{"id":7938,"date":"2026-04-21T08:37:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T06:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=7938"},"modified":"2026-04-21T08:37:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T06:37:45","slug":"your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-111-yes-sir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2026\/04\/21\/your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-111-yes-sir\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Majesty, you mustn&#8217;t! &#8211; Chapter 111 &#8211; Yes, Sir"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He had no idea how much time had passed. Mijing tilted his head toward the inkstone that had already dried, then looked at Qu Yunmie, who still seemed perfectly energetic.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He drew in a light breath through his nose, and when he slowly released it, his shoulders sank along with it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Again, he had no idea how long it had been. Not only had the inkstone dried, even the candle had burned halfway down. Mijing was a serious person. Even if eight out of every ten sentences Qu Yunmie said were utterly meaningless nonsense, he still listened carefully. Still, he\u2019d been exhausted lately\u2014busy all day, and thinking endlessly at night. He hadn\u2019t slept a full night for several days in a row.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing\u2019s hand stopped moving the string of prayer beads. His eyelids slowly drooped. Just as he was about to truly close them, he heard Qu Yunmie ask him a question.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing snapped awake. He looked up at the person across from him as if he hadn\u2019t been dozing at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In truth, he had absolutely no idea what Qu Yunmie had asked, but Qu Yunmie was raising a brow at him. \u201cDoes the Buddha\u2019s Son find it inappropriate?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing weighed Qu Yunmie\u2019s expression and sensed a mocking intent. He more or less understood.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He answered calmly. &#8220;I did not mean that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mocking smile on Qu Yunmie\u2019s face vanished instantly. He stared at Mijing in disbelief, then shot to his feet. \u201c\u2018You did not mean that\u2019?! To make a man a consort is the greatest absurdity under heaven\u2014yet you did not mean that?! Hah! Who would\u2019ve thought? The exalted Buddha\u2019s Son harbored such filthy thoughts!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This time he truly showed helplessness\u2014not only because he had misjudged the situation, but also because of Qu Yunmie\u2019s tendency to take everything to the extreme.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He opened his mouth and couldn\u2019t help defending himself softly. \u201cWhether it\u2019s a woman made consort or a man made consort\u2014these are worldly matters. Desire is born of emotion, desire breaks precepts. I am a monk and long ago cast aside the seven emotions and six desires. Though I can understand Your Highness\u2019s anger, I cannot personally feel it. From the standpoint of Buddhist thought, men and women alike are illusions. To detach from desire and cultivate in the world is the only path to liberation from suffering.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the end of his explanation, Mijing slipped in a little of his own philosophy\u2014though unfortunately, Qu Yunmie understood none of it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only did he not understand\u2014he misunderstood.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After sitting for a while in thought, he looked at Mijing and finally said, &#8220;You mean that in the eyes of monks like you, men and women are about the same. So whether one installs a male consort or a female consort, you can accept it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, that was not what I meant.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless, Qu Yunmie had already settled on that conclusion. Earlier he had merely been incredulous, now, the way he looked at Mijing was as though he were beholding some strange creature from beyond the heavens.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing even felt he could read one sentence in Qu Yunmie\u2019s eyes: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014So this is what you monks are actually like!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Really?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The one who lost his temper over a madman\u2019s raving was clearly you\u2014yet somehow I became the one with the filthy mind?!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Was there no justice left in the world?!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be able to anger Mijing to this degree, Qu Yunmie truly was one of a kind. Fortunately he didn\u2019t continue provoking him\u2014otherwise Mijing\u2019s years of cultivation would\u2019ve been ruined in an instant.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After giving Mijing a disdainful once-over, Qu Yunmie stopped speaking. He lowered his gaze, thinking who knew what. Mijing, now fully awake from irritation and free of sleepiness for the moment, quietly resumed rolling his prayer beads and apologized to the Buddha in his heart.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He\u2019d almost committed the sin of anger. No one knew, of course\u2014but Mijing still decided to copy one hundred repetitions of scripture as punishment for himself.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, Qu Yunmie\u2014the cause of all this\u2014remained blissfully unaware. After a while, he suddenly asked Mijing, &#8220;You have been to the Western Regions, walked through Tianzhu. Outside the Central Plains\u2026 are there also people who take male consorts\u2026 and men\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He asked this with difficulty. Mijing looked into his eyes and realized he truly wanted an answer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As if all the earlier fury and venting had merely been preparation for this question\u2014both for others to hear and for himself.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He suddenly realized something.