Chapter 485: Dog Paddling in the Martial World

The crew of the colorful boat were quick-witted. After Lin Hongyuan revealed her Dragon Palace identity, they immediately invited her to an elegant cabin on the second floor. Zhao Zhu's eyes lit up upon entering. A woman was seated on a large green banana leaf, holding a small konghou with goose-neck pegs. Her left hand supported the instrument, while her right rested on the strings. Her eyes were moist. The woman was not strikingly beautiful, but slender and gracefully delicate, inspiring pity.

The konghou likely originated in the Western Regions, flourished during the Southern Tang Dynasty, and declined in Liyang. This was because a certain noblewoman in the current court did not wish its sound to spread, and renowned scholars and literati further fueled its discreditation, claiming its decadent music could ruin the nation. Thus, it was gradually overshadowed by the similar guzheng. The wife of Ye Baikui, the foremost general of the Spring and Autumn period, was renowned for her mastery of the konghou. Zhao Zhu quickly approached the woman on the banana leaf, squatted down, and motioned for the slender woman to play. He closed his eyes and listened intently. As the woman's fingers moved, the music became tender and poignant, captivating Zhao Zhu. Xu Fengnian looked at Zhao Zhu with newfound respect. As Lin Hongyuan dismissed the maids and personally poured tea, she quietly explained, "Our Highness is well-versed in music; he is an expert in zithers, flutes, drums, and the konghou."

An ill-timed knock came from outside. Lin Hongyuan rose and opened the door. A second-tier steward from KuaiXue Villa, suppressing his excitement, spoke in as calm a tone as possible: "Reporting to the Dragon Palace Immortal Lady, we have just received news that Xuanyuan Qingfeng, the mistress of Huishan, has put up a life-or-death challenge on the main arena. Anyone who can withstand ten moves from her may choose three secret manuals from Huishan's treasured collection. If anyone can defeat her, Huishan will acknowledge them as their master. The Huishan mistress also declared that if no one accepts the challenge today, or if no one can knock her off the platform, then the title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader will fall into the hands of the Xuanyuan family. However, if anyone steps onto the platform today, she will show no mercy whatsoever. Emotions are already running high, and everyone is waiting for our Villa Master to open the arena."

Lin Hongyuan nodded. The steward, with lowered gaze, turned and hurried away, thinking that the purple-clad woman was truly a distinguished guest of the villa. Her ambition to challenge the martial arts world single-handedly, regardless of the outcome, was a huge spectacle, beneficial to KuaiXue Villa with no downsides.

Over twenty large ships gradually dropped anchor and stopped, encircling a large square arena on the lake. Colorful flags fluttered. Among the massive vessels, hundreds of slightly shabbier black-canopied small boats were intermingled, representing all walks of life and creating an imposing atmosphere. The martial arts world was full of hidden masters, and the jianghu was vast and turbulent.

Xu Fengnian, Zhao Zhu, and Lin Hongyuan all moved to the second-floor bow. Compared to the crowded first floor, the second floor was much emptier. Several pompous jianghu heroes had even ostentatiously brought chairs. They scrutinized the trio, but likely concluded that apart from Lin Hongyuan, who held a jade tablet and had some elegance, the other two did not seem to be significant figures, and thus paid them no mind. Zhao Zhu rubbed his somewhat reddened nose and whispered, "I was originally hoping that little beauty playing the konghou would turn out to be an assassin. On this trip through jianghu, apart from being a laborer for the young mistress Lin without a single coin's wage, I haven't seen any grand spectacles. Then I look at your several heart-pounding adventures; it's enough to make one die of envy."

On the arena, a figure in purple stood imperiously in the center, truly exuding an air of unparalleled grace. It was destined that countless jianghu elites would find this scene unforgettable in the years to come.

Xu Fengnian withdrew his gaze and scoffed, "Are those numerous pyramids of enemy heads you built in Southern Xinjiang just for show?"

Zhao Zhu chuckled foolishly, "A true hero doesn't boast of past glories. I haven't caused much trouble this year. Mr. Nalan put it well: one must be kind to others, truly, be kind to others."

Xu Fengnian simply smiled.

