Chapter 54: One Big Family

As the son of Wu Sangui, Wu Yingxiong should have been quite safe in the capital. After all, at this point, Kangxi had yet to resolve the internal affairs of his own house and was reluctant to provoke a conflict with the Prince of Pingxi. However, with Ma Jun stirring up trouble back and forth like this, Kangxi found himself in a situation akin to mud caked onto his trousers—whatever it looked like, the stench could not be denied.

Wu Sangui, too, was being forced down the road of rebellion. He would be compelled to make up his mind, realizing that the imperial court would eventually strip him of his title as King of Yunnan, and he would no longer harbor any illusions of escape.

Yet, as things stood, Wu Sangui was still at a disadvantage compared to the Qing dynasty. Though Kangxi had powerful advisers behind him, once war broke out, it was likely to drag on for a long time, and ultimately, their side would be the one to lose.

As for who those powerful figures behind Kangxi were, one need only look to history and see how feeble the imperial line had been when the young Shunzhi ascended the throne—far worse off than Kangxi had been upon his own accession! The illustrious Prince Regent Dorgon had held the reins of power, yet in the end, Shunzhi’s family managed to reclaim authority. After Shunzhi died or entered the monastery, four regents were installed to check and balance each other, thus paving the way for Kangxi’s eventual rise.

Ma Jun and his men tidied up the battlefield with practiced efficiency. On their way back, the members of the Aoki Hall were still riding high on their excitement. Ever since this young Hall Leader had burst onto the scene and, by virtue of being a disciple of Chen Jinnan, risen to his position, Aoki Hall had enjoyed tremendous prestige within the entire Heaven and Earth Society. Whether it was killing Oboi, forming an alliance by marriage with the House of Prince Mu, or inciting a rift between Kangxi and Wu Sangui, they had made a name for themselves.

Most importantly, under Chief Ma’s leadership, everyone’s pockets had grown heavier. With both dignity and prosperity, what more could anyone ask for? Even Feng Jijong, who had once harbored rebellious thoughts, now held Ma Jun in the highest esteem, not to mention the others.

The death of Wu Yingxiong, of course, could not be kept secret for long—the authorities soon learned of it, but when they came to investigate, they found nothing. That night, many of the city’s guards had gone off to carouse in the Eight Lanes of Pleasure, and now, faced with this blunder, they could only cover for each other.

When Kangxi learned of the affair, his rage knew no bounds! Having just captured Oboi in one fell swoop, he had won the respect of the entire court; none dared to openly challenge the young emperor. At the very zenith of his triumph, who would have thought that, at such a critical moment, the heir to the Prince of Pingxi would be murdered right in the capital—his corpse unearthed, headless! If this news reached Wu Sangui, would he be able to swallow his fury?

Fortunately, the matter was kept within a small circle. Kangxi swiftly convened a court assembly and ordered a strict news blackout, announcing only that Wu Yingxiong had left the capital for Yunnan. Anyone who dared reveal the truth would be executed along with their entire family!

Yet mending the pen after the sheep are lost was now too late—no mistake in wording there. The sheep were already dead; patching up the pen could not recover the losses that had already been suffered.

What Kangxi did not know was that Ma Jun had deliberately framed him. With the loyal Yang Yizhi escaping and irrefutable testimony and evidence in place, even if Wu Sangui wished to feign understanding with Kangxi, it would no longer be possible!

With the major task accomplished, Ma Jun prepared to make himself scarce. He had already ordered the main participants from Aoki Hall to set out on their journey and was gradually pulling back his own men from before he became Hall Leader.

He was readying himself for the next great event.

A day later, while Ma Jun was listening to a storytelling performance in a tavern, Gao Yanchao hurried over, saying that Chen Jinnan had arrived and requested Ma Jun’s presence.

Chen Jinnan had come to the capital upon hearing of Xu Tianchuan’s accidental killing of someone from the House of Prince Mu. Fearing Ma Jun might mishandle the situation and cause a feud between the two families, he had rushed from Henan to Beijing.

