Chapter 1

The sky had dimmed; the sun was already sinking beyond the western hills, leaving only a streak of red clouds at the horizon.

A cowherd rode Green Ox down along Little Cold Creek.

All of a sudden, a rapid clatter of hooves came from afar. Dust billowed up from one end of the main road, the riders charging in with great urgency.

But Old Green Ox had a mild, unhurried temperament, with a streak of stubbornness in him—a slow-moving, obstinate ox. He had only just moved aside to give up half the dirt road when the two black horses came thundering over.

The riders were one old and one young, both dressed splendidly in smooth, high-grade brocade silk robes, entirely unlike the coarse hemp garments worn in the village. One glance showed that they came from a wealthy and extraordinary household.

The old man rode in front. His temples were white, yet he was full of vigor, sitting upright in the saddle as he sped past like wind and lightning.

The youth, however, lagged half a step behind the old man and was immediately blocked by Green Ox. He happened to have a fiery temper, and at once raised his voice in a shout. "Brat, move out of the way."

As he spoke, he urged his sleek, powerful black horse forward, charging recklessly ahead.

In the blink of an eye, the tall horse crashed toward them like wind and thunder. When it drew near, separated by no more than a hair's breadth, Old Green Ox suddenly charged forward. His hind legs kicked up, and a massive black hoof struck the black horse squarely in the chest with a deafening bang.

The horse cried out in pain, rearing up on its hind legs with a shrill, miserable neigh.

The youth on horseback was shocked. He nimbly seized the reins, rolled off the horse, and landed steadily on the ground.

The cowherd stuck out his tongue at him. He bounced a few times atop the ox's back but remained entirely unharmed.

With a glance, the youth saw the black horse lying on the ground, a hole torn open in its chest, blood pouring out in torrents. It was dead beyond all doubt.

Rage immediately surged into his head. He shouted at the old man ahead, "Old Liu, slaughter that old ox and seize that little bastard. I'm going to teach him a lesson."

Old Liu frowned, reined in his horse, and turned back, blocking the middle of the road.

The cowherd turned his head and found the old man examining him. The man's eyes were like two black holes, enough to make his hair stand on end.

He suddenly tugged the rope through the ox's nose and clamped his legs hard around its back. The slow-moving Old Green Ox abruptly broke into a mad sprint, lowering his head and aiming his pair of sharp horns ahead, his eyes blazing as he charged forward with a rumbling crash.

Seeing this, the old man raised his long white brows. His body shot more than ten feet into the air, leaving the horse's back. The black horse, startled, fled toward the roadside, only to be rammed in the middle by Old Green Ox's horns. It flew thirty feet away and was dead when it hit the ground.

Yet Old Green Ox did not slow in the slightest. He vanished in a cloud of dust and soon raced back to the village.

The old man drifted lightly to the ground, then turned to the indignant youth and said in a lowered voice, "Young Master, you acted on impulse again. This is Ning Family's Chang'an's hometown. Do not stir up trouble. He is most likely in that village. We came here to ask someone for help; under no circumstances must we spoil the matter."

The youth lifted his chin and smiled. "Old Liu, I know all that. But even if I meet Ning Family's Chang'an, I still want to test him. If he proves unworthy of his reputation, what use would I have in hiring a useless cripple?!"

Old Liu sighed softly and suddenly said, "That was a fine Green Ox."

The youth gave an uncertain grunt.

The old man continued, "Legend has it that Ning Family's Chang'an rode a Green Ox when he first made his great name in the world. They say that once, he encountered a tiger at the foot of a mountain. That ox rammed it once and kicked it once, and the fierce tiger lost its life. That Green Ox possessed spiritual aura—he had gained intelligence!"

Just then, a long, deep, resonant moo drifted from the distant village, where cooking smoke curled into the air.

The old man and the youth exchanged a glance, then headed toward the village.

At that moment, beneath the old osmanthus tree at the village entrance, a youth of about sixteen or seventeen lay half-reclined against the enormous trunk, relaxed and at ease. His appearance was ordinary, his manner leisurely. His short coarse-cloth outfit was full of wrinkles. He was intently watching the few stars in the sky while casually whistling through his teeth.

Suddenly, a cheerful voice rang out. "Brother Chang'an, Green Ox was so impressive."

The cowherd wore an excited grin, his little face flushed red, though his words were clear and distinct.

Chang'an, as the child called him, sat upright and looked at the child jumping down from Old Green Ox's back. "Erhu, did you get into trouble?"

Erhu bared his snow-white teeth in a grin. He walked over to Chang'an, squeezed in beside him against the tree, and said, "I believed Green Ox could kick a tiger to death, and it turns out you really didn't lie to me!"

Erhu was brimming with excitement. Then he looked around before lowering his voice. "Chang'an, I don't dare go home now. I'm afraid those two people will follow me there, and Grandpa will punish me again. What should I do?"

Chang'an said nonchalantly, "Wait here. I'll send them away."

Erhu stuck out his tongue and whispered, "Those two know martial arts."

Chang'an rolled his eyes at Erhu, unconcerned.

Erhu immediately grew anxious and said again and again, "But, but Chang'an, all your martial arts are gone."

Chang'an gave a chuckle, full of confidence. He raised his round arm, rubbed Erhu's head, and smiled. "I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of? If the sky really falls, it'll smash my head first. Erhu, you'll have plenty of time to dig a hole and hide in it."

Erhu said indignantly, "Who wants to hide in a hole! A real man stands tall between heaven and earth—he has to be manly! One day, my, Erhu's, reputation will definitely be greater than Chang'an's..."

Chang'an suddenly stood up and murmured softly, "Standing tall between heaven and earth... even standing steady is not easy. Holding up the heavens? Easier said than done."

