Xu Yuanshuang snatched the secret letter from beside her, reading it intently before passing it to Liu Hongmian, White Tiger, and Qihuan Danxiang.
After reading it, everyone’s expressions changed. This was the first time since entering the jianghu to gather dragon energy that the Palace Master of Tianji Palace had issued an order.
Suddenly, bell-like laughter rang out—first joyous, then tinged with melancholy. Everyone turned to look at Liu Hongmian, who was doubled over with laughter, tears in her eyes.
Ji Xuan watched her silently. After a while, when the enchanting woman had calmed down, he said softly, “Hongmian was a disciple of Wanhua Tower. She understands the Martial Alliance best.”
“Former disciple,” Liu Hongmian corrected him. Her face, as beautiful as a peach blossom, held a faint smile as she resumed her usual bewitching demeanor.
After a moment’s contemplation, she said, “Sword Province is revered in the jianghu as the holy land of martial arts because of the Martial Alliance’s presence.”
“Since the founding of the dynasty, it has been the dominant force in Sword Province. For six hundred years, the Martial Alliance has maintained order in Sword Province’s jianghu, creating fertile ground for sects to flourish.”
“Today, all major sects in Sword Province’s jianghu are subordinate to the Martial Alliance.”
Liu Hongmian glanced at those present and continued, “Among the Martial Alliance’s vassal forces, nine sects are the most powerful: Divine Fist Sect, Wanhua Tower, Ink Chamber, Thousand Mechanisms Sect, Divine Walking Sect, Iron Clothes Hall, Yu Mountain, White Crane Temple, and Sword Province Merchant Association.”
“The founders of these forces either came from within the Martial Alliance or established their sects with the Alliance’s support. For centuries, they’ve been closely tied to the Martial Alliance.”
“As for the smaller sects, I won’t elaborate.”
Xu Yuanhuai asked gravely, “Do all these sects have Fourth Rank experts?”
Liu Hongmian nodded. “At least one each.”
Everyone fell silent.
Setting aside the Azure Dragon Seven Stars, they realized that even without the Martial Alliance’s direct intervention, its subordinate sects alone could reduce them to ashes.
Moreover, the affiliated sects certainly had other experts. As long as they hadn’t reached the Transcendent realm, rotating attacks was an effective way to kill a Fourth Rank expert.
The one-armed White Tiger asked, “Tell us about the Martial Alliance headquarters.”
At these words, everyone’s attention focused on Liu Hongmian, including the Azure Dragon Seven Stars.
“The Martial Alliance is based in Quanrong Mountain. At its foot lies a military garrison, claiming to have twenty thousand heavy cavalry, but in reality, there are at most eight thousand cavalry, with no more than four thousand heavy cavalry. The twenty thousand troops were the former Alliance Leader’s direct forces, though they’ve been replaced countless times by now.”
Liu Hongmian continued, recalling details: “Besides the army, it’s hard to count the experts within the Martial Alliance. Even I can’t judge accurately. I believe the ones truly worth noting are Cao Qingyang and the old Alliance Leader.”
“Cao Qingyang ranks in the top five of the Jianghu Hundred Strong, half-step to Transcendent. In single combat, any of us encountering him would be certain death.”
“As for the old Alliance Leader, though many in the jianghu believe his existence is a fiction created by the Martial Alliance, at our level, we naturally know he exists.”
“However, the old Alliance Leader hasn’t appeared for hundreds of years. I didn’t understand why before, but after reading the Palace Master’s letter, I now know the reason.”
Having introduced the situation in Sword Province’s jianghu, she fell silent.
“We need more forces,” Ji Xuan concluded calmly. He looked at the Yu Province spy and said, “Send word to the East Ocean Dragon Palace’s Eastern sisters and the two Vajra, tell them to come here for discussion as quickly as possible.”
…
On this rest day, Second Young Master Xu rode a swift horse out of the city, reaching Cloud Deer Academy in the capital’s outskirts in less than an hour.
He quickly ascended the mountain, passed through the academy, and went straight to the bamboo grove behind the mountain.
“Headmaster, Xin Nian pays his respects.”
Xu Xin Nian bowed outside the bamboo building.
A flash of clear light appeared beneath his feet, bringing him inside.
In the elegant and tidy bamboo building, Zhao Shou sat alone by his desk, savoring fragrant tea.
Across from him sat another steaming cup of tea.
Xu Xin Nian knew this was prepared for him, and understood the meaning behind Zhao Shou’s gesture.
Originally, given his status, he wouldn’t have qualified to sit as an equal with Zhao Shou.
Whether in cultivation or as a teacher, Xu Ci Jiu should have remained standing before Zhao Shou.
“Thank you, Headmaster.”
Xu Xin Nian bowed and sat down naturally.
“Two favors to ask of you.”
Zhao Shou set down his teacup, his gaze gentle: “Submit a memorial to the court on behalf of the academy, and arrange an afternoon tea with Wang Zhenwen for me.”
Xu Xin Nian’s eyes flickered, hesitating briefly: “Very well.”
…
At the border of Jiang Province.
The little mare swished its tail, lowering its head to munch on the premium feed in the wooden bucket.
The two stallions on either side coveted her feed, stretching their heads over to try for a share. Each time this happened, the mare would swing her neck, giving them a headbutt.
By the stream, beside a bonfire, Mu Nanzhi was stir-frying wild vegetables in an iron pot while Xu Qi’an chopped wild game caught in the forest.
Li Lingsu was crouching by the stream, washing ingredients.
Miao Youfang wasn’t helping with the work; he was practicing martial arts nearby, his body drenched in sweat.
“After Bronze Skin Iron Bones comes the Fifth Rank Energy Condensation. The biggest characteristic of this realm is returning from breath cultivation to tempering blood energy,” Xu Qi’an instructed while slicing meat.
“But it’s different from purely tempering blood energy as in the Essence Refining realm. You need to consciously comprehend the body’s rhythm and perfectly master its power.”
Miao Youfang continued his movements while responding loudly: “I can already master it.”
Li Lingsu sneered: “You’re far from it.”
“What would a Daoist like you know!” Miao Youfang cursed.
Li Lingsu ignored his vulgar words and said:
“People are born able to control their limbs and master their bodies, but this is the shallowest use of the body.”
“Ordinary people can only utilize one or two-tenths of their physical strength. The fact that they can unleash unprecedented power in times of crisis is the best proof.”
“The essence of Fifth Rank Energy Condensation is mastering these uncontrollable powers. Am I right, Senior Xu?”
Xu Qi’an nodded, agreeing with Li Lingsu’s words, and added:
“This realm cannot be rushed, nor can it be achieved through resources alone. It depends on personal talent and enlightenment. The higher the rank, the more one needs opportunity and insight. This is true for all systems.”
“However, the experience of predecessors can help you avoid many detours. I suggest that besides practicing martial arts, you should persistently meditate daily to temper your divine soul.”
Miao Youfang asked: “Why still temper the divine soul? Aren’t we tempering the physical body?”
Xu Qi’an smiled: “Because the body is controlled by the brain. The better developed your mind, the stronger your mastery over your body.”
Miao Youfang seemed to half-understand, while Li Lingsu appeared thoughtful.
…
At the Wang mansion.
After lunch at the Wang mansion, Second Young Master Xu was led by Wang Simu to the outer hall of her chambers.
Even though they were betrothed, since she hadn’t yet married, her fiancé couldn’t enter a maiden’s inner chambers.
The outer hall was luxuriously furnished, with expensive carpets laid out and various antiques and treasures displayed on the curio shelves. Famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls.
Wang Simu was extremely talented, both beautiful and wise. Being with her was always pleasant.
Occasionally she would show her small temper to her lover, but fortunately, Second Young Master wasn’t the completely insensitive man he used to be and would comfort her somewhat.
“After the Spring Festival, younger sister Lingye should be nineteen, right?”
Wang Simu asked with a smile.
Second Young Master Xu, his mind on other matters, absently nodded once.
“That’s also the age for marriage. Has she been betrothed?”
Wang Simu asked again.
In Great Feng, regarding the age of marriage for women, commoners usually married after 14, while noble families waited until after 16.
It shouldn’t exceed 22, or else one would be considered a leftover woman.
Second Young Master Xu glanced at his 21-year-old fiancée and said: “There’s no rush, let’s wait a few more years.”
Wang Simu nodded with a smile, adding:
“After we’re married, she’ll have more suitors to choose from.”
Wang Simu’s thinking was clear—when she married into the Xu family, Xu Lingye must be married off.
Just being the Xu family matriarch already gave her enormous pressure. If she allowed that sister who liked to play weak and vulnerable to interfere, her future position would be precarious.
Of course, Wang Simu wasn’t a contentious person who married just for household politics.
She just wanted to reduce the “threats” around her and avoid being controlled as much as possible.
