Outside Luo City, at Guangji Temple.
In the dead of night at the Hour of the Zi (11 PM - 1 AM), movements and noises transmitted from the 'Jiexu Hall' within the temple. A wooden floor plank was forcefully pushed open from below. She Dengke was the very first to stick his head out of the secret tunnel, and then he jumped in fright.
Candlelight burned brightly inside the Jiexu Hall. Two temple-guarding monks were sitting in meditation and contemplation in front of the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Hearing the commotion, the two monks simultaneously opened their eyes and looked over, then simultaneously closed their eyes again. Looking as if all things in the world were utterly empty and void to them, they didn't take She Dengke to heart at all.
She Dengke had originally felt somewhat frightened and apprehensive upon seeing these two monks. Only when they closed their eyes did he hurriedly say towards the secret tunnel, "Hurry up and come up."
With the Prince Heir, Liang Mao'er carrying Liang Gou'er on his back, and She Dengke pulling Chun Hua along, they all emerged from the secret tunnel together.
She Dengke fit the floor plank back together tightly and properly. Turning around, he led the group in hurrying past the two temple-guarding monks. The temple-guarding monks didn't cast another glance at them.
Following at the very rear, the Prince Heir suddenly asked in a low, depressed spirit, "How are we leaving the Ning Dynasty?"
She Dengke explained, "We are taking the sea route."
The Prince Heir sighed lightly. "The sea..."
She Dengke asked curiously, "What's wrong, Prince Heir?"
With his head lowered, the Prince Heir said, "We previously talked about it back at the medical clinic... saying we'd go look at the sea together."
Both She Dengke and Liang Mao'er froze. On that day, Old Yao had even mockingly sneered at them, saying that as long as they were exiled, they could all go look at the sea together. Although their current situation wasn't actual exile, it wasn't much better than exile either.
Old Yao's Dark Prophecy Fulfilled.
It's just that there were two people missing from the group: Chen Ji and Bai Li.
It was as if they had been eternally left behind on this stretch of land, remaining through spring and summer, autumn and winter.
The Prince Heir asked in a low voice, "How do we rescue Bai Li? She's still in the Eunuch Faction's hands."
She Dengke said with a troubled expression, "Prince Heir, I'm afraid we won't be able to rescue her. Look, Brother Gou'er is already like this..."
The Prince Heir thought for a moment. "I still have a few friends."
She Dengke shook his head. "Chen Ji said that the very instant the incident happened at the Prince's Estate, those friends of yours all went into hiding."
The Prince Heir uttered an "mhm" of acknowledgement. "Then how are we going out to sea?"
As they walked, She Dengke said, "Second Miss Zhang explained it to me. Right outside Guangji Temple, there's a small pier, and there's currently a small boat docked there. We'll first head to Jinling, then switch boats and travel through Zhenjiang, Jingjiang, and Nantong, finally going out to sea from Qidong. We'll take the sea route, bypassing the land and heading north to the Jing Dynasty, disembarking at Lüshun."
Extremely depressed, the Prince Heir casually asked, "Can this route be successfully traversed?"
She Dengke explained, "Second Miss Zhang said that the Xu Family has always used this sea route to conduct trade with the Jing Dynasty, so we will definitely be able to get through. Once we arrive at the Qidong pier, there will be Zhang Family death warriors waiting to receive us."
As they arrived in front of the gate of Guangji Temple, the Prince Heir suddenly stopped in his tracks, heavy snow falling upon his body. "We? You... aren't you going?"
She Dengke began to hesitate. Only after a long time did he finally muster his courage. "Prince Heir, I'm sorry. Following you guys is too dangerous. Since I was young, I've never even stepped foot out of Luo City; asking me to go to the Jing Dynasty right now, I worry that after going there..."
The Prince Heir asked softly, "What if the Eunuch Faction pursues and hunts you down down?"
With his head lowered, She Dengke looked at the tips of his toes. "The Eunuch Faction shouldn't know I participated in breaking you out of prison. At most, they will issue a warrant for Chun Hua's arrest. But she isn't some important figure either; going to the farming estate and facing the sky bare-faced every day, the Eunuch Faction won't be able to recognize her. I have already discussed it with my family. Tonight, I will go to Mianchi to seek refuge with my Fourth Uncle and work in the fields alongside him."
