Chapter 1405: Let's Call It Quits

"Back in the day, you held sway over the realm, the envy of all. But looking at it now, it was nothing more than a desperate struggle, walking on thin ice." Liu Songping smiled faintly. "One can only imagine the sleepless nights you must have endured. Now... the Great Ming's realm no longer needs your worry. I imagine you feel a great sense of relief..."

"Well said, 'walking on thin ice'! Well said, 'a sense of relief'! You're right, absolutely right!" Wei Zhongxian threw his head back and laughed. "Indeed, when I first took power, I felt boundless glory, as if the world was in my hands... But once I truly shouldered that great responsibility, I realized the Ming court had long been a house riddled with holes! Back then, I feared failing the late emperor's expectations and bringing ruin to the Ming. Now that I've been dismissed by the Son of Heaven, I feel completely at ease. This Ming realm no longer needs my meddling. How comfortable it is..."

Liu Songping merely smiled, not echoing Wei Zhongxian's words much, while Qi Wang sat quietly to the side, neither interrupting nor glaring at Wei Zhongxian with fury anymore.

Just as Liu Songping and Wei Zhongxian were still chatting, the dense sound of horse hooves grew louder and louder. Although Liu Songping was smiling and conversing cheerfully with Wei Zhongxian, he felt something was off in his heart, leaving him somewhat distracted.

After an unknown length of time, the hoofbeats suddenly stopped, and silence fell outside once more, as if the previous sounds had been an illusion.

But Liu Songping sensed something wrong in the oppressive air. He put his hand to his mouth, signaling Wei Zhongxian to stop talking, then stood up and quietly peered outside the shack.

Then, he suddenly hunched over, as if he had seen some kind of monster.

"What's happened?" Wei Zhongxian asked softly.

"It's Li Zhao. Li Zhao and his men have caught up!" Liu Songping answered in a low voice. "It looks like they're coming right for us."

"They're here again?" Wei Zhongxian's face darkened. "Is it still that group from the Eastern Depot?"

"Looks like more than just the ones from last time. He's brought in people from elsewhere too." Liu Songping cautiously looked outside again. "Some of them are even the same bailiffs from Guangping Prefecture from last time! It seems Li Zhao and his people have already gotten the local authorities to help."

"Heh, both sides coming for me together, are they?"

Wei Zhongxian stiffened for a moment, but quickly regained his composure.

"Seems there's no escaping it after all." He shook his head, then, with an unchanged expression, picked up his socks and boots from beside him and slowly put them on.

"Hurry, sir, there's not much time! Before they surround us, we can take you and run..." Liu Songping urged him anxiously.

"Run? What's the point of running? In this weather, a storm could hit any moment. Where could we run to? Besides, it's flat open country all around. Even if we wanted to run, could we outrun horses?" Wei Zhongxian shook his head with a bitter smile. "I'll just walk over and talk to him myself, see what exactly he wants..."

"Sir, you mustn't!" Liu Songping was frantic upon hearing this. "Those Eastern Depot men are clearly malicious. They drew blades on us last time. If you go and meet them face-to-face now, wouldn't that be walking right into a trap?"

"Walking into a trap, or snatching life from the jaws of death... is there any other path left now?" Wei Zhongxian was still smiling bitterly. "Forget it, forget it. It seems I'm destined to go with them on this trip after all. Those people need something from me now; they won't be too harsh on me."

It's just that... Fengyang, I'm afraid I'll never have the chance to go there in this lifetime... he thought dejectedly.

"Sir!" Liu Songping wanted to persuade him further, but then he noticed the group was already walking towards the shack, having apparently spotted something unusual here.

"Alright, don't try to dissuade me. So many have caught up with me now; no matter what, you two alone can't hold them off. Why spill more blood?" Wei Zhongxian was still very calm. "Alright, you've worked hard for so long on this journey, and I'm grateful. Since we've come this far, I won't blame you for failing in your duty. Rest assured, what I promised you, I will certainly see done."

By now, Qi Wang had also sensed something was wrong. He vigilantly crouched by the edge of the shack, observing the enemies closing in on them. "Third Uncle, there are so many people outside! They're all coming for us. What do we do?"

"You brat, this is all your fault!" Liu Songping, already furious, snapped harshly at Qi Wang. "If you hadn't insisted on showing off and provoking those people, if you hadn't been unskilled and gotten yourself injured, how could we have been delayed and let them catch up? And now you stand there acting as if it's none of your business!"

"Third Uncle..." Stunned by Liu Songping's outburst, Qi Wang was both shocked and ashamed, standing there speechless for a moment.

"Enough, don't blame the young lad. He was righting a wrong he saw on the road; what's there to criticize? Not just the lad, even I couldn't stand by and watch back then. It was a good strike, a good kill!" It was Wei Zhongxian who smoothed things over with a smile. "Besides, we were traveling on foot, and they're on fast horses. What difference does a day or two more or less make? They were bound to catch up sooner or later; a day or two doesn't matter."

Then, before Liu Songping could say anything more, Wei Zhongxian, having put his shoes and socks back on, walked straight out.

The moment he stepped out of the shack, his gaze met Li Zhao's, which was rushing straight at him. That gaze was as sinister as the last time they met, but now held a few more traces of arrogance and smugness.

Yet, even knowing he might face great calamity this time, Wei Zhongxian's face remained completely calm.

"After all this running, we've finally caught up with you." Li Zhao, standing nearby with several men, had a savage grin cross his face. "Sir, I trust you've been well since we last met?!"

"I've been well." Wei Zhongxian replied calmly. "I just wonder, last time I already said I wanted no further entanglement with you. Why have you come after me again this time?"

"You jest, sir!" Li Zhao sneered. "We are here pursuing you under imperial orders. How can you simply decide you don't want to see us and be done with it? Have you forgotten you are now a convicted criminal? You spent so many years at court; do you not know what crime it is to resist the imperial court?"

"Then, since you claim to be acting on imperial orders, do you have His Majesty's decree? Do you have the court's official warrant?" Wei Zhongxian countered. "It was the court that ordered me to Fengyang. I obeyed the court's order. I wasn't aware that was a crime..."

"When the Eastern Depot arrests someone, what need is there for decrees or documents?" Li Zhao burst out laughing. "Eunuch Wei, you once supervised the Eastern Depot yourself. Have you forgotten how the Depot used to operate? Forget it, sir. As things stand, you have no way to escape. More words are meaningless. Just obediently come with us!"

"In that case, why don't you just come over and seize me? Why waste more breath?" Wei Zhongxian suddenly sneered back. "What? Afraid of the people on my side? It seems the lesson last time was quite severe... What, is the wound on your hand still not healed?"

When Wei Zhongxian's gaze shifted to Li Zhao's arm, Li Zhao's hand twitched involuntarily. Humiliated and enraged, he could no longer maintain his smile. "Wei Zhongxian, do you think buying off those two Embroidered Uniform Guard officers lets you act with impunity? Let me tell you, we've brought many more people this time. Even if those two had three heads and six arms, they couldn't save you now. Be sensible and come over here to be bound!"

"I'm standing right in front of you now. Isn't that sensible enough?" Wei Zhongxian remained perfectly composed. "Come over and tie me up. I guarantee I won't resist."

Hearing Wei Zhongxian say this, Li Zhao and the men beside him hesitated for a moment, not daring to move.

The display of divine might by those two Embroidered Uniform Guard officers that day had left far too deep an impression on this group. Several of them had been badly injured that day, and even Li Zhao's arm wound had never fully healed. So, seeing Wei Zhongxian so unperturbed, they instead grew wary, suspecting he had something to rely on.

Li Zhao kept scanning beside and behind Wei Zhongxian, but saw no sign of anyone. The unease in his heart grew thicker. Although he knew he couldn't show fear in front of the enemy, he still didn't dare just walk over and seize Wei Zhongxian.

Wei Zhongxian's smile, in his eyes, increasingly looked like mockery directed at himself.

"At this point, do you still harbor any illusions? Don't think that by buying off those two Embroidered Uniform Guard officers and having them take you to join Zhao Jin, you can get yourself off the hook. Dream on!" Because of hatred and hidden fear, Li Zhao's expression became even more ferocious. "Let me tell you, those two officers have already been flagged by the higher-ups. No one can escape! The capital will send more people to deal with you!"

"Join Zhao Jin?" Wei Zhongxian was taken aback.

"What, did you think we couldn't see through your plan by now? The higher-ups knew long ago that someone like you would never bow their head and accept their fate, so they made preparations early. I never imagined you'd actually bribe those two officers..." Li Zhao's head lifted higher and higher. "Now that we've intercepted you and your treacherous scheme has failed, isn't it a pity?"

"Pity about what?" Wei Zhongxian shook his head. "I never had any intention of joining Zhao Jin."

"At this point, why deny it, sir?" Li Zhao bellowed. "You attacked government officers and coerced refugees to join Zhao Jin. The evidence is conclusive. Do you still want to quibble?"

As he spoke, he was still paying attention to any movement around Wei Zhongxian.

However, even though he had accused them of planning to join the rebels, there was still no movement around Wei Zhongxian, as if he truly was the only one there. Could it be that those two Embroidered Uniform Guard officers had already abandoned Wei Zhongxian and run off to join Zhao Jin themselves?

