Yidu, the imperial palace.
The best lamp was lit on the table, with a bright and smokeless flame, illuminating the table as if it were daytime. Xu Jingxing pressed his throbbing temple and put down the documents in his hand.
Compared to the carefree Prince of Rong, Xu Jingxing, who had been the emperor for so many years, had accumulated a sense of maturity and composure between his brows. His appearance resembled that of the Prince of Rong, Xu Jingming, by two or three points, but his features were more solemn, making him look more handsome.
However, this handsomeness was completely overshadowed by a troubled expression.
Xu Jingxing had slightly higher cheekbones, and his cheeks were slightly sunken. He had never drunk immortal wine, and although his face didn’t show much sign of aging, a few strands of white hair on his head were quite noticeable. He always furrowed his brow, giving off an air of seriousness and lack of laughter.
The Yun Dynasty had enjoyed a prosperous era for a hundred years, and even now it didn’t show any signs of decline. However, governing a large country was like cooking a small fish. Xu Jingxing, who didn’t consider himself a naturally gifted talent, almost exhausted his mental energy just to maintain the words “clean rivers and peaceful seas, prosperous country, and contented people”.
Xu Jingxing didn’t have much ambition, but he also didn’t want to be a clueless and incompetent ruler. He had put a lot of effort into punishing corrupt officials and clarifying governance, but just when things were starting to improve, troubles on the border flared up again, causing Xu Jingxing’s head to ache.
“Just a few months ago, a new king was installed, and the Luojiu people started biting everywhere like crazy. Barbarians are still barbarians. Don’t they understand the need for recuperation?”
Xu Jingxing let out a heavy sigh. The old eunuch Lu Fu hurriedly stepped forward and massaged the emperor’s shoulders.
“Your Majesty, didn’t those Luojiu barbarians cause trouble a few years ago? Last time General Liu led the army, he defeated the elite Luojiu troops and killed several of their generals—”
“That’s enough. We both know that General Liu doesn’t have that ability.”
Lu Fu immediately changed his tone. “Your Majesty, didn’t you have someone keep an eye on that person? If it’s really difficult, let the Yushuei Pavilion help deliver a letter. He wouldn’t dare refuse.”
“He wouldn’t dare? What is he afraid of?” Xu Jingxing bitterly smiled. “Previously, Shi Jingzhi was willing to represent a thousand miles of battlefield with a sand table, but it was just because he was bored. That brat never took me seriously.”
While he spoke, there was no fear in his words. Like the Prince of Rong, there was only a faint sense of disgust.
“Why did Your Majesty let him go in the first place?”
Lu Fu cautiously asked.
“That child is ominous. Your Majesty has a compassionate heart; sparing his life and providing him with good food and drink is already the utmost benevolence and righteousness. If it weren’t for Jiang Youyue’s meddling, I would have thought…”
Xu Jingxing interrupted him directly, “Compassionate heart?”
His tone was more self-mocking than sarcastic.
“No, Shi Jingzhi’s remaining lifespan is less than a year. Let him find his own way to survive. If he finds it, I will have a use for him. If he can’t find it, it can also be considered as giving him a way out—keeping that monster by my side forcibly, if I push him too far, I’m afraid that one day when I close my eyes, he’ll smash my skull with a single palm.”
Lu Fu swallowed a mouthful of saliva and didn’t dare to speak further.
“I thought that without Shi Jingzhi, the military commanders could hold on for a few more years of peace. But it turns out that a mediocre gang of Luojiu can manipulate that group of idiots… Jiang Youyue truly found a talented person for me.”
Lu Fu: “I heard people say that the new king of Luojiu is called a ‘Divine Saint’ by the barbarians. Perhaps it’s not that the military commanders lack strength, but that the opposing side has obtained divine assistance. Your Majesty, please don’t get angry and be careful not to upset your dragon body…”
Xu Jingxing snorted coldly. “Lately, you’ve been speaking more and more like Jiang Youyue. Which new king’s ascension didn’t come with that divine-assisted rhetoric? The barbarians are just exaggerating… Even a monster like Shi Jingzhi—he’s just one person with a head and a heart. When he dies, he dies.”
“In recent prosperous years, Great Yun has relied not on the Immortal Assembly, but on the common people. I will send someone to investigate the matter of the ‘Divine Descent’. If Jiang Youyue’s recommendation is not effective, I will question him.”
“What about Jingzhi…”
“Let him do as he pleases. A small faction like the Kushan Sect can’t stir up much trouble.”
Two hours later, at the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence.
“Master, Lu Fu just brought news. Despite consecutive defeats on the border, Xu Jingxing still shows no intention of fully dealing with the Luojiu.”
Jiang Youyue sat in the small shrine of the Imperial Preceptor’s Residence, reporting in a soft voice.
It still had the appearance of the celestial shrine of the Imperial Celestial, but there was no plaque hanging. The shrine was filled with a strong incense, and an opaque curtain hung in front of the altar.
Upon hearing Jiang Youyue’s words, a low murmuring sound came from within the curtain.
“This Disciple understands.” Jiang Youyue bowed his head. “The Luojiu is not yet worthy of fear. By using them to put pressure on Xu Jingxing, he might develop a sense of crisis. This matter cannot be rushed; we can only watch the will of the heavens…”
Another indistinct murmur arose.
The curtain shook gently, and something protruded from behind it. Jiang Youyue knelt properly on a cushion, slightly lowering his head.
A withered giant hand passed through the curtain, raising its index finger and lightly tapping Jiang Youyue’s forehead.
The hand was so huge that it could almost grip Jiang Youyue’s entire head. The fingers were thin and bony, covered with a layer of dark brown skin, and moved like the fine legs of a spider.
“…This Disciple will keep your teachings in mind, Master.”
After half an incense stick’s worth of time, Jiang Youyue bowed slightly. He didn’t raise his head to look at the owner of the hand, but his tone became even more respectful.
“Shi Jingzhi has his own destiny, and I won’t assist him in finding a way to survive… Is the ‘Immortal Body’ exhausted? This Disciple has brought a new one for you.”
With that said, Jiang Youyue didn’t look for a servant. He straightened his clothes and personally opened the entrance to a secret passage, entering the secret chamber behind the shrine alone.
When he emerged again, there was a wooden cart behind him.
On the wooden cart was something resembling a human corpse. It was tightly wrapped in white cloth inscribed with blood characters, and the cloth was soaked with an unknown liquid, giving it a pale green color.
Only the neck of that thing wasn’t covered by cloth, and a bowl-sized cavity was exposed, filled with dark brown, withered roots. Those withered roots hung lifelessly, and their color was like rotten blood.
Fortunately, the headless corpse didn’t emit a putrid smell. A faint and elegant fragrance of grass and wood floated in the air.
The giant hand grabbed the “Immortal Body” wrapped in the cloth and slowly withdrew behind the curtain. After a while, a faint chewing sound came from inside the curtain, sounding like teeth grinding on fine bones. The fragrance of grass and wood became even stronger, but the candle flames in the shrine didn’t flicker at all, despite the night breeze brushing past.
Throughout the process, Jiang Youyue’s expression remained unchanged, and he didn’t raise his head even once.
“In my opinion, Master is the one worthy of the ‘Shirou’.”
Before leaving the shrine, he sighed softly, speaking to himself.
“It’s a pity that fate is hard to defy.”
At the same time.
After the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect dispersed their golden beads, they returned to the inn in the middle of the night. Unexpectedly, their two servants hadn’t slept at all and had lit three lamps in their room—their eyes bloodshot, waiting anxiously.
The surroundings were too bright that even Lord Bai wasn’t able to fall asleep. The goose demon paced restlessly in the small room, venting its anger.
As soon as the master and disciple entered the room, they were caught red-handed.
“Didn’t I leave a letter? You two should have relaxed and gone straight to sleep.”
Shi Jingzhi laughed awkwardly.
