Укротитель зверей

Глава 56

Too many people around me have died!

He Nan hummed in agreement, then frowned and made a strange expression. "The first person you want to see is someone else? Poor silly brat, he loved you so much that he not only traveled day and night to bring you here from the border of Mogu, but also rushed to find me to rescue you, killing several horses in the process! I didn't expect that the first person you want to see after waking up is someone else. Little Ping An, have you fallen for someone else so quickly? Your older brother is so disappointed in you..."

He Nan was still as clingy as ever. If I weren't completely exhausted, I would have kicked him. How could I not want to see Mo Li? But I had already heard him, felt him, and I knew better than anyone that he wouldn't abandon me again. We have a long future together, what's the rush!

When he saw me glaring at him, he immediately put on a mournful expression, "You're glaring at me! I traveled for days and nights to come and treat you, and you're glaring at me."

I took a breath and continued, "I want to see my master."

He simply plopped down on the edge of the bed.

"No, you've just woken up, it's not good for you to see people, it's too tiring."

I gritted my teeth, anger rising within me, and my voice immediately became intermittent, "Then you, you..."

He gave me a knowing look, then rotated the gold needle between my eyebrows. After I calmed down, he said, "I'm different. I'm your doctor now. If I'm not by your side, who is?"

I was furious and turned my head away from him. After I calmed down, I said, "Cheng Wei healed me."

He jumped up, looking deeply insulted. "That kid did a good job, but healed you? Forget it. If it weren't for someone using their profound internal energy to keep you alive these past few days, it's uncertain whether you would have even woken up. You might not have made it to today."

I fell silent.

Seeing that I didn't speak, He Nan put on a smug look again, "So, if I were here, there would be no need for all this trouble. It's just that someone pierced through with an arrow, right? I've even treated a kid whose heart was completely shattered and who was on the verge of death, and I replaced his whole heart! That kid is still alive and kicking as usual."

This was the first time I'd ever heard of something so incredible, and I couldn't help but exclaim, "You...who did you give a heart transplant to?"

I had barely finished speaking when I heard no reply from He Nan for a long while. I wanted to ask him more, but he had already turned his face away from me, his profile showing an extremely annoyed expression, which he tried to hide by changing the subject.

"It's nothing, there's nothing more to say." He Nan said, standing up. "I'll go prepare some medicine for you. Just lie there quietly, don't talk, and don't overthink things, so as not to affect your recovery."

After saying that, he left, his back view showing a hurried and panicked manner, as if he were fleeing in disarray.

2

He Nan went out in a hurry, and even closed the door tightly, as if afraid that someone might come in and disturb my rest.

I lay there on my back, covered in needles, looking like a walking needle pouch. Although He Nan was indeed skilled in acupuncture, and the pain lessened considerably after a few needle pricks, my disheveled appearance made me look incredibly humiliated. What if someone came in? Wouldn't that make me lose face?

Forget it, what face do I have left to save? I've been reduced from the First Princess to the Royal Family's most disgraceful woman for quite some time now.

I originally wanted to call out and ask someone to find my master, but then I thought that the people outside might all be Mo Li's subordinates, and they had no good feelings towards Wen De, so calling out would be pointless.

I lay there for a while, and by then the pain had subsided, but I couldn't do anything. Gradually, I became drowsy, and just as I was about to fall asleep, I suddenly heard the door open again.

I opened my eyes abruptly, and a white figure was already at the bedside. It looked down at me and stared at me. Seeing that I was awake, it didn't bend down, but simply sat down on the chair in front of the bed.

Who else but my master could possess such a calm and collected demeanor, remaining unfazed even when Mount Tai collapses before them?

I was overjoyed. Although I knew my master wouldn't like it, I still called him "Master" with tears in my eyes. After thinking for a moment, I added, trying hard to squeeze out a whole sentence, "Disciple has finally seen Master again."

