Seeing the man being hauled away like a sack, Zhang Zu Rui instinctively stepped forward. Pei Yuan Jin flashed in front of him and blocked his path. “Wait.”
Wen Hong Xuan asked, “You know this man?”
Pei Yuan Jin said, “Leave him. I have a use for him.”
His tone was neither a threat nor a request. It was simply calm and matter-of-fact, which somehow made it even more stifling. Since Wen Hong Xuan had become Supreme Leader of the Northern Alliance, few people dared put on airs before him. Even the King of Mengwu treated him politely. This kind of lofty attitude, as though nobody else were worth noticing, usually belonged only to martial brutes like Zheng Jiao Jiao…
Wen Hong Xuan silently guessed at his identity. “I captured him. What will you offer in exchange?”
Pei Yuan Jin flicked a finger. The Crimson Dragon King in his hair shot out like a streak of scarlet lightning, bending several times through the air before striking down precisely in front of the rider dragging the suspect away.
The lightning landed and transformed into a long sword, driving straight into the ground like a boundary marker and brazenly declaring to everyone present: cross this line and die.
Spirit artifacts were already rare in this world. A weapon capable of changing size and shape so freely was rarer still. Across the entire realm, only one person possessed a weapon matching that description.
Wen Hong Xuan’s gaze deepened. Smiling without warmth, he said, “So Young Master Pei of the Immortal Treasury Palace has honored us with his presence. General Zhang, why didn’t you tell me? If the men guarding His Highness last night had not reported that an extraordinarily skilled young expert appeared, I would still be completely in the dark.”
He was not entirely ignorant of what had happened the night before.
He had always known the servant beside him belonged to Zhang Zu Rui. The moment the man tried to drug him, Wen Hong Xuan realized Zhang Zu Rui planned to act that night. But his first thought had been that Zhang Zu Rui intended to rescue the guards imprisoned in the War Support Office dungeon. By the time he realized something had changed at the Prince of Longnan’s residence and hurried north with his men, he was already one step too late.
The nine guards reported every detail of the battle. The two people whom the Prince of Longnan had invited inside drew Wen Hong Xuan’s attention, especially because the guards described one of them as “unfathomably powerful.” Among the Prince of Longnan’s old followers, only Wang Ku fit that description.
But Wang Ku’s whereabouts were unknown. That meant some other expert had lent a hand.
The group Zhang Chou personally brought away from the city gate the previous day therefore became suspicious. Conveniently, the War Support Office men stationed at the gate noticed Pei Yuan Jin returning from outside the city that morning. The pieces fit.
Wen Hong Xuan concluded the Prince of Longnan was no longer in Yujing. With an expert of that caliber watching, the manpower currently available to him would make following them almost impossible. Besides, Zhang Zu Rui controlled the army. With powerful martial support added on top, even if Wen Hong Xuan found the prince, he might not be able to take him back.
So he changed strategy immediately, settling for the next-best option: try to keep Zhang Zu Rui in Yujing.
Zhang Zu Rui had known Wen Hong Xuan for many years and knew the man always thought three steps ahead. His rescue operation this time had come without warning, leaving Wen Hong Xuan wholly unprepared. Zhang Zu Rui had assumed Wen Hong Xuan would stop to plan before moving. That assumption was precisely what gave him the confidence to leave with his family.
Yet judging by Wen Hong Xuan’s actions today, the man was willing to disregard years of friendship and risk internal conflict in the Northern Lands just to confront him head-on. That did not fit Zhang Zu Rui’s expectations.
According to Zhang Zu Rui’s original plan, while they escorted the Prince of Longnan out of Yujing, the man planted inside the Wen household would drug Wen Hong Xuan to delay him. Success would be ideal. If it failed, Wen Hong Xuan’s usual caution should still prevent him from acting rashly after losing the prince, much less tearing apart their relationship on the eve of war.
But Zhang Zu Rui had underestimated Wen Hong Xuan’s obsession.
Without changing expression, Zhang Zu Rui countered, “With Young Master Pei lending us his strength, our chances of victory have increased greatly. Brother Wen should be pleased.”
