"A golden opportunity?"
Jiang Sanyi remained outwardly composed, but internally he was profoundly shaken. It appeared that Feng Ping knew a great deal about Murong Yan’s clandestine forces. He asked, "What sort of opportunity? I pray Commander Feng speaks plainly."
Feng Ping took another sip of wine, slowly tightening his arm around the beauty in his lap. "During the Supreme Emperor’s flight, the martial arts sect known as Hidden Sword Manor provided secret protection." Jiang Sanyi nodded; he had presided over the Bright Moon Terrace case and knew well that the assassins were from that manor. Furthermore, during the long journey accompanying Murong Yuan in exile, he had become quite familiar with the Manor Head, Zang Tianqi.
Feng Ping continued, "His Majesty has long considered Hidden Sword Manor a thorn in his side, wishing for nothing more than its swift eradication. A few days ago, he ordered the Yan Mansion to wipe them out, leaving no soul alive."
Jiang Sanyi’s brow furrowed slightly. "Does Commander Feng mean to say that the people of the Yan Mansion failed to carry out the task?"
"My informants within the Yan Mansion report that it wasn't a matter of failure," Feng Ping said. "Rather, the Master of the Yan Mansion, Leng Feiyan, has been procrastinating. She has no intention of following the order."
Jiang Sanyi looked troubled. "Commander Feng, to be honest, I dealt with Zang Tianqi when I followed the Supreme Emperor. His swordsmanship is unfathomable. Even if the Yan Mansion failed, we might not possess the strength to succeed where they did not."
Feng Ping gave a cold snort. "Naturally, we cannot do it ourselves. You may know little of the martial world, Chancellor, but I know a thing or two. The Duanmu clan of Jade Throat Pass has always been renowned for their 'Fast Sword.' Because of the connection between Hidden Sword Manor and the deposed Queen Zang, the Duanmu clan has always been suppressed by the Manor’s prestige. Now that Hidden Sword Manor’s experts are nearly all depleted, if the Duanmu clan strikes, would there be any doubt of victory?"
A spark of interest finally lit in Jiang Sanyi’s eyes. "Commander Feng is brilliant! However, these swordsmen are mostly aloof and arrogant, priding themselves on being above worldly concerns. Can we truly persuade them to act?"
Feng Ping replied, "Swordsmen are human too; they crave fame and fortune just as much as anyone. With your current status, Chancellor, are you afraid you cannot move a mere man of the martial world?"
Jiang Sanyi declared, "I shall send someone at once!"
Feng Ping nodded. "Send one of your sons in person. It will show the proper gravity of the matter."
That very night, Jiang Sanyi dispatched his second son, Jiang Yi, to Jade Throat Pass with a lavish gift to visit the Duanmu clan. The clan leader, Duanmu Rou, did not receive him immediately upon getting the calling card. Instead, he summoned the clan elders for a council.
In the main hall, several elders had gathered. Duanmu Rou passed Jiang Yi’s card around and said, "Our Duanmu family stays far from the capital and has never had dealings with the imperial court. In your opinion, why would Chancellor Jiang suddenly send his son to visit?"
One elder remarked, "What else could it be? Hidden Sword Manor failed to assassinate the current Emperor and lost all its experts. Even Zang Feng’s whereabouts are unknown; the Manor has fallen. The court must be looking to recruit a martial power to stabilize the rest of us 'grassroots' folk."
Duanmu Rou’s younger brother, Duanmu Shang, suddenly spoke up. "Though Hidden Sword Manor has waned, Zang Tianqi remains a man who cannot be underestimated. The court would not recruit us for no reason. If we truly wish to pledge our loyalty, we must do something significant to prove it. Otherwise, why would they send the Chancellor’s son—a man with no official rank or title—to visit us?"
Duanmu Rou said, "That is my thought as well. That is why I did not meet with young Master Jiang directly. We are people of the martial world, after all. It is one thing to work for the court, but to slaughter our fellow martial artists for them would stain the family’s reputation. Even if the Duanmu clan replaces Hidden Sword Manor, other martial families would likely be ashamed to associate with us."
The elders’ brows furrowed. Another said, "But since the court has this intention, even if we refuse, another power will surely take our place. When that happens, will the Duanmu clan not be suppressed once again? Chancellor Jiang sending his own son shows his sincerity. He is the current Left Chancellor and the father of the Empress, whose daughter is the sole favorite of the harem. He is truly at the pinnacle of power. He has the strength to support a faction to lead the martial world of Great Yan."
Duanmu Rou sighed. "That may be true, but Hidden Sword Manor now consists of nothing but the elderly, the weak, women, and children, aside from Zang Tianqi. Is the Duanmu family truly to point its swords at those who cannot fight back? If we do such a thing, how will we ever stand tall in the martial world again?"
