Book 14: Chapter 108

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Admiring Flowers on the Eaves

The mighty power of the Seven Champion White Princes was public knowledge, and everyone knew Emperor Yuansheng wasnt happy about it. Ever since Luo Ming reduced them to Six Champion White Princes, their fate hung in the balance.

Fiends Genesis rampage was but a verse in a song. While they did push the envelope, there werent many of them, and they didnt achieve much. Although Jiang Chen wasnt able to accomplish his goals in the end, he was the only person who managed to put the capital in a state of unrest. The combination of Qilin Guards arresting people affiliated with the martial world and guards patrolling strictly every single day had the people in a state of unease around the clock. Since there was already tension, the appearance of five armies showing up outside the city incited chaos inside the walls. Ever since dawn, there had been plenty of wealthy residents trying to flee north; when more residents attempted to flee, the once busy streets were blocked as tight as a can of sardines. Thankfully, Long Zaitian promptly shut the doors. Zha Pi yelled and then dragged off five wealthy former officials, whipped them and then dispersed the ma.s.ses, earning Liu Shan Men a merit.

Due to the situation, Bai Yumos escape lost its flare. Her ident.i.ty as Bronze Mask was unsurprisingly censored, but Emperors Entourage had dispatched agents to collect information. How much Emperor Yuansheng would learn was still unknown. Nonetheless, it didnt require a genius to realise that itd be an important case secretly submitted to His Majesty as it had the potential to become the impetus for him clas.h.i.+ng with Valley of Yearning.

His Majesty refused to see anyone while he was on vacation, but the officials were aware that he privately met with high-ranking representatives of Emperors Entourage and Qilin Guards before he went on vacation. Therefore, they were sure he had a countermeasure in mind. While the Qilin Guards and Emperors Entourage were taking action, Shen Yiren was mad because Liu Shan Men was left out of the meeting.

Tang Ye and Su Xiao were still recovering at Liu Shan Men. Shen Yiren had her hands full with a case. In the end, she kicked Song Ou out and forced him to personally patrol the city. It was a waste of talent to waste his high-calibre skills on such a menial task, but, for the sake of never having any chance of appearing, he figured hed have to start being seen working at the current rate things were going for him recently.

Song Ou appearing meant that hed bring his right-and-left hand man with him Zha Pi, the expert at bullying the weak. No citizen dared to attempt running from the capital for as long as Zha Pi was watching over them. As for Song Ou, he was annoyed over the fact that he was egged as soon as he stepped onto the street to complete his simple job. Why was he egged? Think about his family affiliation.

The White Princes descendants didnt have it easy in the capital. There had been numerous negative rumours about them floating around since last month, so the recent event pushed the peoples despise for them to the peak. Song Chi and company were ordered to stay on Daren Academys grounds for their own safety. In reality, they were under house arrest.ReadNovelFull.com

Bai Yumo had fled. Jin Zhaoying acted alone. Ling Shaoxuan was still unconscious. Thus, there were only Song Chi and Xun Feng.

You found out Bai Yumo is Bronze Mask? Xun Feng sounded irritated as he bandaged his injured shoulder.

Not too much.

What is that supposed to mean? That means you knew? Why did you not tell me, then?

She never tells me what she does the same way Sister Jin does not. Moreover, I only have a vague idea Sister Bai has hallucinations.

Hallucinations? You mean she doesnt have awareness of her actions?

The condition was similar to sleep walking, except the victim could operate for longer. You could see it was akin to being in a nightmare as it there was rationality involved in some facet rather than random wandering. What they seen mightve been fragmented, but you could identify the source.

Song Chi nodded. Third Uncle Bai stressed multiple times that she has suffered from it since childhood. I never thought it was so serious when it afflicted her. I noticed her gaze change completely every now and then; Id describe her alter ego as a blade out of its sheath. Those must have been times she was victim to it.

Xun Feng wasnt fully convinced just yet. After all, he had never seen such a severe case. Plus, he didnt see her behaving as if she was sleeping; her actions were methodical. Hed have been more convinced if he was told that she switched personalities. Nevertheless, it wasnt time to be arguing with Song Chi.

Since Bai Yumo won the martial arts contest, their team won the idol compet.i.tion. Although she did switch characters at the end, she was still technically Bai Yumo, right? The prizes would be handed out tomorrow night at the bonfire ceremony.

Sister Bai cant be used, then.

Song Chi grouched, You want to use her?

If shes Bronze Mask, theres no harm. Maybe she could even open a new path for us. Anything beats being under house arrest here.

Even if you dont consider us allies, how does the thought of using a seventeen-year-old girl even cross your mind?! You are a monk!

