Chapter 180 Swordsmanship
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Rundu City gradually regained vitality.
Yan He’s troops not only drove away the Wutuo people but also brought supplies. The grain sent from Huayuan relieved the urgent need for food in Rundu.
“Flying Phoenix General isn’t in Huayuan?” Li Kuang looked at Yan He on the opposite side with confusion. “Has he returned to Shuojing already? How is that possible?”
“Are you suspecting me of lying?” Yan He frowned.
“No,” Li Kuang said, “it’s just… when Rundu was besieged by the Wutuo people, I immediately sent people to ask General He for reinforcements. In total, three groups were dispatched. It’s impossible not to have any news. I thought he didn’t come because the situation in Huayuan was bad, but… how could he have returned to Shuojing?”
“You’ll have to ask him about that,” Yan He said, leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head, seemingly indifferent. “I’m not familiar with He Rufei as much as you are.”
Li Kuang didn’t say anything.
While the two were in silence, someone came in. It was Zhao Shiming. Zhao Shiming first glanced at Yan He, then carefully said to Li Kuang, “Zongbing, um… today, Miss Qiluo was buried. You…”
At these words, Li Kuang’s expression became unpleasant. After a while, he stood up and said, “Let’s go.”
Qiluo was not originally from Rundu, but her birth parents had passed away early, and now she had no other relatives. It was summer, and they couldn’t bring Qiluo’s body back to Shuojing, so they could only bury her on the spot. She was buried in a beautiful place within Rundu, with a large vineyard not far away. Qiluo loved grapes when she was alive, and now, being buried here, she might be slightly pleased.
When they arrived at the burial site, unexpectedly, both Xiao Jue and He Yan were present. Standing beside them was a young man in white clothes holding a folding fan. Xiao Jue didn’t matter much, but when Li Kuang saw He Yan, he felt uncomfortable.
That day, he and He Yan almost drew their swords against each other in the hall. In the end, everything abruptly stopped because of Xiao Jue’s appearance, but after the dust settled, He Yan’s words still lingered in Li Kuang’s ears, keeping him awake at night. In the bed beside him, he could almost see Qiluo’s smiling face when he turned his head. However, when the sunlight shone through the window, and he opened his eyes, everything was empty, and he couldn’t grasp anything.
He failed to become Zhang Xun, and he also lost Qiluo forever.
This was like an irony, a hurdle he would have difficulty overcoming for the rest of his life. Every day in the future, whenever he thought of Qiluo, he would be accompanied by endless guilt and pain.
He Yan didn’t look at Li Kuang. In fact, she didn’t want to look at him at all. She and Li Kuang had fought side by side before, and she knew Li Kuang was loyal and upright. But perhaps because she was a woman, she would always stand on Qiluo’s side in this matter, she felt that women were innocent.
As the coffin was buried, everything settled. He Yan watched as a small stone monument was erected, which ironically stated that she died at the hands of Li Kuang. Yet, on the tablet, she would always be listed as Li Kuang’s concubine.
He Yan lowered her head, walked forward, and placed a small wreath with purple flowers in her hands in front of the stone monument. This girl had once told her that she hoped to be Li Kuang’s favorite concubine even after ten years. Life is unpredictable. Before waiting for ten years, there was no longer such a person in the world. In a way, it seemed that her wish had come true. Not only for ten years, but Li Kuang would probably never forget Qiluo for the rest of his life.
In her heart, there surged a feeling, whether it was sadness or irony, but now that the person had been buried, saying anything was useless.
People gradually dispersed, perhaps because Li Kuang couldn’t face He Yan’s gaze. He even left in a hurry without saying a word to He Yan. He Yan and the two of them followed behind, and Lin Shuanghe secretly glanced at He Yan, whispering, “Little Sister He, don’t be sad.”
He Yan, being a woman, was naturally more tenderhearted. Lin Shuanghe also knew that He Yan particularly disliked the unfair treatment of women by the world. Although Li Kuang’s intention to defend the city was understandable, the heavy burden was entirely borne by his little concubine, who also paid with her life. In He Yan’s view, it was too heartless.
