Niao Ni
Chapter 604: Outside the Window
The basin was filled with bloody water and cloths, the crimson liquid emitting a faint, fishy smell. It had taken Fan Xian a great deal of effort to remove the fur coat from Shisanlang, as the blood inside and outside the coat had long since congealed into clumps, mixed with the sand from the grasslands, sticking to Shisanlang's body like glue.
After feeding Shisanlang some medicine, piercing the already sealed wounds, squeezing out the pus inside, and re-sewing several of the wounds that had reopened on the journey, Fan Xian was completely exhausted. He slumped powerlessly by the bed, staring blankly at the fellow.
Even though he was under the deepest anesthesia, the pain in his muscles still caused Shisanlang to frown. This closed disciple of the Dongyi Sword Hut had extremely delicate features, especially his eyebrows, which were now furrowed beautifully, like a philosophical statue contemplating the problems of life.
Fan Xian shook his head, tossing the scissors and suture needles into the basin. He stretched lazily. During the process of saving him, he had carefully counted thirty-eight wounds on Shisanlang's body, all of them knife wounds, and all concentrated on the front of his torso.
Regarding the wounds being all on the front of the body, there were many stories in the military camps. Shisanlang, with his bravery and strength, perfectly confirmed these stories: he had faced countless knives alone and charged out.
Fan Xian stared blankly at him. Although he hadn't witnessed Shisanlang assassinating the Zuo Xian Wang (Left Worthy King) or the fierce slaughter when he broke out of the endless barbarian camp, these tragic cuts seemed to be telling the story of what had happened on the grasslands a few days ago.
When was the last time he treated a partner covered in wounds? It must have been in Shangjing, the capital of Northern Qi, when he tore open that young master's white robe. Fan Xian looked at Wang Shisanlang on the bed and couldn't help but have the illusion of seeing Yan Bingyun.
However, Wang Shisanlang's injuries were much more severe than Yan Bingyun's, and Fan Xian knew that the relationship between these two people and himself was very different. Yan Bingyun was his subordinate, his right-hand man, but he was also a loyal subject of Qing. Shisanlang's allegiance to him for two years was based on the interests of Dongyi City. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the unconscious Shisanlang, feeling puzzled. Could it be that promises were so important to some people in the world? Even more important than their own lives?
Fan Xian frowned, and Wang Shisanlang in his unconsciousness also frowned.
Both of them were handsome, but Shisanlang had two fewer points of coldness than Fan Xian and three more points of approachability, especially in his unconsciousness, when a natural innocence flowed out. The two of them frowning at the same time was quite a beautiful sight.
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The sound of pouring water came from outside the room. Ye Ling'er brought a basin of hot water back into the room, slightly dampened a towel, and sat down by the bed, carefully wiping the blood from Wang Shisanlang's body. However, he had so many wounds that she couldn't find a place to start.
"Thirty-eight cuts…" Ye Ling'er bit her lower lip, seeming to feel the pain for the unknown Overwatch Council official. "I don't know what you had him do on the grasslands, to get so badly injured and still be able to come back alive."
When she was assisting Fan Xian earlier, Ye Ling'er was truly stunned, both by Fan Xian's miraculous medical skills and by the severity of the injured man's wounds.
Awakened by Ye Ling'er's words, Fan Xian pulled himself out of his thoughts, tugged at the corner of his lips, and smiled helplessly. "He's not an official of the Overwatch Council."
Ye Ling'er glanced at him and said nothing. In fact, she had already guessed that the injured man lying on the bed must have an unusual identity, otherwise Fan Xian wouldn't have temporarily blocked the news about him and even had her, a noble princess, assist him.
Fan Xian snatched the wet towel from her hand, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "His name is Wang Shisanlang, from Dongyi City."
"He's Wang Shisanlang?" Ye Ling'er's eyes lit up and she sighed, "No wonder he's so brave."
Fan Xian was taken aback and asked, "You've heard of him?"
Ye Ling'er nodded and said, "Don't expect to be able to hide his news any longer. In a couple of days, His Majesty will know that he intervened on the grasslands. You should think about how to explain it."
