Ding Kun was not visiting the Hua Family’s Sixty-Six Residence for the first time. Previously, in order to keep close tabs on Lin Sui’an and the others at all times, he had followed Grand Elder Shen Xun’s orders and dispatched Jingmen disciples to conduct surveillance every single day, going so far as to personally make the rounds himself once every three hours.
It could be said that from the moment this group had entered the Eastern Capital, he had been living in a constant state of anxiety, his heart in his throat day after day.
On the day the Hua Family arrived in the Eastern Capital, their convoy had barely entered the city before Hua Yitang gave a vicious tongue-lashing to several students who had blocked their carriage, sending them skulking away in defeat. That very evening, the ringleader, Shan Yuanming, had died inexplicably at his inn. What was presumed to be an unsolved case was cracked within hours — the Court of Judicial Review had apprehended the killer, none other than Jiang Dongyi of the Taiyuan Jiang Family.
The Taiyuan Commandery’s fearsome Tiger was a name that thundered like cannon-fire, his Golden Feather Guards formidable warriors, and under his command was a fierce general the likes of Jiang Chen. No one could have imagined he would be taken into custody by the Court of Judicial Review so easily. Ding Kun rushed to gather intelligence and learned that the case had been cracked by Hua Yitang — and that it was Lin Sui’an who had defeated over sixty Golden Feather Guards and Jiang Dongyi himself. When this news reached the Eastern Capital’s Jingmen, not a single person from top to bottom was willing to believe it. Following an emergency overnight deliberation among the various elders, Ding Kun was dispatched the following day to call upon them and verify the truth. What he found was not only that the rumors were true, but that he had uncovered an even more astounding piece of news — Lin Sui’an had already mastered “Breaking the Stillness”!
Breaking the Stillness was one of the Ten Purity Collection’s most lethal and absolute techniques, lost for over twenty years. Neither the Jingmen’s main hall in Yangdu nor any of its branch halls throughout the land had anyone capable of unraveling its mysteries.
Lin Sui’an was merely an outer-sect disciple — how could she have mastered it so effortlessly?
Could it truly be that the master of Ten Purity was heaven’s chosen, one who could not be replaced by any mortal means?
The subsequent movements of Hua Yitang and Lin Sui’an only made things more bewildering. During the excursion to the West Market, the Jingmen disciples had held back so as not to startle their quarry — yet in the blink of an eye, this group had thrown the entire West Market into utter chaos. No sooner had they settled quietly back at the manor for two days than news came from the Court of Judicial Review: Jiang Dongyi was dead as well.
At this point, this group had been in the city for a mere five days, and every person who had crossed them — whether the renowned scholar Shan Yuanming or the well-connected Jiang Dongyi — had met their end. It was as though they had been cursed by some dark sorcery.
Ding Kun raised his head and looked up at the signboard reading “Hua Family’s Sixty-Six Residence.” It was well past mid-morning, and the sunlight blazed brilliantly off the gilded plaque. He felt a wave of chills run down the back of his neck. He did not know what Grand Elder Shen Xun had planned for today — he merely harbored a growing doubt: was making an enemy of this Lin Niangzi, who seemed to have divine assistance, truly not going to bring fire raining down upon their own heads?
“They’re coming out,” said the broad-faced, dark-browed young man at his side in a low voice.
This person’s name was Tianzu, and he was one of Shen Xun’s seven gate-closing disciples — the elite of the Eastern Capital Jingmen’s elite. The seven of them were each named after one of the stars of the Big Dipper. They ordinarily resided at the covert watchpoints under the Grand Elder’s jurisdiction and rarely appeared in the public eye, making them what could only be called Elder Shen’s most mysterious hidden trump cards. Unfortunately — Ding Kun glanced again at the seven figures with their guarded expressions and could not help but silently sigh — Lin Sui’an was nothing like them.
The sound of hoofbeats mingled with the chiming of bells from within the gate, growing nearer by the moment, as four pearl-white stallions advanced in a stately procession. Their shining manes were adorned with brilliantly gleaming golden bells, and with each step, the distinctive coat of the pearl-white steeds rippled like the sheen of pearls in water.
As for the riders, there was little need to say much. Hua Yitang was peerlessly handsome, Jin Ruo was in the full bloom of youth, and even Ling Zhiyan, the Court of Judicial Review’s Sizhi, was among them — yet the gazes of the Seven Stars only swept briefly over the others before settling upon the sole woman among them.
