Chapter 52
Night had already fallen deeply, so Lou Jing and the other three stayed at the Azure Qilin Gang’s stronghold.
These highwaymen were like a pack of wolves. At their first meeting, they had bared their teeth and howled, eager to tear their enemies apart. But once they fought, learned their opponents’ strength, and were thoroughly beaten into submission, their heads lowered and they became obedient.
Lou Jing watched coldly.
These lawless men cared little for life and death. They seemed to resent only that life was too short.
They dragged the corpses from the hall, and while the bloodstains still remained and the murderous tension of blades had yet to disperse, they raised the overturned tables and began drinking heartily once more.
The scent of alcohol was intense, scorching the throat like fire.
Lou Jing suddenly felt thirsty. Her throat moved, and she frowned before turning and walking outside.
Sun Mang proved straightforward.
Once he lowered his head and agreed, he did not go back on his word. The following day, he gathered the cargo and, despite his injuries, personally escorted it back toward Fengyu Tower with Wusheng and Qingyi.
Lou Jing and Huashan were traveling in a different direction.
One pair headed south, the other north, and they parted at a fork in the road.
Before long, Lou Jing and Huashan returned to Apricot Blossom Heaven.
Although the winter cold was biting, the restaurant remained as lively as ever. Lantern curtains hung around all four sides, while brilliant lights, crimson drapes, and red silk filled the interior with warmth.
Business was thriving, so Madam Yan’s complexion was excellent.
But the moment she saw the two of them return, her face immediately wrinkled.
“Oh…”
Madam Yan pinched Lou Jing’s chin and turned her face from side to side.
“Did you quarrel with some shrew in the marketplace? She has scratched your face all over.”
During her fight with Sun Mang, a saber had left a cut running down from her temple across her brow.
It had now scabbed over, leaving a red line that cut through her sharp eyebrow and added another trace of sinister fierceness to Lou Jing’s appearance.
Madam Yan looked heartbroken, as though a beloved rouge-jade vase had developed a crack.
“Take good care of it. It probably will not leave a scar.”
After returning to Apricot Blossom Heaven, the two resumed their duties.
This year, however, Lou Jing’s position had changed.
She had been “promoted” from an ordinary servant to a manager.
The new position differed greatly from her previous work.
A servant needed to observe expressions, understand people’s moods, and wait upon them carefully.
A manager needed to recognize talent, assign people appropriately, control the establishment, and command those beneath her.
Lou Jing was growing older and gradually leaving behind her most restless years.
She had also endured far more than before, which had allowed her temperament to settle.
If there was one lesson she had learned most profoundly since leaving the Qianyuan Sect, it was not to judge people and matters from only one side.
Even if she disliked or disapproved of something, she could calm herself and study it carefully so long as it proved useful.
Within the small martial world of Apricot Blossom Heaven, she had witnessed countless forms of human behavior and increasingly understood the principle of accumulating strength before releasing it.
Her hatred for her enemies had not diminished.
But she now knew how to gather power for revenge instead of rushing to search for Shen Zhongyin and demanding the murderer’s name from him immediately.
The Qianyuan Sword Art contained a technique called Dormant Dragon, one Lou Jing often used.
Originally, she had practiced it diligently merely because she desired victory.
She had never truly understood the meaning contained within the technique:
The inchworm bends so it may extend; the dragon and serpent lie dormant so they may preserve themselves.
Only now did she genuinely comprehend it.
Lou Jing remained dutifully at Apricot Blossom Heaven from one year’s end to the next.
As a manager, she was not someone to provoke.
Beneath everything, her temperament remained the intense red of pride and rebellion.
Her authority was considerable, and she trained the servants beneath her until they obeyed like watchdogs. At one call, they hurried eagerly to her side.
Madam Yan often teased her for looking like a ferocious deity and said she was best suited to become a bandit queen upon some mountain.
Yet as time passed, Madam Yan increasingly relied upon her and gradually made Lou Jing her right hand.
During this period, they heard that the Azure Qilin Gang had attached itself to Fengyu Tower.
Cold came and heat passed.
The peach trees in the courtyard blossomed and withered.
By the time another winter solstice arrived, unrest had gradually begun spreading through the martial world.
Rumors circulated throughout Xuzhou City that the factions of the Central Plains were gathering their sects to launch a campaign against the Feihua Alliance.
