Chapter Thirty-Five: Traces of the Immortal in the Pastures (1)

That evening, Zhuge Rong privately sought an audience with Lian Qiying. Sensing Zhuge Rong’s solemn expression, as if he had grave matters to discuss, Lian Qiying dismissed her attendants and said, “Master Zhuge, if you have something to say, please speak freely.”

With no one else present, Zhuge Rong stepped forward and whispered, “Chief Hall Leader, after the battle at Dushikou Pass, our Six Harmonies Hall has become even more renowned, proving that our brothers are capable of earth-shaking deeds. Yet it also revealed the court’s growing wariness toward us. Do you have any plans for the future?”

Lian Qiying sighed, replying, “We, daughters and sons of the martial world, pursue the affairs of our own realm, acting in the name of chivalry and justice. Yet who would have thought we would provoke such calamity? I am ashamed before the former chiefs of the Six Harmonies Hall. Henceforth, we should proceed with caution, avoiding actions that might offend the imperial court, lest greater troubles arise.”

Zhuge Rong said, “It is regrettable that the battle beyond the pass has already confirmed that the court intends to eliminate our Six Harmonies Hall. Although we killed Zhang Weicheng, silenced witnesses, and concealed the truth from the world, the court’s malice has already taken root—you must understand this. If I may, I have a few words I wish to speak.”

At this, Lian Qiying’s heart suddenly sank, but she answered, “Master Zhuge, you are a founding elder and chief of over twenty halls; speak your mind.”

Zhuge Rong paused, then lowered his voice further. “The Six Harmonies Hall now commands hundreds of branch halls and tens of thousands of men, spread across the great rivers and the banks of the Yellow River. Our influence is unmatched, able to summon thousands with a word. Now that the court suspects us, disaster is inevitable. I am but unworthy, yet I am willing, along with all our brothers, to follow you, Chief, and seize this opportunity to raise our banner and claim the realm together—”

“What?” Lian Qiying was aghast. “Master Zhuge, how can you utter such rebellious words? This concerns the very survival of the Six Harmonies Hall!” Zhuge Rong quickly replied, “Please do not be alarmed, Chief. The situation being what it is, it is better to strike first. The court is corrupt, princes harbor their own ambitions, and the Ming dynasty is but a shell barely surviving. If our Hall acts, chaos will sweep the land, and then—”

Before Zhuge Rong could finish, Lian Qiying cut him off, “Enough! The Six Harmonies Hall was founded for the affairs of the martial world; how can we harbor ambitions of kingship and conquest?”

Yet Zhuge Rong persisted, “Our Hall has stood for over two hundred years, our foundations deep, with both civil and martial talents. We already possess the strength to contend for the realm. Now, with the extraordinary young master Fang Guohuan, we can arrange miraculous chess formations capable of defeating armies. Victory makes a king, defeat a bandit—was not the Ming dynasty’s land seized from another’s hands? If only you—”

“Silence!” Lian Qiying suddenly barked, her stern rebuke startling Zhuge Rong, who had never seen her so angry and was struck dumb.

Realizing her loss of composure, Lian Qiying softened her tone, “Master Zhuge, say no more. In times of chaos, your words might hold merit, but the world is still at peace, and people live and work in harmony. How can our Hall disturb their lives? Besides, the Jurchen in the east grow stronger and more ambitious by the day, eyeing us like hungry wolves. If the heartland falls to disorder, the Jurchen will seize the opportunity, and the world will know no peace. Though the court is wary of us, it also fears us, and will not act rashly. Do not speak of this again, lest such talk leaks out and brings calamity, placing the Hall in an impossible situation and risking the destruction of our two-century legacy. As for young master Fang, he is my friend and a great benefactor to our Hall. His nature is kind; we must not drag him into unrighteous matters.”

Zhuge Rong still wished to argue, but seeing Lian Qiying’s resolute gesture, he could only sigh and bow, retreating in disappointment. Lian Qiying stood alone in her chamber, lost in thought, unmoving for a long time, clearly troubled.

Returning to his own room, Zhuge Rong was greeted by Shui Ming San, who had waited anxiously. “Master Zhuge, what did the Chief say?” Shui Ming San asked.

Zhuge Rong shook his head and sighed, “I hoped to persuade the Chief to become another Empress Wu, but alas, a woman’s nature is still a woman’s—long hair, short knowledge, stubborn as ever!”

Shui Ming San grew agitated, “Then it seems our plan cannot succeed?”

