A Different World - Chapter 2: Lishou

On the dirt road in the outskirts of the city, an old horse pulling an empty cart clattered along, the brass bell tied to its neck jingling softly. The cart swayed with its steps, the bamboo baskets within empty, and two young men sat crowded beside them—one still unconscious, the other resting with his eyes closed.

The old farmer driving the cart saw the city in the distance and called to the young man behind him, “Young man, we’re nearing Lishou.”

Lu Yuanting slowly opened his eyes, clutching his chest as he leaned over to feel the forehead of the Ninth Prince. His temperature was alarmingly high.

It was getting worse. This couldn’t go on.

The old farmer, moved by the sight of the two, asked kindly, “Where are your parents, child?”

Lu Yuanting’s gaze dimmed, his voice hoarse as he replied, “They’re gone. We’re heading to Lishou to seek out relatives.”

He had brought the Ninth Prince south, gathering news of the upheaval in Jingdu along the way. The rebel army had stormed Wanhe Hall, killing the Grand General of the State who died protecting the former emperor. The Flying Cavalry General, arriving shortly after, managed to slay the commander of Jianzhou but was shot dead by the King of the South. The former emperor, unwilling to surrender, took his own life before the rebels.

The King of the South, Xie Yuanrui, ascended the throne, proclaiming himself emperor and changing the era name to Yongchang. Anyone who opposed him was dragged to Wumen for execution. Within ten days, layers of blood covered the ground, never drying.

The old farmer sighed heavily at the tragic tale, “How pitiful!”

Lu Yuanting gazed at the two characters “Lishou” on the city wall, contemplating for a moment before asking, “Elder, do you know where Qingyun Temple is?”

“Qingyun Temple?” The old farmer pointed to a green mountain outside the city. “It’s not in Lishou City, but up on that mountain.”

“Thank you, elder. We’re grateful for your help along the way.” Lu Yuanting said, struggling to lift the still-unconscious Ninth Prince as he staggered to the roadside, bowing slightly in thanks.

“It’s nothing. Be careful on the mountain paths; they’re steep.” The old farmer climbed back onto his cart, ready to leave, but paused. Unable to rest easy, he hopped down again, handing a flatbread from his pocket to the older of the two boys. “Here, take this; it’s some dry food.”

“Thank you.” Lu Yuanting thanked him repeatedly, watching the old farmer drive away.

He stared at the flatbread, lost in thought. Who would have guessed that half a month ago, he had been a carefree son of the Grand General of the State?

With a sigh, he stowed the flatbread and began helping the Ninth Prince toward the mountain the farmer had indicated. The Ninth Prince’s condition was worsening; he needed to contact someone from Qingyun Temple as soon as possible.

“Fire above, heaven below, Qian over Li—Heavenly Fire Tongren.” A young Daoist murmured as he descended the mountain. That morning, he had cast a divination as usual. The results predicted that he would encounter a benefactor who would help him through a great calamity. Yet now, nearing Lishou City, where was this benefactor?

Hearing a sound, Lu Yuanting immediately hid with the Ninth Prince in the shadows, gripping a dagger in his sleeve, prepared for confrontation.

The Daoist paused mid-step, sensing someone watching him from the dark.

He thought for a moment, then introduced himself aloud, “I am Wu Daobei of Qingyun Temple. May I ask the purpose of your visit, good sir?”

Qingyun Temple?

Lu Yuanting silently repeated the name. Carefully placing the Ninth Prince down, he emerged from the bushes alone, still gripping the dagger tightly. “Are you truly from Qingyun Temple?”

When Wu Daobei saw the young man, he was startled. After confirming there was no one else nearby, he quickly approached and lowered his voice, “Are you a disciple of Abbot Wuxiang? This is not the place to talk; please, follow me.”

Hearing him mention his master, Lu Yuanting’s suspicions eased somewhat. He returned to the bushes, supported the Ninth Prince, and after ensuring no one was following them, walked after Wu Daobei.

Outside the city, the green mountains stood tall. Amid the myriad ridges and valleys, streams flowed, birds chirped, and old trees sprouted new shoots—a rare vitality in the winter season.

“Cross this stream, and Qingyun Temple is just beyond,” Wu Daobei said as he nimbly stepped across the stones in the water. Seeing the two behind him struggling, he paused to offer a hand.

Still wary, Lu Yuanting asked, “How do you know my master is Abbot Wuxiang?”

Wu Daobei answered frankly, “Abbot Wuxiang mentioned you to my master. He said you were about my age, but because you diligently practiced martial arts, you were much taller than I am. Though you’ve tried to disguise yourself, your stature reveals you as a martial artist. Moreover, the Grand General’s wife was famed for her beauty in Jingdu. With the Grand General’s strength and her grace, your looks would naturally stand out. As for the young master you’re protecting, his delicate appearance suggests a noble upbringing, not something ordinary families could nurture. So, it wasn’t hard to guess.”

He had initially offered to carry the Ninth Prince for a while, but Lu Yuanting refused to let go, guarding him closely. Respecting this, Wu Daobei led them along a shortcut to reach Qingyun Temple as quickly as possible.

Lu Yuanting revealed the jade token and shared the events of Kongshan Temple with Wu Daobei. Though he held back his grief, he couldn’t suppress a violent coughing fit.

Wu Daobei clutched the jade token, troubled. “It’s not that Qingyun Temple is unwilling to help, but my master has been away traveling for half a year with no news. Rest here for a few days while I send word for assistance.”

Lu Yuanting clung tightly to the Ninth Prince’s wrist, his voice weak but resolute. “Qingyun Temple remains uninvolved; I won’t drag the Daoists here into this mess. But the Ninth Prince has been burning with fever and is now unconscious. Please, help him.”

He had already implicated Kongshan Temple and couldn’t afford to involve another sanctuary.

His father and the former emperor had entrusted him with the Ninth Prince’s care. He had to find a safe haven for him before his own time ran out.

But he feared he wouldn’t last that long.

“A persistent fever?” Wu Daobei crouched to examine the Ninth Prince and noticed a fist-sized scab on the back of his head. “Judging by the wound’s healing, medicine was used before, but…”

Before he could explain, Wu Daobei saw Lu Yuanting slump against the chair, head drooping. No amount of calling woke him. Alarmed, Wu Daobei called for help, and the two young men were carried to the temple’s backyard.

——

Jingdu.

“Your Majesty, a fire suddenly broke out on the back mountain of Kongshan Temple. By the time we extinguished it, two bodies had already been burned beyond recognition. The coroner has confirmed that their ages match those of the Ninth Prince and the son of Lu Hancang,” the deputy general reported, kneeling.

Xie Yuanrui glanced disdainfully at the charred remains on the ground, covering his nose and mouth in disgust as his brows furrowed.

The other officials in the hall, unable to bear the sight, turned their heads away.

Wei Shunxin, the chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, noticed the situation. He ordered an incense burner to be placed by the table, took a silk fan from a palace maid, and gently fanned near the emperor’s side.

Xie Yuanrui’s expression eased. He looked at the bones and said coldly, “Deputy General Zeng has done well and shall be rewarded. He is promoted to Deputy General of Jianzhou to repel the pirates for me and the people of Great Qi.”

Zeng, elated, bowed low to express his gratitude. “This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace. Long live the emperor!”

Xie Yuanrui rose calmly, stepping over the remains as he approached the large map of Great Qi hanging on the wall. With a raised voice, he declared, “The late emperor lacked virtue and left no heir. Out of concern for the people, I have ascended the throne. By selecting loyal and capable men, eliminating the corrupt, and dismissing the incompetent, Great Qi will surely prosper and endure.”

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall—officials and attendants alike—knelt and shouted in unison, “Long live the emperor! Long live, long live!”

Xie Yuanrui stood straight, his expression brimming with pride. He turned slightly and addressed Liang Jie, the commander of Yuezhou, “I once promised you and Zheng Hongyuan, the commander of Jianzhou, that if I successfully ascended the throne, the military supplies for the two regions would never be in shortage. I have already ordered the Ministry of Revenue to allocate provisions, which will be sent to the coastal areas immediately. Although General Zheng has fallen, his service in defense will not be forgotten. He shall be posthumously honored as a ‘Valiant and Loyal General.’ As for the military affairs of the two coastal regions, Liang Jie, you shall oversee them temporarily.”

Liang Jie’s eyes glistened. Though his rank had not been elevated, the emperor had entrusted him with control over the two regions’ military affairs and promised adequate supplies. Any guilt he felt for his prior rebellion had vanished. He resolutely declared his loyalty to the new ruler, shouting, “Your Majesty is wise!”

Xie Yuanrui chuckled softly, turning his gaze to Wei Shunxin, who knelt nearby. “I recall the position of Chief Eunuch is currently vacant, as the previous one was executed for opposing me. The role shall be yours.”

Wei Shunxin was overjoyed and kowtowed in gratitude. “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! Long live the emperor!”

Xie Yuanrui glanced again at the charred remains, indifferent to the fact that the deceased was his own nephew. He remarked coldly, “Dispose of these remains.”

Wei Shunxin replied quietly, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Xie Yuanrui stroked the armrest of the dragon throne, his eyes gleaming with ferocity. His father had once declared him the most incompetent of the princes, and after his elder brother ascended the throne, he had been exiled to the farthest southern reaches of Great Qi. For years, he endured, awaiting this day.

That “virtuous and capable” Xie Yuantao, so highly regarded by their father, was foolish enough to trust corrupt officials, allowing unchecked embezzlement and leaving the people destitute. Even in his final moments, Xie Yuantao believed Great Qi was stable—what an imbecile.

Now the throne was his. Xie Yuanrui swore he would prove to his father’s spirit in the heavens that he was the true ruler of Great Qi.

—

“Ninth Prince?” Wu Daobei brought a bowl of medicine to the Ninth Prince. After drinking it, his fever subsided, and he seemed much more lucid. However, he sat silently, unresponsive to any questions.

Lu Yuanting had slept for an entire day and night and still hadn’t woken up, leaving Wu Daobei pacing in distress. Though not a formally trained doctor, the Taoist temple’s medical skills were reputable and no less effective than those of ordinary physicians. Yet Lu Yuanting’s current condition was beyond his expertise.

Frowning deeply, Wu Daobei checked Lu Yuanting’s pulse. As he tried to switch to the other hand, he noticed that Lu Yuanting and the Ninth Prince were tightly clasping hands, refusing to let go. When he attempted to separate them, their grip only tightened.

“Ninth Prince…” Lu Yuanting, sensing someone pulling at his hand, suddenly woke up. Startled, he sat up and instinctively pinned down the person before him.

“Hey!” Wu Daobei cried out in pain. “Have you lost your mind too? Don’t you recognize me? I’m Wu Daobei!”

Still groggy, Lu Yuanting squinted at the blurry figure in his grasp. After blinking a few times to clear his vision, he finally recognized Wu Daobei and released him, apologizing, “Daozhang, my apologies for the hasty action.”

Wu Daobei waved it off dismissively. “In your current weakened state, you couldn’t hurt me if you tried.”

He stood up, dusted off his robes, and rubbed his shoulder. Despite Lu Yuanting’s frailty, his grip had been surprisingly strong.

“The Ninth Prince is awake?” Lu Yuanting quickly checked on him, only to find the prince sitting blankly, unmoving. He called softly, “Ninth Prince? Xie Ningzhen, wake up!”

Wu Daobei sighed helplessly. “You don’t need to worry so much. His body is fine, but he’s been severely traumatized and took a blow to the head. It’ll take some time for his mind to recover. You should be more concerned about yourself!”

—

Author’s Note:

The protagonist (gong) is still young now, but trust me, he’ll grow strong in the future!

Thank you for reading!