Peijian felt that recently, Shicheng could truly be described as a place where winds rose and clouds surged.

He had joined the army at twelve and it had been nearly ten years now. Born into a humble family, he had clawed his way up from an unknown foot soldier, and had now become a junior commander in the army. Ten years of military service with many battles experienced, yet he had never seen such treacherous and unpredictable chaos as recently.

The beginning of everything lay in the assassination attempt on that superior official from the Privy Council.

Peijian had not witnessed this incident personally. It was just that a few nights ago, a great fire in the city had thrown everything into chaos. He had led soldiers throughout the city to fight fires, and just as the flames had subsided slightly before dawn, news came of Master Qi’s assassination.

This naturally caused a great uproar, and General Jiang was also furious. The generals held council in the tent all night.

General Jiang sat in full armor in the main seat, his face iron-blue with anger: “Those Gao Wei bandits! They dare set fires in our city! And take advantage of the chaos to assassinate our court officials! This is absolutely outrageous!”

At these words, the generals in the tent were shocked. Peijian also felt indignant in his heart, but also found it somewhat strange: Shicheng was solid as gold and stone, with strict patrols. If Wei people had set fires in the city, it couldn’t possibly be outsiders – could there actually be spies within the city?

He was too low-ranking to interject, but heard another general in the tent respond: “Those Wei dogs go too far! Not only have they provoked us repeatedly these past months, now they’ve done such things! Do they truly think Great Liang has no one?”

The generals in the tent had been running about all night, each with soot still on their faces, looking quite bedraggled. Hearing these words made them even more furious: Damn those arrogant Wei dogs! Coming into the city to set fires and killing their superior – this was intolerable!

Seeing everyone’s indignation, Jiang Yong continued: “Generals, calm yourselves! Now that Master Qi has been assassinated and Wei forces are stationed north of the river, what should our course of action be? Do any of you have plans?”

A general said resolutely: “The Wei dogs press us aggressively, and now they’ve killed our superior. If we don’t open the city gates and fight, what face do we have left to see His Majesty? Even if that Gu Juhan is divinely gifted, our army has Shicheng at our backs and can rely on the Yangtze’s natural defenses. This battle may not necessarily be lost! Please, General, give the order – immediately muster troops and open the city to fight!”

His words rang out clearly, immediately stirring the fighting spirit of the generals in the tent. They had been cooped up for several months, and now even if they died on the battlefield, they wanted to fight the Wei army and vent their anger. With someone taking the lead, they became fearless, all requesting battle.

Jiang Yong’s expression was hesitant: “I deeply understand the generals’ patriotic urgency, but the Privy Council has given orders forbidding us to engage in battle. This…”

Before he finished speaking, another general interrupted: “Why must the General be so indecisive! Though the Privy Council has given orders, Master Qi has now been assassinated. What use is it for us to cling to such edicts? We’ll just charge out to avenge Master Qi – what could the Privy Council say?”

“Exactly!” another chimed in. “A general in the field need not obey every command from his ruler! Besides, the Privy Council isn’t the Emperor. Do we really have to cower our whole lives?”

Everyone spoke at once, each red-eyed, wishing they could immediately take up swords and charge out of the city to kill a bunch of Wei dogs and vent their anger!

A strange glint passed through Jiang Yong’s eyes. Seeing everyone had been stirred up enough, he said at the right moment: “Since all the generals say so, then I think perhaps we should…”

He had been acting all night, and just when the timing was perfect to bring up opening hostilities, his words were only half-finished when someone interrupted – a person stepped forward and declared firmly: “General, think thrice! Absolutely do not open the city to fight!”

As soon as these words hit the ground, not only was Jiang Yong shocked, all the other generals in the tent were shocked, turning to see who had spoken such treasonous words. They saw it was the junior commander Peijian from their army. This young commander’s face was flushed red, his clenched fists still trembling slightly. Facing everyone’s stares, he still stubbornly held his ground without retreating, even boldly repeating once more: “Generals, please calm your anger. Gao Wei has an army of wolves and tigers, and now with that Gu Juhan in command. He has coveted Shicheng for long – once our army opens the city, defeat will surely outweigh victory!”

