Chapter 0020 Transformation

Chapter 0020 Transformation

Gao Xunzhi was genuinely puzzled.

He asked cautiously, "I know that moving the capital is indeed necessary, but why is Ah Rong in such a hurry?"

In Gao Xunzhi's view, setting out now would be too hasty. It would be better to wait until after the autumn campaign against the Xianbei, spend another winter, and then, by next spring, when everything is ready, decide where to relocate.

Xiao Rong: "..." Can we not rush?

When he first arrived, he thought he could enjoy himself for two years, but one illness after another gave him a rude awakening.

Qu Yunmie's downfall did not happen overnight. During those two years of his glory, others were plotting and preparing, while he and the naive Northern Pacification Army believed that after defeating the Xianbei, everything would be peaceful.

Take the Chi You flag, for instance; they still don't know who spread that nursery rhyme.

Yes, the culprit seems clear now—it's the Breeze Sect. The Breeze Sect does love spreading these supernatural tales, but there's one thing to remember.

The Breeze Sect doesn't seek power for itself; it always chooses a proxy and supports them to ascend. Its origins are obscure, but it emerged as a branch of Taoism about two hundred years ago during turbulent times.

Everyone knows that Taoism is a unique religion. They do not seek happiness in the afterlife; instead, they seek benefits in their current life, even immortality.

From Taoism, the Breeze Sect evolved with a simpler goal: not immortality, just a longer life. In an era where the average lifespan was only thirty years, wars and hardships were inevitable, but illnesses could still be treated. Initially, the Breeze Sect consisted of Taoist priests claiming to heal people. No one knew how they healed, but soon their mission changed to purifying the air.

This "air" wasn't societal morals but a spiritual energy within each person. Good people had pure air, bad people had turbid air. Too much turbid air would lead to chaos, and those with excessive turbid air were seen as calamities, polluting those with pure air, causing sickness and death.

What to do? Simple: kill those with turbid air.

This brutal approach aligned with the deepest, unspoken desires of the common folk—to eliminate all who oppressed them.

Thus, believers of the Breeze Sect were fierce, viewing those with turbid air as demons and determined to kill them.

With just a few words or a pointed finger, so many followers would fight for them. In turbulent times, everyone wanted a piece of power, and the leader of the Breeze Sect naturally rebelled, commanding these followers to seize territory.

However, rebellion requires ample conditions. Against truly ruthless warlords, this leader wasn't even fit to serve tea.

So, he died.

The next leader learned from his predecessor, rebelled, and also died. After four leaders died, they finally understood that they could only deceive illiterate peasants and were no match in political machinations. Thus, they sought alliances.

Since then, internal divisions arose, resulting in three factions.

The first faction returned to healing, albeit through unconventional methods, often causing more harm than good.

The second faction became assassins, targeting those with turbid air but choosing assassination over rebellion. Over time, they gained some influence, killing several notable figures.

The third faction, the largest and most secretive, allied with others, providing manpower and ideas while allies provided money, status, and protection.

Today, when people mention the Breeze Sect, they usually refer to the third faction. The first two factions combined barely number a thousand, while the third has followers everywhere.

Xiao Rong insisted on inviting the Buddha's son to counter the Breeze Sect. As the sect's influence grew, Xiao Rong didn't want a bunch of people obsessed with killing to cure diseases near him.

As for their alliances... The nursery rhyme about the Chi You flag is famous in history. Huang Yanjiong promoted it, but he was Qu Yunmie's enemy and would exploit anything detrimental to him. This alone doesn't confirm he collaborated with the Breeze Sect. Troubling.

Xiao Rong couldn't help but sigh. Everyone knows that the one who stands out gets shot. Qu Yunmie acted too high-profile, rejecting military orders, killing officials, declaring himself king, and neglecting his duties as a prince. Southern Yong is the legitimate dynasty, with a young emperor, making it untouchable for now. Thus, everyone's attention turned to Qu Yunmie.

Xiao Rong could imagine that Qu Yunmie's secret enemies could fill a mahjong parlor.

Gao Xunzhi looked at Xiao Rong's troubled face, sighed, and said, "I understand." Xiao Rong: "?"

He looked up, utterly confused.

What do you understand? I just zoned out and haven't spoken yet.

But Gao Xunzhi stood up, smiled kindly at Xiao Rong, and said, "Your intentions are clear to me. Therefore, I will do my utmost. Ah Rong, rest well. I'll go."

Xiao Rong: "No—"

He reached out to Gao Xunzhi, but the old man walked away quickly, fitting for a prime minister who could accompany the army.

