Chapter Eight: Opening One's Heart
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As he spoke, Young Master Huang entered, dressed in a crimson gauze robe edged in blue, with a crimson knee covering, a broad sash of red and white silk around his waist, an official cord at his belt, white socks, black shoes, and a jade tablet in his hand.
Behind her came two rows of eunuchs, palace maids, and golden-armored guards. At the very front was an old eunuch, kneeling with his head bowed and holding a yellow scroll mounted on a jade rod.
An imperial edict?!
Nearly everyone’s eyes narrowed. They all knew that the other party possessed astonishing influence, but none had imagined that she could reach even the heavens themselves.
The old eunuch swept his gaze around the room, then suddenly cried out in a shrill voice, “By His Majesty’s command, Young Master Huang is hereby appointed a third-rank envoy to suppress the Japanese pirates and supervise maritime affairs! Why have you not bowed before the appointed official?”
With a sudden rustle, dozens of Phoenix Guards emerged from the shadows and dropped to one knee in unison.
The remaining pugilists exchanged glances. No one knew who started it, but one after another they knelt as well. They had already been counting on following this noble personage to seek their fortunes. At this crucial moment, she had acquired an official identity and was now formally taking part in the division of the coastal spoils.
To them, this was a pill that steadied the heart. It was time to offer their loyalty openly.
Young Master Huang fixed her gaze on Guo Jing, who sat there as unperturbed as an old monk. The great martial artist of Guangdong frowned, but ultimately rose to his feet and gave a slight bow. That gesture represented a certain position of his own.
When Young Master Huang’s gaze shifted to Kou Li, he calmly met her eyes. After they remained locked in silence for a long while, Young Master Huang suddenly smiled radiantly, like a hundred flowers bursting into bloom.
“In my eyes, Master Kou’s strength is no less than that of any grandmaster. From this day forward, he will be my chief steward.”
Kou Li remained impassive. For some reason, he felt that something was wrong with Young Master Huang’s state of mind today.
Her gaze passed over Kou Li and fell upon the fat monk, who sat on the ground with both arms broken. Her phoenix eyes turned cold.
“Take him away!”
Several golden-armored guards immediately obeyed. Without another word, they forced the monk face-down onto the ground. Though he possessed the secret arts of Tantric boxing, that single blow had left his muscles and bones limp, leaving him utterly incapable of resistance.
“Princess, Princess, I was merely exchanging techniques with a fellow martial artist. I have done nothing wrong!” the monk cried, his face changing drastically.
“Is that so? I now suspect you of colluding with Japanese pirates and plotting treason, seeking to imitate Ban Chao’s exploits. What do you think of that?”
“Princess, Princess, I truly—truly—”
The fat monk faltered when he saw her expression growing colder and hurriedly continued, “Marquis Wang sent me only to ensure Your Highness’s safety. I had no other intentions!”
“Ensure my safety?” Young Master Huang lifted the corner of her mouth, as though a poppy had just blossomed there. “Very well. Then go take a trip to the underworld for me.”
“Princess, you dare? I belong to the marquis! Do not forget that he is the imperial son-in-law appointed by Your Majesty—and that you were the one who fled on your own. Do you really think that, relying on this collection of useless street fighters, you can stand against the marquis?”
“Execute him!”
“You think that recruiting a few common martial artists will let you ruin the marquis’s great plans? His boxing is so formidable that it can reach the realm of ghosts and gods. If you would only obediently—”
Unfortunately, he never finished. A flash of steel passed, and the bald head went rolling from his neck. Blood splashed across the floor, while he died with his eyes wide open.
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Young Master Huang’s face was icy. After sweeping a cold gaze around the room, she suddenly smiled and said, “Thank you all for coming such a long way. I have already arranged the finest rooms for you. Once these minor matters are settled, I shall personally entertain you.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Many thanks, Your Highness.”
“This subordinate takes his leave.”
It was clear that Young Master Huang’s execution had succeeded in establishing her authority. Not one of the earlier troublemakers dared raise his voice.
“In that case, Guo will take his leave as well,” Guo Jing said indifferently.
“Master Guo, I will certainly give you an explanation regarding your son,” Young Master Huang said, pausing briefly. “And the great masters of Guangdong boxing will not always be limited to the six of you.”
“I trust no one else, but I believe this man,” Guo Jing said, nodding toward Kou Li. Then he added meaningfully, “Young man, do not spend all your efforts on court struggles. Devote yourself to training. I believe you will accomplish something remarkable in martial arts.”
“My skill has always been used for only one purpose,” Kou Li replied.
After everyone had left, Young Master Huang’s expression changed at once. She slammed her fist into the tea bowl, sending porcelain shards flying, and allowed the blood to trickle between her fingers. Her fair, lovely face was twisted with fury.
“What happened? Judging by that official uniform, you ought to have returned with a great harvest today.”
