PART 3. XIMENG CONTINENT
Chapter 21
Its time to Act
Qiao Qiao is still missing. He spent all his efforts looking for her in secret ways.
Xiao Ce uncovered all the whereabouts and information of Jianghu spies, underworld spies, and their relationship with the afterlife campers. He also sent spies to monitor Zhan Ziyu's activities, reporting to him occasionally.
He holds all this information and is still waiting for pieces of the puzzle regarding Qiao Qiao's disappearance after the icy lake tragedy. Xiao Ce also holds Yue Qi, Yuwen Yue's bodyguard, who is currently residing at his secret mansion in Kong Sang Mountain.
Xiao Ce brought all healers and royal doctors to revive him. Yue Qi died for a few minutes, but Xiao Ce's bodyguard took his body and brought it to the Black Palanquin. Xiao Ce believed he could be revived by a healer his father had imprisoned, but whom Xiao Ce later freed to become his spy. The healer ran a business as a shopkeeper, selling weapons and antiques.
The spiritual healer came from the Chu Jing Kingdom, but the Liang Prince controlled his business. Xiao Ce summoned him and showed him Yue Qi's lifeless body. The healer initially refused to help, but Xiao Ce recounted the heroic story of how Yue Qi tried to save Yuwen Yue and Chu Qiao.
Unfortunately, Yue Qi had died.
When the healer heard the names Chu Qiao and Yuwen Yue, he remembered them from when they were trapped in a cave and suddenly agreed to help.
Yue Qi was placed on a platform where the healer prepared a cup of water and a cup of tea.
The healer performed some incantations and laid his hands on Yue Qi's body. Yue Qi's physical wounds had been treated by the royal doctors, who had done everything they could, but he had been unable to bear the pain and breathed his last breath.
The healer called Yue Qi's spirit back, telling him not to disintegrate with his body as his work was not yet finished. Suspended in time, Yue Qi's spirit saw Chu Qiao.
In a different form, he also heard his master, Yuwen Yue, calling her name three times: "Xinger, Xinger, Xinger." Chu Qiao touched Yue Qi, and suddenly, he was wrapped in light and vanished from her sight.
At the third call, Yue Qi heard his name.
The healer was right. Yue Qi's spirit went to see his master in the Forgotten River. When Yue Qi was about to board a boat to cross to the other side, the healer touched his middle temple, directing his eyes to look at the Higanbana flowers but not to smell them.
Yue Qi saw Chu Qiao walking among the Higanbana and remembered his past life. The healer then snapped Yue Qi back to consciousness, and he slowly opened his eyes.
Zao Baocung, the shopkeeper, should have been dead. His enemy slit his throat because he refused to talk about the heir of Luo He, the leader of the Wind and Cloud Decree. But he survived, and no one knows what happened to him, not even the devious Liang Prince, Xiao Ce.
Zao Baocung's pet hamsters helped him at the moment of his death, but no one knows how. He knows many things, including his past as the most powerful spiritual healer in the Chu Jing Kingdom, though now he hides behind the humble guise of a shopkeeper.
Xiao Ce knows this well and suspects Zao might be key to unlocking the lost Chu Jing Kingdom. However, extracting information from him is difficult. Xiao Ce remains patient, waiting for the right moment to act. For now, he brushes off Zao, but his true plan is to pull him out when needed, without exposing him prematurely.
"Yue Qi, how are you?" the Liang Prince asked, visiting him in a purple robe adorned with autumn flowers at the hem. Despite sleepless nights for almost a year, the Prince smiled gorgeously, his hopelessly romantic heart stranded in time, as he cared for Yuwen Yue's bodyguard.
Yue Qi's face had matured. Disguised in expensive attire, he looked like a eunuch serving the Prince of Liang, but this was only a facade, a public show to hide his identity until the right time—or until Yuwen Yue returned and recalled his loyal bodyguard.
Yue Qi bowed to the Prince and said in a lively voice, "What brings Prince Xiao Ce to visit a humble servant?"
"I came for a chat and a short cup of tea," the Prince replied, while Liang servants prepared the tea ceremony.
"This way, Prince," said Yue Qi.
They both sat together in a lovely gazebo tea garden, staring into each other's eyes. Yue Qi remained silent, and after a few minutes, Xiao Ce broke the silence by inhaling deeply and speaking to his servant as if he were a friend.
"Yue Qi, do you remember the time when you first met your master, Yuwen Yue?"
Yue Qi, somewhat puzzled, answered the prince: "I remember vividly." He took a sip of tea.
Xiao Ce, with his fox-like eyes, calculated as he asked, "Would you believe it if they told you he has finally walked into the afterlife?"
Yue Qi, struggling to control the emotions swelling in his eyes, stood up, turned his back to Xiao Ce, and inhaled deeply, pausing for a moment.
Xiao Ce waited through the silence, as a cold breeze passed between them. Then, Yue Qi turned back to face the Liang Prince.
Xiao Ce looked up at him, still waiting. Yue Qi finally said, "If I am alive, then my master is alive too. I don't know how, but I truly believe he is out there, searching for us, just as we have searched for him for nearly a year now."
"Do you truly believe that?" Xiao Ce pressed, as this was a crucial decision for him, hinging on Yue Qi's conviction and belief.
"I don't just believe; I have faith in him. My master may be cold, but his heart is strong and warm. He cannot be defeated so easily. It's too simple." Yue Qi spoke with full conviction.
Xiao Ce exhaled and, to conclude, said, "Well, if you say so, then I will believe as well." He drank his tea and stood up, giving Yue Qi a fox-like smile.
Yue Qi bowed to the prince and said, "I will wait for the day we see him again, just as we did with Xinger. We have come to this place before."
Xiao Ce felt the weight of the possibility that Yuwen Yue must still be alive, and he replied, "Indeed, with a little time and patience, it will soon happen."
Yue Qi nodded, locking eyes with Xiao Ce until the prince turned his back and left.
Xiao Ce, accompanied by his bodyguard in disguise, strolled through the Xianyang business district to meet Zao Baocung. Xiao Ce removed his woven rattan hat and met Zao's gaze. Zao Baocung, with his usual airy attitude, humbly bowed to the prince.
The Liang Prince nodded and said, "People will see what you are doing and suspect me. Get up!"
"My Prince, long time no see. Is someone dead again, and you've come to bring them back to life?"
Xiao Ce laughed and replied, "Not this time, but I need you for a special purpose."
"Oh, I thought you'd heard the news and were here to revive another dead body?" Zao Baocung joked, making faces at the prince.
"Haha…," the prince chuckled, entertained for a moment, then became serious and whispered into Zao's ear, "You know Yuwen Yue very well, and you will help me find him."
Pretending its reluctance, Zao Baocung said, "Oh my prince, have pity on this old man. Can't you see I'm retired?"
Xiao Ce laughed again but, growing serious, showed Zao Baocung a map.
Zao Baocung straightened up and said, "What can I do for you, Liang's Crown Prince, son of King Tang?"
Xiao Ce smiled and replied, "Now we're buddies. I like you even more."
The map was an ancient map of the Chu Jing palace. Zao asked Xiao Ce, "Where did you get this?"
"I have my ways, and when I want something, I get it," Xiao Ce answered.
Zao mockingly replied, "Even the dead come back to life. It's no surprise," and smiled at the prince.
"We have a deal then?" Xiao Ce asked, "This time, not for a dead person but for a living one."
"At your service," Zao Baocung said, tapping his chest.
Xiao Ce put his hat back on, and they slipped away unnoticed by the crowd.
Zao Baocung, left alone with his thoughts, mused, "Chu Qiao, I hope you're doing well and that your powers have returned. The time I healed your Chibi was just a temporary fix. It wasn't completed. I can't let them disturb you again like Yuwen Yue did. I made a promise to your father."
Zao hid the map in a secret place beneath the cave.
"Now, this will take a lifetime before anyone can find it," he said to himself as his pets watched him hide it.
Xiao Ce returned to the palace and informed his father that he planned to go to the Woolong Mountains for a break from his duties, to pray and refresh himself.
"It has been a while since my last visit, and I wish to seek guidance from the temple masters and get answers to some lingering questions," he explained.
His father disapproved, telling him it was too risky.
Xiao Ce reassured his father, "I won't blow my cover," but his father warned him, "My son, I haven't told you everything. It isn't safe because the Eyes of God are shut down."
"I just received a report yesterday from Xiao Yu's spies that the Wei state civil government has gone quiet for a time. Do you know what this means?"
"Tell me, Father," Xiao Ce said eagerly, like a hungry child.
"It means chaos," his father replied in a flat tone.
"There must be a reason for this," Xiao Ce responded.
King Tang told him, "Your sister, Princess Xiao Yu, is set to marry Yan Xun in nine months."
"It's not a surprise," Xiao Ce replied calmly.
"You knew this already?" his father asked, surprised, looking at him expectantly.
Xiao Ce said, "I was there when Yan Xun crushed a rebellion on the day he was supposed to marry Wei's Princess Chuner. I thank him every day for it because I was saved before the Wei Emperor could recall me. So now, Yan Xun's only choice is my wicked sister. They belong together."
King Tang narrowed his eyes. "I'm very upset with the Wei Emperor. I should have a grandson by now."
"Father, when I marry, I hope it will be with the one I truly love. I don't need another concubine or to add more girls to Liang's harem."
King Tang looked at him and asked, "Since when have you disliked beautiful girls?"
"Since I met the punch girl," Xiao Ce replied, staring off into the distance like a lovesick fool, imagining the girl's face.
King Tang waved his hand in front of Xiao Ce's eyes and said, "You're in a dry spell. You need to tend your gardens. Who is this punch girl? Is she a princess too?"
Xiao Ce remained lost in thought, not paying attention to his father's questions.
"Did you know, Father, I became the punch prince when I met her, and I think I left my heart at that moment," Xiao Ce reminisced.
King Tang, amused by his son's foolishness, laughed. "A punch prince meeting the punch girl? That's insane!"
Xiao Ce, irritated by his father's teasing, snapped, "Have you considered the consequences of agreeing to Xiao Yu and Yan Xun's marriage?" His tone became serious, sensing a shift in fate.
"If the Wei Emperor won't form an alliance with Liang, then I will do so with Yanbei," King Tang said, staring off into the distance, clearly displeased.
Xiao Ce didn't care much for Xiao Yu, but he knew that with his sister expanding her influence, Yan Xun could potentially overpower him in the future. His half-sister, the Queen of Yanbei, could one day take over Liang. He realized he needed to be vigilant if this marriage was to happen.
With that thought, Xiao Ce's mood turned formal. He felt his father's disappointment in him for not marrying the Princess of Wei to strengthen their influence. Meanwhile, Xiao Yu seemed to be scoring points with their father by planning to marry the Prince of Yanbei.
Yan Xun had already expanded his power, conquering more towns along Wei state's borders, including Chang'an, weakening Wei's intelligence network in the process. With the absence of Yuwen Yue, the Eyes of God had been shut down, and Yuwen Huai remained in limbo after the destruction of the secret repository in the Green Hills Courtyard.
Xiao Ce realized he couldn't go to the Woolong Mountains. The Liang royal family was preparing for his half-sister Xiao Yu's marriage to the Prince of Yanbei, though the event was still nine months away. The family was planning a grand banquet celebration, not only for the royal wedding but also for the union of two powerful states: Liang and Yanbei.
Xiao Ce felt immobilized, unable to roam freely or find Yuwen Yue to inform him about the shutdown of the Eyes of God or how his character had been assassinated, leading to his family's disowning him. Xiao Ce feared Yuwen Yue might even consider suicide to escape the pain.
However, Xiao Ce knew Yuwen Yue wasn't one to give up easily. He was the only person capable of rebuilding his life and turning things around for both himself and Qiao Qiao. Xiao Ce had already tested Yuwen Yue's abilities and knew he had learned his lessons well.
Xiao Ce wanted Yuwen Yue as his ally. He aimed to restore Yuwen Yue's honor after the Yuwen family had forbidden even the mention of his name. Yuwen Yue had nothing left to return to in the Eyes of God, and this was the perfect opportunity for the Liang Prince to recruit him into his envoy—a major victory in his father's eyes.
Xiao Ce smiled and said, "This is going to be grand. I hope Zao Baocung finds Yuwen Yue before the grand banquet celebration."
Chapter 22
Band of brothers
The East Mountains, where Ximeng continent resides, are home to vast ranges, perfect sunsets, cruel snowy plains, dark forests, and harsh deserts. Similarly, the people's culture was divided into different clans and tribes, forming factions, defectors, rebels, outliers, outlandish savage fighters, and barbaric warriors. The continent also houses the wisest tribal leaders, powerful spiritual healers, and mystical underground forces such as the underworld league of spies.
The beauty lies in its imperfection—the unpredictability of its people in the absence of a strong regime controlling its borders and gateways to the outside world. The freedom to do all the things he had never done made Yuwen Yue hesitate to return to his homeland. He settled into a simple life, living alone. He never had this kind of freedom, never experienced the true life of ordinary people. He learned to live within his means, having nothing, and applying and testing his principles. He encountered rejections in his new world and became a servant in the heart of a master. This brought him great wisdom. His aristocratic nature was exposed to a broader, more diverse world, which may have broken some of his old codes of conduct, yet Yuwen Yue's character remained intact. As Yuwen Yue delved deeper into this new world, he became like iron, sharpening his blade of knowledge and enriching his experiences like a book worth reading.
It has been one year since the icy lake tragedy, and many changes have taken place, including his lifestyle and the people he works with. However, when it comes to his heart, it remains unchanged. Yuwen Yue never forgot about his Xinger. As the master of the Eyes of God, he is adept at sourcing information. He is a master of spies, effectively disguising himself so that no one suspected he was the missing heir to the Eyes of God. He is full of wisdom and clear strategies, but he learned that such power and position only work when the necessary resources, people, and authority are available.
For now, Yuwen Yue understands how a master must act when resources are limited, blurring lines of defense and discovering more cunning ways to get people to believe in his abilities without tangible rewards or punishments. What he once knew from books has become a deep well of experience. He avoids shortcuts and cheats to evade steep challenges, learning from every step until he knows how to run.
He thought it was time to return and pick up the pieces he left at the frozen lake, building a solid foundation from there. It is autumn, and his journey is long and dangerous. Yuwen Yue loves to write letters, so his room is full of them—not paper snow letters, but ordinary pieces of paper without the Eyes of God's seal. They are simply thank-you notes and farewell statements to his wealthy landlord, who runs the lodge with his son. Yuwen Yue owes them gratitude because they never made him feel inferior or treated him as a slave.
Zuo Zong, the Shaolin temple master, never lets a day go by without seeing his so-called master, though Yuwen Yue never acknowledges him as such. Sometimes it makes him angry, but he also feels lonely when Zuo Zong is absent. Occasionally, Yuwen Yue visits Zuo at the temple to check if he is still alive. The wealthy lords of the East, the peddlers he met and worked with, and the beautiful peasant girls he encountered—none of them were able to replace Xinger in his heart.
He intends not to see these people again because he showed himself to them as a nobody. He plans to quietly leave, becoming somebody when he returns to his family, who disowned him so easily. He is uncertain of the situation that awaits him in Wei, a land of chaos, wars, famine, plunder by Yan Xun, weakened cities, and fortified walls. Despite the uncertainty, Yuwen Yue is ready—his body and mind fully healed and healthy. He chose to leave at night but has to deliver the letters this afternoon. He packed only what he needed, including small weapons like the daggers he bought. The unique bow he made from driftwood and arrows he crafted from Yuwen Parrot's feathers are his treasures. He has only a handful of arrows, very colorful ones, and no sword to protect himself. His night owl will guide him on the journey, and Yuwen Parrot is ready to go too. Like a king without a crown, Yuwen Yue walked out of the lodge and into the streets. Almost finished with his preparations, a man in a humble outfit approached him.
"Master!" Zuo Zong greeted him as usual, surprising Yuwen Yue—but for Yuwen Yue, nothing was a surprise.
In his usual indifferent manner, Yuwen Yue didn't mind Zuo Zong walking beside him.
Zuo Zong asked, "Master, how's the weather, and what's that you're carrying?"
"I'm not carrying anything," Yuwen Yue replied, hiding something inside his clothes.
"I see," Zuo Zong said with a hint of sadness. Something felt off to him as he looked down and continued walking quietly alongside Yuwen Yue.
Yuwen Yue felt the pressure in the air, sensing that he needed to explain. As Zuo Zong fell unusually silent, like Yuwen Yue's parrot, Yuwen Yue took something from his pocket and handed it to him: "Zuo Zong, I want you to have this."
Yuwen Yue gave him the only handkerchief he had left from before the frozen lake incident—a sentimental keepsake from his Xinger.
Zuo Zong had never seen anything like it. The white, soft, high-grade fabric was immaculate and expensive-looking. When he opened the handkerchief, he saw Chinese characters embroidered in gold thread, revealing the true name of the owner. His eyes widened, as if he had seen a ghost, and he thought, "I was right!"
Yuwen Yue noticed that Zuo Zong had lost his sense of distance, simply staring at the handkerchief as Yuwen Yue walked away, leaving him behind.
Yuwen Yue expected this to happen. He gave the handkerchief to the temple master to reveal that he had to return to his duties, as his vacation had extended too long. It was also meant to help Zuo understand where he was going, something that would become clear after his departure. Yuwen Yue planned to sneak out that night, leaving a short note for Zuo Zong. He was the last recipient of Yuwen Yue's letters, which he would deliver while everyone was asleep. As always, he left without goodbyes—just gone.
At nightfall, Yuwen Yue set off for the Shaolin temple to deliver the note to his closest friend, whom he saw as a brother, though Zuo Zong might not have felt the same. Despite Yuwen Yue's aristocratic mannerisms, he still had a soft spot beneath the surface.
As he approached the temple, Yuwen Yue encountered traps planted around its perimeter. Dressed in his neat, powder-blue peasant clothes, he gracefully navigated the traps, his superb martial arts on full display. After a few minutes of tumbling, jumping, and leaping, Yuwen Yue dusted himself off, confident that the job was done. But just then, a more playful master appeared, waiting for him. Zuo Zong stepped forward, picked up something Yuwen Yue had dropped, and read it quietly before saying, "Impressive." He clapped his hands, but Yuwen Yue responded with a cold glare, his brows wrinkled.
Zuo Zong, now angry, said, "Master, you can't leave me here. You can't pass this road. It's either you kill me or take me with you." His determination was clear.
Zuo Zong adopted his usual fighting stance, ready for martial arts. Yuwen Yue had no intention of killing anyone that night—he just wanted a peaceful escape—but Zuo Zong forced him into a fight. They sparred, with Yuwen Yue controlling the amateur battle. Over time, Zuo Zong had become much better, thanks to their practice sessions during free time. Suddenly, Zuo Zong stopped, stepped back, and kowtowed, saying, "Master, do you think I don't deserve to be your follower?"
Yuwen Yue raised his eyebrows but felt mercy in his heart. Zuo Zong's words stirred memories of the master-servant mindset, but Yuwen Yue refused to cling to his aristocratic status. He knelt to halt Zuo Zong's kowtow gesture. Zuo Zong, still in his early twenties, was immature, but his attitude was promising enough to earn Yuwen Yue's trust. Looking him in the eyes, Yuwen Yue said, "I cannot guarantee a good life ahead, but you may come with me if you wish."
It seemed Zuo Zong had touched a soft spot in Yuwen Yue's heart, and Zuo Zong was now ready, just like his master. What surprised Yuwen Yue next was the sight of the savage fighters from the lodge, each with packed bags, approaching him one by one.
"If Zuo Zong goes, so does the swift dagger warrior from the tribes of the Far East," said one, throwing a twin dagger that sliced leaves from a nearby tree.
"I too," said the rapid blade warrior from the tribes of Wu, bowing with his sword in front of Yuwen Yue.
"Me too," added the flashing spear warrior from the tribes of Shi, jumping towards Yuwen Yue, planting his spear into the ground, and bowing his head.
