Don't You Still Have You?

Han Qi was taken aback, scratching his head in embarrassment.

"I wouldn't say I know them well, just a thing or two."

"Then do you know about the Xifeng Army of the Feng Prince Mansion?"

"The Xifeng Army? I know of them," Han Qi nodded. "Back in the day, the Xifeng Army was renowned, but now? The Feng family is in decline. They can't afford to maintain such a large force, so they've cut back significantly, and their combat effectiveness is nowhere near what it used to be."

"The Xifeng Army of the past was legendary because General Feng was selfless. He taught his self-created Wind King Leg technique to the troops, allowing many soldiers to achieve extraordinary strength. Combined with the fact that it was a field army, it was perfectly suited for the Wind King Leg secret martial art. That is what created the Xifeng Army, which was once considered an army of kings."

"In this day and age, those Xifeng Army soldiers haven't learned the Wind King Leg at all. Their military discipline is lax, and the Feng family never inherited General Feng's training methods. Instead, they've immersed themselves in the power struggles of the court..."

As Han Qi spoke about these matters, spittle flew everywhere, and the disdain on his face was practically overflowing. "They're absolute trash! With just five hundred infantrymen, I could make that Xifeng Army throw away their helmets and armor!"

"..." Mu Ye.

"You're that capable?" Mu Ye chuckled. "Then why didn't you enlist and become a general?"

"I wanted to," Han Qi sighed. "Before I tried for a civil service degree, I wanted to join the army. And guess what happened? I served for three years, and not only did I only receive half a year's pay, but I spent every single day cooking and tending the fires."

"Hahaha..." Mu Ye found it amusing. "Where were you serving?"

"Under that so-called virtuous Prince Qi," Han Qi spat. "Virtuous, my foot..."

"After failing to make it in the army, I figured that being a soldier couldn't save this world, so I decided to try for a civil service degree and get an official post to see if that would work..."

"As for the result..." Han Qi laughed at himself.

"Enlisting didn't work, becoming an official didn't work, so I had no choice but to practice martial arts..."

"And then I was... if it weren't for you, benefactor, I might have already been reincarnated by now."

Han Qi laughed, shaking his head as he did so. "It's hopeless, this world."

Mu Ye patted the man on the shoulder.

Indeed, it was quite miserable.

This Han Qi could be considered one of the few people in this world who still held onto personal beliefs and dreams.

"Since you think the Xifeng Army is so weak, why don't you go to the Feng family to offer your services and show off your skills?" Mu Ye asked.

"Heh..." Han Qi shook his head. "The Xifeng Army practices nepotism. It's hard to get in if you aren't related to the Feng family; they don't trust outsiders. Besides, the Xifeng Army feels rotten to the core, and the Feng family isn't exactly a good bunch either."

"They sit on an army and want to build a reputation here in Taiping City, yet they haven't dealt with a single one of the many demons outside."

"A while back, when Chishui Village was plagued by demons, look at how many the Feng family sent."

They certainly wouldn't send people there to die.

After all, the demons in Chishui Village were nine times out of ten the work of the Feng family, Mu Ye thought to himself.

"I don't think the Xifeng Army of the Feng family is meant to deal with demons," Han Qi sighed. "I reckon it's meant to deal with their own people."

Mu Ye's eyes lit up. This guy had a sharp eye.

Even without knowing anything, he could still see that much.

"If there's a chance in the future..." Mu Ye pondered, "perhaps I can let you realize your ambitions."

Han Qi was stunned, then laughed a few times and whispered:

"If my benefactor has such intentions... if a real opportunity arises, even if you want to turn the world upside down, I'm with you."

A few days later, Shen Mansion.

The bright moon hung in the sky.

"Xiao Chan, in a few days, you should return to the Yunhai Sword Sect."

Madam Shen, dressed in a pale green gown, sat upright on a stone bench.

Although the stone bench was covered with a soft cushion, it still forced the skirt around her waist and hips into a distinct curve.

"No," Shen Qingchan shook her head. "Aunt Yun, now that Father is gone, you are my only kin. Even if we aren't related by blood, you were the one who taught me when I was little; you were even closer to me than Father... I cannot just abandon you like this."

"Taiping City is not safe..." Madam Shen frowned. "The Yunhai Sword Sect is located at the foot of Tiannan Mountain. While it isn't exactly isolated from the world, it is at least far from the dynasty. It may be remote, but it is peaceful."

"Besides, I have that gentleman helping me now. If something were to happen, you wouldn't be able to save me anyway."

"I don't believe that." Shen Qingchan gripped the sword in her hand. "I recently consumed the Blood Lingzhi, and my internal energy has greatly increased. I am not far from the fourth rank. I might not be weaker than that Demon Sealer..."

Madam Shen thought to herself that this girl was truly stubborn.

