Chapter 122: An Expert Is Here |
Chu Xun left the temple at midnight and returned before the hour of the ox.
Killing a few underworld deities did not take too long.
Qin Shuang had also asked Wei Youyou for radish leaves, but the little girl felt she had wanted to drive them away earlier, so she only gave her a small piece of carrot.
Even so, Qin Shuang still ate it with great enjoyment.
It felt completely different from the carrots she usually ate, sweet, fragrant, and crisp, more like eating a pastry.
Seeing Chu Xun return, He Jinghong immediately stood up.
“Senior.”
Chu Xun pressed a hand downward.
“There’s no need to be so formal.”
Such a peerless expert must have his reasons for whatever he did.
If she asked too much and displeased him, that would be bad.
Moreover, because of her father’s passing, her heart was filled with grief. She had also been invaded by yin qi, and her thoughts were chaotic. For a time, she fell silent.
They rested like this through the night.
At daybreak, He Jinghong vaguely heard movement. She subconsciously gripped the hilt of the sword in her hand and opened her eyes.
Chu Xun had already packed everything away, and Wei Youyou was carrying things into the carriage.
Seeing that she had woken, Chu Xun said, “You still haven’t told me where that place where the flood dragon died is.”
He Jinghong quickly explained everything she knew. After Chu Xun remembered it, he said, “Earlier, I exchanged the longsword for that piece of bone. Now, this information should also be repaid.”
He Jinghong was just about to say there was no need when she saw Chu Xun grab two pieces of wood from afar.
The originally plain, dark-brown rotten wood turned fiery red after his palm brushed across it.
Chu Xun tossed the wood over. He Jinghong and Qin Shuang caught them in their hands and immediately felt warmth.
Their entire bodies warmed along with it, and they felt much more comfortable at once.
“There is still yin qi lingering in your body. Carry this with you, and after some days, you’ll be fine,” Chu Xun said.
He Jinghong hesitated, then asked, “Senior, won’t you travel with us?”
“You need to return home for filial mourning. I imagine you will travel much faster than me. Traveling together would delay you,” Chu Xun said.
How could He Jinghong fail to hear his polite refusal? She sighed inwardly.
Seeing that Chu Xun and Wei Youyou had already finished packing everything and climbed into the carriage, the horses turned the carriage around on their own without needing guidance and headed toward the capital.
He Jinghong gripped the piece of wood tightly. After hesitating for a moment, she finally could not hold back and ran over.
“Senior, please don’t take offense. He Jinghong is only the name I use while wandering the martial world. My real name is Xiao Shuying.”
Qin Shuang was shocked when she heard this. How could she reveal her real name?
“Sparse shadows slant across clear, shallow water; faint fragrance drifts beneath the moon at dusk. That’s a good name.”
Chu Xun gave a brief comment, and the carriage slowly departed.
Wei Youyou leaned against the carriage compartment and waved at the two of them.
“We’re leaving, yo!”
He Jinghong… no, Xiao Shuying watched the carriage leave.
She sighed softly in her heart. With a person like him, once they parted here, they might not have the chance to meet again in the future.
“Sparse shadows slant across clear, shallow water; faint fragrance drifts beneath the moon at dusk. I didn’t expect this senior to have some literary talent,” Qin Shuang said. “But how could you tell him your real name?”
“Senior acts without being bound by convention. Why should I keep hiding things? It’s just that he doesn’t seem to have thought too much about it.
Or perhaps he did think of it but simply didn’t care. For someone like him, how many people under heaven can even enter his eyes?”
Qin Shuang was just about to say something when Xiao Shuying shook the piece of wood in her hand.
“Put it away properly. We need to hurry as well.”
Qin Shuang nodded. Holding this wood truly made her whole body feel comfortable. She had no idea what method that senior had used. It was truly wondrous.
Xiao Shuying looked toward the direction the carriage had gone. It was gradually moving farther away.
“Sparse shadows slant across clear, shallow water; faint fragrance drifts beneath the moon at dusk. So the words ‘shuying’ can be described like this?”
The corner of her lips lifted slightly. After learning of her father’s death, this was the only thing that gave her even a small trace of pleasure.
On the carriage, Wei Youyou sat on the shaft, her legs hanging outside and swinging back and forth.
The road was still rugged, and the carriage remained steady.
Thinking of when he had gone to the nearby City God Temple, the local City God had explained that there were too many resentful souls here.
They had already done their best to clean them up, but they still could not clear them all.
Some that slipped through the net could only be left alone for the time being.
Those words made no sense at all. If you cannot clear them up, you can ask other City Gods for help.
Even if crossing boundaries weakened their strength, dealing with some resentful souls and vengeful ghosts should still be more than enough.
But based on Chu Xun’s observations over the years, City Gods rarely seemed to contact one another.
They had a tendency to sweep only the snow before their own gates and ignore the frost on others’ roofs.
From this, it seemed those old undying things had not only stolen mortal merit, their thinking was also rigid.
Letting such immortals and gods handle matters of the mortal world was fine if the world was peaceful. But if a chaotic age truly came, who knew what might happen?
When the founding emperor ended the chaos, Chu Xun had only been a child of several years old.
Moreover, Pinecone Village was a poor and remote place and had not suffered any major disorder, so he naturally did not know whether ghosts had caused chaos in the outside world at that time.
But judging from the current situation, there clearly had been ghosts, and no small number of them.
Thinking about it, that made sense. If there were no ghosts causing trouble, where would sayings of demons, devils, ghosts, and monsters come from?
Several days later, the carriage passed through Tonghu City.
Outside the city was a vast depression. It was said that this place had originally been a great lake, and most of the people in the city had drawn their water from it.
However, the emperor of the previous dynasty had ruled tyrannically, causing heaven’s anger and the people’s resentment.
One day, the emperor passed through this place and wanted water to drink.
The Lake Lord who governed the local water source advised the emperor to place the people’s livelihood first and stop making the common people live in misery.
The emperor refused to listen. In a rage, the Lake Lord drained the entire great lake dry.
That was why this enormous depression remained.
Whether this had truly happened, the local people had differing opinions.
Some said they had heard the older generation swear it was true, that they had seen it with their own eyes.
But the older generation was already dead, and there was no way to prove it.
Others said it was merely hearsay and not worth believing.
Chu Xun stood at the edge of the depression. Wei Youyou had already jumped down from the carriage and run off to play.
There was not much to play with, but the unique terrain and the cracked clumps of mud underground all brought her joy.
She jumped back and forth across mud blocks of different sizes and shapes.
Some local children were playing the same game.
No one knew who first became competitive, but several boys gathered their strength and began jumping farther than one another.
Seeing this, Wei Youyou bent her legs and jumped more than ten meters away.
The boys stared dumbfounded.
Only after a long while did she tire herself out from playing and return to drink water.
“Master, do you think the Lake Lord really drained the water?” Wei Youyou asked curiously.
Chu Xun neither confirmed nor denied it.
“It’s also possible someone disliked the Lake Lord and beat him to death.”
“Yo!” Wei Youyou widened her eyes and immediately asked, “Who beat him to death?”
“I only said it was possible.”
“Then who disliked the Lake Lord?”
“Me.”
“Yo!”
As they chatted, the carriage passed through Tonghu City.
This place had experienced war, and its water source was difficult to obtain. The common people lived very bitterly.
The authorities had tried to think of ways, drilling more wells.
But even after digging more than a hundred meters underground, they might not find water.
Unless something unexpected had happened, the groundwater in the entire region had likely dried up.
Someone proposed digging a canal from a water-rich area to divert water here.
On one hand, it would save the people. On the other hand, it could also revive the local economy.
But digging a canal was a major project, and Jing Kingdom had been fighting wars these past two years, so the matter was set aside.
As they passed through the city, Chu Xun saw that many households had yellowed, gaunt faces and dry, withered skin. They were clearly suffering from severe lack of water.
If this continued, it was estimated that within a few years, everyone in Tonghu City would have to move away.
Although it had nothing to do with him and he did not know them, Chu Xun still cast a small spell and made some rain fall.
When the people saw rain, they hurriedly brought bowls and basins to catch water.
Some even raised their heads and opened their mouths wide, wanting to catch more.
Just a little rain made them cheer with joy.
Wei Youyou watched curiously and asked, “Master, are they going to die?”
According to Pinecone Village custom, when rain fell during someone’s death, it meant Heaven had come to see them off and they would reincarnate into a good life.
Chu Xun shook his head. Trees die when moved, but people live when moved.
Even if he did not make rain fall, they would not die of thirst so easily.
Wei Youyou suddenly seemed to think of something, her eyes shining brightly.
“Yo! This is acting chivalrously and upholding justice, right?”
Chu Xun smiled.
“It barely counts.”
“So they owe Master a favor. When Master is about to die, they also have to bring Master into their homes!” Wei Youyou shouted.
The smile on Chu Xun’s face stiffened slightly. He said helplessly, “Master won’t die that easily.”
“Yo?” Wei Youyou’s face was full of confusion.
Chu Xun did not want to let her continue asking, so he casually picked up a carrot and handed it over.
“Eat something.”
Wei Youyou took the carrot but did not put it in her mouth. Sitting on the carriage shaft and swinging her legs, she shouted happily, “You all owe Master a favor, yo!”
Her voice was crisp and penetrating. It could be heard within several hundred meters.
The people catching rainwater looked up, quite surprised by the huge carriage.
As for the little girl shouting that they owed her master a favor, naturally no one took it seriously.