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He never wanted to get involved between Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong, yet with Qu Yunmie barging in again and again, he had already been dragged in without meaning to.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing\u2019s fingers paused on the prayer beads. With a complicated expression, he lifted his head\u2014only to find Qu Yunmie narrowing his eyes as Mijing remained silent too long.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are you not speaking?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If yes, then yes. If no, then no. Remaining silent\u2014what kind of answer is that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie leaned back slightly, looking him up and down with sharp eyes. \u201cIs my question too difficult for you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A moment ago he didn\u2019t know how to answer. Now he knew even less. He was a man outside worldly affairs. He truly didn\u2019t wish, indirectly or directly, to affect the relationship between the other two.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There were many things he wished to do in his life. Gossip wasn\u2019t one of them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie stared at him for a while\u2014long enough that Mijing felt even the stubble on his head might start growing from sheer discomfort. Then Qu Yunmie snorted, turned away, and looked toward the other side of the room.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie said, &#8220;I\u2019m not the frog in a well you imagine. I have been to Jinling. Everything I should\u2019ve seen\u2014and shouldn\u2019t have seen\u2014I saw.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing froze for a moment, recalling certain events of the Changan days. Emperor Guangjia ranked among the most lustful even among emperors, and the aristocratic clans had long embraced decadence. Mijing, now in his twenties and capable of captivating quite a few people, had been even more striking at fourteen or fifteen before he took vows\u2014prime prey in the eyes of those indulgent aristocrats.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Mijing was of noble birth and under the protection of the abbot, so no one could truly touch him. At most they harassed him with words and disgusting looks. Back then, he wasn\u2019t as calm as he was now. He\u2019d been furious and unable to comprehend how such vile people existed. The abbot had told him: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the world holds all kinds of people; a thousand faces, a hundred temperaments. In time he would see far more.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing remembered something Xiao Rong had once told him in jest: Qu Yunmie\u2019s niece once said Xiao Rong resembled Qu Yunmie. Indeed, there wasn\u2019t a trace of resemblance now, but beauty lay in the bones, not the skin. People always saw Qu Yunmie\u2019s armor first, and his spear Snow-Drinking Vengeance, which had taken countless lives\u2014before noticing he himself was a sharply featured, strikingly handsome man. If he had been shorter and younger, perhaps he truly would\u2019ve resembled Xiao Rong.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With such looks, combined with his disgraced and vulnerable status back then, one could easily imagine what he encountered in Jinling.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing blurted out, &#8220;No wonder Your Highness dislikes beautiful people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Qu Yunmie\u2019s eyes, beauty equated to weakness and helplessness. What he truly hated was the version of himself that had lived through that stage.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie stared at Mijing in bewilderment. He didn\u2019t understand what Mijing meant, yet reacted instinctively by snapping back. &#8220;Did Gao Xunzhi tell you that? Don\u2019t listen to his nonsense. I have never disliked beautiful people. I only dislike those who possess beauty yet cannot protect themselves, who know nothing but crying and relying on others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing understood. He smiled. \u201cYoung Master Xiao isn\u2019t that kind of person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He wanted to say you mentioned Xiao Rong, not me\u2014but it was late, and he was tired. After a pause, he said softly, &#8220;Of course he isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then he slowly exhaled. \u201cThat is why Murong Yi infuriates me so. Xiao Rong is one of the bravest, toughest men I have ever met. Though his body is somewhat frail, he has nothing to do with the word weak. He is like me\u2014one of the rare true men of this world. How could a true man\u2026 could a true man\u2026 I cannot even utter those two words. It is outrageous!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie glared at the table, angry. Mijing watched him and sighed inwardly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was why monks lived in temples. Once one returned to the mortal world, there was always someone\u2014using all sorts of reasons\u2014to drag you back into worldly entanglements.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Your Highness says is true. Young Master Xiao is indeed a true man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie felt complicated\u2014angry and a little sour. He didn\u2019t wish to respond.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing continued. &#8220;A true man is not controlled by the words or actions of others. They have their own inner measure of what should and should not be done. They listen only to themselves, not to others. That \u2018others\u2019 includes you, Your Highness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie looked at Mijing, stunned, but Mijing had already lowered his gaze. \u201cIt grows late. Your Highness should rest. If tomorrow Your Highness sets out for Shuofang, I also wish to travel together. Please have someone inform me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dismissed, he actually rose obediently. In a daze he walked out and the cold wind cleared his mind instantly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was about to return and continue pounding on the door, but as soon as he raised his fist, he hesitated.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slowly, he lowered it. He looked at the ground, then at Mijing\u2019s door. After standing silently for a while, he left.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie went to sleep. Mijing, however, couldn\u2019t sleep at all. He felt a bit of regret\u2014but not fully. He didn\u2019t know if he had done the right thing, but as the old abbot always said: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some things did not need to be done according to the \u201cright\u201d answer.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After lying rigidly for half an hour and still unable to sleep, Mijing rose quietly, put on his outer robe, and went out to find work to do.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After being interrogated by Qu Yunmie, Murong Yi was terrified and deranged for several days\u2014more deranged each day. After speaking with the Buddha\u2019s Son for half the night, he somehow became clear-headed again, though he looked even stranger than before. Previously he would at least speak a few words or make a few motions. Now he was like a wooden puppet, staring blankly at the sky outside. Jian Qiao stood at the door watching him for a long time, and felt the man was either about to enter deep meditation or enter the grave.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No one knew what Mijing had said to Murong Yi, but he obtained the portrait of Han Qing. His credit had been stolen by the Buddha\u2019s Son. Qu Yunmie stared at the back of Mijing\u2019s head and felt he disliked him a bit more.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After breakfast, the group set out. By noon they arrived outside Shuofang City. Shuofang was built along an oasis in the desert, but it was winter now, so the oasis was no longer green.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Horses moved poorly here, camels were the true means of travel. Hearing the two had returned, Xiao Rong immediately rode a camel to greet them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It only took half a day for Xiao Rong to fall in love with camels\u2014their thick fur, warmth, and built-in backrest. Trained camels even knelt down on their own for riders. This was much better than horses. Horses only snorted at you when you failed to mount and continued standing there disdainfully.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Camels also had one advantage over horses\u2014they were taller. Sitting atop one, Xiao Rong experienced for the first time what it felt like to look down on Qu Yunmie.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling a secret thrill, he patted the hump, and the camel obediently knelt. After he dismounted, he looked longingly at the tall creature. \u201cSo comfortable to ride.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He turned to Qu Yunmie, already walking up beside him. \u201cCan I keep one in Chenliu?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He never saw camels raised on open plains.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Xiao Rong looked at him with such expectation\u2014his mind seemed to depart for a moment\u2014and Qu Yunmie heard himself say, with great bravado, &#8220;Why one? Keep ten!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shaking his head, he left.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong watched Mijing\u2019s departing back, not understanding why he was in such a rush. The battlefield had been cleared yesterday. Since he hadn\u2019t come yesterday to perform rites, there was no need to hurry now.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie didn\u2019t like seeing him pay so much attention to the Buddha\u2019s Son, so he pulled out the portrait from his sleeve\u2014the one he had forced from Mijing while they were on the road. Mijing hadn\u2019t asked a single question and handed it over immediately.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie didn\u2019t mention it had been obtained through the Buddha\u2019s Son. Xiao Rong didn\u2019t ask. He only said in surprise, &#8220;Thank you, My Lord!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie responded guiltily yet with satisfaction. &#8220;This is a trifle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, as soon as Xiao Rong unfolded the portrait, he frowned. \u201cThis\u2026 this is far too sloppy. Posted like this, no one would recognize who it is. Do you still remember how Murong Yi described Han Qing? I want to redraw it.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Qu Yunmie: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was exposed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong couldn\u2019t draw. He knew only the fat little birds from basic school ink painting and the simplest three-view sketches. As for human figures\u2026 he could only draw stickmen.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, that was fine. He was now the Grand Preceptor Xiao. He didn\u2019t need to do everything himself. With one order, someone immediately came to assist.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Buddha\u2019s Son provided the description, Xiao Rong provided pressure. The temporary painter was sweating through his clothes yet still had to revise the portrait over and over. At last it looked like a clear human face. Xiao Rong showed it to the Buddha Son first. \u201cIs this the appearance you described?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those who were poor at drawing also had weak sensitivity to faces. Watching the painter revise it a dozen times, Xiao Rong could no longer judge whether it was right or not.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He fell silent.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong\u2019s heart lurched. \u201cIs it wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong feared if he pushed the painter to revise it again, the man might draw a knife and kill himself.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mijing opened his mouth. \u201cNot wrong, exactly, but this face\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He sounded uncertain. \u201cI feel as if I have seen it somewhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong stared.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, on the other side of the Han River, in the Yiyang Commandery.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even with Gao Xunzhi here, their actions were still a case of acting first and reporting later. Song Shuo wrote a hurried report in the night about their planned attack on Yiyang. As soon as he sent the letter, Gao Xunzhi allocated troops to Di Fazeng.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because it was a surprise attack, they didn\u2019t depart in broad daylight but slipped out in the dead of night, all marching urgently toward Yiyang.