Chapter 10
Sleeping Dragon of the North
Yan Xun, on his usual routine of offering incense and burning paper snow to appease the dead, laid it down by the snowy lake where the ice and snow melted. It became a beautiful lake as the grassy land resurfaced.
The lake was located in Yanbei's winter snow mountains, and he had to journey a thousand miles to celebrate the death anniversary of A'Chu and Yuwen Yue.
Spring was over, and it was almost summer.
Yan Xun, looking more handsome, radiant, and full of life, rode on his white horse alone, feeling the summer breeze. He remembered the times with A'Chu when he used his wedding day to escape Chang'an and when he vowed to avenge his family's death using the Xuili Army, which had betrayed Yanbei and handed them over to Wei.
Later, the Hong Chuan City was opened for slaughter.
Reuniting with his father's loyal generals, Cheng Yuan, who held the remnants of Yanbei's armies, and A'Jing, another general's son who had survived the wars inside Yanbei, was necessary to rebuild Yanbei from ashes.
A'Jing became an excellent chef who supplied Yan Xun with food while he was detained in the Oriole Courtyard. Yan Xun had recovered after being poisoned by food from Princess Chuner's basket. From then on, Yan Xun never trusted any food from the Wei royal kitchen or even from his closest friends, except for the food secretly sent by A'Jing.
This allowed Yan Xun to eat with ease and survive poison attacks from anyone in the Wei household.
At the time Yan Xun was poisoned, Zhong Yu instructed A'Chu to bring Chansu, a drug extracted from the skins of frogs.
This Chansu, another poison, was used to suppress the poison in Yan Xun's body. The process involved applying an acupuncture needle to his wrist to slow his pulse and prevent the poison from spreading to his heart.
A'Chu took this task and was seriously wounded. Although she was severely beaten by the Oriole guards, she did not mind as long as she could save Yanbei's nearly half-dead prince, who had survived hundreds of assassination attempts by the Zhao and Wei households, and others who plotted to kill him daily at the Royal Oriole Courtyard.
The emperor had strategically placed him in Chang'an city, buying all the surrounding businesses to make it seem like an ordinary city.
But this was not the case. He had sown thistles and thorns around the courtyard, hoping that within three years, in this prison-like façade, Prince Yan Xun would die, not by his hand, but by some coincidental mishap.
Zhong Yu and A'Chu proved to be Yan Xun's only trusted servants at the time. Zhong Yu's talents included detecting poisons, having extensive knowledge of medicine, and proficiency with many types of weapons. She also possessed a unique ability to attract animals to do her bidding.
Zhong Yu had numerous connections and unknown followers, making her a formidable opponent.
Moreover, she practiced powerful sky feather martial arts, allowing her to summon weather and predict the stars. A'Chu, who was close to Yan Xun's heart, was also dear to him.
They had shared hardships while detained in Wei's Garrison prison. A'Chu was skilled in espionage, innovation, infiltration, and sabotage and became Yan Xun's lethal military strategist.
Prince Yan Xun was on his way to the Xui Xui Mountains and then to the Longji Mountains to visit Wu Dao Ya for the first time. After four years of overwhelming wars, tragedies, and the deaths of his entire family, his parents, Yan Shicheng and Yan Bai Cheng, who committed suicide to save him, he was determined to speak to Wu Dao Ya.
Since arriving in Yanbei, all he wanted was to talk to Wu Dao Ya. He often summoned him, but usually received no response.
Wu Dao Ya was the soul of Yanbei. Without his father's first counselor, Prince Yan Xun's power in Yanbei would be unlikely to flourish. Even if Yanbei's military strength were restored, differing interests would make it difficult to unite without Wu Dao Ya.
Yan Xun stopped at the old gate, a vacation spot he used to visit with his brothers and father in his youth.
The Yan family had camped here whenever the emperor allowed the young crown prince to join his royal family for fun.
It was where Yan Xun learned survival strategies, riding prime warhorses, enjoyed bonfires, heard ancestral stories, and much more from his father, Yan Shicheng.
