Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 29 : Fate

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Shen Zechuan said, “Oh.” 

Not getting the answer he wanted, Xiao Chiye looked back at him and asked, “Why aren’t you rebutting?”  

Shen Zechuan raised his hands to open up the umbrella and said, “I don’t have a father or a brother back at home. No acquaintances either. So what’s the point of going back?”

Xiao Chiye picked up the handkerchief to wipe away the water on the back of his neck. He stood up and said, “Oh right. The Prince of Jianxing’s Residence in Dunzhou has already been cleared out. With your identity, you will only be cursed by all if you go back.”

“That’s why when it comes to fate,” Shen Zechuan looked at Xiao Chiye quietly for a pause before continuing, “you will only suffer if you don’t get reincarnated into a good life.”

Xiao Chiye did not look at him as he lifted his arm to rub away the raindrops on his forehead. He said, “Then why are you still alive?”

Shen Zechuan smiled and said, “Millions of people want me to die. But how could I feel at ease myself if I were to fulfill the wish of others?”

Xiao Chiye said, “The way for you to survive is to remain in Zhao Zui Temple.”

Shen Zechuan took two steps to bypass the water puddle on the ground and said, “If I remain in Zhao Zui Temple, then you will think that getting executed by decapitation is how I should end up. Xiao Chiye, even if you try your best to hide it, you are already used to looking down from above. You are no different from the people who look down on you today. And all those eyes on you now agonize you.”

He laughed out loud and patted Xiao Chiye on the back with a palm.

“I seek to live. You seek to die. The Xiao Clan once had me trapped, and now the Li Clan does the same to you. Isn’t the ways of this world strange? The bird in the cage longs for its former woods, while the fish in the pond misses the deep. Your lot in life has been laid bare from start to end. If you can’t go back, then you are nothing but a loser with lofty aspirations sans actions. The most regrettable thing in this world is to train a wolf into a dog. How long can your fangs remain sharp in Qudu?”

“You followed me during the Autumn Hunt,” Xiao Chiye turned his head to the side to look at him, “and saved my life just for this moment of gratification?”

“I am but an insignificant nobody.” Shen Zechuan said softly, “Even if I didn’t show up, you will still live.”

“Exactly what,” Xiao Chiye’s inebriation had worn off. He asked, “are you up to?” 

“Repaying a debt of gratitude.” The brim of Shen Zechuan’s umbrella sheltered Xiao Chiye—This was how close he was to the latter. “Repaying all of you for your mercy in not killing me.”

Xiao Chiye suddenly grabbed Shen Zechuan by the collar and said, “I thought you had repent and turned over a new leaf to become a better person.” 

“What wrong did I do?” The glint in Shen Zechuan’s eyes was even colder than this Autumn rain. He pressed in a step closer, almost sticking to Xiao Chiye, and asked, “What is my crime?”

“Didn’t you take a look at various cities of Duanzhou when you climbed your way out of Chashi Sinkhole?” Xiao Chiye tightened his grip. “Everyone in the eight cities was massacred. When the hooves of horses trod through the city gates, all the blood that splashed up was the people’s blood.”

“Shen Wei’s troops were defeated.” Shen Zechuan finally tore off that mask of his, exposing his burning hatred. “40,000 people from Zhongbo were buried in Chashi Sinkhole! I lost my elder brother and shiniang to death that day! Where does my fault lie in this?”