In the autumn of the 12th year of the Qing calendar, the leaves on either side of the road gradually became round as they headed south. They also began to wither and yellow. The scenery along the road changed along with the climate, clearly depicting the landscape of this world.
A horse carriage was steadily moving on the official road. Fan Xian, who had disappeared from this world for more than half a year, had finally returned to this world. The people who passionately hoped for his death or hoped for his survival still did not know of his return.
After experiencing many hardships and passing through the snowy plains once again, the four of them quietly snuck into the world and did not send out a clear signal to any power. Haitang and Thirteenth Wang knew the heaviness in Fan Xian's heart. Wu Zhu, who still did not have a trace of humanity, only sat silently at the back of the carriage. Presumably, he did not understand the trivial matters of the world and would not care about them.
In the capital of Langya County in Northern Qi, the carriage stopped outside an inn. After a while, Fan Xian left the inn alone and headed toward the busiest brothel in the city. Behind him, Wu Zhu, covered by a black cloth, followed at a moderate distance. It was not Fan Xian's intention to come out with Uncle Wu Zhu. However, he also did not understand. Uncle Wu Zhu clearly did not remember anything and knew nothing, so why did he continue to follow him?
In a secret room in a branch of Baoyue Brothel, Fan Xian saw Shi Chanli, who had already waited for a full four months, as well as Wang Qinian and Deng Zi Yue. Under the powerful pressure of the Qing Emperor and Royal Palace, there were not many loyal subordinates who still stood bravely by his side. Other than the three in the secret room, there was only Xia Qifei, who was struggling to survive in Jiangnan.
Seeing Fan Xian alive and well, the faces of these three loyal subordinates all revealed expressions of disbelief and joy. The entire world knew that Fan Xian had gone to the Temple. In reality, everyone, regardless of whether they were Fan Xian's friends or enemies, thought Fan Xian would certainly die in the Temple. Who would have thought that he would be able to return alive?
After a moment of excitement, Fan Xian smiled and had everyone sit down. He had no time to talk about this journey that was not very pleasant and that even he could not explain clearly.
Wang Qinian squatted to the side and smoked a pot. Deng Zi Yue placed all the important intelligence reports in the world in front of Fan Xian. Fan Xian glanced at it. The worry in his eyes grew stronger and stronger.
Shi Chanli glanced at the blind youth beside the secret room. For some reason, he felt a chill in his heart. He didn't know who this person was to be able to come to such an important place with his teacher. He swallowed and said, "The Qing Kingdom's Northern camp will break camp on the third of June. The first contact between the two sides will be seven days later."
"Why is Northern Qi so defeated?" Fan Xian's expression became heavy. Looking at him, he asked, "Furthermore, in Langya County, I didn't sense much fear from the Northern Qi people."
"The Northern Qi side retreated 300 li. Strangely, according to our investigations, Shang Shanhu was not on the battlefield. Instead, he chose to defend the city of the Song Kingdom." Deng Zi Yue stepped forward and replied. He then spread out the map on the table. Pointing at the battlefield, he said in a heavy voice, "This position is in the middle of the spine. If the Qing Kingdom's border army directly invades the North, Shang Shanhu will use the momentum to come out and directly attack the spine. Although this famous general has chosen to be on the defensive, his defense is unusually dangerous."
"This is the city that Shang Shanhu took after the battle in the North last year. So, this piece ultimately landed in this place." Fan Xian smiled bitterly. He had not thought that while he was exploring the Temple in the North, he would not know how much time had passed in the mountains. The situation in this land had long undergone an earth-shattering change. Just as they were returning south from the snowy plains, the Qing Iron Riders had finally begun their Northern expedition.
"Since the Emperor has made up his mind to use the power of the entire country on an expedition to the North, the Northern camp is nothing more than the vanguard. Under the invasion of such a murderous aura, even someone as strong as Shang Shanhu can only choose to be on the defensive. This is dictated by the strength of the country. It has nothing to do with the genius of an individual commander. "
Deng Zi Yue was, after all, an official of the Overwatch Council. Compared to Shi Chanli, he had a clearer assessment of the recent battle situation between the two powers of the North and South. Looking at Fan Xian with worry, he said, "The Northern camp has left Cangzhou. The Northern Qi side has retreated 300 li. However, where the blade points, in the end, there has still been a great battle on the wastelands. The Northern camp is temporarily resting and reorganizing, but there are frequent movements of soldiers in Yanjing. It looks like the second attack is close at hand. Although Shang Shanhu has the geographical advantage of that city, if Yanjing and the Northern camp combine forces to attack the West, Shang Shanhu will probably have to be dragged into the field battle. "
"I don't understand war, but I know that if the Emperor has truly made up his mind, no matter how talented Shang Shanhu is, in the end, he can only be slowly exhausted to death."
Fan Xian lowered his head and looked at the silent cities on the map. In a slow voice, he said, "It is clear that although Northern Qi has prepared for this battle for many years, in terms of military affairs, they are no match for the Qing Kingdom. They only hope to exhaust the Qing Kingdom until Shang Shanhu exhausts himself, but the Emperor does not want to accompany him in exhausting himself. Even if they continue to exhaust themselves, the Emperor will be the final victor."
Deng Zi Yue and Shi Chanli glanced at Fan Xian with worry in their eyes. They were traitors of the Qing Kingdom, but they were, after all, Qing people. They belonged to the third power in the world. At this moment, the battle between the two sides had begun. Their position and identity were truly awkward. Furthermore, they still didn't know what Fan Xian thought of this matter. Thus, during this month, the power that belonged to Fan Xian had not made a move.
Fan Xian furrowed his brows slightly and used his finger to gently tap the position of the nameless city. He thought that Shang Shanhu was probably preparing in the city that belonged to the Song Kingdom in name. Suddenly, a powerful sense of unease surged in his heart. "If I were the Emperor, if I really wanted to fight for time and not waste it with Shang Shanhu, the simplest method would be for two powerful armies to advance together and then choose one to circle around to the back of the Song Kingdom. Shang Shanhu would then want to hide his knife in its sheath …"
"If we were to circle around to the back of the Song Kingdom, that would be like borrowing a path from Dongyi. Although Dongyi belongs to the Qing Kingdom in name, if the army were to enter Dongyi …" Deng Zi Yue glanced at Fan Xian. "The Great Prince and the Black Knights are not in Dongyi. They are on the border between the Liang Kingdom and the Song Kingdom. If the Qing army wanted to borrow a path, they would probably receive a sudden attack."
These words were not said clearly. Everyone in the secret room knew that Dongyi now belonged to Fan Xian. In such a battle that involved the entire world, what kind of attitude Dongyi would display? Whether or not the Qing Emperor would valiantly send out troops was, in the end, a matter between the Emperor and Fan Xian, father and son.
"If the Emperor had not sent out troops to attack Dongyi at the beginning, it would mean that he knew I was not dead. Then, he would not have chosen this path in the future." Fan Xian sighed and rubbed the spot between his brows. "Let's not talk about this anymore. In the end, it is not something I can handle. I only care about the situation in Jingdou and Jiangnan."
All of these situations were in the files Deng Zi Yue had submitted. There was too much content, and Fan Xian did not have time to read them all in detail.
"Jiangnan is stable. The court has withdrawn the new rules for the palace treasury bidding. As you expected, the salt merchants have also joined in the matter of the palace treasury bidding. Fortunately, the Ming family still holds a portion of the market. Of course, it is much more wretched than in previous years."
"Is Xia Qifei's person alright?"
"After the assassination last year, the court did not make any further moves against Ming Garden. Governor Xue Qing is only suppressing Xia Qifei. Looking at the moment, it will not carry out direct action."
Fan Xian sank into deep thought. It looked like the Emperor had, in the end, kept his promise in the Palace. After all, the fate of the palace treasury was in his hands. If the Emperor wanted to last through the ages, he could only temporarily take a step back in front of his threat.
"After Sun Jingxiu was removed from his position, the original plan was to be banished. For some reason, the Palace suddenly sent down an edict and pardoned his crime. The young lady of the Sun family was released the night before she entered the educational workshop. Presently, life in the Sun manor is very difficult, but the people of the He faction have been killed wretchedly, so no one will kick them when they are down."
Speaking of this, a glimmer of a smile rose to the corners of Deng Zi Yue's lips. Although he had not participated in the Jingdou matter, the Overwatch Council's killing spree in Jingdou and the officials of the He faction were about to be wiped out. This truly made this abandoned official of the Overwatch Council feel incomparable joy.
"However, the people of the Council have all withdrawn from Jingdou according to your orders, so they are unable to help."
Fan Xian nodded. In his heart, he felt that the matter was more and more strange. When did the Emperor become such a benevolent ruler? Was it just to keep the bet between them?
"Is everything alright at home?" He shook his head and temporarily let go of the things he couldn't figure out in his heart. Gazing at Wang Qinian, he asked.
Wang Qinian coughed twice and smiled as he replied softly, "They couldn't be better. Everyone in the world is dumbfounded. Princess Chen and Young Lady enter the palace every day to talk with His Majesty. Young Master and Young Lady are also very healthy."
The situation in Jingdou had indeed dumbfounded everyone under heaven. Fan Xian was now a traitor of the Qing Kingdom, but the Emperor had no intention of condemning the Fan faction. Even the women who should have been implicated now had faintly higher positions in the Qing Kingdom than before the assassination in the Royal Palace.
After Fan Xian heard this news, he couldn't help but be startled in the distance.
Deng Zi Yue suddenly opened his mouth and said, "The results of the investigation in Yingzhou show that the people who attacked Wenmao were border soldiers who had retreated from the South Road pretending to be mountain bandits."
A cold light flashed through Fan Xian's eyes. He quickly asked, "Where are they?"
"In the end, we found Wenmao's body. It was covered by the snow at the time." Deng Zi Yue slowly closed his eyes. "At the time, he was missing an arm. The old subordinates of the Council searched for a long time but couldn't find him."
"I'm going back to Jingdou." After a long silence, Fan Xian raised his head and looked at his three closest subordinates beside him. With great difficulty, he smiled and said, "Immediately retreat to Dongyi. Don't gather together again. Otherwise, if someone catches you all, where would I go to cry?"
Hearing that Fan Xian was returning to Jingdou, Wang Qinian and the other two were shocked. Wang Qinian had been with Fan Xian the longest and understood Fan Xian's thoughts the best. He was also the least particular with his words. In a hoarse voice, he urged, "Although the Emperor has not carried out a purge, you know that if you appear in Jingdou, he will stop at nothing to kill you."
"I know."
"Right now, your life is involved in that bet. More importantly, as long as you are alive, the Emperor will have some fear. Your life will affect the lives and deaths of many people."
"I know," Fan Xian lowered his eyes slightly. Fan Xian lowered his eyelids slightly. "But, I will have to return to Jingdou because things will have to be resolved. Even if I hide in Dongyi for a lifetime, I still won't be able to resolve it."
There was another death-like silence. A light suddenly flashed through Fan Xian's mind. He stared at Wang Qinian and asked, "We discussed earlier that the Northern Camp and Yanjing can clearly waste time with Shang Shanhu, but the Emperor clearly doesn't want to waste time. Why is that?"
Wang Qinian was silent for a moment. He then said, "There is news from the Palace that the Emperor's body … seems to have problems."
After these words were said, Deng Zi Yue and Shi Chanli's expressions changed drastically. They knew that the Emperor's health was the most important matter in the world. The problem was that one of them was responsible for the intelligence work of the old subordinates of the Overwatch Council, and the other was responsible for the Baoyue Brothel intelligence network that covered the world. Yet, they had never heard any news related to the Emperor's health. Wang Qinian spoke with such certainty. It made it difficult for them to believe it.
Fan Xian stared into Wang Qinian's eyes and slowly nodded his head after a long time. He knew where Wang Qinian's news came from. Even when Chen Pingping was alive, he did not know of Hong Zhu's existence. However, Fan Xian had given it to Wang Qinian. Clearly, this news had come from Hong Zhu.
The secret room was silent for a long time. The three of them knew that no one in the world could stop Fan Xian's actions. Shi Chanli smiled with great difficulty and said, "Sir, are you not going to tell us the story of this journey? After Master Ku He, you are the first person to return alive from the Temple. "
"It's just a rundown temple. What is there to tell?" Fan Xian smiled. He knew that everyone was actually very curious about that illusory place. However, his mood was heavy and he indeed had no interest in talking. He only glanced lightly at Uncle Wu Zhu at the door of the secret room and wondered, When exactly will the blind uncle wake up?
…
…
In Langya County, the group of three young warriors who had entered the Snow Mountain Temple parted. Thirteenth Wang was going to use the fastest speed to hurry to Dongyi and inform the Great Prince, who was guarding Dongyi alone, as well as the people in the Sword Hut, of the news that Fan Xian was alive and Fan Xian's arrangements. Haitang's departure was within Fan Xian's expectations. The great battle had already begun. Although Northern Qi had the power to fight, the situation was dangerous. As a Northern Qi saint girl, Haitang could not stay out of it. She had to rush back to Shangjing and to the side of the Northern Qi Emperor. Using her identity as the leader of Qing Mountain's Tianyi Dao, she had to help her country resist foreign invaders.
When they parted, the expression in Haitang's tired eyes made Fan Xian feel a strange sense of pity. He didn't know how long Northern Qi would be able to hold out against the Qing Emperor's valiant will and war to unify the world. He also didn't know if the beautiful Royal Palace would be burned to ashes if the Qing army actually broke through Shangjing. Or, in those flames, would Haitang, Lili, and the Emperor's woman be found.
Regardless of whether it was from his personal view of history, personality, or any other aspect, Fan Xian could only have one attitude toward the bloody flames of war that slowly began. He had to stop all of this. However, he didn't make any promises to Haitang or express anything. He was just silent. Taking Uncle Wu Zhu, he walked alone toward the south.
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Under the clear sky, Fan Xian and Wu Zhu walked south in silence. Fan Xian's mood was heavy. He didn't know what he could do once he returned to Jingdou. For some reason, his instincts, as well as the news that the Emperor might be seriously ill, urged his footsteps to never stop.
The most successful sidekick after Wang Qinian, Su Wenmao, had died. That autumn, the old cripple had died a long time ago. Even earlier, Ye Qingmei had also died. After experiencing the great joys and sorrows of the human race in the Temple, Fan Xian should have viewed life and death more indifferently. For some reason, once he stepped into the world, there were more worldly thoughts in his heart. Remembering life and death and paying for life and death. How could he just laugh it off?
It was still a black carriage. Fan Xian sat in the carriage and looked at Uncle Wu Zhu sitting beside the driver's seat. He was not surprised to find that the side of Uncle Wu Zhu's face was still delicate and pretty. The black cloth was still enchanting in the autumn wind. Everything was actually very similar to the scene from Jingdou to Danzhou 20 years ago.
The one who was different was still Wu Zhu. This peerless warrior seemed to have lost his soul. He did not say a word or do a single thing. His cold face could not reveal whether or not he was curious about everything in this world that was both strange and familiar.
Fan Xian felt a faint sorrow and gently let down the curtain. Shortly after, he smiled mockingly at himself. Back then, Uncle Wu Zhu was blind. Now, he had become a mute. What had his mother done in the past? What should he do?
After the carriage reached Nanling County, it did not go any further. More accurately, the driver did not want to go any further. Although the Northern Qi court had long tried to downplay the war in the South, war was not as easily covered up as the scandal of the royal family. Everyone in the world knew what had happened in the center of the land. The millions of people all used indifferent and wary gazes to nervously wait for the result. Naturally, the driver did not want to enter the battlefield.
Taking out silver to buy the carriage, Fan Xian took on the role of driver and continued south with Uncle Wu Zhu. On the way back from the icy plains, the abundant yuanqi had already successfully healed Fan Xian's injuries. Although he knew that he still had no way of touching the boundary between humans and the sky, he believed that other than the Emperor, there was no one else in this world who could threaten him.
After traveling for another dozen days, they passed through the simple wooden sheds on either side of the road and numb-looking groups of refugees. The uncle and nephew in the carriage seemed to be walking in a desolate area similar to the snowy plains of the extreme north.
The number of people gradually thinned. Occasionally, a light snowfall would fall, but it could not hide the deathly silence on either side of the road. Occasionally, a few rotting corpses could be seen on the side of the road. In the mountains in the distance, villages that had been burned into ruins could be faintly seen.
This was originally a piece of fertile land. Even though it was blown by the north sea wind, the fertile land still supported many people. However, there was only desolation at the moment. Most of the people had already retreated to the rear of Northern Qi. Those who were unable to avoid the flames of war had become sacrificial pawns for the obsession of unifying the world.
As for the villages that had been burned and the people who had been killed by the side of the road, Fan Xian did not investigate deeply whether it was the work of the invading Qing army or the scattered Northern Qi soldiers. War had always been the original sin of humankind. In this world, how could there be a good war and a bad peace?
On the deathly silent road, the air was dry and carried the smell of blood. It surrounded the black carriage. Fan Xian drove the restless horses with a wooden expression. He also did not turn his head to look at Uncle Wu Zhu's expression beside him.
He knew that the armies between the two countries were currently gathered in the southwest of Yanjing on the plains to the north. After the Qing Kingdom's Northern Camp won, they temporarily returned to camp to rest and reorganize because they feared Shang Shanhu, who had remained motionless. The deathly silence here was, on the contrary, relatively safe. However, the traces of the previous battle were already shocking to the eye. It was difficult for him to imagine what kind of hellish killing field this world would become once the Qing Iron Riders broke through the city of the Song Kingdom where Shang Shanhu was and headed North at full speed.
In the entire world, it seemed that there was only the sound of the carriage rolling along the road. Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and waved his whip. He avoided a small group of Qing riders patrolling on the other side of the river and entered Qing territory.
Wu Zhu, who had been silent since leaving the Temple, suddenly opened his mouth to speak. "The world outside the Temple is not very good."
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