Sigu Jian did not give the order for the disciples of the Sword Hut to kill Fan Xian. He didn't even spare the leader of the Overwatch Council assassins who had dared to stab him. This reality made the disciples of the Sword Hut feel a glimmer of surprise and shock. Yun Zhilan, who had silently walked out of the Sword Hut, felt even heavier.
He looked around. His third brother and fourth brother were both left in the Sword Hut. It seemed that his teacher had something to tell them. Yun Zhilan couldn't resist looking at the setting sun in the west and gently sighed. These two brothers respected him the most. They had also participated in keeping Thirteenth Wang under house arrest and ambushing Fan Xian. Was the teacher keeping them here to ask about this matter?
Given his understanding of Sigu Jian, if his teacher truly wanted to punish him for his actions, he probably wouldn't need to investigate or ask anything. He would directly have him kill himself. It would probably be difficult for him to summon the courage to resist.
The faint light of dusk shone on the face of the first disciple of the Sword Hut. It was somewhat dim and helpless. Today, the entire manor of the Master of the City had died. It had sufficiently demonstrated Sigu Jian's attitude. In a few more days, the dragon flag of the Li family would probably be replaced by the dragon flag of the Dongyi palace.
He knew that perhaps this was an inevitability of history. Otherwise, his teacher would not have reached an agreement with Fan Xian and lowered his head to the Qing Emperor. However, his heart still couldn't help but throb with pain.
There was no longer any way to stop this matter from happening. One of the major powers in Dongyi, the manor of the Master of the City, had all become corpses in pools of blood. Sigu Jian had used the simplest and crudest method to unify the thoughts of the entire upper class of Dongyi society and intimidate the thoughts of all the disciples in the Sword Hut. Presumably, the countless merchants and workers in the city were also willing to accept this reality. After all, fighting had never been an entertainment that merchants liked.
Yun Zhilan narrowed his eyes and looked at the mountain residence above. The Northern Qi Emperor had already silently returned to the mountain residence under the protection of Lang Tiao and Friar He. He didn't know what the Northern Qi people were thinking. Should he end the agreement he had secretly reached with them or continue moving forward?
Following this, the mountain residence closed its doors and refused guests. This made Yun Zhilan's complicated emotions even more complicated. The Northern Qi Emperor had risked thousands of li to come here. He must have had the attitude of paying a great price to finish this battle in one fell swoop. Why did the Emperor seem to admit defeat after he was taken into the Sword Hut by Fan Xian and no longer try to tear apart the relationship between Dongyi and the Qing Kingdom?
Yun Zhilan stood outside the mountain residence and quietly said a few words to Lang Tiao. With some sadness, he walked down the mountain. As he walked, he thought to himself, just what kind of miraculous ability does Fan Xian have to be able to suppress Northern Qi until they can't move?
He still didn't believe Fan Xian had this ability. He thought it must be because his teacher had clearly expressed his attitude to the Northern Qi Emperor that the Northern Qi people had become hopeless. Turning his head to glance at the Sword Hut in the dusk, Yun Zhilan's expression was very serious. After a slight pause, he walked toward Dongyi. He would never betray the will of the Sword Hut and the interests of Dongyi. However, the people of Dongyi were anxious. Without the pressure of the officials of the Master of the City, he, the first disciple of the Sword Hut, could only helplessly begin to manage state affairs.
…
…
Contrary to what Yun Zhilan had imagined, the Northern Qi people did not despair. More accurately, the Northern Qi Emperor, whose surname was Zhan, did not despair. She sat coldly by the window and looked at the flowers burning like fire. Thinking of what had happened these two days, she couldn't help but feel her heart waver. When she was young, she had been held in the empress dowager's arms and sat on the throne. From that day on, she had no longer known fear or despair.
A person in a certain position should have a corresponding ability to judge. The little Emperor knew that in the matter of fighting for Dongyi, she had already lost to Fan Xian. She had lost completely. There was no chance of turning the situation around. On the other hand, she also knew that Sigu Jian had chosen the Qing Kingdom not because this Great Grandmaster had any good feelings toward the Qing Kingdom. Rather, it was because Fan Xian's existence seemed to be able to provide Dongyi with a sliver of protection in the future.
The most important problem was still hidden in Sigu Jian's heart. After the clever Northern Qi Emperor thought for a long time, she faintly grasped the crux. Although she still didn't know the details, she guessed that Sigu Jian would certainly cause Fan Xian a great deal of trouble in the future.