Confusing, but it didn't matter since Gao Xunzhi agreed, not refused. Xiao Rong was tired, rubbed his aching neck, and went back to bed.

Xiao Rong slept for only an hour before waking up hungry.

Seeing this, Ah Shu immediately brought over prepared food.

Xiao Rong waved him off, "No need, I'll eat downstairs."

Sitting at the table, Xiao Rong devoured the food. He hadn't eaten the bread Zhuang Weizhi gave him nor the rations Jian Qiao provided on the way back, finding them too dry. Now, seeing edible food, he almost shed tears.

Ah Shu, five years younger than Xiao Rong, smiled kindly at his eating, "I knew Master didn't eat anything outside. No wonder everyone says Master is delicate."

Xiao Rong: "..."

He put down his chopsticks and asked irritably, "Who? Who said I'm delicate? Was it Qu Yunmie?"

Ah Shu was taken aback, "No, it was the people we met before. Why would Master think it was The King?"

Xiao Rong was momentarily speechless.

He didn't know; it was just a reflex. Anyway... it wasn't his fault; Qu Yunmie had a bias against him. Bias.

Thinking of these words, Xiao Rong viciously stabbed the dish with his chopsticks, vowing to remember Jian Qiao's words forever.

Ah Shu looked at him cautiously. "Master, are you angry?"

Xiao Rong paused, pulled out his chopsticks, and said nonchalantly, "No, why would I be angry? They're just some irrelevant people. Don't worry, your Master isn't one to hold grudges."

Ah Shu: "…………"

Just listening to it, he felt sorry for his Master.

After a moment of silence, Ah Shu continued, "Master, actually, I think... The King is quite good."

Xiao Rong looked at Ah Shu in disbelief. "Why do you say that?"

Ah Shu replied matter-of-factly, "Because he saved you, Master. Last night, if not for him coming to check on you, perhaps no one would have discovered you were kidnapped until morning. He didn't hesitate for a moment before deciding to send troops after you. It shows he values you greatly."

Xiao Rong was taken aback; Qu Yunmie hadn't told him any of this.

To Ah Shu, Qu Yunmie saving Xiao Rong made him a great benefactor to their Xiao family. But thinking about how Xiao Rong treated his benefactor behind his back... he decided to speak up for Qu Yunmie, as a way of repaying him.

Ah Shu continued, "While you were asleep, the King came to see you again. He left several guards outside, saying they would protect you from now on. Your treatment is now on par with Chancellor Gao's."

Xiao Rong remained silent, his brows slightly furrowed. Ah Shu blinked and added, "Master, isn't there a saying that one should repay a life-saving grace with a spring of water?"

Xiao Rong's tone was flat. "That's 'repay a drop of water with a spring.' "

Ah Shu: "Right, even a drop of water deserves a spring, so saving a life surely deserves even more."

Xiao Rong: "…What else can I do? I've already thrown myself into his service, working day and night for him. If I go any further, I'd be offering my body."

This made Ah Shu blush fiercely. He quickly said, "Master, you're speaking without thinking again."

Xiao Rong turned away, ignoring him.

Ah Shu scratched his head, unsure how to express himself.

"Master, I see how much effort you put into the Northern Pacification Army. You've said you only serve the Northern Pacification King, and now that we're here, you won't leave. Whether it's Linchuan or New Peace, Ah Shu will follow you wherever you go. Since we're going to settle here, this place should be your home. But—"

"Ah Shu doesn't understand why Master doesn't seem to treat this place as your future home."

Xiao Rong turned to look at Ah Shu's clear, puzzled eyes, experiencing speechlessness for the first time. *

On the other side, under candlelight, Gao Xunzhi and Qu Yunmie sat silently drinking in the bedroom.

Their Northern Pacification Army was a massive makeshift organization, far from other powers and political centers. No one was willing to travel such distances to send them dancers and musicians. Even if they did, they wouldn't make it past the palace gates. Qu Yunmie despised those frivolous sounds, which reminded him of banquets in the Southern Yong imperial palace when he was a teenager.

This somewhat melancholic scene was, however, quite comfortable for Gao Xunzhi and Qu Yunmie. Life had its ups and downs, and they had tasted mud; now, every sip of wine carried a hint of that muddy sweetness.

Qu Yunmie had a decent tolerance, but the real heavyweight was Gao Xunzhi. After years in the Northern Pacification Army, his scholarly status combined with his impressive drinking capacity made him a formidable presence.

