Chapter 900: Not Surname Xu, Named Zhibao

As if sensing the cosmic phenomenon in the pond, Chen Zhibao slowly opened his eyes. He showed no awareness of being in danger, instead leisurely scrutinizing the pond filled with lotus flowers, swaying gracefully.

These lotus flowers were likely the materialization of Xu Fengnian's divine will.

The young prince, who had inherited Gao Shulu's celestial physique, now had to use such an ethereal technique, one that didn't consume vital energy, to confront his foe. It appeared the battle at Long'aner Plains had indeed wounded him to his core.

Chen Zhibao's gaze swept past the lotus flowers in front of him, and he saw the nine miniature flying swords hovering before Xu Fengnian. He estimated that Xu Fengnian feared the thunder pond wouldn't be enough to trap him and thus needed these flying swords, which also didn't require vital energy manipulation, to guard against the sudden lethal strike of the "Plum Wine" spear in his hand.

He wondered if these nine small objects were the legendary "pebbles" of the Peach Blossom God, Deng Tai'a. It was said that Deng Tai'a had given twelve at once, and Xu Fengnian had reportedly lost some fighting Han Shengxuan outside Shenwu City, as well as during his battle with Wang Xianzhi. Was this why the set wasn't complete?

Xu Fengnian's face grew increasingly pale as he lowered his head, gazing at the cluster of flying swords hovering before him. They were not, as Chen Zhibao had surmised, gifts from Deng Tai'a; instead, they had been crafted by the Mohist Grandmaster of Qingliang Mountain and ultimately nurtured into existence by Xu Fengnian's own intent.

The Peach Blossom God had once spoken of his process for forging and nurturing flying swords. Deng Tai'a grew up in the eerie Sword Mountain of the Wu Family Sword Tomb, where countless swords were buried. He pulled out his first ancient sword, Tai'a, but it was already too decayed and broke as soon as it was drawn. Deng Tai'a still adopted the sword's name as his own. Afterward, he successively chose eleven more swords with which he felt a mysterious connection. However, due to his resentment towards the Wu family for abandoning him on Sword Mountain to fend for himself, Deng Tai'a did not take any ancient swords out of the tomb. After leaving the Sword Tomb alone and empty-handed, he distilled two sword intents, eventually forging twelve flying swords which he stored in his sleeve. These were: Black Armor, Childhood Sweetheart; Morning Dew, Spring Water, Peach Blossom; Moth Eyebrow, Vermillion Bird, Yellow Tung; Ant, Golden Thread, and Tai'a.

After the battle at Qintianjian, Xu Fengnian returned to Beiliang and cast his own swords following this method.

Fengdu and Old Flood Dragon: These two swords are a pair, commemorating Fengdu Green Robes and the old man in sheepskin who once declared on the river, "I wield but one sword in my life, and wherever there is a flood dragon, I shall slay it."

Bookworm: This name, which Xu Fengnian first heard from his scholar-mentor at Listening Tide Pavilion, refers to a type of bookworm said to prefer living among old stacks of paper.

Water Essence: This name originated from Xu Fengnian recalling the ancient giant softshell turtle in Spring God Lake, whose age was unknown, just before forging the sword.

Beautiful Beard: This sword is named after a tailor from the Liyang imperial court, a man with a purple beard and blue eyes. Though he failed to maintain his integrity in his later years and became a great enemy of Beiliang, he was genuinely respected by Xu Xiao, Li Yishan, and even Xu Fengnian himself.

Childish Fun: This name recalls Xu Fengnian's first trip to Beiman, passing through Daomaguan on the Youzhou border. A child, yearning for the pugilistic world, bravely extended a hand to him, saying he wanted to touch Xu Fengnian's saber.

Wild Fox: During a casual chat with Xu Beizhi, nicknamed "Orange," the strategist once playfully remarked that the new King of Beiliang practiced "Wild Fox Zen," which was unorthodox and destined to bring many troubles.

Lamb Fat: This sword reminds Xu Fengnian of the senior maid from Wutong Courtyard who liked to apply crimson rouge. He wondered how she was doing in Dunhuang City and if Huyan Daguan's journey deep into Beiman territory would successfully persuade her to return to Beiliang and bring her home.

Ant Sink: A tree remains fragrant even after it dies, but what about people? Xu Fengnian had traveled many places, met many people, and seen many sights, but in the end, he still preferred the impoverished and harsh Beiliang—this place where every household once wore white mourning clothes.

These nine flying swords were Fengdu, Ant Sink, Bookworm, Water Essence, Old Flood Dragon, Beautiful Beard, Childish Fun, Wild Fox, and Lamb Fat.

These nine flying swords were not only imbued with divine will by Xu Fengnian but also embodied his deepest essence, vitality, and spirit.

Chen Zhibao squinted as he looked at the nine miniature flying swords, each embodying a different divine will, as if he were looking at the young prince's life.

In fact, Chen Zhibao had been a cold observer like this for over twenty years.

When he first saw Xu Fengnian, Chen Zhibao was just a boy, less than fourteen, who had recently joined the Armored Camp. His dream then was to one day don iron armor, wield a spear, and ride across the land. When he carefully took the infant from the Princess's hands and looked at the tender face, Chen Zhibao smiled happily. Later, after Xu Xiao, the "Human Butcher," helped the Zhao Imperial Family of Liyang pacify Dingyuan, the White-Clothed Martial Sage, renowned in the capital, gave up his right to a fief and quietly followed the Xu family army to Beiliang. Especially after the Princess's death, this man became increasingly taciturn, observing the young Xu scion from a distance, watching him indulge in debauchery within the small confines of Wutong Courtyard and idly wander outside Qingliang Mountain. The young scion's carefree demeanor contrasted sharply with the rising smoke of the Spring and Autumn Wars; that young man lived too infamously, while the old soldiers of the Xu family died too obscurely, creating a stark contrast. Chen Zhibao naturally had no fondness for such a young man. However, to suggest that Chen Zhibao harbored early murderous intent towards Xu Fengnian back then, or secretly harbored rebellious thoughts against Beiliang, would be both overestimating Xu Fengnian and underestimating Chen Zhibao.

Chen Zhibao had never considered Xu Fengnian a worthy opponent.

His past opponents were only Spear Immortal Wang Xiu in the martial world and the Spring and Autumn Strategist Ye Baikui on the battlefield.

Chen Zhibao suddenly thrust his spear like a dragon, piercing towards Xu Fengnian, who was arrayed before a courtyard full of lotus flowers and nine flying swords. His momentum was like the Guangling River rushing into the sea.

Wherever the spear passed, the lotus flowers, nurtured by Xu Fengnian's divine will, shattered into pieces.

Xu Fengnian remained motionless. He merely raised a hand, his index finger gently twirling, and the nine flying swords flashed away, tracing nine slender arcs in the air.

The nine impacts between the flying swords and the spear clanged clearly and melodiously, like the sound of wind chimes under the eaves, stirred by a breeze over a pond of lotus flowers.

Though small, the flying swords possessed immense power and formidable force, causing Chen Zhibao's "Plum Wine" spear to deviate from its straight trajectory multiple times before reaching Xu Fengnian's throat.

At the critical moment when the spear was about to pierce his throat, Xu Fengnian tilted his head and slightly bent his knees. The tip of the "Plum Wine" spear grazed the left side of his neck, drawing a blood groove. With his body slightly leaning forward, Xu Fengnian seemed to shoulder the "Plum Wine" spear and then suddenly lunged forward.

Chen Zhibao's wrist trembled as he pressed the "Plum Wine" spear downwards with the momentum. A resounding thud came from Xu Fengnian's shoulder, but his forward momentum did not falter in the slightest.

Chen Zhibao's wrist twitched slightly to the right, and the "Plum Wine" spear, which had struck Xu Fengnian's shoulder, instantly swept out with the force of a thousand armies.

Xu Fengnian, still lunging forward, tilted his entire body to the right but did not fall, just managing to dodge the "Plum Wine" spear that attempted to sweep off his head.

All of this happened in an instant.

A hair's breadth separated life and death.

Xu Fengnian raised his elbow to block the "Plum Wine" spear, preventing it from changing moves, and struck with a palm towards Chen Zhibao, who had left a large opening in front of him.

Chen Zhibao, seemingly about to be overwhelmed by Xu Fengnian's close approach, showed no intention of retracting his spear, retreating, or using the "Plum Wine" spear to counter. He straightforwardly exchanged a punch and a palm with Xu Fengnian.

Xu Fengnian's palm struck Chen Zhibao's forehead, while Chen Zhibao's fist landed on Xu Fengnian's brow.

Both men swayed, striving to maintain their balance, neither willing to retreat a single step. Then, each delivered a fierce kick, still a mutually destructive exchange focused solely on offense with no thought of defense. This time, both finally retreated several steps, then almost simultaneously stepped forward several paces, and, in unison, raised their arms for an elbow strike. The two, each struck in the head, moved apart, one to the left, one to the right.

The battle between Xu Fengnian and Tuoba Pusa in the narrow alley of that small Western Regions city saw both combatants move within a small space. They abandoned the pursuit of grand, imposing movements, instead performing a "dao ceremony in a snail shell," demonstrating a master's refined and back-to-basics style.

Today's battle with Chen Zhibao in the pond could be said to possess a similar ingenious subtlety.

After the two men separated, creating some distance, Chen Zhibao, originally wielding the "Plum Wine" spear, did not necessarily have the advantage of initiative, as the spear was quite long. However, Chen Zhibao, whose spear techniques were peerless, suddenly loosened his grip, and the spear slid backward. When gripped tightly again, the "Plum Wine" spear became like a three-foot-long sword, perfectly suited for close-quarters combat. The spearhead thus struck before Xu Fengnian's palm could land. Although the tip of the "Plum Wine" spear was unusually blunt, when it struck Xu Fengnian's chest, it instantly sent him, his face turning deathly pale, flying backward. Chen Zhibao, having landed a successful blow, frowned for some unknown reason.

As Xu Fengnian slid backward, he spread his arms wide, splaying nine fingers open with only one remaining bent.

Xu Fengnian's nine fingers each guided the vital energy of the nine flying swords, which were once again poised in the air. Under the pull of the nine swords, his backward momentum suddenly stopped, and the subsequent forward lunge was as swift as rolling thunder.

Xu Fengnian leaped high and pressed down with one finger.

All the lotus flowers, slightly swaying with spiritual essence in the pond, dissipated, and the divine will from all directions converged onto that one finger.

Li Chungang had once unleashed a sword strike on a muddy path in the rain.

It was "One Sword, Immortal Kneels."

Chen Zhibao raised the "Plum Wine" spear horizontally in front of him.

The "Plum Wine" spear was struck by the finger; its shaft bent into an exaggerated curve and then heavily slammed into Chen Zhibao's forehead.

The King of Shu was sent stumbling backward, only managing to stop his retreat when his back pressed firmly against the wall.

After Xu Fengnian's feet landed on the ground, he calmly said, "That strike you gave me on behalf of Beiliang's 300,000 Iron Cavalry, I return it to you."

Chen Zhibao forcibly swallowed the blood that was almost surging from his throat. He tightened his grip on the spear, only then did the "Plum Wine" spear in his hand stop trembling violently.

Chen Zhibao twitched the corner of his mouth and looked around: at the coffin in the room, the jujube tree in the corner, the scattered jujubes on the ground, and the two sabers, "Embroidered Winter" and "Spring Thunder," that had remained unused. Finally, his gaze fell upon the young prince, whose condition had worsened after this battle.

Chen Zhibao slowly removed the spearhead, entered the room, put the two sections of the "Plum Wine" spear back into its cloth sheath, and slung it behind his back. He walked directly to the courtyard gate, stopping just as he was about to step over the threshold. With his back to Xu Fengnian, he sneered, "If you don't even dare to rebel, what kind of King of Beiliang are you?!"

Xu Fengnian countered, "Do you know why Xu Xiao was unwilling to let you be the King of Beiliang?"

Chen Zhibao stepped out of the courtyard and left behind a puzzling remark: "We both know this matter has nothing to do with you."

Xu Fengnian stood his ground and did not stop Chen Zhibao from leaving.

Some things are not about daring or not daring, but about whether one can or wishes to.

The two had not gone so far as to exchange their lives in their previous battle on Guangling River, and the same was true today. It was because neither of them wished to. Back then, Xu Fengnian needed to lead 10,000 Great Snow Dragon Riders to rescue Jiang Ni, while Chen Zhibao, having left his prince's domain, intended to gain power amidst the turmoil in Guangling Road. Now, Xu Fengnian had to lead Beiliang's Iron Cavalry to block Beiman's million-strong army, and Chen Zhibao was likely like a tiger emerging from the mountains, truly setting his sights on the world.

Chen Zhibao slowly walked down the empty streets of Huaiyang Pass. After exiting the city gate, he did not look at the thousands of elite border cavalry outside the city who watched him with complex expressions. He simply said to Baihuerlian, who had entered the city with him earlier, "Will you come with me to Guangling Road, or stay in Beiliang? Although Xie Guanying is dead, regardless of his original intentions, he did help me capture a 'Shu Dragon' once. I value that old friendship, and what I owe him, I will repay to you."

Baihuerlian nodded and said, "It just so happens I need to go back to my hometown, and it's on your way."

Both were dressed in white and were the most dashing figures of their time.

Chu Lushan hesitated for a moment but still had his border cavalry provide them with two Beiliang warhorses. Chen Zhibao did not refuse.

Chu Lushan looked at the former Beiliang Protector-General, who had just mounted his horse, and grumbled, "Chen, if you come back to Beiliang to cause trouble again, you won't get this treatment!"

Chen Zhibao, carrying two cloth bags of different sizes on his back, ignored the fat man's threat and rode away.

The two riders rode further and further away.

Baihuerlian suddenly asked, "Chen Zhibao, what exactly are you thinking? Why do you have murderous intent but no desire to kill? If it weren't for that, I would definitely have stopped you from entering Huaiyang Pass."

Chen Zhibao remained silent.

Baihuerlian suddenly reined in his horse and said with a self-deprecating laugh, "I almost forgot. Wait a moment, I'll go get Rong Shuangdao."

After Chen Zhibao slowly rode for a distance, he gently pulled on the reins and glanced back at Huaiyang Pass, or rather, gazed into the desolate lands outside Beiliang Pass. He murmured to himself, "There are some things, Xu Fengnian, that you cannot do."

There was a sentence he left unsaid, kept deep in his heart.

It was: "But there are also some things that I, Chen Zhibao, cannot do."

Chen Zhibao looked up at the sky, the corners of his mouth turned up, and, for the first time, he smiled knowingly.

Those who can achieve mutual understanding and unwavering loyalty perhaps aren't just friends; enemies can be too.

Although Chen Zhibao's meeting with Xu Fengnian this time involved questioning and sarcasm, ultimately, the reason Chen Zhibao temporarily had no intention to kill was because the young man possessed a clear bottom line that Chen Zhibao well understood.

Chen Zhibao was not actually unable to understand Xu Fengnian's inner thoughts, those unspoken words.

"How I wish Beiliang's 300,000 Iron Cavalry and its millions of scattered households could all live and never die! How I wish every civil and military official in Beiliang could receive a beautiful posthumous title!"

"I don't want Beiliang's Iron Cavalry to die a fitting death; I just want everyone to live. I hope for peace under heaven. I hope Beiliang, like the Central Plains, sees no more smoke of war, for twenty years, for a hundred years!"

"How I wish no single name needed to be carved into the Qingliang Mountain Stele Forest!"

Chen Zhibao withdrew his thoughts and felt a little pity for Xu Fengnian.

"Indeed his son," he thought, "and a disciple favored by Li Yishan. He has never truly enjoyed himself throughout his life."

Chen Zhibao inexplicably sighed.

He had originally come to Beiliang to rescue Qi Dangguo.

And even more, he wanted to visit a certain place on Qingliang Mountain to pay respects to the revered woman he had always considered his birth mother.

Chen Zhibao smiled.

"My surname is not Xu," he thought.

"But my name is 'Zhibao'."

When Baihuerlian returned to the pond house, he saw the solitary young prince sitting on a cushion, with two sabers beside him, his robe holding a handful of half-green, half-red jujubes, as he whistled a melodious tune.

Upon seeing him, Xu Fengnian smiled and nodded.