Chapter 17: Prelude (Part II)

“Shift change, Jade Wolf Fang.”

“Well, what’s gotten the Swordmaster of Jiangbei so radiant today?”

“Hmph, he was teased by a little girl.”

“Wu Yue Ling?”

“Who else but that young lady?”

“She’s not simple—knows some martial arts, I can tell. And she’s a newcomer.”

“Nine out of ten new faces in the martial world never make it far. We, as seniors, should be more forgiving.”

“True enough. Where are you rushing off to?”

“Ha, Red Ribbon Pavilion—half price today.”

“Tsk, no wonder you’re switching shifts so early.”

“Heh, that’s…”

Tian Qing, a first-rate master, known in the martial world as Jade Wolf Fang, is now Gu Yi’s bodyguard and servant. To repay a life-saving debt, he serves Gu Yi as a retainer. In Gu Yi’s younger days, as he roamed the land, it was Tian Qing who ensured his safety. Whenever Gu Yi inquired about Tian Qing’s past, Tian Qing would only mention a master he once had, and that, due to certain reasons, he was forced to leave his sect.

At dawn, Wu Yue Ling was already up, practicing her boxing in the empty space before her house, undaunted by the biting cold. After half an hour, she finished her routine, exhaled a deep breath, and felt invigorated—her body no longer cowed by the chill.

She went to the village well to fetch water. Glancing around, she saw only blackened ruins and charred walls; the hustle of days past had vanished. Apart from birds crying in the cold wind, there was little else to hear.

She boiled water, washed her face, and waited for the sun to rise before pouring hot water to wash her hair. Her hair had grown longer, once barely shoulder-length, now reaching her back. Her thick, black hair came alive in the warmth, radiating vitality.

After washing, she sat by the hearth, drying her wet hair bit by bit, then tied it up in a man’s style, fastened it with a hairpin, donned a fresh blue robe and skirt, and set off toward Jingzhou City.

Upon arriving in Jingzhou, she bought a sesame cake, eating as she walked toward the Shui Jing Escort Agency.

At the escort agency, Wu Yue Ling knocked on the door ring and announced her identity to the servant, then was ushered inside. With no current business, most staff lounged idly about.

The escorts were used to sleeping in; the sun was already high before they finished breakfast. Wu Yue Ling managed to score a bowl of noodles.

She drank the noodle soup with scallions, and truth be told, she missed the knife-cut noodles from her school cafeteria—the taste was far superior.

Heading toward the main hall, she paused to watch Tie Lihua and Tie Dahu sparring outside. Tie Dahu’s strength was evident in every punch and palm, brimming with masculine force, his attack relentless, driving Tie Lihua steadily back.

Though Tie Lihua was a woman, her steps were never disordered as her brother pressed her; every move was measured, each punch or palm either forceful or deftly blocked. Her black hair flew in the air, graceful and unrestrained, all the while searching for an opening.

Noticing Wu Yue Ling’s arrival, both ceased their contest.

Seeing their gaze upon her, Wu Yue Ling clapped her hands. “Impressive, indeed! The skill you two display dazzles me—I am truly in awe!”

“Ha! So, little lady, are you here to finally decide whether to be Tie Dahu’s wife, or do you want to both join our agency and marry him?” Tie Dahu laughed, making light.

Tie Lihua rolled her eyes and stomped on her brother’s foot, making him hop and howl, then clasped her fists to Wu Yue Ling. “I heard Ten Mile Village was plagued by bandits. I went to look for you those days, but couldn’t find you, thought perhaps you’d met with misfortune. I asked the authorities, and only when I went to the Gu Family did I learn you were safe. Yet your whereabouts were uncertain those days—I’m curious, where did you go?”

“Ha, I was gathering intelligence on the mountain bandits,” Wu Yue Ling responded, then shifted the topic. “Today, I’m neither here to marry Tie Dahu nor to join the agency. I’m here seeking information.”

Tie Lihua, sensing Wu Yue Ling’s avoidance, didn’t press further and led her inside to sit.

---

Master Tie took a sip of warm wine and set down his cup. “What information does Miss Yue Ling seek?”

“A map of our Great Tang.”

“Oh?” Master Tie was surprised. Not only he, but Tie Dahu and Tie Lihua also looked at Wu Yue Ling in disbelief—what could this mean?

Master Tie frowned, pondering. “Our agency travels widely; maps we do have. But what use have you for them, Miss?”

“I wish to go to Yi Ju Fort at Sanli Hill,” Wu Yue Ling said frankly.

“This…” Master Tie studied her, searching for a trace of jest, but her gaze was sincere.

His old face wrinkled further as he sighed. “Are you seeking vengeance?”

“Precisely,” Wu Yue Ling replied, her eyes flashing coldly.

“Do you know Yi Ju Fort holds over three thousand men, two thousand of them bandits, and their three leaders are near top-tier masters? Though your resolve is admirable, going there is suicide.” Master Tie shook his head, wholly disapproving.

“I want to follow the Jingzhou Army. I don’t know Officer Gongyang, so I can’t blend into the camp, but I can at least follow along and witness them take Sanli Hill,” Wu Yue Ling explained.

“Oh? So you’re not just here for a map, but for companions as well.” Master Tie winked at her.

“Yes,” Wu Yue Ling drew a gold ingot from her purse and placed it on the table. “Here’s a deposit—will it move Master Tie?”

Master Tie and Tie Dahu exchanged glances; Tie Dahu rose and took the gold.

“No problem. Lihua, fetch the map,” Master Tie said, gladly accepting.

“Yes,” Tie Lihua hesitated, glanced at Wu Yue Ling, then went to retrieve it.

With arrangements made, the Jingzhou Army’s movements would be relayed to Wu Yue Ling, allowing her to wait in peace. After Wu Yue Ling left, Tie Lihua voiced her doubts to her father, “Dad, where did she get so much money?”

“Don’t ask.”

“Dad, why don’t you stay home? Let me go in your stead!” Tie Dahu grinned, offering his father another bowl of warm wine.

“Mm.” Tie Zhuangniu took the bowl, drank it dry, and handed it back. “No, I must go myself!”

“Is it…” Tie Lihua furrowed her brows, gazing out the door.

“Mm, you guessed right! So Dahu, stay at home!”

That night, masked figures moved through the dark streets; one bore a long sword with the character ‘Yi’ carved on its hilt. They evaded the night patrols, scaled the walls of the governor’s mansion, and headed straight for Liu the Governor’s residence.

Five days passed. Officer Gongyang, carrying orders from the Governor and Captain of Jingzhou, led over ten thousand soldiers from the west gate. Citizens escorted the army for a hundred miles, cheering for Officer Gongyang’s victory, while Lady Lu, veiled in white with a hemp cloth over her shoulders, marched with the troops.

Wu Yue Ling, Master Tie, and Tie Lihua followed on horseback at the rear of the army. She cradled her little lynx; after these days, she’d grown used to the jolting saddle. Though exposed to the elements, none of it could shake her determination.

They crossed mountains and hills, where barren trees began to bud, a quiet renewal stirring at winter’s end.

The Jingzhou Army advanced slowly, pausing often. By midday on the third day, they reached Jiangling, at a narrow valley. Officer Gongyang looked ahead, consulted his map, and saw the place named Gourd Valley—wide in the middle, narrow at both ends, shaped like a half-gourd.

He dispatched hundreds of recruited martial officers to scout ahead. After a while, they reported back.

Officer Gongyang studied the map: the target, Sanli Hill, was still over three hundred miles away. Beyond Gourd Valley, after another two hundred miles, lay Fangcun Mountain—easy to defend, hard to attack, where bandits surely had set ambushes. The distance made setting ambushes arduous, but for their own troops, this shortcut would lessen grumbling among the soldiers, and cavalry could traverse the mountain roads conveniently, allowing for repairs and rest ahead of time.

---

Banners fluttered as Officer Gongyang led the Jingzhou Army into the gorge.

Dozens of miles behind, Wu Yue Ling and her companions first pretended to advance, then hid among the hills, waiting for those who might be tracking them.

Wu Yue Ling lay prone on the cold grass, watching the path with Master Tie and Tie Lihua.

