"No reason given?" Sikong Changfeng lightly tapped the table with his fingers. "Casually providing information to Dark River is an extremely dangerous matter..."
Su Zhe continued smiling, seemingly unbothered by Sikong Changfeng's response: "I don't know why Su Muyu said this, but these are the exact words he asked me to deliver."
"During the Eastern Campaign of the Demon Sect years ago, Su Muyu once intervened to save the lives of two elders and fifteen disciples of our Snow Moon City. This is a debt Snow Moon City owes him. He wants to exchange this favor for information, but given his personality, he dislikes stating it outright." Sikong Changfeng sighed softly. "He truly is the most burdened assassin I've ever met."
"So that's how it is." Su Zhe nodded. "I actually didn't know that."
"Never mind." Sikong Changfeng shook his head. "I've always disliked the Shadow Sect anyway. It's just a pity to sever this small connection with Su Muyu."
"Oh?" Su Zhe raised an eyebrow slightly. "What's the pity?"
"I don't want to become his enemy." Sikong Changfeng waved his hand. "Enough of that. Since I despise the Shadow Sect anyway, there's no harm in sharing some information about them with you. What aspect do you want to know about?"
"Everything." Su Zhe set down his wine cup and took out his smoking pipe, settling in as if preparing to leisurely listen to a story.
"The Shadow Sect, as its name suggests, exists like a shadow. They operate in the darkness to maintain the stability of Heaven Revelation City, answering directly to the emperor himself. Not even the Three Departments and Six Ministries have authority over them. Several generations ago, the Shadow Sect held an extraordinarily high position in Heaven Revelation City. For a time, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the eunuch faction, nearly rendering the emperor powerless. Later, when the eunuch faction collapsed, the Shadow Sect's power was also greatly diminished for many years. By the time Yi Bu came to power in this generation, the Shadow Sect had become almost negligible. But Yi Bu is an ambitious man who has always dreamed of restoring the Shadow Sect's former glory. Although his martial arts are formidable, in Heaven Revelation City, there are quite a few who surpass him—Zhuo Qing alone far outstrips him in strength. Fortunately, he still holds one bargaining chip." Sikong Changfeng took a sip of wine and sighed softly.
"Who?" Su Zhe asked.
"The most beautiful woman in the world, Yi Wenjun." Sikong Changfeng said quietly.
Su Zhe took a puff from his pipe: "That name sounds somewhat familiar..."
"Anyone who has seen Yi Wenjun cannot deny it—no matter how many beautiful women you've encountered, she remains the most peerless of them all." Sikong Changfeng glanced around furtively to ensure no one else was listening before continuing. "When Yi Wenjun was still very young, Yi Bu intended to arrange a marriage alliance with the then-powerful General Ye. It would have been a perfect match—the two grew up together as childhood sweethearts, seemingly made for each other. Unfortunately, General Ye later fell from grace, forcing Yi Bu to abandon his plans. Several years later, when Yi Wenjun's beauty had blossomed into something truly transcendent, the future Mingde Emperor—then still Prince Jingyu—happened to see her, whether by accident or by someone's deliberate arrangement."
"Struck by lust at first sight?" Su Zhe chuckled.
"Of course, everyone called it love at first sight." Sikong Changfeng sighed. "That single glance led to the birth of a great calamity. Prince Jingyu took Yi Wenjun as his consort, but before the wedding, Yi Wenjun encountered Ye Dingzhi."
"Ye Dingzhi!" Su Zhe exclaimed in shock. "The Demon Sect's leader!""The world believes the great calamity years ago was due to the Northern Que's attempt to restore their kingdom. But what people don't know is that Ye Dingzhi was actually the son of General Ye. He and Yi Wenjun fell in love, only to be torn apart by Emperor Mingde. That eastern campaign by the Demon Sect was actually launched for Yi Wenjun's sake," Sikong Changfeng said gravely. "Yet in the end, Yi Wenjun returned to the imperial city and became the Consort Xuan, while Yi Bu rose to become the Emperor's father-in-law. The Shadow Sect's status soared accordingly. What a pity—had Luo Qingyang not broken with Yi Bu over Yi Wenjun's matter, today's Shadow Sect might truly have regained its former glory."
Su Zhe exhaled a puff of smoke: "What Marshal Sikong says... is indeed shocking. But your final remark about 'pity' suggests the Shadow Sect hasn't achieved what Yi Bu desired."
"For centuries, the Shadow Sect has guarded Heaven Revelation City alongside the Imperial Heavenly Army and Imperial Guards. But in this generation, four guardians have emerged—they too protect Heaven Revelation City, ungoverned by the Three Departments and Six Ministries, yet standing openly in the light, revered by all." Sikong Changfeng pointed a thumb at himself. "Take me for example—Vermilion Bird Envoy, Sikong Changfeng!"
"Then the Shadow Sect's existence becomes meaningless," Su Zhe nodded.
"Azure Dragon Envoy Sister Xinyue, inheritor of the Heart Sword and master of the Sword Tomb; Black Tortoise Envoy Tang Lingyue, foremost of his generation in the Tang Sect; Vermilion Bird Envoy—myself, the world's sole Spear Immortal; and White Tiger Envoy—his identity isn't convenient to mention, but it would be the most shocking revelation of all." Sikong Changfeng poured himself another cup of wine. "The four of us were summoned by one man. He declared that from that day forth, Heaven Revelation City would forever dwell in light, with no further need for shadows in the night."
"The Langya King," Su Zhe said solemnly.
"Langya King Xiao Ruofeng despised the Shadow Sect because of that marriage alliance. When his elder brother needed the Shadow Sect's help, he didn't interfere. But after Emperor Mingde ascended the throne, he began taking measures to erase the Shadow Sect from Heaven Revelation City." Sikong Changfeng's voice grew distant. "Though the Shadow Sect still clings to life through Yi Bu's status as the Emperor's father-in-law, given the Langya King's capabilities, it won't be long before..."
"So that's how it is," Su Zhe mused.
"I've told you all I know about the Shadow Sect. I wonder if any of this serves Su Muyu's needs." Sikong Changfeng stood up. "The wine's been drunk, the stories told—Master Su Zhe?"
"I'll take my leave now and trouble you no further." Su Zhe rose, gripping his Buddhist staff, its golden rings jingling like soul-summoning chimes. "The wine here is excellent, the flower cakes delicious—pity I'll likely be unwelcome hereafter."
"Tell Su Muyu that though old affections have faded, should he visit Snow Moon City, a cup of wine still awaits him," Sikong Changfeng said slowly.
"Our Moyu certainly has good connections," Su Zhe scratched his head. "Not like that troublesome Xiaocanghe. Here—a gift for you! Thanks for the wine!" He tossed an oil-paper package skyward from his sleeve.
Sikong Changfeng caught it and examined the contents, torn between laughter and exasperation: "I trade the Wine Immortal's finest 'Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon' brew for this? Betel nuts?""Betel nut, very tasty." Su Zhe waved his hand and left without looking back.
OpenNovel