Deposed Empress General Chapter 58

The feast continued, and Zuo Canglang had drank a lot. She actually didn't need to drink, after all, among these few officials, only she didn't need to pretend to be fervently happy just to demonstrate her loyalty to the new ruler. But within the army, there truly were too many commanders, and each were like buckets of wine, so after a few rounds, she practically couldn't take much more.

Her wounds had already healed, and perhaps because it was her old subordinates bothering her, so Murong Yan also didn't dissuade it. The other commanders of course were even more difficult to stop, because unless they got drunk, how could it be a celebration?

When Xu Lang and Wang Nan and the others had come over, Murong Yan said, "This king's alcohol tolerance isn't that great, so today, I won't continue drinking with you all. Luckily, your General Zuo is present, so she can take my place to continue drinking."

Once these words were said, Zuo Canglang was stuck in an even worse state where she couldn't reject drinking, but could only take Murong Yan's place drinking his portion as well. A bit later, Murong Yan gifted them another pot of wine, and thus, for the first time in her life, she got drunk.

After the feast was dismissed, Yuan Xi and the others had all drank a lot, and the group of people left, arms around each's shoulders. Wang Nan and Xu Lang came to help Zuo Canglang. Leng Bu Ding, a eunuch, also came over, respectfully saying, "General has drank a lot, so just let her stay in the palace."

Xu Lang and Wang Nan were just about to agree, when Zuo Canglang lifted her leg onto his shoulder, drunkenly asking, "Who are you? Am I going to stay in the palace, just because you want me to stay in the palace?"

The eunuch was worried, and quickly said, "General, it's not this little one, but his majesty who said to have you stay in the palace."

Zuo Canglang said, "And how much is his majes......"

Before she even finished speaking, Wang Nan was greatly startled, and quickly covered her mouth, saying, "Eunuch, our general is currently drunk to the point where she's not clear headed, so just let us first send her back to her estate, where it will be better for her to accompany his majesty tomorrow."

The eunuch had only received Wang Yunzhao's orders, and at this time, he also didn't dare to bicker with the two, and could only watch as they supported Zuo Canglang out of the hall.

Zuo Canglang's left hand was hooked around Xu Lang, and her right hand was hooked around Wang Nan, saying, "Go go, let's continue drinking."

Xu Lang said, "We can't continue drinking, you're drunk."

Zuo Canglang looked suspiciously at him, "You're not allowed to go, you look so ugly, so what wine are you drinking!"

Xu Lang's face turned sorrowful, "General! You actually have always felt that I was ugly!"

Wang Nan held back his laughter, and indeed, Zuo Canglang no longer wanted Xu Lang's support, but looked at Wang Nan, saying, "Let's go, as I can still drink three pots!"

Wang Nan said, "Okay, okay, we'll go right now."

Rushing out of the palace, she also couldn't ride her horse, so Wang Nan could only support her. On the way, the two passed by Yu Rang bridge. Zuo Canglang held the bridge railing, beginning to puke. Wang Nan helped her pat her back, saying, "Is it serious? In front of us, there is a hotel, so this commander can help you find a doctor."

Zuo Canglang said, "Let's go, ah, we'll find a doctor, and drink two more cups!"

Wang Nan could only smile bitterly, saying, "You really can't drink anymore."

Zuo Canglang was angered, saying, "Now you know that I can't drink anymore? When I was drinking, why didn't you stop me?" Wang Nan felt aggrieved, and wanted to say something, but heard her continue, "Then why didn't you let your ladyship queen drink?"

Wang Nan was startled, and Zuo Canglang pushed him aside, muttering, "Saying all those sweet words, and ultimately still going off to accompany your queen there."

After she finished speaking, she began puking again. Wang Nan lightly pat her back, not daring to say anything. After she finished puking, she leaned against the white jade railing, sliding to the ground. Not knowing why, that steel like person, expressed a bit of a girl's composure, and Wang Nan's heart felt a bit soft. He didn't move at all, just letting her rest there, saying, "In the future, I won't let you drink again, I will stop it all."

