The Demon Lords

Chapter 538 47: Suicide_1

After Yao Zizhan finished speaking, Miss Su stood rooted to the spot. She had never imagined that the group before her were not Jin people, but Yan people.

In the recently concluded Great War of the Three Kingdoms, the people of Qian State actually held a psychological advantage over those of Jin State. This was because, strictly speaking, Qian State had not lost any territory, whereas the two great houses of Jin State had been annihilated, and half of the entire Jin territory had been occupied by the Yan people.

Although both had been thrashed by Yan State, it was a case of: 'I could take a beating, but you couldn't. So, I can mock you even with a swollen face.'

However, the moment 'Jin people' became 'Yan people' in her mind, the entire situation and her feelings about it changed instantly.

Zheng Fan rose, looked at Yao Zizhan, and said,

"Master Yao, you certainly see things clearly."

Yao Zizhan replied courteously, "Indeed. It would hardly make sense to deliberately carry spices while escorting a young master in flight."

Zheng Fan nodded and said,

"That was my oversight."

"May I know your esteemed name?"

"Zheng Fan."

"Zheng Fan? Could you be the renowned Master Zheng who authored the 'Zhengzi Art of War'?"

"Mm... Indeed, that is I."

"I had the honor of reading this treatise on warfare not long ago. Master Zheng, your concise words carry profound meaning. I, this old man, am deeply impressed. Please, accept my bow of respect."

"You are too kind, too kind."

"Not at all, not at all. This art of war is truly marvelous! Even for someone like myself, unversed in military matters, reading it brought immediate enlightenment, like pure nectar poured over the head. Furthermore, Master Zheng, you did not selfishly hoard this extraordinary book but shared it with the world. Such breadth of mind and spirit is truly breathtaking!"

"You truly overpraise me."

"Not at all! It is well-deserved, well-deserved."

"To be perfectly honest, this book... I only presented it to His Majesty, my Emperor."

"That is the Yan Emperor! How could he dare..."

"Perhaps His Majesty, my Emperor, hoped that Qian State would see the emergence of more great military talents like yourself, Master Yao, who could achieve such sudden enlightenment in strategy."

Yao Zizhan was speechless. "..."

"HAHAHAHA!" After a moment's pause, Yao Zizhan burst into hearty laughter. "I've grown muddle-headed, truly muddle-headed! 'Different fields are like different mountains,' indeed. This old man has truly made a fool of himself."

To put it bluntly, 'The Art of War by Sun Tzu' is an excellent book, but by no means a divine scripture. It's much like 'Wumu's Lost Manuscripts,' which were mythologized in later martial arts novels. In this world, where could one possibly find a military strategy that guarantees victory in every battle?

"Master Zheng, you are a truly interesting individual. This old man is determined to befriend you. If I have leisure in the future, I would be willing to compose a *ci* poem for you, Master Zheng, to help spread your fame."

This was quite an offer of benefit.

Though the old man was advanced in years, he was remarkably astute.

Every era needs the concept of 'hype.' It's just that in ancient times, hype was constrained by environment and social strata. Only those with genuine resources could successfully promote themselves. This was unlike later ages, where the general public had long grown desensitized to so-called 'hype.' The power of hype was evident when a single remark from the Sword Saint of Jin State had elevated the Sword Saint of Chu State to a position among the Four Great Swordsmen. If Yao Zizhan were to return and truly compose a *ci* poem for Zheng Fan—something akin to 'handsome as Pan An' or 'talented as Zhou Lang'—Zheng Fan would quickly become renowned throughout the East. Once a person gained fame, many matters became easier to handle. To use a concept from later times, Yao Zizhan was akin to a top-tier, highly popular influencer on a platform like Weibo. If he were willing to share your content and accept your 'public relations fees,' it would only be a matter of time before you were lauded as the foremost military strategist in Yan, second only to the Southern and Northern Marquises of Yan.

"Master Yao, you're being too polite. You're worried about your safety, aren't you? You needn't fret over that. Mr. Chen and I are old acquaintances; I won't make things difficult for you. If Master Yao isn't afraid of potential censure, once we're out of these mountains, you're welcome to visit my city of Shengle for a while."