Martial travelers at one table discussed it enthusiastically.
“If war truly begins, it will be another storm of blood. More than ten years of peace will finally come to an end.”
Someone at the neighboring table asked, “Who is leading the Central Plains martial world?”
“Who else but the Qianyuan Sect? Its new sect master, Lou Yan, usually appears inconspicuous and scholarly, but once he acts, he is swift and decisive.”
The person at the next table said, “I heard Sect Master Lou Xuanzhi had several beloved disciples, every one of them exceptionally talented, with rare aptitude and comprehension. I saw one during the martial gathering and assumed he would pass the sect master’s position to one of his own disciples…”
“Human plans cannot overcome heaven’s will. His daughter became involved with demons of the Feihua Alliance. Her origins were unclear, and her father’s death was entangled with her as well. Now no one knows where she has gone.”
“I have also heard something about that. But aside from her, were there not several others?”
Lou Jing stopped walking.
She had already listened to half the conversation and was waiting for what came next when the drinkers suddenly wandered onto another subject.
Lou Jing narrowed her eyes.
After thinking briefly, she took a tray from one of the servants, carried wine over, and attempted to question them.
Perhaps because she always wore a cold expression and spoke without warmth, the martial travelers had no patience for a long conversation with her.
Unable to obtain any information, she left with a frown and happened to encounter Madam Yan and Huashan.
Madam Yan lightly waved her round fan.
“What a waste of that face. Who would want to speak with someone who looks as though she has come to collect a debt?”
Huashan lowered his head slightly beside her, concealing a smile.
Madam Yan continued, “You should understand that unless a man has suffered greatly among women, his heart usually softens when facing one.
“Beauty is the same as your talent for martial arts. Both were gifts from heaven.
“Since you know how to use your gift for martial arts, why do you not know how to use the gift of your appearance?
“If you smiled pleasantly and spoke in a gentle voice, what could you possibly fail to learn?
“Even Huashan is more feminine than you.”
“…”
In the past, Lou Jing would unquestionably have scorned such behavior.
Now, if circumstances required it, perhaps she would attempt it.
But it would still depend upon the person and the matter.
Madam Yan waved her fan lightly and smiled.
“Let this elder sister teach you.”
She walked slowly toward the table of martial travelers and naturally sat among them under the pretense of gifting them wine.
She truly seemed to put on a living mask.
Her eyes shimmered like autumn waters as she looked emotionally upon the men at the table, as though she admired each of them as a great hero.
Her words were equally flattering and pleasant.
Within only a few sentences, she encouraged them to speak freely, and soon everyone was chatting happily.
She truly resembled an enchantress.
Her smile was graceful and charming, yet more frightening than the swords and sabers of the martial world.
Had Lou Jing possessed Madam Yan’s ability to act spoiled and charming when she was younger, her relationship with Lou Xuanzhi might never have become so strained.
Before long, Madam Yan guided the conversation toward the Qianyuan Sect and displayed a little curiosity.
The men, eager to demonstrate their extensive knowledge, revealed everything they knew, no matter how insignificant.
Unfortunately, they did not understand the entire matter.
Lou Jing’s understanding remained vague even after listening nearby.
But when she heard that among Lou Xuanzhi’s disciples, one had disappeared and another had died, her heart constricted and her ears began buzzing.
Although the men never mentioned names, she could guess they were speaking of Yu Jingqiu and Lang Ye.
Her face turned ashen.
When she heard that Yu Jingqiu was suspected of betraying the sect, plotting to seize the position of sect master, and attempting to murder an elder—even that Lang Ye’s death might have been connected to her—and that she had fled to escape punishment, Lou Jing snorted inwardly.
Yu Jingqiu is not that sort of person.
Blue veins appeared upon Lou Jing’s smooth forehead.
Had the traitor inside the sect repeated the same method again?
Fleeing to escape punishment?
Perhaps Yu Jingqiu had been secretly disposed of instead.
What had become of Di Hou and Yun Yao?
Her second uncle had awakened, so presumably they would not be entirely isolated and helpless. They should at least be somewhat safer.
When she thought of Lang Ye’s death and Yu Jingqiu’s uncertain fate, everything felt unreal.
It resembled the day she awakened and was suddenly told Lou Xuanzhi had died.
She turned and walked several steps outside, then stopped again.
She forced her heart to harden.
She felt both hatred and love toward the Qianyuan Sect.
