The Company

Chapter 53 Sky Light Market

Fusu felt this night had been truly extraordinary.

First, he and Boss followed the Luo Shu Nine-Star Compass's guidance to a ghost market shrouded in darkness, where they were handed a verdigris-covered Qin Ban Liang coin. In an instant, they were transported to another world.

Even though Boss had previously warned him about the peculiarities of the Sky Light Market, and he had mentally prepared himself to some extent, Fusu couldn't help but be astonished when he witnessed the kaleidoscopic scene with his own eyes.

People from various dynasties, dressed in all manner of costumes, were milling about in a marketplace—it was simply... an assault on the eyes!

After all, Fusu was the eldest prince of the Qin dynasty who had seen his share of grand spectacles. He merely rubbed his temples and regained his composure. Actually, after staring for a while, it wasn't so bad—though the long robes of the Great Qin Empire were still the most elegant, like the one worn by that person who just walked past... Wait? Isn't that...

Just as Fusu was about to chase after them, someone grabbed his arm. He then heard Boss whisper in his ear, "Don't go. He wouldn't recognize you now."

Fusu froze, his fingers brushing against the uneven texture of the cheek hidden beneath his overlong bangs. The sensation jolted him back to reality. Carefully withdrawing his hand, he tucked it into his wide sleeve and smiled self-deprecatingly. Right, he was inhabiting a different body now—how could the other possibly recognize him? But noticing how Boss was hiding in the shadows beneath the eaves, Fusu asked in confusion, "Why are you hiding? Didn't you once run a Dumb Shop here in the Sky Light Market? Hasn't he seen you here before? I never noticed any bad blood between you two in the past."

Boss wore a rare expression of hesitation. Seeing Fusu's determined look that demanded answers, he sighed and said, "I swapped his token, which is why he's been trapped here all this time, unable to leave. I can't explain the reason to him. If he were to see me..." Boss left the rest unsaid, but it certainly wouldn't be a happy reunion.

The subject of their discussion was named Ying, nephew of Qin Shi Huang and Fusu's cousin. Because historical records rarely mention his background, some scholars speculate he was an elder brother of Huhai, while others conjecture he was Fusu's son. But given Ying's age, how could Fusu possibly have such an old son? The theory of him being Huhai's elder brother is even more implausible—to secure his own ascension to the throne, Huhai had all seventeen of his elder brothers, including Fusu, executed. How could he have left a survivor? How could he have allowed Ying to remain in Xianyang? And how could Ying have had the opportunity to offer advice in his presence?

The collected commentaries of "Li Si's Biography" quote Xu Guang as stating that the "disciple Ying" mentioned in one version as "Summoning Ying, son of the First Emperor's younger brother, and bestowing the seal upon him" refers to "Ying, son of the First Emperor's younger brother." Qin Shi Huang's only brothers were Chengjiao and the two sons born to his mother, Lady Zhao, and Lao Ai—the latter two were dashed to death by Qin Shi Huang himself. Ying was in fact Chengjiao's son. When Chengjiao rebelled against Qin and defected to Zhao, he did not take the infant Ying with him, as the child was still in swaddling clothes and hadn't even been given a proper name. According to "Shi Ming · Shi Chang You," which states, "A person at birth is called ying," the attendants arbitrarily named him "Ying." Thus, his name was not "Ziying" as later generations have consistently believed.Such a humble name also metaphorically reflected Ying's awkward status in the Qin state. Though possessing noble bloodline, he existed like an invisible figure. Thus, historical records only mentioned his surrender to Liu Bang by presenting the imperial seal and military tally, with no other accounts.

Having read historical texts, Fusu naturally knew Ying was the one who succeeded Huhai's position, remaining on the throne for merely forty-six days before being killed by Xiang Yu. The Boss's refusal to give Ying a token to leave the Sky Light Market clearly stemmed from reluctance to let him face such cruel reality.

"Though we cannot meet nor explain, at least he... remains alive for now..." The Boss's expression remained hidden in darkness, but his words carried a tinge of melancholy.

Fusu quietly touched his concealed hand within the sleeve, lowering his head in prolonged silence before raising it again. With practiced nonchalance, he changed the subject: "Where are we heading? Standing here makes us too conspicuous. If Ying happens to walk back, I won't help you send him away."

"...This way." After a speechless moment, the Boss emerged from the shadows and led Fusu toward the market's opposite end.

