Blazing Ruge

Chapter Four teen In the dark depths of the earth, sunlight never penetrates. An underground river flows quietly; the glow of torches on the stone walls casts a rich, vivid hue over the room’s furnishings. The gauze curtains were delicate, the bronze mirror ornate; the bed was carved with elegant patterns, and the room featured a jade incense burner and exquisite Persian carpets. This chamber was even more opulent than a royal palace. “Ruge of the Dark Night… what a beautiful name…” The clear wine swayed gently in the golden goblet as a wicked, beautiful smile curved Anye Luo’s lips: ““Such a beautiful person—what a pity it would be to let her starve to death.” Ruge sat on the edge of the bed, her back straight, her lips pressed together in defiance. It had been four days since her assassination attempt failed and she was taken to Dark River Palace. Anye Luo had announced to the entire palace that she was a princess, named Dark Night Ruge. Dark Night Ruge—a strange name, but that was not what concerned her. What weighed on her mind was where Yu Zihan, Xue, and Zhan Feng were now, and how they were faring. She had asked Anye Luo. Anye Luo’s smile held a venomous edge as he said they had their own place to go. Her heart sank to the depths. “Release my senior brother and the others. It was my idea to assassinate you; do with me as you please.” Anye Luo pinched her chin. “Anything at all?” “Yes.” He slowly lowered his head, drawing close to her lips, and breathed, “May I kiss you? May I hold you?” Ruge jerked her head away! Anye Luo laughed wildly, his voice laced with contempt and mockery. “Who do you think you are?! Just because you have a face that resembles hers, you think you can bargain with me?!” “You’re wrong.” Ruge met his gaze. “I not only have a face like hers, but I also carry a part of her blood within me.” Anye Luo’s eyes narrowed. “If you harm them, then I will make your beloved woman vanish completely from this world, leaving not a single drop of her blood behind.” Ruge’s eyes burned with icy resolve. And so, she began a hunger strike. “After you die, I can preserve your beautiful body as a specimen,” Anye Luo said, taking a light sniff of the wine. “I’ll place it in a crystal coffin filled with fresh flowers, so I can admire it every moment—without having to make any concessions. Wouldn’t that be perfect?” Ruge’s strength was ebbing away bit by bit; hunger and exhaustion made her voice faint: “Yes, it’s perfect. You can go ahead right now; there’s no need to wait until I starve to death.” Anye Luo’s fingers tightened. Ruge looked up, her gaze calm: “If you don’t want me to die, agree to my terms.” Anye Luo suddenly smiled: ““You seem to care quite a lot about their lives.” “I do.” She saw no need to hide it. “Don’t you have any questions? How did I know your plan in advance?” Anye Luo swirled his wine glass, the aroma wafting through the room. “I knew you’d stab me in the back with a dagger. I knew Zhan Feng was hiding in the stream. And I knew Xue was on the distant hillside.” Ruge was momentarily stunned. She had always assumed it was because Anye Luo’s martial arts were too profound. “So, the disciples of the Dark River Palace surrounded Xue on the hillside, greatly reducing his offensive power; and your and Zhan Feng’s ambush turned into a clumsy farce.” Anye Luo’s red robe seemed to carry the scent of blood. “Aren’t you even a little curious? How on earth did I know your plan?” Ruge clenched her trembling fingers. “What are you trying to say?” Anye Luo, satisfied to catch the tremor in her voice, laughed loudly. “Someone betrayed you!” Ruge’s breath caught in her throat. “Do you want to know who it was?” Anye Luo was like a cat toying with a mouse. Ruge closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in her chest. After a long moment, she said, “I don’t want to know. Because no one would do such a thing.” Anye Luo shook his head. “Poor child. The very person you trusted with all your heart has betrayed you, yet you still want to save them. Are you truly pitiful? Or simply laughable?” “You are the pitiful one. You’ve likely never trusted anyone wholeheartedly, which is why you’ve always been alone.” It was as if Anye Luo’s heart had been stabbed! His face