Zhao Zhu suddenly embraced Xu Fengnian in a bear hug, patting his back vigorously. "Brother, I'm heading back now. Seeing you was enough. If I don't hurry back, Mr. Nalan will start lecturing me again with his grand principles. If he sets his mind to it, he can talk for hours without even taking a sip of tea. I fear nothing under heaven, except his 'foot-binding cloth' sermons."

Xu Fengnian paused, then asked, "Aren't you going to watch the Huishan mistress dominate the arena?"

Zhao Zhu released him and shook his head, "What does it matter to become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader? What does it matter to become the strongest under heaven? It's meaningless."

Xu Fengnian escorted Zhao Zhu and Lin Hongyuan to the stern of the first deck. The colorful boat remained tethered to the black-canopied small boat. Before departing, Zhao Zhu pulled a copper coin from his money pouch and pressed it into Xu Fengnian's hand, a bright smile on his face. "I, Zhao Zhu, am a minor imperial descendant, and in this life, you are the only one I've befriended and known while we were both without much. Whether you remember our old friendship or not, Zhao Zhu will never forget. No matter if this world becomes good or bad in the future, as long as you are willing to come to my side, as long as I, Zhao Zhu, have a meal to eat, you, Xu Fengnian, will never go hungry. Everything is fine, except for my wife and son, I cannot give them to you."

Xu Fengnian clutched the copper coin, remaining silent.

Lin Hongyuan softly apologized to Xu Fengnian, "Prince, that 'Rubbing Stele Finger Profundity' technique will likely be sent to Beiliang a little later. Please forgive the delay."

Xu Fengnian smiled and nodded. He didn't feel much aversion towards this calculating woman, and because of Zhao Zhu, he didn't mind giving her an easy out. Among the dynasty's major vassal kings, King Jiaodong, Zhao Sui, controlled Liangliao, but his proximity to Tai'an City meant he couldn't claim to be beyond the emperor's reach. In truth, only Xu Xiao and King Yan Chi, Zhao Bing, were truly independent lords of their territories. If Zhao Zhu were not Zhao Bing's legitimate eldest son, his subtly profound heartfelt words might have seemed presumptuous. Zhao Zhu had matured far earlier than Xu Fengnian. As long as he achieved military merit in the tumultuous restoration of Western Chu, the emergence of a third hereditary peer in the Liyang Dynasty would be fully justified.

Xu Fengnian waited for Zhao Zhu to jump into the small boat, then grabbed the punting pole and chuckled, "Little beggar, if rituals and music collapse again, come to Beiliang. I guarantee you won't become an old beggar."

Zhao Zhu made a wry face and said, "Should I say 'thank you for your good wishes,' or 'curse your crow's mouth'?"

Xu Fengnian burst into laughter, waving his hand, "Get back to your Southern Xinjiang."

Zhao Zhu crossed his arms, clenched his fist, tapped his chest, and leisurely punted the boat away.

After the small boat had traveled some distance across the lake, Lin Hongyuan cautiously asked, "Your Highness, should I punt the boat instead?"

Zhao Zhu tossed the punting pole to Lin Hongyuan, crossed his arms over his chest, and stood proudly.

Lin Hongyuan dared to scheme against Xu Fengnian, who was known for his decisive actions, but she lacked the nerve to put on airs with Prince Zhao Zhu, who had distinguished military achievements. Southern Xinjiang already had favorable geography and public support; many people knew this implicitly but dared not delve deeper or speak of it. Mr. Nalan was merely waiting for the opportune moment, "Heaven's Time."

Zhao Zhu said softly, "If I were to become emperor, I would not believe in ghosts and gods, but in the hearts of men."

Lin Hongyuan almost dropped the punting pole.

Zhao Zhu chuckled, "What are you afraid of?"

Lin Hongyuan, her face pale, replied, "Your servant heard nothing."

Zhao Zhu mused aloud, "If I were to ask Xu Fengnian to trade Beiliang's 300,000 mighty armored cavalry, unmatched under heaven, for a position below one but above ten thousand, and an aristocratic lineage for generations, would he accept?"

Lin Hongyuan remained silent, frozen in fear, refusing to respond.

On the outer corridor of the colorful boat, Huang Quan, who usually flocked to wherever there was excitement, remained squatting disconsolately at the foot of the wall, even though the purple-clad figure had already appeared on the arena. Earlier, he had played horse for Feng Maolin's beloved son, his knees still dusty. At the time, Huang Quan had paid no mind to the disdainful looks from some jianghu figures on the boat. As long as he got on Feng Maolin's grand ship, even if it was "distant water for immediate thirst," it meant he could leverage the opportunity to connect with the renowned couple in the Lianghuai jianghu. While playing horse for their pigtail-wearing daughter, Huang Quan had showered her with flattering "Grandma" calls. The little girl had shown him no good expression, always ignoring him, but Huang Quan didn't feel it was embarrassing. In the jianghu, any way of getting by was fine; as long as you made it, who cared if you looked like a dog in your struggles? Besides, couldn't dogs also dig?

But what disheartened Huang Quan was that the Feng Maolin family, whom he considered unapproachable, had been beaten without resistance by his acquaintance, Mr. Xu. Huang Quan had always seen this casually met person as a naive, rich fool. Just knowing Xu Zhan and Zhou Qinzu had already astonished Huang Quan, making him long to eat several catties of beef and drink several catties of good wine to calm his nerves, but he had an empty wine skin and no money to buy wine. When Feng Maolin's group retreated, defeated and humiliated, Huang Quan knew that everything had been for naught, like "drawing water with a bamboo basket." Mr. Xu's side would no longer let him trick them for food and drink as before, and Feng Maolin's side might even vent their anger on him, an easy target.

Some people in the jianghu eventually make a name for themselves, but more often, they are merely used by the jianghu their entire lives. Huang Quan wasn't afraid of hardship or suffering; he was only afraid of not seeing even a glimmer of hope to make something of himself.

A great hero: how much skill does one need to deserve that title? An immortal: what kind of divine powers does one need to be called an immortal?

Huang Quan, who had always struggled to get by, sometimes wondered if he had ever truly entered the jianghu at all.

Huang Quan, stunned, leaned against the wooden wall. He finally came back to his senses a little, rubbed his cheeks, and suddenly noticed the dim light. He looked up and sideways, startled, and plopped onto the ground. Mr. Xu, wearing that comical red fox fur hat, stood with his legs crossed, hands tucked into his sleeves, leaning casually against the wall.

Xu Fengnian calmly asked, "Huang Quan, do you remember how we met?"

Huang Quan thought this person was about to settle scores with him and give him a good beating, so he forced a bitter smile. "At that time, this humble one was blind and asked you for wine, young master."

Xu Fengnian shook his head. "At the inn back then, a beggar, oblivious to danger, slipped in to beg for food, hoping to grab something and run. Then, a sharp-eyed waiter caught him. A diner, seeing the beggar's hands covered in chilblains and bleeding, poured half a bowl of wine into the beggar's hands. Among all the people drinking on the first floor, only you hesitated for a long time, and then, unable to bear it, stood up and spoke a word of justice. Only then was the beggar spared from being further mocked for amusement. At that moment, I recalled a friend who had already left the jianghu. That's why I invited you to drink. And of course, you didn't hold back; you ate and drank contentedly at my expense the whole way."

Huang Quan chuckled.

Xu Fengnian saw a formidable warship suddenly approach. He saw an old man standing at the bow, and momentarily lost in thought, he adjusted his fox fur hat. Then he turned to Huang Quan and said, "After Xuanyuan Qingfeng of Huishan wins the arena and becomes the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, do you dare go up to her and say one sentence?"

Huang Quan was dumbfounded, then chuckled awkwardly, "That would depend on what I have to say."

Xu Fengnian walked towards the railing. "Just tell her that a person named Xu Fengnian sent you to Huishan to make a living."

Huang Quan watched, wide-eyed, as the person who had not claimed to be Xu Qi leaped over the railing and glided towards another particularly magnificent and massive warship.

Xu Fengnian?Who was that?

Huang Quan was completely baffled, but he figured he should still try his luck. At worst, he'd just get slapped away by the Huishan mistress; he probably wouldn't die.

Many years later, an old man who, despite having Huishan as his backing, never achieved great success, still muttered to his grandson on his deathbed that his grandfather had once roamed the jianghu with that very person.