Among all things in heaven and earth, with their myriad forms – lions, tigers, cattle, sheep, hundreds of beasts and insects – each has its own nature. But the most diligent and frugal among these small creatures are the “ants” and “bees.”
Like close brothers, ants and bees are both economical and industrious, serving as models for the world. However, most outsiders don’t know that these two types of small creatures actually look down on each other, feeling the other is nothing but a fake that has sullied the two words “diligent and frugal.”
In the little ants’ view, where were bees diligent and frugal? They were lazy as pigs. Whenever they encountered flower nectar, they would take two sips and leave, unwilling to work harder. Besides, bees were also cowardly – mosquitoes could bite desperately and suck desperately, but little bees couldn’t. One sting would send them to the underworld, immediately dying. So little bees wouldn’t do anything. When enemies approached, they only dared buzz threateningly but didn’t dare attack directly. When encountering flower nectar, they were also lazy and yawning, unwilling to work hard.
Bees were friends of pigs, but little ants were different – they were truly diligent and frugal. From small to large, little ants just kept moving, desperately moving, desperately accumulating, desperately making money – the more the better. As long as they could move all the world’s good things back home, they could gather sand into towers, saving for future enjoyment. And they were also very economical – even if they couldn’t finish their food, they wouldn’t let others touch a single bite.
“Not satisfied?” Little ants ate while cursing angrily: “These are all things I worked hard to earn! What are you dissatisfied with?”
In the little bees’ view, false frugality was the most terrible thing, because they were neither industrious nor economical – they were just stingy.
Stingy people were definitely greedy, because these people were only stingy with others but very generous with themselves, so they usually saved from others’ pockets to supply their own squandering. In contrast, little bees’ habits were exactly the opposite. Whenever they collected flowers to make honey, they would definitely take just enough and leave, never taking more. When stinging people, they had to sacrifice their little lives, so they dared not sting carelessly. Therefore, bees naturally understood restraint. Though they were also industrious, they weren’t greedy. Though they were frugal, they weren’t stingy. They left all the world’s good things for others, never taking them for themselves, because bees’ “diligence and frugality” wasn’t for themselves but for the entire world.
Little bees were truly kind, but unfortunately they still encountered trouble – they were too diligent and frugal, so frugal they didn’t know how to build houses properly.
Like ants, bees also liked to build nests, but they didn’t want to learn ants’ methods. According to little ants’ petty evil thoughts, their houses should naturally be built as large as possible to hold countless food supplies, preferably lasting a lifetime without finishing – that would be true diligence and frugality. So their houses were built extremely large and dug extremely deep, until floods and collapses forced them to flee their homes. Unfortunately, no matter how many lessons they learned, ants still wouldn’t learn – they still dug desperately.
Little bees didn’t want this. To them, diligence and frugality was a feeling of cherishing material resources. All aspects of clothing, food, housing, and transportation should be used prudently and economically so as not to waste natural resources. So their houses couldn’t be large and useless but had to be places where every dimension was precise. This way, materials for building houses could be saved and left for others to use. So little bees thought desperately, only wanting to find a frugal method to build houses. Unfortunately, they weren’t smart enough to figure it out. Finally, they could only fly before Buddha to beg for an answer.
Buddha smiled. He pitied the little bees’ kindness and bestowed a diagram upon them, allowing them to fulfill their long-cherished wish.
There was a diagram on the muddy ground, drawn right in front of Timur Mieli.
“General Mieli, please look…” A finger pointed toward the hexagonal diagram on the ground: “This beehive is different from ant hills. Ant hills are made of mud, using local materials – nothing unusual… But beehives are different. They’re formed bit by bit from wax liquid spit from bees’ mouths.”
“So what?” Mieli asked quietly.
“So…” the voice said: “Since ancient times there’s been a saying – this beeswax is the little bees’ lifeblood. How would they wastefully squander their vital energy building houses large and useless? Therefore, beehives must also use the least materials yet build the world’s largest shapes.”
Late at night, Timur Mieli had just crawled out from a dry well when he heard this string of nonsense and couldn’t help feeling annoyed. He patiently examined his companion and saw a middle-aged scholar sitting before him, cross-legged and smiling, his fingers like plucking flowers as he explained the mysteries of beehives. This person’s surname was “Lin,” and the hummingbird message received earlier was from this person.
Following ancestral instructions, the Timur Khanate always had one civil and one military official – the military was fierce generals, the civil was teaching ministers and counselors. For this journey of the princess coming east, they had also made such arrangements. Openly, Timur Mieli led the group, but secretly another military advisor accompanied them. This advisor who had never shown his face was the “Mr. Lin” before them.
No one knew who “Mr. Lin” really was. His true name was unknown to all. They only knew this person had settled in the Western Regions ten years ago. Because of his profound learning and exquisite martial arts, he became close friends with Priest Haili and was later introduced to Princess Yinchuan, becoming the military advisor for this journey.
In the past, the two had corresponded and knew each other by reputation but had never met face to face until tonight’s first encounter. Mieli examined “Mr. Lin” and saw he had refined features, about forty years old, truly a handsome man. But looking closely, he could see spots of age on the back of his hands, indicating this person’s true age was far greater than his appearance suggested – perhaps around sixty.
Just as he was looking, he suddenly heard a gentle voice beside his ear: “Big Brother Mieli, please have tea.” Timur Mieli focused his gaze and saw a woman half-crouching and half-kneeling, smiling as she brought Persian honey tea, looking both affectionate and well-behaved.
This woman was dressed as a Han maiden, but her high-bridged nose and slightly curled hair showed she was a Uighur beauty. Looking around, there stood a group of other women, all carrying blades and bearing bows and arrows, each keeping watch in the forest. They were also beautiful with distinct features, clearly all from the Western Regions.
This group of women were skilled in martial arts and came from the deep palace – they were Princess Yinchuan’s personal guards, all carefully selected and willing to die for the princess at any time. But for some reason, though their master wasn’t beside them now, they didn’t appear anxious. Timur Mieli also remained composed, just looking at the honeycomb on the ground: “Mr. Lin, you summoned me here in the middle of the night just to say these idle words?”
Mr. Lin seemed not to hear the dissatisfaction and just sipped his tea with a smile: “General, please sit comfortably. Stealing leisure from busy times is the manner of a national scholar.” Mieli’s face darkened and he was about to speak when he saw Mr. Lin lean slightly to one side, revealing the scene behind him.
The bright moon hung in the sky, pure and cold as jade. This place was located on a hilltop, commanding a high view. Looking past Mr. Lin, one could see a small mountain ten li away with two tall towers standing left and right, faintly emanating red light. Mieli softly exclaimed “Ah!” Before he could speak, Mr. Lin had already picked up a bamboo cage from beside his feet. Instantly the bamboo cage became noisy with squeaking, and Mieli’s waist also became clamorous. His heart awakened as he quickly removed the bamboo tube from his waist and opened it.
Amid squeaking and chattering sounds, two small birds left their cages. Looking at their tiny forms, only slightly larger than bees, they were the true brothers of little bees – “hummingbirds.”
The world’s largest birds of prey could have wingspans reaching one zhang, capturing small beasts like reaching into a bag. But the world’s smallest birds were only similar in body length to bees, hence nicknamed “hummingbirds.”
Looking at these two birds, they must be male and female. Once they met in the air, they immediately became inseparable, playfully chasing each other with great enthusiasm. Mieli said in a low voice: “Mr. Lin, you’re releasing hummingbirds because you want to…” His words were still in his mouth when Mr. Lin had already raised a finger to his lips, indicating silence. Suddenly the hummingbirds chirped loudly as if hearing some sound, then rose together into the sky, flying toward Hongluo Mountain.
Hummingbirds were light and tiny, difficult to detect with the naked eye, most suitable for transmitting secrets. With this thought, Mieli became nervous and quickly took up his telescope to gaze toward the distant mountain.
Under the full moon with bright night scenery, Hongluo Mountain ten li away was completely dark and silent. Mieli held his telescope, his gaze slowly moving from the Buddhist temple to the “Hongluo Tower.” He could see lights faintly flickering in the tower, indicating people lived inside. Mieli’s breathing quickened with anxiety when suddenly the window shadow moved slightly – a pair of delicate hands pushed the window outward, seeming to welcome something inside.
Mieli’s heart shook greatly, knowing he had seen someone. Despite his powerful martial arts, the hand holding the telescope still trembled slightly: “Your Highness, is she… is she well?” Mr. Lin smiled and nodded: “General, rest assured. Your Highness is well. Though she’s not free, she’s very safe.”
The Buddhist temple was hidden deep in the mountain foothills before them – this was the famous “Hongluo Mountain.” Those two treasure towers were the renowned “Hongluo Towers.” After a long, long time, Mieli finally put down his telescope and understood Mr. Lin’s intention in summoning him here.
Surrounded by white snow and branches, the view was quite serene. A small thatched hut was hidden in the forest with some clothes hanging outside. It seemed this group of female guards had loyally remained here waiting for their master. Mieli said: “After the princess left, you all followed?”
Mr. Lin said: “Correct. From New Year’s Eve until now, we haven’t left for a single step, just monitoring every movement of Hongluo Mountain here.”
Looking at this place commanding high ground, facing Hongluo Mountain from afar yet deeply hidden in the thick forest and sea of trees, outsiders could hardly detect it. It was indeed a good place for monitoring activities. If the princess had any secrets to convey, there would be no worry about having no one to respond.
Mieli took a deep breath: “Mr. Lin, can I see Your Highness tonight?” Mr. Lin said: “No, there’s something blocking us in front that we can’t break through.” Mieli’s heart tensed: “What thing?” Mr. Lin smiled and pointed down again. Mieli focused his gaze and saw the diagram on the ground was hexagonal, neat and orderly – it was the little bee’s honeycomb again.
Tonight Mr. Lin had spoken at such great length, all inseparable from bees building mansions. Mieli pondered slightly: “What is this?” Mr. Lin smiled slightly: “This is the world’s largest pattern.” Mieli raised his thick eyebrows: “Largest? How large?”
Mr. Lin put his palms together and bowed: “Covering heaven and earth, endless and infinite.”
The opponent was unfathomably deep. Mieli also restrained his impatience: “Mr. Lin, I’ve been to the Arab lands and am proficient in geometry and circles.” Mr. Lin smiled: “I knew the general would definitely not believe it. Why don’t we try it?” He took out a rope and placed it on the ground, then smiled at the Western Region maidens: “Come, here’s a rope. Which of you wants to try to see who can circle it into the largest pattern?”
“The largest pattern? What’s that?” The beauties opened their cherry mouths in confusion, not quite understanding. Mr. Lin smiled: “Three sides, four squares, five corners – in short, ladies, use this rope as you wish. Whoever circles the largest pattern wins.”
The Western Region beauties finally understood. They looked at each other and smiled: “Does the winner get a reward?”
