The Grandmaster Strategist

In the twelfth year of Great Yong’s Longsheng era, outside the city of Yangzhou at Guazhou Ferry, armies had converged on either bank, their banners blotting out the sun. The Yong army had once again approached the Yangtze River. The commanding general of Great Yong was still Pei Yun this time, but the Vice Commander of the Jiangnan Command Post, Crown Prince Li Jun, was overseeing the army, which gave everyone a deep understanding of the resolve the Yong army had in crossing the river to campaign southward.

Cold wind blew, raw and biting. Dark clouds filled the sky. Huo Cong lifted the flap of his tent and took a look at the sky, the chilly wind hitting his face, lifting his spirits. However, a hint of frustration appeared on his features. The resupply of grain and fodder, as well as winter clothes for the cold weather, should have arrived yesterday. It looked like the first snow of this winter was about to fall. After snowing, the cold temperatures would definitely jump in magnitude. If they didn’t have enough cold weather clothing, the soldiers would suffer.

Letting out a sigh, he let go of the tent flap, feeling a little cold, and walked to a corner of the tent. He fetched a cup from on top of the boxwood chest next to the bed, then poured himself a cup of wine from the pot of wine simmering on the bronze stove in the center of the tent. After the wine turned tepid, he finally took a slow sip. Some languidness appeared in his serene eyes. He returned to his writing desk holding the cup of wine and picked up the brush, finishing work on the remaining documents. By the time he finished organizing the papers and putting them aside, there was not a single drop of wine in the cup left.

Right at this time, the flap to the tent was lifted, and cold wind carrying snowflakes blew in. A young man wearing bright yellow martial attire marched in with long strides, his overcoat covered in snow. It was the crown prince, Li Jun. He said with a smile, “You sure know how to slack off. General Pei and We went to the river to inspect the formations, and we froze half to death.”

Huo Cong hurriedly got to his feet and went over and took Li Jun’s overcoat off for him. He grabbed another cup and poured wine, offering it as he justified himself, “Your Imperial Highness, this is randomly wronging a person. If this minister hadn’t been busy organizing documents, he would have accompanied Your Imperial Highness to inspect the formations. I wonder what the actual situation of the Chu army is.”

Li Jun drank the cup of wine and felt his body warm up a good deal. Smiling, he answered, “It’s hard to tell in a hurry, but General Pei really wants to start the battle sooner. Five years ago, he was defeated at Guazhou, and he still regards it as a burning shame even now. Moreover, the Southern Chu army launched an attack in Huaidong afterwards, and Sizhou fell. Chuzhou was almost lost as well, but all that was due to lack of manpower. For the next few years, Princely Uncle did not permit him to attack Sizhou. These years of restraint have badly pent up General Pei, a fierce tiger. If not for Us holding him back, We are afraid he would have pressed for boats to cross the river.”

“General Pei simply wants to attack across the river in a single spurt of energy to avoid a delay of many days instead of letting Yang Xiu shore up his defensive lines,” Huo Cong said with a smile. “After all, the natural barrier of the Yangtze River is extremely difficult to cross. However, His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Qi, gave orders for us to cross the Yangtze River again next spring. He presumably has a strategy already. Our army naturally must do as commanded. In fact, for the last two years, General Pei has advanced step by step, capturing Sizhou, crossing the Huai River, ravaging Sizhou, retaking Guangling, and approaching Yangzhou again, watering the horses on the Yangtze. Who can possibly use past events to mock him?”

Li Jun nodded with firm approval. His gaze happened to land on the desk, and he saw a letter signed by Jiang Zhe, and his face sank. With a sigh, he asked, “Uncle sent another letter?”

Huo Cong tersely replied, “Yes, Sir sent a letter saying that there supposedly won’t be warfare in Yangzhou this winter and told this minister to go to Hefei² to see him.”

Right as Huo Cong finished speaking, Li Jun crushed the wine cup in his hand and stared daggers at Huo Cong. “Do you plan to go to Hefei?”

Huo Cong thought, If I truly wanted to go, I fear I couldn’t even walk out of the camp. He forced a wry smile and answered, “Your Imperial Highness, it’s not as if Your Imperial Highness doesn’t know this minister’s mind. If I truly wanted to court Lan’er, I’m afraid I would’ve long been married to Lan’er.”

Li Jun was taken aback by the words, an apologetic look faintly appearing on his face, which then turned morose. He already considered Roulan his future crown princess in his mind’s eye. His father and mother, the emperor and empress, had consented long ago. He had believed two hearts would become as one sooner or later, and they would grow old and gray-haired together. The unexpected, sudden upheaval two years earlier had increased the twists and turns on the road to the fated marriage. He was already trying his best at courtship, but Jiang Zhe refused to betroth them. Instead, he tried several times to recall Huo Cong to his side to marry Huo Cong to Roulan. If not for Roulan’s resolute unwillingness, and Li Jun detaining Huo Cong and not letting him go, Li Jun would probably be nursing a grudge over love.

Seeing Li Jun morose, Huo Cong felt bad. The past two years of fighting had progressed quite smoothly. On the western front, Qin Yong had captured Ba Prefecture and Kuizhou. General Zhangsun Ji had captured Jingling and Suizhou. In Huaixi, Jing Chi’s force had captured Liyang. Even the Jiangnan Command Post had been moved to Hefei a month prior. These events placed people in a good mood, but as long as he thought of how he’d be in constant dread serving the crown prince, he always needed to beware the crown prince remembering his status as a romantic rival, which made him grow ever more regretful at thinking himself clever at the time for notifying Li Jun. If not for this, his master most likely wouldn’t have allowed him to suffer this embarrassment at Li Jun’s side.

