The next day.
Jia Huan had just entered the Government Office.
"Boss." Scholar poured Jia Huan some tea and chatted:
"Last night, an urgent report arrived from the Jiangnan Guard Station. A Tatar named Yelü Xueye challenged Flower Devotee in Guangling Commandery. After just two exchanges, Flower Devotee lost."
"When I came in for duty, everyone in the Northern Commandant Office was talking about it. Apparently, Yelü Xueye publicly called the Embroidered Uniform Guard useless wine sacks and rice bags, then vanished into hiding."
"How old is he?" Jia Huan asked.
"Younger than Hundred-Household Commander Lu, Flower Devotee. Only twenty-two," Scholar answered.
Jia Huan drank a cup of tea and sighed:
"I hope Flower Devotee doesn't lose heart."
They had carried out official duties together, after all. He did not want his colleague to fall into a slump and never recover.
"Boss, someone from the Misty Rain Tower requests an audience." Twin Whips knocked on the door.
Puzzled, Jia Huan walked out of the office.
In an alley a hundred paces from the yamen, the Hunchbacked Old Man who managed the Capital's Misty Rain Tower waited quietly.
"What is it?"
"Have you heard, young master? Flower Devotee suffered a crushing defeat," the Hunchbacked Old Man asked.
Jia Huan nodded.
The third-ranked fighter on the Dragon-Tiger Ranking had been utterly routed. The repercussions were enormous.
The Hunchbacked Old Man looked grave:
"A foreign Tatar is swaggering around flaunting his might. This is a disgrace to the Central Plains Martial World!"
Jia Huan looked at him. "And?"
"We would like you to take action, young master." The Hunchbacked Old Man stated his purpose plainly.
"Me?" Jia Huan chuckled:
"Nine Cauldrons Supreme, second on the Dragon-Tiger Ranking, and World-Burier, first. With aliases that defy royal authority and know neither law nor heaven, ask