Chapter 988: A Different Regent Prince

“Your heart is tired, isn’t it?”

The Blind Man asked Xie Yu’an, who was squatting beside the little fish pond with him.

Xie Yu’an shook his head.

“Not tired.”

“Powerless?”

“Heh.”

Xie Yu’an laughed, scooped up a handful of water from the pond, and flung it into the air.

Then he said:

“I let go of distracting thoughts. I let go of ambition. I let go of old grudges. Everything I could find in my hands, everything I could see, everything I could reach, I found some way to drag onto the gambling table. I tried. And I tried with everything I had. I did not lie flat from the beginning.”

After saying that... right in front of the Blind Man...

Xie Yu’an lay flat beside the fish pond.

“And now?” the Blind Man asked.

“Great Chu has lain flat. His Majesty has lain flat. And I... have lain flat too.”

“How do you explain that?”

“I can lie here with a clear conscience because, for myself and for this country, I truly did gamble my life.”

“But you’re still lying flat,” the Blind Man said.

“It’s different. Different.”

Xie Yu’an waved one hand.

Then pointed at the sky above his field of vision and slowly said:

“Someone who hits a little setback and immediately lies flat, blaming Heaven and everyone around him, is really just like the fish in this pond. His whole life will never amount to more than this tiny patch of water. Cry a little louder, pity yourself a few more times, and you’re no different from a little child lying on the ground bawling because he wants an adult to notice, pull him up, and pat the dust off his clothes. But now, the thing in my sight is this entire vault of Heaven. I failed to grasp it, but I witnessed it. And I tried to catch it.”

“You’re still young.”

Xie Yu’an turned his head and looked at the Blind Man with a smile.

“Usually, when an older man tells you that you’re still young, some other idea follows right behind it. Something like: you still have a little value left to squeeze out, so why not let me use you?”

The Blind Man said nothing.

He silently took another orange from his pocket.

“How many of those do you have hidden in there?”

“A few more than you have in yours.”

The Blind Man began peeling the orange.

“I’m not eating it,” Xie Yu’an emphasized.

“You are.”

The Blind Man quickly finished peeling it and held the fruit out in front of Xie Yu’an.

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Xie Yu’an’s mouth.

“There is something I believe your Master still does not know.”

“Oh?”

“Your Master is a man who follows his true nature. Genuinely so. I did not believe that before. This time, I do.”

“And?”

“Back in the Liang lands, you were the one who gave me that hint, weren’t you?”

“What hint?”

“You’re pretending.”

“This is the first time you and I have ever met. Why are you slandering an innocent man?”

“This orange is enough. Your habit of feeding oranges to people is a bad one.”

The merchant spy who had delivered the message back then had also been fed an orange first.

The Blind Man laughed.

“Go on.”

“Tell me. If your Master learned that Li Fusheng’s death in battle had something to do with you too, how would you explain yourself? Your Master even moved Li Fusheng’s grave into the Tian Clan ancestral grounds. Their relationship was hardly ordinary.”

“Li Fusheng’s death was not within my calculations. All I wanted was to hint that, at the time, you could stir up some trouble outside South Gate Pass.”

“I know. You were not betraying your own side. If anything, you deserve to be called utterly loyal, willing to pay any price to create an opportunity for your Master to rise. That Three-State War can be said to have laid the foundation for your Master’s position today. You are very capable. I admire you. Truly. Standing before you, I suddenly realize I amount to nothing. Even when it comes to peeling oranges, I’m nowhere near as fast as you.”

Xie Yu’an rolled onto his side from his flat position and continued:

“I had the Xie Clan as my foundation. You followed your Master from nothing. Losing to you... I truly don’t have a single bubble of pride left to float on.”

“I can give you another chance.”

“Hahahahaha! Look at that. Look at that. There it is.”

Xie Yu’an sat up and stared at the Blind Man.

“What did I just say? What, you want to collect a dog for your Master?”

The Blind Man drew his hand back.

