After leaving the inner hall, Xu Erlang looked around but did not spot any maids.
Though the rear quarters served as the residential area for the Provincial Administrator, it was still part of the official premises. A government office was naturally not a place for too many women. Xu Erlang understood this.
He walked on for a while and eventually found the master and apprentice pair in the western courtyard, both reclining in the sun beside a stone table, bellies distended from overeating.
Xu Erlang’s mouth twitched slightly and he put on a stern face:
“Aren’t the two of you going to the Southern Marches? Set out tomorrow.”
Xu Lingyin was utterly shocked, her mouth gaping in exaggerated fashion, drawing out a long “ah” as she looked at Lina and said,
“Master, isn’t this the Southern Marches?”
“Of course not. My homeland is still super far from here. Hm, well, not super far, if I carry you on my back and run day and night for seven days, we’ll reach the Southern Marches.”
Lina said, patting her chest.
Xu Lingyin cheerfully clambered onto her, perching her little bottom on Lina’s face.
Lina slapped her away with a loud smack, as if swatting a fly. “Didn’t we say we’d set out tomorrow? Tomorrow it is. Lingyin, you’re always this dumb.”
Xu Erlang coughed, finally getting to the point, and said gravely,
“Why didn’t you save me any food?”
Lina quickly shifted the blame: “It was Lingyin who said Second Brother wouldn’t be hungry.”
Xu Lingyin nodded seriously with wide eyes. “Second Bwother doesn’t get hungry…”
Lina said, “Nothing can be done, then.”
… Xu Erlang found himself at a loss for words and swept his sleeves as he left.
He should try opening up Lina and his younger sister’s heads for a look, just what are they usually thinking about?
Why could such pigheaded words come out so naturally, so seriously?
At that moment, he saw someone entering through the arched courtyard gate, a man with features like thunderclaps and an ugly face. It was none other than Sun Xuanji’s attendant, the Yao brought back from the Southern Marches.
Xu Xinnian hadn’t asked for his name.
“Brother, this official is Xu Xinnian.”
Xu Erlang went forward, bowing in greeting.
Protector White Ape tried to act like a local, returning the gesture with a somewhat awkward bow.
“How should I address you, brother?”
“Protector Yuan!”
What a strange name… Xu Erlang hurriedly asked, “Xu Qi’an is my elder brother. Protector Yuan, could you tell me how things were in the Southern Marches?”
On hearing this, Protector Yuan’s eyes lit up and his manner changed completely.
“No need to be so courteous, Sir Xu. I will answer all your questions without holding anything back.”
Standing together in the courtyard, through a deep conversation, Xu Xinnian gained a clear understanding of this Protector Yuan.
He was from the Southern Marches, a Protector of the Wanyao Kingdom, with fourth rank cultivation.
His innate divine ability enabled him to read minds, and he had also cultivated the Buddhist Heart-Reading technique. Because of this, Sun Xuanji had taken a liking to him and taken him as a disciple.
More likely, not as a disciple, but as a relay tool, Xu Xinnian thought, well aware of Sun Xuanji’s language barrier.
Protector Yuan looked at him, his tone tinged with sadness:
“You guessed correctly, I’m just a tool monkey.”
Damn, I forgot he can read my mind. It’s exhausting communicating with someone like this… Xu Erlang’s face froze, and he quickly explained:
“Protector Yuan, you misunderstand. I wasn’t criticising you. Senior Brother Sun admired your talent, that’s all.”
Protector Yuan muttered, “It’s so tiring talking to someone like me, Sir Xu, you don’t need to force yourself.”
“…”
Xu Xinnian steadied himself and silently recited the Sage’s classics, finally managing to suppress his wandering thoughts.
Protector Yuan stared at him for a moment with clear azure eyes, then, losing interest, looked away.
“What kind of Yao is Elder Yeji?”
Through their earlier conversation, Xu Erlang had learned that his elder brother even became involved with female Yao.
“Elder Yeji is from the fox clan.”
Protector Yuan answered without hesitation.
The fox clan, eh? No doubt peerlessly seductive and charming. I’d like to witness that myself. Stop, stop, no more of these thoughts. Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application, Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application…1 Xu Xinnian reined in his thoughts, then glanced at Lina and Xu Lingyin nearby, and was struck by an idea:
“Protector Yuan, could you try reading the thoughts of my two younger sisters?”
He often struggled to understand why Lingyin was so oblivious.
Having witnessed Protector Yuan’s formidable mind-reading ability, Xu Erlang’s curiosity grew. If he could figure out what Lingyin was thinking all day, he might be able to intervene effectively and set her on the right path.
It might even help put their mother’s mind at ease.
The Protector White Ape nodded and joined Xu Xinnian, moving to stand close to the pair.
His clear azure eyes gazed gently at Lina and Xu Lingyin.
