Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 109: Masks

Elder Sun was urgently assisted back to his room by the servant. After drinking half a bowl of watered-down soup that teetered between life and death, he gradually regained his breath. Sun Huaijin, clutching the quilt, was in a daze for a moment, sweat dripping from the back of his head. His mind was still a little numb.

He knew Shi Jingzhi’s condition.

Since Shi Jingzhi, his great-grandson, lost his mother at a young age and had a weak constitution, he had been clinging to life in the palace. Seeing that he had little time left, Shi Jingzhi left the palace in search of his kin, desperate for any cure. Sun Huaijin always cherished his bloodline. He had seen many poor and distant relatives come knocking but never had any royal relatives come back. When Shi Jingzhi specifically came to recognize his ancestry, the old man was deeply moved.

Shi Jingzhi didn’t even ask Sun Huaijin to pave the way for him, just leaving one request—to use Sun Huaijin’s connections to help him create a respectable background.

For Elder Sun, this was merely a small favor, more like a coquettish request.

Even when the notorious “Su Zhi” came to the door, seeking the truth about his own great-grandson, Sun Huaijin didn’t hesitate to lie. Su Zhi was suspicious by nature and disliked the royal family. If Shi Jingzhi’s identity was exposed, Su Zhi would surely distance himself.

…it was better to weave a lie and keep Su Zhi by Shi Jingzhi’s side, and also ensure the safety of his great-grandson.

Yet it seemed safety had extended to the bed!

Sun Huaijin’s schemes were deep, but he never expected to encounter such a situation. Back in the day, Su Zhi was known for his purity and abstinence from worldly desires. Knowing Su Zhi’s immortality, Sun Huaijin thought this man had long severed all passions and desires and had no doubt about him.

Lying on the soft bed, the old man felt lost. He figured he wouldn’t sleep tonight and sighed as he tried to get up. Before he could even put on his boots, Yin Ci came by himself.

Looking at the man who used to be his elder brother, Sun Huaijin almost fainted again. With great effort, he clung to his cane, trembling like a leaf in the wind. “Elder Brother, you, you…”

“I told him to sleep first. Let’s talk privately.” Yin Ci pinched his brow. “Don’t worry, I’m not capricious or toying with him.”

Sun Huaijin: “…”

Is that the main point? Even though Shi Jingzhi wasn’t an ignorant child, and by appearances, nothing seemed amiss between these two. But Elder Sun felt something was off, and his head couldn’t stop buzzing. Taking a deep breath, he took another sip of his soup.

Fortunately, Shi Jingzhi wasn’t present, and Yin Ci always knew how to handle situations. He waved his hand with a hint of irritation. “Fine, once this matter settles, should I send a luxurious sedan chair for you?”

“Elder brother, don’t joke like that!” Sun Huaijin felt like he had been doused with cold water, his voice shaky. He wasn’t sure if Yin Ci’s joke was terrifying or if the fact that “Su Zhi was joking” was more terrifying.

After taking that verbal hit from Yin Ci, Sun Huaijin was dazed for a while before he finally calmed down. “You didn’t come tonight just to reassure me, did you?”

Yin Ci nonchalantly hummed in agreement.

The firelight was dim, and moonlight poured in. Compared to the “Su Zhi” in Sun Huaijin’s memory, there was now a liveliness in Yin Ci’s eyes, making his charm even more apparent. No wonder Shi Jingzhi, despite knowing Yin Ci’s age, was still attracted to him.

“Since the Immortal Assembly is interested in Sun Wang, there must be some hidden truths. Over the years, you’ve met countless descendants of the Sun Clan. Surely, you’ve noticed something.”

Sun Huaijin sighed deeply. “Most of it is just household trifles.”

The Marquis of Lie’an, Sun Wang, was one of the founding Heroes. He fought wars for the empire and laid down territories. Unfortunately, the first emperor passed away early, leaving a young son amidst surrounding barbarians. Sun Wang took on the responsibilities of a reagent. Once the prince ascended the throne, he promptly returned to his hometown.

Throughout his life, Sun Wang fought for the country without any ambitions for power, renowned as a loyal minister and famous general in the annals of history.

