Chapter 522: Superior Swordsmanship

Even as Huang Xiaokuai's six hundred cavalry were about to enter Dongfeng Commandery, the Young Master's presence remained unseen. Despite Deputy General Han Laosan of Lingzhou maintaining a calm and collected demeanor, the Pearl Commandant took advantage of a break in their journey, while the horses were resting and having their nostrils cleaned, to secretly dispatch a trusted scout back to Lingzhou City to report military intelligence. Huang Xiaokuai wasn't sure if other commandants, including Dong Yueqi, did the same, but he himself had a secret contact in the city with whom he maintained a long-standing relationship, managing to "coincidentally" meet several times each year.

From a distance in the shadows, Han Laosan withdrew his gaze. Seeing the elite scout gallop away, he felt a deeper appreciation for Huang Xiaokuai. Han Laosan's martial arts cultivation was far inferior to that of his less famous fellow disciple, Xu Yanbing. However, Han Laosan, believing he had no hope of reaching the pinnacle of the martial world, focused his ambitions instead on the border battlefields. Having been influenced by the Grand General for years, he had developed a unique understanding of Beiliang's situation. While Beiliang's geographical advantages had always been widely criticized for its narrow, barren land and struggling populace, Han Laosan saw this drawback as a hidden blessing. There's a saying among common folk, "poverty spurs effort." Beiliang, surrounded by enemies, had inadvertently fostered a brave and fierce spirit among its people. Compared to the prosperous Jiangnan, the people of Beiliang, raised in harsh lands, could truly be described as tough and fearless. Otherwise, where would the abundant military resources on Beiliang's borders come from?

Even the most valiant soldiers, placed in a secure, smoke-free environment with no worries about food or clothing, would lose their vigor and military morale over fifteen or twenty years, no longer qualifying as elite troops. This was a significant reason why Prince Zhao Yi of Guangling was inferior to Prince Zhao Bing of Yanfu. Guangling Province was located in the empire's "armpit," a relatively soft and protected area, whereas Yanfu Province was like the empire's "right foot," constantly moving and dealing with the southern barbarians. Naturally, the sole of a foot is tougher and more calloused than armpit skin.

Han Laosan knew that once the Young Master left Lingzhou, he would ascend to the position of a powerful general, governing one of Beiliang's three provinces—Youzhou, Liangzhou, and Lingzhou. This was an official rank of third-grade in the Liyang Dynasty, where he would share military and administrative power with Governor Xu Beizhi. Moreover, his current role as general seemed, for now, to be merely managing Beiliang's "backyard." However, when his treacherous nephew Chen Zhibao left the capital to establish his fiefdom in Western Shuchu, it would trigger an internal conflict no less bloody than the border skirmishes. As Chen Zhibao's martial uncle, Han Laosan bore no particular resentment towards his former disciple for betraying their sect. The martial world had its own rules, and his senior brother Wang Xiu had not died as unjustly or regretfully as outsiders imagined. Han Laosan chuckled at this thought. If one included Wu Jinling, their junior brother who had tragically died young at the Vajra realm, their sect had produced a continuous line of masters: Wang Xiu, the Spear Immortal; Xu Yanbing, who even surpassed their senior brother; Han Laosan himself, a Finger-Profound realm expert; Wu Jinling; and Chen Zhibao, the New Confucian Sage. In the future, there might even be Qingniao, who inherited the Instantaneous Spear, joining the ranks of first-grade masters. In just two generations and two seniority levels, they had produced six first-grade experts. This was far more impressive than any "father and son top scholars" or "family of three second-place laureates" scenarios. Across Liyang and Beimang, only the Wu Family Sword Tomb and the Chess-Sword Music Academy could stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the martial world. Han Laosan wondered if he should ask the Young Master to unfurl the Wang family's martial arts banner. Perhaps this could attract many martial arts masters to Beiliang to join the Wang family. In the future, the Beiliang army might even see a "Wang Faction" where Wang family spear experts, serving as commandants and captains, were commonplace.

The six hundred cavalry made a brief stop in Dongfeng Commandery, but the troops did not enter the city, instead setting up camp to rest and reorganize. Huang Xiaokuai only assigned a dozen elite riders to guard the carriage and found a high-class inn to ensure the woman inside was comfortable. Huang Xiaokuai wasn't one to grovel in officialdom; it wasn't that he didn't understand how, but rather he disdained associating with colleagues who disgraced their Beiliang armor. Since this woman had a deep connection with the Young Master and they weren't in a hurry, he was happy to go along with it.

However, good things often take time. As Huang Xiaokuai saw the carriage approaching the snow-swept city gate, he noticed that behind his own Pearl Cavalry in plain clothes, a large group of local riders had inexplicably gathered. They were clearly following the common pattern of flamboyant, pampered young lords being smitten by beauty, and a large number of martial arts sect disciples were also swarming around. Huang Xiaokuai spat fiercely from horseback. How dare these brats try to ambush someone connected to the Young Master?

