The Reticent Blade

Qi Zongbi's face darkened as he asked, "Where is the imperial decree now?"

Li Qingtang hesitated, moving his lips slightly before finally speaking, "It's ashes now... How could I dare keep it? If some Imperial Guardians or Eastern Depot brat saw it, I'd be in for a hard time."

"Intercepting an imperial envoy!" Qi Zongbi's voice involuntarily rose. "Destroying the imperial decree! Delaying reinforcements! Plotting against a general in the middle of a war! These are all capital crimes! You're only afraid now? I thought you, Li Qingtang, feared neither heaven nor earth!"

Li Qingtang's expression finally changed as the gravity of his situation sunk in. "Then my lord... what should I do now?" In his panic, he came up with an idea. "What if I forge an imperial decree and deliver it to Qi Yanzhu? Using the fastest horse, there's a chance it can make it in time!"

"Forge an imperial decree?" Qi Zongbi sneered. "Have you not committed enough crimes already? The more you do, the more mistakes you make. Are you in such a rush to die?"

"Then what should we do, my lord?" Li Qingtang slapped his thigh, his face full of despair. "At least give me an idea! I did all this for you!"

Qi Zongbi sighed inwardly and waved his hand. "Enough, do not panic. What is done is done, and it cannot be changed."

Qi Zongbi pondered for a moment. "Was everything handled cleanly?"

Li Qingtang nodded hurriedly. "Clean, absolutely clean. That eunuch envoy was stabbed dozens of times— he couldn't come back to life even if an immortal descended."

"What about the corpse?"

"I had it dumped in a deserted forest. The body won't last a night before the wild wolves tear everything apart. I guarantee no one will ever find him again. His clothes were burned to ashes along with the imperial decree."

Qi Zongbi nodded, seemingly satisfied.

After a brief silence, just as the two were about to step into the study, Qi Zongbi suddenly said, "This matter should only be known to you and me..."

Li Qingtang nodded. "Of course that—"

"What about the ones who carried it out?" Qi Zongbi stared into Li Qingtang's eyes.

Li Qingtang's body stiffened for a moment before forcing a smile. "I raised that man since he was young and he works exclusively for me. Calling him my nephew wouldn't be an exaggeration. Naturally—naturally, he can be trusted."

Qi Zongbi's gaze darkened as a shadowy, withered figure flashed through his mind. He shook his head. "No one in this world can be fully trusted. No matter how close they are, no one can guarantee they won't stab you in the back. You didn't handle this matter properly, and it concerns your very life, Minister Li. You should know what needs to be done."

Li Qingtang's expression shifted several times before he finally gritted his teeth and nodded. "I understand... You and I will be the only two who know about this."

"And my return to the capital this time"—Qi Zongbi pulled out a chair and sat down—"must also remain a secret."

"I understand." Li Qingtang nodded, calling for a servant outside to prepare tea. After returning, he sat beside Qi Zongbi and asked, "Did you return to the capital for an urgent matter that required your personal attention?"

"More or less." Qi Zongbi pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling somewhat weary as it was already midnight. "The northwestern front has been consolidated. Most of Northern Qiang's forces are shifting eastward, which means pressure on Liangzhou Prefecture must be immense. In contrast, the northwest should be much more manageable. I've handed over military affairs to General Gu Wenfeng of the Cavalry Guard. If any issues arise, he will send someone to inform you."

"General Gu?" Li Qingtang asked in surprise. "Isn't he one of Ying Gutong's men?"

Qi Zongbi waved his hand. "Gu Wenfeng is a smart man. When Ying Gutong fell from power, he came to me immediately. Now, he is one of mine."

Just then, a servant knocked at the door. Li Qingtang personally went to the entrance, brought in the tea, and poured a cup for Qi Zongbi.

"Although General Gu is overseeing the northwest, I doubt your departure from the military camp can remain a secret for long, my lord?" Li Qingtang asked.

Qi Zongbi nodded. "Of course. At most, the court will learn of my absence within half a month. But it doesn't matter—disappearing for a while is part of my plan."

"Why is that?" Li Qingtang frowned in confusion.

Qi Zongbi lifted his teacup and blew across the surface. "Too many people want me dead."

"My lord..." Li Qingtang sighed. "The emperor is foolish, and corrupt officials hold sway. Too few in this world recognize your duty and dedication."

Qi Zongbi set down his teacup. "I have long known the court would not tolerate me. I had planned to conquer Northern Qiang in this campaign and secure several generations of peace for the Ruen Dynasty. That way, I could fulfill my lifelong ambition and embrace death with a smile. But alas... man proposes heaven disposes... My junior brother used to say that all the time."

Qi Zongbi sighed. "Since Northern Qiang took the three border passes, the court has sent three official summons demanding my return to the capital. The imperial court can not tolerate me living longer."

"And perhaps... it's not just the court." Qi Zongbi's voice grew cold, his eyes narrowing slightly. "To think I prided myself on my intelligence, yet only now have I realized it so late!"

Li Qingtang could understand the earlier part of Qi Zongbi's words but didn't quite understand the rest. Noticing the shift in Qi Zongbi's emotions, he hurriedly interjected, "My lord, will you still return home?"

Qi Zongbi's expression dimmed. "No... the one I needed to see is no longer there."

Li Qingtang wished he could slap himself. The tragic story of Qi Zongbi's wife had spread across the nation, but he slipped up in his distracted state.

"Alright, it's about time now." Qi Zongbi set down his teacup.

Li Qingtang lifted his head. "About time for what?"

Qi Zongbi glanced at the sky. "I need to leave the capital before dawn."

Li Qingtang understood immediately. "Understood. Where do you need to go, my lord? The capital is vast—we should set off now."

"To where business is done." Qi Zongbi looked at Li Qingtang.

"That place?" Li Qingtang was momentarily stunned before realization dawned on him. "I'll arrange a carriage immediately."

***

A light drizzle began to fall in the night.

"Knock, knock, knock—

A soft rapping echoed through the alley.

With a creak, the door opened slightly.

The servant peered through the gap. "We're closed. Come back tomorrow."

Qi Zongbi placed a hand on the doorframe. "I need to see your master. For business."

The servant opened the door wider and gestured inside. "Please, come in."

***

Anyone woken in the middle of the night would be displeased, and Ye Fan was no exception. Before being roused, he had passionately entangled with Madam Mei. The next moment, his bliss was shattered by his servant's knocking.

Ye Fan strode into the front hall with his hair disheveled, his eyes bloodshot with irritation. Even before arriving, his voice rang out. "Which blind fool comes knocking at this hour for business? I don't care what you're buying—I'm not selling!"

But the moment he stepped into the hall, he froze.

Qi Zongbi stood and cupped his hands in greeting. "Forgive the intrusion at such a late hour, Pavilion Master."

Ye Fan was briefly stunned but quickly regained his composure. He did not seem surprised that Qi Zongbi had returned to the capital at such a time. "So it's External Prime Minister Qi. Don't tell me you traveled all this way in secret just to find me?"

Qi Zongbi nodded. "I did."

Ye Fan irritably scratched the back of his head and slumped into a chair. "Honestly, I really don't want to get involved in your affairs."

Qi Zongbi replied, "Tonight, I am only here for business. After this, you and I will have no further ties."

Ye Fan took a deep breath, rapped his knuckles on the table, and said, "Fine, tell me—what are you buying?"

Qi Zongbi smiled faintly. "Last year, at the Suantian Shrine..."

Ye Fan waved his hands frantically. "It wasn't me!"

Qi Zongbi cast a glance at Ye Fan and continued. "There was a blademaster who fought against Sand Scourer Fu Yiran for quite some time. If I recall correctly, that was Stormqueller—the very one who stirred up the Ghostbane Association last year?"

Ye Fan frowned. "Yes, that was him... Why are you asking about this?"

Qi Zongbi stared at Ye Fan's bloodshot eyes.

"I'm here to do some business. Tell me where he is."