Chapter 2

As the cherry blossoms murmured in the courtyard, Yu'er naturally heard the knocking at the door. Such urgent hoofbeats and knocks were rarely heard in the tranquil Willow Town.

"Who is it? What's the rush!" Yu'er, who was already in a bad mood, was somewhat annoyed. Even requests for coffins were not this urgent, let alone the fact that everyone in Willow Town and its surroundings should know that the number of nine coffins for the year was already full. Why come to invite bad luck?

With a "creak," Yu'er opened the door and was stunned.

Outside the Wang family's gate, there were no fewer than twenty or thirty warhorses lined up in a row. Beside the horses stood uniformly dressed black-clothed knights, all tall and robust, wearing soft armor, with swords and knives hanging from their waists, looking mighty and awe-inspiring.

The leading general had a tiger-like back and bear-like waist, long eyebrows, and narrow eyes. He wore a black brocade robe and a silver-threaded armor, with a long-handled battle saber on his back.

What was particularly eye-catching was the embroidered eagle on the general's black cloak, about to take flight, vivid and lifelike.

"Northern Army?" Yu'er had heard stories about the Northern Army in town, but she never expected them to be so impressive.

"Are you... here for a coffin?" Yu'er was somewhat panicked. The Wang family often had people come for coffins, including high-ranking officials, but this was the first time the Northern Army had come.

"I am Mo Long, the commander of the Black Eagle Camp of the Northern Inner Guard. May I ask if this is the Wang family? Is Old Master Wang Jue here?" The leading general, upon seeing Yu'er, felt a bright light before his eyes. He didn't expect such a beauty in the small Willow Town. However, as a distinguished commander, he naturally maintained his manners and gave Yu'er a slight bow.

The Northern Guard was the elite of the Northern Army, divided into four guards: East, West, South, and North, and the Inner Guard.

The Inner Guard was responsible for the safety of the imperial palace, accompanying the emperor, and other duties. It had four camps: Divine Fire, Flying Snow, Black Eagle, and White Tiger. The Northern Guard was the king's army, and every soldier was proud to be part of it.

Yu'er was surprised to see that the Black Eagle Camp was at the Wang family's door, and the leader was even the commander of the Guard. This was no small matter.

Yu'er felt a headache. Such a formidable presence was beyond her to handle.

"This is indeed the Wang family. May I ask what the general needs?" Just as Yu'er was feeling troubled, A Mu came out of the house.

Mo Long glanced at A Mu, seeing that he was only about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a steady demeanor but still retaining a hint of childishness. Since it wasn't Wang Jue, he looked down on him a bit but still replied, "I am here on the orders of the Southern King of the North to request a coffin and speak with Old Master Wang Jue!"

In the North, there was hardly anyone who didn't know the Southern King of the North, a renowned figure commanding a million troops.

A Mu, of course, could hear the condescension in Mo Long's words, using the king's order to pressure him.

"My master is resting and cannot see guests. Moreover, the Wang family only makes nine coffins a year, and the number is already full. I'm afraid we cannot comply. Willow Town has many century-old shops that can make excellent coffins. I hope the general will seek elsewhere!" A Mu said calmly.

"Hmm?" Mo Long raised an eyebrow. A Mu's words were neither humble nor arrogant, showing no respect for him, the distinguished commander of the Guard.

The Northern Guard was the emperor's personal guard, and they usually dealt with princes and high-ranking officials. Wherever they went, they had some influence. When had they ever heard cold words, let alone from commoners?

Now, after traveling a thousand miles to the small Willow Town, they had come to visit Wang Jue with great courtesy, only to be met with a soft refusal even before seeing him.

However, as the commander of the Black Eagle Camp, Mo Long had been through many storms and had some composure. He said, "The Wang family's coffins are a specialty of the North. I am here on the king's orders and hope to speak with Old Master Wang Jue! Otherwise, if anything goes wrong, the king's punishment will be something neither you nor I can bear!"

If it were a common person, they would have been terrified by the mention of the king's orders and the king's punishment. But A Mu was unmoved. In his mind, "king's orders" and "emperor" were no different from Ah Mao and Ah Gou.

"The Wang family's rules cannot be broken. Meeting my master would be in vain. For such a small matter as making a coffin, I, A Mu, can make the decision!" A Mu said calmly, looking at Mo Long.

"Um! Making a coffin indeed doesn't need to involve my father. My brother can decide it." Yu'er blinked her big eyes and said inappropriately.

The brother and sister's banter made Mo Long lose his composure. He had been courteous, but he never expected to encounter such an ungrateful family.

Thinking of this, Mo Long straightened his body and gave A Mu a cold look.

"Such a strict rule in the Wang family? Is the Wang family's rule greater than the Southern King's order?"

"Heh!" A Mu sneered inwardly, and the term "feudal remnants" suddenly popped into his mind.

"The emperor's order is indeed great! However, making a coffin is a matter of the Wang family. Whether to make it or not must follow the Wang family's rules!" A Mu said neither humbly nor arrogantly. He wouldn't be foolish enough to say the Wang family's rules were greater than the emperor's order, as that would be considered treason. Although A Mu was not afraid, it would be unwise to get into trouble over a mere verbal dispute.

"Hmph!" Mo Long sneered. He had expected A Mu not to say the Wang family's rules were greater than the Northern King's order, but he didn't expect A Mu to refuse to make the coffin or let him see Wang Jue.

Mo Long was a hot-tempered person, but he had been suppressing his anger. If it weren't for the Southern King's repeated instructions to be courteous, he wouldn't have held back until now.

"Business is about harmony. Rules are dead, but people are alive. Young man, it's best not to hurt each other's face! Otherwise, it might not end well." Mo Long suppressed his anger again, but the threat in his words was clear. The Northern Army soldiers behind him glared at A Mu.

"The Wang family makes coffins based on skill and rules. General, you can ask around; has the Wang family ever broken the rule of nine coffins in decades? Have you heard the saying in Willow Town, 'Forcing a tenth coffin will surely bring divine punishment'?"