Saying that, She Dengke held Chun Hua's hand. "Once the wind of this incident passes, I will use my share of the silver dividends from the cement business to purchase a few acres of paddy fields, peacefully and steadily living out my days with Chun Hua."
The Prince Heir uttered an "mhm" of acknowledgement. "That's quite nice. It's just that I still don't know how to repay you."
She Dengke added another sentence, "Prince Heir, you don't need to thank me. I only went to rescue Chun Hua... I am merely the son of a family of physical laborers; I am not like you guys. I cannot withstand great winds and massive waves."
Everyone fell silent.
The Prince Heir forced a smile. "Since you have already discussed it with your family, then hurry up and get going."
She Dengke retreated step by step towards the outside of the door. "Then we'll be leaving. Prince Heir, Brother Mao'er, Brother Gou'er, please take care of yourselves."
Having said that, he held Chun Hua's hand and walked out of Guangji Temple.
The moment he stepped past the threshold, the Prince Heir suddenly raised a hand and called out, "She Dengke."
However, holding Chun Hua's hand, She Dengke heard the Prince Heir's voice but merely paused his steps for a brief instant before continuing to walk forward without turning his head back.
The Prince Heir's hand slowly dropped down. "...Thank you."
In the next moment, he raised the back of his hand to wipe the corners of his eyes. Looking up at the night sky, he sniffled.
Liang Mao'er looked at the Prince Heir. "Prince Heir, let's go too."
"Alright."
...
...
The remaining three people lifted their feet and headed toward the pier.
Upon exiting the temple gates, they saw from afar an awning boat docked at the river pier.
It was just that there was someone else beside that awning boat. Dressed entirely in white, Tian Ma stood in the snow, looking just like a banished Immortal. Yet this person, who seemed like a transcendent deity, actually possessed the heaviest killing intent within the Secret Spy Division.
The Prince Heir subconsciously turned around; he wanted to return to Guangji Temple to seek reinforcements. However, the moment he turned around, he saw the gates of Guangji Temple suddenly slam shut, barring the three of them outside.
The Prince Heir saw Tian Ma making several hand signs from afar, but no one could understand them.
They gazed at each other from a distance.
The Prince Heir suddenly said, "Brother Mao'er, Brother Gou'er, you two leave. The person they want to kill is me; it has nothing to do with you."
Liang Gou'er was amused. "It's already come to this, so what the hell are we running for? If I die, then I die. It just so happens that the path to the Yellow Springs won't be lonely. Out of the few people from the Prince's Estate and medical clinic, you're the only one with decent alcohol tolerance. Mao'er, be a good boy; put me down and leave."
Liang Mao'er stubbornly said, "I'm not leaving."
However, right at this moment, a嗤笑 (sneer/scoff) sound transmitted from the heavy snow behind them. "How truly touching. In the future, if the stage plays don't include this segment of yours, I absolutely refuse to watch."
The Prince Heir abruptly turned his head, only to see Old Yao in the heavy snow, with his hands clasped behind his hunched back, unhurriedly walking past them.
"Physician Yao!" The Prince Heir froze.
Old Yao completely ignored him, merely waving a hand at Tian Ma as he walked. "Go back. There's nothing for you to do here."
Tian Ma hesitated for a split second, then made a few more hand signs.
Old Yao responded cheerfully, "He spends all his days engaging in Deceptive Play and spouting mouths full of lies; he still lacks the qualifications to control me. Entrusted by an old friend, no one is allowed to touch these few people. Return to the Capital City. If the Inner Chancellor asks, just tell him that I took these people away."
Tian Ma nodded. Clasping his hands in a salute, he turned and strode away.
The Prince Heir stared blankly.
Old Yao walked to the side of the boat and looked back. "You're still not getting on the boat?"
"Coming, coming," the three of them hurriedly boarded the boat. Liang Mao'er supported Liang Gou'er and had him sit down inside the awning, while he himself went to man the oars.
The splashing sounds of water transmitted over. Slowly, the small awning boat sailed towards the distance.
Standing at the gunwale of the boat, Old Yao didn't even turn his head back as he spoke to the Prince Heir behind him, "Prince Heir, on that day when His Highness fell ill, you haven't forgotten what he said to you at the medical clinic, have you?"