Yan Xun recalled those days fondly as he touched the old items in the house, as if hearing the voices and sounds from his happy childhood.
He also remembered crossing several bodies of water with his father and traveling over hills and through black forests to reach Liang state, which his mother often visited during the cold season, as Yanbei was covered with frost in winter.
After a brief stop at Xui Xui Mountain, he rode toward the Longji Mountains, where Wu Dao Ya resided.
After another day of travel, he reached Wu Dao Ya's residence and met the native people of Yanbei. Prince Yan Xun was easily recognized by the indigenous people.
It was a small village of farmers and local fighters with extraordinary powers, yet they were humbly dressed in canvas and sackcloth-like materials. They wore hats made of dried grass and had long beards like old men. The young women carried baskets on their backs, picking wildflowers to sell along the Silk Road.
"Yan Shi Zi," Wu Dao Ya greeted him from a distance. Yan Xun waved back, parked his horse in a nearby paddock, and walked closer to Wu Dao Ya, feeling at ease and looking tall and handsome.
Wu Dao Ya bowed to the prince, and Yan Xun nodded, mimicking the gesture. Wu Dao Ya pointed to where the prince should sit. He was always prepared, even when Yan Xun made unannounced visits.
"What can I do for our prince?" Wu Dao Ya asked with a sad smile.
"Mr. Wu, it's been a year since I asked you to come, and you didn't," Yan Xun said, his face calm as he drank the small cup of wine Wu Dao Ya had prepared.
"It's been a year, and you still burn paper snow and offer incense to the dead," said Wu Dao Ya.
"For the peace of my family, the Xuili general, the Xuili armies, and Yuwen Yue," Yan Xun said with deep, slow sorrow in his voice.
"If she were alive, what would you do?" Wu Dao Ya asked as he began fine-tuning his flute.
"I've searched for her, but no body was found. I still believe she's alive but may not have come back to me because of my greedy heart. I was too consumed with anger and gave in to my dark side," Yan Xun said, his voice tinged with regret.
"If she returned as a different person, would you recognize her?" Wu Dao Ya understood the heaviness in Yan Xun's heart.
"I believe I would always recognize A'Chu. We were very close for three years until she died at the lake…" Yan Xun's eyes were fixed far off, gazing at the Longji Mountains.
Yan Xun continued, "I always thought we had mutual feelings. I always felt we shared a bond deeper than friendship. I felt her loyalty and dedication to me, but I messed it all up."
Yan Xun felt regretful. If only he could turn back time, knowing that she would die so early, he would have done things differently.
Wu Dao Ya began playing a sad song on his flute. Yan Xun closed his eyes and listened to the harmony of the flute and nature.
After a few minutes, Wu Dao Ya finished the unknown melody and opened his eyes. Yan Xun followed suit, turning his gaze to Wu Dao Ya.
"Yan Xun, if you see her again, you may not be able to approach her as before," Wu Dao Ya warned.
Yan Xun's curious eyes seemed to suspect that Wu Dao Ya knew something about A'Chu. "Do you know something about A'Chu?" Yan Xun asked.
Wu Dao Ya inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly. "Before Yanbei, there was Chu Jing."
"You mean Chu Jing of the Eastern Territories?" Yan Xun raised his brows.
"I was a general in Chu Jing before serving Yanbei as your counselor," Wu Dao Ya revealed, but only a small part of the truth.
Yan Xun could hardly believe he was speaking to a legend of the Eastern Empire, a former general of the lost Chu Kingdom that had been cruelly executed by the Western Empire. The kingdom had been declared extinct after its brutal fall at the hands of Shen Jin, the Emperor of the Big Summer Dynasty, which Yan Xun's father, Yan Shicheng, had served loyally for four generations.
"Tell me, Mr. Wu, does my Yan family or A'Chu have anything to do with these lost empires?" Yan Xun pressed for more, his voice deep as the lakes near the Longji Mountains.
Wu Dao Ya replied, "Yan Xun, we cannot go back in time, but if A'Chu is alive, you will know."