Mr. Lin smiled: “You’re all the princess’s close attendants, raised in the deep palace. What do you lack?” The women looked at each other and smiled. Having seen gold, silver, and precious jewels countless times, they hadn’t seen men. Mr. Lin seemed quite generous and was about to reward Big Brother Mieli to them when they heard a loud cough. Mieli had already taken two gold ingots from his bosom: “Let’s use gold as stakes.”
Seeing the sisters frown slightly, Mr. Lin couldn’t help laughing heartily. He placed the two gold ingots in his palms, lightly clapped his hands together, and after a muffled sound, golden fragments fell from his palms. This clapping force had actually shattered the gold into countless tiny particles.
Mr. Lin displayed his palm power, causing the women to cry out softly. Mieli was slightly alarmed. This gold was a soft, malleable material. If he himself clapped his palms together with fierce force, he would definitely compress it into gold foil. But “Mr. Lin” was different – his palm power could shatter gold ingots, showing this person’s palm power was subtle, mysterious, and far from ordinary.
Mr. Lin never revealed his lineage or origins, but this display of martial arts caught Mieli’s attention. He took a deep breath and saw Mr. Lin scatter the gold powder in his palms evenly on the ground with a smile: “Come, let’s circle gold. Whoever circles the most gets the gold.” Seeing this game was interesting, the Western Region beauties looked at each other and smiled, becoming somewhat playful. A Tatar beauty eagerly stepped forward, swept her black hair, took the rope, and randomly circled a triangle on the ground, smiling sweetly: “Will this do?”
Mr. Lin neither confirmed nor denied, smiling: “Anyone else want to try?”
Before his words ended, another beauty came forward – a Turkic girl with beautiful green eyes. She carefully arranged the rope into a perfect triangle and asked the Tatar girl: “Whose is bigger?”
The Tatar beauty counted the gold fragments on the ground and frowned: “Yours is bigger.” Mr. Lin smiled: “Anyone else want to try?” Before his words ended, a Persian beauty stepped forward. Her face was covered with a thin veil, quiet and refined, seemingly very intelligent. She carefully arranged the rope into a perfect square on the ground. Everyone looked down and counted the gold fragments – it was far larger than the Turkic girl’s perfect triangle.
Victory and defeat were about to be decided when Mr. Lin personally acted. He adjusted the rope on the ground into a pentagon and smiled: “Whose is bigger?”
The women, regardless of whether they were Tatar, Persian, from north or south, all cried out sweetly in unison: “Yours is bigger!”
Seeing this, Timur Mieli already understood. This rope, turned over and over, was the same one with naturally the same perimeter. However, in terms of shape, the pentagon was larger than the square, and the square was larger than the triangle. Mr. Lin’s repeated testing was intended to find a pattern with the same perimeter but the largest shape.
Mr. Lin observed expressions and knew Mieli already understood, smiling: “Would the general like to try?” Mieli already had a firm idea and immediately took the rope to arrange a perfect circle: “Above heaven and below earth, this is supreme.” Mr. Lin put his palms together and smiled in praise: “The general is indeed clever. The world’s largest pattern is none other than the perfect circle.”
“Big Brother Mieli is amazing.” The Western Region beauties praised in unison, their words so sweet one wanted to hear them again.
Though Timur Mieli was born a military general, he was actually broadly learned and knew the world had many patterns – three sides, five corners, four squares, eight squares. Though shapes differed, once perimeters were the same, the more complex the shape, the larger the area must be. So with the same rope, if circled into a pentagon, it must be larger than a square; a square larger than a triangle. Following this logic, the more sides, the larger the shape, until it became a “circle” and achieved heaven and earth’s largest shape.
Among things with the same perimeter, nothing had a larger area than a “circle.” Whether squares or pentagons, none could cover as broadly as circles. Therefore, most tea bowls in the world had round mouths and edges – after all, with the same perimeter and similar materials consumed, they could hold the most tea. Why not? No wonder masters throughout the world spent their entire lives learning to “take the circle as teacher.” After all, with the same arm length and same weapons, if one wanted to establish the broadest and largest defensive formation, one couldn’t escape this “circle.”
The benefits of circles were endless – they could borrow force to strike force and could also gently receive force, yet were most broad and large. No wonder they were called the foundation of internal martial arts. But strangely, what was this “bee hexagon” about?
Mieli pondered slightly: “Mr. Lin, since circles are the world’s largest patterns, why did you draw this hexagon?”
Mr. Lin smiled: “One rope is naturally largest as a circle, but what if I give you two ropes, three ropes?” Mieli frowned: “What do you mean?”
Mr. Lin smiled: “General, please look at your feet and see what you’ve missed.”
Mieli looked down and saw gold particles scattered everywhere. His rope had only circled a small portion of the gold, with the rest outside the rope. Mr. Lin smiled: “General, if I gave you ten ropes and had you circle all the gold on the ground without leaving a single piece, how would you do it? Still circle ten circles?”
Mieli exclaimed “Ah!”: “Right… circles can’t connect to each other…”
No matter how large circles were, they couldn’t connect to each other. Even with a hundred ropes arranging a hundred circles on the ground, they still couldn’t circle all the gold particles underneath, inevitably leaving some fish that escaped the net. From this perspective, though circles were large, they couldn’t cover the entire world.
Seeing Mieli already understood, Mr. Lin smiled slightly and continued: “General, circles are lonely things that can only improve themselves but cannot benefit the entire world. To truly cover the entire heaven and earth, there’s only one method…” He picked up an arrow and flicked it with his finger. With a tremendous “weng” sound, the arrow broke through the air upward, directly rushing to the nine layers of clouds, heading toward Hongluo Tower.
