Chapter 383: Picking Up the Knife to Tear the Face

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Tang Ziyi raised his Liangdao blade, and the armored soldiers behind him advanced, raising their spears. Tang Ziyi smirked as he looked at the motley crew. In Longjing County, there was nothing he, the Commander of the Yiwei Cavalry, dared not do. Especially after he had painstakingly acquired the "Hundred-Eight Dragon Painting Inkstone" for Zhong Chengxin, it was as if he had obtained a death-exemption token. This life-saving talisman, granted by the Zhong family, was far more effective than any charm drawn by a Wudang Daoist Master. Commanders in various counties traditionally used local gangs as stepping stones for military achievements. Far from border conflicts, it was utterly unrealistic to expect rapid promotion without getting blood on one's hands.

Of course, Tang Ziyi's brutal attack on the Fish-Dragon Gang was not solely because of Liu Nirong. The gang's one hundred-plus young, able-bodied men, who had illegally engaged in rebellious acts, represented a significant military achievement that would surely make Zhong Chengxin, the next Prefect of Longjing, beam with joy. Since that military adjutant of unknown origin had stumbled into trouble himself, Tang Ziyi didn't mind killing one more person. As long as General Zhong, the "pillar of strength," remained in Longjing County, not to mention Longjing, even Liangzhou wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

What Xu Beizhi was concerned about were the deeply entrenched marital alliances and collusions behind Tang Ziyi. On his way to Longjing County, he already had a detailed genealogy of the county. Commander Tang Ziyi, in his eyes, was merely a small fry, not worth mobilizing such a large force for. What Xu Beizhi wanted to bring to light were the current and former Prefects of Longjing County, whose job it was to put the fish on the chopping board. As for how to cook them—steamed or braised—someone else would naturally decide. At this moment, he was more concerned with the elite quality of the local armored soldiers, which would directly determine the fighting strength of the Northern Liang Iron Cavalry. With over two hundred thousand iron cavalry at the border, if they were to retreat, how long could the narrow Northern Liang, squeezed between two forces, possibly hold out?

Chen Xiliang, standing behind Xu Beizhi, lowered his head in silent contemplation, gently tapping his fingers together. This scholar's approach was completely different from Xu Beizhi's. While Xu Beizhi traced issues upwards, Chen Xiliang deduced them downwards. The common people of Northern Liang were categorized into five classes based on the size and fertility of their land. How much resentment had accumulated over the past two decades among those barely surviving under oppressive figures like Commander Tang Ziyi, such as the Fish-Dragon Gang? It was well known that Northern Liang was sustained by Xu Xiao, "the Butcher," alone—supporting thirty thousand mighty iron cavalry and a million impoverished Northern Liang households. If this northwestern gateway of the empire was destined for a change of dynasty, what different benefits could the second King of Northern Liang bring to the common people?

Tang Ziyi naturally had no idea that the two scholars didn't even consider him worth their attention. With a slight flick of his Northern Liang blade, he said in a deep voice, "Take them all down! Those who resist will be executed!"

Xu Fengnian looked up at the sky. A black speck grew increasingly visible, piercing through the clouds and plummeting straight down. The Azure-White Luan, the most magnificent of feathered birds, hooked its talons onto Xu Fengnian's arm, its snowy white wings flapping. Its eyes turned towards the crowd, exceptionally sharp and cold. Although Xu Fengnian's cultivation had declined significantly, he hadn't fallen to the point where he couldn't properly hold a bird on his arm. He reached out and stroked the head of the Azure-White Luan, nicknamed "Little White." Little White lowered its head and pecked at the horsewhip in its master's hand, appearing affectionate and docile.

Training falcons and hawks was not difficult for young masters from wealthy families. However, just as there was a vast difference in the quality of horses, the same applied to birds of prey. Tang Ziyi, being from a traditional aristocratic family and a descendant of military generals, had good eyesight. He was immediately suspicious, but an arrow, once shot, couldn't be easily recalled without reason. Just as he was wondering whether to spare the military adjutant's life for now, the entire street behind him seemed to explode with sound, like massive millstones rolling endlessly. This startled Tang Ziyi. Such a sound was not unfamiliar to a Commander who had served at the border; five hundred or more Youzhou Iron Cavalry galloping through a city possessed such overwhelming power.

If Tang Ziyi was so wary, let alone the county and district soldiers behind him, most of whom had never seen battle at the border. Without their Commander's explicit order, they instinctively turned their heads to look. The Northern Liang army's discipline was absolute; their movements didn't stop, but they slowed down considerably.

