Seeing Madam Su Again

Inside the Black Armor Battalion.

Wang Ping sat cross-legged, his blood and vital energy circulating through his body as he breathed slowly. Throughout the process, the muscles and bones of his face shifted ever so slightly.

In the blink of an eye, he had a different face.

His handsome, youthful features became the weathered face of a middle-aged man, then the face of an old man with one foot in the grave.

A thousand faces for one man, changing as he pleased.

Nor was it limited to his face. If Wang Ping wanted, he could even become a woman. He had a way to deal with the most important physical distinction, too.

"Retracting Yang into the Abdomen!"

Wang Ping felt around inside his trousers. Once he confirmed the move truly worked, he clicked his tongue in wonder. "I never thought I'd find a way to disguise myself so quickly."

Having confirmed the disguise effect built into Thirteen Guardians' Iron-Body Qigong, Wang Ping returned to his original appearance. He then sent out his Spirit Sense. Compared with before, it was dozens of times stronger now that he had cultivated Spirit-Communing Thought, and every last detail of the Black Armor Battalion lay bare to him.

"No blind spots this time."

Wang Ping spread his Spirit Sense as far as it would go and soon spotted Dog and Monkey outside the Black Armor Battalion. This time, they could no longer slip past his notice.

"Hm?"

Just then, Wang Ping's attention shifted. Wu Xintai was walking toward his tent, with someone else following behind him.

"...Her?" Wang Ping froze.

The woman was wrapped from head to toe and even wore a layer of light armor. Her valiant bearing was nothing like the delicate figure he remembered.

It was Madam Su.

She's learned martial arts... No, why is she still here? I arranged everything two lives ago. She should be in the capital by now.

Wang Ping frowned slightly. Wu Xintai lifted the tent flap and strode in. "Lord Wang, I've found the unranked martial arts manuals you wanted."

With that, he placed three manuals before Wang Ping. One glance told Wang Ping they were mostly ordinary fare, nowhere near as good as Thirteen Guardians' Iron-Body Qigong. Three was far too few, as well. Still, he would not turn down anything useful, so he accepted them all.

"Thanks for the effort, General."

"Not at all." Wu Xintai waved a hand, unwilling to take credit. Perceptive as he was, how could he fail to see that Wang Ping was somewhat dissatisfied?

At that thought, he hurriedly added:

"I actually know of a few more unranked martial arts manuals owned by a merchant family. They're willing to offer them, but they'd like to meet you..."

"Oh?"

Wang Ping lowered his eyes. He understood why Wu Xintai had come, but could hardly refuse. He gave a slight nod. "Invite the person outside in."

Wu Xintai let out a long breath of relief. He stepped aside and drew back the tent flap. Madam Su entered with a resolute expression. Without wasting a word, she took out a token engraved with a name and said solemnly, "Su Ya of the Su Household in the capital greets you, my lord..."

Her voice stopped short.

For a moment, Madam Su simply stood there in a daze. The token slipped unnoticed from her hand, while her beautiful eyes remained fixed on Wang Ping.

She had come to make one last attempt.

She had learned yesterday that a Golden Cavalry Guard had arrived to supervise the army. This time, she meant to use the written order her dear friend had left her.

She wanted to see if she could persuade the Golden Cavalry Guard. If the military supervisor spoke up, perhaps even Wu Xintai would waver and send troops into the county seat to rescue someone for her.

She could think of no better way.

But at this moment, all her anxiety, hardship, and grief flew beyond the nine heavens. Nothing remained in her heart but bewildered disbelief.

Wang Ping felt rather helpless at the sight.

Meanwhile, Wu Xintai approached with an eager smile and volunteered, "My lord, allow me to introduce this lady. She is—"

"No need."

Wang Ping waved a hand. "Go outside."

Wu Xintai paused, then said cautiously, "My lord, though this lady holds no official post, her standing is considerable. Perhaps you should still hear—"

"I said, go outside!" Wang Ping glared at him.

"Ah?"

Now Wu Xintai was truly dumbfounded. He looked at Wang Ping, then at Madam Su, whose eyes had already reddened. After a moment's hesitation, he cupped his hands and left.

He closed the tent flap behind him.

Once Wu Xintai was gone, Wang Ping turned to Madam Su but said nothing. She pressed her lips together and did not speak either.

Silence settled over the tent.

They remained at an impasse until Madam Su could bear it no longer. Her eyes reddened and glistening, she asked in a trembling voice:

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

Wang Ping shook his head. "My lady, have you mistaken me for someone else?"

Even now, he clung to a sliver of hope. After his transformation, both his appearance and bearing had changed considerably.

Could she really recognize me at a glance?

Besides, he was a Golden Cavalry Guard now, nothing like the young constable he had been that day. Surely anyone would think he merely resembled the man she remembered...

"You say I'm mistaken!?"

Madam Su's voice shot up an octave. Her emotions visibly slipped beyond her control, and two streams of tears ran down her cheeks.

Wang Ping abandoned his last shred of hope.

"I was wrong." He obediently lowered his head.

Madam Su trembled, her teeth clenched tight. Only after a moment did she say softly, "I thought you were dead."

"And I thought you'd gone to the capital to enjoy a comfortable life," Wang Ping replied.

"You died in that city, killed by that damned magistrate." Madam Su's voice was subdued. "How could I go to the capital without avenging you?"

Wang Ping: "..."

"Come here," Madam Su said.

Only then did Wang Ping move. He walked carefully up to her, behaving with such propriety that he looked like a man determined to keep his distance.

That made Madam Su angrier.

Seeing the man she had believed dead again left her emotions brimming over like tears. There was joy among them, but anger too.

Why didn't he tell me he was alive?

Why did he pretend not to know me?

Why was he just standing there?

Wang Ping stood right beside her, yet did nothing, as wooden as a post. Madam Su's tears flowed faster, but her stubbornness rose with them.

"Do you want to end things between us?"

"Absolutely not." Wang Ping tried another explanation. "It's just that my situation is dangerous. You shouldn't be dragged into it. You deserve a life of your own."

Madam Su took a deep breath. "Don't you understand?"

"Understand what?" Wang Ping asked, bewildered.

At that, embarrassed fury filled Madam Su's heart. A flush spread over her face, ears, and fair neck.

That damned bastard was pretending not to understand!

Did he want her to say it first? He knew he was wrong, so he was baiting her into yielding and letting him off the hook?

"You wretch..."

Wang Ping's back-and-forth had actually eased some of her anger. Joy gained the upper hand, and she wanted nothing more than to let her feelings spill out.

But seeing Wang Ping remain unmoved, she puffed out her cheeks, her pretty face flushed. She could not bring herself to yield first. Growing more upset and impatient, she said in a fit of pique, "A Golden Cavalry Guard... You must have used some disgraceful means to get that title. I'm going to report you to the authorities!"

With that, she turned and made for the tent flap.

Only then did Wang Ping reach out and catch her hand. Before he could even pull, Madam Su went limp and collapsed into his arms of her own accord.

Their eyes met.

Madam Su had meant to say more, but with his handsome face so close, every thought vanished. She shyly closed her eyes.

Wang Ping gave a helpless sigh. "My lady, the truth is, I'm not interested in women..."

Madam Su's eyes flew open in fury.

The mood was set, her emotions were running high, and the arrow was already on the bowstring. Then he said that. The last thread of reason in her mind snapped.

"Take me," Madam Su said, enunciating each word.

Wang Ping slipped an arm around her while putting on a reluctant expression. "Th-that wouldn't be right... I really have no interest in women."

As if.

Madam Su was so angry she laughed. Unable to maintain her reserve any longer, she tipped her head back, wrapped her arms around Wang Ping's neck, and pressed her full red lips to his.

Helpless, Wang Ping could only kiss her back.

Outside the tent, Wu Xintai stared in disbelief.

He had never imagined that the moment he stepped out, such a commotion would arise inside, with voices mixed in.

In broad daylight, beneath the open sky!

A disgrace to propriety!

An utter disgrace to propriety!

"Hiss!"

Wu Xintai had not a single improper thought, only boundless shock. Madam Su is a noblewoman with powerful connections, yet she and this Golden Cavalry Guard are clearly old acquaintances... Which means his background must be unfathomable too!

But if so, why had he come to Longxing County?

Why would a scion of the capital travel all the way to this wretched backwater, and as a military supervisor at that? Could he have come on a mission?

A Golden Cavalry Guard was one of the emperor's own.

Damn it, could he be carrying a secret decree, too?

The more Wu Xintai thought about it, the more frightened he became. He dared not listen to the sounds from the tent any longer. Instead, he immediately called over his men and cleared the area, lest anyone spoil the lord's enjoyment.

Only when the sun sank behind the western hills

did Madam Su's emotions finally settle. She curled up in Wang Ping's arms, reluctant to leave their familiar warmth, and rested against his shoulder, unwilling to rise.

"Still going to report me?" Wang Ping sat up straight and demanded.

"No, no, I won't."

Madam Su tensed and hurriedly begged for mercy. She truly could not take any more. Who knew what this wretch had been practicing? He was practically made of iron.

"Oh, right!"

Seeing that Wang Ping might start again, Madam Su quickly changed the subject. "Your friend Liu Ye is in trouble. He's still in the county jail..."

Wang Ping stopped moving. "Old Liu?"

"He didn't want to leave his home behind, so he went to Changle Commandery instead. But that dog of a magistrate, Xu Bingzheng, has connections at the commandery office too. He set a trap and had Liu Ye brought back."

"The person I was relying on... had to leave because something urgent came up. And she isn't from Changle Commandery, so she couldn't stop it in time."

Seeing Wang Ping's expression, Madam Su hurriedly added, "D-don't worry. The person I asked for help is my cousin. She's a Transcendent. She personally instructed them to look after Liu Ye and made arrangements for him. No matter how bold that dog of an official is, he might torture Liu Ye, but he wouldn't dare kill him..."

Wang Ping's expression did not ease.

After all, killing someone could take no more than a single stroke, a clean end. This world had plenty of ways to make someone suffer worse than death and wish they had been killed.

With that thought, Wang Ping let Madam Su go.

A short while later, the two emerged from the tent fully dressed. Wu Xintai, who had been waiting for them, hurried forward and greeted Wang Ping respectfully. "My lord."

Only when she saw Wu Xintai did Madam Su realize just how wildly she had behaved. Color flooded her face, and she could hardly contain her embarrassment.

Wang Ping paid it no mind and asked directly:

"General, do you know Liu Ye?"

At those words, Wu Xintai thought, Just as I expected. He nodded cautiously. "I know of him. He's in the city now..."

Hesitation filled Wu Xintai's voice. Though he was convinced Wang Ping had powerful backing, the fact remained that he was merely a battalion commander. He wanted no part in a struggle between the court's great figures. Whatever happened, he would not lead his troops in an assault on the county seat.

With that in mind, he hastened to say quietly:

"If you're acquainted with Liu Ye, my lord, why not write a letter to the city pleading his case? I can send a letter as well, asking the magistrate to release him."

"I'm sure the magistrate will grant you that courtesy."

To Wu Xintai, this was the best course.

After all, harmony was what mattered at court. To contend without breaking ties was the truth of officialdom. If negotiations could settle the matter, negotiations were best.

Why resort to arms?

More importantly, it would make things easy for him. Unlike leading troops into the county seat, writing the magistrate a letter could never get him called to account.

At the same time, Wu Xintai prepared himself. If the military supervisor rejected his proposal, insisted on his own way, or even ordered him to send in troops, what tone and words could he use to decline without openly falling out with him?

But in the next instant, he heard a reply he had not expected:

"No need to trouble yourself."

Wang Ping looked calmly toward Longxing County in the distance. "I'd need him to grant me a favor only if I were asking him for something. All I need is his position."

As the words fell, Wu Xintai was about to decline when an object struck him.

What was that?

Wu Xintai looked down in confusion. It was made entirely of bronze, oddly shaped, and seemed to be only part of something... Then his body jerked.

Only now did he dimly remember what it was. His expression slowly froze. A suspicion surfaced in his mind, but he instinctively tried to reject it.

Could it be... No, impossible!

This camp has five hundred men. The matching half held by the Changle Commandery Office stays at its headquarters year-round. How could anyone bring it out? It must be a fake meant to frighten me...

Clinging to that thought, Wu Xintai tremblingly drew a similar bronze object from inside his clothes and gently fitted the two pieces together.

Clack.

They fit perfectly, without the slightest gap.

The next instant, the commander of the Black Armor Battalion dropped to one knee without hesitation. He said nothing, but his position was unmistakable.

"Pass on my order."

Wang Ping took back the military tally and said evenly, "Deploy the troops. Enter the city."