Chapter 82: Guangling, My Lord! Muyun?

The carriage had vanished into the misty rain, and Zhong Ming slowly withdrew his gaze. He opened the nameless envelope in his hand; the thick xuan paper inside contained at least seven or eight sheets. Zhong Ming had no choice but to sit down and read it slowly. The minuscule characters were crammed densely across every page, and it took him a full incense stick's time to finish.

After reading the letter, Zhong Ming's eyes grew complex. He casually tossed the paper into the stove, burning it to nothing.

The letter spoke of many matters, including the details of Liu Chengyin's clash with Qin Xiong in the imperial city the previous day. Liu Chengyin had set out to avenge a woman named Tang Yewan; he had accepted a poem from her as payment and helped her slay her faithless lover Qin Xiong.

Tang Yewan's affairs were mentioned only in passing—she lived in Bianliang City as the madam of the city's most prestigious Lu family.

The Lu family was an ancient clan in Bianliang, its heritage spanning hundreds of years across more than a dozen generations. Its members served in imperial offices in the capital as well as in the jianghu as heroic knights. The Lu family's current hero, Lu Renjie, had entered the Heavenly Gang list ten years ago as a legendary martial figure, ranked thirty-third on the Tianhui Star.

As madam of this great family, Tang Yewan had once harbored an attachment to Qin Xiong that could not be severed. Love turning to hatred, she had offered a poem in exchange for a bitter mandarin-duck savior—Liu Chengyin—to seek vengeance. Yet Liu Chengyin proved no match in skill. Outside the imperial city walls, Qin Xiong had not even needed to lift a hand, and Liu Chengyin could not defeat him.

The world's number one, Qin Wudi, was naturally invincible among men.

After the battle, Qin Xiong resigned his post and headed to Bianliang City, where he would arrive within a few days. As for Liu Chengyin's whereabouts, the matter had become a mystery. That day he had ridden upon a sea of corpses from the west gate of Luoyang City, only to fall into another sea of corpses upon leaving the city walls, following a figure wearing a bronze mask. His trail had vanished into shadow.

It was guessed that he had gone to the northwest borderlands, where New Tang met Later Chen.

Rumors spoke of a brilliant light descending at the border between New Tang and Later Chen, hinting at an immortal's hidden mansion there. It was believed Liu Chengyin had gone to that palace of immortals.

The letter then flowed across the pages in an elegant analysis of the border's present situation. Yang Yanlang was already on his way back. According to the letter, they had camped near Qiyun Mountain, close to Wangxian City, for three days without moving. The recent earthquakes were suspected to be connected to Qiyun Mountain.

The letter even touched upon the succession in New Tang. Emperor Li Yuan of Tang Zhen had grown weary of the throne and, as early as the previous year, had begun constructing a new cultivation palace outside Luoyang on Taice Mountain. The emperor had become obsessed with the quest for immortality, harboring a quiet wish to retire and cultivate long life.

By etiquette, the eldest son was preferred. Crown Prince Li Jianye had been the former crown prince for three years. More than a year earlier he had suddenly fallen gravely ill, taken to the palace to recuperate, and then vanished from sight for over a year. The previous night, word had spread that the former crown prince Li Jianye had died, and Qin King Li Shicheng had succeeded him as crown prince, shocking the entire realm.

There were undercurrents at work, but it was New Tang Li family business; no one dared speak out. The crowd of melon-eating spectators could only eat their melons in silence.

At the letter's end lay one final piece of counsel: today it was best to head north, keep well away from the borderlands, and especially stay clear of the Li households in the village.

After burning the letter, Zhong Ming rose and stared blankly at the rain beyond the door.

The letter's meaning was simple: the day of border upheaval drew near, probably within these very days.

The hand behind the letter was clearly that of Meng Chong, the hall master. Though the minuscule characters were small, Zhong Ming recognized the same brushwork used when Meng had written prescriptions.

He sighed and gazed toward Qiyun Mountain, murmuring to himself, "Can I truly go?"

To abandon everything he had painstakingly built over three years, to leave the villagers of Yuni Village behind, and set out north alone into the northwest? Yang Yanlang had not returned, Pei Dacheng's fate in the Bailu Capital residence in the city remained unknown, Liang Heizi still roamed the streets all day, and Que Ya and the others had grown used to relying on him and now had no true leader left.

