Volume 3, Chapter 39: Unceasing Repercussions (1/2)

Volume 3, Chapter 39: Unceasing Repercussions

With difficulty, I rose to my feet. Returning to the window, I gazed once again at Autumn’s Return Abode. After a while, over a dozen figures walked out slowly from within the smoke and dust. I squinted, studying carefully. From the foremost gray-clothed monk’s pace and disposition, I could immediately tell that he was Great Master True Compa.s.sion. The monks behind him all had majestic and vigorous gaits. Although there were only twelve of them left, there was not the slightest hint of dejection. After a long while had pa.s.sed, I still had yet to see Xiaoshunzi. I tensed up. My two hands resting upon the window sill tightened, my knuckles whitening. After a while, the roiling dust and smoke was finally dispersed by the autumn wind. Only then did I see an azure-robed figure standing with his hands behind his back within the ruins. The azure robes were speckled with blood. From a distance, the blood was as beautiful as peach blossoms, scattered all over the place on the cloth. Before him, a conflagration burned merrily, gradually spreading to the ruined buildings and the surrounding vegetation. By now, imperial guardsmen arrived to put out the fire. Suddenly, the azure-robed man’s figure suddenly disappeared without a trace. Quickly rubbing my eyes, I saw that his figure had reappeared somewhere else. Instantly, before I had even blinked a few times, he appeared at the foot of the tower that the Prince of Yong and I were in. At this moment, Great Master True Compa.s.sion and the Shaolin monks were still some li away.

At this moment, Li Zhi was practically dancing a little jig as he walked over. Animatedly, he stated, “Suiyun, it was truly due to you that we were able to not only force the Fengyi Sect Master to kill herself, but you also prevented us from suffering irreversible damage. This Prince is truly left speechless … truly speechless.”

Finally able to relax, I turned my head. Smiling, I replied, “This was all due to the contributions of Great Master True Compa.s.sion and the senior monks of the Shaolin Temple that we were able to ensure the Fengyi Sect Master’s death. This subject only used delaying tactics to stall for a few days. Moreover, without Your Imperial Highness’s trust in this subject, allowing Zhe to act on my own initiative that day within Dawn’s Frost Palace Hall, this subject’s stratagem would not have succeeded. Now, with the death of the Fengyi Sect Master, it will be impossible for the Fengyi Sect to overthrow the dynasty. This subject congratulates Your Imperial Highness for eliminating Great Yong’s greatest hidden danger. Your Imperial Highness, please personally go to greet Great Master True Compa.s.sion to express your grat.i.tude. In the future, Your Imperial Highness will require the Shaolin Temple’s support to stabilize your position in jianghu. Moreover, dealing with Northern Han’s Devil Sect will require a peak expert like Great Master True Compa.s.sion to take command.”

Eager to take action and rubbing his hands together, Li Zhi spoke, entirely joyous, “Suiyun, do not worry. This Prince will go immediately to greet the Great Master. However, Suiyun, are you not going to see the Great Master?”

“This subject is about to collapse,” I replied, smiling wryly. “If Your Imperial Highness empathizes with my condition, it is best that this subject be allowed to rest.”

Li Zhi gazed at me with worry. Seeing that my expression was only somewhat tired, he stated in relief, “Suiyun, you have to rest properly. Going forward, this Prince still has to capture all of those supporting the Fengyi Sect in one go before reforming the laws and discipline of the court. These are all complicated tasks. This Prince will have to rely upon Suiyun’s help!”

I smiled slightly, but did not respond. There were many things that needed to be handled in the coming days. It was not a simple task to reform the laws and discipline of the court, especially as the emperor was still alive. In addition, although the Fengyi Sect had lost its central pillar in Fan Huiyao, their painstakingly nurtured strength had intertwined with the Yong court. This strength was not easy to deal with. However, I did not need to worry about these matters. Presumably, s.h.i.+ Yu had already made preparations. Moreover, there would always be more individuals willing to gild the lily rather than provide help in the hour of need.

Watching the Prince of Yong’s departing animated figure, I released a soft sigh, tears falling down my face. Since entering the Prince of Yong’s service, I had often lingered on the precipice between life and death, exhausting all of my abilities, and shedding blood, sweat, and tears. All of it was for today ... Right now, the Prince of Yong’s succession was ensured. Having lost his position as heir apparent, the crown prince’s grave sin of treason would lead to a lifetime of imprisonment or a forced suicide. The Fengyi Sect, serving as accomplices, had already lost their former splendor. Against the remaining scattered remnants, I had been making preparations since long ago to deal with them. It could be said I had avenged my grievous hatred. If that was the case, to someone with my temperament, what use did I have for glory, splendor, wealth, and rank? My vengeance wrought, it was time for me to withdraw. Tenderness bubbled from within, as I thought about Princess Changle and Roulan.

At this moment, someone pushed open the door to the room. I did not turn around to look. No one else would enter in such a manner aside from Xiaoshunzi. As expected, Xiaoshunzi’s feminine voice came over hoa.r.s.ely, “Young master, I fortunately did not fail my mission. The Fengyi Sect Master lit her body’s Samadhi fire, immolating herself.”

“How are your injuries?” I asked softly. “Although the Fengyi Sect Master has died, there are still some matters that I require you to handle.”

Xiaoshunzi smiled and replied, “Young master, do not worry. These injuries are nothing. Great Master True Compa.s.sion practically handled, by himself, the majority of the Fengyi Sect Master’s attacks. Therefore, I only needed to harmonize my qi. Moreover, I have reaped a substantial harvest dueling with the Fengyi Sect Master. It was worth it to sustain such injuries. Is the matter that young master wants me to handle the pursuit and execution of the surviving members of the Fengyi Sect?”

Turning around, I solemnly stated, “That day at Dawn’s Frost Palace Hall, although I gave them the antidote, I also played a trick. Within a month, those poisoned will emit a unique odor that only a wild bird from the southern frontier can smell. I once ordered several men to train several of these birds. As a result, I want you to mobilize the Secret Camp, using those birds to grasp the movements of the surviving members of the Fengyi Sect. For now, do not disturb them. At present, in order to hide their whereabouts, they are definitely using hidden bases that cannot easily be found. I want detailed information on those hidden bases. However, there is one matter that must be done. I want Li Hanyou. This is a matter that I had promised Dong Que.”

“Young master, when all is said and done, it is inappropriate to allow Dong Que to stay by young master’s side,” expressed Xiaoshunzi, glancing at me with concern. “What arrangements have young master made for him?”

Sighing, I responded, “The hatred in Dong Que’s heart is deeper than mine. The murder of his parents is absolutely irreconcilable. The Crown Princess’s maid was pregnant when she was murdered. Were it not for the intelligence from the spies planted next to the Crown Prince by the Prince of Yong, I would definitely not have realized that the maid had been murdered. Alas, I underestimated Li Hanyou’s insanity, not predicting that she would unexpectedly be so ruthless and cruel to a maid. Didn’t you once see Dong Que offer sacrifices to his wife and child in the middle of the night? With that kind of bitter and deep-seated hatred, don’t say that Dong Que is unwilling to let matters be even I cannot let Li Hanyou off. Were it not for my failure to think this through satisfactorily, Xiu Chun would likely not have died and Dong Que would not have been left all alone. As a result, I want you to bring Li Hanyou to Dong Que, allowing him to punish that woman however he likes.”

Thinking it over, Xiaoshunzi observed, “It’s only that to capture Li Hanyou alive, it will inevitably disturb the remnants of the Fengyi Sect. It is likely that young master’s plans will be wrecked.”

“Those plans are merely those that I made on His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Yong’s behalf,” I explained, smiling slightly. “Their success will not affect the general situation. However, it would be a pity if those useful chess pieces were to be destroyed for no reason. We cannot go handle this matter directly. However, what we cannot do, the Embroidered Union can. Furthermore, if we are to have the Fengyi Sect to follow my arrangements, we will have to provide them with some honey. Besides, in the eyes of those women, there is only self-interest. If handled appropriately, not only will we not need to use force, we can acquire a method of controlling the Fengyi Sect.”

Seeing Xiaoshunzi somewhat comprehend my intentions, I whispered a few things to him. As he listened, he nodded his head, sometimes even supplementing his own views and ideas.

After our discussion had reached its conclusion, we returned to our temporary residence. Upon arriving at the small courtyard, I caught sight of Dong Que staring listlessly off into the distance. I laughed and stated, “Dong Que, you must be anxious to pursue Li Hanyou, no?”

Originally, I had believed that Dong Que would be absentminded and blurt out a response. Who could have expected that he would immediately return to his senses? Respectfully, he replied, “That day, young master promised Dong Que that you would take help me take vengeance. Young master would definitely not fail to live up to your promise. Dong Que will have to rely upon young master to attain my vengeance.”

I gave Dong Que a look of praise. “I have already made arrangements for this matter. Within ten days, you will definitely see Li Hanyou. Moreover, I will deliver a complete and intact Li Hanyou to you, allowing you to handle her as you will. However, when this matter is handled, you must depart from Chang’an. Do you perchance have any plans? If you desire to become an official, I will make the necessary arrangements for you. Even so, it is best that you temporarily leave the capital. If you return in five or six years, then there will be no further problems. If you do not wish to become an official, I will provide you with substantial funds, sufficient for you to spend the rest of your life in wealth. What are your plans, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Thinking it over, Dong Que answered, “This lowly one was originally a loafer. Even if my family is avenged, I have no place to call home. If young master does not discard me, this lowly one desires to remain by and serve at young master’s side. Although young master has the services of Lord Li and young master’s affairs can only be handled by Lord Li, there will always be matters that will be too trifling for Lord Li to handle. This lowly one understands that I do not have the ability to handle important matters, but can handle those trifling and unimportant matters. I wonder if young master is willing to accept me?”

My heart was stirred. Of those who served at my side, Xiaoshunzi held the foremost position, rarely able to leave my side. As a result, he did not have any set duties. Chen Zhen was the one, in practice, responsible for supervising the Secret Camp. Han Wuji was in charge of the businesses of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. Although the eight elite operatives were all excellent and talented individuals, each had essentially taken charge of a section of responsibilities. Moreover, I had no intention of burying their talents. In the future, no matter where I took up residence, I would require a supervisor who could handle trifling matters. This Dong Que was a suitable candidate. Besides, although I knew that this man had kept some secrets to himself, if we were really speaking of secrets, those carried by Xiaoshunzi and I were definitely greater than his. With this, it seemed like it would be worth it to take Dong Que fully into my service. Although approving mentally, I smiled and stated, “You must understand that if you become the supervisor handling my external affairs, you will have to meet with many knowledgeable and intelligent individuals. Are you not afraid that your ident.i.ty will be exposed?”