Chu Xun did not know whether to laugh or cry. With this girl around, he truly did not feel bored.
It was just a little socially embarrassing.
Fortunately, having lived nearly a hundred years, he had experienced countless matters great and small, so he did not care too much.
Like this, the carriage passed through Tonghu City.
More than ten days later, they arrived at Xiangnan Prefecture.
This place was famous for woodblock New Year paintings, embroidery, and flower-drum opera.
Every year, there would be a theater festival where people from all over gathered, making it very lively.
Unfortunately, Chu Xun had come at the wrong time and did not catch that liveliness.
However, the city’s famous chopped chili fish head and smoked cured meat tasted excellent.
The fish was tender and the spiciness rich. Just looking at it whetted the appetite.
Dipped in its sauce and placed in the mouth, it went perfectly with rice.
Only Wei Youyou could not eat it. After tasting one bite, she jumped around inside the restaurant for more than an hour.
This made the diners burst into laughter.
The only thing Chu Xun found regretful was that this restaurant had no good wine.
Whether it was Bai Family Old Cellar’s aged wine or Fenggu City’s Evening Moon Listening, both were far better than the wine here.
Thinking about it, this was not strange. This place lacked resources, so it was not surprising that there was no especially good wine.
After eating, Chu Xun specifically took Wei Youyou to buy clothes.
Xiangnan Prefecture’s embroidery was famous throughout the country, especially an old shop with a black wooden plaque reading Yunxi Embroidery House.
The painstaking effort of several generations had gone into embroidery there, with more than seventy stitching methods and over a hundred kinds of colored thread.
Some finished pieces were displayed inside the shop, each with its own features, extremely beautiful.
Wei Youyou leaned against the counter, pointing at a bellyband embroidered with a small spiritual deer, her eyes shining.
The lingering heat from the spiciness had not yet faded. She lightly poked the silk surface with her fingertip, then quickly pulled it back, afraid of damaging such a precious thing.
Chu Xun’s gaze fell on a bolt of plain soft satin embroidered with bamboo shadows in silver-gray thread. The stitches were clean and not ostentatious.
He ordered two sets. One was embroidered with branching lotuses in hibiscus-colored threads, along with the little spiritual deer image Wei Youyou liked very much.
The other had half a cluster of green bamboo embroidered on it, and the size was measured according to Wei Youyou’s adult female form.
Because there were too many customers in the shop, and because such things required slow, careful workmanship, Chu Xun paid a deposit and led Wei Youyou away.
After spending the whole day in Xiangnan Prefecture, the two only left by carriage when night fell.
After leaving Xiangnan Prefecture, the road gradually improved.
The closer they drew to the capital, the better the road became.
After another ten-plus days, a mighty pass could be faintly seen ahead.
It was called a pass, but it could also be called a city.
Only most of the people living here were military households, with very few civilians.
After all, it was the final barrier defending the capital. When war broke out, battles here were especially brutal.
Although such things might not necessarily fall upon oneself, in the long term, it was not a suitable place for ordinary people to live.
Therefore, aside from military households, the most common establishments inside the city were branch offices set up by major merchant guilds and traveling merchant caravans.
So many soldiers always needed food, clothing, recreation, and entertainment.
With nowhere else to go, their money could only be spent here, so business was quite good.
As they approached, Hulao Pass became clearly visible.
It was built entirely from blue-gray stone blocks, over ten zhang high. Banners snapped sharply atop the walls, and armor gleamed in the sun. Even from half a li away, one could smell a killing aura.
The three large characters Hulao Pass were carved above the city gate, the brushstrokes like cuts from blades and axes.
Armored soldiers stood before the pass. Most of those passing through were escorts with long sabers at their waists, as well as merchant teams escorting grain carts and cloth carts.
The sounds of hooves, shouted orders, and wheels grinding over the ground mixed together. There was none of Xiangnan Prefecture’s soft smoke and fire of daily life here, only hard, biting sternness.
Looking up, one could see a deep aura shrouding the entire Hulao Pass.
Ordinary people could not see it, but Chu Xun saw it clearly.
It was blood fiend energy, like long snakes dancing, extremely frightening.
Wei Youyou rarely saw such a stern atmosphere and subconsciously leaned closer to Chu Xun’s side, her small hand tightly gripping his sleeve.
Chu Xun patted the back of her hand to reassure her.
The soldiers guarding the city gate wore neat armor, their eyes sharp as hawks. They inspected everyone’s travel permits carefully, without the slightest negligence.
Occasionally, someone who tried to smuggle private goods and sneak through would be dragged aside for interrogation after a sharp shout.
When it was Chu Xun’s turn, he took out the token Zhang Jingheng had given him years ago from his robes.
The military officer who came to question him saw the token, and respect immediately appeared in his eyes. He took a step back and cupped his hands.
