Chapter 381: Junior Sister Infuriates Senior Brother

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*Sword Snow Stride*, Author: Fenghuo Xizhu HouPC Reading Address:Address:Red tickets are free; after registering a Zongheng account and accumulating a certain number of points, you will receive red tickets.Every account can bookmark *Sword Snow Stride*.Chapter Serialization Master Post:Before the main text is posted, no inserting replies. Please wait patiently.Appendix: Tieba QQ Group Arbitration Team: 1681655; Prodigy Club YY: 1655Xueba Forum Management Log Link:Those who insert replies before the update is complete will be silenced for one day.

As expected, General Zhong Hongwu of Huaihua went to the Northern Liang King's Mansion and directly berated Crown Prince Xu Fengnian to Xu Xiao. He claimed that Xu Fengnian, not yet even the King of Northern Liang, had already started selling official positions. Zhong Hongwu declared that if the military orders promoting those "who hadn't even grown hair" weren't revoked, he would dismount and lay down his armor, choosing to become a farmer tilling the land. The King of Northern Liang merely evaded the topic, reminiscing about splendid battles fought together in the past. In a fit of anger, Zhong Hongwu, commander of the Northern Liang cavalry, threw his general's helmet onto the hall floor, then stormed off to his residence in Lingzhou, shutting his doors to visitors.

At that time, Xu Fengnian had just set foot in Lingzhou and was visiting the Governor's Mansion. Li Gongde, who held a prominent position as a frontier official and had reached the pinnacle of public service, was dumbfounded to see the young, white-haired man who had quietly arrived in his study. He then burst into heartfelt tears. Perhaps it was due to his affection for Xu Fengnian's son (implying the son was friends with Xu Fengnian), but the Governor held this Crown Prince, who was friends with his son, in high regard. It wasn't solely because of Xu Fengnian's special status. Li Gongde naturally saw himself as both a half-elder and a half-subject, roles that were not contradictory. Upon seeing Xu Fengnian, he simply clasped Xu Fengnian's arm tightly, weeping uncontrollably.

Aware that weeping like a woman was undignified, Lord Li quickly wiped away his tears and invited Xu Fengnian to sit and drink tea. As Li Gongde raised his porcelain cup, his cheeks flushed slightly. Though just a small teacup, weighing only a few ounces, it was an "ice-cracked cup," considered the finest and most exquisite from the Longquan kiln. In the scorching summer heat, even boiling water would cool and become refreshingly clear within moments, making it truly miraculous. The mansion had countless such treasures. In the past, when Xu Fengnian hadn't visited the Li residence, Lord Li had always been comfortable and generous in his hospitality, exuding the air of a family of ten generations of nobility. Today, however, seemed inappropriate. Fortunately, Xu Fengnian showed no signs of questioning. After drinking tea and inquiring about Li Hanlin's military achievements and his aunt's health, he prepared to depart. Li Gongde could not allow this; he earnestly insisted that the Crown Prince stay for a welcoming dinner. However, Xu Fengnian was determined to return to Liangzhou, so Li Gongde reluctantly relented. Before leaving, Xu Fengnian left behind a golden-yellow Tianhuang stone seal. Li Gongde, a connoisseur with discerning eyes, managed to restrain himself from openly admiring it and placed it back on the table, though he was clearly fond of it.

Escorting Xu Fengnian out of the study and towards the ceremonial gate, they unluckily encountered Li Fuzhen returning to the mansion. Meeting in the narrow corridor, the old fox of a governor, Li Gongde, abandoned all pretense. Claiming a stomachache, he quickly left, instructing his daughter to see off the Crown Prince in his stead. For this visit, Xu Fengnian's groom was Qingniao, and secretly, he had a mystical creature, a Dan Ying, with him. The only person he openly brought into the mansion was the scholar Chen Xiliang. At the time, Chen Xiliang had introduced himself to Li Gongde merely as a low-ranking literati official from Liangzhou. Yet, Li Gongde was so astute he wanted to remember even Chen Xiliang's ancestral lineage for eighteen generations, wondering if this plainly dressed scholar would become a county magistrate tomorrow, or perhaps the Governor of Lingzhou the day after.

Noticing the awkward atmosphere in the corridor, Chen Xiliang subtly retreated a few steps, busying himself with the rare rubbings on display, distancing himself from Xu Fengnian and the aloof woman.

Xu Fengnian smiled, "No need to trouble you to see me off; I know the way."

Suppressing her initial shock, Li Fuzhen quietly turned and led the way, remaining silent the entire time.

