Kuaisue Mansion is located at the southern shore of the eight-hundred-mile Spring Goddess Lake. Facing the lake and overlooking its vast waters, the mansion is uniquely built with half of it extending over the lake. After a heavy snowfall, the wondrous scene of snow blanketing the evening river is breathtakingly magnificent. The mansion’s design is ingenious, rivaling the Dragon Palace in reputation. Its northern location offers a perfect vantage point for appreciating the lake’s beauty. The quiet courtyard residence is elegantly simple, with white walls and blue tiles. Artists were commissioned to paint expressive murals on both the interior and exterior walls. As Lin Hongyuan wandered through the corridors, she was delighted to find a small, whimsical painting of butterflies dancing among flowers on the ceiling.
The main hall’s floor is paved with translucent Colored Glaze (liuli glass), beneath which one could glimpse fish swimming alone or in schools. Even Xu Fengnian, who had seen countless luxuries, was impressed by the mansion’s extravagant yet worthwhile craftsmanship. Many aristocratic families that rose to prominence after the Spring and Autumn Periods had ample wealth but lacked the cultural depth to match. Their architectural styles were often mismatched, revealing their inferior status to seasoned noble families at a glance.
Lin Hongyuan, her face stripped of its skin, tidied herself and changed into clean clothes before arriving late. Xu Fengnian, crouched on the Colored Glaze floor idly counting fish, looked up and was momentarily taken aback. She was a young woman with thick eyebrows and large eyes—unremarkable in beauty, but possessing a rare charm that made her unforgettable.
Xu Fengnian held no affection for the Dragon Palace—it was merely the estate of a concubine raised by Nalan Youci, the “First of Jiangzuo.” This was why the two women had dared to fight for their lives on the palanquin, believing that killing the heir of Beiliang would earn them favor and rewards from their master upon return.
Among the feudal lords of Liyang, Zhao Bing, the Yan’e King, was the only one who earned Xu Shao’s respect as a member of the Zhao clan. His cavalry and infantry were closest in strength to those of Beiliang. Once a barbarian land, the southern frontier now had the most academies in the empire. Zhao Bing’s reputation far surpassed that of Guangling King Zhao Yi. Despite the distance from the imperial court, he had not been accused of any overstepping. The court, following the late Xun Ping’s strategy, was relentless in reducing the power of the feudal lords, yet imposed few restrictions on the Yan’e King. Within the court, major factions including Zhang Gu viewed the southern frontier’s administration favorably. Much of this was likely due to Nalan Youci’s diplomatic prowess. Huang Sanjia once ranked the strategists of the realm, saying that Nalan Youci was adept at governing small states with the finesse of a skilled chef. This assessment was mixed—implying that while Nalan was capable in minor affairs, he lacked the capacity for great responsibilities. Only someone like Huang Longshi dared mock the “First of Jiangzuo” so casually; few others would dare to underestimate him.
Lin Hongyuan stared at the white-haired man who had glanced at her before returning to tapping the Colored Glaze with his finger. If she could, she would Without hesitation (without hesitation) cut off his limbs, gouge out his eyes, burn his ears, and feed him a potion to silence him, keeping him alive in a jar for decades of torment. But she knew she had no chance of victory. Trained by her mother from childhood, she was cunning and ruthless by nature. Yet one trait she inherited from her cowardly father was an acceptance of fate—she would gamble and accept the consequences.
Xu Fengnian suddenly said, “When you return to the Dragon Palace, either Nalan Youci will subtly inquire or the Yan’e King himself will ask about the time we spent together. If you want to live comfortably in the future, you’d better start thinking now.”
Lin Hongyuan dragged a chair to the edge of the Colored Glaze floor, lifted her arm, and slowly brushed her fingers across her eyebrows, smiling. “Master Xu truly is a man of great virtue, repaying grievances with kindness.”
Xu Fengnian replied calmly, “I know something about Xie Lingzhen from the Thatched Cottage. As for Li Yibai of the Dongyue Sword Pond and Li Huoli of the Ji Prefecture Goose Fortress, I haven’t heard much about them. Tell me more.”