Second Young Master Xu responded with noncommittal “hmms” and “ahs” for a moment, then said:
“I have matters to discuss with Prime Minister Wang.”
Wang Simu nodded, saying softly:
“Father seems to be ill. He’s been coughing lately, and seems dazed, often lost in thought.”
Second Young Master Xu started, asking with concern: “Has he been seen by the Astronomical Bureau’s practitioners?”
Wang Simu sighed:
“The Astronomical Bureau said Father is ill from overwork and too many worries, needing rest. He’s also caught a cold.”
“When Wei Yuan was around before, he was full of fighting spirit. Now that Wei Yuan is dead, he’s lost his rival, and that energy has suddenly drained away.”
“Originally he could still fulfill his ambitions, who knew the disaster situation would be so severe…”
Second Young Master Xu nodded gravely.
Leaving his fiancée’s residence, he made his way expertly to Prime Minister Wang’s study and knocked on the door.
After receiving permission, he entered.
Prime Minister Wang was holding a steaming cup of tea, sitting behind his desk with nothing before him, seemingly having been lost in thought just moments ago.
“Prime Minister, the Headmaster wishes to see you.”
Xu Cijiu got straight to the point.
Prime Minister Wang stared at him for a moment, then said flatly:
“There’s nothing to discuss. I no longer have the energy to mediate for him, nor the interest.”
“With the new emperor ascending the throne, if his Cloud Deer Academy wants to use this opportunity to return to court, it will inevitably cause upheaval in both court and country, drawing resistance from the civil officials. At this critical juncture, you should know what this means.”
Second Young Master Xu said gravely: “The rebel army in Cloud Province is poised to strike. If Cloud Deer Academy could return to court, it would undoubtedly be powerful support.”
Prime Minister Wang shook his head:
“What the court needs now is not his Cloud Deer Academy’s group of pure scholars, but silver—endless amounts of silver. Go tell Zhao Shou, if he can add five hundred thousand taels of silver to the national treasury, I’ll hand over my position willingly.”
“Opposition to Cloud Deer Academy’s scholars is the consensus of scholars throughout the realm, the consensus of civil officials. If we open this door, guess whether those civil officials will ‘force the emperor’s hand’?”
“Then who will handle disaster relief?”
Second Young Master Xu sighed: “I understand.”
On the third day, he took leave from the Hanlin Academy and went to Cloud Deer Academy to “report back.”
“Although Prime Minister Wang didn’t meet with the Headmaster, he submitted the memorial, but His Majesty… he didn’t acknowledge it…”
Second Young Master Xu said.
“Enough!” Zhao Shou sighed, looking toward the capital: “I have already done all I can for Yongxing.”
At this moment, Second Young Master Xu still didn’t understand the significance of these words.
…
The moon was bright, stars sparse, the wind bitter cold.
A flying boat glided through the clouds, slowly “docking” in the air the majestic city.
Dong Fangrong stood proudly at the bow, her hair and skirts flying.
“Master, we’ve arrived at Yu Province.”
…
In the small courtyard, Ji Xuan was hosting the two Vajra, Du Nan and Du Fan.
“May I ask if the two Vajra have found the Nine Dragons’ host?”
Ji Xuan looked at the Buddhist Vajra seated in the place of honor, probing.
Du Nan shook his head slightly.
The Asura Vajra remained silent with closed eyes.
Ji Xuan smiled and said no more, knowing his status wasn’t enough to command the two Vajra’s attention.
Jingxin asked: “Benefactor Ji Xuan, who are these allies you have us waiting for?”
Ji Xuan answered truthfully: “People from the Witch God Cult.”
Vajra Du Nan opened his eyes to look at him once, then closed them again, expressing no opinion.
Warrior monk Jingyuan frowned slightly: “When the time comes, how will the dragon energy be distributed?”
Cooperating with Hidden Dragon City was a decision made by the Buddhist leadership. Even if the dragon energy went entirely to Hidden Dragon City, he would have no objection.
But the relationship between the Witch God Cult and Buddhism hadn’t reached that stage.
Ji Xuan was about to speak when he suddenly turned to look outside the courtyard.
Jingxin, Jingyuan, and others made similar movements simultaneously.
Shortly after, knocks sounded on the small courtyard’s worn wooden doors.
Liu Hongmian swayed her waist as she went to open the door. Standing there was the East Ocean Dragon Palace group led by the Eastern sisters.
Ji Xuan rose to welcome them, smiling: “Welcome, Palace Masters.”