Green Mountain
Chapter 190 - 145, Accepting surrender

Chapter 190: 145, Accepting surrender

Whale.

The blade three feet three inches, the hilt two feet two inches.

The mouth of the blade, where it resembles the jaws of a white tiger with furious eyes, reached his eyebrows when propped up, and surged like a tide when lifted.

Chen Ji slowly sheathed the blade in front of him, the Whale Blade not a drop of blood on it, smooth as a mirror.

In the moonlight, he saw his reflection in the "mirror", the withered leaves brought by the mountain wind swept behind him, his hair slightly moved by the breeze near his ears, each and every one visible in detail.

The wind stopped.

A withered leaf slowly fell from the sky onto the blade of the Whale, silently split into two, and gently returned to the earth.

That blade, after thousands of years, had finally returned to his hand.

Chen Ji suddenly wondered, if this blade was real, if the inexplicable sense of familiarity when he held the blade was also real, then everything Xuanyuan had said must also be true.

But Guixu, peach blossoms, friends, teachers, students, the stars above... why couldn’t he remember anything?

Who exactly was he?

The rustling noise came from dozens of steps away, as Chen Ji calmly looked around, seeing no one in the darkened woods.

The other party didn’t seem to be in a hurry to surround and kill him, but hid in the shadows of the forest and spoke, "Mr. Feng asks if you have made your decision."

Chen Ji took a deep breath, "What decision?"

The questioner calmly replied, "Mr. Feng asks you, whether you want to flee back to Luocheng City or return to the Military Town to save your friends."

These sudden black-clothed assassins appeared like wandering ghosts, asking heart-wrenching questions.

Chen Ji no longer responded, but dragged the Whale Blade and headed in the direction of the Military Town, quickening his pace.

As he passed a large tree, the tree seemed to shed its bark, revealing a black figure that silently slashed at Chen Ji’s back.

But Chen Ji had seen this kind of assassination using light and shadow too many times at Feng Huai.

In an instant, he turned as if he had eyes on the back of his head and slashed back, a splash of fresh blood staining the ground, as the black-clad figure slowly collapsed.

Clean and decisive, leaving no room for survival.

By the time Chen Ji moved forward again, he saw the vague figures in the forest retreating.

Someone whispered, "Doesn’t seem like the Postnatal Realm, but the Innate Realm."

Another responded, "Not the Innate Realm, it’s that blade."

"Mr. Feng’s orders, kill without mercy."

"Kill without mercy!"

The shadows no longer retreated but immediately surrounded him to attack, weaving a net around Chen Ji.

Chen Ji moved left, the net followed left, Chen Ji moved right, the net followed right, tightening more and more.

These four black-clad figures, each one had undergone the Yansheng technique, were far superior to the usual military elites. Even Chen Ji, who had stepped onto the Cultivation Path, couldn’t shake them off, as they were nearly equal in physical condition.

When the four black-clad figures were only five paces from Chen Ji, all of them simultaneously unleashed an unrivaled brilliance of blade light, four blades, overwhelming to defend against.

Chen Ji suddenly lunged forward like a tiger, swinging the Whale Blade widely, not caring about the blade light from the left, right, or behind, only attacking the one in front of him.

The black-clad figure in front of him was startled and immediately retreated.

But as he retreated, Chen Ji stopped pursuing and turned to face the other three, the blade followed his body and the body moved with the blade. The lengthy Whale Blade drew a dazzling arc in the moonlight, clang clang clang, three long knives snapped in response!

The startled black-clad figure rushed back in with a knife to help, trying to force Chen Ji to turn back, but Chen Ji, without looking back, knelt on the ground and swept the knife upwards in a counterattack, the Whale Blade like a halberd, severing the wrist of the attacker behind him.

Chen Ji knelt silently, surveying them like a fierce tiger crouching in the wild.

The four black-clad figures exchanged glances, about to drop their broken knives and engage in desperate hand-to-hand combat, when suddenly a distant, ethereal flute sound came wafting over, the tune long and lingering.

As if there was a small shepherd boy sitting sideways on the broad back of a black water buffalo, slowly crossing over a stone arch bridge, nearby was the babbling brook, the white clouds on the distant mountain cliffs.

Mr. Feng.

For some reason, Chen Ji had not seen the flute player, but subconsciously, he uttered the other person’s name in his mind.

It was as if, the moment the other person appeared, no matter in what manner, you knew it had to be him.

One of the black-clad figures quietly said, holding his severed right wrist with his left hand, "Mr. Feng wants to see you, to meet or not to meet, decide for yourself."

After speaking, the four black-clad figures dispersed and retreated into the shadows of the forest.

Chen Ji stood up and looked towards the source of the flute sound.

He pondered for a moment, carrying the Whale Blade as he made his way towards the sound of the flute. As he drew closer, the flute music suddenly became as sharp and menacing as the Sword Qi of a bamboo shadow, overflowing with a killing intent.

Chen Ji subconsciously scanned his surroundings, almost expecting hundreds of axe-wielding assailants to surge out from the woodlands, but there was nothing around him. He then realized with a start that the other party had actually conjured an illusion of being surrounded on all sides.

After walking dozens of steps, he saw Mr. Feng in a green robe, sitting on a short bluish rock, holding a horizontal flute. Beside him, silently standing, was the fisherman who had appeared on the black awning boat.

Chen Ji gave a clasped hand salute: "Mr. Feng."

Mr. Feng slowly put down the horizontal flute and smiled at Chen Ji, "Why didn’t you take the chance to run away?"

Chen Ji calmly replied, "I couldn’t escape."

Mr. Feng clapped his hands in admiration, "Smart. But since you are smart, why are you returning to the Military Town? You should know that a small official like you, who’s only in the Postnatal Realm, will be of no use there. Moreover, you’ve not known the Princely Heir and the Commandery Princess for long; why sacrifice your life for them?"

Chen Ji leaned tiredly against a tree trunk and took a long breath, "Maybe I’m not smart enough."

Mr. Feng sighed, "You’re not lacking in smarts; you’re just influenced by what they call youthful chivalry."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Mr. Feng handed the horizontal flute to the fisherman beside him and, smiling, rose from the bluestone and slowly walked towards Chen Ji, "Once, someone said he could use fame and fortune as a knife to cut through nine tenths of the chivalry in the world. Over the years, the court has won over all the knights of Jianghu, and various sects have disappeared without a trace, the pathways of cultivation have been shelved, and Jianghu has become a boring place."

He sized up Chen Ji and said, "But seeing you today, I suddenly realize that his words have another layer of meaning; turns out, there’s one tenth of chivalry in the world that even he can’t cut away. It’s admirable, lamentable, worthy of song, and of tears... and laughable."

Chen Ji was puzzled, unsure of whom Mr. Feng was speaking.

Fame and fortune as a knife, cutting through nine tenths of chivalry.

What a bold claim.

Chen Ji asked, "Why does Mr. Feng find it laughable?"

Mr. Feng, with a smile, answered, "Chivalry is said to be the courage to do what one knows is impossible to achieve, but if one knows it can’t be done, why still attempt it?"

Chen Ji responded, "I don’t understand what chivalry is, and I don’t think chivalry is just about bravery. I make my decisions only to live without regret... Since Mr. Feng is a smart man, why choose the Liu Family?"

Mr. Feng stood in front of Chen Ji, intrigued, and invited him to elaborate, "Tell me, why should I not choose the Liu Family?"

Chen Ji pondered for a moment and said, "Though the Liu Family is an outside-affiliated family with lofty status and power, with the Empress Dowager Official above and the esteemed families of Henan Province below, Your Majesty has long held a grudge against the Liu Family, and their decline is only a matter of time. Your Majesty ascended to the throne at the age of eleven and has now governed for thirty-one years. If they could not overcome an eleven-year-old child thirty-one years ago, how could they do so now?"

Mr. Feng smiled lightly, "Go on."

Chen Ji continued, "Not to mention Your Majesty’s relationship with the Ritual Supervision, let’s talk about the great and noble families across the land. The Xu, Hu, Chen, Qi, Liu, and Yang six families are like ferocious tigers settled in, with the Liu Family being the least among them. In earlier years, they may have been powerful and overbearing, but now they can’t compare to the other five, right or not?"

Mr. Feng nodded, "Correct, the other families indeed look down on the Liu Family now. The weakened position of the Liu Family is indeed caused by their encroachments."

Chen Ji looked up into Mr. Feng’s eyes, "If Mr. Feng can see through these, why not choose a different patron? As the saying goes, a fine bird chooses a tree to roost, and a wise official chooses a lord to serve. It’s a pity for a smart person like Mr. Feng to stay with the Liu Family."

Mr. Feng looked up and laughed loudly, "Hahaha, no wonder you dare to confront me; it turns out you’re trying to entice me to join the Chen Family. Young man, you truly are bold, and I admire your courage. However, you have carved out a lifeline for yourself even from a situation where death seemed certain. Not bad at all!"

Chen Ji stood with his blade as support, speaking calmly, "I’m not carving out a lifeline for myself; rather, I’ve found one for Mr. Feng."

The world fell into a hush, and all was silent.

Amidst these woods, not even the sound of bird song could be heard.

Despite being disheveled, the youth’s certainty shone through the night; with his long knife in hand, he stood tall and unyielding!

The fisherman behind Mr. Feng immediately stepped forward, wanting to punish Chen Ji for his presumptuous words.

But Mr. Feng raised his hand to stop him, and with a smile, said to Chen Ji, "The Patriarch of the Chen Family is esteemed as a Wenyuan Pavilion University Scholar and the Minister of Revenue, and also controls the lands of Shan and East State, which seem to have a brighter future than that of the Liu Family. However, you cannot be the master of the Chen Family. Chen Ji, Chen Ji, even during ancestral worship, you’re not allowed to enter the ancestral hall as a mere bastard, how can you recruit me?"

Chen Ji shook his head, "I’m not trying to persuade Mr. Feng on behalf of the Chen Family."

"Then on behalf of whom?"

"Prince Jing Mansion."

Mr. Feng fell silent.

Chen Ji softly said, "Mr. Feng, the matter of the Liu Family conspiring with the Jing Dynasty has been leaked. Although there’s no conclusive evidence, the court doesn’t need evidence to act. By now, Your Majesty’s Longevity Army must be deployed to the north of Henan Province, in preparation against the Liu Family. Under such circumstances, a rebellion by the Liu Family is as difficult as ascending to heaven, their downfall imminent. Wouldn’t it be better to leave at the right time instead of accompanying the Liu Family to their downfall? Release the Princely Heir and the Commandery Princess, and Prince Jing will ensure your safety."

"And you’re not worried that Prince Jing could also be involved in the conspiracy?" Mr. Feng asked curiously.

Chen Ji shook his head, "If Prince Jing were conspiring with the Liu Family, Official Liu wouldn’t bother using the Princely Heir and the Commandery Princess as bargaining chips. Mr. Feng, turning back is the shore."

Mr. Feng looked at him with slight amusement, "You certainly have the guts to say it, even though you’re on the brink of death, still spouting such audacious words. How about this, stop trying to recruit me. I see you have potential, why not follow me and work for me, and I’ll spare your life. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be wasting my time talking to you."

He looked intently at Chen Ji and pressed further, "What do you say to working with me?"

Chen Ji, "Good."

The world quieted down again.

Mr. Feng was silent for a long while, then suddenly leaned forward and laughed boisterously, "Interesting, incredibly interesting!"