pdf-ebookys Chapter 9 Shocking Gossip News
Chapter 9 Shocking Gossip News
When Yang Kang was imprisoned, Wanyan Honglie went to great lengths to rally officials in the court to rescue him.
While Wanyan Honglie was busy, Yang Tiexin, Wang Chuyi and others arrived at the Prince Zhao's residence, met Bao Xiruo, and stayed there.
Yang Kang did not stay in the imperial prison for long. Wanyan Yongji did not have the courage to keep his most important figures in the imperial prison for an extended period at this critical juncture.
The situation both inside and outside the court did not allow him to act in this way.
However, just two or three days later, Yang Kang was relieved of all his official posts and temporarily ordered to reflect on his mistakes in the Prince of Zhao's residence.
When Wanyan Honglie learned that Yang Kang was safe and sound, he was naturally overjoyed.
Having been running around for several days and exhausted, he was completely unaware that a fundamental change had already taken place in his own residence.
The night before Yang Kang was to return, Yang Tiexin took advantage of the lax security at the Prince Zhao's residence and managed to sneak into the mansion.
He walked towards the inner courtyard and saw that familiar face. Under the moonlight, Bao Xiruo was crying in front of the spear, murmuring that she wanted her husband's spirit in heaven to bless her son.
After being separated for eighteen years, the couple were suddenly reunited, and they burst into tears.
He originally intended to leave for the world, but considering that he had a biological son still alive and Yang Kang was still in prison, he decided to stay a little longer and wait until he could rescue Yang Kang before leaving for another place.
Unexpectedly, Yang Kang returned to the Prince of Zhao's residence safely the very next day.
Meanwhile, in the Zhao Prince's mansion, besides Yang Tiexin, who had been secretly hiding in that old courtyard, there was another uninvited guest, Wang Chuyi, a distinguished guest of the Quanzhen Sect.
Seeing that Yang Kang was safe and sound, Bao Xiruo was happy, but also felt extremely awkward and quickly returned to the inner courtyard.
Although Wanyan Honglie had doubts, his mind was more on Yang Kang at the moment, and he did not pay attention to his princess's unnatural behavior. He quickly pulled Yang Kang into the study.
"Father, who is this?"
Yang Kang was pulled into the study by Wanyan Honglie, where he saw a thin, middle-aged Taoist priest staring intently at him.
"Kang'er, I am your Uncle Wang Chuyi! Your master, Qiu Chuji (Changchunzi), is my senior brother."
Before Wanyan Honglie could speak, Wang Chuyi took the initiative to introduce himself.
Yang Kang looked the Taoist priest up and down with a hint of suspicion.
Over the years, despite his performance earning him the warm welcome from Qiu Chuji, he was even nearly expelled from the Quanzhen School because of Qiu Chuji's close relationship with him.
He wasn't doubting that the Wang Chuyi in front of him was a fake; according to the timeline of The Eagle Shooting Heroes, Wang Chuyi should indeed have appeared in Zhongdu by now.
What Yang Kang truly suspected was that the old Taoist priest's attitude towards him was a little too enthusiastic.
Seeing the suspicion in Yang Kang's eyes, Wang Chuyi simply smiled and slowly took a step forward, reaching out and suddenly placing his hand on Yang Kang's body.
That familiar Quanzhen internal energy immediately invaded Yang Kang's body.
He instinctively channeled his internal energy to resist it, then quickly withdrew it. Such profound and refined Quanzhen internal energy naturally proved his identity.
Yang Kang spread out his sleeves, bowed, and said, "Wanyan Kang greets his martial uncle."
Wang Chuyi nodded slightly, smiled as he looked at Yang Kang in front of him, and quickly helped him up. In his heart, he was amazed that, given the depth of his internal energy, Yang Kang was now no less powerful than him.
"Kang'er, you've been in the prison for two days. How are you feeling?"
Yang Kang followed up by saying, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle-Master. It's nothing."
Seeing how much this reclusive master favored his son, Wanyan Honglie couldn't help but smile broadly and quickly stepped forward to say something enthusiastically.
"You have come from afar, and my son has just returned safely. I have prepared a banquet at my residence. Why don't you join me?"
Wang Chuyi glanced at Wanyan Honglie in front of him, his tone suddenly turned cold, and the enthusiasm in his eyes also diminished considerably.
