Turbulent Times Chapter Forty-Four: Matters Kept Secret

Immediately, the thunder dragon entwined with electric light and the blazing fire pheasant both took shape behind Li Qiutong. Sensing that terrifying aura, Qin Shubao finally realized that the child before him was no ordinary martial artist or master, but a true grandmaster of martial arts.

But the duel had already begun, and Qin Shubao had no choice but to muster all his strength for the battle. He brandished his twin maces, and behind him appeared a war god clad in golden armor—his own martial essence manifesting as the Golden Mace War God. After years of campaigning on the battlefield and claiming the heads of enemies amid thousands, his strength was formidable; otherwise, he would never have earned the title of General of the Golden Maces.

Watching Qin Shubao exert himself fully, Yang Ruiyun couldn't help but ask, “Xingtian, do you think big brother will be all right?”

Ren Xingtian smiled. “Qin Shubao is indeed strong. He’s fought his way through battlefields and can rank at least in the top ten among all martial artists in Tang. However, ever since he accused Brother Tong of taking shortcuts, he shouldn’t expect an easy day today.”

Just as in the battle with the Overlord before, the martial essences of Quake and Separation wound together along the two dragon patterns.

“You’re fortunate to be the second person to face my Yin-Yang Thunderblast Staff,” Li Qiutong said gravely.

The next instant, the staff swung out.

A surge of purplish-red martial energy shot from the staff straight at Qin Shubao, and his golden martial essence shattered instantly with no resistance. Qin Shubao could only raise his twin maces to block the blow, but it was a futile effort. As the staff came down, the Golden Mace War God was instantly destroyed, and the strike landed heavily on the crossed maces.

Qin Shubao felt his arms go numb, lost all sensation, and in the next moment, he heard the crisp sound of the golden maces clattering to the ground. Overwhelmed by a powerful force, he could no longer support himself and fell to his knees.

When he looked up, the staff was hovering above his head, yet it hadn't fallen. Indeed, Li Qiutong had held back at the last moment; otherwise, this blow—which even the Overlord had to treat with utmost seriousness—was not something a martial grandmaster like Qin Shubao could withstand.

“You are a Saint Martialist.”

Li Qiutong withdrew his staff and said impassively, “I’m just someone who takes shortcuts. Neither I nor my grandfather are worthy of associating with you. Farewell.” With that, Li Qiutong turned and left.

Still in shock, Qin Shuyu watched as Li Qiutong approached her. At the moment Li Qiutong made his move, Yang Ruiyun had also acted, quickly subduing a few guards and bringing Qin Shuyu behind Deng Zhanxuan’s giant axe.

Seeing Qin Shuyu’s stunned face, Li Qiutong could only say, “Madam, I’m sorry. I am grateful for the warmth you gave me, but perhaps fate is not on our side. If there’s a chance, we’ll meet again.” He was about to leave when suddenly, he felt that familiar embrace again.

“Are you all right, Xiaotong?”

Li Qiutong replied a bit dazedly, “I’m fine.”

“That’s good, Xiaotong. I should be the one apologizing. As your mother, I should support your choices, not keep you by my side. This is my first time being a mother; I haven’t understood your feelings. Can you forgive me?” Qin Shuyu said with deep remorse.

“You’re not angry? I hurt your big brother like that,” Li Qiutong said in surprise.

“He brought it on himself. Besides, didn’t you hold back?” Qin Shuyu consoled him.

“Thank you, Mom.” For the first time, Li Qiutong felt the true warmth of a mother’s love. Qin Shuyu gave him a real understanding of what a mother was.

“All right, let’s go eat. I’ve made plenty of dishes,” Qin Shuyu said, pulling Li Qiutong along.

“Oh, and you all come too.”

“Thank you, Madam, we won’t stand on ceremony,” Ren Xingtian agreed at once. Yang Ruiyun and Deng Zhanxuan also introduced themselves to Qin Shuyu in turn.

“Mom, what about General Qin?” Li Qiutong asked.

“It’s fine, let him fend for himself.” There was considerable dissatisfaction in Qin Shuyu’s tone. That’s why, as a brother, you must never try to bully your little sister, because in the end, you’ll be the one who suffers.

“Here, Xiaotong, try this dish, and this soup is very good too.”

“Mom, I’m almost full. I had too much to eat this morning.” Looking at the seemingly endless bowl of food, Li Qiutong was helpless.

“How could hotel food ever taste as good as what I cook myself?”

“That’s right, Auntie’s cooking is truly delicious, far better than anything from a hotel,” Ren Xingtian said with his mouth full while eating heartily.

Watching Ren Xingtian’s already bulging stomach, Li Qiutong sighed. “How can you eat more than Third Brother? Can your small frame digest it all?”

“Haha, Brother Tong, don’t underestimate me. Besides, isn’t A’Xuan still eating? Why single me out?” Ren Xingtian laughed.

Deng Zhanxuan quietly put down the chicken leg in his hand and said, “I’m full.”

“Hey, A’Xuan, why did you stop eating?” Ren Xingtian protested.

Watching this rowdy group of youngsters, Qin Shuyu smiled silently. For the first time, she felt she was truly no longer young, no longer that girl who would give everything for love. Seeing her mother fall silent, Li Qiutong asked shyly, “Mom, are they being too noisy? Should I tell them to quiet down?”

Qin Shuyu smiled gently. “No, this is nice, it’s lively. You should cherish them.” Looking at these lively companions, her heart was touched. Years of loneliness had taught her that her love was eternal, but the feeling of solitude was something she could never embrace. Once, it had been a table for two, or even just herself; today, it was bustling and full of life, reminding her of a home long vanished.

“I will, Mom.”

As everyone chatted merrily, a man with both hands wrapped in bandages slowly entered—it was none other than Qin Shubao, whose shoulders had been dislocated. He sat at the nearest seat and looked at Qin Shuyu. “Didn’t save any for me?”

The atmosphere instantly became awkward; Li Qiutong and his companions didn’t know what to say. Qin Shuyu merely replied coldly, “It wasn’t made for you in the first place. If you want to eat, make your own.”

This dealt Qin Shubao a double blow, both physically and emotionally—he nearly spat blood. Fortunately, his years of self-restraint allowed him to steady himself. He simply sighed and got up to leave.

“You’re Li Qiutong, right? Come to my study later. I have something to discuss with you.” With that, he left.

Although Li Qiutong wasn’t particularly fond of this man who was, after all, his uncle, it would be rude not to go after such an invitation. After nodding to his mother, he followed Qin Shubao out.

Despite his injuries, General Qin walked swiftly; Li Qiutong caught up with him only in the study.

Inside, Qin Shubao stood alone in the center, silently facing a painting on the wall.

“What do you want to say to me?” Li Qiutong asked straightforwardly.

Still with his back turned, Qin Shubao said, “Did you know, my relationship with Li Baicao was actually much closer than my sister ever imagined? In fact, I understood Li Baicao even better than she did.”

Li Qiutong was surprised, but showed no particular reaction. “And then?”

Only then did Qin Shubao turn around, looking at Li Qiutong with a grave expression. “Back then, Li Baicao and I were close friends. So when my sister went to Zhenbei Pass to find him, I always had people ensuring their safety. Later, Li Baicao was suddenly assassinated and vanished. The rumors in the martial world said it was the Qin State’s Dark Moon that did it, but according to my information, there was more than just Dark Moon involved. Over the years, I’ve been investigating and finally found out that another person also sent assassins after him at that time—a high-ranking minister at court. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known the exact route Li Baicao took when fleeing back to Tang.”

“My grandfather once told me, ‘One should live in the present, not be entangled by the past.’ I didn’t understand then, but after coming down the mountain, I realized he never told me about his experiences or even that he was the Saint of Medicine, because he didn’t want me bearing his grudges. So I won’t go against his wishes,” Li Qiutong said quietly.

Qin Shubao hadn’t expected such words from this seemingly twenty-year-old youth. He continued, “You’re right, but just because you’ve let go doesn’t mean the others will. For twenty years, I’ve never stopped investigating, and from my sources, the other side has never stopped searching for Li Baicao either. If Yuer adopts you as her godson and I place you in the army, your connection to Li Baicao will inevitably be exposed.”

“If they dare come after me, I’ll make sure they’re destroyed with no grave to return to,” Li Qiutong declared fiercely.

“That was precisely why I wanted to drive you away from Tang, to keep you from getting involved. But I never imagined the Saint of Medicine could raise a Saint Martialist so young,” Qin Shubao explained.

Li Qiutong didn’t care and replied, “So? Was that all you wanted to explain?”

Looking at the imposing youth before him, Qin Shubao smiled. “With your power as a Saint Martialist, we can confront them openly and draw them out. Tomorrow, come with me to court. I’ll recommend you to His Majesty, the Emperor of Tang. As Li Baicao’s grandson, you already have royal blood, and combined with your strength, you could become a great general. Those people will surely use more resources against you, and then I’ll be able to find out who they really are.”

After hearing Qin Shubao’s plan, Li Qiutong fell silent. He could see that Qin Shubao truly wanted to avenge his grandfather, no matter the cost. Though he didn’t want to break his promise to his grandfather, if those people dared to act, he would show no mercy.

Finally, Li Qiutong nodded. “I can do this, but I have my own plans. I won’t change them for this.”

Seeing Li Qiutong agree, Qin Shubao was relieved. He unconsciously overlooked the “plans” Li Qiutong mentioned—no matter how hard he tried, he would never guess that their intention was to use Tang as a base for their own development, and, when chaos erupted, to break away and rebel. If this loyal, patriotic general ever learned of their designs, who knows if he would still help Li Qiutong.

After Li Qiutong left, another figure entered the study.

“How are your hands? Still hurt?” she asked.

Qin Shubao nodded with a smile. “With your medicine, they’re almost healed.”

Qin Shuyu came to him, checked his injuries, and relaxed. “Good thing Xiaotong held back. Otherwise, you’d have lost your hands.”

“Who would have thought the godson you took in would be so formidable—almost crippled your brother,” Qin Shubao said self-mockingly.

“You brought it on yourself. Why couldn’t you treat him better? Always acting like you’re the best in the world,” Qin Shuyu retorted.

Qin Shubao shook his head at his sister and dared say no more.

Back in his room, Li Qiutong found his brothers waiting for him and told them about his agreement with Qin Shubao.

Ren Xingtian nodded. “That will be even better for our cause.”

“Xingtian is right. If big brother gains a title, we could even start raising troops directly,” Yang Ruiyun agreed.

Since no one objected, they each returned to their rooms to rest.

Just before leaving, Ren Xingtian said to his three brothers, “Tomorrow I’ll be visiting Pure Land Temple to pay my respects to Master Kuye. I won’t be joining you.”