Qingfeng Courtyard

The next day.

East of the city, Qingfeng Courtyard.

The man stood before the window. Heavy snow fell beyond the veranda, while the plum tree in the courtyard had shed its last leaf, long strings of icicles hanging from its branches.

"It's been snowing all these days. Yesterday alone was clear. Everyone in town says it was the Dragon Palace immortal protecting Master Tong."

The old gardener tended the peony of unparalleled beauty, adding a few bits of local gossip at just the right moments.

After all, even in Pingding City, this was the first time he had met an employer so generous with his money.

Thirty taels to make this peony bloom. He truly wondered what kind of family the man came from to spend silver as freely as flowing water.

He secretly glanced at the figure by the window, guessing at the other man's identity. He must be either rich or noble.

"What else is being said about the Tong family?"

"They say that for Master Tong's sixtieth birthday, the gifts he received were truly astonishing. One room was filled with gold, another with silver, another with fine silks and satins, and yet another with pearls and agates."

"Four rooms? Interesting."

"Employer, there's something even more interesting."

"Hmm?"

"Some people say those four rooms still weren't worth as much as four things. Do you know what those four things were?"

"What four things?"

The old gardener said proudly, "The Pillar of the North, the Filial Son Piercing the Scriptures, the Immortal's Gift of Scales, and the Cult Master's Bestowed Wine."

"Then they really weren't worth as much."

The young man walked to the table and looked at the peony that stubbornly refused to bloom.

The same soil, the same pot, the same fertilizer, the same pruning.

Why wouldn't it bloom?

Why was it him of all people?

He smiled. "Old Dong, you really know a little about everything. What else have you heard?"

Dong the Gardener racked his brains, determined to prove that he deserved the thirty taels his employer was paying him. He thought of the gossip he had heard at Sihai Grand Teahouse.

"There's one more thing. They say Third Young Master of the Tong family made a fool of himself at the banquet. I didn't hear the details clearly. Shall I ask around again and tell you about it tomorrow?"

Tong Yukang's smile broadened. "Do you think this peony can still bloom?"

"The weather's getting colder and colder. I'm afraid it'll be difficult. I'll do my best."

"Forget it, then. You don't have to come tomorrow."

"Employer, I..."

"Get out."

After Dong the Gardener left, the pot of peonies fell to the ground with a crash, sending soil and shards of porcelain flying in every direction.

A black shadow leaped in through the window and landed lightly on the floor without making the slightest sound. He wore plain clothes and a bamboo hat, clearly unwilling to let outsiders know his identity. He walked over to the table.

"There's someone keeping watch outside the courtyard."

"I know."

"Do you know who they're working for?"

"My father."

"Why?"

"Perhaps it's because of Yang Lianting."

Tong Yukang poured two cups of hot tea. "Pu'er aged naturally for more than five years has undergone fermentation, transforming from raw to ripe. Its nature is mild and its fragrance rich, making it perfect for dispelling the chill in winter."

The man glanced at the mess on the floor and picked up his teacup. "Do you have a personal grudge against him?"

Tong Yukang thought about it, then shook his head.

"Then you really lost your composure yesterday."

Tong Yukang sneered. "I'm not a saint. Losing my composure once in a while is normal!"

The man fell silent for a moment before asking, "Any news lately?"

"Dongfang Bubai returned to Blackwood Cliff once. It seems he has left again."

"Dongfang Bubai left Blackwood Cliff? Can you find out where she went?"

"You really have the nerve to say that. A cripple who can't use martial arts wants to investigate Dongfang Bubai's movements? Why don't I just capture Dongfang Bubai for you? Wouldn't that be easier?"

"Heh heh, it would be best if you could capture her. I mean, we should start with Yang Lianting. During Dongfang Bubai's absence, she should have some channel for communicating with him."

"Yang Lianting isn't as simple as he appears. If you keep rushing around like this, something will happen sooner or later."

"It's not me who's anxious—the people above are! As long as Dongfang Bubai remains in power, Lord Wan's plan can't be carried out."

The porcelain lid circled the rim of the cup, brushing aside the floating foam as the tea leaves slowly unfurled in the boiling water. Tong Yukang glanced at the Man in the Bamboo Hat and sneered. "What good is being anxious? The Sun Moon Divine Cult has a century-old foundation. If we really talk about its roots... Zhang, Han, Zhu, and Peng only became the orthodox lineage of the realm because the founding emperor happened to be three parts luckier, allowing the Han Family to..."

The Man in the Bamboo Hat hurriedly stopped him. "Thousand-Household Tong, those aren't words you or I can say!"

That night.

In the rear courtyard of Tong Mansion, inside a small pavilion.

Several lines of footprints stretched across the snow to the front of the pavilion.

A roaring fire blazed inside the bronze brazier. Honey-coated lamb chops roasted to a golden brown, filling the air with an enticing aroma.

