Xiao Kuai Huang’s six hundred riders were all entering Dongfeng County, yet still there was no sign of the Crown Prince, even though General Han Laoshan, the deputy commander of Lingzhou, maintained his usual composed demeanor. Pearl Captain Huang, in the brief moment the cavalry halted to rest and wash the horses’ noses, secretly dispatched a trusted scout to return to Lingzhou to report the military situation. Xiao Kuai Huang didn’t know whether other captains like Dong Yueqi did the same, but he himself had an old turtle-like contact within the city maintaining secret communication throughout the years, enabling them to “coincidentally” meet several times annually. Han Laoshan, watching from a distance, withdrew his gaze and, seeing the elite scout riding swiftly away, gained a greater appreciation for Xiao Kuai Huang.
Han Laoshan’s martial cultivation skills were far inferior to his fellow disciple Xu Yanbing, whose reputation was not widely known. However, Han Laoshan had long given up aspirations of becoming a top martial artist and instead focused his ambitions on the battlefield at the frontier. Through years of close association with the General, he had developed a unique understanding of the Beiliang situation. He believed that although Beiliang’s geographical advantages were often criticized, its narrow and barren land, which hindered the livelihood of its people, paradoxically created a fortunate circumstance. The saying went, “poverty breeds strength,” and Beiliang’s hostile surroundings cultivated a bold and fearless populace. Compared to the affluent Jiangnan region, the people of Beiliang, living in harsh conditions, were indeed fierce and unafraid of death. Otherwise, where would the abundant supply of soldiers for the Beiliang border come from? Even the most valiant soldiers, placed in peaceful, prosperous regions free from warfare and sustenance worries for ten to twenty years, would eventually lose their fighting spirit and military discipline, becoming nothing more than ordinary soldiers. This was precisely why Prince Guangling Zhao Yi was inferior to Prince Yanche Zhao Bing. Guangling was situated in a relatively sheltered area on the map of the imperial court, while Yanche was like the right foot of the court, constantly walking and dealing with the southern barbarians. The soles of one’s feet would naturally be tougher than the skin under the armpit.
Han Laoshan knew that once the Crown Prince left Lingzhou, he would ascend to become a powerful general in one of the three states of Beiliang Dao, holding a position equivalent to the third rank of the Liyang Dynasty, sharing military and political power with Governor Xu Beizhi. Although his role as a general was currently limited to managing the Beiliang backyard, once his rebellious nephew Chen Zhibao, who had betrayed his master and destroyed his ancestral sect, assumed his post in Xishu Dao, it would lead to a fierce internal conflict no less bloody than the border wars. As for Chen Zhibao, who had betrayed their sect, Han Laoshan, as his uncle, did not harbor deep resentment. There were rules in the martial world, and his elder brother Wang Xiu’s death was not as stifling and unjust as outsiders imagined. Thinking of this, Han Laoshan chuckled. If one included the late younger brother Wu Jinling, who had died prematurely at the Realm of the Indestructible level, their sect had successively produced spear immortal Wang Xiu, Xu Yanbing who surpassed even the eldest brother, himself at the Realm of Profound Mysteries level, Wu Jinling, and the new Confucian Saint Chen Zhibao. There was even the possibility that Qing Niao, who might inherit the Instant Gun someday, would also reach the first-rate level. Within just two generations and two levels of seniority, six first-rate martial artists emerged. This was far more impressive than any family boasting two Top Scholar Father and Son or three Brothers, the Second Top Scholar. Even combining Liyang and Beiman, only the Sword Cemetery of the Wu family and the Chess Sword Music Bureau could stand shoulder to shoulder in the martial world.
Han Laoshan pondered whether to ask the Crown Prince to raise the banner of their Wang family martial arts, which might attract many martial experts to join Beiliang’s Wang family. In the future, the Beiliang army might even have captains and commanders everywhere wielding Wang family spears, forming a faction of “Wang Party.”
The six hundred riders made a brief stop in Dongfeng County, refraining from entering the city and setting up camp nearby. Xiao Kuai Huang merely assigned a dozen elite riders to guard the carriage, choosing a high-class tavern to make the lady more comfortable. Xiao Kuai Huang was not involved in the petty politics of officialdom, not because he didn’t understand it, but because he disdained to associate with those colleagues who were unworthy of their Beiliang armor. Since this lady had a close relationship with the Crown Prince and they were not in a hurry to travel, he was happy to go with the flow.
However, Good things come to those who wait., when Xiao Kuai Huang saw the carriage’s shadow at the snow-blown city gate, besides his Pearl cavalry dressed in plain clothes, a large group of local riders had inexplicably gathered behind. It was the predictable route of rich young men seeing beauty and stirring desire, along with many young martial artists flocking to the scene. Xiao Kuai Huang spat forcefully from his horseback; how dare these brats dare to intercept the Crown Prince’s path? The few noble youths who were indulging in falconry and dog fighting had some sense, and upon suddenly seeing the carriage heading towards Xiao Kuai Huang, who wore a saber and armor, they immediately pulled their horses to a stop and hastily instructed their accomplices not to act recklessly. However, a few riders continued galloping, rushing to find pleasure for the city’s young masters. They couldn’t stop in time, and when the simply decorated carriage was only twenty steps away from Xiao Kuai Huang and his soldiers, they finally sensed the danger and tried to turn their horses around. Sitting high on his horse, Xiao Kuai Huang’s eyes turned sinister. He shook his head slightly, and beside him, a bowman with exceptional strength among the Pearl cavalry drew an arrow from his quiver without expression, drew the bow, and shot. With a bang, the arrow flew through the air, piercing through the skull and embedding into the snow, splattering a pile of white snow beside the post road with blood, turning it into a patch of red.
The remaining two riders of martial artists wished their horses could sprout extra hooves, but they were still shot dead one by one, each arrow piercing their skulls, dying instantly.
In Beiliang’s territory, who dared to challenge the audacity and dominance of a general with genuine military achievements?
Xiao Kuai Huang, expressionless, nudged his horse’s belly, his Chestnut steed stepping forward slightly. He unsheathed his Beiliang saber, using the scabbard to point at the leading Young Master in a fur coat. The man’s face was a mix of emotions, finally gathering the courage to slowly ride out of formation, intending to introduce himself and mention his father’s title as a miscellaneous general to avoid being mistaken for a dragon king swept away by a flood by this foreign martial officer wearing a captain’s armor.
Xiao Kuai Huang had already said in a cold, unfeeling tone, “The General of Lingzhou has issued an order to all six counties of Lingzhou, forbidding groups of five riders or more from riding fast on the streets together. Violators will be punished with fifty lashes in the torture chamber for the first offense, and for subsequent offenses, regardless of family background, their parents will be punished alongside them, and for the third offense, they will be executed on the spot!”
The young master was not convinced, but seeing three people had already died on the spot and observing the strong and numerous soldiers behind this captain, he could only obediently apologize, saying, “General, I am Gu Runde. Today is my first offense, and I will go to the Yamen to turn myself in voluntarily. I beg the general to calm his anger.”
Xiao Kuai Huang paused and asked, “You’re called Gu Runde? Who is Gu Yunshi, the martial general of Dongfeng County, to you?”
The young master was delighted inside and quickly replied, “He is indeed my father. I wonder who the general is?”
