Chapter 440: Li Bufeng

Chapter 440: Li Bu Feng

The birds are gone, the fine bow is hidden.

This has always been the Confucian Order's way.

The reason Li Jun showed a surprised expression was not that he hadn't anticipated the New Donglin Party burning their bridges.

It was simply that the New Policies had only just passed their most difficult phase; there was still a long way to go before complete stabilization. For the New Donglin Party to choose this moment to move against the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not quite fit their style.

Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish; what Confucian scholars lack least is patience.

During those years when the Martial Order ran rampant, this point was demonstrated most vividly.

"Steward Su, what do you intend to do?"

Li Jun asked after a moment of silence.

"You're also Martial Order; on this kind of matter, you should understand him better than I."

Ghost King Da suddenly sighed: "But whatever decision Steward Su ultimately makes, he's unwilling to drag these Embroidered Uniform Guard disciples he watched grow up into it. So this meeting is his way of giving those below a chance to choose."

"If."

Li Jun asked in a low voice: "I mean, if the Wa Region Embroidered Uniform Guard is truly disbanded, what will become of him?"

"Who knows. Retire to his hometown? Lay down his armor and return to the fields?"

Ghost King Da leaned back, laughing with feigned ease: "Or go take a look at the Western Barbarians' side? After all, once the New Policies stabilize, in a few more years the Wa Region won't be able to stir up any waves. His purpose in coming to the Wa Region would be considered fulfilled."

At this moment, not only Li Jun, but even Brothel Ghost sitting dumbly to the side could hear the insincerity in Ghost King Da's words.

Li Jun's lips moved slightly, wanting to say something, but suddenly recalled the past events about Su Ce that Brothel Ghost had told him on the road.

Admittedly, if this Wa Region Embroidered Uniform Guard Qianhu wanted to resist the New Donglin Party's disbandment, with his prestige and appeal, the vast majority of the thousands of Embroidered Uniform Guards in the Wa Region would surely follow him to the death.

Though the final outcome might not change much, if Su Ce held tightly to this force, he could at least extract a sky-high price from the New Donglin Party.

But if he truly used these old subordinates as chips to bargain for his own benefit, then he wouldn't be Su Ce.

Things having come to this, everything seemed reasonable, yet difficult to accept.

"All of us who came to the Wa Region have our own unavoidable reasons. Either we offended someone we shouldn't have back home and were forced out with nowhere to go. Or our genes destined us for mediocrity, yet we refused to spend a lifetime in obscurity."

Ghost King Da spoke calmly: "There's an old saying in the imperial heartland: 'The wealthy stay in their native place, the poor wander foreign lands.' When it comes down to it, if there were other choices, who would willingly leave their homeland to serve as an Embroidered Uniform Guard in such wretched mountains and waters, living day to day without guarantee of tomorrow?

"But it's all for a breath of pride, to fight for a life! Dreaming of one day returning home in glory, making those fawning relatives bow and scrape, making the women who once looked down on them regret it until their intestines turn green."

"Steward Su has seen all this, so he's unwilling to force everyone."

Ghost King Da slowly exhaled a long breath, then suddenly slammed his palm on the table, a trace of suppressed resentment flashing across his face.

"This old man is clearly also Martial Order, usually acts domineering enough, but how does he become so hesitant at a critical juncture like this? Even if he led us brothers to rebel, so what? I've killed Honghu for so many years, I damn well want to be the Honghu myself for once!"

The angry voice echoed through the room, the palm pressed to the table trembling uncontrollably, rattling the bowls and plates into a clatter.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this."

After a long while, Ghost King Da finally calmed his agitated emotions, about to continue speaking, when a clear knocking sound suddenly came from the tightly shut door outside.

Li Jun and Ghost King Da abruptly met eyes, both glimpsing faint surprise in the other's gaze.

This time Li Jun's early arrival in Edo Castle was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and he had only arranged to meet Ghost King Da alone, without fanfare.

Moreover, at this moment, both Li Jun's physical perception and Ghost King Da's mechanical eye scan showed the space outside the door was empty, not a single human shadow in sight!

"What kind of figure did you provoke, kid? They even chased you to Edo Castle, that's some heavy killing intent."

Ghost King Da cursed with a laugh, a faint mechanical hum drifting through his body.

"I've had a lot of trouble recently, who the hell knows which one this is."

Li Jun licked his lips: "Old Ghost, you take Brothel Ghost and leave first."

"Fine."

Ghost King Da knew his own strength well; staying would only be a burden, so he didn't hesitate.

