Chapter 66: A Nameless Small Town

The carriage moved forward at a steady, unhurried pace. From within the carriage came bursts of laughter; the woman's voice was soft and charming, the man's laugh low and deep. One could easily imagine the ease and warmth inside. A light breeze caught her delicate clothing, causing it to flutter. Shi Niang smiled, turning to exchange a glance with Nie Qi. Nie Qi freed one hand to wrap around her shoulder. In this moment, the two lovers felt nothing but tenderness in their hearts and eyes.

Leaning against Nie Qi's shoulder, Shi Niang couldn't help but whisper, "Tell me, what is actually going on with the poison in the Master's body? The Princess is truly strange, too; how can she not ask a single question, acting as if nothing is the matter?"

Nie Qi replied, "When the Master has decided on something in his heart, does it make any difference whether one asks or not?"

Shi Niang said, "Of course it makes a difference. Have you forgotten? We all previously thought the Master wouldn't go to see Qi Shi. Now, didn't the Princess persuade him to enter the residence and see the doctor?"

Nie Qi laughed, "Since he has already entered and has already seen him, when have you ever seen the Master fail to do something he wanted to do?"

Shi Niang frowned in thought, then smiled as well. That was true; as long as it was something the Master wanted to do, how could it not be done? As long as the Master was willing, who could possibly stand in his way? Listening to the commotion from that residence earlier, she feared someone had suffered a great loss, dared not speak out of anger, and, filled with frustration, had taken it out on a stone table. She couldn't help but laugh again, her expression radiant, causing Nie Qi to lose his focus for a moment.

Such a twilight, such an evening breeze; the road ahead led to an unknown destination. The two in the carriage spoke of nothing and cared for nothing; the two in front of the carriage let the horses move forward. On this day, there was someone for company; in this moment, they walked side by side. The world was vast, and time was precious—why worry about where they were going, why fret over too much?

Leaving behind the wild ridges and desolate villages, they passed through a small town. The streets were filled with the sounds of people coming and going, the lively cries of vendors, and the bustling crowd of pedestrians. Some were haggling, others walked with hurried steps; most wore smiles on their faces, warm and genuine. Under the protection of the sufficiently powerful Chu State, in places untouched by the flames of war, people's lives were so peaceful. In a corner of the mortal world, in a moment of ordinariness, was this not also a kind of happiness?

With nothing urgent to attend to, Nie Qi and Shi Niang deliberately slowed the horses, both privately hoping the two in the carriage could enjoy this leisure a little longer. Just then, a sound like a sudden gust of wind—the clatter of horse hooves—came from the front of the long street.

In such a small town, the streets were not as wide as those in Shangying City. Both sides were lined with many stalls, making it somewhat difficult for a carriage to pass through. More than ten riders on fast horses arrived in an instant. Seeing they were about to collide with the carriage, the leading woman in tight-fitting attire gave a low, sharp command. Her horse's four hooves lifted off the ground, leaping over the tables and chairs of a tea stall to the side. Her speed did not diminish in the slightest as she landed and galloped away. Those behind her followed suit, none hindered. With dust swirling, the group vanished at the end of the street in the blink of an eye.

This group was dressed in bright clothes and rode spirited horses, and their horsemanship was so superb that it drew the side-glances of everyone on the street. The carriage curtain moved slightly, lifted by a slender, jade-like hand. "It's the people from the Yue Ma Gang. Why are they in such a hurry?" Zi Rao glanced outward, her long lashes lifting suddenly. Beneath her charming gaze, a flash of meaningful, clear light appeared. She said to Zi Hao, "Shall we go and take a look?"

Zi Hao, his head resting on his arms, was lying there with his eyes closed to rest. Hearing this, he knew exactly what she was planning. "They are just going their own way; they haven't provoked or bothered you, yet you go looking for trouble."

Zi Rao raised an eyebrow. "Who says they haven't provoked me? The Yue Ma Gang had a hand in the incident at Feng Shui Du last time."

Only then did Zi Hao open his eyes. He looked at her and smiled. "At Feng Shui Du, did they offend you, or Ye Xuanshang?"

Zi Rao turned her gaze away nonchalantly. "That's all the same. In any case, I'm petty, so I've kept this grudge."

A faint smile lingered at the corners of Zi Hao's mouth. He nodded, took her hand, and rose with the momentum, saying lazily, "In that case, then it's their bad luck today." The next moment, the two were already outside the carriage. Shi Niang and Nie Qi hurriedly reined in the horses. Zi Hao waved his hand behind him and laughed, "No need to follow. We'll go and be right back."

