Chapter 56 The most crucial move in the game has finally been made.

The two entered for a short while. Mu You bowed his head and sat silently, writing with his brush. After writing each character, he would raise his eyes and look deeply at the young man standing freely in the room. It was his first time meeting the emperor, and he should have been nervous, but his expression was very natural. Even if Mount Tai were to press down on him, his face would not lose its color. It was as if he was not afraid of the supreme emperor in front of him. A hidden connection between the two was cleverly linked.

Cui Jin stood in the room, his one eye seemingly closed as if he were resting. He maintained a natural posture, as if he was used to Mu You's silence, or as if he knew that Mu You had been waiting for them for a long time. He needed more time to examine the young swordsman from Canglang Island in front of him.

Ajiu didn't know what Mu You was writing, nor how long he would remain silent. Whenever Mu You looked at him, Ajiu could discern an emotion on the emperor's face that shouldn't be there. The world was in his hands; he had capable sons, trusted ministers, and the Meteor Sword, comparable to an ancient divine weapon... But Mu You's face revealed a deep regret, and with each glance, the regret grew more profound.

After writing the last character, Mu You finally put down his wolf-hair brush, placed his hands on the table, and leaned forward slightly, wanting to see A-Jiu more clearly. A-Jiu's fingers twitched slightly; he wasn't sure if he should remove his mask. Cui Jin had warned him not to startle the Emperor, and A-Jiu, thinking this, hid his hands behind his back.

Although only half of his face was visible, Mu You could still see the shadow of Mu Chenbi in his face. However, Mu Chenbi was radiant and triumphant, while the young man from Xingguo Fang in front of him had unconcealed worries between his brows, like a frightened bird, his eyes darting around. They were completely different. Mu You stared at him for a long time, then forced himself to look away and bent down to look at the ink that was still wet.

"The swordsmen of Xingguo Ward?" Mu You asked in a low voice, "Why weren't you the one who went to test your sword at Lingbo Terrace in the inner ward that day?"

Even the most composed Ah Jiu was being questioned by the Emperor for the first time, and she paused for a moment, unsure how to respond. She glanced at Cui Jin and saw that he had his eyes closed and was ignoring his surroundings, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "The swordsman that day was named Lou Cangyu. His swordsmanship was superb, and he could also test swords for Xingguo Ward."

"His swordsmanship is better than yours?" Mu You didn't look up.

Ajiu's palms were sweaty, and his lips were half-open, unsure how to answer. Mu You seemed to see his predicament and asked softly, "What's your name?"

"Ah Jiu, your subordinate, call me Ah Jiu."

"No name or surname, so you're called Ajiu?" Mu You looked up again.

Ajiu nodded, and seeing that Mu You didn't seem to intend to make things difficult for Xingguofang, her tension gradually eased. "We are just a bunch of refugees on a deserted island. It's already a blessing to have a name. How could we dare to hope for a surname? Your Majesty... please forgive my rudeness."

"The people's lives are full of hardship; it's because I, as emperor, haven't done a good enough job." Mu You put away his regret. "Canglang Island has been secluded from the world for decades. Were you also born on the island?"

Cui Jin half-opened his single eye and glanced sideways at Ajiu. Ajiu's brow twitched slightly. "Yes."

Mu You frowned. "Are your parents still alive?"

“If I were alive, how could I be nameless and surnameless, only called Ajiu?” Ajiu’s words were tinged with bitterness.

"No one is born from a crack in a rock. If someone raises you, then someone else will give birth to you." Mu You said calmly.

Ah Jiu sighed softly, "I grew up eating food from many families. The person who picked me up said that my mother died after giving birth to me. She gave me some rice gruel because she saw that the baby was crying pitifully. The neighborhood head saw that I had some talent, so he taught me to be a swordsman."

"She gave birth to you...and then died..." Mu You murmured sorrowfully, "How did she pass away..."

Ajiu was slightly surprised by Mu You's question, "Your Majesty, Canglang Island is a remote and desolate place of exile. Apart from Xingguo Ward, no one cares about the life and death of the islanders..."

"All land under heaven belongs to the king, and all the people under heaven are my subjects. Do you think I don't care about the lives of my subjects?" Mu You's voice was unreadable, his eyes glaring at A Jiu.

Startled, Ajiu knelt on one knee and said, "Ajiu misspoke, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"What crime have you committed?" Seeing his barely concealed fear, Mu You felt a pang of pity. "Heaven's grace is boundless. I have the will, but I cannot attend to everything. Canglang Island, you must have suffered a lot. How old are you this year?"

