Chapter 2: The Shifting Currents of the Martial World

Wu Tiande was still unmarried, living the carefree life of a bachelor with no one else to worry about. He had spent every penny of the pension left by his elders, and could no longer afford to hire servants.

Such a large, dilapidated estate was now his sole responsibility—how long would it take him to tidy it up on his own?

Fortunately, he wasn’t quite alone; a few shifty friends still hovered around him.

The next afternoon, Wu Tiande used his recent appointment as a pretext to invite Feng Ziying and Liu Xianglian to his home for drinks.

Liu Xianglian’s circumstances were much like Wu Tiande’s. Born to the noble Liu family, he lost his parents early, grew up without discipline, and under the influence of various companions, developed a bold, carefree character. He spurned books, relished swordplay and gambling, drank and chased pleasure, became a connoisseur of music and drama, and gradually slipped from being a wealthy young lord to a penniless vagabond.

When Liu Xianglian heard there would be food and drink at someone else's expense, he was delighted.

Feng Ziying, upon receiving the invitation, was initially reluctant. In his view, what could Wu Tiande possibly serve with his meager means—a handful of pickled vegetables with cheap liquor? Surely, as the heir to the General Feng’s household, he couldn’t be expected to drink swill and eat scraps.

But when he learned Liu Xianglian would be there, he readily agreed.

Liu Xianglian was strikingly handsome and a celebrated amateur performer in the city’s drama troupes, especially adept at playing young male leads. He knew all the romantic scripts by heart, and had a devoted following of admirers who would even bring food to his door, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

Feng Ziying thought, even if the fare at Wu Tiande’s was poor, so long as Liu Xianglian sang a few tunes at the table, the trip wouldn’t be wasted.

Upon arrival, he found Wu Tiande and Liu Xianglian sweating as they cleared out the courtyard.

“Well timed, well timed! With Master Feng’s personal servants, we needn’t lift a finger ourselves,” Liu Xianglian laughed loudly.

Feng Ziying protested, “Brother Wu, you claim to be hosting us, but really you want my servants to do your chores. Isn’t that rather shameless?”

Despite his complaints, Wu Tiande’s face mattered more than that of his own servants. So, even though he was displeased, Feng Ziying ordered his attendants to help sweep the yard, clean, repair walls and windows, all grumbling and panting with exhaustion.

Many hands made light work, and soon the estate was looking presentable, which lifted Wu Tiande’s spirits.

Finally, he led Feng Ziying and Liu Xianglian to a side room for drinks. Lacking the means to prepare a proper banquet himself, he spent three taels, six coins, and five cents to order a meal from a nearby hole-in-the-wall, which was delivered in a food box—a convenient solution.

The celebration was merely a pretext; Wu Tiande’s true aim was to glean news from Feng and Liu about the latest happenings in the martial world.

Judging by Wang Xifeng’s recent birth of Qiao Jie, this world’s timeline was early in the Grand Mansion’s saga, but clues regarding the timeline of Smiling Proud Wanderer would depend on what he learned from Feng and Liu.

This was crucial to his own prospects and he dared not treat it lightly.

Both Feng Ziying and Liu Xianglian had studied martial arts and mingled with various figures, so they were well versed in the affairs of the martial world.

For instance, they spoke of the feud between the sword and qi branches of the Huashan Sect, the alliance of the Five Mountain Sword Sects led by Songshan, and the twin pillars of Shaolin and Wudang, as well as the sudden disappearance of the former leader of the Sun and Moon Sect, Ren Woxing, and the meteoric rise of the current leader, Invincible East. Feng Ziying and Liu Xianglian had indeed heard these stories.

Feng Ziying explained, “According to the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s investigation, Invincible East’s real name is Dongfang Bai. He was originally a minor deputy under the Thunder Hall of the Sun and Moon Sect, but caught Ren Woxing’s eye and was rapidly promoted, eventually becoming the Bright Left Envoy—second only to the leader. After Ren Woxing’s downfall, Invincible East took over as sect leader and has since swept the martial world undefeated, widely recognized as the greatest master of the day. However, he’s burdened by countless murders, causing the Embroidered Uniform Guard to be scolded repeatedly by the emperor for their inability to deal with a cult leader. Fortunately, Invincible East has kept a low profile lately, rarely appearing in the martial world, giving the Guard some respite.”

Feng Ziying’s father, General Feng Tang, was a captain in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with a fifth rank title, so his account carried considerable credibility.

“In the Northern Capital, you shouldn’t say Sun and Moon Sect—call it the Demon Sect,” Liu Xianglian reminded kindly.

“Quite right. Since ascending the throne, the emperor has been displeased with the martial world’s independence. Though the Great Zhou faces threats from the Mongols and Jurchens and can’t spare the resources to deal with the martial wanderers, the cabinet issued an edict branding the Sun and Moon Sect as a demon cult, forcing them to go underground,” Feng Ziying nodded.

“And after that?” Wu Tiande pressed.

“What after? We’ve said all there is to say. However fascinated you are by the martial world, you won’t get any juicy secrets from us,” Feng Ziying replied carelessly.

Wu Tiande’s banquet was neither refined nor generous; he’d even used Feng’s servants as laborers. It was impossible for Feng not to feel aggrieved.

Wu Tiande chuckled, “Ha ha, what I mean is, Ren Woxing learned the Star Absorption Technique and was a top master—how could he willingly relinquish power? Leadership is like an aphrodisiac, addictive and irresistible.”

“That we don’t know,” Liu Xianglian answered. “Some say he vanished without a trace, others claim he retired with illness, or rebelled and was expelled, or died from injuries. In any case, he hasn’t been seen for ages.”

