Chapter 570: Above the Ninth Floor

Xu Fengnian helplessly glanced at the spear master, who he suspected had dug a trap for him to fall into. When he regained his senses, the vital energy within him was in its most turbulent and dangerous state, making his perception of his surroundings far from keen. As Beiliang's foremost expert, Xu Yanbing could naturally easily discern the arrival of the Bodhisattva from the Western Regions. Xu Fengnian, however, could not. Hearing her sarcastic sneer at that moment, he felt no shame. Leaning against the carriage wall, he didn't deliberately stand to greet her. He bowed to the Six-Bead Grand Master from Luan Tou Mountain with clasped hands, then waved her over, inviting her to join him in the carriage for a talk. Xu Yanbing tactfully walked away. Hehe Girl squatted in the distance, drawing in the sand with a dried sunflower stalk. The Bodhisattva did not enter the carriage; she merely stood beside it, her expression serene, meeting Xu Fengnian's gaze.

Xu Fengnian felt a pang of emotion. Back when he first arrived in Xiangfan, a city firmly established by the Spring and Autumn Period's fishing platform, this woman had led ten thousand ghosts in a nocturnal procession out of the city. He had almost mistakenly thought her to be the White-Clad Guanyin. At that time, he held a deep reverence for this woman, capable of making even the old man in sheepskin act. Later, when Prince Zhao Kai traveled to the Western Regions with a silver vase, he and she had become mortal enemies, opposing each other. Then, circumstances took a sharp turn, and they became, as it were, a couple exchanging flirtatious glances. Beiliang secretly used its iron cavalry to help her eliminate rivals and ascend to the peak of Luan Tou Mountain, while she, in turn, used esoteric monks to help Beiliang infiltrate the Land of Refugees.

Xu Fengnian looked at the Bodhisattva before him, who indeed had a full head of black hair like any worldly woman. Yet, as an earthly Bodhisattva, she still possessed an ethereal quality. Her hair was simply tied with a white linen knot, wrapped around her neck, a sight that made one forget the mundane. Xu Fengnian now saw her not just as an ally on generally equal footing, but also someone he held a slight advantage over. Besides the fact that Luan Tou Mountain was subordinate to Qingliang Mountain, purely in terms of martial strength, Xu Fengnian was confident he could kill her, even with her six aberrant forms, by paying an acceptable price. Xu Fengnian was calm, his mind unperturbed. He smiled and asked, "Grand Master, why did you personally come to Youzhou?"

This Six-Bead Bodhisattva, whose influence was like the rising sun in the Western Regions, seemed to possess the ability to make people feel bathed in a spring breeze, inspiring joy. Her smile was serene, like a divine being in a mural. The only flaw was the slight aloofness in her tone as she asked, "Can the Dragon Elephant Army, hastily expanded from ten thousand to thirty thousand, guarantee that the Western Regions will not be invaded by Beimang's iron cavalry?"

Xu Fengnian twitched his lips. "A bandit force, claiming twenty thousand strong, besieged Qingcang City for ten days but couldn't breach it, leaving only two thousand bodies behind. In contrast, six thousand elite Dragon Elephant cavalrymen slaughtered twelve thousand bandits in three days. They chopped so many heads that everyone had to replace their swords, and in the end, only a few hundred managed to escape. We finally learned that their 'twenty thousand' claim was utter nonsense; there were only fourteen thousand bandits. Grand Master might say that these bandits are insignificant compared to regular armies, lacking discipline, only capable of skirmishes involving at most seven or eight hundred people, winning solely through brute courage. With slightly larger numbers, their fatal flaw of unfamiliarity with battle formations becomes apparent. However, Beiliang's intelligence reports show that among these fourteen thousand bandits, the two thousand core brigands were equipped like elite cavalry from Beimang's Southern Dynasty, with good horses, bows, crossbows, war blades, and armor. Their leader was originally an experienced captain from the Southern Dynasty. The reason for the bandits' collapse was that this force was personally routed by Huang Man'er. Grand Master, would you care to guess how many Dragon Elephant troops Huang Man'er had with him at the time?"

The Six-Bead Bodhisattva remained expressionless.

