“Long, long ago… ago… ah-choo…” With a loud sneeze, a small child wiped his nose and continued: “An evil ghost lives in the back courtyard…”

Snowflakes drifted down upon the endless sprawling manor, thick blocks of snow piled upon walls that stood two zhang high, layers upon layers of frost and ice making them appear like white-headed giants. By the wall, a fire burned brightly, around which five children huddled for warmth—four boys and one girl, all around eight or nine years old. Looking at their thick cotton robes and rather luxurious clothing, they appeared to be children from wealthy households.

“That ghost… he has no face, no tongue, and no hands either. He’s just a thin, skeletal skull…”

A small boy was telling ghost stories, raising both hands to shoulder height in a frightening ghostly pose, making eerie sounds to scare his listeners. Several children felt their hair stand on end, yet they listened with rapt attention, afraid to miss a single detail. Beside the fire lay another boy covered with a blanket, apparently fast asleep.

Seeing his companions’ focused expressions as they listened intently to his words, the storytelling child felt quite pleased with himself. He continued:

“That ghost lived in a well all year round, so lonely and desolate. So every night when the moon came out, he would cry out like this: ‘Son… son… come down and keep me company…'”

Hearing the storytelling child’s pitiful wails, several small children were startled. But then a little girl spat and scolded: “Hu Zhengtang, stop talking nonsense! If that ghost has no tongue, how can he speak?”

Hu Zhengtang looked embarrassed, glancing toward the fire. In the red firelight, he saw a little girl pouting and breathing warm air, her pink cheeks turned red from the harsh winter wind. Though young in years, she had an extremely straight nose bridge, with two braids black and shiny as oil. Against her snow-white, delicate skin, even at only eight or nine years old, she was already strikingly beautiful and charming.

Hu Zhengtang’s face burned with embarrassment, not knowing how to cover his lie. He coughed a few times and said: “Ghosts aren’t people—they can speak without tongues.” The little girl replied “Oh,” then said: “Listen to you making things up—have you ever seen a ghost?” Hearing this, several children immediately began discussing among themselves, all looking at Hu Zhengtang, waiting for his response. Unable to lose face or back down, Hu Zhengtang could only slap his chest and declare loudly: “How could I not have seen one? I’ve seen them since I was three!”

Hearing this, all the children expressed amazement, and Hu Zhengtang became even more pleased with himself, about to boast further when the little girl said coldly: “Complete nonsense. There are no ghosts in this world at all. If you’ve really seen one since you were three, hurry up and find one to show this young lady.”

The storytelling boy was surnamed Hu with the given name Zhengtang. His father was a court official, and their household discipline was always strict. With difficulty, as the twelfth month approached and their school master had departed to return home for the New Year holidays, Hu Zhengtang had finally received his parents’ permission to spend the night at a classmate’s home. He had thought that with children gathered in the courtyard around the fire for games and fun, there would surely be great entertainment. He never expected this little beauty to be so serious about everything, constantly challenging him, which naturally made him gnash his teeth in hatred.

Seeing all the children’s unblinking gazes waiting for his answer, and one snotty-nosed child even calling out: “Yes! Big Brother Zheng, quickly catch a ghost for us all to see!” Hu Zhengtang panicked, not knowing how to respond. He first imitated adults by looking up to the sky and laughing three times: “Ha! Ha! Ha!” Though Hu Zhengtang was very obedient in front of his parents, privately he loved to imitate the speech of martial arts masters and attendants, usually adopting the manner of jianghu characters. Seeing his impressive bearing, the other children became even more respectful. Little did they know that Hu Zhengtang’s small brain was completely blank, desperately trying to think of a way to muddle through. The little girl saw through his scheme and immediately laughed: “Forget it, I’ll spare you. Everyone, let’s play something else.” She was about to take out a cloth doll to play with when she heard Hu Zhengtang shout: “Who needs your mercy! You… listen up! Since you dare say there are no ghosts in this world, why don’t we make a bet to see if there are demons and ghosts? Do you dare?”

Unable to lose face, he made this wager hoping to regain some ground. The other children immediately became excited, clapping and cheering.

With her companion full of provocation, the little girl, being a tiger daughter from a martial family with a naturally bold and fearless nature, immediately put her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows: “What’s there not to dare? Who’s afraid of whom! You set the terms—how shall we bet?”

Hu Zhengtang smiled coldly: “How to bet? Catching ghosts, of course! In a while, this young master will enter the courtyard to catch ghosts. If I don’t drag one out of the well, then I’ll… I’ll…” After two “I’ll”s, his face suddenly turned pale, not knowing how to continue.

Where in this world could one find ghosts and spirits, except in temples? How could he find even half a ghost in such a short time? The little girl giggled: “You’ll what? Speak up!” Hu Zhengtang mumbled: “I’ll… I’ll…” Having fallen into his own trap, he felt his scalp tingle and his mouth turn bitter. Suddenly inspired, he used his ultimate move, shouting loudly: “If I can’t catch a ghost, I’ll strip naked on the spot and walk three circles around this courtyard! How about that!” Hearing his bold and daring words, all the children clapped and cheered with great excitement.

Hu Zhengtang gasped for breath, raising both hands high in victory, feeling pleased for quite a while before looking coldly at the little girl: “Hua Mei, I’ve already made the wager. A bet is a bet—whoever loses strips naked, and strips completely bare at that. Do you dare?”

The little girl had originally wanted to bet money with him—children’s games, nothing to fear. But she never expected the forfeit to be so vulgar. Though bold, she wasn’t a foolish child. Seeing several boys looking at her with ill intent, she immediately turned her head away and scolded delicately: “Shameless! I won’t play.”

Hu Zhengtang had already anticipated she wouldn’t dare agree, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief: “It’s just taking off some clothes—what are you afraid of? Look, I’ll strip right now for you to see!” So saying, he began pulling at his trouser belt. The little girl spat, covered her face with both hands, and turned her head away. Hu Zhengtang pressed his advantage, laughing coldly: “Hua Mei, since you don’t dare bet, then apologize. Am I, Hu Zhengtang, someone you can casually insult?” The little girl paid no attention to his shouting, merely hummed once and turned her face away.

Knowing he had achieved complete victory, Hu Zhengtang imitated his father’s manner and laughed heartily toward the sky, loudly declaring: “Cowardly woman! Go home and find your mother to nurse!” Several children joined in the mockery, calling out: “Coward! Apologize! Apologize!”

Being taunted by all the children, the little girl was naturally both angry and upset. In her panic, she hurriedly sought help, calling to a boy: “A’Xiu! They’re bullying me! A’Xiu!” She called twice, but saw that A’Xiu was curled up by the fire, fast asleep, wrapped in his blanket as if hibernating. The little girl grabbed a snowball and threw it toward the fire. It hit A’Xiu right on the head with a muffled thud, the snowball bursting and scattering snow all over his face, yet the boy seemed unconscious, still showing no response.

“Dead to the world,” the little girl said somewhat anxiously, muttering and cursing.

Several children looked at each other and smiled. Hu Zhengtang giggled: “Hua Mei, every time my mother scolds my father, she always says those two words too.” Another child imitated the little girl’s tone, squeaking shrilly: “Dead to the world!”

Hearing their vulgar words, the little girl’s face turned deathly pale with anger. Hu Zhengtang, sharp-tongued and quick-witted, still wouldn’t let her off, pointing mockingly: “Little girl, don’t think your boyfriend will help you. If you really have guts, make the wager, or else apologize. Otherwise, tomorrow I’ll go tell everyone on the streets, letting all of Beijing know that you, Wu Chonghua, are a natural-born coward! How about that?”

The little girl’s anger surged upward as she shouted: “How dare you!” Hu Zhengtang laughed: “What’s there not to dare?” He immediately cupped his hands around his mouth and called out: “Listen, all you folks of Beijing! Miss Wu is ashamed… has no guts… she’s a natural-born coward!” He was clever and articulate, rich in vocabulary when insulting people, using all the humiliation tactics of adults.

The little girl flew into a rage, grabbing a dead branch from beside her feet and viciously stabbing it at Hu Zhengtang. The boy dodged sideways, made a face, and laughed: “Can’t hit me! The coward can’t hit me!” He stuck out his tongue and wiggled his bottom, deliberately humiliating her further.

The little girl calmed herself down. Her left hand formed a sword gesture—clearly she had some martial arts foundation. She aimed carefully and suddenly struck out with a whip-like motion. With a sharp crack, Hu Zhengtang’s bottom was severely lashed, causing burning pain. Hu Zhengtang was both shocked and furious, grabbing a snowball to throw at the girl while cursing: “Cheap wench! Sneak attacks and underhanded tricks! Despicable and shameless! Improper conduct!”

Hearing his ugly curses, the little girl’s eyes filled with fury. She composed her pretty face, imitating her father’s fierce manner, lowering her tender voice to speak roughly: “Hu Zhengtang, since you bully me like this, I won’t forgive you.” Hu Zhengtang laughed heartily:

“Who won’t forgive whom! I was telling stories properly when you, crazy woman, interrupted and caused trouble. You deserve to be mocked! Coward, you deserve it…” Several children lined up imitating his manner, dancing and wiggling their bottoms, doubling their mockery.

The girl, a tiger daughter from a martial family, once truly angered, focused only on making her opponent bleed, paying no attention to boring insults. Suddenly she spun in mid-air, the dead branch in her hand flying out swiftly. This time showing no mercy, the branch was aimed precisely at Hu Zhengtang’s eyeball. Several small children were greatly alarmed, all shouting: “Stop!”

Just as it was about to pierce his eye and cause great disaster, suddenly a hand reached out and caught the girl’s branch firmly. Everyone turned to look urgently—the one who had acted was the boy A’Xiu, who had been sleeping like the dead.

A’Xiu stood with hands on his hips, eyes blazing with anger. Though only a child wearing a green robe, his eyes were bright and piercing, with a red band tied around his head. Sewn onto the band was a square piece of beautiful jade positioned right over his forehead. His face showed displeasure as he said sternly: “What are you doing! What are you doing! I only slept for a while and you’re fighting and killing—what for?” Seeing him speak harshly and scold them, the other children listened solemnly without a single objection, showing that this child had a different status and was clearly the leader among them.

After A’Xiu gave them a severe scolding, he glared at the children and rebuked: “When you come to my house to play, you must follow my house rules. Who started the trouble?” All the children pointed at Hua Mei and shouted: “She hit people first.”

Hua Mei urgently waved her hands: “No… it wasn’t like that…” Before she could explain, A’Xiu clicked his tongue, snatched the branch and casually broke it, scolding: “Hua Mei, you clearly have martial arts foundation—how could you strike without any restraint?”

After being scolded, Hua Mei’s eyes actually reddened. A’Xiu didn’t notice and continued angrily: “I kindly invited everyone to play at my house, yet you struck and bullied my guests. How can you face me? If you had blinded Hu Zhengtang, when his father comes to my house later, do you want my parents to beat me to death?” He glared fiercely at Hua Mei and shouted:

“Go apologize to him.” Hua Mei forcefully turned her head away, her expression extremely stubborn, refusing to comply. A’Xiu shouted: “Still won’t go!”

Tears welled up in Hua Mei’s eyes, already barely holding back, but when A’Xiu shouted like this, she could no longer contain herself and began quietly sobbing. The other children laughed: “The coward is crying! The coward is crying!” They danced about, mocking her further.

Seeing the little girl crying publicly, A’Xiu was somewhat surprised. This Hua Mei was naturally strong-willed and rarely cried. Unless she had been truly wronged in her heart, she would never cry in front of everyone. There must be some inside story. Just as he was about to inquire, Hua Mei had already bitten her lower lip, roughly pushed everyone aside, and was about to run away. A’Xiu caught her hand and said gently: “Don’t cry. Tell Brother Xiu what happened, alright?”

Hua Mei held back her tears, just sniffling, unable to speak. Seeing the other children still pointing and laughing beside them, A’Xiu punched one of them on the forehead and shouted: “Shut up!” Then he grabbed a snotty-nosed one and demanded: “A’Yuan, you tell me what happened.”

A’Yuan had just participated in bullying Hua Mei, so being caught by the boss naturally made him tremble with fear. With two streams of snot hanging down, he smiled awkwardly: “Just now when Brother Xiu was sleeping, Hu Zhengtang was telling ghost stories. Hua Mei interrupted him, so they got into an argument…” A’Xiu listened lazily and said: “What happened next?”