If Zhong Ming left, Yuni Village would not collapse, yet it would certainly descend into chaos for a time.

After long thought, he realized he could not go. Too many burdens weighed upon his heart; he could not let them go.

Since he could not leave, he must prepare for the changes that were about to sweep over the border.

Most urgent of all was Li Mu Jiang. Several people had urged him to stay clear of Li Mu Jiang's house, as though it were a dragon's pool or tiger's den.

Li Mu Jiang was bold and kind-hearted. He lived reclusely, disliked crowds, and was otherwise unremarkable.

Had Zhong Ming not seen those royal secrets, he would not have thought twice. But now he had, and the two families had become inextricably linked in his mind.

Zhong Ming began to piece together names. He did not know Li Mu Jiang's own name, but he knew his sons: eldest Li Guangling, second Li Wangye, and youngest Li Muyun.

The three names held meaning. Li Guangling was nine years old. Nine years ago, when the Li family army rose in rebellion, Li Jianye—Li Yuan's eldest son—had been stationed in Guangling City, holding the fort for three full years.

Li Wangye was probably five now. Five years earlier the Li family had already seized half the realm, contending with Later Chen on equal terms, and the people's hearts had turned to them. Victory had seemed only a matter of time, even without Bailu Capital's aid.

Wangye, "wild hope"—that had been Li Mu Jiang's fierce ambition in those days to seize the rivers and mountains.

The third son Li Muyun had been born only this year, still in swaddling clothes. Naming him Muyun, a name evoking drifting clouds and wild cranes, showed that Li Mu Jiang had already seen through fame and fortune, carrying the weary weight of a heart grown cold.

"Name becoming Guangling, youth Wangye for rivers and mountains, middle age unfulfilled yet Muyun."

Was this not exactly Li Mu Jiang's life?

Though Li Mu Jiang had never spoken of his true name or origin, his identity had already been revealed.

Such a guess gave a reasonable explanation for why the beautiful madam of the Li family, the expert on the Heavenly Gang list Hu Su, had willingly knelt at his feet.

The rain outside fell harder, thunder rolling overhead.

Zhong Ming sighed endlessly: "Li Jianye, you hid so deeply! From Luoyang City to a small border town in New Tang."

This rain had continued until midday before finally stopping. The dark clouds dispersed, and the sky after the rain was washed clear and bright.

Zhong Ming walked the muddy path through the countryside. After the storm, Yuni Village truly lived up to its name, once more releasing that faint fishy scent. He stepped forward with one foot sinking into the mud, his destination Li Mu Jiang's house.

After the downpour, villagers emerged from their courtyards, chatting with neighbors about the day's affairs. At Lu Dashu's home, Wen Qiaoqiao carried her child around the yard. Seeing Zhong Ming, she smiled and called out, "Mr. Zhong, where are you going?"

Zhong Ming turned with a faint smile and did not answer, continuing on.

Watching his retreating back, Wen Qiaoqiao frowned and muttered, "Mr. Zhong seems so strange today. Even when smiling, his brows are all wrinkled."

Everyone could see he carried heavy thoughts. The usually cheerful Zhong Ming was today weighed down.

Wen Qiaoqiao returned indoors and quickly urged, "Husband, quickly fetch that pheasant."

"Take the chicken? You drank chicken soup yesterday; now you want more?" Lu Dashu climbed from his bed, scratching his head.

"Take it if I say so—no more chatter!"

She kicked Lu Dashu lightly, took the pheasant from his hands, handed the child back, and carried the bird toward Zhong Ming's house.

Mr. Zhong was unhappy; he needed something good to eat to lift his spirits. If the master grew too tired, half of Yuni Village would collapse.

Zhong Ming had already passed the village and reached its eastern edge. Coincidentally, Sun Luolian sat in her courtyard in a daze. Seeing him approach, she first brightened, then frowned once more.

A few days earlier, three guests had arrived: a man with a child who played the pipa all day, disturbing everyone's sleep.

Sun Luolian cared little for the music. She often slipped outside to listen, finding the melody pleasant, more interesting than Mr. Guo's storytelling.

There was also a woman—beautiful, very beautiful. At first she had doubted the tales of heavenly beauty, but one morning Sun Luolian had secretly visited Zhong Ming's house and only then believed the woman was truly lovely.

It could not be called beautiful; it was simply seductive as a fox spirit.

The sister-in-law of the Li family next door could not compare, leaving Sun Luolian bitterly disappointed, to the point of self-loathing.

Originally, in the border city, Sun Luolian had been the well-regarded beauty of ten miles and eight villages. Many families had come to propose. She had thought herself attractive enough, yet before that woman she was like a wild duck beside a swan.

The true difference lay in her temperament: an aura that repelled a thousand li yet stirred men's conquest. A woman of such presence living in Zhong Gege's house filled Sun Luolian with wild imaginings. The villagers had begun to gossip: the woman in Mr. Zhong's home was truly beautiful, looking like a noble young lady, perfectly matched to Mr. Zhong, like a golden boy and jade girl. Had Zhong Gege truly married from outside?

Tears welled in Sun Luolian's eyes. She regretted not speaking plainly earlier.

While she frowned in thought, Zhong Ming reached the bamboo fence outside her small courtyard. He did not seem to notice her.

Sun Luolian nearly raised her hand to stop him, but the words died on her lips.

Zhong Ming paused briefly, then walked straight into Li Mu Jiang's yard.

Next door, Sun Luolian sat heartbroken, secretly wiping her tears.

It was the age of infatuation, and a woman full of affection. Sun Luolian had loved deeply; when would she regain the confidence to compete with a heavenly immortal?

Zhong Ming knocked on Li's wooden door. Li Wangye opened it and hugged his leg, shouting, "Zhong Ming brother."

Zhong Ming forced a smile. "Wangye, is your father home?"

"Zhong Ming brother, wait; I'll fetch my dad right now."

Li Wangye ran inside. In the outer room, Li Guangling read as usual, though today he held a rare book titled Scholars of the Hundred Families, which told the legendary histories of scholars from Later Chen.

Li Guangling read widely and deeply; he was a diligent student and good material for learning.

Greeted with a bow, Zhong Ming then lowered his head once more.

The fire that had kindled in his chest at the sight of the two sons had cooled by half, leaving only deep helplessness.

Before long Li Mu Jiang emerged from the inner room in a long robe. He smiled, "The wind after the rain is so fresh. It has brought Mr. Zhong to visit my humble home."

Zhong Ming did not smile. He returned the bow coldly. "Li Jianye, I have an inquiry today."

Li Mu Jiang's smile stiffened, then resumed. He gestured for Zhong Ming to step outside. "Zhong kid, I rarely see such a beautiful sky after rain. Why not walk and talk?"

"Very well."

Following the suggestion, the two walked side by side out of the small courtyard.

Just beyond the gate, Hu Su stepped from his house, carrying the white-cloth-wrapped Xingtian iron bow, his eyes fixed fiercely on Zhong Ming.

Zhong Ming pretended not to see him and continued walking. Li Jianye waved a hand. "Walk with me casually, don't look like you're facing a great foe."

After a pause, Hu Su turned and returned indoors.

The road after rain was always treacherous. Li Jianye and Zhong Ming followed a narrow path northward. A small hill slope lay ahead, offering a clear view of the entire Yuni Village.

Zhong Ming spoke in a low voice, "Li Jianye, I do not wish to circle around. Today I want to persuade you to leave Yuni Village. Our temple is too small to hold such a great Buddha as you."

"It seems you have investigated everything. Yang Yanlang returned and told you?"

A chill seemed to settle over Li Jianye as he pulled his long robe tighter. A bitter smile lingered at his lips, sorrow in his brows.

Zhong Ming shook his head. "You may not know yet. Last night an edict came from the imperial palace in Luoyang: the former crown prince Li Jianye has passed away. Qin King Li Shicheng has succeeded as crown prince, and soon he will become the second emperor of New Tang."

Li Jianye's figure paused. He was dazed for a moment, then sighed deeply. "Second brother has achieved it. He truly has... It was an inevitable outcome. Originally, it was his to seize the rivers and mountains. This New Tang belongs to him."

"You are already a dead man. Yuni Village does not welcome the dead. If you do not leave, it will sooner or later bring disaster upon the village."

Zhong Ming's words were firm; this was the result he had to reach.

Li Jianye smiled bitterly and quickened his pace to catch up. "Let me tell you a story first, and then decide?"

As if to turn back, Zhong Ming stopped. "I have no interest."

Li Jianye hurriedly pulled him close and bowed, speaking softly, "Please listen, Mr. Zhong. Once I finish, I will leave Yuni Village and bring no harm to it."

The former crown prince of New Tang bent before him. The next step would be to kneel.

Moved by the gesture, Zhong Ming's heart softened. Li Jianye was, after all, a man of Yuni Village. Even now, driving him away could not erase the fact that he had once helped the village by making beams and stools.

He turned and continued walking. "You are the crown prince of the Li family. I cannot accept your bow."

"The former crown prince, the dead hidden crown prince."

Li Jianye's smile grew even more bitter. He slowly began to recount a secret from New Tang Li family that no outsider knew.

As early as before New Tang's founding, Li Jianye had already held the title of crown prince. Since ancient times, whether in imperial or common houses, the eldest son inherited the family line by right and duty.

The Li family was no exception.

Yet their house was too vast. Most of the rivers and mountains in Xuanbei Zhousu formed their foundation.

Back then Li Jianye, as crown prince, guarded the rear while Li Shicheng followed Li Yuan south and north in war. At first glance, Li Shicheng seemed the greater warrior. The young Qin King had marched with his father from age thirteen. When New Tang was founded he was twenty-five, having led thousands of battles and captured hundreds of cities.

In the war's final years, the three divine generals of New Tang answered only to Li Shicheng. The battle against Chen Emperor Ji Yan had been won under his command.

After more than a decade on the battlefield, he held only the title of Qin King and was deeply dissatisfied.

Several times he had petitioned Li Yuan to declare that New Tang was the new world and must break old customs, appointing the virtuous over the eldest.

Whether to choose the eldest or the virtuous had long been a point of debate in New Tang Li family.

Until the day the East Palace changed guards, when the Tiance Army under Li Yuan was replaced by the Huben Army under Qin King Li Shicheng.

A mutiny erupted in the East Palace. In the cover of night, Li Shicheng, hiding his meeting with Echan Immortal, struck down his own brother Li Jianye in a life-or-death struggle.

That night was pitch black, fog heavy. The Huben Army silently surrounded the East Palace.

Had Hu Su not been conversing with Li Jianye, he might not have escaped alive.

In the cover of darkness, Hu Su escorted Li Jianye's family from Luoyang City northward. They had changed direction at Duobei Mountain to escape pursuit.

Originally Li Jianye had wanted to advance south into Southern Han territory, but exposure would be more dangerous. He had therefore camped at the border city.

After hearing the story, Zhong Ming asked in bewilderment, "You, the sitting crown prince, could not seize Qin King's greater power? Even if you left the East Palace and hid in Luoyang, when dawn broke, could Emperor Tang Zhen not simply ignore you?"

"Helpless. That night Qin General broke through the East Palace gates."

Zhong Ming suddenly understood. The invincible Qin Wudi, rumored to match thousands of soldiers alone and the Tiance General who held sway over court, if he had spoken to help Li Shicheng, even Li Yuan would have been powerless.

This world belonged to Li, yet the Li family relied upon Bailu Capital and the three divine generals of New Tang.

With the three generals' submission and Bailu Capital's support, the next ruler would be whoever—whether eldest son Li Jianye or second son Li Shicheng—held the throne.

This rivers and mountains no longer stood by scholars' pens or royal majesty alone.

After sighing, Zhong Ming frowned. "The story you told has nothing to do with me, and even less with Yuni Village."

"Yes, you are the son of Xu Qian Dao. Qin Xiong is your uncle. Yang Yanlang is your uncle. The three divine generals of New Tang are connected to you. My Li family ruling the world is bound to you by even greater ties!"

Staring fixedly at Zhong Ming, Li Jianye looked at him as if he were a drowning man clutching the last straw of life.