Ah San was beginning to regret helping Baili Gucheng recover.
He realized that this group of Nihil-Rankers all shared the same stubborn nature. He shot Baili Gucheng a disdainful glance.
"Impending Sword you reckless fool, don't be stupid. Back at the Suantian Shrine, you couldn't lay a finger on Qi Zongbi when all he had were a dozen guards. He's surrounded by tens of thousands of troops now. Where does your confidence in killing him come from?"
Baili Gucheng stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes reflecting a subdued brilliance. "Now that my chronic ailment has been healed and my Concealed Sword Art has improved, why shouldn't I challenge that old dog Qi with my sword?"
"So confident, huh?" Ah San sneered. "Even if you could kill Qi Zongbi, how confident are you that you'd escape unscathed from an army a million strong? My junior sister is now just an ordinary woman. Can you guarantee she won't be implicated by your actions?"
Baili Gucheng was stunned.
Ah San stepped aside and gestured toward the north of the city. "Qi Zongbi is currently at the Command Post. If you are truly as confident as you say, go ahead. I promise I won't stop you."
Baili Gucheng gritted his teeth, caught in a dilemma.
At that moment, a cool, clear voice came from behind.
"There's no need. Qi Zongbi's life will be mine."
Baili Gucheng turned and saw that Ye Beizhi had appeared next to them, unnoticed.
Ye Beizhi gave Baili Gucheng a once-over. "Better?"
Baili Gucheng nodded silently.
"Now is not the time for revenge." Ye Beizhi glanced at Ah San. "If Qi Zongbi dies, Liangzhou will be lost."
Ah San sneered. "Looks like there’s someone sensible here. I thought you wouldn’t understand such logic either."
"Mm..." Ye Beizhi glanced back at the inn, then at Ah San. "You... really not going in?"
Ah San's gaze dimmed. He looked wistfully at the inn, then shook his head. "No... I've already seen her. That’s enough. Let it be. It's time I leave."
Ye Beizhi nodded and cupped his fists. "Until we meet again."
Baili Gucheng gave Ah San a long, deep look and also cupped his fists. "Take care."
The figure carrying the umbrella walked away and disappeared at the street corner. He didn’t turn his head even once, as if he felt no attachment at all.
"This man has formidable martial arts. Why would he submit to Qi Zongbi?" Baili Gucheng pondered aloud.
Ye Beizhi was silent for a while before replying, "He’s not one of Qi Zongbi’s men."
"Hmm?" Baili Gucheng looked at Ye Beizhi in confusion. "Then who does he work for? And why would he help Qi Zongbi?"
Ye Beizhi didn’t answer. He had learned about Ah San from Wary Listener Ye Fan but couldn’t be bothered to explain.
"Hic— I know," Xue Qiming chimed in as he drunkenly emerged from the inn.
Baili Gucheng waved away the smell of alcohol with some disgust. "This matter has nothing to do with you. Why are you meddling?"
"Hehe..." Xue Qiming casually placed his hand on Baili Gucheng's shoulder. "After I ate, I saw the two of you sneaking around doing who knows what. So I came to take a look. What? Is it illegal to walk around now?"
"Enough." Baili Gucheng pushed Xue Qiming aside and stepped back. "If you know something, say it. Stop acting drunk."
Xue Qiming hiccupped again and winked at Baili Gucheng. "Last year, someone above the Heaven-rank died. Have you heard about it?"
Baili Gucheng nodded. "I know about that... Moonlight Illuminator Zhang Buzhen. It’s said he died in Northern Qiang."
"Do you know how he died?" Xue Qiming asked with a playful smile.
Baili Gucheng raised an eyebrow, waiting silently for Xue Qiming’s answer.
Xue Qiming, seeing no reaction, continued. "Zhang Buzhen died at the hands of that Black Umbrella Ah San. I don’t know the details, but Zhang Buzhen took a commission to kill Ah San.
"He wasn’t alone either. Frozen Daybreak
Lin Jiulao and Tranquil Stream Yi Anzhi joined forces with ten other Heaven-Ranker assassins to accept the commission. In the end, Zhang Buzhen was still slain on the spot."
