Chapter Nine: The Invincible Left Bank Section Ten: Moonlit Encounter

Section Ten: A Meeting Under the Moon

“A complete mess! Just as expected, the Great Robi’s campaign yielded nothing, and now the clans within their tribe, large and small, plunder and feud to make up for their losses. The Great Robi can only feign ignorance, letting the clans run rampant. Their primitive structure thrives in victory and grows rapidly, but a single setback can set them back by a decade. I doubt the Black Wolf Army will have the strength to act next year, much less aid Wei or Yan.”

“Do you still remember Zuo An?” Chu Gaoge’s sudden question took Ling Luo by surprise. Of course Ling Luo remembered; he had simply chosen not to mention it earlier.

“I recall him.”

“He is truly remarkable. He once led the disciples of the Evening Glow Sect across a thousand miles to the ruined city of Beiyin, home to the Black Wolf Tribe. In just over a year, he rebuilt that forsaken city. During the recent turmoil within the Black Wolf Tribe, he seized the opportunity and in three months wiped out a hundred and eighty clans, large and small. Now, he has come to dominate 1.8 million square kilometers of land and has become a Robi of immense influence within the tribe.”

“Incredible!” Ling Luo feigned astonishment, as if hearing this for the first time.

“He is called the ‘Godly Soul General, Enemy of Ten Thousand’ by the Black Wolf Tribe, his renown unmatched. What’s more, he has noticed the tribe’s unsuitability for prolonged warfare and is implementing agricultural reforms. His ambitions must reach far beyond this.”

“I hadn’t paid close attention to that. I did hear, however, that our third junior brother’s first disciple from North Spirit Mountain, Shao Yuan, is now in the limelight—said to possess the valor to face ten thousand enemies. Now he commands a hundred thousand troops for his father, the Great Robi, and his power is awe-inspiring.”

“It is truly unexpected. Back on North Spirit Mountain, Shao Yuan seemed dim-witted and timid as a mouse. Who would have thought he’d amount to this? He must have met some great mentor.”

Chu Gaoge’s words unwittingly touched on Ling Luo’s own thoughts. Usually, he couldn’t share these with Princess Tianlai; she constantly worried that recalling Bu Jingxian would sadden him, and she knew nothing of the details of North Spirit Mountain. Unable to restrain himself, he asked, “Junior brother, do you think our master’s martial skills could possibly be lacking?”

Chu Gaoge burst out laughing. “Even if they were, he’d never teach them to us.” Only after he spoke did he realize Ling Luo’s intent, and he stared in disbelief at his senior brother. “Are you suggesting Shao Yuan’s martial prowess comes from the Soul Method?”

“It’s just a wild guess; don’t trouble yourself over it.”

Since the matter seemed meaningless, Chu Gaoge let it go and, smiling, clasped his hands in congratulations. “I nearly forgot to congratulate you on mastering the Divine Method, finally attaining the tenth level.”

“Speaking of that, I’m quite troubled.”

“Oh? Why so, when such good news should bring you joy?”

“I’ve only just reached the tenth level and can’t withdraw the power yet; I fear I might disrupt my cultivation and regress. Maintaining the tenth level at all times causes a natural white glow to radiate from me. Everyone who sees me says I look like an immortal. The other day, my father stared at me for a long time and then said, ‘My son has truly become an immortal’—I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!”

Chu Gaoge burst out laughing. “I even heard that King Zheng stared at you in court for ages before slapping his desk and declaring, ‘A tower must be built for the Marquis of Faith, so he may sit atop it—proof that Zheng is blessed by an immortal!’”

“King Zheng was jesting, just jesting!” Ling Luo still found it amusing. At the time, civil officials had joined in, immediately submitting a budget proposal, turning the morning court into a farce. He never expected the story to reach Chu.

As the brothers bantered, Chu Gaoge’s betrothed arrived. After greeting Chu Gaoge, she respectfully saluted Ling Luo, saying, “Greetings, Immortal Marquis of Faith…”

Ling Luo was left dumbfounded, then exchanged glances with Chu Gaoge, both breaking into laughter.

“One day, junior brother, you must ask the King of Chu’s permission to visit Zheng and request that King Zheng confer upon me the title ‘Immortal Marquis of Faith’!”

“Just a jest, brother, just a jest!” After their laughter, Ling Luo looked over Chu Gaoge’s fiancée and asked, “I hear you’ve been engaged for some time; why not married yet?”

Chu Gaoge sighed with some sorrow. “You fulfill your filial duties for our master, but should I not do the same?”

“I misspoke.”

After some more idle talk, Chu Gaoge said, “In recent months, the state of Chen has been rapidly expanding its military. Chu is growing concerned…”

“Are you testing me, junior brother?”

“What do you mean?” Chu Gaoge was puzzled.

“If Chen expands its forces, it will soon seek alliance with Qi to attack us. You advocate attacking Chen precisely because you see that the Deputy Prime Minister of Chen, fresh from the Celestial Heart Pavilion, is capable but inexperienced, and his plans are often impractical. Chu’s last campaign against Chen was deliberately restrained, to push the Chen king—who trusts that young minister—into believing reform is the only path to stability, thereby increasing internal strife. Though Chen appears to be expanding its military, it is more chaotic than ever—civil and military officials are at odds, the ranks are disconnected. When Chu attacks again, the justification will be stronger and Chen’s morale weaker. It’s a brilliant stratagem—a lever moving mountains.”

“You see through everything, brother—truly, I concede!” Chu Gaoge laughed, then leaned closer to ask, “Do you think Zheng, after subduing Wei and Yan, will set its sights on Chen?”

“I can’t decide that, but I doubt King Zheng would lack interest in overthrowing a tyrant.”

Chu Gaoge felt that working with Zheng—or rather, with his senior brother—was one of life’s true pleasures. There was no need for tedious persuasion; both sides already understood the stakes.

Meanwhile, late at night, Qiuye hurried through the woods outside the Chu capital, bringing food and wine to July. When she arrived, July’s skin was flushed red—she had been soaking in the hot spring, training. Qiuye rushed over and dragged her out by force.

“You’re mad!”

July bit her lip, saying nothing.

“I told you not to rush these things. Haste makes waste!”

“Qiuye! Why am I so useless? The Martial Tournament is imminent. I want so badly to help you, to do something for our sect! But I just can’t break through the tenth level… I’m ashamed to face all your efforts on my behalf…”

Seeing her tears, Qiuye’s heart ached unbearably.

“Silly girl, life is long. There’s more to helping the sect than this tournament. If you don’t take care of yourself and die in a hot spring, that would truly waste our master’s and my efforts.” Qiuye poured her a cup of wine. “No more of this—if Master were alive to see you crying over such a minor obstacle, she would scold you to death!”

In truth, Qiuye was more anxious than she let on, but she held back, not wanting to add to July’s burden.

Eight days passed, yet July still failed to reach the tenth level. Qiuye’s schedule in Chu had already been delayed two days, and on this day, July urged her to return to Zheng.

“Qiuye, you can’t stay any longer. Only you, as Martial Lord, can handle all that must be done for the tournament. Leave me here to train; as soon as I reach the tenth level, I’ll return to Zheng. Don’t worry.”

“Very well. But you absolutely must not overdo it—never soak too long in the hot spring. If you can’t break through, take a walk, clear your mind before training again. Don’t get stuck. Understood?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t be reckless.” July promised, trying to reassure her.

Qiuye left her five ingots of gold for her expenses, then left, looking back at every step, worry etched on her face.

These days, they had never been apart—partly out of affection, partly out of fear that July, inexperienced in the world, might come to harm. Yet she had to suppress this overprotectiveness, or she would become, like then, too much like the affectionate Zheng Feixian.

After Qiuye left, July trained alone for three more days, yet still made no progress.

That night, as she soaked in the hot spring as usual, someone arrived.

In the moonlight, that figure radiated a white glow, like an immortal descending to the mortal world.

July instantly recognized the Marquis of Faith, though she had not expected him to come to such a place.

Ling Luo, seeing someone in the spring, recognized July and noticed her clothes floating on the water. Only then did he not avert his gaze, but approached at a measured pace.

His father had told him before he left that there was such a place outside Chu’s capital; tonight was his first chance to seek it out alone.

He had met July several times, and ever since learning she was the girl who, years ago, had climbed North Spirit Mountain with Bu Jingxian, he had felt an unusual closeness. Several times he had wanted to befriend her, but July, always traveling with Qiuye, came and went from Zheng too quickly. Now, at last, he did not wish to miss the opportunity.

He saw her delicate brows, curved like a crescent moon, lips red as if freshly stained with blood, a high nose, eyes bright and smooth as gemstones. Seven parts beauty, three parts heroism—a truly striking presence, so different from the girl he’d met on North Spirit Mountain years before.

July saw it was Ling Luo but, busy training, couldn’t bother to greet him. She had once been more proper, but after traveling with Qiuye, her manners had faded. Lately, her temperament grew irritable due to her talent’s limitations; now, frustrated by her training, she cared even less for propriety. Were it not for knowing Ling Luo had been closest to Bu Jingxian at North Spirit Mountain, and was the fiancé of her fellow disciple, Princess Tianlai, she would have driven him away.

Realizing she was training, Ling Luo dared not disturb her, instead strolling to the northeast side of the spring, facing the breeze, and with a wave of his sleeve, formed a barrier.

July noticed the breeze suddenly stop and opened her eyes. Ling Luo stood there, glowing white, calmly watching her, one arm raised. The wind from the northeast, as if striking a wall, bent around the spring and drifted away.

“What are you doing, Marquis of Faith?” July was puzzled.

“There may have been great slaughter to the northeast, and the gathered earth energy is full of foulness, carried here on the unseen wind. It would surely impede your cultivation, so I’m blocking it for you.”

Half-believing, July closed her eyes and resumed her practice.

This time, she felt the flame in her dantian slowly ignite, burning hotter and stronger. Though it did not erupt as Qiuye had described, it was a clear breakthrough. She opened her eyes in delight and thanked him, “Thank you, Marquis, for your guidance and help. But it seems my aptitude is limited; truly mastering this key is not the work of a few days. Is there no other way to block the evil in the wind?”

Ling Luo removed a precious jade from his belt and placed it gently by the spring.

“This jade repels evil. Wear it, and you’ll have nothing to fear.”

July saw how rare and valuable it was and hesitated. “It’s too precious—I cannot accept it.”

“You are close to my third junior brother, and I have long wished for your friendship. Tonight, by chance, we meet here; I only hope you’ll consider me a trusted friend from now on. When you return to Zheng, simply return the jade. I won’t disturb you further—farewell.”