R:DSAT Chapter 214 – An Embroiled Struggle Resurges

Translated by Cyrrene and edited by Uhei.

The family feast of the Yunguan Commander’s1 estate could not compare to those of the Senior Chancellor’s estate regarding the quality of dishes, although these were all personally cooked by Ye Xiu. They were all home-cooked stir-fried dishes, laid out upon the table, filling it to the brim.

Luo Qi could not wait for Luo Wei to arrive, had grabbed a portion with his chopsticks and was about to take a bite.

“His little uncle2 has not arrived yet,” Ye Xiu snatched the chopsticks from Luo Qi’s hand. “Just wait a little longer.”

“I haven’t eaten your cooking in ages,” Luo Qi said, “I can’t even have a bite first?”

“It looks like you are not that fond of his little uncle,” Ye Xiu poured a cup of wine for Luo Qi. “Just now you even loudly stated that his little uncle is such an astute person, and even want you to teach him?”

“I said that for his own benefit,” Luo Qi took a sip of wine, “Luo Wei may appear to have a good temperament, but when he was a child,” Luo Qi stopped talking at this point, and immersed himself in drinking wine.

“What about when his little uncle was a child?” Ye Xiu asked.

“Not that different from most children in general, just naughtier.” Luo Qi would naturally not tell Ye Xiu about how much of a wastrel Luo Wei was in his childhood. Luo Wei was unlovable in his childhood years, however, he had now become the Luo family’s darling3.

“Big brother, sister-in-law,4” Luo Wei had entered while Luo Qi and Ye Xiu were talking, looked around both sides, and said, “Where’s my little nephew?”

“How old do you think he’ll need to be to eat with you?” Luo Qi patted the empty seat next to him, “Hurry and sit down.”

“Big brother is drinking wine alone, ah.” Luo Wei said after sitting down.

“How can you drink with your body like this?” Luo Qi gave Luo Wei a piece from a dish with his chopsticks. “Imperial Physician Wei told me that you need to eat more meat, eat up.”

Luo Wei glanced at the slice of meat that Luo Qi had placed in a small plate in front of him. He didn’t want to eat it, but still put it into his mouth.

“You eat like a lady,” Luo Qi gave several more pieces of meat in succession to Luo Wei, “Mother and father are both too lax with you, letting you do as you please when you refuse to eat. If possible, I should really have you stay in Yunguan for a while.”

“What can I do if I stay here with Big brother?” Luo Wei would not eat anymore, and said to Luo Qi, “Big brother, among the candidates for Black Frost City’s protectorate general, do you have a candidate in mind?”

Luo Qi said, “This ought to be up to his Majesty to decide.”

“In the future, Black Frost City will be under Yunguan’s jurisdiction,” Luo Wei said, “His Majesty will definitely seek Big brother’s opinion.”

“I haven’t thought about it yet,” Luo Qi said, “Black Frost City’s protectorate general must be an appropriate person.”

“It is best if he is both courageous and intelligent.” Luo Wei said.

“I’ll go to the kitchen to see if the soup is done steeping,” Ye Xiu noticed the brothers were about to begin discussing official business, and took the initiative to clear away.

“Ning Fei would not be a bad choice,” Luo Qi thought for a bit, and thought of Ning Fei.

Luo Wei said, “Ning Fei’s qualifications are still incipient. Even if Big brother were to mention his name, it will not pass in the imperial court.”

“Then forget it,” Luo Qi said, “I’ll obey his Majesty.”

“In the future, Big brother will manage the military provisions for this person’s horses and troops. If this person does not get along well with Big brother, how will the two of you cooperate?” Luo Wei said to Luo Qi, “This time because there was civil unrest in Northern Yan, we were able to seize back Black Frost City. If there was a mishap at Black Frost City, perhaps we would have had to wait several hundred years more. So for this selection of the protectorate general, you must have a definite idea yourself.”

At this moment, Luo Qi finally lost his appetite for the cooked dishes laid out across the table, set down the chopsticks, and said, “In this short while, I cannot think of a candidate. I mentioned Ning Fei, but you said it was not possible.”