Ye Beizhi froze. He recalled the proud man who was obsessed with becoming the strongest blademaster and reconsidered what he knew of Ah San’s strength.
Baili Gucheng's expression shifted repeatedly as he asked incredulously, "And he... actually survived? How did he escape?"
"How could he have escaped!" Xue Qiming laughed heartily. "Guess what? That guy struck some kind of deal with the Ghostbane Association and later joined their ranks. Not long ago, the Ghostbane Association added a new name to those above the Heaven-Rankers, Ephemeral Requiem. That’s him."
Baili Gucheng fell silent, recalling a story Yang Lu had once told him. Everything seemed to connect now.
Using his master’s head as a pledge of loyalty... Ah San indeed was not a good person.
Meanwhile, on Ah San's side, he traveled silently all the way to the Command Post at the northern city gate.
The guards on duty had already noticed this person sneaking around and peering at the gate. One of them stepped forward and shouted, "Who are you? This is a military and administrative zone, leave at once!"
Ah San glanced sideways at the guard and said calmly, "I’m here for Qi Zongbi."
"Insolence!" The guard’s expression changed drastically. "Do you think you can casually speak Lord Qi’s name? Seize him!"
About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea later, Qi Zongbi, who had just finished his midday meal, was resting in his room. Suddenly, the sound of chaotic footsteps startled him awake. He sat up, and an elderly steward hurried in without even knocking.
"What’s the hurry?" Qi Zongbi’s expression remained relatively calm. Seeing that it wasn’t a general delivering the report, he deduced it wasn’t related to the war.
This steward was someone Qi Zongbi had brought from his own household and had served him faithfully for years. The loyal steward anxiously reported, "My lord, a martial artist from the jianghu has come to see you. The guards refused to let him in, and now he’s killed more than ten men outside the Command Post. None of the reinforcements dare approach him."
"If he’s here to see me, what is the need for such violence?" Qi Zongbi frowned, slipped on his shoes, and said, "Lead the way. I want to see who dares to act so brazenly."
By the time the two reached the gate, they were followed by a group of guards. The steward announced at the top of his lungs, "Make way! Lord Qi is here!"
The crowd parted, creating a path. Qi Zongbi walked forward slowly and saw a lone figure in black clothing and carrying a black umbrella, standing within the encirclement outside the gate.
"It’s you?" Qi Zongbi’s frown deepened. He clearly remembered this man. The scene at the Suantian Shrine was still vivid in his mind. This man had gone to great lengths to protect him that day.
Seeing that the person he had been waiting for had finally arrived, Ah San remembered the instructions Sikong Yan had given him before his departure. He then spoke slowly, "Lord Qi, there’s been trouble in the capital."
A sense of dread surged in Qi Zongbi’s heart, and he unconsciously swallowed. "What happened?"
"Naturally, nothing good." Ah San looked into Qi Zongbi’s eyes and spoke faintly, "Your junior brother sent me on an urgent journey of many li to inform you first. The border in a critical state, but you must take care of yourself."
"Speak quickly!" Qi Zongbi angrily demanded. The unease in his heart grew stronger. "What exactly happened?"
Ah San’s gaze deepened, and he locked his eyes on Qi Zongbi’s. "My lord, the border has suffered repeated defeats. Rumors in the court have turned against you. In order to protect your life, Lady Qin... hanged herself in your residence.
"This happened several days ago. The court, fearing you might rebel, intercepted and killed all the messengers sent from your residence along the post roads. The situation is perilous. Your junior brother has fled eastward to avoid getting caught up in this disaster. He specifically sent me to warn you to proceed cautiously."
From the moment he heard about Lady Qin’s suicide, Qi Zongbi seemed to fall into a daze, standing motionless with vacant eyes that were lost in thought. After Ah San finished speaking, Qi Zongbi’s lips quivered slightly, but he couldn’t say a word. He took a step back and swayed where he stood.
The steward quickly stepped forward to support him, asking with concern, "M-my lord..."
"My beloved..." Qi Zongbi could only utter these two words before his vision went dark, and he lost consciousness.