Chapter 1367: Meeting A Sage

“Are you threatening me?” Fang Zhiyong asked coldly.

“No, I’m negotiating with you,” Ye Qing replied. “I simply don’t want to drag this out and risk accidents so to speak. Do find it in your heart to empathize with this poor, young fool.”

“I may empathize with you, but have you empathized with me?” Fang Zhiyong asked with a hint of scorn. “I am but an old, weak scholar. If I meet you alone, and you decide to do me harm, then not only will I fail to obtain the Earthly Sovereign Bell, my life would be in danger as well.”

“A gentleman does not stand next to a collapsing wall. Do you really think I would agree to such unfair terms?”

“Oh, that is true. Trade is all about fairness and equitability. I’m sorry I did not consider that the Grand Mentor of an empire could be a craven and a coward.”

Ye Qing mocked Fang Zhiyong before suggesting, “How about this. Both you and I are afraid that the other party would break their word. I currently have a Sage with me, so for fairness’ sake, I will allow you to bring a Sage as well.”

“However...”

“However?” Fang Zhiyong prodded.

“However, the meeting cannot happen in Luo Shui. Let’s have it at the All Is Well Forest instead. What do you say?” Ye Qing asked.

Fang Zhiyong did not answer him immediately.

“It looks like you are unable to make this decision on your own. I’ll give you some time to speak with your master then.”

Ye Qing smirked. “I’ll be departing for the All Is Well Forest now. If you’re still worried, you may command your spies to keep an eye on me.”

“Remember, you only have one hour. I want to see the hostages in one hour.”

Before Fang Zhiyong could answer, Ye Qing left Spirit’s mind and consciousness.

Spirit regained his consciousness after Ye Qing was gone. He immediately apologized to Fang Zhiyong, “Forgive me, master! This subordinate deserves death!”

Then, he attempted to destroy his own mind and consciousness.

However, Fang Zhiyong stopped him immediately, “Your life belongs to me. You may die only if I allow you to die, understand?”

“Yes, master,” Spirit answered on his knees.

“Your current mission is to follow Ye Qing every step of the way and await my orders,” Fang Zhiyong instructed.

“As you command, master,” Spirit replied with a salute.

“Go.”

After Spirit was gone, Fang Zhiyong looked at Fang Ruliu and ordered, “Command Demon, Sprite and Fairy to continue tracking and spying on Ye Qing. They are to report to me if anything happens.”

“At once, master,” answered Fang Ruliu before taking his leave.

After Fang Ruliu was gone, Fang Zhiyong went into his study where an exquisite rack made of crystals was standing at the center of the room. Sitting at the top of the crystal shelf was an exquisite bronze mirror.

The bronze mirror was crawling with all sorts of complicated and mysterious patterns. They vaguely resembled auspicious dragons and phoenixes. It looked ancient and mysterious, regal and noble.

After walking up to the mirror, Fang Zhiyong took a moment to straighten his attire before kneeling on both knees. He then called out respectfully, “Subject Fang Zhiyong requests an audience with His Holiness about an urgent matter.”

The patterns on the bronze mirror immediately began dancing and changing like soaring dragons or phoenixes. A short while later, an extraordinary-looking man dressed in bright yellow robes appeared in the mirror.

“This humble subject greets you, Your Holiness. Long live Your Holiness.”

Fang Zhiyong immediately prostrated himself on the floor, kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times as was appropriate when meeting with the emperor.

“Please rise, Grand Mentor.”

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The man in the mirror was of course the current emperor of Chu, Emperor Jing Run.

“I told you that there is no need for you to perform the formal etiquette during our private meetings.”

“This subject thank you graciously for your favor, but the etiquette between an emperor and his subjects must never be broken,” Fang Zhiyong replied reservedly. “No matter when or where, a subject must always stay true to their heart. They must be forever respectful like the first time they speak with His Holiness, and they must never overstep the line in the slightest.”

“If only everyone under the heavens is as deferential as you, Grand Mentor,” said Emperor Jing Run with a sigh. The next moment, he stepped out of the mirror, stopped in front of Fang Zhiyong, and lifted him to his feet.

“This subject does not understand, Your Holiness.”

