Volume Four: Winds Sweeping the Clouds, The Four Continents Sink Chapter Twelve: Secret Schemes

The boundless expanse of the Kunpeng Sea had, since ancient times, been renowned for its rich fisheries. Each day, countless fishing boats gathered here, their sails crowding the horizon in a magnificent display. Yet in recent decades, the tributes demanded by Lin Xiaoyun from the fishermen grew ever heavier, with a multitude of harsh taxes and levies. Should the fishermen show even the slightest neglect or offer less than required, they would not only return from sea empty-handed, but often meet with disaster—ruined families, scattered kin.

However, the waters near Pipa Island were an exception. Here the weather remained fair year-round, fish were plentiful, and the presence or absence of tribute seemed to make no difference; fish could always be caught. Over time, the fishery at Pipa Island became a haven for many fishermen in the region, their very livelihood depending upon it.

Beneath these blessed waves, as if a paradise upon earth, lay a modest courtyard. Though not grand or stately, and with a modest gate, the sign above the door—"Duke Anguo’s Residence"—proclaimed the distinguished status of its owner.

This was the home of Duke Anguo, An Chenghuan of the Dragon Clan.

The Duke was a founding hero of the Dragon Clan, who had shed blood and sweat for their rise, earning great merit. Once, he commanded all the clan’s forces, and a third of the Kunpeng Sea was their domain.

But fate is fickle and fortune uncertain. When Lin Bai’s coup failed, the Duke was implicated and his prestige plummeted, his lands reduced to this solitary corner of Pipa Island.

On this fine day, with sunlight streaming down, An Chenfeng brought the old Duke out into the courtyard to bask in the sun.

Seeing the weeds growing thick in the yard, the old Duke gestured with his hand, uttering unintelligible sounds.

An Chenfeng nodded and said, “I understand, Father! I’ll clear them right away.” With that, he took up the sickle from the corner and began to trim the vines along the wall. Thanks to frequent attention, there weren’t many weeds, and soon the wall’s base looked much tidier.

Dusting his hands, An Chenfeng came before the old Duke and pointed to the freshly cleared ground. “Father, it’s done. Are you satisfied?”

The old Duke tilted his head, lips curling upward, and nodded slowly.

At that moment, An Chenyu arrived with a bowl of medicinal broth. “Father! Brother!” he called, handing the bowl to An Chenfeng.

An Chenfeng took the medicine, scooped up a spoonful, and blew gently to cool it. When it was no longer hot, he brought it to his father’s lips. “Father, please take your medicine.”

The Duke opened his mouth with effort, but as soon as the liquid entered, half of it spilled out the other side. After several spoonfuls, more had been lost than swallowed.

An Chenyu sighed. “Ah! How pitiable is Father’s condition—what are we to do?”

An Chenfeng continued to feed the medicine, replying, “Father’s illness is the result of years of hardship and advancing age. Recovery will not come swiftly, but we must not lose hope.”

An Chenyu snorted. “What good is my hope? I hear that brat, the Dragon King, is preparing to make peace with the Celestial Palace and means to lay the blame on our An family. I am consumed with anxiety!”

The eldest An said nothing, continuing to feed their father. An Chenyu, frustrated by his brother’s silence, raised his voice, “Brother, that accursed Lin Xiaoyun! We’ve done all the hard and dirty work, and now, unable to best the Celestial Palace, he capitulates and seeks to blame us! I’d storm the Dragon Palace this instant and tear out Lin Xiaoyun’s heart just to see if it’s truly black!”

When the medicine was finished, An Chenfeng set the bowl on the stone table and carefully wiped the spilled broth from his father’s lips. Seeing his brother so composed, An Chenyu, in his agitation, seized his sleeve. But then he caught the fierce look in his brother’s eyes and, startled, stepped back, bracing himself against the table and accidentally knocking the bowl to the ground, shattering it.

“I… I didn’t mean to,” An Chenyu stammered, knowing he was in the wrong.

An Chenfeng’s eyes blazed, but with their father present, he suppressed his anger. Glancing at their now-sleeping father, he signaled his brother to follow him aside.

In a secluded corner, An Chenfeng spoke in a low, angry voice, “An Chenyu, did you see yourself just now? Shouting and losing all composure before Father! If anything happens to him, you’ll answer to me.”

An Chenyu defended himself, “I was simply anxious. Please don’t blame me, Brother.”

An Chenfeng said, “Do you think I’m unaware of the situation? The whole continent is in turmoil; no one knows what tomorrow will bring. That we can accompany Father in this peaceful refuge, far from the chaos, is already a blessing.”

“But Brother!” An Chenyu stepped forward. “We’re at their mercy! If Lin Xiaoyun makes us scapegoats to appease the Celestial Palace, our family is doomed!”

“Who’s to say who is hunter and who is prey?” An Chenfeng replied. “Just now, Lady Chenfei sent a secret message. She wants us to report Lin Xiaoyun’s secret excavation of the underground palace to Lord Zhuo Huayuan of the Celestial Palace and request military intervention.”

An Chenyu’s eyes lit up with excitement. Rubbing his hands together, he asked, “So Lady Chenfei is finally ready to break with Lin Xiaoyun?”

An Chenfeng nodded. “Lady Chenfei has always treated our family with respect, honoring Father especially. In the ancient war, she fought bravely in armor, and our family served her willingly. Besides, if Lin Xiaoyun thinks to present us as a gift to the Celestial Palace, he must first see if we agree.”

“But Brother, the terrain of Kunpeng Sea is perilous. Lin Xiaoyun has been entrenched here for millennia, and the Dragon Palace is easy to defend and hard to attack. The Celestial Palace’s troops would pay dearly to break in.”

“That, too, Lady Chenfei has discussed with me. When the Celestial Palace’s forces arrive, our family’s old retainers will disable the defenses and open the sea gate. Once at the Dragon Palace, Lady Chenfei’s agents will open the palace doors. If all goes well, the Celestial army will reach the royal court without shedding a drop of blood.”

An Chenyu was overjoyed, clasping his fists. “Such a grand endeavor! How could I, An Chenyu, not take part? Let me deliver the message!”

An Chenfeng nodded, producing two letters sealed with the Dragon Clan’s fire wax. Handing them to his brother, he said, “One is addressed to Lord Zhuo of the Celestial Palace, exposing Lin Xiaoyun’s many crimes—betrayal, alliance with the dark forces, and the theft of rare treasures. The other is a family letter for Jiao, the Celestial Palace’s Wood Marquis—our third brother. You must deliver both by your own hand.”

An Chenyu received the letters solemnly, swearing, “This concerns the future of our family and Lady Chenfei. I will do all in my power.”

An Chenfeng clapped his brother’s shoulder. “Take care of yourself, and return safely.”

Returning to his own house, An Chenyu packed a few changes of clothes in haste. Seeing his urgency, his wife asked, “Is there some emergency, husband? Do you need my help?”

Pausing, An Chenyu looked back at her. “I have an errand for Brother. I’ll be back in a few days. Watch over our two children.” He meant to say more, but at the moment of parting, words failed him. He turned abruptly and left.

Mounting a dragon horse, An Chenyu rode swiftly toward the entrance of Kunpeng Sea. After more than an hour, he saw the towering city gate, floating above the blue waters.

Approaching, he looked up at the four large characters: “Kunpeng Dragon Domain.” He drew the Duke’s token from his belt and presented it to the guard. “Second son of the An family, sent by the master to handle affairs abroad. Please ask the gate general to inspect the token.”

The guard took the token and hurried inside to a general. The general pinched the token between two fingers, glanced at it, then tossed it back. After saying something that made those around him burst into laughter, the guard returned to An Chenyu.

He tossed the token back with a mocking smile. “By order of the Dragon King, your An family needs his personal decree to leave. This token is worthless now. Your old master won’t live much longer—best keep this for his burial.” With a laugh, he turned away.

An Chenyu, unused to such insult, seized the guard and demanded, “Look carefully! This is the Duke’s token, inscribed with ‘free passage to sea.’”

The guard remained indifferent. “I don’t make the rules, General An. Don’t trouble a humble guard.” He glanced at the general in the gate.

Pushing the guard aside, An Chenyu strode into the gateway. The sentries on either side raised their halberds, but he yanked them aside with a single hand each. The commotion drew more weapons as the garrison surrounded him.

The leading general shouted, “An family scoundrel! Instead of tending your fish at home, you come here to make trouble. Are you planning a rebellion?”

Suppressing his anger, An Chenyu saluted and said, “I am on family business by my master’s order. Please grant me passage.”

The general sneered, “Without the Dragon King’s decree, none of your family may leave.”

Desperate, An Chenyu struck out, sending two guards flying.

“An family is revolting!” the general cried. “Seize the traitor!”

At once, the guards swarmed upon him.