Xiao Kuai Huang sinisterly smiled, sheathed his Beiliang saber properly at his waist, and raised his arm to wave. The young master was astonished when another arrow flew through the snow and swept towards him. Just as he thought he would die unjustly at his doorstep, his vision blurred, his body trembled, and he swallowed hard with difficulty. He saw the ruthless foreign captain beside him standing with a strange young man, holding the arrow that should have taken his life. Pearl Captain Xiao Kuai Huang quickly dismounted, and not only him, all the Pearl cavalry dismounted simultaneously, standing like spears planted in the snow, respectfully and fervently. Xiao Kuai Huang did not reveal the identity of the Crown Prince beside him, but seeing that the The silly goose actually had the nerve to sit on the horse without moving a muscle., he was about to angrily draw his saber to kill him personally. The young nobleman in tattered clothes, far less expensive than Gu Runde’s, shook his head, threw the arrow high behind him, Just right to throw to that master archer.. He gently smiled at Gu Runde, who had finally come to his senses and rolled off his horse to kneel, saying, “I’ve heard of you, Gu Runde. Previously, you had a dispute with a group of young nobles from Yanzhou and beat them up badly. Afterwards, you said that no matter who it is, if they dare to cause trouble in our Beiliang, you would teach them a lesson. Poor your father had to privately compensate a Yanzhou general with a lot of silver. Gu Da Gongzi, I wonder if you still have that kind of courage these two years?”
Gu Runde raised his head, his mind racing, guessing the identity of this person while trying to find excuses for himself, saying, “Yes, yes, this is all following the example of our Crown Prince. The Prince said that when being a noble, one must direct their spearhead to outsiders to truly reach the realm of a master in the fiercely competitive field of nobility. This time, Gu Runde was rash, trying to act tough by escorting the dignified lady, definitely not intending to do anything as vile as Snatch the person. I just wanted to ensure the lady in the carriage could leave safely.”
Gu Runde was constantly observing the other’s expressions. When he saw the person nodding with a smile, the huge stone in his heart finally fell. He heard the same-aged person’s deep voice and smile say, “Today, let’s forget it. Go back to the city and tell your fox friends and dog companions to make a sound. Riding in the city should be equivalent to normal running. If five or more riders disturb the people on the street, don’t even mention hitting anyone; once discovered, they will be punished according to the newly issued rules. If any Yamen dares to shelter them, their official positions will be stripped, and they will be exiled to the border guard posts. Before, money could work miracles, but not anymore. Oh, Gu Runde, remember to tell your father, Gu Yunshi, that I used to often steal his wine bag when I was young. If this martial general still holds a grudge, he can come to Liangzhou and ask me for it. As for you, Gu Runde, if you really want to stop being a little noble who harms the locals, you can join the army. I’ll ask this Pearl Captain beside me to put in a good word for you, helping you find a backdoor.”
Gu Runde slapped the ground heavily, kowtowing, “Your Highness, I thank you for your great grace!”
Gu Runde knew that his father’s greatest honor in life was serving as a close guard to the Beiliang King and having that small connection with the young Crown Prince. Who in Dongfeng County didn’t know that the martial general Gu Yunshi often mentioned this minor incident, intentionally or unintentionally using it as a major Pardon Token? Otherwise, with Gu Yunshi’s shallow foundation of retiring from the Beiliang army due to injury, how could the county governor look at him with favor, not only never missing a private banquet invitation but also willingly treating his father, a long-forgotten miscellaneous general, as an honored guest?
Gu Runde remained kneeling until the young man, who didn’t seem like the General of Lingzhou or even the Crown Prince, rode a horse leading that cavalry quickly disappearing from sight, only then slowly rising with lingering fear. Gu Runde wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. After some hesitation, he told the leader of the city’s top gang to take out eight hundred taels of silver to properly bury the three. The gang leader was already so frightened that his soul had flown away. Having offended the Crown Prince, who was gradually establishing his formidable reputation in the Beiliang region, it was already a miracle not to be executed along with his entire family. How could he dare to ask for that ridiculous silver? Eight hundred taels was indeed a large sum, but one had to be alive to spend it, right? The usually stingy Gu Runde insisted on giving the silver, making the gang member more and more fearful, mistakenly thinking that Gu Runde was trying to use the bureaucratic tactic of sacrificing a pawn to save the king. Gu Runde, rarely generous once, seeing the man’s expression as if his parents had died, decided to give up, patted his shoulder, and said with a fake smile, “Brother Liu, my brother got the Crown Prince’s favor this time, so I will be a Beiliang martial artist with armor and saber. Although I probably won’t stay in Dongfeng County, you guys from Heishui Gang doing those dirty jobs, my brother can’t keep turning a blind eye anymore, don’t mess up my future prospects.”
Liu Tingxin inwardly complained about the noble’s fickle nature, forced a laugh, and said, “Brother, I know the importance. How could I delay Gu’s bright future? I’ll go and tell the leader to make it clear, at least stop the human trafficking business first.”
Gu Runde leaned in and smiled, “From outside Beiliang to sell people back to our Lingzhou, there’s still a lot to be done. In the future, if there’s an opportunity, my younger brother will still help you guys from Heishui Gang speak well to the Crown Prince. In the past, my father just ignored it, but he was secretly disgusted with you martial artists. In the future, I can definitely take care of you guys from Heishui Gang a bit. You also know that my father can speak for us to the county governor.”
Liu Tingxin immediately got the hint, overjoyed, clasped his fists, and said solemnly, “This financial opportunity, old brother will fight to get a 40-60 split with the leader!”
Gu Runde narrowed his eyes, smiled softly, and asked, “Who gets 40 and who gets 60?”
Liu Tingxin almost wanted to slap himself, regretting not saying 50-50, desperately hiding his painful expression, bowed low, and smiled, “Of course, Gu Runde gets 60, and Heishui Gang gets 40.”
Gu Runde laughed heartily, turned around, mounted his horse, looked at Liu Tingxin who still had to clean up the mess, pointed at himself, then held up four fingers, signaling that he only wanted the 40 in the 40-60 split. Then he turned his horse around, no longer daring to gallop quickly, and slowly returned to the city.
Liu Tingxin, relieved, quietly cursed, “Why are these officials, one after another, so good at making deals? They lie down and take advantage, yet still make people grateful. Did they start thinking about business from the womb?”
Liu Tingxin finally looked toward the end of the post road, thinking, “Our Crown Prince indeed has great skills. Could it be true that he really killed the fifth general of the Beiman Tibilian army? Hmph, I have to go back and tell the gang brothers. I am the one who has seen the Crown Prince’s appearance and demeanor up close. Yeah, I’ll tell them that I was only ten steps away from the Prince, no, five steps!”
Xu Fengnian rode alongside Xu Yanbing, Han Laoshan, and Xiao Kuai Huang on the post road. He certainly didn’t bother to think about the different paths of Gu Runde and Liu Tingxin. His master, Li Yishan, had long said that when one is in a high position, what they do is merely to gather momentum, encompassing rules, orthodoxy, and the people’s hearts. Only by gathering thousands of streams can one achieve an unstoppable great river. Those deeply rooted factions, whether it was the previously ironclad Lingzhou bureaucracy, the Zhong Hongwu faction, or the Yan Wenyuan at the border, were like lakes of various sizes far away from this river. What Xu Fengnian needed to do was to dig a channel under the premise of not greatly harming Beiliang’s vitality, guiding all of them into the great river, consolidating them into one force. As for whether this river could break through like a flood, rushing all the way to the sea and cleansing the world, it ultimately depended on human effort. Beiliang’s terrain was high, and if it weren’t for the constraint of Beiman, it was already the perfect position for a lion to attack a rabbit, sitting north and looking south.
A spy from Zhegui County delivered a secret report, stating that the folding fan young master had openly arrived in the county, not at all afraid of being surrounded and suppressed by the government. Previously, to avoid alerting the target, there was no major obstruction of that master and servant. Several cavalry units that had reached their designated positions, along with the eager official soldiers, were already in place, waiting for the Crown Prince’s command to close the net.
Xu Fengnian returned to the carriage, guessing what kind of leverage this rising martial artist had besides his martial skills, enabling him to challenge the entire Beiliang region.
