The colorful boat was also equipped with sharp eyes and ears. After Lin Hongyuan flaunted her identity from the Dragon Palace, she was immediately escorted to a modest cabin on the second floor. When Zhao Zhu entered, his eyes lit up. A woman sat on a large green banana leaf, cradling a small konghou with Goose Pillar ( Goose Pillar: Goose-shaped bridge). She held it with her left hand and paused mid-strum with her right. Her eyes were lustrous. Though her beauty wasn’t extraordinary, her delicate frame and fragile charm gave her an air of vulnerability that stirred compassion.
The konghou originated in the Western Regions, flourished during the Southern Tang Dynasty, and declined during the Liyang era. This was because a certain noblewoman in the current imperial court disliked the sound of the konghou echoing through the court and countryside. Scholars and literati further accelerated its decline by condemning it as decadent music that could bring ruin to a nation. Thus, the konghou was gradually overshadowed by the similar-sounding guzheng. The wife of Ye Bai Kui, the greatest general of the Spring and Autumn period, was once renowned for her mastery of the konghou.
Zhao Zhu hurriedly approached the woman on the banana leaf, squatted down beside her, and waved at the thin woman to play a few notes. He closed his eyes to listen. As her fingers danced, the sound grew tender and sorrowful, captivating Zhao Zhu completely.
Xu Fengnian regarded him with newfound respect. As Lin Hongyuan dismissed the maids and poured tea herself, she whispered, “Our prince is a connoisseur of music, skilled in zithers, flutes, drums, and the konghou.”
A knock at the door interrupted the moment. Lin Hongyuan rose to open it. A second-tier steward from Kuai Xue Manor, holding back his excitement, spoke as calmly as he could, “Reporting to the Dragon Palace Fairy, we’ve just received word that the master of Hui Mountain, Xuan Yuan Qing Feng, has posted a challenge at the arena. Whoever can withstand ten moves against her may freely choose three secret manuals from Hui Mountain’s collection. If someone defeats her, Hui Mountain will acknowledge them as the new master. Furthermore, the master of Hui Mountain has declared that if no one challenges her today, or if none can knock her off the stage, the title of Supreme Martial Lord will fall into the hands of the Xuan Yuan family. However, she has also vowed to show no mercy to any challenger today. The competition is already stirring great excitement, awaiting our master’s signal to begin.”
Lin Hongyuan nodded. The steward bowed and left quickly, thinking to himself how the purple-robed woman was truly a blessing for the manor. Her bold challenge to the entire martial world, regardless of the outcome, was a tremendous spectacle. For Kuai Xue Manor, it was nothing but beneficial.
More than twenty large ships gradually dropped anchor, surrounding a vast square arena on the lake. Colorful banners fluttered in the wind. Between these massive vessels were over a hundred smaller, shabbier boats. The gathering was a melting pot of the three teachings and nine schools of thought, a grand and majestic sight of martial heroes and hidden masters, a vast and turbulent Rivers and Lakes (jianghu).
Xu Fengnian, Zhao Zhu, and Lin Hongyuan walked to the bow of the second floor. Compared to the crowded first floor, the second floor was much more spacious. A few proud martial heroes had even brought their own chairs, eyeing the trio. However, aside from Lin Hongyuan, who wore green robes and held a jade tablet like a court official, the other two didn’t seem particularly remarkable, so they paid little attention.
Zhao Zhu rubbed his slightly frostbitten nose and muttered, “I was hoping that the little beauty with the konghou might turn out to be an assassin. This journey through the martial world, besides being a free laborer for Princess Lin, hasn’t offered much excitement. Compared to your thrilling adventures, it’s enough to make anyone envious.”
At the center of the arena stood a figure clad in purple, exuding arrogance and majesty, an image destined to linger in the memories of countless martial artists for years to come.
Xu Fengnian turned away and scoffed, “What about all those The Triumphal Mound (jingu) you built in the Southern Frontier? Were they all for show?”
