SS CH103

Thirty-four years ago, Gu Zheng was executed by death by a thousand cuts due to his involvement in the Duke Qin Case. The Lueying shadow guards under his command were abolished, and their members were driven out of the heavenly capital. It appeared they were merely implicated, but the truth ran much deeper.

The Lueying were not favored by the late Emperor, and Gu Zheng was an even sharper thorn in his side. The fundamental reason was that the late Emperor could not control such a force.

The late Emperor lacked virtue and his capabilities fell far short of the Grand Ancestor’s. Consequently, Gu Zheng, who had once obeyed the Grand Ancestor explicitly, defied orders several times since the late Emperor ascended the throne. Furthermore, the personnel transfers within the shadow guards gradually slipped beyond imperial control.

Jinghong and Lueying; forsaking the martial world to enter the imperial court was fundamentally for the country and its people, not for the Emperor.

The Grand Ancestor was wise and capable, so where his heart desired, the blades of the Lueying pointed. However, the late Emperor could never obtain such wholehearted, absolute devotion.

Gu Zheng knew these actions bordered on abusing power, but he could not feel at ease handing the Lueying over to the late Emperor. Even though he was merely the commander of the shadow guards with no say in major court affairs, he gripped this blade tightly, refusing to let it become an instrument of wanton slaughter.

But in doing so, to the late Emperor, the Lueying transformed from the Son of Heaven’s blade into a sharp sword hanging directly over his head.

Those in high positions never allow threatening people or matters to exceed their control. This was true in the Jianghu, and even more so in the imperial court.

From dissatisfaction to murderous intent, the late Emperor finally waited until the massive wave of the Duke Qin Case, which shocked the entire court. Instead of retreating while he could, Gu Zheng met the wave head-on, ultimately shattered to pieces.

The late Emperor believed he had kicked away a stumbling block, and the factions of princes maneuvering behind the scenes believed they could reap the benefits.

But neither got their wish.

As the commander of the Lueying, Gu Zheng rose during times of chaos and operated amidst treachery. His mind and experience were far beyond those of the straightforward and stubborn Qin Hebai. Early on, shortly after the late Emperor ascended the throne, he had already foreseen this ending.

However, the situation at that time was complex. Setting aside external threats, the internal strife alone was terrifying. From the late Emperor’s incompetence to the princes’ struggles for succession, the court was fraught with factions and covert battles. Beneath the seemingly stable surface lurked crises that could overturn everything at any moment.

Gu Zheng had the Anyu as a retreat; he shouldn’t have met such an end. But he couldn’t leave, nor did he want to.

The Grand Ancestor had entrusted him on his deathbed; rebellions lay dormant, waiting for an opportunity. He could run for a while, but could he run for a lifetime?

Furthermore, if he left, what would happen to the Lueying guards who had tied their lives and fortunes to him?

Besides, once one enters the imperial court, it is as deep as the sea. Extracting himself from the teeth of the storm would not be easy. A single misstep could drag the Anyu down as well, uprooting them completely.

To preserve the Anyu and prevent the Lueying from facing complete annihilation, the only way was to destroy it first in order to rebuild it.

Ultimately, Gu Zheng did not leave. Instead, through perilous missions, he sent a portion of his usable confidants back into the martial world. When the great upheaval finally occurred, the Lueying seemed to be destroyed in one fell swoop, but in reality, only a hollowed-out shell had been crushed.

Only Gu Zheng himself buried these secrets in his heart, finally left bloody and mangled beneath the palace gates. Only his unyielding pride remained standing tall amidst the wind and rain, drawing the first conclusion for Jinghong and Lueying.

By the time perceptive individuals realized that the Lueying guards exiled from the heavenly capital were merely peripheral subordinates, the true core members had already vanished like clay oxen plunging into the sea, disappearing beneath the tides of the Jianghu, leaving behind only an unfathomable pool of muddy water.

Gu Zheng’s death marked the end of a generation of Jinghong, but it also planted variables for the future.

