Book 4: Chapter 164: Bamboo Cane
Book 4: Chapter 164: Bamboo Cane
Qin Yun’s courtyard, Qin Clan, Major Metropolitan City:
Qin Zibai stood respectfully at one side. “Father, this is the news that just arrived from Chaoge City. The Bat Ancestor had died long ago, Archduke Xi Kang died, and Gu Hai had refined the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor’s body, which allowed him to subdue the five million zombies.”
The blind Qin Yun sat on a stone stool, gently wiping a bamboo cane with the silk cloth in his hand.
“Hah…,” Qin Yun sighed after a while.
“Father, why did you sigh?” Qin Zibai asked, confused.
“When His Reverence permitted Archduke Xi Kang to head to Chaoge City and bring all the zombies, it showed that he thought very highly of Gu Hai, not underestimating Gu Hai. Unfortunately, he did not expect that Gu Hai had a better piece to play: the Slaughter Heavenly Emperor’s body,” Qin Yun sighed.
“Indeed. Gu Hai has gained five million zombies. I wonder what His Reverence will do?” Qin Zibai frowned.
“His Reverence? His Reverence progressed too quickly,” Qin Yun sighed.
“This child does not understand.”
“His Reverence did not wait for the four major clans to grow. How unfortunate…especially for Chang Sheng. In the end, His Reverence chose the Bat Ancestor. Hah…perhaps he was too impatient,” Qin Yun sighed softly.
“What do you mean ‘chose the Bat Ancestor’? Father, is there something that this child does not know?” Qin Zibai asked, confused.
Qin Yun nodded. “Back then, Chang Sheng did not agree to become a vampire and rule a vampire clan just to repay a favor. It was because His Reverence promised to help Chang Sheng gain the primogenitor’s ability in the future when needed.”
“The primogenitor’s ability? What do you mean?” Qin Zibai exclaimed.
“That is choosing between Chang Sheng and the Bat Ancestor. The more capable one would survive till the end,” Qin Yun sighed softly.
“The more capable one would survive till the end? His Reverence said that? So, if Chang Sheng proved himself more capable, His Reverence would help Chang Sheng consume the Bat Ancestor’s souls; then, Chang Sheng would have nothing to worry about?” Qin Zibai said in shock.
Qin Yun nodded. “That was why Chang Sheng worked extremely hard these years. He truly worked extremely hard. Commanding the army, foreign affairs, government administration, he was involved in everything, an all-rounder. How unfortunate…how unfortunate…”
“Unfortunately, His Reverence progressed too fast, and he could not wait? He wanted to contest with the Qian Nation immediately, so he chose the Bat Ancestor, who had the higher cultivation, and gave up on Chang Sheng?” Qin Zibai raised his eyebrows.
Qin Yun nodded. “That’s why progressing too fast is not a good thing. If His Reverence’s cultivation had not advanced too quickly, causing his ambition to rise, if he had taken things slow and moved step by step, Chang Sheng would not have lost to the Bat Ancestor. Haha! His Reverence lost a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed. Hah! Hahahaha!”
[TL Note: Losing a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed is a Chinese idiom for focusing on trivial matters and neglecting larger ones. A similar idiom in English would be penny wise pound foolish.]
Qin Zibai remained silent.
“Because His Reverence progressed too fast, the Chang Clan and the Bat Ancestor are gone. Of course, His Reverence cannot be blamed. The Slaughter Nation’s treasury is something harmful. Without it, His Reverence would not have become this ambitious. Hah…,” Qin Yun sighed.
“The Xi Clan is gone too. Now, only the Qin Clan and the Mo Clan remain of the four major clans,” Qin Zibai said.
“The Xi Clan? Archduke Xi Kang? Hah! What is he?!” Qin Yun showed some disdain.
“Huh?” Qin Zibai looked at his father in confusion.
“Archduke Xi Kang is just His Reverence’s blood relative. That was why he could rank together with our three clans. While he started Five Sacred Mountains Academy and claimed to be extraordinarily learned, he was just an incompetent clown. Among the Qin Clan, the Mo Clan, and the Chang Clan, that old fellow from the Mo Clan was the smartest. Unfortunately, he worked too hard and died early. Fortunately, his son inherited his brain. The Chang Clan’s Chang Sheng is the second smartest. Chang Sheng had also worked hard, but His Reverence abandoned him. However, Chang Sheng left a seed behind: Chang Ming. Haha! A heaven’s favored. Unfortunately, Chang Ming is too obstinate and self-opinionated. Nevertheless, Chang Ming’s intelligence does not lose to Mo Yike’s. Now that Chang Ming is following Gu Hai, Chang Ming will be incredible if Gu Hai teaches Chang Ming well. Unfortunately, I am the stupidest. My child is even more inferior. Hah…,” Qin Yun sighed softly.
