Chapter 18#

The Wasteland City#

Helan Feng’s question was relatively calm, but Jin Ying knew he was furious.

“I don’t understand,” Helan Feng leaped down from the railing, cornering Jin Ying. “Do you truly like Yue Lianlou?”

Jin Ying: “I… don’t… what???”

Helan Feng gritted his teeth. “I saw everything—how you and Chen Shuang sneaked off to find Yue Lianlou here. Jin Ying, do you have any idea what happens if a Great Yu citizen, a Great Yu slave, is spotted on Beidu’s streets at night by patrol soldiers and you can’t handle the situation? They can kill you on the spot!”

This was the first time Jin Ying had seen Helan Feng lose his temper with him like this. He knew he was in the wrong, but tonight, even if it enraged Helan Feng, he had to meet Yue Lianlou. Jin Ying avoided Helan Feng’s gaze, lowered his head as if flustered, and mentally calculated how to make an excuse.

They stood in stalemate for a while. Seeing that Jin Ying remained silent, Helan Feng grabbed his shoulders and pulled him out of the corner. “Come back with me.”

Jin Ying instantly came up with a reason. “I wanted to hear Yue Lianlou talk about Liangjing.”

Helan Feng’s eyelids tightened slightly; he didn’t believe it.

“I met Yue Lianlou in Liangjing. He’s very famous—only goes to Liangjing during festivals to perform at Pan Tower. His reputation is huge.”

Helan Feng tilted his head to look at him. Jin Ying continued spinning his tale. “If I could meet Yue Lianlou, maybe I could chat with him about Liangjing. That’s why I had Chen Shuang bring me here. I miss home so much. Yue Lianlou might be able to tell me about Liangjing, and about my family…”

Helan Feng sighed softly and pointed behind Jin Ying. “Go. But don’t go too far. I need to keep an eye on you.”

Jin Ying turned around. Yue Lianlou had somehow already arrived on this floor, watching their argument with great interest.

When Jin Ying approached, Yue Lianlou deliberately pinched his cheek within Helan Feng’s line of sight. “Fighting again? Why can’t you get along?”

His face was full of mischievous smiles and his actions flirtatious—completely like he was teasing Jin Ying in Helan Feng’s eyes.

Jin Ying closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, the earlier hesitation and guilt had vanished.

Yue Lianlou shifted his position, ensuring Helan Feng couldn’t see Jin Ying speaking. “Chen Shuang said you wanted to see me about something?”

“I was born in Fox Fortress. I wasn’t recalled to Liangjing until I was six,” Jin Ying said quickly. “Father and the soldiers of the Northwest Army took me through Fox Fortress many times. If we’re talking about familiarity with Fox Fortress, probably no one in Liangjing could claim to know it better than me.”

“What does Beirong’s pressure on the border have to do with Fox Fortress in the Northwest?” Yue Lianlou asked.

“Fox Fortress is near the source of the Liexing River.” Jin Ying clenched his fists, speaking word by word. “Although the main city is on the south bank, there’s half a wasteland city north of the river.”

The Liexing River originates in the northwest and flows through Great Yu. Fox Fortress sits just below the mountain range where the Liexing River begins, the farthest city on the northwestern border. Beyond the city lies White Sparrow Pass. As a child, Jin Ying had lived in the Northwest Army headquarters, and his father Jin Mingzhao often took him along during city patrols. He knew Fox Fortress well.

The world believed Fox Fortress was located south of the Liexing River, but in reality, it was a major city that spanned the river.

Only because of heavy snow and plague, the northern half of the city had been completely abandoned decades ago, leaving it deserted. And because it was separated from the main city by the Liexing River, few inquired about it. Within Great Yu’s borders, the southern city gradually became known as the sole main fortress.

Beirong wanted the twelve cities north of the river, which did not include Fox Fortress. But if they weren’t counting cities individually and instead claimed all territory north of the river for Beirong, that wasteland half of Fox Fortress would certainly be included.

Fox Fortress was a place the Jinqiang were determined to secure. If the Jinqiang learned that Beirong had actually occupied half of Fox Fortress, the ownership of this city would definitely spark conflict between Beirong and Jinqiang.

Yue Lianlou was shocked and grabbed Jin Ying’s shoulders. “You mean to tamper with the covenant?”

“Yes. Great Yu can set a trap in the covenant,” Jin Ying said firmly. “The wasteland city is meaningless to Beirong, and they would never know such a place exists in Fox Fortress. Beirong needs land; Great Yu gives them more than they imagined—they won’t refuse. As long as Beirong and Great Yu sign the covenant, ceding all territory north of the river, the Fox Fortress wasteland city becomes a buried explosive. It won’t take long to detonate.”

The Jinqiang wanted to swallow Fox Fortress whole, controlling the trade route between Great Yu, Jinqiang, and even the northwestern states. They would never allow half of Fox Fortress to fall into another nation’s hands.

And Beirong, having signed the covenant first, held a natural advantage. Their national and military strength matched the Jinqiang’s—they certainly wouldn’t yield land already swallowed.

Yue Lianlou pondered for a long time. “Beirong only wants the twelve cities north of the river. Your method gives up everything north of the Liexing River.”

Jin Ying’s fists clenched so tightly that his fingernails bit into his palms, causing sharp pain. This move would cause immense damage to Great Yu: proactively offering more land would make Beirong or other nations think it was nearing its end, weak and vulnerable, willing to cut flesh and bone for a sliver of peace.

But if they could endure this, Great Yu’s fortune might still have a chance to recover.

“Jin Ying begs Great Hero Yue and the Mingye Hall to please ensure my words reach Liangjing and are delivered to my master,” Jin Ying said. “My voice carries little weight. My plan may not be better than that of the ministers at court, and it may never reach the imperial ears. But my master has connections throughout the court. Surely someone…”

“That won’t be necessary.” Gently, Yue Lianlou opened his palm. Seeing the tiny wounds there, he frowned slightly. “Did you forget? Someone in the palace is looking for you.”

Jin Ying: “…Who is this person?”

“He contacts our Hall Master directly. I don’t know his identity,” Yue Lianlou thought for a moment. “But his status is certainly no lower than your master’s disciples.”

Jin Ying felt no joy; instead, his heart grew colder. “This person in the palace—I don’t know if they hope I live or hope I die.”

After a moment of silence, Yue Lianlou took Jin Ying’s hand. He bent slightly, his gaze fixed straight on Jin Ying’s eyes. The earlier flirtatious smile had completely vanished from his eyes, sending a tremor through Jin Ying’s heart. Yue Lianlou still wore his gender-ambiguous, dazzling attire, but his eyes held a cold resolve, and even his tone of voice had subtly changed.

“Jin Ying, what you’ve said is of utmost importance. Yue Lianlou guarantees with his own head that it will be delivered,” he said in a low voice. “If that person in the palace ignores it, I will seek out your master. If even your master cannot convey it, I will go to the Grand Tutor—or even place it directly before the Emperor. I must ensure he hears your plan.”

The tightly clasping hand was very warm, and the stinging in Jin Ying’s palm gradually eased.

“And they must know that you’re alive—General Jin Mingzhao’s child still lives. Even as a slave in a foreign land, his heart still burns with passion.” Yue Lianlou chuckled softly. “General Jin fought his whole life, shattered bone to dust, yet ended with the shameful label of fearing war. Yue Lianlou drifts through life, accomplishing nothing of great consequence. But if I can clear the Jin family’s冤屈 and preserve a spark of spirit for Great Yu, I would die without regret.”

Jin Ying gasped for breath. A sudden urge to cry aloud surged within him. The bitterness and excitement were quickly suppressed, leaving only a faint red trace in his eyes. “Thank you, Great Hero Yue.”

“How many times have I told you not to call me ‘Great Hero’…” Yue Lianlou cradled his face and planted a kiss on his forehead. “I’ll be gone for at least a month. Chen Shuang is skilled—you needn’t worry. He will protect you.”

“…” Jin Ying was dazed from the kiss and kept talking in a daze. “But I still have no clue about Bai Ni’s whereabouts.”

“It’s fine. Wait a little longer—Helan Jinying will be back soon.” After speaking, he licked his lips, quickly glanced at Helan Feng, then bent down and kissed Jin Ying’s cheek more loudly. While Jin Ying was still stunned, he laughed long and flipped over the railing.

Jin Ying’s mind was a tangled mess—filled with fear one moment, tension the next. If his parents were here and knew he had devised such a plan, he wondered if they would slap him.

He stood dazed for a long time until Helan Feng tapped his shoulder to bring him back.

Helan Feng turned him around and, with a look of impatience and disgust, fiercely wiped his forehead and face with his sleeve.

Jin Ying: “…Th-this isn’t dirty.”

Helan Feng wiped even more meticulously.

Jin Ying suddenly laughed aloud. He felt as though he had instantly returned from a crumbling tower to the mortal world. This world was full of brilliant lanterns throughout the city, Helan Feng, and his inexplicable anger and anxiety.

Helan Feng looked at him suspiciously and displeasedly. “What are you laughing at?”

“It’s too cold. I want to go back,” Jin Ying said.

After the New Year’s Eve, Beidu’s nights were much livelier. Around Huixin Yuan, the streets were particularly aglow with lanterns, most of which sold wine and meat, their fragrances wafting through the air.

Noticing Jin Ying’s cold hands, Helan Feng bought him a small pot of wine to warm him up. Beirong’s wine was too strong—after just a couple of sips, Jin Ying’s eyes glazed over, and he squatted on the ground, refusing to get up.

Helan Feng also squatted to watch him. “Not going back?”

Jin Ying mumbled very softly, first calling for his parents, then incoherently saying, “Maybe I was wrong…” Finally, he stared blankly at Helan Feng. “…I’m sorry.”

Helan Feng: “Saying sorry only after deceiving me—it’s useless.”

Seeing tears welling up in Jin Ying’s eyes, Helan Feng quickly covered them. In Beidu’s cold climate, crying was bad for the eyes. With his hand covering Jin Ying’s face, Jin Ying mumbled in response, “When I lied to you, I felt terrible too.”

Helan Feng’s irritation vanished instantly. Sometimes Jin Ying spoke in muddled, headless ways, but he always understood. He pinched Jin Ying’s cheek, suddenly remembering what Yue Lianlou had done—how after touching this face, he had kissed it.

He should have pulled away, but instead, he brushed the stray hair from Jin Ying’s temple.

“Is this also a lie?” Helan Feng asked, his voice hoarse.

The words were mixed with the shouts of a peddler, and Jin Ying didn’t hear clearly. Not far away was a stall selling lard pancakes. Jin Ying pointed at the oil pot, nodding repeatedly.

Helan Feng: “…”

Sometimes he really wanted to give Jin Ying a beating, just like he would with Hundar or Duze. But instead, he bought a lard pancake, hid the unfinished wine in his robe, and carried the drunken Jin Ying home on his back. The unmelted snow crunched under their feet the entire way.

When Helan Feng pushed open the door to General Hu’s residence, Helan Jinying was roasting lamb under the eaves with Hundar and others.

He was imparting tips on slave-keeping to Balongge’er. “The Yetai people are soft-hearted, but no matter how kind, they can’t break the rules of the Chivwang Plains. Slaves must never be allowed to ride over our heads. A Great Yu slave like Jin Ying would need to be beaten seven or eight times a day in our household. Beat him until he submits—make sure he’s never fed well or clothed properly. Only then will he be afraid…”

Hundar and Duze were expressionless, while Balongge’er and the other soldiers looked on with admiration. But all eyes were now fixed on Helan Feng and Jin Ying as they entered.

Helan Feng let go. The startled Jin Ying quickly slid off his back, discreetly hiding the half-eaten lard pancake behind him.

The atmosphere in the courtyard became quite awkward.

Finally, the crisis was resolved when Zhuozhuo, awakened by Ruan Buqi, burst into tears and threw herself into Helan Jinying’s arms.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and bent their heads to eat the lamb. But then they heard Zhuozhuo whine coquettishly and say one sentence.

“Big Brother, I want the Lema from Huixin Yuan.”

Author’s Note: Zhuo the bug.

The cloud-eating roasted lamb event begins now.