Wen Hong Xuan said, “General Zhang has always opposed jianghu figures becoming involved in Northern Lands affairs. Yet you seem quite willing to open every convenient door for the Immortal Treasury Palace.”
Zhang Zu Rui said, “Everyone knows the Immortal Treasury Palace has spared no effort hunting the Puppet Path. We merely share the same enemy.”
“Before Tie Rong Rong was executed, she ran rampant throughout Northern Zhou for years. The Immortal Treasury Palace is also based in Northern Zhou. Are you saying they never received even the slightest hint?”
The two traded verbal thrusts and counters, one attack after another, making for an extraordinarily lively exchange. Had Fu Xi Yan been here, he would certainly have joined the battlefield and talked up a storm. Unfortunately, the person standing here was Pei Yuan Jin, who would rather use his hands than waste time yapping.
He looked at the Crimson Dragon King standing all alone in the distance and felt the loneliness of a swordsman trapped among politicians.
Zhang Zu Rui said, “One hundred thousand troops are trapped in chaos along the border, consuming several thousand shi of grain every day. I’m worried sick. I must hurry to the front and stabilize military morale. Whatever happens, we absolutely cannot touch the people’s emergency grain!”
Those were the very words Wen Hong Xuan had spent the last two days telling him. Hearing them come from Zhang Zu Rui now carried an indescribable mockery.
Wen Hong Xuan’s face darkened. “The earlier cases involving guards neglecting duty and leaking secrets have not yet been resolved. General Zhang does not intend to remain and see the results?”
It was an open threat.
Zhang Zu Rui’s heart tightened, but he still smiled. “Those are all fine men of the Northern Lands. I’m sure Lord Wen will give them justice.”
Inside his sleeve, Wen Hong Xuan’s fingers rubbed lightly against one another. “May we speak in private?”
Zhang Zu Rui went with him inside the Zhang residence, putting some distance between themselves and the people outside, though they remained within Pei Yuan Jin’s hearing range.
Wen Hong Xuan said, “Bring His Highness back, and the matter of attacking can be discussed again.”
“Can your promise to Mengwu truly be ignored?” Seeing Wen Hong Xuan’s long face, Zhang Zu Rui sighed. “I won’t make things difficult for you. If the King of Mengwu assigns blame, I’ll shoulder it myself.”
Wen Hong Xuan sneered. “And what will change if you reach the northern front? Without grain, fodder, and military supplies from the rear, one hundred thousand soldiers will become homeless dogs in an instant. At that point, attacking Northern Zhou to obtain supplies will become the only option.”
Zhang Zu Rui’s expression did not change. “If so, wouldn’t that be exactly what Lord Wen wants?”
Wen Hong Xuan shifted to another threat. “If General Zhang does not want those guards to die for nothing, perhaps stay a few more days. Madam Zhang and Young Master Zhang may leave on their own.”
Unfortunately, Zhang Zu Rui’s mind was already made up. “Those guards belong to the Northern Lands. They are not my private soldiers.”
He would take neither salt nor oil. There was no opening at all.
Wen Hong Xuan glared at him, sparks almost seeming to fly from his eyes. In a voice nearly like a curse, he said, “Northern Zhou has no room for two princes. You and your lord will only become homeless dogs.”
Zhang Zu Rui looked at him. “That’s right. I still have a lord.”
Wen Hong Xuan’s face instantly twisted into something hideous. Zhang Zu Rui ignored him, turned around, and strode boldly out through the gate. Moments later came the order to depart, followed by carriage wheels rolling and members of the Zhang household calling to one another.
With Wen Hong Xuan absent, the riders did not dare stop the Great General and could only clear a path.
Pei Yuan Jin raised a hand and recalled the Crimson Dragon King. Then he leapt onto the roof of a carriage and sat at the center of the convoy like an immovable pillar anchoring the sea, watching as the vehicles slowly rolled out of the street.
Zhang Zu Rui also took along the man he had planted in Wen Hong Xuan’s household.
As the convoy turned a corner, Zhang Zu Rui happened to glance back.
Wen Hong Xuan stood at the Zhang residence entrance, calmly watching them leave.
