Chapter 650: Brothers, Fellow Comrades of Northern Liang

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Daoist masters fly through the air and burrow into the earth, capable of taking heads from a thousand miles away. Buddhist bodhisattvas, with downcast yet fierce eyes, can shake Mount Kunlun with a raised hand. Who says a scholar lacks spirit? In a rage, they can make even the Emperor show distress. Traversing rivers, lakes, and singing, I wield a sword before which even immortals kneel. With a blade, a sword, and wine, three hundred thousand iron cavalry conquer the heavens. Welcome to the Feng Huo Xi Zhu Hou Readers' Forum.

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0 "Gong Zhulu""A Sword From The East 9"

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"A Sword From The East 9""Gong Zhulu"

Author: Feng Huo Xi Zhu Hou [Full Read]Update Time: 2014/07/11 12:00:02. Word Count: 6089

While the Guanyin Sect's "river-crossing dragons" might not have taken Xu Longxiang seriously, Xu Fengnian's personal arrival clearly shifted the atmosphere to favor the local power. Fortunately, Xu Fengnian did not act arrogantly. Instead, he approached the elderly woman he had met outside Youyan Villa and politely greeted her. He even teased Mei Yingyi, who had displayed impressive finger-sword skills on the lake, saying, "Sister Immortal, your finger-sword technique has greatly benefited this King. I've secretly learned from it and used it to great effect in several fights since then. I hope you don't mind."

Living up to her masculine-sounding name, Mei Yingyi showed no timidity when facing the powerful Prince who stirred both the imperial court and the martial world. Her smooth, porcelain-like cheeks, however, still bore a blush that enhanced her mature charm. Her voice was delicate but not seductive as she playfully retorted, "It is Mei Yingyi's honor that such a small skill could catch Your Highness's eye. However, I humbly have a request: if Your Highness ever has another major battle and uses the finger-sword technique, please first announce that it is the unique martial art of Mei Yingyi of the South Sea Guanyin Sect. Then, I shall become famous throughout the land!"

Xu Fengnian chuckled, unable to suppress his laughter. "That can certainly be arranged. To be honest, I once had half a master, Jian Jiu Huang; you must have heard of him. Back then, before I learned martial arts or swordsmanship, I used to think that whenever he was out in the martial world challenging someone to a sword fight, no matter what, if he could just mention my name, wouldn't I then be able to boast to all kinds of female heroes? So, Sister Immortal, we're cut from the same cloth. Wouldn't you say we're heroes who appreciate each other?"

Mei Yingyi covered her mouth and smiled, no longer enthusiastically agreeing. Instead, she cautiously maintained her composure, daring not to push her luck further. If one truly believed these powerful figures were benevolent bodhisattvas, then one might underestimate the unpredictable nature of rulers. Accompanying a sovereign was like accompanying a tiger. As a minor figure, she might one day be devoured whole, leaving not even bones, and they would still feel unsatisfied. Nevertheless, Mei Yingyi was immensely pleased to be addressed as "Sister Immortal" by the dignified Prince of Beiliang, and she made no attempt to conceal the joyous expression on her face.

Xu Fengnian turned to a young Qi practitioner who was stealthily hiding behind his senior disciple. He smiled and said, "What's wrong? Can't you recognize this King just because my hair changed color? Back then, you were quite arrogant, giving me a bold 'sitting on the river' gesture the moment you saw me."

The young man's face flushed. He stepped out from behind his fellow disciple and said miserably, "To have exchanged blows with Your Highness, I have no regrets in this life. Even if Your Highness wishes to fight or kill me today, I, Xu Qingxing, will have no complaints and would not dare to retaliate."

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly. "Oh, we're from the same clan! Then there's truly no reason for me to fight you. Once you're in Liuzhou, don't consider yourself an outsider. If there are any rare treasures you need that we in Beiliang possess, just say so. For the sake of our shared clan, I wouldn't be so shameless as to hoard them."

The young man chuckled. "Then I won't be polite! If Your Highness is stingy then, I, Xu Qingxing, will go to the Prince's mansion and throw a tantrum outside the gates."

Xu Fengnian nodded, dismissing it with a smile.

The charcoal-selling girl rolled her eyes in disdain, growing increasingly wary of this treacherous man with honeyed words and a hidden dagger.

Afterwards, Xu Fengnian requested a warhorse from the Dragon Elephant Cavalry and symbolically escorted the group of South Sea Qi practitioners for a stretch. Riding alongside Tantai Pingjing, the Sect Master of the Guanyin Sect, whose mind had long since become as still as an ancient well, calmly asked, "When will the Northern Mang army advance south?"

Xu Fengnian did not treat this as a secret military matter. He candidly replied, "Some small-scale battles will happen soon. Early this year, they were stunned by my younger brother's ten thousand Dragon Elephant Iron Cavalry. The new Southern Court King, Dong Zhuo, and the Northern Mang Empress will likely find it hard to swallow this defeat. Even if they could endure it, they urgently need a decisive victory to boost morale and secure a good omen. However, Beiliang is uncertain which border—Liang, You, or Liu—they will choose. We can only adapt to changes as they come. Sect Master Tantai, if you wish to accumulate merit through this, I, too, rely on your assistance to bestow blessings upon our fallen soldiers. I hope our two sides can..."

Tantai Pingjing smiled, taking over the conversation. "Have a pleasant transaction?"

Xu Fengnian was momentarily stunned. "That doesn't sound like something a reclusive master like yourself would say."

What followed was a natural, prolonged silence. Given the vast difference in their statuses and ages, it was truly difficult to find common topics for polite conversation.

Before parting, Tantai Pingjing finally spoke something somewhat unrelated: "My late master once ventured into the Central Plains martial world twice. The first time was to Dragon Tiger Mountain to debate with Master Qi at the Demon-Slaying Platform. The second was to seek the whereabouts of a white dragon. My master left a dying wish, stating that this white dragon was different from ordinary river pythons; it did not follow the river to the sea but instead swam upstream. My master could only deduce that the white dragon traveled to the vicinity of the Ghost Gate Pass, after which its whereabouts became unknown."

Xu Fengnian sat high on his horse, reins untied, hands tucked into his sleeves, and smiled faintly. "Sect Master Tantai, are you suggesting that white dragon secretly swam all the way to Beiliang? May I ask, offhand, why are you concerned about the whereabouts of a river dragon that has not yet awakened its divine essence and transformed into a true dragon, given that the world reveres dragons as gods, but you Qi practitioners—especially enlightened grandmasters like yourself—are capable of hunting them? Is there perhaps some deeper connection involved? If it doesn't involve the private matters of the Guanyin Sect, would the Sect Master be able to share a little?"

Tantai Pingjing shook her head, her tone stiff. "This matter is unrelated to Beiliang's situation. I have nothing to say."

Xu Fengnian didn't press the matter or have the inclination to dig deeper. He simply smiled it off, not taking it to heart.

The thousand Dragon Elephant Cavalry under Li Mofan's direct command did not continue the escort. Xu Fengnian returned the warhorse to the ordinary cavalryman and sat behind his younger brother, Xu Longxiang, who was acting as their driver. Evidently, the other comrades were greatly envious of the cavalryman whose horse had been ridden by the young Prince, and the cavalryman himself regarded it as an immense honor, looking very pleased. The bearded captain then approached, slapped the cavalryman's head, and jokingly scolded, "Damn it, boy, don't you dare pester me again about your share of military merits!"

Though young, the cavalryman was a seasoned veteran of the Dragon Elephant Army. During a previous engagement, he had taken the head of a Northern Barbarian dignitary. At the time, it was simply counted as a regular Northern Mang cavalryman's head for military merits. Later, news spread from the Southern Court of Northern Mang revealing that the man was, in fact, a member of the Yelu royal family, albeit from a minor branch, not a direct descendant of the purest bloodline. Nevertheless, according to Beiliang military law, he should have at least earned the rank of captain. The fierce soldier felt wronged and repeatedly went to the bearded captain to demand his military merits. In truth, everyone knew the rank of captain was secondary; he was mainly using the opportunity to extort a few jars of fine wine from the wine-loving captain. This time, when the Prince needed a horse, the captain, on a whim, gave the opportunity to the young man, thinking, "Surely, this will make him spare my remaining few jars of wine?" To his surprise, the cavalryman stuck out his neck and glared, saying, "Captain, let's be clear: this is a different matter entirely! If you dare renege on your promise, believe it or not, I'll go complain to the Prince!"

Complain to the Prince? None of the armored soldiers around the outspoken cavalryman found anything amiss. In Beiliang, the Prince of Beiliang was, by divine right, already the Emperor; he merely lacked the dragon robe and the dragon throne, which our Prince simply didn't care for.

The bearded captain gnashed his teeth. "Damn it, don't talk nonsense with me! Let me make this clear to you, you rascal, today: How about I give you a whole jar of wine later?! If you dare ask for even one more sip, see if I don't strip you naked and hang you on a horse's back, parading you around the camp a few times!"

The cavalryman grinned happily. "Done!"

Being stripped naked and paraded around the camp on horseback was a unique punishment within the Dragon Elephant Army. Nearly all the rebellious members, including the two deputy generals Li Mofan and Zhang Lingbao, who were native to the Dragon Elephant Cavalry, had experienced it.

One old hand, unlucky enough to have been hung eight times, took pride in it, always boasting with a look of ecstasy to the younger soldiers that the experience was endlessly memorable, more exhilarating than being intimate with women in bed. Of course, few were willing to believe him.

Li Mofan glanced sideways at the carriage, hesitated, and finally ordered his personal guards to create a small distance.

Xu Fengnian turned, lifted the curtain, and looked at the vivid red talisman armor, whose posture was hard to discern whether standing or sitting. When not worn, it was still half a person's height, standing solitary in the carriage, emitting a bone-chilling aura.

After Xu Fengnian had collected all five sets of Red Talisman General Armor, he strictly ordered the two Mohist grandmasters at the foot of Qingliang Mountain to reforge them into a single talisman armor. This was not only to provide his younger brother, Huang Man'er, with reliable support in future battles but also to forcibly restrain Xu Longxiang's burgeoning higher realm. Each time Xu Longxiang donned the armor, it was uncomfortable, nothing short of torture. Yet, as long as his elder brother Xu Fengnian asked him to do it, he never questioned why. In the past, Xu Xiao's combined soft and hard tactics failed to persuade this youngest son to apprentice with the old Celestial Master Zhao Xituo and study at Dragon Tiger Mountain. However, when Xu Fengnian returned after three years of wandering, a simple sentence from him was enough to make it happen. Beyond imperial and princely families, even among brothers of ordinary noble clans, there were always various rifts—be it disputes over legitimacy or seniority. How could any family be as close as the Xu brothers of Beiliang?

After becoming the Prince of Beiliang, Xu Fengnian first had to subdue the civil officials, then appease the border army, and furthermore, prepare to confront Wang Xianzhi. He couldn't find an opportunity to talk with Huang Man'er, or rather, he didn't know how to talk to him. After Huang Man'er matured, he became increasingly calm and developed his own opinions. The Dragon Elephant Army, which grew to thirty thousand soldiers after expansion, was also managed docilely by the young man. However, Xu Fengnian always habitually treated Huang Man'er as the snot-nosed child he was in his youth. As Huang Man'er grew up, Xu Fengnian felt a sense of unfamiliarity, not knowing how to express or resolve things. Occasionally, Xu Fengnian would recall Xu Xiao facing his own rebellious self back then, likely experiencing similar troubles. Of course, when Xu Fengnian was Huang Man'er's age, he was truly an unruly, indiscernible chaotic demon king. Xu Xiao must have been afraid to beat him, unwilling to scold him, and unsure how to guide or persuade him. Although, after the Princess's death, as a great general, he had to act as both father and mother, he was ultimately just a rough, unrefined man. When it came to leading troops, fighting battles, and managing the army, if reason didn't work, he simply beat them into submission. But with his eldest son, how could it still be so simple and trouble-free?

Xu Fengnian gazed at the yellow sandy earth, which appeared even more desolate and barren than Liangzhou, smiled, and softly asked, "Huang Man'er, do you miss Father?"

Xu Longxiang, his back to his brother, nodded vigorously.

Xu Fengnian continued, "Regarding Mother's early passing, outsiders say it was the result of her life for yours, to give birth to you. But strictly speaking, Mother's vital energy was depleted during the White Robe Case. If Xu Xiao hadn't had me, his eldest son, or if he hadn't had us two sons, he surely would have lived out the rest of his life gloriously as a vassal king, and his posthumous title would have been extremely honorable, certainly not that nonsensical 'Wu Li.' So, if anyone owes an apology to Father and Mother, it's definitely not you, my younger brother. I also know that Xu Xiao has always been partial, and you and our two sisters were never as good as I was."

Xu Longxiang held the reins, silent.

Xu Fengnian leaned against the carriage wall, gazing at the sky, which appeared higher and wider than anywhere else in Liyang. He said softly, "Xu Xiao was actually very good to all of us—exceptionally good. It's just that with our two elder sisters, and me as the older brother and you as the younger, things were bound to be different. But it wasn't that Xu Xiao was truly biased or didn't care for you and our sisters. It's just that he was a rough man who joined the army and killed enemies at fourteen; how could he know the difficulties a father faces in raising his children? It was only after Xu Xiao passed away, when I traveled through the Spring and Autumn period to contend with Wang Xianzhi, that I witnessed scenes of Xu Xiao in his youth, not as imposing as he was after going to Beiliang. I saw Xu Xiao, before his back bent or his leg limped, standing outside the Military Affairs Bureau for an entire night in the pouring rain. The powerful officials simply closed their doors and refused to give even a single soldier a mouthful of grain, and Xu Xiao just stood there all night. After one victorious battle, Xu Xiao secretly went alone to the battlefield where the soldiers' bodies hadn't all been removed, and he squatted there, stifling sobs. He was nothing like the invincible, tiger-like conqueror he claimed to be after we were born. I also saw Xu Xiao's despair after he became a general, sharing hard steamed buns with his master and Zhao Changling."

Xu Fengnian smiled, squinting as he looked up at the pristine sky. "Honestly, our father, he could only truly rest once he was gone. If he hadn't been worried about us, he would have long wanted to go down and join Mother. He was just holding on by sheer willpower, battling the King of Hell."

Xu Fengnian straightened his back, withdrew his gaze, and said in a deep voice, "In Beiliang, people have long said that the Zhao imperial court constantly made things difficult for us. With Xu Xiao holding military power, why didn't he simply rebel? With Beiliang's three hundred thousand iron cavalry, conquering the Central Plains would be inevitable. History books are merely maids that founding dynasties can adorn with makeup as they please; could our Xu family's good name ever be diminished? Xu Xiao never told us why he didn't. I've also thought about this question, which isn't really a question, and felt there was no logic to it. Xu Xiao wasn't that kind of person, which is why he ended up in Beiliang. Just as there's no logical reason for how Xu Xiao treated me or you, Huang Man'er; he was our father, and we were his sons, so he cared. It's that simple."

Xu Fengnian unconsciously tucked his hands into his sleeves, a habitual gesture, and said, "As his two sons, we must ensure that Xu Xiao, our father, doesn't incur posthumous infamy. To reduce even one critical word is simple. My guarding of the Northwest is merely the responsibility Xu Xiao entrusted to me; it is my duty, and it is simple. As your elder brother, I don't want my younger brother to die on the battlefield. At the very least, I don't want to see you die before me. There's no logic to this either. Huang Man'er, did you hear that? If you dare make me retrieve your corpse from the battlefield, don't even think about being my brother in the next life. Who doesn't have selfish desires? Even Xu Xiao said that, logically, no one's family or son should die more than another, yet he couldn't prevent it, could he? I'm the same."

"A Sword From The East 9"

Xu Fengnian calmly said, "When the great war begins, many will surely die—perhaps Second Brother Yuan, perhaps Yan Wenluan, or even Lu Qiu'er. But I still hope that we can die in a place even further north."

Xu Fengnian suddenly laughed. "Maybe we can even conquer Northern Mang in one go, right? Your brother, a mere rogue, was able to become the foremost expert under heaven, even if only for a brief period; but he was still the foremost expert! After that, what hardship in the world could possibly matter?"

Xu Longxiang turned his head, smiling foolishly.

After the carriage had traveled a few miles, Xu Longxiang suddenly turned his head again, then blinked.

Xu Fengnian couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. "Are you asking if I want women? Yes, of course, I do. I always have. Initially, I was worried about the Great Yellow Court cultivation technique gifted by the old Wudang Sect Master, which forbade meat and pleasure, so I had to endure and endure even when I couldn't bear it anymore. It was truly miserable back then. It was much later that I found out it was permissible. My only complaint about the old Sect Master is right here: why didn't you say so earlier, old master! But since returning from Northern Mang, one thing has followed another, and I haven't had time for it. That desire isn't as strong as before; I'll let fate decide. Huang Man'er, let me ask you something: between your two sisters-in-law, which one do you prefer?"

Xu Longxiang smacked his lips and chuckled.

Xu Fengnian immediately understood: it was the woman from the Lu family who could make Chongyang cake, not the world-renowned female literati.

Xu Longxiang suddenly jumped off the carriage, bent slightly at the waist, and turned to look at Xu Fengnian.

Xu Fengnian was stunned for a moment, then jumped onto Huang Man'er's back.

Xu Longxiang loudly shouted, "We're flying!", just like when he was a child, and ran wildly with his brother on his back.

This left Li Mofan and his thousand Dragon Elephant Cavalry stunned.

However, almost everyone simultaneously had a thought: When we go to the border to fight the enemy, entrusting our backs to our brother, the Prince of Beiliang, like Commander Xu does, just as the old generation of Xu family veterans confidently entrusted theirs to General Xu Xiao—that is the ultimate principle for the Beiliang Iron Cavalry now.

These things are ingrained in their bones; there's no logic to be explained.Moreover, who's to say that young Prince of Beiliang is inferior to Chen Zhibao, the 'Little Butcher'?

The bearded captain turned to look at the young cavalryman who had been grinning widely the entire way. He rode up beside Li Mofan and quietly said, "General, I don't know any fancy words about loyalty or righteousness; those are things scholars like to spout. But I think..."

Li Mofan interrupted his subordinate, raised his horsewhip, and pointed towards the two brothers whose backs were almost visible ahead. He said in a deep voice, "What, you want to declare your loyalty, boy? Look, the Commander and the Prince are right ahead; go tell them yourself. Anyway, just like you, I don't like scholars, and I don't like this kind of empty talk. A few years ago, you were one of those who were clamoring to go home, buy a big house, and find a beautiful woman to enjoy life with."

Fortunately, the captain's skin was dark, so his blush wasn't obvious. He twitched his lips and mumbled, "Well, back then, I wasn't confident, was I? Who would dare entrust their life to an unreliable leader? I, Qian Wu, am just an ordinary man..."

The captain's voice grew fainter and fainter until it was inaudible.

Li Mofan did not look at this subordinate, with whom he had shared life and death for many years. He calmly said, "I don't care what you were like before. Even if you became deserters and went back to enjoy life, you would have deserved it, and I, Old Li, wouldn't look down on you. But don't expect to share a table to drink and eat meat with me again. Li Mofan cannot lose face like that."

The captain looked up and, with a thick skin, chuckled, "General, your words truly hurt! Qian Wu's poor heart is thumping, it's really wounded my heart and lungs, and it can't be healed without a few bowls of good wine."

Li Mofan finally cracked a smile and grumbled, "Damn it, having a soldier like you is already a disgrace."

Qian Wu, with a carefree, cheeky grin, said, "Isn't it because you, General, raised me from scratch? Can't blame anyone else."

Li Mofan shouted, "Fan Xilong, listen to my order! Return to the camp and hang Qian Wu on a horse's back!"

Qian Wu's eyes widened. He raised his voice and asked, "What?!"

A captain nearby laughed heartily. "Understood!"

Qian Wu dared not quarrel with Deputy General Li Mofan. He turned and roared at the gloating scoundrel, "Damn you, Fan Hammer! Your daughter will never enter my family's door in this life! I'll become your mother's in-law!"

Fan Xilong looked indifferent, rubbing his ear as he lazily said, "Our daughter is pretty; why would we worry about her getting married? If it weren't for your son reading a few books and charming our daughter into insisting on marrying him, then even if you, Money Eyes, knelt at our door for three days and three nights, see if I'd say a single word to you!"

The nearby Dragon Elephant Army burst into laughter.

Enraged, Qian Wu cursed and roared, "Anyone who laughed out loud, you're all coming with me to be hung on a horse's back! Let's see whose is bigger! Whoever's is bigger than mine has to go an extra lap!"

Some daring cavalrymen immediately laughed. "Captain Qian, then we'll all have to go around the camp many times!"

Qian Wu turned, a forced smile on his face, and said, "You rascals are brave, aren't you? When the time comes, I'll pick the biggest one and chop it off to serve as a bar snack!"

A chorus of groans.

Li Mofan listened to the "flirting and banter" between his subordinates and their subordinates, trying his best to keep a straight face, but he couldn't help but smile brightly.

He wouldn't dare say that all of Beiliang's border troops could make the Northern Barbarians cry for their fathers and mothers, but as for the Dragon Elephant Army under his command, if he picked out a thousand elite direct soldiers, even against three thousand Northern Mang elite cavalry, it would still be like child's play!

That damn Liyang court, those civil and military officials from the six ministries in Tai'an City down to the prefectures and counties, how many years have they blindly clamored that our Beiliang army is just a name without substance?

Li Mofan reined in his smile, his face grew grim, his eyes particularly fervent, and he said in a sinister tone, "This time, whoever kills the most enemy captains, no one is to try and snatch that from me!"

At the same time, the Wu family's hundred cavalry had entered Hezou, nearing the Beiliang border.

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