“Yuan Cheng!” Mo Zi hadn’t expected Yuan Cheng to speak so seriously. Given her easygoing nature, she was unwilling and saw no need to force the matter.
“Some people are born with a mission. Unfortunately, you’re one of them. But you’re quite fortunate—there are two others walking this path with you.” Yuan Cheng took Mo Zi’s hand, his warm and refined demeanor elegant as ever. “Don’t forget—we may not have been born on the same day of the same month in the same year, but we seek to die on the same day of the same month in the same year.”
Who said this sworn brotherhood was just for show?!
Jin Yin cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Clearly just seizing the chance to hold someone’s hand, yet making it sound so noble and righteous. But if you two abandon me alone in this sea of suffering, I’ll use every vile and treacherous method at my disposal—I’ll drag you both down with me no matter what.” He was a cunning merchant, after all.
Mo Zi burst out laughing. “Through mountains of blades and seas of fire, I won’t refuse.”
Yuan Cheng’s face returned to its usual calm expression. “Vile and treacherous—that’s truly Young Master Jin’s specialty.”
Mo Zi quickly whispered instructions to Chou Yu and Old Guan to adjust the sails and head toward the lights. There was the dark silhouette of a large mountain where people had already cleared the area. As they drew closer, they discovered lotus lanterns floating on the water’s surface.
“Lotus flowers carry souls.” Jin Yin stared at them, lost in thought.
Mo Zi knew of this Yuling custom. They believed the lotus was the purest flower, and after a soul whose wishes had been fulfilled attached itself to one, it too would be purified, allowing reincarnation into a good family for a peaceful next life.
Fei Xia’s massive frame approached without making a single footstep sound. “Mo-ge, seven or eight square-sterned boats are following behind us.”
Mo Zi nodded and said to Chou Yu, “Light the torches.”
Chou Yu responded with a cheerful acknowledgment.
Zan Jin and Ding Gou came forward. Though everything had been arranged beforehand, the two remained vigilant.
As soon as Chou Yu’s side lit up, the opposite side suddenly blazed into a fiery dragon, revealing three large ships.
“Sailing this river at midnight means either hiding wealth or hiding secrets—quickly let us have a look! If you have money, buy your passage; if you have secrets, confess them.”
The bold and resonant voice startled Xiao Wei, Zhong An, and the others, who hurried up to the deck to see what was happening.
“What’s going on?” As the leader of their group, Xiao Wei naturally took the lead in asking.
“Looks like we’ve encountered river bandits again.” As the leader on the ship, Mo Zi naturally took responsibility for answering. She smiled. “And the voice sounds quite familiar.”
Zhong An remembered. “Good Yama?”
Wei Jia also recalled that person and said somewhat amusedly, “He got several tens of thousands of taels of silver just half a month ago. Has he already spent it all and is robbing for money again?”
“I’m afraid it’s not for money. Didn’t he say—if you have money, buy your passage; if you have secrets, confess them.” Xiao Wei had crossed paths with Good Yama’s men before. He felt they weren’t ordinary river bandits. “The key point is in those last five words.”
Mo Zi raised her eyebrows at Yuan Cheng, meaning: See? Not so easy to fool.
But Yuan Cheng just smiled at her, completely unconcerned about being seen through.
“What secrets could our ship possibly have—” Zhong An suddenly drew out his tone, looking toward Jin Yin standing at the bow, though not entirely certain. “Impossible. How would they know about him? Moreover, why would a bunch of river bandits target him? Could they want to exchange him with the Daqiu court for a reward?”
“They’re not ordinary river bandits.” Xiao Wei had already confirmed this in his heart. “Strict discipline, they don’t kill indiscriminately, their actions are organized. They’re practically like an army, yet they oppose the Daqiu navy. They can only be Yuling people. And moreover, people who want to restore Yuling. This Good Yama is no simple character. Mo Zi, quickly take the Second Prince below deck, don’t let them get a clear look at him.”
Jin Yin’s handsome face turned cold. “It seems it’s already too late. Since the other side has set up an ambush, they must have received definite information. Do you think if I don’t show myself, they’ll assume I’m not here and then let this ship pass?”
