Chapter 304

Bai Lang masked his surprise and embarrassment with drinking and awkward laughter; his daydream being caught by the host indeed left him a bit flustered. Besides enjoying battlefield melee, Bai Lang is not brutal; on the contrary he is rather gentle—a Moon‑Worship Sect Leader and Professor Jiangsi. After being uncovered, he turned his head toward the beauty, racked his brain for something to say and could only utter, "I am a coarse man; I simply cannot hear the celestial music of the esteemed everyone."

That statement was the truth; as an old relic who can sing "Alibaba is a happy youth," he can only understand the inverted ancient tunes, simply put, "A laugh echoes over the vast sea!" So when Bai Lang faced the snickering Shang Xiufang, he could only smile—somewhat embarrassed but not ashamed; not understanding is just not understanding, not liking is just not liking.

Shang Xiufang laughed; the man before her was quite honest, bluntly stating that he didn't like something, and his gaze showed no hook reaching out to swallow her—just plain. Yet why were his eyes slightly orange‑yellow? Moreover, his pupils were large, giving off a somewhat lazy impression…

Although Bai Lang only had a beard and hanging eyebrows, Shang Xiufang kept feeling that the man before her resembled a fluffy ball of fur, rather cute. After all, a tiger is still a big cat; if it doesn't show its might, it could barely be likened to a harmless Haro Keddi…

Bai Lang didn't unleash any aura; everyone just ate, drank, and had fun, emitting a fart of aura. If this continues, who will still invite me to feast and revel? One can't keep acting like a crow that flips the table at every meal, making the whole scene collapse, as if neither he nor his subordinates ever ate. Shang Xiufang's type is naturally one that leads men to err; she probably truly has no such intention, but Bai Lang feels she does, and with any other man it would surely be taken as an opening…

Bai Lang didn't continue the music talk with Shang Xiufang; instead he casually mentioned Luoyang's scenery. In any case, Bai Lang didn't think this esteemed lady would enjoy hearing him speak of killing and breaking formations, and she was probably not interested in martial arts either. So Bai Lang chatted here and there with the beauty, and it was nice to see her smiling face.

She seemed quite curious about him; within a few sentences she steered the conversation toward Bai Lang—his background, his martial arts, and even what he intended to do later. Bai Lang had no obligation to satisfy her curiosity, so he simply shifted the topic to Shang Xiufang herself—such as where she learned her musical skills, who her protector was, and so on.

In short, this beauty makes a fine social butterfly; the topic shifts are natural and she shows no impatience with Bai Lang's nonsense—she would make an excellent salon hostess in later ages. While conversing with Bai Lang, Shang Xiufang also attended to the many scholars present, neglecting none.

Bai Lang saw that this woman's few words delighted the crowd, and thought the idiom "long sleeves dance well" fit perfectly; in short, both host and guests were pleased. Yet making Bai Lang obey Wang Shichong is impossible. Whether Wang Shichong can subdue Bai Lang? Even he is uncertain.

It can be said that Bai Lang's involvement in Luoyang is beneficial to him—anyway, if the Wagang army attacks Luoyang, Wang Shichong believes Bai Lang's presence would be of great help. Bai Lang was assigned by Wang Shichong to a manor, which seems to have been built by a Great Sui high official or wealthy merchant; the estate has pavilions, towers, a large garden, and a lake fed by fresh water that circulates as a water source.

This manor likely requires hundreds to maintain and operate, and those people are also dispatched by Wang Shichong. Bai Lang moved in with just a bag—he sees through Wang Shichong's intentions like fire, yet he simply doesn't care. Even if all the servants are Wang Shichong's "henchmen", so what?

Over seventy county soldiers under his command, plus more than fifty, defected to Wang Shichong's forces—Bai Lang initially told them they could come and go as they wished; if a place offered high pay and good positions, he didn't mind his county soldiers finding a better posting. "You owe me nothing; even the favor of me teaching you martial arts, you joining my charge already repays it. The martial art need not be hidden; if anyone wishes to learn, I can teach them."

This breathing method's internal skill is rather shallow, yet useful; it effectively strengthens stamina and strength—if a prodigious talent were to study it, they might discern how to cultivate true Qi from the outside inward, eventually opening the Ren and Du channels to connect with the cosmic gateway and achieve innate perfection. Bai Lang spreading this breathing method might be considered boundless merit.

But it seems the greater concern is boundless karmic retribution—this technique combined with short‑ and long‑range weapon martial arts is tailor‑made for an army; learning it makes killing more efficient. Crucially, this martial art is not limited to "righteous" armies, and if it spreads, there are no restrictions.

Since Bai Lang settled in Luoyang, the first news he heard was that Yang Guang had been assassinated, killed by Yu Wenhua Ji. Crying was impossible, but shouting to punish the rebel Yu Wenhua Ji was fine. As for who will inherit Yang Guang's throne? That is undecided, but Li Fa appears poised to raise troops in rebellion.

The Yang clan's descendants are in Luoyang, and naturally also in Chang'an where Li Fa is preparing to seize power; who will inherit the throne? That is the question.

Wang Shichong kept visiting Bai Lang, hoping he would back Wang Shichong's promotion of the Yue King Yang Dong; Bai Lang was indifferent—as long as it's the Yang family, it's fine, and Yang Dong is in Luoyang, so supporting him is no problem. However, before that, Bai Lang was wandering Luoyang and, in a tavern, saw Li Fa's princess and a young man beside her.

Bai Lang, alone, was strolling the street in disguise; after he gathered his breath he seemed ordinary, but his tall, broad‑shouldered, full‑bearded visage was striking, so Bai Lang wore a large hat and draped a veil over his face—essentially saying, "I'm not a good person; I won't show you my face."

In these times, many burly men dress like this; many comrades roaming the jianghu have enemies and bounties on them, so they can't do without such veils. Though wearing a veil makes one seem effeminate, it's still better than being constantly chased and slashed. Bai Lang, a newcomer among them, would be ogled for his good looks if he went out like this, and later confronting Wei Jie would be problematic.

Not to mention Bai Lang's own vanity, his appearance being ogled is normal—just a human look, and in this era the grand, fashionable beard is most fitting, so being stared at by maidens and wives is natural. Thus, the veiled Bai Lang is avoided; the notion that a veil‑wearer is not a good person has already taken root.

He wandered into a tavern, and after entering a private room he removed his veil, had the waiter bring a hand towel for washing his face, then fruit and flowing wine were served, followed by service for ordering dishes and drinks. Not separated by a wall, just a curtain, Bai Lang saw Li Xiuning, the young man, another woman who seemed to be a guard, and two other men heading upstairs.

Bai Lang was a step ahead; he sipped from a small wine cup intermittently, "What a coincidence, seeing a Miss Li of the Li family; that face looks somewhat like Li Shimin." Though the Tale of the Twin Dragons of the Great Tang is long and smelly and perhaps not remembered clearly, Li Xiuning and Li Shimin entered the Luoyang tavern, met the disguised Qin Chuan, Consort Shi Fei Xuan, and were asked by this nun about some worldly anecdote that she seemed to vaguely recall.

Moreover, there will also be the Twin Dragons here; as for that Turkic sword‑playing fool, whether he's present or not I forgot. Anyway, after that Kou Zhong began his so‑called irresponsible bid for hegemony over the world—nothing more than trying to save face in front of women, right?

Bai Lang didn't bother with them; anyway, since the good show had turned up, he wasn't afraid of waiting, he simply looked out from where he sat. 'Luoyang has always been prosperous; this scene actually bears some resemblance to the later Dong Jing Meng Hua Lu, though I fear it still falls short of Kaifeng Prefecture by a third.' Bai Lang silently drank and ate, didn't call for the young lady to sing, he just gave the waiter a handful of coins: 'Don't let anyone disturb the tranquility.'

Bai Lang restrained his aura like a warm, moist steamed bun; thus the neighboring Li Xiuning and Li Shimin really didn't notice there was another guest nearby. Not long after footsteps sounded; Bai Lang, through the curtain, actually saw two somewhat familiar lads scramble up. 'Kou Zhong, Xu Zi Ling... looking at the aura on their faces and the qi in their bodies, their martial arts are already somewhat impressive.' Bai Lang thought, and casually poured another cup of fermented liquor into his mouth—compared to cloudy liquor, this stuff is more palatable.

Bai Lang wasn't very interested in the ensuing male‑female talk; anyway, Li Xiuning not taking a liking to Kou Zhong is normal, Kou Zhong wanting to make a career to show this Li family princess is also normal, but the sudden appearance of Qin Chuan's tone of speech made Bai Lang rather displeased. This young lady's words basically already decided that Li Erlang is a Ming lord, which can be said to be directly building momentum.

This made the 'loyal minister of the Great Sui' Bai Lang not too pleased, but he still listened, listened as this brat Kou Zhong got angry and stood up, though what he said was nothing more than 'Don't judge people by their looks; I'll definitely have a future!' Bai Lang patiently listened to the end; now it was his turn to step up.

Bai Lang first gave a hehe cold smile, simultaneously slightly released his aura, and instantly a fierce killing intent filled the upstairs private room. 'Saying such words... Miss Li, is your family preparing to rebel?! Or have you already rebelled? Such a traitor daring to come to the Great Sui Luoyang garrison of Wang Shichong's turf, and still spouting such nonsense—aren't you a bit oblivious to danger?' The voice sounded, Bai Lang rose from behind the curtain and stepped out.

He glanced at Li Xiuning and Li Shimin; his orange‑yellow eyes held no emotion when looking at them. Meanwhile, the two's guard—a woman in red clothes—stepped forward one step to block between Bai Lang and Li Xiuning. Bai Lang gave a glance, then turned his gaze to the Twin Dragons: 'You two are also quite good at causing trouble; I've heard lately that your glorious deeds are those of troublemakers. How so, now you want to learn to rebel?'

Before Kou Zhong and company could speak, Bai Lang smiled, his smile devoid of warmth. 'If you want to rebel, don't come to Luoyang—Luoyang can't raise the banner.' Bai Lang looked at Qin Chuan: 'Sowing falsehoods and misleading the masses! Who are you?! How dare you say you're entrusted with the world? Who let you act on behalf of the world?'

By this time Bai Lang's tiger might had already been emitted—the killing intent from having slain several thousand people in the world of the Great Tang Twin Dragons transformed into aura, pressing directly upon them. Everyone present felt as if something were pressing down on them; their qi flow was corroded by the killing intent, their true qi circulation became impaired and instead reversed, and they all let out a muffled groan, exerting themselves to gather their chaotic true qi.

In the qi sensing, the figure before him also seemed like a tiger rising to stand upright, around it were white bones everywhere, swords, spears, halberds everywhere, and war horses neighed, iron hooves trampling. For a moment the outside sky seemed to turn pallid, and a more somber aura spread out. This is the aura of a battlefield...

Qin Chuan clasped her hands together; a sense of compassion could only protect herself. 'But facing Right Minister Bai, the Great Sui realm has long been shattered. With General Bai's wisdom, how could he fail to see? And since Emperor Yang Guang ascended the throne, the realm has been in turmoil, the people's resentments fill the roads, and there have been multiple campaigns against Goguryeo, to the point of squandering soldiers' lives, reaching several million in Liaodong...' In her words she sought to strip the Great Sui of its Mandate of Heaven.

'The Wen Emperor ended the centuries of war between the Northern and Southern Dynasties and unified the realm; the Sui virtue has not declined! How could it be that you lot of Buddhist sect members dare to comment? You aren't monastics? Don't reach out to meddle in worldly affairs! You monastics pay no taxes, perform no service—you are truly the realm's termites, and now you still dare to speak grandly of worldly affairs? Really, have no shame.' Bai Lang's words overflowed with contempt for the Buddhist Sect disciples.

'Displaced people are everywhere, but the monks in this Buddhist Sect are all fat‑headed and big‑eared. I recall there's a Pure Thought Chan Monastery outside Luoyang? Inside there are even soldier‑monks? And there's even a Buddha hall cast of bronze? The Buddhist Sect is so rich.... Having money and soldier‑monks, it looks like they want to rebel!' Bai Lang's words were full of malice toward the Pure Thought Chan Monastery.

He stepped forward one step: 'Since you've come, don't leave; stay in Luoyang. The day your Li clan rebels, I'll chop off a few of your flag‑bearers, heh heh. As for you two brats, just stay put! Good thing you haven't rebelled yet, so I won't have to chop you. As for you little nun, I'll go ransack the Pure Thought Chan Monastery right away!'

At this point they still couldn't shout about the Imperial Jade Seal, but the Buddhist Sect had this thing, so the matter of rebellion was already completely solidified—this thing is not something a subject could possess. Bai Lang, taking this as a pretext, also thought about having a good fight with the world's top experts—the Li clan has experts; if he moves against the Buddhist Sect, let alone the Buddhist Sect's four eminent monks, the Buddhist Sect also has many hidden experts, and even stirring up the Daoist Sect's fifth column Ning Daoqi would be no big deal.