“So it is the carriage of Chancellor Zhang’s household. Forgive my disrespect.”
Then he waved his hand.
“Let them pass!”
Back when Zhang Jingheng was still a Vice Director in the Ministry of Revenue, he had cooperated with Tang Shijun to fight for military pay for Jing Kingdom’s army.
Later, he had personally held Hulao Pass and resisted the refugee army.
Through the implementation of national policies, the people had been able to live peacefully.
He and Liao Shouyi had been the two most prestigious people in Jing Kingdom over the past few decades.
Sometimes, even several emperors could not compare to them.
Fortunately, Jing Kingdom had not yet rotted completely, and its emperors had not been stupid enough to play out some foolish drama of fearing ministers whose merits overshadowed the ruler.
Otherwise, today’s Jing Kingdom likely would have changed dynasties.
After passing through the gate, the streets inside were straight and broad. Most of the houses on both sides were simple blue-brick buildings with tiled roofs, with few elaborate decorations.
Looking across them, they were as orderly as soldiers in formation.
Children from military households chased and played with wooden sabers and spears.
Most of the women moved quickly and spoke decisively, carrying a straightforward air developed in a military environment.
Restaurants, inns, cloth shops, and blacksmith shops lined the streets, their banners clear.
Strong wine, rough cloth, ironware, dry rations, and horses were all businesses aimed at military households.
Wei Youyou did not feel much about these things. She preferred things that looked pretty and were fun to play with.
The huge carriage and the old-and-young pair drew some people’s attention.
Chu Xun ignored those gazes. Whether kind or malicious, none of them mattered.
In today’s Jing Kingdom, the only ones who could truly harm him were underworld deities such as the prefectural City Gods and the capital City God.
After leaving Hulao Pass, the capital was another two hundred li ahead.
At this time, Emperor Changning’s funeral had not completely ended.
According to Jing Kingdom law, when an emperor died, national mourning lasted three months.
The court and common folk wore plain mourning clothes. Drums and music, marriages, and banquets were forbidden.
Even common taverns had to hang half a white funeral banner and were not allowed to be noisy.
Before the imperial mausoleum, two figures slowly approached.
The guards protecting the mausoleum immediately stepped forward to block them.
“Who dares trespass here?”
However, after the leading military officer saw their faces clearly, he quickly shouted, “Do not be rude. Stand down!”
The military officer, wearing white armor and holding a pair of short hammers, stepped forward. His twin hammers struck each other, producing a muffled sound.
“This subject Han Jingde greets Princess Yunshu!”
Xiao Shuying held her longsword and slowly walked forward.
Looking at the imperial mausoleum ahead, her beautiful eyes were filled with grief.
She had not lied to Chu Xun. Her father had indeed suddenly fallen seriously ill.
She had merely not said that her father was the emperor of Jing Kingdom.
Xiao was the imperial surname.
Arriving before the imperial mausoleum, tears were already falling from Xiao Shuying’s eyes.
From childhood to adulthood, among the many princes and princesses, she had always been the least restrained.
If she wanted to learn martial arts, she learned martial arts. If she wanted to roam the martial world, she roamed the martial world.
Emperor Changning had once said, “The sons and daughters of the imperial family may seem high above others, but in truth, they are trapped inside this vast palace, unable to cross beyond it.
If one of us can go out, that is not a bad thing. It can be counted as seeing Jing Kingdom’s great mountains and rivers, and its common people, on our behalf.”
He had been a good emperor and also a good father.
Even before his death, he had still thought of clearing away obstacles for the crown prince so he could become an emperor of peace.
When Xiao Shuying heard that flood dragon bone could extend her father’s life, she risked life and death to search for it.
After countless hardships, she found a small piece, but before she could bring it back, she heard the terrible news that the emperor had passed away.
Now, standing before the imperial mausoleum that looked grand but had in truth not yet been fully completed, Xiao Shuying slowly knelt.
The maid Qin Shuang quickly knelt and kowtowed as well.
“Father, your daughter returned too late.”
The next day, inside the imperial palace…
Emperor Yongxiang, who had already ascended the throne some days ago, looked at his imperial younger sister, who had returned to female attire and now wore mourning clothes.
Her beautiful eyes were somewhat swollen, clearly from crying for quite some time.
Although it was only mourning clothes, as the saying went, if one wanted to look beautiful, wear a full suit of mourning white.
Xiao Shuying had always been breathtakingly beautiful. Now, having returned to female attire, she was even more like a celestial maiden, pure and extraordinary.
“Yunshu…”
Emperor Yongxiang had just opened his mouth when Xiao Shuying interrupted him and asked, “This younger sister heard that before Father ascended to heaven, he instructed that the war in Mobei must be won?”
Emperor Yongxiang nodded.
“That is indeed the case.”
