allendalepharm Chapter 175 Stay Calm!
Chapter 175 Stay Calm!
Yan Lingji released Lin Tian's hand, took a jade bottle from her waist, and gently placed it on the muddy ground beside Tianze. Before turning away, she glanced down at him, her voice clear yet distant: "The Baiyue are skilled in poisons and also know medicine. Take this medicine to prolong your life."
Without saying another word, she took Lin Tian's arm, turned and left, her back view as swift and clean as a blade sheathing itself.
Tianze gritted his teeth and propped himself up, his fingers gripping the jade bottle tightly, his nails digging into his palms, drawing blood. He stared in the direction the two had gone, his eyes churning with a dark tide of hatred, a burning, bone-deep rage, and the shame and indignation of being trampled into the mud.
Suddenly, he raised his head and roared, his voice shattering the heavens, all his resentment exploding forth, ultimately condensing into a poisoned vow—
"Lin Tian! The day I step out of Han territory will be the day your head rolls! I want you to watch as everyone around you dies before your eyes—including Yan Lingji!"
He swallowed the pill, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing. About half an hour later, a blood-red figure swept across the distant horizon, landing lightly on the ground, its gaze as cold as frost fixed on Tianze:
"You're courting death, don't ruin my plans!"
There was no pity in Bai Yifei's eyes, only the anger of having his game disrupted. To him, Tianze was nothing more than a chess piece that could still be moved.
"How many breaths do you have left?" he sneered. "I wish you were dead by now—too bad, you're not going to die yet."
On their return journey outside Xinzheng City, a gentle evening breeze caressed their faces. Suddenly, Yan Lingji turned her head and asked, "You truly have no interest whatsoever in the Baiyue treasure?"
Lin Tian understood the implied meaning and simply smiled: "The treasure is hidden only in your heart. It is your own spark, and no one can take it away."
He looked at her, his smile gentle: "Besides, what are the secret treasures of Baiyue and the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon? In my eyes, they are nothing but a pile of rusty iron and old copper."
"You're not tempted by the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon, and you don't even look at the treasures of Baiyue—then what are you after?" Yan Lingji released his arm, stopped in place, and slowly circled him, her gaze burning as if she wanted to peel off his skin and look straight into his bones.
Lin Tian raised his head, gazing quietly at the full moon whose clear light shone in the sky, his voice low and firm:
"I want to go home."
"Home? You can't go back?" Yan Lingji was stunned, a genuine sense of bewilderment rising in her eyes. "I never even knew where you came from... You are like someone who came from the mist and went with the wind."
Mystery is the unanimous consensus among everyone at Zilan Pavilion regarding Lin Tian—his background is shrouded in mist, his cultivation is as deep as the abyss, and even his few words about the world's situation reveal an unfathomable depth.
No one questioned his words. Although everyone was eager to know where he came from, they only speculated silently and did not ask any further questions.
Before Yan Lingji could even ask, Lin Tian answered decisively, "Yes, the door is so close, yet I can't step inside—simply because I'm not tough enough. Only by truly reaching the top will I be qualified to push open that door."
"What?!"
Yan Lingji suddenly stopped in her tracks, her pupils shrinking sharply, frozen in place as if struck by lightning.
He...is going to be even stronger?!
In its current state, it's still not good enough?!
Her mind went blank. The man before her had already surpassed the pinnacle of martial prowess in the mortal world; she dared to assert that no one in the entire world could withstand three of his moves; not to mention his ability to decide life and death with a flick of his wrist, which was clearly the divine power found only in folk tales.
Yet this very person admitted that he was not strong enough.
In an instant, Yan Lingji felt a jolt in her heart, as if Lin Tian's figure was becoming increasingly ethereal and unpredictable, as if he were standing at the end of the sea of clouds, visible but forever out of reach.
Yan Lingji was filled with astonishment, but Lin Tian simply smiled and turned to leave.
"Let's go, Flame Spirit, tomorrow is the main event." He said casually, without saying another word.
"good!"
She snapped back to reality, quickly caught up, and naturally took his arm again. After a moment's hesitation, she whispered, "If you want to know, I will tell you nothing about the Baiyue treasure."
"Heh, never mind—keep it as a betrothal gift, it's more respectable than hiding it." Lin Tian waved his hand, completely unconcerned.
The moonlight was like a ribbon, and the beautiful woman accompanied her. The two walked side by side, their shadows blending into the moonlight, silently returning home.
By the time they stepped into Zilan Pavilion, it was nearly midnight.
Lin Tian had assumed it would be quiet all around, but to his surprise, the main gate was wide open and the corridor was brightly lit with candles. He raised an eyebrow slightly and stepped inside.
Yan Lingji, who was holding his arm, was also slightly taken aback: "That's strange, the lights should have been turned off and everyone should be resting by now!"
As soon as the two stepped into the hall, their eyes were immediately drawn to them—Han Fei, Zhang Liang, and Hong Lian were all waiting there.
As soon as they entered, everyone stared intently. Even Yan Lingji, who was usually calm and composed, felt her ears burning. She released her grip, coughed lightly, and moved to the side behind Lin Tian, her gaze drifting towards the window.
Lin Tian was taken aback and scratched his head in bewilderment.
What's wrong?
"Brother Lin Tian, you didn't even take me with you when you went out to play!" Honglian tilted her little face up, her voice clear and bright, with a hint of coquettish reproach.
Zi Nu snorted softly, "Men..." Her voice trailed off coldly and indifferently.
Han Fei came to the rescue just in time, smiling as he greeted her and explained what had happened.
Just before tonight, he received a secret report: 50,000 border troops from Han, plus 60,000 elite heavy armored soldiers under the command of the Blood-Clad Marquis, were quietly heading towards the mountainous region of Han, heading straight for the border between Qin and Han.
Upon receiving the news, Han Fei felt a chill run down his spine. He immediately pulled Zhang Liang aside for an all-night discussion and then rushed to Zilan Pavilion to gather everyone.
Ying Zheng wanted to find Nongyu to inquire about Lin Tian's whereabouts, but Nongyu shook her head and smiled bitterly: "Young Master Lin has long since disappeared."
Zi Nu glanced around and immediately noticed that Yan Ling Ji was not among them, so she was certain: "The two of them must have gone out together."
Ying Zheng and Han Fei exchanged a knowing smile, a hint of understanding in their eyes.
Nongyu got up to leave, but Zinu pressed her wrist down, keeping her waiting in the hall.
Sure enough, they came back—and they came back together.
"Is the direction of the troop deployment aimed at Qin?" Lin Tian looked at Han Fei, his expression already grim.
Han Fei nodded. Lin Tian frowned—if the State of Han truly wanted to attack Qin, this small force couldn't even budge the bricks of Hangu Pass…
Ying Zheng suddenly lowered his voice: "Could it be that they're after my life?"
Gai Nie abruptly stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, knelt on one knee, and said in a voice as firm as metal and stone, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty! Gai Nie will protect you with his life and ensure Your Majesty's safe return to Qin!"
Zi Nu, however, had her lips pressed tightly together ever since she saw the two enter hand in hand; but being quick-witted, she quickly grasped the situation and slowly spoke:
"The news that our group is preparing to enter Qin has probably already been leaked to King Han An by Bai Yifei. King Han is always suspicious, and with the Fourth Prince of Han and the Marquis of Blood Robe fanning the flames, the charge of Han Fei's 'colluding with the powerful Qin and plotting to defect' is probably already firmly on the memorial to the throne."
"What?!"
Han Fei's face turned pale instantly. He stood up abruptly, his sleeves fluttering as he turned over his teacup: "I demand an audience with the Emperor immediately!"
Zhang Liang grabbed the agitated Han Fei, his voice steady as iron: "King Han An has long considered you a thorn in his side. Moreover, the Zhou rites are strict, and the patriarchal system is as solid as a mountain—the eldest son is supreme. Your status makes you a potential threat to the foundation of the state! Rumors are rampant in the court and among the people. If you rashly enter the palace, it will be tantamount to handing a knife to someone else, confirming those unfounded accusations. Han Fei, calm down!"
Han Fei slammed his fist on the table, sending wood chips flying. His face was as cold as if it were covered in frost. His throat bobbed, but only a suppressed thud was heard. He was almost hunched over by powerlessness and resentment.