“What does Big brother think of Chang-dage5?” Luo Wei asked Luo Qi in a hushed voice.

“You’re saying Chang Ling?” Luo Qi was stunned. “Why would you think of him? He is the vice-commander of Yunguan. You’ll have him go to Black Frost City?”

“You are like brothers, Chang-dage’s ability I am also aware of, it would be very appropriate to have him go to Black Frost City,” Luo Wei said, “With Chang-dage in Black Frost City, Big brother can worry a little less.”

“But regarding him going to Black Frost City, it seems there’s no benefit for him.” Luo Qi considered Chang Ling’s interest on his behalf.

“Benefit?” Luo Wei said, “Throughout the year, Big brother leaves the residence for the frontier outpost; was this also for your own benefit? The commander in chief of Yunguan, only looking at this scenery6–what’s so great about Yunguan? As far as the eye can see, there’s only yellow sand, not even a speck of green. Big brother can guard such a frigid, barren7 land, yet somehow Chang-dage cannot?”

“Three hundred thousand iron cavalrymen of Yunguan,” Luo Qi said, “How can you say my station here has no benefit?”

“After going to Black Frost City, Chang-dage can also have his own troops and horses. Wouldn’t this be his own benefit?” Luo Wei said, “Over in Black Frost, the sky is high and the emperor is far away8. He will only need to accept restrictions from Big brother. The two of you are like good brothers and can consult each other for anything.”

“Then I will have to discuss it with your Chang-dage.”

En, Big brother, go find the opportunity to tell him,” Luo Wei poured wine for Luo Qi. “He will sincerely thank Big brother.”

“Eat some greens, today you must finish eating a bowl of rice,” Luo Qi passed some greens into the small plate in front of Luo Wei, “I’ve been watching you, from the beginning (of the meal) until now, you’ve only eaten one piece of meat!”

“Alright, let’s eat,” Luo Wei scooped a mouthful of rice into his mouth.

“What about Lan?” Luo Qi asked about Wei Lan again.

“He said he was going to stroll and look around Yun Gun,” Luo Wei said, “so I let him go.”

Wei Lan walked into a back alley outside the Commander’s estate. “Lan-dage,” a bodyguard from the Chancellor’s estate happened to be waiting there.

“The young master had everyone withdraw and return,” Wei Lan said.

“Yes,” the bodyguard ran out of the back alley.

Long Xuan temporarily stayed at an official’s manor.

An assortment of fine wines and delicacies were also laid out on the table before Chang Ling, except that he lacked Luo Qi’s kind of mood.

“Is dining together with me intolerable for you?” Long Xuan asked.

“This humble general9 does not dare,” Chang Ling hurriedly said.

Long Xuan poured his own wine10, “I have already received the familial correspondence from my imperial father. Your Chang family’s young miss will become my principal wife.”

Chang Ling stood up, saluted at Long Xuan, and said, “This humble general thanks your Highness for your love and care, on my younger sister’s11 behalf.”

Long Xuan waved his hand in dismissal to let Chang Ling take a seat. “I have yet to meet your younger sister12; we cannot even begin to discuss love and care.”

“Your Highness,” Chang Ling both sat and stood on edge13.

“I also know that this time your Chang clan wanted to send the young lady to my third brother Long Xing’s side,” Long Xuan watched Chang Ling kneeling down in front of him, also remaining unmoved. “However, my imperial father has given her to me instead. They all say the Chang family’s daughter’s appearance is extremely beautiful and elegant, but then again which woman in the palace would be an ugly woman?”

Chang Ling knelt on the ground with his head lowered, unspeaking.

“Do you not understand what my imperial father did?” Long Xuan asked Chang Ling.

“That my younger sister can become husband and wife with your Highness is his Majesty’s favour, as well as her good fortune,” Chang Ling said.

