Your Majesty, We’re Counting on You to Ruin the Country! 54

Chapter 54: Broken Jade

The Immortal Nanbai was waiting for Wen Ning’an in one of the training grounds of the Left Army camp.

Although he felt a little awkward, Wen Ning’an still greeted him politely, “Senior Nanbai.”

The Immortal Nanbai tossed the Cold Spring Sword in his hand to Wen Ning’an. “Try this sword.”

Try it?

Wen Ning’an raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

The Immortal Nanbai said, “This Cold Spring Sword seems to have some tricks in your hands. Give it a try. I want to see if the legend is true.”

Wen Ning’an was even more confused, but the Immortal Nanbai would not harm him, so he followed his instructions and swung the sword.

“Heaven’s wheel covers the earth, the flood dragon emerges from the water.”

Wen Ning’an stepped on a wooden stake and, using the force, leaped into the air, sweeping his sword at the empty space in front of him, stirring up a strong wind. All his movements and moves were done in one go, as fluid as flowing water.

“The crashing waves split the shore, the rainbow clouds dye the sky.”

Wen Ning’an followed the moves that the Immortal Nanbai called out, his figure flying, his white silhouette like the wind. The Cold Spring, which was glowing with a creepy red light, seemed to come alive in his hands, as if it had become a peerless beauty that could kill without a trace, beautiful yet venomous.

Although he was dressed in a flowing white robe, elegant and indifferent, one could still feel the hidden power within. The soldiers of the Left Army who happened to pass by couldn’t help but stop and watch their general practice his sword.

Wen Ning’an himself seemed unaware, but the Immortal Nanbai and the other soldiers were dumbfounded, one by one staring with their mouths agape.

The Cold Spring, which had originally only been glowing with a red light, was now refracting a myriad of lights under Wen Ning’an’s movements. They saw red ribbons dancing around him, intangible yet visible to the naked eye. The red light danced like a nimble snake, as smooth as flowing water, drawing splendid patterns around him. When he withdrew his move, it was like a snake slithering into a cave; when he struck, it was as if nine dragons were soaring.

The ancient books recorded… Cold Spring, Spring Cold. In the cold winter, there is spring; in the spring, there is hidden cold. In adulthood, it is lonely and cold; upon meeting its master, it becomes a demon!

“Cold Spring Cold Sword, a thousand-year demon blade…” The Immortal Nanbai shook his head. It was indeed so. The ancient books did not deceive. He had originally thought it was just a legend, but he did not know that the reason this sword was so ordinary was because it had not yet met its destined person.

After Wen Ning’an withdrew his move and landed, he also felt that something was wrong. The Cold Spring Sword in his hand was trembling as if it had a spirit, and an excited feeling was transmitted from his palm to his heart. There was also a faint red light around him.

“Senior, what is going on?”

The Immortal Nanbai said, “This is actually a demon blade. It’s just that my master and I have never seen it show its spirit. The reason it has changed today is because it has met its fated person.”

“Fated person?” Wen Ning’an looked at the slender silver sword in his hand and shook his head, feeling it was incredibly strange. He had never thought that there were really “demon blades” in this world that had become spirits. If he hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes, it would be hard to believe.

“You are its destined master. I will give you this sword.”

Wen Ning’an was startled. Isn’t this the heirloom of the Immortal Nanbai’s sect? How can an outsider like him accept it? Just as he was about to return it and refuse, the Immortal Nanbai interrupted, “No need to refuse. Firstly, this sword has chosen you. Only you can make it unleash its power. In anyone else’s hands, it is just a piece of iron. Secondly… you are not an outsider.”

The Immortal Nanbai’s last sentence made Wen Ning’an a little awkward.

“Cold Spring is your destined sword, and you are His Majesty’s destined person.” The Immortal Nanbai paused. “You must protect His Majesty, and at the same time, don’t forget to protect his reputation, protect this country and its people, as you have always done. You would not want His Majesty to be recorded in the history books as a tyrant who slaughtered his own people.”

Wen Ning’an said solemnly, “I will.”

“General, the horses and the team are ready.” Zheng Hanshui’s call came from below the high platform.

Wen Ning’an nodded, cupped his fists at the Immortal Nanbai in farewell, and then left with the Cold Spring Sword. Three days had already passed, and there was still no sign of Qin Zhaohuang. Wen Ning’an could no longer sit still.

Qin Zhaohuang was woken by a strong light. He opened his eyes and looked up to see the wooden board at the top had been lifted, and several men holding torches were looking in. The strong, flickering firelight illuminated the cave where he and Yu Qianshou were.

Qin Zhaohuang was stunned. Looking at the familiar armor on those men, he belatedly realized that reinforcements… had arrived!

“Chen Shu! Someone has come to save us!”

Yu Qianshou nodded slightly.

The ones who had come were the Fengzhou garrison under Gao Lan. The men threw down a rope and had the two of them climb up to the ground.

Seeing Qin Zhaohuang’s slender frame, Yu Qianshou shook his head, wrapped one arm around his waist, and, holding the rope with the other, leaped up with his lightness skill.

The night was as pure black as if it had been washed, with sparse stars. After returning to the ground, Qin Zhaohuang looked at the boundless yellow sand and the bright silver moon hanging high in the sky, feeling as if it were another lifetime.

Gao Lan smiled at Qin Zhaohuang. “National Preceptor Qin, we’ve finally found you. Our teams have been all over this desert these past few days, afraid we wouldn’t be able to find you. Fortunately, you are safe in the end.”

Qin Zhaohuang lowered his head. “I’m sorry for causing you trouble…”

“It’s alright, it’s alright. As long as you’re safe.” Gao Lan turned to Yu Qianshou. “General Wen said we owe you a favor. You can go.”

