Joy of Life

When Thirteenth Wang broke the willow and Fan Xian flitted across the top of the branches like a butterfly, Lang Tiao and Yun Zhilan didn’t even look at each other. But, they could still feel the regret and fear in the other’s heart.

Only now did they understand why Fan Xian had no intention to leave after being discovered in the mountain residence. On the contrary, he had escaped toward the Sword Hut and been lucky enough to subdue the Emperor. From the beginning, Fan Xian’s target had always been the Sword Hut and seeing Sigu Jian.

In midair, Lang Tiao gave a wild hiss. The metal chains on his wrists clanged together. The two curved knives flashed with golden light as they slashed toward Fan Xian’s back. He knew he could not allow Fan Xian to take the Emperor into the depths of the Sword Hut. Once he left his line of vision, no one knew what terrifying consequence Northern Qi would face.

He believed in the Emperor Fan Xian had subdued. Although the Emperor was young, his experiences these years had proved that his vision and intelligence were far beyond that of mortal men. Since the Emperor was certain Fan Xian would not hurt him, then Lang Tiao would gamble on this. By attacking Fan Xian, he wanted to force him to have no choice but to let go.

The flashes of gold sliced toward Fan Xian’s exposed back. The sword in Yun Zhilan’s hand was incomparably beautiful and silent. Calmly and mildly, it sought out a space between the two flashes of gold and pierced toward the back of Fan Xian’s neck. The light of the sword flashed brightly. It hissed like a silver snake. The sword intent was ruthless

This sword intent was similar to the one Thirteenth Wang executed in an instant as he held the willow. They were both Sigu Swords that drew on the entire spirit, one that focused solely on what was in front. Yun Zhilan took the risk to attack for reasons different to Lang Tiao. He cared about the life and death of the Northern Qi Emperor, but he didn’t trust in his judgment. Furthermore, he had the most important reason for not letting Fan Xian enter the Sword Hut. His teacher was inside.

For different reasons, the two ninth-level warriors came to the same decision. At the same time, they demonstrated their most hidden trick. Regardless of the cost and even braving the risk of Fan Xian killing the Qi Emperor, they sliced down toward the large opening on Fan Xian’s back.

The four people moved through the air like birds, dancing on a stone plain in the front yard of the Sword Hut. Time seemed to come to a standstill.

Fan Xian held the Northern Qi Emperor in his hand. Although his right hand still held the black dagger, it was impossible to stop the approach of coldness behind him.

Behind him, Lang Tiao and Yun Zhilan floated in midair. The knife and sword came down together, moving through the air soundlessly. Their auras interfered with one another and created a fearful squeaking sound.

If Fan Xian did not abandon the person and turn around to save himself, he could only go toward death. But, if he turned around to save himself, he would probably still receive heavy injuries. Plus, the Northern Qi Emperor would certainly leave his control.

Fan Xian chose not to do anything and continued to follow his flight path. He charged toward the second door of the grass hut, completely ignoring the curved knives and straight sword behind him.

Leaving Jingdou, coming to Dongyi, entering the mountain residence, and charging for the Sword Hut were all based on a deduction and confidence. He didn’t believe that after the other party had shown such sincerity, they would watch as this scene happened.

…

…

This matter had nothing to do with luck. It was completely owed to Fan Xian’s deduction of the world, a thorough understanding of human nature, and a confidence in that old creature.

Matters progressed as he wished. When the knife was less than a foot away from his back, the door three feet in front of him opened with a squeak and welcomed his arrival.

Fan Xian lifted the Northern Qi Emperor and jumped through the door, slamming it shut behind him. It shut Lang Tiao and Yun Zhilan firmly outside, as well as the two curved knives and long sword.

The doors in the grass hut were often just for symbolic separation. The material was usually made from straw and wooden boards. Yet, such a fragile door had snapped shut in an instant and stood between Fan Xian and the two aces behind him.

How could such a door stop the red-eyed Lang Tiao and Yun Zhilan?

