Chapter 337 I am invincible (Seeking monthly votes)
Deep in the forest.
Song Jinjian was dressed in black robes, with a long sword at his waist, and a smile on his face.
His appearance was considered otherworldly; he had a fair complexion, no beard, and a pair of narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes beneath his sword-like eyebrows.
He can certainly be described as having a dignified appearance.
However, when Feng Erbao looked at him, his gaze would unconsciously drift to the long sword at his waist.
—The longsword named "Buzheng" is extremely famous in the martial arts world.
It is said that it once belonged to a sword immortal of the previous dynasty, and was later found by chance by an ancestor of the Cui family.
After Song Jinjian became a retainer of the Cui family, the head of the Cui family gifted him the "Buzheng" (meaning "non-contention") and said something that has been widely circulated:
"A fine instrument meets a good partner, and they complement each other perfectly."
As for whether a man is a good man or not, Feng Erbao makes no comment and is too lazy to say.
No matter how skilled Song Jinjian was in swordsmanship, he was still nothing more than a dog of the Cui family.
Song Jinjian glanced at Feng Erbao, bowed and said, "Please forgive me, Eunuch Feng, but the Lord specifically instructed me to present you with a great gift."
Feng Erbao subconsciously flicked his whisk and asked with a sinister smile, "What great gift is this?"
Song Jinjian turned slightly to the side. "Eunuch, please follow me."
Feng Erbao narrowed his eyes, his two dark pupils filling their sockets, appearing even more profound in the dense forest shrouded in dark clouds.
After about three breaths, he didn't move. "Lead the way."
Song Jinjian smiled and nodded, then turned and walked into the dense forest, quickly disappearing into the distance.
After he had walked another ten zhang, Feng Erbao finally caught up with him step by step.
Song Jinjian was able to make a name for himself in the martial arts world, which means he must have extraordinary skills; otherwise, he wouldn't have been favored by the old masters of the martial arts world.
It is said that given time, he will be able to rival "Snow Sword Lord" Ye Guxian.
However, as the chief eunuch serving the emperor, Feng Erbao had read countless secrets and intelligence reports.
Among them is Song Jinjian—whose swordsmanship prioritizes speed, quite different from "Snow Sword Lord," but rather similar to "Sword Saint" Li Wudang.
To be precise, Song Jinjian's sword speed was very similar to Li Wudang's famous sword technique "Qingfeng".
He is known as "Invincible within a hundred feet".
Feng Erbao was unwilling to get too close, which was because he was wary of others.
Fortunately, he was overthinking it.
After traveling ten miles, Song Jinjian stopped on a tree, pointed diagonally downwards, and said with a smile:
"Please take a look, Eunuch Feng. This is my 'grand gift' for you."
Feng Erbao stopped a hundred feet away and, through the gaps in the trees, could vaguely see a figure leaning against a tree where the man was pointing.
The man's brocade robes were already soaked by the rain, which trickled down and, for some reason, stained the ground with a dark red stain.
Feng Erbao scrutinized them for a moment, then his brows furrowed suddenly. "Song Jinjian, is your master insulting our family?"
He could see clearly that the man's clothes were covered in bloodstains between his legs, making him look like a young eunuch who had just come out of the palace's castration room.
How could he not feel ashamed and angry?
Song Jinjian shook his head calmly, his expression serious. "You've misunderstood, Father-in-law."
"This man was entrusted to you by the Lord, who hopes that he can serve you."
"Oh? Who is he?"
"Liu Taoyao".
Feng Erbao's effeminate face held a subtle expression, clearly not expecting it to be this person.
He knew perfectly well that Liu Taoyao was Liu Hong's eldest son, but he just couldn't understand why Song... that Lord Cui would do such a thing.
Song Jinjian noticed his question and, without waiting for him to ask, explained with a smile:
"Your Excellency must know the Emperor's decree that all members of the Liu family in Jingzhou, except for Consort Liu, must die."
"However, my lord is a man who cherishes old friendships, and so am I. Since I have promised Liu Hong to protect his eldest son, I must keep my word."
After hearing his words, Feng Erbao couldn't help but cover his mouth and laugh.
A shrill laugh echoed through the dense forest, and raindrops pattered down on the withered leaves.