The Prince Heir shook his head. "I haven't forgotten."
Old Yao said calmly, "His Highness traded his life in exchange for the two of us entering the Jing Dynasty. This path is incomparably arduous; have you thought it through clearly? Now that I've gotten older, I've become somewhat Soft-Hearted. If you truly wish to back out, there's still time to leave now."
The Prince Heir shook his head. "I am not backing out. It's just... what about Bai Li?"
Old Yao casually remarked, "That depends on their own fortune and destiny."
The Prince Heir asked hopefully, "Could you perhaps perform a divination?"
Old Yao gave a light chuckle. "That disciple of mine is someone who refuses to believe in fate. Performing divinations for him is utterly useless; the heavens will not collect him. Prince Heir, this journey is long and distant. It's uncertain if we'll ever be able to return. Bid your final farewell to His Highness."
Having said that, the old man turned around, lowered his head, and鑽 (ducked/drilled) into the awning, leaving the Prince Heir all alone standing at the gunwale and looking at the river.
The Prince Heir's face suddenly became bathed in tears. Kneeling on the gunwale, he kowtowed three times toward the north, bidding a final farewell to his biological father, bidding a final farewell to his homeland.
The heavy snow fell onto the surface of the water, generating soft rustling sounds. It turned out that when heaven and earth were utterly silent and still, the falling snow also possessed a sound; withered and silent, profound and distant.
The Prince Heir suddenly picked up a wooden oar and wrote in the water:
In my youth, time felt boundlessly long, splashing wine and overturning the red-light alleys.
With power acting as brick walls and profit as roof tiles, guests and friends leaned fully against the tent.
Waking up, I resent the days for being far too short; this grand dream has turned twenty times.
Suddenly, I realize that while eight or nine out of ten walk alongside me, not even two or three possess true hearts.
Alas! Listening to the snow upon a lone boat, sitting and watching the vast distance between heaven and earth.
The Prince Heir had composed the very first, roughly written poem of his life, which was also his final one. No one saw this poem; the poem was hidden within the dark river, flowing eastward with the great river.
He stood up and arrived at the center of the boat, kneeling and bowing down toward Liang Gou'er. "I entreat Mister to teach me the Liang Family Saber Techniques!"
The Prince Heir of Prince Jing, who had lived the first half of his life in utmost wealth, nobility, and honor, was now entirely enveloped in saber intent from head to toe.
Leaning inside the awning, Liang Gou'er remained silent for a long time before asking in a dry voice, "Why do you want to learn my Liang Family Saber Techniques?"
The Prince Heir said in a low voice, "To inherit my father's will, to slaughter Immortals."
"Can you endure bitter suffering and hardship?"
"I can!"
"Do you dare to kill people?"
"I dare!"
Liang Gou'er burst into loud, clear laughter. "Good, good, good! Then I shall pass these Liang Family Saber Techniques onto you. It's just that my Governing Vessel has already been severed, so I'm afraid I won't live to see the day you slaughter Immortals. If you truly manage to slaughter Immortals one day, say a sentence to those Immortals on my behalf: 'A clay chicken and a pottery dog; nothing more than this! Not even comparable to a single pinky finger of my Master's!'"
The Prince Heir said earnestly, "Alright."
Liang Gou'er said with emotion, "Call me Master."
The Prince Heir prostrated himself on the boat, knocking his head solidly against the wood nine times in a row, making loud thumping sounds. Only after raising his head did he say, "Master. It's a pity that there is neither wine nor tea."
Liang Gou'er smiled. Picking up a gourd dipper next to him, he tossed it to the Prince Heir. "Sons and daughters of The Jianghu wander adrift with no fixed home; using the flowing river water as wine also counts as wine."
The Prince Heir turned around, scooped a dipper full of water from the river, and handed it to him. Gulping down a mouthful of the mountains' and rivers' water, Liang Gou'er loudly yelled, "How satisfying and delightful! You're much more straightforward and delightful than that brat Chen Ji!"
Old Yao cast a sideways glance at him. "Don't court death."
Liang Gou'er curled his lips but didn't say anything. He also had no idea exactly what realm Old Yao was at. But to be able to make Tian Ma leave after merely waving his sleeve... he definitely wasn't simple.
