Early in the morning, Xie Xihai was pulled out of bed by his father, the king, and a group of attendants.
“Xihai, this is a long story,” King Ning, Xie Xingfeng, stood at the bedside and waved his hand. The maids rushed in and surrounded Xie Xihai. “You should change first.”
Xie Xihai’s brother, Xie Xilin, stood quietly next to their father.
The youngest son of King Ning, Xie Xihai, was famous for setting fashion trends in the city of Hancheng.
Lately, he favored flowing styles, with seven or eight layers from inside to outside. It took him half an hour just to get dressed every morning.
After ensuring Xie Xihai was properly dressed within the time of burning a stick of incense, the maids, anxious not to hurt the young prince, gingerly adjusted his clothes by twisting the straps around him. In no time, they were sweating profusely.
Finally dressed, the maids left the room, and King Ning continued, “A few months ago, I received an imperial decree. The Emperor wants me to send one of my sons to the capital. Your brother is not in good health, always frail since childhood. As I have only you two sons, Xihai, it falls on you to go.”
Xie Xilin coughed twice by King Ning’s side, playing his part. Xie Xihai’s bed curtain almost flew off with his coughing.
“Does Mother know?” Xie Xihai sat on the edge of the bed, pondering his father’s words, then looked up and asked.
His mother, Shang Lingyue, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant. She married King Ning at the age of sixteen. Despite King Ning initially opposing the imperial decree, he insisted on marrying the merchant’s daughter as the main wife. Although he later took more than a dozen concubines, it became a well-known story in those times.
Shang Lingyue had recently gone to Mount Junshan to pray, and she should be at the foot of the mountain by now.
“When she returns, I will explain to her,” King Ning impatiently said. “It’s just a trip to the capital to meet the Emperor, your uncle. Receiving an audience with the Emperor is a great imperial favor, and your mother will be delighted.”
Xie Xihai had grown up to be eighteen, not living off his father’s wealth for nothing.
Since the Emperor ascended the throne, King Ning was granted a fief to guard the border at Hancheng. Xie Xihai grew up in Hancheng and had hardly left the city.
The relationship between King Ning and the Emperor was evident to anyone with eyes.
Hearing King Ning’s words, Xie Xihai didn’t reveal the truth either. He raised his head and smirked, “Really? A few months ago was not just a few days ago, right?”
“Are you doubting your father’s words?” King Ning glared at Xie Xihai. Seeing Xie Xihai shrink back, he then showed a reassuring smile. “But you understand, your father has been guarding the border for decades, making many enemies. The journey is a bit dangerous. Your father requested from the Emperor to arrange a fake royal son among the escort troops he sends, and entrusted the number one expert in the martial world, Sheng Lin, to accompany you. Travel light, split from the escort troops, and head towards the capital. The Emperor agreed with a deep sense of duty. You should thank him when you reach the capital.”
“Sheng Lin?” Xie Xihai, who often frequented tea houses to listen to storytellers, was familiar with the name. “Is it the Sheng Lin with the top-ranked Transcendent Life Sword in the martial arts records? The one who has never been seen drawing his sword?”
“That’s right,” King Ning looked proudly at Xie Xilin, nodding. “Thanks to your brother’s exceptional chess skills, Sheng Lin volunteered to escort you to the capital in exchange for a game of chess. Your brother’s talents truly impressed him.”
Xie Xilin modestly smiled, “Father is too kind. Young Master Sheng and I merely share a mutual understanding; that’s why he agreed to this unreasonable request.”
Xie Xihai, upon hearing this, did not show much excitement. He lowered his head to smooth the hem of his robe before asking King Ning, “Is Sheng Lin also the one escorting me back to Hancheng?”
King Ning’s smile stiffened, and he looked around before saying, “Why rush back to Hancheng after spending some time in the capital?”
“I won’t go,” Xie Xihai said. “I won’t go anywhere until Mother returns.”
King Ning furiously scolded, “Even if the Emperor personally orders it, can’t you listen? Go!”
“Let Xie Xilin go then,” Xie Xihai retorted.
“Your brother is not well!” King Ning said with distress. “Can’t you understand his condition? Moreover, you’re the legitimate son; it’s your duty to go!
After staring at Xie Xilin for a while and glancing at the guards waiting outside, Xie Xihai knew he couldn’t escape today. He sighed, “Fine, I’ll pack my things.”
“No need, everything has already been prepared for you,” King Ning clapped his hands, and the guards waiting outside entered.
