Chapter 87: The Green Mountains Conceal

Chapter 87: The Green Mountains Conceal

Liu Que Dan never expected that the next time he saw Lu Yan would be under such circumstances.

Lu Yan was not in the disheveled state of someone whose nation had fallen, nor was he brought in like a prisoner with shackles on his wrists. Instead, he wore a low-key yet luxurious crimson royal robe and stood proudly behind the Wuyun envoys, smiling faintly as he nodded, performing a half-bow alongside Shang Jun Nian.

"Our sovereign has indeed formed an alliance with Dong Li, but due to the disruption of grain supplies from Tian Shui and the droughts and disasters plaguing Wuyun, officials from the Tai Qing Department observed the stars at night and warned that bloodshed should be avoided in recent years, lest divine retribution befall our people. Therefore, we have temporarily suspended our military operations. We hope Your Majesty will understand."

Shang Jun Nian's explanation sounded grand and noble, but anyone with discerning eyes knew it was merely an excuse. Liu Que Dan's gaze fell upon Lu Yan, harboring shock and astonishment hidden beneath his sleeves, his hand clenching subtly: "I see someone among the envoys who looks quite familiar. Could it be an old acquaintance? Why not come forward and meet?"

This was a private banquet, and there weren't many people in the hall. Apart from the Wuyun envoys, only a few important ministers of Dong Li were present.

As Lu Yan noticed their collective gaze turn towards him, he realized they were referring to him. He stepped forward confidently and bowed gracefully: "Your Majesty has keen eyesight. It's been a year since we last met; how have you been?"

He acted like a playboy, greeting everyone with the same phrase, regardless of who they were. Shang Jun Nian looked away indifferently, unwilling to stare at Lu Yan's face, which was known for its promiscuity.

Liu Que Dan's eyes darkened: "Should I address you as King Feng Ling or Chen Ying Qi?"

The King Feng Ling who tormented him relentlessly, and Chen Ying Qi who tricked him into revealing his sword techniques—both identities filled Liu Que Dan with immense humiliation.

Lu Yan's smile remained unchanged: "Both are names of an old acquaintance. Your Majesty may call me as you wish."

At this point, Liu Que Dan understood everything. Wuyun had secretly sided with Xian Ling, and their visit was clearly to pressure him to withdraw his troops. He never imagined that Shang Jun Nian could be so "broad-minded," willing to switch sides and help Lu Yan after being humiliated by him.

Liu Que Dan said coldly: "Grant seats to the envoys."

Shang Jun Nian and Lu Yan sat down together. After several rounds of wine, Shang Jun Nian raised his cup and said: "Though a nation may be great, it should not be arrogant or rude. Though powerful, it should not wage war without cause. Now that Tian Shui and Wuyun have both withdrawn from the coalition against Xian Ling due to various reasons, what does Your Majesty plan to do?"

Liu Que Dan did not raise his cup but spoke with veiled meaning: "Though a nation may be small, it should not tolerate the insults of traitors. Though words may be light, one must honor one's promises. Now that Xian Ling is using force to suppress others, how can Dong Li not resist?"

Shang Jun Nian drank his wine calmly without changing his expression: "From Your Majesty's words, you intend to continue attacking Xian Ling?"

Liu Que Dan countered: "Whose question is this, Shang Xiang? For Wuyun or Xian Ling? Dong Li doesn't have your good temper, able to laugh off all kinds of humiliations."

Shang Jun Nian pretended not to notice the sharpness in his words, lowering his eyes slightly as his slender fingers played with the wine cup: "Naturally, I'm asking for Dong Li. War is costly and burdens the people. If an attack fails and leads to defeat instead, that would be disastrous."

With two of the three nations having withdrawn, Dong Li was left alone, unable to bear the burden. Even if a fight broke out, Xian Ling had a seventy percent chance of winning, which is why those ministers remained silent, unwilling to get involved in the battle situation.

Liu Que Dan looked down at Lu Yan from above, his gaze piercing as if it could turn into two sharp swords to pierce through him. It was hard to imagine that someone usually gentle could be so aggressively confrontational: "What happened in the past is in the past. If we were to compete again today, I wonder who would win?"

For Lu Yan, Liu Que Dan felt nothing but hatred,

But for Chen Ying Qi, he regarded him as a friend.

