Chapter 26: Disaster Strikes
Lord Yan Yun narrowed his eyes as he scrutinised the three, a mix of surprise and confusion on his face. He felt they looked somewhat familiar, yet he simply couldn’t place them. Until—
“Heitu.”
“Guan.”
“Rou’er.”
“Greetings, Lord Yan.”
The three spoke with emotion, bowing deeply to Lord Yan.
In an instant, Lord Yan Yun seemed struck by lightning. He stumbled slightly, then hurried towards them with joy.
“Heitu, yes, you are Heitu.”
“You are Guan.”
“You are Rou’er.”
As he spoke, tears welled in his eyes. Forty years ago, Heitu had been his coachman, Guan his guard, and Rou’er his palace maid. He never imagined they would meet again.
Heitu and Guan were equally moved. Their eyes were moist, brimming with tears. They had always held gratitude for Lord Yan Yun.
If it hadn't been for Lord Yan Yun back then, they wouldn’t have had the chance to follow Zhang Yang, nor the opportunity to achieve success and fame.
“Haha, how have you all been these days?” Lord Yan Yun asked excitedly, grasping the arms of Heitu and Guan.
Heitu laughed heartily, “Very well, indeed.”
“Following Master, I’ve managed to make a name for myself, achieving success and recognition.”
“I currently serve as a senior official in the Shang Kingdom, with a fiefdom of three cities, ten thousand subjects, and my descendants have done us proud.”
“Three cities and ten thousand subjects,” Lord Yan Yun exclaimed in surprise.
Yan Kingdom was a small country, with just eight cities in total.
Even combined, those eight cities only had a population of around two hundred thousand.
That was the harsh reality of the bitter terrain.
Heitu spoke with a sense of pride, “But I can’t compare to Guan.”
“He now serves as a lower minister in the Shang Kingdom, far more distinguished than I.”
Guan humbly replied, “It’s all thanks to Master’s grace.”
Lord Yan Yun clicked his tongue in admiration, exclaiming, “Back then, I only wanted you to follow Mister Zhang to have someone watch his back on the road. I never expected—never expected, truly—”
“That you would all now have such success and renown.”
At this, Lord Yan Yun was overwhelmed with emotion.
He recalled that farewell scene from forty years ago.
Suddenly, everything became even clearer in his mind.
Before him, Heitu, Guan, and Rou’er seemed to have transformed back into their younger selves from four decades past.
That year, Heitu had a full beard and a sturdy build.
That year, Guan was tall and slim, quiet and reserved.
That year, Rou’er was in the prime of her youth, her appearance charming.
That year—
Zhang Yang was utterly down and out, possessing nothing.
Lord Yan Yun looked dazed as he led everyone into Lord Yan’s Residence.
Today, the Yan Kingdom was unusually lively.
Not only was Lord Yan’s Residence bustling beyond measure, but the streets were just as vibrant.
Everyone knew that the Yan Kingdom had produced several prominent figures.
There were Yan Kingdom officials serving as high ministers in the Shang Kingdom.
What kind of country was the Shang Kingdom?
It was the current hegemon of Heng State.
The greatest power under heaven, reverenced by all feudal lords.
To serve as a high minister in such a nation was a source of immense prestige and honour.
Beyond the common folk’s celebrations, those most delighted were the friends and family of Heitu, Guan, and Rou’er.
To celebrate their return, Lord Yan Yun had invited them all to Lord Yan’s Residence as guests.
Heitu’s parents had died long ago, leaving two brothers behind.
The eldest brother had passed away many years ago, leaving a child.
The youngest brother was still alive but had become confused and forgetful, to the point that even Heitu no longer recognised him.
This struck a chord in Heitu, filling him with both deep emotion and regret.
Guan had no immediate family, only some distant cousins and relatives who had come.
Guan was rather cold towards these relatives.
But!
His impoverished kin couldn’t have cared less.
They fawned over Guan, flattering him incessantly.
Compared to Heitu and Guan, Rou’er was lucky.
She was born into a wealthy family; her ancestors had served as high officials in the Yan Kingdom, and her father was also a scholar of Yan.
After her parents passed away, they left a considerable inheritance to their siblings.
Rou’er held her younger sister’s hands tightly. Her eyes, on the verge of blindness, could no longer make out clear images, only vague shapes.
A woman in her fifties, slightly plump in build.
Her name was Qing’er.
Rou’er examined her sister and sighed, “Ah Mei, you’ve grown old.”
Qing’er choked back tears, “Sister, you’ve grown old too.”
The sisters had been very close in the past.
Qing’er was four years younger than Rou’er.
Turning to Zhang Yang, Qing’er said with a smile, “Chief Minister, do you still recognise me?”
Zhang Yang pretended to ponder and replied, “Could it be that you’re the little glutton?”
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but laugh.
Hearing this, Qing’er laughed too.
She reminisced, “Back then, my sister often took me to play around Lord Yan’s Residence, sometimes even sneaking me into the kitchen to steal some snacks.”
Zhang Yang laughed, “Ha ha, back then, you followed Rou’er to visit me and secretly ate all my snacks while I was asleep.”
“You little rascal, not only did you not wipe your mouth, you even lied and said the cat had taken the snacks away.”
Qing’er covered her mouth and chuckled.
Thinking back to those childhood days, it brought a rather different sort of feeling now.
Rou’er spoke gently, “Fortunately, my husband is kind-hearted and didn’t tell Lord Yan, or else Qing’er would have surely received a few lashes.”
Qing’er nodded slightly.
Rou’er asked, “How is the family? Any changes?”
Qing’er replied, “The family is fine. As for changes, we’ve moved to a new place.”
“We no longer live on Camphor Street.”
“The night is late today, but tomorrow I’ll take my sister to see our new home.”
“If my sister wishes, she can stay for a few days.”
At this, Qing’er smiled and said, “But our humble dwelling can’t compare with the Chief Minister’s mansion. I wonder if my sister will find it comfortable enough.”
Rou’er took Qing’er’s hand and quickly said, “Comfortable, very comfortable.”
“I~~”
“Have already forgotten what the old home looked like.”
“This time, I must remember it—so that in the future, if I go to the Netherworld, I’ll still be able to find my way home.”
Qing’er’s expression darkened slightly, and she hurriedly reassured her, “Sister, what are you saying? You’re strong and blessed. Surely you’ll live a long life and grow old together with the Chief Minister.”
Rou’er smiled without replying.
She knew her own condition all too well.
Her time was running out.
The few of them chatted and laughed together. Qing'er spoke about the changes in her family over the years, about her son and grandson, and about her younger brother's family.
Rou'er would occasionally take over the conversation, sharing stories of her life in the Shang Kingdom, recalling moments with Zhang Yang, bit by bit.
Before they knew it, it was already late at night.
The next day, accompanied by Qing'er, Rou'er visited her old home—the house left behind by her parents.
She also paid visits to Qing'er's family and then her younger brother’s household.
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
On the fourth day, the weather was clear.
But Rou'er never opened her eyes again.
She passed away with a smile on her face, her life fulfilled.
Rou'er’s death was expected by Zhang Yang.
However, for Lord Yan Yun, Heitu, and the others, it came as quite a shock.
That day, Lord Yan Yun and Heitu drank themselves into a drunken stupor.
They talked about old times—about Heitu, Guan, and the stories of the Yan Kingdom before Li’s departure.
As they spoke, Lord Yan Yun broke down in tears.
“Old friends are all leaving; my time isn’t much longer either.”
“To see you all before I die—it’s truly a blessing.”
Hearing this, Heitu embraced Lord Yan Yun, and they wept together.
Zhang Yang watched the two old men embracing each other, shaking his head with a smile, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
Time is truly a merciless force.
No matter if you are peerlessly talented, no matter if you possess a beauty like a goddess, no matter if your wisdom rivals the heavens, in the end, none of it can withstand the power of time.
Unless—
One masters the martial path to its deepest mysteries and continually breaks through!
Zhang Yang took a deep breath, his fists gradually clenching tighter.
I will find the Method of Immortality!
After Rou'er’s death, Zhang Yang, in accordance with her last wishes, buried her alongside her parents in the Yan Kingdom.
However—
While Zhang Yang was holding the funeral for Rou'er, disaster struck.
Two hundred thousand troops of the Lesser Yuezhi advanced southward!
They laid siege to Xinxian!
This calamity came so suddenly that even the Yan Kingdom had received no prior warning.
Outside Xinxian City, the Lesser Yuezhi’s camps spread out like a vast white ocean, stretching as far as the eye could see!
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