“Indeed,” Zhuge Rong replied, “The Chief ultimately possesses a woman’s heart, fit only for affairs of the martial world, but incapable of grand achievements.”

Shui Ming San said, “Why not persuade Master Sun Qi, and together urge the Chief? As for Lord Luo Kun, he will follow wherever the tide turns.”

Zhuge Rong shook his head, “Sun Qi is cautious, and always follows the Chief’s lead; he is even harder to persuade.”

Shui Ming San lamented, “It is a pity—both you and Sun Qi are born talents, with skills to secure the nation and pacify the world, yet you are confined to wandering the martial world, unable to fulfill your ambitions. Born in the wrong era, alas!” Zhuge Rong slammed the table in frustration, helpless to change things.

Meanwhile, in another room, Sun Qi listened as Liu Yunhe whispered something in his ear, then merely shook his head and smiled.

On the wedding day chosen by Lian Qiying for Luo Kun and Gong Ying’er, the entire Crane’s Call Manor was decorated with lanterns and banners, immersed in festive cheer. The Six Harmonies Hall celebrated the union of the newlyweds. Gu Sichen and Sun Qi presided over the ceremony, while Lian Qiying, Fang Guohuan, Bu Yuan, Lü Zhufeng, and all the hall leaders offered their congratulations, and the festivities lasted three days.

Fang Guohuan, seeing Luo Kun’s household established, Bu Yuan and Lü Zhufeng holding high positions within the Hall, felt content and free from concern for the three. Remembering Qu Liangyi, Fang entrusted Gu Sichen of the Medicine King Valley to travel to Qu’s family home in Huaiyin, Jiangsu, and treat Qu Liangyi’s madness. Gu Sichen, greatly admiring Fang Guohuan, readily agreed.

Fang Guohuan also privately told Sun Qi about the chess-murdering eunuch Li Wusan and asked Sun Qi to use the Hall’s resources to search for him. Sun Qi, though surprised, promptly agreed. With all matters settled except for the unresolved issue of Li Wusan, Fang Guohuan decided to depart, seeking the eunuch and other chess masters across the land to pursue his own chess quest. Not wishing to alarm the Hall, he refrained from a formal farewell, instead leaving letters for Lian Qiying, Sun Qi, Luo Kun, and others, explaining his reasons. Then, while everyone was unaware, he quietly slipped away to wander the world of chess.

When Fang Guohuan was found missing from Crane’s Call Manor, panic ensued. After searching everywhere, they found his letter in his chamber, and realized he had left without saying goodbye. Bu Yuan exclaimed, “This is bad! My dear brother has left us here while he goes off to battle that eunuch in chess!” He and the anxious Luo Kun and Lü Zhufeng mounted their horses and set off in pursuit.

Yet, with no clue as to Fang Guohuan’s whereabouts, the three searched all day, returning at dusk, heads bowed in disappointment. Lü Zhufeng, unable to contain himself, burst into tears, startling the Hall’s heroes. None could understand why this young man, who had faced twenty thousand Jurchen warriors without fear, would weep like a child. Their amazement was great.

Lian Qiying and Sun Qi, after their initial reflections, blamed Fang Guohuan for leaving without farewell. Lian Qiying wanted to mobilize the Hall to search for him, but Sun Qi advised her not to, explaining that Fang Guohuan’s heart belonged to the world of chess and he would never stay in one place for long; someday, he would return to visit the Hall. Lian Qiying sighed and relented.

Two days later, Gu Sichen, seeing all matters concluded and Luo Kun successfully joined by his Eastern heroes and married to Gong Ying’er, felt gratified but was restless by nature. He bade farewell to Lian Qiying and the Hall’s heroes. Though they tried to persuade him to stay, they could only thank him for his help. Gu Sichen and Luo Kun embraced, weeping at their parting, and Gu Sichen set off alone to wander the world once more.

Luo Kun, seeing both Fang Guohuan and his master Gu Sichen depart, felt lost and dispirited, comforted only by Gong Ying’er’s gentle affection. Lian Qiying then dismissed the hall leaders to return to their posts. Zhuge Rong, before leaving, again urged Lian Qiying to seize the opportunity and raise the Hall’s banner, but she refused, sternly forbidding it. Zhuge Rong departed in displeasure.

Seeing Lian Qiying had no ambition to contend for the realm, Sun Qi feigned ignorance and, with five hundred Dragon-Tiger troops, escorted Lian Qiying, Luo Kun and his wife, Du Jian, Bu Yuan, Lü Zhufeng, and others, safely back to Poyang Lake—the headquarters of the Six Harmonies Hall.