Chapter 376: Sitting with Cao Changqing to Discuss the Country

Xu Beizhi once said at Tingma Temple, "Common people fear the consequence, but Bodhisattvas fear the cause." Xu Fengnian also spoke to Grand Preceptor Yang about a decline in mental state, comparing it to a grass seed vigorously growing in a mountain crevice, or a round mirror developing a hairline crack that progressively worsens, making it exceedingly difficult to restore the mirror to its original state. The words of both men named Xu proved prophetic.

Xu Fengnian averted his gaze, no longer looking at the Six-Bead Master, who had grown three thousand strands of black hair. The warhorses of these eight hundred White Horse Warriors were meticulously selected and stripped of any Northern Liang military insignia before the charge. Now, they could advance without apprehension, fearing no obvious incriminating evidence. Even if a powerful figure were to trace them, Xu Fengnian could claim that the Western Regions’ monk soldiers had framed them. The crucial factor determining the outcome of such disputes was not morality or truth, but the military power backing the players in the game. Xu Fengnian took the silver vase, which had been retrieved from a brocade box in the carriage, from Qingniao’s hand, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Yuan Zuozong rode his horse, spear in hand, half a horse-length behind Xu Fengnian, his expression solemn. By all accounts, the Prince who had single-handedly slain the old monk Grand Preceptor Yang should have been lethargic or even unconscious, which would have been expected. Yet, Xu Fengnian was galloping furiously, full of vigor and showing no signs of fatigue; instead, his formidable aura had reached its peak. Especially the Spring and Autumn Sword, forged with the spirit of the Spring and Autumn period as its core, its sword energy soared to the heavens. Even unsheathed, it faintly emitted various dragon roars, like nine fierce dragons stirring up rivers and seas. Yuan Zuozong sighed inwardly, thinking, "This ambush was a truly devastating victory." Moreover, many undercurrents still lay hidden beneath the surface. With Grand Preceptor Yang dead and Prince Zhao Kai having committed suicide, any goodwill between Northern Liang and the imperial court was completely depleted.

Yuan Zuozong smiled, looking at Xu Fengnian’s retreating back. "Next time, if there’s another war, will it be me leading this old guard of Northern Liang to fight across the land?"

The vast expanse of yellow sand was, in itself, a monotonous sight when viewed for too long. Yet, in everyone’s eyes, it was an exceptionally desolate, shocking landscape—a true upheaval. For thirty *li* in every direction, countless gullies of various sizes were torn into the earth. Earlier, thunder had rumbled without clouds, only gradually subsiding now. Fortunately, the Prince’s previous display of power, using his Thunder Pond Sword Array to slay the old monk, had prepared them. Thus, the White Horse Warriors were not particularly shocked; they simply gripped their spears and Northern Liang sabers tighter. With Xu Fengnian, Yuan Zuozong, Xu Longxiang, the six-armed Yin creature, and Qingniao, this cavalry unit, whose combat power could only be described as almost invincible, wound its way along the gullies. They finally arrived at the edge of a bottomless chasm, twenty *zhang* wide. Standing there was a middle-aged scholar in a green robe, hands clasped behind his back, his temples streaked with white, exuding an air of scholarly elegance.

It was Cao Changqing.

The Confucian Saint of the fallen kingdom, who had become a Land Immortal at West Leibei, laughed loudly, "They’re all gone."

Xu Fengnian raised an arm. Except for the Yin creature with its newly grown pair of arms and the Dan infant, the rest of the group, led by Yuan Zuozong, detoured around the chasm. Xu Fengnian tossed the silver bottle, which should have been priceless but was now only worth its weight, to the Yin creature. He then leaped across the chasm, while the Yin creature, holding the silver bottle in one hand, used two arms to support its horse as it leaped over. Anyway, it simply had many hands. They say two fists can't contend with four hands, so facing someone with six arms, no one would likely feel confident. Even Cao Changqing, who had read ten thousand books and traveled ten thousand *li*, couldn't help but glance at it a few extra times. The Grand Official Cao Qingyi, seeing Xu Fengnian’s peripheral vision shift, smiled faintly and said, "Your second sister, Xu Weixiong, was severely wounded and sent to the Northern Liang Prince's Manor by the princess’s sword. As for Chen Zhibao, whom I’m not sure how to address, he has gone alone to Western Shu. I believe it won’t be long before everyone in Liyang knows there’s a second king of a different surname, though his title is lower than that of the original six great vassal princes; he is merely a King of Shu."

Xu Fengnian nodded.

Cao Changqing sighed, stepped forward, and flicked a finger against Xu Fengnian’s brow. "Your pseudo-Profound Finger Realm, your self-realized severing of longevity, can sever others’ longevity, but in doing so, you are also severing your own. This reckless surge of vitality, do you truly wish to die before Xu Weixiong?"