However, when the hostage escaped and Lu Yan revealed his true identity, Liu Que Dan belatedly realized something—

Lu Yan had disguised himself as Chen Ying Qi to approach him solely to extract the secrets of the Dan Qing Sword Technique. Even the care and concern shown during those times were now shrouded in a thick shadow, inseparable from self-interest.

Liu Que Dan once held righteousness above life itself, and he hated most when someone manipulated genuine feelings for personal gain. This matter stuck in his heart, becoming a knot that grew with the passing years.

Upon hearing Lu Yan's response, Liu Que Dan rose from his throne, suddenly drawing a sword from the waist of a nearby guard, causing everyone to gasp in surprise. He descended the steps with the sword in hand, pointing the blade directly at Lu Yan, saying word by word:

"King Feng Ling, you and Shang Xiang came from afar just to persuade this emperor to withdraw my troops, right? Let's have a match. If you win, I'll withdraw my troops. If you lose, you'll return to Xian Ling. What do you say?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the tip of the sword was suddenly deflected by an exquisite wine cup, struck with such force that Liu Que Dan followed the direction to see Shang Jun Nian's fox-like eyes looking at him, concealing arrogance and unreadable depths:

"Your Majesty, perhaps you've forgotten one thing. It's not Xian Ling begging you not to attack, but you should be begging Xian Ling not to form an alliance and launch an attack—"

Now that Tian Shui and Wuyun stood behind Xian Ling, what did Liu Que Dan have to fight them with?

Shang Jun Nian spoke coolly: "Those hands of yours are better suited for holding a brush to paint Dan Qing. Holding a sword, your strength is somewhat lacking."

Liu Que Dan's expression subtly changed for a moment. His ministers hurriedly rose to intervene, laughing to smooth things over: "Your Majesty has long heard of King Feng Ling's remarkable swordsmanship and wanted to spar. It was just a momentary loss of composure. Please don't take it to heart, Shang Xiang. But withdrawing troops is a significant matter. Dong Li needs to deliberate before giving an answer."

Shang Jun Nian asked with interest: "Deliberate? How long do the esteemed ministers wish to deliberate?"

The minister who spoke glanced furtively at Liu Que Dan's expression and tentatively suggested: "Perhaps half a month at the shortest, or a month at the longest?"

Shang Jun Nian closed his eyes calmly and spat out two words decisively: "Today."

The minister wiped sweat discreetly: "That might be too rushed."

Shang Jun Nian rose directly from his seat, the curve of his lips icy: "Then let Dong Li launch their troops directly!"

As he finished speaking, he turned to leave with the envoys, but his sleeve was suddenly gripped by Lu Yan, who whispered with a smile: "If Your Majesty wishes to compete, this prince will gladly oblige. Why don't we ask the esteemed ministers to witness it?"

Shang Jun Nian, when holding a trump card, would not easily back down, even if it meant tearing off the facade. Lu Yan felt he owed Liu Que Dan for the events of the past and privately wanted to offer a way out, unwilling to make things too ugly.

Shang Jun Nian had no choice but to reluctantly suppress his temper.

Liu Que Dan stared at Lu Yan, gritting his teeth and uttering three words: "You're brave!"

It was noon, and the sun blazed overhead, yet the imperial forest army's training grounds were packed to the brim. Liu Que Dan changed into casual attire and stood on the stage, unsheathing his sword with a clang. The blade gleamed under the sun's rays, so bright it hurt the eyes:

"Lu Yan, show this emperor your true skills. Don't let others think you're just a thief of techniques!"

Upon hearing Lu Yan's words, Liu Que Dan knew he still harbored resentment about the events of the past. Lu Yan's weapon was too sharp, and using "Between Others" to duel would inevitably overpower Liu Que Dan, so he borrowed a suitable Qingfeng sword from one of the envoys, skillfully twirling the sword: "Please show mercy, Your Majesty. Let's keep it friendly and avoid any real harm."

"Enough talk, attack already!"

As Liu Que Dan spoke, he turned the sword tip and lunged straight at Lu Yan, his momentum fierce as if trying to vent years of pent-up anger. The Dan Qing Sword was renowned for its agility and nimbleness, and the fact that he could wield such force showed that he was not just skilled in painting and calligraphy, but also possessed remarkable martial arts.

Initially, Lu Yan only dodged, but later, realizing that Liu Que Dan targeted vital points in his attacks, he gradually revealed some of his true abilities. The two fought fiercely on the martial arts platform, weapons clashing so quickly that only afterimages could be seen.

The sun gradually sank in the west, and the imperial guards stationed around were drenched in sweat from the scorching sun, but they didn't blink, staring intently at the stage. It wasn't every day one got to witness a clash of masters, where each move was unpredictable and exquisite. If they could glean even a few techniques, it would be immensely beneficial.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the outcome began to take shape.

Lu Yan leaped into the air, swinging his sword down with all his might. Liu Que Dan raised his sword to block, but couldn't withstand the force, causing his weapon to shatter with a metallic clang, sending shards flying. Struck by Lu Yan's palm on his chest, he staggered back half a step, nearly tumbling off the martial arts platform.

Meanwhile, Lu Yan landed lightly on his toes, retreating to the edge of the stage. He glanced down at his own sword, noticing a crack. With a hidden surge of strength in his wrist, the blade snapped with a resounding clang, leaving only a broken stub in his hand.

Lu Yan smiled at Liu Que Dan. "Your Majesty, both our weapons have been broken. How about we call it a draw?"

His words carried a deeper meaning,

"If Xian Ling were to fight Dong Li, the outcome would be like these two broken swords – killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of our own. Why not turn swords into plowshares and forge an eternal alliance?"

Liu Que Dan swallowed the metallic taste in his mouth, lifting his eyes to meet Lu Yan's gaze, as if seeing his lifelong rival. When he returned to his country and ascended the throne, he immediately allied with the other two nations to attack Xian Ling, hoping to avenge past humiliations. But he never expected to fall short against Lu Yan again.

He could clearly see that Lu Yan had held back earlier; his swordsmanship far surpassed his own, not something a year of intense training could bridge.

In a hoarse voice, Liu Que Dan asked a question that had puzzled him for a long time: "Lu Yan, your martial arts are clearly no less than mine. Why did you disguise yourself as Chen Yingqi to learn sword techniques?"

Lu Yan remained silent, twirling his sword before replying, "I forgot."

Liu Que Dan frowned. "Forgot what?"

Lu Yan chuckled. "The Dan Qing Sword Technique, I've forgotten it."

Liu Que Dan closed his eyes, unable to maintain his footing and collapsing to the ground. Lu Yan's answer did little to clarify his confusion, instead deepening it.

A shadow suddenly fell over him, and someone reached out to help him up, their grip gentle yet firm. Liu Que Dan prepared to rebuke them, but upon seeing that it was Shang Jun Nian offering assistance, he was taken aback and subconsciously allowed himself to be helped up.

Shang Jun Nian seemed to sigh, whispering so only the two of them could hear, "If you hadn't handed over the imperial sword technique back then, the Emperor would never have let you return alive. Even with Lu Yan's protection, pursuers could have caught up at the ferry and dragged you all back."

"Did you ever wonder why you made it back safely without any pursuers?"

Liu Que Dan's eyes flickered with shock. "What do you mean?"

Shang Jun Nian released his hold. "Nothing special. Just know that he saved your lives back then. Chen Yingqi is Lu Yan, and Lu Yan is Chen Yingqi; there's no distinction between the two."

"Now that the duel has ended in a draw, the lives of countless Dong Li citizens rest on your shoulders."

As the sun set, the oppressive heat finally subsided, replaced by a sky painted with fiery red clouds. Against this vast backdrop, the imperial city appeared majestic yet lonely.

Liu Que Dan looked into the distance, somewhat dazed, muttering to himself, "Do I even have a choice..."

Before long, a ceasefire document, sealed with the national seal, traversed mountains and rivers, landing safely on the Emperor's desk.

"Your Majesty, great news! Great news indeed!! All three countries have withdrawn their troops and sent envoys with letters, wishing to form an eternal alliance with our Xian Ling!!!"

Minister Liu rushed into the hall in a frenzy of excitement, tripping over his own feet in his eagerness. Without bothering to adjust his hat, he burst into the hall to deliver the good news, only to find the Emperor nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, Minister Liu, look how anxious you are. I called out to you from behind, but you didn't listen at all!"