twisted slightly, and his eyes gradually turned red. “There is no one in this world worth trusting! Everyone is selfish and cruel. For their own happiness, they’ll harm even those closest to them!” Ruge didn’t want to argue with him about this. “If you eat, I’ll tell you who betrayed you.” Ruge smiled faintly. “I’ve already said it—I don’t want to know, because no one would do such a thing.” The contempt in her smile sent a surge of jealousy coursing through Anye Luo. He suddenly wanted to tear away her calm expression by any means necessary; he wanted to see if she would bleed from the pain when faced with coldness and cruelty. The cinnabar between his brows flickered faintly as Anye Luo spoke softly: “Do you know? The cruelest thing in the world isn’t having never had anything, but having once had everything, having tasted the flavor of happiness, and then losing it all. A person who has been deaf and unable to walk since childhood won’t feel pain. But then, one day, he can hear the wind, the birdsong, and the flowers swaying on the branches; he can hear his beloved calling his name; he can walk on his own two legs; he can even carry his beloved on his back as they walk along mountain paths at night…” Ruge stared at him, her blood slowly turning to ice. “Why did he suddenly become healthy? Have you really never questioned that?” Anye Luo’s smile was as gentle as a viper flickering its tongue. Her frozen blood seemed to solidify further, and a flicker of panic crossed Ruge’s eyes: “No way! I trust Senior Brother! He wouldn’t do something like that!” “How well do you really know him?” “We’ve been together since childhood!” “Then do you know just how deeply he loves you?” Ruge’s eyes widened. “He never dared confess his feelings to you because he felt inferior due to his disability. After the battle in the camphor forests of Wuyi Mountain, he realized even more acutely that, crippled as he was, he couldn’t even protect you. So he agreed to my terms.” In the flickering light of the fire, Anye Luo’s smile flickered as well: “I gave him a healthy body, and he helped me seize the empire. Though he betrayed you, I promised him I wouldn’t take your life.” It was as if a million bolts of lightning had exploded before Ruge’s eyes! She froze to the ground, her body trembling uncontrollably: “Impossible! I don’t believe you! Senior Brother Yu would never do such a thing! Absolutely impossible!” Senior Brother Yu was the purest, kindest, and most upright person in the world; he would never commit such a vile act for his own selfish desires! She believed in him! He could never have done such a thing! Anye Luo looked at her and burst into loud laughter: “If you don’t believe it, why is your body trembling?! Yu Zihan is merely a mortal; naturally, he has his own greed. Does this cause you pain?! You fragile creature—he has merely betrayed you; he hasn’t even plunged a knife into your chest with his own hands. Why are you turning pale and trembling?!” Ruge’s chest felt as if it were being scorched by a raging fire: “I don’t believe it. Unless he admits it himself.” Anye Luo glanced at her askance, taking pleasure in her pain: “Fine, then I’ll let you see Yu Zihan.” Fine wine. Beauties. Seductive dances, slender waists, the haunting strains of stringed instruments, and wine glistening crimson in crystal goblets. The dancers twirled gracefully, circling the man in blue robes seated at the table; their eyes were as soft as silk, so alluring they seemed to exude moisture. The man in blue did not drink wine, but sipped tea slowly. A faint radiance seemed to emanate from his brow; a gentle yet noble demeanor gave him an air of authority without the need for anger. His complexion was slightly pale, his slender frame not particularly muscular, and a calm, serene smile played at the corners of his lips. He should have been an approachable man, but the dignity radiating from within him kept the dancers from daring to tease him too boldly. Unlike the Palace Master, Anye Luo—whose authority stemmed from unfathomable martial prowess and a mercurial temperament—his dignity arose from a lofty, noble aura that made others feel ashamed of their own insignificance. A dancer held a peeled, fragrant pear to his lips and cooed, “My