Chapter Ninety-Two: The Bloodstained Mo Dao (3)

Li An’s severed arm fell onto the snow, blood staining half the ground red. The fresh crimson traces were both grotesque and haunting, painting a scene so strange it gripped the heart with terror. Li Xuan’s two other servants rushed over, faces sorrowful. One, quick as the wind, pressed several acupoints on Li An to staunch the bleeding; the other, practiced and calm, wrapped the stump with cotton cloth. It all happened in an instant. By the time Kong Sheng and the others reacted, Li An had already collapsed into his servants’ arms, pain overwhelming him into unconsciousness.

A flicker of pity crossed Li Xuan’s eyes, but his expression hardened immediately. With a cold wave of his hand, he commanded, “Take him away to recover!”

“Yes!” the two servants replied respectfully, carrying the unconscious Li An away.

From beginning to end, all the guards and attendants standing nearby, even the two maids behind Li Xuan, were silent as stone, not daring to utter a word at the gruesome sight of Li An severing his own arm.

Mu Changfeng was stunned. He hadn’t expected the elegantly dressed youth before him to rule his subordinates with such iron severity and ruthless heart—one simple command had compelled a servant to break his own arm. Yet Mu Changfeng, seasoned in the world of martial affairs, had seen much blood and violence; he was not shaken by the loss of an arm.

The brothers Wu Xian and Wu Jie, though soldiers themselves and accustomed to sacrifice, still drew a sharp breath and turned away, unable to bear the sight of Li An’s discarded limb.

Kong Sheng took a deep breath, his expression changing yet again. Li An, bearer of the unfamiliar blade and protector at Li Xuan’s side, must have held considerable status. Yet even such a figure, at Li Xuan’s command, severed his own arm without hesitation to atone for his fault. Li Xuan’s authority was absolute, his enforcement cold and impersonal, like a general of immense power.

But then, Kong Sheng reconsidered. Something was off—Li Xuan was clearly a woman in disguise. In these times, female generals were rare as phoenix feathers, suggesting she was likely the descendant of some prominent military figure.

So, this “second-generation officer,” traveling with a group of disguised troops as merchants, secretly ventured into Jiangnan to trade grain—what was her purpose? Recalling Li Xuan’s animosity toward An Lushan’s rebel forces and her claim of hailing from Pengcheng in Jiangbei, Kong Sheng surmised she was likely affiliated with the royal army under Prince Guo Li Ju, who had retreated to Jianghuai. If not a commander, she must be the offspring of a great general—otherwise, how could she command such fear?

And so, the secret of Li Xuan’s entourage and the vast merchant caravan was laid bare. The so-called Shunfeng Trading Company’s convoy was nothing more than Pengcheng’s official troops in disguise. Their true purpose was to transport the grain purchased in Jiangnan back to Jiangbei.

Every mystery unravels once a single detail is pierced; that was the crux of Li Xuan’s fury. If this information leaked, local officials’ attention would be the lesser concern. Should An Lushan’s rebels learn of it, they would surely send troops to intercept and destroy the shipment, making it impossible to secure the grain.

Li Xuan had intended for Li An to teach Kong Sheng a lesson, but never expected Li An’s actions to overstep, exposing their hidden intentions. This left Li Xuan both shocked and enraged.

Li Xuan waved her hand, prompting the two maids to quickly gather the scattered bedding and tables, loading them onto the carriage.

In the snowy expanse, a blood-soaked severed arm lay stark against the white, radiating an eerie aura. The unfamiliar blade, stained with blood, still trembled upright in the snow, emitting a faint humming sound.

Kong Sheng gradually withdrew his steely gaze, preparing to call Mu Changfeng and the others to depart. He wasn’t afraid of trouble, but had no wish to provoke it either. Whatever Li Xuan’s background or her secret dealings in grain trading, it had nothing to do with him. His sole intention was to reach Suiyang and take up his post, then calmly assess the situation and do his utmost to turn the tide.

Li Xuan suddenly sneered, “Is Kong Sheng so eager to leave?”

The dozen robust guards at her side glared fiercely, murderous intent rising as they moved to encircle Kong Sheng and his companions. At Li Xuan’s order, they would strike without hesitation.

Mu Changfeng sensed imminent danger, drawing his sharp sword anew. Wu Xian and Wu Jie followed suit, pulling their curved blades and preparing for battle. At this point, they knew there could be no peaceful resolution; only a fight remained.

Kong Sheng sighed, lifting his gaze to meet Li Xuan’s calmly. “Young Lord Li, we are but strangers, with no enmity between us. Your subordinate provoked us, and we have exercised restraint. I believe we have committed no offense. The road is wide—why not each go our own way?”

Li Xuan chuckled, “Kong Sheng, you are a clever man. Surely you know, under these circumstances, I cannot simply let you leave.”

“Well then, what does Young Lord Li intend?” Kong Sheng glanced around. The caravan had quietly halted, dozens of guards perched on their horses, motionless yet poised. It was clear to all: at a single command, the riders would charge, and bloodshed would follow.

Though outnumbered, Kong Sheng was unafraid. Lacking battlefield experience, he trusted he could protect himself. Mu Changfeng, with his martial prowess, would not be hindered by a mere handful of opponents. With Wu Xian and Wu Jie, seasoned soldiers, the four of them together could perhaps break through the encirclement.

Of course, trouble had already arisen, and fear was pointless.

Li Xuan strolled over, slowly drawing the bloodied blade from the snow. Her pale, delicate fingers flicked the blade, smiling faintly. “What do you think of this weapon, Kong Sheng?”

“Incredibly sharp, devastating in battle,” Kong Sheng replied deliberately. “But I did not expect a military weapon to be used for murder by Young Lord Li.”

The veil was already torn; there was no use pretending.

“Then, what if I gift you this blade?” Li Xuan raised the unfamiliar sword, a hint of a smile on her lips.

Kong Sheng’s gaze grew steadier. “What happens if I accept it? And what if I refuse?”

“If you take this blade, you are my honored guest. I promise your reputation will not be sullied. Whatever you desire, you shall have—wealth and fame will be yours, guaranteed by me.” Li Xuan’s smile faded, replaced by a chilling menace. “But if you refuse, then you are my enemy. And I show no mercy to enemies. Put simply, your path ends here. None of you will escape.”

Kong Sheng remained silent.

Li Xuan’s intentions were clear: she sought to recruit Kong Sheng as her subordinate. Once he became “one of her own,” the issue of secrecy would vanish. But if he refused, no matter how much she admired him, she would be forced to eliminate him.