Chapter 89

**Update Time: August 25, 2012**

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

---

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

Wang Linquan, who was hosting the prince on Mount Laomu, was a former soldier of the Beiliang army. Though he had not achieved much in his military career, he became fabulously wealthy after entering the business world, surpassing even the most prestigious noble families. He was known for his extravagant lifestyle and once engaged in a financial competition with a royal merchant in the state, drawing widespread criticism and a storm of abuse that could fill half of the Spring God Lake. At first glance, this old man, who had once held Xu Xiao's horse, seemed unremarkable, dressed like an ordinary townsman, and showed no arrogance. When he saw the prince, he was moved to tears, kneeling on the flat ground by the ferry, refusing to stand up no matter how much Xu Fengnian tried to help him up, sobbing uncontrollably. His family members, including his wife and children, were stunned.

Xu Fengnian, however, knew the inside story. This Wang, a man in his sixties, not only revered the Beiliang King but also deeply venerated the queen. He was one of the few old soldiers in the Beiliang army who had witnessed the young prince drawing his sword in his childhood. Though he was called a horse holder, the Xu family did not treat him as a servant.

The people who came out of the Beiliang army had two extreme fates: either they struggled at the bottom, worrying about daily necessities, or they rose to the top, becoming untouchably wealthy. This was related to the complex psychology of the empire towards the Beiliang army, a mix of fear and jealousy, leading to various forms of exclusion. Those labeled as Beiliang army members, after losing the protection of the iron cavalry, harbored deep resentment. After paying more blood and sweat to achieve success, they often governed their families, managed businesses, and engaged in politics with particular severity and ruthlessness.

Wang Linquan, who was kneeling before Xu Fengnian, was a prime example. In the Wang family, family law was far stricter than national law, and he governed his family like a military commander. Once, a daughter-in-law made an inappropriate comment and was immediately expelled from the family, and her son was dragged to the ancestral hall and whipped, regardless of her powerful background. Therefore, when the Wang family members saw their unpredictable and deep-minded patriarch kneeling to a young noble, they were all terrified, each speculating about the identity of the young man in white robes and jade belt.

The prince's journey and his rest on Mount Laomu were known only to Wang Linquan, the local boss, and were secretly arranged by Lu Qiu, with no room for error. Xu Fengnian looked up at the giant white jade Guanyin statue on the summit of Mount Laomu, which Wang Linquan had spent a million silver taels and ten years to build. The Guanyin, standing on a yellow dragon, had a fierce and compassionate expression, with her right hand in the gesture of fearlessness, pointing towards the Spring God Lake.

Wang Linquan finally stood up, wiped away his tears, and bowed to lead the prince, just as he had done when holding Xu Xiao's horse. Despite his immense wealth, he never forgot his roots. Seeing the prince gazing at the Guanyin statue, Wang Linquan said softly, "Your Highness, it's strange that every year on the second day of the second month, the Spring God Lake will have large water columns shooting into the sky. No one dares to sail on that day, which is called 'Dragon Head Raising.' It is said that a dragon, which brought rain to the south without permission and was punished by heaven, is trapped at the bottom of the lake. This dragon, dissatisfied with the heavenly punishment, causes storms on that day. After I invited the Guanyin, the lake has been calm."

Xu Fengnian, who had a broad but not necessarily deep knowledge, smiled and said, "On the second day of the second month, the constellation of the Dragon's Horn appears, marking the beginning of the dragon's rise. Therefore, ancient books say that dragons ascend to heaven during the Spring Equinox."

"Your Highness is well-learned," Wang Linquan sincerely praised, genuinely admiring Xu Fengnian without any flattery. In the empire, merchants had low status, but at Wang Linquan's level, he could sit at the same table as the governor without bowing. Known for his stern demeanor and quick to take offense, it was as difficult for him to praise someone as it was for him to show compassion. Therefore, when he praised someone, whether a scholar or an official, they were elated and felt very confident.

"Truly remarkable," Xu Fengnian said softly. "Aren't you afraid of rumors from the court? That it might affect your business?"

"Earning a million or ten million makes no difference to me. My descendants will have their own fortune. Since I can ensure their basic needs, I have no regrets towards my ancestors," Wang Linquan smiled.

"You are quite broad-minded," Xu Fengnian said,收回视线调侃道.

"All I've learned is皮毛 from the Great General and the Queen, not worthy of Your Highness's praise," Wang Linquan said, looking ashamed.

The Wang family's residence was a deep courtyard with pavilions, terraces, and a stream, exuding a Jiangnan-like charm. The main house was still a distance from the summit, requiring about an incense stick's time to walk. After arranging for Yu Youwei and others to stay, Xu Fengnian and Qingniao headed to the White Jade Guanyin statue, with Wang Linquan's youngest daughter, Wang Chudong, leading the way. This 16-year-old girl from Jiangnan wore a revealing ruqun, with her chest and back exposed, covered by a transparent gauze, and her innerwear was visible. The fabric was of the finest quality, with intricate patterns. This style, originally popular in Dongyue, had been adopted by the empire's noblewomen, and with the help of poets, it became even more prevalent, leading to increasingly bold clothing.

Wang Chudong, the wealthy young lady, had been staring at Xu Fengnian at the ferry, unashamed. Now, she chattered incessantly like a little sparrow. Wang Linquan had not told anyone about Xu Fengnian's identity, so she only knew that the handsome young man was surnamed Xu, and she eventually started calling him "Xu Brother." Xu Fengnian did not mind, smiling and listening to her clear voice, feeling peaceful.

Finally, they arrived at the square where the White Jade Guanyin statue stood. The Guanyin, with a fierce and compassionate expression, had her right hand in the gesture of fearlessness, pointing towards the Spring God Lake, as if bestowing fearlessness upon all beings.

Xu Fengnian sat cross-legged, with two young kui resting on his knees. The young lady, praised by the local literati as "Wang's daughter growing up," squatted beside him, looking devout. "Xu Brother, the Guanyin is very powerful. She stands there, pointing at the Spring God Lake, and during the Spring Equinox, there are no more water columns. When I was little, I was very afraid of the second day of the second month, with thunder and rain. After the Guanyin came, I could freely go to the lake to fish, make tea, and enjoy the snow. Xu Brother, test me, do you know what the Guanyin's hand gesture means?"

Xu Fengnian, well-versed in Buddhist lore, looked up and smiled. "The gesture of fearlessness."

Wang Chuxue giggled. "Correct."

She saw that Xu Fengnian was lost in thought and, bored, turned her head and noticed that the green-robed maid's eyes were moist. Surprised, she asked, "Xu Brother, why is this sister crying?"

Xu Fengnian came back to his senses and said softly, "Because this Guanyin statue resembles someone."

Wang Chuxue said, "Oh," and stopped talking, understanding.

Unbeknownst to them, Jiang Ni and the old sword god Li Chunjiang had also arrived at the square.

The old man looked at the statue deeply and muttered, "This gesture of fearlessness can be seen as a sword, with a mighty sword intent."

Jiang Ni said flatly, "I don't understand."

The old man glanced at Xu Fengnian, who looked strange, and asked, "What's wrong with that kid?"

Jiang Ni hesitated, then lowered her head. "This Guanyin looks a lot like the Beiliang Queen."

The old sword god was silent for a long time, then recited, "Walking alone, stopping alone, sitting alone, a green snake on a white line. A lone man, a lone robe, a lone sword, with three thousand sharp points. No one in the world can recognize me, only laughing at my madness. Only the mountain ghost and the dragon king know that a god is before them."

Jiang Ni frowned. "Did you write this poem?"

The old man smiled. "Others praised my 'Green Dragon Sword God Song' in the past. This is just a part of it. If you want to hear more, let me think."

Jiang Ni said irritably, "Don't think, I don't want to hear it."

Wang Linquan had prepared a grand feast and personally invited the prince to return to the residence, not forgetting the Beiliang light cavalry on the three large boats. Female servants carried the dishes in a steady stream. Xu Fengnian left the summit and particularly praised the black chicken and turtle soup, a specialty of the Spring God Lake. The black chickens were raised in the mountains, and the herbs in the area gave the meat a medicinal aroma, with black skin, meat, bones, and beaks. The turtles were a unique delicacy of the Spring God Lake, requiring a century-old turtle with a green beard to be considered genuine. Slowly stewed with the black chicken, the turtle's shell became soft, and the soup was highly praised by literati, who said, "Unable to leave the Spring God, half of the charm is this soup."

Wiping the grease from his mouth, Xu Fengnian, having enjoyed the most comfortable meal since leaving Beiliang, was finally full. He privately asked Wang Linquan for the historical geography of the region.

In the evening, as they cooled off in the courtyard, Jiang Ni read a never-before-seen book, "Dunhu