Chapter 40: The Death of the Beauty (Part Two)

As soon as the southern gate opened, the army outside entered the city, turning the situation upside down in an instant. The city of Jiankang was filled with the sounds of slaughter, but though the battle erupted swiftly, it faded just as quickly; by sunset, all soldiers of the Xie clan within the city had been wiped out. Layer upon layer of troops now surrounded the Sanwu Academy.

Yet, though the academy was besieged, the army made no move. General Canghuai sat astride his horse, sword in hand before the academy gates, but stood motionless, making no advance.

Hesitation was never a trait of the general. His attendant, puzzled, asked, “General, why not order the attack? Are you wary of an ambush within?”

“Silence,” Canghuai gestured to halt the attendant’s words, then quietly said, “Listen to the music.”

Though still confused, the attendant listened carefully and indeed, he heard the sound of the zither drifting from within the academy.

“Miss Wang’s intellect is unrivaled in the realm; I have always admired her. Let us wait until she finishes playing before we enter,” Canghuai said softly.

The attendant dared not reply but could not help feeling curious. The general had always killed without so much as blinking, yet today he was suddenly so courteous?

After a brief wait, the music ceased, suggesting Miss Wang had stopped playing. Only then did General Canghuai dismount and approach the gate, knocking with his hand.

He knocked for a long while before someone finally came to open the door. The young boy who answered, seeing the army outside, was trembling in terror, unable to speak. General Canghuai, however, suddenly became very polite, saluting with clasped fists and saying, “I have come in haste and brought no visiting card. Would you kindly inform Miss Wang that the Libationer of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, Canghuai, requests an audience?”

When referring to himself, Canghuai did not say "General Canghuai," but rather "Libationer of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect," clearly presenting himself in his Daoist capacity to see Miss Wang.

His attendant had never seen the general so deferential and was greatly perplexed, but dared not ask, standing quietly behind Canghuai at the door. After a short wait, the boy returned, trembling as he opened the door and said, “Ge-general, Miss Wang invites you to speak with her in the study.”

It was no surprise the child was frightened: the army outside formed layers upon layers, sealing the academy so tightly not a drop could pass through. Anyone confronted by such a scene would be terrified.

General Canghuai brought no soldiers with him, only his attendant, and followed the child straight to Miss Wang’s study.

Miss Wang sat high in the hall, seemingly lost in thought, and did not react at all when Canghuai entered.

The general was not offended. He stepped forward, saluted, and said, “Miss Wang, Libationer of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, Canghuai; I apologize for the intrusion.”

Miss Wang belonged to the Celestial Mechanism Sect, also a Daoist branch, and naturally understood the title of Libationer in the Five Pecks of Rice Sect.

She remained deep in thought, as if pondering something, and did not respond to General Canghuai. He stood quietly before her, unmoving.

After a long while, Miss Wang finally returned to herself, sighing softly. Then, she smiled and said, “You address yourself as Libationer, foregoing your military rank for your Daoist title—does this mean you have come to discuss the Dao with me?”

Even in such dire circumstances, Miss Wang could still converse with ease. Canghuai was deeply impressed. Throughout the land, few could command his respect; among that select few, Miss Wang was one.

The Xie clan’s fame was unmatched, and though its power had waned, it remained the backbone of the Jin dynasty’s fragile court. For Canghuai to seize Jiankang and overturn the realm, the Xie clan had to be eliminated.

Miss Wang had received the dying wishes of Xie An, to preserve the Jin dynasty’s sovereignty. For years, she had been the greatest obstacle on the road to his ambitions. If he could take this opportunity to remove her, it would be ideal. Indeed, he had come to kill her. Yet, as he stood at the gate, before her, he found himself unwilling.

“Miss, the Jin dynasty is in decline, its mandate exhausted—this is fate,” Canghuai said solemnly. “The court now clings to comfort in the south, seeking pleasure while the people suffer. You are of the Dao yourself; why oppose Heaven’s will? Now that the Five Pecks of Rice Sect seeks to follow Heaven, to seize Jiankang, I cannot bear to see a noble lady die.”

