That year in Hangzhou in Jiangnan, Ye Liuyun had toppled a building with one strike of his sword. Not long after, Haitang had received the Northern Qi empress dowager's edict and floated back to the North. After that, Fan Xian and the two of them had never seen each other again. They only occasionally exchanged letters.
However, the shocking change in the autumn of the seventh year of the Qing calendar severed the correspondence between the two of them. The Northern Qi saint girl, Master Ku He's true last disciple, and the present leader of Tianyi Dao had mysteriously disappeared from everyone's sight.
Even the Northern Qi people didn't seem to know where she had gone. Fan Xian had had the Fourth Bureau of the Overwatch Council and Baoyue Brothel search all over the world for news of her, but they still came up empty handed. She had disappeared so decisively and completely that it gave people the feeling that Haitang Duoduo had never existed in this world.
Fan Xian knew that this woman had once existed and would certainly exist somewhere in the world. She was watching him and doing something because he had once held her hand and touched her heart.
However, he had not thought that the missing Haitang Duoduo would appear on the grasslands to the west of the Qing Kingdom. Furthermore, she had stayed on the grasslands for two years and changed her name to Songzhi Xianling.
"Do you not have anything to explain to me?" Fan Xian looked into her eyes. His heart throbbed slightly. Slowly, he said, "For example, why you are here, the matter of the knife, and everything related to Su Bida."
Su Bida, the name of the Chief of Xi Hu, couldn't help but carry a strange sense of mockery when spoken from Fan Xian's lips. It was not strong, but it pierced the heart. Haitang immediately raised her head and gently combed a strand of hair at her forehead. "Since you have already come, presumably you have investigated everything clearly. Why ask me again?"
Haitang was dressed as a Hu tribe serving girl with a leather hat on her head. She looked mischievous and cute, particularly with the strands of hair poking out from the brim of the hat, making her appear even more childish and beautiful.
However, Fan Xian's tone remained icy. "Some things, it is one thing for me to find out. It is another for you to tell me personally. My anger lies in being hidden from me and used by others. You know my personality."
Haitang was slightly startled. She pulled her hands out of her clothes and placed them in front of her. Very seriously, she gave Fan Xian a half bow and said, "My apologies."
Although it was only two words, it was filled with remorse. Fan Xian looked at her. His expression did not change in the slightest. He also did not open his mouth. He only waited for her to give him an explanation.
"Let's take a walk." Haitang did not explain why she had come to the plains, nor did she explain why those blades had appeared in the hands of the Hu experts. She only very naturally suggested that the two of them take a walk on the vast plains.
Fan Xian was silent for a moment and then said, "Alright."
Parting the knee-high grass, the two of them left the path hidden in the grass and walked towards the depths of the uninhabited grassland. At this time, the autumn sun was hanging high in the sky. The little insects were agilely moving in the grass. It was quiet all around, but there was a greenish-yellow color in front of them, blankly looking towards the end of the sky.
The man and woman had their hands in their clothes. They were like two little dots in the sky and earth, maintaining a steady speed as they advanced towards the end of the sky.
If there was nothing else in this world, perhaps the two of them would be willing to walk like this forever and not talk about the problems that would tear at one's heart and liver, and not talk about stories that would gradually pull each other apart.
However, there were blue skies and white clouds in the sky, and wretched autumn grass on the plains. The two of them walked between the vast heaven and earth. In the end, they belonged to the mortal world. Even the way they walked now was difficult to be as harmonious as it was in the past. Was this not a heart-shaking loss?
…
…
"It has been many years since the Taoist sects have infiltrated Xi Hu. However, it has never been of much use. It is always difficult for the Hu people to trust the strategists of the Central Plains."
The autumn wind gently blew against Haitang's red face. She sighed gently and opened her hands, feeling the vast aura of the grasslands. In a quiet voice, she said, "Xi Hu has been beaten into a mess by the Qing army. If we want the Hu people to become a force that can stand against the Qing Kingdom, even if it is a force that can slow you down slightly, it is still a very difficult matter."
Fan Xian was silent and listened intently.
Haitang walked slowly and looked at the sun hanging over the grasslands in the distance. Narrowing her eyes, she said, "Two years ago, before my teacher passed away, he gave me this mission."
"What mission?"
"Help the Chief unify the grasslands and establish a country." Haitang looked at him expressionlessly. "As you know, although the Hu people are good at fighting, there are countless tribes that are only nominally controlled by the court. As a whole, they are like scattered sand. If they are unable to unify the grasslands and establish a true country, how can they slow down the Qing Kingdom's pace of unifying the world?"
Fan Xian smiled coldly and said, "In order to stop the Qing Kingdom, you are willing to allow a new grasslands kingdom to rise on the grasslands. Have you ever thought that if the Hu people truly become powerful, what will it bring to the world?"
Without waiting for Haitang to speak, he stared into her eyes and said, "When we were in Hangzhou, you once reminded me that the Hu people are ambitious and cruel by nature. For thousands of years, they have always taken pleasure in killing. Unexpectedly, you now want to put on armor for this pack of wolves. Is the threat the Qing Kingdom poses to you so great that Tianyi Dao has to give up on the principles of the Way?"