Until her own matters were resolved, she would never return and allow those disturbances to interfere with her heart.
Yet Lang Ye had been killed by an outsider.
No matter what, she could not swallow that hatred.
Those four senior martial siblings had grown up alongside her upon Tiger Roar Mountain.
As a youth, she had been impatient and easily angered, while all four had tolerated and doted upon her.
She never showed it upon her face or said it aloud, but within her heart, she truly regarded them as family.
She had not originally intended to return to Fengyu Tower that winter.
Now she changed her mind.
She needed to see Zhan Sanxiao.
Zhan Sanxiao’s information network was extensive and might be able to discover something.
What Lou Jing did not know was that not long after she set out, the Central Plains martial world and the Feihua Alliance finally began fighting.
During their first clash, both sides intended only to test the other and did not use their full strength.
But the Central Plains factions attacked without warning.
Only Chaosheng Sect stood across the river, and Qiu Zhaoyi had not been able to send experts to reinforce and command it in time.
As a result, Chaosheng Sect suffered losses.
Lou Jing traveled through Xifeng Pass and passed the Azure Qilin Gang.
The sentries spotted her from a distance and reported her arrival.
As Lou Jing rode along the mountain path, two men rushed down from the forest.
She pulled her horse to a stop and placed one hand upon the short sword at her waist.
The two men respectfully cupped their hands.
“Lady Yuanfu, our gang leader invites you inside.”
Lou Jing’s gaze became deep.
No one visited a sacred hall without a purpose.
But since the Azure Qilin Gang had attached itself to Fengyu Tower, they could be considered allies.
Allies.
Lou Jing could not help scoffing inwardly.
She had once despised the Feihua Alliance, yet without noticing, she had gradually developed habits similar to these people.
One man stepped forward and took her horse’s reins, while the other led the way.
They brought her to the same meeting hall where they had fought before.
By then, dusk had already fallen.
When the doors opened, the hall revealed tables covered in wine and meat, brightly burning lamps, and deafening laughter and curses.
Nothing appeared different from the day she had left the previous year.
A huge figure approached her.
His hair and beard bristled outward.
It was Sun Mang.
His injuries had long since healed.
The moment he arrived, he called warmly, “Little Sister.”
He led Lou Jing to the table upon the raised platform.
A man in green robes was already seated there.
He was the person who had protected Sun Mang after his defeat.
Sun Mang introduced him.
“This is the deputy leader of our gang, Brother Qiu Qing.”
Lou Jing asked coldly, “What important matter did Gang Leader summon me for?”
Sun Mang smiled.
“Little Sister, we now belong to the same tower. Since you are passing the Azure Qilin Gang, I cannot offer you any rare treasures, but I possess more than enough good wine.
“You should at least come inside and drink a few cups before leaving.”
“Your wounds have completely healed. Do they no longer hurt?”
Sun Mang slapped his chest and laughed heartily.
“What does such a minor injury matter?
“No friendship without a fight. Had we not exchanged blows, I would never have appreciated Little Sister’s magnificence.”
Sun Mang filled a bowl with wine for Lou Jing.
Only afterward did he realize something.
“Can Little Sister drink?”
Lou Jing ran one finger along the rim of the bowl, causing faint ripples to appear within it.
She had once enjoyed the rice wine from the shop beneath Tiger Roar Mountain.
She had also tasted ordinary yellow wine and white liquor.
She was not a heavy drinker, but since beginning her escape, she had avoided alcohol entirely to keep her mind clear.
Yet now, surrounded by loud voices, clashing cups, and the lingering fragrance of wine, a bold desire arose within her to drink until she could drink no more.
Lou Jing raised the bowl and emptied it in one swallow.
Sun Mang’s eyes lit up.
His delight grew.
“Excellent! Straightforward! I knew I had not misjudged you.”
Lou Jing dropped the bowl onto the table and wiped her lips with the back of her hand.
Although her rouge had been removed, her lips remained moist and vividly red.
“Speak if you have business, Gang Leader.”
“Good. Then I will not circle around the matter.”
Sun Mang said, “I did indeed invite you here because I need something.
“You already know about the conflict between our gang and the Red Fragrance Society.
“We wish to absorb the Red Fragrance Society into our gang. Not only would it increase our size, but our territory could expand all the way to the river.”
Lou Jing replied lazily, “You should discuss this with the Tower Master.”
