Secret Records of the Leader of the Beichen Sword Sect-Chapter 990 - 507: Lakeside

"The vast waters of Yunmeng connect to the sky, suddenly I hear the lone cry of a wild goose through the cold mist. The boundless lake hides all traces, a solitary leaf-like boat returns to the mortal world..."

The young man standing alone at the bow of the ship appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years of age. He wore a crown of black silver engraved with chi patterns and a moon-white archer’s attire with cloud and thunder motifs. Tied around his waist was a belt of rhinoceros horn and engraved gold, and on his back was a three-foot-three longsword with a silver dragon head hilt. His back was as straight as a halberd, and he stood like a solitary pine. His dark brows slanted sharply, and his phoenix eyes shined like stars, as he gazed at the cloud-enshrouded, mist-covered lake expanse, as if watching water birds soaring in the sky, or perhaps pondering the uncertainty of his future path.

"Young Master, a letter from Jiangdu."

At the stern, a guard samurai, burdened with a bow and clad in rhino armor, approached. With a tiger-like build, he knelt down, offering a secret letter delivered by a falcon.

The Young Master took it and, after reading, let out a cold laugh,

"Ha! The Grand Tutor has finally made his move! Back then, when the Wang Family held dominion over the Three Constellations, they were at their peak, the Five Dukes ruled the court, and their nobility was beyond words! Now, they’ve ended up being disemboweled and beheaded, left hanging for all to see! How delightful!

I was still hesitating on whether to heed the decree to head north and accept an empty title of General of the Southern Pacification. Now, with this opportunity, I must go to the city gate tower, to witness the Wang family’s misery! To relieve the hatred in my heart! Haha!"

The samurai glanced at the secret letter handed by the Young Master, then knelt on the ground and advised,

"With Duke Wuchang dead, the Wang Family has scattered like wild birds and beasts. It would be better to seize this moment, as the court officials struggle for power, for the Young Master to return to Dongting Camp immediately, to eliminate the confidants they’ve embedded in the army, and seize the Tiger Talisman and military command?"

The Young Master replied with a smile,

"No rush in this matter; Yunmeng Camp, and the various forts of the Southern Border, from top to bottom, are all old units of the Nangong family. Whoever they send cannot command them!

Heh heh, in those days, the Wang Family framed my family, yet now the tides have turned, the time has finally come for me to build my accomplishments and return to the Three Constellations!"

The samurai hesitated,

"I only fear the treachery of the Northerners, as the court is full of wolves and beasts, they may try to ensnare the Young Master with high positions and plot against you with Death Soldiers."

The Young Master, dismissive, shook his head and laughed,

"Moreover, currently, the Central Plains are embroiled in years of war, armies defeated, territories lost, battles fierce and dangerous. If I were killed now, who else would raise the banner, recruit soldiers, lead them into battle, and save them from fire and water? There’s nothing to worry about."

The samurai reluctantly continued to persuade,

"The court may not dare to harm the Young Master, but the Capital Immortal Valve is no longer as it was. Years ago, a great war occurred between the Demon Sect Supreme and the Nine Yin Sword Master in Jiangdu, wiping out their elite forces, leaving the court empty. As a result, the court has been drawing troops from Southsu Lifan for years; otherwise, we would not have had our day in the sun.

Now, with the fall of the Wang Family, the northern aristocratic families have no troops at their disposal and can only rely on the southern wealthy landlords, which they cannot restrain or balance anymore. The Xie Family of Chen County, the Yu Family of Yingchuan, and the Xi Family of Gao Ping all fear the Young Master’s reputation. The Cui Family of Boling, the Lu Family of Fan Yang, and the Zheng Family of Yingyang all covet the position of Vassal Lord.

Your journey north alone is exceedingly risky."

The Young Master laughed heartily, patting the samurai’s shoulder,

"No need to worry. Even if someone harbors ill intentions, they assume I’m aboard my grand ship; how would they know I’ve decided on a whim to abandon the procession and follow the scout in a light boat ahead?

Besides, don’t I still have you, this fierce tiger, protecting me? How can I be considered alone?"

"Young Master... be careful!"

The samurai was just about to kneel and speak some flattering words to show his loyalty when suddenly he felt the boat halt abruptly. He quickly leapt up, shielding the Young Master behind him, with bow in hand, maintaining strict vigilance.

The Young Master, aware of the guard’s loyalty, was not offended. He focused and gathered qi, grasping his sword, watching the mist-covered lake surface.

It turned out that the flying boat, which had been racing across the lake surface earlier, had somehow reached the lakeside, snagged by the reeds and aquatic plants along the shore. The lake surface was also enshrouded in dense fog; in an instant, the world was cloaked in confusion, nearly obscuring all vision.

"Please, Young Master, sit down for a moment, I’ll handle this. You all protect the Young Master!"

The samurai then summoned a group of guards with blades from the cabin, looked at the situation by the ship’s edge, set down his bow, drew his sword, and leapt down from the stern. With one hand holding onto the ship’s gunnel, he swung his blade to cut away the reeds and aquatic plants entangling the ship’s rudder.

The Young Master, being a person of pride, naturally would not retreat to the cabin to save his life over such a minor issue. He dismissed everyone from his vicinity, continuing to stand independently at the bow, maintaining his pose as he gazed into the distance over the lake.

However, while he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard sighs and sobs coming from the lake shore.

The Young Master, following the sound, gazed beyond the thick fog toward the lakeside, only to see a beautiful woman by the shore washing clothes and silk. The breeze gently lifted her garments, revealing skin as white as jade, arms pink like lotus roots—a remarkable beauty. Yet her countenance was not joyful, her sleeves lacked luster, and she stood attentively, seemingly troubled by something, quietly sobbing.

Upon seeing this, the Young Master couldn’t help but call out,

"What grievance does the young lady have, weeping alone here?"

The beautiful woman showed a sorrowful expression, and with a mournful voice, gratefully replied,

"So it is the Young General gracing us with his presence. Though I’m unfortunate, today I suffer humiliation here by the royal presence. However, the hatred penetrates bone and marrow, and how could I shy away from such disgrace? I am fortunate to reveal it here.

I am the youngest daughter of the Dragon Monarch of Li River. My parents arranged my marriage with the second son of Lord Yun Meng. But my husband, Le Yi, was bewitched by servants, and grew weary of me day by day, their disparage increasingly severe, leading to my disgraceful expulsion."

With that, she heaved sobs and tears, overwhelmed by sadness, cried for a while, then tearfully said,

"The Li River is far from here, an unknown distance away. The vast skies separate us, and communication is impossible. My heart is severed from all hopes or knowledge of the situation there.

Hearing that the General is heading north under the royal command, I waited here specially. If there is ever a day you return to Li Chu, may I entrust a letter to an attendant to deliver, dare I ask if this could be possible?"

The Young Master, hearing this, immediately clasped his fist and said,