Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Novel - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Prologue

“Did you say you wanted to know about Wei Yan-ho?”

Master Musan’s eyes were deep and clear.

Only when the man met Master Musan’s profound gaze could he understand why he was called the Living Buddha.

Master Musan’s transparent eyes possessed an inexplicable power that made one look inward simply by being gazed upon.

A great monk.

Even someone without deep respect for Buddhism would feel infinite respect for someone who had dedicated their entire life to the Buddhist path upon seeing Master Musan’s appearance.

A realm where what is held in the heart flows naturally.

Before the elevated dignity of such Buddhist cultivation, the man could only marvel in admiration.

“Wei Yan-ho…”

Master Musan’s eyes, as he repeated the name softly, were tinged with a distant look, as if remembering something from the past.

“I believe he was a being sent by Buddha to save all living creatures.”

A gentle smile bloomed at the corners of Master Musan’s mouth.

The smile that appeared on his lips, covered by long white whiskers, naturally brought peace to the heart of the man observing him.

A person who could naturally make someone of such a high level of cultivation smile just by thinking of him. It wasn’t difficult to guess what kind of person he was.

Indeed, the words that flowed from Master Musan’s mouth were exactly what the man had expected.

He was just and upright, and also compassionate. He knew how to take care of the weak, never cowered before the strong, and was more sincere than anyone else…

Something strange happened.

Master Musan’s eyebrows trembled slightly as he continued praising Wei Yan-ho. And his words became increasingly sporadic, as if he were having some difficulty.

“And he… behaved properly…”

Master Musan’s face twitched slightly.

“Master?”

The man looked at Master Musan with a worried expression.

Why was this great man, who seemed as if he would never falter even if Mount Tai collapsed and the heavens turned upside down, suddenly struggling so much to continue his words?

The transcendent aura he had emanated when first seen was nowhere to be found.

Ahem! Cough, cough! Amitabha.

Master Musan coughed loudly and then smiled.

I’m sorry. I don’t feel well today.

“You’re welcome.”

Yes, where was I? No one can deny Wei Yan-ho’s achievements. After all, he is the one who saved the world. But the reason people should follow his example is that he was a gentleman and a role model for everyone…

Master Musan closed his mouth.

His face seemed to blush slightly.

His breathing quickened, and his long beard trembled.

“…Master?”

The man called out to Master Musan, bewildered by this strange change.

The old monk who moments before had perfectly embodied the term ‘Living Buddha’ now trembled with his reddened face, as if he had secretly drunk several bottles of liquor like a libertine monk.

Master Musan’s mouth opened slightly.

“This is… maddening.”

“Pardon?”

Master Musan coughed loudly and waved his hand.

Amitabha! Amitabha!

“Well…”

Master Musan took several deep breaths and finally let out a sigh that seemed to make the ground sink.

I’m sorry. This monk isn’t feeling well today. Could you… could you come back another time?

“…Yes, I will.”

“Then I shall take my leave.”

Master Musan suddenly rose from his seat and quickly walked away without looking back.

The man watched Master Musan with vacant eyes.

What on earth had suddenly happened to that old monk?

The monk who moments ago had been as gentle as a living Buddha and full of dignity now showed him his pathetically hunched back as he hastily left the scene.

As if he had seen a ghost.

At that moment, the man’s ears caught Master Musan’s silent murmur to himself.

“Damn it!”

The man’s face changed strangely.

Had that old monk just cursed?

“That can’t be right.”

He must have misheard. Surely…

The man wiped away the cold sweat that continued to flow as he watched the departing figure of Master Musan, the former abbot of Shaolin, a living Buddha, and the very person who had saved the world from chaos as a close friend of Wei Yan-ho in the past.

***

“Please, come in.”

The man couldn’t help but be astonished.

Who was Peng Daoji?

Wasn’t he the legendary swordsman once called the Greatest Sword Under Heaven and made his name known throughout the Nine Provinces and Eight Desolates?

Wasn’t he the living myth of the martial world, whose sword technique any sword user would want to see even in their dreams?

And such a person had come out to the main gate of the Hebei Peng family to welcome him.

Given his status, he couldn’t complain even if they rejected him at the gate. But far from being rejected, who would imagine that he would personally come out to receive him like this?

He had heard rumors that Peng Daoji was a great hero who treated everyone without distinction, regardless of their status or age, but he had never imagined that he would receive him with such warmth.

“I am grateful for the great hero’s hospitality.”

Peng Daoji burst into laughter.

Hahaha, receiving visitors is natural. Why be so grateful?

“When the renowned Great Hero Peng personally meets an unknown like me, how could I not be grateful?”

I have only gained empty fame. Although my name is famous, I am also human, and so are you. What difference is there between people for me to build walls?

These words contained a profound meaning.

The man nodded his head.

The rumors about Peng Daoji that spread throughout the world weren’t entirely wrong.

The person before him was truly a great hero and a good man.

“Would you like to come in first?”

“How could I dare to expect such a luxury?”

“But if I left a guest here, the world would curse me.”

—Then, may I first confirm if you will answer my question?

Peng Daoji smiled.

Let’s do it. What do you wish to know?

“I want to know about Wei Yan-ho.”

Peng Daoji had a warm smile.

“Did you say Wei Yan-ho?”

The man replied vigorously.

“Yes!”

BANG!

At that moment, the main gate slammed shut with a tremendous noise.

Wow!

The gate closed so forcefully that dust scattered in all directions, and the tiles decorating the top of the gate trembled.

The man stared at the closed gate with a vacant expression.

Through the tightly closed gate, Peng Daoji’s voice could be heard.

“Is anyone there?”

Yes! I’m here, Supreme Family Head!

“Get out!”

“Pardon?”

Didn’t you hear? Get out! Bring salt! A whole sack… no, bring a whole sack and spread it in front of the gate!

“Yes, understood.”

What bad luck this morning! All sorts of people are coming. Ugh!, this will bring bad luck for three months.

Hearing Peng Daoji’s curses, the man’s mouth slowly opened.

Damn it! Contact the nearest temple and have them perform a ritual to ward off evil… No! If that bald Musan can’t handle this evil spirit, what could the other monks do? Spread salt generously. One bag… No, bring all the bags of salt from the warehouse and block the gate!

The man wiped the cold sweat with a cloth he had prepared beforehand as he listened to Peng Daoji’s irritated voice.

Peng Daoji, the greatest sword master under heaven, the former head of the Hebei Peng family known as the greatest family under heaven, and above all, the man recognized throughout the world as a close friend of Wei Yan-ho, never met the man again after that.

***

“A historian?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The Supreme Elder of the Beggars’ Sect, the Divine Beggar Guangqushen, tilted his head to one side.

“What’s that?”

“A person who records history.”

“History?”

“That’s right.”

Guangqushen looked at the man while yawning.

What does such a person want from this beggar? How much can a beggar know about history?

“I want to know about Wei Yan-ho.”

“Wei Yan-ho?”

“Yes!”

“The radiant martial lord Wei Yan-ho?”

“That’s right.”

Guangqushen turned his head indifferently.

“Is there anyone who doesn’t know about Wei Yan-ho?”

The man nodded.

“Everyone knows about him.”

“Right?”

Yes. The Radiant Martial Lord Wei Yan-ho! The mythical figure who ended the world’s great calamity. He was a gentleman, a great man, and is known throughout the world as a great hero. Some call him the greatest person of all time, others call him the greatest hero of all time.

—You know it very well. What interests you?

The man’s eyes lit up.

While searching for records about Wei Yan-ho to document the history of the martial world, I discovered something strange.

“Something strange?”

“The evaluations of Wei Yan-ho and his achievements can be found anywhere in the world.”

“And?”

“However, records of the actual facts of Wei Yan-ho are remarkably scarce.”

“Mmm…”

A mischievous smile appeared on Guangqushen’s lips.

It’s really strange. He’s the most famous and praised person in the world. However, curiously, there are few records of what he did in the past and how he lived. And he lived only a hundred years ago.

“That would be the case.”

That’s why I dared to seek out the Divine Beggar! I believed that you, who once wandered the world with Wei Yan-ho, could tell me precise memories of him.

“So you came looking for me?”

“Yes!”

“Do you look like a beggar?”

“…”

Indeed, the man’s appearance was that of such an excellent beggar that it wouldn’t be inferior even when compared to Guangqushen before him.

“I thought you had come to join the Beggars’ Sect.”

The man’s face flushed.

“You’re so elusive, Divine Beggar.”

I learned that you’ve been chasing me for half a year. But you could have gone to other places. Why did you come looking for me, going through so much trouble?

“Master Musan of Shaolin said he wasn’t feeling well, and the great hero Peng of the Peng family rejected me at his gate.”

“ Hehehe, those guys?”

Guangqushen laughed as if he had expected this.

—Please tell me! In the past! What the hell happened?

The Divine Beggar waved his hand dismissively.

—Enough. You’d be better off not knowing.

“I want to know.”

“I’m telling you it’s better not to know.”

I’ve been following Wei Yan-ho’s trail for five years! I’m a historian with a duty to inform the world about the true history for future generations.

“There is a history that is better left untold.”

The man prostrated himself on the ground.

—Please, help me. If you don’t tell me, Divine Beggar, there’s nowhere else in the world where I can know the truth about Wei Yan-ho.

“Isn’t it a story everyone knows?”

No! My intuition tells me there’s something more! Please, tell me! You’re the only one I can count on now. Please, I beg you! Don’t you know how important it is to convey the correct history to the world?

Before the man’s resolute words, Guangqushen smiled.

That smile had a somewhat peculiar light.

“Proper history?”

“Yes!”

“Do you really want to know?”

“Yes!”

The man nodded repeatedly as if fearing Guangqushen might change his mind.

“Really?”

“Yes!”

Guangqushen’s smile deepened even more.

His smile clearly contained mischief.

“Very well, shall I tell you a story…?”

“Thank you!”

“No need to thank me.”

“Pardon?”

Guangqushen clicked his tongue with an enigmatic expression.

“Because it would really be more comfortable not knowing.”

“…”

Guangqushen opened his mouth.

Wei Yan-ho, Wei Yan-ho… Almost everything known about him is true. Except for one thing.

The man’s eyes lit up.

“Which part?”

“Well, you know…”

Guangqushen dug his ear and blew out the wax with his mouth.

Then he said indifferently:

—Well, it’s obvious. His character.

“His character?”

Guangqushen smiled and opened his mouth.

—That guy is a complete scoundrel, you see?