Xu Fengnian’s forcibly maintained aura, after a flick of a finger, instantly dissipated like a torrent. His handsome face twisted into a grotesque grimace. Cao Changqing smiled at the Yin creature and said, "Please press on his heart pulse. Don’t let go until you reach the Northern Liang Prince's Manor. I’ll transmit a mantra to you shortly; help him guide his qi slowly down Kunlun. Do not release your grip, remember that."

Upon hearing this, the dual-form Yin creature gently extended an arm and pressed on Xu Fengnian’s heart pulse.

Xu Fengnian said weakly, "My sister?"

Cao Changqing calmly replied, "Chen Zhibao pierced her chest, and Plum Wine turned her complexion from green to purple. Her life hangs by a thread. Whether she survives depends on the strength of her innate will to live."

Xu Fengnian spat out a mouthful of purplish-black clotted blood and fell backward, fortunately caught by the Yin creature's embracing arms.

Cao Changqing, far from being surprised, smiled with delight. "It's good that you spat it out. Don’t worry, as long as you don’t die, Xu Weixiong most likely won’t either. They say that in this world, all things that feel injustice will cry out; scholars like me, when feeling injustice, ascend to compose poetry and prose. Ultimately, the path to longevity still emphasizes that one must not harbor excessive malevolence in their heart. You, you’ve endured hardship and forbearance for too many years. Do you know why Elder Li Chungang always said your talent was inferior to the princess’s? The princess is naturally more perceptive than you; of course, this also has to do with her being a woman."

Xu Fengnian’s vision blurred. He vaguely saw Cao Qingyi’s green robe torn and bloodied. Enduring the bone-deep pain, he gritted his teeth and asked, "Is Chen Zhibao’s appointment as King of Shu a last-minute contingency move by the Zhao emperor? Meaning, as long as I dared to ambush Zhao Kai, he would agree to make Chen Zhibao a king in Western Shu? Or had there been a prior commitment and agreement with Chen Zhibao?"

Cao Changqing again tapped his finger, continuing the longevity technique, and Xu Fengnian’s qi slowly descended to Kunlun. Blood immediately gushed from the soles of Xu Fengnian’s feet, seeping into the yellow sand. Cao Changqing slowly said, "Zhao Kai was a pawn, but not initially a discarded piece intended to lure you into a trap. That emperor doesn’t possess such desperate resolve; perhaps Zhao Kai’s grandfather would. He, well, he’s a bit inferior, a ruler who maintains the status quo, as most are; otherwise, he wouldn’t be on the throne. Zhao Kai was a live piece attempting to slay the dragon later, but he was not irreplaceable; it depended on how you in Northern Liang responded. Without this ambush, if Zhao Kai had ten years to establish a foothold in Western Shu and the Western Regions, cutting off Northern Liang’s retreat, and gaining capital, he might truly have ascended the throne. However, if Zhao Kai were to be cornered and killed by someone, especially by you, in the Western Regions, the capital would also need a backup plan, because Chen Zhibao also had to leave. As long as you were able to stand, there was no reason for him to stay in Northern Liang. Chen Zhibao is like your father; deep down, they still cherish their mutual bond. Back then, when the old emperor pressured Xu Xiao so much, the Grand General still didn’t rebel, and that’s the principle. As long as one party doesn’t die of old age, they will never cross that bottom line: rebellion. Such matters are not about right or wrong; a person lives by a single breath. Without that breath that permeates one’s entire life, one cannot hope for great achievements. I, Cao Changqing, am naturally no exception. Xu Fengnian, if you don’t mind lacking the demeanor of a master, shall we sit and talk?"

Xu Fengnian nodded with a smile, though his smile was uglier than a grimace.

The Yin creature helped him slowly sit cross-legged, and Cao Changqing also sat down at ease.

Cao Changqing asked with a smile, "It’s not just this ambush of yours; the grand chessboard of Liyang and Northern Liang is also a chain of interconnected moves. In this game, being within it, you can see seventy to eighty percent, which is already quite remarkable. If I had told you early on that Huang Longshi, whose three-inch tongue killed three million, and the figure renowned as the foremost strategist of the Spring and Autumn period were involved, would you still have rushed headlong into Iron Gate Pass?"

Xu Fengnian nodded without hesitation.

Cao Changqing was not surprised. Looking at the chasm beside them, which had been carved by Plum Wine, he sighed softly, "To be honest, Chen Zhibao almost made me lose most of my cultivation here. If he and I had fought a death match without any reservations, I would have lived and he would have died, but all my cultivation would have been crippled. At that point, I truly would have been a useless scholar, unable to even tie a chicken."

Due to his severe injuries, Xu Fengnian’s words were indistinct, "Even if he entered the Land Immortal realm, I wouldn't be surprised."

Cao Changqing let out a surprised "Oh," then asked with a curious smile, "You think so highly of Chen Zhibao?"

Xu Fengnian rested his hands on his knees and said calmly, "Chen Zhibao regards me as trash, but I have always regarded Chen Zhibao as invincible in both civil and military arts."

Cao Changqing shook his head and said, "Chen Zhibao values you more than anyone. Before he left, he said that one day, sooner or later, he would have a proper fight with you. Chen Zhibao also said that he had kept that sentence bottled up for twenty years."

