[Wushuang] Chapter 126
No good will come to those who grew close to you.

Feng Xiao attacked at the same time Fan Yun attacked Cui Buqu, launching a palm towards his back.

If Fan Yun wished to save himself, then he would need to abandon the attack on Cui Buqu.

But just as Cui Buqu watched the attack hurling towards him, intending to take a step back, the strong wind of it ceased and turned gentle. Fan Yun made a deceptive move before turning around to lunge at Feng Xiao!

Cui Buqu suddenly understood.

Fan Yun’s target all along had been Feng Xiao, because if Feng Xiao was killed, he would have no choice but to surrender, but if Feng Xiao escaped, there would be an endless flow of disastrous aftermath.

Feng Xiao could not retreat in time, allowing Fan Yun to plunge onto his back. He could only retreat and turn around, allowing that palm to hit his shoulder; his other hand launched a zither string, forcing Fan Yun to take a step back.

Both parties fought eye-to-eye for the first time; Feng Xiao took a hit to his shoulder, but Fan Yun wasn’t in any special advantage either, for there was a scar on his arm made by the zither string infused with real qi. Blood drenched his torn robes and very quickly dyed his arm in crimson.

From Fan Yun’s first attack to both parties being injured, all these events took place in a single breath of Cui Buqu. In the blink of an eye, both of them fought again, this time completely putting Cui Buqu aside and fighting as if horrendous winds and heavy rain met, generating a sky-shattering massive thunder. Real qi billowed from around both of them; fallen leaves from the previous rain were swept up once again, swirling wildly in midair. The sands churned and pebbles rolled, loud bustling was summoned. At this moment, before anyone who has already escaped the cave could rejoice, they would be pushed back in again by this massive wave of real qi and tumble back.

Cui Buqu felt a wave of energy surging towards him and found himself pushed back a few steps. In the blink of an eye, he was at the brink of the cliff. If he hadn’t been quick to grip a branch from the side to stabilize his standing, now, there would be no need for Fan Yun to interfere since he would have already fallen.

Only now did he truly acknowledge the true strength of Fan Yun’s skills.

This person, Fan Yun, was incredibly knowledgeable, armed with a retentive memory and a broad heart and mind. He travelled across the lands when he was young, gaining the acknowledgement of the Liuli Palace and was invited to be a guest tutor even though in reality he shared no relationship with them. He remained carefree and unrestrained, unshackled from anything. Other than the identity of a descendant of the Fan Clan, his literary skills, knowledge, and background were all a mystery.

After succeeding the Zuoyue Bureau, Cui Buqu had once assigned people to investigate Fan Yun in secret. He discovered that Fan Yun and the number one largest sect in the Southern Dynasty, the Linchuan Palace Academy, were closely associated. Their techniques match each other from movement to movement, and although a great many have been altered for the better, it still carried the shadow of the Linchuan Palace Academy.

The Linchuan Palace Academy upholds Confucianism, the Palace Lord was a known cultivator of Confucianism and martial arts. All his students strive to aid a brilliant Emperor to rule the world, reclaiming the lands of the Han people as their responsibility.

Cui Buqu covered his mouth and coughed a few times. The scent of blood surged up his throat, spilling from the corner of his lips and dampening his fingers. He apathetically wiped them away with the back of his hand, leaning against a boulder half the height of a normal person as he watched the battle, stomaching the dizziness and urge to vomit as he squinted his eyes.

“Fan Yun, you tried so hard to lure me into a trap. Presently, Xiao Lu hasn’t even shown himself. After this incident, the Thirteen Pavilions will have also suffered a huge loss, and I am already of no use to you. Why don’t you kill me first?”

Fan Yun laughed, “There is no need for you to dissuade me. Commander Feng is one of the top-tier masters of this present world. Before he is defeated, I can never be at peace! Buqu, do you know why I did not take you as my disciple in the past?”

He didn’t land with the first hit, but neither did he blindly attack; his footsteps were light as he walked circles with Feng Xiao with boundless patience.

Cui Buqu said coldly, “It’s because I’m not willing to pledge to a teacher. Please do not turn the causes around.”

Fan Yun heard it but did not listen, he laughed anyways, “Because when I look at your face, I see that you have an incredibly tough life, your kins are not close to you, and your life is destined to be riddled with hardships; no good will come to those who grow close to you. This time, weren’t you forced to come alone because Qiao Xian, who had always been by your side, was heavily injured?”

On the surface, this looked as if it was spoken to Cui Buqu, but in reality, it was meant for Feng Xiao.

Among the many worldly affairs; Kings and Emperors were superior, while small tradesmen and porters were inferior. Other than people like Cui Buqu who refused to accept fate, who would dare say they do not believe in it?

Even Fan Yun himself, who had seen all in life, knew very well that fate is destined, and that it is not something human beings could change. He even tried to change fate once when he lost an old friend who fell gravely ill by offering part of his lifespan to him, but in the end, it was to no avail.

Cui Buqu was expressionless on the surface, completely unmoved, like a bamboo shoot who was unwilling to gravel on its knees to the rain. Under his sickly body were cold bones. But if Cui Buqu didn’t care for it himself, would people around him not care as well?

Among a hundred ways to attack the enemy, the offence of the heart was the most effective.

There was a sneer.

It came from Feng Xiao’s mouth.

“What a coincidence; there was once a fortune-teller who told me that my fate is one of the best beneath the sky, born to have everything luxurious in my possession. Even if Heaven casts a lonely star1, it cannot harm me. Old Fan, you are already an old man, don’t blindly torture yourself any longer. Surrender now and admit defeat, and I might offer you a fully attached corpse, to avoid you having to wander about searching for your head when you reach the Yellow Spring River!”

As he spoke, a palm hurled itself. Fan Yun received it, sending two waves of rumbling thunder ringing loudly. Both of them retreated backwards; Fan Yun’s expression was calm and at ease. He landed stably, “I’ve forgotten that you hailed from one of the demonic sects; compared to normal people, you can let go more easily of most things.”

Since he knew that words cannot distract the opponent, he no longer spoke. A sword glare shot out horizontally, aiming at Feng Xiao.

That moment was plagued by curtains of rain and dark clouds; halfway through the journey, the fog and rain stopped, turning into specks like fish scales, covering the surface of the lake in twinkling light. The declining sun was like blood rippling on the surface of a frozen pool; it was extremely beautiful, like the vivid imagery of a dream.

Feng Xiao positioned himself, his figure lunging forward in a dash, both his sleeves fluttering behind him widely, breaking through the illusion with familiarity. At that moment, the winds ceased, and a blue sky stood up again.

Fan Yun never stopped; his sword swaying per his body, moving in front of Feng Xiao in the blink of an eye. Sword waves stacked up against each other layer by layer, and another layer was added after the drizzle was broken apart, like shrouding dark clouds, refusing to leave no matter what. The cutting wind from the swords flew across horizontally, sending pebbles flying and shattering leaves as they burst into rain, surrounding Feng Xiao within it so that it could not be avoided.

The deeper Feng Xiao was in the battle, the more he felt it affecting him. Fan Yun’s sword techniques looked beautiful like curtains of mist, yet they were brimming with killing intent. If one were to be mesmerized by them, they would meet their doom.

Before this, although Feng Xiao knew that Fan Yun’s martial arts were quite good, he had never taken them seriously. He felt that the other surpassed God’s will, yet wasn’t known in the Jianghu, thus there must be some limitations to his martial arts. Additionally, Fan Yun was valued within the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai for his abilities as a strategist and not a martial artist. Compared to Yu Xiu and Yuan Sansi, that generation of grandmasters, Fan Yun’s abilities as a strategist were much more obvious.

But now he knew that his speculation was wrong.

Not only were Fan Yun’s martial arts incredible, even with Feng Xiao’s confidence, he also could not refrain from admitting that the other’s martial arts had already achieved the rankings of a grandmaster and higher.

Why would Fan Yun, a man of such a high degree of martial arts, be unknown in the Jianghu?

As the thought flashed in his mind, Feng Xiao suddenly thought of one possibility.

The ranks of martial artists beneath the sky all came from the Liuli Palace from the Fangzhangzhou. The records in the Liuli Palace cannot be said to be perfect, but it would be accurate in at least eighty to ninety per cent. Since Fan Yun was related to the Liuli Palace, then he could make use of these relationships and remove his name from the Wulin records. Additionally, Fan Yun had no intention to roam the Jianghu, neither was he a person of the Jianghu. He had not fought with many people, thus he was naturally unknown.

Pain shot up in his back: it was the same place as the silver needle just now. There was no doubt that he hurt his meridians.

However, Feng Xiao’s hand was very stable.

From the moment a string flew out from his sleeve, one end of it was held by him and the other end would stretch as straight as a pencil, ringing within the sword’s glare and pierce through the flying rainbow it left behind, striking like shattering rain. The sound it gave off would travel into Fan Yun’s ears, and in it contained the waves of music with an inner strength that could cancel out the real qi which protected Fan Yun’s body, striking into his ears.

It seemed as if Fan Yun hadn’t expected his enemies to obtain the zither and turn it into strings, turning entertainment to weapons. There was no doubt regarding the surprise unraveling on his face.

The Faxing Sect used zithers for weapons. If there was a zither in his possession, Feng Xiao was a lot more laid back. However, if Fan Yun knew that the weapon used against him just now was a peer of Rao Liang from the legend, the incredibly precious zither Yu Yin whose strings were plucked out one by one by Feng Xiao, he would have been so furious that he’d stab Feng Xiao to death.

However, he didn’t know that. So, his hand was only disturbed by waves of music from the zither and wavered a little bit. The sword’s glare was shoved aside, but once again it manoeuvred, spread out like a curtain of dawn, summoning wild winds and loud waves, billowing in waves of great fury, churning clouds and beating shores, toiling once against Feng Xiao.

At the same time, Feng Xiao was also immersed in the sword’s glare, his other hand once again launching a zither string at Fan Yun.

Tight paths meet again, facing each other head-on with a higher degree of martial arts and deeper inner strength.

However, every second counted for people whose martial arts have achieved their level. Fan Yun’s was incredibly meticulous. He could see that Feng Xiao was affected by his old wounds, that his right hand was unstable. His strength was weaker on his left hand. Although these differences were easy to miss, Fan Yun saw them, thus he incessantly made use of them.

So, the sword that attacked Feng Xiao from his left was even heavier.

At that time, Fan Yun heard Cui Buqu’s voice.

“I know whose side you are on now.”

Cui Buqu’s words were like the spring rains of March nights, like silver needles that were barely discernible; yet what level was Fan Yun’s sense of hearing? Even if his speaking adversary’s voice was like the sound of mosquitoes buzzing, he could still clearly hear them.

“The one you were aiding is an Emperor from the Chens, yet Chen Shubao is not the one. It was the late Emperor Chen Xu. Emperor Xuan was skilled with his subordinates, his abilities laudable, and he was lenient and generous from the beginning to the end during the decade he sat on the throne. Although he could not be called a brilliant Emperor of the dynasty, he could be considered a virtuous Emperor. It was a pity that he did not live a long life and had no successors; the pup is unlike his father, and thus, an incompetent child-like Chen Shubao has destroyed generations of hard work in the Chen Dynasty.”

If he could, Fan Yun would give everything to turn back time and make it so that Cui Buqu could no longer open his mouth. However, there were no what-ifs in this world. Since he had already spoken, there was no turning back, and could only allow those words to reach his ears.

Cui Buqu lived up to his name, every word that was spoken were like knives and swords, piercing the most fragile places in one’s heart, destroying every and all calmness that existed in Fan Yun.

“Teacher, you and Emperor Xuan shared an intimate friendship, and you were begged by the other before his passing, yet such a disappointing person had been entrusted to you. Your old friend is gone, yet words were as solid as gold, so you could only give it your everything, with a devotion similar to Zhuge Liang2, beating around the bush and gyrating in circles, going so far as to provoke strife between us and the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai so that Emperor Chen may reel in the benefits. What was more pitiable is that Emperor Chen might not be able to acknowledge your goodwill; even if your martial arts surpassed others and schemed plots everywhere, I fear in the end you could only walk the old path of Zhuge Kongming3, watching the star die in the Battle of the Wuzhang plains4. To attempt despite one knowing to succeed is impossible; Teacher, before this path shall end, you have already seen your destination.”

He spoke faster and faster, and at the end, everything was revealed, every word piercing the heart, cutting open it so flesh and bones could be seen.

Fan Yun inhaled vaguely, even the glare of his sword had lost its direction.

Whether those words said by Cui Buqu were said early or later did not make a difference. Fan Yun suddenly felt regret; he regretted that he had been sentimental before and did not get rid of the other earlier.

He had only blanked out for a while, but to Feng Xiao, that was already enough.

The zither string pried the sword apart, piercing through Fan Yun’s hand. In the next second, Feng Xiao’s figure followed suit.

Fan Yun’s expression changed, no time was spared for him to even regret it. The other hurled a palm at his chest, and fresh blood spilt out of Fan Yun’s mouth, his body falling backwards.

Feng Xiao did not allow him the chance to even breathe, pressing on hard, hitting palm after palm. Fan Yun took two hits subsequently and took a step back with every hit he took, his face growing paler. When Feng Xiao launched the third palm, Fan Yun was no longer willing to take another hit. He turned around to leave, leaping down from the cliff and falling on top of the boulder down below. A few more leaps and his figure disappeared into the fog.

