Chapter 10

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The great martial arts competition

The banquet lasted from noon all the way until the hour of zi [1]. The wine and dishes were served endlessly as the streams of guests arrived. The innkeeper was just like the sisters from a brothel, flying all over the place to entertain the guests. The sound of the abacus clicked away for the whole day.

The door opened with a creak as Du Zheng carried a tub of hot water in. After closing the door, he reported: “Young Master, the Extraordinary Palace’s people all went back.”

Huo Linfeng leaned against the window and looked down. A impressive group of people departed from the street, with each person riding on their own horse. The three people leading in the front were evidently Duan Huaike, Lu Zhun, and Diao Yuliang. That Rong Luoyun had haughtily left early, not even drinking a single cup of water with the guests.

Hurrying along, Lu Zhun pulled away from everyone as he sped towards the palace. He dashed through the four gates in succession, nearly extinguishing the lanterns on both sides with the wind he churned up as he brushed past. When he reached the Nameless Abode, he abandoned his horse and found Rong Luoyun in his study.

Rong Luoyun wore only his inner robes as he quietly read a book. Without looking up, he already knew who this lively person was. Lu Zhun wiped his sweat: “Second Brother, why did you leave without even eating?” He felt a little nervous. A table stood between them, but he didn’t dare get closer, “Is it because the banquet I set up was not good?”

Rong Luoyun answered: “The banquet was very good, so good that there wasn’t a single empty seat.” The inn was brimming to its full capacity both upstairs and downstairs. Even when walking up and down that flight of narrow stuffy staircase would one bump into people. When he thought to this point, his thoughts drifted to that person he had bumped into.

Tall and lofty, just like a wall. That person had not come to eat but to see whether or not he looked like an ugly beast.

“Second Brother?” Lu Zhun called out.

Rong Luoyun snapped out of it. His fingers leisurely stroked the book in his hands. “Now that the news has spread, there is no further need for us to personally attend the banquet.” After all, the people they were attracting were their potential underlings. There was no need for them to be too courteous.

Lu Zhun nodded his head and came around the table, stopping next to Rong Luoyun like a puppy trying to seek love from its owner. Only after the other praised him with a few sentences did he finally leave happily.

Rong Luoyun lowered his head to read his book. This book was an advanced piece of literature, so once that kid disturbed his concentration, it was difficult to pick up where he left off. He abandoned the book and returned to his room. On his bed, he had discarded the set of robes he had changed out of. He found the handkerchief hidden in its layers and brought it to his nose. The ginger scent had become the smell of honey locust and the fragrance of milk had been replaced by that of pomelo leaves.

He slowly recalled that his lost handkerchief had fallen outside of Dusk-till-Dawn that night. It was either that person had come to empty their pockets for entertainment or that they had come seeking pleasure, but either way, it was all for a romantic evening.

However, how would those who visit brothels lack handkerchiefs? Judging from that person’s handsome appearance, he’s afraid that people would even be willing to offer their undergarments to him.

Rong Luoyun folded the handkerchief and left it next to his pillow. The light fragrance of pomelo leaves filled the air, clashing with the scent of incense. He troubled himself to fetch a cup of tea to pour on the burning incense stick, putting it out.

The Extraordinary Palace’s feast continued for five days, with people coming and going like the tide. The whole city was buzzing with excitement. Not a single person did not know about the upcoming contest. Even if they were deaf, they could still see the stage being set up. Everyone was eagerly waiting for the event to start.

In the luxurious room within the inn, Du Zheng was sitting at the table cutting paper and grinding ink. He prepared everything and handed over the brush for Huo Linfeng to write a letter home. The candle flickered, emitting a soft yellow glow. Huo Linfeng stared at the blank paper but did not move his brush. “Father, Mother, Big Brother.” After a long time, he finally wrote out a line to address his family before stopping again.

Du Zheng was waiting on the side and asked with difficulty: “Young Master, are you really going to lie to the Marquis?”

The martial arts competition was too much of a golden opportunity. That bestowment of gold was nothing, but becoming a first-class disciple for the Extraordinary Palace was crucial. The Palace was a sect located in Jianghu, yet they received news from Chang’an quite quickly despite being so far away. This was definitely not what an ordinary sect could do.

Take the Extraordinary Palace as a tree. If Huo Linfeng had taken up his governmental post and received his troops, he would be putting himself in the light. At that point, he would only be able to see the Extraordinary Palace’s canopy. However, if he wants to get closer, he must hide and feel out the tree’s roots in secret.

To thoroughly eradicate this tree, he needs to uproot it.

He sighed and dipped his brush into ink before continuing: “Missing home dearly after months of separation and the long distance between us…” En route to Xiqian Ridge, we suffered an ambush to the south of the Long River. The twenty Imperial Vanguards unfortunately lost their lives. I have also been feeling unwell, but the illness has been alleviating. I am currently resting in the mountains, awaiting swift recovery to accept my position. I will not dishonor the Emperor and the Heaven’s grace.

This was to mislead the imperial court. Writing home does not require him to write so unfamiliarly and formally, but it was needed to conceal his plans. Du Zheng asked: “Young Master, is this appropriate?”

Huo Linfeng set down the brush: “The Emperor does not care whether I live or die. He couldn’t be bothered where I am either, as long as it is not Saibei.” The resentment in these words was hard to conceal. Anger boiled deep in his heart. The slaughtering he had done at the age of thirteen when he had first entered the battlefield had even been turned into a glorifying event ten years later.

He mockingly thought, he’s probably better off being a Great Disciple in a villain’s den than a general in the Great Yong.

A bowl of sticky paste laid on the side. Once used to seal the letter, it would be hard to open again. Huo Linfeng pressed down on the letter and stood motionlessly. In the end, before he stamped the seal, he picked up his brush and dipped it in ink, writing down his last phrases: “The regret of leaving home arises even when I sleep. I planted a magnolia branch in the courtyard and hope that we will reunite when it blooms.”

The corners of Du Zheng’s eyes burned. How will they even be able to reunite? It was merely for a sense of comfort. He stole a look at Huo Linfeng. The other’s expression was faint, with his eyebrows knitted. “Young Master, go rest,” he said. After wrapping up in a blanket and closing the curtains, no one would see him. He can spend some time alone to miss his family.

Huo Linfeng obediently undressed and climbed into bed, facing the wall. But, there was no one here to listen to his troubles and comfort him. It was dark with his eyes closed, yet it was still the same darkness with his eyes opened. This dense, long night bore down on him. The heavy weight upon his shoulders was hard to rid. He wants to seek a different path.

Home shares this same bright moon. Everywhere, new blossoms bloom on the withering branches’ tips. These were all part of the world’s nights and days.

Huo Linfeng woke early the next morning. The sky was overcast. The blanket of clouds loomed over the crowd of people at the foot of Mount Lengsang as if it was setting the atmosphere for the martial arts competition. Four pillars stood erect, each with a bright ribbon wound around it, holding up the competition platform. Surrounded by trees, the Drumming Platform was set up closer to the mountain. On it was four pearwood chairs.

The dark clouds tumbled and completely covered the sky. The corners of the life-and-death contract [2] curled in the cold wind.

Huo Linfeng moved along the crowd, sweeping his internal energy over to survey his opponents. He faintly detected that there was another group of people mingling in the crowd. These people did not have the eagerness of one who wanted to compete in this contest but were giving off a heavy sense of killing intent.

It seems like someone has come seeking revenge even before the competition has begun.

“Hey, they’re here!” At this moment, someone shouted, “The people from the Extraordinary Palace are here!”

Huo Linfeng turned towards the far south. Duan Huaike led the group. Rong Luoyun was hidden behind Duan Huaike and only the corners of his lightly fluttering clothes can be seen as they drew closer. His cyan robes was slightly drenched from the drizzling rain. His tied up hair swayed gently.

This martial arts competition was for the sake of becoming the Extraordinary Palace’s Great Disciple. Once someone stepped atop the platform, they would have to sign the life-and-death contract. After fighting and winning against three other contestants, the victor would be promoted to the next round. Diao Yuliang beat the drums to signal the beginning of the first match. The dense drizzle pittered down. Without waiting for the drumming to stop, two people had already ascended the platform.

As the contest began, Huo Linfeng retreated to the south and leaped on a tree to watch the show.

The two men fought. It was hard to distinguish who had the upper hand. Only after a long time did the result finally settle. The fights remained mediocre to watch, but the rain came down harder. Huo Linfeng shifted his gaze to the Drumming Platform. That person in cyan clothing had his head lowered as the cold breeze brushed against his sleeves. The hands in those fluttering sleeves were fiddling with an indistinct object.

That appearance looked just like a mischievous student from a private school, one who wouldn’t read the books and would ignore their master while secretly finding ways to entertain themselves.

Rong Luoyun didn’t know someone was watching him. On the first day of the competition, things were quite dull. Luckily, Rong Duanyu had given him nine linked rings [3] to solve, so he brought it with him to play with. So far, he had already undone seven rings.

Suddenly, the two people who were competing with each other turned their swords at the Drumming Platform and lashed out in the very next moment.

He had his eyes lowered, his thin eyelids glistened with rain. Even with the sharp blade slashing towards him, he still devotedly tried to undo the locked rings. With the sudden change of events, Lu Zhun’s scimitar came to parry the sword. He took a look and saw the ambushers lurking beneath the stage reveal themselves to attack.

The clinking of metal sounded as Rong Luoyun took apart the eighth ring. The freezing rain brushing across his face suddenly turned warm as blood splattered. He was clearly enraged but he remained sitting calmly in his seat as tranquil as floating clouds. Before long, the ninth jade ring finally came undone, but it was skewered through and shattered to pieces by a long sword.

Rong Luoyun lost his composure and abruptly raised his eyes. His peach blossom eyes looked through the curtain of rain with only murderous intent left in them. He drew his sword and stabbed that person through before leaping off the Drumming Platform. At that moment, the light drizzle suddenly turned into a downpour.

Below the lush green mountain, a white light flashed. More than ten people were cleaved open, following shrill screams that could shatter the skies. The competition platform was left with a bloody ravine and everything turned deathly quiet. Rong Luoyun’s cyan robes were already dyed vermillion. He clenched his hand tightly and held the remains of the shattered jade ring in his palms.

Huo Linfeng couldn’t tear his eyes away. The first time he saw him, he had thought he was an immortal banished from heaven. The second he had a glimpse of him leaning on the banister, it felt like a dream. Only when they had collided in the narrow wooden staircase did he first hear his voice. The three previous encounters he had had with Rong Luoyun were all unusual. Perhaps this fourth encounter was Rong Luoyun’s true nature.

Dismembered corpses laid scattered in all directions. No one dared to be so rash anymore.

The sound of beating drums rose again. Rong Luoyun lightly floated back to the Drumming Platform. Blood and rain stained his face, but he didn’t bother to wipe them away. His clothes were thoroughly drenched, but he didn’t bother to wring them out either. Instead, he lowered his head to examine the pieces of broken jade in his hands.

A voice spoke from the platform: “You went easy on me [4].”

He felt that that voice sounded familiar. He swept his eyes down and abruptly stopped, landing on Huo Linfeng. It was the person he had met at the banquet, the person who had picked up his lost handkerchief. Suddenly, the person who stood in the rain lifted his head. He looked directly towards him, directly into his eyes.

They were separated by the heavy rain. Thank goodness for the haziness of the downpour, otherwise, this direct look would make him remember the embarrassment of their collision.

Only after the start of the martial arts competition did Rong Luoyun realize that this person was no amateur. He guessed how strong that person’s martial arts were while watching the fight below. On the platform, he had astonishingly won within ten moves.

Huo Linfeng effortlessly defeated three people in succession. He gave off the otherworldly air that he could cover the sky, irritating the people into confusion.

But he didn’t want to stay any longer after arousing the people’s interest. He mounted his horse, preparing to return. “Jia [5]!” After galloping for a distance, he stopped and pulled the reins to turn back around. Many people watched him curiously.

For a general who had stayed on the battlefield for ten years, naturally, his every move would be different than the people of Jianghu. Just his good looks alone would make one crane their necks to catch a glimpse. No one knew what he was looking for or who he was waiting for. He turned towards the distant Drumming Platform and smiled faintly.

Rong Luoyun didn’t know what it meant or if he was looking at him. At this moment, he heard the other yell: “The collision was due to my recklessness, I have been ashamed for many days. I apologize in this downpour, hoping the Lord would forgive me.”

He suddenly remembered that the other had promised to apologize once the competition had started… and so it was.

Everyone looked confused. Lu Zhun randomly asked: “Who is he talking to? Second Brother, do you know him?”

Rong Luoyun said softly: “How would I know?”

The horse trotted on the wet ground as Huo Linfeng drew farther.

He had originally come to Jiangnan unwillingly. However, as he lifted his head to watch the sky, he saw the northern wind chasing after the clouds [6].

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Notes

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