Blade in the Snow

Chapter 3: Two Dimples

After bathing in fragrant waters until every pore felt refreshed, shedding the hemp clothes and straw sandals of a beggar refugee, and donning the brocade robes of a great noble family, Xu Fengnian shaved off his stubble. In truth, he was a remarkably handsome and striking young master.

Among the six or seven popular flower-queens of Lingzhou, there were many proud ones with discerning eyes. Their life-and-death jealousy over him was not solely due to the Beiliang King Heir's generous rewards. Though this Heir often committed the unconscionable act of buying poems with money, he was well-versed in romance, skilled at Go, conversant in needlework, appreciative of the zither, and knowledgeable in dance and song. He was the kind of intimate companion who could warm a woman's heart.

Within the Beiliang Royal Palace, which green bamboo-like maid with a slightly swelling chest had not been touched by him? Yet in private, though they might blush and gossip, none truly despised him. At the very least, this young master was not the cruel type who would beat a servant to death and throw them down a well, or chop them into pieces to feed the dogs, over a single disagreement.

Take the Young Master Li of Fengzhou, neighboring Lingzhou. This son of a Governor, who claimed to have grown up wearing the same pants as Heir Xu, enjoyed the heaven-condemned act of throwing people into beast cages to be devoured. In comparison, everyone in the palace felt exceptionally grateful toward the Heir.

If there was anyone in the palace who dared glare at Xu Fengnian, hiding none of their hatred, it was the maid Jiang Ni, who at this moment stood apart from several smiling, ingratiating maids.

She had entered the Beiliang Royal Palace at twelve years old. At that time, the Great Pillar of State had just destroyed the unrivaled Western Chu Dynasty. He had breached the imperial palace first. Unlike the generals who later stationed themselves in Great Phoenix City and indulged freely with the city's women—from the King's consorts down to the ministers' female relatives—Xu Xiao had no interest in women. He had no desire for the Western Chu Emperor's concubines. He had not even stopped the virtuous and fierce Empress, who had hanged herself to accompany the Western Chu Emperor in death. There were even rumors that Xu Xiao had personally gifted her the white silk cord one zhang long.

In Western Chu, Jiang was the imperial surname, exclusive to the royal family. Thus, many guessed at this young girl's origins. But as Western Chu vanished, such speculations faded. Dust was merely dust.

Xu Fengnian, of course, knew this Jiang-surnamed maid's secret identity better than anyone. Glancing sideways at the maid Jiang Ni, who had grown into a graceful figure, he waved away the other maids. Once they had departed, he chuckled: "What, Princess Taiping? Disappointed I didn't die in a foreign land? Rest assured, until I've broken your melon, I truly cannot bear to die. Tsk tsk, Princess, your chest is becoming increasingly mountainous. I think you should be called 'Princess Inequality' to suit the occasion."

Jiang Ni, once a princess of noble status, now a maid bearing national hatred and family vengeance, remained unmoved. Her face stiff, eyes gloomy, she wished she could bite this libertine to death.

Hidden within her sleeve was the dagger "Divine Talisman," renowned in history as worth twelve cities. Given even a sliver of a chance, she—who could not bear to kill even a chicken—would hesitate not to cut off Xu Fengnian's head. Yet, from the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a middle-aged man in casual clothes. She had to forcibly suppress the impulse to risk her life.

The man was around thirty years of age, nine feet tall, with a heroic and resolute appearance. His face was like jade, his figure like a jade tree facing the wind. He kept his eyes narrowed year-round, as if perpetually drowsy. This was Yuan Zuozong, the "Left Bear" among the King of Beiliang's six adopted sons. With white horse and silver spear, he had never met an equal on the battlefield. He was absolutely among the top three experts in the entire dynasty's military. Some even said he was only a hair's breadth from the realm of the Ten Great Masters. Facing this killing god accustomed to using human skulls as wine bowls, Jiang Ni dared not act rashly.

Before his journey, Xu Fengnian had shamelessly said: I give you one chance to kill me. If you fail the second time, I will kill you.

Unfortunately, that year, she had just come of age. Imitating others, she applied rouge and wore gorgeous clothes to seduce him. Having finally tricked him into bed, during their intimacy she stabbed downward with her knife. Yet she only pierced his shoulder—deep into the bone, but not fatal. That fellow had merely slapped her across the face. After dressing and rising from bed, he spoke two sentences. The first was: "Next time you won't be so lucky. Don't waste it."

"Heir, Heir! I finally see the Heir! For three years, this humble one has not thought of tea or rice!"

A fat man dressed in wealth ran over, or rather, rolled and crawled forward. Genuine snot and tears hung from his face. Utterly shameless.

Jiang Ni wore an expression of disgust no less than when facing Xu Fengnian. As for Yuan Zuozong, who protected the Heir closely, he turned his head aside, disdainful, his eyes filled with heavy contempt.

