Chapter 38: The Veteran General on the Stage (First Update)
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Chapter 38: The Old General on the Stage (Part One)
How deep the courtyard lies, shaded by willows shrouded in mist, layers of curtains upon curtains.
Deeper still.
Amidst the verdant grass and fragrant orchids, the air is thick with the scent of elegant chrysanthemums, a fresh and secluded garden.
An elder sat within the courtyard, watching the koi swim in the pond.
Several maids stood nearby—some held trays of fruit, others carried handkerchiefs, while a few waited silently at his side.
All of it spoke of wealth and refinement.
Suddenly, a masked figure in black hurried into the courtyard.
Without turning, the old man recognized the visitor and chuckled, “Jiaxu, why are you still wearing a mask at home?”
“Come, come, have a seat.”
The masked man bowed his head, answering solemnly, “Master, the rites must not be neglected—this is your teaching.”
The old man turned, helped the masked man up, and pressed him into a seat, shaking his head with a smile. “That’s for outside. At home, it’s different.”
“What brings you to me?”
The masked man’s voice was grave. “There’s been a mishap with the plan to ambush the Heavenly Strategy Sect.”
The old man’s fingers stilled slightly. He frowned. “How could it go wrong? The report just days ago said everything was proceeding smoothly. Was there a problem with the final stage?”
The masked man shook his head. “Not on our side—it’s the Zeng family.”
“To avoid suspicion, they didn’t use their own men, but rather undercover agents. Those agents were caught by the Shangqing Sect.”
“It wasn’t our family.”
The old man muttered, then resumed his composed air, sprinkling fish food into his palm and chuckling. “That old fool Zeng Yunqin is getting more muddled by the day, using undercover agents for something like this.”
“An undercover agent is truly useful only when under your control. If his own life is at stake, how can he care for his master?”
“Your own people are always more reliable.”
He smiled again, tossing the fish food into the water.
Eyes like real pearls, scales gleaming gold, the fish leapt and splashed, stirring the water in a lively contest for the food, sending ripples across the pool.
The old man took up a handkerchief, wiped his hands, and said, “If it’s not our family, it’s of no concern. Jiaxu, you’ve been busy for days—go and rest.”
The masked man nodded, ready to withdraw, but hesitated.
The old man looked up with a smile. “Is there something else?”
“Master, do you think the Zeng family might betray us?” The masked man voiced his worry after some hesitation.
The old man walked over, patted his shoulder, and nodded. “It’s good you have such concerns, but the Zeng family wouldn’t dare betray us!”
“Such an act would bring the wrath of the world. Even for us, it took an alliance of several families to act.”
“Zeng Yunqin may be a bit muddled, but he’s not so foolish as to reveal the alliance’s secrets.”
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“What about the Shangqing Sect?” the masked man pressed, still uneasy. “If they unite with the great sects and attack the Zeng family, they might become desperate.”
“Shangqing, the so-called righteous sects,” the old man laughed heartily. “You give those so-called pillars of justice too much credit!”
“They’re nothing but hypocrites. Even if there are a few virtuous men among them, can you really say not one of them covets the Heavenly Strategy combat arts?”
“It’s only the rules and their reputation that hold them back, being watched by all, unable to make a move.”
“For the sake of their name, they’ll support the Heavenly Strategy Sect, even help rebuild it, give them men and money.”
“But precisely for their reputation, they would never risk everything in a death struggle with the Zeng family. It’s not worth it.”
He paused, then pointed westward with a cold laugh. “I may not think much of Zeng Yunqin, but I must admit—the Zeng family is the foremost among the Five Great Families, not weaker than those ancient sects with a thousand years of history.”
“To force the Zeng family to yield, to drive Zeng Yunqin to desperation—you’d have to annihilate the whole clan!”
“But now, is there anyone or any sect in the world of the Unusual who could wipe out the Zeng family?”
The old man’s confidence brimmed. “Shangqing can’t. Dragon-Tiger can’t. Shaolin can’t. And the other great families and sects—they’re even less of a threat!”
“Master, your foresight is unparalleled. I am in awe!” The masked man bowed low, overwhelmed.
For a moment, silence filled the courtyard. The old man stroked his beard, smiling, while the younger man’s admiration deepened.
Only the three or four maids nearby trembled, their heads bowed like ostriches.
Such words could be spoken by the old man, and heard by the masked man, but not by mere servants like them.
With a kindly smile, the old man waved his hand. “You may all go.”
The maids breathed a silent sigh of relief and, though outwardly composed, hurried away from the courtyard.
When all had left, the old man casually grabbed another handful of fish food. “Hmm, fifty seconds too slow. No discipline.”
“Take care of them.”
The masked man shuddered inwardly, then nodded seriously. “Understood. I’ll have Uncle Wang bring a new batch of hands.”
The old man nodded in approval and flung more food into the water—again, a thousand fish broke the surface.
Gazing at the red willows and green courtyard, a chill crept through the masked man.
What lay buried beneath this beautiful scene, nourishing the lush earth?
For the first time, he felt truly grateful for his surname...
...
Within the Hall of the Three Pure Ones, the divine statues stood unchanged through the ages.
The Lord Primordial, his head crowned in divine radiance, left hand poised, right hand raised in a gesture, symbolized the “formless state” and “primordial chaos” before heaven and earth, before all things were born.
The Lord of Spiritual Treasures was often depicted holding a wish-granting scepter, seated to the left of the Lord Primordial, while the Lord of Morality’s statue stood to the right, holding a purple-gold gourd.
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Below, the ones privy to the matter of the Heavenly Strategy Sect were assembled.
“The Zeng family?” Luo Feng asked, “Only that one?”
The head of the Shangqing Sect shook his head. “That’s all we learned. They only know of that family. Who would have thought the foremost of the Five Great Families would stoop to this?”
Luo Feng nodded. “So be it—there will be only Four Great Families from now on.”
The Shangqing Sect leader looked as if he had expected as much. He then asked, “Would you need any assistance, my friend?”
Luo Feng had already considered his plans, and smiled mysteriously. “I hear there are ‘Hundred Arts’ Unusuals within your sect.”
The Hundred Arts, also known as the Hundred Entertainments, is a blanket term encompassing actors, retainers, acrobats, storytellers...
Their strength is not great, and among the Unusual, they are considered the lowest rank.
Yet to become an Unusual at all, one must possess a unique skill.
The Shangqing Sect leader was taken aback, but then realized, “Could it be you intend...”
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(End of chapter)