Chapter 41: The Warrior's Way of the Blade (Part I)

The emissary mission has sent a post. When did this happen? Young Master Huang asked, quite astonished.

It was at the third watch of midnight last night, and the messenger specifically requested that the Princess must watch it, Qingfeng said in a low voice. Her injuries had not yet fully healed, but they no longer hindered her movements.

Hmph, could it be that they are coming to surrender?

Young Master Huang's mood had improved significantly over the past few days. With every smile and glance, she radiated infinite charm. There was no help for it; her subordinates performed too brilliantly. While the Guangdong branch played the coward, the Feng Estate single-handedly upheld the reputation of Southeast martial artists. One estate defying an entire nation—this was not something she had sent people to publicize, but rather what every martial artist in the region was now proclaiming.

Once she forced the emissary mission into submission and absorbed the Water Dragon Gang, she would have both ultimate power and absolute loyalty. When that time came, it would be the moment for a grand reckoning. Those who had caused trouble for her in the open and in the shadows might not quite realize it, but Princess Feng was of a temperament that never let a slight go unavenged.

What is this? A Treatise on Samurai Swords. Why is the name of our Feng Estate on it?

The missive in Young Master Huang's hand was carved entirely from fine jade, covered with cherry blossom runes, and inscribed with True Word Sect Buddhist scriptures in the center. It looked less like an ordinary object and more like a work of art, save for the two ghost-god sword-cleaving illustrations in the middle, from whose bloody eyes a malevolent aura pierced straight out.

This is the highest-specification duel of the Wa nation, and it signifies a decisive final battle. The ultimate clash between the legendary swordsman Miyamoto and Sasaki Jiro back then was also known as a Treatise on Samurai Swords, Qingfeng explained, a trace of infatuation flashing in her eyes as she gazed upon Young Master Huang's flower-like, moon-bright beauty.

Is this their struggle before death? Young Master Huang curled her red lips disdainfully. If this keeps up, I'm afraid the Wa nation won't even have enough men left to make up a delegation for the capital.

That is why this time is the emissary mission's final resort. If they lose again, it means total surrender. This is a good thing, Princess.

It won't be that simple. The moment the voice fell, Kou Li and Zhou Zhuxian arrived together. Kou Li spoke directly, I understand these Wa people; their schemes cannot be this straightforward. Furthermore, they must know that Owari Tsuyoshi is no match for me. The grand masters of the Wa nation and the grand masters of the Central Plains have never been in the same league.

The Chief Steward's ears are certainly sharp. Her Ladyship had barely spoken a few words before you caught every single one, Kou Li. I am quite worried now. What if those ears of yours twitch while Her Ladyship is bathing? Wouldn't you be taking immense advantage of me? Did you hear whether Her Ladyship ever muttered your name in her dreams last night? Young Master Huang's eyes were seductive as she began her customary teasing of the Chief Steward.

Not only while bathing and dreaming, but even when you are relieving yourself, I can hear it clearly, Kou Li replied calmly.

Ahem!

Puff—!

Both Zhou Zhuxian and Qingfeng were dumbfounded, not to mention Young Master Huang. Her Highness the Princess, previously all-charming and adopting various alluring poses, instantly froze. Her mind involuntarily conjured up a certain mental image, and the next moment, a piercing scream echoed through the Feng Estate: I'll fight you to the death!

Of course, no matter how desperately she fought, she could never be a match for Kou Li. She was quickly subdued, her face flushed pink and her lingering anger unappeased.

Rest assured, I wouldn't do such a boring thing, Kou Li said, rubbing his temples in exasperation. How could this woman's brain simply offline at critical moments? Didn't she realize this was the most crucial juncture?

Chief Steward, do you mean they intend to use this opportunity to ambush and kill you? Qingfeng guessed.

There is that possibility, but we might as well think of the worst-case scenario. What if their target isn't just me, but you as well, Princess?

Me? These barbarian envoys dare to assassinate me—an imperial envoy to the Wa nation and a princess at that? How could they possibly be as suicidal as you? Young Master Huang retorted, seizing the opportunity to take a jab at him.

Indeed, relying solely on them, of course they wouldn't, Kou Li said meaningfully. But Princess, do not forget that your rise to supreme power is almost assured, yet there are many who refuse to watch this happen. I was able to break the deadlock by executing officials; how can you be sure others won't take inspiration from this?

There are many ways for you to die. The simplest one would be assassination by rebels. After all, the One-Armed Bandit has not yet been brought to justice. While the emissary mission would certainly be suspect, if officials throughout Guangdong province cover for them—especially given the current timing—the probability is quite high. To put it at the absolute worst, the worst consequence they face is a reckoning after the autumn harvest, but your blade is already hovering above their necks.

In critical moments, one cannot harbor a shred of wishful thinking, Zhou Zhuxian agreed profoundly. He had trusted his own people too much in the past, resulting in a betrayal from which he took ten years to recover.

Young Master Huang fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, While you have been dueling these past few days, I haven't been idle either. Perhaps this is an opportunity, though you may have to take a risk.

Honing oneself between life and death cannot be considered a risk, Kou Li replied. Besides, after watching life-and-death struggles for so many days, it is long past time for my turn.

Three days later—

Propagated by those with ulterior motives, the news of the Treatise on Samurai Swords quickly became known to all. Moreover, according to the missive, the emissary mission did not arrange the final grand duel within the Guangdong Buddhist Pagoda, but instead set it at Chaotic Stone Flats.

