“What did Yun Ye lose? Why is he making such a commotion?” Li Er set down the vermillion brush in his hand, pressed his temples, and casually asked Duan Hong who stood beside him.
“In response to Your Majesty, this servant heard that Marquis Yun lost a jade pendant. According to rumors circulating in the marketplace, this jade pendant is related to the White Jade Capital, so Marquis Yun went mad.”
Duan Hong spoke in a completely gloating tone. From the last time he fought with the Bearded Stranger, his chest still ached faintly to this day. That damned Yun Ye used him and then abandoned him at the Li residence without a care, not even bothering with the superficial gesture of visiting once. However, he had given him a note that clearly explained which people he should accept as disciples, and said he would help keep an eye out—as if anyone would believe his words.
“White Jade Capital? Why has this legend resurfaced? Wasn’t it already dismissed as illusory nonsense back then? Why is there conflict over it again?” Although it was just idle chat, the three words “White Jade Capital” successfully piqued Li Er’s interest.
“Your Majesty doesn’t know? This time a formidable figure came to Chang’an and forcibly demanded that jade pendant from Marquis Yun. This person is very dangerous. Your Majesty also knows him—his name is Ding Yanping.”
Hearing the three words “Ding Yanping,” Li Er suddenly stood up. After pacing back and forth twice, he asked again: “Are Yun Ye’s injuries serious? That old scoundrel Ding Yanping still dares to come to Chang’an?”
Without needing to ask, Li Er knew that Yun Ye must have suffered greatly this time. Ding Yanping was known as the Twin Spear General, with mounted and foot combat skills unparalleled in his time. Luo Shixin essentially fell by this man’s hand—Yun Ye would have no advantage against him.
“Your Majesty has it wrong. Marquis Yun was injured, but definitely not seriously. On the contrary, if the constables hadn’t stopped him, Ding Yanping would have been killed by Marquis Yun long ago. Even so, Marquis Yun captured Ding Yanping alive. Unfortunately, after being transferred to the prison, Ding Yanping was rescued by his subordinate henchmen, who reportedly also stole Marquis Yun’s jade pendant.”
Li Er drew in a sharp breath and asked Duan Hong through clenched teeth: “You’re saying Ding Yanping was captured alive by Yun Ye?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Both of Ding Yanping’s legs were crippled, leaving him barely human. According to the constables, Marquis Yun was enraged that Ding Yanping had injured his servants and household guards, so he was quite brutal at the time.”
“Hahaha! Even a rabbit-like person will bare his teeth! It seems this little rabbit has grown into a big rabbit. Since Ding Yanping is now a cripple, he’s not worth worrying about. However, regarding the White Jade Capital, I’m very curious. The Empress has seen that jade pendant, the Crown Prince has seen it, Qing Que has also handled it, yet this little scoundrel refuses to show it to me. He knows I’m afraid I’ll become obsessed with immortality arts and harm the nation. Does he think my willpower isn’t strong enough? How dare he look down on me—he truly deserves death! Duan Hong, those retainers in the palace should also stretch their muscles. Since Yun Ye lost the jade pendant, excellent! If I find it, it’ll be mine. I’ll place it on my desk and see whether it can really make me obsessed.”
Duan Hong left to carry out the orders with a worried expression. The Empress had long instructed him not to mention the White Jade Capital in front of the Emperor, but today His Majesty had asked directly—not answering wasn’t an option. Thinking of this, on his way to the palace retainers’ quarters, he made a detour and headed to the Liangyi Hall where the Empress resided…
According to jianghu rumors, the Immortal Palace has been discovered. To seek immortality, one must first enter the White Jade Capital, and the route to the White Jade Capital is carved on a jade pendant. By deciphering the secrets of this jade pendant, one can find the correct path into the White Jade Capital. This jade pendant was originally held by Marquis Yun Ye of Lantian, but was carelessly stolen by Ding Yanping and is now lost in the jianghu. Those powerful individuals seeking immortality are in luck.
Yun Ye reclined in his chair eating grapes. Hearing Liu Jinbao’s report, he laughed so hard his intestines were about to tie in knots, but his face still maintained a worried expression. He waved his hand to dismiss Liu Jinbao, then sighed and said to Zhangsun Chong sitting opposite him: “You’ve also seen that thing—it’s not particularly fine jade, but the implications are significant. Now it’s causing chaos throughout the realm. Chong, what do you think should be done?”
“In my view, it’s a good thing. You’ve held that object for years without figuring it out anyway. Now Chang’an is in chaos, with deaths everywhere, but the monks and Daoists have stopped fighting each other. They seem to have shifted their focus and are no longer competing with each other—instead they’re all fixated on your jade pendant. Haven’t you noticed how much quieter Chang’an has become?”
“That jade pendant gave everyone a way out, including His Majesty. Otherwise, if those heretical monks from the Fire-Worshipping and Manichaean religions gained advantage, that would be the Great Tang’s disgrace. Very good—now they’re all searching for the jade pendant. My father said our family has also sent people to search, but if we find it, don’t expect to get it back. These are my father’s exact words, which he told me to relay to you personally.”