The leader of the guards informed King Ning, “Young Master Sheng has already arrived at the back gate.”
King Ning’s spirits lifted, and he pushed Xie Xihai towards the door, muttering, “Xihai, your father is reluctant to let you go.”
Xie Xihai was somewhat dazed, stumbled a bit as King Ning pushed him, and the guards escorted them towards the back gate.
With his mother not in the mansion, he felt like he lost his backbone. Despite knowing that his father and biological brother wanted to harm him, he didn’t know what to do.
Would his mother send someone to rescue him when she returned to the mansion?
Alternatively, just leave the city and run, find his uncle.
Xie Xihai thought about it, and when he quickly approached the door, he tried to politely decline one last time: “I still want to wait for my mother.”
“Making the emperor wait for ten days is a great disrespect!” King Ning retorted, “It’s not like you won’t come back. There’s no need for a formal farewell.”
While speaking, King Ning dragged Xie Xihai to a side gate. A tall swordsman with a long sword leaned against the entrance. The guards and maids standing beside him dared not speak.
With sword-like eyebrows and a hooked nose, exuding a strong aura, the swordsman gave Xie Xihai a single glance, chilling him to the bone.
Xie Xihai took a step back, turning to King Ning, “I’m not going!”
He didn’t want to witness this ice-cold person draw the Lifespan Sword from its sheath!
King Ning signaled, and two guards stood by Xie Xihai, preventing him from moving.
Sheng Lin slightly shifted his gaze, looked at King Ning, and clasped his fists, saying, “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Ah, Master Sheng is truly talented. This prince has long admired you. My son has been spoiled and pampered. I appreciate your care on this journey.” King Ning pushed Xie Xihai forward.
Xie Xihai, accustomed to sleeping until midday, was forcefully pulled out of bed, still groggy from being awakened. King Ning’s strength was formidable, and Xie Xihai was pushed forward with a “bang,” crashing into Sheng Lin’s arms.
Xie Xihai didn’t know why Sheng Lin was so sturdy, feeling stars in his eyes. His forehead swelled, and he wanted to cry out “Mother, it hurts,” but since Shang Ling wasn’t in the palace, he could only let out a low “wuh” and lowered his head.
Sheng Lin remained expressionless and silent, lifting his hand to push Xie Xihai away from him. He shot him a cold glance before turning to Xie Xilin, saying, “Your Highness accepted my chess invitation, so it’s not considered troublesome.”
Xie Xilin smiled gently at Sheng Lin. He was exceptionally handsome and dressed in a simple manner. In the desolate city of Han, he resembled a lotus untainted by mud. His appearance was both elegant and refined.
In contrast, Xie Xihai lacked the ethereal charm possessed by Xie Xilin. With large, round eyes, rosy lips, and a peach-blossom face, most people found him merely pretty and cute, lacking some depth.
“Is this the Lifespan Sword?” Xie Xihai, feeling bored, looked at Sheng Lin emitting a cold aura. Feeling bored, he looked at Sheng Lin emitting a cold aura. Unable to resist, he raised his hand, wanting to touch the large sword in his arms.
As Sheng Lin was about to react, King Ning yelled at Xie Xihai, “Don’t be impudent!”
Startled by his father’s powerful voice, Xie Xihai withdrew his hand, looked around, and then whispered, “I won’t touch it… Where’s my luggage?”
King Ning beckoned, and a maid handed over a large bundle and a small bag to Xie Xihai. “Please take care of these, Your Highness.”
Glancing at the size of the packages, Xie Xihai hesitated to accept them with his hands behind his back. He then asked, “Is that all?”
“The big one contains your clothing and necessities,” King Ning said, taking the small bag and tying it around Xie Xihai’s waist. “This is your spending money.”
Sheng Lin took the large bundle, hung it on a horse behind him, and mounted another horse, lowering his head to look at Xie Xihai.
“No time to waste. Xihai, mount the horse,” King Ning, sensing the urgency, grabbed Xie Xihai and pushed him onto the horse. Xie Xihai’s face was almost scratched by the saddle, so he had no choice but to flip over and get on the horse.
He waved awkwardly at King Ning, who urged, “Hurry, father wants to see off the guards at the main gate.”
After saying this, he closed the side gate with Xie Xilin and the servants. Only Xie Xihai and Sheng Lin remained at the side gate, staring at each other in surprise.
“Hero,” Xie Xihai forced a smile, attempting to start a conversation, “Hello.”
