Chapter 151: Blue-Clad Kills White-Clad

Why was there such a vast difference between two of the highest-ranking masters in the martial arts world? Li Chungang, the old man in the sheepskin robe, liked nothing more than digging his ears and picking his toes in his free time. Cao Changqing, on the other hand, embodied everything the younger generation in the martial arts world revered in a peerless master: a slender build, restrained brilliance, and a graceful demeanor. Even his kneeling was breathtaking. Though an old man with temples already tinged with grey, a closer look revealed the mellow, rich flavor of aged wine. Even experienced, middle-aged women would be captivated by Cao Changqing's refined elegance.

Xu Fengnian stood quietly watching from the bottom of the steps, counting on his fingers; he had already encountered three of the top ten masters. However, Wang Mingyin, who looked like a simple farmer, had been stabbed to death by a hand knife. Who could have predicted such an ending? Xu Fengnian found it somewhat amusing to see Jiang Ni staring blankly at Cao Guanzi, seemingly at a loss for words, wanting to speak but hesitating. "This silly girl," he thought, "how could she think of leveraging the situation? Anyone slightly smarter, having managed to secure the support of a formidable figure like Cao Guanzi, would surely become arrogant once their wishes were granted. No matter if you were the Crown Prince of Beiliang, the third greatest master in the world, Cao Changqing, could crush you half to death with two fingers, or at the very least beat you into a pig's head to vent his anger." Xu Fengnian smiled, shook his head at Xu Zhihu, who stood behind Jiang Ni, and subtly gestured for her not to act. It was best not to do anything superfluous in front of Cao Guanzi. Even if the old Sword God put all his strength into stopping him, Cao Changqing could easily injure anyone. In this world, the only person who could make this great official in green humble himself was the foolish girl he had "bullied" for many years.

The Crown Prince couldn't help but feel a surge of indignation and stifled frustration. In a hundred years of the martial arts world, among millions of practitioners, how many Cao Changqings had emerged? For some reason, Jiang Ni caught sight of Xu Fengnian's lips curving into a smile and instinctively glared at him fiercely. Her glare was merely a habitual, harmless gesture. But today was different. With Cao Guanzi, who had gracefully risen, present, even with his back to the Crown Prince, Xu Fengnian immediately felt an intense murderous aura. Cao Changqing slowly turned his head and said calmly, "Your Highness, would you consider entrusting the princess to Cao Changqing? Just nod, and Cao Changqing will promise to do one thing for Your Highness; as long as it's within his power, he will never refuse."

"Within his power?" Two successive emperors of the Liyang Dynasty had been so troubled by this former official of a fallen kingdom that they couldn't sleep peacefully. Was there anything Cao Changqing couldn't accomplish? Normally, Jiang Ni was merely a decorative 'flower vase' that Xu Rentu had brought back to the Beiliang King's Mansion; she held no substantial significance. During the Spring and Autumn period, there were hundreds of imperial descendants, empresses, and concubines from the Eight Kingdoms. If they fell into the hands of Prince Yan Chishi or Prince Guangling, the beautiful women would at best become concubines, while those of plain appearance would mostly be forced into prostitution. As for the imperial princes, many met tragic ends, sometimes ten of them executed together, becoming entertainment for victory banquets celebrating the conquerors. Keeping these former members of the imperial family and claiming it was to plot rebellion would be laughable.

Since that was the case, letting go of a Western Chu princess would be no great loss. Moreover, it would allow him to befriend Cao Guanzi, one of the top three masters in the world. Why wouldn't he be happy to do so?

The old Sword God, whose hidden abilities beyond "Two Sleeves of Green Snakes" had been exposed by Cao Changqing, remained indifferent. The old man, adhering to his agreement, only needed to ensure the Crown Prince's survival and wanted the 'little mud doll' to learn swordsmanship from him. As for other trivial matters, he wasn't concerned. Moreover, Li Chungang, who had lived for over eighty years and certainly hadn't wasted his life, knew perfectly well that as long as the 'little mud doll' stayed by the Crown Prince's side for even one day, her chances of learning swordsmanship were slim to none. It would be better to sever this troublesome connection sooner. Where in the world couldn't she go? The old Sword God, with a hint of schadenfreude, glanced sideways at the Crown Prince, watching to see how the young man would handle the situation. After the Reed Marsh incident, probably fearing his head would be taken by that elusive assassin, he had gritted his teeth and regularly practiced "Two Sleeves of Green Snakes." This level of perseverance and ruthlessness truly didn't resemble a Crown Prince who was destined to inherit the Beiliang title.

Xu Fengnian said with a cheeky grin, "No, I won't. She's mine."

Jiang Ni retorted angrily, "Whose are you calling 'yours'!"

Cao Changqing's demeanor remained as calm as an ancient well. Perhaps he was relieved that what he had sought tirelessly had appeared effortlessly. His mood wasn't soured by the Crown Prince's presumptuous remark. He smiled faintly and said, "It's alright. In a while, Your Highness will change your mind."