His eyes showed some hesitation. The late emperor’s command had to be obeyed.
But in recent days at court, all officials had opposed it.
Perhaps because Emperor Changning had already passed away, they were even more firm in believing that taking Mobei had no benefit.
Instead, losing the horse tribes as a buffer would cause Jing Kingdom and Yue Kingdom to come into direct conflict in the future.
At that time, the ones who suffered would still be the common people.
Thus, they believed the army should withdraw from Mobei and preserve this natural barrier.
Moreover, the horse tribes had already been beaten to their last breath, with only some old, weak, sick, and disabled remaining.
Could they truly exterminate their entire race?
If they did that, perhaps even immortals and gods would condemn Jing Kingdom as inhumane.
Emperor Yongxiang had never been especially in favor of war. Now that the ministers opposed it, he subconsciously began considering whether to take the opportunity to withdraw the troops.
“The war in Mobei must be fought. And not only Mobei. Yue Kingdom must be taken as well!”
A voice as sharp as a sword entered his ears. Emperor Yongxiang was slightly stunned and looked up.
He saw his imperial younger sister, who had spent years roaming the martial world, wearing a solemn expression.
“This war concerns the next hundred years of Jing Kingdom. After paying such a huge price, we absolutely cannot withdraw!”
Emperor Yongxiang frowned.
“You do not understand such major military affairs.”
“I do not understand military affairs, but I understand the general trend! Father made a good beginning. If we press forward in one breath and take Mobei and Yue Kingdom, then in another twenty years, Wu Kingdom will also be ours!
If we do not do this, we will fail Father’s painstaking efforts and also miss our opportunity.
Once we withdraw, all surrounding nations will guard against us. If we want to attack so easily again, it will no longer be simple.”
Emperor Yongxiang’s frown deepened. He did not like hearing this.
Was war something one could simply talk about?
So much grain and supplies, so many dead and wounded soldiers.
After one war, how long would it take to recover vitality?
When the founding emperor established the nation, it was for the people beneath heaven, not to become a hegemon conquering other nations.
Otherwise, after founding the kingdom, aside from repelling the horse tribes, why had he never launched any foreign wars?
He waved a hand.
“You have returned from a long journey. You must be tired. Go rest first.”
How could Xiao Shuying fail to see that he did not want to discuss this? Or rather, that he did not agree with her view?
She still wanted to say more, but Emperor Yongxiang had already left first.
When she tried to follow, she was stopped by the emperor’s personal eunuch.
“Your Highness, please obey the decree and rest,” the eunuch said.
Xiao Shuying froze slightly. Only then did she remember that her imperial elder brother was no longer a prince.
He was now the emperor of Jing Kingdom, whose words carried the weight of nine tripods and whose every sentence was an imperial decree.
Telling her to rest was no longer care between siblings, but the emperor’s order.
Perhaps she would never again be able to call him “big brother.”
The imperial family had always been the most heartless. It had always been this way.
Qin Shuang, who had also returned to female attire and changed into a maid’s clothes, tugged at her and said softly, “Princess, this is a major military matter. You should stop speaking about it.”
Jing Kingdom’s laws followed those of the previous dynasty. The inner palace was not allowed to interfere in politics.
The same applied to princesses. They were not allowed to privately associate with court officials, interfere in court affairs or discussions, and even less could they involve themselves in succession struggles or political decision-making like princes.
What Xiao Shuying had just said had already crossed the line.
She bit her teeth lightly. Father had known his health was poor, yet still insisted on campaigning against Mobei.
This was for Jing Kingdom’s future. Did her imperial elder brother not understand?
She turned and said, “Let’s go!”
“Where?” Qin Shuang asked.
“To find Chancellor Zhang!”
Before long, Xiao Shuying arrived at the Chancellor’s residence.
The confusion in her heart was answered.
“His Majesty does not fail to understand. He simply has matters he believes are important.”
Zhang Jingheng leaned on his cane and sat in a chair. His old eyes were cloudy, and he could no longer see clearly.
Xiao Shuying said in disappointment, “Could Chancellor Zhang also intend to withdraw the troops?”
“This old minister promised the late emperor that this war would definitely be finished. Furthermore, the late emperor granted this old minister authority to make all decisions himself. Presumably, His Majesty will give this old minister some face,” Zhang Jingheng said.
“What about Yue Kingdom?” Xiao Shuying asked again.
Zhang Jingheng said nothing. In truth, he understood in his heart that this war could at most reach Mobei before it had to end.
Each new emperor had his own ministers. He had lived from the founding emperor’s era until now and served five generations of rulers.
In the entire court, there was no one with more seniority than him.
But if the emperor did not support him, what use was seniority?
This world, in the end, still obeyed the emperor’s words.
Xiao Shuying understood his meaning, and her heart filled with disappointment.
