Chapter 3: Two Dimples

After a comfortable, scented bath, shedding his coarse beggar's tunic and straw sandals for the silken robes and fine attire of a wealthy young master, and shaving off his stubble, Xu Fengnian was, in fact, quite a handsome and striking young man.

Among Lingshiu's six or seven most popular courtesans, many were proud and discerning women who wouldn't just vie for his attention and nearly die of jealousy merely for the Northern Liang Prince's generous tips. Although His Royal Highness often engaged in the unscrupulous act of buying poems, he was well-versed in romantic affairs, played chess, discussed embroidery, appreciated zither music, and enjoyed dance performances. He was someone who could truly warm a woman's heart.

Within the Northern Liang Prince's residence, scarcely a young maid with a budding figure hadn't been flirted with by him. Yet, despite their private blushes and grumbling, none truly disliked him. At the very least, this young master wasn't the kind of cruel person who would beat a servant to death and throw them down a well or chop them up to feed dogs over a minor disagreement.

In contrast, there was Young Master Li of Fengzhou, adjacent to Lingshiu, the governor's son who claimed to have grown up with Xu Fengnian "sharing the same pair of trousers." He notoriously enjoyed throwing people into beast cages to be devoured—a truly heinous act. This comparison made everyone in the Prince's residence especially grateful to His Royal Highness.

If anyone in the Prince's residence dared to glare at Xu Fengnian, openly displaying hatred, it was the maid Jiang Ni, who currently kept her distance from the other smiling, fawning maids.

She entered the Northern Liang Prince's residence at the age of twelve. At that time, the Grand Marshal had just destroyed the formidable Western Chu Dynasty, leading the initial assault on its palace. Unlike other generals who later garrisoned Dahuan City and freely indulged in its women, from princesses to the female relatives of officials, Xu Xiao was not fond of women. He showed no interest in the Western Chu Emperor's concubines and even allowed the loyal empress to hang herself and follow her emperor in death. There were even rumors that Xu Xiao himself had provided the length of white silk for her suicide.

In Western Chu, Jiang was the imperial surname, exclusive to the royal family. Thus, it was natural for people to speculate about the origins of this young girl. However, with the demise of Western Chu, all such conjectures faded, and dust simply returned to dust.

Xu Fengnian, of course, knew Jiang Ni's hidden identity better than anyone. He cast a sidelong glance at the now tall and graceful maid, then waved away the other maids. Once they were out of earshot, he chuckled playfully:

"What, is Princess Taiping very disappointed that I didn't die abroad? Don't worry, I genuinely can't bear to die before I've helped you 'break your melon.' Tsk tsk, Princess, your bosom is becoming increasingly 'mountainous.' I think 'Princess Unsettled' would be a more fitting name for you."

Jiang Ni, once a princess and now a maid burdened by the hatred of a fallen nation and family, remained unmoved. Her face was stern, her eyes dark, wishing she could bite this lecherous scoundrel to death.

Hidden in her sleeve was the "Divine Talisman" dagger, praised in historical records as being worth twelve cities. Given even the slightest chance, she, who couldn't bear to kill a chicken, would unhesitatingly sever Xu Fengnian's head. However, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a middle-aged man in casual clothes and had to suppress her desperate impulse.

The man, in his thirties, stood nine feet tall. He had a formidable appearance, a face like polished jade, and an air of refined elegance. He often kept his eyes half-closed, appearing perpetually drowsy. This was Yuan Zuozong, "Left Bear," one of the Northern Liang Prince's six adopted sons. Wielding a silver spear atop a white horse, he had never met his match on the battlefield and was undeniably one of the top three masters in the entire dynasty's army. Some even claimed he was only a step away from the realm of the top ten masters. Facing this god of slaughter, who was accustomed to using human skulls as wine bowls, Jiang Ni dared not make the slightest move.

Before his travels, Xu Fengnian had shamelessly declared, "I'll only give you one chance to kill me. If you can't kill me a second time, I'll kill you."

Unfortunately, that year, the newly matured Jiang Ni had imitated others, applied rouge, and worn splendid clothes to seduce him. After finally luring him to bed, she stabbed him during their intimacy, but the dagger only pierced his shoulder, deep enough to touch bone, but not fatally. The rascal merely slapped her, then got dressed, and after rising, he said two things. The first was: "Next time, you won't be so lucky; don't waste the opportunity again."

"Your Highness! Your Highness! I've finally seen Your Highness! For three years, your humble servant couldn't eat or sleep!"

A richly dressed, portly man, more accurately described as scrambling and stumbling, rushed over, his face streaked with genuine snot and tears, utterly shameless.

Jiang Ni's expression showed a disgust no less intense than when she faced Xu Fengnian. Yuan Zuozong, who was protecting the Prince, turned his head away, dismissing the sight with profound contempt in his eyes.