This Chaotic Stone Flats held no particular impression for the local youth; to them, it was likely just a foul-smelling pile of jagged rocks. But to the older generation of Guangdong folk, the name was thunderously resonant. The decisive battle between Marshal Hong and Meng Tianban back then had been orchestrated by Marshal Hong, who lured the pirate king there with a trap and blew him to smithereens with hundreds of cannons.

A small hill that once stood there had been completely blasted out of existence.

This had been an extremely crucial turning point in the maritime calamities, altering the destinies of imperial soldiers, pirates, martial artists, and common folk alike beyond count.

The emissary mission's choice of Chaotic Stone Flats as the venue for the Treatise on Samurai Swords spoke volumes without requiring explanation.

Before the main protagonists had even arrived, the surrounding area was already occupied by martial artists, both overt and covert. Their numbers far exceeded those from a dozen days prior when the Wa people had first rushed to the Central Plains.

After all, this battle was very likely to become the turning point in the power struggle of Guangdong. Could the Feng Estate truly cross the river like a mighty dragon and sweep across the region? Would the Wa nation, mustering its entire national strength, yield or rise up in defiance?

Even the question of whether the Wa sword-bandits along the southeast coast could be thoroughly eradicated depended entirely upon this Treatise on Samurai Swords.

In the Wa language, the Treatise on Samurai Swords referred to a supreme test of martial skill. Aside from the duelists themselves, neither faction's forces were permitted to interfere.

Therefore, whether it was the experts of the Feng Estate or the heroes of the Wa nation, none other than the two designated combatants were allowed to actively appear at the combat site.

The impatient martial artists of Guangdong, the Ryukyu martial artists, and the stranded Wa ronin in the Central Plains were all secretly guessing who the respective champions sent by both sides would turn out to be.

On the side of the Feng Estate, there seemed to be little debate. Although rumors had circulated that Zhou Zhuxian, the grandmaster of the Nanzhi Fist who had vanished for a decade, had been recruited by Princess Feng, the emergence of generations of talents meant the sudden appearance of the formidable Chief Steward better matched everyone's expectations.

However, within the emissary mission, would it be the legendary heavenly swordsman Miyamoto, who boasted fifty years of wandering the Wa nation without a single defeat, or would it be Owari Tsuyoshi, the top expert of the Owari clan known as the Kyushu Beast and a living machine of flesh and bone?

Ever since the six grandmasters of Guangdong boxing established their supremacy, we haven't witnessed a clash of this caliber in a long time, an elderly martial artist with a white beard sighed.

Old men fade away and newcomers rise—it is an irresistible law. It all depends on whether the newcomers of this generation can shoulder the banner of Guangdong martial arts, Jia Fotuo, the Iron Monk, lamented. Old Bao bringing the Mo family boxing lineage into the Feng Estate shows he intends to back this newcomer as well.

In the past, there were the Luo Yan Sect, White Crane, Che Jiuniu, and Zhou Zhuxian, but unfortunately, they all lacked something. Because their masters were Guangdong boxing grandmasters who sheltered them, they naturally lacked the grand resolve needed to calm turbulent times. The style of this Chief Steward, however, somewhat resembles the true temperament of us Guangdong people.

It is too early to say. After all, the indigenous martial arts of the Wa nation have also developed at a tremendous pace over the years. Haven't you heard that alongside elixir cultivation, they have pioneered the Divine Dao? Whether he can hold down the fort can only be known after they fight.

A warrior chosen by the entire strength of a nation is not so easily dealt with, a prudent veteran remarked.

At that moment, someone suddenly cried out in alarm, The emissary mission has arrived! It's not the Swordsman Miyamoto—it's Owari Tsuyoshi, that great monster!

Outside the Chaotic Stone Flats, a massive sedan chair forged from fine steel crashed heavily to the ground, kicking up clouds of dust and debris as though an iron ball of equal size had been hurled down.

The representative of the Owari clan hesitated for a moment before unwrapping a red pill and speaking in a low voice: Central Plains martial artists possess superhuman strength upon reaching the four-fold refinement stage, something we cannot match. The Mountain Child tattoo of the Fragrant Divine Dao can make your flesh and bones as hard as steel, pushing you to the peak of the Central Plains' external refinement realm. This Ghost Evil Pill, meanwhile, harnesses the souls of evil spirits to overdraw your entire body's vital energy, granting you the might of ghost-gods. The price is the loss of ten years of your lifespan, but this battle is truly vital to our clan...

Before he could finish speaking, a massive, winnowing-basket-sized hand thrust out from the sedan window, snatched the pill, and retracted. A moment later, a suppressed, low, beast-like roar erupted from within the sedan. The intense heat wave distorted the surrounding air, a sizzling sound rang out from the iron mask, and the curtains and wooden eaves even began to billow with smoke.

Amidst these strange transformations, the warped air seemed to condense into a bizarre and twisted giant ghost wearing a bamboo-bone conical hat, with thick eyebrows, bulging eyes devoid of eyelids, eyeballs so large they seemed ready to pop out, a flat nose, a bloody maw, and circles upon circles of razor-sharp teeth filling its mouth.

The Owari representative swallowed hard, and just as he was about to retreat, a massive hand covered in blood-red cracks suddenly lunged out from the window and dragged him inside. Outside the tattered aperture, blood continuously seeped out as the sounds of chewing and miserable shrieks rang out simultaneously.

At the same time, Kou Li and Zhou Zhuxian arrived at the southern corner of the Chaotic Stone Flats. Zhou Zhuxian halted his steps just outside the perimeter.

Be careful.

Kou Li nodded, taking step after step—seemingly slow, yet profoundly heavy. In Zhou Zhuxian's eyes, the back of the man before him appeared as immense and towering as a mountain.