Chapter 22: A Sudden Burst of Youthful Fervor

Two hundred Turkic Black Cavalrymen converged with Ashina Wenfu’s cavalry at the northern exit of the canyon.

Cui Yunshen and the two men suffering from the black-eye plague were trembling all over. It was not from the cold, but from sheer terror.

These two hundred Black Cavalrymen had brought only five people out from Mingbai Slope. Besides the three of them, there were two others plucked from different merchant caravans—men in their forties whom they did not know. Just moments ago, before their very eyes, two Black Cavalrymen had forced those men to kneel in the snow and severed their heads. The blades of the Black Cavalry were swift; blood erupted from the necks like fountains, yet the two headless corpses remained kneeling perfectly still.

"Who are they?" Cui Yunshen asked Liu Muyu, his teeth chattering like war drums.

The Turkic riders had already hung the heads of those two men on the sides of their horses as if they were mere decorations. Only Liu Muyu provided Cui Yunshen with any sense of security. At the very least, Liu Muyu, like the grave-digger of Mingbai Slope, seemed to be a man of his word.

Liu Muyu answered his question with great courtesy: "Those two had offended Gu Shiwu. When he last came here, Gu Shiwu heard them speak ill of him and his mother, so he had us bring them out and slaughter them on our way."

"Speaking ill... and you just slaughtered them while on your way?" Cui Yunshen felt his world collapse. The gentle face of Gu Liubai he recalled seemed impossible to reconcile with these words. Was killing two people simpler than slaughtering two sheep?

"Rest assured," Liu Muyu said, looking gently at the shivering Cui Yunshen. "I promised Gu Liubai that I would ensure your safety."

Cui Yunshen was not a man easily moved, but tears nearly welled up in his eyes. Hoping to return the favor, he looked at Liu Muyu, who remained by his side and the two afflicted men, and whispered a warning: "Although in this cold weather, and not being indoors, it is difficult to contract the black-eye plague, there is still some risk. Sir, you should be careful and not get too close to them."

Liu Muyu was his only lifeline. He was truly worried that if Liu Muyu fell ill and his mind became muddled, their lives would surely be forfeit.

"It is of no concern," Liu Muyu replied calmly. "Gu Shiwu said that with our physique, as long as we avoid greasy food like mutton during these days, it is nearly impossible to contract. Furthermore, he gave me a large pouch of medicinal powder; even if symptoms of the black-eye plague appear, we need only boil it in water and consume it."

"He actually knows the prescription for this black-eye plague?" Cui Yunshen was stunned, recalling the conversation between Gu Liubai and Chen Tu. If he was not lying to Liu Muyu, then it was clear he had intentionally deceived Chen Tu. Clearly, Gu Liubai wanted Chen Tu to remember this lesson. Though he kept his word, he was ruthless and calculating. If he did not follow this man's arrangements, he would surely meet a miserable end.

"Is Cui Yunshen your real name?" Liu Muyu’s voice broke through his reverie.

Cui Yunshen started, then nodded hurriedly. "It is my real name."

Liu Muyu asked, "Are you related to the Cui clan of Qinghe or the Cui clan of Boling?"

Cui Yunshen lowered his head. "I am from the sixth branch of the Boling Cuis. However, I was born with a deformity. When I came of age, I was sent to the Anping Sword Academy for a few years, but having shown no remarkable talent, I was sent to the Yizhou Governor's Office, and later posted to Suzhou to pass time in the Registry. Three years ago, I was employed by Xie Wan to help him find suitable hands."

"The Cuis discard those they do not want, and logically, the Xies should not dare to take them," Liu Muyu mused. "Perhaps Xie Wan uses you because you have been at the Anping Sword Academy?"

Cui Yunshen was horrified but did not dare to deny it. "That is indeed the case. Though I am a failure, I know some of the sword-refining techniques of the Anping Sword Academy."

Liu Muyu nodded. "Since you are fully aware, there is no need to blame yourself. Do not think you owe him any debt of gratitude."

Cui Yunshen gave a bitter laugh. "I understand that, of course, but I am not the master of my own fate. A small person like me, once spurned by the Cuis and having refused the Xie clan’s recruitment, would die a very ugly death."

He stopped there, fearing he might anger Liu Muyu. After all, he was currently forced to cooperate with Gu Liubai and Liu Muyu, having no other choice.

***

By dusk, a new guest arrived at Lucao Post. It did not snow at Lucao; there was only rain. When the previous official had arrived, Xie Wan had acted as if he were completely unaware of the visitor, but for this guest, he was already waiting on the boardwalk.

When Pei Yuncui stepped off the carriage, she had already removed her outer coat. This lady of the Pei family had always favored men's clothing back in Chang'an, and this time was no exception. She wore a plain black, round-collared brocade robe with subtle patterns. Her figure was petite and her features delicate, yet her gaze was exceptionally sharp, giving her an air of heroic spirit despite the male attire. In the eyes of those who practiced internal arts, she must have cultivated some secret technique; her vitality seemed to overflow, with every strand of hair pulsing with rich life force.