Both girls noticed the ugly-looking Protector Yuan, but with Xu Erlang beside them, they paid him no mind, continuing to chatter away about trifles as they basked in the sun and digested their food.
As he watched, the Protector White Ape’s expression gradually became extremely grave.
This… Xu Erlang’s heart clenched too, and he waited without a word.
He waited and waited. After half an hour, Protector White Ape silently turned and walked away.
“Protector Yuan!”
Xu Erlang chased after him and saw that this fourth-rank Protector from the Southern Marches had eyes filled with deep dejection and confusion.
“What exactly did you see?”
Xu Erlang asked, holding his breath in suspense.
Protector Yuan hesitated.
“Please, speak freely, Protector Yuan.”
Xu Erlang’s face turned serious.
Protector Yuan finally nodded and said,
“That Southern Marches girl was just thinking about: what do I eat for dinner, what do I eat tomorrow.”
? Xu Erlang had a huge question mark in his mind. After half an hour, and that’s all Lina had thought about…?
“As for the child, I have met my nemesis. I never expected that such a young girl would have a mind without blemish.”
Protector Yuan spoke solemnly, “Her mind is like a bright mirror, never tainted by a single speck of dust!”
A mind like a bright mirror, never tainted by a single thing, an untainted heart… Xu Erlang was dumbfounded, he’d never imagined Lingyin possessed such an extraordinary talent.
But a few seconds later it struck him—after being well fed, Xu Lingyin had spent an entire half hour with her mind utterly blank, thinking of nothing at all?!
Protector Yuan added gravely,
“I have only ever seen this kind of state in high monks of great Buddhist attainment who have cleansed their hearts of all worldly dust.”
With that, Protector White Ape showed an expression of respect and admiration.
“No wonder she is Silver Gong Xu’s younger sister. At her age, she has already reached such a transcendent and otherworldly state.”
That’s not it, Protector Yuan, you’re mistaken… Xu Xinnian opened his mouth, but couldn’t bring himself to explain.
…
The Southern Marches.
In a secluded mountain valley, Xu Qi’an stood alone. Before him lay Shenshu’s two legs. It was worth mentioning that the legs were separate, when Shenshu was dismembered, both legs had been chopped off at the root.
After several days of “gathering” blood and qi, the legs had regained much of their strength.
The remnant soul residing in the legs had a proud and belligerent temperament, but was not cunning. On the contrary, because he was so arrogant and self-confident, it made him somewhat endearing.
For example, Xu Qi’an had made a deal with him: they would fight only after removing both sealing nails. The soul had stuck to this agreement, simply because he wanted to defeat Xu Qi’an in an honourable combat, life’s greatest thrill was to battle a worthy foe.
“Are you ready?”
The remnant soul within the legs communicated, “Once these last two Demon-Sealing Nails are removed, your strength will be close to the great completion of third rank. Then, let us have a good, honest fight.”
Xu Qi’an nodded, “After I remove the Demon-Sealing Nails, we’ll have a proper duel, the whole of the Southern Marches will be our battlefield.”
Removing the Demon-Sealing Nails was a huge drain on Shenshu.
The legs seemed to grow more impassioned. “I can hardly wait.”
…
Outside the valley, Yeji and the others felt the ground tremble, and saw a terrifying pillar of energy shooting from the valley, tearing apart the clouds above.
For a moment, all beasts within dozens of miles around the valley cowered in fear, birds fell from branches, and even the lower-ranked yao outside the valley felt their legs shake uncontrollably.
A dozen seconds later, the terrifying pressure receded, and calm returned to the valley.
Yet none of the yao dared return, all still felt lingering terror.
“Xu Lang’s cultivation has recovered again. Only one last Demon-Sealing Nail remains…”
Yeji was sincerely delighted.
After this time together, she had come to fully understand Xu Qi’an’s situation.
Carrying half the nation’s fortune, he would live and die with the Great Feng, locked in life or death conflict with the Yunzhou rebels. In such circumstances, every trace of strength was precious.
“Silver Gong Xu is indeed someone who could slay two Vajras.”
Protector Hongying murmured.
The yao were frightened, but joy won out in their hearts.
With such an ally, the Wanyao Kingdom’s future seemed much more assured.
In the valley, Shenshu’s legs now gave off a weak aura, and conveyed a weary thought:
“Wait here for a while, I’m going to seize the essence and blood of living beings, and then fight you.”
Just as he was about to fly away, he suddenly felt a vast and mighty force lock onto him.
“You…”
Shenshu’s legs “turned”, alarmed and uncertain.
“Senior, I can’t fight you right now, nor can you go out and hunt for blood essence anymore.”
Xu Qi’an smiled.
“You want to go back on our deal?”
Shenshu’s legs raged, thigh muscles bulging, knots of muscle threatening to explode, ready to fight.
At the same time, he gathered his force, waves of energy crashing against the confines holding him.
