According to records, on the night of the third day of the sixth month in the fifteenth year of Changxi, between the end of xu hour and the beginning of hai hour, within the south wing room of “Bamboo Fragrance Courtyard” in the guest quarters of Jiyang Prefecture’s official residence, a fierce dialogue occurred known only to the two parties involved.
The content of this dialogue was as follows:
“This humble woman Qianqian greets Your Excellency.”
“Mm.”
“What tune would Your Excellency like to hear? ‘Song of Pure Peace’? ‘Breaking Branch Order’? Or perhaps folk songs like ‘Plum Spring’ or ‘Jade Green Branch’? Or… mm… ‘Eighteen Touches’?”
“Touch.”
“Your Excellency… you’re so naughty…”
“Why?”
“…Hehe… Your Excellency… you’re truly amusing…”
“Amusing how?”
“…Your Excellency… mm… don’t tease me…”
“Tease what?”
“…”
“Not singing yet?”
“…One touch, touch elder sister’s hair edge, elder sister’s hair smooth and long, tickling brother’s heart tip… Two touches, touch to…”
“Not good to hear.”
“…Could it be… Your Excellency wants… the real thing?”
“What real thing?”
“…Oh my… real… touching… you know…”
“…” Contemplating, “This is acceptable.”
Low murmuring laughs, rustling sounds of undressing.
“Wait.”
“Your Excellency… what do you command… this slave… is a bit cold…”
“That place of yours.” Pointing at chest. “Does it look good?”
“…Mm… Your Excellency can look for yourself, then you’ll know?”
“I want you to say it yourself.”
“Naturally it’s… naturally it’s…”
“Beautiful?”
“…This slave is called Wanhua Pavilion’s number one beauty, because my skin… is full and moist… people call me… Jade Lotus Flower…”
“Lotus flower?”
“…Mm.”
“Like a lotus flower?”
“…Mm…”
“A lotus flower bud?”
“…How embarrassing… Why do you ask in such detail… You can just touch it… then you’ll know…”
Rustling sounds of falling garments, shy and joyful low laughter, shadows on the window gradually overlapping, vaguely full and firm, tenderly approaching.
“…”
A moment later.
“Liar!”
With a thunderous sound, a large mass of white burst forth, breaking through the window, drawing a white arc through the night sky, splashing into the courtyard pond, shattering the pond full of lotus flower buds.
The person who threw someone seemed angrier than the one thrown, pacing frantically in the room, desperately searching for basins, water, cloths—wanting to wash his hands.
While washing, he muttered. Even his dry monotone could convey extreme indignation.
“Liar!”
“What lotus flower!”
“What flower bud!”
“Cow dung pile!”
“Rotten meat bun!”
Young Master Gu’s romantic history speedily ended amid his indignant protests and Qianqian’s aggrieved sobbing. What didn’t end was a certain prince’s secretly dispatched guard’s voyeuristic heart—this person perched high on the enclosure wall, clutching paper and brush, taking in the recent scene completely. Then with glowing eyes, he wrote furiously:
“Time: Third day of sixth month, end of xu hour to beginning of hai hour.”
“Location: South wing room in rear courtyard of Jiyang official residence.”
“Persons: Gu Nanyi, Wanhua Pavilion’s top courtesan Qianqian.”
“Incident: Gu Nanyi wanted to hear ‘Eighteen Touches.’ After hearing, still wanted to touch. After touching, still asked about lotus flower buds. After the bud was shown to him, he threw it away and even cursed ‘liar.'”
“Personal view one: Gu Nanyi is not a decent thing, doesn’t understand how to cherish beauties. Personal view two: Why is Gu Nanyi particularly focused on lotus flower buds? This matter deserves investigation. Personal view three: Can’t tell if a certain person is jealous or not. Your Highness still has a chance. Personal view four: Gu Nanyi seems to have gained enlightenment. Your Highness, be careful. Personal view five: Even the cleanest prostitute is still a prostitute. Like Your Highness, I’ve never been interested in such women. Personal view six: Actually Qianqian’s chest really does look like a jade lotus bud.”
