Chapter 0019: Grim Prospects

Chapter 0019: Grim Prospects

Qu Yunmie walked in and his first sight was the long sword hanging on the wall of the outer room.

He had been dealing with weapons since childhood. With just one glance, he could tell that this sword was crafted by a master swordsman.

Qu Yunmie reflexively moved to go over and examine it closely, but after taking a step, he remembered why he was there and turned slightly to head inside. ... It was empty.

The child wasn't there, and there was no sign of Xiao Rong on the only couch. The bedding was in disarray, with one corner of the quilt even falling to the ground.

Qu Yunmie stood rooted to the spot. His first thought was that Xiao Rong couldn't bear him and had run away like everyone else.

After three breaths, he realized that Xiao Rong didn't have the strength. He usually panted after every few steps, and now he was running a high fever; there was no way he could have run off himself.

Once he came to this realization, Qu Yunmie sprang into action. He quickly searched and soon found Ah Shu unconscious in the corner.

Qu Yunmie lifted Ah Shu as if he were a chick and shook him hard. After a moment, Ah Shu slowly regained consciousness.

Qu Yunmie asked him, "Where is your master?!"

Ah Shu looked at him blankly for a moment before his eyes widened. "Master—Commander Zhuang injured me! Master, Master is in danger!"

Hearing this, Qu Yunmie's expression turned grim. He threw Ah Shu back on the ground and strode to the couch, touching it to find it completely cold.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Zhuang... Weizhi!"

"You... Find... Death!"*

On the other side, Xiao Rong was also jolted awake.

As soon as he woke up, he found himself upside down, facing brown horsehair. He was tied to the horse like a piece of cargo.

While unconscious, Xiao Rong felt nothing, but now, he felt like he was about to vomit everything from the night before.

"Stop! Stop!"

He shouted loudly and tried to lift his head to see what was happening, but no one paid any attention. They continued galloping forward. Xiao Rong couldn't see who was carrying him, but he saw the person riding alongside them turn their head when they heard his voice.

A scarred face, a hand holding the reins, with a very visible black mole at the base of the thumb. —Li Xiuheng.

Xiao Rong's pupils contracted; he had no idea how he ended up in this person's hands. Li Xiuheng, after seeing that Xiao Rong couldn't do anything, continued focusing on the journey.

They were weaving through dense woods, where horses normally couldn't run, but they were moving easily. Xiao Rong's vision was limited, so he could only judge the number of people by sound. Fortunately, there weren't many, probably five or six.

He strained to lift his head and slightly turned his body, but the horse couldn't handle it and wanted to buck. Before the rider could react, Li Xiuheng whipped him. "Behave!"

The whip missed, as it was too far and hitting Xiao Rong would also hit the horse, which could cause it to panic and delay them.

But Xiao Rong still showed a terrified expression and immediately lowered his head.

Seeing that he knew fear, Li Xiuheng was relieved.

With his head lowered, Xiao Rong cursed silently.

What kind of situation was this? He had only been in the Northern Pacification Army for a few days, not even a month, and had no grudge against Li Xiuheng. Why did he kidnap him? Well, actually, they did have a grudge—he provided information that led to the failure of Li Xiuheng's plot.

So, was he being taken to some secret lair to be tortured and vented upon? ... It didn't seem likely. Judging by their frantic pace, it seemed like something was chasing them. No one would risk their life for such a minor grudge. An ordinary person wouldn't, and Li Xiuheng certainly wouldn't.

This man had survived ten years under Qu Yunmie's pursuit, hiding and struggling to stay alive. In terms of survival instinct, perhaps even Xiao Rong couldn't match him.

Not for revenge... then why take him along as a burden?

Xiao Rong fell silent for a moment before raising his head again. This time, he shouted with all his might, "Let me down! I'm going to die from this jolting! If you don't want to deal with my corpse, let me down!"

Once he realized that Li Xiuheng needed him and wouldn't kill him on the road, Xiao Rong started struggling again. This time, threats didn't work. Li Xiuheng, in a fit of rage, ordered everyone to stop. Zhuang Weizhi frowned but dismounted.

Seeing Zhuang Weizhi appear in front of him while upside down, Xiao Rong was both shocked and understanding.

