Chapter Thirty-Six: The Hidden Sword

In the following days, Yang Zixu and Chu Ge were both exceptionally busy. This year, the Lantern Festival Imperial Examination brought many new faces into the academic halls of the Eastern Capital. Among them, the Tiance Academy welcomed several promising students. Yang Zixu, as he had hoped, was among those admitted.

Yet entering Tiance Academy was not equivalent to joining Tiance itself. To become part of the Tiance army, one had to endure further selection—character first, then ability. Only those who passed the rigorous screening could enter the ranks, becoming the backbone of Tiance’s forces.

This year, five students stood out at Tiance Academy. Dressed in yellow garments edged with black, some wore swords at their waist, others carried heavy blades on their backs. They appeared to be eighteen or nineteen years old.

Later, Li Fu inquired of Yang Zixu about these five, learning they all hailed from the Ye family of Jing River.

The Ye family was an ancient and influential clan, its legacy predating even the Tang dynasty. The Hidden Sword Ye family—who among the noble families across the land had not heard of them? Their wealth rivaled that of kingdoms. Even Emperor Taizong, during his northern campaign against the barbarians, borrowed military funds from the Ye family. Aside from the imperial family, only the Ye family was permitted to wear yellow, a privilege granted by Taizong himself.

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These days, Chu Ge and Yang Zixu were always occupied with unknown affairs. Yang Ning had vanished as well, though he once sought out Li Fu to inquire about Yang Zixu’s whereabouts, but Li Fu knew nothing. Yang Ning’s face had been grim when he left.

Li Fu enjoyed the leisure, with no tutor nearby, he abandoned his usual studies. He didn’t even bother to carry his sword, instead unearthing a bamboo chair from somewhere and lounging upon it daily, teapot in hand, basking lazily in the winter sun. It was a rare comfort.

...

“Good lad! I’m nearly driven mad with work, and you’re still idle enough to sunbathe!” Yang Zixu’s voice rang from behind. He was sweating profusely, his long hair disheveled. Without ceremony, he snatched the teapot from Li Fu’s hands and gulped down a large mouthful.

Li Fu frowned as he watched Yang Zixu drink, then turned away, pretending not to notice the trace of saliva left on the spout.

His freshly brewed tea was half gone in an instant, and he felt a pang of regret. He had brought only a modest amount of tea leaves to the Eastern Capital; at Yang Zixu’s rate, they would scarcely last a month.

“Why the sour face? It’s just half a pot of tea. So stingy! Here, take it back!” Yang Zixu said irritably.

“Who’s stingy? Can’t you be a bit hygienic? That’s my pot! If you want to drink, use your own. Brew as much as you wish. With your saliva on it, how am I supposed to drink from it?” Li Fu didn’t bother to take the teapot, simply reclined on the bamboo chair, eyes half-closed, enjoying the warmth of noon.

Yang Zixu was a little embarrassed, but quickly thought of a solution.

He produced a small brocade box from his sleeve and placed it on the chair arm.

“What’s this?” Li Fu asked.

“Open it and see for yourself.” Yang Zixu replied, expressionless, then turned to fetch another chair from the room.

Li Fu opened the box, revealing a beautifully carved piece of jade, with a blooming lotus etched upon it. The entire stone was a pale blue-green, without a single flaw.

“Where did you get this?” Li Fu asked in astonishment.

“I bought it for two hundred thousand taels. Not bad, eh?” Yang Zixu lay back in his chair, imitating Li Fu’s posture. It truly was comfortable.

“Two hundred thousand taels! Where did you get so much money?” Li Fu wondered aloud.

“I earned it. Just a trifle.” Yang Zixu raised his chin, looking proud.

“From the Lantern Festival imperial examination wager?” Li Fu pressed.

“That’s right, made quite a sum.”

“How much?” Li Fu asked curiously.

“Not much, about seven million taels.” Yang Zixu thought for a moment.

“Seven million! You’re going to bankrupt the three great gambling houses!” Li Fu gasped.

“Not quite, but one of them couldn’t hold out. They still owe me over two million taels.” Yang Zixu sneered.

“So that’s what you’ve been busy with these days?” Li Fu closed the box, eyeing Yang Zixu.

Yang Zixu’s face reddened slightly, and he replied, “Of course not! A gentleman doesn’t concern himself with such trifles. I had other matters to attend to.”

Li Fu glanced at him, then smiled, “Brother Yang Ning came looking for you. Did you promise him anything?”

“No! What could I have promised him? I never agreed to anything,” Yang Zixu replied, somewhat nervously.

During the Lantern Festival examination, Yang Ning and Yang Zixu had struck a deal: if Li Fu topped the martial contest, Yang Zixu would share forty percent of his winnings with Yang Ning. It seemed Yang Zixu had not fulfilled this promise—perhaps he was reluctant to part with such a windfall, at least so soon.

“You’d better watch out, Brother Yang Ning might beat you up. He already came looking for you,” Li Fu said meaningfully.

“He won’t dare. If he tries, I’ll go to Marquis Imperial Warrior and tell him Yang Ning surrendered for money,” Yang Zixu boasted. Yet to Li Fu, his expression seemed not just sly, but truly shameless.

Suddenly Li Fu asked, “Where’s Chu Ge?”

Yang Zixu waved dismissively, “No idea. He’s probably busy with his new commission. The Ministry of War has issued the papers; he’s likely reporting for duty.”

Li Fu nodded.

“Hmm? The Ye family’s little yellow chicks?” Yang Zixu suddenly caught sight of the youths in yellow with black trim at the training ground, and his expression darkened.

“What’s wrong? You know them?” Li Fu hesitated.

“I don’t, but the gambling house that owes me money is backed by the Hidden Sword Pavilion,” Yang Zixu replied coldly.

“The Hidden Sword Ye family? That shouldn’t be. Their wealth rivals nations—why risk offending the only son of the Divine General’s household for a mere two hundred thousand taels?” Li Fu shook his head.

“Not sure. The Ye family has many branches; that gambling house must belong to a minor branch. If it were the main line, they’d never ruin their reputation for such a sum,” Yang Zixu said, uncertain.

“Come, let’s meet them.” Yang Zixu stood, straightening his hair, and dragged Li Fu along.

“What are you planning? A fight?” Li Fu’s expression grew wary; Yang Zixu’s demeanor suggested trouble.

“A fight? You’re overthinking it. Just making new friends,” Yang Zixu replied, cold and aloof.

New friends? Who would believe that? With the Ye family owing him money, Yang Zixu’s nature was more likely to stir up trouble than seek friendship.

Li Fu didn’t believe a word, but followed, picking up the broom by the door as he went.

“What are you doing?” Yang Zixu asked, puzzled by the broom in Li Fu’s hand. “I told you, we’re meeting new friends, not fighting. If you must carry something, take a sword—not a broom!”

Li Fu: “…”

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The Tiance Academy’s training ground was vast, larger than those in most military camps. The five Ye family youths were currently practicing a sword formation, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“Huh, the Hidden Sword formation is impressive—looks just like that big kite on the waterwheel…” Yang Zixu observed the five in the arena, murmuring thoughtfully.