Stranger Danger

"The Sunchasing Dragon Whale is long-lived but few in numbers. It prefers to lead a solitary existence, and its life's goal is to chase after the sun. It never stays in one place for long."

Old Fang said, "The Sunchasing Dragon Whale is long-lived, but it has no partner. It chases the sun, but the sun falls and rises. Naturally, it feels loneliness and sadness just like all others. That is why it allows other living creatures to live on its back. It is to alleviate some of its loneliness."

"But of course, this is just my personal guess. You should not consider it credible."

Ye Qing saluted Old Fang. "It is a wise theory, Old Fang."

Personally, Ye Qing believed that there was some truth to Old Fang's guess.

"Oh right. How did the two of you end up in this place?"

Feng Qingyou asked a question next. "I am simply curious. You do not need to answer me if it inconveniences you in any way."

Old Fang and Li Xian exchanged glances with each other. Then, Old Fang said, "Don't worry, it does not. I was a man of Nanjiang, and my ancestors were all reputable people in their own right. Unfortunately, my generation was a disappointment. At the time, Nanjiang was embroiled in constant war and chaos, and my family and I were forced to escape into the sea. We were hoping to find an island where we might settle and live peacefully."

"Alas, our little boat caught the eyes of pirates, and my family was slaughtered to the last. I alone was tossed into the sea. I thought for sure that that was the end of my life, but somehow the waves carried me to the Sunchasing Island. Since then, I've been living here."

Feng Qingyou apologized after listening to Old Fang's story until the end. "I'm sorry for making you bring up your old wounds, Old Fang."

"Oh, it's nothing. It's over thirty years ago. I have let go of my pain a long time ago."

Old Fang waved to show that he was fine before looking at Li Xian. "It's your turn now, scholar. Did you know that this guy was extremely famous back then? You might have heard of him."

"Don't listen to Old Fang's nonsense. I am not famous."

A smiling Li Xian began his introduction, "I was a member of Qi, and my ancestral home was located in Leya. At the beginning of my life, I was to make a small name for myself. However, fortune did not favor me, and I failed in the imperial examinations again and again. Later, I was framed by treacherous officials and became despised by all. I was so disheartened that I tried to commit suicide by jumping into the sea. However, I somehow ended up here and was saved by Old Fang."

"It is ingrained in a human to lust for life and fear death. I had already died once, so when I tried to commit suicide a second time, I discovered that I no longer had the courage. Later, I was intrigued by the magic of this place and decided to live here permanently."

"Li Xian? Leya?"

Feng Qingyou fell into thought for a moment before asking, "Would you happen to be the one they call 'Immortal Li' or 'Fateful Li'? The one whose writings are said to be immortal in history, and whose words could determine the fate of a country?" Old Fang chuckled. "Hahaha... see? I told you that someone would recognize you, scholar."

"It really is you, mister." Feng Qingyou looked stunned as she hurriedly rose to her feet and gave him a solemn salute. "I am terribly sorry for not recognizing you earlier, mister. I hope you will forgive any rudeness I might have displayed toward you earlier."

Ye Qing was doing the same thing. They weren't making a fuss over a minor issue. Li Xian was just that famous.

Once upon a time, Li Xian was the genius boy of Qi. At a young age, he had already memorized the books of countless schools of thoughts. He could compose a poem in seven steps and an essay in ten. When he became an adult, he proved that his genius was no fluke. He once created countless poems and songs that won the hearts of countless, and he also wrote legendary, immortalized essays that attacked the evils plaguing the country, promoted methods to improve national prosperity, and expounded ways to benefit the people such as the "Ten Suggestions to Eliminate Malpractice", "Nine Methods for Benefiting the People", and the "Ten Thousand Words on the People's Livelihood".

Unfortunately for Li Xian, the Qi emperor at the time was incompetent and corrupt. Not only were his articles not taken seriously, it was loathed by the emperor and those in power. As a result, Li Xian failed the imperial examinations repeatedly and could not serve as an official in the court.

Li Xian did not give up though. He later changed his name and humbled himself by becoming a mere advisor of the thirteenth son of the Qi emperor, the Yan King.

At the time, the Yan King was but a child with loose wings. No one thought that the Yan King possessed the qualification or the ability to become the next emperor of Qi. However, Li Xian singlehandedly overcame all obstacles and successfully put the Yan King on the throne. He was only in his twenties at the time.

The Yan King made Li Xian his prime minister after ascending to the throne. However, their woes had just begun. For starters, the Qi emperor's ability to rule was constantly questioned because of his young age. Internally, the internal politics of Qi was pure chaos, and the people's livelihoods were in decline. Externally, the other empires were probing for weaknesses and just waiting for an opportunity to overcome Qi.

As the prime minister, Li Xian eliminated the corrupt officials and reformed the bureaucracy. He enriched the people's lives and strengthened the army. Externally, he made friends with distant countries and conquered neighbors. He stopped wars, prevented disasters, and stabilized the borders. In just a dozen years or so, he had transformed what was once a faltering empire tethering on the brink of collapse into a strong, wealthy, and prosperous nation.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Qi was strong and prosperous today all thanks to Li Xian's efforts back then. He was famous throughout the four seas and loved and respected by all. It was to the point where some people knew of Immortal Li or Fateful Li, but not the Qi Emperor!

Alas, it was common sense to boil the hound once it had caught the rabbit; to put away the bow once the birds were all gone; to kill the strategists and generals once all the hostile nations had fallen. Li Xian had singlehandedly put the Yan King on the throne, saved Qi from the brink of destruction, and elevated it to great heights. Not only that, disloyalty and treachery had never once crossed Li Xian's mind. Unfortunately, it was in an emperor's nature to be paranoid and fearful. Combine that with the slanders of crafty and fawning officials, and a furious Qi Emperor eventually desired to kill Li Xian.

The people did not allow it though. Thousands and thousands of people wrote letters with their own blood as the ink to plead for Li Xian. Reluctant as the Qi Emperor was, he had no choice but to amend his original decision to execute Li Xian to demotion instead. He dismissed Li Xian from his official position, demoted him to a commoner, and exiled him to the other side of the sea, never to return to Qi.

On his way to his exile, people from all walks of life emerged to welcome Li Xian. Wherever he went, the people cheered for him and celebrated him without end. Unfortunately, Li Xian's heart was utterly disheartened by then. When he reached the Wang Hai commandery, he wept and sang one last time before casting himself into the sea. He would prove his innocence with his own death.

After Li Xian died, the people were in grief and outrage. They cursed the Emperor of Qi for being so incompetent that he would listen to slander and kill good, loyal officials. They also denounced the treacherous officials for the framing and their lack of virtue and justice. There was even an uprising at the beginning.

Left with no choice, the Qi Emperor could only issue an edict that criticized himself and reflected upon his mistakes. He also imprisoned and executed everyone who framed or slandered Li Xian. He then posthumously conferred the title of National Defender Duke and the posthumous name "Ardent Virtue" on Li Xian. Only then did he manage to quell the people's resentment and anger.

Although it had been many years since Li Xian passed away, countless commoners and officials still visited Li Xian's tomb or the place where he committed suicide to pray to him and pay tribute. One could see just how revered and admired he was in the hearts of the people.

With that in mind, how could they not pay their respects to such a man, even if they weren't from Qi?

"Please, there is no need to do this, Scion Ye, Miss Feng."

Li Xian gestured for them to return to their seats. "Immortal Li or Fateful Li, that man is long dead. The one before you is just a scholar named Li Xian."

Old Fang asked curiously, "Since you recognized him, you probably know what happened to the scholar after he cast himself into the sea, right Miss Feng? So? Was his name ever cleared? Did someone prove his innocence after all?"

Feng Qingyou looked to Li Xian, and the man replied calmly and uncaringly, "I don't mind, miss Feng. Besides, I'm curious myself."

"Okay." Feng Qingyou gave him a small smile and began, "After Mister Li died, grievance and outrage gripped the people..."

Feng Qingyou proceeded to tell them how the enraged people of Qi forced the Qi Emperor to admit his mistake and slay the villainous officials. She also told them how he was posthumously conferred the title of National Defender Duke and the posthumous name, "Ardent Virtue".

Old Fang sighed when he listened until the end. He was also aggrieved on Li Xian's behalf. Although Li Xian's name was cleared in the end, it happened only after he "died", and because the people's pressure was too much to bear.

Did the man sitting on the throne truly regret his decision? Did he really think that his decision was a mistake?

It was extremely likely he didn't. That was why Old Fang was aggrieved.