Actually, he didn't know who the traitor in the Northern Pacification Army was. The army appeared united but was also like scattered sand, with not everyone worthy of historical record.

He could only deduce logically that the traitor must hold a significant but not particularly high position, as contacting the Xianbei was too despicable for someone well-known like Jian Qiao.

Zhuang Weizhi, as the commander of the guards, fit this description perfectly.

Traditionally, the commander of the guards should be the leader's right-hand man, responsible for the leader's daily life and safety. But the leader was Qu Yunmie.

He disliked having servants and didn't like people hovering around him. As for protection, if an enemy attacked, Qu Yunmie would protect the guards, not the other way around.

Therefore, although Zhuang Weizhi was the commander of the guards, he had little actual power. He was more like the chief security officer of the palace. Qu Yunmie was generous with capable soldiers, giving them positions, honors, and money, but assigning Zhuang Weizhi to the palace meant he deemed him useless.

Qu Yunmie was straightforward and didn't bother with pretenses, so Zhuang Weizhi was well aware of his status.

Unimportant, resentful, and seeking another path—it was all too normal. ...

Zhuang Weizhi reached out and untied Xiao Rong from the horse, remaining silent without making eye contact.

In contrast, Li Xiuheng kept glaring at them.

Li Xiuheng ordered Zhuang Weizhi, "Have him sit behind you."

Then, he glared menacingly at Xiao Rong, "If you make any more noise..."

Xiao Rong rubbed his numb wrists, "Where are you taking me?"

Li Xiuheng paused, looking at Xiao Rong strangely, "You're not afraid?"

Xiao Rong: "Like a lamb entering the tiger's den, whether I live or die is up to you. I am just a scholar who can't even bind a chicken; what good does fear do? I heard that you've been involved with the Breeze Sect. You wouldn't be taking me to see them, would you?"

Li Xiuheng sneered, not bothering to respond.

Xiao Rong looked at his expression and nodded: "So it's not that."

Li Xiuheng: "..."

"Enough talk, let's keep moving! Don't think I won't kill you. If you want to live, follow me!"

With that, Li Xiuheng stormed off, followed by the others. Only Zhuang Weizhi was left behind.

Zhuang Weizhi tried to lift Xiao Rong onto the horse, but Xiao Rong took a step back and climbed up himself. Then he asked, "Is my servant still alive?"

Zhuang Weizhi was taken aback. He looked up at Xiao Rong's cold demeanor and nodded before mounting the horse as well.

The journey continued endlessly. Li Xiuheng ran ahead, but it was just for show. Soon, he slowed down, waiting for Zhuang Weizhi to guide him.

The changes over the past decade were significant, and Li Xiuheng had no idea where was safe. But Zhuang Weizhi did. He could avoid the main roads and take them through remote areas, greatly reducing the chances of being discovered.

Sitting behind Zhuang Weizhi, Xiao Rong watched the dust rising behind them and noticed Zhuang Weizhi's tense posture.

Everyone was too nervous. After a moment of thought, Xiao Rong decided to stay quiet. Under such dire circumstances, talking was useless. He needed to conserve energy and figure out how to save himself.

As for the Northern Pacification Army, he believed they would come to his rescue once they found out about his abduction. Even if Qu Yunmie didn't care about his fate, Jian Qiao and Gao Xunzhi certainly would. So, he needed to buy time and create some unexpected situations.

When dawn broke, they stopped in a forest to get water, eat some dry food, and rest their horses.

After a night of relentless riding, Zhuang Weizhi's horse fared better than the others, which were all panting heavily. It was clear that Li Xiuheng's situation was dire; he couldn't even afford decent horses.

There were six people in total, seven including Zhuang Weizhi. The other six sat together, eating, while Zhuang Weizhi pushed Xiao Rong to sit under a tree on the other side and tossed him a piece of bread and a water bag.

Xiao Rong accepted it without any reaction.

He wouldn't be swayed by a bit of food and drink. Zhuang Weizhi's actions didn't change the fact that he knew Qu Yunmie and Li Xiuheng were enemies yet still chose to work with Li Xiuheng. He also knew that Li Xiuheng had contacted the Xianbei and helped them enter the Central Plains.

