Chapter 20: A Snowfall of Death and Rewards

In the first month of the year, a steady stream of distinguished visitors arrived bearing gifts, like fish crossing a river. Governor Yan Jiexi of Lingzhou came with his children, followed closely by Governor Li Gongde of Fengzhou, who naturally brought along his notorious son, Li Hanlin. Since their sons were childhood friends with the Young Master, the two governors shared a deep bond and had always enjoyed the favor of the Northern Liang King. Even occasional lapses in governance were lightly overlooked by the Great Pillar of the State.

Governor Yan had an additional advantage that outsiders envied—his daughter, Yan Dongwu, was renowned for both her intellect and beauty, earning praise even from the Great Pillar of the State himself, who once remarked that she was “graceful, composed, and dignified.” Many believed she would eventually enter the Northern Liang Palace, but the Young Master’s notorious recklessness seemed to have delayed any formal arrangements.

Today, the Great Pillar personally received the two governors. Li Hanlin, unable to sit still, was itching to leave. With a wave of his hand, the Great Pillar dismissed him with a single word: “Scram.” Li Hanlin, as if granted amnesty, immediately dragged his sworn friend Yan Chiji out with him, though not without a proper bow.

Governor Li Gongde sighed deeply, lamenting his son’s lack of propriety. The Great Pillar, however, laughed and said, “Hanlin’s temperament is just fine,” putting Li Gongde at ease. A single word from the Great Pillar carried more weight than a thousand criticisms from the common folk.

Yan Dongwu also excused herself gracefully to stroll through the manor. Few women had ever earned the Great Pillar’s praise, and she was widely regarded by Northern Liang scholars as the “Lady Scholar,” excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literature. Radiant and intelligent, she might have been even more famous had she not been overshadowed by the extraordinary Xu Wei Xiong, the foremost woman of Northern Liang.

Yet, from the moment she first laid eyes on Xu Fengnian, she had felt nothing but disdain, viewing him as an empty-headed fool—a sentiment she never bothered to hide. Xu Fengnian, in turn, mocked her as a fame-seeking hypocrite, outwardly gentle but inwardly calculating, a knife hidden beneath a demure facade. “Whoever marries her brings a blade home,” he often quipped.

Over the years, the two had remained at odds, avoiding each other whenever possible, never exchanging greetings even when their paths crossed. Her younger brother, Yan Chiji, had once hoped for a closer bond between her and Fengnian, but when it became clear that was impossible, he gave up.

As dusk fell, Yan Dongwu walked along a secluded path, sneering inwardly. For the past six months, there had been no news of the Young Master’s usual mischief—rumor had it he was confined to study the classics. But she doubted even the Great Pillar could restrain Xu Fengnian’s feet. More likely, he had committed some unspeakable crime.

Suddenly, she heard a mocking voice: “Oh, what bravery! A lone lady wandering the territory of Xu the Fool. Aren’t you afraid he might abduct and defile you?”

Without looking up, she knew it was her fated nemesis—the Young Master, who had neither academic achievements nor notable deeds to his name.

Yan Dongwu ignored him, quickening her pace to leave.

Xu Fengnian blocked her path, grinning mischievously. “How about I protect you, my lady? Wouldn’t want Xu the Fool to ruin your virtue. Who’d marry you then? I hear a young prince in the capital fancies you—planning to be a royal consort?”

Yan Dongwu glared at him with fury in her phoenix eyes.

Outwardly cold, she was inwardly surprised. After three years apart, the scoundrel seemed darker and more robust, but his innate arrogance remained as detestable as ever. Observant as she was, she noticed that the most notorious young master of Liangzhou no longer wore a flashy sword but carried a blade instead—not at his waist but in his hand, an odd sight.

She took a step back, putting distance between them, and retorted, “Couldn’t master the skills of that masked swordsman, so you settled for the easiest option—carrying a blade? What lofty ambitions, Young Master!”

Xu Fengnian hummed in agreement, then slung Xiudao over his shoulder, looking even more roguish. “So the Lady Scholar has heard of that swordsman’s exploits? Tell me, should I reward him with a few thousand taels? I’ve heard there’s a bloody fight outside the city tonight. I’m just wondering how much silver to bring. You’re good at calculations—care to advise me?”

Yan Dongwu sneered. “You’d dare witness such carnage? How much you reward him is your business. But I’d kindly remind you to bring an extra set of clothes.”

Xu Fengnian clicked his tongue. “Ah, the Lady Scholar truly thinks of everything—even predicting I’d wet myself. Impressive. I used to think you only spoke when it suited you, but I see now I was wrong.”

Losing patience, Yan Dongwu snapped, “Move!”

Xu Fengnian, still leaning on Xiudao, smirked. “Tell me, Lady Scholar, would you dare come with me to see that swordsman?”

“Absolutely not!”

“Afraid of seeing me humiliated? Or afraid you’ll fall for him and elope? I hear you secretly read tales of wandering heroes. Aren’t you curious who hides behind that mask?”

Exposed, Yan Dongwu remained silent, unruffled.

Xu Fengnian sighed dramatically. “Suit yourself. More fun for me alone.”

He brushed past her, Xiudao resting on his shoulder.

Suddenly, Yan Dongwu wrinkled her nose and, for the first time ever, asked him a question: “Are you really going to play the fool and throw money away?”

Xu Fengnian grinned. “There are two horses in the stable.”

In the end, two riders left the city.

Cloaked in thick furs to conceal her identity, Yan Dongwu galloped furiously, inwardly cursing herself for falling for Xu Fengnian’s tricks. She had assumed the palace guards would follow, but after twenty li, there was no sign of them. Anxious, she called out, “Xu Fengnian! Where are you taking me?!”

Holding his blade in one hand, he turned and smiled. “Twenty more li, and you’ll see. Worried I’ll drag you into the wilderness for unspeakable acts? Don’t worry—I’ve learned that forced fruit is never sweet.”

Under the starlit sky, Yan Dongwu saw a face that suddenly seemed unfamiliar.

Twenty li later, they reached a small hill where flickering campfires glowed on the opposite side.

Xu Fengnian spurred his horse up the slope first.

When Yan Dongwu reached the crest, her face turned deathly pale.

Below, a dozen burly men sat drinking and feasting, their faces sinister. Spotting Xu Fengnian, they grinned like wolves eyeing a fat lamb. Then their gazes turned to Yan Dongwu, their eyes burning with lust. Stranded in this desolate place, they saw her as a godsent delicacy.

Stunned, Yan Dongwu stared at Xu Fengnian’s profile. Was this his vile revenge?

Without looking at her, Xu Fengnian chuckled softly. “Don’t rush to bite your tongue, Lady Yan. I’m not as despicable as you think. Handing you over to dead men would make Yan Chiji cut ties with me—hardly worth it.”

He exhaled deeply, his breath forming a white mist in the frigid air.

Then, to her shock, the idle Young Master pulled out a grotesque mask from his robes, fitted it over his face, drew his blade, and planted the scabbard in the ground. In that instant, his entire demeanor transformed.

Yan Dongwu covered her mouth, afraid to make a sound.

It was a fine night for killing. In the falling snow, corpses would soon freeze like icicles, their blood crystallizing into patterns as delicate as embroidery—a small comfort for Xu Fengnian, who for now could only kill swiftly and efficiently.

After several skirmishes, he had gained some unspeakable experience. But walking the bloody path alone was lonely. Why else did masters duel on rooftops or in crowded streets?

Besides, Xu Fengnian had disliked Yan Dongwu for years—not her face or figure, which he found quite pleasing, but her haughty airs. So he had lured her out, eager to shock her senseless. With such a rare audience (aside from Old Kui), he resolved to kill with extra ruthlessness.

The bandit leader signaled two expendable underlings to charge first. Reluctant but tempted by the promise of first claim on the beautiful woman, they rushed forward.

Xiudao clashed with a well-forged cleaver. Xu Fengnian sidestepped, sliding his blade down to sever fingers before decapitating the man in one fluid motion. Without pause, he bisected the second bandit at the waist.

Then he plunged into the fray.

Xiudao became a swirling snowball of death.

Within minutes, all lay dead—most in pieces.

Breathing heavily, Xu Fengnian understood the wisdom of momentum. A blade demanded unwavering focus.

Removing the mask, he reverted to his usual roguish self. With a flick of his wrist, he shook the blood from Xiudao onto the snow and ascended the slope.

Yan Dongwu trembled on horseback, clinging to her pride. Xu Fengnian glanced at her, then wiped Xiudao’s blade on her priceless white fox fur, leaving a faint stain. The crude gesture made her gasp, nearly toppling from her saddle.

Satisfied, Xu Fengnian sheathed Xiudao, mounted his horse, and said quietly, “Let’s go.”

On the forty-li return journey, Xu Fengnian rode ahead while Yan Dongwu struggled to keep up.

Most of the way, he meditated, his breathing slow and steady.

Killing was secondary. The true tempering awaited him in the palace courtyard.

At the city gates, the guards recognized the Young Master and hurriedly opened them, fearing his wrath. Xu Fengnian escorted Yan Dongwu to the governor’s residence.

“The horse stays with me,” he said, smiling.

Silent and composed, Yan Dongwu dismounted. Unfazed, Xu Fengnian leaned down to take the reins—then tapped her backside with Xiudao’s scabbard. “Lost your soul?”

Her eyes flashed with anger.

Using Xiudao to tilt her chin up, he murmured, “Your father wrote a letter to Grand Tutor Wang in the capital. It’s now on Xu Xiao’s desk. So tonight’s excursion wasn’t entirely wasted.”

Panic flickered in her eyes.

Grinning, Xu Fengnian tossed her the mask. “A token of gratitude for your company. Next time you hate me, take it out on this.”

Then he rode off into the night.