The small child smiled awkwardly: “Later Hu Zhengtang wanted to bet with her, but Hua Mei refused. Everyone laughed at her for being a coward, so they started fighting…”

A’Xiu said “Oh” and commented: “Hua Mei has always been very bold. When did she become afraid to bet? What were you betting on?”

A boy giggled: “Whoever loses has to strip naked…”

Hearing such a wager, A’Xiu couldn’t help but turn deathly pale. He immediately jumped up and roared: “Hu Zhengtang! What do you think my house is? Get over here!” That Hu Zhengtang was the storytelling child, but by now had already slipped away to who knows where. A’Xiu shouted and yelled, pushing aside the children to look for Hu Zhengtang, when he suddenly saw Hua Mei turning to leave. A’Xiu hurriedly pulled her back, saying frantically: “Hua Mei, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not listening to your side first. Please don’t be angry anymore, alright?”

Hua Mei pressed her lips tightly together, just shaking her head while holding back tears: “I’m going home to tell father.” A’Xiu became terrified. The children had set a trap to strip someone’s daughter naked, and it happened at his own house. If word of this got out, he might have a leg broken. Originally imposing in appearance, he now felt great panic: “Please, please don’t tell Uncle Wu. If my parents find out, they’ll beat me to death. How about this—I’ll go to the kitchen later to get some food and drink to honor you, and I absolutely won’t fall asleep again, alright?”

Seeing A’Xiu’s apologetic expression, Hua Mei’s anger diminished considerably. But to let him off so easily seemed unsatisfying. She still shook her head: “You scolded me so harshly just now—I can’t swallow this insult. Unless you agree to one thing for me.”

Hearing this, even in the dead of winter, A’Xiu broke out in a cold sweat: “Alright. Last time I promised to help you buy candied hawthorn—I’ll buy it for you tomorrow.”

Hearing him try to brush her off, Hua Mei immediately turned around sobbing: “Reneging! I’m going home to tell my brother that you all bullied me.” A’Xiu cried out in alarm: “Don’t! Don’t! That brother of yours, Chongqing, is like a monster—he’ll beat me to death!” The other children, thinking of that exceptionally tall and strong figure, all showed fear on their faces and apologized one after another.

Actually, Hua Mei’s anger had already subsided. She pretended to be very grieved, still crying: “Fine… as long as you agree to one thing for me, I won’t say a word, alright…”

A’Xiu said with a bitter face, hands hanging down, head lowered: “What do you want? Tell me.”

Hua Mei giggled, her tears immediately disappearing. She pointed at the jade pendant on A’Xiu’s forehead and said sweetly: “I want this!”

A’Xiu jumped up again, waving his hands frantically: “No way! No way! This was made for me by my mother when I was small! I can’t give it to you!”

Hua Mei came from an extraordinary family background. Her father was a heroic warrior and a high-ranking court official. She had always gotten whatever she wanted since childhood. Actually, she didn’t really covet that piece of jade—she just wanted to see if she could make A’Xiu yield. Seeing his absolute refusal, she pouted and was about to burst into loud tears again.

Thinking of his mother’s loving care, how could he give away the jade pendant casually? A’Xiu, as the host, never expected to take the blame for others. For a moment he said with a bitter expression: “Hu Zhengtang, get over here! I saved your life—come quickly and plead for me!”

He called twice but heard no response from his companion. This Hu Zhengtang was usually noisy and clamorous—whenever he was around, there was always fun to be found. Why was he suddenly silent? A’Xiu felt very puzzled and grabbed a companion to ask: “Where did Hu Zhengtang go?”

The boy wiped his nose and pointed to a spot at the base of the wall, laughing: “Look, there’s a dog hole.”

Seeing the snow on the ground disturbed with apparent crawling tracks, A’Xiu suddenly felt an ominous premonition and said tremblingly: “He crawled in there?”

The boy laughed: “You’re so smart! He was afraid you’d beat him, so he hid inside. He also said he was going to find the faceless ghost in the well to help him fight.”

A’Xiu was so startled he nearly jumped out of his skin, his expression urgent and fearful: “Damn it! Damn it! What finding ghosts and catching ghosts—that abandoned courtyard is forbidden!”

The children were all puzzled, shaking their heads: “Why? It’s just an abandoned courtyard, isn’t it?”

A’Xiu put his finger to his lips, signaling everyone to be quiet, then pointed into the distance and whispered: “Look over there.” The children looked as far as they could see and noticed several men dressed as guards patrolling and inspecting the garden. Hua Mei’s own family also kept many guards, so she recognized these men’s identities immediately and nodded: “They’re here to stand guard?”

A’Xiu sighed: “Hua Mei understands. My father gave thousands of instructions never to go play in the abandoned courtyard, and had these big brothers come to guard the walls. If Hu Zhengtang slipped in there and my father finds out about this, he’ll definitely beat me to death.” Thinking of his father’s methods, he couldn’t help but cover his face with both hands and wail pitifully: “This is terrible! Why didn’t you stop him?”

Seeing A’Xiu so frightened, several children also became somewhat panicked. Hua Mei quickly said: “Don’t be afraid. How about I crawl in to find him and drag him out?” She crouched down and was about to crawl into the dog hole. A’Xiu hurriedly wiped away his tears, pulled her back, and shook his head: “You can’t go.”

Hua Mei frowned slightly and pouted: “This won’t work, that won’t work—what exactly do you want to do?”

Though young in years, A’Xiu was quite composed in his actions. He wiped away his tears, rolled his eyes, and whispered: “Let’s wait here for him first. When that kid comes back, we’ll all make an oath to treat this as if it never happened.”

Hearing his serious tone, Hua Mei realized this back courtyard ancient well truly was forbidden territory. She was afraid they might cause some trouble later, so she quickly nodded: “Everyone listen—follow A’Xiu’s instructions. When Hu Zhengtang comes back, don’t let him make a loud fuss.” All the children came from aristocratic families with extremely strict household discipline. Hearing them speak so gravely, they nodded frantically, just waiting for Hu Zhengtang to return so they could all swear an oath together to prevent A’Xiu from suffering severe family punishment.

After waiting a long time, Hu Zhengtang still hadn’t returned. The children thought of the legends about the back courtyard and felt secretly afraid. Hua Mei whispered:

“A’Xiu, is there really a ghost in your back courtyard?”

A’Xiu sighed: “I’m not sure either. Our family only moved to this old residence three years ago. I heard from grandmother and uncle about the ancient well being haunted by ghosts or something. I was too lazy to risk a scolding, so I listened but never asked many questions.”

The children looked worried. Hu Zhengtang had always been full of mischievous ideas, but they didn’t know where he had heard these ghost stories that led to this disaster. It seemed that when the truth came out, every child would go home to a beating.

After much longer, the snow grew heavier and the sky gradually darkened, but Hu Zhengtang seemed to have been taken away by ghosts—he remained nowhere to be seen. A’Xiu felt troubled, fearing that he had lost his footing and actually fallen into the well. He finally gritted his teeth: “This won’t do. You all wait here while I go in to find him.” He instructed the children: “If I don’t come out either, go to the study in the east wing to find my uncle. Don’t let my parents know first.”

The children agreed, but couldn’t help feeling panicked inside, not knowing what disaster might unfold.

Just as A’Xiu was about to crawl into the dog hole, Hua Mei felt worried that he too might be caught by ghosts. She quickly said: “A’Xiu, I just learned some sword techniques from mother. If we encounter bad people, I can help you fight. Let me come with you.”

A’Xiu pondered for a moment: “That’s good—an extra helper. Go find some sturdy branches for us to use for self-defense later.”

Hua Mei was naturally bold and loved adventure and seeking the unusual. She immediately said happily: “Done! Leave it to me.” She crouched down and began searching around the wall to see if there were any suitable items.

As Hua Mei crouched on the ground intently searching, suddenly at this moment a face emerged from within the wall, staring at her with wide eyes.

Though Hua Mei was a tiger daughter from a martial family, seeing this apparition so suddenly, she couldn’t help but scream loudly: “Help! Save me!” She then jumped up and threw herself into A’Xiu’s arms.

A’Xiu was also frightened pale, looking closely at that face—it was none other than Hu Zhengtang! He saw that face deathly pale, poking out from the dog hole. The children panicked and hurriedly reached out to pull him. Several of them exerted effort together and finally managed to drag the small child out.

Hu Zhengtang collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath. A’Xiu supported him and whispered: “Zhengtang, are you alright?” Seeing that Hu Zhengtang remained silent, a child with a runny nose leaned his face close and asked: “Hey! Did you see a ghost? Does he really have no hands?”

Hu Zhengtang turned his face around, and suddenly with a retching sound, he spewed a great mouthful of filth directly onto the snotty-nosed child’s face. That child was so frightened he rolled away crawling, while Hu Zhengtang, completely weak all over, collapsed limply to the ground.

A’Xiu and Hua Mei looked at each other, both feeling shocked and puzzled. In their confused panic, they heard Hu Zhengtang crying: “So many… so many…”

A’Xiu said tremblingly: “So many what? Speak clearly!”

“So many… so many…”

“So many in the well…”

“Ghosts…”

Heavy snow fell, and under the wall the small children all trembled, looking at each other in dismay. Unable to endure any longer, they all burst into screams at once.

“Uncle, don’t keep pulling me—it really hurts.” A’Xiu looked up at the man beside him, pitifully pleading.

The sounds of voices were clamorous—Beijing’s vast military training ground was packed to bursting. In the center of the field stood a large fighting platform, with colorful flags flying all around and banners hanging everywhere. The banner designs all featured brocade-maned lions, with the lions carrying great generals on their backs, the generals wielding broad swords. On the left were written five large Chinese characters: “Kui Star Battles Five Passes,” the ink strokes flying and bold with strength. On the right side were curving foreign script characters in a long string, presumably conveying the same meaning. Around the four sides of the fighting platform were high viewing stands built in six tiers, painted with dragons and phoenixes. The stands were filled with voices and clamor, audiences packed together—a black mass stretching as far as the eye could see.

“You…” came a sigh from the stairway of the viewing stand as a man climbed the steps. He wore court robes and led a boy by the left hand—a child of about ten years with a jade pendant tied to his forehead with silk ribbon. This was A’Xiu, and behind them followed several household servants.

A’Xiu looked up at his uncle with a bitter expression, hearing him sigh: “Can I not keep a close watch on you?”

A’Xiu’s uncle was a handsome man of about twenty-eight or twenty-nine, with willow-leaf eyebrows and skin like snow, eyes like stars—actually as beautiful as a young woman. Though this uncle appeared refined and scholarly, his manner of speaking was quite mature. He had led the sturdy little A’Xiu all the way here, finally pressing him down into a chair, then instructing an old man beside him: “Steward Liu, watch Shenxiu carefully. Don’t let him wander around and cause trouble.”

Seeing himself treated like a criminal, the child could only tug at the young man’s hand pleadingly: “Uncle, please don’t be so heartless.”

The young man pinched the child’s cheek reproachfully: “A’Xiu, wasn’t the trouble you caused last time big enough? You wanted to invite school friends home for the night, didn’t I help plead with your parents? But look what you did! That Hu Zhengtang came to our house perfectly fine, but now he’s become an idiot. Don’t expect uncle to help you again.”

A’Xiu said with a bitter face in a low voice: “Uncle, that Hu Zhengtang was confused and slipped into the abandoned courtyard by himself. It really wasn’t me who egged him on.”

The young man shook his head: “A real man takes responsibility for his actions. If it’s trouble caused by your friend, then it should be your responsibility. Reflect on yourself.”

He then instructed the steward in a low voice: “The master ordered this child to broaden his horizons. When the martial competition begins, you’ll accompany him to watch the matches. Once it’s over, immediately take him home. Absolutely don’t let him wander around.” The steward replied: “This old servant understands.” The young man adjusted his court robes, looked at A’Xiu and said: “Uncle still has business to attend to. You behave yourself.” A’Xiu looked gloomy and didn’t respond, just muttering to himself in a low voice. The young man patted his head and sighed: “Little rascal, cause less trouble so your mother won’t worry every day.” He then walked down the steps and entered the center of the field.

