As expected, General Zhong Hongwu of Huaihua visited the Beiliang Prince’s Mansion (Beiliang Prince’s Mansion), directly lambasting the Crown Prince Xu Fengnian for already selling official titles before officially becoming the Prince of Beiliang. If those military orders granting promotions to immature youths were not revoked, he would resign and become a farmer tending the fields. However, the Prince of Beiliang merely evaded the issue, reminiscing about past battles they had fought side by side. In a rage, Zhong Hongwu, the supreme cavalry commander of Beiliang, threw his general’s helmet in the hall and immediately headed to the Lingshan Prefecture residence, closing his doors to visitors.
At that time, Xu Fengnian had just arrived in Lingshan Prefecture and was visiting the residence of the Governor. Li Gongde, already a high-ranking official with the utmost authority in his domain, received the young, white-haired man in his study, astonished at first, then moved to tears from the bottom of his heart. Perhaps due to his affection for Xu Fengnian’s late father, Governor Li held the young prince in high regard—not merely because of his noble status. Li Gongde regarded himself partly as a mentor and partly as a subordinate, and these two roles were not at odds. Upon seeing Xu Fengnian, he simply gripped the young man’s arms tightly, unable to stop weeping.
Realizing that crying like a woman was unseemly, Li Gongde hastily wiped away his tears and invited Xu Fengnian to sit down and drink tea. As he lifted his cup, he felt his cheeks flush slightly. Though small and weighing only a few taels, the porcelain cup was a rare treasure from the Longquan kilns, prized above all others as an ice-crack teacup. Even in the sweltering summer heat, hot water poured into it would instantly become cool and refreshing—truly miraculous. There were countless such treasures in his mansion. In the past, when Xu Fengnian had not visited, Li had been composed and even proud of his opulence, exuding the grandeur of a ten-generation aristocratic family. But today, it felt somewhat inappropriate. Fortunately, Xu Fengnian seemed to raise no objections. After drinking tea, he inquired about Li Hanlin’s military achievements and his aunt’s health, then prepared to take his leave. How could Li Gongde possibly allow him to go so easily? He insisted that the Crown Prince stay for a welcoming banquet that evening. But Xu Fengnian was determined to return to Liangzhou, so Li Gongde could only reluctantly give up. Before departing, Xu Fengnian left behind a golden-yellow Tianhuang stone seal. Li Gongde, a connoisseur with a sharp eye for such treasures, managed with great effort to restrain his eagerness and placed the seal back on the table without showing excessive attachment.
Li Gongde escorted Xu Fengnian out of the study, walking with him toward the ceremonial gate. Unfortunately, they met Li Fuzhen returning home, and the two met face-to-face in a narrow corridor. The old fox, Governor Li, didn’t even bother to hide his embarrassment, feigned a stomachache, and hurriedly left, leaving his daughter to see the Crown Prince off instead.
This visit by Xu Fengnian had his coachman Qing Niao, a secret guardian in the form of a Yin spirit, and only the scholar Chen Xiliang accompanying him openly into the residence. At the time, Chen was introduced merely as a minor literary official from Liangzhou. Yet Li Gongde wished he could memorize Chen’s ancestors for eighteen generations. Who knew whether this scholar dressed in humble attire might become a prefecture governor tomorrow, or even the governor of Lingshan the day after?
Chen Xiliang, sensing the awkward atmosphere in the corridor, discreetly stepped back a few paces, clasping his hands behind his back as he examined the rare inscribed stone tablets lining the corridor, keeping his distance from Xu Fengnian and the cold, beautiful woman.
Xu Fengnian smiled and said, “There’s no need to trouble yourself to see me off. I know the way.”
Suppressing her initial shock, Li Fuzhen silently turned and walked ahead to guide him but remained silent all the while.
At the ceremonial gate, which had been closed upon arrival but was now wide open for departure, Xu Fengnian thanked her with a warm smile, then descended the steps with Chen Xiliang and entered the carriage.
Li Fuzhen did not cross the threshold to see him off to the steps. She merely watched as the ceremonial gate slowly closed.
