Chapter 1525-1524: The Grand Finale (Twenty-Seven) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Irie was Yu Hai's former name.
To be precise, his surname is Yu, his given name is Rujiang, and his courtesy name is Guilong.
Although most people value single-character names, a few regions still favor two-character names. Yu Hai's background is rather complex. Originally a noble son of a powerful tribe from various regions, he was pawned after a defeat in war and held hostage as a child. Later, escorted by a loyal servant, he traveled to the north, where he was unexpectedly separated from his family. Destitute and on the verge of death, he developed a grudge against Qi Shan and another person during this time. The difference is that one saved his life, while the other…
"They'd actually do something as despicable as kidnapping a bride and dressing up as her?"
Shen Tang never expected that his trusted advisor was actually Cao Cao plus.
Boss Cao and his friends were all about stealing the bride. Qi Shan, the wicked and cunning one, even impersonated the bride to stall for time, giving Yu Hai a huge surprise on their wedding night. At that time, Yu Hai was still an innocent underage boy, completely charmed by Qi Shan. She would coquettishly complain that the candlelight was too bright and make him shy, and then angrily slap the groom's hand, accusing him of being rash and impatient, and then slip a laxative into the nuptial wine. When the time was right, she would have her accomplices hiding under the bed curtains swarm out and beat him up.
What should have been a perfect wedding night turned into chaos.
Just imagining that scene makes Shen Tang feel sorry for Yu Hai.
Qi Shan wanted to refute, but had nothing to say.
Yu Hai's biological father came from a prominent family in the north, while his mother was from a different ethnic group. Their marriage was against the law and considered an illegal union. After the war between the two regions subsided, the woman was sent back to give birth to Yu Hai. The most awkward aspect of Yu Hai's situation was that neither side recognized him, and he was simply forced into a marriage. Although the bride came from a humble background, everyone felt that Yu Hai was unworthy of her, and the woman herself was unwilling.
She refused to submit to the bastard and planned to elope.
The resistance was so fierce that they fought to the death.
Qi Shan and others had a long-standing feud with Yu Hai, which only added fuel to the fire.
This led to the conflict described above.
Qi Shan said awkwardly, "Everyone is young and naive at times. I went too far, but Yu Hai didn't do anything wrong."
Yu Hai glared at her, and Qi Shan glared back.
"Do you dare say you're completely innocent?"
Yu Hai's straight spine hunched slightly as he avoided eye contact. Then, as if thinking of something, he regained his composure and said, "Even if our childhood experiences cancel each other out, what about the teasing you did afterward?"
Shen Tang: "...And what about the melons?"
Yes, and it's a big surprise.
This incident occurred during Qishan's exile.
Due to Zheng Qiao's misdeeds, the situation in the north became unstable. Yu Hai, in this awkward position, also realized the gravity of the situation and prepared to find another way out. On the way, he encountered a honey trap, was scammed out of his money, and was left with only a pair of shorts. This is not an exaggeration, but a true account of his experience!
Yu Hai said quietly, "Is that right, Lady Acha?"
After the brawl on his wedding night, something felt off to him. After the Acha Queen incident, he couldn't help but suspect that any queen he found attractive was a despicable person maliciously impersonating her. This psychological trauma intensified until it led to a qualitative change: he became impotent.
To be precise, it's physiological vomiting that occurs when thinking about sex.
Of course, this detail is a secret, and no one knows it.
Gu Chi, who was just joining in the fun: "..."
Hehehe, not necessarily.
Shen Tang: "...Lady Acha?"
Yu Hai closed his eyes in deep sorrow: "He disguised himself as a tea-selling girl to swindle people."
Shen Tang: "..."
Good heavens, it's a classic tea-selling scam!
Qi Shan felt guilty for a moment, but quickly straightened up: "Putting aside the facts, even if I am wrong, does that give you the right to disturb the dead?"
After the initial euphoria, Qi Shan also noticed the strangeness of Tan Qu.
Then, thinking of what Yu Hai had said about the strange illness caused by fear of light, a sense of unease crept into his heart.
Yu Hai said casually, "Who told you to be such a waste! Don't say you didn't want to revive him, you've wanted to for a long time, you've dreamed of it, but you can't, so you can only dream. I also accidentally discovered that the Path of the Scholar allows me to repeatedly enter the Sacred Land of Mountains and Seas. My original intention was just to accumulate strength for the future, but I never expected to find his corpse. Since he is the one who is dead, who is alive?"
