"Shuangren, I'll demonstrate it once first. Watch closely."
With that, Xu Nanzhi suddenly began to move.
At first, she moved slowly, her toes skimming across the ground, her body leaning slightly forward like a stream winding around a round stone.
Gradually, her feet moved faster and faster as she circled the courtyard, like a stream joining a great river, its waters turning swift and turbulent.
Suddenly, as her left foot landed, she twisted to the right and turned her right wrist outward, as though thrusting with a sword-but the instant she made the thrust, she came to an abrupt stop. Her left heel tapped the ground, and she doubled back the way she had come.
The reversal was so swift that Wu Shuangren's eyes had only just followed her, and before they were halfway there, she tapped the ground with her left toe, bent her right knee slightly, and returned to her original position.
The successive turns and changes of direction looked almost like an illusion.
Next, Xu Nanzhi reversed direction every three steps, her movements shifting unpredictably and dazzling the eye.
"This footwork technique is called the Cloud Tide Returning Wave Steps."
Xu Nanzhi spoke to Wu Shuangren.
"The heart of this footwork lies in the word 'return,' like a tide striking a reef-"
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly accelerated, her rapid steps like rain beating against banana leaves. She circled halfway around the courtyard, then abruptly "returned" again-this time, she turned sideways with her body almost flat against the ground, struck the flagstones with her left palm, and used the force to spring back up, completing the turn.
"When you return, your body must be loose, and so must your mind. The more urgently you try to turn, the lower your center of gravity sinks, and the harder it is to return."
As Xu Nanzhi spoke, she charged toward a wall. Just before she hit it, she leaped up, her body as light as willow fluff lifted by the wind.
In midair, she rapidly stepped against the wall with both feet, using it to change direction. Her sash cut through the air with a sharp crack.
When she landed, she stood facing Wu Shuangren, a faint smile on her face.
"The tide may turn a thousand times, but it reaches the sea in the end."
Xu Nanzhi looked at Wu Shuangren. "Remember, this footwork isn't about dodging. It's about returning. You know there's a reef ahead, but you still crash into it, and then, at the instant of impact-"
She raised her right hand and slowly curled her five fingers, as though grasping something invisible. "You return yourself to the path you were on."
Wu Shuangren could hardly resist applauding.
"Mother, now I completely believe you're better than Father!"
Hearing this, Xu Nanzhi smiled with her lips pressed together and said with a touch of pride, "Of course."
Next, she taught Wu Shuangren the Cloud Tide Returning Wave Steps, one step at a time.
That afternoon, Wu Shuangren went to the constables' office as usual.
Liao Yu called him into a room, his expression grave.
"Someone from the Mist Hidden Temple has arrived. They're hosting a banquet for the four lords at Moxian Tower tonight."
Wu Shuangren said, "That has nothing to do with us, does it?"
As a chief constable, he should not have been qualified to sit at the table at such a banquet.
"They specifically asked for you to attend too."
Liao Yu spoke helplessly.
Wu Shuangren was taken aback. "Why?"
Liao Yu said, "Perhaps because you killed Peng Tianlang."
Wu Shuangren pursed his lips.
Liao Yu reassured him, "Don't worry. I've already spoken to County Commandant Xu, and he'll look after you. Your father and I will also be waiting outside the restaurant tonight. If anything really happens, shout to us, and we'll bring men inside immediately!"
Wu Shuangren smiled. "It probably won't come to that."
Even so, he did not go to spar with Hou Huai that afternoon.
Entering the [Match for One Person] state consumed additional stamina and mental energy, so Wu Shuangren needed to conserve his strength for the banquet that night.
At the third quarter of the hour of the rooster (5:45 p.m.).
Wu Shuangren walked out of the county yamen and waited at the entrance.
A moment later, Xu Jing emerged, wearing a dark green, round-collared official robe.
"My lord."
Wu Shuangren saluted him.
"Let's go."
Xu Jing nodded and strode ahead.
Wu Shuangren followed behind him.
Liao Yu had told him that Xu Jing would take him to the banquet that night.
The two walked to Moxian Tower, where the proprietor had long been waiting outside.
Moxian Tower had been booked out again that night and would serve only the banquet guests.
"Lord Xu, Chief Constable Wu, please come in."
The proprietor bowed and smiled at them.
They entered the restaurant. The first floor was empty except for two people sitting at a table in the corner.
One was the dark-faced, burly man who had delivered the letter that day. The other was thin and fair-skinned, with long, disheveled hair.
Wu Shuangren noticed that the man's hands were blue-black and his fingers long and slender.
He immediately recalled Hou Huai's theory about the massacre of Li Youcai's family: there had been two killers, one who wielded a saber in his left hand and another who had practiced a claw technique and had a twisted temperament.
The two men noticed Xu Jing and Wu Shuangren entering the restaurant. The long-haired man glanced at them, then looked away and continued drinking.
The dark-faced man smiled and whistled at Xu Jing. "My lord, we meet again."
Xu Jing swept an icy gaze over the two men, said nothing, and went straight upstairs.
Wu Shuangren silently followed him.
On the second floor, the proprietor led them into a private room.
A screen stood in the room, and a gilt incense burner shaped like a reclining turtle and decorated with lotus patterns sat in the corner.
Several delicate pastries and fresh fruits had already been set on the table.
Xu Jing chose a seat at random, and Wu Shuangren sat to his right.
A moment later, more sounds came from outside the door.
County Magistrate He Zhixu, Deputy Magistrate Tan Zheng, and Registrar Tang Jiusi had arrived together.
Wu Shuangren rose with Xu Jing to greet them. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they each took a seat.
The officials then made small talk while Wu Shuangren sat listening in silence.
Since learning the basics of Internal Skill, his senses had become sharper. He noticed that Deputy Magistrate Tan Zheng looked at him with dissatisfaction several times.
The four of them are officials, and I'm the only functionary here. Perhaps he thinks I'm not qualified to sit at the same table with them?
Wu Shuangren guessed inwardly.
At the hour of the dog, the appointed time arrived.
The door to the private room opened again, and a young man with an immaculately combed topknot entered with a smile.
He wore a moon-white, round-collared robe patterned with facing magpies inside pearl-bordered circles, a jade ornament at his waist, and a shortsword in a shagreen scabbard, its pommel set with a green gemstone.
He was dressed like a young nobleman.
After entering, he did not immediately greet the four officials seated there. Instead, he walked straight up to Wu Shuangren and spoke as though no one else were present.
"You must be Chief Constable Wu, the man who killed Peng Tianlang! What a young hero! I, Hong Fan, have admired heroes above all others my whole life. I must share a few extra cups with you later, hahahaha-"
Hong Fan
Wu Shuangren had not expected Hong Fan to make such a deliberate show of praising him.
Tonight's banquet was the first formal meeting between the Bo County authorities and the representatives sent by the Mist Hidden Temple after it had thoroughly subdued the Mo Family.
All four of Bo County's officials had come, showing how much importance they attached to the meeting.
On such an occasion, Hong Fan had not only invited Wu Shuangren personally, but also left the four officials to one side and greeted Wu Shuangren alone the moment he arrived.
If Wu Shuangren had truly been an inexperienced seventeen-year-old, he might have felt delighted and flattered.
But at that moment, he only felt somewhat troubled...
He Zhixu and the others looked somewhat displeased as well.
"You're too kind, Young Master Hong. I was merely fortunate to slay Peng Tianlang."
In any case, he could not neglect basic courtesy. Wu Shuangren immediately rose and returned the greeting.
"You're too modest, Chief Constable Wu."
Hong Fan smiled. Only then did he look at the other four officials and salute them with cupped hands.
"My lords, I am Hong Fan. Thank you all for taking the time to attend."
He Zhixu and the others had risen and fallen in the sea of officialdom for many years. Naturally, they would not react over a mere greeting. They all stood and greeted Hong Fan with smiles.
"Please, everyone, sit."
Hong Fan invited them to sit, then ordered the dishes brought out.
"May I ask how you are related to Chief Steward Hong of the Mist Hidden Temple, Young Master Hong?"
Registrar Tang Jiusi was the first to ask.
The Mist Hidden Temple had a chief steward named Hong Zhanming, who handled all its external affairs.
Although Hong Zhanming held no official post or scholarly honors, he could dine and chat merrily at the same table as the provincial governor in Yi Prefecture City.
People from every walk of life in Yi Prefecture City, whoever they were, had to address Hong Zhanming respectfully as "Master Hong" when they saw him.
The person the Mist Hidden Temple had sent to take charge today was also surnamed Hong and was so young that people could not help making a connection.
Hong Fan smiled casually. "He's my uncle. I'm also here in Bo County to do business on his behalf this time, so I hope you gentlemen will look after me in the future."
"Your uncle..."
He Zhixu, Tang Jiusi, and the others exchanged discreet glances, then smiled and assured him that they certainly would.
Apart from greeting Hong Fan at the beginning, Xu Jing had sat silently, just like Wu Shuangren.
As one finely prepared dish after another was brought in, everyone picked up their chopsticks.
Hong Fan also ordered wine.
Everything proceeded normally. He Zhixu and the others talked with him about Bo County's local customs and people, while he spoke to them about the pleasures of Yi Province.
The atmosphere was harmonious.
"Chief Constable Wu."
Hong Fan suddenly raised his cup and said to Wu Shuangren, "Peng Tianlang committed several major crimes in Yi Prefecture City and had a mountain of blood debts. When news that you had slain him reached the city, almost everyone clapped and cheered. On behalf of the people of Yi Prefecture City, I offer you a toast!"
Wu Shuangren raised his cup, neither servile nor arrogant. "You're too kind, Young Master Hong. Slaying Peng Tianlang was not my achievement alone. I truly cannot presume to accept your gratitude."
"Hahaha! You're so young, Chief Constable Wu, yet so modest. Truly admirable!"
Hong Fan drained his cup and suddenly called out, "Attendants!"
Wu Shuangren's heart tightened, and he tensed instinctively.
Instead, someone entered carrying a wooden tray stacked with neatly arranged piles of silver.
"Peng Tianlang was a vicious bandit on Yi Province's wanted list. The reward for killing him was one hundred taels of silver!"
Hong Fan pointed to the silver on the tray and said to Wu Shuangren, "I've brought the reward for you."
A hundred taels of silver piled together made quite an impression. At the very least, Wu Shuangren had never seen so much gleaming silver, and it would have been a lie to say he was not tempted.
The officials present were all surprised.
Peng Tianlang's head had been sent to Yi Prefecture City by the Bo County authorities, and the reward had likewise been claimed in the authorities' name.