Eunuch She entered the hall, carrying his whisk, his pace unhurried, as if he already knew the news. "The Emperor isn't in the Eternal Hall; he went to the Taiyi Pavilion early this morning. You should come back tomorrow."

Minister Liu bristled with frustration. "How can such important matters wait until tomorrow? I'm going to the Taiyi Pavilion right now..."

Before he could finish, Eunuch She blocked his path with his whisk. "You should rest for now. Today is the anniversary of the Lady Consort's passing, and the Emperor ordered that no one disturb him."

Minister Liu paused at the mention. "Lady Consort? Could it be the birth mother of Prince Fengling?"

Eunuch She, being an old acquaintance, flicked his whisk in the air before responding. "They say you're always well-informed, but it seems your sources aren't working today. We shouldn't call him Prince Fengling anymore; it's His Highness the Crown Prince now."

Minister Liu was startled. "But I haven't heard any decree from the Emperor?!"

Eunuch She spoke with a meaningful tone. "Soon, very soon."

For a single person to persuade three countries to withdraw their troops, saving Xian Ling from dire straits, such an unparalleled achievement, how could bestowing the title of Crown Prince be too much?

Inside the Taiyi Pavilion, incense smoke wafted gently. The Emperor, dressed in rare plain attire, sat cross-legged in a quiet room. In front of him hung a portrait of a woman clad in military armor, her demeanor heroic and her beauty incomparable, her features bearing a faint resemblance to Lu Yan.

The Official of Destiny presented a scroll of scriptures. "Your Majesty, the scriptures I copied for the Lady Consort's blessings are here. Shall we burn them as we did last year?"

The Emperor opened his eyes, his voice low. "Burn them. Burn those peace treaties along with them. She should see how accomplished our child has become."

The Official of Destiny acknowledged the order, preparing to leave, when the Emperor asked, "I intend to name Prince Fengling as the Crown Prince. What are your thoughts?"

The Official of Destiny paused, kneeling respectfully. "This humble servant dares not comment on matters of state, but Master once predicted that Prince Fengling would bear the destiny of the Purple Star Emperor, only obscured by dark clouds, requiring twenty-three years of concealment, overcoming a major life crisis, before the Purple Star shines brightly, ascending to the throne as the ruler of the land."

"Twenty-three years..."

The Emperor sighed. "Last year, he survived an assassination attempt outside the capital, truly snatching back a life from the jaws of death. I thought he would remain in a state of confusion forever, but now he has finally awakened."

The Official of Destiny bowed deeply. "This is a blessing for the nation, a blessing for the people."

The Emperor waved his hand, his voice stern. "Enough. Have someone draft the edict. Once Prince Fengling returns to the country, immediately appoint him as the Crown Prince. Any minister who opposes shall be executed!"

...

"Aaaaaaah! I want to kill that damn Lu Yan! It's bad enough that he returned to Xian Ling, but he also took away my Chancellor! Send men after him immediately! Bring him back!"

Inside the Xiangyuan Palace, Zhao Yuzhang, clutching a guard's collar, was beside himself with rage. This morning, he received word that Lu Yan had not only left with the guards yesterday, heading back to Xian Ling, but Shang Jun Nian had vanished alongside him.

His mind wasn't particularly sharp to begin with, and now that Lu Yan had taken Shang Jun Nian away, what was he supposed to do?! !!

By then, Lu Yan had already arrived at the border between the two countries with Shang Jun Nian. They rode ahead on swift horses, leading the procession at a steady pace. Even from a hundred meters away, one could hear Lu Yan's breathless laughter.

"Hahahahahahaha! Zhao Yuzhang must be furious right now, smashing things all over the palace! Serves him right. Who told him to beat drums and gongs, presenting a memorial to Father Emperor to send me to Wu Yun for a marriage alliance? This is instant karma!"

Lu Yan lay sprawled across his horse, laughing uncontrollably. If not for his excellent martial arts skills, he would have fallen off long ago. Shang Jun Nian rode beside him, feeling embarrassed by the spectacle, coolly asking, "So, you're that unwilling to marry into Wu Yun, Your Highness?"

Lu Yan wiped away his tears before he said, "How foolish you are. I could still inherit the throne after returning to Xianling. What use would staying in Wuyun have, unless Zhao Yuzhang were to cede the throne to me?"