“My imperial father has always been fond of the crown prince, but he would not give the crown prince an opportunity to surpass him,” Long Xuan said, “It is already sufficient for the crown prince to have the Luo clan behind him, (would he) allow your Chang clan to be dead set upon him as well?” Long Xuan waved his hand at Chang Ling, “My imperial father would not let this come to pass. Additionally, you want to curry favour with Long Xing; this consideration is even more foolish. Your Chang clan has displeased my imperial father, and even provoked the Luo clan.”

“This humble general does not understand your Highness’s words.”

“Long Xing’s wife can only come from the Luo clan—has your Chang clan not yet grasped this point? The crown prince only needs to rely on the Luo clan; you only need to read the Luo clan’s facial expression to know. If you want to topple this mountain14, the Luo clan, how could you easily topple it?”

Chang Ling said, “This humble general never had these thoughts.”

“You might not, but your clan does.” Long Xuan said, “Could Vice-Commander Chang afford to neglect considerations for your Lingnan Chang clan?”

Chang Ling clasped his fists. Every word and phrase of Long Xuan’s made him uneasy.

“I am now someone who has lost power and influence,” at this time, Long Xuan stood up and pulled Chang Ling to his feet. “My imperial father has ushered your Lingnan Chang clan to my side, the crown prince will not believe you15 anymore. In future days to come, you can only rely on my luck turning for the better, otherwise, your Lingnan Chang clan will never have its heyday.” 


E/N: See, if it were me I wouldn’t even bother with the footnotes for “Dage” and “Dasao”. Have a great Monday you guys.

1. 帅: a very high military rank. Previous translators used Commander, so I’ve continued to use this term.

 2.小叔: can refer to a either a father’s or husband’s younger brother. Ye Xiu is referring to Luo Wei here.

 3.宝贝: can also mean treasure when referring to an object.

4. 大嫂: wife of the eldest brother.

 5.大哥: Not literally his elder brother, but used as a polite form of address for an older man of the same generation.

6. 风光: double meaning here; aside from referring to scenery, it also means grand or impressive. So you can think of Luo Qi’s position as looking “impressive” but not much else.

7. 苦寒: can also mean impoverished.

8. 天高皇帝远: meaning that remote places are beyond the reach of administration.

9. 末将: a humble way for a military officer to refer to themselves when speaking to someone of higher status.

 10.自斟自饮: chengyu that can also mean to enjoy solitary pleasures.

11. 舍妹: a humble way to refer to one’s younger sister.

12. 令妹: in ancient times, a respectful way to address another person’s younger sister.

13. 坐立不安: chengyu meaning fidgety, or restless.

14. 罗家这座山: he actually refers to the Luo clan using “mountain” but it’s likely figurative and a closer approximation to meaning in English might be “behemoth.”

15. 你们: plural you, referring to not only Chang Ling, but his clansmen.

R:DSAT Chapter 213 – Luo Qi Gains a Son

T/L: Translated by Uhei and edited by Cyrrene.

Northern Yan’s Emperor Sima Changtian died from shock after receiving news of losing Black Frost City.

Northern Yan was holding a national mourning, but to the Zhou army, Sima Changtian’s life and death was at most a topic for idle chatter to them. What the Zhou army truly cared about, was that now that Black Frost City had returned to Zhou rule, they could return to their homes and families.

Outside the northern gate of Yunguan Pass, Ye Xiu held her son that had just reached three full months of age in her arms, waiting for the return of her husband and little uncle.

“Baby be good woh1,” Ye Xiu coaxed her son who was making cries of “yi-ah” in her arms, “In a bit Daddy and Little Uncle will be back, when you see them you can’t cry woh, if not Daddy and Little Uncle won’t like you.”

“Madam,” The servant girls and older woman servant by her side covered their mouths as they smiled, “The Commander might not even be persuaded to leave once he sees the little master, you’re still afraid he won’t like him?”

“Yes ah,” Ye Xiu wasn’t afraid she would be made fun of by others, and said to her son: “See if your Daddy dares not to like us!”

From the distance came the army’s bugle call, the military on expedition were returning victorious.

Outside the northern part of the city in Yunguan Pass erupted into loud cheers.

Luo Qi saw Ye Xiu, and the infant in Ye Xiu’s arms, and Luo Qi whose emotions would usually be unreadable from his expression while serving in the army, was unable to reign in the joy in his heart this time; elation was written all over his face to the tips of his brows2

“Commander has gained a valuable son3 ah!” The civilians who knew of this all called out loudly to Luo Qi by the side.

Luo Qi and Ye Xiu’s faces reddened amidst the well-intended laughter of the crowd.

“Big Sister-in-law gave birth to a son?” Luo Wei came up from behind, and after hearing the civilian’s calls, he went straight towards where Ye Xiu was.

“We’re still in the middle of the march,” Luo Qi gripped Luo Wei’s horse-reins in place, “The troops haven’t been dismissed, you’re already running off?”

“It’s not like I’m someone from the army,” Luo Wei wanted urgently to see his little nephew, and Luo Qi’s words wouldn’t reach him. He single-mindedly tried to push away Luo Qi’s hand, saying to Luo Qi: “Big brother, you just bring the soldiers into the fortress, they won’t listen to me anyway.”

“Everyone’s watching you!” Luo Qi was practically dragging Luo Wei’s horse to walk forward, “After returning home, you can look at your nephew all you want, but not right now.”

Luo Wei turned around as he sat on the horse. He couldn’t beat Luo Qi, so he could only wave at Ye Xiu.

Ye Xiu watched the two brothers enter the fortress, and only then brought the female servants into the fortress and back to the residence, to wait for the two brothers to return home.

Only after the sky had darkened, did Luo Qi and Luo Wei return to the Yunguan Commander’s residence.

“Did something happen?” Ye Xiu asked when she saw Luo Qi’s expression was not good.

“Nothing much,” Luo Wei who was at the side laughed: “Just that I and the Second Prince argued a bit during the few days we returned to court, and made Big brother angry.”

“He’s a prince,” Luo Qi pulled Luo Wei over and said: “How could you just speak to him like that in public?”

The servants in the hall all tactfully dismissed themselves.

“Speak to him like what?” Luo Wei gestured for Wei Lan to also leave first with his gaze, and let him speak a few words with Luo Qi and Ye Xiu in private.

Wei Lan exited the hall, then closed the door to the hall and stood watch outside.

“The way you two are being this passive-aggressive4, hiding barbs in your words5, do you take all of us on the side for fools, that we cannot tell?” Luo Qi said, glaring at Luo Wei even as he was pulled by Ye Xiu to sit down.

“Really, Big brother,” Luo Wei sat by himself at the seat beneath Luo Qi6, saying: “Our family is protecting the Crown Prince, what would I be courteous to him, that Long Xuan for?”

“You,” Luo Qi looked around the hall, and only after confirming that it was only the three of them present, did he relax, hand pointed at Luo Wei as he said: “I know His Majesty dotes on you, have you been spoiled so much you don’t know who you are anymore? No matter how much we don’t get along with the Second Prince, are you able to call him straight by his name? Dad told us since we were young, we are outer relatives, and so need to be even more reserved; don’t let anyone catch us in any wrong, have you forgotten all these words?”

“Didn’t forget,” Luo Wei replied with one phrase absent-mindedly.

“Xiao Wei,” Luo Qi patiently advised, “Big brother doesn’t know the matters of the court, but Big brother still needs to keep in mind not to fight for temporary displays of ability with others in the army. The power struggles in court are even beyond our fighting with our lives staked on the battlefield. If you continue to fight with Second Prince like this, you’ll get the worst of it!”

Luo Wei rubbed his forehead for a bit, “Just now Long-, Second Prince was fighting for credit with Big brother, couldn’t Big brother tell?”

“Whatever credit he wants I can give it to him,” Luo Qi said: “Being able to sit in this position of the Yunguan Pass Commander, there’s no possibility of advancing a further step upward. Second Prince is the same, no matter how large his credit, don’t tell me he can even become the Crown Prince?”

