“Exhilarating!”

Amid the loud laughter, the Yan Kill Army surged forward in unison, surrounding Jing Hengbo in their midst. The rear guard became the vanguard as they immediately withdrew.

“Master…” On the city walls, a Kang Long general sought Gong Yin’s instruction, hesitantly looking at the Yan Kill Army below. “These people insult Imperial Song and are too arrogant to be lightly spared. Now is the perfect time to pursue them outside the city…”

Gong Yin raised his hand vertically, and a chill emanated from his body. The general shivered and lowered his head, not daring to speak further.

Gong Yin’s hand didn’t lower. With a finger gesture, the scattered sharp wooden fragments on the ground suddenly rose into the air, whistling as they shot straight toward the crowd below, aimed directly at Jing Hengbo’s back!

The countless wood fragments made continuous cracking sounds as they flew through the air, gradually becoming covered in a layer of ice crystals—cold and sharp, cutting through the frigid wind with hissing shrieks.

Hearing the wind sounds, Jing Hengbo turned around sharply to see a sky full of ice arrows descending behind her. He stood on the city walls, striking like plucking strings. White misty vapor rose around him, as distant as if beyond the mortal world.

At this moment of parting, was he bidding farewell with arrows?

Fight to the death?

Her heart grew even colder in an instant, as if dead.

“Ha! How ruthless! Do you want to kill us all!” The Yan Kill Army roared angrily. Immediately someone used shields to protect Jing Hengbo’s back. Seven Kills, Tian Qi, Yelu Qi, and others had already leaped up, their weapons forming a fan-shaped light screen, all blocking behind Jing Hengbo.

With the combined effort of these masters, even the fiercest attack couldn’t penetrate. The sharp ice-crystal-wrapped wood fragments made pattering sounds of shattering before the various energy flows and weapons, falling to the ground as fine ice debris.

“Bah! Really cold-blooded enough!” The Yan Kill Army spat contemptuously.

Jing Hengbo didn’t turn back again.

The sound of countless ice crystals shattering seemed to pierce her heart. She felt her heart, already shot through like a fishing net, must now be riddled like a sieve.

She didn’t want to stay even a moment longer below the city, only wanting to leave quickly. Her wounded heart couldn’t endure the particularly bitter wind on this plain.

Gong Yin slowly lowered his hand.

Below the city, people flowed like ants, like retreating tide. He could vaguely see a figure in plain clothes being protected in the crowd, slowly and leisurely departing.

This departure would span the ends of the earth, across mountains and seas. This departure would overturn love and hate, between heaven and human world.

His gaze swept over the tattered flag on the ground.

Her strike had been so fierce and decisive—did she also think that with years passing from this departure, she would sever ties with him in this violent manner, seizing the opportunity to express her final fury and hatred?

Very well.

Let them part with chaotic arrows, cleanly severing earthly bonds. When they could start anew to restore old territories, then they could stride boldly to heaven’s gates.

He withdrew his hand, lowered his head, his gaze sweeping over his fingernails slowly turning bloody.

Concealing the depths of his eyes, a slightly strange expression flickered.

“Master…” Meng Hu called softly behind him with unease.

Before his voice finished.

Like Jing Hengbo before him.

He suddenly collapsed.

…

Jing Hengbo lay in the wagon, looking at the slightly swaying roof, boredly counting her fingers.

She had already left Imperial Song. The Yan Kill Army was quite loyal—after her furious axe chopped the imperial flag, they showed especially great affection and enthusiasm. Despite her protests, they escorted her a full hundred li before returning to their secret camp.

Afterward, regarding where she should go, a huge disagreement arose among her followers. Yelu Qi suggested she go to his homeland, Yu Kingdom, saying she could receive his excellent protection there. Tian Qi said his hometown, Falling Cloud Tribe, was remote where “heaven is high and the emperor far away”—safest of all, so why not go to Falling Cloud. Seven Kills insisted Seven Peaks Mountain was the most fun place under heaven, and anyone who didn’t go there was an idiot.

The three groups had fierce conflicts over this. Seven Kills collectively had diarrhea for seven consecutive days. Tian Qi woke up one morning with his face crawling with green worms. Yelu Qi was pinned down by an old sow in the middle of the night. According to Seven Kills who came to “rescue” him, fortunately they arrived in time. They really couldn’t tell Yelu Qi was such a beast—when they arrived, Yelu Qi had nearly stripped naked and was about to rape that sow.

Sigh, they almost couldn’t save that poor sow—maybe she was still an innocent maiden sow.

Sigh, Yelu Qi, a grown man, though a bit uglier than them, couldn’t be so desperate for anything.