Zuo Canglang didn't speak, and the two just rested there for a bit. Suddenly, there was the sound of horse steps drawing near. Wang Nan turned around, but saw a carriage coming over, stopping by the two of them. Wang Yunzhao came out from the carriage. Wang Nan was startled, and seeing the two people, Wang Yunzhao was also startled, and quickly came over, helping Zuo Canglang up.

Zuo Canglang swept away his hand, saying, "I don't need your help, get out of the way!"

Wang Yunzhao smiled, saying, "General is truly drunk. His majesty was a bit concerned, and thus, if he learned that General had returned to the estate on her own, he would definitely blame this old servant for being incompetent. General Wang, return first, and this old servant will escort General back to her estate."

Wang Nan opened his mouth, but ultimately what he said was, "Then I will inconvenience Chief Steward Wang."

Wang Yunzhao nodded at him, and helped Zuo Canglang onto the carriage. Wang Nan stood where he was, his heart feeling a complex emotion. Everyone knew that she was Marshal Wen's wife, and also Murong Yan's confidante. And now with her recent words, as well as, in the middle of the night, having Wang Yunzhao personally leave the palace to find her.

Her relationship with Murong Yan, didn't need words to describe them.

But these, weren't matters a mere instructor general like him should involve himself with. He needed to pretend that he didn't know anything, forever. The carriage slowly grew distant, and ultimately, even the sound of the carriage disappeared, but he still stood where he was.

Zuo Canglang was wasted, and at this time, to the east of Yi Lu Mountain, the abolished crown prince, Murong Ruo was currently preparing to scale the mountain, to seek the aid of the Dong Hu. Right then, news that Murong Yuan had been kidnapped by Gu Zhu arrived.

Murong Ruo was stunned, "How could it be?! Father King had stayed at White Wolf lake for many days, and Gu Zhu's king had never intended on causing him trouble!"

Cang Tianqi's face fell, saying, "What else is there to think about, as it must be Murong Yan being unwilling to have his majesty return to Jinyang city, and intended on delaying him. Hmmph, for the sake of stabilizing his reign, he really put in the effort, doing whatever it takes."

Murong Ruo said, "Father King is so old, and is frequently ill. He can just bear to have him fall into the hands of enemy states like this!"

Cang Tianqi said, "Your highness, he was even willing to commit atrocities like rebelling and usurping the throne, so how would he care about blood relations, or the hierarchy of father and son!"

Murong Ruo angrily said, "Sect head Cang, right now, what should we do then?"

Cang Tianqi said, "Currently King Yan is trapped in Gu Zhu, so I'm only afraid that he will be unable to return to Jinyang. Following up with this, Murong Yan will officially ascend the throne. He will probably also title his majesty King Father, to demonstrate his filial piety. Though this move is vicious, it is also quite marvelous."

Murong Ruo said, "If King Father cannot return to court, Dong Hu would probably also not assist us in invading. Currently, we don't even have a place to survive, so how can we continue competing with him?"

Cang Tianqi sighed, saying, "Your highness, currently it is not the time to be muddled by sorrow. It's just that temporarily, the trip to Dong Hu can probably only be forestalled." A prince that only has the empty title of Crown Prince of Yan, without internal nor external support, how would Dong Hu seek to assist him?

Murong Ruo suddenly said, "Sect leader Cang, speaking truthfully, when Father King escaped from Jinyang city, there were some riches that he could not bring along. Father King hid it in a secretive and hidden place in the city. This was supposed to be Great Yan's ultimate reserves. If we can withdraw these riches, perhaps we could gather troops and raise an army, and rise again!"

Cang Tianqi was also startled, saying, "Indeed the heavens leave a route out for people. It's just that currently, Jinyang city would be extremely difficult for us to return to."

Murong Ruo said, "The head of Fa Cang temple, Master Xue Zhan had previously received your sect's seven assassins, and smuggled them to Ming Yue platform, where they were almost successful. Currently, I'm not sure if they can help me again."