Since this pig-like corpulent man could bypass the rigorous security to reach Xu Fengnian, his identity was naturally not ordinary. In fact, like "Left Bear," the Northern Liang army's most formidable fighter, he was also an adopted son of the Grand Marshal. His name was Chu Lushan, and he was the "hound" among the three "dogs."

The snow-white gyrfalcon, "the most magnificent of all three hundred and sixty feathered creatures," which had accompanied Xu Fengnian through three years of hardship, was trained by this man. He had cared for it more meticulously than he would a wife or a son.

This man had always had a terrible reputation within the Northern Liang army. He was hypocritical and utterly lascivious. He was the one who first led Prince Xu Fengnian to a brothel, always proclaiming that "brothers are like limbs, women are like clothes." In previous years, every few days, he would incite Xu Fengnian to sleep with his beautiful concubines—a truly perverse and heaven-attesting loyalty.

"'Couldn't eat or sleep'? Fatty Chu, why do you look like you've gained dozens of pounds?" Xu Fengnian sneered, grabbing the fat man by the neck.

His face red from being choked, the fat man cried out indignantly, "Your Highness, I've lost weight! I've slimmed down a whole size! If Your Highness doesn't believe me, your humble servant will go weigh myself right away. If I've gained even one pound, I'll cut off a pound of flesh! If ten pounds, then ten pounds!"

Xu Fengnian released his neck and patted Chu Lushan's flabby, trembling cheek, chuckling, "Truly a good brother."

Fatty Chu, who now held the prestigious third-rank position of General Qianniu Longwu, was being freely slapped on the cheek. A third-rank official, unless it was a merely honorary title, was a top-tier official in any prefecture or county, let alone a General Qianniu Longwu commanding three thousand elite soldiers with a tiger tally. Yet, the fat man showed no shame; instead, his face beamed with extreme honor.

He leaned his large, pig-like head closer and chuckled, "Your Highness, I've recently taken a new, incredibly beautiful concubine. Her skin is so delicate and tender, you could practically squeeze water from it. I haven't even dared to enjoy her myself; she's been reserved especially for Your Highness. Would Your Highness be able to spare some time to grace us with your presence, perhaps have some wine, listen to some music, and then...?"

Xu Fengnian nodded, "Say no more, say no more."

The two exchanged a cunning smile, each as sly as the other. The old saying, "wolves and badgers conspire," perfectly described this pair of scourges.

Just as Fatty Chu was warmly inquiring about His Royal Highness's circumstances over the past three years, the Northern Liang King slowly approached. While there were several Grand Marshals within the dynasty, there was only one Supreme Grand Marshal, a title second only to the Grand Strategist General, a post only filled during times of national crisis.

Xu Xiao had spent his life in military service. In his youth, he would lead his troops from the front, so much so that the previous emperor had issued a special imperial decree exempting him from personally entering the fray. Later, during the campaign against Western Chu, an arrow struck his left leg, leaving him with a slight limp.

Xu Xiao didn't mind the scholarly gentry ridiculing him as "Barbarian Xu." However, if anyone dared to silently call him "Lame Xu," it would lead to an endless vendetta. Once, a favored general of Marquis Wu'an, who had fought alongside Xu Xiao against Western Chu, was young and impulsive and paid the price. Xu Xiao found a flimsy excuse to behead him publicly, hanging his head on the Western Chu imperial city wall alongside a row of famous Western Chu generals.

Marquis Wu'an was enraged but dared not speak, not even protesting to His Majesty the Emperor afterward. Xu Xiao, with slightly graying temples, was not tall, and his appearance was unremarkable. He had a slight limp in middle age and was now slightly hunched, as if bearing the heavy burden of three hundred thousand wronged souls.

Fatty Chu, a quick-witted man who was always aware of his surroundings, immediately composed himself and prostrated himself on the ground. Though both were adopted sons, Yuan Zuozong showed far more integrity and merely bowed according to common etiquette.

The Northern Liang King, Xu Xiao, gently waved his hand, signaling Chu Lushan to fetch a stool and sit. He then attempted to sit on the wooden couch with his son but was angrily kicked in the backside by Xu Fengnian. He could only awkwardly pick up a stool and sit to the side.

Fatty Chu broke out in a cold sweat, feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles, not daring to even wipe it away.

Yuan Zuozong smiled knowingly. Xu Fengnian whistled, wrapped a piece of Shu brocade around his arm, and summoned the gyrfalcon that Fatty Chu had trained. He took a glass cup filled with fine grape wine and feigned a sigh, saying:

"Xiao Bai, oh Xiao Bai, you've suffered so much these past three years. No wine to drink, no meat to eat, and you almost got killed and stewed. I've truly wronged you."

