Embers of Sword

Chapter 745 Xining Ferry
In the Great Li Dynasty, Chongzhou, Xining City, was bustling with activity.

Yuanzhou, Yuzhou, and Chongzhou were the three poorest and most desolate small cities in the Li Kingdom.

Logically, Xining should have been in the same situation, but because of Chongzhou's terrain, it gained a huge advantage.

This small town is the westernmost landmass of the "Chongzhou" shaped like a bottle, visible from Zhenhaitai. Because its surrounding coastline is dotted with ferry crossings, many cargo ships came and went, making it an important stop on the route from Qujiang to Beihai. Many aristocratic families, and even businesses in the surrounding area, needed to pass through "Xining City" for transactions and negotiations.

This way.

This small town was thus exceptionally transformed into a "treasure land" cherished by the impoverished Chongzhou.

At the Xining ferry crossing, numerous cargo ships were loading and unloading, along with a few scattered tourist boats. Within the Great Li Dynasty, prominent families had established mansions in Xining City, stationing their retainers there permanently… With enough people, even the barren desert could blossom into a vibrant place; Xining City was the best example. Due to its crucial role in maritime trade, numerous families moved in, and this small city revitalized itself in just a few decades, becoming a renowned entertainment capital of the Li Kingdom. In recent years, Fangyuanfang had invested heavily in opening restaurants, brothels, and entertainment venues in Xining City, attracting many纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families) and rich young masters.

"hurry up!"

"hurry up!"

Chongzhou is located in the northern border region, and in winter, the river surface at the ferry crossing freezes over with thick ice. Cargo ships are large and rough, not worth maintaining, so they are simply rammed into the harbor. At most, a few laborers are sent to guide them at the dock. But the pleasure boats that carry distinguished guests are different. There are servants waiting at the ferry crossing to prepare for the "pleasure boats" to enter the harbor. These servants all bow and kneel respectfully, holding lanterns and scattering talismans.

Crash.

Before any snow fell, the talismans drifted down like snowflakes, each one worthless.

These are said to be snow-burning talismans drawn by "Taoist masters," worthless to princes and nobles, but for ordinary people, even lighting one would cost half a month's hard-earned money. These talismans landed on the river surface and instantly ignited the ice. In just a few breaths, the ice and snow melted away, revealing a "clear" river surface, resembling a fairyland... The port where these servants waited had a dedicated channel and a guide at each docking point.

They were a hundred feet apart.

A cargo ship slowly docked at the ferry crossing. A dozen or so young men, dressed in thin clothes, were frantically "plowing" the ice with iron picks and hoes. They were desperately clearing a path for the cargo ship to dock. Despite it being the dead of winter, they were dressed in very light clothing, some even shirtless, their chests bare and steaming.

The contrast between the two is quite ironic.

"How pathetic."

A young gentleman, draped in a purple mink cloak, leaned against the railing of the pleasure boat, swirling his wine cup, and solemnly remarked, "In such bitter cold, they still have to work so hard... These poor people, it's truly not easy for them to make a living..."

Having said that.

But he only glanced at it before looking away.

It was freezing cold outside, and apart from a few hardworking laborers clearing the ice, there wasn't much to see.

The cruise ship is shrouded in a grand formation, and beautiful women are by its side.

The sound of the zither continued uninterrupted.

Seven or eight beautiful dancers were dancing barefoot in the pavilion by the pleasure boat, their waists slender and their charm alluring... However, what attracted the attention of this young man in a purple cloak was not these "lowly" dancers. He smiled, raised his wine cup, and said softly to the woman in white not far away, "Miss Xie, your visit this time is truly a pleasant surprise. Please allow me to host a banquet to show my hospitality."

"Young Master Zhu, there's no need to be so polite."

The woman in white was young and wore a straw hat, so her expression was not visible.

She said softly, "Yueying's trip eastward this time is only to visit the Marquis of Xining. Young Master Zhu is very grateful for his willingness to act as a matchmaker..."

Don't rush to reject me.

Young Master Zhu smiled and said, "As you know, my uncle is very busy. There are many merchants in Xining City. If he were to meet with everyone, how could he possibly manage? It's getting late tonight, and the banquet has already been set. Miss Xie, you should do me the honor."

"you……"

Beside the woman in white was a young man wearing an iron mask.

Upon hearing this, the stern-faced youth immediately stood up, his bronze eyes widening with rage.

Xining City was indeed a key location in Chongzhou and a major commercial center.

In the past, the Marquis of Xining had always treated the Xie family with great respect. Every year when the Xie family sent envoys here, the Marquis of Xining would personally go to greet them.

The Xie family... after all, is one of the top three aristocratic families in Da Chu!
But now, the situation is quite different.

Since the Renshou Palace Incident and the decline of the Xie family, Xining City has ignored the letters from Jiangning.

These days, being greeted by someone is already considered an honor.

This is what is meant by the fickleness of human relationships.

People leave, tea cools, all in an instant.

"The bronze bull, no way."

Before the stern-faced youth could lash out, a soft shout reached his heart, and then a snow-white hand gently rested on his shoulder, pressing him back down.

Xie Yueying stood up and said with a smile, "Young Master Zhu is right... This visit was rather abrupt, and I am truly grateful for Young Master Zhu's hospitality and for arranging the banquet..."

Say it.

The cruise ship made a slight tremor as it docked.

Young Master Zhu didn't wait any longer and got off the boat first. He frowned, looked at the obsequious waiter who was welcoming the boat, and kicked him.

Snap!
The servant closest to the boat was kicked hard to the ground.

"I've told you so many times, be careful when you come ashore."

Young Master Zhu said coldly, "You can't bear to part with the 'Snow Melting Talisman'? How much silver does the Marquis's mansion give you every year... and you can't even handle this simple task?"

The servants all knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

"What day is it today? Didn't I tell you?"

Young Master Zhu frowned, looked into the distance, and said, "Those filthy bastards, hurry up and get rid of them... They're really annoying to look at..."

As soon as these words were spoken, guards from the Marquis's residence rushed towards the distant ferry to drive away the laborers who were clearing ice from the cargo ships.

"This guy surnamed Zhu..."

Upon witnessing this scene, the bronze bull, who was following behind, couldn't help but grit its teeth and was about to explode on the spot.

But after thinking about it, given the prevailing circumstances, I had no choice but to give in.

"Feel sorry."

After doing all this, Young Master Zhu returned with a smile, adopting a proper and gentlemanly demeanor, and extended a hand to help Xie Yueying disembark.

"These two ferry crossings are for my family's private use, and we occasionally take on some business. I had already given them instructions today, but there are always some guys who don't know their place..."

Young Master Zhu said with a smile, "Those servants were naked and broke the rules. I will arrange for them to be severely punished later."

"Mr. Zhu."

Seeing this, Xie Yueying sighed and said, "Didn't you say before that these people have it tough too? Let's not punish them."

Say it.

She took out a purse from her bosom, then some loose silver. Instead of handing it directly to Young Master Zhu, she looked at the servant beside her and said, "Please distribute this loose silver... to those who are working hard... and say it's a reward from 'Young Master Zhu'..."

"This……"

The servant, who had just been kicked and was still clutching his stomach in pain, didn't rush to catch the kicker when he saw this. Instead, he looked at his master.

"Blind? Can't you see Miss Xie's reward money?"

Young Master Zhu smiled as usual, and with rare magnanimity, waved his sleeve: "Take it and distribute it."

"……Yes."

The servant, clutching his throbbing abdomen, took the silver and limped away.

"I didn't realize that Miss Xie is not only beautiful, but also has a kind heart."

Young Master Zhu sighed sincerely, then immediately bent down and resumed his previous posture.

"Come, come, this way please."

…… ……

A hundred feet away.

With a slight thud, the large ship began to rock gently.

Xie Xuanyi opened his eyes.

Darkness surrounded us from all sides.

This scene was very familiar, quite similar to the coffin in "Yuzhu Town", but the difference was that Xie Xuanyi was not in a coffin, but in a wooden crate surrounded by weeds.

After leaving Zhenhaitai, Xie Xuanyi did not immediately ride his sword to Chongzhou.

With his current level of attainment.

Traveling to Chongzhou by sword takes only one night.

However... Nalan Xuance deployed the [Iron Curtain] on the border of the Li Kingdom. Not to mention entering the pass, even if a Yin God Realm expert approaches on a sword, the [Iron Curtain] will detect and respond.

Xie Xuanyi, of course, didn't care about the Iron Curtain.

If he wanted to enter the city, no one could stop him; even Nalan Xuance's personal arrival would be of no use.

only……

He wanted to enter the city "under an assumed name".

Therefore, some tricks are needed.

Fangyuanfang, under Chen Jingxuan's command, could provide this convenience. The cargo ship set off from the lower reaches of the Qujiang River, sailed against the current, made a brief overnight stop on the eastern bank of the northern border, and then headed towards Xining City... Qian San personally arranged this cargo box for Xie Xuanyi. At dawn, Xie Xuanyi "sat" into the cargo box, began to meditate, and closed his eyes to rest.

It must be said that this waterway was quite convenient; in less than a day, we successfully entered the country and arrived in Xining.

Although the way they entered the country was somewhat chaotic, it had been deduced by Chen Jingxuan...

Before leaving.

The young imperial advisor told Xie Xuanyi meaningfully that entering the pass in this way might bring some unexpected "surprises".

Xie Xuanyi slowly opened his eyes.

Although he was resting with his eyes closed, his divine sense was subconsciously spreading outwards, covering an area of ​​a hundred feet in radius to ensure there were no accidents.

The commotion on the boat a hundred feet away was naturally captured clearly by the divine sense...

"Could this be the 'surprise' Chen Jingxuan was talking about?"

Xie Xuanyi rubbed his temples, trying to gather his thoughts.

After the Southern Frontier Demon-Slaying Incident, the Prince of Jiangning died and his spirit vanished, leaving the entire Prince of Jiangning's mansion in name only.

This was followed by the defeat at Renshou Palace, a defeat that led to an unprecedented and massive purge throughout Jiangning.

Xie Xuanyi was a person with an extremely weak sense of "family". The Xie family did indeed have the kindness of raising and cultivating him, but he had already repaid these debts in his previous life. After killing Xie Zhisui, he never cared about the trivial matters of Jiangning again.

However, he did not expect that in just one or two years, the Xie family would decline to this extent.

What is the Marquis of Xining?
A person who is not even at the Yin God Realm might have some influence in Chongzhou, but in the context of Li Kingdom, he is just an insignificant pawn.

The true master of Xining City was never the Marquis of Xining.

If Nalan Xuance is willing, this precious land of Chongzhou will quickly change hands before dawn tomorrow.

"Xie Yueying... Xie Yueying..."

Xie Xuanyi frowned and fell into thought.

This name sounds somewhat familiar.

More than ten years ago, before he was hunted down by Renshou Palace, he and Xie had not yet fallen out and their relationship was very good.

Xie Xuanyi personally presented a sword to "Xie Sheng" and also held sermons for many young members of the Xie family.

If I remember correctly, the Xie family had several promising young talents back then...

After a moment's thought.

Xie Xuanyi vaguely recalled some details.

During that sermon, a young girl asked me a question and sought the Dao. I gave her a flying sword, which was not of very high quality, only a seventh-grade sword.

Two faces, subtly merging into one.

Although Xie Yueying was wearing a bamboo hat, she could not stop the divine sense from sweeping over her.

"If I remember correctly, Xie Yueying, like me, was born into an outer sect, a collateral branch..."

"Twelve years have passed, and I have barely reached the Cave Heaven Realm in my cultivation. My aptitude can only be described as mediocre."

Xie Xuanyi shook his head, completely baffled as to what Chen Jingxuan meant by "surprise".

He pulled his distracting thoughts away.

Another burst of noise and commotion arose outside.

"beat!"

"Hit me!"

"Beat them hard!"

The cargo ship docked at the ferry, where several guards from the Marquis's residence were beating a man who was breaking ice with sticks.

The servant boy, carrying the broken silver, trotted over and came closer. The first thing he did, of course, was not to distribute the money... but to sneakily look behind him. The ferry crossing was already deserted, the ice-burning talisman was steaming, and the boats and pavilions were being draped in thin gauze by the wind. They were all empty.

Young Master Zhu has gone far away.

The white-clad girl who had offered the reward money had also gone far away.

The servant breathed a sigh of relief, and his previously hunched and hunched back straightened up at that moment.

He gritted his teeth and stepped forward, kicking a strong young man hard in the lower back, with a force even greater than that of Young Master Zhu. He then grabbed a wooden stick and struck him heavily, as if he wanted to break the stick in order to vent his anger.

"You blind fool! Of all people, you had to do it today!"

"You made me get beaten up!"

"Brothers...give them a good beating!"

He launched into a tirade of insults, followed by physical attacks.

The laborers pulling the cargo ship didn't resist; they just covered their heads and begged for mercy... Clearly, this had happened more than once.

The sound gradually faded away.

It wasn't these laborers who were beaten to death.

Rather, the servants of the Marquis's residence were exhausted, and many of their sticks had been broken.

Only after this process did they stop.

"Pah... ptooey!"

The head servant, exhausted, stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the few pitiful, burly men lying in pools of blood, curled up and groaning, without a trace of pity in his heart.

He took a sip, and that was the end of it.

Then the servant took out warm silver coins from his clothes and distributed them to everyone according to their relationship with the servants... The one who could stand at the front of the ferry to greet guests and personally entertain Young Master Zhu was naturally the one with the highest status and the best ability to judge the situation among these servants.

(End of this chapter)