Eternal Saber

Chapter 633: Chapter 54: Ceding Territory for Peace

The person Chen Tang saw at the inn was none other than Changsun Ming.

He mentioned Haitang’s name, which Changsun Ming would naturally recognize.

However, he didn’t expect that when Changsun Ming came to meet him, he was holding the hand of a beautiful woman.

The woman was also carrying a Bright Silver Spear in her hand.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Tang remembered that he had seen this woman in Mist Rain Village years ago.

She was none other than the real Murong Haitang.

"Brother, it really is you!"

Changsun Ming stepped forward, grasped Chen Tang’s shoulders with both hands, and shook him vigorously, his face full of surprise and joy.

Chen Tang stepped forward, embraced Changsun Ming, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Brother!"

They separated and looked each other up and down.

Having not seen each other for more than two years, both had changed a bit.

Changsun Ming, having trained in the Imperial Court and his family, and Chen Tang, roaming the Jianghu, the youthful naivety in both of them had long since faded.

But the sincerity and passion in their hearts remained unchanged, just as before.

They, along with Lu Qing and Yuan Qingmo, were newcomers to the Jianghu, who accidentally met in a broken temple but became fast friends.

Some people, even after knowing each other for decades, remain as unfamiliar as ever.

Fate works in mysterious ways.

"Come inside and let’s talk."

Changsun Ming, somewhat wary, glanced outside the residence before pulling Chen Tang and Li Shuhu inside the courtyard.

"And who is this?"

Changsun Ming looked at Li Shuhu and asked.

Chen Tang said, "This is Third Brother Li. He helped me back in Changze County. He’s now wanted in Wusun Country, so I’ve given him a mask to wear. This is Changsun Ming."

"Third Brother Li."

Changsun Ming slightly cupped his hands in greeting.

Seeing that Chen Tang and Changsun Ming were so familiar, Li Shuhu knew he was trustworthy, so he removed his mask and said, "You humble me, Brother Changsun."

"Surname Li, and wanted by Wusun Country."

Changsun Ming was stirred and suddenly asked, "Does Third Brother Li know Inspector of Liangzhou, Lord Li?"

Li Shuhu said, "The Inspector of Liangzhou is my father."

"No wonder."

Changsun Ming nodded and then gave Li Shuhu a complicated look, hesitating to speak.

Noticing this detail, Chen Tang didn’t immediately ask but instead looked at the woman beside Changsun Ming and asked, "Is this Miss Murong?"

"Yes, Murong Haitang, we got married."

Changsun Ming raised Murong Haitang’s hand and waved it in front of Chen Tang.

"Haha!"

Chen Tang laughed heartily and said, "Look at how proud you are, too bad I didn’t bring any gifts."

"Between us, what’s the importance of gifts? Seeing one another alive and well is better than anything," Changsun Ming waved his hand dismissively.

"Brother Chen."

Murong Haitang smiled and nodded at Chen Tang.

At first, she was slightly annoyed at Chen Tang, as he had used her name to do quite a few things.

But later on, after Chen Tang entered the Capital City and defeated the Barbarian Race’s prodigy on the arena, avenging Changsun Ming, she greatly changed her impression of him, feeling more curious.

Then, after the battle in Qingzhou and the Dragon Slayer crossing into the East Sea, she was left only with awe.

In Qian Country, Chen Tang was known as the Demon Saber, a taboo, unforgivable.

Yet in her heart, she was happy that her own husband could be such close friends with Chen Tang.

Chen Tang asked curiously, "Miss Murong, why are you carrying a spear? Are you looking for someone to fight?"

Murong Haitang blushed.

Changsun Ming laughed heartily and said, "She has a fiery temper. When she heard someone else was using her name, she grabbed a spear and was ready to poke a hole in you... Ow!"

Before Changsun Ming finished speaking, he yelped miserably.

It was Murong Haitang who couldn’t take it anymore and pinched him hard under his ribs!

Inside the room, Murong Haitang prepared some hot tea and dismissed the others, leaving the four of them to sit.

Changsun Ming asked Chen Tang how he ended up here.

Chen Tang gave a brief explanation.

Seeing that Changsun Ming appeared preoccupied, having hesitated with Li Shuhu earlier, he asked, "I heard outside that you’re in Wusun as part of a Qian Country envoy, escorting Wusun’s envoy to visit and present tributes to the Beiqian Capital City?"

The mention of this made Changsun Ming visibly lower his spirits; his expression became grave, and he said, "Officially, that’s the mission, but I have two other matters in Wusun of life and death importance."

At this, Changsun Ming paused and then said sternly, "Heigou has gotten into trouble!"

"What happened?"

Chen Tang frowned.

Murong Haitang, seeing Li Shuhu’s confusion, kindly explained, "Heigou is Yuan Qingmo."

"Prince Wei?"

Li Shuhu was taken aback.

Prince Wei had done great favors for the Li Family.

Back then, his father anticipated his downfall and sent off several of the Li Family’s children to Liangzhou, staying himself in the Capital City.

Thanks to Prince Wei’s recommendation, his father escaped and settled in the remote area of Liangzhou as an Inspector.

In recent years, the current Emperor has been capricious and incompetent, unwilling to hear any dissent, and has killed countless people.

If his father had stayed in the Capital City, he surely wouldn’t have survived.

Over the past two years, Prince Wei has saved many loyal and righteous people in and out of the Court, earning him the title of Daqian Moqilin, with an esteemed reputation.

Changsun Ming said, "Since the previous Emperor sacrificed himself in the heavens, Qian Country has been declining— the Little Emperor is arrogant and reckless, driving away ministers who offer advice, surrounded by flatterers lacking wisdom, causing the Court to rot and the people’s grievances to boil."

"For two years, Heigou could not bear to see the suffering of Qian Country’s people, and frequently gave advice in the Court. If not for his royal kinship and Princess Qingmu’s intercessions, he might have lost his head long ago."

Chen Tang was silent.

He understood Heigou’s nature; he disliked both the political struggles in the Court and the conflicts in the Jianghu.

For Heigou to stand up and give advice, the Little Emperor must have done numerous infuriating things.

Moreover, with the Little Emperor’s personality, he surely harbored resentment, just waiting for an opportunity.

Changsun Ming continued, "The incident stemmed from the Barbarian Race invading Liangzhou."

Li Shuhu was shocked.

Was Prince Wei’s trouble related to this?

Changsun Ming said, "As the news of Liangzhou reached the Capital City, the Court divided into two factions: one led by Heigou, advocating for support to Liangzhou and large-scale combat with the Barbarian army."

"The other faction decided to abandon Liangzhou and make peace by ceding land to the Barbarian Race, preserving military strength to suppress refugees in various states and quell internal unrest."

Hearing this, Chen Tang’s heart was afire with anger, "The enemy is already at the doorstep, yet some want to abandon Liangzhou? What will happen to Liangzhou, to its people?"

Changsun Ming’s eyes flickered with mockery as he said, "Initially, there were two factions, but after the Little Emperor showed intent to abandon Liangzhou, only the faction praising the Saint remained."

"The Little Emperor is so incompetent and absurd!" Li Shuhu burst into rage.

Changsun Ming said, "The ministers, seeing the Little Emperor’s intent, began praising him as wise and heroic."

"Some say abandoning Liangzhou is a grand strategy, foresighting of His Holiness. The Barbarian Race claims one state, while internal turmoil may cost Kyushu altogether. The true crisis for Qian Country lies with internal rebel refugees, and the entire nation must act swiftly to quell the internal unrest."

"Some claim that abandoning Liangzhou spares most of Qian Country’s people from the flames of war, an act of mercy that makes His Holiness the most benevolent ruler of all time."

Changsun Ming let out a mocking laugh, "Absurd, right? The Little Emperor loves to hear these compliments, and his followers say whatever nonsense to please him."