The master of Ten Purity. Lin Sui’an.
The black of her close-fitted, sturdy outfit stood in crisp contrast against the pearl-white stallion’s snow-white coat. Her posture was ramrod-straight, her long brows and phoenix eyes sharp, and at her waist hung a horizontal blade in a black, dark-iron scabbard.
Tianzu found himself somewhat taken aback. Among all the various extraordinary rumors about Lin Sui’an he had encountered, not one had ever mentioned that both “Ten Purity” and its master were, in appearance, quite so “unremarkable.”
Ding Kun stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: “Greetings, Lin Niangzi, Fourth Young Master Hua, Sizhi Ling, Young Gate Master. Ding has been entrusted by Elder Shen to serve as your guide today.”
Hua Yitang smiled with warm amiability. “Elder Ding and our brothers have gone to great trouble. Mu Xia, please deliver the gifts I have prepared to our brothers here.”
The Seven Stars were inwardly displeased, murmuring amongst themselves:
“What does this wastrel mean by this?”
“Who does he think he’s looking down on?”
“Don’t tell me he plans to insult us with a few copper coins?!”
“We want none of it—”
“A modest token of appreciation. I hope our heroes will be pleased to accept.” Mu Xia, wearing a practiced smile, floated over holding a tray upon which sat seven plump, bulging pouches. The pouches were stuffed with gold leaves that radiated an opulent, soul-ensnaring sheen in the sunlight.
The Seven Stars: “!!!”
On the other side, Ding Kun had already hastily tucked the gold leaves into his lapels and was calling out his thanks at the top of his voice.
Truly shameless — a disgrace to the Eastern Capital Jingmen!
The Seven Stars shot Ding Kun a fierce glare, pocketed the pouches, and stood with necks stiff and not a word of gratitude: the money could be accepted, but a man of principle could not be humiliated — expressing thanks was absolutely out of the question!
Lin Sui’an caught a glimpse of Jin Ruo’s eyes rolling practically to the back of his head and strained with every ounce of willpower to hold back her laughter.
Just as Jin Ruo had said — the Eastern Capital Jingmen was even poorer than the main hall in Yangdu.
Hua Yitang said, “To refuse to bow for five bushels of rice — the Eastern Capital Jingmen is truly a sect that breeds heroes in abundance!”
These words caused the faces of Ding Kun and the others to flush slightly, yet Hua Yitang’s smile was so genuine and sincere that no one could find a proper excuse to take offense. What was more absurd was that they had assumed Hua Yitang’s party riding out on pearl-white stallions was already showy enough — only to find it was merely the opening act. Behind them were three carriages, three cargo wagons, and over twenty servants. It looked less like a party heading to a negotiation and more like one preparing to move house.
Tianzu gestured for Ding Kun to go and inquire. Ding Kun dared not provoke Lin Sui’an or Hua Yitang, and had no desire to tangle with Jin Ruo either, so he could only brace himself and ask Mu Xia: “Might I ask what is loaded on these wagons?”
Mu Xia explained with a smile, “Our Fourth Young Master was pampered from infancy, with a tender constitution, and finds it difficult to use what is available elsewhere. These are all the articles of washing, sitting, and sleeping that he is accustomed to.”
The Seven Stars: “……”
Ding Kun: “Is — is so much truly needed?!”
Mu Xia: “Our Fourth Young Master prizes loyalty above all else, and whatever he favors, he insists on providing a share for each friend and brother. One thing leads to another, and before long, one has packed rather more than intended. We hope you will all be forgiving.”
The Seven Stars: “……”
Ding Kun: “Ha ha, Fourth Young Master of the Hua Family truly lives up to his name as Yangdu’s foremost wastrel, ha ha.”
Indeed — utterly useless at everything, and the undisputed champion of squandering family wealth.
The Eastern Capital was built along waterways, with a highly developed water system — rivers aplenty, channels crisscrossing in every direction, bridges densely packed, and water transport extremely convenient. Within the city ran four natural rivers: the Luo River, the Gu River, the Run River, and the Yi River. The Luo River flowed from west to east through Luoyang, dividing the two sections of the city north and south, while the Gu, Run, and Yi Rivers converged into the Luo from both north and south, forming what was known as “the pattern of the River and the Han.”
