Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 131: Platoon

“Shi Jingzhi isn’t participating in the martial arts conference?” Qu Duanyun’s hand paused as he was writing.

“Sect Master Shi is unwell and has sent his disciple, and… and a servant, to participate,” Jin Lan said, finding the situation absurd.

According to the rules of the martial arts conference, unless there was a special circumstance, the head of the sect was required to attend in person. This rule was to show that the sect leader had the capability to pass on their knowledge. They were given an extra spot to bring an outstanding disciple with them. This “outstanding disciple” was likely the next candidate to be Sect Master.

To prevent smaller sects from randomly recruiting outsiders or lone warriors to fight on their behalf, the martial arts conference tested not only combat skills but also loyalty and following. With all these rules, it was the most solemn event in the martial world. It was one thing for a senior disciple to represent a sect, but it was absurd for the Kushan Sect to bring in a mere servant.

Yet, no one could really pinpoint any violation of the rules.

Qu Duanyun had received information from the Yueshui Pavilion that Shi Jingzhi had been seated in a wooden chair the entire journey, consuming only porridge and medicinal soup, looking frail. By the rules, Sect Master Shi was exempt from performing. Qu Duanyun racked his brain but couldn’t figure out why Shi Jingzhi might be pretending to be ill.

Shi Jingzhi was an excellent martial artist and now seemed to be on his deathbed. If he and his top disciple both participated, Qu Duanyun would need to be more cautious. Shi Jingzhi’s actions seemed like cutting off his own arm.

Had he truly reached his limit?

Over the 300-year history of the Great Yun nation, there were several special beings called “Children of Desire”. Most of them were consumed by their desires before reaching the age of twenty, falling into madness. Either they took their own lives or sought death through others. The Queen of Milan and Yan Budu were among the few who endured this torment and lived a relatively “long” life.

Yet, the Queen of Milan took her life at 26 and Yan Budu at 29, never truly realizing their potential.

Jiang Youyue once said that the Children of Desire, being the concentration of the world’s vital qi, were destined to live short lives. This short lifespan magnified their desires, making the selection process more effective and strategic.

Being a Child of Desire, Shi Jingzhi, approaching 28, was indeed at an age where his life might be ending. Jiang Youyue had judged correctly: even on the brink of death, Shi Jingzhi had not broken down in madness but was still striving for a way to survive. This cunning Child of Desire had faced numerous dangers and adversities but had lived to the present day.

Everything was unfolding just as Jiang Youyue had predicted, and the Hundred-Year Project was nearing its final step.

Was “fate” real in this world?

…No, even if it was, he wouldn’t bow to it.

“Sect Master?” While Qu Duanyun was lost in thought, Jin Lan’s legs had gone numb from standing. He couldn’t help but speak up again.

Qu Duanyun looked down to see that the ink on his brush had dried. Setting his brush aside, he put on his usual smile. “Anything else?”

“I… I saw Senior Sister. She looks different now. She even started the Yangsha Sect. She might be mentally disturbed. With Sect Master Qi gone, perhaps you could decide to bring her back.”

“I cannot defy Master’s orders. I’ve only been Sect Master for a few months, and it’s not appropriate for me to go against Master’s last wishes right away.”

Seeing Jin Lan’s disappointment, Qu Duanyun offered a reassuring smile.

“Although Senior Sister can be stubborn, she’s not reckless. She must have her reasons for attending the martial arts conference. If she demonstrates righteousness at the conference, I might find a way to invite her back.”

Jin Lan brightened up, saying, “That’s great.”

“Not so good.” At the corner of Wuming Town, Sect Master Shi finished his last spoonful of hawthorn porridge. He kept flipping through several old papers, looking rather distressed.

“What’s not so good?” Yin Ci put down a bowl of bitter medicinal soup, making Shi Jingzhi lean back from its strong taste.

“It’s about Qu Duanyun.”

Shi Jingzhi moved his wooden chair, trying to distance himself from the bitter soup.

“Shen Zhu has gathered information on him, and he seems… unpredictable.”

Qu Duanyun was born into the wealthy and influential Qu Clan.

His father was a renowned and upright official, and his mother was the daughter of a high-ranking elder, known for her kindness and openness. The couple was deeply in love—a genuine match made in heaven. They neither spoiled nor were too strict with their only son, Qu Duanyun, ensuring he grew up balanced.

From a young age, Qu Duanyun had the best tutors and was a diligent student. Whether in martial arts or academics, he never relied solely on talent but worked hard without faltering. Compared to the princes of the palace, Qu Duanyun was like a treasured child of heaven.

In the entire Great Yun nation, there might not be a more perfect family or a more fortunate individual than Qu Duanyun.

From childhood to adulthood, Qu Duanyun seemed to have never done any “wrongdoings”. Not even slightly bad rumors could be found about him. Gifted and persevering, with excellent social and interpersonal skills, Qu Duanyun’s future looked promising.

The Immortal Assembly had always been keen on attracting outstanding individuals. Only if they were blind would they overlook such a talent.

“If he wanted to be an official, he could take the imperial examination, and he might even become the top scholar. Now that he’s with the Imperial Preceptor, his future is bright,” Shi Jingzhi muttered. “If he doesn’t want to be an official, he’s still the head of Taiheng, well-respected among the people. If Qu Duanyun had further ambitions, he could only overthrow my brother to become Emperor. But looking at his actions, there’s no sign he wants to harm Great Yun.”

For many years, Sect Master Shi struggled just to survive, always having humble desires. With Qu Duanyun’s booming fortune, Shi Jingzhi really couldn’t guess what more he might want.

Was he simply overthinking?

“Anyway, as long as he’s not the kind of person who turns his back, our plan can proceed. We’ve had such bad luck that our speculations might end up as jokes, like ‘the Emperor using a gold pole*’,” Shi Jingzhi said bitterly.

*Clarity: This comes from a fable where two farmers were on their way home from picking firewood when one asked what the Emperor would use to pick firewood every day, to which the other replied jokingly, “a gold pole, because the Emperor has a lot of gold and must use it for everything.” The pole they are referring to is a carrying pole. This joke highlights the limitations of people’s understanding of a problem. However, in this context, it’s not referring to the meaning, but more so, they would look like the butt of a joke.

“If I could swap places with him, it would be so…”

Before he could finish saying “good”, Yin Ci turned to look at Shi Jingzhi. Sect Master Shi sighed with a complicated expression. “It might not be better. If I became him, wouldn’t I miss chasing you?”

Yin Ci smirked.

“Zizhu?”

“Instead of sweet-talking here, drink your medicine first. It’s bitter when hot, even more bitter when cold.”

“Zizhu—”

“In the past, you gnawed on rotten meat just to stay alive,” Yin Ci remarked bluntly. “It’s just a bowl of medicinal soup. Stop whining.”

“… Complaining a bit feels good,” Sect Master Shi said while holding the bowl of medicine. “After all, you brought candy for me. I smelled it the moment you entered.”

Yin Ci raised an eyebrow, took out the candy, and popped it into his own mouth. Shi Jingzhi, remembering Yin Ci’s ruthless side, almost spilled the medicine out of shock. Fearing that Yin Ci might tease him with the candy, he quickly drank up.

Yin Ci chuckled. He didn’t swallow the candy but held it between his lips, leaning over to transfer it into Shi Jingzhi’s mouth.

After drinking the bitter medicine, Shi Jingzhi’s face wrinkled like a dried radish. He kissed his disciple while tasting the sweetness, and only then did his expression relax.

Inside the town, it was peaceful; outside, it was bustling.

Wuming Town’s unique feature was its abundance of theater troupes in the early years. Over time, local carpenters and stonemasons became skilled at constructing and dismantling stages. Now, the Jinyu Group came upon hearing the news and urgently set up the stage. Once most major sects arrived, the Jinyu Group would even arrange stalls everywhere.

Su Si, wearing a Nuo mask, squatted on a nearby rooftop. Yan Qing, also masked, hid his ghost eyes and squatted next to him. At first glance, they looked like two gray cats.

Wearing such masks, everyone recognized them as members of the Kushan Sect. Righteous individuals passed by beneath the eaves, casting disdainful glances their way.

They didn’t care that their conversation could be heard by Su Si and Yan Qing.

“The Kushan Sect dares to come? Are they even qualified?”

“They haven’t been declared a demonic sect by the Yueshui Pavilion yet. They follow protocols. Unfortunately, despite the long-standing arrest warrant, no one has caught them, allowing them to exploit this loophole.”

“It’s probably desperation. That Shi Jingzhi looks like he’s on his last legs, definitely wanting to fight for his life more than anyone else. Poor thing, he’s so focused on staying alive that he’s lost his mind. With the current reputation of the Kushan Sect, how can they convince the masses?”

“They might not even win the martial arts conference, let alone gain followers. After the conference, the ‘no private duels’ rule won’t apply. With Sect Master Qu present, there’s no way the Kushan Sect could escape, right?”

“Speaking of the Taiheng Sect, have you heard about Shi Zhongyu…”

Losing interest when the topic shifted to Shi Zhongyu, Su Si took out some roasted chicken. After taking a bite, he gave one to Yan Qing.

“I just bought this from the Jinyu Group. It’s very delicious,” Su Si said with his mouth full.

“Be careful when you eat. Afterward, we’ll move near the incense burner to get rid of the smell. If the Sect Master smells it, he could literally suffocate you with his aura.”

Yan Qing accepted the chicken solemnly and ate it with special care.

Given the crowd and the omnipresence of the Immortal Assembly, Shi Jingzhi was afraid of being exposed and had been eating porridge for days. Yesterday, feeling mischievous, Su Si roasted some pork in the yard. Shi Jingzhi was furious, and his aura descended precisely on Su Si’s head.

Patriarch Su’s hand trembled, and the freshly roasted meat skewer almost fell into the ashes. Without waiting for Sect Master Shi to react further, he grabbed handfuls of skewers and dashed away quickly.

“After all, isn’t the Sect Master a… ‘Child of Desire’? His appetites are a hundred times stronger than ordinary people’s. What you did was no different than torturing him with extreme punishment,” Yan Qing said calmly.

“It’s a good thing the timing was right. If Senior Yin was present, you might not have been able to escape.”

Throughout their journey, Shi Jingzhi’s behavior was no different from that of an ordinary person. However, recently, he had been less restrained in showing his emotions around them. Perhaps it was because of his deep bond with Senior Yin that he no longer suppressed his true self.

Thinking of this, a hint of gratification appeared on Yan Qing’s face.

“People used to say I am the Young Patriarch of a demonic sect. But you sound even more terrifying,” Su Si retorted. He didn’t bother to reflect on Yan Qing’s sentiments. Thinking of Yin Ci’s cold face, Patriarch Su shivered instantly.

“What do you mean by ‘might not have been able to escape’? That behavior of Shi Jingzhi, wasn’t it spoiled by that surname Yin… Who do you think I did it for? Those two made you train day and night; no matter how much meat you eat, it’s never enough.”

“A’Si has been good to me, and I remember it,” Yan Qing replied, filtering out the previous negative remarks. He scratched his head, smiling a bit shyly. “Though training is hard, it’s not the fault of the Sect Master or Senior Yin. I have to participate in the competition. If I get eliminated too soon, wouldn’t that tarnish the reputation of the Kushan Sect? Besides, I’ve learned a lot these days.”

Su Si stared at Yan Qing in frustration. Until now, he hadn’t seen any reputation left for the Kushan Sect to tarnish.

“You… haa, the competition begins tomorrow. Be careful. Everyone knows you’re from the Kushan Sect, and they might not hold back.”

“Mm!”

On the first day of the martial arts conference, the Yueshui Pavilion still came to observe.

This time they didn’t wear red and green robes, but formal and elegant attire. “Documenting the Martial Arts Conference” wasn’t as dangerous as descending into the Ghost Tomb. It was a cushy assignment. Yan Qing looked around for a while and couldn’t find Shen Zhu or even a sparrow.

Had the Sect Master completely severed ties with Miss Shen?

Maybe he was overthinking, but Yan Qing always felt there were undercurrents around him. Sect Master Shi and Senior Yin hadn’t shared their plans, only asking him to focus on his training. Even Su Si had talked privately with the Sect Master about important matters, but he, about to take the stage, remained in the dark.

…Never mind.

Yan Qing soon consoled himself. The master and apprentice were formidable, and A’Si wasn’t someone to be easily manipulated. So far, all four of them were safe. With good friends and martial arts skills, he shouldn’t be greedy for more.

The edge of the arena was bustling.

Several palanquins were parked at the farthest point. Apparently, some wealthy households came to watch. The crowd surged, and vendors started selling refreshments and snacks. Nearby, two doctors were preparing, and even a limping fortune-teller had squeezed in, shouting for the Jinyu Group to place bets on their behalf.

Closest to the fighting stage, the commoners were crowded shoulder to shoulder, creating a chaotic scene. They were reluctant to get too close to the stage for fear of danger, yet they were anxious about moving too far away, lest they couldn’t see clearly. This indecisiveness led to them milling about, creating a disorderly human stew.

The Jinyu Group, having seen much of the world, had a solution. They used red ropes to cordon off the fighting stage and set up wooden stands of varying heights. This way, even more people could have a clear view of the events.

The fighting stage remained vacant for the time being, and the crowd’s initial urgency gradually subsided. The disciples of the Jinyu Group, acting much like sheepdogs within a flock of sheep, slowly organized the crowd. They even skillfully arranged for vendors to come in, selling fruits and tea to the attendees.

Though not many representatives from various sects came, it was surprising to see three monks in the crowd.

Wasn’t the Jianchen Temple closed?

But the monk at the forefront was recognized by the martial artists—it was Monk Zhixing, who had witnessed the misdeeds of the Kushan Sect.

Monk Zhixing looked a bit pale and out of place in the festive atmosphere. The two ascetic martial monks with cloaks covering their faces didn’t seem like they would compete.

“Could they have been invited by Taiheng to confront the Kushan Sect after the conference?” someone whispered.

“Ah, this is going to be interesting!”

But no matter who questioned, Zhixing simply bowed his head without replying. When persistently stopped, he only murmured, “Amitabha”, without showing anger. With the prestige of the Jianchen Temple, no one dared to push too far and could only watch him take a seat.

If the Jianchen Temple wasn’t participating and the demonic sect couldn’t attend, then Taiheng, despite not having won, seemed to have gained some dominance.

As the time approached, the leader of the Jinyu Group, with his portly figure, stepped onto the stage and struck a large gong.

“The competition is beginning—please clear the stage—”

The fat man, with a pinched voice, melodiously shouted out as if he were performing a grand opera.

Before he could finish, disciples from the Jinyu Group emerged from the side of the stage. Dressed in gold and silver, they looked like two auspicious beasts.

The crowd buzzed with excitement for a moment, their voices almost drowning out the leader of the Jinyu Group. The members of the Kushan Sect, not wanting to get too close to the crowd, had to tiptoe to get a better view, despite Yan Qing being a towering figure.

One disciple stood to the left and the other to the right, both holding red wooden trays. On the left tray, there were nearly a hundred delicate wooden bracelets, piled slightly high. On the right tray was a large bronze mirror, polished to shine brilliantly. The mirror stand was carved from a special stone with intricate symbols etched into it, akin in purpose to the Sword of Compassion.

The leader of the Jinyu Group, using delicate silk to handle the mirror, placed it in the center of the stage, accompanied by a small incense burner. After paying respect to the mirror, he turned and smiled. “This time, there are thirty-six sects participating, roughly seventy-two individuals. This is our foremost martial arts conference. As per tradition, we will first test the heart and then arrange the battles.”

Yan Qing, engrossed in the proceedings, suddenly heard a rule he wasn’t familiar with and quickly turned to Su Si. “Test the heart?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll understand in a moment,” Su Si said casually. “Even if something happens to Senior Yin, you’ll be fine.”

Yan Qing’s curiosity only grew. Without Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi around to ask, he just kept silent and continued watching.

On the stage, the leader of the Jinyu Group began reading names from a long list. Being the center of attention, Qu Duanyun naturally ranked first.

“Taiheng Sect—Sect Master Qu Duanyun—”

Qu Duanyun gracefully leapt up and landed right in front of the bronze mirror. The Taiheng Sect was held in high regard, and there was a loud cheer from below.

The leader of the Jinyu Group seemed to have anticipated such a scene. He patiently waited for the commotion to die down before continuing.

“Bright mirror hung high, evil spirits disperse. Sect Master Qu, please!”

Without any hesitation, Qu Duanyun took hold of the mirror stand, allowing the mirror to clearly reflect his face. After a quick glance, the chubby leader declared, “Pass!”

Qu Duanyun bowed, took a wooden bracelet from the tray, and put it on his wrist. The bracelet adjusted its size snugly, revealing its magical nature.

“Wow,” Su Si whispered. “Qu Duanyun really passed the test of the heart. Did he use some kind of trick?”

Yan Qing, clueless, could only grunt in confusion.

One by one, representatives from each sect repeated the process. Some were disqualified when their faces did not appear in the mirror.

“Evil intentions, fail!” The leader of the Jinyu Group would shout this every time someone failed the test.

The Kushan Sect, being a new sect, was at the bottom of the list. After naming many, the fat leader finally got to their sect.

“Kushan Sect—Senior Disciple Yin Ci—”

There was no response from below.

The fat leader, unfazed, repeated Yin Ci’s name three times. With no sign of Yin Ci, he moved on to the next name.

“Kushan Sect—Servant Yan Qing—”

The word “servant” caused an uproar. Unlike the respectful cheering for Taiheng’s entry, there was ridicule and scorn.

Fortunately, having grown up with ghost eyes, Yan Qing was used to far worse insults from his villagers. He ignored the jeers, and cautiously approached the mirror, fearing it would expose him.

He gently touched the stone base of the mirror.

Suddenly, all surrounding noise ceased. He found himself in an empty space, the once bustling surroundings and brilliant sky now blank and gray. The mirror only reflected his face amidst pitch blackness.

A shrill, elderly voice abruptly resonated in his ears. “Yan Qing, do you acknowledge your sins?”

Yan Qing, bewildered, could only respond with: “…?”

Staring blankly at the mirror, he waited for another statement, but none came. His reflection remained clear without distortion.

Confused, Yan Qing tried to figure out his next move when suddenly, the noise from the crowd returned, flooding his ears.

“Pass!” declared the leader of the Jinyu Group.

Even after putting on the bracelet, Yan Qing was still puzzled by what had happened. Maybe the mirror had the same ability as the Sword of Compassion—a way to gauge a person’s true nature… At least he hadn’t been embarrassed.

Seeing Yan Qing’s dazed expression as he left the stage, Su Si chuckled—his friend had passed the test of the heart and acquired the Sword of Compassion. If he had failed the “Mirror of Judgment,” it would have been a real joke.

He was more worried about Senior Yin, who didn’t seem like a good person.

Yan Qing stepped down not long ago, followed by the tardy arrival of Yin Ci. His face was three times thicker-skinned than Yan Qing, remaining calm amidst a chorus of jeers. To Su Si’s surprise, Yin Ci approached the mirror without hesitation, his actions resolute.

Now it was the turn of the leader of the Jinyu Group to be puzzled. He was stunned for a while before hesitatingly saying “Pass”, his voice noticeably softer than before.

Upon hearing the result, the criticism from the crowd below mostly turned into shock.

“Accepting a servant is one thing, but even the main disciple of Kushan can pass?”

“The Mirror of Judgement reflects one’s sins, requiring a clear conscience… If someone’s thoughts are different from the ordinary, they can still believe themselves to be sinless, right?”

“Maybe it was that Jingzhi who deceived them at that time, deliberately picking innocent people to go on stage.”

……

However, before the crowd could discuss much, their attention was captured by the next announcement—

“Yangsha Sect—Sect Master Shi Zhongyu—”

“Pass!”

“Yangsha Sect—Main disciple Ma Shili—”

“Evil intentions, fail!”

Shi Zhongyu completely ignored Ma Shili’s cursing. She turned her head and looked at Qu Duanyun, who was not far away, with sharp eyes. He looked back openly, without any sign of guilt or retreat.

After distributing the wooden bracelets that represented qualifications, it was time for the combat draw. To demonstrate fairness, the leader of Jinyu Group called on Monk Zhixing from the Jianchen Temple to draw the lots.

Nearby, Yin Ci pushed Shi Jingzhi, who was sitting in a wooden chair, closer to the stage. With the qualifications now settled, several sects retreated to spectator positions, leaving many empty spots.

The surrounding areas were mostly occupied by qualified sects, so no one would openly attack Sect Master Shi. However, up close, Shi Jingzhi’s condition was much worse than rumored. Although the day was temperate, Sect Master Shi’s teeth were tightly clenched, and sweat was dripping from his forehead. Every now and then, he would tug at his disciple’s sleeve, whispering softly.

If people knew what they were talking about, they would probably be even angrier.

“Push me a bit closer… Yes, yes, ah, I almost made a mistake just now. It’s difficult to cast spells from a distance. Zizhu, are you sure you’ve switched every piece of silk?”

“You better focus on your spell. Zhixing is already stiffening up. The young monk is waiting for you, so quickly give him the appropriate signal. Later, I’ll have to switch the lot back.”

The Jinyu Group was very strict about the silk lots. Even someone as skilled as Yin Ci took a lot of effort to switch them—to control the martial arts conference, they had to replace the silk with demon silk, allowing Shi Jingzhi to control each one.

“Senior Chen’s spells are indeed powerful, but they’re a bit hard to control…”

Shi Jing murmured, but his hands inside his sleeves never stopped working. One meticulous spell after another was continuously cast, making him sweat profusely. Fortunately, Monk Zhixing kept a straight face, deliberately slowing down his movements to match, so no one noticed.

In less than an hour, the combat list was set.

Qu Duanyun couldn’t help but smile.

Even if fate truly existed, this time it was on his side. The current combat list was ideal for him—

Yin Ci and Shi Zhongyu were in a separate group. They would have to fight each other first, and the winner would only meet him in the final battle. Before that, all he had to do was eliminate the insignificant servant from the Kushan Sect.

Absolutely perfect.

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The author has something to say:

In the Ghost Tomb—

Everyone: The disciple from the Kushan Sect is just a filler, right?

Martial Arts Conference—

Everyone: The servant from the Kushan Sect is just a filler, right?

Classic re-enactment (×

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 130: Entering the Fight

Xu Jingming walked all the way to the teahouse without escaping Jiang Youyue’s fleeting glance.

Not only was he made a fool of regarding the matter of looking for the Shirou, but his years of accumulated sense of security were also shattered. Seeing Xu Jingxing in a yellow robe, his grievances found a place to settle. Xu Jingming hurriedly ran to his Emperor Brother’s side, stuffing several tea snacks into his mouth to cover the bitterness.

High Highness The Prince of Rong’s behavior was too unruly. Eunuch Lu Fu was about to remind him but was stopped by the Emperor with a hand.

Xu Jingxing had passed the age of thirty and was very tolerant of his younger brother. Lu Fu immediately shut his mouth, respectfully stepped aside, and continued to watch the Prince of Rong, who wore a bitter expression.

The snacks in the palace tasted much better than those from the Prince of Rong’s mansion. Although the desserts were sweet, Xu Jingming always felt they burned his heart. He poured a cup of fine tea and only then freed up his mouth, intending to have a good chat with his Emperor Brother—

However, he was taken aback by Xu Jingxing’s appearance.

Compared to their last meeting, the emperor had lost considerable weight. There were slight dark circles around his eyes, and although his complexion wasn’t pale, it lacked any rosiness, making him look unwell. The tea snacks were light and fragrant, but the Emperor only took a small bite before frowning and asking for them to be removed.

Xu Jingming quickly swallowed the idle chatter he was about to share. “Emperor Brother, your complexion…”

“The war in Luojiu is not settled. I haven’t slept well.” The Emperor shook his head. “The war has dragged on, and the dead and injured are my people. I initially thought it was a minor conflict, but as time passed, there’s no good news.”

“A bunch of useless men! Those generals are paid by our Great Yun, yet they can’t even defeat uncivilized barbarians!” Xu Jingming quickly agreed with his Emperor Brother’s sentiment.

However, hearing this, a bitter look appeared on the Emperor’s face.

“At first, I thought the same. Jingming, I’ve recently studied the war reports closely, and these barbarians are extraordinary. Their ‘Divine Saint’ is a strategic genius, reminding me of…”

Stopping there, Xu Jingxing seemed to hesitate, ultimately sighing.

Of course, Xu Jingming knew whom his Emperor Brother was referring to. “Why not bring Shi Jingzhi back to address the urgent matters of Great Yun? Dying for the nation is a worthy cause.”

“By now, his health is on its last leg. If we forcibly summon him back now, how can he willingly serve Great Yun?”

His younger brother’s presumptions always made the emperor smile wryly. He coughed lightly, sipping his tea to quell the dry cough.

Xu Jingming looked melancholic. “I just mentioned it. Emperor Brother, you’ve been too lenient with Shi Jingzhi. If it weren’t for Emperor Father’s decree—”

The emperor’s lips twitched. “So you’ve always thought that way… It was Emperor Father who wanted to kill him.”

“Was it at the Imperial Preceptor’s instigation? I heard the current Imperial Preceptor say that Shi Jingzhi is a national calamity.”

“But he made a bet with Emperor Father, which saved him. Throwing a three-year-old child into the Juyi Valley for a month should have meant certain death. Yet fate allowed him to survive, and Emperor Father had to admit defeat.”

Xu Jingming was baffled. “Emperor Brother, you’ve never been kind to the lineage of the Imperial Preceptor. Wouldn’t it have been better to kill him early on?”

“It would’ve been a waste to kill him too soon. First, he’s a genius who can serve me. Second… Consort Jin is expecting, and her belly is getting noticeable.”

Xu Jingming was puzzled. He knew his Brother Emperor had few heirs, but what did this have to do with Shi Jingzhi?

The emperor sighed deeply.

“For many generations of emperors in Great Yun, each one had a brilliant but short-lived child. I wanted to give Shi Jingzhi a chance to see if he could pave a way to survival, so I could learn from it… Lu Fu reminded me of this. If it works, my child might be saved. If not, at least he’d gain some merit.”

“…”

Indeed. Even with Shi Jingzhi’s reputation as a “national calamity”, his priority was survival. He couldn’t influence the vast land within half a year.

But he was almost like a demon. Simply letting him go was—

During Xu Jingming’s silence, Xu Jingxing looked at his slightly thin hands and asked without raising his head.

“Do you think I’m too compassionate, Jingming?”

“Emperor Brother…”

“I’m tired of war and have no ambition. Rather than expanding territories, I just want a prosperous treasury, peaceful citizens, and to pass on this thriving land to future generations. Now with the impending war and rising disasters, the people think I lack virtue… Maybe I should have heeded the Imperial Preceptor’s advice and attacked Luojiu earlier. If I had, we wouldn’t face this calamity now.”

Xu Jingming didn’t know what to say.

For almost a century, Great Yun had been living in harmony with neighboring countries. But now, under his generation, the long-settled turmoil returned. Speaking of war, he certainly didn’t want to wage it, but…

“Previously, Luoju had a close relationship with Great Yun, and their relationship was good. Attacking another country without any reason isn’t a righteous act.” After a moment’s hesitation, the Prince of Rong sincerely said, “Emperor Brother, no, elder brother, don’t blame yourself too much. It’ll harm your health.”

Xu Jingxing remained silent for a long time. After a while, he changed the topic. “Speaking of these things makes my heart restless. Jingming, I heard you watched a grand play in Shafu. Come, tell me about it—”

Before he could finish, the emperor suddenly wavered and weakly slumped over the tea table. His sleeve brushed the teacups and saucers off the table, shattering them on the ground.

“Emperor Brother? Call the royal physician, quickly!”

“It’s okay, don’t panic,” the emperor murmured as if in a daze before gradually regaining his composure. “I’m just… a bit tired.”

Looking at the increasingly haggard face of his Emperor Brother, Xu Jingming stood frozen in place. For some reason, the chill he felt when meeting Jiang Youyue had returned. He was far from the sandy storms of Shafu and the bloody battles of the frontier. The capital city was warm and peaceful in spring, and he was in the presumably safe palace.

Yet he had never felt such fear.

No, as a prince of Great Yun, he shouldn’t be this vulnerable. Half a month had passed, and given the circumstances, Shi Jingzhi should be faring even worse. Maybe once the “calamity” dies on its own, all misfortunes would also vanish.

On one side, Xu Jingming was trembling; on the other, Shi Jingzhi appeared emotionless.

…But he was holding on.

Before descending the mountain, Shi Jingzhi ate voraciously, vowing to try all his favorite dishes. He did so at a great cost. Currently, his face was pale without any need for makeup. As porters climbed the mountain with his luggage, he sat weakly on a wooden chair, looking as if his end was near.

‘Maybe that’s better,’ Yin Ci thought indifferently. At least it would save him the trouble of acting.

“Why is this young master attending the martial arts conference in such a condition? He should seek Taiheng. Perhaps they can give him some the ‘Shirou’.” The man with a face like a shoe, having become acquainted with Su Si, spoke without much courtesy.

“You know about the Shirou?” Su Si asked curiously.

“Of course, it’s a magical item that many seek. We’ve made a good amount of money helping transport it. Recently, not many people have been seeking it, saying Taiheng has got it.”

“They probably found it but couldn’t obtain it,” Su Si said cryptically. “To retrieve it, you need the key!”

“So what’s the plan, a fifty-fifty split? What if there’s a dispute?”

“That’s why they’re hosting the martial arts conference. After everyone competes, they might as well select a leader to settle the matter.”

Shoe Face was astonished. “What, you guys want to be the leader too? Isn’t this position almost guaranteed for Taiheng? It’s like trying to catch a turtle in a jar—pretty much a sure thing.”

Su Si just smiled mysteriously without answering. The man just assumed they were crazy and didn’t press further.

The martial arts conference was set in a nameless town to the north of Qizhou, near the heart of Great Yun, making it convenient for everyone. The Kushan Sect traveled on foot for four to five days, and by the time they arrived, there were no seats left. They settled for a dilapidated house with a roof.

The long-lost Kushan Sect’s sudden appearance stirred a lot of attention. They were nonchalant about it, eating, drinking, and waiting for rumors to spread.

As expected, the next day, Jin Lan paid them a visit.

Taiheng had rented the best courtyard in town. Compared to that, the house the Kushan Sect occupied was no better than a stable, seemingly on the brink of collapse. Jin Lan cautiously opened the wooden door, afraid it might fall apart.

Inside, after it was cleaned up by the Kushan Sect, it was surprisingly neat. There was even a faint aroma of rice—

Shi Jingzhi’s disciple was feeding porridge to his master. The flag of the sect leader was hanging limply behind a wooden chair, and he himself looked frail with disheveled hair and a pale face while eating the porridge.

There were bits of brown-red stuff in the porridge. Jin Lan first thought it was minced meat, but upon closer look, it was chopped hawthorn. Given the frailty of Shi Jingzhi, the bleak atmosphere intensified.

Jin Lan took a step back, glancing around. The servants were nowhere to be seen. They must be busy, leaving even such tasks to the senior disciple.

Was the Kushan Sect in such a pitiable state?

Seeing Shi Jingzhi in this condition, Jin Lan had mixed feelings. After a deep sigh, he began. “Rumors said that Sect Master Shi was attacked and robbed of the ‘Shirou’ key. It seems to be true. The common saying is to not flaunt wealth. Even my Taiheng would be cautious. Why did you expose such a secret in Chigou… Haa.”

Shi Jingzhi didn’t respond, just snuggling deeper into his fur coat.

Yin Ci put down his spoon, responding calmly, “Brother Jin has come in person, and I presume it’s not to enjoy a joke. Perhaps you’re here to confirm the whereabouts of the ‘key’? …It seems that without the key, Taiheng cannot get the Shirou.”

Jin Lan, being an old acquaintance, was the most suitable candidate sent for investigation. They had anticipated Qu Duanyun’s straightforward move.

Jin Lan was indeed candid. “It’s not that we can’t get it. I’ve seen where the Shirou is stored. It can be forcibly accessed, but it would take a very long time, perhaps a century.”

A century would pass and those who should be dead would have died. It was said that Shirou was a substance that granted longevity and immortality. No one wanted to plant a tree only for others to enjoy its shade. Taiheng’s participation in this martial arts conference was probably to acquire the key as well.

“You’ve seen where the Shirou is stored?” Yin Ci feigned surprise.

“Can’t help it. That place requires manual digging… Ah, don’t try to trick me! I’m not Senior Sister, and I don’t trust you at all.”

“If we find out, can we snatch it from Taiheng?” Yin Ci asked calmly, sitting on a broken stool. “I’m just curious about what the Shirou looks like.”

Jin Lan hesitated for a moment, then said with a hint of sympathy, “I only caught a glimpse of it, but I knew it was a treasure at first sight. It’s emerald green, shaped like a peach, growing on jade-like vines, and has a mesmerizing fragrance. I don’t know who named it ‘Shirou’, but it clearly looks more like a celestial fruit.”

Yin Ci responded meaningfully, “Thank you for letting me know, Brother Jin.”

“You should give up on the idea. Brother Qu, or rather, Sect Master Qu, is acting as if he’s sure to win. After all…”

Jin Lan didn’t finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Considering the long-term closure of the Jianchen Temple, no masters would be sent. With rumors of demonic sect disturbances and the Ling sect being completely wiped out, plus the declining reputation of the Chigou Sect and no recent news of a new Patriarch being selected, if Taiheng didn’t emerge as the leader among the four major sects, it would be a huge joke.

However, these logical considerations couldn’t suppress everyone’s desire to try their luck.

What if there was an unexpected upset? What if they could get the key to the Shirou by luck? Even if they fail, at worst, Qu Duanyun would become the leader and rightfully obtain the key to the Shirou. Once Sect Master Qu got the Shirou, he would surely compensate the attendees. It was a win-win situation.

While the two were silent, Shi Jingzhi let out a loud cough. Yin Ci quickly fed him some porridge, then resumed, “If Brother Jin has no other business…”

Jin Lan tactfully bowed and turned to leave. Just as he approached the broken door, he heard a weak voice from behind.

Shi Jingzhi, after swallowing his porridge, said, “Jin Lan, have you seen Miss Shi recently? If you do, please send my regards.”

Jin Lan didn’t turn around.

“It’s been a long time since I saw Senior Sister.” His voice sounded a bit lonely. “Ever since she left Yidu, I’ve not heard any news about her. Maybe she’ll show up at this martial arts conference… Senior Sister?!”

The dilapidated door was abruptly opened, nearly falling to the ground. Shi Zhongyu, dressed as a bandit, stood at the entrance, staring at Jin Lan expressionlessly.

“So there are people here.” Her gaze went past Jin Lan to Shi Jingzhi sitting on a wooden chair, showing just a hint of surprise.

Jin Lan was familiar with the elegant, white-clothed senior sister, but he had never seen Shi Zhongyu in such a wild outfit. He stood there, speechless, before finally stuttering, “Are… Are you really Senior Sister?”

“Jin Lan.” Shi Zhongyu nodded slightly towards Jin Lan and then turned to Yin Ci. “I apologize for disturbing you both. Seeing the dilapidated state of this house, I thought it was empty… I’ll find another place.”

Jin Lan, still in shock, said, “Senior Sister, there’s still space in Taiheng’s courtyard. If you talk to Sect Master Qu, he will definitely accommodate you—”

“No need. I don’t belong to Taiheng and won’t accept their favors. This time, I’ll return to Taiheng in my own way.”

“But…”

“Besides, I have my own sect, and it’s inappropriate to impose.”

With that, she dragged someone inside. The man trembled like a leaf, missing a front tooth, and kept muttering things like “Great Warrior have mercy” for a while, then “I know I was wrong”, before finally just stuttering “Master, please stop”.

Upon closely looking, Yin Ci recognized him—it was none other than the bandit leader from Shafu, Ma Shili. The man appeared rather pale, as if he had been beaten badly, clearly brought in just to make up the numbers.

…This scene seemed somewhat familiar, yet Yin Ci remained silent.

Shi Zhongyu seemed unperturbed. “Our Yangsha Sect is now registered at the Yueshui Pavilion. We will also participate in this martial arts conference… Speaking of which, each sect has two spots. What does Kushan intend to do?”

Upon hearing this, Jin Lan was shocked, but he also eagerly listened in.

“Shizun is severely ill and cannot go on stage.” Yin Ci said with a faint smile, “This time, both Yan Qing and I will fight. That’ll be enough.”

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The author has something to say:

Sect Master Shi: Hehe, didn’t expect that, did you, Qu Duanyun? I’m not participating.

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Kinky Thoughts:

Shi Zhongyu picking up the bad influences of the Kushan Sect.

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 129: A Glance

The Kushan sect had disappeared.

Half a month after the chaos in Chigou, people no longer saw the flag that once symbolized their motto “Medicine Cures Illness”. This once-active small sect vanished as if it had evaporated into thin air. Even the best spies from the Yueshui Pavilion could find no trace of them.

Some say that Shi Jingzhi had publicly shown off a treasure that could “resurrect the dead” and had been targeted and killed by the Chigou sect for it. Others believed that they were just lying low, hiding among other sects, waiting for the martial arts conference to showcase their skills.

In the end, the Kushan sect was just a minor sect that couldn’t make significant waves. After some chatter for a few days, people moved on and forgot about them.

Without the Kushan Sect, the world went on just as lively as before.

At the end of spring, the evening breeze was warm, and Yidu was full of vibrant greenery. People enjoyed going out for walks, and every decent tea house and tavern was bustling with activity.

Four porters ordered a jug of fine wine, asking the waiter to dilute it into four jugs. Accompanying their drinks with a plate of boiled peanuts, they soon ordered more dishes, much to the waiter’s delight.

Having traveled widely, the porters, although not very literate, had many tales to share.

“Don’t bother going to Luojiu,” one said with a face like a shoe. “In the past, we could earn a decent living there, but not anymore. Their new king or god… very powerful.”

“How powerful?”

“They say his eyes are as big as bronze bells, and his hands can shoot fire. The people of Luojiu are naturally as strong as bulls. Unfortunately for us, with our mere mortal bodies, when our young ones charge in waves, they fall like wheat being harvested. In the past, we could withstand with sheer numbers, but now… tsk tsk.”

With a face weathered by the elements, Shoe Face wiped his cheek and let out a deep sigh.

“Isn’t the situation in Yidu still good? If we can’t go east, we head west. There’s always work at the Great Prohibition.”

“Come on, I was fooled by those words. Over there, the wind carries sand every day, it even blows away people’s hair. Not to mention no work, the drought is like hell on earth.”

“People always say that the Imperial Celestial protects us. Our Great Yun has no disasters, so why does it feel increasingly wrong?”

“My uncle can tell fortunes; he says the current Saint is losing virtue…”

As soon as these words were spoken, the other three instantly changed their expressions. Shoe Face immediately raised his voice, loudly saying, “If we can’t make it in the east or west, why not go north or south? The north is scarcely populated, and isn’t there going to be a martial arts conference in the south? There will be lots of people. Let’s all go together.”

The footman who previously mentioned his “uncle” suddenly caught on, clicking his tongue a few times—he forgot this was the imperial capital, almost letting slip dangerous words.

He quickly continued the conversation. “Yes, let’s go. We should all go. It’s good to have each other as backup. Those martial artists have some tricks, and in case we meet someone who doesn’t want to pay up, we won’t have any recourse.”

Shoe Face took a satisfying sip of wine and confidently said, “Sounds good. Let’s finish the tasks at hand, and we can leave tonight. The inns in the capital are too expensive. We can’t afford them.”

“You still have tasks to handle?”

“Of course.”

After a hearty drink, Shoe Face purchased some fresh meat and vegetables, and headed towards the outskirts of the city. This place, with clear mountains and waters, was where the wealthy liked to build their vacation homes. He often picked up odd jobs delivering vegetables here.

But this time, it was different.

The one waiting for him wasn’t a laborer or a servant, but a young man wearing a Nuo mask. The man, dressed in simple robes, had hair as dark as premium charcoal and skin so white it was dazzling. From his posture and demeanor, he didn’t seem like a commoner at all.

By contrast, the wooden Nuo mask he wore was rough and ugly, giving off an ominous vibe.

Shoe Face turned pale with shock, thinking he had bumped into a supernatural being.

He was using a delivery token from the market. It seemed nowadays, even demons and spirits would make delivery appointments at the market… Maybe the order wasn’t for vegetables, but for the delivery person…

Sweat, which moments ago was caused by the wine, now poured down his face due to fear. Without thinking, Shoe Face dropped his load, immediately knelt down, and begged, “Spare me, sir! My old bones are fragile and not worth eating!”

The figure, who seemed amused by Shoe Face’s reaction, handed him a string of coins, his voice tinged with amusement. “Take this.”

Shoe Face didn’t know what kind of being he was, but the weight of the coins was real. Surprisingly, the spirit’s voice was rather pleasant, reminiscent of the sound of jade chimes in a jewelry store.

After a long pause, Shoe Face finally caught his breath. “Sir… you really scared me. Your ordered meat and vegetables are here. I’ll be on my way now…”

“Hold on,” the man said leisurely. “I have a job for you. If you’re available, you can come with us to the north of Qizhou.”

“You’re going to the martial arts conference? Okay, I can call a few more people.” Shoe Face’s heart settled, realizing the man was actually human.

“Very well. Come back here at dusk.”

The man effortlessly picked up the basket of vegetables and meat and soon disappeared into the trees.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Shoe Face muttered to himself about the eccentric ways of these people. Why wear a creepy mask when there’s no audience?

Yin Ci didn’t care about the porter’s thoughts. He quickly returned to a cottage by a mountain stream.

Beside the stream was a four-wheeled wooden chair. The person on the chair had long hair cascading down, shoulders slouched, and an air of desolation about him. Su Si clumsily brewed medicine on a small stove while Lord Bai dozed off on the side, transformed into a lump of soft white fur.

“Su Si, you haven’t fully recovered. Go rest for a bit.” Yin Ci put down the basket of vegetables and meat and said lightly, “I’ll give you your medicine later.”

Shi Jingzhi sat weakly in the chair, as if he didn’t even have the strength to turn his head. Even though it was late spring, he was still covered with animal skins. His dark long hair covered his face, hiding his expression.

“A’Ci,” he whispered. “Before I die, I want to eat… tofu and fresh fish soup, with extra roselle… served with white rice.”

Yin Ci walked over expressionlessly and lightly tapped his head. “So talkative even when you’re about to die? Are you pretending for fun?”

“It’s fun,” Sect Master Shi immediately replied.

As Shi Jingzhi raised his head, his eyes were filled with joy. He moved too abruptly, causing some face powder to fall off, revealing the healthy skin underneath.

“…But it will be boring once we descend the mountain. Once we do, I’ll have to pretend to be sick and stay seated in my wooden chair. By then, I’ll only have bland porridge to eat. How will I live?”

Shi Jingzhi pretended to cover his face and wipe non-existent tears.

“I want to eat white rice with tofu and fresh fish soup, plus clear stewed pork knuckle. The meat pie is delicious, and the beggar’s chicken from the other day was good too. Zizhu–”

Yin Ci was both amused and annoyed, it seemed this man intended to overeat before leaving. Thankfully, they had four grown men to finish the food.

“I’ve already bought the ingredients; I knew you’d want them,” he said helplessly. “If you want fresh fish, catch it yourself.”

“Great! Speaking of beggar’s chicken, I’ve watched it being made. I’ll cook it for you today.”

Shi Jingzhi instantly perked up. He quickly stood up from the wooden wheelchair, walking briskly. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to kiss Yin Ci’s cheek. Watching his retreating figure, Yin Ci felt a mix of happiness and concern.

…The cause of the illness was clear, but Shi Jingzhi’s “sickness” was still incurable.

Regarding this matter, the Kushan Sect discussed it overnight—

Half a month ago, late at night. The four from the Kushan Sect sat in the Shafu wasteland, all with serious expressions.

“Wait, let me get this straight.”

Su Si rubbed his head.

“The Immortal Assembly has been gathering vital qi from living beings for hundreds of years by setting up flesh idols everywhere. They infuse this qi into a living person, forcibly creating gifted ‘Children of Desire’? You vomit blood every day because you can’t handle this much vital qi and are about to burst?”

“Exactly.”

Shi Jingzhi omitted the part about Yin Ci being the “raw material” and his own identity as a “prince”.

Su Si exclaimed, “Are they crazy? Holding so much vital qi, they could do anything better than just raising you. Even using it to light fires or make medicines would be more worthwhile!”

Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi: “…” This kid still has no respect.

Yan Qing noticed his friend’s inappropriate comment and quickly changed the subject. “I also find it strange. With the outside world in chaos, if something happens to Sect Master Shi, won’t all their efforts be in vain?”

“I’ve thought about it and have no solution.” Shi Jingzhi pondered, stroking his chin. “And Su Si has a point. If the Immortal Assembly possesses such a technique, they could do much more than just raising someone like me.”

