Chapter 122: Subjugation and Submission

To understand what it means to overwhelm a master with chaotic, unrefined strikes, one need look no further than Li Xian’s recent display. Even Di Renjie, a man of remarkable composure, found his thoughts thrown into utter disarray by Li Xian’s relentless barrage. Had it been any ordinary person, they would have been so bewildered as to prostrate themselves in submission. However, Di Renjie was no common man. After a moment of disorientation, he quickly regained his senses. He looked deeply at Li Xian, bowed his head with an impassive expression, and said, "Your Highness is too kind, and I am deeply grateful. Yet, this matter is of great consequence, and I cannot make a hasty decision. May I ask your permission to withdraw for now and seek your guidance again another day?"

Heh, old Di, old Di, only now do you think to employ delaying tactics? Too late! Li Xian, possessing a mind as sharp as a diamond, saw through Di Renjie’s intent instantly. With a flicker of amusement and a raised corner of his mouth, he offered a playful smile: "Lord Di, forgive my bluntness. Had you said this before stepping through my gates, I would not have pressed you. But as things stand, you are surely familiar with the idiom regarding the melon patch and the plum tree; there is no need for me to explain further, is there?"

At these words, Di Renjie could not help but offer a bitter smile. Reviewing the entire sequence of events, he realized he had fallen into Li Xian’s trap. As things stood, no matter what he did, he could not shed the label of being a partisan of the Prince of Zhou. Beyond a touch of annoyance and reluctance at being forcibly brought aboard Li Xian’s ship, Di Renjie also felt a hint of being flattered. More than anything, however, he was baffled. He could not fathom why Li Xian would expend such effort to win him over. After all, they had no prior history, and Di Renjie considered his own reputation modest—hardly enough to warrant such high regard from Li Xian.

"I am but a lowly official of meager standing. What virtue or talent do I possess to warrant such great pains from Your Highness? Is this not excessive?" Di Renjie asked with a bitter shake of his head, his tone laced with a sense of grievance.

"Not at all. As I have said, you are a pillar of talent. If I were to let you slip away, it would be a regret that would pierce my heart. Minister Yan of the Ministry of Revenue once called you 'the bright pearl of the Hequ region and the lost treasure of the southeast.' I believe this implicitly. With your assistance, I have my own Zhang Liang!" Li Xian replied with a smile, his voice brimming with bold confidence.

"Your Highness flatters me; I am truly unworthy."

Faced with Li Xian’s aggressive momentum, Di Renjie felt an immense sense of helplessness. To agree would be to go against his own ambitions—he had always aspired to serve the state and govern the people, not to become a private retainer for another; his sense of moral duty stood firmly in the way. Yet, to refuse was impossible, for he was already on the boat, however unintentionally. Since he could not easily step off, he could only offer a vague, expressionless reply.

"I am simply thirsty for talent. If I have offended you in any way, I ask for your forgiveness, Lord Di," Li Xian said, bowing with a sincere expression, fully aware of the conflict within Di Renjie.

"Your Highness speaks too seriously; I cannot accept such an apology," Di Renjie replied. Despite Li Xian’s evident sincerity, the barrier in Di Renjie’s heart remained substantial, and his response was as flat as plain water.

"Lord Di, I am willing to make a three-point covenant with you. First, if there is anything you are unwilling to do, I shall never force you. Second, if you have advice, I shall follow it readily. Third, if you do not wish for me to interfere in your personal affairs, I shall never do so. I can swear to the heavens on these three points and shall never violate them. Can you trust me?" Li Xian, unbothered by the coldness, smiled as he laid out his terms.

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise and uncertainty flickered across Di Renjie’s face. After a long silence, he let out a long sigh and said, "Your Highness’s kindness is overwhelming. If it benefits the nation, I shall not refuse."

"Good! Ha-ha-ha... To gain your assistance is the greatest joy of my life! Today, we shall drink until we are both intoxicated!" Li Xian laughed heartily, then suddenly raised his voice to call out, "Someone, come here!"

"Your servant is here!"

Gao Miao had been waiting outside the hall. Hearing the summons, he quickly led several servants inside and bowed in response.

"Prepare a feast!"

Li Xian gave the order without further ado. Gao Miao did not dare delay, acknowledging the command and bustling away with the servants to carry it out.

***

At the hour of the rabbit, the sky was still dark, with only a faint, fish-belly white glimmering on the horizon. A cool breeze stirred—the best time for sleep in the height of summer. Yet Li Xian had risen early. After running several laps around the small training ground to loosen his limbs, he began his exercises. He practiced archery, horsemanship, and spear techniques one after another. Though drenched in sweat, he was in high spirits and showed no sign of fatigue. As his enthusiasm grew, he grabbed his saber to spar with Ling Zhong. The two exchanged moves, the blade flashing across the sky and drawing cheers and endless applause from the watching guards and officers. Just then, however, a lazy yawn echoed through the air. It was not loud, but its clarity was piercing; it resonated so clearly that it seemed to have been uttered right beside the ears of everyone present—the cheering guards and the dueling Li and Ling alike.

"Who goes there?"

Recognizing the strange nature of the yawn, Li Xian immediately withdrew his blade and barked, displeased.

"Your Highness, what kind of blade technique is this? Are you chopping vegetables?"

Hardly had Li Xian’s voice faded when the lazy tone returned, drawing everyone’s gaze. Perched on the wall beside the training ground was Yujizi, dressed in Daoist robes, legs crossed in a carefree manner, shaking his head with an air of disdain.

"Insolent!"

"You scoundrel, get down here and face death!"

"How bold!"

Yujizi had arrived at the Prince’s estate only yesterday, and most of the guards had not yet seen him. Seeing him so brazenly judge Li Xian’s technique, they were immediately incensed and began to shout insults.

*What the hell?* Chopping vegetables? This fellow was truly arrogant! Even though Li Xian was broad-minded, he could not help but feel a surge of anger at hearing his proudest skill dismissed as such. However, unable to lash out on the spot, he glared at Yujizi, waved a hand to silence the guards, and cupped his fists with a darkened face. "So it is Daoist Yujizi. My technique is indeed unworthy of a master’s eyes. If it is convenient, might you offer a pointer or two?"

"Immeasurable Heaven. This priest shall enlighten Your Highness, then."

Li Xian had only been offering a polite gesture, but Yujizi accepted without hesitation. With a flicker, he drifted down from the wall like a falling leaf in the wind. The crowd felt their eyes blur, and suddenly Yujizi was standing before Li Xian. The display of such exquisite light-body skill left the indignant officers stunned into absolute silence.

"Daoist, please!"

Li Xian knew Yujizi was a master, yet he felt no fear. He flicked his horizontal blade, spun a flourish, pointed it diagonally at the ground, and offered a warrior’s salute, staring fearlessly at the lethargic-looking Daoist.

"Hmm, not bad, there is some form to it. Very well, this priest will spar with you barehanded." Yujizi was young, but his tone was that of an elder. He made a casual gesture for Li Xian to attack.

***

Utterly arrogant! Seeing Yujizi so relaxed, the fire in Li Xian’s heart flared up. With a cold snort, he drew his blade and roared, "Strike!" as he slashed forward like a rainbow.

The "Seven Absolute Blade Techniques of the Hegemon" was the specialty of a legendary military god. Li Xian had practiced it for years, and while his strength limited him from reaching perfection, he had mastered the essence of the style. The strike was direct,霸氣(imposing), and swift. No sooner had the blade moved than it was within three inches of Yujizi’s chest. Yet, that was as far as it went. No matter how Li Xian pressed his attack, that three-inch gap refused to close.

"Strike again!"

His first blow failed, so Li Xian immediately changed tactics. Shifting from a vertical strike to a horizontal sweep, the blade flashed as he aimed for Yujizi’s abdomen. The change was ingenious, and the speed of the blade increased, instantly breaching that seemingly impassable three-inch gap, coming within a hair’s breadth of the Daoist’s robe.

"Heh, you cannot hit me."

No matter how Li Xian changed his moves, Yujizi’s mocking smile remained constant. While teasing him, Yujizi twisted his waist, sidestepping gracefully to avoid the blade’s tip, and then flicked two fingers together like a sword, tapping Li Xian lightly on the wrist.

*Clang!*

Li Xian had not expected the move to be so swift. Before he could dodge, a numbness spread through his wrist, his grip loosened, and the blade fell to the ground.

"Daoist, you are brilliant. I have lost!"

Li Xian offered a bitter smile. Though he knew Yujizi was a master among masters, he had never imagined the disparity between them was so vast that he could not even last a single exchange. After standing stunned for a moment, he shook his head and cupped his fists at the grinning Yujizi, admitting defeat.

"It is not that this priest is brilliant; it is that Your Highness is simply too weak. You must remember: to practice the blade without practicing the internal arts is a waste of time. Even with the finest technique, it is all in vain," Yujizi said, pointing out Li Xian’s shortcoming without a trace of politeness.

*Well, no duh.* Everyone knew that, but where was he to find someone to teach him? *Wait—isn't this little priest a ready-made candidate?* A realization struck Li Xian. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Please, Daoist, teach me your internal arts."

"Ha-ha-ha..."

Yujizi threw his head back and laughed loudly. Without answering, he simply turned and began to stroll slowly toward the manor. Seeing this, Li Xian blinked, then realized what was happening and hurried after him.