Fifteen thousand and fifteen

“Have there been any recent developments with the Golden Wind Mist Tower or the Lost Heaven Alliance?”

Compared to the Bai Tower on Tianquan Mountain belonging to the Golden Wind Mist Tower, the Immovable Waterfall of the Six and a Half Hall, being the headquarters’ forbidden zone, appeared far less conspicuous.

Yet anyone foolish enough to try to trespass would soon realize just how many hidden traps and sentries guarded this seemingly ordinary place.

Only a handful of people had ever reached this point.

In the unusually silent surroundings, Lei Sun’s question echoed distinctly.

Di Feijing’s eyelids twitched but he did not answer immediately.

As the right-hand man of the capital’s top underworld faction, every word he uttered had to be weighed carefully. Moreover, Lei Sun’s inquiry was never a mere factual question.

Every movement of the Golden Wind Mist Tower and the Lost Heaven Alliance was reported daily to Lei Sun by dedicated informants; Di Feijing did not need to repeat it.

What he needed to provide was an analysis.

Di Feijing lifted his gaze, revealing eyes as clear as if washed by water. “The situation increasingly favors Su Mengzhen, yet strangely, he is eager for a resolution.”

“After the battle at Qionghua Island, over a thousand gang members defected. Excluding those coerced by vested interests within the halls, the true membership has dwindled to seven thousand, scattered across various branches. Meanwhile, the Golden Wind Mist Tower has nearly matched our numbers over the past two years by recruiting and liaising with officials.”

Lei Sun rubbed the jade ring hidden in his sleeve and retorted coldly, “When I saw him enter the capital with his father and arrange his marriage with Chun’er, I never imagined he would come this far.”

Far enough that a slight lapse could elevate him above his own father-in-law.

Not merely surpassing him.

If only one gang were to survive in Bianjing City, Su Mengzhen and Lei Sun would be mortal enemies, locked in a fight to the death.

Lei Sun did not notice the brief flicker across Di Feijing’s face when he mentioned “Chun’er.”

From his vantage point, it was indeed invisible.

Di Feijing’s neck was broken; he could not raise his head except when forced to meet someone’s gaze. Otherwise, he preferred to keep it bowed.

Yet speaking with his head lowered did not diminish the authority of his words, which carried the weight of a sweeping strategic judgment: “If he doesn’t wait, there must be a reason.”

The Six and a Half Hall had first moved against the Lost Heaven Alliance, hoping to seize some profit, but failed; instead, some within the Alliance regained power, restricting parts of their forces.

In Hubei, due to the cooperation between Governor Wen and the Golden Wind Mist Tower, a shipment belonging to the Six and a Half Hall was intercepted, including some Tang Sect firearms transported from Sichuan and Chongqing, causing particular trouble.

Prime Minister Fu had originally sided with the Six and a Half Hall but was forced to consolidate his power after the Lianyun Village incident and was now preoccupied with another matter, unable to assist the Hall for the time being.

“So you mean that previously the timing and situation favored him, but now—”

“The situation still benefits him, but time might favor us,” Di Feijing replied.

Even the original advantage in the situation was not absolute.

Where there are many people, there are many uncertainties. The merger of the two gangs was not something that a few victories could unite hearts or force total defections.

The advantage of time far outweighs temporary gains in position!

Before this judgment, Lei Sun’s voice grew cautious. “You mean time favors us because Young Master Su’s health is failing?”

Lei Sun held the position of chief of the Six and a Half Hall because he had once schemed against Guan Qi and eliminated his rivals using Guan Qi’s hand. Yet, in terms of martial prowess, he was still among the top in the Jianghu.

He had often put himself in Su Mengzhen’s place, trying to discern how long the miracle of Su’s survival could last, but had never obtained a clear answer.

Until now…

He heard a thunderbolt-like judgment from Di Feijing’s mouth.

“Yes.”

“Good! I trust your conclusion.”

He neither lost composure nor laughed at his rival’s exposed weakness. Instead, he abruptly stopped rubbing the ring and did not, before this moment, replace the respectful “Young Master Su” with any derogatory nickname.