Those few aristocratic youths, who typically spent their time on cockfights and dogfights, also had a keen eye. Upon seeing the carriage heading towards Huang Xiaokuai, who was armed with a saber and clad in armor, they immediately reined in their horses and hastily ordered their accomplices not to cause trouble. However, a few riders were still galloping wildly, eager to "snatch" a woman for the city's young masters and have some fun. They didn't have time to halt their horses. It wasn't until the simply adorned carriage was within twenty paces of Huang Xiaokuai and his soldiers that they realized the gravity of the situation. Just as they were about to turn their horses around, Huang Xiaokuai, seated high on his horse, fixed them with a sinister gaze and shook his head. Beside him, an archer, whose strength was exceptional among the Pearl Cavalry, drew an arrow from his quiver with an expressionless face, pulled back his bowstring, and fired. With a 'bang,' the arrow sliced through the air, pierced a skull, and embedded itself in the snow. A pile of pale snow by the roadside was instantly splashed crimson with blood. The remaining two martial arts youths wished their mounts had an extra pair of hooves, but they were still shot dead one by one, each killed instantly by an arrow through the skull without exception.

Within Beiliang's jurisdiction, who would dare to act so arrogantly and domineeringly towards a general's offspring, especially one with genuine military achievements to their name?

Huang Xiaokuai expressionlessly nudged his horse's flanks. The reddish-brown steed beneath him took a small step forward. He unclipped the Beiliang saber from his waist and used its scabbard to point at the leading young lord, who was wearing a fur coat. The young man's face fluctuated between expressions of apprehension and resolve. Finally, he gathered his courage and slowly rode forward, about to announce his identity and his father's rank as a "miscellaneous general" to avoid being mistakenly offended by this armored commandant from out of town.

Huang Xiaokuai stated indifferently, "The Lingzhou General has issued orders throughout the six commanderies of Lingzhou: no groups of five or more riders are permitted to gallop through the streets. First-time offenders will be taken to the torture chamber and flogged fifty times. Repeat offenders, regardless of family background, will have their parents implicated. A third offense will result in immediate execution on the spot!"

The young lord inwardly scoffed, but seeing three lives lost on the spot and the formidable, continuously arriving cavalry behind the commandant, clearly not mere common soldiers, he could only offer a subservient smile and say, "General, this humble one, Gu Runde, is a first-time offender today. I will immediately turn myself in at the yamen. I hope the General will calm his anger."

Huang Xiaokuai paused, then asked, "You are Gu Runde? What is your relationship to General Gu Yunshi, the Wash-Martial General of Dongfeng Commandery?"

The young lord's heart lifted with joy, and he hastily replied, "He is indeed my humble father. May I ask who the General is?"

Huang Xiaokuai smiled grimly. He sheathed his Beiliang saber, returning it to his waist, then raised his arm and waved. The young lord was stunned. Another arrow whistled through the wind and snow. Just as he thought he was about to die an undeserved death on his doorstep, his vision blurred, his body trembled, and he swallowed hard. He saw a strange young man standing beside the ruthless foreign commandant, holding the very feathered arrow that should have claimed his life.

Pearl Commandant Huang Xiaokuai dismounted swiftly. Not only he, but all the Pearl Cavalry dismounted simultaneously, standing perfectly still like javelins plunged into the snow, respectfully and with fervent eyes. Huang Xiaokuai did not reveal the Young Master's identity. However, seeing the "blockhead" so audaciously remain seated on his horse, he was about to furiously draw his saber and kill the man himself. The young lord, whose tattered clothes were far less extravagant than Gu Runde's expensive attire, shook his head. He tossed the arrow high backward, perfectly landing it in the hand of the divine archer. Then, he gently smiled at Gu family's eldest son, who had finally regained his senses, rolled off his horse, and knelt on the ground. "I've heard of you, Gu Runde. You once had a dispute with a group of ruffians from Yanzhou and taught them a harsh lesson. Afterward, you declared that no matter who they were, anyone who dared to cause trouble in Beiliang would be taught a lesson they wouldn't forget. It's a pity your father had to privately compensate a Yanzhou general a lot of silver for that. Young Master Gu, I wonder if you still have that backbone after these past two years?"

Gu Runde looked up, his mind racing. While internally speculating about this person's identity, he quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Yes, yes, I learned it all from our Young Master! His Highness said that to be a true spoiled scion, one must dare to challenge outsiders; only then can one claim to have reached the Grandmaster level in the competitive field of 'ruffianism.' This time, Gu Runde was reckless and overconfident, trying to escort that elegant lady for a stretch. I absolutely had no intention of engaging in such a wicked act of snatching people. I only wish to ensure the lady in the carriage can leave safely."

Gu Runde had been carefully observing the man's reactions. When he saw him smile and nod, the heavy stone in his heart finally dropped. He heard the man, who seemed to be of similar age, say with a mellow voice and a smile, "Let's forget about today. Go back to the city and tell your cronies: within the city, galloping horses are only permitted at a speed equivalent to a person running. If five or more riders disturb the public in the streets—never mind hitting people—as soon as it's discovered, they will be punished according to the newly issued rules. If any yamen dares to offer protection, their official positions will be stripped, and they will be exiled to border garrisons. Using silver to get out of trouble might have worked before, but it won't anymore. Oh, and Gu Runde, remember to tell your father, Gu Yunshi, that I often used to steal his wineskin when I was a child. If this Wash-Martial General still holds a grudge, he can come to Liangzhou and ask me for it. As for you, Gu Runde, if you're serious about not being a small ruffian who harms the local community, you should join the army. I'll put in a good word for you with this Pearl Commandant beside me; consider it opening a back door for you."

Young Master Gu, with a loud thud, heavily kowtowed on the ground of the post road. "Greetings, Your Highness the Young Master! Gu Runde thanks Your Highness for your immense benevolence!"

Gu Runde knew that his father's greatest honor in life was serving as an attendant captain to the Prince of Beiliang, forming a special bond with the young Young Master during that time. For years, everyone in Dongfeng Commandery knew that the Wash-Martial General constantly spoke of this small matter, intentionally or unintentionally treating it as a colossal death-exempting gold token. Otherwise, with Gu Yunshi's shallow foundation—having retired early from the Beiliang army due to injury—how could he have earned the admiration of the Commandery Governor, who not only consistently extended personal invitations to every private banquet but also gladly treated his father, a long-since-outdated miscellaneous general, as an honored guest?

Gu Runde remained kneeling until the young man, who looked neither like a Lingzhou General nor particularly like the Young Master, mounted a horse and led his cavalry unit swiftly out of sight. Only then did Gu Runde slowly rise, filled with lingering fear. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he realized he had been blessed in disguise. After a moment of hesitation, he told his acquaintance from the city's top gang that he would provide eight hundred taels of silver for a grand burial for the three deceased. That fellow was, in fact, already scared out of his wits. Having provoked the Young Master, who was steadily accumulating immense power in Beiliang, let alone getting compensation money, it would be a miracle if his entire family wasn't executed. How could he possibly dare to ask for that "damned" silver now? Eight hundred taels was indeed a huge sum of money, but one had to be alive to spend it, right?

The more the usually stingy Gu Runde insisted on giving the silver, the more terrified this martial arts brother became, mistakenly thinking Young Master Gu was trying to employ a bureaucratic trick of sacrificing pawns to save the carriage. Gu Runde, being generous for once, saw the man's crestfallen expression, as if his parents had died, and decided to drop the matter. He patted the man's shoulder and said with a forced smile, "Brother Liu, I've gained His Highness's favor this time. From now on, I'll be a Beiliang warrior, armored and saber-wielding. Although I probably won't be lingering in Dongfeng Commandery much, I can't just turn a blind eye to your Blackwater Gang's dirty money-making schemes anymore. Don't ruin my future, alright?"

Liu Tingxin inwardly cursed the young noble's ruthless fickleness. He chuckled dryly and said, "Brother knows the priorities. How could I possibly hinder Brother Gu's brilliant future? I'll go and make it clear to the gang leader. Among other things, we'll stop the human trafficking business for now."

Gu Runde leaned closer and chuckled, "Trafficking people *into* Lingzhou from outside Beiliang is still quite profitable, isn't it? If the opportunity arises later, I, your younger brother, will put in a few good words for your Blackwater Gang with His Highness. Before, my father would at most turn a blind eye, but deep down, he despised you martial artists. Now, however, he will definitely be able to look out for your Blackwater Gang, and as you know, my father also has some influence with the Commandery Governor."

Liu Tingxin immediately caught on, overjoyed. He cupped his hands and said in a low, firm voice, "This source of wealth, brother, I will fight to the death to secure a four-six split from the gang leader!"

Gu Runde narrowed his eyes and quietly chuckled, "Who gets the four, and who gets the six?"

Liu Tingxin wished he could slap himself. Annoyed that he hadn't suggested a fifty-fifty split, he painstakingly tried to hide his discomfort, bowing and smiling. "Naturally, Brother Gu gets six, and the Blackwater Gang gets four."

Gu Runde burst into laughter. He turned back, mounted his horse, and looked at Liu Tingxin, who still had to clean up the mess. He pointed at himself, then held up four fingers, gesturing that he only wanted the "four" in the four-six split. Then, he turned his horse around, no longer daring to gallop, and slowly rode back to the city.

A relieved Liu Tingxin quietly cursed under his breath, sighing, "Why are these officials better at business than the last? They get advantages without lifting a finger and still make people praise them. Do they start thinking about business in their mothers' wombs or something?"

Liu Tingxin finally looked towards the end of the post road, thinking, "Our Young Master truly has formidable skills! Could it be that he really did kill Fifth Hu of Tibing Mountain in Beimang? Heh, I'll have to go back and tell the gang brothers about this. I, too, saw the Young Master's appearance and demeanor up close! Hmm, I'll tell them I was only ten paces from His Highness at the time... no, five paces!"