"Chen Zhong must have racked his brains to choose this place. The first snow has already fallen at the Jade Gate Pass, yet the grass here remains green," Xie Wan said, meeting her. Her opening remark was brimming with sarcasm. "If he had known you were interested in coming, he would have likely broken his head three times over, and perhaps even planted a pond of lotuses for you."

"The terrain here is so unique; why has it not been occupied by the Turks or the Tuyuhun before?"

"It is the choicest piece of meat on the table; everyone has their eyes on it, so no one dares to pick up their chopsticks. Besides, apart from us having the potential to expend vast manpower to establish a fortress and border town here, no one else is capable of it."

Hearing this, Pei Yuncui gave a scoffing laugh. "Our Great Tang cannot do it either, can it?"

Xie Wan did not hide his intent, smiling slightly. "In any case, I will not be living here permanently, and you, Yuncui, will not stay long either. Who will be able to manage it in the future?"

Pei Yuncui dismissed all her servants and walked along the boardwalk to the deepest part of the station. She sat down naturally at the best viewing spot, breathing in the damp air as she looked at the distant Heavenly Mountains. "I have met with those people in the west. I told them that if you cause any trouble here, it is absolutely not the will of my third uncle. They should understand that my third uncle has no interest in the pittance they see as wealth."

Xie Wan said solemnly, "I am not looking to take anything from these border troops either."

Pei Yuncui gave a sardonic smile. "Your eldest brother probably doesn't know you are courting death by spreading an epidemic."

Xie Wan frowned slightly. "I have prepared a large quantity of medicine for the black-eye plague to ensure it does not affect the border troops."

"The more you do that, the easier it is to leave a trail," Pei Yuncui sneered. "Had you not prepared such a large supply of medicine in advance, I would never have discovered your intention to spread this plague."

Xie Wan took a deep breath and said sincerely, "Those medicines were all obtained through legitimate channels and shipped in batches. Only someone as clever as you could possibly find the clues within."

Pei Yuncui clearly agreed, nodding haughtily. "I will not expose you; I am simply disappointed in you."

Xie Wan was stunned.

Pei Yuncui watched the sunset on the horizon, the light burning in her pupils; her eyes were filled with a wildness rarely seen even in men. "My sister likes people like your eldest brother—rule-abiding, earnest, and citing classics even when speaking, like a master in the academy. If you want to win her favor, you had better act that way in front of her."

"But I do not like such uninteresting people; I prefer those who are a bit mad." A mocking look appeared at the corner of Pei Yuncui’s mouth. "I originally thought you were mad enough—using the spread of an epidemic to throw the Uyghurs into temporary chaos, and then managing to extend the Great Tang’s border cities to this place, perhaps even turning it into a major hub for border trade with significant tax revenue flowing back. It is a pity that you are not mad enough, nor do you have enough ambition."

"For me, there are too many variables." Xie Wan shook his head, silent for a moment before continuing, "Even if such a thing could succeed, it would require at least a decade of blood and sweat. I cannot wait that long."

"I came to see you so that you would understand my intentions; from now on, do not scheme against me." Pei Yuncui seemed to have finished with the matter and laughed with satisfaction. "Have you discovered something interesting?"

Xie Wan was slightly startled. "What is it?"

Pei Yuncui said, "Do you know by now that the powerful hidden agent at Mingbai Slope actually died long ago, and a young man named Gu Shiwu replaced him early on?"

Xie Wan nodded. "I learned of it today."

Pei Yuncui turned to look at him. "Do you know that he should be a disciple of Guo Beixi?"

Xie Wan was momentarily stunned. "Guo Beixi of the Canglang Sword Sect?"

Pei Yuncui laughed again with a hint of madness. "This person should be quite interesting."

Xie Wan fell into deep thought. He could tell that Pei Yuncui was not joking in the slightest. However, in his subconscious, such a small figure was not worth worrying about; the real concern was the intentions of the Hedong Pei clan. The Peis had already gained power in the north, and the important figures in the northern military had all been replaced by their people. But according to the Emperor's plan, the western border troops were not to be given any room for the Peis to maneuver. Yet, it seemed they still had designs on these regions?

Pei Yuncui had lost interest in talking to him. After having someone bring tea-brewing utensils, she began to brew tea herself. Today’s meeting confirmed that Xie Wan was no fool, but he lacked the ambition, patience, and madness required. The Emperor would never favor someone who exhausted his efforts for family gain; the Emperor would always prefer those who viewed issues from the perspective of the entire Great Tang. She looked down on Xie Wan. She had hoped he would become her brother-in-law, for once the deed was done, his habits would quickly disappoint, and some of what belonged to her sister would tilt toward her, Pei Yuncui. Although a woman, she still wanted the ability to go toe-to-toe with the most outstanding young talents of the Great Tang Empire.

As for the Mingbai Slope grave-digger who seemed to hold no interest for Xie Wan, she was truly concerned. The clues she had tracked down were shocking. It seemed Guo Beixi had not happened upon that place by chance, but for a specific purpose—and current evidence suggested it was likely for that very grave-digger. A man destined to become a Great Swordmaster, or perhaps already one, traveling from Luoyang to the borderlands just to teach the son of a Hu woman to wield a sword? Even she felt that was too insane.