Chapter 55: A Long Conversation, the Grand Scheme Settled

Chu Junhan gazed at the tattered page in his hand, bewildered and full of questions. Why would this elderly man before him possess a fragment of the legendary treasure that all under heaven coveted? How many secrets did Cen Song still keep hidden? Was the saying, “He who gains Cen Song will rule the land,” truly meant to be taken at face value?

After a long silence, the child spoke at last, “Though it is but a damaged scrap of paper, its value is beyond measure. I am unworthy of such a gift.”

The old man waved his hand dismissively, a kindly smile curving his lips. “What immeasurable value? In my eyes, it’s nothing but a useless piece of waste paper. If it’s to be given to Renda Kingdom, so be it—there’s nothing to regret. If it helps your father seize the first stronghold, perhaps that is for the best.”

“Such a precious gift—I cannot accept it.” The weight of the page felt immense in the child’s hands, as though it carried the heft of a thousand gold pieces.

With a gentle motion of his folding fan, Cen Song nudged the page back toward the child. “Since I have taken you as my disciple, I will naturally share your burdens. Take it. Consider it my gift to you upon your apprenticeship.”

Chu Junhan hesitated for a moment, then bit his lip and bowed deeply to Cen Song. “Thank you, Master, for your great kindness. I shall remember it always. I beg you to allow me to leave, so I may deliver this fragment to my father.”

Cen Song smiled, lips pressed together. “If you wish to go, I won’t stop you. But do you remember the rules I spoke of?”

“Once you leave the mountain, you cannot return. You must not reveal your identity as my disciple, nor harm your fellow students in any way,” Chu Junhan recited each rule carefully.

Cen Song sighed; even his eyes grew clouded, tinged with regret. “Then go—and once you have left, forget that you were ever Ruyan.”

Head lowered, the child’s eyes darted quickly, calculating inwardly: I have only just arrived yesterday, and now I am to leave with the fragment? It seems rather callous. Besides, the Dog Emperor still has twelve years left; within that time, I can conquer Liao. There is no need to rush...

At this thought, Chu Junhan cleared his throat softly, holding out the fragment in both hands. “I have not yet studied under you, Master; how could I bear to leave so soon? Please keep this page for me, and I shall come to retrieve it when it is time for my departure.”

“Very well,” Cen Song replied, taking the fragment and stuffing it carelessly into an envelope, then hiding it away in a corner.

With an easy motion, the old man pulled a yellowed book from nearby and handed it to Chu Junhan. “Study this book thoroughly. If you do not understand something, ask your senior brother. If he cannot answer, then come to me.”

Chu Junhan accepted, clasping his hands in respect. “Ruyan takes his leave.”

“Go on,” the old man said, waving his fan with the weariness of age, eyes half-closed as if about to nap.

Chu Junhan slipped quietly from the room, shutting the door with care.

As the child gazed at the book in hand, he murmured, “The Art of Persuasion—how can its intricacies be contained in a single volume? Without true practice, all of it is just empty theory.”

“A wise observation, junior brother. I’m impressed.” At some point, a small head popped into view, voice close to Chu Junhan’s ear, laced with amusement.

Chu Junhan frowned slightly. How could there be such an insufferable troublemaker in the world?

Noticing the child lost in thought over the book, Zimo threw an arm around his shoulder. “Master said there are no lessons today. Come, let me show you around, so you won’t get lost and start crying. I certainly won’t come looking for you.”

“I suspect you’d rather abandon me,” Chu Junhan replied, brushing off the boy’s arm. Having experienced his scheming once, she would no longer trust the seemingly innocent face before her.