Chapter 105: Clear Sky Chapter 84: Heaven? Earth? Dream?

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

"Witch?" Zhu Zhi, sitting astride the bed with disheveled hair, laughed upon hearing the two doctors' proposal and asked, "You mean you can't cure my injury, but a witch doctor can?"

Before his words fell, the left hand that had been gripping the blade suddenly raised, the blade edge pointing straight at the two men, his tone colder than the blade: "Then aren't you two utterly useless trash?"

The two men fell to their knees in terror, one kowtowing repeatedly begging for his life, the other forcing himself to stay calm and saying, "My Lord! My Lord does not know... many witch doctors excel at secret arts not passed down outside, completely different from the orthodox medicine we practice, and My Lord was poisoned and injured in the South, which is the Witchcraft Homeland itself... we made this proposal not to shirk responsibility out of thin air, but to speak the truth in remonstrance, hoping My Lord can eliminate his pain soon!"

Although Zhu Zhi luckily kept his life, his severed arm wound refused to heal for a long time; just when it showed signs of knitting, it still caused unbearable pain, torturing him day and night, and to this day he cannot move freely. This is also the reason his temperament has grown increasingly violent and his inner demons cannot be expelled.

Hearing the four words "eliminate the pain," Zhu Zhi subconsciously slowly turned his head, his icy gaze looking toward that empty sleeve.

The doctor who had been so frightened he knocked his head bloody saw the situation ease slightly, mustered his courage, and said: "Not only that, I have also heard... some extraordinary Great Witches can make dead wood grow hair, make flowers bloom in winter, even regenerate severed limbs!"

Zhu Zhi abruptly snapped his head back, staring dead at that doctor.

The doctor fearfully swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his voice trembling: "Although it is only hearsay, the world is vast and contains all wonders; it just so happens I heard a batch of new witch doctors have entered the capital in the South... My Lord might as well give it a try."

Had these words been spoken in the past, Zhu Zhi would only have dismissed them with disdain — what gods, ghosts, witches, and spirits, nothing but swindlers — but since the Cloud Undulating Mountain incident that night, his understanding had been invisibly shaken... that suddenly appearing girl was no ordinary person, and though he had people investigate to this day, not a trace of her could be found, as if she appeared from thin air and vanished into thin air!

He privately went to find Chi Yang, wanting Chi Yang to find a way to track her down, but Chi Yang only spoke one cryptic sentence, saying that person is not within this world's order, the world cannot track her whereabouts, one can only wait for her to appear, and she will appear again.

Utter nonsense, a joke... wait for her to appear? Would she dare?

If she dares show herself again, he will surely tear her to pieces, and carefully examine just what kind of monster she is!

And at this moment, thinking of the word "monster," Zhu Zhi only felt his severed limb begin to ache again, a layer of cold sweat instantly rising on his forehead, his emotions becoming disordered; he cannot perish just like this, he must retrieve the Embroidered Uniform Command Token, he must personally kill that monster and that damn little brat who schemed him into this state!

Zhu Zhi, face contorted in pain, gritted his teeth and said: "Send someone to the Taiyi Shu, summon a witch doctor!"

The blade in his hand fell, and he instead clutched his aching severed arm, raising his eyes to once again look at the shattered collapsed screen, imagining the scene of personally slaying that "one ghost one monster" in the future; only by relying on this fantasy could he make his physical pain dissipate somewhat.

That "monster" who had been sliced a thousand times in Zhu Zhi's heart is right now inside a shrine in Chang'an City.

Shaowei kneels on the divine platform used for sacrifices, holding a broom made of sorghum, sweeping the divine platform.

Because her days are stifling, and she cannot retaliate in the slightest, Shaowei's sweeping arcs are extremely large right now, her kneeling knees and legs shifting rapidly along with it, sweeping fast and fiercely, making a shua-shua sound, dust flying wildly; from afar, she looks exactly like a big flower civet crawling and scratching on a high platform.

Shaowei's habit of venting through labor when angry was formed in Taoxi Township; every time she suffered stifling anger at Jiang Fu's place but couldn't talk back, she would either sweep the ground like mad or split a huge pile of firewood.

Thinking of that person who always says hateful things, Shaowei's sweeping motion suddenly paused, and she thought: someday if I find Jiang Fu, I must settle the stifling anger I've received in this damn shrine on her head as well.

In this sudden trance, a ray of morning sun fell on the divine platform; Shaowei subconsciously tilted her face up, stood up, gripping the sorghum broom, and turned her head to look north toward Xian Tai Gong.

She doesn't know where Jiang Fu is right now, but she knows Jiang Fu's enemy is there right now.

The colorful-clothed girl stands on the divine platform, draped in the spring morning sun, pressing all killing intent and hostile qi deep into the depths of her pupils.

"Insolence!"

Below the divine platform, a middle-aged Wu Nu angrily rebuked: "Flower Civet, who allowed you to stand upright on the divine platform! That is the divine platform, standing upright is a great disrespect! Hurry up and kneel down! No food for you today!"