A junior Shaolin monk leaped from behind and said, "You'll need a staff warrior at your service, young master," bowing deeply.
More followed, offering their service. Yuwen Yue realized that if he made enemies with them tonight, even a former master of spies like him could be defeated by their skill. It wasn't wise to refuse these warriors, all bowing before him. Yuwen Yue had shown only a seed of kindness, but it had grown into a field of warriors, ready to embark on an adventure with him as their leader.
Yuwen Yue didn't have many options left, so he accepted his fate. With the right kind of leader, these warriors would experience the time of their lives. Although Yuwen Yue couldn't predict what lay ahead, it was wise to bring a band of brothers with talents. Zuo Zong, skilled in espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination—not to mention kung fu—would be his trusted ally in both governmental and personal matters.
Yuwen Yue knelt down to meet their bowed heads and placed his right hand over his left chest, loudly declaring, "I cannot promise you a bed of roses. What lies ahead are thistles and thorns, but I am loyal to a few and ruled by no one."
The warriors suddenly erupted in joy, hugging each other. As Yuwen Yue stood up, they encircled him, tossing their hands in the air as if they had already won a battle—the battle to gain Yuwen Yue as their leader. That night, over fifty men joined Yuwen Yue's journey back to his homeland, each following him even though he had nothing to offer.
These warriors followed a leader with no arms, no horses, and no food. On the treacherous and uncertain roads, they grew closer, becoming like brothers. Yuwen Yue, an advanced planner and thinker, organized ranks within his "walking cavalry"—men without horses, honor, or material wealth, but with courage and talent for defending or attacking. They were men ready to die at any moment. Yuwen Yue gathered their weapons and shared their possessions. They called themselves a "band of brothers," and Yuwen Yue, their "Master Brother."
Yuwen Yue created a banner creed, and each warrior tied a handkerchief to their arm. They cut a small wound and scarred it to form the ancient Chinese character 越, which means "Yuè" — to exceed, climb over, surpass, and accommodate more. While everyone else's wound was on their right arm, Yuwen Yue, being the Master Brother, bore his wound on his left arm, near the scar from a past chest wound. Some said he chose the left arm near his heart to remind himself of what he told his brothers that day: that he is loyal only to a few and ruled by no one. Zuo Zong, his close companion, shared the same creed on his left arm to follow his Master Brother.
Zuo Zong was in charge of tactical movements, with five brothers assigned to accompany him on spying missions. The swift dagger warrior had five men under his command, the rapid blade warrior had ten, the flashing spear warrior had ten, and the stick (or staff) warrior, a Shaolin junior monk, was given five men. This junior monk was once strangled by Yuwen Yue, warned not to speak about Zuo Zong and their fight on Cloud Mountain, where Zuo had almost fallen. Yuwen Yue promoted the young monk, who called himself the "stick warrior" because he still needed to grow. Yuwen Yue told him that when he matured, he would be called the "staff warrior." He was the youngest of the ranking junior brothers and close to Zuo Zong. The rest of the men were called the "cold warriors," and Yuwen Yue had yet to assign them a ranking brother. Yuwen Yue trained some of these men to handle bows and arrows. Though they weren't all skilled with these weapons, he told them, "It cannot be learned; it can only be felt."
Yuwen Yue pointed at his pulse, closed his eyes, and listened to the cold hunting wind. He extended his left arm straight, his right arm bent at an angle, and a squeaky sound came from the bowstring as he pulled it back. He released the heavy feathered arrow at the tick of his pulse. Opening his eyes, he saw the arrow had hit its target—a huge kingbird on the ground.
The cold warriors rushed to inspect the eagle, expecting it to be dead, but to their surprise, it wasn't wounded. The arrow's pointed tip had detached in the air, leaving the bird unharmed. The Yuwen Parrot in its cage tweeted, "Master Brother, great! Master Brother!" No one knew how Yuwen Yue had done it. Only the Master Brother had such advanced skill and the ability to decide whether to hunt and kill or hunt to heal.
Yuwen Yue picked up the kingbird eagle, placing it on his left arm. The bird's claws gripped his arm tightly—it was heavy, with a wingspan that may have stretched three meters across. Yuwen Yue carefully examined its left thigh, and the bird squawked softly before testing its wings and attempting to fly again.
The cold warriors admired the scene, commenting, "What a sight." Yuwen Yue, wearing his powder-blue peasant clothes, a sleeveless V-neck exposing the muscles in his arms, stood tall with his dark eyes and perfectly shaped brows. His god-like aura commanded respect, even in his simple attire.
These cold warriors endured Yuwen Yue's grueling training sessions, similar to those he had gone through with Yue Qi, his seventh Yue, and his maidservant Xinger. He shared some of the Yuwen household's secret skills: "The Pulse" and "The Palm."
Counting the days and nights, the band of brothers traveled far under the scorching heat of sand dunes and deserts. They set up their tents each nightfall and packed them up during the day, continuing their journey toward the western mountains. They hunted for food as practice during the day while others prepared it. Though it seemed nothing was handed to them easily, and they had to earn everything through hard work, they rested each night with heads full of knowledge and wisdom.
The band of brothers came from different backgrounds—warriors from the Far East and western tribes, including Manchu (Jin tribes) warriors, Han Chinese warriors, and Mongol elements. Without a leader who could unite these diverse cultures, their talents would have been impossible to utilize.
After several days and nights, they passed through the Great Wall of China. Yuwen Yue observed that it was built but appeared not yet fully fortified and completed. It was the first time they crossed an unfinished part of the wall facing the sea. This location, at the southern foot of the Yanbei Mountains and facing the northern Bohei Sea, became their pit stop for a few days. They set up their mobile tents, created bonfires, and dug firepits along the shore.
Yuwen Yue discovered that some of his Han warrior brothers were skilled at swimming and fishing. They knew how to build fishnets and create bait, teaching Yuwen Yue how to survive at sea. The band of brothers stayed here longer than in the other mountains and deserts they had crossed. Their Mongol brothers dried some of the fresh catch in the sun for a few days, sprinkling it with Himalayan salts. They taught their companions how to preserve the catch, creating long-lasting salty dried fish, shrimps, octopus, seaweed, and squid.
"Master, it seems you're busy," Zuo Zong said as he entered Yuwen Yue's tent, holding a tray of food with grilled salmon, freshly caught from the sea.
Yuwen Yue, seated on a carpet in a Buddha-like position before a small table, appeared cold as his writing was interrupted. Zuo Zong placed the grilled fish in front of him. Yuwen Yue inhaled the delicious aroma and began to feel hungry, so he set his writing aside. Zuo Zong sat across from him. After glancing at what Yuwen Yue had been writing, Zuo Zong asked, "Master, did you notice the unfinished wall here?"
Yuwen Yue immediately started talking about military principles and strategy. He said, "This will be a stronghold in the future, a foothold to behold, where the East ends and the path to the south of the Yanbei Mountains begins."
Zuo Zong, unaware of what Yuwen Yue had experienced in the Yanbei Mountains, remained in the dark about what had happened at the frozen lake. Their current location was close to that area, both near and far. Zuo Zong, being an intelligent spy, would sooner or later uncover the tragic story of Xinger—the very reason his master had gone to the icy lake. The news of Yuwen Yue's disappearance and the false report of his death had circulated widely. Zuo knew this was fake news, and he also knew Yuwen Yue was aware of it, which is why he was returning to the Yuwen household.
Yuwen Yue broke the moment, saying, "What a good smell," as he looked at the fish. He picked up his chopsticks, his eyes filled with hunger. Zuo Zong smiled at him and said, "Ciao."
It was a beautiful afternoon. The skies were clear, and the setting sun cast a majestic glow across the horizon, painting the sea with hues of gold, yellow-orange, and red—a breathtaking twilight view.
Chapter 23
Mountain Pass
Still far, but the band of brothers spies see a mounted army of a thousand troops. Flags are raised, and the horses' hooves are marching as they approach the southern edge of the Yanbei mountains, entering what they call the "First Mountain Pass" under the heavens, the gateway to the Eastern empire.
One spy whistles a distinct signal to warn Zuo Zong of the impending danger.
It was their first alarm, and Yuwen Yue knew and expected that anything could happen at any moment.
"Master brother, troops are coming. The band of brothers is aware, and we are ready to attack or disengage," said Zuo Zong, gasping for air as he runs toward Yuwen Yue, who is extinguishing a tea candle and preparing to leave.
It is dawn, and their walking cavalry is always ready and alert. They had already packed up their tents, and Yuwen Yue's was the last to be dismantled. Yuwen Yue helped his brothers take it down while Zuo Zong stood by, waiting for instructions.
Yuwen Yue had already taught his brothers the rules of engagement and set their expectations, just as he had. He also introduced them to the concept of truces and other military terms, ensuring that everyone was prepared for any future encounters.
Meanwhile, Zuo Zong's training focused on tactical movements, including offensive and defensive strategies their band of brothers might use in the face of war or ambush. Yuwen Yue gained these principles during his three years of training at Xiaoqi camp under the command of Wei's Royal 7th Prince, Yuan Che.
Their military expedition gave him enough experience to become one of Wei's most esteemed generals. Yuwen Yue is the golden egg, the key to Prince Yuan Che's success.
With Yuwen Yue's fifty or so brothers, their chances of survival would be slim against a thousand troops. They would be like ants biting a giant's feet. Yuwen Yue asked Zuo Zong, "How many?"
"We are unsure of the exact number, but we estimate it to be around a thousand," Zuo Zong replied, seemingly unworried.
"Since when?" asked Yuwen Yue.
"Our spies blended in with their troops two nights ago. They returned at dawn and reported that the troops have been moving towards us. They confirmed they would pass through our grid coordinates," Zuo Zong replied.
Yuwen Yue, dressed in his faded dark blue peasant fighting clothes, with foxy fur from his hunting adventures during training with his brothers, stood tall and cold-eyed. He had already sent men to scout the terrain of the mountains and the sea near the unfinished wall.
He developed maps and identified possible hideouts in case of an encounter. Yuwen Yue unrolled a map, calculated distances, and looked toward the Bohei mountains. He closed his eyes, knowing winter was nearing as autumn came to an end.
Zuo divided the spies and the band of brothers. He ordered the rapid blades, flying daggers, and flashing spears to move toward the mountains. He also assigned a spy to accompany them as their pulse and guide to their meeting point after the event.
They took their assigned hideout posts while Zuo Zong, the remaining stick warriors, and two other spies stayed behind.
Yuwen Yue and his cold warriors were prepared to execute a tactical maneuver called smoke screening. However, instead of creating clouds of smoke to conceal their band, this time they would use the smoke to lure the enemy. If successful, the enemy would lose their vision.
The advance party wouldn't suspect anyone had camped by the shore of the unfinished walls.
It was so clean that no one would ever think a cavalry had stayed there for days and nights. Their advantage was that, since they were neither heavily armed nor mounted on horses, they could flee quickly and follow instructions with speed.
"We cannot attack nor let them see us, as we are outnumbered. Everyone, you all know what to do," Yuwen Yue gave his final reminder.
Zuo Zong added, "Brothers, we meet at the place we told you about. Whoever gets there first waits for the others. If anything goes wrong, the spies must be the first to know and flee to inform everyone."
Quickly, Yuwen Yue gave the signal, which Zuo passed to the ranking brothers, and they set off on foot.
Yuwen's parrot was freed from its cage and landed on Yuwen Yue's shoulder. The bird, trained for crises, looked almost like a commanding general itself, knowing what to do in moments of danger.
The advancing cavalry saw smoke rising from the mountainside. It wasn't the heavy smoke of concealment but a thin vertical plume, leading them to believe a small group was nearby—too insignificant to pose a threat.
However, the ground commander, wary, deployed his men to investigate. Nearly a thousand troops were approaching the First Mountain Pass.
"Maybe it's just an amateur hunter," said one of the archer generals.
"We can't be sure. Follow standard procedure," the ground commander replied, tapping his horse and moving to the front of his cavalry. The troops remained calm; there was no sign of danger, only the cold wind blowing across the mountains.
Yuwen Yue had carefully prepared his men. Before the mounted troops could pass, his band of brothers had already retreated to their positions. Though outnumbered, they were not intimidated by the presence of the marching army. Yuwen Yue's strategy ensured his men were neither on the defensive nor alarmed.
A spy returned, informing Zuo that someone was approaching their position, but then found himself alone. He scratched his head in confusion until Zuo, watching from a distance, approached and playfully slapped the back of his neck. "We're here," Zuo grinned.
The startled junior spy quickly drew his small dagger, aiming it at Zuo's neck.
"Easy, easy, brother," Zuo said calmly.
Still shaken, the junior spy realized Zuo was disguised with dried grass on his head, giving him a wild appearance. "My bad," the spy stammered, "I didn't recognize you. You look like a ghost!"
Yuwen Yue chuckled softly, overhearing the exchange. Zuo laughed as well but, with restraint, handed the spy more materials for concealment. "Here, take these. You can't die early—you're the first to know and the first to flee if anything goes wrong."
Yuwen Yue smiled, his eyes brightening. "You've done well, both of you. You even fooled your own brother."
Then, his tone shifted. "Back to business. Let's move." He hid in the forest, and his men took their positions—some climbing trees, others setting traps, all camouflaged and prepared. Yuwen Yue had taught them to rely on offense, as they were cold warriors. They could not afford mistakes or to exhaust their limited weapons supply. If forced into defense, they would be doomed.
Their goal was simple: let the enemy pass without detection. If the hour passed without incident, the ground commander would be deceived, and the troops would safely move through the perimeter.
Yuwen Yue, calm and sharp, did not falter. His blood surged as the crucial moment approached.
Soon, the advance party neared, but Yuwen Yue and his brothers seemed invisible. One soldier thought he saw something, causing Yuwen Yue to tense, his cold eyes narrowing. The soldier was about to blow their cover when the stick warrior activated plan B.
The stick warrior, acting in a dramatic manner, groaned loudly from a nearby spot. The soldiers turned to see a young boy, dressed in dirty clothes, limping in pain with a pricked foot.
"What are you doing here, boy?" one of the soldiers asked.
The boy, pretending to be mute, gestured helplessly toward the distance. Amused, the soldiers laughed and said, "A mute boy—he's harmless. He must've been left behind by his friends."
The boy exaggerated his expressions, and the soldiers, thoroughly entertained, dismissed any suspicion. "He can't harm our troops. Let's report back to the General. All's clear."
As one soldier ran to report, Yuwen Yue didn't relax until the entire company had passed the unfinished wall. The thousand-foot soldiers marched in uniform, trumpets blaring, drums thundering. Each step sounded like a victory, their shields and blades gleaming in the daylight.
Yuwen Yue, recalling this moment, noticed their leader—a princely figure riding a brilliant white horse, clad in a white robe with a thick fur-lined cape. His long black hair, jade-like skin, and cold eyes gave him an almost god-like presence. Yuwen Yue had never seen him before, but he could only guess that this man was of royal blood.
As the leader passed, Yuwen Yue's brothers couldn't help but glance back and forth between him and Yuwen Yue, noticing the uncanny resemblance. Zuo Zong winked, and the others blinked in confusion.
Yuwen Yue, growing irritated, finally broke the silence: "What are you all staring at?"
Zuo grinned. "The man who passed by looks like you—but older."
The others nodded in agreement.
Yuwen Yue, catching the jest, replied, "Maybe he's my brother," and the group laughed.
"The stick warrior saved us all," Yuwen Yue added with a grin.
Zuo laughed too. "I told you he could act. At the Shaolin temple, he'd always perform for fun, even in moments like this!" He patted the stick warrior on the back, and the group shared another laugh as the stick warrior reenacted his earlier performance.
Yuwen Yue, still smiling, said, "Well done, everyone. Let's meet the others waiting on the other side."
Just as they were about to leave, an arrow shot through the trees, narrowly missing Yuwen Yue. He felt the cold wind against his face and immediately signaled everyone to stay put.
He waited for another attack, but none came. Instead, a woman appeared, wearing a thin red mask and a pitch-black dress. She moved so swiftly that Yuwen Yue couldn't catch her before—Bang! A loud thud echoed through the forest.
The stick warrior, laughing victoriously, had caught the woman in a trap. One of her feet was suspended in a rope, leaving her hanging upside down beneath a pine tree.
Yuwen Yue, still cautious, didn't approach too closely. The woman, her mask covering her eyes and only her lips exposed, looked ominous as she dangled before him.
Zuo Zong moved to take off her mask, but Yuwen Yue stopped him: "Zuo, wait!"
Suddenly, another woman appeared, leaping high into the air and slicing the rope with her sword. Yuwen Yue reacted quickly, grabbing the indigo scarf of the second woman as she tried to escape. He twisted the scarf around his left arm, pulling her toward him, their eyes meeting.
He placed a firm finger against her abdomen, causing her to drop her sword in mild pain. Her face was veiled, revealing only her eyes and beaded forehead. Dressed in a flowing white outfit, she resembled Princess Jasmine from the tales of Aladdin.
Yuwen Yue, still holding the scarf and the woman in his arms, couldn't help but notice the scent of plum blossoms, which stirred memories of his home.
Meanwhile, Zuo Zong caught the first woman, who had fallen into his arms. Just as the situation escalated, one of Yuwen Yue's cold warriors released an arrow, aiming at the red-masked woman.
Yuwen Yue quickly intercepted the arrow, picking up the fallen sword to deflect it. The red-masked woman grabbed the arrow and attempted to strike Zuo, but he countered her attack. They engaged in a fierce fight, Zuo's martial arts skills impressing even Yuwen Yue and the others.
The red-masked woman fought skillfully, using her long whip to bind Zuo's feet, causing him to fall. Yuwen Yue swiftly cut the whip with the sword and saved Zuo from further harm.
But before they could finish the battle, the red-masked woman unbound Zuo and, with the other woman, disappeared in a flash. Yuwen Yue barely registered what had happened, but the scent of plum blossoms lingered in his memory.
The band of brothers stood frozen, unable to believe what they had witnessed. All eyes turned to Yuwen Yue's hand, still holding the indigo scarf.
Chapter 24
Suddenly its here
"Earlier it was my face, now..." Yuwen Yue looked at where the eyes were focused, and saw his hand holding a familiar sword.
"Master brother, do you know what sword you're holding right now?" asked Zuo Zong. Yuwen Yue was still staring at his hand, his cold eyes fixed on it.
Lost in thought, Yuwen Yue recalled the events from earlier: the woman in the red mask, Zuo, the whip, the woman with the indigo scarf and her sword. His thoughts stopped suddenly.
Yuwen Yue was left speechless, baffled as he looked from the sword to the woman with the indigo scarf who had made him defend her from an arrow. It felt like an automatic instinct had taken over, and now he was holding his own sword—the Poe Yue Jian, the sword his mother had given to his father, Yuwen Hao.
Yuwen Yue never imagined that in this moment of need, the sword would be dropped at his feet by a woman he didn't even know. He remembered that the woman had superb gongfu; she had leapt so high to cut the rope. But then the spotlight shifted to the woman in the red mask, and eventually to Zuo.
Another spy approached Yuwen Yue and caught his attention: "Master brother, we found this. The woman in the red mask might have dropped it when they hurried away with the white lady."
Yuwen Yue looked at the object—it was a map titled "Qinghai."
"There are no coincidences when a spy is at work. They want us to follow them," Yuwen Yue said, unworried.
Yuwen Yue suddenly remembered the cavalry from earlier and spoke to Zuo: "We are being followed! The other half of the band of brothers has been exposed. Hurry, let's go."
Sure enough, they encountered a junior spy from the band of brothers. He was the only one who had escaped.
"Master brother, I escaped to bring you both good and bad news," the spy gasped.
Zuo handed him some water and said, "Take it easy, brother."
Yuwen Yue's eyes turned cold as he asked, "Report the good news first."
"We followed all of your instructions and safely made it to the hideout. But the bad news is that they were captured by a woman with a long whip, and her boss, whose face was hidden, carried a long sword as well."
The junior spy from the rapid blade group saw the sword hanging at Yuwen Yue's waist. "Master brother, why are you carrying this sword?" he asked.