She was puzzled—how had someone tracked them without her noticing? That person must be formidable. Perhaps it was only because she was accompanied by two martial masters that she escaped trouble? Who could be following them, and when did it start? Could it be the Swordmaster of Jiangbei from the Gu family? But he wouldn’t follow so far outside the city, and knowing she had the escort agency’s protection, he shouldn’t worry. She’d already explained things to Manager Fang.

As she puzzled over it, the figure appeared in their sight. Wu Yue Ling recognized him at once—Tian Qing, a servant of the Gu family. Yet seeing his light, agile movements, halting atop the grass, it was clear he was a master. Wu Yue Ling was surprised—the Gu family was indeed different from the Cui family, employing such experts.

It seemed the Gu family, outwardly submissive to the rising Cui family, was actually conserving strength, awaiting opportunity. Now that she’d wreaked havoc on the Cui family, and with Cui Lie dead, the Gu family’s moment had arrived.

The other families in Jingzhou had neither the wealth nor influence of the Gu and Cui clans. Even if they tried to compete, the Gu family would suppress them. Now, the position of the city’s foremost merchant was firmly theirs.

Tian Qing halted, glanced around, and clasped his fists. “Please show yourselves, there’s no need for further hiding.”

Tie Lihua snorted, sprang out, opened her black chest, drew a blunt iron sword, and slashed at Tian Qing, the blade whistling as it swept upward—a full moon’s arc, from below.

Seeing it was Tie Lihua, Tian Qing cried for mercy. The blade came fiercely; he dared not face it head-on, dodged back, but still his sleeve was sliced open by the blade’s aura.

With no choice, he drew his sword, but before he could fully unsheathe it, Tie Lihua advanced, pressing close, the blade returning in a downward arc.

Tian Qing groaned inwardly—Tie Lihua’s reputation was well deserved. She never wasted words, preferring action, and once she started, words ceased.

He parried, forced back by the impact, his sword humming and his grip numb. “Wait!” he called.

But Tie Lihua cared nothing for that. Idle at home for too long, she seized the chance to unleash her pent-up energy, slashing recklessly, heedless of his identity.

Seeing her unwilling to listen, Tian Qing sighed, braced himself, and struck back. This time, their skills matched. Tie Lihua was slightly surprised—this man was indeed a first-rate master like herself; had he been superior, he would’ve detected her father’s presence nearby.

Their clash rekindled her martial spirit, dormant for months, making her movements ever more fluid. Tie Lihua’s sword sealed all directions, each strike fiercer than the last.

Tian Qing sensed she was using him to hone her blade, so he fought with all his skill. His agile moves always sought to break her rhythm, but she forced him back each time.

He praised her—before, he thought little of the so-called Iron Maiden, dismissing her as insignificant, but now he saw her reputation was well deserved.

Sweat trickled from Tie Lihua’s brow as she wielded her blade, exhilarated by the combat, letting out a roar and slashing with full force.

Tian Qing dodged nimbly; her blade struck the earth, sending soil and stones flying, carving a deep gash. Tie Lihua stood, sword in hand, chest heaving, exhaling a hot breath—she had advanced a step on her martial path.

Wu Yue Ling watched their brilliant duel and couldn’t help but praise—though Tian Qing remained on the defensive, his form was never disordered, his technique unwavering.

“Miss Yue Ling, and Master Tie—I must have alarmed you last night by getting too close,” Tian Qing said, sheathing his blade and bowing.

“Hmm, your skills are impressive, equal to Lihua’s. Who is your master?” Tie Zhuangniu folded his arms and regarded Tian Qing.

“I’m afraid I cannot say. I am ordered to protect Miss Yue Ling. When she left the city, I had to follow.” Tian Qing bowed again. “If I’ve offended, I beg your pardon.”

As they spoke, shouts and screams echoed ahead.

In Gourd Valley, the thirteen thousand Jingzhou soldiers were ambushed by rolling logs and stones; two thousand bandits from Yi Ju Fort had long lain in wait above, prepared for the army to fall into their trap. The Jingzhou troops suffered heavy losses, Officer Gongyang was grievously wounded, and with their leader incapacitated and already exhausted, the army collapsed under the bandits’ assault.