Right as the atmosphere in the tent was becoming stifling, a soldier reported in from outside, saying someone had requested an audience with Huo Cong. Although Huo Cong didn’t know who had come, he was curious, first of all, and second, he was just thinking about escaping. So he said a word to Li Jun, letting him fume there, as he himself walked to the military tent next door and ordered for the caller to be brought in. The visitor was a man in his thirties with plain looks, but his vaguely dignified bearing forced others to not underestimate him. Huo Cong was startled by his appearance and straightened up, walking over and saluting. “Why has senior apprentice brother Baiyi come here? Has Sir given an order?”

Giving a wry smile, Baiyi replied, “We’ve barely received any orders from Sir for the last two years. I’ve come to see you this time over a private matter. I would like to request your help.”

Huo Cong became more suspicious. He knew how capable the older disciples were, and the eight elite operatives were all bonded by brotherhood. What problem needed his assistance? Upon second thought, he guessed it had to do with their master. Speaking of which, he probably had the edge before their master compared to the eight elite operatives. Coming round to the idea, he respectfully declared, “Please speak, senior apprentice brother. Little brother will do his level best to help.”

Baiyi hesitated for a moment before explaining, “Great Yong has already occupied all the lands north of the Yangtze, whereas the sun is setting on the Southern Chu court, so they intend to sue for peace. For the sake of currying favor with the commander-in-chief of the Yong military, they sent some beautiful female dancers in addition to gold, silver, and jewels. They hope it’s enough to trade for His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Qi, postponing the offensive and permitting peace talks.”

Huo Cong couldn’t help laughing at the words. “Isn’t that turning to any doctor one can find when critically ill?³ Who doesn’t know that since marrying the Princess of Jiaping, His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Qi, no longer partakes in the sensual pleasures?”

“Some things are very difficult for people to believe,” Baiyi said with a wry smile. “Besides, His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Qi, has led troops in the field for five or six years. It’s no surprise they think this way. However, the average beauty is nothing. To win the Prince of Qi’s favor, Shang Weijun forcibly delivered the two best courtesans of Qinhuai to Hefei, though that’s a bit excessive. Of these two women, one is named Ling Yu, a survivor of the Fengyi Sect, and the other is named Liu Rumeng, fourth brother Yulun’s love. Currently, Sir is in Hefei by the side of His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Qi. I would like junior apprentice brother to go to Sir to try to persuade him to offer a word of advice to the Prince of Qi and have him release Lady Liu.”

Huo Cong was a little curious. “If Sir knew about an issue like this, he would do his best. But why is senior apprentice brother trusting me to put forward a suggestion?”

Baiyi shook his head with a wry smile. He had no alternative but to relate the general story of Yulun leaving the Secret Camp. Huo Cong concentrated for a long time after hearing the tale, then said, “Don’t worry, senior apprentice brother. I received Sir’s letter and was getting ready to go to Hefei. This one will try his best to aid you in this affair. Where is senior apprentice brother Yulun? Does he know about this?”

Baiyi sighed, “It’s because he already knows about this matter and is hurrying to Hefei that I’m this worried. For whatever reason, Yulun seems to hate Sir. I worry he won’t beseech Sir; he might rescue her by force. However, the Yong camp is overflowing with experts, and there is a massive army there. I worry that even if Sir doesn’t make things difficult for him, he won’t escape death. What’s more, few in the world possess the skill and looks Lady Liu has. If an accident occurs, I’m afraid that Yulun will die of heartbreak even if he returns alive. For this reason, I ask junior apprentice brother to ask Sir for a favor. If Sir doesn’t lend a helping hand, I’m afraid they will—alas!”

Huo Cong nodded. “Although senior apprentice brother Yulun has left the Secret Camp, we’re still peers, after all. How could I not try my best to help? And according to what senior apprentice brother said, Sir has always treated him with leniency. This time, it might even take a turn for the better. However, how are there still surviving members of the evil Fengyi Sect? Could it be that Sir didn’t want to annihilate all of them?”

“The Fengyi Sect has vanished into thin air. As long as the remaining dregs don’t have major accomplishments, it’s not necessary to be concerned about them,” Baiyi replied with a smile. “Although Lady Ling Yu was a direct disciple of the inner circle, she has a gentle nature and has no ambition, for one. Second, someone has taken a liking to her, so we dare not bother her and even try to take care of her a little.”

Huo Cong found that strange. “To make senior apprentice brother deign to take care of her, the status of that aristocrat must be out of the ordinary. How could they let Lady Ling Yu be driven to prostitution?”

Baiyi whispered in response, “This matter is quite the dilemma. The person who has taken a liking to Lady Ling Yu is fourth young master Qiu. He originally planned to take her away, but Lady Ling Yu just so happened to be Ji Xia’s disciple. Fourth young master dared not act in an arbitrary fashion and required the consent of the Sovereign of the Devil Sect. Apparently, the sovereign neither agreed nor disagreed. He just had fourth young master go into seclusion for three years, so Lady Ling Yu is still in Jianye now. However, it’s no wonder fourth young master fancies her. That woman is tender and virtuous, and she’s proficient in music. I think they met their soulmates in each other; fourth young master and she have an affinity with each other. It’s just that if the Sovereign of the Devil Sect doesn’t approve, fourth young master can’t even think about returning with her in marriage. However, even though this is the case, we dare not slight her and also worry about the sovereign simply dispatching people to take her life. We wouldn’t have a way to explain that to fourth young master.”

Huo Cong let out a long sigh at the words. “There’s many trials and tribulations in the world, countless lovebirds broken up. However, since Lady Ling Yu is the love of fourth young master, Sir presumably won’t treat her badly. It’s in regard to Lady Liu that I’m not sure if Sir knows about her.”

