The Prince and the Ruffian (Part 2)

PS: Helping a little friend with some advertising.

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

The writing is very good, very flavorful. And very intense.

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Eunuch Ma paused, carefully sizing up Li Feng. A wry smile touched his lips, and he shook his head, pulling Little Li into the courtyard. Neither of them invited Li Feng to follow, so Li Feng lazily stood outside the courtyard, watching over a dozen eunuchs return to their benches and begin to chat idly. Not a single eunuch or Imperial Guard paid Li Feng any mind, and Li Feng saw no reason to bother them. He tilted his head back, looking at the sky, and counted aloud, "One, two, three, four..."

After quite some time, an old eunuch who had been scrutinizing Li Feng could no longer contain himself. He barked, "Hey, you there! What are you counting? There isn't even a bird in the sky. If you keep making noise and disturb the eunuchs' enjoyment, you'll regret it."

Li Feng lowered his head, smiled, and approached. He flipped his palm, revealing a handful of Bright Pearls. He said with a smile, "Oh, I was counting how many majestic eunuchs are here and preparing some pearls to show my respect. I wouldn't dare disturb your enjoyment... I am Li Feng. I hope all you eunuchs will look out for me in the future. I've come to Yanjing seeking wealth and status, a chance to advance. You are all trusted confidantes of the Prince, so if there's an opportunity, I hope you'll offer some guidance."

Li Feng grinned wickedly, bowed slightly, and swayed his right palm left and right, chuckling, "These pearls vary in size. How about we divide them up, sirs?"

The eunuchs exchanged glances. Slowly, slowly, smiles began to appear on their faces, until finally, they all burst into laughter, like mother hens clucking. The old eunuch patted Li Feng's shoulder and said with a laugh, "Ah, it's good that you, young brother Li Feng, know how to act. Let's do this. We won't be polite about these pearls. If there's a chance in the future, we'll definitely put in a good word for you." He brushed his sleeve against Li Feng's palm, and Li Feng felt a lightness as the pearls vanished.

The eunuchs beside him squinted with laughter. Seeing Li Feng's generosity, they immediately categorized him as a young master from a wealthy family seeking fame and fortune under Zhu Xi. Who wouldn't try to curry favor with such a person? Most men in this world pursue money, power, and women. They were already past their prime for women, and they had a little power in their hands, so now they only pursued money. Whoever could give them large sums of money, they would get close to. It was that simple.

When Eunuch Ma emerged with Little Li, Li Feng was already sitting intimately with the eunuchs, chatting happily. Li Feng casually recounted some of his experiences on the streets of Suzhou Prefecture, which captivated the eunuchs who rarely ventured out. Even the older eunuchs occasionally let out exclamations of disbelief at some of the things Li Feng said.

Eunuch Ma was taken aback and murmured, "This Li Feng certainly has his ways."

Little Li chuckled, "He's skilled in all sorts of pleasures and indulgences, and especially possesses great martial arts. That's why our master took a liking to him. You can rest assured about his background. When the Prince wanted to recruit him, he had people from the Soaring Dragon Secret Service dig up his entire history. There are no issues. Apart from being a bit arrogant and unconventional, he's fine."

Eunuch Ma shook his head with a wry smile. "A little unconventionality isn't a problem, but too much arrogance can be troublesome. The Second Prince is eager for someone to oppose him. I think this Li Feng is the type who won't easily admit defeat. Besides, looking at his demeanor, he's outwardly gentle but inwardly strong. Once he sets his mind on something, he'll pursue it recklessly. If he causes a direct conflict between the two princes, that wouldn't be good."

Little Li patted his chest confidently. "Don't worry, Brother Ma. I won't let him stir up trouble. That kid isn't stupid. Intelligence from the Suzhou Prefecture secret service reports that this kid is afraid of death and never engages in direct combat. He only likes to hit people from behind with a blunt object. If the Second Prince sends people to trouble him, it won't cause too much of a fuss." After speaking, Little Li cupped his hands, bid farewell to Eunuch Ma, and walked towards Li Feng.