Seeing Mr. Lin’s divine skill, the women raised their heads to cheer loudly, but Mr. Lin raised a finger to his lips, indicating silence.
The two sides were ten li apart. Using cannons might be possible, but relying on a single arrow to forcefully cross mountains and passes was extremely difficult. Mieli raised his telescope to look and saw the arrow flying higher and higher, about to disappear in the night sky. Soon the arrow plummeted from mid-air, having actually flown ten li to arrive directly above the treasure tower.
The women marveled at Mr. Lin’s finger strength and couldn’t help wanting to cheer loudly again. Mr. Lin shook his hand: “Don’t rush. What is the world’s largest pattern will soon be revealed.” Just as he was speaking, the arrow had already fallen rapidly. Just as it was about to land before the great tower, suddenly a black rope flew out and entangled the incoming arrow in mid-air.
Mieli’s heart tensed as he quickly raised his telescope to investigate. Seeing arrow and rope intersect, Mr. Lin’s power was truly profound – the small arrow actually carried heavy internal energy like a meteorite from outer space, causing the black rope to shake violently. Just as the arrow was about to fall to the ground before the tower, several more black ropes were thrown out from all directions to intercept. In an instant, the arrow had been dismantled into dozens of pieces and disappeared without a trace.
Seeing the enemy’s ambush exposed, Mieli quickly turned his telescope to look. He could see the treasure tower surrounded by dense forest, unclear in the black night. Suddenly pine waves arose as wind moved the tree tops, and several figures appeared under the treasure tower. Everyone held black ropes, sitting cross-legged and motionless, having formed a rope formation. Mieli’s heart tensed: “Mr. Lin, you said earlier that something was blocking us – is it these few people?”
Mr. Lin sighed: “Correct.” Mieli frowned: “How are these people’s martial arts?” Mr. Lin said: “Far inferior to you and me.” Mieli said: “Then why are you blocked here, sir?” Mr. Lin said calmly: “General, look clearly – how many people are there?”
One, two, three, four… Timur Mieli raised his telescope and carefully counted heads, couldn’t help exclaiming “Ah!”: “Six people.” Mr. Lin sighed: “Exactly, it’s this number – six.”
The Central Plains considered “four” an unlucky number due to its homophone with death, but what was strange about the number “six”? Just as they were speaking, the hexagonal rope formation slowly rotated. Six black ropes quietly entered the forest, and soon six black ropes came from the opposite direction. In the blink of an eye, hexagonal rope formations had appeared at the front and back, left front and right back, right front and left back of the treasure tower. Timur Mieli chuckled: “This… this formation has grown larger!” Mr. Lin said calmly: “Don’t rush, the formation isn’t complete yet.”
Under everyone’s gaze, black ropes continuously emerged from the forest – rope after rope connecting, formation after formation appearing, gradually spreading outward with the treasure tower as center, finally becoming an incomparably huge hexagonal formation. It looked densely packed, arranged like a honeycomb.
Though there were three-talent formations, four-direction formations, five-element formations, and seven-star formations in the world, such a huge formation was still a first sight. Mieli said tremblingly: “What exactly is this?”
Mr. Lin put his palms together and said in a low voice: “This is the supreme heart method governing the great six paths, commonly called ‘Tianjue’ (Heaven’s Secret).”
“Tianjue?” Mieli was shocked and quickly said: “You… are you talking about Master Tianjue’s protective divine skill?”
Mr. Lin sighed: “My martial uncle Tianjue has long passed away. The sole inheritor of this divine skill now is his final disciple, Yang Suguan.”
Hearing the words “martial uncle,” Mieli’s eyes naturally widened. Mr. Lin didn’t explain further, just silently pointed at the hexagonal circle on the ground: “The six-path formation is shaped like a hexagon. One formation requires six people, two patterns need only eleven people…” As he spoke, he added four strokes to the hexagonal circle, drawing a second hexagonal circle, and slowly continued: “Three patterns need fifteen people, four formations need nineteen people… The larger the formation, the simpler the arrangement, and the fewer people needed in sequence… When there are over a hundred people… every two people added creates one…”
“Six Paths Reincarnation Formation…” He spoke while drawing, and the ground was also arranged with countless hexagons, looking like a honeycomb.
Hearing this, Mieli understood all the reasoning. One rope could arrange the largest pattern as a “circle.” But with two ropes, three ropes, four ropes… “circles” were no longer useful because no matter how large circles were, they couldn’t fit tightly together.
Therefore, “circles” were lonely things. No matter how gentle and broad, they could only improve themselves but couldn’t cover the entire human world. What could truly embrace the entire world was this “bee hexagon.”
The second hexagram of the I Ching: “Kun,” meaning “Earth.” The corresponding number was “six,” called “Using six, all things flourish and obediently serve heaven.” Unlike the self-improving “circle,” “six” was actually a composite number. Like “three sides” and “four squares,” it could fit tightly together and spread endlessly. However, when the three had the same perimeter, the “six” shape was largest. Therefore, bees were the most diligent and frugal creatures in the world – they used the least materials to create the largest shapes, fitting tightly together, covering heaven and earth, endless and infinite…
Mieli nodded: “You’ve been unable to advance or retreat these past few days because of this formation?”
The Western Region women lowered their heads silently, unable to speak. Mr. Lin said: “The most precise formation in the world is the Six Paths. One Six Paths requires six sides, two Six Paths need only ten sides. The larger the formation, the stronger its power. When it becomes dense honeycomb formations numbering in the thousands and tens of thousands, it can achieve the military principle of ‘surrounding ten with one.’ Though the world has Three Talents formations, Five Elements formations, Seven Stars formations, Eight Trigrams formations… none can compare with this. Even if our forces were doubled, we would still find it difficult to break through this great Six Paths formation.”
