Chapter 614: Xie Hong

Yaoxian Tower is a pagoda-style building.

The first floor occupies the largest area.

The higher up, the smaller the space becomes.

The topmost level, the fourth floor, is merely a modest pavilion—the most esteemed place of all.

Even the Emperor of Da Qi has no right to ascend it; it was built exclusively for Su Xiang, Su Jing, and the Third Master of the Academy.

Above the third floor are only the Nine Surnames and imperial family members, plus a dozen high-ranking officials from court, totaling no more than forty people.

These are the most powerful individuals in Bianjing, indeed in all of Da Qi.

Xie Hong and Xie Laotaijun are among them.

The Nine Surnames intermarry and are all well acquainted.

They converse in small groups.

Xie Hong looked up and noticed among the crowd a middle-aged man dressed in a dragon robe of gold and jade belt, his chin covered in stubble, left hand holding a small cage, teasing the cricket inside—casual, out of place among the others.

Xie Hong narrowed his eyes slightly; this man was the Emperor of Da Qi, the nominal ruler of this realm: Chen Yan.

What a pity!

Emperor Xianhe is a puppet placed before the public by the Nine Surnames.

After the palace coup in the third year of Xianhe, Emperor Chen Yan sank into mystic indulgence and amusement, governance deteriorated, and state affairs gradually fell into neglect.

To Chen Yan's right sat a dazzlingly splendid woman, wearing a phoenix crown and red veil, exuding an indescribable dignity and grace, her eyes flickering as she laughed and chatted with several nearby.

She was the Empress of Da Qi, Zhuge Nan Yue.

Beside the Empress was Zhuge Zi Qing, the object of Zhao Yang's affection, a man with feminine beauty beyond measure.

Moreover!

On the left side of the third floor sat an elderly man, known as the "Sick Tiger of the Ministry of Rites," Tang Ziang.

All court officials gathered near him.

Several people approached Xie Hong—members of the Sima and Li families, allies of the Xie clan.

The two National Defenders of the Li family have been stationed in the north for two or three years without returning to Bianjing.

Only an elderly matriarch of the Li family, gentle-faced, arrived with two ladies.

The Xie and Li families greeted each other with smiles.

The two elderly matriarchs knew each other well and chatted casually nearby.

At this moment, the Qunfang Banquet officially began.

Onstage, lights blazed and music and dance flourished, adding warmth and festivity to the banquet.

Many gathered at the railing of the third floor, watching the Nihuang Dance below.

Yet!

The Emperor of Da Qi seemed uninterested in all of it; his gaze rested only on the cricket in the cage, as if utterly oblivious to everyone else.

The Empress Zhuge also paid little attention to Chen Yan, instead leading Zhuge Zi Qing toward the group gathered by the Xie family, leaving the Emperor of Da Qi alone.

Zhuge Nan Yue's eyes held an unusual expression as she looked at Xie Hong.

"Master Xie, long time no see. It seems eight years have passed since our meeting at Qingliang Temple."

"Master Xie remains as radiant as ever."

Zhuge Zi Qing stood tall, clad in a snow-white robe, wearing a jade crown, his features more delicate and beautiful than any woman's.

Especially the vermilion dot at his forehead—like the final brushstroke—made him radiant and captivating, as if stepped from a painting.

"Zi Qing, greetings, Master Xie."

Xie Hong wore simple cloth robes, his gaze deep as he looked at the Empress, his eyes flickering with complex emotion—struggle and resignation intertwined.

He bowed slightly, his voice steady and respectful: "Xie Hong, pays respects to Your Majesty."

Xie Laotaijun, standing nearby, witnessed this scene; her heart churned with mixed feelings, and she let out a soft sigh.

Behind this banquet lay too many pasts and entanglements.

She simply left with the Li family's matriarch.

Her tone carried an unprecedented concern: "Hong'er, your mother and Lady Li will take a stroll."

Xie Hong nodded.

With the departure of Xie Laotaijun and the Li family's matriarch, only Xie Hong, Empress Zhuge, and Zhuge Zi Qing remained.

The atmosphere grew subtly tense.

The Empress watched the retreating backs of the matriarchs, her eyes filled with nostalgia: "The old lady remains just as she was."

"Had she not opposed it back then, I might still be calling her 'Mother.'"

For the Empress to speak thus was an act of contempt toward imperial authority.

How could the Empress utter such words?

Yet Zhuge Zi Qing seemed not to care.

The affair between Xie Hong and Empress Zhuge had once rocked Bianjing; everyone among the Nine Surnames knew of it.

Only after Empress Zhuge entered the palace did Master Xie marry and have children.

Empress Zhuge has dwelled in the palace for years, yet has borne no son to this day.

Empress Zhuge noticed the streaks of gray in Xie Hong's dark hair.

"Hong-ge, you've aged considerably."

An intimate, tender address.

Xie Hong's eyes finally stirred; his tone softened.

"Nanyue, you've changed not at all."

Zhuge Nan Yue smiled: "How do you know I haven't changed? Within the palace, deep courtyards abound—how many women have buried their lives here?"

"You know my nature—I am no caged bird. I long for the rivers and lakes, to ride and whip the wind."

"Hong-ge, since childhood you taught me to read and write, trained me in martial arts—did you ever consider what I truly desired?"

Hearing this, Xie Hong slowly closed his eyes, as if recalling the past.

Back then, the three Xie brothers: the eldest entered officialdom, the second, Xie Ling, joined the military; only Xie Hong stayed home, serving his mother while diligently studying.

Zhuge Nan Yue, raised by her aunt during her illness, grew up with Xie Hong, childhood companions, innocent and close.

At this moment!

Zhuge Nan Yue changed the subject, asking softly: "Hong-ge, have you ever regretted it?"

Xie Hong, hearing this, shook his head gently: "No regret."

Two words, resounding, echoing in the heart.

Zhuge Nan Yue stepped slowly to the railing, leaning on it, gazing down at the four quadrants of the stage—A, B, C, D—arranged neatly, bustling with life.

From this height, one truly feels: "Climb to the peak, and all mountains shrink below."

Those around them, as if sensing the moment, withdrew quietly, leaving a silent space.

Even Zhuge Zi Qing, not far off, stood at a distance, silent.

Though others observed their conversation, they heard no sound.

Even when straining to listen, not a whisper reached them.

Below!

Cheers rose in waves; the Nihuang Dance had reached its climax, its graceful movements captivating countless spectators, many rising to applaud, emotions stirred.

The people along the riverbanks also roared with joy.

Zhuge Nan Yue's voice was soft, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible worry.

"Hong-ge, from the day you stepped out of Qingliang Temple and entered the Xie household, I knew."

"Will you truly throw yourself into this turbulent tide?"

Xie Hong fell silent for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

"If not this, what meaning is there in the literature and martial arts I have studied?"

Zhuge Nan Yue sighed, her tone laced with helplessness and sorrow: "But after today, Bianjing, this vast world, will sink into endless chaos—this prosperity will never return."

"To kill one man seems simple, yet it is like cutting down countless innocent commoners."

"Is it truly worth it?" She fixed her gaze on Xie Hong's eyes.

Xie Hong shook his head, his voice heavy: "This world is already riddled with holes—like sheep penned and stripped of all freedom."

"If you do not cut the root, only treat the symptoms, it is all futile."

Hearing this, Zhuge Nan Yue's expression grew more troubled, her eyes slightly red.

"Yet so many heroes abound—why must it be you?"

Xie Hong smiled: "Why not me?"

After speaking, they fell silent.

Zhuge Nan Yue suddenly spoke: "You had Xie Ling suffer defeat on the western front, kept him away from the capital for years—was it to leave the Xie family a way out?"

"When today's Qunfang Banquet ends, chaos will erupt across the land—then Xie Ling can rise in the west."

Xie Hong replied only: "Yes, and no."

Xie Hong took his leave, brushing past Zhuge Nan Yue.

A voice reached Zhuge Nan Yue's ear: "Beware Chen Yan."

"He died in the third year of Xianhe."

Chen Yan is the current Emperor of Da Qi.

Xie Hong did not pause, walking straight to the side of Old Lady Xie.

Old Lady Xie looked at Zhuge Nanyue, still standing awkwardly to one side—the Empress of Da Qi.

"Hong'er, you don't blame your mother, do you?"

"Nanyue is a good girl. It's just a pity."

Xie Hong shook his head gently. "Mother, I have never blamed you."

Old Lady Xie said softly, "Hong'er, have you been worrying about me ever since you came home this time?"

"Hong'er, you've always been sensible. Whatever you do, I support you."

"The Xie family bears this karmic burden for you."

No one knows a son better than his mother.

Having raised her youngest son herself, the old lady had long sensed his difference these past days.

After hearing this, Xie Hong's expression darkened further.

Old Lady Xie patted Xie Hong's handback and said, "Given your nature, if Ling'er had suffered such a disaster, you would never have ignored it."

"If it were a clan-destroying calamity, I hope you preserve yourself. As long as you and Ling'er live, the Xie clan will not fall."

Xie Hong's face grew more sorrowful.

At this moment!

The door to the fourth-floor balcony opened gently.

All on the third floor heard it and turned their gazes in unison.

An emaciated old man, clad in a loose green robe, his face deeply lined with wrinkles, still bore traces of the striking features he once had in youth—now like a withered tree in the mountains.

Beneath his thin, salt-and-pepper eyebrows, the old man's eyes glimmered with a faint radiance.

He was slowly descending, supported by a middle-aged man.

The expressions of those present varied.

All within the second and first floors of Yaoxian Tower rose to their feet, daring not utter a single loud word.

Everyone bowed respectfully—even Emperor Chen Yan of Da Qi did the same.

The old man was Su Xiang.

Su Xiang descended slowly toward the first floor.

All stood, watching the entrance to the first floor.

At this moment!

A dozen solemn Confucian disciples entered the first floor.

Everyone had guessed—the Academy had arrived!

All three floors searched for that one figure.

On the third-floor balcony, Xie Hong gazed at a middle-aged man behind several Academy disciples.

The middle-aged man was tall and slender, wearing a faded Confucian robe, his smooth black hair falling loosely over his shoulders. His features were ordinary, yet somehow combined on his face, they radiated an inexplicable elegance.

"Greetings, Third Master."

Reverent voices echoed throughout Yaoxian Tower.

This man was the Academy's Third Master, who had not set foot outside the Academy in decades.

Everyone's eyes widened in astonishment.

It seemed that since they first remembered, Third Master had always looked this way.

Rumor had it that Third Master was born into a family of wealth and privilege, raised in silk and jade.

Su Jing had reached the doorway and gazed at his fellow disciple.

Su Jing looked like a half-dead old man; Third Master, however, appeared as a middle-aged man.

"Brother, it's been many years."

Third Master said nothing, leading his group of disciples up the stairs.

Su Jing followed without anger.

Everyone murmured in wonder, yet felt it was only natural.

In Bianjing, who would dare show such disrespect to Su Xiang—save for the Academy's few Masters?

No one dared!

As Third Master ascended slowly to the third floor, he paused, glancing at Xie Hong.

He furrowed his brow slightly, then ignored him entirely, walking straight to the fourth floor.

Su Jing followed him inside.

Those below watched the two disappear into the fourth floor.

The Academy's Third Master and the Academy's Fourth Master.

Years ago, their "Third-Fourth Dispute" nearly split the Academy apart after the Master wandered east for two hundred years seeking immortals.

The First Master left Da Qi to become the State Preceptor of Da Sui.

The Second Master fell gravely ill and never rose from his bed.

Since then, Da Qi began its decline, facing a true rival in Da Sui.

Da Qi's fate over the past two centuries seemed tied to these two Masters.

Now!

After many years, the two met again—everyone held their breath in anticipation.

Seeing this, Xie Hong vanished unnoticed from the third floor of the Qunfang Banquet.

Inside the fourth-floor balcony, only two sat facing each other.

Su Jing sighed. "I never thought I'd have the chance to meet you calmly, Brother, in this lifetime."

Third Master merely closed his eyes and said nothing.

As the dance on the four-sided stage ended,

the blue-clad woman bowed gracefully toward the fourth floor of Yaoxian Tower.

At this moment!

A hidden aura spread through Bianjing.

Su Jing's face suddenly trembled—the old man, who had never shown surprise before, revealed astonishment for the first time.

Third Master opened his eyes, filled with disbelief—as if sensing something inconceivable.

This event surpassed both their expectations.

"The Divine Shock Array… built seven hundred years ago… has activated."

"The Divine Shock Array—the Master's lifelong endeavor!"

The Divine Shock Array was known to every citizen of Bianjing, indeed to all under heaven.

The Master built it to protect the Academy in Bianjing. So long as the Divine Shock Array stood, even a million soldiers could not breach the city.

So long as the Divine Shock Array stood, the people felt safe—and Bianjing endured.

But did Su Jing and Third Master know the truth was not so?

This secret had only been revealed to their four disciples within the past century.

Though built by the Master, the Divine Shock Array was not meant to protect Bianjing—it was constructed according to ancient rites.

Its original name was the "Imprison Immortal" Array—a legendary technique to trap heavenly immortals.

Should any immortal enter Bianjing, the "Imprison Immortal" Array would activate, imprisoning them within.

Yet astonishingly, since its construction, the array had never stirred—seeming nothing more than a phantom legend.

Why had it suddenly activated?

This "Imprison Immortal" Array was originally a sacrificial altar. Once activated,

all living beings within the array would be devoured, transformed into nourishment.

But where in the world were there any immortals?

～

Yu Ke gazed at the Sima Pan before him.

(End of Chapter)