Xu Fengnian didn't mind, extending a hand as he answered his own question: "Only five hundred cavalrymen. Of course, I don't deny that the Dragon Elephant Army is Beiliang's elite cavalry, and these five hundred were the sharpest among the sharp. Grand Master asked if I can guarantee Beiliang's protection for the Western Regions. The answer is obvious: yes, I can. However, the Land of Refugees is the true focus of the Liang-Mang front. The Western Regions are far from the main battlefield; their ultimate ownership and strategic importance, at best, lie in harboring a hidden surprise force. No one can be sure when it might be used, and it might even fail to influence the war from beginning to end, becoming a burden on the overall strategy. Furthermore, our original deal was a one-time transaction: I supported your control of the Western Regions, and you helped me contain Fengxiang Ancient Garrison. Both sides offered fair terms, so it was a mutually agreeable and relatively pleasant cooperation. Why should I exert extra effort to protect the safety of the Western Regions?"

The Six-Bead Bodhisattva smiled and asked, "How do you attain great freedom?"

Xu Fengnian looked puzzled. "Dual cultivation?"

An ordinary woman would have long since blushed with shyness, but this Esoteric Grand Master remained composed, nodding as if what he said was a self-evident Buddhist principle.

Xu Fengnian waved his hand without hesitation. "I wasn't joking just now. I dare to provoke anyone, but not that woman."

The Six-Bead Bodhisattva smiled. "I can wait."

Xu Fengnian laughed. "As you wish."

The Six-Bead Bodhisattva stepped into the carriage and sat on the opposite side, speaking softly, "Military strategy emphasizes the combination of orthodox and unorthodox tactics. When the Liang-Mang war begins, Youzhou and Liangzhou are the orthodox, the Land of Refugees is the unorthodox, and the Western Regions are the 'unorthodox of the unorthodox' — far from as trivial as the King of Beiliang makes it sound. If any other Liyang vassal king called the Western Regions a 'chicken rib' (something dispensable), I might believe it. But Beiliang? When did Beiliang develop the habit of considering defeat before even fighting?"

Xu Fengnian, who had indeed secretly promised Cao Wei, the dwarf, ten thousand light cavalry to dispatch to the Western Regions, felt a certain awkwardness when his secret was exposed to his face, despite his thick skin. After the awkwardness came a sense of gravity: if she could see through his intentions, would the many experts emerging from Beimang's Southern Dynasty have already made preparations? Xu Fengnian looked up at the sky. Though it's said that 'he who gives no thought to the future will soon have sorrow at hand,' he thought, 'he who gives *much* thought to the future will *certainly* have sorrow at hand.' The current state of affairs, from the highest courts to the furthest corners of the jianghu, was rife with hidden undercurrents. And he, Xu Fengnian, along with Beiliang, would undoubtedly be at the forefront when the true storm arose in the future. Hehe Girl hopped onto the carriage and sat between Xu Fengnian and the Six-Bead Bodhisattva. At some point, she had acquired an unfortunate yellow four-legged lizard, which was called a 'stone yellow dragon' in Beiliang. The girl endlessly twirled the poor creature by its tail, delighting in the act.

The girl suddenly stopped, holding the now listless stone yellow dragon by its tail, dangling it in front of the Six-Bead Bodhisattva. With a giggle, she asked, "Old Auntie, want to play?"

Killing intent permeated the air.

Xu Yanbing, driving the carriage, let out a soft cough. Xu Fengnian kept his gaze inward, seeking the peace of mind that comes from ignoring what he heard and saw.

The group slowly entered the heart of Youzhou. Because Xu Fengnian's nine trances had always occurred without warning, he had to remain undistracted, which prevented him from paying much attention to Youzhou's military and political affairs, delaying many important matters. The carriage entered Baiquan City, where Youzhou's general's residence was located. The city was famous in Beiliang for its more than a hundred springs, all said to be the result of Lu Zu's sword energy reaching deep beneath the nine springs. Xu Fengnian naturally had a household registry document, but no one would connect the name on it with the King of Beiliang. After entering the city, he randomly chose a thriving tavern in the bustling market, one that was busy even outside meal times. Xu Fengnian had spotted a prominent sign displayed to attract business. Ever since he became the King of Beiliang, many of his related deeds had surfaced, making him the prime choice for storytellers to earn a living. This was true not only in Beiliang but also in Liyang and the Central Plains. Whether positive or negative, the stories depended on the preferences of the local audience and diners; one had to cater to their tastes to earn tips.

The tavern's business was surprisingly good. Xu Fengnian had to pay several extra taels of silver just to secure a passable seat. Besides enjoying the storytelling, his main purpose was to ensure Hehe Girl had a full meal. There was still some time before the storyteller took the stage. The girl, always a voracious eater, quickly devoured her meal. Xu Fengnian had been preoccupied with how to deal with the entrenched and arrogant local powers with General Huangfu Ping of Youzhou. He paid little attention to the whispers around him or the covetous glances directed at the Six-Bead Bodhisattva. Once Hehe Girl had eaten her fill, he paid the bill and left. Soon, several groups of people were red-faced, fighting over the table he had vacated, almost coming to blows. As Xu Fengnian walked through the crowded room, nearing the exit, he suddenly heard a slightly familiar sound of a pipa. He turned his head, looked closely twice, and froze on the spot.

One Lantern Festival, in Liangzhou City, there had been a grandfather and granddaughter. The blind old man recounted stories while sipping wine, speaking of the Crown Prince's first journey into the jianghu. The thin, pale, and naive young girl held a low-quality pipa with a white wooden backboard. Later, in Beimang, he saw the girl distributing thin leaflets. At that time, she played the pipa to accompany her grandfather's storytelling, its first string already on the verge of breaking. Xu Fengnian, who was then wearing a disguise, had Taomanwu, a burden, by his side. They eventually treated the old man and his granddaughter to a meal and drink, and he even taught the girl the Cao family's martial pipa techniques, which were almost lost to the world. It was a pleasant, chance encounter in a distant land that ended in joy. Xu Fengnian had also heard many stories of Beiliang's past from the blind old man, seen the old soldier's ancient knife scars on the back of his hand, and witnessed the girl, whom the old man called Er Yu, and her sincerity, cherishing her inexpensive pipa as if it were her life.

The girl appeared, holding her pipa, but this time, the blind old man was not with her.

As she sat down, she picked up a pot of wine from a small stool in front of her and drank it all in one gulp. Xu Fengnian only heard wild jeers and boos from around him, all cursing and mocking the girl, calling her a 'worn-out shoe' used by Beimang barbarians, a disgrace to Beiliang, saying she should have died outside the pass and asking why she returned to Youzhou, calling her a money-grubbing woman!

The woman remained unmoved, lightly plucking the nearly broken string of her dry pipa.

Several tables of armored soldiers, who had deliberately occupied the best seats, sat with crossed legs. Each time the girl told a story and played the pipa, they would toss a string of copper coins, harshly pelting her. They clearly knew the routine well, treating the whole affair as entertainment.

Then everyone saw a young nobleman walk onto the stage and squat in front of the girl.

Instantly, coins clattered down like rain.

Xu Fengnian gently asked, "Er Yu?"

The girl, her eyes cold, ignored him and continued playing the pipa.

Xu Fengnian forced a smile and, word by word, gritting his teeth, repeated what he had said years ago: "For a white-wood pipa, the sound quality is quite good. If funds allow, you could apply a little glue. The old man's storytelling particularly demands the pipa's crispness and explosive power, and the first string is almost broken. However, in my opinion, since you're playing the pipa for the audience's enjoyment, breaking a string while playing is a pleasing event for everyone. There's no need to rush to replace this first string. I'll teach you some more techniques of the Cao family's Southern School pipa — remember as much as you can..."

The girl still didn't look up, the pipa music ceaseless.

She seemed afraid to look at the man she had coincidentally met in Beimang and who had kindly taught her the pipa.

Xu Fengnian squatted by her feet, his eyes red. "I'm sorry. Last time, I forgot to tell your grandfather that not only am I from Beiliang, but I am also the very person your grandfather always spoke of. My name is Xu Fengnian, and I am now the King of Beiliang."

The girl, who on her small bamboo stool was only as tall as the man before her, suddenly looked up.

Xu Fengnian gently pulled her head to his shoulder. He, who had never said "I'm sorry" to anyone before, once again choked out, "I'm sorry."

The first time, it was Xu Fengnian who was sorry.The second time, it was Beiliang that was sorry.

The girl suppressed a sob and whispered, "It's okay."

Xu Fengnian, with his back to the crowd, slowly stood up.

Xu Yanbing and the Six-Bead Bodhisattva both took a step forward simultaneously, their expressions exceptionally grave, as if that figure had transformed into Wang Xianzhi or the newly emerged Gao Shulu.

Above the nine levels, there stands a higher tower; only then can one claim to be a Carefree Celestial.

Xu Yanbing roared, "Xu Fengnian! You absolutely must not force a tenth trance and travel to Beimang!"

The Six-Bead Bodhisattva clasped her hands together. In the sky outside the tavern, six Dharma forms appeared one after another, creating an aura of suppression over the building. She said in a deep voice, "All are, Great Joy."