Chapter 594: The Mei Renbi Slain by Gao Changjing

"Lord!"

Lu Yiman's pupils contracted sharply, and he let out a startled cry.

The long sword in his hand clanged as it fell to the ground, his face full of disbelief.

The other surviving Jiangyou Alliance masters also turned ashen, shouting in surprise, their voices full of shock and incomprehension: "Lord!"

"What are you doing!"

They had followed Mei Renbi for years, accustomed to his strategic poise and disdainful bearing, and had never seen him adopt such a servile posture.

Mei Renbi ignored the shouts behind him, bowing his head deeply until his forehead touched the cold ground; his voice trembled with utmost humility yet remained clear: "I hope the Pillar of the State can raise your hand and spare my life!"

He then thrust his head up, eyes flashing with a will to live, his tone growing more earnest, even a bit urgent: "I am willing to serve the Pillar of the State as a dog and horse!"

"To walk through fire and water, I shall not refuse!"

The scene left the Jiangyou Alliance members dumbfounded, feeling their three principles completely overturned.

The shock in their hearts was beyond measure.

In their memory, Mei Renbi had always been brilliant and flawless, confident and omnipotent; they had never seen him in such a pitiful plea for mercy.

"Lord… is this a plea for mercy?!"

Someone muttered, their voice full of incredulous astonishment, their gaze at Mei Renbi as if looking at a stranger.

Not only the Jiangyou Alliance, but also Yuwen Ze, Lu Mingqian, Shi Huaxun and others standing beside Chen Yan wore stunned expressions.

Yuwen Ze's arms crossed, his hand paused slightly, a flash of surprise in his eyes; evidently he had not expected the world‑famous qilin prodigy to bow so readily and surrender.

Chen Yan looked at the kneeling Mei Renbi, a playful curl at the corner of his mouth, stepped forward slowly, looking down from above, his tone teasing: "Mr. Mei, your kneeling is truly swift and decisive!"

Mei Renbi met Chen Yan's half‑smiling eyes, showing not a hint of shame but straightening his back, speaking confidently and forcefully as if the one who had just knelt was not himself: "Not being swift is unacceptable!"

"He who knows the times is a hero!"

"I have not lived enough yet, and I do not wish to meet Yama so early!"

These words, brazen to the point of rudeness, made Chen Yan pause, then burst into a hearty laugh that rang across the silent wilderness: "Hahaha!"

"Mr. Mei, you are indeed interesting!"

He paused, curbed his smile, his gaze landing on Mei Renbi's face, asking with curiosity: "Then tell me, sparing your life, what benefit does it bring this Duke?"

Yuwen Ze, standing aside, watched the scene, blinked, and muttered inwardly: "Is A Xiong feeling a sense of talent appreciation for Mei Renbi?"

But on second thought, he saw the fleeting teasing glint in A Xiong's eyes, instantly realizing, and mused: "No, it looks more like he's preparing to toy with him!"

Mei Renbi, as if clutching a lifeline, broke into ecstatic joy, looking up at Chen Yan with earnest flattery, speaking rapidly and confidently: "I possess some knowledge of governing and pacifying the people, and can help the Pillar of the State administer the state, implement reforms, and clear the obstacles of aristocratic families!"

"I also understand commerce, can revitalize the merchants of Guanzhong, smooth grain transport, fill the treasury, and ensure surplus grain each year!"

Fearing Chen Yan's disbelief, he added urgently and firmly, assuming a pleading posture: "The Jiangyou Alliance I founded has amassed considerable gold, silver, jewels, fertile lands, and estates in Jiangnan over the years, all of which I can offer to the Pillar of the State as proof of my sincere allegiance!"

"All I ask is that the Pillar of the State give me a chance!"

"Tsk tsk!" Lu Mingqian, standing aside, took in Mei Renbi's pleading posture, unable to restrain a clicking of his tongue, the sound echoing clearly across the silent wilderness.

He crossed his arms, a blatant smirk on his mouth, his voice ringing: "I never imagined the world‑renowned qilin prodigy would resort to such pleading."

"Truly an eye‑opener!"

Shi Huaxun also sneered, stepping forward, his gaze slicing across Mei Renbi's face, his tone sarcastic and contemptuous: "I originally thought you were the type of steadfast iron‑bony person who would rather die than submit!"

"All this fuss, and you're just a cowardly soft‑skull!"

These words cut like a sharp blade, each syllable wounding the heart; even the surviving Jiangyou Alliance members lowered their heads in shame.