"You're family now, you can't turn against your own!"

Shang Junning thought about it and agreed. Lu Yan had gone through so much trouble to persuade the three kingdoms to withdraw their troops. If they didn't capitalize on this great achievement by naming him the crown prince, there might be unforeseen changes later: "Still, you should've left him a message. Why did you leave in such haste? He withdrew his troops partly because of the favor he owed you."

Lu Yan replied, "You tell him to fight. Does Wuyun have enough provisions?"

Shang Junning gave him a meaningful glance. "Do you think I'm foolish, or is Zhao Yuzhang foolish? Wuyun started stockpiling provisions last year. If a war were to break out, it's uncertain who would emerge victorious."

Even if Zhao Yuzhang hadn't considered this, Shang Junning certainly had. A year ago, Wuyun had been preparing for an attack on Xianling, they wouldn't have placed all their bets on Tianshui.

After some contemplation, Lu Yan understood the situation. He sat up straight and sighed. "It seems I owe him a tremendous debt. How can someone as foolish as him stabilize his reign? Should this king not have secretly eloped with you?"

Shang Junning was too lazy to correct the word "elope." He looked towards the distant undulating mountains, the mountain breeze blowing in his face, making him feel that there was nothing left in the world worth hating:

"This land should indeed be ruled by those with affection and righteousness. If even they can't stabilize it, no one else will be able to either."

Lu Yan smiled. "That's true."

He raised his hand to shield his eyes. In the distance lay a lake shaped like a full moon, shimmering under the sunlight. The surrounding plains were dotted with cattle and sheep, brimming with vitality. "What's the name of this place? It's quite interesting."

Shang Junning looked over, his smile inexplicable. "This place is called Bright Moon Crossing. During the war, more than seventy percent of the world's top martial artists died here. Your Xianling lost the most. It's a place of good feng shui."

Lu Yan asked, "Are you insulting my father?"

Shang Junning replied, "Did I?"

Lu Yan said, "As long as you didn't. From now on, you'll have to call him father too."

"Smack—!"

Shang Junning whipped the horse's rear that Lu Yan was riding. Upon receiving the command, the horse immediately began galloping at full speed. Lu Yan struggled to steady himself, then turned around and shouted from afar, "Hey! If this king dies, you'll be a widow for life!"

"I won't let you die. I'm following right behind you!"

Shang Junning's lips curled into a joyful and unrestrained smile. The pale corners of his clothes fluttered wildly in the wind, as if the green mountains and clear waters behind him were hidden within his flowing sleeves.

The wind howled, and a black heart quietly appeared in the air, keeping pace with Lu Yan neither too fast nor too slow. The cold mechanical voice, long absent yet familiar, sounded: "Host, your mission has been successful."

Lu Yan looked at it curiously. "So it's you. Success is success. Now that this king has succeeded, shouldn't you be leaving?"

The system asked a peculiar question. "Do you want to stay here?"

Lu Yan looked at it as if it were foolish. "Not only am I about to get married, but I'll soon be inheriting the throne. Where else would I go if not stay here?"

The system responded with an "Oh," and didn't say anything further. It thought that this host would likely make the same choice as in his previous life. Asking was pointless.

The black heart floated above Lu Yan's head, weightless. After scanning him, the system saw a faint pink, sparkling, and delicate thread-like object floating in his mind.

A thread of affection.

In his previous life, Lu Yan had exchanged a century of his lifespan for this thread of affection. Logically, he shouldn't have it anymore, yet it had grown back unexpectedly.

The system was astounded, its voice echoing softly, "I never expected that you're actually..."

The last few words were too soft for Lu Yan to hear, and he asked curiously, "What am I?"

A love-struck fool.

The system swallowed these words half a beat too late. "Nothing. I'll come back to escort you when you die."

Lu Yan spat. "Pah, pah, pah!"

Lu Yan stuck out his tongue at it. "This king will definitely live a hundred years. You're the one who's going to die. If you want to escort me, wait another hundred years!"

After saying this, he whipped his horse fiercely and rode off laughing. Shang Junning quickly followed, and the two sped down the mountain path, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.

They met in the harsh snow and cold, and in the future, they would spend countless bright spring days together. The green mountains stood tall, and the clear waters flowed endlessly. At that moment, even the wind seemed to be sending them home.