Sheng Lin did not respond to Xie Xihai’s friendly gesture. Instead, he turned his face away, picked up a black veiled hat from the side, and placed it on Xie Xihai’s head, saying, “Apologies to the young master.”
Then, swiftly raising his hand to draw the whip, he waved it towards Xie Xihai’s horse. Xie Xihai heard a “crack” sound, and the horse leaped wildly, its front hooves soaring into the air, tossing Xie Xihai into the sky.
Startled, Xie Xihai lunged forward, hugging the horse’s neck tightly to avoid falling off.
Next, his steed began to sprint wildly, rushing out of the side gate’s alley, turning east into the main road, galloping like mad.
Xie Xihai, bouncing on the horse’s back, felt the horsehair poking through the black veil, stinging his face. He had never experienced such fright and humiliation before. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he almost screamed, but he swallowed it back for the sake of pride.
“Zhui Yun,” Sheng Lin rode alongside him, seemingly effortlessly, like walking a dog. “Go to the South City Gate.”
As instructed by King Ning, during this hour, there were no guards at the South City Gate in Han City, ensuring that no one would witness the two horses leaving the city. Meanwhile, the North City Gate was bustling with activity.
A long line of imperial guards from the palace, each riding a tall horse, marched in the middle. Two white horses pulled a purple flower-adorned sedan, rumored to be carrying the young heir from Han City for an audience with the emperor.
The citizens of Han City flocked to witness the spectacle, eager to see the grandeur of the royal procession.
Little did they know that their true young heir was suffering on horseback.
Xie Xihai, tossed around violently, felt like he was about to vomit. His head was a mushy mess, and it wasn’t until they were halfway out of the city that the horse, named Zhui Yun, calmed down a bit, slowed down, and began trotting unsteadily.
Carefully releasing the reins, Xie Xihai’s black veiled hat had fallen onto his stomach, and a large piece of black veil hung over his head.
Xie Xihai, holding the reins with one hand and tearing off the black veil hanging from his crown with the other, with a pale face and disheveled hair, looked at Sheng Lin’s back a few yards ahead and said softly, “Wait…”
Whether Sheng Lin genuinely didn’t hear or pretended not to hear, he didn’t turn back. Xie Xihai could only see his broad shoulders and the sword strapped to his back.
“Hero,” Xie Xihai had no choice but to call again, “Wait for me…”
This time, the response was a bit louder. Sheng Lin turned to look at him with a cold stare and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I feel like vomiting…” Xie Xihai pulled the reins, and Zhui Yun came to a stop. He fell off the horse with a pale face and leaned against a tree on the roadside, vomiting.
Having skipped breakfast, Xie Xihai dry heaved for a while, spitting out some stomach acid. He covered his mouth, pitifully staring at the water bag hanging from Sheng Lin’s leg. “Give this young master some water.”
Sheng Lin looked at him, and Xie Xihai urged again. Only then did Sheng Lin take off the water bag and throw it to him.
Xie Xihai, feeling weak, couldn’t catch it, and the water bag hit him on the head with a “bang” before falling to the ground.
In pain and teary-eyed, Xie Xihai dared not scold. Standing there for a moment, he picked up the water bag under Sheng Lin’s gaze, took a few sips, and thought that if he didn’t die this time, he would make his uncle reward him with ten thousand taels of gold. Sheng Lin’s head would be his trophy.
What martial arts expert, what Lifesaving Sword; they would still lose their lives to him.
Perhaps Xie Xihai got too carried away with his thoughts. The malicious gleam in his eyes was too obvious. Sheng Lin stared at him and squinted, asking, “What are you thinking?”
Realizing his mistake, Xie Xihai shivered and quickly brought out the routine he used to placate his mother, “Thinking of you.”
Sheng Lin paused at the unexpected response, looking down at him from the horse like he was a mentally challenged person.
Feeling that he had said something inappropriate, Xie Xihai forced a dry laugh, took another sip of water, and slowly asked, “Is the sword heavy?”
“Not heavy,” Sheng Lin emitted an impatient aura, saying coldly, “After you finish, get on the horse. We need to reach Quling before sunset.”
Xie Xihai nodded hastily, using both hands and feet to climb back onto the horse. Sheng Lin commanded, “The hat.”
“Alright.” Xie Xihai voluntarily put on the black hat, and with a whip crack from Sheng Lin, he was lifted up again by Zhui Yun, continuing his bumpy journey with tears in his eyes.
