svetikya Chapter 22 Please call me... God of the Wind!
Chapter 22 Please call me... God of the Wind!
Intelligence precedes military action.
Before embarking on a long journey, it is necessary to seek intelligence. The situation in the martial arts world of Jingxiang is quite complex. If one acts based on outdated information, one is likely to suffer unexpected setbacks.
Xu Qingya used the "close the door and unleash the dogs" move to chase Zhui Ming so fast he was jumping up and down. He straightened his clothes, went to Wanfu Lane to buy a bouquet of flowers, and then went to Tingxue Pavilion to find Yang Yan.
Yang Yan was doing the accounting.
Linglong Pavilion is in the intelligence business, and its intelligence sources are restaurants, silk shops and pawnshops all over the seven provinces in the south and sixty-three provinces in the north. They have endless accounts to calculate every day.
When Yang Yan saw Xu Qingya approaching with flowers, her eyes lit up. She assumed Xu Qingya was there to talk about love, and with a slight blush on her face, she took the initiative to greet him.
"Qingya, you've come!"
"Senior sister, I'm going on a long journey to Jiangling to find the Liancheng treasure. Do you know anything about Jingxiang?"
"Huh? Huh? What?"
Yang Yan's expression changed three times in a second, from shyness to confusion, and from confusion to embarrassment and annoyance—what an oblivious man, didn't he see my expression?
"Qingya, didn't Ding Dian hand over the Liancheng Secret Manual to Master Zhuge? What does it have to do with you? Even if someone wants to go out to find treasure, it should be Ding Dian who goes!"
"I shouldn't bother two people with one thing. If I'm involved in something from the beginning, I have to see it through to the end. Besides, I'm receiving three salaries!"
"Jingzhou...is very complicated..."
Yang Yan sighed, "Jingzhou is a rich and prosperous land, a crossroads of nine provinces. Such a wealthy prefecture should, in theory, have famous sects and powerful families to suppress its destiny..."
However, the martial arts world of Jingzhou only has three or four hundred small sects. In other words, the martial arts world of Jingzhou only has local bullies, and no powerful figures to restrain them!
These small families, while having countless disagreements, also formed a complex and intricate network of relationships through marriage, taking on apprentices, and adopting sons.
The martial arts world of Jingzhou is safe because there are no masters of the Heavenly Gang Ranking or old monsters in seclusion. Earthly Fiend Masters can roam freely.
The martial world of Jingzhou is dangerous, because these deeply entrenched forces are like a millstone; even the most indestructible body will be crushed to dust.
Why did this situation arise?
Where is Jiangling?
"Uh... Hubei..."
Which martial arts sect is located in Hubei?
"Senior sister is talking about... the Wudang Sect?"
"The Shaolin and Wudang sects are the pillars of the Central Plains martial arts world, and the golden beams that support the sea. Master Zhang, the leader of the Wudang sect, is a terrestrial immortal who has shaken the world throughout history!"
Every move of the Wudang Sect has a great impact on the surrounding area. Most righteous sects have their own blessed lands, and underworld gangs, fearing that they will become the whetstone for Wudang disciples, will naturally stay far away!
In addition, traveling south from Jiangling, one will reach Dongting Lake in less than a day. Shangguan Fei, the "Spear Saint," founded the Angry Dragon Gang in Dongting Lake, cultivating a large number of proud and fierce soldiers with a strong desire for advancement.
In the martial arts world of Jingxiang, the righteous path was suppressed by the Wudang Sect, while the underworld feared being swallowed up by the Nujiao Gang. Therefore, many major forces only supported small businesses, opening restaurants, casinos, and brothels to gather intelligence on the martial arts world of Jingxiang.
However, this is only the surface.
In reality, half of the righteous sects were founded by lay disciples of Wudang, with Taiji Sect at the forefront, while the underworld businesses were divided between Nujiao Gang and Heishuidao.