Since this pig-like obese man could pass through layers of strict guard to reach Xu Fengnian, his status was naturally extraordinary. In fact, like the Beiliang Army's number one fierce man, "Left Bear," he was also one of the Great Pillar of State's adopted sons. His surname was Chu, name Lushan. He was the "Eagle Dog" among the Three Dogs.

The snow-white gyrfalcon that Xu Fengnian had shared hardships with for three years—"the most divine among the three hundred and sixty feathered creatures"—was trained by this fat man. He had cared for it more diligently than raising a wife or a son.

This person's reputation within the Beiliang Army had always been extremely poor. Honeyed words but a sword in his heart, lustful as life itself. He was the one who led Heir Xu on his first visit to a brothel. Always saying brothers are like limbs, women are like clothes, in previous years he had every few days urged Xu Fengnian to sleep with his beautiful concubines. Truly, a loyalty that walked a strange path, visible to the heavens.

"Didn't think of tea or rice? Fat Chu, why do you look like you've gained several dozen jin?" Xu Fengnian smiled coldly, tightening his grip around the fat man's neck.

Choked by the neck, the fat man's face turned red as he cried out grievously: "Heir, I've lost weight! Lost a whole circle! If the Heir doesn't believe me, I'll go weigh myself immediately. If I've gained one jin, cut off one jin of meat. If ten jin, cut off ten jin!"

Xu Fengnian released his neck, patting Chu Lushan's trembling fatty cheeks, smiling: "Truly a good brother."

Now usurping the high position of General of the Thousand Oxen and Dragon Martial, rank 3b, this Fat Chu was having his cheeks slapped at will. Rank 3b—if not one of those titular scattered offices—was a top official in any prefecture. Let alone a General of the Thousand Oxen and Dragon Martial holding a tiger tally for three thousand elite soldiers. Yet this fat man not only felt no shame, but wore an expression of utmost honor.

Leaning over a head as large as a pig's, he chuckled: "Heir, I've newly taken a beautiful concubine. Her skin is fine and tender, pinch her and water comes out. I haven't dared enjoy her yet; specifically saved for the Heir. Will the Heir find time to grace me with his presence? Drink some wine, listen to some tunes, and then...?"

Xu Fengnian nodded: "Good, good."

The two exchanged smiles, as treacherous as could be. The ancient phrase wolf and jackal working together was largely spoken of this pair of calamities.

Just at this warm moment when Fat Chu was asking after the Heir's circumstances over the three years, the King of Beiliang slowly approached. Within the dynasty, there were several Pillars of State, but only one Great Pillar of State. Second only to the Grand General of Celestial Strategy, a title left vacant except in times of national crisis.

Xu Xiao had been in the military all his life. When young and leading armies, he would charge ahead of his troops. So much so that the former Emperor had specially issued an edict ordering him not to personally breach enemy lines. Later, during the campaign against Western Chu, an arrow struck his left leg, leaving him with a slight limp.

Xu Xiao did not mind those clear-stream scholars and famous gentlemen mocking him as "Xu the Barbarian." But if anyone dared whisper "Xu the Cripple," it was absolutely a situation of life and death. During the campaign against Western Chu, the Marquis of Wu'an had a trusted beloved general, young and impulsive, who paid the price. Xu Xiao found a random excuse to behead him and display his head. It hung alongside a row of Western Chu famous generals' heads upon the Western Chu imperial city walls.

The Marquis of Wu'an dared to be angry but dared not speak. He did not even protest half a word to His Majesty the Emperor afterward. Xu Xiao, with slightly white temples, was not tall, his appearance unremarkable. Middle-aged and slightly lame, now even slightly hunchbacked, as if bearing the heavy burden of three hundred thousand wrongful spirits.

Fat Chu was a lively soul with eyes on all sides and ears in all directions. He immediately restrained his expression, crawling prostrate on the ground to kneel. Similarly an adopted son, Yuan Zuozong had far more backbone and spine, merely bowing according to ordinary etiquette.

King Xu Xiao of Beiliang waved gently, letting Chu Lushan fetch a stool and sit himself. He attempted to sit beside his son on the wooden couch, but was kicked in the buttocks by Xu Fengnian, who wore a face full of anger. Awkwardly, he could only pick a bench and sit to the side.

Fat Chu broke out in a cold sweat, sitting on pins and needles, not daring to wipe it.

Yuan Zuozong smiled knowingly. Xu Fengnian blew a whistle, wrapped a piece of Shu brocade around his arm, and summoned the gyrfalcon raised by Fat Chu. Taking a glass cup filled with grape wine, he pretended to sigh: "Little White, Little White, these three years have been hard on you. No wine to drink, no meat to eat, nearly killed and stewed by someone. I am unworthy of you."