Natural waterways, being born of nature itself, were subject to the limitations of seasonal rainfall and carried variable flows. Moreover, the rivers could not be fully connected to one another, causing vessels to become stranded and transportation costs to rise sharply. To resolve this tension, the Eastern Capital had steadily expanded the excavation and dredging of artificial channels in the years since its founding, constructing man-made waterways using the four natural rivers as their backbone. North of the Luo River lay the Caoqu Channel, the Xiekou Channel, and the Huangshui Channel; south of the Luo lay the Transport Channel, the Tongjing Channel, and the Tongji Channel, along with the Gu Water Channel, the Run Water Channel, and the Yi Water Channel, mirroring the Gu, Run, and Yi rivers respectively — ultimately forming a water transport system centered on the four rivers and nine channels, connecting all directions both within and beyond the city.
“Yunshui River” was a particularly distinctive stretch within this water transport system, situated at the confluence of the Luo River and the Caoqu Channel. Scoured by two great waterways over countless years, the terrain had subsided, forming a broad and spacious course. The river’s surface was wide, its current gentle, and it had gradually become a gathering point for river transport docks. Cargo vessels threaded back and forth, their green sails drifting like clouds — a scene of magnificent prosperity, and so the people of the Eastern Capital had taken to calling it affectionately “the River Where Clouds and Water Meet.”
The grand procession of the Hua Family set out from the southern gate of Jinghang Ward, skirted Tongtuo Ward, and headed east along the Southern Avenue of Luoyang, drawing countless onlookers to stop and stare. They passed through the gate of Shanglin Ward and walked on for another half-hour, the view gradually opening up before them — and there was the Yunshui River.
Lin Sui’an, mounted on horseback, had the clearest view of all. Ahead lay a lake formed by the inner river, its long, winding banks and the blue horizon merging in the shape of a crescent moon. Along both shores stood several dozen docks. This was the busiest time for cargo shipping, and many vessels were queued and waiting, causing congestion on the waterway. The sailors onboard cursed and shouted at the cargo ships ahead, and when idle, drank and bantered. By chance spotting the Hua Family’s convoy, they let out a chorus of whistles and catcalls, whipping the atmosphere into quite a lively state.
Lin Sui’an and Jin Ruo, having spent so much time with Hua Yitang, regarded this minor commotion as no more than the buzzing of mosquitoes. Ling Zhiyan was naturally somewhat uncomfortable, his earlobes turning crimson. Even more uncomfortable were Ding Kun and the others — Jingmen had always operated from the shadows, and the very essence of their existence was concealment and discretion. When had they ever been subjected to such high-profile scrutiny? Each and every one of them felt as if needles were being jabbed into their backs, and they could only lower their heads and quicken their pace.
Following the embankment for about the time it took a stick of incense to burn, yet another scene came into view. Lush, verdant vegetation extended from the bank into the water, and the river curved quietly around it like a tamed water-serpent. It turned out that river-sand had accumulated at this spot over many years, forming a small peninsula. Seen from a distance, it resembled a solitary egret suspended in air. Upon the island stood a wine house of quite novel architectural style — rather like a grand painted pleasure boat moored on land. Around the peninsula were docks, currently empty of cargo vessels, evidently serving as the wine house’s private passenger landing.
The wine house rose four stories tall, each storey more than a zhang in height, with red pillars and black tiles, lanterns hanging high, and above the door a horizontal plaque bearing three characters: “White Egret Boat.” It had quite an impressive air. The proprietor and a dozen or so attendants had come out early to wait, and at this moment all were struck speechless by the dazzling magnificence of the Hua Family’s convoy.
Lin Sui’an dismounted, swept the surroundings with a quick glance, and clicked her tongue.
This building was sizeable and its layout complex — concealing several dozen people within it would be no trouble at all. If the Eastern Capital Jingmen had set an ambush inside, they need only cut off the passage connecting the peninsula to the shore, and the situation would become one of “shutting the gate to beat the dog” — an encirclement with no way out. That the Eastern Capital Jingmen had chosen this spot for the negotiation most likely boded no good.
Ling Zhiyan and Jin Ruo had clearly arrived at the same conclusion, both wearing expressions of unease — only Hua Yitang looked entirely indifferent, fanning himself as he exclaimed admiringly: “The White Egret Boat’s reputation has reached even Yangdu. It is said to be acclaimed as ‘spring embankments twining, birds in flight, the wind carries the fish-fragrance, raise a great white cup.’ The White Egret Brew served here is said to be an absolute marvel of the Eastern Capital, and paired with Yangdu’s Twenty-Six Brew, they are known as the twin pinnacles of the wine world.”
