Forgotten Tale of Jianghu

"Heh… heh… heh… You really know how to make me laugh."

Bai Jing Jing chuckled, her voice light and amused, as if the words of this so-called assassin, Xin Long, were too absurd to take seriously. His attempt at intimidation felt more like a joke.

As her laughter faded, she caught a glimpse of Xin Long's faint smirk — subtle, almost imperceptible — yet his cold, steady gaze never wavered. For a brief moment, something unreadable flickered in those dark eyes.

Jing Jing noticed, but it didn't matter. Whatever meaning lay behind a stranger's stare was of no concern to her.

The crowd, once gathered around them, now slowly dispersed, each person retreating into the cold embrace of the falling snow. Bai Jing Jing noticed this as if it were a mere background detail — unimportant yet observed nonetheless.

In all of Jianghu, no assassin — no matter how ruthless — would dare speak to her this way, knowing she was a member of the Bai Family. The way Xin Long spoke, as if trying to instill fear in her, only made her want to laugh louder.

If not for the circumstances — if this wasn't a wedding day — Xin Long would have already been lying dead at her feet, killed by a single strike from her hand. The thought alone made her silently clench her jaw.

…

Xin Long's gaze lingered on Jing Jing — her emerald-green robe flowing elegantly, perfectly complementing the vibrant, jade-like hue of her sharp, captivating eyes.

She stood there, a mocking smirk tugging at her lips, her right hand — adorned with the Golden Spider Iron Gloves — clenching and unclenching lazily, a gesture both careless and provocative.

Her indifference seemed deliberate, a silent taunt that only deepened the curve of Xin Long's smile.

Beyond her, he noticed Ye Yue, mirroring Bai Jing Jing's casual stance — an echo of disdain and mockery. Yet, Xin Long's icy gaze never strayed toward Ye Yue for long, as if ensuring his eyes would not linger where they shouldn't.

Perhaps, this restraint was for Bai Jing Jing's sake.

Around them, the distant sound of bustling market stalls and the shuffling crowd began to fade. People who had gathered now slowly retreated, their whispers slipping through the cracks of the cold air.

Soft, murmuring voices praised Bai Jing Jing and Ye Yue — words filled with flattery and admiration. But Xin Long knew better. These words were nothing more than empty praises, tangled with hints of fear and caution, rooted in the reputation of Bai Jing Jing's powerful family.

Then—

"Clip… Clop… Clip…"

From afar, the sound of hooves echoed, rhythmic and steady. The approaching riders broke through the veil of silence.

Xin Long's eyes narrowed. The horses — moving in perfect formation — could only belong to Young Master Xu, Xu Zhu Han.

A subtle smile crept onto his face once more.

…

Chu Cao had long believed she would never cross paths with him again — the man with those cold, lifeless eyes. Yet, there he was — Xin Long — standing before her.

A quiet gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it.

He had changed. His once-lean frame was now stronger, more refined, his long black hair neatly combed back — a stark contrast to the past. Yet, beneath this transformation, some things remained unshaken: the silent demeanor, the razor-sharp, unfeeling gaze.

Though Chu Cao stood close — right beside Bai Jing Jing — Xin Long's eyes never once flickered her way. Not even a glance.

Had he… forgotten about me?

The thought echoed bitterly in her mind.

Pushing the unsettling feeling aside, Chu Cao focused. She was ready — prepared to listen, to catch every word exchanged between Xin Long and Bai Jing Jing.

But the expected words never came.

Instead, the only sound that reached her ears was the distant, rhythmic clopping of hooves — a steady beat, growing louder with each passing second.

…

"Heh… heh…"

"Who told you to come all the way here?"

The sound of hooves halted as the horses came to a stop. Bai Jing Jing, Xin Long, and Chu Cao instinctively turned around, facing the newcomers.

Xin Long's cold gaze swept over the figure on horseback — Xu Zhu Han — the Young Master of the Xu family. His keen eyes noted the man's composed expression, the meticulously neat lips inherited from his father, and the luxurious robes that exuded wealth and status.

Without hesitation, Xin Long's attention flicked to the warriors flanking Xu Zhu Han — his personal guards, their presence illuminated by the dim, swaying light of the street lanterns.

As he silently assessed the situation, Xu Zhu Han's voice, calm yet unnervingly cool, broke the stillness.

"One of my servants told me… I knew nothing would happen, but I came anyway, just in case…"

"Since it seems there's no trouble, I'll be heading back... You… should leave with Chu Cao..."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Xin Long's mouth — cold, unreadable.

He couldn't help but wonder…

Did the Young Master truly rush here out of concern? Or was it something more?

Perhaps it had something to do with Bai Jing Jing's father — currently being held at Xu Zhu Han's estate, south of Kunming City.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, a northern wind cut through the silence, slipping past Xin Long's back and swirling around the trio. It brushed against Xu Zhu Han and his guards, their stern faces momentarily shadowed by the flickering lanterns.

And then… the snow began to fall harder.

Bai Jing Jing, hearing Xu Zhu Han's words, turned back toward him. Her lips parted slightly, but no words escaped. She watched as Xu Zhu Han and his guards brushed past her without a second glance — a quiet storm of silk robes and muted footsteps.

As they moved past, she lowered her gaze, yet her heart pounded when a pair of cold, unyielding eyes flickered in her peripheral vision.

Xin Long.

The faint scent lingering in the air — hers — seemed to rush into his lungs with a cruel intensity.

Had she misunderstood him all along?

Impossible.

When Xin Long left Kunming City… hadn't he done so to ensure her safety?

He…

Before the thought could settle, Xin Long took a step forward, his expression unreadable as he approached Xu Zhu Han and the guards. His voice, calm yet cutting, broke the silence.

Not far away, Chu Cao kept walking, having deliberately passed Xin Long without a word.

Yet, after a few more steps, she found herself pausing. A slight tilt of her head — a fleeting glance backward.

Why had she looked back at him?

Was it because Xin Long, ever indifferent, had completely ignored her?

No… she quickly denied the thought, pushing the flicker of hesitation away.

Her eyes landed on Xu Zhu Han — her betrothed — speaking quietly with Xin Long.

A breath later, she turned her head forward again, hoping the stolen glance hadn't been noticed.

But Bai Jing Jing had already seen it.

A single smile crept across Bai Jing Jing's lips — subtle yet sharp.

The night's air swirled with the glow of hanging lanterns, and distant voices from the roadside shops and homes bled into the background.

Were they laughing at her?

Did they see her foolish mistake?

The glance had been a mistake… hadn't it?

Yet only one person could answer that.

Her lashes lowered once more, hiding the storm within.

End – 35