Pei Yan furrowed his brows slightly and stepped in front of Wei Zhao, gripping his left wrist. Wei Zhao quickly retreated, and Pei Yan pursued him.
As Wei Zhao moved gracefully, he coldly said, “Lord Shaojun, do not push too hard. The Emperor is quite interested in what Lord Pei has been up to all these years.”
Pei Yan did not pause, laughing heartily, “If the Third Master wishes to report, he should first consider whether he can even enter the palace at this moment.”
The two figures, one in blue and the other in white chased each other within the tower chamber. As Pei Yan spoke, he stepped onto the stone table, spinning in mid-air to strike Wei Zhao.
Wei Zhao’s right arm was intercepted, colliding with Pei Yan’s right arm. As Pei Yan landed, their eyes met, both flashing with cold light.
Wei Zhao released his internal energy, pushing Pei Yan back against the wall. His icy gaze fixed on Pei Yan as he sneered, “Once the fox fur arrives, your people will have me under control, with spies spread throughout the capital to prevent my escape. Today, you also use this match to probe my internal strength. Is this your sincerity in cooperation, Lord Shaojun?!”
Pei Yan gathered his energy in his right arm, giving a sharp shout as he pushed Wei Zhao toward the window, his voice low and firm. “Third Master misunderstands. Since entering the capital, I naturally must guard against any mishaps. My aim is not to target you.”
Wei Zhao leaned back against the window, releasing his right arm. Pei Yan tilted to the left, and Wei Zhao took the opportunity to flip over, twisting Pei Yan’s right arm behind him. In a cold voice, he said, “Lord Shaojun is meticulous in his actions; I have learned a thing or two. If you do not show sincerity tonight, someone will surely enter the palace to report everything to the Emperor.”
Pei Yan was pinned against the window but remained calm, his gaze sharp. He struck the wooden frame of the window with his left palm, and with a loud “bang,” countless wood splinters exploded into the air, shooting toward Wei Zhao.
Wei Zhao had no choice but to release Pei Yan’s right arm, performing a somersault to evade. Just as he landed, Pei Yan rushed forward, gripping his left wrist, his eyes shining with sincerity. “Since Third Master requires sincerity, why not allow me to treat your injuries and then listen as I explain?”
Wei Zhao halted, his ethereal features now shrouded in frost as he locked eyes with Pei Yan for a long moment.
After a while, he coughed lightly several times, closed his eyes, and smiled bleakly. “There’s no need for you to worry, Lord Shaojun. Do you think the Emperor is so easily deceived? If I were not truly injured, I would already be a pile of bones. Surely, he knows why the Changfeng Riders have retreated time and again without incident?”
Pei Yan released his right hand, gazing intently at Wei Zhao. “Indeed, the Emperor is a man who has navigated through many schemes. But even if he knows that I have the Changfeng Riders retreating to pressure him into allowing me to regain military power, what can he do? In this current situation, who in the Huachao can turn the tide? Who can repel the Huan and Bo armies?!”
Wei Zhao remained silent, coughing a few more times.
Pei Yan spoke in a deep voice, “I came here at your invitation because I admire Third Master’s ability to serve the tiger and plan great undertakings over the years. Although the world is in chaos, I fear your grand plans may be difficult to achieve. The only way forward is for us to join forces to resist the strong enemies. I ask you to listen carefully to what I have to say.”
With that, he straightened and bowed deeply.
Wei Zhao sidestepped, saying lightly, “Such a grand gesture from you, Lord Shaojun, is something I, Xiao Wuxia, cannot accept.”
Pei Yan stood upright, his face filled with joy. “If Sect Leader Xiao is willing to listen to my words, it would be a great honor. Please!”
Wei Zhao floated back to the stone table and leisurely poured a cup of tea, then slowly filled Pei Yan’s cup. Pei Yan smiled, “Thank you, Sect Leader Xiao.”
The wind blew in through the window, causing the candlelight to flicker. The sound of the copper bells under the eaves accompanied the swaying candlelight, creating a rhythmic melody.
Pei Yan raised his right hand, gathering several chess pieces, both black and white, and placed them on the board. Wei Zhao watched quietly, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
Pei Yan looked at Wei Zhao and slowly said, “Sect Leader Xiao, you are a clever man. With this chessboard setup, you can see clearly. If the war between the Huan and Hua nations becomes a stalemate, the front lines will stretch along the western river. Regardless of whether it’s the Huan army or our Hua army if they wish to break through the front lines and achieve victory, which direction do you think they will consider first?!”
Wei Zhao gazed at the chessboard, his expression growing colder as he snorted softly.