The lid of the pot trembled like a lively little rabbit, pushed up and down by the heat as the fragrance of wine surged out.

The four members of the Tong family each sat on one side.

"The Cult's expansion northward hasn't gone smoothly. Eldest Son, you'll have to put in a little more effort."

"The leading martial arts force in Shuntian Prefecture is Loyalty and Filial Piety Hall. It seems to have connections with the Imperial Guards. The authorities have secretly intervened several times; otherwise, I would have wiped out that bunch of vermin long ago."

Tong Yuhai was in his early forties, and his appearance resembled his father's by eight or nine parts. He had followed Tong Baixiong through the martial world since he was sixteen. Now he was a powerful hall master of the Sun Moon Divine Cult, stationed in Shuntian Prefecture, where the Capital was located.

Tong Baixiong frowned. "Matters of the martial world should be settled by the martial world. That's the tacit understanding between the Imperial Guards and the Cult. If not for the petty men within the Cult causing chaos and each branch fighting on its own, Wan Chonglou would never have dared act like this!"

Tong Yuhai asked, "I think that when necessary, we should still strike a blow against the Imperial Guards to intimidate them."

"Six years ago, that would naturally have been possible. But the Cult is unsettled now. If we went to full-scale war with the Imperial Guards, Eldest Brother, I fear Wind Thunder Hall would end up standing alone at the front, dealing with external enemies while guarding against Yang Lianting. It would be unable to cope."

Tong Yuzhong ran a private salt business and was the biggest salt smuggler beneath the Son of Heaven, earning a fortune every day. He was Tong Yuhai's moneybag, and the two were extremely close, though their styles of doing things differed.

Tong Baixiong thought for a moment. "I think Eldest Son is right. We should still strike a blow to intimidate them, but we must control the extent. The Wala Tribe is extremely powerful on the grasslands, and the Imperial Guards still wouldn't dare commit all their strength to war."

Tong Yuhai smiled. "All right. After the New Year, I'll return to Shuntian Prefecture and make the arrangements."

The three father and sons drank wine, ate meat, and discussed affairs of the martial world, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Meanwhile, Tong Yukang sat alone in a corner, cold and desolate, utterly isolated.

Seeing this, Tong Yuhai joked, "Third Brother, you've always been well-read and insightful. Why are you so quiet tonight? Don't tell me you're unhappy to see your brothers return?"

Tong Yukang gave a light laugh. "What are you saying, Big Brother? I couldn't be happier that you're back."

Seeing his listless appearance, Tong Baixiong felt sympathy for him and asked, "Third Son, are you still thinking about yesterday?"

Tong Yukang sighed. "Father, I was impulsive yesterday. I shouldn't have said those things at the banquet."

Tong Baixiong asked, "Could it be that you have an old grudge against Zhang Yu?"

A sorrowful look appeared on Tong Yukang's face. "Father, is that really how you see me?"

Tong Baixiong frowned. "Oh? Since it isn't an old grudge, why have you repeatedly made things difficult for him?"

Tong Yukang smiled bitterly. "Your son has never met him before. I was worried about you, Father."

Tong Baixiong was puzzled. "Worried about me? What do you mean?"

"Father should know that Wu Lianjiang is Cult Master Ren's staunch confidant. I've heard that Young Miss Ren has also taken a liking to Zhang Yu. You accepted Wu Lianjiang's disciple into Wind Thunder Hall, and there are already rumors on Blackwood Cliff. If you grant him even more undue favor, I fear Cult Master Dongfang will become suspicious of you."

Concern showed in Tong Yukang's voice.

Tong Baixiong pondered for a moment before saying, "Zhang Yu is Wu Lianjiang's disciple, but he is also a disciple of the Sun Moon Divine Cult. I don't believe he can't distinguish right from wrong and would throw in with Young Miss Ren, who has nothing left but an empty title."

"I'm only afraid that repeated rumors will turn truth into falsehood, and that others will assume you intend to wait and see."

Tong Yukang picked up the iron tongs and prodded the firewood, making the flames in the brazier burn more fiercely.

He glanced at Second Brother and gently set down the tongs.

Tong Yuzhong said, "Third Brother is right. Even if the Immortal's Gift of Scales is genuine, Father probably shouldn't have made him a hall master. Back then, someone presented a Blue Carp, and Cult Master Ren promoted that person several ranks at once. If someone with ulterior motives connects the two matters, I'm afraid it will harm you, Father."

Tong Baixiong nodded slightly. "Second Son, I hadn't thought of that..."

Tong Yuhai laughed. "Isn't he already a Deputy Flag Master? I think promoting him to Flag Master would be well within his abilities. He's truly a promising talent. There's no hurry; we can promote him gradually later."

Tong Baixiong nodded, then looked at Tong Yukang with relief and smiled. "It seems I misunderstood you, Son."