As the date on the challenge to the death drew near, Fu Lu Mountain's surveillance of the young official became increasingly strict. Perhaps Fan Xiaochai was not, after all, a formal disciple of Immortal Coffin Cave and was not involved in this turmoil; even Lu Haiya was recalled. However, just when everyone on Fu Lu Mountain believed the "demoness" had been abandoned, Mi Fengjie, the master of Immortal Coffin Cave and Sunken Sword Cave, openly ascended the mountain. Although he was accompanied only by his favored disciple Lu Haiya, and no other experts, no one underestimated him. Mi Fengjie arrived laden with swords, like an old horse carrying a heavy load, for he bore no fewer than thirty blades, all bundled together on his back.
At that time, Xu Fengnian was squatting on the mountain gate steps with several unruly boys, trading stories of the vibrant world outside for the red-bellied pheasants they had caught. They were discussing the merits of the top courtesans from Liang and Ling prefectures—whose cleavage was more impenetrable, whose buttocks could support more objects. The five or six vigorous youths listened, startled and amused, beginning to compare the alluring women on the mountain in their minds. A general outline formed, and they secretly exchanged knowing smiles. The young bandits harbored no ill will toward this official; he spoke crude jokes and boasted just like their elders on the mountain. Some even advised him to settle down and become a bandit.
When Xu Fengnian saw Mi Fengjie, the old man, stooped by the weight of over forty swords, was looking up, wiping sweat. He paused, shifted the burden on his back, and reached to push a few slipping ancient swords back into place. The unremarkable old man met Xu Fengnian's gaze, his indifferent eyes sweeping past in an instant. Lu Haiya whispered something to his master, and only then did Mi Fengjie glance at Xu Fengnian again, but it was just a fleeting look before he slowly continued his ascent. The boys around Xu Fengnian were no strangers to the stern Master of Sunken Sword Cave; the bolder ones even boasted they would buy some good swords from him. The old man ignored most of the Fu Lu Mountain boys, but he looked toward a sturdy youth squatting on the periphery who had remained silent. He casually drew an ancient sword from his back, one rarely seen in the martial world—a dual-blade sword that shared a single sheath. If the two blades differed in size, they were called "mother-child" swords; if roughly equal, they were "mandarin duck" swords. Mi Fengjie tossed the sword to the boy without a word and continued his slow climb. The boy, having received the unsolicited gift, caught the sword but quickly dropped it as if burned, not daring to look at it. There were family rules and mountain rules. The boy had never known his mother, and his father had died early in a government campaign against bandits. Without anyone to rely on, he dared not violate the rules of Fu Lu Mountain.
Lu Haiya shook his head slightly, lamenting that the boy had squandered such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Few in Immortal Coffin Cave, where sword practice was predominant, had the honor of receiving a sword personally from their master. Immortal Coffin Cave earned its name because his master had accidentally discovered an ancient swordsmen's burial ground on the mountain, with cliffside caves serving as coffins—one cave, one tomb, one corpse, one sword. Mi Fengjie, originally a wandering hermit, settled there after this great fortune, proclaiming himself the Master of Sunken Sword Cave and steadily progressing in the art of the sword. Apart from a battle with Zhang Juxian years ago, no one had seen his master draw a sword since. Aside from his seclusion for sword enlightenment, he would only verbally instruct junior swordsmen during his brief appearances. Lu Haiya's four elder martial brothers and sisters had each received a renowned sword from their master, but he alone received three. Still, he paled significantly in comparison to Fan Xiaochai. His master had once even offered half of Immortal Coffin Cave's ancient swords, just to have her call him "master," without even requiring the traditional kowtow ceremony. Following this aging swordsman, Lu Haiya sometimes wondered if the Master of Sunken Sword Cave, were he to emerge from seclusion, would be the legendary sword immortal of the martial world? Would he be a land god of the highest rank, looking down upon the martial arts world?
Mi Fengjie frowned, stopping once more. He saw the mediocre Zhang Juxian descending to greet him, accompanied by the so-called "immortal master" Wei Jin, with even more elites following. Such a show of force—was Fu Lu Mountain planning to intimidate them with numbers? Mi Fengjie chuckled softly, thinking, wasn't he himself relying on his multitude of swords to bully others? Let Fu Lu Mountain's experts come.
Recalling his early days in the martial world, when he traveled to Wudi City, he happened to encounter Song Nianqing, the genius swordsman from the Eastern Yue Sword Pool, ascending the city with his sword. Each sword stroke was a move, displaying such elegance. He faced the invincible Wang Xianzhi, losing but with honor. After that, Mi Fengjie resolved to steadfastly follow Song Nianqing's path in swordsmanship, even aiming to surpass the great Master Song. Yet, Song Nianqing would never know that a contemporary swordsman, far away in Beiliang, had looked up to him and sought to catch up for decades, but would never have the chance for a satisfying battle. Zhang Juxian, who had considerable expertise in talismans, wore a grave expression. He cupped his fist slightly toward the Master of Sunken Sword Cave and said in a low voice, "Master, please don't misunderstand. We have just received confirmed news that large detachments of troops are gathering and stationed outside Fu Lu Mountain. Unlike the small-scale incursions by a mere hundred untrained constables that year, this time, they are genuine armored elite soldiers, numbering around ninety. Furthermore, over twenty elite scouts have already entered the mountain, systematically surveying the terrain, with more than four hundred constables from Qing'an and Yanzhi prefectures closely following behind."
Mi Fengjie's expression remained unruffled, like an ancient well. He asked blandly, "Only five hundred men? Fu Lu Mountain is vast. Are you worried there isn't enough space to bury them, Master Zhang?"
Wei Jin, responsible for the beacon towers of Fu Lu Mountain due to his past as a commandant under Gu Jiantang, said bitterly, "If it were a straightforward fight to the death, a 'one-off' deal, where it ends when one side is annihilated, we wouldn't be so worried. But since the two county governments have humbled themselves to borrow troops from a commandant, and are willing to sacrifice four hundred lives to fill Fu Lu Mountain, if their initial campaign goes poorly, they might become enraged. Even if their entire army is annihilated, those powerful commandants in Youzhou might then covet this fertile land. At that point, Fu Lu Mountain will not know peace, and your haven, Master, will certainly not have peaceful days."
A sneer hung on the Master of Sunken Sword Cave's lips.
Wei Jin did not show his irritation at Mi Fengjie's naive indifference to larger affairs. While the Master of Sunken Sword Cave's martial arts prowess was undeniably unrivaled in Fu Lu Mountain, discussing the broader political situation with him made Wei Jin feel utterly frustrated, like talking to a brick wall. However, given the current perilous situation, he had no choice but to patiently explain, "Master, we both know the might of Beiliang's armored soldiers. A few minor masters cannot contend with them. Even if Fu Lu Mountain fights to the last man and manages to stop the next assault of a thousand armored soldiers under a Youzhou commandant, General Huangfu Ping of Youzhou will certainly be alarmed. He's rumored to be ruthless and cruel; he sacrificed his own family to the Beiliang King's Residence for his official position, leaving only himself, which is how he gradually ascended to the rank of Youzhou General. He himself comes from a prominent martial arts family, controls the military and troop tallies of an entire prefecture, and is well-versed in dealing with martial sects. If this 'viper' targets us, Fu Lu Mountain and Immortal Coffin Cave will be in grave peril, like lips without teeth. Master, we must unite and face this difficult time together!"
Mi Fengjie sneered coldly, "If it's a losing battle, where you might win once or twice but are doomed to fail a third time, what good is an alliance? It's just a waste of lives. According to Fu Lu Mountain's reasoning, everyone should flee as soon as possible."
Wei Jin hesitated, then looked at Master Zhang Juxian, who nodded subtly. Wei Jin then said, "I have a plan, but I'm not sure if you'd be willing to listen, Master."
The Master of Sunken Sword Cave remained silent, staring coldly at the old man who frequently cursed Beiliang, his expression demanding he speak plainly. Wei Jin, feeling frustrated, still slowly explained, "Our stronghold is not as secluded as Immortal Coffin Cave. For this battle, there's no need to inconvenience you, Master. Fu Lu Mountain will confront the five hundred government soldiers alone, creating the illusion of a mutually destructive battle, and then burn this stronghold to the ground. We hope Immortal Coffin Cave can offer refuge. Not only is our Master willing to recognize you as our leader, but all of Fu Lu Mountain will obey your commands. As for later, if Youzhou remains persistent, intent on scouring every inch of this mountain, we will have nowhere to hide. At that point, the hundred or so people of Immortal Coffin Cave will be free to choose whether to leave or stay. But we, Fu Lu Mountain, will remain and fight to the death! If the Youzhou government forces relax their vigilance and no longer enter the mountain, Fu Lu Mountain will not unilaterally change today's agreement!"
The Master of Sunken Sword Cave, Mi Fengjie, fell into thought.
Zhang Juxian, truly a formidable local power who had ruled the mountain for years, laughed nonchalantly, "Even if you don't trust Fu Lu Mountain's verbal pledge, Master, you should trust these forty-odd swords behind you. Currently, both mountains are evenly matched. After a battle, Fu Lu Mountain will be severely depleted. What capital would we have to compete with Immortal Coffin Cave? The old saying goes, 'one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers.' Fu Lu Mountain should have been like this from the start. Now, it fulfills that ancient saying; it's just that Zhang Juxian's luck is bad, his martial arts cultivation is inferior to yours, and his fortune is even more so. I have no choice but to admit defeat."
Lu Haiya silently weighed the pros and cons. The scheme of Zhang Juxian and Wei Jin, those two old foxes, had no apparent loopholes. Fundamentally, this all stemmed from Beiliang's military power, which was simply too overwhelming for any martial arts force. Moreover, among the current top fifteen martial artists in the world, the King of Beiliang astonishingly ranked sixth. His aide Xu Yanbing was among the top five. Even Yuan Zuozong, the cavalry commander who wasn't officially listed, was one of Liyang's top three experts. This was Beiliang's underlying military strength. Even though Lu Haiya was quite confident in his own martial arts skill, against these individuals, he didn't even harbor the extravagant hope of a single fight in his lifetime. Lu Haiya suddenly heard his master calmly instruct, "Haiya, you will now offer some humble assistance to Master Zhang, as a welcoming gesture from our Immortal Coffin Cave to our esteemed guests."
Lu Haiya nodded. The welcoming gesture was merely a pretext; the true purpose was for his disciple to personally verify the situation. The perceptive Lu Haiya glanced and saw Zhang Juxian and Wei Jin both visibly relieved, which further convinced him that Fu Lu Mountain was truly facing a great disaster and had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure. Otherwise, who would willingly submit to another's authority?
Mi Fengjie suddenly said, "Fan Xiaochai is a great talent in swordsmanship whom I hold in high regard, and she is the secluded disciple I, Mi Fengjie, am determined to accept into my tutelage in this lifetime."
Wei Jin gave a wry smile, "Since you've said so, Master, and Immortal Coffin Cave has extended its hospitality, it is only proper that I, an old man, offer a visiting gift. At this moment, this effectively means I am unilaterally nullifying that challenge to the death. Wei Jin is willing to surrender without a fight, and these two weapons, the Coppery Rust Sword and the Sparrow Tail Saber, I present them with both hands, returning them to their rightful owner."
Wei Jin raised his hand, summoning two white-robed attendants carrying cases, and said in a deep voice, "Take the Coppery Rust and Sparrow Tail to Miss Fan."
The two white-robed attendants exchanged glances, then their eyes welled up with tears. They were clearly reluctant; these renowned divine weapons were a great satisfaction even to hold for their master, and after they were given away, it would likely be difficult to even glimpse or touch them again.
Wei Jin commanded sternly, "Go!"
The white-robed attendants dared not disobey and quickly departed.
Zhang Juxian smiled and asked, "Master, there's something I wish to ask, but I'm unsure if it's appropriate?"
Mi Fengjie chuckled, "Is Fu Lu Mountain always so hesitant? Since we are now family, there's no need for reservation."
Zhang Juxian's expression flickered, then quickly returned to normal. He spoke openly, "Fu Lu Mountain abducted a junior official from a lower county in Yanzhi Prefecture. He seems to be an old acquaintance of Miss Fan, and she holds him in high regard, even to the point of being willing to fight Master Wei to the death over him..."
Mi Fengjie cut off Zhang Juxian, stating coldly, "Fan Xiaochai is the granddaughter of General Fan of Beihan. She took an interest in a sixth-rank official from Beiliang. Why such a fuss? When she tires of him, she can simply kill him. With her exceptional talent, how could she let a fleeting romance impede her cultivation? Preposterous!"
Zhang Juxian looked chagrined and said nothing more on the matter.
As the lingering twilight receded higher up the mountain, Xu Fengnian returned to his courtyard with two cages of red-bellied pheasants. Wang Shiwei had inadvertently revealed a weakness to Wang Xiashan, and the seemingly innocent woman had clearly taken note. While Xu Fengnian could still move around freely during this time, Wang Shiwei had been strictly confined to a single courtyard, watched by hidden sentinels and scouts. Especially as news spread throughout Fu Lu Mountain that government troops were approaching, two experts with long, steady breaths were directly stationed inside his small courtyard. Ironically, this made Wang Shiwei come to terms with life and death. When Xu Fengnian entered, Wang Shiwei was seated on the steps, drinking heavily and exuding a heroic spirit. Inspired by him, Xu Fengnian sat beside him, put down the pheasant cages, took the wine flask from his hand, and tilted his head back, taking a large gulp of the strong liquor. That evening's dinner was extraordinarily lavish, with plenty of fish and meat. Wang Shiwei chuckled, having accepted his fate, and said, "It seems these scoundrels of Fu Lu Mountain are clearly intent on killing, not letting anyone go. This farewell meal, Official Xu, you are benefiting from my presence. By the way, if you, Brother Xu, ever have the chance to leave the mountain, please tell my wife and children in Mati County of Qing'an Prefecture that Wang Shiwei did not die a humiliating death. Brother Xu, remember especially to tell my young son, Buyi, that his father made a great contribution in rooting out the Jinji Mountain bandits."
Wang Shiwei drank his wine, his expression calm. "I just feel sorry for them, his mother and son; I have some regrets."
Xu Fengnian nodded, offering no words of comfort.
The following morning, there was considerable commotion on Fu Lu Mountain. Over 180 young, able-bodied bandits descended the mountain, their demeanor menacing.
The courtyard where Xu Fengnian and Wang Shiwei resided was already under confinement. Wang Shiwei sat in the main hall, calmly conserving his energy, preparing to kill at least one to break even, or two to profit, when Fu Lu Mountain eventually turned hostile.
Meanwhile, Xu Fengnian had already entered a trance and projected his spirit.
He quietly arrived deep within Fu Lu Mountain's dense forest, positioning himself on a hidden treetop of a mid-level peak to silently observe the battle.
Fan Xiaochai, who had acquired the Sparrow Tail and Coppery Rust, was indeed clever. She likely guessed Xu Fengnian would "project his spirit" to observe the battle, so she infiltrated the backyard. Only a wall separated her from Xu Fengnian, who was seated cross-legged on his bed. She gripped the saber and sword at her waist. Xu Fengnian's previous nine astral travels were always guarded by Xu Yanbing, who protected him constantly to prevent anyone from seizing an opportune moment. When the majority of one's soul leaves the body to travel and take form, the body's strength is significantly diminished—an immutable fact even land gods cannot change. Though not explicitly recorded in Taoist scriptures, Fan Xiaochai had achieved a high level in martial arts, and her intelligence was certainly not lacking, having distinguished herself among the numerous spies of the Fushui Society. This was the optimal moment to kill Xu Fengnian, who was now ranked sixth in the world; she did not believe such an opportunity would arise again. So, she struck without hesitation. The Coppery Rust and Sparrow Tail pierced the wall effortlessly, like a needle through paper, and her lithe body crashed through the wall. The moment she vaguely discerned his back through the dust, Fan Xiaochai felt no hatred, only liberation. Fu Lu Mountain's view of him was not one of intense hatred, but that didn't mean Fan Xiaochai would simply lay down her weapons and become a Buddha, especially since Buddhist scriptures did not record any women attaining Buddhahood.
When the tips of Fan Xiaochai's saber and sword were just a foot away from his back, her already ample qi surged to a new peak.
The tip of the Coppery Rust Sword suddenly erupted with surging martial energy; before the blade could strike, its potent sword energy had already arrived.
Xu Fengnian, in his spirit-projected form, stood lightly on the branch, unable to suppress a soft chuckle. "Do you think Gao Shulu's physique is made of paper? Otherwise, would I so casually project my spirit and travel so far?"
Disregarding the commotion in the small courtyard, Xu Fengnian gazed into the distance. Casualties were finally beginning.
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