Chapter 766: Slowly

Snow Lotus City was filled with numerous clustered brothels. Their towering buildings stretched far, with layered, upturned eaves that created an imposing atmosphere, reminiscent of an imperial palace. Snow Lotus Pavilion was the tallest among them, reaching eight stories high, making every step upward feel like ascending to heaven, a joyful experience like that of an immortal. The city's reputation as a "City That Never Sleeps" also stemmed from this. Even at dawn, the wide main street was far from deserted. Unkempt pleasure-seekers constantly emerged from the brothels, leaning on alluring women. If men encountered their "bedfellows" from the previous night on the street, they would simply exchange knowing smiles, a silent understanding passing between them.

Xu Fengnian had the Waterside Residence operative lead the way from a distance. As he walked down the street, heavy with the scent of powder and perfume, many brothel girls, who should have been resting after a night's work, cast flirtatious glances his way. Braver women even directly propositioned the handsome, unfamiliar young man with crude remarks. The street was long, and Xu Fengnian proceeded with his saber at his hip, amidst gasps, shouts, and playful banter. So much so that many women, who had just gotten into bed but hadn't quite fallen asleep, opened their windows, leaned on the sills, and gazed with amusement at the dashing young man. Someone started it by shouting, "Young master, I'll pay you twenty taels to come over!" Soon, others called out thirty taels. The Waterside Residence's second-tier operative, the only one in Snow Lotus Pavilion besides Madam Song who knew Xu Fengnian's identity, broke out in a cold sweat. At the same time, a surge of bold, heroic spirit welled up in him, making him wonder if the conflict between Liang and Mang could be avoided if the Northern Barbarians were led by a young empress.

Xu Fengnian dodged the assorted objects, including fruits, scarves, and bellybands, feeling a bit helpless. It was then that he remembered he hadn't visited a brothel since parting ways with the woman who carried the white cat Wu Meiniang. Earlier, when he used to wander with Li Hanlin, Yan Chiji, and Kong Wuchi, such scenes were common. However, back then, the pleasure houses in Liangzhou and Lingzhou knew his background, and their interest was mostly in his title as the Crown Prince and the silver notes in their pockets. Snow Lotus Pavilion, unlike other brothels located on both sides of the street, stood majestically at the very end, like a king facing south with civil and military officials flanking him. The unusual commotion on the street also alerted Snow Lotus Pavilion. By the time Xu Fengnian reached the building's exterior, curious women's heads were peering out of windows from the sixth floor down. However, Snow Lotus Pavilion had strict rules; they dared not join in the commotion haphazardly like their counterparts, especially after seeing the burly man standing at the foot of the steps in a posture of greeting a distinguished guest. They dared not overstep.

Xu Fengnian paid no mind to this harmless little incident. Among the Four Grandmasters, Tuoba Pusa was confirmed to have returned north, Deng Tai'a was never an enemy, and Cao Changqing was in Guangling. Who else in the world could assassinate him, and who would dare?

Madam Song did not descend to welcome him with a grand display, clearly exercising caution. Xu Fengnian went straight to the top floor, where Madam Song and Yu Qingling, Snow Lotus Pavilion's new courtesan, with whom he had recently had a brief encounter, stood breathlessly at the entrance of an elegant room. Madam Song pushed open the door, and Xu Fengnian stepped across the threshold into the antique-decorated room. Madam Song and Yu Qingling quietly followed, and the burly man quickly closed the door, standing outside like a guardian. After Xu Fengnian found a chair and sat down, Yu Qingling began to prepare tea without Madam Song needing to say a word, the tea set already laid out on the table. At Xu Fengnian's silent gesture, Madam Song also sat down and softly asked if he would like some breakfast. Xu Fengnian shook his head and asked, "Are Shao Mu and the two children settled?"

Madam Song reported, "They are all settled. As commanded, Snow Lotus Pavilion's overt and covert forces have begun to mobilize. We should be able to acquire the snow lotus from Liu Huaixi's residence by tonight at the latest."

