By the time I saw Zhang Si and Li Zhong, the ward chiefs of the eastern and western districts, out of the yamen, the early morning downpour had somehow dissolved into a pervasive, misty drizzle.
Looking at the stone-paved road beneath my feet, washed clean by the rain, I felt for a fleeting moment as if I were in the enchanting, rain-swept landscapes of Jiangnan. Memories of the past surfaced bit by bit; they were thoughts I dared not dwell upon, yet they stirred a baseless melancholy within me.
Zhang Si and Li Zhong reached the end of the street, then turned back to offer a polite, cupped-hand salute. The two men were similar in age and build, though Zhang Si was slightly taller.
I hadn't intended to make a show of seeing them off; it was simply that the damp, soft air was so refreshing I found myself lingering. After standing outside the gates for a moment, I turned to Ming Yue. "If you have questions, ask them."
Ming Yue was a pale, elegant young man, tall and slender. His gentle amber eyes always held a faint trace of a smile. He didn't care for blades, but his mastery of lightness techniques and hidden weapons was superb. He was also meticulous; it was said that back at Heavenly Abyss Peak, he was the one responsible for the sect’s administrative trifles.
The yamen was situated on the busiest street in Baicheng. Its gates stood wide open, yet inside and out, there was a deathly silence.
Had the building been dilapidated, such desolation might have seemed fitting. But now, freshly painted and renovated, the silence only amplified its coldness. It was like a meticulously dressed performer stepping onto a stage only to find no one cheering—beyond the loneliness, there was an indescribable, subtle awkwardness.
Ming Yue let out a soft sigh behind me. "Will they really come tomorrow?"
"Losing heart already?" I smiled faintly, leading him through the silent corridors toward the rear hall. Even in fair weather, few people frequented this place; on a gloomy, rainy day like this, not a soul was to be seen.
In truth, while I appeared calm, I was just as uncertain as Ming Yue about the conversation we’d just had.
Two months ago, when we had chased the remnants of Han Jiang’s forces into Baicheng, the local Prefect had fled with his family and the retreating troops.
"Once the Prefect left, the yamen became 'our' yamen in the eyes of the commoners," I said, finding a chair and sitting down. "As you said, when the people have disputes, they’d rather go to their ward chiefs. In reality, the role of a ward chief has always been to assist in law enforcement. Now... the roles are reversed."
I took the teacup Ming Yue handed me and signaled for him to sit. "Since they all go to the ward chiefs anyway, we might as well strike first and have the ward chiefs work for 'our' yamen."
Ming Yue looked at me skeptically. "What if they refuse to come?"
"If we simply invited them to work in the yamen, they certainly wouldn't agree," I explained. "That’s why I invited them both together and told them they would each have a three-month trial. During those three months, a clerk will record exactly how many disputes each man handles and how they resolve them. After three months, those records will be made public, and the people of Baicheng will decide for themselves, electing one of the two as the new Magistrate to mediate civil disputes."
Ming Yue had heard this during the meeting, but hearing me explain it in detail now, his brow remained furrowed.
"A Magistrate, not a Prefect," I emphasized. "Even though we are asking them to do the work of a Prefect, the title 'Magistrate' sounds closer to 'Ward Chief.' It sounds like someone who runs errands and does chores for the people. It makes them feel that even if Marshal Chu eventually fights his way back, he won't blame a mere Magistrate—and isn't that exactly what they're worried about?"
"So that’s why you repeatedly stressed that they are working for the people of Baicheng?"
I nodded. "Furthermore, we need to establish a supervisory body to ensure the Magistrate enforces the law fairly. Ideally, the local residents should oversee the enforcement themselves. To do that, they’ll have to learn our Civil Code first..." I paused, unable to suppress a small sigh. "For now, this is all we can do."
Ming Yue remained lost in thought, processing my words.
"Right now, the most urgent task is to get the residents of the Northern Six Prefectures involved in what we’re doing. Pull them in first, and let them slowly experience the benefits for themselves."