That night’s sound was quite horrifying—in the silent night it created quite a commotion. People came from all sides to investigate. Feng Zhiwei reacted sensitively. Seeing that large white mass, she immediately knew what it was and rushed to the moon gate, blocking the guards’ approach. Dry-laughing: “Just now while looking at flowers by the lotus pond, I accidentally pushed a chair into it. Nothing happened, nothing. Everyone disperse, disperse.”
The guards dispersed. Feng Zhiwei wiped her sweat. She still had to go into the water herself to fish out that unfortunate Qianqian, pulling the woman up dripping wet. The girl had already fainted from shock, collapsed on the ground. Worse still—bare-chested with only her lower undergarments half-covering her. Feng Zhiwei, currently in male guise anyway, found it inconvenient. Her face reddening, she glanced at the girl, thinking the young master was truly wild, truly wild. While ordering Gu Zhixiao’s maids to tend to the woman, she went to knock on the young master’s door.
She’d thought the young master in his temper definitely wouldn’t acknowledge her. Unexpectedly, the door opened with one knock. Feng Zhiwei was about to speak when she suddenly saw Young Master Gu with clothing half-undone, exposing half his chest. His skin glowed moistly in the unlit darkness, accompanied by that faint, clean water-grass fragrance, instantly pressing close to eyes and nose—like a bright moon filling her vision. Her mind immediately went into chaos, her face reddening. She’d forgotten what she’d planned to say and quickly backed away, stammering: “Ah, you should also rest. I’ve handled what just happened for you…”
Young Master Gu said nothing, didn’t straighten his clothing, silently watching her. Seeing her retreat, he suddenly spread his arms, embracing her. Then bending his face down, he buried his head in… Feng Zhiwei’s chest.
Feng Zhiwei cried “Ah!” and froze.
Gu Nanyi deeply buried himself in, strenuously searching through the thick chest binding for that feeling that had made him feel hot before. In that slight rise, he quickly found a little bit. Sure enough, his heart thumped once, and the hot blood throughout his body surged and rushed like that night. The familiar feeling returned, satisfying him enough to take a breath. He quickly let go, his tone relieved: “This is right!”
Feng Zhiwei: “…”
Young Master Gu silently gazed at the lotus flower bud in his eyes for a while, thinking it truly didn’t need testing. Indeed, under all heaven there was only this one lotus flower bud. Indeed, touching others only felt disgusting. You say they actually looked not too different—why did the feeling differ so much? A truly incomprehensible question. Alas, wasted time.
Having briefly touched and released, satisfied at completing his internal doubts and considerations, he comfortably closed the door and calmly went to sleep. There, Feng Zhiwei stood on the threshold with straight eyes, taking a long time to realize the young master had groped her chest.
Being groped was intolerable. Being groped without even an apology before going to sleep was even more intolerable.
Feng Zhiwei’s eyes turned blue. She very much wanted to violate her principles of being human, kick the door open, and have a good discussion with the young master about men and women not being intimate and about gentleness, respect, thrift, and yielding. Her fingers had already touched the door panel. Thinking about it, she still lowered them.
Sigh, the young master seemed to be in an enlightenment stage about certain matters. Testing with nearby women was also normal. Making a huge fuss about it—on one hand, she’d embarrass herself while he wouldn’t even know what was wrong with her. On the other hand, it would bring unnecessary shadows to his pure, weak little heart. For someone in the enlightenment stage, this was very damaging and didn’t accord with educational principles.
Feng Zhiwei somewhat lamented her restrained temperament. Encountering anything, she liked to think first—think and think. Especially encountering this kind of thing that would make other women explode instantly, she thought even more and deeper. Thinking this way and that, any anger or impulse would be worn away by all that thinking. In the end, she just touched her nose and left resentfully.
So she just touched her nose and left resentfully.
She and Gu Nanyi—two people, both with turbulent thoughts. One scared by being groped, one thinking about women. Neither noticed that person perched high on the distant wall with glowing eyes, once again writing furiously.
“Time: Third day of sixth month, first quarter of hai hour.”
“Location: Doorway of Gu Nanyi’s room in south wing of Jiyang official residence’s rear courtyard.”
