Naked Sword Art

Chapter 521: Trust

After leaving Li Huxin’s tent, Li Lian went to find Xiao Fang. However, when she arrived, she saw Xun Wei and Xiao Hei standing guard outside his tent once again.

"Don’t tell me," Li Lian said, stopping short. "He’s in seclusion again?"

Xun Wei gave a cautious smile.

"Yeah," Xiao Hei replied, almost proudly. "But he sent us out on a mission before he went in."

Li Lian frowned. "What kind of mission?"

Xiao Hei and Xun Wei exchanged a brief glance.

"What?" Li Lian raised a brow. "You can’t tell me?"

Xiao Hei sighed. "It’s supposed to be a secret. Xiao Fang believes there’s a spy hiding within the camp, so he sent us out to tail him."

"A spy?" Li Lian’s expression darkened. "Are you serious?"

Xun Wei then explained the [ Demon Eye ] hovering above the camp, recounting everything Xiao Fang had told them. Li Lian’s reaction, however, was anything but calm.

"Do you know what kind of secrets we discussed during our last meeting?" she said sharply. "If there really is a spy in the camp, he should have informed my father immediately."

"I don’t think we should do anything yet," Xun Wei said carefully. "We should wait for Xiao Fang’s instructions."

But before either of them could stop her, Li Lian had already turned and started back toward her father’s tent.

In truth, she felt she had finally found the proof she needed. If Xiao Fang had discovered a spy before anyone else, that alone should be enough to demonstrate his value to the clan. Even if it went against his wishes, she impulsively pressed forward, eager to prove her father wrong.

She had nearly reached the tent when a familiar voice echoed within her soul sea.

"Child, I know what you are thinking," her ancestor said gently. "But I suggest you wait before telling your father. If Xiao Fang truly has a plan, then as his future wife, you should not act against it."

Li Lian stopped in her tracks.

"Future wife?" she muttered bitterly. "At this rate, he won’t be approved to become my husband at all. The only way we can have a future together is if Father learns about Xiao Fang’s discovery."

"Do you truly value your engagement over the fate of the clan?" Ancestor Li Xianyu asked.

Li Lian hesitated.

This was war—not something she could weigh against personal feelings. Recalling Xiao Fang’s speech, her chest tightened. He had only accepted those willing to sacrifice everything for the clan... yet here she was, unable to sacrifice her own future with him.

Sensing her turmoil, Ancestor Li Xianyu spoke again.

"If you trust that the boy’s plan will lead to victory, your father will have no choice but to accept him. Go help him instead—it may increase his chances of success."

Li Lian stood in silence for several breaths before finally exhaling.

All her life, she had insisted on doing things her own way. She rarely even listened to her father when his wishes conflicted with hers. But did she truly want to treat Xiao Fang the same way? The thought left a faint ache in her chest. Ashamed of her earlier doubts, she slowly steadied her emotions.

"I trust him," she said aloud. "We’ll do it his way."

Her gaze hardened with resolve.

"But whatever he’s planning, I want to be part of it. No matter what happens... we have to succeed."

...

Li Lian returned to Xiao Fang’s tent.

"I didn’t tell him."

Xun Wei let out a quiet breath of relief.

Xiao Hei studied Li Lian for a long moment before finally nodding, a trace of newfound respect flickering in her eyes.

Silence followed.

For the rest of the night, the three of them stood guard, allowing no one—and nothing—to interrupt him

...

At the break of dawn, Li Lian rose from her lotus position and stretched lightly. From the look of it, Xun Wei and Xiao Hei were still tracking the spy—their clones remained focused and alert—which only made her wish she had been included in the mission.

"Hey," Li Lian said casually, "are you two close?"

"Mn." Xun Wei nodded. "We found him some time ago, but now we’re investigating something... strange."

"Strange?" Li Lian leaned in, curiosity piqued. "Like what?"

"We’re not sure yet," Xun Wei replied. "But we’ll let you know once we figure it out."

With nothing else to do, Li Lian decided to take a stroll and tend to her morning duties while she had the time. The camp was quieter than usual, the tension of the previous night still lingering in the air.

When she returned, something felt wrong.

Xun Wei and Xiao Hei stood motionless, their expressions vacant. A moment later, unease crept in. They weren’t just silent, their clones were unresponsive.

Suddenly, Xiao Hei’s eyes snapped open.

"Lian!"

Li Lian’s heart skipped. "What? What’s wrong?"

"They’re coming!" Xiao Hei said urgently, pointing toward the distant hills.

"Who?" Li Lian asked, panic rising. "The Song Family?"

"No," Xun Wei said as awareness returned to her clone. Her expression hardened. "Beasts. Thousands of them."

Li Lian’s breath caught. "A beast wave? Now? And here of all places?"

"Fang is still in seclusion," Xun Wei said quickly. "And we’re still watching the spy. What should we do?"

Li Lian clenched her fists.

Xiao Fang had been in there all night. There was just no telling how much longer he would remain in seclusion, it could’ve been a few more hours, or several more days.

"Fang told you to follow the spy. So stay on him," Li Lian said.

"But what about the beasts?" Xiao Hei asked. "Fang is still in seclusion, we can’t move him."

Li Lian’s expression darkened as flames flickered around her knuckles.

"Leave that to me."

In the next instant, the air around her crackled violently. Flames erupted from her body as she shot skyward toward the center of the military camp.

Her light was blinding.

Even soldiers deep in sleep were jolted awake by the overwhelming heat and presence.

Moments later, her siblings rushed out of their tents.

"Lian! What is the meaning of this?"

"Prepare yourselves," Li Lian shouted. "They’re coming!"