HCAW 49

Chapter 49 – A Night’s Talk by the Lamp

His body wobbled, consciousness adrift. Chu Kuang dreamed of his past self, eight years ago—a naïve boy hunting beasts with a bow in the woods of Guxie Mountain. Back then, his master was still alive, still by his side.

The dream receded like a tide. The moment he opened his eyes, a wave of pain surged through his skull, as if a carriage had run over his head.

“It hurts!” he yelled, bolting upright—nearly smashing into the cabin ceiling.

Xiao Jiao burst into curses. “Shut the hell up! You think you’re the only one in pain?”

Chu Kuang refused to back down and fired right back. Lying nearby, Fang Jingyu groaned weakly, “Can you both shut up? My whole body already hurts, and now my ears hurt too.”

Xiao Jiao bellowed, “What do you mean both? Only one person’s howling like a dog!”

She jabbed her finger straight at Chu Kuang. Chu Kuang snapped, “You’re louder than a dog!”

Just as the two were about to start another fight, the cabin door swung open. Zheng Deli rushed in with a clay pot in hand, the room instantly filled with the scent of medicine. Seeing the tense standoff, he gawked—then furrowed his brows and scolded, “You’re all wounded! Why the hell are you still at each other’s throats? Lie down!”

Xiao Jiao and Chu Kuang obeyed and lay back down. But even lying on the straw mats, they continued to mutter and curse under their breath.

It had been two days since they escaped the execution ground. Now they were aboard a fast ship, resting in a small cabin vacated by the Langgan Guard’s old subordinates.

A porcelain oil lamp lit the room with a timid glow. Xiao Jiao had a broken hand from being struck by a flying stone. Fang Jingyu was still suffering from injuries sustained in MilubVillage and the interrogation, compounded by wounds from his clash with the Yu Ji Guard. He lay stiffly on his back, his cold expression and still body making him look like a corpse in a coffin. Oddly, Chu Kuang was unscathed—he clutched his head and wailed constantly, but aside from the side effects of the Da Yuan Dao leader’s meat, he had no injuries.

Zheng Deli went around changing everyone’s bandages, sprinkling pearl-white healing powder on their wounds, wrapping them carefully, and feeding them bitter medicine before finally stepping outside to wash his hands. Chu Kuang downed the medicine and gagged, sticking out his tongue and trembling like a seizure, still hugging his bone bow tightly.

Fang Jingyu noticed how tightly Chu Kuang clung to that bow and grew curious. He’d seen horn bows before—usually wooden bows with bone tips or horn laminates—but this one appeared to be entirely bone, which would normally lack both flexibility and strength. Yet he’d seen Chu Kuang shoot with it—swift and deadly. So he reached out to touch it, but Chu Kuang pulled away with visible hostility.

Chu Kuang glared. “What are you trying to do?”

Fang Jingyu said, “Your bow looks nice. I just wanted to take a look.”

Chu Kuang hugged it tighter. “Pah! Don’t sully my good bow with your filthy gaze!”

“What kind of bone is it made from?” Fang Jingyu asked.

“Human bone,” Chu Kuang answered coldly.

Fang Jingyu flinched in surprise, but Chu Kuang stuck out his tongue and grinned. “Scared, huh?”

Fang Jingyu realized he was being teased and, irritated, hurled a soft pillow at Chu Kuang’s face. “Scare what? Shut it!”

But once this guy got going, peace was impossible. Chu Kuang refused to shut up and began wailing again. His voice echoed around the small cabin, making it sound like four people were crying in unison. Fang Jingyu and Xiao Jiao tossed and turned in annoyance. Fang Jingyu turned his head and asked, “Now what?”

Chu Kuang’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “This cabin’s drafty—wind’s making my brain cold.”

The others looked around. If there were a draft, the place would be flooded. Xiao Jiao snapped, “You lie through your teeth!”

But Chu Kuang kept insisting the wind gave him a headache and then tried to squeeze into Fang Jingyu’s bedding, claiming it was warmer and blocked the wind better.

Fang Jingyu gave up and lifted the blanket. This guy had always been like this—back at the Fang courtyard, he’d sneak into Fang Jingyu’s bed at night nine times out of ten, whispering endlessly about the landscapes beyond the Heavenly Pass.