Bored, Pei Nanwei lifted the curtain, letting the wind and snow caress her face lazily, saying, “If I were that person, I would definitely be hiding under the protection of the Liyang court. Although Beiliang and the court have already torn away most of their superficial harmony, don’t forget that the head of the Jinlu Weaving Bureau is still an official directly appointed by Liyang. Even if you mobilize a large force and deploy troops, surrounding that person, if he finally reveals his identity, will you kill him or not? If you kill him, Beiliang would be equivalent to rebellion, do you plan to echo the restoration of the Xichu? If you don’t kill him, your face as the Crown Prince would be completely lost. Either way, you Xu Fengnian are the loser.”
Xu Fengnian frowned, then his expression relaxed, glancing at the indifferent and beautiful woman from the “Yanzhi Review,” nodding and saying, “It’s really possible. This trip was worth bringing you out for a walk.”
Pei Nanwei lowered the curtain, facing him, her tone cold, “Dare you fight him?”
Xu Fengnian, changing into clean clothes with a rustling sound, smiled and said, “Don’t try to provoke me; if I die, it won’t benefit you.”
Pei Nanwei sneered and retorted, “Are you sure?”
Xu Fengnian, after changing clothes, took out a blackwood hairpin from his bun, casually combed his hair with his fingers, and was about to tie his hair again when Pei Nanwei unexpectedly sat beside him, one hand supporting his hair, the other holding it.
Xu Fengnian was a little surprised, teasingly said, “Rarely, you’re actually serving someone.”
Pei Nanwei calmly said, “It really looks like autumn reeds, gray and white.”
As Pei Nanwei gently tied his hair, Xu Fengnian felt a soft pressure on his shoulder, saying, “It really looks like autumn persimmons, heavy and full.”
Pei Nanwei stopped her actions, noticing that although his mouth was not behaving, he sat upright from beginning to end, more like a righteous gentleman than a real one. She just silently moved back slightly and continued to help him with his hair.
Xu Fengnian closed his eyes and said, “One day, you will willingly come to my bed.”
She hummed, “When I’m old and ugly, maybe I’ll disgust you like this.”
Xu Fengnian smiled but said nothing.
After she finished tying his hair and putting the blackwood hairpin in place, before she realized it, he lay down, resting his head on her crossed legs, falling into a light sleep.
This journey had been brutally harsh under Xu Yanbing’s guidance, and he was indeed very tired.
Pei Nanwei looked down at the face so close to hers, probably hesitating between spitting on him or slapping him, her expression complex.
Xu Fengnian was truly asleep, turning slightly to face her.
Pei Nanwei stretched out her hand, gently stroking his temple, inexplicably feeling a slight tremble.
This man was indeed going to be the master of the thirty thousand Beiliang iron cavalry.
It was as if he was already in her palm.
Pei Nanwei was immersed in this strange feeling.
She quietly stretched out her finger, gently stroking his brow.
Xu Fengnian suddenly opened his eyes, seeing her looking down, her eyes not dodging, then slowly closed his eyes again.
Pei Nanwei bent down, one hand holding her pair of full, ripe “persimmons,” not touching his face, whispering in his ear like lovers in a tender moment, “Can you really hold back?”
Xu Fengnian remained silent.
The angry woman pushed away this man with lustful thoughts and eyes but pretending to be pure, a rogue.
Xu Fengnian, without a comfortable pillow, easily readjusted and lay down again.
Pei Nanwei suddenly seemed to discover a great secret, joyfully laughing, “Are you disabled down there?”
Xu Fengnian glared at her impatiently, seeing her becoming more delighted, he suddenly pulled her onto himself.
Then this Princess of Jing’an quickly realized her great disappointment, her face turning red, struggling to “get off the horse,” shrinking into the corner of the carriage, keeping far away.
Xu Fengnian’s mouth curved upwards, proudly said, “My swordsmanship is really good, right? This is called a very superior low-class sword technique.”
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