Upon reaching the ceremonial gate, which they hadn't bothered to open on arrival but was now certainly wide open for their departure, Xu Fengnian offered a warm thank you that met with a cold reception. He then descended the steps with Chen Xiliang and entered the carriage.

Li Fuzhen did not step over the threshold to see them off at the steps, simply watching as the ceremonial gate slowly closed.

Li Gongde, actually standing not far behind his daughter, said softly, "Fuzhen, I used to deliberately take you to the Prince's Mansion, hoping you'd get closer to him. But this time, when I asked you to see him off, it wasn't for that."

The father and daughter slowly walked back to the inner courtyard. Li Gongde spoke slowly, "Many confidential matters are actually beyond the reach of your father, who is merely a decorative Governor. But since even the Protector-General of Northern Liang has been forced to go to Xishu, I think this man you look down on is certainly not a crooked tree that cannot be propped up, as you imagine. You, like your mother, are terrible at choosing men. Back then, your mother absolutely refused to marry me, secretly admiring a well-read scholar, saying that I was destined to be a tiny official my whole life, and marrying me would mean a lifetime of hardship. If it weren't for your father benefiting from your grandmother's growing fondness for her son-in-law, virtually tying your mother into the sedan chair, there would be no you or Hanlin in this world. Now, look back at that outwardly brilliant scholar from back then. He clearly had a much better family background than your father, yet even today in Lingzhou, he's merely a county magistrate in a remote backwater, severely ostracized in official circles, only able to go home and vent his frustrations on his wife. And that's even without your father making things difficult for him. He drinks and rants every day, saying he was born at the wrong time and his ambitions remain unfulfilled. Your father will tell you something; remember not to gossip to your mother about it. When I was the Governor of Lingzhou, that fellow angered the son of a military general in the same county and almost lost his meager position as county magistrate. He was well past middle age, well into the age of knowing his destiny, yet he shamelessly offered me silver, paintings, and famous inkstones. Your father, I accepted everything. I was afraid that if I didn't, he might lose everything and commit suicide by jumping into a river. Later, during his county performance review, I wrote sixteen characters for him: 'Unwavering integrity, self-disciplined in purity, no wrongful detentions in prison, no private audiences in court.' Only then was his position as county magistrate secured. Afterward, your father returned all the items to him, not a single one missing. Your mother has always been in the dark about this; just treat it as a joke. The reason I'm telling you this is to let you know that temporary gains or losses, honor or disgrace, are nothing. Choosing a man is like choosing jade. The 'Book of Rites' says that a large jade tablet is not carved to highlight its inherent quality, much like fine raw jade that has no flaws to cover with carving. Some men, however, are like dyed green jade; to an outsider, the color seems fine, but its transparency and quality are very poor. Fuzhen, don't rush to defend that man you've taken a fancy to. Your father promised not to break up the couple and will keep his word. These past few years, I've been paving the way for him. His family background is poor, so your father helped him gain rank, transitioning from a common scholar to a gentry. He didn't achieve a high-ranking official title through exams, but that's fine; your father helped him transition from a clerk to an official. But look at him, besides clinging to you all day long, whispering cheap sweet nothings, has he ever put effort into studying officialdom or cultivating connections? Yes, you might say he has noble character and refuses to stoop to corruption, but has he written a few widely acclaimed poems? Or has he genuinely worked to benefit the common people? His way of being an official—he doesn't strive, his back isn't straight. He doesn't fawn, his knees aren't too bent, but isn't he a bit too complacent? Knowing that your father won't let him starve, he uses his entire salary to buy you exquisite gifts—does that mean he truly cares for you? Fuzhen, your father was never a pedantic scholar. My current official position was fought for step by step. Your father is frugal and shrewd with everyone else, but never stingy with you and Hanlin. Why must you argue with your father of all people? Your father has never been wrong when judging people. Why must you listen to your blind mother? She says that man is understanding, but to your father, he's just sweet-tongued and good at coaxing people. Women are just soft-hearted; a momentary infatuation shouldn't be taken as truth or relied upon."

Li Fuzhen, her eyes red, choked out, "After all that, Xu Fengnian isn't a good person either! He's said no less sweet nothings to women! I don't care if he's rotten on the inside or just feigning madness!"

Li Gongde calmly said, "Today, when you met, I deliberately left you two alone. Did he say even one extra word to you?"

Li Gongde calmly pressed on, "Did he even give you an extra glance?"

Li Fuzhen angrily retorted, "I didn't look at him once, so how would I know if he looked at me?"

Li Gongde chuckled softly, then slowly turned and walked away.

Li Fuzhen stood rooted to the spot, utterly bewildered and feeling desolate.

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Inside the carriage, far from the Governor's Mansion, Chen Xiliang, a scholar from humble origins, spoke about current affairs as if telling a joke. "Within Northern Liang Province, there are three prefectures: Liang, You, and Ling. You and Liang prefectures are crucial border areas, adjacent to Northern Mang, where soldiers stand guard. Only Lingzhou is relatively fertile and far more prosperous than You or Liang. This forms Northern Liang's general pattern of generals in the north and officials in the south. In the same government departments, the number of officials in Lingzhou is often two or even three times that of the other two prefectures, like a retirement home for the Northern Liang army. The sons of titled or unofficial officials who cannot serve in the military also come to various Lingzhou government offices to get a piece of the pie. Fathers retire, sons take over, and grandsons then secure profitable positions—it would be strange if there weren't many people. This makes Lingzhou's government particularly fractured and intertwined, with factions vying for power. It's a running joke in Northern Liang official circles that if you can hold a stable official position in Lingzhou, you can easily secure a position two ranks higher in other prefectures. As the saying goes, 'what the superior likes, the subordinates will imitate.' Using Li Gongde, who 'plucks a feather from every goose that passes,' as governor has both pros and cons. The advantage is that Northern Liang's tax revenue is not an issue, but this is only a means of cost-cutting. It essentially means that of every ten coins that end up in officials' private pockets, two or three are diverted to the Northern Liang army. Furthermore, Li Gongde is not the type of virtuous minister or capable official who can create new revenue sources. The enormous profits from Northern Liang's salt and iron industries have historically been mismanaged by the government. Moreover, many powerful military families unauthorizedly seize and monopolize profits, often clashing with the low-ranking salt superintendents, leading to significant internal strife and consumption of resources."

Xu Fengnian nodded. "Regarding the government management of salt and iron, write me a detailed memorial later."

Chen Xiliang happily accepted the order.

Xu Fengnian, seeing that he seemed to be holding back something, smiled, "Speak your mind freely, even if it's about rebellion, it's fine."

Chen Xiliang softly said, "Li Gongde holds a high official rank, a second-grade official. He is incredibly corrupt; besides the Prince's Mansion, he is undoubtedly Northern Liang's wealthiest merchant. Crucially, his ties with your Xu family are also deep. He is most suitable for 'killing the chicken to warn the monkeys,' which could ensure ten years of clean governance in Northern Liang officialdom."

Xu Fengnian shook his head. "Ten years? Impossible, even five years would be difficult. That doomed emperor of Southern Tang earnestly wished to be a restorer, even resorting to flaying corrupt officials and stuffing their skins with straw, yet it had little effect. Of course, this also relates to Southern Tang's long-standing accumulated problems. Furthermore, prescribing overly extreme strong medicine to a critically ill patient is certainly not a good thing. I cannot overcorrect some of the unwritten rules Xu Xiao accumulated. Your method is certainly useful, but..."

Xu Fengnian stopped mid-sentence and, as if by magic, pulled out a Tianhuang stone seal identical to the one he had given Li Gongde. Its texture was warm and delicate. A small flying sword emerged from his sleeve, moving swiftly, and he carved five characters on each of the seal's four sides. Then he tossed it to Chen Xiliang, smiling, "It's for you."

*Auspicious people bear responsibilities together, settling in peace and security.**Accumulate wealth at home, become a high-ranking official.*

Chen Xiliang slowly rotated the seal, examining it carefully, then cautiously placed it into his sleeve without expressing any overwhelming gratitude.

Xu Fengnian asked, "I hear you've recently been collecting historical documents concerning the turmoil and changes of noble families during the late Spring and Autumn period?"

Chen Xiliang nodded. "History serves as a mirror, through which one can understand the rise and fall of eras. Your Highness also knows I come from humble origins and have meager means, which led me to value books above all else. I am also very curious how these deeply entrenched, prominent noble families are depicted in historical records, using dozens, hundreds, or thousands of characters to describe their ultimate glory and decline."

Xu Fengnian smiled. "Reading more is always a good thing."

Chen Xiliang's smile was playful.

Xu Fengnian glared. "I've read plenty of books too! Aren't forbidden books still books?!"

Chen Xiliang did not expose his weakness but asked, "Where to next?"

Xu Fengnian smiled. "I'm going to Longjing Commandery in Lingzhou to see a few old acquaintances; our last meeting wasn't very pleasant. But it's not strictly necessary to meet them. Primarily, Longjing Commandery is where old General Zhong Hongwu retired to his pastoral life, and I'm going to see if I can add fuel to the fire. Besides, Xu Beizhi is serving as a military advisor in the commandery city, so I'll visit him along the way. Oh, it'll take quite a while to get to Longjing Commandery. If you get bored, I'll pay for a few courtesans from the city to entertain you. Whether you partake is up to you."

Chen Xiliang shook his head. "I don't accept rewards without merit. If I successfully handle the salt and iron matter, even if Your Highness sends me ten courtesans, I will accept them without shame."

Xu Fengnian grinned. "Hurry up and give me back that Huangtian stone seal; I'm regretting it already."

Chen Xiliang coughed, lifted the curtain, and told Qingniao, "Let's go to Longjing Commandery."

Longjing Commandery was famous for producing exquisite inkstones, particularly the 'Dragon Eye' inkstones. Their stone quality was warm and jade-like, delicate yet not slippery. When tapped, they produced a clear, ringing sound like metal or stone, and when touched, they felt like an infant's skin, revered as divine by calligraphers throughout history. It was said that General Zhong's only son possessed a treasured 'Hundred-Eight Inkstone,' dark purple and clear. The inkstone had 108 stone "eyes" resembling dragon eyes, and a breath would moisten it. What made it particularly legendary was that this ancient inkstone had passed through the hands of eight famous dragon painters from various dynasties and kingdoms, hence its other name, the 'Dragon-Eye-Dotting Inkstone.' General Zhong Hongwu had a son late in life named Zhong Chengxin. Before reaching the age of thirty, he had already achieved great accomplishments and held a high official position. Now that the old general had retired from service, Zhong Chengxin was about to be promoted to Governor of Longjing Commandery. This renowned son of a military family had an even larger household, not only three wives and four concubines but also over twenty hidden mistresses. He also had a particular habit of 'eating grass near his nest,' meaning he seduced many wives and concubines of prominent officials and nobles in Longjing Commandery. Of course, Zhong Chengxin himself frequently hosted banquets and offered meticulously trained maidservants and beautiful concubines as gifts, calling it reciprocity.

Besides constant romantic escapades, Longjing Commandery was also rife with numerous gangs. Generally, the high-ranking officials indulged in their sophisticated pleasures, while the martial arts world at the bottom engaged in their own fights. 'Well water did not interfere with river water,' meaning they kept to themselves. However, in recent years, the trend for gangs wanting to expand was to compete over who could get closer to the government. One by one, the independent factions gradually merged into the mainstream power. Few factions insisted on remaining independent and not adapting to the situation; even if they did, they gradually lost influence and deserved to be absorbed or suppressed by other gangs. Xu Fengnian's carriage entered the commandery city, Baiba City. The city's name itself revealed how priceless the ancient inkstone in Zhong Chengxin's possession was.

Xu Fengnian knew the Yu Long Gang's situation very well. Although they had successfully completed the major business deal worth tens of thousands of taels of silver in Liuxia City, Northern Mang, the gang itself didn't receive much actual silver. The several thousand taels given by Zhou Ziru, the young master from Daoma Pass, as compensation, were all used to provide pensions for the families of gang members who died in a foreign land. To make matters worse, the Vice Leader Xiao Qiang and Chief Guest Officer Gongsun Yang had both died—an immeasurable loss. The Yu Long Gang had originally hoped to revitalize itself with this deal, but unexpectedly, the sons of military families in Lingzhou City turned their backs on the gang after the business was done, ignoring all subsequent visits from Yu Long Gang members. Fortunately, the old gang leader's granddaughter had established a connection with Liuxia City, enabling them to conduct some unique resale businesses, which barely kept the gang afloat. However, when the conflict between Liang and Mang flared up and smoke filled the air, the Yu Long Gang, which relied on border trade for its survival, was forced back to its original state. Many gang members began to defect to other factions. When one is prosperous, human relations are warm; when poor, the world naturally turns cold—no one could be blamed for this.

