Volume One: The Hidden Dragon Beneath the Abyss Chapter 111: Ageless Bonds

“Lian Ji, there’s no need for us to be like this,” sighed Lord Xia. “When the emperor loses virtue, I fear Heaven will send down punishment. The hearts of the people are like water, ever-changing; they move like smoke, intangible and weak. Water has no fixed shape, flowing downward with gravity. Smoke has no constant form, curling and dissipating.”

“Your Majesty, it is all my fault that the dynasty cannot find peace,” Yuan Lian Ji said with shame.

“You have done your best; it is I who have failed in my duties,” Lord Xia replied. “Last night, I dreamt of wandering the heavens and saw the White Tiger star flickering above our Xia Kingdom. This star governs warfare, conflict, and calamity—known as Venus or the Morning Star in astronomy.”

“It seems a comet will soon appear near the Cowherd star, signaling the end of an era and the beginning of a new dynasty. Perhaps it is time for me to set down this burden and focus on cultivating the Dao.”

“Lian Ji, we have known each other for many years, and today may be the last time we gather. The people suffer greatly; thinking of them, let us share a humble meal like the common folk. Serve the food.”

Yuan Lian Ji did not say more, understanding the depth of this sentiment.

For decades, monarch and minister had been close as confidants, both teachers and friends.

Now, they would share a simple meal of the people.

The first dish brought forth was not the usual polished rice but something called millet—small, hard to process, and difficult to digest.

Even families of modest means had abandoned it.

Currently, the staple was five kinds of vegetables: sunflower, amaranth, wild chives, scallions, and leeks, with sunflower leading the list.

There was even a poem that went, “Green and lush, the sunflowers in the garden…”

Yuan Lian Ji picked up some sunflower greens, feeling mixed emotions welling up. Tears brimmed as he spoke, “Your Majesty, forgive me. I recall my childhood when my family was poor, and my late mother always gave me the best she had. It is my fault that, despite rising in rank, I never cared for her properly or accompanied her in her final days.”

He then took a few handfuls of tender soybean sprouts, devouring them hungrily.

“As the ‘Classic of Poetry’ says: ‘Bright white colt, eating my field’s sprouts; bright white colt, eating my field’s amaranth.’”

“Perhaps the people of Xia think I am indifferent to their sufferings, and it is indeed so,” Lord Xia’s voice was deeper than usual. “Today, I have tasted their hardships. Though not reduced to chewing bark and roots, the people truly endure great suffering.”

As they ate, tears streamed down Lord Xia’s face.

“Wang Chuan, I want to ask you one last thing: is the pursuit of immortality for oneself or for others?”

After several bowls, Yuan Lian Ji felt truly full.

He waited quietly for Lord Xia to finish, then looked at him and said, “Your Majesty, I have a few words to present.”

Lord Xia studied him for a long moment, seeming to discern his thoughts, then nodded gently.

“I alone am guilty, but others share blame—Yuan Zhen, Yuan Zhan, and many who are greedy and corrupt. Some deserve Heaven’s wrath, and some are the backbone of the nation. May Your Majesty purge the corruption and uphold righteousness!” Yuan Lian Ji knelt and declared.

“I understand,” Lord Xia nodded.

He called the steward in, and they unrolled the imperial edict, preparing brush, ink, and paper.

...

When Chen Ying left, Wang Chuan was still able to personally see her out of the city.

Now that he was about to depart, no one accompanied him.

He slipped away quietly.

The wind whispered, and a light rain had fallen just past midnight, leaving the air cool.

Yang Hao sighed deeply. This departure was rushed, and he had no choice but to order the evacuation of all in Lun City.

Was the fateful day approaching?

But if he hurriedly withdrew, would it ruin the plan or expose them?

A troubling thought.

Night was growing late; the journey ahead was long. It was best not to disturb Wang Chuan further.

A steed let out a long neigh as Chen Lingyan rode up.

“Your Highness, I’m going to visit my father. Thank you for your guidance,” Chen Lingyan said.

“Your path is fraught with hardship. It is good to fulfill filial duties,” Wang Chuan replied. “I shall take my leave as well.”

“Your Highness!” Chen Lingyan called out. “Since you are my mentor, if I have any questions about martial arts in the future, I will come to you.”

“Welcome,” Wang Chuan nodded sincerely. “Our bond is not yet ended; we shall meet again.”

This time, he truly departed.

He cast a final glance back at the capital of the Xia Kingdom, feeling as if something remained unfinished.

Perhaps it was Lord Xia himself—this man remained an enigma.

Even as he left, he could not decipher it.

He felt certain he had overlooked something, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not recall what.

The steed, sleek and strong, carried him forward, followed by Xu Wei and Yang Hao.

The mountains stretched in winding, majestic ridges.

Xu Wei fluttered like a freed bird, joyous and lively.

Yang Hao reached the summit, pointing his riding whip toward the vast, endless green.

“If war breaks out, what will become of this vast and magnificent land?”

An eagle’s cry echoed from the sky. Instinctively, they looked up to see a great eagle spreading its wings, flying southward.

Suddenly, a surge of boundless ambition rose within—an urge to vie for control over the Central Plains.

“Then aren’t they terribly pitiful?” Xu Wei spoke.

Yang Hao was momentarily stunned.

“Destruction begets creation,” Wang Chuan said. “Even wild grass trampled down will grow again, its vitality strong. The world’s unity and division are natural cycles. Peace and war serve to establish order—like surgery. The patient suffers pain and hardship and must rest afterward, but the procedure is necessary. It is better than letting the illness worsen unchecked. Recovery is painful but leads to health.”

“Illness and injury require treatment, and now the world must take up arms!”

Yang Hao nodded emphatically.

“But it depends on the healer’s skill,” Wang Chuan shifted tone. “To be frank, if it were the Duke of Jin, I don’t think he would suffice…”

Even his own son doubted him.

Yang Hao felt that with Wang Chuan’s assistance, all would be well.

“If it were Wang Chuan, success would be certain.”

“Yes, our power is limited,” Xu Wei said. “We can only do what we can, helping as much as possible.”

“That’s the right attitude,” Wang Chuan agreed.

The setting sun stained the clouds crimson, bathing the land in a fiery glow.

Man and nature merged into one.

The world seemed vast, and humanity so small.

...

“This wolf pelt will fetch a good price. Tomorrow, we’ll enter town and exchange it for silver to buy you books. Do you know the way?” Xu Qing asked seriously. “Yan Mo, you’re the only man left in your family.”

The wolf cub Xu Qing had brought back hung on a wooden rack in the courtyard. Taking a butcher’s knife, he skillfully skinned the pelt. The dying wolf let out a mournful howl, chilling Yan Mo’s heart, lingering in the night air.

“What’s going on?”

Han Keru, startled by the noise, ran out. She was shocked by the sight.

Wang Chuan held the butcher’s knife, admiring the pure white wolf pelt. The bloodied cub hung high, like a dark spirit of the night, its paws twitching in the wind.

“You all should rest early. I’ll finish handling this tomorrow.”

Xu Qing threw down his knife, wiping blood from his hands.

He looked at Han Keru, who had rushed out in haste, and was struck by her youth and charm.

A woman like her without a man was like a flower without water—soon to wither. Such a shame. He longed to help her live well. Good land requires a good ox to plow; otherwise, it is wasted. Could her life really end like this? Would her beauty and delicate form be consumed by time? It pained him to think so.

Han Keru, leading the children back to their room, took a few steps before pausing, turning to look at Wang Chuan. The fiery gaze he gave her caused her heart to flutter uneasily. That look—it seemed... suggestive. How could he have such thoughts? That scoundrel—he must be thinking of women.

But then again, at this age, wasn’t he married? Young men are passionate.

After Xu Qing returned to his room, he sat cross-legged, dispelling the deathly aura, meditating to recover, and soon rested.

He was also the earliest to rise, quickly preparing the wolf meat from last night.

He cleaned it, blanched it briefly in boiling water, then soaked it in fresh water for about an hour.

Yan Shuyi watched eagerly as the large pot of meat was prepared.

“Ah…”

Yan Mo came over and asked straight away, “Did you hunt that?”

“Yes,” Xu Qing nodded.

“No way,” Yan Mo looked incredulous.

“Well... I’ll prove it to you.”

He stood and glanced around, fetching a piece of wood from the woodshed, splitting it with his bare hands.

The two children shrank their necks and gasped, too stunned to speak.

Xu Qing then sliced the meat, placing it in a basin with spices and a shot of white liquor, letting it marinate.

He washed and sliced radishes, minced cilantro, and chopped chili peppers.

Knowing the family lacked many spices, he had borrowed some from the village early this morning.

He heated oil to near smoking, fried the wolf meat slices until golden, then drained the oil.

Using the remaining oil, he fried Sichuan peppercorns and star anise to release their aroma, then discarded them.

Next came scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili, sautéed briefly before adding the wolf meat and radish slices, vinegar, and broth.

He seasoned with salt, soy sauce, and sugar, simmering until the meat was tender.

Finally, he added MSG, pepper, and sprinkled chopped cilantro, then plated the dish.

The two children stared, mouths watering.

“Remember, after eating, we’ll head to town as planned,” Xu Qing said, glancing at Yan Mo. “Your body is weak; you need to exercise more or you’ll get sick.”

He ladled two bowls for the siblings.

“Mom…”

Yan Mo carefully carried one bowl over first, prompting Xu Qing to serve another.

“Aren’t you eating?” the little girl asked curiously.

“I will. You two go ahead. I have training to do,” Xu Qing replied.

“Can you teach me martial arts?” Yan Mo ran over.

“Aren’t you going to school?” Xu Qing smiled.

“I want to study, but I also want to train,” Yan Mo said seriously. “I’m the only man at home now.”

“No worries, you have me now. Since you’ve decided, I’ll teach you a little,” Xu Qing said, producing a wild berry. “Eat this first.”

Yan Mo nodded and swallowed it without suspicion.

A fragrant aroma filled his nose and mouth, and suddenly a warm heat rose in his lower abdomen, comforting and gentle.

His expression shifted strangely, suspicion flickering but suppressed. He simply felt the warmth spreading, growing stronger until it became almost scorching, as if boiling water swirled inside.

“Brother! Brother!” the little girl cried out in alarm.

Yan Mo crouched, clutching his stomach, clearly uncomfortable.

“Sit up straight. Now I’ll teach you.”

Xu Qing’s fingers curved like claws, grasping the air. Yan Mo suddenly sat upright, cross-legged.

He felt the intense heat within replaced by a coolness flowing through his stomach and intestines, suppressing the warmth like a mountain spring.

The sensation unwound gently, as if following a path through his body toward some destination.

“Circulate the energy through the eight vessels, connecting the Yin and Yang palaces,” Xu Qing instructed.

He paused, watching Yan Mo’s startled face, then touched a point on his meridian.

“Here.”

Yan Mo nodded urgently, following the guidance, learning to breathe and channel qi.

His body seemed to clear, pores opening and closing, an indescribable comfort.

After about an incense stick’s time of practice, he felt as if a divine spring flowed within—a most pleasant sensation.

“This minor art can only prolong life and strengthen the body. Since you do not seek the great Dao, it is sufficient,” Xu Qing said calmly.

“I want to learn too!” the little girl exclaimed, eyes shining with admiration.

“I’ll teach you tomorrow. Women’s cultivation is different, and I need to prepare,” Xu Qing said, picking her up.

“Yay!” Yan Shuyi was delighted.

“Do you want to go to town too?” Xu Qing ruffled her hair.

“Yes, I want to!” she eagerly agreed.

“Then let’s go together. You should tell your mother first,” Xu Qing said, setting her down. “Do you have any dreams?”

Only the two boys remained. Xu Qing asked seriously.

“Dreams?” The mature child suddenly showed a hint of youthful confusion.

“When young men like Zhong Jun reach adulthood, and others like Mu Zongque catch the wind, many find their aspirations regardless of age,” Xu Qing said. “It’s not complicated. You like reading—do you want to be a high official, make money, or serve the people? Confucian scholars have stages: cultivating oneself, managing the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world…”

“What about you?” Yan Mo asked earnestly.

“I used to have lofty ambitions and have faced countless perils,” Xu Qing sighed. “I have been through it all and lost that passion, like a falling leaf returning to the earth. Now I wish to reflect on my life.”

“If you haven’t decided yet, that’s fine. Study hard, and when you’ve grown in knowledge, your horizons will broaden.”

“Let’s go to town.”

He told Yan Mo to bring the wolf pelt, which could fetch a good sum.

Xu Qing preferred to hold the little girl, making her giggle.

After bidding Han Keru farewell, the children, excited, headed toward the county town.

“Why do you hunt at night?” Yan Mo asked, curious.

He no longer felt aversion toward Xu Qing.

“There are more animals at night. Daytime is not suitable, and it’s inconvenient to bring game to town then,” Xu Qing explained.

“Your martial arts are so strong—who taught you?” Yan Mo asked again.

“My martial arts... that’s a long story,” Xu Qing pondered. “You know, some say only two kinds of people reach the mountain peak: snails and eagles. You might be both. As for me, many things are innate.”

“Eagles are born to fly, and so is the Way of Martial Arts for me.”