The palace banquet continued, and Zuo Canglang had drunk too much. In truth, she didn't need to get drunk; after all, among this hall of officials, she was the only one who didn't need to feign revelry to prove her loyalty to the new monarch. However, there were simply too many military commanders, and each drank like a bottomless pit. After several rounds, even she began to find it difficult to cope.
Her injuries had fully healed, so a bit of wine was no issue, and Murong Yan did not stop her. Naturally, the other generals wouldn't stop her either—what kind of celebration would it be if one didn't drink until they were intoxicated?
When Xu Lang, Wang Nan, and the others approached, Murong Yan simply said, "This King has a poor tolerance for alcohol and shall not accompany you further today. Fortunately, General Zuo is here; she shall drink on my behalf."
With those words, Zuo Canglang could no longer refuse. She had to drink not only her own share but Murong Yan’s as well. Later, Murong Yan bestowed more imperial wine upon them, and so, for the first time in her life, she became truly drunk.
By the time the banquet dispersed, Yuan Xi and the others were heavily inebriated, stumbling out with their arms around each other's shoulders. Wang Nan and Xu Lang came over to support Zuo Canglang. Suddenly, an attendant approached and said respectfully, "The General has had too much to drink; please let her remain in the palace."
Just as Xu Lang and Wang Nan were about to agree, Zuo Canglang hooked her leg over the attendant's shoulder and asked drunkenly, "Who are you? You say I stay in the palace, so I stay in the palace?"
The attendant was terrified and hurriedly said, "General, it is not I, but His Majesty who said you should remain in the palace."
Zuo Canglang scoffed, "What does His Majesty even—"
Before she could finish, Wang Nan turned pale with fright and quickly covered her mouth. "Eunuch, our General is truly quite drunk. It is better if we escort her back to her manor first; she can enter the palace to pay her respects to His Majesty tomorrow."
The attendant had only been following Wang Yunzhao’s instructions and didn't dare argue with the two generals. He could only watch as they supported Zuo Canglang out of the hall.
Zuo Canglang hooked her left arm around Xu Lang and her right around Wang Nan, saying, "Let's go, let's go drink some more."
Xu Lang said, "You can't drink anymore, you're drunk."
Zuo Canglang pointed at him and said, "You're not allowed to go. You're so ugly, why are you drinking!"
Xu Lang’s face was a mask of grief and indignation. "General! You've actually been looking down on my looks this whole time!"
Wang Nan suppressed a laugh. Sure enough, Zuo Canglang refused Xu Lang’s support and leaned entirely on Wang Nan, saying, "Let's go. I can still drink three more jars!"
Wang Nan replied, "Fine, fine, we're going now."
Once they were out of the palace, she was in no state to ride a horse, so Wang Nan had to support her on foot. The two of them crossed Yurang Bridge. Zuo Canglang leaned against the bridge railing and began to vomit violently. Wang Nan patted her back, asking, "Are you alright? There's a clinic ahead; I'll find a physician for you."
Zuo Canglang said, "Let's go then. We'll find a physician and have two more cups!"
Wang Nan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You really can't drink anymore."
Zuo Canglang grew angry. "Now you know I can't drink anymore? Why didn't you stop me while I was drinking?" Wang Nan felt wronged and was about to speak when he heard her continue, "Then why didn't you let your Queen drink instead?"
Wang Nan was stunned. Zuo Canglang pushed him away and said resentfully, "You talk so sweetly, but in the end, don't you still go to accompany your Queen?"
After she finished speaking, she began to vomit again. Wang Nan gently patted her back, not daring to say another word. Once she was done, she slid down the white jade railing and sat on the ground. Wang Nan knelt before her and said, "Let's go, let's go home first."
Zuo Canglang shook her head. "No, I'm not going. I feel miserable."
As she spoke, she leaned her head against his shoulder. For some reason, seeing this person who was always resolute and unyielding show a hint of feminine vulnerability made Wang Nan’s heart soften. He remained motionless, letting her lean on him, and said, "I won't let you drink anymore in the future. I'll stop you."
Zuo Canglang didn't respond. The two of them leaned there for a while until the sound of approaching hooves grew near. Wang Nan turned his head to see a carriage driving up, stopping beside them. Wang Yunzhao stepped down from the carriage. Wang Nan was startled, and Wang Yunzhao was equally surprised to see the two of them. He quickly came over to help Zuo Canglang up.
Zuo Canglang shoved his hand away. "I don't want your help, go away!"
Wang Yunzhao said with a smile, "The General is truly drunk. His Majesty was worried; if he learned the General returned to her manor alone, he would surely blame this old servant for being negligent. General Wang, you may head back first. This old servant will see the General home."
Wang Nan opened his mouth to speak, but what finally came out was: "Then I shall trouble Head Manager Wang."
Wang Yunzhao nodded to him and helped Zuo Canglang into the carriage. Wang Nan stood where he was, a complex mix of emotions in his heart. Everyone knew she was the wife of Marshal Wen and also Murong Yan’s confidant. Now, her words, combined with the fact that Wang Yunzhao had personally left the palace in the middle of the night to fetch her...
Her relationship with Murong Yan was self-evident.
However, these were not matters a Colonel-General like him should be involved in. He should pretend to know nothing, forever. The carriage drifted further away until even the sound of the wheels vanished, yet he still stood there.
***
While Zuo Canglang was dead drunk, east of Mount Yilu, the deposed Crown Prince Murong Ruo was preparing to cross the mountain ridge to seek help from the Donghu tribe. It was then that news arrived that Murong Yuan had been captured by the Guzhu Kingdom.
Murong Ruo was shocked. "How can this be?! Father stayed by the banks of the White Wolf River for many days, and the King of Guzhu never showed any intention of making things difficult for him!"
Zang Tianqi’s face was grim. "Is there even a need to think? It must be Murong Yan. He does not wish for His Majesty to return to Jinyang and has intentionally obstructed him. Hmph, he has truly spared no effort and used every unscrupulous means to stabilize his regime."
Murong Ruo said, "Father is of great age and often suffers from ailments. How could he be so heartless as to let him fall into the hands of an enemy nation!"
Zang Tianqi said, "Your Highness, he has even gone so far as to force a palace coup and seize the throne. Why would he care for blood relations or the ethics of father and son!"
Murong Ruo was frantic. "Manor Lord Zang, what should we do now?"
Zang Tianqi said, "Now that the King of Yan is trapped in Guzhu, I fear he will never return to Jinyang. Next, Murong Yan will rightfully ascend the throne as Emperor. He might even honor His Majesty as the Retired Emperor to display his filial piety. This move is cruel, but it is truly brilliant."
Murong Ruo said, "If Father cannot return to court, I fear the Donghu will not help us raise an army. Now that we don't even have a place to stand, how can we contend with him?"
Zang Tianqi sighed. "Your Highness, now is not the time for despondency. It's just that for the time being, the trip to Donghu must be abandoned." How could the Donghu help a prince who held only the empty title of Crown Prince of Yan, with no internal or external support?
Murong Ruo suddenly said, "Manor Lord Zang, to tell you the truth, when Father fled Jinyang, there were gold bars and jewelry in the national treasury that could not be taken away. Father hid them in an extremely secluded and safe place within the city. That was the last of Great Yan's wealth. If we can retrieve those treasures, we might be able to recruit soldiers and make a comeback!"
Zang Tianqi was startled. "Truly, heaven does not cut off all paths. However, with Jinyang as it is now, it will not be easy for us to return."
Murong Ruo said, "Abbot Xue Zhan of Fachang Temple previously assisted seven righteous warriors from your manor in a secret raid on the Moon-Viewing Platform, and they nearly succeeded. I wonder if he can help me once more."
Zang Tianqi said, "The situation in Jinyang is dangerous; it is not suitable for Your Highness to go in person. It seems this old man must make the trip."
Murong Ruo bowed. "Manor Lord Zang is truly righteous. Murong Ruo shall remember this for a lifetime."
Zang Tianqi sighed. "Hidden Sword Manor has received imperial grace; it is only right."
That afternoon, he ordered Zang Ge to protect the deposed prince Murong Ruo while he set out alone for Jinyang. With his skills, even if Jinyang were a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, it would not be difficult for him to infiltrate.
He passed through Yuhou Pass from Mount Yilu and entered Tang County. On the southern ridge of the Mount Yilu range, he encountered some trouble. A man like Zang Tianqi possessed the natural intuition of a swordsman; he could sense the killing intent ahead and immediately stopped, asking in a low voice, "Who is there?"
From behind the grey rocks ahead, two people slowly stepped out—a man and a woman. The man was tall with high brows and a deep nose, clearly a foreigner. He held a sword in his right hand, and one could tell at a glance that his martial arts were formidable.
However, the woman beside him was even more striking. She was truly a beautiful woman, though the word "beautiful" was not quite accurate for her. She possessed an overbearing aura, frivolous and proud, like the edge of a precious sword drawn from its sheath, a sharpness that would slay gods should they stand in her way.
Zang Tianqi’s gaze shifted to her almost instantly. His brows furrowed, and he suddenly said, "You are..." At that moment, he thought of a person—someone famous but who had never shown their true face: "The Master of Yan Tower!"
"Leng Feiyan." The woman spoke, and every word carried a bone-chilling intent to fight.
In her eyes, there was no hatred. There was only this intent to conquer everything and trample the world, incredibly cold and sharp.
Zang Tianqi slowly tightened his grip on the longsword at his waist. "Before we exchange blows, can you answer one thing for me?"
Leng Feiyan said, "I also have something I wish to ask Manor Lord Zang." Zang Tianqi was slightly stunned. In that instant, Leng Feiyan’s sword came with the momentum of a thunderclap. Her voice, amidst the wind of a sword as fast as a gale or lightning, was calm and composed: "Do all you 'righteous' swordsmen have so much nonsense to say?"
Zang Tianqi had no time to answer. The sword-wind rose, and the glints of their blades intertwined. The man not far from Leng Feiyan was, of course, Wugu. He hadn't expected Leng Feiyan to strike without warning. He wanted to call out to stop her, but in the end, he was worried about distracting her.
Against a man like Zang Tianqi, who would dare to lose focus under his blade?
Zang Tianqi and Leng Feiyan clashed. Within fifty moves, he had managed to leave a wound on her. Although he held a slight advantage, the shock and fear in his heart were beyond words! This woman could not be more than twenty years old. Yet her swordplay was so fast and her techniques so seasoned that it was simply terrifying.
Had he not encountered her personally, he would never have believed that a woman under twenty could last fifty moves under his sword and receive only a minor injury.
But it was real. He pursed his lips, his strikes becoming faster and faster. His sword-light formed a net, soon enveloping Leng Feiyan. Such an airtight net would cause anyone to panic. The taste of approaching death would instill fear and cause one to retreat.
But Leng Feiyan did not. Her sword, within the flashes of light, remained as fast as a thunderbolt and as steady as a mountain, even if she could not break through!
Wugu stood by, wanting to help, but he had no way to intervene. A duel between peerless masters was a blur of speed, yet every attack and defense was flawlessly executed.
As time passed, Zang Tianqi grew more alarmed—this person...
The previous question almost didn't need to be asked. If Zang Feng and Zang Xiao had died at this person's hands, it was no longer surprising. He asked through gritted teeth, "Are you one of Murong Yan’s people?" How could such a figure remain anonymous for so long?
But the woman only smiled and said, "You talk too much."
Zang Tianqi taught his disciples that the first rule was never to get angry; no matter who the opponent was, one must remain clear-headed. He understood perfectly what stable emotions meant to a swordsman. Yet the person before him possessed a soul that was both calm and powerful.
She already had three wounds on her body, but the blood was like a seal broken upon her soul. She felt no fear, no hatred. The blood caused her to gradually fall into a state of manic excitement.
A hundred moves had passed. Zang Tianqi discovered that the person before him was beginning to tear through his sword-net. He cried out in shock, "You... how is this possible?!"
This person understood the sword techniques of Hidden Sword Manor as if they were the back of her hand!
In their initial exchange, she had lost to Zang Tianqi’s years of experience and internal strength. But quickly, as Zang Tianqi exposed more and more of his true power, she began to grasp the rhythm and slowly broke his net.
In the end, many of the moves she used were even adapted from the top-secret sword techniques of Hidden Sword Manor!
"Who exactly are you?!" Zang Tianqi shouted.
Leng Feiyan did not speak. Her sword, like a stream of light, pierced through his net and left a bloody gash on his chest. Zang Tianqi took a step back, the shock and fury in his eyes impossible to hide. Leng Feiyan said, "Do you believe I can defeat you now?"
Zang Tianqi panted heavily, still in shock. Leng Feiyan said, "My Yan Tower still has over a hundred experts. At least five can fight Zang Xiao one-on-one, and two can rival Zang Feng. If I had brought them with me today, what do you think your chances of winning would be?"
Zang Tianqi slowly gritted his teeth. "It really was you who killed Zang Feng and Zang Xiao!"
Leng Feiyan rubbed the mud off her soft shoes against the moss and said, "People of the martial world stake their lives against each other; it's not strange for anyone to die at anyone's hand."
Zang Tianqi said, "You are arrogant to the extreme!"
His sword came with the wind, startling flying leaves that could wound. Leng Feiyan blocked with her sword horizontally. This time, the two engaged in direct close-quarters combat. The blades moved so fast that the swirling leaves were ground into dust. Zang Tianqi, however, gradually felt his strength failing. For every inch his sword wounded her, her sword became an inch sharper.
Such a person... this kind of person... fearless and undaunted, indifferent to life or death, every battle was her last. She would shed her last drop of blood for it, risking everything.
As the sword-net tightened, Zang Tianqi finally seized an opportunity and stabbed her. However, Leng Feiyan did not retreat; instead, she lunged forward. The sharp blade pierced through her but also restricted him! Her right hand swiftly swung three times. Zang Tianqi felt a lightness in his right arm. He looked down to see blood gushing from his elbow.
His right hand had not hit the ground yet; it was still gripping the sword, which remained embedded in Leng Feiyan’s body.
He slowly backed away. Leng Feiyan had even more wounds on her body. She slowly pulled the sword out of herself, casually tapping several acupoints to stop the bleeding, and then said, "You lost."
At that moment, she was covered in blood, yet she looked like a vengeful spirit reborn from a corpse—seductive and demonic. Zang Tianqi said, "Leng Feiyan," he had actually remembered her name, "why... why would you be loyal to a man like Murong Yan?"
Leng Feiyan untied her sash and bound the piercing wound. "I am never loyal to anyone."
Zang Tianqi said, "Then why do you repeatedly oppose the King of Yan? Is it for money? If it's for money..." He tightened the grip on his bleeding stump. "The Crown Prince can give it to you too, and it would certainly be more than what Murong Yan gives you!"
Leng Feiyan said, "What I want, the Crown Prince cannot give. The King of Yan cannot give it either. They are both too weak."
Zang Tianqi said, "Why? They are the legitimate line of Great Yan! Can a man with the look of a wolf or an eagle like Murong Yan actually give you anything?"
"Legitimate line?" Leng Feiyan slowly approached Zang Tianqi. "I don't care who is legitimate. Nor do I care what kind of person Murong Yan is."
Her gaze was calm and rippleless. Zang Tianqi was pressed back until he had nowhere to go. He closed his eyes and said, "Since that is the case, I, Zang, am not one who fears death. I have used the sword all my life, and countless people have fallen to my blade. To lose my life to your sword today can be considered a consistent end."
Leng Feiyan said, "If I wanted to kill you, why would I waste my breath?"
Zang Tianqi opened his eyes. Leng Feiyan said, "Do you believe now that your existence is of no use to either Murong Yuan or Murong Ruo?"
Zang Tianqi did not speak. Before this, he had actually harbored some hope; after all, having never met his match, he was still proud. But today's battle had dismantled not only his martial arts but also his confidence. Leng Feiyan said, "If I let you take your kin and leave Great Yan, never to step foot inside Yuhou Pass for the rest of your lives, would you be willing?"
Zang Tianqi asked, "You're not killing me?"
Leng Feiyan raised the sword in her hand. "If you don't agree, I'll kill you. After killing you, I'll go kill your wife, children, and elders, leaving not even a dog or chicken alive in the entire Hidden Sword Manor."
Zang Tianqi was stunned. Leng Feiyan asked, "I don't want to stand here; the wind is too strong. Give me your answer."
When Zang Tianqi spoke again, the words were difficult. "I... I will take my wife, children, and elders and withdraw beyond Yuhou Pass. From this day forward, the descendants of Hidden Sword Manor shall never step foot into Great Yan."
Leng Feiyan sheathed her sword, turned to leave, and signaled for Wugu to follow.
As her graceful figure walked away, Zang Tianqi asked, "Heroine Leng, what exactly is your aim in helping Murong Yan?" Leng Feiyan did not stop, clearly not intending to answer. Zang Tianqi said, "I only wish to know why my son and my most beloved disciple died by your hand."
Leng Feiyan’s figure paused slightly. "A world of peace."
Zang Tianqi was stunned. Leng Feiyan continued forward. *From the moment I gripped a blade to kill, I knew no one could save us. But in the end, I still hope there will be fewer people like us in this world.*
*For this, my clothes can be stained with blood, and my love can vanish like a dream. I can live in the shadows and lose everything.*
Once they were down the mountain, Wugu wanted to come over and support Leng Feiyan. She avoided his hand and said, "The orders we received were to eradicate Hidden Sword Manor."
Wugu said expressionlessly, "So you do remember."
Leng Feiyan smiled, her pearly teeth stained red with blood. She said, "So you must wait. Wait until the people of Hidden Sword Manor have left Yan territory before reporting the news back to the palace."
Wugu said, "For your little white face? You've truly gone to great lengths."
Leng Feiyan laughed so hard she couldn't stand straight, the blood from her wounds instantly soaking her sash. She seemed oblivious to the pain, only saying, "Wugu, compared to him, you're more like a little white face. You can't do anything except be jealous."
Wugu’s face turned green with anger, but after a long while, he finally said, "We are acting on our own initiative; he might doubt your loyalty."
Leng Feiyan gently pressed her wound and said with a smile, "He has always known that I never had any loyalty."
***
Zang Tianqi returned to the temporary residence of Hidden Sword Manor. When Madam Zang saw him covered in blood, she was already pale with fright. "Master! You... what happened..." Then she discovered that Zang Tianqi’s right arm was gone from the elbow down.
She held the stump, her tears bursting forth. "Master!"
Zang Tianqi patted her back and said, "It's no matter. To still have my life is already a mercy from another. There is no need for grief."
Madam Zang said, "Who was it that could even... even you..."
Zang Tianqi entered the room and said, "Say no more. Immediately send a message to recall Zang Ge. Notify everyone in the Zang family to pack their valuables; we are leaving Great Yan as quickly as possible."
Hearing this, Madam Zang actually felt a sense of relief. She asked, "Master will no longer interfere in the King of Yan’s affairs?"
Zang Tianqi sat down at the table and glanced at his missing arm. "I have done my best. Hidden Sword Manor has no combat strength left; I cannot afford to lose Zang Ge as well." He used his left hand to pat his beloved wife’s hand. "Let's go. From now on, we shall never again concern ourselves with the matters of the royal family."
Madam Zang wiped her tears and said, "I will send someone to message Zang Ge right away."