Xiao Wei’s gaze tightened sharply. “As long as the Second Prince isn’t discovered by them, we have our own ways to break through. Mo Zi, am I right?” This ship had enough combat power to deal with these people.
“Does General Xiao perhaps want to draw the entire Daqiu navy here?” Before Mo Zi could speak, Yuan Cheng laughed.
Xiao Wei was struck speechless. Indeed, if they resorted to force, it would inevitably create a huge commotion.
“Better leave it to Mo Zi to handle.” Yuan Cheng easily passed the responsibility.
Zhong An offered Mo Zi a suggestion. “Don’t forget, Good Yama still owes us a favor.”
Ding Gou suddenly interjected coldly, “He owes Mo-ge a favor, not everyone on this ship a favor.”
Xiao Wei furrowed his brow.
Mo Zi didn’t care what he was mulling over in his mind. She stepped to the very front. “May I ask if you are Good Yama?”
Good Yama confirmed, his voice drawing from far to near.
A fast boat churned up white waves and came to the middle. On it stood over twenty imposing, burly men. At the bow stood not the bearded old man in a straw raincoat, but a middle-aged man in a brocade general’s robe with a flying headband, his eyes bright and spirited. Only his robust build was the same as before.
Hearing Mo Zi speak, he was somewhat surprised. “Young lady, are you the one in charge of this ship?”
Mo Zi stepped onto the high plank and onto the ship’s rail, cutting a dashing figure. “That’s right. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon, brave warrior. It must be fate.”
Good Yama was taken aback. Though he’d received news that the Second Prince was on this ship, he hadn’t expected the other party’s tone to suggest they actually knew him. And he was certain he’d never seen a female ship captain before.
“Has the brave warrior perhaps forgotten—that night when you intercepted Zuo You’s ship, who secretly gave you assistance?” Mo Zi reminded him.
Good Yama’s eyes widened. “So it was you who helped, young lady! Many thanks, many thanks. However, if you’re asking me to repay the favor, I can’t do it this time.”
Mo Zi shrugged at Zhong An over her shoulder, indicating she’d done her best, then faced Good Yama again. “Let’s set that aside for now. But why are you intercepting my ship, brave warrior?”
“Truly a refreshingly straightforward woman, rarely seen.” Good Yama laughed heartily. “I’ll be frank as well. Dare I ask, young lady, is the Second Prince of Yuling on your ship?”
“Mo Zi!” Xiao Wei’s voice was stern. He felt they should hold firm—hold out as long as they could. “Don’t forget His Majesty’s secret edict. Chu Liu is already dead. If Chu Yu is captured, how will we answer for it?”
“General Xiao, the prerequisite for completing a mission is preserving one’s own life first.” Yuan Cheng said coolly.
Mo Zi paid no attention to what the two men behind her were saying, concentrating on dealing with Good Yama. Though Yuan Cheng had summoned these people, before handing Jin Yin over, she wanted to personally verify the other party’s sincerity.
“Who exactly are you, brave warrior? I see you really don’t seem like river bandits. If you can answer me honestly, I’ll answer you honestly in return.”
Jin Yin murmured beside her, “Good Mo San’er, she has more conscience than he does. That’s right—at least ask for a name first, instead of rushing to make me jump overboard the moment you hear they’re some Yuling resistance army or whatnot.”
He spoke softly, and Xiao Wei was far enough away not to provoke an obvious internal conflict.
“This humble one’s surname is Chen, given name Sheng. I was originally Yuling’s Tiger-Riding General. Hearing that our Second Prince was captured by Daqiu people, I specifically infiltrated Daqiu waters to rescue him. Along the way, lacking military provisions, I’ve been doing this bandit business of robbing the rich—we’re not desperately wicked villains. If you don’t believe me, young lady, please bring out the Second Prince. The Second Prince knows Chen Sheng.” Good Yama said.
“Chen Sheng.” Jin Yin showed himself.
Xiao Wei took a swift step to pull him back, but Zan Jin and Ding Gou blocked him.
