"My surname is Wang, and my given name is Yu," Wang Yu introduced himself, then gestured toward Li Yunxiu inside the carriage. "This is my wife, née Li."
"Brother Wang! Sister-in-law!"
Having exchanged names, the ox cart continued on its way. They were now close to Puning County. After traveling for just under an hour, the rammed-earth walls of the county seat came into view.
"Senior Brother Fang!"
Just as they reached the city gate, a Taihua Sect disciple dressed in an emerald-green robe and carrying a longsword darted out from a nearby tea stall.
"Junior Brother Lin."
"This is my junior brother, Lin Zhiyuan," Fang Shaobai introduced to Wang Yu, then said to Lin Zhiyuan, "Brother Wang is a fine friend with whom I hit it off from the start."
"Greetings, Brother Wang! Greetings, Sister-in-law!" Lin Zhiyuan was very polite, though quite astonished inside.
Fang Shaobai was usually free-spirited and uninhibited, appearing approachable and ready to befriend anyone, but calling someone an instant kindred spirit was something he had never done before.
"Is that Young Master Zhehua still in Puning County?" Fang Shaobai asked. "How did Master Hongzhao end up drawn here as well?"
"He is still here. Last night he launched a night raid on the Xu manor. Although Miss Xu was unharmed, Patriarch Xu took a palm strike to the chest, coughing up blood and suffering serious injury," Lin Zhiyuan replied. "Master Hongzhao came for his disciple, Fazhu, who is a distant relative of the Zhou family. A few days ago, Fazhu was visiting Golden Lion Fort and righteously stepped in when he encountered Young Master Zhehua, only to be gravely wounded. Hearing the news, Master Hongzhao tracked the scoundrel all the way to Puning County. He even clashed with him last night, but couldn't make him stay."
"Oh?" Fang Shaobai was somewhat surprised. "Even Master Hongzhao couldn't keep him? This defiler's martial arts are certainly something!"
"It was mainly that Master Hongzhao's lightness skill fell short," Lin Zhiyuan said. "Young Master Zhehua's lightness skill is indeed exquisite; he can maneuver midair. He evaded Master Hongzhao's Vajra Palm power and fled far into the distance."
Fang Shaobai nodded. "Let's head into town first. On the road, I ran into Curly-haired Bear, who said there are other fierce characters in the city?"
Lin Zhiyuan guided the ox cart through the gates while answering, "There is also Golden Saber Duan Ping, Mountain-Cleaving Iron Palm Meng Chonghu, and the Jiang brothers, known as the Twin Heroes of the Southern Mountains. Duan Ping and Meng Chonghu harbor an old grudge. Yesterday they fought on West Street, wrecking seven or eight storefronts before Master Hongzhao finally talked them down."
Fang Shaobai nodded in understanding. "No wonder Curly-haired Bear slipped out of town."
Curly-haired Bear ran a lodge in Puning County, enforcing rules and collecting protection money while ensuring shopkeepers weren't robbed or harassed. But figures like Golden Saber and Iron Palm were clearly beyond his means, leaving him no choice but to lay low outside.
"Did they all come for Zhao Yu? The capital must have put up quite a bounty," Fang Shaobai quipped. "The Twin Heroes of the Southern Mountains always tout themselves as righteous chivalrous champions. To think they'd wade into these muddy waters as well."
Lin Zhiyuan chuckled. "Yesterday the Jiang brothers claimed they weren't after the prize money, but merely ridding the people of a scourge."
The group arrived at the inn, where another young Taihua Sect disciple, Wei Yan, was staying. He and Lin Zhiyuan had been taking turns waiting at the East Gate for Fang Shaobai, and he was currently sleeping in his room.
Seeing that Fang Shaobai had arrived, Wei Yan beamed with excitement. "Senior Brother is here! That Young Master Zhehua is dead meat!"
Fang Shaobai waved a hand. "Drop the flattery and tell me what the situation is now."
Wei Yan cast a curious glance toward Wang Yu and his companions, who stood nearby listening intently with no intention of leaving.
Fang Shaobai shook his head. "Brother Wang is broadly knowledgeable. He might be able to give us an idea or two."
With Fang Shaobai's blessing, Wei Yan spoke frankly. "After pulling off his deed at Golden Lion Fort, Young Master Zhehua boasted that he would bed the young ladies of all three martial families in Puning County, and then he truly showed up here."
Lin Zhiyuan chimed in, "Junior Brother Wei and I happened to be in Puning County. Yesterday we crossed paths with him, but we were no match for him, so we sent a messenger back to the sect for help."
Puning County was located in Hangu Prefecture, falling within the Taihua Sect's sphere of influence. Minor martial families like the Xu clan, as well as Golden Lion Fort, offered tribute to the sect each festive season, which functioned as a form of protection fee. Many young Taihua disciples also traveled Hangu Prefecture to perform righteous deeds, which was why they had managed to encounter the trouble in time.
"I happened to be near Puning County and intercepted the runner on the road," Fang Shaobai said.
Lin Zhiyuan realized what had happened. "No wonder you arrived so early, Senior Brother. I thought we'd be fortunate if sect reinforcements arrived by tomorrow."
Wei Yan added, "Senior Brother Lin and I had planned to stand watch tonight at the Luo and Liu manors respectively."
Fang Shaobai nodded. "The problem is, I don't know which household Young Master Zhehua will target tonight."
Lin Zhiyuan suggested, "What if we consult Master Hongzhao, and the two of you take one manor each?"
Just then, Wang Yu suddenly asked, "Didn't he fail at the Xu manor yesterday? Why do you assume he won't go back there?"
Wei Yan replied instinctively, "Master Hongzhao was at the Xu manor last night. How could he dare to—"
"Wait." Fang Shaobai and the other two caught on. If Master Hongzhao headed to either the Liu or Luo family tonight, the Xu manor would be left completely undefended. Young Master Zhehua might easily deduce that.
"Junior Brother Wei and I can stay at the Xu manor," Lin Zhiyuan offered.
Fang Shaobai shook his head, then turned toward Wang Yu. "Does Brother Wang have any guidance?"
Wang Yu rubbed his chin and asked Lin Zhiyuan, "Where are the Xu, Luo, and Liu manors located in the city?"
Lin Zhiyuan replied, "The Xu manor is in the north of the city, while the Luo and Liu manors are both in the south, quite close to each other."
Right then, an innkeeper knocked on the door. "Hero Lin, Hero Wei, a monk from the Great Vajra Monastery is downstairs looking for you."
Fang Shaobai stood up. "I'll go meet—"
"Hold on," Wang Yu stopped him.
Fang Shaobai looked over. "What is it?"
"Let me think." Wang Yu rubbed his temples. "A thought is coming to me, but I can't quite put it into words yet. Give me a moment to sort it out."
Lin Zhiyuan said softly, "We shouldn't leave Master Hongzhao hanging, though. How about we go down to meet him first while Brother Wang takes his time to think?"
Seeing that Wang Yu was still deliberating, Fang Shaobai moved toward the door, only for Li Yunxiu to finally speak up. "Brother Fang, you cannot go meet Master Hongzhao."
Lin Zhiyuan asked instinctively, "Why?"
Li Yunxiu looked at Fang Shaobai. "You intercepted the messenger midway, which means the Taihua Sect's reinforcements weren't supposed to arrive until tomorrow, correct?"
Fang Shaobai nodded. "That's right."
Li Yunxiu turned back to Lin Zhiyuan. "And Hero Lin said earlier that Young Master Zhehua's lightness skill is superior to Master Hongzhao's?"
This time, Lin Zhiyuan nodded. "Indeed."
"In other words, so long as you don't show yourself, isn't it true that Young Master Zhehua has no idea the Taihua Sect's reinforcements are already here?" Li Yunxiu asked.
"Precisely," Fang Shaobai agreed. "No matter how bold he is, he wouldn't dare show his face in Puning County once an expert from our sect has arrived."
Li Yunxiu understood this as well. "So he knows that the only one he has to face tonight is Master Hongzhao. And since his lightness skill is superior, is it possible that he is covertly tailing Master Hongzhao to determine where the master goes tonight?"
"It's possible." Fang Shaobai pondered the thought, his eyes lighting up with understanding. "You mean..."
Li Yunxiu smiled at Wang Yu, who had also pieced it together and continued, "What she means is: stay out of sight for now. Wherever Master Hongzhao goes tonight, you go to the opposite side."
"Brilliant!" Fang Shaobai struck his fist into his palm, full of admiration. "Brother Wang and Sister-in-law possess extraordinary wisdom. I am truly impressed!"
Li Yunxiu smiled faintly and even offered an advance deduction. "If I am not mistaken, Master Hongzhao also believes Young Master Zhehua will target the two families in the south tonight. He will likely want Hero Lin and Hero Wei to guard the Luo and Liu manors, while he waits between them for a signal. Since the two manors are close, he can rush to either in time."
Pausing, Li Yunxiu added, "Of course, if Master Hongzhao considers the possibility of being trailed, he might even double back to the Xu manor once night falls."
Fang Shaobai immediately told Lin Zhiyuan and Wei Yan, "Go meet Master Hongzhao. Don't mention that I'm here."
"Understood!" The two nodded and headed downstairs.
A short while later, they returned to the room, looking at Li Yunxiu with pure awe.
Without them uttering a word, Fang Shaobai knew that Li Yunxiu had predicted Master Hongzhao's exact intentions.
Wang Yu gave Li Yunxiu a thumbs-up. "Impressive!"
Li Yunxiu offered a slight smile and said to Fang Shaobai, "With Hero Lin and Hero Wei keeping watch in the south tonight, and Patriarch Xu injured, that Young Master Zhehua will surely feel resentful after failing yesterday. Tonight will be his last opportunity."
Fang Shaobai's eyes shone bright. "So he will definitely strike the Xu manor tonight!"
***
Night fell, accompanied by a light breeze.
There were no stars, only a solitary moon hanging high in the sky, casting beams of moonlight that illuminated the quiet streets of Puning County.
"The air is dry, watch out for fire!"
Holding a brass gong, the night watchman strolled unhurriedly through the streets and alleys, striking the gong at intervals so that slumbering residents would stir briefly and check their surroundings for danger.
Following the chaos of the previous night, with the family head lying severely wounded in bed and the young mistress having narrowly escaped ruin, the servants of the Xu manor had illuminated the estate as bright as day, patrolling back and forth amidst blazing lanterns.
From a watchtower not far from the estate, Wang Yu, Li Yunxiu, and Zi Ling were watching the scene unfold. Concealed within the shadows of the night, they were virtually impossible to notice without careful scrutiny.
"Where is Fang Shaobai?" Wang Yu peered intently under the moonlight and lantern glow of the Xu manor, but caught no sign of him.
"If you could spot him from this distance, Young Master Zhehua would have fled long ago," Zi Ling teased.
Wang Yu nodded, then checked with Li Yunxiu, "Can Fang Shaobai handle that Young Master Zhehua?"
Li Yunxiu sighed. "If the foremost talent of the Taihua Sect's younger generation—a bona fide Xiantian expert—couldn't even take down a moderately notorious defiler, then the Taihua Sect might as well forfeit its place among the Seven Great Sword Sects."
Wang Yu blinked. "Fang Shaobai is a Xiantian expert?"
Li Yunxiu smiled. "What did you think?"
Just then, a sharp whistle rang out from the rear courtyard of the Xu manor, followed by a white silhouette leaping into the air and darting away at high speed.
In the next instant, a flash of sword light surged from a dark corner like a bolt of lightning beneath the moonlight. Even from hundreds of meters away, it made Wang Yu and his companions squint, sending a jolt of dread through their hearts.
A bloodcurdling scream shattered the night, followed by the rustling of robes slicing through the wind.
By the time Wang Yu and the others opened their eyes again, Fang Shaobai had already landed on their watchtower, clutching a man whose white robes were speckled with fresh crimson.
Chapter 11