Chapter 1510: The World Is Ever-Changing

Yun Ji casually acted to wake the man as well. Yuan Gang walked over to the chest and looked down at the person inside as he slowly came to.

Niu Youdao leaned back in his chair and watched.

Lü Wushuang happened to arrive just then. As she walked over, she kept glancing back at the man who had been delivered in a chest, then placed an intelligence report on Niu Youdao’s table.

The man in the chest was Chu Anlou, who had served for many years as the manager of Rainbow Inn. He was the man Yuan Gang had asked for, and Yun Ji had sent Wu Zhaoxing and the others to bring him here.

A hand gripped the rim of the chest. His bones and muscles aching from being crammed inside, Chu Anlou slowly climbed out.

He swayed to his feet, shook his head, and only then saw his surroundings clearly. “You are...” His gaze landed on Yuan Gang’s face, and he froze. The man looked familiar.

He turned and looked at Yun Ji. Then, on seeing Lü Wushuang, he was badly startled. He obviously recognized her.

When he saw Niu Youdao as well, he froze again. “Niu Youdao? Weren’t you...” He quickly looked around the room, half suspecting that he had died and somehow arrived in the netherworld.

They really had brought this fellow here. Niu Youdao leaned against the back of his chair with a wry smile and waved in greeting. “Manager Chu, it’s been a long time.”

The soreness throughout Chu Anlou’s body from being stuffed into the chest confirmed that this was the very real world of the living. He also remembered being ambushed and captured.

Why seize him out of nowhere? Chu Anlou’s gaze returned to the smiling Niu Youdao. He seemed to understand why he had been taken, and his heart instinctively tightened.

He could feel that his spiritual power had been restrained. Then he saw Niu Youdao sitting there at ease while even Lü Wushuang stood nearby. He hurriedly lifted a leg over the side of the chest, stepped out, and cupped his hands toward Niu Youdao. “Master Dao.”

His tone was humble, his posture lower than low. He used that form of address because he had once heard that everyone around Niu Youdao called him Master Dao.

Chu Anlou remembered Niu Youdao vividly, naturally because he had once humiliated him. Niu Youdao’s meteoric rise afterward had surprised him as well.

But he had never taken it too seriously. The side Chu Anlou belonged to possessed an overwhelming advantage from high above. He stood among those who looked down upon the masses as ants. No matter how high Niu Youdao leapt, he could never threaten him.

Only now, seeing Niu Youdao again, did Chu Anlou understand how swiftly the affairs of the world could change. The mere fact that the other side could have him seized and brought here spoke volumes about the power Niu Youdao now commanded. Fear churned inside him.

Yuan Gang spoke. “Back then, you relied on the power behind you to bully others and humiliate us at will. Now that we meet again today, what do you have to say for yourself?”

So it really was about what had happened back then. Chu Anlou was deeply embarrassed and quickly cupped his hands to Yuan Gang. “What happened then was entirely this humble one’s fault, but I too had no choice in the matter. I ask Your Excellency not to lower yourself to quarrel with someone like me.”

Yuan Gang barked angrily, “If we hadn’t fought for our lives all the way to this day, would you ever have admitted you were wrong? Would someone who bullied others with borrowed power ever have lowered himself enough to call himself ‘this humble one’ before us?”

Chu Anlou was embarrassed and wanted to explain, but Yuan Gang had no intention of wasting words with him. He suddenly reached out and seized him by the throat.

“Monkey!” Niu Youdao urgently called out to stop him, but it was already too late.

Yuan Gang wrapped an arm around Chu Anlou’s neck and twisted. Crack! Chu Anlou’s head turned more than halfway around. His eyes bulged wide, and blood seeped from his mouth.

Niu Youdao had half risen from his chair. “Ai...” He sat back down and looked at Yuan Gang with a sigh. “Was that really necessary? There was no need!”

Yuan Gang grabbed Chu Anlou, dragged him over, and shoved him back into the chest. Without another word, he turned and walked away empty-handed.

He left with the air of a man who had settled an old score and tossed aside his bloodied blade.

“...” Yun Ji turned her head and stared speechlessly at his departing back. Wu Zhaoxing and the others had gone to all that trouble, traveling such a long way to bring the man here, and after barely a few words Yuan Gang had simply snapped his neck?

Niu Youdao sighed repeatedly. “You all saw that, didn’t you? First time seeing this side of him, I suppose? This Monkey isn’t as good-natured as you imagine. Sometimes he’s far more ruthless than I am.”

Lü Wushuang immediately smiled and defended Yuan Gang. “Wasn’t he doing it to vent your anger for you?”

