IDWBE -Chapter 437 Competition

Jiao Zhong lifted the cloths covering the baskets one by one, rummaged through them, and smiled, “What do I have here? Incense of subjugation, yellow tangerines, five-leaf ginseng… These are tribute items, yet Lord, you don’t lack them. You two are really thoughtful.”

Duan Liang’s lips twitched slightly as he said calmly, “Lord, your exalted status naturally ensures you have no shortage, but these are tokens of filial respect from us, your ministers. Please, Commander, accept them on our behalf.”

“Don’t worry. When Lord is in a good mood, I’ll be sure to mention it in front of him,” Jiao Zhong said as he waved to the guard at the door to carry the baskets away. “Your effort won’t be in vain.”

If it had been anyone else daring to speak this way, he could have tossed them aside immediately.

But these people from the orphanage, he didn’t have that courage.

Not just the monks or the blind ones, even some of the palace guards couldn’t be trifled with. If he angered Duan Liang or Fang Pi, it might not end well.

Most importantly, standing in front of Duan Liang, even as a Ninth Rank, he felt powerless to draw his sword!

Even if he did, he couldn’t win.

Are these orphanage people even human?

Could it be, as Lord He said, that those starting from the orphanage are truly cursed stars?

So he did his best to hold back. A small lapse in patience could ruin a grand plan!

He had to watch closely and see if Duan Liang could really live up to his motto: “Eating salted fish satisfies thirst.”

“Thank you. Then I shall take my leave,”

Duan Liang said, turning to walk away.

“I won’t linger either,” Fang Pi saluted Jiao Zhong and quickly followed Duan Liang.

After turning down the alley leading to He’s mansion street, Fang Pi laughed, “You didn’t have a grudge with him, so why did you get so worked up?”

Duan Liang wrapped his coat tighter and rubbed his hands, “You and I are brothers. Your enemies are mine, your friends are mine. Need I say more?”

“Good brother! I’ll buy you a drink!”

Fang Pi beamed, slinging an arm over his shoulder, “You don’t know how arrogant that bastard is, especially after becoming Commander. No humanity left in him. One day when I make it big, I’ll make him pay!”

“Three loads of thin water buffalo bones. Fear not the slow, only fear standing still. As long as you don’t stray, keep moving forward,” Duan Liang said as he walked. “You’d better curb your temper. Stop finding faults in everything. Learn from Qi Peng—you can’t underestimate him. He’s got skill.”

“I’m not underestimating him. The blind man already told me—good farmland comes with good neighbors, a good place to live matters more than elsewhere. Serving in the palace guards is far better than elsewhere. I won’t move blindly,” Fang Pi said casually. “Don’t worry, I won’t make a mistake.”

The key was, his skill wasn’t high. Other than the palace guards, where else could he go?

Over the years, those around him had skyrocketed in skill. Even his subordinates, Zhou Jingye and Shan Sanguan, had reached Eighth Rank!

If nothing went wrong…

Shan Sanguan might forge the “Heaven Collapses, Earth Shatters Purple-Gold Hammer” to perfection, breaking from Eighth to Ninth Rank!

Thinking of this, Duan Liang felt even more frustrated.

The Heaven Collapses, Earth Shatters Purple-Gold Hammer was the supreme technique of A-Dai and Yu Xiaoshi!

He had shamelessly begged them to teach him, and they hadn’t held anything back.

Yet he ended up learning nothing.

Now, passing it on to Zhou Jingye and Shan Sanguan, their progress was phenomenal, unstoppable.

It was impossible not to feel jealous.

Was he the useless one?

“That’s good,” Duan Liang stopped, patted Fang Pi on the shoulder, and smiled, “We grew up together as brothers. I hope you do well. Don’t take the wrong path.”

Fang Pi laughed, “You’re more tedious than the blind man. With that energy, you might as well talk about A-Dai and Yu Xiaoshi—they’re the ones always getting into trouble.”

Duan Liang shook his head, “Fools have simple luck. Even if they err, they won’t scheme against Lord or Master He. At most, they’ll mutter a bit. But for people like us, mistakes aren’t tolerated. Not a step can be wrong.”

“So my fault is not being a fool?”

Fang Pi sighed helplessly, “I understand. As long as I’m loyal to Lord, no one can touch me. You’re new here; don’t live at the Governor’s mansion yet. Stay at my place. I bought a two-courtyard house outside the city. That scoundrel Tian Sixi isn’t great, but saved me money.”

“I won’t trouble you. Being new, the Governor’s mansion must be busy. I’ll stay there. If Master He needs me, I can respond immediately,” Duan Liang shook his head, tightened his coat, “The North is really cold. On this journey, I’ve thought it through. No matter how high-ranking, I’ll eventually return to South Province. All the wealth in the world can’t beat being a lazy man at home.”

“Why return if we have no family there?”

Fang Pi laughed, “Ankang City took some getting used to, but you’ll get used to it. Plenty of good food, entertainment… you’ll see.”

“I’m looking for my sister,”

Duan Liang suddenly sighed.

Fang Pi lowered his head in shame.

He had forgotten about finding Duan Liang’s sister.

“On this trip north, I passed through Songyang, lingered for a while, found nothing. But I believe she’s still in South Province. As long as I live, I’ll find her,” Duan Liang said seriously, “I’ll become a high official, known across the land. Then she’ll find me.”

Fang Pi scratched his head, “If you can’t find her, let her find you. That works. Smart idea.”

“She’s my only family. I must find her—alive or dead,” Duan Liang said.

Fang Pi sighed, “Since you’ll stay at the Governor’s mansion, I won’t interfere. It’s cold—get in the carriage, I’ll escort you.”

Duan Liang shook his head, “Do you still not understand the palace guards?”

Fang Pi flushed, “Of course I understand, Lord’s eyes!”

Duan Liang smiled, “Since you understand, there’s no need to escort me. It’s better we meet less.”

Fang Pi pouted, “Do we need to avoid suspicion? Lord is a good man. He won’t mind.”

Duan Liang said seriously, “I thought you’d improve over the years. Just because Lord doesn’t mind doesn’t mean others won’t. If we’re too close, it benefits no one. Meeting more or less won’t affect our bond.”

“Of course not,” Fang Pi said confidently, “You’re still my brother.”

“Good. No more useless talk,” Duan Liang smiled.

Fang Pi muttered, “You and the blind man, A-Dai, can drink and play every day, leaving me out. Not fun at all.”

“Why are you acting more like a woman?”

Duan Liang nudged him, “Enough. Let’s go back. I need to report to Master He at the Governor’s mansion.”

He then jumped into the carriage.

“Slow down.”

Fang Pi only lowered his hand once the carriage disappeared into the dim street.

“Master, I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” Zhou Jingye suddenly appeared beside them, marveling, “Duan’s skill is unfathomable. No wonder Master He relies on him.”

“Exactly, exactly,” Shan Sanguan agreed, “We didn’t dare get close. If we angered him, the two of us tied together couldn’t withstand him even with one hand.”

“Really that powerful?”

Fang Pi knew Duan Liang was skilled, but not to this extent.

Shan Sanguan quickly said, “You know I never lie. Even Cui and Yu might not fare well against him.”

Others can call Cui Gengsheng or Yu Xiaoshi fools, but for small subordinates like them? No way!

Even if approaching Ninth Rank!

Previously, someone in the palace guards, guided by Pan Duo and learning special techniques from Sanhe, advanced from Sixth to Ninth Rank, like Zhou Jingye.

One of them, Jiang Cheng, had become the strongest in the guards under Pan Duo’s guidance.

By palace guard rules, the top ranks were supreme. Such a master was second to none.

But today was different. He Jin was dead.

Now Pan Duo held authority.

Promotion or wealth aside, respect was due.

Yet Pan Duo still scolded Jiang Cheng publicly when displeased.

Jiang Cheng resisted, being a Ninth Rank.

Even outside the guards, he could have succeeded anywhere.

Many martial artists thought so—including Shan Sanguan, who was Seventh Rank then.

But they were all wrong.

He saw Jiang Cheng, furious, exit the guards’ office, only to be pierced in the chest by a young man in white.

Before the blood could flow, Jiang Cheng collapsed—unwillingly dead.

Later, he learned the culprit was Da Liang’s top swordsman—Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu’s skill wasn’t the highest in Da Liang, but his swordsmanship was number one.

After that lesson, they understood Pan Duo’s confidence.

Even a tiger had to yield in the palace guards.

Shan Sanguan was about to reach Ninth Rank.

He was pleased, but Fang Pi dared not show disrespect.

In the palace guards, defiance equals death.

He hadn’t lived enough yet.

“Those two idiots can’t beat him?”

Fang Pi asked in surprise.

Shan Sanguan smiled wryly, “I doubt it.”

Fang Pi asked, “What about Master Pan?”

Pan Duo was reportedly at the peak of Ninth Rank. Older than Duan Liang. Surely he could beat him?

Shan Sanguan glanced around, “I dare not speak recklessly.”

He could comment on A-Dai or Yu Xiaoshi, but not Pan Duo—the top commander.

Fang Pi grumbled, “Just say it! Why so many words?”

Shan Sanguan forced himself, “Among the Ninth Rank in Ankang, perhaps only Yu Gongfeng could challenge Duan.”

“Yu Xiaochun is that strong?”

If not for Shan Sanguan mentioning it, Fang Pi would have forgotten about him.

“Exactly,” Shan Sanguan, careful not to say Pan Duo couldn’t beat Duan Liang, said with a smile, “In the Ninth Rank, besides him, I can’t think of anyone who could challenge Duan.”

“What about Liu Kan, Wei Yishan, Han Jin, Liang Yuanzhi, Jiang Zhen—they’re all geniuses. None of them?”

Fang Pi looked incredulous.

“Master,” Shan Sanguan smiled wryly, “I could contend with Lords Liu and Wei, but that’s it.”

He wanted to poke fun at Fang Pi for being foolish!

“Alright then.”

Fang Pi didn’t know whether to rejoice for Duan Liang or despair for himself.

He might be the weakest from the orphanage.

Unless one day he met the ringed elder from Lord’s novel, his skill would remain the lowest.

Shan Sanguan carefully said, “Master, a brother just reported that He Lian left the palace.”

Fang Pi yawned, “Where to?”

Shan Sanguan, “To the Crown Prince’s residence. Because of the cold, the Crown Prince worried about the heir and Crown Princess, and sent charcoal with his blessing.”

Fang Pi, “Did Lord approve?”

“Uh…”

Shan Sanguan hesitated, “The Crown Princess approved, showing mercy. She also arranged some books for the heir.”

“Such a big matter, and Xiao Xizi didn’t report to Lord?”

Fang Pi scratched his head, “That brat wouldn’t dare, right?”

Zhou Jingye, “Of course not. He and He Lian split into two groups. Now he heads straight to He’s mansion. If Lord approved, He Lian would go straight to the East Palace.”

“Next time, say it all at once,”

Fang Pi rolled his eyes, “Go back.”

“Where?”

Zhou Jingye and Shan Sanguan asked in unison.

“To the mansion,” Fang Pi turned and walked, “Wait for Lord’s orders there.”

“Yes.”

The two followed closely.

At the mansion entrance, they saw the young Xiao Xizi being helped down from the carriage by eunuchs.

Their eyes met.

Fang Pi laughed, “Not even seventy, and you can’t walk?”

The young Xiao Xizi, after being dressed in a windcoat by two eunuchs, looked at Fang Pi slowly, “It’s cold. Feeling lazy. Want to accompany me to see Lord?”

“No, you go first. I’ll wait outside,” Fang Pi stepped back.