“Er-lang!”

Not long after Fan Yun vanished, a group of people rushed out, and the one leading them was the Third Commander of the Jiejian Bureau, Ming Yue. Behind him, soldiers from the Jiejian Bureau held in their grasp someone familiar—the Young Master of the Yangdang Estate, Lin Wei.

Saying everything in a single breath, Cui Buqu could no longer stand it, not paying any attention to his wound scraping against the rocky surface as he fell sideways.

Feng Xiao’s reflexes were quick, holding him before the other’s head hit the ground.

“You came just at the right time!” Feng Xiao told Ming Yue, both speechless and mocking.

Ming Yue laughed bitterly, “Their den was hidden so thoroughly, I couldn’t find it even after half a day. We mistakenly caught someone from here by chance and had him lead the way!”

Feng Xiao raised his jaw, gesturing for Ming Yue to release Lin Wei from his mute state.

Once Lin Wei’s mouth regained its freedom, he immediately shouted non-stop, “Yuntian! I’ve never harmed you, nor have I helped them do so. When Yuan Sansi’s servant asked me to poison you, I never obeyed. Ever since I saw you, my admiration for you grew. Even if you spared me a look, my heart would feel happy…”

Feng Xiao’s lips twitched, “Gag him!”

Lin Wei, “No, no, please! I’ll just not say anything!”

Feng Xiao knew that this person might look like he had a good network of friends and was easy-going on the surface, but in reality, his ambitions spoke volumes. Otherwise, he would not have taken the cover of a good-for-nothing to conceal his true identity as a member of the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai. Regardless of how the other pleaded and babbled, he would not be moved by it. He only asked, “The others?”

Lin Wei immediately said, “When the fire broke out Ning Shewo that old hag ran even faster than me. I was trapped in the array and delayed for a while. When I came out, I saw no one before running into your subordinates!”

Feng Xiao, “Where’s your Pavilion Lord Xiao? After such a grievous thing happened, could he remain inert and not show himself?”

Lin Wei calmed himself down, “The Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai valued superiority and inferiority. I have never had the chance to see the Pavilion Lord myself. Only Fan Yun and Yu Xiu have the chance to interact with him often.”

Cui Buqu coughed and said, “He’s lying. When we return, use Naihexiang on him during interrogation.”

Lin Wei’s expression changed, a flash of loathing divulged from his eyes and both his arms spread, pushing away the soldiers from both his sides as he turned and ran.

A silver glare flew out of Ming Yue’s sleeve, piercing Lin Wei’s back. He fell over from pain and soldiers immediately rushed forward to pin him down.

A drizzle began once again between the mountains.

Feng Xiao has neither the heart or the strength to interrogate Lin Wei here, so he waved a hand to gesture his soldiers to bring him back before decisions could be made.

Ming Yue saw that Cui Buqu was unable to stand up, so he walked over to help him. Cui Buqu thanked him in a soft voice and did not reject it.

Behind him, Feng Xiao said coldly, “He could not even stand up on his own, and you still want him to walk himself? Can this sickly invalid even walk?”

Cui Buqu felt his feet lifted into thin air, his entire person was carried up horizontally.

Ming Yue was an honest person, so he was shocked at the scene and said immediately, “Er-lang, you’re injured, let me do it!”

“I am carrying him now anyways. It’s even more troublesome to switch hands now!” Feng Xiao twitched his lips, “Carrying such a thick scent of mud and blood on you, it’s stifling just to smell it. Did you hear what Master Fan said? Your life is a tough one, bad luck would fall upon anyone close to you. Although my life is luxurious and rich, don’t you even think of sticking fast to me when we return. Quickly find yourself a fortune-teller to change your fate, so that I won’t have bad luck as well…”

Cui Buqu was exhausted to the brink. It was a rocky journey when the other descended the mountain, it overturned his insides, making him want to vomit blood, so he could only shut his mouth, using the rest of his strength to roll his eyes.

Ming Yue was clouded with confusion as he stood behind. Since you’re afraid of bad luck, why are you carrying him down the mountain? Is this truly earnestly complaining, or speaking the opposite of what’s intended?

[1] Heaven’s lonely star: An implication that great danger will come.
[2] With a devotion similar to Zhuge Liang: Probably referring to how Zhuge Liang served Liu Bei at first, who was a competent and brilliant lord, but later on he was forced to serve his son due to an oath to his old friend (Liu Bei). However, Liu Shan was a disappointing and incompetent lord.
[3] Zhuge Kongming: Zhuge Liang’s courtesy name.
[4] Watching the star die in the Battle of the Wuzhang plains: The story goes that in Zhuge Liang’s final battle, he watched a star falling in the Wuzhang plains right before he died.

[Wushuang] Chapter 127
Is the one you wanted, me?

Using the naihexiang drug on different people would yield different results.

Until now, Feng Xiao could still remember the bone-piercing pain Cui Buqu experienced when the naihexiang took effect in his body, yet he was still able to retain a lingering sense of his intellect and consciousness to play theory games with him.

Cui Buqu’s biggest error was perhaps how he was overly conscious when he was under the naihexiang’s effect, for this had instead alerted Feng Xiao’s suspiciousness.

Afterwards, when Yu Xiu also fell victim to the naihexiang in Cui Buqu’s schemes, he had at least suppressed all of it down to fight a vigorous battle with Feng Xiao and managed to even escape.

When compared with these two, Lin Wei was nothing.

“Lin Wei has already told us everything he did since he joined the Thirteen Pavillions of Yunhai. All the members and their responsibilities have already been listed. He was in charge of finance; Xiao Lu provided him clients, and he has also helped the Thirteen Pavilions earn a handsome amount. According to what he says, the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai’s powers were divided. On leisurely days, they seldom gathered, so there is not much he knows. Even regarding the insiders within the Northern Regions that Xiao Lu has placed, he knew none of them except himself. The only clues that might prove useful were the different ways of passing messages between the Yangdang Estate and Xiao Lu.”

Ming Yue was sitting within the house, offering the results of his interrogation to the other two.

“However, this time, Xiao Lu has never shown himself throughout the entire event. It proved that it was very possible he already knew Fan Yun’s intentions and would never step into the trap himself. Presently, Lin Wei is in our hands, thus all these methods of contact will also be discarded. Once we manage to find our way there, we would most certainly be greeted by an empty pavilion.”

“Presently, these people from the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai—Yu Xiu, Lin Wei, Duan Qigu, Fong Xiaolian, Yu Heng, and the others, have all been annihilated. As Xiao Lu’s most valued strategist, Fan Yun has also betrayed him. It would be impossible for Xiao Lu to use him again. Without Fan Yun, the Thirteen Pavilions are like a dragon that has lost an eye, like a bird who lost its wings. Within a short period, no movements would come from them.”

Although Ming Yue was number three in the Jiejian Bureau, his residence was deeply hidden and his appearance was simplistic, having made no name for himself in the Jianghu, and neither did he achieve anything before in the Imperial Court. On normal days, he did not stand out from the crowd. A great many people thought that Feng Xiao was the heart of the Jiejian Bureau and did not take this Third Commander seriously. However, Cui Buqu knew that Feng Xiao often ran errands on the outside and if there was no one to serve as the mainstay in the Jiejian Bureau and aiding investigations, it’s feared that the Jiejian Bureau would have long been done for. Presently, as he listened to Ming Yue list out the causes and facts in an orderly and well-arranged manner, it wasn’t surprising at all, it has instead given him a feeling of ‘this is how it should be’.

This person’s abilities did not lie in fighting for credit in public, but it was in remaining behind to devise the last line of defence.

If Feng Xiao was the wings and jaws of the Jiejian Bureau, then Ming Yue was the heart of the Jiejian Bureau.

In between Cui Buqu’s pondering, he heard Feng Xiao ask, “What did the guards and maidservants in the caves have to say?”

Ming Yue shook his head, “Those people were gathered when their sects were destroyed by the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai, so in reality, they’re no suicide warriors of theirs. After a long time guarding the cave, they were oblivious to most things. However, there is someone called Liang Feng who provided a lead: he said that the Pavilion Lord appeared once during the last secret gathering in Tiannan Mountain. There was also a young woman who came often, who wore a cloth over her face; how she looks is unclear, but he’s heard the Pavilion Lord call her ‘Lady Huan’, and both of them were rather close.”

Feng Xiao turned to look at Cui Buqu on instinct, “Is there a woman in the Jianghu whose name has the word ‘Huan’ in it?”

Cui Buqu coughed twice, furrowing his eyebrows as he thought for a long time before saying with absolute certainty, “No. Perhaps an alias.”

He embraced the blankets as he sat on the bed, tiredness plaguing his face. Even if both Ming Yue and Feng Xiao have given him quite a huge amount of real qi, it could not restore his body within a short amount of time. Not only does he have to pinch his nose when he drinks his medicine, for once he thought over how he would have to face everyone in the Zuoyue Bureau whose faces would no doubt look like bitter gourds, Cui Buqu simply could not be in a good mood.

Feng Xiao’s foundation of the martial arts was strong, so it’s a given he was better off. However, the thick bandages wrapping around his torso were still visible through his robes.

Ming Yue spoke after he realized the situation, “Leave the aftermath to me. It’s not too late to discuss the others when we return to the capital. There is another thing: I was unable to find the Jade of Heaven’s Lake, so someone else may have taken it.”

When Fan Yun said that the Jade could prolong one’s life, it was true that Cui Buqu’s heart was moved.

Born a human being, one must seek to survive and not seek for death; Cui Buqu was not a god, he cannot escape mortality.

However, when he heard that, his expression had been very calm with no traces of being surprised.

Perhaps he was used to being tortured time and time again by the Heavens; when faced against those difficult situations and circumstances, he’s learned to depend on himself and not on hollow, indiscernible hopes.

Normal people would be bedridden for at least ten days or half a month if they had been stabbed, yet he’s still sitting here talking to Feng Xiao and Ming Yue. His will was rigid, it’s feared that even the Heavens could do nothing with him.

Feng Xiao realized that once he had begun staring, he couldn’t help staring a second time or even a third time.

Until even Ming Yue realized the change in him, turning into his direction to look.

Feng Xiao retreated his gaze, pretended nothing was out of the ordinary and asked, “When we came, there were still two Zuoyue guards with us. Have you found them?”

Ming Yue sighed, “Yes. Their corpses were found at the foot of Tiannan Mountain. A wound on their skulls claimed their lives. Most probably, the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai feared that allowing them to remain would change the thoughts of their disciples, so they were gotten rid of.”

Feng Xiao absorbed the thought, “Weapons are usually used to kill, there are seldom any cases that used hands like that. This might be the doing of either Yuan Sansi or Yu Xiu.”

Cui Buqu said coldly, “Regardless who was it who did it, this debt is on the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai.”

Ming Yue said, “Counting all the people on Xiao Lu’s side, presently, he’s left with only a few like Yuan Sansi or Ning Shewo. Judging by his character, he would rather leave the positions of the Thirteen Pavilions void rather than let it be occupied by someone of undeserving reputation. We only need to set our targets on Xiao Lu, and we could take down the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai.”

“I fear this isn’t so easy.” Tiredness weighed heavily between Cui Buqu’s brows, even his speech has softened more than just a little. “Fan Yun said before that Xiao Lu’s plans do not just involve these few people that we know. With his intelligence, he might have already known something was up with Fan Yun a long time ago.”

Feng Xiao snorted, “This time, Xiao Lu did not even show himself throughout the entire event. Perhaps he was going with the flow, using Yuan Sansi and Yu Xiu’s lives to swap for our deaths, so that both of us would fight and endure great losses from both parties. Fan Yun wants to sit back and reel in the benefits like a fisherman, not knowing that Xiao Lu is ultimately the oriole behind him.”

Ming Yue furrowed his brows.

When Feng Xiao left the capital before this, he had said that he was only going to get a zither that belonged to him. Ming Yue had assumed that he could not stand the boredom, yet he didn’t expect that it would drag out such a long train of complicated and messy events. If Cui Buqu had been as strong as Feng Xiao, they might have had good luck. Now, they were already struggling to stay alive.

The Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai was like a huge beast hidden in deep shadows. Once this beast was forced up the corner by them, everyone would realize that it has already spread its bloody-jaws wide, enough to pose a grave threat at any time.

Its network stretched into every corner—the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the loftiness of the Imperial Court, and the Jianghu that sat at the other end of the world; the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai was everywhere. If even the Prefecture Magistrate of Boling was one of their men, then, would there still be more hiding beneath the rank of a Prefecture Magistrate as County Magistrates and Officials? Other than that, above the rank of a Prefecture Magistrate and within the capital, how many more were there?

As he thought until this point, a sudden realization hit Ming Yue.

He suddenly understood why Xiao Lu was determined to remove Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu.

Because the Jiejian and Zuoyue Bureaus that were headed by them held in their grasp the Wulin of the Dynasty. Every incident and event that happened from the city to the Saiwai would all go through them. Removing them was like alleviating an old tiger of its claws and teeth: even though the tiger would still look ferocious, it no longer posed a threat.

When that time came, all the wiring that was established by the Thirteen Pavilions underground could continue to flourish in silence, no longer having any qualms.

“I am still curious.”

After this thought was through, what followed were even more concerns.

Ming Yue said, “Ever since the two Jins, the change of dynasties took place frequently. Among them, there was no lack of Imperial Officials who reached the peak of power within a single night. There are more, coughs, royal side families who succeeded the throne. These people either had supporters in court or held the army’s power in their grasp. Xiao Lu, as a resident of the Southern Dynasty who is not even valued by Chen Shubao, would not even have a name or network in the Imperial Court. He has not reached that level as to reforge a new dynasty. The Thirteen Pavilions would most likely just spread across different lands.”

“For example, Yuan Sansi. Even if he succeeded as a Prefecture Magistrate, he is still far from entering the main centre. It would be impossible for him to change anything within the palace. As for Yu Xiu, even if he wasn’t dead or exposed by you two and remained by Prince Jin’s side at this moment and relish in his trust, no matter how much Prince Jin trusted him, surely he could not tolerate him to opt for treason?”

“Unless one builds an army and raises soldiers to opt for treason, even if the concave wiring of the Thirteen Pavilion is vast, how could they be able to subvert the world?”

Cui Buqu remained silent for a moment, before saying slowly, “Considering the Jiejian Bureau’s abilities, it would not be difficult for them to investigate all the people Yuan Sansi had interacted with, promoted by or was close with, in all these years he had been an official of the palace.”

“Many thanks for your input, Commander Cui. I shall immediately return to the capital and investigate it!” This certainly is a key lead. Ming Yue immediately took a brush and recorded it, before listing out everything evolving around this matter one by one, to avoid missing them.

The Zuoyue Bureau had no authority to interfere in the investigations of the Jiejian Bureau. Had it been Feng Xiao from the past, he would have most certainly struck with mocking words. Yet, now, Second Commander Feng was silent, not even giving any opinions of his own. Had the sun risen from the West today? Ming Yue’s heart said.

Cui Buqu spoke again, “There’s more. Yu Xiu was Prince Jin’s follower for many years, he might have led him on to sow good relationships with certain people, or perhaps made him offer a few suggestions to the Emperor and Empress. This matter is unrelated to the Jianghu, so it would be inconvenient for the Zuoyue Bureau to show themselves. If the Jiejian Bureau wishes to investigate, they might as well start from this very point. The only concern being that Prince Jin’s temper bounces between extremes; he is not a pleasant person to converse with, you people might have to invest more strength…”

His voice became softer and softer. Ming Yue could not hear him clearly and thus, lifted his head in curiosity, yet what he sees is that the other has earnestly fallen asleep while sitting just like that.

Ming Yue was astounded.

Feng Xiao was already on his feet, walking over to lay him down and covered him with a blanket.

“Working over his limit, his mind has been exhausted to the brink; if Lord Cui continues like this, I fear… it is not a good sign.” Ming Yue wanted to say that it wasn’t a sign of someone with a long lifespan, but he felt that it was quite rude, and so swallowed his words.

Feng Xiao calmly said, “Without these matters to busy himself with, he might have tumbled a long time ago.”

Ming Yue did not understand.

Feng Xiao said nothing more, changing the topic, “Although Fan Yun is one of the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai, his existence is extremely important. He knows many things within the Thirteen Pavilions; this person cannot be left out and must be sought out as quickly as possible. Reclaiming the jade and Xiao Lu’s identity may depend entirely on him.”

Ming Yue nodded his head that he understood.

……

It seemed like a few voices were speaking in the dream, seemingly trotting by with paper lanterns, yet they were indistinct. It resembled the people and incidents he had seen in the first half of his life, who were automatically washed back like retreating tides. Everything quietened down.

There were many times Cui Buqu believed that once he slept, he would never wake up again. That feeling of fatigue to the brink of death bubbled up from the bottom of his heart, gradually flooding all his limbs, as tightly as silk, made it hard to breathe. However, his living years did not stop here. Regardless of how stifling and suffering it was, in the end, he could still open his eyes.

Like now.

Sometimes, even he admired his own tough life.

Cui Buqu glared at the gauze above his head, slowly blinked his eyes, used half a quarter of an hour to reel back his recollection of memories and determine where he was, and why he was here.

At the foot of Tiannan Mountain was a small village. They descended from the peak, and Ming Yue needed some time to take care of the aftermath following the remnants of the Thirteen Pavilions. He still needed to send people to bring those guards and maidservants back to the capital for questioning, so Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao could remain in this place as their wounds healed.

Next to his bed was a letter, on top of it was the seal of the Zuoyue Bureau, perfectly whole. Cui Buqu opened it; it was a letter from Qiao Xian, and the insignia on top of the sealing wax indicated that it was extremely confidential, thus it was brought here by the post official. Perhaps he was seen by either Ming Yue or Feng Xiao, and so conveniently brought the letter to him.

On the letter, it said that they returned from Donghai county empty-handed. There was nothing about the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai there—naturally, they couldn’t find it, because this letter was a clue Fan Yun used to serve as a distraction for him to begin with, to lure the tiger away from the mountain.

When Qiao Xian was injured in Saiwai, Cui Buqu wanted to let her remain in the capital. Who could have guessed that she was unrestrained and even ran off to Donghai county along with Zhangsun Bodhi. Now that they have found nothing, their disappointment and woes were felt through those lines of words, asking for the next steps needed to be taken.

There came a sound from the outside.

Cui Buqu lit the candles, burning the letter bit by bit till it turned to ash. He then got down to put on his shoes and comb his hair.

The sweet scent of Osmanthus floated in from the window. After experiencing that cave with neither day nor night, even a calm and gloomy sky looked refreshing.

Cui Buqu was in a good mood.

When he pushed open the door, Feng Xiao and Ming Yue were playing chess in the courtyard.

Even though he was wounded, this Second Commander Feng would never obediently lie on a bed to rest himself.

Cui Buqu just spared it a glance, before turning his gaze away in disinterest.

Ming Yue rose to his feet and bowed with his hands folded. His rank was inferior to Cui Buqu, so these customs were necessary.

Cui Buqu nodded his head, “No need to be so courteous, Third Commander. Make yourselves at home, I’m going to take a walk.”

“Come play a game?” Feng Xiao called after him.

Cui Buqu, “I do not know how to play.”

Feng Xiao was stunned, “You don’t know how to play shupu1?”

These sort of games that descended from the late Han Dynasty were not only popular in the capital, but even the marketplace would also have brilliant players.

Cui Buqu returned him an innocent expression; on his face was written: It is so strange that I do not know how to play?

Naturally, it was strange. Feng Xiao looked like he was staring at a strange bird with two pairs of wings. He stared at him for a moment, and said, “I left some dishes for you on the stove. After you’ve eaten, I will teach you.”

Cui Buqu shook his head, “Why should I learn these sorts of things?”

Feng Xiao said, “Other than working, what other entertainments can you say you have?”

Cui Buqu calmly said, “Work is precisely my entertainment.”

Feng Xiao gave Ming Yue a ‘Isn’t this what I’ve told you?’ look.

Ming Yue had no words, and in his heart, he said: If only this rebelling Second Commander Feng and law-abiding Commander Cui could divide their traits among themselves, how great that would be.

Faced before such an uninteresting person, even if Ming Yue cracked his head thinking, he feared he might not be able to even think of anything to converse with him. Only Feng Xiao alone was in the best of his spirits, appearing not to have enough as he offered Cui Buqu various suggestions non-stop.

“Let us have a gamble, what says you? I teach you the rules, and we will have a few rounds. Three points would declare the victory and the loser has to agree to one condition of the victor.”

Cui Buqu finally showed a bit of interest, “Anything is possible?”

Feng Xiao wriggled his brows, “Naturally, as long as I have it.”

Cui Buqu, “Since Second Commander Feng put it so vehemently, careful not to eat your words when the time comes!”

Feng Xiao vaguely smiled, “Unless the one you wanted, is me?”

Cui Buqu’s cheeks twitched a bit, couldn’t help but thought of that moment in the array. However, he forcibly discarded the thought, refusing to worry over anything else at this moment.

That had just been an accident, or perhaps impulsiveness from being left with no options, but it was not genuine.

If there was a genuine feeling between them, it never be from Feng Xiao.

How would Feng-er who loves himself more than anything be serious with anyone else?

Him, Cui Buqu, was destined to be alone for all his life. So, how would he seek out trouble only for himself to fret over it?

“I want the list containing all the names of every Sui official from every county and prefecture, of how many wives and concubines they wed, and whether they snore when they sleep.”

For a very long time, Cui Buqu wanted this name list. Now that he has the chance today, how would he let it slide?

As Ming Yue listened to this, he quickly turned his head, having to use great strength to suppress himself from bursting out laughing.

Author’s Notes:

What happens when a playful Feng-er meets workaholic Master Daoist Cui?

Feng-er: This is impossible. My charms are boundless. Have you forgotten that night in the cave?

Cui Buqu: *coughs twice*

[1] shupu樗蒲: Is an ancient game from the Tang Dynasty which the present Xiangqi is imitative of.

[Wushuang] Chapter 128
I do not know what you were hoping to get from Cui Buqu

Shupu wasn’t difficult to play. Cui Buqu understood the rules after he watched Feng Xiao and Ming Yue play a game.

This game did not depend entirely on brains to win, for one would still need luck. Cui Buqu’s luck was quite good, and he won the first round.

Ming Yue still had something to do, so he left first. Both Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu were surrounded by a courtyard full of blooming osmanthuses, a gentle light diffusing into petals of white and fading yellow, giving off warmth when the Autumn light fell and giving off a faint fragrance when the wind blew.

But the most important thing was them underneath the tree.

Their presences were there, and so were the liveliness of mortal human beings.

The stone table that the board of chess was placed on was wiped clean of dust, even the jade-green teacups at its side bore the colour of green springs.

There was no doubt that this belonged to Feng Xiao. Ming Yue knew Feng-er’s nature, and so the teacups that were brought back were rinsed thrice with steaming water by him. Otherwise, Feng Xiao would have most certainly complained from the beginning of time until the very last speck of dust at the bottom of the teacups.

Cui Buqu held a small bowl of congee with both his hands, taking sips as he played, allowing the warm liquid to flow from his throat into his stomach, warming up the condition of his body.

Compared to Feng Xiao, he was more adaptable to their circumstances. Even if someone gave him a bowl of congee now that contained grains of sand while food is sacred and as long as he was hungry, he would gulp it all down as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

After drinking a small half, Cui Buqu felt a little full.

He held the bowl in his hand and did not move, watching the board of chess, his eyebrows raising.

Feng Xiao’s eyebrows flew up, said a little cockily, “I won.”

Cui Buqu was expressionless, “This is only the second round.”

Those words meant that the third round would decide the victor.

They were people who had been through dangerous places and climbed back to the world of the living together, having seen a countless number of strange treasures and valuables. Yet, both of them unexpectedly took a small gamble very seriously.

To Cui Buqu, obtaining that name list was a must, and Feng Xiao just wanted to win the gamble, seemingly as if he had never lost before.

After Ming Yue was through with his work, he returned to watch the game.

However, just as he walked until the front of the courtyard, his footsteps paused.

Because Feng Xiao’s face had lost its previously high-spirited look; he was instead looking serious.

He looked at Cui Buqu for a few seconds, then at the board of chess, and the colour of his face changed.

What happened?

Ming Yue felt a little concerned, indecisive between “walking over and get himself unlucky” or “remaining here and watch the theatre”. In the end, he chose the latter.

He squinted at the board, and the chess stones that belonged to Cui Buqu had reached the end.

It seemed like Commander Cui won, Ming Yue said silently.

Considering Feng-er’s pride and confidence, there was never a time where he lost, and so it was difficult for him to not feel disappointed.

“It is obvious this isn’t the first time you played shupu since you used little tricks of yours so familiarly like that.” Feng Xiao snorted.

“Where do those words come from?” Cui Buqu drawled, fingers tapping on the surface of the ceramic bowl. It meant that he was in a very pleasant mood.

Feng Xiao thought: I could’ve studied his intentions and predict his moods more accurately if I’d known this a little earlier.

But it wasn’t too late now either.

“It’s just a small game, yet you still wanted to cheat. Master Daoist Cui, aren’t you a conniving one?” Feng Xiao looked speechless.

“All is fair in war.” The corner of Cui Buqu’s eyes curled upwards, showing a smile from the bottom of his heart that was hard to come by these days, “Two wins out of three games. Since I’ve won, please abide by your words, Commander Feng, and give me the name list as soon as possible.”

Feng Xiao, “Let’s have another game.”

“I am tired.”

How could Cui Buqu allow him to turn the tides? He rose to his feet, dragging them as he turned to his room to rest.

Ming Yue walked over, watching Feng Xiao kicking back his legs and looking cocky. It looked as if feathers of varying colours had sprouted out behind him and so he asked curiously, “Why did you lose to him on purpose?”

Feng Xiao sneezed, “In order for one to take, first you must give; don’t you understand?”

Ming Yue, “No?”

Feng Xiao chuckled, “This is why, I am number two of this house, and you are number three.”

Ming Yue twitched his lips, “In your opinion, with Cui Buqu’s intelligence, would he be able to tell that you lost on purpose?”

Feng Xiao, “So what if he could tell?”

“If he could tell, he would go with the flow, and that means he cares not about your goals, as long as he has the name list. So,” Ming Yue gave him a look of sympathy, “I do not know what you were hoping to get from Cui Buqu, however, it is very obvious that what you think is not important to him.”

Feng Xiao was waving his fan, but his hand froze when he heard that, pinning his gaze on Ming Yue instead and asked curiously, “Lao-san (Old Three), all of a sudden your brain picks things up easily. Certainly, you’re not someone from the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai in disguise?”

Ming Yue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “This is called, ‘A bystander sees things all the more clearly’. You take no one seriously at all, even Prince Jin was not an exception. Even if you had your goals, it’s quite different to see you willing to show weakness for someone else.”

Feng Xiao, “Speaking of Prince Jin, since Yu Xiu earned his trust, it’s quite difficult to assume that there aren’t people from the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai around the Crown Prince and the others. About the matter I asked you to investigate last time, how is your progress?”

Returning to official matters, Ming Yue retreated his gaze and shook his head as he said, “There shouldn’t be anyone from the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai around the Crown Prince. Within the Palace Chambers, it would not look too good for the Jiejian Bureau to interfere. However, from what I know, the Zuoyue Bureau is also investigating. Cui Buqu held the unconditional trust of the Empress, perhaps he has already found something. Since you spend time with him day and night, there’s no harm in seeking out a chance to ask him.”

Feng Xiao, “I already did. After Yu Xiu’s case, the Empress gave orders to investigate the Palace Chambers and dig out a few suspicious people. However, they were all unrelated to the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai. Looking at the bright side, Xiao Lu’s hand hasn’t reached so far out. On the dark side, he has buried his traps far too deep, and they cannot be discovered so easily. However, there is someone else that you need to keep an eye on after we return to the capital.”

Ming Yue asked in confusion, “Who?”

Feng Xiao did not keep him in suspense, “Princess Leping.”

Ming Yue was astounded, “You suspect that after the Thousand Lantern Banquet, there are still remnants who hid by her side?”

Feng Xiao neither confirmed nor invalid the fact, “Regardless, keep your men tight around the Princess’ manor.”

……

One year came after the last, the moon was halved and then whole again.

After Qixi, the Lunar New Year’s Eve drew near.

Since the establishment of the present dynasty, the Emperor did not follow the system of the former dynasty due to convenience, he has instead wrought all anew, moving into the new capital, reforging new rules, and decreasing taxes, restoring life. Although most of the people knew that war between the Imperial Court and Göktürk was inevitable, to them, the daily necessities they needed were far more important. Following the spreading of the new dynasty, as the people lived comfortably, they were more willing to buy goods and prepare for festivals, creating a crowded scenery of small allies.

To the Imperial Officials and noble houses, the trending subjects of debate recently were nothing related to the Lunar New Year’s Eve, but on Princess Lanling and Yuwen Xuan-zhu.

According to rumours, Princess Lanling who has always been gentle and obedient to her parents suggested marrying herself to the Second Commander of the Jiejian Bureau, Feng Xiao, when the topic of marriage was brought up.

Although everyone knew that Princess Lanling was interested in Feng Xiao, no one expected her to do something so bold as to suggest it to the Royal Couple.

Coincidentally, these past few days, Second Commander Feng returned to the capital. A great many people wanted to watch the theatre, of how he would respond to this.

As for Yuwen Xuan-zhu, naturally, it was also related to marriage.

Women put marriage first and foremost, however, her identity was much more awkward and sensitive compared to Princess Lanling.

Her mother was Princess Leping who couldn’t help but want to seek out the best son-in-law for her daughter. Yet the truth was, among those who were willing to marry Yuwen Eying, Princess Leping complained that they were of too low birth, and those that met her standards were not willing to marry.

Thus, Princess Leping had no choice but to leave the palace and beg her most capable mother.

Empress Dugu was naturally happier to see her daughter more often.

Among all her children, this eldest daughter alone was the one she spent a great deal nurturing; she was also the one she gave the most love to.

A pity that although her daughter was born from a prestigious house, her fate was not all that good for a woman.

She lost her husband and had no sons, only a single daughter, Yuwen Eying. Her parents would leave her eventually, and once her daughter is wedded, Princess Leping could only depend on the brother who would be Emperor in the future.

As she thought about this, Empress Dugu felt pity for her. Her hand absent-mindedly caressed her pearl’s black hair, heartbroken as she watched the one or two grey hairs between them.

Like all mothers beneath the Heavens who loved their daughters, even if the Emperor and she were heralded as the Royal Couple, and she was deep in the country’s politics, she was still a mother, especially one who held guilt in her heart.

“I heard that you were choosing a son-in-law for Eying recently, that your far-sightedness has grown worse. There are so many outstanding men in the world, yet none of them was someone you liked?” Empress Dugu joked, “Could it be that you’re like your Fifth Sister, who wants Feng Xiao for a son-in-law?”

Even though Princess Leping on her lap was no longer young, her beauty was no longer able to conceal the wrinkles at the corner of her eyes. However, in front of a mother, regardless of how old, she was still that daughter who held her parents in great esteem. Years had changed nothing about this.

As Princess Leping heard this, she couldn’t stop herself from sniggering, “Feng Er-lang is at the height of his vigour and youth, brilliant in martial arts where few in the world could have. Fifth sister carries a maiden’s heart; it’s not strange she would be drawn to him. If only I was ten years younger, I might have been similar!”

The Fifth Sister she mentioned was the one who has given her heart to Feng Xiao, Princess Lanling.

The Empress smiled and said, “Unfilial daughter, how dare you say yourself old in front of your mother! You are still young now, and as the Dynasty’s eldest princess, if there is a man you have set your gaze on, just request your father. Why suffer from such injustice?”

Princess Leping’s expression dimmed, and for a moment, she didn’t speak.

Empress Dugu said slowly, “Since you don’t want to be windowed for life, then call upon a Fuma1 with a striking appearance to go with yourself as lovers. Otherwise, there are plenty of people in this world who wish to get close to you, so they may use you to climb to higher grounds. An incident like the Thousand Lantern Banquet might repeat itself.”

The princess immediately knelt and pleaded for forgiveness, “Mother, what happened before was my fault. The Crown Prince and Prince Jin were harmed. If anything happens to them, not even a thousand deaths could redeem me. I dare not do it again!”

The Empress sighed and helped her up in person.

“Your father and I have never placed this blame upon you, you’re too hard on yourself. Yuwen Yun was long gone, you do not owe him, and there is no need to be a window for him. Think about it: if your husband is someone from the Five Surnames and Seven Families2, having someone like that for a stepfather, Eying’s past would soon be forgotten by others, and no longer will her past be mentioned.”

“Mother, these days, I thought frequently, if I hadn’t married Yuwen Yong, how good would that be!” Princess Leping sprawled on her lap, crying softly.

Empress Dugu had a rigid personality, yet her eldest daughter is soft; she truly is unlike her mother.

However, the Empress had an endless amount of patience for this eldest princess.

“Silly child, the past is in the past, there is no need to wallow in it. If you are unwilling to marry again, I will not force you. As for Eying’s marriage, do you have anyone in mind after seeing so many candidates?”

Princess Leping shook her head, “No matter how I look, everyone was lacking. This child, Eying, is naïve and innocent. It’s easy for her to be led on by someone else. I want her to be safe for the rest of her life.”

Empress Dugu thought for a moment, “As things have come to this, her husband should be intelligent and powerful so he could protect her. In your opinion, how does Cui Buqu sound?”

Princess Leping’s heart skipped.

She raised her head to look at her mother!

Against the source of light, Empress Dugu’s expression was a little difficult to see.

[1] Fuma: the husband of a princess is called a Fuma.
[2] Five Surnames and Seven Families五姓七族: are the families that served generations of soldiers during the early Tang Dynasty. They are the Longxi Li Clan, the Zhaojun Li Clan, the Qinghe Cui Clan, the Boling Cui Clan, the Fanyang Lu Clan, Xingyang Zheng Clan, and the Taiyuan Wang Clan.

[Wushuang] Chapter 129
The relationship between those two really has changed.

Princess Leping did accumulate resentment in her heart.

However, showing her resentment would draw trouble and the ability to address it would be necessary. Although Yang Lihua, as Princess Leping, a God’s favoured daughter, those who would truly aid her in terms of power ran thin. Thus, she had never shown this resentment before her parents and could only bury them deep in her heart.

At this present moment, she looked at her mother, her heart beating rapidly under extreme nervousness. Even her ears have perked as if there were people rolling drums next to her, squeezing her heart with every beat.

There was indeed one spilt of a moment, where Princess Leping thought the Empress had seen through her intentions.

Her heart shivered, and suddenly she realized that this woman in front of her was not just her mother, but that she was also the Empress of the nation, a woman whose deceptiveness was not inferior to that of her father.

“Mother.” Princess Leping lifted her voice gently, every word and sentence worded carefully, “I know that you think highly of Master Cui, otherwise he would not have headed the Zuoyue Bureau at such a young age.”

Empress Dugu patted her hand and smiled, “You’ve got it wrong. It was not because of my trust in him that led him to succeed in the Zuoyue Bureau. He earned all he has now because of his own capabilities.”

“Right!” Princess Leping because anxious for no apparent reason, couldn’t help raising her voice, “But he is not in a prime state of health. Mother, Eying is your granddaughter. Do you truly have it in yourself to see her widowed right after she married?”

Empress Dugu’s expression was unchanged, “It is true Cui Buqu was born chronically ill, but he is not beyond help, neither does he need to worry over his life. You’re overthinking it. Eying is innocent and literate, yet there’s a difference in her identity. I know both of you only wish to spend your days peacefully, but those evil-doers running about will not spare both of you so easily. With Cui Buqu present, I can be at peace.”

Princess Leping’s face turned pale.

She thought that Empress Dugu had spoken in an attempt to test her, but as she listened to this, did she truly intend to betroth Yuwen Eying to Cui Buqu?

Empress Dugu watched her as if she was waiting for her answer, but more eagerly, she was waiting for her expression to answer itself.

Princess Leping, Yang Lihua, has never been in this position before, clearly acknowledging that regardless of how close a mother and her daughter was, it cannot fill in the moat that was once carved out from power.

“I only have one daughter!” Tears fell from her face, a sensation of being wronged brimmed up her chest. For a moment, she sobbed soundlessly, “Mother, I beg you. I guarantee that Eying will do her part, and I will look after her. Those evil-doers will not have their chance!”

Empress Dugu did not comfort her as she did before, neither did she give her a peaceful reassurance. This made Princess Leping’s heart sink further down.

“Lihua, you need to remember that your surname is Yang, not Yuwen. Although Eying’s surname is Yuwen, the Yuwen family is incapable of offering her any protection.” She heard Empress Dugu said.

“Yes.” The Princess bowed lower, indicating that she understood the implication of her mother’s speech.

The Empress finally reached out a hand, helping her up, yet those words spoken by her have failed to make the Princess even a little bit happy.

“Other than an ill-health, everything about Cui Buqu is good. If one were to wait until he curated his health, he would be no different from normal people. Towards this betrothal, are you still against it?”

Princess Leping’s heart was stunned; she greeted her teeth, withstanding the weight that came from that gaze which fell upon her head in extreme pressure.

Things had always been this way: Whatever her mother decided, there was nothing she could do to decline it.

“…Yes.”

Only after innumerable twists and turns, and a countless number of thoughts, did she muster up the courage to spill out that word.

“Leave it. Eying is still young; this matter can be left alone for now. Look at how nervous you’ve made yourself. Wipe your tears before leaving the palace.” Empress Dugu’s voice was gentle, as if she wasn’t mad at her daughter.

Yet, she did not give her a definite answer.

This proved that Empress Dugu hasn’t given up her attempt to marry Cui Buqu and Yuwen Eying.

Princess Leping rose to her feet slowly, under the guidance of the palace servants, left as though she was stepping over clouds, for even the view of her from behind looked devastated.

Empress Dugu sighed lightly, “Come out, Master Cui.”

From behind the corner, someone walked out. He carried a sickly look, his footsteps light and slow.

“You’ve seen it. Lihua is fragile; she does not seem like someone who could manipulate the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai.” The Empress said, “Just now, I did what you asked and tested her. If she is guilty, she would have gone along the flow and not strongly object to it.”

Cui Buqu nodded his head, “The Eldest Princess certainly does not look like it. However, please refrain from explaining yourself about this matter just yet. After the Princess returns, she will relay the news to her people. If there are some evil-doers at her side, they will naturally plot something about it. After Tiannan Mountain, the enemy would lower their banner to go into hiding and not show themselves for a while. Since this is the case, then let us remain inert, and allow them to take the first step.”

Empress Dugu laughed bitterly, “Never a day did I think that I would employ the tactics I use against people around me on my own daughter. If I knew this sooner, I would not have allowed her into the palace.”

Cui Buqu’s face was void of any expression, he did not give a reply.

The Empress did not need a response. After all, if Princess Leping was not the former Dynasty’s Empress, right now, the throne would not have belonged to Yang Jian by being the kin of a consort. If time turned back, they would have still allowed their daughter to enter the palace.

After four hours, Cui Buqu left the palace carrying some valuable medicinal herbs gifted to him by Empress Dugu. Qiao Xian, who has been waiting at the gates until she grew impatient, saw an unfamiliar person following behind him and she was stunned.

A young general with a chubby face put his hands together, “The name is Guan Shanhai, a Sima from the General of the Left Wing1. His Majesty heard that Master Cui faced danger in Tiannan Mountain, feared that the Zuoyue Bureau was short on members, thus gave me special orders to assist left and right.”

Assisting Cui Buqu had always been Qiao Xian’s duty. She had not expected herself to earn a competitor after Cui Buqu visited the palace this time, and thus grew incredibly hostile.

However, Guan Shanhai had no interest in fighting a lady over jealousy. To him, falling from a Left Wing’s Sima to a personal bodyguard was a type of disgrace. Even if Cui Buqu was incredibly highly looked upon by the Emperor and Empress, protecting a sickly invalid like this could not give Guan Shanhai a feeling of achievement. He would rather kill his enemies on the battlefield.

Cui Buqu had no intention to explain too much to Qiao Xian, neither was he interested in undoing the awkwardness between a new member and a former one. He got onto his carriage, keeping a pensive expression all the while, his heart far from where he stood. This meant that he was pondering over matter and he should not be disturbed.

Guan Shanhai did not attempt to get close to Cui Buqu in the carriage. He sat with the driver on his own accord, yet Qiao Xian could not hold back any longer and went inside.

“Commander, why did Her Majesty send someone to your side all of a sudden? Could it be that she wants…” Her voice was already soft, at this moment, it was even softer, “…to spy?”

Cui Buqu shook his head, “No need to think too much. The Zuoyue Bureau had insufficient manpower to begin with. Once duty bounds you, it’s difficult not to go about running. On this journey to Tiannian Mountain, perhaps we could have caught Ning Shewo if I had someone like Guan Shanhai.”

Qiao Xian felt guilty, “I apologize for my incompetence.”

Cui Buqu raised a brow, and said suddenly, “Qiao Xian.”

Qiao Xian immediately raised her head.

Cui Buqu, “You perceive my safety far too heavily and you take yourself too lightly. I never hoped for you to just be a personal servant or a nurse, do you understand?”

Qiao Xian remained silent.

This soundless response was what she would always do when she disagreed with Cui Buqu. Cui Buqu’s tolerance of Qiao Xian was far greater than his tolerance of the rest of the Zuoyue Bureau, however, this time he did not intend to continue tolerating her.

The Zuoyue Bureau has two Vice-Commanders; Zhangsun Bodhi was in charge of external affairs, and Song Liangchen was in charge of internal affairs. Each of them had their responsibilities, and those further down the hierarchy were Zuoyue guards who listened to orders. Qiao Xian accompanied Cui Buqu often, and thus bystanders treated her like his nurse and bodyguard. However, Cui Buqu never hoped that she would remain by his side all her life. Qiao Xian belonged to a wider sky; regardless of any place in the Jianghu, with her capabilities, she would have achieved something, and not remain here to be Cui Buqu’s shadow.

He watched her being silent as if she had been extremely wronged. Cui Buqu had not even been moved when he heard Princess Leping crying, yet at this moment, he reached out with a hand and patted her head lightly.

“How many years have we known each other?” Cui Buqu asked.

“Four years.” Qiao Xian said dully.

She remembered very clearly, it was a year before the Zuoyue Bureau was established.

Cui Buqu’s voice was very gentle, “So, it’s time you should learn to be independent.”

“Then, don’t go out too far next time, alright?” Only in front of Cui Buqu, she would let go of her pride and stubborn exterior, begging like she never did in front of others. “If I am not with you, who will treat your body?”

“Not recently. I brought the medicine you gave me. Moreover, there is now Guan Shanhai, and also…” Cui Buqu paused, didn’t say those two words: Feng Xiao.

Although that man surnamed Feng often made life difficult for him, he couldn’t refrain from admitting that both of them fitted perfectly in teamwork. If Feng Xiao hadn’t been there at Tiannian Mountain, and it was instead Qiao Xian or Zhangsun, they might not have come out alive.

Qiao Xian was stunned as if she understood the words that he never said. There was a look of disbelief on her face, yet she lowered her head very quickly and didn’t allow Cui Buqu to notice it.

Following that, she heard Cui Buqu giving the orders, “Make a trip to the Jiejian Bureau now, ask Feng-er for that name list.”

Qiao Xian knew what name list he was referring to. According to what was said, it was won over by Cui Buqu when he had a gamble with Feng Xiao when they were in Tiannian Mountain.

The detailed name list of every official of every state.

However, after they returned to the capital, every time the Zuoyue Bureau sent someone forth to ask for it, they would obtain the same answer: Ask the Zuoyue Commander to come himself.

As if Feng Xiao knew earlier on that Cui Buqu would just give in anyway, and so steadily, he opened his doors wide and cast the lure, waiting for the fish to bite on it himself. However, Cui Buqu refused to grant his wish on purpose, refusing to make the trip himself, and thus the stage play was frozen, unmoving.

“What if he still refuses to give it?” Qiao Xian asked.

Cui Buqu snorted lightly, “If you go, he will surely think that I’ve already grown impatient. Even if he refuses to give it, he will surely play a few tricks. When that time comes, I can turn the tides and turn the assault back on him, so he is caught red-handed.”

This tone didn’t seem like he was speaking against an enemy. It seemed, instead, like one was recalling their familiarity with an old nemesis that they have. Know your enemies as well as you know yourself, and they will be your enemies as well as your friend.

Qiao Xian realised that, after they returned from that trip to Boiling, the relationship between these two really has changed.

Author’s Note:

Giving a theatre for Mid-Autumn Festival, a bit connected to Thousand Autumn, so those who haven’t read Thousand Autumns can skip it.

【A small theatre】

It’s been a long time since Shen Qiao returned to the capital.

Daxing City was like this thriving Dynasty; a small change took place every three days, and a big change every five days, other than Xuandu Daoist Temple.

Since, no matter how a Daoist Temple is reconstructed, it cannot turn into a Buddist Temple.

Xuandu Daoist Temple had nothing concerning Xuandu Mountain. Yang Jian built it to express gratification for the year that Xuandu Mountain reached out with aid. He had once invited the people from Shen Qiao’s sect to succeed as the Temple’s Master, but Shen Qiao declined it.

The present Temple’s Master was someone Shen Qiao didn’t know.

The other was trimming bushes with his back bent, he looked tall and thin from behind. However, Shen Qiao could tell with a single glance that his body’s condition was not prime.

That wasn’t all; he was probably chronically ill, an omen that he wasn’t destined to have a long lifespan.

Watching the other trimming flowers and leaves, Shen Qiao almost laughed out loud.

He saw a whole, perfect bush being trimmed till there was a bulge in the middle with both adjacent sides slumping. It truly was spontaneous, trimming along the way as the heart wished. There was a tuft tall and a tuft short, incredibly unsightly and making one not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Shen Qiao walked over.

He realized that the other looked very serious.

He was doing this chore in all seriousness, and not from venting anger or haphazardness.

However, this cannot conceal the truth that the bush was being mistreated by him.

Shen Qiao could not bear to watch any longer. He took the clippers from the other person and saved the life of that pitiful bush.

The other turned around to look at him, raising an eyebrow, carrying no look of astonishment on his face.

“Abbot Shen, it has been long since I heard of your name, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Shen Qiao, in turn, felt astonished. It had already been a few years since he last showed up in the capital.

“You know me?”

The other vaguely smiled, “Abbot of the number one sect beneath the Heavens, how can I not know who you are? It’s said that Abbot Shen roams the four cardinal directions, perhaps he happened to pass by this place conveniently during the Lunar New Year’s Eve, and thus pays his old friends a visit.”

Shen Qiao’s impression of this person was quite good. He laughed and said, “Today I gained a new friend. When I return in the future, I will have an additional friend to pay a visit to.”

The other put his hands together, “My name is Cui Buqu.”

Shen Qiao, “Buqu?”

Cui Buqu, “Buqu from: Don’t chase after those who have gone, welcome those who come2.”

Shen Qiao naturally did not know that Cui Buqu’s name used to have an entirely different meaning, and thus he said happily, “Such a brilliant name!”

On the other side.

Yan Wushi watched the one coming. After just a glance, he said, “You are from the Fajing Sect.”

Feng Xiao raised a brow, “Brilliant eyesight, Sect Leader Yan.”

The three Demonic Sects were never at peace with each other. Since Feng Xiao was the Sect Leader of the Fajing Sect, then he was on the same level of authority as the Huanyue Sect’s Sect Leader.

Yan Wushi sneered, “Similar with Guang Lingsan, always thinking that you know better, speaking in one way then behaving differently.”

Feng Xiao brushed the tips of the hairs of his temple, “I feel that, compared to my disappointing shixiong, I am one stroke above.”

How could he think that he is only just one stroke above? However, before his seniors, it’s still necessary to retain a bit of humbleness.

Yan Wushi nodded his head, “Correct. In terms of looks, you should be number two among the Demonic Sects.”

Feng Xiao: … I have no desire to know who number one is.

[1] Sima from the General of the Left Wing右卫将军司马 (lit. Left Guard General Sima): The Left Guard was one of the Twelve Guards in the Sui Empire. The Sima is the rank of an official below the Main General of the Left Guard (1 person assuming the post) and Generals (2 persons assuming the post).
[2] Don’t chase after those who have gone, welcome those who come 去者不追，来者可交: I translated this literally. I’m not sure if Meng Xi Shi meant 往者不可谏，来者犹可追 which tells someone to let the past remain in the past and move on in life.

[Wushuang] Chapter 130
Cui Buqu, this you owe me.

When Qiao Xian arrived, Feng Xiao was drawing.

Undistracted, with a smile lingering at the corner of his lips, he looked like he was in a good mood.

Regardless of how unwilling she was, greeting him was still necessary.

“Qiao Xian from the Zuoyue Bureau has come to see the Second Commander.”

Feng Xiao did not raise his head, his brush never stopping. From Qiao Xian’s perspective, it was unclear to her what he was drawing; but the rattan paper reflected Feng Xiao’s smile through the tip of his brush and as warm, gentle sunlight fell upon him—a beauty holding a brush—even for Qiao Xian who disliked Feng Xiao, she could not refrain from admitting that this was a very stunning sight.

However, for Qiao Xian, all the beauty of that sight shattered the very moment Feng-er opened his mouth.

“It seems like Cui Buqu still refuses to come in person.”

Qiao Xian said, “This humble one came here on the Commander’s orders to pick up something that should have rightfully been given to the Zuoyue Bureau. Second Commander, I beseech you to honour your promise.”

Feng Xiao ignored the cold glare she gave, and remained smiling, “This is a gamble between Cui Buqu and I. If he wants that name list, let him come here himself. Aside from him, I will not acknowledge anyone else. Moreover,”

Pausing for a moment, Feng Xiao placed his brush down, surveying the completed drawing for a moment and only then did he raise his head to look at Qiao Xian.

“The reason Cui Buqu sits on the same table of power with me is because he is qualified to be so. You called yourself ‘humble’, yet your tone does not sound like someone’s subordinate. Did Cui Buqu bring you along with him all the while thinking that this attitude could assist him in lifting his concerns?”

Following, Qiao Xian’s gaze changed to astonishment, and Feng Xiao gave a devilish smile.

“Although you know the art of face-changing as well as the medical arts, in the Jiejian Bureau, people like you are not irreplaceable. If I offer one of them to Cui Buqu, guess, will he accept it or not? And will the new person replace you?”

Fury rushes up from Qiao Xian’s chest. She wanted to say something but decided there was no need to argue when those words lingered on her tongue. In the end, they dissolved into a few cold words, “I fear you will be disappointed. The palace has sent a new bodyguard to assume the post of the Commander’s personal guard!”

Feng Xiao spoke shockingly, “Wouldn’t that make you fall out of favour then?”

Qiao Xian: “…”

As Qiao Xian left angrily in a hurry, Pei Jingzhe couldn’t help asking, “My Lord, if Cui Buqu comes himself the next time, are we truly giving them the name list?”

Feng Xiao raised a brow, “If he is willing to submit, why not?”

Pei Jingzhe complained, “But in it is also written the hidden weaknesses of every rank and official. How many efforts has the Jiejian Bureau wasted in order to gather this complete information?”

How can they just give it away like that?

Feng Xiao squinted his eyes, “You don’t understand Cui Buqu. If he comes in person, then he would have already taken complete measures to give everything in order to trade with me. You also know full well that we are at a disadvantage to lose this over a game of chess. Would Cui Buqu not acknowledge this? He never expected me to give it away this easily, so he hadn’t come to us yet, because, for the time being, the Zuoyue Bureau has nothing worthy enough for me to be moved by persuasion.”

The more Pei Jingzhe listened, the more confused he was, “Then are you hoping for him to come, or hoping for him not to come?”

Feng Xiao did not answer this question, changing the subject, “Go and investigate who it is that the Empress has sent him.”

This isn’t some sort of secret, neither was it difficult to investigate. Pei Jingzhe nodded and left, coming back not long later.