At the time, the one commanding the Anyu was Liu Mianying. She was Gu Zheng’s close female confidant from his early years and his lifelong best friend. Though she possessed a charming and beautiful appearance, she was mostly cold, ruthless, and decisive. It is said that “a minor hermit hides in the mountains; a great hermit hides in the city.” Therefore, after Gu Zheng’s departure, Liu Mianying took the members of the Anyu and hid among the commoners in the city streets. The covert assassins of the martial world who licked blood from the edge of their blades returned to being seemingly ordinary people, secretly managing and preparing this hidden faction, waiting for the day Gu Zheng would return to the Jianghu.

However, she ultimately never saw him retire with success. She only received a piece of devastating news and an orphaned girl bearing a deep grudge.

At that time, Gu Qifang was only eighteen years old. In the best years of a young woman’s life, she lost the reliance of her biological father. Yet, in the final words Gu Zheng left for her, he explicitly commanded her not to let personal vengeance delay greater matters.

Gu Zheng said he died a worthy death, but Gu Qifang’s heart could not find peace for a long time.

Yet, while she possessed a heroic disposition, she was not reckless. Ultimately, she obeyed Gu Zheng’s dying words. With Liu Mianying’s help, she consolidated the remaining forces of the Lueying, systematically arranging for them to lay dormant in the martial world. Meanwhile, she set herself up as a highly visible, lone target on the surface.

Making her home wherever she went, riding her horse across the ends of the earth, using battle to hone her strength and her saber to establish her life, she intentionally or unintentionally separated herself from the Lueying in the eyes of others. By maintaining the facade of being completely alone and unsupported, she allowed the hidden Lueying the opportunity to recuperate and gather strength. Then, seizing an opportunity, they vanished from the eyes of the world, retreating to the mountains and wilderness. Allowing Jinghong to sweep past, they gained over a decade of peaceful respite.

Unfortunately, she did not live safely to an old age.

Ye Fusheng closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the fleeting trace of tears was gone, replaced by a settled, solemn expression. “Ten years ago, it was thanks to your assistance that I could uncover the truth and avoid being used for another’s benefit, and even more so that you risked yourselves to help me eradicate my enemies… I cannot repay this grace. If you have any request in the future, I absolutely will not refuse.”

“You are the master of the Jinghong Blade. Commanding the Lueying and Anyu is your rightful authority. Running errands for you is our duty; what is there to thank us for?” Yingxiu stared at his face. “But you maintain your boundaries so carefully, cutting off contact for ten years. If you hadn’t encountered trouble and desperately needed clues, you probably wouldn’t have even stepped through the doors of this gambling house… Gu Xiao, do you consider the Anyu as outsiders and refuse to acknowledge them, or have you grown so accustomed to being a hunting dog for the imperial court as the Lueying Commander that the martial world can no longer tolerate you?”

Her words were aggressive and merciless, her eyes dyed with unconcealable anger.

I thought we would eventually reunite at the ends of the earth, only to find that upon meeting, an old friend refuses to acknowledge me.

Liu Mianying had passed away from illness twenty years ago. The one who took over the Anyu was her disciple, Jiang Muxue. Having established a sworn sisterhood with Gu Qifang in her early years, she had provided immense assistance to Gu Xiao during the heavenly capital incident ten years ago. Yingxiu was Jiang Muxue’s disciple. Over these past few years, as Jiang Muxue gradually aged and began relinquishing power, Yingxiu had already taken over the Mingzhu Gambling House—a crucial asset of the Anyu. By now, she wielded the power of life and death, turning the tides with a smile, hiding her venomous fangs beneath a painted skin. It had been a long time since she had shown her sharp edge so blatantly.

Yet toward Ye Fusheng, she always felt an uncontrollable surge of resentment and unwillingness.

Looking at Ye Fusheng, Yingxiu enunciated every word: “Gu Xiao, back then, I indeed refused to submit to you. I felt that having grown up in the Anyu, which aspect of managing this faction was I not more proficient at than you? I worked bitterly hard to climb to a high position, yet my master solely wanted you to return and command the Anyu. My unwillingness was entirely reasonable… But during the heavenly capital incident ten years ago, your tactful advances and retreats and your resolute methods made me feel ashamed of my inferiority. I lost with complete conviction. Even when you said you would sell your life to the imperial court for ten years, I was willing to wait ten years for your return to hand over my position.”

