“I had the fortune of meeting the Daoist Grandmaster Qi once before his passing,” Ruyan Kehui said. “We only conversed for a few days, yet I felt as if we were old friends. I invited your master to join me in supporting an enlightened ruler, in order to return peace and prosperity to the common folk throughout the land. Your master was unwilling to involve Xuandu Mountain in secular affairs, but he supported the idea of proper dynastic succession. That’s why he established that twenty-year covenant with Hulugu. Even though Daoist Master Shen is no longer the sect leader of Xuandu Mountain, you are still Daoist Grandmaster Qi’s disciple. Will you truly abandon your Master’s guiding principles and policies just like that?”
“Academy Master Ruyan is not quite right,” said Shen Qiao. “Leaving aside that my relationship with Sect Leader Yan is not what others think, Huanyue Sect supports the Zhou Dynasty, which flourishes more by the day and grants its people peace and comfort. Are you saying that just because Yuwen Yong is of the Xianbei people, he cannot rule the Central Plains and unite the lands? My master opposed betraying the interests of the Central Plains people by colluding with foreign tribes. But if those same foreigners come to the Central Plains and learn our culture, if they treat themselves and the Han as one and the same, then why can’t they be considered enlightened rulers?”
Ruyan Kehui shook his head, a touch of gravity coloring his tone. “No matter how much time passes, foreign barbarians will remain foreign barbarians. They won’t change just by entering and settling down in the Central Plains. Look at Qi—the ancestors of the Gao family weren’t even from the foreign tribes. But they’ve been immersed in the northern cultures for too long and have completely assimilated into them—now they lack even a trace of Han etiquette. The Lord of Qi is a capricious fool who allows scoundrels and women to destroy his imperial court. I fear that the Gao family’s reign is nearing its end. Meanwhile, Zhou grew powerful due to the Göktürks—eventually they even sought connections through marriage, employing all kinds of tricks to please them. But surely Daoist Master Shen understands very well the danger the Göktürks pose to our Central Plains?”
In the end, Ruyan Kehui believed that the Emperor of Chen was an enlightened ruler who could unite the lands, and he hoped to persuade Shen Qiao to change sides and choose righteousness. His great sincerity was apparent—despite his rank and status, he’d come here personally. After all, strictly speaking, Shen Qiao had lost the position of sect leader, and his martial arts were far diminished compared to before. He could no longer match Ruyan Kehui in status, so there was no need for Ruyan Kehui to ask him in person. And yet here he was.
A few months ago, when Shen Qiao had just entered secular society and had little understanding of the ways of the world, such a speech might have moved him. But he’d formed his own opinions now. After listening, he only shook his head and spoke plainly. “At the moment, this humble Daoist represents no sect and is only a lone soul wandering the jianghu, trying to survive amidst the chaos. Whether I pledge my allegiance presents little significance to either Linchuan Academy or Chen. This humble Shen is infinitely grateful that, out of respect for my master, Academy Master Ruyan came to personally advise me today. But all I can do is appreciate your kindness within my heart.”
Ruyan Kehui heaved a quiet sigh. “I can hear from Daoist Master Shen’s voice that you have a blockage, probably due to long-unhealed internal injuries. If you are willing to recuperate at Linchuan Academy, I can help treat your injuries together with the best doctors in Chen Palace!”
Shen Qiao had once heard Yan Wushi say that the current Empress of Zhou, Liu Jinyan, was Ruyan Kehui’s shimei, hence Ruyan Kehui was very close to the royal family of Chen. And now it appeared that was the truth: it was impossible for the average person to so casually make a promise on behalf of the royal physicians.
Still, Shen Qiao was a little moved that Ruyan Kehui would go as far as to make such an overture. “Many thanks to Academy Master Ruyan. This Shen is unworthy of this offer, as lacking in virtue and ability as he is. He dares not accept.”
Truthfully, Ruyan Kehui hadn’t for a moment imagined that his expedition today would be a futile exercise because Shen Qiao had no reason to reject him, neither logically nor emotionally.
All of a sudden, he recalled those preposterous rumors about Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao’s relationship, but he immediately rejected them as so preposterous, it was laughable. Simply impossible.
“Very well,” he said. “Linchuan Academy has never forced things on the unwilling.” On Ruyan Kehui’s face was a faint look of dismay.
Shen Qiao’s own expression was apologetic. “This humble Daoist is foolish and stubborn. Because of him, the Academy Master’s trip here was in vain.”
Ruyan Kehui smiled. “The guest complex isn’t far from here, but it will be difficult to locate for an outlander. The peddler with you has been knocked unconscious; shall I take you there on his behalf?”
“Academy Master Ruyan must be bored out of his mind with nothing to do! Instead of reminiscing with your shimei the empress, you came all the way here to convince A-Qiao to switch sides! Too bad A-Qiao is adamant about staying with me—how awfully disappointed you must be!”
These words, obviously, were not Shen Qiao’s.
From the street corner appeared a man, walking in their direction at an even pace.
Unlike the sounds of ringing jade that Ruyan Kehui had used to herald his arrival, Yan Wushi moved in absolute silence. His robes flapped and furled, yet he was as elegant and assured as ever, as if no one in the world could halt his steps, nor was worth a second of his attention.
It was an insolent arrogance, but a silent one.
Ruyan Kehui remained unruffled, and the hint of a smile even crept across his face. “Now that I think about it, Sect Leader Yan and I haven’t seen each other since your seclusion. I see today that your martial arts have indeed progressed by leaps and bounds—covering a thousand miles in a day.”
Yan Wushi stopped half a step behind Shen Qiao, advancing no further. He sized Ruyan Kehui up briefly, with narrowed eyes. “Yet you continue to spin in place and have barely improved in ten years.”
After that, the two of them spoke no further, only glowered at each other.
A passing observer, ignorant of the situation, would probably think they had some sort of strange, exceptionally intense relationship.
Yan Wushi’s robes fluttered despite the lack of wind while the hem of Ruyan Kehui’s robe moved nary an inch.
Suddenly, Shen Qiao said, “If the two of you want to fight, I beg you to do it elsewhere. There is an ordinary civilian here who knows nothing of martial arts, and he shouldn’t be harmed in the crossfire.”
He’d just spoken his last word when Ruyan Kehui moved.
But he didn’t move in Yan Wushi’s direction—rather, he swept off toward the outskirts of the city. His parting line drifted behind him. “There is open space outside the city!”
The words carried internal energy—Ruyan Kehui’s martial prowess was no joke. In an instant, his voice had reached half of Jiankang, astonishing everyone who heard it.
Yan Wushi gave a cold snort. Then, seemingly without moving a muscle, he streaked away as well.
Several silhouettes swept after him, right on his heels: all the martial artists who’d heard the commotion and were rushing to witness the battle.
For this was a battle that was bound to shake the very world.