The General Said She Would Not Take a Wife

Chapter 3: Mist and Smoke

Lin Aoxue found herself blocked at the door by Beichen Ji's guards and the hired muscle of Yan Yu Pavilion. A single glance revealed at least a dozen people standing in her way.

The guards, noting her Northern Frontier military uniform, hesitated, suspecting she might be acting on orders from the General himself. They dared not act rashly. The Pavilion's hired men, however, had no such reservations. Seeing Lin Aoxue drag out one of their esteemed patrons, they charged without hesitation.

Lin Aoxue stepped through the doorway, dragging Beichen Ji along, only to be surrounded by seven or eight burly enforcers attempting to wrest her captive away.

Her left eye narrowed slightly, a faint gleam flashing within.

The first man swung a punch. Lin Aoxue sidestepped effortlessly, avoiding the blow. With one hand gripping Beichen Ji, her free hand lashed out, the back of it striking the assailant under his ribs. A muffled thud echoed, and the man was sent flying backward, crashing into another behind him. Both collapsed in a heap.

In the split second it took to deal with the first attacker, another closed in, aiming an elbow strike at the back of Lin Aoxue's head.

It was as if Lin Aoxue had eyes on the back of her head. Before the blow could land, she ducked, the elbow grazing past her. Using the momentum, she leaned backward, driving her own elbow into the assailant's chest and sending him staggering several paces.

More attackers pressed forward. Lin Aoxue countered every strike with fluid precision, dismantling their assaults with ease. In a matter of moments, all eight enforcers lay groaning on the ground.

The last of them clutched his stomach, curled up and unable to rise. Lin Aoxue, still gripping Beichen Ji by the collar, turned a cold, piercing gaze on the remaining guards near the door. Her voice, low and sharp, sliced through the silence:

"Does anyone else dare stand in my way?"

Her coarse mask, coupled with her icy demeanor, gave her a menacing, almost feral appearance. Beichen Ji gaped in stunned silence. The guards swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads. Though visibly nervous, none dared move.

The manager of Yan Yu Pavilion stood frozen, his face contorted with indecision.

The tense standoff was interrupted by the sound of soft, rhythmic footsteps descending the staircase, accompanied by a lilting, seductive laugh and a voice as smooth as silk:

"Your Excellency, to storm in here, seize a guest, and assault our people—do you believe this conduct befits your uniform? The soldiers of the Northern Frontier are sworn to protect the common folk, not bully them. Do you think the Great General would condone such audacity?"

The crowd parted to reveal the speaker. The Pavilion manager and attendants bowed deeply, addressing her as "Lady Yunyan."

The newcomer stepped into view, a striking figure clad in a pale violet gown. Unlike the other heavily made-up women of Yan Yu Pavilion, her makeup was subtle, accentuating her mature, refined beauty. Her every glance and movement radiated a natural, effortless allure.

Lin Aoxue furrowed her brow, casting the woman a brief, appraising look.

This sharp-witted beauty had deliberately mentioned the Great General to remind Lin Aoxue of Beichen Ji's status. Her intention was clear: to highlight the stakes and the formidable forces Lin Aoxue risked offending.

Lin Aoxue's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile.

"A soldier's duty is to protect the homeland, uphold righteousness, and root out evil. By order of the military, I am here to escort this man back. If any of you wish to continue obstructing me, I won't stop at mere warnings."