Outside the Yuan Family Eatery in South Jicheng, a constable and a giant of a man clashed.
Constable Yu Dashan's leg techniques were swift as thunder, raining kicks upon the giant. But Han Zhong simply roared, his body seemingly enveloped in an invisible Inner Strength (Zhenqi). He stomped the ground, cracking the stone pavement, and chopped down with his hands like broadswords.
Bang!
Yu Dashan was sent flying. He flipped mid-air to disperse the force, but his feet throbbed with pain.
"Good! Again!" Han Zhong's fighting spirit soared. He charged, thrusting a palm at Yu's face. Yu crossed his arms to block, retreating rapidly, then dodged to the side to strike Han's exposed flank. Han didn't flinch, circulating his Qi to take the blow with his elbow.
The two tangled again.
Xiao Shaojin squatted by the street, slurping a bowl of noodles. "Good! This makes the food taste better!"
Han Zhong decided to end it. He pushed Yu away, then channeled his Qi to his fingertips. His robes snapped in the wind as he unleashed a Finger Sword, aiming straight for Yu's forehead.
Yu Dashan barely dodged with a desperate side roll.
But Han couldn't stop his momentum. His finger strike continued—straight toward a young girl holding a rabbit and eating a candied hawthorn.
"Old Han, stop!" Xiao screamed. "Don't hurt my little white rabbit!"
Han tried to retract his force, but it was too late.
Suddenly, the middle-aged man beside the girl stepped forward. He didn't draw his weapon; he simply raised his scabbard horizontally.
Clang.
The scabbard blocked Han's finger strike effortlessly.
Han Zhong broke into a cold sweat. He bowed deeply to the man. "I almost caused a disaster. Thank you for your help, brother!"
Then he turned to the girl. "Lass, I'm sorry. This clumsy soldier apologizes!"
The girl blinked, unfazed. "It's fine! That was exciting!"
Xiao Shaojin walked over. "See? I didn't lie. Your rabbit is alive."
The girl's face darkened instantly. "You little rascal! Your carriage hit my rabbit, you threw silver to insult me, and now you want credit? Apologize!"
"Did you or did you not ask for 100 taels?" Xiao grinned.
"So what? Your driver didn't apologize! Is money everything? So I asked for 100 taels to see if you had it!"
"Good," Xiao nodded. "You asked for 100, I gave you 100. I saved your rabbit. Why are you angry?"
The girl was confused. It made sense... but she was still mad. "No! You threw the money on the ground! That's an insult! You must apologize!"
"You didn't say how to give it to you," Xiao argued. "Throw it? Hand it? Place it? Also, Youzhou law doesn't require apologies for roadkill rabbits. My driver followed the law. I paid you 100 taels out of pity, which follows Benevolence. I followed both Ritual and Benevolence. Why should I apologize?"
The girl was speechless but furious. "It sounds right... but I'm still angry!"
Xiao bowed mockingly. "Let me help you cool down. Youzhou Law: Obstructing official roads is punishable by 10 days in jail. Huachao Law: Extorting more than three times the value of damaged property is a crime of greed, punishable by exile. Dongqi Law: Delaying military intelligence is punishable by death. I was on my way to inspect the troops. You delayed me by an incense stick of time. Which crime do you want to confess to first?"
The girl reached for her short sword.
"Miss, don't," the middle-aged man stopped her. "This young master is just joking. But drawing a blade in Jicheng would be a crime."
Xiao narrowed his eyes at the man. A master with some depth.
"I was just teasing," Xiao smiled. "Listening to your accent, you aren't from Youzhou. Where are you from?"
"I am Ren Yimi," the man replied. "This is my Young Miss, and this is the Second Young Master. We come from the South Sea, entrusted to escort someone south."
"So, Miss Ren?" Xiao bowed.
"No, I am just an external manager of the Nie Clan," Ren explained.
"My apologies. We'll meet again." Xiao waved to Han Zhong. "Let's go do business."
Xiao whispered to Han, "How was the constable?"
"Not bad. Good fundamentals, but no high-level martial arts."
"Hey, Yu the Second!" Xiao shouted to the constable. "Report to General Han tomorrow morning."
Yu Dashan knelt. "Your Highness, I only lasted four and a half moves."
"If General Han used full strength, you wouldn't have lasted one," Xiao said without turning back. "I never repeat myself. Scram."
Yu looked at Han, who nodded. "Understood! I will resign immediately!"
Inside the eatery, Xiao was still hungry. "Waiter! Roasted meat pie and a large bowl of boiled mutton!" He handed the menu to Han. "Order whatever. Except vegetables."
"And two pots of warm wine!" Han added, glancing guiltily at Xiao.
"Drink," Xiao permitted. "But no drinking with injuries after you turn thirty. Today is a happy day."
Xiao beckoned the waiter. "When you serve the food, ask the owner's daughter to bring it personally." He slipped him some silver.
The girl with the rabbit, who had followed them in, exploded. "What is wrong with you? Bribing people to see an unmarried girl? You aren't just a rascal, you're a lecher!"
Xiao shook off her hand. Han Zhong tried to explain, "Miss Nie, you misunderstand. He isn't trying to be improper..."
Xiao waved his hand, looking at the girl calmly. "If I didn't have important business tonight, you'd be thrown out of Jicheng already. Are you stupid or pretending? You came to Jicheng and don't know who I am?"
"Are you the Governor? Or the Prince?" she mocked. "You're just a baby with a scallion in his nose—pretending to be an elephant!"
"Watch your language," Xiao frowned. "Don't 'you' me. Call me Your Highness. I am the Heir of the Prince of Dongqi!"
"What is a 'Heir'?" she rolled her eyes. "I know chairs and stairs. Never heard of a Heir."
Xiao slammed the table. "Let me teach you: In Youzhou, I make the rules! Men! Throw these three out!"
Whoosh!
Four figures in black robes and short armor dropped from the rafters. In an instant, they were behind the trio, hands on their blades.
"Don't draw blood!" Xiao ordered. "Just throw them out!"
The other diners screamed and tried to flee.
"Citizens, don't panic!" Xiao shouted. "Just a joke between friends! Tonight's meal is on me!"
He turned to Ren Yimi. "You are Master Zeng's friends, so I wanted to treat you well. But your Miss is too annoying. Please leave."
The silent young man finally spoke. "My sister offended Your Highness. Please forgive her. We are here to escort Master Zeng. We will eat here quietly and not disturb you."
Xiao sensed strong Qi in the young man's voice. Interesting.
"Wait," he signaled the black guards. They vanished as quickly as they appeared.
"Brother Nie, right? Sit. My treat."
The girl poked the young man angrily, but he ignored her and sat down.
"Useless 'Martial Saint'..." she grumbled. "Scared of a baby."
Xiao heard it. "Little girl, let's bet. If I'm really teasing a good woman, you can chop me up, and I won't blink. But if I'm not... what's your punishment?"
"Deal!" she stood up. "If you aren't a lecher, you can chop me up too!"
"Good!" Xiao laughed.
Just then, the dishes arrived. Carrying the tray was the eldest daughter of the Yuan family.
Xiao jumped up and bowed. "Are you Sister Yuan?"
"I am," she replied softly. She had elegant, classic Northern features.
Xiao looked her up and down, then grabbed her hand. "Sister, you are beautiful and gentle. Excellent! Excellent!"
"Lecher!" the Nie girl shouted.
But Miss Yuan blushed and whispered, "Brother Yan has received much care from Your Highness. I should be the one thanking you."
Xiao was overjoyed. She liked Yan Chuanzhi!
He hugged her enthusiastically. "Chuanzhi found a good woman! I'm so happy! I should call you Sister-in-law, but I can't due to rank."
He patted her waist. "Good hips! You'll give Chuanzhi many sons!"
Miss Yuan turned tomato red.
"Did they give you the betrothal gifts?" Xiao circled her like a puppy.
"Too many..." she nodded. "He couldn't afford that on a soldier's pay. It must be Your Highness's gift."
"Nonsense!" Xiao laughed. "Chuanzhi is a Rank 5 General! His salary is over 300 taels a year, plus war booty! Your man is rich! Just enjoy life and birth me some little generals for the Border Army!"
The Nie girl's face turned black. He wasn't flirting for himself... he was checking the bride for his general. She felt foolish, but then envious of the couple's match.
Xiao sat Miss Yuan down. "I know they are discussing the marriage in the back. You stay here and eat with me. This is Han Zhong, Chuanzhi's brother-in-arms."
Han Zhong wiped his mouth. "Sister-in-law, don't mind me. I'm starving. Chuanzhi and I are closer than blood brothers. I blocked a blade for him, he took an arrow for me..."
"Shut up! Eat!" Xiao scolded jokingly. "Happy day, don't talk about blades and arrows."
"I know," Miss Yuan smiled warmly. "I know he relies on his brothers. Brother Han, come eat anytime. Free of charge."
"Hahahaha! Really?" A loud laugh came from behind. "Wife, if you let Old Han eat for free, he'll eat the shop into bankruptcy!"
Yan Chuanzhi strode in, beaming with happiness.