Finalmente, Xio Chiyě se levantó. En la tenue luz, ayudó a Li Jiànchéng a bajar las cortinas. Luego, tomó el arco pesado de cien libras. Las puertas del camerino estaban abiertas y Xio Chiyě se movió entre las cortinas, saliendo al exterior en la lluvia.
Han Cheng y sus hombres sacaron sus espadas, no necesitaban decir nada ya que habían ganado la batalla. Querían cambiar el cielo y la tierra en ese diluvio, obligando a Xio Chiyě a rodar de nuevo.
Xio Chiyě miró al jefe de la multitud, pasó entre las escaleras, sin su cuchillo. Cuando la lluvia borraba su indiferencia, chocó con los soldados. El arco bloqueó las espadas, empujándolos hacia atrás y superando el rugido de la tormenta.
Shen Zecuan cruzó a caballo por la Gran Calle, los eunucos y los miembros del servicio de Han Cheng estaban inmóviles. Li Jiànchéng, agarrado al muro, miraba a Xio Chiyě, intentando ver su rostro.
Los ocho grandes campamentos volvieron a atacar, buscando salir por la puerta principal. El arco de la puerta se quejó bajo el peso, y las cadenas regresaron rápidamente mientras la puerta se abatía hacia abajo."Zhuo An," Chen Zecuan raised his voice, saying tenderly through the rain, "Come home."
Xiao Chiyao felt as if his heart was doused with cold water. He tightened the reins and spurred his horse back. The city gate slammed shut on the ground, blocking the Eight Great Camps' pursuers behind it and also preventing Xiao Chiyao from entering.
Xiao Chiyao's voice hoarse, he shouted like a provoked beast: "Shen Lanzhou!"
Chen Zecuan no longer looked at Xiao Chiyao but turned to face Han Cheng and the numerous Eight Great Camp soldiers.
Han Cheng spit on the ground, snarling: "Chen Zecuan, you're ruining my good deed!"
"You have no right to call yourself a Jinyiwei," Chen Zecuan looked down at him, his voice icy. "Since Ji Wufan, Jinyiwei has always been upright and without shame. Today, by plotting to harm the emperor's orders, Han Cheng, I kill you in accordance with justice!"
Han Cheng raised his head and laughed loudly: "What are you? A leftover of Shen! I treated you well, promoted you multiple times, yet this is how you repay me? Come on! Bring him up so that Commissioner Shen can see for himself!"
Qi Huilian was dragged out. His hair disheveled, he fell into the rain and cursed: "Vile scoundrel, treacherous!"
Han Cheng grabbed his chain, spurred his horse forward, dragging Qi Huilian through the streets. Pointing at Qi Huilian, he said to Chen Zecuan, "Did you look for him long? Here! Chen Zecuan, come quickly and fetch him!"
"Vile scoundrel, vile scoundrel!" Qi Huilian was furious, splattered with mud.
Han Cheng watched the pale face of Chen Zecuan and then his gloomy eyes. He said: "Your brother is Crown Prince Jianxing, I remember he was dragged to death by the border cavalry. But you have no feelings for him, so you don't feel pain. Today, it's your master's turn. Do you feel pain?"
"Han Cheng!" Chen Zecuan bit out between his teeth, "You went through great trouble to hide Master. What do you want?"
"At first, he was of great use," Han Cheng suddenly changed his face, "but you let Xiao Chiyao escape and ruined my plan. You no longer have any value! If you still want his life, come down here, kneel in front of me and apologize three times. I will spare both him and your life!"
Chen Zecuan took a step forward and said: "Deal!"
"Rubbish!" Qi Huilian lifted his head from the mud, wiped off the dirt, stood up, and stared at Chen Zecuan, "I taught you poetry, not to be humiliated like this! I, Qi Huilian, do not kneel for heaven or earth. How can you kneel before a lowly person like him?"
The chains rattled loudly.
Qi Huilian staggered, shouting in the rain: "A century of time is but a dream butterfly①, I come and go freely! In this life, I have enjoyed wealth and honor, gained fame and fortune. Me—" He laughed madly, pulling on the chain around his neck, "I laugh at all heroes across the land, surpassing even the sages of the world! Who can match Qi Huilian? My three victories in Yuzhou shook the entire country! When I stood before the emperor with wit and strategy, where was you, Han Cheng? You are still a rat in the gutter!"
Qi Huilian, drenched in rain, looked like he had drunk wine.
"You rats, not even to beg for shoes are you worthy of me! The gentry is as serious an illness as the world. Tell Hai Liangyi that the Great Zhou is already terminally ill; I and he cannot save it," Qi Huilian turned his head wildly in laughter, spat at Han Cheng, "but I will not give up. In this life, I am only a teacher of the emperor! Lanzhou, come on! The cage is broken, chaos must arise. What Master can teach you, I have already taught you all. This rotten heaven and earth..."