Although they were supposed to be doing something legitimate, for some reason, he still had an inexplicable sense of guilt.
“Sect Master, I have a request.”
Yan Qing sat upright with his hands tightly clenched.
“Su Si has explained it to me. If news of the encounter at the Jianchen Temple gets out, our sect’s path will be difficult.”
“Why, do you want to maintain the reputation of this sword and withdraw?” Shi Jingzhi raised an eyebrow. “I can understand—”
“No. Whether it’s my life, my old friend, or this Sword of Compassion, they were all given to me by the Kushan Sect. If I were to withdraw now, wouldn’t it be the same as burning bridges? “
Yan Qing immediately refused with a quite solemn tone.
“I know that the sect no longer accepts disciples, and I have no intention of pressuring Sect Master to make an exception, but Senior Yin’s martial arts are superb. If possible, I would like to ask Senior Yin to accept me as a disciple. If our sect is caught in a conflict in the future, I can also contribute.”
The young man’s words were passionate, and his eyes were filled with determination. Unfortunately, his target was cold and unfeeling. If he said he wouldn’t give face, he wouldn’t give face.
Yin Ci put away his veil and calmly said, “I won’t accept you.”
Yan Qing: “…”
There was no resentment on his face; only a few hints of a pleading expression, like a young dog being kicked out of the house.
“According to Venerable Juefei’s ‘karmic method’, I can’t teach you. Cultivation techniques must be compatible with one’s temperament, and I am not on the same path as you. I will only lead you astray. If you truly want to achieve something great, you must explore it on your own.”
Yin Ci didn’t hesitate at all. After traveling in the mortal world for many years, he was most skilled at being cold-hearted and cutting off worldly ties.
The remaining bit of goodwill he had left was all invested in the master-disciple relationship at present. He simply couldn’t spare the energy to take care of another person. Furthermore, Yan Qing was a righteous person, and if they became too deeply involved, it would only cause more complications and hinder any progress.
Yin Ci signaled to Shi Jingzhi with his eyes, and the latter immediately understood.
“This is what Venerable Juefei bestowed upon our sect before leaving.”
Shi Jingzhi once again put on his customary kindness. He held the thin book of the “Jade Chime Sword Technique” in both hands as he fabricated a lie.
“He said that this technique is especially suitable for those who wield giant swords, and he wants you to practice it well. If you make a name for yourself in the future, don’t forget the kindness of the Jianchen Temple.”
Yan Qing stood stunned in place. “Sect Master…”
“You’ve laid the foundation in Taiheng, and the foundational cultivation technique of Taiheng is perfect for you. I will teach you the mantra for cultivating inner force, and if you combine it with your sword practice, you will be able to catch up to Su Si within three years.”
“At Su Si’s level, he could thoroughly explain the key points in the manual. A’Ci and I have other matters to attend to, so we won’t interfere in this matter.”
Su Si: “Aren’t you worried that I’ll secretly learn the techniques from the manual, Sect Master?”
Shi Jingzhi smiled brightly. “With your temperament, can you really focus on wielding a giant sword?”
Then he stood up and winked at Yin Ci. “Yan Qing, Su Si can only teach you verbally. So, us two have already previewed the manual and memorized the sword techniques. We’ll demonstrate it to you once, so pay attention—A’Ci, lend me the Hanging Shadow Sword. I’ll give you the flag.”
“Shizun, just demonstrate the giant sword.”
“Lend me the Hanging Shadow Sword.” Shi Jingzhi shook his hand again.
Yin Ci helplessly unfastened his sword and tossed it to Shi Jingzhi. He picked up the Medicine Cures Illness flag and rolled up the flag surface, using it as a substitute for the giant sword.
“Watch closely, this is an offensive move. The first move, ‘Crossing Paths on a Boat’.”
Shi Jingzhi’s sword was like a torrential rain, vaguely resembling Shi Zhongyu’s Green Maiden Sword Technique. Yin Ci counterattacked with the flagpole. His movements were decisive and swift, grand and fluid. His strength was as strong as a thousand jun*, but at the moment of utmost firmness and overflowing killing intent, it transformed into a gentle maneuver, leaving behind a thread of continuous vitality.
