The chaotic clouds hung low at dusk, snow whirling fiercely in the swirling wind. After nightfall, the gales gradually calmed, and fresh snow began to fall gently.
The steed galloped north for more than ten miles before entering a mountain pass, then turned onto a narrow, overgrown path in the dark. About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, a household finally came into view. A dim yellow light flickered from inside, warm and sudden.
But the house was extremely dilapidated, as if it hadn’t seen human presence in a long time.
Hearing the sound of hooves, someone opened the wooden door of the thatched house. Liu Feng stepped out quickly. "Young Master!"
Liu Qi sat sideways on horseback, his expression somewhat displeased. His hands were tightly bound with iron chains, impossible to break free.
Yun Shiqing leapt down from the horse, tore off the disguise from his face, and turned to see Liu Feng already helping his master dismount. He didn’t interfere and instead entered the house.
"Young Master, how is your injury? I have some medicine for external wounds here. I’ll apply it right away." Liu Feng's eyes landed on the iron chains around Liu Qi’s wrists, anger flashing in his gaze. "These Nazang people went too far. How could they humiliate you like this?"
It was indeed the Nazang people who had put the chains on, but it was that bastard Yun Shiqing who had wound them so tightly.
Earlier on horseback, the two had an argument. In a fit of anger, Liu Qi locked the chain around Yun Shiqing’s neck. It seemed like he had the upper hand, but with both hands and feet bound and injured, he couldn’t follow through. In just a flash, he was overpowered. The chain clinked loudly as his wrists were firmly bound in return.
The steed sped forward, cold wind cutting across his face. That man leaned close to his ear, his warm breath forming a teasing whisper: "Others look pathetic in hardship, yet you remain so arrogant. It makes your nobility stand out even more."
Liu Qi, enraged, blurted out, "Were you also proud and unyielding when you were down and out?"
That single sentence stirred up old memories. The snowy night wind blew them straight into the heart. Yun Shiqing tightened his grip on the reins and said not another word.
Seeing Liu Qi fall silent, Liu Feng wasn’t sure which of his words had upset him. He was about to apologize when a gray-blue figure suddenly approached and exclaimed, "Goodness, Young Master, how did you get hurt? What’s with these chains?"
Liu Qi looked up and saw that it was the little Taoist they’d met in Qixian and Chengdu.
He limped into the house and, with Liu Feng’s help, slowly sat down beside the firewood pile. Puzzled by his presence, Liu Qi asked, "Daozhang, what brings you here?"
The little Taoist beamed. "We Daoists believe in fate. Since fate binds me to the Young Master, naturally we would meet again."
Liu Qi smiled without answering, then carefully stretched out his injured leg. When he lifted his trouser leg, he saw fresh blood seeping through the gauze dressing.
Liu Feng produced a thin piece of iron from somewhere, inserted it into the chain lock, turned it several times, and both iron locks clicked open.
He quickly took out a bottle of medicine and said, "Young Master, allow me to apply this."
Liu Qi shook his head. "No need. Ulusuntu changed my bandages this evening. His medicine worked well. Tomorrow will be soon enough to use this."
Yun Shiqing sneered, "That foolish boy really is deeply in love with you."
Liu Qi didn’t respond and instead asked Liu Feng, "The King of Gongbu sent troops to hunt you. How did you escape?"
Liu Feng pointed at the little Taoist. "It’s a long story. When Prime Minister Yun Shiqing and I were being pursued, it was thanks to Daoist Chen who saved us."
The little Taoist cupped his fists toward Liu Qi. "Poor Taoist Chen Xiaoguo greets Prime Minister Liu. It was just a small favor, not worth mentioning."
Liu Feng added, "Daoist Chen is skilled in disguise. He disguised Prime Minister Yun Shiqing as Mu Nie Zanpu, which gave Yun Shiqing a chance to come rescue you."
Chen Xiaoguo chuckled. "My disguise skills are only superficial, full of flaws. Didn’t expect Prime Minister Yun Shiqing would actually manage to rescue the Young... Prime Minister Liu."
