Fengcheng Flying General

Chapter 76

Back then, he was just a proud and aloof young man, showered with love and affection, his life spotless, everything shining brightly like a magnificent chapter in a golden age. Many years later, he often fantasized: if he had met Junyu when he was sixteen, would everything have been different?

"You wanted to challenge me, but you missed your chance? Heh..." Junyu laughed, recalling the scene of being injured by him when they first met as adults. "No wonder you immediately attacked me when we met again a few years later. Come to think of it, I really did lose to you that time."

“But I wish I had never won that move.” Zhu Yu lowered her head. “I used to bully you a lot when we were kids, and now that we’re grown up, I beat you until you vomit blood every time we meet. It’s understandable that you don’t like me.”

Then, every meeting and encounter between the two was filled with endless arguments, ridicule, and the various mistakes they had made. Even if a sliver of fate had once flickered before their eyes, it had long since been squandered by their own actions.

P.S.: The prototype of Tosang is Tsangyang Gyatso, the Sixth Dalai Lama. According to legend, he was a dashing and romantic man, a man of both literary and martial talents, and a skilled physician. He was infatuated with a woman from the outside world, but this was not tolerated by secular and religious rules. In the end, he was deposed, and the woman he loved was secretly murdered.

When I was very young, I read a short biography of Tsangyang Gyatso and was amazed by his talent. Later, I was determined to write a story about him, which led to the creation of Tuosang—hehe.

However, for understandable reasons, his identity and the entire historical context were completely obscured.

There are three possible endings for Tsangyang Gyatso: 1. He was deposed and died tragically by Qinghai Lake; 2. He fled into exile under the moonlight and wandered the world with his lover; 3. He traveled and preached along the border of Mongolia and Tibet.

To help everyone understand the story's prototype, I will be adding more information about him in the near future. I wonder if anyone would be interested in reading it, haha.

What will be the fate of Tuosang in this story? Hehe, let's read on to find out—

Moonlit Shadows Clear 7-26

***************************************************************************

Chapter 257: Love Even in Death

Love Even in Death—On the Prototype of Tuosang, Tsangyang Gyatso:

Cangyang Gyatso was a talented poet, but he chose to become a Buddhist monk.

Almost no one can write love poems like Tsangyang Gyatso, because no one has his experiences and his profound, visceral longing and helplessness. He was forced into becoming the Dalai Lama, a recluse, a god detached from worldly affairs, relegated to the altar to be worshipped by men and women still practicing in the world. Though devout to Buddhism, he yearned even more to enter the world as an ordinary person and be with the woman he loved.

Therefore, he wrote as follows:

The best thing is to never meet, so that we can avoid falling in love.

The second best thing is not to know each other, so that we won't miss each other.

Thirdly, it's best not to be together, so that there's no debt between us.

Fourthly, it's best not to cherish each other, so that we won't remember each other.

Fifthly, it's best not to fall in love, so that you won't abandon each other.

The sixth best thing is not to face each other, so that we will not meet.

The seventh point is that we should not make mistakes, so that we will not let each other down.

The eighth best approach is not to make any promises, so that the relationship can be broken.

The ninth best thing is not to rely on each other, so that we don't have to cling to each other.

The seventh point is that we should not make mistakes, so that we will not let each other down.

The tenth best thing is not to meet, so that we can avoid being together.

His tragedy also lies in this: "When I met the girl, in the village of Monyul in the south of the mountain, the parrot knew all about our feelings, so please don't reveal the secret."

In reality, in the eyes of those in power, he was: meeting his lover at dusk, leaving footprints on the ground at dawn amidst falling snow—what use was secrecy then?

Even today, in many places, one can still hear a folk song that goes: "Don't blame the Living Buddha Tsangyang Gyatso for his carefree and unrestrained life; what he wanted was no different from that of ordinary people." Naturally, Tsangyang Gyatso's legendary and poetic life, a fleeting glimpse in the long river of history, vanished in an instant. What he left behind are mysterious speculations, beautiful and flowing poems, and the most unpredictable fate.

Let's look at his love poem: Ever since I was captivated by that other side, I have never forgotten it, even in my dreams.

We passed each other by then, yet we lost each other; ever since, I've longed for you, my heart breaking. I secretly ask my beloved, "Do not seek enlightenment in the monastery; if you truly become a nun, I too will depart, entering the mountains to sever ties with you from worldly life."

In that mysterious and beautiful land, people live amidst snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and forests. At dawn, they greet the first rays of sunlight, herding their white cattle and sheep towards the verdant fields filled with anticipation and hope. During the day, under the scorching sun, they graze their flocks of drifting white clouds with hearts brimming with boundless imagination. At dusk, they harvest a bountiful harvest of hope in the glow of the sunset. They find solace in the white clouds, mountains, green fields, and clear waters, singing songs above the blue sky and white clouds. They fully bask in the tranquility, peace, and freedom bestowed upon them by heaven.

This was the life that Cangyang Gyatso longed for, not the desolate rules and regulations of the deep palace, nor the treacherous struggles and fierce competitions that he neither understood nor wanted to understand.

He possessed a free and ethereal personality, unparalleled literary talent, and a rebellious boldness that defied societal norms, finding joy in challenging all forms of etiquette and rigid rules. This intelligent, romantic, and multifaceted young man should have lived a life of leisure in the countryside, traveling, visiting friends, composing poetry and writing prose, unconstrained by social conventions. Unfortunately, fate did not grant him such a life, but instead thrust him onto the perilous political stage. Cangyang Gyatso, with his unprecedented and unparalleled rebellion, launched a shocking protest against his destiny, a protest that reverberated throughout the court and the public.

***************************************************************************

Chapter 258: Zhu Yu and Her Childhood Dreams (4)

Seeing his regretful expression, Junyu smiled and said, "Zhu Gang attacked me from behind. I know you didn't want to hurt me."

"But if I don't fight you, how can Zhu Gang launch a sneak attack on you?"

"Sparring between martial artists is a common occurrence, so why are you so bothered by it?"

Zhu Yu said sadly, "A contest between martial artists? Would Tuosang really fight you like this!"

Junyu shut her mouth. Tuosang was even afraid of hurting herself during a snowball fight, so how could she possibly compete with her? Tuosang would never compete with her!

"If everything could start over, if we hadn't separated so early, if we could have grown up together in the academy, if I hadn't been so bad..."

If only... But life doesn't offer so many "ifs."

Junyu looked at him, speechless; Zhuyu stared at her, his heart turning to ashes.

The pale moonlight shone on their faces, and both of them fell silent.

After a long while, Zhu Yu turned her gaze away and said calmly, "I have met Tuosang."

Jun Yu asked happily, "When?"

"When I led my troops to search for you."

Junyu remembered that day, when the two of them heard the sound of horses' hooves in the valley. Tuosang had left alone for half a day and returned to tell her that he had dealt with the group of pursuers.

Junyu smiled and said, "I went blind and got lost in the desert, thinking I would never escape. Then Tuosang appeared. It turns out he really was still alive! It's a pity I couldn't see him even though he took care of me for so many days. Alas, I don't know where he is now."

Zhu Yu noticed the smile on her face when she spoke of Tuosang, a smile radiating from the depths of her heart, filled with happiness, joy, hope, and anticipation. It was clear she had maintained this vibrant spirit ever since learning of Tuosang's resurrection. This expression was entirely different from the despair and weariness she displayed when she met him on the grasslands; it downplayed the heroic and resolute image instilled in her by the prestigious title of "Flying General of Fengcheng." In the soft moonlight, she was utterly gentle and radiant.

Zhu Yu tried to force herself to look away, but her gaze was like a magnet, impossible to look away from no matter how hard she tried. It was as if a rusty, dull knife was slowly torturing her already dead heart, until she was completely numb, until she could no longer feel any pain.

"What did Tosang say?"

"He didn't say anything, he just warned me."

"oh?"

"He warned me to be devoted to being his son-in-law, and that if I dared to have any improper thoughts about you again, he would not be polite."

Once the simple words were spoken, I realized that all my strength seemed to have been exhausted. My heart, which was as hard as rotten wood, was slowly being cut away, and I could still feel a faint pain.

Junyu turned her head away, not daring to look at his desperate eyes. After a long while, she said, "Zhu Yu, don't think about me, never think about me."

Hearing her voice choked with emotion, Zhu Yu suddenly reached out and grabbed those icy hands.

All four hands were ice-cold, just like my heart.

They were so close, within reach; yet my heart has turned cold, and there seems to be no hope of ever seeing them again.

Zhu Yu suddenly released her grip, stood up, staggered a few steps, and then stopped: "Junyu, if we meet on the battlefield again, I will never show you any mercy."

"Me too, I will show no mercy. Zhu Yu, you have never been my match, not on the battlefield either, so you must prepare well."

"Good, that's the true nature of 'Phoenix City Flying General'. I will definitely prepare carefully!"

Before he finished speaking, he was already several feet away.

Junyu stood frozen in place, unaware that her hair was wet with dew. Her vision was filled with images of Zhu Yu: Zhu Yu shattering jade by Qinghai Lake, Zhu Yu's scream before the avalanche, Zhu Yu's self-harm in Hanjing Garden...

After a long while, Junyu raised her head and looked at the pale moonlight in the sky. "Why do you care about me? Some people are born to be enemies, not lovers!"

