Chapter Sixty-Four: The Marquis's Household Is Like the Sea

Looking out toward the Southern Gate of Yuanwang Town, the city walls stretched like a colossal dragon, lying across the earth for miles on end, disappearing into the endless mountains. The fortress loomed ahead, flags fluttering in the wind, and the enormous iron gates stood cold and tightly shut. Only a narrow passageway beside them, just wide enough for a single carriage, led within. Two squads of soldiers, each bearing military swords at their waists and short horn bows on their backs, guarded the passage. A commanding officer, a silver-white sword at his side, paced back and forth, occasionally casting a glance down the main road outside the gate.

Clip-clop, clip-clop! The sound of hooves thundered from the south, and the officer’s eyes brightened as he shouted, “Be alert! Eyes sharp! Any mistake, and you’ll lose two days’ rations and earn twenty lashes on top!”

“Yes, sir!” the soldiers responded in unison, straightening their backs.

Seven horses, seven riders, came to a steady halt before the gate, with Xia Tong at their head.

“Commander Wu, we have business within the pass. Here is the token for your inspection,” Xia Tong said from horseback, retrieving a golden dragon-headed token from her belt and tossing it to Commander Wu.

He took it, examined it briefly, nodded, and approached, returning the token. “Miss Xia, by law, all who enter must be registered. Please follow me to record your names.”

Xia Tong glanced back at her companions, who nodded silently and dismounted. Commander Wu summoned a soldier holding the register, and each person signed their name. All, except Xia Tong and Lin Feng, used fabricated names.

“Let them through!” Commander Wu, satisfied with the registry, waved his hand, and the soldiers parted crisply.

The seven mounted their horses, their eyes wary as they scanned their surroundings. Passing so easily through the Southern Gate’s strict defenses was truly unexpected. Wuzhui, the black dog, his tongue lolling, followed behind the horsemen. Commander Wu watched the dog with surprise for a long moment. Wuzhui turned, grinned at him, then strode proudly into the pass.

“Damn, even dogs enjoy the favor of the nobility and can grin so smugly these days!” Commander Wu spat and barked, “Keep sharp, don’t let a single suspicious person slip through.”

Once past the mighty gate, the group finally felt at ease. They pressed on at a gallop along the official road, and by dusk, thanks to their tireless steeds, they arrived within the walls of Quhuai City.

Their journey was unhindered, and even their fine horses failed to draw much attention from the townsfolk. On either side of the grand avenue, shops were luxuriously adorned with blue-glazed tiles and wide entrances. Pedestrians dressed in bright, elegant clothing all moved briskly about their business.

Lin Feng, riding among them, pondered the deeds of Prince Rongqing, while occasionally taking in the city’s bustling prosperity. “Xia Baizhu said that Prince Rongqing, Luodanwen, has been patient for years, surrounded by strategists—this much is clearly true. To seize the throne of Mengliang is likely no idle boast. Yet if he lacks truly outstanding talents, contending with the Grand Preceptor will be far more difficult. My aim here is not to become entangled; when the opportunity arises, I must return to the mountain without delay.”

The Prince’s mansion stood on the easternmost avenue of Quhuai City, grand and imposing, its high walls stretching out of sight. Two giant stone lions guarded the entrance, where four guards stood rigidly, two to each side.

The group dismounted before the mansion. Xia Tong straightened her attire and presented the golden dragon token. A servant immediately stepped forward to accept it, saying, “Please wait here, honored guests,” before striding into the estate.

Soon, an elderly man, dressed as a steward, approached briskly with several servants. After a few polite words, he ushered the party into the mansion. The attentive servants took the horses away for care without needing instruction.

Within, the estate was tranquil and expansive. Pavilions and towers dotted the grounds, while the Prince’s personal guards, eyes keen and postures straight as pines, patrolled in perfect order. The blue-brick, green-tiled buildings were spacious and bright, forming a vast, labyrinthine residence. Steward Zhang led them to the main courtyard, which opened up into a broad space flanked by a dozen grand halls.

As the group took in their surroundings, five men emerged quickly from the central building. Four of them clustered around a middle-aged man, treating him with the utmost deference. He had broad ears and a fair face, a jade hairpin in his hair, clad in a golden robe and wearing a string of exquisite jade pendants at his waist. Every step radiated innate nobility; his brows were tranquil, his smile gentle. Even before he drew near, he greeted them cheerfully, “Xia Tong, aren’t you going to introduce us? These must be Brother Ye and Brother Lin, yes?”

“Greetings, Your Highness,” the group said, bowing low.

“Ah, please, no need for such formality.” Prince Rongqing, Luodanwen, stepped forward and gestured for them to rise. Turning, he smiled, “These are the esteemed guests I invited. Perfect timing. Let’s all go to the main hall and talk.”

Lin Feng let his gaze linger on the four men accompanying the prince. Two were dressed as scholars, two as Daoists, all over forty, bearing no weapons and with restrained gazes.

As Lin Feng looked at them, they in turn scrutinized him and Nie Xuan. In that silent exchange of glances, each party knew the other’s nature—true cultivators, unmistakable by their sense of spiritual power.

“These four are no simple men. It seems Xia Baizhu’s assessment was incomplete; Prince Rongqing’s true strength must go deeper.” As they walked toward the hall, Lin Feng exchanged a subtle glance with Nie Xuan.

Everyone took their seats in turn. Prince Rongqing sat at the head, surveyed his guests, and smiled, “A few days ago, Master Xia sent word that you might be delayed at the Southern Gate. I did not expect you all to arrive so soon—what a happy turn of events. Tonight I will host a banquet in your honor.”

