Changsheng had awakened. Though it was deep night, for the entire General’s Mansion it was a sleepless one.
By the time the imperial physicians arrived, Jiaye had already circulated true qi through a complete small heavenly cycle for Changsheng. The old men saw the living corpse who had been lying there yesterday now sitting up, and were all left utterly dumbstruck. After they took turns examining the Young Master’s pulse and confirmed this wasn’t a final rally before death, Wei Xingyun was so excited he could barely control himself. If not for the presence of others in the room, he probably would have thrown himself at the bedside for a good cry long ago.
After such commotion, even if Changsheng remained somewhat confused about his surroundings, he should at least understand the situation.
Since he had just awakened, the imperial physicians warned against overtaxing his mind. Wei Xingyun, though full of heartfelt words, didn’t dare choose this moment to pour them out. But he truly wanted to linger a while longer. After attending to Changsheng taking his medicine and hearing the Young Master personally say to him, “General Wei, you’ve grown old,” this general over fifty finally couldn’t hold back and shed tears.
After everyone successively departed and only the siblings remained in the room, the two gazed at each other for a moment before laughing aloud.
Seeing his sister standing by the pillar, Changsheng beckoned to her. “Come here. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Have you gotten thinner? Let Big Brother take a good look at you.”
Changling sat down beside him. She still didn’t have much sense of reality, her gaze fixed unwavering on Changsheng. She spoke, “How could I only be thinner? I’ve clearly changed so much. How did you recognize me at first glance?”
“Who says you’ve changed?” Changsheng smiled and tapped her nose. “Your little nose and face—you look exactly like you did when you were small. How could I fail to recognize you?”
One sentence seemed to instantly pull back all those swiftly passing years. Seeing his sister cry again because of him, Changsheng’s heart ached. He reached out to catch her tears, saying gently, “You’re all grown up now, yet you still love to cry like when you were little. Aren’t you afraid of damaging the dignity of your War God reputation?”
Changling broke into laughter through her tears. Changsheng spread his arms and embraced her, gently stroking her hair like smoothing the feathers of a small bird. “Don’t cry. Big Brother has returned, hasn’t he?”
Long-separated, reunited—not yesterday, yet too much to express. These two words “returned” surpassed a thousand words.
After some unknown length of time, Changling dried her eyes. Though the tip of her nose still tinged red, she smiled. “You must have many questions to ask me. Where should I begin?”
She had thought Changsheng would ask how she had returned from the dead. Unexpectedly, his first question was, “Who is Ye Qi?”
She froze abruptly. She heard him say, “I heard you continuously calling his name in your dreams, so I thought… when you woke, I absolutely had to ask clearly—who dares to be so bold as to make my sister shed tears?”
Changling was slightly dazed. “Indeed, if not for his audacity, Big Brother and I would probably have never had the chance to meet again.”
Only when recounting from the beginning did Changling realize that whether it was the palm strike He Kangwen dealt her, or that little boy wrapped up like a mummy who solemnly promised her half the empire, or the one who descended from the sky laughingly saying he had “startled the beauty” yet kidnapped the wrong person—throughout her life’s twisting fortunes, in sorrow and in joy, she had been inextricably connected to him from the very start.
Changling wasn’t skilled with words. Even when narrating at length, most of the time she only spoke of events, not people. But her occasional comments like “that sickly fellow,” “clearly so weak yet so stubborn,” “never treats his own life as precious”—between the lines revealed far too much. Changsheng listened quietly, his brow now furrowed, now relaxed, his emotions rising and falling. Before Changling could finish, he couldn’t help but ask, “Then where is he now?”
Changling’s eyes dimmed. “He’s dead.”
“Why? Wasn’t the spiritual snake gallbladder already found?”
Fearing Changsheng would feel guilty, Changling temporarily didn’t want him to know the truth. She said vaguely, “He… wasn’t able to take the pill.”