“Persons: Gu Nanyi, Feng Zhiwei.”
“Incident: Gu Nanyi hugged Feng Zhiwei, rubbed her chest (too excessive!).”
“Personal view one: Gu Nanyi is not a decent thing—too understanding about cherishing beauties. Personal view two: Feng Zhiwei didn’t resist—actually didn’t resist! Personal view three: Seeing the previous point, Your Highness, don’t cry yet. I’m not finished. I think Feng Zhiwei didn’t not resist—she was completely shocked into forgetting to resist. Personal view four: But I believe, even if she didn’t resist at the time! Afterward she still should have settled accounts with Gu Nanyi. But why didn’t she? Personal view five: Seeing point four, Your Highness, also don’t rush to cry. I’m still not finished. I think Feng Zhiwei considers too much when encountering things. Perhaps she felt making a fuss afterward would be boring. Overall this is a small matter. Personal view six: Your Highness, are you certain you truly don’t need to set aside supervising the traveling palace construction to find a way to make the Xi Liang trip?”
After the Jiyang pleasure-seeking incident, Feng Zhiwei’s journey returned to peace. That night’s aftereffects, besides causing Miss Qianqian to fall seriously ill from shock and bringing new gossip legend to Jiyang’s official circles—letting officials when they had nothing to do fully exercise imaginative and bizarre imagination about “certain matters between Marquis Wei and Guard Gu on the night of the third of sixth month”—there really wasn’t much else. At the very least, Young Master Gu recovered his composure and never again mentioned wanting to “try women.”
On the second of seventh month, the Tiansheng envoy delegation arrived at Xiong County’s Tianshui Pass at the border between Minnan and Xi Liang. There, Feng Zhiwei and Hua Qiong met. The two had thought they wouldn’t meet again for who knows how many years. Unexpectedly, they reunited after just a few months. When meeting at the Wei River at Tianshui Pass, separated from Xi Liang by one river, they couldn’t help smiling at each other.
“Court affairs truly change in myriad ways.” Hua Qiong’s robes billowed in the wind, gazing at the great river’s rushing waters. Smiling: “Who’d have thought you’d arrive at Minnan so quickly after me.”
Feng Zhiwei was silently speechless, quietly watching the river water flashing with myriad rippling lights under the sunlight. After a long while, she said softly: “His Majesty has an oral edict for me to convey to you—ordering you to locally recruit former Fire Phoenix veterans in Minnan and rebuild the Fire Phoenix Army.”
Hua Qiong’s eyes flashed. Smiling: “Received!”
“Though Mother never mentioned the Fire Phoenix Army back then, I know in her heart she must have deeply missed her old troops.” Feng Zhiwei said gently. “Properly speaking, as her daughter, I should fulfill the phoenix’s wish for her. Unexpectedly, it ultimately fell to you.”
“Why distinguish between you and me? Besides, without your advocacy, how would His Majesty agree?” Hua Qiong smiled and patted her shoulder. “Moreover, given your identity, the Fire Phoenix Army absolutely cannot have surface connections with you. Rest assured—since there’s this oral decree, I’ll definitely build the Fire Phoenix Army for you.”
“You submitted the memorial requesting to establish the Fire Phoenix Army. His Majesty greatly appreciated this proposal. I merely added a bit of momentum.” Feng Zhiwei said. “His Majesty was extremely interested, even saying Minnan women, coming from mountainous regions, are extremely agile and nimble—naturally good material for battle formations. Especially women from counties like Chishui and Heishan in southern Minnan are most outstanding. Back then, most of the Fire Phoenix Army was recruited from those places. You might as well try.”
Hua Qiong listened seriously and nodded. Facing the broad river before her, she spread her arms and smiled: “Just wait, Zhiwei. The Fire Phoenix banner will definitely fly above the Min River waters!”
She raised her head slightly, arms lifted high—an uplifted, transcendent posture. Sunlight struck down intensely, splashing open on her clearly defined, firm jawline. Black hair flew in the wind, also like a fluttering banner. Beside her, that equally outstanding woman smiled without speaking. Under the setting sun, her eyes held the same fine scattered light as this river, yet her expression was expansive and far-reaching, watching this vast landscape and rivers silently rushing into her eyes.