No matter what, first capture Wei Zhongxian.

Li Zhao waved his hand, signaling the men beside him to go and seize Wei Zhongxian.

But for a moment, no one moved. These few men hesitated, looking at each other, no one willing to take that first step.

Li Zhao's anger flared, and he glared fiercely at the group. Under his intimidation, these men had no choice but to draw their weapons and slowly inch towards Wei Zhongxian.

"Li Zhao!" Just then, Wei Zhongxian shouted loudly. "I know you harbor sinister intentions, and I won't bother asking who is pulling your strings. I imagine once you take me away, I'll naturally find out in due time. But... those two Embroidered Uniform Guard officers escorting me, can you spare them? They were only doing their duty loyally... Their families have served the Ming court for generations, and they themselves carried out their tasks faithfully. Yet now you come and pin the crime of joining rebels on them. How can you bear it?"

"Why do you say that, sir? Since we are from the Eastern Depot, can't we decide on a crime as we please? Did you, back in the day, use us Depot guards to fabricate charges and frame court officials any less?" Li Zhao found it both strange and amusing. "Besides, their attacking government officers and coercing refugees is solid fact. Can they escape that? At this point, you can't even protect yourself, sir. Don't delude yourself into shielding these people. The Embroidered Uniform Guard will not spare these two rebel scum. Even if they've fled to Zhao Jin now, they'll lose their lives sooner or later!"

"So, in that case, it was I who brought this misery upon them..." Wei Zhongxian's expression suddenly turned somewhat sorrowful. "Those who follow me now meet no good end. It seems even those escorting me can't escape it."

Then, he rallied his spirits slightly. "Li Zhao, you're arrogant today, but don't forget, when I was at the height of my power, you were nothing but an ant, not even worthy of approaching me. Who could have imagined this day back then? Tell the one behind you, the Ming is now tottering in the storm. My fate today might very well be his tomorrow. Let him look after himself..."

"How kind-hearted of you, sir, but I won't trouble you with such concerns!" Li Zhao's expression turned cold, and he continued urging his subordinates to go and seize him.

Wei Zhongxian stood calmly at the entrance of the shack, watching the group slowly close in on him.

Just as they reached the side of the shack, thinking they could finally capture Wei Zhongxian, the roof of the shack was suddenly torn open, and a thunderous boom erupted from within. Everyone instinctively looked towards a figure shooting out from the thatched hut.

These Eastern Depot thugs, already haunted by lingering fear, stopped dead in their tracks the moment they heard the loud boom, allowing the figure to charge right to Wei Zhongxian's side.

"Why did you have to come back?" Though it had all happened so suddenly, Wei Zhongxian did not seem the least bit surprised. He merely sighed softly. "Doesn't this just make the charges against you stick?"

But Liu Songping, who had charged over, paid no heed to any of that. He seized Wei Zhongxian by the shoulder and dragged him along as he ran back the way he had come. When they passed the shack again, Qi Wang also darted out from inside and rushed in that direction together with them.

The crude shack had already been surrounded, but because Liu Songping had picked out a weak point in the encirclement before charging out, the men were caught off guard and could not stop the two of them. They forced their way through, dragging Wei Zhongxian along with them as they burst out.

Wei Zhongxian was, after all, advanced in years and his strength had long since waned. Being dragged along and rushed outside like this, he immediately felt a sharp pain in his shoulders. Their speed was so great that his legs were practically floating in the air. The cold wind howled, pouring into his clothes and making him ache with cold. He soon sank into a dazed, muddled state.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Liu Songping slowly set him down. Staggering and stumbling, he sat down beside the grass at the roadside, gasping for breath.

"Are you all right, gonggong?" Liu Songping asked with concern.

"I'm fine. I won't die." Wei Zhongxian's head still ached, so his voice was somewhat hoarse. "But you two certainly made a big commotion…"

"In an emergency, one must adapt. I beg gonggong's forgiveness," Liu Songping apologized in a low voice. "Those men clearly had ill intentions. If gonggong had truly fallen into their hands, the consequences would be unthinkable."

"But if you run off with me, doesn't that just make the charges stick?" Wei Zhongxian shook his head and asked again. "Those men have already sent false reports to the capital, accusing you of being bribed by me and joining me in treason. Now that you've helped me, how will you ever clear your name?"

"At this point, would we be innocent even if we hadn't rescued you?" Liu Songping answered solemnly. "When we left the capital, I understood clearly — the higher-ups sent only us, uncle and nephew, as escorts precisely because they never intended to see us return safely."