He waved his whisk and said calmly.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. However, I have come here today with matters concerning my sect that I wish to entrust to Kang'er. I wonder if Your Highness would allow me to speak with Kang'er alone for a few moments?"
Wanyan Honglie's smile froze slightly, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes.
He couldn't help but look at Yang Kang beside him, who nodded slightly in agreement.
Wanyan Honglie had nothing to say, but gave an awkward smile and left the study.
Wang Chuyi and Yang Kang had a private conversation in the study, discussing their backgrounds and other matters.
Then, shouts of killing came from the backyard. Wanyan Honglie and his men cornered Bao Xiruo and Yang Tiexin against a wall.
Yang Tiexin held a long spear, pointed it at the crowd, and shielded his wife Bao Xiruo behind him.
Bao Xiruo followed firmly behind Yang Tiexin, her gaze never wavering, as if everything she had shared with Wanyan Honglie over the past eighteen years was just a dream.
Wanyan Honglie watched all this with a broken heart and indignation, his eyes blazing with barely contained fury.
With a roar, Yang Kang charged into the area, iron spear in hand.
As the gunfire swept through, the guards retreated in disarray, none daring to block its edge.
He stood in the center, spear held horizontally between the three men, his gaze sweeping over Wanyan Honglie, Yang Tiexin, and Bao Xiruo, his voice as deep as iron: "Stop right there!"
The guards looked at each other, hesitant to step forward.
Wanyan Honglie's face was ashen, and his fingers trembled slightly, but he ultimately did not give the order to act.
Yang Kang glanced at Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo behind him, then looked at Wanyan Honglie, his voice calm but unquestionable.
"Father, I will handle this matter."
Wanyan Honglie's chest heaved as he stared at Yang Kang for a long time before finally waving his hand coldly.
"Step back!"
The guards, as if granted a pardon, retreated several steps. In the courtyard, only this tangled family and Yang Kang, standing in the middle with an iron spear in hand, remained.
When Bao Xiruo saw Yang Kang holding his spear in front of her, tears streamed down her face, her voice trembling with barely suppressed emotion.
"Kang'er, this is you! Your biological father!!!! Your dad has come to pick us up! Let's go home together, okay?"
Upon seeing this, Wanyan Honglie almost broke down and shouted loudly.
"Nonsense! My beloved concubine, don't talk nonsense! Kang'er is my son, my own flesh and blood! No one can take him away from me!"
The onlookers looked at each other in bewilderment.
The guards of the Prince's Palace hesitated, glancing at Yang Kang and then at Wanyan Honglie, none of them daring to speak.
Attracted by the noise, Ouyang Ke, Sha Tongtian, Hou Tonghai, Lingzhi Shangren, and others looked at each other in bewilderment, standing still and enjoying the spectacle.
Yang Kang calmly looked at Yang Tiexin and his wife in front of him for a long time.
Finally, he smiled slightly and said frankly.
"So, my real name should be Yang Kang, is that right?"
Upon hearing this, Bao Xiruo and Yang Tiexin were overjoyed, and Wang Chuyi nodded with satisfaction.
They all knew that Yang Kang had made his choice.
Only Wanyan Honglie looked at Yang Kang in disbelief.
"Kang'er, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"You are my own flesh and blood, the apple of my eye!"
"When you were sick, your father stayed by your side day and night; when you learned to walk, your father was overjoyed; when you caught a cold, your father lost his appetite and couldn't sleep. Is all of this less important than a stranger who has only been here for a moment?"
Yang Kang knelt before the crowd, kowtowed three times to Wanyan Honglie, then stood up and said with emotion.
"Father, for the past eighteen years, you have treated me as your own son. I will never forget this kindness."
"You will always be Kang'er's father. But I must leave for a reason, and I beg you, Father, to grant me permission."
Enraged, Wanyan Honglie ripped off his hair crown, letting his long hair fall freely.
He almost frantically gave orders to the guards around him.
"No! I don't believe it! What reason could possibly lead you and your child to abandon your father?"
"I won't allow it! I absolutely won't allow it! Someone help! Someone help!"
The guards had already drawn their swords, and although they hesitated, they had no choice but to slowly surround Bao Xiruo, Yang Tiexin, Yang Kang, and Wang Chuyi.