Cang Tianqi said, "Currently Jinyang is dangerous, so it is not fit for your highness to head ther. Perhaps only this old man can make the trip."

Murong Ruo cupped his hands, saying, "Sect leader Cang is working for the greater good, so Murong Ruo will definitely remember it my whole life."

Cang Tianqi sighed, saying, "Cangjian sect has received great royal favor, and so it is our duty."

That afternoon, he ordered Cang Ge to protect the abolished crown prince, Murong Ruo, and personally headed towards Jinyang city. Based on his capabilities, even if Jinyang city was the mouth of a dragon or a tiger, his entrance would still not be any difficult matter.

He passed Yi Lu Shan, to Yu Hou pass, entering Tang prefecture. At the southern side of Yi Lu mountain's pass, he encountered some difficulties. Cang Tianqi, this type of person, had a swordsman's natural awareness, and he could feel the killing intent before him, so him immediately slowed his steps, loudly asking, "Who is it?"

Behind the gray boulder in front of him, two people slowly walked out, a man and a girl. The man's stature was tall and large, his brows high, and his nose deep, a barbarian, who held a sword with his right hand. With just one look, it was easy to tell his martial arts wasn't bad.

But what drew even more attention, was the girl by his side. That was indeed an extremely beautiful woman, to the point that this term-- beauty, when used on her, was actually lacking. She had a type of dominating arrogance on her, it was both reckless and full of pride, as though once her precious sword left its scabbard, if a deity got in her way, she would slay it.

Cang Tianqi practically shifted his gaze onto her immediately, and his brows scrunched up, suddenly saying, "You are......." at that moment, he suddenly thought of someone, someone who's fame was public, but whom had never personally revealed her face, "The master of Swallow's Nest!"

"Leng Feiyan." That woman opened her mouth, and every word, had a type of combative goading that struck into one's bones.

In her eyes, there was no hatred or enmity. There was only a type of desire to conquer everything, a spiritual desire to stomp over everything beneath her feet.

Cang Tianqi slowly tightened his grip on the sword at his waist, saying, "Before we fight, can you answer me something."

Leng Feiyan said, "I also have one matter I wish to ask of Sect Leader Cang." Cang Tianqi was stunned, and just in the gap of that moment, Leng Feiyan's sword flew out like a lightning strike, her shadow flew by like the wind, and when her lightning like sword struck, her breath was stable and her mood entirely alert, "You orthodox swordsmen, are you all so long-winded with so many unnecessary words?"

Cang Tianqi couldn't answer in time, as the Sword's aura, and Sword's glint met. The man not far from Leng Feiyan, was naturally Wu Gu. He also didn't think that Leng Feiyan would strike when she decided to strike, and had originally wanted to stop her, but ultimately still worried that he would disturb her.

Cang Tianqi, this type of person, who dared to be distracted beneath his blade?

Cang Tianqi exchanged blows with Leng Feiyan, and within fifty moves, he had managed to slice an injury into her body. Although he was at an advantage, but in his heart, he had a fear he could not express! This girl, was not past twenty. But her swordsmanship was so fast, her moves so vicious, that it practically startled a person's being.

Had he not personally witnessed it, he definitely would not have believed, a girl that was not yet twenty, could exchange fifty moves against his sword, and only suffer a light wound.

But this was real. He pursed his lips, and his moves grew increasingly faster. His swords moved like a web, quickly trapping Leng Feiyan. That type of web without an opening, anyone encountering it would lose their center. It had the feeling like the god of death had descended, making people fear, and curl up.

But Leng Feiyan didn't. Her sword, in the midst of the sword flashes, even if she had no way of breaking out, it was still fast like the lightning, stable like the mountains or the moon!

Wu Gu was at the side, and he wanted to help, but he entirely didn't have a way to help. In the fights between peerless masters, the fast blades would dizzy one's eyes, but between attacking and guarding, there was absolutely no opportunity.

As time grew long, Cang Tianqi grew increasingly impatient---- this person......