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The meager properties under the name of Liu, the old leader of the Yu Long Gang, were all in the southwest part of the commandery city. Originally, they owned an entire long street, but over the years, they had sold off parcels to neighbors every now and then. The neighboring properties grew larger and larger, leaving the Yu Long Gang, with only a single martial arts school remaining, squeezed awkwardly in between. Fortunately, the martial arts school, their very lifeline, still occupied a relatively large area. Moreover, the Yu Long Gang was an old gang that had weathered many storms, and many members were third-generation dependents who had relied on Old Man Liu for their livelihood; even if they wanted to disband, no one would accept them. While the Yu Long Gang's internal strength was weak, their external appearance was still passable, with a total of about two hundred members remaining. As for the number of strong, young men capable of fighting to the death for territory, that was hard to say.

The carriage stopped opposite the Yu Long Gang's martial arts school. Few gangs "holding rice bowls" (operating for profit) in the city dared to openly display banners with their gang names. In the entire Lingzhou, there were only one or two such gangs, and they all had strong backgrounds with sons of military generals. Longjing Commandery originally had a sworn enemy of the Yu Long Gang, the Honghu Gate. They displayed their banner for a few days, but it was reportedly seen by a visiting young master who found it displeasing. This "crossing-river dragon" (a powerful outsider) was incredibly formidable—the youngest grandson of General Yan Wenluan. That very day, he threw their banner into a latrine, and Honghu Gate didn't dare utter a word, nor have they re-hung their banner to this day. Before the young master swaggered off, he declared that he had only dared to beat them because he knew their master was the brother-in-law of that Zhong fellow. Afterward, Zhong Chengxin's brother-in-law went to complain but returned without success. This incident became the talk of the town among the people of Longjing Commandery.

Xu Fengnian hooked back the curtain and quietly gazed at the Yu Long Gang's main gate. Faint shouts of martial arts practice could be heard from within the compound.

Chen Xiliang asked doubtfully, "Is this the place?"

Xu Fengnian nodded and chuckled, "To be honest, I even took an unofficial, half-way apprentice in this gang. He's incredibly clumsy."

Chen Xiliang asked, "Aren't you going in to take a look?"

Xu Fengnian let down the curtain and shook his head. "Forget it. I was wearing a mask at the time, so even if I met them, they wouldn't recognize me. Let's go, Qingniao."

The carriage slowly drove out of the street, but just as it turned the corner, a large group of burly men surged into the street with great momentum, almost as if they had a sign declaring "mob fight" hanging from them. Xu Fengnian lifted the side curtain, frowned, and seeing neighbors pointing and whispering, slowly said, "Liangxi, go inquire about this."

Chen Liangxi dismounted the carriage and soon returned to the compartment, smiling. "It's an old story. There's a woman named Liu Nirong from the Yu Long Gang, and she caught the eye of the Imperial Vanguard Cavalry Commander guarding Longjing Commandery. He wanted to take her as a concubine. It seems the Yu Long Gang didn't know what was good for them and refused him. Perhaps they forgot to give the seventh-rank commander a way to save face, making the situation quite tense. So, he used his connections for an 'underworld' takeover. Your Highness, there's something I've wanted to say for a long time: the military titles in Northern Liang are truly outrageous. 'Commander' and 'Captain' are too cheap; they should be changed and streamlined. Northern Mang does this much better."

Xu Fengnian nodded. Just as he was about to lower the curtain and let the Yu Long Gang deal with their own misfortune, he caught sight of a menacing contingent of over thirty armored soldiers in the distance. Chen Liangxi glanced at them and sneered, "Heh, this Imperial Vanguard Cavalry Commander actually has some wits and tactics. It seems he deliberately wants to administer 'fair' eighty lashes to each side. But I think those who provoke trouble can certainly withstand the blows, while the Yu Long Gang certainly cannot. To be a mere seventh-rank commander, he's truly wasting his talent."

"It seems that if we truly want to rectify these martial arts sects in Northern Liang, we'll have to cut off many people's sources of income."

Xu Fengnian lowered his head, put on a realistic disguise mask, and calmly said, "Then let's go closer and watch the show."

The street, which had previously been lined with shops and vendors, was now empty. Most of the hundred or so men had stormed into the Yu Long Gang's compound, leaving only seven or eight relatively scrawny "small fries" outside to keep watch. One particularly keen-eyed, ungainly-looking skinny fellow, a "skinny monkey," spotted Qingniao. Drooling, he immediately called his friends and ran over, using the same old "three axes" of ruffians: asking a lady her name, age, and where she lived. One couldn't expect any originality from these illiterates. Seeing the delicate woman in green clothes and embroidered green shoes unmoved, they didn't immediately dare to lay hands on her. Anyone foolish enough to drive a carriage into such a den of trouble might not be someone these few Honghu Gate thugs could afford to provoke. As low-level enforcers on the docks, their horizons might not be vast, but that didn't mean they lacked their own survival skills and climbing techniques. The skinny monkey refrained from physical action, but with a powerful banner to wave, he certainly dared to run his mouth, spouting vulgarities and leering, while his comrades around him cheered him on.

