Long ago, Yun Ye had consulted Old Cheng and Old Niu about the secrets of martial arts—whether those legendary strongmen truly existed, and if there was any possibility of one person defeating a hundred enemies.

Old Cheng dismissed this question with disdain, but Old Niu gave Yun Ye what could be called a complete answer. Defeating a hundred enemies on the battlefield did exist. When courage surged, even a rabbit could chase down a wolf. In that kind of environment, a hundred cavalry breaking through ten thousand enemies was not uncommon at all.

Old Niu said that so-called martial prowess came down to who was stronger, whose body was more agile, whose techniques were more skilled, whose fighting spirit was more vigorous, whose will was more resolute, who understood how to use and mobilize their entire body’s strength against an enemy, and who knew how to obtain the greatest gains at the smallest cost.

In terms of raw strength, one person could never be as strong as ten people combined. However, a person who had received strict martial arts training could easily defeat ten ordinary people. But wanting to defeat ten people who had also received martial arts training—without considering fighting spirit and willpower—was nearly impossible.

Yun Ye had conducted experiments at the Academy. Li Pengcheng was an almost invincible existence among the students. Neither Duan Meng nor Li Ke alone was his match. But when Li Ke and Duan Meng joined forces, Li Pengcheng could only take a beating.

The reason Cheng Chumo and Niu Jianhu showed such great respect to Dan Ying was also earned through combat. The two of them together were no match for Dan Ying at all. Moreover, given Cheng Chumo’s obsessive martial arts nature, the fact that he never sought trouble with Dan Ying again showed just how devastating that defeat had been to his confidence.

There were always people in this world worthy of looking up to. When Yun Ye saw Dan Ying lifting a two-hundred-pound fat pig with one hand while removing its hair and chatting with him at the same time, he knew that Dan Ying truly was a mighty eagle. Yun Ye didn’t want to let this eagle have its moment soaring through the nine heavens, so he tried every possible method to tether him to the ground.

Old Jiang had once said, “This old man is just a common soldier who clubs people from behind. That’s why I specifically practice the chain hammer. In a frontal confrontation, I can’t even beat Young Master Cheng. But in the chaos of battle, no fewer than three skilled fighters like Young Master Cheng have died under this old man’s chain hammer. It’s so devious that the military merits can’t even be calculated. Otherwise, I should at least be a Xiao Wei by now. But when I see Dan Ying, I dare not even strike with my chain hammer. Once I do, Old Jiang believes that if I’m still alive afterward, it must be the result of ancestral protection.”

Seeing the three people in the guest hall remaining silent, Yun Ye said with a smile, “If I’m not mistaken, this matter will end here. The Luoyang Prefect will close the case as a gang conflict. So you three don’t need to look so gloomy.”

“You’ve also seen the government’s wanted poster—it depicts a giant with a leopard head, round eyes, and bulging muscles. Little Ying, did you wear a Zhang Fei mask when you did the job?”

As soon as Yun Ye spoke, the three men’s expressions immediately relaxed. Dan Ying said with a bitter smile, “I just loosened my hair to cover my face. My teacher said this effect could shatter the enemy’s courage. Who knew it would have such results.”

Cheng Chumo and Niu Jianhu immediately laughed. When Yun Ye said this matter would end here, then it would certainly end here. Although they didn’t know how Yun Ye managed it, the outcome would definitely develop in this direction without any surprises.

Dan Ying happily went to find his new brothers—Qi Cheng, Qi Mudeng, Ma Ci, and Ma Gala—preparing to visit the widows and orphans left behind by his father’s former subordinates to fulfill his filial duty. He shamelessly borrowed a thousand strings of cash from Yun Ye and also borrowed the Yun Family’s steward. This kind of matter required a professional; he couldn’t handle it himself.

Yun Ye, Cheng Chumo, and Niu Jianhu took gifts to visit Hou Junji, the Luoyang Administrator, at his home. This was specifically instructed by Old Cheng and Old Qin, and they dared not be careless. According to Yun Ye’s inclination, keeping far away would be right—this fellow was going to rebel in the future—but he couldn’t disobey Old Cheng and Old Qin’s instructions.

The front gate of the Luoyang Administrator’s residence was surrounded by officials waiting to conduct business—a scene of heavy traffic. Yun Ye clearly saw Wei Shou and Du Yan among them, heatedly debating something with a long-bearded elder. Seeing this scene, Cheng Chumo turned his horse’s head and went directly to the rear courtyard.

Cheng Chumo was quite arrogant at the Hou residence. He kicked open the small gate to the rear courtyard and shouted loudly, “Hou Er! Hou Er, where did you run off to? Your big brother has arrived in Luoyang, and you don’t even come out to greet me. Is your skin itching?”

A servant with a fierce face rushed out with a club, ready to beat someone, but when he got close, he knelt down with a thud: “Young Master Cheng, please have mercy! Our master has been in a bad mood these past two days. The Second Young Master said a few extra words and is still lying in bed, unable to get up. You’re taking my life here!”

No need to say—they were acquaintances. After this plea, the servant went everywhere to find other servants. Those tying horses tied horses, those receiving gifts received gifts, all without needing to ask their master for instructions. Close family friends—no need for formalities.

Before long, a refined young man limping along, supported by a servant, came to the rear courtyard. His face twitched into a smile: “I knew three elder brothers were coming today, but younger brother said something wrong and was beaten by my father with the family rod. I couldn’t get out of bed and couldn’t come to greet you. Elder brothers, please don’t take offense.”

Before Yun Ye could exchange pleasantries, Cheng Chumo and Niu Jianhu surrounded the youth with lewd smiles, examining him up and down. Niu Jianhu said, “Little Jie, haven’t seen you in a few years. This little brat has grown up quite a bit! You used to get Uncle Hou’s big feet, but now you’ve upgraded to family law. That’s progress.”

