Chapter Eighteen: The Demons and Spirits of Xuanyuan Capital

Under the blooming pear trees of spring, Xu Xiyue found herself truly having dinner in the home of the young man who had caught her embroidered ball.

On the stone table, only the duck carcass remained; even the two vegetable dishes had been completely devoured by the three seated around it.

Xintong blinked her eyes, savoring the taste of the meal.

She recalled that her family’s chef had once said that duck from Suwuzhou was generally unsuitable for stir-frying, as the meat would easily become tough and lose flavor.

Yet today, from the moment the young man began cooking the duck, Xintong felt that the rising kitchen smoke and the scent of the firewood were fragrant and inviting.

She knew her lady must have also enjoyed the meal, especially combined with the bowl of hot noodles—dry but not astringent, smooth, tender, and full of strength. A sudden pang of regret stirred in Xintong’s heart.

“If this Chen Zhian were to catch the embroidered ball and come to the Xu residence, he might well take good care of the young lady,” she mused quietly.

Unconsciously, Xintong clicked her tongue but quickly shook her head as if waking from a daze, silently chastising herself: “Being able to cook is no great skill. A gentleman should keep away from the kitchen. How can I, who craves delicious food, think that my lady deserves someone like Chen Zhian, a man only fit to covet small riches?”

The spring breeze was slightly chilly, rustling the pear blossoms overhead.

Shen Haohai, full and satisfied, glanced proudly at Xu Xiyue. “See, my neighbor’s cooking was worth the trip, wasn’t it, Sister Xiyue?”

Xu Xiyue turned to look at Chen Zhian, who was watering the pear tree in the courtyard.

The young man’s figure seemed taller and less frail than a few days ago; his upright posture was striking.

“Sister Xiyue, have you seen General Xuanzi yet?” Shen Haohai asked, still concerned about Xu Xiyue’s business affairs. “The supply of medicinal herbs to the 90,000-strong Songhuai Army is no small matter. I imagine the Zhou family in Sunan Prefecture has already sent many envoys. You must hurry.”

Xu Xiyue knew Shen Haohai was not truly interested in business; her inquiry was out of care for her.

So she answered earnestly, “General Xuanzi has been quite busy these days; few have seen him. The great clans waiting daily at his residence have only been granted an audience with the Zhou family patriarch. I went as well... but General Xuanzi did not see me; someone else took the herbs I brought.”

Shen Haohai’s worry deepened—if the Xu family’s trade faltered, when could Xu Xiyue regain her freedom and return to the misty peaks of Qixia Mountain, living among the azure clouds at dawn and resting amid the smoke at dusk?

Seeing Shen Haohai’s concern, Xu Xiyue reassured her gently, “Haohai, don’t worry about me. Several of our medicinal herbs are truly exceptional. Compared to the Zhou family, only three kinds, used by the army’s most advanced cultivators, are somewhat inferior...”

“I’ve already sent people to seek other superior sources. If we can find better supplies, the Xu family still has a chance this time.”

“Moreover, there are still six months left in the contract with the army’s purchasing agents. If the renewal fails, six months is enough time to explore other options.”

Shen Haohai nodded, somewhat understanding.

Beside them, Xintong’s heart grew uneasy.

“If the Songhuai Army stops sourcing herbs from us, with the Zhou family’s rapid expansion, it might take less than half a year to entirely drive the Xu family out of the three provinces’ medicinal herb market...”

She thought anxiously.

Shen Haohai asked again, “Which three herbs are they?” “I’ll write to my senior brothers and sisters at Guiyun Chamber; perhaps they have some information.”

Xu Xiyue considered and did not refuse Shen Haohai’s goodwill: “They are Buddha’s Armor, Qinan Leaves, and Lantern Gold Threads.”

Shen Haohai carefully noted them down. Xu Xiyue, perhaps relieved to finally confide in someone, sighed deeply, her worry evident. “These three aren’t particularly rare or precious; it’s just that the army demands high quality. The Zhou family must have found superior sources, for the specimens they supplied are far better than ours.”

