Chapter 421: A Turn of Events
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The edict bore just a few lines of words, but its message was surprisingly coherent. This made Fang Zhengzhi a little apprehensive.
He believed the answer should lie within the edict, yet if he could not see it, then it had not served many purposes.
Was it an acrostic poem?
Fang Zhengzhi turned his eyes at the start of each line, and the end of each line, then diagonally through every line…
But after he had tried every conceivable method, he still could not discover any other meaning.
Was it really just an appeal for peace?
This… should not be like this!
Wait a second!
In peace we shall live, in separation we shall perish.
"In peace we shall live, in separation we shall perish!"
In an instant, Fang Zhengzhi squinted slightly, and this sentence was not difficult to find. Yet it blended with the rest of the words in this edict.
But, this sentence had a major problem.
It had an incorrect word!
"In peace we shall live, in separation we shall perish?" Shouldn't it be "united we stand, divided we fall?" Why would it contain a homophone?
Was the sage careless and wrote a wrong word?
Fang Zhengzhi believed this was of little possibility, almost impossible, so this phrase 'in peace'.
No!
It was not a homophone, but a word of a different meaning. Its actual meaning was not 'peace' but 'mix', like the mixing of many elements into homogeneity. Like water and flour, kneaded and pressed into a sticky lump of dough.
(Translator's Note: In Chinese, the words for 'peace' and 'mix' share the same character but are pronounced differently)
Mixing…
Now he understood!
Fang Zhengzhi's eyes sparkled in epiphany. He finally understood the hidden meaning of this edict.
Understood the meaning of this edict…
Naturally, he knew why Li Mubai sent the Ministry of Rites official here.
He was a worthy emperor indeed!
Fang Zhengzhi found it a little hard to believe. Although the Great Xia Dynasty was in a precarious position, this sage still saw the rays of hope in an abyss.
Mix and we shall live, in separation we shall perish.
Li Mubai had already predicted that Demon Race would attack the Southern Region, thus in anticipation, he made such a decree, to mix the Southern Region and the Demon Race.
Only when both are mixed, conflicts could then arise.
Only then, Great Xia could have a chance.
Indeed, it was a chance, though a painfully difficult one. If not for the threat from Blood Shadow City's Demonic Army, according to his plan, it would have been a great chance.
However…
If the Demonic Army from the Blood Shadow City was charging towards Sagely Mountain City like Fang Zhengzhi predicted, then this could no longer be called a chance.
Even if you had mastered the most sophisticated techniques, in a duel against a very powerful individual, you could only raise your hands and cry in desperation for mercy.
"Third brother!"
Princess Shan Yu's voice lit up once again. Her voice was not loud, but very firm.
Shan Ling stopped his hand, his blade in its icy gleam against the neck of the Ministry of Rites official, its sharpness leaving a bloody cut.
The Ministry of Rites official shivered in fear, his face a pallor, yet he did not beg for mercy.
Maybe…
This is the Six Council Official's last remaining shred of dignity.
Even if he would die, he would never beg for mercy!
"Sister, must I repeat myself?" Shan Ling's hand had not moved, his eyes turned towards Princess Shan Yu.
"Third brother, if I say that the Blood Shadow City's Demonic Army is charging towards Sagely Mountain this very moment, do you think you would still get your way as the emperor?" Princess Shan Yu clenched her teeth.
Of course, she did not know whether Blood Shadow City's Demonic Army would rush out at full force.
All of this…
Were just Fang Zhengzhi's predictions.
If the Demonic Army did not charge towards Sagely Mountain, according to Shan Ling, it would be possible for the Southern Region to separate from Great Xia.
Yet, if the Blood Shadow City's Demonic Army came, the idea of the Southern Region leaving Great Xia and Southern King being the Emperor would then be just a joke.
Would a country controlled by another race still be honored as a real country? How, then, would the emperor differ from a mere foreigner?
Princess Shan Yu was taking a gamble.
She was gambling her trust in either Shan Ling or Fang Zhengzhi. And she chose to believe in Fang Zhengzhi, whom she had known for less than a month and seen only a few times.
"What? Sister… Blood Shadow City's Demonic Army is heading towards Sagely Mountain? This… This cannot be true. If it is as what you've said, why did they want to sign a pact with me, and even gave me three extra days?" Shan Ling still found it hard to believe.
"This…" Princess Shan Yu's voice trailed off. She fretted, equally puzzled.
