Chapter 26 Stirring the Grass and Startling the Snake

This was also the first time Fei Junxuan had ever seen a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Mount Tai Sect had many disciples, and nearly all of their supplies were purchased from Tai’an Prefecture City. For Fei Junxuan to serve as the steward here, his status within the sect was naturally quite high.

Moreover, his martial skills were considerable; he ranked among the top experts in Jinan Prefecture.

He regarded himself as a figure of some stature. Although the demeanor of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was clearly hostile, Fei Junxuan thought to himself that even the surliest guest should be met with a smile—surely courtesy would be reciprocated. After all, a man of my standing is treating you with respect; you must at least show some regard for appearances and not turn hostile over nothing, right?

Little did he know that Li Miao did not consider him worthy of any respect at all.

The so-called “first-class,” “second-class,” and “third-class” divisions were, in truth, a rough system corresponding to the regions of the empire—province, prefecture, and county.

Those renowned throughout the Central Plains, unmatched and peerless, were the supreme masters. Martial artists famed throughout a province, whose skills were widely acknowledged, were first-class. Second-class and third-class followed accordingly.

After all, in a world with countless martial arts and sects, each with its own methods and philosophies, it was impossible to devise a universal system of ranking. This crude classification was the best that could be done.

Crude as it was, it was far more meaningful than the internal hierarchies of each sect. Each school emphasized different strengths; if everyone used their own standards, there would be absurdities—monks being judged by their skill with hidden weapons, swordsmen by their knife techniques. In some places, especially those with both religious and sectarian traits, status was not determined by martial skill at all.

Only those who built their own reputation, and could defend it, were called “masters” of any rank.

So although “second-class master” was not the most flattering title, Fei Junxuan had earned it through real skill. In Jinan Prefecture, he was used to lording it over others, and few would dare slight him.

Now, however, he found himself in a dazed state, as if thinking, “Even my father never hit me!”

He was adept at both subtle maneuvering and open confrontation; he was unafraid of either. But to approach with a smile only to be slapped across the face—this was new to him.

After Li Miao finished speaking, he said no more, but looked around the room at the furnishings.

With no one stepping in to smooth things over, Fei Junxuan had no choice but to rise from the ground himself, his face livid.

Though Li Miao had controlled his strength and caused no real harm, the fact that a palm delivered from across the room could throw him off balance made it clear to Fei Junxuan that none present could handle this Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Yet the man was obviously here to cause trouble—could he simply avoid the issue?

If he yielded today, what would he do if the man returned tomorrow?

“My lord… have we of the Mount Tai Sect done something to offend you?” he finally ventured.

Li Miao ignored him.

“In that case… forgive my offense then!”

Fei Junxuan drew his sword, and the other disciples followed suit, charging forward.

Outside, onlookers who had gathered for the spectacle quickly stepped back when the fighting erupted, wary of being caught in the chaos.

From within came a cacophony of clanging steel, shouts, curses, and the crash of bodies.

Moments later, all was silent again.

Some idle bystanders craned their necks to peek inside, only for a man to be hurled from within. He rolled several times on the ground, standing up with a face full of dust and rage.

Among the surrounding martial artists, someone hissed in surprise, “Is that Fei Junxuan? He was just thrown out like that?”

“Who’s in there?”

A strong, clear voice rang out from inside the room: “Go, buy some food for your lord.”

“I’ll give you half an hour. If I haven’t eaten by then, for every incense stick that burns past the time, I’ll cripple one of your men’s martial arts.”

Fei Junxuan, still seething with anger, was nonetheless helpless. After a long hesitation, he stamped his foot in fury, covered his face with his sleeve, and ran toward the wine shop.

If he were to consider only the Mount Tai Sect’s honor, he should have fought to the death. But unless one was truly pushed to the brink, who wished to die?

And if he simply ran, leaving the disciples inside to be crippled, would he escape the sect’s punishment?

Weighing his options, he could only meekly go buy the food.

Inside the room, Mei Qinghe sheathed her sword and quietly asked Li Miao, “Senior, what is this about?”

When Li Miao had acted, she had not stood idle, but had helped subdue the Mount Tai disciples. Nonetheless, she was at a loss. She knew Li Miao intended harm toward the Five Mountain Sword Sect, but wasn’t such business best handled in secret, striking decisively without warning?

Why did Li Miao seem determined to make sure the whole world knew the Embroidered Uniform Guard was moving against the Five Mountain Sword Sect?

With all the disciples inside unconscious, there was no longer any need for secrecy. Li Miao answered calmly, “Little Mei, this isn’t some petty vendetta of the martial world.”

“When the court acts, it must be aboveboard, justified and with proper cause. You can’t just walk up to someone and run them through with a sword.”

“If I don’t make a scene first, how will those fence-sitters know it’s time to keep their distance? I can’t very well round them all up and kill them later, can I?”

“If I don’t give him a little warning now, how can I force him to recall all his men? What if a few slip through the net?”

“Besides…” Li Miao gestured vaguely in the direction of Mount Tai.

“When a dog is cornered, it’ll jump the wall.”

“I need to force him to make his move first. Only then can I, righteously and publicly, take down this dog that’s leapt over the wall and cook him up for stew.”

“Just wait and see. There’s a reason I’m making trouble for him.”

Mei Qinghe wanted to protest. Li Miao’s explanation made a kind of sense, but wouldn’t this just alert the enemy and make things harder for them?

But then she recalled Li Miao’s unfathomable martial prowess—even top masters might not last a few rounds against him. He was not the sort to look for trouble needlessly; there must be a deeper plan.

So she simply nodded, saying nothing more.

After a short wait, Fei Junxuan returned, face still covered, and slammed a food box onto the table.

“Lay it out,” Li Miao ordered.

“You—!” Fei Junxuan began to protest, but at the sight of Li Miao’s impassive face, he shuddered uncontrollably.

After a long, bitter pause, he stamped his foot, his face ashen, and began to lay out the food on the table.

“Little Mei, sit. Let’s eat.”

Mei Qinghe was speechless, but could only take her seat and eat, one bite at a time, under Fei Junxuan’s resentful gaze.

Once the two had finished, Li Miao rose and walked to the door, then suddenly turned to Fei Junxuan and remarked, “Today’s dishes were mediocre—cold and lacking in wok aroma.”

“Remember to buy better food in advance tomorrow. I’ll be here at the same time for my meal.”

“Very well!” Fei Junxuan replied through gritted teeth, his face twisted with hatred. “Tomorrow, the Mount Tai Sword Sect will be ready to welcome you!”

Li Miao said nothing further, departing with Mei Qinghe.

Fei Junxuan turned, gripped his sword, mounted his horse, and rode out of the city toward the Mount Tai Sword Sect.