Book 12: Chapter 74
Mount Wuding, located southwest of the capital, was a mountain that few souls would ever venture to owing to its dangerous terrain. Because there wasn’t a lot of bandit activity, rumours of occasional bandit sightings fell on deaf ears. No wild mountains fell under the jurisdiction of influential or authoritative factions, so the people on them were left to their own devices. After all, if a group of bandits didn’t commit banditry, they were nothing more than bandits only in name. Thus, the willing and able had an opportunity.
There were a considerable number of aforementioned regions in Jiangnan that the imperial court and White Princes never managed. Apart from the danger, there were no opportunities for contact. In saying that, things changed over the last two decades.
“Master, the nightfire signal has been shot.”
It took the man cuddling a wine jug a second thought to process the unreasonable notice. Still unable to believe his ears, he opened his eyes to peer out his window. “Already?”
Given the signal was given significantly earlier than informed beforehand, he suspected something unpredicted might’ve happened at the estate despite how rude the suspicion was. Drought Demon and Nine-Lives Cat Fiend might’ve been unpredictable, but Hai Yecha was the most reliable. Furthermore, they had League of Assassins’ best assassin, a man called the grim reaper himself. Still, the unlikely scenario made him carelessly blurt, “Could it be a mistake?”
“That is impossible, Master.”
He knew his subordinate was a yes-man, so he didn’t expect his subordinate to dispute his conjecture. “Why are you so sure? This is a big job. The imperial court’s forces have just left the mountain. If we head down now, won’t we bump into them?”
Their garrison of two thousand troops were slovenly hiding in the mountain. Considering how close they were to the capital, one mistake would attract the attention of Emperor’s Entourage. Accordingly, they didn’t dare to raise their voice, move quickly and lived as though they were old retirees. They had been hiding in the mountain for six months, waiting for the signal so that they could release their pent-up emotions. Having said that, it was no excuse to mindlessly race off the mountain when imperial troops passed by not long ago.
“You can confirm for yourself, Master.”
Despite it being night time, the sky resembled day time’s sky.
Just how much did they shoot? Rather, just how much determination did they muster up?!
Finding immense motivation from his superior’s determination, in an almost-shaky voice, he ordered, “Gather all our brothers south of the capital! We’re marching now! Let’s go bust up the orthodox sects!”
***
East of Mount Wuding, Emperor Yuansheng stargazed with the director of Directorate of Imperial Observatory. Dealing with the Seven Champion White Princes was enough of a headache recently, and his vassals had been upping the ante in their arguments over it. Among the few people he could discuss the matter with, there was the director of Directorate of Imperial Observatory.
Director Zuo let Emperor Yuansheng enjoy the scenery in silence for a good while prior to expressing, “Your Majesty, the dark southern sky and entrance of Sirius is a bad omen that something unpredictable is imminent.”
Emperor Yuansheng huffed his beard and widened his eyes. “Director Zuo, I appreciate you teaching me astronomy over the years, and I have learned a thing or two. Why do you perpetually mention bad omens and surprises, though? What is the point of keeping you if you are just going to tell me what I know?”
Director Zuo smiled. “Astronomy is a vast topic. Your subject can only be considered a beginner after a lifetime of study. To be honest, your subject is well aware of what it is you wish to ask.”
Emperor Yuansheng sighed. “In that case, tell me. Relieving me of my headache is a good deed.”
Director Zuo pointed toward heaven. “Your Majesty, that is Sirius…”
Director Zuo had yet to finish what he wanted to say when the dark canvas was bleached white. As an estimate from their position, the white light that came from the southwest spread over a hundred kilometres.
Emperor Yuansheng bobbed his head. “Sirius… exploded?”
***
“Hurry!” Master Qi called upon returning to the present. She pinched some items from the desk and dragged Guan Ning outside.
“Aaaaaah! Who the hell shot them?!” Hai Yecha’s howl sounded beside himself.
While a lot of money was just wasted, as Fiends’ Genesis would only ever use a few pipes each time, the money wasted was a trivial concern. A sky that white was tantamount to saying, “All of Fiends’ Genesis, mobilise a day earlier than planned!” Twenty years of effort was about to be sabotaged.
“Who fired them?! Who fired them?!”
“Wh-who’s the moron who shot so many and in the middle of the night, no l-” Nine-Lives Cat Fiend decided not to finish due to Hai Yecha blowing his top off.
Drought Demon folded his arms. “Yo, this is curious.”
Hai Yecha spun around to Drought Demon. “How can you smile?! This is a serious problem!”
“Why so serious? It’s just moving the operation to one day earlier, big deal. Besides the unlucky people who might run into some tough competition, what’s wrong with everyone else marching now? Our mission is only to cause anarchy, not to revolt.”
Owing to Drought Demon’s composure, Hai Yecha’s flames were somewhat quelled. “We still have to find who’s behind it to rip him apart.”
“I’m with you. I’m more than happy to do it. Question is, is the culprit still around.”
Hai Yecha was far too worked up to conduct an effective search.
“Over there,” Vivianite asserted out of the blue.
Master Qi felt stiff all of a sudden. Within moments, she could hear the wind blow loudly.
“You!”
By the time Master Qi managed to undo the immobilisation with her internal energy, it was too late to flee.
Hai Yecha belted, “So it’s you people! You almost ruined everything we worked for! Die!”
Master Qi instantly retreated two steps, but she couldn’t counter because something was interrupting her from within; she was cornered and helpless. When it was all supposed to end for her, someone cut out in front and slammed his open hand into Hai Yecha’s incoming hand, sending the elder stumbling back three steps.
Master Qi’s saviour, assuming a head-lowered and arms up pose, recited, “Fear the heart of the fierce tiger. Smell the scent of the Chinese rose!” He raised his head, showing his piercing gaze and upwardly tugged lips. “We meet again, vill-”
Hai Yecha: “Cut the hero pose out! You’re the one responsible for this?!”
