Chapter 448: The Wulin Alliance Leader, Jin Yaowei
In her moment of excitement, Yu Luo had no idea where she got the courage to blurt out such bold words—claiming she would go rescue Chi Jinchen.
The moment the words left her lips, she could practically hear two imaginary crows squawking overhead, flying past in an eerie attempt to set the mood.
Then, suddenly—a hand reached toward her face.
Startled, Yu Luo instinctively stepped back. As she lifted her gaze, she found herself once again locking eyes with Chi Jinchen’s gentle, smiling expression.
His gaze was warm, like soaking in a hot spring, wrapping around her, dissolving any awkwardness she might have felt.
She turned her head slightly, glancing at his hand—hovering just a few centimeters from her face.
Confused, she reached up, running her fingers over her cheek and her hair.
“What is it? Is there something on my face? Or is my hairpin out of place?”
Remembering how she had rushed to and from the back courtyard earlier, she quickly patted her hair, just in case.
Chi Jinchen chuckled softly. “No, it’s just… your hairpin was slightly crooked. I wanted to fix it for you.”
Yu Luo quickly lowered her head, her lips twitching slightly. She hurriedly adjusted the hairpin herself.
“Ah… I-I got it. I can fix it myself.”
Then, as if to change the subject, she quickly added, “By the way, be careful with those needles. If you get pricked, take an antidote pill immediately. But let’s try not to waste them, shall we?”
Chi Jinchen smiled and nodded. There was so much he wanted to say, but now was not the time.
Perhaps, if this was truly their last meeting, what would be the point in saying those things?
If he didn’t make it back… who would protect this girl?
Watching Yu Luo meticulously adjust her own hairpin—**completely disregarding his attempt to help—**Chi Jinchen finally retracted his hand.
With a faint smile, he spoke softly. “Even though you’re in Luocheng, don’t let your guard down. Take care of yourself. Don’t get hurt. I’ll return as soon as I can.”
Yu Luo nodded. “No rush. Take care of your own matters first—return when the time is right. As for your private army, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of them, make sure they’re well-fed and well-supplied. You just focus on staying safe.”
Chi Jinchen chuckled at her response but said nothing more.
Instead, he simply gazed at her one last time, as if engraving her image into his memory.
Memory fades over time.
Especially the faces of those we care about the most.
If that happened… he would have to make sure to return sooner.
—
The next day, Chi Jinchen and his men departed from Luocheng.
Yu Luo personally escorted them to the city gates.
Snowflakes drifted through the air, accumulating on the hood of her cloak as she stood silently, watching them disappear into the distance.
“Miss, let’s go back.”
Chen Yu hesitated before speaking. He had wanted to remain silent, but seeing her standing still in the cold, he couldn’t help but remind her.
Then, out of nowhere, Yu Luo suddenly asked,
“Chen Yu… are you all Chi Jinchen’s men?”
Chen Yu!
He stiffened, immediately sensing the sharp intensity in her voice.
“You, Baofeng, and those so-called ten thousand brothers who ‘escaped from the private mines’—you’re all Chi Jinchen’s people, aren’t you?”
For the first time, Yu Luo’s voice carried an unmistakable edge of authority.
A chill ran down Chen Yu’s spine.
How… how did she figure it out?!
“Miss… what are you saying? I—I don’t understand.”
Yu Luo smirked coldly, seeing the panic flash across his face.
“Chi Jinchen has done so much for Luocheng. I only hope he returns safely. If he runs into trouble, you’d better inform me immediately.”
With that, she turned and strode back into the city.
Chen Yu stood frozen in place, watching her retreating figure, completely stunned.
—
Ten Days Later—A Sudden Siege
Without any warning, Luocheng was surrounded by tens of thousands of warriors.
Or rather, it was expected.
“This is a larger force than we anticipated!”
Baofeng and Zhang Hu rushed to report to Yu Haojie and Yu Luo, their expressions grim.
“Zhang Hu, take the fire riflemen to the city walls. Baofeng, gather all archers. Chen Yu, issue an order—no civilians are allowed outside! Everyone must stay indoors!”
Yu Haojie immediately issued commands. He had rehearsed countless battle scenarios in his mind, but he had never expected an attack on this scale.
Once the orders were given, Luocheng’s firearm troops and archers took their positions.
On the city walls, warriors in dark uniforms moved with uncanny agility, leaping effortlessly into position.
Yu Luo’s lips curled into a knowing smile.
So… they had been hiding their skills all along.
She had been told that only a handful of them knew martial arts.
And yet, here they were—thousands of warriors demonstrating high-level qinggong.
Chi Jinchen, oh Chi Jinchen.
Should she be grateful for this grand chess game he played?
Or should she pretend to be oblivious and continue using these forces as if nothing had happened?
On the city walls, Baofeng’s voice boomed with internal energy, echoing over the enemy ranks.
“Who are you? Why do you bring such an army to besiege our city?!”
Yu Luo, disguised in men’s clothing, stood silently at his side, watching.
Meanwhile, her left hand subtly shifted in rhythm—her lips moving in near-silent murmurs.
From below, tens of thousands of warriors stood firm in the snow, gripping their weapons, eyes filled with hostility.
A man stepped forward from their ranks.
Neither Yu Haojie nor Yu Luo recognized him.
“I am Jin Yaowei, Wulin Alliance Leader.”
“Today, I stand before you to challenge Luocheng on behalf of Bai Ting Sect, Fengcheng, and all of Wulin!”
Jin Yaowei?!
Yu Haojie’s brows furrowed. He turned to Zhang Hu.
Zhang Hu nodded. “Yes, he’s the current Wulin Alliance Leader. I just never thought Bai Ting Sect’s destruction would bring the entire martial world against us.”
“Should we fight… or negotiate first?”
Zhang Hu was never one to rush into battle.
Wars only lead to endless cycles of revenge.
Unless they completely crushed their enemies into submission, this situation would only repeat itself.
Yu Haojie sighed. “If we can negotiate, we should. The longer we can keep our true strength hidden, the better.
After all… our real enemies are not just Wulin, but also multiple kingdoms.
If we ever face a five-nation siege, then we will truly be in grave danger.”
(End of Chapter 448)
