Chapter 123

 

The door was suddenly opened at this moment, and Lu Wenjun quickly ran out and caught up with Chengping.

Chengping hesitated for a moment, and finally stopped. He turned to Lu Wenjun and said “Oh” with a faint smile.

“That’s right, you’re still here. I seem to owe you a lot…”

Before he could finish his words, Lu Wenjun slapped him in the face with a loud snap.

Then, there were several more “pa pa” sounds, as she kept on slapping until her palms were burning and she could not slap anymore.

“You evil man! Are you running away like this because you want to completely betray the Holy Dynasty, go back and become the enemy of the Holy Dynasty, and raise an army for revenge one day?”

Chengping did not move, allowing this girl who had just been canonized as a princess to be married to a foreign country a few days ago to hit him. It was not until this moment that he met her gaze.

“Wenjun, if you were not a noble lady of the Holy Dynasty, but were born in another land—one whose people lived under tribute and called themselves subjects—your fate would rest in the hands of another’s whims. If the emperor thought that your neighbor who had a grudge against you could serve him better, he would abandon you without hesitation, strip the hat from your head, and hand it to your foes. He would command you to kneel and kiss their boots, forbidding you from ever seeking vengeance. And to ensure your obedience, he would send your son to Chang’an as a hostage, to live a life worse than a dog’s. Why? Simply because we once lost a war to him!

“I don’t believe that my father has never thought about resisting—that he never harbored resentment. He simply didn’t dare to take risks! But I will not live a life where my fate depends on another’s mercy!”

As he spoke, his eyes passed over the girl in front of him and fell on Xuyu’s face behind him.

“Princess, I had always hoped that Pei Er could take the throne. If it were him, I think I would have been willing—like the King of Bohai—to accept the teachings of your people and adopt the rites and etiquette of the Central Plains. Because at least while I am alive, I don’t have to endure the humiliation that can befall me at any time. He is the only person I can trust. Naturally, that hope has come to nothing. But later, I gradually understood that those were just excuses I made for myself. I knew from the very beginning that it was impossible for him. I want to take revenge for one simple reason…”

“I’ll kill you—”

Lu Wenjun pulled out a long phoenix-head hairpin from her head and thrust it straight into Chengping’s throat.

Chengping did not dodge, but watched the hairpin tip approaching without changing his expression.

Lu Wenjun’s hand trembled, she closed her eyes, and stabbed randomly.

There was a dull “puff” sound.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw that the hairpin had pierced deeply into Chengping’s shoulder. Blood was slowly seeping out. She couldn’t help but tremble even more violently.

Chengping raised his other arm, grasped the end of the phoenix-head hairpin that was left outside his body, pulled the hairpin out, and wiped it on his clothes a few times. He wiped the blood off the hairpin, and handed it back to her.

“Thank you for not killing me.” He looked at her and said softly.

She remained motionless.

Chengping raised his arm and put the hairpin back on her hair. Then, he turned to Xuyu who was standing a few steps away and knelt down solemnly in front of her. After kowtowing, he stood up, took off his outer robe and threw it on the ground, leaving only his inner clothes on. He then opened the gate and strode away.

Xuyu finally let Chengping walk out.

Shiduo, who hadn’t seen his master come out for a long time, led his men to this side, but was stopped outside by many guards. The two sides were on the verge of a fight.

Although there were only a few dozen people on the opposite side, and the number difference was huge, but each of them was fearless and unafraid of death. If they fight, the noise they make would definitely not small.

She didn’t dare to risk leaking the news. At this moment, nothing was more important than Pei Xiaoyuan’s safety.

Xuyu embraced Lu Wenjun, who was covering her face and sobbing quietly, in her arms.

Outside the courtyard, the noisy sounds of boots and swords clashing disappeared, and the night finally returned to tranquility.

…

Pei Xiaoyuan walked out of the post road, going further and further away.

He travelled alone with only his horse for company—sometimes riding, sometimes leading it on foot—as he passed through a large tract of dark forest with ancient trees, bypassing a swamp covered with dead branches and rotten grass that seemed to have been sleeping for thousands of years. Then, crossing a landscape of undulating hills and ridges, at the end of the fifth watch, when the sky was dim, he finally arrived at a place called Eagle Sorrow Plateau.

At this altitude, ordinary birds were scarcely seen. In the dim winter dawn, apart from a few migrating wild geese, only a handful of raptors—hawks or eagles, he could not tell—circled ceaselessly overhead, their wings slicing through the cold air behind him.

Somewhere in the heart of the ancient mountain in front of him was the place where Li Yan was going to meet him. In a cracked rock at the foot of the mountain, there was an old cypress tree that had been struck by lightning and burned to half. One side was charred black, while the other remained lush and green, its foliage glistening with life. It would not be difficult to find.

He stood under the cypress for a moment. Then two men who looked like woodcutters suddenly emerged from the below and walked towards him. One of them was Li Meng, a trusted confidant of Li Yan.

Li Meng walked up to him, bowed respectfully, and asked to take his weapons from him before taking him to see his master.