Though Ying's figure had been but a fleeting glimpse, Fusu found his emotions hard to calm. He had believed himself capable of accepting the Great Qin Dynasty's collapse over two millennia ago, yet in truth, reluctant acceptance still lingered in his heart. During that brief moment passing Ying, memories of bygone days surged through his mind like floodwaters unleashed through opened sluice gates.

The Sky Light Market... How could such a miraculous place exist? Where numerous figures from different historical planes gathered, like several points converging along an otherwise unbendable straight line.

Throughout their journey, the Boss remained silent, having produced a hat from somewhere to wear. Pulling the brim low, he carefully concealed most of his face. Fusu watched him for a while before shaking his head with a helpless smile.

Perhaps it wasn't just Ying whom he couldn't meet. Maybe the Boss had offended many people in the Sky Light Market, which explained why his Dumb Shop couldn't continue operating here.

With this thought, Fusu's gloomy mood miraculously improved as he followed the Boss into a shop. Since the Sky Light Market existed in darkness, Fusu couldn't clearly read the shop's signboard. Only after entering did he discover, by the soft glow of several Night-Shining Pearls placed within, that the shelves were filled with various books and ancient texts—evidently a bookstore.

Precisely for this reason, the shop didn't light lamps or candles like other stores and stalls, fearing accidental fire might destroy these precious volumes.

Shadowy figures moved throughout the shop, with people constantly entering to exchange books or trade other items for reading material. Some even sat directly on the floor, unable to wait as they began reading by the faint illumination of the Night-Shining Pearls.The Boss did not linger in the main hall, leading Fusu directly toward the inner rooms. The shop’s manager made no attempt to stop them, not even lifting an eyelid, while those engrossed in reading paid no attention either. As they walked along the corridor, Fusu saw rooms filled to the brim with books, each more crowded than the last. The doorways of these rooms were marked with the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, suggesting the books inside were categorized accordingly. The entire shop was permeated with a heavy musty odor, yet mingled with the fragrance of ink and paper, it unexpectedly calmed the mind. Even footsteps softened, and the only sound that reached the ears was the rustling of pages being turned.

Fusu, too, was a book lover. Back when he was the eldest prince of the Qin Dynasty, he never went a day without holding a scroll, keeping his attendants busy carrying bamboo manuscripts. After his rebirth in the modern era, he initially struggled to adapt to simplified Chinese characters and the left-to-right horizontal reading format. He had even asked Huhai to buy him many Taiwanese editions to practice with. Now, faced with such an abundance of ancient texts, he couldn’t help but lose himself in thought.

Hearing the Boss’s soft chuckle, as if he had expected this, Fusu frowned slightly. He suspected the Boss had brought him here on purpose. If he were left here to read, wouldn’t the Boss be free to do as he pleased without Fusu’s knowledge? So Fusu said nothing, collected his thoughts, and followed closely behind the Boss.

They walked all the way to the end of the corridor, where a room stood with its door ajar. Without any courtesy of knocking, the Boss pushed open the decaying door and strode right in.

It was a large room, filled with bookshelves like a library, and from the beams hung countless Night-Shining Pearls, illuminating every corner. Fusu had intended to follow the Boss further inside, but perhaps because the light here was much brighter than in the outer areas, his gaze casually swept over the bookshelves—and he stopped in his tracks, stunned.

Hua Tuo’s burned Qing Nang Shu was one thing! The complete volumes of the Huangdi Neijing were another! But there, right before his eyes, was the long-lost Huangdi Waijing! The Huangdi Neijing, with its mere eighteen volumes, was already hailed as the foundational text of medicine. As for the Huangdi Waijing... Fusu held his breath and carefully counted the volumes on the shelf—exactly the legendary thirty-seven lost scrolls! Not a single one was missing!

Fusu had been fond of medicine since childhood. In his previous life, he had managed to collect only sixteen volumes of the Huangdi Waijing. Never had he imagined he would see the complete set here today! After taking a few deep breaths, he resumed walking, though his eyes remained glued to the shelves.

Bian Que Neijing, Bian Que Waijing, Bai Shi Neijing, Bai Shi Waijing, Pang Pian... Every one of the "Seven Classics" recorded in the Book of Han, which were said to coexist with the Huangdi Neijing, was present!

After a moment of dazed astonishment, Fusu steadied himself. He resisted the urge to reach out and browse the books. From deeper within the shelves, voices could be heard—the Boss conversing with a stranger. Forcing himself to look away, Fusu continued forward.However, the further he went, the more astonished he became. After the medical texts came numerous military treatises: The Art of War, Wuzi, The Methods of the Sima, Six Secret Teachings, Wei Liaozi, Three Strategies... As he read these familiar titles, Fusu's footsteps slowed. After the military texts came various lost ancient books—some of which Fusu had personally read or even memorized in his time. Yet he knew these works had vanished through centuries of warfare and decay, surviving only as fragments or mere titles.

His heartbeat quickened. When he spotted Guicang, he finally halted again.

The Rites of Zhou·Spring Offices records: "The Grand Diviner masters three methods of Yi: first Lianshan, second Guicang, third Zhouyi. Each contains eight trigrams and sixty-four hexagrams." Lianshan from the Xia Dynasty, Guicang from the Shang Dynasty, and Zhouyi from the Zhou Dynasty were collectively called the Three Yis—three distinct divination systems. While Zhouyi survived to modern times, both Lianshan and Guicang were lost to history.

Fusu recalled modern archaeological reports: though bamboo slips of Guicang had been excavated, their texts remained severely fragmented after two millennia buried in earth.

Sure enough, beside Guicang lay Lianshan. Despite his limited interest in divination, Fusu felt profound respect for the owner of this study. Each ancient volume was transcribed in clean, elegant script with uniform handwriting. If these texts were verified as accurate, it would mean the transcriber had truly mastered all literature under heaven.

After advancing a few more steps, Fusu encountered works from his two-thousand-year absence. These held little appeal until he saw Jiuqiu—then he stopped dead, abandoning all former restraint. After ensuring his hands were clean, he directly lifted the book to examine.

This was Jiuqiu! The legendary most ancient text!

Books from Emperor Yu's era were called "qiu." Jiuqiu compiled records of the Nine Provinces—gathering all things born from the land, all customs suited to each region. Taotang Hill, You Shude Hill, Mengying Hill, Black-White Hill, Crimson Gaze Hill, Shenwei Hill, Warrior Hill, Divine People Hill...

Fusu became completely absorbed, deaf to his surroundings, immersed in those mysterious characters.

Deep among the shelves, the Boss sat cross-legged with a young man. Above them, a red sandalwood Dragon coiled across the roof beam—so lifelike it seemed ready to claw and bite, yet its head bowed in submission, clutching a massive Night-Shining Pearl between sharp fangs that illuminated the area like daylight.

The man appeared about twenty-three or twenty-four, slender, draped in a spotless white robe amid piles of worn ancient texts. Before him lay the Four Treasures of the Study and a half-copied manuscript, confirming him as the library's owner. Still examining his scroll, he asked without looking up: "Found it at last?"

The Boss understood the reference. Smiling in acknowledgment, he simultaneously tilted his head to listen for footsteps from the bookshelves."Tsk, coming from the Kan trigram bookshelf area—medical texts, military strategy, Zhouyi... you certainly know him well." The man in white also twitched his ears slightly. "But it's impressive you still remember the arrangement of the books here. Look, he’s indeed stopped. Is he reading the Three Fen, Five Canons, Eight Cables, or Nine Hills?"

"Most likely Nine Hills." The Boss raised an eyebrow. To put it in modern terms, Nine Hills was essentially the oldest fantasy novel—no wonder his eldest son couldn’t resist it.

"If he enjoys it so much, why not transcribe it for him?" The man in white studied the fragmented text of the scroll in his hand, making annotations with a brush before looking up.

This man in white was noticeably thinner than most, his cheekbones protruding sharply, accentuating his distinct features. His face was refined—historically described as "fair as a beautiful woman"—yet his disheveled appearance undermined this elegance. His long hair, loosely tied at the back due to neglect, and the unshaven stubble on his cheeks gave him a slovenly air, though his piercing gaze remained impossible to ignore.

"Zifang, are you trying to pry information from me?" The Boss flicked dust off his robes, his tone casual but his smile growing increasingly meaningful.

"Exactly, I am prying." Zhang Zifang tapped the scroll against the desk, grinning unabashedly. "Who told you to possess the Luoshu Nine-Star Compass and a jar of Qin half-liang coins to frequent the Sky Light Market? I still don’t dare venture out, afraid I might never find the market’s entrance again."

The Boss stared at the scroll in Zhang Zifang’s hand, pondering for a moment. "The Sky Light Market shouldn’t exist in the first place. Even if we leave, certain trans-temporal memories of this place will be erased. For instance, Zifang, you might retain some memories here, but you’d never recall having flipped through this scroll in your hands—because paper hadn’t been invented yet in your time."