The news I received back then was that my enemy had perished in the sacred mountain and sea.
Back then, they clapped and cheered, shouting "Good riddance!"
After being completely deceived by Lady Acha, he finally figured everything out during the review. He was filled with anger, resentment, and hatred, and all the past humiliations surged into his mind. Lady Acha was exactly what he wanted, and he once regarded her as his soulmate to spend his life with!
"I can't think about this anymore..."
Yu Hai's old ailment, which had not recurred for many years, has resurfaced.
The real Qishan was one of the few people who genuinely showed him kindness, but when Yu Hai discovered that the fake Qishan was secretly searching for a way to resurrect the dead, he was furious and wanted to use the white moonlight to carry out his evil scheme: "In short, at first, repaying his kindness was just to give him a proper burial so that he could leave with dignity, but with your interference... if I could do what you, a piece of trash, could never do in your entire life..."
Yu Hai paused, his tone playful.
Shouldn't you admit you're a piece of trash?
Qi Shan Hui personally admitted it.
In Yu Hai's plan, he should choose a suitable opportunity to use Tan Qu to dig a big pit for Qi Shan, forcing Qi Shan to go to the meeting alone, and then take the opportunity to let the two meet, using Tan Qu to force Qi Shan to kneel down, cry and admit his mistakes and apologize.
In this way, one may be able to resolve the knot in one's heart.
Yu Hai gritted his teeth: "Do you know the suffering I've endured all these years?"
He privately sought out renowned doctors who treated men's urological ailments. Those without expertise prescribed random remedies, while the competent ones frankly admitted that he had inner turmoil.
The one who tied the knot must untie it.
If Gongyang Yongye were here, and you asked him if he had ever encountered a strange patient in his medical career who was completely covered up and never showed his face, he would probably remember. It's truly an unspeakable pain!
Gu Chi: "..."
His cheeks ached, and he had to pinch his thigh to barely bear it.
Qi Shan was unaware of the hidden illness. He only saw Yu Hai's grief and indignation. When he saw his old friend who could talk and laugh, he opened his mouth, but a rare sense of guilt arose in him. He turned his face away and said, "He returned to the world because of you. You are my benefactor. I can admit that I am useless."
Relying on his scholarly skills, he can create aliases everywhere, using whatever methods are convenient. Qi Shan's skin is naturally not thin; on the contrary, it's quite thick. As long as there's profit to be made, he's willing to admit to being useless, let alone admit it himself, or even announce it to the world.
Yu Hai's face twisted unnaturally.
Qi Shan's admission felt too good to be true, but he was not happy about it!
He was not only annoyed, he was even angrier.
Pointing his finger at my nose, he yelled, "Can't you have any backbone?!"
Qi Shan: "...Then what do you want me to do?"
He wanted him to admit he was useless, yet he also scolded him for being too quick to admit it, saying he lacked backbone and was difficult to please. Today, he was in a good mood and had plenty of patience, so he didn't argue with Yu Hai. It was unclear whether Yu Hai had resolved his inner conflict, but Gu Chi was certain he was very unhappy at the moment.
To encounter a wicked scheme is truly the worst luck imaginable.
When old friends reunite, they naturally have a lot to say.
The others wisely gave up their space.
Qi Miao also wanted to leave, but Qi Shan held her back.
"Junqiao, sit down."
"Yes, Father."
Tan Qu then realized that the woman he had just met was his close friend's daughter, and couldn't help but look at her with the loving gaze one would give a junior. Qi Shan, who knew him well, explained, "Her name is Qi Miao, and she is the daughter of your eldest brother Kang Nian. She was adopted by Qi Shan several years ago."
He looked at the boy and said seriously, "She is Qi Shan's daughter."
Tan Qu's pupils trembled slightly.
No one knows how he feels at that moment.
A bittersweet feeling welled up from his eyes and spread to his heart, a slight tug causing a sharp pain: "Why are you doing this? I saved you back then not so you would remember my kindness, nor did I want to trap you in the past. What do you mean by 'the daughter of benevolence'? You—"
A great fire ignited in my heart, and the flames spread everywhere.
Qi Shan didn't feel like she was trapped in the past.
"I am all alone, and there are not many people in the world who treat me with sincerity."
Because there are so few of them, losing even one would drive him crazy.
He has two paths to becoming a scholar.
The way of the scholar is to question one's own heart.
When he unexpectedly acquired the "Miraculous Hands of Painting," he initially thought it was due to his own deep-seated obsession, giving rise to the idea of replacing Qi Shan—he couldn't let Qi Shan live, but at least he wanted the name to live on in people's hearts. As for the image, it didn't matter.
As time went by, he gradually realized that this wasn't entirely true, and he also longed for someone to see the real him—no matter how many times he changed, someone who could see through the layers of masks and look directly at the real him.
Yu Hai is in love with Lady Acha, Qin Li considers Qi Shan a confidante who is actually a free-spirited scholar, Jiang Sheng is betrayed because he wears the mask of his wife, and the confidante Tan Lady in Xun Ding's eyes is also a mirage... He covers himself with layer after layer of disguise, always keeping in mind the details of each disguise, making sure there is no leak, and sometimes even he himself is a little lost.
"As long as others see me..." Qi Shan's voice was very soft, "what does it matter what my name is?"
She wanted people to see the true nature beneath her elegant attire.
I want people to see the soul beneath my mediocre exterior.
A name is just a label.
"...If I were truly trapped in the past, the identity of Qishan wouldn't have earned the nickname 'evil schemer,' but rather the title of 'little saint,' praised by the world and respected by the common people. I should follow your example in every word and deed, so that you can truly live in the eyes of outsiders." He only changed his name, but not his consistent style.
Tan Qu realized that this was not a lie fabricated by the other party to alleviate his guilt, and felt much relieved: "Okay."
"Actually, the Kang family also suggested that Junqiao be adopted as a second son." He looked at Qi Miao with gentle eyes. "I did not agree directly back then. Firstly, this was a major life event for Junqiao, and it should be decided by her own parents, not by the elders of both families. Secondly, childbirth is really difficult for women. Giving birth once is like going through the gates of hell. If she is adopted as a second son, she would have to give birth to two children, which is too hard."
His only request for Qishan's daughter was for her to be safe.
Anything that hinders peace can be yielded to.
Tan Qu knew why he had such unconventional ideas, which were considered heretical by the world. He also didn't know what kind of constitution he had that made him so prone to encountering people in need of help. When the two were young, they were traveling and studying. Once, they passed through a barren field where a woman was giving birth suddenly.
There's no village in sight, no shop in sight.
Two teenagers were forced to help the woman give birth.
Whether it was due to a rushed delivery or an incorrect fetal position, that experience left a deep scar on the two of them. It was only then that Tan Qu learned that his best friend's mother had also experienced a difficult childbirth, and villagers would often gossip, saying he was inherently unfilial. His best friend's personality was, in reality, shaped by the hardships he endured.
Qi Miao was deeply moved.
She had no idea that her father was thinking this way.
Tan Qu also said kindly, "Your plan is correct."
Qi Shan was unusually calm and rambled on about things he usually considered nonsense: "There are only some elderly people left in the Qi clan. Several have passed away in recent years, but fortunately they died peacefully without illness or pain. We have a lot of contact with the Kang family. Do you remember Kang Sige? Kang Jishou was my colleague for more than ten years and treated me very well. He also cares about you. We should be able to see each other in a while."
Actually, we can see it now.
Shen Tang dared not let Kang Shi act alone at this moment.
I have to carry it with me wherever I go.
But tonight's events were sudden, and Kang Shi was unaware that his cousin had been half-resurrected. He would find out by tomorrow at the latest.
Qi Shan talked about the neighbors of the old Qi family mansion, the recent situation of his classmates who did not spend much time together during their school days, how well he managed some of the ancestral properties under the Qi family name, the delicious wild game sent by the estate manager in autumn, and even Gong Xi Chou.
Tan Qu sighed upon hearing this.
These are all related to praying for good, yet they are also unrelated to praying for good.
"But I don't want to hear that. Why don't you talk about yourself?"
Qi Shan paused for a moment, a subtle expression flashing across her face.
"Don't I know you? What's there to hide?"
Qi Miao couldn't help but laugh. She rarely saw Qi Shan being retorted without daring to fight back. She smiled and revealed a secret about Qi Shan: "Father keeps more than 170 cats. If the servants don't clean for a day, cat hair will be floating in every corner of the house."
Qi Shan retorted expressionlessly.
"Didn't you also raise two hundred and sixteen children?"
Qi Miao corrected: "Father, it's two hundred and fifty-four."
Qi Shan: "...It's gone up again?"
Tan Qu raised his voice slightly: "...Where did this money come from?"
Although her close friend now holds a high position of power in Kangguo, the father and daughter each have their own pets—one raising cats, the other supporting people—together there are over 420 mouths to feed. How can they possibly afford such expenses? Tan Qu didn't understand, and was greatly shocked! Qi Shan remained silent, continuing to collect salaries without actually working.
In the end, it couldn't be hidden.
Tan Qu choked: "...The Assembly of Gods is quite generous."
Qi Shan said confidently, "It's clearly their internal management that's a complete mess. The loopholes are right there, just waiting for me to exploit them."
Tan Qu: "...That's true."
Regardless of the facts, the Pantheon should also bear full responsibility.
Once the topic is established, the rest is much easier to discuss.
Tan Qu learns about his best friend's remarkable life over the years from the father and daughter's constant sabotage—a man of many enemies mixed with a few colleagues, a enthusiast of attacking colleagues, a VIP of the Censorate, the Minister of Rites with a pipe as his fixed coordinate, the mastermind behind the all-out brawl at court, a master of ever-changing disguises, a seasoned cross-dresser, the wife of the Fire Avoidance Chart, one of the three wives of the King, the highest-ranking person in the Secretariat, a double-flowered red stick of Kangguo, the only cat owner of Su Shang, a producer of fake accounts in the Gods Society, a master of time management, a ghost employee, the nemesis of the old master, the cotton-padded coat of the new master, and goodness.
Tan Qu: "...I retract my previous reckless statement."
I don't even have a comprehensive understanding of my best friend.
In the more than twenty years since his death, his dear friend has not wasted a single second and has lived a wonderful life. He is a true master of time management.
Qi Shan scratched the tip of his nose sheepishly.
Even without Tan Qu's appearance, he could still cause trouble under his best friend's name, but now that his best friend has come back to life, it would be unfair to continue doing so. Tan Qu sighed and suggested that the two switch identities back.
"The trend of Kangguo's unification is unstoppable, and no one can stop it. You will surely be remembered in history and your name will be passed down for generations. People should not only know the name Qishan, but should also be happy to see you."
After a moment's thought, Qi Shan chose to refuse.
He simply said, "I'm used to it, why would I switch back?"
Tan Qu pursed her lips tightly, her expression stubborn.
Qi Shan said, "If you feel that this is unfair to me, why not let 'Tanqu' become famous? Wouldn't that be fair and just?"
Tan Qu's fingers curled slightly in his sleeve. The young man, just like many years ago, saw through his best friend's thoughts with a single glance: "You're clearly afraid that I'll... deliberately trick me into making a promise to stay in this world."
It's obvious to anyone with eyes that Tan Qu is not in a good state.
This state of being barely alive after death cannot last a lifetime.
Moreover, half of Tan Qu's true spirit has already been reincarnated.
The smile that had been playing on Qi Shan's lips for most of the night gradually faded, and the previously lively atmosphere became heavy and suffocating. After a long while, so long that Qi Miao thought he wouldn't answer, he said, "Fine, you gave me a wicked scheme, so I'll return the favor with a little saint."
Pray for good: "Good."
No one knew how trembling his hands were inside his sleeves.
No one knew that Yu Hai was tossing and turning all night.
It was clearly a fateful encounter for the three of them, yet Qi Shan, with just a few words, restored Tan Qu's memory after he had been fooling him for so long, causing Tan Qu to break down and even forget about Shen Youli's presence. Slightly calming down, he could only sigh—the one surnamed Shen was still alive, the core of the Kang Kingdom's leadership remained, and the destiny of unification would forever rest on the Kang Kingdom's shoulders.
Yu Hai rolled over and pounded the wooden pillow: "Heaven is unjust!"
He was so unwilling to accept defeat that he refused to admit it!
|ω`)
The previous chapter was missing; I added over a thousand words later. You can see it by refreshing the page.
I'm finally done writing this chapter, I feel so good, time for bed! (3[▓▓])
(End of this chapter)
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