“No explanation?” Sikong Changfeng tapped his fingers lightly on the table. “Casually giving information to Dark River is quite dangerous…”
Su Zhe continued smiling, seemingly unconcerned with Sikong Changfeng’s response: “I don’t know why Su Muyu said this, I’m just delivering his message.”
“During the Eastern Campaign of the Demon Sect, Su Muyu once saved the lives of two Snow Moon City elders and fifteen disciples. Our city owes him this debt. He wants to exchange this favor for information, but given his personality, he doesn’t like to state it directly.” Sikong Changfeng sighed lightly. “He’s the most exhausting assassin I’ve ever met.”
“I see.” Su Zhe nodded. “I didn’t know about this.”
“Very well.” Sikong Changfeng shook his head. “I’ve always despised the Shadow Sect anyway, though it’s a pity to break this small connection with Su Muyu.”
“Oh?” Su Zhe raised an eyebrow. “What’s the pity?”
“I don’t want to be his enemy.” Sikong Changfeng waved his hand. “Never mind. Since I detest the Shadow Sect anyway, I might as well tell you about them. What do you want to know?”
“Everything.” Su Zhe put down his wine cup and took out his pipe, settling in like someone ready for a long story.
“The Shadow Sect, true to its name, exists in the shadows. They maintain Tianqi City’s stability from the darkness, answering directly to the emperor himself – not even the Three Ministries and Six Departments have authority over them. Several generations ago, the Shadow Sect held an extremely high position in Tianqi City, at one point rivaling the Eunuch Faction, almost rendering the emperor powerless. After the Eunuch Faction’s downfall, the Shadow Sect’s power was greatly reduced, and by the time Yi Bu took control of this generation, they had become almost irrelevant. But Yi Bu is an ambitious man who has always dreamed of restoring the Shadow Sect’s glory. Though his martial arts are formidable, many in Tianqi City surpass him – the Zhuo Qing Eunuch alone far exceeds him in strength. However, he still holds one bargaining chip.” Sikong Changfeng took a drink and sighed.
“Who?” Su Zhe asked.
“The world’s greatest beauty, Yi Wenjun.” Sikong Changfeng said quietly.
Su Zhe took a puff from his pipe: “That name sounds familiar…”
“Anyone who has seen Yi Wenjun cannot deny that no matter how many beautiful women you’ve seen, she remains the most exquisite.” Sikong Changfeng glanced around secretly, and only after confirming they were alone did he continue, “When Yi Wenjun was still very young, Yi Bu intended to arrange a marriage alliance with the then-powerful General Ye. It should have been a perfect match – they were childhood sweethearts, a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, the General later fell from grace, and Yi Bu’s plans were forced to halt. Years later, when Yi Wenjun’s beauty had become legendary, the current Emperor Mingde, who was then Prince Jingyu, either by chance or through someone’s deliberate arrangement, saw her.”
“Desire at first sight?” Su Zhe smiled.
“Of course, everyone says it was love at first sight.” Sikong Changfeng sighed. “That meeting led to the birth of a catastrophe. Prince Jingyu took Yi Wenjun as his consort, but before her wedding, she met Ye Dingzhi.”
“Ye Dingzhi!” Su Zhe was startled. “The Demon Sect Leader!”
“The world believes the catastrophe of several years ago was about the Northern Que’s restoration, but what people don’t know is that Ye Dingzhi was General Ye’s son. He and Yi Wenjun were in love but were separated by Emperor Mingde. The Demon Sect’s Eastern Campaign was actually for Yi Wenjun.” Sikong Changfeng said gravely. “But in the end, Yi Wenjun returned to the imperial city, became Consort Xuan, and Yi Bu became the Imperial Father-in-law, elevating the Shadow Sect’s status. What a pity – if Luo Qingyang hadn’t broken ties with Yi Bu over Yi Wenjun’s matter, the Shadow Sect might truly have had a chance to restore its former glory.”
Su Zhe exhaled smoke: “What City Lord Sikong says is… shocking. But your mention of pity suggests that the current Shadow Sect hasn’t achieved what Yi Bu wanted.”
“The Shadow Sect has existed for hundreds of years as guardians of Tianqi City alongside the Imperial Army and Palace Guard. But in this generation, four new guardians appeared who also protect Tianqi City independent of the Three Ministries and Six Departments, but they stand in the light, respected by all.” Sikong Changfeng pointed his thumb at himself. “Like me, the Vermillion Bird Guardian, Sikong Changfeng!”
“Then the Shadow Sect’s existence becomes meaningless.” Su Zhe nodded.
“The Azure Dragon Guardian, Sister Xinyue, heir to the Heart Sword and Master of the Sword Tomb; the Black Tortoise Guardian Tang Lianyue, the Tang Clan’s premier expert of this generation; the Vermillion Bird Guardian, myself, the world’s only Spear Immortal; and the White Tiger Guardian, whose identity I cannot reveal but would be the most shocking of all.” Sikong Changfeng poured himself another cup. “The four of us were summoned by one person. He said that from that day forward, Tianqi City would live forever in the light, no longer needing shadows in the darkness.”
“The King of Langya.” Su Zhe said solemnly.
“Langya King Xiao Ruofeng deeply despised the Shadow Sect because of that marriage affair. Back then, his elder brother needed the Shadow Sect’s help, so he didn’t prevent it from happening. But after Emperor Mingde took the throne, he began making arrangements to remove the Shadow Sect from Tianqi City.” Sikong Changfeng said quietly. “Though the Shadow Sect still clings to existence through Yi Bu’s position as Imperial Father-in-law, given the Langya King’s capabilities, it won’t be long…”
“I see.” Su Zhe said thoughtfully.
“I’ve told you everything I know about the Shadow Sect. I hope among these stories is what Su Muyu needs.” Sikong Changfeng stood up. “We’ve had our wine and shared our stories, Master Su Zhe?”
“I’ll take my leave then.” Su Zhe stood up, gripping his Buddhist staff, its golden rings jingling like soul-summoning bells. “The wine here is excellent, and the flower cakes are delicious, though I fear I won’t be welcome here anymore.”
“Tell Su Muyu that though our connection may be broken, he’s still welcome to visit Snow Moon City and share a cup of wine.” Sikong Changfeng said slowly.
“Our Muyu certainly has good relationships.” Su Zhe scratched his head. “Unlike Changhe, who gives everyone headaches. Farewell! Thanks for the wine!” Su Zhe took out an oilpaper package from his chest and tossed it up.
Sikong Changfeng caught it and looked inside, smiling helplessly: “Trading Wind Flower Snow Moon wine for this? Betel nuts?”
“Betel nuts are very good!” Su Zhe waved without looking back as he left.