Chapter 185: 锦囊

Traversing the Land, Playing with Fire and Lords

If Li Chungang were to utter "bullshit" to the Celestial Master's Mansion, people outside the mountains would simply remark on the old sword-god's undiminished heroic spirit. Especially after stepping into the threshold of a Land Immortal, his confidence would be boundless, allowing him to be regarded as an immortal figure in the way of the sword. However, if these words came from Xu Fengnian, the meaning would completely change. Here were two eminent masters, one at Gutang Snow Peak and the other at Longhu Mountain, the ancestral home of Taoism, engaged in a verbal exchange, each demonstrating their prowess. What business did a princeling with mere fancy moves have butting in? Xu Fengnian could already imagine this colossal joke circulating throughout the jianghu for a long time to come. Xuanyuan Qingfeng, who had just been at a disadvantage in her scheming with the princeling, could not hide her schadenfreude. She finally seemed to regain some spirit, no longer lifeless and devoid of vitality. Xu Fengnian glared at her before leading the way towards the Gutang Manor, with Xu Longxiang and Qingniao following closely behind.

Xuanyuan Qingfeng hesitated, then slowly walked with Huang Fangfo and Hong Biao through the rain. Hong Biao remained expressionless, while Huang Fangfo, during this short rainy walk, pondered a great deal. From the corner of his eye, he subtly glanced at the second-ranked guest elder. Hong Biao had always maintained a good reputation for his conduct; the praise of "ancient character" was not something everyone could earn. As a high-ranking guest elder of Huishan from humble origins, Hong Biao was never obsequious towards his superiors, which led Xuanyuan Jingyi to treat him with utmost respect, privately referring to him as "taming a hawk" rather than "raising a dog." Towards his subordinates, Hong Biao was equally humble, never displaying arrogance or self-satisfaction; he was always willing to impart his martial arts knowledge to anyone who sought it, completely free of narrow-minded prejudice. However, regardless of how Xuanyuan Jingcheng had secretly fostered and nurtured Hong Biao over the years, it was ultimately Xuanyuan Jingyi who had brought him to the mountain back then. This time, at Daxueping, Hong Biao had turned against his benefactor, participating in the killing of Xuanyuan Jingyi alongside Xuanyuan Qingfeng. Huang Fangfo had been greatly startled by this. If news of this got out, it could almost ruin half of Hong Biao's reputation, potentially earning him the label of a traitor. Huang Fangfo sneered inwardly, wondering if this constituted leverage. If Hong Biao could betray Xuanyuan Jingyi's second branch today, would he betray the new master's eldest legitimate branch in the future?

Suddenly, Hong Biao stated, "There is something I must make clear to Young Mistress."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng gently hummed in response.

Hong Biao calmly explained, "Before I came to the mountain, I was actually secretly invited by Brother Jingcheng, which is why I decided to come to Huishan. Otherwise, with my qualifications and abilities back then, I certainly wouldn't have had the courage to make a fool of myself at Gutang."

Huang Fangfo narrowed his eyes. Xuanyuan Qingfeng, visibly relieved, felt a burden lift from her heart. She turned and smiled faintly, "Uncle Hong, you've been wronged all these years."

Hong Biao bowed his head and cupped his hands, saying, "It is as it should be."

Hong Biao then looked up, meeting the gaze of the young woman who was about to naturally take control of Huishan. He said, "However, I have received many favors from Xuanyuan Jingyi after all. I implore Young Mistress to treat the disciples of the second branch kindly."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng softly replied, "Uncle Hong, there's no need to worry. Qingfeng is not a petty woman. The second branch's influence is a reality, and blindly purging dissenters would only cause a tumultuous Huishan to fall apart. Qingfeng will do her best to appease both the second and third branches, and no established rules will be altered. Guest elders who wish to stay may do so, and those who don't may leave. Even if they depart Gutang today, Huishan will still welcome heroes from all walks of life to return to the mountain. The grievances of my father's generation, and those before them, conclude completely today. If anyone from the other two branches causes trouble or provocation, Qingfeng promises to tolerate it once or twice, but no more than three times. If they still refuse to cease, then don't blame Qingfeng for being ruthless."

