Feng Yu Jiu Tian - Volume 12 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The time Feng Ming started his journey was also the same time that the copies of the Grace Order were spread across the land, from the various small towns to Kingdom Li, thousands of miles away.

Ruo Yan was sitting alone with a pile of records in front of him, all of which were brought up by his ministers. He concentrated hard as he read them, hoping to explore the deep meaning behind the written words concealed within the sheets of paper on the table.

This is Rong Tian’s “gift.”

The grand “gift” Rong Tian gave to every noble and aristocrats in every big and small cities, even mysteriously appearing in the capital of Li Kingdom.

This notice was posted on the walls within the city, and if an inn owner were to carelessly forget and leave it behind on a table, it would be picked up by the peasants or slaves. If one of them is literate then he would read it for everyone to hear, spreading the news throughout, attracting followers and corrupting their hearts.

Zhuo Ran, who guarded Li Tong (the capital), carried out Ruo Yan’s command to stop the incoming notice of the Grace Order.

Those who read, relate, or gather to discuss about it will be sentenced to a harsh punishment. If they are somewhat clever then they better stay quiet.

“The Grace Order...” Ruo Yan stared at the papers on the table, his mouth faintly muttering those three words, and in an almost inaudible tone, he snorted coldly.

The candlelight inside the room is quite visible outside the main door. Outside the windows, the moonlight sharply shined against the purple silk curtains, contrasting Ruo Yan’s face in an angular slice, leaving a clear imprint of his sharp features.

Pacing footsteps were heard coming from outside.

“Who’s there?”

“Miao Guang came as ordered from Li Tong to greet Royal Brother.”

“Oh, it’s Royal Sister!” Ruo Yan redirected his focus, placed the Grace Order to the side of the table and faced the door.

“Come in, this place is far from Li Tong, I didn’t expect you to arrive here so soon. Even though I requested for your audience, you didn’t have to come greet me in the middle of the night like this.”

“The earlier I can meet Royal Brother, the sooner my mind will be at ease. When Royal Brother regained his consciousness, you immediately sneaked into Yong Yin to ambush Rong Tian; and after that, you didn’t even bother to return to Li Tong. Instead, you headed straight to Fan Jia, making me very worried nonetheless!” Miao Guang stepped through the door. The maids helped her remove her cloak and soon left. She then walked next to Ruo Yan. With her eyes glancing

down, she gave a light chuckle, “It seems that this has reached Royal Brother’s hands, I even purposely brought a copy to show you.”

Ruo Yan patted at the empty space next to him, asking her to sit down, “Rong Tian’s Grace Order, what do you think about it?”

“Rong Tian is conniving, using treacherous means; this one move of his is beyond other’s expectations, not bad indeed.”

“Ah...”

After listening to his sister’s open sentence of praising first and then mocking afterwards, he knew there were more, so he continued, “However...?”

Miao Guang smiled as she removed her deerskin boots. Still wearing the white stockings with no trace of dirt, she climbed onto Ruo Yan’s mattress and playfully rested herself against Ruo Yan’s shoulders. Her face revealed a sly hint of innocence, “However, no matter how many times he anticipates, he still couldn’t have imagined that Royal Brother was blessed by the Heavens, regaining consciousness so soon. Therefore, this one good move of his, is a very wrong one.”

Ruo Yan grinned; his large hand softly patted his little sister’s cheek, revealing a rare gentle side of him.

“If there’s enough time, The Grace Order could be the biggest weapon Rong Tian has created. There are countless commoners across the land filled with delusions they dare not speak of. For those inferior peasants, this absurd decree, if they have no doubt about it, would be their salvation. It’s enough to make them capable of rebellion, forming allegiance with Rong Tian. However...” Ruo Yan changed his tone of voice as he sneered, “Even his own throne, he can’t even hold onto. Right now, he’s like a wanderer without a stable foothold and yet he wants to issue a decree and is promoting it openly. If he wants the whole world to believe him, then he still needs a very long time to convince them.”

“Royal Brother won’t definitely allow Rong Tian to have enough time to brew his plan.”

With a flash in his eyes, he suddenly swung his hand across the table, knocking down the Grace Order’s notice into the ground. Tilting his head towards the sky, he laughed heartily, “To deal with this one move by Rong Tian, the best method would be for a quick attack. Once I annex Fan Jia, the fertile land along the Aman River will be mine. Then, when Li Kingdom’s army occupies the area, there will be two large nations supplying food. Those smaller nations, who would dare to look at my face and attack me?”