Xu Fengnian maintained his laid-back posture, smiling as he said, "I can't guarantee anything else, but this matter is truly non-negotiable."

Cao Changqing glanced at the Crown Prince, his smile tinged with amusement. "Your Highness," he said, "perhaps you should let go of your swords for a moment and wipe your brow. Otherwise, the draw-blade technique you learned from the Eastern Yue imperial family might be significantly compromised."

Xu Fengnian, not one to be easily embarrassed, laughed heartily and indeed loosened his grip on the Spring Thunder and Embroidered Winter twin blades, wiping his hands on his sleeve. Xu Zhihu, who had re-seated herself in the pavilion, smiled knowingly, a little of the gloom in her heart dispelling. She didn't recognize Cao Changqing, though she had vaguely heard some half-baked wanderers and young officials mention a 'Cao Guanzi'. It wasn't immediately obvious to her that the green-robed scholar who could make Li Chungang's sword energy ripple like dragons on a wall was the renowned master. But Xu Zhihu possessed extraordinary insight. Knowing that this man dared to disregard the old Sword God and even the entire Beiliang power, how could she relax, especially with her brother's safety at stake? She looked at Jiang Ni, and the phrase "a beauty who brings disaster" certainly seemed true. Her initial pity for the exiled princess vanished the moment Cao Changqing appeared. Cold-hearted? Xu Zhihu, who was always happy to tarnish her own reputation, would never deny it.

With Cao Guanzi refusing, Xu Fengnian refusing, and even Jiang Ni refusing, the atmosphere above and below the pavilion grew heavy.

It was Xu Zhihu who stepped in to smooth things over, asking with a smile, "Jiang Ni, shall we go have some tea?"

Jiang Ni hummed in agreement. Cao Changqing frowned slightly, but at least he remained silent. It seemed he had decided to strictly observe the etiquette of a subject in front of Jiang Ni, not daring to overstep his bounds by even half a step. The group returned to the tea room, where the female Taoist priest Xu Huipu was already present. After exchanging polite greetings, she skillfully brewed tea with practiced hands, a delight to watch. The elegance of noblewomen was often revealed in such subtle details. She clearly noticed the unfamiliar scholar kneeling beside them. Men from powerful families, especially after reaching their forties, often possessed a certain vigor, regardless of whether it was righteous or sinister, which set them apart from common folk. This was their so-called 'foundation.' Xu Huipu couldn't help but steal a few more glances, finding him increasingly unfathomable. Jiang Ni called out, "Uncle Qizhao," and offered him a cup of tea. Cao Changqing lowered his head and silently took the cup, thankfully not addressing her as "princess" again.

Xu Zhihu, seemingly carefree, asked Jiang Ni, "Why do you call him Uncle Qizhao?"

Jiang Ni softly replied, "Uncle Qizhao is a grand master of chess. I often watch him play."

Cao Changqing sighed and shook his head, saying, "A mere sinner cannot be called a grand master."

He then added, "This sinner will one day cut off Huang Longshi's head to pay respects to the late Emperor."

Xu Huipu was thoroughly startled. Huang Longshi, a figure almost like a demigod, not of this mortal world. The unjust wars of the Spring and Autumn period had all originated because of him! That grand game of chess was unparalleled, before or since. Cut off Huang Longshi's head? The late Emperor? Despite her inner horror, Xu Huipu maintained a composed expression, swiftly contemplating who this middle-aged scholar could possibly be.

Xu Fengnian didn't want Xu Huipu to follow this thread of conversation and uncover more. The sudden mention of Chen Liangxi had already put him on alert. It was true that the Jiangnan region favored eloquent discussions, but those old foxes were one more cunning than the next. Heaven knew if this talented scholar, who had gained fame from a single battle, was a carefully placed pawn. Furthermore, daring to recruit Chen Liangxi went against the original purpose of this journey. The Crown Prince of Beiliang had just come of age, and Xu Xiao had just secured the hereditary title in the capital. Was he already eagerly accumulating talent and preparing to gather followers? What were his intentions? Xu Fengnian changed the subject, asking with a smile, "Xu, where did Chen go?"

Xu Huipu imperceptibly hesitated for a moment, then gently replied, "He's in the meditation room, deeply discussing the principles of kingship, hegemony, righteousness, and profit with Honghu and others. Perhaps their earlier confrontation wasn't exhaustive enough, and they need to determine a victor."

Xu Fengnian drank tea as if it were wine, completely oblivious to its refinement. He shamelessly asked Xu Zhihu for another cup of slowly steeped wild tea, then chuckled, "Chen speaks with such grand eloquence, but unfortunately, this Crown Prince doesn't quite understand him. Thankfully, distinguished scholars like Yuan Honghu appreciate his worth, otherwise, he would be overlooked."