Although Xuanyuan Qingfeng spoke with a light and easy manner, Huang Fangfo felt much more at ease. He had feared this woman would become arrogant and go on a killing spree in Huishan once she gained power. In that scenario, who would play the executioner if not he and Hong Biao? Furthermore, it would completely eliminate any room for maneuver, tying him irrevocably to her. While this was a common tactic for controlling people and made sense logically, Huang Fangfo had underestimated Xuanyuan Qingfeng by a good measure. Managing a century-old aristocratic family was a daunting task, like moving mountains and crushing peaks. Merely resorting to petty cleverness and ruthlessness, akin to a shrew, would not be worthy of Huang Fangfo's loyalty. The biggest headache was Xuanyuan Qingfeng's own negligible martial prowess. Once the Northern Liang princeling left, the more vigorously she suppressed dissent now, the more exhausted he and Hong Biao might become from future backlashes, possibly unable to suppress them even with all their might.

Upon reaching the entrance of Gutang, the manor carved into the hollowed-out mountain, Xu Fengnian stood under the eaves, sheltering from the rain, and looked back at Daxueping.

Xuanyuan Qingfeng stood nearby, tilting her head slightly and smoothing a few strands of hair that clung to her cheek, remaining silent.

The wind and rain gradually subsided.

A bright-eyed young boy emerged from the manor. Seeing the group, he respectfully addressed Xuanyuan Qingfeng, "Grand Master yesterday gave me four silk pouches, saying that when the rain stopped today, I should give them to Young Mistress, His Royal Highness the Princeling, and the two Grand Guest Elders."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng was slightly surprised, while Huang Fangfo and Hong Biao appeared particularly solemn. Although they took the pouches seriously, they showed no surprise, clearly indicating it wasn't the first time they had received such items. In fact, the killing of Xuanyuan Jingyi at Daxueping had been dictated by their respective pouches, and neither Huang nor Hong had known beforehand that the other had truly pledged allegiance to Xuanyuan Jingcheng. Xuanyuan Qingfeng and the two guest elders each took a pouch from the boy. Huang Fangfo and Hong Biao immediately took their leave and departed Daxueping; the two grand guest elders exchanged no pleasantries. Huang Fangfo returned to his small, exquisite study, changed into clean robes, personally lit incense, and took out the small piece of paper from within the pouch. After repeatedly examining it several times, he gently placed it into a zitan incense burner, smiled, and murmured, "Brother Jingcheng truly lives up to my expectations, Huang Fangfo."

The exquisitely cut small Xuan paper contained merely a dozen or so characters, just as Xuanyuan Jingcheng typically advocated for brevity as the ultimate realm of poetry and prose: "Please, Brother Huang, stay in Huishan for ten years, and you may attain the Finger Profound realm."

Huang Fangfo first smiled, then burst into hearty laughter. "Xuanyuan Jingcheng, oh Xuanyuan Jingcheng, are you asking me to devote ten years of my life to your daughter? Since you say you can help me reach the Finger Profound realm, not just ten, but twenty years I can wait!" After his laughter subsided, Huang Fangfo decided to study at Gutang for another ten years. He believed that with Xuanyuan Jingcheng's infallible foresight, even if he couldn't reach the Finger Profound realm by studying various secret texts over these ten years, Huang Fangfo was certain that another silk pouch would appear to resolve his confusion! Huang Fangfo didn't bother to wonder who held the pouch that might or might not be needed ten years later; with Xuanyuan Jingcheng's meticulous mind, Huang Fangfo probably wouldn't find it even if he turned Gutang upside down. The time was not yet ripe, and the heavenly secrets were not yet revealed. Huang Fangfo sighed, "Brother Jingcheng, truly a Confucian Sage, a figure Huang Fangfo deeply admires."