If the Blood Shadow City's Demonic Army was really charging towards Sagely Mountain, in normal circumstances, timing would be of utmost importance. They would never allow Sagely Mountain any time to prepare.
In addition, with the Sagely Mountain already within in their control, the Demonic Army would have absolutely nothing to gain by doing this.
But why did the Demonic Army sign this pact?
"Sister, are you sure the Blood Shadow City's Demonic Army has emerged? Have you seen it with your own eyes?" Shan Ling, in Princess Shan Yu's silence, started to grow a little impatient.
"This…" Princess Shan Yu was tongue-tied once again. Of course, she did not see it, but she felt Fang Zhengzhi made sense. Well, that was just her opinion.
Without a single bit of evidence to back that up.
Lost for words, Princess Shan Yu's attention turned towards the youth who had hidden behind her and remained silent since they entered the palace.
Written upon their expressions were only questions marks.
"Initially I wasn't sure, but after seeing this pact, I'm now sure!" Fang Zhengzhi blurted, his gaze met that of Princess Shan Yu awkwardly.
He did not really wish to stand out at this juncture, not with the Ministry of Rites official still helpless on the floor.
Whether to help him up was almost a philosophical inquiry.
"Who are you?! You… are not a Castle Guard! You're from Great Xia! Tell me your name, and I can grant you a painless death!" Shan Ling turned to Fang Zhengzhi as he immediately saw through Fang Zhengzhi's impersonation.
But this was not to say Shan Ling was previously careless.
The matter of fact was…
After Fang Zhengzhi followed Princess Shan Yu into the palace, he witnessed the Ministry of Rites official with his outstretched hands, begging Fang Zhengzhi to save him. To prevent revealing his identity, he hid behind Princess Shan Yu and lowered his head.
This way, Shan Ling could not see at Fang Zhengzhi's face.
Well, Shan Ling did not seem to mind that. In any case, it was natural for Princess Shan Yu to be protected by a Castle Guard.
However, when Princess Shan Yu turned towards Fang Zhengzhi, who then voiced aloud, this identity just could not be kept secret any further.
"Your highness, surely you should be more concerned about the Demonic Army's attack rather than my name?" Fang Zhengzhi forced a laugh.
Indeed, Fang Zhengzhi should have walked away quietly instead of being mired in this mess, but now with this situation at hand…
It seemed he could not leave as he wished.
The only thing he could do was to clench his teeth and soldier on.
"Haha, you think you'd convince me otherwise, you Great Xia lobbyist?" Shan Ling stared with a smirk.
"It's up to you to believe, I only care about speaking the truth." Fang Zhengzhi nodded and a brief glance at Shan Ling. "If my guess is right, it hadn't been long since you signed the pact with the Demon Race. Let me guess, it was two hours ago?"
"So what?" the Noblelite's expression changed slightly, his tone remained calm, yet the smirk did not fade.
"With the Sagely Mountain City surrounded, the Demon Race has no reason to give up control of the Castle, not to even mention giving the Southern Region three days to prepare, unless…" Fang Zhengzhi words hit a block.
"Unless what?" Princess Shan Yu seemed impatient.
"Noblelite, you really don't know?" Fang Zhengzhi did not pay heed to the Princess and continued to stare at Shan Ling from his distance.
"Say it!" Shan Ling scowled, his brows furrowed. He tightened his grip on his sword. When he saw the shivering official, he clenched his teeth and raised the blade.
With the sword lifted on the Ministry of Rites official, who heaved a sigh of relief, the bewildered Fang Zhengzhi felt an urge to say something.
That was not what I meant!
Whether or not you kill this official, I really do not care.
I didn't say it just only to keep you in suspense!
Alright.
Fang Zhengzhi knew Shan Ling had misunderstood him. He thought Fang Zhengzhi threatened him so that he would spare the official. Well, at least this indirectly confirmed Fang Zhengzhi's prediction.
The pact was, in fact, signed an hour ago!
"Demon Race and the South have something in common: they both lack manpower, but it is worse for the Demon Race. Therefore, for the Demon Race to be so determined to give up the on Sagely Mountain City, there could only be one reason… They also need a little more time!" Fang Zhengzhi exclaimed his heartfelt opinion.
"They also need a little more time?!"
Upon hearing this, Princess Shan Yu's expression changed.
This was the same for Shan Ling. The high and mighty characteristic of a Southern Region noblelite he formerly displayed vanished, replaced with an expression of shock and terror.