Pei Xiaoyuan took off the long sword and knife hanging from his belt, and took out a dagger from his boot. Li Meng signaled his companions to put them away, took out a piece of cloth, and looked at Pei Xiaoyuan with an embarrassed look on his face.

Pei Xiaoyuan smiled and closed his eyes.

After his eyes were covered with a strip of blue cloth, he boarded a sedan chair and was carried along the winding paths of the mountain. Sometimes ascending, sometimes descending, he passed through what seemed like shadowy ravines untouched by sunlight for years, then gradually climbed higher, leaving behind the streams and forests below. He had no way of knowing how many twisting paths they had taken. At times, the birdsong around him was sparse and distant; at others, it grew into a chorus of sharp, clear calls, only to fade into silence once more. In this way, they traversed the precipitous mountain roads for what felt like half a day. At last, the sedan chair was set down, and the people around him disappeared without a sound.

As his feet touched the ground, he stood still for a moment, sensing the cool, fresh scent of vegetation in the air brushing against his skin. Beneath that earthy fragrance, he seemed to catch a faint, almost imperceptible trace of something more sinister—a rancid, fishy tang, like the scent of festering blood carried by the wind. He slowly untied the cloth covering his eyes, and suddenly, a bright and dazzling morning sun shone directly at his eyes that had just emerged from the darkness, forcing him to turn his face away and slightly close his eyes. After a moment, as he adjusted to the harsh new light, he opened his eyes and found himself inside a ruined, long-abandoned temple, hidden somewhere deep in the mountains. The golden statue in the altar, whose original shape was unknown, had long since crumbled, exposing the rough black clay beneath. The murals on all sides were weathered and peeling off. Cobwebs draped thickly across the beams and corners of the dilapidated hall. Above him, the roof was riddled with gaping holes, through which shafts of midday sunlight streamed down, striking directly at the spot where he stood.

It could be seen that although this temple had been abandoned and seemed to have been without incense for many years, the person who funded the construction of the temple must have been either rich or noble. To this day, except for the leaking roof, there were still traces of gold and silver on the remaining murals. The walls were thick and solid. As for the wood used for the doors and beams, it was as hard as iron. After many years, it had not rotted. It must be sandalwood that ordinary people could not afford.

Just as Pei Xiaoyuan was surveying his surroundings, a breeze came and the fishy smell in his nose became stronger. The source was from behind him. He turned sharply, his gaze momentarily froze at the unexpected sight before him. Behind him, there was a scarlet thick fur mat with a pattern depicting a tableau of a hundred beasts bowing in reverence to a divine king, which was obviously woven by Persian craftsmen. At its center, seated cross-legged, was Li Yan. Dressed in white, he reclined against a lacquered armrest, his gaze fixed upon Pei Xiaoyuan. Before him was a low table inlaid with gold and silver, set with a few ivory trays filled with delicacies. Two sets of golden-tipped jade chopsticks lay neatly opposite each other, as if awaiting a guest. At Li Yan’s feet, there were two adult leopards with strong muscles and bones, which matched the content of the woven pattern on the mat. One knelt low, shoulders slightly hunched, its emerald eyes fixed intently on Pei Xiaoyuan. The other lay sprawled beside Li Yan, motionless, though its half-lidded eyes remained trained on the newcomer, quietly observing.

The fishy smell mixed with pus and blood that Pei Xiaoyuan smelled just now must have come from these two leopards.

Li Yan met his gaze with a smile and slowly rose to his feet. At the same moment, the two leopards leaped up as if receiving some silent command. Their four dark eyes locked onto Pei Xiaoyuan, fangs bared—yellowed from tearing through countless fresh flesh and blood—while a deep, guttural growl rumbled from their throats, a chilling sound that sent a shiver down one’s spine.

“Get down!” Li Yan shouted in a low voice. The two leopards were scolded and slowly retreated to the corner and lay down against the wall.

Li Yan chuckled and pointed at the leopard and explained, “Don’t take offense, Master Pei. I mean no harm. Although they are just two beasts, I adopted them since I was a teenager. I remember that day, my Imperial Grandfather took his favorite ministers and the imperial guards to go hunting. Fortunately, I was permitted to accompany him and receive his personal instruction. A mother leopard was struck down by the guards’ arrows, and when they followed her trail, they found these two little beasts who were only a few months old. I pitied them and pleaded with Imperial Grandfather to grant them to me. Thankfully, he showed me favor. I cherished them dearly and raised them myself. At least now, they listen to my commands. They make excellent hunting companions.”

He paused, and continued, “After the rebellion was quelled, I followed my father’s order to go out of the capital to welcome your father. I brought these two along, intending to present them as a gift—merely to amuse him and to express my admiration. But who would have thought—”

He stopped mid-sentence, then turned his palm toward the banquet, signaling Pei Xiaoyuan to take a seat. He himself sat down first, picked up a silver wine flask, and poured two cups.