Then they saw a young, white-haired man step out of the carriage with a smile, and instinctively, they all retreated a few steps.

Xu Fengnian lightly jumped down from the carriage, took the horsewhip from Qingniao's hand, twisted it, and amiably asked, "Are you brothers from the Honghu Gate?"

The skinny monkey swallowed, and feigning boldness despite his inner fear, asked, "And who are you?"

Xu Fengnian pointed the horsewhip towards the Yu Long Gang. "You could say I'm barely affiliated with this path."

Upon hearing this, the skinny monkey relaxed. With a sneer, he turned and shouted, "Come quick, we've got a 'fish that slipped through the net' from the Yu Long Gang here!"

He was clearly proud of being able to use the idiom "fish that slipped through the net," as if to say, "I can use scholarly phrases too!"

The other four men surged forward chaotically, making a total of eight, all with menacing expressions. The so-called "Jianghu" (martial arts world) at the bottom relied on numbers, hands, and clubs. Unfortunately, this time, the higher-ups had explicitly forbidden bringing weapons to the disturbance, leaving these eight "heroes" somewhat unsatisfied.

Before they could act, wailing sounds erupted from within the compound. Then, the armored spearmen, who had been waiting for a long time, swiftly moved in. The eight "Jianghu heroes" instinctively turned their heads to look, and just as they were about to turn back, they collapsed to the ground.

Xu Fengnian, accompanied by Qingniao who had barely made a move, walked towards the martial arts school, with Chen Liangxi following close behind.

As they ascended the steps, they heard a gloomy minor officer declare, "Mass brawls involving over a hundred people: principal offenders conscripted! Armed assault: crime aggravated! Entire gangs exiled to the border! Liu Xu, Liu Nirong of the Yu Long Gang, why are you not kneeling?!"

On the gravel-covered training ground, Liu Nirong, who had drawn her sword in anger, had an ashen face. In truth, only one Honghu Gate hall master had fallen by her sword; the other dozen or so had deliberately drawn their own daggers to cut their arms or thighs, then tossed the daggers away and lay on the ground, feigning heart-wrenching wails.

This was, in fact, a long-premeditated trap. It was just that when the Honghu Gate hall master moved to take down the Yu Long Gang's plaque and stomp on it, Liu Nirong, though not entirely unaware, simply could not endure such humiliation. At that moment, she gnashed her teeth, wishing she could cleave to death the minor officer who had long associated with the Honghu Gate leader.

Xiao Ling, the son of Vice Leader Xiao Qiang, held an ivory fan and appeared dashing and refined. After exchanging a subtle smile with the Honghu Gate hall master who was feigning death on the ground, he was about to take a step forward when his peripheral vision caught sight of the three strangers at the entrance. Xiao Ling instinctively pulled back his foot, ultimately refraining from stepping out. Taking that step would have meant revealing all his careful calculations.

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In Xiao Ling's line of sight, Chen Xiliang quietly scoffed, "You underestimated that Imperial Vanguard Cavalry Commander. It turns out one side gets a light ten lashes, while the other gets a heavy hundred and fifty. Your Highness, why not promote such a clever person a few ranks?"

Xu Fengnian had been keeping an eye on Xiao Ling's movements. Seeing his subtle action, he thought, 'Like father, like son.' Xiao Qiang had conspired with horse bandits to frame the Yu Long Gang, all to pave a path to success for this son. It seemed Xiao Ling hadn't let his father die in vain; he was taking matters into his own hands.

Wang Dashi, a young member of the Yu Long Gang, also saw Xu Fengnian. He didn't call out but secretly waved vigorously, signaling Xu Fengnian to quickly leave the martial arts school. It was the same principle as the night battle at Daoma Pass: as long as the government, especially local soldiers, was involved, the identity of "Young Master Xu's relative who manages the general's mansion" was utterly useless.

Xu Fengnian walked over, twisting the horsewhip, and said to the minor officer, "I have a friend named Xu, who is a military advisor in this city. I hope this military gentleman will give me some face."

