Walking under an umbrella through the heavy mud, Xu Fengnian reached out and slowly peeled off a “Living Root” mask, tucking it into his bosom. Among the six masks meticulously crafted by Shu Xiu, the Southern Witch, there were three levels: “Breathing,” “Rooting,” and “Divine Entry.” The “Breathing” mask could be easily applied and removed, while the “Rooting” mask required considerable effort to use. As for the “Divine Entry,” Shu Xiu had said it could only be used once before becoming useless. The “Rooting” mask could be reused about three to four times. Xu Fengnian did not bring any loyal followers, leaving behind a puppet in the Northern Liang Prince’s Mansion as a decoy. Upon entering Beiman, he would inevitably have to play the role of a frugal and thrifty miser.
He had set a goal for his journey into Beiman: to kill six men at the Second Pin level, three men at the Diamond level, and one man at the Pointing to Heaven level.
Selecting Liuxia City in Longyao Prefecture as his foothold in Beiman was largely motivated by the city’s governor, Tao Qianzhi. This former General Chong She, who had been ostensibly demoted but actually promoted, had been placed by the Beiman court in the relatively peaceful Liuxia City. Was this merely to distance Tao Qianzhi from the entanglements and feuds involving the younger generation of royal clansmen? The Beiman Empress, firmly seated on her throne, had her eyes fixed on the Liyang Dynasty, which had unified the Spring and Autumn Periods, and was clearly poised to dominate the south from her northern seat. Could anyone deny that Tao Qianzhi was a crucial hidden piece aimed directly at Northern Liang’s You Prefecture? Although Tao was merely a martial artist close to the Second Pin level, his influence on border morale and the threat he posed to Northern Liang far exceeded that of ordinary men. In a private conversation with Xu Xiao, the latter had mentioned this new city governor, saying that killing Tao Qianzhi was worth the battlefield slaughter of three thousand Beiman cavalry!
Tao Qianzhi, who enjoyed daily torturing Northern Liang soldiers, still had shaky foundations. How could Xu Fengnian resist such an opportunity? Choosing today, Tao was dying at an auspicious time. Though Xu Fengnian had removed his mask and his simple Pei knife, Chunlei, hanging at his waist, was not particularly noticeable, the twenty-odd armored riders who had fled back to Liuxia City would soon regroup despite their leaderless state. Given Tao Qianzhi’s military discipline, a net would inevitably be cast. Xu Fengnian had wandered the city two days prior, thoroughly studying Liuxia’s layout. He did not go through the city gates, choosing instead a rarely visited section of the city wall. Like ants swarming a besieged city, he scaled the wall. Amid the still-pouring rain, he climbed to the top, leapt over, and landed silently on the inner side of the wall. He walked through the cold, quiet alleys. Liuxia still had masters besides Tao Qianzhi. Small cavalry units patrolled in groups, maintaining an alert yet subtle presence. The city’s inhabitants were not alarmed in the slightest. Xu Fengnian, an expert in such searches and patrols, naturally avoided them easily. He even managed to stop by Zhou’s shop to buy a steaming basket of xiaolongbao as agreed.
From leaving the Wei residence to returning, it had only been an hour and a half, still half an hour before lunch. The maid, Chun Nong, had been waiting in his room all along. As Xu Fengnian pushed open the door, the bored little girl was leaning by the window, daydreaming, unaware of his return until she smelled the food. She turned suddenly, seeing her young master soaked through, holding a tray of food. Her eyes inexplicably reddened. What a pair of eloquently silent, affectionate eyes.
Xu Fengnian had to interrupt her emotions with a tease, “Don’t flatter yourself. I just grabbed it on the way. Take it, share it with Qiu Shui. As for changing clothes, I’ll handle it myself. Don’t want to spoil your appetite. Huh? You’re crying? Don’t. If others see, they’ll think I’m some beast trying to seduce you into eloping back to Northern Liang with a basket of dumplings.”
The little maid sniffled delicately. Seeing her young master’s firm expression, she hesitated but eventually gave in to her hunger. Carefully taking the xiaolongbao, she reached the threshold and turned for a final, enchanting smile. Xu Fengnian waved her off. Only after she had run away did he bolt the door, taking Chunlei from his waist and placing it on the table. He retrieved a tightly wrapped bundle containing the sword manual and a stack of masks. Without removing his temperature-regulating silk armor, he changed into a clean, comfortable scholar’s robe. Storing his personal items carefully, he truly became a solitary traveler.
Chun Nong must have hastily eaten the xiaolongbao before being dragged back by the more composed Qiu Shui, who then helped Xu Fengnian with his hair. Chun Nong kept signaling Qiu Shui, who finally sighed and asked, “Master Xu, are you leaving Liuxia City today to return to Ling Prefecture?”
Xu Fengnian nodded and said bluntly, “Master Wei originally intended for you two to accompany me back to Ling Prefecture, but how does that saying go? ‘A true man does not settle down before achieving success.’”
Seeing the two maids exchange puzzled glances, Xu Fengnian laughed, “You actually believed me? It’s just that my resources are limited; I can’t afford to support you. I want to make a few more trips to Beiman to earn some money before bringing you back to Ling Prefecture in style.”
Chun Nong, timidly brushing Xu Fengnian’s hair, said, “Chun Nong and Qiu Shui are skilled in needlework and music. We don’t need to be supported by Master Xu.”