The Grand Marshal looked utterly abashed, sighing repeatedly.

The maid Jiang Ni, who grew more beautiful with each passing year, gently scoffed. She thought to herself that this snow-white gyrfalcon had indeed fallen into bad hands, just like her.

This rare bird only existed in the icy, snowy regions north of Jinzhou. A hunter who caught one could be pardoned from any crime except treason. Even the powerful nobles of Western Chu had spared no expense to acquire this spiritual creature, nicknamed "Green-White Luan," but it remained incredibly elusive.

The one on Xu Fengnian's arm was even more extraordinary: a "Six-Year Phoenix," the finest among the Green-White Luans, rarer and more precious than a "Three-Year Dragon." In Yongzhou, a prominent clan leader once offered a thousand ounces of gold and three beautiful women for "Xiao Bai," only to be haughtily cursed to "get lost" by Xu Fengnian. The influential local magnate, who usually got everything he desired, was undoubtedly humiliated.

Xu Fengnian grumbled, "Xu Xiao, I ask you, if your son is bullied, what should a father do?"

The Grand Marshal chuckled, his face showing it was perfectly natural. "Naturally, you should confiscate their property and exterminate their entire clan. If that's not satisfying enough, take their wives and concubines as chattel, and squander all their wealth in an instant."

Jiang Ni, who had not left the Tide-Listening Pavilion, her eyes darkened, unable to conceal the bone-deep hatred in her clear gaze.

Xu Fengnian pulled a small piece of Xuan paper from his pocket, covered in the names of surnames, families, and various martial arts sects. He patted his father, the Northern Liang King, on the shoulder and gritted his teeth, "Dad, don't you always say a gentleman's revenge is not too late in ten years, but a petty man's revenge doesn't wait overnight? These people are my enemies; go deal with them all immediately."

Xu Xiao took the paper and, without looking, quickly praised, "My son writes so well!" He glanced over it, about to boldly declare it was no problem, but then he read it carefully, word for word. A slightly bitter expression crossed his face as he said:

"Son, these enemies are a bit too many, over a hundred! Look at the Governor of Huizhou Prefecture – his son was just a bit effeminate and took a beauty to tour Biluo Lake, and because you saw them from afar, he has to lose his official hat? And the Wang family of Langya in Guanzhong, their household servant just cursed 'Northern Liang barbarians' a few times while drinking, and they should be exterminated? As for the Xuanyuan family in the martial arts world, what did they do to upset my son so much that their entire family is to be exiled to Jinzhou, and the girl named Xuanyuan Qingfeng is specifically designated as a government courtesan?"

Xu Fengnian gazed at his beloved gyrfalcon, which was pecking at its wine, and sighed, "Xiao Bai, oh Xiao Bai, you're lucky to have a master who truly cares for you. I'm miserable; no father's love, no mother's affection. Living is just suffering, so boring."

The Grand Marshal quickly chuckled, "Father will do it, Father will do it, no second thoughts."

Having made his promise, the decisive Xu Xiao turned his head, his expression no longer amiable when facing Yuan Zuozong and Chu Lushan. He said grimly:

"Zuozong, prepare two detachments of elite cavalry to be ready at any moment. This King will immediately seek an imperial decree, which will simply mean another 'trampling of the martial arts world.' Lushan, inform the officials in the prefectures and counties along the way who have close ties with this King. As for the rebellious traitors on the list, kill those who should be killed, but do so under some plausible pretexts; don't make too big a fuss. After all, we're operating on other people's territory, so there's no need to rush. You have a year and a half to plan this slowly; you're skilled at such matters."

Yuan Zuozong bowed and said, "Understood."

Fatty Chu also stood and bowed, his eyes fierce and his face filled with excitement. "Lüqiu obeys!"

Jiang Ni sighed inwardly. Would countless innocent people suffer again for an absurd reason? How many unfortunate souls would be separated from their families and never understand the origin of their complete ruin?

But at that moment, Xu Fengnian took back the paper, then produced another one with only about a tenth of the names on the list. He chuckled, "Dad, how could I truly let you antagonize a dozen powerful clans and half the martial arts world? Here, look at this one. It's enough for these people to suffer misfortune. The officials are all corrupt, and the commoners are all unruly. Killing them will be justified; it's acting on behalf of Heaven, which will surely accumulate virtue—better than building seven hundred pagodas."

Xu Xiao let out a heavy sigh of relief. Seeing his son about to flare up again, he immediately adopted a solemn expression and formally took the second paper, nodding. "In that case, there's no need for such a grand expedition. Within a year, Father guarantees you won't see or hear anything to trouble you. My son is truly filial; he even knows to relieve his father's worries and accumulate virtue."

Xu Fengnian popped half an orange, peeled by Xu Xiao himself, into his mouth and mumbled, "Of course."

Xu Xiao gave his adopted son Chu Lushan a sharp look. The latter took the paper and immediately withdrew. Despite his bulk, carrying over two hundred catties of fat, he moved silently, as if gliding over grass.

Seeing his son's complexion gradually regaining color, Xu Xiao felt immense satisfaction. He said softly, trying to please, "Son, when Father said you weren't my birth son, I meant you don't resemble me; you take after your mother."

Xu Fengnian merely hummed in response.

Knowing that this topic was not well-received, the Grand Marshal, who had been recuperating in Liangland for the past decade or so, changed the subject. "Huang Man'er doesn't want to go to Dragon Tiger Mountain. Please talk to him; he listens to you."

Xu Fengnian nodded. "I know. You go about your business; don't disturb my fishing."

Xu Xiao chuckled, "Just a little longer. I haven't talked to you for three years."

Xu Fengnian glared, "If I'd known this, would you still have driven me out of the house?! Get out!"

The single word "Get out!" had the force of a dragon.

The pitiful and pathetic Northern Liang King immediately made himself scarce, not daring to linger.

For some reason, every time Jiang Ni faced the Grand Marshal—who, when with Xu Fengnian, seemed no different from an ordinary wealthy patriarch lenient with his son—she felt a chilling coldness seep through her, leaving only an icy bitterness. Towards this man, who was even more deserving of her hatred than Xu Fengnian, she dared not show the slightest intent to kill.

At first, she thought it was her own cowardice. But the older she grew, and the bolder she became, the less she dared to act impulsively, as if this butcher, who had once, clad in black armor, been the first to charge on horseback into the royal palace, was the most terrifying person in the world.

She later learned that the former emperor of the current dynasty had personally promised to treat the Western Chu royal family kindly, even intending to enfeoff her father as king. Yet, Xu Xiao, right in front of Jiang Ni, who was nestled in her father's arms at the time, slew the Western Chu emperor—her kind father, who loved poetry and disliked warfare—with a single sword thrust. Then, he tossed a length of white silk to her mother.

Princess Taiping, whose real name was Jiang Si, had always struggled to comprehend Xu Xiao, the Human Butcher. It was he, the Grand Marshal, who had told her mother, who initially harbored hopes of survival, "If you don't want to become a plaything beneath my crotch, then take your own life."

But karma, or retribution, was swift and undeniable. This ruthless man had two worthless sons: one a simpleton, and the other a dissolute wastrel with no grand ambitions.

The simpleton possessed innate divine strength, but even so, he was not the kind of person who could become the backbone of Northern Liang's two hundred thousand iron cavalry. Therefore, Jiang Ni intended to kill Xu Fengnian, the Prince who would eventually inherit the royal title. In doing so, regardless of how powerful and influential Xu Xiao was in his lifetime, holding a position second only to one and above tens of thousands, his lineage would inevitably crumble and disperse. Thus, Jiang Ni was willing to wait and to endure.

Xu Fengnian flicked his arm, sending the Green-White Luan from his wrist and dropping the small piece of Shu brocade, which now had holes from its sharp talons. He smiled faintly at Yuan Zuozong, the Northern Liang God of War, who had been respectfully standing by. "Third Brother Yuan, you should go rest."

Yuan Zuozong, who had never heard such an intimate address from him, paused, hesitated for a moment, then bowed and departed.

The Tide-Listening Pavilion was finally quiet. Looking out, the scenery was picturesque.

Xu Fengnian didn't pick up his fishing rod. Instead, he reclined on the couch and said softly, "Jiang Ni, if you get the chance, you should go out and see the world."

The fallen princess, without delving into the deeper meaning, scoffed derisively, "His Royal Highness's trip is going to bring undeserved disaster upon a lot of people. What a grand gesture! Truly worthy of the Grand Marshal's son."

Xu Fengnian turned his head and chuckled, "If not for this, how could I erase your cinnabar mark?"

Jiang Ni's lips curved into a sneer of contempt, evoking a boundless hatred so immense that if it could be weighed, it would amount to a thousand pounds of resentment and ten thousand taels of vengeance.

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, "Do you know that when you're angry, you look exactly the same as when you occasionally smile happily? You have two small dimples. That's what I like most about you, so you should wait a bit longer to kill me; I want to see it a few more times."

Jiang Ni said expressionlessly, "Just wait. The next time I kill you, I'll be smiling my happiest."

Xu Fengnian sat upright, took a handful of bait from a carved phoenix-patterned glass basin, and tossed it into the lake beyond the railing, causing countless carp to leap out of the water. Gazing at this lively scene, the Prince, with his back to Jiang Ni, mused, "That would certainly be the most captivating sight in the world."