With his uncle gone, the steward moved closer, sitting right beside him with his hand on his shoulder like guarding a prisoner. A’Xiu looked miserable, but then he stole glances around and suddenly felt great joy, a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

The viewing stand was built quite high with six levels total. A’Xiu sat on the fourth floor and looked down with clear vision. On the second floor sat a girl who looked gloomy and upset—it was Hua Mei! Beside her sat an old nanny. Apparently after their mischief, Hua Mei had also been treated as a prisoner under guard. The two children, one on the fourth floor and one on the second, were separated by distance and couldn’t speak. A’Xiu just wanted to greet his companion, so he tugged at the steward’s sleeve and whispered: “Uncle Steward, I need to relieve myself.”

The steward said oddly: “Young master, didn’t the second master just take you to urinate before we came out? Hold it for a while.”

Seeing his strategy didn’t work, A’Xiu immediately looked miserable. He covered his small abdomen with both hands and whispered: “Uncle Steward, I don’t know why, but my stomach hurts.”

The steward sighed and immediately leaned out to shout down loudly: “Bring a basin!” In less than half a moment, several servants came running up breathlessly carrying a large washbasin. The steward placed the large basin on the ground, then took toilet paper from his pocket and smiled: “Young Master Shenxiu, relieve yourself here. I’ll help you wipe afterward.”

A’Xiu was stunned. All around were fragrant ladies and gentlemen, distinguished scholars and beauties—not to mention Hua Mei sitting right below. How could A’Xiu strip and publicly relieve himself here? If word of this reached school, besides dying of shame, there would be no other path to take. Seeing him hang his head in tears, the steward quickly said: “Young master, quickly take off your pants! Don’t soil your clothing.”

A’Xiu gritted his teeth and turned his head away hatefully: “My stomach suddenly doesn’t hurt anymore.”

The steward laughed: “Cured without medicine—truly heaven protects young master. How wonderful.” He waved his hand, signaling the servants to take the basin away.

Since that incident with the haunted back courtyard, A’Xiu had been confined for over a month. That day when Hu Zhengtang crawled out of the dog hole, he kept repeating the same phrase: “So many… so many ghosts…” like an idiot. After Hu Zhengtang’s accident, his family elders naturally flew into a rage. The Hu family held prominent official positions – Hu Zhengtang’s birth father was named Hu Zhilian, serving as Vice Minister of Rites, a third-rank official of the current dynasty. His uncle Hu Zhixian held an even higher position as the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Hu family was a scholarly household of great reputation and visibility. Who could have expected that after spending one night at someone else’s house, their child would become a mute idiot unable to speak? In their fury, the Hu family sought famous physicians for treatment while also coming to demand justice. Fortunately, A’Xiu’s father was also a high court official with excellent networking skills, so A’Xiu only received a severe beating and wasn’t handed over to the Hu family for his life.

Today was rare – the court martial arts competition brought together masters from China and Mongolia, so A’Xiu could finally come out for some fresh air and broaden his horizons. Having finally seen Hua Mei’s face after so long, A’Xiu had countless things he wanted to tell her after not seeing her for a month. But with the steward following orders to guard him closely, neither the “urgent urination” nor “urgent defecation” excuses worked – how could he escape?

Seeing servants also following beside Hua Mei, it seemed very likely she too had been implicated in the disaster and severely punished by her parents. A’Xiu sat sulking, not knowing how long this imprisonment would last. Looking miserable, while the servant beside him carried a large basin with a mocking expression on his face, A’Xiu grew more and more angry. Just as he was watching, he suddenly saw a beautiful woman approaching to sit beside Hua Mei. A’Xiu’s heart leaped with joy: “Aunt Juan has come – I must take this gamble!” With anger rising from his heart and courage growing from his gallbladder, he suddenly went berserk, roaring once and kicking at the household servant. The basin immediately went clanging and rolling down the steps. The steward was startled and loosened his grip slightly. Seeing this opportunity couldn’t be missed, A’Xiu immediately pushed off with both feet, diving headfirst like an upside-down onion, flying from his seat straight toward Hua Mei’s head.

A’Xiu’s body plummeted swiftly downward. If he collided directly with Hua Mei, both children would be seriously injured. Just then, a pair of delicate hands reached out – the left hand touched A’Xiu’s back, immediately redirecting his body. Receiving this external force, A’Xiu fell diagonally to one side. At that moment, the right hand curved over, spinning him half a circle in mid-air to dissipate most of the force, then steadily caught him and set him down on the ground.

A’Xiu felt like a flying little monkey, naturally enjoying the thrill. Just as he was about to laugh heartily, he saw a pair of seductive eyes glaring at him, saying in a sweet voice: “A’Xiu, jumping down from such a height – are you trying to get yourself killed?” Before him was a beautiful oval face. This woman appeared to be twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, with delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, lips lightly pursed, and a pair of charming dimples. Those large eyes stared directly at him without courtesy.

Seeing this woman, A’Xiu immediately smiled joyfully: “Aunt Juan, long time no see!” A’Xiu wasn’t foolish either – he knew Hua Mei’s family background was profound, her parents’ martial arts extremely advanced, and this “Aunt Juan” was even Hua Mei’s martial aunt. Coming from a prestigious sect with such superior martial arts skills, how could she not save him?

She couldn’t beat someone else’s child, so “Aunt Juan” frowned, planning to carry him back. Just then, a large group of footsteps sounded behind them. A’Xiu was frightened out of his wits – it was the steward leading a large group of servants hurrying over, apparently to drag him back. He heard the steward shouting loudly: “Young master! Are you urgent to urinate? I’ll take you to relieve yourself!” His voice was like thunder, causing shameful embarrassment. A’Xiu’s face turned red with embarrassment, wanting to find a hole to crawl into, when Hua Mei beside him leaned over and whispered:

“Quickly pretend your foot hurts.”

A’Xiu immediately understood, hurriedly lifting his foot high and crying pitifully: “Twisted! Twisted! I accidentally twisted it when I fell down! It might be broken! It really hurts me to death!” Hua Mei had also been punished by her parents these past days. Having A’Xiu risk his life to come see her with such devotion, how could she let him leave? She immediately pretended concern on the side, constantly inquiring about his condition. The steward was even more frantic, instructing servants to quickly fetch a medicine box. Soon someone brought over a large basin, this time filled with hot water, apparently for soaking feet.

Just as A’Xiu was making a fuss, he suddenly saw a young gentleman approach the viewing stand. Smiling at Aunt Juan, he cupped his hands and said: “Master Juan, we’ll be watching you dominate the entire competition later.” A’Xiu saw this gentleman had a face white as snow, with large, lively, expressive eyes, and a purple headband tied around his head. Despite the cold winter, his left hand still lightly waved a folding fan. A’Xiu thought this gentleman was quite handsome, perhaps even surpassing his uncle in beauty. He hurriedly stared to get a better look, and saw that the gentleman’s folding fan bore a splashed ink landscape painting with “Purple Cloud Pavilion” written beside it in three characters. He didn’t know which romantic figure this was from which family. Just as he was about to ask Hua Mei, Aunt Juan had already turned to look at Hua Mei and smiled: “Aunt Juan is going down first. When your mother comes later, tell her to watch me make a grand display.” Hua Mei cried out: “Aunt! Wait a moment – mother instructed that you should meet with her before your match…” Before she finished speaking, Aunt Juan had already leaped up gracefully. Rather than honestly descending the steps, her figure soared out, floating lightly as she leaped from the viewing stand. Her silhouette was graceful, spinning once in mid-air, her robes fluttering without stirring up any dust, and in a flash she landed beside the young gentleman.

The young gentleman smiled and cupped his hands: “The lightness skill of Mount Jiuhua is unmatched in the world – this humble one has witnessed it today.” Aunt Juan touched his cheek shyly and laughed: “Stop pretending. Acting so old-fashioned like this, be careful you’ll scare away your Master Su.” The young gentleman feigned confusion and bewilderment: “Master Su? Who is he? Could Miss Juan’er introduce us?” Aunt Juan laughed: “I can’t introduce you – go find the Twin Eccentrics of Mount Hua.” The two faced each other, thinking of the strange appearance of the Fat Scale Eccentric, and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Seeing this intimate manner between the young gentleman and Aunt Juan, A’Xiu sat in the viewing stand completely dumbfounded. He tugged at Hua Mei’s hand and whispered: “Who is this gentleman? Is he our Aunt Juan’s lover?” Hua Mei pretended to be mysterious:

“This gentleman is surnamed Qiong, but he can’t be Aunt Juan’s lover – he could be a rival in love though.”

A’Xiu looked completely confused. Seeing Aunt Juan and that young gentleman holding hands, talking and laughing together, clearly a perfect couple, how could Hua Mei, with her bright, clear eyes, tell such an obvious lie? He thought for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed: “I know! He’s a eunuch!”

Hearing this, if not for her strict upbringing, Hua Mei would have burst out laughing. She held back her laughter and immediately stood up from her seat, saying to the steward: “Your young master’s foot hurts – you should help him massage it well.” The steward was overjoyed and nodded: “Certainly! I’ll definitely apply extra force in rubbing and kneading.” Three large men came running over, quickly removing shoes and socks from both his feet, and amid A’Xiu’s screams, began vigorously massaging.

While the children were making a commotion there, Aunt Juan and the young gentleman walked shoulder to shoulder into the training ground. By now the eastern and western pavilions were filled with people, two groups of martial artists with fierce faces. Despite the winter weather, they remained bare-chested, appearing quite vicious and menacing. The gentleman surnamed Qiong waved his folding fan while observing the martial artists, his gaze quite sharp. He asked Aunt Juan: “Which match are you scheduled for?”

Aunt Juan made a sound of surprise, covering her mouth and laughing: “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten to look.” The gentleman sighed, using his folding fan to lightly tap Aunt Juan’s head, shaking his head: “You’re about to become a sect master and you’re still so absent-minded.”

Though Aunt Juan was a tender beauty, very attractive and charming, she still maintained her mischievous nature, making a face on the spot and laughing: “Well then, quickly go ask my senior sister to rescind the appointment. She forced this on me – I have no desire to compete for it.”

The gentleman sighed: “You, oh you… It’s rare that your senior sister worked so hard to build up the ‘Mount Jiuhua’ golden reputation – don’t let you smash it.”

Aunt Juan covered her mouth and laughed: “What’s to fear? If it really doesn’t work out, we’ll just drag out my brother-in-law – who in the world can defeat him.”

The gentleman looked at the brocade flags beside the fighting platform, seeing the characters “Kui Star Battles Five Passes,” and thinking of Aunt Juan’s brother-in-law’s martial prowess, he smiled slightly and nodded.

At this time the court valued martial arts, especially respecting the orthodox martial arts lineage. This “Kui Star Battles Five Passes” was a wheel-fighting platform specifically for masters from China and Mongolia to compete and exchange martial arts through friendship. It could be said to be one of the most famous competitions in the current world. Speaking of Aunt Juan’s brother-in-law, he had great connections with “Kui Star Battles Five Passes” – he wasn’t some platform alliance master, but rather a key figure who helped create this “Kui Star Battles Five Passes.”

China and Mongolia were originally mortal enemies. Mongolian cavalry rode south burning and killing, Chinese troops advanced north to establish settlements. The two countries had fought for a hundred years, constantly at war, making martial arts friendship seem absolutely impossible. But heaven has a benevolent nature – ten years ago by coincidence, Juan’er’s brother-in-law ventured deep into the northern territories and unexpectedly granted the Khan an enormous favor. Afterward, the Khan, feeling grateful, agreed to China’s peace negotiations. Both countries withdrew troops to avoid war, and from then on, wise men continuously submitted memorials, opening border passes and establishing mutual trade. Relations between the two countries became increasingly close and friendly.

However, court matters often started hot but cooled down. Even though both courts intended reconciliation, the generals of both countries had fought for many years with deep hatred, still often fighting privately without mercy. Border passes frequently erupted in violence over trivial matters. Seeing this situation, to eliminate hatred and reduce mutual violent bloodthirst, both courts simply made the covert overt. Starting from the end of eight years ago, they established the great platform of “Kui Star Battles Five Passes.” From then on, there was an annual competition with China and the Tatars alternately hosting, giving both sides’ martial artists a place to vent their anger.

As the gentleman walked along recalling past events with Aunt Juan, they arrived at the western pavilion’s announcement board to first examine Mongolia’s contestant lineup. The two read in sequence: “Mongolia’s Five Passes contestants: First vanguard Zong Zesi Ba… Second flanker Jin Chaqin… Third center stronghold Hulin Tehan… Fourth flanker Wu Ye Ming Wang…” Aunt Juan looked for a long time, but though Mongolia had five skilled contestants, she didn’t recognize a single one. After looking for a while, she couldn’t help frowning: “What kind of gibberish bird language – who is who? I don’t recognize any of them.”