love, try this pear. Is it sweet?” The steam from the tea rose in wispy plumes, yet the man in blue seemed oblivious. His right hand held the teacup lightly, his gaze distant and serene, as if preoccupied with some distant concern. A series of hurried yet light footsteps sounded from outside the door. The shimmering beaded curtain was suddenly swept aside, and a figure clad in a dazzling crimson robe burst into view. She let out a startled cry and rushed toward the man in blue, who was surrounded by the dancers, calling out: “Senior Brother!” The man in blue was none other than Yu Zihan. His body trembled slightly as he looked up at her, a complex expression fleeting across his face. He slowly set his teacup down on the table but did not respond to her. Ruge froze. In all her years, she had never seen her senior brother act so coldly, and she couldn’t help but slow her pace. Anye Luo walked in, clapped his hands, and laughed, “A pair of lovebirds meeting—why aren’t you two all lovey-dovey and hugging each other? “Is it because the dancers are so beautiful and alluring that King Jingyuan has let his mind wander?” Ruge told herself not to pay attention to Anye Luo’s words, but Yu Zihan’s unusual demeanor left her unable to suppress her doubts. Yet, despite the flood of questions in her mind, the first words to escape her lips were still— “Senior Brother, are you all right?” “I’m fine.” The dancers giggled coquettishly, vying to pour tea for Yu Zihan, occasionally casting sidelong glances at her to make it clear just how ridiculous her question was. “Where are Zhan Feng and Xue?” “I don’t know.” A detached reply. “You—weren’t with them?” “No.” His answer carried not only detachment but also a hint of impatience. Ruge’s hands began to tremble. She took a deep breath and asked, “How—how did your ears and legs heal?” Yu Zihan lowered her head to sip her tea, a faint, bitter smile playing at the corners of her mouth: “Anye Luo must have told you.” A chill filled her chest! Ruge felt as though she were trapped in a frozen, snow-covered cave! Her throat tightened in waves! Anye Luo shot Ruge a sidelong glance and said, “Are you going to keep asking?” Ruge drew a sharp breath, feeling a cold, stabbing pain in her heart and lungs. She stared intently at Yu Zihan, her eyes filled with despair and agony: “Was it you who betrayed us?” Yu Zihan drained his cup of tea in one gulp and replied coldly: “Yes.” “Why?” “Because a healthy person is a thousand times better than a cripple.” Yu Zihan gave a bitter smile. “I’ve only just realized that I have many options now; you are no longer the only one I care about.” A dancer sat on his lap, leaving a crimson kiss mark on his neck, then glanced smugly at Ruge. Ruge stood frozen for a very, very long time. Finally, her face pale, she walked over. She stood before Yu Zihan and reached out to cut the red cord around his neck. The thin, supple red cord held a white jade ring engraved with a dragon. She returned it to his hand and said, her voice trembling slightly: “From now on, I have no senior brother like you.” Yu Zihan lowered his head, gazing at the white jade ring. Recalling that kiss on that long-ago morning, his lips turned deathly pale as he said: “Yes. I am the disgrace of Liehuo Manor.” Ruge cast one last glance at him, then ran out. The moment she turned away, tears streamed down her face. Watching her leave, Yu Zihan closed his eyes. His lips were as pale and translucent as apricot blossom petals drenched by a cold rain. He sat in silence. Drinking cup after cup of tea. Anye Luo waved the dancers away, walked barefoot toward Yu Zihan, the vermilion dot between her brows dancing with joy: “Does it hurt?” The teapot was already empty. Yu Zihan stared blankly, running his fingers along the delicate rim of the teacup. “She’ll never know that you told her such a lie only because you were afraid I’d hurt her. There was no betrayal to speak of. Xue’s martial prowess is now only twenty percent of what it once was. Ten Ruge and Zhan Feng’s assassination attempts wouldn’t even require me to lift a finger. There is no one left in the world who can match me!” Anye Luo’s roar of laughter sent his blood-stained robes swirling: “Yet, she believed it—all because of a mere