Chapter 89: Armor Penetration

The Tale of the Beacon Towers Playing with the Feudal Lords

The man acting as host on Mount Lao was a former subordinate of the Beiliang Army. He had not achieved significant military honors during his service, but unexpectedly, after venturing into business, he rose to prominence, becoming the wealthiest person in the entire province. Even ancient aristocratic families, established for ten generations, found it hard to rival his wealth. He was known for his extravagant lifestyle and once competed in a display of wealth with a provincial figure who had imperial merchant connections, drawing countless condemnations, with criticisms as vast as half of Spring God Lake.

At first glance, this old soldier, who had once led Xu Xiao's horse, seemed unremarkable. His attire resembled that of an ordinary commoner, and he displayed no arrogance. Upon seeing His Royal Highness the Young Master, his eyes welled up with tears. He knelt on the flat ground of the ferry crossing and refused to stand, despite Xu Fengnian's repeated attempts to help him up, remaining prostrate and weeping uncontrollably. His wife, children, and other family members behind him were stunned by the sight.

Xu Fengnian, however, knew the inside story. This sixty-year-old man, surnamed Wang, not only deeply admired the Prince of Beiliang but also genuinely revered the Princess. He was one of the few fortunate old soldiers in the Beiliang Army who had personally witnessed the Young Master drawing his sword in his youth. As a horse-leading soldier, he was not regarded as a servant or subordinate by the Xu family.

Individuals who emerged from the Beiliang Army often faced one of two extreme fates: either struggling at the bottom, worried even about basic necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt, or soaring to immense wealth and power, becoming truly unapproachable. This dichotomy was linked to the dynasty's complex psychological stance toward the Beiliang Army, which involved a mixture of fear and jealousy, leading to widespread exclusion. Those labeled as former Beiliang soldiers, once they lost the protection of the iron cavalry, often harbored deep resentment. After finally achieving success through greater hardship and sacrifice, they tended to manage their households, businesses, or political affairs with exceptional ruthlessness and severity.

Wang Linquan, kneeling before Xu Fengnian, was an example of this. Within the Wang family, family law far superseded state law, and the household was managed with military strictness. Once, when a daughter-in-law spoke carelessly, Wang Linquan, disregarding her influential family background, immediately expelled her from the household. His own son, her husband, was dragged to the ancestral temple and flogged. Therefore, when members of the Wang clan witnessed their unpredictable and deeply calculating patriarch kneeling before a young gentleman, their eyes welled up with tears of fear. They were all greatly shaken, each speculating about the identity of the young man in white robes with a jade belt.

His Royal Highness, the Young Master of Beiliang, was traveling and would rest on Mount Lao midway through his journey. Naturally, only Wang Linquan, the local magnate of Mount Lao, was privy to this information. All arrangements were secretly made by Lu Qiu'er, ensuring not the slightest error. Xu Fengnian looked up at a colossal jade Guanyin statue holding a vase, situated at the peak of Mount Lao. It was said that Wang Linquan had spent millions of silver taels and ten years to construct it. This Pure Vase Guanyin stood upon a yellow dragon, embodying both the fierce gaze of a Vajra guardian and the compassionate downcast eyes of a Bodhisattva, with her right hand forming a mudra, pointing directly towards Spring God Lake.

Wang Linquan finally stood up, wiped away the tears from his face, and bowed to lead His Royal Highness, just as he had once led Xu Xiao's horse. No matter how immense Wang Linquan's wealth and status were today, he never forgot his origins. Observing that the Young Master kept gazing at the Guanyin statue on the mountaintop, Wang Linquan softly said, "Your Highness, Spring God Lake has been strange. For a thousand years, every second day of the second month, massive plumes of water would inevitably shoot straight into the sky. On that day, no one dared to venture onto the lake in a boat. This phenomenon was called 'Dragon Raising Its Head,' believed to be caused by a Zhulong (candle dragon) trapped at the lake's bottom, which had been punished by the heavens for bringing rain to Jiangnan without permission and was doomed to suffer for eternity. This dragon, resentful of its celestial confinement, would deliberately stir up winds and waves on that particular day. That's why we call that day 'Dragon Raising Its Head.' However, ever since we dared to invite the Guanyin Bodhisattva here, Spring God Lake has been free of any peculiar winds or waves."

Regardless of whether he was a master or not, Xu Fengnian, whose knowledge was at least eclectic, chuckled and said, "On the second day of the second month, the Horn Constellation appears, marking the initial emergence of the Azure Dragon of the East, which is 'Dragon Raising Its Head.' Hence, ancient texts speak of dragons ascending to the heavens during the vernal equinox."

"Your Highness is truly learned," the immensely wealthy Wang Linquan praised sincerely, from the bottom of his heart, not merely flattering him. Within the dynasty, merchants generally held low status, but at Wang Linquan's level, he did not need to humble himself even when dining with a provincial governor. Wang Linquan was known for his humorless demeanor and vengeful nature; making him sing praises was as difficult as expecting him to be compassionate. Therefore, when he did offer praise, scholars who wrote splendid essays and officials who genuinely cared for the common people alike were overjoyed and felt greatly affirmed.

"It's truly a likeness," Xu Fengnian said softly. "Aren't you afraid of gossip from the imperial court? Or that it might affect your business?"

"Earning one million or ten million makes no difference to me," Wang Linquan chuckled. "Children and grandchildren have their own destinies. Since I can already ensure they have food and clothing without worry, I have no regrets towards my ancestors."

"That's quite open-minded," Xu Fengnian remarked playfully, withdrawing his gaze.

"These are merely superficial lessons I learned from the Great General and the Princess; they hardly qualify as 'open-minded' compared to Your Highness," Wang Linquan replied, looking somewhat abashed.

The Wang family's residence featured deep courtyards, pavilions, terraces, and flowing water, presenting a picturesque Jiangnan scene reminiscent of misty rain. The grand estate was still some distance from the mountaintop, requiring the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to walk there. After settling Yu Youwei and the others, Xu Fengnian and Qingniao headed towards the White Jade Guanyin statue. Wang Linquan specifically asked his daughter, Wang Chudong, to lead the way. This sixteen-year-old girl, born in Jiangnan, wore a ruqun that revealed part of her bosom, with her upper chest and back exposed, covered by a transparent silk gauze. Her undergarments were faintly visible, and the silk fabric was exquisitely crafted, adorned with splendid patterns. This style of dress, originally popular only in Dongyue, had now been adopted by the dynasty's noblewomen and ladies of renown. Coupled with the contribution of enchanting poetic lines from famous poets, such as "white snow long lingering on her chest," the trend intensified, and women's dressing styles gradually became more unrestrained.

At the ferry crossing, Wang Chudong, this wealthy young lady still unwed and at home, had already stared wide-eyed at Xu Fengnian without any hesitation. Now, she chattered incessantly like a chirping oriole. Wang Linquan had not revealed Xu Fengnian's identity to anyone, so she only knew the handsome young gentleman before her was named Xu. At first, she addressed him as "Young Master Xu," but later, she simply called him "Brother Xu." Xu Fengnian did not mind, merely smiling and listening to the girl's clear voice, his heart feeling peaceful.

Finally, they arrived at the plaza where the Pure Vase Guanyin statue stood. The white jade Guanyin, with its wrathful yet downcast gaze, was incredibly lifelike. Its right arm was bent at the elbow, pointing towards Spring God Lake, with five fingers outstretched and palm forward, as if bestowing fearlessness upon all beings.

Xu Fengnian sat cross-legged, with two young Kui beasts resting on his knees.

The girl, whom the province's literary giants lauded as a burgeoning talent of the Wang family, squatted beside him, her face full of devotion. She said, "Brother Xu, Guanyin Bodhisattva is truly amazing! Ever since she stood there pointing towards Spring God Lake, there haven't been any water plumes shooting up during the vernal equinox. When I was little, I used to be so afraid of the second day of the second month because it always thundered and rained. But now that the Bodhisattva is here, I can freely go out on the lake to fish, brew tea, and enjoy the snow. Brother Xu, let me test you: do you know the significance of Guanyin Bodhisattva's hand gesture?"

Xu Fengnian, well-versed in Buddhist allusions, looked up and smiled, "It's the Abhaya Mudra."

Wang Chuxue giggled, "That's right!"

Seeing that Young Master Xu seemed lost in thought after speaking, and feeling a bit bored, she inadvertently turned her head and noticed that the eyes of Young Master Xu's maid in green were moist. Surprised, she asked, "Brother Xu, why is this older sister crying?"

Xu Fengnian returned to his senses and softly replied, "Because this Guanyin Bodhisattva statue resembles someone."

Wang Chuxue murmured "Oh," and, understandingly, stopped chattering.

At some point, Jiang Ni and the old Sword God Li Chungang also arrived at the plaza.

Old Man Li gazed intently for a few moments, then murmured, "This Bodhisattva's Abhaya Mudra can be seen as a sword stroke; its sword intent is immense and unparalleled."

Jiang Ni said flatly, "I don't understand."

Old Man Li, looking weary, glanced sideways at the strangely pensive Xu Fengnian and asked curiously, "What's wrong with that boy?"

Jiang Ni hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head and said, "This Guanyin Bodhisattva looks very much like the Princess of Beiliang."

The old Sword God remained silent for a long time, then recited softly, "Walking alone, stopping alone, sitting alone, / A green serpent glides like a white line on my hand. / A solitary figure, a solitary robe, a solitary sword, / From its tip, three thousand sharp points spring forth. / No one in the world recognizes me, / They merely watch with cold eyes, laughing at my madness. / Only mountain spirits and dragon kings / Know that an immortal stands before them."

