Chapter 503: Dark Currents

At dawn, a carriage departed from Huangnan County's administrative city. Hong Shuwu, looking somewhat languid, rode alongside as an escort, accompanied by two other White Horse Yi Cong cavalrymen. Inside the carriage, Xu Fengnian sat while Huyan Guanyin, still half-asleep, huddled in a corner, draped in Xu Fengnian's fur coat. The previous night, when they had stopped the carriage in front of the Wang family mansion, she remained alone in the compartment. She lifted the curtains several times but couldn't see him, as he was obscured by the stone lions, seeing only the tall, taciturn coachman. After returning to the courtyard's side room to rest, she likely hadn't slept soundly all night. Ironically, she seemed to sleep more deeply in the carriage. To call her a maidservant, it was hard to tell who was truly looking after whom. Huyan Guanyin slowly opened her blurry eyes, forcing her eyelids apart slightly to peek through a tiny slit. She secretly observed the man who had, overnight, wielded immense power in the county seat. On the journey to Huangnan County, she had noticed his almost obsessive habit of lifting the curtain every so often. She wondered what he was constantly looking at. To her, the post road offered nothing new besides monotonous rows of willow and locust trees, yet he never seemed to tire of looking. Occasionally, when she heard horses trotting past, he would become even more focused, or perhaps lost in thought. Could he possibly see something extraordinary in complete strangers?

As they neared the border of Huangnan County, a lone rider unexpectedly galloped up. It was Song Gu, the minor leader of the Peregrine Falcon unit who had entered Chai Fei Courtyard. Xu Yanbing heard a command from behind the carriage curtain, let out a 'woah,' and slowly brought the horses to a stop. Song Gu dismounted and knelt beside the carriage, his gaze fixed on the curtain. Hong Shuwu turned his horse around and slowly circled Song Gu, looking down playfully as he quipped, "Commander Song, have you come to ask me for money back?"

Song Gu was considered a middle-ranking figure among Beiliang's Peregrine Falcons. Setting aside the "softshell turtles," or literary spies, the martial spies—death-sworn operatives—rarely saw changes in rank within the Peregrine Falcons, as mastery of martial arts cannot be achieved overnight. The Peregrine Falcons operated on a meritocratic system where the capable rose and the mediocre descended. Song Gu possessed third-rank strength. He was once a commoner from Licang County in Beiliang, a place where martial arts flourished. Seven prominent clans each had their unique martial arts, and the wife of Wang Xiu, the Spear Immortal, hailed from the Qi family of Licang County. Song Gu's martial arts journey was a true street legend. In his youth, he encountered an out-of-town spear master who came to Licang County for a martial arts contest. This spear master was heavily targeted by enemies, leading to a siege. Not only were there two groups of mercenary assassins involved, but even two prominent clans from Licang County joined the fray. The grandmaster, nearly at the Adamantine Body realm, fought off most of his adversaries, but ultimately, he couldn't stand alone. Before his death, he fled to an abandoned house in Licang County, where he coincidentally met the young Song Gu, who was there cooking dog meat. The grandmaster then imparted all of his lifelong martial arts. Unfortunately, Song Gu only learned a fraction of it. Later, due to a rash act, Song Gu inadvertently revealed some of the techniques, which were recognized by his master's enemies. He was then forced to join the Beiliang Peregrine Falcons. It took him nearly a decade of hard work to make a name for himself.

With the recent split of the Eagles and Falcons, only Chu Lushan and Xu Weixiong likely knew the exact number of first-rank masters. However, it was common knowledge among all Eagles and Falcons that there were fourteen second-rank minor grandmasters. Two years prior, they were even more formidable, numbering as many as twenty. But subsequently, Lu Qiantang died in the reed marsh, Shu Xiu left, one died on the border, one went missing, another died on Chen Zhibao's journey from Liang to Shu, and one retired successfully, being granted a titular generalship. This person then founded a sect in southeastern Lingzhou, making a living through river transport – essentially a system where large fish preyed on smaller ones, and smaller ones preyed on shrimp. Whoever survived to the end would control the lucrative river transport business.

