Zhan Zhao Adventures - Chapter Two (Part IV)

Chapter Two: The Curtain of Twilight (Part IV)

Zhan Rifei replied, "Ma Chaoxian controls the Treasury of the Four Seasons. Although it is an internal palace position, he serves as the ultimate patron for both the Tyrant Manor of Hangzhou and the Cloud-Rising Manor of Dongting. His influence can be clearly seen from this alone. If you hadn't offended the Prince of Xiangyang, there might still be room for mediation, but now—"

 

Huo Xiaodi cut him off, a beaming smile returning to his face. "You can put your mind at ease regarding that. My backer is completely separate from the patrons of the Linglong Manor. Make sure you don't confuse the two."

 

"If that is the case, then I have overthought things," Zhan Rifei said, slowly rising from his chair. "Brother Huo, the soldiers have withdrawn. Let us part ways here. Until we meet again."

 

Huo Xiaodi hurriedly asked, "What? You're leaving already?"

 

Zhan Rifei answered, "I am in urgent need to continue my journey. I dare not impose upon you any longer, Brother Huo. Since we must part sooner or later, it is best we say our goodbyes now. However, though our meeting was a chance encounter, there is one piece of advice I wish to offer, if you do not mind."

 

Huo Xiaodi smiled cheerfully. "Go ahead, let's hear it. If it’s something I shouldn't be listening to, I can always just ignore it, can't I?"

 

Zhan Rifei found the youth increasingly clever and eccentric. He was clearly brilliant, yet possessed an utter lack of worldly wisdom; he was proud and innocent, yet blind to the treacherous nature of men. It was a miracle that he and his conspicuous hound had managed to traverse the jianghu up until now without a hitch, turning every disaster into a stroke of luck.

 

With a slight smile, Zhan Rifei said, "Brother Huo, that boy from the Cloud-Rising Manor is the sole survivor of the slaughter. Regardless of his identity, even if the Tang Clan and the Cloud-Rising Manor do not suspect that you took the treasure, they will suspect him. They will stop at nothing to force him to reveal its hiding place. The Cloud-Rising Manor dared to strike at you despite knowing Commander Shao's upcoming marriage to your manor, which proves that the item must be of unimaginable value. You must be exceptionally careful."

 

Huo Xiaodi’s eyes rolled around. Driven by pure curiosity, his mind was naturally wandering back to the treasure. But how could he admit that to Zhan Rifei?

 

Instead, he asked curiously, "Don't you want to know what exactly that treasure is? The very thing that caused the Cloud-Rising Manor and the Tang Clan to slaughter each other?"

 

The question was so innocent that Zhan Rifei could only offer a bitter smile. "Sometimes, I would much rather know less."

 

Hearing this, Huo Xiaodi studied him from head to toe before speaking. "You really are a fascinating fellow. The very secrets others would kill to know leave you completely indifferent. Yet, you seem to possess an immense knowledge regarding both the imperial court and the martial world. Among everyone I've met on this trip, you're the only one who hasn't urged me to run back to the Linglong Manor for safety." He let out an exaggerated, theatrical sigh. "If I had known this sooner, I wish I could have met you much earlier."

 

Zhan Rifei chuckled helplessly. "I appreciate the high regard, though I fear that knowing me today might only bring you ruin in the future. — Brother Huo, the reason I haven't urged you to return to the Linglong Manor is because I have taken a bold guess. I suspect you can no longer return to the Linglong Manor even if you wanted to. Am I correct?"

 

Huo Xiaodi gasped, involuntarily taking a step back. "How did you know?" The moment the words left his lips, he realized he had essentially confirmed the deduction.

 

Zhan Rifei explained slowly, "Master Huo is a man of absolute authority and gravity. Since he has already agreed to the marriage alliance with the Prince of Xiangyang’s Manor, how could he possibly allow a subordinate to cause chaos in the Prince's territory?

 

The 'Yin-Yang Han' is the supreme treasure of the Cloud-Rising Manor, a legendary weapon of unmatched renown. Even the young master of your manor, Huo Feng, has never been seen wielding it during his ten years of traversing the jianghu. When Grand Tutor Pang requested to view the blade out of admiration, he was flatly refused. Yet today, this very sword rests in your hands.

 

If you carried such a weapon with Master Huo’s blessing, given his meticulous nature and his profound love for the blade, he would have dispatched a small army of experts to safeguard you. Yet, you travel entirely alone. Therefore, I have presumed that when you took the sword and left the manor, Master Huo was completely unaware."

 

A protracted, heavy silence fell over the room. Finally, Huo Xiaodi let out a long, weary sigh. "You are only a few years older than me, yet your insight and deduction are infinitely superior to mine." His voice carried a trace of genuine envy, effectively conceding that Zhan Rifei’s assessment was entirely accurate.

 

Zhan Rifei said apologetically, "I truly had no intention of prying into your family affairs, Brother Huo. Our meeting was purely by chance, but I hold a deep admiration for your character and martial skills. If my words have caused any offense, I beg your forgiveness."

 

Huo Xiaodi replied, "Naturally, I don't mind. If I did, I wouldn't still be standing here talking to you." Hesitating for a moment, he finally veered into the question he desired to ask most. "But Brother Zhan, now that the main roads are sealed and pursuers are everywhere, this trouble seems endless. How do you plan to break through the perimeter?"

 

Zhan Rifei did not answer immediately. Instead, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. For a fleeting instant, Huo Xiaodi thought he saw a faint, utterly carefree smile flash across the man's pale lips, though he quickly assumed his eyes were playing tricks on him in the dark.

 

Yet, that absolute aura of calm and composure instantly filled Huo Xiaodi with immense confidence. He must have a brilliant plan to escape, the youth thought to himself.

 

Quickly offering a playful grin, he pressed on, "I am also currently fleeing for my life, and I've practically broken my head trying to think of an escape plan. If you have a brilliant strategy up your sleeve, could you perhaps teach me a trick or two?"

 

Zhan Rifei smiled gently. "I possess no brilliant strategies. I merely have an urgent matter that requires me to reach the capital as quickly as possible. Since there are no other options, I must take the shortest route and force my way through."

 

His voice remained as light and clear as a passing cloud, yet filled with an absolute, unyielding resolve. It was as though whether the road ahead was a perilous dragon's den or a peaceful, sunlit highway, it made no difference to him whatsoever.

 

Huo Xiaodi’s eyes lit up, and he said gleefully, "You're heading to Dongjing? What a magnificent coincidence! I’m going to Dongjing as well. — Brother Zhan, why don't we travel together?"

 

His proposition caught Zhan Rifei completely off guard. He froze. "You are going to Dongjing as well, Brother Huo?"

 

Huo Xiaodi replied, "Exactly. My primary objective on this journey is to find someone in Dongjing."

 

"May I ask whom you are seeking in the capital?"

 

Huo Xiaodi beamed with pride. "My backer, of course! Just as you said, I've provoked far too many enemies and I can't return to the Linglong Manor. My only choice is to hurry up and find my patron." As he spoke, a faint blush crept back onto his face, and his voice softened. Fortunately, in the darkness of the night, the other man likely couldn't see it clearly.

 

When he looked up, he found Zhan Rifei studying him with a peculiar gaze. Under that clear, tranquil scrutiny, Huo Xiaodi felt a sudden pang of guilt. Could he have already guessed who my backer is?

 

"If that is the case, you should begin your journey as soon as possible, Brother Huo," Zhan Rifei said softly. "It has been my great privilege to meet you today. If we should have the fortune of crossing paths again in the future, I only hope it will not be beneath another wooden bed."

 

Huo Xiaodi stared at him in utter disbelief. "You... you don't want to travel with me?" He watched the man shake his head slowly but firmly, unable to accept this reality for a moment. "Why?"

 

Ever since his childhood in the Linglong Manor, he had never once experienced rejection. It was always others who begged him, and he had never been turned away by anyone. He felt he owed Zhan Rifei a favor and had offered his companionship out of pure goodwill to assist him along the way, yet the man completely refused to accept his kindness. In the end, his experience in the jianghu was simply too shallow to comprehend the underlying reasons.

 

Zhan Rifei spoke slowly, "If we break through the perimeter separately, our chances of success will naturally be much higher."

 

"But didn't you say my martial arts are excellent?" Huo Xiaodi countered. "If we travel together, we can support each other along the way. The two of us together would have a much easier time handling Little Shao."

 

Zhan Rifei remained silent, yet he shook his head once more. "It will not be Commander Shao alone; there will be others. Brother Huo, it is far better that we act independently." He paused, then added, "With your exceptional lightness skill, you will easily evade danger. Just ensure you remain vigilant throughout your journey."

 

A deep look of disappointment settled onto Huo Xiaodi's face. In truth, everything Zhan Rifei said was perfectly logical, and it was entirely motivated by concern for the youth's safety. Zhan Rifei’s refusal to accompany him was genuinely no large matter. Had it been anyone else, Huo Xiaodi would have simply laughed it off. He was not a petty or narrow-minded soul who kept score over trivial things.

 

Yet, tonight felt entirely different.

 

After losing his hound, he had felt fear, rage, sorrow, and doubt. But now, for some inexplicable reason, he was experiencing a profound sense of abandonment for the very first time. A sudden surge of stubborn pride rushed straight to his head, and his face flushed a violent crimson.

 

"Right, of course there will be others! I haven't just provoked Little Shao alone, have I? You know full well that the trouble I’ve caused this time is catastrophic, and you're simply terrified that I’ll drag you down with me, aren't you?! All that praise about my martial arts being excellent was just a lie—you utterly look down on the people of the Linglong Manor, don't you?!"

 

Zhan Rifei maintained his silence. To Huo Xiaodi, silence was the ultimate confirmation.

 

He stamped his foot willfully. "Fine! Why should I beg anyone anyway? Do you honestly think I can't reach Dongjing without you? I will repay this favor I owe you sooner or later!"

 

With a brief, sharp clasp of his hands in a parting gesture, he spun around and stormed out of the room.

 

Zhan Rifei watched his disappointed silhouette vanish into the rainy night. His pale face appeared even more exhausted and worn in the dark. He let out a succession of soft coughs, a deep sense of guilt written across his features. After a long, heavy silence, a low murmur echoed through the darkness of the room.

 

"I am truly sorry."

"But I absolutely cannot allow myself to drag you into my ruin."

 

Of course, Huo Xiaodi was already far out of earshot and could no longer hear his words.