Yu Qingling's fluid movements while brewing tea paused slightly. Madam Song's face remained impassive, but her eyes narrowed imperceptibly for a moment. Xu Fengnian waved his hand, saying, "Cancel the mission. It's no longer necessary."

Madam Song nodded, showing no trace of confusion.

Xu Fengnian said softly, "I will rest at Snow Lotus Pavilion for a day. You can carry on as usual; there's no need to go out of your way to entertain me."

Madam Song hesitated as if to speak, but before Xu Fengnian could say anything, she immediately dismissed the thought and said with a contrite expression, "This servant overstepped."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "There's nothing bad to say. I simply had another fight with Tuoba Pusa, who pursued me all the way to Snow Lotus City, and we still couldn't determine a victor or defeat. Li Mibi is probably tearing his hair out right now; the cost for Northern Mang's 'Spiderweb' organization for this assassination attempt against me was considerable."

Yu Qingling was stunned as if struck by lightning, her limbs stiffening.

Tuoba Pusa, the Northern Mang God of War, and Li Mibi, the progenitor of the espionage trade—weren't both terrifying figures, high above and beyond reach?

Xu Fengnian said apologetically, "After I entered Snow Lotus Pavilion, your identities will soon be discovered by those with discerning eyes. Among the various powers in Snow Lotus City, the only threat is Western Shu. However, rest assured, for one, Western Shu will be preoccupied for a while. Their intelligence network has always been thin. Furthermore, I will dispatch a group of Waterside Residence operatives here. Unless unexpected, their leader will be Fan Xiaochai, and if necessary, Mi Fengjie, a Sword Grandmaster of the Zhi Xuan realm, will also accompany them. Snow Lotus City cannot be abandoned for now; I need Snow Lotus Pavilion, with its inherent advantage due to its proximity, to help monitor the changing situations in Western Shu and Southern Zhao. In the future, I might impose on you to contact certain individuals in Southern Zhao."

Madam Song smiled, "It is Snow Lotus Pavilion's greatest honor to be able to offer our humble strength to Clear Cool Mountain and the Waterside Residence. We would not hesitate even if it meant certain death."

From the corner of Yu Qingling's eye, Madam Song appeared radiant, her smile warm, a stark contrast to the Madam Song she knew. Ever since Yu Qingling made Snow Lotus Pavilion her home as a child, the Madam Song in her memories, whether it was her impeccable way of dealing with people or her strategic maneuvering and scheming against influential men, had always maintained a solemn and aloof demeanor. Even when she did smile at courtesans like Yu Qingling, her smiles were always scarce. It was the first time Yu Qingling realized that when Madam Song smiled genuinely, it was like putting the final dot on a painted dragon, adding an exceptionally profound charm. Yu Qingling quickly composed herself, tidied her scattered emotions, and offered the young master a cup of "Sparrow's Tongue" tea, plucked from ancient tea trees at the peak of Tianmu Mountain in Southern Zhao. As he reached for the cup, Yu Qingling's gaze subtly swept over him. She wasn't foolish; while merely warranting Madam Song's solemn and respectful welcome would be within the purview of the Waterside Residence's high-ranking hidden operatives, the mention of a great battle with Tuoba Pusa, with an implication of determining life or death, naturally revealed the identity of the handsome man before her. In all of Northern Liang, the only one more powerful than Chu Lushan, who served as both Protector-General of Northern Liang and the hidden leader of the Waterside Residence, was the King of Liang, Xu Fengnian! Yu Qingling couldn't help but marvel at how young he was.

Xu Fengnian paid no mind to Yu Qingling's slight curiosity. He leisurely sipped his tea while casually chatting with Madam Song about the customs and local conditions of Snow Lotus City. Having been entangled with Tuoba Pusa for over half a month, constantly facing life-or-death situations, he also needed to learn about the ongoing Liang-Mang war and the changing tides of the world from Snow Lotus Pavilion. However, Snow Lotus Pavilion was located in a small border town in the southwestern frontier, and its geographical location couldn't compare to the Eight Residences within Western Shu and Southern Zhao. Snow Lotus Pavilion ranked only mid-tier among the Waterside Residence's seventy-two external and internal divisions. Yet, Madam Song's status was special, earning even Chu Lushan's admiration. Moreover, as Xu Fengnian and Tuoba Pusa had fought their way from the northern Western Regions to the south, the Waterside Residence had relayed some extra intelligence to Snow Lotus Pavilion, ensuring that Xu Fengnian would receive immediate updates upon entering Snow Lotus City. However, Xu Fengnian could only ascertain that Liu Jinu's Hutou City remained secure, that a massive new city north of Liangzhou, even larger than Hutou City, was about to begin construction, and that in the vicinity of Qingcang City in Liuzhou, the Dragon Elephant Army and Liu Gui's forces had engaged in a probing skirmish, with casualties on both sides being within acceptable limits. Additionally, after the two cities of Wogong and Luanhe within Hulu Pass were breached by Northern Mang's vanguard general Zhong Tan, Xiaguang City also fell under Northern Mang's relentless assault. The Tiger-Pounce Battalion, an old infantry unit from Youzhou that had achieved significant merits, which Xu Fengnian, as the King of Northern Liang, had personally approved and Chu Lushan had personally issued orders for in the name of the Northern Liang Protectorate—from its commander Xun Shu, to the twenty-three captains and forty-seven lieutenants, and finally to all the soldiers, a total of 2,726 men—all died in battle. For some reason, as Yu Qingling listened to these concise words spoken by Madam Song, it was as if she heard the thunderous roar of war drums and the clang of battle, smoke billowing everywhere, corpses strewn across the land, blood-stained faces, and drawn Northern Liang sabers... Unbeknownst to herself, tears streamed down her face, yet she saw the young princely king leaning back in his chair, drinking tea, his expression utterly emotionless, completely indifferent. Yu Qingling, a humble pawn who had only with great difficulty risen to the Waterside Residence's second-tier, suddenly felt an uncontrollable surge of anger. Her courage flared, and she stared directly at the young man who could, at times, legitimately wear a python robe. Her eyes filled with doubt and indignation: "Border soldiers are bravely dying for you, for your Xu family. Can't you show even a hint of sorrow? Do they have to die as if it's a matter of course, simply because they are part of Northern Liang's 300,000 iron cavalry? Is it too much to ask for you to even furrow your brow?!"

Madam Song said softly, "In the battles fought outside the passes in You and Liang prefectures, not a single soldier of the Northern Liang border army has surrendered since the war began."

Xu Fengnian nodded, saying, "Before the Northern Mang army enters the passes, even if someone among us were willing to surrender, Northern Mang would not accept it."

Yu Qingling, who should have refilled his teacup, angrily slammed the teapot down. Then, with a bitter smile and a 'come what may' attitude, she was about to presumptuously question whether this young princely king had a heart.

However, before Yu Qingling could speak, Madam Song, with her sharp discernment, sternly said, "Silence! Yu Qingling, get out!"

Yu Qingling rose distractedly, leaving the elegant room in a daze.

Madam Song gave a wry smile, "Your Highness, Yu Qingling is just a child. She has lived her entire life in Snow Lotus City, where there haven't been many major storms. She understands nothing, so please do not blame her."

Xu Fengnian bent down, picked up the teapot, poured himself some tea, and then poured a cup for Madam Song. He shook his head, "It's fine."

Madam Song said softly, "Snow Lotus Pavilion is comprised of twin buildings, connected by an aerial bridge, earning it the reputation of 'pavilion in the sky.' The front building is primarily used for banquets and tea, with guests typically arriving at night and departing in the morning. The back building provides lodging, usually only accessible to returning guests familiar with Snow Lotus Pavilion's inner workings. This servant is unsure if Your Highness wishes to stay in the back building or prefer to find a quiet residence nearby; it's not far, just a short walk, about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "No need for too much trouble. I'll stay in the back building."

Madam Song hesitated. The back building certainly had luxurious rooms, no less grandly decorated than a prince's mansion. However, Snow Lotus Pavilion was a mixed bag of all sorts of people, a place where wealthy patrons from various regions would often splurge, staying for ten days to half a month in this "land of gentleness," and unsavory incidents were common. Madam Song's unspoken implication was naturally that she hoped the young princely king would choose a quiet courtyard amidst the bustle, for how could the dignified King of Northern Liang stay in the same building as those men? However, since he had spoken, Madam Song did not add unnecessary embellishments. She led Xu Fengnian down to the sixth floor, walked into the ingeniously designed sky bridge, and arrived at the back building. Madam Song did not arrange for Snow Lotus Pavilion girls to prepare the clothes he would need after bathing; she handled everything personally, even pouring water into the bathtub in his room. As for offering herself to him, Madam Song neither dared to hope nor entertained such a thought. Among all the brothels in the world, no matter how outstanding a woman's beauty, no matter how many men vied for her attention, weren't they all still just common, faded beauties? "Emerging from the mud unstained"? Did they truly believe themselves to be female bodhisattvas seated on lotus pedestals?

After seeing Madam Song to the door, the shabbily dressed Xu Fengnian took off his Liang saber, bathed, changed clothes, shaved, and trimmed his nails, finally feeling refreshed. Then, he sat at the table, his mind stirring. The remaining flying swords gifted by Deng Tai'a years ago floated out of his sleeve one by one, hovering a foot above the table: 'Mystic Armor,' 'Childhood Sweethearts,' 'Morning Dew,' 'Spring Water,' 'Peach Blossom,' 'Moth Eyebrows,' 'Vermillion Sparrow,' 'Yellow Parasol Tree,' 'Ants,' 'Golden Thread,' and 'Tai'a.' Originally, there were twelve flying swords in total, each containing one of twelve sword stances. He had mastered all the stances, but after several major battles, only four swords remained: 'Childhood Sweethearts,' 'Yellow Parasol Tree,' and 'Ants.' People often say that things change while people remain the same, but for Xu Fengnian, it was the opposite: the person remained, but the things gradually vanished. Xu Fengnian did not put away the four inseparable flying swords, leaving them quietly on the table. He closed his eyes and began to meditate on his breathing. Daoism's mastery of breathing techniques and its advocacy for returning to simplicity stemmed from a belief: when a newborn cries upon entering the world, it is expelling the impure qi of its previous life. Young children often cry because "they have impure qi in their belly that isn't expelled," meaning they possess naturally existing true qi without knowing how to cultivate it through breathing exercises, thus aligning with the concept of "innocence." When a person matures, although they learn to endure and hide their emotions, and their ability to mask joy is praised as a sign of maturity, from a Daoist perspective, this goes against their innate nature.

Xu Fengnian was half-asleep, half-awake, in a daze.

With each inhale and exhale of his breathing, his mind would contract and expand. One moment, he heard many sounds from within and outside Snow Lotus Pavilion; the next, it was as if all sounds in the world had fallen silent.

Xu Fengnian remembered Xu Yongguan, the blind old soldier from the Fish Drum Camp, and the six hundred farewell calls on the road to the capital.

He remembered the Youzhou cavalrymen who fought all the way from Jibei to outside Hulu Pass.

He remembered many people and many things.

He didn't know how much time had passed when Xu Fengnian was roused by faint footsteps outside his door. He suddenly realized that outside his window, the streetlights were just beginning to glow. Xu Fengnian put away his flying swords, walked to the window, and stared out in a daze.

After this battle, Xu Fengnian was confident that it wouldn't be long before he could truly fight Tuoba Pusa to a draw and also contend with Deng Tai'a, the strongest among the Four Grandmasters in terms of killing power. As for Cao Changqing, who was commonly considered the most famous but only "last among equals" among the Four Grandmasters – after all, Tuoba Pusa was recognized as the eternal second-place only to Wang Xianzhi, and Deng Tai'a had made further strides after Li Chungang's sword-lending and sea voyage to seek immortals. Meanwhile, Xu Fengnian, riding on the momentum of his victory over Wang Xianzhi, was at the peak of his prestige in the martial world. Only Cao Changqing had not fought against Grandmasters of equal cultivation for many years; even his brief appearance with Jiang Ni in Taian City did not involve a full-scale battle, only minor exchanges with Gu Jiantang, Liu Haoshi, and a few others, lacking true life-or-death combat. Therefore, compared to Xu Fengnian, Deng Tai'a, and Tuoba Pusa, he was inevitably underestimated. However, Xu Fengnian knew clearly that after the Confucian Saint Cao Changqing changed his path, among the four, this grand official was actually not only the highest in cultivation but also the strongest in combat power. At this point, Cao Changqing was probably no less formidable than Xu Fengnian himself was at his peak when he still possessed his celestial physique.

Outside the room, Madam Song, accompanied by the Waterside Residence's elite operative whose name Xu Fengnian still didn't know, gently knocked on the door. After receiving permission, Madam Song pushed the door open and said, "Liu Huaixi has come alone to visit Snow Lotus Pavilion. This servant dared not act on my own initiative, so I had to disturb Your Highness's rest."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Let's go together. I'm also very curious about this legendary figure who dominates one region. Madam Song, you can say that I am a newly accepted security guard at Snow Lotus Pavilion."

Madam Song gave a half-smile, holding back. Xu Fengnian teased, "Well, indeed, even if Snow Lotus Pavilion is wealthy and powerful, it probably can't afford a bodyguard like me."

The three walked together down a corridor carpeted with beautiful silk from Western Shu. After turning a corner, they passed a room where guests were just opening the door. A group of people filed out: four men and one woman. The woman was dressed in purple, with a long, purple-sheathed sword and a delicate purple bamboo flute at her waist. She was strikingly beautiful, her face aloof, giving off an air of distant unapproachability. The other three young men presented distinct styles. The one leading them was lively and had a delicate face; he bounded out of the doorway, hands clasped behind his back, smiling and talking to a tall, sword-browed man. Another possessed the demeanor of a noble young master, with a face like polished jade and luxurious brocade clothing. He was whispering with a sword-carrying old man with temples streaked with white. The two groups collided. In fact, if either party had taken a step back, they would have passed each other indifferently. However, the Waterside Residence operative leading Xu Fengnian and Madam Song showed no intention of stopping, and the young man who had come out first, probably accustomed to being spoiled by elders at home, lacked the good manners of yielding to others when out. He stood in the center of the corridor, swaying his shoulders and smiling with narrowed eyes. Madam Song subtly frowned. Xu Fengnian shook his head imperceptibly. Madam Song understood and calmly said to Meng Li, Snow Lotus Pavilion's top expert, who had intended to push straight through, "Meng Li, forget it."

Upon hearing the name Meng Li, only the sword-carrying old man's eyelids twitched among the group. Apart from him, a seasoned veteran, the others were entering Snow Lotus City for the first time. Although their younger companions were not reckless or arrogant, the sects and families of the purple-clad woman and the pair of siblings were outstanding in the southwestern prefectures. As for the tall young man without a background, he was a rare rising star from the martial world. Deep down, they all looked down on this small border town. However, the old man had heard of Meng Li. He rarely took action in Snow Lotus City, but it was rumored that he had once engaged in a life-or-death battle against several of Liu Huaixi's top experts, despite being vastly outnumbered. Most of those experts subsequently disappeared from the martial world. Liu Huaixi was a recognized Second-Rank Petty Grandmaster, so the fact that Meng Li was still alive and well indicated either that Snow Lotus Pavilion was not to be trifled with, or that Meng Li possessed the skill to challenge Liu Huaixi. The old man, who considered his own swordsmanship to be masterful, might not have been overly wary of Meng Li, but confronting such a local formidable figure at their doorstep necessitated caution; it was always better to avoid trouble.

Just as the old man was about to proactively step back to avoid trouble, the young woman disguised as a man sneered, "Forget it? What big talk! Who are you people? We won't let it go! What do you intend to do now?"

The purple-clad woman, who had arrived in Snow Lotus City earlier than her companions, sighed softly and said to the noble young man whose face bore some resemblance to the girl's, "That woman is the head proprietress of Snow Lotus Pavilion. Everyone in Snow Lotus City calls her Madam Song."

The young scion hummed in acknowledgment. Born into a prominent family, he possessed good self-cultivation and had no intention of causing trouble. He smiled at the fiery-toned girl and said, "Stubborn girl, come back."

The girl reluctantly complied, though she was no longer as aggressive. However, someone soon added fuel to the fire. The tall young man, full of rough, unrefined charisma, his eyes burning, stared intently at Madam Song, who still possessed charm and skin like a young girl. "You're Madam Song of Snow Lotus City, the woman who, years ago, even the Deputy General of Yizhou in Western Shu couldn't win over?" He grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Madam, my name is Zhang Wuhou, the fellow who urinated in front of Prince Zhao's mansion in Southern Zhao. I've admired you for a long time!"

Madam Song did not become enraged by the young man's flippant words. She merely smiled and said, "I see."

The girl was clearly displeased by the man's change of affection. She scoffed and looked at Madam Song with even greater defiance. "Zhang Wuhou, what are you admiring? She's old enough to be your mother!"

Zhang Wuhou, who had made a name for himself in the southwestern reaches of Liyang since his debut by his audacious actions, smiled faintly and said, "A little girl like you wouldn't understand Madam Song's charms."

The sword-carrying old man was worried, and the elegant young scion was also helpless. However, to say they were afraid of angering the entire Snow Lotus City over this would be a huge joke.

Xu Fengnian hadn't expected these individuals to be so brazen. Unwilling to let them continue insulting Madam Song, he smiled and said, "When you're out and about, speak properly. At the very least, speak like a human being."

Then Xu Fengnian turned to Madam Song, "Do people in the martial world these days wish to engrave 'Come hit me!' on their faces? I certainly didn't have that kind of audacity back in my time."

Madam Song smiled faintly, "Perhaps these individuals are either highly accomplished disciples of Wang Xianzhi or Cao Changqing, or children of Liyang's princely kings, which explains their extraordinary boldness."

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Even so, it's still inexcusable."

Madam Song, as if playing a guessing game with Xu Fengnian, nodded and deliberately feigned a realization, "Oh right, it's still inexcusable."

The girl was furious and snarled, "Shameless scoundrels! Don't even think about passing through here today! I don't care if you're Madam Song, you're still just a prostitute, and an old, faded one at that!"

Madam Song remained completely unfazed. In just twelve short years, she had made Snow Lotus Pavilion the largest brothel in the southern Western Regions, its influence deeply entrenched and intertwined. Even Liu Huaixi had to tolerate this thorn in his side, so how could a mere girl's few words shatter her composure? If the King of Northern Liang hadn't been by her side, and she had been allowed to freely engage in a war of words, Madam Song could easily have left that little girl with psychological scars for life. As an operative trained by the Waterside Residence, Meng Li valued rules above all. As long as Madam Song didn't give the word, he wouldn't act, even if a strong murderous intent arose within him. However, a hint of a sinister smile had already appeared on his face.

Xu Fengnian smiled, "That's enough."

The girl sneered, "An old woman's kept pretty boy, what are you?! Do you even have the right to speak to me?"

Zhang Wuhou was already an audacious individual, with astonishing hidden capabilities. He chuckled, "Not convinced? How about we have a little spar? If you win, we'll get out of your way. If you lose, Madam Song is mine, how about that?"

Xu Fengnian smiled, "A little spar? Alright." After saying that, he slowly walked forward. Meng Li quickly retreated, making space, his eyes blazing with a nearly crazed intensity. His hands and feet even began to tremble uncontrollably. One of the Four Grandmasters! How many people get to witness them in action? In the blink of an eye, without the girl even noticing a slight anomaly, a deafening crash sounded from behind her. Then she suddenly found the "passable-looking" and most infuriatingly smiling young man standing where Zhang Wuhou had been a moment before.

It turned out that Xu Fengnian had lightly pressed a palm to Zhang Wuhou's forehead, pushing him out. He flew backward, crashing through walls, passing through rooms, breaking through more walls, and then simply falling out of Snow Lotus Pavilion from the eighth floor.

Among the group, the sword-carrying old man had the highest martial arts cultivation, yet he hadn't clearly seen how this unassuming young man had struck. The old man instinctively reached behind him to draw his long sword.

Xu Fengnian simply stood beside the young woman, observing the two rather conspicuous holes one after another, and patiently waited for a long while before turning his head to look at the terrified Southwestern Sword Grandmaster, asking with a smile, "What's wrong? Can't even draw your sword?"

It was then that everyone realized that the Sword Grandmaster, whom they held in such high regard, had gripped the hilt of the sword on his back. The long sword, weighing only a few pounds, felt as heavy as a mountain, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move it even slightly.

This scene was truly absurd and comical.

This accidental commotion, seemingly a common provocation and a clash of wills, actually involved various hidden agendas among the group. Not to mention the poor wretch who had already fallen out of Snow Lotus Pavilion, the purple-clad woman sought to establish her name in the southwestern martial world by riding on this momentum. For a female knight-errant venturing into the martial world, earning the title of "fairy" was merely the first step; she also needed various cunning methods to cultivate her reputation: attaching herself to powerful figures to leverage their influence, befriending esteemed seniors, carefully winning over young masters with wealth and background, and so on—none of these could be neglected. The eminent young scion from Western Shu, who had enjoyed great prestige, was sharp-eyed and noticed the old-fashioned Liang saber at Xu Fengnian's waist. His family had suffered greatly at the hands of the Xu family's tiger-wolf army, and they harbored an intense hatred for the Northern Liang Xu family, wishing they could skin them alive and tear out their tendons. Out of displaced anger, he had personally ruined and even killed many profligate youths from Western Shu who favored wearing Liang sabers over the years. Encountering someone like that in Snow Lotus City, besides finding him distasteful, he mostly hoped to test the waters, attempting a farce to expose Snow Lotus Pavilion's true background. If it truly was connected to Northern Liang, then he would have an easy credit to claim. As for the girl annoyed by Zhang Wuhou's fickle nature, hadn't her own eyes lit up at the sight of Xu Fengnian? Her intention was simple: in front of an interesting stranger, she merely wanted to capture his attention.

Xu Fengnian looked at the utterly mortified old man trying to draw his sword and said kindly, "Take your time, I'm not in a hurry."

Moments later, the long-renowned old man's every struggle proved futile. Just as he was about to bow his head in defeat, utterly despairing, his long sword suddenly slid halfway out of its sheath, astounding even the old man himself.

The two women and one man, who had been intently watching the old man, all breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the next moment, the long sword in the old man's hand returned to its sheath on its own.

Out of the sheath, then back into the sheath.

This repeated itself.

The old man felt like dying.

Madam Song suddenly burst into laughter, holding her stomach. She hadn't felt such unburdened joy in over a decade.