Chapter Forty-Nine: The Struggle of Five Heroes—Tang Deli’s Ascendancy

It happened that Hao Dan and his companions left quietly without notifying the Marquis of Martial Virtue, his Left Chancellor, or others. Soon after, an armed guard hurried into the main hall, loudly announcing, “My lord, something is amiss! The young lord, along with our two distinguished guests, has ascended into the clouds and departed, their whereabouts unknown!”

“That unfilial child! Outrageous!” The Marquis of Martial Virtue, Cheng Tang, erupted in fury upon hearing the news.

“My lord, do not let your anger consume you. Allow me to investigate at once!” said the Right Chancellor, Zhong Hui, who, having not seen the young lord in some time, was anxious. Without delay, he strode off to look into the matter.

After Zhong Hui departed, the Left Chancellor, Yi Yin, lowered his head in thoughtful silence, stroking his beard. Observing this, Cheng Tang inquired, “What is your opinion, Left Chancellor?”

“The young lord is talented and promising. Previously, during the incident at Yang City in Great Xia, it was the young lord who requested a celestial maiden to descend and save you, my lord. Later, the Empress of the Nine Barbarians arrived to repay a debt of gratitude. These two points alone speak volumes,” Yi Yin replied, his eyes bright and unwavering as he gazed at Cheng Tang.

“You mean to say that this child is no mere mortal?” Cheng Tang, though somewhat simple and straightforward in matters of personal feeling, was sharp and meticulous in affairs of state.

Since marrying the princess of Youxin, Cheng Tang had neglected his first wife, and though the couple had been together physically, more than a decade had passed without a child. Fortunately, sixteen years ago, during the rebellion of the Nine Barbarians, heaven showed favor and bestowed upon him the son of Hao Dan.

From the start, Yi Yin had deemed this child extraordinary. After all, no mortal had ever seen a six-month-old infant walk unaided. Among commoners, a two-year-old lifting their head was already remarkable, but Hao Dan was not only walking at six months, he was laughing, lively, and utterly endearing—a truly rare child.

Recalling these events, Cheng Tang began to realize that this adopted son might indeed be a gift from the heavens. Now, with the world under the Nine Heavens growing tense and war on the brink of erupting, this child, found in the chaos years ago, had become an extraordinary asset. If Hao Dan could unite the Nine Barbarians and Shangqiu, it would not be difficult to challenge the Great Xia dynasty. With the secret machinations of Yi Yin over the years, perhaps their grand ambition to unify the realm was within reach.

“Do you not share my feelings now, my lord?” Yi Yin said with a smile, noticing Cheng Tang’s introspective silence. “If the young lord is indeed a child of the heavens, our campaign against Great Xia may soon bear fruit!”

Just then, the Right Chancellor, Zhong Hui, returned at a brisk pace. Entering the main hall, he reported, “My lord, there is a gravely ill woman lying unattended in a humble room. I suspect she, too, was rescued by the young lord?”

“This is bad!” On hearing this, Yi Yin quickly calculated the omens and cried out in alarm.

“What troubles you so?” Zhong Hui inquired, perplexed.

Without waiting for a reply, Yi Yin strode toward the humble room. Inside, he found little Bai Ling unconscious and frail. Surveying the room and finding nothing amiss, Yi Yin finally relaxed.

When Cheng Tang and Zhong Hui arrived, Yi Yin quietly closed the door and led them aside. “This celestial maiden is none other than the Nine Heavens Immortal summoned by the young lord to save our master. We must not neglect her. Assign attentive maids to her care, and make no mistakes!”

“As for the young lord’s sudden departure, I have reached a conclusion. My observations revealed nothing unusual in the room, but judging by the circumstances, the young lord has surely gone to assist the Empress of the Nine Barbarians in quelling their internal strife. The celestial maiden here is of great importance to him—he would not leave in haste without good reason. There is no need for undue concern; the young lord must have his own plans. Our only task is to care for the celestial maiden in this room.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Tang immediately summoned his attendants. “Attend me! See that ten of the finest maids are assigned to care for our honored guest. Her well-being must be ensured at all costs. Any irregularity must be reported to me at once!”

“And bring Shangqiu’s best female physician for our guest—she is injured and ill. Have her watched over through the night; not a single mistake will be tolerated!”

...

At midnight, a ragged figure slipped silently into the Marquis’s residence, scaling the courtyard wall and slipping into a room with swift, silent movements. Inside, Yi Yin was perusing a bamboo scroll by the dim light of a lamp. Without turning, he greeted the visitor affably, “Speak. What signs have you found? Tell me.”

Seeing Yi Yin unfazed, the newcomer seemed almost disappointed, but sat down confidently, facing Yi Yin. With a hint of jest, he remarked, “You seem to be enjoying yourself. It’s not our usual time to meet. Did you foresee my arrival, or are you only pretending at composure?”

“When have I ever pretended with you? We have known each other so long—who in the world understands me better than you?” Yi Yin put down his scroll, stroking his beard with a smile.