The Great Pillar of State wore a face full of shame, sighing repeatedly.

The maid Jiang Ni, whose beauty grew more country-toppling and city-devastating with each passing year, let out a soft cold laugh. She thought this snow-white gyrfalcon was truly like her—meeting the wrong person.

This rare feathered creature existed only in the ice and snow north of Jinzhou. If a hunter captured one, they could be exempted from all crimes except treason. In those years, even Western Chu nobles would seek this spiritual creature, nicknamed "Azure-White Phoenix," at the cost of a thousand gold. Yet it remained something one could encounter but not seek.

The one on Xu Fengnian's arm was even more extraordinary. Among Azure-White Phoenixes, it was the top-grade "Six-Year Phoenix," rarer and more precious than the "Three-Year Dragon." Once, a powerful clan leader in Yongzhou, Liang Territory, had offered a thousand taels of gold and three beautiful women to exchange for "Little White." The arrogant Xu Fengnian had cursed him to get lost to his face. That illustrious noble, who could command wind and rain locally, had undoubtedly been given a nose full of gray.

Xu Fengnian hummed: "Xu Xiao, let me ask you. When a son is bullied, what should a father do?"

The Great Pillar of State accompanied his smile with a look of complete reasonableness: "Naturally, raid their home and exterminate their clan. If that does not relieve your anger, take their wives and concubines as cattle and horses, seize their wealth and squander it in an instant."

Jiang Ni, who had not left the Tide-Listening Pavilion, darkened her eyes, unable to hide the bone-chilling hatred within her autumn-water pupils.

Xu Fengnian pulled a small piece of Xuan paper from his robe, covered with surnames, families, and large and small martial sects. Patting his father the King of Beiliang on the shoulder, he gritted his teeth: "Father, don't you always say a gentleman waits ten years for revenge, a petty man seeks it before the night is over? These fellows are my enemies. Clean them up for me immediately."

Xu Xiao took the paper. Before looking, he busily praised: My son's handwriting is excellent. Glancing roughly, he was about to heroically say no problem. But then he looked carefully, reading every word without omission. With a slight bitter expression, he said: "Son, these enemies are a bit too many. Not fewer than a hundred. Look at this Governor of Huizhou Prefecture. Merely because his son looked a bit powdery and traveled Bilo Lake with beauties, and you saw him from afar, you want to remove his official hat? And this Langya Wang Clan of Guanzhong. Merely because their family servants cursed us Beiliang Barbarians while drinking, you want to exterminate their clan? As for the Xuanyang Family of the martial world, what did they do to offend my son? You want to exile their entire family to Jinzhou, and specifically name that girl Xuanyang Qingfeng to be made an official courtesan?"

Xu Fengnian gazed at his beloved gyrfalcon pecking wine, sighing: "Little White, Little White, you are fortunate. You have a master who knows how to cherish you. I am miserable. No father to love me, no mother to care for me. Living is suffering. Pointless."

The Great Pillar of State hurriedly smiled: "Father will do it, Father will do it. No second words."

After promising, the decisive Xu Xiao turned around. Facing Yuan Zuozong and Chu Lushan, he had no good expression. Gloomy, he said: "Zuozong, prepare two squadrons of Tiger Elite Iron Cavalry. Await orders at any time. I will go immediately to request an imperial edict from above. Nothing more than trampling the martial world with horses again. Lushan, greet the officials along the route who are close to this King. The rebellious ministers and thieves on the list—kill those who should be killed. Just create some nice titles, don't be too conspicuous. After all, we are handling matters on others' territory. No need to rush. I give you a year and a half to plan slowly. You are skilled at this kind of thing."

Yuan Zuozong bowed: "I receive the order."

Fat Chu also rose and bent his waist, his eyes violent and face excited: "Luqiu obeys the order."

Jiang Ni sighed in her heart. Were countless innocent people to be calamitized again for an absurd reason? How many pitiable people, separated from wives and children, would in the end not understand the origin of this overwhelming disaster?

But at this moment, Xu Fengnian took back the paper. He produced another sheet, the number of names merely one-tenth of the previous list. Smiling, he said: "Old Father, how could I truly let you make enemies with over a dozen powerful clans and half the martial world? Here, look at this sheet. It's enough for these people to be unlucky. The officials are all corrupt, the people all rebellious. Killing them is justified. Acting on behalf of Heaven, surely we will accumulate merit, better than building seven hundred levels of pagodas."

Xu Xiao breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Seeing his son about to flare up again, he immediately pretended to stiffen his face, looking solemn as he accepted the second paper. Nodding, he said: "In that case, there is no need for excessive mobilization. Within one year, Father guarantees you will not see them and your heart will not be troubled. My son is truly filial, knowing how to relieve Father's worries and accumulate merit."

