Chapter Four: The Petitioners

The people of the Seven Great Nations harbored deep prejudices against the barbarous lands, and most members of the Evening Glow Sect were reluctant to go. They felt those people were both uncivilized and lowly, and their environment was utterly wretched. But Moon Worship had made the decision, Star Worship agreed, and the rest could only reply, “We obey the orders of our sect leader.”

Only then did Bu Jingxian say to Ao Pan, “We too are heading north, so we can travel together and look out for each other along the way. However, we may not be able to accompany you all the way to Zhou, for our destination still lies some distance from there. Besides, we are all wanted fugitives in Zheng, and there are many Zheng soldiers stationed in Zhou; we dare not take such a risk.”

Ao Pan felt a pang of disappointment, but dared not press further. He could only make plans when the time came and forced a smile. “Of course, of course. To travel together is already a kindness I will never be able to repay.”

With the destination decided, everyone prepared to set off. But Ao Pan pleaded for a delay, saying that once the Martial God of Zhou escaped, he would surely come looking for them. Seeing the others hesitate, he began to extol the Martial God’s illustrious past, claiming no Chu soldier had ever managed to detain him. Still, doubts lingered in the group's hearts, for they knew that Qiu Ye, the greatest martial lord in the world, had also arrived in Chu. Nevertheless, they agreed to wait a while longer.

Before setting out this time, the Evening Glow Sect members had stocked up on ample provisions to avoid suffering hunger again on the run. They waited until nightfall, ate a little, but still there was no sign of the Martial God of Zhou. Now Ao Pan began to grow anxious, wishing to ask someone to scout for news, but not daring to speak up. Seeing that this could not continue, Moon Worship prepared to go investigate in person, but the sect members would not hear of it.

Many volunteered to go on her behalf, but Moon Worship found none of them suitable. The sect members had been too active in the new city these days; it was unlikely that no one had seen them. Now that their escape was surely known to the authorities in Chu, it was far too dangerous.

Just as the group was wracked with worry, someone stepped forward and spoke.

“I’ll go!”

Everyone turned to see that it was Bi Lian!

She had seldom gone out in the new city and was indeed a suitable choice, but the road back was not short, and all feared for her safety alone.

“Rest assured, these days I’ve also sought instruction from the sect’s experts and been practicing my lightness skills. Though I’m still quite poor, I can manage this distance,” she said, picking up the speech and bearing of a martial practitioner from constant exposure. Gui Jianchou tugged at her sleeve repeatedly, but she brushed him off firmly.

“Very well. I’ll accompany you to the north gate of the new city, both to protect you secretly and to make the journey swifter. We can ask the travelers passing through the gates for news,” Star Worship volunteered. Moon Worship nodded in assent.

Though Gui Jianchou was worried, Bi Lian herself insisted, and with Star Worship accompanying her, he could say nothing more.

After Bi Lian departed, he waited anxiously. The errand would take at least three or four hours. Everyone else had gone to sleep, but he lay tossing and turning, unable to rest. Seeing that Bu Jingxian was still awake, he could not help but sidle over and complain, “Brother, you know Bi Lian is just a frail woman—how could you not say a word to help?”

Bu Jingxian looked at him and replied gravely, “Brother Gui, let me be frank with you. If you all had chosen to stay in the new city, I would not have blamed you. But since you’ve chosen to share hardships with us, you must not take being protected by others for granted. This path is full of danger. Each of us must do what we can, give what we can, and give our all. No one is entitled to hide away and be sheltered by default—not you, not Bi Lian. And Bi Lian realized this before you did. Frail as she is, she has the courage to take responsibility and risk herself for everyone’s sake. You should do the same, brother.”

Chastened by his words, Gui Jianchou bowed his head in shame, recalling how earlier he had tried to drag Bi Lian away to hide and watch while others risked their lives.

“I just… I’m just afraid something will happen to her.”

“Don’t worry. Bi Lian is braver than you think. This little errand won’t trouble her.”

Only then did Gui Jianchou return to lie down. Although he remained sleepless, his anxiety had lessened. He pondered Bu Jingxian’s words, torn by conflicting emotions—shame at one moment, anguish the next.

At this moment, Moon Worship came over and sat beside Bu Jingxian, gazing up at the full moon.

The moon was round as a cake, its cold light tranquil. Not a wisp of cloud drifted across the sky, and the stars twinkled in their multitudes.

“Today, someone saw Gui Jianchou hiding away, not standing with the rest in battle.”

“I’ve already spoken to him about it.”

“Fortunately, Bi Lian showed courage and responsibility, volunteering to seek out news. For her sake, no one will pursue the matter of what happened earlier. I hope he can come to terms with reality soon.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Moon Worship clasped Bu Jingxian’s hand and said softly, “Zuo’an.”

“When no one else is around, you and Star Worship should not call me Zuo’an. My courtesy name is Jingxian.”

Moon Worship was surprised—he had never spoken of it before—but she was delighted, murmuring the name softly to herself twice.

“Jingxian… Jingxian. What a bold name. It’s said that immortals rule the earth from the heavens, and it’s only with their blessing that the Seven Great Nations have come so far. Each royal palace enshrines an immortal in their mortal flesh. That’s why even the famed assassin who attempted to kill the King of Zheng years ago met such a wretched end. Jingxian… such a name is irreverent, sure to displease the immortals.”

“That’s why I never share it lightly. But as for the immortals—I care nothing for them, nor do I worship them. For I am of the Spirit Soul Sect.” In the knowledge of the Spirit Soul Sect, the so-called immortals of this world were the very enemies who once invaded their race. Those immortals were originally human, and between them and the Spirit Soul people there was only enmity. The people of the Spirit Soul Sect regarded reverence for the immortals as a disgrace. Their homeland destroyed, their history and civilization shattered, and yet to worship their conquerors!

But only the Spirit Soul Sect believed this; others took no stock in their words, continuing to worship and idolize the immortals as people once did.

“The Spirit Soul Sect destroyed by General Han Feng of Zheng!” Moon Worship was astonished. She had assumed he was merely a follower of Spirit Soul beliefs, never expecting such a tragic past. Sympathy mingled with unease—she knew what kind of people the Spirit Soul Sect were, and now she realized what convictions lay hidden in this man’s heart, making it hard for her to accept. “So you have great ambition—and now I see you also have a vendetta to avenge.”

“I do not act for revenge. I act for my ideals. At first I had no such ambition, but later I realized that in this world, if a man cannot achieve something real, all else is empty talk. One’s aspirations can never be fulfilled. Even—those you least expect may kill you out of contempt and scorn.”

Thinking of the Flying Immortal Sect, Bu Jingxian’s feelings were tangled. There was the person he least wished to see, Zheng Linran; and the one he had cared about for years, Qiyue.

“With me and Star Worship, we will always stand by you and follow you,” Moon Worship said, full of emotion, though without true resolve. She did not believe in the Spirit Soul Sect’s doctrine at all. She believed in the man before her, but not enough to accept the creed he espoused.