Mieli himself had once seen a small Six Paths formation in Jiangnan. Even with a sneak attack during chaos, it had been extremely dangerous. Now with the opponent’s formation so massive, how could there be any opportunity to exploit? It seemed Mount Song’s Shaolin Temple could stand firm in the martial world because it truly had its unique secrets. With this formation method, even if ten supreme masters came to the mountain to challenge Shaolin, they need only deploy a thousand junior disciples in battle, combining into one “Great Six Paths Formation” to contend with them. Not to mention they only had a dozen people present – even if their numbers doubled, they would probably find it hard to match.
Seeing they couldn’t break into Hongluo Tower, Mieli had nothing more to say. He immediately said: “Mr. Lin, could we speak privately?” These words were spoken in Chinese, indicating confidential matters to discuss. Mr. Lin didn’t refuse and followed him slowly away.
The two walked to the depths of the forest. Mieli found a quiet, secluded corner: “Mr. Lin, news has come from Samarkand. Have you heard?” Mr. Lin said: “I heard that ‘Prince Karachi’ is about to come to China?” Mieli sighed: “Mr. Lin, I’ll speak truthfully. Now that the princess has disappeared, if news reaches home, I fear my life will be in danger.”
Mr. Lin nodded: “I know the Khan is a jealous character. He’ll definitely think you eloped with the princess.”
As these words ended, low laughter came from the forest. Mieli looked back and saw the Western Region beauties had actually quietly followed and were hiding behind trees eavesdropping. He hadn’t been on guard beforehand and had been outmaneuvered. Seeing Mieli’s shock and anger, Mr. Lin smiled and comforted: “It’s nothing. They’re just concerned about Big Brother Mieli and mean no harm.”
No wonder everyone was curious. Big Brother Mieli’s appearance was mysterious and his birth enigmatic. Plus, approaching forty, he had never married. Because of this, rumors had long circulated in the Khanate – some said he was Genghis Khan’s descendant left in the Western Regions, others said he was a Persian prince lost in foreign lands, waiting to return home someday. In short, there were all sorts of strange and endless tales. Mieli had naturally heard these rumors during his travels in the country.
Seeing the sisters with smiles at the corners of their mouths, all whispering among themselves, Mieli clapped twice: “Guards, hear my command! Mr. Lin and I have important matters to discuss. Please withdraw immediately.”
The Khanate’s military orders were strict. With the fierce general’s command issued, they expected the soldiers to respond sharply and withdraw in formation. Who would have thought the sisters only looked at each other, with quite a few still peering into the forest to see if any soldiers were hiding inside. Mieli was slightly bewildered and immediately raised his arm high, calling loudly: “Khanate generals, hear the command! The Fierce Khan orders you to withdraw!”
At these words, the group of beautiful guards laughed even more, finding him quite adorable. Mieli’s heart erupted in fury. He immediately picked up his military staff and strode forward. Before taking two steps, he suddenly remembered they were the princess’s people and turned back.
Different masters, different soldiers. Mieli’s subordinates, regardless of whether they were Tatar or Turkic, all obeyed commands absolutely. But this group of female guards was different. They had lived with the princess and been spoiled, not knowing the terror of the country’s first warrior “Fierce Gold.” Finally, Mr. Lin stepped forward and persuaded them to leave, but looking at their smiling departure, they didn’t forget to whisper among themselves, as if strolling through a marketplace.
Seeing Mieli trembling with anger, Mr. Lin laughed: “General, the girls have their own rules. If you have any instructions, you must find their big sister.” Mieli exploded in fury: “What big sister? I tell you, this general is Fierce Gold! In the military camp, I am their dear mother!”
Everyone has a first time. Leading an army of women was not easy to serve, and leading the women’s leader was even harder. Throughout this journey, Mieli had accompanied the princess day and night, truly walking on thin ice. Being too intimate on the road wouldn’t work for fear of causing gossip. But maintaining a cold, icy face might provoke Her Majesty’s anger. In short, showing concern wasn’t acceptable, nor was being indifferent. He had thought that once he safely delivered her to Beijing, he could breathe easily. Who would have thought Her Majesty would run away without a trace, inevitably leaving him in terrible shape.
Seeing Her Majesty had run away and the Khanate’s prince was coming, his head was already half-chopped off. Mieli sighed like a deflated balloon: “Very well. Given the current situation, what wisdom does sir have?” Mr. Lin smiled: “General must be patient. You’ve seen the formation just now. We can’t use force now and can only wait patiently.” Mieli frowned: “Wait?”
Mr. Lin said: “Correct. One cannot enter the tiger’s den without catching the tiger cub. When the princess finishes her business, she’ll come out on her own.” Mieli’s eyes widened, knowing he had touched on the key point. He looked in all directions and listened carefully, confirming there were no guards hiding in the forest, then lowered his voice: “Princess… what business does the princess need to handle?” Mr. Lin smiled slightly: “Things that cannot be spoken of.”
Mieli was choked with anger, not expecting that after traveling thousands of li and risking life and death for the princess, he would still be kept in the dark. Just as he was getting angry, he heard Mr. Lin say: “General, I have something to ask you. You intercepted the code, didn’t you?” Mieli said coldly: “What code?”