Tsk tsk, truly lacking virtue.

This news quickly spread among everyone. Seven Kills vividly described to Jing Hengbo the great deed of “Yelu Qi’s drunken misconduct, midnight pig theft with intent to commit indecency.” Jing Hengbo laughed so hard she doubled over, and after laughing, she kicked Yi Qi off the wagon.

“Wishing you a good night’s sleep,” she said.

The result was Seven Kills all had diarrhea for another seven days. They became thin and yellow-faced, with smoke coming from their seven orifices. The first mystic among Seven Kills—the fake monk Wu Shan—reached toward heaven with a long wail, saying he felt light as a swallow and feared he would ascend to immortality before his master. He dragged his fellow disciples to carefully observe whether golden light was emanating from his Baihui acupoint.

His fellow disciples each gave him a hard slap, creating a brilliant golden glow of bruises all over his head.

Finally, Seven Kills’ opinion prevailed—not because they outnumbered the others, but because after various antics, they finally remembered the most crucial reason: the stubborn residual poison in Jing Hengbo’s body could only be resolved by their master.

Mentioning this, not only did Yong Xue and Zirui immediately agree, even Yelu Qi had nothing to say.

Jing Hengbo’s poison was troublesome. Among so many masters, none could completely eliminate it. Si Si, who was skilled in medical theory among Seven Kills, said Jing Hengbo must have taken more than one extraordinarily effective protective pill at critical moments, which protected her internal organs from erosion. However, her meridians had changed as a result. Currently, it was unclear whether this change was good or bad, but short-term prospects didn’t look great. This poison wasn’t recorded anywhere—it definitely wasn’t poison but some strange curse. There was no problem in this world that he, Si Si, couldn’t solve, but this matter was rather mentally taxing. Better to leave it to the old immortal, lest the old man’s brain atrophy from lack of use.

Jing Hengbo wondered when she had ever taken more than one spiritual pill. Did she treat spiritual pills like fried soybeans to eat casually? She only remembered Yelu Qi giving her one once, and that was the lowest grade.

She accidentally let this slip, and from then on, Yelu Qi had no peace. Seven Kills followed him around all day, clamoring for the highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple.

The lowest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple had protected Jing Hengbo’s heart meridians and kept her alive—wouldn’t the highest grade be able to resolve her residual poison?

This was how they demanded it.

“Highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple—give it to me and I’ll forgive you for peeking at my wife,” Yi Qi said.

“Highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple—give it to me and I’ll tell you who carried that pig over,” Er Lu said.

“Highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple—Er Lu carried that pig. Give it to me and I’ll help you beat him up,” Shan Wu said.

“Highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple—Shan Wu carried that pig. Give it to me and I’ll give you medicine to drug him so you can carry a pig to sleep with him,” Si Si said.

“Highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple—Si Si carried that pig. Give it to me and I’ll help you carry two pigs to sleep with Si Si. Amitabha, this monk sacrifices greatly to do such things for you. So nervous—will Buddha blame me?” Wu Shan said.

“Highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple—everyone carried that pig together. You can’t fight so many alone. Give me the medicine Si Si gave you, I’ll help you drug them all, and you can choose whichever one you want to sleep with pigs,” Lu Er said.

“Highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple. No matter who carried that pig, if you don’t give it, from now on you’ll sleep with pigs every day,” Qi Yi said.

…

Whether Yelu Qi was eating, drinking, sleeping, or even squatting, he would see a face suddenly lean over, chattering: “Highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple… pig… sleep…”

He felt he was going crazy.

He suddenly understood why the legendary Ziwei Immortal could live so long.

Anyone who could withstand Seven Kills’ sevenfold-enhanced nagging divine technique couldn’t be a normal person!

Finally, one day, the noble son Yelu Qi, who had specially cultivated mental fortitude, let out a roar of unbearable anger.

“She ate the highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple! The highest grade can only be taken once—after that, it has no effect!”

Seven Kills stared blankly in place, scratching their heads for a long time before understanding this tragic meaning.

Then they immediately became excited, slapping their thighs: “We’re doomed! No hope! Now we really must go to Seven Peaks Mountain to find the old witch!”

Yelu Qi had already quickly left. Even if they went to Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain, he wouldn’t object.

Jing Hengbo heard this roar from inside the wagon.

She was also stunned, not expecting that what Yelu Qi had casually given her was actually the premium Heavenly Fragrance that could be called a treasure of the Yelu family.

“Hey,” she sat up and tapped the window, asking Yelu Qi, “What’s wrong with you men? Weren’t we still enemies then? Why did you give me the highest-grade Heavenly Fragrance Purple? Was your brain damaged?”