“Oh my, oh my! Fourth Young Master Hua flatters us far too much — you quite overwhelm us!” cried the proprietor, a round-headed, round-faced man who came hurrying forward, bowing and scraping as he spoke. “I am the proprietor of the White Egret Boat — you may call me Old Ma. On behalf of Sir Shen, I was entrusted to receive you and have been awaiting your honored arrival for some time. Please, esteemed guests, do come inside.”
Hua Yitang signaled Mu Xia to lead the servants and drive the wagons into the White Egret Boat. Proprietor Old Ma naturally dared not obstruct them, and hurried to dispatch several attendants to assist, while he himself personally escorted the guests, leading them through the main hall and up the stairs. Lin Sui’an noticed that with each floor they ascended, two of the seven saber-bearing young men who had come with Ding Kun fell behind — so that by the time they reached the fourth floor, only one remained, as though standing guard at the rear.
Ling Zhiyan said softly: “There is an ambush here.”
Jin Ruo: “Twenty men on the first floor, thirty on the second, fifty on the third. It seems they truly believed the rumor that Lin Sui’an can fight a hundred single-handedly.”
Hua Yitang: “What rumor? That is a fact!”
Lin Sui’an: “……”
It’s easy to spread a rumor with one mouth, but it takes a thousand mouths to deny it!
In the midst of these few exchanges, they arrived at the observation pavilion on the top floor. This pavilion had been constructed with a distinctive touch — shaped like the prow of a painted pleasure boat, tapering to a point and facing out directly over the Yunshui River. Standing high with a far view, one could see where sky and river merged into one, with rolling azure waves and cargo vessels scattered like stars upon the water, giving one the illusion of being about to set sail on a grand voyage.
Lin Sui’an was quite pleased with this negotiation venue — the scenery was pleasant, the river breeze was cool, and the treatment was comparable to a river cruise. It was an unexpected windfall.
On the other side of the pavilion, two wings of eaves extended outward, each supported by several red pillars below, resembling a pair of white egret wings spread for flight. Beneath the shade of those eaves, seating had been arranged in a figure-eight formation: a row of ten seats on the left, and a section of four seats on the right — which was naturally the main venue for today’s negotiation.
Those awaiting them in the space had been there for some time. One person occupied the head seat; eight others sat on the right. All rose together and cupped their hands in salute. The person in the head seat was past his fortieth year, with temples beginning to grey, a short beard trimmed more neatly than the ornamental garden of the Hua estate, and two sweeping brows that swept upward in reverse like the bristles of a broom. He was hale and vigorous, with a hearty laugh: “I am Shen Xun. It is my honor to greet Lin Niangzi, Fourth Young Master of the Hua Family, and Sizhi Ling of the Court of Judicial Review. Seeing is indeed believing — the three of you are truly young heroes, the dragons and phoenixes among men!”
The other eight elders appeared to be somewhere between forty and fifty years of age. They introduced themselves in succession, a parade of surnames — Zhang, Wang, Li, Zhao — that passed through Lin Sui’an’s ears and left no trace whatsoever. She could only stick rough labels along the lines of “Second Elder, Third Elder, Seventh Elder” based on where they stood in line. Ding Kun, being the Tenth Elder, naturally stood at the very end of the row.
Nine elders in all, and not one of them — just like Shen Xun — spared Jin Ruo so much as a direct glance.
Lin Sui’an turned her head to observe, and found that Jin Ruo’s expression was perfectly calm, not the faintest trace of anger upon his face — he simply watched them in silence. She felt a warm sense of satisfaction rise in her heart: this child had finally grown up, had finally learned composure!
Hua Yitang’s smile was radiant as he unfurled his fan and launched into diplomatic flattery mode: “The Eastern Capital is a land of talents and heroes. I have longed to visit for a great while. Today I have the good fortune to behold Elder Shen’s august countenance — truly, I am honored across three lifetimes.”
“Fourth Young Master is far too kind,” Shen Xun said with a smile. “But please, everyone, do sit down. The White Egret Boat is the most celebrated wine house in the Eastern Capital. Since you have all come such a long way, you must sample some of the Eastern Capital’s specialties.”