"I'm nineteen." A-Jiu knelt on the ground, not daring to raise her eyes, much less get up.

“Nineteen years old…” Mu You murmured, closing his eyes as if in thought. “Nineteen…” Mu You suddenly opened his eyes, staring intently at A Jiu’s lowered head. “Raise your head and take off your mask for me to see.”

A-Jiu's ears rang, and she instinctively looked up at Cui Jin. The deep scar was glaringly obvious; how could she dare to show it before the Emperor? Seeing that Cui Jin didn't even glance at her, A-Jiu looked conflicted, then mustered her courage and said, "This subordinate is disfigured... I'm afraid it will offend His Majesty's eyes..."

Mu You chuckled, easing the tense atmosphere in the study. "Was it Cui Jin's idea? I'm not afraid of his face, so what can you do? I want you to take off your mask."

Ajiu reached out and touched her left cheek. The Emperor's decree had been issued, and she had no choice but to obey. Clutching her gilded mask, Ajiu took a deep breath and slowly lowered her hand. Mu You held his breath. Yesterday, he had caught a glimpse of Shen Bi in the inner palace; today, seeing him again, it was Shen Bi, yet not Shen Bi. They had appearances that seemed identical, yet they were two completely different people. Ajiu had a scar several inches long on her left eyebrow, the flesh showing through, indicating it was recently healed. If the scar were half an inch lower, her left eye would surely be lost. Mu You gasped. Had he once been on the verge of death, risking his life for his future? How much pain and torment had he endured to appear before him, alive and well?

Seeing Mu You staring at her for a long time without moving, Ajiu was stunned and didn't know what to do. She didn't know whether to lower her head or not, and she didn't dare to raise it. She could only stare at Mu You's increasingly grief-stricken face, feeling lost and helpless.

Mu You realized his lapse in composure and turned away from A Jiu, asking, "The scar on your eyebrow, is it from testing the sword?"

Ajiu paused slightly, "Swordsmen are always accompanied by their weapons, so injuries are common. This wound above the eyebrow will heal in a few days; it's nothing serious."

At this moment, no one could see the expression on Cui Jin's face. He seemed detached from the situation, yet also like a master strategist, as if he had finally made the most crucial move in a long-planned game of chess, or like prey stepping into a carefully laid net from which it could no longer escape.

Mu You turned around with a sigh and slowly walked towards A Jiu, "Let me take a good look at you."

Ajiu tilted his head back, revealing his clean and full forehead. Mu You stared at the scar on his brow bone. "This scar is very deep. If it were half an inch lower, you would have lost your eye."

“If he really goes blind, it’s fate.” Ajiu said lightly, “But he still has his eyes, so it seems to be fate as well. The Grand Preceptor lost an eye, but he is still wise and unparalleled. He is still the Emperor’s most trusted minister. If I were to become one-eyed, I would still be able to wield the sword of Xingguo Workshop and have the opportunity to perform for the Emperor.”

Mu You seemed quite satisfied with the answer, and nodded slightly to Cui Jin. "That's all for today. Go back and tell Pei Yuan to stay in Rongdu. Grand Preceptor, take Ajiu and leave."

Ajiu looked surprised, thinking she had misheard. She had thought she was here to receive a lecture, but it seemed more like a casual chat. Seeing Ajiu hesitate and not dare to get up, Mu You found it amusing and said gently, "What, don't want to leave?"

"No." A-Jiu hurriedly stood up. "I thought...I thought..."

"What did you think?" Mu You asked with amusement. "Did you think I was going to punish Xingguo Ward and send you back to Canglang Island?"

Ajiu's face flushed red, and he lowered his eyes, not daring to say anything more. Mu You sighed softly, "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Don't take it too seriously. Just like the scar on your brow bone, why risk your life for victory or defeat? Step down."

"—This subordinate… takes his leave." Mu You waved his hand lightly, indicating that he could leave.

The door opened, and a swordsman wearing a gilded mask walked out. Chang Lu hurriedly returned the sword the swordsman had taken off. As he did so, he didn't forget to peek at Mu You's expression through the crack in the door. Seeing that Mu You was staring intently at the swordsman's back, Chang Lu quickly took a few more glances at the man. The exposed half of his face seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. As one gets older, one's mind becomes muddled. Why couldn't he remember?

Holding her sword, A-Jiu was about to take her leave when she hesitated and turned back. She saw Mu You watching her go. Their eyes met and A-Jiu's palms suddenly became wet. Mu You smiled, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. A-Jiu slowly turned back and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch."