These days, he had been busy treating the wounded soldiers with the medical officer in Rundu and hadn’t had time to catch up with He Yan. Today was the first time he met He Yan in Rundu, and he felt that He Yan had lost quite a bit of weight. Originally frail, she now seemed even more delicate, as if she could be blown away by the wind. It seemed that the city was short of food, and she ended up in such a state.
He Yan shook her head. “I just feel… a bit helpless.”
In the world, most people think as Li Kuang does, while only a few think like herself. Not to mention the injustices in the whole world, just in the current situation, she couldn’t even save someone like Qiluo. Personal abilities are indeed insignificant. Changing the perception of people worldwide is as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
“However,” He Yan smiled, “I didn’t expect that when the Commander came in, he would stand on my side.” She looked at Xiao Jue, “I still remember what the Commander said.”
Xiao Jue said, “It wasn’t me who said that.”
He Yan was startled.
Of course, she knew that Xiao Jue didn’t say that. It was her response to the teacher’s question when she was in Xianchang Academy. She didn’t expect that Xiao Jue still remembered it, and even more unexpectedly, he spoke it out in that situation.
“Then… who said it?” she asked cautiously.
Xiao Jue looked ahead without speaking, but what appeared before his eyes was the spring afternoon in the Xianchang Academy in Shuojing many years ago.
At that time, he was still young, studying in the academy with his classmates. The spring sun was warm, making people dream. He was dozing off with his eyes closed, casually listening to the teacher’s lecture. The hero from the previous dynasty who killed his concubine to boost the morale of the army had gained a glorious reputation. The youths were eager to speak, and everyone thought they were “heroes.” He didn’t participate, considering the world like a chessboard and people like ants. When time passed long enough, whether it was a “hero” or a “concubine,” both were insignificant drops in the historical torrent, and whether they could create ripples wasn’t important.
Eventually, it would all pass.
He was halfway through his beautiful dream when he heard the teacher say, “He Rufei, do you have a different opinion?”
He Rufei?
Xiao Jue remembered that Young Master He was especially prominent among the talented individuals in Xianchang Academy. Although he was dull-witted, he worked hard beyond measure. If he had recognized himself early like Lin Shuanghe, it might have been better, but he was filled with the grand ambition of “defying fate.” Such a person might be considered ridiculous in the mundane world, but his purely enthusiastic spirit wasn’t detestable.
Engrossed in his dreams, he half-listened when the teacher asked, “He Rufei, do you have a different opinion?” How could He Rufei not respond to a question like this? Xiao Jue didn’t open his eyes, just listened indifferently.
“People all say that Zhang Xun is a loyal and righteous man, which is not false, but aren’t those eaten people also innocent? I can understand his choice, but if it were me… I would never do that.”
The young man who was dozing off with his eyes closed felt a slight tremor in his long lashes, like the wings of a butterfly stopping for a moment due to a passing breeze.
“Oh? How would you do it?”
“I would lead the remaining troops and engage in a life-and-death battle with the rebels outside the city. Those who wield a sword should understand where the blade is pointing—whether it is at the enemies in front or the weak behind.”
The young man, pretending to be asleep, slightly curled his lips, slowly opened his eyes.
In an instant, sunlight streamed through the window, waking him up from his beautiful dream. The golden light passed through the window, shining on the unremarkable figure in front. At some point, this person who was originally inconspicuous had become as dazzling as a rainbow in a mountain stream.
“I would never draw my sword against the weak.”
He seemed to be earnestly looking at He Rufei’s appearance for the first time. The mask covered the other person’s face, but no matter how foolish and unbearable this person might be, his posture was always upright and forward.
The sarcasm at the corner of the young man’s lips dissipated. Gradually, a smirk appeared, and he looked out of the window. He felt that even the fool who was usually ridiculed would appear respectable in the splendid and beautiful spring.
Perhaps, he wasn’t a fool after all.
