Han Fei struggled ashore from the river, soaked from head to toe. His wet black hair hung loosely over his shoulders, and an awkward smile appeared on his face.
After briefly tidying his appearance on the bank, Han Fei cupped his hands and said:
"So you are an expert of the Yin Yang School. I heard that five years ago, the Yin Yang School produced a remarkably gifted Eastern Lord. Could that be you, sir?"
"Mhm."
Wang Shu did not conceal his identity. Before someone as clever as Han Fei, whose intelligence was nearly monstrous, there was no need to hide it.
Though the two had met by chance, they were both outstanding young men, and especially since both were quite handsome, there was naturally a hint of rivalry between them.
Han Fei had immediately guessed Wang Shu's identity, taking the initiative in their exchange.
Naturally, Wang Shu would not let him have his way. He said:
"Han Fei, disciple of Xunzi, the founder of Confucianism. This is Han State territory, and it is said that King An of Han's ninth son left to study abroad many years ago.
Now that Han State is in such a precarious situation, if there is no one else with the same name, then you must be the Ninth Young Master."
Han Fei's expression changed slightly. He had not expected Wang Shu to recognize his identity at a glance as well. His thoughts truly were meticulous.
"The Han King's ninth son!"
Upon hearing this, Flame Spirit Ji suddenly erupted with astonishing killing intent.
In her eyes, all the high officials and nobles of Han State deserved to die, especially members of the royal family.
Five years ago, King An of Han had broken his promise and led troops in a surprise attack on Baiyue, mercilessly slaughtering its people. The land of Baiyue had been drenched in blood, strewn with corpses, and filled with endless resentful spirits that could not be dispelled. For years afterward, not even a blade of grass had grown there, turning it into an ominous land.
Han Fei was startled by Flame Spirit Ji's killing intent, cold sweat streaming down his face as though his head might fall from his shoulders at any moment.
From the bundle Han Fei carried with him, resting on a bluestone nearby, came bursts of crisp sword cries.
With a slight glance, Wang Shu knew this was Ni Lin, Han Fei's guardian sword spirit, protecting its master.
He immediately placed a hand on Flame Spirit Ji's soft, smooth shoulder to stop her from acting rashly and said:
"Every grievance has its source, every debt has its debtor."
Looking at her master, the fierce aura around Flame Spirit Ji abruptly subsided. Though her gaze at Han Fei no longer held killing intent, it was still far from friendly.
In this war-torn age, few of those feudal lords and their descendants were any good.
Han Fei did not believe that someone he had never met would direct such intense killing intent at him without cause, so there had to be some connection between them.
When his gaze fell upon Flame Spirit Ji, his eyes held a trace of admiration.
Yet when he saw the ancient patterns on the fair, smooth skin exposed beyond her flame-red dress, his pupils shrank slightly, as though he understood Flame Spirit Ji's actions.
Han Fei's expression turned solemn as he said:
"Could you be one of Baiyue's surviving people, miss?"
"So you know. Are you planning to wipe us all out too?"
A blazing golden flame appeared in Flame Spirit Ji's palm. Its bright light illuminated her beautiful, delicate features until they seemed as translucent as glass, as though a lovely fire spirit had entered the world.
A bewitching charm capable of stealing souls flickered in her foxlike, watery eyes.
But Han Fei had no desire to enjoy such beauty. He feared that the girl before him would reduce him to ashes with a single blaze.
"You misunderstand, miss. My royal father was indeed wrong in what he did to Baiyue, but his decisions were not something we subjects could determine.
I deeply regret what happened to Baiyue. Once I return to Han State, I will certainly give the remaining Baiyue survivors an explanation," Han Fei said.
"Why should I believe you? You are all cut from the same cloth," Flame Spirit Ji said.
"Empty words are indeed difficult to believe. Miss Flame, time is the best witness. Why don't we wait patiently and see? Please give Han Fei a chance," Han Fei said with a confident smile.
It had to be said that Han Fei possessed a personal charm few others had. It made people willing to try believing in him, to be influenced by his qualities.
At first, Flame Spirit Ji had deeply hated the people of Han State, especially those Dog Officials of Han State!
Yet after Han Fei talked his way through it, much of the hostility in her heart quietly faded.
"Han Fei, even if you return to Han State now, do you really think you can change a country that has rotted to its core?" Wang Shu asked.
"If some things are never done, one will never know whether they can be done," Han Fei said.
"Han State already has a Crown Prince, and the fourth prince, Han Yu, is watching covetously while controlling many forces. You intend to enter that vortex of power struggles alone. Are you not afraid of dying without even leaving a body behind?" Wang Shu said.
"No matter how turbulent a vortex may be, there are always places it cannot reach or destroy. The key lies in finding that point of balance," Han Fei said.
"Is that so? Then I will wait and see." Wang Shu smiled.
"If I can survive that vortex of power and pull out those rotten roots,
would Lord Eastern Lord agree to grant me one small request?" Han Fei asked.
"Let's hear it." Wang Shu found things growing interesting.
"Eastern Lord is the foremost expert of the Yin Yang School aside from the mysterious Eastern Emperor, and his status is exceedingly noble.
I have not thought of the request yet, but the answer will be revealed soon enough," Han Fei said, deliberately leaving him in suspense.
Wang Shu did not need to guess Han Fei's little scheme. He merely wanted to win him over.
However, Wang Shu also needed Han Fei's identity as cover if he wanted to obtain the key to the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations.
He could hardly just barge into the palace and rob the Han King, even if he considered himself unmatched in martial arts.
Nor did he wish to risk being hunted down by an entire country and make too great a commotion.
The rest of the journey went from two people to three, with Han Fei joining them.
Though Han Fei appeared composed, he was actually quite a chatterbox, actively bringing up all sorts of topics along the way.
Wang Shu listened silently, occasionally tossing out a brand-new term that left Han Fei utterly amazed.
For example, prosperity, democracy...
The capital of Han State, Xinzheng.
Compared to Xianyang in Qin Country, Xinzheng lacked more than a little in grandeur. Though it was a capital city, not a trace of happiness could be seen on the faces of the common folk passing through it. They looked lifeless and numb.
"Get out of this princess's way!"
A spoiled, imperious voice rang out from the streets of Xinzheng. Chickens scattered, dogs leaped aside, and people toppled over as the entire intersection instantly descended into chaos.
In the distance, a fierce horse charged wildly forward, carrying a pink figure rapidly closer.
Seeing this, Han Fei could not help covering his face. He had already guessed the newcomer's identity and could only smile bitterly.
Wang Shu looked up and saw a girl in a long pink dress seated atop the horse.
The girl's face was slightly babyish, her skin flawless and fair, tender enough to seem as though it would yield at a touch, like congealed cream.
Her jet-black hair was tied up and adorned with gemlike ornaments.
Her bright eyes brimmed with liveliness, and from head to toe, she gave off the impression of someone utterly willful and unruly.
The girl dismounted and quickly ran over!
Han Fei stepped forward as well, a "kindly" smile appearing on his face.
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