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Han River was heavily guarded, Southern Yong\u2019s soldiers watched the northern bank daily. So they followed Gao Xunzhi\u2019s original plan\u2014traveling by land from Jingzhou, crossing the River, detouring through Nanyang Commandery, and approaching Yiyang City without alerting the river defenses.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi was full of doubt. He truly didn\u2019t know how Di Fazeng meant to take Yiyang with only ten thousand men. Yet Di Fazeng was so confident\u2014as if taking Yiyang were as easy as picking something off the ground.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They reached a hillside. Di Fazeng told everyone to hide. Zhang Bizhi crouched beside him and couldn\u2019t help asking, &#8220;You\u2019re not planning to climb the city walls, are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yiyang\u2019s walls were far lower than Shengle\u2019s, so climbing them was easy enough. After climbing\u2014then what? They had no king to lead a charge. When the armies clashed, numbers still decided the outcome. With only ten thousand men, it was hard to say whether they could defeat Yiyang\u2019s garrison.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng glanced at him. \u201cDo you know who the Prefect of Yiyang is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He did not\u2014but refused to admit it. After struggling to recall, he finally found a trace of memory. \u201cSomeone from the Yang clan, I think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because he was related to Yang Zhangyi\u2014the man who had nearly gotten them all killed\u2014Zhang Bizhi remembered him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng nodded. \u201cYang Shizhen. He is the cousin of the Prime Minister Yang. Ever since the Yang clan moved south ten years ago, he has been Prefect of Yiyang. The regions near Jinling have long been carved up by the great families. Yiyang is Yang clan territory. So the court has never replaced him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi looked at Di Fazeng irritably. \u201cWhat does that have to do with how you plan to get in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng looked at his utterly clueless expression and sighed, unsurprised.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I didn\u2019t mock you, yet you dare sigh at me?!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before he could explode, Di Fazeng said, &#8220;Yiyang doesn\u2019t belong to the Southern Yong court\u2014it belongs to the Yang family. The guards here listen to the Yang Clan. Yang Shizhen has run this place for years, he is the one with real authority.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This time Di Fazeng\u2019s meaning was clearer. Zhang Bizhi stared blankly at him, struggling for quite a while, until at last inspiration struck. In a small voice he asked, &#8220;You mean\u2014capture the ringleader first?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng turned and gave a rare slight smile. \u201cYang Shizhen keeps a concubine in the Jiangxia Commandery. She\u2019s an illegitimate daughter of the Yang family of Jiangxia, unsuitable for formal status, so he keeps her outside. But he likes her very much and visits once or twice a month. His wife is the legitimate daughter of another great family. Yang Shizhen has low status within the Yangs and cannot afford to offend her. So for years he has kept these visits secret. Whenever he goes, he doesn\u2019t dare bring many guards\u2014or his own private soldiers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hearing this, Zhang Bizhi finally understood. \u201cSo when Yang Shizhen goes to visit that woman, we intercept him on the road. Then we use him to threaten the Southern Yong forces guarding the city\u2014forcing them to open the gates. With Yang Shizhen in our hands, they won\u2019t dare act rashly, and outside the city we can beat information out of him\u2014like how many troops are inside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It doesn\u2019t need to be that complicated. Yang Shizhen is the most cowardly official I have ever seen. Once we capture him, you\u2019ll understand. He\u2019ll do whatever you tell him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He gave a cold chuckle. \u201cOpen the gates? Too easy. I want them to lay down their weapons on their own and surrender obediently.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi blurted out, &#8220;Who would be that stupid?! You\u2019re daydreaming!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng cast a glance at Zhang Bizhi, this time he didn\u2019t explain.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cities differed from city to city, soldiers differed from soldier to soldier, and north of the Han River there were almost no aristocratic clans left. So Zhang Bizhi simply didn\u2019t know how terrifying the clans\u2019 control over a place has been. This was their difficulty, and also their fatal flaw.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern Yong has been established for ten years, and Di Fazeng has also lingered in Southern Yong for ten years. Even if he never entered Southern Yong\u2019s court, after observing for so many years, many things no longer needed thought\u2014they naturally etched themselves into his mind. This land was rotten, much like his homeland, Rouran. One practiced slavery and one practiced feudal rule, yet the difference was not so great. Those at the top always found ways to trample those at the bottom, whether or not the latter possessed the status of a slave.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, if Di Fazeng had been asked, he would have said that Rouran was stronger than Southern Yong, because even Rouran\u2019s slaves still possessed some fierceness. They at least knew to cause trouble from time to time and give their masters headaches. Yet here in Southern Yong, from top to bottom, everyone was gutless.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because the situation north of the Han River was far too chaotic, and because the commissions offered weren\u2019t as rich as those in Southern Yong, Di Fazeng rarely went north. Even when he did, he always had tasks to carry out and no time to pay attention to the north\u2019s characteristics.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thus, it wasn\u2019t until this year that he discovered that people of the Central Plains didn\u2019t lack fierceness\u2014they\u2019d simply had it beaten out of them by the court and the clans. Once given an opportunity, they seized it at once: studying, joining the army, improving their lives. Verbal attacks indeed could make a powerful force slowly lose its standing, but when facts spoke louder than argument, words no longer mattered much.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Northern Army was destined to win.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The King of the North was destined to ascend the throne of supreme power.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was the truth Di Fazeng gradually understood. Not even Xiao Rong\u2019s brilliant rhetoric had truly moved him before\u2014he\u2019d still hesitated, and even refused to show his true skills. However, once he realized this truth, Di Fazeng immediately changed his attitude toward the Northern Army.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Human beings always sought profit and avoided harm. Since he already knew this army was bound to win, why shouldn\u2019t he join them?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The King of the North was young\u2014his throne wouldn\u2019t be the end of his life. His future held more, brighter things. Following such a ruler was like standing in the grand arena for life, the thought alone made one\u2019s blood surge.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng didn\u2019t dislike smiling\u2014he simply didn\u2019t show emotion before those he didn\u2019t trust. Once he began trusting the people around him, he showed all kinds of expressions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example now, ambition blazed in Di Fazeng\u2019s eyes. Yiyang\u2019s city gates seemed no longer like gates but like a stepping stone that belonged to him. His glorious life would begin here. From this day on, his identity as a mercenary would be in the past. He would no longer live to guard\u2014he would live to conquer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every cell of his body clamored. His heart pounded fiercely. Gone was his former half-dead manner. He was reveling in this moment of transformation. Before he could savor it, someone suddenly bumped into his shoulder clumsily. The collision made him stagger and almost slam his face into the dirt pit ahead.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He turned his head. Zhang Bizhi, after a full mental storm, finally came back to himself. He looked at Di Fazeng in confusion and asked, &#8220;How do you know so much about Yang Shizhen?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng replied, \u201cIn the summer of Shengde, Year Three, he hired me as a guard and had me escort him from Yiyang to Jiangxia. Two months later, he kicked me out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi asked, \u201cIt has been three years. What if that woman already died?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng answered, \u201cShe didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi insisted, \u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng said, \u201cBecause when I was in Jinling, I heard that the woman was still looking for me. She wanted to hire me back as a household servant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He had asked in vain.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, why could someone like Di Fazeng\u2014with that deadpan face\u2014attract a woman\u2019s interest, while he himself, lively and considerate as he was, could do nothing but furtively touch a woman\u2019s hand when frequenting brothels, and in daily life only be avoided?!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No one knew the answer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because Di Fazeng was with them, they soon caught the prefect who intended to meet with his lover in secret. This prefect was truly terrified of death\u2014he kept repeating, &#8220;Don\u2019t kill me.\u201d He even tried to bribe Zhang Bizhi. Zhang Bizhi refused to touch his money. Seeing that this path failed, the prefect stared at Zhang Bizhi in panic. Heaven knew what he thought he saw. Suddenly, he burst into loud sobs and cried. &#8220;Spare me, brave sir! If money isn\u2019t enough, I still have twelve concubines for you to enjoy! If you prefer fiery-tempered women, even my wife can be offered to you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So no one in your Yang family was a decent person, huh?!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He kicked the prefect aside angrily. \u201cStay away from me! Do you take me for you, who can\u2019t walk straight upon seeing a woman?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng shook his head. He lifted the dirt-covered Prefect Yang by the collar and asked him, &#8220;Do you remember me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prefect Yang stared blankly. Suddenly his face changed. \u201cYou\u2014you\u2019re that Rouran man!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng said, \u201cGood. Then do you remember how I killed those seven bandits?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prefect Yang: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His expression grew even more terrified. His legs trembled, his teeth chattered. \u201cD-Don\u2019t kill me\u2026 I\u2019ll give you anything you want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng threw him to the nearby soldiers, then turned to Zhang Bizhi. \u201cIt\u2019s done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi raised an eyebrow. He didn\u2019t praise him, he only asked, &#8220;Seven bandits?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Di Fazeng explained, \u201cWe encountered them halfway during the escort. Meeting those seven was what allowed me to see how cowardly this prefect truly was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Bizhi roared with laughter and went off to prepare for the assault.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to the Hu people, there had been almost no major unrest in Southern Yong for nearly ten years\u2014only small disturbances. People of the time even thought the world had been peaceful for years.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Precisely because of this, when war erupted without warning, everyone was caught off guard, including the cities near Yiyang.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back then, Shen Yangrui had taken three cities in Yizhou in a single day. Now Di Fazeng also captured Yiyang City in a single day. When this news spread, the Southern Yong court sent the current Prefect of Lujiang to send reinforcements. By the time the five thousand troops he dispatched arrived, Yiyang\u2019s gates were already shut again, and the soldiers atop the walls had been replaced by the Northern Army. Zhang Bizhi stood atop the gate and loudly mocked the five thousand reinforcements. When their faces flushed from humiliation, he immediately ducked back into the tower.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After all, he was no longer a general, only a supervising officer. He still planned to continue his official career, so he no longer needed to worry about being laughed at by soldiers.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seizing Yiyang had been an act of revenge. Venting frustration mattered more than treating it as a strategic location. After taking the city, Di Fazeng and his group remained inside, planning to exhaust the enemy\u2019s grain and morale while waiting for new reports from Chenliu.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Others didn\u2019t know the Northern Army\u2019s intentions. Not only the cities near Yiyang but also faraway Wuling and Xiangdong were stunned. The common people packed their bundles overnight, poured into the streets and then stared around in confusion.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where could they flee?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People from the north could flee south, but could southerners flee north?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thinking of this, some people nearly collapsed in despair.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within one household, this bleak question unexpectedly became one of the possible solutions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Song family of Xiangdong, the current clan head\u2014Song Shuo\u2019s father\u2014held a meeting with several key clan members. \u201cThe court has sent troops to attack north of the Han River. Now Yiyang has been seized and has become a possession of the Northern Army. I fear the flames of war will spread. We should leave quickly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Someone hesitated. \u201cThough Shuo is quite respected in Chenliu, to abandon our estate and go to a place unfamiliar to us\u2026 perhaps matters have not yet reached such urgency.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another disagreed. \u201cNot urgent?! Lucky Shuo didn\u2019t follow you. He wisely left court and secured a place for himself in the capital of the King of the North. Because he was smart, we now have this escape route. It is more than an escape route\u2014it is an opportunity. The King of the North shines like the midday sun. He seems determined to build Chenliu into his future capital. Chenliu has no aristocratic clans. Once we arrive, we will be the only clan. Do you still not understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo\u2019s father: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He understood, but he felt the man was na\u00efve. Clans didn\u2019t become dominant simply by arriving first. Moreover, Song Shuo had written clearly in his letters that the one who truly held power wasn\u2019t his son but that young man named Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong didn\u2019t recognize clans and had no intention of supporting them. If they went, things might not be as that man imagined.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, Song Shuo\u2019s father wanted to go. First, he missed his son. Second, even if their status didn\u2019t rise, he still wished to show his loyalty to the King of the North. Going now was more sincere than going after the dust settled.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides, Song Shuo had praised Chenliu in his letters as though it were unmatched under heaven. Such a fine place\u2014he also wanted to see what it looked like.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After some discussion, they finally decided to leave quickly. The Song family was not a particularly large clan, but when their entire group evacuated, it caused quite a stir\u2014they left with more than five hundred people.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Song family themselves probably did not expect to become a role model for others. Clans always received news first\u2014since they were fleeing north of the Han River, did this not mean the Northern Army would not kill them, and might even welcome them?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The timid still dared not move, but the bold followed. Rumor spread, and many ordinary people who were tempted also began to depart.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was the situation farther from Yiyang, the places closer to Yiyang were even more chaotic.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most terrified city was the unlucky Jiangxia, where the concubine lived.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jiangxia itself wasn\u2019t special, but Xiakou Town was inside Jiangxia City.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ever since the news arrived that Qu Yunmie wasn\u2019t dead, Chen Jiancheng had been anxious. He sent people to look for Han Qing, but Han Qing didn\u2019t appear. Even though the unique signals of the Qingfeng Sect had appeared throughout the north of the Huai, Han Qing had things he needed to do and refused to show himself. Chen Jiancheng could only wait anxiously in Xiakou.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a time, Chen Jiancheng even thought Han Qing had died\u2014until Han Qing returned to Yanzhou, contacted the believers there, and then rushed over to meet Chen Jiancheng.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Chen Jiancheng learned Han Qing was safe, he cried. Yet when Han Qing actually appeared before him, he scolded him in anger.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This in itself wasn\u2019t unusual. Han Qing had known Chen Jiancheng for many years and knew his temperament well. Similar scenes had happened more than once. He knew what to do, but he didn\u2019t expect an accident this time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Chen Jiancheng grew furious, he often spoke without thinking. Today was the same. He even said something Han Qing had never heard before.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhou Luan was right! You always think you know better! You don\u2019t treat me, your sect leader, as anything at all!