Xu Fengnian came to white fox-face.

White fox-face used Nivisword to tap Xu Fengnian on the shoulder and said flatly, "Now that you're leaving Northern Liang, you can borrow Nivisword."

Xu Fengnian wondered, "But I already have Tonitrusword."

Before leaving, Xu Fengnian went to see Li Hanlin.

Li Hanlin said pitifully, "Fengnian, I'm getting sick from staying home all the time. Why can't you take me on this trip?"

Xu Fengnian patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "This trip is extremely dangerous. You're the only child in your family, so don't get involved in this mess. I'll ask Xu Xiao to get you an official position of the sub-seventh rank in the Northern Liang army. After idling away for two or three years, you can return to Fengzhou Province and lead a troop yourself. Then your father will also be relieved."

Li Hanlin was silent.

As Blind Old Xu grew older, he grew into a habit of reminiscing. He thought of the last decisive battle at Xilei Cliff in the Spring and Autumn Period, when the Lady of Northern Liang, all in white, personally beat war drums that reverberated with thunderous roars. All the troops were touched by her determination to conquer Western Chu before ceasing the drumbeat.

A familiar voice came overhead him, "Old Xu, my bro, how's your body holding up?"

Xu Fengnian left the city with two blades on a white palfrey, followed by a stalwart military general leading over a hundred light cavalrymen. At the front was an unremarkable carriage driven by a comely young woman. People assumed nobody could qualify to sit in the carriage since the prince himself was riding a horse.

Five miles out of the city, the hundred crossbow riders of the Feng Battalion deliberately distanced themselves far away, and the military general rode alone to Xu Fengnian. Lyu Qiantang, Shu Xiu, and Yang Qingfeng were carefully on guard, ready to strike anytime.

Ning Emei led the hundred light cavalrymen of the Feng Battalion to continue following Xu Fengnian. When he turned his head, he saw most of them looking back lingeringly to appreciate Chen Zhibao's posture and demeanor. He got immersed in contemplation.

Of the Four Fangs of Northern Liang, Dian Xiongchu and Wei Fucheng were nurtured by Chen Zhibao and became his henchmen.

Dian Xiongchu said with contempt, "General, is His Highness scared out of his wits? He doesn't even dare to let us see him off."

Xu Fengnian and Wei Shuyang rode forward side by side.

Xu Fengnian asked gently, "Grandpa Wei, what exactly are the strengths of the Ten Masters? Can you make it easier to understand?"

They were met with a sudden torrential rainstorm as they entered Yongzhou Province. The group then had to take a shortcut instead of the main thoroughfare and rush to the designated resting place.

Xu Fengnian's band of followers might be eager to serve, but this spontaneous route change took a hard toll on them.

The odd figure in that bright-red armor held no weapons, resolutely standing right in the middle of the narrow trail.

The horse riders came to a stop. Shu Xiu and Yang Qingfeng moved to flank Lyu Qiantang on either side, their expressions tense.

Xu Fengnian furrowed his brow and asked, "So this Water Knight's dead for good?"

The geezer said mockingly, "Not so fast. Since the red armor's forged according to the five elements, the real show begins only when all five Red-Armored Runic Knights assemble. Now that I've made my move, I don't mind going all the way. They can't be any more troublesome than that revolting Ye Hongting."

"Found it," The geezer looked eastward.

So that geezer in the sheepskin coat is Li Chungang, the previous God of Sword? Jiang Ni might be outspoken but a liar she was not, Xu Fengnian believed. The geezer being Li Chungang would be fantastic. A thin crane was still better than a whole lot of poultry. So what if he lost to Wang Xianzhi and had his Celesteel broken? The one-armed old geezer actually toppled a Red-Armored Runic Knight with a single finger. If he had a sharp sword in his hand, what sort of realm would his sword intent possess?