CG Chapter 195: A Letter from Afar, The Heroes Gather
A man ascends the nine ranks to the throne, believing his body can never be shattered. His bones will remain as strong as steel for generations, and his soul will remain unscattered by the mortal dust. Only to be forgotten in an instant, with his name unworthy to even be spat on. Because no one remembers it in the first place.
The people of the fallen Great Han had a saying they favored. During times of hardship, they said, fortune and misfortune came hand in hand. Meanwhile, the people of Great Xien on the other side of the continent argued that hardships came without knocking, while joy never knocked on a mortal's door.
When Aretius was about to depart from the Li Clan's gloomy valley, and just as he was about to take his plans and twisted schemes that no one other than him could understand to an unknown destination, a sudden hindrance of sorts was about to arrive.
A strange, black, figure-like creature tore through the air as it rushed to deliver an urgent message. This creature was known as the Hundred-Li Void Eagle, one of the most expensive means of transporting messages. Nevertheless, the heavy price of this creature came with its own advantage.
Legends had it that these creatures would tear through the air, appearing a hundred li away with every blink of an eye; of course, these were but mere legends. Nevertheless, this represented the significance these rare creatures held.
This Hundred-Li Void Eagle now bolted above the guards of the Li Clan unnoticed, due to its extreme swiftness. That was until it descended as it neared the court of the guests' pavilion.
Just as some foolish guards were intent on bringing this intruder down with their arrows, they were held back by their captain's stern warning. He merely sent a message to the patriarch's manor informing him of the current situation.
During this time, Aretius was busy as he stretched out his hand. He allowed the Hundred-Li Void Eagle to gracefully land on it. In the next moment, the eagle moved its long head in a bizarre manner as it tilted back and began to hurl up a mix of bile. Hidden in the middle of the green, thick substance was a single folded letter.
The letter began with a sincere greeting from Manager Li before quickly shifting to a description of the current border situation. The letter explained that an alliance of sects and gangs had recently formed, seeking to rebel by establishing a kingdom within Great Wu's borders.
The letter clearly stated that an imperial order had been issued by the royal court, and that whoever could quell these traitorous subjects would be bestowed grand rewards and glory.
The most important of which was the very piece of land these sects wanted to claim. The reward, although generous, would ensure that whoever ruled the land after would remain a subject of Great Wu.
These sects wanted to use the chaos to transform from their current positions to rulers of their own lands, becoming the head of a chicken rather than an insignificant tail. Unaware that in times of chaos, being the tail of a phoenix was sometimes safer than a head that can not stand for itself.
Manager Li concluded by recommending dispatching someone to the border and securing this reward to establish their own power.
Aretius's grin stretched. The someone mentioned in the message was none other than him, yet Manager Li did not dare to ask him to move personally, even though it was for his own good.
This smile quickly vanished as he crumpled the letter before throwing it to the ground. He stood in place, his face indifferent. Yet, he clearly appeared lost in thought, as a thousand and one strings were connecting his mind.
If anyone were there to witness him, they would feel like all between heaven and earth was clear to this young man, yet he did not care for any of that, as he merely muttered, "I see."
Aretius sent the Hundred-Li Void Eagle back, this time holding a different letter that contained the new orders and instructions for Manager Li.
Once he did that, he swiftly left the valley, but not before giving the gloomy valley one final glance, as he smiled toward the manor. He knew that the old patriarch was probably preparing his own schemes. After all, such a big pie had fallen from the sky so close to their territory. If the Li Clan did not attempt to get a slice, then Aretius would not believe it.
As such, a new wave of excitement seemed to have washed over the aristocratic clans and immortal sects of the borders. All of which strove to carve out a greater piece of the pie that was Great Wu during the time of chaos, seeking to fish in muddy waters.
The borders of Great Wu were divided into two provinces, five great prefectures, and twenty-two counties.
Days went by, and Aretius crossed from the festive Bishui County, where the Li Clan was, to Shili County, where he had previously been, and where both the treacherous rebels and Manager Li were.
Shili County seemed destined for misfortune, as it had been a place where people had struggled, and the Great Xien Empire had its eyes on it for so long. Nevertheless, from this same misfortune and amid chaos, new Jianghu heroes frequently emerged from this desolate place.
Fate seemed intent on proving this point, because just as Aretius reached the scattered tents and bustling site where the martial artists and officials were fighting the rebels, his eyes shone with a strange light as they wandered, focusing on a distinctive group.
Some of these people were in the very center of the tents, with a large group following their every move; others chose to sit alone, as if they were mere novices; some even appeared to be simple servants carrying the belongings of other martial artists.
In the Jianghu, it was said that one should never underestimate even those who appeared like peasants. This saying came from the fact that many martial artists preferred to keep to themselves, hidden from the common world. In contrast, others merely had strange habits, such as playing the sheep to lure wolves out of their dens.
Aretius shook his head before muttering, "What a land of crouching tigers and hidden dragons! This is a land of harvest."
Before long, he heard the loud voice of a young man calling as he stood in the center of the group.
"Honored heroes and noble gentlemen who came at the request of this humble one, I welcome you and thank you for answering the call in such a short time. Today I dare not speak much, for I hold the imperial decree of His Majesty, the Vermilion-Pupilled Dragon of Wu; may he live for a thousand years. When the Emperor's decree arrives, it is as if the Emperor himself is present."
As the final words of this man fell, all the clamoring people quieted as if in sync. They all gathered around the young man, some kneeling, some bowing, and others remaining indifferent, their backs as straight as a dragon.
The Emperor calls, and the subject obeys.