This man was selfish to the core. His current calmness and care for Xiao Rong were merely because Xiao Rong was still useful to him. Plus, Zhuang Weizhi was naturally quiet, making him seem slightly better than Li Xiuheng.

After a night of cold wind, if Xiao Rong were truly feverish, he would have been dead by now. Instead, he felt a bit better. Opening the water bag, he drank some water to soothe his throat, then returned it to Zhuang Weizhi while looking at Li Xiuheng.

Xiao Rong whispered: "Li Xiuheng is two-faced and will do anything to survive. Whether the Breeze Sect abandoned him or he abandoned them, bringing me here was his idea, wasn't it?"

Zhuang Weizhi paused in his chewing, remaining silent. Xiao Rong glanced at him and continued: "Can you really trust him to keep his promises?"

"Will he really share the credit with you when he can take it all for himself?"

Suddenly, Zhuang Weizhi looked at him and said: "Shut up."

Xiao Rong shrugged and complied, even mimicking zipping his lips shut.

Zhuang Weizhi didn't understand the gesture, so he ignored it. However, Li Xiuheng had been watching them since they started talking, interpreting Xiao Rong's gesture as a signal to silence him.

Xiao Rong's gaze inadvertently met Li Xiuheng's, and he quickly looked away, moving closer to Zhuang Weizhi.

Li Xiuheng's face darkened further.

Li Xiuheng and Zhuang Weizhi had no real friendship. Li Xiuheng knew Zhuang Weizhi's father, who was once his subordinate. But before the tragedy ten years ago, Zhuang Weizhi's father had died, and Li Xiuheng never fulfilled his duty as an elder. He only remembered Zhuang Weizhi because he needed a spy.

Their relationship was purely one of mutual exploitation, and it had become precarious due to the failed plan.

Zhuang Weizhi didn't trust Li Xiuheng, and Li Xiuheng didn't trust Zhuang Weizhi.

They could escape together because they had a common enemy, but now that they had fled Yanmen County, the immediate threat seemed more pressing than any distant pursuers.

The atmosphere grew even tenser. Li Xiuheng urged everyone to get up, but Xiao Rong leaned against the tree, pretending not to hear. Li Xiuheng walked over angrily, and Zhuang Weizhi, facing away, went to help Xiao Rong. Seeing Li Xiuheng approach, Xiao Rong suddenly shouted: "Be careful!"

Highly alert, Zhuang Weizhi reacted instantly, drawing his sword and swinging it behind him.

Li Xiuheng reflexively jumped back and drew his weapon.

With weapons drawn, there was no need for words. Xiao Rong was right; Zhuang Weizhi was only a hindrance now that he had served his purpose.

The fight broke out, and Xiao Rong quickly hid behind a tree. Six against one, Zhuang Weizhi stood no chance. Xiao Rong knew this without even looking.

In the end, Zhuang Weizhi's betrayal cost him dearly. Had he simply defected without involving Li Xiuheng and the Xianbei, he might have convinced some subordinates to join him. Now, he had no choice but to follow Li Xiuheng blindly.

The fighting gradually ceased. Xiao Rong remained leaning against the tree, trembling.

Li Xiuheng approached with his sword, but before he could say anything, Xiao Rong cried out: "Don't kill me! I'll do anything, just don't kill me..."

Li Xiuheng snorted, sheathed his sword, and ordered a subordinate to lift Xiao Rong up. They resumed their journey.

The thrill of killing wore off quickly, and Li Xiuheng realized they had lost their guide.

But they had already left Yanmen County, and heading south was straightforward enough.

Xiao Rong changed horses, but the ride was still bumpy, making him nauseous and likely causing his thighs to chafe.

Saddles were still new, and some preferred riding bareback. Li Xiuheng and his men rode bareback, making the journey torturous for Xiao Rong.

Despite his physical discomfort, Xiao Rong persisted in his questioning: "Where are you taking me? To Southern Yong?"

No one responded.

"But I remember that you've visited all the major factions in Southern Yong. The Northern Pacification King said you had nowhere else to go, which is why you turned to the Breeze Sect."