The Five Passes battle was group combat between the two nations’ elites. To display national strength rather than individual victory or defeat, they used “wheel fighting tactics.” Divided into vanguard, second vanguard, center, flanker, and general – five passes total. When both sides fought, they often used elaborate strategies, carefully arranging who could counter whose martial arts and who could endure prolonged combat. The fighting methods were extremely sophisticated. Mongolia’s arrangements surely had some purpose.

Aunt Juan took a broad view of everything. The gentleman had known her for nearly ten years and understood her nature, so he smiled slightly without concern. He focused his gaze, pointing at the last name and nodding: “You should have heard of this person at least.”

Aunt Juan looked up and immediately covered her mouth in surprise: “Ah, this is Zhe’er Dan – he’s here too.”

The gentleman thought of Zhe’er Dan’s famous achievements, knowing this would be troublesome, and frowned without speaking.

Zhe’er Dan was known as Mongolia’s invincible fighter, a Imperial Guard leader highly valued by the Tatar Khan, considered Mongolia’s most famous master. This man was over sixty and ranked among the northern masters. In the past eight competitions, he mostly sent disciples and students to fight, never personally taking the field. Seeing him personally leading troops to Beijing, clearly this “Kui Star Battles Five Passes” meant Mongolia was determined to win.

Aunt Juan sighed: “The Mongolian Tatars even sent out their patriarch – don’t they want face? I don’t want to go on stage and die.” The gentleman smiled slightly: “Don’t call them Tatars – if people hear you, you’ll get scolded.” Aunt Juan laughed: “If not Tatars, what should I call them? Barbarians?” This place was the western pavilion where many Mongolians came and went. The gentleman quickly said: “Keep your voice down – if people hear you, we might have to fight first.” Aunt Juan made a sound of understanding and blinked: “Could we be so unlucky?”

Just then, they suddenly heard a muffled grunt from behind: “Name-calling little girl.” The gentleman and Aunt Juan heard this strange accent and couldn’t help frowning. They turned around to look, but saw only a high wall and no person. Just as they were puzzled, the wall slowly moved forward, greatly startling them both. They hurriedly looked up – the wall was actually a lama! This person was nine feet tall with a full beard, wearing a bright red kasaya robe, standing before the western pavilion frame with robes red as the announcement paper. Aunt Juan blinked and exclaimed: “This isn’t an announcement!” The foreign man grunted: “Announcement is not me.” Aunt Juan nodded repeatedly: “I know, I know.”

The gentleman saw their conversation was completely at cross-purposes and couldn’t help laughing. He leaned close to her ear and whispered: “Mongolia only brought one lama this time – this person must be Wu Ye Ming Wang. Come, we don’t need to court bad luck with him. Let’s go.”

Aunt Juan waved at the announcement: “Goodbye, Master Not-An-Announcement.” The lama made a sound of surprise, looking left and right as if not knowing that “Master Not-An-Announcement” referred to him.

“Kui Star Battles Five Passes” was known to every household – eight competitions had been held and the northern borders had been at peace for eight years. This platform competition’s purpose was only “martial arts friendship,” hoping to display royal virtue and benevolence through combat. As the saying goes, “Ascending through courtesy and descending to drink – such competition befits a gentleman.” Victory should be won with grace and composure, defeat should be accepted with peace and calm, hoping that the hotter the two countries fought, the deeper their friendship would grow. Even when victory and defeat were decided, there should be no life and death struggles.

For this reason, when the first competition was held that year, both monarchs thought monks were most compassionate and would surely stop at the right point. Mongolia sent the Red Sect’s Five Living Buddhas to battle, while China responded with Shaolin’s Five High Monks. The result was that the Shaolin monks were indeed compassionate and the Mongolian masters were indeed sorrowful – the Songshan monks only needed to field their third high monk to defeat all five opposing lamas until they fell. The Khan saw Chinese monks ascending through courtesy while Mongolian lamas descended to drink medicinal wine, yet he still had to play the gentleman, smiling and congratulating them. In his fury, he no longer practiced courtesy, ordering full efforts to win the following year.

The first year’s inexplicable loss led to earth-shaking battles in the second and third years, almost bringing firearms to the field. Unfortunately, with Shaolin Temple as a great boulder blocking the road, no matter how much effort the Khan expended, they lost three consecutive years. Whether competing in Weng Jin City or fighting in Beijing, they were thoroughly overwhelmed. Mongolia not only never won a single brocade flag, but never once made it to the final pass – it was truly disheartening.

With victory and defeat so disparate, Mongolia’s rulers and ministers returned dejectedly. The Khan also lost enthusiasm for “Kui Star Battles Five Passes,” only quietly drilling troops daily while gazing toward China’s great lands. Court ministers learned of this and naturally worried greatly, fearing the Tatar nation couldn’t swallow this bitter defeat and might resume military campaigns. After group memorials, the Emperor secretly issued an edict forbidding Shaolin monks from competing, changing to having the Vice Minister of Rites recruit contestants. Win or lose didn’t matter – just don’t let the battle situation be one-sided, avoiding resentment from friendly nations.

From then on, the heavy responsibility of selecting battle generals fell entirely on Hu Zhilian’s shoulders. If martial artists from the Central Plains wanted to use “Kui Star Battles Five Passes” to achieve fame, they all privately visited, hoping to gain Vice Minister Hu’s favor. Hu Zhilian accepting one would offend another – year after year of competitions and worries made it unbearable.

Martial arts masters both bribed and pleaded, while various court factions also applied pressure. In the fourth year’s competition, under numerous personal requests and entreaties, Hu Zhilian cooked up a mixed stew for battle. This group was led by Emei Sect Master Yan Song as the main force, supplemented by the Three Rivers Gang, Dongting Water Stronghold and other sects. The result was obvious – four words said it all: utterly defeated.

They say extremes reverse themselves. After China’s four consecutive victories, what should have been easy wins became hard-fought struggles. Seeing his people greatly displaying divine might, the Khan was overjoyed and became enthusiastic about “Kui Star Battles Five Passes” again, often betting on outcomes with his ministers. From then on, China lost three consecutive years while Mongolia’s Red Sect branch “Great Wheel Sect” dominated, with one year achieving a complete sweep, fighting from China’s vanguard all the way to the general – five complete victories, truly unstoppable.

When news spread, all of China was shaken. Seeing the nation’s glory dimmed and people talking, when foreign envoys came to court the following year, they even mocked the Emperor about this matter. The Emperor’s dragon countenance was furious, nearly sending Hu Zhilian to military exile. This scapegoat cried out at his bad luck, knowing the situation had changed. When last year’s eighth competition arrived, Hu Zhilian no longer hesitated and used imperial edict authority to deploy the nation’s elite: Wudang Sect Master “Taiji Sword” Yuan Yi leading, paired with Shaolin’s Lingyin and Lingzhen – two great Vajras, plus “Huaixi High Heavenly General” as vanguard and “Shandong Song Divine Blade” as center, magnificently advancing to Weng Jin City, ready for a great slaughter.

China’s masters were all deployed – any one was a contemporary grandmaster. The opponents were still that “Great Wheel Sect” branch, who were immediately beaten to pieces. Vanguard Gao Tianwei displayed great divine might, fighting from beginning to end, single-handedly passing five checkpoints. Yuan Yi, Lingyin, Lingzhen, Song Gongmai and others drank pot after pot of hot tea with no chance to take the field, returning to Beijing with victory flags.

China achieved five complete victories, with Gao Tianwei even severely injuring the opposing general and mocking them extensively. The strength disparity and devastating defeat made “Huaixi High Heavenly General” famous throughout the land, while the Tatar nation again became a laughingstock for foreign envoys. The Khan was furious beyond words. This ninth competition brought together masters from all northern territories – carefully selecting five divine generals from fifty-six nations from Goryeo to the Western Regions, all coming together to challenge Central Plains martial arts. They vowed not to give up until they reclaimed the victory flags.

With this massive force approaching, Hu Zhilian saw the situation and naturally cried bitterly in his heart. Complete victory wouldn’t work, utter defeat wouldn’t work either. He had to consider both the Khan’s dignity and preserve the Emperor’s face. In his distress, he could only seek help from the current dynasty’s National Uncle Qiong Wuchuan. If they were to face disastrous defeat, at least having imperial relatives would save his life. Indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier – National Uncle Qiong’s golden words opened a clear path.

“If China displays heavenly might, the Khan harbors resentment; if Mongolia approaches the city, the Emperor grows angry. The best method is to find an excuse.”

“Find an excuse?” Hu Zhilian was naturally puzzled hearing such strange words that day.

“Why must successors face successors, fool? Avoid the veterans of various sects and schools – just pick some young men and women to make do. If you win, consider it found treasure; if you lose, you have good reasons to deflect blame.” Seeing Hu Zhilian’s stunned expression, National Uncle Qiong added this instruction: “If you can luckily drag it to a draw with both nations happy, that would truly be ‘Long Live Our Emperor, Long Long Live!'”

Hu Zhilian had always been clever and immediately understood, setting this lineup:

“China’s Five Passes contestants: First vanguard: Guizhou Dian Cang Seven Heroes’ Yu Chuanzi Second flanker: Shandong Divine Blade Young Master Song Tongming

Third center: Northern Shaanxi Nine Flowers Sect Master Nun Juan Fourth flanker: Hebei Iron Spear Young Master Zhu Kang Fifth general: Mount Hua Jade Pure Sect Master Su Ying”

At this time, Aunt Juan and the gentleman stood at the western pavilion looking at the imperial announcement. Seeing such a lineup, the gentleman naturally secretly admired Hu Zhilian’s careful planning. Using veteran Yu Chuanzi’s status, he could at least defeat one or two opponents. Divine Blade Song Tongming had much of his father’s style and could certainly hold the field. With some luck, these two might drag things to Zhe’er Dan’s checkpoint. Then Juan’er and Zhu Kang would take the field for combat and muddling through, finally letting Mount Hua’s sect master anchor the rear. Both sides would save face – victory or defeat would be secondary. Looking at this strategy’s careful intent was truly admirable. The gentleman looked several times, felt quite pleased, nodded and said to Aunt Juan: “You’re arranged as center – seems your senior sister has considerable influence.”

Aunt Juan showed no joy whatsoever. Suddenly she screamed, drew her long sword, and charged angrily toward a pavilion, pointing accusingly and cursing: “Which one is Vice Minister Hu? Get out here, girl!”

Guards on both sides were greatly alarmed, all jumping up. Seeing her luxurious clothing and a string of warm, lustrous pearl necklaces on her chest, they dared not act rashly and quickly said: “Miss, what business do you have with Minister Hu?”

Aunt Juan cursed angrily: “Who is Nun Juan? May your big head be cursed! I’m only in my twenties and you’ve cursed me into being a nun old lady! Tell that Hu to get out here!” The new Mount Jiuhua sect master was furious, and Ministry of Rites officials were all terrified. An official rushed out to apologize frantically: “Female hero! Female hero! We didn’t know your identity, but the name list you sent only had two characters – ‘Juan’er.’ We searched through all the family names and couldn’t find this Juan surname. We originally wanted to follow Confucius and Mencius, Laozi and Zhuangzi by calling you ‘Juanzi,’ but then thought it improper, so we could only give you the character ‘Shi’ – absolutely no intentional disrespect…”

This girl was exactly the former little sprite Juan’er, now grown into a very charming beautiful young woman. How could she listen to that official’s long-winded explanations? With a few kicks she sent him away, then boldly charged into the pavilion to drag Hu Zhilian out for face-to-face questioning.

The gentleman was greatly alarmed and also rushed over, asking that Ministry official: “Are you hurt?” The official smiled apologetically: “Responding to the Young Master – this humble official is fine. Please be tolerant regarding our Minister’s situation.”

The gentleman smiled slightly: “Don’t worry, I understand.” He immediately quickened his pace and headed into the pavilion.

Just lifting the curtain, expecting loud arguments and possibly fighting, who knew Juan’er stood motionless holding a letter, not shouting angrily. The gentleman praised in his heart: “Minister Hu’s higher position brings better eloquence – he actually convinced our Juan’er.” This Juan’er had been innocent and romantic since childhood, acting unconventionally. Martial arts people fled at the sight of her from far away. Because of her willful and mischievous nature, despite her natural beauty and many suitors, she remained unmarried with no one able to win her heart.

Just thinking this, the gentleman had already entered the pavilion. Immediately upon entering, he saw a dazed child sitting blankly beside an official. The gentleman’s heart trembled, immediately recognizing this child’s identity. This child was exceptionally intelligent – Hu Zhilian’s youngest son named “Zhengtang.” Because he went to the Wu household as a guest some time ago, he playfully injured his head, and a perfectly good child became so wooden and dull.

Hearing footsteps, the official turned around and cupped his hands: “This humble official greets Young Master Qiong Fang. National Uncle’s golden peace, Empress’s sacred peace.” Hearing him pray for his two relatives, the gentleman smiled and bowed slightly, flicking his folding fan with a sharp crack as the fan face opened, revealing splashed ink and cinnabar, exquisite brushwork – a beautiful painting of purple pavilions in clouds, truly “Purple Cloud Pavilion.”

This gentleman wasn’t really a gentleman at all – she was actually the current Empress’s niece, granddaughter of a three-dynasty elder, descendant of a founding hero, known as Purple Master, the eldest miss of the Qiong family – Qiong Fang. The Qiong family possessed iron scrolls and cinnabar books, plus twenty-four dragon-head golden whips bestowed by the founding emperor, making them the most prominent noble household of the current dynasty. Hu Zhilian naturally spoke with extra courtesy and caution when addressing her.

Just as Qiong Fang was about to speak, she suddenly saw Hu Zhilian’s deeply furrowed brow, and Juan’er also holding the letter with a worried frown. She couldn’t help asking curiously: “What’s wrong? Did the Mongolians send a challenge letter?” Before Hu Zhilian could answer, Juan’er had already handed over the letter, saying in a low voice: “Look at this letter – it’s very strange.”

Qiong Fang had always been well-informed and exceptionally intelligent. Her parents died early, so her grandfather raised her as a son from childhood, making her a remarkable woman of both literary and martial accomplishments. Among all the famous noble daughters in China’s court, you definitely couldn’t find a second one like her. Seeing Juan’er’s unusual expression, not knowing what was mysterious about that letter, she took it and looked down to read:

“Your son Zhengtang mistakenly crossed forbidden boundaries, trespassing into ghost gates, with great disaster approaching. Heard he has left the capital to avoid death.”

Qiong Fang was startled, not knowing who had written this. She quickly looked at the signature – the messenger called himself: “Good Mu Righteous Brave Man.” Unable to make sense of it or understand what the signature meant, she quickly asked: “When did this letter arrive?”

Hu Zhilian sighed: “These days have been frantically busy inside and out. Just now my household sent this letter – only then did I learn of this matter.”

Qiong Fang pondered. Though Hu Zhilian was cautious in his actions, these past years of selecting contestants for “Kui Star Battles Five Passes” had made this Minister work hard for no thanks, offending countless martial arts colleagues. Looking at this situation, it was likely someone holding a grudge seeking revenge, which was quite possible. She mused aloud: “I think this was done by an acquaintance. Most likely someone bears you a grudge and, taking advantage of your son’s serious illness, has come to kick you while you’re down, naturally wanting to disturb your peace of mind.” Juan’er also nodded: “Exactly! I think this is nine times out of ten written by Mongolian Tatars. They’re afraid Minister Hu will strategize brilliantly and defeat them utterly again, so they wrote this letter to disturb people.”

Hearing the two girls’ persuasion, Hu Zhilian only sighed. He stroked his beloved son’s cheek and said slowly: “You know my Hu family’s fate has been difficult. In years past, treacherous ministers brought disaster and violent people disrupted the government, beating my mother to death. With difficulty, a benevolent ruler now sits on the throne – let there be no more calamities and setbacks…” He reflected on past events and sighed several times, then suddenly raised his eyebrows and gritted his teeth: “So be it! When soldiers come, generals will block them. If something really happens, I, Hu, will not be afraid! What ‘mistakenly entering ghost gates’ – I’ll arrange for several master physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy to treat my son Zhengtang. I insist on seeing what demons and ghosts are in that forbidden land!”

Qiong Fang nodded and crouched down to look at the child, saying gently: “Zhengtang, do you still recognize auntie?” This Hu Zhengtang would definitely come with his parents to Purple Cloud Pavilion for New Year greetings every year, always receiving red envelope rewards before going home, so naturally he should recognize Qiong Fang. But hearing her call, he only looked down at the ground without speaking or answering. Juan’er said softly: “Good child, what exactly did you see?”

Hu Zhengtang’s face turned cold as he cried and mumbled: “So many… so many…”

Qiong Fang and Juan’er looked at each other, both girls facing the boy and saying in unison: “So many what?”

The boy’s lips moved as if to speak, but before he could say anything, they suddenly heard a loud bang outside the pavilion – a cannon had fired. Hu Zhilian quickly said:

“The Chief Minister has personally come to inspect. I must go first.” He called for guards to strictly protect his son, only then feeling somewhat at ease.

Noon had arrived and the cannon had sounded. China’s Chief Minister had arrived, so Hu Zhilian, as China’s chief organizer, naturally had to enter the field to welcome him. The Mongolian envoy had also arrived, and masters from both eastern and western pavilions all stood solemnly in the field – for a moment there was complete silence.

Today’s martial competition between the two nations required Chief Minister He, as the senior official, to come with the Mongolian envoy to host the grand event. Chief Minister He took out an imperial edict to proclaim the imperial will. He read loudly: “By the Mandate of Heaven, we, the Great Han Emperor of China, decree: Our dynasty… ahem… surpasses the Five Hegemons in might and continues the Three Kings in enlightenment. Now using martial arts to make friends, valuing mutual relations, with heroes from all nine provinces practicing martial arts and joining the military, thus all under heaven celebrate together, with phoenixes coming to court…”

Chief Minister He swayed his head and chattered incessantly, even keeping time with his feet. Who below was listening? The martial artists would all take the field to compete soon, so each was meditating to circulate qi, sharpening blades and grinding spears. The family members and common people in the viewing stands mostly took the opportunity to gamble, naturally whispering and discussing victory and defeat. Even A’Xiu, Hua Mei and other children were playing and frolicking – needless to say, they paid no attention.

Inside and outside the field, everyone’s expressions were bland with no one paying attention to what Chief Minister He was reading. Even if he had inserted a crude word or two, probably no one would have noticed. Only the Mongolian envoy grew angrier as he listened – the imperial edict contained a long passage about “transforming customs and enlightening barbarian lands” and “warriors from the four barbarian tribes surrendering to serve the enlightened lord.” Every word from China’s emperor was arrogant and self-aggrandizing, treating Mongolia as a slave nation of barbarians.

The envoy was burning with rage. When Chief Minister He finished reading, he immediately held up the Tatar Khan’s personal edict, rushed angrily onto the platform, and began reading loudly as well. Seeing his righteous indignation as he pointed at heaven and earth, apparently everything he said refuted China’s ruler and ministers. But he spoke entirely in Mongolian, which no one in the field could understand, so the common people naturally treated it as a joke. Only a few interpreting musicians from the Imperial Music Bureau discussed quietly among themselves – no one else paid attention.

Juan’er yawned repeatedly. She rubbed her eyes and said: “If I keep listening to them chant spells, I’m going to fall asleep.”

Qiong Fang knew Juan’er quite well – she knew her swordsmanship and lightness skills both had first-rate inheritance with excellent foundation, but her combat experience was still shallow. When facing enemies on the platform, if opponents suddenly used strange moves, she would inevitably suffer. She said: “You’ll be taking the stage soon too. I think you should quickly review your swordsmanship. Don’t let anything go wrong.” Hearing this, Juan’er pretended to yawn and said: “Don’t worry – with that Master Su there, what could go wrong?” She put her palms together in salute and continued: “If this little woman gets knocked off the platform later, please ask Mrs. Su to remember our ten years of friendship and have Master Su take the stage early to avenge and vindicate this little woman. Even if this humble one’s soul returns to the nine springs, I can rest in peace.” She leaned forward and bowed to Qiong Fang.

Qiong Fang’s face reddened slightly as she spat: “Even when teasing me, pick something auspicious to say. No sense of propriety, always inviting bad luck.” She raised the folding fan in her hand to strike Juan’er’s little head. Juan’er made a face and giggled charmingly.

These two young women were close friends with deep private friendship – their words were mostly playful with no ill intent. Qiong Fang, being imperial nobility, calmed down after a moment of blushing. She took Juan’er’s jade-white fingers and looked toward the eastern pavilion, smiling:

“Stop teasing me first. You’re already in your twenties – who exactly do you fancy in your heart? Have you decided?”

Juan’er followed her gaze and saw two young men staring intently at her. One had an imposing build, around thirty-four or thirty-five, with a face full of masculine severity. The other had a clear, handsome, refined appearance, around twenty-five or twenty-six. Both stared at her without blinking.

Qiong Fang smiled slightly: “Shandong’s Song Tongming is brave and martial, Hebei’s Zhu Kang is romantic and elegant – which one do you actually fancy? Do you have any ideas?” Juan’er looked distressed, supporting her forehead with her hand and saying awkwardly: “So annoying! It’s all because senior sister arranges blind dates every day – it’s really killing me.”

Qiong Fang opened her folding fan to cover her mouth and laughed lightly: “A beauty who brings disaster, a peerless enchantress – don’t provoke the four great families into competing in martial arts for marriage, or there’ll be another fighting platform.” Juan’er’s scalp tingled. Seeing Song Tongming grinning broadly, the Shandong big man’s mouth full of onion and garlic smell reaching far and wide – though separated by more than a zhang, it still drifted over with the wind. Her heart cried out in anguish as her left hand covered her nose. Then she saw Zhu Kang slightly posing with one hand lightly supporting his chin in a self-admiring handsome young master pose. Juan’er wailed once and quickly covered her eyes with her right hand, then hurriedly fled.

Qiong Fang watched this and couldn’t help laughing delicately, but suddenly thinking of the “Three Eccentrics of Mount Hua” incident, she also felt a chill in her heart.

Though Juan’er seemed to maintain her charming innocence, actually she had experienced many changes and considerable worldly affairs. That year when Mount Jiuhua suffered great disaster with disciples either dead or scattered, though Juan’er was just a small girl, she had backbone and guarded the master’s gate alone at her tender age. Pitifully, with weak martial arts and young age, she suffered bullying, deception, and robbery from various major sects, losing all treasures and property. But from beginning to end she gritted her teeth and persevered, refusing to leave. Later when her senior sister learned the news, she hurried back to the mountain for reunion. As soon as senior sister arrived, her brother-in-law’s powerful support immediately followed, the situation instantly reversed, frightening all opposing enemies into retreat. Afterward, the senior sisters dug up the martial arts manuals left by their master, then reclaimed all the precious treasures on the mountain one by one, creating today’s prosperous appearance of Mount Jiuhua. Whenever martial artists encountered the senior sisters, recalling that imposing figure behind them, all felt fear and wariness. These past years, Mount Jiuhua disciples walking the jianghu had been invincible.

With the martial competition about to begin, Qiong Fang’s heart hung on her own people, so she looked toward the eastern pavilion. But looking and looking, she saw no trace of Mount Hua disciples – only an old Mr. Zhao had come. Seeing him sitting alone in the pavilion dozing, with no sign of the others, Qiong Fang felt somewhat panicked. Thinking of how her lover became more careless with age, she quickly went to Zhao Wu’s side and cupped her hands:

“Fifth Grandfather.”

This old Mr. Zhao was the former Zhao Laowu, now about seventy years old. Once he fell asleep, truly even thunder couldn’t wake him. Seeing Zhao Laowu’s dirty clothes, Qiong Fang didn’t dare touch him with her hands. Looking around and seeing no one, she took her fan and tapped his forehead once, calling again: “Fifth Grandfather!”

Zhao Laowu had been sleeping soundly when someone suddenly woke him. He immediately opened his sleepy eyes and frowned: “Who is it?” Qiong Fang smiled in response and said gently: “Fifth Grandfather.” Seeing this delicate face, Zhao Laowu quickly straightened up and said loudly: “Miss!”

Qiong Fang wore men’s clothing and naturally disliked being addressed this way, but Zhao Wu was an elder, so she could only endure it and immediately asked:

“Where is your sect master?” Zhao Laowu rubbed his sleepy eyes in confusion: “Hasn’t he arrived yet?” Hearing this, Qiong Fang thought of how Mount Hua was full of mischievous eccentrics who might cause trouble again, and quickly asked: “They haven’t entered the capital yet?”

Zhao Laowu had been hot-tempered in his youth and was the person the Mount Hua younger generation feared most. Now in his old age, he appeared very kind. He chuckled: “Of course they entered the capital! Our Mount Hua Twin Immortals made a fuss saying they hadn’t seen you for three months, which felt like eight autumns, so they wanted Master Su to prepare some gifts for you. They browsed many shops but couldn’t find anything suitable, walking all the way from Da Ming Gate to Chengtian Gate, then from Chengtian Gate to Zuo Shun Gate. I’m old and couldn’t keep up…”

Hearing his rambling, irrelevant chatter, Qiong Fang was naturally quite annoyed. She quickly cupped her hands in farewell and hurriedly left the training ground to search for the whereabouts of the Jade Pure Temple people.

As Qiong Fang left the field, the Mongolian envoy was still holding his edict and reciting desperately. After another three tea periods, with his mouth dry and tongue parched, eyes askew and mouth crooked, he finally finished reading. Who knew Chief Minister He would find interpreting musicians and become furious again, wanting to give a long rebuttal. Hu Zhilian was startled, fearing that if both sides went back and forth, they would inevitably delay time. He quickly intervened with a smile: “Chief Minister, please pause.”

Chief Minister He said angrily: “What are you doing? Don’t you care about His Majesty’s dignity?”

Hu Zhilian, having achieved the jinshi degree, was elegant in political discourse and most familiar with court precedents. He immediately brought up past events and said quietly: “My lord, have you forgotten the matter at Weng Jin City the year before last?”

Chief Minister He’s heart trembled as he recalled past events. The year before last, during Beijing’s martial competition, the martial artists hadn’t started fighting when the civilian officials began verbal battles. Ministers from both sides mocked each other back and forth, reading over forty memorial papers in total. The noon competition was greatly delayed and didn’t begin until nighttime. Later at Weng Jin City, the Tatar nation reciprocated by having people perform song and dance entertainment, with the plays all mocking Beijing current events. Chinese ministers were so furious they all walked out. The competition was disrupted by this and delayed seven days before reopening. From then on, both nations agreed that future “Kui Star Battles Five Passes” ceremonies should be simplified. Except for witnessing ministers and envoys proclaiming edicts, whether you were Grand Tutor, Grand Secretary, or Five Armies Commander-in-Chief, none were allowed to attend and cause disruption. Another rule was established that masters from both sides fighting were not bound by court etiquette – they need not kneel when meeting envoys from both nations, avoiding disputes.

Chief Minister He recalled past events and reluctantly restrained his anger, waving his hand: “Very well, you’re the organizer – let you host then.”

Hu Zhilian had long intended this. He bowed slightly in salute, then entered the fighting platform and declared loudly: “Heroes and brave warriors, thanks to the sage grace of both rulers, the ‘Kui Star Martial Battles’ have been held annually. When you take the field, you must remember the eight-character true meaning: ‘Using martial arts to make friends, stopping at the right point.’ First, no underhanded sneak attacks; second, no hidden weapons; third, no poisoned blades. In all things, be upright and honorable, worthy of our rulers’ great trust and the admiration of people in all four territories.”

Though Hu Zhilian wasn’t a jianghu figure, he had organized competitions for years and was thoroughly familiar with the rules – hardly comparable to civilian officials just getting their first glimpse. After explaining the competition rules for a while, he went to a long table beside the platform, bowed to six civilian officials at the table, and said gently: “Honored ministers, please witness victory and defeat later. If any warriors violate regulations, please raise objections immediately without favoritism.” Six officials sat at this long table, half Chinese and half Mongolian – coincidentally, most were elderly and decrepit. Among the six witnesses, only one was young and strong – a man with a white, beardless face like polished jade, wearing fifth-rank white pheasant court robes. This was Yang Shaoqi. Hearing the request, all stood up and returned the salute, saying: “We will do our utmost to ensure fair competition without any failures.”

After Yang Shaoqi returned the salute, he sat back down. His gaze swept toward A’Xiu to see if this child had run off and disappeared again.

By this time, A’Xiu had already been severely massaged by the household servants, crying out in pain and unable to cause more trouble, so he just sat obediently.

The steward noticed Yang Shaoqi appeared to sit properly but his gaze frequently glanced upward, clearly watching A’Xiu’s movements. The steward’s heart went cold as he said to A’Xiu: “Young master, behave yourself – Second Master is glaring at you.” A’Xiu stretched lazily, knowing his uncle had a gentle nature and always doted on him. Being glared at a few times wasn’t frightening – as long as he didn’t encounter father, he could do whatever he wanted. He yawned repeatedly without comment.

Just as he was feeling lazy, footsteps echoed in the viewing stand walkway. Several tall military officers with steel sabers at their waists and wearing iron armor were clearing the way ahead, with crowds surrounding a beautiful woman approaching. This woman wore a black mink stole, radiantly beautiful. As soon as she entered, countless guests stood up to pay respects. Just then, a little girl rushed over joyfully: “Mother! You’ve finally come!”

A’Xiu saw Hua Mei jump over and embrace the beautiful woman, constantly kissing her cheeks. The mother and daughter looked extremely similar – for a moment, their beauty was dazzling. The steward praised: “More beautiful than flowers – truly the capital’s most beautiful mother and daughter.”

As soon as the beautiful woman arrived, large numbers of attendants poured into the field, surrounding and protecting all sides, then immediately driving away strangers. Seeing the beautiful woman take Hua Mei’s hand and head toward the seats, the steward bowed deeply and said anxiously: “Mrs. Wu.” The beautiful woman saw A’Xiu sitting nearby and immediately smiled gently: “Little rascal, you came too?” A’Xiu grinned and laughed dryly: “Aunt Wu.” The beautiful woman nodded slightly and sat down. With her mother’s arrival, Hua Mei clung to her mother talking and no longer paid attention to A’Xiu.

A’Xiu looked around from his seat, thinking: “Strange, Big Brother Chongqing loves practicing martial arts most – how come he’s nowhere to be seen at such a lively event today?”

Just as he was wondering, he suddenly saw a brocade flag raised on the fighting platform, and a voice full of inner strength shouted: “Vanguards from both China and Mongolia take the field – ‘Kui Star Battles Five Passes’ begins now!” Brass gongs rang loudly, and everyone inside and outside the field felt their hearts tremble. Though A’Xiu had never formally studied martial arts, he had practiced some basic techniques with his father. Seeing a fight about to start, he was naturally very excited and focused intently on the fighting platform, no longer paying attention to anything else.

After the gongs sounded, vanguard generals emerged from both eastern and western pavilions. The east held the host position – a Taoist carrying a long sword emerged with a bow, one of the Seven Heroes of Dian Cang Mountain, Yu Chuanzi. Mongolia, as guests, waited for Yu Chuanzi to take the platform before a large man climbed the steps. Both masters acted honestly without showing off lightness skills or body techniques.

Since “Kui Star Battles Five Passes” began eight years ago, Dian Cang Mountain had never sent masters to participate – they couldn’t share glory in victory or bear blame in defeat, like outsiders. Thinking that Emei and Kongtong had both sent disciples to fight, though winning and losing occurred, it was still better than waving flags and shouting from the sidelines. With difficulty getting Dian Cang Mountain assigned as first battle general, Yu Chuanzi naturally tried every method of soft pleading and hard pressure to finally get Sect Master Hai Chuanzi’s personal permission to bear vanguard responsibility.

The Mongolian master was named “Zong Zesi Ba,” holding twin sabers with eagle-like eyes. After cupping hands in salute, he only looked down at the ground waiting for Yu Chuanzi’s move. This person was evidently taciturn and cautious, carefully observing proper conduct.

Dian Cang was originally one of the “Four Heroes and Four Powers” of the martial world. After years of cultivation, besides seven masters in the sect, many second-generation disciples had also emerged in the jianghu. Now seeing the field filled with distinguished guests and the Chief Minister personally observing, with his sect’s disciples all looking up admiringly and waiting for his great display of divine might, Yu Chuanzi, though over fifty, had played supporting roles all his life – where had he experienced such a scene? Naturally he gathered his spirits and thought: “Last year Gao Tianwei single-handedly defeated five masters, skyrocketing in jianghu status – the Heavenly General’s Manor was so proud. Watch me today – I must be awe-inspiring and at least knock down two generals before returning. Then I can open the ancestral hall and offer incense to the ancestors…”

Thinking of his future glorious achievements, he smiled as he drew his sword, pointing at Zong Zesi Ba and saying with a smile: “This old brother, this poor Taoist is Yu Chuanzi, third of the Seven Heroes of Dian Cang, known as ‘Flying Sword Seizes Red.’ This old Taoist fought fierce tigers at three, slew dragons at five, traveled to Zunyi in Guizhou at seven to battle a hundred children in infant martial competition and won the championship. Meeting this poor Taoist is your bad luck.”

As the competition began, Hu Zhilian retreated to the eastern pavilion. Having received imperial orders with China’s contestants all recommended and guaranteed by him alone, he naturally had to observe the battle situation with disciples from various major sects and plan strategies. With the first battle starting, Yu Chuanzi, as a veteran bearing vanguard responsibility, should according to the original strategy defeat one or two enemy masters. But having just taken the stage, hearing Yu Chuanzi chattering endlessly like an old woman shopping for vegetables – where was the demeanor of a peerless master? Minister Hu couldn’t help feeling somewhat panicked and quickly asked the Dian Cang sect master beside him: “Daoist Hai Chuan, your third junior brother… ahem… can he do it?”

Hai Chuanzi’s expression was displeased. Before he could answer, there was a whooshing sound in the field as a long sword left its sheath – Yu Chuanzi already held his sword. Hu Zhilian saw him lightly and skillfully make sword flowers – though aged, his techniques were quite exquisite, indicating considerable martial skill. He had underestimated him. Seeing his quite admiring expression, Hai Chuanzi extended his little finger and pointed at the platform, saying solemnly: “Minister, oh Minister, my Dian Cang dominates the southwest, invincible wherever we go. Your words are so disparaging – won’t this make jianghu heroes feel cold?”

Hu Zhilian was rebuffed but felt not anger but joy, quickly saying: “The Daoist’s criticism is correct – this humble official truly misspoke.”

He wiped away cold sweat, then seeing Song Tongming and “Nun Juan” preparing to take the stage, felt slightly relieved, thinking: “National Uncle’s strategy this time is quite risky. No matter what, we must at least hold until the fourth battle – it mustn’t be one-sided.”

Below the platform, Hu Zhilian was sweating profusely, while above, Yu Chuanzi continued his casual conversation. This old Taoist appeared elegant as he said: “Mr. Zong Ze or Mr. Si Ba, the techniques I’ll use shortly are truly combined extraordinary moves – the left path is called ‘Dian Cang Jade Sleeve Skill,’ the right path is ‘Returning Dragon Eighteen Swords,’ vigorous and ancient with imposing momentum. Since I am the first vanguard of the superior nation, I specially inform you to prevent you from being unable to defend in time, causing death or injury that would harm our friendship…” Speaking with satisfaction, he flashed his left sleeve, revealing a red needle – a divine object borrowed from Senior Brother Chi Chuanzi. Then his right hand raised the sword blade horizontally and shouted: “Brother Zong Ze! Brother Si Ba! This humble one is about to be discourteous…”

Before he finished speaking, suddenly there was a strange roar. Zong Zesi Ba pushed off with both feet, his large foot coming straight at the face, instantly landing squarely on the chest. Yu Chuanzi’s left and right hands were both making moves, but all his techniques ended up behind his opponent. He only heard himself cry “Aiya!” and shout “Courtesy!” His body flew out straight like a broken sack, rolling back to the eastern pavilion, knocking over countless tables and chairs along the way. Yu Chuanzi fell to the ground with trembling lips. Not knowing whether he was dead or alive, everyone hurried to look, suddenly hearing this master’s eyes wide open as he shouted: “Finished!”

With one phrase “discourtesy finished,” Yu Chuanzi was already lying in the pavilion, lifted onto a stretcher and sent for medical treatment. Guests at the field’s edge were all horrified. Other martial artists discussed among themselves. The opponent’s martial arts were fierce and cunning – China’s competing generals were all greatly shaken. Hu Zhilian smiled bitterly, thinking: “The enemy is strong, we are weak – my fate is over.” Remembering Mongolia’s rulers and ministers were determined to win this battle made him even more fearful.