Xu Huipu furrowed her finely drawn brows, where faint crow's feet were visible at the corners. Though no longer young, a woman with good temperament possessed a unique charm. She patiently and seemingly casually remarked, "Your Highness, although Chen is as eloquent as any master, he truly possesses the talent to stabilize the nation and save the world. He should not be regarded as a mere debater."

Xu Fengnian said distractedly, "Is that so? Then I'll tell the Lu family later. If Lu Xuanlang doesn't value talent, I'll have Tang Xi promote him."

Xu Fengnian had brought up a sensitive topic. At the mention of Tang Xi Sword Immortal Lu Baixie, Xu Huipu's expression immediately darkened, and she fell silent.

Xu Zhihu's lips curled upwards.

Cao Changqing said calmly, "This young man is an extreme external king; his simultaneous use of kingly and hegemonic ways is merely a cover. If he manages to establish his own school of thought in the future, his advocated doctrines will be far more harmful than Yao Baifeng's School of Mind. While Yao's teachings are merely a deviation from orthodox Confucianism, and even if the Yao family's learning becomes the national study and spreads throughout the land, scholars will remain scholars, and Confucians will remain Confucians, much like minor ailments that, in the long run, can even strengthen the body. However, if this young man's doctrines become popular, it will be an internal injury to Confucianism, the root of disaster in its very core, a terminal illness. To then set things right would be no minor pain of merely scraping off a few ounces of flesh. An inner sage and an outer king: if one is not an inner sage, how can one be an outer king? Fundamentally, his doctrines are strikingly similar to Huang Longshi's. If this young man's reputation remains obscure, so be it. But if there's any sign of him establishing his own school, I will personally eliminate him."

Xu Huipu listened, her face turning pale.

The old Sword God sneered, "You scholars are the most vicious, especially when scholars kill scholars; you put in more effort than anyone else. This terrible habit of intellectuals despising each other is more incurable than women's jealousy. It sickens me to watch it. Cao Changqing, I'll say it here today: if you ever intend to harm that young man later, just give me a heads-up, and I'll have a match with you."

Cao Changqing remained noncommittal, his expression calm.

Xu Huipu firmly committed Cao Changqing's name to memory.

Like Xu Zhihu, she was unaware that Cao Changqing was the same Cao Guanzi who had assassinated the Emperor. Otherwise, they would never have dared to share a room with him. If the capital knew, it would be a colossal disaster. This thorn had been lodged in the hearts of two emperors for twenty years. Before his death, the late Emperor had truly declared that he would not rest in peace until the 'man in green' was killed. For this purpose, a group of top-tier imperial guards, assisted by a considerable number of elite soldiers, had been specially deployed to roam and lie in wait in the martial arts world, constantly gathering intelligence, solely to eliminate Cao Guanzi. It was rumored that the current Emperor, upon ascending the throne, had not issued any decree to recall these loyal assassins. They were all directly overseen by Han Diaosi, the 'Human Cat.' It was known that this top-rank eunuch, reputed to possess the heaviest negative energy in the world, was a pervert capable of killing heavenly phenomena with a mere gesture. Han Diaosi had white eyebrows and a pale face; to put it politely, he was youthful despite his age, but to put it bluntly, he was like a demon. How much horrifying bloodshed in the imperial palace hadn't been personally orchestrated by this 'Human Cat'? People said he possessed the art of preserving youth because he enjoyed eating human hearts and livers, slicing them up as appetizers. Regardless of whether it was true or false, the mere mention sent shivers down one's spine.

All good things must come to an end. The group left Baoguo Temple and headed back.

Cao Changqing stood at the entrance, watching Jiang Ni board the carriage.

Before Xu Fengnian boarded the carriage, he asked, "Cao, are you going to reveal her identity to the whole world? If I don't release her, will you simply follow me, letting everyone know that I have a Cao Guanzi by my side?"

Cao Changqing smiled faintly and said, "The Crown Prince is a clever man. The King of Beiliang is indeed a tiger father with no dog sons."

Xu Fengnian remained silent.

Cao Changqing did not look at the Crown Prince, instead gazing at the carriage where Jiang Ni was. He chuckled, "Is Your Highness still weighing the pros and cons? Your decisiveness is already inferior to Xu Xiao's. Even your emperors couldn't kill me; how could you?"

Cao Changqing sensed Xu Fengnian's aura and shook his head, saying, "At least you can't right now. It's a pity I've found the princess now."

With this statement, could it be concluded that even Cao Guanzi dared not underestimate the Crown Prince's destiny?

Was Xu Fengnian truly worthy of such regard?

Cao Changqing extended his palm, making a repeated gesture, and revealed the mystery with a single sentence. "Your Highness, if you are willing to go with the flow, Cao Changqing can kill Chen Zhibao for you. Xu Xiao is difficult to kill, and you are not easily killed. I, however, am."

Xu Fengnian wore a bitter smile.

The Man in Green killing the Man in White?