As he spoke, he raised his hand and clapped twice. More than ten attendants filed in one after another and began serving dishes. Each table first received five plates of dried fruits, as one attendant held up the menu and called out the dishes in a clear voice: “Crispy Red Pear with Peanuts, Butterfly-Flower Dried Grapes, Crystal Ice Longan, Hibiscus Cherry Crimson, Soft Snow-White Lychee.”
A flicker of puzzlement crossed the faces of Shen Xun and the others.
A second wave of ten pastry dishes followed close behind, and the attendant’s reading became somewhat halting: “Lotus — Lotus Fragrance Crispy Rolls, Picking-Lotus Emerald Cake, Red-Skirt Duck Wrap, Flying Dragon — Flying Dragon Startles the Swallow Soft Rounds, Jade Flower Dancing Graceful Lady Red-Silk Cake, Mandarin Duck Soup with Lotus Blossom, Powder-Melts Fragrant-Snow Dew-Drop—”
“Hold on!” The Second Elder quickly cut in. “Proprietor Ma, has there been some mistake? These are not the dishes we ordered, are they?”
Old Ma gave a dry laugh: “Naturally not. These have all been brought along by Fourth Young Master Hua specially from the Hua estate.”
Second Elder: “Then our order—”
He snapped his mouth shut, for the third wave of main dishes arrived — a full fifteen courses. The novelty of the selections, the garishness of the colors, the extravagance of the plating, the opulence of the vessels — it was all beyond anything anyone present had ever seen or heard of. The Second Elder now felt that the eight signature dishes he had so carefully selected beforehand were as crude and unworthy as dog food in comparison.
“Since the Eastern Capital Jingmen has already chosen the wine house, it would be most discourteous to further burden Elder Shen with the cost of the food as well,” Hua Yitang said with a smile. “These are no more than simple everyday dishes — please, everyone, do not stand on ceremony.”
The gathered elders’ faces twitched in unison: Simple?! Don’t stand on ceremony?! Are you having a laugh at our expense?!
Ling Zhiyan leaned close to Lin Sui’an and asked in a whisper: “Could it be that Fourth Young Master feared the food and drink here might be poisoned, and so brought his own supply for everything?”
Lin Sui’an said: “Sizhi Ling, you are overthinking it.”
Mu Xia led a troop of servants who came clattering up into the observation pavilion — twenty servants in groups of four, each group carrying one large wooden chest, which they set down in a neat row directly in front of the ten elders. With a sharp crack, they all threw open the lids simultaneously.
In an instant, golden light blazed out, blinding every eye in the room.
What on earth?! Could it be hidden weapons?!
Shen Xun’s reflexes sent his sleeve flying up to shield his eyes. After a long moment, he finally dared to lower it and look — and the instant he did, his expression changed utterly.
The five large wooden chests, stuffed to the brim, were filled entirely with gold bars: each three inches long, over half an inch wide and thick. They resembled five miniature mountains of gold, radiating a soul-ensnaring brilliance beneath the sunlight.
Hua Yitang sighed languidly: “I came in some haste and had no time to select a proper gift, so I could only manage some of this vulgar gold and silver. This five thousand in gold shall be considered a humble token of greeting from me to the Eastern Capital Jingmen’s branch hall — I do hope our assembled heroes will not think too little of it!”
Shen Xun heard his own heart stop — and heard the other nine elders all swallow in unison.
Ling Zhiyan’s temple pulsed violently as he silently glared at Lin Sui’an.
Lin Sui’an scratched the back of her head: “That wastrel merely wishes to give them a little opening show of force.”
A little show of force.
Side Story
Hua Yitang: I am a fragile, helpless wastrel who cannot fend for himself — what sinister intentions could I possibly have?
Ling Zhiyan: Could this show of force be directed at me instead?!!!
The author’s draft supply has gone negative. This old rabbit truly cannot hold on any longer (suffering from backache and having to outwit the young beast at home on summer vacation every day).
We’re about to reach the case-breaking arc, and without a draft reserve, bugs will easily creep in. In order to ensure a good reading experience, I’ll adjust the update schedule.
One Ni You Qian Wo You Dao – Chapter today; tomorrow I’ll make some adjustments and continue building up a reserve.
Starting next week, updates will be on Saturday and Sunday off, with chapters on Monday through Friday.
I’ll first see if updating five days a week is something I can sustain.
If it still doesn’t work, I may have to shift to alternate-day updates — tearful