With victory and defeat decided, the witnessing court officials deliberated, and an official stepped into the field. This man had a face like polished jade and composed bearing – it was Yang Shaoqi. He delivered the brocade flag to the Mongolian envoy’s hands and declared loudly: “Kui Star Battles Five Passes, first vanguard battle – congratulations to Mongolia for victory.”

The Mongolian envoy was triumphant, glancing sideways at China’s Chief Minister. Chief Minister He had weathered great storms and wasn’t flustered. Seeing Yang Shaoqi pass by the platform, he seized the opportunity to grasp his hand and say quietly with a laugh: “Physician Yang, you’re looking more and more like your elder brother.” Yang Shaoqi smiled and cupped his hands in return: “My elder brother is accomplished in both literature and martial arts – how can my powerless self compare? The Chief Minister’s praise is excessive.” Chief Minister He laughed heartily: “Still modest? Look at your humility – isn’t that the same approach? You Yang family brothers are truly cast from the same mold…” He wanted to say more, but Yang Shaoqi, as a witness, had important duties and couldn’t continue the conversation. He immediately bowed with cupped hands and returned to his seat.

After winning the first battle, Zong Zesi Ba followed wheel-fighting rules and waited on the platform for the next opponent. He spun his blade handles with both hands, and without even looking, his twin sabers slid back into their waist sheaths with a whooshing sound, fitting perfectly. He glared angrily toward the eastern pavilion and shouted in Chinese: “I am surnamed Zong with the Mongolian name Zesi Ba. My father was Chinese, my mother Mongolian. I am the helm master of the ‘Twin Saber Society’ from Kaiping in the northern desert. I ask the next hero to take the stage, and when receiving instruction, please don’t speak such boring nonsense. Otherwise, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!” This man spoke fluent Chinese with clear expression, yet had a face full of fierce features. Hu Zhilian was secretly alarmed and panicked: “This man looks so fierce – can we beat him?”

Before he finished speaking, someone said coldly: “Minister Hu, please shut your mouth.” Hearing such rude words, Hu Zhilian was shocked and was about to speak when a nine-foot giant had already stepped out from the pavilion. With a ringing sound, brilliant light exploded as the “Soaring Eagle Precious Saber” slashed through the air. The single blade danced like a wheel as he engaged Zong Zesi Ba in fierce combat.

China’s second vanguard Song Tongming, the second-generation young master of “Shandong Divine Blade,” had taken the field – this was the true demeanor of a Chinese master.

Single blade against twin sabers, both figures interweaved as three weapons rose and fell in extremely intense combat. That “Soaring Eagle Precious Saber” was incomparably sharp, having been forged and tempered by the “Hongwu Heavenly Furnace” of the Ouyang family from Jiangnan. The blade head was wide and shaped like an iron shovel, also called “Heavenly Hero.” Combined with Song Tongming’s extremely bold blade techniques, for a moment there were absolutely no flaws.

Seeing his opponent’s weapon was formidable, every time Zong Zesi Ba’s twin sabers touched the divine weapon in his hands, sparks flew with damage occurring. These twin sabers were inherited from his father and grandfather with hereditary blade techniques. Seeing them severely damaged, he naturally felt heartbroken. He then changed to close-combat short fighting – first to preserve his twin sabers, second to gain advantage using Mongolian wrestling techniques.

Mongolian folk customs were simple and valued martial courage, most skilled in horsemanship and wrestling. All masters of Mongolian origin, regardless of their training background, practiced wrestling from childhood. By adulthood, they often combined their martial arts with wrestling moves to develop countless unique killing techniques. Years ago, Sa Mo had mastered both internal and external cultivation, becoming the cream of the crop. If not for recent frequent contact with Mongolian martial arts circles, Central Plains people probably wouldn’t know such fighting methods existed in the world.

Seeing Zong Zesi Ba closing in, he held his blade handles in reverse grip with the sharp edges flat against his arms. With one spin, whistling wind sounds erupted. This move “Northern Wind Lash” gripped the saber like an executioner’s beheading strike, containing inner strength, waist power, and wrist power, plus rapid body rotation – naturally extraordinarily fierce. Song Tongming had always been strong-willed with a temperament similar to his father’s. Seeing his opponent wanted close combat to decide victory and defeat, he didn’t retreat but instead advanced to meet him. Zong Zesi Ba was delighted: “My twin sabers have always been mighty with no rivals in the northern nation. This man actually wants to attack the enemy’s strength with his own weakness. Lucky for him he serves as second battle vanguard, yet acts with such oversight.”

Zong Zesi Ba felt victory was assured – if he won this second battle as well, seeing the third battle was just a girl from Mount Jiuhua, he would certainly win three consecutive rounds, which delighted his heart to think about. The moment of victory and defeat was near. In the flashing blade light, both weapons reached within one zhang of the opponent’s face. One zhang was ten feet, but these two men were extremely tall and sturdy – with arms spread they nearly reached a zhang. Adding the sabers in their hands, ten feet was like within arm’s reach for them. Though Zong Zesi Ba’s body spun rapidly, his footwork contained secret moves. Suddenly his left foot probed forward, inserting between Song Tongming’s horse stance, already secretly using wrestling techniques.

Seeing his opponent’s footwork gaining advantage, Song Tongming naturally felt alarmed. Wrestling had always emphasized footwork most – as long as one’s footing was stable, even if the opponent had twice the strength, they couldn’t budge one bit. Seeing the enemy at the gates, just as he was about to step aside diagonally, suddenly his vision blurred as a single saber chopped down at his head. It was exactly that executioner-like “Northern Wind Lash.”

A tremendous crash rang out as Zong Zesi Ba’s single saber struck down with great force. Song Tongming’s upper body exerted too much effort, causing blood and qi in his chest to churn, making him sway involuntarily. Seeing this unmissable opportunity, Zong Zesi Ba immediately kicked diagonally with his left foot toward Song Tongming’s shin.

Onlookers all showed anxious expressions – the opponent’s blade strike combined wrist strength with inner strength and waist strength, three forces together. Song Tongming was already at a disadvantage. Seeing him over-exerted with his center of gravity tilted, if his shin received external force again, he would certainly fall.

A muffled crash was heard as the sweeping leg had already kicked Song Tongming’s foot bone. Zong Zesi Ba smiled at the corners of his mouth – as long as Song Tongming fell, he would spin and flip in mid-air to strike a killing blow. Then twin sabers would emerge together with heel strikes, countless fierce moves combined. Song Tongming would not only be defeated but might suffer physical injury.

Hu Zhilian cried out in anguish – losing two battles in a row, how could this be endured? He quickly said to Juan’er: “Miss, please prepare quickly and take the stage immediately to exhaust some of his energy.” But Juan’er supported her cheek with one hand listlessly: “Why the rush? There’s still more fighting to be done.”

Hu Zhilian made a sound of surprise and quickly looked toward the field. He heard a bang as Song Tongming’s shin took a heavy sweep, yet like an iron tower he remained standing tall. Just as he was puzzled, Zong Zesi Ba was already spinning and flying in mid-air like a ball, chopping toward his enemy.

Song Tongming roared angrily: “Divine Blade Force!” His blade handle shot out fast as lightning, heavily striking forward. In a flash it struck Zong Zesi Ba’s chest. With a crackling sound, the Mongolian vanguard’s ribs broke as he bounced back like a ball, then rolled into the western pavilion. The Mongolian masters were greatly alarmed and thrown into chaos.

Song Tongming stood with imposing divine might, angrily swinging his right palm to slam “Soaring Eagle” into the fighting platform, then coldly looking toward the western pavilion: “Next one.”

Originally this “Divine Blade Sect” practiced an untransmitted secret technique called “Divine Blade Force” – when strength was channeled in, it was like the majesty of Mount Tai. Even if heaven collapsed and earth split, nothing could harm it. For opponents to try to destabilize the lower body with strength naturally had no chance, instead allowing him to catch the opening and immediately knock Zong Zesi Ba from his horse.

With both sides losing one battle each, they had somewhat probed each other’s reality. Mongolia’s side then carefully deliberated. Seeing the next opponent was their second vanguard taking the field, this person was named “Jin Chaqin” – from his surname he was Korean, but they didn’t know what marvelous martial arts he used. That Song Tongming was quite confident and didn’t rush, just waiting on the platform for combat.

While smoke and mist filled the field, the Mount Hua disciples had still not arrived. Qiong Fang could only search along the training ground. She explored along the outer city walls but wasn’t panicked in her heart. Thinking these people were greedy for Beijing’s scenery, they must have entered the city for sightseeing.

Qiong Fang entered the city to search along the streets. She had always traveled light with few maidservants and household servants, plus she possessed martial arts, so she wasn’t afraid of any villains. Moreover, these past years her grandfather Qiong Wuchuan had grown old with poor health. Qiong Fang feared something might happen to grandfather, so she ordered disciples to attend him constantly. Thus for today’s grand event, besides one swordsmanship instructor, no other disciples came to the venue.

Thinking as she walked, she had already arrived in the city. Without needing to ask passersby for directions, she saw the city wall base packed with people, all crowded into one tavern. Everyone was quietly silent, all looking out the door with rather strange expressions. Qiong Fang smiled slightly, knowing that wherever Mount Hua disciples were, there would be absurd strange events, so she headed toward the shop.

As soon as Qiong Fang stepped inside, she heard everyone in the shop – old and young – cheering, all looking up to the sky and shouting: “Won! Won!”

Qiong Fang was greatly puzzled, not knowing why these people were so happy to see her. Just as she was suspicious, a thin, tall old man carrying a golden abacus rushed straight toward a pile of silver on the table, laughing heartily: “Great victory! Complete victory! All of it belongs to this old master!” Just then another old man rolled over – this person was shaped like an orange, round and rolling, quite comical. He was a big fat man who roared: “Nonsense! These are mine!”

Qiong Fang didn’t understand and casually pulled over a disciple, asking in surprise: “What’s this about? Where is your sect master?”

This disciple was about twenty years old, surnamed Chen with the given name Defu. He was Su Ying’s classmate and fellow student, always shrewd and capable, deeply valued by the sect master. Seeing Qiong Fang, his face immediately showed joy and he was about to call out when suddenly someone grabbed his body and threw him out.

Before Qiong Fang could speak, the orange old man had already approached, bowing: “Miss!”

Qiong Fang frowned slightly, shaking her head: “Call me Young Master.”

The fat old man looked pleased: “You’re not Miss.”

Qiong Fang was noncommittal but didn’t understand his intention, only lightly waving her folding fan and saying indifferently: “Call me Young Master.”

Big Orange looked up to the sky and laughed wildly, then immediately faced the crowd and said sternly: “See! She’s not Miss – she said so himself!” The thin, tall old man rushed over angrily: “Nonsense! Nonsense! Of course she’s a woman – didn’t you see her walking with swaying hips? If not female, what else?” Orange old man sneered: “Rubbish! This old master also walks with swaying hips – am I a woman?”

The thin, tall old man roared like a tiger: “I think you are! Cheap woman!” Orange old man was furious beyond words, repeatedly shouting: “Nonsense! You’re the cheap woman! You steal men! You’re a ****! You seduce the patriarch!” The two each held their position and immediately began fierce combat. Other disciples were also shouting angrily, tables and chairs flying throughout the shop, wine jars dancing chaotically – the sight was truly terrifying.

Qiong Fang looked on in amazement. Seeing the disciple who had been thrown out crawling over, she quickly helped him up and asked quietly: “What’s really going on?”

Chen Defu smiled bitterly: “They’re gambling.”

Qiong Fang was quite astonished: “Gambling? How did it involve me?”

