Chapter 67: Betrayal and Broken Promises

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When Zhou Yi arrived in the capital, he could not help but furrow his brows deeply at the scene unfolding on the main street. The passersby were a spectacle of all manner of grotesquerie: those who had once cut off their queues now tied ponytails into braids and hung them at the back of their heads. Their attire, too, had reverted to the long robes of the Qing dynasty, and upon closer inspection, many wore funeral shrouds—garments meant for the dead. In front of every household hung dragon flags, and where none could be found, yellow paper was painted with a creature that looked like a dragon—or perhaps more like a worm. The entire city was shrouded in a miasma of chaos and ugliness.

Zhou Yi shook his head and sighed at the sight. The little dragon within the mountain had yet to fully absorb the essence of the dragon vein, but Zhang Xun had already acted with reckless impatience, disregarding the order of things—how could such a venture last long?

But Zhou Yi was not overly concerned with these matters. His true purpose was to find Zhang Xun and obtain the three keys.

An hour later, Zhou Yi arrived at the Zhang residence and knocked gently on the door ring. A servant soon opened the door. Without even announcing his arrival, the servant led Zhou Yi directly into the courtyard.

“The master has gone to court this morning. It is now midday, so he should return soon. Please wait here a moment,” the servant said.

Zhang Xun was not home. The servant guided Zhou Yi to the main hall, served him tea, and then withdrew.

As Zhou Yi waited, he examined a painting hanging in the hall—a heron and stone by Bada Shanren of the Qing dynasty. Yet no matter how he scrutinized it, he could not discern what made the painting so remarkable.

Noisy voices came from outside as the servant opened the door to receive the returning master. It was Zhang Xun, accompanied by Chen Yi, Liu Tingchen, Shen Zengzhi, Youshi Mingchuan, Kang Youwei, and more than ten others.

As they walked, the group flattered Zhang Xun endlessly—it was clear that Zhang was basking in newfound glory.

“Young man, I greet Commander Zhang!” Zhou Yi, seeing Zhang Xun’s return, stepped forward from the hall and offered a cupped-fist salute.

Zhang Xun, upon seeing Zhou Yi, beamed with delight. “Young friend Zhou Yi, today’s success is all thanks to you! Now that the Great Qing is restored, your merit is unparalleled. Whatever reward you desire, name it, and I shall grant it.”

Hearing this, Zhou Yi wondered if Zhang Xun had forgotten his prior promise and was preparing to renege. His brow furrowed slightly, but he could not expose Zhang Xun in front of so many others—one must always leave a man his dignity.

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Out of consideration for Zhang Xun’s face, Zhou Yi decided to let the matter rest for now. “I dare not ask for too much. Commander Zhang is busy with state affairs. I shall take my leave for today and call again another day,” Zhou Yi said, turning to go. He dared not linger; after all, the Void was still pursuing him.

“Young friend Zhou Yi, wait,” Zhang Xun called. “Today, with the restoration of the Great Qing, you are among its founding heroes. If I let you leave just like this, would it not chill the hearts of those who have rendered service? Come, enter the hall—for I have other arrangements for you.”

Zhou Yi pondered Zhang Xun’s intentions. Could it be that Zhang Xun knew about the matter with Zhang Zuozheng and wanted to detain him? Though filled with suspicion, Zhou Yi could not refuse Zhang Xun’s invitation without causing offense, so he smiled and joined the others in the hall.

In truth, Zhou Yi was confident in his abilities; even if all the guards and servants of the Zhang residence attacked him, he was certain he could escape. This was confidence, not arrogance.

A banquet was already laid out in the hall. Zhang Xun sat at the head, with Kang Youwei, Liu Tingchen, Chen Yi, Shen Zengzhi, Youshi Mingchuan, Suzuki Yuichi, and two deputy commanders of the Disciplinary Army seated in order below.

“Today, with the restoration of the Great Qing, all present have rendered great service. I, Zhang Xun, first offer you all a toast!” With that, Zhang Xun raised his cup to the assembly, and the others followed suit and drank.

The guests then vied with one another in flattery and sycophancy, their obsequious words causing Zhou Yi to frown in private. These men were shameless, saying whatever sounded most pleasing and bestowing one grandiose title after another upon Zhang Xun, who accepted all with satisfaction. The banquet was a scene of mutual pleasure and self-congratulation.

When the feast ended, Zhang Xun rose unsteadily to see his guests out. “Gentlemen, I won’t accompany you further. There are affairs I must still attend to today. Tomorrow, I shall reward you all handsomely.”

The guests, knowing well what these rewards entailed, were all smiles. Having aided Zhang Xun’s restoration of the Qing, the Xuantong Emperor had already bestowed honors, and now Zhang Xun promised further rewards—a windfall of both fame and fortune. All present were richly satisfied.

“Gentlemen, in the days to come, we shall serve together in the same court. Let us look after one another,” said Kang Youwei, his face flushed with wine.

Everyone readily agreed, exchanging pleasantries before dispersing.

As Zhang Xun bid farewell to the others, he turned to see Zhou Yi still seated at the table, sipping wine at his leisure. Zhang Xun’s expression soured—he had already said his goodbyes, so why was Zhou Yi still here? Was he planning to overstay his welcome?

“Young friend Zhou Yi, I am old and cannot hold my drink. I am afraid I cannot accompany you further tonight,” Zhang Xun said, hiccupping, his breath reeking of stale wine.

“Commander Zhang, now that the Great Qing has been restored, the matter you entrusted to me is concluded. When does Commander Zhang intend to fulfill his promise?” Zhou Yi asked, tossing two peanuts into his mouth and chewing as he spoke.

Zhang Xun was momentarily taken aback. “Oh? And what matter would that be, young friend?”

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Zhang Xun’s moment of confusion was clearly a pretense to deny his obligation. Yet when Zhou Yi pressed him, the flicker of panic in Zhang Xun’s eyes did not escape Zhou Yi’s notice.

“There are three weapons in the imperial palace: ‘Heaven’s Firmament,’ ‘Earth’s Foundation,’ and the third, ‘Ze Dui.’ Commander Zhang once promised to deliver them to me upon success. Surely you do not intend to go back on your word?” Zhou Yi had anticipated this outcome but hadn’t expected Zhang Xun to feign ignorance so brazenly.

Zhang Xun’s look of confusion deepened. Stroking his mustache, he pretended sudden realization. “Ah, age has dulled my mind! I have been so preoccupied with the restoration of the nation that I entirely forgot. Truly, that was remiss of me.”

He refilled his cup with wine and, holding it in both hands, said, “I was careless—please do not take offense, young friend. Let this cup be my apology.”

With that, he tossed back the wine in one gulp, but instead of returning the cup to the table, he hurled it forcefully to the ground, shattering it.

At once, more than twenty soldiers burst into the hall, their spears leveled at Zhou Yi’s head.

Zhou Yi, still seated, watched Zhang Xun’s performance with a faint smile. The scene was all too familiar, reminiscent of tales told in his village—where a shattered cup was the signal for ambush.

“What is the meaning of this, Commander Zhang?” Zhou Yi asked with a cold laugh.

By now, Zhang Xun had entirely shed his former demeanor. Accepting a pipe from an attendant and packing it with tobacco, he took two puffs before speaking. “I must ask you—where is my nephew, Zhang Zuozheng?”

Hearing this, Zhou Yi realized Zhang Xun’s cunning ran deep. He had known all along that Zhou Yi had killed Zhang Zuozheng, yet had given no sign at the banquet, even offering Zhou Yi three toasts without betraying a hint of his intentions.

“Your nephew met his end on Changbai Mountain at my hands. By now, he has likely fed the mountain rats,” Zhou Yi replied, his face still wreathed in a smile, though his heart raced.

“Young man, had you not come to my residence, I would have let the matter be. But since you are here, you shall not leave. Seize him!” Zhang Xun commanded.

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