Chapter Eighty: The Tuoba Clan

The Soul Separation Technique is a forbidden art among the Wu tribe, and as far as I know, only the Tuoba clan possesses the knowledge to wield it.

What shocked Li Yunjie was not that Gu Xian’er was versed in the secret arts of the Wu tribe, but that, without any prior mention from him, she already knew he had come to ask about this very matter. This meant someone had tipped her off beforehand! His encounter with Gu Xian’er in Jiangnan was no chance meeting after all, but a meticulously orchestrated arrangement long in the making.

Could it have been Zhou Mengzhi who deliberately guided him here? Li Yunjie pondered quietly. Yet he soon dismissed that thought—Zhou Mengzhi could not possibly have the influence to command Gu Xian’er’s cooperation. Then who could it be?

As he was lost in thought, a knock sounded at the door.

“Your Highness,” Lin Mao saluted, “the Headmaster requests your presence in his chamber.”

Li Yunjie set aside his musings, returned the salute, and followed Lin Mao to Gong Qingfeng’s room.

“For what matter does the Headmaster seek me?” he asked.

Gong Qingfeng gestured for him to sit and smiled gently. “The lectures in Jiangnan have concluded. I shall depart for Qiongzhou at once.”

“So soon?” Li Yunjie was puzzled. “The lectures ended only yesterday, and you leave today?”

Gong Qingfeng stroked his long beard and replied serenely, “Affairs at the academy are myriad and pressing. I have been away long enough—it is time I return.”

He paused, worry flickering in his eyes. “Besides, word has reached me from the academy: Ling’er has learned of Zhou Jingzhi’s death. I fear she may not take it well, and must return to watch over her.”

Li Yunjie frowned. “How did Gong Ling come to know of this?”

Gong Qingfeng gave a helpless smile. “There are no walls in the world that can keep out the wind.”

He sighed, then said, “There is another matter for which I summoned Your Highness today.”

“Please, speak freely, Headmaster.”

Gong Qingfeng handed him a jade pendant carved with the pattern of a crane. “This is your invitation to this year’s Crane Mountain Poetry Gathering.”

“The Crane Mountain Poetry Gathering is the grandest assembly for scholars across the land to test their wits and talents. Your Highness’s poetic gifts are unparalleled—surely you will shine brightly at the event.”

Li Yunjie gazed at the pendant in silence for a few moments, then asked solemnly, “Will Han Jitong attend the Crane Mountain Poetry Gathering?”

A father’s murderer cannot be allowed to live under the same sky! Though fifteen years had passed, the name Han Jitong remained a thorn in Li Yunjie’s heart.

A complex emotion flickered in Gong Qingfeng’s eyes. “He will be there.”

Li Yunjie took the jade pendant, his eyes resolute. “In that case, I will certainly attend.”

Gong Qingfeng smiled approvingly, rose, and swept his sleeves in preparation to depart. Li Yunjie escorted him to the city gate, the two conversing and laughing all the way.

Outside the gate, the spring breeze caressed their faces, and willow catkins drifted on the wind.

“Your Highness, let us part here,” Gong Qingfeng said with a gentle smile. “In three months’ time at the Crane Mountain Poetry Gathering, let us meet again.”

Li Yunjie nodded slightly and bid him farewell with a formal salute.

Gong Qingfeng raised his sleeve and drew a talisman in the air with his bare hand. With a few swift strokes, a massive Star-Shift Talisman shimmered with golden light before them, then vanished in the blink of an eye.

Lin Mao, meanwhile, dutifully led the disciples onto the carriages, heading north.

Li Yunjie’s keen gaze fell on a few unfamiliar faces at the end of the group—new disciples Gong Qingfeng had accepted during his time in Jiangnan. Upon closer inspection, they were the very ones who had berated Wu Jin most fiercely that day.

This old fox...

...

Prime Minister’s Residence.

Main Hall.

Su Mingru was perusing documents as usual when Fang Zhong hurried in and saluted. “Prime Minister Su, everything in Jiangnan has unfolded as you predicted.”

“His Highness has found the Physician Gu and has uncovered the connection between the Tuoba clan and the Liu clan’s shipping business.”

“I see,” Su Ming acknowledged with a nod.

“However, there is one thing I still do not understand.”

“Speak,” Su Ming replied calmly.

“How did you know that Physician Gu has been traveling the world under the name Yun Qiwu, searching for the Splendid Rivers and Mountains Scroll all these years?”

Su Ming closed the document, his tone even. “Few in the martial world know this, but the Yun family of the South Sea and the Gu family of Ming Tower have a long-standing friendship. Gu Xian’er and Yun Qiwu were as close as sisters.”

“Back then, the tragic story of Headmaster Gong and the eldest daughter of the Yun family caused quite a stir in the capital. Later, Yun Qiwu pined away from grief, clutching half of the Splendid Rivers and Mountains Scroll even as she died. Since then, Gu Xian’er disappeared from public view and began her wandering.”

“Can you guess why?”

Enlightenment dawned on Fang Zhong. “So you spread rumors about the whereabouts of the other half of the scroll, intending to lure Physician Gu to Jiangnan?”

Su Ming nodded, eyes deep and inscrutable. “It is a pity, though—even Gu Xian’er could not cure Xiyan’s muteness.”

...

Eastern Palace.

Hall of Martial Virtue.

Bai Xue handed over a secret letter. “Your Highness, news from the Thousand Gold Gambling House.”

Zhao Heng accepted the letter, scanned its contents, and said in a low voice, “Tuoba Mu has arrived in Jiangnan.”

A murderous glint appeared in his eyes and a wicked smile played about his lips. “Li Yunjie, your days are numbered.”