The most terrifying thing about enemies that lived in the shadows was that they stayed in dark corners. You never knew when they would approach, nor what tricks they would use against you.

Such enemies were like rats, scurrying around at night, chewing up everything in your house, stealing your remaining provisions, and acting like princes of the dark. Yet, once someone came and opened the door, letting the oil lamp’s light illuminate the whole room, the rat would squeal in fright and quickly flee along the wall.

 

…

 

Han Qing might’ve been slightly more formidable than a rat, but he never showed himself. He chose to mix with the Qingfeng Sect. Thinking carefully, it was easy to understand why.

He didn’t simply enjoy hiding in the dark, he had to hide there. When one had ambition but lacked strength, one had to lie low and quietly wait for the right moment. This was the so-called “conceal one’s abilities and bide one’s time.” He liked to manipulate people’s minds, but not everyone could be controlled. The young emperor was tightly protected by Sun Renluan. If Han Qing attempted to brainwash the young emperor, Sun Renluan would decisively deal with him immediately. This royal uncle was no soft touch.

Qu Yunmie was even less susceptible to his tactics. Qu Yunmie hated anything that required thinking, he only liked to speak with his fists.

 

…

 

Since two of the top holders of power couldn’t be beguiled by Han Qing, he had to seek other places more suited to him, and gradually accumulate capital.

When Xiao Rong learned that Han Qing might very well be Han Liangru, he admitted that his soul almost flew out of fear. Once he calmed down, he realized that Han Qing wasn’t so terrifying.

After putting himself in the other’s position, Xiao Rong found that Han Qing was merely a petty troublemaker, stirring things up wherever he went. The Qingfeng Sect was so unusual, so he had to come personally to the Xianbei palace, risking being killed by the Xianbei or discovered by the Northern Army, to continue executing his plan. With no one at his disposal, he could only use himself.

This wasn’t the shrewd Han Liangru who had already come to He Tingzhi’s side. This was the young version of Han Qing, who made plans that repeatedly failed.

When his name spread across the land, when his portrait was posted wherever the Northern Army marched, who knew if he could still maintain his current calm? Everyone would know he was the Great Protector of the Qingfeng Sect. Would anyone dare challenge him afterward?

As for whether Han Qing would become even more reckless upon learning about this, Xiao Rong didn’t worry. He’d already conceived plans like digging up someone’s parents’ graves, there was nothing he couldn’t do himself.

That said, there was still one thing Xiao Rong worried about.

After all, he’s from the future and has been influenced by countless martial arts films. Xiao Rong really couldn’t be sure if disguise techniques existed in this world. So one morning, he pressed the heavy chest armor onto Qu Yunmie, while Qu Yunmie lowered his head to tie the ropes tightly on both sides.

Xiao Rong asked, “Your Majesty, have you ever heard of disguise techniques?”

Qu Yunmie paused in the middle of tying. He didn’t know how to answer. If he said no, would Xiao Rong think he was ignorant?

While he pondered this, Xiao Rong looked at his reaction, nodded knowingly, and said, “I see, you haven’t heard of it.”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

Realizing he no longer needed to hold the armor, Xiao Rong immediately released it and turned to the side, where Dongfang Jin held the shoulder armor.

“General Dongfang, have you heard of it?”

Dongfang Jin blinked. “What is this disguise technique?”

Xiao Rong said, “It is a method, like applying makeup, that can transform one’s face into another. Men become women, women become the elderly, the elderly become children.”

Dongfang Jin was stunned. “There’s such a divine technique?!”

He looked at Xiao Rong in amazement. “Mr. Xiao, can you do it?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He really could.

The premise was that you had to provide a full set of professional-grade cosmetics.

 

…

 

Xiao Rong found it somewhat awkward, so he sheepishly moved aside. After Qu Yunmie put on the armor properly, Xiao Rong escorted him out of the camp.

They had already arrived outside of Shuofang City at midnight the previous day. Qu Yunmie ordered the soldiers to rest for half a day, and only after dawn would they regroup.

Shuofang City wasn’t as grand as Shengle City. Xiao Rong could even see how many archers were stationed on the walls. Frankly, it was very inferior to Shengle.

At the army camp entrance, the guards brought Qu Yunmie’s horse forward. Since the battlefield lay outside the camp, Xiao Rong didn’t have to follow.

Qu Yunmie held the reins and turned back to Xiao Rong. “I am leaving.”

Xiao Rong smiled at him. “I wish Your Majesty a victorious return.”

Qu Yunmie said, “A return with no injury.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

So he hadn’t forgotten about asking for a gift.

In an instant, Qu Yunmie mounted and left. He was like a hurricane. He arrived violently and departed swiftly, leaving nothing behind and didn’t care about the feelings of those left in his wake.

Xiao Rong watched him disappear. Only when he could no longer see him did he turn around, but he froze in shock.

Yu Shaoxie stood just a step behind him, also watching Qu Yunmie leave. He sighed faintly. “Xiao Rong, I understand you.”

Xiao Rong asked, “Understand what about me?”

Yu Shaoxie sighed again. “Yesterday, when I sent Yu Shaocheng away on campaign, I felt just like you—proud of him, yet worried. As a brother, as a minister, one always frets.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but finally shut it. Uttering only a faint “hm,” he silently walked past Yu Shaoxie and returned to his own tent.

 

*

 

Xiao Rong had estimated that Shuofang City should have thirty to forty thousand Xianbei defenders, but he guessed wrong.

Currently, Shuofang City couldn’t even muster twenty thousand troops.

It wasn’t because Murong’s forces took troops, but because on the day Shengle City fell, a certain general in Shuofang City, seeing the situation as hopeless, killed those who blocked him, opened the west gate, and fled overnight with over ten thousand who wished to follow him.

 

…

 

According to those that remained, they fled toward Zhuoxie Mountain, the territory of the Rouran. Further northwest lay Jinshan, where Xiongnu tribes barely survived. This general probably intended to annex the Xiongnu and settle there.

If he pursued, Qu Yunmie would’ve had to chase them. After seeing his unharmed self, and recalling the long pursuit across thousands of miles of desert and Gobi, would the heads he brought back be enough to offset Xiao Rong’s anger?

Forget it. They were just small fry, not worth worrying about.

That day, they broke through Shuofang’s gates and spent one day clearing the remaining scum in the city. On the second day, at dusk, Xiao Rong entered Shuofang City, escorted by guards. The city had no prisoners of war. Those who feared death had already fled with that general. Those who remained were all stubborn and unwilling to surrender. As their numbers were small, it was impossible to force them into a suitable location. So all of them died in battle.

Shengle City was Murong’s territory: prosperous, populous, and noble. By comparison, Shuofang was more like a city lived in by the Xianbei, without so many intrigues or complications.

Hence, every Xianbei civilian, bound and forced to the resettlement area, looked at Xiao Rong with hatred in their eyes.

Among them were children. A child was also bound but kept close to his mother, not knowing where he would be taken.

Xiao Rong stopped and stared at them for a long while before continuing forward.

The Northern Army had cleared out a noble’s mansion. This noble was rich, the coal used was the silver-thread coal only the great families of Jinling could afford. Qu Yunmie had men light four coal braziers inside. When Xiao Rong entered, the heat nearly knocked him over.

Xiao Rong: “…”

He laughed and cried at the same time. “There is no need to light so much coal.”

Qu Yunmie frowned. “But you are so sensitive to the cold.”

Xiao Rong shook his head. He didn’t bother explaining. He had one brazier taken away, then removed his cloak.

Silks and brocades were fine, but in winter, people wore warm items as much as possible. There were limited choices. Even for nobles, a cloak could weigh ten pounds.

Having learned dance for so many years, Xiao Rong disliked bulky clothing and adding weight. Under his cloak, he still wore his daily scholar’s attire, just with two extra layers for warmth.

This was normal to Qu Yunmie, but compared to the previous bulky cloak, Xiao Rong now appeared delicate.

Even after removing one layer, Xiao Rong still felt hot. After pausing, he removed his outer robe as well.

The outer robe was wide to conceal the body, while the inner garment was fitted. After the Great Migration, Central Plains clothing styles diversified, Xiao Rong’s style was just one example.

Xiao Rong folded his clothes and placed them aside. He poured hot water for himself and said to Qu Yunmie, “Seeing the Xianbei defeated makes me feel some pity for Southern Yong.”

After pausing with the cup in his hands, he added, “I hope things in Southern Yong go smoothly. If the army can be subdued without a battle, it would be ideal.”

Even if fighting occurred, he hoped it wouldn’t be a bulldozer-like rush, which caused too many casualties and suffering for civilians. He sincerely hoped the seeds he planted with the young Emperor could grow. If the Emperor trusted him, in a critical moment, he could tilt to his side, and a major battle could be quietly avoided.

Despite this, Sun Renluan suddenly deployed troops, which made Xiao Rong uneasy. Using common sense, he believed this had nothing to do with the young Emperor and was solely Sun Renluan’s decision. Yet the young Emperor’s excessive incompetence surprised him. If the young Emperor had firmly opposed, Sun Renluan wouldn’t have acted alone.

Had he misjudged? Or had the young Emperor not listened at all? When Sun Renluan planned to attack Yizhou, he dared not speak,and let it happen.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Well, although he hoped the young Emperor could help, he knew the emperor was too young. How much could he demand of such a child?