The old eunuch’s expression darkened. “That is indeed the case. But on the way back, someone delivered a box to Young Master. Inside was the head of Ninth Uncle.”
Ninth Uncle?
Kou Li had heard of him from her before. Ninth Uncle was a grandmaster of martial arts in the capital who maintained close ties with the imperial family. He had raised her from childhood, and all of Young Master Huang’s knowledge of martial techniques and their principles had been taught by him.
In a certain sense, he stood on the same level as the six great masters of Guangdong boxing.
“That bastard named Wang is trying to tell me that he has torn out the roots of all my power in the capital. Unless I obediently return and marry him, I have no other path left. That rustic brute, that bastard born to some lowborn—”
Young Master Huang was already on the verge of losing her reason. Otherwise, given her status, she would never have uttered such vulgar curses.
Kou Li listened for a long while before asking, “What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to become the seventh great master of Guangdong boxing. I want you to bring all the martial artists of Guangdong under my control. And I want you to kill one man—a man whose martial skill is nearly the greatest beneath heaven!”
Kou Li paused. “And the price?”
“You want to knock upon the Immortal Gate through martial prowess. I will help you do so at any cost. Secret manuals, restorative medicines, the methods of the Four Great Refinements—whatever I can provide, I will give you!” Young Master Huang’s eyes were bloodshot. “This time, I am betting on you!”
Kou Li remained silent for a long while. Looking at her tear-streaked face and the expression of someone clutching at the only straw that could save her, he slowly said, “Done.”
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“You must understand that the other man’s martial skill has already defeated every expert in the fighter guilds of the five northern provinces. Do you truly have the courage to face him?” the old eunuch could not help asking. He did not care whether Kou Li lived or died, but he cared about the safety of his master. If they lost again, there would truly be no road left to retreat.
“Nearly the greatest beneath heaven—that means he has not yet reached the greatest beneath heaven,” Kou Li said calmly. “Even if he were the greatest beneath heaven, I would still be interested in testing his methods. The greatest beneath heaven? Beneath heaven? I dislike that title.”
“Thank you,” Young Master Huang suddenly said hoarsely, a rare flush appearing on her face.
“Crying one moment and laughing the next—you almost let a snot bubble slip out. I have to say, I find you utterly contemptible!”
No one knew when Zhu Ying’er had come over. She now stood nearby, her face full of disdain.
“You flat-chested little brat, what did you say?” Young Master Huang immediately flew into a rage, raising her willow brows and once again displaying the imposing authority of the Phoenix Princess.
“You—you dare speak to me like that? Very well, very well. Sooner or later, I will tear you limb from limb, feed you to the dogs, and bury what comes out afterward in a mass grave!”
“Just try it—”
A woman’s temper truly could change in an instant. Zhu Ying’er’s swordsmanship was quite good, but unfortunately she had no sword in her hands at present. The only result of relying on her sharp tongue was that she ended up with a swollen backside and was carried away by the old eunuch to be confined in a dark room for reflection.
When only Kou Li and Young Master Huang remained, her expression finally grew solemn.
“There are several things you must have wanted to know for a long time—the whereabouts of the masters and disciples from your martial academy.”
“Your nominal master, Lin Xianshi, must have realized long ago that something was wrong. He sought out Hu Anmin, the governor of Huguang. According to what I have learned, he once saved the governor’s entire family. But you probably also know that Zhai Guan betrayed him. He was intercepted on the way. Aside from the Burning Body Academy and Che Family Ravine, there was also a grandmaster assassin from the Blood Pole faction who joined in the hunt. We have yet to receive any reliable news.”
“Your senior disciple was ambushed and wounded by your second senior, Yue Wu-Huo, then killed by assassins we sent. He disappeared in the vicinity of Che Family Ravine. As for whether he truly lives or died, I fear only the people of Che Family Ravine know.”
“The final piece of news is the most reliable.” Young Master Huang paused. “Your third senior, Mo Yi, is not in the Central Plains. He is in the Japanese lands—and he found an opportunity to assassinate Zhu Baozai.”
“What?”
“Zhu Baozai did not die, but he is said to have suffered severe injuries. For us, this is actually good news,” Young Master Huang said calmly. “A considerable portion of Zhu Baozai’s pirate forces oppose accepting imperial amnesty. If he is injured, upheaval is inevitable, and we will have more time to make our preparations.”
“You want to move against the Water Dragon Gang?” Kou Li immediately understood.
“Not I. More precisely, we will join forces with the imperial army. Of the Water Dragon Gang’s Four Tigers and Eight Wolves, you have already seen the wolves. I imagine you have yet to meet the tigers.” Young Master Huang’s eyes gleamed with shifting color.
“The tigers?” Kou Li paused. “I would indeed like to meet them.”
“You will have the opportunity,” Young Master Huang replied. “There is one final matter, and it is the most important. The Japanese envoy will arrive in another month and a half. What I want you to do is defeat every master from the Japanese lands!”
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