Before Yuwen Yue could respond, Zuo Zong replied, "We had an encounter earlier, and Master brother recovered this sword, abandoned by its owner."
What the others didn't know was that Yuwen Yue had once owned this sword, but he remained silent, especially now, in the midst of their tactical movements. Every minute was critical to follow the plans and stick to the rules.
Suddenly, without showing any concern, Yuwen Yue decided to alter their plans and quickly redirected their next move, as half of the brothers they protected were at risk.
Their heaviest weapons and some possessions had been taken by two women.
"This is insane!" Zuo Zong exclaimed angrily. "We survived a thousand troops, yet we lost a spy war to two women? Help me understand, Master brother. Did I miss something?"
Yuwen Yue replied, "Behind every man's espionage, there's a woman lurking."
Zuo asked, "Have you experienced something like this before?"
Yuwen Yue gave an honest answer, "Yes." He then turned to the junior spy and asked, "Did you see how the two women took half of our brothers?"
"Yes, Master. In fact, there was no violence or threats. The woman simply removed her scarf, and suddenly, all the men became dizzy. But I must say, it was the most pleasant fragrance I've ever smelled in my life."
"How did you escape?" Yuwen Yue asked, curious.
"I used this," the junior spy said, revealing a handkerchief tied around his right arm. "When I noticed the others getting dizzy, I realized it was the fragrance, so I covered my nose and mouth with this."
The handkerchief, which also covered a scarred wound, displayed the band of brothers' creed.
"Good thinking," Yuwen Yue said approvingly. Then he added, "Zuo, hurry. We must head to their hideout and find out what really happened."
Half of the band of brothers walked to the hideout. Yuwen Yue investigated the scene like a detective at a crime scene, though no crime had occurred. He found no signs of struggle or blood. He examined the footprints carefully, but they seemed to vanish as if swept away by the wind.
He thought it was impossible for a natural wind to erase the tracks so cleanly, unless some sort of magic was involved. Frustrated, Yuwen Yue threw a stone to release his angst.
Zuo, who had experience with the eastern spy network, told Yuwen Yue about the spies of the underworld. "They are quite mystical," Zuo said. "They have supernatural abilities that are stronger at night and weaker during the day."
As he spoke, Zuo began to feel a chill.
Yuwen Yue asked Zuo, "You told me about the spies of the underworld that serve the Eastern Empire, but were weakened by their Queen, right? The middle kingdom was smashed by parties from the Wei and Liang Empires, dividing its spoils. And then there's the secret princess from eastern folklore, and the oracle of the middle kingdom who is said to rise again?"
Zuo Zong sat down on one of the large, old rocks and said, "Master brother, those stories are from the past, but today is the present. I once knew a spiritual healer who knows everything from beginning to end. He often comes to the Shangxi port to trade and provide information. Pay him, and he will give you secret knowledge. I can arrange a meeting, but he never allows himself to be seen when delivering confidential information."
"How do you communicate with him?" Yuwen Yue asked, clearly interested.
"At the port, I buy a special mooncake. Inside is a simple note: 'See me, I need secret information.' The note is passed to beggars, and they deliver it to him. From what I know, he's a shop owner near the borders of Wei and Liang."
"Where do you usually meet him?" Yuwen Yue asked, thinking he might have encountered this shop owner before.
"In the Thousand Caves. Only those registered in the spy network can enter and find him in the caves. At the entrance is an old woman; you have to give her a gold coin. She's called the Skyshadow gatekeeper. Once you enter, there's no turning back. If you do, she'll take your soul and feed it to the underworld," Zuo said, sending chills through the group.
One of the brothers, a stick warrior, chimed in, "Don't be frightened; she's just human, but it's impossible to defeat her."
Yuwen Yue had heard many such stories from the East, about the Qinghai Empire and its Chu Jing kingdom, but no one dared venture there because the fragrant poison killed anyone who entered. He'd also heard of the missing secret princess and the underworld league of spies waiting for her to gather them.
In reality, though Yuwen Yue had led a quiet life for a year, it had not been peaceful. He had gathered vast information on the powerhouses of the Ximeng continent, blending in with all kinds of people—from the richest lords to the poorest beggars—learning their secrets.
These secrets were tied to Wei, Liang, and Yanbei. Some of them had even been stored in the repository of the Eyes of God, which Yuwen Huai had accidentally destroyed by triggering its self-destruct mechanism.
Yuwen Yue hadn't believed these stories until now. He had traveled to the places described in his readings, as the keeper of ancient secrets, and had grown up surrounded by such tales.
Meanwhile, Chu Qiao, in her dark burgundy royal paladin armor, and Viper, managing three horses, had an army of cavalry following them. The men seemed hypnotized by Viper.
Each man wore a black iron neck cuff connected by chains to the man in front, forming a long line. Viper had commanded them to put the cuffs on themselves, and they obeyed as though they were prisoners of war, though no war had been declared.
Viper knew her power would only last a short time. Sooner or later, these heavily armed warriors would awaken from their trance and return to reality. Chu Qiao, lost in thought, flashed back to her fight with a man earlier, a man whose sword she had failed to draw.
The Poe Yue Jian sword had suddenly become too heavy for her to lift. Her Chi had been momentarily blocked by a slight touch from the rugged man, who seemed to be their leader. She was unsure, yet certain, that she had seen those sharp, cold eyes before. In his presence, she had felt weakened and unable to wield her powers.
Chu Qiao wasn't too concerned about losing the sword; after all, she had taken half of his cavalry from their leader. She knew they would come after her eventually and had dropped the Qinghai map intentionally to lure them into capturing their own men.
Zuo, ranting and scratching his head, complained, "It would have been easier if we were captured by a thousand men, but two women capturing our band of brothers? That's a headache I'd rather not deal with. I'd take body aches from battle over this any day." He grinned sarcastically, shaking his head in frustration.
Yuwen Yue replied, "This is just a delay. Our brothers are more important than our plans. We'll camp here and figure out our next move. I never believed those old stories, but it seems the underworld spies are still active, even after my father's 'celestial warfare,' the war that stretched from the heavens to the underworld."
Zuo glanced at Yuwen Yue's sword, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Master brother, you still haven't answered my question from earlier."
Yuwen Yue didn't respond. Instead, he whistled to call his Yuwen Parrot, which had been following them from behind the trees.
The parrot landed on his shoulder and squawked, "Xinger, Xinger, Xinger!"
Zuo mimicked the parrot in a slightly raised voice, "Xinger?"
Yuwen Yue glared at the bird, clearly irritated. He hadn't intended to reveal more than necessary about his past. He hoped to return to his grandfather and perhaps make an appeal later.
"Master," the stick warrior interrupted. "The sword you're holding... it didn't surprise you?"
Yuwen Yue gave a cold look and, after a moment, finally replied, "It was mine. My father gave it to me."
Zuo Zong stood up, narrowing his eyes with a smile to downplay the revelation. "Master brother, don't tease us like this. You know I'm gullible when it comes to you."
The stick warrior was equally surprised. "You must be joking, Master brother."
Yuwen Yue, relieved that the conversation had shifted from Xinger to the sword, said, "I don't tell stories. I just do things like this..."
With a swift motion, Yuwen Yue leaped and sliced through a nearby tree branch, landing perfectly in the stance of a Jian swordmaster.
"Master brother, I can't fight you," the stick warrior said, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm only good with sticks, remember? Please, don't get angry. I believe you."
Feeling the fire in his heart, Zuo grabbed the stick warrior's staff and joined Yuwen Yue in a mock fight. The master of the Eyes of God versus a Shaolin kungfu master—both danced through the twilight, their weapons flashing in the evening light. The band of brothers gathered to watch, their eyes fixed on the mesmerizing martial display.
Yuwen Yue showed no expression as he fought, and Zuo was equally composed. At the critical moment, Zuo tossed the staff into the air, but Yuwen Yue mirrored the move, thrusting his sword into his left hand and catching the staff with his right.
"Now you're unarmed," Yuwen Yue said coldly. "What will you do?"
Zuo smiled. "Not today, Master brother. You win this time."
Zuo was applying the praise-and-attack strategy to outsmart Yuwen Yue, but Yuwen Yue knew the game. He grinned slightly and turned to sit on the old rock. As Zuo tapped the staff on his hand, Yuwen Yue swiftly spun and smacked him on the butt.
Zuo cried out in pain, grinning through the discomfort. "Ouch, ouch, I was just playing with the staff, Master!"
Yuwen Yue grinned and said, "I knew you were, so I hit your butt."
Laughing, Zuo held his bruised backside and said, "Master brother, even if you hadn't said it, we knew you owned this sword. We saw how you used it earlier."
"The Poe Yue Jian sword is one of the most important weapons in the history of the Eastern Empire. It has a unique grip that only the owner can wield properly, which is why it's known as the gentleman's sword—the finest of its kind. When you used it to deflect the arrow, you did so in a way that both protected the woman and stopped the attack."
Yuwen Yue ignored Zuo's praise and continued forward. But Zuo suddenly grabbed his foot, bowed his head, and said, "Master brother, we don't know who you really are or where you come from, but that sword you carry belonged to the Qinghai King, who gave it to his son."
Zuo sobbed briefly, but Yuwen Yue said, "Enough! Get off my feet, I can't walk!" Zuo stopped immediately, wiping his eyes, and stood as if nothing had happened. "What about it, Master brother?" he asked.
Yuwen Yue glanced at him. "Are you acting again?"
Zuo grinned sheepishly.
Yuwen Yue approached him and patted his shoulder. "Didn't we do enough acting earlier?" he said, turning to the stick warrior, who was watching with admiration.
Zuo had revealed the significance of the Poe Yue Jian sword, and all eyes were on Yuwen Yue. Feeling the weight of their respect, Yuwen Yue said, "My brothers, I am what I am, but whatever story lies behind this sword, we will uncover it together."
Yuwen Yue gave a short speech to reassure his brothers, not wanting to burden them with the full story of the Poe Yue Jian sword or his own position. He hadn't told them that he was the heir to the Eyes of God in the Wei state—only Zuo Zong knew, as Yuwen Yue had given him his handkerchief as a symbol of trust.
The band of brothers, relieved, came forward to Yuwen Yue. He patted their shoulders, and they prepared to move forward, ready to rescue their captive brothers.
Chapter 25
To road less traveled
An icy river winds through a barren landscape. Semi-wild deer roam the plains, while the cityscape is shrouded in the smoke of its foggy mountains. In the far distance lies the Qinghai state. At the center is Chaka Salt Lake, home to wild swans, where the Chu Jing Kingdom stands.
Snow-capped mountains appear as the first snowfall descends in the morning. The sun hides behind the clouds as snow, rain, and ice herald the coming of winter. The autumn leaves fall, bidding farewell, while a man sits in meditation.
The Yuwen parrot remains quiet, its eyes still sleepy, though the master is awake even with his eyes closed.
Dark hawk birds circle the Chu Jing Kingdom. Though surrounded by thorns and thistles, an hour's journey inward reveals a labyrinth of green tea fields. Hidden beneath are traps, mounted killing machines, dungeons, and finally, the underworld spy headquarters.
Though inactive and less maintained, the underworld headquarters still shows remnants of its former glory, despite its destruction during Yuwen Hao's "Celestial Warfare."
Within the inner courtyard lie the old ruins of the Chu Jing Palace and its training grounds, partially restored by its remaining residents. During the day, the lake mirrors the golden sun, and at night, it reflects the moon's face—a breathtaking sight. Wild swans glide across the quiet waters, where some parts are covered in white snow, and others reveal clear blue waters, calm and pristine.
The lake, known as the "Mirror of the Sky," is a spectacular sight, with flowers and birds of paradise adorning the landscape. From a distance, one cannot help but be awestruck, unable to discern where the lake ends and the sky begins. It becomes impossible to tell if the lake is in the sky or the sky is in the lake.
Before these men awaken from their prisoner-of-war state of mind, Viper had already gathered them in Chu Jing's prison, known as the "Prison with No Walls."
"Brothers, where are we? Why are we here? Where are Zuo and Master Brother?" the men began to question.
"Why is this place so beautiful? How did we…"
Chu Qiao walked on the other side, dressed in a white casual princess Chinese costume. A rattan hat sat on her head, topped with an indigo veil that covered her face. The men saw only her side profile.
They were mesmerized, watching the woman against the backdrop of the distant lake, which seemed to perfectly complement the stunning landscape.
After meditating, Yuwen Yue and the rest of his brothers descended to the scenic landscape. It was an entirely new place, one they had never visited before. It had taken them seven days to reach this area as they traveled back east after already reaching the First Mountain Pass of the Great Wall of China.
"Zuo, in every battle, different tactics must be applied. The women who took our brothers are both brilliant and dangerous. We cannot blow our cover this time, or we will all fall into their hands," Yuwen Yue said, giving a final briefing.
Their previous success felt like child's play—surviving a thousand troops—but today, they must grow up to face two women.
While waiting for their five spy brothers, Zuo quickly informed Yuwen Yue of new intelligence. Yuwen Yue's face grew stern as he listened.
"There is no trace of our Rapid Blade, Flashing Spear, and Flying Dagger brothers. However, a dark kingdom lies in the center, still undiscovered. Our spies report that no one dares to approach its perimeter," Zuo explained.
Yuwen Yue gave him a cold look and replied, "Very well. It seems we may need more time to scout the area and study the terrain."
Zuo asked, "Can we walk through hell and still emerge as angels?"
Yuwen Yue responded, "It's not the world that is cruel—it's the people in it."
"Then to the cruel people we go," Zuo said, determined. "We'll teach them a lesson."
"They aren't as cruel as they seem," Yuwen Yue mused. "A crime scene without a crime is the smartest trick of all."
"To hell we descend!" Zuo said in his somber mood.
"We must not arrive at darkness only to find our brothers still missing. Move!" Yuwen Yue commanded as they descended with the cold warriors, spies, and staff warriors.
They blended well with the locals upon arriving in the city, carefully avoiding suspicion while conducting surveillance, hoping for any sign of their missing brothers.
However, a group of bystanders stole from a fruit vendor and placed the stolen goods in the pocket of a stick warrior, framing him for the theft.
When the vendor searched the stick warrior, they found persimmons in his pocket. Despite the warrior's protests, he was blamed for stealing the fruit.
One of the other staff warriors was ready to strike the vendor and the bystander leader, but Zuo stopped him, preventing an escalation. The crowd was growing, and many were watching the scene unfold.
Zuo, eyes still closed, said calmly, "This isn't right. Let my friend go," gesturing with his hand.
The bystander leader accused, "He stole the fruit and must be reported to the Qinghai ministerial office."
"I saw one of your men put it in his pocket," Zuo responded. "He didn't steal it. Let my friend go." Zuo gave them a cold look, his palms twitching.
"No!" the leader shouted, striking at Zuo, who sidestepped the attack with his eyes still closed, effortlessly avoiding harm.
The bystander leader, now furious, ordered his colleagues to hold the stick warrior, but Zuo quickly defended him, tossing the leader aside.
"So, you're a Shaolin monk!" the leader exclaimed, rallying his group to fight Zuo. The marketplace erupted into chaos.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Yue was gathering information when his spies informed him of the fight. He rushed to the scene, arriving just as the Qinghai palace officers detained Zuo and the stick warrior, along with the other brothers.
"What's going on? Where are you taking them?" Yuwen Yue demanded, stepping in front of the guards.
"And who are you?" one of the Qinghai palace guards asked arrogantly, raising his eyebrows at Yuwen Yue.
But as the guard glanced down, he noticed the Poe Yue Jian sword at Yuwen Yue's waist. His face froze in shock, as though he had seen a ghost.
"Are you alright?" Yuwen Yue asked, bending down slightly to meet his gaze.
The guard, shorter than Yuwen Yue, stammered, "Why are you dressed like this, sir? You should have informed us you'd be touring this afternoon."
Yuwen Yue, slightly confused by the guard's words, recalled that the leader of the thousand armies from the other day resembled him. Switching to an aristocratic tone, Yuwen Yue played along, saying, "I would appreciate it if you let my friends go first."
"Yes, sir, but you must come with us," the guard replied.
"No, he can't go with you!" Zuo shouted from behind, furious, his hands bound by the guards.
"We'll let them go, but you must come with us," the guard repeated, smiling, as though he were a father asking his son to return home for safety.
Before Yuwen Yue could respond, Zuo said, "If he goes, then we go too."
The Qinghai guards escorted Yuwen Yue back to the palace, with his brothers following behind. Yuwen Yue saw this as an opportunity to gather more information and hoped to return to his mission before twilight.
As they walked toward the palace, the head guard began to ponder deeply. He thought he had seen that sword before. Although it was his first time seeing it up close, the guard was struck by how much Yuwen Yue resembled the Qinghai 2nd Prince, Viceroy Ra Zheng. He now struggled to determine if Yuwen Yue was indeed the prince or just a lookalike.
Upon their arrival at the Qinghai Palace grounds, Yuwen Yue admired its magnificence. He expected to gather more information about the Middle Kingdom, which he believed was part of this empire and where his brothers were likely detained. Qinghai was structured, grandiose, and heavily guarded, with swords and spears in every corner and guards carrying spears.
Every guard who saw him was surprised by the sword at his waist and bowed their heads in reverence. The band of brothers marveled at the reaction of the palace guards toward their Master Brother, knowing it was because of the sword he carried.
While Yuwen Yue remained vigilant, his raised brows and cold eyes conveyed his suspicion that an enemy lurked nearby within the palace.
The head of the palace guards eventually placed Yuwen Yue in the waiting area, where he could meet the 2nd Prince, Viceroy Ra Zheng. The rest of his band of brothers were untied and waited for Yuwen Yue in the palace grounds, alert and ready to defend their Master Brother if anything went wrong.
A secret spy in the Qinghai palace approached the 2nd Prince Ra Zheng and reported that someone outside, who resembled him and carried the Poe Yue Jian sword, was waiting.
This secret spy was unknown to most of the palace guards and had only ever been seen by the prince. The spy's job was to predict and report any events inside and outside the Qinghai palace.
Prince Ra Zheng, dressed in a pure white silk Hanfu, his eyes cold but gentle, with jade-like skin, looked outside the palace, inhaled deeply, and said, "Is he the crown prince? My little brother? If so, I must see him and introduce myself."
Straightening his back and pinching his cheeks, Prince Ra Zheng felt a surge of excitement and overwhelming emotion. He instructed his servants to bring Yuwen Yue into the palace. The servants quickly fetched Yuwen Yue, who was waiting outside. They did not dare take his sword and allowed him to meet the prince as he was.
The King of Qinghai had released a different version of events regarding his missing sword and son to his ministers and the people of Qinghai. He covered up the story of his son's disappearance by claiming that the crown prince was hidden away in a secret palace and that no one knew his location.
The King had his scribes write that the crown prince was being attended to by royal servants and would one day return to Qinghai with the Poe Yue Jian sword. The King told his kingdom that the crown prince needed to train and focus on how to use the sword to defend the empire in the future.
Yuwen Yue entered the palace and saw Prince Ra Zheng. The prince turned to face him and immediately noticed the sword at Yuwen Yue's waist.
"Crown prince, Ra Yue, welcome back," Prince Ra Zheng said in a warm tone, his gentle brows and cold eyes softening. He quickly walked toward Yuwen Yue and gave him a slight hug.
Yuwen Yue was surprised by the prince's behavior, unsure how to respond. Should he accept this hug from his supposed brother? He had already seen the prince at the First Mountain Pass and had joked that perhaps they were brothers. Yuwen Yue remained speechless, but he sensed the prince's sincerity.
With his arms still resting on Yuwen Yue's shoulders, Prince Ra Zheng asked, "What took you so long to return to our kingdom? You look as handsome as your brother. Come, let's eat together."
The prince called for his servants and whispered to the head eunuch, "Prepare a feast of delicious dishes and invite his private army, who are waiting outside. Do not upset them."
After the warm welcome, Yuwen Yue prepared to introduce himself but hesitated. How should he present himself to the prince when he looked like a peasant, with no Jinhua costume or Yuwen Household buckle to indicate his position and lineage? He felt like no one, defined only by his clothes.
Yuwen Yue decided to introduce himself as the Master Brother and thought the prince might be the best person to ask for help in finding his missing brothers. The prince had called him "Ra Yue" and welcomed him back, leading Yuwen Yue to wonder if the prince had lost his mind or genuinely believed they were twin brothers.
As if sensing Yuwen Yue's thoughts, Prince Ra Zheng said, "I know this is all new to you, but you'll get used to it."
Yuwen Yue was about to speak when the prince invited him to walk toward the banquet hall. Yuwen Yue remained quiet, contemplating how to escape this situation and return to his mission. Suddenly, he saw Zuo and the rest of his brothers waiting in the banquet hall.
Zuo Zong and the others stood and bowed to them. Prince Ra Zheng and Yuwen Yue nodded back. Then, the prince remarked, "Your Highness, are these the private armies Father gave you?"
Zuo and the rest of the brothers were surprised by the prince's words, but Yuwen Yue shot Zuo a sharp, cold look that said, "Stay still."
Yuwen Yue responded, "Prince Ra Zheng, I call them the Band of Brothers. I consider them all my brothers."
The prince smiled and said, "Oh, you must have been through thick and thin together, just like us. We are brothers not only in name but in blood."
Not wanting to upset the prince, Yuwen Yue merely nodded. He didn't have the time to dwell on the prince's statements.
Yuwen Yue then said in front of his brothers, "Your Highness, it is a great honor and pleasure to join your banquet today."
Prince Ra Zheng smiled and replied, "It is a blessed day to finally meet my handsome brother who looks like me. From near or far, we could be twins."
The Band of Brothers exchanged glances, confirming the resemblance between the two men.
The prince invited everyone to sit down. As Yuwen Yue and the prince took their seats, the eunuchs and servants began serving the dishes in a manner befitting a grand feast.
Zuo, the stick warriors, and the cold warriors had never sat at a royal table before, and their eyes lit up with delight.
Prince Ra Zheng raised his jade goblet of wine, and Yuwen Yue did the same. The prince said, "To my brother, the Qinghai Crown Prince Ra Yue," and they toasted in the air.
It was a pleasant afternoon, filled with stories of brotherhood and chivalry, bringing the past to life. At last, the two brothers were face to face, finding comfort in each other's presence.
Chapter 26
Arise and shine Qinghai
After some time, an older eunuch came and announced the arrival of the Qinghai Queen. The empire is not easy to breach, but its walls have ears. When the Qinghai Queen heard about the arrival of the crown prince and his whereabouts, she immediately went to Prince Ra Zheng's palace.
She was the reason why the crown prince had been taken away by his maiden mother. She also controlled the empire in the absence of the Qinghai King, who locked himself in his palace and never returned to the office after dreadful cover-up stories and the loss of his only son, the heir to his sword and throne.
The Qinghai King also ordered the underworld spies to burn down Xie's household due to the false news the Qinghai Queen told him about who had abducted his son, killing all the innocent people in the Xie household, including the King's first love, Lady Yueshen.
Out of his guilt, repeated failures, and the destruction of the Chu Jing kingdom, and the death of his brother, King Chu Teng Gao, the kingdom fell into a deep slumber, and the entire empire hibernated through its longest, darkest night.
Without the Moon Kingdom, the Sun Empire did not awaken from its nightmare and had not seen daylight for many years.
The King took an absence from office and gave the temporary seal of authority to the Qinghai Queen.
Since then, the King had lived a carefree life in Qinghai's harem, giving himself over to drunken, lustful pleasures, unable to find the rational mind to return to his duties. It was rumored that the Qinghai Queen had put the King under a spell and set him up to fail so that she could take over the empire.
Out of jealousy toward Lady Yueshen, she once said, "If the Queen cannot have the King's heart, at least the Queen can take over the kingdom."
While Prince Zheng, Yuwen Yue, and the band of brothers bonded, the Queen came to interrupt.
The old eunuch announced her arrival, and everyone was startled except for Yuwen Yue and Prince Zheng.
Prince Zheng and Yuwen Yue stood to show respect to the Queen. She entered, wearing her royal dragon black silk robe made of the finest quality silk, embroidered with gold-thread flowers. Her cold eyes were distant, her pitch-black hair adorned with a gold hairpin, and her jade-like skin gleamed.
She walked tall, as if floating on air.
The band of brothers fell to their knees and bowed their heads, as did Prince Ra Zheng and Yuwen Yue, followed by all the servants surrounding the banquet table, waiting for the Queen's words.
The Queen portrayed a warm but stern attitude with elegance, yet there was a cold and mysterious glance she cast toward Yuwen Yue.
She immediately recognized the crown prince by his stature. There was no doubt he was Qinghai's King's most revered son. Her eyes also focused on Yuwen Yue's waist, where the Poe Yue Jian sheath hung. She approached the banquet table and sat in the middle, where Prince Zheng had been seated.
Prince Zheng and Yuwen Yue sat down, facing each other.
Everyone seemed frozen in time until the Queen spoke, saying, "Let's continue the banquet." Her voice cut through the air, and everyone, holding their breath, finally exhaled the cold air.
Noticing the band of brothers unmoved, she said, "Arise, crown prince's knights, and show them where they would be deployed under the Crown Prince Yueshen's palace."
The older eunuch bowed to the Queen and led the band of brothers outside of the banquet hall, taking them to the Crown Prince's palace.
With a graceful hand gesture, another royal servant came to the Queen's side. They served her a jade goblet of wine, which she drank elegantly.
After setting down the jade goblet, she said, "Prince Zheng, I believe a family member arrived today. Would you please introduce me to your little brother?"
"Qinghai Queen, this is Ra Yue, the seventh son of King Ra and the crowned prince of the Qinghai Empire."
Yuwen Yue seemed to be about to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. Prince Ra Zheng nudged him under the table, and Yuwen Yue got the message, saying, "It is an honor and a pleasure to meet the Qinghai Queen."
Yuwen Yue was lost in thought, wondering whether he had pretended to be the crown prince or had acknowledged that he was the crown prince. Prince Zheng, secretly amused, broke the silence to cover his brother's hesitation.
"Queen Zhejue, what shall we do to announce to the entire Qinghai Empire the arrival of the crown prince and his knights?"
Then Prince Zheng corrected himself: "His band of brothers, as Ra Yue calls them."
"The crown prince will stay in the assigned Crown Prince Palace. We shall meet again after I visit the King to discuss such matters."
The Queen glanced at Yuwen Yue, who, narrowing his eyes, stared at the table, playing along, though there seemed to be something left unsaid. The Queen waited for his affirmation.
Yuwen Yue had to decide and act in the moment. It seemed his temporary visit would now be extended for a few more days as he continued pretending to be "Ra Yue," which was playing to his advantage.
Someone had dropped off his Poe Yue Jian sword the previous day, and now he had a kingdom to call his own. It appeared he wouldn't escape easily. But one thing stayed on his mind: if he remained for a while, he might gather more information about the Chu Jing Kingdom, use Qinghai's resources to infiltrate the Moon Kingdom, and discover its secrets. Eventually, he would save the half of his band of brothers who were in captivity.
Yuwen Yue could only think positive thoughts for now, knowing that his brothers were still alive. Most of the responsibility rested on his shoulders to free them from the mysterious kingdom and return to the West, to his Yuwen household.
"Yes, your majesty Queen, thank you for your favor and earnest kindness," Yuwen Yue replied, and the Queen acknowledged him.
The Queen secretly rejoiced inside, ready to plan how to control the crown prince. However, she realized she would first need to study him, as she knew nothing of his strengths or weaknesses. Having been hidden from her sight where the King concealed him, she had no idea what to expect.
The Queen rose from her seat and excused herself from the banquet. Like a floating flower, she walked out of the banquet hall, followed by her royal eunuchs and servants, who faded from view.
The two princes also rose from their seats and stepped outside the banquet hall.
After Prince Zheng instructed his eunuch to show Yuwen Yue to the Crown Prince Palace where he would stay, he also assigned some maidens to serve him.
Yuwen Yue said to his brother, "Prince Ra Zheng, I do not wish to have maidservants. I only wish to have my man, Zuo Zong, from my band of brothers."
Prince Zheng replied, "Your wish is granted!"
Prince Ra Zheng called another servant to prepare clothing in accordance with Qinghai's dress code and arms and to send someone to teach them Qinghai's code of expression.
"Very well," the servant said.
"Thank you, Prince Ra Zheng," Yuwen Yue said, and the eunuch led the way to the Crown Prince Palace. Along the way, they encountered the 6th Prince of Qinghai—his cold burgundy eyes, fiery aura, and jade-like skin gave him a godlike appearance. The eunuch bowed to the 6th Prince.
The 6th Prince was aristocratic by nature, dressed in a dark red royal Hanfu robe with a gold hairpin. Accompanied by his eunuchs and servants, he stopped and said, "The crown prince has arrived indeed. What an unfortunate day to behold his handsome face, resembling a god like myself, even though he's in disguise but still carries the Poe Yue Jian sword."
The 6th Prince looked down on the crown prince for not following Qinghai's code of dress and judged him by the simplicity of his clothing.
Yuwen Yue, though a bit annoyed, remained as calm as ever. He knew that dressing simply had always been his strength during his travels, and he would not be brought down by a mere look.
The more rugged his appearance, the more it radiated confidence, charm, elegance, and cold-heartedness. He replied, "When you are a weapon, weapons do not weep; they simply kill."
The 6th Prince was stunned by Yuwen Yue's words. He couldn't respond immediately, but after narrowing his eyes, he understood the meaning.
Yuwen Yue had expressed his disdain. Though the 6th Prince looked down on him, Yuwen Yue held his head high, refusing to let any insult about his clothing be spoken in his presence.
Yuwen Yue's aristocratic look intensified, far surpassing his half-brother, the 6th Prince Zhun.
There was no arrogance to hide.
As they continued walking, the 6th Prince remained standing where he had first encountered Yuwen Yue.
Yuwen Yue stopped, and all the eunuchs and servants behind him halted as well.
He walked toward the 6th Prince and whispered in his ear, "Next time, if you must look down, do not stare at me. It is not just my sword you should see, but who I am."
The 6th Prince's eyes flared in anger, and his fists clenched tighter. He was frozen in place, unable to respond or move.
Smiling, he finally said, "Very well, brother, the weather is yours for today!"
He spoke in an unseemly manner, as though he had just declared civil war for the rest of time.
With calmness and cold eyes, Yuwen Yue smiled and replied, "It will be mine not only today but tomorrow and the day after that. You won't have any days left for yourself because they all belong to me."
Yuwen Yue walked away, ending the conversation.
The old eunuchs sneered but seemed impressed with Yuwen Yue.
One thought to himself, "No wonder he is the crown prince. He knows how to handle power and still looks like a god after a storm. Crazy!"
Yuwen Yue snapped back to the present moment, and the rest of the servants behind him arrived at his palace.
He saw the servants cleaning and uncovering the white curtains from the furniture, and the old eunuch invited Yuwen Yue to the western side of the palace. There, Yuwen Yue saw a huge, long, heavy gold curtain with long tassels at each end.
"Your Highness, if I open the curtains, you may enjoy the view of Qinghai's Mirror of the Sky," the old eunuch said, pulling the curtain back to reveal a 360-degree view of the Crown Prince Hall facing the spectacular lake.
Everyone was astonished and in awe. As for Yuwen Yue, he walked to the side and inspected the tall glass. He inhaled and exhaled briefly, gazing at the perfect view before him.
The sky mirrored the blue lake, and the lake reflected the sky.
Swans glided over the waters, while black goshawks soared freely above.
The shore was home to a bed of flowers, and, interestingly, a small kingdom resided there. The skyline was a vivid and mysterious attraction of the site.
Yuwen Yue said while walking around his palace, "Am I going to wake up every day looking at this bewilderment?"
The old eunuch seemed anxious, thinking Yuwen Yue might not like the view, though it was the best spot ever built in the entire Qinghai palace.
"Your Highness, if you do not like what you see, we can close the curtains or automatically lock the glass walls."
Yuwen Yue thought the eunuch was right. He had noticed the iron windows outside and the trigger mechanism. He replied, "Is this the switch to activate the iron windows and block the view?"
The old eunuch bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness. It was easy for you to detect, a sign of your clever observation."
Yuwen Yue brushed off the praise but replied, "And you're going to teach me more and tell me what happened to this empire, right?"
"Anything you wish to know, Your Highness, your servant will answer."
"Good. Can you tell me more about the secrets of this palace?"
"Which ones, Your Highness? From the beginning or what is happening now?"
"I prefer to hear from the start," said Yuwen Yue.
The old eunuch glanced at Yuwen Yue's sword and said, "Your Highness, that sword you carry is both the beginning and the end of the Qinghai Empire. Without it, people would turn against each other, and the empire would descend into chaos."
"My sword?" Yuwen Yue raised his voice slightly and continued in a cold tone, "I've heard many stories about this sword, but in the West, where I come from, it's just considered a household sword—nothing more, nothing less. It's just a sword, period."
"Your Highness, here in the Qinghai Empire, the Poe Yue Jian sword means life or death, power or powerlessness, peace or chaos."
"Alright, that's enough for now. We'll talk more tomorrow. I want some rest—you may leave."
Yuwen Yue sat on the expensive dragon carpet, ready to begin his meditation, facing west in his hall. He instructed the old eunuch to leave the view undisturbed, as the sun was preparing to set on the horizon.
The old eunuch bowed and said, "Your Highness, I will return later to serve your dinner and introduce your garments and the weaponry hall."
Yuwen Yue began his meditation.
All the eunuchs left, and the rest of the servants outside finished cleaning and arranging the palace, bringing it to life.
For the first time in a long while, the servant girls finally lit the incense burner located in the center of the crown prince's mini-throne room. The fragrance filled the air, creating a lively ambiance as the plum scent spread throughout the palace, reaching the crown prince's hall where Yuwen Yue was meditating. It reminded him of his Yuwen household, where fresh plum blossoms on the first snow were his favorite scent.
After an hour of meditation, the sun had set on the horizon.
Yuwen Yue emerged from his palace and called his Yuwen Parrot, who was nearby.
The parrot flew to Yuwen Yue's arm, and the palace guards took notice.
Yuwen Yue then summoned one of the nearby male servants and asked him to fetch his brother Zuo so they could talk. He also wished to meet with the rest of his band of brothers—his staff and cold warriors—so they could replace the Qinghai guards assigned to his palace.
"Master, how do I look?" Zuo asked, arriving dressed in the Qinghai code of attire befitting the crown prince's convoy.
The rest of the brothers wore almost identical dark blue capes with light iron shoulder caps, well-designed breastplates, and were armed with spears, swords, bows, and arrows. They were now equipped like warriors heading to battle, a stark contrast to their usual simple attire or ninja-like outfits with light weapons.
Yuwen Yue, with the Yuwen Parrot on his arm, sat in the crown prince's office, at a grand chair before a long wooden royal table, testing various inks and brushes. He said, "Zuo, do you wish to scout this palace?"
Yuwen Yue's serious expression made it clear that he meant business.
"I'll scout this place at dawn, Master Brother. Do you have any specific instructions?"
"We're not here to live comfortably. We'll use this opportunity to search for our brothers. Understood?"
"Master Brother, aren't you going to stay here? You are the crown prince of Qinghai."
"I've heard these stories before, so none of this surprises me," Yuwen Yue replied.
"You knew all along that you were the missing crown prince of Qinghai?"
"It's not that I knew everything, but to be honest, without this sword, I wouldn't be identified as the crown prince—I'd just be an ordinary person like you."
Yuwen Yue put down a small brush and picked up another. Then he said, "What I'm curious about is the woman who dropped my sword and took half of our cavalry. It's like what happened some time ago when the Canhong sword was dropped at the Old Shrine. I read a letter on my 12th birthday. It seems my Aunt Tai Furen sent me the letter and the Canhong sword as a gift. The letter was blank, but I used a special powder to read it. She wrote about this empire and the Poe Yue Jian sword and said that one day, I would find my path.
I never understood it until now. I realize now that I am the one she was talking about. She also gave me some old maps, including the layout of the crown prince's palace that once belonged to my mother. I studied them and memorized them. I hid them in a book my grandmother gave me, replacing its contents to conceal them.
While others were celebrating, I was reading. I grew up with these stories."
"Whoa!"
Zuo looked stunned at Yuwen Yue's revelation. He asked, "Can I ask you something personal?"
"What is it?" Yuwen Yue asked, glancing at Zuo, who appeared serious.
"Do you think you'll stay here longer?" Zuo asked, but Yuwen Yue remained silent.
"Master Brother, I think this empire needs its crown prince. We've seen much suffering here—slavery, injustice, and many mysteries to uncover. We've also heard that the Qinghai people believe everything will be set right once their crown prince returns, sword in hand, to restore peace."
Yuwen Yue considered Zuo's words. He might have a point.
He had grown up hearing these stories but never thought he was the one behind them.
If all of this is true, Yuwen Yue would have to reunite with the King, his real father. If he did, he would be declared heir to the throne.
However, the thought pierced his heart, knowing that Yuwen Hao, the father who raised him, the man who taught him wisdom and trained him, was an archenemy of his kingdom. It felt like a dagger in his chest.
And what of facing his real father? Could Yuwen Yue accept what the King had done to his mother's Xie household?
How could he return to the Western Empire to search for his Xinger when he was bound to run the Eastern Kingdom?
These questions hung unanswered. Only time would reveal when Yuwen Yue would find the answers.
A sword, a palace, an heir to the throne, a mysterious Moon Kingdom—what more lay ahead? Yuwen Yue now had a responsibility not just to his band of brothers but also a princely duty to the entire Qinghai Kingdom.
Snapping back to reality, Yuwen Yue answered Zuo's question: "By the way, you look terrible in that suit," he said with a slight smile, a hint of ridicule.
Zuo gave him a sly grin and asked, "You don't appreciate what you see?"
Still smiling, Yuwen Yue responded, "You cut your hair just for this? I must work hard, then, my brother."
Zuo laughed heartily. "It is my duty and honor to serve the crown prince of Qinghai, who also happens to be my Master Brother. From this day forward, I swear it."
The Yuwen Parrot interrupted, squawking, "Master Brother, Master Brother, the crown prince, Qinghai, Qinghai."
Yuwen Yue smiled faintly, still focused on the table as he tried out the brushes. In a cold voice, he said, "Zuo, it seems I am destined to repeat my mother's story—the Cinderella of this tale. The only difference is that I am supposed to accept it. It seems I have no choice but to share this destiny with my father."
Zuo, returning to his usual look, replied lightly, "If this is your path, so be it. As far as I know, I'm still alive and have never wavered in the vow I made that day on the mountain cliff—to serve you for the rest of my life, the crown prince and my Master Brother."
Zuo tapped his left chest, kneeling and bowing his head to Yuwen Yue. Yuwen Yue, deep in thought, remembered Yue Qi and snapped back to the present.
Maintaining his cold expression, Yuwen Yue looked at Zuo and saw the mountain cliff flash before his eyes. Finally, as if he owed Zuo an affirmation of his loyalty, he said calmly, "Very well. Whatever this Cinderella story brings, we'll be in it together."
Zuo stood up, delighted, as the Yuwen Parrot chirped, "Master Brother, Master Brother, Master Brother."
Yuwen Yue said, "Tomorrow, bring me some interesting information. Find out who Prince Ra Zheng's secret spy is. I've heard no one has ever found him or seen him. I need his background. He might be useful to the Qinghai crown prince, and he can also guide you, Zuo."
Zuo replied, "A spy spying on another spy?"
Yuwen Yue responded, "Why not?" and continued, "We need extra hands. It won't be easy to breach the Middle Kingdom, and I'll be deeply involved in princely affairs from now on. That means I won't be able to move as freely as before, but you'll be my eyes, and the secret spy should be your ally."
A servant knocked on the door and announced that the old eunuch had arrived with Yuwen Yue's garments.