At this, everyone’s countenance darkened. Zuo Qingcheng looked away, Ye Ziyin and Lin Feng glanced at Xia Tong, and the others remained silent.

“Have I said something wrong?” Prince Rongqing, ever perceptive, immediately noticed the subtle shift in atmosphere.

“Your Highness,” Xia Tong replied, her grief overwhelming her, “my father was murdered just days ago...” She choked, unable to continue.

“What? Who could possibly have the skill to take Baizhu’s life? Speak now, and I will see justice done!” Prince Rongqing’s expression turned icy, his body tensing.

Xia Tong composed herself and recounted the events at Bamboo Court Villa, omitting only Nie Xuan’s true identity. When she finished, Prince Rongqing paused, then sighed, “Baizhu was like a brother to me. To fall victim to such evil is a terrible tragedy. Xia Tong, if you do not mind, I would treat you as my own daughter from now on. Would you accept this?”

“Thank you, Your Highness!” Xia Tong, deeply moved, rose and bowed to him.

“Come now, rise. From today, we are family; you needn’t address me so formally,” Prince Rongqing replied with a gentle laugh. “Let us speak of this later. For the moment, there is a pressing matter that I hope you will help me with.”

Everyone straightened, showing their attention. Prince Rongqing explained, “A few days ago, the traitor Qin Mi, under the guise of an imperial edict, dispatched an inspector to Quhuai to investigate the administration, but in truth to spy on our military. That inspector has just left for Yiyang—a perfect opportunity to strike. Unfortunately, none of my Iron Guts assassins have returned. Thus, I ask your aid to intercept and eliminate this party. This will not only humble the old traitor but may also yield useful intelligence for our cause.”

When he finished, a middle-aged man in blue robes laughed loudly, “Your Highness overthinks. With my brother and me, we can easily capture that false inspector and his retinue—no need to trouble so many, which would only complicate matters.”

“Oh? You are confident, Master Chu?” Luodanwen asked, smiling.

“Naturally,” the blue-robed man replied. “My brother and I have studied under the Star Sword Sect for over thirty years. Our swordplay may be unremarkable, but against mere mortals, it is more than enough!” He glanced at his brother, both wearing expressions of haughty pride, stroking their beards with satisfaction.

Across from them, one of the Daoist masters, a square-faced, beardless man of imposing stature, snorted coldly. “Your Highness, we obey your commands. Brother Chu, are you afraid we’ll take the credit and wish to go alone?”

“Zhong Wenshui, do not sow discord before the prince! Others may fear you, but I, Chu Can, do not!” Chu Can stood abruptly, and his brother, Chu Yu, quickly tugged him back down. Chu Can snorted again, turning his face away from the hall.

Zhong Wenshui sneered as well, unmoving in his seat. The rest remained silent, each quietly weighing the strength of those present.

“The competition in Prince Rongqing’s mansion is so open—one can only imagine how fierce it is behind closed doors. Truly, to enter the nobility is to dive into deep waters. If I can help Ziyin forge an alliance between our two families, I’ll withdraw at the first opportunity…” Watching the two factions bicker, Lin Feng’s resolve to keep his distance grew stronger.

Prince Rongqing waited until the two men sat down before speaking. “Originally, I intended for you all to go together, but perhaps that was unnecessary. Very well, Master Chu, I’ll entrust you with this mission.”

“We will not fail!” Chu Can declared, hands clasped in salute.

“Good. Then please rest for now, and when the banquet is ready, we’ll celebrate your arrival. Brother Ye, Brother Lin, come walk with me in the rear garden. Steward Zhang, take the other guests to their rooms—prepare Qingxin Pavilion for Miss Xia, and assign some maids and servants as well.” Prince Rongqing rose as he spoke.

The others thanked him and followed Steward Zhang out. The four master guests saluted and departed about their own business, leaving only Lin Feng, Ye Ziyin, and Prince Rongqing in the hall.

“Brother Ziyin, as royal kin of neighboring realms, with traitors rampant and war looming, our alliance is timely. With our families united, we can restore order and achieve great things. I command eight hundred thousand armored troops; when the time comes, I will aid you in purging your court of traitors, and together, we may realize a flourishing empire!”

As Prince Rongqing spoke, all traces of his earlier geniality vanished, replaced by a powerful and commanding presence—no less imposing than a sword-flying cultivator.

This was his true self! Lin Feng reassessed him. Clearly, the prince did not practice Daoist arts. That left only one possibility: the martial path. Only someone who had refined their martial body to the highest degree could exude such force.

Prince Rongqing drew a breath, reining in his aura, and continued, “As you saw, though I have many retainers, they are not united. Many act only from self-interest. Should our rebellion falter, they would scatter at the first sign of defeat. With the Chu brothers intercepting Pang Yun and his men, I fear their odds are slim. Brother Lin, if you could render some covert assistance, I would be deeply grateful. My private library holds many unique and precious tomes—you are welcome to peruse them. Gold, titles, and ranks are all empty things; if you have any requests, do not hesitate to ask.”

“Oh? Your Highness’s request is a minor matter. I ask only that all of us be granted access to your library,” Lin Feng replied evenly.

“Done. It’s a promise,” Prince Rongqing agreed with a smile. Rising, he led the two outside, saying, “Brother Ziyin, what are your thoughts? In Qiuchi, are there any other forces we might win to our cause…”