On the third of seventh month, with Tiansheng’s Minnan Commissioner seeing them off and Xi Liang’s Ministry of Rites receiving them, the Tiansheng envoy delegation crossed the river, officially stepping onto Xi Liang soil.
Disembarking from the official boat, feet stepping onto Xi Liang’s land that looked no different from Tiansheng’s, Feng Zhiwei felt somewhat emotional—she’d actually become the first Tiansheng person to step into enemy nation Xi Liang in over ten years. Just based on this point alone, she could be recorded in history.
Xi Liang sent a Vice Minister of Rites leading local officials to receive them at the border. This protocol already showed considerable respect. Naturally, upon reaching the capital, there would be even higher-level formal reception. The Regent sending Ministry of Rites officials across half of Xi Liang to receive the Tiansheng envoy delegation all the way to the capital itself also demonstrated respect.
When Feng Zhiwei disembarked from the official boat, drums and music played in unison on shore. Cannons fired three times. Common people were blocked ten steps away, crowding and jostling, curiously watching “Tiansheng’s officials.” Xi Liang officials approached with smiles.
Leading Xi Liang Vice Minister of Rites Bai Deshan curiously raised his head to look at the youth first descending from the official boat. Truly a youth—very young, appearing only eighteen or nineteen. Slender and refined, yet without the sour pedantic air of scholars. His bearing was gracious and composed, like towering distant mountains bearing snow, making one forget his age after one glance. His gaze was also very special—not like many young, successful important officials with overwhelming sharpness, but rather misty and gentle, unfathomable depths behind his eyes. He casually wore a blue brocade robe, disembarking with a natural manner that showed he was accustomed to grand occasions. Early autumn sunlight fell on his shoulders. His entire person shone brilliantly as if gilded with golden light.
This was Tiansheng’s state scholar, matchless and renowned, the so-called genius Wei Zhi?
Indeed… special.
“That’s Wei Zhi?”
“So young… They say he’s both civil and military, the Tiansheng Emperor’s most beloved subject. Wonder if it’s true.”
“Naturally it’s true. Otherwise why send him? Xi Liang and Tiansheng have never had friendly relations.”
“Still a handsome young gentleman! Hehe… perfectly matched with my Little Peach…”
“Bah! What kind of person is he? Your mountain village country girl also wants to climb the dragon and attach to phoenix? That Liu family woman, you really dare to dream!”
“Why do you all know about this person?”
“How could we not know? That year he went to Nanhai to suppress bandits, killed many pirates. My aunt’s family is in the southern border near the sea. She said their area became much quieter afterward. Speaking of which, our Xi Liang also owes him a favor!”
Some onlooking common people discussed casually. But there were also more people standing distant, not approaching, using cold and wary gazes to assess the magnificent, massive Tiansheng envoy delegation.
Bai Deshan heard the common people’s pointing and amazement behind him, only then realizing he’d been staring stupidly. Moreover, this upward-staring posture looked somewhat diminishing to their nation’s prestige. Remembering the Regent’s instructions before his departure about “respectable but not accommodating,” he couldn’t help breaking out in a cold sweat down his back.
He quickly came forward, standing three steps away. Following the ceremonial official’s announcements, he bowed slightly: “Greetings, Marquis Wei. Marquis Wei has traveled far. Our humble nation has failed in welcoming you properly. Marquis Wei, please forgive us.”
“No need for such courtesy.” Feng Zhiwei had long observed the other’s loss of composure. Smiling, she grasped his hand: “Thank you for traveling far to receive us. Wei Zhi is extremely humbled. Your noble nation is prosperous with abundant goods and pleasant scenery—truly dazzling to the eyes. I’ll have to trouble Your Excellency to explain things along the way to this country bumpkin. Please, please.”
Her tone was modest, her gaze friendly, making one instinctively feel goodwill upon meeting. Vice Minister Bai had originally heard much about this Tiansheng important official’s “great achievements” and felt quite wary and nervous. However, Feng Zhiwei’s friendly yet measured attitude, making one feel like bathing in spring breeze, immediately relaxed him. He quickly smiled. Both sides introduced their accompanying staff, exchanged courtesies. After some bustle, they continued on their way grandly.