Wang Zhi, an unknown figure in the Northern Liang army, strode into the Fish-Dragon Gang martial arts school, clad in armor and bearing a saber. This valiant general, who had once led three thousand cavalry to intercept and kill Han Diaosi outside Sword Pavilion, did not receive the expected rapid promotion after his great achievement. Instead, he had a conversation with the Grand General. His elite troops were reduced to a mere thousand men, and he received no substantial general's title, yet he was as delighted as a child. Moreover, after personally confronting Han Diaosi, the tenth greatest master in the world, his entire demeanor had transformed, becoming more composed, like a blade sheathed and honing its edge—less rough, more refined. He was probably not far from being able to contend with Grand General Zhong Hongwu. The moment he entered the martial arts school, everyone except Xu Fengnian, who had the bird perched on his arm, immediately lost their arrogance. Even Tang Ziyi quickly sheathed his blade, dismounted, cupped his hands, and respectfully said, "Your humble subordinate Tang Ziyi greets General Wang!"

Wang Zhi only glanced at Xu Beizhi, intentionally or unintentionally. After their eyes met, his gaze subtly shifted away. The older figures like Old Master Liu, who had spent most of their lives navigating the jianghu, felt a shiver. This military general, in every aspect, was incomparable to Tang Ziyi.

The jianghu forces in Northern Liang had always been scattered and failed to coalesce into a significant power. This wasn't because Northern Liang's men weren't brave enough or lacked the ability to unite; it was truly because Northern Liang's "tiger-wolf" army was simply too fierce and skilled in battle. Wang Zhi didn't recognize Xu Fengnian, who currently had white hair, held a whip, and wore a mask. Nor did he recognize the humble scholar Chen Xiliang. He only knew Xu Beizhi, because, in the Butcher's words, even if he, his deputy Hong Shuwen, and the entire thousand cavalry were to die, this scholar was not permitted to die. Before leaving Liangzhou, the Butcher had promised that within three years, if no mistakes were made, Wang Zhi would secure a position as one of the four deputy commanders of the Northern Liang cavalry!

It was imaginable how crucial this military adjutant, Xu Beizhi, was to Northern Liang as a whole. If he hadn't known Xu Beizhi's astonishing true identity, Wang Zhi would have almost thought the young man was the Grand General's illegitimate son. "Damn it, dare to kill Xu Beizhi, who is tied to my future? Forget about you, a mere commander; even if the obsolete Zhong Hongwu personally drew his blade, I, Wang Zhi, would dare to fight you!"

After leaving the Phoenix Battalion, Hong Shuwen's career took off dramatically. In the Battle of Iron Gate Pass, he used his twin blades to kill six Imperial Guards and one Golden Blade Guard. Although two of these kills were "stolen" (picking off already weakened enemies), surviving a rapid close-quarters engagement was always a skill, and "stealing kills" even more so. "Fierce Hong's" brilliant achievements almost overshadowed Commander Yuan Meng's reputation, making him arguably the most outstanding warrior among those below the top masters. Besides Hong Shuwen, more than forty Phoenix Battalion light cavalry had infiltrated other military units, all becoming first-rate officers like commanders who had crossed the initial threshold. These individuals, like Hong Shuwen at the time, were promoted extremely quickly, but their reputations remained relatively obscure. Their past as "White Horse Righteous Riders" was even quietly concealed.

Hong Shuwen, with twin blades at his waist, followed General Wang Zhi, looking as listless and sleepy as ever, like a dozing tiger.

Wang Zhi didn't hesitate, scoffing, "Sheathe your blade!"

Being forced to remove one's blade in the Northern Liang army was undoubtedly a great humiliation, equivalent to a civil official in the imperial court being stripped of his official hat.

Tang Ziyi's face was grim. He slowly removed his saber. Although he greatly feared this outsider general whose origins and resume were a mystery, he still gritted his teeth as he removed his blade and asked, "Your humble subordinate dares to ask, General, why must we remove our blades?!"

Wang Zhi said coldly, "Don't waste my time with nonsense. If I tell you to remove your blade, then remove it. Not convinced? Go complain to your patron if you've got the guts. If you can bring reinforcements to make me retract my order, then that'll be your skill. From then on, if Wang Zhi ever sees you again, I'll avoid you by a whole street, go around you! Heh, I might as well tell you the truth: I've long found you, this corrupt Commander who lines his own pockets, an eyesore. Your daily gains are equivalent to half a year of my salary, and I wonder how many people you've bribed? Today, I'm taking your blade! Xu Beizhi is my family brother. These days, you turtle-sons have been ostracizing him badly. Don't think the military adjutant isn't an official; tomorrow, he'll replace you as that Commander. Anyway, you're riddled with flaws; anyone would be more legitimate than you as Commander. Remove your blade, and take your rabble with you and get out immediately!"