Xu Fengnian said bitterly, "Should I be happy about that?"

Cao Changqing was pleased that the young man was flustered. He laughed heartily, then composed himself. "The two dynasties’ suppression of Buddhism led to the Nirvana of Monk Longshu. With the departure of this Buddhist saint, Chen Zhibao gained an advantage; otherwise, he wouldn’t have achieved sainthood so quickly."

Xu Fengnian laughed genuinely, "Xu Xiao doesn’t often preach grand principles, but there’s one saying I remember very clearly: 'You must endure your own hardships and enjoy your own blessings, but you must also be able to see others prosper.' So I’ve always believed that with so many good and convenient things in the world, you can’t monopolize them all; that’s unrealistic. It's like there are so many beautiful women, but you can only marry a few, right, Uncle Cao?"

Cao Changqing’s eyes showed amusement, but he lightly flicked a finger. "Don’t call me ‘Uncle Cao’; our relationship isn’t that close."

Xu Fengnian nodded, "Indeed, otherwise you wouldn’t have let Chen Zhibao go to Western Shu. After all, considering our tenuous connection, for you to block Chen Zhibao from reaching Iron Gate Pass was already exceedingly generous. Chen Zhibao’s departure to Western Shu is a devious plot by the capital, sacrificing eight hundred to kill a thousand, planting a root of disaster for Northern Liang, and Liyang won’t fare much better. Since you want to restore Western Chu, whose destiny still remains, it’s ultimately a great thing."

Cao Changqing smiled nonchalantly, not denying it. "I don’t wish for him to control Northern Liang, but I do wish for Chen Zhibao to become king in Western Shu, because for Western Chu to be restored, it must snatch chestnuts from the fire and profit from chaos. The more chaotic the chess game, the better. Northern Liang, with just you, is far from enough."

Xu Fengnian clicked his tongue, "I fear you scholars."

Cao Changqing hesitated, then said, "Xu Fengnian, there’s something I still need to remind you: In your position, you must act accordingly. Being the King of Northern Liang and being the Prince of Northern Liang are completely different positions. Before this, you often took unusual paths, winning by surprise and daring moves every time, but from now on, you must use both orthodox and unorthodox strategies. Just like this ambush, which affects the entire situation, many things—not only the Zhao emperor, but also the old foxes and cunning figures like Zhang Julu and Gu Jiantang of the Liyang Dynasty—are well aware of them. It’s just that Xu Xiao, under Li Yishan’s guidance, has taken a more overt, unimpeachable path in recent years, which is why Northern Liang has its foundation today. You must not disappoint the expectations of the older generation of Northern Liang people. Zhao Kai’s loss this time was not due to luck but because he tried to gamble small for large gains, seeking immense wealth in risky ventures. But he forgot one thing: he is a prince, a contender for the throne. Yet, in times of peace, imperial descendants who gradually approach the throne usually emphasize a strategy of ‘hidden dragon in the abyss’—concealing their true strength. In the capital, the First Prince displays great power, and the Fourth Prince maintains great hidden power; you must be wary of both."

Xu Fengnian bowed slightly in deference, "I sincerely take your lesson to heart."

Cao Changqing lightly swept his sleeve and folded it onto his knees. "To be honest, I didn’t like you before. You were passionate yet fickle. But now, having witnessed certain events firsthand, I’ve grown to appreciate you somewhat. Last time, when I went to Gusai Dragon’s Waist in Northern Mang’s Southern Dynasty, I passed through Northern Liang and had a secret discussion and agreement with the Grand General. My actions this time, blocking Chen Zhibao as agreed, can be considered repaying an old debt Western Chu owed to your Xu family. From now on, it’s best for us to owe each other nothing. When it’s time to kill you, I will likewise act without hesitation."

Xu Fengnian laughed, "Aren’t you afraid your princess will scold you?"

Cao Changqing paused, then flicked a finger at Xu Fengnian’s brow, making the latter gasp sharply.

The Yin creature, whose countenance showed delight, actually smiled knowingly.

Xu Fengnian murmured to himself, "Winter is coming soon. She’s going to get chilblains again."

Cao Changqing was momentarily speechless, then smiled, "That’s right, she’ll be making straw effigies to curse you again."

Xu Fengnian was helped up by the Yin creature. "I’m rushing back to see my sister. Your Highness the Princess certainly won’t want to see me. Uncle Cao, shall we part ways, or walk together for a bit?"

Cao Changqing stood up and brushed off the dust. "Each to his own. Don’t try to get familiar with me, young man."

Xu Fengnian was floated onto his horse by the Yin creature, then cupped his fist and bade farewell to the Confucian Saint Cao Qingyi.

The rider galloped away, leaving a trail of dust.

Cao Changqing remained standing there.

This time, Xu Xiao appeared at the border in his general’s armor, rather than the Northern Liang King’s dragon robe.

Therefore, at this moment, Cao Changqing watched the young King of Northern Liang depart.