The Word of Heaven

Chapter 340 Going North
Pei Jingge remained silent for a long time, recalling the words spoken by the founder of the Yishui School.

—Since ancient times, sword cultivators have been poor and lowly, let alone us who are solitary and upright.

She used to think it was all self-deprecation, but now it sounds like a statement.

If one is neither solitary nor upright, how did things come to this?
She glanced at the Yi River one last time and said, "Will you miss it?"

Gu Zhuo asked, "Hmm?"

Pei Jingge walked forward and asked, "Those days when I saw all the flowers in Wangjing?"

Gu Zhuo looked at her and said, "It's hard not to miss it."

Pei Jingge did not turn back.

"So……"

Her voice was very serious: "If you were given another chance to turn back time, would you still live the life I saw you in back then?"

Gu Zhuo remained silent, reminiscing about the past, and said, "I hope so."

Pei Jingge shook her head and said, "Isn't that wishful thinking?"

“That’s true…” Gu Zhuo sighed and said, “It’s probably just wishful thinking.”

Pei Jingge thought for a moment and said, "I still like you."

Gu Zhuo asked, puzzled, "Why?"

It's all about liking, but this time it's clearly different from before; it's purer.

"Don't misunderstand, this liking is still not liking in the objective sense. You can understand it as a kind of appreciation."

Pei Jingge explained earnestly, "The main reason I still like it is that I can't accept myself traveling with someone who still has passion and impulse for everything."

Gu Zhuo thought that these words were a bit too nonsensical.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Anyway, thank you."

Pei Jingge raised an eyebrow and asked, "Thank you?"

Gu Zhuo said, "Thank you for liking me."

Pei Jingge thought to herself that these words were rather absurd.

After a moment of silence, she said, "I remember your unfortunate friend, he was in the Zhenbei Army, wasn't he?"

Gu Zhuo said, "He should be working as a postman in the Zhenbei Army."

Pei Jingge said, "Then let's meet up while we're at it."

Gu Zhuo was somewhat surprised and asked, "You don't seem to have any connection with him."

"Chen Chi is my subordinate."

Pei Jingge paused, then added, "Even though it was in the past, he should at least tell me a few truths."

Whether they meet Lin Wanyi again or part ways across the river, it's all just a embellishment on this journey. The two of them never forgot that their initial goal was Yingxu and Xi Lixuan's conspiracy about the wasteland.

This is very likely related to the true will of the heavens, deep in the wilderness and among the mountains, which is unwilling to communicate with Gu Zhuo.

If this matter is to be accomplished, Wang Jingshuo is someone that cannot be bypassed. As the Great General of the Northern Garrison of Qin many years ago, he must have some knowledge of what happened deep in the wilderness.

As the most powerful army in the Qin Dynasty, the Zhenbei Army is naturally full of strong individuals, and Chen Chi is not worth mentioning in terms of cultivation level.

However, for the army, the speed of intelligence transmission is extremely important, and this is precisely what he is best at. The Empress must have had this in mind when she arranged for Chen Chi to go to the Zhenbei Army. As for other thoughts, they are no longer meaningful in her current years of imprisonment in the cold palace.

The important town on the border is called Yicheng. The character "Yi" means winding and long, carrying the beautiful meaning that no matter how vast the wilderness is, no one can cross this city.

Over the years, people and the wilderness dwellers have not seen each other for a long time, so the meaning behind it has been gradually forgotten by the world. People only think of it as a beautiful place, after all, the wilderness does have a unique scenery.

When Gu Zhuo and Pei Jinge arrived at this important town, the atmosphere was no different from before. The prosperity brought by trade was nowhere to be seen, and the noise of people was still deafening. There was no sign of any disturbance in the wasteland.

The two didn't need to look at each other; each recalled how Wang Jingshuo had repeatedly emphasized the unrest among the barbarians through various channels, and they felt even stranger.

Judging from General Wang's past conduct, he is unlikely to make such an extreme decision as falsifying information in order to break through to a higher realm.

"It feels familiar, just like that year in Yangzhou City."

Gu Zhuo stood by the street, looking at the bright spring sun, and said softly, "If you and I go to find Chen Chi next, it will be even more like it."

Pei Jingge knew what he meant, and thinking about the final outcome of the incident at Yunmengze, her eyes showed displeasure.

"There aren't that many similar things in this world. It's just that you're getting old and recently went to visit an old friend's grave, so everything seems like the past."

Gu Zhuoxin wondered, "Is that so?"

With this in mind, he put aside these temporarily meaningless thoughts and made a decision.

Met with Wang Jingshuo.

Pei Jingge appreciated the decision, so she covered herself with a white veil and followed behind Gu Zhuo.

Walking along the long street with the flow of people, they entered the general's mansion gate guarded by soldiers. Without exchanging a single word, they were greeted with the honor of the main gate being opened, and accompanied by the steward, they went straight into the study.

This undoubtedly indicates that Wang Jingshuo had made arrangements in advance and was ready to welcome Gu Zhuo's arrival at any time; otherwise, it would have been impossible to have gone to such lengths to demonstrate proper etiquette in such a short period of time.

The question is, why would the Zhenbei Army show such respect to the Qin Dynasty's greatest enemy?

The study and the surrounding courtyard were quiet.

Even General Wang's trusted advisors withdrew.

"Greetings, Dao Master."

"Daoist Master?"

Gu Zhuo looked at him and asked, "Is this form of address alright?"

Wang Jingshuo smiled upon hearing this and said, "I remember very clearly what Her Highness the Princess asked Chief Pei to say in Cangzhou. The attitude of the Zhenbei Army at that time is the same attitude I have now."

"and……"

His smile became even more sincere, and he frankly said, "You have shown me the path to ascension; is that not enough for me to show you respect?"

Every word he said made sense and was beyond doubt.

Gu Zhuo was silent for a while before revealing his purpose.

Wang Jingshuo's smile faded as he spoke, leaving behind a complex expression that was both solemn and wistful.

"I do know quite a bit about Yingxu and Xi Lixuan's affairs, but not much."

He bowed to Gu Zhuo, turned and walked to the bookshelf, picked out a file and said, "This is a record left by Xi Lixuan when he went north. There are also some things that are inconvenient to leave in writing, which I will repeat to you."

Gu Zhuo thanked him.

He then reached out and took the file, handing it behind him without even glancing at it.

As the head of the Sky Patrol Division, Pei Jingge has extensive experience in organizing files and should be able to reach a conclusion before the conversation ends.

Wang Jingshuo glanced at her, his gaze not trying to penetrate the thin veil, and said to Gu Zhuo, "The information I'm about to tell you is mainly about the changes I noticed back then."

Gu Zhuo suddenly said, "I'll ask, you answer."

Wang Jingshuo agreed without hesitation.

"Did Xi Lixuan mention his chances of winning to you? If so, what are they?"

"It was mentioned, it's 50%, he said it with a smile."

Did this conversation touch upon the survival of the Wildlings?

"There was no formal discussion, but there was a joke that went something like this: if he and Yingxu fought fiercely, he could also kill some of the wild people in the mountains to relieve the pressure on the Zhenbei Army."

Do you have specific figures?

"No, Xi Lixuan stayed here for several days after his defeat at Yingxu's place, and he was in seclusion. He only said two words on the day he left."

"Is this goodbye?"

"Yes, he said it while looking at the northern sky, and his eyes were... wistful."

"One last question, is Xi Lixuan keeping the appointment?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a soft click echoed from the study—the sound of a file being closed. Pei Jingge calmly replied, "It's an appointment."

Wang Jingshuo looked at her again, his eyes gradually showing a hint of understanding.

Gu Zhuo was silent for a moment, then said, "That's fine. Make the arrangements for me; I'm going into the wasteland."

Wang Jingshuo didn't ask any questions and agreed without hesitation.

The conversation ended there.

The two said their goodbyes.

Gu Zhuo and Pei Jinge did not enter through the main gate, but boarded the carriage arranged by the Zhenbei Army from the side, and learned that Chen Chi was out on a mission.

As the wheels rolled over the old bluestone slabs, the crowd on the street naturally parted to make way for them to move forward.

in the carriage.

Pei Jingge leaned her back against the comfortable cushion and said in a cold tone, "I deliberately let him find out."

Gu Zhuo asked, "Do you think there's something wrong with him?"

Pei Jingge gave a nasal "hmm," but then shook her head and said, "That file wasn't tampered with, and what he said was all true. I couldn't find anything wrong with him."

"But you can rest assured."

She said, "Whatever Wang Jingshuo's thoughts are, at least for now, the plan has been thrown into chaos."

It was a very casual remark, yet it contained an incredibly strong confidence, as clear as the sun.

Gu Zhuo prepared to express his gratitude.

However, just before he could speak, Pei Jinge snorted coldly, interrupting everything.

"Don't say things like that to me. I revealed my identity for my own convenience. It has very little to do with you."

"Shouldn't you be saying thank you instead?"

Gu Zhuo chuckled softly.

Pei Jingge disliked the smile, so she closed her eyes, preferring to ignore it.

The carriage was very quiet; the array completely blocked out the noise, keeping the passengers' thoughts undisturbed.

Gu Zhuo began to think about the previous conversation.

All the questions asked earlier were to confirm one thing: whether Xi Lixuan knew of the existence of the Heavens when he went to the wasteland.

Judging from Wang Jingshuo's answer and the scenes he gleaned from Xi Lixuan's memories during the Battle of Cangzhou, he should know part of the truth, while the other part of the truth brought him astonishment.

However, no matter what, Xi Lixuan would not have come across the whole truth, otherwise he would have heard about it in Cangzhou.

Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped.

A cavalryman galloped up, bringing the two a message.

— Zhao Qi is now also in the wasteland.

The two people inside the carriage made no sound as the wheels continued forward, heading north.

Pei Jingge opened her eyes, her expression icy.

Gu Zhuo thought for a moment and said, "I don't think this is a warning. After all, there's no reason to do things this way; it's too hasty."

Pei Jingge was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing and asked, "Is this some kind of comfort?"

Gu Zhuoxin thought to himself, "Isn't that right?"

Pei Jingge raised her hand and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, allowing the spring breeze to enter through the window.

“When we were in the capital, I specifically asked His Majesty what he used to persuade Zhao Qi to take action against Qingjing Temple.”

This question came so suddenly that Gu Zhuo was quite surprised and asked, "What is it?"

Pei Jingge said, "How can we take a further step beyond ascension?"

Gu Zhuo was stunned. He hadn't expected the truth to be so simple, and he felt that the reason was too straightforward and honest, so much so that he didn't know what to say.

Pei Jingge sighed and said, "Why did I go to Cihang Temple to obtain the fragments of the Yuanmie Mirror? Even His Majesty made the same promise to me, but before I could know anything, I met you."

She seemed to be mocking and expressing endless regret with these words, but in reality, it was all mockery.

Gu Zhuo asked, looking completely bewildered, "Then why haven't you asked me anything these past few days?"

Pei Jingge was stunned, thinking to herself, "Shouldn't you feel ashamed at this moment?"

Why are you so self-righteous?

For some reason, she suddenly felt a little uncomfortable, but said without changing her expression, "I'm not the kind of person who sets unrealistic goals. Anyway, you won't refuse me, so it doesn't matter when you ask, right?"

Gu Zhuo nodded and said, "That makes sense."

"But that's not the point I'm trying to make."

Pei Jingge naturally changed the subject: "I'm telling you, Zhao Qi is actually not difficult to deal with, because his thoughts are really easy to guess. As long as you give him what he needs, you'll be fine."

Gu Zhuo asked curiously, "What did he obtain when he stood in front of Weiyang Palace?"

Pei Jingge didn't speak, but covered her mouth with her hand and coughed softly.

Gu Zhuo didn't understand and asked, "Hmm?"

Pei Jingge remained silent, quietly lowering her left hand and severing the spring breeze.

This, of course, means that she did not suffer from a cold.

Gu Zhuo finally understood, his eyes filled with complex emotions, thinking to himself that this version of you was truly unfamiliar.

Thinking this through, he earnestly asked, "Why is that?"

Pei Jingge sighed, "Fight me."

As soon as he finished speaking, applause erupted.

From Gu Zhuo's palm.

Pei Jingge was very pleased with his support, and then said, "In short, you don't need to worry about Zhao Qi's matter, I'll take care of everything."

Gu Zhuo didn't say thank you.

He recalled that Pei Jingge had fallen silent on the day the news of Zhao Qi's breakthrough and ascension reached Baidi Mountain, and he felt that this encounter was actually a good thing.

The order in which you go or the outcome may not matter, but whether you feel comfortable with something... that really matters.

Pei Jingge's name had always been below Zhao Qi's in the past, and given her personality, she would certainly disagree with this. However, they had never had the chance to fight each other in the past, and when there was an opportunity to determine the winner, she was implicated, which was somewhat regrettable.

"After you and Zhao Qi have finished meeting."

Gu Zhuo looked into Pei Jingge's eyes and said, "I want to talk to you."

Pei Jingge didn't react immediately and asked, "Shall we chat?"

Gu Zhuo smiled, a rare smile of pleasure, and said softly, "If you don't mind my current level, this can certainly be considered a discussion of the Dao."

Pei Jingge rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Don't say things like that, okay? I was defeated by your sword not long ago. I'm not good at forgetting things when the sun rises, so you don't need to be so considerate of my feelings."

Gu Zhuo wondered what he should say.

He pondered for a long time, and finally came up with a sentence.

“I’ve met Zhao Qi, and I think you’re better than him.”

Pei Jingge looked at Gu Zhuo and suddenly asked, "Could you repeat that?"

Gu Zhuo was puzzled.

"not now."

Pei Jingge said casually, "It was when I met Zhao Qi."

(End of this chapter)