A military advisor? Barely an official, with no real power. But behind the minor officer stood an Imperial Vanguard Cavalry Commander, a much higher rank, not to mention the mighty General's Residence indirectly connected to Honghu Gate. What good was a petty military advisor like you? Moreover, the minor officer, who knew Longjing Commandery inside out, had never heard of any official's son named Xu, so he certainly wouldn't take it seriously. Under normal circumstances, if such a person truly existed, a small dispute might be settled as a favor, but right now, even if ten military advisors spoke together, it would be dismissed as nonsense. The minor officer didn't dare to engage in a physical fight with skilled practitioners like Liu Xu and Liu Nirong. He was eager for someone to "walk into the spearhead" so he could establish his authority. His Liang blade remained sheathed; he merely used the scabbard to fiercely strike the man in the chest.

Qingniao delivered a kick, sending the minor officer directly flying into the inner gate of the martial arts school. Then, everyone slowly turned their heads, but they didn't see the military gentleman emerge.

Old Gang Leader Liu Xu, a formidable fighter throughout Lingzhou, felt his pupils contract and his heart seize with awe. Kicking someone to death, or kicking them several yards away, was not too difficult—even Liu Xu, a master of external martial arts, could do it. But to kick someone ten-odd yards away with skillful force without killing them? He admitted he could not.

An armored soldier thrust a spear towards Qingniao.

Qingniao raised her leg and stomped directly with the sole of her foot. In plain sight, the sharp spearhead couldn't harm her in the slightest. Instead, the long spear bent into an arc, bouncing off the stout armored soldier's chest and sending him heavily to the ground, unable to rise.

Qingniao tapped her toe, causing the spear to straighten horizontally in the air. Grasping the tail end of the spear with one hand, she flicked her wrist, and the spearhead twitched into a terrifying, perfectly round blur.

Liu Xu watched, dumbfounded.

When had such a young, top-tier master appeared in Lingzhou? And a delicate-looking woman, no less?

Xu Fengnian tilted his head and smiled, "Qingniao, take our brother Xiliang to invite Xu Juzi. Go get reinforcements."

Qingniao nodded, lightly lifted the spear, which snapped in the middle. She casually tossed it aside and, with Chen Xiliang, turned and walked out of the martial arts school.

Xu Fengnian spoke to the leaderless armored soldiers and the feigning-death Honghu Gate thugs, "Aren't you going to call for reinforcements and compare backgrounds? They say Jianghu heroes don't suffer immediate losses. Are you just going to wait to be beaten?"

With a rustle, they scattered like birds and beasts. Some of the men who had been lying on the ground, seemingly on their last breath, scrambled away with surprising vigor.

Not a single person dared to challenge the white-haired man.

Wang Dashi exclaimed joyfully, "Young Master Xu!"

Xu Fengnian walked up to Liu Xu, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Old Gang Leader Liu."

Liu Xu, a seasoned veteran who had navigated the treacherous Jianghu for half his life, was a sharp individual. While relieved, he also felt a pang of worry. He quietly said, "You must be Young Master Xu from Lingzhou City. We, the Yu Long Gang and I, will forever remember your great kindness today. However, it's not about exalting others' power and diminishing our own prestige, but the Honghu Gate clearly came prepared, and they have the backing of someone the Yu Long Gang absolutely cannot afford to provoke. I hope Young Master Xu will leave Longjing Commandery as soon as possible. I will bear the consequences alone..."

Liu Nirong sheathed her sword and said coldly, "Aren't you leaving yet? Do I have to drive you away?"

A kind-hearted woman with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly. "Liu Nirong, you and I traveled together from Lingzhou all the way to Liuxia City in Northern Mang. Do you think I'm the type of person who would 'swell his face to look fat' (pretend to be powerful when not)? If not, then please, Miss Liu, bring us some tea and fulfill your duties as a host."

Liu Nirong hesitated. Xu Fengnian sighed helplessly, "Putting everything else aside, I'm still waiting for someone."

Liu Nirong snorted coldly and turned to walk towards the main hall.

Old Gang Leader Liu had heard the detailed account of his granddaughter's trip to Northern Mang and had always held this enigmatic Young Master Xu in high regard. After some consideration, he no longer insisted.

Xu Fengnian, intentionally or unintentionally, drew closer to Xiao Ling and said softly, "Young Master Xiao, fortunately, I arrived in time. Otherwise, you would have completely fallen out with Miss Liu, whom you like. Wasn't that a close call?"

Xiao Ling frowned. "What is Young Master Xu saying? Why do I not understand?"

Xu Fengnian smiled. "Then let me put it this way: I killed your father, Xiao Qiang, and the family letter your father sent you before his death? I wrote it. Do you understand now?"