Hong Biao had never resided in the luxurious study villas of Huishan's guest elders, as it is easier to go from frugality to extravagance than vice versa. Thus, he chose to live in a secluded bamboo house on the mountainside. After opening his silk pouch, cold sweat beaded on his forehead. The message inside was far less stirring than the one given to Huang Fangfo. It was merely Xuanyuan Jingcheng's "kind reminder" to Hong Biao that if Qingfeng harbored resentment over his killing of Xuanyuan Jingyi, he could simply say that Hong Biao had been invited to the mountain by Xuanyuan Jingcheng himself. Kneeling before a bamboo tea table, Hong Biao clenched his fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands. His ascent to Huishan years ago had, in truth, nothing to do with Xuanyuan Jingcheng; his explanation at Daxueping had been an improvisation, a hidden maneuver to dispel Xuanyuan Qingfeng's wariness. Therefore, this pouch, seemingly a benevolent reminder, was in fact a warning. Hong Biao took a deep breath, looked out the window, and smiled, "Brother Jingcheng is indeed an immortal! Hong Biao is truly convinced!"

Under the eaves of Gutang, Xu Fengnian watched a rainbow arch across the sky, with one end at Daxueping and the other at the Celestial Master's Mansion, a truly magnificent sight.

Xu Fengnian opened his silk pouch and paused, surprised. The message inside was concise and to the point: "The insights Xuanyuan Jingcheng has gained throughout his life: Your Royal Highness only needs to ask my daughter for a copy of *Spring and Autumn* from the Quest for Supremacy Pavilion, which will contain a letter."

At the end, there was a blunt statement: "If Your Royal Highness does not fail her, Huishan will certainly not fail Your Royal Highness."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng leaned against a pillar, her eyes misty with tears.

The content of Xuanyuan Qingfeng's silk pouch, which she later swallowed:"Hong Biao has a rebellious nature; Qingfeng needs to subdue him with power. Displaying authority is better than bestowing favors. When Huishan is peaceful, he can be nurtured. In times of chaos, he must be eliminated.""Huang Fangfo values his reputation. Your father has made arrangements; he will not harbor disloyalty within ten years. If he seeks prominence after ten years, someone will naturally keep him in check.""Your father has left a family letter for the Longhu Mountain Taoist boy to give to your grandfather. Qingfeng, you need not worry about this matter.""If Xu Fengnian's malicious intentions are endless and he grows increasingly greedy, you can seek out the Taoist who fishes for Jiao-ni in Yun Jin Mountain. This Immortal Master owes your father a favor and once promised to appear in the world once for him. If Xu Fengnian knows when to stop, this son can be worked with for mutual benefit.""During Qingming Festival, if your mother is unwilling to visit the grave, Qingfeng, you need not force her. Since you cannot accompany each other through life, to forget each other in the jianghu is already a blessing in life.""On the day you were born, Father buried a jar of wine under the old osmanthus tree, and thereafter one jar each year. There are twenty-three jars now. I secretly named it 'Daughter's Red.' Is that good? Don't blame Father for being verbose; it's truly because I haven't been able to speak with you all these years.""In the future, what about naming a grandson 'Fuyao' and a granddaughter 'Yasong'? In recent years, Father has spent his time poring over ancient books and classics, but it's been a headache trying to come up with satisfactory names. Father hopes that in the future, if they want to study, they will study; if they want to practice martial arts, they will practice martial arts. The world is vast, but one only occupies a small space. Life is short, only a hundred years, thirty-six thousand five hundred days. To live a muddled life is perfectly fine.""Destroy after reading. Remember, remember."

Xu Fengnian watched as Xuanyuan Qingfeng swallowed the Xuan paper from within her silk pouch.

What a ruthless woman.

In the secluded courtyard of the eldest legitimate branch, that woman also received a silk pouch, but the Xuan paper inside was blank.