Tang Ziyi was enraged beyond words. This outsider's greed was so ugly; he wasn't content with just a share, but wanted to completely strip everything away and monopolize it all! A sneer of anger appeared on Tang Ziyi's face. "If you act on the first day of the month, don't blame me, Tang, for retaliating on the fifteenth!" Tang Ziyi removed his blade and threw it on the ground. When he threw it, all the armored soldiers in the martial arts school also dropped their Northern Liang blades and spears, their faces openly showing indignation and anger. A higher rank could crush a lower one. Against a gang like the Fish-Dragon Gang, which had no powerful backing, they could act recklessly. But against a general with a thousand cavalry, they had no guts. When powerful figures clashed, smoke and fire filled the air; naturally, the powerful figures above would use their secret tactics and ultimate trump cards against each other. It wasn't their turn to die. They truly didn't believe that Commander Tang would fall in his own territory. This Commander of the Yiwei Cavalry was a prominent figure who often visited the Zhong residence. In Longjing County, your status was determined by whether you had received beautiful maidservants from the Zhong family's eldest son. Your rank was simply calculated by the number of beautiful maidservants you had received. Commander Tang had two concubines at home, both charming women trained by the Zhong residence.

Enduring such humiliation, Tang Ziyi couldn't care less who was behind Wang Zhi. There were countless decorated generals in the Northern Liang army, but how many could compare to Zhong Hongwu, the commander of the cavalry? Yan Wenluan was one, but that old general's foundation was entirely in Youzhou. If Wang Zhi had the ability to hitch a ride on that grand ship, why would he come to Longjing County to live under someone else's roof? After formally removing his blade, Tang Ziyi cupped his hands and prepared to leave. He looked up, gave a sinister smile, and said softly, "General Wang, acting so disregardful of Northern Liang military law, aren't you afraid of immediate retribution?"

Wang Zhi, like a reckless fool ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, grinned and said, "Get out quickly! I'm not like you, who loves wagging his tail for others. I earned my military merits little by little. I never believe in 'connections' or 'backgrounds'; I only believe in the Northern Liang blade in my hand! That old bird Zhong Hongwu is no longer the Huaihua Grand General. An old bird without feathers is uselessly flapping around!"

Tang Ziyi's mood suddenly brightened. He didn't utter any harsh words but merely brushed past him.

Old Master Liu felt a deep sense of empathy. Everyone said that in the jianghu, "black eats black" was bloody. But this kind of "black eats black" in official circles, though bloodless, was far more vicious and shameless. It was truly an eye-opener. However, since this general was supporting them, even if disaster struck the Fish-Dragon Gang, they now had a crucial period of buffer time. The "Tiger-Gate" gang, emboldened by borrowed prestige, was destined not to cause further trouble. This was enough time for him to evacuate some gang members—as many as could escape. Since Northern Liang was unstable, temporarily fleeing Northern Liang Road was also an option. Leaving one's hometown was better than being inexplicably exiled to the perilous border, where death was almost certain. Old Master Liu let out a long breath, forced a smile, and was about to respectfully invite the imposing general into the hall for tea. Wang Zhi didn't refuse. With a wave of his hand, the five hundred cavalry he brought scattered to guard the Fish-Dragon Gang's compound. Only Old Master Liu and his granddaughter Liu Nirong remained in the main hall. The other trusted subordinates went to arrange their escape, praying that the county city had not yet reached the dangerous state of being locked down and under martial law.

Wang Zhi took a commanding seat and drained a cup of tea in one gulp. Hong Shuwen had intended to stand beside Xu Fengnian, but Xu Fengnian gestured for him to sit down with a press of his hand. So, "Fierce Hong" leisurely began drinking his tea. He was an unrefined barbarian who chewed the tea leaves along with the brew.

Seeing Wang Dashi still foolishly standing beside Xu Fengnian, Liu Nirong approached and softly scolded him, "Aren't you leaving yet? Do you have a death wish?"