The generals were absolutely furious upon hearing this! What a junior commander! They’d seen cowards before, but never one so righteously cowardly! He’d actually been frightened senseless by that Gu family boy north of the river!

A general angrily rebuked: “Peijian! You’ve served as a Great Liang soldier for nearly ten years, yet you’re such a spineless coward! At this point, if we still don’t open the city, won’t we be mocked for ages and spat upon by everyone?”

The generals were indignant, all cursing Peijian with overlapping voices. Peijian’s heart pounded like thunder, his face so red it nearly dripped blood, but he gritted his teeth and shouted louder than the whole room: “So what if we’re mocked for ages! So what if we’re spat upon! Though we suffer humiliation, we preserve our soldiers’ lives! If Shicheng is broken and that Gu Juhan marches south all the way to Jiankang, what would happen to His Majesty! What would happen to Great Liang! That would be the disaster of national destruction!”

This speech roared out with qi sunk to his dantian, deafeningly powerful, completely subduing everyone.

The disaster of national destruction.

These four words were like a basin of cold water poured over their heads, extinguishing half their burning anger.

Yes… that Gu Juhan was extraordinarily brave – even General Han’s head had nearly been taken by him. If they opened the city and were defeated, not only would they lose their own lives, it would cause the nation’s fall. His Majesty would certainly punish their families then – what would happen then? Better to admit cowardice now, defend the city gates without opening them. Though this would lose face and be shameful, at least they could preserve themselves, which was also good. If mocked by others later, they could claim they hadn’t fought due to the Privy Council’s edicts, throwing all the dirty water on that Qi Jingchen. He was dead anyway – what did more curses matter?

With such circuitous reasoning, the generals’ hearts settled somewhat, and their desire for battle gradually weakened.

Seeing the situation turning bad from his seat, Jiang Yong thought: after causing such a commotion for so long, how could he let a junior commander ruin things at the crucial moment? Qi Jingchen was already dead – no matter what, he could no longer stay in Great Liang. If he couldn’t help General Gu break the city, where in this vast world would there be a place for Jiang Yong?

Success or death! Jiang Yong gathered his resolve and shouted sternly: “Peijian! You eat the ruler’s salary yet bow and scrape so obsequiously to Gao Wei – you’re truly the shame of our generation! If you repent and are willing to pour out your heart and liver for Great Liang, this general won’t hold your previous words against you. If not…”

Jiang Yong’s eyes revealed killing intent.

Peijian saw the murderous intent flash in his eyes, but had no intention of retreating.

He had joined the army at twelve, fighting enemies bravely on battlefields, never fearing Wei people. He was willing to defend the mountains and rivers and protect the people’s peace – he was absolutely not one who feared death. But he was unwilling to fight a battle certain to be lost. Now the Wei army in the great camp north of the river was sharpening weapons and preparing horses with intent to destroy them. Commanderies like Longkang had already been lost – Shicheng was a barrier they absolutely could not lose. If Shicheng were also lost, Great Liang would truly stand at a cliff’s edge, just one step from being shattered to pieces!

He was a seven-foot man – how could he be willing to hide behind city walls? But he knew the Privy Council’s edict was correct. Showing mere individual courage would only harm the nation – enduring momentary humiliation would allow planning for the future. Today, even if that Privy Council superior had already been assassinated, he, Peijian, though low-ranking and powerless, would stand alone against ten here. Even if he died for this, he would never retreat one step!

Seeing Peijian had no intention of retreating, and the light in his eyes had become even sharper, Jiang Yong sneered coldly: “Good. Since you’re so stubborn, this general will kill you today as a sacrifice to the flag! Let all the world see the fighting spirit of Great Liang’s sons!”

