Chapter 50: The Wish of the Lord of the East

Yan Chun-jun’s eyes darted about, wanting to inquire about the matter of the captives, but felt it improper to broach the subject himself. Lin Shu smiled, “I shall not detain you further. The army will immediately return north. In a few days, should you find leisure, you are welcome to attend my nation's founding ceremony.”

“By your will, Lord of the North. Yan will surely come!” The northern army was about to withdraw, and Yan Chun-jun had indeed achieved a great merit this time.

With a wave of Lin Shu’s hand, Yan Chun-jun and Jue Ying slowly drifted a hundred meters away. The great carriage turned and departed, but Yan Chun-jun remained, quietly watching.

“Jue Ying, what martial art or sorcery was that?” The sensation just now still left Yan Chun-jun anxious, as if he had been bundled up and carried away.

Jue Ying hurriedly shook his head. “My lord, I cannot discern it. Perhaps only the legendary unity of Heaven and Man could explain such a realm.”

The unity of Heaven and Man! Yan Chun-jun knew that the strongest figures of the age were Grandmasters, and even they rarely revealed their true power; Masters seldom fought in the open. Masters were rare, and most duels in the realm were dominated by Innate experts, while first-class martial artists were already powerful in their own right.

Upon returning to the carriage, Lin Shu took the bronze box and examined it carefully. Dongjun’s blood was boiling; for this small box, she had nearly been ruined by that useless Yan Dan.

[Commander, this bronze box can autonomously absorb and volatilize spiritual energy. If the seven arrays are united, it can unleash formidable power. However, the box’s damaged array will erode the soul. It is advised to absorb its energy immediately and avoid further contact.]

The more Lin Shu studied the box, the greater his headache became; after a short while, he felt agitated and weary.

“Hmph! Useless thing! What Azure Dragon Seven Lodges! Once my carriage is upgraded to level four, even if you have nine lodges, it will be worthless!”

Ah! Lin Shu actually tossed the bronze box onto the floor, and Yan Consort truly wished to pick it up. If not for Jing Ni, Moon God, and the Minor Commander all watching, she might have resorted to her charms.

“Husband, you should keep it. Even with seven, it's not much use now.” Jing Ni hadn’t known what the box was before, but Lin Shu and Moon God had explained it to her.

“Lin Shu—Lord of the North? Could you give the bronze box to Yan Consort?” Dongjun grew increasingly anxious, not because she liked the box, but because the Eastern Emperor desperately needed it.

Lin Shu smiled inwardly—indeed, his sister could not resist. “If sister wishes for it, of course I’ll give it to you. After all, we’re family.” As he spoke, Lin Shu glanced at Moon God.

Moon God’s cheeks flushed, her heart stirred—her husband would even give up the bronze box for her!

Jing Ni frowned—this husband truly was generous! Perhaps, in his heart, genuine beauty meant more than kingdoms.

Minor Commander’s wide eyes blinked in surprise; she had to admit, this “bad king” was indeed magnanimous.

Was it true? Dongjun stared at Lin Shu, full of excitement, fearing he was merely teasing her.

“If Yan Consort, my sister, wants it, your brother-in-law is willing. But is it not that you intend to hand it over to the Eastern Emperor Taiyi, that rodent?”

The Eastern Emperor Taiyi loved to posture and, worse, made a host of beauties toil for him. Others fought life-and-death battles, while he hid behind the scenes, directing and criticizing. Not only did he fail to encourage them, he often scolded them.

Dongjun nodded bitterly, “The Yin-Yang family raised me, and Yan Consort must repay that debt. If your majesty is willing, Dongjun can offer something in exchange for the bronze box.”

She was torn between joy and sorrow. For all her brilliance, she could not escape the grasp of a man and would surely lose out to Moon God in days to come.

How fine! Lin Shu was tempted, but dared not show it—after all, two wives and a future lover were all nearby.

“Your Majesty, if you do not plan to treasure this bronze box, give it to the Eastern Emperor. That would settle our sisters’ debt to the Yin-Yang family.”

Moon God had defected from the Yin-Yang family, but never meant to harm the Eastern Emperor—after all, a decade’s kindness could not be forgotten.

