Xu Beizhi, normally a man of few words who wouldn’t utter a sound even if beaten with sticks, would become a chatterbox once he had a few drinks, especially when drunk. He would speak without restraint, saying anything and everything. Perhaps he had too much knowledge bottled up inside, for he would usually fall asleep before finishing his thoughts.
The Rouran Mountains stretch across the east and west of Jintan Province. The southern foothills are flat and fertile, crisscrossed by irrigation canals. After autumn, the landscape bursts with a pleasing mix of green and yellow hues, resembling the farmlands of the southern regions of the Liyang Dynasty. To the north of Rouran lie vast grasslands. The mountains rise steeply, forming a natural barrier. Except for the narrow gorges that serve as passageways, there is no way to traverse between north and south. These paths become the vital arteries controlling north-south traffic.
The Northern Desolate has established five fortresses in Rouran, built beside the gorges, each garrisoned with troops. The five fortresses are Lao Huai, Rou Xuan, Ji Lu, Gao Que, and Wu Chuan. The Centipede Valley (Centipede Valley) path that Xu Fengnian and Xu Beizhi now travel lies within the jurisdiction of Rou Xuan fortress. The path splits into two routes: the main road at the valley bottom, wide and suitable for galloping cavalry; and the secondary path carved into the mountainside, dark and damp.
The reputation of Rou Xuan fortress is overshadowed by a certain mountain peak. The Centipede Valley trade route is sparse, not only because the secondary path winds precariously like centipede legs, but more so due to the fear inspired by the local overlord, Fifth He, a man with a peculiar name. He is the master of the Ti Bingshan (Army-Mountain), secretly known as the overlord of the Rouran Mountains. Besides controlling Rou Xuan fortress directly, he also commands the military leaders of Lao Huai and Wu Chuan fortresses, both from Ti Bingshan. As one of the top sects in the Northern Desolate, Ti Bingshan is closely tied to the imperial court. Everyone there is a soldier. When Fifth He’s daughter married Dong Zhuo, the most promising general in the Southern Court likely to become the thirteenth great general, Ti Bingshan was thrust into the limelight. Immediately, voices from the imperial court questioned Fifth He’s intentions, accusing him of disloyalty and ambition. Fortunately, the empress, who had once been rescued by Fifth He in her time of peril, continued to trust him. During Fifth He’s daughter’s grand wedding, the empress even sent an extraordinary gift: an imperial edict adopting her as a daughter-in-law, raising her rank above Dong Zhuo’s. This move made Dong Zhuo a laughingstock in both the Northern and Southern Courts, mocked as a “rice bowl general” who married twice, each time climbing the social ladder, practically becoming a son-in-law in both families.
Walking along the dim and cool Centipede Valley path, Xu Beizhi, having only learned basic martial arts for fitness, treaded cautiously. Though the path had a simple elmwood railing, the stone slabs were slippery from moisture. Fortunately, Xu Fengnian walked to his right, giving him some reassurance. The secondary path along the mountain wall was over a zhang wide and one and a half zhang high, barely enough for a donkey or mule to pass slowly. The inner wall was covered with moss, and water dripped constantly from the cliff tops. Galloping horses could easily slip, and the many gaps between the stone slabs could cause horses’ hooves to twist. Unless one was an expert rider familiar with the Centipede Valley, no one would dare show off their horsemanship here.
Xu Beizhi, newly carrying a gourd of wine at his waist, feared heights and dared not speak lest he lose focus and fall. Originally, according to Xu Beizhi’s plan, they were to take the crowded Kuntu Gou path, where they could blend in with the merchants. However, the Xu Fengnian, nicknamed “Persimmon” by his attendants, heard a rumor in a tavern that someone was challenging the Grand Master Fifth He of Ti Bingshan again, and eagerly dragged Xu Beizhi along to witness the spectacle. This impulsive decision troubled Xu Beizhi, who preferred careful planning. Yet, this “Persimmon” insisted on seeing Ti Bingshan’s might, and Xu Beizhi could not possibly abandon him to take the Kuntu Gou path alone. The Centipede Valley’s rugged terrain added to his grievances, and he often gave Xu Fengnian cold looks. After all, these two young scions of noble families, Xu Beizhi had not yet come to see Xu Fengnian as a worthy lord deserving of his utmost loyalty, nor did Xu Fengnian feel the need to feign eagerness to attract talent. “Where is the need to act like a desperate recruiter? My master, Li Yishan, is worth more than a dozen Xu Beizhis!” Compared to others, Xu Fengnian preferred the blind Go master from Yongzi Alley or the book-loving scholar he met at the Baoguo Temple in Jiangnan. Yet, Xu Fengnian admitted that though Xu Beizhi lacked the seasoned cunning of old courtiers like Xu Huainan, he was still far superior to himself, a mere half-baked novice.
