At this moment, Xu Qi’an felt a sense of bewilderment, as if some long-held knowledge had been overturned.
He had always believed that the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign was a half-step Martial God. Even if this belief was not deeply rooted, it was at least a fairly certain fact for him.
Five hundred years ago, the Buddhists had a Beyond-rank Buddha, four first-rank Bodhisattvas, and a great number of Arhats and Vajras.
To be able to resist with all their might, fighting nearly to mutual destruction under such powerful siege, the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign must have been a half-step Martial God, only then did it make sense.
If the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign was not a half-step Martial God, then the entire history of the “Sixty Year Extermination of the Yao” might be false, the whole chapter of history in need of overturning.
As for the possibility that the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign was a Beyond-rank Martial God, Xu Qi’an considered it zero.
The reason was simple: given the offensive and defensive prowess of a martial artist, if she truly had been a Beyond-rank Martial God, then even if Buddha joined forces with the Warlock God and Gu God to besiege her, the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign would have been left licking her red lips with relish and saying disdainfully,
“Is that all?”
Of course, this speculation was purely Xu Qi’an’s imagination. The gap between Beyond-ranks probably was not that big.
But one thing was certain: it was absolutely impossible for a Buddha to kill a Martial God.
Absolutely impossible!
If the Kingdom Sovereign was not a half-step Martial God, then she could only be first rank… Xu Qi’an was about to voice his confusion when he heard Protector Yuan bluntly say,
“Silver Gong Xu’s heart is telling me: If the last Sovereign really was a Beyond-rank Martial God, she would be licking…”
Protector Yuan did not finish this sentence, because Xu Qi’an slapped him to the ground, causing his limbs to twitch.
“Apologies, there was a mosquito on your head just now. I’ve taken care of it for you.”
Xu Qi’an nodded to Protector Yuan, as if to say it was no trouble, no need for thanks.
The previous revelations had hit him rather hard, causing him to subconsciously spiral into wild speculation, unable to rein in his thoughts.
Cultivating heart-reading without practising silent meditation, how have you survived until now, Brother Monkey? Xu Qi’an silently muttered to himself.
“Many thanks to Silver Gong Xu for helping drive away the mosquito.”
Protector Yuan got up, his azure eyes clear and sincere, gratefully saying thanks, all the while trying to continue listening to Xu Qi’an’s heart.
Protector Qingmu recalled the past and said,
“The Wanyao Kingdom has never claimed its Sovereign was a half-step Martial God. Who told you so?”
This stumped Xu Qi’an, it was as if someone asked you:
Who told you one plus one equals two?
Fortunately, he had only been in this world for about a year and a half, so the timeline was manageable. He quickly remembered the first time he had heard of “Wanyao Kingdom”, it was when he had just become a Nightwatcher and investigated a case of Yao eating people in Taikang County, near the capital.
That Yao had driven out the local lime makers, and together with its accomplices, was secretly digging up saltpetre and making gunpowder.
He and Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng uncovered the truth, and when they reported to Li Yuchun, Brother Chun speculated that the Yao likely belonged to the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom.
Xu Qi’an, eager to solve the case, made a note of it. Not long after, the hot-tempered Warrior Monk Hengyuan broke into the mansion of Earl Pingyuan at night, killed him, and, finding himself at a dead end, sought help in the Earth Book chat group.
It so happened that Xu Qi’an was on patrol that night and rescued him.
Afterwards, he proposed the principle of “equivalent exchange” and began to gather information about the Wanyao Kingdom from other Heaven and Earth Society members.
Yes, it was Lina who had said so.
Lina had said that, during the Sixty Year Extermination of the Yao, Buddha took action because the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign was a half-step Martial God.
I was really stupid, truly. I didn’t know what sort of person Lina was back then, and I was tricked by her…
Xu Qi’an felt as if he was about to spit out blood.
At the same time, he remembered more. For example, at the time, Daoist Jinlian had tactfully corrected him, saying the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign was first rank, not a half-step Martial God.
But back then, everyone thought Daoist Jinlian was just a defeated Dog from the Earth Sect, what did he know about the Wanyao Kingdom?
Naturally, the more trustworthy source must be Number Five, who was also from the Southern Marches.
Who would have thought, that Dog was actually the leader of the Earth Sect, while the supposedly reliable Number Five was, in truth, just a not-so-clever foodie.
“The Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign was first rank?” Xu Qi’an pressed on, his tone somewhat urgent.
“Yes,” Protector Qingmu nodded.
“Then the half-step Martial God was…”
Xu Qi’an asked, holding his breath.
Protector Qingmu replied slowly, “Master Shenshu, the one we are trying to rescue.”
Just as I suspected… Xu Qi’an’s expression turned complicated, at once enlightened and somewhat surprised.
Once the conclusion that the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign was a half-step Martial God was overturned, the truth immediately surfaced in Xu Qi’an’s heart.
Three clues had never been clearer:
First: Shenshu had been sent to the capital to be sealed five hundred years ago. The Wanyao Kingdom had been destroyed five hundred years ago.
The timing matched perfectly, yet Xu Qi’an previously could not be sure if Shenshu ‘died’ five hundred years ago, perhaps he’d already been dismembered by then.
Second: The Wanyao Kingdom placed immense importance on Shenshu’s severed limbs. Not only did the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox deliver the severed arm to him, she had repeatedly aided him.
But to value Shenshu did not necessarily mean there was a special connection, after all, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. Perhaps the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox merely wanted to support an enemy to fight the Buddhists.
Third: Shenshu’s undying nature.
The severed arm had been sealed in Sangpo for five hundred years, with no external energy to sustain it, and yet it remained alive.
Even a Beyond-rank Buddha had been unable to kill him completely. With such terrifying vitality, there was no way he was just a first rank martial artist.
Although Xu Qi’an had never witnessed a first rank martial artist in action, the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign was a first rank Yao. The path for Yao and martial artists was the same, the difference being that at rank four, Yaos cultivated innate abilities while martial artists cultivated “Intent”.
History had proven that the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign had fallen, it meant that Buddha could kill a first rank martial artist.
The Confucian Sage had divided all major systems into nine ranks, only existences such as Buddha and the Warlock God transcended these ranks. This alone showed that when a Beyond-rank faced someone first rank, it was an overwhelming advantage.
“Then, what was the connection between Master Shenshu and the Wanyao Kingdom?”
Xu Qi’an took a deep breath.
Protector Qingmu shook his head. “I’m not high enough in the hierarchy to know. However, the Sovereign and Master Shenshu certainly knew each other and were friendly Dao friends.”
Right, during the Buddhists’s extermination of Yao, Shenshu would not have stood with the Wanyao Kingdom… Xu Qi’an nodded, pondering the details, when he suddenly heard Protector White Ape intone,
“Protector Qingmu’s heart tells me: This old one suspects the Sovereign and Shenshu were secret lovers.”
A sudden silence fell in the cave.
The Protector White Ape was startled, shocked by this revelation, and quickly said,
“That’s what Protector Qingmu said. It’s nothing to do with me!”
Protector Qingmu flushed, his dark green hair standing almost on end, each strand brimming with green energy. His hand clutched at his vine staff, tightening and loosening, over and over…
After struggling for a moment, Protector Qingmu let out a breath:
“I won’t lower myself to your level. Hmph, that’s right, back then us little Yaos did privately gossip about the Sovereign and Master Shenshu’s relationship.
“But the best evidence is the Little Sovereign, who is a pure-blooded Nine-tailed Celestial Fox.”
The Protector White Ape’s azure eyes, clear and dust-free, gazed at Protector Qingmu and blandly said,
“Your heart tells me: So this old one suspects they were secret lovers.”
Secret lovers, after all, held no status, and could not be seen in public.
…Once more, silence descended upon the cave.
Protector Qingmu silently gripped his vine staff and initiated the hunt.
A flash of white and another of green light shot from the cave, chasing each other as they disappeared into the sky.
“Protector Yuan’s innate ability already lets him see through people’s hearts. After he stole the Buddhists’s heart-reading technique, it pushed him beyond the fourth rank, and he struggles to control it. So he often blurts out things without regard for the occasion,” explained Fuxiang—no—Yeji, in a quiet voice.
Is he just blurting things out? No, he’s completely unrestrained… Xu Qi’an grunted his agreement, but made no further comment.
Yeji instructed the Yao women in the cave,
“All of you, stand guard outside. Without permission, do not enter.”
After the Yao had left, seeing her beloved so lost in thought, she asked gently,
“What’s wrong?”
Xu Qi’an put an arm around Yeji’s slender waist, but was in no mood to admire her beautiful figure. With a grave look, he said,
“You may not know, but Buddha was sealed away by the Confucian Sage long ago.”
“What?!”
Yeji’s expression stiffened, her pupils widening slightly, and Xu Qi’an could hear her heart suddenly accelerate at this moment.
Why did the Confucian Sage seal the Buddha?
If the Buddha was already sealed by the Confucian Sage, then who intervened all those years ago?
A chill rose in Yeji’s heart, an inexplicable coldness climbing up her spine, making her shiver.
“Can’t it be that the Confucian Sage sealed him afterwards.”
Baiji, trying to adjust to her pillow, interjected upon hearing this.
Although she was still just a cub, her intelligence was passable by now, and she could make out the terror hidden within this secret.
Yeji gently shook her head:
“The Confucian Sage only lived for eighty-two years and passed away over a thousand years ago, while the battle between Buddha and Yao was five hundred years ago.
“Xu Lang, you’re skilled in this sort of thing, what do you think?”
With her lover by her side, she felt like she had someone to rely on, and instinctively sought his help.
Xu Qi’an analysed:
“I have three guesses, but they all contain paradoxes and lack enough clues.”
He paused, and seeing Yeji’s gentle and soft gaze fixed upon him, he slowly said:
“Either the Buddha has already broken free of his seal, or someone else intervened back then, or it was Shenshu who orchestrated the destruction of the Wanyao Kingdom.
“The Buddha and Warlock God were sealed together, and only recently did the Warlock God start breaking free. Since both are beyond-rank, the Buddha shouldn’t have been able to break out five hundred years ago.
“If someone else was responsible, then the thought becomes rather frightening. But this possibility isn’t high, because now the Hundred Thousand Mountains are under the Western Region’s territory, becoming part of the Buddhist domain. The fortune blesses the Buddhist sect. If another unknown being intervened, what would his purpose be? He surely wouldn’t help the Buddhist sect for nothing.
“As for Shenshu orchestrating the destruction of the Wanyao Kingdom, well, if that’s the case, then who dismembered Shenshu? With the Buddha sealed, who else could dismember a half-step Martial God?”
Yeji nodded, still worried:
“Does Mistress know that Buddha was sealed by the Confucian Sage?”
Xu Qi’an mused:
“It’s hard to say. Your princess is unfathomable, and I don’t understand her. But the fact that the Confucian Sage sealed Buddha is known to hardly anyone in the nine provinces. If the leader of the Confucians hadn’t told me, I’d have no clue about this secret.”
The “Sixty-Year Extermination of the Yao” campaign five hundred years ago was shrouded in fog, hiding much deeper secrets.
“Baiji, get in touch with your mistress.”
Xu Qi’an said.
Baiji, feeling lazy and not wanting to move, replied in a childishly immature voice:
“Sister Yeji can contact Mistress too. Let her do the work.”
In any family, chores were for the elders. As the youngest sister, her job was to be adorable.
Her older sisters would always exclaim, “Oh, little darling!” unable to let her go and offering her all sorts of treats.
Fuxiang can also get in touch with the Nine-tailed Fox… Xu Qi’an raised an eyebrow, scrutinising his old flame.
…
The morning sun rose. Miao Youfang sat cross-legged in the valley, facing the roaring campfire, chewing on a grass stem.
Hongying was roasting two large birds, which he’d caught on his way to fetch Miao Youfang.
“You’re being too courteous, too courteous…”
Miao Youfang was enjoying VIP treatment and felt a little embarrassed.
“It’s only right, only right. Brother Miao is Silver Gong Xu’s disciple, and thus also an honoured guest. Entertaining honoured guests, ensuring they eat and drink well, is my duty and responsibility.”
Hongying gave off none of the airs of a fourth-rank expert, instead seeming like a slick official skilled in social affairs.
As he spoke, seeing Miao Youfang eyeing the pair of female yao at the cave entrance, he beckoned:
“You two, come here.”