Zhang Zifang’s grip on the scroll tightened. This wasn’t the first time he’d heard such claims, yet they still unsettled him. It felt as though everything he’d done was being negated, his efforts rendered as illusory as bubbles.

Observing his expression, the Boss saw it overlap with that of the dear friend he’d known for years—the face that remained lean despite ample food in adulthood, a lingering effect of childhood starvation. Even after two millennia, it felt deeply familiar. Smiling, the Boss added, "Though we might forget where or in which book we encountered them, knowledge and words endure. Some lost ancient texts were later transcribed by people throughout history, but since they couldn’t speak of the Sky Light Market, their works were often mistaken for sequels or plagiarisms—leading to countless unresolved disputes."

"Tch, all this talk, and you’re just too lazy to write it out despite remembering the content." Zhang Zifang’s hand relaxed completely this time. He placed the scroll on the desk, exhaled deeply, and his expression eased into one of mild teasing. "Equivalent exchange—thank you, Bi Zhi, for the information. In return, I’ll share something with you as well.""I'm all ears." Although the Boss was still smiling, his gaze had turned serious.

"Some time ago, that man who calls a stag a horse appeared in the Sky Light Market." Zhang Zifang tapped the edge of the table with his index finger, his eyes profound. "Though I don't know why he's still alive, his clothing was quite similar to what you're wearing now."

The Boss froze completely upon hearing this. Of course he knew who Zhang Zifang was referring to, but that person... his senior brother... why was he still alive?

"They say he left after exchanging many antiquities here. Although he concealed his face, someone still recognized him." Zhang Zifang stroked his slightly stubbled chin and sighed with a smile. "After all, he's quite famous. Tsk, what a pity I didn't see him myself. I would have made sure he could never leave the Sky Light Market again."

Despite his terrible mood, the Boss still curled the corners of his lips. Although his friend before him hadn't yet developed the strategic wisdom and demeanor of the future imperial tutor who would rise to prominence, ordinary people were no match for him already. Watching him leisurely transcribing ancient texts now, no one would believe he already controlled most of the Sky Light Market.

"Enough of these unpleasant matters. What have you come to exchange today?" Zhang Zifang's eyes lit up, his refined face suddenly sporting a mercenary smile as he rubbed his hands eagerly. "Actually, it would be best if you traded me that Luoshu Nine Stars Compass!"

"...In your dreams."

Tang Yuan was in a bad mood because he had just seen his second senior brother enter that so-called bookstore, but this fellow named Guo simply wouldn't let him follow inside!

"Still angry?" Guo Fengxiao looked down at the little boy whose hand he was holding, noticing his puffed cheeks and displeased expression, and couldn't help but chuckle. "Do you really want to stay here forever? Who knows how long it will take to reweave the heart knot? And you still dream of going to read books? How many characters do you even recognize?"

Tang Yuan really didn't want to talk to this guy. Was he discriminating against him for being young? He had definitely read many more books than him! Tang Yuan rolled his large, darting eyes and looked at Guo Fengxiao with a suspicious gaze. "You hate going into that bookstore so much - could it be that you don't like reading?"

"How could that be?" Guo Fengxiao's mouth twitched, and the frequency of his folding fan's movements quickened. "That bookstore isn't simple at all. You must never go in. Especially its owner... hmph!"

There's more to this story.

Tang Yuan pouted. Seeing that Guo Fengxiao had closed his mouth and didn't want to discuss it further, he stopped asking.

After all, he was just passing through. Tang Yuan grabbed the Little White Snake squirming incessantly in his pocket, making sure the creature wouldn't run off. The Sky Light Market was very long, winding for several miles. Being short, Tang Yuan stood on tiptoe looking back and forth but couldn't see either end. In this bustling market, Tang Yuan followed Guo Fengxiao as they began seeking help from various people. After following Guo Fengxiao to ask a third person, the expression on Tang Yuan's face grew even more suspicious.

If they were looking for someone to do rope weaving work, it made sense to ask girls, but how did this guy named Guo know so many young women? And every one of them was so beautiful!"Don't look at me like that. There are plenty of young ladies in the Sky Light Market, after all, one can maintain eternal youthful appearance here. Once girls come, they're unwilling to leave!" Guo Fengxiao waved goodbye to a beautiful maiden, then lowered his head to wink at Tang Yuan. Swinging his fan with an air of effortless elegance, he remarked, "Especially the prettier ones - the more beautiful they are, the less willing they are to depart."

"So, having so many girls around is one of the main reasons you're unwilling to leave the Sky Light Market too?" Tang Yuan curled his lips and shot him a dead-fish-eyed glance.

"Of course not! How could I stay for such reasons?" Guo Fengxiao snapped his fan shut with a sharp sound and tapped Tang Yuan's head with the fan ribs, assuming a solemn expression. "During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the people suffered immensely. I wished to devote everything to ending that cruel era of chaos. It's just... the time hasn't yet come for me to leave."

Tang Yuan rubbed the spot where he'd been tapped. It didn't hurt, but he felt an indescribable sense of unease. He had already noticed the shops they passed - only the one they'd walked by earlier was a bookstore. If this Guo Fengxiao truly wanted to save the world, then studying would be the primary choice, or perhaps mastering peerless martial arts. But when comparing the ability to defeat ten thousand enemies versus at most ten enemies, even a fool would know which to choose.

There's a conspiracy.

Tang Yuan patted his pocket, then reconsidered—if the other party wanted to steal his token, they would have done so long ago. Why go through such elaborate schemes? Clearly, what Guo Fengxiao desired was beyond his simple guesses.

With this thought, Tang Yuan followed Guo Fengxiao with renewed calm. Even if the token couldn't be restored, he wasn’t in a particular hurry. Spending some time playing in the Sky Light Market wasn’t so bad—time here stood still relative to the outside world. With the Little White Snake in hand, he had a surefire guide to finding the Sky Light Market tokens! But why were all the tokens here tainted with resentment? This...

Just as this thought crossed his mind, Tang Yuan noticed Guo Fengxiao leading him into a shop. Judging by the exquisite silk fabrics draped along the walls, it was clearly an embroidery workshop.

Guo Fengxiao was evidently a regular here. After greeting the pretty girls in the workshop, he guided Tang Yuan deeper inside. Pavilions and towers along the way failed to capture Tang Yuan’s interest—after all, the courtyard he’d once stayed in could burst into bloom even in the dead of winter, making other gardens seem mundane by comparison. Yet, when they ascended to a warm pavilion and glimpsed the beauty within, Tang Yuan couldn’t help but stare, transfixed.

Though this beauty appeared to be in her thirties, she resembled a lotus in full bloom—radiant and captivating. Her face was lightly dusted with powder, not too heavy nor too faint, carrying an indescribable touch of melancholy. Clad in a simple, plain light purple Wrapped Robe Long Robe, the garment elegantly accentuated her graceful figure. Every frown or smile made one hold their breath, afraid of disturbing such a vision. Before her stood an Embroidery Frame, where a Jiangnan landscape was only half-embroidered, yet the carefree leisure of boating on the lake was already vividly conveyed.

“Madam Shi, Fengxiao has a favor to ask.” In the presence of such a beauty, even the usually irreverent Guo Fengxiao softened his tone and dropped his playful demeanor.

Madam Shi set down her embroidery needle. When her gaze fell upon Tang Yuan, her slightly sorrowful features softened instantly, her entire face suddenly glowing with a dazzling brilliance. Tang Yuan was reminded of a certain historical figure and nearly gasped aloud.

Such beauty, at this age, addressed like this!

Madam Shi?! Shi Yiguang?! Could she be one of the Four Great Beauties—Xi Shi?!

Recalling historical rumors: if Xi Shi, after succeeding as a spy to bring down the Wu kingdom and retiring from service, hadn’t been drowned but instead went into seclusion with Fan Li, then Fan Li must also be in the Sky Light Market!

Damn! Fan Li was the legendary winner at life! Though born into poverty, he dabbled in politics, assisting King Goujian of Yue to become a hegemon of the Spring and Autumn period. In military affairs, he helped the enduring Yue kingdom prosper and overpower the wealthy Wu. After reaching the pinnacle of officialdom, he retired with the world’s greatest beauty, not only enjoying a peaceful end but also—unable to stay idle—ventured into business, becoming the wealthiest man in the world. Moreover, he repeatedly gave away his fortune when he felt he had too much, only to start over from scratch! He did this three times!

Loyal to his country, wise in preserving himself, prosperous through commerce, famed throughout the land. Later generations hailed him as “Tao Zhugong,” “Sage of Merchants,” “God of Wealth”!Tang Yuan's lips twitched a couple of times. Recalling the principle of equivalent exchange in the Sky Light Market, he felt he had likely guessed who the master of the Sky Light Market really was...

(End of Chapter)