Baiyi hesitated, then said, “You aren’t aware of some matters, junior apprentice brother. Lady Liu’s appearance and personality are both similar to one of Sir’s deceased friends. To not upset Sir, we dare not report to Sir about her circumstances. Otherwise, we wouldn’t need a favor now.” He didn’t speak of another worry. The eight elite operatives knew a little about the past love affair between Jiang Zhe and Liu Piaoxiang. Most of them had even seen that famous courtesan shining radiant on the Qinhuai River. Although Jiang Zhe and Princess Changle showed respect and affection for each other, if Jiang Zhe fell in love with Liu Rumeng because she looked just like his old flame, that would be a huge problem. Leaving aside Princess Changle, how could Yulun endure this?

Huo Cong became confused. Although Jiang Zhe greatly loved and trusted him, Jiang Zhe didn’t tell him of his past romantic relationship. Now, he vaguely conjectured that Jiang Zhe had been scarred by love in the past. His muddled thinking gradually cleared up, and after he saw off Baiyi, he returned to his tent and wrang his hands. “This is a rare opportunity. If I don’t seize this chance to resolve the marriage between Lan’er and His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, I fear I’ll be forced to steal His Imperial Highness’s love.”

Inside and outside Hefei, a large army gathered. Originally a strategic town in Huaixi, it had now turned into a military base for Great Yong’s Jiangnan Command Post. Jing Chi captured Hefei four months ago, and Li Xian shifted the command post here one month ago. Great Yong already occupied all the lands north of the Yangtze. Once Li Xian gave the order, they would cross the river and march south.

However, Li Xian didn’t seem intent on waging war in the dead of winter. Beyond taking strict precautions against the counterattacks of the Southern Chu army, he was resting and reorganizing the troops in Hefei. Every three to five days, he hosted a banquet for the soldiers of the army. Singing and dancing in the city of Hefei celebrated good times, as if the Yong army planned to stop at the river. When Southern Chu’s peace envoy arrived outside Hefei, he could feel this atmosphere and believed without cause that the hope of success for the peace talks increased by a bit.

The emissary who’d come to sue for peace this time was Shang Weijun’s son, Shang Chengye. It wasn’t due to Shang Chengye being brave enough; rather, this matter was extremely involved. To obtain a peace treaty, Shang Weijun was prepared to agree to any harsh condition, as long as it could be exchanged for the Yong military promising not to cross the Yangtze River. The Yong military held the position of certain victory. Southern Chu would have to pay a terrible price if they wanted Great Yong to agree to a peace treaty. Others could not learn about these matters, so Shang Weijun was forced to dispatch Shang Chengye here.

When he reached the city, it was already dusk. According to the order of the Prince of Qi, Li Xian, the Southern Chu emissary would encamp outside the city tonight. Soldiers were also sent as night watch. Only in the morning of the next day would he summon the Southern Chu emissary. Although he thought Li Xian was rude, Shang Chengye dared not argue at this time. He could only settle down as ordered. This time, the tributary gifts he brought along filled over thirty horse-drawn carts. Just unpacking them took a long time. After everything had been arranged properly, it was nearly seven in the evening.

Shang Chengye still couldn’t rest easy and again went to the tent of Liu Rumeng and Ling Yu, selected to be the managers of the female dancers, to make an inspection. He saw the two women wore indifferent expressions, but their complexions were still good, which reassured him. He spoke a few words of consolation but saw the two women didn’t seem to be listening. He could do nothing else but shake his head and return to rest.

Noticing that Shang Chengye had left, a tinge of hate appeared in Liu Rumeng’s eyes, and she said to Ling Yu worriedly, “Sister, you know some martial arts. Why not take the opportunity to escape? If you enter Hefei, you won’t get another chance. Although I’m not too familiar with jianghu affairs, I know the sect you belonged to was wanted by Great Yong.”

“How could I let elder sister face the people of Yong alone? Besides, even if Ling Yu wants to escape, where can she escape to? Elder sister needs not mention it,” Ling Yu sighed.

Rumeng saw a sad look spread across Ling Yu’s face, but her slim, porcelain hand was caressing her jade pendant carved in the shape of a guqin. She couldn’t help but say with a sigh, “There are many fickle men in the world. Why do you concern yourself every day with that heartless man? He was most likely a hedonistic son of rich parents. He was just the random vestige of moonlight; that’s all.”

“This sister and fourth young master were simply musical friends, and one can’t call him heartless and fickle. This sister just regrets not having the chance to learn the zither from him; that’s all,” Ling Yu said coolly.

Seeing how endearing, elegant, and simple Ling Yu was, Rumeng said with a smile, “I pity such a beautiful woman, to say nothing of those crass men. I don’t believe that fourth young master wasn’t touched by seeing your skill and looks. Mayhap he blundered and made it difficult for you lovers to reunite.” With that, she had an impulse and sang:

“Mandarin ducks perch on leaves like coral,A fledgling firebird rests in the nest of a phoenix pair.Branch breaks, nest falls, phoenixes fly away,Deadwood, falling leaves, a harsh wind blows.Facing ruin, nobody cares.

How can one know of the ravages of the ages?”⁴

She was the number one courtesan at song and dance in Jiangnan, so singing a song was the easiest thing for her. She had intended to tease Ling Yu, but when she sang the first two lines, she unexpectedly felt sadness rising in her. Thinking of Song Yu, who’d vanished without a trace, she was truly and deeply affected. By the time she sang the last two lines, she was overwhelmed with sorrow, making those who heard her cry.

Ever since Rumeng took Ling Yu in, the two of them singing and playing the zither together became normal. Seeing that Rumeng’s sorrow was making it difficult for her to control herself as she sang, Ling Yu worried she was too hurt and grabbed a guqin, softly strumming “O, the Integrity of the Orchid.” The sound of the zither was peaceful, and in just a moment, Rumeng stopped mourning. Ling Yu was also melancholic beyond words, and the sound of the zither changed as she played “Song of Abandonment.” She sang without restraint:

“I came from a literary family,loving Qingshang music,playing silk strings with mastery,playing even jade sheng.⁵Not learning the coda of ‘Squawking Ospreys’ from the Styles of the States,Playing ‘Orchid’ and ‘Snow’ when bored.I never learnedtunes of romance.On the endless road, a gale blows,A bejeweled saddle necessaryto be welcomed into a rich home.Tears spill,Hesitation.

The red sunset is a luxury home,Weeping of lonely fragrancebloomed upon an autumn river,A chilly dawn.Plucking strings and clacking beads tell of tribulations,Saying the ornate hall dispelled worries.Looking back,my tracks disappear.I have the ‘Song of Abandonment’ I always play,Sad but not angry; subtle and restrained.So I play the piece,

Making people sigh over again.”⁶

If considering only singing voice, Ling Yu was not the equal of Rumeng, but she was still a talented individual of the era. And this song was a lamentation of her life, overflowing with raw emotion.

The two women both expressed their emotions through zither songs, and everyone in the camp listening was enraptured. Even the Yong guards outside the camp were fascinated, completely forgetting where they were, even though most of them were brave soldiers who only knew fighting and campaigning.

Meanwhile, outside the encampment of the Southern Chu emissary, in the deep of night, a figure stood with clenched fists, listening with fascination to the ethereal zither songs carried by the night wind. After a long time, he quietly said, “‘Facing ruin, nobody cares. / How can one know the ravages of the ages?’ Rumeng, it was I who betrayed your affection. Unless I die here this time, I’m definitely taking you with me.” Before he finished speaking, his body shot forward like a phantom, the ultimate skill of Jiangnan’s best assassin on full display. In faster than a split second, he’d bypassed layer after layer of defenses and approached the tent Liu Rumeng and Ling Yu resided in. Through the curtain, he could vaguely make out the flickering light of the lamp. The man lay on the ground, listened for a moment, then whisper-yelled from outside the tent, “Rumeng!”

With his acute hearing, he could hear the two people in the tent gasp, and a familiar and emotional voice said, “Song Yu, is that you?”

Song Yu felt his heart warm, and he flitted into the tent. In the lamplight, Liu Rumeng, dressed in white clothes, was staring intently at him. Although Rumeng had grown more elegant and more skilled in the two years they hadn’t met, Song Yu felt like he could see several more marks of worry and weariness at the tips of her brows and corners of her eyes. The deep affection he’d maintained intense self-restraint over burst out in the blink of an eye, and he paid zero attention to the appearance of the other person in the tent. He went up and wrapped the beautiful woman who’d occupied his thoughts day and night into his arms. When he felt Rumeng return his embrace, the shadow deep in his heart slowly faded. The only person he held in his heart in this moment was Liu Rumeng. After an indefinite amount of time passed, Song Yu returned to his senses and whispered, “Meng’er, come with. I absolutely won’t let you be sent to the Yong camp as a gift.”

Rumeng wiped away the tears on her face and looked back, saying, “Ling Yu, come with us.”

Happiness also appeared on Ling Yu’s face. “Congratulations on elder sister and Sir Song reuniting today. This sister had never left before because she didn’t have the certainty to take elder sister with her. Since we now have Sir Song’s assistance, we must all go, of course.”

Rumeng was overjoyed and told Song Yu, “Ling Yu also knows how to use qinggong. It shouldn’t hamper you, right?”

Yulun gave a wry smile and thought, Since you’ve already agreed, I can’t say no, can I? He didn’t know about the situation between Ling Yu and Qiu Yufei, but he knew her background. He presumed her martial arts shouldn’t be atrocious, so he nodded and replied, “Pack up. We’ll leave together at third watch.”

The two women both knew it was an urgent situation, so they only packed their jewelry and valuables. Ling Yu slung the guqin back onto her back. There was no way to make her abandon it. The three of them extinguished the lamp and endured until third watch. Yulun exited the tent to scout the area, then sneaked out of the tent with the two women. Inside the camp were Southern Chu royal guardsmen who were slacking off at their defensive positions. Yulun used to be an assassin, and even with Liu Rumeng, he could still act with ease. Although Ling Yu was rusty at martial arts, the qinggong of the Fengyi Sect was famous throughout the world.

Not long after, the three people arrived at the edge of the camp. Yulun gently pointed his folding fan, after which his body swiftly moved to hold up two soldiers who’d been killed by the poison darts that had shot out of the fan. He made them stand stiffly and turned around to take Rumeng outside. Right as he grabbed her alabaster hand, he sensed the hint of a sword attacking him from behind. Yulun essentially leaped forward instinctively, and he heard Rumeng cry out in surprise. Yulun couldn’t worry about alerting the Southern Chu soldiers in the camp as he bolted away at full speed, trying to shake off the threat behind him. However, the sword stayed near his back like a maggot feeding on a corpse. A bleak feeling that he couldn’t escape arose within Yulun.

Right at this time, the clashing of blades came from behind him, and the threat posed by the sword was suddenly stopped. Yulun took advantage to turn around, seeing Ling Yu wielding a sword with a flexible blade and fighting a man dressed in the uniform of the Southern Chu Royal Guard. The man’s sword danced like the Milky Way, vast as the sea. It was truly sublime swordsmanship. Meanwhile, Ling Yu’s white clothes and snow-white sword that twinkled and unfurled made her look like a plum tree blossoming in the snow, overflowing with a brilliant light. It was the unique swordsmanship passed down by the Fengyi Sect Master.

Yulun scoffed and pointed the folding fan in his hand. A concealed missile shot out at the man’s vital points. Yulun had measured the momentum of Ling Yu’s sword, and the concealed weapon spotted where the man would be moving his body to. It was supposed to be a guaranteed success, but the moment the concealed weapon flew out, Yulun’s expression dropped. Ling Yu suddenly appeared in the way of the concealed weapon, going against Yulun’s expectations. His own concealed weapon was heading toward Ling Yu’s back. Seeing this usually tender, graceful, restrained, beautiful young woman who never fought others about to die, Yulun cried out in alarm.

Ling Yu still didn’t know about the danger behind her. Although she didn’t like martial arts, it would have been difficult to oppose Ji Xia if she had trained badly. Coupled with her innate talent and intelligence, she had some success. It was just that she lacked experience in sparring, and she didn’t have the courage to fight in battle in close quarters combat. She was frightened at being forcefully sent to the Yong camp this time, so she found the sword with a flexible blade Ji Xia had gifted her and brought it with her. Nobody except for Rumeng knew about it.

Just now, when she saw someone suddenly appear in pursuit of Yulun, death was imminent. Ling Yu had poor judgement and couldn’t see the man didn’t have any killing intent. Along with seeing Rumeng’s terrified expression, it allowed her to pluck up the courage to draw the flexible sword from her hip and charge out to block the way. She dared not think of anything. Her sword flashed like lightning, continuous and uninterrupted. For the sake of rescuing someone, she had no distracting thoughts in her mind, and she got rid of her fear. And so, her will flowed through her sword, surprisingly stopping the man’s pursuit with high proficiency.

However, after an exchange of three or four blows, she knew Song Yu had escaped from danger, and seeing how that man’s sword had the strength of a mountain, fear arose within Ling Yu. The force behind her sword instantly scattered, and she simply retreated rapidly to one side, afraid to engage that man again. Yulun had unexpectedly mistaken how much courage she had, trying to help her in battle with a concealed weapon, but he’d trapped Ling Yu in a plane of death.

Yulun couldn’t bear to witness it and just when he cried out in fear, the momentum of the royal guardsman’s long sword shifted to sweep past Ling Yu’s body, and it knocked the missile to the ground. Doing so made it unavoidable to expose weaknesses.

Ling Yu was right about to retreat when she saw it and got an idea. She knew this man’s martial arts and swordsmanship were exceedingly masterful. Worried Yulun was no match for him, and not knowing that man was saving her, she steeled herself and thrust her sword at the left shoulder of the man. The flexible blade in her hands could cut steel, and the sword was fast as lightning. Just a grazing blow through a crack in the shoulder armor caused blood to spill out. Ling Yu was so astonished her hands and feet became limp, and she could no longer thrust in with the sword. She saw the man’s eyes flash with lightning as they landed on her person. She screamed, afraid to pull the sword out. She dodged and retreated swiftly, hiding behind Rumeng.

All these developments occurred in the time it took for thunder to roll after lightning flashed. Rumeng finally understood what had happened. Seeing the concealed weapon that had fallen to the ground, the bloody flexible sword that had dropped to the ground, and Ling Yu’s pallid complexion, she may not have known the danger Ling Yu had just been in, but she could guess. She was even more appreciative of Song Yu, who’d risked his life to rescue her and had hastily bundled her into his arms, softly comforting her.

The soldier smiled wryly as he looked at his bloodied shoulder. He also saw Ling Yu’s utter lack of combat experience, so he couldn’t help but save her. To his surprise, she actually stabbed him. Fortunately, Ling Yu was too scared to kill, so the sword only gave him a flesh wound.

Although he was injured, he didn’t hold any feelings of hate. First, he was already ashamed of acting to stop them. Second, he also perceived Ling Yu’s kind nature, as she was a good woman who’d never stained her hands with blood. The attack truly was her last resort. Sighing softly, he pulled out the sword with a flexible blade and tossed it aside. As he did that, he tore a piece of his battle gown off and wrapped it around the wound on his shoulder. Afterwards, he removed the helmet covering his face and said, “Brother Song, you should leave.”

Yulun’s gaze landed on the man’s face, and a surprised expression that was difficult to mask appeared on his face. A kaleidoscope of expressions crossed his face. He turned a blind eye to the Southern Chu soldiers who’d gathered around to listen to the conversation. After a long time, he said, “The day of the prison break in the Qiao Courtyard, Wuyue’s best swordsman, who has sky-high morality, braved untold dangers for the sake of the Grand General. He who repelled the enemy in the Xianxia Mountains, Swordsman Ding, Ding Ming, why have you become the lapdog of Shang Weijun?”

A hint of shame appeared on Ding Ming’s face, and he sadly said, “Young master Song, I am not a person who curries favor with the powerful. However, the country is in challenging circumstances; Jiangnan is in jeopardy. If peace talks are successful, our millions of commoners of Southern Chu will have a land where they can live in peace. Thinking of the bigger picture, I am obliged to accept Adjunct Yang’s request to protect the diplomatic mission on the northward journey. Lady Liu and Lady Ling Yu are well-known figures on the tributary list. If they are allowed to escape, it will certainly anger Great Yong, and there will be no hope for a peace treaty. Young master is also a righteous man. Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages, do not sink the righteous cause for personal considerations.”

Song Yu looked around and sneered, “Peace talks, humph. Great Yong conquering the world is only a matter of time. Without strength, how can you negotiate peace? What’s more, even if every man has a share of the responsibility for the fate of his country, do the military and civil ministers of the court and two to three hundred thousand armored, strong soldiers not have the ability to defend the state and must burden two women with this critical duty? Even if you all want to sleep on brushwood and taste bile like Goujian, you need to see if the other side is willing to be the King of Wu.⁷ I, Song Yu, am but a mere assassin. I have my own part in killing the Grand General. Preaching to me of some righteous cause for the state truly is playing the zither to cattle.⁸ If you are determined to stop me, even if I retreat without success, I will lie in wait every night and kill all of you one by one. If you’re smart, you’ll let the three of us leave, or else! Humph!” Along with these icy, piercing words, killing intent floated up and filled the atmosphere in the blink of an eye.

Everyone could hear the biting killing intent in Song Yu’s tone. They all felt like they were in the freezing cold of the third nine-day period after the winter solstice.⁹ Several timid guards were already paling. Shang Chengye, who’d come out of his tent under the protection of guards to watch, was frightened out of his wits the moment Song Yu’s chilling, cutting gaze glanced over him. He could no longer gather the courage to go up and reminisce about old times. He felt like the man before him was unfamiliar to the extreme, not resembling his best friend of the past. He hazily remembered Ou Yuanning once telling him this man was an assassin. Could this be that man’s true self?

Ding Ming’s martial arts were exceptional, and he got a different feeling. He sensed that the surging killing intent crashing like a wave was unpredictable, drifting uncertainly, swiftly coming and going, indistinct. It gave him an enigmatic sense of powerlessness. Thus, he said with a solemn face, “The Merciless Gentleman enjoys the well-deserved reputation. Presumably, you were simply concealing your strengths and biding your time. Let me experience the gentleman’s ultimate skill of murder.” He had been ashamed, but when he heard Song Yu admit he played a role in Lu Can’s death, he couldn’t help growing angry. Thinking of how the man had been Shang Chengye’s guest and adviser, he believed it a bit and murderous intent rose within him. The threatening aura of his sword skyrocketed and dashed against the killing intent Song Yu had issued.

Within several zhang, a violent gale and a dreadful torrent kicked up, forcing the surrounding soldiers watching from the sides to constantly fall back. Liu Rumeng looked terrified, stunned in place, not aware of retreating. The gale created by the swelling sword aura whistled past, and a lock of Rumeng’s silky black hair fell to the ground.

Ling Yu returned to her senses and hurriedly dragged her back several paces. The soldiers blankly gazed at the two men confronting each other. It never occurred to them that they could seize the two women.

The glinting of the sword appeared to be the movement of the Milky Way. Yulun’s figure was nearly submerged by the waves of the sword in the twinkling of an eye. Ding Ming vented all his hatred, sorrow, and indignation for being forced to protect Shang Chengye onto Yulun. Every attack was extremely dangerous.

If Yulun failed to defend a blow, he would be ground to dust by the sword that flashed like lightning and glinted of rainbows. However, Yulun wasn’t holding back in the slightest this time either. The folding fan opened and closed without restraint, distinguished and refined, his body like willow fluff swaying in the wind, appearing like a ghost, looming in the stormy sea of sword strikes. The momentum of Ding Ming’s sword strikes slightly slowed, and Yulun launched deadly attacks, each one making Ding Ming feel like he was narrowly escaping death.

The two men began to move faster and faster in the raging gale, dust and stones whirling around. The two men’s bodies seemed to intertwine, but one was like a celestial god coming down to the material world, scattering the lightning in his hands at will. The other was like a demonic god of the deepest depths of the underworld, unleashing deadly blows to take one’s life. They were completely different from one another.

Ding Ming was surprised as he fought. There was simply no comparison to the other man’s marital arts of two years ago. He could hardly distinguish the motion of Yulun’s moves. He didn’t know that in the past two years, Yulun was no longer depressed and lonely due to Liu Rumeng, and his will to live was reignited. He’d made great progress with single-minded practice. If a martial artist had a famous master giving guidance, initial successes were mainly dependent on innate talent. However, later success was based on one’s character and wisdom. Yulun was an intelligent person and experienced all kinds of love, hate, and torment. Moreover, due to events around Lu Can from two years ago, he’d suffered an intense psychological impact, leading to the turning point where he’d advanced by leaps and bounds.

But even though Yulun had made great progress, he didn’t have the solid foundation Ding Ming had. As the two men fought hard for a hundred exchanges, Ding Ming gradually gained the upper hand, and the strikes of his sword became clever and fluid. Yulun slowly defended more and attacked less. Although others couldn’t see it, he himself knew it would be very difficult for him to win.

All the spirit in Rumeng’s eyes vanished. Even though the intense battle proceeding before her eyes was about her life, she didn’t take note of any of it. She was only thinking of Song Yu admitting he played a part in killing Lu Can. She was no ordinary woman; she was a songstress who knew the hatred of a conquered state. Ever since the Grand General had been imprisoned on false charges, she had deeply hated Shang Weijun’s act that harmed the state and had tried to persuade Song Yu on multiple occasions, hoping he could talk to Shang Chengye to turn the situation around. Although she knew there was little hope, she was unwilling to sit back and watch. She may have known that Song Yu was friends with Shang Chengye, but she never suspected Song Yu would harm the pillar of the state. On the day Lu Can was ordered to commit suicide and Song Yu returned to his residence despondent, Rumeng knew he was grieving, but she never thought Lu Can’s death had anything to do with Song Yu. Love that ran deep led to all-encompassing blame, thus Rumeng’s heart shattered to pieces.

All of a sudden, Ding Ming bellowed, his sword flashing lightning, and he thrust in rapid succession five times, each attack stabbing into the frame of Yulun’s folding fan. His voice was silvery as ringing metal, continuous and uninterrupted.

Yulun spared no effort to dodge and counterattack, but he couldn’t avoid the imposing and powerful sword. Upon the fifth thrust, the folding fan flew out of Yulun’s hand, and he staggered backward. The long sword in Ding Ming’s hands didn’t slow down in the least and thrust towards Yulun’s heart. Yulun knew there was truly no way to escape this time, and despair and discouragement appeared in his ice-cold, serene eyes. He watched with a placid expression as the long sword plunged toward his body.

Simultaneously, the only person watching with clear eyes, Ling Yu, screamed, “No!” Her voice was mournful and alarming.

Ding Ming trembled on the inside and remembered that Song Yu gave him and the others precise information on Lu Can, letting them meet Lu Can. Although they weren’t able to rescue the Grand General, he couldn’t not repay this favor. In addition, having fought fiercely for a long time, Ding Ming’s grief and indignation had somewhat lessened, and he could think a little more rationally. In his view, Song Yu didn’t yet have the ability or status to influence the big picture. Even if he said some things he shouldn’t have said, it was merely adding fuel to the fire. However, if it weren’t for Shang Weijun’s deliberate actions, they wouldn’t have ultimately weakened themselves. Besides, judging from Song Yu’s words, he was rather remorseful. Thoughts spinning in his mind, Ding Ming slanted the long sword in his hands away, avoiding any vital regions.

However, blood instantly spurted out, staining half of Yulun’s body red. Ding Ming found things tough as well. He had been stabbed by Ling Yu, and although it wasn’t a serious injury, the wound had split wide during the long, fierce duel. Blood had also seeped through his clothes. It was just that he had put his full focus on the battle, so only now did he become aware of it.

Normal spectators had no way of understanding the flow of the battle. They simply saw the two men who were fiercely fighting freeze out of nowhere, then watched Ding Ming’s long sword pierce Song Yu’s right breast. However, both men were drenched in blood. They could hardly tell who the victor and loser was.

Yulun’s gaze became tranquil, like the sharp sword wasn’t being thrust at him. He slowly stretched out his left hand and grabbed the blade, blood instantly trickling off the edge of the sword from his palm and joining the river of blood on the ground. He coldly said, “After Swordsman Ding returned alive from southern Fujian, he changed a lot. He hasn’t been bought by Great Yong’s favors to be so attentive to the peace talks, right?”

Rage flashed in Ding Ming’s eyes, which then became ice cold. “Correct. To rid myself of the poison in my body, I went to the Yue family of southern Fujian to personally request medical treatment. I am indebted to the wife of Great Yong’s Duke of the Tranquil Sea, Yue Qingyan, for providing a helping hand and enabling me to cheat death. But the sun and the sky can vindicate Ding Ming’s heart. Lady Jiang was generous and tolerant, but she didn’t create obstacles for me, nor did she bribe me to turn traitor for personal gain. Whether you believe it or not, I have a clear conscience.”

Yulun scoffed and was about to speak again when he heard an emotional and pleasant voice speak up. “Is Darling Yu really devoted to dying? Thus, is infuriating Swordsman Ding this way?”

Yulun shuddered and slowly relaxed his left hand. He could no longer stand steady on his feet, and he gazed to the side with difficulty. He saw Liu Rumeng, who at some point had come to be standing beside the pool of blood. A set of crystal clear and sparkling eyes were peering at him.

All of a sudden, Ding Ming retracted his long sword at the speed of lightning and seized the opportunity to seal several of Yulun’s acupoints to stop the bleeding and apply medicine. By the time Yulun woke up from the abrupt onset of pain, he saw he was resting in Rumeng’s bosom. She was kneeling on the ground, all her clothes drenched in blood, yet she was tenderly and firmly embracing him. Their eyes met, and both of them were smitten, no longer remembering where they were.

After an indeterminate amount of time passed, they heard Ding Ming say in a sad voice, “Young master Song, Lady Liu, if you two have something to say to each other, please do so quickly. I’m afraid that our scuffle here has alerted the Yong troops outside. If they begin to make inquiries, it won’t be easy for Shang daren to communicate.”

Yulun finally returned to his senses. He knew the recent fierce battle would absolutely alert the Yong troops outside. Seeing Shang Chengye’s pallid complexion, he knew Shang Chengye could give the order to silence him at any time. He didn’t have much time left. With difficulty, he grasped Rumeng’s alabaster hand and said, “Meng’er, I’m sorry. I truly have no way to rescue you. I would sooner leave than watch you be humiliated.”

A bit of pallor touched Rumeng’s fair face, two lines of tears rolling down it, looking like pearls and jade shattering. She said in a gentle tone, “Darling Yu, I thought for a long time. You are not to be blamed for events around the Grand General. If someone must be blamed, it should be the incompetent ruler and traitorous prime minister who caused a wrong as great as history has ever known. Even if you played some part in it, you regret it now, do you not?”

Everybody listening thought it was strange, none understanding why the obvious lovers with deep affection for each other would talk about irrelevant matters while bidding farewell. However, Yulun knew Rumeng’s personality, so responded, “Yes, I said a good deal of harmful words to the Grand General. Although there were some other reasons, I always believed at heart that he would turn into Wang Mang sooner or later.¹⁰ I did not believe a minister that fervently loyal existed in the world, but as the Grand General drew his last breath, I was fortunate to be by his side and learned his heart was noble and benevolent. No suspicion or slander could tarnish his character. Meng’er, if I had another chance, I wouldn’t say anything even if I died.”

Rumeng revealed a smile, but it looked like the fading glow of the tail end of sunset. Even though it was beautiful, it would vanish in the blink of an eye. In a soft voice, she said, “That’s good. I’ve been thinking that if Darling Yu didn’t regret it, I would have to kill you myself, then join you on the journey. If the person I loved wasn’t virtuous and moral, I would have had eyes but been blind. As a matter of course, I would have to die with you.”

Hearing Rumeng’s resolute and decisive words, Ling Yu, tears raining down her face, screamed, “No, elder sister, you can’t die!”