With no outsiders present, the kneeling Song Gu spoke in a low voice, "Song Gu, from the Second Chamber of the Fushui Society, dares to report something of utmost importance to Your Highness."

The curtain remained motionless.

Song Gu gritted his teeth. "Regarding the Chai Fei Courtyard incident, Song Gu deviated from the established plan and made a mistake. I do not deny it. However, I humbly request Your Highness to hear my explanation of the circumstances. The spies from Chai Fei Courtyard recorded in the Second Chamber of the Fushui Society include Wang Huanru, a courtesan from Gusei Prefecture in the Southern Dynasty; Qu Ruo, a madam from Kunzhou; and several gang members from Gusei Prefecture who infiltrated Chai Fei Courtyard to become guards. Your humble servant believed at the time that since Hong Shuwu could temporarily participate in the Fushui Society's secret military affairs, his abilities must be considerable. Tasking him to deal with Qu Ruo seemed much more reliable than assigning it to Ren Shanyu, a third-rank Eagle officer..."

A cold voice came from behind the curtain: "Move."

Song Gu was stunned as if struck by lightning. He pressed his hands into the ground, and though he tried to suppress his voice, his despair was palpable as he pleaded, "Your Highness! My actions this time were absolutely not due to intentional negligence!"

Xu Yanbing had no reason to pay attention to a mere Peregrine Falcon operative from the Second Chamber of the Fushui Society. He drove the carriage forward.

Hong Shuwu held the reins with both hands, sitting tall on his horse. He leaned back lazily and cast a cold glance at Song Gu.

As dusk approached, the dark, towering city walls of Lingzhou's administrative center grew ever more prominent. Upon passing through the city gate, they saw that large red lanterns had been hung everywhere and lit early for the approaching New Year. In fact, it wasn't just there; many tall branches along the city's streets were festooned overnight. It was hard to imagine that this was the grand gesture of Commander Li Gongde. Reportedly, the clerks and servants in various yamen offices were grumbling and secretly complaining that even as Commander, he was still flattering a beleaguered Lingzhou General. However, the city's residents, when they stepped out, certainly had more joyful expressions.

Xu Fengnian had the carriage stop in a bustling market at a crossroads. He chose a restaurant, saying they would all have dinner outside. The restaurant was packed. The group finally managed to secure two adjacent empty tables on the first floor. Xu Fengnian sent Hong Shuwu to the counter to choose the bamboo slips inscribed with dish names. No sooner had they sat down than noisy chatter erupted. Huyan Guanyin looked towards the sound, seeing a young man with a sharp chin and monkey-like cheeks, and then looked away. Xu Fengnian, however, turned on the bench and watched with a faint smile.

The skinny fellow had one leg propped on the bench and was picking his teeth while loudly proclaiming, "If I were the Beiliang heir, with a father like the Grand General, hey, for martial arts, with a martial arts library as vast as the Listening Tide Pavilion, filled with secret manuals, and countless masters, I'd have mastered peerless divine skills by now! If not top three in the world, then easily within the top ten, no doubt. As for leading troops, just casually take a hundred thousand iron cavalry. We wouldn't boast about wiping out all the northern barbarians in one go, but wouldn't those few prefectures in North Mang's Southern Dynasty, Gusei, and Longyao, have been barren for ages?"

Immediately, someone else joined in, pouring cold water on his claims: "Really? I remember there are about three to four hundred thousand barbarian soldiers on the Liang-Mang border. They're not made of paper, and it's thanks only to our Beiliang that they're held back. Plus, North Mang has Tuoba Pusa, the God of War. The fall of the Southern Dynasty wouldn't mean much if Tuoba Pusa isn't dealt with. But that guy is ferocious in battle. What if he goes berserk and comes for your head regardless of his own life? What then? This man is second only to the Old Monster Wang of Martial Emperor City. Taking the head of a top general from an army of a million is like plucking something from your pocket for him."

As soon as the skinny fellow heard Tuoba Pusa, he noticeably drew back his neck. "Alright, then we'll leave North Mang alone for now. We'll take all the Beiliang iron cavalry and strike eastward in one go. It's only two or three thousand li. Except for Grand General Gu Jiantang on the eastern border, the elite forces of Prince Yan Chi Zhao Bing and Prince Guangling Zhao Yi are too far away to intervene. Old Gu was crushed by our Grand General back then, and he's still no match now. We'll just charge straight into the imperial palace, sit on the dragon throne, and see who dares to challenge me! As for Zhang Julu, that purple-bearded, green-eyed fellow, no matter how smart he is, at most he's just a civil official who wouldn't even dare kill a chicken. If he dares to stand before me, I'll immediately give him a slap that'll send him spinning!"

Immediately, someone else chimed in, with an expression of anger at his lack of initiative, saying sarcastically, "It's just that our heir is timid and incompetent. He went to the capital for nothing, accomplished nothing. Hell, he could at least have bullied a few courtesans in the capital! Who knows if that grandson went to the capital and just handed over how much of Beiliang's hard-earned silver to those capital officials for free. I heard that on his way to the capital, there were dozens of crates just for escorting gold, silver, jewels, and antiques – absolutely true! This little bastard who only dares to act tough at home, now that he's become the Lingzhou General, he must have been thoroughly humiliated in the capital and now wants to lord it over his own territory."

The skinny fellow lowered his voice slightly, speaking mysteriously, "Have you heard? Our Crown Prince was originally going to return to Beiliang in disgrace. But the Grand General simply couldn't stand it anymore, so he personally made a trip out of Beiliang and brought back two daughters-in-law for his disappointing son. They're supposedly both women from Qingzhou. The Grand General really drew the short straw getting such an eldest son. It would be a great thing if the Young Prince became the next King of Beiliang."

A scholar-like young man, speaking with a heavy Jizhou accent, smiled faintly and said, "Establish the legitimate heir, not the concubine-born. Establish the eldest, not the youngest."

An old man at a neighboring table sighed, "That's right, the Young Prince was born too late."

Because Xu Xiao had only married one princess consort, there was no distinction between legitimate and concubine-born heirs, which was common in other powerful noble families. Previously, everyone believed that although the Crown Prince was absurd and worthless, he was still the eldest son. And the second son, Xu Longxiang, was naturally simple-minded. So, there was no dispute over who would inherit the title and become the King of Beiliang.

However, the Young Prince had led the Dragon Elephant heavy cavalry, broken through the border, achieved remarkable military feats, and personally plunged into battle, always leading the charge. No one could deny his prowess. It was rumored that esteemed veteran generals like Yan Wenluan and Zhong Hongwu all spoke highly of the Young Prince.

An undercurrent was stirring.

This undercurrent had undoubtedly merged with the turmoil in Lingzhou.

Xu Yanbing naturally ate at the same table as Xu Fengnian, wielding his chopsticks without hesitation. Ever since he had been by Xu Fengnian's side, he had never shown any ingratiating behavior. He paid no attention to the clamor in the restaurant. Huyan Guanyin didn't particularly care for the Central Plains dishes on the table. When she heard comments about the man beside her, she pricked up her ears, trying her best to catch every word. Then she carefully leaned forward, craning her neck to see if Xu Fengnian was annoyed, but she only saw a perpetually calm, smiling face.

Xu Fengnian turned around, ate voraciously, and after filling himself, glanced at Huyan Guanyin. She nodded, indicating she had eaten enough.

After paying the bill, the group left the restaurant. Xu Fengnian glanced at the setting sun's lingering light on the mountains and silently walked towards the carriage.

Xu Yanbing sighed inwardly.

Only he could understand the complex thoughts of the young man before him.

If, one day, Beiliang's northwestern gate were indeed breached by the iron cavalry of North Mang, then if there were more Beiliang people like those in the restaurant, Xu Fengnian, as the new King of Liang, would feel a little less guilt.