Facing his gaze, Haitang didn't show a hint of fear, saying slowly, "It's not possible to build a nation on the grassland in a short period of time. The plan of my late Master will definitely take place twenty years later … I have to admit that I was stunned when my Master returned to Green Mountain with severe injuries. I've never thought that your Emperor would be so formidable."
She smiled self-mockingly and said, "Since the Iron Riders of the Qing army have already become a foregone conclusion, how could the Qi Kingdom be willing to become fish under the knife? Of course, I had to think of some way to slow down your steps."
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and waved his hand, stopping her explanation. Straightforwardly, he asked, "This plan is indeed sinister and far-sighted. If the grasslands court can truly establish a true country, the Qing Kingdom will probably never be able to sleep peacefully. Even if we take down Northern Qi, we will always have to worry about the situation in the West. This will also give you some opportunities to take advantage of."
"But …" He faintly said, "although I have only seen Su Bida from afar, I know this Chief's nature is like a hawk's. He is definitely not a normal person. Since Ku He chose him before he died, how could you make him trust your troops and follow your plan?"
"You said earlier that Tianyi Dao's intention to infiltrate the Western Hu court is not something that has happened in a day or two. How can you do all this?" Fan Xian lowered his head to look at the small leather boots on Haitang's feet. "Northern Qi people have already begun to enter the Western Hu court to manage political affairs for Su Bida and make plans. Presumably, other than civil officials, there are also some military advisers who understand the Qing military situation. How did you convince the Hu people to accept these Northern Qi people?"
"You're talking about Wei Wucheng and the others," Haitang replied lightly. "They are not all Northern Qi people," Haitang replied lightly. "There are also people from Dongyi and the Qing Kingdom."
Fan Xian looked at her with slight surprise.
Haitang continued lightly, "These people are only capable people hired by the Chief with a large sum of money. They don't know me or my position in the court. What I need to do is to convince the Chief, a Ruler with a heart as wide as the sea and sky, that he should be good at accepting all outside wisdom. To subdue the four seas, he needs to use the people of the four seas. "
Fan Xian's brows were furrowed tightly. Looking at her, he said, "But, you still haven't explained why Su Bida, such an ambitious person, would listen to everything you say … you have to know that in the Hu people's tribes, women never have much of a place."
Haitang smiled slightly. A glimmer of interest suddenly appeared on her plain face. Looking at Fan Xian, she asked, "Do you think I'm using a honey trap?"
Fan Xian paused and didn't know how to respond. He had long discovered that the Chief had entered Haitang's tent more than once at night. Furthermore, it was clear that the Chief had some feelings for Haitang.
Haitang smiled and looked into Fan Xian's eyes. Sighing, she said, "I wasn't born as beautiful as you. Even if I wanted to use a honey trap, I don't have the capital."
At this moment, a strange thing happened between the two of them. When Haitang sighed at Fan Xian's appearance, her arm seemed to rise uncontrollably. Her fingertips trembled slightly and touched Fan Xian's cheek. Sliding an inch across his face, the light touch of her fingertips against his skin was so bone-deep that it touched the deepest feelings in the bottom of their hearts.
When the two of them realized that such a warm scene had occurred, they immediately froze. Fan Xian's body was slightly stiff. With great difficulty, he raised his left hand and grasped the hand beside his face. Holding it, he would never let go.
Being held by Fan Xian's warm hand, Haitang's body was also slightly stiff.
"I found that it is difficult for the two of us to walk as harmoniously as before," Fan Xian held her hand and quietly said. Fan Xian held her hand and quietly said, "Perhaps the amplitude of the swing is not the same. If we hold hands, would it be better?"
"But, the steps are still not the same." Haitang had a serene and peaceful smile on her face, but her words carried boundless regret and disappointment.
"I have to try." Fan Xian didn't care what she was thinking. Holding her hand, he continued to walk deeper into the grasslands. There were only the two of them in the world. At least, in this moment, there was no need to say such unpleasant things.
…
…
"Are you jealous?" Haitang half leaned on Fan Xian's shoulder. Their hands were held tightly together. It was as if they were both afraid the other would suddenly let go.
At this moment, they were sitting on a meadow. Below the meadow was a small lake. Across the lake was the gradually setting sun. The golden rays of the setting sun drew a golden line on the surface of the water. Occasionally, a few wild ducks flew across the surface of the water, squawking strangely.
This scene was very familiar. It was as if they were still in Jiangnan, by the lake, and it was still the same two people.
"Why would I be jealous?" Fan Xian said with some dissatisfaction. "Su Bida was able to suppress the Left and Right Virtuous Princes in a few short years. The power of the court is the most powerful on the grasslands. Although you helped, he is indeed powerful."
"In the end, you are still jealous," Haitang said with a slight smile. Her face did not have the pride of a normal woman, nor was there a trace of uneasiness. It was as if she was only stating a fact.