Since our parting at Tianshuiping, several months have passed in the blink of an eye, but it feels like I haven't seen my master for centuries. Wende is still the same as ever, with his cold brows and aloof eyes, his white robes fluttering in the wind. Yet, I feel an unprecedented closeness to him, wishing I could grab his sleeve and weep for my regret and remorse for not having properly learned the peerless martial arts back then.

Seeing that I was agitated, Wende frowned and said, "You have just recovered from a serious illness, so there is no need for you to say much. I have a few words to say to you, so just listen."

I blinked, and a tear rolled down my cheek. I tried to wipe it away, but I couldn't lift my shoulder; instead, it hurt so much that I grimaced.

Wende frowned again, his sleeves remained still, and without him making any move, the tear on my face disappeared.

I felt a little embarrassed, not knowing why I always felt so wronged whenever I saw him, like a child seeing its mother. Perhaps it was because Wende always timed his appearances in front of me so perfectly that I couldn't help but feel wronged.

"Master, please listen to me first." I was eager to tell him that my identity had been exposed, and I didn't care whether he would be angry. I interrupted him, "Someone knows that I am Princess Ping An."

I spoke quickly, and started panting as soon as I finished. Wen De's eyes darkened as if he was a little angry, but he was very composed, so his expression only changed slightly. Before he spoke again, he reached out and took my pulse.

A steady internal force flowed in slowly like still water. I remembered what He Nan had said and realized that I had been kept alive by my master these past few days. I was immediately moved and looked at him expectantly, trying to be filial.

"I'm fine now, Master, you don't need to do this."

Wende didn't respond to my question until a moment later, when he finally spoke, "Who are they?"

Having received my master's inner strength, I spoke much more fluently and slowly recounted the recent events. When I got to the tense parts, I felt that it was a close call and that I was extremely lucky to have survived.

Throughout this time, Wende held my pulse, his eyes slightly narrowed as if he were deep in thought. He only spoke after I mentioned Abule's arrow, "So, he didn't know your identity beforehand, and only brought you back by accident."

I nodded, waiting for his next words.

He finally lowered his head and gave me a proper look, then said, "No one in Qingcheng has ever been as unlucky as you."

...

If it weren't for all the needles stuck in my body, I would have almost rolled to the ground.

After saying this with a cold face, Wen De paused for a moment before speaking, his voice turning deep, "Ping An, are you aware that the Mo Kingdom has invaded the Central Plains?"

I shuddered slightly, then nodded. "I understand."

"I had suspected that this matter might be related to you being taken out of the pass, but now it seems..."

My heart was in my throat, and my whole body went cold.

Wende glanced at me again and said slowly, "Now it seems that's not the case."

I felt like a fish that had been pulled out of the water, suddenly released and thrown back into the water, my whole body jolted from the relaxation.

"Abule and the current new emperor of the Mo Kingdom, Mo Fei, are half-brothers. Abule is brave and skilled in battle, and his mother is the daughter of a nobleman of the Mo Kingdom. Before Mo Fei ascended the throne, many people in the Mo Kingdom court supported this second prince and hoped that he could obtain the position of crown prince."

I nodded. I had heard some of these things when Ji Feng and I were separated by life and death back then, and the impression they left was so profound that I would never forget them.

"Since Mo Fei failed to marry you, the old king of Mo Kingdom has been instigated by the nobles in the court for the past two years to gradually show his intention to change the crown prince. However, just a few months ago, the old king died suddenly while hunting at the palace. Abul, who was sent to inspect the border, was also accused of treason and was arrested by a large force."

Wende's voice was calm, but I was still deeply moved and couldn't help but hum in agreement.

Throughout history, royal families have often suffered tragic fates. My brother was one such example, as was Mo Fei, and that old king most likely didn't die a good death either.

