Chapter 3, Escaping from Death

Xie An's study, "Wangguan Pavilion," fully reflects the taste of the prominent families of the Wei and Jin dynasties. The architectural layout of the four-sided hall, surrounded by ancient locust trees and graceful bamboo in the garden, the picturesque summer mountains to the northwest, the steep autumn mountains to the east, and the clear pond with a small pavilion to the north, all subtly filter into the study through the large lattice windows on all sides, creating an immersive experience within the seasonal scenery

Yan Fei executed a backhand sword strike, unexpectedly intercepting the giant axe that Juqu Mengxun had initially swung. The two opposing and contradictory forms of true energy, one soft and the other hard, penetrated the axe and struck his body. With Juqu Mengxun's astonishing skill, he was caught off guard and was greatly astonished to find that the force of the axe was completely dissipated, rendering it ineffective and devoid of any power. In contrast, the other axe was filled with true energy, creating a stark contrast between light and heavy, making it extremely uncomfortable. Left with no choice, he had to shift sideways to evade the attack.

The enemy at the back door revealed himself, his chin and lips adorned with short, hard, iron-gray whiskers, resembling a large brush. However, the top of his head was completely bald, and his complexion was unusually pale. His pair of eyes, cold and indifferent, seemed unmoved by anything they beheld.

Gao Yan's eyes immediately brightened, and he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to say: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a fortune; the southerners can afford to pay. By the way, let me share a piece of news with you, which is worth at least one tael of gold, but this time it is offered for free, all because I see that your life is not long for this world. The five major Hu gangs in the border town have formed an alliance, preparing to welcome the vanguard of Fu Jian's brother, Fu Rong, into the town, and they have decided not to spare a single Han person."

Xie An chuckled, stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked away until he reached the east window. He gazed at the beautiful scenery of the garden outside and shook his head, saying: "No, no! You, my dear nephew, are currently troubled in mind, which prevents you from seeing Fu Jian's weaknesses. This time, he has sent his troops southward, not only losing the advantage of time but also the advantage of terrain, and he lacks the support of the people. The final loss is the key factor in his downfall. As long as we can skillfully take advantage of this, we can cause the great Qin to collapse, and our great Jin will have the hope of restoring the central plains."

Upon learning that Juqu Mengxun had secretly infiltrated the border town, he no longer needed to display reckless bravery, yet he could still restrain the coalition of four factions, making it difficult for them to pursue the fleeing Han people and the Han faction. This was because Juqu Mengxun would never allow a potential assassin capable of killing Fu Jian to hide somewhere within the town. Even if the assassination failed, Juqu Mengxun would certainly not escape blame, so he only needed to appear and disappear at times, thus becoming a significant threat that Juqu Mengxun would be compelled to eliminate. In comparison, killing a group of fleeing Han people was merely a trivial matter.

Only by observing that the other party could promptly reach the back door, intercept before one could escape, and attack without any prior warning, could it be understood that this person is an exceptional master. Yan Fei suddenly recalled someone, and with his usual nonchalance towards life and death, he couldn't help but feel a moment of alarm in his heart

Gao Yanchang let out a long sigh, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, and sat down in the seat that Pang Yi had just vacated. Without any hesitation, he grabbed the wine jar and took several hearty gulps, then set it down and glared at Yan Fei, saying, "What are you doing here? Do you have a death wish?" Seeing Yan Fei's clear eyes still fixed on him without blinking, he couldn't help but show a pained expression and nodded, saying, "Alas! I admit defeat to you." He took out a leather pouch from his bosom and poured out five gleaming gold ingots, reluctantly pushing them in front of Yan Fei with his hand, sighing, "I risk my life in battle, while you sit back and reap the rewards. How can that be fair?"

Yan Fei felt a sense of dread, as he had recognized who his opponents were from their weapons and appearance. The so-called intelligence from that brat Gao Yan, which was supposedly worth a tael of gold, had only proven to be half true. These two individuals were quite famous in the north, and even a mere step from anyone could shake the borders and the wilderness.

Even with the renowned swordsmanship of Yan Fei that commands respect in the borderlands, he still did not dare to directly block the more than twenty powerful arrows shot from the strong bows of the skilled mounted archers of the Xiongnu.

Tall and slender in build, yet the hands wielding the spear seem to possess boundless strength

Ding!

