sword—it’s called ‘Father-Slayer.’ The saber—it’s called ‘Mother-Burier.’ These crimes are heavy. Can you bear them?” He swung the spear lightly. “You should be wielding this—the spear, called ‘Wife-Stealer.’”
At that moment, Huang Bei Shuang’s hands grew weaker. As he loomed over her, the weapons slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor.
“You drugged me!” She clutched the bedpost, her mind already convinced that the food had been tainted.
Ruo Wen smirked triumphantly. “Oh? So you’ve figured it out. I mixed the juice of the Double Fruit Tree into your food. Anyone who lives in the desert knows its effects—it drains strength and arouses lust.”
Huang Bei Shuang, exhausted and defenseless, could only curse him under her breath, calling him a scoundrel. He pressed his forehead against hers, his breath hot as he demanded, “Tell me your name!”
“What do you want?” she asked through gritted teeth.
“Of course, I want to have my way with you!” Ruo Wen’s voice was wild, filled with madness as he trapped her on the bed. His restraint over her felt like an unbreakable net. Huang Bei Shuang, helpless and furious, could no longer hold back her anger and glared at him, her cheeks flushed. “I will never tell you my name.”
“No matter,” Ruo Wen said with a wicked smile. “One day, you will.” He was indifferent to her defiance, likely accustomed to the resistance of captives. With one swift motion, he tore at her wedding dress and pressed it to his lips for a deep kiss, savoring the moment. “From now on, you are mine!”
Just as he finished speaking, the room fell into an eerie silence. The air became thick with an almost tangible sense of danger. Ruo Wen didn’t turn around, still gripping Huang Bei Shuang, but a sword’s blade now pressed against his neck, the sharp silver edge gleaming in the dim light, catching Huang Bei Shuang’s gaze.
“Who are you?” Ruo Wen growled.
“Let her go first,” came the low, raspy voice of the intruder, tinged with a threatening undertone.
Ruo Wen hesitated, then slowly released his grip. Huang Bei Shuang quickly scrambled to her feet and stood beside the mysterious newcomer.
“Qing Yun!” she exclaimed in surprise.
“That’s right, you remember my name!” Qing Yun smiled, his sword pressing more firmly against Ruo Wen’s throat. But Ruo Wen had already calmed down. He stood up slowly, reversing his grip on the spear in his hand.
“If you kill me, neither of you will escape,” Ruo Wen said.
“I never said I would kill you,” Qing Yun replied coolly.
Ruo Wen narrowed his eyes. “You’re planning to take her?”
Qing Yun smiled. “Naturally.”
"One life for another. You can take her with you!" Ruo Wen unexpectedly agreed, his tone casual.
"And what about my people?" Huang Bei Shuang couldn’t help but ask.
Ruo Wen burst into laughter. "I already told you, one life for one life, or we all go down together."
The three of them fell silent, as if a deal was slowly taking shape. Finally, Qing Yun spoke first.
"This spear is called 'Wife-Stealer'?" he asked.
Clang! In the next instant, Qing Yun’s sword flashed, severing the spear in Ruo Wen’s hands in two.
"The deal is done. We’re leaving!" Qing Yun sheathed his sword, and before Huang Bei Shuang could react, he threw her over his shoulder and leapt out the window. In moments, their figures had vanished into the cold moonlit desert sands.
Ruo Wen, furious, slammed the two broken pieces of the spear onto the ground. "Bastard! Bastard!" he cursed twice, his rage still burning wildly.
Qing Yun ran swiftly, carrying Huang Bei Shuang through the freezing desert night. Despite the cutting winds and icy cold, his pace never slowed. After about an hour, they reached a small oasis.
He set Huang Bei Shuang down beneath a tree, then walked over to where his white horse, Fei Ta, was tethered and pulled it closer.
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