Originally, she hadn't agreed to her going to Chishui Village to avenge her father. Shen Qingchan had insisted on going, so they had made a secret agreement: if she returned safely, she would immediately return to the Yunhai Sword Sect.

She hadn't expected that while she did return safely, she would go back on her word.

Now she didn't want to leave.

"Is it because you have developed feelings for that Mu Huangtu?" Madam Shen suddenly asked. "Is that why you don't want to leave for the time being?"

"..."

"No, absolutely not." Shen Qingchan tightened her grip on the sword hilt, her expression calm and composed.

Madam Shen watched the latter's fingers, which were clenched so tightly that the tips had turned slightly white.

She looked calm, but unfortunately, she still couldn't hide it.

She could tell at a glance.

Then again, the two of them had shared hardships and gone through life and death together; it was only natural for there to be some affection. It would be abnormal if there weren't.

Listening to Shen Qingchan recount their experiences, that Mu Huangtu was indeed a chivalrous youth who kept his word and possessed excellent character.

He was not a bad match.

"Since there isn't, that's perfect." Madam Shen spoke in a measured, unhurried tone as she elegantly lifted her teacup with her palm. "That youth comes from a humble background. He is not a match for you; it is not a union of equals. It would be best if you did not have too much contact with him."

Shen Qingchan was stunned, and she said urgently:

"Aunt Yun, how can you say that? How is his background humble? Didn't you say before that his talent was extraordinary and his future prospects were limitless? Besides, he is so young and already at the third rank, despite having practiced martial arts for only a few months... A genius like this doesn't even exist in our Yunhai Sword Sect... He is far more capable than I am..."

As she spoke, her voice grew quieter.

"..." Madam Shen looked at her with a beaming smile, her eyes filled with the wisdom of a mature woman.

Little brat.

Shen Qingchan stood up and said angrily:

"Aunt Yun, you lied to me... I'm going to sleep!"

With that, she turned and left.

Madam Shen did not expose the fact that the latter was trying to flee the scene out of embarrassment and anger.

See through it, but don't point it out. If she said too much, this girl would really lose her temper.

"Did you two have a disagreement?"

A low voice came from the rafters behind her.

Madam Shen turned around, a flash of joy crossing her eyes, and she shook her head slightly:

"No."

"No?" Mu Ye thought to himself, didn't she just say she was angry?

Women are incomprehensible.

He had only just arrived.

"In a few days, it will be the grand banquet." Mu Ye said. "Do you have any other issues on your end?"

Madam Shen said:

"I have naturally prepared for it. I have carefully calculated the guest list for the grand banquet; there are about five experts of the third rank, all from prominent families in Taiping City. Some of them may have already colluded with the Feng Family."

"Therefore, when Feng Wuque demonstrates his might through martial arts during the banquet, these people will likely feign defeat."

"Feng Wuque will not let the Shen Mansion off..."

"I know a little about Feng Wuque. This man is deep and calculating. He is one of the disciples of that former Imperial Tutor. If he wants to stir up trouble, he will definitely invite the experts of my Shen Mansion to fight."

Madam Shen said indifferently, "If no one accepts the challenge, he will use the excuse that the world is in turmoil and the Feng Family is willing to protect the Shen Mansion to seize the foundation of my Shen Family in a justifiable manner. The Feng Family cares about their reputation."

"If someone accepts the challenge and loses, the result is the same. But if they win..."

"What then?" Mu Ye asked.

"If they win, it will still be difficult to walk out of the Feng Mansion alive." Madam Shen narrowed her eyes. "The Feng Family is determined to succeed. Once they lose, they won't engage in a direct confrontation; they will resort to underhanded tactics. The Feng Family must have experts guarding the premises, and perhaps... there might even be demons..."

Mu Ye was slightly startled; Madam Shen had calculated everything clearly.

"Since Madam Shen is so clear about this, why go at all?" Mu Ye asked. "The Feng Family will not let the Shen Mansion go regardless. Since you know it is a death trap, aren't you just going to your own demise? Is the foundation of the Shen Family really that important? Why not leave Taiping City immediately?"

After a long silence, Madam Shen bit her lip slightly, a smile appearing on her face that Mu Ye found both unfathomable and incredibly beautiful:

"Isn't there... still you?"

The moonlight spilled onto Madam Shen's snow-white cheeks, reflecting a faint radiance.

Mu Ye suddenly felt that this woman was a bit bewitching, and possessed an indescribable charm.

--

Seven days later, to celebrate the eldest son of the Feng Family, Feng Wuque, breaking through to the third rank, the Feng Family in Taiping City held a grand banquet. They invited many distinguished guests of Taiping City to gather at the Feng Mansion, using the banquet to showcase martial arts and celebrate the name of the young heroes of Taiping City, so as to uphold the prestige of the city...