Blade in the Snow

Chapter 2: The White Fox Face

Qi Dangguo, the Colonel of the Folding Charge who carried the banner for the Beiliang army, found himself in a dilemma. Though he was one of the six adopted sons of the Great Pillar of State Xu Xiao—ranked as the "Wolf Dog" among the One Tiger, Two Bears, Three Dogs—his relationship with the Heir apparent had not been particularly harmonious in recent years.

To speak honestly, Qi Dangguo, born from humble military ranks, disapproved of the Heir's romantic escapades throughout the prefectures. Yet loyalty came first. Since Xu Fengnian was his adoptive father's eldest legitimate son, even if Qi Dangguo were ordered to personally abduct young maidens for him, this Colonel would not furrow his brow even once. The real challenge now was how to return Xu Fengnian to the palace. Surely they could not simply toss the noble Heir onto a horse's back?

Fortunately, a lone rider galloping toward them resolved Qi Dangguo's predicament.

The horse was ink-black from head to toe, exceptionally tall and robust. Once the king of wild horses, it had been tamed and given to the young prince Xu Longxiang. At their first meeting, the wild horse's untamed nature had flared—it reared its hoof, large as a fighting c**k, intending to trample its new master. Instead, it kicked against an iron plate. The youth punched it flat to the ground, and thereafter, the horse became as gentle and obedient as a delicate maiden from a modest family.

The young prince Xu Longxiang, having heard the news, rode up and halted abruptly. He leaped down, calling out affectionately to his elder brother several times. When there was no response, he innocently assumed his brother was dead and burst into heart-wrenching sobs, his cries tearing at the soul. Qi Dangguo kindly attempted to explain that the Heir was merely exhausted, but the young prince shoved him aside with a single push. Qi stumbled several steps, nearly falling. As Qi Dangguo was a fierce general who carried the banner for the Great Pillar of State himself, this demonstrated the youth's extraordinary strength.

The old servant whom Xu Fengnian called "Old Huang" trotted over a few steps and spoke softly in a heavy Western Shu accent. Only then did Xu Longxiang wipe away tears and break into laughter. He slapped the old man's shoulder heavily—so hard that the elder landed squarely on his buttocks in the dust.

The young prince showed no restraint when dealing with outsiders, but toward his elder brother Xu Fengnian, he was exceedingly careful. Squatting down, he lifted his sleeping brother onto his back and walked slowly toward the city gate. His mount, nicknamed "Black Tooth," behaved as if in spring heat, taking tiny steps, turning its head sideways to try nuzzling the red horse led by the old servant—a horse whose frame was no smaller than its own, though skin and bones with one lame leg. The red horse, however, showed no appreciation. It opened its mouth and bit, frightening Black Tooth into running away. Yet it was reluctant to go far, lingering with obvious attachment.

Within Lingzhou City, at first no one could determine who could make the young prince Xu Longxiang carry them into the city, especially with two hundred palace guards fierce as wolves and tigers following behind. Then, who cried out, "The Heir apparent!" Immediately, the main thoroughfare of Lingzhou—wide enough for three carriages abreast—descended into chaos. Particularly those beautifully dressed young ladies and daughters of noble families, disregarding elegant demeanor, lifted their skirts and fled screaming. Large shops that had displayed treasures to attract customers immediately hid their wares.

News that "the Heir apparent has returned" spread from one to ten, from ten to a hundred, traveling through the entire city of Lingzhou with thunderous speed. The twenty-plus brothels, large and small, within the city suddenly revived. Madams and pimps wept with joy. Some of the most graceful flower-queens sat foolishly at their windows, hands over their hearts, gazing into the distance: "My beloved tormentor, you've finally deigned to return. This humble one has missed you to death."

One person followed the two hundred Liangzhou iron cavalry into the city from afar. Slender of figure, clad in white robes, eyebrows like painted moth wings, phoenix eyes with peach-blossom pupils—narrow and enchanting. Skin white as jade, a standard beauty's melon-seed face, extraordinarily handsome, unlike any mortal creature of this world.

Had it not been for the two swords at the left side of the waist, the unknown background, the arrogant and aloof expression, and the terrifying rumors surrounding the Heir's return, some of the ruffians and prodigals loitering the streets would have long since approached to flirt.

This woman is far too beautiful—prettier than all the flower-queens in the city combined. Some virtuous wives and wealthy young ladies, fleeing in panic, first felt jealousy upon seeing her, then admiration, thinking shyly: If this young lady were a young master, I would elope with her even now.

The white-robed beauty with swords at the waist showed slight surprise. After a moment's hesitation, she selected an elderly fortune teller and asked: "Old sir, who is this Heir being escorted into the city by the Beiliang Iron Cavalry?"

The old man, lamenting that he could no longer conduct business, was startled by this young lady's beauty. Having reached an advanced age, he calmed himself and smiled bitterly: "Young lady, you must be from out of town. Here, there is only one Heir apparent—the eldest son of the King of Beiliang. How would the sons of ordinary wealthy and powerful families dare call themselves Heir? They would be beaten black and blue. Even the descendants of neighboring prefectures' princely houses, if they displeased him slightly, would be beaten speechless by our Heir apparent."