Yan Xun was left puzzled, unable to grasp Wu Dao Ya's cryptic confession. "If I'm not worthy of knowing what happened in the past, and if I cannot change it, then whatever happens now, if I see her again, I won't let her go as I did at the icy lake. I want to change the present."
"I'm sure you will, if only…" Wu Dao Ya replied tersely.
"Mr. Wu, can you help me learn more about the lost Kingdom of Chu?" Yan Xun asked, drinking his wine and looking at Wu Dao Ya.
"You will come to know everything in due time. Patience is a virtue," Wu Dao Ya responded.
Yan Xun nodded, listening to Wu Dao Ya's advice, much like he had listened to his father's counsel in the past.
"Well, I must ride back to the plains of Yanbei the day after tomorrow. The world (Yan Shi Zi's military codename) will change, and I hope that when I return, it will be the right time for you to tell me more." Yan Xun prepared to leave and bid his farewell to Wu Dao Ya.
Wu Dao Ya waved his hands and bowed to the handsome prince of Yanbei.
Suddenly, a little girl, about eight years old, emerged from Wu Dao Ya's small cottage and asked, "Mr. Wu, who was that handsome man?"
"You will meet him soon, but for now, let's practice your wushu again," Wu Dao Ya replied.
Yan Xun rode down the mountains alone, passing springs, black forests, and misty plains. He rode like a king without an army, carrying hope and thoughts of the lost Chu Kingdom.
His suspicions had been correct when they were captured and detained at the royal garrison in Wei. He had asked how she was related to the exterminated noble families of the east, where Chu Qiao finally revealed her true name, and he gave her the nickname A'Chu.
After two days of travel, Yan Xun arrived at Yanbei at nightfall. His servants greeted him, and he acknowledged them before heading straight to his royal quarters. Though A'Jing was now one of Yanbei's generals, he still cooked special dishes for the prince. He brought food and drink, but Yan Xun was too tired to do anything and rested.
The next day, after a year of restrained grief, Yan Xun woke up with a bright face for the first time in four years. Back to his princely duties, he went straight to his repository tent, a structure like a library where most of the salvaged documents and records from the ashes of Yanbei were kept. A'Jing arrived and greeted his master.
A'Jing was a bit surprised to see scrolls scattered across the carpet. "The world, let me help you. Are you looking for something in particular?" A'Jing, dressed in his Yanbei uniform, showed a mature face and spoke in a low voice.
"I'm looking for the secret accounts we retrieved years ago from the Xian Yang business group that Mr. Wu formed after my father was executed. I need the summary of events and their details to review and strengthen Yanbei's financial capacity," Yan Xun explained, busy searching through the documents.
A'Jing recited the summary to Yan Xun, as he knew it well. His life had been in danger during the retrieval of those accounts, a task later completed by A'Chu. While Yan Xun busied himself with cleaning up the messy table, he listened carefully to every word A'Jing said.
A'Jing was the sole witness and survivor who could accurately recount the events from the beginning to the tragic end for the citizens of Bei Shou. Bei Shou, located in the northern part of Yanbei, had been brutally attacked under the orders of the Shen Jin Emperor of Wei, showing no mercy to its inhabitants. When Yan Xun returned to Yanbei, Bei Shou City was lost. No remains of its people were found, and with them, Yan Xun's heart was lost as well.
Some citizens fled, but many died from famine and plague. It was during this time that Lui Xi, passing through a humble village, learned that his parents had also perished.
Lui Xi also witnessed the cruelty of the emperor toward the city and saw the famine ravaging the land. He predicted that without aid, everyone would die. In the absence of Yanbei's leaders and government officials, Lui Xi, along with others, became refugees and migrated to Liang state.
Some citizens fled to enemy lands, close to the border of Chang'an. A'Jing's thoughts took him back to the dark times in Yanbei, and he paused in his story, at which point Yan Xun continued.
Lui Xi returned to Liang state, sold some of his properties, and sent provisions to Bei Shuo city to supply food and medicine, enough to sustain the dying citizens of Yanbei. These provisions were distributed to the poor, and some even reached "the world" (Yan Shi Zi) while he was in the Oriole Courtyard, surviving numerous assassination attempts.
