Chapter Two: From Clamor to Silence

The first chapter was updated at midnight today; this is the second chapter. I have matters to attend to from afternoon to evening, so the update schedule has been adjusted temporarily.
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"Senior brother, what brings you here?"

"According to Master’s instructions before his departure, if ten months pass without any word from him, we must begin preparing to disband. Once a year has passed, not a single disciple of our sect is allowed to remain on North Spirit Mountain."

Ling Luo had also heard nothing from the Elder of North Spirit, otherwise Bu Jingxian believed he would not have kept it from him. Half a month ago, Ling Luo learned that the Flying Immortal Sect was preparing for the succession ceremony of its new sect master, and he suspected matters were heading for the worst. Meanwhile, his family sent word of military movements: Han State and the Black Wolf Army seemed poised for action.

The Black Wolf Army had once sought to establish a state but was thwarted by the six great powers, led by Zheng. To avoid being beset on all sides, the Black Wolf Army was forced to abandon its ambitions. Han’s behavior at that time was peculiar; though it did not support the Black Wolf Army, its opposition was hardly forceful. Intelligence from Zheng suggested that real power in Han was not held by the young King Han, but by the rising noble, Senior Minister Zheng Pi, who seemed to have close ties with the Black Wolf Army.

Han was never a strong nation. Three years ago, the new ruler ascended the throne at the tender age of twelve, and Zheng Pi was thus elevated to Senior Minister, commanding the court. Since then, Han had grown less obedient to Zheng’s will. Princess Tianlai took a keen interest in Han’s affairs and recently made a startling claim: Han was secretly colluding with the Black Wolf Army, seeking alliances and preparing to use force against Zheng.

Yet most civil and military officials dismissed her warnings. No one believed any state would be so foolish as to strike Zheng first, least of all Han, the weakest of the Seven Powers. Though the court remained wary of the Black Wolf Army, most still advocated inviting Han to join in resisting the wolves, as in times past when they partitioned the Black Wolf Army’s lands. Despite Princess Tianlai’s strong objections, her influence was insufficient to change the situation; Zheng’s officials continued close relations with Han, discussing grand strategies to counter the Black Wolf threat.

Ling Luo’s father adopted a wait-and-see attitude, neither opposing nor supporting either side. He agreed with Princess Tianlai in principle, but without solid evidence, he was unwilling to take a stance.

All of these matters Ling Luo had discussed with Bu Jingxian. At the time, Bu Jingxian suspected their master’s order to disband the disciples was connected to these larger shifts.

North Spirit Mountain, in truth, was not far from Han’s border. Back when Bu Jingxian and Qiyue journeyed for so long, it was only because the roads were unbuilt, and traversing rugged mountain paths was not feasible for them. Now, with roads completed, the main highway to Han was merely a hundred li away.

"Could it be that Master truly believes Han is colluding with the Black Wolf Army, and that any military action would come from the direction of North Spirit Mountain?"

"Impossible! Advancing with a small force would be suicide!"

Bu Jingxian said nothing more, but in his heart, he was not so sure. A distance of a hundred li could be covered by elite cavalry in a day and night. If they attacked unexpectedly and on multiple fronts, the risk of being isolated would not deter them. North Spirit Mountain might appear barren, but besides the bandits’ hoarded treasure, if the Black Wolf Army found the Elder’s own wealth, it could fund their campaigns for three years. Who wouldn’t covet that? Especially since the Black Wolf Army was not wealthy and depended on war to sustain itself; a campaign against Zheng would bring grave concerns over supplies.

"If Master does not return, junior brother, you must come with me to Zheng’s capital."

"If I do not go with you, I have nowhere else to go. The future is uncertain." Bu Jingxian knew Ling Luo was concerned for him, and since he was betrothed to Zheng Linran, he would have to visit her in the capital regardless.

They had originally planned to discuss how to inform the disciples of the mountain's disbandment, but another month passed and most on the summit had already left. Those remaining, aside from Chu Gaoge, had no intention of leaving Zheng. Though the three brothers hoped with all their hearts that their master would return, as the appointed day drew near, they began to attend to dismissing the disciples halfway up the mountain, worried and reluctant.

At first, the disciples were unwilling to leave. But Ling Luo, armed with their master’s orders, followed the Elder’s instructions to settle accounts from the treasury. Since North Spirit Mountain was the Elder’s domain, the disciples had no choice but to pack their belongings and depart.

Thinking of the once-bustling mountain soon to be desolate, their hearts were torn—eager to see family, yet loath to leave.

With only half a month left until the deadline, still no news arrived. Most of the disciples halfway up the mountain had already gone; those remaining had other reasons for delay.

Ling Luo and Chu Gaoge had also sent their disciples of the Divine and Kingly methods ahead.

The summit’s homes and plazas were deserted. The three of them would stroll about each day, sometimes gathering together, sometimes each finding a spot to practice or muse in solitude. During meals, they sighed over the mountain’s loneliness. Ling Luo was almost always with Bu Jingxian, and because of this, Chu Gaoge spent more time with him as well. His opinion of Bu Jingxian gradually changed; he often dropped his guard and spoke from the heart, admitting he hadn’t realized before how much insight Bu Jingxian held.

Occasionally, when talk turned to the future, their worries would surface. They would fetch a jar of wine, sit on the ground, and drink and sing. True to his name, Chu Gaoge sang beautifully, drawing cheers from Ling Luo and Bu Jingxian. In the past, none of them would have been so indulgent, but now, with their master’s fate unknown and the mountain nearly deserted, loneliness drove them to these small excesses. Every few days, one would suggest a drink, and the other two—usually disciplined—would find themselves unable to refuse.

When they sobered, they would laugh at their growing indulgence, ending always in hearty laughter.

One day, Ling Luo and Chu Gaoge appeared together, each clutching a jar of wine, laughing at the sight of each other. Then they shouted, “Third Brother, come quickly! Two jars today—ten days’ worth of drunkenness…”

Bu Jingxian, having napped on the back cliff, leapt onto the roof. From afar, he saw them in the training ground’s center and called out with a laugh, “One drink, and suddenly the years have slipped away; looking back on a hundred years, there are no words for the earth—only wine to send my sorrows down.”

The three burst into laughter and were about to drink when suddenly shouts came from halfway up the mountain.

Faces alight with hope, they tossed aside their wine and hurried down, thinking it was news of their master.

But when they arrived, they found only generals of Zheng. Ling Luo recognized two as his father’s officers.

“What’s the matter?” On seeing them, Ling Luo resumed the dignified composure befitting a Marquis of Letters.

All knelt and saluted. “Marquis, three days ago, the Black Wolf Army was spotted operating within Han’s borders. Fearing the worst, the Princess herself has led us to escort you back to the capital. She is waiting at the foot of the mountain. We must depart at once!”

The three brothers exchanged startled glances—they had not expected things to change so swiftly. Ling Luo immediately gave the order to go, instructing the arrivals to collect Chu Gaoge and his things from the summit. As they hurried down, Ling Luo pressed for details, asking whether this had been reported to King Zheng. One of his father’s officers replied bitterly, “The Senior Minister and his like are arrogant and ignorant of military affairs, yet they still interfere and mock the Princess’s caution, saying even if Han had a hundred times the courage, they would never dare collude with the Black Wolf Army to invade Zheng. King Zheng, unable to ignore the consensus of his officials, could only quietly order the Left Prefect to take precautions. But without the royal seal, how many troops can be mustered? The local garrisons cannot be moved without formal orders, and reinforcements are still on the road!”

As they reached the foot of the mountain, they saw dust rising in the distance, blotting out the sky.

All their faces changed.

“The Black Wolf Army is already here…” Ling Luo said gravely, then shouted, “Quickly, let’s go!” They hurried down, where Princess Tianlai’s carriage awaited. She waved and called out from afar, “Marquis, get in quickly!”

Chu Gaoge and Bu Jingxian also climbed into the carriage. The Princess ordered them to depart at once, and some officers volunteered to stay behind as rearguard. Refused, they pleaded again, “The Princess and Marquis are too important to risk—let us stay…”

Bu Jingxian could not help but interject, “That makes it all the more crucial that no one is left behind. The Black Wolf Army may not know the Princess and Marquis are here; until they see carriage tracks at the mountain’s base, they won’t send troops to pursue us. They’ll head up the mountain to hunt for the sect’s treasure and to capture the Marquis and Senior Brother Chu. If you stay behind now, you’ll only lose your chance to escape.”

Hearing this, the officers fell silent.

Ling Luo said firmly, “Enough. Your loyalty to the country in coming here is beyond thanks. I will never abandon you to save myself, no matter the circumstances.”

The escorting officers all voiced their gratitude and spurred their horses to greater speed.