Yanjing City (Part 2)

PS: Helping a young friend advertise.

Treasure Sword www.cmfu./showbook.asp?Bl_id=13265

The writing is very good, full of flavor. It is also very intense.

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Li Feng blinked, then shouted as if struck by sudden realization, "Shopkeeper, that pretty-faced boy in Suzhou Prefecture, the one who fought you over a girl, sent people to deal with us. What do you think we should do? I said I'd spare these three fellows, but..."

Zhao Xi caught on. He grinned viciously and said, "But the shopkeeper never agreed, did he? Men, shoot them. Throw their corpses into the woods for the wild dogs. There are no travelers on the road right now, so clean this up quickly. No need to get tangled up with the local authorities... Send someone back and tell Old Zhao this is my order: hunt down that little bastard. I want every male in his household dead, and all the women sold into the courtesan houses to be prostitutes for generations."

Looking at Zhao Xi's twisted, livid face, Li Feng could not help marveling inwardly. Good heavens, when this fellow loses his temper, he really looks imposing. But one moment he's mild-tempered, and the next he's raging to the skies. Isn't that just like a lunatic? Li Feng shook his head and suddenly burst into wild laughter as he looked at the carriage Zhao Xi stood in, its canopy and all four walls blown away.

Zhao Xi looked around and also broke into a fit of laughter. Elegantly picking up the folding fan from the floor, he lightly dusted off his clothes and gently ordered, "Men, return to Hangzhou and replace the carriage... Mm, have Old Zhao send more men to escort me back. Hmph, what sort of nonsense is this? I had barely left Hangzhou when I ran into assassins. There truly is no law under heaven. The local officials of Hangzhou, heh heh... Hmph." A sinister gleam flashed through Zhao Xi's eyes, followed by a somewhat helpless clenching of his teeth.

When Old Zhao heard that Zhao Xi had been attacked outside the city, he nearly wet his pants from fright. He stubbornly kept Zhao Xi in Hangzhou for another two days, then had a carriage modified at breakneck speed. Thick iron plates were fitted into its walls, roof, and floor. Only then did he dispatch fifty more experts to escort Zhao Xi on the road. Zhao Xi, meanwhile, sternly ordered him to investigate the whereabouts of the Netherworld Palace and assassinate its members. Old Zhao looked at the silk shop, now nearly empty of men, and agreed with a bitter smile.

Nothing happened along the way. After hurrying onward for some time, the convoy of three carriages, guarded by more than eighty experts, finally reached the outskirts of Yanjing City. It was the coldest season in the north. The radishes Li Feng had brought along had frozen into hard lumps of ice, yet after peeling one with his sword, he still stuffed it into his mouth and crunched away merrily. Zhao Xi and Little Li watched until their scalps went numb, unable to imagine what Li Feng's teeth were made of if he could crush something so hard.

Hearing the cheers of the scouts ahead, Li Feng quickly stuck his head out. After that, he could no longer pull it back in.

Yanjing City—the Yanjing City ruled by Zhu Di, Prince of Yan of the Great Ming—stood upon the vast plains like a divine statue. The outer city walls towered high, and Li Feng had the illusion that those grayish-brown walls rose into the clouds and stretched endlessly toward either side. With his eyesight, he could see squads of mighty soldiers in iron armor patrolling atop the walls. Even from over ten li away, Li Feng could keenly sense the sky-piercing killing intent radiating from them. A troop of iron cavalry happened to charge from one city gate and slowly ride around the walls. The riders' expressions were solemn, their bodies utterly steady in the saddle, as though cast from steel.

Li Feng swallowed and said in astonishment, "Damn it, this is Yanjing City? I think this city ought to be where the Emperor lives. Damn, those soldiers are fierce. Their killing intent is terrifying. Compared to them, the guardsmen of Suzhou Prefecture are nothing but useless sacks of pus."

Joy suddenly flashed across Zhao Xi's face, but he immediately covered Li Feng's mouth and rebuked him in a low voice, "Do you have a death wish? This is Prince of Yan's territory. The current Emperor's capital is Nanjing City. Do not spout nonsense... Mm, but what do you think of this city?"