Xun Feng smirked. Doesnt change the fact that shes Bronze Mask. For all we know, we might be next on her hit list. Her internal energy is impressive enough, and her broadswordplay is no joke. I always said she was inexperienced, or shed be incredibly helpful. Little did I know shes far better than I gave her credit for. You werent there, but I saw her knock Tang Ye away with a single wave of her hand. Not even He Kanyu and Lan Jiqiong together could hold her back. Theres a chance that neither of us could match her, either. Also, have you forgotten she killed your uncle?

One of the reasons Bai Yumo was able to successfully behead Song Chis third uncle and make him one of her stepping stones was thanks to her staying at Daren Academy.

Song Chi sighed. Perhaps it no longer matters.

True. The imminent crash course is whats most important at the moment.

Brother Feng, why must you provoke conflict? You know the five armies didnt a.s.semble to clash with the imperial court.

Tell me the reason, then.

I didnt know at first myself, but I told my father that we cant clash with the imperial court under any circ.u.mstances, and he promised he wouldnt.

Brother Song, why do you always put people up and yourself down. Why are you always wavering and changing sides?

Song Chis aura changed hostile. I have only ever taken one side Song Clans side. Everything I have, wear and think about comes from Song Clan. For Song Clan, I will not hesitate to sacrifice my life. Should anyone try to harm Song Clan, Ill put my life on the line. If you want to humiliate me, why dont you just fight me. Why wag your tongue?

Notwithstanding getting along cordially when they first linked up and arrived, they had started to argue frequently more recently, and the tension had reached a new peak.

Xun Feng grinned. For your clan? Have you forgotten the imperial court is trying to strip us?! If youre trying to help your clan, why are you hesitating to take action? Are you just going to let them destroy our clans? I never intended to insult you; Im saying this for your sake. You know better than me how hard it was for your clan to build itself into what it is today, so why would you hand it over to someone else? Your clan and Jin Clan started from zero. What did this dynastys progenitor tell your ancestors? Did he say they would take back their promise whenever they pleased? Whod respect them if that happened?

This is something you ought to keep between only us. Its treason if someone else hears that, Song Chi a.s.serted in a quiet voice.

Tell that to someone who isnt a monk who does as he pleases and is often disrespectful. All thats missing is a pot of tea. Xun Feng took out a pot of wine and cup from his sleeve, then poured himself a drink.

Song Chi couldnt help but smile. Brother Feng, youre already quite drunk without even having had a drink.

Why else would I have said what I said? Drink with me.

Song Chi forced himself to have one drink, while Xun Feng knocked back three.

Its good, praised Song Chi.

Brother, not being able to appreciate the wine is wasting my wine, isnt it?

Song Chi smiled, To tell the truth, our divide has arrived.

Exactly. Xun Feng had another three drinks. You dont seem to disagree with the fact that the imperial court is treating us unfairly.

It is unfair. Howbeit, who gets to say what is fair and unfair? He is the Emperor. That is already the most unfair thing in the world.

Xun Feng spent a while digesting what he heard, then knocked on the table. Well said! Were it not for what you said, I wouldve thought books had softened you. Im a monk; I dont care for mundane matters. All I want is fairness!

Song Chi bitterly smiled. You misunderstood.

Misunderstood? Xun Feng hiked up a brow. Youre speaking up for His Majesty now? You think its right to remove us from power? You, Song Clan and the rest of world thinks its reasonable?

That no longer has any importance. Its written on the wall based on His Majestys tactics that he is not backing down. Song Chi shook his head, paused, then continued, You mentioned the rest of the world. Lets put aside the reality that they may not even support us. His Majesty has an honest, generous and benevolent reputation to protect, so he wont do the things you suggested. By extension, he wont resort to violence as his first choice. Instead, he will take us down one at a time. Luo Sword Manor started since Luo Ming is tied to His Majesty. Didnt we foresee it when he was in Huzhou? Brother Feng, this is an inevitable course.

Xun Feng lowered his head.

Moreover, the imperial court is sincere Im not arguing hes trying to strip us of our power, but tell me what happened to Luo Sword Manor afterwards? You saw the decree this morning What happened to Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor? Arent they still doing fine?

The Six Champion White Princes discussed what their choice would be before the five of them were dispatched. Using Luo Sword Manor as an example, they managed to weaken the resolve of some. It went without saying that profit was always the priority. It was best to avoid being stripped of their t.i.tle; whod sacrifice their own familys profits for peace? Plus, itd be impossible for them to rise from the ashes if they handed over all their tools to rise. The decree sent this morning basically glossed over Northern Wondrous Warrior Manors crimes and praised them for ma.s.sive contributions instead. The reward handed out to them would make one drool. That further diminished the will to fight amongst those wis.h.i.+ng for a peaceful resolution, and among those was Song Chi.

Thats why we White Princes have to come together, no?

Thats a wise decision and also the reason I am here, responded Song Chi, but what happens after?

What do you mean?

