Da Shi Wang had always hoped to die a man in front of Miss Liu, feeling that life wouldn’t have been in vain. Yet, he lamented not being able to carry on the Wang family’s legacy for his father. To someone like him, Ni Rong Liu was a celestial fairy, untouched by the mundane, beautiful, gentle, kind-hearted, and a martial arts prodigy. Just catching a glimpse of her was enough to keep him energized throughout the day while working, and if she happened to smile at him, he would surely lose sleep that night.
Over the years, sleeping on the same large Kang (a traditional heated brick bed in northern China) with his senior brothers, every night was filled with tales of the young lady. One senior brother once bragged about having seen her drying a bellyband in the courtyard, only to be beaten into a pulp by the others that very night. Yet, it was said that many brothers secretly asked about the color and style of that bellyband, even knowing it was a lie, they still indulged in daydreams.
Da Shi Wang had no right to join in such excitement, content with just watching Miss Liu Ni Rong from afar, knowing that one day, the fairy in his heart would also marry and start a family. Recently, he heard from a senior brother that the old leader had found a nobleman for the young lady, which made Da Shi Wang feel disheartened, even envying his father who had died heroically for the Yulong Gang.
Feng Nian Xu released the corpse that had no spine left, squatted down, wiped his hands on Zhao Yingchuan’s clothes, and glanced at that Northern Liang saber. Just now, his palm had pierced this fellow’s back like a blade; his middle finger could have easily shattered the entire spine, but cautiously, he changed his hand from a blade to a claw. If the corpse were to fall into the eyes of those who meant harm, the displayed realm wouldn’t be too alarming.
The reason for hiding within the Yulong Gang on this trip was not due to any conspiracy, but simply because he needed to go to the Lixia City in the Northern Wilderness. Thus, Chu Lushan made some arrangements, swapping places with the steward of a minor official’s residence, imprisoning the steward in the jail of Lingshou, only to be released after the Yulong Gang returned from the Northern Wilderness. The steward who suffered this misfortune probably still had no idea what had happened.
Feng Nian Xu hadn’t expected that upon arriving at Daoma Pass, the Yulong Gang would be pushed to the brink of death. Since this incident wasn’t his doing, he originally had no intention of interfering. The heir prince, known for his cold detachment, indeed had no interest in the rise and fall of a third-rate gang in Northern Liang.
Rescuing a beauty in distress to win Ni Rong Liu’s favor? Feng Nian Xu really didn’t have that kind of leisure.
Earlier in the room, Da Shi Wang was daydreaming, while the prince slowly flipped through an unnamed saber manual, worth a thousand pieces of gold per word. The martial cultivation insights of Wang Xianzhi, the Martial Emperor, what price could you put on that? The manual had sixty-four pages, and only after thoroughly understanding each page would he carefully tear it off and destroy it. From the Northern Liang Mansion to Daoma Pass, he had only torn off three pages. On the fourth page, just as he was reading with interest, Zhao Yingchuan burst in. Well, coming in was fine, but then he started dawdling. The prince, who had put the manual back into his robe, was still tolerating it, until this fellow used Da Shi Wang’s life to threaten Ni Rong Liu. Looking at the half-eaten soft cake on the table that Da Shi Wang had deliberately left untouched, and with the prince’s greatest annoyance being interrupted by trivial chatter while handling serious matters, the killing intent finally arose, and thus, that fellow could only chat with others on the path to the underworld.
Ni Rong Liu, shocked, did not dwell too much on Zhao Yingchuan’s death but went to the window and saw another corpse outside the inn, an arrow embedded in its chest, clearly a warning from Gong Sunyang, who had chosen one of Xiao Qiang’s enemies to make an example. However, against the soldiers of Daoma Pass, these ruthless measures, like those of the Xu family, were but drops in a bucket.
After sitting down, Feng Nian Xu took a piece of cake, chewed slowly, and said, “What about that cart of goods?”
Ni Rong Liu had just started to change her impression of him when this sentence reverted everything back. Ni Rong Liu was anxious, her mind racing but unable to devise a perfect plan to rescue the Yulong Gang from its predicament, not even bothering with this worldly man. Seeing Gong Sunyang demonstrate his skill by shooting arrows in rapid succession, each one embedding into the ground in front of the horses, temporarily halting the advance of the Daoma Pass soldiers. Escape was impossible, as Zhou Ziran had personally led over a dozen elite cavalry. With this man’s meticulous planning, traps had certainly been set in the backyard. The Yulong Gang’s thirty-some fighters would be worn down by just a dozen archers choosing the right positions. In the end, only a few would escape, and against Zhou Ziran’s cavalry and the other two factions, she, Xiao Qiang, and Gong Sunyang would still end up in a pitiable situation, at the mercy of others.
Faced with this deadly knot tied by several hands, even if she had nimble fingers, how could she untie it?