Liu Qi glanced sideways at Yun Shiqing and finally understood why he had been in such a hurry to leave earlier. He must have feared someone would see through the disguise. Given his temperament, it wouldn’t be like him not to take the opportunity to mock.
Liu Qi bowed to Chen Xiaoguo. "Thank you, Daozhang, for your timely help."
Yun Shiqing couldn’t hold back. "The one who risked his life to save you was me. Shouldn’t you thank me too?"
"Many thanks for your rescue, Prime Minister Yun Shiqing. I am most grateful." Liu Qi replied coldly. Then he turned back to Chen Xiaoguo, his tone softening. "There’s one thing I still don’t understand. Since we parted ways in Qixian, you’ve kept appearing wherever we go. Even in a remote mountain village like Yazhou, we meet again. Is this really the fate you spoke of?"
Chen Xiaoguo nodded. "Indeed. Fate is truly a wondrous thing."
Liu Qi stared at him.
The little Taoist didn’t try to bluff further and, with an awkward smile, confessed, "Years ago, my master divined my fortune. He said that in the year I came of age, I would face a life-or-death calamity, and only the arrival of purple qi from the east could resolve it."
This little Taoist was always glib, rarely speaking truth. Liu Qi replied dismissively, "Purple qi from the east signifies imperial destiny. You should go to Bianjing and seek an audience with His Majesty. Perhaps the emperor can help you through this calamity."
Chen Xiaoguo shook his head. "Prime Minister Liu, you’re mistaken. The purple qi my master spoke of refers to an honorable person coming from the east. Young Master Qi of Yangzhou, now the Prime Minister. aren’t you the very one who can save me?"
Liu Qi said, "But you didn’t know my identity before. Why did you keep following me? Could it be you foresaw it?"
Chen Xiaoguo scratched his nose. "Prime Minister Liu’s facial features are rare and unusual. Even if I didn’t know your identity, I could still sense your noble fate."
Yun Shiqing, who had remained silent for a while, interjected, "Back in Chengdu, Daozhang gave Liu Daren a fortune reading. If I recall correctly, you said he would live a dull and ordinary life, with a loving wife and many children, completely different from some fated savior."
Chen Xiaoguo froze, then protested loudly, "Impossible! Unless that wasn’t his real birth chart, how could I have misread it?"
Yun Shiqing asked, "May I ask, who is your master exactly?"
Chen Xiaoguo replied proudly, "My master is Daoist Qingxu of Lüzu Temple."
Yun Shiqing said flatly, "Never heard of him."
Chen Xiaoguo: "..."
Liu Qi had never trusted this little Daoist, and he didn’t take his words seriously now either. Instead, he turned to ask Liu Feng, "Do you know where Ulusuntu went? He received a feathered message arrow at dusk and immediately left with several guards."
Yun Shiqing gave a half-smile. "So concerned about him?"
Liu Qi’s face darkened. He ignored the mockery.
Yun Shiqing continued, "Your Ulusuntu has already been killed by me. One slash to the throat. He died peacefully."
Liu Qi suddenly looked up, a frown between his brows. "Why did you kill him?"
"A traitor's son. Why shouldn’t I kill him?" Yun Shiqing turned his head to meet Liu Qi's gaze. "Unless Lord Liu has caught feelings and can't bear to lose him?"
Liu Qi replied coldly, "You're seriously unwell."
Yun Shiqing scoffed. "You're the one who’s unwell. Mu Qi and his son swapped identities to murder our court officials and seize state taxes and military supplies. They deserve execution. And you? You got involved with a traitor's son. Aren’t you afraid His Majesty will be furious when he finds out?"
Liu Qi’s patience had worn thin. Rage surged in his chest. "Yun Shiqing, stop twisting the facts."
