Chapter 032 – A Nation Within a Nation

“Between brothers, let me give you a number.” Crossing his two fingers, Cai Ze made the 十 character which represented the number ten. “All it takes is ten taels of silver, I’ll help you secure a spot. That mostly involves transferring your household registration and filing it with the Blood Blade Sect. Once it’s approved, you can purchase property in Silver Creek with a residency permit.”

Li Yuan nodded. “All right, I’ll come find you in a while with the silver. I’m counting on you.”

“No problem.” Cai Ze laughed heartily.

Moments later, Madam Yun returned with a second young woman in tow. The newcomer, all graceful curves and demure smiles, walked up to Cai Ze and greeted him sweetly, “I’m Wan’er, sir. Delighted to make your acquaintance.”

Spreading his legs apart, Cai Ze motioned her over, and Wan’er promptly perched on his lap. Madam Yun, meanwhile, settled back onto Li Yuan’s thigh. Two men, two women, drinking and flirting without restraint.

After a few rounds of wine, Cai Ze let his guard down completely.

“You’ve heard of the Red Lotus Rebels, right, brother? Let me tell you something. Even if the Red Lotus Rebels break through Gemhill County, they still won’t touch Silver Creek. Because Silver Creek is the heart of the Blood Blade Sect. They can occupy other townships without issue, but trying to seize Silver Creek would mean picking a fight with our superiors. And they’re not that stupid.”

“Your sect, the Blood Blade Sect?”

“I’m both a bailiff and a disciple of the Blood Blade Sect,” he replied with a booming laugh.

“I’m impressed. But may I ask, who’s above the Blood Blade Sect?”

“You don’t need to know that...” Cradling Wan’er in one arm and a cup in the other, Cai Ze went on, “This empire is really just the largest martial force under the heavens, and it was only the largest in the early days of its founding. Once the experts in the imperial capital can’t suppress the powers of the

jianghu

, and when famine, disasters, and chaos push the people past their limits, any major faction might rise up against the empire. But that’s got nothing to do with our Blood Blade Sect.

“The county magistrate and the captain serve the imperial court. Fighting to the death is their duty. And if common people don’t have a faction backing them, they have to defend themselves. Otherwise, when the Red Lotus Rebels sack the county, they’ll loot and burn everything in sight. But as for us, we don’t have to get involved. The empire has its laws, and the martial world has its rules. Each sect claims its own territory, a land within the land, a nation within a nation.

“If the Red Lotus Rebels want to overthrow the empire, that’s their business. But if they invade a sect’s stronghold, that’s tantamount to declaring war.”

Li Yuan ventured, “So, about that residency spot in Silver Creek, can ten taels of silver really make it happen?”

“It can!” Cai Ze’s eyes gleamed as he looked Li Yuan over. “Every sect wants new talent. You’re young, and you’ve already made a name for yourself. The Blood Blade Sect would be happy to let you settle in Silver Creek. Other people, though? They don’t get that privilege. You think I go around calling everyone

brother

so casually?”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

A little while later, still tipsy, Cai Ze led one of the courtesans off to a private room. Madam Yun, feigning drunkenness, draped herself across Li Yuan, waiting for him to undress her and tumble into bed.

Li Yuan considered it for the briefest moment but ultimately decided not to. Sharing a few drinks was one thing; truly going through with it was another. He wasn’t that desperate, and besides, his wife at home was prettier.

He asked, “Do you think 48 large coins will cover tonight?”

With a coquettish giggle, she lounged in his arms and said, “I’ve been keeping track, little sir. I can even give you a three large coin discount. Once I realized how strong you are...well, I find myself both happy and intrigued. We see plenty of men in this line of work, but a fine young fellow like you is rare. I hope you’ll come by often.”

Noticing he made no move to join her, Madam Yun leaned in and whispered, “Carry me to the bed. When we’re done, I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

Li Yuan hesitated. It wasn’t just paying for fun anymore. She was using information to entice him. Sensing his reluctance, Madam Yun suddenly asked, “You have a wife, don’t you?”

“Yeah...”

She chuckled. “I like men like you. Every fellow who comes here has a wife somewhere, but once they’ve had a few drinks, how many of them don’t jump at the chance to pull me into bed? You’re different.”

Li Yuan privately took her flattery with a grain of salt, but Madam Yun seemed genuinely amused. “If you don’t want to lay with a woman like me, that’s your choice,” she teased. “But maybe you’ll come back sometime, at least to keep me company, hmm?”

“I don’t come to places like this much... I’m only here because Cai Ze insisted.”

She eyed him keenly. “You might change your mind.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“Because next time, you might come as a disciple of the Blood Blade Sect.”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

By dusk, Cai Ze was draping an arm around Li Yuan as they left Heavenly Scent Pavilion.

“When you have the silver, come find me in Silver Creek,” he said. “I live on White Cloud Alley. From the entrance, it’s the second house on the left.”

They bid each other farewell and went their separate ways.

When Li Yuan returned to Little Ink Village night had already fallen, yet the village was bustling more than usual. A woman called out, “Li Yuan, you’re only just getting back?”

“Sure am,” he replied. “What’s going on?”

She gave him a strange look before forcing a smile. “Oh, nothing. Ma Liu’s dead...someone stabbed him all over. But that bastard had it coming!”

Li Yuan froze. “I only just got back. I had nothing to do with it.”

Nobody else said much; they scattered quickly, clearly aware of the day’s earlier drama in town. Now there was a new aura around Li Yuan—a mix of awe and fear. They wanted to stay on his good side. Even the old familiar nickname of

Pipsqueak

had transformed in their eyes.

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

At home, Yan Yu told Li Yuan the story of Ma Liu’s death in more detail.

“It really wasn’t me,” Li Yuan said with a sigh. “I was planning to find him tonight...”

“Then who did it?” she wondered.

Right then, her sensitive nose picked up a faint scent of make-up and wine clinging to his clothes. Li Yuan offered an embarrassed laugh before she could speak. “Yan Yu, I went to Heavenly Scent Pavilion... I did pay for a drink or two, but I didn’t sleep with anyone. I had no choice. Since we can’t hide out in the mountains, I’ve got to figure out a way to move us to Silver Creek. I finally met someone who could help. He insisted on going to the Heavenly Scent Pavilion, so I had to foot the bill.”

He confessed everything in one go.

“You really didn’t sleep with her?” Yan Yu repeated, still processing.

Li Yuan nodded. “Just had her on my lap...”

“And you paid money?” she asked suddenly.

“I did.”

She furrowed her brow. “Then why not just go for it? Might as well get your money’s worth. You’re my man, you’re the one benefiting.”

Li Yuan grinned. “She’s not as pretty as you, nowhere close, so I couldn’t do it.”

“What if she was prettier than me?” his wife pressed.

“She still wouldn’t be as gentle.”

“What if she were prettier and gentler?”

“She wouldn’t have your sincerity. Still couldn’t go through with it.”

Yan Yu tried to follow up, but Li Yuan cut her off with a simple question, “Could such a woman even exist?”

Touched by his words, she helped him remove his clothes, then guided him into a wooden tub. By moonlight, she gently washed away the day’s dust and worries.

“Li Yuan,” she asked quietly, “do you really think we can move to Silver Creek?”

“We can,” he answered firmly.

He had to bring Yan Yu there. Both Cai Ze and Madam Yun had no reason to lie about the county’s state of affairs. If the Red Lotus Rebels really overran Gemhill County, only three places would remain safe. The first two were the two townships ruled by the Wei and Sun families. The last was Silver Creek, the very heart of the Blood Blade Sect.