Xu Fengnian tossed a half-peeled tangerine, peeled by Xu Xiao himself, into his mouth. Mumbling, he said: "That's right."

Xu Xiao gave his adopted son Chu Lushan a sharp glance. The latter took the paper and immediately withdrew. Fat as he was, hanging over two hundred jin of flesh, he walked silently as if flying over grass.

Xu Xiao, seeing his son's face gradually turning ruddy, was full of joy. Softly trying to please him, he said: "Son, when Father said you weren't biologically mine, I meant you don't look like Father. You take after your mother."

Hearing this, Xu Fengnian merely hummed an Mm.

The Great Pillar of State, who had been holed up in Liang Territory for the last decade or so to rest and recuperate, knew this topic was not welcome. He shifted gears: "Huangman is unwilling to go to Longhu Mountain. You help persuade him. He listens to you."

Xu Fengnian nodded: "I know. You busy yourself. Don't obstruct my fishing."

Xu Xiao chuckled: "Stay a while longer. It's been three years since I spoke with you."

Xu Fengnian glared: "If I had known this, would you have driven me from the home?! Get out!"

The single word Get out carried momentum like a dragon.

Poor and pitiable King of Beiliang immediately oiled his feet, not daring to stay.

For some reason, every time Jiang Ni faced the Great Pillar of State, who was no different from a wealthy old man whose children were poorly taught when with Xu Fengnian, her whole body went cold. Only piercing icy chill remained. Toward this man, who was even more worthy of hatred than Xu Fengnian, she dared not reveal the slightest killing intent.

At first, she thought she was timid. But as she grew older, her courage grew, yet she dared even less to act rashly. As if this Human Butcher, who had once been shrouded in black armor and charged first into the imperial palace hall on horseback, was the most terrifying person under heaven.

Only later did she learn that the former Emperor of this dynasty had personally promised to treat the Western Chu royal family well, even intending to title her father as King. Yet Xu Xiao, in front of Jiang Ni, who was then nestled in her father's arms, had stabbed the Western Chu Emperor to death with one sword. Her father, who loved poetry and disliked warfare, was kind. Then he tossed a white silk cord one zhang long to her mother.

The Taiping Princess Jiang Ni, born Jiang Si, could never understand the Human Butcher Xu Xiao. This Great Pillar of State who had said to her mother, who originally harbored thoughts of survival: "If you do not wish to become a plaything beneath another's crotch, end yourself."

But karma cycles, retribution fails not. This ruthless man had two unsuccessful sons. One was a fool, the other a prodigal with no great ambition.

The fool possessed heavenly strength, but even so, he was not the kind of person who could be the backbone of Beiliang's three hundred thousand iron cavalry. Thus, Jiang Ni would kill the Heir Xu Fengnian, who was to inherit the King's title. In this way, no matter how powerful Xu Xiao was in life, how close to one person and above ten thousand, he could not avoid the day of disintegration and scattering like monkeys. So Jiang Ni was willing to wait, willing to live ignobly.

Xu Fengnian shook his arm, dispersing the Azure-White Phoenix from his hand. He tossed aside the small piece of Shu brocade dug with holes by sharp claws. Smiling at the Beiliang Martial God Yuan Zuozong, who had always stood respectfully to the side, he said: "Third Brother Yuan, go rest."

Yuan Zuozong, who had never heard this intimate address, paused. After a moment's hesitation, he bowed and departed.

The Tide-Listening Pavilion was finally quiet. Gazing outward, the scenery was picturesque.

Xu Fengnian did not pick up the fishing rod. Instead, he lay sideways on the couch, speaking softly: "Jiang Ni, if you have the chance, you should go out and take a look."

The princess of a fallen nation, without probing the meaning, sneered disdainfully: "This trip by the Heir apparent is to bring disaster upon a group of people innocent of any crime. Truly a grand gesture. Worthy of the Great Pillar of State's son."

Xu Fengnian turned his head and smiled: "If not so, could I wipe away your Guardian Cinnabar for you?"

The corner of Jiang Ni's mouth curled in contempt, stirring up towering hatred. If it could be weighed on a scale, it would be a thousand jin of hate, ten thousand taels of vengeance.

Xu Fengnian smiled: "Do you know? When you are angry, you look exactly the same as when you occasionally smile happily. Both times, you have two small dimples. I like this point about you the most. So delay killing me a bit longer. Let me see them a few more times."

Jiang Ni, expressionless, said: "You just wait. Next time I kill you, I will smile with the happiest laugh."

Xu Fengnian sat upright. From a carved phoenix glass basin, he took a handful of bait and tossed it into the lake outside the railing. Countless brocade carp leaped from the lake surface. Gazing at this vivid scene, the Heir apparent, with his back to Jiang Ni, sighed emotionally: "That will surely be the most moving scenery under heaven."