The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 31 Part 1

Lin Aoxue and Yun Yan were busy decorating Yun Yan’s small residence, adding some color to the once-cold courtyard. Lin Aoxue took out paper and brush, personally writing a large “Fortune” character and pasting it upside down on the door. From a distance, the place exuded a festive atmosphere.

Yun Yan helped as well, and the two ran back and forth around the courtyard several times. Finally, the house was tidied up to a satisfactory state, but by then, noon had already passed. Yun Yan, realizing the time, worried that Lin Aoxue might be hungry and suggested preparing some food. However, there were no ingredients left in the house, and they had forgotten to buy any when they went to the market in the morning.

Lin Aoxue thought it would be too much trouble to go back to the market now and instead proposed eating at a nearby restaurant. 

Yun Yan, not insisting on her idea, readily agreed. “There are a few decent small eateries along the street.”

She led Lin Aoxue outside. As they walked down the bustling street, chatting and laughing, they found a clean and tidy little restaurant and took a seat, ordering two simple dishes. Lin Aoxue took a bite, clicked her tongue, and remarked, “The dishes are alright, but they’re still not as good as the food from our camp’s chef.”

Hearing this, Yun Yan chuckled. “Oh? And how so?”

Lin Aoxue explained that during her confinement, the meals were particularly delicious, but for some reason, the chef was later replaced, and the food became far less appetizing.

Yun Yan’s smile deepened, yet she did not respond to Lin Aoxue’s comment, simply saying, “That is rather unfortunate.”

As Lin Aoxue ate, she stole a sideways glance at Yun Yan, but Yun Yan remained unfazed. Lin Aoxue smirked to herself, wondering just how long Yun Yan planned to keep this little secret from her.

After their meal, they strolled down the street to digest their food. Suddenly, a young servant from Yanyu Tower appeared, inviting Yun Yan to visit in the afternoon. Yun Yan sighed helplessly—she had planned to take a proper rest during the festivities, but matters at the tower required her attention.

Lin Aoxue expressed her understanding and walked Yun Yan to the street corner outside Yanyu Tower. They bid each other farewell, and Lin Aoxue watched Yun Yan disappear inside before turning to head back to her inn.

However, just as she rounded a street corner, an arm suddenly stretched out from a nearby alley, blocking her path a few steps ahead.

Lin Aoxue looked up to see a masked man dressed in black.

“Qianhu Lin, His Highness requests your presence.”

The man’s voice was hoarse and rough. Lin Aoxue raised an eyebrow in surprise, giving him a brief scrutinizing look. Judging by his presence, she could tell he was highly skilled in martial arts. Inwardly, she wondered which prince he was referring to.

Despite her thoughts, she displayed no resistance. Instead, she calmly replied, “Please, lead the way.”

The masked man was visibly surprised by her composure. He hadn’t expected Lin Aoxue to be so at ease. With a faint chuckle, he turned and disappeared into the alley. Lin Aoxue’s gaze sharpened—his light-footed movements were impressive. With a single step, he was already ten paces ahead.

The corner of Lin Aoxue’s lips curled slightly in amusement. Though the man was skilled, her own agility was not lacking. Without hesitation, she shifted her stance and swiftly followed.

The man in black deliberately took the hidden paths, avoiding the bustling crowds, making it easy to shake off any pursuers. Lin Aoxue noticed his intentional attempt to confuse her by taking unnecessary detours around the eastern streets of the capital instead of heading straight to their destination.

Scoffing inwardly, she refused to be outdone and kept a steady pace behind him. Seeing that he could not lose her, the masked man finally stopped wasting time and changed course.

Lin Aoxue narrowed her eyes slightly as she observed his sudden shift in direction, her mind thoughtful. Before long, they arrived at the Prince of the First Rank’s residence, its grand and imposing silhouette appearing before them. The masked man, seeing Lin Aoxue still keeping up, finally showed a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

He led her over the courtyard wall at the back of the residence. Lin Aoxue followed suit, and the two silently infiltrated the estate, making their way to Beichen He’s study.

The masked man leaped down from the rafters and knocked on the wooden window with a prearranged rhythm. A faint clicking sound came from inside. The masked man then turned and beckoned Lin Aoxue over. She approached as he gently pushed open the window, and the two climbed in.

As soon as they landed, the masked man knelt on one knee and respectfully addressed Beichen He, who was flipping through a book at his desk. “Your Highness.”

Beichen He cast a glance at Lin Aoxue, who had also knelt in greeting after following the masked man inside. He gave a subtle nod of approval and chuckled. “Young Lin-xiongdi is the one I have chosen. Xiao Mo, what do you think?”

The masked man, now revealed to be Xiao Mo, bowed his head respectfully. “Your Highness has always had a keen eye. I am thoroughly convinced.”

Beichen He laughed heartily, walked over to Xiao Mo, and patted his shoulder. “Don’t be fooled by his young age. His skills are remarkable. You can rest easy and focus on recovering from your injuries.”

Xiao Mo kept his head lowered and did not refute. Lin Aoxue, however, was a bit surprised. She glanced at Xiao Mo, pondering the meaning behind Beichen He’s words.

Xiao Mo was injured. Lin Aoxue had indeed noticed his occasional labored breathing when they arrived, a sign of internal injuries. Yet, despite being wounded, he was still able to execute such an exceptional display of lightness skills. That alone proved his remarkable ability.

Beichen He waved his hand, signaling Xiao Mo to step aside. Lin Aoxue, though somewhat perplexed by the cryptic exchange between the two men, managed to infer the general implication. She guessed that Xiao Mo must have doubted her skills and had deliberately tested her when Beichen He summoned her here.

After settling the matter with Xiao Mo, Beichen He turned back to Lin Aoxue with a smile. “Young Lin-xiongdi, you may rise.” Lin Aoxue complied, standing up as Beichen He returned to his desk, idly toying with a jade pendant in his hand while speaking. “Aren’t you curious as to why I summoned you here?”

Lin Aoxue remained composed and answered truthfully, “I assume that if Your Highness deems it necessary, you will inform me of the reason. If not, then there is no need for me to be curious.”

Beichen He narrowed his eyes slightly and chuckled. “You are quite clever.”

Lin Aoxue said nothing more. Beichen He then changed the subject abruptly. “Do you remember the performer who attempted an assassination at this prince’s estate last night?”

Hearing this, Lin Aoxue immediately recalled the incident. She had been injured by that person’s hairpin during the attack.

“Yes,” she replied.

“The entire theater troupe that set up the stage in the palace was detained. However, in the middle of the night, someone infiltrated the palace, injured several guards, and rescued one of them.” Beichen He’s expression darkened as he got straight to the point, revealing the real reason he had called Lin Aoxue here. “This person undoubtedly possesses crucial information. Unfortunately, although my secret guards have tracked their general whereabouts, they are not confident in capturing them directly. With the New Year approaching, His Majesty is keeping a close watch on all movements in the capital. I wish to investigate thoroughly, but I cannot afford to deploy too many people.”

Since he needed to act discreetly, his choices were limited. Moreover, it would be best if the person handling the matter was not one of his own palace guards. That left him needing a highly skilled fighter to carry out this mission.

Initially, he had considered sending Xiao Mo, but since Xiao Mo was still recovering from an internal injury sustained during a previous mission, Beichen He thought of Lin Aoxue instead.

Lin Aoxue had already involved herself by intervening in the assassination attempt last night. This was also an opportunity Beichen He was giving her—to prove her loyalty.

After explaining everything, Beichen He looked at Lin Aoxue with a calm and benevolent gaze, showing no sign of coercion.

Lin Aoxue understood the implications and weighed the situation in her mind. Without hesitation, she dropped to one knee and bowed her head. 

“I will do my utmost,” she pledged.

Beichen He smiled approvingly and gestured for her to rise. Then, he instructed her, “Go to the alleys in the western market and find a man named Cai Quan.”

Lin Aoxue bowed in acknowledgment and took her leave. Just as when she arrived, she did not exit through the main gate but instead leaped over the concealed courtyard walls of the palace.

After leaving the prince’s residence, she made her way to the western market as directed. Following the information Beichen He had provided, she located a dark and secluded alleyway. The alley was deep, and even in broad daylight, it remained dimly lit. Confirming that she had the right location, Lin Aoxue composed herself and stepped inside.