Though Shen Haohai understood little of herbs, she tried to console, “Fate’s mysteries are wondrous—turnarounds can come in a day or even a moment. Sister, don’t lose heart.”

Xu Xiyue nodded gently. “In a few days, the army’s herb inspectors will rate the herbs presented by all the great families. We shall see then.”

She glanced at Xintong, who immediately took out five taels of silver and placed it on the stone table.

Shen Haohai was momentarily taken aback and instinctively reached to return the silver, saying, “Sister Xiyue, you needn’t...”

But she suddenly recalled that she had rashly brought two guests to dine, and Chen Zhian had cooked the meal. Even if they refused, it should be Chen Zhian’s decision. Having already freeloaded for several days, how could she impose on Chen Zhian’s kindness?

She hesitated.

Xu Xiyue had already risen and looked to Chen Zhian, who had turned his head toward her. “Thank you, Young Master Chen, for your hospitality. My servant and I have troubled you today.”

Chen Zhian saw the silver but did not refuse; he simply nodded with a smile, “No matter, Miss Xu. Do come often when you have time.”

Xintong curled her lips.

Indeed, Chen Zhian was greedy; accepting the silver was reasonable, but at least he could have been more courteous.

The two left the courtyard and were about to step out when Xu Xiyue turned back to take a careful look at the blooming pear tree.

“These pear blossoms are truly beautiful, like the white mist flowers on Qixia Mountain,” she thought.

Not far off, Chen Zhian suddenly plucked a snow-white pear flower.

The branches swayed, spring crows cawed overhead, clouds dispersed, and the bright moon had long cast its silver light.

Under the cold, ashen moonlight, Chen Zhian gently picked a pear blossom.

“If Miss Xu likes, perhaps take one to adorn your room,” he said, tossing the flower to Xintong without stepping forward.

Xintong fumbled awkwardly to catch the flower.

Xu Xiyue gazed at Chen Zhian under the moonlight, her thoughts unreadable.

The two bowed farewell to Shen Haohai and disappeared into the dim night of Qihuang Street.

Shen Haohai watched their retreating figures and curled her lips. “Charging five taels of silver for one meal? That’s a bit too greedy.”

Chen Zhian was candid. “To the Xu family, five taels or five wen or fifty taels are no different. Miss Xu left the silver because she didn’t want to eat for free. Why should I pretend and refuse politely? Better to accept it and give her peace of mind.”

“Besides, there is an old saying in my hometown.”

Shen Haohai’s curiosity piqued. “What saying?”

“Don’t leave money on the table, you bastard,” Chen Zhian replied.

—

Shen Haohai left as well.

Chen Zhian began to practice the Tiger Embrace Fist in the courtyard. Now, his body surged with vibrant blood energy. The Great Snow Mountain Ginseng Qi Technique accelerated his flow of energy; each move and posture of the Tiger Embrace Fist was infused with this vitality, filling him from head to toe.

Each punch, kick, and lean carried fierce power, even whipping up gusts of wind.

Half an hour passed before Chen Zhian calmed his blood energy and stood still, exhaling deeply.

A hint of delight sparkled in his eyes.

He had fully mastered the twenty-four moves of the Tiger Embrace Fist; it was no exaggeration to say he wielded it effortlessly.

Moreover, his blood energy coordinated with the Tiger Embrace Fist so precisely that he could summon it instantly, moving with thought alone.

“This Tiger Embrace Fist seems simple... I wonder what rank it holds in the martial world.”

Standing beneath the moonlight, Chen Zhian muttered to himself.

Suddenly, a voice answered his question.

“This Tiger Embrace Fist is the required method for soldiers of the Iron Buddha Pass Army. In the martial world, it is considered a high-level boxing art, roughly on par with the martial arts passed down in prominent clans ruling ordinary counties.”

