Chapter Fifty-Six: To Accept or Not to Accept

The encirclement of bats had a gap, yet countless more surged in to fill it. Ji Muyu looked at the unending tide of bats with growing irritation; his patience was nearly spent. He had no desire to waste more time in this place. But Yinyao, as if sensing his thoughts, insisted on opposing him, summoning every bat in the area to her side.

Ji Muyu struck out with both palms, but then he noticed something strange. The bats he had struck down with his inner energy, which ought to have died upon hitting the ground, instead seemed to possess an immortal quality; again and again, they flapped their wings and slowly rose back into the air. This discovery greatly surprised Ji Muyu.

This, then, was another mysterious power of the chain of colors: beast control. For this, Yinyao had to thank the organization’s training back in the twenty-first century, which taught her to command animals with sound. As for the bats dying and reviving, that was thanks to her one and only tomb-robbing experience. She could not recall to which era or people the tomb belonged, only that she had nearly died in that tomb. Yet fate had favored her; she survived and obtained a secret art—this eerie resurrection!

Ji Muyu’s hands continued their movements as he fixed his gaze on Yinyao and snapped, “What exactly are you trying to do?” His patience was wearing thin.

“Your Majesty, can’t you tell?” Yinyao replied with a mocking laugh. Her right hand stilled, and the bats’ assault weakened, slowly receding. The corpses of the fallen bats littered the ground.

Yinyao’s face bore a confident smile, her every gesture calm and commanding, as though all in this world was within her grasp—she was the sovereign here.

Noticing her unshakable confidence, Ji Muyu’s eyes flashed with a ruthless gleam, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He would not permit anyone to obstruct his path; any who dared interfere or disrupt his plans would find him merciless. He was not some pious soul—stand in his way, and death would be their reward.

“Assassination? An attempt on my life?” Ji Muyu cast a brief glance toward the archers lurking in the shadows, then smiled devilishly at Yinyao as he approached her at a leisurely pace. His manner was relaxed, as though he hadn’t just endured a “little” encirclement. His robe fluttered in the wind without a trace of blood, and the dragon-brocaded coat lent him an air of majesty and dominance.

Yinyao arched a brow indifferently. She had indeed come for this, but it was hardly an assassination—she was facing him openly, after all.

“Assassination? Do you really think I look like someone here to assassinate you?” Yinyao met Ji Muyu’s gaze, neither yielding an inch.

Ji Muyu burst out laughing. “Indeed, no assassin would make such a scene.”

Up to now, Ji Muyu had fought barehanded without drawing his sword, and Yinyao had used only her beast-controlling art. Neither seemed to have the upper hand. Ji Muyu was truly a master; Yinyao felt a thrill at encountering such a formidable adversary, her curiosity about his strength growing. Both had used half their internal energy, yet neither gained an advantage.

Ji Muyu was the elder brother of Ji Xuanyu—could he possess that same power?

The thought made Yinyao’s heart jolt. She remembered her mother’s words: each power could only be held by one person per generation. If he had it too, then the balance would already be broken. Her heart began to race, and she forced herself to calm down.

Yinyao’s brief distraction did not escape Ji Muyu’s notice. He wondered what had crossed her mind to so unsettle her. He halted, watching her next move.

“Your Majesty! Ha, Ji Muyu!” Yinyao called his name without the slightest hesitation. Once someone ascended the throne, no one dared address them by name—but Yinyao was unafraid. Moreover, she emphasized the words “Your Majesty” with unconcealed scorn, carrying herself with unapologetic poise.

Ji Muyu’s brow furrowed in anger. He gazed thoughtfully at Yinyao, then pursed his lips and let out a strange whistle. He did not advance further; he still had someone he could send, no need to act himself—and besides, he disdained to do so.

Without warning, a figure in white appeared—Yin Su. She knelt respectfully at Ji Muyu’s side, head bowed. “Master,” she said softly.

Ji Muyu did not look at her, responding only with a faint “Mm.”

Seeing Yin Su arrive, Yinyao thought: So Ji Muyu can’t even be bothered to face me himself? Or does he truly believe Yin Su is enough to deal with me? How arrogant!

Yinyao glanced at Yin Su but remained silent, watching and waiting for their next move. She was not afraid; Yin Su alone was no threat, and even together with Ji Muyu, she was confident she could escape unharmed.

Ji Muyu glanced at Yinyao, who lounged against a tree, and signaled to Yin Su. Yinyao observed them calmly. Yin Su understood Ji Muyu’s meaning at once—she stood, turned, and looked up.

She caught sight of Yinyao’s slight smile and felt a shock she could not hide. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes before she composed herself. Still, she was curious about Yinyao’s strength and purpose.

“Nameless—oh, no, Yin Su—it’s been ages since we last met,” Yinyao said with a wicked smile, her face radiant. With a graceful leap, she landed directly before Yin Su.

A shadow crossed Ji Muyu’s eyes, while Yin Su bit her lip in secret. She hadn’t expected Yinyao to know even her identity as “Nameless.” Yin Su sized her up, her admiration genuine—after all, Yinyao was a worthy adversary, and she knew Yinyao’s strength likely surpassed her own.

“It has been a long time, Yinyao,” Yin Su replied softly, speaking the words clearly. For reasons she couldn’t quite name, Yin Su felt little animosity toward Yinyao, perhaps because Yinyao had once spared her life.

Ji Muyu’s gaze was deep as he regarded the two women.

Though he had already guessed this was the Yinyao who had fallen from the cliff three years ago, hearing Yin Su confirm it still astonished him. He had even gone to verify her death himself—yet here she was, alive and standing before him.

Watching the two greet each other as though no one else existed, Ji Muyu’s suspicions deepened.

“Yin Su?” Ji Muyu’s tone was questioning.

“Hm? Yin Su, didn’t I tell you to send word to Ji Muyu that I was back?” Yinyao stepped forward, cutting Yin Su off before she could explain. She wasn’t exactly sure why Yin Su hadn’t delivered the message, but it hardly mattered—she was here now.

Ji Muyu’s attention was drawn to Yin Su, barely noticing that Yinyao had once again addressed him by his full name, dispensing even with the pretense of calling him “Your Majesty.”

“Your subordinate admits her mistake. I await your punishment, Master,” Yin Su said, immediately dropping to her knees.

“Oh, Yin Su, don’t kneel. So you didn’t deliver my message—no big deal,” Yinyao sighed theatrically, a stark contrast to the proud and commanding figure she had presented moments ago.

Hearing Yinyao’s nonchalance, Ji Muyu could hardly press the matter further. He watched the two women, realizing they had no intention of fighting for the moment.

“Ji Muyu, what say you to a challenge three months hence—a true contest?” Yinyao’s tone turned grave, leaving no room for jest. Ji Muyu paused, considering.

“Well? Do you accept or not?” Yinyao’s words dripped with disdain.

“I accept!” His answer was sharp and unyielding.

—End of Chapter—

Author’s Note:
I’m sorry, dear readers, but I must take a three-day leave. I’m still a struggling student, after all—please forgive me! Once summer break arrives, I promise to make it up to you all. My apologies!