Irrespective of how united we are, we are still six different families at the end of the day. Ling Hanzhong used to command our families, only for the Qilin Guards to practically eat him from behind. Had he truly tried, thered have been no peace in these last few years. Thankfully, he stopped before he crossed the line and pa.s.sed the reins over to his son. Ling Yaos.h.i.+ would never make such a foolish mistake.

Brother Feng, you know as well as I do that this status quo cant be managed for long. At most, we can only keep this up for a year and a half. Well go back to governing ourselves afterwards, while His Majesty will continue to press the attack. Theres no avoiding the pain of choosing between war and peace.

War.

Why not peace? Its not us who are dishonouring the promise back then.

Why did Li Clans ancestors promise when they started the nation? As long as they were in power, we seven would remain Princes. Oh, so they forgot because its been a century? When have we ever held back at all when it came to protecting the capital? I lost over forty senior brothers in the campaign at Lawless Cliff six years ago. Did Cold Mountain Temple ever complain? Did our abbot complain about leading an army of monks into the war to help? Look at how were being treated now! Youve read all those books in vain!

I dont trust them, and I dont believe I did any wrongs, either.

Why are you being such a coward? Youre a man with big ambitions. You led us into the capital and knew Bai Yumos secret; how can someone like that be without a desire? Why are you suddenly cowering? What are you fearful of?!

Song Chi held back from arguing several times. In the end, he replied, Because our odds of winning arent great.

Youre surrendering before the battle has even started!

Lets do some simple calculations: what are our odds of winning against the imperial court in a war?

If Dark Robe Brotherhood joins us, 60%, Xun Feng got to his feet to a.s.sert.

The two of them had the most reliable evaluation of the status quo; His Majesty would more than likely agree with them.

They wont.

You think so? Have you heard some rumour or something?

Judging from Xun Fengs bright smile, it was obvious that Dark Robe Brotherhood was divided internally, but Song Chi still didnt see anything to celebrate about it. Based on his own knowledge, he didnt raise their odds of winning by much even if some of them did support the war.

Even if I havent heard anything, there are three words that guarantee they wont join us.

Which three words?

w.a.n.g Muren.

Both of them went silent as if he could hear them despite knowing he wasnt within earshot.

Hes a mad dog His Majesty raised. Hell bite anyone who dares to even think of harming His Majesty even if theyre his own kin. If w.a.n.g and Xie Clans dare to revolt, he wont hesitate to slaughter every single one of them. What difference would it make even if Dark Robe Brotherhood revolted? Could you confidently say that either of us knows Dark Robe Brotherhood better than w.a.n.g Muren? Since Xun Feng spent a long time musing, Song Chi urged, I came to the realisation a long time ago that whether or not the White Princes can stand the test of time doesnt depend on the imperial court but ourselves. No matter what contributions we have made, the moment we shake up His Majestys rule, we wont be pardoned.

Hahaha, what a joke. If its on us, why is it that were in this predicament in this era after five Emperors?

Heed my advice, Brother Feng. Give up on war. It wont yield the result you desire.

Even Bai Yumo is more courageous than you! Xun Feng was so furious that he started pointing at Song Chi as he went on. Even Bai Yumo can send ripples through the capital. Youre a scion of Song Clan, yet youre being a coward. Are you okay with giving your ancestors blood, sweat and tears to someone else?

Song Chi stood up. I am a scion of Song Clan. I will give my all for Song Clan. Im not a tool to do someones bidding, help someone gain wealth and fulfil their ambitions at the cost of my clans wellbeing. Whats there to complain about when we have a healthy family? Youre telling me to gamble on a 60% chance, not for the people, but for someone else? Is that how you truly evaluate this situation? Really?

They stared at each other for a long time before Xun Feng sighed and sat back down.

Whats the point of this argument, even? Its all on tomorrow.

***

The White Princes had lost several hundred troops by the next day. When they sent envoys to inquire what the cause was, they were just told, A demons wind.

In just one day, twenty-eight thousand elites had gathered under Secretary Lies banner, and the number was still rising.

The Qilin Guards and Liu Shan Men had increased their patrols in case of unforeseen security issues, as well as handed out firework signals to officials so that they could notify guards and the three offices in emergencies. Forty-five minutes before nightfall, the first firework ascended into the ether from the direction of a street n.o.bles lived on.

Guards rushed to the street, only to see a second firework signal in the opposite direction. Consequently, the constables and guards had to rush over right after. After that, a trail of fire streaked through the air from a direction that no firework shouldve been spotted in. The fatigued constables and guards were unsure how to respond to the emergency. The worst part of it all was that the biggest flame exploded above a terrible place.

Thats the Prime Ministers estate! The Qilin Guards sped over.

There were unconscious servants strewn across Prime Minister Lis estate. The intruder scared all the servants who tried to stop him without even having to lift a finger. Just after the Emperors Entourage agents and Qilin Guards a.s.signed to the estate dropped at the mans feet, Bai Ju yawned and lazily questioned, Prime Minister Li live here?