I wondered if this elaborate scheme would truly work. The thought made me feel as though I were crossing a river by feeling the stones—every step was fraught with uncertainty. It was more mentally taxing than guarding Akasha Pass.
"Any leads on Wu Ying, the one who incited the riots at the Bingzhou iron mines?" I suddenly remembered, forcing myself to focus. "Wasn't it said he was spotted in Baicheng?"
A spark flared in Ming Yue’s eyes. "Now that you mention it, I just remembered something. There’s a White Cloud Temple outside the city that has seen a lot of traffic lately. I’ll arrange for someone to investigate immediately." Without waiting for my reply, he leaped up and ran out.
I shook my head. Things had been going poorly lately; he was likely stifled and desperate for action.
Just as I lowered my head to take a sip of tea, a tiny speck of dust drifted into my cup.
I instantly dropped the cup and flipped backward.
A piercing cold glint struck the chair where I had just been sitting. With a sharp crack, the chair split down the middle and collapsed into a heap. A figure in grey, hidden in the rafters, brandished a sword that lunged toward me with lightning speed.
My Xuanwu Blade rose to meet it. The weapons clashed with a bone-chilling screech.
The grey-clad assassin missed his mark and tried to withdraw. I wasn't about to let him escape so easily; I lunged forward, the Xuanwu Blade aimed straight for his heart. The man dodged the strike, his longsword darting toward my throat, only to stop abruptly just before piercing the skin.
My blade was already pressed against his neck. I stared at him, unblinking, even as his sword's qi nicked my skin.
A small, warm trickle of blood flowed down my neck and into my collar.
A flicker of hesitation finally crossed the brilliant eyes visible above his mask. That was the moment I had been waiting for. I released my grip on the blade without hesitation and, with maximum speed, struck seven of his major acupoints in a single breath.
The Xuanwu Blade fell to the bluestone floor with a resonant *clang*.
I stepped back and clapped my hands, feigning ease.
The grey-clad man’s eyes were wide with fury.
"I trust you've been well?" I reached out to pull off his mask, but stopped myself. Since I had already guessed his identity, why bother with the formality of proof?
The man was startled. "You recognize me?" he blurted out.
I let out a mocking laugh. "I may not have seen your martial arts before, but I know your eyes. I simply don't understand if your actions today are for yourself, or for the Restoration Society behind you."
His gaze flickered sharply.
"I don't understand. The borders have been ravaged by war for years. The economy of the Northern Six Prefectures has stagnated, fields lie fallow, and the people have lived on relief for generations. You... what exactly are you trying to 'restore'?" I stared into his eyes, demanding an answer.
"Under the wide heaven, all is the King's land. Within the sea-boundaries, all are the King's subjects," he replied, meeting my gaze steadily.
"So, if His Majesty the Emperor happens to forget the people of the Northern Six Prefectures, they deserve to starve to death? Brother Ying, do you truly believe the lives of the common people are so cheap?"
Ying Hui’s shoulders shook slightly.
I shook my head. "I think differently than you. In my eyes, whether they are commoners or nobles, everyone has the right to a better life. Why should the commoners be forced to strictly obey so-called laws while the high nobility can execute servants at will? Brother Ying, don't you think that before God, we are all equal?"
I looked at Ying Hui, but he only stared back in astonishment. His expression was somewhat discouraging. I was about to speak again when he said proudly, "The Northern Six Prefectures are the territory of Yantian. We are all subjects of Yantian. No matter how silver-tongued you are, you are still a rebel!"
"So what if I am a rebel?" Having heard it so often, the word no longer stung.
I smiled faintly. "This rebel is planting medicinal herbs and flax in the Northern Six Prefectures. In two or three years, they might not need relief anymore. I’ve reduced taxes, opened free schools, established nursing homes and clinics. The people don't have to pay to see a doctor... Tell me, Hero Ying, which of these things have I done to wrong the people here?"
A trace of disdain flashed in Ying Hui’s dark eyes. "If the name is not right, the words will not carry weight. If you truly cared for the people, why did you lead an army to invade?"
"Right names and weighted words?" I scoffed. "The ground we stand on belonged to King Aluō four hundred years ago."
Ying Hui choked on his words.
"If you truly wanted to kill me, using a sword was rather naive." I walked up to him and said seriously, "You heard what I said to Ming Yue. Why doesn't your Restoration Society take on the role of supervising law enforcement? Firstly, you can see firsthand where the flaws in my methods lie. Secondly, you can consider it infiltrating the enemy. When you eventually see Marshal Chu, this firsthand intelligence should earn you quite a bit of credit—what do you think?"
Ying Hui’s gaze became as sharp as a hawk's. He leaned in, enunciating every word: "You want me to be your lapdog?"
"You're wrong again," I replied calmly. "Can't you see? I am letting the residents of Baicheng manage their own city. All administrators derive their power from the people; they can elect the leaders they want and manage the city according to the will of the majority. This means everyone has the right to a voice in how their city develops." I glanced at him. His expression was dazed, but he was still listening.
"Not just Baicheng—eventually, the entire Northern Six Prefectures will be like this. Above them, there will be an elected committee for overall coordination." My voice trembled slightly without me realizing it. "The pinnacle of power will no longer be a single Emperor. This world... it should belong to everyone!"
I looked at Ying Hui with hope. The confusion and shock in his eyes had faded, replaced by a restless irritation I couldn't decipher. "You are—insane!"
My heart sank.
"You are truly insane!" he muttered, repeating himself.
The ripples in my heart slowly settled, and I regained my composure.
I gave him a cool look. "If you really want to find my fatal weakness, come work in the yamen. The Magistrate handles disputes, you as the Supervisor ensure they are fair, and above you both, there is a management committee composed of Ming Yue, the local Chamber of Commerce, and security officers elected from every street. Aren't you curious about such a system of checks and balances?"
Ying Hui’s eyes flashed, seemingly moved.
"Go read the Civil Code," I said, reaching out to unblock his acupoints. "It is a law in progress. Anyone has the right to offer their own insights on its clauses."
Ying Hui stood frozen, slowly lowering his sword arm.
"Go." I turned away, unable to stop myself from rubbing my temples. Perhaps I had talked too much; a sudden, overwhelming exhaustion washed over me.
Ying Hui was still hesitating.
Perhaps I really should have killed him to end the threat. A man like him was undoubtedly a liability.
But from the moment I saw him, my mind had been replaying that winter night years ago, when the four of us sat around the hearth.
*...Warm flames danced in the stove. Ying Hui, his hair loose, leaned casually against thick cushions. He smiled as his wife took the sleeping Little Hero from my arms, then asked me: "What are your plans? Will you still work at court after you're married?"*
*I remembered my answer: "Not once I have a child. I’m going to give your Hero a beautiful wife."*
*...Ming Shao’s eyes were already clouded with wine, shimmering with a misty light. He looked at me and said with a smile: "I’ve already sent a letter home. I asked my mother to go to the Ji residence to discuss the wedding with Xixia’s father. I told them to start preparing, so we can finish the ceremony as soon as I return..."*
*...Ying Hui raised his cup and said: "Come, let’s drink to your marriage..."*
The sound of hesitant footsteps came from behind me. They weren't moving toward the door, but toward me. They stopped at my back.
"You... you and Ming Shao, what exactly..." he began tentatively.
I didn't turn around. "He is the high and mighty Prince of Yantian, a royal scion," I said tonelessly. "And I am merely a rebel. There is no 'us.' Hero Ying, it’s best not to speak of such things again, lest you bring great trouble to the Prince."
Ying Hui fell silent.
"Please leave, Hero Ying." I straightened my back, not wanting him to see the hidden ache in my heart. "I hope that for the sake of our past acquaintance, you will first seek to understand the Civil Code and the new governance of the Northern Six Prefectures. And then... come back to kill me."
I let out a long sigh and walked out through the side door without looking back.
***
I walked the streets for a long time.
Until the sky grew dim.