Li Gongde stood not far behind his daughter, softly saying, “Fuzhen, in the past, I deliberately brought you to the Prince’s Mansion, hoping you might get close to him. But this time, it was different.”
Father and daughter slowly walked back toward the inner courtyard, and Li Gongde continued, “There are many state secrets I, as a figurehead Governor, am not privy to. But since even the Protector of Beiliang was forced to retreat to Shu, I suspect this man you look down upon is not as useless as you think—a tree that cannot be propped upright.”
“You, like your mother, are poor at choosing men. Back then, your mother refused to marry me, secretly admiring a scholarly gentleman full of literary talent. She said I was destined to be a petty official and that marrying me would mean a life of hardship. If it weren’t for your mother’s mother taking a liking to me and practically dragging her to the wedding, you and Hanlin wouldn’t even exist. Looking back now, that so-called talented scholar, despite his superior family background, ended up as a county magistrate in a remote, impoverished area of Lingshan, constantly harassed by rivals and only able to vent his frustrations at home.”
“Let me tell you something, but don’t mention it to your mother. When I was the Governor of Lingshan, that man angered the son of a military family in the same county and nearly lost his position. Despite being middle-aged and supposedly wise, he shamelessly sent me silver, calligraphy, and famous inkstones. I accepted everything, fearing he might drown himself in despair if I refused. Later, in the official assessment, I wrote sixteen words about him: ‘Upright and incorruptible, with a clean and self-disciplined reputation, no unjust imprisonments, and no private audiences.’ That’s how he kept his position. Later, I returned everything to him. Your mother never found out. Just take it as a joke.”
“I’m telling you this to show that temporary gains and losses are nothing. Judging a man is like judging jade. As the *Book of Rites* says, ‘The great Gui (a ceremonial jade) needs no carving, for its beauty lies in its purity.’ Like a fine emerald without flaws, it needs no embellishment. But some men are like jade artificially dyed green—superficially attractive to the untrained eye, but lacking in depth and quality.”
“Fuzhen, don’t rush to defend that man you fancy. I promised not to interfere, and I will keep my word. These past few years, I’ve even paved the way for him. His family background was poor, so I helped him gain noble status. He didn’t pass the imperial exams? No problem—I helped him transition from a clerk to an official. But look at him—aside from clinging to you and spouting cheap flattery, has he ever applied himself to the art of politics? Yes, you might say he’s too noble to stoop to corruption, but has he written any memorable poetry or done anything to benefit the people?”
“He’s the kind of official who neither competes nor bends his spine, neither flatters nor grovels, yet seems too comfortable. He knows I won’t let him starve, so he spends his salary on trivial gifts for you—how much does that really mean? Fuzhen, I was never a rigid scholar’s son. My position today was won through struggle. I’m stingy and shrewd with everyone, but never with you and Hanlin. You can be angry with anyone, but why with me? Have I ever misjudged a person? You should listen to me, not your mother, who is blind to reality. She says he’s considerate, but I say he’s just smooth-tongued and good at flattery. Women are easily swayed by sweet words, but fleeting emotions don’t count.”
Li Fuzhen, eyes red and voice trembling, retorted, “In the end, Xu Fengnian isn’t any better! He’s no stranger to sweet words for women! I don’t care if he’s rotten inside or just pretending to be a fool!”
Li Gongde replied calmly, “Today, I deliberately left you two alone. Did he say anything more to you?”
Li Fuzhen hesitated.
Li Gongde pressed gently, “Did he even look at you more than once?”
Li Fuzhen angrily replied, “I didn’t even look at him. How would I know if he looked at me?”
Li Gongde chuckled softly and slowly turned down a side path.
Li Fuzhen stood still, lost and alone.