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Han Qing looked up in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeing his expression, Chen Jiancheng instantly regretted it. He had never spoken to Han Qing like this before, yet somehow the words had slipped out. He feared Han Qing would be angry, and feared he would stop helping him. He quickly apologized, saying he had only spoken out of concern.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chen Jiancheng never truly reflected even when apologizing. As he spoke, he pushed the blame onto Zhou Luan\u2014Zhou Luan sowed discord, Zhou Luan made him misunderstand. Han Qing, everything was Zhou Luan\u2019s fault, never his own.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although Zhou Luan was indeed not innocent, being sold out so thoroughly by Chen Jiancheng was still pitiful.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Han Qing looked at Chen Jiancheng and smiled. \u201cSect Leader needn\u2019t say these things to me. I know it was for my sake, and Zhou Luan wasn\u2019t wrong. I have indeed focused solely on eliminating the King of the North, and for that I even refused to obey the Sect Leader\u2019s orders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chen Jiancheng looked at him, touched. \u201cYou are always so sincere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Han Qing smiled again and let the warmth of the scene linger a moment before asking, &#8220;Zhou Luan seems to have misunderstood me. May I ask where the Sect Leader has arranged for him to stay? I would like to visit him\u2014may I?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Events always happened swiftly, but for news to spread, time was required.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, Han Qing\u2019s portrait was still on the road, and the arrest warrant for him was still being printed. After the printing was done, it would take another two days.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the Jinling government learned that Song Shuo had arranged for people to seize Yiyang City, they were enraged. Yang Zangyi suffered first, and Song Shuo was officially marked as an enemy by Jinling officials. Before the Song family departed, they received this news and immediately hastened their preparations, loaded everything, and headed toward the north of the Han River.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So many things had happened, yet Xiao Rong remained unaware. No matter what occurred, his body simply didn\u2019t react.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes he even suspected that the binding had been undone. Then he would try to trick Qu Yunmie with a few words\u2014for example, telling him to dissolve the Northern Army.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The thought was far too outrageous. Even thinking such a thing made Xiao Rong uncomfortable. Once he confirmed the binding was still intact, he would smile at Qu Yunmie apologetically and say, &#8220;Sorry, I was joking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Song Shuo\u2019s urgent report arrived, stating they planned to attack Yiyang City, Xiao Rong could no longer smile.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong shot to his feet, disbelief on his face. \u201cAttack Yiyang?!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How could Song Shuo have such an idea?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie reacted less strongly. He considered Yiyang\u2019s location and even let out a faint, meaningful laugh. \u201cThis scholar has some merit. Yiyang is well placed\u2014not too near nor too far from Jinling. It will enrage Jinling, but not enough to make them mobilize an army to rescue it. Hm. Quite clever.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He felt like he was going mad. \u201cYour Majesty! Song Shuo split Chenliu\u2019s defensive forces! Now the Northern Army isn\u2019t fighting on three fronts but four! Even with many troops, we cannot withstand such strain! If anything goes wrong on any front, what will we use to rescue them?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie looked at Xiao Rong\u2019s worried expression and frowned slightly. \u201cUse me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong froze.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie pressed his lips together and stood. He spoke reassuringly. \u201cThe Khitan have already sent back good news. Yu Shaocheng and Gongsun Yuan cooperated well. Within a month, they will take Khitan. Shuofang and Shengle have already been captured, only the Xihai Commandery remains. I originally planned to go there myself, but since the south also has issues, let Jian Qiao go. Xihai\u2019s defenders number less than ten thousand. As long as Jian Qiao doesn\u2019t lose his way, he will return before the heavy snow. He might even visit the Xiongnu and kill the more than ten thousand who fled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weren\u2019t they supposed to be small fry not worth attention?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liar.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie didn\u2019t notice Xiao Rong\u2019s silent protest and continued. &#8220;Leave Yizhou and Ningzhou to Yuan Baifu and Wang Xinyong. Whether they take them or not, I do not plan to worry about them for now. Since we have already swallowed Yiyang, there is no reason to return it to Southern Yong. The central forces will stay in Chenliu. Half of Chenliu\u2019s original garrison will guard Yiyang, the other half will assist Yuan Baifu and Wang Xinyong. In this way, even with four fronts, there is nothing to fear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong blinked. Hearing the meaning hidden in Qu Yunmie\u2019s words, he hesitated. \u201cYour Majesty\u2026 you mean\u2026 we should return to Chenliu?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie chuckled. \u201cIt is time to return in triumph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong had been away for over a month. Qu Yunmie had been away for almost three. While traveling, they had little mood for sentiment, but once they realized home was near, they found they both missed it a little.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong grew excited, though he didn\u2019t notice it himself\u2014his hands gestured far wider than usual. \u201cThen I will go find Brother Yu and the monk to arrange the next steps!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie watched him leave with amusement, and he too felt light and at ease.