Leng Feiyan finished reading Zang Ge’s detailed analysis of the various martial arts sects, feeling deeply that the sea of learning was truly boundless. Consequently, her interest in Zang Ge grew. Compared to his brother, Zangfeng, this man’s martial arts were significantly weaker, yet his knowledge was remarkably profound. If he were willing to apply himself, his achievements in martial theory would likely not be inferior to his brother’s.
That night, after finishing her dinner, Leng Feiyan slipped into Zang Ge’s study once more. Suddenly, someone outside cleared their throat softly.
Leng Feiyan stood up and saw a silhouette in the hazy moonlight. With a single glance, she recognized him. "Feng Ping? What are you doing here?"
The man who had slipped in was indeed Feng Ping. Facing Leng Feiyan, his expression was cold. "His Highness has commanded you to spread the news of Zangfeng’s death."
Leng Feiyan’s brow furrowed slightly. Being a clever woman, she quickly understood the intent. "Does the Master wish to use Zangfeng’s death to make a name for the Swallow’s Nest? But if we do this, and Hidden Sword Manor seeks revenge, I fear they will uproot the Swallow’s Nest entirely. We do not yet have the strength to oppose them."
Feng Ping replied, "I am merely the messenger. If you have objections, report them directly to His Highness."
With that, he departed. Leng Feiyan pondered for a moment, then, without a word to the manor’s steward, she set off for Daji City under the cover of night.
At that time, Daji City was a scene of devastation. The Yan army had completely annihilated over a hundred thousand elite troops of Northern Yu. Wen Qi had executed all prisoners of war, captured the enemy general Sha Xingsheng alive, and seized countless supplies, weapons, armor, and horses. Blood literally dripped from the crevices of the city’s brick walls.
The Yan army had won a magnificent victory!
When the news reached the capital, the entire court was left in a daze. The ministers, who moments ago had been urging King Murong Yuan to move the capital to Yuyang, were now utterly bewildered. Just a moment ago, Wen Qi and the Second Prince were supposedly rebelling while the enemy had penetrated deep into the heart of Yan at Daji City—how could it be that in the next moment, the nation of Yu had been wiped out by Wen Qi?
In Daji City, the buildings were severely damaged, and the commoners were in desperate need of resettlement. However, Wen Qi gathered the generals under his command. "Though this battle was a great victory, I acted on my own initiative and deployed troops without His Majesty’s orders. Although the Second Prince did not personally participate, as the Army Overseer, he is guilty of concealment and cannot escape responsibility. Now that the war is over, the Second Prince and I shall return to Jinyang together to await punishment. The position of Great General shall be temporarily assumed by Yuan Xi. Zhuge Jin and Zheng Chu, the two of you shall assist him. All military tallies and the Commander’s Seal shall be kept by General Yuan until His Majesty sends a replacement."
Before his voice had even faded, the men fell to their knees. "Marshal Wen! You cannot go to Jinyang at a time like this!"
Yuan Xi was also frantic. "Marshal Wen, I am but a crude man; how can I shoulder such a heavy responsibility? Besides, His Majesty is entirely in the dark and is easily swayed by the slander of petty men..."
Before he could finish, Wen Qi waved a hand. "My mind is made up. There is no need for further discussion." Having said that, he turned to Murong Yan and asked, "The Second Prince has no objections, I presume?"
Murong Yan smiled. "Of course. I shall follow the Marshal’s lead in everything."
For some reason, the heart that Wen Qi had kept suspended finally settled. This Second Prince had always kept his light hidden, but over the years, the exclusion, framing, and conspiracies he had endured in the palace were likely beyond anyone’s imagination. Did he truly have no other motive for taking such a massive risk this time?
When Leng Feiyan arrived at Daji City, she did not see Murong Yan. Murong Yan and Wen Qi had already removed their armor and swords and were being escorted back to the capital in prisoner carts by soldiers. She could not get close, so she left a secret signal. In the dense forest beside the ancient road between Jinyang and Daji, Zuo Canglang asked, "Why are you still here? How is your recovery?"
Leng Feiyan gave a shameless grin. "I have some business to attend to! So you still remember I was injured? I took those blades for the two of you, so what’s with this cold face of yours?"
Zuo Canglang, unable to do anything about her, said, "The Master’s return to Jinyang this time is fraught with peril. I cannot bring myself to smile. Tell me what is the matter."
Leng Feiyan said, "I don’t think he’ll die. Tell me, when we encountered Zangfeng last time, if we hadn't been able to defeat him, do you think he had a backup plan?" Zuo Canglang was slightly stunned. Leng Feiyan patted her shoulder. "Put your heart at ease. If that muddled and incompetent King of Yan really wants to kill him when the time comes, I’ll carry him out on my back myself."
Zuo Canglang finally managed a slight upward curve of her lips. "What exactly did you come to find me for?"
Leng Feiyan said, "The Master wants me to leak the news of Zangfeng’s death, but I’m worried about retaliation from Hidden Sword Manor. You understand, right?"
Zuo Canglang frowned slightly and said, "The Master told you to leak the news, but he didn't require you to state that the Swallow’s Nest killed Zangfeng. You can fabricate another faction and ensure this fictitious power has no connection to the Swallow’s Nest. That way, you can operate under that faction’s name while remaining untainted by its consequences."
Leng Feiyan slapped her forehead. "That makes sense. I’m off then; I’ll treat you to a drink later."
As she turned to leave, Zuo Canglang called out, "Feiyan, after you return to Jinyang, keep an eye on who in the city is trying to contact those in the palace."
Leng Feiyan didn't understand. "What do you mean?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Daxi Qin of the Yu Kingdom has always been resourceful; he won't let this go so easily. I suspect that Yu spies in Jinyang have already begun to move."
Leng Feiyan understood. "I’ll head back immediately."
At this time, the Yu Kingdom naturally realized they had been greatly deceived and were furious. However, having suffered massive losses in combat power, they lacked the strength for an external campaign for the time being. The Imperial Uncle, Daxi Qin, immediately instructed the spies far away in Jinyang to compose and spread a nursery rhyme. The song went:
*The Tiance star burns bright, the Dragon’s Tail hides the dawn.*
*The Abyss yields no water to the land; Fire blazes upon the great thoroughfare.*
*In uniform they march with pride, establishing our people.*
When the nursery rhyme reached Murong Yuan’s ears, he flew into a towering rage. The lines about the "Abyss yielding no water" and "Fire blazing upon the thoroughfare" thoroughly incensed him.
Upon hearing of this, Wen Qi was anxious beyond measure. He could no longer bear to stay in the prisoner cart. "Second Prince, we must return to Jinyang immediately, lest His Majesty be deceived by the enemy’s scheme to sow discord."
Murong Yan sighed. "I understand, of course. General, upon this return to court, my chances of survival are slim. I have no family, no household, and my mother died long ago; I have no lingering attachments. But there is one thing—Ah-Zuo has accompanied me for many years, and I have always regarded her as my closest kin. That child has a rigid and upright personality. If I fall into peril, I fear she might do something foolish. I ask the General to look after her. I beg of you."
His words sounded as if he were arranging his final affairs. Wen Qi was taken aback, suddenly feeling his blood run hot. He gripped Murong Yan’s shoulder and promised, "Second Prince, if His Majesty develops a murderous intent, this old general will surely risk death to remonstrate. As long as I live, I will ensure Your Highness’s safety."
Murong Yan shook his head and said, "I appreciate Marshal Wen’s kindness. However, if the Sovereign demands the subject’s death, the subject must die; if the father demands the son’s end, the son must perish. You need not trouble yourself over my affairs. Just... please, take care of Ah-Zuo."
Wen Qi fell silent. After a long while, he said, "Rest assured, Second Prince. I will certainly take good care of Lady Ah-Zuo."
Wen Qi and Murong Yan rushed back to the capital, Jinyang, through the night and knelt outside the palace to await their punishment. Murong Yuan summoned Wen Qi inside.
In the Hall of Virtuous Governance, the King of Yan sat high behind his desk, which was piled with battle reports and memorials from the northwest. Just as Wen Qi was about to kowtow, the monarch on the throne waved a hand. "Dispense with the formalities."
Wen Qi, however, was a man of utmost caution. He strictly followed the rites of a subject and performed the full formal greeting. The King of Yan sighed helplessly. "Rise," he said softly, though he did not offer a seat. Once Wen Qi stood, the King asked, "Wen Qi, why did Northern Yu suddenly send a massive army to invade our northwest?"
Wen Qi lifted his head and waited a long time before speaking. "Northern Yu did not initiate the invasion."
"Oh?" The King of Yan was quite surprised. He was over fifty and had been the sovereign for twenty-one years. Two decades of being above all others had given him an innate air of gravity and authority.
Wen Qi pulled a letter from his robes and presented it to the King. "Please grant this subject the death penalty."
The King took the letter personally. Even before opening it, he seemed to understand something. "It seems the matter is grave."
He unfolded the letter, only to see it was a handwritten note from one of his sons to the King of Northern Yu. As he read further, his expression grew increasingly somber. This was actually a letter written by Murong Yan to the King of Northern Yu, inciting him to send troops to aid his rebellion!
Just as he was about to speak, Wen Qi cut in. "This was a plan to lure the snake out of its hole. It was precisely this letter from the Second Prince that enticed Northern Yu..."
Before he could finish, the King said in a low, heavy voice, "Wen Qi, you have quite the nerve!"
Wen Qi knelt once more. "I deserve death!"
The King slowly sat down, his thumb repeatedly stroking the paper of the letter. "Such a significant matter, and you dared not to consult Us in the slightest! In your eyes, is there still a King of Yan?"
Wen Qi did not rise, his words steady. "This subject knew Your Majesty would be enraged and knew this was a crime punishable by the execution of my entire clan. But it is precisely because I am loyal to Your Majesty, and because my Prince has always trusted me, that we had to do this.