The Centipede Valley was as desolate as the Yellow Spring Road, devoid of people. Xu Fengnian, not wanting to trouble Xu Beizhi, who had no martial arts skills, took the luggage upon himself. Even so, Xu Beizhi had to stop every dozen miles to rest. Perhaps out of gratitude for Xu Fengnian’s considerate pauses, Xu Beizhi braved himself to walk by the railing with an open view, gazing at the fertile lands south of the Rouran Mountains. Finally, he spoke, “Your Highness, why did you take up martial arts? Aren’t you afraid it will interfere with your future duties in Beiliang? As a prince, if you merely coast along, you’ll still enjoy wealth and honor. The Zhao Emperor would surely be pleased. But to maintain the hereditary privilege, one must toil endlessly. Prince Jing’an Zhao Heng paid with his life, and his son Zhao Xun went to the capital, seeking fortune in peril. Moreover, you are the only non-Zhao vassal king in Liyang, bearing a heavy burden. I believe only the Beiliang King and you, father and son, can truly understand this. I thought you would despise martial artists the most, considering how the Beiliang King personally destroyed much of Liyang’s martial world. The Beiliang Prince’s Mansion is filled with hidden talents and loyal hounds; why would the prince need to learn martial arts and wield a blade himself? Tempt them with fame and fortune, issue an order, and countless experts will risk their lives for you.”
When Xu Beizhi wasn’t drinking, his words often carried this interrogative tone.
Xu Fengnian was lost in thought and ignored this Xu Huainan heir who had yet to find a new master. Unperturbed by the silence, Xu Beizhi continued, “Martial artists use their might to defy prohibitions, but both courts have unprecedented control over their respective martial worlds. Here in the Northern Desolate, the martial world is directly the court’s servant, while Liyang has its own watchdogs and infighting. This dying martial world, I fail to see why one would personally dive into it.”
Xu Fengnian suddenly smiled, sitting casually on the rotten railing, making Xu Beizhi’s heart race. Looking at this man who liked to view the world from a lofty perspective, Xu Fengnian said calmly, “Xu Beizhi, have you ever seen two thousand flying swords? Have you seen a single person cause the sea to rise? Have you seen a single sword qi destroy a city wall?”
Xu Beizhi shook his head calmly, “I haven’t. But since ancient times, one thing always overcomes another. The sword sovereign of Xishu guarded the gates for the emperor, yet was crushed by your Xu family’s cavalry, leaving no bones behind. Why do renowned martial artists avoid battlefields? Isn’t it because they fear drowning in shallow waters? Moreover, elite armies often have specialized units to counter top experts. I suspect your Liyang Chancellor Zhang Julu has been directing imperial taxes to the north for years, cultivating a force under Gu Jiantang to counter the Northern Desolate’s martial power. Don’t be fooled by the current arrogance of Ti Bingshan and Qijian Lefu; once deployed to the battlefield, they won’t withstand many large-scale engagements.”
Xu Fengnian laughed, “Are you criticizing me? Accusing me of neglecting my duties?”
Xu Beizhi took a sip from his gourd.
Xu Fengnian, not angry but amused, sighed sincerely, “Your view is the same as my second sister’s. But as a prince, before coming of age, the only thing I could do without worry was neglect my duties. You can’t expect me to hide my talents while harboring ambitions. I’m not afraid of your mockery; I still have no real faction of my own. Thinking carefully, only the two or three hundred men of the Fengzi Camp have some connection with me. I wish someone would bow to me, but during my second journey, outside Xiangfan city, a swordsman from Dongyue died cursing me as a ‘worthless prince.’ That’s when I knew no one in the world is foolish.”
Xu Beizhi wiped the wine from his lips, teasing, “So it’s not that you don’t want the throne, but that you dare not sit on it.”
