Buddha and Demons

Half a month later.

North of Dawu Country, after passing Zhenbei Pass, there were usually two roads.

One was the main road leading to the Zhenbei military camp, and the fifteen northern countries.

The other led to a place that had been ice-sealed for millions of years. No one knew how big it was, nor what was inside, let alone where it led to - the Far North Icy Plains.

Some called it the Far North Icy Plains.

On this day, three extraordinarily tall white...deer! were quickly coming from the small path leading to the Far North Icy Plains.

On the backs of the three snow deer were three men in thick winter clothes, seemingly heading to Dawu Country in quite a hurry, judging by their direction.

Until a certain point along the path, a man in black and gold robes was waiting. He looked a little anxious but also a bit relieved.

This man was called Bai Fang Lord, the second brother of the current patriarch of the Bai family.

The snow deer gradually stopped.

Among the three men, the latter two did not move, while the one in front flipped off the deer.

"Big brother, you're finally back," Bai Fang Lord in black and gold robes quickly came up, sounding very happy, even giving off a feeling of finally letting out a sigh of relief.

But the man who got off the deer did not answer. He first straightened his clothes and brushed off the wind and snow on his robes.

His actions were calm and natural.

Then he flipped back the hood of his winter coat, revealing the face of a man of about forty years old. He lightly said, "Mirror."

Knowing his big brother's temper, Bai Fang Lord quickly took out a mirror from his arms and respectfully held it up to the man.

Looking closely, the man now standing in front of the mirror was not exactly handsome. Compared to Xie Wangchou's sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, Lu Gaosheng's graceful temperament, it must be bluntly said that he was far inferior.

Especially with the two not-so-shallow scars extending downwards from the corners of his eyes. At first glance, his face even exuded a sense of terror.

However, if you really stared at him for a while.

The first look might frighten you, but after some time, you would definitely not feel terrified. Instead, you might even feel warmth radiating from him.

Because his demeanor, his manner, his eyes revealed an intrinsic...nobleness.

Not the pretentiousness of the newly rich, nor the arrogance of bureaucrats' families, just simple, restrained but truly existing dignity.

The man looked in the mirror and started tidying up his appearance.

Disheveled hair.

Stains from the flying snow.

In short, anything that compromised his impeccable image could not exist on him.

In the ancient dynasties before Dawu Country, not only aristocratic women paid attention to their appearances, many imperial princes were even more attentive about it than women.

But the reason was not because they loved beauty, but because they represented the imperial family, and their appearance itself represented the dignity of the imperial family.

While tidying up, the man flatly said, "How many times have I told you, no matter if you encounter danger or opportunity when speaking or doing things, do not reveal your panic or excitement. Remember you are a descendant of the Bai family. Never let anyone know what you are thinking. Still as still water should be your proper attitude."

Bai Fang Lord silently lowered his head. Although his brother spoke blandly, after years of being together, he knew his brother's anger could not be seen from his tone or expression, only judged from subtle physical details.

So he knew his brother was a little angry now.

This frightened him greatly.

Because this man was the current patriarch of the Bai family.

The uncrowned king in the underworld and behind the scenes of Dawu Country's court -

Baijun Marquis!

Baijun Marquis glanced down at his brother who had revealed 'panic'.

He sighed inwardly, just telling him not to show emotions, yet here it goes again.

"Forget it, tell me what's going on," he said.

Bai Fang Lord secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "When you were away, big brother, I had some disagreements with several uncles in the clan, but things are going well for now. Song YanShi’s Zhennan troops seem to have failed to intercept the supply convoy in Tian Ruo Prefecture . As for his arrangement of the 300 plus elites from the Alliance Army of Five Countries entering the Northern Land, I’ve already secretly notified the Zhenbei Camp, so things should be settled by now, no worries about supplies."

Previously Wu Qixue and Zhang San wondered why Song YanShi would decisively order the Zhennan Army to assault the coast of Tian Ruo Prefecture. What if the supply convoy went by land? Wouldn’t he be wasting an ace card?

Wu Qixue said there must be some information they didn’t know. And this was it.

Upon realizing it was Lu Gaosheng pulling strings behind the scenes, Song YanShi had already sensed the danger. Therefore, in addition to the Zhennan troops, he also contacted the Alliance Army of Five Countries north of the border overnight.

In Song YanShi’s plan, even if the Zhennan troops failed, he still had an ambush in the Northern Land. With pursuit from the south and interception from the north, it would be foolproof.

Having received letters on his way here, Baijun Marquis already knew roughly the causes of the recent turmoil in the northern border of Dawu Country.

Hearing his brother's confirmation now, Baijun Marquis was still as unruffled as an ancient well.

"Having solved the problem behind us, victory in the north is certain. Judging from Wang Jue’s initial strategy, after defeating the Alliance Army, to avoid the sin of robbing supplies, he would definitely counterattack the Northern Land. Shuangxue Country would undoubtedly bear the brunt. We’ve waited many years for the 'thing' in the Shuangxue Country’s capital," said Baijun Marquis placidly.

Bai Fang Lord nodded again and again, "Yes, big brother! Those old guys from Shuangxue Country and the uncles in our clan have been talking for so many years too but with no results. Doesn’t Wang Jue still have 50,000 troops in Shuangxue Country? I say, facing national subjugation this time, without the Bai family’s help, how could they escape?"

Baijun Marquis faintly nodded, neither affirming nor denying.

As Bai Fang Lord spoke more and more excitedly, chirping about future plans beside him.

"But..." Coming to a point, Bai Fang Lord lowered his voice a little.

Baijun Marquis turned his head and asked, "But what?"

"There's one person I must mention to you, big brother, about this incident, that is... Lu Gaosheng is dead."

For the first time since his return, Baijun Marquis finally revealed an expression - frowning.

Seeing this, Bai Fang Lord was shocked inwardly. He quickly said, "I know big brother needs to cooperate with him in maritime commerce, and also wants to support him to become a second Song YanShi. But to put it bluntly, although maritime commerce makes a lot of money, it's nothing to our Bai family. This time..."

"Well, I see, it's...a pity," Baijun Marquis replied.

His brows quickly relaxed.

Just as he said, still as still water should be the attitude and state of mind for a Bai family member, especially the patriarch.

Guessing his thoughts, Bai Fang Lord asked, "Big brother means it’s a pity we lost him, for future dealings with Song YanShi..."

Baijun Marquis shook his head and calmly said, "I do feel it’s a pity, but not because of maritime commerce, nor because we lost someone to deal with Song YanShi. Harbors can be rebuilt, partners can be found again; Song YanShi has enemies all over the world, people who want to deal with him abound... "

"Then why does big brother..."

By now Baijun Marquis had finished tidying himself up.

He looked at the white jade cloud-patterned ring on his left hand and found it slightly bent with the pattern facing the palm.

The attire of royalty should not allow any flaws, even details.

Baijun Marquis straightened the ring, then slowly said, "Although our cooperation was merely mutual utilization, with common interests we were still friends. I just pity there is one less person in this world...who can understand what I say."

His tone and expression did not change.

However, between the sentences of his words, there was a faint sense of loneliness.

Even for his closest kin, how many could really converse with him?

But the path had to continue.

A millennium of planning, the efforts of countless generations, would finally conclude in my generation.

Raising his head.

The Northern Land was desolate and bleak.

The clouds were as dense as ink.

The man said:

"To the heavens, mortals are but ants. A hundred years of life are all illusion."

"What one seeks in life - food, clothing, relationships and love - is ephemeral, barely worth mentioning."

"I thought my fate was in my hands, not heaven's. Little did I know, in the eyes of heaven I never existed at all."

"Meaningless, meaningless."

The Bai Dynasty from a millennium ago had long crumbled and fallen apart.

The vast oceans from ten thousand years ago had become fields and mulberry groves.

I once read a book, and it was as if that book allowed me to traverse a thousand years in time, to see my own death, and humanity's sorrow.

Dynasties will collapse, oceans will dry up.

What can we leave behind after a lifetime's efforts?

Perhaps nothing at all.

However.

I've heard three sayings, from the 'Buddha, Dao, and Demon':

The Buddha said, everything in this world is but attachment.

One must first pick up, then put down, in order to arrive at the 'Western Paradise.'

The Dao said, everything in this world is but phenomena.

By accepting the Dao's arrangements and enlightening oneself to its principles, one can attain 'liberation from the six paths.'

The Demon said, everything in this world is but illusion.

There has never been such a thing as truth in this world. Why not use a lifetime's worth of obsession to seek that 'carefree true self'?

In truth, this world has the Buddha! The Dao! The Demon!

Spreading his arms wide, the Baijun Marquis seemed as if he wanted to embrace the endless vault of heaven. Calmly and devoutly he said:

"It has been nearly a thousand years. The final piece of the puzzle in Shuangxue Country is almost in hand. The search for immortality can begin. After that..."

"Let us seek immortality together."

This assassin is too steady. Volume 2: A Madman.

The End.