Taking another sip, Gao Xunzhi put down his cup and looked at Qu Yunmie with amusement. "I heard the King assigned some guards to Xiao Rong?"

Qu Yunmie sipped slowly, then said, "Yes."

Gao Xunzhi: "……"

He held back, then asked, "Why does the King treat Xiao Rong so well?"

Qu Yunmie finally lifted his gaze, looking at him curiously. "Hmm?"

Gao Xunzhi: "……"

If it weren't for the fact that you're my only son and my closest friend...

After a moment, he said, "Xiao Rong should be the type of person the King hates most. When General Jian mentioned his personality, I thought the King would drive him away. Yet, not only did the King not do that, but he also took his advice and led three thousand heavily armored cavalry on a night-long pursuit to save him. Truly... one cannot judge a book by its cover."

Qu Yunmie: "……"

He defended himself, "I did it to chase Li Xiuheng."

Gao Xunzhi said softly, "But you didn't need three thousand heavily armored cavalry for that."

There were different types of cavalry, and heavily armored cavalry were the most expensive and powerful. One heavily armored cavalryman's equipment could support an entire squad of twenty men. The Northern Pacification Army only had seven thousand heavily armored cavalrymen in total.

Qu Yunmie had deployed nearly half of his elite forces, claiming it was to pursue Li Xiuheng. Who would believe that? Two years ago, when Li Xiuheng emerged, Qu Yunmie went after him alone. He spent three days and nights searching, but when he couldn't find him, he went to a Hun-built fortress and killed everyone inside single-handedly, returning to Yanmen Pass with some decent weapons.

Qu Yunmie remained silent, pondering why he had done it. It was instinctive; he relied on his natural talent rather than military manuals, making quick, decisive decisions.

His talent told him to bring the heavily armored cavalry because Xiao Rong wasn't like him. He was tough and had survived many injuries, but Xiao Rong was too frail and ill...

Oh, that was the reason.

Qu Yunmie pursed his lips, deciding not to share this reason. It felt embarrassing and didn't fit his usual image of being fierce and mighty.

Seeing him not respond, Gao Xunzhi didn't press further. Instead, he continued, "Xiao Rong should be someone who doesn't meet the King's expectations—"

Qu Yunmie suddenly interrupted, "Who said that?"

Gao Xunzhi was taken aback, blinking. He said, "The King dislikes delicate people."

Qu Yunmie spoke calmly, "Xiao Rong isn't delicate; he's just unwell."

Gao Xunzhi: "…But the King also dislikes people who are unwell."

Qu Yunmie: "Nonsense. I've never said that. What I dislike are those who are healthy but pretend to be weak like the aristocrats."

Gao Xunzhi was completely stunned.

Sure, you don't admit it, do you?

His temper flared up as he continued counting: "Xiao Rong has a strong personality. He has repeatedly challenged The King."

Qu Yunmie lowered his eyes: "But his intentions were good, and besides, he apologized to me."

Gao Xunzhi: "..."

You just let it go because he apologized? How come I didn't know you were so magnanimous? All the souls who died by your blade before—were they just my illusions?

"That love for money, too. Xiao Rong suggested profiting from future coal trade. Isn't that something The King despises about merchants?"

Qu Yunmie fell silent for a moment, then said: "But he was doing it for The King's benefit."

Gao Xunzhi: "............"

He didn't expect such an answer. Gao Xunzhi was stunned, his voice rising involuntarily: "Even with his extraordinary abilities, The King doesn't mind at all?!"

Qu Yunmie opened his mouth to say he had no magical powers, but remembering Xiao Rong's warning, he paused and nodded: "If he truly has skills, then I don't mind."

Gao Xunzhi: "............" He was speechless.

There was one last point: appearance. But Gao Xunzhi decided not to ask; this stubborn mule would never admit disliking someone like Xiao Rong.

Gao Xunzhi felt like spitting blood.

Swallowing his frustration, Gao Xunzhi maintained his composure, rubbing his forehead, and said: "Alright, even if The King doesn't mind Xiao Rong's personality, he is a scholar. The only scholar who can stay close to The King and get along well is him. Have you thought about why that is?"

Qu Yunmie's intuition kicked in. He sensed a trap in the question, looked up, and stared at Gao Xunzhi, seemingly calm but inwardly tense.

After some deliberation, he gave a conservative answer: "Because he is wise."

