“He said I was expelled by the family and thus not privy to secrets. I felt suspicious and secretly investigated upon returning home, and indeed found something,” Tian Kuo said. After this incident, Tian Kuo felt the old Taoist priest truly lived up to his reputation, as his divination was indeed quite accurate.
Zhao Heng vaguely felt the situation was somewhat coincidental, but since he was currently being pursued and hunted, he had no leisure to wander around and dared not visit the priest in prison. He turned and said, “Indeed, extraordinary individuals often hide in the dust of the mundane world. I wonder if he mentioned anything else?”
Words casually spoken by someone whose divination is highly accurate might conceal profound meanings.
Tian Kuo carefully recalled and shook his head: “Nothing particularly unusual. He often wept silently, lamenting that the current world has laws and techniques but lacks the Dao.”
“‘Has laws and techniques but lacks the Dao?’ Zhao Heng frowned and echoed the phrase as a question.
Tian Kuo nodded: “It means there are cultivation methods, techniques involving spells, abilities, and Daoist practices, but there is no compassion or universal love. The world has lost the Dao, and this eccentric priest truly cares for all beings!”
Must everything be tied to universal love and compassion… Zhao Heng didn’t quite agree with the latter half of Tian Kuo’s statement. In his view, the old priest meant that cultivators nowadays have lost sight of the great Dao, possessing cultivation methods but lacking reflection on the Dao of heaven and earth, busying themselves with trivial matters like flies and dogs.
The Mohists of the Chen State, the Legalists of the Wu State—if sages gradually emerged, each expounding their own Dao and engaging in debate, how brilliant that would be, just like the philosophers of ancient times discussing the Dao… Inspired by this thought, Zhao Heng’s imagination soared, and for a moment, he even felt his blood surge with excitement.
However, he was ultimately not a person who enjoyed such matters and quickly shifted his attention: “Now, I don’t know how many Mohists have been captured and imprisoned. I beg you, Master Tian, to take extra care.”
From the looks of this mission, the world of Fengshen would likely involve many future entanglements, and he couldn’t simply walk away now.
“As fellow Mohists, I naturally will do my best,” Tian Kuo replied solemnly.
Hearing this, Zhao Heng couldn’t suppress his curiosity and carefully chose his words: “Master Tian, your birth brother was killed by us. Logically, you should have an irreconcilable enmity with us. Why do you still hold the Mohist school in such high regard?”
Tian Kuo paused, sighed, and said: “My relationship with my elder brother wasn’t particularly close, but neither was it bad. However, this is one matter, and that is another. Master Su often said that one shouldn’t discard a matter because of a person, nor discard a person because of a matter. Whether a matter is reasonable or a person’s current actions are correct shouldn’t be decided by unrelated factors. One shouldn’t assume that because a person has committed many past misdeeds, he must still be a bad person now, nor should one hastily judge his current actions as absolutely wrong due to a bad impression of him.”
“Whether you killed my brother or not has nothing to do with whether the Mohist doctrines of universal love and non-aggression are correct. I can distinguish this for myself.”
“Moreover, my elder brother was the one who initiated the assassination attempt, losing the moral high ground. Surely I can’t blame someone for killing him if he one day committed atrocities and was killed by his victims?”
“Never thought you’d be so wise beyond your years,” Zhao Heng said, moved.
Tian Kuo was significantly younger than him.
Tian Kuo smiled a bit awkwardly: “It’s all because what Master Su said was both reasonable and easy to understand, teaching me many useful things and helping me form my own perspective on viewing matters. As Master Su put it, I’ve developed a preliminary, self-consistent ‘value system’…”
At this point, his expression became slightly distant:
“Before, I served as the magistrate of Yangcheng for a while, witnessing many shocking sights. The nobles not only looked down on the commoners but also insulted and oppressed them, completely contradicting the innate goodness of all beings. Occasionally hearing news of some small states being destroyed and their royal families slaughtered, I became deeply confused. I didn’t know day from night, unsure why the world had become this way or how to be liberated from it, until I heard Master Su’s lectures and finally understood, ‘Ah, so that’s how it is.'”
“It turns out they have lost the heart of universal love, disregarding the Heavenly Dao, only valuing self-interest without considering mutual benefit… As the world’s situation changes, talent will be valued regardless of status, place, or so-called bloodline—it cannot be stopped…”
He became increasingly excited as he spoke, finally exclaiming: “Master Su deeply understands the situation, comprehends the Heavenly Dao, and possesses vast knowledge. Every casual word from him contains profound truths. In time, the world will surely revere the Mohist school, and Master Su will become a sage admired by future generations, truly deserving the honorific ‘Master.'”
“Mr. Zhao, what exactly does Master Su often refer to as the ‘value system’? I’ve always wanted to ask but never had the chance.”
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Zhao Heng, vaguely noticing his slightly gloomy expression.
Zhao Heng smiled: “It refers to one’s perspective on value and interest, one’s view on personal conduct and future development, and one’s understanding of the grand trends of the world and the natural order of heaven and earth.”
“Oh, I see…” Tian Kuo nodded thoughtfully. Quickly regaining his composure, he turned serious: “My father will eventually discover my secret involvement in the previous events. Mr. Zhao, you can’t stay here forever. Once the nearby searches are over, I’ll lead you to hide in areas that have already been searched.”
“Alright,” Zhao Heng agreed without hesitation.
…
In the upper market district, streets were numerous, and houses lined up tightly.
Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu were hiding in the home of a Mohist, waiting for him to return with news.
Before long, an old man with white hair returned. He was a commoner who had benefited from the changes in the upper market and thus believed strongly in the Mohists. Being a kind-hearted person, he especially agreed with the Mohist doctrine of universal love. Therefore, after being assessed and recommended by Meng Qi and Ruan Yushu, he was accepted as a Mohist. Since he had recently joined and was not well-known among other Mohists, he was less likely to be traced, so Ruan Yushu suggested hiding at his house.
The old man detailed how the military had blocked off streets and was searching house by house with household registration records. Finally, his face showed determination: “Gentlemen, my house has a cellar. If they come searching, you can hide there while I deal with them.”
He might not understand many grand principles, but he knew that the Mohists had improved his life and the lives of many acquaintances. He believed in repaying kindness without hesitation.
“No worries, we have our own ways,” Jiang Zhiwei calmly reassured him. Only after the old man went out again to gather information did she turn to Ruan Yushu and say, “Their search is thorough. If it continues like this, we will eventually be discovered.”
“We can forcefully return in two days,” Ruan Yushu said coolly. “Upper Market is large, and their manpower is limited. It will take several days for them to finish searching.”
Jiang Zhiwei nodded: “Based on the current situation, even without any unexpected events, they won’t reach our area until the day after tomorrow at the earliest. Moreover, this area is a melting pot, hiding numerous bandits and strongmen, which will likely cause conflicts and chaos, prolonging the search and giving us more opportunities to move.”
This area had heavy foot traffic, was home to many hidden talents, and was mixed with many bandits and outlaws coming for trade, making it the preferred hiding place for the two women.
“But…” Jiang Zhiwei shifted tone, “We shouldn’t just sit and wait, placing our hopes entirely on others, nor should we risk involving this Mohist.”
This was her usual character. Not to mention the possibility of enemies searching this area tomorrow, with the time to return still not arrived, even slight changes in their search routes could be nerve-wracking. They must act before that to ensure safety.
Ruan Yushu, holding her ancient zither, nodded: “We can slowly move while there are still many streets not yet searched, circling around to their rear and hiding in areas already searched?”
“But there’s external surveillance from above. Attempting to bypass the blockade will easily expose us,” Jiang Zhiwei lightly frowned.
She didn’t place her hopes on Meng Qi and others.
The two women brainstormed various methods, but each was soon rejected due to their own or the enemy’s countermeasures.
Just as they were troubled, distant noise arose, indicating chaos.
Soon after, the old man returned and informed them that soldiers had flushed out a notorious bandit during their search. Currently, they were using formation diagrams to set up a formation to capture him, with apparent assistance from above.
“There are many people here who dare not be searched…”
“If discovered, they will be captured and thrown into prison…”
“They probably don’t have extra manpower to interrogate them now. They’d rather focus on questioning the Mohists…”
Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu exchanged whispered comments, suddenly their eyes brightened, as if they had simultaneously thought of the same idea!
Fifteen minutes later, they disguised themselves, concealed their appearances, and masked their auras, transforming into ordinary men pretending to gather information, mingling among merchants’ attendants, approaching the search area.
The grand formation was already deployed, so as long as they didn’t encounter powerful external presences, they wouldn’t be affected.
Above, external surveillance still floated, the search continuing. Occasionally, a few fugitives were caught, causing minor chaos, but these individuals lacked strength or numbers to attract Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu’s attention. They patiently waited.
By midday, when the soldiers searched an inn, a loud explosion erupted from inside, collapsing a small building.
Finally, someone guilty of wrongdoing had taken the initiative to attack!
A commander threw out a formation diagram, which expanded rapidly in the wind. Most of the soldiers scattered to stand at various points of the formation, while others remained on guard around.
The formation descended with force, suppressing the outward surging energy. The formation diagram surged like a tidal wave, pinning down the leader who had charged out.
“It’s Jiang Xing, who once raided Yangcheng!” someone recognized the leader’s identity—an infamous bandit who operated along the border of the Chu and Tang states, commanding many followers and wielding great influence.
As Jiang Xing was trapped by the formation, his subordinates scattered like birds and beasts, rushing into the distant crowd in an attempt to escape.
But the vigilant soldiers were already prepared, forming teams of three or two to intercept and capture them.
Above, the external surveillance remained fully alert, preventing anyone from slipping through the blockade into already searched areas, which would mean starting over from scratch!
Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu exchanged a glance. As a bandit passed nearby, they suddenly darted out, attacking the soldiers together, pretending to be fellow bandits!
They suppressed their strength to the level of six or seven apertures, and were soon captured and bound by the soldiers after only a few moves.
The chaos quickly subsided, and an external surveillance figure gave the order:
“Take them to prison to await interrogation.”
Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu didn’t lift their heads, their steps unsteady, but their hearts filled with joy. You wanted to catch us? We’ll walk right into prison ourselves!
But only as insignificant little fish!
Later, the place where they were detained would certainly differ from where the external surveillance figures were held, and the guards would be different too. They could wait for their return while secretly escaping to help Meng Qi and the others!
…
In the underground currents beneath Upper Market, Meng Qi transformed into a swimming fish, gazing calmly at the glowing layer before him, patiently waiting.
He didn’t worry about Jiang Zhiwei and the others, fully trusting in their strength and wisdom. After all, as long as he emerged and created some commotion, the search would naturally end.
Unknowingly, night arrived. The external surveillance figures returned from their pursuits. Some held tokens and passed through directly, while others, in haste to capture Meng Qi and his companions, hadn’t considered the formation issues and had to wait for those inside to open the barrier—such as the Zongshi from Golden Light Cave!
He himself didn’t possess a token and was eager to capture Meng Qi and others, naturally having no time to request entry.
Even if the barrier wasn’t opened, while the token disrupted the formation and passed through the defenses, Meng Qi seized the opportunity, first sending another fish ahead to lead the way, following closely behind.
The underground water was cool as Meng Qi passed through the faint glowing layer without causing any anomalies.
Following the current outward, after traveling far enough, Meng Qi transformed into a mole and burrowed upward through the tunnel.
Before long, the night was enchanting, with a gentle breeze refreshing the air. Meng Qi had resumed his human form and was gazing into the distance at Upper Market City. It seemed he had spotted the Zongshi from Golden Light Cave, whose face bore a reddish-jujube hue.
He took a deep breath, gripped his long saber, and stepped forward.
Next, it was time to kill!
Time to kill at the Gongyang family’s estate!
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