Li Xiuheng's veins bulged, but he ignored Xiao Rong, focused on the journey.

Xiao Rong mentally reviewed the factions in Southern Yong and suddenly had an epiphany: "I understand. You're going to seek refuge with the Governor of Jianning, Huang Yanjiong!"

In the future, Huang Yanjiong would become powerful enough to wipe out Qu Yunmie's entire clan. But for now, he was merely a minor governor of a remote region.

Huang Yanjiong and Qu Yunmie did not clash after they had both risen to fame; they knew each other back when neither of them was well-known.

Ten years ago, after Qu Yunmie led his remnants away, he also went to Southern Yong because, with only soldiers and no food, he couldn't support so many people. To survive, he had to seek refuge elsewhere.

And the person he chose was Huang Yanqin, the governor of Lujiang at that time.

Huang Yanqin was Huang Yanjiong's elder brother. Compared to his younger brother, this Huang Yanqin had a reputation for righteousness and was particularly loyal to the court, making him a well-respected figure. He took in Qu Yunmie and held him in high regard, even overshadowing his brother for a while.

But Huang Yanjiong didn't have the same magnanimity as his brother. He targeted Qu Yunmie and the remnants of the Northern Pacification Army, causing Qu Yunmie much frustration. For one, Qu Yunmie still wanted revenge, and secondly, he refused to serve a corrupt court. So within less than a year, he left.

Before leaving, Qu Yunmie defied the court's military orders, took a large amount of provisions, and engaged in a battle with Southern Yong's army, winning despite being outnumbered, which greatly embarrassed Southern Yong.

The Southern Yong court was displeased, and naturally, Huang Yanqin, who had been his patron, suffered. He lost his military authority and was removed from his position as governor, eventually dying in his home three years later, filled with sorrow.

However, the Huang family was a prestigious clan. When Huang Yanqin was removed, his younger brother took over. Still, there was a significant difference between the prosperous Lujiang and the desolate Jianning.

Huang Yanjiong never liked Qu Yunmie and now considered him an eyesore. However, at this point, he was still rational enough to know he lacked the strength to confront Qu Yunmie directly, so he stayed in Jianning County, biding his time.

Even if Xiao Rong guessed their intentions, Li Xiuheng remained unperturbed. In his view, Xiao Rong was just a burden, incapable of causing trouble or being missed.

Xiao Rong, however, looked enlightened. He finally understood the reason behind his fever.

Li Xiuheng wasn't the cause, nor was Zhuang Weizhi's defection. The real reason was Zhuang Weizhi providing more intelligence about Qu Yunmie to Huang Yanjiong.

Currently, outsiders still saw Huang Yanjiong as an insignificant little governor, but only Xiao Rong knew that he had amassed a considerable number of troops and provisions, ready to act at any moment.

However, he needed a pretext. In an era where righteousness could crush a man, anyone planning a rebellion needed a justifiable cause.

The sun rose, and it was around the first hour of the morning, six hours since Xiao Rong was taken.

Sitting calmly on his horse, Xiao Rong pondered what excuse he could use to make them stop. Suddenly, he perked up his ears.

He seemed to hear something, a rumbling sound like an avalanche. ... But where would there be snow on the official road?

Just as he was puzzled, the person carrying him shouted loudly, "General, the pursuers have caught up!"

Li Xiuheng was shocked. They actually caught up?

"How many?!"

To Xiao Rong, it sounded like mere rumbling, but this person could discern more information. As he listened, his face turned paler: "Five hundred... no, a thousand... General, it seems there are three thousand, all heavy cavalry!"

Li Xiuheng: "........"

Three thousand heavy cavalry?! Just to chase him and Zhuang Weizhi?!

That was quite extravagant, even during the years right after Qu Yunmie's elder brother died, Qu Yunmie never mobilized such a force!

Li Xiuheng couldn't understand it, and there was no time to think. From the moment he heard the commotion, he knew he was doomed. The army was fast, but Qu Yunmie moved faster. He always led the charge fearlessly and pursued enemies relentlessly. They were about to be surrounded.

The others panicked, but Xiao Rong still had the presence of mind to turn his head and squint through the dust, trying to identify whether the approaching forces were the Northern Pacification Army.

After a while, he tilted his head.

He hadn't seen the Northern Pacification Army yet, but he did see the Northern Pacification King.

Qu Yunmie rode alone across the endless wilderness, swiftly approaching. He wore black armor, and behind him was a gleaming silver spear with red tassels fluttering, the only bright spot in the barren landscape.

Xiao Rong strained his neck, which was already sore, but he couldn't help but keep looking. Qu Yunmie, holding the reins, also squinted slightly.

He seemed to see Xiao Rong alive.

Qu Yunmie immediately leaned forward, shouted, and kicked his horse hard. The horse, feeling the pain, ran even faster.

Li Xiuheng was terrified. They urged their horses desperately, shouting that Qu Yunmie was catching up, but it was too late. When Qu Yunmie's horse appeared behind them, they thought their heads would be cut off. Instead, Qu Yunmie swung his Snow-Drinking Spear forward, using the shaft to knock Xiao Rong down.

Xiao Rong: "..."

He widened his eyes, about to shout for help, but found himself back on a horse—this time, Qu Yunmie's horse.

Xiao Rong: "........"

Are you a bull? How can you have such strength!

With Xiao Rong seated in front of him, Qu Yunmie no longer held back. In the blink of an eye, he killed all five men.

Some were stabbed, some had their throats slit. Xiao Rong barely saw his movements before they all fell.

Seeing Qu Yunmie about to kill the last one, Li Xiuheng, Xiao Rong shouted, "The King, no! Spare his life for now, take him back to Yanmen County and execute him there!"

Qu Yunmie paused briefly, then tilted his spear downward and thrust it sharply.

The horse's leg was injured, causing it to go wild and throw Li Xiuheng off. He rolled three times before stopping in pain.

He probably had a broken bone, clutching his leg as he looked up. Qu Yunmie, holding the reins with one hand and the Snow-Drinking Spear with the other, circled him on horseback, staring coldly, as if looking at a dead man.

Finally safe, Xiao Rong leaned back without hesitation. Qu Yunmie didn't seem displeased but adjusted his grip on the reins to protect him from falling.

Xiao Rong also looked at Li Xiuheng on the ground. After a moment, he gave him a slight smile.

Though Qu Yunmie held the power over his life, Li Xiuheng felt more chilled by Xiao Rong's demeanor.

Finally, the main army arrived. It turned out that the fallen man had excellent hearing; indeed, there were three thousand heavy cavalry, accompanied by two generals.

One was Jian Qiao, and the other was Yuan Baifu.

Both of them knew Li Xiuheng. Seeing Li Xiuheng captured, Jian Qiao laughed heartily three times, while Yuan Baifu looked at him with a complex expression.

Sighing, he ordered his guards to tie up Li Xiuheng, then went off to find a place to stay.

Jian Qiao, seeing Xiao Rong unharmed, breathed a huge sigh of relief: "Thank goodness we caught up. Mr. Xiao, you have no idea how chaotic the palace has been."

Xiao Rong thought to himself, the entire palace?

There weren't that many people in the palace, after all.

Not wanting to indulge what he saw as flattery, he turned to Qu Yunmie and asked, "Your Majesty, is my Ah Shu alright?"

Qu Yunmie glanced at him and said, "He's fine, just crying enough to be annoying."

Xiao Rong: "…………"

After a moment, Xiao Rong politely asked, "What about Chancellor Gao? Was he frightened?"

This time, Qu Yunmie's glance lingered longer: "Fortunately, Mr. Gao remained calm under pressure; he was just worried about you."

Xiao Rong responded with an "oh," about to lower his head when he noticed Qu Yunmie still looking at him, causing him to blink.

Finally, he realized: "Right, I haven't thanked Your Majesty for saving me yet."

Qu Yunmie gave an ambiguous hum, "You are my strategist; it's only right that I save you."

Xiao Rong chuckled, "That's true."

Qu Yunmie: "……"

Jian Qiao watched them silently, noticing that whenever the King and Mr. Xiao were together, he felt invisible.

Only when they stopped talking did Jian Qiao speak up: "Mr. Xiao, you're still running a high fever. Are you feeling any discomfort? I'll have the guards make a carriage for you."

