Episode 2: White Fox-face

Xu Longxiang jerked his horse to a sudden stop, shouting his brother's name several times. Seeing no reaction from the latter, he thought his brother had died, and broke into loud sobs. It was only after Old Huang hobbled over and whispered a few words that Xu Longxiang started to laugh while sucking in his snot, giving the old servant a pat on the shoulder that landed as a slap so hard, the old man fell squarely on his butt.

Xu Fengnian turned round sharply and saw the beef store's girl looking at him, glassy-eyed and carrying a bamboo twig. She then turned to run away. Xu Fengnian took the little girl to the beef store three blocks away, but he didn't see the girl who carried a bamboo twig. On their way back to the palace, Xu Fengnian smiled, "I'll show you something before you go home."

Xu Fengnian and Yu Youwei left the Anglerfort. Wandering around the city, they found an alley crowded with people. They went closer and found out that they were all betting on chess. The public chess players sat against the wall with their chess pieces and boards in front. Xu Fengnian only kept Ning Emei around and sent the three bodyguards further away. Soon, he found an available chess player and pulled Yu Youwei over through the crowd. The young man looked like a poor scholar in his patched clothes and worn shoes. He laid ten chess pieces on the chessboard, meaning that the bet was ten times the stake. It was a gesture of confidence because ordinary chess players bet only two or three times, not even five. Xu Fengnian squatted down. As he was contemplating the stake, he looked up and realized that the young man was blind. "How are we going to play?" He wondered.

The Crane Pavilion was said to be inhabited by cranes, but Xu Fengnian's party didn't even find a pheasant there when resting the horses. However, they did see six or seven female disciples around a handsome young man dressed in a Taoist robe.

Xu Fengnian left the Fane musing to himself, "Lord of Qingcheng... sounds pretty mighty, huh. Wanna go take a look?" Wei Shuyang merely smiled. After breakfast, Xu Fengnian went looking for the old God of Sword and found him standing upright, his hand tucked behind. Xu Fengnian lowered his voice and said, "I just put some new stuff in the document chest inside the carriage. If we ever had to run for our lives, kindly take Jiang Ni away, with the chest in tow."

Xu Fengnian picked the biggest room and signaled Jiang Ni to start reading for him. In the study, Qing Niao had all the stationery ready. Xu Fengnian listened to Jiang Ni's reading while continuing with his sketch of the patterns on the Red-Armored Runic Knight. After going hastily through a well-prepared dinner, he started touring around the Qingyang Temple with Qing Niao.

By the steps, the dark-robed man stood poised. In the pavilion, there was the geezer with his mastery of Opheotivus up his sleeves. These two figures faced each other, embodying two generations of extraordinary prowess. Cao Changqing, known for his disdain for weapons, showed no fear or concern as he faced Li Chungang, the renowned old God of Sword. With unwavering determination, he continued to advance, unaffected by the overwhelming power of his opponent. Without Li Chungang even lifting his arm, a series of zigzagging ravines materialized on the ground between him and Cao Changqing as the sword aura roared onto the walls.

The question remained a persistent struggle for Xu Fengnian, even after leaving Yangchun City. Indeed, Cao Changqing was in no rush to exert pressure on Xu Fengnian. Just like a shadow, he followed Xu Fengnian and moved into the Elysian Garden of the Lu Mansion in Yangzhou Province. It was a sleepless night, as Xu Fengnian sat alone in a pavilion by the lake in Elysian Garden, Jiang Ni came into sight, hesitating and shuffling outside the pavilion. With the weight of Cao Changqing's words still lingering, an uncomfortable silence settled between Xu Fengnian and Jiang Ni.

A master would emphasize conditions just like a dynasty had its trend, and a sect also had its days. There was a tripod complexion in the Taoism world. Mount Longhu was valued by the Liyang Kingdom. Its four maesters were all gifted with remarkable abilities, and it had a wealth of geniuses. And Wudang Mountains? It had been voiceless for a hundred years…

Wei Wei and Zhao Jr. kept backing off as Xu Fengnian approached them step by step until they were cornered. From the window, Xu Fengnian saw the Prince of Jing'an and his bodyguard jump into the water. Xu Fengnian squinted his eyes and felt quite emotional. He thought for a second and told Ning Emei, "Kick the Yellow-headed back into the water. We can't carry so many people. Tell the Warship General to lead them to Mushan Island. Get Wang Linquan to host them." Ning Emei went to carry out the order. Xu Fengnian grabbed Zhao Jr. from the corner and threw him out of the window. Hearing him wailing in the water, Xu Fengnian turned to Wei Wei who was ready to fight to death. "Let me use your Dragon Warship until I arrive at Xiangfan. Then let's call it even. What do you say?"