Rising Phoenix

“Kereyid!”

With a sharp scream, the “dead” Narta clambered to her feet and lunged for Kereyid. “You traitorous murdering child-slaying wolf!”

Her large belly jiggled as her clawed fingers scratched angrily at the air, her fury so great that she truly wished to tear Kereyid to pieces. The young patriarchs eyes flashed with stunned alarm, and he frowned and swiftly retreated.

Blue Bird and White Deer exchanged their usual silent glance and immediately gestured to the King’s Army. Soldiers came forward to black Kereyid’s retreat, but the young patriarch flipped over them and smoothly flashed through the crowd.

But a cyan shadow shimmered through the air like a gust of wind, and when it once again materialize a jade statue stood in Kereyid’s path.

Kereyid dashed left and Gu Nanyi floated to follow; Kereyid dodged right and Gu Nanyi mirrored him. Gu Nanyi fluttered calmly and unhurriedly, but no matter what Kereyid did he maintained the same three-step distance and sealed every path to escape.

Kereyid’s eyes flashed as he cast a resentful gaze back over to Narta, confusion skimming his eyes.

“You cannot understand how Narta is still alive, right?” Feng Zhiwei casually explained. “When we were at the Golden Alliance Meeting, you realized the situation was whirling out of control so you had Narta pretend your cheap son was Helian Zheng’s. But you could not trust Narta so you cursed her with your steppe witchcraft’s Black Bone Death Curse, allowing you to murder her with a single gesture. Unfortunately for you, your curse was detected and removed by an expert friend of mine, and we simply faked Narta’s ‘death’ with Central Plains acupuncture. You have only learned the Kung Fu of the Steppe’s Snow Mountain Wandering Witch Sect, so naturally you did not understand the subtly of the Central Plain’s deep and profound medicinal arts.”

As she spoke, Feng Zhiwei turned to meet Zong Chen’s calm smile.

“You did not understand why Narta did not instantly die when you crushed the curse note in your sleeve, but now everything is clear. Narta’s life and death is not in your hand, but in mine.”

“You might be controlling her every move. You cannot prove otherwise.” Kereyid calmly replied, even smiling. “After all your words, you still cannot explain the letter, can you?”

“Queen. The matter continues to grow more complex. Please explain this matter to us. Narta and Kereyid’s crime will be handled once everything is clear.” Patriarch White Deer called out in his deep voice.

After all, Narta and Kereyid’s crime was unrelated and did not answer the crimes Kereyid had accused her of.

Feng Zhiwei calmly clasped her hands behind her back, smiling with some relief as she noticed a fast horse approaching in the distance.

“I can explain the letter now. The envelope Kereyid brought forth was indeed mine, as was the messenger.”

The stunned crowd followed Feng Zhiwei’s hand as she pointed to the distance, gesturing to Chunyu Meng and his approaching horse.

“Kereyid captured one messenger, but he missed the second. My Bridal Escort Team Leader, Chunyu Meng, brings with him the response from Yu Zhou City’s grain official. Let us take a look at what it says.”

The letter was soon presented and the patriarchs passed it around, frowns on their faces.

The grain official’s letter explained how the Hu Zhuo Tribe’s grain had been prepared and that he would follow their request to temporarily hold it in Yu Zhou City and deliver it together with the autumn grain. Everything was in order, and letter paper and seals and stamps and signatures all confirmed the authenticity of the letter. Blue Bird had taken charge of these matters under the old king and could easily verify the matter.

“I see.” Blue Bird acknowledged, handing the letter to Feng Zhiwei and apologizing. “We have misjudged the Queen, please forgive us for our crimes.”

“This misunderstanding is not your fault, but we cannot let the traitors who set up this trap escape.” Feng Zhiwei calmly replied, smiling mirthlessly as she watched Kereyid.

Kereyid cocked a brow, a hint of regret flashing across his face. He eyed Narta and shook his head, sighing. “Women… why are some so clever, and other so stupid…”

Everyone could see that he was sorry she had not died.

“Kereyid — you heartless wolf — you will surely die a horrible death…” Narta screamed, her hair a mess and her eyes red as she struggled in Zong Chen’s grasp, lunging forward against his hands as she tried to attack Kereyid, her loud cries sweeping across the steppes.

“I completely agree.” Feng Zhiwei quietly smiled. “And not only him, but you as well…”

Feng Zhiwei twirled, pointing at the Dama Living Buddha!

“You’re insane, Queen!”

“Do not disrespect the Dama Ala!”

Cries of reprobation filled the air as everyone stirred to action. The calm patriarchs immediately paled with anger as they cried out: “Queen, do not speak such nonsense!”

Feng Zhiwei laughed coldly, shedding her calm and casual demeanor. She ignored everyone else as she pointed at the Dama. “Everyone can see that a trap has been set. Murdering the King and then framing and banishing me to seize the throne, toppling the peace of the steppes into another bloody war.”

“What does that have to do with Dama Living Buddha?”

“If he had not supported Kereyid and spoken his prophecy, how could anyone have believed that I would kill the King?” Feng Zhiwei sneered. “Your God up in the clouds, relishing in your worship and sacrifice, refuses to bless the people of the steppes. Instead, he only supports the Patriarch of the Fire Fox Tribe!”

Before anyone could stop her, she stood forward and grabbed the lama boy behind the Dama, seizing the copper ceremonial instruments in the boy’s hands. She pulled a dagger from the food laden table beside her and scraped the copper metal, revealing the black gold underneath.

The distinctive black metal was clearly not iron, and a gasp went through the crowd as they immediately recognized the same metal that Kereyid had presented.

Black-gold was incredibly rare and the only mine was in Fire Fox territory. Only Patriarch Kereyid would have been able to access enough black-gold to make such a large ceremonial instrument!

All of Hu Zhuo knew that Dama Living Buddha lived an ascetic life, never accepting private gifts from his people much less a priceless black-gold ceremonial instrument. They would not have complained if he had accepted such a gift, but for him to sneakily paint it over with copper? Such a conniving act stilled their respectful hearts.