Yelu Qi, who had been looking at the stream, turned around.

The irritation had left his face, replaced by a very strange, faint expression.

“Why ask this question?” He squinted at her. “What answer do you want to hear?”

Jing Hengbo leaned against the window with a smile, looking at him. “I want to hear how you politicians actually think when handling affairs and interpersonal relationships.”

“Yes, you want to hear that,” Yelu Qi’s smile held several parts disappointment and several parts strangeness. “What if the answer isn’t as profound and complex as you imagine? What if the answer doesn’t involve political maneuvering at all? What if I, Yelu Qi, took out the best medicine simply because you are you? What if at that time, I actually wasn’t thinking about any interests or relationships?”

He stared intently at Jing Hengbo, as if wanting to see everything he desired in her expression.

Jing Hengbo’s eyelashes lowered, and when she raised them again, her smile was radiant as flowers. “No? Well, if not, then forget it. Ah, so sleepy. Let me take a nap first.” She ducked down and quickly crawled back to sleep, not even looking at Yelu Qi.

Yelu Qi’s half-spoken words were blocked in his mouth.

He stood by the stream for a long time, then slowly looked up at the sky and smiled.

…

The journey was quite peaceful, with no pursuers.

After half a month on the road, Jing Hengbo heard news from Imperial Song.

State Preceptor Gong Yin announced to the world that former Queen Jing Hengbo had usurped the queen’s position and was immediately stripped of her royal title. Because Jing Hengbo had proposed the Agricultural Cooperative Cultivation Method, which benefited the nation, she was spared death and expelled from Imperial Song. She was re-enfeoffed as Queen of Blackwater, with Blackwater Marsh as her fief, only permitted to travel within the territories of Ji and Meng kingdoms and the four tribes of Wrought Iron, Hawksbill, Severed Feather, and Emerald. Beyond these boundaries, she could not enter other territories without permission, and could never enter Imperial Song without royal decree.

After hearing this announcement, everyone was first surprised, then shook their heads. Those who knew the inside story would add: “Why go to such extremes?”

“Why go to such extremes?” Grand Scholar Chang Fang was drinking himself into oblivion at his residence, painfully saying to Grand Scholar Qu Ti: “It’s just political maneuvering—if you lose, you lose. If you ask me, even execution would be better—a clean end. A single woman with too pure and kind a heart isn’t suited for this Great Wilderness anyway. Why drive her out of Imperial Song and exile her to a place like Blackwater Marsh? That’s worse than death!” He grew angrier as he spoke, slamming his cup heavily on the table with a bang. “And granting Blackwater Marsh as a fief! Can Blackwater Marsh be anyone’s fief? Legend says it’s a demon’s territory! Granting it to her is wanting her dead! It’s deliberate humiliation, making her a laughingstock for the world! And allowing passage through two kingdoms and four tribes—sounds so generous and tolerant. Who doesn’t know those two kingdoms and four tribes are the most xenophobic and complex? She’s a fallen so-called queen, and her fief is actually Blackwater Marsh—is this granting her passage or pushing her to die and be humiliated?”

“Saying all this is ultimately useless. The situation is set. Gong Yin won’t give anyone another chance to overthrow him,” Qu Ti shook his head while pouring wine. “The Queen isn’t without supporters, but they’re all old fellows like us or commoners—useless old men who couldn’t even enter Imperial Plaza that night of the incident. But Old Chang, you once said the Queen seemed lazy but was actually brilliant, destined to be our Great Wilderness’s revival lord. This time, you misjudged. Though clever, she still lacked experience in court politics. Besides, she’s young—young women troubled by love ultimately can’t transform from phoenix to dragon!”

Chang Fang’s anger gradually subsided. After long silence, he suddenly shook his head again.

“No, I still think…” he said quietly, “this matter isn’t finished yet… Old Qu.”

“Hmm?”

“Your disciples are scattered across the world, and mine are no fewer, spread throughout the Six Kingdoms and Eight Tribes. Choose the reliable ones and write them letters.”

“Do you think the Queen won’t just sink into obscurity, that she might possibly rise again, and you want to help?”

“I don’t know.” Chang Fang shook his head. “I just think that if she hasn’t sunk into obscurity, then it’s best we help. If she’s content to be an ordinary woman from now on, we can also look after her somewhat, as partial repayment to her.”

“Old Chang, your heart really won’t give up.”

