Chapter 59: Cooperation
“Your Majesty, the envoy from Bei Miao is outside the tent.”
The King of Hong Xi, Feng Changhuan, leaned back on the long bench, his narrow eyes slightly opened as he smiled. “Let him in.”
“Yes.”
Outside the tent, Feng Jun waited with a small team, his face still wearing its usual cynical smile, but his heart was a little nervous. He was now in the Hong Xi military camp. If anything unexpected happened, he wouldn’t be able to escape even if he had wings. It was said that this King of Hong Xi was bloodthirsty, cruel, and inhuman. He was afraid that if the negotiations failed, he wouldn’t even be able to keep his own life. But this was, after all, a task assigned by his imperial brother, and there was no one more suitable than him.
Feng Jun thought to himself, With the Li family and the King of Youzhou both causing trouble at the same time, the best plan now is to temporarily cooperate with Hong Xi. Otherwise, if all three sides attack, not to mention the other enemies waiting in the dark, wouldn’t Bei Miao be seriously injured?
“Your Highness, please come in.”
Feng Jun took a deep breath, opened his folding fan, and walked in with a leisurely and confident air.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Feng Changhuan saw the young master before him, dressed in white with a folding fan, dashing and elegant. Feng Jun stood not far from him, his eyes flirtatious, a frivolous smile on his lips. After entering the tent, his eyes lingered on the several singing girls and dancers in the tent, barely giving him a glance.
Seeing Feng Changhuan looking at him, Feng Jun didn’t wait for him to say “rise” and just stood up straight, clapped his hands for his servant to bring up the contract, and said with a friendly smile, “Your Majesty, shall we talk?”
“No.”
Feng Jun was stunned.
Feng Changhuan lay lazily on the long bench and waved his hand. “I am not in the mood right now. You play a game of chess with me first, then we’ll talk.”
Feng Jun said, “It just so happens that this prince also knows a thing or two about chess. It’s no trouble to add to the fun.”
Feng Jun thought to himself, Add to the fun, my ass. If he didn’t play this game of chess well, he probably wouldn’t have to talk about anything else.
“Your Highness is being modest. I have long heard that your chess skills are unparalleled in Bei Miao. I have long wanted to see them.”
Feng Changhuan had someone bring up a chess table and a chessboard, as well as…
“Your… Your Highness!”
Feng Jun’s heart skipped a beat. He turned his head and saw the singing girl who had come with him, Danfang, being brought in by two Hong Xi soldiers.
Feng Changhuan asked, “Is this your concubine?”
Feng Jun narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. “Miss Danfang is just a singing girl I hired to add to the fun of the journey. No need for Your Majesty to pay her any mind.”
Although Feng Jun frequented pleasure districts and was always surrounded by beauties, he had never crossed the line. He only had singing girls or dancers who would recite poetry, sing, and dance with him.
“That’s even better. It will save Your Highness too much heartache.” Feng Changhuan also had someone bring in another woman. “Ordinary chess is too boring. Let’s play something special.”
A bad premonition welled up in Feng Jun’s heart.
Feng Changhuan pointed to the woman beside him and shrugged. “We’re playing Chinese chess. If we lose a piece, we’ll just cut off one of their fingers. After all ten fingers are cut off, we’ll cut our own. That way, it’s more exciting, right?”
“…”
Feng Jun looked at Danfang, whose face was pale and whose whole body couldn’t stop trembling, then at the interested Feng Changhuan, and finally understood. His own imperial brother and Feng Changhuan were both tyrants and would make people fear and be wary of them, but they were ultimately different. Feng Qi killed to establish his authority and to vent his anger. He did not allow his dignity and supreme power to be provoked in the slightest. But Feng Changhuan killed because… it was fun.
Looking at the bloodlust in Feng Changhuan’s eyes, Feng Jun frowned slightly.
“Let’s begin.”
Wen Ning’an sat by the bed, waiting for Fu Che to help Feng Qi dress. Feng Qi changed into a bright yellow dragon robe. Although it was a simple style for outdoor riding and archery, it was still more complicated than the robes of ordinary ministers and common people. Feng Qi’s spirit had gradually recovered, and he looked majestic and imposing.
The army was now preparing to break camp and set off. Feng Qi insisted on riding a horse with Wen Ning’an and was unwilling to be cooped up in that carriage.
“Your Majesty, General Wen.”
Zhou Wuxin’s figure appeared outside the tent.
Seeing Feng Qi nod, Fu Che went to announce him. After Zhou Wuxin walked into the tent, he first looked at Feng Qi carefully and then smiled. “You look well.”
Zhou Wuxin noticed the Cold Spring Sword at Wen Ning’an’s waist and was slightly surprised. “Cold Spring? I thought this was the treasured sword passed down through the generations of the Nanbai sect?”
Feng Qi answered for Wen Ning’an, “In any case, there’s no difference whether Yixin has it or I do.”
Wen Ning’an lowered his head, a little embarrassed.
Zhou Wuxin smiled and shook his head. “Let’s not talk about Cold Spring. I have come this time to discuss the matter of the Yingyue Grass with General Wen.”
“Yingyue Grass?”
Zhou Wuxin pulled over a wooden chair and sat down in front of Wen Ning’an. “These past few days, Nanbai and I have been discussing and studying a way to solve the Annihilating Yang White Bone day and night. We’ve finally got some clues.”
“You have a result?” Wen Ning’an sat up straight, waiting for Zhou Wuxin to continue with his full attention.
