Chapter Seven: The Shifting Tides of Attack and Defense

Xu Yuan’s sudden attack took everyone by surprise.

Though his attitude earlier had been rather brusque, no one could have imagined that here, in the Li family’s estate—Li Licheng’s absolute stronghold—he would dare to act so brazenly.

One had to remember: Li Licheng was the county magistrate’s cherished son-in-law, held in high favor, with the Feihong Pavilion flourishing and his fortunes at their zenith.

To act so boldly in Qingshan County—did Xu Yuan truly not know the meaning of death?

Yet, regardless of what they thought, the sight of Li Licheng’s body reeling like a kite torn from its string could not be faked. Before anyone could react, he had already collapsed to the ground, rolling over several times before lying still, utterly silent.

“Every debt has a debtor. Gao, I’ve avenged you,” Xu Yuan said, his gaze as calm as ever, his voice betraying no emotion.

Mortal affairs are fleeting.

If one’s feelings burned too fiercely, even a single day in the heavens would be enough to drive a man mad.

With only one day a year to converse with others, if he could not rein in his emotions, how could he possibly endure those long, lonely days?

As Li Licheng’s body hit the ground, Xu Yuan lifted the wine jug once again and filled his cup to the brim. The third cup was poured onto the earth, and a breeze whispered past, like the softest of laments.

“How dare you! Seize him at once!” someone finally shouted as reality crashed back upon them, no matter how absurd or unreal this moment seemed.

The magistrate’s beloved son-in-law, murdered boldly in his own home!

The retainer who had accompanied Li Licheng broke out in a cold sweat. Only two steps ahead of him, Li Licheng had fallen before he could even speak a word. In truth, aside from Li Licheng, he had been closest to this fearsome guest.

Yet, when the other made his move, he had not sensed a thing—only a sudden breeze against his face, and when he came to, his master lay lifeless, without a single final word.

His scalp tingled, but he dared not simply stand by. He staggered back several steps, shouting, “Guards, retainers, steward—seize this madman! Notify the county yamen at once!”

His eyes were wide with terror, his voice trembling, yet he dared not remain silent. Otherwise, whether or not the demon was caught, the magistrate would make him wish for death.

Fortunately, this madman did not appear to be a bloodthirsty killer. After Li Licheng’s death, he did not flee while the others were still in shock, nor did he seize the chance to strike again. Instead, he inexplicably poured a cup of wine onto the ground—giving the retainer time to react!

“Seize him! Quickly, seize him!”

“The steward says to keep him alive—don’t kill him outright! We must know who sent him!”

“Take him to the magistrate at once!”

A chorus of shouts echoed, growing nearer.

In households as grand as the Li family, private servants and even guards were commonplace. As the county magistrate’s son-in-law, Li Licheng naturally kept his own men.

Now, a group of them stormed in, brandishing weapons. Several wielded iron-tipped staves; two burly men carried gleaming long knives.

At this display of force, the retainer’s fear eased somewhat. What matter if Xu Yuan was skilled in martial arts? He was unarmed, after all—and they were many.

“If you surrender, you might keep your corpse whole. Resist, and these blades will not show mercy!” the retainer spat out.

In a flash, the household guards surrounded Xu Yuan. At the fore, those with ironwood staves raised them high, bringing them down like a falling forest.

The two with long knives hung back slightly, ready to cut down anyone who resisted—their blades were deadly, while the iron staves were meant to break bones and subdue, not kill, unless a blow struck the head.

To all present, Xu Yuan had no way out. Had he killed Li Licheng in a swift sneak attack and fled before the others regained their wits, he might have stood a chance. Now, with the guards and retainers closing in, escape was a fool’s dream.

But Xu Yuan had never intended to flee.

The whistle of iron-tipped staves filled his ears, coming at different speeds from all sides, blocking every path of retreat. The nearest staff was already brushing his sleeve.

At that desperate moment, the crackle of firecrackers suddenly erupted—no, not firecrackers, but the iron-shod ends of the staves shattering as they struck Xu Yuan, each one detonating with a thunderous sound.

It was as if thunder had erupted from a clear sky.

His white-robed figure drifted like a cloud, movements too swift to follow. Those encircling him were sent flying, one after another.

Yet this time, Xu Yuan had held back; those who fell were writhing in pain, but with a few months’ rest in bed, they would recover.

“Die!” someone shouted.

Seeing Xu Yuan’s ferocity far surpass their expectations, the two with long knives did not retreat but charged forward, their blades flashing silver as they swung at him.

Raised from childhood by the Li family, they were as loyal as death-sworn retainers. With their young master slain, they could only fight to the death.

Yet before Xu Yuan, long knives were no different from iron staves.

This time, everyone saw his movements clearly: with just two fingers, he caught the blade mid-swing.

No matter how they strained, the knives could not move an inch.

“To raise your blade is to seek death,” Xu Yuan said softly, his gaze serene.

In the next instant, his fingers tightened, and the finely-forged steel shattered at his touch.

Before the broken blade could hit the ground, Xu Yuan flicked his fingers, sending the shards speeding into his attackers’ chests.

All this happened in a flash.

In the blink of an eye, Xu Yuan had claimed three lives—yet not a speck of dust had sullied his robes.

He was no wanton slaughterer.

But even the sages said: “If you repay enmity with virtue, how will you repay virtue?”

If you wish to take a life, you must be prepared to lose your own.

He despised tyranny and the abuse of strength—but if others struck first, he would repay them in full.

Such had always been his way.

If you cannot withstand the consequences, then death is only fair.

The two burly bodies collapsed, blood flowing from their chests.

All around, those wielding shattered staves groaned on the ground.

In the space of a heartbeat, the roles of attacker and defender were reversed.