PGC 676+

Chap 703

Chapter 703

Chapter 703: My life is up to me, not the Heavens Original and most updated translations are from volare. If read elsewhere, this chapter has been stolen. Please stop supporting theft.

Although Long Feiye’s appearance was sudden, Gu Beiyue didn’t startle. He stood up to pay obeisance, his tone gentle and modest. “Your Highness Duke of Qin, you must have business to visit so late at night.”

“You believe in Buddha? What are you praying for?” Long Feiye asked again.

“I’m praying…” Gu Beiyue paused, before he said teasingly, “For my reincarnation into the next lifetime.”

“You haven’t finished this life yet, so why the rush to wish for the next?” Long Feiye asked.

Gu Beiyue just smiled. “The Buddha says, suffering in this lifetime will be relieved by the next. That’s why we must endure past our pains.”

Long Feiye laughed coldly. “You believe in such ignorant truths?”

“This one believes not in Buddha, but in fate.” Gu Beiyue was ever smiling even at the most caustic remarks. If there was another life, he hoped that the Gu Clan would have nothing to do with the Shadow Clan ever again. Let him be himself.

“Your Highness, do you trust in fate?” he asked lightly.

“Fate?” Long Feiye just scoffed at the word. “My life is up to me, not the Heavens. Your lordship doesn’t believe in anything but myself!”

If he trusted himself to fate and followed its whims, then what of Han Yunxi? East Qin was not his life, but Han Yunxi was!

“Your lordship will leave South Ning tomorrow,” he announced.

“If there’s anything this one can do, may Your Highness instruct me,” Gu Beiyue said seriously. Han Yunxi had left him with many tasks, so he knew that Long Feiye would do the same.

But Long Feiye didn’t give him any instructions besides one thing. “If your lordship hasn’t descended the mountain by mid-autumn, protect Han Yunxi in my place.”

Gu Beiyue’s peaceful heart gave a harsh, painful jolt at the words. He didn’t want to believe in fate, but everything revolved around it! No matter how much his heart ached, he remained coolly calm. No matter how much he lived in pain, he kept his slight smile on his face.

“Your Highness Duke of Qin, what do you mean by ‘protect?’ I am more of a cripple now than anything and need Guard Chu’s protection. I’m afraid I cannot shoulder Your Highness’s instructions,” he replied.

“You can shoulder it as long as she trusts you,” Long Feiye was certain. “All you have to do is protect her. Don’t let her leave South Ning, but wait for your lordship’s return.”

Gu Beiyue understood. During the mid-autumn season, the three nations at war would be hungering for grain. The commander-in-chief’s estate in South Ning would definitely make a big move. If Long Feiye couldn’t get back in time, Han Yunxi would try to take on the responsibilities all by herself. She might not even balk at charging into enemy lines. It sounded simple to keep Han Yunxi in South Ning, but it would take constant coaxing to make her stay, and to assist her in controlling the Cloud Realm Continent chessboard.

South Ning’s commander-in-chief’s estate suffered no lack of wealth and military strength. They only needed Long Feiye to accept and join them, and to pick an advisor to lead them. Without a doubt, both he and Han Yunxi had chosen Gu Beiyue.

Gu Beiyue didn’t hesitate. “This one--this one won’t shrink from his duty! But I hope that things go smoothly for Your Highness.”

Gu Beiyue had a good idea of the Celestial Mountain chessboard as well. He knew many things, but he kept them all to himself without revealing the details. Long Feiye simply nodded at his words and turned to leave. This was simply a precaution. Once the struggle at Celestial Mountain started, he had to find a way to finish it and leave before mid-autumn.