“I won’t give up because I can’t watch Xuanyuan Jing and his lot harbor evil intentions toward great power. I don’t want to see the Great Wilderness’s political situation continue forever like this. Also because the day she left, flying axes severed the imperial flag atop the city! Old Qu, you too once devoted yourself to military preparation, riding horses on battlefields. Tell me, in your most martial and passionate youth, if you encountered such a situation, would you still have such killing intent, courage, dominance, and ferocity!”

“No!”

“Then there’s still hope! Come, for the Queen whose heart also won’t die—drink to victory!”

“To victory!”

Wine cups clashed crisply. Wine splashed, and unaging heroic hearts still burned.

After a long while, the slightly drunk Chang Fang turned away, slowly looking at the portrait on his desk. In the painting, he sat sideways gazing into the distance, his gaze reaching where the sky was dark and mysterious, with layered clouds floating, as if storms were gathering.

Storms were gathering.

…

Some prayed and blessed for the distant one, while others schemed and set traps.

“She actually escaped from Imperial Song.” Xuanyuan Jing angrily slammed the table. “What was Gong Yin thinking? Not pursuing and killing completely, even granting her the title of Queen of Blackwater!”

“Pfft.” Fei Luo let out a light laugh. “Please don’t mention this ‘Queen of Blackwater’—that’s not a position any human can hold. But speaking of which, her behavior is strange—maybe she really could flourish there.”

“Female Prime Minister, don’t be careless,” Xuanyuan Jing looked at her disapprovingly. “As the saying goes, ‘If you don’t remove weeds by the roots, they’ll grow again in spring wind.’ In my view, no matter how terrifying Blackwater Marsh is, there’s still a chance for survival. For enemies, complete annihilation is the only correct approach.”

“This doesn’t require the Grand Physician’s concern.” Fei Luo gently blew on her fingernails, her posture leisurely. “I’ve already sent people to ‘escort and inquire after’ her.”

“Excellent! Truly we think alike, even our actions are synchronized.” Xuanyuan Jing smiled contentedly, then frowned again. “But I hear the Seven Kills are at her side. With them there, probably no assassins in this world can get near her…”

“Who said anything about using assassins?” Fei Luo smiled smugly. “Sometimes people who seem harmless are the most dangerous, right?”

Xuanyuan Jing laughed heartily, then said: “Cheng Gumo has resumed his position as Governor. It seems Gong Yin doesn’t plan to settle accounts, only took the opportunity to remove Yelu Qi.”

“How could he settle accounts? If he did, it would involve the entire court. Could he settle accounts with all of Imperial Song’s wealthy families, the Six Kingdoms and Eight Tribes, and the entire court? After settling accounts, he’d become a lonely ruler!”

The two looked at each other and smiled, their expressions finally relaxing for the first time in days.

Though they said this, deep in their hearts they still feared paying the price for that day’s palace coercion incident. Gong Yin was unpredictable and coldly decisive—no one could be sure what he’d do. Though he had yielded then and dealt with the Queen, showing he indeed valued his ministers and kingdom more, and for stability’s sake shouldn’t pursue the matter further, who knew if he might think it over and decide to make an example of them?

Now it was good. Cheng Gumo’s restoration was a signal. Even Cheng Gumo, the ringleader, hadn’t been punished—what did they have to fear?

“Master!” Suddenly a Xuanyuan family servant rushed in, sweating profusely. Without time for proper greetings, he loudly said: “Second Young Master has caused trouble in the marketplace again!”

“This unfilial son!” Xuanyuan Jing stood up angrily, hurriedly saying to Fei Luo: “I have some family matters to attend to. Please make yourself comfortable, Female Prime Minister.” Without waiting for Fei Luo’s response, he strode out.

Fei Luo was stunned and had to leave herself. Walking on the road, thinking of the Xuanyuan family’s sons who fought for power and profit, she felt a strange sensation for some reason.

Just as she returned to her carriage at the gate, the driver urgently said: “Female Prime Minister, news from home—Vice Chancellor Yong Xizheng is about to marry the princess. What do you think…”

Fei Luo raised an eyebrow.

Yong Xizheng had actually managed to get Princess Hewen?

Once he attached himself to the royal family, then the position of Grand Chancellor…

Thinking this, she immediately felt urgent anxiety and said: “Return to the residence!”

She had to hurry back to pack and petition the court to return to Xiang Kingdom. She must prevent this marriage, and more crucially, prevent the possible consequences of this marriage—her position as Female Prime Minister being replaced by others!