Chen Zhian started, breaking out in a cold sweat, and looked up toward the voice.

On the roof of his house, someone sat cross-legged, unseen before now.

Though the moonlight shone, the courtyard was dim, and before Chen Zhian had cultivated, he wouldn’t have noticed a figure on the roof.

Now, with his refined qi and blood, his senses had sharpened, allowing him to clearly see the person above.

The figure was an elderly man with white hair and pronounced wrinkles, but his eyes shone with golden light, bright beneath long brows.

Though aged and weary, his gaze was sharp and piercing.

“The Iron Arm General...”

Chen Zhian recognized him immediately.

The old man slowly rose, casually stepping forward—but his foot hovered in empty air beyond the roof’s edge.

He descended gracefully to the ground without stirring dust.

Standing not far from Chen Zhian, the Iron Arm General scrutinized him with eyes that seemed even more burdened by fatigue.

In his heart, he thought, “One year older, another year older. Now the world belongs to these young tigers, especially Chen Zhian... his cultivation speed is truly astonishing...”

Chen Zhian, unaware of this praise, bowed respectfully.

“That day, Shen Haohai brought you these two manuals. Who would have thought that in just over ten days, you would master the Tiger Embrace Fist?” The Iron Arm General folded his hands behind his back, his voice tinged with emotion.

But then his tone shifted, and he asked, “Do you know who created the Great Snow Mountain Ginseng Qi Technique and the Tiger Embrace Fist?”

Chen Zhian shook his head, replying with respect, “Please enlighten me, General.”

The Iron Arm General’s eyes narrowed with appraisal. “The author of these two manuals was Si Yuanzao, the current Killing Buddha Marquis of Dayu and General Rong Tian, whose name is engraved on the Whale Riding Stele. When he wrote these manuals, he was still young, establishing them specifically for the soldiers of the Iron Buddha Pass Army.”

Chen Zhian’s eyes glimmered with admiration and joy; he was about to speak.

From nearby, the Iron Arm General’s voice came again: “Don’t be so quick to rejoice. Your father’s trip to Xuantian Capital is not only to see your mother but also to meet this renowned Killing Buddha Marquis. Should he manage to meet him, your father will return at best wounded, if not dead. It is best you know this now, so your heart is prepared and you won’t be too shocked or angry.”

Chen Zhian’s joy and respect vanished instantly. Without hesitation, he bowed again. “Please, General, tell me the truth.”

“Si Yuanzao intends to take your mother as a concubine. The wedding is set for this September. Your father rushed to Xuantian Capital for this matter.”

Images of the white-clad woman from his dreams and his father’s ambitions, as spoken by Chu Muye, flashed through Chen Zhian’s mind.

He no longer asked further but inquired, “Has the Li family, where General Xuanzi is from, agreed?”

“They have,” the Iron Arm General said quietly. “A cultivator destined to reach the realm of Creation is a prize no faction would refuse to court. The Li family is flourishing in Xuantian Capital but lacks a figure among the Whale Riding Hundred. Si Yuanzao ranks forty-first on the Whale Riding Stele—the Li family seeks to attach themselves to him.”

“To curry favor with this Killing Buddha Marquis and General Rong Tian, my mother is to become his concubine?”

The transmigrated Chen Zhian was filled with inexplicable anger and resentment but kept his voice low, “I suppose my mother in Xuantian Capital does not agree, or else General Xuanzi would not have come to see my father.”

At these words, he recalled what Chen Shuijun had told him:

—

“In the imperial court, all manners of demons and monsters abound. The lowly cling to the powerful; the weak flatter the strong. Aristocratic families control the government, intermarrying to exclude the humble and common bureaucrats, blocking the spread of cultivation methods throughout the land. Those who wish to do good are often pushed aside, forced into obscurity.

“Whether or not you pass the imperial exams, even if you become an official, you are but a bone picked clean by those aristocratic houses. Better to do what you truly love.”