Qin Zibai showed a bitter expression. “Father, although this child is not as smart as Mo Yike, my comprehension in cultivation is better. Even if I cannot beat Mo Yike, surely I am better than Chang Ming.”
“Cultivation? Your cultivation talent is high. However, what is the point of that if you have not reached the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm? Even if you reach the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm, look at the Bat Ancestor. He was in the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm. However, Gu Hai, a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, killed him with just a few words. What is the point of a high cultivation?” Qin Yun immediately scolded.
Qin Zibai smiled bitterly. “Alright. This child is stupid. However, Father is extremely smart. How could you be third? The best proof is that Grand Duke Chang and Grand Duke Mo died; only Father is still alive. How could Father be inferior to them?”
Qin Yun sighed softly, “There are some things that you don’t understand.”
Qin Zibai smiled bitterly.
As Qin Yun spoke, he removed the veil covering his eyes.
“Father, how did you go blind? Back then, this child was still young. Father’s eyes suddenly went blind, and you retired from court. Then, you handed the Qin Clan to this child. It was very difficult for this child at the time. However, Father remained in closed-door cultivation for the past few centuries.” Qin Zibai looked at Qin Yun’s shut, blind eyes.
Qin Yun took a deep breath as he caressed the bamboo cane in his hands. “Father’s eyes. Haha! I will have to start from a matter that took place one thousand two hundred years ago. At that time, I followed His Reverence to the west, to the Spirit Mountain Holy Land. We happened to witness three heretic Buddhists engaged in a dialogue with the Lord Buddha. That was a fortuitous encounter.”
“One thousand two hundred years ago? However, Father did not go blind then, right?” Qin Zibai said, feeling curious.
Qin Yu smiled faintly as he shook his head. Eventually, he sighed, “Never mind. I won’t speak of it. There is no point in you knowing the past. However, keep this bamboo cane well.”
Qin Yun somewhat reluctantly handed over that bamboo cane.
“This bamboo cane? Father, in this child’s memories, Father always held this bamboo cane. Even when you went blind, you kept wiping it, continuously wiping it for so many years. What is this?” The confused Qin Zibai received the cane.
The bamboo cane seemed like an ordinary cane for hiking. However, it felt cool in Qin Zibai’s hands.
“Father obtained this one thousand two hundred years ago during that dialogue. Keep it well. Perhaps this cane will prevent you from falling behind Mo Yike by too much,” Qin Yun sighed softly.
“Ah? Father, if you are giving it to me, what about you? What is the use of this bamboo cane?” Qin Zibai asked.
“Take your time and figure it out. Since I gave it to you, I naturally no longer need it. Zibai, Father has one final request of you,” Qin Yun said gravely.
“This child does not deserve a father like you. This child will do my best with whatever I can do,” Qin Zibai immediately responded seriously.
“Chang Sheng died, the Bat Ancestor died, and the five million zombies are gone. The Yuan Nation incurred great losses. His Reverence will definitely head to Chaoge City. Mo Yike is a good official. Unfortunately, he is not his father. He does not hold as high a value in His Reverence’s heart as his father did. He will not be able to stop His Reverence. If His Reverence takes his anger out on Mo Yike, you must save Mo Yike, no matter the price,” Qin Yun said seriously.
“Save Mo Yike, no matter the price?” Qin Zibai echoed in confusion.
Qin Yun nodded. “If you save Mo Yike now, Mo Yike will save you in the future.”
“Save me?” Qin Zibai was shocked.
“Just listen to me!” Qin Yun exhorted gravely.
“Yes!” Qin Zibai nodded, still feeling confused.
“Alright. I have given you the bamboo cane. Father has to go now.” Qin Yun stood up.
“Go? Father, where are you going?” Qin Zibai asked, still confused.
Qin Yun smiled faintly but did not explain. Then, he soared into the sky, flying towards the Great Sigh Palace Hall.
Despite his shut eyes, he headed in the right direction, flying to the Great Sigh Palace Hall’s plaza in a straight line.
“Halt!” A guard immediately rushed forward to stop Qin Yun.
“You bastard, scram. Don’t block the Qin Clan Head’s path. His Reverence has instructed that the Qin Clan Head can meet His Reverence at any time!” the guard captain shouted at the guards.
“Yes!” The surrounding guards promptly made way.
Qin Yun ignored everyone. Instead, he directly landed at the Great Sigh Palace Hall’s entrance.
Before he could step into the hall, he heard Mo Yike’s loud shouts coming from inside.
“Your Reverence, you can’t! You can’t go north!” Mo Yike shouted.
Two columns of officials lined the sides of the Great Sigh Palace Hall. Clearly, they had just received the news from Chaoge City.
The Bat Ancestor was dead. Archduke Xi Kang was dead. The five million zombies had defected.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu appeared indifferent like before. Mo Yike had sought an audience with him and pleaded with him not to go north. However, Imperial Emperor Xi Yu had not said he would go north.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu looked at Mo Yike coldly from his throne.
