Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Fang Beidou stayed at the printing press all the way till wee hours of the morning. Seeing that everything was running smoothly and everyone was working without needing him there, Fang Beidou breathed easy and walked out of the printing press.

The stars shone brightly above him. Mount Longqi was very quiet now. There was only the sound of leaves rustling and insects chirping. In the distance, the capital city was still lit up. For some reason, Fang Beidou felt that tonight seemed to be brighter than usual.

“It would be strange if the people in the capital could have a good night’s sleep!” Fang Beidou murmured and felt his stomach. A few hours ago, he felt hungry but now although he hadn’t eaten anything, the sense of hunger disappeared after rush hour. He looked down and thought of Yan Liqiang and couldn’t help but walk down the mountain.

There were no people on the road now and soon Fang Beidou came to the small yard Yan Liqiang guarded. Seeing that no one was around, he dashed over the three-meter tall wall without knocking and landed in the small yard.

“Haha, you’re here…” Under the mandarin tree, Yan Liqiang had a table with two chairs set up. He was enjoying a small drink by himself. There were fried peanuts, roast chicken, and some salads.

“You guessed I would be coming?”

“Of course, although I’m not as good as you at predicting, I knew you would come tonight and you definitely would not have eaten yet…” Yan Liqiang smiled and raised his cup before finishing it.

Fang Beidou looked and saw there was a pair of chopsticks and a cup left on the table. He just walked over, picked up a chicken drumstick, and started eating.

“Mhm, not bad, not bad, this is the outer west gate’s old Fang Clan’s roast chicken. I never realized it was this good…” Fang Beidou chewed while speaking. Only in front of Yan Liqiang did Fang Beidou need to not cover up.

Today was a special day, especially this dinner for Fang Beidou and Yan Liqiang. There was no great celebration here nor flowers and applause. There were only the mutual trust and tacit agreement between them.

After chewing a fat drumstick and a few chicken breasts and half a bowl of salad, Fang Beidou wiped his mouth and raised the cup Yan Liqiang poured for him, “Alright, I’ve eaten. No need to say anything, I salute this cup to you representing all the citizens in the capital!”

“I salute you too. Without you, I can’t do this alone!”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The two touched cups and downed them before looking at each other and they began laughing.

“What’ll happen later on?” Fang Beidou asked.

“The news is still saturating, people are dubious, but it’s fine. In about another month when it’s the fifth lunar month and news of the Heavenly Dog devouring the sun comes from Liu Province, it would be even more interesting!” Yan Liqiang smiled, “From the beginning of the fifth lunar month, people will start moving away from the capital city. After the eighth lunar month, there’ll be a small climax. In the first lunar month of the next year, that’s when the real great retreat will happen. The Emperor and the ministers will probably wait till after the first lunar month of next year. By the fifth lunar month, those who still dare to stay are those who don’t want to leave and want to die here…”

“Then what’ll happen to the Great Han Empire?” Fang Beidou continued asking.

Yan Liqiang pointed at his arm. “Does it seem I have more hands than other people?”

Fang Beidou stared blankly for a moment and shook his head!

“Then do you see me with a halo behind my head making you want to kneel down?” Yan Liqiang pointed at his head and asked.

Fang Beidou shook his head again. “No!”

Yan Liqiang showed his hands and sighed, “So I’ll be honest with you — I don’t have three heads and six arms, nor am I some god or saint reborn. What I’m doing now is the extreme of my ability. From today on since the stone turtle was dug out, the future of the Great Han Empire is unknown to me. I might know less than you. The future of the Great Han Empire, whether the Emperor or the Grand Chancellor wins, I don’t know at all!”

Looking at Yan Liqiang’s face, Fang Beidou knew that Yan Liqiang spoke the truth. He thought and said, “Around the fifth lunar month, the ministers in the capital will probably start considering moving the capital. This will be huge, do you have any measures in mind?”

“There are no measures — I’m just doing what I can. I’ve already done the most important thing I needed to do coming here. As for changing capital, you said it was huge yourself. It’s not something that an unimportant figure who can’t even protect himself like me can do something about. But I do have one thing I want to try. Regardless if it succeeds or fails, I will leave the capital and go back to Gan Province to be a local bourgeoisie once I do it!”

“What is it?”

“See if I can kill Lin Qingtian!” Yan Liqiang said calmly and drank a full cup.

Fang Beidou’s face changed immediately and he lowered his voice. “You want to die?”

“I know the dangers involved, but I won’t be content if I don’t try!” Yan Liqiang showed an adamant face. “Lin Qingtian wanted to kill me more than once. He’s not someone with more heads and arms. If I don’t try, how would I know if I can kill him or not? I feel that with him dead, many things can be resolved!”

“If Lin Qingtian is that easy to deal with, would he be Lin Qingtian? Do you have any idea how many people wanted his life in these few decades but ended up dying?” Fang Beidou looked at Yan Liqiang.

“I’m not dumb enough to go up to him and duel him!” Yan Liqiang shook his head. He raised a finger, “One arrow. I just need one arrow to know the results. If I don’t even have the courage to fire an arrow at him, I don’t need to keep cultivating then!”

“You made up your mind?”

“Mhm, when he comes back this time, I will find an opportunity to attack!” Yan Liqiang nodded.

Fang Beidou drank a cup and sighed, “I feel like it’s a very difficult thing to attain longevity with you!”

“HAHAHAH…” Yan Liqiang laughed…