Yuwen Yue dismissed Zuo, instructing him to have the band of brothers replace the Qinghai guards assigned to his palace. A sudden change of command occurred, and Yuwen Yue felt more relieved, knowing his cold warriors, staff, and spy brothers were now in charge of his safety.
It was like commissioning them instantly, and without hesitation, his band of brothers accepted and assumed their roles as the crown prince's convoy.
There was still much to discuss, but Yuwen Yue said it could wait until later, and they were dismissed.
Yuwen Yue hesitated slightly before allowing the servants to enter. "You may come in," he said. He then turned to Zuo, "You are dismissed."
Almost in unison, Zuo bowed as he left, while the servants bowed as they entered. Zuo noticed the crown prince's garments, which matched the battle gear suits, and some expensive, lightweight clothes befitting a prince were presented.
The old eunuch busied himself, carrying the important garments, while more servants followed with the royal attire. He said, "Your Highness, we'll need to try on these garments, and you should take a warm bath. This way, please."
Yuwen Yue replied, "I'm a bit hungry. Can I eat first?"
The old eunuch had no choice but to agree. "Yes, Your Highness," he said, meaning they would wait for him to finish eating while carrying all the heavy garments before he took his royal bath.
The old eunuch couldn't help but roll his eyes, thinking the crown prince was quite unusual in making him follow his every request and instruction.
Yuwen Yue said coldly, with a hint of ridicule in his voice, "Are you really going to stand there waiting for me, carrying all that?"
"Yes, Your Highness," the old eunuch replied, and Yuwen Yue, amused, gave him a playful smile, though it was not so fun for the old eunuch.
Yuwen Yue walked to his royal banquet table, where the kitchen maids served his meal. He was not accustomed to this lifestyle, so at times he would ask the maids to let him serve himself, while other times he allowed them to serve him.
As he began eating, another maid arrived, halting him. "Your Highness," she said, "I am assigned to be the crown prince's royal food taster. If there is any poison, it may save your life."
Yuwen Yue considered this for a moment but remained silent. As the former master of the Eyes of God, he had been trained to detect poison in food.
In a cold stare and voice, Yuwen Yue said, "You should have done that the first time I dined with Prince Ra Zheng."
"Spare my life, Your Highness," the maid begged, adding in deep sadness, "If you do not let me do my duty, I will be dead by tomorrow morning."
Yuwen Yue was not a master who followed others' orders blindly. He believed in the Yuwen household's code of conduct: "Slaves obey."
Everything felt controlled to Yuwen Yue, as if he had to follow someone else's rules. Coldly and angrily, he said, "Then you'll be dead by tomorrow if I'm not the crown prince when the sun rises."
The maid did not taste the food.
It was clear that Yuwen Yue would not be controlled by anyone, nor would he be weakly obedient.
He had been toggling his aristocratic facade on and off, demonstrating to the Qinghai servants that he was not a naive crown prince but someone who understood the palace, who was in control, and who would bow to no one unless in dire circumstances—and even then, only if it involved his Xinger.
The last time he had been pushed to the brink was at the frozen lake, which had nearly cost him his life and his precious bodyguard, Yue Qi.
The maid wept, but Yuwen Yue gave her an indifferent sneer and said, "From now on, you will not be a mere pawn to save someone else. Your life is your own, but stay and watch over your master."
Yuwen Yue spoke with conviction, yet his voice was cold and soft.
He smelled the jade bowls and touched the golden chopsticks.
To make a show, he even twirled his chopsticks with a bit of gongfu before starting to eat.
The palace kitchen servants noticed his moves and clapped in approval, but Yuwen Yue paid them no mind.
The old eunuch was amazed and impressed. This was exactly what Yuwen Yue needed to accomplish—to gain more allies, not people who simply followed palace norms.
Yuwen Yue had to show them who was in control and demonstrate the strength of the Yuwen household's values. This was an advantage for the time being.
Though many changes had already taken place, Yuwen Yue was aware of how far he could push the boundaries of obedience. This was what the moment demanded of him.
In front of his band of brothers, Yuwen Yue was still the same person they had sworn their allegiance to at the most crucial time in his life.
Chapter 27
Crack of dawn
After the longest night of Yuwen Yue's life, the pauper prince suddenly woke up as the crown prince. Everything was waiting to unfold, his fate to meet the Qinghai King was yet to be told.
The Qinghai King had been informed about the arrival of the crown prince with his Poe Yue Jian sword yesterday, and suddenly, the King became sober.
He asked his servants about the happenings at the crown prince's palace and heard lively stories. As if his blood had been stirred and made new again, he felt excitement, though he did not show it. Inside, his old feelings came alive.
The King did not hold his usual party at the nightclub last night. Instead, he ordered his servants to prepare his garments, and suddenly everything gray became white.
Like a blank canvas ready to be painted, so was the King's outlook. He planned to summon the crown prince to him, but the King could not wait. He walked the secret path to the old Yueshen's palace with two of his palace guards.
At dawn, while everyone in the palace believed the King was following his usual routine, he walked along the secret paths to meet his long-lost son.
The King, near his fifties, still looked stunningly handsome, wearing a long black robe with a hood, an inner garment of the most expensive Hanfu dress, and a gold hairpin atop his head. Trailing the secret path with his palace guards, who held two torches, he made his way toward the crown prince's palace.
Only the King had access, and the last time he came was the last time he saw his son in his cradle with his mother, Yueshen.
After a few minutes, the King finally arrived at the crown prince's palace. He sat in the mini-throne room while the two palace guards stood outside. The King closed his eyes as if meditating, reminiscing about his old memories with Yueshen. He sighed deeply.
Yuwen Yue, in his usual Zen meditation position, suddenly opened his eyes as if sensing a strong energy surrounding him. Zuo Zong, on the other hand, continued his routine spy check, with the day's task being to discover the secret spy of Prince Ra Zheng.
Yuwen Yue did not return to his meditation. Instead, he stood up, opened the long gold curtains, and saw the golden sunrise. From atop the mountain clouds, the foggy mists covered the forest floor, townhomes, and the Great Wall of China, overlooking the Ximeng continent where the Qinghai palace, known as "The Palace in the Sky," was located.
Yuwen Yue, now dressed in his Qinghai princely garments, with cold, gentle eyes, thin red lips, jade-like skin, and a god-like face, reflected on his past, where he once worked and lived on the streets.
One of the King's personal guards knocked on his hall and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty came in secret. He is waiting in the Crown Prince's mini-throne room. He wishes to meet with you."
Suddenly, Yuwen Yue's heartbeat quickened, though outwardly calm. He stared at the door, caught between feelings of fear and resolve to face his real father, who was only a few steps away. Yuwen Yue replied in a calm voice, "I am coming."
Yuwen Yue took his Poe Yue Jian sword and looked at himself in the large mirror. From a ruggedly handsome laborer to a royal crown prince, no words could fully describe his transformation.
He fixed his princely garment and emerged, looking very handsome in his white Hanfu dress, white deerskin boots, white damask cape with a white fur collar made of white fox hair, and a silver crown hairpin atop his head. He walked out of his room slowly and confidently.
"Your Majesty!" Yuwen Yue broke the silence in the air.
The Qinghai King, with his eyes closed, opened them and saw Yuwen Yue kneeling, his head bowed and his two hands holding the Poe Yue Jian sword in front of him.
The Qinghai King straightened his back, opened his chest, and swallowed, making a sound like a cough: "Ahem, ahem." He looked at Yuwen Yue steadily without saying a word or moving, while Yuwen Yue remained expressionless, waiting for the King's words.
Finally, after a long pause, the King said, "Come closer."
Yuwen Yue stood up, still not looking directly at the King's face, and approached him.
The King then said, "Hand me the Poe Yue Jian sword."
Yuwen Yue handed him the sword and returned to his previous position, at a distance from the throne.
The King said, "You may look at me."
For the first time, Yuwen Yue glanced at the King, and his eyes widened as the King descended from his throne, embraced him, and said, "My son."
Without saying a word, Yuwen Yue returned the warm hug. Both felt relieved. How long did it last? Time seemed to stop.
Suddenly, Zuo Zong rushed inside the palace. Seeing the two guards outside the throne room, he became curious and walked towards them. There, he witnessed his master and the King embracing.
The King tapped Yuwen Yue's back as they acknowledged each other's presence. The King, unable to hide his teary eyes, showed emotion.
Yuwen Yue, still expressionless and calm as the sea, had bloodshot red eyes. Suddenly, he embraced his father again. The King allowed his son to hug him once more before Yuwen Yue finally let go.
The King then took the Poe Yue Jian sword and officially commissioned it to his son, saying, "To my son, this sword symbolizes my life. My heart seeks something I cannot name. We age not by years but by stories. The pain you feel today will soon become your strength for tomorrow. May the bridges I burned light the way and forgive a father in your heart."
Yuwen Yue, kneeling, bowed his head to his father. The King tapped his shoulders with the Poe Yue Jian sword, and the sword's moon-grip handle shone. Light crawled along the blade until it reached the tip.
His father shifted his hold on the sword and, in a lateral position, handed it to his son, shining brightly.
Yuwen Yue accepted it, standing in the King's presence, mesmerized by its unblinding light. His eyes were fixed on it. Suddenly, the inscription on the Poe Yue Jian sword appeared on the blade, as if someone were engraving it in real time.
The King put on his hood and walked out of the throne room peacefully. Without saying a word, Yuwen Yue was left standing, watching the King's back, feeling content.
Zuo, who had seen everything, was surprised to see the Qinghai King but never got a clear look at his face. The King's two palace guards joined him, and they disappeared along the secret path.
Zuo approached his master, where Yuwen Yue stood, staring at the door of the throne room, lost in time. Everything felt real, magical, and strange, to the point that he didn't even notice Zuo watching him.
"Master brother, did you just..."
"Whatever it is, the answer is yes," Yuwen Yue said.
The sun was already high, and Yuwen Yue returned to his usual business. Zuo, eager to report to his master, couldn't stop thinking about the King.
"Master brother, may I say something about the Qinghai King?"
"What is it?" Yuwen Yue asked, slowly walking towards his office.
"Did you notice his face? Earlier, when the sun came out, it looked like he was fading away."
"What do you mean? The King faded away when he walked out of the room?" Yuwen Yue asked.
"I didn't see his shadow. The King seemed to be floating and gradually disappearing as soon as he left," Zuo replied.
"Did you say he was floating earlier?" Yuwen Yue inquired further.
"Yes, I saw it when the rays of the sun passed through his skin," Zuo confirmed.
Yuwen Yue, in a calm and husky voice, asked, "What was the position of the sundial?"
Zuo answered, "Not long, about the sixth hour from the North Star when I came in."
Yuwen Yue's brow creased as he remembered his father's words:
"To my son, this sword symbolizes my life. My heart seeks something I cannot name."
Yuwen Yue began to suspect that his father was under a spell, and the Poe Yue Jian sword might be connected to it. He realized he needed to find out more.
"We age not by years but by stories. Does this mean my father knew my whereabouts? That I was the heir to the Eyes of God?" Yuwen Yue pondered, still trying to piece together the puzzle.
"The pain you feel today will soon become your strength for tomorrow."
His father must have known what Yuwen Yue had endured, from the frozen lake to this very moment in the Qinghai Empire.
"May the bridges I burned light the way and forgive a father in your heart."
Yuwen Yue couldn't fully decipher this part, but he suspected it had something to do with the most unforgivable act his father committed against the Xie household in the West.
The King had been under a spell ever since the King's seal was passed to the underworld spies, who then burned the entire town of Wei, where the greatest blacksmiths and swordsmiths lived.
This event triggered the war between the Wei and Qinghai empires. Yuwen Hao had even performed the "celestial warfare" to destroy the Chu Jing Kingdom. Yuwen Yue wasn't surprised, as he had grown up hearing these stories.
One thing Yuwen Yue was unaware of was the real reason behind his father's absence from the throne. Now, he had the responsibility to help his father, run the kingdom, find half of his band of brothers, and locate Xinger.
His journey began after he discovered his own obituary published in the town's local newspaper. When he read it, his palms twitched, and he crumpled the paper. The news was not only obnoxious but deeply offensive to him. As the heir to the Eyes of God, the report was a pain in the neck, hard to swallow, and it seemed the Yuwen family had not carefully considered his position.
Yuwen Yue also found Yue Qi's obituary beside his own, and a wave of sadness washed over him. He had always thought Yue Qi, his Seventh Yue, had done more than what was asked of him.
At this point, Yuwen Yue's heart filled with sorrow for those enemies who had killed Yue Qi. It felt as though the press release was implying there was nothing left for him in Wei.
But Yuwen Yue, with his strong will, made up his mind to regain everything he had lost. He was confident that when people saw him alive, there would be a turning tide, and all these fabricated stories would disappear.
He promised himself to start anew despite all the fake news. He believed people would return to him, and the nobles would trust him once again. He also vowed to change the course of time and Xinger's destiny, should he meet her again.
He swore there would be no more moments of hesitation or sacrificing his personal affairs for the sake of others.
Not so long ago, he trekked the mountains of Hua and confessed his feelings about the bitter bloodbath battle with Yan Xun. To end his blood treaty with Yan Xun, Yuwen Yue cut off a piece of his clothes, signifying a clean break from their loyalty, and threw it to the cold east winds.
It was similar to what Prince Yuan Song did to Prince Yan Xun and Xinger when they were escaping Chang'An. Yuan Song cut a piece of his dark red damask cape, threw it to the ground, and let it burn.
After Yuan Song's symbolic break-up, the 13th Prince of Wei declared Yan Xun and Chu Qiao enemies of the state from that moment forward. Yuan Song even asked Chu Qiao one last time to come back to Wei, but Chu Qiao stood firm in her decision to become a rebel.
Although this action confirmed the end of their past relationships, Prince Yuan Song, noble as he was, allowed Prince Yan Xun and Chu Qiao to pass through Chang'An, saying: "The next time we meet, we will be enemies, and I will owe you no debts of goodwill or friendship."
The same thing happened with Yuwen Yue, though he let his break with Yan Shi Zi fly in the wind. He no longer wanted to see Yan Shi Zi the way he had before. Looking back, Yuwen Yue was the only noble who secretly protected Yan Xun, although he wasn't able to prevent the annihilation of his family. Yuwen Yue's palm never participated in any actions against his best friend.
Yuwen Yue even violated the ethics and codes of Wei officials, as interim master of the Eyes of God, becoming a personal spy and bodyguard who eliminated everyone who attempted to assassinate the Yanbei Prince and Xinger.
It was one of the most difficult times in Yuwen Yue's life. He couldn't allow the nobles or the Emperor to see that he had taken a stand for the Prince of Yanbei. If the Emperor had found out, it would have been a disaster.
At some point, the Emperor suspected that Yuwen Yue's loyalty to the empire was wavering and that he had abused his position. As a result, the Emperor ordered Yuwen Yue to be relieved of his duties at Green Hills Courtyard.
Yuwen Yue was deployed for a three-year term and became General of Xiaoqi Camp, serving the 7th Prince Yuan Che. His life was in constant danger, often fighting for both himself and Yuan Che while Yan Xun was detained in Oriole Courtyard at Chang'An.
Until the day they met at the frozen lake, Yan Xun warned Yuwen Yue: "If we meet on the battlefield, there will be no mercy."
Yuwen Yue struggled to understand why Yan Xun had changed so drastically toward him. Yan Xun had become colder than ever.
But what Yuwen Yue would never understand or accept was the fact that Yan Shi Zi had made Xinger fight before his eyes, breaking his heart and body, and eventually leading to his death. He would never forget how Xinger cried for him, suffering and defending him, only to witness his demise.
This is what Yuwen Yue had been preparing for—his return to confront Yan Xun and ask: "Why? Did you really have to do it that way? You could have done it without involving Xinger. You and I could have faced each other alone on that battlefield. You could have finished your revenge and avenged Yan blood!"
Yuwen Yue wasn't the type of friend to lash out in anger, pouring out bitter words. He was the kind of friend who sacrificed himself for the sake of others, but Yan Xun had taken everything against him and killed him at the frozen lake. Yuwen Yue thought he had repaid whatever he owed, but if Xinger had died, Yuwen Yue would likely never forgive Yan Xun for the rest of his life. He would hunt him down until he paid for what he owed Xinger.
The master of the cold heart remained cold. Now, with the authority granted by his father, Yuwen Yue didn't know how to rule yet. His duty and priority were to restore order to the Qinghai kingdom and help his father. He wished these were easy tasks, but they were only metaphors spoken by his father.
Yuwen Yue understood some things instantly, but others required time and energy to uncover the truth. He hoped that while he was entangled in Qinghai family affairs, he would still have the freedom to search for Xinger.
He would not hesitate to take any road that led him to Xinger.
On his first day, Zuo officially reported to Yuwen Yue as the Crown Prince's personal guard. Due to Qinghai palace protocol, Zuo had to address Yuwen Yue not as "Master brother," but as "Crown Prince of Qinghai," as taught by the palace eunuchs.
Yuwen Yue had no problem following such protocols, as he was accustomed to them in Wei. However, the difference now lay in who was giving the orders and who was following them.
Yuwen Yue's position felt like a promotion he had never asked for. Instead of taking orders from the royals, he was now in control, issuing commands. It had never been his wish, but it was his destiny, set from birth.
After Zuo gave his first-morning report, he bowed his head to Yuwen Yue. Yuwen Yue gave him a cold glance, but Zuo, ever the playful personal guard, smiled flirtatiously and said, "Crown Prince, Zuo is just around the corner if you need anything."
Zuo dismissed himself without waiting for Yuwen Yue's commands.
Yuwen Yue inhaled deeply and sighed, returning to his writings with a slight smile. The smile was meant for Zuo's change of attitude as Yuwen Yue remembered Yue Qi.
Yuwen Yue reflected on the differences between Yue Qi and Zuo. Yue Qi had been a skilled swordsman, mature, and selfless, always thinking of others before himself. Zuo, on the other hand, was a playful Shaolin Kungfu master who believed in helping himself first before assisting others.
Zuo's philosophy was: "If you don't help yourself first, how can you help others?"
This was a lesson Yuwen Yue was learning from Zuo, especially after discovering his unwavering loyalty to Yan Xun. In return, Yan Xun hadn't appreciated it, not even granting a grain of mercy.
Yuwen Yue thought, "If I can't help myself or my family now, how can I help others? And Xinger… what can I offer her to give up Yan Xun?"
This was something Yuwen Yue had yet to accomplish. Compared to Yan Xun, the noble Prince of Yanbei, Yuwen Yue felt like a common noble in the face of royalty. His ego wrestled with his confidence.
However, destiny had changed the course of time. Without struggle, Yuwen Yue had awakened as a crown prince. Without searching, he had found an empire of his own. Without asking for men, he had been appointed leader of a band of brothers.
His ego no longer interfered with the other princes. He believed he now had a better chance with Xinger. He could offer her twice as much as the grasslands of Yanbei in exchange for Qinghai's magnificent snow-capped mountains and the mirror-like lake and sky.
He hoped that in the coldness of Qinghai, Xinger would find warmth and make her way to its throne, where he would meet her. He hoped to one day share the Qinghai Empire with her.
While still writing, the old eunuch knocked and announced: "Your Highness, I bring the King's decree. For the first time in twenty-nine years, the King passes the throne to the crown prince. The Queen will hand over the throne to Your Highness within thirty days under the sun and on the seventh day of the moon."
Yuwen Yue signaled to Zuo, and the door to his office opened.
Yuwen Yue asked, "Where are the Analects and records of the Qinghai Empire?"
The old eunuch replied, "I expected you would ask for them. Here they are, Your Highness. I have brought the three sacred books for you to read."
Yuwen Yue looked at the old eunuch, who bowed and handed him the three books.
Yuwen Yue, with a cold stare, asked the eunuch, "What do you mean by 'The Queen will hand over the throne within thirty days under the sun and on the seventh day of the moon'?"
"It is the seal of the Qinghai King, Your Highness. The sun represents the King, and the moon represents the son."
"What about the seventh moon?"
"That is the lesser light, Chu Jing Kingdom. The secret princess was promised for the seventh moon of Qinghai, who will become its greater light."
"I heard they were brothers. How could such a union be beneficial?"
"Your Highness, they are not related by blood but by an ancient covenant. They are called brothers of heaven and underworld, brothers of light and darkness."
"How am I supposed to handle both the sun and the moon at the same time? This is hard work," Yuwen Yue said, picking up the blue book first.
"With the Poe Yue Jian sword, it is possible, even to unite the brutal far eastern tribes. Your Highness, this is the King's decree. Do you accept?"
"I accept," Yuwen Yue said. The eunuch bowed and left his presence.
Zuo approached Yuwen Yue and teased him, "I was afraid you wouldn't be able to say no to the decree. From today, the Crown Prince and the secret princess from the Moon Kingdom, leader of the underworld spies…"
Yuwen Yue narrowed his eyes and stood up. He walked outside the palace with Zuo following behind, waiting for his master's words.
After a long pause, looking at the beautiful Qinghai lake, Yuwen Yue said, "The turn of events is quick. I never thought it would be this soon."
Zuo asked, "Take your time, Master. I'm interested to meet your secret princess as well."
Yuwen Yue replied, "I have no interest in the secret princess."
"Why? Do you prefer someone other than the one promised to you, Your Highness?" Zuo asked.
Yuwen Yue didn't answer, leaving Zuo hanging with his question. It seemed Zuo was stirring up old feelings in Yuwen Yue's heart. His heart belonged to no one but Xinger. Suddenly, the Yuwen parrot flew in and tweeted, "Xinger, Xinger, Xinger." Zuo approached the bird and mimicked it, saying, "Xinger? Who is Xinger?"
Yuwen Yue didn't bother to answer. He took the bird inside the palace and placed it on its stand. The skies were clear, and Yuwen Yue spent the entire day reading the three sacred books, with his only interruption being the bird's constant tweeting of Xinger's name—a sound that had become like music to his ears.
Chapter 28
Rebuilding an Empire
In the Crown Prince's palace garden, drops of dew hang on the bamboo leaves, a stream of water drips from the Yin and Yang fountain, and a yellow-to-auburn leaf brushes the ground. Birds are chirping in the air, and a god-like figure is meditating quietly.
Fog and mist, stained with grayish smoke, spiral up from the valley. From the fresh morning air, he takes a deep breath.
Life here is beautiful and peaceful amidst the surrounding unrest of the Qinghai Empire. Not far away is the Chu Jing Kingdom, where its repository of mysteries thrives.
Raindrops begin to pour from the heavens, and the dew-washed earth issues a blessing of comfort that lightens the load on his shoulders. He continues to sit there, a sense of calmness from the sound of falling raindrops, leaving his ears with a timeless peace, if only for a short suspended moment.
Yuwen Yue sees a vision of two celestial bodies, two figures in the sky: the moon setting, its fading light giving way to the sunrise on the horizon, bringing daybreak.
After his meditation, he comes to a table and smells the aroma of tea boiling beside his study area, where he is about to start reading the gold book. He finished the blue book just last night.
He had no difficulty understanding the terms, but the royal blue book is a compilation of the Chu Jing Kingdom, where nothing is left to speculation.
A knock comes at the door of his office, followed by a eunuch's voice: "Prince Ra Zheng has arrived and requests a tea ceremony with the Crown Prince."
Yuwen Yue signals Zuo, and Zuo opens the door. Prince Ra Zheng enters while Yuwen Yue prepares two cups of tea. Suddenly, they hear the whistling sound of the boiling teapot.
With cold, expressionless calm, Yuwen Yue doesn't look at his brother, who is already walking toward him. Without any assistance, he perfectly pours tea into the two small jade teacups.
The refreshing aroma offers warmth and comfort from the cold prince in front of him. After the rain, this is a welcome way to escape the knife-like chill of the season.
"Ra Yue, is there anything you want to talk about?" Ra Zheng asks.
"Like what?" Yuwen Yue responds coldly.
Ra Zheng smiles. "Perhaps the secret princess from the Moon Kingdom."
"Thank you, brother, but I'm not interested."
"Are you single, taken, or building an empire? What's your status?"
With a hint of amusement, Yuwen Yue replies in the same tone, his voice slightly softening. "None of the above."
Ra Zheng is about to react, but Yuwen Yue quickly adds, "Or maybe I'll choose building an empire."
Ha... ha... ha... Ra Zheng laughs heartily. "The fact that you're here with the Poe Yue Jian sword means the empire is already rebuilt. You just need to run it and expand it to the ends of Ximeng."
Yuwen Yue takes a sip of tea, feeling slightly relaxed by his brother's laughter.
Growing impatient, Ra Zheng continues: "What's left to build? Our empire is only waiting for its crown princess. The stars have shone too long, and the seventh moon refuses to appear in its dark skies?"
Still amused, Ra Zheng slowly drinks his tea.
Yuwen Yue, sensing an opportunity to gather more information without being obvious, asks, "How can we breach the Moon Kingdom?"
"There are secret paths, my brother."
"Secret paths?" Yuwen Yue's ears perk up at the words, though he jokes, "It seems the blue book didn't list them all. You have to read between the lines and navigate its stratagems. Reading is different from walking the path."
"Difficult, spine-chilling, creepy, and hair-raising paths?" Yuwen Yue jokes further, not yet serious.
"Oh, feel the rush!" Ra Zheng laughs briefly. "Not to mention, the secret princess possesses the most powerful martial art, called the Kung Fu of Ice."
"The Kung Fu of Ice?" Yuwen Yue raises an eyebrow, now a little more interested.
"The last I heard, the leader of the Afterlife Camp spies in Liang State experienced it firsthand. He learned a hard lesson in this life."
Yuwen Yue says nothing more, but inside, a fire lights his instincts.
Ra Zheng continues: "I heard that from where you came, the Western Empire, Father hid you in your mother's homeland. A smart move—no one ever knew about the Poe Yue Jian sword because Father ordered the only town in Wei that knew its story to be burned down and forgotten."
Yuwen Yue, picking up critical information from his brother's words, replies, "You have a perfect spy."
Ra Zheng straightened his shoulders and boldly said, "It's only the tip of the iceberg. More is coming."
Yuwen Yue replied, "I can only guess, like the spy with a long whip from the underworld."
Ra Zheng responded, "To the stars who listen, you read a lot."
"I didn't just read about it. I might have met someone—maybe she's the secret spy for the mysterious princess. Indigo scarf, angelic face, lips like hell?"
"Did you see the face of the lady wearing the indigo scarf? Lucky you're still alive!" Ra Zheng slightly raised his voice, gave Yuwen Yue a sharp look, grinned, and shook his head from left to right.
Ra Zheng came closer and said, "You took off her scarf! As far as I know, no one can come near the secret princess while she's wearing her indigo scarf. It's either you get close and die, or... well, I'm sorry, brother, but your options are limited."
Yuwen Yue, absorbing more information despite the coded conversation, replied, "I took it off accidentally. I only had a glimpse of her eyes."
"So brave of you! Congratulations!" Ra Zheng cheered loudly, continuing to shake his head in disbelief.
From this exchange, Yuwen Yue was now certain he had encountered the secret princess.
The only puzzle left in his mind was how she came to possess his Poe Yue Jian sword.
Did she steal it while he was fighting for his life in the Frozen Lake? And does she know about Xing'er?
As far as he could recall, Xing'er was the last person to use his sword to defend him.
And why did she abandon it on site?
Moreover, how is he supposed to understand his instinctive urge to protect her from an arrow shot by one of his cold warriors?
Yuwen Yue was caught between two conflicting emotions—familiarity and strangeness—two feelings that should never coexist but did at that moment.
Those eyes... it was déjà vu. He was sure he had seen them before, but he couldn't confirm it.
He remembered, but it was like a blind spot he couldn't fully grasp at the moment.
Ra Zheng, suddenly feeling bored, said, "I must go, or we'll be discussing this until evening. Sorry I wasn't much help, but if you need anything, you know where to find your big brother."
Ra Zheng stood tall, looking handsome in his white Hanfu, then turned and walked outside where the eunuchs and servants were waiting.
After three steps, a masked, ninja-like figure appeared out of nowhere. Like cold air, three needles were suddenly hurled with a high-pitched whistle, aiming directly at Ra Zheng's chest.
Yuwen Yue, still wearing his cold, expressionless face, swiftly unsheathed his sword and executed a fast counterattack, sliding in slow motion. He held his unsheathed sword horizontally as a thin shield in front of his chest.
The three needles fell to the ground.
Yuwen Yue stopped them just in time, standing in front of his brother. He tapped Ra Zheng on the shoulder with a sharp gaze and applied a gentle yet firm force, causing Ra Zheng to fall, one hand touching the ground.
Ra Zheng suddenly somersaulted through the air, landing a distance away from Yuwen Yue.
Zuo, Yuwen Yue's loyal guard, immediately jumped, twirled onto one of the palace walls, and pursued the masked ninja. In moments, the figure vanished, like the wind—gone without a trace.
Yuwen Yue picked up one of the needles. Zuo returned and inspected it closely, while Ra Zheng remained in a fighting stance. Then, Ra Zheng stood straight, as if nothing had happened, and approached Yuwen Yue.
"Did I die? What's the fuss, brother?" Ra Zheng said, half-joking.
Ra Zheng examined the needle, which suddenly crumbled like desert sand, turning to ash in his palms.
Yuwen Yue had survived hundreds of assassins, threats, traps, and ambushes. He had even faced death at the icy lake, only to be saved by a strange, crepuscular light, marking the end of one story and the beginning of another.
He could never forget what he saw—magical, silver clouds swirling around a woman with fast-moving streams of light trickling across her body, and the flower tattoo on her back.
How could he forget calling her name three times: "Xing'er, Xing'er, Xing'er?" At the third call, he heard a voice, and then his vision faded.
Yuwen Yue said, "A sand drizzle needle. It freezes you, then kills you."
Ra Zheng replied, "A sand drizzle needle!"
Yuwen Yue asked, "Why not? The book explains how it works."
Zuo, curious, asked, "Your Highness, how?"
Yuwen Yue explained, "It's used to attack from every direction. Once airborne, the sand needle can land on a chakra point, rendering the target immobile. It allows for an attack with no blind spots. Often used as a lure in battle, the needle distracts the opponent, who looks upward, only to leave themselves vulnerable to an attack from below. A swift, bold strike from underfoot finishes the job."
Ra Zheng, impressed, replied, "You read a lot, brother! You saved the day, but don't spoil me, or I'll make you do it again."
Ra Zheng leaned closer and whispered, "In short, I owe you, brother." He patted Yuwen Yue's shoulder.
Then, more loudly, Ra Zheng said, "'Til next time," squinting as he left, with servants trailing behind him.
"We're in a prison with no walls. It seems like we're free, but in reality, we're not," said the Flashing Spear ranking brother as he tried to throw his weapon, which couldn't pass through.
Outside the prison of invisible walls, a thin layer of creeping plants extended across the atmosphere, creating a barrier unseen by the naked eye.
Chu Qiao was finishing her daily training when she completed another round of swordplay with the Skyshadow woman.
They were about to retire for the day when suddenly an unknown masked ninja appeared. The ninja hurled three needles at the Skyshadow woman, who turned into a shadow-like entity to defend herself. Viper rushed toward the ninja, using her whip to catch the attacker.
However, Viper lost control of her whip as the masked ninja blew sand into her eyes, momentarily blinding her.
Chu Qiao quickly came to the rescue, using her indigo scarf to shield both herself and Viper, while the masked ninja disappeared from sight.
"Viper, are you okay?" Chu Qiao asked.
The Skyshadow woman reverted to her usual form, wearing her beggar's dress with its black hood covering most of her face.
The Skyshadow woman handed Chu Qiao the three needles, which suddenly melted into grains of sand and gradually turned to ash.
Chu Qiao asked, "Was it the sand drizzle needle?"
"I'm afraid so. This type of weapon hasn't been used since the last Celestial Warfare battle. It was effectively countered by Master Archer Yuwen Hao, who led the Chu Jing Kingdom with his crossbow and devastated his enemies with missile-like weapons known as Bing Arrows (Ice Arrows)."
"These arrows shattered the entire Chu Jing palace and slaughtered everyone, shutting down the underworld headquarters."
Viper, regaining her sight, suddenly spoke: "Mimi Gongzhu, there is only one assassin who has mastered this lure and possesses the martial arts to wield this kind of weapon."
Chu Qiao asked, "Who could it be?"
"He is the direct disciple of the late Queen Luo He, your mother, and her assistant. He fought bravely until we saw her fall from a cliff, defending the underworld spies, including Trailkoya and me. We never knew he survived—until today. I cannot be mistaken. He is known as the master of Chasing Sand Drizzle."
Chu Qiao suddenly remembered her last stand on the mountain cliff and said to Viper, "I recall the man I fought on the cliff—the man who slaughtered our entire kingdom and my mother, Luo He. The man with the long spear. I summoned the four winds, but he couldn't be defeated by spiritual means. I changed my course, and with might and strength, I broke his bones and gave him the gentle touch of death. His heart gave out, and he fell from the cliff. Then, I blacked out. The force was too strong, and my power almost destroyed my body because I used my physical strength instead of my inner source."
Viper became excited as Chu Qiao began recovering memories of her past self. Chu Qiao remembered their last moments before everything happened in a flash.
Chu Qiao suddenly remembered again and asked, "What happened to Trailkoya?"
Viper turned her back, her eyes heavy with sorrow, and didn't answer. The Skyshadow woman spoke instead: "He sacrificed his life to save you both."
"He was the master of trails, my personal advance scout, and knew all the maps and paths of our journeys."
Chu Qiao, now feeling weighed down by sadness, said softly, "Trailkoya can't be dead… He couldn't have been defeated that easily…" Her eyes filled with tears.
The Skyshadow woman said, "If the opponent is too powerful, and their presence can cut through underworld power like a blade, attacking even in daylight, then it's a sure victory. Remember, our powers are only at half strength during the day and full at night."
"I can't be mistaken. I saw the son of the man who slaughtered my entire family and Trailkoya. He's here, and there's a band of brothers," Chu Qiao said fiercely, staring at the prison with no walls, her anger rising.
Viper asked, "Who? The man I fought?"
"No," Chu Qiao replied. "It's the man who held me in his arms and made me abandon the Poe Yue Jian sword."
The Skyshadow woman asked, "The man is the son of Yuwen Hao?"
"Yes," Chu Qiao confirmed.
The old woman asked again, "How do you know it's him?"
Chu Qiao, with a blank stare, answered, "I seem to remember his cold, sharp eyes, his strong arms, his fast movements, his bold presence, and his god-like face. I cannot be wrong. He is Yuwen Yue, the fourth master of the Yuwen household. He is the master of the Eyes of God."
"Then we are all doomed if we don't retrieve the Poe Yue Jian sword," said Viper.
"What do you mean?" Chu Qiao asked, irritated. "He owns the Poe Yue Jian sword—the local townsfolk know this well."
"No," Viper corrected. "The Poe Yue Jian sword belongs to the Qinghai Empire. Your father swore to protect it with his life, along with the Canhong sword. Don't you remember?"
"I only remember that the man owns it, and he even gave me another sword—the Broken Moon, the Canhong sword—but I lost it during the battle at the Frozen Lake," Chu Qiao said, her heart heavy.
Suddenly, Chu Qiao began recalling everything, stunned by her own revelations. She remembered it all as if an object had come to life before her eyes.
"It can't be!" Chu Qiao said, in disbelief. "Viper, you said the owner of the Poe Yue Jian sword is the son of the Qinghai King."
"If I recognized that he owned it before the battle at the Frozen Lake, then that means he's the lost son of the Qinghai King. And I am Xinger, who used the Poe Yue Jian sword and fought in the Frozen Lake?"
Viper, with a concerned look, suggested, "Mimi Gongzhu, we need a spiritual healer to fully restore your memories, and the Skyshadow woman can help us find him."
"I will help you find him," said the Skyshadow woman. "Tonight, we go to the Thousand Caves."
"Wait, what about the Higanbana flower on my back? You said the petals would bloom in the fall," Chu Qiao asked, worry crossing her face.
Viper added, "The Higanbana flower will reach its full power this coming winter. When the mortal body is weak, the spiritual body becomes strong."
"The spiritual healer won't be able to help you recover your mortal memories. I'm sorry, Mimi Gongzhu," Viper said.
"Is there any way to stop this power that only emerges in winter and lasts until summer?" Chu Qiao asked.
"Only the spiritual healer can tell," said the Skyshadow woman. "He knows all the secrets, from beginning to end."
"Then we have to find him and ask. For now, I can only recall the man, and I hate him. I feel like I want to kill all his brothers," Chu Qiao said, her face filled with anger.
The Skyshadow woman rebutted, "If you hate the son of the man who killed your family and slaughtered the Chu Jing Kingdom, why did you fight to save him at the Frozen Lake?"
"That's why I need the spiritual healer. I don't remember everything yet, but to be honest, I often have flashbacks. Now I'm convinced that I was the woman called 'Xinger,' who bravely fought for Yuwen Yue," Chu Qiao said.
Viper interrupted, "That's where I found you and saw the Poe Yue Jian sword floating in the lake. My hands were burned when I pulled you from the lake because your powers were overwhelming. It was the first time I saw you again after the battle, but there was no other body found in the lake—only yours, Mimi Gongzhu."
Chu Qiao confirmed, "Yes, I can remember when I first saw you and myself near the Frozen Lake. After that, I can't recall why I was even there. I really think that whenever my dark powers are used in extreme situations, my mortal body suffers, and the Higanbana flower collects all of these memories and empties them from my body. But where do they go? Is it to save someone? Are my memories a powerful tool to save someone? Why does this always happen whenever I encounter the Yuwen bloodline?"
"Well, I can see the difference," Viper replied, continuing: "The first time, you killed Yuwen Hao. The last time, you saved Yuwen Yue. Wasn't that the name of the fourth master of the Yuwen household?"
"Yes, so strange," Chu Qiao said, thinking deeply. "I killed one and saved another. How can that happen?" She paused for a moment and then added, "Whatever the cost, I must see the spiritual healer and regain my mortal memories before the winter season comes."
"Then you should rest. You'll need your mortal strength later," said the Skyshadow woman.
Chapter 29
To A thousand caves
A beautiful burgundy palanquin passes by streams of water in a mossy forest, full of fireflies dancing all around. Chu Qiao asked Viper to stop for a while and witness the fireflies' dance, which brought her back to her childhood memories. Her thoughts wandered to her family, her brother Ling Xi, her sisters, and Yuwen Yue.
Those memories were from the time she was Xinger, a favored maidservant of the fourth young master of the Yuwen household.
She recalled how fear constantly gripped her heart for the lives of her brother and sisters. However, that fear never weakened her will; instead, her determination blossomed amidst the cruel slavery system, the aristocrats' dominance over what they called their "lowly slaves," dogs, and pigs.
Her memories were bittersweet, filled with moments of death and short-lived happiness, battles, and the struggles of a dog slave fighting against the rotten system of the dynasty's luminaries.
Viper asked, "Fireflies in fall?"
"It's amazing," said Chu Qiao, "since they usually only appear in summer." As Chu Qiao continued watching them, they stirred recollections of the past, as if she were journeying back in time.
Yuwen Yue was one of the coldest nobles she had ever met, but despite his coldness, she remembered the warm safety of the Green Hills Courtyard, the silent care her young master showed, and the attention Yuwen Yue gave to Xinger.
Unfortunately, her memories of Yuwen Yue were also filled with pain and tears. Her heart longed for the young master's love, hoping that his gestures might lead to a bright future with him.
However, everyone knew that without a miracle, she would remain just a bedchamber maid to the fourth young master.
It was a better position than being a dog slave, but the respect and admiration typically given to others were not part of it.
Even though she wasn't entitled to much, she seized her only chance. She did her best to win, hoping to save her sisters and live a free, healthy life.