But Mei Renbi seemed completely unfazed, his expression unchanged, even straightening his back, glancing slightly toward the two, retorting resolutely: "As the saying goes, a good bird chooses a tree to perch, a virtuous minister chooses a ruler to serve!"

Having said that, he abruptly turned, clasped his hands in a deep bow to Chen Yan, his back bent low, his tone full of earnest respect, as if truly devoted: "To meet a wise ruler today, I must serve wholeheartedly, sacrificing everything without hesitation!"

These words were flawless; if spoken by anyone else, one might truly be deceived by such a posture.

Yuwen Ze, seeing this, seemed to recall something, leisurely rubbing his jaw, his gaze landing on Mei Renbi's unashamed face, a teasing glint in his eyes, he asked half‑smiling: "Are you thinking of the saying 'A gentleman takes ten years to avenge,' planning to emulate King Goujian of Yue and endure hardship to plot revenge?"

His words made the surrounding air grow heavier for a few moments.

Lu Mingqian and Shi Huaxun both narrowed their eyes, their gazes at Mei Renbi becoming increasingly wary.

Chen Yan merely gave a faint smile, his deep eyes already seeing through all of Mei Renbi's pretenses and the deeper motives hidden beneath his obedience.

He stepped forward slowly, his voice low yet each word clear, with a hint of depth: "Perhaps you wish to preserve your life first, then use the opportunity to gain this Duke's trust, entering Chang'an by another means, thereby stirring the clouds more smoothly!"

When plotting, don't spoil the water; it can be more destructive than acting oneself…

All that's needed is to be like this fellow, discarding one's façade and dignity.

A spot‑on remark.

Mei Renbi's heart sank sharply, a cold sweat instantly breaking out on his back.

But his face remained composed, even lifting his chin slightly, he again clasped his fists toward Chen Yan and declared loudly: "My heart to submit is evident to heaven and earth, clear as the sun and moon!"

"If the Pillar of the State does not believe, I can swear to the heavens; should I have a second thought, I will be struck by five thunders and meet a terrible death!"

Having said so, he truly raised his right hand, assuming a blood‑oath pose, his eyes earnest, as if every word came from his heart.

"Hahaha!"

Yuwen Ze, seeing this, could no longer hold back, bursting into a hearty laugh, his laughter full of mockery.

He pointed at Mei Renbi, laughing uproariously: "If oaths were effective, the Gao family could never have founded a state!"

In recent decades, the greatest victim of believing oaths has been Comrade Er Zhu Zhao.

He was duped by King Gao to the point of losing even his underwear…

Chen Yan gently shook his head, his gaze calmly falling on Mei Renbi, his tone so detached that no emotion could be heard: "Actually, this Duke does not care whether you truly wish to submit…"

Mei Renbi's raised hand paused briefly, his gaze fixed on Chen Yan, a crack appearing in his previously obedient face.

He lowered his hand, still maintaining the clasped‑fist posture, his voice carrying a barely perceptible urgency, asking: "Then what does the Pillar of the State truly care about?!"

As the words fell, Chen Yan's eyes flashed with a chilling ferocity, a coldness sharper than night wind, colder than the moon.

He stared at Mei Renbi, each word clear and sharp as ice‑forged blades, piercing the opponent's heart: "What this Duke cares about is that you, the qilin prodigy, vanish forever from this world!"

"You!"

Mei Renbi shivered all over, her complexion instantly turning as pale as paper, clenching her teeth tightly, no longer able to keep that servile posture, and she broke down in an instant.

He sprang to his feet, pointed at Chen Yan, and demanded in a harsh voice, his tone brimming with raging fury and resentment: "Chen Yan! Since you had long decided to kill this Duke, why do you still spout all this nonsense, toying with me?!"

At this moment, he finally stopped concealing it, letting the word "this Duke" slip out, tinged with a hint of former arrogance and ferocity.

Chen Yan gave a calm smile, shrugged nonchalantly, his tone as relaxed as if discussing a trivial matter: "Because this Duke is eager to know what the so‑called Qilin Talented Scholar, famed as a god among mortals, actually is!"

"Now that my curiosity is satisfied, it's time to send you on your way!"

There's no helping it; Chen Yan is a man of great curiosity...

Besides, since everyone is already here and there's no rush, I might as well enjoy something fresh!

Mei Renbi finally understood that from start to finish she had been nothing but a plaything in Chen Yan's hands.

At that moment, regret surged continuously, hating herself for not fighting to the death earlier, and instead begging here, enduring humiliation.

His Red Eyes stared fiercely at Chen Yan, and he shouted in anger: "You damn bastard!"

"Make a move."

Chen Yan, too lazy to waste words, floated out two words.

"Yes!"

Lu Mingqian and Shi Huaxun answered in unison, their voices loud and tinged with a sharp, murderous chill.

The two exchanged a glance, simultaneously drawing their Horizontal Blades from their waists, the blades flashing a chilling cold light in the moonlight.

Mei Renbi, seeing this, had her pupils contract sharply and turned to flee.

But she was already a bird in a cage, unable to spread her wings.

Lu Mingqian moved like lightning, stepping ahead to block her, his Horizontal Blade slashing down fiercely, as fast as a flash.

"Pfft—"

The sound of the blade slicing flesh was unbearably sharp; Mei Renbi's scream was cut off before it could even be uttered.

She stared wide‑eyed, incredulously watching the long blade pierce her chest, blood gushing along the blade and staining the front of her robe scarlet.

At the same time, Shi Huaxun led several militia soldiers, charging at Lu Yi Man and the surviving Jiangyou Alliance masters.

Those people were already at the end of their strength, how could they withstand such a thunderous onslaught?

Within moments, the wails rose and fell, then quickly faded into silence.

Lu Yi Man roared, swinging his blade in resistance, but Shi Huaxun kicked him to the ground and followed with a throat‑cutting slash.

Above the Wilderness, silence returned, leaving only a heavy scent of blood drifting in the night wind.

Chen Yan stood with his arms crossed, his gaze calmly sweeping over the corpses on the ground, his face showing no ripple.

He raised his hand and said gravely: "Move all the boxes from the carriage down."

The militia immediately stepped forward, hauling down dozens of wooden boxes from the carriage with many hands.

The moment the lids were opened, the boxes filled with gold, silver and jewels glimmered under torchlight, dazzling enough to make eyes water.

Gold Cake, silver ingots, pearls, jade, agate...

A dazzling array, causing a shiver in everyone's hearts.

Chen Yan looked at the boxes, then at the weary yet vigilant militia beside him, and announced loudly: "Brothers, tonight you set ambushes with this Duke here; you have worked hard..."

He then walked slowly to the two frontmost boxes, tapped their sides, producing a dull thud.

He smiled faintly, his voice loud and clear to all: "The gold and silver these two boxes of Qilin Talented Scholar bring shall be shared among you!"

"After returning, rest well!"

"Thanks, Chen Zhuguo!" The militia, upon hearing this, first froze, then erupted in a thunderous cheer.

Every face brimmed with exhilaration and rapture.

They all bowed to Chen Yan, their eyes full of gratitude and reverence.

Chen Yan gave a slight nod, stepped forward, stamping his foot on Mei Renbi's still‑warm skull, cleared his throat, scanned the crowd, and his voice suddenly turned solemn, bearing undeniable authority: "Qi State's treacherous Gao Changjing, thirty li outside Chang'an, attacked the visiting Qilin Talented Scholar in an attempt to spark a war between Great Zhou and Liang Kingdom; his heart must be beheaded!"

"Tomorrow we will expose Gao Changjing's crimes to the world; this Duke will personally lead troops to eradicate the bandits, avenging Mr. Mei Renbi!"

【"Mei Renbi, the leader of the Jiangyou Alliance of Liang, was known in his time as the Qilin Talented Scholar."】

At first, the Eastern King of Liang, Ba Dong Wang, was wrongfully imprisoned, and no one dared speak out. Renbi saw the injustice, upheld righteousness, uncovered old documents, cleared the false accusation, and the court and populace alike were convinced.

Later, assisting the Eastern King, he pacified Shu lands, promoted benefits and eliminated evils, urged agriculture, and the people of Shu lived peacefully, all praising his virtue.

Subsequently, he accepted an invitation to Chang'an to visit a friend and heal illness. Upon reaching thirty li outside Chang'an, he was suddenly ambushed by Qi State spy Gao Changjing leading a squad.

Although Renbi was wise and brave, the sudden turn left his dozens of followers fighting to the death, and Renbi also perished, a generation's talent fallen on the road; all who heard could only clutch their throats in sorrow!

—《History of Zhou》·Biography of Mei Renbi】

PS: Happy New Year!

A new year, and I'm meeting everyone right on time again!

2025 has passed; Wan Feng was fortunate to accompany everyone with Chen Yan for a stretch, and in the coming 2026, I hope we can still walk side by side!

Having you all is truly wonderful? (′? `?)

A small request for the first five‑star review of the new year and a free little gift!

Finally, I wish that all your wishes from last year come true, and this year everything goes as you hope!

Love, Wan Feng.