Logically, with the fact that Yan Wushis strength having yet to fully recover, Sang Jingxing could not have been unable to capture him after pursuing him for this long. Even if the two of them fought at the same time that they ran, then with his qinggong, he still would most likely have caught him after putting up with this for most of the night. Right then, Shen Qiao had already believed that he very well could have been deceived by Bai Rong, and that the girl had pointed him towards the completely wrong place on purpose so as to make him waste his efforts.
But even if he were to return to the small temple to deal with her, he almost certainly would be unable to find her there.
Shen Qiao stopped. He took a breath and bent down to look at the Shanhe Tongbei sword that he grasped in his hands, before raising his head and looking into the distance.
After having spent the entire night like this in a place that he knew nothing about, just how little hope was there in finding a single person?
Shen Qiao thought back to the words Yan Wushi had said to him before he left. He closed his eyes, suppressing the rise and fall of emotions.
The Shanhe Tongbei sword resonated against its scabbard, as though feeling its masters inability to put to words his complex state of mind.
Dawn approached, dying the vast horizon with hints of gray, as though eager to break open the great abyss of night and bring light to the heavens and earth.
Changan.
This word rose silently from the depths of Shen Qiaos heart.
The road north to Changan was not especially long. Shen Qiao had also traveled at a pace that certainly wasnt slow, as he just about traveled day and night. This way, only a few days had passed.
Though he had just arrived in Changan, he already felt that things were out of sorts.
The moment he reached the city roads upon entering the capital, he intermittently came upon the figures that belonged to those of the families of guilty subjects being exiled from the city, as well as migrant laborers and convicts being sent towards the capital under the commands of government officials.Before, he had caught sight of these things, but only occasionally if at all. To see both of these things happen at the same time and continuously was completely out of the ordinary.
It was right then, when he was resting at a small teahouse, that Shen Qiao caught sight of a family who was cuffed by their hands and feet, being led by soldiers on horseback. They staggered onwards, visibly battered.
The soldiers escorting them stopped, as though preparing for a break. They all took a seat in the teahouse, but the imprisoned women and children did not receive such treatment at all. Every one of them had to sit outside of the teahouse, without being given even so much as a drop of water.
Shen Qiao whispered a few words to the waiter in the teahouse, before approaching the table where the soldiers sat.
To have met by chance is to have been fated to meet. This poor Daoist would like to treat you two langjun to a cup of tea. I must ask if you are willing to grace me with your presence.
By that time, Shen Qiao had already changed into his Daoist robes. They flowed gracefully upon him, and emphasized without words his appearance resembling that of solemn man of noble character, as though he had already completely achieved Dao. Moreover, his voice was gentle and pleasant to the ear, such that one who heard it even briefly would want to draw themselves closer to him.
Though Yuwen Yong had forbade Buddhism and Taoism, the common peoples high respect for Buddhists and Daoists never wavered. On top of this, Shen Qiao himself did not look like an ordinary Daoist. Both soldiers did not dare put on self-important airs, and immediately stood to respond to his greeting: How could we have daozhang treat us? It would be better for all of us to sit down and have a chat.
Shen Qiao had already intended to do this. He took advantage of this opportunity to say: This poor Daoist vowed before xianzun[4] to accomplish ninety-nine good deeds within three years, and as of yet I have not fallen short of even one. I must ask if both langjun are willing to exert themselves to assist me, and allow this poor Daoist to invite the people sitting outside of the teahouse in for some cups of tea, so that they may satiate their hunger and quench their thirst.
The soldier laughed: Daozhang, your heart is quite soft. You may do as you like.
Shen Qiao had the waiter deliver the cups of tea. The convicted family, upon receiving them, were moved to tears. He then asked once more in passing: This poor Daoist has seen many families and women convicted and exiled while on the way to the capital. I must ask, has something happened here? Did those subjects wrong His Majesty in some way?
Oh, they certainly did, the soldier said. His Majesty wants to rebuild the Imperial Palace. These peoples fathers and brothers, or perhaps even their husbands, were once subjects of the Imperial Court. Every single one of them submitted a memorial to the Emperor expressing their opposition against reconstruction, infuriating His Majesty. They were the ones who caused this.
Rebuild the palace? Shen Qiao said, taken aback. According to what this poor Daoist knows, His Majesty is hardworking and spends very little, as though he were one to not seek a life of comfort and pleasure.
Daozhang, I must offer you some advice, the soldier said nervously. Do not ever utter these words once more when you reach the city! The former Emperor indeed did not spend luxuriously and loved his people. But this new Emperor isnt like this at all! The crown prince didnt even observe his fathers death for even a full month. He even said to the people that they didnt have to either. We dont even have to mention what happened to those who submitted an opposition against him!
As Shen Qiao listened to his words, his expression had darkened greatly. His heart nearly skipped a beat from astonishment.
Yuwen Yong had died?