Niu Youdao shot her a sidelong look and gave an amused exclamation. “So it’s true that people who aren’t one family don’t enter the same door. You’re already wearing the same pair of trousers with him this quickly?”

Still smiling, Lü Wushuang turned and left. She really had changed quite a lot. She smiled more now.

She could feel the change in herself as well. After coming here, little by little, she no longer had to guard against this person and that one. She no longer needed to remain constantly wary even of the people beside her, nor did she have to deliberately maintain an aloof bearing. She could let her emotions come naturally and smile whenever she felt like smiling. Body and mind alike had become much freer.

Once, although she had stood high above everyone else and had never lacked people around her, all she had felt was loneliness.

Her life now was nothing like the future she had once expected when she first decided she wanted to marry Yuan Gang. An environment could change a person too.

Niu Youdao glanced at Chu Anlou’s limbs hanging awkwardly out over the edge of the chest and waved at Yun Ji, signaling for her to drag it away.

So Yun Ji hauled the chest off to dispose of it.

In truth, Yun Ji was the same. Back when she had still been Mountain Lord of Duyun Mountain, she had rarely smiled, scarcely even speaking much. Now she too was gradually changing, because she finally felt at ease.

...

During a lull in the fighting, outside the Qin army’s central command tent, Xiaoyue Pavilion Sect Leader Lu Yuan led several elders straight inside.

Luo Zhao, who was discussing the next phase of battle with his generals, started slightly. Lu Yuan gestured for those unrelated to the matter to withdraw.

Luo Zhao could tell something was happening, but he did not know what.

Lu Yuan did not beat around the bush. He told him directly that Shang Chaozong had sincerely invited them over, Xiaoyue Pavilion had already agreed, and they were preparing to withdraw from Qi territory.

Luo Zhao was visibly shaken and also puzzled. “Why would Shang Chaozong suddenly think of recruiting Xiaoyue Pavilion?”

Lu Yuan said, “The State of Jin’s ambitions are known to every passerby. Sooner or later it will march east. Shang Chaozong is naturally gathering strength to resist Jin’s eastern campaign. His territory has expanded too quickly, and he is recruiting cultivators from all under Heaven on a broad scale. There is nothing strange about him making such a move.”

Luo Zhao slowly nodded. That did seem the only reason. After pondering for a moment, he reminded them, “The road is long, and our provisions are already running short. We are urgently waiting for grain from Jin. If we leave now, we won’t get far. And how are Qin’s million soldiers supposed to get through Xiping Pass?”

Lu Yuan said nothing. He only looked at Luo Zhao in silence.

Luo Zhao quickly understood. “Xiaoyue Pavilion means to abandon these million troops and leave?”

Lu Yuan said, “Jin will certainly force the Qin army to fight to the death at the front. Never mind how many of those million soldiers will die or be wounded—Xiaoyue Pavilion itself will probably suffer severe losses as well. Afterward, Jin will never permit Xiaoyue Pavilion to retain an army and use it to bolster our own position. These troops will soon be broken up and reorganized. Jin is overbearing, and from then on we would inevitably have to watch its face. Shang Chaozong, on the other hand, thirsts for worthy men and has promised to treat us generously. The difference is obvious. There is nothing difficult about the choice.”

Luo Zhao muttered inwardly: Shang Chaozong may indeed thirst for worthy men, but the real question is whether you people deserve to be called worthy. Once you get there, won’t you still have to watch someone else’s face? Do you think he’ll simply let you do whatever you please?

Out loud, he reminded them, “Since Sect Leader knows Jin will sooner or later march east, even if you avoid this battle, I’m afraid you won’t be able to avoid the next one after going to Shang Chaozong.”

Lu Yuan said, “The fate of the former State of Wei’s three great sects is warning enough. If we had not run out of alternatives, why would Xiaoyue Pavilion ever have submitted to Jin? Now that another road has opened, a worthy bird chooses the tree where it roosts. At the very least, it gives us a chance to catch our breath. Jin is far too domineering, and we still don’t know what will become of us afterward. Better to go east.”

Luo Zhao considered this. “Sect Leader has spoken so openly to Luo. Is there something you wish me to do?”

Lu Yuan said, “Once we reach Shang Chaozong, all four prefectures will be filled with troops and officials of the Shang faction. General, you understand military affairs. Naturally, we would need your counsel and assistance.”

After a brief silence, Luo Zhao shook his head and refused. “I appreciate Sect Leader’s goodwill. I wish you a safe journey.”

Lu Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. A trace of killing intent appeared in them. If he could not take Luo Zhao along, he did not want to leave him behind for Jin either. “I’m afraid that decision is not yours to make!”

Luo Zhao sensed something and immediately tried to calm the situation. “Sect Leader, if I leave, what becomes of these million Qin soldiers? With me gone, the army will have no leader. With Xiaoyue Pavilion gone as well, its defenses will be in shambles. If the Qi army attacks, won’t a million soldiers be left for them to slaughter? There is nothing wrong with Xiaoyue Pavilion seeking another path. No outsider can fault you for that. But if Xiaoyue Pavilion ignores the lives of this million-man army, then after you reach Shang Chaozong, what happens when the Shang faction takes this as a warning? How will Xiaoyue Pavilion ever command anyone there?”

That made the members of Xiaoyue Pavilion look at one another. They had to admit his words made sense.

The killing intent in Lu Yuan’s eyes gradually receded. He said slowly, “General insists on staying?”

Luo Zhao cupped his hands. “These million brothers have all served Xiaoyue Pavilion. We cannot simply abandon them like this. Luo Zhao is willing to remain behind and settle matters.”

Lu Yuan stared at him for a while, then said no more. He turned, waved a hand, and led the others away.

But at the entrance to the tent, he stopped again and spoke without turning around. “General, if we meet on the battlefield in the future, do not blame Xiaoyue Pavilion for showing no regard for old ties.”

Luo Zhao cupped his hands. “Each serves his own master! Sect Leader, take care.”

Lu Yuan strode away.

Luo Zhao slowly walked outside the tent and watched them depart. Xiaoyue Pavilion’s people had already gathered, and Emperor Xia Lingpei of Qin and Empress Dowager Zhuang Hong had been invited into a carriage.

Mother and son were Xiaoyue Pavilion’s last shred of legitimacy, so at least the sect had not cast them aside.

Before boarding the carriage, both mother and son looked back toward the central command tent. Luo Zhao’s heart was desolate. He cupped his hands, bowed, and silently saw them off.

Hooves thundered. With that, everyone from Xiaoyue Pavilion separated from the Qin army and departed.

A general came to Luo Zhao’s side and asked quietly, “General, has Xiaoyue Pavilion run away?”

“They’ve gone to join Shang Chaozong.” Luo Zhao gave the answer, then shook his head. “Everyone knows Xiaoyue Pavilion’s ambition. They plotted to found a state of their own. Shang Chaozong’s dragon-and-tiger momentum is surging, his power suppressing even the Yan court. How could he tolerate men with disloyal designs? Yet this time he actually took the initiative to recruit them... Whether this journey brings Xiaoyue Pavilion fortune or disaster, I’m afraid even they don’t know.”

The main force of cultivators accompanying the army had left. If the Qi army launched an attack, the consequences would be disastrous. Luo Zhao did not dare delay. He had to make preparations before Qi could react. He immediately summoned his generals for a council, rapidly organized the army to withdraw and maintain a safe distance from the Qi forces, and at the same time urgently requested aid from the Jin army...

A vast cavalry force came rolling in. Gao Pin had personally led an army here.

Having received word in advance, Luo Zhao led his generals out to welcome him. The cavalry formation opened before them, revealing Gao Pin in armor beneath a great banner bearing the character “Gao.” Luo Zhao immediately led his generals down on one knee and called in unison, “Greetings, Grand Marshal!”

Gao Pin laughed heartily, jumped down from his warhorse, and strode forward. Bending over, he personally took Luo Zhao by both hands and pulled him to his feet. “I’ve long heard of the General’s great name. To meet you today gives me tremendous joy. Rise, rise! All of you generals, quickly rise!”

He truly was delighted. Fortunately Luo Zhao was here. Otherwise, how could Xiaoyue Pavilion possibly have handed this army over to Jin so easily? Before leaving, they would surely have caused chaos.

Once everyone had risen, Gao Pin laughed and took Luo Zhao by the arm. The two walked forward side by side, intimate as brothers, through the Qin troops who had come to welcome them. Luo Zhao could not help feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

When the Qin soldiers saw this, the unease in their hearts immediately eased.

“The situation here was urgent, so Gao had no choice but to hurry over. The grain is right behind me and will arrive by this evening at the latest.” Gao Pin deliberately raised his voice before everyone, making sure the soldiers could hear, precisely to steady their morale.

“Men, Gao swears here and now: from this day forward, we are all soldiers of Jin. Rewards and punishments will be the same for everyone, with no distinction between us!”

[End of Chapter 1510]