Recovery from injury

The little girl had yet to learn how to channel her inner energy to balance her divine strength; the Taiji she had studied so far merely helped her use every bit of her power more efficiently. Hou Liu stood some fifty feet away from her, waiting for her to make the first move. Zhang Ling lay atop a stone, not bothering to watch, simply remarking, “Taiji is about the union of hardness and softness, about overcoming strength with gentleness. You, however, have mostly learned the former. Though you are a girl, your energy is overwhelmingly masculine, and you possess innate divine strength. If you can carry this through, it will benefit you in countless ways. Don’t think I’m insulting you by saying this!”

Xu Ying clenched her fists and struck toward Hou Liu. Yet, at the very moment of contact, she suddenly twisted aside, landing a heavy punch. Though Hou Liu was burly, he was also agile and dodged nimbly. Each time she struck, he would place his hand on her arm, sidestep, and then press down on her small shoulder—much smaller than his own. With a sharp shudder, Xu Ying’s body would be flung aside, only to steady herself and pivot for another round.

Their exchanges were direct and straightforward. Hou Liu did not shy away; he controlled his strength and landed a punch of his own. A petite, delicate fist met one as large as a rice bowl, clashing and then both recoiling backward.

One had the natural might that came with a large frame, while the other possessed the true strength of a celestial—though still a child, not yet physically mature, her power was already at its peak.

Zhang Ling kept his eyes closed, but he sensed every movement of their sparring clearly. After some forty exchanges, Xu Ying was completely subdued; she simply could not yet control her power with mastery. Hou Liu, meanwhile, though lacking divine assistance or formal training in combat, had been a bandit for many years. Robbing travelers, he had naturally encountered those who resisted, and over time—even without formal martial arts training—he had acquired some grasp of basic moves and techniques.

Hou Liu let her go, and she made no move to retaliate. She walked over to the stone, sat down, and asked, “Brother Ling, compared to Master Hou, whose martial skills are stronger?”

Zhang Ling sat up, opened his eyes, and replied, “Of course, Old Hou is better. I don’t even know how to fight.”

Hou Liu chuckled and said, “Zhang Ling, don’t be so modest. I’ve been watching these days as you’ve taught Xu Ying to box. Your punches are fierce and powerful—you don’t look like someone who knows nothing about martial arts.”

Zhang Ling feigned ignorance, saying, “So you’re saying I have some martial arts foundation? Maybe I should take up martial arts after all?”

Hou Liu quickly waved his hands. “That won’t do! You’re the teacher of our Qingfeng Stronghold. If you went off to practice martial arts, who would teach my brothers?”

Zhang Ling fell silent, knowing well that once he’d recovered, it would be time for him to leave.

Beneath the dim winds and twilight clouds, the peaks of Cui Tai Mountain stretched in a line.

After sitting a while, Xu Ying ran off to practice her forms again. Zhang Ling and Hou Liu gazed down the mountain together. Hou Liu grinned, “Since we’re playing the part of bandits now, holding up travelers should be a regular event. Come, Zhang Ling—let’s go pull off a job together.”

...

At the foot of Wild Ox Mountain, a convoy of seventeen wagons, loaded with goods and manned by forty-three people, passed by. A middle-aged man rode at the head, sitting astride his horse with eyes closed and holding his saber. Yet, the moment he opened his eyes, a sharp, murderous intent flashed forth, as though he might erupt into violence at any second. Ahead, on another horse, sat a young man and woman. The woman, as lovely as a lotus blooming from water, dressed in pink and green brocade, coquetted shamelessly with the young man. He, richly attired, flaunted his wealth without the slightest restraint, teasing the woman in his embrace. The man at the rear glanced at them, vexed by their lack of decorum, then closed his eyes again.

Suddenly, the young man called to the one behind him, “Uncle Xun, I’m going ahead to have a look.”

With that, he spurred his black steed into a gallop, leaving the rest of the caravan far behind.

The middle-aged man opened his eyes, his face full of contempt. “Useless brat.”

The caravan, trailing behind, needed his constant vigilance. Yet he also had to keep an eye on his young master. Before they set out, this young master of the Lu family had sworn to his father he could oversee this trade venture, but in truth, he merely wanted an excuse to travel with his beloved. Though Xun Lu shared the family name, he was no blood relation—just a retainer in the Lu household, and by far the most overworked of them all.

Riding at the front, Young Master Lu Cheng, having distanced himself from the convoy, slowed his horse. The beauty in his arms smiled shyly, saying, “Young Master Lu, after such hardships escorting this caravan, you must ask Old Master Lu for a handsome reward when we return to the capital. Don’t forget about me, Qianyu, when the time comes!”

Lu Cheng replied confidently, “Even if I say nothing, my father will give me the entire Yupan Restaurant. If I put on a show of hardship, he might even part with that piece of jade from the Jue Field. I certainly won’t forget your contribution.”

The woman in his arms smiled sweetly. “Then I must thank you in advance, Young Master Lu.”

“If you’re so thankful, shouldn’t you show it somehow?” Lu Cheng laughed slyly, yet kept his composure, feeling secure in his victory.

Her slender hands caressed his chest as she teased, “What kind of gratitude would Young Master Lu desire?”

Lu Cheng’s hand grew even more intimate, but the woman played coy. The pair flirted openly amidst the mountain scenery, heedless of the birds and beasts’ scorn. Their horse ambled slowly through a dense forest.

For the past two days, Wu Hei had been lying in wait alone along this road, a route all merchant caravans must take. He didn’t mind the boredom, thinking only of the chance to learn a few moves from the teacher afterwards—something to brag about when working with the chief and others. The thought alone was thrilling.

He had a simple mind. The rule on the mountain was not to rob ordinary folk, and though travelers often passed by, they usually came in groups. What could a scrawny monkey like him do against an entire hornet’s nest? He’d be stung all over before he got anywhere. Yet he stubbornly hoped to encounter some foolish, wealthy loner.

After waiting half the day, he finally saw a pair of young, finely dressed lovers approaching, clearly rich and without a single servant in sight—just the kind of fools he’d hoped to meet.

When the shameless pair drew near, Wu Hei leapt out, brandishing a large saber and pointing it at them. “Ha—hands up! This is a robbery!” he stammered.

He spoke with such a stutter that even the woman wasn’t frightened. She merely pretended to be scared, clinging tightly to Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng stopped his horse and soothed his startled “little kitten,” then looked at Wu Hei with amusement. “Oh? You want to rob me?”

Wu Hei, fearing his stammer would make him less intimidating, simply nodded. Lu Cheng burst out laughing. “Do you know who I am? Do you realize what it’ll cost to rob me?”

Wu Hei, head buzzing, shouted, “Enough—enough talk! Hand—hand over all your valuables!”

Lu Cheng said nothing, glancing back to see that Uncle Xun and the others were catching up. Turning back, he stared at Wu Hei as if looking at a dead man.