When Luo Qi spoke the two words “Crown Prince”, he did remind Luo Wei; Luo Wei smiled and asked Ye Xiu: “It has already been more than three months since Elder sister-in-law gave birth to a son, has a reply letter come from Dad and Mom’s place in the capital?”

Ye Xiu first watched to see what these two brothers were fighting about, she wasn’t in a good place to speak up, but now that Luo Wei was asking her something she opened her mouth: “Dad and Mom, and also Second Uncle, he7 all sent a bunch of good things over, and even said that when Little Uncle returns to the capital, (you) should bring me and your little nephew along.”

“I’m not needed for this,” Luo Wei laughed, “Big brother will go to the capital to seek an audience8 with the throne, (he can) just bring along Elder sister-in-law and my little nephew along then.”

Ye Xiu shot a glance at Luo Qi, and said to Luo Wei, “There’s still some days yet until your Big brother goes to the capital, I’m afraid Dad and Mom over there want to see the child urgently.”

“Dad and Mom want to see all of the three of you,” Luo Wei laughed shaking his head, and said: “Don’t tell me Elder sister-in-law doesn’t want to be with Big brother, and wants to follow me on the road to the capital?”

“Stop making fun of your Elder sister-in-law,” Luo Qi wanted to lecture Luo Wei, but after being smacked once by Ye Xiu, he stopped talking.

Luo Wei shot a salute at Ye Xiu, thanked her once, and only after seeing Ye Xiu cover her mouth while smiling did he ask Ye Xiu: “That’s right, Elder sister-in-law, has there been any news from where the Crown Prince is?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince?” Ye Xiu said: “There isn’t ah, does he need to talk to your Big brother?”

“What are you asking about His Highness the Crown Prince for?” Luo Qi also asked Luo Wei.

Woh,” Luo Wei smiled and said: “When I was in the capital I often heard that His Highness the Crown Prince has ongoing correspondence with Big brother, so I just asked.”

“Speaking rubbish again,” Luo Qi said of Luo Wei: “I’m a general protecting the border, how could I possibly be in private correspondence with His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“That’s right woh,” Luo Wei said: “It was me mistakenly believing rumours.”

The cries of an infant carried over from the back hall, making the three people in the front hall share a knowing smile.

“Let’s go,” Ye Xiu told the two brothers: “All we’ve done is hear you two arguing, let’s go see our big fat baby.” 

Luo Wei followed behind the couple (Luo Qi and his wife), Luo Qi had gained a son, yet the Crown Prince actually didn’t even make a single gesture, was he so certain their Luo family were devotedly loyal to him? Compared to Long Xuan’s winning over people’s hearts, using all sorts of methods to grow his camp, this crown prince really seemed as if (he thought) he already had the country at hand. The disdain towards crown prince Long Yu in Luo Wei’s heart grew,  thinking of how the Empress had three sons by birth; if the crown prince truly was rotten soil that couldn’t be propped to rise up the wall9, then don’t blame him for choosing someone else.

Ye Xiu passed their son to Luo Qi’s hands, but Luo Qi didn’t know how to hold children, and only dared to clumsily hold him with both hands.

“I wouldn’t dare to hold (him),” Luo Wei saw his own little nephew, and put away the malice in his heart, waving a hand at Luo Qi: “He looks too small, I’m afraid of dropping him.”

“This is how you should hold your son,” Ye Xiu taught Luo Qi how to hold his son hands-on as she asked the two brothers: “You both didn’t hold Little You’er when he was small?”

“I was at Yunguan, You’er was already two years old when I saw him for the first time,” Luo Qi said, this time when he carried his son, he finally had the semblance of a proper hold.

“Neither did I,” As Luo Wei played with his little nephew in Luo Qi’s hands, he said: “Back then I didn’t like small children, but now I like them.”

“Back then you were still a small child yourself,” Luo Qi found a reason for Luo Wei’s dislike of Luo You.

“Young Master,” Wei Lan walked in, and called for Luo Wei, standing outside the folding screen.

“Perhaps Imperial Physician Wei is looking for me again,” Luo Wei let out a sigh, and said to Luo Qi and Ye Xiu: “I’ll just go for a bit and come back quickly, Elder sister-in-law must be sure to wait for my return before you guys start eating ah.”

“Quickly go,” Luo Qi laughed none too good-temperedly, “Could I still shortchange you of one mouthful?”

“Elder sister-in-law knows,” Ye Xiu also shot Luo Wei a smile and said: “Your Elder sister-in-law’s got your back!”

It was only then that Luo Wei laughed and walked away, the smile on his face completely disappearing only after he’d exited the hall.

“The people below10 came to report,” Wei Lan spoke to Luo Wei in a small voice in the courtyard: “Vice-Commander Chang Ling went to meet with the Second Prince.”


1. Speech consonant sound usually said to acknowledge/agree when someone has spoken, or at the end of sentences. Sometimes, (as when LW uses it) it is used to act coy.


2. 喜上眉梢


3. 贵子 – courteous way of referring to someone’s son. 


4. 阴阳怪气 – to speak cynically to someone, but since they’re both being cynical with each other I translated it to passive-aggressive


5. 夹枪带棒 – literally ‘holding a spear and bringing a club’, it’s an idiom meaning to snark at someone.


6. So in a main hall the seats are arranged according to the respect accorded by the people sitting in them. The main seat is usually meant for the master of the house, and the chairs ‘beneath’ that (closer to the door) are in descending order of respect.


7. Ye Xiu uses a informal vernacular that inserts the word ‘他’ (he) in front of every person’s address.


8. 见驾 – paying the Emperor an official visit


9. 扶不上墙的烂泥 – saying meaning that a person is so useless that even with others’ help and support, they cannot achieve things / lead.


10. 下面的人:Translated literally here, but in this instance it’s implying subordinates.

R:DSAT Chapter 212 – An Ode to Call for Souls’ Return

T/N: Translated by Uhei and Cyrrene

At sunrise, the three armies of Great Zhou were standing outside Black Frost City, and the armor was bright and cold with the night wind. The black and white spirit-calling flags were fluttering in the wind, and all about floated paper money in the sky. It should be the victorious return of the living to court after the great victory, but at this moment, this slice of heaven and earth had become a banquet for the souls of the dead.

    Long Xuan stood together with Luo Qi; he raised his head and looked towards the city wall. Luo Wei was standing on the city wall. At this moment, that person (Luo Wei) was just looking at the distance intently; it was unknown what he was thinking.

    When the first ray of sunlight appeared on the distant horizon, the monks’ chanting sounded immediately.

    Grandmaster Fuyi sat cross-legged in the mud under the walls of Black Frost City with his eyes slightly closed and his hands clasped together. Apart from his disciples, no one could understand the Buddhist scriptures he chanted, but no one dared to interrupt his chanting.

    In the process of this Buddhist rite, an old woman sang the song of the Great Zhou funeral to send off spirits, in harmony with the chanting of the scriptures.

    A huge spirit-gathering banner flicked across Luo Wei’s cheek, and the singing voice was quiet and distant, making people a little confused between reality and illusion. Luo Wei was fascinated by it. This song was very similar to the nursery rhyme when his milk-nanny coaxed him to sleep, allowing him to smile knowingly in his sleep. Listening to this singing, standing high up on the city walls, Luo Wei’s heart found temporary peace. Luo Wei believed at this time, that the souls of the countless dead buried under Black Frost City over these hundred years could follow the sounds of singing all the way, and return to their homeland thousands of miles away.

    “Kneel!” A monk shouted.

    Luo Wei knelt down with the people, praying piously for the undead who would still be wandering in this place this morning.

    “Cross over the city in front of you, and go all the way south, it is the homeland,” Long Xuan stood up and said to the wilderness in front of him: “Black Frost City has returned, your souls can rest and return, go back!”