“My Lord, it’s the Sima from the General of the Left Wing, Guan Shanhai. The Guan family has served the army for three generations, Guan Shanhai has an excellent record of marksmanship on the battlefield, and rarely would he meet an opponent. As the saying goes, he might succeed the future General of the Left Wing, heading the Left Wing Guards of the capital. It could be seen that the Empress greatly values him since she has dispatched to him such a person.”

Feng Xiao snorted contemptuously, “His workmanship on the battlefield indeed champions ten thousand men, skilled in charging into the enemies as a front liner, but he might not be suited to be a personal guard. Guan Shanhai was being promoted non-stop all the while, and he’s had a pleasant journey, as well as real abilities, he would be prouder than the usual person. To be transferred to the Zuoyue Bureau all of a sudden, it’s difficult for him not to feel undeserving.”

He rose after he spoke, going outside.

Pei Jingzhe immediately followed up, “Where are you going?”

Feng Xiao waved his hand, leisurely and carefree, “To the Zuoyue Bureau, to watch the crowd.”

Speaking as though the Zuoyue Bureau was just next door when obviously, the Zuoyue and Jiejian Bureaus both were not next to each other.

Pei Jingzhe, “But you just said to wait for Cui Buqu to submit.”

Feng Xiao said, “If he will not cater to my thought, I will cater to his; the Empress would not do something without a goal. Since she has dispatched a Guan Shanhai, there must be something she needs Cui Buqu to do for her. I will show myself at his doorstep and make him submit. It is similar.”

Pei Jingzhe mumbled in his heart: Is this called ‘making the opposite submit’? Obviously, you couldn’t refrain yourself, and so delivered yourself to their doorstep, isn’t that right?

He had interacted with Cui Buqu a few times and there was nothing much he knew. Although Cui Buqu didn’t know any martial arts, he couldn’t help feeling that there was nothing he could hide when he was in front of the other. Even if he had done nothing wrong, he would still feel guilty one way or another.

“My Lord, are you trying to get close to Cui Buqu because of the Zuoyue Bureau?”

Feng Xiao snorted, “If there is no Cui Buqu, is the Zuoyue Bureau considered anything at all?”

Pei Jingzhe didn’t understand, “But what is so special about Cui Buqu?”

Feng Xiao waved his fan as he moved forward a few steps, saying coldly, “That man surnamed Cui is not unusually handsome, has a sullen attitude, is stingy and revengeful, has a poisonous mouth, is calculative, oversteps bounds, and is far too ambitious who harbours malicious schemes in his heart all the time, running about daily trying to ravish credit. Without me at the Tiannian Mountain in Boling county, he would have died a few times. If one were to say that he is special, perhaps it’s his attitude that often enjoys seeking death?”

Pei Jingzhe stared wide-eyed. He only asked a casual question, how could he have known that Feng Xiao would have given such a long answer?

Since the other was completely useless, why did Second Commander Feng keep seeking him out?

When the other was silent, Feng Er-lang sent someone to remind him. Once Cui Buqu truly did send someone here, Feng-er kept him at suspense, refusing to give in unless Cui Buqu came himself.

Pei Jingzhe could not imagine how two people like that could remain together for such a long period in Boling, yet still came back safely.

Two tigers cannot share a mountain; logically, it was either Feng Xiao dying of fury or Cui Buqu dying from being beaten to death.

In the end, nothing happened.

Pei Jingzhe felt uncanny about the entire matter, yet rubbed his head in confusion like a monk, unable to think it through.

The atmosphere of the Zuoyue Bureau came to life with the addition of Guan Shanhai.

There were a lot of people in the Zuoyue Bureau, especially people who had been following Cui Buqu for a long time and earned quite an amount of trust.

Guan Shanhai fell from the sky out of nowhere, yet he had nothing, backed up only with words, “This is the Empress’ decree”, and was placed on the same rank as Zhangsun and Song Liangchen, above everyone’s head especially Qiao Xian. Naturally, everyone’s attention was on him as they debated in private.

Qiao Xian felt depressed and couldn’t help proposing a duel against Guan Shanhai in front of everyone.

What she didn’t know was that Guan Shanhai also felt unworthy of his job; he was silent on the outside but felt stifled in his heart, and thus agreed to her duel.

Both of them duelled at the training grounds of the Zuoyue Bureau, and a great many people had gone to watch, packing it with people. Even Cui Buqu was astonished.

Qiao Xian was skilled in the graceful sword techniques, Guan Shanhai’s techniques were grander marksmanship. They were not related in any way, whether it was their styles or background, yet were bonded together because of the Zuoyue Bureau.

Both of them harboured unresolved feelings in them, thus showing no mercy. Qiao Xian’s white garments swayed in the air, her sword accompanying her in a dance as if she was riding on thin air like a breeze. Only those with good eye-sight would see the tips of her toes touching the ground occasionally. But even if they could, Qiao Xian’s qinggong was enough to stun the audience.

Qiao Xian was uninterested in the opinions of others. She only wanted to prove to Guan Shanhai that she was more qualified as a follower of Cui Buqu.

Following the pair of sharp swords, Guan Shanhai’s gaze was piercing cold. With the flicker of his wrist, his spear moved, attacks stacking up one another, blocking Qian Xian’s incoming attacks.

Sweep. Thrust. Tap. Pull.

Guan Shanhai turned these basic techniques of the spear into his own, turning the Inquire-Moon Spear into a weapon of consciousness in his hand. His strength hurled at his enemy like broken bamboo, the tips of it brushing across the air and left behind stars in its wake. Without waiting for the audience to dismiss the impression of it in their minds, another silver trail drew itself, connecting the front and back, turning into a Wheel of the Taiji’s Bagua.

One spear flew forth and attacked Qiao Xian, and the other was swirling around himself building up a barrier of real qi as if the one he was combating wasn’t Qiao Xian, but a thousand armies and ten thousand horses, and that he was roaming alone on the battlefield, ignoring his powerful enemy and all around him, ignoring life and death.

Mountains and seas overturned, the sun and moon sank and rose, flora all around swayed, spring and autumn blended into each other.

Qiao Xian realized that her sword was stuck by the other’s spear and for just a brief moment, the spear’s shining glare was already in front of her, aiming towards the heart of her skull.

The colour of Qiao Xian’s face changed, she had no choice but to take a step backwards. However, her sword was stuck thoroughly with no hopes of escaping. Even if she let go, that air of killing aura would still force itself forth, leaving no space for her to hide, nowhere to run!

At the same time, two waves of cutting wind hurled from different directions, attacking Guan Shanhai’s left and right shoulder.

Guan Shanhai leapt up, avoiding the stones and landed stably, flourishing with a hand and called for his spear’s return.

Qiao Xian hasn’t calmed down yet, with no pride left to face Cui Buqu. She knelt on a single knee and apologized, “This subject is incapable. Please forgive me, Commander!”

Cui buqu spoke calmly, “Success and failure are common in daily lives. Towards your own, one must know where to draw the line.”

The first sentence was meant for Qiao Xian, and the second one was giving Guan Shanhai a warning.

Guan Shanhai pursed his lips, putting his hands together and said, “This subject knows his mistakes.”

Cui Buqu turned around at the two people who walked in.

“Which wind was it that has blown Second Commander Feng here?”

Of the two stones that were shot at Guan Shanhai, one of them was from Zhangsun, and the other came from Feng Xiao.

Feng Xiao snickered, “Ever since the departure at Tiannian, Lord Cui locked himself up and refused visitors. Yet, I yearned for you. Without coming here to take a look, how can I honour those days we went through life and death together?”

Cui Buqu mocked, “I thought Second Commander Feng finally recalled that gamble he lost, his conscience has awakened and thus he came here to repay the debt.”

Autumn wind rose with sand, picking up the tips of their robes.

Qiao Xian stood amid the training grounds, watching both of them glaring at each other from afar.

What sort of place was the Zuoyue Bureau for Feng Xiao to walk in so easily? Even with martial arts which nobody could stop, the Zuoyue guards at the gate would have at least thwarted him with all they could, then running in to make a report.

However, nothing happened. The other has even walked in unhindered into the training grounds.

This must have certainly been Cui Buqu’s orders. As long as Feng Xiao came in person, there was no need to hinder him.

In the beginning, they were nemesis who fought tirelessly. Since when had it begun, that the leaders of the Jiejian Bureau could walk into the Zuoyue Bureau like a place devoid of people?

It was unknown whether Feng Xiao thought of the same things Qiao Xian had thought of because the smile on his lips deepened a little.

Cui Buqu waved his hand, dismissing the audience. He, instead, led Feng Xiao to the pavilion in the middle of a lake.

“What business does Second Commander Feng have to arrive here?”

Bored with nothing to do, he came here to join the crowd. Pei Jingzhe mocked and said.

Feng Xiao said, “Came to give you that name list, of course.”

Cui Buqu stopped his footsteps, stunned, an eyebrow raised, “Since when have you become so generous?”

Feng Xiao sighed a breath, “I know that name list is incredibly important to you. You wanted to use it to unroot all the spies set in the Imperial Court by the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai. How could I give away such an important thing just like that? I wanted you to come to pick it up yourself, to begin with, but you refuse to come. So, should I not just come in person? Since you question my sincerity, then I should leave.”

After he finished speaking, he turned to leave. Cui Buqu reached out to grab his sleeves instinctively.

In the next second, Cui Buqu realized that he had exposed his urgency, and immediately relented.

However, it was already too late. Feng Xiao gave a very cheeky smile.

“Since you wanted it so much, shouldn’t we sit down and have a proper talk?”

Faced before this person, one truly cannot let down their guard for even a second. Cui Buqu released a slow breath.

“What do you want?”

Feng Xiao reached out with a hand to touch his face. Just as Cui Buqu wanted to avoid it, Feng Xiao’s hand quickly flew past his ears upwards to his hair to pluck Cui Buqu’s jade piece off.

He waved the jade piece in front of Cui Buqu.

“For you to keep your word, this jade piece will serve as a token of promise.”

Feng Xiao still remembered that day when they left the cave, how the other looked with his hair falling loose, his lips pale, yet there was a piercing coldness to him, just like a lone pine tree that swayed at the edge of the cliff.

At present, Cui Buqu’s hair was still fastened with something else. Taking out this jade piece could not show how he looked with his hair down. Feng Xiao felt it was a pity.

“I fear,” Cui Buqu was expressionless, saying slowly, “What Commander Feng requests would be something I cannot give.”

Feng Xiao gave a deep thought, “Before I’ve spoken, how would you know you cannot do it?”

Cui Buqu’s gaze lingered on the jade piece in his hand, his lips pursed, refusing to speak.

Obviously, you’re the one begging me now, yet you still refuse to say a few gentle words. Feng Xiao thought, playing with the jade piece in his hand, inch by inch, as if he was playing with the jagged bones of the other’s hand.

“I want you—”

Before the other’s astonished gaze, Feng Xiao took his time completing the latter half of his sentence, “—a favour from you. One name list for one great favour. Remember, Cui Buqu, this you owe me.”

Ever since the City of Six Crafts, these two were already indivisible from one another, neither enemies nor friends, destined for the rest of their lives.

[Translator’s Notes: So this is the last chapter of Book 5, and as usual, we’ll be taking a short break before pumping out chapters from Book 6 soon ^_^]

[Wushuang] Chapter 131
How undeserving to die just like that.

Rain. Heavy rain.

Raising one’s head, they could still see endless chaos; the sky and earth were boundless and indistinct as dark clouds gathered in clusters, combining the world in a way that day and night was indistinguishable.

Rain poured from the sky as if it didn’t cost him1 anything to do so, throwing pot by pot of water into the world of mortal human beings like his worth of supply was endless. Flatlands turned abound by rivers and lakes. Once the river water rose, both sides of the fields were submerged in water. At a glance, one could even see the shadow of a house there.

Rong Qing waddled through the mud in heavy and light steps, all his shock and fear frozen in place due to the scenery in front of him.

It is finished.

Everything is finished.

He knew very clearly that all the lives and legacy that existed in this place were done for, annihilated entirely.

This ground beneath his feet should have originally been the lands of a flourishing village. Half a month ago during this time, it had been the most bustling period for the village: The farmers returned from the fields, children were frolicking around, and the steam rose from every house’s kitchens, smelling delicious to anyone who walked past.

Yet now, as far as the eye could see, everything was flooded.

Endless rainwater caused the high tides of rivers and broadened the river’s walls, shoving its way into the outskirts and county towns. The rain had never stopped, getting heavier the longer it poured. The flood raged through all four directions, wreaking havoc and doing as it pleased, conquering every inch of land it could reach into.

Umbrellas had become useless objects; the rain laughed mechanically as it broke through the oil paper in fissures, trickling down the person under the umbrella.

Rong Qing pushed the hands of his subject away, allowing himself to be exposed in the heavy rain.

Before that, he was already drenched in rainwater that he could not even open his eyes, and could only use a hand to wipe his face as he squinted his eyes. Everyone behaved the same way. Everyone looked like they were in despair as they looked at this calamity taking place: tears covered their faces, unable to put it past themselves.

“My Lord!”

The subject behind him could not keep up with Rong Qing’s steps, thus shouted once.

Yet his voice was swallowed by the heavy rain, almost inaudible, for even he could not hear himself.

“Little Lord, come quickly and stop Imperial Censor Rong! Stop going forward or otherwise, it would be impossible to find the way back!” The government officials that came with him shouted loudly, employing all the strength they had in them.

Xiao-Liu turned his head back abruptly and realized that when they came, some highlands were still visible, yet they were all flooded within such a short period of time, like a giant tortoise that was slowly sinking into the water, now with only the tip of its shell visible.

He was shocked, quickly raising his legs with the intention to follow after Rong Qing who was in front of him, but tripped over a stone submerged in water and fell forward entirely, splashing his head and face into the mud.

Turning back to Rong Qing, he was left with no path to walk both in front and behind of him. There was water everywhere, and trapped with him was an old tree, standing tall in the water, welcoming its fate helplessly.

“Quick! Quickly save my Lord!” Xiao-Liu paid no attention to his aching knees, his eyes cracking as he exclaimed loudly.

A few officials exchanged glances, at a loss of what to do.

When Imperial Censor Rong from the capital heard of the flood, he insisted on leaving the safety of the highlands and county towns to come here and supervise it in person, ignoring the counsels of everyone. The County Magistrate of Guangqian county had no choice but to send the Assistant Magistrate and a few officials to accompany him. Who could have guessed that the rain grew heavier the longer it rained? Not only did it refuse to show any signs of slowing down, but the flood had even slowly begun to reach the highlands. Even the foothills that were not previously within the vicinity of the flood were gradually being swallowed up.

Amid the great waves, there was no lack of wooden buckets and clothes, and more suspicious-looking black strands like hairs were floating around as if there were people underneath the water, their fate undetermined.

Everyone found it difficult to save themselves, so how could they dare to try and save others? All but this Imperial Censor Rong who did not fear death, wanting to go forward to pull the person up. In the end, he was trapped and still needed someone else to save him. Assistant Magistrate Li Yan already scolded Rong Qing in his heart a few thousand times.

Should they save him, or should they not?

If they save him, it was possible they would be taken away by the currents themselves.

If they leave him—this was an Imperial Censor from the Imperial Court, if their superiors want to find fault, it would be difficult for them to be absolved of the crime.

However, these were, after all, calamities. If the Imperial Censor wanted to go seek death for himself, bystanders could do nothing in their power.

Li Yan’s heart wrenched. He knew how to swim, but his fate would be different depending on whether he took a step forward or backwards—his life would be in danger if he chose to save him now with disregard for himself.

As he thought until this point, the expression on his face descended into even more panic: “But what should we do? I shall go for someone to save the Imperial Censor Rong now!”

How could he come back in time if he headed back now?

Xiao-Liu had an idea. He lunged forward to hold Li Yan, exclaiming loudly, “Quick, save my Lord! We can undo our sashes and tie them to our waists and hold hands to reach over there. There’s still time!”

Li Yan gritted his teeth: “Let alone clothing sashes! Even linen ropes would float away!”

After a few moments of bickering, the water levels rose more, reaching even to Xiao-Liu and the other’s feet where they stood. It was still rapidly rising up, and there were only a few inches left where Rong Qing was standing; he could neither retreat nor advance.

Xiao-Liu grew even more panicked. There was even a cry in his voice, “My Lord, please wait for us! We are coming over to save you!”

Li Yan watched the three little officials who came with him, all three of their faces chaotic from the threat of the water and their expressions couldn’t be seen clearly. However, neither of them were willing to risk their lives saving a Supervising Imperial Censor that they didn’t know much about. Additionally, they didn’t even like this Rong Qing—for once he arrived, he had incessantly made indiscreet remarks, criticisms and accusations. At present, he was not only seeking death for himself, but he also wanted to drag others down with him.

Not long later, Li Yan made the decision.

However, in the next second, a shadow flew before them. Amid the heavy rain, it was so quick that they could not even discern the colour of their clothes.

That blurry shadow landed where Rong Qing stood, reaching out to catch his shoulder before lifting his entire person up, lending the old tree’s branch and leap to where they are.

Although there’s also water here, at the very least they could still stand.

Xiao-Liu was both pleased and shocked: “My Lord!”

“Why aren’t you people leaving? What are you doing staring?!” The male saviour’s deep and dull voice could surprisingly pierce through the curtain of rain and allowed them to hear him clearly.

No one dared to dally any longer, scuttering off quickly as they watched the progress of the present events.

Xiao-Liu helped Rong Qing, pressing on hurriedly from behind.

The sky was merciful today, for the rain grew lighter all of a sudden and the water no longer rose. Everyone got the chance to stop and breathe, then ran to higher lands and watched the gates of the County Town far away in the distance. They could finally calm down after suffering an emotional attack.

The umbrella was long gone, unknown where it was cast-off to. Everyone was stuck fast with splotches of dirt from head to toe, it was hard to even tell what colour they were wearing originally. There was only the sound of heavy footsteps moving forward step by step until they reached their destination.

Xiao-Liu’s legs gave out beneath him, and Rong Qing whom he was helping fell down along with him. The blue-clothed saviour sniggered, and after a few inhales he leapt into the air, abandoning him and went into the city himself first.

Had it been in the past, Xiao-Liu would have already complained. Yet, now, he didn’t say anything, and neither did he have the strength to.

Rong Qing looked on.

After two hours, everyone had returned to the city. Rong Qing rejected Li Yan’s invitation to the County’s Bureau to have a rest, returning to the posthouse instead. Li Yan had no interest in retaining him, his attitude towards him was obviously a lot colder now, no longer the same welcoming attitude when Rong Qing first came to Guangqian County.

Inside the bathtub of the posthouse, Rong Qing comfortably washed away the dirt on his body, then wolfed down a meal hungrily, feeling his strength gradually replenished. As he was surrounded by quietness, he thought back about that moment of life and death, and couldn’t deny that he was still terrified in the aftermath.

Originally, he came here to supervise disaster relief. How undeserving would it be if he were to die just like that?

Not long later, Xiao-Liu came dejectedly to confess his crimes and ask for punishment.

“My Lord, this little one failed to save you just now. It was all because Li Yan was delaying it on purpose! He even wanted to push me into the water, getting rid of us both at once, so he could push the responsibility cleanly off himself!”

Rong Qing did not hold a grudge as strongly as he did. He said calmly, “I insisted on witnessing the situation myself. It’s normal for him to be displeased with it.”

Xiao-Liu stopped talking all of a sudden: “The one who saved you just now looked familiar.”

Rong Qing said: “If I wasn’t wrong, he’s with Cui Buqu.”

Xiao-Liu felt very shocked: “They arrived so quickly? Then…Would Master Cui find fault in you?”

As his words dissipated, an employee delivered an invitation.

Speak of the devil.

On the invitation was written: Master Cui extends an invitation to a meeting at the Yi’er Teahouse situated within the city.

Rong Qing laughed bitterly: “They just saved my life, even if I wanted to scold him, I can only do it secretly.”

This matter began around ten days ago.

Guangqian Prefecture reported a series of incessantly horrendous rainstorms, provoking the river waters to rise in level. Within the county, the disasters caused by floodwater ran rampant, and among them, it was Guangqian County who had it the worst. The flood victims lost their homes, and famine stretched across a thousand li, and thus they begged the Imperial Court to issue provisions to aid the victims.

Among all the Imperial edicts in the Imperial Palace, Guangqian Prefecture was often plagued by calamities, experiencing floods practically every year during the rainy season. This year was severe. So, after sending provisions to aid them, the Emperor also sent Supervisor Imperial Censor Rong Qing to the County to patrol and supervise the movement.

When the day to set out came, only Rong Qing knew that other than him, the Zuoyue Bureau’s leader Cui Buqu had also set out. Master Cui held orders that were issued by the Empress in person. Rong Qing looked over it thrice before he finally decided this was issued by the Empress. It was strange; when it came to official ranks, this expedition should have been led by Cui Buqu, but the Emperor hasn’t issued the order. Instead, it was the Empress who did so. Additionally, taking the Zuoyue Bureau’s duties into consideration, it was difficult for Rong Qing to believe that the Empress sent Cui Buqu to keep an eye on himself.

Ever since he entered the palace as an official, he had never interacted with either the Zuoyue or Jiejian Bureaus who roamed between the righteous and crooked path2. In Rong Qing’s eyes, Cui Buqu was just someone who took advantage of his luck to climb the stairway to power. In reality, these sort of people were not few in number within the Imperial Court. Before this, they have never meddled in each other’s business, and so be it. Presently, they needed to work together. In Rong Qing’s heart, it was difficult for him to not feel a little bit conflicted.

Both parties met each other for the first time at the Ba Bridge of the suburb of the capital. Although they never had the chance to speak, they would not come to the point of confronting each other with daggers. On the surface, courtesy was still permitted. Rong Qing politely allowed Cui Buqu to take the lead, yet Cui Buqu said this expedition would be Rong Qing’s to lead and allowed him to do as he pleased, no need to be overly cautious.

With these words from him, Rong Qing no longer put up a front and allowed his carriage to leave slowly before he departed first, setting out for Guangqian Prefecture.

Rong Qing had never, from the bottom of his heart, wanted Cui Buqu to interfere in his businesses. He hurried on the way, finally arriving in Guangqian Prefecture. Everything he heard and saw was more appalling than expected. Imperial Censor Rong, who has never seen such horrendous results of a calamity, carried a hot, passionate desire to aid the people who went about supervising, going onto the field in person, going as far as to disregard his own safety as he approached the nearest county’s suburb. In the end, he almost lost his own life, and Cui Buqu who had been originally taking his time coming had already arrived. He had even sent someone to rescue him.

So when Rong Qing arrived in the teahouse and saw Cui Buqu, who looked even paler compared to the last time they parted at the Ba Bridge, before he said anything, he already looked ashamed of himself. Redness spread from his neck to his ears, so that he couldn’t avoid bending his body to give a long kneel on the ground at Cui Buqu.

“I thank Commander Cui for his deed of rescuing me!”

Author’s Note:

A new arc has begun. The content is related to the last arc. The next chapter will mention it ~

[1] him: 老天爷 (lit. “Old Sky Uncle”) so I used a male pronoun.
[2] 正邪游走的 (lit. [someone] who walks the righteous and crooked path): ‘Righteous’ refers to legal businesses which abide by the laws, while ‘crooked’ refers to illegal ones that could mean pugilists, gangsters, cultivators, etc. The Jiejian and Zuoyue Bureau probably have dealings with both sides.

[Wushuang] Chapter 132
Cui Buqu gave a bashful smile.

“Imperial Censor Rong, if today Guan Shanhai had not come in time, were you prepared to end your life in such a way?”

Faced before Rong Qing who relented his pride and submitted, not only did Cui Buqu comfort him, he even delivered a lecture to him.

Rong Qing’s face froze in place.

“Not long later, everyone would come to know that Imperial Censor Rong came by orders to supervise the calamity, yet before he gained his victory, the officials of Guangqian County were already deep in grief, and even the Imperial Censor himself had been drowned by the flood. This would just prove that the calamity is indeed serious, and Guangqian County would receive even more rations for this. You, on the other hand, Rong Qing, would become the Imperial Envoy who died the most obscure death in the entire history of Great Sui,” Cui Buqu paused for a moment, gave Rong Qing a half-hearted smile, “as well as be turned into the greatest joke.”

Rong Qing finally understood why he did not like this Commander of the Zuoyue Bureau.

Because whenever the other spoke to him, there was always another implication between the lines and layered meanings. Just now, his words sounded like he was mocking him, but in reality, it felt like there were an entirely different set of meanings to them as well. If Rong Qing could not guess at them himself, his speaking adversary would never explain it to him.

There were some people who were fated; even if they didn’t know each other for long, they could still share hearty talks. However, Rong Qing was very certain that regardless of how many times he’s seen Cui Buqu, he would never like him.

This person was truly too harsh and thought too frequently that he knew better. Making use of the Empress as his support, his standards were loftier than the clouds, deeming that nobody meets his standards at all.

Rong Qing stomached his resentment and said: “I know that it was impolite of me to embark on the journey first this time, Commander, and you are displeased with me. However, the calamity is like wildfire—if I came a day early, perhaps I could survey and deliver the report a day earlier so that more people could be saved!”

Cui Buqu unceremoniously continued his words: “So that is why you almost died.”

Rong Qing immediately leapt to his feet, standing straight: “If Commander Cui does not wish to have a proper talk, then this subject will take his leave first. I will return this favour of yours in the future, but this time, in Guangqian, we will each walk our own paths!”

He was also a stubborn person; since he felt that he wasn’t in the wrong, naturally, he was unwilling to remain here and stomach the scolding.

Cui Buqu raised a finger slightly.

Before Guan Shanhai could understand what he meant, Qiao Xian had already taken a step forward, her sword out of its sheath, positioned across Rong Qing’s neck horizontally.

“Were you allowed to leave?” Qiao Xian said coldly.

Rong Qing was driven into fury and laughter: “Consider me acknowledging the barbarity of the Zuoyue Bureau. It seems that you people would even threaten officials of the Imperial Court! It’s no wonder all our peers were terrified at the mere mention of you people. If what Commander Cui wants is this threat that makes everyone run when they see you, then you’ve got it!”

