When Sun and Moon Turn, Auspicious Light Emerges

When Sun and Moon Turn, Auspicious Light Emerges

In the Thornheart's passenger cabin, Zhang Yu found that the luggage he had left aboard the Great Fortune had all been placed here, each piece covered with a cloth dust cover and kept in excellent order.

He checked it over. Nothing was missing, nor were there any signs that someone had rifled through it. In truth, aside from a few illustrated books of Strange Monsters he had copied in the past, there was nothing particularly valuable inside.

After packing everything away again, he could not help recalling Zhao Xiangcheng's attempt to recruit him at the banquet.

To be fair, joining the Security Patrol Association came with quite a few benefits, but being branded with one side's mark too early was not a good thing either.

His primary purpose in coming to the capital was to study the New Method and find more items that could replenish Divine Essence. For the time being, he had no desire to become entangled in the power struggle between the Teng Sea Islands and the capital.

Of course, he also knew that some things could not truly be avoided. Yet only by possessing sufficient strength could he ensure that others would not manipulate him so easily.

He sat down behind the desk, drew the Xia Sword from its sheath, and, gazing at its blade gleaming with a faint jade-like sheen, took out a piece of fine velvet from his luggage and carefully wiped it down.

This sword was a magical artifact. After killing an enemy, it did not stain with blood or gather dust, so under normal circumstances there was no need to clean it specifically. What he was doing was in fact a way of communicating with the sword.

After the battle with the Yao Salamander, he felt that his spirit had undergone a kind of sublimation, and a subtle connection had formed between himself and the sword. After taking a few breaths now, he felt as though the sword were alive, maintaining a wondrous rhythm in step with his breathing. It seemed that, driven by his will, it would fly from his hand.

He did not know where this feeling came from, but according to his teacher, once man and sword became fully attuned, all manner of marvels would appear: the sword's name might emerge upon its blade, its edge might grow sharper, or it might even soar through the sky.

Still, he felt that day might never come, for this sword had not been personally refined by him. Deep down, there was always that slight barrier between them. But there was no need to consider such matters at present.

Meanwhile, outside, it was not until after midday that the reinforcements finally finished dealing with the Yao Salamander's corpse and prepared to set sail for the return voyage. At that moment, Ming Yi came to Zhang Yu's cabin and said, "Young Master Zhang, someone from the Divine Commandery Army came by just now, saying they wished to meet you. But Chief Zhao turned them away. The chief asked me to tell you not to blame him for acting on his own initiative."

Zhang Yu could see that Chief Zhao meant well. "Please thank Chief Zhao for me."

Ming Yi smiled. "I will convey your words."

The rest of the voyage passed without incident. After nightfall, an attendant came to knock on Zhang Yu's cabin door, saying that Zhao Xiangcheng had invited him to dinner. He politely declined, as before substituting the pills he carried with him for a meal. Then he replaced sleep with breathing exercises and rested peacefully through the night.

As dawn was about to break, Zhang Yu suddenly felt that the temperature around him had become remarkably pleasant. Knowing that the ship was nearing Ruiguang, the capital, he rose, washed up, ate an exquisite breakfast in the adjoining cabin, and then went out onto the upper deck to gaze into the distance.

Standing at the bow, he could already clearly make out the outline of the land and the Peace Mountains stretching north and south along the horizon. Ruiguang, the capital of the Eastern Protectorate, lay west of Peace Mountain, along the middle reaches of the Dawn River.

It was said that Celestial Xia had established more than eight hundred Protectorate Offices in those days, and the Eastern Protectorate was merely one among them.

Yet the Eastern Protectorate had its own special distinction. It was the farthest reach of the Eastern Domain of Celestial Xia territory, and the only Celestial Xia Protectorate Office stationed upon this unknown continent.

As the Thornheart drew closer to land, Ruiguang City, shrouded in morning light, gradually came into clearer view.

It was a grand and imposing fortified city, facing the Soaring Sea and backed against Mount Qi. The most conspicuous inner city stood atop a lofty plateau, where Xia-Gazing Terrace, the Protectorate Office, Taiyang Academy, the Shrine of Worthies, and other buildings of high standing were located.

Below the plateau, clusters of buildings spread out along the undulating terrain. At the outermost edge, extending across the sea, lay Dawn Harbor. Since the entire city site was wedged between Mount Qi and the coast, it formed a relatively long and narrow layout running roughly north to south.

The Eastern Protectorate had a population of more than three million, and Ruiguang City alone accounted for one-third of it.

There were roughly two hundred thousand Celestial Xia People here. Most of the rest were An people, descendants of mixed An people and Celestial Xia People bloodlines, as well as some naturalized barbarians from indigenous states.

Beyond Mount Qi, in the distant Peace Mountains, a cold and snowy peak stood beneath the vault of heaven, like a silhouette embedded between heaven and earth. Its solitary, lofty, and precipitous bearing was enough to make one hold one's breath.

In the local indigenous tongue, this snow peak was called "Qigelis," meaning "the lonely Heavenly Maiden goddess."

Before the Protectorate Office's army had even set foot upon this land, Deputy Protector Yang Gong had seen this lone, soaring peak rising amid the magnificent mountain range from far out at sea, and had blurted out, "Who could befriend one who lives as long as heaven? The foremost peak, thrusting across ten thousand miles."

