Chapter 739: Showing Off and Slapping Faces

It had been years since the chaos in Jin was put down. Yingdu had continued suffering one disturbance after another these past two years, almost as though the trouble had never truly stopped, but those were matters concerning the great and powerful. They had little to do with ordinary people.

Broadly speaking, ever since the late Emperor's reign, the Jin lands had been governed as another "home territory" of the Yan people.

With Xu Wenzu administering the region and eastern Jin rebuilding under Marquis Pingxi Residence, the old prosperous heartland of Great Cheng centered on Yingdu had already recovered a degree of bustle and prosperity that did not lose much to the past. Even the little county towns outside Yingdu now carried a sense of vigorous life.

Inside the carriage, Marquis Zheng reclined on his side while Siniang occasionally peeled fruit and fed it to him, then gently wiped the juice from the corner of his lips with a fingertip. A small charcoal brazier burned inside the carriage, with tea simmering over it. The whole arrangement was thoroughly comfortable.

Outside, rain was falling.

As the saying went, spring rain delighted, summer rain cloyed, autumn rain hurried you along, and winter rain was simply damned annoying.

Raindrops slipped down pedestrians' collars, carrying a biting chill with them and steadily leaching away the warmth of their bodies. It went on without pause until there was nothing left to do but endure it.

Of course, none of that had anything to do with Marquis Zheng sitting inside his carriage.

A warm carriage, a beauty at his side, and pedestrians scrambling through the rain beyond the window. Heh. Life only became more flavorful when there was contrast.

After leaving the capital, Marquis Zheng had rushed home at full speed. But now that they had reached this area, eastern Jin was really only one crossing of the Wang River away.

Sun Ying and the others first needed to return home to Yingdu. Zheng Fan had also arranged to meet Xu Wenzu in Yupan City. On top of that, there was the matter the Emperor had mentioned: transferring Yupan City into Zheng Fan's jurisdiction. That handover needed to be completed as well. If you weren't enthusiastic about taking more territory, there had to be something wrong with your head.

Rather than return to the Marquis residence and then come back out again to deal with all these matters, it was better to settle everything along the way. Once he got home, he could properly curl up in his nest and refuse to move.

So naturally, the pace slowed.

Fine mountains, fine rivers, fine scenery. Sitting in a carriage, sightseeing along the way, wandering slowly without any need to hurry. It was also a good opportunity to clear his head after leaving the capital.

By now, the Embroidered Uniform Guards and escort cavalry had already been sent ahead. This little group truly was traveling light.

When they reached an inn in a small county town, Marquis Zheng climbed down from the carriage and stretched comfortably.

At that exact moment, a group of women from the red-light trade and a cluster of pretty young male escorts filed through the inn entrance one after another.

Mm.

Now this was the scent of real life.

When banners cleared the road, guards watched every corner, and every night's lodging was an official post station, one naturally never got to see this sort of local flavor.

"No wonder Kangxi and Qianlong liked traveling incognito through Jiangnan," Zheng Fan chuckled.

"If Master likes this, isn't Fengxin City the same?" Siniang asked with a smile.

Zheng Fan shook his head. "Fengxin City is too clean."

Under the Demon Kings' governance, everything in Fengxin City ran in perfect order. Streets, walls, inside and outside the city, everyone performed his own role. Even the brothels had been cleaned up, regulated, and arranged into proper districts.

It was comfortable. Zheng Fan liked it too.

But it lacked a certain natural freedom.

Aside from Siniang, the other Demon Kings had already gone back to Fengxin City ahead of them. Xue San and Fan Li had been especially reluctant to leave early. After all, they had come so close to advancing another grade. Unfortunately, there were matters at home that required their attention.

That meant the security around Marquis Zheng was presently very weak.

Mm.

Only Xu Chuang, a Fourth Grade expert, plus one Sword Saint.

Xu Chuang drove the carriage, with the Sword Saint sitting beside him. A letter had arrived from home. There was still some time before the Sword Saint's wife was due to give birth, and his son Liu Dahu had recently joined a field exercise led by an old military lieutenant, learning the terrain and environment of eastern Jin. He would reach Yupan City in another two days.

Being a stepmother was difficult.

Being a stepfather was difficult too.

Especially with his own biological son soon to be born, the Sword Saint did not want to neglect his stepson. So he simply remained with Zheng Fan until they reached Yupan City, planning to pick up Liu Dahu there before returning home together.

The inn offered a surprisingly broad variety of food. Frequent merchant caravans passed through, so dishes from many regions could be found here. As for whether they were authentically prepared, no one had come with especially high expectations.

