Chapter 349: A Lantern Butterfly

Song Yujing was an above-average operative, a "dragonfly catcher." Though only twenty-five, he had already spent twelve years embedded in Li Mibi's vast intelligence network without a single misstep. This flawless record earned him the crucial assignment of monitoring Xu Beizhi, a high-priority target on the Zhuwang's list.

Beimang's territory was vast, yet there were only a few hundred "dragonfly catchers" and "butterfly catchers." If each person required one-on-one surveillance, their resources would be stretched too thin. This underscored Xu Beizhi's significance in the eyes of Li Mibi, the Shadow Chancellor. Song Yujing had been observing this illegitimate son of the Xu family for six years, likely making him the person most intimately familiar with Xu Beizhi's daily habits. After coming of age, Xu Beizhi frequently embarked on pleasure trips. This particular journey with his young attendant, Wang Mengxi, on two horses initially seemed unremarkable to Song Yujing. However, when the startling news — that Xu Huainan, the Great King of the Northern Court, had been decapitated, his head severed from his body — reached him from Ruoshui Cottage (code-named "Six" within the Zhuwang organization), Song Yujing was utterly stunned, as if struck by lightning.

The head of Beimang's former most powerful minister remains missing to this day!

Li Mibi, his master, who had served for years alongside Xu Huainan, had personally hurried to Ruoshui's source and was now staying at the cottage. As a core figure within the Beimang dynasty's secret operations, Song Yujing was keenly aware of the significant bond between Li Mibi and the Great King of the Northern Court, whose influence had gradually waned. Theirs was a friendship of gentlemen. Thus, while the cottage had been seemingly under strict surveillance for years, it was merely Yijie Liu, Zhuwang's top assassin, who was assigned there, rather than agents skilled in uncovering clues. Yijie Liu excelled at killing, and by extension, at eliminating fellow operatives. In truth, this arrangement served to protect Xu Huainan from being undermined by the imperial family. The elite cavalry force remained under the command of Xu Huainan's former generals. It could be said that Xu Huainan had enjoyed a comfortable and carefree life after retirement. With Li Mibi's personal oversight, no unfavorable rumors about the Great King of the Northern Court ever reached the imperial palace or court. Song Yujing had always believed that no one in the world could take Xu Huainan's life except Her Imperial Majesty. Yet, Zhuwang had always been the Empress's favored "dagger in the sleeve" for eliminating dissidents. If it wasn't Zhuwang, then who could it be? Song Yujing racked his brain but couldn't comprehend it, nor did he dare to delve deeper into such a thought. Along with this momentous secret, several high-ranking "Ti Gan" operatives, three men and two women whose evaluations were on par with his own, were assigned to work with Song Yujing. He was temporarily granted a token, allowing him to mobilize all "spiderweb" forces in Baoping and Jinchan prefectures, in addition to command over 1,200 cavalry. Song Yujing felt no elation at holding such immense power; only profound apprehension.

