Chapter 80: Divine Power

Compared to the chaos and unrest in the interior, Henan, Hebei, and Hedong, the regions south of the Yangtze River were truly a peaceful and idyllic haven, where people lived in contentment and harmony. This area was also under the governance of Yang Qi; at least in terms of security, there would be no great concerns.

Though the land was wild and desolate, it was at least untouched by the ravages of bandits.

Mu Changfeng and Kong Sheng rode side by side, conversing quietly. After a long while, Wu Xian and Wu Jie finally caught up, looking thoroughly miserable as they urged their black horses along. What sense did it make to travel through the night for no good reason? Their hearts were full of complaints and resentment, yet they dared not voice them.

Firstly, there was the lingering authority and strict orders of Li Fuguo; secondly, Kong Sheng was soon to take up his post as a court-appointed official—a county magistrate of the eighth rank—whose authority far surpassed theirs. Moreover, by Kong Sheng’s side was a swordsman of exceptional skill, a wandering hero whose prowess Wu Xian and Wu Jie knew they could never match. If matters ever came to blows, they would surely meet a disastrous end.

They could not fathom how Kong Sheng, with no apparent merit or virtue, could inspire the loyalty of such a hero. Still less could they imagine that this very swordsman had once suffered a silent defeat at Kong Sheng’s hands.

Kong Sheng smiled at the two, cupping his fists from horseback and saying, “Thank you both for your efforts. The matter is urgent, so we have no choice but to travel through the night. I beg your pardon for the inconvenience. We have already come nearly a hundred li from Jiangning. I see a ruined temple by the roadside; let us rest there for a while, and when dawn breaks, we will continue to Runzhou. Tomorrow night, we will stay in Runzhou.”

“At that time, Kong Sheng will offer you both wine to make amends!” Kong Sheng saluted Wu Xian and Wu Jie again.

The cold wind howled. Wu Xian drew his cloak tighter, curled his lip but said nothing. Wu Jie dismounted with a scowl and dragged his horse toward the ruined temple, stumbling through the uneven ground.

Kong Sheng glanced at the two, ignoring their coldness and discontent. They were “borrowed” from Li Fuguo; to Kong Sheng, they were neither indispensable nor irreplaceable. If they refused to cooperate, he could send them back at any time, though he doubted they would fare any better upon returning to Li Fuguo.

Had it not been for this concern, Wu Xian and Wu Jie would have fled long ago.

Kong Sheng chuckled softly and leaped lightly from his horse with effortless grace. Mu Changfeng, observing his progress, recognized that Kong Sheng’s horsemanship was now on par with an experienced rider. Smiling, he dismounted as well, and together they led their horses forward, side by side.

Human relationships, after all, are a matter of fate. Since that day when friendship was forged from conflict, the two had gradually become confidants, each admiring the other. Though Mu Changfeng had never spoken openly of his feelings, Kong Sheng saw through him at a glance.

As they approached, they saw by the faint starlight that the building was a long-abandoned mountain temple. The courtyard wall had collapsed; weeds grew in profusion. The temple gate was half fallen, and at the sound of their approach, a wild cat darted out, vanishing into the darkness and startling the group.

At the temple entrance, two stone lions lay as guardians: one toppled on the overgrown lawn, the other had rolled onto the temple steps, blocking the way for the horses.

Kong Sheng looked them over, then suddenly released the reins of his horse, Wind-Chaser, and walked over, bending as if to embrace the fallen lion. Judging by its size, he calculated it was still within his strength to move—certainly not beyond his ability.

Mu Changfeng, aware of Kong Sheng’s legendary strength—renowned throughout Jiangning—smiled in anticipation, curious to see if Kong Sheng could indeed lift the ruined lion. Mu Changfeng himself was a master swordsman, but in sheer strength, he could not compare.

Wu Xian and Wu Jie exchanged a glance, looking at Kong Sheng with scorn. To their minds: “What a naive youth! That lion must weigh at least five or six hundred jin—how could a boy of sixteen or seventeen possibly lift it? What a joke!”

As for the rumor circulating in Jiangning that Kong Sheng was the second coming of Prince Wei Huai, Xuan Ba, they placed no stock in it. How could this frail scholar be compared to the mightiest hero in the land? The people of Jiangning were full of nonsense, with no respect for Xuan Ba’s glorious name.

Kong Sheng tested the lion’s head, gauging its weight. It was indeed five or six hundred jin—vast and heavy. To lift it wholly from the ground or embrace it around the waist would be nearly impossible. But to simply prop it upright should not be too difficult.

Seeing Kong Sheng roll up his sleeves in preparation, Wu Xian could not help but sneer, “County Magistrate Kong, do be careful. If you strain your back trying to move the lion, it would be most unfortunate. This thing must weigh five or six hundred jin. With our combined strength, my brother and I might manage to budge it a little. Step aside and let us handle it!”

Wu Jie burst into a coarse laugh, hands on hips: “Brother, let’s do it!”

“Very well, you try,” Kong Sheng replied with a faint, indifferent smile, clapping his hands and stepping aside.

Wu Xian and Wu Jie approached, each grasping the lion’s head and body, exhaling and straining with all their might. Both were robust soldiers, possessed of considerable strength. The stone lion shuddered slightly and began to lift, but the immense weight soon surpassed their limits. Despite their utmost effort, as one brother’s strength faltered, the balance was lost. Wu Xian’s veins bulged on his forehead; with a shout, he let go and tumbled backward, landing hard on the cold steps.

With Wu Xian’s hand released, Wu Jie alone could not bear the weight. In his haste, he too released his grip and stumbled backward, nearly tumbling down the steps.

With a resounding crash, the heavy stone lion fell once more, pressing the flagstone steps deep and sending dust flying.

Humiliated before Kong Sheng, the brothers flushed red, breathing heavily, and were just scrambling up to try again when Kong Sheng strode forward with a hearty laugh. Bending low, he grasped the lion’s head, shouted “Up!” and the lion immediately rose from the ground, tilting to one side. In that split second, as the lion’s body was about to fall, Kong Sheng’s hand shot out, hooking its base. With a forceful exhale and precise strength, he rolled the lion off the steps and onto the grass.

Eighty percent strength, twenty percent skill—working in perfect harmony, the action was accomplished in one fluid motion.

The entire process took only four or five seconds. The sheer explosive power and the precision of Kong Sheng’s control left Mu Changfeng, watching from the side, with shining eyes. He could not help but applaud: “I have long heard of your natural strength, sir, and that you are the very image of Xuan Ba in his prime. Seeing you today, your reputation is truly deserved!”

“You flatter me, brother Mu. How could I compare to Prince Xuan Ba? I dare not accept such praise,” Kong Sheng replied modestly, smiling.