Chapter Sixteen: Hao Shan Awakens in a Daze (Part 3)

Watching the old and the young leave, Hao Dan suddenly remembered something. He quickly felt inside his robe and, finding Lord Lu Ya’s Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger still there, he finally sighed in relief.

A moment later, Hao Dan arrived in Shangqiu City at dusk. Along the way, he clearly sensed an unusual atmosphere in the streets and alleys, a faint unease creeping into his heart for reasons he could not name.

He hurried to the gates of the Marquis of Wu’s residence, where a trusted aide of Left Minister Yi Yin had been waiting anxiously for quite some time. Upon seeing Hao Dan, the man hastened forward, exclaiming, “Young master, you’ve finally returned! I was worried sick. A few days ago, an evil spirit began causing havoc in the city. The Left Minister had urgent business and departed for the Great Xia capital with Lady Seven, and your whereabouts were unknown. We searched for you for days to no avail. Fortunately, a little girl in green appeared just in time and drove the spirit away from the people. Where have you been these past days?”

“Oh? So that’s what happened,” Hao Dan mused. He quickly understood: the little girl had come to Shangqiu and helped the people by banishing the evil spirit. It seemed fate had brought them together.

“Do you know why Left Minister Yi Yin and Lady Seven went to Great Xia?” Hao Dan promptly set aside thoughts of the little girl and asked the crucial question.

“Lady Seven left this token for you before she departed,” the man replied, producing the item.

“Hand it here; I’ll have a look myself.” Hao Dan took the token and opened it. On it were four large characters:

“Do not leave Shang!”

“Why? Am I not to leave Shang? Did something happen while I was away?” After reading the token, a sense of foreboding gripped Hao Dan, and he anxiously questioned the man.

The aide’s face showed his dilemma. He had only overheard the conversation between the Left Minister and Lady Seven by chance. Now he hesitated, uncertain whether to inform the young master; after all, Marquis Cheng Tang remained imprisoned in Xiatai. If Hao Dan learned of this, he would surely head for Great Xia. Yet the token bore Lady Seven’s explicit instructions, which must have their reasons.

“You don’t need to say it; I can see it in your face,” Hao Dan said, not pressing him further. Tossing the token back, he turned to leave.

“Please, young master, don’t act rashly!” the aide called after him, unable to stop him and fearing the young master would do something reckless.

“Don’t worry! I am no longer the person I once was,” Hao Dan replied, vanishing from sight in a few moments with a display of his movement technique. Standing outside the city, he spoke to himself with newfound confidence.

And yet, Hao Dan couldn’t help but note that more than one person had cautioned him against acting on impulse lately. He had the vague feeling that matters were about to become very interesting indeed.

...

Meanwhile, in the Great Xia capital, atop the Cloud Sky Seven Stars Tower.

It was late evening; the stars twinkled in the night sky.

“Master, Duna and Ba-Shizhu have already headed for Shangqiu. As for ‘Side-Face Jialuo,’ the reports say she’s about to complete her first assignment and is picking up the pace. She sent word for you not to worry.” The speaker was Wutong, Mistress of the Fourth Floor of the Seven Stars Tower, renowned information officer and a rare Five Elements Limit Witch.

“Excellent. Of you six, only she has never disappointed me,” the Grand Preceptor Yuan Ji said, rare approval coloring her usually cold tone, her crimson lips curving beneath a silver mask.

“Master, ever since that red-clad boy appeared, the King of Xia has been posturing constantly. It might be a ruse,” Wutong continued. Her agents were everywhere in the palace, keeping the king under close watch.

“No need to worry. The King of Xia once did me a kindness. I’ve plotted against him for years, and I do feel some guilt. Let him enjoy his twilight years in peace. As for my plans, he’s not yet capable of interfering, so there’s no need to be as cautious as before.”

“Yes, Master, I’ll withdraw all our agents from the palace at once.”

“Wait. I hear that Mei Xi of You Shi has entered the capital. There are rumors among the people: ‘Mei Xi of You Shi—so pitiful and lovely, a goddess among mortals, beauty unmatched.’ I wish to see such a singular woman for myself. Tomorrow, arrange for her not to meet in the palace. I want to see just what manner of extraordinary beauty she truly is,” Yuan Ji said. She was well aware that Minister Zhao Liang had exaggerated Mei Xi’s charms before the king, but as a woman, she could not help but feel compelled to measure herself against another beauty.

“Yes, Master. But should we still withdraw our eyes and ears from the palace?” Wutong asked, not quite grasping Yuan Ji’s intentions.

“If you withdraw them, who will keep watch over this remarkable woman for you?” Yuan Ji replied, a hint of impatience in her tone.

“Understood, Master!” Wutong replied, filled with admiration. She had not caught the deeper meaning at first, but now, with effort, she understood.

...

The next morning, Wutong—tall, striking, golden-haired and blue-eyed, half her face hidden behind a silver mask, her slender figure clad in exotic attire—waited in front of the Golden Pavilion Hostel. Soon Left Minister Yi Yin and Lady Seven, Mei Xi, emerged, preparing to ride into the palace. Wutong, accompanied by her attendants, called out, “Left Minister of Shangqiu, Lady Mei Xi of You Shi, my master requests your presence. Would you please wait a moment?”

“And whom do I have the honor of addressing?” Left Minister Yi Yin returned the greeting with a cupped fist.

“I am Wutong, Mistress of the Fourth Floor of the Seven Stars Tower, disciple of the Grand Preceptor Yuan Ji,” Wutong replied proudly, tilting her delicate chin.

“So the Grand Preceptor has summoned us. We dare not refuse,” Yi Yin replied at once; the name of Yuan Ji was famous throughout the land.

“Please, this way.” Wutong stepped aside, extending a graceful arm in invitation.

“We trouble you to lead the way,” Lady Seven, Mei Xi, answered softly from behind a light veil, her tone gentle.

At the sound of her voice, Wutong, as a fellow woman, could not help but gaze intently at Mei Xi, curious to see for herself what kind of beauty she truly was. Unfortunately, Mei Xi did not lift the carriage curtain, and Wutong could not glimpse her fabled looks.

Having not seen her face, Wutong led the carriage toward the Seven Stars Tower.

Meanwhile, word of this quickly reached the King of Xia.

Minister Zhao Liang, the chief counselor, was present in the Dragon Virtue Hall. The king asked in a low voice, “Why has the Grand Preceptor done this, Lord Zhao? Can you divine her purpose?”

Zhao Liang thought for a moment before replying, “In my humble opinion, the Grand Preceptor’s motives stem from rivalry. Both she and Mei Xi are women, and for a woman as proud and aloof as the Grand Preceptor, her unmatched superiority is everything. She must be curious about Mei Xi of You Shi and wishes to see her for herself. Your Majesty need not worry. While this may diminish your majesty’s authority, it is all for your sake. Just wait and see how things unfold.”

“You are wise, my loyal subject. For some reason, I am in an excellent mood! Very well, I’ll trouble you to go to the Seven Stars Tower. Once the Grand Preceptor has met with this lady, escort her immediately to the palace. I do not wish to delay any longer,” the King of Xia said, unable to contain his eagerness. He did not want to go himself for fear of causing a stir among the court, so he entrusted Zhao Liang with the task.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will see to it at once. May you enjoy good health and long life!” Zhao Liang replied happily, then took his leave.

After he departed, Zhao Jing, the chief eunuch, approached the king and whispered a few words in his ear. Whatever was said caused the king’s expression to change dramatically.

...

What happens next? Read on in the following chapter.