Chapter 788: Two Times Two Years

When the white-robed monk streaked across the sky to the border sea of clouds and saw the crimson figure sitting cross-legged on a sword, facing east, Li Dangxin stopped abruptly. Effortlessly, like flowing clouds and water, he stood motionless in the sky, resembling a landscape painting.

The white-robed monk gazed at the distant, turbulent winds and clouds caused by the sword array piercing the sky. "Half of these remaining 120,000 flying spirit swords are destined not to reach Tai'an City. Beiliang still has this monk to shield you from the opportunistic immortals in the heavens, and Tai'an City is no different. This is an unnecessary move; you'd be better off saving that bit of spirit energy to strengthen your foundation and restore your vitality."

Xu Fengnian still clutched the two broken sword sections, their sharpness gone but their edge remaining. He quietly said, "I just couldn't hold back for a moment."

"Still so young, aren't you?"

The white-robed monk shook his head and chuckled. "Putting yourself in their shoes, if you were the hereditary emperor of Liyang, watching the martial artists and scholars, each with their own fortunes, flock into Beiliang, could you endure it? Tai'an City's initial intention was merely to use that sword to diminish your fortune. It was only Xie Guanying who added fuel to the fire, turning it into a fight to the death. According to the central ministers in the capital like Qi Yanglong, Huan Wen, and Yin Maochun, even if you were to die, it should have waited until the Northern Mang army and Beiliang cavalry had fought each other to a standstill. Your premature death would disrupt Liyang's established grand strategy, which was already meticulously planned by Zhang Julu."

Xu Fengnian haphazardly wiped the blood from his face with his elbow. "Xie Guanying is determined to plunge the world into chaos. He not only wants to gain fame from the Guangling Dao battlefield but also seems to want Chen Zhibao to replace me as the northwest feudal lord. And he's right: if I die suddenly, Beiliang's three front lines will destabilize. Cai Nan, the Military Governor of Huainan Dao, closest to Beiliang, would be unable to smoothly enter Youzhou to take over Beiliang's border forces, even with an imperial decree. King Shu, Chen Zhibao, who has always had a good reputation in Beiliang, is undoubtedly the best candidate. Even if the Liyang imperial court is extremely reluctant, they'd have to grudgingly agree. After all, with Chen Zhibao wielding absolute power in the northwest, it's better than Beiliang becoming a disorganized mess, fighting individually, and ultimately having its borders breached by Northern Mang, allowing them to encroach upon the Central Plains prematurely. Of course, if that happens, Chen Zhibao, in addition to controlling the Beiliang cavalry, would have Western Shu and Nanzhao as strategic depth, effectively achieving the best situation my master Li Yishan initially envisioned. For the Zhao Imperial Family of Liyang, it would be like drinking poison to quench thirst, but they would have no choice; without this cup of poisoned wine to quench their thirst and reduce their internal heat, they would perish even faster."

The white-robed monk stroked his bald head and said helplessly, "Just listening to it gives me a headache. You court officials, don't you ever get tired?"

Xu Fengnian dismissed this with a smile, then turned and grinned, "Zen Master, have you met Dongxi and Nanbei yet?"

The white-robed monk hummed in response, then said nothing more.

Xu Fengnian waited for a long time but heard no further sound.

Finally, the white-robed monk turned to look at the young man sitting on a suspended sword and slowly said, "The sword under your rear is trembling. How long do you plan to keep pretending to be a master? Do you really think of yourself as an immortal who dines on rosy clouds and drinks heavenly dew?"

Xu Fengnian's face became extremely embarrassed. The white-robed monk gently flicked his sleeve, and Xu Fengnian, person and sword together, turned and sped towards Mount Wudang. The white-robed monk glided beside him on the wind, calmly saying, "This monk will only send you back to Taoshu Town to help Dongxi with the payment. Don't push your luck and ask this monk to help you scare Qi Jiajie and Chai Qingshan."

Even without a protective aura, a gentle breeze wafted, brushing his face without the slightest chill. Even Xu Fengnian was greatly astonished in his heart. This was a Buddhist divine power that created its own small world of eight directions, one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) in radius! Within this one-zhang range, who in the current world could break through this Vajra-like invincibility? Was it Deng Tai'a's sword? Or Cao Changqing, the Confucian Sage who had turned to a more overbearing path? Xu Fengnian pondered carefully and found that it seemed unlikely either could succeed.

As if guessing Xu Fengnian's thoughts, the white-robed monk smiled, with a hint of self-deprecation. "This monk's only impressive ability is taking a beating. Unlike you, Xu Fengnian, who completely withstood that sword strike. If it were this monk, although that sword couldn't harm me in the slightest, I certainly couldn't have stopped it from breaking into Beiliang. What, do you want to secretly learn this Buddhist skill? I advise you to give up that thought, unless you stop being the King of Beiliang one day and shave your head..."

Xu Fengnian quickly shook his head slightly, then looked down. The zhang-long sword, the culprit lying across his lap, had severely damaged his body. The injuries looked terrifying, but the hole in his chest had actually begun to stop bleeding profusely as crimson threads wove and mended it. Xu Fengnian estimated it would take about half a year of recuperation to fully recover. During this period, not to mention facing Tuoba Bodhisattva, he probably couldn't even guarantee victory against a grandmaster like Qi Jiajie. However, compared to the damage to his own fortune, which was easily dispersed and hard to gather, the situation was already much better. After all, the body could slowly heal, and vital energy and spiritual intent could slowly accumulate like water in a pond, eventually filling up. The amount of water in a pond, its width, depended on the robustness of a martial artist's physique, while the more elusive depth was related to the ethereal fortune and destiny. After Huang Sanjia dispersed the dynasty's destiny into the martial world, Wang Xianzhi possessed both, hence dominating Wudi City for sixty years. Tuoba Bodhisattva and Hu Yan Guanyin belonged to the former, while Xie Guanying was the ultimate master of the latter.

The white-robed monk, who always accurately grasped Xu Fengnian's thoughts, looked towards the distant Wudang mountain range and sighed with emotion, "From the perspective of qi cultivators, everyone possesses fortune, but the amounts vary greatly. Emperors, generals, and ministers naturally far surpass peddlers and porters. But why is it still said that water can float a boat but also capsize it? The simple four words 'where the people's hearts lie' have long revealed heavenly secrets. Heaven and Earth are like parents, a strict father and a kind mother. There are gods three feet above your head; heaven's net is vast, though its meshes are wide, it lets nothing through. And the earth produces grains to nourish people; a gentleman, with vast virtue, bears things and receives grace. When this monk traveled west long ago, Huang Longshi saw me off, and when I returned, it was Huang Longshi who welcomed me. That man has always been mysterious. Once, he casually said that from his studies, you, Xu Fengnian, are merely a figure who moves with the times, but Chen Zhibao is a person born in response to destiny, destined to slay dragons and pythons. Therefore, you should have died early on the border, leaving behind a notorious reputation in history for thousands of years."

Likely knowing Xu Fengnian couldn't speak freely and easily, the white-robed monk asked and answered himself, "This monk has spent so many years at Liangchan Temple, often asking myself, why did I become a Buddha in this life, while others cannot become Buddhas in their next lives? Is it that those who become Buddhas prevent others from becoming Buddhas? As Buddhist teachings spread eastward and adapted to local customs, the distinction between Mahayana and Hinayana became increasingly pronounced. This monk boldly proposed the concept of sudden enlightenment, and then the idea of 'dropping the butcher's knife and becoming a Buddha on the spot' intensified. Sometimes this monk worries that this step has been a little too big. Actually, Hinayana Buddhism, abandoning the world, finding joy in solitary self-improvement and seeking Nirvana, is such a wonderful thing. Mahayana Buddhism, benefiting gods and humans, saving oneself and others through compassionate salvation, is even better!"

Xu Fengnian said with difficulty, "Don't they all cause headaches in different ways?"

The white-robed monk nodded. "Indeed."

As they neared Mount Wudang, where a lotus-peak-like island emerged from the vast sea of clouds, the white-robed monk suddenly said, "You might go to Tai'an City twice in the future, but it's only a possibility. Just regard this monk as babbling nonsense, don't take it too seriously."

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "I thought it would only be once."

At that moment, strange movements appeared on the white-robed monk's shoulders, sleeves, and other areas of his robe, as if hooks were tearing at it. Li Dangxin merely casually waved his sleeve and patted his shoulder.