"During these years Your Majesty has been in Jinyang, though you wear the dragon robes and receive the kowtows of ten thousand, the national treasury is empty and the people are starving. Though I am in the military camps, I also know the hardships of the court. Your Majesty is a wise ruler; seeing the people in such a state, I fear your sacred heart finds even less peace. Though I have done my utmost to reclaim wasteland and lighten the burden on the court, over these years, Northern Yu, Western Jing, and the Guzhu Kingdom have been like a swarm of locusts!"
The anger on King Murong Yuan’s face gradually faded as he looked at Wen Qi prostrate on the ground. He seemed to recall some old memories. Wen Qi kept his gaze on the floor, not looking at him. "When this desperate plan was devised, I did not sleep for a single night. To move troops without authorization and lure an invasion—if we had not won, how could I face my Sovereign? To use a Prince as bait—if anything had gone wrong, how could I face my Sovereign? Even with victory, I have committed the crime of deceiving the monarch; how can I face my Sovereign?
"But Your Majesty, I was born to be a general. To eat the grain of the land yet be unable to repel foreign enemies, to watch as powerful invaders insult my Sovereign and bully my people... Your Majesty, this subject’s... this subject’s heart was twisted with pain, my very soul torn asunder!"
Something in Murong Yuan’s eyes was touched. He stood up and helped Wen Qi to his feet. "You... you still have the same temperament as you did in the old days."
As their hands met briefly, Wen Qi’s eyes reddened. "Your Majesty, it was not that I did not wish to report to you, but if even a hint of this had leaked, the enemy would surely have been on guard. If this battle had not been a total victory, there would be no natural defenses left for our Great Yan beyond Daji City. The consequences would have been unthinkable. I..."
Murong Yuan patted the back of his hand. "Enough. You and I have been Sovereign and subject for fourteen years; could I truly bring myself to blame you? I shall not pursue this matter further, but in the future, all things must be reported to Us."
Wen Qi thanked him again, his heart finally relaxing. In the court, the Crown Prince held great power, and the Fifth Prince, Murong Qing, was favored due to his mother’s status. By reporting the truth to the King now, even if rumors spread later, Murong Yan should not be implicated.
"Do not return to your manor today. Stay in the palace and dine with Us." The King immediately ordered the meal to be served. Wen Qi thanked him once more.
The King shook his head. "You... always so formal. Isn't it tiresome to keep thanking Us like this?"
Wen Qi said solemnly, "The rites between Sovereign and subject cannot be discarded."
The King nodded. "As you wish. Regarding the peace negotiations with Northern Yu, you surely have arrangements?"
Wen Qi secretly observed his expression, speaking cautiously. "Northern Yu has suffered a crushing defeat and must hate us bitterly. But their losses are so heavy that even with their hatred, they cannot sustain another war. In my humble opinion, if I lead troops toward Northern Yu, they will surely send envoys to seek an audience with Your Majesty to discuss the matter. Your Majesty can then increase the amount of reparations to fill the emptiness of our Great Yan’s treasury."
Palace attendants began to bring in the dishes. The King’s brow remained furrowed. "If our Great Yan used a scheme to lure them, it is somewhat ungenerous. To now open our mouths wide for reparations might invite criticism. The enemy general Sha Xingsheng is the Prince Consort of Northern Yu; I have already ordered his wounds to be treated. In a few days, let us send him back to Northern Yu."
This meant he intended to sue for peace. Wen Qi sighed in his heart. "Your Majesty is benevolent, but for one, Northern Yu has repeatedly violated our borders, and the annual 'appeasement silver' Yan provides is already a significant sum. Yet when have they ever been satisfied? The people at the border have long been tormented. Secondly, this grudge has already been sown. Once Northern Yu recovers, they will surely become a dire threat! Your Majesty must not, out of a moment of mercy, let a mortal enemy go lightly."
The King thought for a while, then suddenly said, "Today’s whitefish is exceptionally fresh. Minister Wen, have a taste."
He signaled the eunuch beside him to move the whitefish from his front to Wen Qi’s. Wen Qi stood to give thanks. Knowing the King still needed to consider the matter, he did not press it further. Instead, he said, "Your Majesty, the Second Prince is still kneeling outside the palace..."
The King’s eyes flickered slightly. He gave a casual instruction. "Let him go down and rest."
Wen Qi carefully observed his expression, yet he could not fathom what kind of feelings the King truly harbored for Murong Yan.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 德政殿 | Hall of Virtuous Governance | The main hall where the King of Yan conducts state business. |
| 达奚琴 | Daxi Qin | The Imperial Uncle of Northern Yu, known for his intelligence. |
| 慕容清 | Murong Qing | The Fifth Prince of Yan. |
| 鲌鱼 | Whitefish | Specifically Culter alburnus, a type of freshwater fish. |
| 天策焞焞，龙尾伏辰。渊不泽洲，火重康衢。均服振振，立我蒸民。 | The Tiance star burns bright, the Dragon’s Tail hides the dawn. The Abyss yields no water to the land; Fire blazes upon the great thoroughfare. In uniform they march with pride, establishing our people. | A prophetic nursery rhyme used as a political tool to sow discord. "Yuan" (Abyss) refers to King Murong Yuan; "Yan" (Fire) refers to Prince Murong Yan. |
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