"Song Jinjian, you and your master are really amusing."
"Even a dog that has bowed and scraped for you for so many years deserves a peaceful end, but what about Liu Hong?"
"You actually allowed him to... have his Liu family bloodline in Jingzhou cut off."
Song Jinjian nodded noncommittally: "It's better to live a wretched life than to die a good death. He has a broken leg, so perhaps he can still achieve something."
He then looked at Feng Erbao seriously and said, "Just like you, Father-in-law... well, that would be fine too."
Feng Erbao's face froze. He stared at him for a moment, then spoke in a soft, feminine tone:
"Since it is Lord Cui's request, we agree."
After saying that, he took a step forward, then suddenly pulled back, flicked his whisk, and said, "If there's nothing else, you may leave."
Song Jinjian smiled and disappeared into the depths of the dense forest.
Only after he had completely stopped breathing did Feng Erbao come to Liu Taoyao's side, scrutinizing him with a gloomy expression.
“Cui Mao…”
The Cui family of Qinghe has a history spanning a thousand years, and countless people of extraordinary talent have emerged from among them.
There were swordsmen and wandering knights who roamed the land, and one of them once single-handedly killed a cavalry force of ten thousand men from the north.
There was a great teacher in the academy, whose students were all over the world.
More often, they entered the imperial court as officials, with three of them rising to the position of prime minister, second only to the emperor.
Leaving aside distant examples, let's talk about the end of a previous dynasty's golden age.
The patriarch of the Cui family held the position of prime minister for twenty years, single-handedly carrying out sweeping reforms and laying a century-long foundation for the previous dynasty's reign.
Even during the Great Wei Dynasty, the Cui family remained active.
However, due to past events, successive Wei emperors harbored resentment towards the Cui family. Although they did not massacre the Cui family, they also did not allow their descendants to enter the core leadership.
Two hundred years later, Cui Mao suddenly appeared.
He passed the county-level imperial examination at the age of twelve, the provincial-level imperial examination at the age of fifteen, and the palace examination at the age of eighteen, becoming the youngest top scholar in the Great Wei Dynasty.
They were at the height of their fame.
Many important figures in Kyoto Prefecture originally thought that Cui Mao, having achieved early success, would take some detours.
However, he remained in obscurity in the Hanlin Academy for three years and then another three years until he was twenty-eight years old when he was appointed as the fifth-rank Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies.
At the age of forty, he became the current emperor's tutor.
Before his death, the late emperor promoted him to the rank of Tianqing, placing him at the head of the Nine Ministers, to assist the current emperor.
Twenty years have passed since then.
Twenty years is neither a long nor a short time.
However, apart from the Heavenly Minister, the other eight ministers in the court had already been replaced, and some had even been replaced several times.
For example, before Chen Xuanji, there were Luo Yong, Le Yi, Duanmu Yun, and others who served as military advisors.
Therefore, it is quite remarkable that Cui Mao was able to hold the position of Tianqing for twenty years.
Or rather, his mind and skills are far from simple.
Otherwise, the current emperor would not have praised Cui Mao as "the foremost minister of the Great Wei".
As Feng Erbao pondered these things, his expression gradually calmed down. He raised his hand, flicked his whisk, and swept Liu Taoyao back to the post station.
Although he was a close confidant of the current emperor and should prioritize the emperor's interests, he was well aware of Cui Mao's place in the emperor's heart.
Even if Liu Hong had no reason to die, and even if Cui Mao had killed him without any cause, the current emperor would not have punished him.
Feng Erbao knew perfectly well what was going on, so naturally he wouldn't gossip.
On the contrary, through his connection with Cui Mao, this eunuch holding the imperial scribe position might even be able to rise to the position of chief eunuch.
A short while later.
The carriages and horses set off again for Kyoto Prefecture, speeding north along the official road.
Song Jinjian gazed at the carriages in the distance, his hand stroking the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Finally, he raised his palms, crossed his arms, and looked down as the carriages disappeared at the end of the official road.
“If it weren’t for the Lord’s orders, killing a eunuch would have been enough to comfort Liu Gongmo’s spirit in heaven.”
Song Jinjian's lips curled into a contemptuous smile as he turned and waved to the other side.