The carriage hurried forward. Inside, Fei Luo was restless, thinking how she had recently sent people home to inquire about the situation. They all said everything was fine, that though Yong Xizheng was courting the princess enthusiastically, the princess’s heart wasn’t on him at all, and there wouldn’t be any changes in the short term. Only then had she felt at ease staying in Imperial Song, wanting to stabilize relationships there before returning. Just as the forced abdication of the Queen succeeded and her prestige in Imperial Song soared—the perfect time to win hearts and consolidate power—she received this news at such a critical moment…

She suddenly had a thought… Could this be Gong Yin’s handiwork…

Thinking this, she shivered violently, then shook her head, feeling it impossible. Gong Yin handled countless daily affairs—his hands couldn’t reach into Xiang Kingdom’s internal politics. Moreover, no matter how powerful, he couldn’t influence a Xiang Kingdom princess’s marriage and feelings. This matter had just erupted, indicating there had been signs long ago. At that time, Gong Yin was busy dealing with the Kang Long Army and couldn’t have reached into Xiang Kingdom so early…

Thinking this way, she felt somewhat reassured, but an irritation persisted. She stuck her head out, urging the driver to speed up. Looking up, she saw thick clouds on the horizon—dark and gloomy, once again silently approaching.

…

“The road to Seven Peaks Mountain is really far,” Yong Xue brought Jing Hengbo a bowl of chicken soup. “We have to pass through Xiang Kingdom, the Golden Tribe, and Severed Feather Tribe.”

“How’s the route planned?” Jing Hengbo asked casually. The chicken soup was especially fragrant and rich. Despite her poor appetite, she couldn’t help drinking several more sips, breaking into a light sweat on her forehead.

To restore her health, her daily diet consisted of soups and broths, sometimes with medicinal food. Her complexion had gradually improved.

They had been traveling for several days. The first three days, she slept day and night without speaking, worrying everyone. Fortunately, after three days, she crawled out herself, wanting food and drink, appearing natural. Everyone relaxed, though they simultaneously felt heartache—feelings they kept buried and unspoken.

“To save time and avoid trouble, we probably won’t go through Xiang Kingdom—we’ll take small paths and detours.”

Hearing “Xiang Kingdom,” Jing Hengbo’s heart stirred slightly.

“Seven Kills were crying about it, saying the Xiang Kingdom princess seems to be getting married soon—there’s bound to be excitement to watch. They wanted to see a royal wedding. But I think they’re just playing around. While discussing what wedding dress the princess should wear, they settled on taking the small path route.” Yong Xue couldn’t help smiling, remembering Seven Kills’ unreliability.

“That’s fine too.” Jing Hengbo drank the soup, unable to help praising: “Yong Xue, your cooking skills are getting better. This chicken soup is more fragrant than what you made before.”

“This isn’t my handiwork.” Yong Xue smiled. “You can tell from the smell that different ingredients were used.”

Jing Hengbo paused, looking at the chicken soup. She immediately understood whose handiwork it was, and the bowl suddenly felt heavy.

Then she realized there was something wrong with Yong Xue’s earlier statement. “Smell it? You didn’t drink any?”

“Oh? Ah?” The naturally tongue-tied Yong Xue immediately began stuttering. “Ah, I’ll drink some now, I’ll go drink some now.” She hurriedly took the bowl from Jing Hengbo and turned to get off the wagon.

Jing Hengbo wiped her mouth, watching her near-fleeing figure. What had been a casual remark now seemed very suspicious.

She waited a while, making sure no one was around the wagon, then quietly got off.

Rest stops were always near water sources. She first saw Yi Qi, Tian Qi, and Wu Shan catching fish by the stream, all with rolled-up trouser legs, standing in the icy water. Nearby, Yelu Qi crouched by the rocks. This golden, precious noble son had his sleeves rolled to his elbows, gutting, scaling, and cleaning fish, then hanging them on willow branches—a long string dangling from the tree. In the sunlight, fish scales on his arms glittered.

The wind faintly carried their conversation to her.

“Enough or not, enough or not!” Yi Qi struggled to catch fish in the water. Wu Shan’s sleeves fluttered as he stirred the water while sighing deeply: “Amitabha, killing is wrong. I’m so nervous—will Buddha blame me…”

Yelu Qi said: “Get some more. We’re about to enter the swamp roads where it won’t be easy to find food! At the very least, we must ensure she has meat to eat every day.”

“Fish, oh fish…” Yi Qi coaxed the stream. “Quickly and obediently come into my bowl…”

Jing Hengbo silently stepped back several paces, turned a corner, and saw Zirui and Yong Xue eating under the trees. Each had a steamed bun that even from a distance looked very dry and hard. Zirui, whose mouth had been injured, found it very difficult to bite.

Beside them, hot chicken soup bubbled over the fire—just one pot, which no one touched.

Jing Hengbo turned another corner. In the woods not far behind the wagon, Six Kills were sneakily discussing something.