Qin Zhaohuang let out a sigh of relief.

Gao Lan had someone give Yu Qianshou a horse. “We’ll let you go this time and won’t take advantage of your situation. But there won’t be a next time. All the lackeys of the King of Youzhou are our enemies.”

Yu Qianshou didn’t even reply, not even turning his head. Gao Lan couldn’t help but frown. Seeing Yu Qianshou preparing his saddle to leave without any lingering feelings, Qin Zhaohuang’s heart and eyes couldn’t help but sting.

“Chen Shu!”

“I am not Chen Shu.”

Qin Zhaohuang took a deep breath, suddenly turned Yu Qianshou to face him, and, as if throwing caution to the wind, threw himself into his embrace.

Yu Qianshou was stunned. Before he could react, he heard Qin Zhaohuang, who was holding him tightly, say in a low voice, “One last time.”

Qin Zhaohuang’s arms were wrapped around Yu Qianshou’s waist, his head resting on his shoulder. What he saw was the bright silver moon in the sky. The dark clouds in the sky slowly dispersed, and the moonlight from behind them slowly shone through, illuminating the sand in a silver white.

It was past midnight, and now it was the Mid-Autumn Festival. A full moon, round and complete. The moon has its phases of waxing and waning, and people have their moments of joy and sorrow. Perhaps Chen Shu was really dead…

“Chen Shu… Ah Shu…” Qin Zhaohuang nuzzled Yu Qianshou’s neck, as if wanting to embed him into his bones, greedily absorbing the warmth from his body. After a long while, Qin Zhaohuang slowly let go, putting all his reluctance into his embrace, burying it in his heart.

“Goodbye.” Qin Zhaohuang took a deep breath, as if using up all the courage of his life. “Thank you for your care these past few days. Letting you go today is considered returning the favor, Yu Qianshou.”

Qin Zhaohuang took out a piece of Hotan green jade from his robes. “There is no need to keep this jade anymore. Since Chen Shu chose to kill himself, chose to abandon the past and start a new life, why should he be attached to this piece of jade?”

With that, Qin Zhaohuang used all his strength and threw the jade pendant at a nearby rock.

“Clang—” The jade shattered into pieces, falling one by one onto the sand. The character “Huang” on it was broken into pieces, no longer recognizable.

Qin Zhaohuang thought to himself, How wonderful it would have been if Yu Qianshou had never kept this piece of jade. The two of them would have had no chance to meet, and he could have continued to live with that beautiful conviction, instead of having a part of his life forcibly torn away.

It would hurt.

Looking at Qin Zhaohuang’s now indifferent gaze, Yu Qianshou frowned but said nothing, just leaping onto his horse and riding away. A little sand kicked up by the horse’s hooves landed on the hem of Qin Zhaohuang’s robe. He bent down slightly and patted it away.

Perhaps in the many years past, the two of them had once had some unspeakable, only-to-be-understood conviction. But now that they had met, and the cards were on the table… they had separated. From now on, there would be no more lingering thoughts.

Qin Zhaohuang also turned and leaped onto his own horse, smiling at Gao Lan. “Let’s go back.”

Looking at Yu Qianshou’s back, which was gradually being swallowed by the wind and sand, Gao Lan asked with some concern, “National Preceptor Qin, what is your relationship with that person?”

“No relationship.”

The one who has a relationship with me is Chen Shu, and Chen Shu is already dead.

“Giddy-up—” Qin Zhaohuang whipped his horse, letting it follow Gao Lan’s team back to Fengzhou. It was the opposite direction from Yu Qianshou. They each left a trail of footprints on the sand that could not cross, which were then covered by the wind and sand. Also covered by the wind and sand were the fragments of the jade.

The city gate of Fengzhou was built of sand and stone, towering to the clouds. Although it looked old and simple, it was as solid as a rock. The enemies and rebels from all eight directions of Bei Miao all knew how difficult this barrier was to break through.

At this moment, it was the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the city was hung with colorful paper lanterns, just waiting to be lit. Although they were not yet lit, just hanging there was a pleasing sight, and it also lifted one’s mood, adding a touch of liveliness and vigor to this monotonous desert. The altars for worship had already been set up and cleaned, and some people were busy preparing the fruits and reunion cakes for the moon worship.

When Qin Zhaohuang arrived at the city gate, he saw Wen Ning’an standing at the side on Wuying, waiting.

“It’s good that you’re back.” Seeing that Qin Zhaohuang was not injured, Wen Ning’an let out a sigh of relief.

But the moment Qin Zhaohuang saw Wen Ning’an, he felt that something was wrong. He pinched his fingers and muttered to himself.

“What’s wrong?”

Qin Zhaohuang asked, “Has something happened to His Majesty recently?”

Wen Ning’an sighed. “I’ll tell you in detail when we get back.” With that, he took Qin Zhaohuang’s reins and asked, “That Yu Qianshou didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

Qin Zhaohuang roughly told Wen Ning’an what had happened.

After hearing the end, Wen Ning’an sighed. “It’s good that it’s burned. The sea changes into mulberry fields. That person is no longer the Chen Shu you speak of. You handled it very freely. It’s good to be able to deal with it so calmly.”

[Translator’s Notes: “the blue sea has turned into mulberry fields.” It’s a proverb used to describe great and profound changes over time, implying that things are no longer what they once were.]

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…

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Wen Ning’an looked speechlessly at Qin Zhaohuang’s gradually reddening eyes and nose.

“Freely, my ass! Who the hell can be calm about this!” Qin Zhaohuang was on the verge of tears.

“Alright, alright.” Wen Ning’an shouted for the horses to gallop towards their tents and comforted him, “We’ll talk about it when we get back.”

This person, really.