Fang Zhiyong bowed his head deferentially after rising to his feet. “You are the supreme ruler of the empire and the father of all citizens of Chu. Everyone should serve you like subjects and filial children.”

Emperor Jing Run sighed helplessly. “I know. And yet, some people have already forgotten their etiquette and their duties.”

Fang Zhiyong bowed deeply. “Do not worry, Your Holiness. The day the Heavens’ Eye is repaired is the day the realm is at peace. When it is time, the defiant and disrespectful shall all turn into dust.”

“Hahaha... As it should be.”

Emperor Jing Run guffawed. “I am the supreme ruler of this land. Anyone who disrespects or defies me deserves to die without a grave to call to their name.”

Fang Zhiyong saluted him with extraordinary meekness. The pride of a Grand Mentor or the backbone of a scholar, none of it were present before the emperor. “Your Holiness is wise.”

“Oh right, why have you sought me out, Grand Mentor? Did something happen to the Earthly Sovereign Bell?” Emperor Jing Run asked.

The emperor cared nothing for Ye Qing. The Earthly Sovereign Bell was his one and only concern.

“Your Holiness is wise.”

Fang Zhiyong dropped to his knees again as he pleaded guilty. “This subject has failed in his duty. Ye Qing has managed to figure out your objective.”

Emperor Jing Run asked, “What did he figure out?” Fang Zhiyong answered, “He figured out that we have laid this trap for him to obtain the Earthly Sovereign Bell.”

“Is that so?” Emperor Jing Run narrowed his eyes slightly, pupils glinting astonishingly and intimidatingly. “Did he say why I wish to obtain the Earthly Sovereign Bell?”

“He claimed that the reason you desire the Earthly Sovereign Bell is to use its power to accumulate and secure Chu’s dissipating Will of the Empire,” Fang Zhiyong answered.

Emperor Jing Run asked, “What about you, Grand Mentor? What do you think my objective is?”

Fang Zhiyong replied fearfully, “This subject dares not fathom your mind, Your Holiness!”

Emperor Jing Run responded, “Speak. I forgive you no matter what you say.”

Fang Zhiyong fell silent for a few breaths before finally answering, “This meek subject is of the same opinion as Ye Qing.”

That was a lie. He knew that Emperor Jing Run’s true objective was to feed the Earthly Sovereign Bell to the Heavens’ Eye to restore its power. However, he also knew that the subject must not fathom the emperor’s mind, which was why he chose to feign ignorance despite Emperor Jing Run’s permission.

“Hahaha...” Instead of confirming or denying the Grand Mentor’s “guess”, Emperor Jing Run let out a non-committal laugh before asking, “So? What are Ye Qing’s terms?”

“Your Holiness, Ye Qing demands that we release all of the hostages in exchange for the Earthly Sovereign Bell,” Fang Zhiyong answered.

“Mm. Anything else?” Emperor Jing Run asked.

Fang Zhiyong continued, “He also demands that I meet him at the All Is Well Forest with one other companion in an hour[1]. He claims that the reason he is giving us such a short time limit is to prevent any ‘accident’ from occurring.”

“In any case, this meek subject has failed in his duty. Please punish me, Your Holiness!”

Fang Zhiyong planted his head on the floor and began kowtowing fearfully.

Emperor Jing Run did not say anything. For a time, only the sound of Fang Zhiyong’s kowtowing could be heard.

“Please rise, Grand Mentor. It is hardly your fault that Ye Qing is too cunning for his own good.”

A short while later, Emperor Jing Run finally motioned for Fang Zhiyong to stop as if he just remembered the Grand Mentor was present. He then asked, “Do you think he is plotting something?”

Fang Zhiyong answered thoughtfully, “This meek subject believes not, Your Holiness. Not twenty-four hours have passed since I have spoken to him, and he spent most of this time under our strict observation. Moreover, he basically did not contact anyone or arrange anything.”

“With that in mind, this meek subject does not believe that Ye Qing is plotting something.”

1. At this point I am certain the author constantly confuses between 时辰 (2 hours) and 时 (1 hour). It was 时辰 before, but here it is 时. Sigh. ☜