…

…

It was a chaotic scene outside the Sword Hut. A dozen or so streaks of light dispersed as they dodged the willow tree. Thirteenth Wang abandoned the willow and stood alone. No one had the energy to mind him. They only turned their nervous and watchful gazes toward the doors of the Sword Hut. They could clearly see Lang Tiao and Yun Zhilan pursuing Fan Xian into the grass hut.

In an instant, everyone was shocked speechless by the scene that followed.

Hearing only two muffled groans, two shadows flew back out wretchedly. They were Lang Tiao and Yun Zhilan. When they stormed into the Sword Hut, their manners had been imposing. Now, they retreated at an even faster speed. The situation was pathetic.

Everyone watched as Lang Tiao flipped a few times through the air and demonstrated all of his martial prowess. The two curved knives moved like rainwater to protect his body. A gold light enveloped his front, protecting him from some unseen force.

Yun Zhilan lowered his eyes and sucked in his breath. Raising on one knee slightly, the other extended flatly backward. With his sword held horizontal to his brows, he was respectful and did not use his qi. He only used the pure zhenqi in his body to barely contend and retreat quickly without stopping.

Lang Tiao spun faster and faster in the air. His knives moved quicker and quicker until they finally dissolved into two streaks of light. Hearing only a loud roar, the two knives chopped down and stopped his body after a muffled thud.

A branch was cut by him into two and fell lifeless to the ground. Lang Tiao’s foot stretched backward with his eyebrows raised. Refusing to retreat, he felt a thud against his chest. In the end, he had still been struck by the boundless killing intent contained of that branch on his heart meridian. He sprayed out a mouthful of blood.

Yun Zhilan had escaped faster, more absolutely, and more respectfully than Lang Tiao. He had even thought to use the sword in his hand to block anything and was forced back nearly 54 yards. Then, he went down to one knee and held up his sword with his shaking hands.

A lovely and green leaf lay on the body of his sword.

Everyone present was astonished. The two powerful warriors were just about to capture Fan Xian. Unexpectedly, someone in the Hut used only a branch and a leaf to force these two warriors back.

There were only a few people who had reached such an unfathomable realm. It was clear the master of the Sword Hut was one of them. It looked like the noise outside the Sword Hut had finally disturbed the bad-tempered sword saint.

Sigu Jian broke off a branch and nipped a leaf. He was able to force back two warriors at the peak of the ninth-level. The realm of the Great Grandmaster was indeed one that far surpassed the mortal world.

However, this Great Grandmaster still had his biases, which was why he had thrown a leaf toward his disciple and a branch toward Lang Tiao.

When he saw the leaf flying out of the second set of doors, Yun Zhilan only knew to retreat in fear. A boundless desire for battle rose in Lang Tiao’s heart and forcefully resisted the branch, which was why Lang Tiao spat blood from his injury.

After being silent for almost three years, Sigu Jian, who had hidden away in the Hut, had finally made a move. No move was the norm. Once he did, it was universally shocking and astonished the world.

Outside the grass door, all of the disciples of the Sword Hut knelt in unison on the ground and kowtowed in greeting toward the Sword Hut. Those who had participated in controlling Thirteenth Wang felt fear and a strong sense of unease. Unconsciously, they began to seek out the figure of the eldest disciple with their eyes. Like as it was written in many novels, in the association of those most likely to be a scapegoat, the position of eldest disciple usually took the most blame.

Yun Zhilan half-knelt on the ground. His face was calm, but the sleeve on his arm trembled as if being blown gently by a wind. It revealed the true emotions in his heart. He didn’t know when his teacher had come to the front of the Sword Hut or if he had any objections to his actions. He did know that he had to do this, even if his teacher didn’t allow it.

Friar He supported the injured Lang Tiao. The Northern Qi aces all looked with shocked expressions at the tightly closed door of the Sword Hut. They didn’t know what was happening inside, what would happen, why Sigu Jian helped Fan Xian to capture the Emperor, or if the Emperor was safe right. Their hearts hammered anxiously. Knowing Sigu Jian’s reputation, no one charged in to save him.

The strongest among them, Lang Tiao, could not even stand against a branch tossed out casually by Sigu Jian. Such a difference in power was not something that could be compensated for with determination and bravery.

Lang Tiao slowly wiped the blood from the corners of his lips and looked coldly into the depths of the Sword Hut. A complicated emotion flashed through his eyes. It was as if some things had been not been within his expectations.

…

…

Landing heavily on the solid stone floor, the moment the tip of Fan Xian’s feet felt the impact, they shrunk and used the momentum to straighten his body. His hand, which had long let go of the young Emperor’s, rose up. His right hand was still holding the black dagger. Half crouching on the ground, he stared at the wooden door behind him.

In a very amount of time, he forcefully changed directions, prepared his killing strike, and made a pose like a tiger hunting a rabbit. It had to be said, Fan Xian’s present strength was indeed powerful.

If, at this moment, Yun Zhilan and Lang Tiao broke through the door, at least he wouldn’t be as wretched as before. On the contrary, he could strike them like lightning.

However, a long time passed. The seemingly fragile door remained calmly closed. No one broke through it. Even the voices outside the door seemed to be gradually growing weaker. This overly common grass door was able to shut out all wind, rain, and blood, while the people inside became one unified. It forced peace within the Hut, with each seeking their own joy.

After a long time, Fan Xian slowly stood up and looked at the door with narrowed eyes. He knew that since Yun Zhilan and Lang Tiao did not come in earlier, at least within a short period of time, they would not have the courage to try a second time.

There was no need to think about it. Although the Sword Hut was a martial holy land, for Yun Zhilan, only the Master of the Sword Hut could kick him out. That strange-tempered Great Grandmaster.

Fan Xian was not surprised. Earlier, he had chosen to forcefully enter the Sword Hut because he guessed Sigu Jian would not just watch him lose. He was curious as to what method Sigu Jian used to demonstrate his attitude.

Inside the Sword Hut, it was very quiet. Fan Xian turned and found the Northern Qi Emperor half sitting on the stone ground, holding his foot. It seemed that he had gotten hurt in the impact. Fan Xian wasn’t in the mood to mind him. He only looked around quietly but could not find the trace of a single person.

He had seen the branch and leaf. In the split moment before he turned, the corner of his eye saw a familiar figure. This figure made him feel slightly confused.

Coming to the Sword Hut, he didn’t bring the Shadow. Whose shadow was that? If it was Sigu Jian’s, why did he feel that it was familiar?

On the stone ground, fragments of grass slowly moved with the wind. The clamor outside the hut seemed to have become a story of many years ago. Fan Xian walked to the Northern Qi Emperor’s side and stretched out a hand to help him up. He then walked toward the third door in the Sword Hut.

Just as the two of them were less than three steps away, this grass door was slowly pulled open from the inside. A child stretched out his neck. His clear and clever eyes turned endlessly. Sweeping across Fan Xian and the Northern Qi Emperor’s bodies a few times, he laughed and said, “Of the two, whose surname is Fan? Whose surname is Zhan?”

“I am the Emperor of Northern Qi.” The Northern Qi Emperor’s face was deathly white. It seemed the injury on his ankle was causing him unendurable pain. Inside the Sword Hut, he still habitually spoke first.

Fan Xian’s feelings were remarkable. He didn’t know what he would meet in the Sword Hut. Smiling mockingly, he said, “Then, I’ll have to be the one surnamed Fan.”

The child heard the two of them announce their names and smiled happily. Pulling open the door all the way, he bowed respectfully and said, “Will the two noble guests please come with me. The room is further in.”

The child turned to lead the way. In Fan Xian’s arms, the Northern Qi Emperor furrowed his brows. He had been in Dongyi a number of days and had entered the Hut a number of times. He was not unfamiliar with these paths. However, he had yet to see Sigu Jian. Fan Xian had broken through his and Yun Zhilan’s blockade and forcefully entered the Hut. It looked like Sigu Jian was not angry. On the contrary, it seemed he intended to meet the two of them.

Thinking of this, the Northern Qi Emperor’s state of mind grew solemn. He faintly sensed something not good.

Fan Xian’s gaze was focused on the child’s body. The child carried a sword on his back. It looked completely at odds with his small and thin figure.