Jiang Ni frowned and asked, "Did you write that poem?"

The old man chuckled, "That's just a section from the 'Song of the Azure Dragon Sword God,' a poem others praised me for back then. If you want to hear more, give this old man some time to recall."

Jiang Ni retorted irritably, "Don't bother, I don't want to hear it."

Wang Linquan went to great lengths, preparing a lavish banquet and personally inviting His Royal Highness back to the residence. Even the Beiliang light cavalry from the three large boats were included. Serving maids carrying meal boxes streamed continuously, delivering food like flowing clouds and water. After leaving the mountaintop, Xu Fengnian particularly praised the black chicken stewed with soft-shelled turtle, a specialty of Spring God Lake, at the dinner table. The black chickens of Mount Lao were free-range in the mountains and forests, which were rich in medicinal herbs, giving their meat a distinct herbal aroma. Their skin, flesh, bones, and beaks were all black. The soft-shelled turtle was another unique delicacy of Spring God Lake; only turtles over a hundred years old were selected. A turtle whose shell had been submerged at the bottom of the lake for years and had grown an inch of green whiskers was considered to have truly lived for a century. This was slow-simmered with the black chicken until the turtle shell was tender. It was no wonder that scholars and refined gentlemen highly esteemed it, praising it after heartily enjoying it with lines like, "Unable to leave Spring God Lake, half of my lingering is for this soup."

Wiping the grease from his mouth, Xu Fengnian had finally enjoyed the most satisfying meal since leaving Beiliang. Feeling thoroughly content, he privately requested a copy of the province's historical gazetteers from Wang Linquan.

As dusk settled, Xu Fengnian was relaxing in the courtyard while Jiang Ni read aloud from "Dunhuang Flying Sword," a book that had never before appeared in the world. The story seemed interesting: A swordsman from the Northern Mang Dynasty had just achieved mastery of the sword in the Dunhuang Sword Cave in the far north and was about to embark on his journey through the martial world. However, he encountered Wang Xiu, the Spear Immortal, who was practicing his spear on a northern expedition, and was cleanly and decisively killed by a single spear thrust. It wasn't that the swordsman was so weak; rather, he had cultivated his sword skills in isolation, making them too theoretical and lacking the tempering of actual combat. Since Wang Xiu, the Spear Immortal, highly valued decisive killing, the outcome of life and death was immediately determined.

Fortunately, the nameless swordsman had documented his insights while practicing his sword, leading to this spirited "Dunhuang Flying Sword." Initially, Xu Fengnian had picked it up casually because he found the title imposing. He hadn't realized that among the numerous secret manuals in the book-chest, the old Sword God had been particular and deemed only this one acceptable. Since Li Chungang considered it passable, Xu Fengnian naturally dared not treat it lightly.

Jiang Ni read aloud, and Xu Fengnian listened with his eyes closed.

Xu Fengnian recalled Li Chungang's instruction for him to fight Lu Qiantang, and decided it was time to try. He certainly didn't want to end up like the swordsman who wrote "Dunhuang Flying Sword," perishing soon after venturing into the martial world. While training his sabre on Mount Wudang, why had Xu Fengnian insisted on challenging the Sword Fool Wang Ping in his purple bamboo forest, even risking injury? Wouldn't it have been more relaxed and comfortable to simply practice his sabre beneath the waterfall?

Although there were as many as nine ranks among martial artists in the world, with the highest seemingly residing in the clouds, not to mention the four profound realms beyond that—Vajra, Zhi Xuan, Heavenly Elephant, and Celestial Being—the divisions within the ordinary nine ranks below the third rank were quite superficial and simple. The number of armors one could pierce determined their rank: those who could damage armor but not pierce it belonged to the lower three ranks. Whether one could pierce armor or not was the first threshold; this armor was the dynasty's standard iron plate armor, with two layers, front and back. The middle three ranks could pierce armor, but typically less than six layers. Thus, six layers of armor represented the second major hurdle for martial artists. The third rank among the upper three ranks could generally pierce eight or nine layers, while the first and second ranks were less predictable. For instance, it was rumored that Celestial Master Zhao of Longhu Mountain in the capital could break a hundred layers of armor with a single whisk attack, though this was hard to confirm. In Xu Fengnian's estimation, the Grand Celestial Master, who was the most ambitious in the Celestial Master's Residence, was likely at the Zhi Xuan realm.

Xu Fengnian asked Jiang Ni to wait a moment and went to retrieve the sword-chest.

Inside the chest was the Daliang Dragon Sparrow Sword.

The owner of this sword had once pierced one hundred and sixty layers of armor with a single strike.