In the carriage, far from the Governor’s mansion, the scholar Chen Xiliang, a man of humble origins, spoke of current affairs with a touch of humor: “The Beiliang Circuit governs three prefectures: Liang, You, and Ling. Liang and You are borderlands bordering the Northern Man, heavily fortified with troops. Ling, however, is fertile and prosperous, making it the wealthiest of the three. This creates the unique situation where generals serve in the north, while officials thrive in the south. The number of officials in Ling is often double or even triple that of the other two prefectures. It’s like a retirement home for the Beiliang army, where retired officers and their descendants come to feast on the spoils. If the father retires, the son takes over; the grandson follows. It’s no wonder there are so many people.”
“With such a system, Ling’s bureaucracy is a tangled web of factions. The saying goes that if you can hold your ground in Ling, you can sit firmly in any other prefecture, even with a promotion of two ranks. The upper echelons favor men like Li Gongde, who squeeze every penny from the system. The benefits are clear—tax collection is stable. But this is merely a cost-saving measure, diverting two or three out of every ten coins from private pockets to the military. However, Li is not the kind of man who can generate new wealth. The profits from salt and iron, traditionally a major source of revenue, have been poorly managed. Many military families and powerful clans have seized control of these industries, often clashing with the low-ranking Salt Supervisors. The internal strife is immense.”
Xu Fengnian nodded and said, “Regarding the state monopoly on salt and iron, write me a detailed report later.”
Chen Xiliang readily agreed.
Xu Fengnian noticed he seemed to have more to say and smiled, “Speak freely. Even if it’s treason, I won’t mind.”
Chen Xiliang said softly, “Li Gongde is high-ranking, second-tier. He’s greedy enough to rival the Prince’s Mansion. Most importantly, he has deep ties with your family. He’s the perfect candidate for a public example. Killing him would send a clear message and ensure ten years of clean governance in Beiliang.”
Xu Fengnian shook his head, “Ten years? Impossible. Not even five. The fallen emperor of Nantang tried everything, even flaying corrupt officials and stuffing them with straw, yet saw little effect. Of course, that was due to deep-rooted corruption. Also, administering harsh remedies to a seriously ill patient is rarely wise. The unwritten rules my father left behind—rules that kept the peace—cannot be overturned recklessly. Your idea has merit, but…”
He paused, then suddenly pulled out a Tianhuang seal identical to the one he had given Li Gongde. With a flick of his wrist, a hidden sword flew from his sleeve, and he carved five characters on each of the four sides of the seal. Then he tossed it to Chen Xiliang with a smile, “It’s yours.”
Good fortune rides with those who bear responsibility,
Safe and sound, they dwell in peace.
At home, they gather a thousand gold,
In office, they rise to high rank.
Chen Xiliang slowly turned the seal in his hands, carefully placing it in his sleeve without a word of exaggerated gratitude.
Xu Fengnian asked, “I heard you’ve been collecting historical records on the rise and fall of aristocratic families at the end of the Spring and Autumn period?”
Chen Xiliang nodded, “History is a mirror. It reveals the rise and fall of dynasties. As you know, I come from a poor background, so I’ve developed a habit of treasuring books. I’m also curious how these deeply rooted noble families were described in history with just a few hundred or thousand characters.”
Xu Fengnian smiled, “Reading is always a good thing.”
Chen Xiliang’s smile was knowing.
Xu Fengnian glared, “I’ve read plenty of books too! Don’t tell me forbidden books don’t count?!”
Chen Xiliang didn’t press the point. He simply asked, “Where to next?”
Xu Fengnian grinned, “To Longjing Commandery in Ling Prefecture, to visit a few old acquaintances. Last time didn’t go so well. But I don’t necessarily need to meet them. Longjing is also where General Zhong Hongwu has retired. I’d like to stir the pot a bit. Besides, Xu Beizhi is serving as a military advisor there. I’ll drop by to see him. Oh, and it’s a long ride to Longjing. If you get bored, I can pay for some courtesans to entertain you. Whether you indulge is up to you.”
Chen Xiliang shook his head, “No reward without merit. If I succeed with the salt and iron reforms, ten courtesans would be a fitting reward.”
Xu Fengnian chuckled, “Then hurry up and return that Tianhuang seal. I’m already regretting giving it away.”