"Come out, it's time for you to get going."
Then Liu Zhaoxue, who was wearing a black cloak to conceal her figure, came out, followed by Zhao Shichang, who was also dressed in black.
Liu Zhaoxue glanced at the official road to the north with a complicated expression, without saying a word.
Zhao Shichang, without hesitation, bypassed her, knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and said:
"My lord, your subordinates are waiting for you in the capital prefecture."
Song Jinjian said calmly, "I'm not going to the capital, I'm going to Jinling."
Despite his doubts, Zhao Shichang readily agreed and stood behind a tree to the side.
Song Jinjian's gaze then fell on Liu Zhaoxue, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
But when Liu Zhaoxue looked at him, his expression remained calm and indifferent.
"Have you thought it through? Do you choose to stay, or go to Jinling with Zhao Shichang?"
Liu Zhaoxue looked at him and remained silent for a moment.
Staying means staying by his side.
Heading to Jinling...
"The Liu family is no longer here, what's the point of me going to Jinling?"
Song Jinjian looked at her noncommittally: "Don't you plan to avenge the Liu family of Jingzhou?"
"revenge?"
A hint of sadness flashed across Liu Zhaoxue's elegant and beautiful face. She shook her head and said:
"His Majesty has punished the Liu family, exterminating their three clans. What power does Zhaoxue have to seek revenge against the ruler of a nation?"
"Or do you want me to blame Cui Mao for this?"
"How dare you!"
Before Song Jinjian could speak, Zhao Shichang coldly rebuked her, "How dare you address the emperor by his name?"
Liu Zhaoxue glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and said sarcastically, "Are you Third Uncle's advisor or a member of the Cui family?"
Zhao Shichang snorted, "From beginning to end, I have followed my lord!"
"A loyal dog."
"you……"
Just as Zhao Shichang raised his hand, Song Jinjian pointed a finger, and sword energy swept past like the wind.
Snap.
The hand fell to the ground at wrist level.
Zhao Shichang realized what was happening and immediately knelt on the tree branch, pleading, "Please forgive me, sir!"
Song Jinjian didn't even glance at him. "Get lost."
Zhao Shichang, disregarding his wounds, darted to the foot of the tree, picked up the severed hand, and headed straight north.
Dozens of people dressed in black also left with them.
A moment later.
Looking at Liu Zhaoxue, who was bowing her head and remaining silent, Song Jinjian shook his head and said, "In that case, you shall stay by my side."
Liu Zhaoxue looked up at him, her face regaining its coldness: "Aren't you afraid I'll find a chance to kill you?"
"You...you clearly promised Third Uncle to protect Liu Taoyao, so why did you still sever his lineage and cause my Liu family bloodline to end?"
Song Jinjian glanced at her, then turned his head to look at the dark clouds in the distant night sky.
A deafening roar of thunder followed, and bolts of lightning illuminated the two figures.
"Liu Hong has committed the heinous crime of treason. The Liu family of Jingzhou should not have any descendants left. It is already an act of mercy from the emperor to allow Liu Taoyao to live on."
Liu Zhaoxue stared at him. "What about me?"
"You still have a great use, so I'll spare your life for now."
Song Jinjian withdrew his gaze, a smile playing on his handsome face: "As for whether you will seek an opportunity to kill me... feel free to come."
"But I must remind you, you only have one chance."
Liu Zhaoxue's eyes were clear and bright. Looking at his smiling face, she nodded almost imperceptibly.
Upon seeing this, Song Jinjian's smile vanished, and he led her back to the prefectural city.
"I will stay in Shuzhou until the end of the year."
"You'll have to work hard during this time to improve your cultivation."
"Yes, sir..."
...
Two days later.
Everything that happened in Shu Prefecture was then reported to the capital city.
To be precise, we arrived at the White Tiger Guard's territory.
Wearing a red robe and a white mask, Xuanxing took the translated secret letter and headed straight for the quiet room on the third floor.
He waited a moment, and seeing no sound from inside, he slipped the secret letter under the door and then left respectfully.
Inside the door.
In the empty, dark room, a gust of wind blew in from somewhere, carrying the secret letter.
It then tumbled twice in the air, slipped out through the crack in the door, and quietly passed through two corridors to the quiet room on the other side.