With his dark black sword­like eyebrows, he emitted a domineering aura that no one would dare to look down upon.

Miao Guang lifted her head and stared at her prideful brother, after pondering for awhile, a slight sigh escaped her lips.

Ruo Yan shifted his gaze and asked, “Royal Sister, why are you sighing?”

“It’s nothing...” Miao Guang wasn’t clear as to why she was sighing, being taken aback, she was quiet for a bit before replying in a whisper, “Royal Brother’s schemes are excellent, but during the 100 years of disputes among the 13 nations, there was never a situation where a large nation was annexed. Once Fan Jia has officially perished, the other nations might greatly fear us, I’m just afraid that they will unite to go against you.”

“You don’t need to worry about this.” Ruo Yan calmly reassured, “Rong Tian’s throne was seized and right now he’s having a headache, thinking about how to regain his throne. I have already sent someone to contact Rong Tong and provide all sorts of schemes to deal with Rong Tian. Regardless of who would win in the future, Xi Lei’s strength will decrease after battling each other, and that inner conflict will leave the nation in destruction. Xi Lei will no longer be able to resist like before. Rong Tian will no longer be a threat, and those smaller nations will be nothing. The King of Tong Kingdom has recently passed away, causing chaos throughout that land. Dong Fan’s troops was narrowed down by the smallpox; it’s not worth mentioning. Bo Jian, Bei Qi, Yan Ting, Pu Rong, all of those rulers are a bunch of idiots, they only know how to tear each other apart. As long as they don’t join their forces and resist, I have a way of capturing each one of them step by step.” Using a regaling tone like before, Ruo Yan reached out and held Miao Guang’s chin, after examining her eyes, he continued, “But these are not the reason for your sighing.”

“Royal Brother...”

“Just tell me everything honestly!”

Miao Guang was shocked, she lowered her head and sadly replied, “When you mentioned about the Grace Order, I just felt that this isn’t something a person like Rong Tian, who was born to inherit the throne, would come up with. This matter made me think of someone else...”

Ruo Yan laughed, “Is that person Duke Ming?”

His tone was very relaxed, causing Miao Guang’s whole body to tremble, she nodded her head...

Ruo Yan sighed, “Royal Sister, you don’t need to feel guilty about the releasing of Duke Ming at the Aman River incident.” The long fingers that made many people fear was now gently stroking his little sister’s head, following her long hair, he rested his hand on her shoulders and softly whispered, “Instead, after I regained consciousness and recalled that incident, I felt that what you did was right. If at that time, you didn’t let Duke Ming escape, my rage at seeing him would definitely take control; killing him without mercy in the process.”

Miao Guang suddenly looked up, catching his gaze, she quivered while saying, “But...Royal Brother wouldn’t have been in a mad disarray if I didn’t help Duke Ming escape, allowing Rong Tian to take advantage and shoot an arrow at you, resulting in a long coma.”

“Victory and defeat is a normal issue, ah...this is what Duke Ming had lectured regarding on being a man, receiving an arrow from the enemy, what does it matter? Rong Tian was also shot by one of my arrows in which he almost died, but unfortunately, he was rescued by Mei Ji.”

Miao Guang didn’t hear a trace of resentment in his voice, his mood was calm and warm when she looked at his eyes, slightly closed.

The two siblings nestled on the soft mattress, resting against each other, and not saying another word for a long while.

After some time, Miao Guang’s voice rang out, “I came here to share another news with Royal Brother. There has been a recent rumor of Duke Ming being acknowledged as Master Xiao’s successor to inherit the Xiao family’s business. He is currently touring through various nations to oversee the Xiao family’s business.”

After Ruo Yan heard about Long Tian’s death, he rushed non­stop to the small city residing between the borders of Li Kingdom and Fan Jia, joining up with the large army. He immediately planned out his move of swallowing the entire Fan Jia and was increasingly busy. This was the first news he heard about Feng Ming. After a moment of silence, he suddenly grinned, “He sure is more daring than before, is Rong Tian with him? How many troops are on hand?”

Miao Guang shook her head, “I haven’t heard any news about Rong Tian. I’m guessing that he wanted to regain the throne, but doesn’t want Feng Ming to be involved in the dispute; therefore, he is conspiring alone at the border of Xi Lei. While on the other hand, allowing Feng Ming to use his Young Master Xiao identity to travel to the different nations to take refuge. Duke Ming’s identity is a bit sensitive now, having both Holy Master Xiao and Rong Tian as his support. I believe all those small nations will treat him with complete respect.”

“He allowed Duke Ming to take refuge in the other nations? If he really wanted to avoid misfortune, the safest place would be next to Rong Tian.” Ruo Yan pondered for long moment, his eyes emitted a light that could frighten others, “Something is very strange for Rong Tian to allow him to risk danger and travel to different nations. Immediately send someone to investigate every news regarding Duke Ming.”

Miao Guang accepted the order and after wondering for a bit, she tentatively asked, “If Royal Brother has Duke Ming in his hands again, what are you going to do with him?”

Ruo Yan laughed at the question, “Are you afraid I might kill him? Rest assured, once he falls into my hands, he won’t even think about committing suicide. How can I allow him to do so?”

Miao Guang was Ruo Yan’s closest relative, this brother of hers, she quite understands him very well. After listening carefully to his tone of voice when mentioning Feng Ming, his often unpredictable love and hate were truthfully expressed at this moment. If he were to have Feng Ming in hand, he will definitely not harm him. With that in mind, she was at ease. Stepping off from the mattress, she kneeled in front of Ruo Yan, “This rare opportunity, Miao Guang wishes to have Royal Brother’s approval for me to sneak into those nations and capture Duke Ming alive, in order to redeem my crime at the Aman River.”

Ruo Yan was silent for awhile before having a change of expression, “Right now, I am very busy with Fan Jia affairs; therefore, I cannot leave. Alright, I’ll let you handle this. You have to place safety as priority. At this moment, the situation in Fan Jia is causing other nations to have a change of attitude towards Li Kingdom. Everything is unpredictable and even more dangerous. I will send someone to accompany you along the way, the two of you can help each other out.”

Miao Guang was smart and quick­witted, after hearing that, she immediately knew who it was. Letting out a chuckle, she replied, “Fan Jia will have a huge war, Royal Brother is in need of a capable aide. If he were to follow me, then how will you manage?”

Ruo Yan laughed out loud, “With me here, it’s more than hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers, is it really that difficult to deal with this weak nation of Fan Jia? Go ahead.”

“Royal Brother is right. I’ll follow through with your command.”

Miao Guang took a bow, turned around and was about to leave when Ruo Yan’s voice travelled from behind, “Wait a minute!”

Miao Guang turned back, “Is there another order Royal Brother would like to address?”

Ruo Yan’s tall body stood up, he stepped down from the seat, and stopped right in front of Miao Guang. Within half a foot, gazing condescendingly at his sister’s face as he slowly reminded her, “The incident at Aman River where you used personal matter to free Duke Ming, from today onwards, don’t mention it again. However, I will never allow the same thing to happen once more.”

Miao Guang stared right into Ruo Yan’s eyes. After a moment, she gracefully bowed down and replied in a calm tone, “Rest assured, Royal Brother.”

Miao Guang’s image disappeared behind the door. Ruo Yan sat in the middle of the empty grand palace, he suddenly shouted out, “Someone, send for Si Qiang.”

After a moment, a flawless dressed Si Qiang entered the door, he looked up and saw Ruo Yan standing in the hall, tall and majestic, a figure full of oppressive force. Si Qiang quickly kneeled down, “Upon Your Majesty’s order, Si Qiang is here to serve you.”

“Rise.” Ruo Yan turned his back to him, Si Qiang couldn’t see his face, he only heard the King of Li give an order, “Walk over to the mattress and lie down.”

“Yes.” Si Qiang carefully walked over to the mattress and gently laid down without glancing up at the King of Li, who was rumored to be terribly cruel.

He wasn’t a person from the Li Kingdom, Si Qiang was gifted to Ruo Yan by the Fan Jia Ministers as part of his harem to implore a peace treaty between the two nations.

Among the batch of 12 young courtesans that were brought along with him, all of them had good looks and were innocent. Not only the men, even the women, he had never tasted them before.

The first time he greeted Li King’s Ruo Yan, although his head was lowered, he couldn’t help sensing Li King’s attention focusing on him, giving him a needle pin sensation down his spine, and cold sweat dripping down throughout his body.

But strangely enough, after that day, Li King never summoned for him. While his peers were occasionally called for and were carried back with a bloody posterior lower half, after serving him.

An appalling wound...

Si Qiang heard that during the first time in serving a man, that forbidden area would inevitably hurt. After all, he is just a plaything within his grasp, no noble or royalty would take pity on a cheap object like this. That person wouldn’t care if this was his first time, just as long as he served his purpose as an entertainment.

