Martial King's Retired Life

Violence was the worst option for Nanjiang’s eleven states opposing A-Lan at present. Firstly, plenty of the imperial court’s elites were still camping in Nanjiang. Secondly, if any of them were weakened, they’d be most susceptible to invasions from other states. That being said, switching over to discourse was another sort of headache.

No matter how he sliced it, Emperor Yuansheng’s involvement qualified as foreign involvement, rendering him guilty of using his superior power to impose his will. Nanjiang’s greatest fear had always been the imperial court dipping their hands into Nanjiang. One on one, Emperor Yuansheng had an overwhelming advantage. Against the combined might of Nanjiang’s states, however, it’d be the equivalent of fighting a prime Beussent, which drove the imperial court out of Nanjiang back then. Had the Emperor at the time not resorted to awakening Pangu through undetermined means, Nanjiang’s territory might be a lot vaster than it was now.

Young Shiyi elucidated, “The eleven states’ sovereigns have formed an alliance and demand an audience with the Central Plan’s representative. His Majesty, of course, would be the representative here. That’s why they decided on a day to convene so quickly. As for the date, it’s three days from now. Even though not all eleven of them were against Morcher’s comeback, they’re all against the Central Plain asserting their will in Nanjiang.”

If we were to go to war now, it wouldn’t be ending anytime soon. Hang on… As the lord of Nieyao, doesn’t that mean I’ll be the first one caught in the line of fire…?

Young Shiyi, reading my mind, dimpled. “How should I know what we’re supposed to do? I’ve never been interested in military or diplomatic affairs. Struggling city lord, why not consult someone erudite?”

“And who’s that?”

“How heartless.” Young Shiyi knocked me on the forehead. “Who found you? She had just finished fighting for several days straight when she sped off to find you. You haven’t inquired about her even once. Even I can’t tolerate you.”

Oh yeah, I haven’t seen Boss yet.

“How is Boss doing?”

Young Shiyi puffed her cheeks. “Oh, finally sparing her a thought? Ever since returning with you, she’s been the victim of a fever. She alternates between phases of unconscious and conscious. The only time she barely got out of bed, she went to visit you. Once she sat down, she refused to leave your side until she caught a cold that put her back in bed. Since then, she’s been in bad shape and still is. Why has it never crossed your mind to ask about her all this time?”

This monk… apologises… If a fever still besets her, that means it’s still inside her.

The stuff I looted from Pangu would induce a fever as Boss was currently diagnosed with. According to old records, however, she should’ve been able to clear it from her body in around three days. Why is it still troubling her?

“Where’s Boss’ room? I’ll go check on her.”

I headed out right after receiving Boss’ location, but Young Shyi cautioned, “You can check on her, but beware.”

“Hmm? Of what?”

“You two have always been close, so it’s expected for people to conjure suspicions. It was Tianhu who retrieved you two, but the time you two spent alone before he found you has become a topic of discussion. Yiren passing out during her visit acted a catalyst for more ideas to manifest.”

I see…

“Since when did you ever care about people’s opinions?”

“I don’t. These sorts of rumours will crumble on their own.” Young Shiyi smiled as if she was teasing me for being stupid. “… You still remember who Song Ou is?”

“Who is that guy?”

After a long pause between us, I nodded with my mouth open.

“Looks like you remember him now.”

“He hasn’t been mentioned in so long that I forgot about him. But, uh, why does he care?”

“He should care. Don’t forget he’s Yiren’s fiancé.”

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

Can’t blame me for forgetting when his presence was next to non-existent, right? Not even Boss held him in high regard, so how should I be expected to remember him?

“The rumours only serve to amplify his dislike for you. While his combat skills may be abysmal, he still is a high-ranking staff member of Liu Shan Men. He might not be able to touch you now, but he’ll have plenty of ways to make you suffer once you’re back in the capital.”

Though Nieyao was in ruins, it wasn’t as though every nook was destroyed. The ladies of Sky Palace stressed the importance of enjoyment. Therefore, they always sought luxury from what went on their skin to what went in their mouth. Even their blankets had to be fumigated. That was why there were some places in Shiri Palace that resembled heaven in the middle of hell. Thanks to their renovations, the interior was practically the VIP place for sojourners.

I saw a refined thirty-odd man gazing at the green canopy in the courtyard, sighing over and over as though he was trying to stare the leaves down to earth. “C-Captain Song?!”

The light in Song Ou’s eyes faded when he saw it was me. “Hmph, finally awake?”

I scratched the back of my head. “Yes, thanks to your blessings.”

“Hmph, you must also be informed of His Majesty’s promotion for you. Nobody at Liu Shan Men can command you now, Earl.”

“No, no, no, it was all a coincidence. Please continue employing me where you see fit at the office.”

“Hmph.”

Looks like Young Shiyi was right about this guy. Why you so petty, man? It’s not like I’ve ever done anything that crosses the line with Boss.

The most we’ve ever done was occasionally gaze at the scenery, touched hands, pinch each other’s faces, hugged her around the waist twice, hugged her a few times, uh… I think I kissed her once and helped her change, but we were innocent… for now at least.