“I still have two silver corners.”

“I still have ten large coins.”

“Si Si, you’re the biggest spender! I still have one tael!”

“Heh, you know how to save money. No matter how much you save, won’t Master take it all in the end?”

“Hahaha, you all have more than me. I just have one large coin, hahaha.”

“Together it’s one tael, three coins, and twenty-five copper pieces. Enough to buy five shi of rice or fifty jin of meat.”

“Enough, enough! Bo Bo will have enough to eat!”

“Idiot! Don’t we need to eat?”

“Oh right, bah, a bunch of poor ghosts. Isn’t Yelu Qi a State Preceptor? Isn’t he from a wealthy family? Where’s his money?”

“Didn’t he say he left in a hurry without bringing any? The money carriers haven’t caught up yet. He stubbornly follows us and won’t return to his homeland Yu Kingdom. The route’s wrong—maybe the money carriers took the wrong path too.”

“Aiya, there hasn’t been a single bandit on this road.”

“Aiya, all the common people on this road are poor. I’m too embarrassed to steal from them.”

“Aiya, it’s all Master’s fault—that old immortal didn’t give us enough travel money.”

“Right, too little. You spent it all in three months sleeping with the top courtesan at West Tower Spring in Imperial Song.”

“You spent it all drinking the most expensive Jade Sky Wash for three months in Imperial Song.”

“You spent it all competing in wealth, using silver to cast a rhinoceros statue in Imperial Song.”

“Aiya, regardless of how it was spent, it’s gone. No place to earn money, and ahead on the shortcut through swamp roads, there’s no people, no food, no game. What to do?”

“Easy. When we’re hungry, we’ll slaughter the fattest one. Ah, Si Si, you’re glowing with health, fat-headed and big-eared. Your meat must be rich and tasty, with three layers of fat. Perfect for roasting. Why don’t you sacrifice yourself?”

“Er Lu, you’re smooth and slippery with lean, tight flesh. You must taste chewy and substantial. Why don’t you let me try you first?”

“I think you all taste bad. I want to eat Master.”

“Right, right! Master must taste good—tender skin and meat, so fragrant!”

“You’re all idiots! Can we eat Master now? I’m hungry right now! After three days of dry buns, my pristine, delicate rice-white teeth are about to break!”

Long silence.

“Let’s eat Yelu Qi.”

“Right, Yelu Qi.”

“Him!”

“Not fat, not thin—just right.”

“I think that’s suitable.”

“After eating Yelu Qi, we’ll eat Tian Qi. Two people together make several hundred jin of meat. If we’re frugal, it should be enough.”

“It’s happily decided then.”

“Come, let’s count the silver again.”

…

Jing Hengbo silently stepped back several paces and returned to the wagon.

She held her head in her hands, looking up at the wagon roof. After a long while, she pressed her elbows over her eyes, laughed once, then laughed again.

The journey was arduous, but what was there left to fear?

With people, with love, blue sky overhead, solid earth underfoot—there was no reason not to move forward.

Then she crawled up and shouted: “This lady wants to go to Xiang Kingdom!”

This shout immediately alerted everyone. Yi Qi and Tian Qi came running barefoot, Yelu Qi with fish scales all over his arms, not forgetting to bring his string of fish. Through the window, Jing Hengbo saw his fisherman silhouette with a string of fish swaying on his shoulder and couldn’t help smiling.

“Why suddenly want to go to Xiang Kingdom?” Yelu Qi disagreed. “Going through Xiang Kingdom, the shortest route passes through the capital—too dangerous for you.”

“Great, great!” Yi Qi pressed against the window in delight. “Let’s go play in Xiang Kingdom!”

Tian Qi looked indifferent, disgustedly pushing away Wu Shan: “You stink of sweat—people don’t want to smell it!”

“Amitabha, this monk naturally has Buddha fragrance!”

“I can’t stand the stench of swamps!” Jing Hengbo solemnly declared. “Let’s go through Xiang Kingdom. We’ll keep a low profile. I want to see some human activity.”

Yelu Qi gazed at her. In the sunlight, her face was slightly pale, but her eyes were bright, rippling with scattered points of light—different from her former charm, only making one feel sharp and heart-piercing, stabbing deep into the heart with pain.

A strand of hair fell from her forehead, catching some grass debris.

Before he realized it himself, his hand had unconsciously reached out: “Your hair is messy…”

Jing Hengbo turned her head aside.

His fingers brushed past her temple.

Fragrance dispersed, fingertips slightly cool.

Her laughter was right beside his ear: “Aiya, you have fish scales all over your hands—don’t get them on me!”