"Oh, that wouldn't do, that wouldn't do at all..."

"My humble establishment is just starting out. We may not have much else, but we certainly have plenty of delicious food. Even Lord Jingnan himself has praised it endlessly."

"Eh?" Yao Zizhan's eyes immediately widened. "Truly?" he asked.

"Truly."

"Um, could this be kept confidential?"

"Absolutely confidential."

As he said this, Zheng Fan gestured towards Miss Su.

"Hey, now! Just keep it secret from outsiders. She'll only tell the Emperor. And even if His Majesty learns that I went to Shengle to freeload for some food, he won't blame this old man."

"Very well, then."

Mr. Chen, having tended to his wounds by now, walked over and asked,

"Are we leaving the mountains now?"

But the Blind One spoke up then, "No hurry, no hurry. Isn't our business here unfinished?"

Mr. Chen frowned slightly and said,

"But Geda Mountain has already been breached, and Gesang has long since defected to Cheng State."

The Blind One clapped his hands. "But that doesn't mean the Helian Family's treasury has been found by the Situ Family's men."

"Do you know where it is?" Mr. Chen asked.

The Blind One shook his head. "I don't. But Master Yao certainly does."

Yao Zizhan sighed. "This old man... does indeed know."

At this, Zheng Fan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"However, Helian Xiongbi was a dear friend of mine. This old man cannot simply stand by and watch his family fortune fall entirely into the hands of Yan people."

A Ming stood up.

Fanli stood up.

Xue Three also stood up.

Yao Zizhan observed this silent tableau and, with a somewhat awkward smile, said,

"Weren't you going to invite this old man for a meal? We can go right now."

Mr. Chen stepped before Yao Zizhan.

Yao Zizhan, looking somewhat gratified, reached out and patted Mr. Chen's shoulder. "You will protect this old man, won't you?" he asked.

Mr. Chen nodded, then shook his head.

"Hmm?"

Mr. Chen pointed towards Zheng Fan and said,

"I owed you a favor, and I owe him one too. In fact, my debt to him is greater. Therefore, if he is determined to act against you, I will take my own life before he harms you."

Yao Zizhan was stunned into silence. "..."

Master Yao, now somewhat flustered, quickly turned his head towards Miss Su. "Miss Su," he said, "can you protect this old man?"

Miss Su slapped her abdomen and drew a supple sword. This type of sword must be standard issue for the Silver Armored Guard, Zheng Fan recalled. Many Silver Armored Guards seemed to carry such weapons, much like the Xiuchun Sabers of the Jinyi Guards in another world.

"Old Yao, rest assured!"

Miss Su always spoke with such an air of arrogant confidence.

Then—just as she finished her confident declaration—a sudden "PTOO!" sound, and she spat a mouthful of black blood.

Miss Su's figure trembled, and she crumpled to her knees.

Xue Three twirled the dagger in his hand and chuckled,

"I've found you insufferable for a long time, you harpy. If we were characters in some old comic, I'd feel like just being in the same panel as you would lower my IQ."

Miss Su stared at Xue Three in horror, keenly aware that she had been poisoned.

Mr. Chen looked at Miss Su, words caught in his throat.

Xue Three was a perceptive man. Knowing Mr. Chen's unique status, he responded with a reassuring smile,

"Don't fret. It's just some snake venom I collected in the mountains when I was bored. It'll only prevent her from circulating her vital energy and blood properly for two or three days. It's not life-threatening."

Mr. Chen heaved a long sigh of relief.

Yao Zizhan glanced at Mr. Chen, then at Miss Su, who was kneeling prostrate on the ground. Finally, his gaze settled on Zheng Fan. He said,

"This old man... will lead you to the treasure's location! I knew Helian Xiongbi's character well. He was a man of noble integrity, as pure as frost in the wind, and he regarded money as mere dirt. If he knew I'd lost my life over these... worldly things, he would surely blame me in the afterlife!"