***************************************************************************

Chapter 259: Resurrection (1)

A wisp of cloud drifted by, gently obscuring the pale moonlight.

Junyu slowly stood up, looked wistfully in the direction of Xining Prefecture, and then strode towards Xining Prefecture.

She walked quite a distance when she suddenly sensed a strange atmosphere. She turned back; the moonlight was high in the sky, and the few lonely trees offered no hiding place. She stood silently for a while, feeling even more lost, then turned and ran off.

Behind those trees were a few more. A dark shadow clung to the top of the tallest tree, like a giant bat. He heard her sigh and watched her with a wistful expression. Only when her shadow had completely disappeared did he silently leap down from the tree.

"Bokdor, now you can finally leave without worry!"

An extremely aged voice came from behind; it was the very old monk.

He paused for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry. I'm no longer 'Bokdo.' If you'd like, you can call me Tosang."

The old monk calmly said, “If you hadn’t emerged from seclusion early, you would already be the greatest ‘Bokdo’ in our sect. Unfortunately, you will never be able to master the complete ‘Mind-Calming Technique’ again. You were just one step away from failure. For thousands of years, no one in the sect has ever succeeded in mastering it, except you, who reached the sixth level. You were just two more hours away from reaching the seventh level and achieving enlightenment! If you had succeeded, you could have benefited the sect and relieved our followers from the suffering of reincarnation…”

"This also proves that I am not wise enough to promote my religion. Alas!" Tuosang sighed. "As soon as I sensed the flower's scent, I knew she was in trouble. For some reason, my 'mind-calming technique' suddenly lost all effect, and I rushed out involuntarily."

"Flowers are in trouble?" the old monk asked in surprise. "Flowers?"

"The flower had withered. It withered the very night I rescued her."

"No wonder I've lost my way these days. When you cultivate the 'Mind-Calming Technique' to the third level, you'll be oblivious even if the sky collapses and the earth cracks before your eyes. At the fourth level, you'll be unaffected even if you're engulfed in flames. You've already reached the sixth level, yet you still have inner demons and obsessions. I truly don't know if it's fate or a demonic obstacle!"

"It's one thing that you showed up when she was in trouble, but why didn't you leave immediately after saving her? How could you reveal your identity at a time like this?"

“She went blind, and her eye injury was very serious. If it wasn’t controlled in time, I was afraid that even with the best medicine, it would be difficult to restore her sight. Under those circumstances, I absolutely could not leave her.” At that time, she was at her most vulnerable. Tuosang recalled her heartbreaking, uncontrollable sobs on that stormy night. “I never wanted to see her sad and upset again. So, I stopped hiding my identity.”

"Now that her eyes have healed, why are you still here?"

"I saw Sun Jia on my way to meet you, and then I saw Zhu Yu." Her eyes were blinded by poison that Prime Minister Zhu forced Sun Jia to do. How could he not feel at ease seeing the two of them sneaking around near Xining Prefecture?

The aged voice sighed, "Neither Zhu nor Sun is a match for her. Besides, this is the Northwest Army's camp, with 100,000 soldiers under her command. Who can touch her in the slightest? You know this, yet you remain stubbornly deluded. Your concern has clouded your judgment, and you have completely lost your ability to discern right from wrong!"

Tuosang silently looked at the pale white sand on the ground and said nothing.

***************************************************************************

Chapter 260: Resurrection (2)

"I knew long ago that you were infatuated with her, but seeing that your feelings were kept within the bounds of propriety, and that she herself was of impeccable character and conduct, there was no way to stop you. I could only treat you as friends. For thousands of years, only your wisdom has transformed into the Buddha flower in our religion. We are all delighted by your profound Buddhist teachings and hope that with the aid of the 'Mind-Calming Technique,' you will surely be reborn, completely abandoning all past grievances, revitalizing our religion, and becoming our greatest 'Bokhu'."

"I'm sorry, I've let down the expectations of my followers," Tuosang said softly. "For the first eleven months, my cultivation went very smoothly, without any obstacles. It was a true state of single-minded focus. By the end of the eleventh month, I had already reached the sixth level. In the last month, my cultivation accelerated. I originally estimated that I would reach the seventh level on the seventh day. However, on the morning of the seventh day, I suddenly had a strong feeling that she would come to see me. The closer it got to the end, the stronger this feeling became, almost completely suppressing my cultivation. I wanted to see her, I had to see her. Suddenly, I didn't want to cultivate anymore. However, I still restrained the impulse in my heart, and by half a month, I had finally suppressed all my inner demons and gradually entered a better state."

Then, after another ten days or so of peace, on the last night of his cultivation, he smelled a dangerous scent like that of flowers, and so, all his efforts came to naught.