"Why are you being so polite with this old servant?" Chang Lu said ingratiatingly. "I overheard you having a very pleasant conversation in the room just now. His Majesty is most fond of young heroes, and you, young hero, are sure to have a bright future. May I ask your honorable name, young hero?"

"My name is Ajiu."

Ah Jiu, Chang Lu silently memorized this name.

Cui Jin and Ajiu walked side by side down the palace path. "It seems the Emperor has a good impression of you."

"I must thank the Imperial Preceptor for the recommendation." A-Jiu walked with a composed gait, displaying a restraint that seemed out of place as she entered and exited the palace gates. "On behalf of the head of Xingguo Workshop, A-Jiu thanks the Imperial Preceptor."

"Thank yourself if you want to thank someone." Cui Jin shook his wide black robe, like a falcon approaching Ajiu. "Pei Yuan is too cautious. He shouldn't have let someone else test swordsmanship with the inner workshop."

Ajiu didn't quite understand his meaning. Cui Jin was unfathomable, and Ajiu had always been wary of him. Not knowing what he meant, Ajiu didn't dare to ask rashly. She lowered her eyes and stepped onto the blue stone palace path, no longer making a sound.

Cui Jin turned his head to look at Ajiu again, then looked up and laughed in a hoarse voice. Ajiu was startled, but showed no fear on his face. He just wanted to go back to Xingguo Fang as soon as possible. Everyone's heart was in their throats. The Fang Master, Lou Cangyu, and Guan Ye... He wanted to tell everyone that Xingguo Fang could stay in Rongdu with peace of mind, and that everyone could stay.

Outside Xingguo Ward, Pei Bi had paced back and forth countless times, a hundred paces east, a hundred paces west, nearly wearing out the West Street in the process. He still couldn't see the carriage returning to the ward. Pei Bi was filled with worries. The ward master was ill, and Cang Yu was bedridden. How could they have become so destitute in such a short time? Pei Bi sighed heavily, remembering the ward master's medicine still simmering in the kitchen. Little Jiannu was useless; he had to supervise it personally. If Aunt Lou had come along, she would have handled these matters perfectly, saving him this trouble… Pei Bi suddenly slowed his pace. If Ajiu had brought news of their return to the island… perhaps… it wasn't such a bad thing… A caged bird cannot fight against Xiong Tian; it should return to its nest in peace.

Seeing that he had slunk away, would Aunt Lou mock him with her sharp tongue again? Pei Bi blushed. So what if she mocked him? She definitely wanted him to go back to the island.

Pei Bi, carrying the brewed medicine, had just entered the main room when he faintly heard the sound of horses' hooves outside the courtyard. Before he could put down the bowl, Pei Yuan opened his eyes with difficulty, weakly pointing outside with his arm raised, "Go quickly, go see if they've returned from the palace, go quickly..."

Pei Bi hurried out of the courtyard. The carriage came to a leisurely stop. The curtain was lifted and A Jiu's sword was extended. Pei Bi took half a step forward but then nervously withdrew it, wondering whether A Jiu had brought back joy or sorrow.

Ajiu nimbly jumped off the carriage, not forgetting to clasp her hands in thanks to the driver. After watching the carriage turn around and leave, she smiled at Pei Bi.

"How is it?" Pei Bi's voice trembled.

Ajiu grasped Pei Bi's arm, "The Emperor has not punished us. Xingguo Ward, you don't need to go back to Canglang Island, you can stay in Rongdu."

"Really!" Pei Bi was pleasantly surprised, but also slightly disappointed.

“Absolutely true.” Ajiu revealed a rare joy. “The Emperor told me himself.”

"—Xingguo Ward, we can still stay in Rongdu!?" Pei Yuan, his frail body trembling, leaned against the threshold like an ancient pine tree struggling in the wind. "Ajiu? Are you telling the truth?"

Ajiu supported the swaying Pei Yuan, saying, "Don't worry, Master, Xingguo Warehouse will be fine."

Pei Yuan burst into tears, as if he had come back to life. "That's good, that's good. Heaven above, bless my Pei family. Good, good."

A burst of cheers erupted in the backyard, startling Lou Cangyu from his deep sleep. He groggily sat up and struggled to open the window, only to see a crowd surrounding Ajiu, with the tallest, Feng Shisan, brandishing his sword as if to pierce the sky. Lou Cangyu rubbed his eyes with one hand and pinched his leg with the other, realizing he wasn't dreaming.