Zhang Jingheng said, “Let’s not speak of this. This old minister remembers that Your Highness took some Martial Alliance Leader as your master. Have you made progress recently?”
Qin Shuang said proudly, “Of course. Her Highness already has the strength of a second-rank martial artist. With just two more steps, she will be unrivaled beneath heaven!”
“No, not two more steps. She is already unrivaled beneath heaven right now!”
Zhang Jingheng gave an “oh” and asked, “Why?”
“Because Her Highness met a peerless expert, who gifted her an unmatched treasure sword, far more powerful than our master’s Heaven-Reliant Sword!
With that sword in hand, Her Highness is naturally unrivaled beneath heaven.”
Zhang Jingheng chuckled when he heard this.
“So that is how it is.”
Qin Shuang was not stupid. Although her personality was fiery and straightforward, how could someone who served as a princess’s personal maid and accompanied her through the martial world not be clever?
From Zhang Jingheng’s tone, she could hear that the old Chancellor did not take the so-called unparalleled treasure sword seriously.
Or rather, he did not think it truly counted as some powerful sword.
Even Xiao Shuying heard it and asked, “Does Chancellor Zhang think Shuang’er is lying? That sword truly is powerful. Perhaps it can compare to the Dragon-Slaying Saber that has been so famous these past two years.”
After a pause, she corrected herself.
“It is definitely even more powerful than the Dragon-Slaying Saber.”
Zhang Jingheng smiled and said, “This old minister does not disbelieve you. It’s just that I also know a very powerful person. The weapons he forges are what can truly be called divine weapons.”
“Is Chancellor Zhang referring to that hidden expert who sent divine weapons through crows?” Xiao Shuying asked.
Everyone under heaven knew that back then, Zhang Li, the Seal-holding Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, had sent assassins to kill Zhang Jingheng, who was still Minister of Revenue, as well as the Seventh Prince before he became emperor.
The situation had been extremely dangerous, and Zhang Li had nearly succeeded.
But then a flock of crows dropped divine weapons from the sky. Minister Zhang held a divine weapon and led his people straight into the imperial palace.
Zhang Li had been forced to flee toward the southwest with the Fourteenth Prince. But somehow, the Fourteenth Prince was later delivered to the prefectural office by a martial-world figure.
Zhang Li and the martial experts guarding him all died.
No one knew what had happened in between.
Some guessed that the martial-world figure who delivered the Fourteenth Prince to the prefectural office was likely the expert who forged the divine weapons.
But at the time, he had covered his face and left quickly, so no one knew his true background.
Those divine weapons were exactly the same as the ones from Liaoyuan City back then and were regarded as legends.
Xiao Shuying knew of this matter, but she had never personally seen those divine weapons.
She had only heard that those divine weapons could not be used for too long, and would shatter after too much use.
Zhang Jingheng did not deny it.
“The weapons forged by that person are the best beneath heaven. The weapon Your Highness happened to receive during your journey may also be good, but it may not necessarily be better than his.”
Xiao Shuying’s beautiful brows rose.
She deeply respected the expert senior she had met by chance in the ruined temple, even more than her own master to some extent.
After all, the Martial Alliance Leader only had no rival in the martial world. That senior, however, could kill ghosts and evil spirits with a single sword.
Which was stronger and which weaker was obvious at a glance.
So Zhang Jingheng’s words immediately made Xiao Shuying somewhat unconvinced.
“Can the person Chancellor Zhang mentioned kill ghosts and evil spirits?” Xiao Shuying asked.
Zhang Jingheng shook his head.
“No.”
That person far away in Pinecone Village, nominally counted as his nephew, only liked blacksmithing. Zhang Jingheng had never truly seen him make a move.
Presumably, he did have some ability, but ghosts and evil spirits were things ordinary people could not deal with.
No matter how much Zhang Jingheng respected him, he did not dare say such a thing.
Xiao Shuying raised her head slightly.
“The senior I encountered can. With one sword strike, evil spirits were completely eliminated!”
Zhang Jingheng was surprised.
“There is such an expert? Could he be an immortal wandering the mortal world?”
“I asked, and he did not admit it. Even if he isn’t, he should not be far off,” Xiao Shuying said.
Zhang Jingheng nodded.
“If that is true, he is indeed extraordinary. Unfortunately, this old minister’s eyes are dim and I cannot see clearly, nor can I walk far. I have no fate to meet him.
But if it is convenient, Your Highness may bring that treasure sword when you have time. This old minister truly wishes to see what kind of sword it is, and whether it truly surpasses divine weapons.”
“I will return to the palace to pay respects to my mother consort, the other elders, and Imperial Brother. Once I have time in a few days, I will bring the sword for Chancellor Zhang to view,” Xiao Shuying said.
Zhang Jingheng smiled.
“Good, good, good. Then I will trouble Your Highness.”
They chatted a while longer before Xiao Shuying finally rose and left.
Zhang Jingheng’s cloudy eyes looked in the direction the princess had departed.
He sighed inwardly.
“What a pity.”
Several days later, outside the capital, Chu Xun’s carriage finally arrived.
Looking up at the tall walls of the capital, its grandeur far surpassed other cities.
Chu Xun smiled and patted Wei Youyou, who was curled up with her legs on the carriage shaft, fast asleep.
“We’ve reached the capital.”
Wei Youyou rubbed her eyes and got up, still a little dazed.
“Yo… the capital… where?”
Chu Xun laughed.
Inside the capital, commoners were not allowed to gallop horses or drive carriages.
Although Chu Xun had connections and background, he did not violate this rule.
He still understood the principle of following local customs.
So he got out of the carriage and walked forward while holding the horses’ reins.
Wei Youyou copied him, jumping down and running to the side to hold the reins on the other side.
Her little grown-up appearance made passersby unable to hold back their smiles.
Compared to the last time he had come, the capital was clearly even more prosperous now.
The shops on both sides had not changed much, only their decorations were more ornate and their signs larger.
Every inch of land here was worth gold. Merchants from across the country had established branch stores here, or simply moved their headquarters directly over.
There were also those who came here seeking a livelihood, dreaming of rising to greatness in one leap.
But the capital was full of talent. Standing out here was not easy.
Chu Xun could not help thinking of a poet’s name. Using it here would not be inappropriate.
“When rice is expensive, living here is not easy.”
Wei Youyou heard this and immediately poked her head out from before the horse’s nose.
“Yo!”
“What does that mean?”
Chu Xun smiled and said, “It means things here are very expensive, and settling here is not easy.”
“Yo! Very expensive!”
“Our family still has some silver. It is only expensive for other people.”
“Yo! Expensive for other people!”
Some passersby heard this conversation and glared at them.
They had seen people showing off before, but never someone showing off so shamelessly.
Chu Xun had no way to explain and could only pretend not to see.
As they walked along the street, it did not take long before Wei Youyou’s attention was drawn by the little trinkets sold by vendors on both sides.
She immediately let go of the reins and ran off to look here and touch there, sniffing this and sniffing that.
Here was a straw basket filled with plain white and pale green silk flowers. The flower buds were delicate and lifelike. She lightly touched one with her fingertip, her eyes shining like stars.
“Yo!”
Beside it, the little cricket cages woven by a bamboo craftsman were exquisite and clever, carrying a faint bamboo fragrance. She leaned close and sniffed.
“Yo!”
A sugar-figure craftsman guarded his table. During national mourning, he only dared boil plain white sugar, carefully drawing little rabbits and tiny bamboo leaves.
She stared as the sugar threads slowly took shape and stood on tiptoe to shout, “Yo!”
A clay craftsman displayed small clay tigers and little civil official figurines, all adorably clumsy.
She crouched on the ground, poked the clay figure’s cheek, and gave another soft, tender “Yo!”
There were also plain small sachets displayed by embroidery shops, peachwood-carved safety charms, stirred malt-sugar candy, dried flower sachets carrying faint fragrance…
As they walked, the sound of “yo” never stopped. Every ordinary little trinket could make her feel amazed for a long while.
Chu Xun led the horse reins and slowly followed behind.
Whenever Wei Youyou liked something, he stepped forward and paid for it.
Silver was not very useful to him now. If it could bring this girl some joy, that was not bad.
She was happy, he was happy, and the vendors were happy.
Why not?
Before long, Wei Youyou was holding a pile of things, smiling until her eyes curved like crescent moons.
They continued all the way to the gate of the Chancellor’s residence. By then, she was almost unable to hold everything.
Seeing such a huge carriage stop, the gatekeeper quickly came forward to ask questions.
Only after Chu Xun showed the token did he learn that the Chancellor’s relative from his hometown had arrived.
He hurriedly had someone lead the horses to the stable, but Chu Xun shook his head.
“I’ll lead them myself.”
It was not that he feared the stablemen here were unprofessional, but that ordinary people could not withstand the things inside the carriage.
Seeing his insistence, the gatekeeper could not say more and sent someone to report to the Chancellor.
After Chu Xun led the carriage to the stable and tied the horses properly, he casually waved his hand, sealing the carriage door shut.
Even if someone brought knives and axes to chop at it, they would not be able to open it.
The steward of the Chancellor’s residence hurried over. Seeing Chu Xun, he immediately cupped his hands and bowed.
“Mr. Chu, how could you personally do such a small thing? Quickly, quickly, the Chancellor is already waiting in the hall.”
Chu Xun nodded and called Wei Youyou to come with him.
The steward glanced at Wei Youyou, who was holding a pile of things, and asked curiously, “Is this your granddaughter?”
“I am Wei Youyou, the daughter of Master’s old acquaintance!” Wei Youyou shouted.
Ever since Chu Xun had introduced her this way, she had remembered it.
The steward was slightly stunned.
The daughter of an old acquaintance?
But she was a relative of the Chancellor, so naturally, he could not ask too many questions.
A moment later, after passing through courtyards, arched gates, stone bridges, and gardens.
They arrived at the hall, and sure enough, Zhang Jingheng had already waited for a long time.
Only compared to the past, Zhang Jingheng was now far too old.
The child in his memory who had once carried a basket and sold roasted snacks was gone.
The one standing before him now was the Chancellor who had devoted his entire life to Jing Kingdom.
The steward said quietly, “The Chancellor’s eyes are somewhat… You should go forward and speak to him yourself.”
Zhang Jingheng smiled and said, “Although my eyes no longer work well, my ears are still fine. Why are you saying such things about me in front of my relative?”
These words were naturally not a reprimand. They sounded more like a joke.
Chu Xun walked forward, looked at his head full of white hair, and sighed.
“How did you become this old?”
These words did not sound at all like something a junior would say to an elder, but Zhang Jingheng did not mind. He opened his mouth and said, “Look, my teeth have all fallen out. Some days ago, I had people make a few false teeth. Otherwise, I couldn’t even bite a steamed bun.”
Chu Xun laughed.
“If you’re making them, you should make a full set. Otherwise, even drinking porridge will leak out.”
“Exactly, exactly.”
Zhang Jingheng laughed along with him.
Their conversation was so ordinary, yet everyone in the Chancellor’s residence stared at each other.
They all quietly asked who this person was, to dare speak to the Chancellor like this.
Even His Majesty had to be courteous and yield several points when meeting the Chancellor.
Hearing from the steward that he was the Chancellor’s relative made them even more confused.
Since he was a relative, he should be even more mindful of etiquette.
But Zhang Jingheng did not care, so what others said was unimportant.
Zhang Jingheng pulled Chu Xun and was about to enter the room when suddenly someone tugged at the corner of his clothes.
A voice sounded beside his ear.
“I’m Wei Youyou, the daughter of Master’s old acquaintance.”
Zhang Jingheng lowered his head in surprise and vaguely saw a small figure, but he could not see her face clearly.
He only felt as though a spring breeze had washed over him, giving his body a little more vitality.
Chu Xun explained, “A friend’s child. She lives with me now.”
Zhang Jingheng was astonished.
“For someone you call a friend, he must have been quite extraordinary.”
Chu Xun thought for a moment and said, “He truly was extraordinary.”
Even with the spiritual energy of the old locust tree supporting him, being able to accompany his wife for more than twenty years as a remnant soul was not something ordinary people could do.
That obsession was astonishingly powerful.
“Speaking of which, Princess Yunshu came to my residence a few days ago and also said she had met an extraordinarily powerful figure,” Zhang Jingheng casually said.
“Oh? How extraordinary?” Chu Xun asked curiously.
“She did not explain the details. She only said he could kill ghosts and evil spirits, and suspected he was an immortal wandering the mortal world,” Zhang Jingheng said.
Chu Xun became even more surprised and curious.
Immortals wandering the mortal world were not common. In nearly a hundred years of life, he had only met one.
He had not expected to hear of another here.
Together with the Huangshi Gong Princess Yunshu had mentioned, that made three.
“Then Princess Yunshu’s luck truly is quite good,” Chu Xun said.
“It is indeed quite good,” Zhang Jingheng agreed.
The two entered the hall. Zhang Jingheng naturally first asked about Pinecone Village, as well as Pingshui Town, Zhangnan County, and other places.
Chu Xun answered everything in detail.
“Did you bring the crows this time?” Zhang Jingheng asked.
Chu Xun shook his head.
“The journey was too far, and they are too eye-catching. Bringing them to the capital would not be convenient.”
The main reason was that the birds and beasts in the courtyard had already developed spirituality for a long time.
Chu Xun was uncertain whether the capital City God would act against those birds and beasts, so naturally, he did not bring them.
Zhang Jingheng sighed.
“What a pity. It has been many years since I last saw those crows. I still remember when I used to go play in your courtyard. They loved eating the roasted peanuts I peeled for them the most.”
He was recalling the past, while Chu Xun used his qi-gazing ability to look at Zhang Jingheng.
His official fortune was smooth and prosperous, thick and heavy as a mountain, having reached the very peak of officialdom.
Only his life flame was extremely weak.
Like a candle in the wind, it would not last much longer.
Wei Youyou leaned over, looked at Zhang Jingheng as he rambled to himself, then looked at Chu Xun and asked softly:
“Master, are we bringing him back to our home?”
[End of Chapter]
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