little lie. Hahahaha! Where in this world is there such a fragile thing as trust!” Yu Zihan remained silent. Anye Luo leaned in, fixing him with a gaze that was both wicked and passionate: “Today is the last day of our agreement. Have you made your decision? “Shall I take back your health and restore you to your former crippled state?” “The final day…” Yu Zihan murmured to himself. “If this were ten days ago, you would have rejected my offer without a second thought. Yet now, you hesitate.” “Once you’ve tasted the sweetness of health, to be transformed back into a cripple who cannot hear or walk is indeed more painful than death.” Yu Zihan gave a bitter smile. Anye Luo’s eyes flashed with a strange light: “When you help me seize the empire, I promise you a body that will remain healthy and ageless for all eternity.” “What use would an ageless, healthy body be to me?” If she felt nothing but hatred for him, what meaning would there be in living so long? “I can also give you Ruge,” Anye Luo added. Yu Zihan’s body trembled slightly. “I can make her fall in love with you—so that no other man exists in her heart, only you.” “You cannot do that.” “What if I can?” Anye Luo coaxed him softly. Yu Zihan clenched his fingers, shattering the teacup. Shards pierced his fingertips, and blood began to flow. Late at night, Yu Zihan saw Ruge again. She pushed open the door to his room, clad in a sheer, light gauze robe. In the glow of the firelight, her face was as rosy as peach blossoms, her eyes sparkling with emotion. She was like a breeze, carrying the intoxicating scent of agarwood. She crouched lightly before his bed and gently caressed his face with her warm palm. Yu Zihan was startled. This was not the Ruge he knew. He tried to push her away. But Ruge embraced him, nestling tenderly against his waist and abdomen. Anye Luo’s voice came from the darkness: “She belongs to you now.” Yu Zihan snapped, “What have you done to her?!” In her embrace, he felt a wave of heat rising from his lower abdomen. “She merely took some medicine. Without you, she would die.” “Give me the antidote!” Anye Luo laughed heartily, as if he hadn’t heard a word: “Do you want her to die? Or do you want her?” With that, he vanished into the boundless darkness. Ruge’s breath carried an intoxicating fragrance: “Senior Brother…” Yu Zihan froze: “You know who I am?” Those under the influence of a love potion are usually in a dazed state. Ruge’s eyes were hazy and moist, her cheeks flushed: “Senior Brother Yu… you’re my favorite Senior Brother Yu… I want to be with Senior Brother Yu forever… never to part…” Yu Zihan groaned softly and pulled her into his arms. Her body was burning hot; she squirmed restlessly in his embrace, her breathing growing increasingly ragged: “The camphor grove… it’s gone, Senior Brother… I miss you so much, so much…Please don’t ever leave Ruge’er… will you…?” It turned out her memories had stopped after that battle in the camphor grove of Wuyi Mountain. She licked her lips in distress, her throat parched as she said, “Senior Brother… I’m so hot… so hot…” “Ruge’er,” Yu Zihan tried to pry her arms away, “I’ll go find an antidote for you." Ah!" He was held tight by her, screaming impulsively as he struggled to hold onto his sanity. Ruge was in agony; the raging flames within her left her restless and restless. Only by clinging to him, in his embrace, did she feel even a little comfort. "Don’t leave me!" She cried out as she struggled, lifting her head abruptly—only to meet his concerned, anxious face. Her burning lips touched his cool ones! Like someone parched for ages, she pressed her lips against his with all her strength! Yu Zihan was pinned down on the bed by her! Her breath exuded a heady fragrance, bewitching him like a spell; her sweet, pink tongue kissed him so deeply that her scent filled his entire body. “Ruge’er…” Yu Zihan struggled desperately to regain the last shred of self-control. Ruge’s small hands tore at his clothes; her burning cheek pressed against his chest as she moaned in agony, “Senior Brother…” She took his small, pink nipple into her mouth. Yu Zihan let out a low growl, his body arching as his fingers clenched the bedsheets… A night of intoxication. The room was thick with the scent of spring.