His previous question, practically needed no answer. If Cang Feng and Cang Xiao had perished at someone's hands, then it was no longer a mystery. He practically clenched his teeth, asking, "Are you Murong Yan's person?" This type of person, how could she continue to remain unknown?

But that person still only smiled, saying, "You have too many words."

Cang Tianqi had taught the disciples beneath him, that the first lesson was to never be enraged, no matter who your opponent was, you must maintain your alertness. He understood the necessity of calming his emotions, and what it meant for a swordsman. But the person in front of him, just had a calm and strong spirit.

She already had three wounds on her, but the fresh blood was like a seal that when torn, revealed her soul. She wasn't scared, and did not hate. The fresh blood made her slowly fall into a frenzied state.

A hundred moves now, and Cang Tianqi discovered that the person in front of him, had broken out of his sword net. He lightly said, "You...... how could you possibly!!"

This person, towards Cangjian Sect's moves, practically understood them entirely!

The first time they exchanged blows, she had been defeated by Cang Tianqi's many years of experience and internal force, but very quickly, as Cang Tianqi exposed more and more of his strength to her, she began absorbing the rhythm, slowly breaking apart his sword net.

Finally, the moves she began using, practically stole the secrets of Cangjian sect's sword moves!

"Who are you really?!" Cang Tianqi asked forcefully.

Leng Feiyan didn't answer, her sword light flowing light, piercing his sword net, stabbing a wound into his chest. Cang Tianqi stepped back a step, his eyes having an unsuppressed anger. Leng Feiyan said, "Do you believe I can beat you?"

Cang Tianqi panted with a lot of effort, still stuck in shock. Leng Feiyan said, "In my Swallow's Nest, there are still a hundred experts, and at least five people can fight Cang Xiao one on one, and two who could face Cang Feng. If today, I had brought them along, how much chance of victory do you think you have?"

Cang Tianqi slowly clenched his teeth, "It was really you who slew Cang Feng and Cang Xiao!"

Leng Feiyan scraped the mud off her shoe on a rock, saying, "The people within the martial arts world, originally gambled with their lives. No matter who killed whom, it would not be strange."

Cang Tianqi said, "You are practically arrogant to no end!"

The swords in the hands bent to the wind, and flew up to attack again. Leng Feiyan met it with her own blade, and this time, the two of them directly fought, the blades shifting ever so quickly, sending the fallen leaves by them flying in swirls. Cang Tianqi slowly felt his strength fade, as every time his sword harmed her a bit, her sword would grow an inch sharper.

This type of person, this singular type of person...... had no fear nor terror, no life and no death, and every single battle was her final battle. For this, she would use up her last drop of blood, using up her everything.

As the sword net grew tighter and nearer, Cang Tianqi finally seized an opportunity, and stabbed into her. But Leng Feiyan did not retreat, but rather advanced, the sharp blade had penetrated her, but it also restricted him! Her right hand quickly flashed out three strikes, and Cang Tianqi only felt his right arm grow light. Lowering his head, he saw that where his right hand had been, blood was seeping out like marbles.

But his right hand hadn't fallen to the ground, and was still gripping the sword, and the sword was still stuck inside Leng Feiyan's body.

He slowly stepped back, and though Leng Feiyan had even more wounds on her, she slowly pulled the sword out of her body, and pressed a few of her own meridians, and then said, "You lost."

At that time, her whole body was drenched in blood, but she seemed like a resurrected restless ghost atop a pile of dead corpses, demonic and alluring. Cang Tianqi said, "Leng Feiyan," he had actually remembered her name, "why are you....... loyal to Murong Yan, that type of person?"

Leng Feiyan removed her belt, and bandaged her wound saying, "I've never been loyal to anyone."

Cang Tianqi said, "Then why do you constantly oppose King Yan? Could it be fore money? If it's for money......" He tightened his grip on his wrist, saying, "The crown prince could also give it to you, and the benefits would definitely surpass what Murong Yan gives you!"

Leng Feiyan said, "What I want, the crown prince cannot give. King Yan also cannot give, as they are both too weak."

Cang Tianqi said, "Why? They are the legitimate rulers of Great Yan! Murong Yan, this type of ungrateful wolf, could he actually give you anything?"

Leng Feiyan said, "Legitimate?" Show slowly came close to Cang Tianqi, saying, "I don't care who is legitimate. I also don't care, what type of person Murong Yan is."

Her gaze was calm and without waves, and Cang Tianqi was forced until he couldn't retreat. He shut his eyes, saying, "Since it is so, this man Cang is also not someone who fears death. I have used the sword my whole life, and those defeated beneath my sword are countless. Losing my life to your sword today, is also considered a complete life."

Leng Feiyan said, "If I wanted to kill you, why would I bother wasting words with you?"

Cang Tianqi opened his eyes, and Leng Feiyan said, "Do you now believe, that your existence to Murong Yuan or Murong Ruo is entirely useless?"

Cang Tianqi didn't speak, as before this, he had still felt fortunate, and when he had encountered his foe, he had still felt full of pride. But with today's battle, what was taken was not only his martial prowess, but also his confidence. Leng Feiyan said, "If, I have you bring your relatives, to leave Great Yan, and in this entire lifetime, to never step back into Yu Hou pass, would you be willing?"

Cang Tianqi said, "You're not killing me?"

Leng Feiyan looked over the sharp sword in her hand saying, "If you don't agree, then I will kill you. And after I kill you, then I will go to slay your wife, your ancestors, and your descendants, until the entire Cangjian sect is left with no life."

Cang Tianqi was stunned. Leng Feiyan asked, "I don't want to stand here, as the wind is too big. Give me your answer."

Cang Tianqi opened his mouth, his words difficult, saying, "I...... I will bring my wife, my old and my young, and pull out of Yu Hou pass. Henceforth, Cangjian Sect, its descendants and future generations, will never set a single foot into Great Yan."

Leng Feiyan sheathed her sword, and turned to leave, signaling Wu Gu to follow.

Her back was willowy, and Cang Tianqi asked, "Heroine Leng, you assist Murong Yan, but ultimately what do you want?" Leng Feiyan's steps stopped, and it seemed as though she did not plan on answering, when Cang Tianqi said, "I only wish to know, my son and my beloved disciple, what did they die for at your blade."

Leng Feiyan's body wavered a bit, and said, "A holy era of peace."

Cang Tianqi was stunned, and Leng Feiyan continued advancing. From the moment I held the blade and began slaying people, I had already known that nobody could save us. But ultimately, I still hoped, that this world would have a few less people like us.

For this, my clothes can be stained in blood, my love and affection can be destroyed. I can live in the shadows, to lose everything.

After descending from the mountain, Wu Gu wanted to come over and support Leng Feiyan, but Leng Feiyan avoided his hands, saying, "The order we received, was to get rid of Cangjian sect."

Wu Gu's face was expressionless, saying, "Looks like you still remember."

Leng Feiyan smiled, her back was all blood red. She said, "That's why you have to wait a bit, and wait until Cangjian sect's people have all left Yan, and then send the news back tot he palace."

Wu Gu said, "For your little pampered master? You really made a sacrifice."

Leng Feiyan laughed until she couldn't straighten her back, her wounds instantly dying her belt red. She seemed as though she didn't feel the pain, only saying, "Wu Gu, compared to him, you seem even more like a pampered young master, as other than feeling jealous, you don't know how to do anything else."

Wu Gu was angry until his face grew purple, and a while later, he ultimately still said, "We made the decision on our own, so he will probably suspect your loyalty."

Leng Feiyan lightly pressed her wound, smiling as she said, "He has always known, that I have never had loyalty."

Cang Tianqi returned to Cangjian sect's temporary residence. Madam Cang saw him stained in blood, and had already been scared witless, "Old sir! You are......" and then she discovered that Cang Tianqi's right hand, beneath its wrist, was entirely gone.

She held that broken arm, her eyes welling up in tears, "Old sir!"

Cang Tianqi pat her back, saying, "It's not serious, as I managed to keep my life, which is due to others being merciful. There is no need to feel sorrow."

Madam Cang said, "Who was it really, that even old sir you, could......"

Cang Tianqi entered the residence, saying, "There's no need to say more. Immediately send a letter to summon Cang Ge. Inform all the Cang family members, to gather our necessities, so that we can immediately leave Great Yan."

Madam Cang, upon hearing this, relaxed her breathing, asking, "Old sir is no longer interfering with King Yan's matter?"

Cang Tianqi sat by the table, and looked at his own stump, saying, "I've already put in the effort, and currently, Cangjian sect has lost all combat effectiveness, so how could I sacrifice even Cang Ge." He used his left hand to pat his wife's hand, saying, "Let's go, and in the future, these matters of the royal family, we will never bother with."

Madam Cang wiped away her tears, saying, "I will immediately order someone to send the news to Cang Ge."

Cang Tianqi nodded, "Have him directly head to Yu Hou pass to wait, as we must quickly leave." Leng Feiyan's ability to accurately find him to the south of Yi Lu mountain, so it was easy to imagine, towards the entire Cangjian sect's movements, she definitely knew all the ins and outs.

Murong Yan, this type of vicious person, would not send someone only to warn him. If the other side changed their mind, they could only be massacred by others.

And at this time, Feng Ping was currently just drinking booze with Jiang Sanyi. Jiang Sanyi's estate, not only was the wine good, but the dancers were also good. Feng Ping drank with him, and Jiang Sanyi said, "Head of the imperial guard Feng, how is this dance?"

Feng Ping said, "I am just a rough man, so I'm not familiar with music and dance."

Jiang Sanyi laughed, saying, "Men don't necessarily need to understand music, but women must understand it." Saying thus, he clapped his hands, and two dancers came out with music, dancing wither flowing sleeves, lightly brushing against his face. Finally, falling into his embrace. Feng Ping didn't resist.

Jiang Sanyi said, "Speaking of it, I have always thought that my son, Jiang Qi should be assigned into the army. But it's always been bad timing, so as head of the imperial guard Feng has followed his majesty for a long time, could you make a suggestion or two?"

The beauties in his embrace lifted their cups, and fed Feng Ping wine. Feng Ping said, "His majesty, towards Zuo Canglang, holds complete trust. Even if minister Jiang could assign gentleman Jiang into the army, he wouldn't receive a lot of use. Within the army, it is mostly Wenqi's old subordinates, and they are all supportive of Zuo Canglang, so they wouldn't give him an opportunity to establish military merit."

Jiang Sanyi was silent without speaking, as actually he also knew, but he knew even more how important military power was.

Feng Ping said, "But, minister Jiang has another even more important matter he can do."

Jiang Sanyi immediately turned his head over, saying, "Head of the imperial guard Feng, please speak!"

Feng Ping said, "His majesty has many small matters at the start of his reign, so there are definitely some matters that cannot see the light of day, which cannot be done publicly. For example, funding some establishments of ill repute, the accumulation of wealth by immoral means, even...... the assassinations of a few people that get in the way."

Jiang Sanyi's heart skipped a beat, as he actually had long known.

But the queen had him go and ask Cangjian sect to get rid of Murong Yan, so he had just sent people to do it. But Cangjian sect missed its mark, and Murong Yan was fine. Cangjian sect had a frightening reputation in the martial arts world, and although he was in the royal court, but he had also heard of them.

If Murong Yan didn't have this type of expert in his hands, he would already have been assassinated in the shadows. He said, "It's just that this type of force, his majesty would ultimately hope for us to know of it. So what matters could I possibly do?"

Feng Ping took a look at him, saying, "Right now, the one who controls this force, has already made his majesty unhappy several times. And right now, she is in the middle of an assignment, and has made a big mistake. So it is exactly minister's heaven gifted opportunity."

TN: Dun dun dunnnnn... Author really knows how to make a happy chapter end in an ominous cliffhanger.