Chapter 87: Ascending the Mountain, Entering the City, Advancing to the Palace (Part 1)

Three large ships sailed from the river into the lake. Spring God Lake, 800 li in extent, was vast and misty. This lake received six rivers and discharged into a large river, and had always been a fiercely contested strategic location for military strategists and a scenic spot for poets. Xu Fengnian stood at the bow, explaining the geographical advantages of Spring God Lake to Yu Youwei, including many strategic insights Li Yishan had imparted to him years ago. Before the Spring and Autumn period, both North and South, in their standoff, invariably fought over this area as a stronghold. Controlling Spring God Lake allowed one to sail east, gaining a commanding position to seize control of the world like a lion hunting a rabbit. In earlier times, whether the North wanted to advance into the southeast or the South aimed to launch a northern expedition, they had to pass through the 800 li Spring God Lake, with its three cities, three passes, and three mountains, always attracting the attention of military strategists. Of these, the three cities—Xiangfan, Xingyang, and Wuling—were most important. Xiangfan was crucial for controlling the entire realm, Xingyang for the southeast, and Wuling for the local province. Xiangfan was always referred to as the "waist and backbone" of the realm. During the chaotic Three Kingdoms period, battles raged here. Later, Wang Mingyang, a former official of Western Chu, was appointed Prefect of Xiangfan in a crisis. He defended the city for three years against Xu Xiao's 100,000 troops. Even after Western Chu fell and Western Shu forgot him, this scholar from Shangyin Academy still vowed not to surrender. People in the city resorted to cannibalism, and Wang Mingyang himself cooked and ate his wife and children. After three years, when the city fell, fewer than 10,000 of the 200,000 Xiangfan residents remained, turning it into a ghost city. It was said that even ten years after the city's fall, tens of thousands of lonely souls and restless spirits refused to leave, wailing every night. The dynasty had to send the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain to Xiangfan in person to conduct a grand Zhou Tian ritual, with an astonishing 36,500 altars, an unprecedented feat. This siege earned Wang Mingyang the title of "Spring and Autumn's Foremost Defender," admired even by Xu Xiao. However, his success came at the cost of 200,000 lives, making Wang Mingyang a controversial figure even a thousand years later.

Yu Youwei asked, terrified, "We're not going to Xiangfan, are we?"

Xu Fengnian had recently developed a habit of flicking his fingers in the air, thousands of times a day, as if his sword practice had led him to a state of obsession. He chuckled softly and said, "I originally intended to go, but if you're afraid, then we'll head straight for Wuling."

Yu Youwei shook her head. Suddenly, Xu Fengnian heard wailing from the stern. Yu Youwei, having just heard the tale of Xiangfan's 100,000 vengeful spirits, felt her heart race. She then realized, with a self-deprecating expression, that she was at the bow of a ship on Spring God Lake. Xu Fengnian ignored Yu Youwei and rushed to the stern, where he saw a boatman writhing on the ground, clutching a bleeding arm. Two young Kui beasts, entirely crimson, were growling low at him. Lu Qiantang stepped forward to explain the incident to the young master. It was a trivial matter: the young Kui beasts were playing and running, probably collided with the boatman, and being short-tempered, one bit him. Xu Fengnian frowned. The Tiger-Kui was an ancient fierce beast; it would eat humans when hungry. Xu Fengnian crouched down. The biting young Kui, Vajra, seemed to sense his master's anger, whimpering with lowered head, its skin immediately changing from crimson to black. However, Xu Fengnian did not spoil it. With a flick of his finger, he sent the offending Vajra through a hole in the ship's hull, causing it to fall into the lake. Its sister, Bodhisattva, looked through the hole at her brother, then turned pitifully to Xu Fengnian, seemingly pleading. Xu Fengnian snorted coldly, stood up, and said, "Give the injured man some silver. And tell the Feng Corps to help patch up the ship's plank."

In the twilight, hundreds of boats vied for position and a thousand sails unfurled on Spring God Lake, presenting a lively and prosperous scene. The closer they got to the Jiangnan region, a land of fish and rice, the less he felt the vast, desolate wilderness of his homeland, Beiliang.

Tonight, the group would spend the night on an island in the middle of Spring God Lake, named Laishan. As they approached the island, Xu Fengnian saw Jiang Ni, who rarely left her cabin, standing beside him, and explained, "This mountain wasn't originally called Laishan; it was 'Prison Mountain,' where the Queen Mother of the West imprisoned the Jade Emperor's daughter, the Spring God. The area around Prison Mountain wasn't a lake either, just a basin. Later, a land immortal, angered by this, drew a circle around Prison Mountain with a single sword stroke, causing an 800-li collapse, which then filled with water. Over time, the lake became Spring God Lake, and the mountain became Laishan. As for the legend of an immortal creating the lake, that's naturally a mythical tale. Today, Laishan is covered with courtyards and pavilions, a gathering place for people from all walks of life. Not only are there residences for the powerful and wealthy, and hermitages for monks and Taoists, but also several elders from fallen dynasties who confine themselves to the island. There are also many shops. Once on the island, you can pick out anything that catches your eye."

Jiang Ni stretched out her hand. Xu Fengnian paused, then asked, "What?"

Jiang Ni stiffly replied, "Silver."

Xu Fengnian laughed heartily, "Alright. You've already earned several hundred taels of silver by now. How much do you want to take? But as a friendly reminder, if you mention my name, who would dare ask you for money? Why waste the valuable secret techniques you've worked so hard to earn through studying?"

Jiang Ni sneered, "Do you take me for someone who extorts and plunders like you?"

Amused, Xu Fengnian chuckled, "So, how much silver do you want? All several hundred taels? Or should I just give you credit for a few thousand taels of gold? That way, you could study for several lifetimes."

Jiang Ni indignantly declared, "I'll only take one tael of silver!"

Xu Fengnian said helplessly, "Must you be so petty?"

Jiang Ni said with a straight face, "Hand it over!"

Xu Fengnian rolled his eyes and replied, "You'll have to ask Qingniao later. This young master never carries such small change."

Jiang Ni went straight back to the cabin. Like a thief, she carefully took out a small ledger from her book-box. It meticulously recorded how many coins she earned from reading 'Tai Xuan Jing,' 'Thousand Swords Compendium of Materia Medica,' 'Whale-Slaying Sword,' and so on. For each book, it detailed when and where she read it, and how many characters she had read. So far, she had earned not just the few hundred taels Xu Fengnian mentioned, but one thousand and seven taels and thirty-four coins. The Old Sword God, who spent his days eating, drinking, and sleeping, ambled into the cabin. Just as Jiang Ni, pen in hand, was about to deduct one tael of silver from her savings, she used her other hand to cover the ledger. Li Chungang, helpless, stood aside and let Jiang Ni finish her task. Only then did he pick up his wine flask, sit at the table, pour some wine onto its surface, and dip his finger in it. After Jiang Ni had returned the ledger to the bottom of her book-box and sat opposite him, Li Chungang began writing on the tabletop, using his finger as a brush and wine as ink. His strokes were full of spirit and vitality. Jiang Ni sat upright, watching the old man write. His writing flowed seamlessly from beginning to end, covering half the tabletop with dense characters, like the jagged rocks at the Gates of Hell. Only after finishing did Old Man Li look at Jiang Ni, whose expression was calm. The old man, seemingly true to his initial statement that he didn't expect the girl to learn anything, wiped the surface with his sleeve and started over. This time, Li Chungang spoke: "My wild cursive script has three main points. First, it must be continuous and flowing. Second, it strives for a 'thousand layers and ten thousand towers.' Finally, it embodies 'nothingness'—fearless, emotionless, desireless—like this wine, wiped away without a trace. The first point requires diligent effort; even when I write cursive drunkenly, a close look reveals no single misplaced stroke or dot, all adhering to rules. Why? Because the foundational work is done meticulously in daily practice. Every character is like wielding a sword or a saber; there's no room for carelessness. My calligraphy has always been praised as 'running snakes and writhing vipers,' with viewers seeing it like a sword – sharp and awe-inspiring..."

Just as Li Chungang was speaking with enthusiasm, he noticed the girl Jiang yawning. The large ship suddenly halted, seemingly about to dock. The old man, filled with a sense of defeat, lowered his head, took a deep breath, sighed, and muttered, "Don't waste, don't waste," as he sucked the wine from the tabletop into his mouth. Jiang Ni, accustomed to the old man's absurd behavior, walked out of the cabin with him. She saw Xu Fengnian discussing matters with the Halberd Commander Ning Emei. It seemed that most of the Feng Corps would not be going up the mountain, which made sense. Aside from whether a hundred lightly armored soldiers could be accommodated, these fierce Beiliang soldiers themselves were too conspicuous. While Jiang Ni was pondering, Old Man Li continued to boast about how incredibly masterful his calligraphy was. Jiang Ni, letting his words go in one ear and out the other, lifted her skirt with both hands and stepped down the gangplank. She glimpsed a young Kui leaping ashore, a fat carp in its mouth, seemingly presenting it to Xu Fengnian for praise. But Xu Fengnian merely barked a command, and the little creature immediately lay motionless on the ground—was it playing dead? Just as Xu Fengnian was about to kick the little fellow, his robe was gently tugged by the other young Kui. Only then did Xu Fengnian relent, and the punishment came to an end. The sibling Kui beasts bore no grudge, joyfully trailing behind the young master. Jiang Ni felt a pang of sympathy for them, thinking, "You two little simpletons, why are you so docile towards Xu Fengnian?"

Xu Fengnian looked back at Spring God Lake, his eyes distant, and murmured, "Are we there?"

The imperial capital, Tai'an City.

Early morning, the sky was dim.

Three hundred iron cavalry galloped along the official road, raising dust.

Rumors swept through the capital that Xu Xiao, the King of Beiliang, was about to enter the city. The only city in the realm with a population of a million suddenly became fraught with tension. The high-rise buildings along the main thoroughfare were filled with people of all kinds, eager just to catch a glimpse of Grand Pillar Xu. Even if they couldn't see him directly, observing his retinue and carriages would satisfy them. Upright scholars were anxious, martial artists felt uneasy, and high-ranking officials were bustling. It was rumored that over a dozen imperial eunuchs, high and low, were preparing to collectively block his carriage, risking their lives to condemn the 'Butcher' for his atrocities and for destroying most of the realm's intellectual elite. There were also rumors of countless martial heroes preparing to assassinate him in the streets. Even storytellers in various teahouses were, by unspoken agreement, repeating old tales of the Spring and Autumn chaos.

Harsh cicada chirps resonated from countless branches throughout the capital.

Tai'an City had four gate openings. All unauthorized people inside and outside the gates had been cleared early by the gate guards. As the approaching cavalry's hooves thundered a hundred times louder than the cicada chirps, and as those on the city gates and walls saw the striking crimson royal banner bearing the 'Xu' character, the breathable morning air suddenly became suffocating.

The cavalry slowly entered the city gate.

Aside from the sound of hooves, the entire capital seemed to fall silent.

On the main avenue of the imperial palace, spectators who had secured good positions involuntarily held their breath.

Only when the cavalry moved further away did they exchange glances, as if a great burden had been lifted.

The dust settled.

Outside the city gate, two pedestrians arrived. One was an old monk dressed in black, with triangular eyes and a ferocious appearance, resembling a decrepit, sick tiger, though his expression was indifferent. The other was slightly hunchbacked and limped a little, dressed like a common wealthy gentleman. He looked up at the city wall, smiled faintly, and passed through the side gate opening with the black-clad old monk and some vendors and laborers who had started their morning business. Any occasional gazes of attention fell on the old monk; truly, the black-clad monk's appearance did not resemble that of a compassionate ascetic. However, given his advanced age, pedestrians merely glanced twice before losing interest. As for the old man beside the monk, he attracted even less attention. Tai'an City was the foremost city of benevolence in the realm; even common folk in its alleys and markets boasted of having seen various generals or grand academics. Who would bother looking at a hunchbacked old man?

Passing through the side gate opening, the wealthy gentleman and the black-clad old monk slowly proceeded.

The wealthy gentleman walked with his hands clasped behind his back, chuckling, "Old Baldy Yang, among the million people in the capital, you're the only friend I have."

The withered old monk softly replied, "If you don't touch my head, then I'm your friend."

The wealthy gentleman verbally protested, "How could I, how could I? They say there are two things in the world one must not touch: a tiger's backside, and your head, Yang Taisui." But despite his words, he unceremoniously reached out and patted the old monk's bald head. The old monk didn't stop him, merely sighed.

The wealthy gentleman patted the black-clad old monk's bald head and laughed heartily.

The black-clad old monk's expression remained serene.

This head.

Qi Xuanzhen had once touched this head, and then half of its lotus-shaped crown collapsed.