Chapter 168: Echoes of the Past (Part I)

“Did you just say that person’s name is Qian Ye?” Zhao Ruoxi’s voice quivered slightly.

“Yes, Miss. What’s wrong?” The maid was visibly startled.

Zhao Ruoxi grabbed her and asked intently, “Is the person that Yuying brought still staying at her residence?”

The maid instinctively felt a sense of foreboding and stammered, “Y-Yes, Miss.”

Zhao Ruoxi slowly released her grip, her face gradually becoming as cold as ice. Suddenly, she turned and left the room.

“Miss, Miss! Where are you going!” The maid hurriedly followed. As soon as they exited the door, Zhao Ruoxi seemed to glide on water, not descending the stairs but floating towards the third floor. This sight sent a chill down the maid’s spine, and she frantically chased after her.

In that moment, the maid’s speed was as swift as a galloping horse, clearly indicating her extraordinary abilities. Yet, despite her utmost effort, she could not close the distance between them, watching helplessly as Zhao Ruoxi vanished into the third-floor corridor.

As soon as Zhao Ruoxi reached the third floor, she suddenly halted. The elderly woman who was supposed to be sleeping in the gatehouse somehow appeared before her, blocking her path.

“Shi Po-po, why are you stopping me?”

Shi Po-po spoke slowly, “It is your midday rest time, Miss. Why are you not resting?”

“I cannot sleep. I was planning to go for a walk.”

Shi Po-po smiled kindly, “Going out for some fresh air might be good. But if you’re only walking around the residence, do you really need to bring Manjushage with you?”

Zhao Ruoxi’s expression remained unchanged, “It is a part of me. I feel uneasy without it by my side.”

“Is that so?” Shi Po-po’s smile carried a hint of world-weary wisdom. She didn’t press further but said, “Miss, perhaps you should take your medicine and rest for a while. Wouldn’t it be better to have a clear mind when you go for a walk? I will not stop you once you’ve rested this afternoon.”

Zhao Ruoxi took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling sharply. Her icy demeanor thawed slightly, “Very well, I’ll rest first, then I’ll go for a walk.”

Shi Po-po nodded approvingly, “Your health is the most important, Miss. Do not get upset.”

Suddenly, Zhao Ruoxi moved her hand from behind her back to the front, revealing Manjushage in her grasp! Shi Po-po was shocked, her breath catching in her throat. She turned around abruptly, but the door behind her was securely closed. How did the gun end up in Zhao Ruoxi’s hands?

The famous firearm twirled gracefully in Zhao Ruoxi’s hand and then vanished into thin air. Shi Po-po didn’t need to see to know that Manjushage had returned to its place on the gun rack in the room behind her.

A faint smile graced Zhao Ruoxi’s face, “Shi Po-po, Manjushage and I are one. I can summon it anytime, anywhere. No one can stop me.”

Shi Po-po’s expression shifted several times before she let out a sigh of relief, “It’s good that Miss thinks this way. Otherwise, I would truly be in a difficult position.”

Zhao Ruoxi turned and descended the stairs, returning to her room. Only when she saw Zhao Ruoxi head downstairs did Shi Po-po breathe a sigh of relief, breaking into a cold sweat.

Back in her room, a bowl of dark medicinal soup, steaming hot, awaited her. Zhao Ruoxi picked it up, disregarding the heat, and drank it all in one gulp before setting the bowl down with a thud.

“I… just didn’t want you to be in a difficult position,” Zhao Ruoxi lay on her bed, gazing quietly at the ceiling.

Nightfall crept closer.

The entire afternoon passed uneventfully. Qian Ye sat in meditation in the eastern chamber of Zhao Yuying’s courtyard, the true effectiveness of his efforts known only to him. Dinner was served in Zhao Yuying’s courtyard, a table full of dishes and drinks, but Qian Ye only ate a few bites before losing his appetite. Cheng’en Duke Zhao Wei Huang had already sent a message that Qian Ye would be taken to him after dinner.

Qian Ye couldn’t eat, but Zhao Yuying had a hearty appetite, cleaning up enough food to satisfy several large men. Finally, at the appointed time, the carriage to pick up Qian Ye arrived at the courtyard gate. Qian Ye boarded the carriage with the Duke’s retainer and, after passing through several streets, arrived at the Duke’s mansion.

Following the retainer through the halls, Qian Ye found himself in a grand hall. The building resembled a place of worship or a training ground, vast and spacious, with almost no furniture. Several lampstands as large as grinding stones hung from the high ceiling, each lit by candles as thick as an arm, casting eerie shadows across the room.

A man, standing tall like a mountain, faced away from the door, cleaning a seven-foot-long sword. The blade emitted a vivid, blood-red light.

The retainer escorted Qian Ye inside and quietly slipped out, closing the door behind him.

The man slowly turned, revealing a strikingly handsome face that contrasted with his imposing presence. Yet, upon closer inspection, one could see the sharp, sword-like brows. He glanced at Qian Ye, and Qian Ye felt a searing pain, as if pricked by a blade of chi.

The man’s voice was clear and resonant, “I, Zhao Wei Huang, am forty-nine years old, the Imperial Duke, the leader of the Zhao clan, commanding the Wolf Smoke Army with ten thousand valiant soldiers and over a hundred generals. Such achievements were not obtained through mere connections with the high-ranking nobles.”

“People often say I am brave but lack strategy, capable of charging into battle but not of leading an army. But how can the common folk understand my ambitions, the great path in my heart? My path is embodied in this seven-foot sword, seeking the power to cleave mountains. If one sword can defeat an army, why bother with strategy?”

Zhao Wei Huang suddenly threw the long sword at Qian Ye. Qian Ye instinctively caught it, realizing it was even taller than he was. Holding the sword, a chilling coldness enveloped him, as if he were in the dead of winter. The blade’s sharpness was indeed rare in the world.

Zhao Wei Huang bellowed, “If our cultivation levels were the same, could you defeat me?”

Qian Ye was shaken, his origin power resonating with the shout. Instantly, a vortex formed within him, and without hesitation, he responded, “Why not?”

Zhao Wei Huang stared at Qian Ye, his gaze as sharp as a sword. After a moment, he burst into laughter, “This is the son of Zhao Wei Huang! Excellent, excellent!”

Qian Ye looked down at the sword, running his finger along the narrow edge. The blood-red hue rippled, an extraordinary sight. Qian Ye lightly tossed the sword, and it silently embedded itself into the stone floor, cutting through like tofu.

He could imagine what a fearsome weapon it would be on the battlefield.

Qian Ye looked up, meeting Zhao Wei Huang’s eyes, and said, “But I do not consider you my father.”

Zhao Wei Huang’s eyes flashed with killing intent, overwhelming Qian Ye. Qian Ye stood firm, his gaze unwavering, matching Zhao Wei Huang’s stare.

Suddenly, the killing intent dissipated, and Zhao Wei Huang’s gaze softened. He sighed heavily, “I know you must hold a grudge for the past.”

Qian Ye was silent for a moment, then said, “Actually, I do not harbor any grudge, nor do I have any memories of the past. What I have endured, what I have experienced, including being here now, is what holds meaning for me.”

Zhao Wei Huang’s eyes hardened, a look of near-pain flashing through them. Indeed, the events of the past were just the beginning of Qian Ye’s trials, not the end. Zhao Wei Huang didn’t know what Qian Ye had encountered over the years, but he knew the difficulty of rising from the abandoned lands. The fragments Zhao Jundu had shown him revealed a life of constant hardship.

Qian Ye’s seemingly casual words had already created a chasm between them.

“I just want to know, who is my mother, and where is she now?”

Zhao Wei Huang was taken aback, a bitter smile crossing his face, “I don’t know.”

Qian Ye’s gaze sharpened, “You don’t know?”

“Indeed, I do not.” Zhao Wei Huang sighed deeply, lost in memories, memories he dared not revisit even in solitude over the past decade.

Back then, Zhao Wei Huang was a young man, already showing exceptional talent, gaining a name among the noble families. His father, younger brother to the King of Yu, had accumulated merits and was bestowed the title of Duke Xuan Yuan, showcasing his remarkable abilities.

Although Duke Xuan Yuan’s title could not be passed down to his children, his brilliance was no less than that of the main branch of the Zhao clan. Zhao Wei Huang, with his handsome looks and bright future, was eventually betrothed to Princess Gao Yi.

Imperial wedding preparations were complex, and a year before the wedding, Zhao Wei Huang, unable to bear the monotony, traveled far and wide, seeking out strong opponents and exploring wonders. This was a common practice for noble sons to hone their character and broaden their horizons.

During one of these journeys, Zhao Wei Huang met a woman. She was young and ordinary, her gentle and serene demeanor her only notable feature. Compared to the dazzling noblewomen, she was utterly unremarkable.

She possessed only third-level origin power, vastly different from Zhao Wei Huang, who was a newly minted general.

Zhao Wei Huang later found it hard to remember their first meeting. They had been in a dangerous, desolate area, both heading in the same direction.

Throughout their journey, she faced numerous dangers, all of which Zhao Wei Huang saved her from, often at the cost of his own injuries. Yet, he found himself surprisingly patient, even hoping the days would last longer in moments of peace.

No matter the situation, she seemed detached, calmly observing everything as if nothing could perturb her.

But when Zhao Wei Huang, severely injured, pushed her across a chasm and destroyed the natural bridge, blocking the pursuing beasts, a ripple appeared in her eyes.

After escaping, things naturally unfolded.

For the young and dashing Zhao Wei Huang, embracing a woman was trivial. An unnamed woman was nothing compared to the dozens he had bedded before turning eighteen.

Yet, as naturally as that first embrace, Zhao Wei Huang left his travels and settled with her in a quiet, beautiful, yet remote town. He lived simply, without revealing his status or strength.

Zhao Wei Huang took a job as a guard, occasionally earning extra money by escorting goods. She cooked and kept house. They lived in a simple home, leading a simple life.

Even now, Zhao Wei Huang couldn’t explain why. Perhaps it was her mysterious, ethereal presence, or the simplicity of their daily life that brought him peace. Or maybe, reasons he couldn’t fathom.

Their peaceful, warm days lasted half a year, a dreamlike existence. But Zhao Wei Huang grew restless, knowing the dream would soon end. His wedding to Princess Gao Yi was approaching, and he had to return.

For a moment, he considered staying forever. But he knew it was impossible.

Noble sons often lost contact during their travels, but the Zhao clan had ways to locate him.

Just as Zhao Wei Huang became increasingly confused, on a certain evening, after his shift, he returned to find the usual steaming meal on the table. But the woman was gone.