With so many people around, making a carriage wouldn't be an issue. Qu Yunmie frowned but didn't say anything before Xiao Rong's eyes rolled, followed by a few weak coughs, making him look frail: "No need for trouble. I'm too weak now, Your Majesty. Could I speak with you for a moment?"

Jian Qiao: "……"

You weren't that weak just now.

Giving Xiao Rong a strange look, he eventually walked away.

Qu Yunmie, watching Xiao Rong, had a faint look of concern on his face.

Fever sufferers can't stand the wind. He had discovered too late and pursued too slowly. Xiao Rong had been outside for six hours; he feared...

Having known each other for so long, if Xiao Rong hadn't realized that he was afraid of sick people, he wouldn't deserve to be his strategist.

Qu Yunmie ordered the horses to move towards less crowded areas. As the horse slowly trotted, Xiao Rong spoke softly: "I've wronged Your Majesty these past days." Qu Yunmie remained silent.

"I was focused on building Your Majesty's reputation, attracting more people, and seeking better fame, forgetting that Your Majesty is first a brave general who fights enemies, and then the Northern Pacification King ruling north of the Huai River. As a general, Your Majesty naturally has preferences, yet I kept pushing you, which was truly..."

At this point, Xiao Rong gave a bitter smile: "How many years do I have left? In the end, it was my selfishness, wanting to see Your Majesty bring peace to the world within my lifetime, but I didn't expect to create a rift over the Buddha's son."

Qu Yunmie: "……"

He felt uncomfortable listening, "What rift? There's no such thing in the Northern Pacification Army."

Xiao Rong was stunned: "But the Buddha's son—"

Buddha's son, Buddha's son, Buddha's son, why always the Buddha's son?

Qu Yunmie was annoyed, looking into Xiao Rong's dark, pure eyes. After a moment of silence, he shared his decision: "If you think he's good, invite him, but don't let me see him."

Xiao Rong was genuinely shocked, sitting up straight with joy: "Thank you, Your Majesty! The people will be grateful for your kindness! Since the Buddha's son is coming, Yanmen County isn't suitable for a large temple, so perhaps..."

Qu Yunmie stared ahead expressionlessly: "Xiao Rong, don't push your luck."

Xiao Rong obediently nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty." ………

Xiao Rong knew when to stop. He dismounted and sought out Jian Qiao to arrange a carriage or a flatbed cart, as he didn't want to ride anymore.

Feeling the emptiness in his arms, Qu Yunmie frowned but said nothing.

He followed the main group back instead of returning alone as he usually did after completing a mission.

When they returned to Yanmen County, Ah Shu, who hadn't slept for nearly two days, ran out teary-eyed, followed closely by Gao Xunzhi. Seeing Xiao Rong unharmed, he couldn't help but sigh. Thank goodness he was safe.

He had thought... Xiao Rong might not have survived.

Not just him, everyone had thought so. After all, Xiao Rong had been taken while in critical condition and running a high fever by Zhuang Weizhi, who had been forced to flee because of Xiao Rong's intelligence report. Anyone would have thought Xiao Rong's chances were slim.

It was the King's swift action, immediately dispatching troops to chase after him, that gave everyone hope and lifted their spirits.

Li Xiuheng was tied up like a pig, and Zhuang Weizhi's body was brought back. Gao Xunzhi merely glanced at them before leading Xiao Rong back to his room.

He asked Xiao Rong how he was feeling, and Xiao Rong said he was much better. Then he told him that Qu Yunmie had agreed to let him bring the Buddha's son.

Gao Xunzhi was just as shocked as Xiao Rong had been. He stood there stunned for a moment, then stepped back, exclaiming, "Ah Rong, you're a god among men!"

Xiao Rong: "……"

So you think moving Qu Yunmie's mind requires divine intervention?

After a moment of silence, Xiao Rong said, "This matter is settled, but another urgent issue remains. Chancellor, Li Xiuheng has been captured. This is the best opportunity. Please persuade the King to relocate the capital. The unity of the army depends on it."

Gao Xunzhi: "…………"

Is it really that dramatic?

Author's Note: