The aged master, having just concluded a rapturous performance on the zither, abruptly rose to his feet, his hands slowly descending as he exhaled a long breath of stale air. His presence exuded the aura of a true martial expert. The venerable old man, with white hair and rosy cheeks, walked slowly down from a massive bluish stone resembling a turtle’s back, his eyes brimming with kindness as he smiled and asked, “Disciple, do you think my zither skills have improved a bit today?”
The swordswoman, dressed in a serious manner, nodded earnestly and gave a thumbs-up. “Master, your skills have reached new heights. Truly amazing!”
Even Xu Fengnian, who prided himself on being thick-skinned and impervious to embarrassment, found it hard to withstand the shameless display of this master and apprentice duo. Yet, if there were more “sincere martial artists” like them on Fu Lu Mountain, he wouldn’t have torn up the chaotic map of Youzhou in frustration just now. He could have taken the opportunity to broaden his horizons. Of course, whether it was the old man whose zither skills were “transcendent and saintly,” or the swordswoman who appeared simple-minded, both were shrewd and cunning at heart. They were certainly not like the petty bandits he had encountered many years ago on the outskirts of Qingcheng Mountain, who even hesitated to strip their victims of all their money, leaving them enough for travel expenses. In the same trade of banditry, how could those old rogues compare to the ruthless killers of Fu Lu Mountain? Old Meng, Little Hawthorn, and Little Sparrow—after so many years, their faces still lingered vividly in his memory. Five years had passed. Was Little Hawthorn now the new leader of the mountain? Had Little Sparrow blossomed into a graceful young lady? Xu Fengnian’s momentary reverie lasted no more than a blink, and even now, his mind remained alert to the flow of martial energies around him. In short, even if he were to fall into a deep sleep, and a minor master of the Second Tier were to attack him with all his might, the outcome would be the attacker’s immediate death. The view from the ninth floor was not only beyond the imagination of those minor masters who were already considered immortals among mortals, but even the top-tier martial artists of the first two stages—the Jinguang and Zhixuan—could not fathom the vast and magnificent martial arts panorama that would unfold before them. Occasionally, Xu Fengnian would wonder, if it were him now facing the “Man-Tiger,” Han Wudi, who was once hailed as invincible among mortals outside Shenwu City, how would that encounter play out?
“Young man, I see your martial foundation is quite remarkable.”
The old man fixed his gaze on Xu Fengnian and paused briefly before adding with a tone of gravity, “How about you come study the zither with me?”
Xu Fengnian chuckled.
In the distance, two figures approached—one male and one female. They could be described as a perfect match. The man, around thirty years old, wore a high crown and elegant robes, his demeanor refined and graceful. The woman was particularly beautiful, evoking a sense of tenderness and pity. However, a pair of short and long blades hung at her slender waist, and her brows carried an air of martial valor. Her beauty was strange, as if not naturally formed but rather a piece of uncarved jade, meticulously sculpted by a master artisan. Regardless, she was the kind of woman who would leave an indelible impression on anyone who laid eyes on her. Xu Fengnian turned his head, guessing the identity of one of them. He recognized the man as Lu Haiya, the distinguished youth from the Xianguan Cave of the neighboring mountain. The other figure, however, drew a genuine sense of surprise even from him. It was the frail woman who had once accompanied the top scholar of the Kejia Lane, Fan Xiao Chai. At that time, she had used the tenuous familial connection of the Lin family to infiltrate the Qingliang Mountain Mansion of the Xu clan, scouting the terrain and planning to assassinate him, the young prince of the Wutong Courtyard. Naturally, her plot was discovered, and she was handed over by Yuan Er’ge to Lu Qiu’er, the head of the intelligence bureau. Xu Fengnian had not paid much attention afterward, only hearing that her real name was Fan Xiao Chai, granddaughter of General Fan Bao Shan, the great general of Northern Han. No wonder she was the kind of woman reckless enough to come all the way to Liangzhou to kill him, the son of the Xu family. Even her alias was chosen so carelessly. Later, during the operation at Qingrong Hermitage in Huangnan County, she was the masked warrior who had pinned the hermitage’s master, Old Daoist Qinghuai, to the wall with a single strike. Now, meeting again, Xu Fengnian remained composed, and so did Fan Xiao Chai. Their eyes met briefly, a fleeting glance filled with complexity and ambiguity. Surprisingly, there was not much hatred in her gaze, which intrigued Xu Fengnian even more.
