Chapter 13: with translation of chapter title

Dim lanterns swayed in the vast hall, casting light on the fluttering, trembling dragon‑patterned gold canopy in the centre of the room.

Waves of women's soul‑stirring moans drifted from the canopy, interspersed with a man's slightly heavy breathing.

For a moment, the room was filled with charming spring colors, a licentious aura.

After a while, the bed stopped trembling; a pair of long, strong hands slowly lifted the canopy, and a cool, languid voice rose slightly: "Xiao Anzi, take Consort Li back to her sleeping quarters."

"Yes." A eunuch with a youthful yet somewhat delicate appearance emerged from somewhere, bowed slightly before the silk canopy, and said softly, "Your Ladyship, please."

The gauze canopy trembled slightly as a weary yet still breathtakingly beautiful head emerged. She had phoenix eyes full of feeling, cherry lips delicately red, her whole body still trembling from the aftermath of passion, her willow brows slightly furrowed, and she spoke in a soft, coquettish voice: "Your Majesty, I…"

A tall, slender figure, speckled with crystal‑clear sweat, rose without a hint of reluctance, allowing the swarming palace maids and eunuchs to attend to his washing and dress him in deep‑purple robes.

Seeing the consort on the bed still coquettishly refusing to leave, his eyes turned icy and he gave her a cold glance; even the eunuch beside him, who was binding his long hair with a gold‑thread cord, couldn't help but shiver at the chill.

Consort Li's heart jolted; she dared not linger, and hurriedly dressed under the attendants of palace maids and eunuchs before rushing away.

The man in purple robes waved his hand casually, sat down on a carved‑dragon great gold chair, and said, "Deputy Commander Xuan Cheng!"

A host of palace maids then lit the hall's lamps one by one, and in an instant the previously dim hall became much brighter and more splendid.

Moments later, a eunuch led a tall man in black into the inner hall, announcing loudly, "Your Majesty, Deputy Commander Cheng has arrived!"

"Your subject Cheng You pays his respects to the Emperor. Your Majesty…" Cheng You didn't know why, but each time he merely glanced at that naturally imposing man, he felt a palpitation.

From the first glance, he knew that man was a born sovereign; no words or clothing were needed to prove it, for his innate, flawless aura alone could make one willingly submit with just a look.

"No need." The purple‑clad man on the dais took a cup of tea, leaned back leisurely, and said lightly, "Any recent developments within Yin's borders?"

Cheng You understood he was being asked about the intelligence he had gathered, and quickly composed himself to reply: "The court remains as before; the rivalry between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince's factions is growing ever clearer. Lately, strategies toward Ting State are also split between war and peace. Moreover, the Third Prince has, since three months ago, flung open his doors and begun recruiting all manner of martial artists."

"Oh?" The man on the dais gave a cold smile and asked, "What reaction does that old fellow have?"

"The King of Yin still watches from the mountain, taking no part in the princes' struggle."

"That old fox really does know how to keep his composure." The purple‑clad man gave a light smile.

"Your Majesty…" Cheng You hesitated in his report, torn over whether to tell the Emperor about that seemingly trivial matter.

The purple‑clad man raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "Just speak if you have something to say."

"Yes." Cheng You dared not conceal anything further and hurriedly said, "A month ago, a very peculiar gang appeared within Yin's borders."

"A gang?"

"Your Majesty, calling them a gang isn't entirely accurate, for they consist of only three people who style themselves the 'Wuyou Group.'"

"Oh? The Wuyou Group." The purple‑clad man's lips curved into a charming arc, his lazy tone gaining interest, "That's an intriguing name—what sort of three are they?"

"Speaking of these three, not only in Yin but even the common folk of our southern border know the name 'Wuyou.' It is said that this Wuyou gang originally began to rise three months ago from within our own country."

"But the strangest part is that, including our spies, no one has been able to uncover their identities, not even their names; all we know is that people have given each of them a title."

The purple‑clad man sipped his tea and said lightly, "Go on, tell me."

"First, the Peerless Divine Physician."

"Peerless?" A lazy, mocking voice came from above, "In this world there actually exists a doctor worthy of that title."

"Your Majesty, his medical skill is indeed miraculous, but the so‑called 'peerless' refers not to his art but to his appearance; those who have heard of him say his visage is exquisite, unmatched in the world, hence the title."

The person on the dais neither affirmed nor denied, and asked, "Then what about the second?"

"Second, the Cold‑Hearted Blade."

Seeing that the person on the dais had no further questions, Cheng You continued: "This swordsman looks ordinary, yet his martial prowess is strange and extraordinary; in the past three months, anyone who challenged him or entered a tournament has suffered utter defeat."

"Some say…" Cheng You paused before adding, "His blade technique even surpasses the Bu Sha of former years."

A flash of light sparked in the purple‑clad man's eyes; his long, beautiful fingers tapped lightly on the chair as he said, "Please go on."

"Third, the Ugly‑Faced Marvelous Maiden."

A light laugh slipped from the purple‑clad man's throat as he asked, "And what is this title?"

Cheng You dared not laugh, and hastily replied, "This third is a woman; it is said her appearance is strangely ugly, yet she possesses a graceful nature and refined talent—her skill in music, chess, calligraphy and painting is unrivaled, making her a true genius of her age."

"Cheng You…" The person on the dais suddenly sat up straighter, his eyes sweeping coldly, and said, "You've said all this—surely you're not just here to discuss the identities of these three with me?"

Cheng You's heart tightened; he lowered his head and reported, "Your Majesty, because someone reported that the General Meng of Yao State and the Strategist Qin once had contact with that woman, and it seems… involved… the Xuanwu Stone."

Upon hearing this, the purple‑clad man's usually languid, unmoving expression finally shifted; he smirked, propping his head on his hand, and said, "Are the Four Sacred Stones about to appear? It looks like the world is finally going to get lively."

"Deputy Commander Cheng!"

Cheng You started, then quickly raised his head in response.

He saw the person on the dais instantly return to his languid pose and say, "Find out their identities at any cost."

On that stunningly handsome face flashed a wicked, blood‑thirsty smile, which quickly vanished, leaving Cheng You with a sudden jolt of alarm.

"You ought to know what I want, shouldn't you?"

"I understand, sir!"

Yin's capital, Shengjing, is one of the seven oldest ancient capitals today. Although Yin cannot match Qi's wealth and strength, anyone who visits Shengjing cannot help but admit that its prosperity rivals, if not exceeds, that of Qi.

Besides the imperial palace, what Shengjing is most famous for is naturally the street called 'Wolong.'

Whether they are native scholars and swordsmen of Shengjing, examinees heading to the capital, or merely passing travelers, anyone who considers himself a refined gentleman or a famed swordsman cannot help but come here.

This place is practically a shortcut to the heavens; both Yin and Qi often send spies here to see if they can recruit the talent they desire, which makes aspiring youths all the more enamored of it.

Here, no matter which shop you enter, you must follow its rules; otherwise, no amount of money will earn you any attention, and you may even be unceremoniously kicked out the back door.

Thus, those lacking substance or prone to trouble generally won't come here to embarrass themselves.

The so‑called rules are nothing more than literary and martial trials, obstacles that must be broken through and solved.

These trials are usually divided into three levels. The first level is neither especially hard nor especially easy, yet it is not solvable by only a few. As you proceed, each successive level becomes many times harder; by the third level, the literary trial is often an absolute classic, while the martial trial demands a top‑tier master.

Those who pass the first level may receive the shop's services at the regular price; those who clear the second level enjoy a half‑price discount; and those who conquer all three levels receive everything for free.

However, given that Wolong Street is famed throughout the world, every shop owner and assistant here is either a contemporary heroic figure or a reclusive eccentric; they are certainly not easy to deal with.

Thus, although the name Wolong has been renowned for a hundred years, countless generations have striven to pass all three trials, yet those who truly succeed and leave their names in history are exceedingly few.

However, just a few days ago, every shop on Wolong Street was challenged and cleared within three days, none left untouched. When the news spread, it shocked the entire nation of Yin and indeed the whole world.

No one knows what identity the three people who swept through Crouching Dragon in three days actually have. Only those who have seen them sigh, one is absolutely beautiful, one has a cold expression, one is extraordinarily ugly. They call themselves—

Unbound Group!

Looking River Tower is the most luxurious inn on Crouching Dragon Street.

The inn is surrounded by a winding river, which people call the Looking River. The central tower seems to be built in the water, leaving only a stone bridge connecting it to the land.

Although called an inn, it is not merely that. Here are gathered all kinds of entertainment venues—casinos, inns, tea houses, brothels, and literary societies—so naturally, the 'three gates' of Looking River Tower are also the hardest to pass on Crouching Dragon Street.

That day, Looking River Tower was filled with noise, unlike usual when people sought pleasure in different places; instead, dozens of people sat in the central hall, either drinking tea or eating, and all were engaged in lively discussion.

A young man in fine clothes suddenly flushed, raised his voice and said, 'Are you just boasting? How could anyone easily pass the three gates of Looking River Tower?'

'We who can sit here are all notable figures, and we barely managed to pass the first gate. How could anyone possibly pass all three gates at once, let alone three people together?'

In Looking River Tower's three gates there is a strange rule: challengers can be solo or a group. However, the more people there are, the lower the chance of success.

'Young man, you really shouldn't doubt it. Over the past two days this news has spread all over Crouching Dragon Street and even the entire Prosperous Capital, buzzing everywhere—it's no longer fresh news.' An old man over fifty, sipping his tea, laughed and said.

'Then tell me, what was the scene like when they passed the gates? Surely it's not just a rumor spreading by word of mouth?' The young man in fine clothes said, face full of disbelief, unable to accept this fact in his heart.

'I, an old man, don't have the fortune to have seen it? I heard that day's scene was splendid; if I could witness it with my own eyes, my life would not have been in vain.'

'Exactly.' A middle-aged man set down his wine cup, his face showing reminiscence and reverence, and said, 'Indeed, it was truly not a life wasted.'

Hearing his tone, the people around who had been discussing or staying quiet all rose, unable to stay seated, and asked, 'Sir, could it be that you were present that day?'

The middle-aged man smiled proudly, drained his cup of wine, and said, 'Exactly!'

The young man in fine clothes felt a surge of urgency and hurriedly urged, 'Then why don't you hurry up and tell us?'

Seeing his bad attitude, everyone couldn't help but glare at him, then gave an apologetic smile to the middle-aged man and said, 'We all eagerly want to know what happened that day, but we regret that those who were present were few to begin with, and lately, for unknown reasons, they have not shown up again…'

The middle-aged man, however, was good-tempered, smiled at the youth, and said, 'Don't rush, I will tell you myself.'

(End of chapter)