Without waiting for Fan Xian to speak, Haitang leaned her head on his shoulder. This woman's shoulders had shouldered too many things since she was young. Although no one knew how old she was or where she was born, her identity as the saint girl of Northern Qi and the successor of Tianyi Dao forced her to shoulder all of this. She would also have a day when she was tired. She also hoped to unload the heavy burden on her shoulders and then lean on a shoulder she could rely on.
At this time,
"I came from the grasslands in the North. My name is Songzhi Xianling. I am the lost princess of the Ka'erna tribe." Haitang gazed in a daze at the setting sun across the lake and slowly said, "On the grasslands in the North, I helped many people and led the last group of tribes moving south to the grasslands of Xi Hu. The children of the tribes that came to the South earlier acknowledged my identity as the princess of the Ka'erna tribe. Thus, the Chief had to pay attention to me, at least at the beginning, to the power behind me."
"Ka'erna?" Fan Xian turned his head and looked at her bright forehead. Faintly, he said, "To go around in such a big circle, in order to not make Su Bida suspicious, Ku He has truly put in a lot of effort."
Although Haitang had said it simply, Fan Xian knew that the Northern Man could not withstand the cold of heaven's might and were forced to move south. There were countless deaths and injuries along the way, but they still left tens of thousands of riders on the grasslands. For Haitang to be recognized as the leader by these Northern tribes, she must have paid a very difficult price.
The reason Chief Su Bida's court was able to sweep away the resistance on the grasslands in such a short time was largely because he had stood against the opinions of the masses and accepted his brothers from the Northern grasslands. Thus, he had obtained the support of the tens of thousands of Northern Man riders.
Looking at it now, Haitang was probably part of this support.
"You are the Northern Qi saint girl. Suddenly, you have become the saint girl of the Northern tribes. Are you not worried that your identity will be exposed?" Fan Xian said quietly. "I believe in your intelligence and ability. The Chief will certainly not be able to do without your help, particularly after seeing some results. However, your identity will always be a major problem."
"Expose what identity?" Haitang straightened her body and smiled slightly. "Expose my identity as the successor of Tianyi Dao?"
Fan Xian thought it made sense. Even if Chief Su Bida knew Duoduo's true identity, it would not have any effect on his choice. But, what about the tens of thousands of riders from the Northern tribes? That was the greatest source of Haitang's involvement in the matter of Xi Hu. If they found out that the princess of the Ka'erna tribe was a fake, what would happen?
Logically speaking, if Haitang's identity was exposed, the Northern Qi people's plot would collapse. This should be something that Fan Xian and the Qing people would be most happy to see. For some reason, Fan Xian believed that Haitang would not make such a mistake. Perhaps, the already dead Master Ku He would not have not thought of this link that could easily go wrong. Thus, he listened quietly to Haitang's explanation.
"What do you know about Ka'erna?"
"In the past, the court tribe of the Northern grasslands had already been wiped out by Commander Zhan Qingfeng a few decades ago. From then on, the Northern tribes were a group of dragons without a leader. Additionally, Shang Shanhu was guarding the Northern gate, so they could not cause any more major trouble."
Haitang looked calmly into his eyes and said, "What did you like to ask me the most in the past?"
Fan Xian's brows were furrowed tightly. He didn't know what connection these two questions had, but it was an important matter. He thought about it seriously. A moment later, he hesitantly said, "I liked to ask you how old you really are." He smiled and explained, "Although I don't mind older women falling in love with younger men, I was afraid that you would be 40 or 50 years old and rely on your youthful skills to deceive a pitiful person like me. An old cow eating young grass, how innocent is the young grass?"
A slight blush appeared on Haitang's face, but it disappeared in a flash. Shortly after, she smiled and said, "I still haven't answered you because I don't know how old I am."
Fan Xian was silent. He knew that Haitang was an orphan girl who had been carefully cared for by Master Ku He from a young age.
"I am 19 this year." Haitang suddenly stared seriously into his eyes and said, "My mother was a princess who escaped from the Ka'erna court."
Fan Xian didn't hear these words clearly. He thought to himself, 19? Then, when he gave her the aphrodisiac by the North Sea, she was only 14? Was he teasing a loli or poisoning a youth? This girl was indeed younger than him … Wait, princess? Mother? The Ka'erna court?
He abruptly stood up and looked at Haitang in disbelief. Haitang was sitting hugging her knees and watching the ducks dancing on the lake with a peaceful expression. It was as if she didn't realize what a shocking secret she had just told Fan Xian.
"You … are … really the princess of the Ka'erna tribe," Fan Xian said in a trembling voice.
When it came to everything on the grasslands, he had calculated clearly. He had laid out all the countermeasures to the plot Ku He had left behind. Even exposing Haitang's identity at the right time was part of his plan. He had not thought that Haitang's ability to influence the Chief and secretly help the grasslands court build a country was not based on a fake identity. She was a princess.
Haitang hugged her knees and placed her head gently on them. Looking at the pool of water and golden light in front of her, confusion appeared in her eyes. In a quiet voice, she said, "You are indeed calmer than me. Two years ago, when I heard about my past from my teacher, my reaction was much greater than yours."
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