Chapter 878: Western Chu Overlord (5)

Gu Jiantang’s words were no less impactful than his Fangcun Lei technique. However, Xu Fengnian, upon hearing them, didn't react with shock. Instead, he unhesitatingly waved to a waiter in the distance, ordering another bowl of dumplings, then asked with a smile, "A big bowl only has about twenty dumplings. The entire Liyang territory is merely thirty states. Does one dumpling really represent the value of one state? Grand General Gu, don't you think this deal is a huge loss?"

Gu Jiantang merely smiled, offering no reply, as if he were just a hungry traveler patiently waiting for his bowl of thin-skinned, well-filled dumplings.

Xu Fengnian had previously devoured his food quickly, while Jiang Ni naturally ate slowly, taking small bites. Xu Fengnian was the first to put down his chopsticks, letting out a contented sigh, his mouth full of the taste of Napa cabbage. Gu Jiantang’s expression was calm as an ancient well as he met the young prince's gaze directly. Though separated by a generation in age, ultimately, they were separated by an "era." Among the Four Great Generals of the Spring and Autumn period from the older generation, Ye Baikui of Great Chu employed the most righteous military tactics, fighting over seventy battles in his lifetime without a single defeat. Unfortunately, he lost everything by losing just one battle at Western Leibi.

Wang Sui, the Prince Consort of Eastern Yue, possessed the most spirited strategic flair of the Spring and Autumn era. He could always turn decay into wonder, excelling at unconventional warfare, often achieving unexpected victories in battles he wasn't expected to win, but also surprisingly losing battles he shouldn't have. His defeats often left opponents bewildered. Thus, despite his immense talent, his achievements were the lowest. Xu Xiao's personal strategies were the weakest, but his strength lay in his unwavering perseverance and resilience. He fought repeatedly despite setbacks; no matter how badly he was defeated, he always rose from the ashes. Even when his men died, their spirit endured, which kept the Xu family army's morale united, allowing them to ultimately prevail. Gu Jiantang's tactical brilliance might not have surpassed Ye Baikui's or Wang Sui's, but his advantage lay in his flawless military command; he had no weaknesses. Consequently, while achieving glorious victories on the battlefield throughout his life, his defeats were always minor, never major. Compared to Xu Xiao, who started with 800 veteran soldiers from Liaodong very early on, Gu Jiantang entered the Spring and Autumn period slightly later. Being late by one step meant being late every step, ultimately leading to achievements across only two states, whereas Xu Xiao secured achievements across six. Most military strategists, historians, and political thinkers in the Liyang court did not believe Gu Jiantang's generalship was inferior to Xu Xiao's. Rather, they attributed his lesser achievements to "Xu being early and Gu being late, Gu missing his opportune time."

Gu Jiantang's life story is thought-provoking. After remaining in the capital as Minister of War, he single-handedly dispersed his former subordinates across Liyang, with figures like Cai Nan, Dong Gong, and Huang serving as powerful regional officials. Although Gu's Faction in Tai'an City had once contended with Zhang Julu's Faction in a twin-peaks standoff, it was always the "Blue-Eyed Boy" (Zhang Julu) who was said to wield immense power over the court, never Gu Jiantang. As a martial arts grandmaster and one of the Ten Martial Experts in history, Gu Jiantang never cared about his ranking. He never traveled to Martial Emperor City to challenge Wang Xianzhi. As the undisputed foremost blade-user in the world, he would never frown upon sword-wielding martial arts grandmasters. For over ten years, apart from the first year of Xiangfu when Cao Changqing and Jiang Si jointly stormed Tai'an City, where Gu Jiantang, acting as a Liyang military official, used Fangcun Lei to stop them, there had been no further reports of Gu Jiantang initiating a fight with anyone. For twenty years, Gu Jiantang remained unshakeable in the Liyang court. No one—not the former emperor Zhao Dun, nor the new emperor Zhao Zhuan, nor the entire court—ever questioned the loyalty of this distinguished general. In the eyes of Liyang, this old Minister of War was not only the ideal candidate to counter the Northern Liang iron cavalry but also Liyang's greatest pillar of stability. The silent Gu Jiantang was like a family heirloom in a commoner's home; as long as it wasn't brought out for display, it meant the family's foundation and confidence remained. Thus, even when the Guangling Dao war last year was utterly disastrous, Gu Jiantang, responsible for the Liaodong border defenses, never led his troops south, and the people of Liyang never believed the Western Chu rebels could succeed.

But today, at this critical juncture when Western Chu was destined to collapse, it was this very man, the Liyang Dynasty's sole Pillar of the State, who declared that a young man not bearing the Zhao surname should become emperor.

Xu Fengnian watched Gu Jiantang, who sat across from him, pick up his chopsticks and gently poke the greasy tabletop, then pick up a dumpling and begin to chew it slowly. Xu Fengnian's expression remained as usual—a composure honed by countless life-or-death battles—but it did not prevent the tumultuous waves within him.

Gu Jiantang ate seven or eight dumplings in one go, then paused slightly. He looked up at the young prince, whom he had only met once, and glanced at the young woman with a sensitive identity beside him, calmly saying, "Don't believe it? At this point, does someone like me, Gu, still need to deceive anyone with words?"

After three journeys through the martial world, a major war with Northern Mang, and two trips to the capital, Xu Fengnian was no longer a hot-headed, impetuous youth. He chuckled, "Are you saying your trip south wasn't to find Cao Changqing, but rather that you accurately predicted I would stop you?"

Gu Jiantang picked up a dumpling, gently shook his chopsticks to remove some chopped green onions, and without rushing to put it in his mouth, shook his head and said, "If you hadn't come, I would have gone straight to Tai'an City to kill Cao Changqing. Before, facing the Confucian Sage Cao Changqing, I would have at most a forty percent chance of victory, and naturally, I couldn't have killed the now domineering Cao Changqing. No one can stop Cao Changqing at this moment. But if he insists on using human effort to fight against heavenly timing and deplete the Liyang Zhao imperial family's fate, then I will have an opportune moment. Since you came, that's even better. I believe you already know why I harbor a killing intent towards Cao Changqing. Originally, he promised me that once Western Chu succeeded and the Jiang clan became the co-ruler of the Central Plains, all military achievements against Northern Mang would be mine. This invitation, I do not refuse."

Xu Fengnian frowned, "Wouldn't it be the same if Western Chu failed? You, Gu Jiantang, wouldn't even have to bear temporary infamy."

Gu Jiantang sneered, "What have I done these past twenty years? Wasn't it reluctantly letting bandits grow to increase my own importance? With Xu Xiao in the Northwest and Zhang Julu in the court, only then did I, Gu Jiantang, have stability. As for the decentralized princely states, besides you powerful princes who are too big to control, don't forget the character 'zhen,' which means garrison. In the Guangling war, how many generals died who wouldn't have otherwise? How much military power was curtailed? All cavalry, including Yan Zhenchun's, were annihilated. Yang Shenxing's Jizhou infantry were decimated. Prince Zhao Yi of Guangling's navy and infantry were completely shattered, and Prince Zhao Ying of Huainan was even killed in battle. No matter how high an official a civil minister is or how great his power, the emperor can find an excuse and have him killed. But border generals? Can they be killed just like that? It's more like they can rebel just like that. They have the capital to raise troops and cause chaos, and no worries like civil officials about being criticized in historical records. If I, Gu Jiantang, were emperor, for the long-term stability of the dynasty, I would likewise emphasize civil administration and suppress military power."

Gu Jiantang ate his dumplings, speaking slowly. "Do you think the late Emperor Zhao Dun didn't make moves against me before his death? Not to mention my old subordinates like Tang Tieshuang and Tian Zong entering the capital as officials, just consider Lu Shengxiang and Xu Gong. They were clearly candidates meant to replace me. Xu Gong inspected the borders on behalf of the emperor, and Lu Shengxiang built his resume through the Guangling war. They were used but not given full authority. Why? Simply to prevent them from achieving too much merit too soon. Their true use was meant for future wars against Northern Mang. They needed to mature their wings, and after all, they still had a long way to go. To put it bluntly, even after fifteen or twenty years of military career, at best they would become another Gu Jiantang. By then, Liyang's grand strategy would be solidified, and it would be much easier to have them retire than to make me, Gu Jiantang, pack up and leave. 'Shake the great, destroy the strong, and plan slowly'—Zhang Julu and Yuan Benxi's strategy for the late emperor was not bad. But as the target, how could I, Gu Jiantang, simply sit by and wait for death? Do I need to elaborate on how the Zhao family treats meritorious officials?"

Gu Jiantang picked up another dumpling, couldn't help but glance at the Great Chu Empress, who carried a sword box on her back, and smiled playfully, "Xu Fengnian, do you know what reason Cao Changqing and she used to persuade me when they found me then?"

Xu Fengnian suddenly turned furious, gnashing his teeth, "Damn it! Did Cao Changqing promise one of your sons would become... 'Empress'?! If that's true, I won't stop you; I'll help you, Gu Jiantang! I'll beat Cao Changqing until he's completely undominating!"

Under the table, Xu Fengnian's foot was severely stomped on, then repeatedly ground. Perhaps thinking one foot wasn't enough, someone, shorter by a few inches, placed both feet on Xu Fengnian's foot.

Gu Jiantang chuckled, speechless. "Cao Changqing wouldn't be that... 'boring.' Cao Changqing only said that he could let me flatten Northern Mang, and that he dared to let me, Gu Jiantang, single-handedly accomplish a feat that even Xu Xiao couldn't. The reason is simple: as long as Cao Changqing is alive, no matter how great my military achievements, I cannot rebel, because Cao Changqing is capable of dying with me. Even if Cao Changqing dies before me, by then, a Great Chu that has unified the Central Plains and annexed Northern Mang will still have someone who can kill me, Gu Jiantang, alone, should I dare to harbor malicious intentions. And that person will definitely live longer than me. Therefore, no matter how powerful the Gu family becomes, it is destined to live peacefully for fifty years. As for the specific situation after fifty years, the Jiang and Gu families will simply conform to fate. Given this, I have no worries about the future, and I'm not at all afraid of my achievements overshadowing the ruler. I know perfectly well how the Jiang clan of Great Chu treated Ye Baikui and how the Zhao imperial family of Liyang treated Xu Xiao."

Xu Fengnian rubbed his chin, squinting with a smile, "Now that sounds more like it."

Watching the smug fellow, Jiang Ni, who hadn't finished her dumplings, slammed her chopsticks down on her white bowl.

Far from feeling guilty, Xu Fengnian glared. "A bowl of dumplings costs a full five *wen*! There are still six dumplings in the bowl; don't you feel bad about wasting one *wen*? Anyway, I didn't bring any silver; you're paying later!"

Jiang Ni was first stunned, then let out a cold snort, but in the end, she silently picked up her chopsticks.

Even Gu Jiantang, whose will was as firm as iron, couldn't help but feel a little amused and exasperated.

Gu Jiantang shook his head slightly, smiling. "Similarly, with you, Xu Fengnian, as emperor—given Xu Xiao's kindness to his former subordinates in the past, and your own personal combat experience—I, Gu Jiantang, have no fear for both my life and my legacy."

Xu Fengnian sighed, murmuring, "Becoming emperor, huh?"

Gu Jiantang picked up the last dumpling from his bowl and smiled, "Xu Fengnian, I'm very curious if Xu Xiao ever thought about rebelling in his life, or rather, if he ever thought about having you sit on the dragon throne?"

Xu Fengnian didn't answer the question, instead asking, "Do you know how Cao Changqing persuaded Wang Sui? And do you know what Wang Sui thinks now?"

Gu Jiantang hesitated. "The former is simple: Wang Sui has never been able to let go of the Eastern Yue royal family, who became Liyang's pawns. Cao Changqing must have promised him that descendants of the Eastern Yue royal family would be able to enter officialdom or even become marquises and prime ministers. As for the latter, it's hard to say. Perhaps in a fit of rage, Wang Sui might actually help Northern Mang invade the Central Plains. Or perhaps he's completely disheartened and will simply hold his ground, fighting a decisive battle against you and me on the battlefield purely as a military general. After all, he and I are mortal enemies, and he harbors considerable resentment over the Xu family's destruction of the Spring and Autumn era."

Xu Fengnian sighed with emotion, "Everyone from the Spring and Autumn era can't let go of the Spring and Autumn era."

Gu Jiantang finished his dumplings, put down his chopsticks, and looked at Xu Fengnian.

Xu Fengnian collected himself. "If nothing unexpected happens, Northern Mang will launch a major invasion south this autumn. I will try my best to persuade Wang Sui, even if he doesn't cooperate with us, not to be a troublemaker."

Gu Jiantang nodded, his voice deep. "That would be best. Prince Zhao Sui of Jiaodong has already promised me that he will remain neutral regardless of how the situation changes. As long as you can persuade Wang Sui to hold his troops, once the Liang-Mang War reaches a stalemate, I, Gu Jiantang, will personally lead the elite forces of Liaodong north into the heart of the great desert, severing the connection between Northern Mang's Southern Court and its Northern Court in one swift blow! At that time, with Northern Liang and the Southern Court as our strategic depth, we will have a combined force of five hundred thousand troops, including two hundred thousand iron cavalry, with no worries about troop supply, free to advance or retreat. Even if we are caught between Northern Mang and Liyang, what is there to fear?!"

