After the beginning of autumn, Xu Fengnian’s journey northward took roughly twenty days. Most of the time, he leisurely wandered through the four border checkpoints of Jinyuan, Qinghe, Chongzhong, and Huaiyang, located at the northernmost edge of Liangzhou. During this time, several senior generals, including Yan Wenluan and Chen Yunchui, whose military duties were particularly heavy, gradually departed. Soon after, generals and deputy commanders of the province, such as Han Laoshan and Huangfu Ping, withdrew southward. Then came the influential junior officers like Wei Shaqing and Xin Yinma who bowed their farewells and returned. Finally, it was the turn of the secondary border commanders and officers whose garrisons were not stationed there. This defensive line, known throughout the land as the “Jinyang Zhong” fortifications, had always been directly under the command of the Beiliang Protector, and now naturally fell into the hands of Chu Lushan. At the end of spring this year, Chu Lushan relocated the Protectorate, located a hundred li away, into Huaiyang Pass without much fanfare. Huang Laifu, the local officer of Huaiyang, had originally offered to vacate his official residence, but surprisingly, the luxurious-loving Protector refused. Instead, he casually purchased a mansion from a wealthy local family. It was said that after receiving three thousand taels of silver, the family head could not sleep well for several days and repeatedly tried to return the money to the Protectorate led by “Lushan the Ball.” Unfortunately, the Protectorate ignored all attempts. Eventually, the man, tormented by anxiety, sought advice from a wise man, added another two thousand taels to make it a total of five thousand taels, and donated it to Huaiyang Pass as military funds. The family, which had previously profited greatly from border trade, finally felt slightly relieved but still secretly moved to a fortified villa dozens of li south of Huaiyang Pass. This incident illustrates the fearsome reputation of Chu Lushan.
The young Beiliang King arrived at the heavily fortified border town, making only a brief stop at Huaiyang Pass after a nonstop journey. The number of his retinue steadily decreased but eventually stabilized. Besides Chu Lushan and Huang Laifu, the local officials of Huaiyang, there were several young officers from various border checkpoints and regions. Wang Chou, the leader of Anliang Garrison; Hong Lu General Cao Xiaojiao, known as a thorn in the northern Youzhoudefensive line; Hong Xinjia, the actual overseer of the numerous fortified outposts along the Hulu Pass of Youzhou; Zhu Boyu, the Lingzhou Feng Qiu officer from a military family; and Ren Chunyun, the Northern Officer from a humble background—both were lucky individuals who distinguished themselves during the Lingzhou military campaign against Jiang Fuding. Huang Xiaokuai, the Pearl Officer who led the vanguard during that campaign, was quickly promoted to Deputy Commander of Lingzhou, assisting Han Laoshan alongside Wang Zhi. However, Huang Xiaokuai was not ordered north this time, and Jiao Wuyi replaced his former military post. Compared to these three, Ma Jinchai, the officer from Zhegui County, truly suffered a streak of bad luck. He not only failed to get promoted but even lost his official position.
After reaching the northern defensive line, Xu Fengnian rarely spoke, aside from listening to reports from officers of various ranks regarding military intelligence and border affairs. He seldom asked questions, and when he did, they were about trivial border matters. He never uttered a single word of grand strategy or attempted to show off his military expertise in front of veteran and young warriors alike. In truth, many secretly wished to hear tales of this Beiliang King’s martial exploits, especially since he had defeated the legendary Wang Xianzhi and was now the “new champion” of the martial world. No matter how grand Xu Fengnian’s words might be, even senior officers like Yan Wenluan and Gu Dazu were willing to listen attentively. However, the young feudal lord disappointed them all, remaining completely silent about his several journeys through the martial world and the life-and-death battles he had faced. After Xu Fengnian reached the pinnacle of the martial world, besides the secret ambush at Tiemen Pass, stories of his slaying the leader of Tianshan Fifth Beast, Di Mo, and the infamous killer Han Diaosi began to quietly spread throughout the court and commoners of Liyang.
As the group walked onto the city wall, Cao Xiaojiao, newly promoted to Hong Lu General, appeared as a short, wiry middle-aged man. His reputation along the eastern border of Beiliang north of Youzhou was formidable. He had accumulated sufficient military achievements, but due to repeated clashes with General Zhong Hongwu, he had not even managed to obtain one of the many lesser general titles, let alone a prestigious one. After Zhong Hongwu fell from power, Xu Fengnian specifically had the Beiliang spies monitor him for about half a year before deciding to promote him. Naturally, Cao Xiaojiao was far from perfect—he was excessively ruthless, ruled his troops with brutality, and his subordinates often committed violations, even secretly embezzling border rations. Zhong Hongwu had used these very reasons to keep Cao Xiaojiao pinned at the rank of junior officer. Cao Xiaojiao was like a sharp blade—capable of injuring enemies, but also potentially harming himself. His appointment was not without controversy within the Beiliang army, and even the veteran general Chen Yunchui expressed strong reservations.
Hong Xinjia, on the other hand, stood a full head taller than Cao Xiaojiao and enjoyed a much better reputation. Beiliang had many hereditary military garrisons and fortified outposts, especially in the Hulu Pass area. The Southern Court King once remarked that even if the Northern Meng army threw 160,000 troops into the region, it might not be enough to fill it, a feat largely attributed to Hong Xinjia. Though mediocre in battlefield command, Hong excelled in managing agricultural settlements and constructing the fortified outpost system, making him a rare talent in the Liyang Dynasty. He was also a master of the study of things and principles. Gu Jiantang held him in high esteem. When Gu served as Minister of War overseeing northern military and political affairs, it was said that the general secretly requested from the Zhanglu faction to bring Hong Xinjia to the Two Liao regions to improve the defenses. When this was denied, he even resorted to the absurd attempt of trying to kidnap Hong Xinjia using the Zhao Gou secret agents.
As Xu Fengnian stood on the city wall, hands tucked into his sleeves gazing eastward, he suddenly turned to Hong Xinjia, who stood separated from him by Chu Lushan, and addressed him by his nickname, “Earth God,” with a smile: “General Gu Jiantang, stationed in the Two Liao, recently offered me an exorbitant price. He promised to secure three additional portions of grain shipments for Beiliang and thirty thousand taels of silver if I hand you over. He also guarantees you a promotion of three ranks, just one step away from becoming a high-ranking official.”
Hong Xinjia grinned: “First, it doesn’t matter what I want. Second, I truly don’t care about the size of my official hat. As long as I can get things done, that’s enough. I’ve spent over a decade cultivating the area around Hulu Pass—I can’t bear to leave.”
Xu Fengnian shook his head: “Tell me the truth.”
Hong Xinjia’s face, darkened by years of wind and sun exposure, actually flushed slightly. Cao Xiaojiao immediately mocked, “Old Hong fears nothing under heaven, except his wife. She’s a woman from Yan Zhi County, a beautiful flower stuck on Hong’s pile of black cow dung. Last year, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. How could she possibly let her husband go serve as an official in Liyang? We all used to say that her words carry more weight than the general’s. Even if an imperial edict came from the court, wouldn’t it just end up tossed into the latrine by that woman? Isn’t that right, Old Hong?”
Hong Xinjia elbowed Cao Xiaojiao in the ribs. Cao didn’t block, just laughed and rubbed his side, “You’re hitting me? The prince saw it with his own eyes. I won’t pay back the 28,000 taels I owe you anymore.”
Hong, who had a close relationship with Cao, widened his eyes and was about to speak when he suddenly realized the Beiliang King was nearby and swallowed back the words that nearly slipped out.
Xu Fengnian simply smiled, not pressing further. Chu Lushan subtly furrowed his brows.
Xu Fengnian glanced at the sky and joked to the officers around him, “You lot, go home and find your mothers.”
As they descended from the city wall, Chu Lushan approached Xu Fengnian and quietly asked, “Shall I assign five hundred elite cavalry to protect the prince?”
Xu Fengnian, who always had a young apprentice trailing behind him, shook his head. Chu Lushan dared not act on his own initiative but could only secretly increase the number of guards. He quickly calculated in his mind that the Fushui Society still had a few seasoned old hawks in the upper chambers.
Finally, Xu Fengnian and Yu Dilong rode out of Huaiyang Pass alone. Yu Dilong had barely learned the basics of riding, and though the bumpy ride was rough, he no longer fell off the horse.
Among the three apprentices, Yu Dilong was the least close to his master Xu Fengnian. Though Lü Yunchang was talkative, he always tried to speak more with his immortal master. Wang Sheng, though quiet, was undoubtedly the most respectful of Xu Fengnian. Only Yu Dilong neither knew how to interact with his feudal lord master nor made any effort to get closer. The only emotion he showed was genuine fear. Xu Fengnian had already taught Wang Sheng swordsmanship and Lü Yunchang martial arts, but for reasons unknown, he had not begun training Yu Dilong, who possessed superior potential and talent compared to his fellow apprentices. He had not even taught Yu Dilong a single foundational internal cultivation technique.
Cao Xiaojiao and Hong Xinjia had arrived together and naturally departed together. Because Hong was a coveted asset for the Liyang court, Chu Lushan specially dispatched half a cavalry unit to escort him. Sitting opposite each other in a carriage, Cao Xiaojiao continuously drank while Hong Xinjia hesitated before finally speaking, “Why do you speak so recklessly? Don’t you know the prince and the protector are well aware of your tainted reputation? Why did you have to expose yourself on the city wall for everyone to see?”
Cao Xiaojiao glanced sideways at Hong, who had spent his life dealing with earth and stone, and laughed, “Do you remember what you were worried about on our way here?”
Hong nodded, “Of course. With such a foul reputation, whoever covers for you would find even a handful of yellow clay smelling like dung. Since the prince made an exception to promote you, normally he would balance favor with authority. Though I may not have a knack for politics, I understand this much. Generally, the prince would have given you a few words of caution.”
Cao Xiaojiao laughed, “Exactly. That would be normal. If the prince had lectured me earnestly or even scolded me fiercely, I would have felt reassured. But did you notice? Our prince was strange from beginning to end—he never gave me, Cao Xiaojiao the tyrant, a single word of advice.”
Hong was surprised, “Indeed.”
Cao wiped his mouth with his sleeve and said, “That’s why I’m afraid. Otherwise, do you think I’m insane enough to provoke the prince in front of Chu the Demon? Who else’s face would I be slapping?”
Hong grew more confused, asking, “Then if you anger the protector, won’t you still suffer consequences?”
Cao slowly took a sip of wine, “Old Hong, leave it be. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you. You were born to deal with lifeless things like mud and stone. Don’t get involved in these messy affairs.”
Hong laughed, “Regardless, promotion is good news.”
Cao muttered, “The more rank and troops I’m given, the more ability I’ll show. But don’t expect me to give my life for anyone. Nothing in the world is more valuable than life itself. I’m not a penniless soldier who must gamble his life for advancement.”
Hong half-jokingly, half-seriously said, “Keep those words buried deep in your heart!”
Cao lifted the curtain and gazed outside, where autumn winds carried waves of yellow sand rolling across the desert.
Suddenly, Hong slapped his thigh and said, “I remember something. When I was drinking with General He, he accidentally let something slip. Do you remember the day after the two camps faced off and the prince presented swords and horses as rewards?”
Cao nodded with a smile, “Just a calculated move to win people’s hearts.”
Hong’s expression turned strange, and he whispered, “Actually, the prince said something else that day.”
Cao raised his wine pot, listening intently.
Hong said, “The prince seemed to say, ‘As long as you can achieve success, it’s not about sacrificing your life.'”
Cao Xiaojiao remained silent for a moment, then took another sip of wine.
Amid the autumn winds, two riders rode southward, but not directly back to Liangzhou City—they turned toward Youzhou’s Yan Zhi County instead.
In the evening of Bishan County, a sudden torrential downpour began.
Drenched to the bone, Xu Fengnian knocked on the door. After a long wait, the door finally opened, revealing a woman with a cold expression. He smiled and said, “I’m hungry.”
The woman coldly replied, “Coincidentally, I haven’t eaten either.”
Xu Fengnian slipped past her as she held an umbrella, saying, “I’ll cook.”
Yu Dilong never forgot that moment his entire life. At that time, the child thought this incomparably beautiful woman must either be an empress or a martial expert far superior to the combined might of the Ten Famed Martial Experts.
It was precisely at this moment that the future “Land DragonDragon” first felt that his master still possessed a touch of human warmth.
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