Before long, the child had led the two of them to a room in the depths of the Sword Hut. More servants came with hot water and food. They quickly retreated, leaving the quiet room to Fan Xian and the Northern Qi Emperor.

The host had yet to speak or meet them, so these two guests could only passively accept these arrangements. Fan Xian and the Northern Qi Emperor sat alone in the quiet room. The atmosphere immediately became strange.

Fan Xian walked to the window and pushed aside the curtains to look out. He saw the large pit in the center of the square courtyard. His pupils constricted slightly.

The Northern Qi Emperor sat on the side of the bed behind him. Staring at his back coldly, he said, “Fan Xian, right now there is only the two of us. If you have something to say, you can say it.”

Fan Xian didn’t turn his head and quietly replied, “I trust Sigu Jian will be able to hear anything we say clearly. However, I am indeed curious as to how you guessed I was hiding in Lili’s room.”

The Northern Qi Emperor smiled strangely and did not explain. On the contrary, he said, “I am also curious as to why you guessed I knew your whereabouts and had sent people to kill you.”

Fan Xian shrugged and pulled his gaze back from the various sword tricks in the pit. Turning around to look at the Northern Qi Emperor, he quietly said, “This does not need to be explained. Actually, I am just a little angry as to why you’ve become so stupid and childish.”

He slowly lowered his eyelids and said, “Have you thought about what price this world will pay after you kill me?”

The young Emperor furrowed his brows. Fan Xian didn’t know if this was because of the unendurable pain from his ankle or because Fan Xian had given him such an unusual evaluation.

Fan Xian walked back from the window and sat on the stool in front of the bed. Calmly, he looked at the young Emperor’s face and suddenly said, “You’re not that little anymore, but I still habitually think of you as the little Emperor.”

Talking to the Northern Qi Emperor as if he was talking to a common person, the attitude and mood Fan Xian demonstrated truly shocked the Emperor. This was not a matter of power. It was a sense of equality rooted in the deepest parts of the blood and bone. Even with Lang Tiao and Yun Zhilan, when faced with the Northern Qi Emperor, they remained respectful. No one would be like Fan Xian, to view the dignity of rulers as nothing.

Fan Xian calmly looked at the little Emperor’s delicate and common appearance. His thoughts floating elsewhere. He was more aware than anyone else in this world of how incredible this young Emperor was. Many years ago, when he was still young and inexperienced, he had laid down a plot in the Qing Kingdom’s Jiangnan. Regardless of whether it was Fan Xian or the Eldest Princess who controlled the palace treasury, he would always be able to scoop up some advantage from it. Another example was the death of the Commander of the Northern Qi Brocade Guards, Shen Zhong. This young Emperor cleverly used Shang Shanhu and killed three birds with one stone. It had to be said that an Emperor’s heart was like a mirror. He was the evidence.

Fan Xian still did not understand why he wanted to kill him. If it had been during the Jingdou rebellion in the seventh year of the Qing calendar when the Northern Qi Emperor could use the Eldest Princess’s hand to kill him and then help the Great Prince take the throne, thus helping Northern Qi… But, three years had already passed. If the Emperor killed him in Dongyi, it was impossible for Northern Qi to stay out of it.

“Killing you in Dongyi could at least make it so that Dongyi could not surrender to the Qing.” The Emperor looked coldly at Fan Xian like he was not afraid to explain in front of him. “As for whether your death will anger the Qing court, it was not even within my realm of consideration. Are you saying that if you don’t die, your Emperor will not take up arms against the Qi Kingdom?”

The little Emperor laughed coldly. “Since you cannot stop the war from breaking out whether you are dead or alive, at least your death could make Dongyi lean toward me. Why would I not do such a beneficial thing?”

Uncle Wu Zhu’s figure floated in front of Fan Xian’s eyes. Looking at the little Emperor, he began to laugh mockingly and pityingly. Knocking one finger viciously against his bright forehead, he said, “Perhaps His Majesty would conduct himself with a dignity suited to his station and not take action personally by only sending out troops to avenge my death. If you actually killed me, I can promise you that a Northern Qi without Ku He would only become a bloodbath.”