She paused, her injured finger sweeping across her lips, leaving a trail of crimson, like a demon ghost that craved blood and flesh.

“But you came back, and you didn’t want to acknowledge us… If I hadn’t recognized your qinggong and saber techniques and torn off your face veil, I’m afraid that by the time you left, I would have thought I was merely seeing off a stranger.” Yingxiu lowered her eyes, her left hand clenching into a tight fist. “Gu Xiao, since you are here, give me a clear explanation. Otherwise, I will either bring people to tie you up and take you to see my master, or… you kill me right now and sever ties with the Anyu forever!”

Ye Fusheng remained silent. Watching his face, Yingxiu’s heart sank to the bottom of the valley.

“After the Martial Arts Assembly, if I am still around… I will go with you to see Aunt Xue.” Ye Fusheng raised his eyes. “But do not mention taking over the Anyu again.”

Yingxiu frowned. “Why?”

“There are two reasons.” Ye Fusheng sheathed his saber. “First, the Anyu today are far beyond what they were back then. With so many roots and branches, changing leadership would make integration incredibly difficult in the short term. Right now is an eventful autumn; if any mistakes occur, the consequences would be unimaginable. Furthermore, your capabilities and methods are no less than mine. The Anyu are definitely better suited in your hands than controlled by me.”

Yingxiu’s expression remained hostile. “This is an excuse.”

Ye Fusheng shrugged. “Second, the ironclad rule of the Anyu is ‘only enter the martial world, never involve yourselves in the imperial court.’ Therefore, I lack the qualifications to take over.”

Yingxiu’s face turned cold. “As far as I know, after the battle at Jinghan Pass, the young emperor already arranged for a new Lueying Commander.”

“But do you believe he doesn’t know I am still alive?” Ye Fusheng’s lips curled up. “The sleight of hand, the narrow escape from death—this might fool the barbarians and the border generals, but it cannot deceive the Lueying guards, and naturally, it cannot deceive him.”

Pausing, Ye Fusheng continued: “Ziyu let me live, and has not contacted me since. It is his final shred of mercy, out of consideration for our thirteen years as master and disciple and the long time I sold my life to him. But an emperor is the most ruthless of all. Who can guarantee he won’t change his mind one day? If you were in his position, would you completely let me go?”

Yingxiu remained silent for a moment. “I would squeeze out every last drop of your value, and then see if you pose a threat to me. If you do, I would kill you.”

“If even you act this way, what more an emperor?” Ye Fusheng spread his hands open. “Only by not holding great power and steering clear of fame and fortune can I set his mind at ease and ensure you are not targeted by him… Don’t forget, although the Lueying is controlled by Jinghong, it is also the Son of Heaven’s blade. Now that I have let go, Ziyu, who knows how to utilize people well, will certainly not waste its sharp edge.”

Yingxiu wanted to say something, but found she had no words left.

Her tense body slowly relaxed, her hands unfurling their fingers. Her red lips, previously pressed thin like a sword’s edge, slowly curled up into a familiar arc. When she raised her head again, she was once again the charming and moving Lady Yingxiu.

Ye Fusheng turned around, drawing his knife with a flourish. Two sharp clangs later, the iron chains snapped, and the unconscious monk plummeted down, caught steadily in his arms.

“Thank you for your help. We shall meet again.”

Dragging the monk, Ye Fusheng brushed past her. Just as he was about to step through the iron door, Yingxiu grabbed his right hand, which hung by his side.

A low, hoarse female voice came from behind him. “Gu Xiao, setting aside the Lueying and the Anyu, is there really nothing left to say between you and me?”

Holding his hand, Yingxiu enunciated clearly, “If you just turn around and look at me, I am willing to wait another ten years for you. From now on, I won’t fear mountains of knives or seas of fire; I will brave them together with you.”