Silence fell over the room.
After a long while, Duanmu Shang stood up. "A family’s reputation and its actions need not be mentioned in the same breath." As Duanmu Rou looked at him, he continued, "Tomorrow, I will go see Master Jiang. I will do these things."
Duanmu Rou snapped, "Nonsense! What is the difference between you doing it and the Duanmu family doing it?"
Duanmu Shang replied, "If I am no longer a member of the Duanmu family, then there is a difference."
Duanmu Rou froze. Duanmu Shang said, "If I defect from the clan, my actions will have nothing to do with the family. And what they want is simply someone who can serve them."
"Ridiculous! Sit down!" Duanmu Rou commanded.
Duanmu Shang strode out of the hall, saying, "If you keep being so indecisive, you won't reach a conclusion even in a year. Since you know this is the best decision, why hesitate?"
By the time Duanmu Rou chased after him, he had already left the estate.
That night, Duanmu Shang and Jiang Yi struck a pact: Duanmu Shang would serve Jiang Sanyi, and Jiang Sanyi would provide support to the Duanmu clan. The next day, Duanmu Rou announced that Duanmu Shang had betrayed the clan, and henceforth, all his actions were unrelated to the family. Furthermore, any member of the Duanmu clan who encountered him was duty-bound to "cleanse the house."
The martial world was in an uproar. Duanmu Rou and Duanmu Shang were like the two pillars of the Duanmu clan; what could this defection mean?
That same night, Duanmu Shang located the current hiding place of the Hidden Sword Manor’s remnants. Crouched on a roof beam, he saw that everyone had packed their gold and silver, looking ready to flee at any moment.
In truth, the Manor was no longer a threat; their primary fighting force was gone. The only problem was Zang Tianqi. If he and Duanmu Rou fought together, they might have a chance against Zang Tianqi’s swordsmanship. Alone, he was no match for the man.
But since he was no longer a member of the Duanmu clan, he could use other methods.
Moving across the eaves, he realized Zang Tianqi was not there. The man couldn't have left yet with his family in tow; food and supplies for the journey had to be prepared.
Duanmu Shang dropped from the roof and first slipped into the servants' quarters. His blade was silent and swift; whether old or young, all were killed with a single strike. Without a drop of blood touching his clothes, he quickly slaughtered everyone in the manor. The scent of blood began to drift through the night air. He gently pushed open the door to Madam Zang’s room. She gasped in shock, but before she could utter a word, she felt a cold sensation at her throat. Her eyes remained wide, yet even as she fell, she never saw the flash of his blade.
As her body hit the floor, Duanmu Shang approached her. Without hesitation, he leaned down and tore open her garments. He cut a small hole in her abdomen and pulled a compact mechanical trap from his waist, burying it inside her. He tied the trigger pin with a length of fishing line, threaded it through her throat, and secured it between her teeth.
Then, he snapped her neck.
When he was finished, his hands were covered in blood, yet his face remained expressionless. He simply straightened Madam Zang’s clothes and flipped himself back onto the roof beams.
Zang Tianqi had been contacting a merchant caravan. To bypass the official inspections at the pass with the elderly and children, they needed to leave in separate groups. Since no one else had any combat ability, these caravans had to be absolutely secure.
After finally reaching an agreement with a caravan, he returned home and was immediately hit by the thick scent of blood. The closer he got to the house, the louder he could hear his own heartbeat. Had Leng Feiyan changed her mind?
No, impossible. That woman was too proud; if she had truly changed her mind, she would have waited for him to return before striking.
He rushed into the house. The courtyard was eerily silent, as if no living soul remained. Zang Tianqi’s heart hammered against his ribs. He burst inside, shouting, "Madam?!"
There was no answer.
He pushed open the door to his wife’s room, only to see her lying in a pool of blood, her clothes disheveled as if she had been violated. Zang Tianqi’s eyes nearly split with rage. "Madam!" He lunged forward, gathering her corpse into his arms. Her head snapped back, a faint click sounded from her abdomen, and a cloud of poisoned needles exploded instantly!
At that exact moment, Duanmu Shang, who had been hiding on the beam, lunged downward, his sword striking like a dragon!
Yet, before he even reached his target, he froze in mid-air—he saw that Zang Tianqi was missing a hand, his right sword-hand!
Duanmu Shang’s shock was no less than Zang Tianqi’s. He had expected his most difficult opponent, but who had taken the man's hand? Was there anyone in the martial world capable of severing Zang Tianqi’s hand?