Li Feng shook his head and snorted. "Damn it, I learned quite a bit of the Qi Gazing Technique up in the mountains. When it comes to reading qi, there really aren't many who can compare with me. Take Yanjing City—it sits right atop a dragon vein, and the surrounding Dragon Qi..." Li Feng was about to show off the little Feng Shui Geomancy knowledge he had picked up from the Daoist scriptures of the Yiyuan Sect. He had never studied those Daoist texts in depth because they did not interest him, but he had more than enough knowledge to bluff others. Especially since Yanjing City truly gave him an indescribable sense of oppressive majesty.

Zhao Xi was all smiles. He shot the escorting experts a sidelong glance, frightening them into lowering their heads at once, not daring to look in his direction. Only after fully displaying his authority did Zhao Xi chuckle, "A Feng, you know Feng Shui arts? That is truly splendid, heh heh... I also enjoy associating with recluses beyond the secular world, and I know a few people with mystical abilities. I'll introduce you to them sometime." After their exchanges along the journey, he had already grown close enough to address Li Feng as "A Feng."

As they spoke quietly, the carriage had reached the gates of Yanjing City. Though it was deep winter and the ground was still covered in over a foot of snow, a troop of Yanjing soldiers ran through the open space between the inner and outer walls, sweating profusely. Dressed in thin clothing, they ran while making slashing motions under the shouted commands of a lieutenant.

A troop of roughly one hundred soldiers stood guard at the city gate. Seeing more than eighty men escorting three carriages over, the gate officer was about to step forward and order them to stop when Zhao Xi stuck his head out the window and lightly snorted. The officer froze, then immediately made way. Fifty soldiers silently joined the escort and surrounded Zhao Xi's carriage as they proceeded onward. Who knew what those soldiers would have thought if they had learned that the second and third carriages they guarded so tightly were piled with radishes, ham, and such things?

After entering Yanjing City's inner city, Zhao Xi finally let out a long breath. Looking at Li Feng, he smiled and said, "The Great Ming's ancestral laws strictly forbid feudal princes and their children from leaving their territories without permission. That is why, when I went south this time, I did not dare bring many guards. I feared the sharp-eyed people of the Imperial Clan Court would seize upon it and punish me severely. Heh heh, this journey's gains were not small. I saw the elegance of the south, gained a young expert like you, A Feng, and brought in so many rare treasures. This trip was truly worthwhile."

Li Feng cooperatively put on a startled expression and stammered, "You, you, you..."

Little Li smiled smugly and whispered, "This is His Highness Zhu Xi, the eldest heir of Prince of Yan. Li Feng, fortune is shining upon you. Following our Highness, won't promotion and wealth be as easy as turning your hand? Heh heh..."

Delight filled Li Feng's face as he hurriedly gave a deep bow from inside the carriage. "This humble one truly had eyes but failed to see Mount Tai. I did not know a True Person stood before me. This, this..." Inside, Li Feng was cursing madly. You damned Little Li, I said you were definitely a eunuch. I didn't wrong you, did I? Dead eunuch, you've got nothing down there, and you still dare swagger before me? When I piss, I can stand up. What will you do then? Heh heh... I knew long ago that Zhao Xi was no ordinary thing. So he's the eldest heir of some prince, huh? Mm, that should mean the eldest son, not one born of some concubine... Ah, doesn't that mean he can become Prince of Yan someday? At last, I can muddle my way into becoming a great general too.

Zhu Xi waved his hand proudly and said warmly, "Ah, A Feng, there is no need to be so formal. Before outsiders, we should observe the etiquette between master and servant. Among ourselves, there is no need to be overly restrained. Just act as usual... Little Li, return to the residence first and rest, then go report back to Father. Mm, I'll take the men to see Father. You take A Feng to see Chief Eunuch Lü and add his name to the household registry first. Say he is my personal guard, understand? While you are there, ask Eunuch Lü for advice. Find out how his cultivation can be increased quickly."

Little Li hurriedly lowered his head and answered, "Yes..."

The carriage slowly traveled along the main street. Li Feng saw that the snow had been cleared away, exposing clean, wet stone slabs. The common folk by the roadside all wore ordinary rough cloth, yet their faces held expressions of prosperity and contentment. Unlike the shrewd looks of the people on the streets of Suzhou Prefecture and Hangzhou, the people here possessed an added simplicity, a sincerity that came from the heart. Li Feng sighed softly, "It is the north, after all. It is not like Suzhou Prefecture, where the markets are flashy and people's hearts restless. Heh, who knows what these people will be like a thousand years from now?"