Chen Xiliang coughed once, then lifted the curtain and said to Qing Niao, “To Longjing Commandery.”
※※※
Longjing Commandery was famous for producing renowned inkstones, yet curiously, none bore the “dragon’s eye” marking—stones as smooth as jade, soft yet not slippery. Tapping them produced a crisp metallic sound, and touching them felt like a baby’s skin. These were revered by calligraphers throughout history as divine treasures.
It was said that the only son of General Zhong was the proud owner of a rare “Bai Ba Yan”—a black-purple inkstone with 108 dragon’s eye markings. It was said to become damp when breathed upon. Even more legendary was its journey through six dynasties and eight dragon-painting masters, earning it the name “The Inkstone That Paints the Dragon’s Eye.”
Zhong Hongwu had his son late in life, naming him Zhong Chenxin. Before reaching thirty, Zhong had already achieved great success and held a high rank. Now that the old general had retired, Zhong Chenxin was about to become the Prefect of Longjing.
Zhong’s household was even grander—three wives and four concubines were not enough. He had more than twenty secret chambers filled with beauties, and had a particular taste for seducing the wives and concubines of local officials. Meanwhile, Zhong himself frequently hosted banquets, gifting his guests with carefully trained maids and courtesans, all under the guise of “reciprocity.”
Longjing Prefecture was known not only for its endless scandals and romantic affairs, but also for its numerous martial sects and gangs. The upper echelons of society indulged in their luxurious lives, while the lower levels of the martial world fought and killed each other, each side minding their own business. In recent years, however, the trend had been that sects wishing to grow stronger had to compete in how close they could get to the government. One by one, the wells of independence gradually merged into the river of officialdom. Few sects still insisted on maintaining their autonomy and independence, and those that did were increasingly losing power, often either swallowed up or suppressed by other sects.
The carriage carrying Xu Fengnian entered the city of Bai Ba, within Longjing Prefecture. The name of the city alone revealed how valuable the ancient inkstone in Zhong Chengxin’s possession must be.
Xu Fengnian was well aware of the Fish Dragon Sect’s background. Although they had completed a major deal worth tens of thousands of taels of silver in the city of Liuxia in the northern Beiman region, the sect had not gained much profit. The several thousand taels paid by Zhou Ziru, a young noble from Daoma Pass, as compensation had all been distributed to the families of the sect members who had died in foreign lands. To make matters worse, the deputy leader Xiao Qiang and the chief guest Qingong Yang had both died—an irreplaceable loss that could not be measured in money. The Fish Dragon Sect had hoped this deal would help them recover, but the aristocratic youths of Linzhou turned their backs after the transaction, ignoring all subsequent visits from the sect. Fortunately, the granddaughter of the old sect leader had managed to establish a connection in Liuxia, enabling the sect to engage in some exclusive resale businesses, which barely kept the sect afloat. However, when the war between Liang and Man erupted, and the border trade collapsed, the Fish Dragon Sect was once again reduced to its former state. Many of its members began to defect to other sects. In prosperous times, people are warm and sociable; in hardship, the coldness of the world is inevitable. No one could really be blamed for this.
The meager properties under the late sect leader Liu’s name were all located in the southwest of the city. Originally, they had occupied an entire street, but over the years, they had sold off properties piece by piece to their neighbors. The surrounding neighbors grew larger and larger, while the Fish Dragon Sect, reduced to just one martial arts hall, was squeezed in between, an awkward position. Fortunately, the martial hall, which was the foundation of their livelihood, still occupied a relatively large area. Moreover, the Fish Dragon Sect had stood the test of time as an old and established sect. Many of its members were from families that had relied on the Liu family for generations, so even if they wanted to disband, no one else would take them in. The sect’s inner strength was weak, but it still managed to maintain a decent outward appearance, with roughly two hundred members left, though how many of them were strong, able-bodied fighters capable of fighting to the death for territory was questionable.