Sun Mang looked genuinely surprised and tapped his bowl against the table.
“Why would I discuss it with the Little Immortal?”
“You are attached to Fengyu Tower. Without her command, you would not dare move recklessly.”
Sun Mang laughed.
“Little Sister, we attached ourselves to you.”
Lou Jing could not help freezing.
Sun Mang poured her another bowl of wine.
“If we had wanted to follow her, we would have presented our pledge of allegiance the moment Long Chou died.
“She barely seems alive, cannot even bind a chicken, and spends half of every year sick in bed.
“Although her condition has improved in recent years, no one knows when she will relapse or how many days she has left to live.
“Why would we follow such a leader?
“But you are different, Little Sister.
“I liked you from the first moment I saw you.
“I know you are not something destined to remain within a pond.
“At your current age, you have already defeated me. What heights will you reach in the future?
“It was because of you that I took the opportunity to attach the Azure Qilin Gang to Fengyu Tower.”
Lou Jing had not known that certain gangs and sects cared only about the strength of a person’s fist.
They were unlike famous righteous sects, which demanded proper status and moral character.
Naturally, she had never imagined that a single fight would beat a desire for submission into Sun Mang.
Lou Jing drank another bowl slowly.
“Are you joking with me, Gang Leader?
“If you seek someone with superior martial arts, Senior Yan Bumei of Fengyu Tower surpasses me by an immeasurable distance.”
Sun Mang slapped the table.
“I always mean what I say!
“Little Sister, if you do not believe me, we can burn incense and swear before every brother in the gang right now.
“I will surrender the position of gang leader to you and serve as your deputy.
“Besides, Yan Bumei actually belongs to Chaosheng Sect and will leave sooner or later.
“He is also old. Following him would not be a lasting plan.”
His words sounded sincere.
Lou Jing waved one hand.
“Enough. I believe you.
“As for absorbing the Red Fragrance Society, act according to your abilities. If you believe the time is suitable, you have my permission.”
Sun Mang laughed twice with an unreadable expression.
His request clearly did not end there.
Sure enough, he poured Lou Jing another bowl.
“Little Sister possesses extraordinary martial arts and is already no weaker than me despite her young age.
“When our two factions begin fighting, I hope you will remain nearby and hold the field for your brothers.”
His true purpose had finally appeared.
Lou Jing laughed.
In truth, this request was not unacceptable.
If she could genuinely bring Sun Mang beneath her command, helping his people fight would be an extremely inexpensive condition.
“Not at present. I must return to Fengyu Tower first…”
Lou Jing’s heart suddenly moved.
Dingshan Sect existed only in name.
After Long Chou’s death, Qiu Zhaoyi and Helian Que were locked in a struggle, leaving no one to restrain the minor movements of the sects beneath them.
That was why Sun Mang could attempt to absorb the Red Fragrance Society and increase his power.
If she took advantage of this opening, the Red Fragrance Society might not be the only faction they could absorb.
“Among the factions once beneath Dingshan Sect, was there any hidden organization skilled in locating people, investigating matters, and trading information?”
Sun Mang looked toward Deputy Gang Leader Qiu Qing.
Qiu Qing stroked the sparse beard beneath his chin and closed his eyes in thought.
After a long while, he opened them.
“There was one, but Tower Master Helian has already taken it under his control.”
Qiu Qing glanced at Lou Jing.
His mind was quick, and he had noticed something from her expression.
“There is another one in Huainan.”
Sun Mang frowned.
“Then it falls beneath Chaosheng Sect.”
The Steadfast Star was not someone easily provoked.
Qiu Qing shook his head.
“It is merely a fence-sitter.
“It saw the direction of the wind and crossed the river early to cling to Chaosheng Sect’s leg.
“But the Steadfast Star never formally declared that she had accepted it.
“If Lady Yuanfu is interested, it is not entirely impossible to act against them.
“After all, the Cult Leader and Tower Master share a close relationship, and in name we are now the Tower Master’s subordinates.
“If the Cult Leader truly learns of it, she probably will not punish us too severely.”
Lou Jing considered the matter for a long time.
She already possessed a general plan, but still said, “Allow me to think about it.”
No matter what, she first needed to return to Fengyu Tower and speak with Zhan Sanxiao.
Comments 0
You must be logged in to comment.
No comments yet. Be the first!