‘But all they did was create these inexplicable “Children of Desire”,’ Yin Ci thought. Even with his own immortality example, the Immortal Assembly wasn’t seeking immortality.

What exactly was the Hundred-Year Project of the past century? Why did the Children of Desire exist? It didn’t make sense to say that Shi Jingzhi’s taking away vital qi caused “Heaven’s Displeasure”, when people recover faster from minor injuries.

Determining the progression of illnesses and injuries to decide if it was “Heaven’s Displeasure” was intricate. Whether the Immortal Assembly could do it was questionable, especially when Shi Jingzhi couldn’t control the vital qi. Could he possibly regurgitate what he had taken in?

It wasn’t that simple.

To cure Shi Jingzhi, they had to stop the flow of vital qi. But the method to guide the qi was in Shi Jingzhi’s blood. They couldn’t possibly bleed him out. If they let him convert vital qi into real qi using pure inner force daily, they could only delay his death slightly.

Thinking of the numerous flesh idols, Yin Ci suddenly had a vague idea.

Considering their relationship, they shouldn’t rush. They should prioritize capturing Qu Duanyun and gather more intel on the “Hundred-Year Project”.

……

While Yin Ci was reminiscing, he almost ran into two fat fish.

Holding the cleaned fish, Sect Master Shi waved them in front of Yin Ci with a smile that showed no trace of madness or fear.

“Here. The fattest fish.” Shi Jingzhi chuckled. “Su Si wanted me to use the butcher knife to scrape off the scales… When will you tell him about your identity as ‘Su Zhi’? I watched that kid waving the knife around recklessly, and it hurt me.”

“I’ll tell him eventually. And when I do, I’ll beat him up for you. Don’t worry.”

Lord Bai turned its head and stared deeply at Yin Ci. However, it was quickly swayed by the leafy greens Yin Ci fed it, and its reproachful gaze gradually softened.

However, Shi Jingzhi inherited its spirit and squinted at Yin Ci for a moment. He cleared his throat with a meaningful tone. “I’m very reassured. Zizhu has big plans. How can you bear to hide it from a master who hasn’t yet been formally accepted?”

Yin Ci: “…”

“Minor schemes don’t matter. After all, I haven’t been formally accepted as your master.”

There was no need to emphasize it twice. Yin Ci sighed and handed over a meat pie. “Alright, alright. I will consider it and discuss it with you in detail later.”

Only then did Shi Jingzhi contentedly bite into the pie and return to his four-wheeled wooden chair. Yin Ci touched the charm on his chest, unable to express his complex emotions.

No matter how Shi Jingzhi pretended to be fine, he could still hear the man coughing up blood in the middle of the night. There wasn’t much time left for him to consider.

He only hoped that the plans for the martial arts conference would proceed smoothly. Whether it was the truth behind the Hundred-Year Project or the efficacy of the Shirou, they must extract it from Qu Duanyun.

Elsewhere in Yidu, inside the imperial palace.

Ever since the Prince of Rong, Xu Jingming, went to Shafu, his temperament changed. He no longer wandered around, barely even stayed in his own mansion, and took any opportunity to visit the imperial palace.

He and the current emperor were maternal brothers and were closer than the other princes. Xu Jingming, being idle and unlearned, didn’t concern the emperor, so he was allowed to stay in the palace.

The emperor enjoyed tea after meals. On this day, with light official duties, Xu Jingxing invited this younger brother to share stories from his trip to Shafu. Although Xu Jingming was now cautious, he would never disrespect his elder brother.

High Royal Highness, the Prince of Rong deliberately, chose new clothes, tried his best to look spirited, and then set foot on the long corridor to the tea pavilion. The spring breeze made Xu Jingming particularly uneasy.

If Qu Duanyun was indeed from the “Immortal Assembly”, was he destined not to obtain the “Shirou”?

Ever since returning from Shafu, Xu Jingming had kept his mouth shut. He had no evidence, so he didn’t voice out his suspicion that “Qu Duanyun was plotting against him”. When asked by others, he simply said that the Kushan Sect caused a disturbance in Chigou and wanted to use the martial arts conference to snatch the Shirou.

And he just happened to be caught in the chaos.

Since he usually behaved unpredictably, not many questioned him. Xu Jingming even almost believed his own story. However, he remained clear-headed and didn’t approach the “Shirou” again.

No matter how bold Xu Jingming was, he couldn’t face death. If he tried to get the “Shirou” again, his life might be in danger.

Since both the “Immortal Assembly” and that villain Shi Jingzhi want the “Shirou”, let them fight each other. Even if he couldn’t be the oriole*, he wouldn’t become the fish in the pond that gets hurt.

*This is referencing the idiom “The praying mantis catches the cicada while the oriole follows”. It refers to while coveting the gains ahead, one should be aware of the dangers behind.

His elder brother didn’t believe in supernatural matters, so the “Shirou” might not catch his eye. Even if his Emperor Brother had been recently unwell, he had the imperial doctors taking care of him.

Maybe he should collect some rare medicinal materials and give them to his Emperor Brother as soon as possible. What was so special about the “Shirou”? If he could find a rare item like the “Ice Peak Snake Lotus”, his Emperor Brother might be even happier.

He wasn’t going to mediate the conflict between the Emperor and the Imperial Preceptor. The previous Imperial Preceptor treated him well, but the current one, Jiang Youyue, wasn’t a good person.

The more Xu Jingming thought, the lighter his mood became.

“Your Highness.”

A gentle voice rang out, and Xu Jingming felt a chill. Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao appears*. The Prince of Rong slowly turned his head to see a smiling Jiang Youyue not far away.

*Idiom referring to when you’re talking or thinking about someone, they appear (AKA Speak of the devil, and he appears).

Every time Xu Jingming looked at Jiang Youyue, he felt displeased. He vaguely responded, taking it as a greeting.

Jiang Youyue seemed unbothered by Xu Jingming’s attitude. He continued forward gracefully. They should have just passed by each other, but for some reason, Xu Jingming looked back.

Jiang Youyue was also looking at him.

It was a very brief glance. If Xu Jingming were still the old Prince of Rong, he might not have thought much of it. But this time, he saw it clearly.

He saw contempt.

When it came to “contempt”, perhaps no one knew it better than Xu Jingming. However, when Xu Jingming looked down on his servants, he still recognized them as “people”.

The way Jiang Youyue looked at him was as if he was looking at an insignificant ant.

Birds chirped on the corridor’s side, surrounded by green trees. The spring breeze was warm, but Xu Jingming felt ice-cold.

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The author has something to say:

Old man, wheelchair, fox.jpg

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