His mind raced, but his sword did not falter. With the momentum of a thunderclap, he drove the blade into Zang Tianqi’s chest. Zang Tianqi’s eyes bulged as he finally recognized his attacker. "Duanmu Shang!" The poison needles were lethal upon contact with blood; his throat began to rattle, yet he managed one final question: "Why?!"
Duanmu Shang’s expression was icy. "Is it so hard to guess?"
Zang Tianqi gripped the blade, his hand already turning black. It wasn't hard to guess, but why did he have to kill so many innocent elders and children? Black blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. "They... knew no martial arts... and never took part... in the grudges of the world or the court."
Duanmu Shang replied, "Those were my orders; it was unavoidable. Besides, even if I didn't act, they would eventually raise someone who knew martial arts to seek revenge. Too much trouble. I have answered your question; can you answer mine? Who cut off your hand?"
Zang Tianqi tried to speak, but the poison acted too quickly. His eyes nearly popped from their sockets, and his right arm, now a stump, twitched as it stiffened. The bloody bubbles in his mouth ceased to rise. Duanmu Shang withdrew his sword. The corpse slumped to the ground, the right arm still hooked like a claw, looking like a vengeful ghost.
Duanmu Shang held his sword horizontally and wiped the blood onto his right sleeve. He glanced at the body once more and muttered, "A pity."
He had expected a fierce battle, but it had ended so abruptly. It was a pity that the martial world had lost a peerless swordsman. It was also a pity that he would never know who had defeated Zang Tianqi. With one stroke, he severed the head and carried it away.
In Jinyang City, Murong Yan was reading in his study when a report came from outside: "Your Majesty, Commander Feng Ping requests an audience."
"Let him in," Murong Yan said.
Feng Ping entered carrying a bundle. He knelt in prostration. "Your Majesty, someone has asked your servant to deliver a gift to celebrate Your Majesty’s ascension."
"Oh? Bring it forward."
Feng Ping said, "This object is somewhat bloody. I ask Your Majesty to view it from a distance, lest it disturb the royal presence."
Murong Yan narrowed his eyes, looking at the bundle again. "Whose head?"
Feng Ping bowed his head to the floor. "In reply to Your Majesty, it is the head of the rebel Zang Tianqi, Master of Hidden Sword Manor."
Before Murong Yan could speak, Wang Yunzhao, who stood nearby, smiled and said, "It seems someone beat Young Master Leng to the prize. No wonder she hasn't sent any news these past few days."
Feng Ping countered, "No, Chief Manager Wang’s guess is incorrect. This time, Leng Feiyan not only forbade the Yan Mansion from executing the mission, but she also intentionally allowed the remnants of Hidden Sword Manor to escape Jade Throat Pass. This head was taken and brought to Your Majesty only *after* Leng Feiyan and Zang Tianqi had met."
Wang Yunzhao’s expression slowly changed, but Murong Yan merely smiled. "Open it and let me see."
Feng Ping unwrapped the bundle, revealing a gore-stained head. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Zang Tianqi.
Murong Yan said, "Zang Tianqi was highly skilled and always a difficult target. Who possessed such great ability to take his head?"
Feng Ping bowed again. "To answer Your Majesty, it was Duanmu Shang of the Duanmu clan, a martial family from Jade Throat Pass. This man’s swordsmanship is superb; he is a rare expert in the martial world. He is currently kneeling outside the palace, waiting. Does Your Majesty wish to see him?"
Murong Yan said, "He has sent me such a grand gift; naturally, I must see him. Summon him."
Wang Yunzhao glanced at Feng Ping, but having no choice, he went to summon Duanmu Shang into the palace.
When Duanmu Shang entered, Murong Yan felt a spark of appreciation. The man was quite handsome, but his eyes held a cold, dark quality—a type of indifference that blood could not stain. He was a man better suited for the shadows.
Duanmu Shang had certainly heard of this young monarch. He knelt and performed the formal rites. Murong Yan said, "Rise. You have done well regarding Zang Tianqi. I should reward you."
Duanmu Shang glanced at Feng Ping and said, "In reply to Your Majesty, I did not do these things for a reward. I did them to represent the Duanmu family’s absolute loyalty to Your Majesty."
Murong Yan tapped his index finger on the desk. After a long silence, he said, "I accept this loyalty. Now that Hidden Sword Manor no longer exists, the martial world requires a new leader to maintain justice and order."
Duanmu Shang was somewhat surprised—just like that... he had agreed to support the Duanmu family? So easily?
Feng Ping glanced at him, and seeing him dazed, gave a light cough. Duanmu Shang snapped back to his senses and prostrated himself. "To be able to serve a brilliant ruler is the honor of the Duanmu family."
***
