Chapter 1133 – Xunyang (1/2)
Chapter 1133 – Xunyang
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
The reason for Xue He's agitation was not that Chen Changsheng had freed him from his bitter imprisonment and allowed him to return to official life. Rather, he was grateful that Chen Changsheng had buried his older brother's body, attended the funeral, taken care of his nephew and niece, and even safeguarded Cong Province City. With the passage of several years, the Cong Province Army headquarters had already regained the glory of Xue Xingchuan's days. That it could now be regarded as one of the most important of the Great Zhou's army headquarters, along with Snowhold Pass and Blue Pass, was because he had the assistance of Xue Xingchuan's old subordinates.
Chen Changsheng said, ”There's no need for such courtesy. Please, rise.”
Xue He knew his personality, so he rose and had his wife leave with the children.
Before leaving, the Younger Madam Xue nervously glanced at him and wondered, is there a need to prepare a banquet? Are the two Saints unhappy?
Xue He did not notice his wife's expression, as all his attention was focused on the Red Cloud Qilin led by Chen Changsheng.
”Someone wanted me to bring it to you in the hopes that in the near future, you can ride it into Xuelao City.”
Chen Changsheng added, ”On that day, I think that Divine General Xue Xingchuan would be extremely happy.”
Xue He took the reins and said, ”Rest easy, Your Holiness. I will definitely take very good care of it.”
The Red Cloud Qilin was extremely intelligent. It had already recognized who he was and lowered its head to lightly touch his cheek.
Xue He was somewhat touched, but when he thought about how it was most likely the Emperor who requested the Pope to bring the Red Cloud Qilin over, he also felt uneasy.
He seriously declared to Chen Changsheng, ”I only know that it was Your Holiness that gifted it to me.”
There was only one meaning to these words: devoted loyalty.
It was also why he had his family come out to kowtow to Chen Changsheng.
Although it was the emperor that had let him take up the post of Divine General of the Cong Province Army headquarters, he was well aware of who the true benefactor of the Xue clan was.
The Xue clan followed Chen Changsheng.
Both the Xue clan of Cong Province and the Xue clan that lived on the Road of Peace in the capital.
As long as the Xue clan existed, as long as he still lived, the Cong Province Army would only follow the Li Palace.
Even if the Imperial Court and the Orthodoxy fell into hostilities again, he would immediately take his army of tens of thousands and stand behind Chen Changsheng.
Even if it seemed like the Emperor and Pope had a deep affection for each other, the bond between martial brothers surpassing that of blood brothers, making such a thing impossible… who could say what might happen in the future? When Emperor Taizu led his army out of Tianliang County, had those young princes imagined all the blood that would flow through the Hundred Herb Garden several decades on?
Chen Changsheng knew that Xue He was mistaken and said, ”This is probably the will from Luoyang's side.”
These words made Xue He fall silent for a very long time.
The eastern capital of Luoyang had been silent for all these years, making not a single noise, but many eyes were still watching it.
Why? Because the Monastery of Eternal Spring was there.
Whenever anyone mentioned Luoyang now, if they appended nothing else to it, they were referring to the Monastery of Eternal Spring, referring to the elderly Daoist residing within its walls.
If the Red Cloud Qilin had truly been sent by the Monastery of Eternal Spring, the meaning was crystal-clear.
”This general does not dare to hold any sort of grudge.”
Xue He spoke very slowly, his tone incredibly solemn.
Since he had made his decision, he did not want the Pope to think he was keeping anything from him.
Even though saying these words made him extremely unhappy and reluctant.
”When one thinks about things that are impossible to control, love and hate are among them. Moreover, you have a reason to hate, so who has the right to stop you from hating?”
Chen Changsheng added, ”But before we break into Xuelao City, we might have to temporarily forget these things.”
In this war, the Cong Province Army led by Xue He was naturally the main force.
That person had returned the Red Cloud Qilin without a word, but the deeper meaning was clear.
It was precisely the meaning of Chen Changsheng's words.
……
……
As the twilight deepened, Chen Changsheng and Xu Yourong decided to not eat at the Divine General's estate, instead choosing to leave immediately.
Now, the two of them had to ride the crane together.
Such circumstances had taken place many times now, and the White Crane was already used to it, but it immediately sensed that something was different today.
The open country was boundless in the hazy dusk of twilight.
Xu Yourong attentively watched the scenery. When Chen Changsheng conversed with her, she would return every four or five of his sentences with one of hers, making her seem rather aloof.
The White Crane recalled Xiao Zhang's words and thought to itself, is there really something wrong between the two of them?
Even someone as slow as Chen Changsheng had noticed Xu Yourong's aloofness and knew that something really was off.
Unfortunately, he didn't know what the problem was or where the problem came from. He didn't even know how to start asking her what the problem was.
The cold wind assailing his face not only failed to clear his mind, it made it even more muddled.
The White Crane flew to the southwest, and in a short while, it entered Tianliang County.
The sight of this familiar wilderness and that familiar city made Chen Changsheng recall his long journey with Su Li. He couldn't suppress his nostalgia.
Following his orders, the White Crane landed in a forest outside the city. In their descent, Chen Changsheng noticed that the largest estate in the city was deserted, its main gate tightly shut. Bewildered, he wondered, did Liang Wangsun leave? Why is his estate completely empty?
The White Crane flew into the twilight as Chen Changsheng and Xu Yourong emerged from the lush forest next to the road.
Xunyang City was an ancient city, but its southern gate looked rather new. At the very least, it seemed to lack any ancient aura.
”That year, it was your teacher that blew open this city gate, giving Guan Xingke and Zhu Luo a terrible beating.”
Chen Changsheng felt rather excited when he thought of those events, but he was also rather ashamed at his lack of storytelling talent. He thought to himself, if it was Tang Thirty-Six, he would definitely tell the story in a much more exciting fashion.
The story about the storm in Xunyang City had been spread throughout the entire continent ages ago. Xu Yourong had learned of all the details long ago and simply did not require Chen Changsheng's explanation.
A faint smile emerged on her lips as she looked at the city gate and thought of her teacher.
Chen Changsheng felt somewhat relieved, gratified that his arrangements had been correct.
Upon entering Xunyang City, they went straight to the Liang Estate.