“Mo Yike, what else do you have to say?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu asked, his voice sinking.
“Your Reverence, we have lost the five million zombies. So be it. My Yuan Nation suffered great losses this time, but we can make up for it over time. Right now, the most important thing is to stop the war and resolve the grudges with the Qian Nation. The reports from the frontline state that the Qian Nation’s army has already started sending soldiers to the borders. They will invade my Yuan Nation soon. Your Reverence, this is not the time to care about those zombies,” Mo Yike said anxiously.
“Hah! Hahahaha! Did Chang Sheng die for nothing? Did Archduke Xi Kang die for nothing? Did the Bat Ancestor die for nothing? Are we going to abandon the five million zombies?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu finally answered.
“However, Your Majesty, aside from being the Han Royal Emperor, Gu Hai is also the Elite Hall Master. Chaoge City was a trap that Gu Hai laid. Surely Your Reverence can tell. Why do you still want to go? Right now, the more important thing is the war with the Qian Nation,” Mo Yike argued anxiously.
“We know, but we must go,” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu said coldly.
“Your Reverence, this official implores Your Reverence to retract your decision at the risk of my death. Do not go north!” Mo Yike knelt.
“At the risk of your death? Excellent! A remonstration with your life on the line?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu said coldly.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s cold words set the officials abuzz. A remonstration with life on the line? If it fails, Mo Yike will really die! Mo Yike is using his life to dissuade His Reverence? This is the most severe form of remonstration an official can perform.
Will His Reverence kill Mo Yike?
“Your Reverence, you can’t! The Mo Clan has made great contributions to the Yuan Nation!”
“I plead with Your Reverence to pardon Lord Mo!”
“Your Reverence…”
The officials pleaded for Mo Yike.
“Humph! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Are you all trying to rebel? Who calls the shots? You or us? Mo Yike, you disrespected your superior with a remonstration with your life on the line. Humph! We will grant your wish, then!” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu said coldly.
After speaking, Imperial Emperor Xi Yu stared at Mo Yike. However, Mo Yike remained kneeling, continuing his remonstration.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s eyelids twitched as he said, “We give you one last chance. Mo Yike, move aside!”
Clearly, Imperial Emperor Xi Yu only said that he would kill Mo Yike in anger. He just wanted Mo Yike to move aside.
“No. This official promised my father that I would be loyal to the Yuan Nation as long as the Yuan Nation is not destroyed,” Mo Yike said extremely resolutely.
“Being loyal to the Yuan Nation means going against us? Mo Yike, do you think that we do not dare to kill you?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu seemed to be thoroughly angered by Mo Yike.
We have already given you a way out, yet you recklessly continue to oppose us?
“This official does not dare to go against my father’s orders,” Mo Yike declared resolutely.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu showed a sullen expression. Murderous intent flashed in his eyes as he looked at Mo Yike.
Just at this moment, Qin Yun’s voice came from outside the palace hall. “Your Majesty, have you forgotten how Grand Duke Mo worked himself to the bone for the Yuan Nation, dying from exhaustion?”
Qin Yun’s call resounded in the entire Great Sigh Palace Hall.
“Huh?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s face sank as he looked out of the palace hall.
Then, he saw the blind Qin Yun walking slowly into the palace hall.
“The Qin Clan Head?” The officials felt shocked and immediately bowed in respect.
“Qin Yun? What’s wrong? Are you here to stop me as well?” A baleful look flashed in Imperial Emperor Xi Yu’s eyes.
Qin Yun said with a faintly bitter smile, “This official understands Your Reverence’s determination. Naturally, I won’t stop Your Reverence. However, the little fellow from the Mo Clan is doing this out of sincerity. Your Reverence should give him a chance. On account of Grand Duke Mo?”
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu frowned slightly. As he looked at the stubborn Mo Yike, he let out a long breath and said, “Never mind. Send Mo Yike to the imperial prison. We will deal with him when we return.”
“Yes!” Many guards immediately came to bring Mo Yike away.
“Your Reverence, you can’t go north! Qin Clan Head, persuade His Reverence!” Mo Yike exhorted anxiously.
However, the guards quickly dragged Mo Yike away.
Naturally, the officials did not dare to say anything more.
“Qin Yun, are you here to plead for mercy on Mo Yike’s behalf?” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu asked.
“No. This official knows that Your Reverence wants to go north. I also know that I can’t stop Your Reverence, and I do not want to. There is nothing right or wrong with Your Reverence going north, as Your Reverence’s will is the Yuan Nation’s will. Hence, Your Reverence’s will cannot waver for anyone. You would never be wrong, either. This official is here to request sincerely that Your Reverence bring this old official north as well,” Qin Yun said seriously.
Imperial Emperor Xi Yu frowned slightly.
“I request Your Reverence to bring this old official!” Qin Yun repeated.
“Permitted!” Imperial Emperor Xi Yu said.