To intimidate people with the tiger’s skin is the only way to scare them. In the grand hall, Old Master Liu and several other elders had no mood for tea. As soon as they saw the young man, who was presumably the newly arrived military advisor of Longjing Prefecture, enter the Yulong Gang, their hearts sank. The young noble’s appearance and demeanor were indeed impressive, but in Longjing Prefecture, how many refined scholars with handsome appearances were there not? Take, for example, Xiao Ling within the gang—his looks alone could easily pass him off as a scion from a noble family in the Prefect’s mansion. In Beiliang, generals were proud while officials bowed low; what use would one truly have against a powerful junior officer? Moreover, the young noble seemed to have been hastily dragged here by someone, arriving alone. Most likely, he had been handling dull clerical work in the government office, his hands still bearing ink stains that hadn’t been washed off. The young military advisor, upon seeing the composed Xu Xiao, did not show any sign of deference. He calmly took a seat, smiling as he asked the Yulong Gang for a cup of hot tea to warm his stomach. Old Master Liu sighed inwardly—so it seemed that the white-haired young noble was not someone of significant influence in Lingzhou after all. Otherwise, a mere clerk from Longjing Prefecture would never dare to act so disrespectfully.
Xu Beizhi and Xu Fengnian sat at one side, sipping tea. Xu Beizhi blew away the steam and frowned, “Can’t you let me have a moment of peace?”
His coming to Longjing Prefecture in Lingzhou for official duties had been known to very few. Not even the Governor of Lingzhou, let alone Li Gongde, the Chief Secretary, had heard a whisper of it. He had merely brought along his official seal and wrapped his robes, riding alone straight to Longjing Prefecture. The local military headquarters raised no fuss, mistaking him for some mediocre scion of a military family. Local bullies had tested him a few times, but Xu Beizhi had deflected them effortlessly, after which he was sidelined and given only menial tasks devoid of any perks or benefits. Seeing him content with such tasks, people paid him even less attention. Moreover, a thousand elite cavalry had been secretly deployed to Longjing Prefecture without warning, causing unease among various factions. Who would bother to dig into the background of a mere military advisor? The cavalry commander was General Wang Zhi, and his deputy was Hong Shuwen, both promoted beyond their rank, making them rare but influential figures in the Beiliang army despite their low profile. This elite cavalry unit never interfered in local military or administrative affairs. Everyone in Longjing Prefecture speculated that it was merely to honor General Zhong Hongwu, who had retired after a glorious career, and to show the King of Beiliang’s continued favor.
Xu Fengnian chuckled softly, “Keep your complaints to yourself for now. Has Xi Liang told you the general situation?”
Xu Beizhi replied indifferently, “Local forces colluding with each other—what’s so strange about that? But you’re no angel either. You want to use me as bait to lure out the Zhong family? Aren’t you worried about scaring them off? If you really provoke Zhong Hongwu, how will you handle it?”
Old Master Liu only saw the two young men whispering. Watching their calm demeanor, whether it was the boldness of youth or the ignorance of inexperience, he couldn’t help but recall his own youthful days. How many times had the foundation of the Yulong Gang been built through near-death experiences, yet they had laughed and fought their way through? Subconsciously, he turned to glance at his granddaughter. Could he really pass this burden onto her shoulders? Would that not rob her of the happiness a woman should have—marrying and raising a family? Old Master Liu was no old-fashioned patriarch biased against women, but precisely because he loved her so deeply, he could not bear to see Liu Niran follow the same path. Once a woman entered the martial world, she would inevitably make enemies and face hostility from all sides. How many truly lived to retire peacefully?
The teacup on the table began to tremble slightly, the tea rippling.
Old Master Liu and the other elders, seasoned in gang warfare, turned grave. The young officer kicked into the hall by the woman in green had already been taken to the back for treatment. Inviting gods was hard enough, but sending them away was even harder. It seemed today’s calamity was unavoidable. Earlier, Old Master Liu had tried to evacuate the gang members and their families through the back door to relatives in the countryside, but as soon as they stepped out, they found the streets blocked by hordes of Honghu Gang thugs, determined to wipe out the Yulong Gang entirely. Old Master Liu’s generation of seasoned martial artists still followed the old code of conduct—never harming families. To them, this unwritten rule was even more sacred than the law itself. But the new generation of martial sects and gangs had grown ruthless, determined to eradicate every trace. In the past five years alone, Longjing Prefecture had seen five or six massacres. When the authorities investigated, the perpetrators simply bribed the officials’ sons or concubines with chests of silver, and the cases were closed as private feuds. No matter how many lives were lost, only one or two scapegoats were sacrificed, often hailed as heroes by the martial world. Even as they faced execution, they would shout, “In eighteen years, I’ll still be a mighty man!” stirring the blood of countless young martial artists. This made Old Master Liu and his generation of seasoned martial artists feel alienated, and gradually, weary.
More than a dozen horsemen charged directly into the Yulong Gang’s martial arts hall, followed by over a hundred soldiers clad in bright armor, swords at their sides.
Yihui Officer Tang Zi Yi sat high atop his horse, smirking coldly. He seemed to believe himself the undisputed ruler of this corner of Longjing Prefecture. His gaze swept past Old Master Liu and his aging companions, lingering briefly on the woman in green and the white-haired young man before settling on Liu Niran, who stood gracefully at the door. His eyes, cold and calculating, betrayed a man’s lustful gaze toward a rare beauty. Tang Zi Yi was no petty rogue; he was a towering figure, a second-generation general of Beiliang, with a reputation earned at the border of Youzhou, whether true or exaggerated. Returning to Longjing Prefecture, he had risen from a minor officer to become the Yihui Officer commanding three hundred armored soldiers.
For such a decorated officer to wish to take a common martial artist woman as a concubine, the Yulong Gang should have been honored. Yet they had repeatedly refused his advances. Did he, Tang Zi Yi, look like a soft clay figure without a temper? If Liu Niran had accepted him, the Yulong Gang might not only have grown into the most powerful faction in Lingzhou, but at the very least, they could have ruled Longjing Prefecture under the watchful eyes of General Zhong. With Tang himself and the Tang family backing Old Master Liu, who would dare to show them disrespect? They had refused the wine of invitation, so now they would drink the punishment cup. Tang Zi Yi would ensure that not a single egg in the Yulong Gang’s nest remained unbroken.
Tang Zi Yi glanced at the woman in green. His soldiers had told him she had some skill. No matter. He would first charge her with attempting to assassinate a soldier, throw her into prison, and gradually break her spirit and will. Later, he would take her and Liu Niran into his chambers together. Tang Zi Yi smirked. He had no interest in the fragile courtesans of the pleasure houses, too delicate to endure a beating. They never stirred his passion. Only women like Liu Niran, who had trained in martial arts and knew how to fight, could truly satisfy him. The way their beautiful legs and unique waists moved—ah, they could make a man ascend to heaven on the bed. Tang Zi Yi was meticulous in his methods, deeply influenced by his family’s traditions. He gave no impression of bullying others with power. Gently squeezing his horse’s belly, his steed stepped forward a few paces. Tang Zi Yi declared loudly, “I act according to the law. Who dares to stop me? I hear that the Prefecture’s military advisor is here. Step forward and show yourself!”
Chen Xiliang whispered beside Xu Fengnian, “A fine performance.”
Xu Fengnian sighed, “Now it gets complicated.”
Xu Beizhi slowly stepped over the threshold, standing at the top of the steps. “I am Xu Beizhi, appointed as the military advisor of Longjing Prefecture just ten days ago.”
Tang Zi Yi barked, “Since you are an official of Beiliang, you should know that the Yulong Gang and Honghu Gang have been gathering in public brawls. Liu Niran and others have assaulted people with weapons. According to the law, how should they be punished? It is my duty to protect the people and maintain order, especially against martial outlaws who disrupt the law with their martial prowess. The government has clearly posted decrees—anyone seen should be executed on sight. The soldiers must enforce the law, arrest the criminals. Why did someone attack my men?”
Xu Beizhi replied calmly, “The Yulong Gang’s matter has been handled appropriately by Officer Tang. However, my friend, a law-abiding citizen, entered the martial arts hall. The junior officer drew his sword without cause. According to Beiliang’s military law, he should be stripped of his rank and executed immediately. The punishment extends up three levels, and Officer Tang, as a Yihui Officer, is included. You should resign accordingly.”
Tang Zi Yi laughed, “Do you have any witnesses?”
Xu Beizhi smiled, “Over a hundred members of the Yulong Gang could testify, but since they are suspected of being rioters, they have no qualifications.”
Xu Fengnian raised his horsewhip, “I am a law-abiding citizen. I can testify.”
Tang Zi Yi sneered, “There are people who can prove you are a rebel from the Yulong Gang.”
Xu Fengnian thought of the Honghu Gang ruffians knocked unconscious by Qing Niao outside earlier, frowning, “Those men are from the Honghu Gang. What qualifications do they have?”
Tang Zi Yi said calmly, “They never entered the Yulong Gang’s hall, nor did they participate in the brawl.”
Liu Niran approached Xu Fengnian, who was about to speak, and said, “Enough. We were never really friends. I probably won’t be able to repay you for this, but I only hope that if you have any connections, you can help protect Wang Dashi and the others. Liu Niran will be forever grateful.”
Xu Fengnian, as usual, brought up the sore point, “You’re not really planning to become this Yihui Officer’s plaything, are you?”
Liu Niran gritted her teeth, “Believe me, I’ll kill him, but I’ll stab you first!”
Xu Fengnian tightened his horsewhip, a trace of confusion flickering in his eyes.
At this moment, Xu Beizhi smiled and said, “Officer Tang, if that’s the case, then no one inside the Yulong Gang’s gate is qualified to testify.”
Tang Zi Yi, confident and amused, as if toying with a mouse, said, “Oh? I’m all ears.”
Xu Beizhi said calmly, “I have evidence that you were involved in a massacre case, during which nine of your personal soldiers removed their armor and killed seventeen people with their swords. However, I haven’t had time to present this evidence to the Prefect.”
Tang Zi Yi laughed heartily on his horse, slowly drawing his Beiliang saber, “Then do you think you’ll have the chance?”
Xu Beizhi countered, “Do you dare to kill me to silence me? Do you know the penalty for killing a military advisor without cause?”
Tang Zi Yi unsheathed his saber, “How could I, a law-abiding officer, commit such a crime? But if the military advisor dies in a gang fight among rebels, I might even personally deliver a generous sum of silver as compensation to your family afterward. They will thank me for wiping out the Yulong Gang.”
Xu Beizhi’s face flushed with anger, “You dare?!”
Xu Fengnian whispered beside him, “Orange, your acting is terrible. Right now, you should be pale with fear, trembling in your boots. Especially your voice—add a little tremble to make it convincing.”
Xu Beizhi looked at Yihui Officer Tang, muttering, “Fine. You do it then?”
“By the way, do you really have evidence?”
“No. I know the truth, but I have no proof.”
“Your acting is mediocre, but you’re good at digging traps.”
“Don’t distract me while I’m fishing.”
…
Standing aside, Liu Niran listened to every word, her heart confused. What had become of this world?
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