At Fachang Temple, Master Xue Zhan faced a difficult problem despite having taken in Murong Ruo—the prince’s facial features had returned to their original appearance. If Murong Yan sent men to search the temple again, he would surely be unable to escape.
He could no longer remain in the temple, yet getting him out was equally problematic.
Master Xue Zhan was deeply troubled. During his days in the temple, Murong Ruo had spent his time in meditation and chanting. Finally, one day, he asked Xue Zhan, "Master, I have no chance of defeating him anymore, do I?"
Master Xue Zhan sighed. "In a single lifetime, success and failure are difficult to judge. Why must Your Highness be so obsessed with the empire?"
"But I am the Crown Prince of Great Yan," Murong Ruo said. "And now..."
"Your Highness," Xue Zhan replied, "you were merely born into the imperial family. In truth, the land has no fixed master; anyone can be the Crown Prince."
Murong Ruo fell silent. Master Xue Zhan continued, "When I sent you back to Jinyang, I had already considered this outcome. However, if I had not let you try for yourself, you would never have been willing to give up. Now, can you lay down this burden and flee to another country?"
Murong Ruo said, "Master, from the moment I was born, my mother told me I was different. I was the eldest son, and in the future, the entire world of Great Yan would be mine. Later, when I truly became the Crown Prince, so many people said it, and I heard it so often, that I took it to be the truth."
"Amitabha," Master Xue Zhan said. "Your Highness, for the sake of this imperial power, Great Yan has already seen its cities stained with blood several times. Just from your return to Jinyang this time, a hundred lives were lost at the Scripture Chanting Tower. Many of your trusted confidants have also been lost. Even if this land were truly handed to you, could you do better than what is being done now?"
Murong Ruo asked slowly, "So, Master actually does not support me reclaiming the throne either, is that right?"
Xue Zhan remained silent. Murong Ruo said, "I understand."
"Letting go is a good thing for you," Xue Zhan said. "The situation has been too tense lately; please remain calm for now. In a few days, I will arrange for you to leave Jinyang."
Murong Ruo knelt, smoothing his robes. "This disciple thanks the Master."
Xue Zhan helped him up and patted his shoulder gently.
Outside the temple, Feng Ping visited frequently, but the Imperial Guards had monitored the area in secret for many days without finding any trace of Murong Ruo. Duanmu Shang said, "I just received news. Cang Ge went back to re-examine Cang Tianqi’s grave. He should have discovered the truth by now."
A hint of joy finally appeared on Feng Ping’s face. "Has he rushed back to Jinyang?"
"The checkpoints along the way are numerous," Duanmu Shang said. "For him to come alone will be a bit difficult."
Feng Ping nodded. "I will order the men to let him through to Jinyang. Have your people follow him closely; we absolutely cannot lose him."
"Rest assured," Duanmu Shang said. "The one responsible for tracking him this time is my martial uncle. Besides, his mind is in turmoil. When a person’s heart is in chaos, they inevitably fail to notice other things."
Feng Ping glanced at the mountain gate of Fachang Temple once more. "This time, you are all going to achieve a great merit."
In Jinyang City, the Jiang Manor was filled with a festive atmosphere. The Queen had given birth to twins, and Murong Yan had immediately bestowed titles and names upon the children. The entire Jiang household received heavy rewards. Even Jiang Bilan’s mother, Lady Zheng, was granted the title of Lady of the First Rank.
By this time, more than half of the Yu State’s territories had been reclaimed, with only a few remote towns remaining outside of their control. Naturally, the main army was to return. Murong Yan was in a good mood and even granted the request of Jiang Bilan’s eldest brother, Jiang Qi, to serve as the Regional Governor of the Yu territories.
However, regardless of the circumstances, Daxi Qin had to return. He was a member of the Yu royalty; how could Murong Yan feel at ease leaving him there?
Daxi Qin understood this perfectly. When the army withdrew, he followed Zhou Xin back to Jinyang City.
Murong Yan performed a sacrifice to the heavens at the Bright Moon Terrace. At the same time, he promoted Zhou Xin to General of the Guards of Great Yan, with the additional title of Grand Marshal. Although Jiang Bilan had only recently given birth, she attended the sacrificial ceremony in full regalia. The air was filled with songs of praise and merit, and every face wore a smile.
Standing on the terrace, Murong Yan looked down at the endless white jade steps. As he poured the sacrificial wine, he suddenly seemed to see that person again, covered in blood, walking slowly with the support of an attendant, her steps staggering. As the ritual official read the sacrificial text, Jiang Bilan stood beside him. She saw his gaze pierce through the Bright Moon Terrace into a void, as if he were remembering something or looking toward somewhere else.
A moment later, the masters began their rites, and the officials were allowed more freedom. Feng Ping approached and whispered to Jiang Sanyi, "Cang Ge has arrived in Jinyang."
Jiang Sanyi nodded. "If he has come, the matter is half-successful."
Feng Ping said, "It’s just that with Cang Ge’s skills, dealing with Leng Feiyan might be... and Zuo Canglang’s whereabouts are currently unknown. What do you think..."