Fan Xian smiled wryly. He wasn't afraid of explaining to His Majesty. Which side Dongyi City would fall to ultimately depended on Si Gu Jian's last words before his death. If he and Wang Shisanlang had a good relationship, His Majesty probably wouldn't be too angry. He was just curious why Ye Ling'er seemed so familiar with Wang Shisanlang.
"Although not many people know that he was your subordinate for most of a year, many people in the military know that the Overwatch Council once had a powerful figure." Ye Ling'er seemed to think of something, and her expression dimmed. "During the rebellion on Mount Dadong that year, His Majesty was trapped on the summit. Shang Shanhu led the personal guards of the Zhengbei Army to attack the mountain, killing the imperial guards and causing them to retreat in defeat. If it hadn't been for Wang Shisanlang's bravery in holding the pass alone, the mountain gate would have been broken long ago."
"I heard he even blocked a palm from Uncle Ancestor." Ye Ling'er shrugged. "That day, this person left too deep an impression on the imperial guards. Everyone admired him extremely. Over the past two years, they've talked about him a lot, so naturally, this person has become famous."
Ye Ling'er's Uncle Ancestor was the Grandmaster Ye Liuyun, who had disappeared again after the events on Mount Dadong. Fan Xian was stunned when he heard this. He turned his head to look at the unconscious Shisanlang and slowly said, "With his courage and temperament, if he were in the army, he would probably become a rare and outstanding general."
He didn't know that two years ago, Shang Shanhu, a famous general of Northern Qi, had the same evaluation of Wang Shisanlang at the mountain gate.
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Several days passed, and Wang Shisanlang woke up. No one knew what kind of power was contained in this Sword Hut disciple's body, but his injuries recovered extremely quickly. On the day he woke up, Fan Xian suppressed the joy in his heart and asked directly, "You are the future of Dongyi City. Why are you risking your life for me? What are you after?"
Wang Shisanlang left Dongyi City and returned to Fan Xian's side, naturally because of the promise on that snowy night, but definitely not just because of that promise. He was silent for a long time. On his pale face, the eyebrows as thick as a heavy sword looked particularly shocking. After a long time, he slowly said, "Master can't hold on any longer."
Fan Xian was silent. Si Gu Jian's death was something everyone had expected. In the hearts of the world, this Dongyi City Grandmaster should have died two years ago. As a result, no one had expected that the most powerful idiot in the world could drag it out for two years, exhausting everyone and making it difficult to bear, even… it seemed that the world was looking forward to his death.
However, when these words came out of Wang Shisanlang's mouth, they represented another meaning. Fan Xian knew that Si Gu Jian didn't have much time left, and Dongyi City had to decide immediately which path to take in the future. Shisanlang's entry into Xiliang Road this time, making such great contributions for Fan Xian, was naturally also arranged by Si Gu Jian.
"Your master is a big idiot. I think you are very likely to inherit his title and become the second biggest idiot in the world." Fan Xian looked at Wang Shisanlang's haggard face and said coldly, "You and Haitang are both orphans. Why do you have to sacrifice your heads and spill your blood to protect this meaningless word?"
Wang Shisanlang smiled with some difficulty, knowing that Fan Xian's words seemed sarcastic, but in reality, they contained some concern. He looked at Fan Xian and slowly said, "If it wasn't to protect something, then why would you be here?"
Fan Xian was speechless.
Wang Shisanlang finally said, "Master wants to see you one last time before he dies."
Fan Xian was slightly startled, but immediately calmed down. He frowned and thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "His Majesty won't let me accept Dongyi City's affairs."
Wang Shisanlang knew why he shook his head. Now that Fan Xian was in charge of Xiliang Road, if he also brought Dongyi City into the embrace of Qing through his hands, his功劳 (gong lao, meritorious service) would be so high that even though it wouldn't threaten the master, it would still make the Qing emperor uneasy. To prevent an imbalance between the monarch and his subjects, Emperor Qing probably wouldn't let Fan Xian handle the affairs of Dongyi City.