Xiao Ling was struck as if by lightning, his body trembling.

Xu Fengnian slowly said, "The letter clearly told you to live an honest and law-abiding life, so why did you take such a desperate risk? Or are you saying that since you couldn't have Liu Nirong yourself, you wanted to personally destroy her? Or perhaps you thought that one day, after the influential figures in Longjing Commandery grew tired of her, it would be your turn to have a taste?"

Xiao Ling's eyes were bloodshot.

Xu Fengnian, acting as if they were old friends, slung an arm around the dashing young man's shoulder. "You, you're just like your father, both too clever for your own good. Me? I'm not exactly a good person either, heh. It's just a pity that Liu Nirong and I are so fond of each other, which must infuriate a useless person like you, who was close to the tower but couldn't reach the moon. I hear there are many senior martial brothers in the Jianghu who were literally enraged to death when their childhood sweethearts or junior sisters grew up and became fickle. Unluckily for you, you're one of them. I'll have Little Rongrong send you a wedding invitation later."

Xiao Ling was almost driven mad by Xu Fengnian's blatant lies, and he asked, word by word, in a choked voice, "Xu, what exactly do you want to do?!"

Xu Fengnian said with an innocent expression, "We're just chatting like brothers, aren't we? Or else, why would I bother to expose you as a gang traitor with a rebellious streak in the back of your head? No outsider would believe me anyway. It's much more fun to simply infuriate you to death."

Xiao Ling sneered maliciously, "You, a white-haired fellow, how many years can you live? How many years of good fortune can you enjoy?"

Xu Fengnian said nonchalantly, "Whatever years I get, I get. Look at Liu Nirong's figure, that waist, those hips. If it were you, wouldn't you be willing to live a few years less in exchange for nightly pleasure?"

Xiao Ling finally couldn't help but curse, "You bastard!"

"Same to you."

"Just you wait, I'll have someone kill you!"

"Oh."

"Wait a little longer, and you'll meet a terrible end!"

"Alright, then I'll kill you first before I die. Are you begging me to die, or begging me not to die?"

Outsiders, unaware of the truth, thought the two young masters had just met and were getting along famously, as if regretting not meeting sooner.

In the gang, where hierarchy and rules were paramount, few were qualified to be seated; even Xiao Ling, the son of the Yu Long Gang's vice leader, didn't have such privilege. With talent within the gang dwindling—some dead, others retired from the Jianghu—only Old Gang Leader Liu and two elders were seated in the main hall. Xu Fengnian ignored Xiao Ling's quiet departure. It was Liu Nirong who personally poured the tea. As she bent to pour for Xu Fengnian, she asked fiercely, "Amusing?"

Xu Fengnian took the teacup and said calmly, "Just happened to be passing by. A word of advice: don't overestimate your looks."

The young Wang Dashi, emboldened, stood behind Xu Fengnian, beaming with a simple, silly grin.

In the mind of this young man, whose experience in the martial arts world was limited to the journey to Northern Mang, Young Master Xu was undoubtedly one of the top masters in the Jianghu—his martial arts unparalleled, his heart righteous, and he truly kept a low profile. He had even imparted to him a peerless martial art; of course, it was just that Wang Dashi's own aptitude was dull and he hadn't grasped its essence, for which Young Master Xu couldn't be blamed.

Liu Nirong, with her gracefully alluring beautiful legs, her face as cold as frost, turned and left, taking her place behind Old Gang Leader Liu.

Xu Fengnian took a sip of tea and looked up, asking, "Why doesn't the Yu Long Gang display its banner?"

Old Gang Leader Liu and the two elders exchanged bitter smiles. So, he was just a novice in the Jianghu, a greenhorn who probably dared to swagger around only because he came from a good family and had an expert bodyguard. Old Gang Leader Liu sighed internally. Had he known, even if it meant losing all face, he shouldn't have let this Young Master Xu enter the main hall and stir up trouble. He then became somewhat puzzled. That journey to Northern Mang had been so arduous and perilous; according to his granddaughter Nirong's account, this Young Master Xu had appeared very experienced and cunning, handling many matters with almost ruthless severity. How could he become so young and unfamiliar after his hair turned white? Had his granddaughter been mistaken?

Hide repliesWhy are my eyes full of tears? Because it's my first time in the front row.I'll also take a front row spot.Squeezing in!Angry interjection!This is truly excellent! --- From the "Shoot-you-in-the-face-so-good" client.Is this considered front row?There's another section, right?Newbie showing up.There are 12 more replies.

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