Fan Xian's trouble was the Qing Emperor's trouble and Northern Qi's blessing. Although she knew that if Fan Xian was truly ruthless enough, she could only become a puppet in his hands, Fan Xian had never been ruthless enough, particularly toward his own woman.
The events of that night made the little Emperor feel humiliated, stimulated, excited, and curious. Thinking about it in hindsight, it seemed to have been of great benefit.
Fan Xian used this to control the little Emperor. The little Emperor also used the relationship between the two of them to put Fan Xian in a difficult position. The little Emperor slowly turned her head and looked coldly at Si Lili sitting by the bed. She said, "Beloved, comb my hair."
Including Fan Ruoruo, there were three and a half women on Northern Qi's side. As the little Emperor calmly enjoyed Si Lili's hand combing her hair, she silently thought about what Fan Xian should do with three and a half women facing a father with potential cracks.
…
…
Fan Xian was in the depths of the Sword Hut. Standing outside the door, he looked calmly at Sigu Jian on the bed. After the Shadow woke up, he had found a place to heal. As a top assassin, he always had a final lair to lick his wounds. Fan Xian was not worried about this.
In the dusk, he once again faced the sword-like gazes of the people of the Sword Hut and walked into the depths of the Sword Hut to deal with what the Northern Qi Emperor had thought of earlier. Sigu Jian could bring him great trouble in the future.
Thirteenth Wang coughed and glanced at him. Carrying the basin of hot water, he walked past him and didn't say anything. Fan Xian turned his head and looked at the bloodstains on his back. He couldn't resist smiling. The scene earlier when he had turned his back on his teacher confirmed Sigu Jian's love for this young disciple.
Including the basin of hot water inside the sect and the towel wiping his body, even a Great Grandmaster was sometimes like a pitiful old man being served by a filial son.
The more Sigu Jian favored Thirteenth Wang, the calmer Fan Xian's heart became. He coughed and cleared the thoughts in his mind. Stepping over the threshold, he sat on the chair by the bed. Looking at Sigu Jian, who had his eyes tightly closed, he said, "The Shadow will not take over the Sword Hut."
The rooms in the depths of the Sword Hut were completely silent. Other than Thirteenth Wang in the courtyard, no one else could stay there. Even the sword children who served Sigu Jian personally had long been chased to the front of the Hut.
These abrupt words rang out in the quiet room, rising in spirals and not stopping for a long time. They came without reason and were spoken without rhyme or reason.
The Shadow was someone who wanted to kill Sigu Jian and was an official of the Qing Kingdom's Overwatch Council. Yet, Fan Xian had seriously said to Sigu Jian that the Shadow would not take over the Sword Hut. Would Sigu Jian allow the Shadow to inherit his most precious legacy in this world?
Shockingly, Sigu Jian did not laugh at Fan Xian's speculation. Slowly opening his eyes, he carried a heart-shaking coldness. In a raspy voice, he said, "Why can't he?"
…
…
Fan Xian's heart tightened slightly. He hadn't thought that with one sentence, this Great Grandmaster would directly reveal his true thoughts. He couldn't help but smile bitterly. In a quiet voice, he said, "Because he is my person."
"You are half a Dongyi person, but he is an entire Dongyi person." Sigu Jian slowly closed his eyes again. "He is my younger brother. He is the true first disciple of the Sword Hut. After I die, if he doesn't take over the Sword Hut, does he have to hand it to you?"
"Me?" Fan Xian shrugged. "I have my own teacher. Furthermore, I don't have the hobby of starting a sect."
Sigu Jian closed his eyes and said, "How did you guess my thoughts?"
"Yun Zhilan was originally a good choice. Unfortunately, he went against your wishes this time. Furthermore, he is used to official work. In terms of swordsmanship, it is difficult for him to advance. You won't just watch as the Sword Hut declines after your death."
"Thirteenth Wang is a good choice. Unfortunately, you dote on him too much and have too high hopes for him. You would not want him to be bound by these grass huts."