Zang Tianqi nodded. "Tell him to go directly to Yuhou Pass and wait. We must leave as soon as possible." Leng Feiyan had been able to find him accurately on the southern ridge of Mount Yilu; one could imagine that she must have a thorough understanding of all of Hidden Sword Manor’s movements.
A man as ruthless as Murong Yan would not just send someone to warn him. If the other party changed their mind, they would be at their mercy.
***
At that moment, Feng Ping was drinking with Jiang Sanyi. At the Prime Minister's manor, not only was the wine good, but the songstresses were as well. As Feng Ping drank with him, Jiang Sanyi asked, "What does Commander Feng think of this dance?"
Feng Ping said, "We are coarse men and do not understand music or dance."
Jiang Sanyi laughed loudly. "A man does not necessarily need to understand music, but a woman certainly must." With a clap of his hands, two dancers walked over with light steps, their scented sleeves gently brushing against Feng Ping’s cheeks. Finally, they slid into his embrace, and Feng Ping did not refuse.
Jiang Sanyi said, "Speaking of which, I have always wanted to place my son, Jiang Qi, in the military. But the timing has never been right. Commander Feng has followed His Majesty for many years; could you offer a word of advice?"
The beauty in his arms raised a cup and fed Feng Ping a mouthful of wine. Feng Ping said, "His Majesty trusts Zuo Canglang implicitly. Even if Prime Minister Jiang can arrange for Young Master Jiang to enter the military, he will not be given an important position. The army is mostly composed of Wen Qi’s former subordinates, and they all favor Zuo Canglang. They won't give him a chance to establish military merit."
Jiang Sanyi pondered in silence. In truth, he knew this, but he also knew how important military power was.
Feng Ping said, "However, the Prime Minister has another urgent matter he can attend to right now."
Jiang Sanyi immediately turned his head. "Commander Feng, please speak!"
Feng Ping said, "When His Majesty first started, his power was weak, and there were always some things that could not be done openly. For example, operating dens of vice, using any means to amass wealth, or even... assassinating certain troublesome eyesores."
Jiang Sanyi’s heart skipped a beat. In fact, he had known this for a long time.
Back when the Queen had asked him to hire the people from Hidden Sword Manor to eliminate Murong Yan, he had sent people. However, Hidden Sword Manor had returned in defeat while Murong Yan remained unharmed. Although he was in the imperial court, he had heard of Hidden Sword Manor’s prestige in the martial world.
If Murong Yan didn't have such experts in his hands, he would have died from a hidden arrow long ago. He said, "It's just that His Majesty surely wouldn't want us to know about such a force. What can I do?"
Feng Ping glanced at him and said, "The person currently in control of that force has already displeased His Majesty several times. And now, the matter she is handling has developed a major flaw. This is a god-sent opportunity for the Prime Minister."
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 豫让桥 | Yurang Bridge | A bridge in the capital. |
| 孤竹 | Guzhu | A neighboring kingdom/state. |
| 藏天齐 | Zang Tianqi | Manor Lord of Hidden Sword Manor. |
| 藏剑山庄 | Hidden Sword Manor | A prestigious martial arts sect/manor. |
| 燕楼 | Yan Tower | Murong Yan's secret organization (Yanlou). |
| 冷非颜 | Leng Feiyan | Master of Yan Tower. |
| 巫蛊 | Wugu | Leng Feiyan's companion, likely a codename. |
| 盛世太平 | A world of peace | Literally "Prosperous era of peace," Leng Feiyan's motivation. |
| 藏锋 | Zang Feng | A member of Hidden Sword Manor (deceased). |
| 藏宵 | Zang Xiao | A member of Hidden Sword Manor (deceased). |
| 藏歌 | Zang Ge | Zang Tianqi's son/disciple. |
| 封平 | Feng Ping | A commander under Murong Yan. |
| 姜齐 | Jiang Qi | Jiang Sanyi's son. |
Enjoying the story? Rate this novel:
The Abandoned Empress General | Chapter 57 | A World of Peace | Novela.app | Novela.app