Xiao Jiao growled, “Why do you always indulge him?”

Fang Jingyu said, “Forget it—if it’ll shut him up, we can all get some peace.” Xiao Jiao finally went quiet.

Truth was, Fang Jingyu felt guilty toward Chu Kuang. He had stormed the execution ground, shielded him with his body from the Yu Ji Guard, and had a hole blown through his chest. Though his injuries had healed, his headaches only seemed worse now. Seeing both him and Xiao Jiao still so lively, Fang Jingyu knew it was a miracle they’d escaped the Yu Ji Guard at all. He no longer tried to curb their antics.

Chu Kuang, slippery as an eel, slipped under the covers and did quiet down for a while. But soon, there was a knock on the cabin door, and in walked a man in a worn cotton robe—Mule.

Fang Jingyu was surprised, but on second thought, Mule was an old acquaintance of the Langgan Guard and must have played a part in their escape over Penglai’s Heavenly Pass. Fang Jingyu was about to rise and greet him, but Mule raised a hand respectfully.

“I have a few words to say. No need to get up, you’re all wounded. Just lie back and listen.”

The group lay back on their straw mats. Zheng Deli slipped quietly into the room as well. Mule sat on the cabin floor and grinned.

“You folks really are something. To escape from the second-ranked Yu Ji Guard of the Xian Mountain Guards—that’s like slipping into boots without a shoehorn. I offer my congratulations.”

Chu Kuang stuck his head out from the bedding and shouted, “Yu Ji Guard? Just a stinking old bug!”

Mule was slightly startled to see the young man—he recognized him as the young master who had once bought arrows and fire oil from him. But due to the confusion caused by the meat Chu Kuang had eaten, he had completely forgotten their dealings. Back then, Chu Kuang had told him not to reveal his real name to anyone, so Mule simply treated him as a stranger and didn’t show any hint of familiarity on his face.

Mule sat upright and said formally, “Allow me to give everyone an update. Right now, we’re sailing on the Ming Sea. Lord Langgan ordered four warships destroyed, and fire oil was laid on the waters near Zhenhai Pass. The Yu Ji Guard couldn’t catch up, so for now, we’re safe.”

Fang Jingyu frowned. “Even without warships, they must have small boats. And if the Immortal Court gives the order, they could probably build a new warship overnight. We’re still far from out of danger.”

Mule chuckled. “Your Highness, that’s where you’re mistaken.” He took a map from his sleeve and spread it across the floorboards. The group propped themselves up and leaned in. Mule pointed to a spot on the map. “Our destination is Xian Mountain’s Yingzhou. It’s nothing like Penglai—completely different. Take a look, this is Yingzhou.”

He pointed to a sunken area of sea—a massive whirlpool, like a heavenly pit on the ocean’s surface. Small markings within it indicated reefs. Mule explained:

“Yingzhou has long suffered from flooding, submerged by the Ming Sea for centuries. The outer edge of the whirlpool is covered in storm clouds and violent winds. Only the central Qingyu Gao¹ 青玉 (qingyu): translated literally as “blue jade” or “green jade,” 膏 (gao): literally “ointment” or “cream,” Mountain stands above the waves. Outside the whirlpool, sea currents and wind patterns change every few months. Right now is just such a transitional period. Once we reach Yingzhou, the storm will block the Yu Ji Guard’s pursuit. In such tempestuous waves, most would lose their way.”

Though Fang Jingyu had read Da Yuan Dao’s books, this was the first time he had seen a detailed map beyond Penglai. He was astonished—realizing Penglai was but a small corner of a vast world.

Zheng Deli also marveled. “So you planned to pick us up just in time? That was all calculated?”

Mule smiled. “Just a coincidence. As they say, man proposes, heaven disposes—and this time, heaven’s on our side. I only wanted to reassure you all. You can rest easy for now, no need to worry about pursuit.” He then took out an enamel-inlaid gold-and-silver scabbard and handed it to Fang Jingyu. “Your Highness, this is for you.”