Seeing Wu Tiande’s keen interest in the demon cult, Feng Ziying assumed he was merely fantasizing about heroic exploits after learning a few basic moves.

He advised, “The martial world is bloody and dangerous, not all fun and games. However much Ren Woxing or Invincible East boast of their prowess, if they faced three or five hundred trained soldiers with bows and muskets, they’d die like anyone else. Otherwise, why does Invincible East, the greatest master, not dare show off in the Northern Capital? Many so-called heroes join the court for fame and fortune. Take Liu Zhengfeng of the Hengshan Sect—he’s been scheming for an official post, seeking connections everywhere, hoping to buy a rank.”

“Is that so?” Wu Tiande feigned surprise, though he was secretly pleased. If Liu Zhengfeng was still alive, many events of Smiling Proud Wanderer had yet to occur, leaving him ample room to maneuver.

“Is it not obvious?” Feng Ziying sneered. “He’s petitioned countless people for a deputy general post. He even visited my father, who has nothing to do with official appointments, and offered hundreds of taels, plus a booklet detailing the Wind Returning Wild Geese Sword techniques. My father, seeing me idle, handed the booklet to me for study. But I’m busy learning business, so who has time for that?”

As he spoke, Feng Ziying pulled the booklet from his sleeve to prove his words.

Wu Tiande snatched it eagerly and examined it.

It wasn’t thick, palm-sized, with a cover made of coarse, dark yellow paper, its corners worn and stained, bearing the marks of age and careful keeping.

The most striking feature was the title, “Wind Returning Wild Geese Sword,” written in elegant small script—refined, scholarly, and somewhat out of place for a martial manual, yet making it all the more remarkable.

Wu Tiande gently pinched the spine and turned a corner. The inner pages were thinner and softer than the cover, translucent yellowish, densely written in fine brush strokes, with small diagrams beside some moves. Though simple, they clearly illustrated sword angles and footwork.

This was evidently an authentic Hengshan manual, far more precious than the copy of Wang Family Sabre Techniques Jia Lian had given him.

Wu Tiande hugged the booklet tightly, grinning, “Old Feng, you have no use for this. Why not…”

“Why not my foot!” Feng Ziying’s face flushed as he reached to snatch it back. “Liu Zhengfeng said it’s for our private study only, not to be spread. I am not one to break my word.”

Wu Tiande dodged and pulled a copy of Wang Family Sabre Techniques from his sleeve, thrusting it into Feng Ziying’s hand.

“Brother, don’t get upset. I’m not taking your Hengshan manual for nothing—let’s trade. This is the complete Wang Family Sabre Techniques, penned by Wang Yuanba of the Golden Sabre Sect in Luoyang. It’s not inferior to your sword manual.”

Feng Ziying glanced down and saw the title, then flipped through it, his brow furrowing deeper.

He grumbled, “The Golden Sabre Sect isn’t even noteworthy in the martial world, while Hengshan is a famous orthodox sect. Trading your sabre manual for my sword manual is hardly a fair deal.”

“What does it matter?” Wu Tiande tucked the Hengshan sword manual into his chest, shamelessly. “Sabre or sword, they’re both genuine martial arts. I’m not refusing to return your manual—just want to study it for a few days. You’ve looked at my sabre manual, yet won’t let me borrow yours; if word gets out, your reputation will suffer.”

Seeing Wu Tiande’s stubbornness, and knowing he’d already read the sabre manual, Feng Ziying realized his opponent was determined to keep the sword manual. It would be hard to justify a dispute.

He couldn’t bring himself to make a scene, so he relented, “You really are a scoundrel. I’ll let you study the Wind Returning Wild Geese Sword, but you must return it in three days, or I won’t be so polite.”

With that, Feng Ziying tossed the sabre manual heavily onto the table, unwilling to look at it again. He worried that if he took it, Wu Tiande would insist the manuals had been exchanged, and then who would arbitrate?

Wu Tiande chuckled to himself, thinking he’d copy the sword manual within three days, so returning it would be no trouble.

Feng Ziying left Wu Tiande’s house full of frustration. Had Wu Tiande not compensated his servants with cash, he’d have strong-armed him to Flower Moon Pavilion for drinks just to vent.

Liu Xianglian, however, felt the visit worthwhile. He’d worked for Wu Tiande, but at least the food and drink were plentiful. More importantly, as a martial arts enthusiast, he was eager to study both the sabre and sword manuals.

Wu Tiande’s hospitality was better than returning home to cold pots and empty stoves.

Wu Tiande had lured Liu Xianglian over specifically to recruit him and seek guidance in martial arts.

Seeing Liu Xianglian ask eagerly, a sly smile appeared on Wu Tiande’s lips—a sense of triumph at his successful scheming.

For the next three days, Wu Tiande and Liu Xianglian secluded themselves in the estate, diligently studying the Wang Family Sabre Techniques and Wind Returning Wild Geese Sword.

Wu Tiande, though a poor scholar, showed considerable talent in martial arts.

Previously, Feng Ziying and Liu Xianglian had casually taught him a few moves, which allowed him to handle two or three ordinary men with ease.

Now, with the manuals and Liu Xianglian as a sparring partner, his progress was swift, quickly crossing the threshold into true martial study, and showing real promise.

“This is truly strange. We’re both studying the same manuals, and just days ago you were far below me, yet now you’re my equal. Are you some kind of martial prodigy?” Liu Xianglian threw down his sabre in frustration.

As a friend, he worried for Wu Tiande’s hardship, but also feared Wu Tiande would become a martial master.

In their last three bouts, it was all he could do to fight to a draw. At this rate, he’d soon be defeated by Wu Tiande.

“Aren’t you in the Divine Machine Battalion? That unit specializes in firearms—why are you so devoted to martial arts?” Liu Xianglian asked, puzzled.