The streets were cold and deserted. Outside a few shops that hadn't yet closed, paper lanterns were lit, their faint yellow glow bleeding onto the wet stone slabs like an oil painting from a past life. Light is supposed to bring warmth.
But looking at it now, I only felt lonely.
I felt like a lost traveler who, upon seeing the stars above, realizes they have wandered far from their original direction, and the path back is nowhere to be found.
In this moment, gazing at the dim lights through the misty rain, I felt a sense of unreality, as if I were in a dream.
From far away, a faint shout seemed to call my name. When I strained to listen, there was nothing. Between heaven and earth, there was only the whistling of the wind.
That’s how it is in dreams. You can see nothing, grasp nothing.
I felt I could go no further. I fumbled my way to a stone mounting block under the eaves of a house and sat down.
The damp night wind carried the scent of earth and grass. It brushed against my heart like a soft feather, inadvertently dusting away a layer of grime to reveal a scene buried deep in my memory: thick shade surrounding me, and through the swaying leaves above, the faint glimmer of stars...
The faint starlight falling into his eyes, turning them into a pool of spring water...
A black shadow suddenly flashed before my eyes.
But a second later, it flashed back.
He stood there, hesitating for two steps before calling out softly, "Wuxin?"
I suddenly remembered my last night in the capital, when I sat soul-shattered on the roadside—he was the one who found me. When I was out of food and hope at Ghost God Ravine, he was the one who found me...
It seemed that from the moment we met until now, he had always been the one behind me, tirelessly chasing after my headstrong self.
Feng Tong crouched down in front of me, carefully taking my hand. "What’s wrong?"
His hands were large and warm, enough to envelop mine completely. So warm.
"I'm just... a little tired." My voice choked up for some reason.
In the darkness, he seemed to give a relieved smile. "If you're tired, then just stop caring about everything. I'll take you away from here. We'll plant flowers every day, raise birds, and teach Chi'er to read. I'll buy you delicious sugar cakes..."
He stopped mid-sentence, looking up at me in confusion. "Are you... crying?"
I shook my head. He clearly didn't believe me; he let go of my hands and reached up to touch my cheek.
I caught his hand and squeezed it tight. He seemed to tremble slightly.
Tears had blurred my vision, leaving me blind in the deep night. But I knew he was within reach—no matter how far I ran, if I turned around, I could always see him.
And I, without realizing it, had grown used to looking back every now and then as I ran.
He walked very slowly.
I leaned against his back, feeling his body sway with every step. It was like when my father used to carry me as a child.
An inexplicable sense of peace washed over me. I couldn't help but rest my head in the crook of his neck.
The fine hairs behind his ear tickled my face. I caught the faint, minty scent of him and leaned in closer. The nighttime streets were silent, as if we were the only two people left in the world.
"Feng Tong?" I whispered his name.
"What is it?" he answered softly.
"Just flowers and birds? Can we have a big dog? A very majestic one?"
"A dog? Wouldn't that scare the child?"
"Then a small dog. A fluffy one, okay?"
"I don't know... dogs always drool, and they pounce on people with dirty paws, and they chew on things..."
"Aren't they cute, though?"
"Cute? It'll get drool all over you, and you call that cute?"
"It *is* cute..."
"Better not..."
"..."
"..."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 张司 | Zhang Si | Ward chief of the eastern district in Baicheng. |
| 李钟 | Li Zhong | Ward chief of the western district in Baicheng. |
| 执事官 | Magistrate | A new administrative title created by Wuxin, literally "Executive Officer." |
| 府君 | Prefect | The traditional title for a local governor/magistrate. |
| 民律 | Civil Code | The new set of laws Wuxin is implementing. |
| 光复会 | Restoration Society | A secret organization (likely loyal to the old regime). |
| 英汇 | Ying Hui | An old acquaintance of Wuxin, member of the Restoration Society. |
| 阿罗王 | King Aluō | A historical ruler mentioned in the context of territorial history. |
| 驰儿 | Chi'er | Wuxin's child. |
[End of Chapter 81]