Yelu Qi’s fingers paused slightly, then withdrew. He sniffed his fingers and smiled with raised eyebrows: “A handful of bloody smell, right?”

Jing Hengbo gazed at him, smiling without speaking.

“You hate me, don’t you?”

“So you’re atoning?” She also raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Is it worth it? Does it matter?”

“Maybe I want to follow you to see if there’s any chance to eliminate the threat completely.” In the sunlight, his smile was charming, more brilliant than the silver fish scales in his hands.

“Then follow along.” She smiled just as half-true, half-false. “As long as you’re not afraid I’m also looking for a chance to take revenge.”

“I’m ready anytime.” His smile was calm and composed.

“You politicians—when can you ever say one true word?” She suddenly laughed, her slender finger pointing at his forehead from afar. “Speaking so mysteriously, making people unable to figure you out. Isn’t it just that I schemed against you once, so you’ll scheme against me once? I said at Imperial Song’s city that you possessed half the Imperial Scroll, so you’re destined to face assassination attempts on this journey. You might as well stick with me—if there are assassins, we’ll share half the danger. Now I’ve really shot myself in the foot, hahaha…” She laughed uncontrollably, shrank into the window, and snapped the shutter closed with a sharp sound.

The crisp sound of the closing shutter seemed to cut off the tail end of her last laugh.

In the distance, seven idiots were clapping and cheering: “Hahaha, we’re entering the city! There are people! Let’s compete to see who earns the most money…” The especially enthusiastic cheering reached here, making the inside and outside of the wagon seem quiet to the point of desolation.

He stood silently for a long time, then returned to the stream to slowly wash the fish scales off his hands.

The flowing water carried away several traces of pale blood. He looked at his fingers—somehow they had been cut by fish scales into many small wounds.

“So you’re atoning?… Is it worth it? Does it matter?”

Atoning? No, he didn’t know—he hadn’t thought that much. His participation in stirring up Imperial Song’s political storms, leaving Imperial Song wasn’t his failure. On the path to seizing power, he had long grown accustomed to corpses strewn along the way, even prepared to sacrifice himself at any time. Why fear owing someone a debt that could never be repaid?

Regarding her, he never seemed to want to think too much. He only wanted to follow his heart.

When participating in the plan, because he felt being queen wasn’t suitable for her, he never hesitated.

However, that snowy morning when he saw her being dragged by his household servants, ready to be thrown out, when he saw her startlingly pale face with snow and blood on her dark eyebrows—that single glance was also startling.

Like being viciously pecked by a flying bird, instantly carrying away a piece of his heart.

Only then did he understand her brightness had always illuminated his heart.

Only then did he understand many things—when men overturn clouds and rain in stubborn pursuit, losing the most precious feelings along the way, in the end unable to retrieve them. Between loss and gain, difficult to measure.

Being dragged out of Imperial Song by her—he didn’t know if it was joy or sorrow. Joy that afterward the world would be bigger, that he might accompany her on the journey. Sorrow that each day’s hardship would make her grow, and in moments she would devise excellent schemes. Her talent and wisdom bloomed so vigorously—how would she eventually overshadow this vast marshland?

Fish scales flowed away with the water like dust from his heart.

No, it wasn’t like that.

I just want to stay when I cannot leave, reluctant to part.

I just want to watch you take one step, then another.

I just want to see when the road ahead becomes solid beneath your feet.

I just want… to see again that day when you truly laugh with all your heart.

…

Changing routes, they took the main thoroughfare.

The idiots’ money-grabbing enterprise began.

In Wu Shan’s words: “Wherever there are people, there’s potential for alms. Benefactors are all good men and faithful women. Seeing this monk’s kind eyebrows and gentle eyes, they’ll surely donate generously. This matter only requires this monk alone. Amitabha.”

This was how they “sought alms”:

At a roadside tea stall.

Wu Shan kindly grabbed the frantically busy shop owner.

“Amitabha, benefactor, this monk sees your forehead is greenish-blue today, your eyes lack spirit, your three sections are incomplete, and your eyebrows clash ominously. You’ll surely have a bloody disaster soon. If this monk personally performs rituals for you, you can definitely avoid disaster…”

“Where did this swindler come from, keeping his hair while calling himself a monk! Throw him out!”

“Aiya, Fifth Brother is being bullied! Beat him! Beat him!”

“Grab the money! Grab the money!”

Before a caravan.

Wu Shan’s sleeves fluttered as he blocked the lead rider’s horse.

“Amitabha, benefactor, the goods in your boxes seem very heavy…”

“Oh?”