The businesses of smuggled salt, weapons, antiques, transportation, and docks belong to the Angry Dragon Gang; brothels, casinos, and other dens of iniquity belong to the Black Waterway; Linglong Pavilion has a restaurant and a pawnshop in Jiangling.
After a pause, Yang Yan sighed, "The Blackwater Path's Zhu Datianwang is ambitious and wants to occupy Jiangling to become the leader of the Jingxiang martial arts alliance. He desperately needs money, and the Blackwater Path may participate in this search for the Liancheng Treasure."
Qingya, after you arrive in Jiangling, take my token to Hongli Pawnshop on South Street. Remember, when you go there, cover your face and say that you are my special envoy.
Do not reveal your identity casually.
The emperor is far away, and the other party may not be trustworthy.
If necessary, one can use the difference between the Magpie Blade and the Ice Jade Blade to create a false identity and thus deceive others.
Don't always try to be the center of attention...
We should consult with Mr. Zhuge on countermeasures!
By the way, how many of you are going?
Yang Yan rambled on for a while, then suddenly thought that if Zhuge Zhengwo led three thousand elite soldiers to Jiangling and then conducted a thorough search, wouldn't that put her at ease?
Xu Qingya held up three fingers.
"Three thousand soldiers?"
"Three people!"
How can three people move the treasure?
"The army will suffer heavy losses from the march. Zhuiming, Liu Qingci, and I will go ahead to search for the Liancheng Treasure. Zhuge will select three thousand elite soldiers from the Jingzhou army. Once the treasure is found, the army will start digging immediately."
"Who's going with you?"
Yang Yan didn't hear the second half of the sentence. The first half contained a very important word that drew all of Yang Yan's attention, leaving her speechless with shock.
"Liu Qingci, is there a problem?"
"Qingya, be careful. Make sure to close the doors and windows tightly when you go to sleep at night, and have Doubao and Tangdun keep watch! When you're out and about, be sure to protect yourself."
"It can't be that bad, he's a prince after all..."
"Why did you go out this time, especially with you, when you wouldn't normally go out earlier or later?"
"I think it's... because I'm going crazy..."
Xu Qingya shrugged, stretched out his right hand, and hugged Yang Yan in his arms, saying softly, "Don't worry! If I can't beat you, I can run away. No one can outrun Lao Jiu!"
When are you leaving?
"Let's not delay, we'll set off tomorrow."
"How about tonight...?"
"Senior sister, what's wrong...?"
"What are you thinking about? I mean, I just learned a little cooking, I'll make you some noodles!"
"Hiss~~"
Xu Qingya gasped.
"Crunch~~"
Just then, Qin Nanqin pushed open the door and entered.
Qin Nanqin: Did I come at the wrong time again?
Yang Yan: No! You've come at the perfect time!
Yang Yan said softly, "Qingya, it's best to be careful when you're out and about. It's best to have someone you know well by your side to take care of you. Nanqin, Qingya is going to Jiangling. You should go with him and take care of his daily needs."
"Senior sister, I don't need it..."
"Qingya, Nanqin has been with me for several years and knows everything about the affairs inside and outside Linglong Pavilion. She can help you gather relevant information, contact helpers, and if necessary, act as your substitute to help you disguise your identity."
Before Yang Yan finished speaking, Doubao wagged its tail and ran to Qin Nanqin's feet. Qin Nanqin smiled and rubbed the dog's head, then took out a big bone and rewarded Doubao.
Qin Nanqin said, "Young Master Xu, even if you don't need to take care of him, Doubao'er does!"
Doubao: Awoo! Woof woof woof!
Xu Qingya: Everyone can vouch for me, this wasn't something I asked for, they all did it on their own initiative!
Yang Yan suddenly asked, "Qingya, what's your disguised identity called? Let's plan ahead and make our identities clear so that no one can spot our deception."
"Let's call him... the God of Wind!"
"The God of Wind?"
"Perfect match for 'A Stunning Swan in the Clouds'!"
"Who wants to be paired with you...?"
Yang Yan gave a shy, coquettish pout, and Xu Qingya seized the opportunity: "Nan Qin, help me create a fake identity called Xiao Se Lang. Nan Qin is Xiao Se! Qin Se is in harmony with Xiao Lang, a perfect match, truly a perfect match!"
Qin Nanqin was much more generous than Yang Yan, and readily agreed: "The fake identity is easy to handle, but if you say any more, I'll be sold off to Lingnan by Miss. My ancestors were from Lingnan..."
Xu Qingya said, "A harmonious pair of zither and lute meeting a handsome young man, a snake's shadow accompanying the autumn chill, still a perfect match. Nanqin, your name is truly wonderful, a perfect match no matter how you put it!"
Yang Yan: (╯‵□′)╯︵┴─┴
After a while of playing around, Qin Nanqin went to the storeroom to look up information about the martial arts world of Jingxiang, while Yang Yan went to the kitchen to cook.
I said I'd make you noodles, and I meant it. Soon, a series of clattering sounds came from the kitchen, and the pots and pans were in complete disarray.
A short while later, Yang Yan brought over a bowl of noodles.
"Come on! Eat up! Plain noodles!"
Yang Yan looked at Xu Qingya with anticipation.
Xu Qingya stared at the lump of dough, his brows furrowed, scratching his head in frustration. After a long pause, he finally came up with an advantage: "This dough is really white!"
"You have to recite two lines of poetry for Nanqin just by saying her name, and I painstakingly make noodles for you, can't you even write a single doggerel? You heartless scoundrel!"
"My name is Xu Qingya, I live in the Wind God Palace, my favorite woman is Jiao Yangyan, and I don't eat plain noodles!"
"What kind of ancient poem is this?"
"A poem written by a certain General Li!"
"Is he General Li or Li the Fool?"
His nickname is "Li the Big Stick"!
"what?"
"That's the nickname his wife gave him!"
"Nonsense! Tell me, what's this general's name, and what's the story behind him?"
"His name is... Li Yuanfang!"
"..."
Yang Yan tried very hard to suppress her anger!
Don't get angry!
Don't get angry!
He's handsome, so whatever he says is right!
Look at his face, don't listen to him...
Look at his face, don't listen to him...
Look at his face...
Eh?
I'm really not angry anymore!
It's really hard to get angry looking at this face.
……
The next morning, the four of them gathered at the city gate.
He wore a long blue cloth robe and had a large wine gourd tied around his waist.
Xu Qingya rode his old wine-driving horse, holding a peach blossom fan, leading a yellow dog on his left and a falcon on his right, with Qin Nanqin by his side. He didn't look like someone going to investigate a case; he looked more like a talented scholar, elegant and romantic, enjoying a leisurely stroll in the late spring, drinking wine by a winding stream.
Liu Qingci changed into a set of warrior attire and rode the Jade Lion of the Night. On the horse's back was an iron box, a battle box made for her by skilled craftsmen from the Ministry of Works. It contained dozens of parts that could be assembled into bows, crossbows, and spears.
Only then did Xu Qingya have the mind to observe Liu Qingci closely. Liu Qingci was quite tall, more than half a head taller than Qin Nanqin, with long legs and a standard nine-head body shape. She looked somewhat slender.
What's most unique about her is her eyebrows.
Liu Qingci's eyebrows are the most alluring willow-leaf shape, yet they are unexpectedly thick, adding a touch of heroic spirit to her charming and graceful demeanor. In every gesture, her innate charm and heroism blend naturally.
Seeing Xu Qingya with her maids, Liu Qingci couldn't help but complain, "How come you're even more pampered than me? You've been fooled by Mr. Zhuge! If I had known I could bring maids, I would have brought ten or eight to manage my daily life."
Xu Qingya joked, "Young Master Liu, Nanqin isn't just a maidservant who serves tea and water; she's our guide. Without Nanqin leading the way, we wouldn't be able to get anywhere!"