Cui Buqu’s expression was plain: “It has not been even a few days since you came, and you almost died. Once this information spreads, the name of your Rong family and the name your father had tried so hard to build, will all be lost because of you.”

Rong Qing was stunned: “You know my father?”

Cui Buqu: “Your father is Rong Qi, assumed the post of County Magistrate of Mo County in Youzhou two years ago. When the Göktürks penetrated and pillaged the city, he had been fearless, unwilling to bend the knee even at the threat of death. In the end, before the reinforcements could arrive, it was too late, and he died before the gates of the city. His Majesty commiserated over his loyalty that remained until the bitter end, thus promoting you to join the ranks of the Imperial Censorate.”

At the mention of his father, Rong Qing’s fury had unconsciously died down. He remained silent for a while, before saying finally: “Actually, I’ve managed to uncover many things over the last few days. I, too, realize something was very strange about this matter.”

Rain visited more frequently than usual; when Rong Qing came to Guangqian county, the rain had been hailing for subsequently ten days. He had followed another path and went through the highlands, away from the river water. The main road was supposed to just be filled with wet soil, but it shouldn’t have reached the same level as flooding an entire city. Only after arriving in Guanqian county did he notice that the calamity had extended beyond his expectations.

Within the territory of Guangqian Prefecture, practically half of the county towns have already been submerged. Even in the wilds of Guangqian county, every inch of land was difficult to waddle through. The calamity victims had all taken refuge within the city, however, there were limitations to how much Guangqian county could hold, and so they could not take in all of them. County Magistrate Huang Lue allocated these people on the Western side of the city, making them work in exchange for shelter. Every day, they would have to transport sand and stones outside the city to build a wall in order to prolong the calamity from entering the city. Rong Qing had seen it himself and believed that it was not a bad plan. Since they have received the calamity victims, they have arranged work for them so they wouldn’t cause trouble.

However, although Guangqian county’s situation was settled, the County Magistrates of other county towns were not as capable. The calamity hasn’t retreated, and the rations in the main storage were limited. Huang Lue hoped that Rong Qing could deliver a report to the Imperial Court to ask for more rations.

Rong Qing had such intentions. However, as a patrolling Imperial Censor, he couldn’t just listen to Huang Lue. Thus, he sought out the Assistant Magistrate Li Yan for questioning. Who could have guessed that Li Yan hesitated when he spoke, showing that he was hiding something about County Magistrate Huang. Rong Qing found it strange and after being bombarded with incessant questions, Li Yan finally let a hint slip, allowing Rong Qing to travel to the wilds in person to take a look.

As he spoke until this point, Rong Qing changed the subject and said: “The night before, I received a strange painting.”

He allowed Xiao-Liu to bring the painting.

There was no mounting on the picture. It was rolled up in a simple way. In the centre of the painting, there was a granary. A great many people were moving rations outside of it, and on the side sat a man that looked like an official with servants by his side, sitting at a table having a feast as he surveyed the people moving the rations on a hot day. It was extremely crowded.

And on either side of the painting, not far from the granary, was a pile of corpses like a little mount. There were males and females among the dead, including the elders and the young, sprawling in all sorts of positions on the ground with yellow faces and appearing to be extremely thin, like they have shouldered great pain. Some of them were already dead, and some of them still held a silver of breath. In the hands of the man was an arm and he gnawed at it like an evil spirit. Beside him, there was a child who had lost that arm, wailing and shrieking as blood flowed everywhere.

Just by looking at the left and the centre of the painting, one would not feel anything, but once they piece the right and left side of it, there’s an effect of making one feel like they were suffocating.

Rong Qing still recalled the first time he saw that painting, his heart had been shaken by something he couldn’t name. He had stood there in a daze for half a beat feeling nothing. Looking now at Cui Buqu, his gaze had lingered on top of it only for a while, not even blinking.

Truly the heart of tigers and wolves1, Rong Qing thought.

“This person,” He tapped the dining official on the left side of the painting, “Guangqian County was originally an upper-class county. The County Magistrate is a sixth-ranking official. Due to the calamities that took place these two years, it was demoted to a middle-class county, and the official demoted to a seventh-ranking. However, the date for County Magistrate Huang Lue reporting to work hasn’t come, so he is still a sixth-ranking. This person is wearing a scarlet-coloured official gown, and he wore no ornaments or fine jade. Although one cannot see his face clearly, by judging his attire, you can tell this is Huang Lue without a doubt.”

Cui Buqu said: “So you think that someone tried to file an anonymous report to you after knowing of your arrival, hinting that the County Magistrate Huang Lue is corrupt, embezzling rations and submitting false reports of the situation?”

“Correct.”

Although Rong Qing was emotional, a sliver of intellect remained in him. He hadn’t rushed up to Huang Lue for questioning, but he was still unable to be at peace, and thus went looking for other officials in Guangqian County, knocking at their doors hoping to find something through them.

Therefore, he had asked Assistant Magistrate Li Yan, but he had stuttered and stammered endlessly.

This was not all; Rong Qing also discovered that among the officials in Guangqian County, aside from Li Yan, County Official Wu Yi was also not on good terms with Huang Lue.

In Guangqian County, the County Magistrate, Assistant Magistrate, and County Official were the three most important people, yet they have appeared united on the surface but divided in heart, minding their own business. Underneath, all the officials were playing a game of theories, one where the glint and flash of cold steel could not see blood.

One day’s time was not enough for Rong Qing to find out about anything. However, last night, he received another painting.

It was the same paper and the same brush strokes.

Rong Qing spread out the second piece of painting in front of Cui Buqu.

This time there were no officials, yet the painting was even more frightening.

Amid the flood, broken trees sunk and floated, the residual of bodies drifted; sometimes one could even see a black head looking at the sky with soundless fear and inaudible screams, plagued with terror and despair.

The city’s wall and moat could be seen from afar, close to a nearby mountain slump under an old tree, a man was kneeling on the ground diligently unearthing it with his bare hands and uncovering a few semi-decayed hands from the soil which stood out from a forest of white bones, as if one has already dug close to hell where all existence of Buddha had thoroughly perished.

Guan Shanhai stood at the side as he glanced at this painting, he couldn’t help muttering a questioning sound.

As if Rong Qing knew why he did that, he said: “That is right. This tree was the very same place I was trapped in the morning. During that time, I decided to take a look myself because of this painting to see whether such a place truly exists.”

In the end, it was proven that the tree did indeed exist. However, before he could unearth the ground beneath it, the horrendous rain had already caused the water level to rise tremendously. Had Guan Shanhai not appear in time, Rong Qing would have already turned into a lonely ghost that roams the earth.

“Commander Cui should know now that there is a reason behind my doings!”

Cui Buqu paid no attention to the displeasure that came from his voice, “So, your suspicions for Huang Lue have grown?”

Rong Qing nodded: “When I proposed leaving the city to investigate the matter to Huang Lue, he had strongly objected to it. County Official Wu also behaved as though he saw nothing. Instead, it was Assistant Magistrate Li Yan who was willing to pursue me out to take a look. So, the problem most certainly lied in Huang Lue.”

Cui Buqu said: “If normal people saw a horrendous rain carrying on infinitely and rising up the water levels, of course they would object to it. Why are you not suspicious of Li Yan’s ulterior motives instead? That he was trying to use this chance to eliminate you?”

Rong Qing remained silent for a while, before retorting: “Huang Lue is the County Magistrate of Guangqian County. His word decides many things that go on around here. What can an assistant officer like Li Yan do?”

Cui Buqu said coldly: “However, this time the calamity did not just hit Guangqian County. Practically half of the entire Prefecture has been submerged in water. If I were you, I would not deduct a conclusion based on these paintings that came from anonymous sources.”

Rong Qing felt that Cui Buqu saw him as a prick, trying to make an argument out of everything.

He was unwilling to say more.

When a conversation becomes disagreeable, more words would mean more opportunities for arguments.

“Tomorrow, Huang Lue has invited all the aristocratic families to discuss funding the calamity with rations. He has also invited me. If Commander Cui refuses to believe it, you can attend it and decide for yourself between the loyal and the disloyal.”

Rong Qing snorted coldly, flipped his sleeves and left.

Everything was too chaotic.

Clouds of fogs surrounded them everywhere, and regardless of how one tries to pry it apart, it was futile.

Guan Shanhai was used to killing straightforwardly on the battlefield; he has never before seen or experienced such a complicated situation. At first glance, it looked like allocating tasks depending on the different ranks of each official, but if he were to look closely at it, it seemed like it wasn’t that simple. Was it possible that they have truly exhausted all the rations delivered here by the Imperial Court? County Magistrate Huang and Assistant Magistrate Li obviously had strife between themselves. Was Rong Qing being used by both of them? Why would someone deliver two pieces of paintings to Rong Qing? Was it to lure him into searching for the truth or deliver him to death’s door?

The more he thought about it, the heavier his headache became. Guan Shanhai felt fortunate that he had been a martial official, and there was no need to gyrate around these matters in circles. However, he couldn’t believe that Cui Buqu could pry the truth open like a god the moment he arrived, readily solving everything in one go.

However, what he knew was that in order to catch up to Rong Qing, Cui Buqu had halved the amount of time originally needed to arrive. His body’s condition seemed to have gotten worse, yet he never uttered a word during the journey.

Although Guan Shanhai did not like this new task given to him, his perception of Cui Buqu was no longer as bad as it had been before. He even couldn’t refrain from uttering in a light tone: “How did you know Imperial Censor Rong would encounter danger?”

“Because here, Rong Qing is a knife. Whoever has it in their grasp could use it to threaten someone else.” Cui Buqu suddenly sighed, “Perhaps we will be able to see the one hundred ways Rong Qing could die from very soon.”

Ah?

Guan Shanhai was confused and had completely no idea what he was talking about.

……

Rong Qing was also very confused.

He was speaking to the aristocratic families within the city, and they were sitting in the courtyard behind the county’s bureau.

Answering Huang Lue’s invitation, everyone came to attend the banquet and discuss ways to ease the current situation.

What made Rong Qing confused was this: Yesterday, Cui Buqu was still behaving cynically, yet today, he was like a tamed sheep sitting behind him. Not only did he add a beard to himself, he even introduced himself as Master Cui, changing his identity completely and turning into an aide of Rong Qing’s.

The native merchants were all very interested in Imperial Censor Rong, for practically everyone came forth to offer him gifts in an attempt to form closeness. They seldom notice Cui Buqu who sat behind him, and the few who did only asked a question or two about him. Cui Buqu was servile and submissive, and thus all the questions were answered by Rong Qing.

Rong Qing knew that Cui Buqu wanted to conceal his identity, and it coincided with his wishes since he also did not want others to know that Cui Buqu was a member of the Zuoyue Bureau, which would lead them to think that the Imperial Court had no faith in him, thus sending someone to keep an eye for them.

However, he hadn’t expected Cui Buqu’s acting to be so flawless. It was as if he had changed into another person entirely. He claimed to be a man of few words and truly acted the part—uttering not even a single word. Even his gaze had turned gentle and harmless, speaking in a gentle and hushed tone. Where was the sharpness he had shown just yesterday?

Another guest has arrived. Rong Qing could no longer pay attention to inspecting Cui Buqu’s change. He realized that most of the people who gathered today were either young people or the eldest and second children of the family. The patriarch of the family itself seldom showed their presence.

Among them, one young man stood out from the crowd.

The other looked twenty give or take; he was quite handsome, said to be surnamed Li, and was the fourteenth child of his house. He was a distant relative of Assistant Magistrate Li Yan—only now did Rong Qing realize that Li Yan was a native and his family’s situation was liberal. The Li family had been a notable clan known locally and throughout the entire Guangqian Prefecture.

Li Shisi followed behind his cousin—who is also the eldest child of the Li family—and came forth. However, compared to the sturdiness of his cousin, Li Shisi was a lot more engaging. Not only did he go about proposing a toast of wine to everybody, he even came to close proximity with Rong Qing, having no care for courtesy, pulling him to the side as he asked him something. He even showed an interest in Cui Buqu who was next to Rong Qing.

“I heard Master Cui is someone from the Southern Dynasty? Why have you not remained an official in the Southern Dynasty but came all the way to the Northern Dynasty? What sort of scenery is in the Southern Dynasty; is it truly filled with mountains and rivers aplenty, filled with euphemism and songs?”

Li Shisi strained his neck, practically touching Cui Buqu. If not for his young-looking exterior that didn’t look annoying and for his face being filled with curiosity, it was feared that he would have been receiving a lecture about manners right now.

Cui Buqu gave a bashful smile: “Not everyone who wants to become an official would be given the chance. My capabilities meet neither the standards of a martial or literary official. Fortunately, Imperial Censor Rong did not mind and took me in to help with copying scripts and books. As to your mention of the scenery, my humble opinion feels that the mountains and rivers are similar in both the Northern and Southern Dynasty.”

“Aiya, Master Cui, how delicate your wrist looks!” It was as if Li Shisi found something new and interesting, caught Cui Buqu’s wrist and refused to let go.

“I heard the people from the South often have queer interests, especially flirting with those who are elderly in age. With your looks, could it be that you were a target of such people and so you came north to seek refuge?”

[1] 虎狼之心 describes someone who is ambitious, cruel, and ruthless.