Xu Fengnian replied helplessly, “Talking to a duck.”
Xu Beizhi spoke slowly, “Recently, several major events have occurred. Our country’s Taiping Ling has become the emperor’s chosen mentor. For the first time, the imperial prince Zhao Kai carried a silver bottle to the Western Regions. A white-robed monk preached the Diamond Sutra in the clouds. With the empress’s support, the Daoist sect has begun compiling the Daozang with the nation’s resources. Zhang Julu is organizing elite cavalry from several feudal lords to the northern border, with Prince Yan and Prince Jing’an Zhao Xun being the most enthusiastic. Prince Guangling Zhao Yi, the emperor’s full brother, acted cautiously and was summoned to the capital for a scolding.”
Xu Fengnian smiled, “I’m more curious about the Northern Desolate swordsman Huang Qing of Jianqijin going to Wudang. Also, Qi Xianxia, carrying Lüzu’s The Lost Sword, went south to watch the sea and practice swordsmanship. As for that Wujia sword grave, Zhao Liuding, who has a grudge with me, I heard he took his sword servant to the site of the nine swords defeating ten thousand riders, took three ancestral swords, and greatly improved his cultivation.”
This time it was Xu Beizhi’s turn to be helpless, “Playing the zither to a cow.”
Xu Fengnian jumped off the railing, whispering, “The old monk is dead.”
Xu Beizhi asked in confusion, “The abbot of Liangchan Temple, Master Longshu?”
Xu Fengnian nodded, saying nothing more.
One talked to a duck, the other played the zither to a cow. Continuing the conversation would only be dull. They pressed on, the Centipede Valley winding without notable ruins or scenic spots, equally tedious. At a fork in the path, seeing Xu Fengnian head uphill without hesitation, Xu Beizhi frowned and asked, “Are you really going to Ti Bingshan?”
Xu Fengnian smiled, “Of course. I want to see the charm of the Northern Desolate women. She once challenged Ti Bingshan’s master and nearly lost an arm. If she’s beautiful, I’ll take her back to Beiliang. Don’t fight me for her.”
Xu Beizhi naturally knew the last sentence was a joke. Though he did not hold Xu Fengnian in high regard, he dared not underestimate him either. If Xu Fengnian were merely reckless, he wouldn’t have survived this long with ten lives. Yet, after more than ten days together, Xu Beizhi never asked about Xu Fengnian’s martial cultivation level.
Halfway up the mountain, they were blocked by a Ti Bingshan checkpoint. Xu Fengnian learned that travelers had to stop there; not everyone could ascend to watch the fight. Seeing the “bearded man” beside him smiling silently, Xu Fengnian reluctantly turned back down the mountain. As Xu Beizhi expected, Xu Fengnian hadn’t lost his mind to the point of stubbornly crashing into a wall. Descending the mountain, there were two routes. They took a secluded path, deliberately avoiding the many Northern Desolate martial artists who had also been turned away. At a scenic spot, there stood an elegant pavilion styled after the Jiangnan water town architecture. Outside the pavilion, no soldiers patrolled, only several robust servants in luxurious attire, their auras profound and their brilliance restrained. To Xu Fengnian’s eyes, one of them was at the second rank, the others hovering near the threshold of the Dragon Gate.
Inside the pavilion, two girls, one older and one younger, sat with their backs to them. The young woman sat cross-legged against a pillar, meditating, with a long, cloth-wrapped weapon slung on her back. The little girl leaned on the bench, resting her chin on her hands. On the ground were two pairs of embroidered shoes, one Azure and one red.
The little girl softly sang a folk song, her voice clear and crisp.
The private school teacher asked, “Do you know? Do you know?”
Who shouted “cicada” in the tree?
The little moon quietly climbed over the hill,
Who disturbed the stars in the pond?
Who shook the bell at the village head?
Ding-dang, ding-dang, ding-ding-dang…
Xu Fengnian stood still, unwilling to leave. Xu Beizhi noticed the guards had already taken notice, watching menacingly, and tugged at Xu Fengnian’s sleeve.
The next moment, Xu Beizhi knew something was wrong, but then he felt only astonishment and absurdity.
Xu Fengnian dashed into the pavilion, his back to Xu Beizhi and the startled Ti Bingshan guards. Gently, he slipped the Azure embroidered shoes onto the Azure Garment woman’s feet.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage