After Shen Tang finished speaking, the room fell silent again.
Shen Tang, who was always confident and frank, felt inexplicably uneasy for the first time.
Reason told her that she and Qi Shan had known each other for over ten years, and they couldn't possibly lack even this much trust. But on the other hand, she was also well aware of the unique nature of Qi Shan's scholarly way. A person who could awaken to this scholarly way must be extremely lacking in trust.
Trust is like a mirror.
A broken mirror is hard to mend.
Once trust is shattered, endless suspicion and worry follow. In the five years since the Battle of Chaoli Pass, Qi Shan had never doubted himself, not even entertained such thoughts. This unexpected incident undoubtedly shattered that seemingly unbreakable trust. Even if it was later explained as a misunderstanding, it exposed Shen Tang's ability to break free from the shackles of the scholar's path of "master-killing." Can a constraint that can be unilaterally severed at any time still provide a foundation for trust?
The longer Shen Tang waited, the more suffocated she felt.
She was vaguely afraid of Qi Shan's answer.
As astute as Qi Shan was, having navigated the treacherous waters of the Gods' Guild for years with ease, he naturally knew how to give a flawless answer. But this was an answer Shen Tang absolutely did not want to hear. As the former leader of a makeshift organization, and now the ruler of Kang Kingdom, she had heard far too much flattery and witnessed far too many cunning and manipulative people over the years. She could accept others wearing masks and treating her with utmost caution, for serving a ruler was like walking on thin ice. But she could not accept Qi Shan and his ilk feigning politeness towards her!
She asked herself honestly and treated others with sincerity.
Naturally, they also hope that the other party will reciprocate with sincerity.
Qi Shan cannot accept being questioned and suspected by her lord, but can she accept that her sincere feelings are only reciprocated with cheap and hypocritical emotions?
It's better not to listen to things you don't want to hear than to listen to them at all.
Just as Shen Tang was about to find an excuse to leave, Qi Shan's lips remained expressionless, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, his smile reaching deep into his eyes: "My lord, Shan drew his sword then—"
Shen Tang, looking listless, asked, "Draw your sword and try to kill me?"
Although it's unlikely, given Qi Shan's record of killing seven masters in a row and the scholar's path of "master-killing," Shen Tang felt that he might actually vent his anger by slashing her twice in a fit of rage—even if he didn't kill her, he would definitely be burning with nameless anger.
Qi Shan said, "It is suicide."
Shen Tang suddenly opened her almond-shaped eyes wide: "Are you crazy?"
Qi Shan's expression was calm, tinged with self-mockery and reminiscence: "Crazy? Perhaps. Perhaps I went crazy when Yuan Liang protected me and died in the Holy Land of Mountains and Seas, when I was crying out to heaven and earth in vain. It was only after meeting the Lord that I barely regained some of my sanity. However, most people's thoughts of suicide only last for a moment, and then they are gone."
It's not a pleasant feeling to have your trust broken.
If he hadn't met Shen Tang back then, he wouldn't have lived for many years, at least not until now. This is because the scholar's path of "killing the master" was too domineering, and the physical burden it brought was beyond his limit. It was also because his will to survive was not high.
It could be said that he lived entirely on his willpower.
At that time, the spirit in my heart was like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment. I could either give up completely and find a secluded mountain forest to live out my remaining days, or continue searching for that ideal master who was almost impossible to exist in this world.
Choosing the former might allow you to prolong your life for a few more years.
By choosing the latter, he could almost foresee his own death.
The "Killing the Lord" trait, a scholar's way, has a limited number of uses. The eighth time it is activated, he will inevitably perish together with his lord.
There's always a way out.
He encountered Shen Tang, who was being hunted down.
Humans are not plants or trees; how can they be without feelings?
If one of them had to die, he didn't want it to be her. Qi Shan had said before that if she ever lost her lord's trust, it must be because she had done something wrong. He mocked himself: "The end of 'killing the lord' is 'killing the minister'."
Perhaps only a twisted soul like his could give birth to such a contradictory way of the scholar—intending to end his lord to save himself, never expecting the sword to end up at his own neck.
However, Qi Shan did not regret it.
Upon learning that it was a misunderstanding, all worries disappeared.
"I am very happy that the Lord is willing to explain in person."
The status of a ruler and his subjects is inherently unequal. As the ruler, she has countless ways to respond, whether it's a direct response, a vague answer, or even avoiding the topic altogether.
Thunder and rain, are they not divine grace?
As a subject, I had no choice but to accept it.
But she didn't do that.
The person in this room was Shen Youli, not King Shen Tang of Kang Kingdom. Through ten years of trials and tribulations, she had not changed.
Shen Tang tapped her face with her fingers.
"Ahem, as long as you're happy, but this is a one-time exception."
She is, after all, the ruler of a country.
How can she always have to coax the minister like this?
Speaking of this, Shen Tang couldn't help but look around.
Qi Shan thought she was looking for something.
Shen Tang waved her hand: "No, I'm looking for someone."
"Looking for someone? Who?"
“Naturally, I’d have to find that elusive court attendant, but then I remembered he’s with the main force of the army and isn’t here right now. If he were here, I wouldn’t just be embarrassed this once, I’d be embarrassed for generations to come.” Shen Tang patted his chest with some relief, then frowned in distress. “I don’t want future generations to see this record and be laughed at.”
Qi Shan shook his head and said, "No, our lord was brave and magnificent last night. Even if it is recorded in history books, it will be admired and respected by future generations."
Her master underestimated her.
Shen Tang could only chuckle: "You don't understand history! Do you believe it or not? If this passage were written into the official records, there would be countless people in later generations who would gossip about it endlessly. This passage is irrefutable proof!"
This court historian was stubborn and straightforward. Shen Tang tried to see the daily records several times, but he refused each time, even specifying the exact date and time she requested them. He wouldn't give up after being rejected several times. Eventually, she gave up.
Qi Shan asked, puzzled, "What does 'fighting for life and fighting for death' mean?"
Shen Tang spread his hands and said, "The literal interpretation is that you like a couple to the point of being emotionally excited and intoxicated. The colloquial interpretation is that people in later generations will think that we are having an affair when they see this passage."
That's something you can't clear your name even if you jump into the Yellow River.
She vaguely heard a rumor that the Imperial Diarist was a fan of the novel "Five Elements Lacking Morality." She could only hope that this Imperial Diarist would remember his duty as an official and show some restraint in his writing. Otherwise, she would rise from her coffin and die with her eyes wide open in disbelief!
Qi Shan tried to understand, but ultimately failed to comprehend.
It's not that I don't understand the second half of the sentence—not to mention distant future generations, even among the common people today, there have always been people who suspect that the emperor has affairs with unmarried officials in the court (regardless of gender). He himself, Chu Wuhui, Qin Gongsu, Kang Jishou… even Ning Tunan and Lin Lingde haven't escaped this suspicion. Rumors with veiled implications are repeatedly banned but still persist. If it weren't for this, when the royal court tours various regions, officials in the areas they pass through wouldn't present handsome men and beautiful women as gifts, and there wouldn't be so many men and women in the common people coveting the emperor's vacant position of royal consort/wife.
What I don't understand is why someone would like the same couple at the same time?
Don't you feel like your world as a couple is too crowded?
Don't you feel like you're being superfluous?
Shen Tang was stumped by Qi Shan's question.
She pondered for a long time before giving her answer.
Scratching his head, he said uncertainly, "Well, maybe, perhaps, it's because of this thing called love. It's more interesting to watch other people date. It's such a hassle to date yourself."
Qi Shan pondered carefully: "There is some truth to that."
With so much work and so many affairs to attend to, constantly navigating the power struggles and weighing the pros and cons of court officials, and having to dodge the occasional criticisms from the Censorate, the resentment is heavier than any vengeful ghost. How can one possibly have the mind for romance and sweet nothings?
It's quite satisfying to see others suffer from love troubles.
Having read it, consider it as if you've already discussed it yourself.
Qi Shan's eyes held a smile.
"It's more interesting to watch others."
In an ordinary world, if Shen Tang were still single at her age, the entire court would be frantic with worry—it takes time to cultivate an heir, and it also takes time for the heir to grow up. If the ruler were to pass away during this period, the situation would be one of weak ruler and strong ministers, inevitably causing a huge upheaval in the court and the country, and could even lead to the downfall of the nation. After all, Shen Tang is all alone, without even a blood relative from the royal family.
But this world is different.
As a person skilled in both literature and martial arts, Shen Tang, provided she overcomes the side effects of cultivating both, and as long as she remains clear-headed and doesn't act recklessly, can rule healthily for many, many years. It doesn't matter if her successor arrives a decade or two later.
Qi Shan was pleased that his lord, at his advanced age, could still focus on state affairs and had no interest in beautiful women, which made him far superior to other lords.
Shen Tang had no idea what Qi Shan was thinking at that moment.
If they knew, they would surely break through their defenses a little.
With the trust crisis with Qi Shan resolved, Shen Tang felt refreshed and her appetite was three or four times better than usual. On the other hand, Yun Da and Gong Cheng were not in such a good mood.
The Northern Desert's high command was aware of the two men's actions.
We are happy to see this happen.
Based on their current intelligence, the general guarding the strategic border pass is Chu Jie. This man is highly skilled, protected by the national fortune of Kang, and given his control of the strategic border location, it would be difficult for either Gong Cheng or Yun Da to kill him.
However, Gong Cheng and Yun Da went together.
It wouldn't be difficult to catch Chu Jie off guard and kill him without proper preparation.
Even if Chu Jie survives by chance, his public defeat will inevitably demoralize the Kang Kingdom's army, causing a sharp decline in morale. Forcing Yun Da and his companion to retreat may require a significant drain on the nation's resources. All of this will create favorable conditions for the Northern Desert army to attack Kang Kingdom.
They never imagined, nor did they expect, that the two would return empty-handed.
How is that possible?
But that's exactly how it turned out.
Chu Jie was not the only expert guarding the strategic pass.
Once Yunda made the decision to attack, scouts were dispatched from the Northern Desert to observe the enemy's situation and monitor the movements of Kangguo, allowing for adjustments to the battle plan as needed. The result—
The scouts brought back news that Yunda and his companion had failed.
"What?"
"How is this possible?"
"When will Chu Jie be able to take on two opponents at once?"
The camp, which was preparing to celebrate the victory, fell into a deathly silence.
Some of them knew Yun Da's true identity, even if this Yun Da was just an avatar, he was still an avatar of a 20th-rank Marquis. He and Gong Cheng personally attacked, yet they couldn't gain any advantage? When did Kang Kingdom have such a powerful expert in charge?
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
The central figure in this discussion has arrived.
Yunda didn't even bother with a telegram; they just sent the message directly to the account.
Upon seeing the scouts below and the various expressions on the faces of the Northern Desert high-ranking officials, he coldly lifted his robe, sat down upright, and didn't even spare a glance. The crowd felt embarrassed and resentful at his blatant disregard, but dared not utter a single complaint.
Yunda, this god of death, was a true god of death a hundred years ago.
Legends about him still circulate throughout the northern deserts.
Among those present, some had even grown up listening to his stories. Hearing the invincible, unstoppable, and ruthless hero in those stories fall from grace always felt surreal and unreal.
Those who don't know Yunda think he's unworthy of his reputation.
After a long while, someone mustered up the courage to break the suffocating atmosphere.
"Lord Che, did you encounter a formidable opponent last night?"
"The King of Kang has come in person, and you are unaware of it?"
Upon hearing this, the camp fell silent once more.
It seemed no one expected Shen Tang to actually lead the army. Judging from Yun Da's words, the king himself had taken to the battlefield last night? It would be a lie to say that everyone felt regret—why didn't Yun Da risk everything to take the king with him?
He is merely an embodiment of martial energy, not the real person.
Even if it self-destructs, the real body will at most suffer a backlash.
But the one surnamed Shen is definitely going to die!
With her dead, the Kang Kingdom will be leaderless and difficult to deal with.
Having lived for so many years, how could Yun Da not know their thoughts? He himself was a native of the Northern Desert, and naturally understood the self-serving and ruthless nature of the various tribes there. For enough profit, they were willing to betray anything they could!
He added a piece of intelligence.
"The high priest of the Gongxi clan assists the Kang state."
The people in the tent whispered among themselves, mostly puzzled.
One straightforward person even spoke his mind, saying in a muffled voice, "Hmph, what kind of high priest of the Gongxi clan? Is this person stronger than Marquis Che? If Marquis Che himself can take action, then any king or high priest is nothing but a chicken or a dog."
It's hateful that what came was just an incarnation of martial energy.
I don't know why the real person refuses to come.
Most of the people present had never even heard of the Gongxi clan, let alone a high priest, but some of them changed their expressions.
For example, Tudego.
"really?"
Compared to the vastness of history, the Gongxi clan appears in very few fragments, yet they produced many capable figures, the most famous being Ji Sun, the ruler of the Wu Kingdom. Their high priest is even more mysterious, with only vague and fragmentary records about him.
Nevertheless, it is still stunning.
Tude regretted asking the question as soon as he did.
Yun Da is a 20th-rank Marquis who has lived for over two hundred years. He is a man of his word and cannot tolerate being questioned.
He quickly changed the subject: "Does Lord Chehou have a solution?"
With a furrowed brow: "I've heard that the late Lord Chehou also..."
Yunda's gaze suddenly sharpened and became piercing.
Tudego swallowed the rest of his words.
Yun Da's former ruler, the King of Wu, was of the Ji Sun clan. Aside from not officially holding the position of High Priest, he was otherwise identical to the High Priest. Given Yun Da's relationship with the King of Wu, he must know the High Priest's weaknesses and might be able to exploit them.
But it's clear that Wenda isn't interested in this proposal.
Tudego awkwardly changed the subject.
"Let's just fight. Stop worrying about all that." Yunda saw through Tudege's thoughts and sneered, "The Northern Desert these days doesn't even have one or two tenths of the strength of the Wu Kingdom back then. The best-case scenario would be if we could conquer Kang Kingdom and stabilize the Northwest."
It's best not to have any other thoughts on your mind.
If another curse strikes, no one will be there to clean up the mess.
Waaaaah, I loved watching the Eight Trigrams Formation when I was little, but Dieyi is gone.
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