At the far end of the alley, a ragged beggar lay sprawled in a corner, snoring soundly. Several broken wine jars were scattered beside him.

Just as Lin Aoxue approached, the beggar’s eyes suddenly snapped open. In the next instant, he moved with lightning speed, his hand darting out to grasp Lin Aoxue’s throat.

Lin Aoxue reacted swiftly, retreating just as he struck.

The beggar missed his mark but immediately adjusted his attack. With a forceful step forward, he lunged again—this time, his fingers aimed viciously at Lin Aoxue’s eyes.

Lin Aoxue remained unfazed. She only stepped back twice before stopping.

As the beggar’s ruthless strike was about to land, a sharp glint flashed in Lin Aoxue’s eyes. With precise control, she formed her fingers into a sword shape and struck upward. Her counterattack landed first, pressing against the beggar’s wrist with a light but distinct impact.

The beggar winced in pain, momentarily slowing his movements.

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Aoxue twisted his arm back in an attempt to subdue him. However, the beggar was an experienced fighter. In a sudden motion, he dropped his weight, forcefully shaking off Lin Aoxue’s grip. With a sharp jolt, he freed himself effortlessly.

Lin Aoxue was intrigued by the beggar’s unorthodox fighting style and engaged him more seriously. Despite being in a dimly lit alley, their exchange of moves was so precise that it didn’t produce the slightest noise.

After dozens of moves, both sides had their wins and losses, but Lin Aoxue’s foundation was stronger. After over a hundred moves, she seized an opportunity, swiftly breaking through the beggar’s defense. Her fingers shot out like lightning, accurately striking one of his acupoints.

At that moment, the beggar’s fist was only a breath away from Lin Aoxue’s shoulder.

“Oh! Young man, your skills are impressive.”

With the outcome decided, the beggar let out a hearty laugh. Then, with a sudden shudder, he unsealed his acupoint in an instant, leaving Lin Aoxue slightly taken aback. She was inwardly astonished—earlier, it had been Xiao Mo’s extraordinary lightness skill, and now, this man’s acupoint-unsealing technique. Neither were feats an ordinary person could accomplish.

It was clear that Beichen He had gathered many talented individuals under his command.

“Why didn’t Xiao Mo come?”

The beggar loosened his shoulders and turned to ask Lin Aoxue. She furrowed her brows but did not immediately respond. Seeing this, the beggar first rubbed his head in confusion, then suddenly seemed to remember something and smacked his forehead.

“I’m Cai Quan. What’s your name, young man?”

So this was Cai Quan.

Lin Aoxue’s expression remained unchanged as she coldly replied, “Lin Aoxue. Xiao Mo has not yet recovered from his old injuries, so His Highness sent me in his place.” As she spoke, she retrieved a plain white jade token from her robe. Cai Quan glanced at it briefly, asked no further questions, and simply chuckled.

“Come with me, young man.”

With that, he turned and vaulted over the low wall at the alley’s end. Lin Aoxue was tested on her martial skills once again, but she showed no sign of displeasure. Now that she had earned Cai Quan’s recognition, she did not linger and followed suit, easily leaping over the wall.

She trailed behind Cai Quan, weaving through the twisting alleys. The path was incredibly complex—had it not been for her exceptional memory, which allowed her to recall routes after walking them once, she might have gotten lost.

After some time, the surroundings grew noisier. Cai Quan finally halted at the entrance of an alley. Lin Aoxue followed his gaze outward and narrowed her eyes.

They had arrived at the slums of the western market.

The slums were chaotic, filled with all sorts of people—destitute servants, ruthless thieves, and perhaps even notorious fugitives lurking in the shadows. The skilled individual who had intercepted the imperial guards must have chosen this location precisely because of its chaotic nature, making it an ideal place to hide.

Cai Quan glanced out from behind a wall, then turned to Lin Aoxue and said, “My task here is done. Wait here for a while—someone will come to meet you.”

With that, he left without delay.

Lin Aoxue stood quietly in the alley, waiting. Moments later, the wind shifted behind her. Instinctively, she sidestepped and swiftly caught the wrist of the approaching figure. Their gazes locked in the darkness.

“Come with me.”