"You see things clearly!" Wei Zhongxian gave a bitter laugh. He struggled to stand, but his head was still swimming, and no matter how he tried, he could not straighten up. In the end, he simply remained seated where he was. "So, in the final reckoning, it is I who have dragged you down!"

"I wouldn't say gonggong has dragged me down. All these years in the Guard, I have—"

"What do we do now? Just keep running like this? We haven't gotten very far. They have horses — I feel they'll catch up very soon."

"Gonggong is right. A man cannot outrun a horse. So we might as well stop and rest while we still have the strength." Liu Songping agreed with Wei Zhongxian's assessment. "But to say there is no way out at all — that may not be entirely true."

Before Wei Zhongxian could ask further, he beckoned to Qi Wang.

"Third Uncle?" Qi Wang, who was standing to the side, asked quizzically.

"We'll split up and run in a moment. You take Wei gonggong and run that way. I'll run this way." Liu Songping pointed to two opposite directions across the open wilderness. "That way, they'll have to split up to chase us, and it'll be easier for us to escape."

"Third Uncle!" Qi Wang grew anxious. "If we really just run like this, how will we answer to the Guard when the time comes?"

"At a time like this, who cares about answering to anyone? Do you think those men, once they catch you, will kindly escort you back to the capital? Don't be a fool!" Liu Songping grew impatient and directly shouted at him in rebuke. "If you want to stay alive, do as I say! Take Wei gonggong and run, now! We'll regroup tomorrow!"

As he spoke, he kept shoving Qi Wang with his hands, pushing him back step after step.

Just then, the ground trembled faintly again, almost exactly like the tremor they had felt not long before. The mounted men were in pursuit once more.

The direction Liu Songping had chosen for himself was a stretch of open wilderness with no cover, where he would be spotted very quickly. The direction he had chosen for them, however, had large swathes of tall grass as cover, enough to conceal two people. Qi Wang, of course, had noticed this as well.

"Third Uncle, you take Wei gonggong and run! I'm young and strong — I can shake them off! When the time comes, we'll—"

"Slap!" Before Qi Wang could finish, Liu Songping landed a heavy slap across his face.

"Hurry! Run before they spot us!" Liu Songping urged once more, and then he ran straight out in the direction he had chosen for himself.

"Third Uncle…" Qi Wang's face flushed crimson. He wanted to say something more to Liu Songping, but seeing his fierce expression, he ultimately said nothing. He grabbed Wei Zhongxian and ran in the other direction.

And so the three split into two groups, fleeing along two different paths.

Wei Zhongxian's strength had long since been spent. He was merely being dragged along by Qi Wang, stumbling as he ran. The grass blades constantly scraped against his face, making it sting sharply. His body and hands were also scratched, leaving mottled wounds.

They ran for a good while, until the trembling of the ground could no longer be felt. Wei Zhongxian also felt that his stamina had reached its absolute limit.

"Enough, we've run far enough… let me… let me rest!" Wei Zhongxian said, panting heavily. "Give me water. I'm unbearably thirsty!"

Qi Wang silently released his shoulder and stood to the side. It was plain to see that he had no enthusiasm for rescuing Wei Zhongxian and was only obeying because his third uncle had ordered it.

Under normal circumstances, Wei Zhongxian would not have bothered to take issue with him, but now that the two of them were fleeing together, Wei Zhongxian did not want any lingering resentment between them.

"Young lad, you still hate me, don't you?" Wei Zhongxian forced out a smile uglier than a grimace. "You hate me for being a treacherous eunuch, for leading a pack of wicked ministers to ruin the Great Ming, to ruin this pure and peaceful world under heaven… But look at me now — reduced to this state. What more evil could I possibly do? The world is still in ruin, and you now suffer the slander and entrapment of those villains. Surely you cannot blame me for that?"

The corner of Qi Wang's mouth twitched, but he made no sound. Clearly, he himself knew that in their present circumstances, blaming Wei Zhongxian was pointless.

"Yes, I have committed wrongs. If not for me, perhaps the Great Ming would not have sunk so deep that it is hard to recover. But let me tell you something from the heart — I am more anxious than you to restore the Great Ming! The late emperor entrusted the realm to my care. Would I deliberately ruin it?" After the brief rest, Wei Zhongxian's heartbeat had gradually steadied, and his speech slowly returned to a normal pace. "Forget it, forget it. There's no point in saying these things now. I only wanted to tell you this: since the capital now considers you a rebel who has joined the bandits, there is no need for you to remain loyal to the Great Ming court any longer. Even less is there any need to continue this thankless errand. Let us part ways here and now!"

"Part ways?" Qi Wang was startled again, clearly not understanding Wei Zhongxian's intent.