Mr. Lin said: “Nu Cang’s long-distance message – you intercepted the code, right?” Mieli came to his senses and quickly said: “I did intercept it, but this Nu Cang secret language is absurd and incomprehensible – no one can decode it.” Mr. Lin said “Oh”: “Absurd and incomprehensible? What do you mean?”
Mieli said: “Come closer and I’ll tell you the secret language in detail.” Mr. Lin had no suspicions and came as instructed, leaning in to listen. He heard Mieli whisper quietly: “Go f*ck your mother, you damn bastard, shut up…”
Mr. Lin said in amazement: “What?”
“Not too noisy!” With a whoosh, Mieli’s angry fist hooked toward Mr. Lin’s cheek in a diagonal strike.
Mieli’s martial arts followed the external school path, using force methods different from the various sects of the Central Plains. When striking, his fist curved like a new moon, faintly bringing out a spinning force. This punch came too fast and struck too heavily – if one tried to block it directly, the palm would probably be cut. Mr. Lin frowned: “General, let’s talk nicely.” As he spoke, he stepped out, turned slightly, and was actually standing behind Mieli.
There’s always a higher mountain. Mr. Lin neither blocked nor parried, used no light skills, and employed no internal energy. With just half a step and a slight turn of his body, he had reached Mieli’s back. This precision of calculation and accuracy of execution had reached a divinely clear realm. Mieli already knew “Mr. Lin’s” martial arts were extremely refined, but hadn’t expected them to reach this level. Though shocked, he didn’t panic. Without turning around, he shook both hands, and with a “chi” sound, his left shoulder clothes tore open as a sleeve arrow shot out backward.
The path is one foot high, the demon ten feet high. Mieli came from Western Region battlefields and naturally hid crossbows on his body for self-defense. This sleeve arrow came unexpectedly and swiftly. Just as Mr. Lin was about to be struck and injured by the arrow, he took a deep breath and exhaled with a “hu” sound. A stream of breath blew out, and the sleeve arrow, affected by this true energy, significantly slowed down. Mr. Lin flicked with his index finger, and the sleeve arrow, struck by finger force, made a “beng” sound as it flew back with tremendous force.
Mieli was greatly shocked, never expecting Mr. Lin’s cultivation to be so profound that a single inhale and exhale could reverse the situation. Seeing the sleeve arrow coming swiftly with no time to dodge at such close range, he simply stood still and thrust out his back to meet the arrow.
After a muffled sound, Mieli was struck by the arrow in his back. From outside the forest came several delicate cries: “General Mieli!” The fighting between the two sides had finally alarmed the Western Region women. A large group of female guards all rushed into the forest, crying in unison: “General!”
Mieli was in trouble – struck by an arrow in his back, his injuries must be serious. The women were both afraid and sad, about to shed tears, when they saw Mieli’s outer clothes torn open. Not only was there no blood spattering, but colorful light shimmered as if countless golden feathers were falling. In the night, it looked extraordinarily noble.
The women whispered softly: “What beautiful armor.” Under the moonlight, strange light emanated from within Mieli’s robes. Close to his skin were pieces of gold foil – the material looked strange, apparently sewn together piece by piece with gold thread, like a suit of pure gold armor that had just blocked this extremely sharp sleeve arrow for its master.
Seeing the mysterious appearance of the armor, the women were full of curiosity and reached out their jade fingers to touch it. Mieli was shocked and quickly took out a slip of paper from his bosom, throwing it urgently to Mr. Lin and shouting: “What you want! Nu Cang’s secret language!” Hearing this, the women exclaimed and immediately followed the paper, surrounding Mr. Lin with curious interest: “Did you intercept Nu Cang’s secret language? What does it say?”
“Go f*ck your mother, you damn bastard.” Mr. Lin read aloud: “Shut up, not too noisy.” Before his words ended, the Western Region beauties scattered in all directions, their steps angry, fearing to be a step too slow.
The forest quieted down. This Nu Wang was truly the world’s greatest strange man – naturally evil-warding and malevolent, able to clear the scene from a thousand li away.
Having exchanged moves, the two had also exchanged hearts. Mr. Lin looked at the gold armor on Mieli’s body and smiled: “I was wondering earlier what kind of person the general was to grow so imposing and magnificent. So you’re the inheritor of the Western Liao Blade.” Mieli said nothing, only tightening his robes to cover the gold armor on his body.
The ancient Khitan imperial artifact was this golden sacred object “Topa Gold Jade.” Legend had it this blade was listed among the “World’s Three Blades,” seemingly gold but not jade. Who knew why it had become fragments and become this gold thread garment on Mieli’s body.
Just now, the two great masters had competed with their protective martial arts. Mieli was forced to reveal “Topa Gold Jade,” but Mr. Lin couldn’t escape unscathed either – he was also forced to reveal some of his origins. Mieli looked down and saw Mr. Lin had left three footprints on the ground – one north, one east, one south – protecting the corners like half a honeycomb.
This Mr. Lin’s martial arts were extraordinary. Just now, he had taken one step and shifted slightly to reach Mieli’s back. This footwork calculation was truly admirable and fearsome. Unexpectedly, it relied on this half honeycomb. Mieli smiled: “Mr. Lin, you also understand the Six Paths heart method?” Mr. Lin smiled faintly and folded his hands in his sleeves, unwilling to say more.
Mieli already understood. This “Mr. Lin” was actually like himself – he must have been prominent in the Central Plains in the past. With his martial arts, he might even have been a great figure who dominated the times. Who knew what circumstances brought him to live in seclusion in the Western Regions.