As he spoke, he quickly drew his sword from his waist and strode toward Peijian. That sword edge flashed with cold light, Jiang Yong’s eyes revealing murderous intent. Peijian stood motionless in place, fists clenched tight, thinking that though he might die today, his loyal words had been spoken – he had no regrets…

Jiang Yong had already approached with raised sword. Peijian closed his eyes, hearing the sound of the sharp blade cutting through air and the dull sound of piercing flesh, then the generals’ outcry. But he felt no pain at all. Opening his eyes to look, he was still perfectly fine and unharmed, while General Jiang had a sword pierced through his right shoulder and had already collapsed to his knees.

Peijian was dazed, then heard someone behind him say: “Even if His Majesty were here today, the Privy Council’s orders cannot be arbitrarily changed. General Jiang shows great audacity – how dare you disobey the Privy Council’s commands?”

Everyone turned at the sound and saw someone approaching through the city’s beacon fires – wearing high cap and broad robes, with phoenix eyes flowing with light. It was unmistakably Qi Jingchen, who was rumored to have been assassinated! Behind him followed two people: his personal retainer Bai Song, and the executioner Xu Zhengning. The group approached unhurriedly, yet their steps seemed to carry the clash of weapons and cavalry, with imposing pressure like mountains.

Jiang Yong’s right shoulder was completely pierced by the sword, blood flowing like a stream. The pain made him unable to rise from where he knelt, only able to support himself with his hands and watch Qi Ying walk toward him, his eyes full of shock: Qi Jingchen was still alive? How was this possible!

Tonight he had clearly ordered people to secretly let Gao Wei assassins into the city, taking advantage of the chaos from the fires to assassinate Qi Ying’s group. He had watched from hiding as Qi Ying took an arrow to the chest – how could he now be standing here perfectly fine?

This matter was fraudulent.

Jiang Yong walked on knife’s edge, so his mind turned quickly now. He knew his treason had probably been seen through by the Privy Council. The only plan now was to refuse to admit anything – without iron proof, they couldn’t do anything to him. Even if they had evidence, he, Jiang Yong, was after all a general personally trained by General Han. Now that Great Liang had so few military officials, could that Qi Jingchen actually kill him? The aristocratic families weren’t all united as one block either – if Qi Jingchen killed him, how could the Han family let it pass? He would have to give face to Han Shouye.

With his mind settled, Jiang Yong immediately ignored even his shoulder wound, feigning delighted surprise as he knelt on the ground looking at Qi Ying: “That you are unharmed is truly most fortunate! If something had happened to you, this humble general would definitely take that Gu Juhan’s head to avenge you!”

Peijian stood below, watching in shock and confusion as that superior official walked past him with wind-light indifference, standing tall before General Jiang and looking down at him without saying a word. Those hands belonging to a civil official suddenly gripped the sword hilt and without hesitation yanked the sword out forcefully.

Blood splattered. Though Jiang Yong was an iron man, he couldn’t withstand such agony, unable to remain kneeling and falling over to clutch his wound and howl in pain. Blood splashed onto that Master Qi’s sleeves, but he paid no attention, and Peijian saw he didn’t even blink, saying very calmly: “The Privy Council issued seven iron edicts forbidding war. How dare General Jiang speak of battle?”

His voice was calm, like an ancient well without ripples, yet it made the room full of generals fall silent as winter insects.

That Jiang Yong clutched his wound and struggled to kneel upright, covered in cold sweat: “Please don’t blame me, sir. We were momentarily shocked and angry, losing our composure, only hating that we couldn’t skin and flay the Wei army to resolve our heart’s hatred – now that you are well, we absolutely dare not speak of war again. Please, superior, show mercy.”

Jiang Yong could be considered someone who had seen the world. Now in such dangerous circumstances, his words still contained schemes – seeming unintentional but repeatedly saying “we,” pulling all the generals in the room to his side, calculating on the principle that the law doesn’t punish the masses.