The newcomer was clad in black, their face masked. They glanced at their captured wrist, their eyes calm and unshaken. Lin Aoxue released her grip without a word and followed them once again.

Even with just this brief encounter, Lin Aoxue could tell that Beichen He’s forces were only showing the tip of the iceberg. He had so many skilled subordinates, each with a specific role, yet their connections to one another were minimal. Taking down Beichen He would be an uphill battle.

Overthrowing him would not be something that could be accomplished overnight.

Even if she staked everything—her life, her years, her entire being—there was no telling who would win in the end.

The masked figure led Lin Aoxue to the outside of a dilapidated courtyard wall before finally speaking to brief her on the current situation. “The person who infiltrated the prince’s residence last night managed to rescue someone. However, during their escape, the performer was severely injured. Given how much effort they put into saving them, they will undoubtedly do everything in their power to ensure the performer survives. That means they’ll be forced to relocate no later than tonight.”

Lin Aoxue’s expression grew solemn as she glanced at a row of low buildings nearby.

The masked figure explained that he and another operative had tracked the target to this location the previous night. However, given the disparity in their martial skills, they were unable to capture them alive and had been forced to wait outside instead.

Furthermore, they couldn’t determine exactly which house the target was hiding in. If they rushed in to search blindly, they might give the target the perfect chance to escape for good.

The masked man’s task for Lin Aoxue was to keep an eye on all movements within the row of low houses. Once she identified the target, she was to lure away the skilled fighter who had rescued someone. Meanwhile, the masked man himself would coordinate with her actions and seize the abducted performer.

Following instructions, Lin Aoxue waited at her designated spot, carefully observing the people coming and going outside the low houses.

Those two, in order to evade the masked man’s surveillance, would certainly have disguised themselves and sought an opportunity to escape without drawing attention. However, someone suffering from internal injuries would have a distinct presence and gait, making them easier to identify, even among a crowd. That was why they had not dared to make a reckless break for it.

Lin Aoxue had extraordinary patience. She remained stationed in her corner for half a day without a single complaint. The masked man, hiding at another vantage point while observing the situation inside the low houses, also kept an occasional eye on Lin Aoxue. Seeing that she never once showed any sign of impatience, he gradually relaxed.

As night fell, the slums grew even more crowded. The alley outside was full of people, making it difficult to keep track of everyone. Lin Aoxue sharpened her focus, carefully watching every movement within the low houses.

Winter days were short, and after another hour had passed, the night deepened. Then, at a certain moment, a sharp light flashed in Lin Aoxue’s eyes as she suddenly sprang forward like an arrow from the alley entrance.

A limping figure emerged from one of the houses, breathing heavily, as if drunk. His face was wrapped in thick, rough cloth, obscuring his features. He appeared to be heading toward the street in a casual manner, but just as he took a step forward, a crisp whistling sound cut through the air, hurtling toward him from behind.

He halted abruptly, instinctively shifting his body. Lin Aoxue’s strike narrowly missed his ear.

A fierce glint erupted in the man’s eyes. With a swift flick of his wrist, he drew a dagger and, instead of retreating, launched a counterattack, slashing toward Lin Aoxue’s throat.

Remaining composed, Lin Aoxue met his attack head-on. At the moment his dagger approached, a blade slipped from her sleeve. With a clear metallic ring, she deflected his strike.

As Lin Aoxue fought him, the two masked operatives who were working with her had already located the performer. They slid down from the rock wall, preparing to enter the house and capture him.

The limping man was startled and attempted to turn back to assist, but Lin Aoxue intercepted him, preventing him from offering any support. Forced into desperation, his attacks became even fiercer, unleashing a formidable offensive that pushed Lin Aoxue onto the defensive.

Lin Aoxue was shocked—this was the first time since leaving the mountain that she had encountered an opponent who could overpower her in combat!

Not only was his speed astonishing, but his internal energy was also immense. With a powerful palm strike, he forced Lin Aoxue back. A sharp light gleamed in Lin Aoxue’s eyes. He could not be allowed to escape. 

As the man turned, he slashed his blade, cutting through the sleeve of her left arm.

Suddenly, he froze. His steps halted as his bloodshot eyes locked onto Lin Aoxue’s left arm.