Marquis Zheng ordered an entire table of dishes. He, the Sword Saint, and Xu Chuang each held a bowl of rice and ate at a leisurely pace.

All three were cultivators, so their appetites were substantial.

Xu Chuang had come out of this capital journey very well indeed. Before entering Yanjing, and especially before assassinating Chancellor Zhao Jiulang, he had been anxious for a long time. He had basically assumed he would die there and treated it as repaying the inheritance of Wenming Mountain.

Who could have imagined he would still be eating and drinking perfectly well afterward, with the shackles on his body removed besides?

Since ancient times, scholars and warriors trained their arts to sell their service to the imperial house. Marquis Pingxi had never explicitly said so, but he was already using Xu Chuang as one of his trusted enforcers. Then Xu Chuang looked across the table at the Sword Saint eating opposite him and decided that remaining inside Marquis Pingxi Residence might actually be a rather good destination.

The inn itself was not large, but there was a courtyard behind it. Some sort of banquet was clearly being held there, judging by the lively noise. The women and young men who had entered earlier had all gone that way. With them joining the festivities, there was no possibility of the scene remaining quiet.

Drinking games, flirtatious teasing, laughter, and the faint sound of song and strings drifted through the walls. Oddly enough, it did not feel noisy.

Perhaps this was simply the sound of people living.

Marquis Zheng drank a bowl of soup, then stopped eating for the moment.

His appetite was not actually small. He was a Fifth Grade Martial Artist now, after all. If word got out that he ate like a bird, it would hardly sound impressive.

Unfortunately, Siniang had been feeding him snacks all through the carriage ride, so he really was not hungry. Once he stopped eating, Zheng Fan began looking around the inn.

There were plenty of other diners nearby.

Some were obviously merchants from Yan. They sat there eating and drinking while occasionally sweeping proud looks across the room.

Of course, to Marquis Zheng that expression looked like pride.

To anyone else, they probably looked smug as hell.

It had only been a few years since the Yan people conquered Jin, and the idea that Yan people stood above everyone else was still quite strong.

There were also merchants from farther away, perhaps Qian or Chu. They too observed the room while they ate, but their manner was much more cautious.

Marquis Zheng also noticed quite a few people deliberately glancing toward his table, particularly at Siniang beside him.

Siniang had not disguised herself. With her original appearance, she drew attention anywhere.

Still, Xu Chuang wore both saber and sword, while the Sword Saint had the wrapped Longyuan Sword beside him. One glance at Zheng Fan himself and anyone could guess that he was some wealthy young master traveling with a beautiful concubine. So people only looked. No idiot came over to flirt with Siniang or demand that Zheng Fan hand her over.

In this world, traveling openly with a beauty was like carrying a chest of gold in plain sight. Who would dare do it without confidence in his own ability to protect what was his?

A pity.

Marquis Zheng just happened to be a little too full and bored right now.

If a few blind fools came over and tried to molest Siniang, Marquis Zheng would have loved nothing more than a little post-meal exercise.

After all, since advancing to Fifth Grade, the assassination of Zhao Jiulang had given him practically no opportunity to show off.

Advancing in cultivation without getting into a fight afterward always left him with a frustrating sense of unfinished business.

At that moment, a constable appeared at the entrance.

He wore the clothing of a government runner, but the saber at his waist was a military cavalry saber, and he had a set of leather armor over his clothes. Four or five yamen runners followed behind him.

No one could immediately tell where the runners came from, but the man leading them was obviously an official of Yan origin.

After Yan conquered Jin, it had left room for Jin people to enter government and advance through the bureaucracy. During the late Emperor's reign, at the Crown Prince's suggestion, a parallel appointment system had been adopted. Most positions of any importance had a Yan and a Jin official serving as principal and deputy.

This particular officer was probably responsible for local security in the county. From his clothing and bearing, he had most likely retired from the Yan army, or perhaps one might say he had been "promoted" into a local post.

The innkeeper hurried forward enthusiastically.

"Lord Gao! Lord Gao!"

Lord Gao pointed toward the back and asked something. Then he smiled and led his men through the main hall toward the banquet in the rear courtyard.

After seeing him inside, the innkeeper came back out. Passing Zheng Fan's table, he stopped to greet them.

"Sir, has the food been satisfactory?"

Zheng Fan glanced at the Sword Saint and Xu Chuang, who were still eating, then nodded. "Not bad."

"Good, good. As long as you're pleased. Oh, right. The kitchen just received some fish, freshly caught from the Wang River. They're simmering into soup right now. I'll have them send you a small basin so you can try it. Once the river freezes solid, fresh fish will be harder to get."

"Then many thanks."

"You are too courteous."

Zheng Fan had ordered an expensive table full of substantial dishes. That was why the innkeeper was offering something extra.