Luo Wei looked down at Long Xuan below the city wall; this person was representing his (LX’s) family that was revered above all others, expressing gratitude and comfort to these soldiers who died in the war for the country. Long Xuan was also pious at this moment, his eyes were clear. Facing many undead, Long Xuan seemed to hide the desires in his heart one by one, leaving only gratitude and respect.

    “His Highness seems to be different today,” Ning Fei said, standing beside Luo Wei.

    Luo Wei said: “He respects heroes, and among those whose bones have been buried here, who is not a hero?”

    “Including those little soldiers?” Ning Fei asked.

    “They died for the country. What is the difference between a general and a soldier?” Luo Wei reached out and caught a note of paper money that flew to the top of the city. “There are no young and old on the path to the afterlife1, there probably won’t be any segregation between the low-born and high-born.”

    There is an army coming over there,” Long Shi, who was guarding Luo Wei’s back, yelled while pointing to their true north.

    “It’s the Northern Yan Army,” Ning Fei’s face changed slightly.

    “My eldest brother should already have made arrangements, the Northern Yan Army can’t rush over here,” Luo Wei said as he looked at the Northern Army cavalry coming down from Black Frost City.

    “Sima Qingsha came in person,” Ning Fei said to Luo Wei after seeing the people under the Northern Yan Commander’s banner: “This person is here to seize Black Frost?”

“Just those few soldiers of his?” Luo Wei also saw Sima Qingsha, and mentally counted the cavalry that Sima Qingsha had brought. There were only a thousand people. “This person may have come to ask about Mo Huan Sang and Sima Zhuxie,” Luo Wei guessed.

    Ning Fei didn’t go down to the city. At Luo Qi’s signal, he wanted to keep the tower safe.

    The three armies under the city were in a commotion, but Grandmaster Fuyi, the monks, and the old woman singing the spiritual song were unmoved, as if they hadn’t heard the horseshoes of the Northern Yan army approaching.

    A branch of the Yunguan iron cavalry blocked Sima Qingsha’s path.

    Sima Qingsha also stopped his advance, and quietly watched Great Zhou’s soul-calling ceremony.

    Long Xuan didn’t get on his horse until he had done what he should do. He urged the horse to come to Sima Qingsha, sat down, and held out a wrapped fist in greeting to Sima Qingsha, saying, “What is the purpose of Prince Qingsha coming here?”

    Sima Qingsha said: “Your wish is achieved, should I say congratulations?”

    Long Xuan said: “Black Frost City is the city of my Great Zhou, Prince Qingsha doesn’t have to be happy for my Great Zhou.”

    “You caught Zhu Xie,” Sima Qingsha stopped talking nonsense with Long Xuan, and asked Long Xuan directly: “Where are Zhu Xie and Mo Huan Sang now?”

    “I don’t know about this,” Long Xuan said: “The two may be dead, or maybe they’re still alive, but they’re not here with my Zhou army.”

    “You really don’t know?”

    “I wiped out the Black Frost’s Mo clan,” Long Xuan said: “I also don’t want Mo Huan Sang to live, if this person is still alive, wouldn’t he want to chase after me to avenge the great enmity of genocide?”

    Sima Qingsha smiled, “It seems that I had bad luck this time, and even thought the Second Highness would have a bit of kindness.”

    “Then I will kindly remind Prince Qingsha of one thing,” Long Xuan said: “You have to be careful of Yang Yuansu, this man’s ambition is too great, I’m afraid he will be a disadvantage to your territory of Northern Yan.”

    “Thank you,” Sima Qingsha raised his arms and stopped the generals behind him who were infuriated and wanted to rush over and brawl with Long Xuan, “I will go back now, and I will deal with Eastern Shang’s Yang Yuansu, I won’t trouble your Second Highness to worry on my behalf.”

    “I won’t send you off,” Long Xuan grasped his other fist in a salute again.