Seeing the two grow increasingly heated, Chen Xiaoguo quickly stepped in to mediate. "My lords, please don’t fight. That 'Ulu' or whatever his name is, he’s not dead." He stood and walked to the small side room. After a bit of dragging and pulling, he hauled out a boy tied up like a rice dumpling. "Prime Minister Liu, look. He’s still alive!"
Ulusuntu was bound tightly with hemp rope, his mouth stuffed with a rag. He couldn’t run, couldn’t even call out.
He stared fixedly at Liu Qi, eyes red, looking utterly wronged.
Chen Xiaoguo chuckled. "If I hadn’t tied him up, I wouldn’t have been able to disguise Yun Shiqing. I wouldn’t have been able to rescue you either."
Liu Qi looked at Ulusuntu for a moment, then shifted his gaze away and said nothing more.
Chen Xiaoguo tossed Ulusuntu onto the haystack beside the fire, then dug a few roasted wild yams from the hot ash and handed one to each person. Even Ulusuntu got his share.
After a while, Liu Qi said evenly, "Right now, all of Chengdu prefecture is crawling with Mu Qi’s spies. It’s only a matter of time before they find us. Before the court sends reinforcements, we need to find another way out. We can’t just sit and wait for death."
Yun Shiqing nodded. "A fair point. So tell us, my lord, what’s our way out? Every checkpoint is locked down. Chen Xiaoguo’s disguises only work at night, and only on the dimwitted. If we get exposed, we’re all dead. You’re limping now. Stepping out would be suicide."
He had wanted to head north to Lizhou to mobilize troops. But Mu Qi moved too quickly, sealing off all the exits. And now that Xi Feici had gone to the Umeng tribe to search for the antidote to the Kunshan Jade Shattering Gu, and the Imperial City’s guards had all been killed, there wasn’t a single person he could rely on.
The thatched hut was silent. The fire crackled, occasionally sending sparks flying, only to vanish in an instant.
Liu Qi retorted, "Then please, Yun Shiqing, show us a way forward."
Yun Shiqing glanced at Ulusuntu. "Use the boy as a hostage. If Mu Qi cares about his son, he’ll let us go."
Liu Qi said, "If he lets us go, he’ll be digging his own grave. He’ll never agree."
Yun Shiqing’s gaze turned sharp, a hint of killing intent in his expression. "Then we kill Ulusuntu."
Seeing the two about to argue again, Liu Feng quickly stepped up to intervene.
But before he could say anything, Chen Xiaoguo sighed. "I already warned Prime Minister Liu back in Qixian. ‘The phoenix dips its wings, entering light then darkness.’ This journey is ill-fated. I fear there will be bloodshed."
Liu Qi calmed himself and smiled faintly. "‘The phoenix dips its wings, entering light then darkness. Light enters the earth, becoming Ming Yi. Ming Yi means injury.’ King Wen of Zhou was skilled in divination. When he entered Chaoge, he received this hexagram and met disaster. But darkness turns to light. King Wen lay low, and when he returned to West Qi, wise allies gathered to him. Now that I’ve already bled, I’ve broken the shadow of this hexagram. Light is coming."
Chen Xiaoguo shook his head. "No, no. That small injury doesn’t count as bloodshed. There’s a western curse. Traveling west brings misfortune. Don’t go west, and you’ll avoid the disaster."
Yun Shiqing raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Daoist Chen, did you divine that, or are you just bluffing after reading his face?"
Chen Xiaoguo hated being doubted and snapped, "The timing, the place, and the people are all aligned. Now is the perfect time for face reading." He leaned closer to Yun Shiqing, clicked his tongue a few times, and said, "Yun Shiqing, don’t take this lightly. From your face, I fear you’ll suffer in love." As he spoke, he grabbed Yun Shiqing’s hand to inspect it. "Tsk… blood offered to Buddha, three times will be the end."
Yun Shiqing yanked his hand back with a cold snort. "I don’t believe in Buddha or Dao. Talk of blood offerings three times is nonsense."
Chen Xiaoguo spread his hands and silently shook his head.