Eunuch Ma stood there, smiling wryly. "Ha, hitting with a blunt object? I'm afraid what if he accidentally hits the Second Prince with a blunt object? That would truly be a spectacle. Alas, the guards in the First Prince's mansion never engage in major conflicts with the Second Prince's men because they know they're outmatched. Now, with this fellow whose martial arts I can't fathom, and being young and spirited, what kind of chaos will he cause?"

Seeing Little Li approach, Li Feng immediately stood up, waving goodbye to the eunuchs with a smile. Little Li also bid farewell to the eunuchs with smiles before leading Li Feng out of the mansion. As they walked, he asked Li Feng, "My, your methods are quite impressive! These brothers of mine usually ignore everyone, how did you become so popular? ... Here, this is your waist token and your secret dispatch. Make sure to keep them safe. The waist token allows you to move freely within and outside the city. This secret dispatch details your identity, affiliation, and rank. It's best to keep it where you live."

He paused and then said, "Our master thinks highly of you, so I've arranged for your residence to be close to his. Of course, you can't enter the inner courtyard. I'll arrange for you to stay in the elegant residence outside the inner courtyard. Commander Dugu is the only one living there now. With the two of you together, you can discuss matters and help each other."

Li Feng took the weighty waist token and tucked it into his belt. Grasping the secret dispatch, he exclaimed, "Ah, Li Feng, Thousand-Household of the Imperial Guard under the Prince of Yan's mansion. How high a rank is Thousand-Household? Why didn't you get me a Ten-Thousand-Household?"

Little Li was furious and shouted, "Nonsense! There's no such thing as a Ten-Thousand-Household! I have a good relationship with Eunuch Ma, Brother Ma. He gave you the rank of Thousand-Household out of consideration for me. Let me tell you, a Thousand-Household of the Prince of Yan's Imperial Guard has the authority to arrest, interrogate, and execute officials below the sixth rank within the Prince of Yan's territory. Do you think this is a small matter? Above you, there are three positions: 'Inspector,' 'Commander,' and 'Censor.' Above 'Censor' is Eunuch Lü, the Grand Steward. Do you understand? Don't offend the wrong people later."

Li Feng's shifty eyes swept over two eunuchs who had just walked past. He sighed, "Alas, there are so many people with higher official positions than me? I don't want to be Grand Steward. Being a 'Censor' would be pretty good."

Little Li's expression was peculiar. He coughed and said in a low voice, "Young brother, if you want to be a Censor, it's not impossible, but only eunuchs can hold that position. Are you interested? If you are, I know a very skilled eunuch who can perform castration without any pain. You'll be able to walk around in half a month."

Li Feng's face turned ashen. He quickly shook his head and said, "Never mind, never mind. Thank you for your kindness. I'll be content with being a 'Commander' at most." He was joking. What kind of strange official position was this, requiring one to be a eunuch? To become a minor official, he would have to castrate himself. Li Feng was unwilling to do that.

They chatted and laughed in low voices, gradually circling around to the main courtyard of the Prince of Yan's mansion. Just as they were about to leave, the side gate of the mansion opened. The Second Prince, who looked like a dark mountain, changed into a soft, fitted outfit and rushed in with a group of subordinates. The two of them happened to run right into the Second Prince.

Seeing Li Feng, the Second Prince suddenly wore a malicious smile. He said with a cold laugh, "Didn't this fellow just have his bones broken and was howling like a dead dog on the ground? How is he alive and kicking and now in the Prince's mansion? Little Li, tell me, was this guy intentionally toying with me just now? Hmm? Is there anyone in the entire Yanjing City who dares to play tricks on me? This person has quite a lot of nerve."

Little Li's face turned pale. He quickly stepped forward, desperately explaining, "Your Highness, it wasn't that Li Feng intentionally toyed with you, this is..."