Xu Fengnian was silent for a moment, then suddenly slapped the table.

Jiang Ni jumped in surprise, and Gu Jiantang's eyelids twitched.

They only heard Xu Fengnian loudly call out, "Waiter, three more bowls of dumplings!"

Jiang Ni took a deep breath, her face dark, and grumbled reluctantly, "Two bowls are enough."

But the next sentence from the spendthrift, who felt no pain spending other people's money, quickly brought her relief. Xu Fengnian said to Gu Jiantang, "Put it on my tab, put it on my tab. Today, I'll trouble Lord Gu to cover the cost. My wife and I are quite short on cash, so much so we wish we could split a single copper coin in half to use it..."

Gu Jiantang smiled, but without warmth. "Oh? Then one bowl will be enough. Like Miss Jiang, I'm not hungry."

Jiang Ni blushed and softly said, "How about two bowls instead? I'll have another bowl too."

The waiter stood by impatiently. "Patrons, how many bowls is it? Three big bowls are only fifteen *wen*; what's the big deal?!"

Liyang's Pillar of the State, Gu Jiantang, said one bowl.Great Chu's Empress, Jiang Si, said two bowls.Northern Liang's King, Xu Fengnian, said three bowls.

The waiter stared blankly at the three of them, then exasperatedly said, "Alright, alright, you three don't need to haggle. Today, I'll pay for you to eat three bowls of dumplings for free!"

Three steaming, fragrant bowls of dumplings were brought to the table. Gu Jiantang finished first. After standing up and bidding farewell to Xu Fengnian, he led his horse to the stall owner, left the Liaodong warhorse—worth several hundred taels of silver—and returned north alone.

The stall owner and the waiter looked at each other, then both burst into uncontrollable laughter.

After Xu Fengnian finished his dumplings, he quietly waited for Jiang Ni to finish. When he saw Jiang Ni resting her chopsticks on the rim of her bowl, he smiled and helped her take them off, placing them neatly on the table beside the white bowl. "One of the few rules of the old Xu family: don't leave your chopsticks on the bowl after eating."

She blushed, blinked, and quietly asked, "Are you really going to become... that?"

Xu Fengnian said softly, "What Gu Jiantang said is believable, but not entirely so. For a person to endure from Hongjia to Yonghui and then to Xiangfu—that's truly terrifying."

Jiang Ni nodded. "I don't like this person. Go Master Uncle said your father was a 'tiger emerging from the forest,' Ye Baikui was a 'riverbank dragon,' Wang Sui was a 'ravine python,' and Gu Jiantang was a 'cave snake.' The first three were heroes who disregarded their personal life, death, honor, or disgrace. Only Gu Jiantang's mind is the most gloomy and unpredictable."

Xu Fengnian hummed in affirmation. "I will be careful."

Jiang Ni, being big-hearted, heard about Gu Jiantang and becoming emperor and simply let it go. She suddenly grew sad, pitifully asking, "Can't you save Go Master Uncle? If Northern Liang had Go Master Uncle to offer strategies, you wouldn't have to work so hard."

Xu Fengnian said helplessly, "It's not that I don't want to save him, but I can't, and I shouldn't."

After a long silence, Jiang Ni suddenly said cautiously, "Go Master Uncle schemed against you. Don't be angry."

Xu Fengnian shook his head and smiled. "Whether I'm angry or not isn't important. I only know that the Hegemon of Western Chu is very angry at this world, and so he's venting his anger on Tai'an City."

The little mud doll lowered her head, began wiping away tears, and sobbed, "I don't want Go Master Uncle to die."

Xu Fengnian didn't know how to comfort her, only quietly saying, "The Spring and Autumn era has truly ended."

In Tai'an City, waves of arrow rain poured relentlessly towards the figure in green robes. But outside the city, the "falling pieces" were becoming faster and faster. Almost as soon as one pillar of light struck Tai'an City from above, a second dazzling pillar of light, descending from the clear sky, followed immediately. Every time a piece fell and a pillar of light appeared, all arrows shattered in mid-air, utterly unable to approach.

The eaves of the palace halls in Tai'an City crumbled, and the bell and drum towers of temples and Daoist monasteries were noticeably shorter. The sparrows, orioles, and doves throughout the city also seemed to feel the oppressive weight of the descending sky, flying lower and lower, now below the high platforms and pavilions, forced to anxiously circle under the eaves. As the spring waters gradually thawed and warmed, the leisurely swimming fish in rivers, lakes, and ponds began to leap out of the water, echoing the birds flying in the sky.

Chai Qingshan on the city wall had already unleashed a sword strike. The long sword "Wild Fox" on his back truly displayed the aura of an Earth Immortal's single sword strike, tearing through the air with brilliant light. The sword energy was majestic, the sword intent vast, so much that between the city wall and the green-robed Go player, a gigantic, arc-shaped white rainbow stretched across. The white rainbow originated from the city wall and descended upon the head of Cao Changqing in green robes. The result was that the white rainbow, as if colliding with an insurmountable invisible thunder pool, sparked a large cluster of fiery electrical flashes, the sound piercing eardrums.

The Sect Master of Eastern Yue's Sword Pool, with hair bristling, raised his arm high, guiding the energy. The "Wild Fox" sword rapidly spun around the seated Cao Changqing, but despite its immense power and momentum, the flying sword merely thrashed about like a headless fly, unable to approach within three *zhang*. When the flying sword broke under the strain, Chai Qingshan swallowed the blood that welled up in his throat, took a step forward, joined two fingers, and pointed them ahead, softly uttering "Borrow sword." Immediately, the long sword on the young girl Shan Er'yi's back leaped from its sheath, traveling afar like a young dragon emerging from water, and a pillar of blue *qi* as thick as a well's mouth shot straight out.

Today's Liyang martial world, though not yet entirely devoid of life, keen observers could discern a scene of decline from prosperity. It was rumored that Huang Sanjia had acted perversely, pouring the remnants of the fate of the eight Spring and Autumn states into the pond of the martial world. Thus, for twenty years or so, the water had filled to overflowing, and Liyang's martial arts community, though seemingly lush and vibrant, had actually seen its towering, once-unique figures fall one after another, with few remaining. It was a fleeting grandeur, like an oil-fueled fire that burns brightly but not for long.

In this foremost city of the world, Gu Jiantang and Xie Guanying were no longer present. Yang Taisui, Han Shengxuan, Liu Haoshi, and Qi Jiajie had successively died, the Qi practitioners of the Imperial Astrological Bureau were almost entirely dead or wounded, and the two great formations that served as the array's eyes had been destroyed by Xu Fengnian. Therefore, Chai Qingshan had to step forward. The old man fought for his sect, for his apprentice, and for his own sword path.

When the young girl's sheathed long sword charged forth like a roaming dragon, Cao Changqing remained unmoved, his smile tranquil. He held a chess piece in his right hand and brushed his left hand over his right sleeve, as if whispering, "My Great Chu once had a general who excelled in leading armies, sweeping through all with irresistible force, fighting seventy-two battles, big and small, without a single defeat. My heart yearns for such prowess." He gently placed a piece. The flying sword, with its rainbow-like momentum, slanted and plunged into the ground three *zhang* away, hitting the earth like a massive rock and sending dust flying.

Cao Changqing did not look at the sword. He only watched a black piece jump out of the chess box, following its trajectory to the board, while simultaneously reaching for a smooth, slightly cool white piece, and smiled. "My Great Chu had someone whose poetry and prose were like a hundred-stone bow, a thousand-jin crossbow, like a full moon hanging over the common people, inspiring in later generations the thought that they should only prostrate themselves and not speak. Truly magnificent." As one piece fell, the stone tablets at the entrance of the Imperial Academy in Tai'an City cracked inch by inch.

"My Great Chu had someone who played Go as if possessed by a deity; the light tap of a chess piece under his wrist was like his fierce generals clashing, their valor extraordinary." As one piece fell, Cao Changqing slightly adjusted a white piece that had shifted, setting it firmly. Simultaneously, all the crossbow bolts fired towards his "opponent" were scattered by a violent wind, rapidly sliding off their original trajectory.

"My Great Chu's people were like a brilliant galaxy. There were parables from various philosophers, sermons from eminent monks, and teachings from Daoist masters. Why should the mortal world envy heaven?" On the chessboard, black and white pieces fell like flying.

The ancestor of the Wu Family Sword Mound, Wu Jian, finally made his move. This foremost master of the sword path, whose family's teachings were the foundation of all swordsmanship under heaven, did not descend from the city wall. From the outer city to the imperial city, city gates opened simultaneously, and then a subtle yet exceedingly long sword energy, stretching from north to south, swept southward. This wisp of sword energy carried the magnificent momentum of a thousand charging cavalry. Chai Qingshan didn't turn his head after striking with his sword, and Wu Jian still didn't turn his head after striking with his.

Cao Changqing said softly, "In the Spring and Autumn era, amidst the tumultuous winds and rain, some cried with their heads in their hands, some sheltered under eaves, some borrowed umbrellas and wore rain cloaks. Only my Great Chu never avoided the rain, preferring to sing loudly and die in the rain rather than live dependent on others." The sword energy paused slightly three *zhang* from Cao Changqing, then suddenly surged forward, forcefully colliding within two and a half *zhang*. Layers of continuous willpower accumulated, and the sword energy only slowly dissipated at a distance of two *zhang*.

As the second wave of sword energy emerged from the city, a pillar of light happened to strike the old man's head at the imperial city gate. The old patriarch of the Wu Family Sword Mound raised his hand and flicked his sleeve, shattering it. His face was a little pale, and the ground where he stood was deeply indented. The old man, his back to the imperial city gate, slowly emerged from the large pit and took a heavy step forward. From where he stood, along the straight line of the imperial road south of Tai'an City, cracks appeared on the ground, precisely like a long sword. This "sword" was barely an inch wide, but several *li* long.

In an instant, the sword energy was about to leave the city. Cao Changqing had just placed a piece on the nearest part of the chessboard in front of him. At the start of the imperial road inside the city gate, a pillar of light descended, like a long sword cutting through a serpent. Wu Jian, who had originally accompanied the sword energy out of the city, stood at the city gate. Though he held no sword, he adopted a drawing-sword stance and shouted, "Cao Changqing! It's not easy to reach this point, turn back while you can!"

Cao Changqing picked up a piece, but this time, before he could place it, the piece at his fingertips shattered with a bang. In the sky to his side, a streak of snowy white sword light appeared out of thin air. Following that was a colossal collision, like the loud ringing of morning bells and evening drums right by one's ear. Everyone on and below the city wall simultaneously widened their eyes, seeing only a sky full of dust where the green-robed figure sat, completely obscuring his presence. When the dust settled, everyone's hearts pounded with dread.

Not only was Cao Changqing not killed by that sword, but he remained perfectly still. The ground where he sat had been cut away by several *chi*, so Cao Changqing was simply sitting in mid-air. The black and white chess pieces, scattered like stars on the board, were also perfectly still. The middle-aged Confucian scholar, whose temples had turned frosty white, finally looked up. He didn't look at the Sword Mound patriarch inside the northern city gate, but instead turned his gaze south and softly said, "Your life and death are intertwined with Great Chu like this, and so are mine. Always have been."

At this moment, almost everyone's heart trembled. From a tall building within Tai'an City, a woman in purple robes stood up. She gently landed on the imperial road. She leaned slightly forward and began to run towards the city gates. Her form, intention, qi, and spirit were all at the pinnacle of the current era. So much so that even the ancestor of the Wu Family Sword Mound, standing at the end of the imperial road, had to avoid her sharp edge. He simply let her burst out of the city.

This time, Cao Changqing placed his piece extremely slowly. Purple robes, purple qi, purple rainbow—she charged in one go to within one *zhang* of Cao Changqing's side. Huishan's Great Snow Plain, Xuanyuan Qingfeng. The purple-robed figure crashed into the one *zhang* radius, then instantly halted. The woman's five fingers were like hooks, merely two or three *chi* from Cao Changqing's head.

Cao Changqing, indifferent to this, leaned forward, holding his sleeve with one hand to avoid disturbing the chess game. When this piece fell, the sound was exceptionally crisp. As the sound of the piece gently striking the board echoed, she was flung backward, her body tumbling uncontrollably through the air. Xuanyuan Qingfeng's back was pressed against the city wall. Her eyes were cold, her elbows bent, rigidly bracing against the wall. Her knees were bloody and mangled, and crimson blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. The green-robed Confucian scholar, whose temples had turned white at some unknown point, sat quietly in his spot, biting his lip and shaking his head.

The Confucian Sage of Great Chu, Cao Changqing, finally spoke a sentence—a sentence he had not uttered for a full twenty years. "This world says you caused the downfall of Great Chu, but I, Cao Changqing, will not accept it!"

For the first time since his "one man facing a city" act, he picked up a piece, raised his arm high, and then slammed it down heavily on the chessboard! The clouds above churned, all descending together. The Central Plains sky lowered by a hundred *zhang*.