Zhao Zhu chuckled, “A true hero doesn’t boast about past glories. I haven’t caused much trouble this year. Master Nalan said it best: one must be kind to others, truly kind.”
Xu Fengnian smiled faintly.
Suddenly, Zhao Zhu threw his arms around Xu Fengnian and patted his back heartily. “Brother, I’ll head back first. Just seeing you is enough. If I don’t return soon, Master Nalan will start lecturing me again. If he sets his mind on it, he can talk for hours without even taking a sip of tea. There’s nothing I fear more than his endless sermons.”
Xu Fengnian was taken aback. “You’re not going to watch how Hui Mountain’s master dominates the arena?”
Zhao Zhu released him and shook his head. “What’s the point of becoming the Supreme Martial Lord or even the strongest under heaven? It’s all meaningless.”
Xu Fengnian accompanied Zhao Zhu and Lin Hongyuan to the stern of the lower deck. The colorful boat had remained tethered to the small black-painted boat. Before Zhao Zhu departed, he pulled out a copper coin from his pouch and placed it in Xu Fengnian’s hand, his face beaming. “I may be a half-hearted noble, but I’ve only ever shared true friendship with you in times of hardship. Whether you remember our bond or not, I’ll never forget it. No matter what kind of world lies ahead, as long as you’re willing to come to my side, I’ll ensure you never go hungry. Everything is negotiable, except my wife and son.”
Xu Fengnian held the coin tightly, saying nothing.
Lin Hongyuan softly apologized, “Prince, I’m afraid the technique Stele Rubbing: Unveiling the Mysteries (Tuopei Zhixuan) will have to be delivered to Beiliang a bit later. I hope you can understand.”
Xu Fengnian nodded with a faint smile. He didn’t particularly dislike this calculating woman, especially considering Zhao Zhu’s influence. He was willing to give her some leeway. Among the empire’s great feudal lords, Prince Zhao Sui of Jiaodong guarded the Two Liao regions, but his proximity to Tai’an made him far from independent. Only Xu Xiao and Prince Zhao Bing of Yan Chi truly ruled their domains as sovereigns. If Zhao Zhu weren’t Zhao Bing’s legitimate eldest son, his cryptic words would seem presumptuous. Zhao Zhu had matured earlier than Xu Fengnian. If he could earn military merit in the chaos of Chu’s resurgence, it would be natural for the Liyang court to grant him a hereditary title.
As Zhao Zhu leaped onto the small boat and grabbed the bamboo pole, he laughed, “Little beggar, if the world collapses again, come to Beiliang. I’ll make sure you won’t end up as an old beggar.”
Zhao Zhu grimaced, “Should I thank you for the good wishes or curse you for being a jinx?”
Xu Fengnian laughed heartily and waved him off, “Get back to your Southern Frontier.”
Zhao Zhu saluted with a fist and drifted away leisurely.
After the small boat had traveled a distance across the lake, Lin Hongyuan cautiously asked, “Your Highness, shall I take over the pole?”
Zhao Zhu tossed the bamboo pole to Lin Hongyuan, crossed his arms, and stood proudly.
Lin Hongyuan dared to play tricks with the one-time-deal Xu Fengnian, but she lacked the courage to act pretentious with Prince Zhao Zhu, who had already earned great military achievements. The Southern Frontier had already secured its geographical advantage and popular support. Many people understood this implicitly, though they dared not dwell on it or speak of it openly.
Master Nalan was simply waiting for the right Opportunity (timing).
Zhao Zhu spoke softly, “If I were to become emperor, I would believe not in ghosts and gods, but in the hearts of the people.”
Lin Hongyuan nearly dropped the bamboo pole.
Zhao Zhu chuckled, “What are you afraid of?”
Lin Hongyuan turned pale and whispered, “I heard nothing.”
Zhao Zhu murmured to himself, “If I offered Xu Fengnian the thirty thousand elite cavalry of Beiliang in exchange for a position second only to the emperor and generations of noble titles, would he accept?”
Lin Hongyuan fell silent, too terrified to respond.
