Chapter 92: Sitting Turtle Watching the Sword (Part 2)

Xu Fengnian was deeply satisfied. He had enjoyed the moon and the lake, playfully teased the beautiful lady, and even carved a string of absurd words onto a stone tablet. He and Wang Chudong returned to Laomou Mountain on the giant turtle, much to the relief of Ning Emei and the others. Upon arriving back at the Wang family residence, Xu Fengnian first escorted the girl to the courtyard gate. With no one around, he gave her another kiss. The young girl then entered the courtyard, sat on the swing, and gently swayed, her toes just touching the ground. Wang Chudong pressed her fingers to her lips, a smile playing on them. She thought of many things he had said, particularly: "If mere good looks were enough to roam the martial world, this young master would have been invincible long ago." Such shameless remarks made Wang Chudong smile, then reflect, then smile again, unable to stop.

Xu Fengnian was indeed right to praise her extraordinary talent. This young woman was naturally well-read, having delved into not only the Four Books and Five Classics but also various casual and miscellaneous books. Consequently, Wang Chudong's writings always seemed to flow forth with effortless naturalness. In Qingzhou, there was a custom on the second day of the second month for children to begin their studies, and she composed: "Frog croaks through green window screens, outside the building, the great river's waves wash away sand." The first half conveyed a leisurely, boudoir sentiment, while the latter half took an abrupt turn, revealing a heroic and majestic atmosphere, vastly different from the former. Thus, when people reviewed "East Wing's First Snow" by Wang Dongxiang, they remarked on how she used light ink to express profound emotions. Her words and phrases often pierced the heart, capturing the true essence of the sage's saying: "Joyful without being licentious, sorrowful without being hurt." The concluding line of the book, "May all lovers under heaven eventually become a couple," served as the perfect finishing touch, leading to a natural and transcendent artistic realm.

Wang Linquan entered the courtyard, pushing the swing for his daughter, and chuckled, "Wasn't I right? The Young Master is clearly a remarkably intelligent person. A son raised by the Grand General and the Princess Consort couldn't possibly turn out badly. Heh, the Young Master picked up a saber early on, and seeing him with twin sabers in hand today truly pleases me. What I dislike most are those self-proclaimed gentle, courteous, frugal, and humble scholars in Qingzhou. They are far less decisive and direct in their actions than the Young Master. I heard you confronted Commander Zhao's son at the teahouse? Good for you! They won't learn unless they're taught a lesson. I was just thinking of using money to make those fellows understand: to see whether a woman's influence is more powerful, or if real money can make even ghosts work."

Wang Chudong hummed in acknowledgment, then turned and said, "Father, I won't be writing the epilogue for 'East Wing' anymore."

Wang Linquan sat on one side of the swing and said kindly, "If you don't want to write it, then don't. It will save the empresses and concubines in the palace from becoming overly fixated on it."

The young girl playfully said, "Someone will surely say I've exhausted my talent."

Wang Linquan burst into hearty laughter and said, "Those pedantic scholars, full of themselves, can neither write good articles with a brush nor mount a horse and wield a saber to kill enemies. Why bother with them? My daughter scolding them would be giving them too much face."

Before leaving, Wang Linquan earnestly advised, "Daughter, it's still a bit early to secretly decide on marriage. Wait two more years."

Red-faced, Wang Chudong raised her fist and waved it.

Wang Linquan arrived at the Young Master's courtyard, knocked, and entered. He saw the Young Master sitting in the courtyard, with a rosewood sword-box on the table, and only the maid Qingniao standing by his side. As Xu Fengnian was about to rise, Wang Linquan hurriedly said, "Your Highness, there's no need to rise. This old servant wouldn't dare presume such an honor."

Xu Fengnian didn't say much. The distinctions of rank and strict etiquette could not be dismissed with a few words. After Wang Linquan sat down, he carefully glanced at the sword-box, which he had never dared to forget over the years. After all the old soldiers left the Northern Liang army, there were a few things they would never forget: the camp they were in that year, and that invincible King Xu banner. Wang Linquan was truly Xu Xiao's vanguard, fortunate enough to have seen and remembered even more things. Among them was the sword-box on the table. The famous sword contained within, in the hands of the Princess Consort, was renowned as "a single sword bringing cold sorrow for ten thousand li," rightfully earning its place as the foremost sword of the mortal world. A poem from the previous generation's martial arts evaluation said: "One sword illuminates thirty states, its Qi surging to the heavens, striking the Big Dipper," demonstrating the Princess Consort's unparalleled grace. As Wang Linquan gazed at it, his eyes welled up with tears. In recent years, he had been tainted by the stench of money, yet late at night, whenever he thought of how the Grand General had once prepared his troops for battle, throwing a hundred thousand horsewhips into the river, he would become incredibly excited. It was this spirit that had sustained Wang Linquan to this day.

Xu Fengnian slowly closed his eyes and traced two fingers over the sword-box, on which eighteen characters were engraved.