Qiu Shui, more perceptive and mature, subtly shook her head at Chun Nong. The latter’s eyes welled up, like a pond rippling under the spring breeze, brimming with affectionate sorrow. Yet, she obediently bit her lip, holding back her tears.
Xu Fengnian, of course, had no intention of truly taking the two maids back to Northern Liang. Even under the guise of a minor official at the Arms Supervisor’s Mansion, it wouldn’t be appropriate. Let alone his true identity, which was like a minefield—stepping wrong could lead to disaster. These two delicate blossoms would thrive only in a quiet environment. Transplanted into the turbulent river, they would wither prematurely.
At his final lunch in Liuxia City, the highlight was a dish of pepper and ginger stir-fried snails.
“Qingming snails, plump as geese, piled like jade in a dish.”
Unfortunately, the Fish Dragon Gang members were all coarse men who only appreciated pork, beef, and lamb. They didn’t realize the difficulty of transporting live snails, gathered from Jiangnan’s muddy ponds and streams, all the way to Beiman’s Liuxia City for this delicacy. Fortunately, each banquet table featured a whole roasted lamb, satisfying the Fish Dragon Gang with greasy delight. Today, Liu Niron had forbidden alcohol, a minor disappointment. However, since the departure of Master Xiao and Guest Scholar Gong Sun, Liu Niron had grown increasingly composed, gradually showing signs of standing on her own. The Fish Dragon Gang members were now thoroughly convinced of her leadership.
Chun Nong’s tear-streaked cheeks were gone, but her mood remained low. Qiu Shui, however, remained graceful and attentive, standing beside Xu Fengnian, using a bamboo stick to extract snail meat, placing each piece delicately onto a plate. Old Fox Wei Feng had been generous, earning the Fish Dragon Gang’s favor. They all knew that Wei Laoye was wealthy and influential, a powerful magnate firmly established in Beiman. Naturally, he held himself in high regard. Otherwise, many would have considered adopting him as a godfather, seeking shelter under his mighty tree. They had initially found Xu’s background mysterious and difficult to gauge, disliking him from all angles. Now that he was clearly connected to Wei Laoye, many had completely lost the courage or interest to challenge him, instead pondering how to warm up relations on the return journey to Northern Liang, compensating for the coldness during their northward trip.
Wei Feng chuckled, “Nephew, stir-fried snails with aged wine, not even King Yama could drag you away. This Qingming stir-fry isn’t exactly a famous dish, but in Beiman, it’s hard to enjoy such a flavor. Have some more.”
Apparently treating him genuinely as a nephew, Wei Feng stopped with the pleasantries and turned to Liu Niron with a smile, “Miss Liu, old Wei still says the same thing—if you need silver now, I can have it loaded onto your carriage immediately. Wei Mansion also has some strong young men who know a few tricks; they can help escort you. I won’t boast, but twenty riders can be spared.”
Liu Niron shook her head and smiled, “Carrying tens of thousands of taels of silver across the border is too reckless. These days, the Fish Dragon Gang has relied entirely on Master Wei’s hospitality, spending far too much already. We’d feel ashamed to trouble you further. Miss Liu trusts Master Wei, and she trusts the two-character ticket house that operates between Northern Liang and Beiman.”
Wei Feng stroked his beard, smiling without speaking.
Liu Niron raised her cup, “Miss Liu cannot drink much, but I hold Master Wei in the highest esteem. On behalf of the Fish Dragon Gang, I’ll drink three cups for Master Wei. Master Wei, please drink at your leisure.”
She drank three cups in succession, not a drop spilled. Wei Feng took a small sip and set his cup down. No one thought the old man was putting on airs. During these days, besides enjoying themselves at Wei Mansion in Liuxia City, they had heard many tales about Master Wei, more vivid than any storyteller’s account at a teahouse.
The storm had passed, and more people were out on the streets, sweeping ancestral graves.
Coming, the carriage carried goods and a Western Shu Gong Sun archer with a horn bow at his feet. Going, there was only Xu Fengnian, who had removed the Chunlei sword and placed it in a corner, bowing respectfully to Wei Feng before departure. This time, the latter did not feign anger but accepted the gesture calmly.
Watching the Fish Dragon Gang gradually disappear, Wei Feng withdrew his gaze, glancing at the two maids, Chun Nong and Qiu Shui, who had not been sent away. He furrowed his gray brows, lips moving slightly, muttering something inaudible.
Passing through the city gate, Xu Fengnian, who no longer carried the Chunlei sword, voluntarily disembarked. The Fish Dragon Gang’s travel permits were complete. Compared to usual, the city guards had increased their numbers. They flipped through the entry records, carefully comparing each person one by one. After verification, they allowed passage.
A hundred steps beyond the city, Xu Fengnian, leading his horse, instinctively glanced toward the city wall and saw the woman with a sable forehead covering, standing beside her well-dressed attendants. She made a vicious gesture, slicing a knife across her throat!
Xu Fengnian smiled. Were they all rushing to die on Qingming Day?
Liuxia City? Left behind?
At this moment, Xu Fengnian actually felt the urge to draw his sword.
A princess with a Xianbei Kou belt—her head might not be any lighter than Tao Qianzhi’s!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage