Chapter 4, Stretching out the head for a strike

Pei Qian pushed open the slightly ajar door of the main house, revealing a dimly lit small hall. It seemed that no one had lived there for a long time, as a faint musty odor wafted out. The old goat illuminated the space with a lantern and said, "If Brother Duan is interested in finding a few personal maids or servants to assist him, just let me know, and I guarantee your satisfaction"

For some unknown reason, when Pei Qian first laid eyes on the old man, he couldn't help but associate him with the old goat.

This is another valuable lesson that Pei Qian learned from Old Ghost. He shifted his gaze and reached out to help the old goat rub its forehead vigorously, apologizing, "I wasn't stung. Sir, does it still hurt? Allow me to help you with a massage."

Like the small hall outside, the inner room is filled with a uniform array of mahogany furniture, exuding a heavy, elegant, and antique charm. Unfortunately, it does not suit Pei Qian's taste at all. The only thing that satisfies him is the large mahogany bed, which occupies nearly half of the inner room's area, spacious enough to accommodate ten or eight people without feeling cramped.

The two of them laughed heartily, completely unconcerned about disturbing the sweet dreams of others. You held me close, and I linked my arm with yours as we affectionately approached Baode Mountain Villa

Qi Wuting pulled out a poisoned dagger from Pei Qian's belt. Although a smile lingered at the corners of her lips, her eyes had turned filled with resentment. In a cold voice, she said, "Duans, you want to play, don't you? I'll play you to death!" She pushed against Pei Qian's waist, and the four straps of her dress flew back, sending Pei Qian soaring into the air like a swing.

The more difficult a person is, the more one should entangle oneself with them, until they become annoyed and weary of seeing you.

At the end of the fork in the road stands a manor nestled against the mountains and by the water. The Deputy Director, Lord You Ruo Hua, who clings to Liu Yun Sha like a stubborn plaster all day long, has long been waiting at the manor's entrance. Beside him stands an elderly man dressed in a deep brown long gown, of slight build and unremarkable appearance, holding a lantern in his hand

The old goat completely collapsed and shouted at the woman on the bed: "Qi Wuting, you shameless woman, who told you to climb into Duan's bed tonight? Hurry up and put on your clothes and get out!"

Pei Qian pretended not to know and strode into the courtyard. He could hardly wait for the old goat to take the copper lock and verify the techniques above— that volume of "Eight Strikes of the Surprised Dragon" was certainly not read in vain

However, he would not take the initiative to ask about such an embarrassing matter. On the contrary, he expressed his gratitude, saying: "Thanks to your timely rescue, otherwise I would not have survived tonight"

There is a title called "Floating in the Air." Qi Wuting looked at Pei Qian, who was tugging at his pant legs, and a strange glimmer passed through her eyes as she smiled and said: "I specially prepared this for you"

A moment later, Pei Qian returned to the bustling Anxiang Studio like a defeated rooster, feeling dejected. He paid no attention to the landlady's concerned inquiries, nor did he acknowledge the apologies of the guards. Instead, he sat in a room on the second floor, which had been arranged separately, lost in thought.

Pei Qian's eyes rolled around, and he lowered his voice, saying: "My lord, I have thought it over carefully, and why do I feel that the true target of the Blood-clothed Guard is not me, but you?" Saying this, he showed a look of shame and continued: "Even if I overestimate my own abilities, I know that with my limited capacity, how could I possibly invite Yuan Tiesha to set an ambush outside the town?"

Pei Qian glanced at the double-eye lock on the door, exerted force with his fingertips to flatten the key, and chuckled, "This thing prevents gentlemen but not scoundrels; it is merely a burden hanging on the door." He reached out, easily shattered the copper lock, and pushed open the courtyard gate.

Pei Qian could not help but think of Hua Lingyao, as he lit the candle on the table with a flint and said, "I dare not trouble you, Your Excellency"

At this moment, the carriage slowly entered the mountain gate of the Cloud Military Academy, marked by a grand golden plaque. The one hundred soldiers responsible for the escort returned to their posts. Pei Qian sat up straight, reaching out to part the curtain slightly to gaze outside. In the deep of night, the military academy was utterly silent, presenting a scene of profound darkness. Occasionally, the flickering lights of patrolling guards appeared and disappeared, accompanied by a few very low command calls.

Pei Qian was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, never expecting that upon arriving at the Cloud Military Academy, he would be taken advantage of by an old goat. He deliberately shouted, "Ouch, a hornet stung me!" and suddenly jumped forward, swinging his hand back to swat at his neck.

He deliberately emphasized the four characters "setting an ambush outside the town," secretly feeling pleased and thinking: "Old ghost, aren't you trying to trick me again? Then don't blame me for reciprocating; I will also give the Blood-clothed Guard some rotten medicine!"

Liu Yunsha furrowed her brows, then suddenly patted Pei Qian warmly and affectionately, saying: "I startled you tonight"

He was taken aback, struggling a couple of times; the corset, woven from an unknown material, remained completely intact. He hurriedly exclaimed, "Aren't you supposed to be hanging from this?"

The old goat chuckled and burped, saying: "Please rest assured, my lord, I will definitely not make a mistake in handing over the book to Deputy Duan." The smell of alcohol from his mouth made Pei Qian wish he could just grab this old fellow and pull out all the sparse goat hair from under his chin.

Qi Wuting chuckled softly, her partially revealed pair of snowy peaks swaying chaotically, causing Pei Qian to stare blankly, and in a daze, he found himself stripped of his clothing by her

Liu Yunsha leaned back in the car and said calmly, "I am fine. First, please take Duan Fujian back to the residence."

What pleased Pei Qian even more was that at this moment, a half-naked beauty was already lying across this large bed

The old goat chuckled nonchalantly and continued, "The courtyard is cleaned daily by the servants from the barracks. Meals are served at Hengyue Pavilion, where you can either pay on credit or in cash. If I weren't feeling unhappy about going out, I could also have the waitstaff from the restaurant deliver all three meals here every day"

Neither of the two spoke, closing their eyes and leaning against the soft seat in a feigned slumber. The vehicle jolted slightly along the rugged mountain road, mirroring Pei Qian's current mood.

However, in Pei Qian's view, the truly useful knowledge that these individuals can acquire at the Cloud Military Academy is indeed quite limited, often merely superficial and deceptive. Those powerful regional officials who dominate the political landscape, as well as the high-ranking ministers of the Six Ministries, are most likely to come from prominent aristocratic families and the disciples of the nine major sects, such as the Zhizang Sect and the Yuqing Sect.

Pei Qian also laughed along with the old goat, laughing even more heartily and loudly than him, while secretly plotting how to teach this old fellow a lesson. He knew that the old goat's casual touch was far from a simple case of groping; after all, those who frequently visit brothels generally do not have a penchant for the same sex. What he was doing was probing the details of the belt around his waist. However, the real Duan Min showed no signs in any of the available information or rumors that he possessed such an item around his waist.

Pei Qian smiled awkwardly and said, "It is better to return to the Cloud Military Academy sooner. I cannot endure the repeated assassination attempts by the bandits in the mountains. Once the situation calms down, it will not be too late to take the remaining day of annual leave."

The old goat was taken aback and hurriedly said: "This... this young brother, she is not the midnight snack I prepared for you"

Pei Qian was horrified and exclaimed, "Hey, what are you trying to do?"

"It's nothing, the road isn't far." The tipsy goat swayed its hand and casually rested it on Pei Qian's shoulder, applying the full weight of seventy to eighty pounds, and said with a grin: "I just had a bit of drink with Old Liao and heard that you, Brother Duan, have arrived."

"But still, you are impressive, my lord," Pei Qian exclaimed sincerely. "To be able to retreat unscathed from such a setup by bandits in the mountains, you truly deserve the title of the foremost expert among the secular members of the Yuqing Sect!"

Thus, one was willing to strike while the other was willing to bear it, and the two of them left the Anxiang Studio together. Compared to the scene when Liu Yunsha had just arrived, they had become much closer in an intangible way. One example of this was that the head of the courtyard did not wait for Pei Qian to speak before inviting him to share a carriage to the Yunzhong Military Academy

It is said that it is impolite to come to a gathering without bringing books. Pei Qian, without any hesitation, reached out and pulled down the water-green bandeau. To his surprise, after pulling down one, there was another one underneath, only this time it was purple. When he pulled down the purple bandeau, a pink one was revealed beneath it. This continued endlessly, and Pei Qian consecutively extracted four bandeaus of different colors from her, finally seeing the true face of the mountain. He couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment, "Why do you have so many bandeaus wrapped around you?"

The drifting clouds and shifting sands are well understood; this is Pei Qian's roundabout way of flattering and ingratiating himself with me. Otherwise, if I were to return alone to the Cloud Academy to recuperate, others would surely mock me in secret for being frightened out of my wits by Yuan Tiesha. Now that Pei Qian has taken the initiative to propose vacating the room to avoid trouble, I can instead gain a reputation for cherishing my subordinates.

Pei Qian noticed that the old goat's eyes suddenly became brighter than the lantern he was holding, and its throat was continuously moving as if it were swallowing. He couldn't help but curiously take a couple of steps forward, peering into the inner room by the glow emitted from the lantern.

Liu Yunsha waved his hand and smiled, saying: "Guess who I ran into outside the town?" As if he was certain that Pei Qian would not be able to guess, he revealed it himself: "The leader of the Blood-clothed Guard, Yuan Tiesha, the foremost general under Qing Zhao.

Pei Qian finally recalled a small, inconspicuous entry in Duan Minsheng's biography: "On March 11 of the seventh year of Guotai, the third-class embroidered-clad envoy Deng Chengzhi was poisoned to death at the post station." Unable to contain his exclamation of misfortune, he looked at the poisoned dagger that was drawing ever closer to his waist, realizing that there was no way to evade this impending strike.

Suddenly, the vehicle turned and entered a side road, surrounded by lush ancient pines and cypresses, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and serenity

The old goat seemed not to understand, chuckling and saying, "Well said, well said. By the way, I suppose Brother Duan is also hungry; I have had someone prepare a late-night snack in the inner room." Upon lifting the beaded curtain of the inner room, the person stood frozen in place.

Liu Yunsha also seemed to dislike the drunken goat very much, and with a smile said, "That's good." She then turned to Pei Qian and said, "Duan Jiangshu, have a good sleep tonight, see you tomorrow." After lowering the curtain of the carriage, she was escorted by You Ruohua and others as she left.

Pei Qianden widened his eyes in astonishment as he looked at Liu Yunsha. The expression of both surprise and admiration on his face gave Liu Yunsha, who had suffered under Yuan Tiesha's hand, a small sense of satisfaction, and he said with a hint of pride: "It was him, who set an ambush outside the town, nearly causing me to go and not return."

According to the nonsense materials pieced together by Pei Qian and Lao Gui, the Cloud Military Academy is one of the four military academies directly under the Imperial Academy, specifically established to provide various military talents for the court. Most of the students here are children of nobility, and upon graduation, they are typically granted official titles starting from the seventh rank, either joining the military or being assigned to other positions, often achieving rapid success within three to five years

Pei Qian's eyes lit up, and he eagerly bent down to take off his pants, saying: "Good sister, I can hardly wait to play."

The woman on the bed smiled sweetly, showing no fear at all, and had no intention of getting up to dress. In a sugary voice, she said: "Sir, if you hurry me to leave, I fear that Duan will not be pleased, right? After all, this is his bed."

"If not you, then who else?" Qi Wuting clearly enjoyed this game of cat and mouse, delivering a kick to Pei Qian's backside, sending him soaring once again. "Tonight, I will take revenge for Cheng Zhi!"

Although she is no longer young, her charm remains. The delicate, jade-like skin glows with a pink hue under the light, resembling a ripe honey peach that anyone would want to take a bite of

"It has been said that Yuan Tiesha's target is very likely me," Liuyunsha remarked nonchalantly. "If we are to speak of being implicated, it should be I who has implicated Brother Duan."

Pei Qian indeed felt that he had much in common with the old goat. Unfortunately, that bit of goodwill vanished at the first glance upon meeting, and instead, he faintly sensed that this fellow might be even more troublesome than Liu Yunsha

Due to the recent assassination, the garrison of Yunchong Town hastily dispatched a hundred-man squad for escort. Although these ordinary soldiers are not much of a match for the elite Blood-clothed Guards, their imposing presence can still serve to intimidate the common folk.

As the carriage came to a stop at the entrance of the manor, You Ruohua was the first to approach, speaking with a tone of anxiety: "My lord, you have been startled"

Pei Qian desperately twisted his body, barely evading the poisoned dagger in Qi Wuting's hand, and shouted, "I didn't kill him!"

Pei Qian blinked and tentatively asked, "My lord, should we set off immediately to return to the Cloud Military Academy?"

Pei Qian secretly wondered why the old goat seemed to not want him to get close to Qi Wuting, or perhaps did not wish for Qi Wuting to get close to him. He then asked softly, "Then why not expel her from the Cloud Middle Military Academy"

As soon as the words fell, the old goat's half-collapsed body suddenly froze in mid-air, forming an angle of less than thirty degrees with the ground. Then slowly, slowly, as if a rope were pulling at his lower back, his body straightened up, standing firmly as if nothing had happened. He touched his reddened forehead and said: "It's nothing, it's nothing. Brother Duan, did the wasp sting you? If it did, I have some excellent ointment that will reduce the swelling with just one application"

The drifting clouds and sands seemed to smile, as they looked at Pei Qian and said: "Don't you still have one day of annual leave left unused?"

Pei Qian cleverly kept his mouth shut and did not climb up the ladder to ask, "But what?"

Pei Qian glanced at the filthy outer garment he was holding and said, "It is time for a bath"

Pei Qian slung his luggage diagonally across his back and, from a distance, saw You Ruohua handing a document-like item into the carriage. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he turned to observe the swaying figure of the drunken goat, and he couldn't help but wonder who was really sending whom home. He cleared his throat and said, "Chief Steward, how about I go by myself? Just tell me the way."

The carriage traveled along the road, and the buildings ahead became increasingly numerous, their scale nearly comparable to that of Yunchong Town, which boasts thousands of households

The old goat shook his head and said, "The waters behind this woman run very deep; no one dares to act. " He patted Pei Qian on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Brother Duan, you should leave her to me to handle. I will have someone prepare a late-night snack for you right away."

However, the force of the palm gradually increased, yet the old goat's forehead remained as unyielding as an iron plate, impervious to any persuasion. Yet, even this iron plate, given the palm strength that Pei Qian was currently exerting, would be enough to shatter it into pieces.

He closed the door and walked into the inner room. Qi Wuting had removed her belly band along with her skirt, leaving only a water-green strapless top that was quite alluring. As Pei Qian approached the bed, she wrinkled her delicate nose and said, "Duan Jiangshu, why do you smell sour?"

Pei Qian's face flushed, and he coughed, saying: "That is a snowfire that I carry with me."

"Brother Duan, you will sleep in this main room." The old goat tucked the copper lock into his sleeve pocket and followed Pei Qian, saying: "The two rooms next door are the study and the quiet room for cultivation; the left wing has guest rooms, and the right wing has the servants' quarters. Additionally, there are a water room, a wood room, and a kitchen in the backyard, making it convenient for bathing"

The old goat seemed to have sobered up after vomiting, repeatedly apologizing while clumsily tugging at Pei Qian's outer garment to pull it down. With a casual press on his lower abdomen, he burped and exclaimed in admiration: "Goodness!"

The old goat said, "This is the copper lock registered in our military academy. It would be a pity if it were broken. I will take it back and teach someone to repair it, so it can be useful next time." As he spoke, he took the copper lock off the door, his eyes sweeping over the two faint fingerprints on the lock, his gaze flickering almost imperceptibly.

"The guard team of the military academy is on night patrol," said Liu Yunsha, who had opened his eyes beside Pei Qian at some point, gently adding, "They number over three hundred, directly commanded by the academy head Qiu and myself, not subject to local or military constraints"

Pei Qian secretly cursed the old goat and chuckled, "That is most likely due to the sourness emanating from the steward."

He spends his days drinking and visiting brothels, accepting bribes to line his own pockets, engaging in all sorts of immoral activities, yet he never attends to his proper duties. Everyone, fearing the influence of Qiu Huosheng, dares not voice their anger, but behind his back, they hold him in utter contempt and hatred.

Pei Qianxin felt a slight disappointment, and with a face full of gratitude, he said: "It is my incompetence that has implicated you, and I deserve to die a thousand deaths"

You Ruo Hua looked surprised and couldn't help but stare at Pei Qian a couple more times, wondering why this fellow had garnered such favor from the Lord of the Academy. However, Pei Qian could no longer sit still; for him, accompanying Liu Yunsha in a carriage was less comfortable than curling up with a sow in a pigsty. He lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage, took his luggage, and said: "I will proceed to my residence on my own, not wishing to delay your rest, my lord"

The old goat hesitated to speak, sighed, and said: "Then there's no need. Brother Duan, you should take care of yourself." He swayed unsteadily as he walked out of the courtyard, completely unaware that a large patch of dirt had somehow smeared onto the back of his clothes, while the outer garment in Pei Qian's hand had become much cleaner.

However, she does not appear to be overweight at all; her figure is well-proportioned. She is half-reclining on a high pile of brocade quilts, with her two long, delicate legs gently swaying towards the door.

Pei Qian exerted himself fiercely, secretly channeling his energy to expel it from his palm, thinking to himself: "If I do not make you suffer from vomiting and diarrhea, lying in bed for three days, then from now on I shall no longer bear the surname ... Duan!"

The carriage slowly departed from Yunchong Town under the escort of a hundred men, heading towards the Yunchong Military Academy in the southwest direction of the Yunchong Mountains. The journey covered approximately fifty li of mountainous roads, providing ample opportunity for Liu Yunsha and Pei Qian to rest for a moment each.

The old goat inadvertently revealed a skill, making it difficult for Pei Qian not to admire him. The old ghost once said that there are four individuals in the Cloud Military Academy who are hard to fathom, and the Chief of Internal Affairs and Bu Zui are among them. This old fellow once saved the life of the academy's master, Qiu Huosheng, which allowed him to securely occupy the position of Chief of Internal Affairs at the fourth rank, standing on equal footing with the six major hall masters of the Cloud Military Academy, to the extent that even Liu Yunsha was reluctant to provoke him lightly.

Pei Qian nodded slightly, and saw the carriage enter the mountain gate, continuing westward along a wide tree-lined avenue. On the left side of the road was a large training ground capable of accommodating over ten thousand people, while on the right, the towering mountains and dense forests appeared quite eerie in the night.

The old goat squinted his eyes in enjoyment, allowing Pei Qian to knead his bony old face with the most heavyweight massage techniques, occasionally emitting low, comfortable groans of "mm, mm, mm, mm".

The flowing clouds and sand do not insist, addressing the smiling old goat: "And Chief Steward, you shall take the Deputy's lecture to Baode Mountain Villa. He has just arrived today and is not yet familiar with the way."

Indeed, the expression of the Flowing Cloud Sand God shifted slightly as he said, "I too have this suspicion, however..."

Pei Qian finally pulled down his pants, and just as he raised his head to say, "What are we waiting for?" suddenly his vision blurred. Qi Wuting's delicate hand had firmly grasped the water-green strapless dress that was tightly wrapped around his right wrist. Following that, Pei Qian's right wrist and both feet were also ensnared by the dress, and in a flurry of Qi Wuting's dazzling movements that resembled a dance, he was lifted into the air.

The old goat was taken aback for a moment, gazing at the faint outline of the leather belt that was partially visible from Pei Qian's underwear, and then burst into hearty laughter

Pei Qian, avoiding the figure of the old goat, gazed at the alluring posture of Qi Wuting on the bed. The thought that this woman was proficient in etiquette, music, and dance only intensified his desire. Regardless of whether the waters behind this seductive woman were murky or clear, there was no reason to push away an object that had willingly come to his bed. He made a firm decision, wrapping his arms around the bony shoulders of the old goat as he walked towards the door, saying: "It is getting late, and given your numerous responsibilities, you must be tired. How about I take her to your residence early tomorrow morning, and you can handle it personally?" Before the old goat could refuse, he opened the door and bowed, saying: "May you walk safely, my lord"

The slap landed squarely on Pei Qian's own neck, yet his elbow inadvertently struck the old goat's forehead. The old goat winced in pain, and with his hands empty, Pei Qian seized the opportunity to pull out his shoulder, causing the old goat to stumble forward unsteadily. Pei Qian sidestepped to the side, releasing a breath of frustration, and shouted, "Be careful!"

She was dressed very lightly, and most of the clothes she brought were strewn on the floor, lined up from the bed to the door. It is easy to imagine that she was undressing as she walked. There was a small wooden table on the bed, and the late-night snacks on it had been swept away by her in a whirlwind. It is hard to imagine that a woman could consume enough food to satisfy three men.

Suddenly, the old goat seemed to react; first, it frowned, then swayed its body a couple of times and said, "Not good, you hurry—" Before finishing its sentence, it opened its mouth and let out a foul-smelling excrement that landed right on Pei Qian's chest.

Pei Qian's residence is a small courtyard with a private entrance. The old goat handed the key to Pei Qian.

Before long, Liu Yunsha returned empty-handed with his two close attendants. Pei Qian noticed that his complexion was somewhat pale, and his left sleeve was missing a section, suggesting that he had suffered quite a loss

Pei Qian smiled and said, "But she is more filling than a midnight snack." Lowering his voice, he added, "Regardless of whether this money comes from the public account of the military department or your private account, I am grateful."

Pei Qian swallowed hard and sincerely expressed his gratitude to the old goat, saying, "Sir, you are truly too kind."

Qi Wuting pointed a poisoned dagger at the root of Pei Qian's thigh, sneering: "I will make you understand your death! Do you still remember Deng Chengzhi, the embroidered-clad envoy of Taiyang Mansion, whom you poisoned to death? He was my biological son"

Pei Qian greatly praised this woman for her intelligence, as she immediately discerned that what he truly wanted to drive away was not her, but the old goat. He quietly asked, "My lord, she is..."

The old goat pulled Pei Qian a couple of steps outside and said: "She is a lecturer at the Military Academy's Etiquette Hall, specializing in teaching etiquette, music, and dance. She has almost been to bed with all the men at Baode Mountain Villa. Especially with the newcomers, this promiscuous woman is like a wildcat drawn to blood; she won't give up until she has tasted the fresh catch. Brother Duan, you must hold your ground."

Qi Wuting smiled without answering, tossing four strapless garments over the beam, with two hanging in front and two in the back.

Pei Qian felt a wave of nausea and nearly fainted. Looking at the patch of speckled substance on his chest, which he could not tell whether it was shark fin or bird's nest, he bitterly smiled to himself: "This old fellow indeed possesses strength above the Spirit Refinement level, certainly no less than Liu Yunsha."

This flattery has gone too far. Although Liu Yunsha is formidable, everyone knows that the top secular expert of the Yuqing Sect is not yet him. However, everyone loves to hear good words, and Liu Yunsha merely smiled faintly without refuting it

The Cloud Military Academy is indeed a commendable place for academic pursuit and advancement. It is located at the far end of the left side of the Cloud Mountain range, which resembles the character "人", and is over one hundred li away from the actual control area of the Red Flag Army. Nestled in a picturesque and secluded foothill, the Jade River, originating from the Cloud Mountain range, flows gently through the academy.

Whether it is the aristocratic families or the nine major sects, all maintain strict access controls and cherish their own privileges. It is not only commoners but even ordinary noble youths find it difficult to gain entry. Consequently, the four military academies established by the Imperial Academy and the military study halls set up by various prefectures have become a shortcut for these individuals to advance in the military and change their destinies. Every year, a steady stream of young people armed with various letters of recommendation comes to seek education, nearly overwhelming the thresholds of these military academies and study halls.

In order to ensure the safety of the military academy, and also to meet the needs of border defense, there is a military camp located five miles away, which is permanently garrisoned by 2,000 personnel of the "Tianhu Cavalry". In the event of an attack on the military academy, they can arrive in an instant