Becoming the fourth master's bedchamber maid would also give her the opportunity to kill him and avenge her brother Ling Xi, whom Yuwen Yue had killed with his sword.
This part was the hardest. Yuwen Yue tried to explain why Ling Xi had to die—it wasn't his will, but rather her brother's dying wish.
Yuwen Yue had honored Ling Xi's last request. But how could a mere slave like Ling Xi ask such a thing of the fourth young master? A lowly servant wouldn't dare.
It wasn't Yuwen Yue's character to obey slaves. Aristocrats didn't act that way. Yet Yuwen Yue had broken this tradition to fulfill Ling Xi's final wish.
Out of guilt, Ling Xi asked his master Yuwen Yue to end his life.
And out of mercy, Yuwen Yue granted his request.
Ling Xi believed that his careless actions had caused chaos and led to the death of Yuwen Gao, the grandfather of his fourth young master, Yuwen Yue, who was already in a life-and-death situation.
Yuwen Yue did not want Ling Xi to die, but the only available antidote for the poison was enough for one person, and both of them had been poisoned that night.
Ling Xi, in his hopeless state, thanked his young master and begged him to end his life—not by poison, but by Yuwen Yue's own gentle hands. Yuwen Yue was forced to choose between two dying people: he had to save one and kill the other.
From a cold distance, Xinger saw what her master did to his fifth brother, and from that moment, she vowed to avenge her brother's death, unaware of what had truly transpired that night. She believed only what her eyes had seen—her brother's death, followed by his body being burned.
She also remembered the sunny Prince of Yanbei, Yan Xun, who became her pillar of strength. He saw an opportunity and made her his comrade and general of the Xuili Army.
Her memories of Yan Xun were a mix of light and shadow. He had saved her from countless difficult situations and offered her more choices, becoming her escape. Eventually, she decided to leave the green pastures of the Yuwen household and join his envoy.
However, her painful memories were marked by Yan Xun's total devastation: the murder of his family. She became the deadliest pawn in his rebellion against the Shen Jin Emperor, part of Yanbei's rebellion against the throne.
Cast out from royalty, Yan Xun was stripped of his royal title and turned into a rebel.
She remembered the time when she was called A'Chu. Yan Xun made her dreams come true by freeing her from her slave status and defying custom. They lived without barriers between them, as equals.
At least inwardly, they lived as if no boundaries existed. Whatever Yan Xun possessed, A'Chu shared equally.
A'Chu's dream of a better world began in Changan and extended to Yanbei territories. Yan Xun commissioned her to expand his influence, even at the risk of her own life. She accompanied Prince Xiao Ce of Liang to bring chaos to Changan, ensuring their escape by turning Xiao Ce's death into their means of escape. Yan Xun also gave her command over the Xuili Army, vowing to fight until the last drop of their blood had dried.
Yan Xun could never forgive Xuili Army's mistake of allowing the Wei army to breach their borders, which paved the way for the annihilation of the Yan royal family and the massacre of Yanbei's citizens by the Wei's hungry blades, leaving only him as the scapegoat.
Buried under the weight of her mortal memories, Chu Qiao accepted that this part of her past was permanent. She could not choose which memories to keep or delete.
She knew she had to recover those missing fragments of herself before her powers caused her to fall into unconsciousness, which might lead her to erase them completely.
Chu Qiao also knew that one day she would have to face those memories again. She hoped that when the time came, she would do so with full awareness and not stumble blindly.
"Let's go," Chu Qiao said after a pause of lingering thoughts, captivated by the mesmerizing fireflies and the mossy forest. She climbed into her palanquin as Viper took the reins of the three horses, continuing their journey to the Thousand Caves. The Skyshadow woman was not with them.
Chu Qiao wondered where she had gone, but Viper reassured her, saying that she would appear whenever needed.
At the Thousand Caves, Zao Baocung had just arrived after a long journey from the borders of Liang and Wei. He planned to stay longer than usual, as his mission was to find Yuwen Yue, on orders from the Prince of Liang. The prince hoped to confirm that the former heir of the Eyes of God was still alive, despite the Yuwen household's official statement.
Zao was busy feeding his hamster pets when one of the biggest hamsters approached, munching on a special mooncake with a note inside. The hamster's cheeks were full, but Zao managed to retrieve the note and read: "Come to see me. I need secret information."
As Zao prepared to meet the visitor, he changed his outfit, donning his blood-red hood and tying a rope around his waist as a belt.
After adding some finishing touches to his face, he finally resembled an ancient priest about to perform a dark ritual.
He smiled at himself, his appearance truly frightening. This eerie look added to his credibility as one of the master healers for the underworld spies.
Whatever he earned from his work, he sent to the treasury of the Chu Jing Kingdom to help rebuild its ruins.
The gatekeeper of the cave, on his usual duty, sat at the entrance like a blind beggar, his old, wrinkled hand outstretched, asking for a gold coin.
The cave, consisting of literally thousands of caverns beneath the earth, is treacherous. If you fail to follow the gatekeeper's instructions carefully, you might never come out alive, as countless unwise visitors have perished, their bones buried within.
The gatekeeper requires a special gold coin, one that must be tested before it can be accepted. Any attempt to deceive, attack, or offer a fake coin will lead to dire consequences.
Legend says that if you try to trick the gatekeeper, he will feed your soul to the underworld as payment for your treachery. In exchange for the deception, he demands a life.
After meeting the spiritual healer, visitors can only exit the cave after being blindfolded and walking three times around the spiral temple located within the cave. Disoriented and unsure of direction, whether north or south, the healer will guide the way out.
The journey takes a full day. You must be well-prepared, as this trip through the Thousand Caves requires not only physical strength but also great endurance.
Yuwen Yue and Zuo were determined. Both were masters of disguise, allowing them to bypass Qinghai's royal protocols and roam freely.
At the cave entrance, the gatekeeper declared, "Only one can pass, the other cannot." Determined to break the rule, Yuwen Yue replied, "I have not brought just one coin, but a thousand coins for my brother. Please, I am buying his way in—he cannot survive without me."
Zuo acted the part of a helpless, disabled brother, hunchbacked and dressed in filthy clothes, while Yuwen Yue disguised himself as a rugged man, far removed from his usual rich appearance. Once again, they lived up to their reputation as masters of disguise.
The gatekeeper tested one of the coins in the water. When the coin did not change color, he poured more until the stone basin was filled with a thousand coins. While waiting at the entrance, Yuwen Yue and Zuo kept an eye on a potential escape route in case of an emergency.
The gatekeeper did not care whether the guest was rich or poor. Anyone could enter the cave, as long as they carried a gold coin from a true and accepted source.
Anyone could pass.
The gatekeeper is blind, forbidden from seeing who enters the cave. Yet, its duty is to spiritually discern the intentions of the heart. Whether those intentions are good or evil, the outcome is not its concern.
"Zuo, this is uncharted territory. It's scarier than I thought," said Yuwen Yue.
"I know, Your Highness. Be careful not to show your sword, or we're done for," Zuo whispered.
Yuwen Yue observed the old gatekeeper and sensed something was amiss. However, they were allowed to pass. The two walked forward, guided by a map handed to them by the gatekeeper, who vanished like the wind.
Zuo, immature as ever, wanted to jump and laugh out loud. For the first time, they had surpassed the gatekeeper's cruel entrance requirements, despite its sharp senses.
Yuwen Yue gently tapped Zuo and warned, "Keep still. We need to follow the map precisely, or we'll end up buried alive or lost forever."
In a hushed voice, Zuo whispered, "I should have invited you here before we went to Qinghai. Our visit is long overdue." He giggled like a boy, but Yuwen Yue quickly tapped him again, placing a hand over Zuo's mouth to silence him.
Before long, they reached their destination. Before they could react, Zao Baocung stood with his back turned to them, then slowly turned to face them.
Yuwen Yue, despite his rugged appearance, stood tall and handsome, his cold eyes fixed on Zao Baocung. Zuo, still maintaining his hunchback disguise, looked comical by comparison.
Zao Baocung, whose eyes had been closed and droopy, opened them and stared at his visitors. In a chilling voice, he said, "You both broke the rule."
Yuwen Yue quickly replied, "We did not. The gatekeeper let us pass. This is legitimate."
"No," Zao Baocung responded. "The Skyshadow is following you. You're doomed. I'm finished here."
Suddenly, Yuwen Yue's brows furrowed in anger. His hand twitched, and he grabbed Zao Baocung's wrist.
Zao, sensing danger, reached for the sword at his waist, ready to strike. But before he could, Zuo straightened up, abandoning his disguise. Without hesitation, he grabbed the sharp blade with his bare hands, which immediately began dripping with blood.
In the chaos, Yuwen Yue acted swiftly. As Zuo bought him time, Yuwen Yue drew his Poe Yue Jian sword, and in the rush, his hood fell, revealing his identity.
Zao, shocked to see the very man he had been sent to find standing before him, lowered his blade. Yuwen Yue tore a piece of his cloak and quickly wrapped it around Zuo's bleeding hands.
Yuwen Yue then handed Zuo a small celadon bottle.
Yuwen Yue moved to finish Zao Baocung, but before he could strike, Zao fell to the ground, looking up at him and shouting, "It's me! I didn't recognize you until your hood fell, and I saw the sword you're holding—one of the Lover's Swords."
At the mention of the Lover's Sword, Yuwen Yue recalled the time he had revealed its significance in front of his apprentice, Xinger. He had given her the Canhong sword when he was still the master of the Eyes of God.
It was during the time they were both trapped inside Zao Baocung's cave.
Xinger and Yuwen Yue had felt awkward when Zao revealed that the swords they carried were part of the Lover's Swords pair.
During that time, Yuwen Yue had suddenly fallen ill with typhoid fever, and Zao had revealed that it was an inborn condition. Zao had warned that if Xinger didn't care for Yuwen Yue, he would die. Zao, ever the opportunist, took advantage of their three-day stay in his cave, teasing Xinger.
Sensing that Xinger had lost her past memories, Zao offered to cure her, promising the service for free. Being a crafty merchant, he added a condition: when Xinger recovered her memories of the Wind and Cloud Decree, she would owe him a debt. "Not a bad business," Zao had thought.
Zao had placed Xinger in a hypnotized state, during which she recovered memories of her past—who she truly was and what she had done before arriving at the Yuwen household. However, Yuwen Yue had interrupted the process, forcing Zao Baocung to let them out of the cave.
Yuwen Yue snapped back to the present, realizing who this druid-priest-like figure in front of him truly was. Suddenly, Zao's pets appeared, one by one, nipping at the ground. Yuwen Yue, his sharp memory kicking in, recognized them all and said, "Zao Baocung! A not-so-pleasant surprise."
Without hesitation, Zao Baocung rushed to Zuo and warned Yuwen Yue, "Zuo will die in a few hours if the poison in his wound isn't treated with an antidote." Zao swiftly produced a small bottle and acupuncture needles, unwrapped Zuo's wounds, and began pricking needles around the injury to stop the poison from reaching his heart.
Zuo collapsed as Zao inserted a needle at the center of the wound, applying the antidote. Zao turned to Yuwen Yue and said, "He'll be unconscious for about an hour, but soon he'll vomit the poison and recover. The poison hasn't reached his heart."
For the first time, Yuwen Yue knelt, looking visibly worried. His cold eyes shot a stern glance at Zao, but he said nothing. He simply held Zuo in his arms, his usual icy look softened by concern.
Suddenly, Zao Baocung stood up and countered an attack from the Skyshadow gatekeeper. "Old woman," Zao said sharply, "they are not enemies. He holds the Poe Yue Jian sword."
The old woman, still hidden in the shadows, spoke: "I know he carries the Poe Yue Jian sword. My master was attacked by him, and the sword was abandoned. Now, I am here to reclaim it. He is the son of the man who slaughtered the entire Chu Jing Kingdom. He must die."
Just as the Skyshadow prepared to strike, Yuwen Yue rose and slowly unsheathed the Poe Yue Jian sword. A whirring, ear-splitting sound filled the air as the sword emitted a blinding light, its inscriptions glowing along the double-edged blades.
The Skyshadow's eyes caught the light, and as her hood fell, her face was exposed. In an instant, the old woman transformed back into her younger, beautiful self. The curse had been lifted by the Poe Yue Jian sword, and she collapsed, unconscious. Zao rushed to her side to offer aid.
After a few minutes of ensuring the woman was unharmed, Zao turned to Yuwen Yue, who remained alert, his guard still up. Kneeling before Yuwen Yue, Zao Baocung said, "You— you are the reason I have continued to live this life, for the sake of the secret princess. I cannot be mistaken; you are the lost son of the Qinghai King." Tears welled in his eyes as he begged for forgiveness.
Meanwhile, Zuo began to stir, slowly regaining consciousness. He noticed the needles still embedded in his hands. Yuwen Yue approached him and said, "Do not move. The hour has not yet passed. The antidote is working, eliminating the poison. Stay still and stay alive." The Skyshadow woman remained unconscious, yet to awaken.
Zao Baocung, still on his knees, looked up at Yuwen Yue. Yuwen Yue, cold and stern, said, "Very well. You nearly killed my brother. If he doesn't recover within the hour, I will cut off your head."
With his icy gaze, Yuwen Yue dismissed Zao but continued, "We came here seeking information about the secret princess and the Chu Jing Kingdom, and this is what we find."
Zao, now humbled and serious, replied, "Anything you wish to know, Your Highness. I am at your service." Gone was his arrogance, replaced by a servant's attitude.
Satisfied with the day's progress, Yuwen Yue stated, "I need the key to the secret door of Chu Jing Kingdom. My brother said no one has dared step inside and survived since its walls were breached. After its shutdown, the land turned parched and dry, and a fragrant flower poison grew around its perimeter, making entry impossible."
Zao hesitated before asking, "Your Highness, if you don't mind, may I ask a question?"
Yuwen Yue gave him a cold stare and said, "Ask."
"Did you bring Yue Qi here?" Zao Baocung asked, eyeing Zuo suspiciously. "This guy over here looks just like Yue Qi without the hunchback and dirty face. Did you disguise him?"
In the back of his mind, Yuwen Yue wondered if Zuo Zong really resembled Yue Qi that much, or if Zao had mistaken him for Yue Qi because of the similarity. Could Xiao Ce have met Yue Qi first and somehow involved him here? But that seemed impossible—Yue Qi had a long journey back to the East.
"You know," Zao continued, "I had that same impression the first time I met Zuo Zong. They look alike, yet they're so different."
Zao Baocung let out a deep breath, as if releasing his worries into the wind. "I really thought he was Yue Qi."
Yuwen Yue shook his head. "I read his obituary in the newspapers. He's dead." Yuwen Yue sat down, waiting patiently for Zuo to recover.
Zao Baocung, realizing that Yuwen Yue might not know the full story of Yue Qi, thought to himself:If Yuwen Yue doesn't have inside information on what happened to Yue Qi, that means Xiao Ce is far more cunning at keeping secrets than I thought.
"Your Highness," Zao said, breaking the silence, "while we wait, we should talk. You must listen to me. I am your loyal servant from now on."
Yuwen Yue gave him a cold, piercing stare. "What makes you so sure I'll become your master?"
"Your Highness, I know things you seek—things not only about the Chu Jing Kingdom but also secrets that concern your bodyguard, Yue Qi."
Yuwen Yue's expression darkened at the mention of Yue Qi. "You can't bring the dead back to life."
Zao Baocung replied calmly, "Your Highness, who said I cannot? You've never given me the chance, and I haven't even properly introduced myself."
Yuwen Yue didn't respond, dismissing Zao with a wave of his hand. But Zao, not deterred, pressed on. "I assure you, Yue Qi is alive and well. As for what happened, that is something you must discover, Your Highness."
Frustrated that Yuwen Yue was disregarding everything he said, Zao sulked, sitting down on one of the stone walls, his lips pouting.
Sensing the tension and feeling somewhat guilty for his coldness, Yuwen Yue stood and walked over to the woman lying unconscious. "Can you bring her back to life?" he asked Zao. "It seems she died when she saw my sword."
Zao didn't respond, hoping to draw more attention from Yuwen Yue.
Yuwen Yue was about to approach when suddenly Zuo vomited, expelling the poison from his body. Slowly, Zuo sat against the cave's stone wall, still feeling drowsy and exhausted. Yuwen Yue turned toward him instead and asked, "How are you?"
Zuo opened his eyes, meeting his master's gaze, and replied, "I'm fine, Master, but I need water." Yuwen Yue handed him a drink. Meanwhile, Zao observed them both, seemingly convinced that Zuo could be Yue Qi's doppelgänger. Even in his hunchback disguise, Zuo's resemblance to Yue Qi was striking.
As Zuo regained his strength, he asked, "What do we do next?"
Zao replied, "Nothing. Just wait here until the Skyshadow wakes up."
"Really?" Yuwen Yue said, recalling the last time he and Xing'er were trapped in the cave with Zao. He started to feel warm, leaning against the cave wall as a wave of heat rushed over him.
While Zuo's strength was returning, Yuwen Yue was growing increasingly unwell. Zao glanced at him and repeated the same thing he had told Xinger before: "He has typhoid fever. It's inborn."
Zuo, in disbelief, said, "I've never seen my master brother sick before. Why now?"
"What can I do?" Zuo asked, concerned.
"I can make it go away," Zao replied. "He'll recover soon."
"Do it now!" Zuo demanded, pressing Zao for action.
"We must wait until nightfall," Zao said calmly.
Frustrated but resigned, Zuo fell silent and sat beside Yuwen Yue. He placed his hand gently on his master brother's head. Yuwen Yue, his eyes closed, lay down, drifting into sleep as fatigue and fever took hold.
Zao began calling his hamster pets, and soon they scurried over. He whispered instructions to them, and the small, intelligent creatures dispersed. After an hour, they returned one by one, their mouths full of herbal leaves that Zao had sent them to gather. He took the herbs from their mouths, cleaned them in his small kitchen area within the cave, and began preparing them.
Zuo quietly watched Zao, his attention shifting only when the Skyshadow woman suddenly woke up. She quickly reached for a small dagger hidden in her old boots and pointed it at Zuo as she crawled backward, her eyes filled with suspicion.
Zuo, calm and collected, raised a hand in a gesture of peace. "I'm not your enemy," he said calmly, making no sudden moves to avoid provoking her.
The Skyshadow woman slowly relaxed and asked, "What just happened?"
Zuo, with a hint of sarcasm, replied, "I was going to ask you the same thing. What happened?"
The Skyshadow woman's eyes moved to Zuo's hand, noticing the healing wound. She understood that the antidote had worked.
Zao, having just finished his work in the kitchen, saw the Skyshadow woman and greeted her with a smirk. "Welcome to the cave world."
Annoyed, the Skyshadow woman quickly threw a star dart at Zao, but he dodged it effortlessly, acting as if nothing had happened. She scowled. "You mean underworld?" she retorted with a smirk of her own before turning her gaze toward Yuwen Yue, lying on the ground. Though rugged in appearance, his features were striking—like a god in her eyes.
"And this man—who is he? The Poe Yue Jian sword at his side," she grunted, her annoyance evident.
Zuo, still limping, stepped in front of her and said with a grin, "Hey, hey, you're not allowed to get too close to a god."
The Skyshadow woman bristled, ready to start a fight with Zuo when Zao interjected, "Two is company, three is a crowd, and four is a mass!" His sudden comment made both Zuo and the Skyshadow woman pause, realizing the futility of their bickering.
Zao added, "We all know the rules of the Thousand Caves. Save your strength for later. We need to leave before dawn. We'll take the shortcut on this journey—it usually takes a day, but these herbs will only work for a short time. They're like a band-aid. Our Highness needs fresh air; he's suffocating, and the fever is a result of his rising temperature."
"His Highness?" The Skyshadow woman looked directly at Zao Baocung, waiting for further clarification.
Zao caught her gaze and added, "Show respect to His Highness. Without him and his sword, your curse would have no cure."
Suddenly, the Skyshadow looked down at her hands, her feet, and then touched her hair and face. Realizing her transformation, she exclaimed, "Zao, I'm back! I'm no longer blind, and people can see me—even before sunset!"
Zao smiled and said, "The credit goes to His Highness. Now, we need to help him get out of here."
"Of course, I'll cooperate," she agreed, though she shot a stern glance at Zuo. Zuo, noticing her look, stepped closer to her and said with a sly smile, "You know, if you had looked like this before, instead of how you did earlier, I might have been a much better boy."
The Skyshadow woman, ready to slap him, was interrupted by Zao, who reminded her, "What happened to saving your strength for later?" The Skyshadow paused, halting her hand mid-swing, while Zuo gave her a peace sign and said, "Another time!"
Irritated, the Skyshadow woman turned her attention to Yuwen Yue. Gazing at his face, she suddenly said, "The man who freed me from my curse was my Mimi Gongzhu's archenemy."
"Not exactly," Zao responded.
"Why not? He's the son of Yuwen Hao. Did you lose your memories too, like the secret princess?" The Skyshadow woman sneered at Zao.
"This is difficult to explain," Zao said, dismissing her concerns. "But you'll understand it soon enough."
As nightfall approached, Zao gave Yuwen Yue some herbal leaves and they carried him on their backs. Zao opened a hidden portal within the Thousand Caves, revealing a shortcut path. Zuo watched in amazement, and Zao, noticing, said, "Guard those secrets well. They may save lives one day."
After a few hours, the group emerged from the cave, just as the moonset and sunrise met the horizon. Zuo Zong was fully recovered, and Yuwen Yue had started to feel better, his fever now gone. Zao Baocung and the Skyshadow woman closed the portal behind them, and together, they began walking through the mossy forest.
Chapter 30
An Army of dry bones
A man dressed like a peasant farmer was walking in the city. He wore a unique straw hat to cover his face, and his footwear looked very worn out. From a distance, he appeared healthy and well, making it hard to believe he was just a local farmer from a nearby town.
Suddenly, a group of bystanders noticed him and curiously approached. They believed he wasn't a native of the area. Ten men surrounded the peasant, who had stopped walking in the middle of the busy street market. He lowered his head and clenched his fists.
The leader of the bystanders came from behind, tilting his head slightly to the side to get a better look. The peasant concealed his face under the straw hat.
The leader noticed the man's sharp eyebrows and closed eyes.
The leader adjusted the straw hat and said, "Teach him some humility."
He returned to the group, and they prepared to attack.
Suddenly, attacks came from the left and right as the men began punching and kicking the peasant. Despite being clearly foreign to the city, the peasant did not fight back. He was severely beaten by the group. As he crawled on the ground, the leader approached, crouched down, and lifted the peasant's chin.
Looking at him, the leader said, "Isn't this enough?"
The leader studied the man's face, but there was no sign of humility, despite the bloodied appearance.
He ordered the group to take the man, saying, "If humility won't do, we'll teach you what the underworld is about."
The leader signaled to the group, and they dragged the peasant into a mossy forest.
Though capable of fighting back, the peasant allowed the bystanders to do as they pleased, leaving them exhausted by the day's end. The peasant was now hanging from a gigantic pine tree, his neck strangled by a thick rope. His feet were tied above, and a lone post stood beneath him.
One of the bystanders was chopping at the lower part of the post, nearly halfway through. It seemed like it might be the end for the peasant. No humility was visible on his face or in his eyes. He remained expressionless, as if dead inside, yet his proud exterior remained. His defined face revealed tired eyes.
He thought to himself, "If this is the only way to find you again, then so be it."
As afternoon turned to dusk, the cold, mossy forest awaited sundown. Dark hawks began flying overhead, and bats circled the sky. The sounds of insects filled the air, and the presence of ferocious beasts added to the eerie atmosphere.
The bystanders, familiar with the route, prepared to teach the man what the underworld was like as he hung helplessly from the tree, showing no hope.
The leader mocked the post, saying that three swings of the ax could bring down the massive tree.
The peasant, accepting his fate, listened in silence and did not resist. He had already made peace with this outcome, preferring it over returning to his brothers to reveal the truth.
On the last swing of the ax, someone suddenly appeared.
She seized the ax by force.
All eyes turned to the long, coiled rope binding the ax, and then, with a strong pull, she yanked it from their hands.
Suddenly, a hellish face appeared, with eyes like those of a bloodthirsty vampire.
She revealed her face, standing in the middle of the group.
Their knees turned weak like soft bamboo, and a chilling fear filled the air. It seemed as though they would taste the underworld before their victim did. The woman held the ax and swung a whip, which caught them all. The whip left painful marks on their arms, like fangs biting into their muscles.
"How many times must you learn not to joke about the underworld?" she said.
"It seems you are the ones who need a lesson in humility."
Her voice was foxy and husky, with a hint of an owl's haunting call.
Suddenly, all eyes were on her, captivated by her unspeakable beauty.
Her black hood, foxy face, and the fragrant scent she carried—like the early dew of plum blossoms—dropped around her as a cold wind blew. It was as if they were in a dream, but reality snapped them back.
One of the bystander leaders shouted, "They're from the underworld! Everyone, retreat! Run for your lives! They'll feed your souls to the underworld!"
The entire group fled the mossy forest, leaving their victim behind, still hanging from the tree.
The delicate woman saw the straw hat left on the ground. The woman with the hellish face used the ax to cut the rope from the tree. As the peasant fell, the whip swiftly caught him before he hit the ground.
As Viper untied the rope from around the man's neck, he looked at her face and softly asked, "Is this what the underworld looks like?"
He closed his eyes and passed out.
Chu Qiao pitied the man and said to Viper, "Put him on the horse. He'll be dead by tomorrow if we don't help him today."
"Yes, Mimi Gongzhu," Viper replied. He lifted the man's shoulders, carefully placing him on a sturdy black horse, his feet hanging down and his body leaning against the horse's back.
A night fox howled deep in the mossy forest as the three figures slowed their pace, journeying through the thousand caves.
The sun was up, and Yuwen Yue, feeling much better, opened his eyes and asked, "Zuo, where is this place?"
Zuo was about to respond when Zao interrupted, "Your Highness, didn't you ask about the keys to the secret doors of Chu Jing Kingdom?"
Yuwen Yue's cold eyes narrowed. Realizing he was being carried on Zuo's back, he suddenly stopped them from walking.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Yuwen Yue stood straight, dusting himself off and smoothing the creases in his clothing. He straightened his posture, filling his chest with air.
Zuo, watching his handsome master so conscious of his appearance, thought to himself,"Thank the heavens, this god is well."
Yuwen Yue, sensing he might have overheard something, asked, "Are you praying to the gods?"
Zuo replied, "Your Highness, why would I pray when I am walking with one?"
Zao smirked and added, "Yeah, you're right! Only a god could cure you and save you from that deadly poison."
Yuwen Yue gave them both a cold stare, as if they had soreness in their noses.
Zuo, trying to lighten the mood, said to Zao, "If you're a god, then you're the worst one!" He smiled at Zao.
Zao, still smirking, replied, "Young people nowadays! If you didn't look so much like Yue Qi, I wouldn't have bothered saving you."
Zuo asked with a sly smile, "Dear god, who is Yue Qi?"
Zao glanced at Yuwen Yue, who was walking ahead, deep in thought.
Yuwen Yue, sensing Zao's gaze, said, "Enough, both of you. Stay still." He picked up his pace, and a bird flew toward him, tweeting, "Yue Qi dead, dead, dead." The Yuwen parrot landed on his shoulder.
"Yue Qi is dead?" Zuo asked, but received no answer. Silence hung between Zao and Yuwen Yue.
Suddenly, a woman from the Skyshadow Clan appeared and said to Zao, "All is clear, except for this." She showed them an ax and a long, thick rope.
Yuwen Yue stepped closer and examined the items. He looked around the mossy forest and said, "Someone has been here. It may have been a group."
Yuwen Yue noticed horse hoof prints and footprints left in the ground.
With his cunning mind and sharp instincts for investigation, he allowed his companions to rest for a while and asked Zuo to come along with him.
Yuwen Yue whispered, "A bonfire, a stand post, a gigantic pine tree, a rope, an ax, horse hooves, and footprints all around. And finally, tiny petals of plum blossoms."
In a flash, he replayed the scene in his mind.
"Zuo, someone was strangled here. But there's no sign of blood. The victim was hanged from the tree, and someone was chopping at this post. At the last swing, someone stopped it. It looks like many people ran away—afraid of someone with a fragrant plum blossom scent."
Yuwen Yue finally opened his eyes.
"Your Highness, that's clever thinking. Should I search the area?"
Zuo scratched his head, marveling at his master's ability to piece together the events in the mossy forest with such precision.
"No, this happened yesterday afternoon, and by twilight, they were gone. We won't be able to track them now. The sun is already up."
Yuwen Yue, cold and expressionless, didn't share everything with Zuo, but he thought to himself,It's the secret princess, her spy, and a victim they took from the pine tree.
Zao and the Skyshadow woman remained behind, and she asked, "Are we going to help the man who holds the Poe Yue Jian sword?"
Zao replied, "I understand how you feel. Let me tell you something. I've known Yuwen Yue since he was a child, one of the esteemed Fourth Young Masters and the son of Yuwen Hao, master of the Eyes of God. I saw him use that sword when he came to my shop, accompanied by his female spy. I also saw the Canhong sword with the female spy, so I trapped them inside the cave. I could have killed them both, but for some reason, I didn't. I don't know why. I even gave them precious items, like maps, a pair of wings, underworld clothing, and the black sword to help the female spy kill Yuwen Yue's great-uncle, Yuwen Xi, to avenge our Chu Jing Kingdom. I didn't realize at the time that Yuwen Yue was the lost son of the Qinghai King. It wasn't until he used the Poe Yue Jian sword to break your curse yesterday that I understood."
"Why can't any man use the Poe Yue Jian sword if they have it?" asked the Skyshadow woman.
"No man can wield the Poe Yue Jian unless it was bestowed by the Qinghai King himself. Perhaps Yuwen Hao took the sword during the chaos in our kingdom and gave it to Yuwen Yue, recognizing him as his true son. But I've also heard about the icy lake tragedy, where Yuwen Yue was said to have died when the Prince of Yanbei lured him. There's a rumor that the son of the Qinghai King was hidden in a noble household in Wei, but no one knows for sure if it's true."
Zao continued, "Yuwen Yue wielding the Poe Yue Jian sword and releasing its power is the only sign that he is the lost son of the Qinghai King." Zao withheld more sensitive information, knowing this wasn't the place for it.
He paused before adding, "There are many stories, and Luo He, our underworld spy leader, knows this well. I don't fully understand how things have come to this point today, but the Qinghai King can only pass on the sword's true power to the rightful heir of the Qinghai throne."
Speaking in a more informal tone, Zao looked directly at the Skyshadow woman.
Suddenly, she understood Zao's implication. She was being forced to accept that the son of the man who destroyed Chu Jing Kingdom was also the son of the Qinghai King.
It didn't make sense to her.
"By the way, you said you met Mimi Gongzhu?" Zao asked.
"Yes, I've been with her for over a year, but the bad news is she's lost her memories."
"She's lost her memories?" Zao said, suddenly reminded of Xinger.
Skyshadow had been keeping the master healer of Chu Jing Kingdom updated since they last met a year ago.
"Yes, Viper and I have been helping her, and with her aid, we've begun to restore Chu Jing Kingdom. Some of the residents have returned to rebuild the ruins," Skyshadow added.
"What's more, we were attacked by the Chasing Sand Drizzle Master. So, Viper and Mimi Gongzhu decided to meet with you. They're on their way to the Thousand Caves to find you."
"You need to help her recover more of her memories before winter comes. I came ahead to make sure you were at the Thousand Caves before their arrival."
Zao, looking both surprised and excited, shouted with frustration in his voice, "You should have told me earlier! The mooncake was free for you. You didn't need to buy it to send me a message! How am I supposed to split my attention between the Qinghai Crown Prince and now the Mimi Gongzhu? This is unexpected!"
"I did inform you with the mooncake. Before my curse was broken, I was blind. Yesterday, I thought the two people who came to us were Viper and Mimi Gongzhu. I could feel their hearts were pure, but they were disguised to protect themselves, so I let them pass."
"Then why did you attack us afterward? Are you ready to break the rules just for Mimi Gongzhu?" Zao questioned Skyshadow's actions.
"I smelled blood and poison. Being blind, I couldn't see who was in the cave, but I let them pass if they had the coin. That's the rule. I thought Mimi Gongzhu might have been attacked by you. Remember, we hadn't seen each other in a year, and you only arrived yesterday."
"We need to hurry back to the Thousand Caves for Mimi Gongzhu," Zao said anxiously.
As they prepared to leave, Zuo suddenly stepped in front of them and asked, "Where are you two going?" Yuwen Yue appeared behind them with his usual calm apperance and asked, "What is happening here?"
The Skyshadow woman stepped forward, coming face to face with Zuo, and said, "We can't let you know. It is a secret."
"After all we've done for you, this is how you repay us?" Zuo replied, giving her a stern look.
"We are sorry, but we cannot go any further," the Skyshadow woman insisted.
Yuwen Yue responded calmly, "We have our band of brothers waiting in the Chu Jing Kingdom. Zao said you could help us find the key."
The Skyshadow woman sneered at Yuwen Yue. "What makes you think I would help the son of the man who destroyed Chu Jing Kingdom?" Yuwen Yue raised his eyebrows, realizing she was referring to his father, Yuwen Hao.
Suddenly, Zao Baocung stepped between Yuwen Yue and the Skyshadow woman, trying to reconcile them. "Your Highness, I apologize for her behavior. She's confused about your status. I'll explain later, but for now, we need to go back and meet with the Mimi Gongzhu."
Yuwen Yue asked, "You mean the secret princess?"
The Skyshadow woman, surprised, asked, "How do you know her?"
Zuo and Yuwen Yue exchanged glances.
"No," Yuwen Yue said, his tone cold and indifferent.
Zuo and the Skyshadow woman began to bicker, but suddenly, an unknown assailant appeared in the mossy forest and showered them with Sand Drizzle needles before disappearing.
Yuwen Yue quickly countered with his sword, turning the needles to ashes, but in the confusion, Zao and the Skyshadow woman managed to escape. Yuwen Yue and Zuo Zong were left alone.
Yuwen Yue, realizing he had run out of time, let them go. He needed to return to Qinghai, while Zuo, angered by the two who abandoned them, fumed.
The peasant man suddenly woke up, feeling better than the day before. He opened one eye, the other half-closed with sleep crust, and groaned, "Am I in the underworld?" Viper was about to smack him when he fell off the horse.
"Urgh… ow… ow…" The man groaned in pain, unsure whether it was from the fall or the bruises he was still nursing after being beaten by the bystander group.
Viper leaned in, examining his bruised face and black eyes. "Did you let them punish you, or were you trying to pass their hazing to impress that ugly leader and join them?"
The man, his voice hoarse, replied, "None of the above."
Viper shrugged. "Very well. Get up. There's a stream nearby where you can clean up. Undress your filthy clothes."
"What?" the man protested, wincing in pain.
"Did you not hear me? If you don't obey, I'll drag you out there and let you have a taste of this," she said, cracking her whip against a nearby rock, clearly impatient and offering no sympathy.
"Okay, okay, easy girl. I'll obey," the man grumbled.
"Good! Move!" Viper barked, still bossy, but secretly enjoying the situation. Though the man was muscular, his circumstances had rendered him helpless.
He grunted under his breath, "I don't take orders from anyone except my general, and certainly not from some underworld girl who looks like she lives in a bat cave."
"Did you just call me a bat cave girl?" Viper snapped.
The man chuckled nervously. "No, no! I said you're a nice girl, helping a... batman! I mean, a nice guy!"
"You! Be respectful to the batgirl or my whip will give you another round of hazing!" Viper warned, cracking her whip again.
Slightly afraid, the man stood up straight and hurried to the stream.
Halfway through undressing, with plans to wash himself, Viper—standing a distance away—plucked a long stalk of grass, putting it in her mouth while stealing glances at the man.
He caught her gaze, swallowed nervously, and paused. But the sight of her whip convinced him to continue. Viper narrowed her eyes, enjoying the sight of his muscular, though bruised, body—a rare vision, like a statue of Adonis, with its chiseled perfection.
The man suddenly complained, "I can't take a bath with someone watching me."
"And my whip can't control itself if you try to escape while my back is turned. Keep going, or die!" she snapped.
Left with no choice, the man continued stripping under Viper's fierce, amused gaze. He peeled off his shirt, then his inner shirt, and removed his outer pants and inner pants, leaving only his undergarments and a bandana on his head. His impressive physique, despite the bruises, made Viper swallow hard, even though the air was cold.
After a few moments, Viper, looking pleased, walked over and grabbed him by the waist, swaying him to the other side. She then slammed her whip into the water. Suddenly, a crocodile's mouth burst open nearby, causing the man to instinctively reach for a sword that wasn't there.
Viper, acting swiftly, leaped into the water like a predator, using her whip to bind the crocodile's mouth shut.
Proud of herself, she said, "I'm not the only one watching you. Move faster! Now!" she shouted.
The man quickly dressed, skipping any attempt to wash further, and they both left the stream.
As they walked uphill, Chu Qiao met them halfway and teasingly said to Viper, "Did you get jealous of the crocs and hurry him along before he could wash his clothes?"
The man, surprised, stared wide-eyed at the divine figure of Chu Qiao, frozen in awe.
Viper, still in a foul mood, retorted, "No, I plan to feed him to the crocs later, after he eats."
Chu Qiao gave a cold smile and said, "Both of you, come along. Ciao!"
While they were eating, the man frequently glanced at Chu Qiao, feeling a bit awkward. Noticing this, Viper broke the silence by asking, "What's your name?"
"I am He Xiao…" he started but then stopped himself.
Chu Qiao, curious, asked, "Where are you from?"
He Xiao seemed lost in thought and didn't respond right away, as if hoping Chu Qiao would recognize him. But she simply stared back blankly.
Viper pressed again, "Why did you come here? And what did you mean about the underworld?"
He Xiao looked at Viper and replied, "I came here to search for someone and ended up discovering the underworld."
"No one steps foot in the underworld and survives. Obviously, you haven't discovered it yet." Viper pressed further, "Why are you really here?"
All eyes were on He Xiao as Chu Qiao listened intently, waiting for his answer. Finally, He Xiao said, "I came because of her."
Chu Qiao stopped eating and stared at him, while Viper followed up, "Because of her?"
"Yes, she is my General. Our General of the Xuili Army from Yanbei."
Viper looked at Chu Qiao, who stood up and took a few steps away, her back turned.
Despite limping, He Xiao followed her and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Please, come back and let's continue eating."
Chu Qiao asked calmly, "You said I am your General, the leader of the Xuili Army?"
"Yes, you went missing a year ago after the frozen lake incident. We thought you had died there." He Xiao noticed a sudden coldness in Chu Qiao's face. "If this is too much, we can take time to discuss it. I'm here to provide you with information about the Xuili Army. They are exhausted from the relentless orders of the Prince of Yanbei. The army has been sent on suicidal missions, and many have perished."
Chu Qiao felt a surge of empathy, though she didn't fully understand why. She asked, "Where is the Xuili Army now?"
"They are at the Meilin border. As we speak, they may already be reduced to dried bones and buried before winter. It has been six months since I left them in the hands of the next in command. I came here, hoping to find you. We've had no food or weapons, and we are besieged daily by Prince Yuan Che's Xiaoqi cavalry. We truly believe we've been abandoned by Prince Yan Xun, the commander in chief." He Xiao looked down, his tears quietly falling as he shuffled his feet through the autumn leaves.
Chu Qiao, lost in thought, stood silent.
The cold wind blew through the forest, brushing the ground with the red, yellow, and brown colors of autumn. Heavy clouds gathered, turning the sky a deep gray. Lightning flashed, followed by a roar of thunder, signaling the coming storm. Thin, hair-like raindrops began to fall, soaking the mossy forest floor.
