Xu Qi did not reside in the rear hall of the county office. County magistrate Feng Guan had brought many servants and a vast collection of books, occupying many rooms. County warden Bai Shangque also cleared out an extra room for martial arts practice, without any hesitation or politeness, as if challenging anyone who dared to question his authority with the sword at his waist. Thus, Xu Qi, as the county scribe, wisely rented a small residence outside. It was merely a short distance from the county office, about the time it takes for a cup of tea to cool. The alley was quiet and secluded, with a small well that was difficult to draw water from and a grapevine that had just sprouted new green leaves. It was a modestly tranquil and pleasant place.
When Xu Qi returned home, a young girl with a slanted golden hairpin was leaning over the well, her bottom sticking out, indifferent to whether the posture was graceful or not. Xu Fengnian took off his official robe bearing the insignia of a sixth-grade civil servant, and sat on a small stool beside the well. Normally, he wouldn’t have the luxury of such leisure, but his second elder sister, upon learning of his current situation, insisted that he take a temporary break from the overwhelming piles of official documents, even if it meant she would bear more burdens herself. She argued that once the mountains of paperwork were cleared, new ones would immediately pile up. She said that laborers work with their hands, intellectuals with their minds, and leaders with their people, treating this as his final half-year of leisure before returning to duty.
Xu Qi, who had never won an argument with her, accepted her decision and settled in to wait for spring to come again. By then, even if he tried to slack off, his sister would surely drag him by the ear to his desk.
As a minor county scribe in Bishan County, Yanzhi Prefecture, Xu Qi was, of course, a nobleman’s son. This pseudonym had been used by him in both the Beiman and Liyang martial arts worlds. However, once the year of mourning ended and he donned the meticulously crafted garment from the Jinlu Weaving Bureau, he would leave this place behind—leaving Youzhou behind.
In Bishan County, aside from the semi-monthly confidential letters from home, no one would disturb his solitude. Thus, news about martial arts rankings such as the Martial Arts Evaluation, the Beauty Ranking, and the Statesmen’s List had to come from Zuo Jing, the county vice-magistrate. Most of the salary of a county scribe had been spent on wine for Zuo’s indulgence.
This new martial arts ranking was undoubtedly another storm stirred by Huang Sanjia. In this ranking, Longhu Mountain emerged as the biggest loser. A father and son, both esteemed Taoist masters, ascended to immortality together in an unprecedented spectacle, seemingly draining the ancestral temple of all its resources. Not a single person from the mountain made the list this time. Meanwhile, Wudang’s Li Yufu, who had been absent for a long time, entered the rankings, standing shoulder to shoulder with Yuan Qingshan and Li Dangxin. Wudang Mountain’s status was bound to rise. Xu Yanbing and Xu Qi himself, the so-called sixth strongest in the world, were clearly the biggest winners in Beiliang.
Leaning against the trellis, Xu Fengnian muttered to himself, “Ten times I’ve traveled in spiritual transcendence, looking down upon many places, observing the rise and fall of fortune in different regions. They say one’s environment nurtures one’s people. Within the limitations of a particular environment, people’s behaviors and words influence each other, so the writings from one region naturally differ in flavor from another. To expand this idea further, taking the Guangling River as the boundary, the distinction between north and south becomes even more pronounced, with the temperaments of northerners and southerners being entirely different.”
“Observing the big picture when in transcendence, and the small details when returning, take for example my current view of Beiliang’s new figure Zuo Jing and the old hand Pei Ju. Their every word and deed eventually blends into the overall fortune of Beiliang, offering insights. Currently, the places in Beiliang bearing fortune include Wudang Mountain, though it will only be fully realized when Li Yufu returns. Cool Mountain, after Jiang Ni and the old man with the sheepskin cloak departed, has been replaced by the ambiguous White Fox and Huyan Guanyin. Yet, whether these individuals are present or not, everything follows the principle of heavenly justice—it cannot be forced.”
“Many old friends have truly become the deceased. Others, I don’t know when they will also become relics of the past. Like Wang Xiaoping, who followed Liu Songtao, or the still-unranked Sui Xiegu, or the missing Li Zi girl and the monk Nanbei. To be honest, those connected to me rarely meet a good end.”
The girl known as Haha, who had been listening to Xu Fengnian’s ramblings all along, lifted her head, adjusted her slightly tilted golden hairpin, and calmly said, “I should have died more than a decade ago.”
Xu Fengnian chuckled, asking curiously, “Since you consider me your savior, why did you try to kill me? Those times—you did hold back at times, but other times you truly tried to kill me.”
The girl sat on the well’s edge, looking at him and blinking. “Old Huang said you live such a miserable life. It’s better for you to die by my hand than by someone else’s. I think…”
Xu Fengnian sighed helplessly, “You think that makes sense?”
The girl let out a few soft laughs, clearly delighted.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she vanished in an instant, leaving Xu Fengnian alone like a “widowed wife.” He had no idea where she went but could sense she wouldn’t reappear for a while. Xu Fengnian sighed and sat on the small stool, lost in thought. These days, he merely showed up at the county office for the morning roll call, after which he had no further duties. In Bishan County, with the transition of old and new officials, the office should have been at its busiest. However, County Magistrate Feng Guan was so dominant that he monopolized power. Zuo Jing had tried several times to compete for influence but failed, eventually choosing to do nothing and instead seek support from his powerful backers, waiting to see how long Feng could maintain his dominance. Bai Shangque had ambitions beyond a single county or prefecture, often traveling to a strategic pass in Yanzhi Prefecture for “leisure,” cultivating connections with influential military officers in Beiliang. In Beiliang, aside from the fourteen new lieutenants, any officer holding a military token was already a highly influential figure.
Xu Fengnian chose Bishan County as his base for several reasons. First, the aftermath of the Youzhou turmoil still lingered, and he needed to monitor whether the new prefect Hu Kui and Youzhou General Huangfu Ping could effectively play their roles as the “good cop” and “bad cop.” Second, Yanzhi Prefecture was near the border, and Xu Fengnian had grown deeply disappointed with the garrison generals in Youzhou, which naturally extended to his lack of confidence in the border troops. He planned to personally visit the border to assess the situation. Third, he wanted to personally experience and observe the new political climate in Beiliang’s bureaucracy. Understanding the bigger picture through small details was far more accurate and comprehensive than hearsay or even intelligence reports. Just as now, the internal conflicts between Feng Guan and Zuo Jing within Bishan County, as well as the growing estrangement between the county warden, magistrate, and vice-magistrate, already caused Xu Fengnian concern.
Xu Fengnian glanced at the sky and stood up to go to the kitchen, only to find the rice barrel empty. Although he had long since reached the Taoist state of fasting, his cultivation had surpassed even that of a true immortal. Yet, as ancient sages had said, one cultivates the Dao, not immortality. What benefit was there in becoming something less than human before achieving true immortality? Thus, Xu Fengnian continued to eat, drink, and sleep like a normal person.
He took a bag of silver coins from the table and prepared to go out to buy a bag of rice. Perhaps due to the harshness of Bishan County’s terrain and the local people’s stubbornness, the powerful families entrenched in the area had shown little respect for the new officials, who had tried to make an impression with their initial reforms. The Zhu family, led by the influential Zhu clan, had even refused to meet with the new officials, clearly distancing themselves.
As Xu Fengnian was about to leave, a young man rushed into the courtyard carrying a bag of rice on his shoulder. Xu Fengnian didn’t hesitate to take the bag, smiling as he poured the rice into the barrel. The young man was Zhu Zhengli, a local of Bishan County, whom Xu had met while drinking. Zhu claimed to be a poor scholar rejected by a wealthy family in Yanzhi Prefecture. Xu Fengnian, of course, knew he was a genuine descendant of the Zhu family, but since Zhu refused to admit it, Xu didn’t press the issue. Zhu was free-spirited and upright, a rare example among the aristocratic youth. Perhaps influenced by the chivalric spirit of Beiliang, he didn’t fit in with the other privileged youths in Bishan County and often quarreled with them. A few years ago, he had even clashed with the previous county magistrate over a certain matter. One must never underestimate a county magistrate; the saying “a county magistrate can ruin a family” was no exaggeration. Though a minor official, the magistrate wielded immense local power, with both background and political acumen. He could easily destroy a family’s livelihood. Zhu Zhengli’s defiance of the magistrate was partly due to his own naivety in worldly affairs, but also because the Zhu family of Bishan County had considerable influence. If the head of the Zhu family had spoken, even the county magistrate or Prefect Hong Shandong of Yanzhi would have to obey. However, the Zhu family’s recent withdrawal from public life had allowed the local officials to dominate Bishan County like monkeys claiming to be kings.
Zhu Zhengli was a chatterbox, currently mocking Xu Qi for being such a poor county scribe, unable to profit from his position and inevitably ending up with empty sleeves. He joked that Xu must have drained his family’s savings to buy such a low-ranking official post, hence his current poverty-stricken state. Xu Fengnian did not argue but merely reminded him with a smile not to mock others’ misfortunes in front of those who were short. Zhu laughed heartily but stopped teasing Xu about his hardship.
Xu Fengnian brought out a pot of Lüyi wine, and the two sat under the grapevine, each with a large white porcelain bowl. The sun in Beiliang was especially harsh, making the summer heat unbearable, like the worst of southern summers. However, as long as one stayed in the shade, a breeze could quickly dispel the heat. With a bowl of Lüyi wine in hand, the two young men felt as carefree as immortals.
Xu Fengnian took a sip of wine, smiling lazily as he asked, “Today, there are many vacancies in Youzhou. Why don’t you talk to your elders and try to find a way in? Spend a few hundred taels of silver to find a backdoor, and get a recommendation letter from a respected scholar. It won’t be hard to secure a position, even if it’s just a county scribe like me. Otherwise, you’ll never make a name for yourself as a wandering swordsman in Beiliang, and even less so in the future. It’s better to become a civil official.”
Zhu Zhengli shook his head like a rattle drum, “What’s so good about being an official? Sitting on the heads of the people, doing whatever you like. That’s not real success. Besides, even if I had the money, I wouldn’t waste it on such nonsense. If I really wanted to be an official, I’d rather join the army at the border and earn real military merit. That’s the only way to feel truly fulfilled.”
Xu Fengnian teased, “With your current skills, you might survive a minor skirmish, but against the Crow Guards or even second-rate cavalry from Beiman, you’d be as good as dead. Is dying really more interesting than being an official?”
Zhu Zhengli sighed, rubbing his chin, “That’s why my grandmother won’t let me enlist. She’d rather I live a useless life in Bishan County than risk her burying me. She even said that if I try to sneak out of Yanzhi Prefecture, she’ll have someone break one of my legs. She always keeps her word, and everyone in our family fears her like mice fear a cat. I wasn’t afraid of her when I was little, but I’ve grown more afraid as I’ve aged.”
Xu Fengnian asked mischievously, “How’s your sister, the one who fell in love with Bai Shangque at first sight?”
At this, Zhu Zhengli winced, his face twisting in frustration. “I don’t get it! You and Bai Shangque are both officials of the same rank, and you’re even a bit better-looking than that pretty boy. Yet my sister doesn’t like you at all and insists on clinging to that Bai guy, throwing away all her dignity. That’s bad enough—people say that when a man chases a woman, it’s like a mountain between them, but when a woman chases a man, it’s only a thin veil. I don’t even think that Bai guy gives my sister a second glance. It’s a headache, really. And if that guy with his constant sour face really becomes my brother-in-law, I’ll have to…”
Xu Fengnian interjected, “You’ll be like neighbors who can hear each other’s chickens and dogs but never speak again.”
Zhu Zhengli slapped Xu Qi’s shoulder, using the opportunity to wipe off some wine from his hand. “Xu Qi, no wonder you became the county scribe of Bishan County—you’ve actually read a few books. I couldn’t do it. As soon as I touch a book, I get dizzy and sleepy. But if it’s about martial arts, I can go days without rest. Unfortunately, my grandmother absolutely refuses to let me train.”
Xu Fengnian smiled and said bluntly, “Your talent is nothing special. I’m telling you this because we’re friends.”
Zhu Zhengli wasn’t offended. He glared and said, “When Wang Xianzhi first started out, the older martial artists called him mediocre too! Besides, I don’t need to become some famous hero. Even if I can just beat up a few Rogue and bullies in the village, that’s enough for me.”
Xu Fengnian nodded. Zhu Zhengli finished his bowl of wine, shook the pot, and found about half a bowl left. He put it down, saying he had sneaked out from home for a breath of fresh air and needed to return to study the Confucian classics. If his grandmother found out, he’d be limping the next time they met. Xu Fengnian didn’t see him off but said with a smile, “Next time, bring some wine.”
Zhu Zhengli ran off, then turned around and gave Xu Fengnian the middle finger.
Xu Fengnian poured himself another half-bowl of wine, sitting alone under the grapevine with a gentle breeze on his face, feeling relaxed and content. Before finishing the bowl of Lüyi wine, he placed the bowl on the small bamboo chair, stood up, and greeted a new visitor.
An elderly woman with white hair entered the courtyard slowly, leaning on a cane. When she saw Xu Fengnian, she paused, then sat in front of him. Only after she had settled did Xu Fengnian sit down.
The old woman was the head of the Zhu family in Bishan County. The Zhu family had four generations living together, with the previous three generations particularly dominated by women. Zhu Zhengli was the only male in his generation. On the family tree in the ancestral hall, there were supposed to be six or seven uncles, but none were still alive. The same was true for the previous generation. The old woman had been the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhu family, and as time passed, she became the true pillar of the Zhu family in Bishan County. She was a highly respected matriarch throughout Yanzhi Prefecture. It was said that when the Xu family took control of Beiliang, General Xu Xiao and Lady Wu Su had once stayed at the Zhu family’s mansion. With that alone, who in Yanzhi Prefecture or even Youzhou would dare to insult the Zhu family? Moreover, the Zhu family had twelve male members across two generations, all of whom had died defending the border in the past twenty years.
The old woman gazed at Xu Fengnian for a moment and softly said, “You really look like him.”
Xu Fengnian hesitated to speak.
The old woman waved her hand, leaning on her cane and looking toward the gate of the courtyard. “At first, I wanted to see the county scribe who could befriend my grandson. Now that I’ve seen you, I understand. Back then, when the head of the Zhu family met the general, it was much like this. The general had no airs, and my husband was determined to repay him with his life. He wasn’t eloquent, but he kept his word.”
Xu Fengnian said solemnly, “Madam, please rest assured. I will never allow Zhu Zhengli to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors. This time, I’ve settled in Bishan County, and I haven’t even dared to visit the Zhu family. My meeting with Zhu Zhengli was purely coincidental. When I leave one day, we may never meet again. I hope, Madam, you can find peace in that.”
The old woman nodded slightly and said nothing more.
She sat quietly for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, then slowly stood up. Xu Fengnian stood and accompanied her to the courtyard gate. Suddenly, she asked, “Can you really hold on?”
Xu Fengnian replied calmly, “If I fail to hold on, please tell Zhu Zhengli that Xu Qi has gone to Zhongyuan to serve as an official.”
The old woman trembled as she reached out and gently touched Xu Fengnian’s head.
She slowly walked toward the carriage waiting at the corner of the alley. Before getting in, she looked back at the young man standing silently at the door and murmured, “You really look like him.”
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