Chapter 454: Temple Not Yet in Chaos, Jianghu in Turmoil

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He Xinliang

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He Xinliang

Fenghuo Xizhuhou

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On the post road, a peculiar group of travelers appeared. Eight individuals carried a seating contraption that was neither a bed nor a couch, resembling the eight-pole palanquin once favored by the Southern Tang imperial family. It was covered with a spacious gauze canopy, through which the graceful figure of a woman, about shoulder height, was faintly visible. She was a captivating and enchanting beauty, judging by her physique alone. Ahead of the palanquin walked a beautiful ceremonial official dressed in teal, holding an ivory-white *hu*, a ceremonial tablet. A golden silk fish, a token of the old Southern Tang dynasty, hung from their waist. Although they seemed to walk slowly, they moved with a swift, gliding step. The eight servants carrying the palanquin were exceptionally robust, moving at an incredible pace, and despite the deep winter, they were bare-chested. Their rugged appearance provided a striking contrast to the young, delicate teal-clad official. Beside the eight-pole palanquin walked a middle-aged swordsman wearing a black gauze cap with upturned corners, his thick beard bushy enough to hang a horn bow from.

To travel so ostentatiously on a government post road, they must have been high-ranking officials or nobles. If they were martial artists, it would be extraordinary. The current state of the *jianghu*, with its so-called "warlords," was nothing compared to the Spring and Autumn period, when martial artists abused their power and defied prohibitions, and a common man's anger could lead to bloodshed among the powerful. Even Longhu Mountain, the foremost martial sect bearing the same surname as the Emperor, with its "feather-robed ministers" in the wilderness and "azure-word chancellors" at court, responding to each other from north and south, did not dare to openly flaunt its favor.

This peculiar group drew many curious glances along the post road, including from a pair of recently acquainted young wanderers traveling together on horseback. The elder of the two, astride an inferior horse, reined in to the side of the road to make way. With an envious look, he whispered to his companion, "Look, they must be influential guests, just like us, heading to Quick Snow Villa for the martial arts convention. If I'm not mistaken, they should be from Dragon Palace, the foremost power in the old Southern Tang era. Only they would dare to travel with such an extravagant and defiant display. There's no stopping them; the Palace Mistress of Dragon Palace is the wet nurse of Yan Chiwang's young illegitimate son. With such a powerful feudal lord backing them—one of the most influential in the dynasty—not to mention local officials, even the military governor who commands the tiger tally on the Southern Tang road wouldn't dare say much to them. I hear this generation of Dragon Palace has produced an exceptionally talented wonder woman. Heh, if she happened to take a liking to me, my life, Huang Quan's life, would be worth it! Never mind her, any fairy from Dragon Palace would do!"

Huang Quan's companion was a young, white-haired nobody. Huang Quan, though poor, was not particularly generous. This year, he hadn't managed to earn much, and his life was particularly impoverished and down on his luck. Earlier, in a small town, he encountered this young man drinking alone. After shamelessly freeloading a drink, they found their conversation quite engaging. The man, who called himself Xu Qi, was perhaps a novice fresh out of the *jianghu*. Hearing that Quick Snow Villa was hosting a martial arts convention, he pleaded with the "senior" Huang Quan to take him along. Along the way, Huang Quan had no worries about food or drink and even had the good fortune to stay in the most expensive "A-class" rooms of luxurious inns several times. This made him see Xu Qi in a new light—or more precisely, his wallet. Deep down, Huang Quan mostly regarded this generous fellow as a gullible rich mark, and he was happy to portray himself as an experienced *jianghu* veteran, regaling Xu Qi with various hearsay stories and rumors from the martial world.

