Book 14: Chapter 144
Prevent the Junction of the Enemy’s Forces
“That is a very fascinating proposal.” Gongsun Chu folded his arms, assuming an ambivalent attitude. “Are you serious, Duke Ming?”
“Dead serious.”
“I’m confused.”
“My ears are yours.”
“I have made numerous attempts on your life. Your magnanimity is admirable. That said, it is unbelievable for you to not harbour any grudges for it. Are you not afraid I would stab you in the back?”
Ming Feizhen earnestly contemplated and then shrugged. “What if I told you I’m not?”
“Why me, then?” Gongsun Chu remained composed. “What do you see in this one?”
Ming Feizhen bobbed his head. “You are testing me, but fine. I shall indulge you. Zero, pass it over.”
Zero extended his hand and summoned a black cudgel that had been scratched, then caught it at lightning speed.
“Where shall I start?” Ming Feizhen took Sacrificial Sage off Zero and knocked on the ground a few times with it as he thought. “Got it.”
Ming Feizhen kept dragging Sacrificial Sage along the ground despite the sparks and black burns left on the ground. The small swordsman wearing a high hat resembled Confucius, so he didn’t look remotely similar to Gongsun Chu, yet Gongsun Chu found himself speechless.
“You were born a scion of Gongsun Clan, a clan of swordsman, and went on to lead the clan. From a century ago, you have remained one of the world’s three top swordsmen and one of the few great sages of Confucianism. You were established in the martial realm before my grandmaster. That was why you Daxia highly valued you and considered you one of their pillars that held up the dynasty alongside my grandmaster who was born into a family of generals.” Ming Feizhen’s tone gave the impression he could match his words with the revered swordsman from a century ago. “I heard you loved wearing white in that era. Have your tastes changed due to how long you’ve spent away from the limelight?”
“Thank you for not referring to Daxia as ‘the former dynasty’,” expressed Gongsun Chu, following a think.
“You quickly rose through the ranks. On top of that, you wed a Princess. Before you knew it, you were the star of the whole world and had every top prize you could’ve had. You were crowned the greatest martial artist at the age of thirty-two and had a Princess for a wife. You lived what thousands before, then and after considered a dream life.”
Gongsun Chu cracked a bitter smile as he recalled the memories and juxtaposed it to the present. For some reason, Ming Feizhen was always able to stir Gongsun Chu emotionally with his words. Despite knowing Ming Feizhen took his belongings from the underground palace and knew more about his past than many others, Gongsun Chu couldn’t help feeling an emotional connection whenever he heard Ming Feizhen mention his past.
“I always wondered what sort of person Princess Pingan was.” Ming Feizhen took out the piece of jade that made Gongsun Chu lose his mind in the underground palace and lose their contest.
Gongsun Chu always felt he was undeserving of Princess Pingan – even when he presented her with the piece of jade. Those days, he never had free time even though they were newlyweds. He earned a nice salary, and Gongsun Clan was at its prime, but he spent all his days labouring for the sake of the country. He was willing to sell even his home if it helped the country. Therefore, all he could afford to gift Princess Pingan was the cheap peace of jade, yet she kept it on her at all times, refusing to ever take it off.
“… Where did you hide her?”
“I’ll tell you when the time is right.”
“What exactly do you want?”
“Fairness.” Face straight, Ming Feizhen elaborated, “I see you as great talent, and I believe you consider me a human being. I hinged my life and future on the bet. I took a legitimate risk. Had you insisted on killing me, I would’ve died before Zero arrived. How did you make it into a joke? I feel it is unfair you would flip the table after losing. If you do not add to your bet, you should at least see who cannot afford to lose, right?”
Gongsun Chu adopted a stern gaze upon meeting Ming Feizhen’s gaze. “I appreciate the kind words, but I have made up my mind to only ever serve one person.”
“Daxia is gone and so its monarch.”
“Since the world is broken, it ought to be fixed!”
“I admire your spirit!” Ming Feizhen flicked up his thumb. “In saying that, I don’t want you to serve me as a vassal. I want to hire your services.”
“If I still refuse?”𝗯𝐞𝗱𝗻𝗼𝘃𝐞𝐥.𝗰𝗼𝐦
Ming Feizhen smiled. “Seeing as you consider Daxia, I take it you plan to revive Daxia?”
“Asking the obvious is not a virtue.”
“Can you achieve that goal if you die here, though?”
“This is not preventing the junction of the enemy; it’s blatant blackmail, isn’t it?”
“Face reality. No matter what perspective you’re evaluated from, you’re a bad guy. Am I supposed to pour my heart out to you or something?”
“What exactly do you want?”
“Join me. For the next twenty years, you are not to initiate any revolts.”
It wasn’t hard for Gongsun Chu to live for over another century, so waiting twenty more years was an easy request to fulfil. If he didn’t agree, his chances of reviving Daxia would become zero on the spot.
“Are you saying you will spare me if I agree? Even my plan to assassinate the Emperor will be swept under the rug?”
“Is it so hard to understand?”
“… You don’t stand to gain anything.”
“Perhaps, but it’ll make me feel better if nothing else.”
“… One day, you’ll regret this.”
“I know I will.” Ming Feizhen grinned. “Killing you will be an even bigger regret, though.”
“… Mayhap you will regret it sooner than you think.”
A streak of fire in the sky parted the clouds and descended!
“I’m raising the stakes.”