The divine platform is where gods are worshipped and descend; unless a Great Witch God representing the will of gods and ghosts can stand upright, ordinary witch practitioners are all attendants and must maintain a reverent attitude at all times.

Shaowei said not a word, knelt down again, and continued sweeping with a hua-la-la sound, the force so great one couldn't tell if it was floating dust or the divine platform's own stone powder; if she swept like this for a hundred days, she might truly level this highly built divine platform to flat ground in the real sense.

If the divine platform had a spirit, it would be trembling in fear right now; the flying smoke and dust seemed exactly like the dust from trembling.

That utterly untamed, utterly irreverent little witch vented through sweeping while counting down the days in her heart.

At the same moment, the other "ghost" equally preoccupying Zhu Zhi's thoughts stands alone in Taiqing Pavilion, dressed in dark robes.

The sky has fully brightened, yet the morning sun refuses to show; morning mist permeates everywhere, damp vapor condensing between the youth's pitch-black brows and eyes, making him look as if he just walked out of an ancient snow mist.

In last night's dream, he returned to that snowy night; the person woke up, but the soul remained wrapped in the sky-filling heavy snow; that howling snow qi seeped out bit by bit from inside his body, transforming into the damp mist between his brows and eyes at this moment.

Deng Hu guards outside the pavilion, looking at that youth's back, his heart also sinking.

These years the Sixth Prince has rarely been able to sleep peacefully, often waking in shock in the middle of the night.

In the first few months after the incident, the startled-awake Sixth Prince would cry, shout, roar, lose control; but as time passed, that figure growing taller and taller would only sit up calmly, not even allowing anyone to light a lamp, just silently sinking into the endless black abyss.

Recently, however, there have been some abnormal aspects; usually the Sixth Prince just sat quietly upon waking at midnight, but lately he very much likes to walk into this garden.

This habit probably appeared after that girl who likes to hit people left; the other party has been gone nearly a hundred days, and the Prince has come alone to this garden over ten times; hearing it, it doesn't seem many, but the Prince has many things to do, and he's only gone to see Nan Gongzi seven or eight times, so this frequency can already be called intensive.

Looking at the figure in the pavilion, Deng Hu wanted to offer comfort but didn't know what to say; he suddenly found himself missing that Jiang-surnamed Flower Civet who liked to hit people.

Although the Prince was only so attentive to win that person over, perhaps because their ages were similar, the other party acted without any regard for rules, and when the Prince was with the other party, he could instead add somewhat more living vitality... of course, if the other party could change the bad habit of liking to hit people, it would be even better.

The Flower Civet who likes to hit people is ultimately not before his eyes; Deng Hu could only try to speak up and suggest: "Your Highness, there are no important matters today, why not go to the Separate Courtyard to find Nan Gongzi for a game of chess?"

Hearing the two characters "Nan Gong," Liu Qi slightly returned to his senses; when he turned back, his gaze looked toward the small path extending outside the pavilion.

Deng Hu also heard the movement and looked over as well.

An Inner Attendant hurried over, saluted and reported: "Your Highness, Changshi Tang Jia has arrived, claiming an urgent top-priority matter requiring immediate audience with Your Highness!"

Before long, Tang Jia arrived at this Taiqing Pavilion; he took out a scroll of silk, held it high with both hands, bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Your Highness... His Majesty secretly sent an imperial edict, summoning the Sixth Prince to return to the capital to face the Emperor!"

Deng Hu stepped forward to receive the silk, presenting it before the youth in the pavilion.

Tang Jia raised his head, his face showing rare excitement and urgency: "Your Highness must set out as quickly as possible! This edict was delivered secretly by His Majesty's men on fast horses, not announced with fanfare! His Majesty's move is to prevent people from learning the news early and harming Your Highness on the journey back to the capital!"

"His Majesty has already severely punished Zhu Zhi, stripped that evil creature of his post, and now permits Your Highness to return to the capital to face the Emperor... the Emperor has finally thought of Your Highness, and finally seen Your Highness's grievances and hardships!" Tang Jia's eye sockets were already slightly red, he bowed deeply again and urged: "Please, Your Highness, set out immediately!"

As he was moved and lowered his head, he heard a calm question from the youth in the pavilion above: "Does Changshi truly believe Imperial Uncle only thinks this way."

Tang Jia stared blankly and raised his head, only to see the youth looking down at the silk in his hand, pitch-black eyelashes casting a layer of shadow on his eye sockets: "Just thought of me, just feels I am aggrieved and life is hard?"

Tang Jia suppressed half of his excited emotion, his voice lowered: "His Majesty is ultimately the Son of Heaven. Although he has publicly claimed the news of the Ling Family's son still being alive was Zhu Zhi's mistaken identification, His Majesty cannot possibly harbor no doubts whatsoever... for a ruler, this is the normal state and natural sentiment."