Back then, before any rift emerged between the Emperor and the Imperial Preceptor, Sun Wang was close with the Imperial Preceptor and frequently visited the Immortal Assembly. After leaving the palace, he “became an immortal” on his 100^th birthday, leaving behind only his tomb.

Years ago, when Yin Ci investigated Sun Wang, he followed this legend. However, after 300 years, details became exaggerated to the point of absurdity, with even tales of 300 heavenly soldiers descending to fetch him. Finding no solid leads, Yin Ci had to abandon this clue.

“To my shame, back in the day, I knew very little and couldn’t help Elder Brother much. Now, even though I’ve heard all sorts of rumors… Sun Wang is, after all, a famous figure, so those rumors sound mysterious. They’d exaggerate as much as saying he could trade several cows.”

Sun Huaijin’s face twitched.

“But speaking of something ‘not so miraculous’, I’ve heard one thing… it was precisely from the descendant who offered me the small idol.”

Yin Ci slightly frowned. “Not so miraculous?”

“Yes, it’s said that General Sun loved his wife dearly and was very affectionate towards his children. But during the years when the Emperor was ill, Sun Wang seemed like a changed person—such a tall man, yet he’d curl up crying all day. He even took up reading and started writing like a scholar. After the death of the Emperor, he stopped inquiring about his family and went to wars year after year. Even when he returned home later, he was very cold to his relatives.”

Yin Ci’s expression changed unpredictably. In the end, he remained silent. His facial features were buried in deep shadows, and with Sun Huaijin’s aged eyes, he noticed nothing. Elder Sun continued speaking.

“Lady Sun couldn’t bear this change, so she turned to the gods and began making statues. That clay sculpture was the only idol she made, and it looked quite ugly. But that person’s statement was interesting, so I remembered it. As for other weird artifacts, I haven’t found any over these decades.”

“Perhaps Sun Wang got lost in his old age or had a gruesome death, so his family concealed it with tales of ‘becoming immortal’. There weren’t many personal belongings left by him. The search by the Immortal Assembly wasn’t very thorough. Maybe just…”

Yin Ci’s thoughts had drifted away.

[Isn’t this stone very beautiful? So translucent! When we return, I’ll have someone polish it into a round shape for Cuicui.]

A fragment of memory surfaced. The tall man in his memory was beaming, holding a semi-transparent stone in his hand. The man had a striking face, looking quite handsome. But his silly smile, paired with big white teeth, somehow made him less imposing.

Just by his eyebrows and eyes, he resembled one of the Door Gods painted by ordinary people.

Back then, the yellow sand hissed underfoot, surrounded by constant laughter and the neighing of horses. How did he respond at that time…?

Forget it, it was just one of his most painful illusions.

Yin Ci shook his head forcefully, suppressing that vague memory. He had checked before, and whether in official or unofficial histories, no legend contained his figure.

“Any clue is helpful,” Yin Ci said calmly. “Your friend…?”

“He’s long gone. Everything was donated to the Chigou Sect. Given its poor quality, it’s probably still in the sect’s warehouse.”

As Sun Huaijin spoke, he continued to observe Yin Ci.

“I originally intended to inform only Elder Brother about the turmoil in Chigou, certain that you would find a way to protect Chigou and might also check the clay statue of the Sun Clan… but Jingzhi, he…”

Elder Sun hesitated unusually. This old fox probably didn’t want Shi Jingzhi to take risks and thus chose to inform Yin Ci alone in the middle of the night.

“Huaijin, that boy is not some weak pushover*,” Yin Ci said with a slight smile. “You should just wait for the grand sedan chair.”

*Soft persimmon. Colloquialism referring to someone who is easily bullied or pushed around.

Sun Huaijin: “…” Well, his head started spinning again.

At this moment, someone else was also seeing stars.

“Why do you care about the commotion at Chigou? Aren’t righteous and evil forces mutually exclusive?” The Prince of Rong, Xu Jingming, looked pale. He quickly waved the fan in his hand, as if trying to dry his sweaty hands. “After much difficulty, we got the treasure map and Buddha beads from the Ling Sect. With the Shirou right before our eyes, why did you pull this stunt at such a crucial time?”

Across the stone table, Qu Duanyun said gently, “Chigou has experienced sudden changes. Now, their Young Patriarch has just returned, possessing only the Bone Sweeping Sword as evidence. By the code of the martial world, my Taiheng has to bear witness. Originally, someone from the Jianchen Temple should have done this, but circumstances have changed.”

Xu Jingming stopped his fan. “I thought after you became the sect leader, Taiheng would be more reasonable… Don’t forget who’s supporting your sect! This Shirou you seek for me, is ultimately for my Emperor Brother. Isn’t the Emperor’s matter more important than the code of the martial world?”

Qu Duanyun patiently said, “This matter is also of ‘the Emperor’s concern’. Your Highness, the border is now unstable, and that Luojiu’s ‘Divine Saint’ has caused His Majesty so much trouble. If the northwest becomes more chaotic, His Majesty will only become more troubled. It would be better to stabilize Chigou sooner, considering His Majesty’s concerns.”

Xu Jingming lazily waved his “Tranquility” fan and, after a while, said, “I can’t argue with you. Whatever you say goes. But about the Shirou, you must be the first to find it. I’ve heard rumors that Shi Jingzhi seems to have the ‘key’ to the Shirou. Be careful with your actions, lest you capsize in the gutter.”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will make haste and deal with the Chigou matter as soon as possible.”

“…Well, that’s more like it.”

Xu Jingming stretched lazily, then stood up. Whether due to bad weather or the chill of spring, he felt out of sorts. Xu Jingming had an ominous feeling that his comfortable and leisurely life was on shaky ground.

That new king of Luojiu, known as the “Divine Saint”, truly was unparalleled in bravery. Even though Great Yun had a solid foundation, they couldn’t achieve victory with fewer, but it was indeed true they could pacify with fewer. Regardless of how wise his Emperor Brother was, it was hard when the border generals were incompetent—not many defeats, but many had died. They were merely filling the frontline with manpower and resources, so a collapse is just a matter of time.

A breach in the border was like a stab wound—painful but not fatal. But as Qu Duanyun said, if the situation in Chigou worsened and the northwestern barbarians seized the opportunity to stir things up, things would turn ugly.

Not to mention Emperor Xu Jingxing’s recent pallor seemed unwell, possibly due to overwork and minor ailments…

Thinking of the already chaotic martial world, Xu Jingming shivered. Whether for his elder brother’s health or not, he had to secure the Shirou soon. If things went south and there were internal uprisings, even the martial artists who protected the citizens would be gone, making matters even worse.

Why did they let that troublemaker Shi Jingzhi go? Before his release, the Great Yun martial world was thriving, and the border was stable with no issues.

Xu Jingming watched Qu Duanyun leave. Amidst his anxiety, a thought struck him.

Since he wasn’t eating or sleeping well and had nothing better to do, why not go to Chigou and see for himself? With his prince’s status, he could stabilize the situation. With his righteous aura, he might even dispel some evil energy.

With this thought, he shouted to his servant, “Go, prepare the magic sedan chair for me!”

Outside the Prince’s Mansion.

Hearing the commotion inside, Qu Duanyun chuckled bitterly. Whether it was fortune or misfortune, one couldn’t escape it. As he had guessed, Xu Jingming truly had a sincere heart for the current Emperor—it wasn’t surprising that the Prince of Rong, who dared to venture into the Ghost Tomb to “earn merit”, would now venture to Chigou. Xu Jingming had more guts than brain; fearing Shi Jingzhi meant Shi Jingzhi possessed some skills.

No matter. It was just bringing him along. He was only going there to “witness” anyway.

…Witness how the Chigou Sect transformed from a stable sect that straddled both righteous and evil to the second orthodox demonic sect.

Just as he was about to leave, he felt a presence behind him. Qu Duanyun frowned and immediately shouted, “Who’s there?”

The person behind him was skilled, not revealing any more presence, and seemed to have fled. Qu Duanyun hesitated for a moment, then changed direction to head to the inn where he was staying.

It seemed he couldn’t go to the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence tonight.

Qu Duanyun touched the thin mask in his chest and sighed softly—for tonight’s contact, he would have to rely on the word cloth.

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