“Indeed, only you truly understand me in this vast world, and only I can speak with you openly.” The newcomer’s roguish demeanor was unmatched; no one else could rival or imitate his air.

“But to the point—if you’ve come in person, you must bear earth-shattering news. Otherwise, knowing your nature, you would never take such a risk.”

Yi Yin, with a touch of confidence, seemed to see right through his guest’s intentions.

“The web you have woven for years has finally begun to yield results. The country of Kunwu, as you anticipated, remains steadfastly loyal to Great Xia and is difficult to sway. As for the other four states, I have gradually taken control. Our agents are now in positions of influence. When war comes, we need not worry!”

“But—”

The man paused deliberately, a sly smile creeping across his face, clearly enjoying himself.

“What is it?” Yi Yin was not angered; his composure unshaken, for he knew this man too well.

“But when war breaks out, I cannot guarantee that the allied warriors will be unscathed. If a great conflict erupts, the world will drown in blood. The casualties will be immense. Even if we do our utmost to stabilize the situation, we may not be able to control the outcome completely. War means death, and death breeds hatred. Hatred begets endless conflict. If the world is truly plunged into such an abyss, it is not a fate I wish to see. Yet, for the sake of your grand design, this is all I can do. I hope you will not disappoint me.”

With that, the man straightened his tattered clothes, his serious manner commanding Yi Yin’s respect.

“Alas! May it be as you say…” Yi Yin sighed, then, remembering something, quickly added, “If war breaks out and mortal forces do not cause the deaths, but heaven’s powers bring great slaughter, do not blame me. Though our methods are perhaps not entirely honorable, our intent is for the common people, the realm, and the dynasty. Life and death no longer weigh heavily upon us. After more than a decade of observation, I can say that Cheng Tang truly has the qualities of a ruler for all under heaven. He is loyal and virtuous, always considering others—a servant of the people, not a selfish man. Such character cannot be feigned!”

“By the way, why is it that in your homeland the word ‘pretend’ is used to mean feigning? The first time I heard it, I pondered its meaning and finally understood: to disguise is to act—to pretend!”

“Your insight is unmatched, second to none!” The man replied, returning to his roguish self with a laugh.

“And your eccentricities are unrivaled in this world!” Yi Yin retorted without missing a beat.

Perhaps it was the depth of their long acquaintance, but only with this man did the usually enigmatic Yi Yin reveal a lighter, more playful side.

Seeing this rare display, the man laughed heartily. “Heh heh da!”

“What does ‘heh heh da’ mean?” Yi Yin was baffled.

The man grinned even more, and as he rose to leave, replied quietly, “It means exactly that—‘heh heh da.’”

By the time Yi Yin stood up, the man was already gone, the sound of his departure echoing at the window.

A man not yet forty, Yi Yin lived freely and naturally. He muttered a few words to himself, then, without overthinking the phrase, shook his head and sighed, “If only I could be as carefree as you, unburdened by the world. But now, with chaos descending and a worthy lord in place, when the stars align, our great cause will soon be realized!”

Finally, gazing out the window, Yi Yin whispered, “War is at our doorstep. For now, we must wait and watch. Perhaps soon the young lord will send news. I truly hope for peace to return to the land. The current system is too corrupt, and the slaves of the Yi clan—how are you now? I will rescue you from your suffering—I swear it!”

A touch of sorrow and loneliness lingered in his heart. Though not yet forty, Yi Yin’s temples were already streaked with gray. His people had been scattered; all their hopes rested on his shoulders. Since entering Youxin, he had silently vowed to restore his people’s fortunes—even if he could not reclaim their nation, he would at least free those enslaved, helping them return to a normal life.

He had known hardship since childhood, captured and made a slave at seven, laboring in quarries and building cities. Upon reaching adulthood, he finally found a chance: while working under the steward Tang in the slave camp, he learned the culinary arts. Then, when the imperial chef Da Meng came to reward the slaves, he seized the opportunity to display his talent, assisting Da Meng with impeccable order and skill. Impressed by his abilities, Da Meng took him on as a disciple, freeing him from slavery and taking him to Youxin to be trained as a chef. Yi Yin did not disappoint, gaining the king’s favor and, upon Da Meng’s retirement, became the royal chef himself.

Looking back, it was a painful journey. Hardened by adversity, his ambitions grew. He never dreamed of changing the fate of all under heaven, only that of his own people. He knew the misery of slaves, how fellow mortals treated them, and had witnessed many of his kin die from abuse. It was then that he swore to become the savior of his people. Though unremarkable in appearance and small in stature, his ambition was vast. Through patience and endurance, his character surpassed that of his peers. At last, his efforts bore fruit; Da Meng was his benefactor, the one he would never forget.

Whether it was the wind outside or the deepening night, Yi Yin suddenly broke from his reverie. Passing the place where his guest had sat, he noticed something unusual at his feet. Bending down, he found a brocade pouch. Smiling faintly, he opened it.

Inside, a seven-character maxim was revealed:

“Among five heroes contending, Tang shall prevail.”