Volume One: Turmoil in Yan and Yun Chapter Twenty-Six: Years Will Have Passed (VII)

The Sandstorm Grand Array, renowned alongside the Dragon Soaring Array of Wuyang City, was designed with a singular purpose: to withstand powers beyond the mundane world. Once fully activated, even those at the Convergence Path Realm would be forced to think twice before trespassing. Of course, there were exceptions—sword masters and saints of the Dao, beings who stood just half a step from ascension, whom no earthly force could slay.

But it was clear—the assassin, whoever they were, could not possibly equal the likes of sword masters or saints. In fact, by his estimation, that person had only just entered the Void Dao. If the Sandstorm Array was unleashed at full force, they would not survive three breaths.

At that realization, Feng Qi's heart sank. He turned sharply toward Bai Jian, who had remained silent all this time.

Bai Jian coughed twice; blood welled from his lips, swiftly staining his chin and lending his face a ghastly aspect.

“They say you are a strategist, the mind of the Eighteen Riders, the cleverest of all. But we both know you’re not so capable,” Feng Qi looked down on him, his expression cold as frost. “Who was that person?”

Bai Jian replied, “You’re so clever, young lord. Can’t you guess?”

Feng Qi answered, “I have some suspicions, but I want confirmation from you.”

Bai Jian said, “If your attention is still here, then perhaps you’re not quite as clever as you think.”

Feng Qi was about to retort when his expression changed abruptly. He turned to Mo Ming, his voice urgent. “Quick! Tell my father to stop!”

Mo Ming was bewildered, but Bai Jian, coughing and laughing, mocked him: “So this is the future King of Yanbei?”

Feng Qi ignored him completely and shouted again at Mo Ming, “Hurry! Use the Celestial Mirror! Under no circumstances can my father leave the city!”

Though Mo Ming didn’t understand the reason behind the order, he instinctively obeyed. Over the years, Feng Qi’s reputation had grown to the point where he could command all of Yanbei, and it had nothing to do with his lineage. He had proven himself worthy of the title.

As the Celestial Mirror reached his hands, Mo Ming paused. In his mind’s eye, the light representing Feng Muyun stopped moving. The King of Yanbei was furious, but at least had not lost his reason.

Mo Ming breathed a sigh of relief and relayed this to Feng Qi.

After a moment of silence, Feng Qi asked, “Saintess, with your abilities, how long can you prolong his life?”

The Saintess of the Medicine Valley shook her head. “He seeks death. Such wounds as these—I cannot save him.”

Feng Qi said, “Everyone but the Saintess may leave. Uncle Mo, fetch my father back. No matter what, he must not leave Yan Yun.”

Mo Ming asked, “What about the princess?”

Feng Qi glanced at the Saintess, replying obliquely, “There shouldn’t be any problem.”

…

“That is how it was. The princess was treating his wounds when the mysterious intruder struck. She was distracted, and did not notice his attack…” the Saintess of Medicine Valley explained quietly.

Feng Qi frowned. “Given my mother’s and your medical skills, if Bai Jian still had the strength for a final blow, or if he was even conscious, you both would have noticed.”

The Saintess replied, “The ‘Spring From Withered Wood’ technique can revive the dying, and the herbs I used were violent in nature. The princess and I both believed he might awaken. If he did, it could be a final flare of life, or true recovery. So even if the princess sensed he was no longer unconscious, she would assume his injuries were too severe for him to fully wake.”

Feng Qi wanted to ask more.

Bai Jian, coughing painfully, interrupted, “Young lord, I have little time left.”

Feng Qi replied, “That is your greatest fortune.”

One claimed to be dying and short on time; the other asserted that impending death was his luckiest fate. If Bai Jian were not near death, a fate crueler than death awaited him.

Bai Jian understood this well. He forced a bitter smile. “There is something I wish to tell you.”

Feng Qi said, “If it concerns the origin of the Sword of Longevity, you need not speak.”

Bai Jian paused in surprise. “So you already know, young lord.”

Feng Qi continued, “No matter how loyal you appeared these years, when the Fourth Prince fell, you were my first suspect.”

Bai Jian’s lips twitched, as if to force a smile, but pain quickly replaced it. “No wonder you said you had your suspicions.”

Feng Qi said, “Suspicions are not enough.”

Bai Jian replied, “Ask whatever you wish, young lord.”

If Yan Yun’s current crisis were a poem, he would be the first word of the opening couplet. Yet it seemed he had not betrayed Yanbei entirely.

Feng Qi had no interest in the sentiment behind his words, for he did not trust Bai Jian. Still, there were questions to be answered.

“Li Jin Xing had three disciples—only Yang Wanli’s death remains unconfirmed. Was this his doing?”

Bai Jian replied, “Master Yang’s cunning spans heaven and earth. The traps he’s set, young lord, you may have to unravel one by one.”

Feng Qi looked at him coldly. “Does Yang Wanli deserve such a title?”

Bai Jian did not dispute the point. “You are famed for your wisdom and the Yanbei people trust your steady hand, but Master Yang has lived far longer. His schemes and guile are not to be underestimated. I urge you—when you cross swords with him, be wary. Do not stain Yanbei’s name.”

Feng Qi replied with a hint of mockery, “What’s this? You’re worried for Yanbei, at last?”

Bai Jian said seriously, “Whatever else, I served Yanbei for over a decade.”

Feng Qi said, “That reminds me—I may have to cleanse Wanghai Pass in blood.”

Bai Jian detected the resolve behind Feng Qi’s words. “My own designs have nothing to do with them. You say you do not trust me; well, they are not worthy of my trust, either.”

Feng Qi said nothing.

Bai Jian continued, “They are all men of iron. If they are implicated because of me, it would be too cruel.”

Feng Qi waved his hand. “I will see to the truth of this matter myself.”

Bai Jian breathed easier.

Feng Qi asked, “Is there anything more you wish to say?”

Bai Jian answered, “You know the whole story now, young lord. What more could I add?”

Feng Qi said, “The name Yang Wanli is enough. I will explain everything to my father.”

At the mention of his father, a glimmer of hope appeared in Bai Jian’s eyes. “Young lord, if you see the prince, could you apologize to him on my behalf?”

Feng Qi replied, “My father would likely skin you alive.”

Bai Jian smiled bitterly. “A debt of nation and family—if you were in my place, what would you choose?”

Feng Qi replied, “The Tang Empire is not your homeland—the Dugu Divine Dynasty is. The Ye family is not your kin—the Bai family is.”

Bai Jian’s bitterness deepened; he seemed about to speak, but in the end, he said nothing. The color drained from his face. The Saintess of Medicine Valley gasped softly, and Bai Jian died.

Feng Qi stared silently at the corpse, as if pondering the answer to that final question.

Suddenly, the Saintess said, “You had me prolong his life, yet you asked him nothing.”

Feng Qi shook his head. “Thank you, Saintess, but this is a matter of Yanbei. I cannot share more.”

The Saintess hesitated, wanting to speak.

Feng Qi said, “But there is one thing I can tell you. In the Tang era, Emperor Taizong himself bestowed a surname upon a family—Ye—and named them the Passionate Sword. When the Divine Dynasty replaced the Tang, the Passionate Sword was protected by many and did not suffer for the crimes of the previous dynasty. Yet the High Ancestor disliked the word ‘Passionate’ and renamed them Longevity. Later, upon seeing the world shrouded in darkness, he ordered that ‘Ye’ be changed to ‘Bai’. Thus, the Passionate Sword Ye family vanished, and only the Sword of Longevity Bai family remained.”

The Saintess frowned. “So much time has passed. The Bai family has no reason to rebel now.”

Feng Qi said, “There is another reason.”

The Saintess asked, “What is it?”

Feng Qi gazed into the boundless night outside the window. “The founder of the Ye family was Emperor Taizong’s illegitimate son. In a sense, the Bai family are the last scions of the former royal house.”

…