Both were fallen people at the ends of the earth – why need previous acquaintance when meeting? The Western Regions had always been a place of exile for Central Plains people, specially collecting various remnant soldiers and defeated generals. With this thought, Mieli stopped pursuing the matter and said: “Mr. Lin, this Nu Cang secret language is strangely bizarre. Can you guess its hidden meaning?” Mr. Lin said: “I can’t guess, but we can find someone to help.”
Mieli nodded, knowing he was referring to the “Righteous Brave People.”
In today’s world of two divisions, the court and Nu Cang were irreconcilable. People in the world either served the court loyally or joined Nu Cang, with almost no place to stand. The only exception was the “Righteous Brave People.” The Khanate’s only friends on this journey were these people.
Mieli gazed toward the distant Hongluo Tower and said softly: “Mr. Lin, I’m a straightforward person who doesn’t like beating around the bush. Please tell me plainly – why does the princess want to see the ‘Great Shopkeeper’?” Mr. Lin said: “I said earlier – she’s going to handle business.”
Earlier, the two had fought precisely over this sentence. Mieli saw he was still being evasive and could only sigh: “If you won’t say, then forget it. But what exactly did the princess come for? Sir can at least mention something?” Mr. Lin said calmly: “General, why ask when you already know? She came to find her father.”
Legend had it the princess had traveled far to return home precisely for Emperor Jingtai. She didn’t believe her father was dead, so she was determined to return and investigate. Mieli listened but shook his head: “No, the princess’s return home is definitely not to search for her father.” Mr. Lin said: “Why does the general say this? The princess is filial to her father. With her father’s whereabouts unknown, how could she not care?”
Mieli said: “Mr. Lin, don’t keep spouting these official platitudes. In my view, the princess’s father isn’t Emperor Jingtai at all.” Hearing these inexplicable words, Mr. Lin first froze, then clapped his hands and laughed: “Haha! Then in the general’s view, who is the princess’s father?” Mieli said solemnly: “The world and the nation.”
Hearing this, Mr. Lin couldn’t help but be stunned. He sighed and applauded: “Brilliant insight, brilliant insight!”
The world and nation, ruling as king facing south – this was the foundation of royal existence. How could Yinchuan, as an imperial heavenly daughter, not understand this principle?
Mieli gazed at Hongluo Tower and said gently: “The princess is a descendant of the Grand Ancestor. Her body’s purity and fragrance belong entirely to the world and nation, shared with all people. For the slightest benefit to the masses, you could ask her to sacrifice a lifetime of happiness and she could strive to do it. Conversely… if she felt something harmed the world’s people, even if you threatened with her own children, you couldn’t move her a fraction.”
Mr. Lin said: “Hearing this, the general is truly Her Highness’s confidant?”
Mieli sighed: “I dare not claim to be a confidant, but having attended her these past months, I know something of her character.”
Princess Yinchuan could endure and persevere, able to take up and let go. When she married westward for peace in the past, she had tearfully severed emotional ties, earning great admiration from heroes throughout the world. With such a character, as long as it benefited the world’s people, she could even abandon her own children – how could she not abandon lovers or husbands?
China was fortunate to have such a princess. But whoever married her as a wife would inevitably cry out in dismay.
The two were silent for a while. Mr. Lin said again: “In the general’s view, if the princess didn’t come for her father, why does she want to see the ‘Great Shopkeeper’?” Mieli said quietly: “Peace negotiations.”
“Peace negotiations?” Mr. Lin raised his long eyebrows: “The general means…” Mieli took the water bottle from his waist and gulped it down: “Before entering the country, the princess had me find someone. You should know who that person was.” Mr. Lin replied without hesitation: “Qin Zhonghai.”
Mieli nodded: “Correct. The princess had me visit Qin Zhonghai on one hand, while she herself advanced to the capital to meet with various inn leaders. Think about it – why would she, a royal heavenly daughter of golden branches and jade leaves, risk such dangerous travels?” Mr. Lin said: “Speak, and I’ll listen attentively.” After drinking his fill, Mieli said slowly: “In my view, the princess’s grand aspiration is to find someone both enemy and ally can trust to succeed to the throne.” Mr. Lin nodded: “You’re talking about the ‘Heir Selection Case.'”
The Heir Selection Case was currently the Central Plains court’s greatest matter. The Zhengtong Emperor had no sons and would select one from eight princes to enter the Eastern Palace and later inherit the emperor’s position to become the next emperor. Mr. Lin nodded: “Hearing the general say this, once the next emperor’s successor is determined, Nu Cang and the court can cease hostilities and make peace.”
Mieli said: “You’re right. Once the Eastern Palace matter is settled, the world’s political situation will be stable. I believe this is the princess’s intention in coming east.”
Among the eight princes – Hui, Tang, Xu, Feng, Lu – this “Prince Tang” Zhu Qi had outstanding talent and was the most shrewd and capable figure among the royal family. Seeing Princess Yinchuan regard him differently, she must have entrusted the court’s future to this father and son. As for how “Nu Cang Mountain” and the “Nation-Stabilizing Iron Guards” would be reconciled later, she probably had her own arrangements.
Drinking ice water on a cold day – the warmth or cold was felt in the heart. Mieli had drunk his fill and finished speaking, but Mr. Lin had remained silent for a long time, as if neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Mieli glanced over: “Mr. Lin, did I say something wrong?”
Mr. Lin smiled: “No, the general’s insights are reasonable and logical. I greatly admire them.” Mieli said: “Then why don’t you speak?” Mr. Lin smiled: “General, have you forgotten Yang Family Village?”