He admonished Liu Qi: "Your Highness has a clear conscience, no need to overthink. When Your Highness sees the Sovereign Father in the future, you only need to be more respectful; you are the child who grew up riding on His Majesty's shoulders, His Majesty's treatment of you is ultimately somewhat different..."

"Mm, I've noted it." Liu Qi said no more, only: "Trouble Changshi to prepare departure matters for me."

"Acknowledged." Tang Jia saluted and accepted, then said: "Tang Jia will return to the capital together with Your Highness."

Liu Qi shook his head: "Changshi staying in Wuling to manage the manor's affairs is sufficient."

Tang Jia insisted: "How can this be allowed? If I do not go, once Your Highness reaches the Capital, I fear there will be no one useful!"

The Capital has all sorts of people, and it was once where Ling Empress and General Ling met trouble; Your Highness is impulsive and easily provoked into madness, he must be watched and guarded!

These words naturally could not be spoken, otherwise there would be no need to wait until returning to the Capital, he would be provoked right now, so Tang Jia again spoke indirectly: "Moreover, this low official has not returned to the Capital for many years, and happens to miss old friends in the Capital; if it is convenient, I can also return home to visit relatives, Your Highness, let Jia go together."

But Liu Qi knew his family and tribesmen were all in his hometown in Hedong Commandery, still over eight hundred li from Chang'an.

After a moment of silence, Liu Qi said: "This journey to Chang'an, life and death uncertain, Changshi should stay behind."

Tang Jia was stunned for a moment, then immediately corrected his extreme idea: "This is originally a good thing; Your Highness can easily take the opportunity to repair the father-son relationship with His Majesty, why must you be so negative? Even if His Majesty has suspicions, without any real evidence, this suspicion will eventually disappear, by then..."

Liu Qi calmly interrupted his words: "Without real evidence, will Imperial Uncle not have murderous intent?"

Tang Jia suddenly froze; bloody past events suddenly struck like evil waves, making it hard to breathe.

After a moment, Tang Jia calmed his emotions and spoke in a tone cold enough: "Your Highness, nowadays are not like the past... Your Highness may have the heart to speak out for an old friend, but Your Highness has a clear conscience, has no ill intent toward Sovereign Father, and moreover has no power or weapons, not a threat to Sovereign Father... such things as that year will not easily happen again."

After another moment of quiet, the youth in the pavilion seemed to have thought it over, but instead counter-questioned: "Changshi, what if I am not so?"

Tang Jia's thoughts stalled; not so? — not how?

His thoughts had not yet extended, but his gaze moved following the youth in the pavilion's actions; only to see the youth casually toss the silk representing the highest imperial grace onto a low table to the side, smashing into half a bowl of cold tea, the silk immediately wetted.

Tang Jia was startled, subconsciously rushed over, but saw that disrespectful youth make an even more unreasonable movement—he actually untied the Jade Belt at his waist, loosened his collar, and then peeled the layers of his robe to the Left Side.

This this... which Door's madness is this! Where is bearing, where is dignity!

Tang Jia, stepping onto the first Stone Step and about to rush into the pavilion, was about to shout stop, but his feet seemed to suddenly freeze, his Shoes and the Stone Steps frozen together, unable to lift his steps even with all his strength.

This freezing sensation quickly climbed, freezing his gaze as well; Tang Jia could only stare motionlessly at the youth's exposed straight Shoulder Arm, and... the scar on it not yet completely disappeared.

"Changshi, Zhu Zhi did not wrong me." The youth suddenly smiled: "I framed him."

Tang Jia's frozen gaze was instantly melted by these words, his thoughts thawed along with his gaze, like a mountain of fire erupting.

No wonder... no wonder this child saw this Imperial Edict without any surprise, as if long expected; it turned out it was indeed long expected!

Zhu Zhi was the one wronged? Zhu Zhi actually could also be framed and set up by others? And calculated into such a state!

Then... Ling Congnan being alive was true? The Sixth Prince truly saved the Ling Family child?!

The injury was real, but still hid from Huang Jie and killed Huang Jie!

How was it done? And how was the Ling Family child saved? Besides schemes, there must also be someone with Blade and Armor; then, then... these years of Decadence were all fake?!

But he, but he was always watching right under my eyes!

Heaven!

Earth!

Dream?!

Tang Jia felt his whole body melted by Lava; his legs and feet went soft, he retreated down that section of Stone Steps, and weakly knelt on the ground, both hands trembling as they propped before him.

In the pavilion, Liu Qi unhurriedly gathered his Robe, then seriously opened his mouth:

"Changshi, I am neither a respectful and kind sort, nor a pitiful faultless person with a clear conscience. Going to the Capital is what I seek and plan, but it does not hinder that it is a Dragon Pool Tiger Den, with danger of death at every moment."

Tang Jia's back had been soaked through by Sweat; at this moment, amidst a thousand mixed thoughts, only one question was clearest; he stared blankly and raised his head, asking: "... Your Highness, why at such a crucial Opening choose to risk danger and frankly show yourself to me?"