Chapter 43: A Confidant in Blue

A constable mocking an ordinary wealthy family might have been tolerable if endured, but to insult the women of the household was intolerable, at least for him. Once violence broke out, there would be reason enough for escalation. In the past, these constables would never have dared such behavior; but now, with rebel forces besieging the city and chaos reigning within, once the Wang family was extinguished and profits divided among officials, the matter would be forgotten.

Before the rebels surrounded the city, every prominent family had martial guardians; ninth-rank, eighth-rank, and even seventh-rank warriors were common. Some families, just below the three great clans of Yanggu County, even had a sixth-rank patriarch or elder overseeing matters. If the merchant guilds united their strength, they would far surpass the three clans, though only possessing a fifth-rank expert to maintain order. Yet even a fifth-rank wasn’t invincible; in a brawl, death could still come. Moreover, many wealthy families had ties to higher-level officials, seeking shelter and protection through shared profits, so the three clans dared not enforce their power openly.

But now, everything had changed. With rebels besieging the city, martial guardians within wealthy households frequently betrayed their masters, stole, and usurped control. Unless a family had martial heirs capable of maintaining order, survival was nearly impossible, and many prominent families in Yanggu County had already fallen. These guardian warriors, once they betrayed their masters, would share profits with powerful figures in Yanggu County, buying themselves passage out of the city. Whether they could escape the rebels afterward depended entirely on their skill. When these warriors fled, even if pursued and killed by rebels, they would still cost the rebels dearly, so General Zhao Manbow welcomed such events.

With so many families destroyed, merchant guilds were nominally existent, but powerless. Wealthy families without martial guardians were now lambs awaiting slaughter; the guilds could no longer support them, and connections to external officials were useless.

Sun Shi died in an alley. Su Yang circled to the other side, swiftly seeking out the other ninth-rank warrior Sun Shi had mentioned. This man had dark skin, a short and stocky build, an ugly face reminiscent of a pig demon, and a pair of narrow, beady eyes. He was leering at Liu Wenxiang and the others on the street, unaware of the dagger behind him.

When a blade pierces the heart from behind, it’s nearly impossible to cry out; only blood froths at the throat, and when the dagger is withdrawn, blood gushes forth, death coming instantly.

Su Yang dragged the corpse into the alley, where the doors were tightly locked, sealed with government notices—likely the entire family was dead. The lock was crude; the dagger easily broke it open. The courtyard was desolate, with traces of blood on the ground.

Sun Shi and the ninth-rank warrior were tossed into the house like garbage. Later, when night fell and no one was around, their bodies—and those of their families—would be dealt with. Only when all were dead would there be no one left to pursue the matter.

“You five, come here,” Su Yang said as he emerged from the alley, beckoning to the five ordinary constables Sun Shi had brought, before slipping back inside.

The five glanced at each other, eyes flickering with suspicion and caution. Hands on their swords, they walked toward the alley.

“Where’s Head Sun? Did something happen?” one constable questioned.

“Head Sun is a ninth-rank warrior, and Scholar Su is ninth-rank as well. He couldn’t have killed him silently. Let’s go check…”

“We should still be careful.”

Four nodded, one stayed behind, gripping his sword beside Liu Wenxiang—ready to seize her if anything happened. Just in case, it was wise. There was still a ninth-rank constable hidden in the shadows; they had no fear of Su Yang.

No sound came from the alley. Four constables lay in pools of blood, discarded beside Sun Shi’s corpse, the air tinged with the scent of blood. Had he only ninth-rank strength, Su Yang would never have dispatched four skilled men in silence. Fortunately, with seventh-rank speed like the wind, aided by the Black Serpent Dagger, the four perished before they could react.

Only four; one hadn’t come. Su Yang hid in the alley, peering from another entrance. The constable stood with his back to Su Yang, sword in hand, watching the alley warily.

Su Yang approached silently, dagger in hand, unseen by Liu Wenxiang and the others, who noticed nothing until Su Yang tapped the constable’s shoulder and snapped his neck. Only then did Liu Wenxiang and Wang Xiahé scream, their cries sharp and piercing.

The screams soon faded. Su Yang tossed the last body into the house, closed the doors, and re-affixed the government seals before returning. “Mother-in-law, it’s done. We’d best hurry to the Song family.”

“Good, good…” Liu Wenxiang was still shaken, her body weak, her delicate feet in embroidered shoes barely able to stand. Fortunately, her maid Xi Liu supported her.

Those two ninth-rank constables had been sent by the Song family to scout the route. Once the bodies were dealt with, they would move to destroy the Song family as well.

Now that the Wang family was targeted, the enemy would not easily give up. Therefore, it was best to strike first—destroy the Song family completely. His eighth-rank strength ought to be revealed soon; otherwise, every stray dog would come biting.

“Son-in-law, tell me—what’s going on? Those constables were clearly here to cause trouble.”

After walking a while, Liu Wenxiang regained her composure, broke free from Xi Liu, and walked beside Su Yang, her tone anxious.

Su Yang did not hide anything, explaining all that had happened. Liu Wenxiang’s almond eyes widened: “The Song family’s eldest son is exceptionally talented, already eighth-rank. There are several ninth-rank warriors in their house. Our Wang family is in real trouble now.”

“Son-in-law, we should hurry home and think of a plan. Let’s not go to the Song family anymore.”

Liu Wenxiang believed Su Yang completely, without a trace of doubt, already considering him her most trusted confidant.

“Listen to me. Pretend nothing happened. I’ll handle this,” Su Yang said, patting Liu Wenxiang’s soft, fair hand and gazing at her beautiful, worried face.

If one intends to wipe out a family, familiarity with the routes, the layout of alleys and houses, and who lives where is crucial. First, eliminate the sentries, then the strongest, then deal with the rest; finally, end it all with a fire.

Without knowledge of the terrain, total annihilation would be difficult—some would always escape. As the saying goes, uproot the weeds to prevent regrowth; he had no desire for loose ends.

Since the Song family sought the destruction of the Wang and Su families, he would destroy the Song family.

Within a few moments, Liu Wenxiang and her group, including Wang Chunxiao and Wang Xiahé, arrived at the Song residence, escorted inside by servants.

In the backyard, within the compound, a troupe performed on stage. The leading actress was stunning, and the audience included several people Su Yang recognized: Zhang Qingshi, Zhang Ji, and the Zhang family matron.

There was also a man with jade-white skin, adorned with a floral hairpin and dressed in white, holding a folding fan and displaying an occasional air of frivolity. On the fan were the words “East Gate”—surely the renowned Dongmen Qing of Yanggu County.

This man was notorious for his romantic pursuits, connected to a powerful official and the adopted son of a eunuch in the capital. With a harem of wives and concubines, he was rumored to indulge in nightly revels, especially fond of seducing other men’s wives.

The Song family’s daughter had married Dongmen Qing, bearing him his only heir and thus becoming his principal wife.

As a sixth-rank warrior, he was formidable in Yanggu County.

Indeed, upon seeing Liu Wenxiang and her party enter, Dongmen Qing’s face lit up with excitement and greed, his gaze lingering on Liu Wenxiang and Wang Xiahé—a charming, graceful young maiden, and a mature, alluring lady, and most enticing of all, mother and daughter.

Behind Dongmen Qing stood two women. One, holding a child, was presumably his wife Yue-niang. The other had a slender face, willow brows, bewitching eyes, a graceful figure, and voluptuous curves—truly a peerless beauty.

If Su Yang were to describe her in a single phrase: she was seduction incarnate. In a brothel, she would surely be the star whose beauty drained men’s souls.

He did not know her name.

Besides Dongmen Qing and the Zhang family, there was another family Su Yang had never met—the Liang family, also prominent in Yanggu County. Lady Liang was plain-faced, about forty, accompanied by two similarly average daughters.

The Song family’s matron was present, and the eldest son Song Gong, dark-skinned, reportedly already eighth-rank and about twenty-four or twenty-five.

“Lady Liu, you’ve finally arrived. Please, take a seat and let us enjoy this new performance,” the Song matron said, rising to greet them. Though full of doubt and shock, she wore a mask of delight.