And Li King Ruo Yan is the extremely frightful devil within those rumored legends. “You’re trembling?”

The voice suddenly came from the top of his head. He was scared to the point that a chill ran down his spine.

Li King, the person who will violate his body, quietly came closer to him, sitting at one end of the mattress, two sharp, unfathomable eyes stared back at him.

“Your...Your Majesty...”

A slender finger was unexpectedly placed on his lips as that person softly commanded, “Don’t bite. Tonight, I don’t want to see your blood, hurry and close your eyes.”

Si Qiang released his bite from his trembling lower lips. He no longer cared what might happen as he closed his eyes.

He waited for that painful moment to come when he heard a voice full of authority asking him, “Si Qiang, do you know why out of the young men that were brought here, I can only remember your name?”

He warily replied, “Si Qiang doesn’t know.”

“Don’t open your eyes, if you dare to open them, I will immediately gouge them out.” Calmly warning him, Ruo Yan’s tone became gentle as he laughed shallowly, “It’s because you resemble someone.”

Si Qiang didn’t dare to ask him which person he looked similar to. He only complied with the command, tightly closing his eyes.

Ruo Yan seems to speak to him, but then it seems like he was talking to himself, sadly muttering, “That time when that person pretended to sleep with his eyes closed, he was very similar to you right now. As long as I gently touched him, he couldn’t help but tremble.”

He took one hand and touched Si Qiang’s shoulder, and sure enough his whole body shivered.

“Are you pretending to sleep? Your pretend act isn’t real, how can it fool me? Gently trembling like a small kitten with a cold, but yet your claws, the tip of it had destroyed tens of thousands of Li’s troops.”

Ruo Yan’s fingertips tenderly caressed the soft smooth chin of Si Qiang. Occasionally using his fingernails to pierce fiercely at that smooth skin, though with not enough force to draw blood, the pain was enough for Si Qiang’s eyebrows to furrow...appearing even more delicate and charming...

Si Qiang was warned beforehand so he continued to keep his eyes shut without opening a crack. He laid there on the mattress ignoring Ruo Yan’s teasing.

Suddenly, he heard Ruo Yan’s gentle voice again, “Don’t be afraid. Though you’re still fearful of me, there will be a day that I’ll help you forget all about everyone else. Only I will be within your thoughts. Anything that Ruo Yan, I, wish to have, will never be out of my reach, do you understand?”

His gentle tone of voice was like he was intimately whispering to his lover; however, it seems like there was a bit of chilling coldness hidden within. Si Qiang heard every word, he was a bit surprised, but there’s a portion where he can’t seem to describe the feeling.

While he was searching for the word to describe it, he swiftly felt a warm sensation on his lips, forcing itself on his scared pale face.

Si Qiang lay still for awhile before he realized what was happening.

At that moment, he didn’t know why, but on impulse, he forgot what he was ordered to do and involuntarily opened his eyes. Within that small space, he fell into the stare of a close pair of dark cold eagle eyes.

In a blink, it seemed as if his soul was stolen by those pair of eyes, his whole body went rigid.

“You dare to open your eyes.” Ruo Yan lightly spoke. Like a hammer knocking against Si Qiang’s skull, he regained his calm; staring at Ruo Yan in horror, he begged for forgiveness.

Ruo Yan looked at him blankly, the atmosphere stood frozen, almost difficult to breathe.

Just when Si Qiang thought he would be punished, the devil in front of him, who holds his life in his hands, said something unexpected as he revealed a hint of a smile, “Forget it, my mood tonight is very good, I’ll spare your lowly life this one time.”

When Ruo Yan finished, he didn’t concern himself with Si Qiang anymore. He turned around and grabbed a book of documents on the table and quietly looked at it.

The room was unusually quiet, as if breathing seemed to have disappeared.

The latest documents were all reports about the recent harvest to the west of Li Kingdom. It wasn’t anything interesting, but Ruo Yan continued to focus in reading it.

Upon that unyielding face, a rare trace of a tempting smile appeared.

That timid little rabbit, why has it gotten bolder than a tiger? Jumping everywhere, traveling around the world?

Ever since the campsite of Yong Yi was attacked, Ruo Yan thought that Rong Tian would hide him away.

Well, that’s entirely swell, exposing his own whereabouts.

Xi Lei Duke Ming, I haven’t seen you for many days now. Compared to before, you must be more handsome and brilliant, right?