Jiang Sanyi looked up at Jiang Bilan, who was dressed in fiery red palace robes atop the Bright Moon Terrace. "I have my own plans regarding Cang Ge. As for Zuo Canglang... if we speak of information networks, no one is more powerful than Yan Tower. Even if the Duanmu clan has become the leader of the martial arts alliance, compared to the Swallow’s Nest, they are but a group of fools. It is not easy for us to find someone, but for the Swallow’s Nest, it is quite simple." Over the years, the Swallow’s Nest had gathered countless thugs and local ruffians. Every time they expanded to a new place, they always started with the small-time crooks. These hoodlums were originally petty thieves who did nothing productive.
The Swallow’s Nest gave them a monthly allowance and allowed them to act with authority—why wouldn't they join? Especially after they had consumed the poison of Yan Tower.
Even if one knew the contact points of its information network, to this day, the Duanmu clan did not dare to move against it.
Jiang Sanyi said, "As long as something happens to Leng Feiyan, she will surely find out."
That night, just as Cang Ge returned to his inn, he received a note. Leng Feiyan had asked to meet him at the Scripture Chanting Tower during the fourth watch. Meanwhile, Leng Feiyan, who was searching for Murong Ruo near Fachang Temple, also received a letter—Cang Ge had asked to meet her at the Scripture Chanting Tower during the third watch.
She tightened her grip, crushing the letter into dust. After Cang Ge left the city, she had naturally sent people to protect him. She was well aware that he had gone to Fangcheng to exhume the grave and examine the corpse. Now that he had returned to Jinyang, it was undoubtedly for revenge.
She had thought that if he were willing to leave Great Yan, she would let it be, but this fool insisted on returning to Jinyang. He even asked to meet her. Was it for a confrontation? Or for vengeance?
Did it have to be like this? Did even the last shred of warmth have to be torn apart?
At night, Leng Feiyan arrived alone at the Scripture Chanting Tower. The tower was very quiet. Not long ago, Murong Yan had killed over a hundred monks here, and now it was deserted. Even the soldiers did not usually come here. It was undoubtedly a suitable place for secret dealings.
Leng Feiyan entered the tower; it was pitch black inside. Having lost its believers, even though the ancient Buddha remained, the ever-burning lamps had been extinguished. Leng Feiyan remained on guard against a sudden attack from Cang Ge. In truth, no matter who it was, seeing their parents die so miserably, seeking revenge was understandable.
A faint sound came from the darkness. Leng Feiyan took out a fire starter, and just as she was about to light it, a palm wind suddenly tore through the air. Leng Feiyan was prepared and did not panic, reaching out to meet the palm with her own.
She knew Cang Ge’s internal power very well, so she held back thirty percent of her strength. However, when their palms met, she felt a pressure as vast as the mountains and seas!
Only then was Leng Feiyan startled—it wasn't Cang Ge! Her chest surged with turmoil, but she suppressed the blood in her throat and flew backward! The other person pressed her closely, their palm strikes vigorous and powerful—a master of external martial arts!
Leng Feiyan’s thoughts raced as she drew her sword. They were well-matched, and after a few moves, the opponent's offensive slowed down. Leng Feiyan said in a low voice, "Who is it?"
Who would use such a despicable trick to take her life? The Duanmu family?
But did the Duanmu family have such a master?
The person did not answer. After a few more moves in the dark, a trace of blood leaked from the corner of Leng Feiyan’s mouth, but her sword, like a venomous snake, also left several wounds on the opponent. Gradually, she recognized who it was and said deeply, "Xue Zhan?"
The man opposite her threw punch after punch that could shatter stone tablets. Leng Feiyan used softness to overcome hardness, catching a flaw and nearly severing the tendons of his thumb. Xue Zhan groaned as blood dripped onto the floor. He said, "The Master of Yan Tower truly lives up to her reputation."
Leng Feiyan was not one for explanations. Hearing that it was Xue Zhan, her sword strikes became even tighter and more pressing.
The more Xue Zhan fought her, the more alarmed he became. This Master of Yan Tower had always been famous, but he hadn't expected her swordsmanship to have reached such a transcendent level. He did not dare to lose focus; he specialized in fist techniques, but the wound between his thumb and forefinger was beginning to affect his punches.
Two of Great Yan’s top masters were locked in combat. Xue Zhan was aged, after all. No matter how vigorous he remained, in terms of stamina, he was no match for Leng Feiyan. His breathing grew heavy, and sweat poured from his brow. Leng Feiyan’s sword suddenly stopped. She said, "The Master is old. Regardless of who sent you, my sword does not kill the elderly or the weak. Leave."
Xue Zhan was stunned. Even in the darkness, he could feel the cold edge of her blade half an inch away. He said, "What do you mean? Was it not the Tower Master who invited this old monk here?"
Leng Feiyan was also taken aback, but both were extremely cautious people. She did not dare to divert her attention to light the fire starter. She said, "I received a letter from an old acquaintance asking to meet me here. As soon as I entered the Scripture Chanting Tower, I was ambushed by the Master."
Xue Zhan was shocked. He and Leng Feiyan had never met before, but in the afternoon, he had received a message from Yan Tower claiming they had evidence of him harboring rebels. It ordered him to go to the Scripture Chanting Tower at the third watch to hand over Murong Ruo. Otherwise