The person wearing the white tiger-striped mask raised his hand, grasped the secret letter, and flipped it open to read its contents.
[On the night the disease broke out, the chicks became seriously ill.]
[Liu Hong was killed by Xiao Hou with a single punch. Feng Erbao witnessed this and took his body back to the capital.]
[Zhu Hao attempted to escape, but was beheaded by Xiao Jinghong with a single sword strike.]
[Liu Hong's son, Liu Taofang, was found dead in his room; the culprit is currently unknown. Liu Taoyao and Liu Zhaoxue are missing.]
[Song Jinjian appeared in Shuzhou, following Luanfeng.]
The King Preceptor of Vashj is seeking a last disciple, and the son of King Randhu has already set off for him.
[There are signs of barbarian tribes heading north, seemingly related to the son of the Left King...]
After reading the secret letter, the person wearing the white tiger-striped mask focused their gaze on the topmost line.
"Qingzhou is seriously ill? What a joke."
His voice was no longer as deep as before; instead, it carried a hint of hearty laughter.
He then got up and went to the window, took out a snow-white falcon from his sleeve, tied the secret letter to its leg, and released it into the air.
The snow-white falcon instantly flapped its wings and soared into the sky.
The man wearing the white tiger-patterned mask watched it circle twice in the air before landing somewhere east of the imperial city, a hint of displeasure flashing in his dark eyes.
"Hmph, that dog Chen Xuanji couldn't hold out for five years, leaving me to sit here in vain."
I'll settle the score with you sooner or later...
He grumbled and cursed for a while, then leaned back in his armchair, crossed his legs, and leisurely drank his wine.
Between smacking his lips, he also crunched a few peanuts.
"Luckily there's wine and food, otherwise I wouldn't be at his beck and call..."
However, the voice was so low that it was barely audible, as if the person was worried about being overheard.
After a short while, only snoring could be heard in the quiet room.
And where that snow-white eagle landed—in the backyard garden of a large five-courtyard mansion.
After reading the secret letter in his hand, Chen Xuanji paid no attention to the fledgling bird's serious illness, but looked thoughtfully at the line below.
"Song Jinjian went to Shuzhou..."
Chen Xuanji waved his hand, shattering the secret letter, then put his hands behind his back and gazed at the plum blossoms in the garden.
I stood still for a moment.
He suddenly burst into laughter, and as he laughed, he looked south.
Not far, not south of the Great Wei.
It was the house just across the street—a house with a plaque that read "Cui Mansion" hanging at the entrance.
"My old friend, I'm sure you're furious that I killed one of your dogs."
"Although Liu Hong did not die because of me, he still died at the hands of the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture."
Chen Xuanji was never one to smile.
But at this moment, he could no longer hold back, nor did he want to.
After playing chess for so long, he finally caught a glimpse of the other man's true nature. How could he not be happy?
"I should have realized that the Jizhou Merchant Guild would never dare to act so recklessly if it didn't have powerful backers."
After the laughter subsided.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Xuanji ordered a carriage to be prepared so that he could go to the palace to meet the emperor.
A short while later, the carriage left the Chen residence and headed north, stopping outside the imperial city.
Chen Xuanji stepped down from the carriage, passed through the heavy city gate, walked around several majestic halls in front, and arrived at the imperial study at the back.
After the eunuch guarding the door went in to report, he straightened his crimson robe with crane patterns and entered the study.
The eunuch who was guarding the room then left, leaving only Emperor Wei and Chen Xuanji behind.
The two looked at each other and both smiled.
Chen Xuanji bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty..."
Before he could finish speaking, Emperor Anhe waved his hand and said, "Xuanji, let's skip the formalities."
"Although we are in a different relationship as ruler and subject, we have been friends for many years."
"Especially in the past five years, you have stayed by my side without leaving my side, offering advice and strategies. This is truly commendable. Therefore, I hereby grant you permission not to bow when you see me."
Chen Xuanji looked up at him and stopped refusing, thanking him with a smile.
Emperor Anhe gestured for him to sit down and said, "You came here specifically to see me, did the White Tiger Guard receive some news?"
"To be honest, Your Majesty, regarding Shu Prefecture..."