Xu Huainan's death set off a chain reaction; the collapse of this pillar of Beimang was destined to send shockwaves through the imperial court. The Xu family had previously relied entirely on Xu Huainan, and most of his descendants were unremarkable. Only Xu Beizhi, who had kept a low profile, was the crucial figure with the potential to uphold the family. Whether to apprehend him or invite him was not specified in his master's letter, leaving Song Yujing to gauge the appropriate approach. However, Song Yujing quickly realized the mission's complexity. Besides the attendant Wang Mengxi, Xu Beizhi and a scholar with an unfamiliar face had simply vanished. Song Yujing immediately cast a wide net, dispatching the majority of his Ti Gan operatives to the southern part of Jinchan Prefecture for search and interception. If the attendant hadn't continued south instead of turning back north, Song Yujing could have saved considerable effort. He left only one "butterfly catcher" to track the attendant, who, seemingly now a pawn, traveled from Baoping Prefecture to the border region of Jinchan Prefecture, then hundreds of li horizontally, before unexpectedly heading north, pausing briefly, and only then continuing south. This entire journey spanned ten days, forming a baffling, large circle. Throughout this period, Song Yujing, wary of the attendant's strange trajectory, dared not let down his guard. He constantly formed and revised his hypotheses, changing orders multiple times. Not only he, but almost all the Ti Gan operatives were exhausted. When they occasionally met, their faces betrayed no complaints, yet Song Yujing knew these ruthless individuals were likely harboring countless unspoken grievances. Many even suggested simply killing the attendant to simplify matters. Song Yujing inwardly scoffed at such "easy talk" and did not accept the suggestion. Before the full truth came to light, Song Yujing wished to avoid antagonizing Xu Beizhi. Just as a centipede remains active even after death, the Xu family, even if it were to fall, would not do so within a year or two. Especially with Xu Huainan's sudden death, the Empress, whose relationship with Xu Huainan had always been veiled in ambiguity, no longer had that "bone in her throat." She might even grant honors and comfort to the "moths" of the Xu family.

Song Yujing could never have guessed that Xu Beizhi had been following the attendant at a distance the entire time. Their routes were largely similar, but they maintained a day's journey apart. Xu Beizhi had donned the mask of a burly, bearded man, given to him by Xu Fengnian, who had also changed his own appearance. No longer carrying his scholar's case, Xu Fengnian now had a travel bag, which the servant-like Xu Beizhi carried. Today, the two were eating in a small, tranquil tavern in Jinchan Prefecture. Xu Beizhi, initially hearing that the attendant would be used as bait, had not refused but had privately thought less of Xu Fengnian. However, as they traveled, witnessing Xu Fengnian on several occasions communicating with a "red-robed demonic creature" in the wilderness using strange gestures, Xu Beizhi completely re-evaluated this future King of Northern Liang, who dared to venture alone into Beimang.

The two sat by the tavern window, seemingly at ease, discussing the transmission of military intelligence. Xu Beizhi had recently developed a taste for alcohol, and would take a few sips whenever he had the chance, without any preference for fine wine over cheap spirits. However, every time Xu Fengnian watched him drink, he looked as uncomfortable as someone straining on a latrine, a sight that was hard to bear. After taking a drink, Xu Beizhi felt a burning sensation in his stomach and couldn't help but scoff. He then slowly began, "Guess how much silver the Cottage spent to get the news of you slaying the demon Xie Ling?" Xu Fengnian laughed, "At least a hundred taels of gold, I suppose?" Xu Beizhi shook his head. "Not a single penny was spent. A descendant of the Yelü family mentioned it in a brothel in the capital, and the news quickly made its way to the Cottage." Xu Beizhi then asked, "Now, guess how much the Cottage spent to confirm your stay in Dunhuang City for a period of time." Xu Fengnian pondered. "I'll still guess a few hundred taels of gold." Xu Beizhi chuckled. "Less than that. It was about nine hundred taels of gold." Xu Fengnian clicked his tongue, "They truly spared no expense."

Although Xu Beizhi clearly wasn't accustomed to drinking, he drank with a bold flair, emptying his cup in one gulp. He gently tapped the cup on the oily, uncleaned tabletop and looked out the window. The rough-looking man, whose coarse face was due to the mask he wore, had eyes as gentle as a woman's. Fortunately, only Xu Fengnian was facing him. This scholar, whose brilliance was yet to be recognized by the world, sighed with emotion: "Trying to find a spy skilled in disguise is like searching for a needle in a haystack. My grandfather and I stayed up all night with lamps several times to deduce your travel route. During that time, he was very energetic and joked that this kind of hide-and-seek was like the glutinous rice dumplings he used to eat in the south when he was young—quite chewy. You might not know, but Zhuwang, which was modeled after Liyang's Zhao Gou, was not actually created by Li Mibi alone. My grandfather helped build the main framework. For Li Mibi to become the Empress's top confidant, hailed as the Shadow Chancellor and the ninth Bearer of the Imperial Scepter, my grandfather deserves half the credit. Both of them were scholars from the Central Plains' Spring and Autumn period who felt their talents were unappreciated."