Their gazes passed each other quietly, and the refined scholar had already addressed the old man respectfully, “Lu Haiya, disciple of Xianguan Cave, pays homage to Master Wei.”
The old man nodded slightly, his attention mostly fixed on Fan Xiao Chai. He asked bluntly, “Lu Haiya, is this young lady the extraordinary woman favored by the Master of Chenshan Cave? He’s gone so far as to beg her to abandon her blades and take up the sword, even offering to make her his secluded disciple?”
Lu Haiya smiled gently, “I dare not comment on my master’s decisions. However, Master Wei may not know that Fan Xiao Chai is the granddaughter of General Fan Bao Shan, the greatest general of Northern Han. After falling into hardship, she was discovered by a reclusive martial elder who recognized her innate talent and passed on his blade techniques to her…”
The old man impatiently waved his hand, “All these details mean nothing to me. I was once a foot soldier under Gu Jiantang, not a former follower of Northern Liang. Northern Han was destroyed by the Xu family’s butcher. If she seeks revenge, it should not be directed at me.”
Lu Haiya smiled without responding.
The young woman, who had recently joined Xianguan Cave, narrowed her eyes, her killing intent palpable. Despite her youth, she already exuded the mighty aura of a minor master.
The old man chuckled self-deprecatingly, “If she wants to ask me for a suitable weapon, that might make sense. After all, the blade and sword in my possession have some connection to the Fan family of Northern Han. By chance, both are listed in the new martial arts appraisal. The Quewei Blade is ranked sixteenth, renowned for its unmatched sharpness. The Copper Rust Sword is twelfth, a sword of eccentric techniques, famed for its blunt edge and unexpected strikes.”
The daughter of Fu Lu Mountain’s leader tapped the hilt of her golden-silk blade with her finger, smiling brightly, “Oh, coming to someone else’s territory to cause trouble. How could I not know that even the Master of Chenshan Cave doesn’t have such capability? Back then, the thirty-six sword techniques from Chenshan Cave, performed at Fu Lu Mountain, ended in a draw. If the master won’t step forward, the apprentice is jumping around quite lively.”
Fan Xiao Chai replied calmly, “Does Mi Fengjie even deserve to be called my master?”
The golden-bladed woman, meeting a rival on her own turf, suddenly gripped her blade, seemingly ready to draw and fight. It was as if the winner would get to take the gentlemanly Lu with her.
Lu Haiya, the apprentice of Mi Fengjie, the Master of Chenshan Cave, looked somewhat embarrassed and coughed a few times.
The old man, known as Wei Jin by Shen Li, smiled meaningfully, “Little girl from the Fan family, now that you’ve barely reached the Second Tier, and your cultivation is not yet stable, don’t rush into a life-or-death battle. If you don’t listen to an old man’s advice, you’ll end up paying the price.”
Fan Xiao Chai replied coldly, “Can cultivation levels be eaten for meals?”
Xu Fengnian regarded her with newfound respect. From his superior vantage point in cultivation, he could sense that Fan Xiao Chai’s martial foundation was still inferior to the venerable Wei Jin. However, her fearless spirit—her willingness to stake everything—was something many higher-tier masters, who grew increasingly fearful of death as their power increased, could only envy. Xu Fengnian had fought many battles—some more, some less—but each one was hard-fought. On Wudang Mountain, he fought the attendants of Princess Sui Zhu. In the reed marshes, he faced the Red Armor of the Fujiang Clan. At Duckhead Green Inn, he battled Xie Ling, the Northern Yan demon. On the grasslands, he confronted Toba Chunsun, the old man Duan Bo’er, and Huihui. At the foot of the Tiber Mountain, he fought the Fifth He. Outside Shenwu City, he faced Han Shengxuan, the Man-Tiger. He fought the Grand Astral Liu Haoshi. He had both victories and defeats, but every opponent had a higher cultivation level than his at the time. Xu Fengnian survived not only because of his good fortune but also because he never shied away from a fight, always striving to outwit and outmaneuver his enemies. In contrast, the head of the Spring Paste Hermitage, who died by Xu Fengnian’s hand by the Spring God Lake, was a perfect example of the opposite. Too immersed in theoretical debates and hesitant to engage in real combat, he was easily defeated despite his high cultivation level, unable to stand against an opponent of the same tier in a life-or-death struggle. Xu Fengnian glanced at Fan Xiao Chai’s slender waist, feeling a sense of wonder. This woman, once so frail, had now become a minor master capable of challenging Wei Jin. Truly, the world was full of surprises.
Leisurely, Xu Fengnian turned his gaze to the waterfall hanging from the cliff, then back to Fan Xiao Chai’s waist, repeating this motion a few times. In doing so, he completely diffused the tense atmosphere that had built up. Fan Xiao Chai finally turned her full attention to him—the man who was once her sworn enemy—and did not look away. Lu Haiya, puzzled, looked at the woman he had fallen for at first sight. The daughter of Fu Lu Mountain glared at the scholar from the neighboring mountain, leaving the second leader of Fu Lu Mountain unsure of whom to watch. Xu Fengnian was the first to realize something was amiss. Unfazed, he asked, “What are you all doing? Aren’t you going to fight anymore? Isn’t everyone here a master who can leap and bound like snowflakes? Even if you won’t fight, can’t you at least exchange a few sharp words?”
The woman with the golden-silk short blade was the first to break, letting go of her hilt and suppressing a laugh, pretending to be angry, “You’re the one who can talk the most without feeling the pain! If you’re so brave, why don’t you come try?”
Xu Fengnian chuckled, “Me? In a battle of words, I can take all of you without breaking a sweat.”
Fan Xiao Chai, who had been cold to everyone, unexpectedly smiled and asked, “Is that all?”
Xu Fengnian folded his sleeves and smiled, appearing to everyone else like a useless dandy.
A white-robed child ran over, announcing that the mountain master was hosting a banquet and inviting the master, the young lady, Lu Haiya, and Fan Xiao Chai to attend.
Fan Xiao Chai said coldly, “I’ll wait here for Wei Jin to bring the Quewei Blade and the Copper Rust Sword. Then we’ll settle this once and for all.”
Master Wei laughed heartily without comment. Knowing Fan Xiao Chai’s temperament, Lu Haiya had no choice but to accompany Wei Jin and the troublesome daughter of Fu Lu Mountain up the mountain.
Thus, only two people remained by the waterfall well—each aware of the other’s hidden identity.
Xu Fengnian approached the well, crouching down to reach for the water. The mist swirled, but the water would not come near. His hand was still three or four feet from the well’s mouth when a stream of the waterfall was torn sideways, pouring into his palm like a blooming white lotus.
Fan Xiao Chai remained silent for a long time before walking up behind him. Her voice was flat and emotionless, “Fan Xiao Chai of the First Division of the Fushui Society greets the King of Northern Liang!”
Xu Fengnian, with his back to her, asked, “Does the Fushui Society have any dead agents hidden here?”
Fan Xiao Chai replied, “No. This mission of mine has both public and private motives. Publicly, there are considerable treasures hidden in these two mountains, which, if obtained, could ease the military supply shortage in Youzhou. Privately, the King of Northern Liang already knows—I have come to reclaim my ancestral blade and sword.”
Xu Fengnian laughed, “Ancestral? So, once you’ve retrieved your famous blade and sword, you’ll come after me for revenge?”
Fan Xiao Chai answered, “I dare not.”
Xu Fengnian withdrew his hand, stood up, and wiped his palm on his sleeve, “A fine ‘I dare not.’ Your heart is still full of schemes.”
Fan Xiao Chai stared at Xu Fengnian, thinking of the scene of the lotus blooming in his hand, and asked through gritted teeth, “Are you truly the sixth strongest martial artist in the world?”
Xu Fengnian, whose aura had once again vanished, said, “You held yourself back well, not attacking me the moment those people left. It seems the years of undercover work in the Fushui Society weren’t wasted.”
The woman gently bit her lip and closed her eyes.
Xu Fengnian bent down and took a slightly longer blade from her waist, holding it above his head. Halfway out of the scabbard, he gazed at the gleaming blade and smiled, “Fan Xiao Chai, do you think we are like drifting leaves returning to the sea, fated to meet again in life?”
Fan Xiao Chai suddenly drew her blade, her grip steady and her strike swift. The tip of her short blade shot toward Xu Fengnian’s back.
At a distance of one inch from his heart, the blade pierced through the chest of the King of Northern Liang.
Xu Fengnian’s expression remained unchanged. With his right hand, he sheathed the long blade and extended his left fingers to snap the tip of the short blade. With a light tap, the blade and Fan Xiao Chai were sent flying backward. Her entire arm dropped limply, but she still did not release the blade.
Without turning, Xu Fengnian casually tossed the long blade back to Fan Xiao Chai, who had dared to attack him. Then, with a wave of his hand, he summoned a stream of water as thick as a man’s wrist from the waterfall, washing away the bloodstains on his front and back. His wounds “slowly” healed.
After finishing all this, he finally turned around and smiled, “That must have been unpleasant, mustn’t it? Gathering all your courage, ready to die together, yet still failing to kill your enemy. I once felt the same when I faced a man named Liu. But your luck is surely better than mine. You’ll have many more chances in the future. Every time you advance in cultivation, you can come and try again. But before you strike, do your duty as a Fushui agent. Consider it a deal between us.”
Fan Xiao Chai asked a question that seemed nonsensical, “Have you gone mad?”
Xu Fengnian ignored her and smiled, “The first time I saw you, I thought your waist was as thin as it could be. Back then, I was worried you might twist your waist just by walking.”
Fan Xiao Chai smiled faintly, “It seems you’re not mad. You’ve just changed from a prince to a king.”
Xu Fengnian suddenly raised his palm and pressed it downward.
Fan Xiao Chai was crushed as if by a mountain, collapsing to her knees and then falling flat on the ground in an instant.
The martial energy within her meridians abruptly halted, a pain so intense that few would ever experience in a lifetime.
The woman struggled to lift her head, her eyes filled with hatred and something more. Her lips curled into a complex smile, as if caught between agony and ecstasy.
Xu Fengnian said softly, “You really have gone mad.”
Fan Xiao Chai crawled forward, inch by inch.
So familiar, so alike.
Xu Fengnian stared, lost in thought.
He sat on the edge of the stone, quietly waiting for the woman to crawl to his feet, and said, “Send word to the agent outside the mountain responsible for contacting you. Let Huangfu Ping deploy one hundred archers and one thousand soldiers, following the troops led by Song Yu Bai Shangque. If there is no movement in Bishan County within half a month, enter the mountain on your own.”
Fan Xiao Chai, her insides churning like a storm-tossed sea, stretched out a trembling hand and tightly gripped his boot. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she rasped, “Xu Fengnian, kill me! I beg you!”
Xu Fengnian bent down, took her hand, and her pale, sickly face instantly regained a natural flush. His eyes were mesmerizing as he smiled gently, “Fan Xiao Chai, dying is easy. Living is hard. Don’t be fooled by my easygoing and carefree appearance, being a king and ranked sixth in the world. If my good fortune has already run out, then I’m just waiting for Northern Liang to fall with me. Of course, you wouldn’t understand.”
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