“Very well. Take it, then. I have no use for it.” Lin Shu had no time to slowly collect bronze boxes, and besides, as an outsider, meddling with treasures that affected the world’s fate might not bode well.

When the bronze box floated into her hands, Yan Consort could scarcely believe it was real. Whether she was moved or excited, she couldn’t tell—she showed no sign of it.

“Yan Consort, better let the Yin-Yang family send someone to retrieve it,” Jing Ni advised carefully.

Moon God nodded, “Yes, many covet it. Once we leave the Empire, we can no longer control it.”

…

Once the order was given, the carriage moved and seventy thousand troops followed. The northern army withdrew—

The northern army truly withdrew—

On the city walls, Yan country soldiers could not help but cheer.

Ah! Le Jian sighed weakly. The northern army had retreated, but what if they returned? What would become of Yan then?

He hoped the vast desert would suffice to sate the Lord of the North’s ambitions.

Though he disliked the noisy ant soldiers, Yan Chun-jun’s face was still wreathed in smiles.

“Good, the king’s command is fulfilled! General, let us return and report!”

Le Jian knew the Yan King feared him wielding military power. “Very well, let us go!”

…

Yan Dan was fortunate to return alive to Ji Capital, but he was now the most pitiable man in Yan.

Though his life was spared, he was stripped of his crown prince title and confined to a small pavilion.

Yan Chun-jun rode for a while, then took several thousand cavalry ahead. By the time they reached the royal city, night had fallen, but he entered the palace still brimming with excitement.

The frustrated and anxious Yan King Xi was in no mood for wine or beauties, and instead diligently searched through the annals of Yan’s ancestors.

In books, one finds beauty; in books, one finds golden houses; and strategies for strengthening the realm.

“Your Majesty, Yan Chun-jun requests an audience.”

The Yan King rejoiced, immediately rising and going to the gate.

As expected, his brother returned with a look of delight—just as he had hoped.

“Brother, I did not fail you. The northern army has withdrawn. In days to come, the Lord of the North will invite me to the north to further discuss alliance.”

Excellent! After his joy, the Yan King grew suddenly solemn.

Yan Chun-jun had won his favor, and understood his mind.

“Brother, you can rest easy but remain vigilant—a true king indeed!”

His brother’s salute, the Yan King did not refuse; he deserved it.

“You alone understand me, brother. Though the northern army has withdrawn, once the Lord of the North settles the land, whether his ambitions turn west or south is beyond our prediction.”

Liaobei was lost, but Yan could withstand it. Yet if the northern army entered the Hebei plains, Yan would truly be finished.

Yan Chun-jun frowned, “In a few days, I will seek out the Lord of the North’s intentions, and do my utmost to persuade him to move west. But Liaohai Gate should be reinforced.”

Of all his ministers, only his brother could share his burdens—the Yan King was both grateful and glad.

“Good! Once more I must trouble you, brother. Pity that Yan Dan, the useless one, lacks a fraction of your wisdom.”

Mentioning Yan Dan made Yan Chun-jun angry—this fool had nearly ruined Yan! If not for his efforts to persuade the northern army’s retreat, the royal foundation would have been lost.

“Brother, Yan Dan’s crimes must not go unpunished! Otherwise, all of Yan will refuse to accept it!”

Yan Dan still lived, but the chance to execute him was gone.

“This—” The Yan King was troubled. Today he had avoided the matter, but tomorrow’s court session would be inescapable.

“How should this be handled, brother, to satisfy all? Though Yan Dan erred, it was also Six-Fingered Black Hero who acted on his own. Yan Dan remains close to the Mohist school, and future defense at Liaohai Gate will depend on Mohist crossbows and mechanical beasts to repel the northern army.”

Yan hated Yan Dan for harming the country, and Yan Dan, in turn, blamed Six-Fingered Black Hero for his arrogance. Had the Black Hero not been so confident, Yan Dan would not have acted rashly.

Who was truly at fault—even Six-Fingered Black Hero could not say. But in Yan Dan’s eyes, the Mohist leader was the true culprit.