*Each jun is about thirty catties or 15 kilograms.
“The second move, a defensive move, ‘Today is Different from Yesterday’.”
Shi Jingzhi changed his attack, using the sword as a knife—each move was sharp and treacherous, directly aiming for Yin Ci’s vital points. The latter responded to the ever-changing attacks with unwavering stability; the flagpole remained steady like an old pine tree in the rain. Occasionally, he moved, with a smooth and steady trajectory, perfectly catching the weaknesses in the knife strikes, turning a bamboo pole into an impregnable barrier.
“The third move.”
Shi Jingzhi’s voice became much softer.
“The final move, ‘Opening Gold and Stone’.”
“Wait.” Yin Ci frowned. “This move is complex. It’s too early to demonstrate it now.”
However, Shi Jingzhi had already made his move.
This time, he used his inner force, and the Hanging Shadow Sword carried an unprecedented murderous aura as it came forward. Yin Ci sighed inwardly and responded to the third move—
The flagpole changed from its previous heavy posture, dancing lightly like snowflakes yet as majestic as a famous river. At the end, within the straight and righteous path of the sword, a warm and compassionate atmosphere suddenly burst forth, as if the wind had stopped and the rain had ceased, leaving behind a profound silence.
This move was completed in one breath, with an overwhelming momentum that appeared extremely exhausting. After completing the set, the Hanging Shadow Sword was decisively knocked away and deeply embedded into the wall.
Yan Qing forgot to breathe, his face turning red, his eyes unwilling to blink.
Su Si, on the other hand, had a solemn expression. “This is a method for dealing with multiple enemies. Injuring a thousand while harming oneself by eight hundred. It should only be used as a last resort.”
However, this time, no one followed up with his remark.
Shi Jingzhi took hold of the flagpole and leaned in towards Yin Ci. The latter furrowed his brow slightly, his face showing a tinge of color due to the intense battle, making him appear less cold.
“A’Ci,” Shi Jingzhi whispered almost inaudibly, “you said you’re not suited to teach Yan Qing, but why do I feel that this move, ‘Opening Gold and Stone’, is quite suitable for you?”
His eyes sparkled, wearing a look of certainty. Yin Ci couldn’t help but lightly flick Shi Jingzhi’s nose.
“Just an empty facade.”
Yin Ci responded nonchalantly.
“…Shizun, you should first remove the Hanging Shadow Sword from the wall. If it’s not repaired before dawn, it will cost you money.”
Shi Jingzhi’s smile suddenly disappeared, and he let out a cold breath. “Yan Qing, remember to fix the wall later. Consider it as tuition for this lesson.”
As Shi Jingzhi turned around, Yin Ci quietly extended his hand and plucked a fine feather from his hair.
It looked like a sparrow feather, with a faint trace of demonic qi… Interesting. Is it a message from a sparrow demon?
Yin Ci didn’t know if Shi Jingzhi had used it to investigate him.
To be honest, Yin Ci himself wasn’t entirely clear about his own past. The memories from that time seemed both real and illusory, ethereal like the reflection of the moon on water and the flower in the mirror*.
*Metaphor for what can be seen but can’t be obtained.
He wondered how far his master would be able to uncover the truth.
Kinky Thoughts:
I need to make an errata. Previously I translated the Imperial Preceptor [Guoshi] (国师) as the National Teacher. This isn’t quite the correct term as Imperial Preceptor is more accurate.
The Imperial Preceptor is a title awarded by the emperor. They play a crucial role in the education, guidance, and advice given to the emperor and the crown prince, as well as the education and moral development of the royal family. They also serve under the emperor’s authority to protect the religion and guide the state through divinations. You can think of him as the head of the state religion.
This is an important distinction because he plays a role in guiding the nation through divination and not necessarily a “teaching” role.
Previous chapters have been updated to reflect the change but for those who were reading before the change, please note this.