Yang Kang suddenly raised his hand, releasing his domineering and murderous aura without restraint, which made the surrounding soldiers tremble with fear and dare not utter a sound.
But in the end, he still couldn't bring himself to attack the guards of the royal palace who were with him day and night.
"Uncle-Master, please wait for my mother and father to leave first."
"After I have finished speaking with my father, I will go to find you myself."
When Yang Kang mentioned the word "father," he couldn't help but pause slightly.
He certainly didn't really consider Yang Tiexin his father, but in this world, you always have to accept its rules.
Wang Chuyi nodded upon hearing this and said in a deep voice.
"Master Yang, Madam Bao, we'll go ahead first."
"I trust Kang'er. With his martial arts skills, he can go anywhere in the world. He will come looking for us soon."
Bao Xiruo wanted to say something, but under Wang Chuyi's reassuring gaze and gentle nod, she ultimately remained silent.
She glanced at Yang Kang, her eyes filled with reluctance and worry, but in the end, Yang Tiexin gently took her hand and led her away. The three of them immediately left the Prince's residence.
Yang Kang was the only one left in the courtyard.
He stood alone in the center of the brightly lit crowd, watching the three figures gradually disappear into the night without turning back.
Yang Kang cupped his hands in greeting to those around him.
"Gentlemen, please step back for a moment! Allow me to speak with my father alone for a few minutes."
Wanyan Honglie stared blankly at his son before him, and finally waved his hand in dejection, signaling everyone to leave.
"Kang'er, why? What is happening?"
"Does all my efforts over the past eighteen years really mean nothing to you and your son?"
Wanyan Honglie seemed to age decades in an instant, transforming from a spirited middle-aged prince into a frail old man.
He looked at Yang Kang with unease and dejection.
"Eighteen years of father-son bond, Father, Kang'er will never forget."
"But... we're on different paths."
"For the sake of love, Father King was willing to give up the world and the throne that should have been yours."
"But Kang'er...cannot make the same choice."
Yang Kang placed his hand on Wanyan Honglie's hand, and what appeared in his eyes was not the sadness of parting, but a burgeoning fighting spirit.
Those words revealed an ambition that was made completely undisguised for the first time.
Wanyan Honglie stared blankly at his son in front of him, realizing for the first time how unfamiliar this son he had watched grow up was.
"Kang'er!!!"
Wanyan Honglie stared blankly at Yang Kang, his mind a jumbled mess, unable to utter a single word.
"Father, I have seen everything that has happened over the past eighteen years."
"I have already experienced firsthand the whispers and rumors circulating in the court, among the common people, and in the princes' residences."
"Now that my true identity is known to all, what can I gain by staying in the Zhao Prince's mansion as a young prince? How long can you and I, father and son, live in peace?"
Yang Kang's voice was not loud, but every word was as clear as if carved by a knife.
"I'm afraid that by then, even if I wanted to be the Yue Fei of the Jin Dynasty, I wouldn't be able to."
"The emperor's suspicion will sooner or later lead to our deaths! And my ideals and ambitions to pacify the world and change the world will be nothing but castles in the air."
Wanyan Honglie's voice trembled as he continued, still unwilling to give up.
"But child, if you stay in the Jin Kingdom, your father will one day help you seize power and make you the crown prince... Why must you leave me?"
Yang Kang looked at his almost naive appearance and gently shook his head.
"Father, the path you've suggested is a dead end."
"A young prince who knows he is Han Chinese but still stays in the Jurchen court is nothing more than a villain who recognizes a thief as his father in the eyes of the world."
"But a man who resolutely gave up wealth and honor and restored his Han identity is a hero admired by all under heaven."
"So, I'm sorry, Father."
Yang Kang sighed, looked calmly at Wanyan Honglie in front of him, and finally chose to turn and leave.
He told Wanyan Honglie that he had not abandoned him, but had chosen a more noble ambition.
He believed this reason was enough to convince Wanyan Honglie, who had hoped he would become a dragon since childhood.
At least, for a father, his son going out to pursue a grander and more magnificent career is by no means an abandonment.
He believed that Wanyan Honglie would soon convince him.
Wanyan Honglie stared blankly at Yang Kang's departing figure, then slumped down on the spot.
As the sun gradually set, Yang Kang went alone outside the city, searching for clues left by Wang Chuyi and his men.
In a dense forest, just before dusk, he met Yang Tiexin, Bao Xiruo, and Wang Chuyi.
Yang Tiexin and the other two watched with great joy and delight as Yang Kang slowly approached.
Holding a long sword, Yang Kang walked step by step to the three people, finally fixing his gaze on Yang Tiexin in front of him, his heart filled with conflict.
After a moment, he finally had to kneel down, calling out "Father".
As Yang Kang kowtowed, he sighed inwardly, thinking that playing the role of a hero always comes at a price, and seeking fame is always much harder than seeking profit.
Seeing Yang Kang so readily and decisively acknowledge his ancestors, Wang Chuyi was filled with relief, and Bao Xiruo burst into tears of joy.
None of them saw the indifference in Yang Kang's eyes. From this moment on, he was determined to serve his ambition wholeheartedly.
"Kang'er has now broken free of his cage and regained his freedom, which is truly a cause for celebration. My senior brother will surely be overjoyed when he finds out."
"With your martial arts skills now so advanced, the outcome of the martial arts competition in Jiaxing eighteen years ago is probably already decided. I imagine your senior brother will be very pleased to hear this news."
Wang Chuyi stroked his beard and chuckled with admiration.
"The 18-year Jiaxing agreement?"
Yang Tiexin looked at Wang Chuyi in astonishment and asked in confusion.
Wang Chuyi then recounted the bet that Qiu Chuji had made with the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan eighteen years later, in which they would compete at the Zuixianlou Restaurant in Jiaxing to determine who was superior.
After hearing this, Yang Tiexin spoke with great interest.
"After eighteen years, my wife and I have finally been reunited. If we could return to our ancestral home in Niujia Village, it would be an immense blessing!"
At this point, his tone suddenly became somber:
"It's just a pity for my brother Guo Xiaotian; I don't even know where his wife and children are now."
"The promise made in Jiaxing eighteen years ago—will Guo Xiaotian's son keep his promise?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Chuyi stroked his beard and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Not only did he keep his promise, but that child is now a heroic young man, full of vigor and generosity."
"In my opinion, his character and demeanor are sufficient to make him a young hero of our time!"
Wang Chuyi felt a surge of joy when he thought of Guo Jing, the innocent young man he had only known for a day or two.
There is nothing in this world that brings more joy to an old person than seeing the nephews and nieces of their old friends all become heroic young men.
"Master Wang, have you perhaps seen that child?"
Yang Tiexin said with delight.
Wang Chuyi stroked his beard and continued speaking with great interest.
"Before I went to find Kang'er, I saw a young man on the main street who bravely intervened and stopped a powerful nobleman who was riding his horse recklessly in the bustling city."
"The young man was actually using Quanzhen martial arts. Out of curiosity, I struck up a conversation with him."
"Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that the young man was the son of the chivalrous Guo Xiaotian, who had traveled south to keep the appointment, and his name was Guo Jing."
"That child is naturally kind and gentle, truly a young hero."
Yang Tiexin was overjoyed and quickly said...
"Is this really true? It seems Heaven has finally given my brother Guo some justice! Master Wang, where is that child now?"
"Shall we go find him and head south together back to Niujia Village?"
Wang Chuyi stroked his beard and smiled.
"Very good. The child is in the city; I will take you there to find him."
Yang Tiexin nodded repeatedly, speaking excitedly.
"Very good, very good! Heaven has truly been kind to us! Daoist, go and find that child."
"I'm going to take my adopted daughter, Nianci, back to Niujia Village!"
The elders chatted amongst themselves, all expressing their aspirations for a better life.
Under the cover of night, the sensational gossip quickly spread throughout the capital city, and by dawn the next day, it had become the talk of the town.
After all, Yang Kang was undoubtedly the most prominent figure in the capital at this time, and his every move attracted everyone's attention.
In this context, the revelation that he was not a Jurchen but a Han Chinese caused a huge uproar.
Countless Han Chinese who had benefited from his kindness were stunned, thinking to themselves, "No wonder, he is a Han man. I was wondering how the Jurchens could produce such a benevolent ruler."
Meanwhile, the Jurchen nobles who admired Yang Kang's bravery and might were filled with resentment, lamenting that such a man was not one of their own.
As the incident gradually unfolded, the news spread throughout the country and reached the ears of those who were interested.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of Zhongdu.
Wanyan Ji sat in the empty hall, the table in front of him piled high with reports, but he didn't want to read a single one.
Yang Kang is gone!
The boy he regarded as the reincarnation of Jin Wuzhu, the prince of the imperial clan whom he thought he could rely on as a bulwark yet whom he also feared, suddenly became a Han Chinese, the son of Yang Tiexin, and an enemy of the Jin Dynasty.
"Wanyan Honglie, what a fine son you raised."
He muttered to himself, his voice filled with gritted teeth and hatred, as well as a hint of barely perceptible fear.
Yang Kang had an army of 100,000 in Shandong. His subordinates, such as Yelü Chucai and Wanyan Chenheshang, were extremely loyal to him. If Yang Kang really raised the banner of rebellion, the Jin state would be attacked from both sides. How long could he remain emperor?
Wanyan Yongji slammed his hand on the table and immediately sent men to intercept and kill Yang Kang.
When the news reached Yidu Prefecture, Yang An'er was drinking in her tent.
After hearing the spy's report, he paused slightly in his wine bowl, then drank it all in one gulp and uttered only four words.
"I see."
Yang Miaozhen stood outside the tent, listening to her brother and his subordinates' discussion, her hand gripping the pear blossom spear tightening slightly.
She remembered the boy who leaped from the water by the Mi River, the calm and indifference in his double pupils, and his words when he returned the Pear Blossom Spear: "The love left behind in the Southern Garden, the deep affection for the old sword."
It turns out he was already a Han Chinese.
Yang Miaozhen didn't say anything, but simply turned around and went back to her tent.
The next day, someone saw her practicing shooting under the old locust tree for the entire day, her aim sharper than ever before.
When the spy relayed the message back to Lin'an, Shi Miyuan was in his study reviewing memorials. After reading the secret report, he frowned slightly and handed the paper to his advisor.
"That little Zhao king of the Jin dynasty is actually a Han Chinese. Interesting."
"I asked tentatively."
"Prime Minister, this man commands an army of 100,000 in Shandong and has turned against the Jin court. Could you...?"
Shi Miyuan raised his hand to interrupt him and said calmly.
"What's the rush! The internal strife in Jin is not a bad thing for our Great Song Dynasty."
The pro-war faction, including Zhen Dexiu, had mixed feelings. They were pleased that the Jin dynasty had destroyed its own Great Wall, but worried that Shandong had gained a neighbor that was even more difficult to deal with than the Jin dynasty.
But regardless of whether they advocated war or peace, the court's attention to this "Yang Kang" ultimately paled in comparison to their fear of the Mongol cavalry.
News from Zhongdu City was something they heard about and then moved on from; the songs and dances at West Lake were their daily routine.
When the news reached the Mongolian desert, Genghis Khan was in his tent discussing matters with his generals.
The scout knelt into the tent and reported everything that had happened in Zhongdu City in detail.
The tent fell silent instantly. Genghis Khan paused slightly in the hand holding the wine bowl. He didn't speak, but his gaze became deep and thoughtful.
The figure in white armor on Wild Fox Ridge, those cold eyes, and that whistling iron spear are still etched deep in his mind.
Mu Huali spoke first.
"Great Khan, is this man's break with the Jin court a good thing or a bad thing for our Mongols?"
Genghis Khan put down his wine bowl, slowly stood up, walked to the tent entrance, gazed at the southern night sky, and remained silent for a long time.
"What difference does it make if such a hero isn't from the Jurchen people?"
"Has the emperor of the Jin Dynasty gone mad?"
Genghis Khan said, puzzled.
He turned around, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, sweeping over the generals in the tent.
"Pass down the order: send someone to tell Wanyan Kang that as long as he is willing to come to Mongolia and serve me, he will be my Mongol commander of ten thousand!"
"I can make him king!!!"
"Temujin said with great boldness and magnanimity."
At night, Temujin repeatedly dreamed of the figure in white armor on Wild Fox Ridge, those cold eyes, and that whistling iron spear.
More than fear, he felt a desire to possess a rare treasure.