"By the way," Zheng Fan said, "it's lively in the back. Who's holding a banquet?"

Marquis Zheng had already finished eating, so he was simply making conversation.

"Oh, that. A local escort agency is celebrating a birthday. The agency is called Tiger Might. It only opened two years ago, but the chief used to serve in the Yan army before being discharged after an injury. He started the business with some former soldiers. They still have connections with the garrison."

"I see."

Wounded soldiers left the army and found new work locally. Judging by appearances, business was thriving.

Escort work publicly existed to guard against "heroes of the greenwood" who blocked the roads. But if one had connections in the garrisons, travel became smoother in many other ways too.

When the imperial court was short of funds, local garrison budgets were cut as well. Not everyone could be like Zheng Fan had been at Snow Sea Pass, receiving full funding or more than full funding. Most local commanders had to set up checkpoints, collect fees, and create a little local income for themselves.

"Please keep eating, honored guests. I'll go hurry the kitchen."

"Good. And put plenty of scallions and cilantro in the fish soup."

"Certainly. I'll remember."

Not long afterward, a basin of fish soup arrived.

The broth was milky white and fragrant. Even though Marquis Zheng had already eaten his fill, he accepted a bowl from Siniang. She also called over a waiter and asked for some vinegar, adding a little to her Master's bowl.

"Hoo..."

He blew across the surface.

Took a sip.

Delicious.

"The soup is good. You should drink some too."

Siniang stood and filled a bowl for the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint nodded, set down his rice bowl, lifted the soup bowl, raised it slightly toward Siniang in thanks, took two sips, put it down, and resumed eating rice.

While Siniang had been serving the Sword Saint, Xu Chuang kept eating while sneaking cautious glances over.

When Siniang filled a bowl for him too and passed it over, Xu Chuang immediately took it with both hands. He even stood up halfway, suddenly uncertain whether he should bow his head or bend at the waist, before awkwardly sitting down again.

The intention was enough.

To be fair, Xu Chuang was a famous figure in the jianghu.

Unfortunately, one man at this table was Great Yan's Marquis Pingxi and the other was the Sword Saint.

That made him the little brother no matter how one looked at it.

They were still drinking the soup when the sound of a bowl smashing suddenly came from the rear courtyard.

Then came an enraged roar.

"Innkeeper! I'll fuck your mother!"

Every diner in the main hall froze.

Marquis Zheng held his soup bowl and turned toward the rear with a smile.

Finally.

Something entertaining.

The Sword Saint kept eating.

Xu Chuang looked over curiously as well.

A group of men emerged from the rear courtyard. Leading them was a broad, bearded one-eyed man. He had only one eye, but it was bloodshot enough to be frightening.

The one-eyed man strode forward, seized the innkeeper by the collar, and roared:

"You motherfucking bastard! When I sent men to book this banquet, didn't I specifically tell you no fish? No fish! And you old bastard still dared serve fish soup at my table!"

Bang!

After shouting, he kicked the innkeeper to the ground.

Behind him, Lord Gao, the man who had arrived earlier with the yamen runners, simply stood there and watched without interfering.

The escort agency men behind the one-eyed man looked equally furious.

"I... I gave it to you for free! It was free!"

The innkeeper lay on the floor, crying out in grievance.

By then, the inn staff had gathered. Some helped the innkeeper up. Others tried to stand between the two sides.

"Goddamn bastard!"

The one-eyed man's fury only grew. He actually drew his saber.

"I was happily celebrating my birthday, and you son of a bitch ruined the whole damned thing!"

Only when the blade came out did Lord Gao reach over and seize the man's wrist, signaling for restraint.

"Brother Gao, how am I supposed to swallow this? Tell me how!"

Lord Gao sighed and looked at the innkeeper, who had been helped back to his feet.

"This matter was your fault."

Unexpectedly, although the innkeeper had seemed mild and polite earlier, the grievance finally ignited his temper.

"Is there no law anymore? Is there no law? I served fish soup to three tables. Was the fish not fresh? Was the soup poisoned? You use that as an excuse to beat me and curse me. Is there no law anymore? If you want to eat without paying, say so! If you want to find trouble, say so! Don't humiliate people like this and bully us Jin folk to death!"

The innkeeper had found his courage.

But none of the other diners echoed him.

Watching the excitement was one thing. This was not some jianghu duel where spectators could shout approval and judge right from wrong. Yan men were involved, and so were government men.

Who wanted to jump into muddy water like this?

"Fuck your mother's bullshit! You think I care about eating your food for free? You think I can't afford a meal?"

The one-eyed man grew even angrier.

