When Qiao Xian arrived, Feng Xiao was drawing.
Undistracted, with a smile lingering at the corner of his lips, he looked like he was in a good mood.
Regardless of how unwilling she was, greeting him was still necessary.
"Qiao Xian from the Zuoyue Bureau has come to see the Second Commander."
Feng Xiao did not raise his head, his brush never stopping. From Qiao Xian's perspective, it was unclear to her what he was drawing; but the rattan paper reflected Feng Xiao's smile through the tip of his brush and as warm, gentle sunlight fell upon him—a beauty holding a brush—even for Qiao Xian who disliked Feng Xiao, she could not refrain from admitting that this was a very stunning sight.
However, for Qiao Xian, all the beauty of that sight shattered the very moment Feng-er opened his mouth.
"It seems like Cui Buqu still refuses to come in person."
Qiao Xian said, "This humble one came here on the Commander's orders to pick up something that should have rightfully been given to the Zuoyue Bureau. Second Commander, I beseech you to honour your promise."
Feng Xiao ignored the cold glare she gave, and remained smiling, "This is a gamble between Cui Buqu and I. If he wants that name list, let him come here himself. Aside from him, I will not acknowledge anyone else. Moreover,"
Pausing for a moment, Feng Xiao placed his brush down, surveying the completed drawing for a moment and only then did he raise his head to look at Qiao Xian.
"The reason Cui Buqu sits on the same table of power with me is because he is qualified to be so. You called yourself 'humble', yet your tone does not sound like someone's subordinate. Did Cui Buqu bring you along with him all the while thinking that this attitude could assist him in lifting his concerns?"
Following, Qiao Xian's gaze changed to astonishment, and Feng Xiao gave a devilish smile.
"Although you know the art of face-changing as well as the medical arts, in the Jiejian Bureau, people like you are not irreplaceable. If I offer one of them to Cui Buqu, guess, will he accept it or not? And will the new person replace you?"
Fury rushes up from Qiao Xian's chest. She wanted to say something but decided there was no need to argue when those words lingered on her tongue. In the end, they dissolved into a few cold words, "I fear you will be disappointed. The palace has sent a new bodyguard to assume the post of the Commander's personal guard!"
Feng Xiao spoke shockingly, "Wouldn't that make you fall out of favour then?"
Qiao Xian: "…"
As Qiao Xian left angrily in a hurry, Pei Jingzhe couldn't help asking, "My Lord, if Cui Buqu comes himself the next time, are we truly giving them the name list?"
Feng Xiao raised a brow, "If he is willing to submit, why not?"
Pei Jingzhe complained, "But in it is also written the hidden weaknesses of every rank and official. How many efforts has the Jiejian Bureau wasted in order to gather this complete information?"
How can they just give it away like that?
Feng Xiao squinted his eyes, "You don't understand Cui Buqu. If he comes in person, then he would have already taken complete measures to give everything in order to trade with me. You also know full well that we are at a disadvantage to lose this over a game of chess. Would Cui Buqu not acknowledge this? He never expected me to give it away this easily, so he hadn't come to us yet, because, for the time being, the Zuoyue Bureau has nothing worthy enough for me to be moved by persuasion."
The more Pei Jingzhe listened, the more confused he was, "Then are you hoping for him to come, or hoping for him not to come?"
Feng Xiao did not answer this question, changing the subject, "Go and investigate who it is that the Empress has sent him."
This isn't some sort of secret, neither was it difficult to investigate. Pei Jingzhe nodded and left, coming back not long later.
"My Lord, it's the Sima from the General of the Left Wing, Guan Shanhai. The Guan family has served the army for three generations, Guan Shanhai has an excellent record of marksmanship on the battlefield, and rarely would he meet an opponent. As the saying goes, he might succeed the future General of the Left Wing, heading the Left Wing Guards of the capital. It could be seen that the Empress greatly values him since she has dispatched to him such a person."
Feng Xiao snorted contemptuously, "His workmanship on the battlefield indeed champions ten thousand men, skilled in charging into the enemies as a front liner, but he might not be suited to be a personal guard. Guan Shanhai was being promoted non-stop all the while, and he's had a pleasant journey, as well as real abilities, he would be prouder than the usual person. To be transferred to the Zuoyue Bureau all of a sudden, it's difficult for him not to feel undeserving."
He rose after he spoke, going outside.
Pei Jingzhe immediately followed up, "Where are you going?"
Feng Xiao waved his hand, leisurely and carefree, "To the Zuoyue Bureau, to watch the crowd."
Speaking as though the Zuoyue Bureau was just next door when obviously, the Zuoyue and Jiejian Bureaus both were not next to each other.
Pei Jingzhe, "But you just said to wait for Cui Buqu to submit."
Feng Xiao said, "If he will not cater to my thought, I will cater to his; the Empress would not do something without a goal. Since she has dispatched a Guan Shanhai, there must be something she needs Cui Buqu to do for her. I will show myself at his doorstep and make him submit. It is similar."
Pei Jingzhe mumbled in his heart: Is this called 'making the opposite submit'? Obviously, you couldn't refrain yourself, and so delivered yourself to their doorstep, isn't that right?
He had interacted with Cui Buqu a few times and there was nothing much he knew. Although Cui Buqu didn't know any martial arts, he couldn't help feeling that there was nothing he could hide when he was in front of the other. Even if he had done nothing wrong, he would still feel guilty one way or another.
"My Lord, are you trying to get close to Cui Buqu because of the Zuoyue Bureau?"
Feng Xiao snorted, "If there is no Cui Buqu, is the Zuoyue Bureau considered anything at all?"
Pei Jingzhe didn't understand, "But what is so special about Cui Buqu?"
Feng Xiao waved his fan as he moved forward a few steps, saying coldly, "That man surnamed Cui is not unusually handsome, has a sullen attitude, is stingy and revengeful, has a poisonous mouth, is calculative, oversteps bounds, and is far too ambitious who harbours malicious schemes in his heart all the time, running about daily trying to ravish credit. Without me at the Tiannian Mountain in Boling county, he would have died a few times. If one were to say that he is special, perhaps it's his attitude that often enjoys seeking death?"
Pei Jingzhe stared wide-eyed. He only asked a casual question, how could he have known that Feng Xiao would have given such a long answer?
Since the other was completely useless, why did Second Commander Feng keep seeking him out?
When the other was silent, Feng Er-lang sent someone to remind him. Once Cui Buqu truly did send someone here, Feng-er kept him at suspense, refusing to give in unless Cui Buqu came himself.
Pei Jingzhe could not imagine how two people like that could remain together for such a long period in Boling, yet still came back safely.
Two tigers cannot share a mountain; logically, it was either Feng Xiao dying of fury or Cui Buqu dying from being beaten to death.
In the end, nothing happened.
Pei Jingzhe felt uncanny about the entire matter, yet rubbed his head in confusion like a monk, unable to think it through.
The atmosphere of the Zuoyue Bureau came to life with the addition of Guan Shanhai.
There were a lot of people in the Zuoyue Bureau, especially people who had been following Cui Buqu for a long time and earned quite an amount of trust.
Guan Shanhai fell from the sky out of nowhere, yet he had nothing, backed up only with words, "This is the Empress' decree", and was placed on the same rank as Zhangsun and Song Liangchen, above everyone's head especially Qiao Xian. Naturally, everyone's attention was on him as they debated in private.
Qiao Xian felt depressed and couldn't help proposing a duel against Guan Shanhai in front of everyone.
What she didn't know was that Guan Shanhai also felt unworthy of his job; he was silent on the outside but felt stifled in his heart, and thus agreed to her duel.
Both of them duelled at the training grounds of the Zuoyue Bureau, and a great many people had gone to watch, packing it with people. Even Cui Buqu was astonished.
Qiao Xian was skilled in the graceful sword techniques, Guan Shanhai's techniques were grander marksmanship. They were not related in any way, whether it was their styles or background, yet were bonded together because of the Zuoyue Bureau.
Both of them harboured unresolved feelings in them, thus showing no mercy. Qiao Xian's white garments swayed in the air, her sword accompanying her in a dance as if she was riding on thin air like a breeze. Only those with good eye-sight would see the tips of her toes touching the ground occasionally. But even if they could, Qiao Xian's qinggong was enough to stun the audience.
Qiao Xian was uninterested in the opinions of others. She only wanted to prove to Guan Shanhai that she was more qualified as a follower of Cui Buqu.
Following the pair of sharp swords, Guan Shanhai's gaze was piercing cold. With the flicker of his wrist, his spear moved, attacks stacking up one another, blocking Qian Xian's incoming attacks.
Sweep. Thrust. Tap. Pull.
Guan Shanhai turned these basic techniques of the spear into his own, turning the Inquire-Moon Spear into a weapon of consciousness in his hand. His strength hurled at his enemy like broken bamboo, the tips of it brushing across the air and left behind stars in its wake. Without waiting for the audience to dismiss the impression of it in their minds, another silver trail drew itself, connecting the front and back, turning into a Wheel of the Taiji's Bagua.
One spear flew forth and attacked Qiao Xian, and the other was swirling around himself building up a barrier of real qi as if the one he was combating wasn't Qiao Xian, but a thousand armies and ten thousand horses, and that he was roaming alone on the battlefield, ignoring his powerful enemy and all around him, ignoring life and death.
Mountains and seas overturned, the sun and moon sank and rose, flora all around swayed, spring and autumn blended into each other.
Qiao Xian realized that her sword was stuck by the other's spear and for just a brief moment, the spear's shining glare was already in front of her, aiming towards the heart of her skull.
The colour of Qiao Xian's face changed, she had no choice but to take a step backwards. However, her sword was stuck thoroughly with no hopes of escaping. Even if she let go, that air of killing aura would still force itself forth, leaving no space for her to hide, nowhere to run!
At the same time, two waves of cutting wind hurled from different directions, attacking Guan Shanhai's left and right shoulder.
Guan Shanhai leapt up, avoiding the stones and landed stably, flourishing with a hand and called for his spear's return.
Qiao Xian hasn't calmed down yet, with no pride left to face Cui Buqu. She knelt on a single knee and apologized, "This subject is incapable. Please forgive me, Commander!"
Cui buqu spoke calmly, "Success and failure are common in daily lives. Towards your own, one must know where to draw the line."
The first sentence was meant for Qiao Xian, and the second one was giving Guan Shanhai a warning.
Guan Shanhai pursed his lips, putting his hands together and said, "This subject knows his mistakes."
Cui Buqu turned around at the two people who walked in.
"Which wind was it that has blown Second Commander Feng here?"
Of the two stones that were shot at Guan Shanhai, one of them was from Zhangsun, and the other came from Feng Xiao.
Feng Xiao snickered, "Ever since the departure at Tiannian, Lord Cui locked himself up and refused visitors. Yet, I yearned for you. Without coming here to take a look, how can I honour those days we went through life and death together?"
Cui Buqu mocked, "I thought Second Commander Feng finally recalled that gamble he lost, his conscience has awakened and thus he came here to repay the debt."
Autumn wind rose with sand, picking up the tips of their robes.
Qiao Xian stood amid the training grounds, watching both of them glaring at each other from afar.
What sort of place was the Zuoyue Bureau for Feng Xiao to walk in so easily? Even with martial arts which nobody could stop, the Zuoyue guards at the gate would have at least thwarted him with all they could, then running in to make a report.
However, nothing happened. The other has even walked in unhindered into the training grounds.
This must have certainly been Cui Buqu's orders. As long as Feng Xiao came in person, there was no need to hinder him.
In the beginning, they were nemesis who fought tirelessly. Since when had it begun, that the leaders of the Jiejian Bureau could walk into the Zuoyue Bureau like a place devoid of people?
It was unknown whether Feng Xiao thought of the same things Qiao Xian had thought of because the smile on his lips deepened a little.
Cui Buqu waved his hand, dismissing the audience. He, instead, led Feng Xiao to the pavilion in the middle of a lake.
"What business does Second Commander Feng have to arrive here?"
Bored with nothing to do, he came here to join the crowd. Pei Jingzhe mocked and said.
Feng Xiao said, "Came to give you that name list, of course."
Cui Buqu stopped his footsteps, stunned, an eyebrow raised, "Since when have you become so generous?"
Feng Xiao sighed a breath, "I know that name list is incredibly important to you. You wanted to use it to unroot all the spies set in the Imperial Court by the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai. How could I give away such an important thing just like that? I wanted you to come to pick it up yourself, to begin with, but you refuse to come. So, should I not just come in person? Since you question my sincerity, then I should leave."
After he finished speaking, he turned to leave. Cui Buqu reached out to grab his sleeves instinctively.
In the next second, Cui Buqu realized that he had exposed his urgency, and immediately relented.
However, it was already too late. Feng Xiao gave a very cheeky smile.
"Since you wanted it so much, shouldn't we sit down and have a proper talk?"
Faced before this person, one truly cannot let down their guard for even a second. Cui Buqu released a slow breath.
"What do you want?"
Feng Xiao reached out with a hand to touch his face. Just as Cui Buqu wanted to avoid it, Feng Xiao's hand quickly flew past his ears upwards to his hair to pluck Cui Buqu's jade piece off.
He waved the jade piece in front of Cui Buqu.
"For you to keep your word, this jade piece will serve as a token of promise."
Feng Xiao still remembered that day when they left the cave, how the other looked with his hair falling loose, his lips pale, yet there was a piercing coldness to him, just like a lone pine tree that swayed at the edge of the cliff.
At present, Cui Buqu's hair was still fastened with something else. Taking out this jade piece could not show how he looked with his hair down. Feng Xiao felt it was a pity.
"I fear," Cui Buqu was expressionless, saying slowly, "What Commander Feng requests would be something I cannot give."
Feng Xiao gave a deep thought, "Before I've spoken, how would you know you cannot do it?"
Cui Buqu's gaze lingered on the jade piece in his hand, his lips pursed, refusing to speak.
Obviously, you're the one begging me now, yet you still refuse to say a few gentle words. Feng Xiao thought, playing with the jade piece in his hand, inch by inch, as if he was playing with the jagged bones of the other's hand.
"I want you—"
Before the other's astonished gaze, Feng Xiao took his time completing the latter half of his sentence, "—a favour from you. One name list for one great favour. Remember, Cui Buqu, this you owe me."
Ever since the City of Six Crafts, these two were already indivisible from one another, neither enemies nor friends, destined for the rest of their lives.