In the gentle morning light, Xie An and his nephew Xie Xuan sat on the ground at the chess table in the hall. The former appeared relaxed and at ease, while Xie Xuan seemed somewhat distracted, frowning as he watched Xie An lift a black piece.

Outside, there were shouts and the sounds of hooves and neighing, creating a chaotic scene. Several powerful arrows swiftly shot in through the doorway, revealing the ferocity and ruthlessness of the Xiongnu people

Xie An smiled faintly with profound meaning, placing the black piece on the board, consuming the hard-earned efforts of Xie Xuan who sought to create a great dragon for survival, while one corner of the board was completely occupied by the black pieces.

Xie Xuan stood up straight and respectfully bowed to Xie An, saying with a serious expression: "Xiao Xuan has received your teachings"

Yan Fei, fully aware of being trapped in a dire situation, remained unperturbed and suddenly turned, wielding his sword to execute what appeared to be an unremarkable strike.

Yan Fei set down the empty wine glass, the intoxication in his eyes vanished without a trace, and a sharp light like that of a hawk ignited within them. His tone remained exceedingly calm as he faintly gazed downstairs and said: "Get out immediately, or you will regret it."

The butterfly emerges from its cocoon, transforming into a green blade, swiftly slicing with its spear tip

The various weapons of the other Hunnic warriors were also swept aside, and they could only feel that the force contained in the opponent's blade was exceedingly strange, not only nullifying their own strength but also forcing them back with a devastating energy that made them groan in pain.

Under the impact of his shoulders, filled with innate vital energy, the sturdy wooden door was shattered as if it were a thin sheet of paper, revealing a large human-shaped hole. He had entered the rectangular grocery store that had been abandoned by others, where various items were scattered all over the place in a chaotic manner

The bald-headed Wu Gu displayed a perfectly timed expression, as the heavily forged golden spear transformed into a multitude of shimmering spear shadows. Just as he was about to confront head-on, a look of horror suddenly appeared on his face, and he swiftly moved aside to clear a path. A burly figure, clad in gray and wearing a black hood, emerged behind him, wielding a knife in each hand. It was precisely because of this surprise attack from behind that Wu Gu was forced to retreat in panic.

Xie Xuan bowed his head and submitted, saying: "I concede!"

Yan Fei did not dare to hesitate, swiftly delivering another strike to the bald-headed Wu Gu, exerting all his strength as he darted into the backyard, following closely behind his savior. They leaped over the backyard wall and fled in a panic.

Xie Xuan stepped out of the study, and Xie Yan, who was waiting outside with Xie Shi, quickly rushed to Xie Xuan's side and asked in a low voice: "Father, what do you want to say?"

This does not imply that Yan Fei is inferior to his opponent, but rather that the opponent is gathering strength for a decisive strike, while he is hastily responding to the challenge. The urgency of the situation differs, and in a contest between experts, victory or defeat hinges on such minute differences.

The warhorse let out a mournful neigh and collapsed to the ground. First, its front hooves knelt down, and then it dragged itself along the ground with what little strength remained. The horse's body had been struck by at least seven or eight arrows, a sight that was truly heart-wrenching

Xie Xuan said with a bitter smile: "If it were not for Fu Jian's forces being ten times greater than mine, how could my nephew be so unsettled and distracted?"

The arrows shot forth with great speed, and it seemed as if they would turn the front rider into a hedgehog. Just as the man reached beside the first tower, he shouted, and with the agility of a monkey, he leaped off the horse, performed two somersaults in mid-air, and landed behind Yan Fei. He extended his hand in front of Yan Fei, raised three fingers, and said: "Three or two pieces of gold"

shatter

Yan Fei unceremoniously grabbed the gold and tucked it into his bosom. Frowning, he asked, "Why do you choose to stay here?"

The sound of hooves echoed from behind, drawing closer from a distance

Yan Fei did not look back, slightly dodging to the side, effortlessly avoiding the arrow. He then sped towards the back door, striving to escape the perilous situation before the enemy completed their encirclement; otherwise, he would face a tragic death in a fierce battle. At that moment, the back door of the shop in front of him erupted into a shower of wood chips flying towards him. Amidst the terrifying sound of wood chips splattering like rain, a giant heavy steel spear shot towards his throat like it was piercing from the depths of eighteen hells, its tip shimmering with golden light, giving an incredibly eerie sensation.

At this moment, the bald-headed Wu Gu transformed into a myriad of spear shadows, launching an overwhelming attack towards Yan Fei. Just as victory seemed within reach, Yan Fei's painting of the butterfly and flower emerged. No matter how Wu Gu changed, he was once again met with the sharp tip of the spear from the painting, rendering him unable to proceed. He feared that the opponent would seize the opportunity to pursue and break through the gap, prompting him to withdraw his spear slightly.

They are gathering forces at Bell Tower Square, preparing to pursue and eliminate the fleeing Han gang. Damn it! Do you know that Fu Jian's fierce general, the Xiongnu "Heroic Leader" Juqu Mengxun, secretly arrived last night to unite various tribes? Hey! What a good friend, right? I'm leaving now!" He suddenly sprang up and dashed across the hall, slipping out through a window on the other side, disappearing in the blink of an eye

When '' !

Yan Fei laughed heartily, swiftly shifting to the right to evade the first volley of arrows. He crashed his shoulder against the locked wooden door of a shop opposite the first floor, his movements as fluid as flowing water, elegant and pleasing to the eye

The hall is furnished with redwood furniture, and the walls are adorned with famous paintings. Four octagonal palace lanterns hang from the beams, embodying a richness that does not lose the elegance of culture, all of which reflect Xie An's identity and taste

Yan Fei trembled violently; although he struck the spearhead, he was still uncontrollably propelled backward by the force of the spear.

Clang

Yan Fei slowly sipped his drink

Yan Feixuan turned around like a whirlwind, and a rain of arrows came flying at her face like a swarm of locusts

Yan Fei seemed not to have heard his words; suddenly, he grabbed the butterfly love flower, performed a somersault off the chair, and landed in the center of the street, then began to walk towards the East Gate.

However, Yan Fei is well aware of his own circumstances. Tu Fa and Wu Gu, as well as Ju Qu Meng Xun, truly live up to their reputation. He has exhausted all his skills, yet he is still unable to inflict any harm on either of them. Moreover, the depletion of his true essence is immense, and he cannot hold on for much longer. If he allows the two of them to join forces, he will undoubtedly face death.

Then, turning around leisurely, he smiled and said: "Fu Jian has mobilized his troops for a distant expedition, crossing the border wasteland, heavily obstructed by rivers. I, on the other hand, have the advantage of the Yangtze River, which separates the north from the south. This is a lost territory."

Yan Fei had long anticipated that he would be caught in such a perilous situation, beset by tigers at the back door and wolves at the front. His retreat was precisely aimed at dissipating the strength of the intruders at the back door in the shortest possible time, so as to better cope with the surprise attack coming from the front door

Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!

Xie Xuan's eyes shone with brilliance as he nodded and said, "Xuan's nephew has been taught well. Should we confront him directly?"

Xie An remained seated, his expression complex and difficult to decipher, and he let out a light sigh, saying: "If we win this battle, the prestige and status of the Xie family will reach an unprecedented peak, which is precisely what I have always sought to avoid. Our life in Wuyi Alley, filled with drinking, casual conversations, poetry, and writing, brimming with familial love, a tranquil and refined existence, will inevitably be lost forever. Take good care of Yan'er and provide him with more opportunities for experience."

The giant from the Qiang tribe gripped his sword tightly, his eyes blazing with fierce light, resembling a vicious wolf ready to pounce on its prey. After staring at Yan Fei for a long while, he angrily declared: "Alright! We shall see how long you, Yan Fei, can remain proud."

Xie An calmly stated: "This year, our Jin Dynasty has experienced a favorable climate, with timely winds and rains, leading to a bountiful harvest; however, Fu Jian in the north has been engaged in continuous warfare for years, turning fertile fields into scorched earth, and causing production to stagnate. Having just unified the north, his forces are still unstable, and he is launching a large-scale military campaign before the timing is ripe. This is a miscalculation of timing"

Xie An said: "Since you have mastered the art of chess, this is the first time in five years that I have won against you. It is evident that the path to victory lies in a focused mind. You, my dear nephew, were unable to concentrate due to your troubled thoughts, which led to this defeat. If you remain so restless and agitated on the battlefield, even if you possess the military strategies of Fu Jian, you will still find it difficult to avoid defeat.

Xie An's lips curled into a faint smile as he calmly said: "You are the general on the front lines, far more capable in matters of war than I. Everything is at your discretion. Officially, your third uncle, Xie Shi, is the commander, but in reality, all specific military operations will be under your command. This battle should be swift, not slow. If Fu Jian's troops reach the banks of the Yangtze River and establish a firm position, given the disparity in forces, and considering that our Jin court has long enjoyed peace and comfort, along with schemers like Sima Daozi taking advantage of the situation, we will surely collapse without a fight. Go! The survival of the Jin dynasty rests on your thoughts; do not forget how you lost the last game." This battle should be swift, not slow. If Fu Jian's troops reach the banks of the Yangtze River and establish a firm position, given the disparity in forces, and considering that our Jin court has long enjoyed peace and comfort, along with schemers like Sima Daozi taking advantage of the situation, we will surely collapse without a fight. Go! The survival of the Jin dynasty rests on your thoughts; do not forget how you lost the last game.

With a sharp whistle, he led his companions away like a gust of wind along the same path they had come.

Gao Yan, behind Yan Fei, felt defeated like a cock that had lost a fight, and gritted his teeth as he said: "Five taels is five taels; consider me intimidated by you, this opportunistic scoundrel."

One of the leading members of the Qie tribe shouted, "This is a matter between our Qie gang and Gao Yan. Yan Fei, if you know what’s good for you, don’t interfere."

At the moment when the two men clashed, warriors from the Xiongnu gang rushed in, three or four of them. Seeing that Juqu Mengxun was at a disadvantage and had to retreat, they immediately filled the gap, attacking Yan Fei with swords, spears, and knives, leaving him no opportunity to catch his breath

As the butterfly loves the flower and swiftly strikes forward, the wood shavings are redirected and fly sideways under the force of the sword energy, resembling a stream of water that has been split in two, not a single drop splashing onto Yan Fei.

Continuing to walk towards Xie Xuan, he sat down again and said with pleasure: "The reason Fu Jian was able to gain control over the northern territories is due to his implementation of the 'peaceful coexistence' policy, which embraced the various tribes and their surrendered generals. This was the key to his success, but it also sowed the seeds for future troubles. Although his army is said to number in the millions, it is actually a hodgepodge, either hastily assembled or forcibly conscripted, with combat effectiveness appearing strong but actually weak. I firmly believe that individuals like Zhu Xu are within the Qin army but have their hearts set on our Great Jin. Ultimately, our Great Jin remains the legitimate authority of the Central Plains; although we are based in the Jiangzuo region, we have not made any significant mistakes. Now that external enemies are invading, we are all in the same boat and must unite to resist foreign insults. As for the generals under Fu Jian, each commands heavy troops from their own tribes, and figures like Murong Chui and Yao Chang are all proud and unruly; how could they willingly become subordinates to others? This indicates a lack of harmony among the people, which is my gain and their loss. Therefore, as long as Xuan's nephew focuses on this point and implements strategies of division and discord, not only can we thoroughly understand the enemy's arrangements, but we can also plan our subsequent actions to strike decisively against the Di and Qin, eliminating our major northern threat.

The man shouted in a deep voice: "Yan Fei!"

The differences in the sitting postures alone reveal the distinct lifestyle habits of the Hu and Han people at that time. Since the formation of the custom of "kneeling sitting," where Han people sit on their heels with their knees bent forward, which dates back to the Yin and Zhou dynasties, it has become an important component of Confucian etiquette and culture. Sitting on the ground with legs extended in a "cross-legged" position or sitting with feet hanging down is regarded as disrespectful and taboo. After the end of the Han dynasty, with the mingling of Hu and Han, the practice of sitting on high chairs with feet hanging down, known as "Hu sitting" or "cross-legged sitting," became widely spread among the Han people, leading to a new cultural trend in living spaces characterized by high-legged beds, chairs, and stools. However, in aristocratic families, "Hu sitting" is still viewed as disrespectful and lacking in cultural refinement.

Yan Fei was not unaware that the best strategy at this moment was to release his strength, allowing his opponent to pass by him, thus clearing the path ahead for a retreat through the back door. However, the force of the opponent's spear was indeed overwhelming, with a might that could shake the heavens and make the earth weep. The air around him felt as if it had been suddenly drained away. Not to mention releasing the force of the spear, it was still uncertain whether he could even withstand it. In desperation, he had no choice but to confront force with force, to see who possessed the greater true strength.