The abandoned town truly was abandoned.
Fu Xi Yan sat on the threshold eating dry rations brought by the Prince of Longnan’s men, chatting with the prince in fits and starts. Most of the conversation consisted of the Prince of Longnan asking about Yu Su Huan.
Fu Xi Yan enthusiastically described how they had first met.
Although the Prince of Longnan kept asking about Yu Su Huan, Fu Xi Yan could not stop dragging Pei Yuan Jin into the story whenever he answered. The prince had to interrupt him several times and pull the subject back.
“Without realizing it, we’ve actually known each other this long.” Fu Xi Yan sighed. Life after meeting Pei Yuan Jin had been more eventful than all sixteen years before it combined.
“Oh, right.” He suddenly remembered the matter of gathering points. He took out the list Shi Wei Liang had given him and handed it to the Prince of Longnan. “Take a look. Find me a few people on here who are utterly vicious and guilty of heinous crimes.”
The Prince of Longnan opened the list. Seeing Wen Hong Xuan written on the first page, his expression immediately turned strange. He flipped through it page by page. Every name belonged to someone from the Northern Alliance.
“Why are you asking about this?”
Fu Xi Yan said, “I need Jadeite Soil, but I have to exchange points for it. Deal with the people on this list, and I earn points.”
The Prince of Longnan’s expression grew even stranger. “Jadeite Soil… belongs to me.”
Fu Xi Yan froze. “Yours?”
The Prince of Longnan said, “Wang Yu must have confiscated my princely estate.”
Fu Xi Yan was not surprised. The two sides had already met each other with armies and weapons. Why would Wang Yu preserve the other man’s house? Turn it into a protected historic residence?
Fu Xi Yan said, “Why don’t you write him a letter and tell him to give it back?”
He was joking, yet the Prince of Longnan actually nodded seriously. “I can. I have business with him anyway.”
Fu Xi Yan blurted, “You’re going to ask him to give your life back too?”
The Prince of Longnan: “…”
The abandoned town had none of the Four Treasures of the Study. The soldiers nearby somehow found a piece of white hemp cloth and a charcoal stick. Writing was possible, but whatever appeared on that cloth looked nothing like a letter meant for an emperor.
Fu Xi Yan said, “Isn’t this a little too shabby?”
They were supposed to be righteously demanding the return of the prince’s own property. Written on this, it looked more like a plea for charity.
Even the Prince of Longnan looked embarrassed. He set down the charcoal. “Even if I finish the letter, there’s no way to send it immediately.”
Fu Xi Yan said, “I happen to have a bird that can fly, magnificent beyond compare!” He launched into an oral essay boasting about his daughter, praising her brilliant colors, heroic bearing, and every other virtue until even the legendary phoenix seemed no more impressive.
While he was still talking nonsense, a soldier hurried over. “There’s a strange bird circling in the sky.” Immediately afterward, another soldier ran up and reported, “The Second Elder has arrived.”
Fu Xi Yan looked up and saw a peculiar bird in an equally peculiar little dress, half her tail sticking out while she soared through the sky in obvious delight.
He muttered, “They say you shouldn’t talk about people during the day or ghosts at night. Apparently you shouldn’t talk about birds either.”
Fu Gui Gui had sharp eyes. Spotting Fu Xi Yan on the threshold, she seemed to want to recognize him yet remained uncertain. She circled above his head several times, crying “aiya, aiya,” apparently hoping the person below would answer.
Fu Xi Yan had only just finished boasting and did not want his exaggerations exposed this quickly, so he had little desire to acknowledge her. Unfortunately, daughter and father seemed to share some instinct. The more he refused to speak, the more Fu Gui Gui became convinced that nobody else could possibly possess this particular manner except her “real dad.” She immediately folded into a dive and plunged straight at his head!
Before her claws could seize his scalp, Fu Xi Yan finally lazily raised a hand and caught both her feet.
Fu Gui Gui instantly lost her balance. Her wings flailed wildly, wrapping Fu Xi Yan’s entire head between them.
In the middle of this feathery chaos, a monk came rushing over at full speed. “Benefactor, spare the bird beneath your blade!”