Only Di Feijing, who knew Lei Sun’s temper, understood the chief’s excitement upon confirming the shift in the situation.

Lei Sun took a deep breath and suddenly changed the subject. “What about the Lost Heaven Alliance?”

Every unstable factor was something he had to understand.

He was aware of the ambitions within the Divine Power Marquis’ Mansion but now, thanks to Prime Minister Fu, who sought to maintain good relations with them, no trouble would be made. Lei Sun was glad to see such cooperation.

Whether Fang Yingkan could benefit from their mutual weakening was another matter.

What concerned him more was the Lost Heaven Alliance that had given him a hard time.

Di Feijing was silent for a moment before answering, “She is smarter than I imagined.”

“Explain.”

Di Feijing said, “At the wedding banquet, she lured the ruthless chief constable into the trap to maintain order. The Mu family father and daughter were trapped in the minister’s residence, and the chief constable’s visit was likely orchestrated by her. At first, I thought that if someone always sought help from the authorities and cooperated with the Six Doors, she would be unfit for the Lost Heaven Alliance.”

“Correct.” Lei Sun agreed deeply.

Before Guan Qi’s madness, the Lost Heaven Alliance was still controlled by Sister Guan, who exerted some discipline over new Jianghu members. But after her disappearance and Guan Qi’s insanity, the alliance became a chaotic mix.

Many martial artists, whom Lei Sun called “riffraff,” barred from entering the Golden Wind Mist Tower or the Six and a Half Hall, mingled in this half-dead alliance.

These people feared the authorities even more than Sikong Zhaixing, the legendary thief, let alone the ruthless chief constable.

If Shi Qingruo tried to arrest a typical member to restore order through the Six Doors' power, it would likely plunge the alliance into chaos. But she did not.

“Recently, Ren Guishen reported that the Holy Mistress held a meeting of key alliance members to avoid the Golden Wind Mist Tower and Six and a Half Hall’s conflict and relocated some members northward. No one opposed her orders.”

Due to Lianyun Village and the rebuilding of Ruinuo City, trade north of Bianjing had increased, bringing profits. Many cowardly members gladly followed the Holy Mistress’s wise plan.

Di Feijing continued, “Another of her plans was to rebuild the alliance’s outposts around the capital but avoid the four auxiliary cavalry camps soon to be established. She moved Ren Guishen and Deng Cangsheng out of Bianjing.”

“They were too obvious before,” Lei Sun sneered.

Whether during the wedding’s subtle provocations or the bride’s procession, their actions were too blatant for the Holy Mistress’s stature.

A new leader’s first fire should burn such people.

Yet Shi Qingruo’s public moves only involved rebuilding outposts and avoiding government crackdowns on fugitives—nothing against her.

With support from the alliance’s Great Holy Lord Yan Hefa and Second Holy Lord Zhu Xiaoyao, Ren Guishen had no choice but to leave Bianjing unless he could bring Lei Sun’s backing on the spot.

These two orders effectively placed the Holy Mistress in charge of alliance affairs, no longer just Guan Qi’s wife.

However...

Di Feijing pondered briefly and added, “But some of her tactics are still immature.”

“Avoiding conflict may be wise for the current Lost Heaven Alliance but is no long-term solution. The alliance is like a hollow, rotting tree. Unless they sever their tail and start anew, once we and Su Tower determine the victor or the government seeks to purge Jianghu powers, death is the only path. She should have harnessed the talents of the young Bai Choufei and Wang Xiaoshi rather than send them away from Bianjing—it’s shortsighted.”

“On the other hand, placing herself in opposition to Young Marquis Fang only invites trouble for trivial gains. Moreover, her solution was to send someone to invite the great hero Fang Ju back to the capital.”

Lei Sun chuckled, “Fang Ju loves his son deeply and won’t easily trust others’ words. Even if invited to the capital, it would be a futile effort.”

The words “loves his son deeply” from Lei Sun were laden with mockery.

Di Feijing smiled in understanding.

Lei Sun then asked, “So you think we can ignore the Lost Heaven Alliance for now?”