"Only the Shadow." Fan Xian was silent for a moment. "You didn't kill him not because you couldn't bear to kill him. Saints are heartless. This is something you admitted earlier. You left the Shadow with his life. Naturally, you have to use this life. If you leave the position of Master of the Sword Hut to him, it will cause trouble in the future. You and I both know this. "
"So, the matter at the Hanging Temple was really done by Chen Pingping." Sigu Jian suddenly cackled with great joy. "Looks like even I have misjudged this old dog. He has no loyalty to your Emperor to speak of."
Fan Xian was not angry. He smiled warmly and said, "No one can doubt the Director's loyalty to the Qing Kingdom. If you want the Shadow to rise to the surface and incite a battle between the Emperor and the Director, I advise you to quickly give up."
Sigu Jian fell silent. He didn't speak for a long time. The entire Sword Hut was enveloped in an oppressive atmosphere. From last night until now, Sigu Jian finally understood that Fan Xian, the son of an old friend, indeed had a calmness and even coldness that was difficult to find for normal people. He had guessed the true intentions he had been hiding from his slight movements.
"How long can you hide the fact that the Shadow is my younger brother? A year? Two years? " Sigu Jian suddenly said coldly. "What happened in Dongyi today will eventually be sent back to Jingdou. Do you really think your Emperor won't guess anything?"
"I don't care what he guesses. As long as he can drag it out, that's that. I hope you don't make this matter clear and real." Fan Xian looked at Sigu Jian's thin face without shrinking back. "In Dongyi, there are only six people who can guess the Shadow's identity. Earlier, the third and fourth disciples in the Hut had already seen you and told you what happened the night before. Presumably, you had them seal their mouths. Given your position in their hearts, they probably won't say anything for the rest of their lives. As for Thirteenth Wang, I believe in his nature and virtue. All that is left is me, you, and the little Emperor. If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, what is there to be afraid of? "
Sigu Jian coldly said, "The problem is that you still have no way of convincing me. Why wouldn't I say anything? Once the world knows of this matter, your Emperor will certainly kill Chen Pingping. If Chen Pingping dies, what will you do? "
Fan Xian was silent for a long time. He then said, "You pretended to agree to the agreement between us. In reality, you put your sights on the future. If the Director died, the Qing Kingdom would sink into internal strife. How would we have the time to look elsewhere …"
"I just don't trust your Emperor." Sigu Jian suddenly opened his eyes and looked at him. "I still trust you a little more. The problem is, as long as you are not Emperor, it is useless no matter how much I trust your sincerity. It is not up to you to make decisions in the Qing Kingdom."
Fan Xian's expression was very serious. "I indeed do not have the ability to make the decision to have the Emperor give up on his determination to start a war. If you anger me, at least I can make the decision to have the Qing Kingdom destroy your Dongyi."
He stood up and said, "Don't try to incite internal strife in the Qing Kingdom. Don't try to have my most respected elder sink into danger. Otherwise, there will be no agreement in my heart."
Sigu Jian didn't say a word for a long time. Suddenly, he said, "If such a day truly came, would you still have the heart to think about Dongyi?"
"These are all things that haven't happened, but this kind of threat is an alarm that can be sounded ahead of time."
Sigu Jian looked at him and said, "Did you also use such a crude method to force the female Emperor of Northern Qi to shut her mouth?"
Fan Xian was not worried that the little Emperor's gender would be leaked by Sigu Jian. The collapse of Northern Qi was not a scene this Great Grandmaster wanted to see. Straightforwardly, he replied, "I have found that I can only use a crude method to solve these problems. This is what I learned from you."
"Don't try to use me or control me," Fan Xian said. His state of mind was in a mess. It was as if he had returned to the old Fan manor in Jingdou many years ago and he was talking to his father.
From the moment he came to this world, each of his actions and thoughts appeared to be free. In reality, they had always been shrouded in countless shadows. His father, the Emperor, Chen Pingping, and all of the old men were arranging his future according to what they thought was correct.
Later, there were a few more monsters among these old men, such as Ku He and Sigu Jian on the bed. They all wanted to use what had happened in the past to secretly control him.
If Fan Xian was not Fan Xian, his life would probably be much easier. As long as he continued to walk at a fixed pace, he would be able to live happily. However, he did not want this. Even if Ye Qingmei's name always shrouded his head, he still did not want it.
…
After two days, the two major diplomatic groups from Qing and Northern Qi finally slowly and solemnly arrived on the road. After the two diplomatic groups left the Song Kingdom, they began a vigorous race at low speed on the road. It seemed that neither wanted to be the first to step onto Dongyi's territory and launch the first wave of political attacks.
The head envoy of the Northern Qi diplomatic group, Wei Hua, faintly felt that it was strange, but he could not change anything. He guessed helplessly that Fan Xian had probably long arrived in Dongyi. However, the officials of the Board of Rites in the Qing diplomatic group had no idea that the Northern Qi negotiator who had arrived early in Dongyi was their Emperor.
The welcoming ceremony in Dongyi was very lively. However, it was hard to avoid a number of problems in the middle. Because all of the officials in the manor of the Master of the City had died, the officials Yun Zhilan had recruited from various territories acted hastily.
These details all fell into the eyes of the officials of the two diplomatic groups. Immediately after, they learned of the murder that had happened in the manor of the Master of the City. They involuntarily looked at each other, unsure of what had happened.
In reality, the true negotiations had ended long before the diplomatic groups entered the city. The true major figures of both sides had already exchanged blows countless times in secret. They had already set down a solid foundation for the ownership of Dongyi.
On this day, the spring sunshine was bright and beautiful. On this day, in the courtyard where the Qing diplomatic group lived, the officials of the Qing Kingdom were dumbfounded. They looked at Sir Fan junior, who sat at the head of the table. They were so shocked that they could not speak for a long time. Of course, they knew that Sir Fan junior had entered Dongyi ahead of time. But they could not have imagined that Sir Fan junior had used only three days to beat back the aggressive offensive of the Northern Qi people, convince the proud and aloof sword saint Grandmaster, suppress the opposing forces in Dongyi, and help the Qing Kingdom settle this matter.
After hearing Sir Fan junior's words, all of the Qing officials became excited. If it weren't for the Dongyi officials outside, the cheers would probably have broken through the roof and rushed into the blue sky above Dongyi's head.
The Qing Kingdom was born from blood and fire. From a small country on the edge, it had developed into the most powerful country in the world. It had relied on endless conquering of the borders and endless wars. Particularly 20 or 30 years ago, the Emperor had personally led an army to conquer the North and the South. Only then was he able to conquer the Qing Kingdom's present territory and power. The words "conquering the borders" had long become a part of the blood of the Qing people. Regardless of whether it was corrupt officials or honest officials, peddlers and pawns, or scholars, they all passionately hoped that the Qing Kingdom could unify the world.
However, 20 years ago, the three major powers in the world had stood together. The Qing Kingdom had been quiet for too long. The enthusiasm for conquering the borders had been suppressed for too long. After the Dong Mountain incident, knowing that the two Great Grandmasters of the enemy countries were no longer an obstacle, all of this enthusiasm exploded forth.
Dongyi was added to the Qing Kingdom's territory.
This was not conquering Nanzhao or invading the grasslands to the west. It was also not fighting back and forth with Northern Qi to carve out a bit of land. It was truly conquering a large power.
Other than the Emperor's three personal expeditions to the North, which had shattered the Wei Kingdom and established the Qing Kingdom, being able to conquer Dongyi was, without question, the most glorious stroke in the Qing Kingdom's history of conquering the borders.
All of the officials looked at Fan Xian like they were looking at a god. Their eyes were burning with passion. Without wasting a single soldier and just relying on negotiations, they were able to obtain such great benefits for the Qing Kingdom. They could no longer find any words to describe their feelings. They even thought that the Emperor truly had foresight and was prepared to make Sir Fan junior a king two years ago.
Sir Fan junior had accomplished such a great deed. Even if he didn't split the land, he would not be able to escape being made a king.
For a moment, the slightly old Vice Minister of the Board of Rites found it difficult to digest this shocking piece of good news. He was so excited that his face flushed red. A gurgling sound came out of his throat and blocked the phlegm in his mouth. He watched as Fan Xian collapsed.
…
…
Fan Xian walked out of the unusually lively diplomatic mission, but there was not a trace of joy on his face. Logically speaking, to be able to convince Sigu Jian, subdue the Northern Qi Emperor, and use this relatively peaceful method to bring Dongyi into the territory of the Qing Kingdom was certainly the greatest thing he could do in his life. But, he still could not be happy. He knew what kind of danger was hidden behind Sigu Jian's agreement.