Xiao Qiang walked into the room, saw the corpse at Da Shi Wang’s feet, frowned, and upon seeing the Northern Liang saber in the corpse’s hand, sighed deeply, mistakenly believing it to be Ni Rong Liu’s doing. He thought that since the girl had decided to go this far, then tonight they would just die. However, Da Shi Wang, seeing the deputy leader’s arrival, was both grateful for Feng Nian Xu’s rescue and instinctively fearful, quickly explaining, “It was Master Xu who helped kill this man.”
Xiao Qiang naturally did not believe him, his eyes drifting toward Ni Rong Liu, who had turned from the window, and she nodded. After a moment’s thought, Xiao Qiang suddenly flew into a rage, “Master Xu, do you know this man was a Northern Liang soldier? How dare you kill him?! Our Yulong Gang will never associate with you! Get out and surrender yourself to the authorities!”
Both inside and outside the inn heard Xiao Qiang’s righteous words. When Zhou Ziran heard the news, his face turned ominously dark. Zhao Yingchuan was his sworn brother, with a promising future in the Northern Liang army. Over the years, the Zhou family had spent no less than four or five thousand taels of silver on their sworn brother. Not to mention the many favors and deals that Zhou Ziran’s father, a former vice-commander, had secretly arranged for Zhao Yingchuan, hoping that one day the Zhou and Zhao brothers could complement each other in the Northern Liang border army, rising together. Who would have thought that Zhao would fall on their own turf? This made Zhou Ziran furious beyond measure. Looking up at the Yulong Gang’s archer, he angrily declared, “Old man, if you dare to block me again, I will ensure your entire clan suffers!”
Xiao Qiang’s intention was to shift the anger outside the inn onto Master Xu. Desperate and seeking any solution, he was unaware of the insider details about Zhao Yingchuan, inadvertently pouring oil on the fire, solidifying Zhou Ziran’s resolve to have the Yulong Gang perish alongside his brother. In the eyes of the famous swordsman from Lingshou, as long as the Daoma Pass soldiers did not get involved, the Yulong Gang’s strength was sufficient to handle the other two groups of martial artists. He clearly underestimated Zhou Ziran’s ambition and appetite.
Ni Rong Liu seemed unprepared for her master’s words, surprised and looking at her master, who she had always thought had the demeanor of a sword immortal, but now seemed unfamiliar. She turned to look at Master Xu, who had finished his cake, gently clapped his hands, and showed no intention of getting up. Ni Rong Liu wanted to say something but hesitated, feeling some guilt. Xiao Qiang wished to throw this pretentious man out the window immediately, so the horses’ hooves could trample him into pulp. He stubbornly believed that as long as the Daoma Pass soldiers calmed down, there was still a chance for the Yulong Gang to escape death.
Seeing the Yulong Gang’s top swordsman somewhat flustered, Feng Nian Xu calmly said, “Don’t rush to shift the blame eastward. Today’s setup, the most crucial planner isn’t the enemies you think, but Zhou Ziran of Daoma Pass. This fellow wants both to take the thirty-odd heads of your Yulong Gang to gain military merit for bandit suppression, and to seize your apprentice Ni Rong Liu for himself, taking control of your Yulong Gang so he can establish a foothold in the heartland of Northern Liang, Lingshou, making future underhanded dealings much more convenient. Zhou Ziran’s actions so far have been quite meticulous, and he certainly intends to eradicate the Yulong Gang completely. Ni Rong Liu, with her beauty and the future position of Yulong Gang leader, can protect herself and seek wealth and honor in the chaos. Tell me, Master Xiao, an old man like you, can you sell your backside to Zhou Ziran? Or are you planning to become a servant girl dancing with swords to gain Zhou’s favor?”
Da Shi Wang looked at the calm Master Xu, then at Xiao Qiang, the deputy leader, whose arm was trembling with rage, his face a mixture of emotions.
Xiao Qiang already hated this Master Xu with a passion, but upon hearing the shocking truth, he looked at Ni Rong Liu, and upon seeing her nod, first felt his heart sink into despair, then as if grasping a lifeline, turned to see no one outside and softly said, “Ni Rong, I have served the Yulong Gang for twenty years, diligently and conscientiously, have I ever done anything to betray the name of Yulong Gang? And between you and me, as master and apprentice, I have poured all my sword skills into teaching you, have I ever held back anything out of selfishness? Master knows you are the kind who would rather die than be humiliated, but this matter involves the century-old plans of the Yulong Gang. Even if you suffer some Grievance, you must swallow your teeth and blood. As long as we connect with Zhou Ziran, the Yulong Gang will not have to worry about finances, and how can we not rise to prominence? At the very least, once we leave Daoma Pass, there will still be time to turn against Zhou Ziran later. As the saying goes, as long as the green mountains remain, there will always be firewood. Master can promise you that, if necessary, I will even risk my life to help you get back at Zhou Ziran! If you don’t believe me, Xiao Qiang can swear to the heavens!”
Da Shi Wang listened with wide eyes. This deputy leader, who used to be so heroic, with countless brave deeds that made the Yulong Gang’s underlings admire him to the point of prostration, how could he have turned into such a coward at the critical moment of life and death? Even the face-changing skills of the old Sichuan performers in the bustling market seemed inferior to half the skill of Deputy Leader Xiao!
Feng Nian Xu said indifferently, “Deputy Leader Xiao’s words make sense. He has considered the overall situation of the Yulong Gang and ensured the safety of the master and apprentice. His intentions are indeed painstaking. I think after the fact, Old Leader Liu will be so grateful that he might even marry his granddaughter to the great hero Xiao. A marriage between old and young, a match made in heaven. I, Xu, would like to congratulate the two of you in advance.”
Such words were extremely malicious. Coupled with the previous suggestion that Xiao Qiang should sell his backside to Zhou Ziran and dance with swords to please him, the prince’s verbal skills had clearly reached a very high level. Even Da Shi Wang, who was usually the most gentle and patient of the rank and file, upon seeing the hypocritical and ugly face of the so-called hero Xiao Qiang, couldn’t help but want to slap him a few times.
Feng Nian Xu did not forget to turn his head and casually glance at Ni Rong Liu, asking, “As for this marriage, what does Miss Liu think? Don’t forget to send me an invitation.”
Xiao Qiang was furious, “You impudent brat!”
Ni Rong Liu shouted at both Feng Nian Xu and her master Xiao Qiang, “Be quiet!”
Xiao Qiang originally had a strong intention to draw his sword and kill someone, but upon hearing Ni Rong Liu’s tearful voice, he realized that killing in front of her would surely result in his own death at the inn.
Ni Rong Liu said solemnly, “Xiao Qiang, our master-apprentice relationship ends here. Today, I will never submit to Zhou Ziran. If you want to leave now, you might still have a chance.”
Xiao Qiang’s face changed from dark to light, he snorted coldly, and without hesitation, turned and left.
At this moment, Ni Rong Liu finally began to sob.
From a child to a young girl, and then to a woman, the twenty years of dreams and fantasies about the martial world shattered in an instant, like a broken mirror, splintered and broken.
Feng Nian Xu stood up, not looking at the tearful Ni Rong Liu, walked to the window, and whispered softly, “Endure a little longer, there should be a turning point soon. Daoma Pass isn’t just Zhou Ziran’s Daoma Pass. The second-in-command, Han Tao, the Magistrate of Chui Gong, has always been at odds with Zhou Ziran’s father. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a superior officer who will be inspecting Daoma Pass recently. If Han Tao has any sense, he won’t miss this opportunity to suppress the arrogance of Zhou Ziran and his son. However, whether it will be a case of driving away a tiger only to invite a wolf, it’s up to the Yulong Gang to seek their own fortune. If someone else covets your beauty later, I estimate you won’t have much backbone left to resist. One thing your righteous-hearted master said is right. In the long run, as long as you’re willing to endure some humiliation, for the Yulong Gang, it’s just losing thirty or so fighters tonight. Later, with the support of the Northern Liang border army, you’ll have plenty of silver in your hands, and you won’t be afraid to recruit some loyal henchmen willing to die for you. You’re just a concubine for a military officer, but being a concubine is fine. You might even become the female emperor of the Lingshou martial world.”
Ni Rong Liu stood behind Feng Nian Xu, tears blurring her vision as she looked at the back of this saber-wielding man, shaking her head, “This isn’t the martial world I wanted.”
Feng Nian Xu sneered, “Then pray that Han Tao, the Magistrate of Chui Gong, can fight Zhou Ziran like two tigers. To be honest, that woman with the Northern Wilderness accent has a great background. Not every noblewoman can wear a Xianbei dragon head jade belt. If Han Tao doesn’t have a good relationship with the newly appointed General Guoyi, he might not gain the upper hand. Then you’ll die even more tragically at Zhou Ziran’s hands. If you can’t even survive, how can you talk to me about your broken martial world?”
Ni Rong Liu smiled bitterly, “All along the way, you always went days without saying a word, I thought you were afraid of the Yulong Gang. Today I finally know your words can be so sharp and bitter.”
Feng Nian Xu leaned on the window frame with both hands, squinting, “A truthful villain with harsh words is always better than a hypocrite who does ugly things.”
Ni Rong Liu was deeply saddened, asking Lost in reverie, “If the Magistrate of Chui Gong you mentioned doesn’t show up, will you help us?”
Feng Nian Xu sneered and retorted, “What do you think?”
Ni Rong Liu turned resolutely.
It seemed she was going with a determination to die.
Da Shi Wang looked at Feng Nian Xu, then followed her away.
To fight side by side with the young lady and die together, even if their corpses were far apart, this was the best martial world Da Shi Wang could ever have.
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