On the outer corridor of the colorful boat, Huang Quan, who usually pushed his way into wherever the crowd was thickest, remained listlessly crouched by the wall, even though the purple-robed figure had already appeared on the arena. Earlier, he had served as a horse for the beloved son of Feng Maolin, and the dust on his knees hadn’t settled yet. The cold stares from the martial artists on the boat meant nothing to him. As long as he had secured a connection with Feng Maolin, it was worth the effort, even if the benefits were distant. It meant he had managed to latch onto the influential couple in the Jianghu of the Two Huai regions. Their young daughter, whom Huang Quan had addressed with flattery as “little lady” while serving as her steed, had shown him no kindness, but Huang Quan didn’t feel embarrassed. After all, in the Jianghu, how else could one rise but through such means? As long as he succeeded, who would care about his humiliating past? Besides, even a dog could swim. Yet, what truly shattered Huang Quan’s hopes was witnessing the couple, whom he had regarded as untouchable, being effortlessly defeated by Xu Fengnian’s friend. Huang Quan had always seen that chance acquaintance as a naive fool with deep pockets. Meeting Xu Zhan and Zhou Qinhu had already shocked him greatly, making him want to celebrate with several pounds of beef and a few jugs of fine wine. But alas, he had the appetite without the means to indulge. After Feng Maolin’s group had been defeated and humiliated, Huang Quan knew all his efforts had amounted to nothing. There was no longer any possibility of continuing to exploit Xu Fengnian for food and drink, and Feng Maolin might even blame him, an easy target for their frustrations.
Some people enter the Jianghu and rise to greatness. Many more are swallowed by it, never escaping its grasp. Huang Quan didn’t fear hardship or losses, but he feared the absence of any hope of climbing out of obscurity.
What kind of strength does it take to truly deserve the title of a martial hero? What kind of divine power does it take to be called a celestial being?
At times, Huang Quan wondered if he had ever truly entered the Jianghu at all.
Leaning against the wooden wall, Huang Quan finally snapped out of his daze, rubbing his face. Suddenly, he noticed the dimming light. He looked up and was startled, falling to the ground in shock. The man in the ridiculous red fox fur hat stood with his legs crossed and his hands tucked into his sleeves, leaning against the wall.
Xu Fengnian asked calmly, “Huang Quan, do you remember how we met?”
Huang Quan thought this man had come to settle old scores, ready to beat him like a drowning dog. He forced a bitter smile and said, “Back then, I was blind to your worth and asked you for wine.”
Xu Fengnian shook his head. “Back at the tavern, a beggar foolishly sneaked in to beg for food. He was caught by a sharp-eyed waiter. One diner noticed the beggar’s frostbitten, bleeding hands and poured half a bowl of wine into them. Among the drinkers downstairs, only you hesitated for a long time before finally speaking up for the beggar out of sympathy. That was how the beggar avoided becoming a source of amusement. At that moment, I thought of a friend who had already left the Jianghu. That’s why I invited you for a drink. Of course, you didn’t hesitate, and you ate and drank your fill without any qualms.”
Huang Quan chuckled awkwardly.
Xu Fengnian noticed a majestic warship suddenly approaching. Seeing the old man at its bow, he momentarily lost focus, adjusted his fox fur hat, and turned to Huang Quan. “After Xuan Yuan Qing Feng wins the arena and becomes the Supreme Martial Lord, will you dare to approach her and say a single word?”
Huang Quan was stunned and chuckled nervously. “It depends on what the word is.”
Xu Fengnian walked toward the railing. “Just say that a man named Xu Fengnian sent you to Hui Mountain to earn a living.”
Huang Quan watched as the man who didn’t introduce himself as Xu Qi leaped over the railing and soared toward another particularly imposing warship.
Xu Fengnian?
Who’s that?
Huang Quan was puzzled but felt he should give it a try. At worst, the master of Hui Mountain would slap him away. He probably wouldn’t die.
Many years later, an old man who had failed to achieve much even with the backing of Hui Mountain still told his grandson on his deathbed, “Grandpa once roamed the Jianghu with that man.”
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