Chen Defu laughed dryly twice: “They were guessing whether the next customer entering the shop would be male or female. You happened to come…”

Now it was Qiong Fang’s turn to smile bitterly. Though she was female, she dressed as a man, no wonder it caused disputes. As the two spoke, Abacus Eccentric and Fat Scale Eccentric had already argued repeatedly. Fat Scale Eccentric roared: “If walking can’t tell male from female, and clothing can’t distinguish men from women, then watching urination should work!” Abacus Eccentric shouted: “Good! That’s how we’ll settle it!” He rushed straight toward Qiong Fang, roaring: “Little girl! Show this old master whether you squat or stand when you piss…”

In those times when men were valued over women, hearing him mock her female identity, Qiong Fang immediately became furious. She forcefully swung her folding fan toward Abacus Eccentric’s forehead. This swing looked casual but was actually strictly methodical – it was the Qiong family’s ancestral Ruyi Fan technique, with wave, slap, point, and thrust, the fan face opening and closing containing countless subtle moves. Abacus Eccentric was a figure from Mount Hua’s older generation with considerable martial arts. He dodged sideways and roared to Big Orange: “Everyone needs concrete proof, seeing is believing! Unless we personally watch her bathe and change clothes, we can’t determine victory or defeat!” Fat Scale Eccentric’s face showed joy but his body trembled as he said: “The idea was yours – I’m just being forced into this!” Abacus Eccentric laughed wildly: “Forced into what! Everyone follow her closely!”

Qiong Fang was exploding with anger. She demanded of Chen Defu: “Where is your sect master? Such nonsense! Doesn’t he care?”

Chen Defu smiled bitterly: “The sect master said he’s pondering swordsmanship and told us not to disturb him. He’s resting in the woods behind the shop now.”

Qiong Fang snorted. Seeing Abacus Eccentric sneering continuously with apparent ill intent, she kicked out with her foot, sweeping tables and chairs away. Taking advantage of everyone being tripped by the furniture, she immediately dodged sideways and flew out through the window lattice. Everyone in the shop shouted loudly: “Everyone chase! We won’t give up until we get to the bottom of this!”

Years ago when Ning Bufan retired, Su Ying took over as Mount Hua sect master at a tender age – this news spread throughout the world, becoming a martial arts legend. Afterward, Qiong Wuchuan frequently traveled to Mount Hua, often bringing his granddaughter Qiong Fang along. Qiong Fang had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. Seeing this Mount Hua young hero was naturally shy and would kowtow apologetically upon seeing people, she naturally teased him greatly. Thus this pair of golden boy and jade girl had known each other since childhood, truly childhood sweethearts.

The two had known each other since young, meeting several times each year and exchanging moves. Originally their skills were matched without distinction, but after several years, Su Ying suddenly comprehended Mount Hua’s supreme secret treasure “Three Reaching Swords,” mastering the enemy-subduing divine technique “Wisdom Sword Pacifies Eight Directions.” From then on, his martial arts achievements advanced by leaps and bounds daily, growing stronger each year. Within just a few years, he not only far surpassed Qiong Fang but became the sect’s number one master with no one able to match him.

Before Ning Bufan’s retirement, he still firmly held the title of “World’s Number One,” and even his eye for selecting disciples was extraordinary. When Su Ying was young, he had exchanged moves with Shaolin’s Lingzhen. Though he didn’t win, his exceptional natural talent was clearly displayed, causing all heroes great amazement. Indeed, after Su Ying mastered the Wisdom Sword, he fought over thirty battles without a single defeat. Though not comparable to his master’s eight hundred battles, after several years he had achieved considerable success. It seemed that in time, Mount Hua would surely regain its position among the Four Heroes.

Higher martial arts naturally brought joy, but for unknown reasons, after mastering the Wisdom Sword, this Mount Hua sect master immersed himself daily in swordsmanship, becoming crazy and eccentric with strange behavior, seemingly returning to childishness. This caused sect rules to become lax, with the Fat Scale faction and Abacus faction causing chaos everywhere, leading to today’s strange events.

Being repeatedly insulted by the Mount Hua Twin Eccentrics, Qiong Fang was both angry and amused. These two were considered elders, so she couldn’t do anything and could only take it out on Su Ying. She ran all the way to the woods behind the shop, calling delicately: “Su Ying, you eccentric! Come out!”

With the New Year approaching, snow was falling and sunlight on the snow surface was doubly dazzling. Ice crystal beads hung from branches – Beijing’s winter had its own unique charm. Seeing this boy had hidden himself without emerging, Qiong Fang had no mind to appreciate the scenery and just leaped into the woods to drag Su Ying out.

All around was a white expanse. Looking as far as she could see, there was no sign of Su Ying in the woods. Qiong Fang wasn’t panicked either. She looked carefully and suddenly saw a towering pine in the woods – despite the deep winter, its needles remained thick without withering. Qiong Fang thought:

“Little monkey specializes in climbing high places – let me catch him out.” She immediately held her folding fan and quietly approached the pine tree, then with a leap of her body, jumped onto the branches.

Qiong Fang came from a profound family background. Besides inheriting Qiong family martial arts, Qiong Wuchuan had hired famous masters at great expense to teach her. She practiced all first-rate martial arts – whether internal cultivation methods or lightness skills, all were guided by masters from famous orthodox sects. Though young in years with immature fire cultivation, every movement showed pure foundation and rigorous body techniques, incomparable to ordinary martial arts figures.

She kept her cherry lips tightly closed, holding her breath and concentrating as she leaped step by step onto tree branches. These movements looked simple but contained great learning. Ordinary people lifting qi to leap would necessarily breathe deeply to aid lightness, but she had received ten days of instruction from Wudang’s Daoist Yuan Yi, who taught her a set of “Yan Changqing” breathing techniques that could pass through mysterious gates with one breath of inner qi, not needing to breathe and change qi repeatedly like ordinary famous sect disciples. Indeed, using it now achieved extremely quiet effects.

She picked sturdy pine branches to leap up, her feet very quiet throughout without dropping accumulated snow. She reached two zhang high and hid behind the tree trunk, stealing glances upward. She saw clothing faintly showing at the treetop – clearly someone sat at the tree head in contemplation. Without saying, it must be her eccentric lover being crazy again. Qiong Fang smiled slightly, thinking: “After three months apart, still so peculiar. Probably creating sword moves again.”

Su Ying was obsessed with sword practice, his comprehension directly approaching his master’s level. After the Three Reaching Swords were lost for 140 years, Ning Bufan deciphered the mysteries and disciples began practicing again. But as the name suggested, “Wisdom Sword” emphasized comprehension. Though all the mountain’s masters practiced desperately day and night without rest or food, everyone had limited natural talent and only achieved superficial skills. Only Su Ying alone achieved great mastery.

Sword practice was like reading, chess, calligraphy, painting, and mathematics – it always emphasized natural talent most. Mount Hua swordsmanship never emphasized physical strength, always using stillness to control motion, using softness to overcome hardness, using the most ordinary empty moves to break opponents’ earth-shaking killing techniques. It was the pinnacle of world comprehension and Dao methods. Qiong Fang also knew her lover’s martial arts were extraordinarily high, probably surpassing even grandfather’s. In terms of actual combat power, it was even more astonishingly great. She wanted to test her own martial progress, so she lifted qi and leaped, using the Mount Jiuhua lightness skills Juan’er had taught her, flying straight toward the treetop.

Mount Jiuhua lightness skills were unmatched in the world. Indeed, as soon as her body leaped out, she felt light and floating as if flying on wind. In just a blink, she had reached the treetop. Qiong Fang made a sound and turned around at the treetop, using her inherited fan technique’s “thrust” formula to strike forward.

Su Ying, as a sect master, though young in years, had martial arts achievements above jianghu heroes. This thrust naturally couldn’t hurt him, but strangely, the fan handle thrust out but only hit empty air – there was actually no one at the treetop.

She had just seen clothing and shoes – how could there be no trace in the blink of an eye? To say Su Ying’s lightness skills surpassed her own, Qiong Fang didn’t believe it. Just as she was about to search for his figure, suddenly laughter came from below her feet: “Young master, I’m here.”

Qiong Fang smiled slightly and looked down beside her feet. She saw a person lying on his back on tree branches, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. His hands were clasped behind his head as a pillow, eyes half-open and half-closed. In the cold winter snow with pine friends in the cold season, before her was actually a very elegant and handsome young man.

With the changing of seasons, the beautiful man now in the court was Yang Shaoqi at twenty-eight or twenty-nine, while the most romantic and elegant young man in jianghu today was the fine young fellow before her eyes – the last disciple of “Wisdom Sword Pacifies Eight Directions,” the world’s number one, Mount Hua’s Su Ying.

Su Ying had deeply inherited his master’s true transmission – his qi-concealing methods were extremely mysterious and profound. With slight concealment, he became like residual snow on branches, making people look but not see. Qiong Fang knew his martial arts were vastly different from hers and no longer tried to show off. She crouched down and smiled: “Bad child, always climbing trees. Don’t you know ‘Kui Star Battles Five Passes’ has already begun?”

Su Ying reached out to pull Qiong Fang’s wrist, letting her lie against his chest, smiling: “With Song Tongming there, it’s not my turn to take the stage.” Qiong Fang pillowed on his chest, her expression actually very gentle. She held Su Ying’s palm and said softly:

“Mongolia has many masters – he alone can’t finish fighting them all.” Su Ying smiled faintly, his eyes showing a trace of cunning: “If he can’t finish, isn’t that just right? It happens to let Miss Juan’er display her prowess.” Hearing the jealousy in his words, Qiong Fang couldn’t help giggling, knowing she usually got too close with her good friend and had somewhat neglected her lover. She immediately crawled in front of him, staring directly at him with a smile: “Fine then, you all don’t fight – let me take the stage.”

Su Ying’s hands encircled her waist, staring at her in a daze, suddenly sighing: “Sister Fang, after just a few days apart, you’ve become even more beautiful.”

Qiong Fang was greatly delighted in her heart, but raised her folding fan to tap Su Ying’s forehead: “Sect Master Su, these words are truly incomprehensible. This humble one is Young Master Qiong with heroic bearing and feather fan and silk headband – where is the beauty?” Su Ying reached out first to grasp her jade wrist and kissed toward her lips. Qiong Fang turned gracefully to receive him and also leaned over.

This pair of young lovers had known each other since childhood. After more than ten years together, the two children had no suspicions and had long secretly developed feelings. Not only did everyone in Mount Hua know their master’s heart, but even Purple Cloud Pavilion disciples knew their young miss’s heart. Only Qiong Fang, being descended from court heroes with extraordinarily prominent family background, while Su Ying though Mount Hua’s sect master, still had shallow qualifications and was somewhat insufficient. Qiong Wuchuan intended to perfect this marriage and naturally provided support in many ways. With this personal interest, he ordered Hu Zhilian to arrange for Mount Hua’s sect master to serve as the final general of “Kui Star Battles Five Passes.” As long as his grandson-in-law could defeat strong enemies and successfully win the championship, they would marry when spring warmed next year.

The fragrant kiss was passionate, as if intoxicated. Qiong Fang stared at her lover in a daze, her face full of shy charm. In the snowy treetop, the two were intimate, snuggling closely. Suddenly Qiong Fang made a soft cry, startled to feel waves of heat from inside her undergarments. Seeing her lover so bold and unruly, his hands actually exploring inside her clothes, Qiong Fang panted delicately and reached out to block him, whispering in his ear: “Don’t be naughty.”

In the cold wind, Su Ying’s breath was doubly burning. He blew at his beloved’s neck and smiled: “Sister Fang, after so many years, I really want to see you in women’s clothing.”

Qiong Fang’s eyes showed a smile as she glanced at him sideways: “If you can defeat Zhe’er Dan, I’ll even wear a belly wrap for you to see.”

Su Ying blinked and couldn’t help laughing heartily, his expression quite joyful. Suddenly he became slightly alert: “Wait a moment – you just said ‘Zhe’er Dan’?”

Qiong Fang knew the provocation method worked and immediately nodded with a smile: “Exactly, it’s Zhe’er Dan – Mongolia’s peerless invincible master. He’s the final checkpoint’s defender.”

Su Ying was wildly delighted, immediately cheering once and embracing her sideways, laughing: “Wonderful! This man’s hard skills are remarkable – I’ve long wanted to compete with him.” Qiong Fang smiled slightly and was about to speak when she suddenly heard an old voice not far away whispering:

“*** almost stripped naked. Then we’d know male from female.” Another person said in a thin voice: “Don’t disturb them – maybe there’s still more to see. Be patient…”

The Mount Hua Twin Eccentrics specialized in peeping and it wasn’t just one day. Su Ying also had methods to deal with them. He immediately kicked with his toe, sending two snowballs flying toward the woods. Instantly two screams were heard as one fat and one thin black shadow fell to the ground.

Su Ying looked up at the sky – today’s blue sky and white clouds with white snow all around made a beautiful winter scene. He lowered his head to kiss Qiong Fang and cradled her legs, immediately leaping once in mid-air toward the ground.