Old Yao fished a small wooden box out from his bosom. With a pinch of his fingers, he took out a white, blood-stained Alchemical Pill from within. "Prince Heir, swallow it. This Feather-Generating Pill can assist you in your cultivation."
The Prince Heir froze. "A Feather-Generating Pill? Why didn't you keep it for yourself? Your lifespan..."
Old Yao smiled. "It's no matter. Taking in a good disciple right before I die, I have no regrets."
"What about Chen Ji..."
"His path is even more difficult than yours."
...
...
The Hour of the Mao (5 AM - 7 AM).
The snow had stopped, and the sky was about to clear up.
Chen Ji rode his horse back to Anxi Street. Prince Jing's Estate had already been pasted with white sealing strips. Messy white paper drifted and scattered in front of the gates; blown by the wind, they rustled as they flipped over, piece by piece.
Arriving in front of Taiping Medical Clinic, he pushed open the main doors. "Master, I'm back!"
However, the medical clinic was already completely empty; not a single person remained.
Chen Ji walked further inside. "Master?"
"Master, where are you?"
"Master..."
Standing in the courtyard, Chen Ji gazed blankly all around. The tiny Taiping Medical Clinic was cold and desolate, absolutely bereft of any signs of human life or activity... everyone had left.
He arrived beneath the apricot tree and removed the red cloth strips from its branches one by one.
The Commandery Princess was the first to write: Peace, Joy, Smooth Sailing, and Freedom from Worry.
Chen Ji unrolled the strip inscribed by Liu Quxing: "Master, may you have health and longevity." Following that was She Dengke's: "Master, may you live a boundless long life." Beside his ears, the sounds of their playful laughter and banter beneath the moonlight on that day seemed to echo once again.
In a daze, he almost seemed to see She Dengke and Liu Quxing chasing each other around the apricot tree.
But with another blink of the eye, the people from those bygone days had vanished.
Memories were exactly like this; they only punished those who clung to the past.
Chen Ji turned around, carrying the remaining strong liquor inside the medical clinic out the door. He swung himself onto his horse and galloped rapidly towards the Drum Tower.
While galloping rapidly, he drank wine while turning his head to look at the color of the sky in the distance.
Upon arriving at the Drum Tower, Chen Ji stuffed a Peanut Silver Nugget into the hands of the guarding soldier. Stepping onto the wooden stairs, he climbed up the tall tower step by step.
Holding the wine jar, he sat by the railing, tottering and teetering precariously in the freezing wind, as if he could fall down at any moment.
With drunken, blurry eyes, Chen Ji looked beside him. "Liu Quxing, what do you want to do in the future?"
Someone in the wind said, "I want to inherit my Master's mantle and become an imperial physician!"
Chen Ji burst into loud laughter. "Good! From now on, you're the imperial physician of Prince Jing's Estate!"
Then, he asked in a loud voice, "Liang Mao'er, what do you want to do in the future?"
Someone in the wind replied again, "I want to buy a few acres of land."
"Good! I'll give them to you tomorrow!"
Chen Ji asked again, "Prince Heir, what do you want to do in the future?"
"I want to become a Great Hero! I've just realized that reading those scriptures and classics is utterly useless. From now on, I'll read whichever page the wind blows open, and I'll tear out whichever page is difficult to read! Beat the drum!"
Someone in the wind scolded angrily, "Brother, think carefully! If you strike that mallet down, the soldiers guarding the Drum Tower below will be exiled and drafted into the military!"
"Then I won't beat it anymore."
The sun had emerged.
Chen Ji lifted his head and looked over, only to see a bright red sun slowly rising at the very end of the world. The sky was boundless, spanning ten thousand li without a single cloud. Inching by inching, the radiant orange-red light steadily illuminated his utterly solitary and lonely figure.
Like a flower in the mirror, the moon in the water; a dream in the human realm.
Bathed in the morning sun, Wu Yun walked gracefully and lightly along the wooden railing. It squeezed its way into Chen Ji's bosom and raised its head. Chen Ji stroked its furry little head, his gaze looking toward the distant horizon.
Wu Yun let out a "meow" and asked, "Chen Ji, what are you doing here?"
"Carving a mark on a boat to find a lost sword."
...
...
End of Volume 3, Carving a Mark on a Boat to Find a Lost Sword.
(End of this chapter)