This time, neither Mo Heng nor the Shadow Slaves under Shang Rong had come along. Nie Qi was naturally uneasy. "Master!" Shi Niang pulled his arm and whispered, "Just for today, let them be. In any case, nothing will happen with the two of them together. We'll just keep watch from a distance."

Nie Qi said, "Didn't you hear the Princess say she was going to the Yue Ma Gang to look for trouble? If something goes wrong, how will we answer for it when we return?"

Shi Niang smiled and gestured with her head. "What are you afraid of? Look at them like this—when would we ever be able to catch up?"

In the evening breeze, walking, moving, and laughing, Zi Rao dragged the person beside her along. Although they headed in the direction the fast horses had left, she was in no hurry to track them. The street was filled with all sorts of trades. They hadn't gone far before stopping several times—sometimes to look at a cosmetic or embroidery stall, other times to look at calligraphy and paintings being sold on the street, enjoying themselves immensely. At a corner, a common stall was surrounded by three or five children. The old man running the stall was making something for them, and a sweet fragrance drifted all around. The person who had just wanted to meddle in the Yue Ma Gang's business was now stopping with great interest in front of the stall. Zi Hao didn't urge her on, standing beside her, watching idly, his eyes filled with deep, profound smiles.

A moment later, the children each took a small figure and left with laughter. Zi Rao leaned over and asked, "Old man, is this... honey candy that can be eaten?"

"Hmm." The honey in the old man's hands was crystalline and bright. The woman's smiling eyes were clear, but her expression was like that of the children who had just skipped away—full of wonder, full of smiles, half-exploring and half-doubting.

"Honey-sculpted figures, they can be eaten and played with. Made on the spot, two wen each. Are the two of you interested?"

"The old man's handiwork is exquisite and unique; it is truly a rare sight."

"You flatter me, guest. Just a little trinket to please the children, very ordinary, nothing unique about it."

"Using fingers as a brush, honey as paint, drawing people and objects within a square inch. It flows like clouds and water, as if aided by gods. Such artistic skill is already extraordinary. The honey in the bowl doesn't need to be boiled; it is thick and heavy when it comes out, warm and soft when it lands, and cold as brittle ice once it hits the board, solidifying without melting. The 'Fire-Cold Palm' involves the shifting of yin and yang; the control of True Qi is masterful. In this world, there are perhaps two or three people with such attainments, but to be able to live among the common folk, making toys for children and remaining so carefree—I fear there is only one." The man in white spoke with a smile, gentle and refined.

"Qiaoku of Ju Shan, Zhong Yan of Xu Ling, and Jiang Hai Tian You. The martial arts world has three hermits. The first two are half-hidden in the wilderness and half in the court; only the senior Tian You Zi plays in the world of men, leaving no trace to be found. Today, I am fortunate to see his true face." The woman in black bowed slightly, her voice clear and ethereal.

In the distant sunset and the rustling wind, the pair before him looked like immortals. The man stood gracefully in the wind, his demeanor elegant, calm, and transcendent; the woman was charming and magnificent, her smile breathtaking and otherworldly. The old man reached out to stroke his beard and suddenly burst into loud laughter. A sharp glint appeared in his eyes, sweeping away all signs of old age. "Incredible, these two little dolls are troublesome. Could it be that the disciples of those two old fellows have come?"

Zi Hao said casually, "I once heard my elders mention that when the Di Du was in turmoil, we were fortunate to have the help of an old friend..."

Before he could finish, Tian You Zi's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly covered his ears. "Wait, wait, wait! Say no more! Those two old fellows have suffered cold shoulders for so many years and still haven't given up, actually sending little dolls to lobby me. That old pedant chose you as his disciple, so he must have taught you plenty of grand ideals about raising armies to conquer states and planning for the world. I feel uncomfortable whenever I hear such talk. If I had known, I wouldn't have meddled in that business back then. If he had been burned to ashes, my ears would be clean. Go back and tell your master that I am a small hermit, unable to reach their level of cultivation. I cannot do the work of a great hermit in the court. They can go wade through the muddy waters of this world themselves, but don't come and harm me!"

Without allowing any argument, a torrent of words was thrown at them, leaving no room for them to even interject. He looked as if he wanted to abandon the stall and turn to leave immediately. Zi Hao and Zi Rao exchanged surprised glances. Hearing the hidden meaning in his words, it was clear a misunderstanding had occurred. As their eyes met, a playful light flashed in both of their eyes simultaneously, with a hint of craftiness.