Upon his arrival and after speaking with the brothers from Aoki Hall, Chen Jinnan was both surprised and delighted. From his brief prior acquaintance with Ma Jun, he had already recognized that his disciple was no fool, but he had not expected him to resolve such a thorny problem so skillfully. Not only had he avoided igniting a feud, but the two families were now to be joined by marriage—a source of immense joy for him, and he praised Ma Jun repeatedly. Learning, too, of Wu Yingxiong’s execution and the successful plot against Kangxi, he could only sigh with satisfaction at seeing such a worthy successor.

Ma Jun arrived at the residence where Chen Jinnan was in hiding, and the two met inside.

“Master, it’s only been a few months, but you look as healthy as ever! If anything, you seem a few years younger!” Ma Jun greeted him.

“Ha! You rascal!” Chen Jinnan laughed, bidding Ma Jun sit. “Xiao Jun, you have done exceedingly well these past months! I am truly delighted. You have not let me down!”

“It was thanks to the help of all the brothers from Aoki Hall,” Ma Jun replied modestly.

“I have heard that the House of Prince Mu wishes to betroth their young lady to you,” Chen Jinnan said. “You are of age now and should be considering marriage. Their young mistress is an excellent match for you—a great blessing indeed. Don’t worry, I’ll stay a few days and make sure your engagement is settled!”

What’s the rush? The young mistress isn’t even old enough yet! Ma Jun grumbled inwardly, but said, “Master, there’s really no need to worry. You have so much to attend to. My marriage can wait until your next visit.”

“How can that do?” Chen Jinnan countered. “No matter how busy I am, I must see your engagement arranged! You are my only disciple, and you have no parents. As your sole elder, it is my duty to take care of your life’s great matters!”

“Thank you, Master,” Ma Jun replied, forcing a smile.

Just as Chen Jinnan was about to inquire after Ma Jun’s martial progress, a guard hurried in and bowed. “Master, someone has come to pay respects—it’s Mu Jiansheng and Liu Dahong from the House of Prince Mu in Yunnan.”

“Let us go and welcome them!” said Chen Jinnan, rising and leading Ma Jun out.

When the two parties met, Liu Dahong’s hearty laughter rang out. “All my life I’ve longed to meet the famous Chief Chen. Today my wish is granted—what a pleasure!”

“Your praise is too generous, Elder Liu,” Chen Jinnan replied modestly.

After exchanging pleasantries, they entered the main hall and, having taken their seats, paid their respects.

Mu Jiansheng rose and said, “Chief Chen, your Hall Leader Ma risked himself to save our brothers of the House of Prince Mu. For this immense favor, our entire household is deeply grateful!”

Chen Jinnan smiled. “We are all friends here. Xiao Jun only did a small thing—no need for such formality, young lord.”

After the customary exchanges, Mu Jiansheng said, “Chief Chen, I wish to offer my younger sister’s hand to Hall Leader Ma. I imagine you are already aware of this. What do you think?”

Chen Jinnan replied, “For Xiao Jun to be fortunate enough to forge such a family bond with the House of Prince Mu is the best thing that could happen! I was just saying I would soon come to arrange the match.”

“Haha! Hall Leader Ma’s conduct needs no praise, and his reputation as the Soul-Stealing Dart is well-known across the martial world. For him to marry our young mistress—I, Liu Dahong, couldn’t be more pleased! I hope you will visit soon, Chief Chen, and bring this marriage about!” Liu Dahong laughed heartily, gazing at Ma Jun with ever more satisfaction.

The House of Prince Mu and the Heaven and Earth Society then began to extol the match, declaring how well-suited the pair were and how wonderful things would be after the marriage. Ma Jun sat to the side, his face drawn in distress, silently wondering whether he ought to nurture this relationship or not.

(The final paragraph is a meta note from the author, not part of the story.)