Chapter 111 Scheming and Machining, Cai Chang Passes on Martial Arts
We walked for more than ten miles, leading our horses through dense forests. The sun shone obliquely, a gentle breeze blew, and the miasma blocking our way gradually lessened.
Finally, a narrow path for carriages and horses came into view.
The road ahead suddenly opened up.
The two mounted their horses and rode side by side along the road.
Li Xian held the reins and gently stroked the horse. The horse was brownish-red in color, with soft, lustrous hair, a plump and well-built body, and was exceptionally handsome.
"Commander Li, this will be your horse from now on," Ding Hu said enviously.
Li Xian nodded and said, "I would like to know about the recent affairs, both big and small, in the manor. Please tell me."
"I dare not accept such praise," Ding Hu said respectfully. "Whatever the commander wishes to know, I will answer without reservation. I truly cannot bear the burden of such a request."
"Then you speak," Li Xian said casually.
Then Ding Hu recounted the situation in the manor, large and small, in detail. The manor had been dealing with many affairs lately, including external threats, the cooking of precious treasures, and power struggles.
After traveling another ten li or so, the road was paved with gravel and sprinkled with mud and sand. Reaching the official road, travel became much easier. Li Xian lightly spurred his horse, shouted "Giddy up!", and the horse's hooves thundered, moving with astonishing speed.
Li Xian, his robes fluttering, rode with great joy. Reaching a mountaintop, he pulled on the reins and brought his horse to a stop. Gazing at the scenery, he was filled with endless emotions.
"Whatever the lady's intentions may be."
"Whether the road ahead is good or bad, we have at least taken another step forward. Heaven rewards diligence, and success depends on human effort!"
Li Xian felt calm.
The scenery of the river and lake remained the same, but everything had changed. My younger brother had gone to the prefectural city, Commander Pang's whereabouts were unknown, and I had inexplicably become the commander.
"Commander Li, please hurry on your way," Ding Hu said cautiously.
"Alright." Li Xian turned his horse around and headed towards the manor.
When we returned to the entrance of the village.
Hua Hanying was about to leave the village when he saw Li Xian return, and his heart skipped a beat.
Early this morning, he suddenly heard a rumor that the lady had ordered Li Xian to return to the manor as commander last night. He didn't believe it; he was doing well in his position as commander, so why would Li Xian suddenly take his place?
This is completely unfounded.
But as word spread, it aroused even more suspicion.
Hua Hanying wanted to seek out his wife for advice. However… this would be offensive, as he had only met with her three times in the few months since he took office as commander.
Everything on and off the estate belongs to the lady. If there are any changes, the lady can make the decision with a single word, without needing to inform anyone.
And so on...
He was both insecure and arrogant, suspicious and disdainful, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions. And then, he saw Li Xian return to the manor...
"Stop!"
Hua Hanying's blood boiled, like a hungry tiger fiercely defending its territory. His anger was hard to contain; the more afraid he was, the more arrogant he became, and the more fearful he was, the less he knew when to advance or retreat.
He said, "Ding Hu, how dare you! You abandoned your post without my permission. Is this how you set an example for others, given that you are a first-class guard?!"
Ding Hu was not afraid at all and said loudly, "I am acting on my wife's orders, why should I inform you? Besides, Hua Hanying, the current commander is Li Xian, you had better know your place!"
"Nonsense!" Hua Hanying roared. "Only you would believe those rumors. If the Madam were to issue an imperial edict, why would she summon you instead of me?"
Ding Hu said, "It's because I was patrolling the inner courtyard last night and happened to pass by. The lady then sent word to me, asking me to bring Li Xian back overnight."
Hua Hanying said, "No, impossible! You're talking nonsense, you must be spreading rumors!"
"Madam, why would you appoint Li Xian as commander without any reason? This is completely unreasonable. What are your true intentions!"
Ding Hu sneered, "Hua Hanying, I'm too lazy to argue with you. Just give in! If things get ugly later, you'll be the one who suffers."
