Chapter 1228 – Preparation for Battle, Rest and Recuperation (7)
The master and his disciple chatted intimately for a while longer until Mr. Yuanjing showed signs of fatigue, prompting Han Yu to take his leave.
“Sir, rest early. I will come to visit again tomorrow,” he said.
Mr. Yuanjing replied, “The battle has barely paused, and there’s plenty to be done. Don’t worry about this old man; you carry on with your tasks.”
He sent Tang Yao to see Han Yu off, and after making a quick tidy, he prepared to rest.
However, tonight was destined to be anything but peaceful. The doorkeeper guarding the side entrance informed him that a guest was visiting.
“What kind of mysterious guest arrives at this hour?”
Mr. Yuanjing furrowed his brow, choosing not to approach through the main entrance, but rather sneaking through the side door like a shadow.
The doorkeeper handed him an object, which, upon inspection, made Mr. Yuanjing’s pupils suddenly constrict.
With a swift motion, Mr. Yuanjing turned his wrist and tightly grasped the item, his knuckles turning white from the force.
“Have that person wait for me in the study, and sneak them in without alarming anyone.”
His expression was somewhat unusual, and once the doorkeeper left, he relaxed his grip, revealing a jade Bodhisattva.
This jade was cold to the touch, with a bluish-green tint, but without any discoloration—pure green and of rich hue.
To most, this type of jade wasn’t considered precious and had very little value, even if its quality was top-notch, it couldn’t compare to other famous jade variants.
Noble families hardly paid any attention to such cheap trinkets.
Yet Mr. Yuanjing knew that this jade was called “Jadeite,” and it was said to be the most precious and rare “Imperial Green” among jadeite gems!
His knowledge came from a young friend of his who was quite the connoisseur.
“Gu Min—”
He murmured, aware that jadeite was a rarity, emerging from the southwestern frontier, where local commoners didn’t pay it much attention nor would they exert effort transporting it to the central plains. Only one person had once taken a fancy to jadeite, wholeheartedly collecting a number of treasures in secret.
【You don’t understand, this thing will be sought after in the future; stocking it up now, my descendants will surely thank me, the old ancestor.】
Only Gu Min could carve such a jade Buddha from jadeite.
Who could this guest be outside?
Once the guest was stealthily ushered in, Mr. Yuanjing’s eyes suddenly sharpened, locking onto the newcomer.
Judging by their stature, it was a young boy, still not of age, walking heavily with a chaotic gait, likely lacking martial skills—
The visitor raised his hand to close the study door, turning to Mr. Yuanjing, and as he walked, he removed his oversized hood.
As the hood came off, a delicate face was revealed.
The aura of nobility was unmistakable, indicating he was a spoiled scion of a noble family.
“I’m Liu Zhao, greetings, Mr. Yuanjing.”
Liu Zhao?
Mr. Yuanjing maintained a composed expression but understood in his heart.
The one holding a jade Bodhisattva was most likely a descendant of Gu Min.
Although this Liu Zhao was born out of wedlock, his true identity was the direct descendant of Gu Min and Liu Zhi.
Mr. Yuanjing forced a smile. “What brings you to visit this late at night?”
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind; his gaze towards Liu Zhao turned scrutinizing.
As smart as he was, he still couldn’t fathom the reason Liu Zhao sought him at this hour, nor did he wish to entertain conspiracy theories—
“The boy has read the letters left by my deceased mother and learned that you are no ordinary person. I come today to inquire about an important matter,” Liu Zhao stated seriously, his eyes burning with intensity, devoid of any frivolity. “This matter is of great significance, so I hope you won’t refuse or conceal anything.”
Mr. Yuanjing replied, “Speak, and on account of your mother, I will certainly lend whatever assistance I can.”
He didn’t want to pin down his words too firmly; if Liu Zhao sought power for himself, he would not help.
As for other trivial matters—
Of course, with Gu Min’s family involved, there was no such thing as a small matter.
Liu Zhao said, “Do you know that Liu Xi is not truly Liu Xi anymore?”
Mr. Yuanjing kept a calm expression. “I know, but what of it? Do you expect me to move against her?”
She was indeed quite formidable.
Even Master Liaochen could see it; he certainly could discern Jiang Pengji’s exceptional capabilities.
Though the idea of a soul borrowing a body was quite frightening, to a trickster of his caliber, it wasn’t insurmountable.
Wei Ci’s attitude and reaction were also crucial to his trust in Jiang Pengji.
He still vividly remembered the first time he encountered Gu Min and could clearly recall the world she described.
Yet—
That splendid and marvelous world could only be crafted by “Liu Xi.”
No, it should be said it was someone outside of Liu Xi who replaced her!
If Liu Zhao was foolish enough to challenge the current Liu Xi, Mr. Yuanjing would not assist, even if he were the child of an old friend.
Liu Zhao shook his head vigorously, whispering, “I never had such an idea; she is my sister, and I truly regard her as such. According to my deceased mother’s words, this person also holds the fate of the common people in her hands; she must not be moved. However, I know who wishes to act against her.”
Mr. Yuanjing raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you here today—”
“The one who wishes to act against my sister is also extremely important to me,” Liu Zhao replied. “I suspect my father, Liu Zhi, has been possessed by a traitor, with malicious intentions, while the true Liu Xi is missing. I came to ask if there’s a way for everyone to have peace.”
Liu Zhao was being overly greedy; he wanted to protect everyone.
Yet Mr. Yuanjing’s expression darkened as he looked at Liu Zhao with a complex gaze.
Liu Zhao bore some resemblance to Gu Min; his temperament was also somewhat similar.
“The world is a chessboard, and the common people are the pawns. We are but small players; the actual players are the generals and kings. Let them battle it out; it’s best for you not to meddle,” Mr. Yuanjing said seriously. “You saw what happened to the last person who attempted to intervene—”
Liu Zhao’s whole body trembled as his eyes widened in shock.
Mr. Yuanjing let out a long sigh, unintentionally lost in memories.
The world is a chessboard, and the common people are pawns.
Heaven is so benevolent toward the people, allowing an outsider to uphold the dark world, leading everything toward a brighter direction.
Yet it is also so cruel and merciless, generously granting the people everything, while tightly withholding the simplest longing of a mother.
【Chun An, I implore you to think of something… Isn’t there a way for everyone to have peace?】
A beautiful woman sobbed as she cradled a swaddled infant, her bloodshot eyes swollen and filled with despair.
【You can’t have both the fish and the bear’s paw; I am powerless—】
As Mr. Yuanjing’s words left his mouth, the woman broke down, wailing uncontrollably.
Learning that her daughter had a complete soul, the woman’s first reaction wasn’t joy but dread, her emotions on the brink of collapse.
She knew her daughter was lost and soulless; this body would soon receive a powerful soul, granting it a real rebirth.
But what of the outcome?
Her daughter was born with a complete soul!
This meant that this daughter was a brand-new life, and even more so, it was Gu Min’s daughter.
How could she accept that after raising her daughter for twelve years, she was usurped by a fated soul?
That was her daughter!
If this wasn’t done, the established Jiang Zhao would cease to exist, and the chaotic world, which should have ended long ago, would continue.
The longer the chaos persisted, the more lost souls and wandering ghosts would arise.
Even if the world ultimately unites, the dynasty built wouldn’t be Jiang Zhao!
While history may gradually progress forward, how long would it actually take to reach a developed modern age?
Five hundred years? A thousand years?
Jiang Zhao only took three hundred years!
When Jiang Zhao stood atop the world, other regions were still backward and desolate, plagued by ceaseless wars, and the populace remained ignorant and laughable.
If the butterfly flapped its wings across Jiang Zhao, who knows how many innocent souls would suffer.
Such consequences, could a mere Gu Min really bear?