Hearing the old man address her as "young lady," the woman's beautifully painted eyebrows unconsciously furrowed, but she did not refute. Gazing at the iron cavalry procession moving slowly ahead, she narrowed her peach-blossom eyes, a hint of killing intent flickering within. She murmured to herself: "To think he truly is a young master. Xu Beggar, could this be the 'nine falsehoods, one truth' you often spoke of, so easy to deceive? The King of Beiliang, Xu Xiao—known as the Human Butcher who has broken over a hundred cities and slaughtered three hundred thousand souls—how could he have such an unworthy son?"

Beiliang Royal Palace.

The Heir's courtyard was even more luxurious than King Xu Xiao's own. One needed only to observe the decorations upon the large red sandalwood table carved with chi-dragons by the window. Besides an azure ancient bronze tripod a full four feet tall, there hung a great painting of a green dragon attending court.

Additionally, there were tables of rosewood and marble, set with the Four Treasures of the Study and wine vessels. Calligraphy scrolls by famous masters piled like mountains. Inkstones alone numbered over a dozen, each priceless. Within the brush sea, brushes stood dense as a forest.

At one corner of the table rested a massive Ge Kiln flower vase, filled to the brim with crystal-ball white chrysanthemums. Beside it lay a pair of gold-inlaid single-horned auspicious beasts—Pixiu—for casual handling.

The palace was equipped with several underground heating channels that consumed countless amounts of charcoal. Thus, even in early winter, the rooms remained as warm as late spring. One could walk barefoot upon the carpets without concern. Such were the mansions of the powerful and wealthy.

At this moment, Heir Xu Fengnian lay sleeping upon a great bed, covered with an autumn-fragrance-colored quilt embroidered with golden pythons. His face was haggard. Beside the bed sat the Great Pillar of State Xu Xiao and the young prince Xu Longxiang. The only outsiders present were the Longhu Mountain Master Zhao, standing to one side, and the Huang-surnamed old servant, seated at the doorway with his long bundle upon his back. No one else.

Upon the bedside table, a gold-flecked ancient bronze Xuande incense burner burned a rare awakening fragrance: dragon spittle incense.

"Master Zhao, is my son unharmed?" Xu Xiao asked this same question repeatedly,how many times. Where was the Xu Pillar of State who had been decisive in killing on the battlefield? This was clearly merely a father who doted upon his son to an absurd degree.

"Unharmed, unharmed. The Heir apparent is merely exhausted from prolonged travel. Let him sleep for half a day, then recuperate for half a month, and he will surely be full of vitality."

The old Daoist spoke with complete confidence, though inwardly his flesh ached. Initially, when the King saw his beloved son so emaciated, he had immediately ordered the palace steward to bring out several furnaces of superior elixirs from Wudang Mountain, along with the palace's treasured imperial medicines, wishing to pour them all into his son's mouth at once.

This had frightened Master Zhao so badly that his heart trembled. He spoke at length about how medicine was half poison, and out of private ambition to compete with Wudang Mountain, he personally produced Longhu Mountain's Small Golden Pills to use for this minor purpose. Only then did he dispel the King's concerns.

Heir Xu Fengnian slept for a full two days and two nights before awakening. His younger brother Xu Longxiang had guarded him without eating or drinking for those same two days and two nights.

When servants hurried to report the good news to the Great Pillar of State, he rushed over in three steps as one. Upon seeing his son, he immediately grabbed the Xuande incense burner from the bedside and hurled it, leaping from the bed and cursing loudly: "Xu Xiao, you scoundrel deserving a thousand cuts! You drove me from the palace—three years! No wonder you often say I am not your biological son."

Xu Xiao tilted his head, dodging the incense burner, and put on a shameless face to apologize.

Yet how would Xu Fengnian let off the chief culprit responsible for his three years of sleeping under the stars and eating in the wind? After smashing everything breakable in the room, he chased all the way outside. Seeing an embroidered broom leaning at the corridor corner, he picked it up and pursued his father, striking.

Poor Great Pillar of State—after taking several solid hits, he still did not forget to remind: "Put on shoes, put on shoes. The weather is cold; do not catch a chill." One chased, one fled within the courtyard—a lively spectacle indeed. Several steward-servants directly under the King, whose status was more prestigious than a provincial governor, thrust their hands into their sleeves, gazed at the sky, having heard nothing, seen nothing.

Eventually, Xu Fengnian's body was too fatigued. After chasing and striking for a while, he gasped for breath, bending at the waist and glaring fiercely at his father. Xu Xiao stood at a distance, smiling carefully and apologetically: "Has your anger subsided? If it has, eat first. Only with strength can you vent your rage properly."

Sitting upon the door threshold were the young prince Xu Longxiang and the servant Old Huang. Both grinned foolishly—one drooling, one missing front teeth. Both quite silly.

