Fu Liu Mountain was short but steep, with rugged, craggy rocks. The Yingchuan tributary, passing here, split into dozens of rapid streams. In the height of summer, the spraying pearls and flowing jade often formed mist and nets in the mountains; now, in late autumn, the reduced flow made them thin, presenting a different scene. The trickling source waters, in the evening sun, resembled a maiden with golden hair hanging down, her head bowed on the rocks. However, the "maiden" now seemed afraid to look directly, her gaze fixed with envy on the reflection in the water—a figure in dark robes, standing alone on a rock in the stream against the wind. Lin Chaoying surveyed her surroundings, speculating on the warehouse's location.
She and Sun Bole, as planned, split into two groups. Sun Bole, with Gou'er, tracked the musical notations westward to ascertain the Northern Martial Alliance's movements and to draw away Wang Chongyang. She, meanwhile, headed east to quickly contact Mao Ya. How to persuade him? With Nan Ruo present, it would only create more complications. Perhaps, as before, she would simply use force to compel him to leave. As before... he disliked unnecessary theatrics and sought stability. This must be the place. Lin Chaoying skimmed over the water, heading straight for the dense forest in the center ahead.
Mao Ya chose this forest to build his cache for two reasons: its high elevation allowed for easy observation, and the flat terrain surrounding the woods made ambushes difficult, offering a strong defensive position. The water and land terrain was also suitable for constructing secret passages, convenient for transport and retreat. Mao Ya was rushing here from Zhengzhou, not due to rumors of a Song army sneak attack, but because Liu Shaoqin, promoted to Defense Commissioner of the fifth rank, was tasked with escorting military supplies personally handled by the Lord, and it was time for his arrival. Having been with this Lord for nearly two years, though not close as brothers, he was grateful for the trust and esteemed the Lord's steadfast efforts to mend the ills caused by the deposed ruler Liang, and his willingness to spare no effort in unifying and leading various factions back to the righteous path. Thus, he wished to contribute and share the burden. This friendship originated from a misunderstanding.
In August of the previous year, Mao Ya was ordered to Tokyo Liao Province to procure military supplies for the campaign against the Song. He did not feel disheartened by the reassignment, continuing to handle matters diligently, completing them as scheduled within three months without haste. The Jin Lord Liang's reaction was lukewarm, but he soon ordered Mao Ya to assist Gao Cunfu in monitoring Prince Ge, Wanyan You. Gao Cunfu, jealous of his talent, sidelined him. Mao Ya endured the arrangement, remaining only to preserve his family's presence in Jin.
This time, braving the biting cold wind, he was assigned to inspect the northern army camps to ensure their normalcy. While lodging at Fengguo Temple, he saw snowflakes dancing wildly outside the window of his room, whipped by the fierce wind, and remembered Ying Fu Yang's flowing hair. A faithless wretch had sent him a letter, informing him that she had searched for two months in Mount Xiao and then disappeared after heading to Mount Hua.
Dazed, he left his room and walked with the aimless, swirling snow. Gusts of wind, like winding dragons, conjured her myriad forms—pitying her disheveled state; unable to help her, filled with distress over her solitary plight; seeing her blindly rushing about, he couldn't help but curse in anger, saying, "A good-for-nothing, and you're willing to sacrifice your life for him?" Hearing the sound of scattered, breaking gold and porcelain on the ground, Mao Ya suddenly realized he had arrived outside a Zen building on the other side.
Two windows were abruptly flung open, and a broad-shouldered, burly man in his forties with a long, bushy black beard stood behind them. His cheeks and the sides of his beard bore clear traces of wiped tears. He said emotionally, "I have already been able to relinquish what I can, and yield what I can. Can you truly not give me even a little room?"
Mao Ya recognized the man before him as Wanyan You. His wife, held as a hostage in Yanjing, was summoned by the Jin Lord Liang to serve wine in the palace. To protect her chastity and fearing her husband would be endangered, she had taken poison and died, her death later concealed as an illness. Mao Ya, seeing a hint of timidity and regret in his sorrowful eyes, was provoked by the suppressed contempt within him. He said, "Others are willing to give up their very lives, and you ask for room?" It was unclear whether he was resentful of himself or the "him" who hid his face.
Wanyan You slumped onto the window frame, regretting, "As you know, I truly couldn't care about her situation! Her sacrifices... I am ashamed, deeply ashamed..."
His vision blurred, but his mind was clear. Mao Ya, though unwilling, had to bow his head and admit, "Her sacrifices were for where her heart belonged."
His tone... Wanyan You instantly recovered his rationality from his despair. This person was tasked with monitoring him. One must know oneself and the enemy. Having learned of his beloved, who had abandoned him for a rebellious Song traitor, and even left the Dark Swordsmen. Partly to test him and partly to console himself, Wanyan You said, "No matter what, you must live well and fulfill her wish. Let her have no worries, and why would you bear to make it difficult for her?" He recalled her final testament: to live on with "sleepless nights and constant vigilance," to "gather heroes," and wait for the day "a single roar pacifies the world."
Mao Ya raised his head, as if finding resonance.
In early October of the previous year, with Mao Ya's help, Wanyan You successfully captured Gao Cunfu, who had intended to strike first. Further supported by generals such as Wanyan Fushou, who had evaded blame from Wanyan Liang's army, he launched a coup in Liao Province, declared himself emperor, changed the reign title to Dading, and his Han name to Yong.
Over the past ten months, Mao Ya had advised and assisted Jin Lord Yong, clearing away obstacles that hindered the "restoration and unity" of the court. Jin Lord Yong had also rapidly promoted him to the position of Grand Tutor, the second-rank official, which drew the envy of the imperial clan and officials. On the day he was to depart for Kaifeng Province to prepare for "another southern invasion," Mao Ya was summoned to the palace. Dining and conversing with Jin Lord Yong was a common occurrence, but Mao Ya was surprised by the elaborateness of the meal. The Lord was always frugal, his meals consisting of simple coarse food, even eating leftovers for two days. He rarely drank during meals, yet today "Golden Lattice" imperial wine had been prepared. Jin Lord Yong raised his cup and said, "A toast. Be very careful on your journey." Mao Ya realized he was concerned about the intelligence regarding Song martial artists forming teams to attack. He replied, "Mere petty individuals cannot harm me." Jin Lord Yong said, "Accidents always catch one unprepared! Our friendship means I truly do not wish you to suffer harm." Their mutual trust needed no further words, and Mao Ya drank the cup. Jin Lord Yong also finished his in one gulp and said, "She is by no means a good match. Wu Nanyong is perhaps...". Mao Ya said, "Let her follow where her heart leads, and I too wish to follow where my heart leads." Jin Lord Yong felt a pang of guilt and murmured, "How can I not wish to follow where my heart leads?" He drank another cup and said, "What I owe in this life, I can only repay in the next. Come! Tonight, we drink only of the present."