Zi Hao looked at the candy stall and said with a faint smile, "Senior, that is where you are wrong. Those who retreat into seclusion—whether dwelling in the distant rivers and lakes or living in the high temples—find joy in the marketplace and leisure in the mountains. How can one judge by size? True seclusion is hidden in the heart; there is nothing one cannot do. Why must you distance yourself from old friends because of this?"

Tian You Zi's white eyebrows lifted slightly. "Little doll, are you using circular logic to scold me on behalf of your master? Do you mean that if I have no intention of helping him, my character is unstable, and I can only hide in the mountains and rivers, pretending to be an expert?"

Zi Hao smiled at the corners of his mouth. "Senior, your heart is clear. Even if others discuss right and wrong, what does it matter? Could it be that you are afraid to chat with us juniors for a few sentences?"

"Little doll, what a sharp tongue!" Tian You Zi gave a light huff. "Your master has known me for decades and still hasn't been able to persuade me to help him in the slightest. How much better could a disciple he taught be? I'd like to hear what arguments you have."

Zi Hao raised his handsome eyebrows, his smile calm. "Why would I need to lobby you for what you want to do? Years ago, when the Hou Feng State fell, you entered the camp of thirty thousand Chu troops alone and persuaded the King of Chu to abandon the slaughter of the city, preserving the lives of the people in five cities. When Mu attacked the Xi State, you discussed military strategy with their general under the city walls, using your tongue to attack, forcing the Mu army to retreat without firing a single shot. Your seclusion is hidden in the world; you act according to your nature, following your heart, with nothing to be ashamed of. Why would I need to persuade you?"

The Mingyi Tower spread its intelligence network across the world, leaving no drop of water leaking. How many secrets of the Nine Domains could be hidden from the eyes and ears of the Eastern Emperor? Tian You Zi had done those two things on a whim at the time and left after succeeding, never mentioning it to anyone. Suddenly hearing it spoken to his face, his beard twitched, and his burning gaze swept toward him. He suddenly said, "You are not Zhong Yanzi's disciple. That old pedant couldn't teach a disciple like this." As he spoke, he looked at Zi Rao, examining her carefully. "No, that's not right! That's not right!"

Zi Rao smiled charmingly from the side. "We never said whose disciples we were, and we are too lazy to care about the world's business." She pointed a hand at Zi Hao. "I just happened to pass by the candy stall, found it interesting, and wanted to ask Senior to make a small candy figure in my brother's likeness to play with."

Tian You Zi was stunned. Zi Hao pursed his lips slightly. Zi Rao, feeling mischievous, stretched out two fingers and shook them. "Two wen for a small figure. Since Senior knows our elders, you shouldn't be embarrassed to charge the original price, right? How about three wen for two?"

Seeing her haggling with a straight face, Zi Hao gave a muffled cough, unable to hold back his laughter. Tian You Zi had a deep friendship with Zhong Yanzi back when he was still the King of Luo, and they knew each other inside and out. Thinking carefully now, he vaguely guessed their identities. He was broad-minded and free-spirited by nature and didn't care at all about the misunderstanding just now. Realizing they weren't here to be lobbyists, he was suddenly in a great mood. Hearing Zi Rao joke like this, he glared with both eyes. "Three wen for two? I've been bothered endlessly by those two old fellows for over a decade, and I don't even know who to settle that account with! For their sake, I'll sell it to you for one tael of Chu gold each."

Nowadays, Chu gold was the most valuable currency among the states; one tael of Chu gold could almost support an ordinary family for half a year. Buying a candy figure for that was an astronomical price, but Zi Rao clapped her hands. "Oh my! If Senior says that, one tael of Chu gold is too cheap. That elder of ours, he doesn't know how to enjoy a good, carefree life, but insists on worrying about the world and exhausting his own spirit, causing trouble from the Chu State to the Nine Yi, and from the Nine Yi to the Di Du, making everyone restless. Having one of him is enough, but there's actually an old Daoist willing to help him, and one old Daoist isn't enough—he even comes to disturb Senior's peace. It really is most inappropriate!" The flamboyant and reckless Nine Princess did not have the calm and peace of the Eastern Emperor on the surface. Criticizing elders was something she did quite naturally. Perhaps in her heart, she had long ago blamed all the troublesome matters—the Battle of the Nine Yi, the royal disaster, the schemes of the Chu State, the chaos of the Nine Domains, and so on—on the King of Luo, who had fallen into the hands of the Phoenix Empress back then and was now assisting Huang Fei.

Tian You Zi suddenly looked up and laughed loudly. "Interesting, interesting! You little doll are interesting. It's been a long time since I've heard someone speak so pleasingly! If that old pedant could hear what you said today, that would be truly satisfying!"

Zi Rao pursed her lips and smiled. "It is because Senior is clear-sighted and doesn't go looking for trouble. Isn't this current carefreeness enviable to others?"

This old man and young woman, one saying something and the other responding, seemed to have become soulmates. Zi Hao listened from the side. Suddenly, he laughed very, very lightly. The meaning in that laugh was not very clear. On the twilight street, pedestrians were becoming sparse. His white shirt fluttered gently with the evening breeze, revealing a bit of elegance and a bit of loneliness, but his gaze toward the distance was as calm as if it had merged into the vast world.

How much resentment in a single sentence, how much hardship in over a decade—he seemed to have never thought about whom he should hate. Although the King of Luo was angry about the events of that year and was determined to take revenge, using the Chu State to push the Battle of the Nine Yi and nearly destroying the Di Du, now the Huang Fei he had cultivated was still the biggest variable in all the layouts. But if it weren't for the fact that he had used Huang Fei to stabilize the powerful Chu State all these years and had been firmly holding back the Xuan and Mu states, the Di Du would likely have been in jeopardy long ago.

A hatred that had survived nine deaths, a grudge that was etched into his bones—yet the King of Luo, Zicheng, had reserved judgment on this revenge that had brought the country to its knees from the very beginning.

In this world, actually, no one has the qualifications to casually judge another's choices, simply because no matter what, you will not be that person, will not know what he is bearing, what he has experienced, what he loves, and what he hates.

No one is anyone, no one should talk about anyone, and no one should mock anyone. The bloody battle that toppled the country and the slaughter of the world all faded away in a single smile. At this moment, the Eastern Emperor was far away from the high-and-mighty Jiu Hua Hall, far away from the Chu Capital, the center of strife. The man in white fluttered, smiling quietly, quietly accompanying the person he wanted to accompany, his eyes and brows gentle.

Zi Rao chatted happily with Tian You Zi on the side, not only coaxing a few lifelike little candy figures out of him, but Tian You Zi also packed up his stall and went home with them, preparing wine and food, lighting candles, and looking very much like they would talk all night.

Night finally fell, with stars and moon filling the sky and a breeze filling the courtyard. Bright light shone through the windows, and bursts of hearty, clear, and elegant laughter came from the room.

Cups were emptied and filled, filled and emptied. Zi Hao knew Zi Rao could drink a little, but it was the first time he discovered she had such a great capacity for liquor, and the first time he saw her smile so beautifully while drinking and joking. During the banquet, they discussed the past and present, critiquing the martial arts world and the world at large. Zi Rao knew Zi Hao was eloquent, but she had never seen him be so unrelenting when he was in the right, and never imagined he would argue and bet with someone over a sword move.

Tian You Zi was very dissatisfied that Zi Hao hadn't touched his wine cup, so he bet against him three times in a row, lost three times in a row, and was punished with three cups in a row. The fourth time, he finally won a move against him, but the wine was snatched away by Zi Rao.

Tian You Zi had finally gotten this opportunity, so of course, he wouldn't let anyone drink the penalty wine for Zi Hao. Zi Rao was just bickering with him when the wine cup flashed again and was snatched back by Zi Hao, who laughed and said that a true man should be willing to accept a bet, so how could he let a woman drink for him?

Draining the wine in the cup, then pouring more nectar to discuss victory and defeat—Zi Rao pouted slightly in annoyance, Tian You Zi laughed and called it satisfying, and Zi Hao turned to help Zi Rao fill her cup, whispering to her that the previous one was the only cup of wine for the night. Thus, that night, Tian You Zi never got another chance to punish him with wine, but he accompanied Zi Rao in drinking two jars of fine wine until they were bottomed out.

Going with the flow, meeting for a night, people of different ages talking freely over wine—the things in life worth getting drunk over are nothing more than this; the moments of joy in life are nothing more than this.

Many years later, Zi Rao often thought of this day, this night, this ordinary small town, and this Zi Hao who belonged only to her at this time.

On this day, he put everything down to accompany her in doing what she wanted to do; on this day, he was uninhibited, never sparing a single smile; on this day, he laughed and talked about the world's winds and clouds; on this day, he was no longer the Eastern Emperor who bore everything and hid everything...

However, this day passed so quickly; the lamp flame died, the wine grew cold, and the long night ended.

When the sky was slightly bright and the long stars were hidden, the carriage kicked up light dust, drove out of the small town, and followed the established road, moving straight ahead.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 67 =====