After the Celestial Xia People arrived, this was the only mountain whose name had not been changed. To this day, it was still called Goddess Peak. A Celestial Xia Beacon Tower had been built there; legend had it that once beacon fires were lit there, even the Celestial Xia homeland could see them.

As Zhang Yu was observing the view, footsteps sounded behind him. Zhao Xiangcheng came over and stood beside him. Looking at the scenery before them, he said with feeling, "After Grand Protector Guan Zheng arrived here in those days, he once said, 'The sun and moon course through the heavens; Auspicious Light emerges here.' That is how the capital, Ruiguang, received its name."

Zhang Yu said, "The people in these remote lands of the Protectorate Office all call this a city of blessed fortune. Those who dwell here, though poor, may have food and clothing; though rich, may enjoy a good end."

Zhao Xiangcheng sighed. "Let us hope so. By the way, Young Master Zhang, do you have a place to stay once you arrive in the capital?"

Zhang Yu said, "I have never been to the capital before, so I do not know any places here."

Zhao Xiangcheng took a calling card from his sleeve and handed it to him. "There is a Peaceful Lodge south of the city. It is a property of our Security Patrol Association. Setting other matters aside, its safety is assured. Take my card there, and someone will see that you are well looked after."

Zhang Yu accepted it. "Then I shall not stand on ceremony."

Zhao Xiangcheng smiled. "It is a small matter."

The three warships sailed at full speed with the wind, and not long after Ruiguang City came into view, they entered the waters of Dawn Harbor outside the city.

At that moment, more than a hundred vessels of various sizes were moored in the harbor. White sails stood like a forest, and the cries of people and seabirds rose without end from near and far.

Before the inland river route had been opened, this had originally been the Protectorate Office's military harbor. It had seven piers and could accommodate forty warships at once. But now, most goods transported from the Teng Sea Islands and through the inland waterways gathered here.

After signal flags were waved, the Thornheart was guided toward one of the piers.

The sailors cast down their grappling lines, which small boats carried ashore. People there hooked them onto capstans, and as the capstans turned, the warship was slowly hauled into its berth.

Zhang Yu noticed that most of those working the capstans were elderly men. Their temples were streaked with white, their thick arms bare, and their bodies possessed a strength that did not match their age. Every one of them had a clean-shaven beard and eyes that shone with unusual vigor.

Zhao Xiangcheng noticed his gaze and explained, "These elders are all veterans who fought in the Battle of Flood River Pass sixty years ago. There are one hundred and fifty-three of them left now. For certain reasons, they volunteered to work at the harbor. Do not let their age fool you. If they took the field and fought in formation, young soldiers might not even be able to defeat them."

Zhang Yu slowly nodded. The Battle of Flood River Pass sixty years ago had been exceptionally brutal, and it could be said to have completely altered the Protectorate Office's subsequent course. These veterans were at least in their seventies, but Celestial Xia People had an average lifespan of around a hundred years. If they had built a good foundation in youth and kept up with proper nourishment, it was not difficult for them to retain strong bones and muscles at this age.

At that moment, waves of clamor rose from the pier. The enormous Yao Salamander that had been towed into the harbor had caused a sensation here.

Zhao Xiangcheng glanced at the warship entering the harbor right after the Thornheart, considered for a moment, then reminded him, "Young Master Zhang, be careful of the Divine Commandery Army. They did not dare cause trouble at sea, but within the capital, this is their jurisdiction. If anything happens, seek out Mister Yue at Peaceful Lodge. He will help you."

Zhang Yu indicated that he understood. He knew very well how great the value of a Yao Salamander was. That was why he had been on guard against the Divine Commandery Army from the very beginning.

Drawn by the grappling lines, the Thornheart steadily came alongside the pier. After thanking Zhao Xiangcheng once more, he parted from him.

He pulled up the hood of his cloak, held the Xia Sword in hand, lifted his suitcase, and descended the gangway.

But he had only just set foot on the pier, before he could even walk away, when he felt the ground tremble faintly. His heart tightened. An earthquake?

Yet when he looked elsewhere, he found that the people around him showed no reaction, as though none of them had noticed anything at all.

He suppressed the question in his heart and surveyed his surroundings again. Directly ahead, along the road, stood an ancient Jade Yuyuan Gate soaring high into the air. He immediately recognized it as the famous Victory Gate. Back when the Protectorate Office had been little more than a great military camp, this gate had been erected alongside it. It had never been torn down afterward and had been preserved to this day.

Yet one corner of the jade flying eaves, once symmetrically exquisite and magnificent, was conspicuously missing, ruining its original beauty. To someone with his compulsive streak, the sight made him especially uncomfortable.

He forced himself to look away. Just then, he spotted several newspaper vendors nearby. He walked over, paid a few copper coins, bought one copy of every kind of newspaper from the past three days, and headed out without looking back.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Yao Salamander's corpse, dragged ashore, drew everyone in the harbor over to watch. Yet among the crowd was one person whom passersby unconsciously avoided, leaving an empty circle around him, though not a single person noticed anything strange.

The man had handsome, striking features and a tall, upright figure. He wore no crown upon his head, instead arranging his hair in an uncommon Daoist topknot. As he looked at the Yao Salamander's corpse in the storage yard, his gaze swept over the sword wound. He lightly tapped the sword hanging at his waist twice with his fingers, smiled with amusement, and said, "Junior Brother, I found you."