Had the constables failed? It shouldn’t be so! The Wang family had only a son-in-law of ninth-rank; how could he compare to two ninth-rank constables? This Su son-in-law showed no sign of battle, so perhaps they hadn’t met?

“Leaving late delayed us a bit.”

“Did you encounter any trouble on the way?”

“None at all.”

“That’s best…” The Song matron sighed with relief. They must have missed them; she still needed to contact the two constables, as the matter was unresolved.

“Lady Liu, are you the owner of Jiangnan House?” Dongmen Qing interjected.

“Yes,” Liu Wenxiang replied, then looked away, ignoring Dongmen Qing.

Dongmen Qing didn’t give up, shifting his gaze to Wang Xiahé, just as he was about to approach her, Su Yang stepped forward, blocking him. “Are you Master Dongmen?”

“Yes. And you are?” Dongmen Qing scrutinized Su Yang.

“I am the Wang family’s son-in-law.”

“Oh? Is there something you need?”

To men, Dongmen Qing was far more indifferent. Su Yang stepped closer and whispered, “I’ve heard Master Dongmen is well-versed in matters of intimacy. I wonder when I might visit your residence to learn from you?”

As soon as Su Yang finished, Dongmen Qing’s eyes gleamed. If the Wang son-in-law came to his house, he would have reason to visit the Wang mansion in return, making it easier to pursue the alluring lady and graceful maiden.

After all, his wife was behind him, and it was their first meeting—it was unwise to be too forward. Dongmen Qing, though passionate about women, had a peculiar habit: he never used force, preferring to win women with his talent, appearance, and skill, so they willingly followed him and became his playthings.

He despised violence and abduction. The true pleasure was seducing married women, especially those with husbands.

“Oh, then let’s agree—come to my residence tomorrow?” Dongmen Qing urged.

“Tomorrow is too soon. I have matters to address these days. Let me visit in five days,” Su Yang replied.

“Deal,” Dongmen Qing said, glancing at Liu Wenxiang and the others, “Su Yang, right? I’ll count you as a friend.”

Su Yang returned the glance, noting the seductive woman behind Dongmen Qing. “Rest assured, Master Dongmen, I’ll be your friend as well. By the way, who are these two ladies behind you?”

Su Yang thought he ought to stay home more often, especially with mother-in-law and sister-in-law—these beauties were nothing but trouble. Still, Dongmen Qing’s flaws were obvious. Though a sixth-rank warrior and easy to deal with, if other sixth-rank warriors coveted his mother-in-law and sister-in-law, he’d have to flee with them.

Whether mother-in-law or sister-in-law, Su Yang would never allow Dongmen Qing to harass them. He would find an opportunity to deal with him—though he himself was only seventh-rank, Dongmen Qing, for all his recklessness, had sixth-rank strength.

To handle him would require finesse.

Dongmen Qing patiently introduced everyone. The woman of unrivaled allure was Jin Ping’er—charming and seductive, she stirred desire in all who saw her. With so many wives and concubines—forty or fifty, in fact—even if one rotated daily, some would scarcely see him in a year. Jin Ping’er had long been dissatisfied, so upon seeing Su Yang, a refined scholar, she felt a strong attraction.

As for Liu Wenxiang and Wang Xiahé, they avoided Dongmen Qing, letting their maid shield them. Dongmen Qing shook his head, helpless, but determined to win this mother-daughter pair—they were simply too exquisite.

After some lively exchanges, everyone sat down to watch the play. The Song matron and Liu Wenxiang had been friends since childhood.

Liu Wenxiang never expected her old friend would move against her and the Wang family.

“Master Su, it’s been a long time,” Zhang Qingshi said, approaching with a gentle smile. Her presence was pure and ethereal, like a scholar’s spirit drifting in smoke, untouched by the mundane world.

Among all the men present, Zhang Qingshi found none appealing, considering them vulgar. But Su Yang was different—he could compose poems of unrivaled beauty. Thus, Zhang Qingshi had a special fondness for him, even regarding him as a confidant.

…

(PS: This novel does not feature gifting women; feel free to read!)