Zheng Fan took two steps back and clasped his hands in a salute to Yao Zizhan.

"My admiration."

Yao Zizhan nodded with great solemnity. "Alas," he said, "this old man has only just now understood this principle. I nearly disturbed my old friend's peace in the netherworld."

"How can the treasury be given to that Yan bastard?! It must not—AH!"

Miss Su was still kneeling there, her expression one of righteous indignation, when Fanli sent her sprawling with a kick. Her head struck the ground, and she fainted instantly.

Perhaps even Fanli couldn't stand her any longer.

"Master Yao, let us rest until dawn before we set out."

"As Your Excellency wishes, as Your Excellency wishes."

The group settled down to rest where they were. Mr. Chen went over to Miss Su, lifted her, and gathered some dry branches to place beneath her, making her unconscious state a little more comfortable.

Zheng Fan asked, somewhat curious,

"You've taken a liking to her?"

Mr. Chen hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "It seems so."

"If you're looking for female companionship, I can introduce you to some."

"No need."

"Heh, so you've really fallen for her?"

Mr. Chen gestured to Miss Su beneath him and said,

"She and I... we're somewhat alike."

Zheng Fan was silent. "..."

Just then, Yao Zizhan proactively leaned closer to Zheng Fan. This old man, Zheng Fan thought, always displayed a very 'juicy' demeanor, not physically, but mentally.

"Master Zheng?"

"Master Yao, please, just call me Zheng Fan."

"Brother Zheng."

"Mm."

"This old man has always been very curious about something. Before I set out for the Jin land, I discussed it with our Qian State's Minister of War. How is it that Yan State and the Situ Family are actually coexisting peacefully at present?"

"Master Yao, are you trying to probe for military intelligence?"

"Oh? Was this old man that obvious?"

"You weren't exactly being subtle."

"This old man has heard that recently, the wild people over in Cheng State have been causing quite a stir. The wild people of the snowy plains are a different breed from those in the Skybreak Mountains. Their existence is far harsher; every one of them is capable of wrestling with wild beasts for sustenance. Why doesn't your great Yan State seize this opportunity to advance eastward, conquer Cheng State along the way, and unify the lands of the Three Jin?"

Zheng Fan said slowly,

"In the beginning, Yan State, Jin State, Chu State, and even Liang State—the predecessor of Qian State—were all fiefdoms granted by the Emperor of Xia. However much we might fight amongst ourselves, it remains an internal affair. But the Barbarians and the wild people are not our own. My Yan State has defended the East against the Barbarians for centuries, never yielding a single step. Now that the Situ Family is facing the incursions of the wild people, how could my Yan State possibly exploit their plight at such a time? Do you truly believe my Yan State to be as shameless and despicable as your Qian State's Emperor Taizong was a century ago?"

Yao Zizhan nodded. "Emperor Taizong... was indeed reprehensible."

"Heh."

"But this old man doesn't believe that explanation of yours."

"And why is that?"

"Because it's too... noble-sounding."

"Oh?"

"Too noble-sounding by far. And if one were to take the reasons you just offered, Brother Zheng, and consider their opposites... the more noble the stated reason, the more sinister the unspoken truth must be... Lord Jingnan recently defeated the Sword Saint of Jin State—that doesn't fit. The Earl of North Border only recently led his army back to Beifeng Prefecture—that shouldn't be it either. That leaves only one major figure who hasn't made a move."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan's heart suddenly skipped a beat with a "THUMP."

Yao Zizhan brought his old face close to Zheng Fan's and whispered,

"Brother Zheng, His Majesty the Yan Emperor's 'dragon body'... has something happened to it?"

Zheng Fan didn't answer, merely offering a smile.

Yao Zizhan also smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "Just a wild guess, playing around, that's all. Don't take it seriously, please don't take it seriously, hahaha."

Zheng Fan smiled and nodded. Then, looking at Mr. Chen who stood nearby, he said,

"Mr. Chen."

"What is it?"

"Perhaps you should take your own life first, after all."

Yao Zizhan was utterly dumbfounded. "..."