Volume 1: Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 155: State of Mind

While Qi Hao and Duke Yun guard the borders of the nation, everyone knows, Lord Gu, that you are the person the Emperor trusts the most. Having guarded Yangcheng for over twenty years, those two decades of favorable weather, peace, and stability serve as a microcosm of the Jin Dynasty’s prosperity, and from this foundation lies the capital to contend for supremacy under heaven. From now on, as Yangcheng becomes the sole imperial capital of the world, your burdens will only grow heavier, Lord Gu! Xu Qing said with admiration. But correspondingly, as the wealth of the realm gathers hereafter in this singular capital, countless people will flock to Yangcheng, flooding into its streets, searching for their futures or courting risks, and driven by desperation to take perilous chances. This will undoubtedly bring you endless trouble, my lord.

Yet many things will remain unchanged—like certain streets, like the laws of the land, and like the sun bestowed by the heavens that brings them peace and stability. Although the sun has sometimes been dimmed, for many people, you, Lord Gu, are the only sun that shines upon them, an everlasting light that never extinguishes.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yunking froze, his body trembling slightly.

His eyes, deep as abysses, remained silent for a long time.

Xu Qing, can you tell me how His Highness Wang Chuan is truly doing? Gu Yunking suddenly looked at him and asked.

Uh… why do you always want to ask about His Highness? What on earth can he possibly do for you? Xu Qing asked in surprise.

Beside them, Yan Mo also wore a look of utter astonishment, deeply moved for a long time.

Even he had not yet been granted an audience with Wang Chuan.

Ever since Wang Chuan went into seclusion, countless rumors had once again proliferated outside, spoken with absolute certainty and sounding entirely plausible.

And all of this was happening at such a critical juncture.

This time, I am asking on my own accord. If you find it difficult, you don't have to answer. It doesn't matter, Gu Yunking said, showing his understanding.

Very well, I can tell you, but you must keep it strictly confidential, Xu Qing said solemnly.

Gu Yunking nodded.

Xu Qing then took his hand and, hidden beneath his sleeve, traced a few words onto Gu Yunking's palm.

How can that be? Gu Yunking gasped in shock.

For more than twenty years, it seemed he had never experienced such a thing.

That hidden truth left him utterly astounded.

This matter is of the utmost importance. I shall keep my lips sealed, even if it costs me my dignity! Gu Yunking vowed.

From then on, he never brought up the subject of Wang Chuan again.

Now Lord Gu can surely believe in our sincerity, can he not? This is the only way. We must cooperate; I have already told you the greatest secret concerning His Highness. Xu Qing asked, preparing to leave. Then, what was it that Lord Gu previously wished His Highness could do for you?

To tell you the truth, I have a daughter, Gu Yunking said. If possible, I hope His Highness might take her as his disciple.

Another request for discipleship? Xu Qing was left dumbfounded.

With a man of Wang Chuan's stature, had he been willing, establishing his own sect and school of thought would have been effortless.

Yet someone of Gu Yunking's standing also wanted him to take a disciple—this was simply...

Beside them, Yan Mo recalled the circumstances of the previous time someone was entrusted to Wang Chuan, a tale that had long since spread throughout the world.

Yet now, why did this entrustment somehow feel remarkably similar?

Lord Gu, you also know how everyone views you—the Emperor's Sword! The moment this sword of yours moves, they will all assume that it is the Emperor's hand and the Emperor's heart in motion. This is no longer just your personal affair. Once your daughter establishes a master-disciple relationship with the Crown Prince, what will everyone think? Xu Qing said earnestly. If the time comes for you to take action against the Wu family, it will only be because they have violated the laws of the realm. You are the sword that protects Yangcheng. How can you be entangled in such ties with the Crown Prince?

If Gu Yunking's daughter were to become the Crown Prince's disciple, imaginations would inevitably run wild.

I know all of this, and I have pondered it for a long time, Gu Yunking said. But His Majesty will still trust me.

Then why must you still do this? Xu Qing asked.

Lord Gu, you call me the Emperor's Sword, so let me ask you: what is my daughter considered in all of this? Gu Yunking countered.

Uh... Xu Qing was momentarily stunned.

What is my daughter's stance? Everyone knows she is my daughter, Gu Yunking sighed. Because of this, not a single person has ever come to our doorstep to propose marriage—not once in all these years! How I wish she were the daughter of an ordinary family, able to grow up ordinarily, marry, serve her husband, teach her children, and live out an ordinary life in peace. I am a top-ranking military official, yet I hold no prejudices about family status; even if she married into a humble household, it would suffice. My wife even sent matchmakers out... yet toward the sun guarding the skies above Yangcheng, everyone still keeps a respectful distance!

Twenty years! Twenty years! Aside from raising and educating her, I no longer even know if I have fulfilled my duty as a father! You say I am the sun guarding Yangcheng, but has a single ray of sunlight ever fallen upon my daughter to warm her? I no longer know. You say I am the Emperor's Sword, but can I even protect her, even if I manage to protect Yangcheng? Back then, I kept asking myself: what is the purpose of everything I have done, and what have I truly gained?

Xu Qing, you are right. Many years ago, my parents and I would sit together around a table, happily sharing a meal, surrounded by warmth. Though we were poor, we had hope. The days of being protected by others back then were so wonderful—stable, peaceful, and joyful. Later, I joined the army, learned to read and write, and rose through military achievements to become a general... To live in this world truly means interacting with others, breathing the same air, crossing paths, and living alongside them.

That upright and stalwart figure stood right before him.

Xu Qing couldn't help but wonder if he, too, had managed to carve out a sheltering sky for his own family.

I understand. I will return and convey this to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. They will grant your wish. Your daughter will surely understand you as well; having such a father is something to be immensely proud of! Xu Qing bowed deeply to him in a long salute. That day, when Wang Chuan broke his own rule, it was because he encountered someone possessing an unwavering conviction, a soul that moved him deeply! Lord Gu, you are just such a person. You and His Highness will surely become good friends.

...

That night brought a deep wave of emotion.

Yan Mo fell into prolonged contemplation before finally asking, Have you ever had an instance where you broke your own rules?

No, because I changed the rules outright instead! Xu Qing looked back over his shoulder. As you grow older, you will perhaps understand that true strength is not about what you can protect, but what you can let go of! A man like Gu Yunking is someone even Wang Chuan holds in high esteem.

I have always wondered, since the Fourth Prince must have tried to recruit a man like Gu Yunking countless times without success, why was it that you succeeded on your very first visit? Yan Mo asked. If I were to do something similar in the future, how should I go about it? How does one truly touch a person's heart?

Had things not reached that critical juncture, Gu Yunking would never have spoken of having his daughter become a disciple.

You are wrong again. Gu Yunking has never belonged to any faction. Even if we have become friends, he remains entirely himself—the Emperor's Sword. The Fourth Prince will never understand; if things could bend to his will, then Gu Yunking would no longer be Gu Yunking, nor would he remain the Emperor's Sword, Xu Qing said earnestly. When I went at first, I called it a visit, but I never once intended to recruit him. You must remember this: sincerity is all that matters.

Yan Mo seemed to understand, nodding earnestly.

The night sky is truly lovely tonight, Xu Qing said, gazing out the window. Perhaps, if you consider this recruitment as you call it—whether it be Gu Yunking, Minister Duan, or other heavyweights that the Fourth Prince could never win over—I have let you witness how I brought them over to our side, hehe... A man like the Fourth Prince has always been unwilling to let others compare him to Wang Chuan. Yet in the end, he had no choice but to compare, knowing full well he had to. I will simply let him know that in every single aspect, he falls short of Wang Chuan. What is he even trying to prove now? Does he want to prove that he can endure humiliation better than Wang Chuan? What a pity he can no longer utter such absurd lines as 'why don't they eat minced meat.' With all his years of building influence, if figures of the weight of Duke Yun, Qi Hao, Minister Duan, and Gu Yunking remain beyond his grasp, Wang Chuan could crush him to dust beneath his heel with a single kick, if he so desired!

How utterly boring!

What I want to know most right now is that question he asked about His Highness, Yan Mo pressed.

You will know in due time, Xu Qing said solemnly.

Didn't you say one must be sincere to others? Yan Mo's eyes widened in sudden disbelief. Why can't you tell me?

Goodness gracious, how can you think like that? Xu Qing asked in astonishment. Haven't I been good enough to you?

Uh...

Lord Xu, where have you been?

As Xu Qing and Yan Mo returned to the Crown Prince's residence, Yang Hao hurried out to meet them, looking as though he had been waiting for them all this time.

Just taking a casual stroll around the capital since I'm not familiar with it, Xu Qing said, somewhat surprised. Is something the matter?

Come inside to talk; it's not convenient to speak out here, Yang Hao said, acting as though he were welcoming them home. Have you eaten?

We have, and we are most grateful, Xu Qing said with a sigh. Go ahead and eat if you haven't yet, but don't tell your mother.

I'm not hungry, Yan Mo refused.

He, too, wanted to see what business Yang Hao had.

Yang Hao looked slightly perplexed. Why are they expressing so much gratitude over a mere meal?

He produced an invitation card. Wu Song wants to host a banquet for you.

What are they up to now? Xu Qing paused.

They claim it's to apologize for failing to recognize a person of consequence earlier, Yang Hao explained.

Xu Qing glanced at Yan Mo.

There's no such thing as a banquet held with good intentions, Yan Mo remarked.

I think you should go and meet him. He wants to probe your depth, and you can probe his in return, Yan Mo suggested.

Even chess players testing each other's strength need moments of mutual probing.

Since he had just told Gu Yunking that he wanted to find evidence against the Wu family, visiting them was all the more necessary.

What you say makes sense, Xu Qing mused thoughtfully. But I still don't want to go. Get some early sleep, and I'll have the kitchen whip up something delicious for you.

Wait! Yan Mo chased after him. Then when are you going to the Martial Guards? Even though sick leave can be extended and you needn't fear censors impeaching you for dereliction of duty—since His Majesty won't care about such things—I want to know for myself when you plan to report to the Martial Guards. I've never been able to figure out what is going on in your head.

Yan Mo, wouldn't it be better if you just tended to your own affairs instead of thinking too much? Xu Qing sighed, gazing up at the bright moon hanging on the horizon.

Actually, you and His Highness the Crown Prince are remarkably alike. Although I haven't met him yet, I've already learned many things about him. Xu Qing, both of you are the type to wait for the adversary to strike first, overpowering them with a single decisive blow when you do move, Yan Mo said. Xu Qing, what are you waiting for, then? What kind of opportunity will it take to make you strike?

You think I'm very much like Wang Chuan? Xu Qing was surprised; this was the first time he had heard someone draw such a comparison.

Perhaps he simply hadn't noticed it himself.

Yes. Perhaps you've been deliberately imitating him? Yan Mo asked.

That was the impression he gave.

As calm as a virgin maiden, yet striking with the fury of a thunderbolt.

Such an opponent was terrifying.

Once people like them made their move, it meant everything was prepared to absolute perfection, leaving no shred of an opportunity for anyone else.

So that's how it is. It turns out I've been learning from him all along, Xu Qing murmured, as if a previous doubt had suddenly been cleared up in his mind. He then turned back toward Yang Hao and asked, And what do you think?

What? Yang Hao looked blankly at him.