Settled

Before dawn had fully broken, a convoy rolled out of Quliu Town and headed east. Inside the carriage at the center of the procession, Xu Jingfeng sat leaning against the vehicle wall, swaying slightly with the motion. His eyes were half-closed, seemingly resting his spirit. Across from him sat two maidservants, both wearing exhausted expressions, their heads nodding off every now and then. They had been kept awake all night by their master's indulgences, only to be dragged into the carriage while the night was still dark. He had claimed he was taking them across the pass to enjoy themselves for a spell before returning. Both possessed only ordinary Body Casting cultivation, nothing like Xu Jingfeng’s profound foundation, and by now they were utterly spent. It was a long journey; before long, they would undoubtedly be subjected to several more bouts along the road. Xu Jingfeng took deep, slow breaths, faint sweat glistening on his palms as he gripped an unsheathed flying sword. The convoy traveled onward, and by midday, a dense forest appeared ahead. This was a familiar route; the escort commander had already sent two scouts into the woods ahead of time. A plume of blue smoke now rose from among the trees, signaling that there was no danger. The convoy maintained its pace, preparing to pass through the forest. Just then, however, a sudden volley of arrows shot from the trees, turning the lead carriage's driver, guards, and horses into sieves in an instant! Shocked and enraged, the escort commander barked, "Who is blind enough to dare ambush the Xu family's convoy?" Another arrow shot out from the woods, instantly piercing the commander's throat! Xu Jingfeng stepped out of his carriage without the slightest hint of panic. His eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze deep and inscrutable, giving no hint of his thoughts. A burst of laughter echoed from the forest, and Xu Jingzhe stepped out holding a bow. "Eldest Brother, I was actually prepared to spare your life, so why did you insist on taking this assignment? You really make things difficult for me!" Seeing that the man emerging from the woods was Xu Jingzhe, many of the guards looked utterly bewildered. A few sharper ones turned pale and quietly began seeking an escape route, ripping the Xu family insignia from their clothes as they did. Xu Jingzhe suddenly released two arrows in rapid succession, cutting down two guards attempting to slip away, and chuckled. "No discipline! With this young master here, you still think you can run?" Xu Jingfeng took a deep breath. "I have only one question." "Ask away. You're my eldest brother, after all; I should let you die with clarity. It’s just a pity about those two maids of yours." Word by word, Xu Jingfeng asked, "Does Father know?" Xu Jingzhe sneered mockingly. "What happens in our family that the old man doesn't know about? Which matter wasn't arranged by him?" The last spark of light in Xu Jingfeng's eyes faded. "Fine. Make your move." Xu Jingzhe was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "You actually want to fight me? Why bother struggling? If you can withstand three moves from me, I'll spare your life!" Xu Jingfeng's heart sank. He knew his younger brother was formidable, but hadn't expected him to have progressed to such a degree. Even so, he pointed a finger, sending his flying sword streaking forth. "Then I'll play with you for a bit," Xu Jingzhe sighed. He pointed as well, and a flying sword shot out like lightning to intercept the incoming blade. He intended to sever Xu Jingfeng's sword first before impaling his opponent. Yet the moment the sword flew out, a flash of blade light suddenly gleamed in midair and slapped deftly against it! The ferocious flying sword seemed like an insect caught in a spider's web, instantly losing its momentum and clinging fast to the blade's edge. Meanwhile, Xu Jingfeng's flying sword met no resistance, piercing straight into Xu Jingzhe's chest and erupting from his back! Clutching the wound on his chest, Xu Jingzhe was beside himself with shock, staring fixedly at the young woman who had materialized before him. The girl turned her long saber, stretching her arm to pluck the stuck flying sword from the eight-foot blade. "Who... who are you..." The girl ignored him, grasping the sword's tip with her bare hand and snapping it off with a sharp crack. Then, amid a series of crunches, she snapped the flying sword inch by inch, tossing the fragments onto the ground. A flying sword was linked to one's origin soul. With every break, Xu Jingzhe's face paled further until he spat several mouthfuls of blood! Monstrous waves of horror crashed through his mind; he could not fathom how his natal flying sword, a high-grade magical artifact, could be broken with mere physical strength—and with such effortless ease! The girl gave him no chance to ask another question. The eight-foot saber swept across, and Xu Jingzhe's head flew into the air. Xu Jingfeng had never imagined that the younger brother who had backed him into a corner—who had boasted that he couldn't survive three moves—would be slain just like that, cut down like child's play. What was more, he had never laid eyes on this girl; she was like someone dropped from the heavens. Even if Wei Yuan had struck in person, it would not have stunned him as much as this—Wei Yuan had casually sent someone, and that alone was enough to decapitate Xu Jingzhe. Next, flashes of blade light danced through the woods. In moments, the dense forest fell silent. When the girl emerged once more, she was drenched in blood. She bowed toward the space behind Xu Jingfeng, then vanished. Xu Jingfeng whirled around, only to find a black-robed figure standing behind him, having appeared unnoticed. Though the face was obscured, he instinctively knew it was Wei Yuan. Hurriedly bowing, he called out, "Master." As the word left his lips, he realized his throat had gone completely hoarse. After paying his respects, Xu Jingfeng asked, "Where are we transporting the cargo?" Wei Yuan replied, "I have no interest in the things you are transporting." Xu Jingfeng's initial reaction was disbelief. This was the biannual tribute convoy sent by the Ningxi Commandery Xu family to the main clan. In essence, the branch's entire earnings from the past half year were loaded onto these wagons. It encompassed the revenue of all Ningxi Commandery, worth at least two hundred thousand liang of immortal silver—an immense fortune even to someone of Xu Jingfeng's standing. Wei Yuan said coolly, "Open the cargo wagons and see for yourself." A foreboding feeling welled up within Xu Jingfeng. He walked to the nearest cargo wagon, gritted his teeth, and tore away the talisman sealing the carriage door. Once broken, such talismans could not be restored, serving as proof that the compartment had been opened. According to Xu family rules, opening a seal without authorization carried the death penalty; if a talisman was damaged before the convoy arrived, the commander would be executed and the guards severely punished. Inside sat four ebony chests, likewise sealed with talismans. In for a penny, in for a pound, Xu Jingfeng tore off the talismans and threw open the lids, only to see chests full of rocks. He could not believe his eyes. Opening the remaining chests, he found only more rocks. He rushed to another wagon and checked inside—another carriage full of rocks. Two hundred guards, a dozen cargo wagons, five war chariots—all to transport stones? Having been blessed with karmic luck, Xu Jingfeng's thoughts had grown far sharper than before, yet his innate aptitude had been poor to begin with. His head was buzzing now, still falling slightly short of grasping the full picture. He gave up trying to puzzle it out and asked, "Master, what is going on here?" Wei Yuan said coolly, "Your branch's income and expenditures do not match; the actual deficit is severe. As for where that deficit went, your father and brother ought to know very well, or you might find the answer by searching your father's secret vault. And how does one cover such a massive shortfall? There is no better way than a tribute convoy that never reaches the main clan." Xu Jingfeng looked around. The guards had also seen the stones inside the chests, their faces full of shock and fury. This matter was too grave to let anyone know; thus, every guard—Xu Jingfeng included—had to die. Not a single living soul could be spared. Xu Jingfeng suddenly asked, "When you told me to ask Father for this assignment, did you already know it would be like this?" "More or less." Xu Jingfeng said in a low voice, "Then I understand." *** Quliu Town, the Xu Manor. In a small courtyard tucked in a secluded corner, rapid, ragged gasps could be heard. This small courtyard was desolate. Moss coated the walls and ground, and in the corner stood an ancient locust tree whose canopy almost completely occluded the sky above. Even though it was just past midday, the yard was steeped in gloom. In the main room stood a large mahogany bed. Its corners had been polished smooth from use, showing it had served for many years. A young man lay sprawled on the bed, clutching the quilt and pillow as he thrust and grunted heavily, as though pinning down a peerless beauty beneath him. By the window sat a woman in red, her features brimming with charm. She was reading a popular romance novel by the daylight filtering through the window, as if oblivious to the young man on the bed; nor did the young man seem to notice her. The two shared a room, yet seemed to dwell in entirely separate worlds. A gust of eerie wind blew past, leaving the courtyard gate half ajar. Just then, a young man walked past outside. He paused at the open gate and peered into the courtyard, revealing a handsome, resolute face—it was none other than Xu Jingzhe. He paused only briefly before walking on. On the trunk of the old tree in the yard, a human face slowly surfaced. The bark formed its contours, overlaid with the deep marks of time. By its features, it was an old man, exceptionally ancient. The face on the tree looked in the direction where Xu Jingzhe had departed, its brows furrowing as if puzzled. Inside the main room, the young man let out a series of deeply satisfied grunts and collapsed onto the bed. After catching his breath, he got up to dress and spoke to the empty bed: "I have to go report for duty! Yuanjin, hide well here and don't wander around. If the elders find out, you're dead meat, understand?" He paused for a moment, then beamed. "I knew you were the most obedient! I'll come see you after dinner. Wait for me." With that, he hurried out of the room and left the courtyard. The old face on the ancient tree surfaced again, looking toward the main room, but the window was empty; the woman in red had vanished without a trace. *** The main residence, inner quarters, study. A maid carrying ginseng soup walked gracefully to the study door. Just as she was about to enter, a pair of hands reached from the side and took the tray. Recognizing the man's face, she hurriedly lowered her head, softly murmured, "Second Young Master," and tugged her collar sharply downward in the midst of curtsying, nearly letting everything beneath pop out. Xu Jingzhe seemed in no mood for such games. Glancing at her only once, he paid her no further heed, strode straight into the study, and shut the door behind him. Inside the study, Xu Zhiyuan was practicing calligraphy. Only after finishing the four large characters for "great virtue sustains all things" did he look up and ask, "Back so soon? Is it all settled?" "Not a single flaw," Xu Jingzhe replied, setting the tray on the desk. "Your Wood Origin Spirit-Nourishing Soup. If it cools, the medicinal potency will be compromised." Xu Zhiyuan raised the soup bowl to his lips, but did not drink. Instead, he stared fixedly at Xu Jingzhe and asked slowly, "Is it truly all settled?"