Sir, take me to rebel (11): 

The ministers, upon hearing that such rare treasures came from a poor and remote place like Liang Province, at first only found it absurd and laughable.

Yet the facts were undeniable. The young man’s answers matched exactly with those of the servants who had traveled with him to Liang Province. After questioning them again and again, even though they were reluctant to believe it, they had no choice but to accept it. One after another, they advised the emperor:
“Your Majesty, craftsmen with such skill are rare in the world; they should be brought to the capital to serve you.”
“This is fortune itself protecting our Great Qiu dynasty, sending Your Majesty gifts through human hands.”
“All fine things under heaven should belong to you.”

The emperor paid no attention to their flattery. To him, it was entirely natural. He issued an order:
“Send all related craftsmen to the capital. All treasures are to be delivered into the palace, and none may be privately sold. Whoever is found to use such techniques without authorization, execute them.”

The ministers were overjoyed to accept the command.
Once the craftsmen arrived, the emperor would order them to create things—when that happened, would the ministers not get what they wanted anyway?

Disregarding the craftsmen’s own wishes, the emperor casually decided their fate and continued to tour the treasures. Among them were corn and sweet potatoes, along with various medicines that had been prepared in advance by doctors from Shan Province.

The corn and sweet potatoes were taken away for study, and soon a report came back: they were previously unknown, but tasted excellent. The emperor, however, was indifferent—his empire had never lacked food.

The medicines were sent to the Imperial Medical Institute. After examining them, the imperial physicians scoffed:
“These powders, called Cold Remedy and Stomach-Pain Relief, are named plainly and simple to use. They hold some reference value.”

But such things, they had in abundance already. Only commoners would find them useful and cheap.

After roughly finishing his inspection of the treasures, the emperor sat on the throne, his gaze resting on objects so fine they could not be found even within the palace. His expression was unreadable.

The ministers who knew him well immediately sensed danger and hurried forward to advise him:
“All treasures under heaven belong to Your Majesty—why did the governor of Liang Province not present them sooner?”
“To conceal craftsmen and hoard wealth in secret, such a heart deserves punishment!”
“The people of Liang should have long since perished—how could so many fine things suddenly appear?”
“Could it be they colluded with sorcerers in private, stealing the dynasty’s fortune, and thus obtained these treasures?”

The voices of debate rose one after another. The emperor, who looked no more than twenty, listened to their opportunistic words with a blank expression, then dismissed them and summoned the court sorcerers.

The sorcerer arrived clad in pure white robes, exuding an immortal air.

No matter how wanton the emperor was, toward these sorcerers—who had secured his throne, solved countless troubles for him, and safeguarded the dynasty’s centuries of prosperity—his attitude was always good.

He asked gently: “How is the fortune in Liang Province and nearby regions of late?”

The sorcerer, mindful that he was addressing the emperor, did not give the obvious answer at once. He carefully divined, tracing the flow of fortune across the land of Great Qiu, and suddenly his expression froze.

The emperor’s dark eyes remained fixed on him. Seeing this, he asked: “What is it?”

The sorcerer lifted his gaze to the man on the dragon throne, hesitated a moment, then replied:
“In the regions centered on Liang Province, fortune seems to show signs of recovery, and…”

He paused, gathering courage before continuing:
“And a dragon aura has appeared, the fortune immensely powerful—so much so that… it even surpasses Your Majesty’s, by a few degrees.”

A few degrees? In truth, it utterly eclipsed him.

Crash—

The teacup in the emperor’s hand was hurled to the ground, shattering to pieces.

With his youthful face expressionless, the emperor said slowly:
“That wretch… the direction of his escape was south, wasn’t it?”

The sorcerer instantly understood, calculated carefully, and confirmed: “It is him.”

“The resurgence of fortune—is that also tied to him?”

The sorcerer studied the flow of fortune intently, scalp tingling: “…Yes.”

It was more than tied—fortune seemed to be nurtured directly by that dragon aura, tightly wound around him, already forming the outline of dominion.

And above the head of that dragon, something even more unfathomable seemed to shroud and protect it. At a glance it resembled the sky, and the sky often symbolized Heaven’s will. Could it mean the other was Heaven’s chosen, destined to…

Even with his lofty status, the sorcerer was still mortal—one stroke could end his life. Facing the emperor’s mounting fury, he dared not speak the full truth, only offering a cautious, roundabout warning.

The emperor did not press him further, simply waved him away.

Soon after, decrees were issued from the palace. General Si, who had been staying in the capital’s General’s Manor, received the imperial order to enter the palace. That very evening, holding the tiger tally bestowed by the emperor, he set out for the south.