“Nanbai and I were thinking that Annihilating Yang White Bone is something that a person cannot bear, an overly powerful inner energy clamoring in the body. So, perhaps if we let another person with high martial arts skills share this inner energy, it might improve the situation. General Wen is with His Majesty almost day and night, and your martial arts are also high. Perhaps you can try practicing ‘Yingyue Zhuori.’ This martial arts mental cultivation method only appears in ancient books, so we still need to consider and study it further. This time, we just wanted to see what General Wen thinks.”
[Translator’s Notes:Yingyue Zhuori : The name is poetic and can be translated as “Reflecting the Moon, Cleansing the Sun.”]
After hearing what Zhou Wuxin had said, before Wen Ning’an could reply, he heard Feng Qi say in a low voice, “I forbid it.”
Wen Ning’an frowned. “Huaitian, I…”
“I forbid it!” Feng Qi said decisively. “This is my problem alone. There’s no need for Yixin to share and bear the risk for me.”
“What are you talking about!” Wen Ning’an stood up and said to Feng Qi, “We agreed to bear all difficulties together. I am the one who will be practicing. I have the right to decide.”
“You…” Feng Qi opened his mouth but didn’t know how to refute.
Wen Ning’an stuck out his neck, showing no intention of backing down.
“Alright, alright. Nanbai and I haven’t fully understood this martial art yet. We can talk about whether to practice it or not later. Perhaps this martial art is no different from an evil technique and cannot be practiced at all, or perhaps it’s no different from the mental cultivation methods of an ordinary, righteous sect. Everything is still unclear.” Zhou Wuxin smiled and tried to mediate. “Let’s not talk about this for now. The main purpose of my visit is also to tell General Wen that there is Yingyue Grass in Ruanzhou Mountain. This grass is a must for me and Nanbai. If you want to practice Yingyue Zhuori, this grass is a must. If you don’t practice it, Yingyue Grass can also alleviate the evil technique in His Majesty’s body. It has a hundred benefits and no harm.”
After a few days of travel, the army would arrive at the most dangerous and guarded Ruanzhou Canyon. After passing through the canyon, the yellow sand would gradually be replaced by green grass and land, and then it would be the mountains of Ruanzhou. Ruanzhou was to Youzhou what Fengzhou was to Bei Miao. If they conquered Ruanzhou, Youzhou would be pretty much in their hands.
Wen Ning’an nodded. “I understand. Is Senior thinking of going to the mountain to get the Yingyue Grass?”
“Yes. And Nanbai and I hope that His Majesty will go with us. If His Majesty loses control, we can also make a move. Besides, there is no one else in the mountain, so we don’t have to worry about any changes.”
Wen Ning’an immediately said, “Then I will go with you.”
Ruanzhou was the most crucial battle. The army would definitely camp by Ruanzhou for at least a day to recover its strength. They could take this opportunity to go to the mountain to find the medicine.
“Yixin…”
Wen Ning’an interrupted, “My feet are on my own body. I can go wherever I want. If you don’t allow me, I’ll just follow you secretly.”
Zhou Wuxin looked at the young couple, smiled, and shook his head. “General Wen’s martial arts are high, and he is familiar with the terrain. It would be excellent if he could lend us a hand.”
“Right. I’ll go and see how everyone is preparing first.” With that, without waiting for Feng Qi’s reply, Wen Ning’an walked out of the tent.
Looking at Wen Ning’an’s retreating back, Feng Qi felt a tightness in his chest.
Zhou Wuxin comforted him, “Your Majesty need not worry. We will naturally not put General Wen in danger.”
“You don’t understand Yixin. He’s stubborn and single-minded.” Feng Qi had a headache. This fool would give his life for him. He was afraid he would do something foolish.
And… this person, he’s not afraid of me anymore. Not only is he not afraid, but he’s getting fiercer day by day!
Reasserting husbandly authority! I must reassert my husbandly authority!
After thinking about it, the determined Feng Qi immediately fastened his belt and chased after him.
“Yixin, my darling, wait for me! I was wrong—”
“Thud.”
One of Feng Changhuan’s “pawns” was captured by Feng Jun.
Feng Changhuan didn’t mind. He waved his hand, and a guard beside him stood up. With one hand, he took out a large saber, and with the other, he pressed the woman’s slender white hand on the table.
“Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life—” The woman cried until she was out of breath, her whole body trembling like a leaf.
“Your Majesty… wuu… Your Majesty!!!”
Feng Changhuan’s heart did not waver at all. Looking at the woman’s terrified expression, a hint of a smile even flashed in his eyes.
“Your Majesty!” Feng Jun stood up and grabbed the guard’s wrist, which was about to swing down. He smiled. “Your Majesty, why don’t we play for bigger stakes?”
“Oh?”
Feng Jun said, “Let’s hold off on the punishment for now. The loser will have to have his fingers cut off according to the number of pieces lost. On the contrary, the winner will not have to accept any punishment at all.”
Feng Changhuan sneered. “Why should I listen to you?”
Feng Jun continued, “Holding off on the punishment may reduce the excitement of the game, but we can add another item. The further we go, the more severe the punishment will be… The loser will not only have his female companion’s fingers cut off, but also have to give up an arm. His own arm.”
“Your Majesty, do you have the guts to accept?”
“Heh…”
Feng Changhuan stared at Feng Jun.
Is he provoking me?
“Alright.”