Fang Jingyu accepted it and immediately recognized it as a custom-made scabbard for the Vipashiyin Blade—crafted with exquisite detail. That sword had stood embedded in the Taoyuan Stone Gate for a century; now, it finally had a scabbard again. He nodded and said, “Thank you.”

Everyone lay down again. Mule left the cabin and gently shut the door. The scabbard was beautifully made. Fang Jingyu sheathed the Vipashiyin Blade—it fit perfectly. But when he looked up, he saw Chu Kuang staring fixedly at the sword.

Fang Jingyu asked, “What is it?”

Chu Kuang said, “Your sword looks nice. I want to see it.”

Fang Jingyu tightened his grip on the sword. “Don’t sully my good blade with your filthy eyes.”

Annoyed, Chu Kuang scratched at him repeatedly. Xiao Jiao and Zheng Deli came over to look at the sword. Zheng Deli noticed the imperial dragon carvings on both the Hanguang Sword and the Vipashiyin Blade, and couldn’t help but say, “A sword and a saber, both bestowed by the Emperor himself—Jingyu, you’ve truly made it big!”

Xiao Jiao asked, “I’ve been wondering—why did that guy just now call you ‘Your Highness’?”

It turned out Zheng Deli and Xiao Jiao still didn’t know Fang Jingyu was the last surviving son of Emperor Bai. They had dismissed the Mohe Guard’s claims at the execution ground as nonsense. So Fang Jingyu told them the truth. The two were stunned speechless.

After a long silence, Zheng Deli’s face turned bright red. He stammered, “Y-Your Highness!”

Xiao Jiao stumbled as well. “Tight-lipped gourd… gourd Your Highness!” It clearly shocked them to learn the person beside them was of imperial blood.

Fang Jingyu felt awkward. “Just treat me the way you always have.”

Xiao Jiao put on a fake fawning voice. “Your Highness, when you rise to power, please grant me a golden mountain—I want to hire a thousand scholars to copy books for me!”

Even Zheng Deli rubbed his hands together, shyly adding, “Your Highness, I don’t ask for much. I just hope my father can return to his post.”

Seeing their greedy expressions, Fang Jingyu could only sigh.

Lying back down, he saw Chu Kuang quietly folding his hands in sleep. That troublemaker who had just been yelling like a firecracker was now oddly peaceful. His crow-black hair fell softly, contrasting with his pale, jade-like skin. In stillness, his features were elegant and clear, like a familiar painting. Fang Jingyu felt dazed. Where had he seen this face before?

His thoughts drifted to his elder brother, Fang Minsheng. Ten years had passed since their parting—his brother’s face had blurred in memory, like ink spreading in water. All he could recall was the decayed, pitiful corpse delivered to the Fang residence. He stared at Chu Kuang and thought: if his brother were still alive, he would be about this age and size.

But the difference was vast—his brother had been refined as the wind and moon, noble in spirit. Chu Kuang, on the other hand, was crude and brash, like a stray dog. Fang Jingyu sighed—then suddenly saw Chu Kuang open his eyes and stare back.

Chu Kuang said coldly, “Why are you staring at me?”

Fang Jingyu replied, “You look familiar. I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

Chu Kuang said, “How many times do I have to say it? We’ve never met. And I’m not some wanted criminal—stop thinking you can turn me in for a reward.”

Fang Jingyu said, “It’s not that. You just look like a relative of mine.”

Chu Kuang was silent for a moment. His gaze was sharp, as if trying to bore a hole through Fang Jingyu’s face. Then he said, “You’re right. I’m your uncle.”

Fang Jingyu was speechless—then smack! Chu Kuang slapped him across the face.

Chu Kuang closed his eyes and said sleepily, “Didn’t your father teach you? Don’t stare at people when they’re sleeping. It’s rude. Learn some manners.”

Being scolded about manners by this guy made Fang Jingyu fume. His face flushed with anger—but by then, Chu Kuang had already rolled over and dozed off again. Fang Jingyu turned his back with a huff and thought:

Damn it, I really want to punch this guy in the face!

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  青玉 (qingyu): translated literally as “blue jade” or “green jade,” 膏 (gao): literally “ointment” or “cream,”