Chapter Nine, Heavenly Sword

"Mei Xi yearns for the sword of the heavens. If the young master does not mind Mei Xi being a hindrance, may I accompany you on the journey?" I raised my eyebrows and smiled faintly

Has the young master already come up with any ideas? I asked cautiously, not missing a single change in his expression.

Haoer jumped up happily, full of enthusiasm, "Uncle Zhao, shall we go practice swordsmanship now?"

In any case, plans will be made after leaving the young master's residence

That night, Zhao Mu said that Zhao Xian wanted to see me for the last time. After much contemplation, I ultimately did not go.

Years ago, Zhao Xian asked me whether I wanted to become his dancer or the woman of the King of Qin. I resolutely chose the latter, for the identity of Zhao Xian's dancer could not fulfill my mission. As long as I became the most favored woman of King Xuan of Qin, I could whisper in his ear to urge him to attack the State of Zhao. Moreover, I firmly believed that with the world in division and four heroes vying for supremacy, the two states of Qin and Zhao would inevitably engage in battle, with flames of war raging across the land.

He nodded slightly, gazing at the exotic flowers and plants in the courtyard. His gaze focused on one spot, yet seemed to scatter aimlessly. His long, curled black eyelashes were thick with sorrow, resembling the wings of an injured butterfly, unable to take flight again

This night is destined to be sleepless, as no one can find rest. It is likely that Zhao Mu is also quietly waiting at the residence, awaiting news

What should my direction be now

At that time, he accompanied me into the city merely to escort me for a short distance

Zhao Mu smiled faintly and said, "I heard from the servants that your master left at the hour of Yin without mentioning where he was going. I suppose he will not be returning, right?"

Hao'er pouted and turned to ask me: "Mother, where has Master gone? Why didn't he say a word to us?"

After a while, he raised his gaze to me, his expression complex, "The marriage between Jing and me has been called off; my father did not force me."

His expression is indeed strange. As Hao'er and I are leaving, could it be that he is reluctant to part with us? We have only known each other for a few days, and our relationship is not deep; what could be the reason for his reluctance?

"Good wine." I couldn't help but exclaim

The young master once said, you do not know how to speak up. With the young master's noble status, extraordinary demeanor, and remarkable talents, what is there to worry about? Rather than inflicting self-harm and sorrow, it is better to take a bold step and express your feelings to the one you love; perhaps you may win the heart of the fair maiden. I said softly, truly unable to bear seeing a dignified man of seven feet lamenting under the moonlight in the courtyard.

The Heavenly Sword is the royal sword of the Celestial Empire, capable of commanding a million strong armies. Whoever possesses the Heavenly Sword can command the world, making it the embodiment of the Celestial Empire's dominance and a token of its imperial legacy. The one who obtains the Heavenly Sword will undoubtedly become the supreme ruler, with the unification of the realm imminent. Over two hundred years ago, the Celestial Empire fell, and the Heavenly Sword disappeared along with it. The various feudal states searched for decades without any leads. Now, after two hundred years, rumors of the Heavenly Sword have resurfaced, and its whereabouts seem to be becoming clearer. The states of Qin, Zhao, and Chu will undoubtedly seek to pursue and contend for the Heavenly Sword, hoping to use it to command the world and unify the Nine Provinces. Meanwhile, those swordsmen and petty individuals merely covet the extraordinary power contained within the Heavenly Sword.

Sake, fruits, and pastries are presented on a stone table, with the sake being a light wine brewed from fresh fruits, exuding a fragrant aroma and enticing clarity

Zhao Xian, you wish to see me for the last time, yet I deliberately prevent you from doing so. Do you know that I have always wanted your life! Now, although you do not perish at my hands, is it not even more ridiculous and meaningful that you and your nephew are turning against each other?

At dusk, Zhao Mu finally returned to the residence

The young master's wedding is imminent, and it is inappropriate for outsiders to intrude. Early tomorrow morning, Hao'er and I will take our leave

Zhao Mu gently touched his head and said, "Your master must have important matters to attend to. Once he has finished his tasks, he will come to find you."

He stared at my changed complexion, his gaze piercing like a nail, "Do you also know about the Heavenly Sword?"

An hour later, the master and apprentice finally sheathed their swords and took a break

Although they are siblings born of the same mother, the bond of brotherhood cannot compare to the power and authority of a high position

I do not speak of myself, but on this fine night, I gaze at the sky and admire the moon. Although accompanied and surrounded by a multitude of stars, the icy moon in the firmament always seems to drift alone. The Milky Way is vast, yet the icy moon is so small. People are no different; among the myriad of beings, even with friends by one's side, it is rare to find a confidant or a true companion.

There is no need for the young master to worry, Hao'er and I will not encounter any unforeseen circumstances

From Zhao Mu, I learned that Zhao Xian will no longer entangle me, and in this life and the next, he will no longer coerce me into doing his bidding

The night breeze brushes against my face, tousling my hair, and lightly tickling my cheeks. As I lower my gaze, I catch a glimpse of him quietly staring at me, his gaze fixed and unmoving. I am startled and also puzzled; why is he looking at me like this?

Haoer pulled Zhao Mu and ran out, disappearing in the blink of an eye. It is hard to imagine that Haoer is so passionate about swordsmanship

A look of surprise briefly flashed across his face, but he quickly regained his usual expression, "Are you and Hao'er returning to Qin?"

As soon as the hour of the Rat passed, news arrived that Zhao Xian had died in his prison cell, reportedly succumbing to his injuries.

"The heartless will not return." Unexpectedly, a clear voice rang out.

I pressed my lips together and gazed at the sky, slowly saying: "The King of Qin believes that both Hao'er and I are dead; it will not matter if I return a little later."

I smile and turn my gaze elsewhere

I was wondering if the Moon Goddess feels lonely. I withdrew my gaze and smiled gently.

Zhao Mu's eyes instantly brightened, filled with abundant confidence, "According to the reports from the scouts, there are already more than ten groups pursuing the whereabouts of the Heavenly Sword, and I naturally refuse to be left behind."

Zhao Mu turned Hao Er's body around, placing both palms on his slender shoulders, "If Hao Er is willing, I will accompany you to practice swordsmanship every day"

It turns out that early in the morning, Haoer went to practice swordsmanship with Wuqing, but after knocking on the door for a long time, there was no response. When he pushed the door open to take a look, there was no one in the room! Therefore, Haoer hurried over to tell me.

In the dark courtyard under the night, a faint fragrance lingers, the moonlight spills, and the shadows of the branches are in disarray

Zhao Mu stood outside the door, tall and upright, appearing quite refreshed and invigorated

I am well aware that Zhao Xian will not survive the night, but what does it matter to meet him? From the moment I became acquainted with him, I have only felt disdain and hatred towards him, a hatred that burns like fire and is etched deeply in my heart. Because of this hatred, at the age of fifteen, I once contemplated taking my own life in an attempt to assassinate him. However, what I desire is not merely his worthless life, but the complete destruction of the Zhao state. Even though the mission placed upon my shoulders is heavier than I can bear, I have chosen this path and must walk it with strength.

What is the purpose of inviting me to admire the moon this time? I cannot guess, but I also do not wish to discuss myself. With a thought, I opened my mouth to ask: "Young master, are you thinking of your beloved?"

He laughed out loud, a low and deep chuckle, yet remained silent

Zhao Mu shook his head, and the gaze that was delivered over was as cool as water

Zhao Mu remained silent, slightly lowering his head, as if in deep thought, his expression cold and pale

Zhao Mu was slightly surprised, "Do you also yearn for the Heavenly Sword?" He seemed a bit troubled, bowed his head in contemplation, and when he looked at me again, he wore a gentle smile, "It is not impossible, but aren't you supposed to return to Qin?"

On the morning of the second day after Zhao Xian's death, I had just gotten up when Hao'er came to knock on the door, looking anxious, "Mother, Master is missing"

I did not expect that indifference would depart so silently and without a trace

I nodded and said, "Your grace, my lord, is a kindness I shall never forget in this lifetime. If there is a good opportunity, I will surely repay it with a spring of gratitude."

In Handan City, the safest place is none other than the residence of the young master

What do you think

Upon hearing this, I secretly speculated in my heart, while reassuring Hao'er with my words: "Your master has merely stepped out of the residence; perhaps he will return in the afternoon."

Zhao Xian has dominated the court for many years, and King Zhao has often felt apprehensive, but has been troubled by his inability to bring him down. Now that his son has devised a clever plan to strike, he naturally welcomes the outcome. With his son eliminating a major threat, King Zhao only needs to remain indifferent and can sit back in the palace to reap the benefits of a fisherman, without expending a single soldier.

The heart grew increasingly perplexed. Could it be that Zhao Xian does not wish to capture the assassin? Or has he been ruthlessly pierced by a sword and killed?

If Zhao Xian is uninjured, it is likely that Zhao Mu would find it difficult to easily subdue the astute and capable Zhao Xian. With assassins attacking from the front and surrounding the marquis's residence from the back, Zhao Mu's strategy is indeed brilliant, aiming to ensure his demise and leaving him no chance of recovery

How could Wuqing leave without saying goodbye? I feel a bit angry and ask, "Did Wuqing not leave a message for Hao'er?"

I do not know, if I were to live alone in the Palace of Eternal Cold, perhaps I would be afraid

Zhao Mu was originally of the same caliber as a powerful minister

However, I always feel that his sudden departure is far from simple. Although my relationship with him is not deep, we have shared hardships and entrusted our lives to each other. How could he possibly leave without saying a word to me?

The traces of the Heavenly Sword are a secret that has vanished from the world, how could it possibly be known to all? Who is deliberately spreading this secret? I rack my brain, yet cannot come up with any reasoning.

The night breeze brushed against my wide sleeves, tousling his hair. He sat on the stone bench, and upon hearing my footsteps, he rose to greet me

At night, Hao'er had already gone to rest, and Zhao Mu invited me to drink wine

Indeed, it is the Heavenly Sword

Hao'er was naturally delighted to see me return. At the moment she saw Wuqing, she was so surprised that she jumped up, rushed over to hug Wuqing's arm, shook it vigorously, and asked numerous questions. Then, unable to contain her excitement, she hurried back to the house to take out her long sword and began to practice. Wuqing stood by watching, praising her significant progress, and offered a few pointers. Compared to before, Hao'er's swordsmanship was much smoother and her power had greatly increased. Wuqing remarked that with time, she would surely achieve great things.

After confirming that the Young Master's residence was as usual, we entered through the side door, hoping to find Zhao Mu to understand the current situation. Unfortunately, he was not in the residence; the steward said he had gone to the palace early in the morning to meet with the king

Those eyes contain an incredible whirlwind, and one could easily be engulfed by it if not careful

The Moon Palace is too vast; living alone, one would naturally feel afraid. My gaze shifted away from his eyes, which resembled two pools of strange depths, drawing one in for a deeper exploration.

I exchanged glances with him for a moment, and after a brief eye contact, I quickly rushed towards the young master's residence

Whether it is the Qin state annihilating the Zhao state or both sides suffering mutual destruction, both are scenarios I find pleasing

I simply nodded, feigning indifference on my face. "Not long ago, I heard Wu Qing mention that the three kingdoms of Qin, Zhao, and Chu all desire the Heavenly Sword, and various individuals, swordsmen, and petty characters also wish to obtain the Heavenly Sword."

The ruthless dagger struck Zhao Xian in the chest, inflicting serious injuries. He should have immediately sent someone to pursue us, but he fainted due to excessive blood loss. Before long, Zhao Mu surrounded the Marquis's residence with hundreds of soldiers and archers, listing three major charges against Zhao Xian: monopolizing power, forming factions for personal gain, and colluding with Chu to betray the country. Zhao Xian wanted to argue, but unfortunately, he was severely injured and could not articulate his words.

Zhao Xian is dead, how should I choose? Should I continue my mission, or retreat from the world and live a simple and happy life with Hao'er, away from the turmoil? This noble residence is ultimately not a place for me to stay long, and Zhao Mu is not a good person; it is better to avoid provoking him.

"I have no clue, how can I obtain the Heavenly Sword?" His tone was quite bold, as if he was certain he could acquire the Heavenly Sword

Hao'er stepped forward and asked, "Master, why won't you come back? Where has Master gone?"

But are those three major charges really true? Collaborating with Chu to betray the country? As a member of the royal family and a powerful minister in the court, why would he conspire with the State of Chu? What benefit would there be in colluding with Chu? Could it be that he covets the highest throne? ... If he sells out the State of Zhao, it is indeed possible that Chu would offer him the title of King of Zhao ... . Thus, it seems that Zhao Mu has already grasped the evidence of Zhao Xian's crimes, just waiting for the right opportunity to eliminate him in one fell swoop

Hao'er sighed in disappointment, looking utterly dejected, "There will be no one to practice swordsmanship with me in the future"

He suppressed his smile, poured another glass of wine, and drank it all in one go

I stand at the threshold, gazing at the shadows of branches sprawling across the courtyard, contemplating the heartless departure without a word. The heartless one has always been solitary, capable of leaving without notice; moreover, he is accustomed to a carefree life akin to that of wandering clouds and wild cranes, certainly unaccustomed to the constraints of a noble's residence. Furthermore, having assassinated Zhao Mu, he is a swordsman known for targeting the powerful of the Zhao state, and lingering in the noble's residence would be highly inappropriate; should he be recognized, it would spell trouble.

However, he has indeed disappeared. Perhaps we will never meet again in the future

"To receive your praise is all I desire." Zhao, with a smile in her eyes, calmly drank a cup.

What are you thinking about? Zhao Mu asked unexpectedly, his voice gentle

"You are right, I have been overthinking it," he said, his expression revealing gratitude, "Thank you."

I sneered coldly, the ruthless sword piercing at the vital point, but I would not let him die so quickly. It must be that Zhao Mu would not allow him to see the next day, ordering someone to secretly take action, leading him to his demise

Is the young master's wish so lowly? I jested with a sense of amusement.

I smiled faintly, "Even so, it would not be appropriate for Hao'er and me to disturb you, after all... your identity is special"

I do not know why I cannot forget her either Zhao Mu smiled bitterly again as another cup of light wine went down his throat He propped his hands on the stone table his brows slightly furrowed and the expression of sorrow and loneliness on his face was deeply moving

I dared not turn my face, maintaining a stiff posture for a long time. Finally, he averted his gaze and continued to drink, at which point I let out a sigh of relief, and the heat on my cheeks gradually dissipated

Are you leaving

After taking a seat, he poured a glass of wine and handed it to me. I sipped it slowly, and it was truly sweet and mellow, with a lingering fragrance.

I also need to go out on business, and I will see you off tomorrow. After a long silence, he finally seemed to have made up his mind, his expression calm.

At the moment I encountered the ruthless one, I noticed a distinct change in Zhao Mu's expression, as a cold light flashed fleetingly from the depths of his eyes

I hurriedly avoided his gaze once more, "I am not a fairy, nor do I reside in the Palace of Eternal Cold, therefore I will not feel lonely"

Perhaps you will still feel lonely Zhao Mu said slowly, gazing into the depths of my eyes

Hao'er is still at the young master's residence, and I cannot abandon him. Furthermore, as long as I reach the young master's residence, I will be safe

The evidence is conclusive. Zhao Mu, acting on the king's orders, has detained Zhao Xian and imprisoned him.

The next morning, I and Wu Qing disguised ourselves and entered the city

Truly bizarre

I had thought that Zhao Xian would station a heavy guard at the city gate to capture the assassin and me, but I found that the garrison at the city gate was not numerous, and the situation was no different from usual. Upon entering the city, we proceeded cautiously, alertly observing our surroundings, yet we did not notice anything unusual.

Searching for a sword? What sword is being sought? Is what he mentioned the same as the recent rumors? ... My emotions are in turmoil, and I am eager to ask for clarification immediately, yet I am also concerned that he might perceive something...

What is there to fear? His bright eyes shine like the icy moon, with fragmented glimmers dancing within their beautiful depths

"It doesn't matter, after all, I have nothing to do, and the matter of seeking the sword is quite troublesome, so a few days' delay is of no concern to me," Zhao Mu said casually and nonchalantly