“No, quite the opposite,” Di Feijing answered decisively. “A clever person unexpectedly placed in an unfamiliar position will make mistakes, but we cannot give her time to grow. Better to deal with her now before she learns when to cut losses and becomes a grave threat.”

Su Mengzhen had little time left; delaying the situation would harm the Golden Wind Mist Tower.

Shi Qingruo needed time to mature, but the Six and a Half Hall should not grant her that chance.

It was clear which side to confront first.

Lei Sun once again extended his hand.

As at the Lost Heaven Alliance wedding, the hand he offered was the mutilated left one, the symbol of the “Death Warrant!”

“As soon as possible!”

...

These words were also spoken when Lu Xiaofeng began his return journey.

The meeting between Shi Qingruo and Su Mengzhen at Sanhe Tower seemed like a conversation between madmen to someone like Lu Xiaofeng, a free spirit.

He probably was driven mad by the strange happenings in Bianjing City as well.

Otherwise, how could he agree to the plan that placed Shi Qingruo in danger, and why would he leave Bianjing with Sikong Zhaixing to invite two people originally not in the city?

He never imagined his connections and silver tongue would be used this way.

From Jin Jiuling, the famous constable he knew in the Six Doors, to informants placed by the Golden Wind Mist Tower, down to the various wanderers and scoundrels he and Sikong Zhaixing knew—all were mobilized to find one person.

That person was Fang Geyin!

Fang Ju, the great hero, traveled with his wife Sang Xiao’e, indifferent to worldly affairs.

His friends, beneficiaries, and followers all wished to protect his wishes, hiding his whereabouts. Finding him by normal means was nearly impossible.

If Lu Xiaofeng had not coincidentally met Chu Liuxiang and learned that Fang Geyin recently visited the Ma Yi guest in Laoshan, he might never have discovered his location within a month.

Fortunately, that was the beginning; the rest was easier.

Fang Geyin truly cared for his son and, upon hearing of events in the capital, was ready to depart immediately.

What surprised Lu Xiaofeng was that despite this, Fang Geyin still suspected someone in the capital was deceiving them, causing the troubles in the Divine Power Marquis’ Mansion.

If he remembered correctly, before being adopted by Fang Geyin and his wife, Fang Yingkan had a pair of notorious parents. Had it not been for Fang Ju’s past ties and after Old Dragon Lady’s death, Fang Yingkan would still be known as “Fang Yingkan” (a pun on “cutting”).

Fang Ju did not doubt his adopted son was naturally wicked or that he had become more depraved in the capital’s circles; rather, he suspected those sent to assist Fang Yingkan.

Lu Xiaofeng’s mind churned with doubts as he rode swiftly back to the capital.

Another eager returnee puzzled him even more.

When he mentioned the Lost Heaven Alliance leader’s recent marriage mixed with other complaints, the person’s face changed repeatedly.

Fang Geyin hesitated about returning, but this person’s words pushed him forward.

When they set off together toward Bianjing, Lu Xiaofeng learned from Sang Xiao’e that this lady was saved by Fang Geyin and his wife over ten years ago.

She had been forcibly separated from her husband and daughter, distraught and suicidal, even poisoned. They sought help from the old Wen family in Lingnan to cure her, and took her traveling through the mountains and rivers to rekindle her zest for life.

Lu Xiaofeng didn’t quite understand how, but the three of them had traveled together for months—a remarkable stretch for a sudden companion.

If he were not equally anxious to return and check on Shi Qingruo’s situation, he might have asked more.

Fortunately—

The thousand-mile journey, riding a swift steed, took only a few days!

And because of Fang Geyin’s reputation, before reaching the capital, while resting in Chuhe Town some ten miles out, envoys from various capital factions came to greet them.

No doubt, the news of the great hero’s arrival had spread throughout Bianjing.

...

No matter how much friction existed among the capital’s powers, all must pause for this famed Jianghu hero’s arrival.

Not solely because of Fang Geyin’s martial skill, but because he was connected to at least six or seven sects, notably the Blood River Sect, Tianyu Sword Sect, and Desert Sect.