Xiu Xiu had always left a camera running in the General’s Manor—partly to await Chu Feng’s appearance, partly to watch the bustle there.

Now seeing General Si depart, Xiu Xiu reported to Si Qi.

[Master, Master, the emperor has discovered the existence of the Child of the World!]

Si Qi gave a nonchalant hum, eating pudding as he answered casually: [Hadn’t he long known that Si Yi wasn’t dead?]

The pudding had been made by Chu Feng, brought from another world and preserved within the leaves of the World Tree.

If not for that bite of food, and the assurance that he could leave this world at any time to find Chu Feng in the Main God’s domain, Si Qi would not have been able to remain calm.

It had already been four years.

Xiu Xiu: [Yes, he knew—but this time he is certain. He even sent the original body’s scumbag father with troops, to kill the Child of the World.]

[Scumbag father?] Si Qi had not heard those words in a long time. Recalling memories of his original body, he said with interest: [That Si family still exists?]

Though phrased as a question, his tone carried mockery.

[They do, but their lives are in chaos.] Xiu Xiu sneered: [Ever since Master left the General’s Manor, the entire Si family agreed that each person would take turns giving blood to Si Yi.]

At first hearing, it sounded like a kindly proposal. But taking turns meant Si Yi could never fully seize one person’s identity, leaving him forever weak and unable to recover.

[The general’s wife doted on Si Yi and worried about his frailty, watching the Si family closely to make sure they complied. Later, as Si Yi grew older, weekly blood was no longer enough. Cutting flesh was too extreme, so they increased the frequency of medicine instead.]

[The frequency of bloodletting in the Si family rose as well, and discontent began to spread. Distrusting them, she set her sights on her next child.]

Si Qi clicked his tongue and instructed: [If she hasn’t conceived yet, give her sterilization medicine. If she’s already pregnant… once the child is born, tell me, and I’ll take him away.]

He had no wish to see another child suffer as pitifully as Si Yi.

[Rest assured, Master. Knowing the general’s wife was taking fertility tonics, General Si secretly switched them for sterility drugs. It’s been over a year now.] Xiu Xiu said: [Since she only wanted a child to sacrifice, both General Si and the eldest young master resisted it strongly.]

Although they had once been capable of killing the original body to save Si Yu, the idea of bearing another child just to trade one life for another… that was of a different nature altogether. They were not as insane as the general’s wife.

The original body’s eldest brother, because of living so closely with his mother, knew all too well how obsessed she was with Si Yu. For that reason, he had not dared to have children all these years, afraid that once born, his child would be stolen by his mother and turned into medicine for Si Yu.

Sometimes he even worried that one day he himself might be kidnapped by his mother and locked away in the courtyard, just like the original body back then, pressed down to have flesh cut and blood drawn.

The words Si Qi had spoken before leaving had indeed had some effect.

Xiu Xiu: [After years of failed attempts to conceive, the general’s wife’s emotions grew extreme. The people in the general’s manor couldn’t stand her watching them constantly for bloodletting. Even when they were sick or unwell, she still forced them to bleed. Because of this, they began privately speaking badly about her with other members of the Si family…]

[Last year, when Si Yu’s nephew had just turned six, the general’s wife demanded he bleed as well. His mother couldn’t bear to see her son suffer and quarreled with the general’s wife, which turned into quite an unpleasant conflict.]

This household, raised pampered and delicate since childhood, was the sort to scold servants even over a pricked finger. Now, having seen again and again their own arms cut open with knives, how could they feel at ease?

If such sacrifices had been one-time, perhaps it could be tolerated. But the problem was, they would have to endure this for the rest of their lives. Their children, their grandchildren—none could escape being dragged down by Si Yu, always under the watchful eye of the overprotective general’s wife.

Flesh from one’s palm or the back of one’s hand, both are dear. These elders cherished Si Yu, but they also cherished their own grandchildren dearly. How could they bear to see little arms covered with scar after scar?

They had all seen with their own eyes the hideous, grotesque state of Si Qi’s arm back then.

They wanted to refuse, but when they saw Si Yu’s face, they couldn’t bring themselves to say “I won’t give you medicine to save your life.” All their suppressed emotions stayed bottled inside, and they grew increasingly weary of it.

Those who once unrestrainedly took the original body’s blood now personally experienced what it was like to be drained repeatedly. That obedient, lovable child had become someone who could only survive by consuming their flesh and blood. The longer it went on, the harder it was to bear.

They would think: If you truly were obedient and understanding, Si Yu, how could you bear to let so many of us suffer for you?

Losing the identity of a young master of the general’s manor—would that really mean you would lack food or drink? Why must you cling to that position and pretend ignorance?

The medicine you take is made from the blood drawn from me. Can you take it with peace of mind? How can you accept it so naturally?

The once harmonious family, without the “discordant” original body, instead grew more and more discordant.

Xiu Xiu said unhappily: [And whenever they complain that the general’s wife is pushing them too hard, they always curse you a few times as well, saying why didn’t you stay, why didn’t you bear all the trouble alone?]

Xiu Xiu was furious just hearing it.

Si Qi sneered: [They truly haven’t repented.]

[Exactly!] Xiu Xiu puffed angrily: [They even said you’d die outside sooner or later anyway, so why not die in the general’s manor for Si Yu, sacrificing your life. At least then they’d remember you fondly. Bah! I hate that family. They deserve to be sucked dry by Si Yu for life!]

Si Qi chuckled and ruffled the little one’s head.

[Don’t worry, they won’t have a good ending.]

Not long after Si Qi’s talk with Xiu Xiu, a majestic white eagle swooped down from the skies and landed firmly on Si Yi’s raised arm.

He reached for the small bamboo tube tied to the bird’s leg, took out the letter inside, and released the eagle. Si Yi scanned the paper quickly, then fell into thought.

Back when they let that merchant leave, Si Yi and his group had already prepared for the court to move against them. They just hadn’t expected the emperor to react so sensitively, directly dispatching troops.

Logically, the backlash shouldn’t have been so severe…

Had he realized something else?

Si Yi relayed the matter to the governors. The governors and county magistrates from several provinces looked at each other, equally surprised that the usually muddle-headed and inactive emperor would react so strongly.

The governor of Jiang Province glanced around and asked: “Where is Mister Si?”

“Mister doesn’t often interfere with our actions,” Si Yi answered.

“This matter is of great importance. It would be best for Mister to hear it.” The officials all held Si Qi in high esteem, always believing that any problem placed in his hands would receive the perfect solution.

Even if he said nothing after arriving, merely sitting there, to them he was a great pillar of strength.

So Si Yi had his men invite Si Qi over.

When Si Qi arrived, he glanced at the letter and immediately said: “The court is guided by sorcerers. Likely they sensed fluctuations in fortune here and realized Si Yi’s existence.”

The officials stared in shock, never expecting the exposure to come from that.

“The sorcerers’ methods are mysterious and unpredictable—truly impossible to guard against.” One official frowned. “If they siphon off our fortune…”

Then all the improvements in their lives would return to what they once were.

Si Yi asked Si Qi: “Can they really do such things from afar?”

“They can,” Si Qi replied with a smile, “but I won’t let them succeed.”

To play with the world’s power before the Main God himself—calling it “showing off before an expert” would be giving them too much credit.

Hearing this, the officials all let out a breath of relief.

Si Qi said: “I can ensure that the sorcerers accompanying the army will not be able to interfere with the battle. The rest is up to you.”

The officials broke into smiles and declared boldly: “Mister, rest assured. Leave this matter to us!”

Si Yi too nodded, fearless.

Xiu Xiu muttered softly: [The Child of the World has extraordinary fortune, destined never to lose. With Master helping behind the scenes, there’s no way this war can be lost…]

It was fortunate the emperor’s sorcerers didn’t know their true identities—otherwise they would have fled in terror overnight, carrying trains on their backs if need be.

The troops of the Autumn Dynasty were fully armed, pressing toward Liang Province. Si Yi and the county magistrates moved quickly, recruiting strong young men from all around.

The common people gathered around the posted notices outside the yamen, listening to the clerks read them aloud, buzzing with discussion.

“Why is the court sending troops to attack us? What did we do wrong?”

“They say it’s because the emperor covets the fine things Mister Si gave us. He wants to seize the factories, leaving us jobless and forcing us back to farming.”

“Farming? Why should we?! When we were starving before, the court didn’t care about us. Now that we can finally live better lives, they come to rob us and take our achievements. They’re trying to force us to die! To keep us slaves forever!”

“The magistrate is calling for recruits. Is it to resist the court? If so, I’ll enlist for sure—otherwise if the court reaches our doorstep, what will become of our families?”

“I never want to be oppressed by the court again. They never saw us as human.”

“Joining the army, the government guarantees three meals a day, plus pay. All we need to do is train. Honestly, they don’t even need to pay us—I’d bring my own rations!”

“The magistrate is too good to us… He saved me once back then.”

“Where do we sign up?”

“Why only those over sixteen? I think I’m already strong enough.”

The people whispered among themselves, their reactions fiery and passionate.

Knowing what disaster the imperial army would bring, they were eager, fearing only that the magistrates might obey the court and hand over all their treasures—forcing them back into misery.

Had they merely escaped disaster and remained poor, perhaps they wouldn’t have thought of resisting.

But this past year had been like living in a dream, their lives improving day by day, their children on the verge of enjoying happiness they’d never even dared to imagine. To return to the old days? They’d rather fight the court to the death!

Si Yi’s recruitment plan proceeded smoothly. How to drill troops, make weapons, command battles—ever since he had revealed his plans for the future to Mister, Mister had been guiding him, hand in hand.

Si Yi never doubted his dream could be realized, just as he never doubted Mister’s strength.

Three months later, the Autumn Dynasty’s army finally reached the border of Qu Province.

A deputy general rode up to General Si, smiling: “General, ahead is Qiliang County. Why not rest there a few days before continuing on to Liang Province?”

From the time they received the emperor’s orders to their arrival in the southern provinces, General Si’s army had taken over three months.

To Si Qi, it was as slow as a crawling turtle. But to General Si—who had known nothing but peace for centuries, with no real battles—this was already a rare hardship.

Dozens of days of weary marching left General Si exhausted. He ordered: “Send men ahead to the county, tell the magistrate to open the gates, arrange lodging, and prepare fine wine and dishes for our reception.”

The deputy general grinned, glad at the chance to rest, though he complained: “The further south we go, the harsher the environment. The wind cracks my skin—it’s unbearable. I wonder what the magistrate here can offer. Never mind meat and fish, but at least there should be good wine and women! Otherwise, how can we ease the hardship of the journey?”

General Si chuckled: “A county this size—surely they can provide that much. Just go. I doubt they’d dare to hide good things for themselves.”

The deputy general laughed heartily and called out to the soldiers: “Hurry up! Once we reach the county, the general permits you to eat and drink your fill—wine and meat for all!”

“Ohhh—” The soldiers, previously dragging their feet, cheered and quickened their pace.

But before their joy could last, thick smoke and dust suddenly rose ahead. From the far end of the plain appeared a massive, endless army, stretching beyond sight.

As the opposing army drew closer, a thunderous rumble rolled over like claps of thunder. Their steps were uniform, their momentum crushing and unstoppable, leaving General Si, who had hardly experienced real combat, utterly dumbfounded.

“Where did this army come from?!” he shouted in panic.

The sorcerer beside him had also turned pale, hastily taking out his instruments to calculate. A moment later, he spoke in alarm, “They are people gathered from all parts of Liang Province…”

“They couldn’t even afford to eat in recent years—how could they possibly have soldiers this formidable?!” General Si roared. “Even the troops I personally trained don’t have that kind of momentum. This must be a foreign army trespassing into our realm!”

The sorcerer’s face went blank.

The enemy was already within a few li, yet this man only just noticed them with his naked eyes. With vigilance like that, he dared to call his own force an elite unit?

And the speed at which they had marched from the capital to Qu Province over the last three months was so slow it was practically sightseeing. If these were truly foreign troops, they could have stormed into the capital in a month.

Moreover, his calculations clearly showed that every man in the opposing force was a subject of the Autumn Dynasty, all hailing from the south.

The sorcerer once again stressed, “They really are people from Liang Province and nearby regions.”

General Si’s face turned red and white in turn.

On the other side, every step, every grip of their spears was uniform and precise. Clearly, they had undergone strict centralized training and moved with seamless coordination—an obvious contrast to his own troops, who couldn’t even march properly.

The difference was too glaring, making it all the harder for him to accept.

Liang Province had only just begun to recover this past year. Until recently, they were suffering famine and floods, only lately managing to fill their bellies thanks to a stroke of better fortune.

And in such a short time, they had developed soldiers like these?

Wasn’t this a direct slap to his face?!

Hearing the restless murmurs of his own men behind him, General Si grew more irritable. He grabbed the sorcerer by the collar and shouted, “How did they know we were here, and even lay an ambush ahead of time? Did some sorcerer collude with them?!”

The sorcerer was speechless. “You’ve been marching for three months without ever concealing your movements. Of course they could spot you.”

“I—” General Si choked with frustration.

He knew full well that with such a large force, their movements couldn’t possibly go unnoticed. The problem was, he had never thought these people would dare to resist!

Back then, when the court treated them as sacrificial livestock, they hadn’t dared to defy orders at all. They even believed that their sacrifices would bring their surviving families a better life. Whatever the court said, they accepted.

This time, General Si had come expecting submission, imagining they would meekly hand over their craftsmen, even bind and deliver the runaway prince themselves. Who would have thought such rebellion could happen!

So they had made some glass mirrors and cups, grown sweet potatoes and corn to fill their stomachs. How dared they oppose the court? Weren’t they afraid of death?!

The sorcerer said from the side, “Judging by their disciplined formation, they must be prepared to fight you head-on, General. You must not underestimate them.”

General Si ground his teeth. “Of course I know that!”

The sorcerer fell silent, unease stirring in his heart.

Still, he believed that the Autumn Dynasty’s fortune would protect its emperor, ensuring his armies were invincible. So even if he thought General Si unreliable, he had no plans of fleeing. He told him, “I will condense the dynasty’s fortune upon you. Go fight without fear.”

General Si snorted coldly, gripping the red-tasseled spear at his waist. “Soldiers, hear my command! Slaughter these traitors!”

The troops behind him stirred restlessly, then followed the shouts of their officers into a charge.

Across the battlefield, Si Yi glared coldly at the chaotic mob and gave a steady order: “Form the Dragon-Serpent Array!”

The order spread quickly through the runners. Tens of thousands of men, guided by shouted signals, swiftly arranged into the dragon-serpent formation. Their months of relentless drills flowed from their bones into motion. With a thunderous roar, they surged forward.

The pampered capital soldiers had never faced such terrifying momentum before. Those charging in front instinctively slowed down, retreat already forming in their hearts before blades had even clashed.

Just then, an east wind swept in, lifting up clouds of dust beneath the soldiers’ feet, driving it straight into Si Yi’s ranks.

Far away in Liang Province, Si Qi lifted his head, his hand plucking the invisible strings of fate in the air.

The power of the world bent causality itself. The dust that should have blinded Si Yi’s soldiers merely obscured sightlines without causing any real hindrance.

Meanwhile, sharp blades pierced easily into enemy chests. The Autumn soldiers, unprepared for battle and not even wearing proper armor, shrieked in agony. Their cries for mercy spread quickly across the field.

At the rear, General Si and the sorcerers watched in shock as the two armies collided. On one side, a ferocious tide; on the other, men who could not resist for even a moment, shattered instantly by triangular kill-formations of blades, scattering into chaos.

Encircled by the rebels, the Autumn soldiers could not escape in any direction. Within a few breaths, swathes were cut down, bodies piling on the ground.

General Si was trembling, spear in hand, furious and terrified.

He could not understand how the battle had become so one-sided. A life of smooth sailing had never prepared him for such disaster. He turned to roar at the sorcerer—when suddenly, blood spurted across his vision. The sorcerer, still on horseback, toppled lifelessly to the ground, convulsing.

For a moment, General Si’s mind went blank. Then he cursed, yanked up another sorcerer, and shouted to his men, “Retreat! Withdraw at once!!”

Watching through the monitor, Xiu Xiu let out an exasperated “Uh…” and said, “This General Si is useless. Ten thousand against thirty thousand—he retreats the instant contact is made?”

Si Qi brushed the air with his fingers, diverting countless misfortunes that should have struck their side. Seeing the projection of the scene in his mind, he chuckled. “Truly a coward who only bullies his own people.”

At the same time, Si Yi, holding his telescope, saw the retreating commander’s banner. Spotting General Si fleeing in disgrace, he shouted, “Archers, prepare!”

At once, the rebels at the front halted their pursuit and quickly contracted back into formation.

The capital soldiers, realizing their enemies had stopped chasing, could no longer endure the feeling of being slaughtered like cattle. They turned and fled in all directions, weeping in terror.

But before they got far, a hiss filled the sky—countless arrows arcing overhead like a vast net, blotting out the sun. They rained down, piercing the fleeing men.

Like stalks of grain cut by a sickle, soldiers fell in waves mid-run, leaving behind corpses and groaning wounded strewn across the field.

Before setting out, Si Yi had put his men through several mock drills. Si Qi, who had observed, had affirmed his months of preparation. Si Yi had imagined his first battle might end in victory.

But witnessing firsthand how pitifully weak the enemy was, how quickly they broke, still left him stunned, question marks flashing through his mind.

How could victory be this easy?

Still, he wasted no time and shouted, “Press the advantage, pursue them!”

The soldiers around him, drenched in blood and gripping their blades, were wild with excitement.

They had been nervous before setting out, even fearful. But months of training under their officers had burned discipline into their bodies. Who would have thought it would work so well?

The so-called capital troops were nothing but fragile cowards, timid as rabbits in a field.

Thinking of all the years of suffering under their oppression, thinking of their families waiting at home for news of triumph, the men roared and charged ahead with merciless blades.