Liu Feng removed the cloth from Ulusuntu’s mouth and tried to feed him the peeled yam, but Ulusuntu stubbornly turned away, refusing any charity.
Liu Feng looked to his master for instruction. Liu Qi said, "He had dinner already. He’s probably not hungry. You eat it."
In the blink of an eye, it was the third watch of the night. Snow drifted steadily outside, the cold intensifying. Liu Feng brought in a pile of dry wood, keeping the fire as strong as possible. He and Chen Xiaoguo would take turns on night watch to guard against bandits.
At dawn, Liu Qi was awakened by a sharp pain.
With the medicine worn off, the cold made the wound ache. He lifted his trouser leg. The blood on the bandage had long dried to a dark brown. He carefully unwrapped it to check. In just two nights, the arrow wound had already scabbed over. The Tibetan medicine really was extraordinary.
His movements were quiet, but Yun Shiqing opened his eyes. His gaze landed on the wound.
"You should change the dressing." At that moment, Ulusuntu also woke and spoke coolly.
Liu Qi immediately summoned Liu Feng to change the dressing.
Ulusuntu snorted, clearly disdainful. "If you use anything else, that wound won’t heal in less than ten or fifteen days."
Yun Shiqing gave a faint smile. "Since the young master’s medicine works so well, why not be generous and treat your beloved’s arrow wound?"
Ulusuntu gritted his teeth. “I’m tied up. How am I supposed to change his bandage?”
Yun Shiqing said, “Then give me the medicine. I’ll do it.”
Ulusuntu grew irritated. “No need. Not from you!”
Yun Shiqing, amused, strolled over slowly.
Ulusuntu looked at him warily. “What… what are you doing?”
Before he could finish, Yun Shiqing started patting him down. Furious and embarrassed, Ulusuntu cursed at him in the Nazang language. Yun Shiqing quickly pulled a small porcelain bottle from a hidden inner pocket of his robe, then went over and sat beside Liu Qi.
Grasping Liu Qi’s ankle and resting it on his lap, Yun Shiqing said teasingly, “Lord Liu’s skin is like smooth jade, whiter than snow. In the dark, if someone touched it, they might mistake you for a woman.”
Ulusuntu’s eyes blazed with anger. “You pervert! Let go of him!”
Liu Qi shot Yun Shiqing a sharp look, quickly pulled his leg back, snatched the medicine bottle from him, and tossed it to Liu Feng. “Liu Feng, change the bandage.”
Snow had fallen all night. The wilderness outside was covered in pure white. The mountains and forests were so quiet that not even birds passed through.
Liu Feng had gone out to search and returned carrying two pheasants and two wild fish. He called Chen Xiaoguo over to help clean them, but Chen Xiaoguo loudly protested that monks didn’t kill or touch blood.
Once Liu Feng had gutted, cleaned, and roasted the food, Chen Xiaoguo was the first to rush over, happily munching on a piece of fish.
Liu Feng mocked, “Monks don’t kill, yet you’re enjoying that fish like it’s your last meal. Not worried about sinning across lifetimes?”
Chen Xiaoguo, chewing, mumbled, “A gentleman stays away from the kitchen. If I starve to death, it’s you who’ll be guilty of letting someone die. You’d be the ones racking up bad karma. I’m just helping you earn virtue.”
Liu Feng didn’t bother arguing. He tore off two meaty chicken legs and handed them to Liu Qi and Yun Shiqing, then broke off a piece to feed Ulusuntu.
After eating, Liu Feng said, “Master Liu’s leg still hasn’t healed. We’ll have to stay here for now. I’ll head to the nearest town to buy rice and supplies. Once you’re better, we’ll figure out our next step. What do you think?”
Liu Qi replied, “Mu Qi has probably already noticed Ulusuntu and I are missing. He’s likely searching everywhere. He’s seen you before, so it wouldn’t be safe for you to go.”
Yun Shiqing looked at Chen Xiaoguo with a slight smile. “The Daoist’s face is unfamiliar. He can go instead.”
Chen Xiaoguo blinked. “I can run the errand, but…”
Before he could finish, Liu Qi took a jade pendant from his waist and tossed it to him, speaking gently. “This isn’t worth much, but it should be enough for a few jars of good wine. Please help us, and find out what’s happening outside.”
Chen Xiaoguo weighed the jade in his hand. It was smooth, warm, and of excellent quality. Pleased, he pocketed it and swung his horsetail whisk. “Just wait for me to return with a full belly!”
Once he left, the hut quieted down. Snow was still falling thickly, like goose feathers. Even the wind carried the sharp, clean scent of winter.
Liu Feng added a few logs to the fire, then took his saber and left. Ulusuntu was still tied up. Seeing Yun Shiqing leaning against the doorframe with his sword, he slowly and quietly scooted closer until he was beside Liu Qi.
Yun Shiqing noticed out of the corner of his eye and laughed. “I told you before. Liu Qi is cold-hearted. Don’t fall for someone like him. But you didn’t listen. Now you’re caught up in this mess. Regret it yet?”
Ulusuntu shot him a cold look, his expression clearly saying, “I don’t care.”
Yun Shiqing added, “Let me tell you a story. Ten years ago, in early spring, scholars from across the country were heading to the capital for the imperial exams. A handsome youth from Yangzhou hadn’t even entered Bianjing before getting entangled in a few romantic affairs. When the women came looking for him, they ended up bothering a completely different man. A noble from Jinling because the Yangzhou boy had been using his name to flirt. A fleeting romance, gone in an instant. By the time they met again, they were strangers. Would the young master like a man so heartless and irresponsible?”
He was clearly twisting the truth. Liu Qi had intended to refute him, but seeing that Ulusuntu still hadn’t given up on him, he chose to stay silent and let the misunderstanding be.
Ulusuntu understood who that Yangzhou youth was. He looked up at Liu Qi and, seeing that he didn’t deny it, felt a twinge of sorrow. But all he said was, “What’s youth without a bit of romance?”
Yun Shiqing clicked his tongue. “Romantic types like that love tricking fools like you.”
Ulusuntu snapped, “You’re the fool!”
Ever since they arrived, Liu Qi hadn’t had a moment of peace. He cleared his throat, turned to Ulusuntu, and asked, “Is there any route to Nazang besides crossing the Qionglai Mountains?”
He had tried to ask one of the guards about this yesterday but was cut off by Ulusuntu before he got an answer.
Yun Shiqing asked, “Why are you going to Nazang?”
Ulusuntu added, “You’re going to Nazang?”
They spoke at the same time, then glanced at each other and quickly looked away.
Liu Qi ignored both of them and repeated, “Is there a shortcut?”
Ulusuntu nodded. “There is, but it’s extremely dangerous.”
Yun Shiqing absentmindedly brushed his fingers along the orchid pattern carved into his sword sheath.
Liu Qi glanced at him, then lowered his eyes and said calmly, “I need to relieve myself. Minister Yun, help me up.”
For once, Yun Shiqing didn’t make any snide remarks. He supported Liu Qi as they slowly stepped out of the hut. The snow was thick, muffling all sound. Only when they were far enough that their voices couldn’t be heard from inside did he speak.
“You’re really going to Nazang?”
Liu Qi nodded. “There’s no telling when the court’s reinforcements will arrive. Right now, we’re surrounded. Nazang may be the only safe way out. If the King of Gongbu truly rises in rebellion, to Prince Munie, it’ll look like Daye is secretly supporting him. Decades of peace between our nations could be ruined. Yun Shiqing, what are you—”
Before he could finish, Yun Shiqing had already undone his waistband.
Startled, Liu Qi tried to push him away, but couldn’t.
Yun Shiqing’s eyes curved with amusement. “What do you think I’m doing? Of course, I’m helping you relieve yourself, my lord.”