Li Feng suddenly clutched his stomach and wailed, "Ah, ah, Manager Li, hurry and call a doctor! My stomach hurts so much, I think I've suffered internal injuries. Help me, I've been injured internally." Li Feng channeled his internal energy, forcing cold sweat to stream down his face, turning his complexion instantly ashen. He crouched on the ground, weakly pointing at the Second Prince with his right hand and saying, "Your Highness, your divine skill is invincible. I am truly no match for you. With just a gentle touch, I've become like this. Oh, you're using the 'hitting through the mountain' technique, with internal energy lingering. What supreme inner strength!"

Hearing Li Feng's loud wailing, over a hundred patrolling guards immediately approached. The leading generals, looking at Li Feng, who was crouching and groaning like a street dog on the ground, and then at the Second Prince, whose expression was as calm as water and unmoving, had no idea what had happened. They raised their hands, signaling the soldiers to stop and watch the spectacle from the side. In the distance, several middle-aged men and old men dressed as scholars ambled onto the steps of the main hall behind them, watching the commotion with smiles.

After howling for a while, Li Feng felt it was time to faint, so he slumped to the side, falling to the ground like a log.

The Second Prince was speechless. He had indeed come for Li Feng. As soon as Zhu Xi and his group entered the city, he had received a report from the city gate official, who also mentioned that Zhu Xi had recruited a young master from elsewhere. He wanted to see just how formidable this young master was. Who knew that as soon as he met Li Feng, the latter started playing dead and then followed him all the way to the Prince's mansion? And now he had actually fainted on the ground. How was he supposed to proceed?

The Second Prince thought hatefully, "If he were a true hero, I, Zhu Geng, would have no hesitation in knocking him down; if he were a ferocious beast, I would tear him apart. But if I hit him a couple more times? That would be beneath me. If I grab him and tear him apart alive? Damn it, how would I face anyone afterward? ... This detestable fellow has put me in such an awkward position. If it gets out that I beat someone who didn't resist and severely injured him, my reputation will be damaged... Damn it, I didn't even put much force into hitting him with my sword earlier."

He stood there, fuming. Murong Tian, with his fair complexion, walked up and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, let him go for today. At the New Year's banquet, the warriors from all the mansions will perform before the Prince. I will formally challenge him then. Let's see what other tricks he has."

Zhu Geng was silent for a moment and then asked in a low voice, "This kid gives me a bad feeling. Don't lose to him then, lest you tarnish your reputation."

Murong Tian smiled, "Your Highness, since I started following you, I've fought 359 battles and never lost. Defeating him will make it exactly 360 victories." He clenched his right fist, veins bulging, displaying his immense confidence.

Zhu Geng nodded slowly, "Very well, let it be so. This scoundrel, you make sure to humiliate him then... I want my father to know that my elder brother is useless, and even the people he recruits are inferior to my subordinates. Let's see if my father will still be so biased and protect my elder brother in everything."

Murong Tian said confidently, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I have already defeated all the experts in the First Prince's mansion. This newcomer will surely not be my match either."

Zhu Geng nodded, sneered, shot a glance at the terrified Little Li, and then strode towards the main hall where Zhu Di held his meetings with Murong Tian and his entourage. He was seething with anger, provoked by Li Feng, and a killing intent was rising within him, almost bursting through his heart. He secretly resolved, "There are still two old bears from Changbai Mountain in the mansion. I'll go back and tear them apart alive... Ugh, I still don't know what my elder brother is saying to Father. It's a good opportunity to use the excuse of reporting military intelligence to see Father, so he doesn't get to sweet-talk Father into happiness again."

Little Li watched Zhu Geng and his group leave, then turned back to call a few guards to carry Li Feng, sighing and shaking his head as they walked out. As they walked, Little Li winked and complained to the guards, "Brothers, what do you think of this inexplicable situation? The Second Prince, without any reason, beat our new young brother severely. This is really unacceptable, isn't it? But what can we do? We are all servants, and he, the Second Prince, is the master. If he hits someone, he hits someone. What else can we do?"

The guards directly under the Prince of Yan stirred slightly, and they all felt a sense of disapproval. They all understood that the First Prince and the Second Prince were vying for favor, but Zhu Geng's indiscriminate 'beating' of Li Feng into 'severe injury' had crossed a line.

Little Li said pitifully, "Alas, could you all help me call a carriage? At least take my brother back to recuperate. Alas, poor thing, he just encountered the Second Prince on the road and was beaten into this state with a single punch."

The carriage arrived. Little Li embraced Li Feng and got into the carriage, urging the driver to hurry. The stern-faced old guard at the gate, Old Du, shook his head and sighed before returning to the gate. To his surprise, the Dragon Spring Sword placed by the gate had vanished. He spun around in astonishment and asked, "What's going on? Someone dares to steal something left at the Prince of Yan's mansion? Who has such ability?"

A soldier with sharp eyes reported, "General, I saw the young brother who fainted earlier grab the sword himself as he passed by. Manager Li helped him into the carriage, and they've already left... The young brother's injuries didn't seem serious. His hand holding the sword was still quite strong. I was afraid he might lose the sword, so I kindly wanted to help him place the sword in the carriage. But when I tried to pull it from his hand four or five times, I couldn't. His wrist strength is truly amazing."

Old Du slapped his forehead and muttered, "Strange, strange. He was severely injured and unconscious just now, how does he have the strength now?"

Meanwhile, in the carriage, Li Feng had already scrambled to his feet, hugging the sword to his chest and cursing, "The guards in the Prince of Yan's mansion are all a bunch of bandits."

Little Li was startled and shouted, "Don't talk nonsense! They are the dignified Imperial Guards of the Prince's mansion, how can they be bandits?"

Li Feng retorted righteously, "I was afraid the sword would be lost if I left it with them, so I casually grabbed it. This is a thousand taels of silver, a thousand taels! ... Who knew a little soldier would come to snatch my sword? Fortunately, I held on tight. He pulled for six or seven times but couldn't get the sword, and only then did I manage to get the sword back. If he's not a bandit or a thief, then what is he? Damn it, he's just like that Second Prince, neither of them are..."

Little Li quickly covered Li Feng's mouth and whispered, "Shut up! Are you trying to die? How dare you speak ill of the Second Prince behind his back? Hmph, your performance today was quite brilliant." Little Li quickly changed the subject, otherwise, who knew what nonsense Li Feng would say.

Li Feng grinned proudly. "Isn't that right? It's just acting like a coward and begging for mercy! I learned that when I was three years old. When being chased and attacked, sometimes pretending to be a coward can get you through a disaster. It's better than taking a beating... Hey, if I hadn't feigned it today, would that Second Prince have let me go? Would the experts around him have let me go? They definitely would have insisted on settling the score with me before stopping."

Little Li glanced at Li Feng and asked very seriously, "So, what do you think of your cultivation? If you can't deal with the people the Second Prince sends, I'm afraid you'll have a hard time in Yanjing City."

Li Feng flopped down in the carriage, crossing his legs and humming, "This kind of thing..."

Li Feng cursed inwardly, "You dead eunuch, you have no foresight. Even if I can defeat all of the Second Prince's subordinates, even if I can kill the Second Prince with one punch, he is, after all, the Prince of Yan's son. Do I dare to make a move against him? If I make a move in private and injure his people, I'll definitely face relentless revenge. It's better to find an opportunity to formally accept his challenge before the Prince of Yan and defeat him in one battle. With the Prince as witness, he won't dare to act recklessly."

Li Feng didn't answer Little Li's question and instead hummed a tune to himself. After a long time, he finally said with a smile, "He met me, and it's his misfortune. He cares about his reputation, but I, Li Feng, have never cared for such empty fame."