Lin Hongyuan took off her shoes, sat cross-legged on the chair, and began casually massaging the soles of her feet. After a moment’s thought, she spoke carefully. “Li Yibai I know well. He once wandered with his sword for thousands of miles and visited the Dragon Palace. I even accompanied him to the southern frontier, nearly reaching the South Sea. His swordsmanship is exceptional, and his understanding of the sword path is naturally profound, given his upbringing in the sacred sword forest. He has refined his techniques repeatedly, always focusing on the essence. Over time, he has developed a reclusive aura reminiscent of ancient sword immortals. If not for his plain appearance, I might have fallen for him. However, Li Yibai has a weakness: he practices an ascetic sword path while mastering worldly techniques. Because the Dongyue Sword Pond, along with the Dongyue royal family, has submitted to the court, there is a need for someone to solidify the alliance between the sword pond and the Liyang court. This has left Li Yibai with unresolved inner conflicts. Years ago, on his return from the deep mountains of Lingnan, he came across a Qin Dynasty sword manual. I wonder how his training has progressed. Master Xu, you must know that martial artists fear not only the dominance of the three teachings but also the emergence of new swordsmen who surpass their predecessors, creating unconventional ‘new swords.’ If you encounter one, you might suffer a defeat. Even with your great abilities, several Lin Hongyuans would be no match for you, but that’s because I happened to be countered. Li Yibai is different. Don’t let him become the stepping stone for his sudden rise to fame.”
She paused deliberately, expecting arrogance, but to her surprise, he nodded slightly, smirking as if he understood. Suppressing her irritation, she continued, “As for Li Huoli, the Goose Fortress of Ji Prefecture has no historical ties to the Dragon Palace. I only know that the Han family of Ji Prefecture was once loyal and valiant but was later eliminated by the court. As one of the key border strongholds of Ji Prefecture, the Goose Fortress was once a trusted ally of the Hans. Its lord, Li Jinjiang, was suspected of betrayal, so the fortress has never had a good reputation in the martial world. However, Li Huoli, who has earned many military merits on the frontier, has no bad reputation in the martial circles. He joined the army at fourteen or fifteen and became a commander of six thousand troops last year, surpassing ten titled generals. He must have extraordinary qualities that cannot be explained merely by being the young lord of the Goose Fortress.”
Lin Hongyuan seemed to amuse herself, smiling. “Praising Li Huoli’s deep scheming in front of Master Xu makes me feel quite ridiculous.”
Xu Fengnian shook his head. “To achieve success on the frontier, even with the protection of noble lineage, is no easy feat. Compared to Li Yibai, who isolates himself, I pay more attention to Li Huoli.”
Lin Hongyuan sighed inwardly. She disliked, even hated, such an opponent. The more Xu Fengnian defied the rumors of being a spoiled nobleman, the more anxious she became. Her secret techniques were endless, and she excelled in intrigue. Even against a first-tier King Kong (Jin Gang) expert, she would dare to fight. The thresholds of the four first-tier realms were all as high as dragon gates, progressively more difficult. Setting aside the three teachings, the King Kong realm was already the pinnacle. The Mystic Revelation (Zhi Xuan) realm was mostly unattainable. If a martial artist gradually reached the Celestial Phenomena (Tian Xiang) realm, they could challenge even the sages of the three teachings. In simpler terms, it meant having the courage to risk everything to bring down an emperor.
Xu Fengnian stood up and asked, “Kuaisue Mansion is set to elect the martial lord in two days. How many people do you think will come?”
Lin Hongyuan replied without hesitation, “At least four or five thousand. However, the mansion itself can only accommodate over two hundred. Fortunately, there are many private estates and inns around the southern shore of Spring Goddess Lake, which can house over a thousand. The rest will have to stay in towns and cities fifty miles away. Among the martial world, only those two or three hundred guests staying in the mansion truly matter. The mansion must be both delighted and anxious—delighted to be the center of attention, hosting guests from all directions, which greatly enhances its status in the martial world. Anxious because those two or three hundred experts from all walks of life are not easy to please. Any mishap could turn a celebration into a disaster. Who gets the better courtyard, whose servant girl is prettier, who is personally greeted by the mansion lord—everyone is calculating. The Dragon Palace is relatively easy to handle, but for those middle-tier factions without real power, their petty schemes and calculations are endless. It will be a true test of the mansion’s hospitality.”
Xu Fengnian glanced at Lin Hongyuan, who spoke so effortlessly, and compared her in his mind to the lady in purple from Huishan. The difference was like heaven and earth. He smiled gently. “Didn’t expect you to understand social graces. Have you been managing the Dragon Palace’s affairs all these years?”
Lin Hongyuan replied with self-mockery, “If not for wasting time on such trivialities, always smiling at people, I would have already become a true first-tier expert.”
The door opened, and the bearded Zhao Weiping stood at the entrance, still knocking symbolically. Lin Hongyuan said indifferently, “Speak.”
The swordsman, who had served the Dragon Palace for years, said gravely, “Outside, they say a young heavenly master from Longhu Mountain has arrived. It’s Zhao Ningshen, who once blocked the mad monk from the Western Regions. The only son of Qingcheng King, Wu Shizhen, has also come with Qiu Mian to visit Kuaisue Mansion.”
Xu Fengnian was no stranger to Zhao Ningshen, who had once blocked Deng Tai’a’s sword on the mountain. As for Wu Shizhen, there was no need to say more. Xu had once trampled Qingyang Palace, and the father and son had met their match. Wu Shizhen was left powerless. Compared to Xu Shao, the Qingcheng King, who was nominally another non-clan king of Liyang, was insignificant. He only knew how to use vulgar bedroom techniques to please the emperor and nobles. Moreover, the armored aunt and the thousands of armored soldiers within Qingcheng Mountain were all part of Master Li Yishan’s secret strategies. As for Qiu Mian, Xu Fengnian had never heard of her. Lin Hongyuan waved Zhao Weiping away, her delicate hand gliding over the white sock on her foot, and volunteered, “Qiu Mian is a famous female swordsman in recent years. Countless men have fallen at her feet. Her clothing and accessories instantly become popular wherever she goes in the south and north of the great river. Her reputation is It’s easy to imagine (self-evident). However, as for her sword skills, she isn’t even worthy of polishing your shoes, Master Xu.”
Xu Fengnian laughed, “Whether her sword skills are worthy of polishing my shoes is debatable. Perhaps I’d be willing to kneel at her Pomegranate Skirt (pomegranate skirt), joining the martial elites in line to bow and pledge allegiance. But I doubt the Fairy Qiu would even deign to glance at me.”
Lin Hongyuan giggled, covering her mouth.
Xu teased, “You just touched your feet. Aren’t you disgusted by the dirt?”
Lin Hongyuan laughed, her eyes curving into crescent moons. She extended her hand. “Smell it?”
Seeing Xu Fengnian’s indifference, she stuck her finger into her mouth and licked it, her eyes challenging. Yet Xu remained unmoved, smiling. “You’re comparing yourself to someone who often talks with heads full of lime? That’s too humiliating for you.”
Suddenly, Lin Hongyuan’s eyes lit up. She straightened her slender waist, which could be encircled by one hand, and leaned forward on her legs, curious. “I’ve heard you’ve known the Taoist master Hong Xixiang of Wudang for years, and even fought with the invincible wine-loving general Mei Zi Jiu. Tell me about it. If you do, I’ll agree to anything—even offering myself. But I suspect you’d still feel like you’re the one losing out. I’ve only ever admired those two extraordinary men. If I could share a life with one and forget the other, Tsk tsk, even becoming a fairy wouldn’t tempt me.”
Xu Fengnian smiled faintly but said nothing. He left the hall and walked to the waterside corridor. Mist spread over the lake, thickening until the world turned white. Leaning on the railing, Xu watched the fog. Lin Hongyuan hurriedly put on her shoes and followed him, still unwilling to give up. An outsider witnessing this scene would likely mistake them for a tender and warm martial couple.
Xu Fengnian murmured softly, “Do you think it would be interesting if I killed Xie Lingzhen, Li Yibai, and Li Huoli all at once?”
Lin Hongyuan’s expression was complex. She whispered, “Can you do it?”
Xu Fengnian smiled. “Only one way to find out.”
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