“Whoever finds it in the end won’t possibly return it to me—I understand that clearly. Now I’ll just pretend that thing never existed. Whoever finds it can keep it. The Yun family has few members and little power—we won’t search anymore, lest we lose both people and wealth. However, you can take the jade pendant and I’ll accept that, but you must bring Dan Ying back to me safely. Otherwise, don’t blame me for turning hostile.”
This was a negotiation between the Yun family and the Zhangsun family, not a conversation between Yun Ye and Zhangsun Chong, so the words regarding their respective interests were unyielding, with no room for compromise.
Zhangsun Chong nodded at Yun Ye and said: “Got it. As long as Dan Ying isn’t harmed, you won’t concern yourself with anything else—is that right?” Zhangsun Chong needed to confirm the meaning of Yun Ye’s words.
“Yes, exactly. Chong, whoever wants the jade pendant can have it, but for the sake of our brotherhood, don’t harm Dan Ying. Daya has already been crying for days.”
“Don’t worry, I also like Sister Daya. I won’t leave her without a fiancé.” After saying this, he clasped his fists and hurriedly departed.
Visitors like Zhangsun Chong—Yun Ye had already received seven or eight waves of them today, all coming to tell him that once the jade pendant was found it wouldn’t be returned. Yun Ye never expected to get it back anyway, only requesting that Dan Ying not be harmed.
Daya emerged from the back hall and curled up against Yun Ye’s knee like a small cat, saying nothing. She dared not imagine what terrifying scene Dan Ying must be facing now. Nearly everyone in the world was searching for him and Ding Yanping—she could only hope her brother’s promise would be effective.
Dan Ying looked back at the towering city walls of Tongguan Pass behind him, wanting to carry his master on his back to continue their journey. Along this route he had lost count of how many battles they’d encountered—each opponent stronger than the last, their numbers ever-increasing.
If he were alone it would be simple—just plunge into the mountain forests, and he believed even if the enemies doubled in number, he would easily escape. But now he had to care for his master, so he could only flee along the main road. His master said that once they reached the Yellow River, he would be safe. The Yellow River was now in sight.
He didn’t care about his bodily injuries, but thinking of how Yun Ye treated him like a blood brother and even promised him his most beloved sister, while he had repaid this by stealing his treasure and rescuing his enemy—he couldn’t believe such unconscionable acts were committed by himself. Daya’s tearful eyes seemed to constantly watch his back, making his heart ache like it was being cut by knives.
After waiting a while without feeling his master climb onto his back, what came instead was numbness in his ribs, causing him to involuntarily fall into the mud. He looked uncomprehendingly at his master standing beside him with a smiling expression.
Ding Yanping stood steadily, a wooden stick bound to his severed lower leg, while the other leg he thought was crippled moved freely. How could this be? Just moments ago when he was carrying him and fighting desperately, he clearly couldn’t even stand. Why could he now stand so steadily?
“Little Ying, my good disciple, you’re a good child. Carrying your master for three hundred li is no easy feat. Along the way I’ve also seen your blade technique improve greatly—your master is very gratified. Now, you need to help me with one more thing: lie here and wait for death. Wait for those pursuers to interrogate you, giving your master more time. Your master needs to disappear from this world for a while.”
After Ding Yanping finished speaking, he made to leave, but heard Dan Ying ask with difficulty: “Why? Aren’t you worried Yun Ye will take revenge on your wife and children?”
Ding Yanping stopped and turned back to Dan Ying, saying: “Little Ying, you haven’t experienced the agony of ten thousand ants devouring your body, so you don’t understand how precious life is. Yun Ye is a demon among demons who most enjoys toying with people’s hearts. At the moment I was about to die, I suddenly understood: women can be found again if lost, sons can be fathered again. As long as this old man can achieve immortality, these are all trivial matters. I’ve stolen Yun Ye’s chance at immortality—leaving my son and woman for him to vent his rage upon is only proper.”
Having hastily said these words, Ding Yanping heard dog barking in the distance. He crouched low and disappeared into the grass.
For the first time, Dan Ying’s tears flowed freely. Since childhood he’d been abandoned by his father and struggled to survive with his mother. Ding Yanping’s sudden appearance had fulfilled all his fantasies about a father. Adding Yun Ye as an elder brother and Daya as his soulmate, he felt his life lacked nothing. But at this moment, he felt intense helplessness. Ding Yanping had thrust a thin wooden spike into his ribs—this spike rendered his entire body immobile, even making opening his mouth extremely difficult.
Thinking of the fate about to befall him, Dan Ying closed his eyes and tried hard to recall every moment with Daya.
“Sister, your brother loves eating intestines. Tomorrow I’ll take intestines to propose marriage. At worst I’ll give him all the offal for the year…”
“What are you looking around blindly for? I’m in the tree, watching over you at night. Go to sleep quickly…”
“It’s all because your stingy elder brother forced me. Otherwise I wouldn’t become a thief—I prefer being a highwayman.”
Thinking of Daya brought a smile to Dan Ying’s face. That girl as delicate as a lilac flower—in this lifetime he was fated not to protect her, but she had a formidable elder brother, so she would likely live happily.
“Dead yet? If not, get up!” A shrill voice came over. Dan Ying opened his eyes. He had never imagined Wu She’s wrinkled old face could appear so kind and amiable.