The journey through the deep forest came to an end, and Xiao Jue did not answer He Yan’s words. Stopping his steps, he said, “I have something to discuss with Li Kuang. You don’t need to follow me.”
He Yan nodded and watched as Xiao Jue walked away.
Her current relationship with Xiao Jue was indeed somewhat delicate. She couldn’t be considered a subordinate, and given her official position, it was incomparable to Xiao Jue’s. Still, she wasn’t counted as part of Xiao Jue’s army. But if she didn’t follow Xiao Jue, Wuan Lang had no actual power. Without following Xiao Jue, she wouldn’t have anything to do.
Lin Shuanghe waved his hand in front of her, “Little Sister He?”
He Yan snapped back to reality, “Brother Lin.”
“I was too busy these past few days, and there weren’t enough medical officers in Rundu, so I had to push through.” Here, he complained somewhat, “Now, this title of ‘White-Clothed Divine Physician’ is overly cheap. I hardly take any payment at all. If people don’t know, they might think I’m just a typical do-gooder. Little Sister, when we return to the capital, you mustn’t tell anyone that I’ve treated women outside Shuojing. We must abide by the rules. If others find out, everyone will come to me for treatment, and the threshold of our Lin family will be trampled.”
Lin Shuanghe, at any time, could worry about things that he shouldn’t worry about. He Yan was silent for a moment before saying, “I remember.”
Only then did Lin Shuanghe let go of his concerns and continued, “I haven’t asked you, how have you been here? You’re really something. You came to Rundu without even letting us know, almost causing a big mess with the Liangzhou Garrison. What were you thinking? Even if you want to achieve something, you should take it easy. Why go to such a dangerous place? Even if wealth and nobility are sought in danger, we should prioritize staying alive and plan for the future.”
Knowing he was teasing, He Yan just smiled.
“Little Sister He,” Lin Shuanghe looked at her, stopped fanning for a moment, and pondered, “Why do I feel that after not seeing you for so long, you’ve changed quite a bit?”
“Really?”
“Yes,” Lin Shuanghe replied with certainty.
From the first time he saw He Yan in Liangzhou Garrison, even though she was seriously injured by Ridamuzi, this girl was still lively and energetic, radiating warmth and heat like the sun at all times. Her eyes always sparkled with light, full of vitality. Now, just over a month later, when he saw He Yan again, this girl seemed to have a lot on her mind, appearing somewhat unusually silent. It was as if something had taken away her happiness overnight, giving birth to another version of herself.
There was a sense of unfamiliarity, melancholy, as if something had isolated her from others, making it impossible to get close.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
He Yan shook her head and smiled, “Nothing.” However, she suddenly remembered another matter and asked Lin Shuanghe, “Brother Lin, during the days I left Liangzhou Garrison, what happened in Liangzhou Garrison?”
“What do you mean by that?” Lin Shuanghe rubbed his chin. “Do you feel that something is not right?”
He Yan hesitated for a moment before speaking, “When I saw the Commander this time, he didn’t ask why I came to Rundu alone, nor did he rebuke me. He seemed very calm. Don’t you find that strange? The Commander didn’t have this kind of temperament before.”
Lin Shuanghe’s eyes flickered, and he smiled, “This is an obvious matter. You came to Rundu to save the people of Rundu. Since it’s to save lives, Huaijin certainly wouldn’t say anything. You’ve been busy and tired these days, and he might be worried about you. How could he rebuke you? Little Sister He, you might have misunderstood Huaijin. He’s not such a heartless person; he’s very gentle, especially to the people he likes.”
He Yan: “…”
Lin Shuanghe’s evasive answer left He Yan momentarily unsure of how to respond. After a moment of silence, she said, “Forget it. If he doesn’t mention it, I don’t need to be distressed about it all the time.” What was more important now was He Rufei. He Rufei had committed such a great crime, and she didn’t have much time to gradually seek revenge. As long as He Rufei held the title of “Flying Phoenix General,” it would be a disaster for the people of Great Wei.
“Don’t think too much about it,” Lin Shuanghe comforted her, “In a few days, we’ll return to Shuojing. When we get back, I’ll take you around for a leisurely stroll. By the way, your family is also in Shuojing, right? After returning, reuniting with your father and brother will be a good thing for you. However, your identity is a bit troublesome… But it’s not a big deal. When push comes to shove, we’ll figure out a solution together. There’s always a way to solve it.”
“Return to Shuojing?” He Yan was taken aback. She did want to return to Shuojing, but from Lin Shuanghe’s words, did it mean that Xiao Jue also intended to go back?
“You haven’t been away from Liangzhou Garrison for long, but Huaijin received an imperial edict from the capital. He’s going to take some new recruits and soldiers from the Nanfu Troops back to Shuojing. It’s just that at that time, we were all worried about the situation in Rundu. I and Huai Jin arrived first, and the soldiers followed afterward. In any case, we’ll all have to go back. Now, with the current situation of the Wutuo people, it’s impossible for the world to be as peaceful as before. It’s better to go back earlier.”
Lin Shuanghe looked at her and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t you want to go back?”
He Yan shook her head. “No, it’s just a bit unexpected.”
If Xiao Jue also intended to go back, wouldn’t they be traveling together again? It seemed that her determination to keep a distance from him, to avoid causing trouble to others, was now in vain. Inevitably, they would have to be together again. However, her feelings towards Xiao Jue were currently complicated because of He Rufei’s actions, forcing her to face some issues.
Dragging Xiao Jue into this was harmful and had no benefit.
Well, things had come to this point, and thinking too much about it wouldn’t help. As Lin Shuanghe says, “When push comes to shove, we’ll figure out a solution together.”
They could only take it one step at a time. After exchanging a few words with Lin Shuanghe, she left. Lin Shuanghe watched He Yan’s figure, holding the fan handle against his chin, contemplating for a moment before sighing to himself, “He didn’t even rebuke her… it seems that once Second Young Master Xiao has enlightened, he is indeed formidable. Admirable. No wonder he is the best at Xianchang Academy.”
He happily followed suit.
…
He Yan bid farewell to Lin Shuanghe and planned to return to her room to write about the situation with the Wutuo people in Rundu. Every battle could yield clues, and knowing the enemy and oneself would ensure victory in a hundred battles. Before she reached her room, she happened to see someone practicing martial arts in the backyard. The martial artist’s movements were vigorous, and the already barren trees in Rundu were now completely bare due to famine. The martial artist’s swordplay and movements had even broken the branches, leaving only a bare trunk, looking particularly pitiful.
Hearing someone approaching, the martial artist stopped, put away the weapon, and turned around. Wearing a silver robe with a long halberd, hair tied high, with an arrogant and proud demeanor—this could only be Yan He.
“General Yan,” He Yan greeted.
“Oh, it’s that He Yan.” Yan He walked to the side, and a subordinate handed him a wet cloth. After casually wiping his hands, he threw it aside, walked up the steps, and sat down. He didn’t forget to invite He Yan, “Sit.”
He Yan thought for a moment and sat down beside him. “Were you just watching me practice spear skills?”
Yan He asked. “How was it? Have you never seen such exquisite spear techniques before?”
He Yan remained silent for a moment, then smiled faintly, “Indeed, it’s exquisite. Looking across the entire Great Wei, there’s no one else who possesses spear skills like General Yan.”
Hearing this, Yan He’s mouth curled up in satisfaction, and his gaze toward He Yan softened. He snorted, “You’ve got good taste.”
He Yan sighed inwardly. After so many years, Yan He’s temperament hadn’t changed at all. As long as you flattered him, it was easy to win his favor.
Back in the Xianchang Academy, if Lin Shuanghe and He Yan were competing for the last place, Yan He was competing for the first place with Xiao Jue. However, their competition was never in doubt; every time, Yan He came in second, and Xiao Jue came in first.
Among the young people studying in the academy, their backgrounds were impressive, each being the cream of the crop. It was normal for them to be competitive. However, Yan He’s competitive spirit was particularly strong. He Yan still remembered that back in the academy, Yan He would frequently challenge Xiao Jue, much like how Wang Ba would challenge her in the Liangzhou Garrison.
Xiao Jue mostly ignored such challenges. When he couldn’t avoid them, he would spar with Yan He. Whether in literary or martial arts, archery or horsemanship, the results were always the same—Yan He repeatedly faced defeat. On this point, He Yan always felt that Yan He had some similarities with her. Unfortunately, despite her sympathetic feelings, Yan He did not appreciate it.
Yan He disliked He Yan a lot.
He was arrogant and looked down on others, believing that worthless people were not worth a second glance. If someone had a skill like Lin Shuanghe, it would be fine, but He Yan was useless. In Xianchang Academy, being useless was a crime. When Yan He was young, he did everything he could to make fun of He Yan, embarrassing her in front of others, secretly tripping her up, and even deliberately colliding with her horse during archery competitions.
Speaking of when she entered Xianchang Academy to study, He Yan’s most disliked person was undoubtedly Yan He.
Later, she joined the military, Xiao Jue also joined, and not long after, Yan He joined as well. However, Yan He could be considered to follow in his father’s footsteps, so it was acceptable. Despite his young age, he was doing well. When Rundu was in danger, He Yan wrote to him asking for reinforcements, thinking that given Yan He’s temperament, he would come.
Although she didn’t expect him to come together with Xiao Jue.
If it were a few years ago, He Yan would never have imagined that she would one day sit and chat peacefully with Yan He. In fact, she didn’t know where she offended Yan He. Logically, she barely spoke to him, let alone hindered him in any way. Why did he dislike her no matter how carefully she treated him?
This question was one of He Yan’s top ten unsolved mysteries during her youth. Now, with Yan He sitting beside her, although there were still traces of his youth in his eyebrows and eyes, it had softened considerably. After so many years, he still detested “He Rufei.” What kind of power was this?
He Yan casually spoke, “Naturally, everyone talks about the two great generals of Great Wei, one being Flying Phoenix General, and the other being General Fengyun. But I don’t think so. Commander Xiao is not mentioned, indeed, he is formidable. However, as for Flying Phoenix General, he is not as good as people say. Rundu is so close to Huayuan, yet he didn’t come to aid the city. Moreover, he barely won in the previous battle at Huayuan. I think he can’t compare to General Yan at all. I really don’t know how he became famous.”
Generally, scolding He Rufei to death would win Yan He’s favor. This was undoubtedly correct.
Sure enough, Yan He’s eyes lit up at He Yan’s words, and he laughed, “You, as Wuan Lang, are quite different from others. Just based on your perspective, you’re better than many. Although I don’t agree that Xiao Huaijin is formidable, He Rufei, yes, you’re absolutely right! He is indeed not as good as me!”
He Yan inwardly rolled her eyes. She flattered him, saying, “Yes, but General Yan, you don’t like Flying Phoenix General? I thought generals generally like him.”
“Don’t like him?” Yan He shook his head, indifferent. “It’s not that I don’t like him; I just think he’s incompetent and unworthy of the title.”
He Yan was secretly delighted. Was this about to unveil the mystery of why Yan He had always targeted her during her youth? After so many years, could she finally know the reason why Yan He had a problem with her?
“What do you mean by ‘incompetent’?” He Yan tilted her head, looking at him with genuine confusion.
Because they both disliked He Rufei, Yan He found the young man in front of him much more pleasing. Without much thought, he said, “Of course, he’s incompetent. After receiving guidance from Xiao Huaijin in swordsmanship, he still ended up like that. If it were me, I could do ten thousand times better. Xiao Huaijin is really strange. Why teach a fool when there are talented people in the academy? He’s even stingy about challenging me. Tell me, how can there be such a person in the world?”
“Swordsmanship… guidance?”
“Yes,” Yan He glanced at her. “Unexpected, right? The unparalleled swordsmanship of Flying Phoenix General is actually taught by Xiao Huaijin. Do you find it absurd?”
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