Xiao Rong sipped the now-warm water thoughtfully. Only then did he realize Qu Yunmie hadn’t responded.

He looked at Qu Yunmie, and prompted curiously, “Your Majesty?”

Qu Yunmie blinked slowly. “What is it?”

This time Xiao Rong was slightly concerned. “Your Majesty, you seem distracted. Are you hurt somewhere?”

Qu Yunmie shook his head quickly. “Not at all!”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Nothing is nothing, then. Why shout?

Rubbing his weathered ears, Xiao Rong finally drank a sip of the now-lukewarm water and asked, “Your Majesty, how many days do you plan to stay here? When will you head to Xihai City?”

Qu Yunmie answered, “Still three days. Xihai—”

He didn’t finish. Someone walked by outside and because it was too hot inside, Xiao Rong opened the door halfway. The person hesitated, unsure whether to enter.

Xiao Rong saw him and asked directly, “Aren’t you General Jian’s personal guard? Why are you here in Shuofang City?”

The man sighed in relief and hurriedly walked in. First he clasped his fists toward the King, then looked at Xiao Rong with a helpless expression. “Mr. Xiao, Murong Yi is scared out of his wits. These past two days, he has been talking incoherently, unable to clearly describe what Han Qing looks like. He keeps insisting on seeing you. General Jian knew you wanted Han Qing’s portrait. Now he really has no other way, so he wants to ask if you are willing to see him. Maybe after seeing you, he can become a little clearer-headed.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He immediately looked at Qu Yunmie. Earlier, when he heard Qu Yunmie say that Murong Yi no longer needed to see anyone, he thought Qu Yunmie had disfigured him. Turns out, he had simply driven the man insane!

Qu Yunmie saw his expression and immediately felt his scalp tighten. “It’s not my fault. Who knew he had such little courage? I barely interrogated him, and he scared himself first. A proper emperor, and this is his bravery!”

Xiao Rong: “…”

You really don’t read history at all. Emperors with bravery were extremely rare.

Fine.

Xiao Rong didn’t want to argue about this. Once Murong Yi was in their hands, he was like a hot potato—killing him would bring criticism, keeping him would be a nuisance. Why provide good food and drink for a former Xianbei emperor, even if their provisions were like pig feed in Murong Yi’s eyes? Xiao Rong didn’t want to leave a “master” behind.

Now, hearing that Murong Yi had gone mad, Xiao Rong felt a bit of relief. After all, in Jianghu etiquette, one should treat the disabled a little better.

 

…

 

Xiao Rong just didn’t understand. “Why does he want to see me? I haven’t spoken a word to Murong Yi, yet he knows who I am?”

The man opposite: “…”

Hearing this, his face stiffened. He’d been avoiding the question but now had to answer. “Murong Yi doesn’t know who Mr. Xiao is. Uh… he calls you, ‘the exquisite young master, so refined he seems personally sculpted by Tiange.’”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

The former’s skin crawled, the latter’s fists clenched.

After enduring the awkward moment, Xiao Rong couldn’t help but ask, “What is Tiange?”

The answer didn’t come from the guard. It came from Qu Yunmie, who was gnashing his teeth. “A god of the Shamanic faith. His evaluation of you is really high.”

Xiao Rong felt embarrassed but, seeing Qu Yunmie’s expression, snorted lightly. “Can you blame him?”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He turned and walked out.

Xiao Rong was stunned and quickly stood. “Where are you going?”

Qu Yunmie looked back. “To see Murong Yi. He cannot see the doll sculpted by Tiange, but if he is lucky, I can give him a chance to see Tiange in person.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Xiao Rong was dumbfounded by Qu Yunmie’s words, but he didn’t follow. He just called after Qu Yunmie’s back. “Remember to get the portrait!”

 

*

 

Next, Qu Yunmie took only ten guards and ran back to Shengle City.

Xiao Rong had wanted to follow, but Shuofang needed manpower. He couldn’t leave everything to Yu Shaoxie. Moreover, the distance between the two cities was now safe. If any escaped Xianbei appeared, it would be their misfortune.

 

…

 

About an hour after nightfall, Qu Yunmie arrived in Shengle City. He wasted no time and went straight to find Murong Yi.

Learning that Qu Yunmie had returned personally, Jian Qiao hurried out to greet him, craning his neck left and right, increasingly confused. “Your Majesty, where is Mr. Xiao?”

Qu Yunmie replied, “In Shuofang.”

Jian Qiao asked, “Mr. Xiao hasn’t returned? Then why did Your Majesty come back?”

Qu Yunmie’s fists clenched again. “Isn’t my return enough?! You really planned to let Xiao Rong meet that lecherous fool? Jian Qiao, I am very disappointed in you!!”

