Chapter 43:
Shen Qiao Weeps
SHEN QIAO RESTED his forehead in his palm. “This humble Shen thinks that you can no longer call this a coincidence.”
Yan Wushi languidly turned over the cup on the table and filled it halfway with water. He didn’t drink, just left it there. “It’s such a small world. We part at the ends of the sky, only to meet at the edges of the sea. This venerable one thinks we’re quite linked by fate.”
“Why has Sect Leader Yan come here?”
“Well, why have you come here?” asked Yan Wushi.
“I’m heading to the capital of Qi, Yecheng.”
“Oh? Truly a coincidence. I’m heading to Yecheng as well.”
Shen Qiao was caught between laughing and crying. “I’m going to look for someone. Surely you’re not looking for somewhere there as well?”
“What a strange thing to say,” said Yan Wushi. “Why am I not allowed to look for someone?”
Shen Qiao ignored him and silently finished his tea and snacks. After paying his bill, he picked up his cane, ready to continue on his way.
Yan Wushi stood as well. With his hands clasped behind him, he followed after Shen Qiao, not fast but not slow.
He maintained distance of about seven to eight paces between them. Never closer, never farther.
Shen Qiao took the bizarre situation in stride. He entered Liang Province, found an inn, and set down his featherlight traveling bags. Then he ordered some food and went to sit on the second floor, where he slowly ate.
It was a little past noon. Most guests had already finished their meals and left, so while the second floor was otherwise empty, the floor below was quite lively. The noon market had just opened, and a number of people rushed toward the area carrying their wares.
Shen Qiao ordered a jug of plum juice. He’d only taken half a sip when Yan Wushi emerged, climbing the stairs in the corner.
He smiled at Shen Qiao. “Your expression doesn’t have the joy of someone who’s seen their old comrade from a distant land.”
Shen Qiao said helplessly, “I’d be happier if Sect Leader Yan hadn’t come just to see me.”
“Indeed, I didn’t come just to see you,” said Yan Wushi.
He sat down next to him, and Shen Qiao called the waiter over. Soon a second jug of plum juice arrived, together with a bowl and chopsticks.
Yan Wushi laughed. “Why is A-Qiao in such a hurry to draw a line between us?”
Shen Qiao didn’t take him seriously. “I recall that you value cleanliness. You would never share a jug with someone else.”
Yan Wushi didn’t reply.
“Why did Sect Leader Yan come here, if not to find me?” asked Shen Qiao.
“Yuwen Yong has already drawn up a large-scale plan to conquer Qi. All of Qi is in terror over the news. Even Hehuan Sect has begun to splinter from within.”
He didn’t use the fresh jug the waiter had brought. Instead, he picked up Shen Qiao’s jug and poured some into his bowl, then brought it to his mouth and took a sip.
“Yuan Xiuxiu wants to collaborate with Huanyue Sect, but Sang Jingxing refuses. The two of them fell out, and now Yuan Xiuxiu has sent me a message saying that Sang Jingxing is currently in Yecheng. She’d like me to help her kill him.”
Although Sang Jinxing had been the only disciple of Riyue Sect’s final leader, Cui Youwang, he hadn’t pursued the reunification of the demonic sects when Riyue Sect splintered. Instead, he pursued an ardent relationship with Yuan Xiuxiu. In this way, he became an extraordinarily high-ranked elder in Hehuan Sect. But if anyone were to look down on him for this choice, thinking that it meant he was incompetent, they’d be gravely mistaken.
The man reveled in murder, was a fanatic when it came to beauties and sex, and had countless enemies, but he also possessed overwhelming martial prowess that was in a class of its own. His ranking among the world’s top ten was especially difficult to locate—some claimed he ranked in the top three, while others disagreed.
Word had it that he’d absorbed the entirety of Cui Youwang’s martial arts before his master’s death. Some went even further, claiming that Sang Jingxing was a monster who’d betrayed all decency—killing his own master to steal his martial arts. Though no one had witnessed the crime, Sang Jingxing’s reputation was such that many people were happy to add it to the tally of his misdeeds.
Shen Qiao sighed. “Sang Jingxing must have worked hard to help Yuan Xiuxiu establish Hehuan Sect. Even if they’ve fallen out and become enemies now, surely there’s no need to go so far as killing each other!”
Yan Wushi sneered. “Even Xuandu Mountain has martial siblings turning against each other. When it happens in demonic sects, where ‘the strong prey on the weak’ reigns supreme, such incidents will only be more overt. Now Sang Jingxing has created his own faction inside Hehuan Sect, and the disciples in it only pay lip service to Yuan Xiuxiu while silently undermining her authority. Just because she doesn’t express her hatred doesn’t mean she feels none. Otherwise, why has she yet to seek revenge on you for killing Huo Xijing right in front of her? He was Sang Jingxing’s disciple.”
“It’s highly likely that Yuan Xiuxiu wants to have you kill Sang Jingxing for her.”
“Even if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be good news for my venerable self if Sang Jingxing were to die? A Hehuan Sect without him, with only Yuan Xiuxiu, could never contend with Huanyue Sect. And once Zhou annexes Qi, their ability to stir up trouble will be greatly limited as well.”
Shen Qiao shook his head and raised his bowl. “Then I can only hope that Sect Leader Yan achieves his goals.”
“Many thanks.”
Their bowls clinked, the resulting sound crisp and pleasant. Shen Qiao thought back to when they’d first met. He’d never have imagined that there’d come a time where he and Yan Wushi could chat peacefully like this, and he smiled despite himself.
Yan Wushi saw the smile on Shen Qiao’s lips but averted his eyes and picked up a piece of asparagus with his chopsticks. “Did you find the person you were looking for?”
“Not yet,” said Shen Qiao. “I’ve heard that they’re on the road, but I haven’t been able to catch up to them.”
“You’re looking for Yu Ai’s group, aren’t you?”
Shen Qiao didn’t hide it. “Yes. Now that I’ve recovered some of my martial arts, enough to defend myself, I have no need to fear what Yu Ai’s planning. Even if we can’t come to an agreement, I’ll still be able to walk away. I’ve heard that he brought two elders and Gu-shimei with him on his travels, and they’re heading to the Eastern Khaganate. I wish to speak with Gu-shimei first.”
“Since Yu Ai’s left Xuandu Mountain, they’re without a leader right now,” said Yan Wushi. “Why not return there first and take back the sect leader’s seat? Do that and he’ll be powerless when he returns.”