Xu Fengnian’s expression was peculiar. Luo Yang’s appearance was unexpected, yet reasonable. In the entire Liyang court and realm, aside from her, who else would dare to challenge Liu Haoshi, that watchdog of Tai’an City? Even if someone else dared, none would possess the capability. Luo Yang did not speak upon seeing Xu Fengnian. She directly entered a large tavern, went upstairs, and ordered an ordinary dish of drunken shrimp along with a jar of Goji Rehmannia wine. The tavern was luxurious, and the shrimp were served in a glass dish—not top quality, yet certainly not the craftsmanship of a common establishment. Luo Yang lifted the lid. The drunken shrimp were still jumping. Xu Fengnian, filled with suspicion, could only silently watch her slowly eat the shrimp and sip her wine. Luo Yang made no move to order for Xu Fengnian. She placed the lid back on the dish and cut straight to the point: “Huang Longshi recently visited Zhulu Mountain. They conversed joyfully, each gaining what they desired. This time, Zhuwang has nearly mobilized all its forces—not only wanting you dead in Tai’an City under the watchful eyes of the Zhao Emperor, but also seeking to profit from the election of the Wulin Alliance Leader, so as to trap me at Zhulu Mountain. Zhuwang and Zhao Gou have both conflict and tacit understanding, depending on how well each side manages the timing. Li Mibi is far away, clearly not in a position to maintain control. Liyang does not wish for Zhulu Mountain to interfere in the restoration of the Xichu Kingdom and is highly vigilant against it…”
Xu Fengnian couldn’t help interrupting Luo Yang: “What exactly does Huang Sanjia want? The Central PlainsSpring and Autumn period has achieved an eight-hundred-year unification after the Qin Dynasty, thanks to his eloquence. Why would he now conspire with Zhulu Mountain, helping you connect with Cao Changqing and the other remnants of the fallen Xichu court? Isn’t that tantamount to destroying his own achievements? My master once said that Huang Sanjia, though seemingly mad, surpasses all other strategists in vision. During the chaotic wars of the Spring and Autumn period, Strategize and maneuver with ease and grand in scale, those who benefited became nobles and officials in a steady stream to the Zhao family, while the losers suffered countless ruined nations and broken homes. Only Huang Longshi remained above it all. Minor schemes affect a city, moderate schemes affect a nation, and grand schemes affect the entire world. Huang Sanjia has already turned the world upside down. After finally achieving stability in Central Plainsaccording to his will, could it be that he still feels unsatisfied, deliberately stirring up a situation where unity after division is followed by another division? Is it only by manipulating the entire world that he feels no regret?”
Apparently displeased with Xu Fengnian’s interruption, Luo Yang continued on her own: “Do you know where the roots lie in the cases of true cultivators like Qi Xuanzhen opening their heavenly passages, or the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in the Western Regions?”
Xu Fengnian had a unique advantage in this area, though he only understood the basics. He replied: “Daoist cultivators who did not ascend to immortality are reborn and open their passages in a new life to accumulate blessings and virtue. It also depends on opportunity, hence the concept of innate talent. Not every reincarnation results in opening the passage. As for the secret sects of the Western Regions, I once saw actual written records in a classic at Tingchao Pavilion about the concept of hidden treasures during Buddhist persecutions. There are three kinds of hidden treasures. The first, scriptures hidden in halls and caves for safekeeping. The second, treasures and relics of great monks. But the third is the most mysterious—called Mind Treasure. Many Living Buddhas, even if young or illiterate, can suddenly recite sutras at a certain moment. This seems to be similar to Daoist cultivators suddenly opening their heavenly passages.”
Luo Yang nodded and said: “Why didn’t any monks from Lantuo Mountain come forward to deal with the chaos after Liu Songtao, the monk Wu Yong, left the Western Regions and descended into madness? Why did Li Dangxin of Liangchan Temple merely intervene once before retreating?”
Xu Fengnian smiled and said: “It seems that the ninth sect leader of Zhulu Mountain had already foreseen his own descent into madness while still lucid, and Lantuo Mountain was also aware of it. Before, I thought the saying ‘If not I, then who will go to hell?’ was merely grand in vow, without much depth. Now I realize the hidden dangers involved. Not everyone can do it.”
Luo Yang looked deeply at Xu Fengnian and remained silent.
Xu Fengnian felt puzzled but didn’t ask further. Her arrival had completely eliminated his thoughts of fleeing. Since Liu Haoshi and the head of the Dongyue Sword Pond were already in the mortal realm, there was no way they would return empty-handed. Rather than being chased and beaten, it was better to fight head-on. Xu Fengnian didn’t understand what Luo Yang meant by Huang Longshi and Zhulu Mountain benefiting each other, but he and this new leader of the Evil Sect had mutual interests. He wanted to intercept Liu Haoshi, who had remained in the Heaven’s Will realm the longest. She wanted to eliminate Zhuwang’s spies and settle matters cleanly with Northern Meng.
Leaning lazily against the chair, Xu Fengnian felt an untimely drowsiness and sleepiness. Since he started practicing swordsmanship, he had lost his old habit of hibernating through winter. He recalled Zhao Xituan teaching Huang’er martial arts, which included a saying: “Rather than seeking elixirs, seek the art of sleep.” He decided to learn it when he had the chance. Luo Yang lifted the lid again. The drunken shrimp were all completely dead, so she had no intention of eating them. Wine intoxicates not the man, but the man intoxicates himself. The officialdom and martial world are the two largest wine vats in the world. Officials are like the bent shrimp, and martial artists are no better. Who isn’t drunk to death, dying only when the intoxication ends? Luo Yang picked up the lid with two fingers and gently tapped the glass dish, making a rare move to ask a question directly related to Xu Fengnian: “Huang Longshi treated Xu Xiao fairly well, with no particular grudge. Yet in recent years, his schemes have not been kind to you. This time he came to me to help you out. Aren’t you afraid it’s a trap?”
Xu Fengnian smiled and said: “I and Huang Sanjia are not on the same path. My master could guess the old man’s intentions to some extent, but I cannot. Anyway, I just follow the principle of getting through immediate difficulties however I can. Those who lack foresight will have immediate worries. Conversely, those with foresight will have even more immediate worries. Since I can’t figure out Huang Sanjia’s tricks, I shouldn’t trouble myself needlessly. I only believe one thing: even if you are Huang Sanjia, if you dare scheme against me, I won’t interfere if you’re outside Beiliang. Even the Liyang court and Yuan Benxi can’t eliminate this old fox, so naturally I don’t have the capability either. But if I find you within Beiliang, then even if I have to fight barehanded, I will settle the score with Huang Sanjia.”
Luo Yang mocked: “Why don’t you say such bold words to Huang Longshi in person?”
Xu Fengnian grinned: “Just boasting. How dare I say such things to Huang Sanjia face-to-face? This place isn’t Beiliang anyway.”
Luo Yang glanced coldly at him: “You forgot the sword Northern Meng struck you with at the Yellow River Dragon Wall?”
Xu Fengnian suddenly remembered how, despite her formidable martial arts, Luo Yang was still a woman, and women tend to hold grudges, especially for a deadly wound through the heart. His gaze instinctively stole a glance at her chest, and in an instant, both he and his chair were thrown backward against the wall. The tavern servant, witnessing this, was about to erupt in anger. Xu Fengnian quickly smiled and said he would pay the damages in full, not missing a single copper coin. This prevented the arrogant servant from uttering curses, though he muttered and wore a sour expression. Xu Fengnian wasn’t truly helpless in this situation, but since Luo Yang was seated opposite him and he was at fault, he chose to feign embarrassment. Xu Fengnian had thick skin and an even thicker face, completely unbothered by such minor scuffles. But he feared the day she truly decided to kill him, which would be a real problem. The last time they met after a long separation, drinking at the Jianxue Tea House in the bitter cold, he had sweated profusely, showing how deeply he feared her.
Xu Fengnian hesitated slightly, then chose another chair to sit on, asking: “Murong Longshui said Zhuwang has elite agents within Zhao Gou, holding high positions. Therefore, this time, even if they clash, they will unite against us first. At that time, the prominent figures will be Liu Haoshi, Song Nianqing of Dongyue Sword Pond, the Northern Meng princess, and Zhuwang’s moth cocoon. All are authentic Grade One martial artists. Liu Haoshi has lingered in the Heaven’s Will realm for decades. Who knows if he has already reached the threshold of the Land Immortal realm. Even if he crawls, he must be close.”
Luo Yang said indifferently: “Your last resort was summoning the True Martial Manifestation at the Spring God Lake. Nothing else?”
Xu Fengnian smiled sincerely: “Truly nothing else.”
Luo Yang sneered: “You’re dying but your energy is recovering. Knowing this, why provoke Zhuwang? Do you really think you’re invincible? Fine then, Liu Haoshi is yours. I’ll deal with the other three.”
Xu Fengnian nodded seriously: “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
Luo Yang laughed loudly: “Leaving the martial world like this, can you really die without regrets?”
Xu Fengnian merely gazed silently out the window.
The street was bustling with people, yet in his eyes, only one remained.
An old man in green robes led a horse, its back laden with swords. Passersby who didn’t know his identity thought he was merely an old sword seller, guessing each sword was worth only a few taels of silver.
There was a legend in the world of martial arts about a peculiar swordsman. Each sword he wielded was used only once. After that single strike, he would never use that technique again, nor would he touch that sword.
Xu Fengnian’s eyes were sharp. He counted—fourteen swords on the horse.
Fourteen swords meant Fourteen Fingers of the Hidden Path.
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