Song of Adolescence

Chapter 388 A Crisis Never Rests

Court of State Ceremonial.

A group of monks were sitting in the main hall chanting scriptures. Eunuch of Incense Jin Xian Gonggong sat right at the front, counting the rosary in his hand as he closed his eyes, deep in thought.

Recently, two of his companions who had grown up with him died one after the other. One died under mysterious circumstances and the other died as a result of a conspiracy, his head was still hanging on the city walls. Jin Xian was in a very bad mood, so bad that he wanted to kill.

He killed with his right hand, striking with one sword causing everything to wither. He was compassionate with his left hand, his Buddhist beads twisting gently, extinguishing the soul and freeing the spirit. Jin Xian Gonggong’s murderous nature was as heavy as his Buddhist core.

"In the future, anyone who lacks food or clothing, who cannot obtain the thing he or she wants, who usually falls sick, who always meets evil, whose family is disturbed, who loses his or her relatives, who is often hit by a misfortune or who is terrified in their dreams, they will be gradually removed from those unpleasant things. If they have a reverent and sincere heart when reciting Bodhisattva’s name ten thousand times, or while hearing Kistigarbha’s name or seeing his image, they will also obtain peace, happiness and wealth. Even in their dreams…" After chanting the long sutra twice, Jin Xian Gonggong stood up, and the group of monks also stood up. They bowed to each other and the monks walked out slowly.

There were only two people left in the hall.

One was Jin Xian, of course.

And the other one was a distinguished guest that neither Ling Jun nor Bo Yong could stop outside the Court of State Ceremonial.

Grand Eunuch, Jin Xuan.

Jin Xuan Gonggong said slowly, "The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra transcended the bodhisattva, and eliminated karmic hindrance. Inviting so many high monks in tribute to Jin Yu, you have done your best. But, why did you recite it twice? The second time…"

"Was for Jin Wei," Jin Xian replied directly, seemingly unworried about his response.

"Very well. Jin Wei was considered our brother, and we should do this for him too." Grand Eunuch Jin Xuan nodded. "When I was young, I wasn’t allowed to spend time with you all and Jin Yan always followed Zhuo Xin Gonggong. In fact, the three of you, Jin Wei, Jin Yu and you, grew up together."

"Yes," Jin Xian answered briefly. "So, I want to avenge them."

Grand Eunuch Jin Xuan frowned slightly. "Jin Yu’s death was suspicious, so there’s vengeance to be had. But, Jin Wei died due to conspiracy. Who can you seek for revenge?"

"The Langya Army entered Heavenly Revelations City without any obstacle, so much so that they didn’t expect it themselves. There must be a hand behind this entire incident, controlling the situation as it developed." The Buddhist beads in Jin Xian\'s hand stopped turning. "Jin Wei and the others were just pawns."

"Never mind." Grand Eunuch Jin Xuan sighed. "Jin Wei was not an ambitious person and he only wanted to fulfil shifu’s wishes on his behalf. But, there is one person who is definitely not our brother."

"Jin Yan," Jin Xian said under his breath.

"Yes. He must die. If he comes to you, don\'t let him go, then come and tell me. If you don’t do this, then I’m afraid the Five Grand Eunuchs will only have one person left." Jin Xuan looked at Jin Xian, his eyes cold and biting.

Jin Xian raised his eyebrows. "So you’re threatening me."

"It\'s not a threat. I’m just hoping you won’t do something stupid." Jin Xuan turned around and prepared to leave.

"Grand Eunuch, you’ve also involved yourself in this fight for the throne," Jin Xian said solemnly. "You’re supporting the Red Prince."

"What about it?" Jin Xuan didn\'t turn his head.

"The Five Grand Eunuchs should only be loyal to Mingde Emperor," Jin Xian said slowly.

"Do you know why shifu and the others didn\'t say a single word when Langya Prince tore up the scroll?" Jin Xuan didn\'t wait for Jin Xian\'s answer as he answered himself, "Because they had already yielded to the authority of the new Emperor at the time."

Jin Xuan walked out of the Court of State Ceremonial. Jin Xian put down his Buddhist beads and a short and fat figure walked out of the inner hall.

Eunuch of Seal, Jin Yan.

Right now, the whole of Heavenly Revelations City was looking for him, but he did not leave the city and flee as far as he could. Instead, he chose to stay in this dangerous city. And within this city, there was only one person who would not draw his sword the moment he saw him, and that was Jin Xian.

"Will you listen to him and kill me?" Jin Yan asked with a loud laugh.

"No." Jin Xian shook his head. "But you need to give me that list."

"As long as I keep this list, no one will kill me." Jin Yan was still smiling amicably. "But once I hand this list over, even you may possibly kill me."

Jin Xian put down the Buddhist beads in his left hand, and pressed his right hand on the hilt of his sword. "Then why did you come to me?"

"I made the wrong choice once. I want to choose again." Jin Yan suddenly put away his smile, and his eyes filled with ruthlessness.

Outside Heavenly Revelations City.

A horse rode at the forefront, leaving a trail of dust.

He took off the golden armour that had been with him for many years, put down the heavy sword that had killed countless enemies, and rode away alone.

Ye Ruoyi watched her father’s back as he departed and suddenly felt despondent. He was still as majestic as a mountain, but retired to return to his hometown. And behind him, what was once an army of a thousand, was now just him by himself.

Until suddenly, the sound of iron horseshoes roared.

Ye Ruoyi whipped her head around and saw the soldiers armed with twin blades riding neatly on their horses to catch up.

The twin-bladed Ye Banner Battalion.

"Miss Ye." The battalion commander trotted his horse over.

"You’re all…" Ye Ruoyi said in confusion.

"We have resigned from the military registrar. We are the Ye Banner Battalion, the Ye of Ye Xiaoying. We only follow his orders so if the general is going to guard the mountain, we will go guard the mountain. If the general wants to kill the enemy, we will go kill the enemy." He turned around and yelled at the thousand soldiers behind him, "Let\'s go!"

One thousand men of the Ye Banner Battalion shouted in unison and left with a power as vast as the earth.

Ye Ruoyi watched their figures gradually disappear into the distance and was about to turn around and go back when she realised Xiao Lingchen was standing right there. He was dressed in white and holding a long sword as he glanced at Ye Ruoyi with a smile. "I\'m getting out of here and going off to wander the martial world. Is that not a good idea?"

"You’re a general now. The three heavenly generals have returned to the Central Army and nobody in Beili can be their leader. Sooner or later, the position of General of the Central Army will be yours. What are you talking about, wandering the martial world?" Ye Ruoyi smiled.

"There’s no war, and I don’t want to stay in this city fighting with those people. Tell Xiao Se I’m going off. Let him take care of himself." Xiao Lingchen climbed onto his horse nonchalantly.

Ye Ruoyi looked at the sword in his hand and whispered, "Celestial Palace."

"I’m off." Xiao Lingchen waved.

"Urgent report! Urgent report!" Suddenly a sharp voice interrupted their parting.

A soldier covered with dust waved his whip vigorously and he barged in as if he was crazy, all the while yelling, "Urgent report! Urgent report!"

"What urgent report!" Xiao Lingchen grabbed him.

The soldier didn\'t recognise him, but he recognised the daughter of the General-in-chief next to him so he hurriedly reported, "Urgent report! Nanjue suddenly sent one hundred thousand troops to attack our border. We’ve already lost seven important cities along the border!"

Xiao Lingchen was stunned for a moment, and then he whispered in a low voice, "What the hell."