    Sima Qingsha looked at Black Frost City not far away, which was far away from Hefang City. Sima Qingsha had grown to such an age and yet he’d only come to Black Frost City three times. Before this city belonged to the Sima family, he didn’t think it was so good that the bricks of this city were all black, and he had never taken a proper look at this city. Now that Black Frost City was in the hands of the Long clan again, Sima Qingsha realized how precious Black Frost City was, such that he was willing to trade his life for it. But, Sima Qingsha smiled bitterly, even if he threw away his life here, he could not exchange it for Black Frost City’s return.

    “If Your Highness can’t let go of this city,” Long Xuan said from opposite Sima Qingsha: “I can order a painter to draw a picture of Black Frost City for you, to comfort Prince Qingsha’s longing?”

    “Second Highness,” Sima Qing Sha said to Long Xuan: “This incident was because my Northern Yan had internal strife, it was not defeat at your hands.”

    “Then this Black Frost was decided by the fate of heaven,” Long Xuan said.

    “There is still a person, Luo,” Sima Qingsha wanted to say Luo Wei, but his eyes returned to the person he had just seen.

    “Sima Qingsha has spotted you,” Wei Lan said to Luo Wei at the top of the city wall.

    “Really?” Luo Wei, who had been paying attention to Grandmaster Fuyi under the city, looked at Sima Qingsha not far from the city, and said to Wei Lan, “If he has spotted me then so be it. I don’t want others to be mistaken that I’m already dead.”

    Sima Qingsha recognized it at a glance. The young man in brocade clothing standing at the top of the city wall was Luo Wei. The first reaction was a lightness in his heart, and then it became unquellable flames of rage.

    Long Xuan turned around and looked at him, and said, “Did Prince Qingsha see Luo Wei? He returned to camp safely, but he was only a little tired and not injured.”

    Sima Qingsha turned around and left, not wanting to look any more.

    “If Your Highness wants to, I can ask Luo Wei to come down to talk to you,” Long Xuan still did not let Sima Qingsha pass.

    “Long Xuan,” Sima Qingsha stopped again and faced Long Xuan said, “Fengshui2 turns around in cycles, you don’t have to be so arrogant and proud. After Luo Wei’s rise to a high position and wealthy recompense, what good will it do for you?”

    “There is no need for Prince Qingsha to care about my matters,” Long Xuan sneered.

    Sima Qingsha glanced at Luo Wei on the top of the tower again. He really did have looks out of a painting, a peerless appearance. Sima Qingsha turned and left, unable to put a name to the sensation in his heart.

    “Your Highness,” Sima Qingsha didn’t go far, there was a man in a white plainclothes3, riding a horse to him, rolling off his saddle, and knelt down in front of Sima Qingsha’s horse.

    Sima Qingsha recognized this person. This person was the personal servant of his father, Emperor Sima Changtian. “Why did you come? Why are you dressed in this clothing?” Sima Qingsha had already realized something in his heart, and pale-facedly asked the new arrival.

    “Your Highness, His Majesty has died!” The person cried loudly.

    Sima Qingsha’s eyes turned black for a while, “When did it happen?”

    “His Majesty’s body was showing improvement, but after hearing the news that Black Frost City was occupied by the Zhou army…” The eunuch who came to report the passing cried so hard he could not form words.

    Sima Qingsha rubbed his hand over his heart, feeling like he couldn’t breathe, thinking that he had to scratch his chest apart before he’d be relieved. Sima Qingsha grasped the thing in his arms, and the Prince of Northern Yan fell off his horse dead to the world, holding a string of beads of black jade and colored glaze in his deathly grip.

(T/N: He’s not actually dead, the phrase ‘dead to the world’ means he’s unconscious.)


T/N: I felt bad for Sima Qingsha here, I’ll admit.


1.黄泉路 – Road to Yomi, also known as Hell or the Afterlife.


2.Fengshui, the concept of karmic fortune or ‘energy forces’ that can be influenced by one’s orientation and the orientation of their possessions. Basically, geomancy.


3. 素缟 – Mourning attire made of rough white silk.

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