According to Bai Deshan’s intention, they should rest here one night before proceeding the next day. Feng Zhiwei insisted on immediately setting out—this border region between Minnan and Xi Liang had always had the most friction. Over these many years, resentment had inevitably accumulated. Setting that aside, when Mother had led troops driving Yin Zhiliang from Tiansheng’s heartland, the Minnan border had been where warfare was most intense.
When discussing with Bai Deshan, her tone was gentle but her meaning very insistent. Bai Deshan wanted to follow the Regent’s instruction to be “respectful but not accommodating,” but discovered that negotiating with this Marquis Wei was completely futile. No matter what intention you wanted to express, you’d ultimately be led by the nose. This person just smiled faintly, listened to you finish, expressed agreement with your view, then—did his own thing.
Often before finishing the discussion, you’d already feel continuing to insist was foolish, because only the other side was right.
Bai Deshan experienced Feng Zhiwei’s negotiation artistry. While thinking he should learn this—useful for future negotiations—he arranged people to scout the route and set out. He’d brought a thousand guards to receive the Tiansheng envoy delegation. According to Feng Zhiwei’s suggestion, five hundred opened the road ahead, five hundred guarded the flanks, while using his own two thousand guards to protect the Tiansheng group in the center.
When the procession reached a fork in the road, Bai Deshan hesitated slightly before the roadways, then pointed to the left path. The guard commander receiving orders glanced at that road. A trace of cold smile at his lips, he then spurred his horse away.
A carriage curtain lifted, revealing Feng Zhiwei’s face. She was watching that guard commander’s departing back, contemplation in her eyes—when this commander had greeted them earlier, his attitude had been indifferent and arrogant. Yet the Xi Liang officials were quite polite to this guard commander whose rank wasn’t particularly high. This person must be the Regent’s trusted aide.
The convoy traveled another stretch, gradually reaching mountainous terrain. Like Minnan, Xi Liang had many mountains, especially at the border. The convoy planned to bypass the mountains. The road was rugged. Everyone abandoned carriages for horses. Feng Zhiwei squinted at the road ahead, making small talk with Bai Deshan: “These mountains look precipitous and dangerous. Are there villages in the mountains?”
Bai Deshan was quite clever. Hearing this, he immediately smiled: “This is Teng Mountain, our Xi Liang’s first mountain of the western border. There are some hunters living scattered in the mountains, but no villages. Usually very peaceful.”
“Is Marquis Wei asking if there are mountain bandits in the mountains?” That guard commander beside them suddenly coldly interjected. “Vice Minister Bai probably forgot to tell you—yes, there are. Only those mountain bandits…” He suddenly smiled mockingly. A pair of eyes with more white than black coldly rolled over to look at Feng Zhiwei. “Are deserters from when your noble nation and our humble nation fought. In the Battle of Huye Slope back then, your noble nation routed for dozens of li with countless deserters. Many people have since wandered Xi Liang’s borders. Unable to make a living, they raised bandit flags and became mountain brigands, harassing our Xi Liang people year after year—Since Marquis Wei has finally come with difficulty, shouldn’t you take back these homeless curs of yours?”
These viciously provocative words cut off all surrounding sounds instantly—so quiet one could hear distant leaves crisply shattering. Bai Deshan froze for quite a while before shouting sharply: “Commander Qiu! Watch your words!” His voice was shrilly uncontrolled, startling even himself.
That Commander Qiu raised his head to look at the sky, laughing coldly and proudly—a look of “I already said it, what can you do about it?” Bai Deshan looked at that appearance, so angry his eyes rolled. Thinking what an idiot—extremely high martial arts but can’t speak human words. Why did the Regent send this person who harbored grudges against Tiansheng to guard them? Looking again at the Tiansheng guards on all sides—everyone’s faces showed anger. He couldn’t help swallowing nervously—if this truly enraged the envoys and they fought, one thousand against two thousand—what were the odds of victory?
