Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 63: Farewell

The Jin army is here!

With today's means of communication, word reached Fucheng in less than an hour; after all, it was only a few hundred miles away, and this was a matter of great military importance.

Others soon received the news as well.

The whole court was shaken!

"Your Highness..."

Yang Hao was the first to come and report.

Wang Chuan sipped his tea unhurriedly; there were still ten days left, so there was no need to be anxious, much less panic. It was a moment to think carefully.

"How many have come?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'm already making inquiries." Yang Hao was embarrassed; there was much he wished to say, but words failed him.

"Who is leading them?" Wang Chuan asked again.

"That, too, is unclear." Yang Hao felt ashamed.

"No matter. Let's wait for more news. But it's time to return." Wang Chuan instructed Loyal Uncle to pack their belongings, having given it serious thought. "Don't take too much—besides valuables, just two changes of clothing. Anything more is unnecessary."

"Your Highness, let me accompany you back. In Yangcheng, I can still be of use." Yang Hao offered.

"If you return with me, you may be implicated," Wang Chuan replied.

"It doesn't matter. I know what I must do." Yang Hao spoke with utmost seriousness.

Wang Chuan's gaze met his, and all he saw was sincerity. He nodded. "Decide for yourself. With your martial skill now, you can protect yourself, but you must keep practicing diligently."

"Yes," Yang Hao agreed at once.

If the conversation turned to martial arts, he would have much more to discuss with Wang Chuan in the future.

He also began to gather his things.

At that moment, Tian Xingzi strode in, his long robe fluttering, every inch the image of an immortal.

"Your Highness, I have come to lend you my strength!"

"Please, elder, have a seat. Sit down first, then we shall talk." Wang Chuan gestured invitingly to the seat across from him.

Yang Hao noticed a flash of impatience on Tian Xingzi's face, but he suppressed it.

Such relentless persistence—perhaps it came with the territory.

Far too persistent.

"This time, Jin sends forty thousand—light cavalry! They came by way of Tang. I can tell Your Highness about the officers leading them," Tian Xingzi declared.

"Forty thousand light cavalry?" Wang Chuan considered this. "Is that all? What can they do?"

"Your Highness, imagine—even if not a sharp blade, a sharpened chopstick, or a shattered teacup can take a life," Tian Xingzi explained.

Yang Hao understood now; used well, these tens of thousands could be an extraordinary force!

But now exposed to the world, there was no chance for a surprise attack.

Impossible, surely.

"How do you know it's forty thousand light cavalry?" Yang Hao pressed him.

"I just know," Tian Xingzi replied mysteriously.

"Then who leads them?" Yang Hao asked again.

"Four captains. Perhaps Your Highness and Master Yang are not familiar with them—they are not particularly famous. Jin has many officers," Tian Xingzi answered.

"Captains?" Yang Hao was surprised. "Only captains? In Jin's system, that's merely a deputy."

A captain commands no more than ten thousand.

So with four captains, at most forty thousand men.

Only captains? Not even a general! Why have so many on the Yu border?

"If I am not mistaken, should Your Highness appear, these troops will obey your command!" Tian Xingzi told him. "Thus, only captains were sent. This is both a test for these men and for Your Highness, set by the Lord of Jin."

So that was it!

Yang Hao understood now.

The Lord of Jin had handed over the blade—if not wielded well, it would turn against its holder.

But, wielded properly, it would strike a fatal blow.

With Wang Chuan's power, none in the world could stand against him.

Now, with tens of thousands more, should he one day vie for the world, it was an excellent opportunity to gather this force.

It all depended on his ability.

Thus, Tian Xingzi was so intent on facilitating this, step by step pushing Wang Chuan toward the throne.

"The Lord of Jin is ever fond of such schemes," Yang Hao sighed. "Is he not afraid these men will be lost abroad?"

"It matters little. Perhaps you do not know him well enough. Among all emperors, the Lord of Jin is the most bellicose, the most eager for war! Even if these men are wiped out in Yu, he will exact vengeance tenfold, a hundredfold, at any cost! The affair in Yan Province has shown the whole world his true nature. Whether it will be war or peace depends on Yu and Wei’s response. Tang, on the other hand, has already allowed Jin troops passage, showing their sincerity," Tian Xingzi said. "But peace is not so easily won. For Jin's troops to march in openly, take nothing, and return unscathed—it is enough to make two nations lose face!"

"Forty thousand men—an awkward number. Not enough and yet not too few, but sufficient to be a thorn stuck here," Yang Hao remarked.

"But this blade is not so easily grasped. These light cavalry are mostly from Yangcheng, the capital’s own elite—matchless in skill and loyalty," Tian Xingzi continued. "Yet among the officers, some are loyal to Your Highness, some are with the Fourth Prince, and some are neutral... His Majesty does not wish to see you succeed easily."

Yang Hao was speechless. "His Majesty is famously inscrutable."

"Indeed. Especially his seizure of Yan Province—that was beyond all expectation," Tian Xingzi sighed. "And all know he wages war on every front, with designs upon the world, and an ambition not small."

Both men looked to Wang Chuan, awaiting his decision.

"I understand. Since we must go, let us set out early and waste no time. I will see these men myself and decide then," Wang Chuan said, rising to his feet. "But before I leave, I will bid the Lord of Yu farewell. There are those I wish to see. Wait for me at home."

Yang Hao nodded and escorted him out.

It took only a brief moment to enter the palace. This time, Wang Chuan's steps were light and seemed almost hurried.

He soon found the Lord of Yu, gazing from a balcony toward Jin.

"So, the Jin army has arrived, camped at Huacheng—a small town, garrisoned by a few thousand. But the beacons are lit, and word spreads a thousand miles. A great city lies a hundred miles away with sixty thousand troops. We can easily muster a hundred thousand on the eastern front. If the Jin don’t flee, annihilation is only a matter of time. The question is, what does Wei intend?" the Lord of Yu sighed. "If war comes, they may desire it even more. If Jin is wiped out, it will be easier for them!"

"These tens of thousands appeared so suddenly. I asked my ministers where the Jin army came from—no one knows. How many men—no one knows. Who leads them—no one knows..."

"I'll go and bring them back, and will not cause the least harm to Yu," Wang Chuan interjected. "I will further compensate Yu with ten thousand taels..."

"Wang Chuan, you are leaving as well," the Lord of Yu seemed a little surprised. "You say, walking in the valleys, seeing fat deer—why would no one shoot them for a meal?"

To hunt the deer?

I have little interest.

Wang Chuan shook his head. "I have already begun fasting."

"Fasting?" The Lord of Yu laughed heartily. "Those who ascend the martial path truly are unlike us mortals. Even as emperor, I cannot match those who can summon wind and rain at will. I can only envy you."

"The martial path is long and the price is high—it is not easy," Wang Chuan said knowingly, shaking his head. "I had hoped to see the princess, but perhaps not. Your Majesty, please tell her for me—I am returning. I am grateful for our acquaintance; fate has brought us together for this time."

"Then speak to her yourself," the Lord of Yu said, beckoning the palace maid to bring the princess.

"The fate of the world is to unite and divide, divide and unite again—I know this well," the Lord of Yu sighed softly, almost to himself.

The breeze was gentle, as if woven and freshly washed, bringing comfort.

"Wang Chuan, you are not allowed to leave!"

A voice like silver bells drifted through the air, carried on the breeze, so sweet and melodious that it soothed the soul.

Seeing the young lady lift her skirts and run to him, Wang Chuan felt a moment of disorientation.

It was not the first time he had heard her voice, but today it seemed especially sweet and clear, stirring his heart despite himself.

It made him wish to linger.

Her words were gentle, their tone soft and pleasant, yet filled with a stubborn resolve.

"Your Highness, I truly must go. I will come back to see you when I can," Wang Chuan sighed.

"You haven't finished teaching me martial arts," Xu Wei pouted. "They say if you go back, someone will harm you."

At this, Wang Chuan furrowed his brow, but soon relaxed. "Don't worry—no one in this world can harm me now."

He glanced at the Empress, who nodded slightly.

Her demeanor was not as lively as Xu Wei's—rather, she was composed, elegant, and dignified, commanding respect at first sight. What stood out most was her voice—clear, gentle, melodious, with a mature, captivating charm.

"But if you go, trouble will find you. Why not stay? They cannot reach you here," Xu Wei pleaded anxiously.

"There is no hiding from this," Wang Chuan smiled. "Perhaps you do not understand. You can play here in peace, grow up safe and happy, because someone bears the burden and builds a safe haven for you."

The Lord of Yu, hearing this, was deeply moved.

Xu Wei was still troubled, wrestling with her feelings, tears welling in her eyes.

"Enough, do not trouble His Highness further."

The Empress came forward and embraced her daughter, her words gentle and tender yet full of strength. "Wang Chuan, do you remember what we spoke of last time? If anything happens to Wei’er, I hope you will return at once."

"Mother, what could happen to me?" Xu Wei asked in surprise.

"It’s nothing, do not worry," the Empress replied, not explaining further. She turned to Wang Chuan. "Your Highness, if you can persuade the Lord of Jin upon your return, you may propose marriage to us. Do you have confidence?"

The Lord of Yu also looked at him, awaiting his reaction.

Xu Wei lowered her head, eyes closed, cheeks flushed—like a peony after the rain.

She listened intently, afraid to miss a word.

"My affairs are mine to decide," Wang Chuan replied earnestly, then thought for a moment. "Or perhaps I will take Wei’er with me."

"What, you wish to take her away?" the Empress exclaimed in shock.

She and the Lord of Yu exchanged startled glances.