The fifteen-year-old youth, having his sore spot poked, his voice changing like a drake’s, quacked as he tried to retort. Cheng Chumo roughly pushed him aside, saying, “Who has the patience to hear your reasons? I’ve come to pay respects to Auntie. Since your family moved to Luoyang, I don’t even have a place to hide when I get beaten. I miss Auntie terribly. Standing behind you is your brother from the Yun Family. Remember him well. If you show even half a bit of disrespect, your brother will beat you until even Auntie can’t recognize you. But there’s no need for your brother to worry—you’ll soon be going to study at Yushan Academy and will be under his authority. You’ll learn what’s what then.”

At the Hou residence, Cheng Chumo was even more casual than at his own home. He swaggered toward the rear courtyard, causing maids to scatter like startled chickens and dogs. Just as he entered the moon gate, a stick flew toward Cheng Chumo’s forehead.

Cheng Chumo laughed heartily and casually caught the stick, calling out to the flower bushes: “Sister Lian’er, why are you hiding? You’re about to marry into Chang’an as the Crown Prince’s secondary consort. When I was drinking with the Crown Prince last time, he mentioned you. I have a letter from the Crown Prince in my bosom. If you don’t come out, I won’t give it to you.”

Previously, Yun Ye had always thought that the first wife the Crown Prince married would be the Crown Princess. Who knew that the first one he married would be a secondary consort? Marrying the Crown Princess required announcing it to heaven and earth. Su Yuan, the eldest daughter of Su Dan, the Secretary of the Secretariat, was the true Crown Princess. This marriage was arranged by the Grand Emperor, and even Li Er couldn’t change it.

While Cheng Chumo was gleefully teasing Hou Lian’er, a beautiful woman in palace dress came from behind and slapped the back of Cheng Chumo’s head, saying, “You ill-mannered, lazy child! You’ve come from afar to see your auntie, but why are you pestering Lian’er again? Don’t you know she’s about to be married and can’t be seen?”

Cheng Chumo received the slap with complete joy. He turned around and knelt down, respectfully paying his respects. Yun Ye was also very familiar with this routine—he had knelt countless times at the Cheng, Niu, and Qin households. Similarly, in this era where filial piety was greater than law, Cheng Chumo and the others would kowtow resoundingly when seeing their own grandmothers too. There was no choice. Once you acknowledged yourself as a junior, you couldn’t avoid this etiquette. It was best to follow local customs. Using one’s airs as a superior person from the future at such times was purely brainless behavior.

After the greeting ceremony was complete, Cheng Chumo reached into Yun Ye’s bosom and rummaged around, pulling out four or five exquisite small bottles. He fawningly brought them to Madam Hou and said, “Auntie, this is the most popular perfume in Chang’an. This one is orchid-scented, this is plum blossom fragrance, this is gardenia-scented, the osmanthus one has the strongest scent. My mother always uses rose-scented, saying it suits her best. You should try them too.”

Madam Hou took the perfume but spoke to Yun Ye: “Ye’er, keep them. Your sister Lian’er is about to be married and will need them.”

“Auntie, you’re being too formal. What’s prepared for sister Lian’er, my grandmother prepared long ago—it’s on the gift list. When a bride marries, she shouldn’t mix perfumes. One type is best. This is for you, Auntie. Take a little of each and try them first. Whichever you like, the Yun Family’s manager in Luoyang will deliver it to you. Tomorrow my wife will come to pay a visit. Just tell her then, Auntie.”

Madam Hou had long heard of perfume’s great reputation, but it was too scarce in Luoyang. The Yun Family refused to sell it everywhere. Every year, the Yun Family’s New Year gifts included perfume, with increasingly better quality. It was also Madam Hou’s favorite gift. Taking the perfume with a smile, she was about to go to the rear hall to try it, but before leaving, she slapped the back of Cheng Chumo’s head once more.

The food and drink had long been prepared. Hou Jie accompanied the three brothers in drinking freely. The wine was also from the Yun Family. At the banquet, Cheng Chumo only then thought to ask Hou Jie why he had been beaten. Speaking of this matter, Hou Jie’s face scrunched up like a bun. He carefully shifted his bottom before saying, “Brothers, when you entered the city today, you must have heard about yesterday’s events, right? A supreme martial artist came to Luoyang. One man, one horse, one blade—he entered through the West Gate and exited through the East Gate. In total, it took half a shichen (hour). The Luoyang Water Dragon Gang was completely annihilated—not a single one left alive. Before leaving, he even took Dragon Three’s head.”

“Luoyang was shocked and thrown into panic. Younger brother refused to accept this—it was showing disrespect to our Hou Family! I prepared to lead our household guards to find this person and bring him to justice. Before I could leave, my father punished me with twenty heavy strikes, saying I was overestimating myself and courting death. He ordered me to stay home and reflect on my mistakes.”

Hearing this, the three thought of Dan Ying’s terrifying martial skills and shivered. Together they extended their thumbs to praise this foolhardy idiot. Hou Jie laughed dryly, swallowing this bitter pill.

Hou Junji arrived. Before the three could pay their respects, he sat grandly in the seat of honor, downed three cups of wine in succession. His dark red face showed no joy or anger. His eyes were like lightning, constantly scanning the three men’s faces, lingering longest on Yun Ye’s face. After contemplating for a moment, he picked up a chopstick of autumn sunflower leaves, chewed them in his mouth, perhaps finding them not to his taste, and spat them out. He downed another cup of wine, then leaned forward and asked the three brothers in a low voice, “Which one of you three did this?”

Yun Ye, Cheng Chumo, and Niu Jianhu exchanged glances and, with perfect coordination, shook their heads together.