Though excited, Chen Sheng remained cautious. “Could you bring the torch closer?”
Seeing Mo Zi nod, only then did Chou Yu comply.
Once Chen Sheng clearly saw it was indeed Chu Yu, he immediately led everyone in kneeling, his voice trembling with emotion. “Your Highness, we’ve finally hoped for your arrival! My father… my father can finally rest in peace.”
“His father?” Mo Zi thought for a moment, then suddenly understood. “Chen Sheng is Old General Chen’s son?”
“Father and son soldiers never part on the battlefield. Old General Chen had four sons, all excellent Yuling military generals. Chen Sheng is the eldest. If they’re from the Chen family, I can feel at ease going with them.” Jin Yin made his decision in this moment.
“No!” Xiao Wei, standing on Great Zhou’s position, finally made clear his disagreement. With a wave of his hand, his personal guards surrounded the people at the bow. “The Second Prince must first return with us to Great Zhou. After meeting His Majesty face to face, then we can make other plans.”
“General Xiao—” Yuan Cheng tried to speak.
Xiao Wei’s eyes glinted coldly. “No need to say more. You have sworn brotherhood with the Second Prince. I suspect you cannot handle this matter impartially.” Looking at Mo Zi again, “Mo Zi, the same goes for you. At this moment, on this ship, I must have the final say.”
Mo Zi bit her lip and sighed. Xiao Wei was truly a loyal minister and good general. To be honest, if she stood in the position of Great Zhou’s emperor, she would find his passionate devotion heroic and fearless. But she had no nation, no sovereign in her heart. Neither did Yuan Cheng. So no matter how much they wanted harmony, it was harder than ascending to heaven. Look—just a while ago they were getting along quite well on the ship, and suddenly the harmony had turned to tension. Different values meant all efforts were in vain.
“General Xiao.” She no longer called him elder brother. “You don’t have the final say in this. I have an imperial edict—on this ship, I have the final say. Even if I fall, it still wouldn’t be your turn to give orders on my ship.”
“Song Mo Zi, you concealed your relationship with the Daqiu King—that’s tantamount to deceiving the sovereign. When we return to the capital, whether you can even obtain His Majesty’s forgiveness is uncertain, and you still say you have the final say on the ship?” Unable to ignore the secret imperial edict, Xiao Wei gritted his teeth and held firm.
“That will be for His Majesty to decide after we return. You don’t have the final say either.” Mo Zi’s tone held more helplessness. “General Xiao, can’t you see clearly? Please come up here.”
She had Zan Jin and Ding Gou stop blocking him.
When Xiao Wei stepped to the bow and looked, his expression changed. All around them were boats of various sizes, with at least a thousand people standing in orderly formation—an array similar to when they’d intercepted Zuo You.
“So what? Even if it costs me my life, I cannot compromise!” He was a general—he couldn’t flee without fighting.
“If General Xiao is so eager to die, I’ll give you a small boat. You can go down there and fight them to the death.” This man was stubborn and inflexible. He wasn’t wrong, and neither was she. A true ancient person encountering a true modern person—conflict was inevitable! Even Yue Fei made her lament that blind loyalty was beyond redemption, let alone Xiao Wei.
“You!” Simply beyond words.
“General Xiao. His Majesty sent us to rescue the Second Prince for nothing more than hoping to aid Yuling in resisting Daqiu, to keep our Great Zhou safe. Whether the Second Prince leaves now or after returning to the capital makes little real difference.” Yuan Cheng pulled Mo Zi behind him. “On the contrary, I believe it’s better for the Second Prince to be taken by Yuling people. Right now Daqiu pursuers are behind us, all thinking Great Zhou people rescued the Second Prince—they’ll certainly use this as an excuse to provoke Great Zhou. But if the Second Prince was actually rescued by Yuling people, Great Zhou not only clears itself of suspicion, but can also condemn Daqiu for false accusations. Justice would then be on our Great Zhou’s side.”
“Moreover, I, Chu Yu, will certainly repay Great Zhou’s life-saving grace.” Jin Yin added at the opportune moment.