Chapter 119: The Envoy from the West

There are many interpretations of celestial phenomena among the common folk, but only the High Priest’s explanation has gained the most support. It states: The appearance of the red star is a sign of masculine vigor. One person serves as an official in the Northern Hua Dynasty, while the other appears as a Taoist in Youzhou. This is a millennial encounter and a portent of auspicious fortune.

This statement is half-truth and half-deception. The common people find peace of mind in it, while those with ulterior motives understand its true meaning.

Before the next solar term arrived, Liu Yi unexpectedly appeared at Wuyang River.

Shuo had set up a game of Go in the pavilion, watching the board by himself while waiting for Liu Yi’s arrival. "The Emperor’s soothing words to the people could never fool you, could they?"

Liu Yi pushed open the bamboo gate, crossed the flowerbeds, ascended the stone steps, and entered the pavilion.

Seeing Shuo calmly playing, Liu Yi felt a bit suspicious, yet he did not dwell on it. He asked directly, "Do you have anything to do with this strange celestial phenomenon?"

"Young Master, you could at least address me as a senior, but tell me, would you care to play a game of Go with me?"

"I have no such inclination. Please answer me quickly!"

"You are indeed direct and unrestrained, but I am not without my own sensibilities. Although I have an interpretation for this phenomenon, if you do not play with me, I shall leave this game as it is."

Liu Yi sneered, sat down indifferently, and began to play against Shuo.

Back and forth they moved, testing each other’s thoughts and wits, until the stalemate of the game was finally broken.

Shuo cleared the pieces with a lingering sense of satisfaction, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. "Unexpectedly, you are truly a talent! I was right to value you."

"I do not need your high regard. Tell me about the celestial phenomenon!"

Shuo smiled. "Why do you think it is my doing?"

"Youzhou has always been ordinary, peaceful, and unremarkable. Ever since you arrived, turmoil has erupted. Is this merely a coincidence? To say nothing of other things, only you have the ability to create such a strange sight!"

Seeing Shuo smile without answering, Liu Yi added, "Furthermore, I knew from the moment you arrived that you were not a kind soul! You are clearly in perfect health, yet you insist on lingering here. You know well enough the rights and wrongs of your actions!"

"Ha ha ha, such bold and straightforward speech suits my appetite, and this sharp wit is also something I admire. Since you have already seen through it, I will not hide it any longer!"

Liu Yi looked away, waiting for Shuo’s confession. "That would be for the best!"

Shuo smiled, waved his hand, and the Wuyang River suddenly plunged into darkness, as if the dead of night had descended.

"You!" Liu Yi stood up in agitation. "What are you doing?"

Shuo walked to the steps without a care, pointing at the sky. "Look, how beautiful the light from that red star is? They can hide, but I can summon! This world is not limited to the righteous path of cultivation for attaining immortality; Young Master, you might want to broaden your perspective!"

Liu Yi snorted coldly, speaking with a touch of indignation: "Do not attempt to interfere with me. Although your magic is profound, I do not fear you! Since this is your doing, regardless of your motives, I ask you to leave Youzhou! I cannot control other places, but you shall not harm a single blade of grass here!"

Shuo laughed heartily, retracted the darkness, and restored the light.

"I have caused no harm and made no threats, so why must you drive me away?"

"Even if there is no harm now, it does not mean there won't be in the future!"

"Although Youzhou is your fief, it is still the Emperor’s world. Your rulers have already agreed to this; do you intend to oppose them? Young man, believe me, I will only bring benefits!"

Liu Yi was startled and asked loudly, "Who did you say agreed?"

"Very well, since you want to know now, I shall tell you in advance! I am not one for underhanded schemes or acting; you are much more straightforward!" With that, Shuo produced the Profound Heart Mirror.

"What is this?" Before Liu Yi’s voice of shock could fade, Shuo had already cast a spell to bind him.

"Do not be impatient, you will know soon enough!"

Shuo chanted an incantation and activated the mirror, and a person appeared within it.

"My beauty, is everything going smoothly at the palace?"

"It is. I will soon have Feng Xing won over! Was that you last night? Why create such a celestial phenomenon?"

"I naturally have my reasons. Do not be distracted by immediate interests; ensure you complete the tasks I have assigned."

"Rest assured!"

With that, Shuo put away the mirror and released Liu Yi from his restraint.

"How is it? Do you believe me now? All of this is your Empress Mother’s will!"

"How can this be?" Liu Yi shook his head, staring at the mirror in disbelief.

"In this world, there is only infinite interest; nothing is impossible. But speaking of which, you and your mother are truly polar opposites!" Shuo scrutinized Liu Yi and chuckled softly. "How could someone like her produce a son like you?"

The clamor of the busy market pulled Feng Xing’s thoughts back. This was a tavern at the Yinzhou docks, where he was dining with an envoy from the Western State.

The noise and bustle outside, lively and extraordinary, only served to highlight the quiet atmosphere within the private room.

The Western State envoy had come to offer greetings and prayers to the Northern Hua court and to report on national affairs, as the new ruler of the Western State had ascended the throne and needed to send someone to express their friendship.

When Liu Li learned of this, he dispatched Feng Xing to escort and attend to them, but trouble had arisen midway.

The Second Prince’s men had captured Feng Xing’s younger sister, Feng Nuan, and were using her to coerce him into delivering the envoy to the Empress Dowager. Because the Western State was a territory the Empress Dowager had long sought to conquer, neither she nor the Second Prince desired peace; the annexation of the entire world was the "great path" they held in their hearts.

Feng Xing watched the envoy happily eating his food, looking calm and unconcerned. Did this envoy never worry about the safety of his mission or peace?

The envoy wore exotic clothing, vivid and colorful, adorned with many sparkling elements that obscured his actual features. His deep, sunken eye sockets held lively, profound eyes that moved with the agility of a monkey’s. His high-bridged nose and cheekbones accentuated the sharpness of his face, and his thin, red lips resembled those of a young girl. The skin on his face was stretched thin, showing faint wrinkles with every move and word; it was hard to fathom what their standards of beauty truly were.

However, Feng Xing did not care about that; he was preoccupied with the choice he had to make. Should he choose to uphold his lifelong commitment to assisting a wise ruler and being loyal to his country, or should he fulfill his parents’ dying wish to protect Feng Nuan?

"Envoy, is the food to your liking?"

The envoy nodded excitedly and laughed. "Hehe, your food is truly delicious! A hundred times better than the food in our country. But why are you not eating? Is the food in this tavern not to your taste?"

"No, I am full! Please, continue at your leisure, Envoy."

"Good, very good!"

Feng Xing smiled, stepped out of the room, and instructed his men, "Keep a close watch on the Envoy!"

The entire tavern was filled with his own men, but the outside was crawling with the Empress Dowager’s agents. Standing on the upper floor, looking down at the plainclothes assassins, Feng Xing felt a shiver of deep anxiety.

If he followed the Empress Dowager’s wishes and brought the envoy out, a lopsided battle would ensue, inevitably ending in a calculated murder.

The Empress Dowager wanted the envoy dead! Feng Xing had to choose: protect the envoy or protect Feng Nuan? Betray the Emperor or betray his parents?

"My Lord!"

A soldier knelt, breaking Feng Xing’s train of thought.

"What is it?"

"We have discovered many suspicious individuals outside the tavern, scattered throughout the streets and alleys, all armed with blades..."

Feng Xing nodded. "I know."

"Also, Lord He has ordered us to protect the envoy at all costs to prevent the common people from suffering in the chaos!"

Feng Xing’s heart tightened, and he sighed. "Very well, you may go."

Looking at the peaceful and happy people outside his window, Feng Xing could not bear to see war and sorrow descend upon them.

The Western State placed great importance on diplomatic etiquette. If anything happened to the envoy, it would certainly lead to conflict and misunderstanding with Northern Hua. The Empress Dowager would surely add fuel to the fire, using various excuses to incite war, and the borders would no longer be secure.

Peace had been hard-won, built upon the sacrifices of tens of thousands, and he could not let it be destroyed at his hands. Feng Nuan was his only sister, and the Empress Dowager’s methods were ruthless and cruel. Naturally, he had to consider this, so Feng Xing added a sedative to the envoy’s wine.