Dongfang Wanrong let out a sharp screech, conjuring a phantom, unreal image of a giant bird in the air. Its claws hooked her shoulders as it spread its wings and soared.
For a fifth-rank Miracle Priest of the Warlock system, the first step in learning to summon heroic spirits was to kill a bird Yao and bind their fates. From then on, she could summon that spirit to fly through the skies.
Among lower and mid-ranks, flight was an almost unbeatable ability; no matter in war or battle, air superiority was immensely important.
Dongfang Wanrong manoeuvred the giant bird’s image and quickly flew east.
On the broad, interconnected streets, countless passers-by lifted their heads, pointing and staring at Dongfang Wanrong in the sky with amazement.
Dongfang Wanqing calmly issued orders: “Split into two teams, one pursues north, the other south. In an hour, regardless of the outcome, return immediately.”
The accompanying subordinates acknowledged her commands, some sprinting through the streets and others leaping over rooftops, each giving chase.
Dongfang Wanqing herself pursued west.
An hour later, Dongfang Wanrong, having found nothing, returned to Pingzhou and the inn’s courtyard.
“Grand Palace Master, here’s the note Young Master Li left…”
A guard hurried up, holding out a slip of paper in both hands.
Left behind by Li Lang… Dongfang Wanrong strode forward, snatched the paper, and unfolded it to read:
“Sister Rong, Sister Qing, life is dear, and love is dearer. Yet for the sake of freedom, both can be cast aside. I once imagined wandering this mortal world with you, living freely and riding horses side by side, savouring all that life has to offer.
“But I bear the mission of the Heaven Sect’s legacy, love and hate are beyond my control. Please forgive my leaving. I am off to seek my Dao…”
The charming woman’s eyes reddened. Gritting her teeth, she hissed, “That heartless, faithless bastard, I’ll kill him myself!”
…
Dongfang Wanqing returned to the inn, hearing her elder sister sitting on the couch, her face dark. She knew then that her sister had not found Li Lang either.
Dongfang Wanrong drew the note from her sleeve, placed it on the table, and said,
“The heartless man left of his own accord.”
Dongfang Wanqing unfolded the note, and after reading it, her lovely face clouded with frost. She squeezed out each word from between clenched teeth:
“The next time I see him, I’ll break both his legs so he’ll never run away again.”
Suddenly, she frowned, looked down for another read, then exclaimed, “This isn’t Li Lang’s handwriting.”
Her elder sister Dongfang Wanrong made a sound of agreement:
“Though it isn’t his own hand, he did indeed leave it. That man in azure had no need to go to such trouble, did he? Li Lang was under our noses the whole time, he never had a chance to leave a note.
“Most likely, he entrusted it to that mysterious person, who delivered it while we were out. Hmph, at least he has some conscience.”
Dongfang Wanqing looked down, read the letter’s words again, her beautiful eyes rippling, as if moved by what was written.
“Yesterday, he made trouble for that man out of nowhere. I thought it odd, not like him at all. Now I see, he was making a scene to strike a secret deal.” Her icy, mountain-cold voice was thoughtful.
The graceful and alluring older woman sighed, “Forget it. If he wants freedom, let him have it. He really hasn’t been happy these last six months. When we’ve dealt with our business, we’ll track him down again.”
…
On a secluded mountain path far from Pingzhou, two horses trotted along.
“Brother Xu, what did you write in the note for me?”
“Brother Xu, your horse is impressive, it carries two people and still goes strong. Is it a warhorse?”
Li Lingsu carried a wine jug, his looks dashing, his smile radiant as the sun.
Xu Qi’an shot him a look; he had to admit, this man had a certain charm. Anyone who appreciated a good face would find him likeable.
And most people in the world appreciate a good face.
“Who is he? What a natterer, will there be any end.”
Mu Nanzhi leant against Xu Qi’an’s chest, muttering under her breath.
The first beauty of the Great Feng was unusually indifferent to handsome men; man or woman, she thought everyone ugly in comparison.
Xu Qi’an spoke to her via transmission, “He is the Senior Brother of Li Miaozhen. In the jianghu, we keep a low profile, don’t expose my real identity.”
Mu Nanzhi found this amusing. She glanced at Li Lingsu with a half-smile.
Li Lingsu returned her a polite and timely smile, then asked,
“Is this your wife?”
Before Xu Qi’an could answer, Mu Nanzhi jumped in,
“No, we’re just travelling together.”
With her proud temperament, she’d never admit to any connection with Xu Qi’an. A passer-by would be whatever, but this Li-something was Li Miaozhen’s senior brother, which made him at least somewhat notable.
Li Lingsu’s heart skipped a beat and a cold sweat broke out on his back. He thought, Damn my charm, even before we get acquainted, she’s in a hurry to distance herself from her own man…
As the Holy Son of the Heaven Sect, he observed Xu Qi’an carefully, and sincerely added,
“Your wife has extraordinary poise, worlds apart from those gaudy harlots. You and Brother Xu are a match made in heaven.”
Indeed, in terms of looks, these two were well matched.
Mu Nanzhi maintained an indifferent expression, giving nothing away.
She looked Li Lingsu up and down, then suddenly sneered,
“This one is like you, good with sweet talk. No wonder those two sisters were so besotted.”
Hey, are you trying to ruin my reputation here…! Xu Qi’an pinched her soft little waist, his face expressionless, making no response.
The Heaven Sect Holy Son lit up, “Brother Xu, you’re a ladies’ man too.”
That seemed to touch a nerve with Mu Nanzhi, she scoffed, “The women he’s been involved with are at least as good as your pair of sisters, no, even the worst of them aren’t inferior to your two sisters.”
Xu Qi’an said calmly, “She’s joking.”
He pinched her waist again, making Mu Nanzhi’s eyes water in pain. She turned away, sulking.
Li Lingsu smiled, clearly, the “wife” was bragging on behalf of her man, or rather, on her own behalf.
Her poise couldn’t be denied, but her looks were really nothing special. Compared even to Sister Qing and Sister Rong, or the maids of the East Sea Dragon Palace, she didn’t measure up at all.
After a while, Xu Qi’an spotted a stream ahead and said,
“Let’s rest by the stream for an incense stick’s time.”
Without waiting for the Heaven Sect Holy Son to reply, he slapped his mare’s rump and headed for the brook.
Li Lingsu quickly followed. He saw this Xu fellow dismount, gently help his rather plain wife down, then draw a boar-bristle brush and started washing the horse’s nose.
In the Great Feng, regulations required brushing a horse’s nose every thirty li, to prevent too much dust collecting and affecting the horse’s breathing.
Li Lingsu calculated: they’d left Pingzhou, chosen a mountain trail, and ridden hard for about thirty li.
Has he had military experience? Normal jianghu travellers wouldn’t have the habit of cleaning a horse’s nose every thirty li… Li Lingsu mused.
“Brother Xu, may I borrow your brush?”
Li Lingsu approached with a friendly smile and asked, “Brother Xu, were you once in court service?”
Xu Qi’an nodded, “I served as a Yudao City Guard in the capital. Later I offended a superior and was dismissed.”
“Offended a superior?”
“Yes, his name’s Xu Pingzhi. That unfilial Xu Pingzhi. That’s quite a well-known nickname in the capital.”
Xu Qi’an reminisced of his uncle, by way of mocking him.
Li Lingsu clapped his hands and smiled, “What a coincidence, Brother Xu, you’re from the capital! I’m heading there myself to find my faithless, self-serving junior sister who has no regard for her senior brother’s life or death. Once I’ve retrieved, well, retrieved what’s mine, I’ll pay you your due.”
“You want to go to the capital?”
“I have dreamed of it for so long. The capital was the foremost city in the Central Plains, and in terms of prosperity, no other city in the world could compare.” Li Lingsu showed a longing expression:
“Although I had been under house arrest by the Dongfang sisters for half a year, I was still able to receive news from the outside world. I heard that Junior Sister Miaozhen was thriving in the capital as if she were a fish in water. The fact that she was willing to linger there for so long was enough to show how wonderful the capital must be.
“Furthermore, for me, the capital was an excellent place for cultivation and seeking the Dao.”
Xu Qi’an said, “Because the capital’s Jiaofangsi is full of beautiful women?”
“Brother Xu, you know me well.”
While stroking the horse’s nose, Li Lingsu laughed:
“It is said there are twenty-four oiran at the Jiaofangsi in the capital, each with their own strengths and skilled in different arts. Some are even the daughters of noble families themselves. Such ladies are the best for romance, which would help me comprehend the sublime state of ‘Supreme Forgetfulness of Desire.’
“Moreover, having an affair with them almost never has any after-effects.”
Not only are there no after-effects, but you can also freeload… Xu Qi’an nodded, deeply agreeing.
The Holy Son of the Heaven Sect glanced at Mu Nanzhi not far away, then lowered his voice:
“Brother Xu, have you ever gone to the Jiaofangsi for drinking games? Have you ever met an oiran? Have you met Fuxiang the oiran, who became famous across the world thanks to Silver Gong Xu? I wonder what kind of charm each of those twenty-four oiran possesses.”
He reckoned that, given Xu Qian’s cultivation and abilities, he must have a certain status in the capital. Sleeping with an oiran might be difficult, but surely he had at least seen them.
Fuxiang had a tall, well-proportioned figure, with a pair of long legs to die for; Mingyan was lithe and flexible, she could touch her shoulder with her knees while lying down; Xiaoya was the most delicate and often cried, begging, “Good brother, please spare me”; Dongxue had a pleasant singing voice and liked to whisper into people’s ears; Manman was passionate and open… Of course, they all share one thing in common: they’re all very ‘moist’… Xu Qi’an replied coldly,
“I have never been to the Jiaofangsi.”
Seeing his stern expression, Li Lingsu believed him a little more and said regretfully, “What a pity.”
After a pause, he added,
“In fact, my ultimate goal for leaving the mountain this time was the capital, to visit the Human Sect and participate in the contest between heaven and man among disciples. If it hadn’t been for the Dongfang Sisters, I would have been the one to take action in the contest.
“I heard that Miaozhen and that Chu Yuanzhen fought to a draw, and in the end, Silver Gong Xu subdued both Heaven and Man single-handedly. Actually, as long as I were there, the Heaven Sect would definitely have won.”
At this point, he looked solemn. “Afterwards, I gathered information and analysed the strength of all three sides. Chu Yuanzhen pursued an indirect path, practising the Human Sect’s sword art, and his martial prowess was restrained, so in reality his strength was limited.
“As for Silver Gong Xu at the time, his cultivation was still shallow and he only managed to win by relying on Confucian spells. If I were Miaozhen, I would have had at least three ways to turn the tables and snatch victory from defeat.”
His tone and gaze did not come across as boasting.
No, even if your Dongfang Sisters had not intervened, you still wouldn’t have had a chance to win. Most likely, you would have pushed Chu Yuanzhen to desperation, he’d draw his longsword and strike you dead… Xu Qi’an thought.
Just how terrifying was that sword aura, containing ten years of a scholar’s spirit, that Chu Yuanzhen used?
Even Zhenbei King, a third-rank expert, suffered greatly from it.
After cleaning the horse’s nose, the two continued to chat by the stream. Li Lingsu always liked to steer the topic towards women. Xu Qi’an maintained a façade of propriety, but in truth, he was no gentleman and did not object.
“Although the Heaven Sect and Human Sect do not get along, I hear that the Human Sect’s Daoist Leader, Luo Yuheng, is a rare beauty. Not only that, the Human Sect’s cultivation method means that, upon reaching a high rank, seven emotions and six desires arise, also known as being plagued by karmic fire.
“Karmic fire burns not only oneself, but also affects those around, stirring all manner of thoughts in them, lust especially.”
That I understand. I have seen, in Luo Yuheng, the kindly figure of a little aunt, a mother’s friend, a friend’s mother, and the elder sister next door… Xu Qi’an maintained his cold persona, nodded and said,
“I know a little. That’s why the Human Sect likes to borrow fortune as an aid in their cultivation.”
Li Lingsu seemed surprised, scrutinising Xu Qian, “Brother Xu, you know quite a bit.”
Xu Qi’an fell silent.
The two were quiet for a while. Xu Qi’an suddenly noticed the little mare had turned around, her movements light and graceful, her posture alluring, and her curves shapely…
“Slap!”
He slapped himself.
Li Lingsu looked at him in surprise, “Brother Xu?”
Shit, the Heart Gu’s animal-controlling side-effects are flaring up… Xu Qi’an said coldly, “It’s nothing to do with you.”
To ease the awkward air, Li Lingsu said,
“Actually, what I most want to see is that Princess Consort of the Zhenbei King, the greatest beauty in the Great Feng. Ever since my junior sister and I wandered the martial world, whenever women were discussed, those martial world brutes would always mention the princess consort.
“They say she is the greatest beauty of the Great Feng, unique in the world, even more beautiful than a celestial maiden. I asked them, ‘How is she beautiful?’, but they couldn’t say, for no one had seen her, only heard the rumours.”
Xu Qi’an’s mind wandered, and he could not help but recall that night, when he first saw Mu Nanzhi’s true face, how stunning and soul-stirring she was, unforgettable to this day.
It wasn’t a question of beauty; she was a kind of woman rarely encountered. A pity it was too dark that night to see her chest…
Li Lingsu laughed, “This time, when we go to the capital, I’ll get a look at the number one beauty in the Great Feng. If you want to know what she looks like, after I’ve seen her, I’ll be sure to tell you.”
After a pause, he put away his frivolous smile and said solemnly,
“I heard the Emperor of the Great Feng was killed by Silver Gong Xu, and the court’s proclamation said Yuanjing was controlled by the Church of the Warlock God, but that’s obviously impossible. Brother Xu, you come from the capital, do you know the truth?”
Is he sounding me out, or seeking an exchange of information?
Xu Qi’an considered, then said, “Yuanjing was a second-rank Daoist; he sought immortality and tried to sacrifice the nation’s fortune to the Church of the Warlock God, so he was killed by Silver Gong Xu.”
His explanation was concise. To Li Lingsu’s ears, however, it was like a bolt from the blue, leaving his emotions about to explode and his jaw hanging for a long while.
He never imagined there’d be such an inside story. No, there must be even more, Yuanjing was actually second rank? How did he sacrifice the nation’s fortune? How did Silver Gong Xu kill him?
There’s a heavy fog of mystery behind all this. Just from that one sentence, I can sense how turbulent the capital must have been not long ago…
Li Lingsu couldn’t help glancing at Xu Qian and thought, This man’s identity and status must not be simple.
At this moment, he heard Xu Qi’an say,
“I’ve heard the contest between Heaven and Man wasn’t as it seemed. If the Human Sect’s Daoist Leader wins over the Heaven Sect’s Daoist Leader, she could use that opportunity to challenge for the first rank.
“But the Heaven Sect’s Daoist Leader, win or lose, would be unaffected. However, if he abandons the contest, he would mysteriously disappear. Do you know anything about this?”
Thud, thud, thud…
The Holy Son of the Heaven Sect took several steps back, his expression changed dramatically, and he stared at Xu Qian, his voice tinged with a shrill note:
“You- you- who on earth are you?”
(Author’s note) PS: The Holy Son’s cultivation has just reached fourth rank. I forgot to say, thanks for everyone’s reminders.
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