Enraged, Hua Hanying strode closer, grabbing Ding Hu with his claws, and shouted, "Get off your horse! Be punished according to the rules!" Ding Hu was startled; his ankle was already pinned, with five finger holes oozing hot blood.
Ding Hu's internal energy surged back, but it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, having no effect whatsoever. Hua Hanying forcefully pulled him down from his horse. Ding Hu exclaimed in shock and anger, "Hua Hanying, how dare you!?"
Hua Hanying sneered, "I am a dignified commander, what is there that I dare not do!" He then struck at the man's face, intending to disfigure him.
Li Xian held the hilt of his sword, and in an instant, it was drawn, the blade flashing. A severed arm flew high into the air. The inner energy contained within the severed arm meant that although it flew away from the body, it still possessed considerable power, landing on the ground with its five fingers embedded in the soil.
Hua Hanying felt a sharp pain in his right arm, screaming in agony. Blood splattered for a moment, then the flow slowed noticeably. He had reached the boundary of "blood stabilization," but this level of skill was insufficient in front of Li Xian.
"You...you cut off my hand?! My hand...my hand is broken?!" Hua Hanying clutched his severed arm.
Ding Hu scrambled to his feet and kicked out angrily. Hua Hanying, still reeling from the pain of his severed arm, had no time to defend himself and was sent flying several feet away.
Ding Hu clenched his fists, straddled Hua Hanying, and pounded them wildly, shouting, "You? You're a worthless commander!"
The commotion was quite large, and a crowd had already gathered to watch.
Seeing this, the guards knew the rumors were true. Then they all thought, "This Hua Hanying has repeatedly provoked Commander Li; he's courting death. Let's take this opportunity to give him a good beating and show our stance."
So the one-on-one fight turned into a group brawl.
The situation spiraled out of control. A flurry of punches, some light and some heavy, rained down, and Hua Hanying was beaten to death.
...
...
"Li Xian, is it? Madam has ordered that if you return, you should go to the Tranquility Tower and wait for Madam to emerge from seclusion."
"At the gate of the inner courtyard," Qiuyue said.
Li Xian said, "Miss Qiuyue, may I ask why Madam summoned me back?"
Seeing that Li Xian was dressed simply, Qiu Yue took a small step back with a look of disdain and said impatiently, "I don't know either. Madam has given the order, so just do as she says."
Li Xianxing entered the inner courtyard and waited at the foot of the Tranquil Heart Tower.
The Tranquility Tower is ten zhang tall, entirely black, and stands majestically.
In front of the pagoda is a courtyard with willows, a pond, artificial hills, and flowers...
"Madam's thoughts are truly unpredictable."
Li Xian waited for a long time, growing extremely bored, yet unwilling to leave. So he looked around for some amusement. He came to a pond where colorful fish swam freely and happily.
He gently stirred the water, pondering:
"This Tranquility Tower is where the lady secluded herself for meditation. It is quiet and peaceful, and it helps people concentrate their minds."
"But I wonder... what gate is the lady in seclusion?"
I couldn't help but think of the various scenes from the early days of "Azure Palm".
They waited until dusk. Qiu Yue went up the tower, and half an hour later, the lady, dressed in white, came down from the tower and appeared in their sight.
Li Xian took the initiative to greet her and said, "Greetings, Madam. May I ask what brings you here?"
Madam Wen nodded and said, "Your martial arts skills have improved."
Li Xian replied, "In the deep mountains, when I have nothing to do, I like to study martial arts."
“That’s right.” Madam Wen nodded and said, “Come with me.”
We entered an inner room.
Madam Wen sat down in the main seat, gestured to a seat to the side with her delicate hand, and said, "Please sit down." Li Xian wanted to say, "I'll just stand," but then thought that being generous and straightforward might not be disrespectful. So she sat down in the side seat.
Madam Wen crossed her legs, her clothes were slightly wrinkled, and a little skin was exposed on her wrists, which looked like some kind of rope mark.
Her beauty was captivating, naturally radiating without any effort to display it. She said, "You must be wondering why I called you back."
"I don't like beating around the bush. I speak my mind directly, reward those who have done good deeds, and punish those who have done wrong."
"It's because of your younger brother, Li Xiaofan."
Li Xian tensed up: "What happened to my brother?"
Madam Wen smiled slightly and said softly, "Your younger brother is fine, no need to be nervous. He has won the lottery and is now a junior scholar."
"That's good!" Li Xian said.
"A scholar who has also gained a bit of good fortune will bring his entire family to great heights." Madam Wen said meaningfully, "I called you back to give you a choice. My manor is currently lacking a leader. If you choose to stay, that position will be yours."
"If you want to leave, I won't stop you. I might even do you a favor and write you a letter recommending you to powerful figures in Qiongtian Prefecture. I can speak on behalf of people in various industries, academies, sects, and aristocratic families."
“If you really go to the prefectural city, your younger brother will be closer to you. You might even be able to see each other more often.”
"You are still young, and you may very well make a name for yourself. If you really make a name for yourself, your life will be very different. After all, like brother, like brother. You should think it over carefully."
Mrs. Wen spoke lightly and casually.
Li Xian had no fondness for Zhuangzi, but upon hearing about the events in the prefectural city, he was indeed intrigued. However, upon further reflection, he was filled with lingering fear.
Inner analysis:
"Who is this lady? She is powerful and selfish. Every decision she makes is based on her own interests, so that she can profit from it."
"She escorted me to her residence, and I heard all sorts of tempting words. But... what good would this do her? Invest in me? That's wishful thinking."
"Therefore... she spoke so eloquently, but it was probably all just talk. And the fact that she has already promoted me to commander proves that she has no intention of letting me leave the manor."
"So, the purpose of her words was... to test my loyalty. If I want to go to the prefectural city, it means my heart is not here!"
In a split second, Li Xian blurted out, "The city is nice, but... but Li Xian would prefer to stay in the manor."
"Oh? Why?" Madam Wen asked with great interest.
"Commander Pang often says that the lady is a person descended from heaven, and it is a great blessing for her to serve you."
Li Xian felt no shame; this was the way of survival—integrity resided in the heart, not in words. "I think Commander Pang is right. I was born in Qingning County. Although I've never been to the prefectural city, I imagine it's just a larger town, more populated and busier. In comparison, I'd much rather stay by Madam's side."
When Madam Wen heard "a figure descended from heaven," it was clearly a compliment to her beauty, which was said to be as celestial as a fairy. Although she felt no joy, she found it agreeable nonetheless. Seeing Li Xian's sincere expression, she nodded secretly.
"How old are you this year?" Mrs. Wen asked.
"Sixteen," Li Xian replied.
"Never left Qingning County?" Madam Wen asked.
“Never!” Li Xianwen was not as loud as his younger brother, but he was just as clever. “Ah! I went once, to Huangyu County.”
Madam Wen chuckled. She was undeniably charming and beautiful, and said, "You're quite honest."
She scrutinized Li Xian, thinking to herself, "I know this young man quite well. His act of rescuing his brother alone speaks volumes about his character. He is also extremely loyal to me, has never been involved in the martial world, is innocent and naive."
“The important thing is that his younger brother, who was only ten years old, had already obtained a wisp of fortune. This Immortal Li... may truly be worth cultivating.”
After careful consideration, Li Xian was clearly different. In Madam Wen's mind, a guard was a guard, and Commander Pang was also a guard. She would offer sweet treats and a heavy stick, making them work for her for all eternity.
Naturally, there is little affection involved, and there is no intention to cultivate or nurture it.
But that tiny bit of "luck" is enough to change many people's opinions.
It makes some things subtle.
Only with this "luck" did Madam Wen truly see Li Xian and recognize his merits. This subtle difference was something Pang Long, with his lifelong loyalty, could never obtain.
“Since you are unwilling to leave the village, from today onwards, you will be the leader.”
"Come to the inner courtyard to see me at noon the day after tomorrow, and I will teach you a superior martial art."
Wen Caishang was in a good mood.
(End of this chapter)
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