He had already told the officials in the diplomatic mission that the person responsible for the details of the negotiations on Dongyi's side was the first disciple of the Sword Hut, Yun Zhilan. Yun Zhilan's position in this matter had long been known to everyone. Sigu Jian had chosen him to come out to negotiate. Without question, he wanted to use an unyielding attitude to obtain the greatest benefit for Dongyi.
Fan Xian did not care about this. Whether it was actual rule or submission in name was not a problem he needed to consider this year. After Sigu Jian's death, Dongyi did not have much power to oppose. As for whether it would not change for 50 years or five years, that was the Emperor's decision.
Thinking of this, his mood became gloomy again. The secret report to Chen Garden had long been sent out. The Shadow, who had sunk into silence the entire time, had also been sent to the Jiangnan palace treasury to be treated. However, Fan Xian had no confidence in whether or not he would be able to calmly digest this matter.
Walking out of the gates of the diplomatic mission and getting into the carriage, Fan Xian leaned against the window with a headache and looked at the prosperity in Dongyi. This prosperity did not appear artificial because of the arrival of the diplomatic mission from the two countries. It also did not appear desolate because of the collective deaths of the officials of the manor of the Master of the City. The merchants' courageous nature in pursuit of profit made them appear unrestrained and incomparably free.
The black carriage came to the end of Chang Street. There were three directions. The member of the Qinian Unit driving the carriage asked, "Commissioner, where do we go now?"
"To the seaside," Fan Xian replied quietly.
The carriage took a long time to pass through Dongyi. It avoided the busy transport groups and headed in the direction of the busiest port. It came to the quietest silver beach outside of Dongyi. The official driving the carriage jumped down and led it to the side of a beach. Suddenly, he realized that there was already someone on the beach. Furthermore, he acutely sensed the other party's identity. His pupils constricted abruptly. Lowering his voice, he said, "Northern Qi."
Fan Xian had already stepped down from the carriage. Looking at the members of the Qinian Unit beside him, he smiled and said, "I came today to find these Northern Qi people. “
This member of the Qinian Unit was the one Fan Xian had met in Qingzhou last autumn. Fan Xian had no doubt about the loyalty of these trusted aides. Under Wang Qinian and Deng Zi Yue's training, these trusted aides only knew Fan Xian. Perhaps they didn't even care about the one in the palace.
He had a meeting with someone, so Fan Xian did not bring the Sixth Bureau swordsmen of the Overwatch Council. He only brought this trusted aide. The member of the Qinian Unit was stunned. Very cleverly, he did not ask any more questions. He led the carriage to a quiet place and waited under a green tree branch. He closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
Stepping on the soft sand, Fan Xian walked step by step toward the seaside. There were a few people by the seaside looking at the sea. The waves of the East Sea were calm and gentle. They gently lapped against the silver sand, painting it with different shades of wet color. Paired with the circle of rocks not far in the sea and the layers of green trees behind the beach, it looked very beautiful.
Fan Xian raised his hands and bowed seriously. "Greetings, Sir Lang Tiao."
Lang Tiao looked at him calmly. His hands hung naturally by his side. His two curved knives hung by his side in chains, swaying gently in the sea breeze. He looked at the young man in front of him. His emotions were complicated, but his expression was unusually calm. A moment later, he opened up the path to the seaside and walked toward the distance of the beach.
Fan Xian walked to the side of the young man wearing a plain robe and full of scholarly aura. Putting his hands behind his back, he looked at the sea with him.
Si Lili wore a beautiful light yellow dress. Like a fairy, she smiled as she accompanied the two of them.
The young man was the young Emperor of Northern Qi. Northern Qi had completely lost the Dongyi matter. He could not leave the court in Shangjing and the throne for too long. He had to leave today.
In the diplomatic group, the officials of the Qing Kingdom had been excited and worried that Northern Qi would sabotage them. At the time, Fan Xian did not reply because he was about to meet the Northern Qi Emperor.
The Northern Qi Emperor's sword-like eyebrows remained straight. His eyes were clear and determined. No one would be able to see that under his clothes, he was a woman.
He didn't even glance at Fan Xian. Suddenly, he raised his right arm and pointed at the vast sea. In a particularly firm tone, he said, "If I were a man, I would certainly be able to unite the world and conquer this sea!"
The waves suddenly grew and crashed into the rocks in the distance, stirring up a thunderous sound and swallowing up the Northern Qi Emperor's words, which were full of confidence and dissatisfaction.
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