Mr. Wu was informed of Lui Xi's selfless acts, done with no expectation of return. While Yan Xun was imprisoned in the Oriole Courtyard, Mr. Wu took care of Yanbei, ensuring that what remained was preserved.
In secret, he met with Lui Xi and later organized the Xian Yang business group, establishing Lui Xi as its leader. Under Mr. Wu's strategic guidance, the group returned to Liang state and flourished, becoming the leading force in trade and commerce.
Xian Yang city sat at a prime location for trade between Western Wei and Southern Liang, making it ideal for buying stocks and reselling goods and services to both states. The group's success eliminated any suspicion that its owners hailed from Yanbei.
As A'Jing finished this part of the story, he added more about Feng Mian.
Yan Xun, who had been sunny earlier, grew gloomy and remained silent as he listened to A'Jing.
Feng Mian, Yan Xun's most trusted and loyal servant, had grown up alongside Yan Xun. Younger than Yan Xun, Feng Mian was considered more of a younger brother than a mere servant.
Feng Mian held deep respect and affection for Yan Xun. When Yan Xun was imprisoned, Feng Mian cried for many days, enduring the painful separation. His brotherly love and loyalty to the Yan family drove him to secretly collaborate with Lui Xi, supporting Yan Xun while the prince was held captive in the Oriole Courtyard.
It was later discovered by Wei Shu Ye, though it was not exposed due to his involvement in Xian Yang City's business dealings, where the Wei family's fortune was at stake, along with their companies and the chamber of commerce.
Feng Mian, working with Lui Xi, became the number one figure in the trade industry and the wealthiest man in the city. Even the Wei Guang family couldn't compete with the brilliant strategies devised by Mr. Wu.
Feng Mian eventually changed his name to Lord Feng, allowing him to travel freely without fear for his life.
What Lord Feng feared most was the prince of Yanbei, the one who had bought his freedom by spilling blood in Chang'an city. Lord Feng was forever indebted to Yan Xun.
Feng Mian was Yan Xun's loyal servant throughout his life. His death fortified the walls of Hong Chuan City, where he saved Chu Qiao as the Xuili Army advanced. Chu Qiao was about to enter the gates of the city when Cheng Yuan, one of Yanbei's brutal generals, planned an ambush.
Feng Mian shouted from the top of the wall to warn Chu Qiao. Someone pushed him from the wall, and he fell. Chu Qiao cried but couldn't approach him because the archers were ready to aim. Despite still being in his teenage years, Feng Mian was killed by a spear thrown by one of Cheng Yuan's lieutenants. It was a sad day, and Chu Qiao was powerless to save him. Feng Mian's final words to her were, "Finally, I got to see you, Ms. Beauty. Promise me you will take care of the prince."
At that time, Yan Xun was on the battlefront and couldn't reinforce Chu Qiao because Wei Shu Ye had tricked them, leaving Yanbei open to attack and Hong Chuan vulnerable. Zhong Yu advised Yan Xun to return to Yanbei, but Yan Xun refused, willing to sacrifice Hong Chuan City as a distraction in exchange for conquering Chang'an.
Whichever path Yan Xun chose, he was destined to lose either a loyal comrade or a precious servant, another price he had to pay to expand Yanbei's borders and establish his power as ruler.
Feng Mian had been a valuable ally, especially during Yan Xun's three years of captivity. He had worked behind the scenes to supply the prince with whatever material goods he needed.
After the annihilation of the Yan family, Feng Mian sought revenge by expanding their wealth.
Feng Mian did not respond to Yan Xun's informal invitation to meet after his return to Yanbei. This was to protect the prince and their businesses at the time.
Yan Xun eventually visited Feng Mian, who bowed to him and recounted the events that had transpired.
Feng Mian even joked with A'Jing, who called him Mr. Feng Si, or Lord Feng, about his fashion, saying, "I fear you'll accuse me of extravagance, but I dress this way with purpose. If I had known the prince would be coming along, I would have borrowed the garments of a servant."
Looking back, after several surprise visits to notable families in Yanbei, Yan Xun had awakened his father's old allies. He offered them positions if they joined him, but those who refused met their end through General Cheng Yuan.
Upon the unveiling of the new sign at The Palace of Master Yan, Yan Xun gifted Feng Mian a cold dagger called the Dragon Bird, once owned by Bai Qi, a ruthless general from Yanbei's warring period.
Cheng Yuan had fed the blade with blood.
Yan Xun warned him, "Whoever owns it and uses it will release the hidden demon within."
In the battle of Hong Chuan City, Deputy General He Xiao fought to defend his hometown, where his family lived, and suffered great losses. Many of his cavalry were killed, while some were injured or retired. Chu Qiao, their general, was severely injured, marking one of Yanbei's most significant losses after Bei Shuo City.
The aftermath of the battle claimed the lives of many poor, trusted servants, as well as Western royals and nobles.
Another grand event occurred when the seal was stolen from the Wei Emperor to use his armies, a crime punishable by death. Princess Yuan Chun (Chun'Er) was sentenced to death by drinking poisoned wine.
Wei Shu Ye, who had conspired with Chun'Er, was also discharged from his position as the master of Wei Valve. The tragedy also resulted in the death of the emperor's beloved imperial concubine, Ning'Er, the mother of Yuan Song and Chun'Er. She took her own life in front of the emperor, trying to stop the execution of the princess.
In the end, the Wei Emperor was forced to issue an imperial decree, appointing his beloved crown prince, Yuan Song, to take over the title of Duke of Yanbei and to fight Yan Xun, while Yuan Chun'Er was locked away in the secluded West Temple.
This battle created a rift between Chu Qiao and Yan Xun. Chu Qiao began to grow independent of Yan Xun's commands and sought to protect the Xuili Army from becoming collateral damage in Yan Xun's quest for revenge against their betrayal in opening the slaughter of Yanbei's people.
The battle evened the score and settled it with blood. As a result, the Xuili Army no longer owed anything to Yan Xun and was free to choose its next leader and general. They unanimously chose Chu Qiao.
The Xuili Army swore an oath to follow, obey, and protect General Chu Qiao, both before and after the battle at Hong Chuan City. However, after the icy lake tragedy, where they fought alongside other Yanbei soldiers, they lost their general once again.
In her final battle, Chu Qiao was rescued by both Yuwen Yue and Yan Xun. Yuwen Yue, wearing a black mask, used his crossbow to counter Chun'Er's sword, which was poised to strike Chu Qiao's head. He pushed her out of harm's way.
Yuwen Yue, his tearless eyes filled with pain as though his heart had been stabbed a hundred times, looked at Xinger.
He embraced her and carried her away from the battlefield. He placed her safely outside the fray, just as Yan Xun arrived, nearly too late, to reinforce Hong Chuan.
Yan Xun saw his injured general and wept. He carried her back to Yanbei's headquarters to care for her.
Yuwen Yue watched as Yan Xun gently moved Chu Qiao, but he remained silent, unable to act or speak, for fear of revealing his double identity and the conflict between his personal and military interests.
At that time, Yan Xun had just completed a seven-day siege in Chang'an and arrived in time to scare away Wei Shu Ye and Princess Chun'Er, forcing them to retreat.
Yet despite the victory, the mood was gloomy, as if the last hope for peace had been taken away from the Xuili Army once again.
The current situation was even more painful than the first time, when the Wei soldiers opened the gates of Hong Chuan.
Now, after the icy lake tragedy, the Xuili Army had been forced to fight their own comrades. They killed more Yanbei soldiers than Wei soldiers, who had tricked the Xuili Army into this betrayal.
Since then, the once-renowned "Firefox" watchdogs of Yanbei became known as disgraced traitors to their people. Despite having paid their debts in full, their history and reputation continued to haunt them. Even though no body was found, He Xiao continued searching for the lost General Chu and had not yet replaced her.
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