Book 11: Chapter 146
Overarching Heaven was Mount Daluo’s only means of penetrating Six Evils’ armour, and my recount of my tussle with Pangu was equally important cla.s.sified information. For those reasons, Third and Fourth had to leave at dawn with Young s.h.i.+yi. I bid farewell to them in the morning, then watched their horse carriage head back from the city walls.
The next time I was meeting Young s.h.i.+yi would be back in Nanjing. We spent more time apart than together, and I regretted not having more time to spend with her in Nanjiang, particularly since the scenery here was magnificent. If only I could still defend myself.
“They’re gone, huh?”
Despite my composed façade, I nearly tripped off the wall when I heard the voice. “Tianhu, what are you doing here?”
“That would be to see off Mount Daluo’s grandaunt.” Though he said that, Tianhu’s eyes were fixated on me without any pretence, seemingly waiting for an opening to spring on me.
“Whatever. What do you really want?”
“Can’t I have a chat with you unless I have business?” Tianhu stretched his arms overhead, then set them on the city wall. The way he had his eyes narrowed resembled a man inquisitively a.n.a.lysing a toy of his. In this case, his toy would be the entire world.
Among The Ultimate Three, Emperor’s Entourage’s member was impossible to find and read, but he’d always find amus.e.m.e.nt in watching the world burn. This generation’s Tianhu had inherited the name only recently, and my interactions with him thus far were congruent with the rumours.
“You sure have a lot of spare time, Master Ming. First it is Huzhou and then Nieyao. Heavenly Swordsman is history in the pugilistic world now. Meanwhile, it is time for South Five Ember Palaces to rise, yet you do not seem bothered.”
While I didn’t respond to Tianhu, I couldn’t deny he was right. Subsequent to the battles, Luo Ming would no longer run Luo Sword Manor. Now that they had found peace, Luo Siming, be it his character or martial prowess, was the ideal man to take over. With His Majesty’s support, Luo Siming may have led his clan to an even brighter future.
One thing I agreed with in particular was Tianhu’s emphasis of them becoming a part of the pugilistic world’s history. Going forward, Luo Sword Manor needed the imperial court. Accordingly, they would no longer be cla.s.sified a member of the pugilistic world. Dark Robe Brotherhood could be considered their predecessor. Dark Robe Brotherhood had influence and members scattered in the imperial court’s departments. Hence, they weren’t categorised as a pugilistic world faction.
The Seven Champion White Princes were heroes in the pugilistic world in addition to major contributors to the dynasty’s founding, granting them special privileges. As a result, they enjoyed benefits from both worlds. In turn, if they were to betray the imperial court, disaster would befall paradise. Besides possessing military might, they collected taxes, effectively making them monarchs of the martial world. They weren’t exactly respectful to the imperial court on the surface, so it wasn’t hard to imagine the sort of things they harboured behind Emperor Yuansheng’s back. Luo Ming proved this point with his bold plan.
If Luo Sword Manor was to swear fealty to the imperial court, then the other six from Seven Champion White Princes would have to reconsider where they stood. It would be a big deal if they followed suit, but if they didn’t, it’d be a ma.s.sive deal – or rather, the beginning of countless confrontations. This situation would be the prime opportunity for South’s Five Ember Palaces to begin vetting their gains from the remaining Champion White Princes, the pugilistic world and even the imperial court.
I entrusted Night Fortress to Hong Jiu, and I wasn’t about to start giving myself extra work again.
Tianhu looked over to me in the manner of a predator watching its prey. “Waves are rising in Jiangnan, but I doubt anybody ever predicted Master Ming had the foresight to place his capital on the imperial court and has positioned himself as an earl. Those so-called power players who are still figuring out where they fit into the puzzle cannot see as far as you.”
I continued staying mute.
“His Majesty must have bestowed you your earl rank on account of your status in Mount Daluo and Night Fortress. He never would have thought that you have no authority in Mount Daluo. You only have a voice at Night Fortress… and Western Region’s Divine Moon Cult. If he ever finds out he conferred Divine Moon Cult’s Lord San Shen an earl rank, I wonder if he will cry or laugh at himself.”
I lifted up the corners of my lips the same way I would when I meet an old friend. “I do not follow. Have you had breakfast? How about we go grab a bowl of wonton soup? Nanjiang people like to put a lot of green onions in their wonton soup, do not make it spicy and put in a lot of filling unlike in the Central Plain. Their pork fillings are to die for. Of course, as you are ranked higher, breakfast will be on you.”
“… Hahaha, let us leave this here for today. I shall not spoil your mood.” Tianhu glanced up at the spot Shen Yiren was lurking on the walls.
Boss Shen stepped out since there was no point in trying to hiding anymore. At the same time, her appearance acted as a warning for Tianhu to keep his hands off me.
Tianhu spent a while looking at me, then glanced over to Boss Shen before quietly querying, “That was Mount Daluo’s The Demoness who just left, right?”
“And?”
“You sure like women who cannot be wronged.”
“… Any wise advice?”
Tianhu started fanning himself. “Given you let Lian Zhuiyue converse with His Majesty. I take it Mount Daluo is returning?”
“No comment.”
“Among the three biggest sects, Shaolin has insisted on keeping to themselves, while Wudang lacks talent in their current generation. The odds are in your favour this year. Without Shaolin and Wudang, Mount Daluo had free reign. By the same account, n.o.body was able to restrain your s.h.i.+fu when he was running amok. Now, however, leading the martial arts community by the nose isn’t so simple. In this era, Mount Daluo must be stringent in their selection for their next patriarch. You and The Demoness have a long road ahead, yet you are also messing with His Majesty’s daughter. It is nice to be a womaniser, but should you not be careful about who you choose?”
Glossary
Lack of contractions in conversation – Tianhu and Ming Feizhen speak in a formal tone to each other in some sections this chapter.