“This monk doesn’t mind helping you share the burden. Carrying them over this mountain, of course leaving half as payment would be fine…”

“You fake monk dare covet my red goods! Cut him down!”

“Aiya, Fifth Brother is being bullied! Beat him! Beat him!”

“Grab the money! Grab the money!”

Before an official household’s procession.

“Sir, your guards look quite insufficient…”

“Hmm?”

“Sir, the young lady in your sedan seems quite beautiful…”

“Hmm?”

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. This monk just fears your young lady might be violated by bandits and is willing to personally escort her, guaranteeing to deliver her intact. You just need to give some payment…”

“The one wanting to violate her is you! Someone! Break his legs and throw him out!”

“Aiya, Fifth Brother is being bullied! Beat him! Beat him!”

“Grab the money! Grab the money!”

In a market town.

“Look here, see here! From the most magical heavenly peak in this world, the most magical number-one great mage under heaven, Master Shan Shan, will today demonstrate for the town’s elders the most magical, most incredible Great Sleep Immortal technique from the heavenly peak!”

“What thing?”

“Look here—sounds incredible.”

One hour later.

“Snore… snore…”

“Is he sleeping?”

“Can’t be… maybe this is the prelude to the Great Sleep technique?”

“Wait a bit more.”

“Oh, it’s snowing…”

Two hours later.

“Snore… snore…”

Three hours later.

“Snore… snore… Ah, why are you all still here? This monk’s divine technique demonstration is finished. Great Sleep technique—sleeping half a day, through snow and wind, unmoved! How’s that? Without spiritual roots, one cannot understand this monk’s Great Sleep technique’s sacred true meaning… Come, come, elders, give whatever you can… Aiya, why are you throwing potatoes? This monk doesn’t want potatoes…”

“Aiya, Fifth Brother is being bullied! Beat them! Beat them!”

“Grab the money! Grab the money!”

…

Jing Hengbo counted money in the wagon—chaotic coins, broken silver, and a large area of promissory notes piled all over the floor.

While counting, she shook her head, marveling at Seven Kills’ money-grabbing skills.

“With your martial arts, you could just directly rob people. Why bother with all this trouble? Look at Wu Shan—he’s covered in bumps every day lately.”

Wu Shan immediately stuck his head over, tearfully asking Bo Bo to touch them.

“Wife, you don’t understand. Monks must have a spirit of sacrifice. If I don’t get beaten into bumps, who will?” Yi Qi punched his three small bumps into one large bump.

“Master said our sect rules forbid bullying the weak with strength,” Si Si said.

Jing Hengbo felt solemn respect.

“So when we want to bully the weak with strength, we must first find a reason. Like a junior brother getting beaten or something,” Er Lu said.

Jing Hengbo decided to take back her previous thought.

“Master said doing one thing as just one thing is boring.”

Jing Hengbo found this quite philosophical.

“So everything must be done with style. The more style, the higher the wisdom.”

Jing Hengbo decided to take back her previous thought.

“What if these elaborate schemes cause trouble?”

“Master said, what do we practice martial arts for?”

“Of course, to beat other people!”

“Once martial arts are mastered, only we cause trouble for others—others can’t cause trouble for us.”

“What if there’s still trouble?”

“Fight back.”

“What if we can’t win?”

“Run.”

“What about the mess left behind?”

“None of our business.” This time in unison.

Er Gouzi on the wagon roof listened with gleaming eyes, finding it very agreeable, and shouted: “Plum blossoms in the corner, blooming alone in cold—seven great idiots, kill but don’t bury.”

Jing Hengbo covered her forehead, somewhat regretting the decision to take the Xiang Kingdom route—these morally confused values.

But returning to the original route was impossible now. Snow was about to fall again, and if they turned back now, they’d pass through swamps during snowfall. Then they wouldn’t be able to distinguish between snowy ground and swamps—very dangerous.

Outside the wagon, the sound of rapidly galloping horses and carriages suddenly came from the official road. Jing Hengbo stuck her head out to look and saw a caravan racing past like wind. The driver of the lead wagon cracked his whip with snapping sounds, forcing vehicles on all sides to retreat to the roadside.

Jing Hengbo heard Yelu Qi quietly “Oh?” with surprise.

Jing Hengbo also felt that wagon looked familiar. While ordering her own wagon to yield, she turned her head just as the first wagon raced past. The curtain fluttered up, revealing a side profile of the person inside.

This profile also seemed familiar.

The imposing caravan passed. Only then did people who had retreated to the roadside emerge in twos and threes, tidying their vehicles while complaining.

“Who was that just now? Such arrogance.”

“Didn’t you see the golden hibiscus emblem? Female Prime Minister Fei Luo has returned!”