The corners of her eyes were tinged red with tears. The already peerlessly beautiful woman now possessed an extra three parts of delicate vulnerability. Proud as Yingxiu was, even when she gave herself to the Zuichun Brothel for a mission back then, she stood out with graceful poise. She rarely exhibited such fragility.

It was as if she had tied her very bones and flesh to the end of a thread of emotion. Unfortunately, the person she gazed at remained entirely unmoved.

Ye Fusheng possessed a romantic nature, especially treating women with gentle courtesy. Normally, he would have been more than happy to linger his gaze on such a beauty. But now, with Yingxiu displaying such deep affection behind him, he never turned his head, merely pulling his hand away.

“Life is short and bitter, passing like a white colt leaping over a crevice. Especially for a woman, ten years… is too long.” With his back to Yingxiu, he shook his head gently. “Yingxiu, you are in the prime of your youth, possessing both talent and beauty. Why waste your precious years on me?”

Biting her lip, Yingxiu asked, “Since I am so good, why are you unwilling?”

“Because…”

Hearing her question, Ye Fusheng couldn’t help but ask himself the same thing. Yingxiu was a woman he had known ten years ago; they had shared life and death together, and her feelings remained unchanged to this day. If it were anyone else, they would likely beg for such a thing. Why was he unwilling?

Searching his gut and letting his thoughts run wild, a handsome, piercingly sharp face suddenly surfaced before Ye Fusheng’s eyes. In a slight daze, a sentence slipped out of his mouth without passing through his brain: “Because… you are not him.”

Though there are three thousand weak waters, I take but a single scoop to drink. Having crossed the vast sea and watched the clouds rise, it is but difficult to be autumn water; the drifting clouds have passed.

You may have a thousand and one good qualities, but unfortunately, you are not what I desire.

The moment the words left Ye Fusheng’s mouth, Yingxiu’s hand froze in mid-air, and he himself stood rooted to the spot like a wooden post.

A sentence spoken without careful thought felt as though it had circled his heart’s fog a thousand times. Now, it had finally smashed through the barrier of illusion, sweeping away the clouds to reveal the sun.

His entire body shuddered, as if thunder had exploded in his heart, trembling from the inside out for a mere instant.

Ye Fusheng instinctively curled the index finger of his right hand, gently rubbing the tooth marks with his thumb. Even though the wound had already healed, at this very moment, a continuous, dense sensation of pain and itching emanated from it.

The pain was the dripping agony of a body covered in scars being ripped open. The itch was the restless stir after being gently soothed across a landscape of devastation.

With complex flavors mingling in his heart, Ye Fusheng’s heartbeat skipped a rhythm.

In a single thought, destinies rise and extinguish; between two hearts, intentions stir and emotions are born.

So many events of the past had flowed along the babbling streams from thirteen years ago to the present. The time that felt unbearably long while walking through it now seemed to have passed in a flash, washing away the layers of chronic illness and decayed soil piled up in his heart. All that remained was a seed from years ago that finally took root and sprouted on the other shore.

Sprouting branches, scattering leaves, blooming flowers—in the blink of an eye, a wisp of profound affection drifted across a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers on the wind. He wondered, could that person recognize him by the fragrance?

—

Author’s Note:

1. “Though there are three thousand weak waters, I take but a single scoop to drink,” originates from Chapter 91 of Dream of the Red Chamber.

2. “Having crossed the vast sea and watched the clouds rise, it is but difficult to be autumn water; the drifting clouds have passed,” is adapted from Yuan Zhen’s Five Poems of Yearning (No. 4). The full poem is as follows:

Having once seen the vast ocean, no other waters can compare;
Except for Mount Wu, there are no other clouds.
Strolling through the flowers, I am too lazy to look back;
Half due to my Daoist cultivation, and half because of you.

3. Old Ye has finally figured it out!!! The window paper has been pierced [the unspoken truth is out]!! Wuuuuuu… Chuchu, hurry up and come back!!!!!