At this point, seeing Xu Qi's bewildered expression after hearing the names "Dragon Palace" and "Yan Chiwang," Huang Quan's opinion that the young man was a naive newcomer was further confirmed. He took down the wineskin from his waist—the contents of which were purchased with Xu Qi's money—took a big gulp, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and chuckled, "You haven't even heard of Dragon Palace? Well, old brother here will have to tell you about it then. In our Liyang martial arts world, not counting the incredibly powerful and independent sects like Longhu Mountain, Wu Family Sword Mound, and Two Zen Temples—they're too far removed from the *jianghu*—the truly first-rate martial arts peaks are still the East Yue Sword Pool, Xuanyuan Family's Mount Gu Niu, Yanbao on the Jizhou border, and West Shu's Spring Post Cottage. Following them are eight or nine other sects, including Dragon Palace, and Quick Snow Villa is certainly among them. As for third-rate sects and gangs, most of them are highly influential figures within a single prefecture. Though called 'third-rate,' it doesn't sound great, but you mustn't underestimate them; they usually have one or two minor Grandmasters serving as their steadfast pillars. As for fourth-rate and even lower, there's no need to elaborate. Brother, I was once highly regarded by an important figure from Chengxin Tower, one of the top sects in the prefecture. Seeing my exceptional bone structure, I originally had a chance to become a direct disciple. Unfortunately, it was snatched away by some pampered young master who decided to take up martial arts on a whim. That brat wasn't genuinely interested in martial arts at all; he was useless, just causing trouble for a few senior and junior sisters, and hardly ever showed his face in the sect all year round. Truly hateful!"

Xu Qi, or rather Xu Fengnian, looked up and saw the eight-pole palanquin moving away like a wild goose treading on snow.

After leaving Shangyin Academy, Xu Fengnian did not accompany Wang Jijiu. However, with Yuan Zuozong openly and Chu Lushan secretly protecting him, there should be no mishaps. Unless unexpected circumstances arose, this was likely his last leisure trip through the *jianghu*. Xu Fengnian wanted to return to Beiliang alone, not even bringing the loyal guard Wu. This made the young man quite melancholic at their departure.

According to Huang Quan, the *jianghu* had finally been stirred up and was no longer stagnant. This was because the East Yue Sword Pool, a first-rate sect with a transcendent status, took the lead, with West Shu's Spring Post Cottage echoing their call, and Quick Snow Villa hosting. They planned to elect a widely respected figure to sit on the martial alliance leader's throne, which had been vacant for decades. The resurgence of the Demonic Cult, with its disciples surfacing one after another, as well as the journey of the Mad Monk eastward, had already begun to show signs of grand waves sweeping across the entire *jianghu*.

Xu Fengnian did not dwell on these surface ripples. What he pondered was whether the East Yue Sword Pool and Spring Post Cottage had received imperial instructions to emulate Beiliang in rectifying *jianghu* forces. For years, the East Yue Sword Pool had been the imperial court's "dog-beating stick," striking down anyone who dared to defy. After Chen Zhibao entered Shu, Spring Post Cottage's subtle flirtations with the court became less hidden. Now that Chen Zhibao was the Minister of War and his ennoblement as a king was imminent within two years, their restless stirring was entirely understandable.

While Xu Fengnian's thoughts wandered far, the Dragon Palace ceremonial official holding the *hu* turned back and approached him. Her steps were light and left no trace, a sight that would inspire caution and fear in the eyes of ordinary *jianghu* figures. When traveling the *jianghu*, one generally avoided provoking old monks, old Taoists, and old nuns. Furthermore, a woman of such striking beauty, daring to enter the *jianghu*, especially those solitary female martial artists, would undoubtedly possess peculiar and formidable martial arts.

The graceful and charming woman held the plain white ivory *hu* with both hands and bowed to Xu Fengnian. Her bow was not the full "ten thousand blessings" gesture of aristocratic or humble women but rather suited her attire as a ceremonial official, resembling how imperial officials greeted each other. When she looked up, her lips curled slightly, and her captivating eyes flowed towards Xu Fengnian, who was on horseback. Her voice was pleasing to the ear: "My mistress invites Young Master to come to the palanquin for a discussion."

Huang Quan opened his mouth in surprise, a pang of jealousy striking him, and his mood instantly turned somewhat sullen.

For a *jianghu* youth without family background to marry into a powerful clan or grand sect, win a beauty, and gain countless secret martial arts manuals was mostly not considered shameful but rather a great blessing. The "Drunken Sword" Zhao Hongdan's marriage into Caishiji, like a rootless duckweed planted in fertile soil, with his swordsmanship progressing a thousand miles a day, was an excellent example.

Xu Fengnian did not hesitate. He dismounted, leading his horse. Huang Quan, who usually tried to tag along for a free ride, hoped to similarly benefit from this situation, but unexpectedly, the elegant ceremonial official stepped sideways and shook her head. This made Huang Quan, who had just dismounted, wish he could dig a hole and disappear. Fortunately, Xu Qi (who had just had this unexpectedly fortunate encounter) did not turn his head, and the charming teal-clad beauty showed no hint of mockery as she turned to lead the way.

The eight-pole palanquin quietly stopped by the roadside. The teal-clad ceremonial official crouched before it, extended a hand, and looked up, gesturing with her eyes for Xu Fengnian to step onto her bare hand. She would then use her palm to help him into the palanquin. Xu Fengnian smiled and shook his head, instead handing her the horse's reins and asking, "My shoe soles are a bit dirty. Won't they soil your mistress's canopy? Is that alright?"

The beautiful ceremonial official, holding the horse with one hand and the *hu* with the other, smiled gently, "No matter, Young Master. After you enter the canopy, your servant will help you remove your boots."

The bearded swordsman frowned, gripping his horizontal blade, glaring fiercely at Xu Fengnian.

Xu Fengnian faced the gauze canopy, cupped his hands, and said, "Xu Qi apologizes for disturbing the Immortal Lady."

Then, with a light step, he slipped into the gauze canopy. The woman was of average height, in her thirties, with a dignified countenance. Even kneeling, her long legs were faintly discernible, and the round curve of her hips, pressed by her kneeling posture, was particularly alluring. Only experienced connoisseurs would truly appreciate the unique beauty of a woman's figure.

Upon seeing Xu Fengnian enter the canopy, the woman gave a graceful and faint smile. She quietly added a piece of incense to a celadon glaze porcelain censer beside her, whose glaze was thick and lustrous like jade. Xu Fengnian did not trouble the ceremonial official to remove his boots; he took them off himself. The official had already put away her white *hu*, handed Xu Fengnian's mount to the bearded swordsman, and then received the stranger's boots with both hands, without a trace of anything unusual on her pretty face.

The censer diffused a faint fragrance, originally used to perfume clothes and ward off impurities. Xu Fengnian unhooked the canopy, letting the gauze fall, and sat cross-legged facing the Dragon Palace Immortal Lady. She remained silent. From the corner of his eye, Xu Fengnian noticed the censer's antique charm, but its peculiarity lay elsewhere: its porcelain surface was adorned with images of swordsmen in battle. As the incense mist diffused, the porcelain surface seemed to flow like lake water, creating a vivid depiction of sword-wielding heroes in action. This censer was subtly a high-grade sword manual. Xu Fengnian smiled knowingly. It was rumored in the *jianghu* that Dragon Palace monopolized the best resources and treasures, was as wealthy as a nation, and was once a major parasitic entity in the old Southern Tang. These rumors were indeed not unfounded.

The woman, whose marital status was unknown, asked with a smile, "Does Young Master also practice swordsmanship?"

Xu Fengnian nodded and said, "You could say I have. May I ask why the Immortal Lady invited me into the palanquin?"

The woman gazed at Xu Fengnian and calmly said, "Does Young Master know that the Dragon Palace's first patriarch once left behind a prophecy?"

Xu Fengnian smiled, "My knowledge is shallow; I do not."

The woman did not mind and said, "It is easy to draw a tiger's skin, but difficult to draw its bones; it is easy to know a person's face, but not their heart. Our Dragon Palace has always been renowned for its mastery of painting tigers and dragons, and also for its ability to discern a person's underlying potential."

Xu Fengnian bluffed, "When I was little, a fortune teller told me that I'd either become a great hero or be killed by one. So, I guess my bone structure must be pretty good. Can the Immortal Lady discern it from such a distance? Then you, Dragon Palace Immortal Lady, truly possess divine abilities!"

The woman was clearly unaccustomed to worldly ways and vulgar language, unsure how to respond. For a moment, besides the wisps of incense smoke, the silence was so profound that a falling needle could be heard.

Reader Group: 1681655.

Collapse Replies: "Too long." (2013-11-22 03:25) Reply to Yiqu__Lishang: "Didn't read." (2013-11-22 03:25) "Holy crap, will I be temporarily banned?" (2013-11-22 03:26) "I am going to be!" (2013-11-22 03:26) "Young man, stop fantasizing! I'm the only one replying in this whole forum. If you don't believe me, I'll switch accounts and post the same thing for you to see!" (2013-11-22 03:26) "Too long; didn't read." (2013-11-22 03:26) Reply to Yiqu__Lishang: "Interrupted." (2013-11-22 03:26)

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