The next day.
Ye Qiu headed to the Pluto Palace base early in the morning.
He wanted to heal the War God’s legs before leaving the capital.
Half an hour later.
Ye Qiu arrived at the War God’s office, pushed the door open to enter, and saw the War God sitting by the window, basking in the sunlight. In his hands was a thread-bound book, which he read aloud:
“Through the ages, rivers and mountains,
No trace remains of heroes like Sun Zhongmou.
Dance pavilions and song terraces,
Their elegance forever swept away by rain and wind.
The setting sun, grasses, and trees, ordinary lanes and alleys,
They say the slave once lived here.
In those days, with golden spears and iron horses,
He swallowed ten thousand miles like a tiger.”
Ye Qiu stood at the doorway, not rushing in, quietly watching the War God.
The War God continued:
“Yuanjia, in haste,
Sealed the wolf at Juxu, only to gain a panicked northward glance.
Forty-three years,
In my memory, I still see the beacon fires on the Yangzhou road.
How can one bear to look back, beneath the Buddha’s shrine,
Amidst a cacophony of crows and drums?
Who would ask,
Is old Lian Po still able to eat?”
After reciting this poem by Xin Qiji, the War God gazed out the window, silent for a long time, his face tinged with reminiscence.
Ye Qiu guessed the War God must be recalling his youth, heroic scenes of slaying enemies on the battlefield.
What a pity, even heroes grow old.
The world-renowned War God had reached his twilight years.
Ye Qiu’s heart swelled with emotion.
He didn’t interrupt, standing at the door for over ten minutes until the War God suddenly turned, smiling at him, “Come in.”
Ye Qiu stepped into the office.
“When did you get here?” the War God asked with a smile.
“A little while ago,” Ye Qiu replied with a grin, “You seemed so engrossed, I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“I don’t have many hobbies, and with my limited mobility, reading’s all I’ve got, must’ve looked silly to you,” the War God said, shifting the topic, “I heard you saved General Bai last night?”
“Yes,” Ye Qiu said, “I extended his life by a year.”
“I once heard Master Longmei say that all things in this world are governed by the Heavenly Dao, and anyone trying to defy its constraints would face divine retribution, your life extension goes against the heavens, won’t there be any side effects?”
Concern filled the War God’s gaze.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” Ye Qiu said, his smile fading, “Commander, I’m here to treat your legs.”
“Then let’s get started.”
Despite his age, the War God retained a soldier’s decisiveness, never dragging things out.
Ye Qiu crouched down, gently rolled up the War God’s trouser legs, took out his golden needles, and began the acupuncture.
As Ye Qiu worked, the War God said, “Bai Yujing and his father fled the capital last night.”
“Where to?”
“Abroad.”
Ye Qiu cursed, “I should’ve killed them at the hospital last night.”
The War God said, “A couple of days ago, I got word that Bai Yujing had secretly transferred money overseas, I suspected he’d run, so I had people watching them.”
“I even stationed men at all the border exits from the capital.”
“But last night, after leaving the hospital, that kid didn’t even go home, he and his father disguised themselves and slipped out through the northeast overnight, my men followed, two were shot dead.”
Ye Qiu sighed, “Now they’re gone, it’ll be hard to get them.”
“Don’t worry, Bai Yujing will come back, he fled in disgrace this time, unwilling to let it go, he’ll return for revenge sooner or later,” the War God said.
Ye Qiu nodded slightly, agreeing with the War God’s assessment.
“By the way, when are you heading back to Jiangzhou?” the War God asked.
“Tomorrow.”
“Make time to see Wudi, he’s leaving too, the highest commander is still abroad on a visit, and he’s going back to ensure his safety,” the War God said.
“Alright.”
Ye Qiu had already planned to meet Ye Wudi before returning to Jiangzhou.
Unnoticed, half an hour passed.
Ye Qiu withdrew the needles from the War God’s legs, saying, “Commander, try lifting your feet.”
The War God exerted a little effort, and both feet rose.
Instantly, his face lit up with excitement, “Ye Qiu, you’ve healed my legs?”
“Not fully yet, but it’s no longer a major issue, just exercise a bit each day, and in three months, you’ll move freely.”
Ye Qiu helped the War God take a few steps.
“Hahaha, I never thought I’d stand again at my age, Ye Qiu, thank you so much.”
“No need to thank me.”
The War God said, “Words alone don’t feel enough, Ye Qiu, what do you want?”
“I just said, no need to thank me,” Ye Qiu said with a laugh.
“That won’t do, you’ve helped me so much, I have to show my gratitude,” the War God thought for a moment, then said, “It’s a shame I’ve no money or anything else to give you, how about this, Ye Qiu, I’ll talk to the highest commander and get your marriage to his granddaughter settled soon?”
Ye Qiu quickly refused, “Commander, if you really mean well, please don’t do that, more women just mean more trouble!”
“You should know, marrying the highest commander’s granddaughter would elevate your status overnight, back in the day, that’d make you a prince consort, and I’ll let you in on a secret.”
The War God leaned in mysteriously, “I’ve seen his granddaughter, she’s stunning, you two would make a great pair.”
“Commander, let’s drop this, I’ve got things to do, I’ll head out,” Ye Qiu turned to leave.
“Ye Qiu—”
The War God called after him, saying, “When you get back to Jiangzhou, work hard to improve your strength, a massive threat awaits us in the near future.”
“I know, take care!”
Ye Qiu left the Pluto Palace base.
He then called Ye Wudi, and they agreed to meet at a teahouse.
Twenty minutes later.
At the teahouse.
Ye Qiu walked into a private room carrying a long wooden box, seeing Ye Wudi in a Zhongshan suit, sipping tea.
“You’re here,” Ye Wudi said with a smile, “What tea do you want?”
Ye Qiu glanced over, noticing Ye Wudi was drinking Pu’er tea, and said, “I’m not into that kind.”
“What tea do you like then?” Ye Wudi asked.
“Fresh tea.”
Ye Wudi waved at the waiter, “Bring a pot of fresh tea.”
“No need!”
Ye Qiu shook his head, thinking, *Third Uncle, we’ve got a generation gap, I didn’t mean that kind of ‘fresh tea.’*
He handed the wooden box to Ye Wudi, saying, “Third Uncle, this is for you.”
“What’s inside?” Ye Wudi asked.
“Open it and see,” Ye Qiu said with a smile.
Ye Wudi opened the box, and a wave of chilling killing intent hit him, followed by the sight of a gleaming blade.
The sword’s surface shimmered with cold light, reflecting whoever stood before it.
“What a blade!” Ye Wudi’s eyes lit up, “Is this the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow?”
“Yes, it’s the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow, it’s yours now, but…” Ye Qiu paused, adding, “It’s not a free gift, I’ve got a condition.”
Ye Wudi looked puzzled, “What condition?”