He suddenly stood, grabbed the still bewildered Brothel Ghost by the neck, and said in a low voice to Li Jun: "At most half an incense stick's time, the Qianhu Office people will arrive. Don't you get yourself killed in such a short time, kid."

"Relax, if I can't win I still know how to run."

Li Jun waved his hand, wearing an unconcerned, relaxed expression.

Ghost King Da nodded, the mechanical heart hum in his body suddenly rising sharply, and just as he prepared to smash through the wall with a fist, the locked private room door suddenly opened on its own.

"I say, you two, can't you cut the drama? If someone really came to kill, who would knock? Giving you all this time to waste words?"

Outside the door, a middle-aged Confucian scholar with a fair face walked in, helplessness filling his brows and eyes.

"This kid's full of bad water, that's fine, but Ghost King Da, why are you playing along with his tricks?"

Ghost King Da didn't even glance at the other man, pinching Brothel Ghost's nape and dragging the unconscious Brothel Ghost past the middle-aged scholar.

"Yan Jun, hold on, I'm going back to rally people."

The middle-aged scholar listened to these words, half acting, half warning, turned to watch the other's hurried retreating back, and rubbed his temples with a headache.

At this moment, only he and Li Jun remained in this Cantonese restaurant's private room, Li Jun sitting unmoving in his seat, expression utterly indifferent.

The middle-aged scholar who had originally planned to use his grasp of Li Jun's movements to strike first and seize the initiative, after being played like this by Li Jun and Ghost King Da, could no longer maintain any posture. He flicked his sleeve, shutting the door.

Simultaneously, a jade pendant hanging at his waist moved without wind, an invisible ripple spreading out.

A drowning sensation vanished in an instant, but Li Jun knew in his heart that this entire room was now in a shielded state.

The middle-aged scholar found a chair and sat down on his own, glancing at the composed Li Jun, and couldn't help laughing: "Quite steady, not even a little curious who I am?"

"What's there to rush? If you want to fight, I'll take it. If you want to talk, I'll listen. But either way, you can't hold out."

"Oh?"

The middle-aged scholar asked with interest: "Why?"

Li Jun said indifferently: "Because the Qianhu Office Embroidered Uniform Guards will be here soon."

The middle-aged scholar praised: "Worthy of the lone Martial Order who fought his way from the muddy waters of Chengdu's Paoge to become the current Wa Region Embroidered Uniform Guard Baihu, indeed has some skill."

Li Jun flicked his fingers: "Skill is too strong a word. Just killed too many people, cultivated a body full of ruthless, shameless evil qi."

"So you put on this act with Ghost King Da to give me a show of force?"

"I have a bad temper, can't stand people playing mysterious games."

"Coincidence, my temper's famously rotten too."

The middle-aged scholar's brows and eyes turned cold, "I am Li Bu Feng."

"Guessed as much."

Li Bu Feng tapped the empty space before him with a finger, "Since you know, then by the rules, you should kneel and pay your respects now."

"Whose rules?"

"Naturally the court's rules."

"Unluckily," Li Jun raised an eyebrow, "I've always only followed another set of rules."

"What rules?"

The rules of the martial order.

Li Jing's eyes blazed with fury as he sneered, "All those who forced me to kneel have perished in my grasp, without exception."

"Do you dare commit another offense?"

Li Bufeng narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Afraid I'll flay off your silk robes? Don't forget, I am the supreme commander of the Waiqu district."

"So you've come today to test whether I've shed my skin to cut down your courage, the envoy of the Waiqu district?"

The moment the words fell, the closed door was pushed open again.

A figure clad in black robes stepped silently into the room, halting at the threshold, the shadow beneath the brimmed hat flickering with a crimson glow.

"The warrior in full armor... it's been years since I've witnessed such a scene."

Li Bufeng burst into laughter, his face bearing a look of nostalgia.

"I have no leisure to clash with you martialists. Moreover, if I were to fight you, a junior, wouldn't that make Su Ce laugh until his sides ache?"

Li Bufeng waved his hand, his demeanor sobering. "Enough, let him leave. I've come today with matters of gravity to discuss with you."

"He may listen."

Li Jing's tone left no room for hesitation, and the Marquis of Ma remained unmoving by the door.

Li Bufeng noticed Li Jing's resolute voice, which seemed too genuine to be feigned, so he let the Marquis remain as a silent witness.

"I am not a member of the New Young Democrats, nor am I friends with Pei Xingjian, your teacher Yang Bai Ze's companion since youth."