The carriage stopped directly opposite the Fish Dragon Sect’s martial arts hall. In the city, few sects dared to openly display banners with their names, and only one or two in the entire Linzhou Prefecture did so—those with deep aristocratic backgrounds. Longjing Prefecture had once had a bitter rival of the Fish Dragon Sect called the Honghu Gate, which had hung its banners for a few days. However, a visiting young noble from elsewhere had taken offense at them. That dragon who crossed the river was no lightweight—it was the grandson of General Yan Wenluan. The banners were thrown into a latrine the very same day, and Honghu Gate did not dare to raise them again. Before leaving, the noble had openly declared that he knew their master was the younger brother-in-law of Zhong Chengxin, which was why he had beaten them. Later, Zhong Chengxin’s brother-in-law went to complain but returned empty-handed, becoming the talk of Longjing Prefecture ever since.
Xu Fengnian hooked the carriage curtain aside and quietly gazed at the entrance of the Fish Dragon Sect. From inside the walls came the faint sounds of martial disciples practicing.
Chen Xiliang asked in puzzlement, “Is this the place?”
Xu Fengnian nodded with a smile, “Indeed. To be honest, I even took on an unofficial half-disciple from this sect. He was terribly slow-witted.”
Chen Xiliang asked, “Won’t you go in and take a look?”
Xu Fengnian lowered the curtain and shook his head, “No, I was wearing a disguise back then. They wouldn’t recognize me now. Let’s go, Qingniao.”
The carriage slowly moved down the street, but just as it turned the corner, a large group of muscular men poured into the street in a grand procession, their presence formidable, lacking only the sign that they were about to start a brawl. Xu Fengnian lifted the side curtain, frowned, and seeing the townsfolk pointing and whispering, he said slowly, “Xiliang, go and find out what’s going on.”
Chen Liangxi got off the carriage and returned shortly, smiling, “The usual story. There’s a woman in the Fish Dragon Sect named Liu Nirong, and the Yihui Xiao Wei, the local commander of Longjing Prefecture, has taken a fancy to her and wants to take her as a concubine. The sect foolishly refused, perhaps forgetting to offer the seventh-grade officer a way out, leading to a tense situation where he is now using his connections to settle the matter by force. Your Highness, I’ve wanted to say this for a while—North Liang’s military titles are quite disgraceful. The ranks of Xiao Wei and Tai Wei are too cheap. They should be streamlined. The Northern Beiman side handles this much better.”
Xu Fengnian nodded, about to lower the curtain and let the Fish Dragon Sect handle its own crisis, when he caught sight of a group of over thirty armored soldiers watching from a distance with intense eyes.
Chen Liangxi glanced at them and sneered, “Hmph, this Yihui Xiao Wei actually has some brains and skill. He seems determined to punish both sides equally with eighty lashes each. But I bet the troublemakers can take the punishment, while the Fish Dragon Sect won’t survive it. Being a seventh-grade officer is truly beneath his talents.”
“It seems that if we are to reorganize these martial sects in North Liang, many people’s sources of income will be cut off.”
Xu Fengnian lowered his head, putting on a face mask with deep roots, and said calmly, “Then let’s go closer and see the commotion.”
The street, once filled with shops and vendors, was now completely empty. Over a hundred men had mostly stormed into the Fish Dragon Sect, leaving behind only about seven or eight thinner, weaker-looking men to keep watch. One of them, a skinny monkey-like fellow with sharp eyes, spotted Qingniao and drooled, calling out to his friends to run over. As expected, they used the usual three tricks of Rogue and ruffians—asking for the young lady’s name, age, and address. They couldn’t expect much originality from these illiterate thugs. Seeing that the elegant young woman in green remained indifferent, they didn’t dare to lay a hand on her. They might be foolish enough to drive into a nest of trouble, but they weren’t sure if this was a foe they could handle. The skinny monkey hesitated but didn’t act, though he was bold enough with his words, spewing vulgarities and lewd remarks, while his companions cheered him on.
Then they saw a young man with snow-white hair smiling as he stepped out of the carriage. Instinctively, they all took a few steps back.
Xu Fengnian lightly jumped down from the carriage, took the horsewhip from Qingniao’s hand, and twirled it in his fingers. With a gentle smile, he asked, “Are you boys from the Honghu Gate?”
The skinny monkey swallowed hard and tried to sound bold, “And who might you be?”
Xu Fengnian pointed the whip toward the Fish Dragon Sect, “You could say I’m from this street.”
Hearing this, the skinny monkey relaxed and sneered, turning to shout, “Come on, here’s a fish from the Fish Dragon Sect that got away!”
He was clearly proud of his use of the phrase “a fish that got away,” showing off his literary flair.
The other four men rushed forward noisily, making eight altogether, their faces twisted with menace. In the underworld, power came from numbers, fists, and clubs. Unfortunately, the order had been clear—no weapons allowed—so these eight men were somewhat disappointed.
Before they could act, screams erupted from within the walls, followed by the rapid advance of armored soldiers with spears, causing the eight thugs to instinctively turn their heads. Before they could look back, they were already on the ground.
Xu Fengnian, with Qingniao who hadn’t even broken a sweat, walked toward the martial arts hall, followed by Chen Liangxi.
Just as they stepped onto the platform, a minor officer with a grim expression shouted, “Gathering of over a hundred people to fight—main offenders to be exiled to the frontier! Assault with weapons—punishment increased by one degree! Entire sects to be exiled to the borderlands! Liu Xu and Liu Nirong of the Fish Dragon Sect, why haven’t you knelt yet?!”
On the training ground covered with gravel, Liu Nirong’s face was iron, her sword drawn in anger. In truth, the only one who had fallen by her blade was a Honghu Gate leader. The other ten or so had simply taken out their own daggers, slashed their arms or legs, then thrown the daggers far away, lying on the ground and wailing as if in unbearable pain.
It had been a carefully laid trap. When the Honghu Gate leader went to remove the Fish Dragon Sect’s plaque and crush it underfoot, Liu Nirong had noticed, but she could no longer bear the humiliation. Now, she gritted her teeth, wishing she could cut down the young officer who had long consorted with the Honghu Gate leader.
Xiao Ling, the son of the late deputy leader Xiao Qiang, held an ivory fan and exuded charm. He exchanged a hidden smile with the Honghu Gate leader pretending to be dead. Just as he was about to take a step forward, his peripheral vision caught sight of the three strangers at the entrance. Xiao Ling instinctively retracted his foot, ultimately restraining himself from stepping out. Taking that step would mean exposing all his careful calculations.
In Xiao Ling’s view, Chen Xiliang whispered with a sneer, “Underestimated that Yihui Xiao Wei. Turns out he planned to give ten lashes to one side and a hundred and fifty to the other. Your Highness, shall we promote such a clever person?”
Xu Fengnian had been watching Xiao Ling closely and noticed his subtle movement. He thought to himself that it was truly a case of like father, like son. Xiao Qiang had colluded with bandits to frame the Fish Dragon Sect, trying to pave a path to success for his son. It seemed Xiao Ling had not let his father die in vain—he was now taking matters into his own hands.
Wang Dashi, the young boy of the Fish Dragon Sect, also saw Xu Fengnian but did not call out. Instead, he secretly waved his hand vigorously, signaling Xu Fengnian to leave the martial hall quickly. It was the same as that night battle at Daoma Pass—if the local authorities, especially the military, were involved, the identity of a steward from a general’s mansion would be of no use at all.
Xu Fengnian, holding the horsewhip, approached the officer and said, “I have a friend named Xu, who serves as a military advisor in this city. I hope you, sir, will grant him some face.”
A military advisor?
That was barely an official title, and certainly not a powerful one.
But behind the officer stood the much higher-ranking Yihui Xiao Wei, not to mention the towering general’s mansion indirectly connected to the Honghu Gate. What was a small military advisor worth? Besides, the officer, who knew Longjing Prefecture inside out, had never heard of any Xu family official. He certainly wouldn’t take it seriously. In normal times, if such a person existed, he might have let a minor incident slide, but now, even ten military advisors speaking together would be dismissed as mere nonsense. The officer dared not confront Liu Xu or Liu Nirong directly, and was eager to find someone to make an example of to assert his authority. He did not draw his sword but instead used the scabbard to strike the man in the chest with full force.
Qingniao kicked out, and the officer flew into the inner hall of the martial arts hall. Then, as everyone slowly turned their heads, they did not see the officer walk out again.
Liu Xu, the old sect leader, a master of external martial arts and one of the finest in Linzhou, narrowed his eyes and felt a chill in his heart. Kicking someone to death or sending them flying several zhang was not too difficult, even for an external martial arts expert like Liu Xu. But to use subtle force to send someone flying over ten zhang without killing them—Liu Xu knew he could not do that.
One of the armored soldiers thrust a spear at Qingniao.
Qingniao lifted her leg and struck the spearhead directly with the sole of her foot. Before the eyes of all present, the sharp spearhead could not harm her at all. Instead, the long spear bent into an arc, sending the strong soldier crashing to the ground.
Qingniao lightly tapped her foot, sending the spear flying into the air. She caught the end of the spear with one hand, flicked her wrist, and the spearhead spun into a terrifying circle.
Liu Xu was stunned.
When had Linzhou produced such a young top martial expert? And a beautiful woman at that?
Xu Fengnian turned his head and smiled, “Qingniao, take our brother Xiliang to find Xu Juzi and bring some reinforcements.”
Qingniao nodded, lightly snapped the spear in two, casually threw it away, and turned to leave the martial hall with Chen Xiliang.
Xu Fengnian looked at the leaderless soldiers and the Honghu Gate members pretending to be dead, and said, “Won’t you go and bring reinforcements or call for backup? They say martial heroes don’t take unnecessary risks. Are you waiting to be beaten up?”
With a loud commotion, they scattered like birds and beasts, and even the men who had been lying on the ground groaning moments ago now fled with surprising speed.
Not a single person dared to provoke the white-haired young man.
Wang Dashi joyfully shouted, “Master Xu!”
Xu Fengnian approached Liu Xu, bowed, and said, “Greetings, Master Liu.”
Liu Xu, a seasoned veteran of the martial world who had struggled through half a lifetime of hardship, was an expert in reading people. He felt relieved but also somewhat worried, and softly said, “You must be the young master Xu from Linzhou city. Today’s great kindness will be remembered by me and the Fish Dragon Sect. But I must say, the Honghu Gate has clearly come prepared, and they have powerful backers that the Fish Dragon Sect cannot possibly offend. I hope Master Xu will leave Longjing Prefecture as soon as possible. I will take full responsibility for the consequences…”
Liu Nirong sheathed her sword and coldly said, “You’re still here? Do I have to chase you away?”
A sharp tongue but a soft heart.
Xu Fengnian smiled, “Liu Nirong, we traveled together from Linzhou all the way to Liuxia in the northern Beiman region. Do you really think I’m the kind of person who would pretend to be something I’m not? If not, then please, Miss Liu, pour us a pot of tea and show some hospitality.”
Liu Nirong hesitated, and Xu Fengnian added helplessly, “At the very least, I still have to wait for someone.”
Liu Nirong snorted coldly and turned toward the main hall.
Old Master Liu had heard the detailed account of his granddaughter’s journey to the northern Beiman region and had always held this mysterious Xu in high regard. After weighing the situation, he decided not to insist further.
Xu Fengnian, intentionally or unintentionally, approached Xiao Ling and whispered softly, “Prince Xiao, thank goodness I arrived in time. Otherwise, you would have had a falling-out with your beloved Miss Liu. Close call, wasn’t it?”
Xiao Ling frowned, “Master Xu, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
Xu Fengnian smiled, “Then let me put it plainly—I’m the one who killed your father, Xiao Qiang. I even wrote the farewell letter he sent to you before he died. Do you understand now?”
Xiao Ling was as if struck by lightning, his whole body trembling.
Xu Fengnian spoke slowly: “The letter clearly stated that you should behave yourself, yet why did you take such a desperate risk? Or perhaps because you yourself couldn’t obtain Liu Nirong, you decided to destroy her with your own hands? Or are you thinking that one day, when she’s tired of being played with by the aristocrats of Longjing Commandery, you can have your turn to taste something fresh?”
Xiao Ling’s eyes turned blood-red.
Xu Fengnian, as if meeting an old friend, casually threw his arm over the young man’s shoulder. “You’re just like your father, both of you too clever for your own good. As for me, I’m not a good person either, heh. Unfortunately, Nirong happens to be deeply in love with me, which must infuriate you, a waste of space who couldn’t even get close to her despite being nearby. I’ve heard there are many senior martial brothers in the jianghu who were driven to death by their childhood sweethearts who grew up and strayed. Coincidentally, you’re one of them. I’ll make sure to send you an invitation to our wedding, Xiao Rongrong will love that.”
Xiao Ling was nearly driven mad by Xu Fengnian’s blatant lies, and in a low, stifled voice, he asked, “Xu! What exactly do you want to do?!”
Xu Fengnian wore an expression of innocence. “What? Just having a little chat between brothers. Otherwise, why would I go out of my way to expose you as a treacherous rebel with a treacherous heart? No one would believe me anyway, an outsider like me. It’s just so much fun to make you mad.”
Xiao Ling sneered viciously: “You, with your head full of white hair, how many more years do you have to live? How many more years of happiness can you enjoy?”
Xu Fengnian shrugged indifferently. “As many years as I can get. Tell me, with Nirong’s figure, her waist, her hips—wouldn’t you give up a few years of life for nights of pleasure?”
Xiao Ling finally couldn’t help himself and shouted, “You bastard!”
“Same to you.”
“You just wait, I’ll have you killed!”
“Oh.”
“Wait a little longer, and you’ll die a miserable death!”
“Fine, then I’ll kill you before I die. So, do you want me to die, or not?”
Unaware of the truth, outsiders would have thought these two young lords had just met and were joyfully bonding arm in arm.
In the martial sect, hierarchy and decorum were strictly observed. Very few had the privilege to sit, and even Xiao Ling, the son of the vice-leader of the Fish Dragon Sect, had no such right. Now the sect was in decline, with many members dead or retired, and only Old Master Liu, along with two senior elders, were seated in the hall. Xu Fengnian ignored Xiao Ling’s quiet departure. It was Liu Nirong herself who poured the tea for him. As she bent down to serve him, she fiercely whispered, “Find it funny?”
Xu Fengnian accepted the teacup calmly and replied in a level tone, “Just passing by. Let me offer one piece of advice: don’t overestimate your charm.”
Young Wang Dashi stood bravely behind Xu Fengnian, grinning foolishly.
In this boy’s mind, whose experience in the martial world was limited to his trip to the Northern Desert, Xu Fengnian was undoubtedly one of the top martial experts, a man of extraordinary martial skill, a noble heart, and a hidden master of great ability. He had even taught Wang Dashi a supreme martial technique—though, of course, it was Wang’s own dullness that prevented him from grasping its true essence, not Xu Fengnian’s fault.
Liu Nirong, with her charming and graceful legs, turned away with a frosty expression, standing behind Old Master Liu.
Xu Fengnian took a sip of tea and looked up to ask, “Why doesn’t the Fish Dragon Sect hang its banner?”
Old Master Liu exchanged bitter smiles with the two elders. So this was just a greenhorn, fresh out of the gate, probably only daring to travel the martial world boldly because of his wealthy background and a powerful bodyguard. Sighing inwardly, Old Master Liu regretted not sparing even his dignity to prevent this Xu young master from stepping into the hall and stirring up trouble. Then he felt puzzled—how could the journey through the Northern Desert have been so perilous and dangerous, and according to his granddaughter’s account, this young Xu had acted so skillfully and maturely, handling many matters with near ruthlessness? Could it be that his white hair had made him suddenly naive and clumsy? Had his granddaughter perhaps misjudged him?
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