Chen Xuanji finished recounting the contents of the secret letter, only omitting the fact that Song Jinjian had appeared in Shuzhou.
After hearing this, Emperor Anhe frowned slightly, his expression showing displeasure.
"Do the Xiao family, grandfather and grandson, really disregard me? The two people I specifically requested have both died at their hands?"
Chen Xuanji remained silent and let him vent his anger.
He knew very well that Emperor Anhe was not really angry. They were two insignificant people to begin with, and their deaths were no big deal.
Sure enough, about half an incense stick later...
Emperor Anhe took a sip of tea, looked at him with a smile, and asked, "Liu Hong and Zhu Hao are dead. Can the plan for Shu Prefecture be considered complete?"
He then denied it, saying, "The Xiao family still exists."
"Not only are they there, but they're no longer hindered."
"My dear minister, your strategy of substituting one thing for another is rather unskilled."
Chen Xuanji said calmly, "The fact that the Xiao family passed the test is enough to prove that they are temporarily able to defend Shu Prefecture."
"oh?"
"That matter... you already have an answer?"
Meeting Emperor Anhe's gaze, Chen Xuanji said softly, "North."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Anhe's smile gradually faded. He stared at him for a long while before finally speaking:
Why not the south?
Chen Xuanji: "Your Majesty initially did hope that Your Majesty could launch a southern expedition against the barbarians and demonstrate the prestige of our dynasty."
"I spent five years trying to sow discord between the royal family of Vaishsa and King Landu, and also stirred up internal strife among the barbarians, doing everything I could to weaken them."
"But the barbarian territory is too vast, and there are many powerful people within it. Even if we mobilize the entire nation, it is still unknown whether we can win in one battle."
Emperor Anhe said noncommittally, "Now that chaos has broken out in the south, the Xiao family, which is on its last legs, will not have to expend too much effort to guard the southern border."
"What His Majesty says is correct."
Chen Xuanji raised his hand and pointed to the north, saying, "In recent years, due to border trade, the north has become increasingly powerful and strong, but it has also become immersed in extravagance and debauchery."
"I predict that within two years, they will be completely drained of their wealth."
"By then, even if His Majesty does not launch a northern expedition, they will still march south to encroach on the border."
"Instead of waiting passively, Your Majesty should take the initiative."
After listening, Emperor Anhe's eyes showed a hint of eagerness, but he shook his head and smiled, saying:
"What a clever trick! You've used a feint to the east while attacking in the west. Even I was almost fooled."
"From the very beginning, you were determined to have me launch a northern expedition, weren't you?"
"The reason I sent your two sons south was probably to stabilize the situation in Shu Prefecture. Whether the Xiao family falls or not is not important."
Chen Xuanji lowered his head slightly, "I dare not conceal this from Your Majesty, I do indeed have this plan."
Seeing this, Emperor Anhe pointed at him and laughed, "You, you're really good at hiding your true colors."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Even so, both of them knew the principle of the changing times.
Regardless of Chen Xuanji's initial intentions, the fact remains that the Xiao family is still alive and well.
Emperor Anhe smiled again and waved his hand, saying, "Never mind, the north is fine too."
"Over the years, the people of the border city have gone deep into the desert and grasslands and have already thoroughly investigated the terrain, soil, and weather there."
"My chances of winning the Northern Expedition are much greater!"
After laughing for a while, Emperor Anhe asked, "But how do you plan to persuade the court officials?"
"Especially my teacher?"
Chen Xuanji bowed and said, "The Jizhou merchants and those powerful families have suffered setbacks and losses in the south. That person... will naturally agree."
"Jizhou Trading Company?"
Emperor Anhe narrowed his eyes, and his smile turned cold.
"Then let it be as you wish. I await your good news!"
"Thank you for your kind permission, Your Majesty!"
A short while later, Chen Xuanji strode away.
Several more imperial edicts followed.
Yang Ye is appointed acting governor of Shu Prefecture. Marquis Xiao Yuan of Dingyuan and Commander Xiao Jinghong of Dingyuan Army will have their salaries reduced by three years. Chen Yunfan, governor of Shu Prefecture, will be rewarded for killing Lü Jiunan.
(End of this chapter)
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