If one wrote his early years, it would read like a coming-of-age legend; now, he was a titan in the martial world.

Though Lei Sun found some of Fang Geyin’s actions foolish, he did not believe Fang would intervene in the conflict between the Six and a Half Hall and the Golden Wind Mist Tower. Together with the Jiangnan Thunder Hall’s members stationed in Bianjing, they agreed on the welcoming party.

Upon learning about the Lost Heaven Alliance’s arrangements, Lei Sun even decided to meet Fang Geyin personally.

Regardless of the Golden Wind Mist Tower’s stance or the Six and a Half Hall’s gifts, the greatest uproar at Fang Geyin’s arrival was within the Divine Power Marquis’ Mansion.

Fang Yingkan, feeling insecure in the capital, sought to curry favor with the emperor’s favorite, Mi Youqiao, even promising to name his future gang the “Youqiao Group,” becoming increasingly ruthless in business.

He coerced wealthy merchants around the capital to lend money to commoners, then used violence to extort money and land, almost like an industry.

Had Fang Geyin not come, his affable nature and good relations would have shielded him from accountability.

But with his foster father’s arrival, he could no longer be involved in such dealings openly and had to pretend to be a good son.

“A bunch of meddlesome fools!” Fang Yingkan cursed inwardly but appeared dignified, like a gentleman of the troubled times.

Seeing Fang Geyin’s party approaching, he quickly dismounted and greeted them with clasped hands, “Your son pays respects to foster father and mother.”

Fang Yingkan had already weighed his options. If Fang Geyin came for the Marquis Mansion incident and showed no favor, he would have to act cautiously.

If it was mere coincidence, Fang Geyin would support him warmly as before.

But contrary to his hopes, Fang Geyin remained silent after bowing for a long while.

His heart sank as he carefully looked up, only to see Fang Geyin’s gaze fixed not on him but far away.

Fang Yingkan turned his head and saw a group approaching—Lost Heaven Alliance members, judging by their attire.

Lost Heaven Alliance?

His eyelid twitched as two figures descended from the lead carriage.

No wonder Fang Geyin kept looking that way.

When the two appeared side by side, no one could deny they were a perfect match.

Though Guan Qi’s hair was frosted with white, time had favored his face, leaving him looking youthful and well matched beside the breathtaking beauty at his side.

Despite his mental impairments, a careful observer would note his vacant eyes but unparalleled internal energy radiating a formidable aura.

The woman beside him seemed unaffected by his uncontrolled power, gently supporting his arm as if replacing the shackles that once bound him, allowing him to appear so dignified.

Even Fang Geyin was momentarily stunned, unable to speak immediately.

In the brief silence after the carriage stopped, the first voice came from behind him.

From the lady Fang Geyin and his wife had saved.

The woman sitting atop the horse suddenly tore off her veil, staring fixedly at Shi Qingruo, who held Guan Qi’s hand. Her cheeks drained of color.

She seemed to grit her teeth, struggling to control her emotions but ultimately failed to regain composure.

On her face—though she was over forty, still youthful in appearance—there was no longer the usual serene grace, only a haze of confusion.

If anyone could not guess her identity from this reaction, they were not fit to roam the Jianghu.

Sharp-eyed observers noticed that when she removed her veil, even Lei Sun briefly lost his composure.

If one looked closely, Lei Sun’s daughter Lei Chun bore a striking seven-part resemblance to the woman in white.

But to the newcomers’ eyes, these trivial details did not matter.

She simply stared blankly at Guan Qi, then suddenly, unable to contain herself, cried out loudly, “Seventh Brother, she is your wife, then who am I?”

“Our agreement—have you forgotten it?”

The crowd gasped and instinctively looked toward the one being questioned.

Guan Qi halted in his steps.

At first, nothing seemed amiss.

Yet that voice seemed to wield a strange magic, drawing the scattered light from his eyes together slowly, focusing on the woman.

Almost instinctively, he whispered, “...Xiaobai?”

—Wen Xiaobai!