Chapter Fifty-Seven: Lofty and Aloof

Since Li Yun could remember—in fact, for nearly two months now—he had been an unmatched force in combat, without a single worthy opponent. Even the armored soldiers from the prefecture, if they let him get close, would be defeated in a single blow. But now, the invincible chieftain Li had finally met his match.

He held his breath, steadied himself, and lowered his stance—a crouching tiger ready to pounce—then charged once more. This time, Pei Zhuang dared not take the blow head-on. He sidestepped, right fist aiming for Li Yun’s left wrist, but Li Yun couldn’t evade in time. Gritting his teeth, he struck back with his own right fist, landing a heavy punch on Pei Zhuang’s shoulder.

Both men grunted, stumbling back several steps. Li Yun, the more robust of the two, only felt his joint go numb, but Pei Zhuang was clutching his left shoulder, his whole arm rendered useless.

Seeing Li Yun about to lunge again, Pei Zhuang quickly raised his left hand. “Stay! Hold, enough!”

Li Yun halted, looking at Pei Zhuang. After a breath, he said slowly, “Shall we call it a draw?”

Sweat had already beaded on Pei Zhuang’s brow from the pain. He looked up at Li Yun, his face darkening, barely restraining a curse.

“Is this how you fight? What kind of sparring is this?” he shouted angrily. “We’re supposed to be exchanging skills, and you go for mutual injury the moment the bout begins!”

Li Yun scratched his head, a little sheepish. This was simply the way he knew to fight. After all, he was once a mountain bandit—though he’d been chieftain only a few years, he was still a man who’d lived with his blade. When out raiding, there was no room for hesitation—one had to decide in an instant. His fighting style was the same: subdue the enemy in a heartbeat.

Every brawl he’d been in, he’d followed this principle—end it as swiftly and ruthlessly as possible.

Pei Zhuang, on the other hand, clearly came from a different world. Even though his martial arts might have surpassed Li Yun’s, he had suffered greatly in actual combat.

Li Yun realized this now. Rubbing his own left arm, he approached the suffering Pei Zhuang and asked, “Brother Pei, are you alright?”

Sweat trickled down Pei Zhuang’s forehead. He looked up, gritting his teeth. “It’s likely dislocated—maybe even broken!”

“Captain Li, this isn’t sparring, it’s battlefield fighting! Have I wronged you somehow?”

Li Yun shook his head. “No.”

“It’s just that this is all I know. I can’t do those formal, back-and-forth exchanges like you.”

Pei Zhuang exhaled, pale-faced. “This time, I admit defeat.”

“I’ll take my leave.”

He turned to go. Li Yun watched him depart and called out, “Shall I take you to the physician?”

“No… there’s no need!” Pei Zhuang ground out, clutching his shoulder as he limped away.

The burly man made his way down the street, wandering a while before entering an inn. In a guest room, he knelt before a young man in blue and bowed his head. “Young master, I failed.”

The youth was startled. “What, he refused to acknowledge you as his master?”

Pei Zhuang’s face flushed. “No, I… I couldn’t defeat him.”

The young master grew curious. “How is that possible? In the capital prefecture, you’re renowned.”

“That man…” Pei Zhuang growled, “is a fool, a brute! And he’s freakishly strong. I was careless and suffered for it.”

The young master finally smiled. “Interesting. It seems this covert approach won’t work. But if, as you say, he’s just a brawler, then there’s no need to waste time with him in private.”

“Rest now. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the Qingyang county office.”

Pei Zhuang hung his head, nearly in tears. “Young master, I think my arm is broken…”

The following day, at the Qingyang county offices:

In the main reception hall, the county magistrate Xue could do nothing but stand while a young nobleman sat in the seat of honor, smiling genially. “No need for such formality, Magistrate Xue. I’ve not yet continued on to Xuanzhou. There’s no need for a grand reception in Qingyang.”

“Please, be seated.”

Only then did Magistrate Xue take his place, forcing a smile. “I didn’t expect this imperial envoy to be Young Master Pei. Two years ago, when I was assigned to the Ministry of Personnel, I had the privilege of meeting you.”

Young Master Pei sighed. “I had no wish to travel the provinces, but with Great Zhou in peril and so many matters pressing, I had to come out and serve the court—easing my sovereign’s concerns, if only a little.”

He took up his teacup, but after only a sip, he frowned, discreetly poured the tea back into the cup, and set it aside.

Magistrate Xue, ever the seasoned official, caught the gesture and bowed again. “Qingyang is a small place and has little to offer. I fear we’ve failed to show due respect.”

Young Master Pei waved it off with a smile. “It’s nothing.”

He glanced at the magistrate, then changed the subject. “Where is Captain Li? Why is he not here yet?”

“I’ve already sent for him. He should be here any moment.” Even as he spoke, Li Yun’s voice came from outside.

“Li Zhao requests an audience.”

Magistrate Xue hastily wiped the sweat from his brow. “Come in, quickly.”

Li Yun strode into the hall, glanced at the magistrate, then at the young man in the seat of honor. He quickly guessed the young man’s identity but kept a neutral expression, bowing. “Greetings, Magistrate.”

Magistrate Xue promptly introduced, “This is the imperial envoy, Lord Pei.”

Li Yun now bowed to the young man. “Greetings, Envoy.”

“No need for ceremony.” Young Master Pei glanced at Magistrate Xue and said with a smile, “Magistrate Xue, I am here by imperial command to investigate the matter of rebels in Xuanzhou. Would you excuse us for a moment?”

Magistrate Xue quickly rose, gave Li Yun a meaningful glance, then bowed and withdrew.

Once he was gone, the young nobleman studied Li Yun, smiling. “How old are you?”

Li Yun, in turn, examined the young man, steady and unflinching. “I am twenty.”

“Unmarried?”

Li Yun shook his head. “Still a bachelor.”

“Excellent.” Young Master Pei smiled. “Your martial skill is impressive. It’s a shame for you to remain here in Qingyang. Come with me to the capital. In a few days, I’ll recommend you to the army. In time, you may well make your mark.”

His words were gentle, almost kindly, his tone warm and approachable. Yet beneath the pleasantness, there was an unmistakable air of superiority, as if taking Li Yun as his subordinate was a great favor bestowed from above.

Li Yun looked up, studying the young man earnestly, then feigned sudden realization. “So, Brother Pei from yesterday…”

Young Master Pei smiled. “One of my household guards—a retainer who travels with me.”

Li Yun chuckled. “He’s skilled indeed. He gave me quite a bruise.”

Young Master Pei reached for his tea, but upon seeing the cup, frowned again, irritation flickering across his face. “So, Captain Li, are you unwilling to come with me?”

Li Yun smiled and shook his head. “I’ve only recently returned from the provinces. I wish to stay in Qingyang a while longer, to rid the region of bandits and outlaws. If, in the future, I wish to serve in the army and win honor for the court, I’ll come to the capital to find you.”

Young Master Pei laughed dryly. “By then, you may not find me.”

He stood, drew a wooden token from his robe, and placed it on the table. “If you ever change your mind, bring this token to the Pei household in the capital.”

Then, hands clasped behind his back, he walked toward the door.

“One more thing.” At the threshold, he paused, his voice cool.

“Whatever we discussed today, do not repeat it to anyone.”

With that, he departed.

Li Yun watched his receding figure and suddenly realized something. Pei had asked him nothing at all! Which meant, whatever was said today—could be whatever Pei wished it to be.