Pei Yan’s gaze remained fixed on him as he continued, “The eastern front has Bo Yunshan, and neither army will consider breaking through that way. To maneuver and seek a breakthrough, they can only go through your Yue Luo mountain range! Moreover, within Yue Luo, there is also the Tongfeng River, which the Huan nation covets!”
“Our Hua army is not too difficult to deal with. For many years, we have regarded Yue Luo as a territory of our dynasty, merely raiding for goods, taking some slaves, and scraping off some land. But if the Huan army sets its sights on your Yue Luo, I fear that with their barbaric nature of burning, killing, and plundering, they will want more than just slaves and wealth. If they wish to fully control the water source of the Tongfeng River, even if you, Sect Leader Xiao, gather all your clan’s strength to resist, it may still be difficult to avoid the destruction of your clan!”
Wei Zhao remained silent for a long time before finally speaking with a hint of sarcasm, “Since Lord Shaojun sees the situation so clearly, you would not allow the Huan army to occupy my Yue Luo to plot their southern advance. Why should I worry?”
Pei Yan interrupted, “Yes, I will not allow Yu Wen Jinglun to succeed. But this means the front lines must shift westward, and the flames of war will inevitably ignite within your Yue Luo! May I ask, Sect Leader Xiao, when that time comes, will your clan still have a place to stand? What will you use to protect your people?!”
Wei Zhao remained silent. As the night wind surged into the tower, he suddenly smiled upward. “Lord Shaojun, you say so much only to ask me to help you. But how do you plan to win in this chaotic situation? If you win, how can you bring life to my Yue Luo?!”
Pei Yan gazed deeply at him, a faint smile on his lips. “I do not mean to flatter you, Third Master. If you are willing to assist, I am certain I can win this battle.”
Wei Zhao leaned slightly, his expression calm. “Lord Shaojun thinks too highly of me. I am merely a mere servant and likely do not possess such ability.”
Pei Yan’s expression turned serious. “Third Master, regardless of how the world views you, in my heart, you are a man of great stature, a worthy opponent to compete with me! If it were not so, why would I seek to cooperate with you?”
Wei Zhao closed his eyes and said slowly, “Lord Shaojun, I understand what you are after. If I help you and you gain military power, achieving your grand ambitions, you will likely come to subdue my Yue Luo sooner or later. Between us, a battle is still inevitable. Why should I now raise a powerful enemy for myself?”
Pei Yan shook his head slightly, his voice sincere. “Third Master, we do not speak falsehoods in front of real people. Whether as enemies or friends, it is all driven by interests. The court’s coercion of your Yue Luo to pay tribute and enslave your clan is truly counterproductive. Not only does it lose the loyalty of Yue Luo, but it also requires you to keep heavy troops stationed in Changle, wasting resources and military strength. If I were to take control of the court, I would certainly abolish the enslavement of your clan, explicitly prohibit the tribute of courtesans and songstresses, and strictly forbid the private trade of officials and civilians, establishing it as law. I wonder if this would satisfy you, Third Master?!”
Wei Zhao remained with his eyes closed, not opening them. Only his eyelids trembled slightly. Pei Yan relaxed, leaning back in his chair, gazing at his face for a long time. For a moment, the tower was silent, only the sound of the copper bells ringing above.
With a soft “flap,” a bird fluttered its wings and landed on the window, perhaps noticing someone inside the tower, before taking off again.
Wei Zhao opened his eyes, meeting Pei Yan’s smiling gaze. A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he slowly spoke, “The conditions you offer are indeed tempting, but I do not know how I can dare to trust your words, Lord Shaojun.”
Pei Yan’s gaze was steady. “Since I sincerely wish to cooperate with you, I have also thought about how to gain your trust.” He slowly took out a piece of silk from his bosom and placed it on the stone table, then gently pushed it toward Wei Zhao.
Wei Zhao glanced at Pei Yan, casually picking up the silk and slowly unfolding it. His smile gradually faded, and he fell into deep thought.
Pei Yan relaxed, sipping his tea. Seeing Wei Zhao still silent, he smiled slightly. “Third Master knows that drafting and issuing decrees privately is a grave crime against your clan. Today, I will present this decree to exempt Yue Luo from all labor and abolish the tribute of courtesans and songstresses. If I achieve my ambitions in the future, this will be the first national policy I implement, and I will not go back on my word.”
Seeing Wei Zhao still silent, Pei Yan took out a jade seal from his sleeve. “Do you have ink and a brush, Third Master?”
Wei Zhao remained silent for a moment, then slowly stood up, retrieving ink and a brush from the chess box before leisurely returning to the table.
Pei Yan looked up, and the two exchanged glances for a moment. Wei Zhao’s smile grew warmer as he casually sat down, slightly leaning, his right arm resting on the back of the chair. He said leisurely, “In that case, please tell me how I can help you, Lord Shaojun.”
Pei Yan smiled brightly, applying pressure as the jade seal pressed down onto the silk.
Under the night sky, the lake shimmered with a faint, ethereal glow.
Pei Yan, carrying the still unconscious Jiang Ci, walked to the lakeside. He covered his mouth with his right hand and emitted a sound like a crane’s call. Before long, a painted boat leisurely approached from the east side of the lake.
On the small island in the lake, within the Baoli Tower, a white figure stood silently at the window, watching the boat drift away, slowly closing his eyes.
His hands, resting behind his back, seemed to let something slip through his fingers. He slowly extended his right hand, but only the empty wind brushed past his fingers. As he closed his fingers, he grasped nothing—
As the boat drew near, Pei Yan, holding Jiang Ci, quietly climbed onto the unoccupied stern, tapping on the window of the second floor of the painted boat. Shu Yun gently opened the window, and Pei Yan floated in.
Shu Yun smiled as she closed the window, just about to speak when she caught sight of Jiang Ci in Pei Yan’s arms, her smile gradually fading.
Pei Yan said coldly, “You may leave.” Shu Yun dared not ask further, glancing at Jiang Ci once more before stepping out and gently closing the door.
Pei Yan placed Jiang Ci in a chair, his fingers gently brushing over her face, a hint of confusion and inquiry in his expression. Finally, he chuckled softly and released her acupoints.
Jiang Ci opened her eyes, and upon seeing Pei Yan’s deep gaze, she found him wearing a faint smile, as if he were about to lean down.
Jiang Ci’s heart raced, her eyes widening in alarm, her face filled with wariness. Pei Yan snorted lightly and sat down beside her, causing Jiang Ci to silently shift away.
Perhaps the night wind had suddenly picked up, causing the lake to ripple. The painted boat swayed a few times, and Jiang Ci’s right hand braced against the chair to avoid slipping, but the cloak on her shoulder had not been fastened tightly and slipped down.
Pei Yan picked up the cloak, preparing to drape it over her shoulders, when Jiang Ci suddenly leaped up, retreating several steps, leaving Pei Yan’s hand suspended in mid-air.
Pei Yan sighed softly, returning to his chair, and gazed at Jiang Ci. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier that Third Master had poisoned you?”
Jiang Ci gradually regained her composure and replied indifferently, “Lord Xiang, if you speak honestly if you had known that Third Master was the leader of the Xingyue Sect, would you have gone to such lengths to seek an antidote for a country girl like me?”
Pei Yan paused, then smiled. “You understand me quite well.”
Jiang Ci returned to her chair but did not look at Pei Yan. She said softly, “Lord Xiang, Jiang Ci has deceived you in the past out of necessity, and you have also poisoned me and used me. We are even now. I am of no further use to you, and I am not a person of your household. Please let me go. Jiang Ci will pray day and night for your success and that you achieve your wishes soon.”
Pei Yan remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking. “I would like to let you go, but Third Master’s identity cannot be revealed. I fear that if I release you, he will come to kill you to silence you. For now, you cannot leave my side.”
Jiang Ci looked directly at Pei Yan. “Third Master will not kill me.”
Pei Yan lightly responded, “Oh? I did not know that Third Master would be so tender-hearted.”
He suddenly stood up, raising the cloak to drape over Jiang Ci’s shoulders, his voice cold. “You know too much. Until the great matter is accomplished, you cannot leave my side for even a day. Also, when you return, you should know what to say in front of Ziming and what not to say. You are a clever person; you don’t need me to elaborate.” With that, he flicked his sleeve and exited the cabin.
In the Xiang residence, in the western garden, the candlelight was dim.
Cui Liang was sitting in the main room, carving wooden strips. Hearing footsteps, he smiled, “Lord Xiang, in just one more day, I will have this powerful crossbow completed.”
A clear voice like spring water rang out, “Brother Cui.”
Cui Liang looked up in surprise. “Xiao Ci!”
Jiang Ci slowly walked out from behind Pei Yan, a sweet smile blooming on her face. “Brother Cui.”
Seeing the glimmer of tears in Jiang Ci’s eyes, Cui Liang smiled and said, “Xiao Ci has lost weight.”
Pei Yan bent down to pick up several crossbow parts from the ground, examining them closely. He laughed, “The soil and water of Changfeng Villa do not suit her; she keeps thinking about how fun the capital is.” He then said, “Ziming, quickly tell me how this works.”
Cui Liang took the crossbow, and Jiang Ci turned her head, her footsteps slowing as she walked into the western room. She gently closed the door, walked to the bed in the darkness, and lay down, burying her head in the quilt.
Tears slowly soaked the embroidered quilt, and as she cried, she couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh—