Chapter 764: Two-Person Battle, Two-Nation War (9)

After confirming that Wang Sui was the linchpin of Beixiang's eastern front, Xu Fengnian, though appearing calm, felt a storm raging within him. This news was truly astounding, no less shocking than learning that Qi Yanglong of Shangyin Academy had entered the capital to become a regent.

With the collapse of the Central Plains, countless heroes and illustrious figures were swept away by the tides of change. Some dedicated their lives to their nations, some withdrew from the world to seek enlightenment, others bore the ignominy of serving two masters by joining the Liyang court, while many more simply disappeared, living anonymously in mountains, forests, or humble alleys. Wang Mingyin, the eleventh-ranked martial artist in the world; Gu Dazu, Nantang's foremost general; Su Su and Lu Xiufu, the Western Shu princes who fled to Beixiang; and the sole surviving heir of Jizhou's Han family, who became a bandit in Beixiang—all fell into this category. Had Xu Fengnian not ventured into the jianghu and stirred up trouble, they might have remained in obscurity, day after day, year after year, in their small, forgotten corners, never again returning to the public eye.

Wang Sui's return, his sudden emergence after twenty years of dormancy, was undoubtedly the most striking. His choice to align with Beixiang would inevitably have a massive and far-reaching impact on the entire world's political landscape. This dashing Prince Consort of Dongyue, one of the Four Great Generals of the Spring and Autumn Period, was truly masterful in his military tactics. He excelled at defeating powerful enemies with limited forces, embodying the "unorthodox" element in the Spring and Autumn military strategy of "Chu and Yue's Orthodox and Unorthodox maneuvers." He genuinely stood shoulder to shoulder with the strategist Ye Baikui. To be fair, Xu Xiao, who had not yet been enfeoffed as a king at that time, was primarily renowned for his invincible Xu family cavalry; his personal command and deployment of troops could not be compared to Ye Baikui or Wang Sui. Xu Xiao never concealed this from his children; the Butcher, who rarely praised his peers, never even tried to hide his admiration for Wang Sui. Even Li Yishan remarked that if Ye Baikui, who always saw himself as a righteous general, were replaced by Wang Sui—who excelled at sneak attacks and rapid assaults, favored large-scale troop movements, was adept at flexible cavalry-infantry coordination, and never fought with his back to the wall—then the Xu family's forces would never have been able to complete the encirclement at the Battle of Xileibi.

That Wang Sui was in Beixiang was, of course, a great misfortune. Yet, the silver lining was that he wasn't on the main battlefield between Liang and Beixiang, but instead engaging Gu Jiantang's 300,000 Liangliao border troops on the eastern front.

According to Liyang's feudal lord laws, a rule forbade lords from privately meeting other lords. However, even earlier, when Dongyue still existed, there was an interesting anecdote of "kings not meeting kings." One was the son-in-law of a city on the East Sea coast, named Wang; the other was the son-in-law of the Dongyue Emperor, also coincidentally named Wang. Wang Xianzhi and Wang Sui—one a jianghu grandmaster who never concerned himself with the court's affairs, the other a powerful Prince Consort who held sway over the world even while indulging in pleasures—for some unknown reason, these two utterly unrelated men were fiercely at odds.

Seeing Xu Fengnian fall silent, his expression growing increasingly solemn, Jiang Ni calmly said, "During our trip to Beixiang years ago, Uncle Cao and I visited Wang Sui. Uncle Cao tried to persuade him to serve Great Chu, but he refused. Wang Sui said that Dongyue's defeat by Liyang was an inevitable trend, not a failure in battle strategy. As for Dongyue's collapse, he had no lingering resentment. However, losing to Gu Jiantang was his second great humiliation, surpassed only by his youthful defeat to Wang Xianzhi. He wants to fight Gu Jiantang again when both sides had comparable forces and strategic advantages."

Xu Fengnian muttered to himself, "They're both sixty years old, how can they still be so childish? Matters of state and military aren't child's play, like 'you hit me today, so I'll kick you back tomorrow.'" Jiang Ni's expression was peculiar. "Wang Sui mentioned you," she said. "He heard you began training with a saber and made a bet with Uncle Cao. Wang Sui bet that you would definitely become a grandmaster of martial arts in the future."

Xu Fengnian laughed, "What's there to bet on? Isn't that a sure thing? Your Uncle, the Chess Grandmaster, would also be willing to bet on that, wouldn't he just be playing the fool and throwing money away? What was the stake?"

Jiang Ni snapped, "Uncle Cao didn't say you couldn't become a grandmaster; he just put your potential at the same level as his own. But Wang Sui said you could fight Wang Xianzhi."

Xu Fengnian stroked the scratchy stubble he hadn't shaved in over a week. "Wang Sui has unique insight," he said. "I must invite that old fellow for a drink sometime. Just for his foresight, I'll drink three cups in tribute first."

For once, Jiang Ni smiled. "Do you know why Wang Sui was so optimistic about you, back when you were only at the first-tier Vajra realm?"

How could Xu Fengnian guess what a cunning old man like Wang Sui was thinking? He casually replied, "My looks?"

Jiang Ni looked as though she had been dealt a heavy blow, speechless with vexation.

Xu Fengnian exclaimed in surprise, "Wang Sui really judges people by their looks?"

Jiang Ni's mood soured, and she refused to speak further.

Xu Fengnian began to ponder to himself, "Wang Sui came from a noble scholar-gentry family. In his youth, he was unrestrained and chivalrous, only settling down after coming of age. He only practiced martial arts for five years, yet he mastered all eighteen weapons—saber, sword, spear, bow—to perfection. His swordsmanship, in particular, was exceptional, earning much praise even from Song Nianqing of Sword Pond and Chai Qingshan. In his youth, Wang Sui was also widely regarded as Dongyue's most handsome man; the prominent women of the court affectionately called him 'Danlang.' In that case, he and I are kindred spirits, no wonder, no wonder..."

Jiang Ni couldn't help but want to kick him. Xu Fengnian, anticipating this, turned and gave her a glare. Perhaps it was habit from being bullied in earlier years, but even though she was now a female sword immortal capable of traveling a thousand li on the wind, like a terrestrial immortal, she instinctively withdrew her foot. Xu Fengnian, still huffily, demanded, "Tell me, who taught you this bad habit? Was it Cao Changqing, or Old Grand Tutor Sun Xiji?"

Jiang Ni, with a cold face, muttered softly, "None of your business!"

Xu Fengnian rubbed his backside. That kick in the alley a short while ago had ruined his carefully cultivated aura of a master. Suddenly, he was full of indignation, grumbling sarcastically, "I heard that in your Western Chu court, there's a young pretty boy named Song, who's very famous. So famous that even in Tai'an City, people spoke of him: 'His face is exceedingly fair, his bearing elegant, his demeanor as serene as the wind beneath a pine, lofty and unhurried.' Many idly claim that he often travels through mountains and rivers, mistaken for an immortal by villagers and woodcutters. Even Qi Yanglong praised and promoted him in front of Zhao Zhuan, saying that this Song fellow's literary talent is outstanding. Among the young scholars of the world, when composing poetry and essays, it's like searching for the black dragon in the Dragon Palace—only he obtains the pearl, while others merely find scales and claws. That's why Liyang now has the saying 'Dragon Calligraphy, Phoenix Demeanor,' referring to this fellow's literary talent, and..."

Jiang Ni, pretending to look bewildered, interrupted Xu Fengnian's rambling. "I have heard of 'Dragon Calligraphy,' referring to Song Maolin. He's the youngest Hanlin Academy scholar in Great Chu's history, and if Uncle Cao hadn't already set the precedent, he would also be the youngest Chess Grandmaster. But as for 'Dragon Calligraphy, Phoenix Demeanor,' or 'Xu of the North, Song of the South,' or Song Maolin's writings and so-and-so's demeanor complementing each other—I know nothing about any of that."

Xu Fengnian laughed angrily. "How dare that pretty boy be ranked alongside me? I could take down a thousand Song Maolins with one hand. He just wrote a mediocre declaration, I don't think much of it. Fallen immortal, my foot!"

Jiang Ni maintained her innocent-eyed look. "Oh, is that so? If I remember correctly, Old Grand Tutor Sun once praised one of his declarations, saying it was worth 100,000 soldiers."

Then she looked down and began counting on her fingers. "Qi Yanglong, Liyang's Grand Secretariat, says his literary talent is excellent, with the air of a fallen immortal. Old Man Tantian of the Menxia Department says his imperial examination essay skills are no less than Sun Yin's. Yao Baifeng, Libationer of the Imperial Academy, says he 'is learned and reasonable.' Plus, our Great Chu's Old Grand Tutor Sun says his declarations are powerful, and Uncle Cao says his chess skills are only a notch below Fan Chang's. Among the ten most learned people in the world, five have already spoken highly of him. Let me count again, I think there are still..."

Xu Fengnian rolled his eyes. "Stop, stop. That pretty boy only has a tiny bit of fame in the literary world. Now, where is your so-called 'so-and-so'?"

Jiang Ni deliberately looked left and right, avoiding Xu Fengnian's gaze. "Who? Where? I don't see anyone?"

Xu Fengnian reached out and gently pressed Jiang Ni's forehead, preventing her from shaking her head.

Jiang Ni swatted his hand away, saying scornfully, "Aren't you bored, caring about some scholar from Guangling Dao who's a world away? Beixiang's million-strong army is pressing down on Beiliang's border; can you even cope?"

Xu Fengnian looked into Jiang Ni's eyes and quietly asked, "I hear that more than half of the civil officials in your Western Chu court have proposed that the person named Song and you..."

Jiang Ni interrupted Xu Fengnian again. Her expression was normal, her tone flat, as if speaking of a minor matter she was detached from. "Before him, some suggested Kou Jianghuai, then Xie Xichui, and only after them came Song Maolin."

Xu Fengnian's face darkened, and he asked in a deep voice, "What is Cao Changqing doing? If he's too busy to look after you, the Princess of Great Chu, then why hasn't he fought his way to the gates of Tai'an City? If he's idle, then why can't he even control a few loose tongues in court? And he still wants to restore the kingdom?"

Jiang Ni shook her head. "Uncle Cao is already doing very well."

Xu Fengnian wanted to speak but stopped himself.

Jiang Ni let out a soft breath, looking towards the distant street where the lights were dimming. "What's the plan? Should we meet them head-on, or slowly wear them down and wait for them to come to us?"

Xu Fengnian instantly reverted to his nonchalant self. "I had just managed to build up some momentum, and you kicked it all away. Well, let's just wait then. Snow Lotus City isn't too big, nor too small; we probably have about an hour left."

Jiang Ni asked doubtfully, "Not leaving? We've been fleeing this whole time anyway, so why care about this instance?"

Xu Fengnian said nothing, turning back into the alley, with Jiang Ni silently following him. Young Miss Ma Shanggong from Majiabao and the poor young man Hong Shuzhi were still there. The Central Plains swordsman also lingered, clearly still hoping for the snow lotus. Seeing the "senior" sword immortal and the stunning woman with the sword box return, his expression was complex. The middle-aged man knew well that these two "immortals" were also after the snow lotus. He definitely couldn't snatch it, and likely couldn't beg for it either. But thinking of her, who had to rely on Liaodong old ginseng every month to sustain her life, the man gritted his teeth and cupped his fist towards Xu Fengnian. "Senior, could you possibly part with that snow lotus for me? My name is Shao Mu, and I am willing to trade my life for it!"

Xu Fengnian paused, then shook his head. "I must have this snow lotus. There's nothing to discuss."

Shao Mu's expression was mournful. He closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them, stating with resolute determination, "Then I shall have to seek some guidance from you, senior!"

Xu Fengnian waved his hand and smiled. "You might as well wait until morning. If I'm still in the city by dawn, you can trade your life for the snow lotus at Liu Huaixi's residence. If I've left the city, then you can make a deal with that child. All you'd need to do is help him make a trip to Majiabao. With your strength as a second-grade minor grandmaster, it shouldn't be hard to handle a private stronghold."

The girl with the peculiar name, gathering her courage, retorted, "Our Majiabao's head guard instructor is known in the jianghu as 'Wei Iron Spear'! His reed-leaf spear, forged from fine iron, is twelve feet long, with a spearhead alone thirteen inches. It's incredibly powerful! I once saw Instructor Wei pierce through three suits of iron armor with a single thrust! What's more, our Majiabao also has a cavalry unit that moves like the wind! Even General Liu's mansion in Snow Lotus City wouldn't dare to underestimate our Majiabao!"

Shao Mu merely dismissed it with a smile.

Meanwhile, Xu Fengnian squatted on the steps beside Shao Mu, smiling. "Your family sounds quite powerful," he said. "Just a question: were your ancestors local, or did they migrate from the Central Plains?"

The girl cautiously asked, "Why do you ask that?"

Seeing her unwillingness to answer, Xu Fengnian didn't press further, and instead began to concentrate and cultivate his vital energy.

Shao Mu hesitated for a long time, then finally couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "Senior, are you truly going to contend with Tuoba Pusa of Beixiang?"

Xu Fengnian grunted in affirmation.

Even Shao Mu, who considered himself accustomed to great storms and waves, was stunned. To be able to contend with Beixiang's God of War, he must at least possess first-grade Finger-Profound cultivation, perhaps even having touched the threshold of the legendary Heavenly Phenomenon realm, right?

Jiang Ni, unable to stand his pretense of profundity, sneered and debunked him, "Haven't they been fighting for over half a month, or was it a month? And they still haven't decided the victor!"

Shao Mu's eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets, and he swallowed hard.

Xu Fengnian just smiled and remained silent.

Although he had lived for years in Snow Lotus City, far from the Central Plains jianghu and isolated from news, Shao Mu truly couldn't fathom who possessed such incredible power. Could he have been so blind that the senior sitting beside him was the Peach Blossom Sword God, Deng Tai'a? Among the masters of the sword, Song Nianqing of Sword Pond and Chai Qingshan, the foremost swordsman of the Southeast, were both old men, and Tangxi Sword Immortal Lu Baixie wouldn't have this level of capability, so the age still didn't match. During his journey from the Central Plains to Snow Lotus City, Shao Mu had heard that Wu Liuding, the Sword Paragon of the Wu Family Sword Mound, had begun traveling the jianghu with a female sword attendant in Western Shu. The old man who died by the "senior's" sword earlier had made a similar guess, mentioning sword nurturing and flying swords. However, Shao Mu didn't believe Wu Liuding could reach the level of fighting Tuoba Pusa with full strength for over half a month within just a few years. No matter how astonishingly talented a martial arts genius, without repeated life-and-death struggles, without experiencing 'feeding moves' from multiple top martial grandmasters, it wasn't hard to enter the first-grade realm by talent alone, but achieving the cultivation of a martial rankings top ten expert was still incredibly difficult.

Half an hour later, the girl was drowsy, and the boy was forcing himself to keep his eyes open. Xu Fengnian raised his arm, and his Six-Year Phoenix descended diagonally through the night sky. Xu Fengnian took out the secret letter from the slender bamboo tube and felt a sense of relief.

Jiang Ni cast a questioning glance.

Xu Fengnian said cheerfully, "Xu Yanbing left everyone behind and has ridden alone to the outskirts of Snow Lotus City. He can enter the city in less than half an hour."

Jiang Ni said, "Oh," and then, "Then I'll wait half an hour."

Xu Fengnian shook his head. "No need. Since Xu Yanbing arrived much earlier than I expected, you can safely return to Guangling Dao."

Then Xu Fengnian turned to the boy and Shao Mu respectively. "Hong Shuzhi, go get that snow lotus. I will naturally help you fulfill your wish. Shao Mu, by tomorrow morning at the latest, I can get you the one from Liu Huaixi's residence. Remember, after you deliver the snow lotus, immediately head to Beiliang. Report your name at any courier station in Youzhou or Lingzhou, and someone will bring you to me. In short, I accept your life, Shao Mu."

The boy was half elated, half anxious, his face flushed red. "Really?"

Xu Fengnian gently raised his arm, letting his falcon return to the night sky, then nodded. "You've seen my swordsmanship with your own eyes."

The boy joyfully jumped up and down, then eagerly rushed inside and brought out an iron box. The box contained ice, which encased the snow lotus. Xu Fengnian took the box and handed it to a bewildered Jiang Ni. "For you."

Xu Fengnian pointed to the wound on her neck, then to his own cheek, and smiled, "Snow lotus is probably the best beauty-enhancing item for women in the world."

Without giving Jiang Ni a chance to refuse, Xu Fengnian looked at her and said calmly, "Also, pass a message to Cao Changqing: tell him not to worry. There are some places where the Beiliang Iron Cavalry know their way around."

Xu Fengnian blinked. "If you don't mind passing another message for me, please tell that pretty boy, Song, that 'magnificent fallen immortal'—I'll beat him until even his parents wouldn't recognize him."

Jiang Ni held the box, silent.

Xu Fengnian smiled. "It's just holding on for half an hour. I actually need to face Tuoba Pusa and Li Mibi alone in a fight. I want to completely damage Tuoba Pusa's state of mind so that the next time we confront each other, I'll have a greater chance of winning. Don't worry, if things turn sour, it's easy for me to escape. I've been recuperating this entire journey, so I have enough energy to play cat and mouse with them for half an hour."

Jiang Ni remained silent.

Xu Fengnian teased, "What, you don't want to leave?"

Jiang Ni scoffed.

Xu Fengnian waved his hand. "Go on, go on."

Jiang Ni's expression was stiff and cold. She turned around, and the Daliang Longque flew out of its zitan sword box, hovering horizontally before her. She lightly leaped onto it and, in an instant, vanished like a rainbow.

Shao Mu was once again dumbfounded. Another goddamn Sword Immortal?! Since when have Terrestrial Sword Immortals been so common in our Liyang jianghu?

The boy grinned foolishly at the girl. "See? I told you, she really is an Immortal Sister!"

The girl stomped on the boy's foot. He hopped on one leg, grimacing.

About fifteen minutes later, the girl looked at the man who stood on the steps, continuously gazing in the direction where the immortal had vanished, and quietly asked, "You were lying to her, weren't you?"

Xu Fengnian smiled, then turned to Shao Mu. "Take these two children to Snow Lotus Pavilion. Tell them I promised you a snow lotus, and Madam Song will help you obtain it from Liu Huaixi at any cost. Then have Snow Lotus Pavilion settle them in. Go, use the back entrance."

As Shao Mu led the boy and girl away, a faint sound of hooves could be heard from a distant alley.