Wherever the carriage passed, Li Feng saw places undergoing massive construction, clearly building grand palace halls. Yet he could not be bothered to ask about it. They were just building houses. Perhaps Zhu Xi's father thought his residence was too small for a Prince of Yan and wanted to expand it. That was only natural. Even ordinary people, once they had a little spare silver, would turn thatched huts into brick houses, brick houses into courtyards, courtyards into compound residences, and compound residences into gardens. Let alone a prince.

By comparison, Zhu Xi's residence was merely an ordinary four-courtyard compound, not even as grand as the homes of middling merchants in Suzhou or Hangzhou. There were not many servants inside, but guards filled the place. Every one of them was lean and capable, and they looked Li Feng over the way Suzhou Prefecture constables sized up street thugs and petty thieves. Li Feng held his head high. Young and hot-blooded, he looked back at those guards with utter disdain. What are you so proud of? What are you so proud of? One Lightning Control Art from me can send all of you flying to heaven. Believe it or not?

His thief's eyes swept over the guards, and Li Feng suddenly rejoiced inwardly. Heaven bless me, these fellows are all rich! Look at the fabric of their clothes, their gold belts, the purple-gold badges at their waists, and the rings and thumb rings on their fingers. Heh heh... I'm going to strike it rich... Eh, I just hope the pawnshops here are not all in league with them. That would make fencing stolen goods troublesome. Strange ideas churned through Li Feng's head, and his shifty eyes rolled everywhere, making the guards break out in a cold chill.

A guard in purple approached and respectfully greeted Zhu Xi. "Your Highness, you have returned? Everything in the residence is well. It is only that the Third Prince and the others often came to pay their respects. Since Your Highness had not returned, they left visiting cards each time before departing... The Fourth Prince sent over New Year gifts yesterday. This subordinate took it upon himself to reward the gift bearers and accept the gifts. They are now stored in the treasury, awaiting Your Highness's inspection."

Zhu Xi nodded majestically. "Mm, Third Brother and Fourth Brother are thoughtful. What about Second Brother?"

The purple-clad guard hurriedly replied, "The Second Prince drills troops every day and has not come even once... Mm, three days ago, while Prince of Yan was drinking, the Second Prince tore apart a black bear captured from Changbai Mountain with his bare hands. Prince of Yan praised him greatly and even bestowed his own personal sword upon the Second Prince."

Zhu Xi's mouth twitched as he sneered, "Oh? Second Brother's strength has increased again? Tearing a wild bear apart alive... Father even bestowed his personal sword on him? Hmph." Zhu Xi seemed somewhat angered. He rapidly slapped his folding fan against his palm, then strode into the residence. Li Feng followed behind him with a grin. As he passed the purple-clad guard, his finger lightly brushed the guard's waist. Confirming that the man truly had valuables on him, Li Feng felt inexplicably delighted.

After taking a few steps, Zhu Xi suddenly stopped and turned around. "No, I will see Father now. Whom did Old Zhao send with the account books? Come with me. Mm, A Feng, this is Dugu Sheng, the chief commander of my residence guards. Dugu, this little brother is Li Feng. Once Little Li takes him to Eunuch Lü to add his name, he will serve as your deputy. Do not be deceived by his youth. His swordsmanship is unfathomable. I saw it with my own eyes—one stroke of his sword cut down seven... Ah, they were called Blood-Breaking Sabers, weren't they?"

Li Feng's face rarely reddened again. The experts who had escorted Zhu Xi back to Yanjing quickly lowered their heads, while Dugu Sheng and the others were full of astonishment. Though they served as palace guards, they knew a little about the martial world. The Blood-Breaking Saber was the signature skill of the Netherworld Palace. Li Feng had cut down seven of them with a single sword strike? Such cultivation was truly extraordinary. Dugu Sheng immediately gestured to Li Feng and said, "That is perfect. Murong Tian has been picking fights with brothers from our residence outside these past few days. I admit my swordsmanship is inferior to Murong's, so I avoid him whenever I can. Now that Brother Li has come, he is precisely Murong's match."

Zhu Xi let out a cold laugh. "Murong Tian, he is causing us trouble again? Heh heh... Heh heh... Heh heh heh..." The killing intent in Zhu Xi's eyes surged once more. Without another word, he led a group of guards, experts, and soldiers out.

Little Li stuck out his tongue and quietly said to Dugu Sheng, "Master has lost his temper. It looks like Murong Tian is in for it."

Dugu Sheng sneered. "Hmph hmph, he merely relies on the Second Prince to serve as a general commanding troops. Swordsmanship is not Dugu's forte. If we compared palm strength, I could beat ten Murong Tians to death. Brother Li, if your swordsmanship can defeat Murong Tian, then you can walk sideways through Yanjing City... Eunuch Li, do as Master instructed and take Brother Li to have his name registered. I will prepare a waist badge and brocade uniform for Deputy Commander Li. Ah? Tonight, we will have a small drink to welcome Deputy Commander Li."

It was Li Feng's first time hearing anyone call Little Li "eunuch," and he felt strangely uncomfortable. Looking at Little Li's smiling face, Li Feng curled his lip and glanced at his crotch without saying anything. Little Li, meanwhile, nodded with lofty pride, motioned for Li Feng to follow, and turned to leave the residence.

Seeing Little Li take Li Feng away, one guard immediately sidled up to Dugu Sheng and asked in a low voice, "Chief, why did Master make that brat, whose baby hair has not even fallen out yet, deputy commander? From the look of him, I doubt he has any ability. He probably just suited Master's tastes, so Master recruited him, right?"

Dugu Sheng gave a sinister smile. "Why do you care so much? It is Master's command. Just obey as Master says. If Li Feng's swordsmanship is truly exceptional and he can even deal with Murong Tian, then it will be good fortune for us brothers. In the future, we can walk through Yanjing City with our shoulders thrown back, and no one will dare interfere. If he loses, we suffer no loss either. No one among us can handle that Murong brat anyway. Adding one more Li Feng to lose to Murong Tian is nothing shameful. Besides, you lot have lost not ten or twenty times already. Do you have any face left to lose?" His words left the guards red-faced and speechless.

Little Li strolled slowly through the streets of Yanjing, constantly nagging, "Brother Feng, you understand now, right? In the prince's residence, you must follow the rules, or you will definitely be caned. You cannot use those vulgar street sayings anymore. You must also be careful in your conduct and actions. Never offend those who cannot be offended. Of course, before commoners, we absolutely cannot disgrace our master. Whoever dares offend us gets beaten half to death. They are a pack of lowly commoners. What is so precious about them?"

After pausing, Little Li continued, "Originally, you are our master's man, but Prince of Yan has strict rules. He fears that the heirs will recklessly recruit martial artists, mixing fish with dragons and ruining the atmosphere of the residence. So every new guard must register his name with Eunuch Lü. This is for your own good too. Otherwise, if Eunuch Lü's people do not know you, and a conflict arises, you will suffer for nothing... Eunuch Lü's divine arts are unmatched, and the eunuchs under him, along with countless experts, are more than ten times more formidable than the guards of our residence."

Li Feng secretly laughed. Divine arts unmatched? He is only an old eunuch. What is there to be proud of?... Ah, the beauties of the north are not bad either. That girl carrying the vegetable basket has fairly tender skin, though she is a little too large. Tsk tsk tsk, girls ought to be dainty and petite, so they are easier to hold in one's arms... Though perhaps some people like being held by girls? He could not be bothered to listen to Little Li's nagging. His head kept turning in every direction, while his thieving hands itched to move.

The sound of hoofbeats rose as a troop of cavalry approached from the street ahead. Little Li shuddered all over and immediately bowed at the roadside, not daring to look that way again. Seeing Li Feng still standing in the street and looking around, Little Li rebuked him in a low voice, "Brother Feng, move aside. The Second Prince is coming. Be careful he does not deliberately find some charge to punish you."

Hearing that, Li Feng immediately raised his head to look. Among the approaching riders was a tall young man with a cold, stern face like mountain rock, dark skin, and a violent aura radiating from his body. He was looking over with icy eyes. Their gazes collided in midair, and both felt a sharp pain in their eyes, quickly looking away. Behind that young man, a tall, silver-armored young general's eyes suddenly lit up, his right hand already resting on his sword hilt.