Peijian swallowed, not knowing how this matter would develop next, when he saw that Master Qi’s expression unmoved, only slightly turning his head to ask Xu Zhengning: “Master Xu, I was transferred to the Privy Council not long ago and am still not very familiar with the rules – those who defy the Privy Council’s orders, what crime should they be charged with?”

That Master Xu known as the executioner stood three steps behind Qi Ying, slightly bowing, but with ruthless light in his eyes as he answered: “Replying to you, sir – the crime deserves death.”

As the two words “deserves death” hit the ground, all generals were shocked.

This… this Jiang Yong was also a court official. Though Great Liang had always had the tradition of emphasizing civil over military officials, he was still a fourth-rank official from below. Though Master Qi held real power, his official rank wasn’t very high – only fourth rank. By rights, he had no authority to execute a fourth-rank military officer from below, especially since Jiang Yong was still someone from General Han’s faction… Could Master Qi really dare kill him?

But when Jiang Yong heard those words “deserves death,” knowing this matter couldn’t end well today, he stopped groveling and his expression changed, immediately showing fierce light as he shouted sternly: “Qi Jingchen! I respect you as legitimate Qi family lineage and have yielded everywhere. What? Do you now want to harm court officials?”

He struggled to get up but was kicked down by Bai Song. The generals only saw this private retainer of young Master Qi with a cold, wordless face, but his kick was harsh – one kick to Jiang Yong’s chest made him spit blood and immediately turn pale as paper.

Jiang Yong was both shocked and pained, prostrate on the ground unable to rise, barely lifting his head to point at Qi Ying, gasping as he cursed: “Qi Jingchen, you actually dare…”

Before he finished speaking, he saw Qi Ying approaching with sword in hand, frightening him into retreating along the ground while shouting: “Qi Jingchen! I am General Han’s confidant! Even if guilty, I should be punished by His Majesty and General Han! If you dare kill me, the General will never let this pass!”

Seeing Qi Ying’s steps pause after he spoke, thinking it had worked, he was wildly delighted, thinking this Qi family boy was indeed intimidated by General Han’s prestige. Just as he was about to speak more威风, he suddenly felt a chill in his chest.

Qi Ying had already unhesitatingly thrust the sword into his chest.

The generals were speechless, watching that aristocratic young master, bright as wind and clear as moon, kill a fourth-rank military officer like a jade-faced Yama, unmoved by eight winds, his expression not even flickering. Blood splashed half a person’s height, but he stood in the pool of red with a calm face, even seeming to have a compassionate expression, like a Buddha with lowered brows, and like an Asura from hell.

His voice was cold and indifferent as he looked down at Jiang Yong: “In all matters concerning military affairs, the Privy Council has the authority to act first and report later. If General Han knew you had become a traitor, he would definitely clean house personally. Today I act on uncle’s behalf – I think the General won’t blame me.”

Finishing his words, he ruthlessly pulled out the sword. Jiang Yong’s heart vessels severed, he fell to the ground and died.

The room fell into dead silence. Peijian stood below looking at this superior, his heart infinitely shaken, seemingly never having imagined that someone of such precious birth who lived among documents could so decisively take a life.

Qi Jingchen was actually such a figure: his appearance that of a gentleman, his heart that of Asura.

Author’s Note: These recent chapters don’t have much romantic plotline, but I myself wrote them quite enthusiastically, and think they’re very important for shaping Qi Jingchen as a character. A Buddha with lowered brows and Asura from hell combined in one body – even covered in blood he still harbors compassion. This is a point I personally very much admire about this character, and when he faces all this his inner world is also very complex. Perhaps it will be clearer from Wenwen’s perspective later (Wenwen will be back soon~ next chapter or the one after). Also patting Peijian’s shoulder: young man, your path has widened.