A Promise

The battle to the death was just around the corner. In a contest between fighters of the same rank, how could victory be guaranteed? Yet this old man didn't take it seriously at all. He got up early, but instead of worrying about the battle to the death that had stirred up nearly every martial artist in the city, he'd gone on and on about family matters.

After he'd finished going on about family matters, Xu Yi finally remembered something important. "Oh, right. Go to a shop and buy me a sturdy rope, about as thick as ordinary fishing line and one zhang long. I may need it for the duel later."

Before he'd even finished speaking, Yuan Qinghua shot off and vanished. He was astonishingly fast. It was the first time Xu Yi had realized that his newly hired "long-term laborer" probably had a cultivation base no lower than Body Tempering Mid-Stage.

How could he know? Yuan Qinghua was already nearly frantic. When it came to anything involving the duel, Yuan was ten thousand times more careful and nervous than Xu Yi.

Sure enough, Xu Yi had only gotten halfway through telling a little story to the pest Qiu Wa when Yuan Qinghua, drenched in sweat, came rushing back.

"Boss, this Dragon Binding Rope is incredibly tough. I don't know what it's made of, but anything from the Alchemy Hall is bound to be top quality. I heard that experienced deep-sea anglers use it to catch giant whales, which tells you just how strong it is. It's also really expensive. A one-zhang length, as fine as a hair, cost us three gold coins. I say, of all the places under heaven, the Alchemy Hall must be the richest damn one."

As Yuan Qinghua chattered on, he showed off a rope as fine as a strand of hair, crystalline and smooth. He tried snipping it with shears, then pulled at it with all his strength, but the Dragon Binding Rope remained completely intact.

Xu Yi took it and tested it in his hand, thoroughly satisfied.

Just then, a shout came from outside. Yuan Qinghua rushed out, then hurried back in. "Boss, someone from the government office is here. There's only an hour until noon. We need to get there right away."

Xu Yi nodded. "Go tell them I'll be out as soon as I've changed."

"Bearded Uncle, are you going out to fight?" Qiu Wa asked suddenly as she reached the doorway.

"Not a fight. I'm going to beat up some bad guys and earn money to buy my Qiu Wa some tasty treats."

Xu Yi picked the little girl up and kissed her forehead. Her face was as smooth as glazed porcelain, impossible not to love.

Qiu Wa ran her soft little hand over his bristly chin and said earnestly, "Bearded Uncle, don't lose. No matter how badly you get hurt, you have to come home."

"Silly girl, what are you saying? Your Bearded Uncle is invincible under heaven."

Xu Yi pinched her cheek, thinking that the little girl must be terribly worried.

"Mm! My Bearded Uncle is the strongest!" Qiu Wa nodded vigorously.

Half an incense stick later, Xu Yi helped Uncle Mu drink his medicine. Under the old man's concerned gaze, he climbed into the carriage sent by the government office.

The duel had been set for the eastern part of the city. As soon as the carriage passed through the east gate, Xu Yi could tell that the eastern district was indeed different from yesterday.

The normally bustling streets were as deserted as if a storm had just swept through. There were barely any pedestrians, and more than half the shops were closed. The same scene stretched along the whole way.

Another half an incense stick later, the carriage entered a magnificent, egg-shaped building. Soon, the horses stopped. Guided by a young man in a blue official uniform, Xu Yi went down the passage on the left and then turned into a hall about seven or eight zhang across.

The hall, decorated in warm colors, was spacious and empty. In its center stood a long table forged from black iron. An old man with a head of white hair sat beside it, savoring his tea, utterly undisturbed by the newcomer. His eyes were fixed on an old, worn copy of a popular tale in his hands.

"Uncle Ning, this is the other martial artist taking part in the duel. You can begin the blood test."

The young man in blue broke the silence.

Only then did Xu Yi realize that the old man was the cultivation examiner.

A thick, dark-red droplet of blood fell precisely onto a pure white round stone. In an instant, the stone began to glow faintly. Gold, purple, black, white, blue—one color after another appeared, until at last it settled on blue-white.

"It is now confirmed that the martial artist Yi Xu is at Body Tempering Peak!"

Uncle Ning called out, took out a document, stamped it, and quickly sealed it away.

After completing the test, Uncle Ning turned back to the tale in his hands and resumed reading.

The young man in blue was leading Xu Yi out when a middle-aged man dressed just like him hurried over. He whispered a few words to the young man, then left.

The young man in blue led Xu Yi down the passage to the west.

The man had spoken softly, but Xu Yi heard him clearly: "Director Gao wants to see him."

Sure enough, the moment Xu Yi entered an elegant room, he saw Gao Junmo.

The Director, with his sword-shaped brows and square face, held a cup of bright red fruit wine as he lounged in a plush wicker chair, chatting and laughing with three men in white.

When Gao Junmo saw Xu Yi enter, he stood up, waved the young man in blue away, and smiled at Xu Yi. "You're Yi Xu? The mad killer who stood at the docks with the Great Yue Royal Court Edict in his mouth and slaughtered dozens of people in one breath?"

"I am Yi Xu, but I'm no mad killer. I killed only to fight violence with violence. It was my duty."

Xu Yi met Gao Junmo's gaze without either bowing or blustering.

From Master Zhou, he'd learned that Gao Junmo had once spoken up for him and advised the prefect not to let the Black Dragon Hall challenge him. But the prefect had rejected the proposal, saying, "Without rules, how can there be order?"

Xu Yi had a good impression of Director Gao.

"Good! Fighting violence with violence, fulfilling one's duty—that's exactly the kind of man we need!"

The Director's eyes shone with admiration as he looked at Xu Yi. "By rights, you served the public by wiping out those violent thugs. That was a fine act of upholding Great Yue's King's Law. Unfortunately, the prefect puts profit first. I tried to persuade him, but failed, and you ended up taking the blame in the government's place. In that regard, the Patrol Division has wronged you."

Xu Yi clasped his hands. "Director Gao, you're too kind. I've never given those demons and monsters a second thought!"

Since entering government service, Xu Yi had already experienced its benefits. As the saying went, it was easier to cultivate within the Six Doors. Since he intended to stay in government service for the long haul, he naturally had ambitions to climb the ranks.

Gao Junmo had taken the initiative to approach him. This was a golden opportunity. After considering it briefly, Xu Yi had judged Gao Junmo's character correctly. He knew that humility and propriety would only make the man look down on him; a bold, unrestrained manner would leave a deeper impression.

Sure enough, Gao Junmo threw back his head and laughed. "I sing wildly to the heavens; who can rival my soaring, overbearing spirit? Bai Han, Pei Lin, Zhong Shu, my judgment's not bad, is it?"

"The general's judgment is naturally exceptional!"

"When has the Director ever been wrong?"

The fat and thin men standing close to Gao Junmo laughed and flattered him. Only the most imposing, broad-shouldered man frowned and said nothing.

Gao Junmo laughed. "Zhong Shu, do you disagree?"

The burly man replied, "This subordinate has no disagreement. It's just that I've seen too many men who talk big but have nothing in their heads. These fellows are bold, stupid, and crude. Even with death staring them in the face, they don't know it, and can still go on making grand speeches every day."

Xu Yi shot him a glance and thought, I've never even met you before. How the hell did I get on your bad side?