They were written by his mother herself. His mother was the previous Sword Master of the Wu family. Although she had defied her family for Xu Xiao, many of their rules were still observed. After her death, the armored sword-attendant Zhao Yutai guarded her tomb and buried her sword there. It wasn't merely a cenotaph; the Wu Family Sword Mound was a true sword mound. If a Daoist cultivator disrespects the Heavenly Dao, they will fail to enter its path even if they cultivate until their hair turns white. Similarly, if a swordsman does not respect or cherish their sword, their cultivation will likely not reach a high level. Don't be fooled by Deng Ta'a, who carried the great cauldron of swordsmanship for Li Chungang and casually carried a peach branch, appearing unrestrained and not like a proper master. Deng Ta'a had long stated that it wasn't that he disdained wielding a sword; rather, there were few opponents in the world worthy of him drawing his sword. Only Wang Xianzhi was one, and figures like Cao Guanzi were only half an opponent.

Xu Fengnian's current journey was not simply about releasing three years of pent-up resentment. Besides secretly mapping out thousands of li of geographical features himself, he also aimed to connect with old Northern Liang subordinates like Wang Linquan. These were not lessons taught by Xu Xiao. The Grand General, widely known throughout the dynasty as a doting father to a prodigal son, never lectured Fengnian on how to act or behave. The Butcher merely let the Young Master get into trouble, then gladly cleaned up his son's messes. With wave after wave of loyal retainers and sworn death-followers at his disposal, why did the Young Master insist on training with a saber alone? It certainly wasn't simply to become a fierce general charging into battle. For such a role, he had his younger brother, Huang Man'er, who possessed natural divine strength. In the future, Xu Longxiang would bear the battle standard; who could compete with him? It would never be Xu Fengnian's turn for such a task. Was it for Old Huang, to retrieve the sword-box displayed atop Wudi City for his toothless old servant? That was part of the reason, but the most hidden and lingering reason was an unspeakable secret most difficult for the Xu family to let go of.

Before the Xu family moved to Northern Liang, the Princess Consort once went to the imperial palace alone. At that time, over a dozen top-tier masters were present, half from the imperial court and half from the martial world. This was a taboo that all those who knew about it dared not speak of, a secret that had been covered by the dust of history in a mere twenty years. Xu Fengnian knew the old emperor's intentions: if Xu Xiao had no son, what good would it do him to be both Grand Pillar of the State and King of Northern Liang? The three hundred thousand iron cavalry would eventually and securely become the imperial family's possession. Xu Fengnian didn't need anyone to point out such crude imperial machinations; he understood them perfectly. As for those reclusive martial arts masters, most had lost their families and homes when the Xu family's iron cavalry swept through the martial world, or they were old ancestors harbored and supported by the ten great aristocratic clans. They sought to avenge national and familial hatreds, delivering a fatal blow to Xu Xiao at his peak. Was there any method more satisfying for revenge?

However, none of them expected that the pregnant Princess Consort would, on that night, transition from a worldly sword to an unworldly sword. Once a martial artist's realm surpasses the celestial phenomena and achieves the status of a Land Immortal Swordsman, they can no longer be judged or measured by ordinary standards.

In the long run, that battle resulted in mutual destruction, with no true winner.

The Northern Liang iron cavalry, originally loyal to the dynasty, developed an irreparable rift with the imperial court, and the Princess Consort contracted a severe illness, leading to her early demise.

Xu Fengnian possessed a ledger of life and death, on which were recorded the names of over a dozen people who appeared in the imperial palace that day. A third of them had already died violently, none of old age. Xu Fengnian had already come of age. In the future, when facing these living individuals, he always hoped to personally slay them. Even if he couldn't achieve it in his lifetime, it was better than doing nothing. Back then, Xu Xiao had not hesitated to make enemies with the entire martial world for the sake of the dynasty's century-long prosperity. Xu Fengnian, however, wanted even more than Xu Xiao to utterly flatten this martial world; some matters simply didn't require explanation. Xu Xiao could provide twenty years of stability for himself, with iron cavalry escorting him when he went out, and both overt and covert death-followers. But Xu Xiao would also grow old one day—in ten, twenty years? Xu Xiao's influence was built through conquering the land. Xu Fengnian wanted to ensure the Xu family's enduring power and must take over the Northern Liang iron cavalry. This was not a matter of mere words. Northern Liang valued military achievements and worshipped martial prowess. If he were to truly obey his second sister Xu Weixiong and dedicate himself to managing the army from behind the scenes, Xu Fengnian lacked that confidence.

In recent years, Xu Fengnian had constantly asked himself: Without Xu Xiao, what was he?

Xu Fengnian unconsciously tightened his grip on his twin sabers and let out a long, turbid breath.

Wang Linquan reminisced, filled with emotion: "Back when the Grand General pacified Western Shu, Military Advisor Zhao regrettably died of illness, just ten li short of seeing the Western Shu imperial city with his own eyes. The Grand General then led his army, throwing his horsewhip into the river as if to sever it, to console Military Advisor Zhao's spirit in heaven. Who in Western Shu wouldn't be terrified?!"

Xu Fengnian said gravely, "The Northern Liang Iron Cavalry fights only to the death."

Wang Linquan nodded heavily. "Only to the death!"

The art of war often involves deception, but Xu Xiao did the opposite. Let thousands of troops and horses charge fiercely; our Northern Liang army will only fight to the death.

Xu Fengnian smiled slightly. "When Xu Xiao goes to the capital to meet the Emperor this time, he'll likely stir up a lot of trouble in the city again."

Wang Linquan remained silent, not daring to speak recklessly.

Xu Fengnian, however, didn't mind discussing family matters with this old soldier, matters that would cause a huge uproar if spoken outside. Wang Linquan had dared to kneel and weep openly at the pier in front of countless spies. If Xu Fengnian lacked even this much breadth of mind and magnanimity, then he shouldn't even think about taking over Xu Xiao's horsewhip in the future; he wouldn't even need to wander the martial world; it would be simpler and more peaceful to just hide in the Northern Liang King's residence. He gestured to Qingniao to bring some wine and said, "Uncle Wang, we are family; let's speak frankly. This time, by openly showing the stance of Northern Liang's former subordinates here in Laomou Mountain, I'm bound to be targeted by many in Qingzhou and even the imperial court. I'll instruct Chu Lushan to keep an eye on things. If it truly escalates, at worst, Xu Xiao will step forward to speak. I refuse to believe that Prince Jing'an, Zhao Heng, whose forehead Xu Xiao once swelled with his horsewhip, would dare to completely turn hostile. As for Xu Xiao's trip to the capital, heh, I suspect he's going to secure a definite outcome for my hereditary succession, ensuring that in the future, I can wear a grand yellow satin python robe that is no less impressive than his court attire."

Hereditary succession with perpetual inheritance!

Wang Linquan, who usually appeared to have failing eyesight, immediately had his eyes light up upon hearing this. Who among the three hundred thousand Northern Liang iron cavalry and all the old soldiers dispersed throughout the dynasty didn't worry about this? The two characters "hereditary succession" (世袭) have a simple meaning: inheriting one's father's title, rank, stipend, and fief. "Perpetual inheritance" (罔替), however, is a profound matter: it means no alteration or abolishment. Even among imperial princes and vassal kings, apart from Prince Yanla and Prince Guangling, who were exceptionally treated due to their illustrious military achievements, all others, according to the "Law for Imperial Clansmen and Vassals," had their titles successively downgraded with each generation. For example, Prince Jing'an, Zhao Heng, whose son, without outstanding merit, could only inherit the next lower rank of a commandery prince. Once Xu Fengnian was granted perpetual hereditary succession by the imperial court, he would remain the King of Northern Liang!

Only then could there be talk of a grand yellow satin python robe.

Only an imperial yellow robe, with nine dragons and five claws, truly symbolized the supreme sovereign.

Xu Fengnian didn't mind that in the future, he would wear a python robe to flatten the martial world. He simply wanted to infuriate, terrify, and beat those scoundrels to death.

Wang Linquan felt immense satisfaction. Just then, Qingniao brought good wine. The old man took a deep drink, wiped his mouth, and laughed, "With this, who in Northern Liang would dare to disobey!"

Xu Fengnian drained his cup of wine and said with a slight self-deprecating smile, "However, my current skill of breaking six armors with one saber is truly not yet presentable."

Wang Linquan dismissed it, saying, "Your Highness possesses extraordinary talent. If you truly apply yourself to practicing the saber, wouldn't you easily become a first-rank master?"

Xu Fengnian joked, "Uncle Wang, you say that so easily, but practicing the saber is truly not easy for me."

Wang Linquan simply kept smiling, silently repeating "Uncle Wang" a few times in his heart. It felt even warmer than the wine he had just drunk.

Wang Linquan suddenly said with a regretful expression, "My two sons haven't amounted to much; they only know how to rigidly study books. They won't be able to lead the horse for Your Highness."

Xu Fengnian shook his head. "That's not how it is."

For the first time, Wang Linquan contradicted the Young Master, saying solemnly, "Your Highness, as long as Wang Linquan lives, the Wang family will be at the Grand General's disposal. There is no greater principle in this world!"

Unsure how to persuade him, Xu Fengnian raised his cup, tilted his head back, and again drained the wine from the luminous glass goblet. He said softly, "I just don't know if the imperial court will strip Xu Xiao of his Grand Pillar of the State title."

Wang Linquan fell silent.

After the two finished a pot of wine, Wang Linquan respectfully prostrated himself and knelt again before finally rising to leave.

Xu Fengnian turned his head to look at the sword-box.

He looked at the eighteen characters.

"This sword settles all injustices under heaven; this sword stands unashamed before all the world's guilty."