"Don't think things are too good." Wang Shisanlang coughed twice, and the newly healed wound almost burst open. "The Sword Hut will open its doors next spring. Master's intention is just to ask the guests from all over to pay their respects."
According to Wang Shisanlang, Si Gu Jian probably didn't have many days to live. The opening of the Sword Hut in the spring of the tenth year of Qingli might be the last time this generation's Sword Saint would show his style in the world. Fan Xian frowned and said, "Guests from all over?"
"Yes." Wang Shisanlang replied, "Including… guests from Northern Qi."
Fan Xian laughed, knowing what Si Gu Jian was thinking. After the Grandmaster's death, Dongyi City would be unable to protect itself and must choose a good tree to rest on. By inviting himself and the nobles of Northern Qi to attend the ceremony, he naturally wanted to see which of the world's two major forces offered the highest price and had the most sincerity.
Of course, Dongyi City had already paid Fan Xian his sincerity. This sincerity was the sincerity that Wang Shisanlang had spoken of like iron on that snowy night three years ago, the sincerity written in Wang Shisanlang's blood.
"If your master asks for too much, I can't help much." Fan Xian said very seriously to Wang Shisanlang, "You know I'm telling the truth… Alright, you should rest well."
After saying this, he realized that Wang Shisanlang hadn't noticed, but was looking through the window towards a certain place in the courtyard.
Fan Xian followed his gaze and saw Ye Ling'er in a light yellow dress. Ye Ling'er was sitting in the twilight, looking at the lonely autumn tree outside the courtyard with a calm expression, looking particularly lonely.
Shisanlang's gaze was very soft, very lonely. Perhaps the wind and sand and blood on the grasslands had allowed this gentle but heroic man to begin to experience another side of life. He said softly, "That girl is very lonely."
"She is Ye Ling'er, my… disciple." Fan Xian said astringently, "Her loneliness is a mistake that I and all her relatives have made together… By the way, she took care of you while you were unconscious for the past few days."
Wang Shisanlang didn't turn his head, but quietly looked at Ye Ling'er's profile in the distance, as if admiring an extremely beautiful scenery.
Fan Xian suddenly remembered that when he first met Shisanlang on the snowy night, he used the name Tie Xiang and claimed that he was going to Baoyuelou (Embrace the Moon Tower) to see all the beauties of Southern Qing. A smile couldn't help but appear at the corner of his lips, and he thought of some phrases, some people.
You quietly look out the window, and I silently look at you. The twilight connects you and me, experiencing gentle loneliness. Fan Xian slowly caressed the prayer beads on his wrist, as if he had returned to the grasslands, and Haitang was gently leaning on his arm.
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The fact that Haitang couldn't suddenly appear by his side disappointed Fan Xian. Although he and Yan Bingyun had spent four months, relying on Shadow and Wang Shisanlang's super strength, to perfectly complete the Overwatch Council's plan, the thought that Haitang was still on the grasslands, and might even stay in the autumn grass and blue sea forever, made Fan Xian inexplicably angry.
This anger was more directed at Ku He's arrangements before his death and the hatred of the little Emperor of Northern Qi.
Of course, the little Emperor of Northern Qi was no longer so little. Although the connection between the Imperial Treasury and the North had been greatly weakened due to Emperor Qing's powerful deterrent force, the Northern Qi Emperor had rapidly consolidated the court over the past two years, fully demonstrating his governing skills. Under the aggressive aura of Southern Qing, he didn't show any signs of defeat, but instead began to stretch out his hands and feet, intending to counterattack.
Such as in Xiliang Road.
Fan Xian had invested heavily, bringing Deng Ziyue back from Shangjing in Northern Qi, in order to target Northern Qi's infiltration of Xiliang Road. With the death of those people from Northern Qi in the royal court, the Overwatch Council's purge operations in Dingzhou City and Qingzhou City were also carried out vigorously. Because the Overwatch Council had been preparing for a long time, and because Deng Ziyue, who knew the Northern Qi Brocade Guard's style of doing things, was in charge of this matter, it went particularly smoothly.
With the full cooperation of the General's Mansion and the Xiliang Road Governor's Mansion, the Overwatch Council had captured more than forty spies who had infiltrated from Northern Qi in Dingzhou and Qingzhou City in just ten days. The number of Northern Qi spies who had died at the hands of the Overwatch Council's Sixth Bureau assassins had already exceeded a hundred.
In order to destroy Northern Qi's infiltration of Xiliang, Fan Xian had invested heavily, even exposing several officials who had been developed in the Northern Qi court for many years, in order to obtain the list. Because he knew that the barbarians on the grasslands seemed to be able to resist at the moment, but if this momentum was allowed to develop, they would really become a serious problem for Qing.
Therefore, he would do everything to nip the bud of the barbarians' prosperity in the bud.
He also understood that every time the Overwatch Council caught a Northern Qi spy in Xiliang Road, every time they killed a spy, the distance between himself and Haitang would be further. What's more, there were several Qingshan disciples of Tianyidao (Heavenly One Path) lurking in Xiliang Road.
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The death of the Zuo Xian Wang (Left Worthy King) of Western Hu brought too many destabilizing factors to the grasslands. The hardliners, led by Hu Ge, the number one expert of the royal tent, demanded that the Wangting (Royal Court) Chanyu (chieftain/ruler) must give an explanation for this matter. Without the Wangting's appointment, the Zuo Xian Wang tribe had independently elected the Zuo Xian Wang's youngest son as the new Zuo Xian Wang, and at the same time raised the knife of revenge towards all the forces on the grasslands.
The biggest suspect in the death of the Zuo Xian Wang was of course the Wangting Chanyu and the You Xian Wang (Right Worthy King). Although the Wangting had said that it should be the Qing Overwatch Council that had secretly poisoned him, not many people believed it, especially since Hu Ge was still picking fights internally.
In order to stabilize the situation on the grasslands, Chanyu Subida was forced to recognize the status of the new Zuo Xian Wang and sent envoys to appease him, promising that he would give the Zuo Xian Wang's generals a satisfactory explanation.
What is a satisfactory explanation? Naturally, it is the head of the murderer and the slaughter of the murderer's tribe. The problem is that the murderer had already escaped, and no one knew which tribe he belonged to. As a result, the grasslands were in turmoil, and there was a tendency for a major war to break out at any time. In addition, the Wangting suddenly lost all its hidden eyes inside Qing's Xiliang Road in just half a month, becoming a blind man, and was somewhat unable to cope for a while.
There are many troubles on the grasslands, but these troubles need Chanyu Subida and Haitang to solve. As for Fan Xian, who created these troubles, he didn't have any unpleasantness. He was just coldly watching everything that was happening on the grasslands in Qingzhou City.
According to his agreement with Hu Ge, Hu Ge would completely side with Wangting Chanyu in the spring of next year. After all, with Hu Ge's current strength, even with the full support of the Zuo Xian Wang's generals, it was impossible to overthrow Wangting Chanyu's position. In that case, it would be better to change his allegiance. Chanyu Subida would definitely be very happy to welcome the arrival of Hu Ge's forces.
With the support of the Chanyu, coupled with Qing's secret support, it probably wouldn't take too long for Hu Ge's tribe to grow stronger. By then, Chanyu Subida would really start to have a headache, and the grasslands would usher in a truly difficult period.
Regarding this matter, Fan Xian only made a start, dug two hoe strokes, and threw down a seed, then began to wait for the seed to germinate and grow, occupying the place where the pasture grew. But it must be admitted that his two hoe strokes, especially the one wielded by Wang Shisanlang, were really taking the Hu people's lives.
Of course, Fan Xian stayed in Qingzhou City not only to watch the play on the grasslands, but also to watch a drama that was being staged in Qingzhou City. But before the play in Qingzhou City was finished, he received a secret report from the capital. This secret report from Baoyuelou about the Eldest Prince made him angry, and he sighed quietly, "The world is unpredictable, the world is unpredictable."
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(The chapter name is a song by Dou Wei. Regarding the monthly votes, the distance to the front has been narrowed to within two hundred votes… Thank you everyone, thank you myself, let's work together, please continue to give me monthly votes, thank you very much.)