Gao Xunzhi sneered: "Wise people are plentiful, but those who match The King's temperament are few. This Yanmen Pass is far from the heart of the empire. People like Xiao Rong, who are so firmly committed to The King, are rare. That's why today, The King only has Xiao Rong by your side."

Qu Yunmie understood but stuck to his view: "Those who waver, The King does not need."

Gao Xunzhi asked: "What if Xiao Rong also leaves one day?"

Qu Yunmie's gaze sharpened, then he lowered his head, returning to normal: "If he leaves, he leaves. There's nothing to say."

Gao Xunzhi shook his head: "The King, that's not how it works. You used to be a young general, a general who exterminated enemies, and a Northern Pacification General. Your task was simply to kill enemies. But now, you are the Northern Pacification King. You expelled the barbarians and brought light back to the lands north of the Huai River. Countless people see you as their hope, including Xiao Rong and myself. Xiao Rong followed you despite his illness, traveling three thousand miles. He wants to see a Northern Pacification King who knows how to use people wisely and has great ambitions."

"If one day, he discovers that The King is not what he expected, that The King's path is not the one he envisioned, will Xiao Rong still follow you so firmly?"

Qu Yunmie recalled the cool moonlit night on Yanmen Pass when Xiao Rong spoke to him.

But his final answer to Gao Xunzhi was the four words Xiao Rong taught him: "Human hearts are unpredictable."

Gao Xunzhi sighed: "Yes, there will be many more like Xiao Rong. Perhaps none will win The King's favor as much, but their aspirations and thoughts are similar. The King's position is now secure, and once you sit on this throne, you cannot step down. We need more Xiao Rongs and must consider their wishes."

The old soldiers in the Northern Pacification Army are dwindling. Walking through the camp now, Gao Xunzhi hardly recognizes anyone. The army is no longer what it was in his youth, yet Qu Yunmie seems determined to maintain its simple nature from when his father and brother were still alive.

As he spoke, Gao Xunzhi even saddened himself. He couldn't understand why Qu Yunmie always wanted to stay at Yanmen Pass. By ancestry, they weren't from Yanmen Pass, and by memories, two fierce battles had erased all joy.

At this moment, Qu Yunmie looked up and asked softly, as he did when he was a child: "If not Yanmen Pass, where else can we go?"

Gao Xunzhi paused, then took a sip of wine. When the cup hit the table, he looked up again, smiling warmly: "Let the scholars decide. Wherever we go, as long as we're together, it's fine."

Qu Yunmie played with the wine cup, then shook his head after a while: "We'll discuss it later." *

After Li Xiuheng was brought back, he endured inhumane beatings. He had abandoned the pass years ago, leaving others to fight alone, and everyone who experienced that event hated him deeply.

Jian Qiao was among the most vehement. His parents died in that war, and he wished to kill Li Xiuheng himself.

But he wouldn't do it. The King should handle it. In terms of blood feuds, the King's was deeper.

Xiao Rong, after sleeping and eating well, went to see him once. He wanted to find out who the Breeze Sect was collaborating with, but unfortunately, Li Xiuheng was useless. He had only met the sect leader once and knew little about the sect. According to him, the Breeze Sect promised him 20,000 troops and supplies after the mission.

Twenty thousand... that's almost a small warlord. Even if the Breeze Sect was wealthy, they wouldn't give away such resources. Xiao Rong knew it was a lie, but Li Xiuheng believed it.

Xiao Rong: "..."

No wonder he was tricked by the court back then for a bit of profit.

Since Li Xiuheng provided no useful information, Xiao Rong left. As soon as he did, the waiting soldiers resumed beating Li Xiuheng.

Outside, Xiao Rong ran into Qu Yunmie.

Xiao Rong asked: "Is The King here to see Li Xiuheng?"

Qu Yunmie glanced at the prison door, where screams were coming from inside. He ignored the question and instead asked Xiao Rong: "I heard you have a younger brother?"

Xiao Rong: "..."

That was quite a jump in topics.

After a moment's silence, he nodded: "I have a younger brother and an elderly grandmother."

Qu Yunmie: "Why don't you bring them here?"

Xiao Rong was puzzled. Was this a new form of workplace concern?

After some consideration, he replied: "My younger brother is young, and my grandmother is old. The journey to Yanmen County is long and dangerous. I'm not comfortable with it—"

Before he could finish, Qu Yunmie suddenly turned and walked away.

Xiao Rong: "..."

He quietly watched Qu Yunmie leave.

The one in his heart has been so angry that he is deformed.

Is this called valuing him? Caring for him? You despicable cur, go to hell! ——

Author's Note: