CHAPTER 331: CHAPTER 19 NOW IT HAS THE ESSENCE_5

"We’re not on the same side."

"Your words are truly brilliant, Noble Sir."

"Haha, I’m curious. You’re a Qian man, so why are you heading north at this time?"

"Alas, I am a Qian man, after all."

"Then what wisdom can you impart, Old Sir?"

"The great path leads to heaven; each takes their own route. The path of a noble one like yourself is naturally smooth. You already have your plans, Noble Sir; one who does not rely on divination still has a path beneath their feet."

"I have been enlightened."

"It’s all just empty talk, nothing to be taken seriously."

"My caravan is about to leave. I bid you goodbye."

"Farewell, Noble One."

Zheng Fan stood up. This time, he really left. He caught up with the carriage team ahead and mounted his own horse.

A Ming turned his head, holding a waterskin. There was a hint of red at the corner of his mouth, as if he had applied rouge.

He asked, "Anything wrong?"

Zheng Fan said nothing. Once we enter the city, I should report to the Spy Bureau that a Qian State spy has infiltrated.Though, it probably won’t be of any use.

When Zheng Fan looked back, sure enough, the fortune-telling old man and the down-and-out swordsman from before had vanished.

"A Ming."

"Do you think anyone in this world could figure out our identities?"

"You mean, figure out that we don’t belong to this world?"

Zheng Fan nodded.

"Let them find out then."

"So carefree, are we?"

"Because overthinking it is pointless."

"True, overthinking is pointless. Still, we need to build our strength soon. If I had 300,000 iron-armored cavalry under my command, even if I were a Martian, I doubt anyone would dare to say a peep, right?"

"Hmm, My lord is wise."

Zheng Fan reached out and quite naturally wiped away that drop of red ’rouge’ from the corner of A Ming’s mouth.

A Ming froze, frowning slightly.

Zheng Fan looked at the red on his fingertips and wiped it on the fur of his warhorse.

He said, "You should drink it sparingly. Don’t finish it all at once, or you’ll have to go hungry again."

"There are several barrels stored in the ice cellar beneath the fortress."

"That’s possible?"

"Of course, it is."

"Actually, what I just did was a bit disgusting."

"So, you’re aware of that too, My lord."

"But seeing you so calm, I deliberately wanted to gross you out a bit."

"My lord... is wise."

「Elsewhere」

"I thought you would kill him," the down-and-out swordsman said from within the crowd.

The old man shook his head. "I truly did want to kill him."

"Because the boxes in that caravan are filled with human heads?"

The old man shook his head again.

"Because I cannot see through him. This young man’s destiny—his aura—it’s difficult to fathom."

"Then why not kill him? He’s one of the Yan people."

"I mustn’t kill him, I really mustn’t! Ah! This young man has not yet established himself. Even if he does so in the future, it’s hard to say whether it will be a good or bad thing. In the past, I might have considered making a few strategic moves, just for amusement. But not now. It won’t do."

"My Qi has not yet reached the point where it should be unleashed. This Qi, once unleashed, can affect things for a thousand li. To expend it on this young man, I feel it would be a great waste."

"According to you Qi cultivators, in an age of great turmoil, demons are bound to emerge. Does he count as one?"

"He does."

"This demon is in Yan State."

"And you’re certain this is a blessing for Yan State?"

"I can sense that you’re somewhat deceiving yourself."

"Enough, enough. Each generation manages its own affairs. You and I are Qian people; we must naturally bear a share of responsibility for this identity of flesh and blood. As for what comes after, let it be."

"You’re right. Chaotic times are dawning, and demons will frequently appear. But how many can truly transform into dragons? That remains to be seen."

"A pity. My sword is like your Qi."

"Indeed. My Qi is too profound; it cannot be unleashed lightly. Your sword is too sharp; it shatters upon striking a single person."

"Shouldn’t we make a move?"

"Let’s wait a little longer, just a bit longer. The wontons just now were truly delicious. They tasted of home."

"Another bowl? The silver that young fellow’s attendant gave us is enough for two more bowls."

"One bowl was enough, just to savor the taste. Besides, even if we wanted more, we can’t get it now."

The old man and the down-and-out swordsman looked towards the wonton stand.

A dozen people suddenly emerged from the crowd. One was dressed in black, while the others wore the attire of ordinary peddlers and laborers. They immediately surrounded the wonton stand.

To prevent causing a commotion in the crowd, the man in black shouted, "Yan State Spy Bureau, apprehending Qian State spies! Uninvolved persons, stand back!"

The husband and wife at the wonton stand were still crouching there, wontons still in hand. Facing the surrounding Spy Bureau agents, they showed not the slightest fear, only a calm acceptance.

The old man sighed. "I told you, today’s wontons really had the taste of home."

The down-and-out swordsman remained silent.

The old man continued, "Everyone has their own path. And everyone, because of their identity, also has their own destiny. Tell me, from when I found you until now, have you ever regretted it?"

"Nothing to regret. It’s everyone’s own fate."

"Yes, it’s everyone’s own fate. I do not like the Zhao Family."

"Neither do I."

"But I am a Qian man. It’s not right... if they are willing to die for Qian, how can the two of us continue to drift along as if we were carefree immortals, footloose and fancy-free? That’s not right. It’s truly not right."

"No, it’s not right."

The Spy Bureau agents had not yet moved forward to apprehend them, when, as the husband and wife looked at each other and smiled, dark blood began to flow from their eyes, ears, mouths, and noses. Their bodies were already devoid of any sign of life.

Evidently, they had put poison in the wontons they made for themselves.

Perhaps they were Silver Armored Guards from Qian State, undercover in Yan State for a long time. But they might have recently discovered a problem with their contacts, leading them to prepare for their fate.

Blood had already dripped into the bowls of wontons, spreading out in ripples, the clear broth blooming with the color of blood.

The old man in the distance took a deep breath.

SIGH.

Yes... that’s the true essence of it.