Chapter Twenty-Nine: When Disaster Strikes, There Is No Choice but to Fight

Meanwhile, King Wu and his companions were fast approaching the Xuanwu Pass. Before them lay a single mountain road, a path perfectly suited for the Xuanwu garrison to set ambushes, their troops concealed in the dense forests, ready to attack at any moment. Should King Wu and his party traverse this way, boulders would come crashing down, and countless archers, hidden among the trees, would unleash a storm of arrows to cut them down in a hail of death. Yet, contrary to all expectations, their journey was unimpeded; no ambush awaited them, and the area was uncommonly peaceful.

At the same time, in the grand palace of Yu Capital in Great Xia, King Jie was uncharacteristically gloomy. Perhaps a premonition of danger weighed upon his heart, for lately he had not even visited Meixi’s residence, revealing his deep concern over King Wu’s escape. If one lets a tiger return to the mountain, the danger only festers and grows. Yet, on the very day that King Wu fled from Tiger Pass, word reached the palace with astonishing news that filled King Jie with both surprise and delight: the Grand Tutor and Guardian of the Realm, Ranlong, who had long watched over the demon-haunted Northern Sea, had returned to Great Xia. This message was swiftly conveyed to the king, who was so overjoyed he struck his dragon throne in excitement—evidence enough of the intensity of his elation.

It was said that Grand Tutor Ranlong was a master of peerless martial arts, his tutelage a mystery to all, and his manner forceful and decisive, brooking no opposition. Upon hearing of any disturbance or rebellion against Great Xia, he would waste not a moment, riding day and night to quash the traitors. On the very day of his return, he led the army forth with the intention of putting down the rebels—proof of his unwavering loyalty and single-hearted devotion to Great Xia.

Although Grand Tutor Ranlong was over fifty, his robust figure spoke of undiminished vigor. Clad in violet-gold armor beneath a crimson cloak, he rode his one-horned divine rhino, halting before the palace gates. Dismounting in a single leap, he strode purposefully toward the Hall of Dragon Virtue.

Outside the hall, King Jie had long since been waiting, a testament to the high regard in which he held the Grand Tutor. Seeing him approach alone, King Jie’s face lit up with joy; casting aside his dragon robe, he descended the steps to greet Ranlong.

The Grand Tutor knelt immediately, performing the formal obeisance.

"You have guarded the Eye of the Northern Sea for many years, Grand Tutor; today, as you return to the court, it is only right I greet you in person," King Jie said, hurrying forward to help the old man to his feet.

"With the favor of the ancestors and your trust, Your Majesty, I am bound by duty to defend the realm, permitting no foreign aggressor even the faintest covetous thought," replied Ranlong. Perhaps he had already learned of King Wu’s flight from Xiatai, for in his fury he had ridden his divine rhino through the night, covering two thousand miles in a single journey.

"Your loyalty is known to me, Grand Tutor. Let us proceed to the Hall of Dragon Virtue to discuss the matter further." With that, King Jie turned and entered the hall, Ranlong following with the stride of a tiger.

...

At this time, King Wu and his companions were less than a hundred miles from Xuanwu Pass, when Elder Zhongu, listening intently, sensed a disturbance outside. Looking through the carriage window, he heard a beast’s call from the sky—a strange vulture was swooping rapidly toward them.

"Not good! Pursuers approach from behind—what shall we do?" Elder Zhongu’s heart sank. Before them lay Xuanwu Pass, behind, the relentless pursuit from Tiger Pass; how could one remain calm in such dire straits?

"Though a celestial intervened at Tiger Pass, now we are truly riding the tiger. Even if it means death, I would rather die on the battlefield!" said Guan Longfeng, who was driving the carriage. He pulled the reins, halting the horses, his blood boiling with indignation. They could not advance; retreat was cut off, and countless pursuers were behind. Though he had fought bravely since youth, never had he known such desperate flight. The shame of being a fugitive stung his pride as a general.

Leaping from his horse, Guan Longfeng drew his silver broadsword in fury.

"General Guan, calm yourself!" Elder Zhongu pleaded earnestly.

"What other choice do we have? If not fighting, then death—so why not sell our lives dearly?" Guan Longfeng’s resolve was fierce, a hero of indomitable spirit.

"General Guan speaks true. When have I ever fled without a fight? If not for the intervention at Tiger Pass, I would already have been prepared to die. Now, in the face of calamity, there is only one course—battle!" King Wu stepped down from the carriage, gazing back at the swirling dust on the horizon. His weathered face was set with unshakable determination.

"We, your loyal ministers, are ready to die for you, King Wu!" Elder Zhongu, cheeks creased with worry, descended from the carriage with a resolute air.

Yi Yin narrowed his eyes at the approaching riders. His keen sight detected something amiss, and he exclaimed, "Master Historian! Look closely—is that your disciple Wang Weizhi leading those troops?"

"Indeed, so it seems," Elder Zhongu replied, his expression difficult to read—was it joy or sorrow?

"General Wang has always respected you, even after you resigned your post. He never shunned you, and he was involved in the events at Xiatai. Now, is his intent…?" Guan Longfeng, who was close to Wang Weizhi, could not discern whether the approaching force was friend or foe.

The four stood side by side in front of the carriage, King Wu and Guan Longfeng stepping forward with broadswords, while Zhongu and Yi Yin drew their daggers. Their faces were set with tragic resolve—they would rather die in battle than perish in panic and confusion.

...

In the Tilting Palace of the Great Xia’s royal court, Lady Meixi resided. After the events at Xiatai, Seventh Lady Meixi hurried back and immediately used her tranquil heart spell to send news of King Wu’s escape on a celestial paper crane to the Dongtian Sect on Mount Song, hoping her master Nantongzi and her brothers would come to King Wu’s aid.

She recalled that, before she came to Great Xia, she had used such a paper crane to send word from King Wu’s mansion in Shangqiu, but never received a reply. Even after arriving in the capital, there was no trace of the paper crane. Perhaps the message had been intercepted by mysterious powers, but as it contained nothing crucial, she had not dwelled on it.

Now, her heart was filled with worry that the crane’s message might again be intercepted by the enigmatic Seven Stars Tower. Days spent alone at her window had left her haggard. Her time with King Jie had revealed his depths to her—how could she not worry for King Wu’s safety?

Within the palace, her maid Xiaohua was a gentle soul, deeply considerate of her mistress. "My lady, you have not eaten for days. If this continues, you will harm your health," she urged.

"Xiaohua, you alone in this palace care for me. You know the burden on my heart; your concern is not lost on me," replied Meixi, who treated her maid more like a sister, never abusing or belittling her as others did. This kindness was the root of Xiaohua’s loyalty.

"My lady, you are the one I most respect in the palace. Since you arrived, you have never spoken harshly to me. You treat me like family, with no pretense. I was sold into service as a child and suffered much, but serving you is my greatest fortune. Please, do not make me worry more. If His Majesty learns of your declining health, he will also be grieved," Xiaohua pleaded, seeing Meixi’s once radiant beauty fading.

"Very well, leave supper here and I will eat presently," Meixi replied, addressing Xiaohua with gentle intimacy. Unlike the haughty consorts who saw themselves as phoenixes above all, Meixi was humble and gracious, treating her servants with rare kindness—a blessing for one so strictly raised as Xiaohua.

"My lady, please take care of yourself. I will take my leave," Xiaohua said, quietly withdrawing. She often watched Meixi in secret, puzzled by her mistress’s ceaseless melancholy. Meixi, the emperor’s most favored, grew thinner by the day, burdened with cares. Whenever the king visited, he arrived in high spirits but left silent and brooding. All the maids were skilled in reading faces, and Xiaohua’s curiosity deepened. She had never heard the sounds of conjugal intimacy between the two, only King Jie’s drunken laughter, with Meixi responding perfunctorily. Understanding her mistress’s heart, Xiaohua refrained from mentioning the king, instead chatting about matters of the neighboring state. Meixi would share stories of her past, but never of King Wu.

The city had been abuzz since the events at Xiatai, and even as a servant, Xiaohua had overheard rumors. Watching Meixi, she suspected a deep connection between her mistress and King Wu. She tried not to disturb her, but could not bear to see her waste away. Her devotion was such that, though punishment from the king was a small matter, Meixi’s health was paramount.

Meanwhile, in the Hall of Dragon Virtue, the king did not sit upon his throne but stood conversing amiably with Grand Tutor Ranlong.

"Grand Tutor, your concern for me is deeply appreciated. I ask that you travel in person to the Three Passes and bring the traitor King Wu back to Xia," said King Jie, his hatred of King Wu profound, suspecting that the man was the reason Meixi’s heart remained beyond his reach.

"Your Majesty, be at ease. I will personally seize the traitor and will not disappoint you," Ranlong declared confidently, for he had never regarded the vassal rulers as worthy adversaries.

"Take care on your journey, Grand Tutor. I await your triumphant return!" King Jie spoke as if already envisioning Ranlong’s capture of King Wu.

"I will not fail Your Majesty’s trust. I depart at once!" With that, Grand Tutor Ranlong bade farewell, striding out of the palace and mounting his one-horned rhino. As they set off, the divine beast let out an earth-shaking fart, echoing through the palace halls.

"Silent farts reek, but loud ones do not!" joked several palace attendants as the Grand Tutor departed.

What fate awaits? Find out in the next chapter!