Over the past year, Wang Dashi's treatment in the Fish-Dragon Gang had improved, with stewed meat and rice. He had grown very quickly and was finally no longer shorter than Liu Nirong, roughly matching her height. However, years of accumulated inferiority and shyness still made the increasingly robust teenager habitually blush. Trembling, he bravely said, "Miss, I have some martial skills. I'm not afraid of death."

Liu Nirong didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What can your meager skills accomplish? Don't act on impulse. No one is as reckless with their life as you are. Hurry, leave!"

At her glare, Wang Dashi was completely flustered. He wasn't someone who could brazenly utter bold words. The boy's face turned red with anxiety, and he could only look pleadingly at Young Master Xu, his great benefactor, who was watching with an amused smile. In the innocent boy's mind, only Young Master Xu in the whole world could reason with and persuade Miss. And only a chivalrous hero as outstanding in both scholarly and martial arts as Young Master Xu was worthy of Miss. The boy didn't hope to perform any heroic act of saving the damsel in distress. He simply believed that sharing adversity was the only way to make their time together in the jianghu worthwhile.

Xu Fengnian stroked the Azure-White Luan's feathers with one hand and smoothed things over, saying, "It's fine. It won't matter if Dashi stays."

Liu Nirong shook her head, "No way!"

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Xu Fengnian chuckled in exasperation, "Can you make decisions here? If you truly could, the Fish-Dragon Gang would be on its own, clashing head-on with the Commander of the Yiwei Cavalry and the upcoming Prefect of Longjing County."

Liu Nirong's chest heaved dramatically, rising and falling like hills and mountains, a beautiful sight. Fortunately, Xu Fengnian had matters on his mind and didn't take advantage of the situation; otherwise, an internal conflict might have broken out first.

Subsequently, a scholarly-dressed aide from the Zhong residence arrived as a mediator. His official rank wasn't high, merely a mid-level official of the seventh rank in Longjing County, but he held the honorary title of Xuan Delang. He put on a grand air and showed no fear towards Wang Zhi, adopting a condescending manner. His words were nothing more than a reminder to Wang Zhi to show respect, to not overstep his boundaries, and to remember who truly held authority there. Wang Zhi grew impatient listening to him and immediately ordered his armored soldiers to seize the man and give him a severe beating. This effectively meant he had completely severed ties with both the military and political factions of Longjing County. Xu Beizhi sat beside Xu Fengnian, observing coolly. He took a sip of tea and sighed softly, "These matters should have waited another year or two."

Xu Fengnian shook his head. "We lack time. Some stubborn ailments just need a radical treatment; they don't necessarily require slow healing."

"Can't you let me be a military adjutant for a few more days? Must you become a prefect, placed in a perilous position, so soon?"

"The capable take on more work."

"Next, the Longjing County troops will pour in. Are we truly going to fight a full-scale battle? The Huaihua Grand General has eight hundred personal guards according to military law; he is the real authority."

"My only fear is that these eight hundred elites won't come."

Liu Nirong listened to their riddle-like conversation, completely lost and simply chose not to dwell on it. As for talk of prefects and generals? Her mind was elsewhere, and she paid no attention.

Including Tang Ziyi's troops, a total of over a thousand county soldiers surrounded the Fish-Dragon Gang martial arts school.

A young master in luxurious clothes, holding a Zisha teapot, gracefully walked into the martial arts school with just a few trusted subordinates. If not for his somewhat frivolous gait, he might truly have possessed the charm of a national talent that ordinary scholars would applaud. Before he could utter any sagely words, he was seized and bound with ropes. The young master babbled nonsense like "I am Zhong Chengxin, I am the Zhong family's eldest legitimate son." He didn't even notice the renowned teapot, worth a hundred taels of silver, shattering on the ground.

There was an uproar inside and outside the Fish-Dragon Gang.

Then wait.Hoofbeats finally resounded again, far more numerous and distinct than the scattered footsteps of the county soldiers. A robust old general, a veteran still eager to serve, entered the hall with a spear in hand. His head was full of white hair, and he roared, "Which brat dares to cause trouble in my territory?!"

Xu Fengnian put down his horsewhip, waved off the Azure-White Luan, and slowly stood up. He smiled, placed his fingers near his temple, and slowly peeled away the skin mask. "My surname is Xu, as in Xu Xiao. My given name is Fengnian."

(Collapse Replies)Reply xia815811980: HereAlthough it's a fake first [comment]Reply xia815811980: HereIs that all?Squeeze in.Can't bear it, will wait until there are more chapters to read. ╯＾╰(19 more replies)

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