Chapter Sixty-Six: The Imperial Envoy Arrives (2)

Within the city.

Liu Nian and a group of well-born youths, accompanied by household retainers, were merrily heading toward the city gates, eager to witness the arrival of the imperial envoy. Excitedly shouting and jockeying along, Meng Chao, son of Chief Historian Meng Ru, suddenly caught sight of Kong Sheng walking calmly toward them from the opposite direction.

“Hey, isn’t that the Kong family’s servant boy? Wasn’t he thrown into prison by Magistrate Yang? How did he get released?” Meng Chao exclaimed in surprise.

The smile on Liu Nian’s face vanished instantly. He turned his gaze toward Kong Sheng, his expression darkening. Glancing back at the dozen or so retainers trailing behind his group, he bit his lip and sneered coldly, “Gentlemen, this fellow is an escaped convict, having broken out of jail. Now that we’ve run into him, how could we let him go? After him! Let’s seize him and send him back to the authorities for justice!”

Meng Chao hesitated, thinking it unlikely that Kong Sheng had actually escaped; more probably, Magistrate Yang had relented and let him out. With the imperial envoy about to arrive, would causing trouble by assaulting Kong Sheng at this moment bring unwanted complications to their families?

The other young men felt much as Meng Chao did, and so they held back; their own retainers, seeing their masters unmoved, dared not make the first move.

Seeing no one answer his call, Liu Nian’s anger erupted. He pointed at Meng Chao and the others and berated them: “What, you’ve all gone soft? What are you waiting for? Get your men in there and teach him a lesson!”

Liu Nian’s mind was cunning; he counted on strength in numbers. With so many involved, all from prominent families of Jiangning, any real trouble would be handled by their elders—it wouldn’t fall on him alone.

He was the leader among these scions, and seeing him so furious, Meng Chao and the others threw caution aside and began ordering their household guards, though half-heartedly, to surround Kong Sheng.

Kong Sheng had already noticed this group of idle youths. Following his principle of “do not offend unless offended,” he tried to quicken his pace and avoid them, but Liu Nian’s instigation took hold, and a dozen fierce-looking retainers charged forward, intent on beating him.

Kong Sheng sneered inwardly. The days of lying low in Jiangning were about to end, and his mindset had shifted. In the past, he might have shown restraint or sought to avoid trouble, but now, with these spoiled brats provoking him in the street, why should he hold back?

He glanced at a wine shop nearby and saw a long willow staff propped by the door. Grabbing it, he shouted, and swung the staff forcefully, striking the lead retainer on the shoulder. The man cried out in agony and collapsed, likely suffering no small injury even if his bones weren’t broken.

Kong Sheng’s face was cold as he waded into the group, brandishing the staff left and right. In his hands, it moved like a lively serpent, sometimes like a crushing mountain; in casual strokes, he felled several men. His strength was immense, coupled with skillful precision—each blow brought down another. The longer he fought, the more exhilarated he became; his persistent practice in internal martial arts and swordplay now bore fruit. The household retainers, including those of the Liu family, were terrified. Before they could react, most lay groaning on the ground.

Rage burned within Kong Sheng, and he showed no mercy. His blows were heavy, and among the wailing heap of retainers, some had blood streaming from their heads.

Seeing the tide turn, Liu Nian and Meng Chao bolted.

Suddenly, Kong Sheng thundered, “Liu Nian, stay where you are!”

With that, he hurled the staff with all his might. It whistled through the air and struck Liu Nian squarely in the back as he fled. Liu Nian lurched forward with a scream fit for a pig being slaughtered, collapsing face-first onto the street.

Kong Sheng calmly walked forward, hands clasped behind his back, a cold smile on his lips. Aside from Liu Nian, who lay sprawled like a dog, Meng Chao and the others were pale as ghosts, trembling uncontrollably, frozen in place, nearly wetting themselves with fear.

On the nearby street corner, Yang Xue Ruo, accompanied by Liu Xinru, Hong Mian, and Tian’er, witnessed the entire scene. A delicate smile played on Yang Xue Ruo’s pretty face, while Hong Mian covered her mouth to suppress her gasps. The spectacle utterly overturned her perception—so this Kong family weakling she had once looked down upon was not only extraordinary in literary talent, but also formidable in martial skill? To think, he had taken down a dozen retainers in a flash! Was this youth even human? He seemed a god descended to earth! No wonder some said he was the reincarnation of Li Xuanba, the legendary hero of old.

Kong Sheng strode forward and placed his foot on Liu Nian’s shoulder, his voice indifferent: “Liu Nian, you should not have provoked me again! Do you remember what I told you? In my eyes, you’re nothing but dog filth. Even stepping on you disgusts me!”

Whether from pain or humiliation, Liu Nian fainted on the spot, blood trickling from his lips as he lay sprawled on the street, utterly wretched.

“And you lot—dog filth, every one of you!” Kong Sheng turned his gaze on Meng Chao and the others, his eyes cold and sharp as blades.

Meng Chao’s courage failed him; his knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground with a thud. His example prompted the others behind him to follow, sobbing as they knelt.

“Kong brother! I was wrong, I was wrong… It was Liu Nian who set you up, it had nothing to do with us!” Meng Chao cried out, truly frightened by Kong Sheng’s ferocious outburst, fearing for his very life.

…

The painted riverboat neared the dock.

Jiangning’s officials finally glimpsed the true face of the mysterious imperial envoy. To be honest, disappointment lingered in their hearts; he was merely an exceedingly ugly middle-aged eunuch, clad in the customary robes of a chief eunuch, his feathered cap an odd sight, lacking any air of majesty.

Though Li Fuguo was ugly, standing proudly on the deck and gazing down at the local officials, he exuded the authority of one in power. As the boat touched shore, he waved his hand, and a palace guard hurriedly handed him the imperial sword wrapped in yellow silk, while a young eunuch, no more than fifteen or sixteen, held aloft the imperial edict, following close behind.

Li Fuguo, cradling the sword, descended the boat with measured steps. Once his feet touched solid ground, he swept his gaze over Yang Qi and the others, smiling faintly.

Yang Qi, who had been quietly sizing up Li Fuguo, saw his arrogant, ugly face and felt some distaste. Yet the man held the imperial sword and bore the emperor’s command; even a powerful local governor like Yang Qi dared not underestimate him.

Yang Qi smiled and, with his entourage, cupped his hands in salute. “Yang Qi, Imperial Appointee for Jiangnan, Commander of Military Affairs in Jiangnan, together with the officials under my charge, welcomes the imperial envoy!”