Seeing Mieli’s body shake violently, Mr. Lin smiled and said: “General, you also know there’s a secret passage hidden under the Forbidden City, don’t you?” Mieli’s palms unconsciously began sweating as he nodded very, very slowly. Mr. Lin smiled slightly and said: “Have you discovered where this secret passage leads?” Timur Mieli’s breathing quickened slightly: “It leads to… to a common family’s home.”
Mr. Lin narrowed his eyes: “What’s this family’s surname?” Mieli said in a low voice: “Sur… surnamed Yang.”
Mr. Lin smiled: “Now you understand? Where does the royal curse the princess mentioned come from?” Hearing this, Timur Mieli couldn’t help but change color and step back.
Tonight’s political situation was treacherous and ever-changing. Just as the Zhengtong Emperor left the city to worship Buddha, various forces immediately converged on the imperial palace. Among them, Prince Tang took the lead, taking advantage of the empty Forbidden City to break into “Renzhi Hall” and open the secret passage left by Liu Jing years ago. Who would have thought that the mantis stalks the cicada while the oriole waits behind – once the secret passage opened, it immediately attracted assassins from the “Nation-Stabilizing Iron Guards” who wanted to silence them. Fortunately, Mieli had prepared early and sent people to watch closely, saving them at the crucial moment.
The secret passage Liu Jing left had been sealed for a long time, but various forces’ strategies all hinged on this. The secrets within must be profound, with relationships so significant they could shake the ancestral temples of past emperors. Mieli breathed slightly heavily: “Mr. Lin, did the princess… did the princess also reveal the secret to you?” Mr. Lin smiled: “You have it backwards. This secret wasn’t revealed to me by her – I told her.”
Mieli was dumbfounded and shocked: “What? You told her this?”
Mr. Lin smiled: “General, you are after all a foreigner and cannot fathom many things. Our great Chinese court is truly unfathomable. From the struggle between brothers Wu Ying and Jingtai in the past, to Nu Cang’s destruction, Nu Wang’s rise again, Zhengtong’s restoration – everything is intimately related to this curse. As long as this matter remains unresolved, the world will have no peace.”
Mieli struggled to compose himself: “Mr. Lin, this curse… how did it come about? Do you know?”
Mr. Lin said: “Legend has it that Emperor Longqing was extremely greedy and liked to hide collected treasures underground. It’s said that once while digging tunnels, he accidentally dropped a treasure from his body. This object has lurked in the nine depths ever since, growing larger and larger. Years later, it finally threatened the dragon court. Since then, no matter who sits on the dragon throne, they can never sit securely.”
Mieli felt a hidden chill: “Underground… what lurks underground? What… what is it?”
Mr. Lin said: “A Hidden Dragon.”
Hearing this, Mieli’s hair stood on end and he couldn’t make a sound.
The first hexagram of the I Ching: “First Nine: Hidden Dragon, Do Not Act.” The dragon had always been a symbol of the emperor in China. But what was this “Hidden Dragon’s” origin? Could it be some evil thing? Mieli was covered in cold sweat: “So the princess… the princess secretly meeting the ‘Great Shopkeeper’ is also to break this curse?”
Mr. Lin smiled: “You’re right. The princess returned home precisely to break this curse. But I can tell you – to resolve this curse, one absolutely cannot start with the ‘Great Shopkeeper,’ or death is certain.” Mieli cried out: “Death is certain? Why?” Mr. Lin said calmly: “My martial uncle Tianjue has already proven this path is a dead end.”
Tianjue had already passed away, dying in Shaolin Temple. Mieli’s mind was in chaos: “So… even if the Eastern Palace political situation is decided, Nu Cang won’t agree to peace talks?” Mr. Lin smiled: “Not only will Nu Cang not agree – General, do you know how long I’ve known that ‘Iblis’?”
Hearing the devil’s name, Mieli was naturally slightly alarmed: “How… how long?”
Mr. Lin said quietly: “Since the year he took monastic vows at age six, we’ve known each other. I watched this person grow up. Unfortunately, though I’ve been on guard for thirty years, I’ve never been able to suppress him and could only watch him grow stronger day by day while I grew older day by day. General Mieli, with my scheming and methods still unable to handle him, do you think the princess would risk great danger to seek a tiger’s hide?”
Mieli’s breathing quickened: “So the princess was too naive?” Mr. Lin smiled: “General Mieli, why do you always underestimate the princess…” Mieli felt a chill and said tremblingly: “Sir’s meaning…”
Mr. Lin whispered in his ear: “As a minister, simply listening to words and observing actions is insufficient. Sometimes you can’t just follow orders but must discern your master’s intentions and secretly handle things well for her.” Mieli raised his thick eyebrows: “Things handled secretly? You… you mean…” Mr. Lin put his hand on his back and whispered: “Dirty work.”
Hearing this, Mieli couldn’t help but be shocked, finally realizing the naive person wasn’t someone else but himself, who was skilled in battle.
Mr. Lin smiled and walked toward the forest hut: “Come, I want you to meet a friend. After meeting him, you’ll understand everything.”
Despite Mieli’s lifetime of competence, at this moment his spine was still cold. He followed Mr. Lin to the back of the hut and saw Mr. Lin stop. Before them was another abandoned well. Mieli exclaimed and smiled bitterly: “Again… going down again?” Mr. Lin smiled: “Correct. The person you’re about to meet has the ability to kill the ‘Great Shopkeeper.'”
Mieli’s heart raced: “The person you’re talking about is…”
Mr. Lin smiled slightly: “Lu Yun.”
Mieli was greatly shocked. Before he could ask questions, Mr. Lin had already leaped forward into the well, disappearing into the darkness in an instant.