"Abule is brave and skilled in battle, and the Mo Kingdom values martial arts. He has many supporters in the court and among the people. Mo Fei also anticipated this, which is why he launched a war against the Central Plains not long after ascending the throne, launching a surprise attack on the key pass and aiming his sword at Jingchen. I have thought about the reasons for this many times, and I think that firstly, the Mo Kingdom has always neglected to fight our dynasty alone, and secondly, it may also be to mobilize the national forces to prevent Abule's supporters from taking advantage of his unstable reign to incite the army to rebel. If these two points are true, then the Mo Kingdom's invasion of our dynasty has little to do with you."

I've always been sensitive to words like "ascension to the throne," "supporters," and "rebellion." Every time I hear them, I feel uncomfortable. This time was no different. I wanted to tell Wende to stop talking, but I knew I shouldn't, so I just listened obediently.

Wende paused for a moment, then continued, "But now it seems that Abule has escaped Mofei's pursuit, and the forces behind him are already prepared. The entire Mo Kingdom's military force has been mobilized, leaving the country vulnerable, yet Mo Li discovered that there is still a secret troop deployment in that valley. What's even more puzzling is that Abule is just a fallen prince of the Mo Kingdom, yet he was able to recruit elders of the Holy Fire Cult to serve him. Mo Li and I both believe that this matter is suspicious, and perhaps there are other people involved behind Abule besides the nobles within the Mo Kingdom who support him."

I listened silently, terrified.

"Master..."

"What's wrong?" Wende asked, looking at me.

I struggled, my voice growing softer and softer, "My royal brother...among Abule's men, there were people sent by my royal brother. It was he who tracked me all the way, and it was he who contacted the elders to try and capture me..."

Wende was silent for a moment before saying, "If that's the case, then..."

I know what Wende wants to say, but in front of me, some things he might have thought were too hurtful to say.

So what?

Even if all of this was truly arranged by the emperor, even if he had long anticipated that Mo Fei would break his promise and invade the Central Plains, even if he had long arranged for people to secretly strengthen the power of Abule's faction, isn't this all something an emperor should do?

"One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand," and to become a ruler of a country, one must tread upon the corpses of countless people, whether from one's own country or another.

As for me, this princess who ran away from her arranged marriage and betrayed the royal family, my brother, the emperor, discovered me the moment the elders learned that I was hiding a secret agent, Lord Li. Ironically, I walked blindfolded all the way, thinking that I would have a bright future with someone else.

I gritted my teeth and kept asking, not wanting to be a fool.

"So, the bombing of Tianshuiping was indeed due to the elders? Did Mo Li tell you that they had stockpiled gunpowder in their manor?"

Wen De nodded slightly, then shook his head. "Those elders are all involved in the Jinchao massacre and the bombing of Tianshuiping, but things are far from simple. With their own strength, it is impossible for them to extend their reach to the canal route, nor is it possible for them to hoard and transport such a large amount of gunpowder for no reason."

Things are far more complicated than that...

I continued to feel a chill run down my spine, a tingling sensation spreading through my spine.

I understand that after Tianshuiping was destroyed that day, Wende and Moli began to investigate the mastermind behind it. Qiyi also said that the elders were involved in this matter. But according to Master, not only were the elders involved, but my brother might also have been involved.

But what does my imperial brother want to do with the martial arts world of the Central Plains? Does he intend to dominate both the legitimate and illegitimate worlds?

I thought for a moment and asked, "They must have had some ulterior motive for killing the leader of the Golden Tide Gang, right?"

Wen De gave me a deep look and slowly said, "Yes, the leader of the Jinchao Gang died suddenly, and various gangs along the canal broke out in disputes. The government ordered Pingjing to suppress and govern the gangs in order to delay the gangs' fighting and disturbance to the people. After the gangs were suppressed, the Beijing-Hangzhou canal is now under the management of the imperial court."

I was startled, and then I suddenly remembered the pastures on the grasslands where people were burned, killed, and plundered by the Mexican army because they refused to sell their horses cheaply. A flash of insight struck me and I immediately understood.

The leader of the Jinchao Gang is truly a fool! Under heaven, all land belongs to the emperor; all people within the realm are his subjects. My brother Sai wanted to control the canal transport; it would be good enough if someone even gave him a word of advice, yet he still tried to bargain—wasn't that just courting death? He even dragged the martial arts figures investigating his death into the mess, involving the Holy Fire Sect far beyond the Great Wall as well.

Countless tangled threads suddenly pointed in the same direction, but I felt no clarity of mind. My brother's gentle smile was still vivid in my memory, but I felt as if I were in a frozen wasteland. Afraid that my jaw would clench, I could only silently clench my teeth tightly.

"Peace," Wende suddenly called out to me.

I turned my head with difficulty to look, and after a moment I spoke, my voice distorted, sounding unbearable even to myself.

I asked him slowly, "Master, what else is there? Please tell me everything."

3

Wen De spoke after a while, "You and Mo Li..."

I was slightly startled. I wanted to ask my master if he could tell that Mo Li and Ji Feng were exactly alike, but then I remembered that Mo Li always wore a mask in front of outsiders, so there was probably no answer to that question. So I didn't ask. After thinking for a moment, I just asked, "Master, isn't this the Holy Fire Sect's territory? Why are you here?"

Wen De lowered his eyes. "After the Battle of Tianshuiping, the Right Envoy and I split up to investigate the massacre of the Jinchao Gang and the elder's betrayal. Now that the war in the Central Plains has reignited, I rushed to the border, partly to find you, and partly to see if I could save some people along the way. Even if the merit is small, it's just doing my best. Now that the Right Envoy has found Abul's headquarters in his investigation of the elder, I've thought about it and realized that we might be able to cooperate with him and take advantage of this opportunity to end this war as soon as possible."

My mind is a bit of a mess again; I understand some things, but I'm also confused.

"Master, you mean... you hope Abule will take some action? You hope he... will rebel against Murphy?"

Wen De glanced at me and then dropped the subject. After a moment, he said, "Never mind, you're just recovering from your serious injuries. You shouldn't talk too much. You should get some sleep first."

I actually couldn't sleep anymore, but I suddenly wanted to be alone. When he said that, I nodded silently.

Wen De stood up, and as he was about to leave, he suddenly turned around and said in a low voice, "I was entrusted by the Ji family, so I will naturally take care of you as agreed. You don't need to worry. Also, Mo Li already knows your identity. If he asks, the Holy Fire Sect is not originally from the Central Plains. Its members are from various ethnic groups. In the war between our dynasty and the Mo Kingdom, there are some things that are not necessary to tell you in detail. Do you understand?"

I blinked, wanting to ask him which things were considered major and which were considered minor, but my mind was too confused to process it all, so I could only nod again.

He said no more and turned to leave.

I was left alone, lying blankly on the bed. The thin blanket felt like it weighed a ton.

He Nan came in and went out again, and then Cheng Wei came in with him. The two of them held a long discussion in front of my bed about how to treat someone who had been pierced through the chest by a sharp instrument, completely treating me like I was dead. I was too lazy to talk to them, and although I was awake, I kept pretending to rest with my eyes closed. Eventually, I actually fell asleep to their endless, rambling chatter. I don't know if it was because they were poking me with gold needles while they were talking.

When I woke up, it was dark again.

I didn't sleep soundly; after all, my eyes were forced shut by someone using needles, and I woke up immediately once the effect wore off. All was quiet; the room was eerily silent. Opening my eyes, I saw only darkness, making me wonder if I was the only person left in the world.

I turned my head, trying to find some light. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light in the room, I finally saw a dark figure in front of the bed. It was a man, sitting alone beside me, his hands clasped together, quietly watching me. I don't know how long he had been sitting there.

I opened my mouth, but didn't hear my own voice. I tried again and finally called out his name.