The Heir apparent panted like an ox, pointing at Xu Xiao, the King of Beiliang whom outsiders regarded as untouchable: "You donkey-fodder bastard. Today I'll let you off. But you just wait."

Xu Xiao showed no anger, chuckling happily: "Good, good. Father will wait. I will not strike back when hit, nor talk back when cursed. Let you vent all your bitterness."

Still barefoot, Xu Fengnian tossed aside that broom worth several dozen taels of silver and approached the doorway. Seeing his foolishly grinning brother, his eyes softened several degrees. Noticing drool had flowed across the youth's entire chest, Xu Fengnian did not find it dirty. Naturally, he reached out and wiped it away, speaking softly: "Foolish Huangman, come. Stand up and let your elder brother see if you've grown taller or stronger."

The youth stood up seriously. Xu Fengnian measured his height and smiled with slight disappointment: "Not taller, not stronger."

The youth wrapped his arms around his brother's waist and lifted him. Xu Fengnian showed little surprise, though his chest became covered in drool. He laughed loudly: "Your strength has grown considerably, however."

The Great Pillar of State stood in place. This Human Butcher who had killed like hemp throughout half a lifetime of military service found his eyes somewhat moist. He quietly turned his head aside, murmuring in self-mockery: "The wind is so strong. Where did all this sand come from?"

The two brothers returned to the room together. Xu Xiao immediately ordered servants to bring the carefully prepared meals. Servants carrying food boxes alone numbered twenty to thirty, entering the room continuously, flowing like clouds and water. Under the kind reminder of the Longhu Mountain old Daoist, most dishes were vegetarian, with little heavy seasoning or spice.

After three days of good food, fine drink, and peaceful sleep, Xu Fengnian came to the palace's most renowned structure—the Tide-Listening Pavilion. Carrying a purple bamboo fishing rod himself, he had his brother Xu Longxiang carry several embroidered stools, while servants prepared a long tea table. Rare fruits and delicacies were all present. He specially ordered the steward to select four or five beautiful maids in their budding years to massage his shoulders and tap his back, serving him properly. This was the leisurely life befitting a Heir apparent.

The Tide-Listening Pavilion—from the name alone, one could hear several layers of meaning. The Beiliang Royal Palace occupied the entire Qingliang Mountain. At the mountainside, where there had originally been a lake, it was expanded twofold, intending to enlarge the lake into a sea. Pavilions, terraces, and towers were constructed. At the center, a nine-story magnificent pavilion soaring into the clouds was named Tide-Listening. Heir Xu Fengnian's hobby was fishing on the first floor. Within the tower were ten thousand volumes of books, countless rare and unique editions, including martial arts secret manuals whose lineages had been lost.

Fifteen years ago, Xu Xiao—not yet titled King of Beiliang—had personally led iron cavalry, carrying imperial edicts and square-topped swords, crushing dozens of martial sects across the dynasty's great rivers, north and south. Except for orthodox sects like Longhu Mountain, which had always been peaceful, rebellious ones like the Purple Forbidden Villa were directly obliterated into ash and smoke.

It should be known that twenty years ago, the Purple Forbidden Villa was a first-rate martial arts sacred land in the martial world. Over a hundred years, it had produced four of the Ten Great Masters across various generations. In the end, the villa's martial library and secret classics, except for a symbolic few sets handed to the imperial inner court, were all confiscated to the sixth floor of the Tide-Listening Pavilion.

Fortunately, Xu Fengnian's appearance did not resemble his father Xu Xiao in the least. After leaving his territory, he did not dare claim the title of Beiliang King's Heir. Otherwise, this alone would be enough to condemn him to eternal damnation. The Great Pillar of State's enemies were as widespread under heaven as his disciples.

Within the lake were ten thousand brocade carp. Scattering bait casually created the miraculous spectacle of ten thousand carp rising toward the sky. Even the Son of Heaven, who had come to escape the heat in recent years, had clicked his tongue in wonder, immediately sighing that he could not compare.

Xu Fengnian lay upon a wooden couch covered with magnificent Shu brocade. After fishing for a while, seeing his brother foolishly smiling and drooling again, he reached out and wiped it away.

He could not help but think of that White Fox Face whom he had deceived into coming to Liang territory. That was a beauty whose smile curved her lips like a crescent moon. Privately, Xu Fengnian always called her the Most Beautiful Woman Under Heaven. Initially, he had praised her as the Most Beautiful Female Under Heaven, but after being severely beaten into looking like a pig's head, he compromised by changing one character—female to person.

Whenever Xu Fengnian thought of this person, his mood improved. He rubbed his brother's head and smiled: "Elder Brother promised to deceive an exceedingly beautiful woman to be your wife. I truly did bring one back—a White Fox Face, extremely, extremely beautiful. She carries dual blades: one 'Embroidered Winter,' one 'Spring Thunder'—both among the renowned swords under heaven. Pity, though... it is a man."