Xu Fengnian's face grew serious, and he instinctively reached out to grasp one of the broken sword sections on his lap.

Immortals sat high above the nine heavens, holding fishing rods, their fishing lines, which even great qi cultivators likely couldn't see, falling into the human world.

And at this moment, many hooks had snagged the white-robed monk.

The white-robed monk shook his head and chuckled, "Don't mind it. Being a practitioner of the Three Teachings is simply rather troublesome."

Xu Fengnian couldn't help but inwardly grumble, *How can I not mind? To have immortals fishing for destiny in the heavens so roughly tugging at your clothes—anyone would lose their composure. But seeing your posture, Zen Master, patting here and flicking there, it's just like swatting flies, so I suppose I can only ignore it along with you.*

Xu Fengnian smiled for no particular reason. "Zen Master, making such a big display before a fight, Han Gui of Qingshan Temple must be under a lot of pressure."

The white-robed monk said cheerfully, "My daughter taught me this. She said that when martial artists below the mountain fight, before their fists even land on the opponent, they first perform an imposing and spectacular set of martial arts forms on the spot. It emboldens them and earns applause from bystanders."

Xu Fengnian forced a smile and laughed evasively, "Indeed, they're experienced martial world folk."

Nearing Taoshu Town at the foot of Mount Wudang, the white-robed monk gently pushed, and Xu Fengnian descended diagonally on his sword. A voice came from behind him, "Change your clothes before you see Dongxi, otherwise if she knows you were so wretched and disheveled under this monk's very eyes, this monk will be lectured by her for a long time, and I won't get any peace and quiet. You should know that this monk's daughter's Buddhist Lion's Roar has eight-tenths of her mother's true teaching!"

Xu Fengnian smiled knowingly upon hearing this. In an instant, he landed above Taoshu Town, stood up, and his flying spirit sword dissipated on its own. Xu Fengnian held both broken sword sections in his left hand. Qi Jiajie, after his zhang-long sword was snapped, was even more severely injured than Xu Fengnian himself. His physical body was still decent, but his sword heart was almost completely shattered, meaning he could never hope for any breakthroughs in swordsmanship in this life. Therefore, what Xu Fengnian truly needed to guard against was Chai Qingshan, who had inexplicably chosen to stand by idly.

When Song Tinglu and Dan Eryi, the two children, saw Xu Fengnian, covered in blood, they were stunned. After learning the general inside story from their master and from the conversation with Qi Jiajie, the boy was shocked that this 'Xu' could actually withstand that sword strike. The white-robed girl, however, had a completely different state of mind; she felt as if her heart was breaking. There was a faint glimmer of tears in her beautiful, spirit-brimming eyes, and her knuckles were white as she clutched the *Green Water Pavilion's Sixty Years of Sword Practice* tightly.

Xu Fengnian waved his hand to Luo Hongcai and Sui Tieshan, signaling that they could retreat from Taoshu Town. The five hundred Horned Eagle light cavalry and over seventy Brocade Riders instantly receded like a tide. The assassins and archers on the rooftops also withdrew, all in one smooth, silent motion. This imposing aura, which seemed even more powerful precisely because of its silence, particularly startled Chai Qingshan, who had served as the chief retainer at Chunxue Tower for over a decade. Guangling Dao was also known for its strong military forces, but among so many elite divisions, besides the feudal lord's personal guards, perhaps only the troops trained by General Song Li, the then commander of Hengjiang, could barely compare to this contingent of Beiliang's garrison.

Xu Fengnian did not see Miss Dongxi or the young monk Nanbei; they must have finished their shopping and started climbing the mountain.

Xu Fengnian said to Qi Jiajie and Chai Qingshan, "Shall we go into the inn for a chat?"

Chai Qingshan chuckled, "Why not?"

Qi Jiajie, with his long sword now re-sheathed at his waist, remained silent. Inside the empty ground-floor lobby of the inn, the guests had clearly hidden in their rooms, too afraid to come out. Xu Fengnian chose a chair and sat down. Chai Qingshan and Qi Jiajie took their seats one after another. Song Tinglu was about to casually sit down but was pulled back by Li Yibai, who grabbed him by the back collar. The boy then obediently stood behind his master. At this moment, Yin Changgeng and his companions were standing at the second-floor stairwell, but only Yin Changgeng, the son of a Liyang Heavenly Official, descended alone and approached the table. He asked, neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Highness, is there a seat for me?"

Xu Fengnian gently placed the two broken sword sections on the table. One section extended far beyond the tabletop, while the other was as short as a dagger. He smiled faintly, "Young Master Yin, please sit. Even death row inmates get a last meal."

Yin Changgeng's face stiffened. He glanced at the most heavily bleeding wound on Xu Fengnian's chest, then quickly sat down, his eyes lowered.

Qi Jiajie sat upright, eyes closed, resting his spirit. Chai Qingshan examined the two broken sword sections with great interest. Although this sword came from the Dafeng Sword Forge of the Eastern Yue Sword Pond, even he, as the sect leader, had never gotten a glimpse of it from beginning to end, except for the elderly sword smiths within the sect. Before it became a finished sword, it was like a maiden awaiting marriage, yet already famous far and wide, its sword energy piercing the sky, which Chai Qingshan felt most intensely while at the Sword Pond. But tragically, such an unparalleled and legendary sword, unmatched in history, perished prematurely right after its "marriage." Now, as broken sword sections, only its sharpness remained.

Xu Fengnian was not in a hurry to speak, and the atmosphere in the inn was heavy. Just then, the sword-carrying girl who hadn't followed her master into the inn ran in, carrying a large pile of newly bought clothes, shoes, and socks. Actually, it couldn't be called buying; the shop had closed long ago, but she had forcibly kicked open the door, selected the items, and then threw down a bag of silver. Dan Eryi timidly said, "King of Beiliang, you gifted me a secret manual; may I return the favor with a set of clothes?"

Xu Fengnian smiled. "If it were a business transaction, I'd be at a great loss. But if it's an exchange of favors, then it doesn't matter. Miss Dan, just put the clothes on the table. I'll change into them before I ascend the mountain later."

Anxiously, Song Tinglu stood on tiptoes and whispered to his tall and slender senior brother Li Yibai, "Senior Brother, what should we do? With Junior Sister like this, she won't stay in Beiliang and not return to our Sword Pond, will she?"

Xu Fengnian ignored the boy's worry and spoke directly to Qi Jiajie: "If this sword strike had succeeded, you would have boosted the Way of the Sword, and the court would have been at ease. Actually, I quite admire you all. They say 'Heaven is high and the Emperor is far away,' yet you painstakingly engineered such a move. You truly think highly of me, someone who doesn't even mix in the martial world. Someone tampered with the sword, and you, Qi Jiajie, already know. I won't beat around the bush with you. Qi Jiajie, you will return to Tai'an City today, forbidden from drawing a sword for ten years. Also, please deliver a message to your master for me: I will find an opportunity to talk with him, just like we are now."

Qi Jiajie suddenly opened his eyes.

"What, does that mean there's nothing to discuss?"

Xu Fengnian, who had kept his hands cupped within his sleeves, slowly raised his arm, bending two fingers, and tapped repeatedly on the extremely long broken sword section, an almost dazzling display. At the same time, Xu Fengnian chuckled softly, "Breaking off a willow branch to bid farewell to someone departing isn't just a custom in your Central Plains; we have it in Beiliang too. It's just that Beiliang is a bit different from you: once someone leaves here, many don't return. I wonder, will you, Qi Jiajie, adapt to local customs when you come to Beiliang?"

The sword, over a zhang long, broke into dozens of pieces.

Each broken sword piece floated into the air, spinning lightly on the tabletop, like willow leaves detaching from branches, drifting with the wind.

Qi Jiajie let out a cold snort, seemingly venting his anger, but everyone present knew this was the esteemed Master Qi from the capital showing weakness.

The "willow leaves" slowly fell back onto the tabletop.

Yin Changgeng, whose heart had been pounding in his throat, breathed a sigh of relief. Sweat was already seeping from the young nobleman's forehead.

But the next moment, Yin Changgeng only felt a gentle breeze brush his face, followed by a collision that sent him sprawling backward, crashing to the ground with his chair.

The entire table was split in half by someone. Chai Qingshan turned to look and saw Xu Fengnian holding Qi Jiajie by the neck with one hand. Master Qi's entire back was pressed against the inn wall, his feet off the ground.

The long sword at Qi Jiajie's waist was only half-drawn.

Xu Fengnian, one hand clutching Qi Jiajie's neck, the other behind his back, looked up at the capital's foremost swordsman, whose vital energy had instantly exploded, and chuckled, "Under the premise of similar levels of severe injury, killing you, Qi Jiajie, is truly not as difficult as you imagine. Not to return a courtesy is rude. I'll have Young Master Yin, who surely bears much resentment towards you, take your head back to Tai'an City."

As the sword master's vital energy rapidly depleted, the long sword slowly slid back into its sheath.

Chai Qingshan, his thoughts racing, ultimately remained perfectly still. He sighed deeply in his heart, *This young man is truly ruthless to his enemies, and even more ruthless to himself.*

To kill Qi Jiajie, this young feudal lord, despite appearing so effortless, would probably shed another seven or eight ounces of blood on top of the already drying blood on his body.

Xu Fengnian released his hand, and the utterly dead Qi Jiajie slumped against the wall.

The men and women at the second-floor stairwell, Zhao Chunyuan and Gao Shiqing, covered their mouths, daring not to cry out in alarm. Gao Shilian and Han Xingyan both gasped. The young Zhao Wenwei, for the first time, paid serious attention to this Liyang feudal lord who neither obeyed imperial decrees nor responded to calls, instead of focusing more on the white-robed girl Dan Eryi as he had before. Unlike his older siblings' shock and fear, this boy, who had only read border poetry in books, was not only not flustered but immediately looked down at the reactions of those present: the swordsman grandmaster Chai Qingshan, who seemed expressionless but gripped the chair armrest tightly with his left hand; Yin Changgeng, whose hands trembled slightly as he righted his chair and hesitated before sitting down; and the young feudal lord, who slowly returned to his seat with a smile on his lips. At that moment, Zhao Wenwei, who had adored his brother-in-law Yin Changgeng since childhood, felt his thoughts rapidly shift. The secret words his father had told him, which he never used to heed, suddenly made sense, especially the line, "Wenwei, that Yin Changgeng is merely a prime minister for times of peace; he cannot be a chief grand secretary in chaotic times. It may not be a blessing for our Zhao family to have such a son-in-law."

Xu Fengnian chuckled to Chai Qingshan, "Master Chai, I was very surprised that you managed to hold back from acting just now."

Chai Qingshan responded, "Your Highness, I was even more surprised that you couldn't hold back and acted."

Xu Fengnian, with an increasingly strong scent of blood about him, glanced at Chai Qingshan's two disciples and said, "Master Chai has taken on two good disciples. The Eastern Yue Sword Pond has hope of a renaissance."

Although he regarded this graceful yet ruthless feudal lord as a great enemy, Song Tinglu involuntarily straightened his back upon hearing this.

*Nonsense! To be personally praised by one of the Four Grandmasters of the martial world—if this spreads throughout the martial world, I, Song Tinglu, will become famous overnight! In the future, when I leave the sect to travel the martial world, won't it be easy to find friends everywhere?*

Chai Qingshan laughed heartily, "Then I'll take Your Highness's auspicious words."

Xu Fengnian smiled at the young Song Tinglu, "I hear you want to be the second Wen Busheng to gain fame in the capital? I'll give you these dozens of willow-leaf flying swords on the table. Do you dare accept them?"

The boy raised his chin and said, "Why wouldn't I dare?!"

Chai Qingshan sighed helplessly, "This troublemaker. Such a hot potato."

Xu Fengnian indeed retrieved the broken swords from the table, then stood up and said, "Young Master Yin, I trouble you to lead me to Qi Jiajie's room. I need to change clothes before going up the mountain."

The white-robed girl, seeing Xu Fengnian's bloody and mangled hands with bones visible, hastily picked up the clothes and said, "I'll take them upstairs for Your Highness."

Chai Qingshan felt even more helpless. *Troublesome girl! Is she wishing everyone in the world would suspect that Sword Pond has an unclear relationship with Beiliang?*

Yin Changgeng led Xu Fengnian upstairs, with the girl closely following. Their companions at the stairwell had already retreated into their rooms before this.

Song Tinglu rested his head on the table, grinning foolishly.

Li Yibai teased, "With new swords, you're not worried about your junior sister anymore?"

The boy kept staring at the broken willow-leaf swords, liking them more and more as he looked at them. He pouted and said, "Anyway, I can't compete with Xu Fengnian, so I'll just leave it to fate."

Chai Qingshan slapped the back of his disciple's head. "Look at your pathetic ambition!"

Stopping at the end of the second-floor corridor, Yin Changgeng softly said, "This is Master Qi's room."

Before Xu Fengnian could act, the white-robed girl, like a clever maid, promptly pushed open the door.

Xu Fengnian stood at the doorway and said to Yin Changgeng, "If you have the guts, when you return to Tai'an City, tell Yin Maochun: King Shu, Chen Zhibao, is now being vigorously assisted by Xie Guanying, like a tiger that has grown wings. Once he establishes his prestige in Guangling Dao, his threat to the imperial court will be no less than mine. Of course, whether you say it or not is your business, Yin Changgeng, and I can't force you."

Yin Changgeng seemed to have finally made up his mind, and suddenly whispered, "Your Highness, may I enter the room for a talk?"

Xu Fengnian paused, then chuckled, "No problem."

The white-robed girl, her pretty face slightly flushed, was busily and cheerfully attending to things. Not only did she put down the clothes, but she even placed the sword she was carrying on the table, showing no intention of treating him as an outsider. At this moment, she was carrying a wooden basin out. She saw Yin Changgeng also walk in and, after a moment of surprise, shrewdly asked no questions. She just said to Xu Fengnian with a hint of shyness, "Your Highness, I'll go fetch a basin of hot water for you. You might have to wait a moment."

Xu Fengnian joked, "Go, go. But this time, I have nothing to give you in return for your help."

The girl walked out of the room with small, bowed steps. Once in the corridor, she began hopping and skipping.

With the girl's distraction, Yin Changgeng's mood settled somewhat. After personally closing the door and Xu Fengnian had sat down, Yin Changgeng did not take the opportunity to sit down as well. He just stood there. As he was about to speak, he saw Xu Fengnian reach up and cover his mouth, shocking blood flowing from between his fingers. Especially the large puddle of blood on his chest made Yin Changgeng wonder if, even as a martial grandmaster, he was truly fine after losing so much blood. Xu Fengnian's throat moved slightly. After lowering his hand, he took a shallow breath and chuckled, "Although that esteemed Master Qi of yours didn't draw his sword before he died, the eighteen wisps of sword energy he bestowed upon me are wreaking havoc in my internal organs. So, please make it a long story short."

Yin Changgeng tried his best not to smell the pungent scent of blood, quickly formulated his words, and said, "Has Your Highness heard that the Old Man Tantian intends to yield the position of chief official of the Menxia Province?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Yin Changgeng saw Xu Fengnian place a hand on his abdomen, his five fingers bending in various subtle ways, seemingly to suppress the sword energy.

Xu Fengnian's eyes held amusement as he nodded. "I have heard. Both your father and your father-in-law might succeed to that position. Wouldn't you say it's a case of keeping the benefits within the family?"

Yin Changgeng shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Zhao Yourong has always looked down on me. This is partly due to Zhao Yourong's extremely high expectations for his youngest son, Zhao Wenwei. In fact, Your Highness should know full well that my father was the first to leave Zhang Lu back then, even earlier than Zhao Yourong, Yuan Guo, Han Lin, and others. It was precisely because he had disagreements with the old chief grand secretary regarding Beiliang affairs..."

Xu Fengnian chuckled and interrupted, "There were disagreements, but don't be so quick to slander Zhang Julu. Yin Changgeng was the first to leave Zhang Lu back then; political disagreements concerning Beiliang were only a small part. It was more about the late emperor's intentions. The late emperor needed to cultivate a figure who could contend with Zhang Lu as a civilian official, after Gu Lu. It's a pity the Green Faction was not up to par, and the scholar faction of Jiangnan Dao was even worse. Yin Changgeng's two attempts to secretly win them over failed, which is why he had to remain in that small corner of the Hanlin Academy. Not only was the late emperor greatly disappointed, but Yuan Benxi was even more so."

Yin Changgeng couldn't continue speaking.

Between his words, Xu Fengnian occasionally coughed, then continued, "Scholars are indeed naturally unsuited for face-to-face business negotiations. However, they are very good at scheming behind the scenes, with one intricate plot after another. Alright, since you can't say it, I'll say it for you. Although your father and Zhao Yourong are in-laws, they've always disliked each other. If I'm not mistaken, your father's true closest friend, the only official colleague he considers a kindred spirit, is Han Lin, who is about to take over as Military Commissioner of Huainan Dao, right? What, do you want my Beiliang to look after the ambitious Master Han? And what would be your recompense?"

Yin Changgeng suddenly felt a lack of confidence and softly said, "After Master Han takes office in Huainan Dao, he will immediately propose to the imperial court to move the Military Commissioner's residence to the border of Jizhou and Hezhou..."

Xu Fengnian nodded. "Understood."

Yin Changgeng breathed a sigh of relief, because if he continued, some words, known only to heaven, earth, him, and Xu Fengnian, were simply too hard to say.

Xu Fengnian waved his hand and said, "Alright, you can return to Tai'an City with peace of mind. As for Huainan Dao and Jizhou, on your way back, tell that Military Commissioner to put his mind at ease."

Yin Changgeng hesitated to speak.

Xu Fengnian sneered, "Beiliang will naturally weigh the options on how to proceed. In any case, we won't embarrass your father and Han Lin. This deal will definitely be more worthwhile for your side."

Yin Changgeng bowed. "Then Yin Changgeng awaits your good news."

When Yin Changgeng quietly left the room, he found the Sword Pond girl, carrying a basin of hot water, standing not far away.

Xu Fengnian certainly didn't have the nerve to let a girl with no relation to him serve him. As he closed the door and stripped off his robes alone, he wondered, *Why is it that the older I get, the thinner-skinned I become?* About fifteen minutes later, Xu Fengnian, roughly bandaged and feeling refreshed, reopened the door. The girl blinked her large eyes, saying nothing. Xu Fengnian patted her head and gently said, "Little girl, thank you. If Beiliang ever stops fighting, come back here to travel the martial world. The scenery beyond the pass, though not as lush with trees and abundant with grass as the Central Plains and Jiangnan, is still very beautiful."

The girl's eyes held a hint of resentment; his action of patting her head was too much like a kindly elder.

Xu Fengnian suddenly cupped his fist, his eyes narrowed in a smile, and in the manner of martial world folk, he loudly declared, "May the green mountains remain unchanged, and the green waters flow on; we shall meet again!"

The white-robed girl was startled, then laughed uncontrollably, unable to hide it, unable to maintain her composure.

Xu Fengnian strode away. Outside the inn, Luo Hongcai was already waiting at the entrance, holding a horse. Beside him stood the somewhat constrained Brocade Rider Commandant, Fan Xiangda, and Corporal Tao Niuchu, the Brocade Rider who had returned to duty within the borders after being injured as a scout from Liangzhou.

Xu Fengnian took the reins. Before mounting, he looked at Corporal Tao, who was pale-faced from internal injuries, and gave him a thumbs-up.

The young feudal lord sped off alone, leaving dust in his wake.

Luo Hongcai lightly kicked Fan Xiangda. Before vaulting onto his horse, he slapped Tao Niuchu heavily on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "Well done! You've brought great credit to me this time!"

Tao Niuchu, who was almost knocked to the ground by the slap, smiled foolishly.

Brocade Rider Commandant Fan Xiangda was dejected.

Tao Niuchu turned and said, "Commandant Fan, pinch me. I'm afraid I'm dreaming."

Fan Xiangda was amused and said with a laugh and a playful scold, "Dreaming a ghost dream in broad daylight!"

Tao Niuchu said with bold spirit, "Commandant Fan, today I'll treat you and the brothers to drinks. As much as you want!"

Fan Xiangda said in surprise, "With your meager money, which you've already sent to your family, can you afford enough?"

Tao Niuchu chuckled, "Well, won't you, Commandant Fan, spot me?"

Fan Xiangda paused blankly, then stealthily put his arm around his corporal's shoulder. "Old Brother Tao, let's discuss something. Anyway, it's just the two of us plus Colonel Luo today, and Colonel Luo went with His Highness to Mount Wudang, right? When we drink tonight, why don't you tell the brothers that His Highness gave a thumbs-up to both of us?"

Tao Niuchu said seriously, "Commandant Fan, borrowing money is borrowing money. It's not like I won't return it. I, Tao Niuchu, am an honest man!"

Fan Xiangda sighed.

Tao Niuchu lowered his voice and said, "No interest on the loan, and it's a deal. How about it?!"

Fan Xiangda laughed heartily, "No problem! I'll treat you to another round of drinks tomorrow!"

To accommodate the injured Tao Niuchu, neither of them rode horses. The Commandant and the Corporal walked side by side through Taoshu Town. Tao Niuchu's eyes suddenly unfocused, and he said softly, "I was among the last batch of rangers trained by Censor Hu. It was a bit late. Our standard-bearers and commandants all liked to boast that they had personally seen the Great General. In those years beyond the pass, I was terribly envious. Commandant Fan, after His Highness leads us to defeat the Northern Mang barbarians, can we also tell the younger lads in the future that we too personally saw His Highness? Just two or three steps away?!"

Fan Xiangda nodded and said in a deep voice, "That day will come!"

When Xu Fengnian and Luo Hongcai ascended the mountain, Yu Xingrui was also there. Xu Fengnian asked the old Daoist master for a medicinal pill and told Luo Hongcai to give it to the Brocade Rider Corporal later, making sure not to say it came from him.

When Xu Fengnian arrived at the thatched hut, Zhao Ningshen was sitting on a small stool, with an empty stool beside him. Master Bailian was helping Xu Fengnian move, turn, and dry books.

After Xu Fengnian sat down, Zhao Ningshen, who was a contemporary Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain like his uncle Zhao Danping, said calmly, "If Your Highness wishes to demand accountability, this Daoist will absolutely not fight back."

Xu Fengnian sneered, "Not fight back? What could you do even if you did fight back?"

Zhao Ningshen gazed into the distance and said, "This Daoist is willing to build a hut and cultivate on Mount Wudang for ten years."

Xu Fengnian glanced at the busy Master Bailian and chuckled, "What, to allow Master Bailian to descend the mountain safely, you're even willing to sacrifice the reputation of the Celestial Master's Residence?"

Bai Yu slowly stood up, wiped sweat from his forehead, walked to Xu Fengnian, and squatted beside the two. He habitually squinted, scrutinizing the King of Beiliang, and chuckled, "Your Highness, let Zhao Ningshen go. I'll stay. How about that?"

Xu Fengnian smiled.

This Master Bailian was clearly much more sensible than Qi Jiajie, or even Yin Changgeng.

Bai Yu extended a finger. "But I can only stay in Beiliang for one year. During that year, I will do my utmost."

Xu Fengnian held up an open palm. "Five years!"

Master Bailian shook his head. "That's unreasonable. One and a half years. One and a half years at most!"

Xu Fengnian scoffed, "Four years. Just four years. I'm giving Master Bailian some face. Don't say a year less again; even one day less, and there's nothing to discuss."

Master Bailian still shook his head. "Four years, and the daylilies in the Central Plains would be cold. Moreover, Beiliang doesn't need me, Bai Yu, for four years. Your Highness is a clear-headed person; one and a half years is enough! The general trend of the world is set!"

Xu Fengnian retracted two fingers. "Three years. If you bargain again, I'll really beat you... Oh, no, I'll beat Zhao Ningshen."

Bai Yu suddenly plonked down on the ground. "Then Your Highness, go ahead and beat him. I can't help anyway, so I'll just watch the show."

Xu Fengnian hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "For Zhao Zhu's sake, two years. If you talk nonsense again, I'll beat you too!"

One wondered where this scholar found the strength. He stood up with lightning speed, his movements very agile. Master Bailian cupped his fist and said, "Two years it is."

Xu Fengnian quickly stood up and helped Master Bailian, his face full of smiles. "Master, are you accustomed to the climate and conditions of Beiliang? And when will you be going to Qingliang Mountain, Master?"

Zhao Ningshen looked at the two of them with a blank, dazed expression.