“I am very happy to meet Master Pei today. So I brought this pair of spirit beasts with me. If Master Pei likes them, I will give them to you as a gift, which can make up for the great regret in the past.”

Pei Xiaoyuan glanced at the two leopards and said, “Since they are Your Highness’s beloved things and have been with you for many years, how dare Pei snatch them away. Your Highness, please keep them for yourself.”

Li Yan’s gaze lingered on his face. He was silent for a moment and did not mention the matter anymore. He looked around the temple, seemingly lost in some distant memory. After a long pause, he spoke again, slowly: “Master Pei must be wondering why I chose this place for our meeting. It is a long story. Years ago, my father once had a dream—he dreamt of an ill omen rising from the northwest. When he consulted a sage, he was advised to build a hidden temple here to offer incense and prayers.”

He sighed softly, “In the blink of an eye, many years have passed. People often say that the world changes while things remain the same. But for me, even things do not last. Even a temple such as this could not escape its fate of decay.”

His expression was filled with sadness, but he soon came to his senses, smiled, and invited Pei Xiaoyuan to sit down again: “I am glad to hear that Master Pei has changed your mind and is willing to help me. Please sit down, I would like to discuss important matters with you in detail.”

Pei Xiaoyuan did not answer immediately. He raised his head slightly and looked out from the temple roof with only bare rafters above his head, as if in a trance.

Outside the roof, there was a vast expanse of blue sky, with a few white clouds floating above, so close that they seemed to be within reach. After a row of wild geese flying south, a hovering eagle appeared in sight. It seemed to have been circling nearby, flying very high, looking like a black dot. Gradually, the creature descended and could be vaguely identified, as if it was a white-headed falcon.

Li Yan followed his gaze and also looked up for a while, then said with a smile: “This place is named after Eagle Sorrow, so there is no shortage of eagles.” Then, he changed his tone and said, “Please take a seat, Master Pei.”

He made the third invitation.

Pei Xiaoyuan finally retracted his gaze and looked at Li Yan opposite him, saying: “The emperors of old ruled by aligning their hearts with the will of the people. Now that we meet face to face, I implore you to heed my words—turn back while you still can. Do not weave a cocoon around yourself, ensnared by stubborn delusions. In the end, you will bring harm to both yourself and others, and by the time regret sets in, it will be too late.”

Li Yan’s gaze hardened, a look of disappointment flickering in his eyes. He studied Pei Xiaoyuan in silence for a moment before a faint, bitter smile touched his lips. “Must it come to this? I came here with sincerity, seeking to win you over—not as an enemy, but as an ally.”

“You come from an extraordinary background, so it’s normal for you to have obsessions. But you know all too well how many unscrupulous things you have done to achieve your goals. How can I possibly work for you?”

Li Yan picked up the wine cup he had just poured, lowered his head, and slowly drank it. When he raised his head, his eyes had turned cold and his words were full of ridicule.

“Pei Er, you truly do not know what’s good for you. Fortunately, I came prepared. You are far too arrogant. You may be highly skilled in martial arts, but do you really think you can take me down alone? The entire area outside this temple is filled with my men. The moment I give the order—you won’t even know how you died!”

“How do you know I came here alone?”

Just as he finished speaking, a man rushed in with a panicked look on his face, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps.

“It’s bad, Your Highness! The lookout discovered a group of people coming here! It’s estimated that there are at least hundreds of people! They will be here soon! We can’t stay here! Your Highness, retreat quickly!”

Li Yan’s expression changed slightly. He slowly stood up from the mat, his eyes fixed on Pei Xiaoyuan opposite him.

“I don’t believe it! Even Ashina doesn’t know this place! How could your people get here so quickly?”

Pei Xiaoyuan had a young servant who, apart from causing minor troubles and testing his patience, had no great talents in life. However, after arriving in Chang’an, he had somehow become quite adept at falconry, learning the tricks of the trade with remarkable speed despite having no formal teacher.

Just last night, when Pei Xiaoyuan was leaving, this servant released a white-headed falcon—a bird that had originally been left in his care by another but had since been trained to obey him with exceptional loyalty. The falcon was extraordinarily intelligent, with unparalleled eyesight, capable of spotting even a rabbit scurrying on the ground from miles away—let alone a human.

The falcon had been following Pei Xiaoyuan in the sky, and the men he had arranged in advance followed the falcon, trailing him all the way to this very place.

As Li Yan asked the question, he suddenly thought of the scene just now. He raised his head abruptly and looked at the falcon circling in the blue sky outside the leaky roof. He understood instantly and his face changed drastically.

Li Meng stepped in quickly: “Your Highness! Ashina broke the promise! He didn’t bring in this person as agreed!”

Li Yan’s hands trembled slightly, and he gritted his teeth: “That Hu bastard, he’s so fickle! I knew I couldn’t trust him!”

“Your Highness, please leave! If it’s any later, we won’t be able to leave!”

Li Meng sent a signal to the two leopards, which, as if sensing their master’s agitation, had already begun pacing restlessly. Then, without hesitation, he pushed Li Yan forward, rushing him toward the exit.

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