"Goddamn bastard, still shouting at me? Brother Gao, move aside. Today I'm cracking this grandson's skull open!"

At that moment...

Zheng Fan noticed the Sword Saint put down his rice bowl and deliberately fill another bowl of fish soup.

In truth, Marquis Zheng had not intended to interfere.

The friction between Yan and Jin, between conqueror and conquered, required policy and time to smooth out. It was not something that could be solved by judging one quarrel inside an inn.

And Zheng Fan knew the Sword Saint did not care to interfere either, despite being a Jin man.

The Sword Saint was no longer the Sword Saint of old.

His compassionate, saintly heart had long since been put away.

In the past, he truly had been the kind of man who roared when he encountered injustice on the road. If Yan people bullied someone by relying on their power, Longyuan would come out and heads would roll.

Now... if someone stood before him and said, "Who would've thought the great Sword Saint of Jin would actually..." he would cut off that person's head instead.

But he was still a Jin man.

He did not need Zheng Fan to speak for him.

Yet precisely because he did not need it, Zheng Fan had to.

Burn incense on ordinary days, and at the crucial moment there would be enough old favor for the man to help you and protect you.

Marquis Zheng turned toward the Sword Saint.

"Is the fish soup good?"

The Sword Saint nodded. "Very fresh."

Zheng Fan reached out, patted the Sword Saint's arm, and said solemnly:

"Good. I understand. Don't worry."

"..." The Sword Saint.

Marquis Zheng turned around and shouted toward the one-eyed man:

"What's wrong with serving fish soup? I drank it too. It's delicious."

Every nearby diner immediately turned toward him.

Well, well.

Someone really was willing to step forward for justice.

"What? What's wrong?"

The one-eyed man pointed at Zheng Fan and cursed:

"Who the hell gave you the right to speak here? Fuck your..."

Siniang's gaze turned cold.

But someone else moved faster.

Xu Chuang was already on his feet.

He appeared in front of the one-eyed man and drove one fist into his chest, followed by an upward elbow that smashed the man's whole body down beneath him.

Buzz!

A saber came free of its sheath.

The blade rested beside the man's neck, pressing his face against the floor directly at Marquis Zheng's feet.

The posture.

The position.

The restraint.

A Fourth Grade expert really was not something one could fake.

The escort agency men behind them immediately drew their weapons. Even Lord Gao pulled out his blade.

If Xu Chuang's saber had not already been resting against the one-eyed man's neck, they would have charged together.

The Sword Saint continued drinking soup.

Not because he was deliberately pretending to be calm.

Rather, if the mighty Marquis Pingxi of Great Yan could somehow be injured by a crowd of Yan veterans and government officers while standing on "Yan territory," then Marquis Pingxi might as well find a block of tofu and smash his own head against it.

"Sigh."

Marquis Zheng sighed.

Holding his chopsticks, he tapped them against the one-eyed man's head.

Xu Chuang understood and relaxed his grip slightly, allowing the man's face to rise enough to look at Marquis Zheng.

"Tell me," Zheng Fan said. "What exactly did this fish soup do to you?"

Unexpectedly, even with a saber against his neck, the one-eyed man remained stubborn. There was no fear on his face.

He glared at Zheng Fan.

"Today's my birthday!"

"Oh? I never heard that Yan people aren't allowed to eat fish on their birthdays."

"These fish were caught from the Wang River."

"And?"

"And?"

The one-eyed man growled:

"I used to serve in the Left-Wing Army!"

Zheng Fan's brow furrowed slightly.

"I told the innkeeper beforehand. No fish. You pretty little bastard, do you know how many brothers and comrades from my Left-Wing Army drowned in the Wang River when we fought those damned Savages and Chu men there? The fish in that river grew fat eating the flesh and blood of my brothers. Today's my birthday, and this motherfucking innkeeper served the flesh and blood of my old comrades as a celebration dish!"

During the first Battle of the Wang River, the Left-Wing Army had crossed first, built its formation, and established camps on the opposite bank.

Savage armies attacked from the front.

The Chu navy cut off their retreat from behind.

Countless men drowned.

Hearing this, Marquis Zheng nodded.

"So that's why."

Then he said:

"All right. Give me some face and let this matter end here."

Unexpectedly, the one-eyed brute truly did not care whether he lived or died.

He cursed instead:

"Give you face and let it end? Pretty boy, just how much face do you think you've got? Hah! You talk big. What, do you think you're Marquis Pingxi himself?"

"Heh-heh-heh... hahahahaha!"

Marquis Zheng burst out laughing.

He even reached down and patted the man's face.

"Aiyo. You're adorable. Truly. Tsk, tsk. Someone reward this man."

[End of Chapter 739]