At the third quarter of the mao hour, the morning light over the northwestern wasteland pierced the lead-gray clouds like a sharp sword, dyeing the ink plums outside Plum Blossom Manor an iron-blue. Lu Jingyuan stood before the vermilion-lacquered gates of the manor with his longsword in hand, its tip flicking up the faded Remnant Plum banner on the lintel. Amidst the sound of the fabric tearing, he turned to look at Jiang Wan. She was dressed in dark cyan martial attire with subtle patterns, and the fetal-protection sachet at her waist swayed gently with each breath. Her brows and eyes beneath her veil were as calm as a deep pool: "Ren Yao's cavalry has completely surrounded the manor. I will lead the covert guards to hold the front gate, and you can cut in from the eastern plum corridor."
"Beware of hidden stakes." Lu Jingyuan flicked his sword with a finger, and the crisp, clear chime startled the cold crows in the branches. "Wu Mingyi has set up the 'Seven-Kills Plum Blossom Formation' among the plum trees, with poisoned crossbow bolts hidden between every three trees."
Jiang Wan nodded, her fingertips brushing against the porcelain bottle of sea-buckthorn powder in her sleeve. "Lüluo improved the sea-buckthorn powder; it dissolves the moment it touches sweat. Once you draw the assassins out, I will break the formation myself."
Chapter 279