Chapter 241: Serves This Zhao Right to Die
Chapter 241: Serves This Zhao Right to Die
The sky darkened. Shang Lu had knelt for a full two hours. He was a man of few words, not like his senior brothers and sisters. So kneeling silently was his only form of expression.
As for Zhao Zhen, he could have asked them. Deep down, he didn’t truly disbelieve the existence of Immortals; he simply didn’t wish to know. He feared that knowing might shake his conviction.
Therefore, he desperately told himself that the Green-Robed Gentlemen was just “talking nonsense,” and even if it were true, he would treat it as false.
Just as he himself had said.
Zhao Zhen must be a mighty ruler of his era and absolutely must not end up like the Grand Ancestor or Emperor Jing.
Chen Changsheng said to Shang Lu, “It’s late. Why not stay overnight on the mountain?”
Shang Lu paused, then said, “But…”
“You are the master here; I am the guest,” Chen Changsheng said with a gentle smile. “The Flowing Cloud Temple was left to you disciples by your Master.”
Hearing this, Shang Lu said no more. He smiled faintly in acknowledgement.
Zhao Zhen had considered going down the mountain, but after hesitating, decided to stay.
The night was quiet.
The songs of insects drifted from the mountain stream. Hidden streams trickled onto rocks with a rhythmic drip. The evening breeze rustled the leaves.
Zhao Zhen and Shang Lu sat on the temple’s eaves.
Seeing him silent, Shang Lu asked, “What were you discussing with the Great Master at dusk?”
“Small matters.”
Zhao Zhen exhaled, then suddenly asked, “Brother Shang, do you truly believe Da Xiang is beyond saving?”
“What do you mean, beyond saving?”
“The Prince of Xiang rules with tyranny, and the Jing people live in fear. Hence, rebel armies spring up everywhere like weeds that cannot be burned out.”
Shang Lu thought for a moment. “The Rebel Army is now large in Tongshun Prefecture. This time might be Da Xiang’s hardest trial. If it passes this, there might still be hope. Later, balancing firmness with kindness might bring peace to the land.”
“Balancing firmness with kindness…” Zhao Zhen pondered. He certainly wished he could do that.
But it was far too slow!
His health deteriorated daily. Who knew how many years he had left?
“It’s not enough…”
Zhao Zhen sighed deeply, his eyes filled with desolation.
“Not enough of what?”
Shang Lu was puzzled by his sudden lament. Zhao Zhen just shook his head. He spoke as if thinking aloud: “In my view, if the realm could be unified, who cares who sits on the throne?”
Shang Lu chuckled at that. “Now Western Xiao and Da Xiang are evenly matched. Unification is impossible. Still, Brother Zhao, as a royal relative yourself, if the Prince heard such talk, it could cost your head.”
Zhao Zhen only smiled and offered no explanation.
He brushed the dust off his robe and stood up. “Let’s go rest.”
They returned to their rooms, and peace settled over the mountain.
Under the cloak of night,
Hong Jin poked her head out of the well. She saw Moyuan leaning on the stone table, his head propped on his arm, napping lightly.
She tiptoed towards the temple gate.
Afraid Moyuan might wake, she glanced back repeatedly. Just as she was opening the gate a crack,
a voice suddenly came,
“Going somewhere so late?”
Hong Jin froze, whipping her head around.
She jumped in fright. Moyuan was glaring at her, suddenly standing right behind her. She hadn’t heard him move.
“N-no…” Hong Jin stammered, “The temple… it’s stuffy! I just need… fresh air! Yeah, fresh air! Heh heh…”
Moyuan walked past her and pushed the gate fully open.
Hong Jin was confused. Then he turned, looked at her, and said, “Go ahead.”
“Huh?” Hong Jin was stunned. “Seriously?… Can I?…”
Moyuan shrugged. “You said you wanted fresh air.”
Hong Jin carefully took a step out, still hesitant. “Then…”
“I’m really going!”
“Go.” Moyuan grinned. “Go confidently.”
Hong Jin clenched her teeth and dashed out of the temple gate.
“Good riddance!!”
She shouted and raced down the mountain path.
Moyuan stood at the gate, watching and chuckling, waiting for her return.
Sure enough, in just a few moments,
Hong Jin, who had frantically run downhill, came scrambling back up just as frantically.
“Y-you! Y-you!…” She gasped for breath, eyes wide with terror.
“Oh? Back already?” Moyuan asked, amused.
Hong Jin stared. “Why are there so many people at the foot of the mountain?!”
“You tell me,” Moyuan teased.
Hong Jin thought briefly, then realized. She pointed an accusing finger. “You knew! You knew all along! You never intended to let me leave! Waaah…”
“I did nothing of the sort. You chose to come back.”
“I couldn’t fight them all…”
“Your problem, not mine.”
“Liar!”
“Hahahaha…”
“What are you laughing at?!”
“At you.”
“…”
Thousands of armored soldiers had gathered at the base of Flowing Cloud Temple.
Several commanders on horseback ordered their troops to surround the mountain completely.
The moonlight reflected coldly off their silver armor. An aura of battle permeated the night air.
Thousands of soldiers gripped swords and knives, their eyes filled with deadly resolve.
“Are they definitely on this mountain?”
“Lieutenant, I watched them ascend! They never came back down. Zhao Zhen has to be trapped up there!”
“Good! If we capture Zhao the traitor, it will be a great merit on your name!”
“All soldiers, heed my command!”
“Seize everyone on this mountain! A hundred households and a thousand silver taels to anyone who captures Zhao!”
The metallic ring of a drawn sword echoed.
All around the mountain base, soldiers drew their knives and charged uphill towards the temple.
Instantly, the clash of steel shattered the mountain silence.
Birds exploded from the trees in fright; the insects stopped their songs.
From the dense woods, dozens of figures swiftly emerged to engage them.
“Protect the Lord!”
“Kill!!!”
Figures appeared from eight directions around the mountain.
Some raced towards the temple to warn their Lord to escape.
Two Shadow Guards running towards the temple locked eyes briefly but didn’t stop to interact.
However, just before the temple gate, a figure blocked their path.
Moyuan glanced at them. “The night is deep. Do not disturb the Master, gentlemen.”
The two Shadow Guards frowned. Moving towards the entrance,
Moyuan merely raised a hand. An invisible pressure, Dragon’s Might, washed over them, knocking both unconscious instantly. They slumped at the temple gate.
Moyuan yawned and looked down the mountain.
“No good…”
“If they dirty this mountain, the Master will scold me.”
Hong Jin trembled behind him. “People are dying! Dying!…”
“You’re a Monster and afraid of dead people?”
“Waaah…”
Moyuan sighed helplessly. He showed no urgency, simply observing the unfolding chaos.
“If they succeed here, Flowing Cloud Temple might become cursed – ‘The Land of the Fallen Dragon’. Acquiring Karma would be troublesome.”
“What a nuisance. I say it better to let this Zhao die.”
“Tch…”