Walking along the narrow, wind-swept path, Lin Qingge tightened his collar, feeling the chill.
Lian Cheng Yi walked a step behind, his expression dark and unreadable.
"By the way, I heard that Young General Lian is the adopted son of the Sage King?"
"Yes."
"And at what age were you adopted by the Sage King, Young General Lian?"
Though unsure of the other's intentions, Lian Cheng Yi answered truthfully:
"This young general has been by my father king's side since I could remember. My father king said he found me, still swaddled, on the way back to his fief in the northeast."
"So that's how it is. Did the Sage King also name you, Cheng Yi?"
"Indeed.
My father king wished for this young general to be a person of integrity and incorruptibility, hence he bestowed the surname 'Lian'."
"Whether you are incorruptible, I don't know, but you are certainly upright enough," Lin Qingge muttered softly before continuing,
"May I ask, Young General Lian, have you ever considered that at that time, it was precisely when the Sage King's rebellion failed? Although the former Emperor ascended to the throne, the Great Xia was severely weakened by internal strife, and the people suffered greatly.
As the Sage King traveled from the capital to his fief in the northeast, there were no shortage of infants abandoned on the streets, perhaps not millions, but certainly a considerable number.
Yet, why did the Sage King specifically bring you back to raise?"
"This—"
Lian Cheng Yi, who had never considered this angle, froze in his tracks.
"Young General Lian, I have no other intentions. I merely wish to ask for your advice on how to quickly win the favor of royalty.
Once we enter the capital, I'll have Mo'er learn from your methods and wander the streets.
If by chance he catches the eye of some prince or noble, I might be able to save myself thirty to fifty years of struggle."
"Minister Lin, you truly are jesting."
Lian Cheng Yi, having collected himself, harbored an undisguised contempt in his eyes, but Lin Qingge, oblivious, continued to speak,
"I am not jesting. With the Sage King protecting you, it's no exaggeration to say you get whatever you want. You naturally wouldn't know the hardships faced by us minor officials, nor how difficult it is for us to make a name for ourselves."
"Heh, I don't know about others, but if you, Minister Lin, find it difficult, then perhaps no other official in all of Great Xia could be said to have it easy."
"Young General Lian, has anyone ever told you that the way you talk will leave you friendless?"
"Friends?"
Lian Cheng Yi let out a cold laugh, "Those who achieve great things are destined to be lonely, so this young general never needs friends."
"Indeed. I only spoke casually. Besides, it's pitch dark on the road, and not a soul is stirring. It's quite eerie," Lin Qingge said, rubbing his arms.
Hearing this, the curve of Lian Cheng Yi's lips deepened, "Minister Lin, you too have moments of fear?
Although we haven't known each other long, this young general has always thought you to be unbridled and fearless."
"How could that be?
There are many things this official fears!
But if I were to name the one thing I fear most, it would be the human heart."
"The human heart?"
"Yes. Have you ever heard the saying, Young General Lian, that you can't judge a book by its cover?
Some people, they appear decent, even frequently stand on moral high ground to criticize others, but in reality, they are full of malice.
They condemn others for ambushing and sneak attacks, yet plan the very same things themselves.
Young General Lian, don't you think such people are rather frightening?"
...
Lian Cheng Yi's upper eyelid twitched. His scrutinizing gaze fell upon the person before him, but the latter still stood with his back exposed, walking forward without a care.
Hesitantly, he placed his hand on his waist, but the person in front suddenly turned and shouted:
"Ay, what was that thing? It scared this official to death!"
Looking at Minister Lin, who leaped forward like a startled rabbit, Lian Cheng Yi released his grip on the sword hilt and instead rubbed his throbbing temple.
"Minister Lin, you are a fourth-rank official. Such panic and disarray are detrimental to the dignity of the court."
"No, I truly saw a dark shadow flash past just now.
And that shadow was long and slender, unlike ordinary beasts. It was truly terrifying!"
Looking at the small, thin man before him with a look of fright, despite his evident disdain, Lian Cheng Yi, who was also serving as a guard, patiently explained:
"Minister Lin, the wind is strong at night. Perhaps you merely saw branches moved by the wind."
"How is that possible?
This official has lived this long. How can I mistake a branch blown by the wind for a dark shadow?
No!
There's something strange about this place. We should head back quickly!"
However, compared to Lin Qingge, who was eager to continue, Lian Cheng Yi stopped his forward motion.
Noticing that the other wasn't following, Lin Qingge asked in surprise:
"What is it?
Why aren't we moving on?"
After asking, Lin Qingge suddenly seemed to realize, "Oh, I get it! Everyone has bodily needs sometimes. This official can understand. You should relieve yourself, and then we'll continue our journey."
But after waiting for a long time, Lian Cheng Yi still made no move. Lin Qingge chuckled and teased:
"Young General Lian, we are both upright men. Are you shy about relieving yourself?
Don't worry, this official has no interest in your minuscule appendage, which is no bigger than a bean sprout. This official will avert his gaze."
Saying this, Lin Qingge turned around directly.
After a long while, with still no sound, Lin Qingge couldn't help but urge:
"Young General Lian, are you done yet?
Your bean sprout is too much. The water flow is so small, it doesn't even make a sound when it hits the ground?"
...
After a long time, Lian Cheng Yi, who had never been ridiculed like this in his life, retorted with blushing ears:
"It's not relieving oneself."
"What?"
"This young general said it's not relieving oneself!"
Yelling as if in defiance, Lian Cheng Yi, his carefully brewed emotions from before completely gone, let out a sigh. Resigning himself to his fate, he said:
"Minister Lin, if this young general were to say that you will be left here tonight, what would you do?"
"Left here?
It's so gloomy and cold here at night. Why would I stay?
Camping?"
"No, this general means that you, Minister Lin, will be permanently left here."
Upon hearing Lian Cheng Yi's words, Lin Qingge's face showed neither surprise nor terror. Instead, a mocking smile curved his lips, "You want to leave this official here? With just you, Young General Lian?"
"To deal with Minister Lin, this young general is enough."
With that, Lian Cheng Yi slowly drew the long sword at his waist.
But Lin Qingge suddenly laughed, "Young General Lian, you are indeed alone. But this official has never been alone!"
As Lin Qingge's words fell, a figure, like a phantom, silently appeared by his side.