Chapter Six: No Sign of the Outlaw at the Banquet, Zhu Sheng Discusses Heroes Over Wine

The following day, after receiving an invitation from Zhu Shengzhiyin, Ji Shi felt deeply uneasy. "Why explicitly request that I not bring Chi Lao?" he wondered, a sense of foreboding gnawing at him. "This won't do. I must go find Chi Lao and ask what is going on." With that, he set off toward Longteng Inn. To his surprise, he encountered one of Chi Lao's attendants on the way. "Young Master Ji, do you happen to know where our young master is? He did not return all night, and we have no word of his whereabouts." Hearing this, and linking it to the message from Zhu Shengzhiyin, Ji Shi felt a sudden, chilling realization.

"Your master is likely with Zhu Shengzhiyin. The three of us are brothers; they are probably just busy with something at the Zhu estate. Do not worry. I am going to the Zhu residence to drink in a few days, and I will see what kind of scheme this man is brewing." After dismissing the attendant, Ji Shi returned home to continue his cultivation.

On the twenty-first day of the eleventh lunar month in the eighth year of Jianning of the Qianling Emperor, the Winter Solstice, a light snow began to fall. Ji Shi rose early to prepare for the banquet. "I shall see exactly what this man is up to," he muttered.

Stepping through the fine, powdery snow, Ji Shi walked slowly toward the street where the Zhu estate was located. The lanterns of the shops lining the road cast a dim, yellowish glow through the mist, illuminating the silver-clad world. Looking at the scene, a sense of unreality washed over him; he briefly wondered if this journey through time was merely a dream. "Never mind. I will take it one step at a time," he thought, quickly steadying his resolve. Pedestrians hurried past, their breath turning to frost, but he moved with a measured, deliberate pace, his heart a mixture of curiosity and caution. The gates of the Zhu estate stood open, with two stone lions standing majestically in the snow. The gatekeeper saw him approaching and hurried forward to lead him through the carved corridors, where every step felt like treading upon the weight of history.

Entering the main hall, Ji Shi found Zhu Shengzhiyin waiting. Dressed in opulent robes and wearing a broad smile, he appeared a stark contrast to his usual cold demeanor. "Master Ji, you have finally arrived! Please, take the seat of honor!" Zhu Shengzhiyin poured a cup of warm wine for him, the fragrance of the drink mingling with the heat of the brazier to create an unsettling sense of warmth. Ji Shi took the cup, his gaze sweeping the hall, attempting to catch a glimpse of something unusual behind the facade of luxury.

"Master Ji? Isn't that what only Chi Lao calls me? How would Zhu Shengzhiyin know that? And I don't see Chi Lao anywhere in this house. Where could he be?"

Just then, Zhu Shengzhiyin called out, "Master Jia, serve the broth!" A greasy, rotund man stepped forward, followed by five others carrying a large cauldron. "Be careful! Do not spill a drop; do not spoil the meal for the master’s honored guest!" Seeing the pot, Ji Shi’s heart sank. He dared not believe the conclusion his intuition was forcing upon him.

"Eat, Master Ji, it will not taste good once it grows cold," Zhu Shengzhiyin urged, signaling for Master Jia to bring a large ladle and scoop a generous portion of meat into a bowl for Ji Shi. As he stared at the meat, Ji Shi’s heart plummeted into an abyss.

Zhu Shengzhiyin continued to drink, while Ji Shi sat with a grave expression, sipping his wine. Sensing something amiss, Zhu Shengzhiyin asked, "Master Ji, why so gloomy? And why have you not touched the meat in your bowl? Is it not to your liking?" He then barked, "Master Jia, get in here! My guest finds the food unpalatable; how do you answer for this?" "Spare me, Master! I used the finest seasonings to prepare it!" the cook stammered in terror, though he thought to himself, *It’s made of human flesh; it would be a miracle if it tasted good! Perhaps Master Ji has already realized the truth!*

"It is not his fault," Ji Shi interjected. "I have reached a critical stage in my martial arts training and cannot consume meat." "I see. Does training really require such restrictions?" Zhu Shengzhiyin asked skeptically. "My techniques are unique," Ji Shi replied. "Very well. Master Jia, you may leave." "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Young Master Ji!" As the cook retreated, Ji Shi noticed Zhu Shengzhiyin make a throat-slitting gesture toward the man's back. Ji Shi saw it, but remained silent.

The banquet continued. When the wine had reached a mellow point, Zhu Shengzhiyin asked, "Master Ji, do you know of the transformations of a dragon?" "I would be honored to hear your thoughts," Ji Shi replied. Zhu Shengzhiyin continued, "A dragon can be large or small, ascending or hidden. When large, it stirs up clouds and mists; when small, it hides its form. When ascending, it soars through the cosmos; when hidden, it lurks beneath the waves. Now that spring is deep, the dragon moves with the times, much like a person who finds success and roams the world. The dragon is a metaphor for the heroes of the world. In your opinion, who among the living can be called a hero?"

"My knowledge is shallow; how could I possibly know who is a hero?" Ji Shi replied. "Master Ji, do not be so humble!" "I have never left Ruzhou, nor have I seen the heroes of the world," Ji Shi insisted. "Even if you have not seen them, you must have heard of them. Just name a few!"

Ji Shi pondered for a moment. "The Prince of Jiangnan, Chen Shui, possesses great power and commands an army of two hundred thousand. Could he be called a hero?" "He is strong in many respects—perhaps the most powerful man alive—but he lacks the ambition to contend for the throne. He is content to remain a mere prince," Zhu Shengzhiyin dismissed.

"Then what of Xiang Hui, the Prince of Chu? He is hot-blooded and led an army of a hundred thousand to capture over a dozen cities of our Great Qian. Is he not a hero?" "A band of southern barbarians; they will not get far."

"What about Li Kangjia of Jingzhou?" "Though he is of the royal lineage, he is merely a dog guarding his own inheritance. How can he be called a hero?"

"What of the others, like Luo Ji or Yang Zhisheng?" Zhu Shengzhiyin burst into laughter. "These mediocre men are not worth mentioning!"

"Aside from these, I truly cannot guess who is a hero," Ji Shi said. "I believe a true hero is one who possesses great ambition, profound strategy, the capacity to contain the universe in his breast, and the will to swallow the heavens and the earth." "Then who, in your view, can be called a hero?"

Zhu Shengzhiyin looked at him, pointing a finger at Ji Shi and then at himself. "The only heroes in the world today are the two of us: you, Master Ji, and I, Zhu Shengzhiyin!" Hearing this, Ji Shi felt a chill. *Isn't this what Cao Cao said to Liu Bei? Could Zhu Shengzhiyin be testing me? Given his intellect, he couldn't have come up with this strategy; it must be the work of his advisor, Ji Fanwei. If only Zhu Shengzhiyin were Xiang Yu, then Chi Lao would not have suffered this fate... alas.*

After a moment of thought, Ji Shi deliberately knocked his chopsticks to the floor. *This trick of Liu Bei's never fails! Hehe, I am truly clever!* Zhu Shengzhiyin looked at him as the chopsticks clattered, and Ji Shi met his gaze. *Just wait for the clap of thunder, then I will explain it away, and only then will he lower his guard so I can escape!*

But they stared at each other for a long time, and no thunder came. Ji Shi felt mortified, and a sense of hopelessness regarding his escape began to set in. *Am I to follow in Chi Lao's footsteps? I haven't even become a king yet! I knew he was being insincere when we swore our oath of brotherhood! Oh, the hatred!* However, he had clearly misinterpreted Zhu Shengzhiyin's intentions, for the next words out of the man's mouth left him stunned.

"Master Ji, are you feeling unwell? If so, I shall have my men escort you home." ??? Though Ji Shi did not know what scheme Zhu Shengzhiyin was hatching, he rose to leave.

*My poor Chi Lao, my only kin in this strange world. I am not yet strong enough, but once I reach the Yuan Realm, with my talent, I shall be invincible among my peers. When that day comes, I will surely avenge you!* Ji Shi thought to himself on the way home.

Suddenly, he saw several men in black emerging from the Zhu estate, dragging a large sack. He hurried to follow them.