At this point, Xu Beizhi paused briefly and looked at Xu Fengnian. "When it comes to nurturing scholars, Empress Murong is undoubtedly the best in the world. The Zhao family emperor isn't bad either, King of Northern Liang." Xu Fengnian interrupted with a laugh, "Him? He's a roughneck. Besides, the Spring and Autumn War was originally a contest between martial cavalry and scholarly literati. After the aristocratic clans were overthrown, scholars were left homeless, without any tree to rely on. Naturally, they resented Xu Xiao, let alone pledging allegiance to that butcher." Xu Beizhi shook his head. "Nurturing scholars also comes in two types: nurturing aristocratic scholars and nurturing impoverished scholars. It's important to know that the term 'scholar' initially only referred to wandering scholars, such as the strategists who left their names in history through their diplomatic maneuvers and the persuaders among the Hundred Schools of Thought. Later, scholars gathered to form aristocratic clans and only then began to live in luxury. Now that the grand mansion has collapsed, most must strive for their livelihood. Moreover, the rise of the impoverished scholar class in the imperial court is an inevitable trend. There are many things the King of Northern Liang finds difficult to do, but you can. The scholars of the world were originally like the millions of carp in your family's Listening Tide Pavilion. Now, it's as if Listening Tide Pavilion connects to rivers, where cultured carp mix with wild carp. If you can select a few from among them, you can achieve great things. Since ancient times, strategists seeking refuge with enlightened rulers invariably wish to ride the dragon's momentum and ascend rapidly." Xu Fengnian laughed, "If you were to tell Xu Xiao these grand principles, he'd fall asleep right in front of you." Xu Beizhi merely smiled in response.

At Ruoshui Cottage, a gaunt old man dressed in luxurious Shu brocade, having rushed overnight from the capital region, sat by the water's edge. Beside him lay the decapitated Xu Huainan. The old man personally examined the wounds and the area around the cottage, then waved his subordinates away, leaving only a young maidservant carrying a wickless lantern. He seemed to desire no one else to disturb him and his deceased old friend. In the darkness of the night, the old man stretched out an arm as dry as old bamboo, his fingers stroking his frost-white temples, and murmured to himself: "When we were young, we came together to this chaotic Beimang. You said you wanted to become a legendary minister who could walk into the court with a sword and not bow, and you laughed at my small ambition, saying I wasn't meant for great things, that I should just follow you and play my tricks, and still get a good death. Look now, how things have turned out. I can still move freely in my finery, and even the eight Bearers of the Imperial Scepter and twelve Great Generals, when they see me, only dare to curse me behind my back, wishing me to die without heirs. And you? You don't even have a single descendant brave enough to mourn you and wear sackcloth."

"You valued Xu Beizhi, imparting all your knowledge to him. Out of our old friendship, I've been hesitating whether to kill him decisively, old Xu. Why don't you send me a dream? Then I'll let him go."

"I thought I could risk half my life to ensure you died after her. But you, you just picked up and left, and in such a dejected manner. For what? To repay a debt? To whom? When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. I won't probe further, lest you curse me from below. This way, I'm actually relieved. Don't worry, even without considering Xu Beizhi, out of the two hundred-odd lives of the Xu family, I will surely spare one or two for you."

The old man, who had been muttering to himself, sighed, remained silent for a long time, then raised his arm. The blind, deaf, and mute maidservant carrying the lantern immediately bowed, placing the unlit lantern before the powerful old man, then offered him a small, exquisite pair of scissors. Inside the lantern were dozens of butterflies. The old man picked one out, his hands trembling slightly like an old woman embroidering under a lamp, and cut the butterfly in half down the middle. "After your death, among the butterflies in this cage, the Grand Councilor is the largest."