In a few sentences, a torrent of meaning flowed.

The illustrious Waiqu commissioner, the highest-ranking administrator by title, was he not a member of the New Young Democrats?

This completely baffled Li Jing's understanding of the New Young Democrats' unwavering nature.

"How could I help it? With Su's influence, the aristocrats of the New Young Democrats dare not come to endure this humiliation, so I, with no background, must take the role. After all, it's just a matter of face, isn't it?"

Li Bufeng seemed to sense Li Jing's confusion and explained with a smile.

"Then you came today for Yang Bai Ze?" Li Jing frowned.

"Correct."

Li Bufeng spoke plainly, "I was entrusted with the task to ensure that child is well cared for. Alas, I am no longer able to do so, so I can only inspect his chosen allies to see what manner of men they are. That way, when I depart, my heart may rest easy."

"Are you ascending the ranks?"

"Stop with your sarcasm. Don't think I'm a scholar; I maintain my composure, yet I won't let you provoke me. If you anger me, Su Ce will arrive to deal with you!"

Li Bufeng, as if struck by Li Jing's kick, bristled indignantly, leaving Li Jing bewildered.

"I didn't call you anything."

"You insulted someone's promotion?"

Li Jing stammered, at a loss for words, biting his lip.

Though Li Bufeng's feigned anger did little to dispel the hidden hostility between them, it softened the tension.

"It seems the New Young Democrats have someone coming to claim my position. In other words, I've been relieved of duty."

Li Jing paused. "Is that the aristocrats?"

"Besides those old men, who would dare face such disgrace?"

Li Bufeng spoke carelessly, as though his removal were a trivial matter.

"Li, you're so adaptable, admirable."

After a long hesitation, Li Jing finally mustered, "All things are foreseen; what's the point of making a fuss over inevitability?"

Li Bufeng said, "So today I do not sit here as the Waiqu commissioner to discuss with you, but simply as Yang Bai Ze's elder, to pose three questions."

Before Li Jing could speak, Li Bufeng continued, "Of course, you need not feel scrutinized or reproached—you lack the authority and power. I merely feel that poor child's origins are pitiable, and to finally enjoy a few days of care, only to perish in the Waiqu... as elders, our hearts cannot bear it. Do you understand?"

Li Bufeng's words were earnest and moving.

Li Jing fell silent for a moment, slowly straightening his posture, and bowed his hands in salute. "Please instruct me."

"First question: Will you truly support Yang Bai Ze in handing over the new policies to the envoys? If so, I owe you a favor. If not, I will take Yang Bai Ze and depart the Waiqu, placing the achievements of the Dog Mountain city's reforms before the Laohuang Wang clan—without troubling your eyes, right?"

Having spoken, Li Bufeng awaited Li Jing's reply.

Li Jing met his gaze unflinchingly. "I have made promises that will not be broken."

"Good!"

Li Bufeng laughed heartily. "Second question: If all hope is lost, can you, within your means, ensure Yang Bai Ze survives?"

"This I cannot promise you."

Li Jing shook his head. "I myself am not secure from day to day. To spare me the trouble of entangling him is the best I can do."

"I understand."

Li Bufeng disregarded Li Jing's answer, instead smiling warmly and nodding. "Last question."

Li Bufeng slowed his speech to a crawl. "How do you view the New Young Democrats now?"

At this, Li Jing's response was abrupt. "Why look? There will be a battle sooner or later."

Li Bufeng halted, then with a sudden laugh, he slapped his thigh. "A fine saying—'there will be a battle sooner or later.' This truth I never grasped until today, learning it thoroughly from you and Su Ce, those warriors."

Li Bufeng rose and bowed to Li Jing. "On behalf of Pei Xingjian, I thank you, Li Jing."

Snick!

Li Jing tapped his foot, causing his chair to slide sideways and yield to Li Bufeng's salutation.

"Li, you're too courteous."

"As for me, I dislike owing favors. The favor I promised you just now, I now return to you."

Li Bufeng did not allow Li Jing to refuse, and spoke plainly, "The earth immortal of Zhang Mountain has arrived in Laizhou prefecture. However, he remains outside the Waiqu, waiting to ambush the people of Qingcheng Mountain. When he sets foot in the Waiqu's borders, I will notify you. Whether to fight or flee, Li Jing—you decide!"

With that, Li Bufeng departed in a cheerful mood, leaving Li Jing rooted in place, his countenance a study in bewilderment.