Beside him, Xu Yuanshuang snatched the secret letter and read it intently, then passed it to Liu Hongmian, White Tiger, and Qihuan Danxiang.
After reading it, everyone showed the same strange expression.
Since they had entered the jianghu to collect Dragon Qi, this was the first time the Palace Lord of the Tianjigong had issued an order.
Suddenly, a bell-like laughter rang out. The laughter began cheerful, then turned somewhat desolate. Everyone turned to look at Liu Hongmian, who was clutching her belly and laughing until her eyes streamed with tears.
Ji Xuan watched her silently for a while. Only when the enchanting woman had calmed down did he speak gently:
“Hongmian is a disciple of Wanhua Tower, so she knows the Wulin Alliance best.”
“A former disciple,” Liu Hongmian corrected, her lovely, peach-blossom face sporting a faint smile as she returned to her usual alluring manner.
After pondering for a moment, she said,
“Jianzhou was known as the holy land of martial arts in the jianghu precisely because of the Wulin Alliance.
“From the founding of the nation, it has been Jianzhou’s great power. For six hundred years, the Wulin Alliance maintained order in Jianzhou’s jianghu and created the fertile ground for gangs and sects to flourish.
“To this day, all the leading gangs and sects in Jianzhou are subordinate to the Wulin Alliance.”
Liu Hongmian glanced at those present and continued,
“Among the Wulin Alliance’s vassals, nine sects are the most powerful: the Shenquan Gang, Wanhua Tower, the Ink Pavilion, Qianji Sect, the Shenxing Sect, Tieyi Hall, Yuu Mountain, Baihe Temple, and the Jianzhou Merchants’ Association.
“The founders of these forces either came from the Wulin Alliance or established their sects under its support. For hundreds of years, they have been closely linked with the Wulin Alliance.
“As for the lesser gangs and sects, I won’t elaborate.”
Xu Yuanhuai asked in a low voice, “Do these sects all have fourth rank experts?”
Liu Hongmian nodded, “At least one.”
Silence immediately fell among the group.
If one ignored the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, and it was just them alone, then the Wulin Alliance wouldn’t even need to step in personally. Its vassal sects could wipe them out easily.
Moreover, among the vassal sects, there were doubtless other experts. So long as they had not reached the beyond-mortal realm, a relentless attack could still effectively kill a fourth-rank.
The one-armed White Tiger asked, “Tell us about the headquarters of the Wulin Alliance.”
At his words, everyone focused their gaze on Liu Hongmian, including the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations.
“The Wulin Alliance is based on Quanrong Mountain. At the foot of the mountain, there is a military garrison, said to have twenty thousand heavy cavalry, but in truth there are at most eight thousand, and heavy cavalry no more than four thousand. Those twenty thousand troops belonged to the old Alliance Leader’s personal forces in the past, though they’ve been replaced countless times over the years.”
As she recalled, Liu Hongmian continued,
“Aside from the army, it’s hard to account for the experts within the Wulin Alliance, even I cannot accurately judge. In my view, the ones we really need to be wary of are Cao Qingyang and the old Alliance Leader.
“Cao Qingyang is ranked top five in the Jianghu’s Hundred Strong, and is half a step into the beyond-mortal realm. In single combat, any one of us would certainly die if we encountered him.
“As for the old Alliance Leader, although many believe he’s just a fabrication created by the Wulin Alliance, at our level, we know he truly exists.
“But for centuries, the old Alliance Leader has never appeared. I previously didn’t know why, but after reading the Palace Lord’s secret letter, I now understand the reason.”
Having finished her account of Jianzhou’s jianghu, she said no more.
“We need more manpower,” Ji Xuan judged coolly. He looked at the spy from Yuuzhou and said,
“Send word to the Dongfang sisters from the East Sea Dragon Palace and the two Vajras to come here for a meeting. Tell them to hurry, the sooner the better.”
…
On his day off, Xu Erlang rode out of the city on a fast horse and, in less than an hour, arrived at Cloud Deer Academy in the suburbs.
He quickly climbed the mountain, passed through the academy, and made his way straight to the bamboo forest on the back hill.
“Dean, Cijiu pays his respects.”
Xu Xinnian bowed outside the bamboo building.
A flash of clear light appeared at his feet, and he was brought into the bamboo building.
Inside the elegantly kept building, Zhao Shou sat alone at the desk, sipping fragrant tea.
In the seat opposite, a cup of steaming tea had already been poured.
Xu Xinnian knew this was prepared for him, and that it conveyed Zhao Shou’s attitude.
On its own his status was not enough to sit as an equal with Zhao Shou.
Whether in cultivation or in seniority, before Zhao Shou, Xu Xinnian should have remained standing.
“Thank you, Dean.”
Xu Xinnian bowed and calmly took his seat.
“I have two things to ask of you.”
Zhao Shou put down his teacup and looked at him kindly. “Submit a memorial to the court on the academy’s behalf; and invite Wang Zhenwen for tea with me this afternoon.”
Xu Xinnian’s eyes flickered, and after a brief hesitation, he replied, “Very well.”
…
At the border of Jiangzhou.
The little mare flicked her tail and lowered her head, munching on the high quality feed in the wooden bucket.
On either side, two stallions eyed her feed hungrily, stretching out their necks to try their luck. Each time, the little mare would swing her head and deliver them a headbutt.
By the campfire near the stream, Mu Nanzhi was stir-frying wild vegetables in a cast-iron pot, while Xu Qi’an chopped up the game he had caught in the forest.
Li Lingsu was squatting by the stream, washing the ingredients.
Miao Youfang was not helping. Instead, he was off to one side practising his punches, working up a sweat.
“After Bronze Skin and Iron Bones comes the fifth rank, Transforming Force. The biggest feature of this stage is a return from breathing qi to tempering blood and energy,” Xu Qi’an explained while slicing meat.
“But it’s not the same as the pure body-tempering of the Refining Vitality stage, you need to carefully attune yourself to the rhythms of your body and control your strength perfectly.”
Miao Youfang, without pausing, called out loudly, “I can already control it!”
Li Lingsu snorted with laughter. “You’re still far from that.”
“You’re just a Daoist, what would you know?!” Miao Youfang retorted.
Li Lingsu ignored his crude language and said,
“Everyone can control their limbs and body from birth, but that’s a very superficial use of the body.
“Most people can only exert one or two tenths of their true physical strength. The way people can explode with power in desperate moments is proof enough.
“The essence of fifth-rank Transforming Force is mastering those uncontrollable powers, am I right, Senior Xu?”
Xu Qi’an nodded, approving of Li Lingsu’s explanation, and added,
“You can’t rush this stage, nor can you buy your way through it, it comes down to personal talent and sudden comprehension. The higher you rise, the more you rely on opportunity and understanding. Every system is the same in this way.
“Still, the experience of your predecessors can help you avoid many detours. Besides practising your forms, I suggest you also meditate diligently every day to temper your spirit.”
Miao Youfang asked, “Why must I refine my spirit too? Isn’t this about the body?”
Xu Qi’an smiled. “Because your body is controlled by your brain. The more you unlock your mind, the greater your control over your body.”
Miao Youfang seemed half-confused, while Li Lingsu looked thoughtful.
…
Wang Manor.
Xu Erlang had lunch at Wang Manor and was led by Wang Simu to the outer parlour of her boudoir.
Although they were engaged, as she had not yet married, her boudoir still could not be entered by her fiancé.
The outer parlour was luxuriously decorated, with expensive carpets, a curio shelf displaying various antiques and treasures, and famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls.
Wang Simu was extremely talented, elegant and clever, and spending time with her was always enjoyable.
She would occasionally act a little moody with her lover, but fortunately, Erlang was no longer the tactless man he used to be and would coax her a little.
“After the spring festival, Lingyue should be nineteen, shouldn’t she?”
Wang Simu asked with a gentle smile.
Xu Erlang, preoccupied with other matters, nodded absentmindedly.
“That’s marriageable age too. Has she been engaged?”
Wang Simu asked again.
In the Great Feng, the usual marriage age of common women was fourteen, whilst for officials and nobles, it was usually after sixteen.
At the latest it could not exceed 22, otherwise they would be considered “leftover women”.
Xu Erlang glanced at his 21-year-old fiancée and said, “There’s no rush, let’s wait a few more years.”
Wang Simu smiled and nodded, adding,
“Once we are married, she’ll have even more suitors to choose from.”
Wang Simu’s thinking was very clear. Once she married into the Xu family, she would certainly see to it that Xu Lingyue was married off.
Just a single Xu matriarch put enormous pressure on her. If she let that little sister who liked to play pitiful and weak get involved, then her future status would be under severe threat.
Of course, Wang Simu was not the sort to relish intrigue after marriage. She simply wished to minimise the “threats” around her and avoid being held in check.
Xu Erlang gave her some half-hearted responses and finally said,
“I still have matters to discuss with Prime Minister Wang.”
Wang Simu nodded and said softly,
“Dad seems poorly lately; he’s been coughing for some time and has been dazed and absent-minded.”
Xu Erlang was startled and asked with concern, “Has he consulted an arcanist from the Sitianjian?”
Wang Simu sighed:
“People from the Sitianjian said father is suffering from chronic exhaustion and overthinking, and he needs to rest. He’s also caught a chill.
“When Wei Yuan was around, he was full of drive. Now that Wei Yuan is dead and he has no political rival, all his motivation has gone in an instant.
“He should have had a chance to realise his ambitions, but then disaster struck…”
Xu Erlang nodded heavily.
Leaving his fiancée’s quarters, he made his way with practised ease to the Prime Minister’s study and knocked on the door.
After receiving permission, he went in.
Prime Minister Wang was holding a steaming cup of tea, sitting behind his desk, nothing in front of him, seeming to have just been lost in thought.
“Prime Minister Sir, the Dean wishes to see you,” Xu Cijiu got straight to the point.
Prime Minister Wang looked steadily at him for a moment and said flatly,
“There’s no point seeing him. I’ve no energy left to mediate for him, let alone any interest.
“The new monarch has ascended the throne. If Cloud Deer Academy tries to use this as an opportunity to return to court, it will certainly bring turmoil to the government and arouse resistance from the civil officials. At a critical moment like this, you should know what that would mean.”
Xu Erlang said in a low voice, “The Yunzhou rebels are ready to move. If Cloud Deer Academy can return to court, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous help.”
Prime Minister Wang shook his head,
“What the court needs now isn’t Cloud Deer Academy’s upright scholars, but silver, enough silver that we’ll never run out. You can tell Zhao Shou, if he can add five million taels of silver to the treasury, I’ll hand over my post to him on the spot.
“Disdain for Cloud Deer Academy’s students is the consensus of all the scholars and civil officials in the empire. If you open this door, do you think those officials will stage a coup?
“Then who will handle disaster relief?”
Xu Erlang sighed, “I understand.”
On the third day, he took leave and did not go to the Hanlin Academy but went to Cloud Deer Academy to report back.
“Although Prime Minister Wang did not meet the Dean, he did pass the memorial up, but His Majesty… did not respond,” Xu Erlang said.
“Forget it,” Zhao Shou sighed, looking toward the capital. “We have already done our utmost for Yongxing.”
At that time, Xu Erlang did not yet understand what that sentence meant.
…
The moon was bright and the stars sparse, the cold wind bitter.
A flying boat travelled through the clouds and mist, slowly “docking” above the towering city.
Dongfang Wanrong stood proudly at the prow, her long hair and skirt fluttering in the wind.
“Master, we have arrived at Yuuzhou.”
…
In the small courtyard, Ji Xuan was hosting Vajra Du’nan and Vajra Dufan.
“May I ask if the Vajras have found the hosts of the nine dragon qi?”
Ji Xuan looked at the Buddhist Vajras seated above him, probing.
Du’nan shook his head slightly.
The Asura Vajra sat with eyes closed and said nothing.
Ji Xuan smiled, saying no more. He knew his own status was far too low for the two Vajras to take him seriously.
Jingxin asked, “Benefactor Ji Xuan, who is the ally you told us to wait for?”
Ji Xuan answered truthfully, “People from the Church of the Warlock God.”
Vajra Du’nan opened his eyes to glance at him, then closed them again without comment.
The warrior monk Jingyuan frowned slightly. “When the time comes, how will the Dragon Qi be divided?”
Cooperation with Qianlong City had been decided by the Buddhist Sect’s high ranks. Even if all the Dragon Qi went to Qianlong City, he had no objection.
But things had not advanced that far with the Church of the Warlock God.
Ji Xuan was about to speak when he suddenly turned to look outside the courtyard.
Jingxin, Jingyuan and the others made similar movements.
Shortly, someone knocked on the shabby main doors.
With a twist of her waist, Liu Hongmian went to open the door, where she found the party from the East Sea Dragon Palace, led by the Dongfang sisters.
Ji Xuan rose to greet them, smiling, “Palace Masters, please come in.”
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