Jian Qiao: “…”

A lecherous fool?

Jian Qiao was dumbfounded while Qu Yunmie strode toward where Murong Yi was.

Since he was an emperor, the Northern Army didn’t lock Murong Yi in a cell. Instead, they found a separate palace room, locked all other doors, and let Murong Yi stay alone. His activity was confined to this room and all familiar people had vanished. Every day, he didn’t know if he would see the next sunrise. Under such psychological pressure, he remained timid, and even without Qu Yunmie’s interrogation, he wouldn’t stabilize for days.

After a few days apart, Qu Yunmie entered the room again and wrinkled his nose.

A foul stench filled the room. Qu Yunmie forced himself to stop, built up his courage, and then stepped forward reluctantly.

This time, Murong Yi was completely different. Previously, he had trembled but could speak. Now, he sat on the floor, his gaze dazed, seemingly lost in thought, and even foolishly smiling.

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He deeply doubted whether this man could still provide a portrait.

Qu Yunmie frowned and walked over, kicking him. “Hey!”

Murong Yi swayed from the kick, lifted his head, and looked at Qu Yunmie, uncertain if he recognized him.

Murong Yi opened his mouth and babbled a string of Xianbei words.

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He couldn’t understand.

Murong Yi, now even more excited, spoke another string of words. Seeing Qu Yunmie remain silent, he got angry, slammed the floor tiles, and continued speaking incomprehensible words.

Qu Yunmie couldn’t tolerate it and shouted furiously, “Speak a human language to me!!!”

Murong Yi froze, then actually obeyed. “Where is that beauty?”

Qu Yunmie’s face changed.

Murong Yi said, “I have never seen a man with such beauty. I will make an exception and make him my consort.”

Qu Yunmie stared silently at him.

Murong Yi smiled again. “The Northern King is dead. His troops are now under me. The beauty has nowhere to go and can only come to me. It is fine, I will cherish him.”

Murong Yi was lost in his fantasy, smiling joyfully. The next moment, he got angry. “Bring him quickly! Or I will chop off your head!”

At that moment, bang! —

Qu Yunmie grabbed a large ten-inch vase behind him and smashed it onto the back of Murong Yi’s head. His skull cracked and bled, and he collapsed on the floor.

Hearing the noise, Jian Qiao rushed in. Seeing Murong Yi lying silently, he panicked. “D-Did Your Majesty kill him?”

Qu Yunmie still held the top half of the vase, staring at the unconscious Murong Yi. After a long moment, he spoke darkly, “No. I will not let him die so cheaply.”

In an instant, many torture methods flashed through Qu Yunmie’s mind. At that moment, he even felt in sync with Huang Yanjiong. He wanted to steam Murong Yi alive.

Still, he restrained his violent thoughts. Torture wasn’t acceptable, especially as this man was the Xianbei Emperor. He couldn’t do that.

Unable to vent his rage, Qu Yunmie wanted to kill recklessly. In the end, he grabbed Jian Qiao by the collar, furiously demanding, “Did you send someone to fetch Xiao Rong?!”

Jian Qiao: “…”

Having known Qu Yunmie for nearly twenty years, Jian Qiao understood his current state. If he provoked him further, not just Murong Yi, but even he himself could lose his life.

Jian Qiao didn’t know what Murong Yi had said. He could only desperately explain. “Y-Yes, but Murong Yi raved and insisted on having Mr. Xiao brought here. Other than that, he didn’t mention Mr. Xiao!”

Jian Qiao realized this matter might not be as simple as he thought. He looked nervously at Qu Yunmie but couldn’t help asking, “Your Majesty, what did Murong Yi say?”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He tightly closed his mouth, and suddenly released Jian Qiao, who stumbled back two steps. Just as he regained his balance, he heard Qu Yunmie order, “Take good care of him. I will care for him until the day he dies in his bed.”

Then Qu Yunmie strode away. Once out of the room, Jian Qiao breathed a huge sigh of relief, feeling he could finally breathe again.

Slowing his racing heart, Jian Qiao looked at Murong Yi on the floor, feeling complicated.

It was his first time seeing the King so angry. He didn’t even kill anyone, but intended to torment someone—for a lifetime.

 

…

 

Mijing sat at the table grinding ink. When he finally finished, he dipped his brush and was about to write when—bang!

The door was again roughly pushed open. Mijing lost control of his brush, and a neat dot became a big stroke.

Mijing: “…”

He stared at the ruined paper, sighed silently, then looked up. “Why did the King return to Shengle?”

Qu Yunmie replied, furious, “I have never seen such a shameless man as Murong Yi!”

Mijing: “…”

That wasn’t the question he asked.

Nor was it an answer he cared about.

Just continue disliking me, please.

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

Support translation: