Chapter Thirty-Seven: Ye Wenshui

The five members of the Leaf family from the Hidden Sword Pavilion stopped their sword formation practice upon hearing those words, scanning the crowd for the one who had just mocked them.

This sword formation was the protective array of the Hidden Sword Pavilion's Leaf family, its defenses no weaker than the formations of the Celestial Strategy Army. In some aspects, it even surpassed the Celestial Strategy’s Iron Wall Formation. Yet the other party had dismissed it as a mere kite—impressive to behold but useless in reality. How could they not be incensed?

The one who had spoken so scornfully was easy enough to spot, standing out among the crowd at a glance.

Yang Zixu leaned against a pillar by the martial arena, arms crossed, scrutinizing the five of them with unabashed curiosity.

The leader among the five regarded Yang Zixu expressionlessly, signaling to the others not to act rashly, and addressed Yang Zixu with a calm voice, “Since you claim our formation is but a kite spinning on a waterwheel, would you, sir, be generous enough to offer us some instruction? It would do us good to know how we might improve, and make this formation less of a kite.”

Yang Zixu considered this for a moment, ignoring Li Fu's warning glance, and retorted with a sneer, “If you want me to find your weaknesses, it's not impossible, but surely you ought to show some gratitude. A little compensation, perhaps? I can't be expected to trouble myself for nothing, can I?”

His words carried a subtle implication, though who could tell how the five before him would interpret it.

“Of course. Should you truly uncover a flaw in our formation, you shall be handsomely rewarded,” the leader of the Leaf family replied after some thought.

Among the noble families of Tang, many had dealings with the Leaf family, but no matter the nature of their business, few would ever bring up money. The Leaf family had no shortage of wealth; matters solvable by silver held as little weight for them as eating or drinking.

“Very well, but my price isn’t cheap. Two million taels. Payment first, advice after,” Yang Zixu replied coldly.

“You seem to have another motive,” the Leaf family representative said solemnly.

“What can I do? After being tricked by your family once, I have to be more prudent,” Yang Zixu shot back, mocking the five from the Hidden Sword Pavilion.

“I see. You must be Yang Zixu—the one who won five hundred and five taels from the Celestial Plume General’s scion in Seventh Uncle’s gambling den?” Realization dawned on the leader’s face, and the hostility in his gaze faded away.

“Seventh Uncle? You’re from the main branch?” Yang Zixu straightened, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“Indeed. I must thank you, in fact. If you hadn’t caused such a commotion at the den yesterday, the family would never have discovered that Seventh Uncle had opened it in secret,” the Leaf family member said with a smile, letting Yang Zixu’s earlier jibes slide.

“This is just like your Leaf family—trying to renege on the two million taels you owe me. Such things could tarnish your reputation,” Yang Zixu grumbled in displeasure.

“Rest assured. The Leaf family always keeps its word. You’ll have your two million taels tonight,” came the reply.

Satisfied at last, Yang Zixu nodded. If the Leaf family dared make such a promise, they surely would not go back on it. As he himself said: The Leaf family always keeps its word. This was a truth universally acknowledged in Tang, a faith the family had honored for generations.

Once a promise was given by the Leaf family, it was never broken.

“In that case, let’s head back. Stop making a scene here,” Li Fu interjected, clearly annoyed.

He truly could not fathom why Yang Zixu was so fixated on those two million taels.

In truth, if this matter blew up and reached Old Master Yang’s ears, Yang Zixu would likely be in for a scolding. Not only had he deliberately lost the match to win money, but he’d dragged Yang Ning into it as well. If word got out, not only would the Yang family’s reputation suffer, but even the Marquis of Martial Valor would lose face.

“This must be this year’s top scholar of the Lantern Festival, is it not?” The leading Leaf family member suddenly approached, standing before Li Fu with a smile.

“That’s right—I am Li Fu.” Li Fu looked at him in surprise, then returned the courtesy with a bow.

“Leaf Wen Shui of the Leaf family,” he replied, mirroring the bow, his smile unwavering.

“You’re Leaf Wen Shui? The leader of the Five Hidden Sword Sons?” Yang Zixu exclaimed, his tone now tinged with respect as he offered a formal salute.

“I am he. We are peers, Master Yang—no need for such ceremony,” Leaf Wen Shui replied, his smile gentle as spring sunlight, raising a hand to forestall Yang Zixu’s bow.

