Chapter 103

Chapter 103: The smoke of war rises in the south, and the wild geese fly north

Autumn rain and gentle wind, their sounds drifting into his ears.

A wisp of smoke curled from the incense burner. Si Cang Qing toyed with the folded letter in his hand, silent 

for a long while.

“Your Majesty,” Luo Shan, standing below, broke the silence. “Are you returning to the capital? Allow me to send 

men to escort you.”

Glancing at Luo Shan, Si Cang Qing slowly tucked the letter into his sleeve. “Not necessary,” he replied. He lifted 

the teacup before him, took a small sip, then added, “Luo Shan, bring Mo Qingjue to your camp.”

Watching the green tea leaves sway gently in the liquid, Si Cang Qing added, “Monitor his every move.”

Luo Shan looked slightly bewildered. “Mo Qingjue? Why this arrangement?”

Si Cang Qing pressed his lips together. Since the man wished to enlist, let him join the ranks. That way, he could 

be kept under surveillance openly. There was always something odd about him, though the Shadow Guard's 

intelligence revealed no irregularities.

Their investigation confirmed Mo Qingjue was exactly as reported: the only son of a local gentry in Liuxian 

County, Jiangdong. He had lived in Jiangdong since childhood and never traveled far. Aside from the refugee 

uprising years ago, his past was entirely unremarkable. The intelligence was reliable, yet Si Cang Qing couldn't 

shake that lingering doubt. Still, it was impossible to expend significant effort on someone merely perceived as 

unusual. Therefore, he would simply keep him under close watch. If he proved an ordinary man, there would be 

no issue. If he harbored ulterior motives, he doubted he could make any significant moves under surveillance.

Seeing Si Cang Qing's silence, Luo Shui shifted her question: “What duties should we assign him?” After all, 

the man was the Empress's savior.

“Treat him like any other recruit.”

“Your servant obeys!”

Si Cang Qing waved his hand, signaling the other to withdraw. “You may return to the barracks!” He rose and 

headed toward the inner chamber.

As soon as he lifted the curtain, he saw Feng Lan had already gotten out of bed and was bending over to put on 

her shoes. Si Cang Qing strode over and spoke in a calm tone, “Why not rest a little longer?”

“Master,” Feng Lan looked up and smiled, “My injuries have mostly healed.” The external wounds had scabbed 

over, and the internal injuries had also improved significantly thanks to Si Cang Qing's cultivation practice over 

the past few days.

“With the current tense situation, it would be best for us to return to the capital sooner rather than later.”

Si Cang Qing gently pulled Feng Lan into his embrace, saying casually, " “No rush. We'll set out once the skies 

clear.”

“Is it raining outside?” Feng Lan asked softly, gazing into Si Cang Qing's eyes as his fingers unconsciously 

brushed aside a few strands of hair from his temple. “Did General Luo Shan come to report military intelligence 

earlier?”

“Mhm.” Si Cang Qing murmured in response, lifting his hand to capture Feng Lan's fingers and give them a 

gentle squeeze.

Relaxing his body against his embrace, Feng Lan voiced a hint of concern, “What's the situation?”

“Neither army has made a move for now.”

They were both testing each other! Cheng Tianyi might be arrogant, but he was far from reckless. His frequent 

maneuvers never truly escalated into war. Given that, they wouldn't make the first move either. This battle, 

in essence, was unjust for both sides. They merely waited for the other's patience to run thin, then used the pretext 

of repelling an enemy to seize power.

Releasing Feng Lan's fingers, Si Cang Qing gently traced the dark brown scar on his cheek, his eyes softening. 

Patience was never in short supply for him. Just as in his previous life he had lain dormant for over a decade, 

then spent six years cultivating his own forces before destroying the Feng family, this time he would patiently 

await Cheng Tianyi's declaration of war. Then, with righteous justification, he would level every inch of 

Hongcheng's land!

Feng Lan sighed softly, a flicker of complexity in her eyes. “If war truly breaks out with Hongcheng, Tianbi might 

suffer, wouldn't she?”

After all, that was his homeland. Now, someone like Cheng Tianbi marrying Si Cang Qing and entering 

the imperial court as an official—by worldly standards, it was tantamount to treason. Feng Lan understood that 

Si Cang Qing would leave no room for compromise—once war commenced, Hongcheng would be utterly 

overthrown. Psychologically, Tianbi simply couldn’t accept that! It was only human nature, wasn’t it?

Si Cang Qing merely replied indifferently, "Even if it’s unbearable, she must accept it. " Since Tianbi chose to 

stay by his side, she had no choice but to accept this outcome. Besides, he didn't want Cheng Tianbi to harbor any 

lingering attachment to Hongcheng.

Seeing the faint coldness in his eyes, Feng Lan could only sigh inwardly. Changing the subject, he asked 

curiously, “Master, are you taking Mo Qingjue back to the capital?”

Shaking his head, Si Cang Qing replied, “I've already instructed Luo Shan to take him away.”

Surprised, Feng Lan said no more. She gently closed her eyes and nestled quietly into Si Cang Qing's embrace.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for introducing me,” Mo Qingjue immediately performed a deep bow as he saw 

Si Cang Qing and Feng Lan walking out together.

Si Cang Qing stared impassively at the man's expression, which was respectful yet tinged with delight. Only after 

a moment did he withdraw his gaze—if this were truly an act, then this man would be exceptionally terrifying.

Having spent several days with him, Mo Qingjue understood Emperor Si Cang Qing's temperament. He bowed 

once more. “Your Majesty, Your Imperial Highness, this humble subject must now depart for the military camp. 

Please take care of yourselves on your journey!”

Feng Lan smiled and nodded. “Young Master Mo, conditions at the camp are harsh. You must take good care of 

yourself as well.”

“A soldier dies for his country—how could he speak of hardship?”

The words had barely left his lips when both shared a knowing smile.

Just as Feng Lan opened his mouth to speak again, Mo Qingjue’s startled cry pierced the air:

“Look out!”

◇Cang◇Huan◇Qi◇Gong◇

A group of black-clad figures burst through the shattered window, launching an attack toward Si Cang Qing 

and his companions. With lightning speed, Si Cang Qing raised his palm to block the strike while simultaneously 

pulling Feng Lan to his left with his other hand. The attackers lunged into empty air, swiftly closing in on their 

new target. Several of them, spotting Mo Qingjue alongside Si Cang Qing, raised their weapons and swung 

them toward him.

The martial arts style of these black-clad figures seemed vaguely familiar.

While fighting one-handed, Si Cang Qing glanced with peripheral vision toward the besieged figure. Mo Qingjue's 

swordplay was exquisite, yet lacking in force, rendering it largely ineffective. Judging by the situation, he was 

nearing his limit.

“Ah!” Mo Qingjue gasped softly, barely dodging another strike as blood streamed down his arm.

“Master!” Seeing them trapped and the man covered in wounds, Feng Lan cried out anxiously, “Let me help you...”

Before Feng Lan could finish, Si Cang Qing tightened his grip around him. His free hand gathered a powerful, 

invisible sword qi, which shot out as he spun, the blade's energy sweeping across the crowd.

The black-clad figures, unable to withstand the strike, were all struck down. Now free from encirclement, 

Si Cang Qing, carrying Feng Lan, moved with the speed of the wind, instantly reaching the group attacking 

Mo Qingjue. With a casual swing, he sent the black-clad figures reeling backward, each spitting blood.

“Retreat!” Seeing their plan fail, one figure leapt into the air and vanished in a flash. The others followed suit, 

fleeing in panic.

“Young Master Mo,” Feng Lan hurriedly stepped away from Si Cang Qing's embrace once the danger passed. 

He rushed to Mo Qingjue's side, frowning. “Your wound is deep. You must tend to it immediately.”

Mo Qingjue's face was deathly pale, beads of sweat rolling down his cheeks. He pressed his hand against 

the wound, trying to stem the flow of blood. With great effort, he managed to say, “This humble subject has 

caused trouble for His Majesty and Your Highness...”

“Not at all,” Feng Lan helped the other person sit down, carefully cutting open Mo Qingjue's sleeve with scissors. 

He pulled out some wound medicine from his robe and sprinkled the powder onto the rather deep gash. 

“This injury,” he said with concern, “isn't going to heal anytime soon!”

“It's nothing,” Mo Qingjue forced a smile, his pale lips parting. “A minor injury is better than losing one's life.”

Si Cang Qing watched the pair indifferently—one propping up his swaying body to sit upright, the other busily 

applying medicine. He withdrew his gaze and looked outside, where Luo Shan and Feng Xiang hurried toward 

the entrance. Both seemed to breathe sighs of relief upon seeing Si Cang Qing standing safely at the doorway.

“What happened?” Si Cang Qing asked calmly. He didn't believe either of them had missed the commotion 

earlier, especially Feng Xiang, his personal bodyguard.

“Reporting to my lord,” Feng Xiang hurriedly answered, “I was conveying your instructions regarding certain 

arrangements to General Luo when suddenly ambushed by assassins.”

“Now?”

“Most were slain, a few escaped,” Feng Xiang said. “Concerned for your safety, I did not pursue further.”

Si Cang Qing lowered his eyes in silence. After a long moment, he addressed Luo Shan, “Stay here one more day.” 

His gaze shifted to Mo Qingjue inside the room, who sat holding his bandaged arm. “Once his injury improves, 

you shall return to camp together.”

“Your servant obeys.” Luo Shan accepted the order without question, though he was deeply puzzled by 

Si Cang Qing's attitude. Why did he seem... so concerned about Mo Qingjue, when it was clear he didn't like him? 

Could it be...

A thought struck Luo Shan, and his expression grew solemn.

Luo Shan likely suspected Mo Qingjue of being a spy. Si Cang Qing offered no explanation; maintaining extra 

vigilance minimized risks, especially within the military camp.

But...

Si Cang Qing glanced at the bloodstained corridor. Mo Qingjue must have lost a great deal of blood earlier! If it 

was that person, the Duanqing Divine Art forbade exposure to blood... Perhaps he was overthinking it. Yet his 

intuition had always been precise, especially concerning that person. It wasn't just about his own mortal peril; 

it could also involve Feng Lantianbi and the others.

Leaning back slightly, Si Cang Qing lowered his gaze and opened his palm—was he still affected by his master’s 

words? He, who had never cared about life or death, now harbored so many attachments.

Closing his fist slowly, Si Cang Qing’s eyes grew colder by the second.

“Feng Xiang, investigate this assassination attempt thoroughly.”

After two or three days here, the rain gradually subsided. Si Cang Qing and Feng Lan headed for the capital. 

The day before, Mo Qingjue had also gone to the southwest military camp with Luo Shan. Before leaving, 

Feng Lan had given him some medicine for his injuries.

The city gate grew increasingly distant, and people continued to flow in and out. Looking at the peaceful and 

tranquil scene, thinking of the war that could break out at any moment, Feng Lan slowly lowered the curtains of 

his carriage and sighed softly.

Si Cang Qing put down the scroll in his hand and stroked Feng Lan's brow. "What's wrong?"

Feng Lan shook his head and chuckled. "I'm just suddenly relieved to have escaped death this time..."

Hearing this, Si Cang Qing asked the question that had been lingering in his mind, "Who could have injured you 

so badly?" With Feng Lan's martial arts skills, even if he were under siege, he wouldn't have been so easily 

knocked off a cliff.

Feng Lan thought for a moment and said, "Since Hong Cheng returned home, we've been under constant attack. 

The enemy was too numerous, and we were forced to the cliff. In the chaos, we didn't pay much attention. Now 

that I think about it, there was indeed someone with exceptional martial arts skills who took advantage of my 

exhaustion and attacked me..."

After listening to Feng Lan's explanation, Si Cang Qing stopped asking questions. After a slight nod, he lowered 

his head again and returned to reading.

Half a month later, Si Cang Qing and Feng Lan arrived in the capital. Several months after returning to the palace, 

near the end of the year, the Hongcheng Kingdom launched an undeclared war, launching a surprise attack on 

several important towns in Canghuan. The Canghuan soldiers fought back desperately, and the two armies 

formed a standoff at the border.

The “Great Unity of the World” chapter of “The Brief History of Canghuan” states:

In the twelfth month of the third year of the Qianyuan era, Canghuan's million-strong army breached 

the three passes of the Hongcheng Kingdom, advancing in separate columns into its heartland.

On the seventeenth day of the twelfth month, General Luo Shan and his forty thousand troops were besieged 

at Fengsi City, a key stronghold of Hongcheng. The Southwest Army faced grave peril!

On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month, the Holy Emperor Qin led his forces southward, advancing 

to besiege Yaoshan Ridge;

In the first month of the fourth year, the Emperor led the Southwest Army to breach Yaoshan Ridge 

and march directly upon the capital city of Hongdu;

On the twenty-third day of the fifth month in the fourth year, the Canghuan forces converged upon Hongdu;

Thus, save for the South Sea frontier, all under heaven submitted to Canghuan;

On the ninth day of the ninth month, responding to Heaven's will, the Emperor ascended high ground 

to sacrifice to Heaven and changed the nation's name to Ji Yuan;

In the second year of Ji Yuan, all former Hongcheng territories were fully subjugated.

Henceforth, the realm was unified, with only the Holy Emperor supreme.

————§Second Volume: I Am the Only One, the New King of the World§End§————

Coming Soon?【Third Volume: The Era's Holy Emperor, Unrivalled Ruler of the Realm】

Third Volume: The Era's Holy Emperor, Unrivalled Ruler of the Realm
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