Chapter 834: The Matter Settled, Leaving Gracefully (3)

White Horse Out of Liangzhou

When Xu Fengnian left the Jiujiu Inn, the sky was adorned with fiery clouds. Looking up, they resembled magnificent brocades of Shu, stacked one upon another, aflame.

Beautiful scenery, renowned generals and beautiful women, formidable heroes, noble officials and meritorious subjects.

All that was, is past.

The carriage belonged to the innkeeper. Xu Yanbing dismounted his horse and once again served as the driver.

Inside the carriage, besides Xu Fengnian, sat a graceful woman whose face was veiled by a curtained hat. Originally, Xu Fengnian did not want to take on this hot potato, but Aunt Hong convinced him with a single sentence. Aunt Hong had said that there were always some women in this world who wished to live for themselves, but they often found it difficult to do so. She wouldn't ask this of other men, but with Fengnian, she felt no reserve, urging him to take her to Beiliang, and after that, he wouldn't need to concern himself with where she went.

Along the way, neither of them spoke. Chen Yu was lost in thought, while Xu Fengnian was busy regulating his internal vital energy, a task perhaps more strenuous than the Liyang Ministry of Works dealing with the floods of Guangling River.

Upon returning to the Xiamawei postal station, Xu Fengnian arranged for her to stay in a secluded side courtyard, neither too close nor too far from his own. As they parted, before Xu Fengnian turned to leave, Chen Yu's autumn-water eyes gazed intently at him.

Xu Fengnian grinned mischievously, remarking that since Zhao Wu, the King of Liao, wanted to marry her as his consort, and he had a grudge against the king, making Zhao Wu unhappy would make him happy. She blinked, asking if he intended to cuckold the king. Xu Fengnian replied solemnly that if she could defeat him, then yes, that would be the case. Chen Yu's lips curled into a smile, lamenting what a pity it was. Xu Fengnian nodded in a way that invited a beating, agreeing that indeed, it was a pity his martial arts cultivation was only passable, making it difficult for ordinary people to get close to him.

Chen Yu feigned anger, raising her hand and clenching her fist. Xu Fengnian seemed to recall some painful incidents from his days wandering the jianghu, pleading with the heroine not to hit his face, as he relied on it to make a living. Chen Yu let out a cold snort, then gracefully turned, lightly but pointedly remarking that he used to lack the courage for mischief, and now he lacked even the intention. It seemed, she concluded, that sayings like "great skill makes for great daring" were all lies.

After Chen Yu departed, Xu Yanbing teased, asking if he managed to hold back, and if cultivating the Grand Yellow Court on Wudang Mountain had left him with a permanent illness. Xu Fengnian scoffed, asking how that could be, adding that Xu Yanbing didn't know about something in Youzhou's Rouge County. Xu Yanbing nodded, confirming he knew, referring to "fumbling out while leaning on the wall," which Yu Dilong had mentioned. He estimated that by now, most of them, including Chu Lushan, Yuan Zuozong, Yan Wenluan, and perhaps even Bai Yu and Song Dongming, probably already knew. Xu Fengnian finally understood why Yan Wenluan, Chen Yunchui, and others had given him such strange looks when he passed through Xiaguang City in Youzhou.

Xu Fengnian gritted his teeth, warning Yu Dilong, that little scoundrel who defied his master and ancestors, to just wait. Xu Yanbing seemed to speak to himself, observing that honest advice was hard on the ears. Xu Fengnian said helplessly that it was unfair of Uncle Xu to take advantage of his declining cultivation, as it was beneath a grandmaster's demeanor.

Xu Yanbing reached out and patted Xu Fengnian's shoulder, his expression serious. Just as Xu Fengnian mistakenly thought this most obscure martial saint of the Liyang Dynasty was about to confide something, Xu Yanbing said earnestly that the prince having a grandmaster's demeanor was enough for him. He then added, asking if the prince could please ask those crazy young ladies outside the inn to leave, as all he wanted was to quietly buy a pot of Green Ant Wine.

Xu Fengnian stated emphatically that he truly could not do that. Xu Yanbing laughed heartily and left.

Xu Fengnian pondered for a moment, then leaped onto the roof of the small courtyard and lay down to watch the dazzling fiery clouds. Jia Jiajia and Xu Ying sat on either side of him, separated by Xu Fengnian, happily playing the "Fifteen Twenty" game with their outstretched hands.

Just as Xu Fengnian was about to snatch a moment of leisure to close his eyes and rest, he noticed the Xiamawei innkeeper standing nervously at the courtyard gate, peeking in with his head tucked, holding a small cloth bag in both hands. Xu Fengnian went up to him and asked with a smile what was wrong. The innkeeper looked as if his parents had just died, crying miserably that he had just discovered that the inn had no Green Ant Wine, so he thought of going to a tavern in town to buy a few jars. But before he even entered the establishment, he was immediately surrounded by a group of women. Each of them was either a marquis's daughter, a minister's niece, or a general's relative. He truly couldn't afford to offend them! They all at once stuffed numerous ladies' items into his hands. Besides a large stack of letters, there were fans, combs, hairpins, embroidered balls, jade pendants, and sachets. Some even handed him rouge boxes they claimed were their first ever, or books they'd read for the first time, even small embroidered knives along with strands of hair cut with those very knives – everything! It wasn't that he didn't want to refuse, but besides those of noble birth, there were also several female martial artists and immortal-like ladies. From their stance, if he didn't accept, they would have broken his arms and legs. He barely made it back to Xiamawei alive! One young lady, whose family he forgot, almost made him carry a zither to the prince. He truly escaped death!

Xu Fengnian sighed, taking the heavy "cloth bag" from the innkeeper's hands. It turned out this "bag" was actually a luxurious silken scarf, traditionally worn by women. As the young prince turned, the innkeeper cautiously added that it seemed that in his haste, he also received a few bundles tightly wrapped in pomegranate skirts or flowing robes. Inside, they likely contained ladies' embroidered shoes and close-fitting bodices. Before the Prince of Beiliang could react, the innkeeper, disregarding etiquette and hierarchy, scurried away.

Xu Fengnian subconsciously turned his head, seeing Hēhē Gūniáng sitting on the roof, giggling incessantly. Xu Fengnian calmly tossed the "cloth bag," heavy with sentiment, onto the ground by the door. He clapped his hands, and with their lingering fragrance, walked into the courtyard. He thought to himself that the Xiamawei station shouldn't foolishly destroy everything; some of the love letters and correspondence would actually make for good entertainment.

The next moment, Jia Jiajia left the rooftop and stood near the "cloth bag," raising her foot as if to step on it. Xu Fengnian turned his head repeatedly, refusing to look. When Xu Fengnian returned to his rattan chair and lay down, he caught sight of Jia Jiajia squatting by the door out of the corner of his eye. Xu Ying was squatting beside her. The two women seemed to have found a treasure trove there, rummaging through it, scattering items everywhere. And Chen Yu, for some unknown reason, also came to the doorway, fanning the flames, giving pointers, and passing on her wisdom.

Xu Fengnian grimaced and closed his eyes. Yet, a warm smile filled his lips.

During dinner, Xu Yanbing drank the Green Ant Wine the innkeeper had gone through immense trouble to procure. He suppressed his laughter, using all his might to resist adding insult to injury. This was because, apart from Chen Yu's relatively proper adornment, Jia Jiajia and Xu Ying had their heads adorned with so many hairpins that their glittering splendor was blinding. They had also applied no small amount of rouge and powder, surpassing even the fiery clouds in the evening sky that day. Chen Yu cast a look that was both seductive and provocative at the young prince, whose lips were twitching. The latter nodded, praising it as beautiful.

Having finally endured dinner, the small courtyard was quiet and peaceful in the night. Chen Yu lay on the rattan chair, while Xu Fengnian and Xu Yanbing sat on small stools at the top of the steps, each holding a pot of wine. Xu Ying spun and danced, with Jia Jiajia circling around her.

Xu Yanbing sighed softly, wishing that one day, the people of Beiliang could live with such peace of mind as the citizens of Taian City. Xu Fengnian took a sip of the Green Ant Wine, which was far less authentic than the "roasted intestines" wine of Beiliang. He remarked that it was very difficult, but since they had won this year, there was at least a hope.

Xu Yanbing, who rarely spoke from the heart, took a large gulp of wine. He stated that he was a humble man solely devoted to advancing his martial arts. Even when he served the Great General as an escort due to his sect connections, deep down, he never truly cared about the nation or the world. He always thought that with his fists and martial skill, he would either break through the Heavenly Gate and ascend one day if he got bored, or die by someone's hand. Dying anywhere was still dying, and it wouldn't matter if this body was left unburied. Then one time, he was walking on the back mountain of Qingliang Mountain. At that time, there weren't many names on the stone tablets. Looking at those low tablets, he suddenly wondered if he too could leave his name there someday. He admitted he hadn't read much, but he knew that whether in official histories or unofficial ones, no matter how many millions of characters were left for future generations, and no matter how many poems scholars write, ordinary people had no part in it. To leave a name was as hard as ascending to heaven, even harder than a common jianghu martial artist becoming a grandmaster. But Beiliang was different. They had 300,000 stone tablets, and that Record of Heroic Spirits. Xu Yanbing let out a heavy breath, declaring that Beiliang was different.

Xu Fengnian had unknowingly finished his wine. He placed the wine pot on his lap, clasped his hands in his sleeves, and said softly that even the most glorious death in battle could not compare to living well. Xu Yanbing smiled, acknowledging that everyone dies, and naturally, no one wanted to die if they could avoid it. But as he had said, Beiliang was different, and even more so compared to Taian City. Xu Fengnian remained silent.

Xu Yanbing turned his head and asked if Xu Fengnian thought those tens of thousands of border soldiers had all died for him. Xu Yanbing spat fiercely, telling Xu Fengnian not to be full of himself. He asked if Xu Fengnian truly believed that just because there were a hundred women outside Xiamawei vying for his attention, their 300,000 Beiliang cavalry also admired his charm. He swore, those 300,000 border soldiers were men who could run over ten miles naked in the snow in the middle of winter! Xu Fengnian was speechless with laughter. Chen Yu couldn't help but smile, but soon a touch of subtle sadness appeared in her eyes. Perhaps this was the unique way Beiliang men conversed.

Like the Beiliang saber, not heavy, yet capable of severing the heads of 300,000 Northern Mang troops. The Beiliang iron cavalry, not numerous, yet they could erect an unprecedentedly massive Jingguan at Hulu Pass.

Xu Yanbing tilted his head back and drank some wine, stating that in Liyang, only Beiliang could survive by fighting to the death. He added that as long as Xu Fengnian didn't let their deaths be in vain and never retreated from battle out of fear, then he would have earned the loyalty of the 300,000 cavalry. Xu Fengnian laughed, telling Uncle Xu that was a hurtful thing to say. He argued that, apart from anything else, he thought his fight with Tuoba Pusa was quite earth-shattering and ghost-wailing. If that bastard Tuoba Pusa hadn't had help, his head would have been lost even before Yang Yuanzan's. Jia Jiajia, still twirling with Xu Ying, chuckled softly. Xu Fengnian quickly laughed, promising to definitely call her next time there was a fight to finish it off.

Xu Yanbing vigorously tipped his wine pot, only to find it empty. Xu Yanbing casually tossed the wine pot high over the wall, then slowly stood up and said that he had an impudent request. Xu Fengnian told Uncle Xu to speak his mind. Xu Yanbing calmly advised him not to become the Prince of Beiliang merely because he was the son of Great General Xu Xiao, and not to stand beyond the pass merely because he was the Prince of Beiliang.

After saying this, Xu Yanbing strode down the steps. As Xu Yanbing reached the courtyard gate, Xu Fengnian picked up the wine pot and gently tossed it to him. Xu Yanbing caught it without raising his head. Xu Fengnian laughed, saying there was no problem, but asking if Xu Yanbing would consider it owing him a pot of wine. Xu Yanbing laughed, acknowledging that it was owed.

Long after Xu Yanbing had left, Xu Fengnian leaned his cheek on his hand, smiling, watching the two women in the courtyard spinning in circles.

Chen Yu broke the silence, saying that she had originally left the Jiujiu Inn with him only because Aunt Hong hoped she would go to Beiliang, and for her, going anywhere was much the same. She stressed she was truly not lying about this. Xu Fengnian hummed, confirming his belief. Chen Yu smiled enchantingly, enough to bring ruin to a nation, but unfortunately, Xu Fengnian did not turn his head. She laughed, asking if it was true that the snow in Beiliang in winter was so heavy it could blow people away. Xu Fengnian shook his head, saying it wasn't that exaggerated, but the snow in Beiliang was truly very heavy. Chen Yu continued with a smile, asking if she was really making up her mind to go to Beiliang, then. Xu Fengnian nodded, stating that Beiliang wasn't large and was very poor, but it could certainly accommodate a woman who wished to see heavy snow. Chen Yu tilted her head and asked if that was all. Xu Fengnian still nodded, confirming that was all.

Chen Yu's smile remained unchanged, observing that he really was different from before. Xu Fengnian still nodded, adding that he had forgotten to remind her that Beiliang was truly poor. He advised her not to leave behind any private savings or dowry because it was too heavy, as he would carry it for her and didn't mind the effort. If all else failed, he still had 800 White Horse Yi Riders. He also noted that they hadn't exactly taken much advantage during this trip to Taian City, which wasn't the style of their Beiliang iron cavalry. Chen Yu's chest trembled slightly. She gritted her teeth, declaring he hadn't changed. Xu Fengnian turned his head, laughing heartily and cupping one hand in the other as a salute.

Another period of silence followed. Again, Chen Yu was the one to speak first, asking if the person in his heart was very beautiful. This time, Xu Fengnian did not nod. He seemed lost in thought, and only after a long while did he softly say that of course she was beautiful. He had liked her the moment he saw her when he was very young, but back then, he didn't know what liking someone meant; he only knew how to tease her. Perhaps, he mused, he was also afraid she wouldn't remember him. Chen Yu sighed softly.

Suddenly, the young man turned his head, his smile gentle. He added that she had dimples, which Chen Yu did not. For the first time, Chen Yu felt an overwhelming urge to punch someone.

Xu Fengnian turned his head again, his gaze seemingly passing over the courtyard wall, over the city walls of Taian, over mountains and rivers, looking towards the distant south. Chen Yu murmured, realizing it was her, which explained why he had taken the Beiliang iron cavalry to Guangling Dao. Xu Fengnian said softly that he had told her only he could tease her, and no one else might. She might not believe it, he continued, so he would prove it to her. Chen Yu felt a sudden, inexplicable sadness. It turned out that between some men and women, simple words spoken without much effort could carry such immense weight.

Actually, there was one more thing Xu Fengnian didn't say aloud. From now on, he would no longer tease her. His little mud figure.