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home. Triumph. Though there had been twists, and events he wished never to remember, all had turned out well. Unconsciously, he had forgotten what it felt like to treat Yanmen Pass as home. Now his home was in Chenliu, and he already missed its scenery and the people there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When he returned, he planned to drink heartily with everyone.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He hadn\u2019t yet realized this was impossible \u2014 since some people would never reunite with him again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the Ningzhou side, in the Qinling Mountains, upon the Lianyun Plank Road.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After traveling for over ten days, Wang Xinyong and the others finally reached the edge of Ningzhou. Once they crossed this plank road, they would enter Ningzhou\u2019s territory. After descending the Baoxie Road, they would reach the famed Hanzhong Basin.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong walked behind Yuan Baifu, looking at the thickening forest. He realized this was a remote place. He suddenly stopped. \u201cGeneral Yuan, where exactly are we going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yuan Baifu also halted. He looked at the dense woods not far ahead. He had been here more than once. The first time he had come with Qu Yunmie. The second time alone to suppress a rebellion. The third time, with Wang Xinyong.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If one visited a place three times, one became familiar with it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yuan Baifu turned and saw the increasing wariness in Wang Xinyong\u2019s eyes. He suddenly smiled, then waved toward what appeared to be empty forest. In an instant, his personal guards leaped out.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every general had men loyal to him alone. Though these men bore the insignia of the Northern Army, they listened only to Yuan Baifu. If Yuan Baifu wished to act, they would not stop him\u2014they would only think, General, you finally came around.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winners became kings, defeated usurpers were a common tale. Many deputy generals attempted to seize the position of their commanders. Most failed, which was why people remained shocked by such events. Those men never thought they would fail, and neither did Yuan Baifu.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong had been summoned by Yuan Baifu and had brought only four guards. They were no match for Yuan Baifu\u2019s men.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He cried in fury, &#8220;Yuan Baifu! Are you rebelling?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yuan Baifu laughed louder. \u201cCompared to Qu Yunmie, who exactly is the rebel? Your Lord hasn\u2019t even proclaimed himself Emperor, yet you are already eager to kneel before him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yuan Baifu himself hadn\u2019t struck yet, but two of Wang Xinyong\u2019s guards were already dead. The last two guarded him as they retreated, but bloodshed meant death. Seeing this, Wang Xinyong fled with the final surviving guard, but after only a few steps, he froze in horror.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What had looked like dense forest was, one step ahead, a sheer cliff.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He had sprinted too quickly and barely stopped himself from falling. At that moment, he suddenly felt a powerful force shoving him from behind.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a person was rejected\u2014whether by someone or even by something\u2014they felt terrible. Even when pushing a locked door, one felt inexplicably upset, and if the feeling intensified, it became sorrow.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If rejection by a door felt like that, then being rejected from the world of the living by Yuan Baifu\u2019s two hands felt far worse.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As he plunged downward, he saw Yuan Baifu looking down at him expressionlessly. That brief moment of eye contact made him realize he had never understood this man at all. He wondered whether the King and Jian Qiao would feel the same as he did now.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That instant stretched long in Wang Xinyong\u2019s perception, yet in Yuan Baifu\u2019s, it never existed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the two figures shrank and vanished, Yuan Baifu turned toward the soldiers loyal only to him and smiled again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He had never smiled so wildly, so freely, in his life. \u201cLet\u2019s go. We return.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The guards said, \u201cYes, sir!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Edited by: Antiope<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Support translation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/bePatron?u=25191841\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"217\" height=\"51\" class=\"wp-image-338 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/become_a_patron_button.png?resize=217%2C51\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 217px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 217\/51;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/lajnaa\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/kofi3-3.png?resize=185%2C47\" alt=\"This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is kofi3-3.png\" width=\"185\" height=\"47\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 185px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 185\/47;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>He had no idea how much time had passed. Mijing tilted his head toward the inkstone that had already dried, then looked at Qu Yunmie, who still seemed perfectly energetic. Mijing: \u201c\u2026\u201d He drew in a light breath through his nose, and when he slowly released it, his shoulders sank along with it. \u00a0 \u2026 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-majesty","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/20240106180053_200_280-1.jpg?fit=199%2C280&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7938"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7939,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7938\/revisions\/7939"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}