Xu Qi’an smiled calmly, completely at ease:
“No, I’m not breaking the deal, it’s just not the right time. Of course, whatever I say, you wouldn’t understand. So, let’s do it your way.”
He said lightly, “Might makes right, the weak must submit to the strong. Now, as the stronger party, I order you to go quietly to sleep.”
Shenshu was furious, fighting spirit blazed, mind unyielding, his power seemed to grow even more.
“This humble monk would sooner die than submit.”
Xu Qi’an stretched out his hand and pressed down hard. Bang! Shenshu’s legs dropped to their knees, so weak now that they could barely move.
Then he took out the jade bottle Sun Xuanji had given him, pulled out the wooden stopper, and stowed the cursing, yelling legs inside.
Devouring life and seizing blood essence would cause a huge commotion. Fighting Shenshu would make just as much noise.
In the current situation, Buddhist scouts would surely have spread out already, watching for or hunting yao.
If their scouts detected a fight between him and Shenshu, al-Asura would arrive in an instant. Sun Xuanji was not presently here, nor had the nine-tailed celestial fox returned. Xu Qi’an was not confident in beating al-Asura.
Even working together with Shenshu’s legs, they were unlikely to win.
And the other severed limbs were all still weak and hadn’t been replenished with enough fresh blood.
But none of this would get through to Shenshu’s legs, all he cared about was fighting.
Coarse legs, unfit for plotting anything big.
At this point, Yeji led the yao into the valley, “Has Master Shenshu been sealed?”
Xu Qi’an replied, handing her the porcelain bottle: “Keep this safe for now. Tell the nine-tailed fox that, when she gets back to Jiuzhou, she should contact Baiji, and I’ll send over Shenshu’s left arm.”
Yeji frowned slightly, “Xu Lang, you are leaving?”
“I need to pay a visit to the shaman clans. You may as well tell me about them while we walk.”
Xu Qi’an put his arm round the beauty and led her into the cave.
Since he had come to the Southern Marches, he had decided to use this chance to visit the shaman clans and chat with the Heaven Gu Grandma.
The Sevenfold Gu had an extraordinary origin, he had to get to the bottom of what it really was, and why it contained the memories of the Gu God.
Otherwise, he would not rest easy.
“I would love to go with you to the shaman clans, Xu Lang, but there’s far too much matters in the clan.” Yeji said with reluctance.
As they spoke, they entered the cave. Yeji sat at the table, saying,
“Since you are going to meet the shaman clans, there are a few benefits you cannot forget. I’ll make you a list… Xu Lang?”
She looked blankly at Xu Qi’an as he pulled her up and lifted her skirt to her waist.
“You write your list. Spring nights are too short, we mustn’t waste time.”
Xu Qi’an pressed Fuxiang down, making her lie half over the desk.
…
The next day.
A giant red bird with a forty feet wingspan soared over the mountains, flying southeast.
“Brother Hongying, you’re much faster than that damned tower,” Miao Youfang laughed.
“Our Scarlet Bird clan are kings of the skies, proud and majestic,” Hongying called back.
Miao Youfang hesitated, thinking, brother, you are nothing like the word “proud”.
But he wasn’t Protector Yuan, so he simply beamed and said,
“A true king of the skies! To befriend you, Brother Hongying, is the luck of three lifetimes.”
“No, no. It is my honour to know Brother Miao, my ancestral tomb is surely blessed by azure smoke.”
Are you sure you yao even have ancestral tombs? Xu Qi’an felt compelled to roast the both of them, listening to this mutual flattery.
“Ahem!”
He coughed, and turned to look at Mu Nanzhi beside him, “Nanzhi, I…”
Mu Nanzhi turned her head away, ignoring him.
Though there were all sorts of provisions in the Stupa tower, a person could live inside for weeks without discomfort, Mu Nanzhi was furious that he hadn’t freed her, and only let her out after all these days.
Xu Qi’an patiently explained that his trip had been dangerous, that he’d just survived a life-and-death struggle.
Bargaining with a yao woman from the yao clan, exhausting both wits and strength.
Now all was dealt with, he had “persuaded” the yao woman and formed an alliance with the Wanyao Kingdom.
As she listened, Mu Nanzhi’s willow brows suddenly shot up, “Get your hand!”
The damn rogue had encircled her waist without her permission.
Xu Qi’an grinned, saying he was only worried she might fall off.
Mu Nanzhi grumbled and buffeted him with her fists. After a bit of play-fighting, she realised suddenly and glanced around,
“Where’s Baiji?”
“Wasn’t she just in your arms…”
Xu Qi’an glanced down, “Oh, I tossed her out a moment ago.”
“Hurry back and get her, or she’ll fall to her death!”
Mu Nanzhi cried.
“She won’t die, she won’t die…”
First line of Analects, Legge Translation (which may not be the most elegant but oh well) ↩
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