He calmly broke off one orange segment, put it into his own mouth, and chewed as he said:

“You’re not even qualified to be a dog.”

“That is a damned ugly thing to say.” Xie Yu’an pointed at his own chest. “My Xie Clan Army suffered terrible losses in this battle, yes. But in southern Chu, among the Shanyue, the position and influence of my Xie Clan are still something no one can ignore.”

The Blind Man said:

“A moment ago you were telling me how chaste and pure you were. Now you’re already advertising how seductive you are.”

“One thing is one thing. My Xie Clan and I, Xie Yu’an, have done right by Great Chu.”

“Great Chu’s ship has run aground. Want to climb aboard ours?”

“The price,” Xie Yu’an said.

The Blind Man pointed toward the fish pond.

“You’re practically drowning in the river. Someone throws you a rope, and instead of grabbing it, you shout that they have to pay silver before you’ll let them save you. Did water get into your brain?”

“Dignity!” Xie Yu’an said.

“I’ll give you the chance to earn it. This campaign is that chance. If the attack on Qian succeeds, the basic shape of All Xia will be settled.”

“I do not believe the Emperor of Yan’s breadth can truly have no limit.”

“His belly burst open long ago,” the Blind Man said very seriously. “Do you know something? The Emperor of Yan is even more shameless than I imagined.”

“Hahahaha.”

Xie Yu’an stood up laughing.

“Oh? Standing up again? Not lying flat?”

“I was only resting.”

The Blind Man handed over the orange, more than half of it still remaining.

Xie Yu’an smacked his lips.

In the end, he still reached out, took it, and put a segment into his mouth.

“You should have died.”

“...” Xie Yu’an.

“Cough...”

“The orange isn’t poisoned.”

“Oh~”

“But I think if you died, you would instead be doing exactly what *it* wants.”

The Blind Man flicked the orange peel into the fish pond.

“If somebody wants to press down on my head and force me to do something, not only do I resist, I want to bend his claws backward and use them to press *him* to death instead. That is what makes things interesting, isn’t it?”

“I don’t understand who you mean by ‘it,’ but I understand the meaning of what you said. I support it.”

“I like rebelling.”

“Coincidentally, so do I.”

The Blind Man gave him a meaningful smile.

“I know.”

...

“Hyah!”

“It’s the Grand General! Open the gate!”

Fengxin City’s east gate slowly opened.

Liang Cheng rode a Pi Beast into the city.

Xue San was sitting behind him on the beast’s back.

“Ah Cheng, when we left, negotiations over there had not even begun yet. Master was already that certain they’d work out, enough to send you back early to take over and transfer the troops?”

Liang Cheng answered:

“Compared with Master’s growth in military command, what Master was best at from the very beginning was actually politics.”

“That’s true.” Xue San nodded.

“Since Master is confident, matters with Chu will probably be settled. I am skilled at military affairs, but not politics.”

“Mm. People like you usually end up with achievements so great they threaten the ruler, then get cooked once the rabbit is dead.”

Cold light appeared in Liang Cheng’s eyes.

Xue San immediately slapped his own forehead and apologized:

“Sorry. I hit the mark.”

To ease the atmosphere, Xue San changed the subject.

“Master is looking more and more like the Master now. You know, this time the Blind Man really should have discussed things privately with Nian Yao and created a fait accompli first, laying some groundwork for Master’s grand undertaking of rebellion. But in the end, the Blind Man still went to report everything to Master himself.”

“Master already knew. Or rather... he had guessed long ago.”

“Exactly. That’s what’s frightening. Even the Blind Man no longer dares fool Master. Hiss... good heavens.”

“We’re almost there.”

At the entrance to Prince Pingxi Residence...

Liang Cheng dismounted from the Pi Beast.

Xue San jumped down right behind him.

“Ah Cheng, tell me, what kind of mother just throws her own son in there and leaves? She doesn’t feel sorry for him, but we godfathers do.”

“He won’t starve.”

“No shit. Of course you’re happy. I even suspect you secretly colluded with Sha Tuo Queshi long ago to help the brat cheat!”

“No.”

“Like hell I believe you.”

Liang Cheng walked ahead.

Xue San continued cursing and grumbling behind him.

The two passed through the front hall and arrived at the artificial hill in the rear residence.

A small tent stood outside the huge iron door.

A candle was lit inside.

Hearing movement, Big Girl crawled out.

She wore a brown marten-fur coat that could serve both as warm clothing and as bedding.

The moment she saw who had arrived, Big Girl shouted happily:

“Third Uncle! Uncle Cheng! You’re finally back!”

“Yo, little Princess. Look what Uncle brought you.”

Xue San presented Big Girl with an exquisite doll.

It had been carved and polished from a special material taken from an ornament worn by a Chu noble.

“Thank you, Third Uncle.”

Big Girl immediately thanked him.

Xue San looked her over and seemed somewhat puzzled.

“Huh? Little Princess, why do you look a little fatter than before we went on campaign?”

“Mm...”

Big Girl immediately reached up and pinched her cheeks.

Fortunately, this era’s aesthetic did not pursue the skeletal look.

People were quite accepting of a girl being a little plump.

“Am I, Third Uncle?”

“It’s good. Good.”

“Maybe this month, because I’ve been worried about Little Brother, I followed Mother’s instructions and reported the time to him every day. That made my three meals and late-night snack very regular too. So I gained weight...”

“Oh. So that’s it.”

“Third Uncle, hurry and let Little Brother out.”

“Mm. All right.”

Xue San jumped over to the artificial hill, pulled an iron chain from between the rocks, and began drawing it backward.

The locking catches on the huge iron door released with it.

There was a particular rhythm and speed required when pulling the chain.

Simply yanking with brute force could easily jam the mechanism completely.

Liang Cheng reached out and gripped the iron door.

His ten fingernails lengthened and wedged into position.

Then he exerted strength.

Rumble!

The iron door rose.

It kept rising until it was pushed all the way up and secured.

Inside was pitch-black.

Nothing could be seen clearly.

Big Girl walked forward on her own and called:

“Little Brother! Little Brother! Come out. I had the kitchens prepare a late-night snack for you!”

Liang Cheng had already released the door.

Xue San let go of the chain as well and stood beside him.

“Little Brother? Little Brother?”

Big Girl kept calling.

Xue San reached out and poked Liang Cheng’s knee.

“You need footsteps first. One step at a time.”

At that moment... the sound of footsteps came from the darkness inside the secret chamber.

Slow.

But clear.

Xue San poked Liang Cheng’s knee again.

“Best if his eyes can glow too. His clothes should be a little ragged, but the basic shape still has to be there. He can’t be half naked. You have to control the degree properly. Then finish with a warm contrast.”

At that moment...

Zheng Lin emerged from the darkness.

Purple light flowed within his eyes.

The aura around his body lightly stirred his clothes.

They were damaged, yet somehow that only gave him a wild, feral presence.

“Little Brother, you’re finally out!”

Big Girl rushed forward and hugged him tightly.

Zheng Lin’s expression stiffened for a brief instant.

Then it softened.

He raised one hand and rested it on his elder sister’s shoulder.

“Elder Sister...”

Xue San sighed and said emotionally:

“He’s exactly like his real father. No need for a paternity test. This is absolutely biological.”

“Is Master bad?” Liang Cheng asked.

“Our godson is becoming more and more like his biological father. It just feels strange in my heart.”

“Mm.” Liang Cheng reminded him, “Would you dare say that in front of Master?”

“No.”

Zheng Lin also saw Xue San and Liang Cheng standing behind them.

He immediately called out:

“Third Dad! Dad Cheng!”

The Demon Kings were technically his uncles’ generation.

But when meeting them, he called them godfathers.

Liang Cheng beckoned.

Zheng Lin released Big Girl’s hand and walked over.

Green light appeared in Liang Cheng’s eyes.

Baleful qi erupted around him.

Under the pull of that aura... baleful qi began emerging from Zheng Lin’s body as well.

For the entire month, Zheng Lin had survived on baleful qi.

And that was only because Sha Tuo Queshi had been generous enough to feed his own zombie origin essence to his grandson.

Xue San stretched out his arms, wanting a hug.

Zheng Lin opened his arms too and walked toward him.

Then...

Whoosh!

A sharp sound split the air.

Zheng Lin practically launched himself away, sprinting in another direction.

But in the next instant...

Xue San appeared ahead of him on the exact line of escape.

A vicious light appeared in Zheng Lin’s eyes.

And at that moment... the seal that should have existed between his brows was completely gone!

Hum!

Hum!

Hum!

The two exchanged blows at terrifying speed.

At last, Xue San slashed open Zheng Lin’s chest with a dagger, forcing him backward.

If he refused to retreat... his own godfather would have dug out his heart.

“Tsk, tsk.”

Xue San licked the blood from his dagger.

“Don’t seal me again! You are not allowed... to seal me again!”

Zheng Lin clenched both fists.

At this moment... he displayed the might of a Demon King!

His strength had not yet fully entered the great hall, but the aura alone was enough to chill the heart.

Then, Pfft!

Five fingernails plunged straight into Zheng Lin’s back.

Baleful qi poured in with them.

Zheng Lin’s body began trembling.

Very quickly... the baleful qi around him gradually contracted until it vanished completely.

At the same time... the mark between his brows reappeared somewhat.

Liang Cheng withdrew his fingernails.

Zheng Lin knelt on the ground.

He still gritted his teeth and refused to admit defeat.

“I have already reinforced my portion of the baleful-qi seal. Later, the Blind Man and A’Ming will add their portions again and complete a new round of sealing.”

“You’re going to... lock me up again?” Zheng Lin asked.

Xue San stepped forward and patted Zheng Lin’s face.

“No. This time, Third Dad is personally taking you to the command tent. Truthfully, the one who worried most about you suffering here was your real father. If your father had not ordered it, we would never have been able to return this quickly.”

Zheng Lin turned his face away.

“What about me?”

Big Girl pointed at her own face as she asked.

Mother was no longer at home.

Father was not at home either.

And now Little Brother was leaving too...

Xue San smiled.

“Of course you’re coming with us. Your maternal grandmother wants to see you.”

“Mm...”

“What? You don’t want to see your maternal grandmother?”

“I used to want to,” Big Girl said.

“Then why not so much now?”

“Because Father already beat Chu half to pieces... Mm. Maternal Grandmother and Uncle probably need family to comfort them now.”

As she spoke...

Big Girl walked to Zheng Lin’s side.

She used Longyuan to cut a strip from her own undershirt, bandaged Zheng Lin with it, and stroked the back of his head.

“Little Brother, let’s go see Father together. Isn’t that nice? We get to go out and play again.”

The coldness in Zheng Lin’s eyes could never remain when he faced his elder sister.

He could only lower his head and silently accept it.

Big Girl continued:

“Mother says Father is completely different when he’s fighting a war compared with how he is at home.”

“Heh. How different could he possibly be?”

...

Spring was still far away.

Yet the spring rain already seemed impatient to moisten this land.

On the sleeping platform inside the command tent...

Zheng Fan sat upright, picked up the teacup beside him, and drank a large mouthful of water.

Xiong Liqing, her long hair loose over her shoulders, sat up as well.

She leaned against her husband’s shoulder.

One finger unconsciously traced little circles over his chest.

Zheng Fan reached out and caught that mischievous soft hand.

Xiong Liqing immediately tried to pull free.

There was almost a sob in her voice as she pleaded:

“No more. No more. This concubine surrenders. I surrender. Husband, please spare me. I truly can’t take any more. Husband really is completely different when he’s fighting a war compared with how he is at home.”

[End of Chapter 988]