Everything that happened at the martial arts gathering was intimately connected to finding Changsheng. Aside from this part, Changling slowly detailed it all. But when recalling the Longmen River, those surging waves sounded as if they were right beside her ear. She closed her eyes. The rest of the words became impossible to continue.
“That Sister could form such a connection with this person is a blessing bestowed by Heaven.” Changsheng’s eyes held melancholy as he sighed. “What a pity that I had no chance to meet him.”
The night was too deep. Changling was unwilling to let Changsheng sink into grief alongside her. With effort, she collected her emotions, changed the subject several times, then helped Changsheng lie back down to rest properly.
No matter what, that Changsheng could safely awaken was, for her, already a great fortune amid misfortune.
Though it might not fulfill everyone’s wishes.
Not to mention Emperor Yuan Jue and various royalist old ministers sitting on pins and needles inside the Western Xia palace—even within the General’s camp, several factions harbored their own schemes. After all, quite a few had followed Wei Xingyun expecting to support a new monarch. If the Great General was willing to support the old master, wouldn’t everyone’s expectations also fall through?
For a time, gossip seeped from inside the palace to outside. Upon reaching the common people, it was embellished by loose-lipped individuals. Rumors swept through Western Xia like a gale. By the time they reached Eastern Xia, the most outrageous version had become “Wei Xingyun will soon announce the new ruler to all under heaven.” Many old conservative clans still watching from the sidelines heard this and overnight packed their belongings to flee with entire households to Western Xia.
After all, in Eastern Xia the emperor had just died. The crown prince, only thirteen years old, was preparing his enthronement ceremony while simultaneously preparing to ascend to heaven. Prime Minister Fu Yangui busied himself purging traitors and seizing military authority, conveniently using the pretext of reforming governance to completely replace officials in major garrison towns and prefectures. These matters all but screamed “This Prime Minister wants to usurp the throne,” how could people not be terrified and uneasy?
Speaking of which, with Eastern and Western Xia on the brink of war, all arising from the martial arts gathering, after the Longmen Mountain turmoil various sects closed their gates. Privately, some rejoiced while others worried. Those rejoicing were naturally the ones who had firmly supported Second Young Master Yue that day. As for those who had chosen the wrong side, like Xiaoyao Valley and Taixu Gate, these sects had no choice but to follow the Fu faction seeking protection.
However, half a month before the Alliance Leader succession ceremony was to be held, the Martial Arts Alliance sent letters to all major sects stating that Second Young Master Yue voluntarily yielded the Alliance Leader position to the tournament’s second-place winner—Donghai Island Master Xu Laifeng. Anyone dissatisfied could petition the Martial Arts Alliance to issue a challenge or collectively request another gathering be convened.
This sudden turn of events left a great wave of people stupefied—could it be this Second Young Master wanted to assist the Young Master’s enthronement, unable to spare attention, and dumped this huge burden on someone else?
“Enthrone, enthrone, enthrone what throne?” Xu Laifeng raged. “I think she’s dumping the burden, that’s what’s really happening.”
That night, the new Alliance Leader Xu Laifeng, unable to bear the numerous tedious affairs of the Martial Arts Alliance, shouted about wanting to “abdicate in favor of someone worthier.” He couldn’t return to Donghai now—supposedly there was a long line of people waiting to duel with him outside. Nor could he hide anywhere—he had made too much of a spectacle at the gathering. Even street beggars could recognize him. No matter where he fled, his final fate was always being “invited” back by people from the Martial Arts Alliance to preside over the situation.
“Alliance Leader Xu, please calm yourself,” Wudang Sect’s Daoist Master Lingxu gently persuaded. “Recently there have been many disputes in the martial world that need someone to resolve. Initially, when the Second Young Master proposed letting Alliance Leader Xu temporarily substitute as Alliance Leader, Alliance Leader Xu also agreed gladly. Thus the Alliance Leader’s appointment has already been announced throughout the realm. How can we go back on it now?”
Xu Laifeng tapped the table with his knuckles for emphasis. “She said ‘temporarily substitute’ to me, saying if I stayed with you all for a while, many experts would come for sparring sessions, and she would also come spar with me then.”
Another elder stroked his beard. “It is indeed temporary. After three years, if Alliance Leader Xu is unwilling to continue, the Martial Arts Alliance certainly won’t force it.”
The implication was: if you want to leave now, hehe, no way.
“Three years… I’ve only been here three months. Forget practicing martial arts—I can’t even get enough sleep each day.” Xu Laifeng firmly protested. “Fine, you won’t replace me, right? Starting now I won’t speak, won’t show my face. If you plan to just serve this Alliance Leader who could flee at any moment, then please yourselves. If some major disaster breaks out accidentally, don’t put the blame on me.”
The several elders exchanged glances. Finally, it was Shaolin’s Master Huiguang who spoke. “If the Alliance Leader has no heart to benefit the martial world, forcing you would be meaningless… However, originally according to convention, the new Alliance Leader receives martial arts manuals from one of the Martial Arts Alliance’s Ten Elders’ sects…”
Island Master Xu’s eyes lit up at hearing “martial arts manuals.” He deliberately coughed with feigned indifference. “Your disciples are lacking in talent. I don’t believe you’d give me anything useful…”
“To others it may be useless, but for the Alliance Leader it may not be,” Master Huiguang slowly walked to his side, saying meaningfully, “I wonder if you’re interested in reading an incomplete copy of the third level mental cultivation method of the Ten Thousand Flowers Manual?”
Second Young Master Yue, far away in Chang’an, naturally couldn’t hear someone cursing her bloody behind her back.
The night Changsheng awoke, within a few days Jiaye and Jiagu took their leave. Zhou Qin stayed a while longer but couldn’t withstand several letters of nonsense from Fu Yanyang. After two days of hesitation, she decided to return to Eastern Xia to check things out, planning to come play with Changling again when free.
During this time, Changling constantly accompanied Changsheng in rehabilitation exercises—from hands to feet, from sitting to standing. Though most of the time he still relied on a wheelchair for mobility, for someone who had lain bedridden for years, this was already a major breakthrough. Ji Beilan had also traveled from afar to perform acupuncture on Changsheng, asserting that soon he would be able to walk and move no different from ordinary people. However, restoring his external martial arts cultivation was likely impossible.
Changsheng didn’t mind at all.
“Having reached today, being able to sit and converse leisurely with Sister like this is already fortunate. What more could I dare hope for?” Inside the General’s Mansion’s lakeside pavilion, Changsheng poured Changling a cup of tea. “I only hope to recover soon, so I can take you away from this place of turmoil early.”
Changling heard Changsheng’s intention to leave and teased, “If General Wei heard you say this, I’m afraid he wouldn’t be pleased… This is an imperial throne delivered to your door. Is Big Brother truly not tempted at all?”
Changsheng glared at her and gently shook his head. “An empire one conquers oneself is the genuine article. Though General Wei has some sincerity, if I truly sat on that throne, this rare devoted heart would be destroyed by the dragon throne.”
These few words contained too many layers of meaning. Though Changsheng had been isolated from the world for so many years, having once been a hegemon, how could he not see through these turbulent times?
Changling raised her teacup and swallowed back the words of persuasion she’d originally intended.
Once, what great ambitions and aspirations Yue Changsheng had possessed. She had even worried her brother couldn’t resist temptation. Now it seemed her worries were excessive—when the people needed him, he wielded his sword to establish unparalleled merit. Now that times had changed, he could also calmly accept that his era had long passed. Whether retiring to the countryside or wandering the four seas, he could bear the word “carefree.”
Changling was about to say something more when she suddenly sensed someone behind her. Moving extremely quickly, she grabbed the plate of melon seeds from the table and flung it backward. The handful of melon seeds was blown back by a reverse gust of wind, scattering everywhere as a figure suddenly landed before the siblings.
It was Xu Laifeng.