Shang Chengye was terrified. He took several steps forward but felt like he couldn’t think of what to say to persuade her otherwise. Ding Ming’s heart tightened, and he took a step forward, having decided that if Rumeng tried to commit suicide, he would stop her.

Only Yulun was calm as ever, as if he never thought of what difference it made if Rumeng was alive or dead. Because he understood Rumeng, he knew the woman had a reason for whatever decision she made. If she truly decided to die, it meant that, for her, there was definitely no better choice. Moreover, he’d heard the meaning in her words. Right now, at least, she didn’t intend to commit suicide.

Rumeng didn’t seem to take note of the others’ reactions, only gazing deep into Yulun’s pallid face, teardrops rolling down onto his face and his hair. The eyes that cast sidelong glances in the past were now a fount of tears. Only when the Southern Chu soldiers surrounding them began to get agitated, with the Yong troops outside apparently realizing the strange situation here, did she raise her head. Looking at Shang Chengye, whose face was haggard, she said in a cool voice, “Shang daren, your servant knows what Darling Yu did certainly infuriates daren. With such serious injuries and tightly encircled, if daren wants to kill him, it would be reasonable. However, if your servant may be so bold as to ask for a favor, I hope daren might be willing to let Darling Yu go. Let him leave once he’s recovered from his injuries. If daren won’t allow it, your servant, though humble, can only die.”

Everyone’s expressions changed. If Rumeng died, the tributary list they sent over would become ironclad proof that Southern Chu was disrespectful. Most probably, the peace talks would fall apart. Shang Chengye was especially shocked. Although he’d just listened to Song Yu, he had already forgotten about their past friendship and itched to kill that man immediately. However, he had to hold back for the moment. “Don’t worry, Lady Liu, Song Yu is my old friend. How could I hurt him? As long as he doesn’t impede the peace talks again, this official promises he can return to Jiangnan in peace.”

Rumeng merely gave a thin smile and looked at Ding Ming. “Your servant has always revered Swordsman Ding’s conduct. Even though you had no choice in today’s affair, if Swordsman Ding is willing to promise and guarantee Darling Yu’s safety, your servant pledges she absolutely will not take her own life.”

Ding Ming respected the words immensely and replied, “Lady Liu is too courteous. Brother Song is a freewheeling man. This one had no alternative but to injure him. I already feel guilty and absolutely won’t allow others to harm him.”

Rumeng finally felt at ease and showed a satisfied smile. Her bright eyes glowed with a dazzling radiance, and she gently rested Yulun flat on the ground. As she went to stand up, Yulun’s eyes were full of grief and indignation and he clutched her fair hand, refusing to let go, ignoring that his wound had started gushing blood again. He said in a stern voice, “Meng’er, why would you need to value my life? You’re willing to live in disgrace, yet I can’t die to repay your love?”

Immeasurable love emerged in Rumeng’s eyes, and slowly, she held out a steady hand. She said in a soft voice, “Darling Yu, do you believe that death is enough to repay your soul mate? Your servant is but a fallen woman, a woman of the street. Even if I’m driven to the end of the world, what’s the matter? As long as Darling Yu can live well in the world, your servant will be elated. Besides, why should you worry? Though Rumeng is plain looking, she is lucky she knows how to sing and dance a little. It may not be enough to receive the pampering of nobility, but even though she doesn’t get this blessing, there’s a way to live in peace for the rest of her life. Forgetting Darling Yu in the future is not for certain.”

With that said, she stood to her feet and walked back to her tent, elegance unmatched, delicate and dignified. In this moment, nobody remembered this woman was the Most Popular Courtesan of Jiangnan. Not even the charm of a heavenly immortal could surpass her.

Not knowing anything happening around her, Rumeng only saw the familiar tent. Almost there, almost here. Three steps, two steps, one step. When she finally entered her tent, as the flap fell, her legs turned to jelly and could no longer keep her standing. She staggered and tumbled, collapsing into the arms of Ling Yu, who’d followed her closely.

Ling Yu was horrified to her very core as she gazed upon Rumeng’s face pale as frost. Rumeng’s breathing was shallow, like she was about to die. Ling Yu hastily pressed several of her acupoints to stimulate her back to life. Only then did Rumeng slowly wake up. Ling Yu sobbed, “Elder sister, why did you do that? Even though you said such hurtful words, will he believe it just like that?”

Rumeng groaned under her breath. Upon waking up, a forlorn smile appeared on her face, and she whispered, “Darling Yu and I, though we both wish to pledge ourselves to each other, cannot share the same bed in life and cannot share the same grave in death. However, Rumeng feels that even if we grew old together, together day and night for a lifetime, it wouldn’t measure up to this moment of understanding. I know he won’t believe it, but as long as he has the hope in his heart that I’ll live well, he won’t meet his end. Sister, Darling Yu has always neglected life and death. I’ve long fretted he would give his life for mine. Now, I just yearn that he’ll live well. What’s the harm if I suffer all kinds of humiliation? M-Maybe, after I get wrinkles and gray hair, I’ll have a chance to live to see him.”

Ling Yu squeezed Rumeng’s delicate and icy body into a hug, seeming to feel her life slipping away. She whispered, “Elder sister, Ling Yu used to be very scared. I was afraid the Yong people would consider me a confederate of Master and the other women. If they killed me, I’d be quite regretful, because I would no longer have the chance to perfect my unique zither playing. If they no longer gave me the opportunity to play the zither, I would be better off dead. If they a-actually degraded me, Ling Yu probably couldn’t live anymore. However, Ling Yu now vows that I must live on. No matter what I suffer, I will protect elder sister. I must let elder sister get a chance to meet him again.”

Having fallen unconscious long ago, Liu Rumeng couldn’t hear Ling Yu’s oath, but her pallid face kept a smile all throughout, yet one that looked like her heart had broken.

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