General Qing Jiang’s deep affection for Princess Yu Shu was truly heaven-sent.
The millennia had not eased the General’s heart; instead, it had only deepened his guilt. Yan Shouyi completely understood General Qing Jiang’s feelings. If it were him, he would react the same way.
“General, please rise. I promise I will fulfill what I owe you, whether for Zi Tong, for you, or for Princess Yu Shu.”
Under Yan Shouyi’s comfort and persuasion, General Qing Jiang finally stood up. As the saying goes, a man is worth his weight in gold when he kneels, let alone General Qing Jiang, a proud and arrogant battlefield god of war once known as the Butcher.
“However, after a thousand years, how can we find the whereabouts of the National Preceptor from a millennium ago?” Lin Zi Tong asked, frowning.
Back then, it was communication technology that constrained Lian He. Today, it was a thousand years of time that constrained Yan Shouyi and the others. Although the two were incomparable, the difficulty was not small.
Yan Shouyi asked Lian He, “Lian He, did you uncover any other clues back then? Think carefully. The more clues you reveal, the more it will help us continue our investigation.”
Lian He recalled for a while but still shook her head. “Before I died, I only investigated that the National Preceptor went to Lishan and took his disciples with him. Among them was Zhuge Rui, who was skilled in Feng Shui. It seemed… it seemed they were going to find a place of great ill omen. Other than that, I have no other clues.”
“A place of great ill omen…”
Yan Shouyi stroked his chin and began to ponder. The National Preceptor and his disciples went to Lishan, aiming for a place of great ill omen. Combining these two clues with his own proficiency in Feng Shui, finding this place of great ill omen would not be difficult. The clues were already very clear.
“I understand. After we leave the Guanshui Terrace, we will first find that place of great ill omen in Lishan and see if we can find any clues,” Yan Shouyi said.
Lian He asked cautiously, “Who rules the world now? Is your journey to Lishan going to be extremely dangerous?”
General Qing Jiang sighed, “Even if we ride at full speed, it will likely take more than ten days.”
Yan Shouyi and Lin Zi Tong exchanged glances, finding it hard to suppress a smile. The magnitude of change in this era was something the ancients like General Qing Jiang could not comprehend. However, explaining it to them now would likely take a considerable amount of time, so the two tacitly remained silent.
Seeing their silence, General Qing Jiang could not help but frown. “Your journey will be fraught with peril, and I fear you may not return safely. Perhaps I should give you a treasure. In critical moments, it might be able to save your lives.”
“A treasure?”
Upon hearing that a treasure was to be given, Yan Shouyi immediately suppressed his urge to explain and decided to see what good treasures General Qing Jiang had. General Qing Jiang extended his hand and placed it on Yan Shouyi’s shoulder. Instantly, the finely scaled armor worn by General Qing Jiang began to flow like water, moving along General Qing Jiang’s arm and into Yan Shouyi’s body!
Small scales, the size of fingernails, reassembled on Yan Shouyi’s body, quickly forming a perfect set of finely scaled armor! This armor fit Yan Shouyi’s body perfectly, making it look as if dragon scales had grown on him at first glance! The finely scaled armor was covered in battle scars, not new at all, but this instead added a touch of bravery to the young Yan Shouyi, transforming him from a youthful man into a general who had fought on the battlefield for many years!
“Good… very good!”
General Qing Jiang sized up Yan Shouyi, appearing very satisfied with his appearance. He even recited a poem: “A general, young, from Wuwei he emerged, guarding the imperial platform, protecting the Purple Palace. At dawn, he’d brush his sword and head to heaven, at dusk, he’d whip his horse and return in a drunken stupor!”
Yan Shouyi also smiled, “I didn’t expect the General to be a lover of poetry.”
“Oh? You like poetry too?” The General’s interest was piqued, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Are there any acclaimed works passed down through the ages in later generations?”
“Tang poetry, Song lyrics, Yuan drama – there are naturally many masterpieces!”
“Recite a few lines for this General to hear!”
“Let me think… Lying like a cripple in a desolate village, I still yearn to guard the frontier. In the dead of night, I hear the wind and rain, and in my dreams, iron horses and icy rivers arrive! How is this one?”
Upon hearing this poem, General Qing Jiang was moved. It seemed to remind him of his days fighting on the battlefield a millennium ago. He then thought of the subordinates who had followed him, and finally, he remembered the destruction of the Qing Jiang Kingdom, sighing deeply. However, he quickly regained his composure and praised the poem several times.
“The finely scaled armor you wear was a gift from my副将 (fùjiāng - deputy general) back then. He was known as Xie Qing Cang, the Flying General of Longmen. I wonder what his fate was after I died…”
“Never mind, let’s not dwell on old matters. Let’s talk about the finely scaled armor first.”
“The finely scaled armor accompanied me in battles for many years, absorbing the blood of myself and many soldiers. It is no longer an ordinary object. After I died, the finely scaled armor also entered reincarnation with me. Although what you wear now is not the true finely scaled armor, it still has some effect. In critical moments, you can summon it yourself, and it will lend you a helping hand.”
Yan Shouyi gently caressed the fine scales on his arm. It seemed as if each fine scale housed a soldier from the Qing Jiang Kingdom, and each fine scale seemed to tell a story. This armor was truly heavy.
He murmured, “I will treat it well.”
General Qing Jiang nodded with satisfaction. He could see that Yan Shouyi, like himself, valued loyalty and righteousness and would not mistreat this finely scaled armor. Yan Shouyi was indeed a fine young man, truly worthy of being my descendant!
Just as General Qing Jiang was feeling gratified, he suddenly noticed Yan Shouyi staring at him. He felt uncomfortable under the gaze and couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you staring at me?”
Yan Shouyi coughed dryly, “General, Zi Tong and I came together. You only gave me a gift. Wouldn’t that make Zi Tong awkward?”
Lin Zi Tong gave Yan Shouyi an exasperated look, seeing through his intention to solicit more benefits. Yan Shouyi naturally wanted to gain more benefits, after all, opportunities to meet General Qing Jiang were rare, and moreover, he was General Qing Jiang’s reincarnation. If not him, then who else would receive General Qing Jiang’s treasures?
“You…”
General Qing Jiang was momentarily speechless. After thinking hard, he found nothing worthy to give to Lin Zi Tong. Finally, he saw the Soul Summoning Bell in Lin Zi Tong’s hand and gritted his teeth before saying, “Zi Tong, come here!”
Lin Zi Tong, being a polite and well-behaved girl, quickly waved her hand, “General, I don’t need any gifts. Please don’t force yourself.”
“No, what Shouyi said makes sense. I cannot show favoritism. Moreover, you are also Yun’er’s reincarnation!” This time, it was the General who was being firm.
Unable to refuse the General, Lin Zi Tong walked forward. General Qing Jiang waved his hand, and behind him, a Blood-Sweating Horse instantly appeared! This Blood-Sweating Horse was incredibly majestic, clad in armor, with a saddle on its back. Its fur shone with a reflective sheen, and its eyes were exceptionally bright and full of spirit. It was precisely the magnificent horse that Yan Shouyi had seen General Qing Jiang riding in the bamboo forest when they first met!
“Its name is Ta Xue (Tà Xuě - Trampling Snow). It was a Blood-Sweating Horse bestowed upon me by the King back then. It can travel a thousand li by day and six hundred li by night, running continuously for three days and three nights! During Yun’er and my escape, Ta Xue remained loyal. After Ta Xue died, it transformed into a spirit and accompanied me into reincarnation, always by my side. Now, I give it to you, hoping you will also treat it well.”