Changling ignored the visitor’s face full of resentment and said blandly, “Oh, I thought it was some expert walking without sound. So it’s Alliance Leader Xu. Rather than working diligently at the Martial Arts Alliance, what brings you to Chang’an?”
Hearing the words “Alliance Leader,” Xu Laifeng’s brow furrowed as if his tooth hurt. “The Second Young Master truly has leisure. If not for rescuing you, would I have fallen to this state?”
“Alliance Leader Xu jests. This is what countless people dream of but cannot obtain…”
“Enough, enough. If it’s so good, why doesn’t the Second Young Master take it?” Xu Laifeng strode forward. Seeing Yue Changsheng sitting in the wheelchair, he first paused, then his face showed a mix of admiration and curiosity difficult to suppress. He bowed respectfully. “This must be the Young Master? I am Xu Laifeng, the Donghai Island Master…”
“Long have I admired you. My sister mentioned you’re the only expert in recent years who can match her. I didn’t expect Island Master Xu to be so young,” Yue Changsheng nodded slightly. “Just now seeing Island Master Xu easily dissolve my sister’s attack—truly the younger generation is formidable.”
Hearing these words, Xu Laifeng instantly forgot most of his discontent. He waved his hand. “Actually I didn’t even have time to react. I just cultivated a rather sensitive technique. It was all subconscious, subconscious… Did the Second Young Master truly say I could match her?”
Seeing Xu Laifeng so pleased with himself, Changsheng very considerately omitted the last two words “somewhat” from the original phrase “match her somewhat,” saying, “Of course. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have entrusted such an important responsibility to Island Master Xu.”
Xu Laifeng paused slightly. “Oh, what do you mean?”
Changling also didn’t understand and looked at Changsheng.
Changsheng said, “My sister knows Island Master Xu is devoted to martial arts. If contemporary grandmasters could personally guide you, you would certainly achieve great success. Island Master Xu, living long on Donghai, may not know—the Alliance Leader position is special. You can access extraordinary martial techniques left by past Alliance Leaders and receive guidance and correction from highly respected seniors of the Martial Arts Alliance. Sometimes just a few words can benefit you for life… If not for this, why would so many people rush forward one after another wanting to seize this position?”
“Such a thing exists…” Xu Laifeng looked at Changling with skepticism, completely unaware he’d been played. “I thought the Second Young Master just wanted to avoid trouble and tricked me into going…”
Someone who had indeed tricked Xu Laifeng to avoid trouble “mm-hmm’d” in agreement. “That Alliance Leader Xu understands my painstaking care is most fortunate.”
In truth, though Changsheng’s words emphasized the light and avoided the heavy, they were essentially accurate. Most people competed for Alliance Leader to exploit their authority for convenience. Since Xu the martial arts fanatic had no such intentions, nothing attracted him more than “a good place to practice martial arts.”
Xu Laifeng had come intending to return this hot potato. Now that Changsheng explained it this way, he figured he’d continue a while longer to see how things went. If it proved unworthy of its reputation, running away later wouldn’t be too late.
However, having been forcibly pressed into service recently was truly frustrating. “Speaking of sparring in martial arts, if the Second Young Master is willing, I’d prefer fighting a few rounds with you. Those old men don’t look like they’d spar with me at all… Sigh, forget sparring. Shaolin’s Huiguang, to trick me into continuing, even claimed he’d give me that… the incomplete copy of the third level mental cultivation method from the Ten Thousand Flowers Manual personally written by Divine Monk Shenle. I actually believed it at first…”
Hearing “Ten Thousand Flowers Manual,” Changling’s hand holding the cup instinctively paused. “What happened?”
“He gave me a ragged page covered in Tianzhu script and told me he couldn’t read it either… Initially I thought monks don’t lie, and was happy for quite a while. Later, after considerable effort, I finally found an old gentleman who knew Tianzhu script and asked him to translate it for me. Guess what happened?” Xu Laifeng said with utmost indignation, “That old gentleman took one look, and the first thing he asked was, ‘Young master, do you seek death?'”