Zichuan Canxing

Sterling struggled to climb out of bed, his head throbbing as if it were splitting open.

After a shower, he felt a bit better. Checking the time, he saw it was already late afternoon, nearing dusk. He only remembered fighting with someone after getting drunk last night, and then… he couldn't even recall how he got home. Yet, he found two wallets in his pocket—the other belonged to Zichuan Xiu. How it ended up in his pocket, he had no idea.

Servants kept reporting that Ms. Li Qing had visited and left a note.

Sterling picked it up and read Li Qing's elegant handwriting: "You did not return last night, and both Chief Director Canxing and I were greatly worried. We were only somewhat relieved when you returned this morning. Who are you, to indulge in drunkenness like common peddlers? Chief Director Canxing has instructed that you see him as soon as you wake."

Sterling let out a bitter laugh. Li Qing was still the same, gentle, rational, and firm. Even when scolding him, she was careful not to hurt his pride. Having such a virtuous wife, what more could a man ask for? If not for last night's events, she would indeed have been a perfect lifelong partner for him.

Sterling was already preparing the excuse for Li Qing: "I was so happy to see A'Xiu last night that I drank a bit too much… I couldn't help it; he insisted I go with him." Sterling was almost certain Zichuan Xiu would tell the same lie to Zichuan Ning: "Sterling dragged me there." Friends, after all, were meant to be used as shields at times like these.

After a cup of tea, Sterling felt refreshed. The spirited Sterling returned to his body.

***

Arriving before the Chief Director's mansion, Sterling habitually surveyed the defenses: the "Undying Battalion," the most combat-effective and loyal soldiers of the Imperial Guard, stood like nails, three paces apart, five paces between sentries, their posts forming a dense network. This was only what could be perceived from the outside. Inwardly, hidden archers were densely positioned at every vantage point of the mansion—rooftops, corners, gardens, all teeming with hidden sentries. Sharp blades were planted along the walls, and hidden weapons were poised to fire at any moment from the corners and dead spots. The defenses were, in a word, impenetrable. He had designed this defense system himself, and Di Lin, after inspecting it, had exclaimed, "Unless a large army attacks, it's impossible to get in."

The on-duty Imperial Guard soldiers saluted and let him pass without any checks or delays. In fact, due to Pigu's old age and declining energy, Sterling had been in charge of the Imperial Guard's defenses for some time.

***

Sterling descended dozens of meters underground to the Chief Director's office and, after saluting, spoke, "Sir?"

"Sterling?" Zichuan Canxing looked up from his pile of documents, adjusting his reading glasses. "Sit down."

The current Chief Director of the Zichuan Family was 53 years old. Six years ago, his renowned elder brother, Zichuan Yuanxing, died fighting the Liufeng Army, leaving behind an heir, Zichuan Ning, who was only nine. He had then logically succeeded to the supreme position within the family.

His appearance bore no trace of the great Zichuan Yuanxing: he was ordinary and vulgar. Small in stature, with beady eyes, a slightly hunched back, and uneven teeth—many were greatly disappointed upon meeting him. In Zichuan Xiu's private assessment: "He is a ruler who cannot inspire loyalty in his subordinates."

His administrative performance had not added any color to his image either: "Nothing irredeemably wrong, but no inspiring achievements either." People found none of the kingly charisma expected of a Chief Director. The general opinion was: "He's an easy target, a mediocre old man who only got this position through luck."

Only Sterling and a few other trusted confidantes knew: in those listless eyes, the fleeting glint of sharpness was astonishingly piercing…

"I heard from Flag Bearer Qing that you wanted to see me?"

"En," Zichuan Canxing nodded. "You drank too much last night, didn't you?"

"Yes!" Sterling immediately stood up and bowed in apology. "My apologies, Sir…"

"I don't blame you, young man. It's alright to relax sometimes. It's just… not at a time like this… You know, 'they' are watching you very closely right now! I'm worried they might use this opportunity to make a move against you. You were out all night, and I dispatched two Imperial Guard regiments to find you. If anything had happened to you, I would have clashed with Yang Minghua immediately to get you back."

Sterling's heart was filled with emotion, and he choked out, "Sir, I apologize. Your subordinate acted recklessly. Truly… To receive such kindness, I am willing to go through fire and water for you…"

"There's no need for that, Sterling. I'd rather you live well for me." Zichuan Canxing smiled, and the smile actually added infinite charm to his dull face. "Did you see Zichuan Xiu?"

"How was it?"

Sterling understood the meaning of this question and its terrible consequences perfectly: "He's leaning towards us, but he hasn't made a final decision yet; he's still considering it."

"En, Zichuan Xiu is quite unwise," Zichuan Canxing said, standing up. "He is the adopted son of my late brother. Yang Minghua will never consider him one of his own, so why doesn't he just join us directly?"

Sterling stood by, not daring to speak. Although it wasn't his fault, because Zichuan Xiu was his friend—and because he had failed to persuade Zichuan Xiu—he felt incompetent and lost face.

"Keep an eye on him! Sterling, I know you are good friends with him, but if he fails to recognize the situation and joins Yang Minghua's side… we may have to strike first."

Sterling trembled, but he simply replied, "Yes, Sir."

Zichuan Canxing saw his mood. "I hope it doesn't come to that. I also don't wish to have a formidable enemy like Zichuan Xiu."

"Are you aware of Zichuan Xiu's martial arts capabilities?"

"I only know that Elder Brother Yuanxing once taught him the basics of Ripple Skill. After he went to the Far East, I lost track…"

Zichuan Canxing's expression turned serious. "He must have had other masters… Ge Yingxing once reported to me that Zichuan Xiu buried himself in a sand pile, held his breath for four hours, and assassinated a Demon Race general amidst thousands of troops—killing two top-tier experts with a single blow each, leaving them with almost no chance to retaliate—and then escaped unharmed from the encirclement of several thousand demons. My late brother likely couldn't have taught such a terrifying master."

Sterling dared not utter a sound.

Zichuan Canxing changed the subject. "What are your thoughts on Yang Minghua transferring Di Lin to the Far East?"

Sterling replied with a serious expression, "Your subordinate can only think of one thing at the moment: Yang Minghua transferring Di Lin to the Far East indicates that he does not intend to break with us for the time being. Di Lin is Yang Minghua's capable, trusted subordinate. If Yang Minghua were to make a move, he would definitely use a fierce general like Di Lin. When Yang Minghua recalls Di Lin, it will mean he is ready to act." He paused and added, "Your subordinate is ignorant and his thoughts are shallow; this is all I can think of for now."

"En, good. You've thought quite deeply," Zichuan Canxing smiled. "It's just a bit too optimistic. Have you considered it from Yang Minghua's perspective?"

"Please enlighten me, Sir."

"We are worried about Yang Minghua turning on us, and why wouldn't Yang Minghua be worried about us turning on him? At this tense time, he dares to send his capable, trusted general far away—doesn't that strike you as strange?"

"Ah… yes."

"So, after much thought, there are only two possibilities that allow Yang Minghua to act this way."

"Please enlighten me, Sir."

"Possibility one: Yang Minghua has discovered Di Lin's true identity and wants to move him away to avoid interference. But this doesn't fit Yang Minghua's personality. He's not someone with such patience and compassion. Wouldn't it be more satisfying to kill Di Lin and dump the body in the moat?"

"Then possibility two is…"

"Yang Minghua has hidden strength that we don't know about!" Zichuan Canxing said word by word. "He definitely does, otherwise he wouldn't be so fearless. Moreover, this hidden expert must meet three conditions: One: his martial arts must be sufficiently high. Two: he must be permanently stationed in the Imperial Capital. Three: he must not arouse suspicion… Can you think of anyone who fits these conditions?"

Sterling's heart tensed. He already knew who Zichuan Canxing suspected.

"Zichuan Xiu's return is too coincidental. As soon as he returned, Di Lin was about to depart… Besides him, no other experts have entered the Imperial Capital recently…"

"Sir," Sterling said decisively, "I'll stake my head on it, Zichuan Xiu is absolutely not that kind of person!"

"Sterling, you haven't seen each other for three years. People change…"

"People change, but Zichuan Xiu and Di Lin… Sir, if there is anything amiss with them, I will commit suicide to atone." Sterling replied with his head held high.

Zichuan Canxing was silent.

Sterling was silent.

"Alright, Sterling, you'd better hurry and convince Zichuan Xiu to join us. He himself is a master, and his more than forty subordinates have all fought battles in the Far East for a long time. They are brave and skilled in combat. Although their numbers are small, their combat effectiveness is very strong, and they can be considered a major force. With his participation, our 'Lancer' plan will be easier to succeed."

"Yes, sir! Your subordinate will do his best!"

***

"Hachoo!" Zichuan Xiu, who was sneaking into Shirakawa's room intending to steal her wallet, sneezed. "Who's badmouthing me behind my back?"

"Oh, Shirakawa, you're awake. What a coincidence—I actually see you in your bedroom!"

"Shirakawa, don't stare at your superior with those eyes—here's the thing, I got up to use the restroom at night, and when I went back to my room, I got lost and accidentally walked into your room… That's a perfectly reasonable explanation!"

"As for the wallet in my hand—hahaha, that's also perfectly reasonable—you don't seriously think I'd steal your money, do you? Hahaha…"

"Alas, Shirakawa, why are you reaching for a knife? Wait a moment, I'll give you a perfectly reasonable explanation right away… Don't push so hard, you have to give me some time to find an excuse…"

"Help me…"