Yet he saw that though the Tiansheng guards were furious, not one person spoke to rebuke or rashly acted. Everyone’s gazes all fell on the center of the formation—on Feng Zhiwei.
Feng Zhiwei folded her sleeves, smiling as she looked at the distant mountains, not even moving an eyebrow. When all around had quieted, only then did she slowly lower her gaze to Commander Qiu’s body, looking up and down with great interest.
Her gaze of “you’re like a clown, quite interesting” made Commander Qiu feel uncomfortable all over. Just about to explode in anger when he heard Feng Zhiwei leisurely say: “Seeing this Teng Mountain, I have deep feelings.”
This sudden statement surprised everyone. They didn’t know what she meant. Bai Deshan wanted to smooth things over and quickly interjected: “What feelings does Marquis Wei have?”
Feng Zhiwei looked at him methodically, pointing with her whip at Teng Mountain: “I suddenly remembered a legendary story. Twenty years ago, there was an emperor who had a great general he relied on as his left and right arms, guarding the southern border. His garrison encompassed the entire southern border at that time. Facing such trust, that general was moved to tears. He made a blood oath with this emperor, vowing to be the southwestern vassal for generations, guarding this southern fertile land for the emperor. Regrettably, the oath was still there but human hearts are inconstant. One day, that general betrayed his master in battle, catching his lord unprepared and causing great damage. Properly speaking, the story should end here. But emperors are made every year—next year it’s my turn to be one. This general of high character and countless victories, after his great victory, was repeatedly defeated by an opponent’s female general of merely ten-some years old. At the foot of a certain mountain, he retreated hundreds of li—retreating once, twice, thrice—forcibly retreating to the most barren, desolate extreme southern frontier. From then on, wandering in that place, unable to make a living, he raised a flag and established a nation. Year after year, he still remembered to harass his former lord’s nation, wanting to snatch back some of the territory he’d spat out—I was thinking, this general having finally betrayed once, yet couldn’t finish the job—shouldn’t he find time to properly take back those territories he spat out back then?”
“…”
Feng Zhiwei’s speech almost entirely returned Commander Qiu’s provocation, even more vicious by several degrees. Without naming which dynasty or person, she left no way to match to specific people, yet every sentence spoke of Yin Zhiliang’s betrayal and lack of virtue back then. Every sentence stabbed Xi Liang’s court’s painful spots—back then, after Yin Zhiliang’s great victory, he was defeated by a young girl general’s hand, forced from then on to establish his nation in Xi Liang’s barbarian, barren land. This was his lifelong painful matter. While alive, whoever mentioned it died. Now Xi Liang’s officials humiliated themselves, forced to listen. The last sentence was even more ruthless—Yin Zhiliang had long died and become a ghost, yet she still asked them “when will you find time to take it back?”
Xi Liang officials’ faces all turned ghost-white, struck speechless by this rebuke combining mockery, sarcasm, ridicule, and threat. Wanting to react but having no grounds—this feeling of knowing someone was cursing you but unable to acknowledge it, only able to listen, was truly too stifling. Everyone glared hatefully at Commander Qiu, silently cursing him for bringing humiliation upon himself.
Commander Qiu had long turned red with anger. With a “clang,” his long blade was already half-unsheathed. Xi Liang officials were startled again, about to stop him when suddenly a blue shadow floated straight over, saying flatly: “The blade looks good. Let me see it.”
Feng Zhiwei smiled slightly, thinking the young master had also learned to speak circuitously. Commander Qiu didn’t know better, seeing Young Master Gu approach, smiled savagely: “Want to see? Fine—”
He casually thrust the blade forward. The half-unsheathed blade would shake loose with just a light tremble. He calculated that as soon as this person reached to take it, he’d give him a small punishment. Given the Regent’s instructions, no need to be too harsh—one hand would do!
Blade half-unsheathed, Xi Liang officials’ eyes tense—this commander ranked third among Xi Liang’s three great experts. His blade technique unmatched under heaven. If this Tiansheng masked man suffered under his hand… Bai Deshan was already considering, if something truly happened, how to explain to the Regent.
Blade half-unsheathed, Gu Nanyi reached to take it. Commander Qiu’s eyes suddenly turned vicious. His wrist reversed, blade light flashed, slashing toward Gu Nanyi’s wrist at shockingly fast speed!
“Clap.”
Bai Deshan, greatly alarmed, had just taken one step wanting to rescue when he saw blade light flash then dim. Black shadow and blue shadow spun around. Then a muffled sound—not like sharp blade entering flesh, but rather like something being heavily slapped. Then dust rose from the ground, blinding the eyes of Bai Deshan rushing forward.
He hurriedly rubbed his eyes, vaguely hearing everyone’s cries, not knowing what happened. The more anxious, the less he could clean them. Finally opening his bloodshot eyes to look—he couldn’t help but stare.
Commander Qiu, who’d been so arrogant just moments ago, was gone.
Young Master Gu stood there with robes fluttering, flicking the blade with his fingers, praising flatly: “Good blade.”
Over there, Feng Zhiwei said composedly: “Since it’s a good blade, keep it.”
Xi Liang officials: “…”
Bai Deshan searched for a long time before discovering—somehow Commander Qiu was half-buried underground, blood streaming down his head, struggling to pull himself out.
In that exchange just now, Young Master Gu had calmly and fiercely seized the blade, slapping him into the ground…
Xi Liang officials drew in sharp breaths, exchanging glances. In their hearts, Commander Qiu’s martial arts were peerless, unstoppable. Who’d have thought he couldn’t withstand one casual move from the opponent?
Gu Nanyi collected the blade on his own, thinking actually this person’s martial arts were good, just too contemptuous of the enemy. Deserved it.
Feng Zhiwei sat on her horse, leisurely smiling slightly. Her gaze swept briefly. No Xi Liang official dared meet it. All lowered their heads and stepped back.
In cursing, couldn’t beat the opponent. In fighting, also couldn’t beat the opponent. What else to say?
Commander Qiu finally struggled from the pit with difficulty, ashamed and furious beyond measure. Too embarrassed to ask Gu Nanyi for the blade back, he bitterly wrapped his head in white cloth and went to scout ahead of the formation.
Feng Zhiwei’s lips curved in a faint smile. Xi Liang officials’ faces showed no glory, listless. Now not even speaking, they traveled around the mountain all the way. Just about to pass through a valley gorge—Feng Zhiwei, having experienced battle formations, was particularly sensitive to such terrain. Looking at this valley pressed in from four sides, the top straight as a line of sky, that umbrella-cap style of overhanging cliff—who knew if there were people above? She couldn’t help paying extra attention. Paying attention, she discovered something wrong.
After thinking, she said: “Everyone, it’s getting late. I think we should stop here.”
Bai Deshan paused. This place with no village ahead, no shop behind—several thousand people camping before this valley? He quickly said: “Marquis Wei, past this valley and ten more li, there’s a relay station. It’s only afternoon now. If we hurry, we should make it. But camping before this valley seems rather inappropriate.”
“What absurd idea.” Commander Qiu up ahead turned back, his head full of white cloth quite comical, saying viciously: “Everyone knows when encountering valleys, don’t enter. You actually want to rest here? If you want to die yourself I don’t care, but I won’t accompany you in foolishness!”
“Oh?” Feng Zhiwei smiled faintly. “Commander Qiu, I feel continuing forward is inappropriate.”
“I feel it’s appropriate!”
“Really?” Feng Zhiwei seemed very good-tempered. “Truly appropriate?”
“Not going forward is inappropriate!”
“Since it’s so appropriate.” Feng Zhiwei smiled. “Your noble army is more familiar with the roads. This place is also a valley. We’ll still have to trouble your noble army to scout ahead. I don’t think we need you guarding our flanks either. When so many people are crowded together later, we won’t be able to pass. Let your noble army’s thousand people walk ahead.”
“Fine!” Commander Qiu laughed coldly. “I’ll scout the road well for you. Otherwise how would you dare walk?” Whistling once, he assembled the thousand men. In rolling dust, they proceeded forward.
Behind him, Feng Zhiwei sat elevated on her horse, fingers tapping the reins, watching the backs of those thousand men, revealing her unique misty smile.