Erhu truly did not understand. He quietly went around behind the old osmanthus tree to hide. Two people were slowly approaching along the main road at the village entrance, one old and one young, their steps neither hurried nor slow. Chang'an fixed his eyes on them, observing their footwork. Each time the old man stepped down, he did not stir a speck of dust—his lightness skill was superb. The youth's steps, meanwhile, struck the ground with heavy thuds; his inner force was fierce, but his control was poor. With only one look, Chang'an reached these conclusions. Without a veteran's discerning eye, no ordinary man of the martial world could have done so.

The old man and the youth walked straight toward Chang'an beneath the old osmanthus tree. When they came within three feet, they stopped and cupped their fists. "Are you Ning Family's Chang'an?"

Chang'an narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the two of them.

The youth beside the old man merely cupped his fists in courtesy without speaking. He openly scrutinized Chang'an, his expression eager to have a try.

Chang'an chuckled, opened his eyes, and said, "Friends from Crimson Blood Fortress?" He saw through their identities at a glance.

The old man laughed heartily and praised, "Sharp eyes! Indeed, we are from Crimson Blood Fortress. This is Liu Xuanfeng, the young fortress lord of Crimson Blood Fortress. We have come to ask Ning Family's Chang'an to help us kill a man—an evil man. The fortress lord is constrained by his status and cannot act personally, so he must seek another expert. Among the rising talents of the martial world, Ning Family's Chang'an has the greatest reputation and the best credibility. Even small children sing of your deeds. You are our only choice. As for the reward, it will certainly be fair and open to discussion."

A look of regret appeared on Chang'an's face. He shook his head and said, "I no longer do that kind of business. I'm tired of it."

The old man looked astonished as he stared at Chang'an. "Is that so?" His gaze suddenly sharpened, like a pool of spring water abruptly freezing into ice, carrying a cold and oppressive force.

Chang'an nodded with utmost seriousness.

Liu Xuanfeng stepped forward, staring at Chang'an. "So we made this trip for nothing?! But your ox kicked our horse to death. You should compensate us for that, shouldn't you? And on our way back, we'll have to walk. Our shoes and socks will get dirty, and we'll have to spend silver to replace them. You must bear all those costs too!"

Chang'an shook his head, his face awkward. "I have already given away all my wealth and am now without a single coin. I'm deeply sorry. If you are willing to put it on account, I will not deny the debt once I have money. I will personally go to Crimson Blood Fortress and repay it double."

Liu Xuanfeng refused to let the matter rest and sneered, "On account? We only extend credit to friends! Since that's the case, hand over that ox as payment. That will do nicely! And bring that child riding the ox along too. He can tend Green Ox for me." In a few words, Liu Xuanfeng revealed his hostility.

Chang'an continued shaking his head, his eyes narrowed. "You cannot have the ox! Nor can you take the child away! This debt, I must owe."

Liu Xuanfeng's expression turned cold as he sneered. "You say you'll owe it, and that means you can? I insist that you can't. Today, I, Liu Xuanfeng, am taking both the ox and the boy." He pressed forward aggressively, arrogant to the extreme.

Chang'an's eyes narrowed into a slit—he had indeed put on some weight now. He said calmly, "Do not flaunt power, do not be arrogant, do not do evil."

Liu Xuanfeng sneered repeatedly and shouted coldly, "I insist on using power to bully others, insist on being arrogant and overbearing, insist on committing every evil under heaven. What can you do to me? Can you afford to offend Crimson Blood Fortress?! Old Liu, seize that child for me first." Old Liu's expression remained indifferent. His body moved, the tip of his foot touched the ground, and he rose into the air. Circling around the old osmanthus tree, he arrived behind it in an instant and immediately seized Erhu, who was quietly trying to climb the tree and hide, lifting him in one hand.

Liu Xuanfeng burst into laughter, clenched his fist, and lunged at Chang'an. Chang'an's slightly plump body suddenly straightened, revealing a heroic bearing, and he threw a punch. Their fists collided. Liu Xuanfeng halted, then staggered three steps back before steadying himself. With a shout, he lunged again, striking with a chopping hand. Crimson Blood Fortress's martial arts had three key principles—push, seize, and chop. Liu Xuanfeng unleashed the Chop Art, striking Chang'an back again and again with a backhand blow. It was truly unexpected. After just one move, Chang'an was completely unable to fight back and was swiftly defeated. Yet no matter what Liu Xuanfeng did, he could not knock Chang'an down. This plump Ning Family's Chang'an seemed as though he would never fall. In the end, Liu Xuanfeng's fists hurt too badly for him to continue. He could only stop and laugh loudly. "Ning Family's Chang'an, your martial arts are completely ruined. Calling you a clown would be fitting now! Hahahaha, how ridiculous, how utterly ridiculous... Old Liu, let's go!"

Old Liu carried Erhu in one hand and led Green Ox away with the other. Liu Xuanfeng, meanwhile, flipped onto Green Ox's back and let out a delighted laugh.

Chang'an wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth and gave Erhu an almost imperceptible nod, conveying a message. Erhu, who neither cried nor made a fuss, understood.

Night had fully fallen. Beneath the old osmanthus tree at the village entrance, Chang'an slowly bent over, coughing repeatedly, his face full of pain. At last, he muttered to himself, "When a tiger falls to the plains, even dogs bully it—dogs bully it! Erhu, you can only suffer a little hardship. Anyone who dares ride my ox is tired of living. Crimson Blood Fortress is worth less than a fart!" At that moment, an old man silently appeared behind Chang'an in the night, divine light gleaming in his eyes as he looked toward the main road outside the village.