A Game Without Rules

Chapter 35: A Game Without Rules

Ye Xian moved swiftly through the dense mist covering the garden, her mind calculating her next step.

Lan Yue was planning to kill Zhao Fengyun.

Zhao Fengyun suspected that someone was after him.

And Ye Xian?

She was caught in the middle.

Not because she wanted to be—but because she couldn't afford not to be.

She needed to decide.

Would she stand back and let Lan Yue make her move?

Or would she warn Zhao Fengyun—an enemy, an ally, or something in between?

She didn't trust him.

She didn't hate him either.

But in Jianghu, trust and hate were luxuries.

All that mattered was survival.

And right now—Zhao Fengyun was far more useful alive than dead.

The Road to No Return

She reached the outer walls of the Imperial Palace, slipping into the shadows of the city beyond.

The streets of the capital were quieter at this hour, the markets shut, the houses dimly lit with only a few wandering guests.

This was the perfect time to move unseen.

She needed to reach Madam Ji.

If anyone knew the hidden currents of Jianghu, it was her.

But before she could disappear into the night—

A familiar voice broke the silence.

"You're thinking too much again, Ye Xian."

She turned sharply, her hand already reaching for the needles in her sleeve.

Zhao Fengyun.

He was leaning lazily against a wooden pillar, his arms crossed.

As if he had been waiting for her.

Again.

A Warning, or a Test?

Ye Xian exhaled slowly, her fingers relaxing. "You're following me now?"

Zhao Fengyun smirked. "Following? No. Just making sure you haven't decided to do something foolish."

Ye Xian narrowed her eyes. "And what exactly would that be?"

Zhao Fengyun tilted his head slightly. "Like picking a side too early."

A pause.

Then—he studied her carefully.

"You know, don't you?" he murmured.

Ye Xian didn't react. "Know what?"

Zhao Fengyun chuckled softly. "That someone wants me dead."

A silence.

Then—he stepped closer.

"Is it you?"

Ye Xian met his gaze, unreadable. "If it was, you wouldn't be standing here."

Zhao Fengyun smiled faintly. "Fair point."

Then—his expression shifted.

"Then tell me, Ye Xian."

"If it's not you—who is it?"

A Dangerous Truth

She had two choices.

She could lie.

Or she could let him figure it out himself.

But Ye Xian wasn't in the business of protecting people.

Especially not men like Zhao Fengyun—dangerous, clever men who always had a hidden hand to play.

So instead—she gave him half the truth.

"You have more enemies than you can count, Zhao Fengyun," she said lightly. "Why does it matter which one is coming for you first?"

Zhao Fengyun smirked. "Ah, but you wouldn't be here if it wasn't important."

Ye Xian exhaled. "Perhaps I just enjoy watching you squirm."

A pause.

Then—Zhao Fengyun's smile faded slightly.

"Lan Yue, isn't it?"

Ye Xian didn't answer.

She didn't have to.

The way Zhao Fengyun's fingers twitched slightly—the way his posture shifted just enough to signal understanding—he already knew.

He had known.

And that meant he had been waiting for her to confirm it.

An Assassin's Perspective

Zhao Fengyun chuckled softly, shaking his head. "So the little frozen princess finally found her courage."

Ye Xian raised an eyebrow. "And that surprises you?"

Zhao Fengyun exhaled, his gaze darkening. "No. What surprises me is that you haven't chosen a side yet."

Ye Xian studied him.

"Do you want me to?"

Zhao Fengyun smiled faintly. "You already have. You just don't realize it yet."

A silence.

Then—he stepped even closer, lowering his voice.

"You don't like me, do you?"

Ye Xian didn't blink. "Do I need to?"

Zhao Fengyun chuckled. "No. But I find it interesting."

Ye Xian exhaled slowly. "You talk too much, Zhao Fengyun."

Zhao Fengyun's smirk deepened. "And you think too much, Ye Xian."

A pause.

Then—his voice turned quieter.

"You don't trust me because you see too much of yourself in me."

Ye Xian stilled.

She didn't react.

But inside—his words struck closer than she liked.

Zhao Fengyun wasn't entirely wrong.

He was calculating, sharp, always five steps ahead.

A liar, but a charming one.

A survivor.

And maybe—**just maybe—**that was why she didn't trust him.

Because if there was one thing she knew about people like them—

They never lost.

And in order to win—

Someone else had to die.

The Beginning of the Hunt

Zhao Fengyun exhaled, watching her carefully. "So, what now?"

Ye Xian tilted her head. "That depends. Are you planning to run?"

Zhao Fengyun's lips curled faintly. "What fun would that be?"

A pause.

Then—his eyes gleamed in the moonlight.

"Let Lan Yue come."

Ye Xian raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to stop her?"

Zhao Fengyun chuckled. "If she can kill me, she deserves to try."

A silence.

Then—he added something else.

"But if she fails—she'll regret it."

Ye Xian exhaled slowly.

Zhao Fengyun was never the type to beg for his life.

And now—he was making it clear.

If Lan Yue struck first, she wouldn't get a second chance.

And Ye Xian?

She had a choice to make.

Would she stand aside and let the battle begin?

Or would she make her own move before either of them did?

End of Chapter 35