“And if you cannot bear it, what then?” Miss Wang smiled gently.

“Why not join me in the Five Pecks of Rice Sect and help build a world of harmony?” Canghuai urged.

“May I ask, General, what do you mean by ‘a world of harmony’?” Miss Wang inquired.

At this, Canghuai’s spirits soared: “As the proverb says, ‘While sages live, great thieves endure.’ Only by abandoning sages and wisdom can thievery cease. Abolish noble families, equalize wealth, and let the world be as one! That is the great mission of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect! Then there will be no more strife, no more war; the young will be cared for, the old supported, all under one roof—a great good, is it not?”

Miss Wang smiled and shook her head. “Your vision is admirable, General, but leaving aside whether such a world can be realized, the Five Pecks of Rice Sect seeks to destroy before it builds anew. How could the Xie clan and I be tolerated?”

Canghuai had no answer. The noble clans were the foundation of the Jin dynasty; to destroy and rebuild, the gentry must be eliminated, with the Xie clan first among them.

Moreover, as he had just said, “While sages live, great thieves endure.” In the eyes of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, the Xie clan was the greatest thief, utterly intolerable.

Even Canghuai himself felt his words childish, yet he truly could not bear to see someone as extraordinary as Miss Wang perish with the dying Xie clan. His heart was torn.

“Even if the Five Pecks of Rice Sect could tolerate the Xie clan, I do not agree with its methods. Our paths diverge; we cannot work together,” Miss Wang decisively refused him. “If I will not join, will you take my life today, General?”

Canghuai nodded, respectfully. “I did come to kill you, Miss. You are the opponent I most admire; with you alive, I can never claim Jiankang. Until you die, my heart will not rest.”

“And after you kill me, what will you do?” Miss Wang asked.

“In Jiankang, there is none I fear but you, Miss. Once you are gone, I will command the slaughter of all imperial and noble families, and instruct the people to revere the Five Pecks of Rice Sect. Jiankang is the heart of the south; if it falls, our followers everywhere will be inspired. The world of harmony will not be far off.” As he spoke, Canghuai could hardly contain his excitement.

Miss Wang said nothing, only smiled gently.

Seeing her smile, Canghuai was puzzled. “Are you mocking me, Miss?”

“How could one facing death dare mock the General?” Miss Wang replied with a smile. “Everyone has their aspirations. Your desire to build a world of harmony is indeed noble. Whether it can be realized or not, I deeply admire you. I merely laugh at myself—ten years of planning against Huan Xuan in Jingzhou, and still I could not escape the fatal trap he set.”

Canghuai did not understand why she mentioned Huan Xuan now, but as another noble family, they were naturally his enemies; their removal could wait.

“After your death, Miss, I must ask you for one more favor,” Canghuai continued.

“Please speak, General.”

“The Five Pecks of Rice Sect is new to Jiankang, and the people’s hearts are unsettled. After your death, I must hang your corpse at the Vermilion Bird Gate to awe the people. Forgive me for this offense,” Canghuai said.

Miss Wang smiled. “Once dead, what does it matter to suffer disgrace before others? Do as you wish, General.”

Canghuai gazed at her calm, unruffled demeanor, and could not help but tremble.

He had killed many, but whenever he was about to strike, his victims would plead and beg for their lives, but what use was it? Canghuai never killed in a rage; each death was necessary, no matter the entreaties.

Yet, when truly facing death, how many in this world could be as composed as Miss Wang?

Canghuai had always admired her; how could he allow soldier to rush in and butcher her? That was why he would do it himself.

“I cannot bear to see you die by the hands of nameless men; forgive my boldness,” he said. And with nothing further to say, he drew his sword, though his hand trembled from emotion. After a long pause, Canghuai finally gritted his teeth and brought the blade down decisively.

When a man has faith, he will do things he himself would rather not, with unyielding conviction.

Blood splattered—this was the last trace of Miss Wang’s beauty left in the world...