The two female yao hesitated but then stepped forward:
“Protector Hongying, what are your orders?”
Hongying affected a tone of reproach:
“Blockheads! Of course it’s to help our honoured guest with his meal. Brother Miao has fought alongside Silver Gong Xu all over the country and is a big figure among the human race. You must serve him well. If you don’t, just watch how I punish you.”
This bird yao really knows how to play the game… Miao Youfang felt a little light-headed at the attention, waving his hand:
“You flatter me, far too much. I’ve merely followed Silver Gong Xu and helped kill a few Vajras. Mostly, I’m just the sidekick, Silver Gong Xu is simply too formidable.”
Hongying’s eyes lit up, “Brother Miao, you must tell us more about this!”
The two female yao, originally reluctant, quickly sat at either side of Miao Youfang, ready to serve him.
…
The same morning.
Xu Lingyin shouldered her rucksack, following Second Brother and their teacher up the plank extending from the warship to the deck.
The three warships together held three thousand soldiers and commanders.
The Great Feng’s military system was the Wei-Suo system, adapted from the fubing system of the previous Zhou dynasty. Its advantage was greatly reducing military expenditure.1
It also ensured that troops were scattered throughout the provinces, allowing for swift mustering to quell rebellion, and preventing any one commander from amassing too much military power.
Thus for this mobilisation, only three thousand troops from the capital were dispatched, the rest drawn from other provinces.
“Lingyin, be careful!”
Auntie shouted from the wharf, straining her voice:
“If you get into trouble, then, then…”
She meant to say “listen to your master more,” but then remembered the teacher might be even less reliable than the student.
Second Uncle Xu quickly interjected, “Try to find a way to contact your elder brother.”
Xu Lingyin, her rucksack nearly bigger than her, nodded hard:
“Mum, I’m going to fight!”
Soldiers and passersby all looked on in astonishment.
A brat had mixed in with the troops, that alone drew attention.
And when they heard she was off to war…
Second Uncle Xu was aghast and shouted angrily: “What fight? You’re just going back to your teacher’s home. Don’t talk nonsense.”
Little Pea had always thought she was off to fight a war.
A string of doubting gazes scrutinised Xu Lingyin from a distance.
Xu Lingyue, veiled, spoke up loudly: “Lingyin, as Silver Gong Xu’s sister, don’t let everyone down!”
Suddenly, all the doubt and discontent transformed into enthusiasm and friendliness.
After a bout of fuss, the two disciples were led back to the cabin by Xu Erlang.
At the appointed hour, the warships set sail.
Xu Xinnian settled his little sister and Lina in the next room, reminding them:
“Stay in the room and don’t wander off. Try not to get into trouble.
“Lina, don’t eat anything others give you, and never accept favours from the officers.”
Although Lina was a fourth-rank, her gluttony and naivety would make her vulnerable to underhanded tricks.
“Mm-hmm!”
Lina nodded vigorously.
Actually, she wasn’t afraid of poison. As a strong woman from the Southern Marches, even though she wasn’t from the Poison Gu tribe, her skills in detecting and withstanding poison were outstanding.
Besides, any poison potent enough to stupefy or kill a fourth-rank would be far too precious for common use.
Lina thought Xu Erlang was just a bookworm without much experience, so there was no need to explain it to him.
Having settled the two women, Xu Erlang returned to his study to pore over military strategy and analyse the Qingzhou campaign.
Meanwhile, Lina immediately led Xu Lingyin out for a wander, soon arriving on deck.
In the biting wind, both teacher and disciple had stars in their eyes.
This was their first time setting sail in their lives.
“Miss, what’s your relation to Silver Gong Xu?”
A voice called from behind.
Lina turned to see a square-faced, short, burly middle-aged man in armour, staring intensely at Lina and Xu Lingyin.
“Who are you?”
Lina’s Central Plains dialect was rather poor.
“Centurion Chen Xiao of the Imperial Army Infantry Battalion!”
The middle-aged officer cupped his fist and said, “In summer, I once followed Silver Gong Xu north to investigate the case of the bloody slaughter across three thousand miles. I just heard that this little girl is Silver Gong Xu’s little sister?”
See the military structure of the Ming dynasty, the dynasty the Feng is largly based on. ↩
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