The man remained indifferent; he was a slender youth with a horse-like face, aged between eighteen and nineteen, of average height but with long limbs, giving the impression of agility. Most notably, he had a pair of eyes that were sharp and shrewd, revealing a cunning and intelligent nature. In fact, this Han youth named Gao Yan was one of the most prominent figures in the border town, being the most outstanding "wind messenger" in the trade, specializing in buying and selling information. He usually enjoyed a glamorous life, yet it was unclear why he had ended up in such a dire situation. Yan Fei raised a cup in one hand while holding up five fingers with the other; Gao Yan exclaimed, "Five taels of gold, do you wish to take my life?" At that moment, the warriors of the Qiang tribe galloped in, reining in their horses and spreading out in a half-moon formation. From below on the long street, they looked up at the building, their eyes filled with fierce intent, yet they did not dare to shoot, clearly showing their apprehension towards Yan Fei.

Yan Fei leisurely raised the altar and poured the wine, seemingly oblivious to the rapid sound of hooves, and unable to see the lone rider desperately fleeing towards the eastern gate, closely pursued by more than ten mounted warriors of the Qiang tribe, who were drawing their bows and nocking arrows.

Xie Xuan reached out and grasped the broad shoulder of his cousin Hou Kuo, who was deeply rooted in the elegant lineage of the Xie family. Suddenly, a smile of relief appeared on his face as he gently said: "Let us go enjoy the mountains and waters!"

At the main gate, the warriors of the Xiongnu surged in like a tide, while the back door was guarded solely by Tufa Wugu, who stood firm like a wall of bronze and iron. In that instant, he clearly understood that the only way to survive was to risk his own injuries and break through Tufa Wugu's defense. The sword turned freely, transforming into a rain of swords like butterflies in love, pouring down towards Tufa Wugu like the crashing waves against the shore.

shatter

Juqu Mengxun shouted fiercely, reorganizing his formation and wielding his axe to attack again. Little did he know that Yan Fei's sword energy surged violently, producing an incessant "ding-dang" sound. In the blink of an eye, Yan Fei seemed to be comparing speed with Juqu Mengxun, launching a rapid succession of seven sword strikes, each hitting his left and right axes, effectively sealing off all of his offensive moves and forcing him back once more

Xie Xuan remained motionless, his eyes flashing with brilliance as he fixed his gaze on his uncle's elegant and carefree figure, and said in a deep voice: "Please, second uncle, offer your guidance"

The wielder of the double axes is known as "Heroic Leader" as mentioned by Gao Yan, a fierce general under Fu Jian named Juqu Mengxun; the other is another fierce general of Fu Jian, renowned in the Northwest for his "Ten Thousand Tempered Golden Spear," celebrated as the most skilled Xianbei warrior after Murong Chui and Qifu Guoren among the Xianbei people, Tu Fa Wugu.

The Butterfly Love sword measures three feet and eight inches in length, with the blade adorned with diamond-shaped dark patterns, inscribed with the three characters "Butterfly Love" in bird seal script. The blade is not straight; the spine is distinctly sharp, with its widest point approximately half a foot from the hilt, then curving inward, before flaring outward again at the tip, which converges into a sharp point. The entire sword emanates a faint blue light, giving an impression of coldness akin to ice and snow, with a sharpness that could easily sever a hair.

Xie Xuan nodded and said, "Xiao Xuan understands." He quietly exited the pavilion. Sunlight splashed in from the eastern window, and Xie An seemed to merge into the beautiful and tranquil environment of the pavilion, with no one able to discern from his demeanor the great battle concerning the survival of the Han ethnicity, which was swirling in like a tornado from the north

From the front door, a figure emerged, his face covered in pockmarks, with long hair cascading over his shoulders. He was neither tall nor short, but had broad shoulders and a thick neck, resembling a brutish Xiongnu warrior. In each hand, he wielded a sharp giant axe weighing at least fifty pounds. Upon seeing the situation, he let out a furious roar, and the dual axes rolled back and forth like wheels, aiming directly at Yan Fei's back as he was retreating, showing no signs of mercy, intent on killing Yan Fei.