“I’ve long heard of the Five Hidden Sword Sons. I never thought you’d come to the Celestial Strategy Academy this year—I thought you’d all joined the Azure Cloud Ironclad Army,” Yang Zixu admitted sheepishly, seeming to regret his earlier words.

“The Azure Cloud Army is stationed at Yanmen, and its age requirements are strict. None of us are twenty yet, so even if we wished to join, we could not,” Leaf Wen Shui answered with a wry smile.

Yang Zixu tapped his forehead lightly. “I’d forgotten about the age restriction for the Azure Cloud recruits.”

Li Fu hovered nearby, as if wanting to whisper something to Yang Zixu. He tugged at his friend’s sleeve and murmured softly, “Are the Five Hidden Sword Sons really that famous?”

“Famous is an understatement. Last year, outside Yanmen Pass, they hunted down the third prince of Nanzhao for half a month and brought back his head. If it weren’t for the Celestial Strategy Army’s exploits on the northern frontier, the most renowned figures in Tang last year would’ve been the Five Hidden Sword Sons,” Yang Zixu explained, a hint of awkwardness in his voice. Then he turned to Leaf Wen Shui, adding, “My friend here has only recently come down from the Savage Mountain, and isn’t yet familiar with the news beyond our borders—please don’t take offense.”

“It’s nothing, just an empty reputation. But I’ve long admired the Grand Preceptor’s Green Lotus Swordplay. Brother Li, would you honor me with a demonstration?” Leaf Wen Shui shook his head, not much moved by his own fame. Yet at the mention of the Green Lotus Swordplay, a look of eager anticipation flashed in his eyes.

“I didn’t bring my sword. Perhaps another day?” Li Fu hesitated, a touch of confusion on his face.

Leaf Wen Shui regarded Li Fu, visibly disappointed. Li Fu’s meaning was clear—he did not wish to spar, and the excuse of lacking a sword was timely.

The Leaf family, famed for their swordplay and formations, were the foremost among Tang’s noble clans. The Grand Preceptor’s Green Lotus Sword Technique was widely hailed as the greatest sword art in the empire. The two sides had once crossed swords, but the outcome remained a mystery—some claimed the Grand Preceptor won, others said the Leaf family did. The consensus was that they fought to a draw, though only the Grand Preceptor and the Leaf patriarch knew the truth.

“Very well. I shall wait,” Leaf Wen Shui said to Li Fu with earnest gravity.

Li Fu understood. His old master had once recounted the tale over wine, saying he had bested his opponent by half a move in his youth. He had described his adversary’s swordplay and movement in detail. In hindsight, Li Fu realized that opponent must have been from the Leaf family—the distinctive yellow and black attire was unique to their clan in Tang.

“Li Fu, if anyone asks, you haven’t seen me. I’m leaving,” Yang Zixu muttered, suddenly catching sight of a familiar figure and slipping away nervously.

Before Li Fu could react, Yang Zixu melted into the crowd and vanished.

Li Fu then noticed that Yang Ning had just set foot in the Celestial Strategy Academy.

Shaking his head, Li Fu muttered under his breath, “Two greedy scoundrels...”

“What was that?” asked Leaf Wen Shui, puzzled at Li Fu’s muttering.

“Oh, nothing. One money-grubber leaves, and another arrives,” Li Fu replied with a rueful smile, nodding toward Yang Ning.

Leaf Wen Shui did not press for clarification, simply turning his gaze to Yang Ning.

Sensing the scrutiny, Yang Ning looked back. The two stood there, quietly sizing each other up.

...

...

“I have long heard that the Celestial Strategy Spear is unrivaled in the world. As a newcomer to the Eastern Capital, I humbly ask for your guidance,” Leaf Wen Shui broke the silence, addressing Yang Ning.

“Ah, so it’s Young Master Leaf of the Hidden Sword Pavilion. Very well—let me experience your ‘Wind Over Wu Mountain’ today,” Yang Ning replied with a hearty laugh, striding boldly into the arena.

“Two martial fanatics—wouldn’t basking in the sun be better than waving swords and spears around?” Li Fu sighed, baffled by their eagerness for combat. If not for his teacher’s insistence, he would have had no interest in such pursuits.