“I’m going to Quanrong Mountain later to drink, eat meat, and sleep with women. What are your plans?” Xu Qi An asked with a smile as he looked at Nangong Qianrou.
Nangong Qianrou frowned her delicate brows and sneered, “A mere jianghu organization, what’s there to socialize about?”
Xu Qi An’s smile faded as he said softly, “I’m no longer a Silver Gong.”
The mockery and disdain in Nangong Qianrou’s eyes slowly receded, as if she suddenly lost interest in the conversation.
After a long while, she said indifferently, “I’ll go join the fun.”
Huh, this doesn’t seem like Second Brother Nangong’s style. Could it be that she’s worried about me, afraid this might be a trap set by the Martial Arts Alliance? Xu Qi An pondered.
…
Quanrong Mountain was steep, shrouded in clouds and mist.
This mountain was a famous blessed land in Sword State, with lush forests and the calls of cranes and apes. From the mountainside up, courtyards and pavilions were scattered like stars, stretching to the summit.
“Quanrong Mountain is a scenic spot in Sword State. The main peak is majestic, and the side peaks are beautiful. There’s a huge waterfall of several dozen zhang on the main peak. During the rainy season, when mountain torrents surge, even a Sixth-Rank expert couldn’t withstand the force of the waterfall.”
“I heard the Martial Arts Alliance headquarters has 8,000 cavalry, the direct subordinates of that warlord who once contended for the realm.”
After passing through the tall archway at the foot of the mountain, Xu Qi An clicked his tongue in admiration. “Eight thousand cavalry could sweep through Sword State. Why has the imperial court tolerated the existence of the Martial Arts Alliance for so many years?”
Nangong Qianrou, who had been listening to his chatter without much interest, finally spoke up on this last topic:
“Because that warrior agreed with the Founding Emperor back then.”
“What agreement?” Xu Qi An asked, full of curiosity.
“How would I know? My adoptive father didn’t say,” Nangong Qianrou rolled her eyes.
Xu Qi An continued to chat, “The beauties of the Wanhua House in Sword State are all enchanting. Are you interested in taking one back as a concubine? I’m sure Madame Xiao would be delighted.”
Nangong Qianrou simply ignored him.
“If it were me, being able to bring Madame Xiao back to the capital as a concubine would be perfect.”
“You don’t seem to be married yet. If you were still a Silver Gong at the Night Watchmen’s Office, it indeed wouldn’t be suitable to marry a woman from the jianghu. But now, she would be more than qualified to be your primary wife,” Nangong Qianrou said.
“That won’t do, that won’t do,” Xu Qi An waved his hands repeatedly.
“Why not?” The beautiful Nangong frowned.
“I’m saving the position of primary wife for Princess Lin’an or Princess Huaiqing,” Xu Qi An said with a straight face.
“Get lost!” Nangong Qianrou snapped angrily.
If you don’t believe me, so be it…
Soon, the two arrived at the main courtyard of Quanrong Mountain’s main peak. After being announced by the alliance’s steward, they were led into the reception hall, where the purple-robed Alliance Leader Cao Qingyang sat with regular features and an imposing demeanor.
After brief pleasantries, Cao Qingyang said, “Gold Gong Nangong, please wait a moment. I have something to discuss privately with Silver Gong Xu.”
He rose from his seat and walked out silently, leaving the reception hall.
Xu Qi An followed behind him, passing through the living area and heading towards the back mountain, gradually moving away from the buildings.
“The Ancestral Founder wants to meet you,” Cao Qingyang said as he led him into the dense forest along a small path. “Don’t worry, the Ancestral Founder isn’t a bloodthirsty or ferocious person. He just heard about your deeds and is very interested.”
Xu Qi An first did a self-examination: he was wearing the jade pendant given by the Director, and Shenshu was dormant. Right now, he was just an ordinary Xu Baipio. Meeting a big shot shouldn’t be a problem.
Most importantly, the other party was a martial artist. Even if there were some minor issues, they probably wouldn’t be able to detect them.
When he came to Quanrong Mountain for the banquet, he had some hope of meeting the Ancestral Founder of the Martial Arts Alliance.
Heh, I am a person with great luck… he mused with mixed feelings.
After traversing the forest path for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Cao Qingyang led him to a huge cliff face. As soon as they stepped out of the dense forest, Xu Qi An’s hair stood on end, and his scalp tingled.
Instinctively looking towards the source of danger, he saw a giant monster lowering its head from the cliff, its two bucket-sized, blood-red ferocious eyes gazing at the two of them.
The monster was pitch-black all over, covered in coarse, short hair. It was shaped like a dog but had a face somewhat resembling a human’s.
The Quanrong Beast… Quanrong Mountain was named after it… A very powerful异类 (Yilei,異類), I can’t beat it… Various thoughts flashed through Xu Qi An’s mind.
At this moment, the Quanrong Beast retracted its head, disappearing into the cliff.
“Quanrong is the guardian spirit beast of the Martial Arts Alliance. It once followed the Ancestral Founder in conquering the four directions, just like the Spirit Dragon and the Human Emperor,” Cao Qingyang smiled and said:
“You should know about the Spirit Dragon. There’s one kept in the capital, exhaling purple qi. It’s a top-tier异兽 (Yishou, 異獸). However, it’s only close to the royal family.”
No need to explain so clearly, that’s just a lowly lap dog… Xu Qi An grumbled inwardly.
He followed Cao Qingyang and stopped in front of the stone door on the cliff face, listening as the purple-robed Alliance Leader respectfully said, “Ancestral Founder, Silver Gong Xu has arrived.”
An elderly voice came from behind the stone door: “A solid foundation, with inner radiance concealed. Not bad.”
Xu Qi An promptly cupped his fists in salute and said respectfully, “Greetings, Senior.”
The elderly voice sounded again from behind the door:
“I’ve heard about your deeds. A smart person should leave the capital early. Are you interested in working for our Martial Arts Alliance? This old man can take you as a disciple. Hehe, you’ve already proven your character through your actions.
“With a few more years of tempering, you’d be more than qualified to be the next Alliance Leader.”
Why does everyone want to be my daddy… Xu Qi An declined neither humbly nor arrogantly: “Affairs in the capital are not yet settled, and besides, this junior already has a master.”
“It’s Wei Yuan, isn’t it?” The old man behind the stone door hit the nail on the head.
Xu Qi An remained silent.
“Is there anything you want to ask me?” The Ancestral Founder of the Martial Arts Alliance didn’t dwell on the discipleship issue, quite free and easy.
Senior, you’re really on point. Xu Qi An indeed had some questions, so he immediately spoke up:
“This junior has read some files about you and knows that you were once a powerful figure who could rival the Founding Emperor. Six hundred years have passed, and while the Founding Emperor has long since passed away, how is it that you can still live as long as the nation?”
Silence was the response.
Just as Xu Qi An thought the other party wouldn’t answer, an old sigh came from the crack of the stone door: “Given your current rank, these matters are of too high a level. You shouldn’t know about them.”
After a few seconds of pause, the Ancestral Founder of the Martial Arts Alliance said, “Among the Great Feng royal family, there are many experts, including figures like the Founding Emperor, the Martial Emperor, and the Northern Garrison King.
“But none of them have lived until now. Do you know why?”
“Please enlighten this junior, Senior.”
“Those entangled with the nation’s fate cannot achieve longevity.”
This answer was like a heavy hammer striking Xu Qi An’s head, making it buzz.
“Why is that?” he murmured.
“That, this old man doesn’t know. Perhaps it’s the rule of heaven and earth. For the specific reason, you can ask the Confucian School or the Director of the Bureau of Astronomy and Calendar,” the old man laughed.
The Confucian School knows about this secret… Xu Qi An’s pupils contracted as he exclaimed in shock, “So, the Confucian Sage did die?”
All along, Xu Qi An had always guessed in his heart that the Confucian Sage hadn’t died, but was just pretending to be dead. After all, how could an existence that transcended ranks only live for 82 years? Wouldn’t that be an insult?
“The Confucian Sage is no exception,” the old man replied.
If what this Ancestral Founder said was true, then the Sage couldn’t possibly still be alive. The fact that the Great Feng royal family had no long-living experts indirectly proved that this Ancestral Founder wasn’t lying.
So the Confucian Sage is dead…
Xu Qi An couldn’t hide his regret, but at the same time, some of his doubts were resolved. No wonder Emperor Yuanjing was so “tolerant” of the Northern Garrison King. If one were to speak of those most blessed by fate, it would undoubtedly be the emperor, while the Northern Garrison King was purely a martial artist, he surely…
“No, that’s not right!” Xu Qi An blurted out.
Cao Qingyang turned his head in confusion, glancing at him.
“You seem to have thought of something?” the old man said.
Ignoring the words of a peak martial artist, Xu Qi An lowered his eyes, his face expressionless, but the information in his brain was boiling like turbulent water.
First: Those blessed by fate cannot achieve longevity. This alone wasn’t sufficient reason for Emperor Yuanjing to trust the Northern Garrison King, because the Northern Garrison King was a prince of Great Feng and likewise couldn’t achieve longevity.
History has already proven this point.
So, Emperor Yuanjing’s trust in the Northern Garrison King must have another, unknown reason behind it.
Second: Emperor Yuanjing, as the ruler of a nation, couldn’t possibly be unaware of this secret. Yet knowing that those blessed by fate couldn’t achieve longevity, he still pursued cultivation tirelessly for twenty years, yearning for immortality. This created a paradox.
Could he believe that he was superior to the Founding Emperor and the Martial Emperor? Did he think that he, mere Emperor Yuanjing, could be more brilliant than the Confucian Sage in resisting the rules of heaven and earth that even the Sage couldn’t overcome?
Although Emperor Yuanjing wasn’t a filial son, he wasn’t a fool. On the contrary, he was quite wise.
Amidst these thoughts, he asked softly, “Senior, what’s your view on Emperor Yuanjing’s pursuit of cultivation?”
The old man pondered, “He might think he’s found a way to achieve both longevity and keep the throne. Heh, the one helping him is probably the Renzong Sect Leader.”
It can’t be Luo Yuheng, right… Xu Qi An frowned slightly.
This wasn’t because he favored his aunt, but mainly because he recalled some details. Emperor Yuanjing initially explored cultivation on his own. It was only a few years later that he appointed Luo Yuheng as Imperial Preceptor and the Renzong Sect as the state religion.
As a native of the capital, Xu Qi An remembered this clearly.
If not Luo Yuheng, then who could it be? Hmm, it’s possible that Luo Yuheng secretly influenced Emperor Yuanjing to pursue cultivation. I’ll ask Lord Wei when I return to the capital…
“I heard that you had an agreement with the Founding Emperor back then?” Xu Qi An seized the opportunity to extract more information.
“Hehe, it was just a verbal agreement. After the fall of the Great Zhou, various righteous armies contended for the Central Plains. At that time, I had lost interest in vying for the throne. Because I had found the path to advancing to the Second Rank, compared to the throne, I was more eager for longevity.
“It was also due to my personality. I came from a poor background and roamed the jianghu in my youth, living a life of quick vengeance and gratitude. The jianghu spirit in me was too strong, and I yearned for a life without constraints.
“The reason for rebelling was that the common people were living lives that no human should endure. When life holds no hope, naturally one rebels. He was different from me. He had ambition and lofty aspirations, eager to unify the Central Plains. On the contrary, he wasn’t interested in longevity.
“I remember he often said that in life, one should pursue great undertakings, not longevity. Longevity is meaningless; being an emperor is interesting.
“I lost that battle, not because I held back, but because I was genuinely defeated. At that time, we made a verbal agreement that if his unworthy descendants were to repeat the mistakes of the Great Zhou, I would be the first to raise the banner of rebellion and overthrow the corrupt court.”
Every pioneer harbors sincere intentions, but later generations often decay in luxury and debauchery… Xu Qi An sighed inwardly.
“Senior, have you now advanced to the Second Rank?” Xu Qi An probed.
After asking, he quickly added, “This junior was too presumptuous.”
“If one doesn’t slaughter living beings like the Northern Garrison King, relying solely on oneself to advance to the Second Rank is extremely difficult. I’ve been in seclusion for five hundred years and still haven’t taken the final step,” the old man said indifferently. “Qingyang wanted to steal the lotus root from the Earth Sect to help me breakthrough.”
Xu Qi An immediately looked at Cao Qingyang, thinking, That’s not what you told the other sects. You said you wanted to obtain the lotus root for the Martial Arts Alliance so that everyone could have lotus seeds every sixty years.
Cao Qingyang met his gaze and said, “I can nurture a section of the lotus root.”
“It won’t survive,” Xu Qi An reminded him.
“Then that’s not my concern,” Cao Qingyang said nonchalantly.
“…”
Xu Qi An ignored him and looked towards the stone door. “Can the lotus root help you advance to the Second Rank, Senior?”
The old man replied, “The chances are extremely high.”
Even so, he didn’t take action personally, only giving Cao Qingyang a drop of his essence blood. The state of this Ancestral Founder of the Martial Arts Alliance seems very unusual!
Xu Qi An’s eyes flickered.
“I hope that one day, I can lend a hand to assist you, Senior,” he said.
Bidding farewell to the Ancestral Founder of the Martial Arts Alliance, he returned to the main peak with Cao Qingyang.
After dusk, Quanrong Mountain held a grand banquet, attended by various gang leaders and sect masters.
Xu Qi An naturally became the star of the banquet. Xu Baipio was in his element in such situations.
In his previous life, he had often accompanied leaders in drinking and socializing. When he went into business, he was never far from the dining table. After coming to this world, he practiced at the palace gates and was a regular at the Court of Imperial Entertainers.
His skill in banquet etiquette was comparable to that of a First Rank expert!
He quickly became chummy with the sect masters and gang leaders of the Martial Arts Alliance, calling Xiao Yuenu, the mistress of the Wanhua House, “sister” this and “sister” that.
Yang Cui Xue and others were also very pleased, surprised that Silver Gong Xu was so amenable, a master of the drinking table who drained his cup without hesitation and was willing to share some secrets from the imperial court without reservation.
For instance, how the Empress, who set an example for the nation, was of unparalleled beauty and favored Silver Gong Xu, intending to make him a prince consort.
Or how he was a frequent guest at the two princesses’ mansions and could describe in detail the layout of their residences and some of their private matters.
He even mentioned that the Director of the Bureau of Astronomy and Calendar had his troubles, with his five disciples all being talented and smooth-talkers, causing him no end of worry.
He also spoke of how Prime Minister Wang’s eldest daughter was deeply in love with Silver Gong Xu’s cousin, willing to oppose her father for his sake.
Of course, most of his stories were about the interesting tales from the Court of Imperial Entertainers.
How Fuxiang, the top courtesan, was skilled in the zither but even more adept at the flute. How Mingyan, another top courtesan, had unparalleled dance skills and a flexible figure. How Xiaoya, yet another top courtesan, was well-read but also warmhearted…
It wasn’t until they were slightly tipsy that the banquet dispersed.
Xu Qi An, carrying his dagger, stumbled into the courtyard assigned to him and entered his room.
The drunkenness in his eyes immediately disappeared.
“Once I’ve dealt with the matters in the capital and investigated Emperor Yuanjing, I’ll come to Sword State to establish connections in advance. This way, I’ll be able to navigate Sword State more easily in the future…”
He lit an oil lamp, sat at the table, and drew out his black gold dagger, laying it across the table.
Then, he took out the small jade mirror and poured out a lotus seed. He peeled it and gently embedded the seed into the blade’s edge.
He didn’t have a jade box, and even if he did, it wouldn’t fit a four-chi-long dagger.
Zhong Li had said that his dagger only lacked a spirit. The lotus seed could imbue it with a spirit, elevating this dagger to the ranks of peerless divine weapons.