Chapter Seventy-Nine: General Tianrui

The name of Ziqingrong was also well-known throughout the land of Yan. Everyone knew that the eldest daughter of the Zi clan was accomplished in all the refined arts—qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and her beauty was unparalleled. Virtually every family with any confidence in their son had come to propose marriage, yet all to no avail.

Feng Chu was no exception; her first choice for a daughter-in-law had always been Ziqingrong. But today, she had suddenly learned that the fairest flower had already been claimed.

...

Three days later, Ye Pei finally met the female spy Ai Qi.

At first glance, Feng Chu had not exaggerated in the least. Ai Qi’s beauty was certainly above average, and the heroic spirit between her brows and her brisk, steady gait told Ye Pei at once that this woman was indeed trained in martial arts.

“Subordinate Ai Qi, pays respects to Your Highness!” Upon meeting, Ai Qi immediately knelt on one knee before Feng Chu.

“Rise. I’ve called you back this time for a very important mission. The details will be explained to you by Young Hero Ye,” Feng Chu said, then made to leave. Seeing this, Yang Qin asked, “Mother, where are you going?”

Feng Chu replied helplessly, “Judging by the days, your father should be returning soon, so I’m going to welcome him.”

Yang Qin smiled at her words, “Father is back so soon this time.”

After Ai Qi listened to Ye Pei’s plan, her expression did not change. She asked, “May I bring my own people?”

Ye Pei thought for a moment and replied, “As long as you can arrange them properly.”

Ai Qi nodded, then inquired, “Is there anything else, Young Hero Ye?”

Ye Pei said, “You’ll need to alter your bearing somewhat. The signs of a martial artist are too evident in you.”

Ai Qi considered this and agreed, “I’ll be sure to pay special attention these next few days.”

“Good.” Ye Pei nodded, about to say more, when Yang Qin chimed in, “Brother Ye, why not spar with Ai Qi and see her skills for yourself?”

Ye Pei had been thinking the same but had been hesitant to bring it up. Now that Yang Qin mentioned it, he promptly agreed. Ai Qi, seeing her young master’s suggestion, naturally had no objection.

Ye Pei could sense that Ai Qi had no inner strength circulating within her, so he did not intend to use his own. After only a few exchanges, Ye Pei realized that Ai Qi’s martial arts were indeed impressive—at least on par with Jiang Zhongqing before he had met Ye Pei, perhaps even stronger. For a woman, this was already quite remarkable.

After several more moves, Ye Pei felt he had gauged Ai Qi’s strength well enough. He feinted, then retreated a large step, leaving the circle of combat. Ai Qi, seeing this, did not pursue, but withdrew and stood at ease.

“Not bad. Does Miss Ai Qi have any other esoteric techniques? Perhaps like your young master’s use of hidden weapons?”

Ai Qi replied, “Young Hero Ye, my master is exceptionally gifted. I cannot compare.”

“Hm...” Ye Pei nodded, thinking to himself, “For the plan to kill Lin Hezhi, it’s not necessary for her skills to be extraordinary. This level will suffice...”

He couldn’t help but think of another person. “If only Yin Wen were here, she’d be the perfect choice... But Chuan Ming would never agree to let his wife undertake such a mission...”

Just then, a hearty laugh rang out. Ye Pei turned toward the sound and saw a middle-aged man, heroic and imposing in armor, stride into the courtyard.

“I hear a young hero is here—come, let’s have a match first!”

---

The middle-aged man’s bearing was dignified, his build not especially burly, but his stride was steady and swift. The upward curve of his lips betrayed his deep inner confidence.

Naturally, this was General Yang Tianrui, Yang Qin’s father.

Ye Pei blinked. Ai Qi, noticing, quickly stepped out of the arena. Ye Pei laughed, “Looks like there’s no avoiding this.”

Yang Tianrui swiftly removed his armor and stood not far from Ye Pei. “I’ve long heard of the famed Young Hero Ye. Now that I see you, how could I let the chance slip by? Come!”

Ye Pei gave a helpless smile and took his stance.

Seeing Ye Pei ready, Yang Tianrui shouted, “Young Hero Ye, be careful!” He strode forward with a punch aimed directly at Ye Pei.

Seeing the force of the attack, Ye Pei had no intention of meeting it head-on. At the moment of contact, he stepped back, seized his opponent’s arm, deflecting and countering at once, letting the punch slide past as his palms struck toward Yang Tianrui’s chest.

Yang Tianrui’s eyes lit up. Using his forward momentum, he leapt, driving a flying knee straight at Ye Pei’s chin.

In that critical instant, Ye Pei quickly changed tactics, pressing his left hand to the opponent’s knee, his right grasping Yang Tianrui’s ankle. He stepped back again, pressing down with his left hand to neutralize the blow.

At this moment, Yang Tianrui’s right leg was caught, the perfect opportunity for Ye Pei to counterattack.

Both realized this at once and reacted almost simultaneously. Yet Ye Pei was just a shade faster; he shook off Yang Tianrui’s right leg and, bending low, swept at him with a leg attack.

But with only one leg on the ground, Yang Tianrui could not simply leap away. Instead, he chose to fall in the opposite direction, supporting himself with one hand and, twisting his waist, slashed his airborne right leg down at Ye Pei.

Missing with his sweep, Ye Pei saw the killing strike coming. He tucked his head to his chest, planted his hands on the ground, and arched his body into a difficult backflip, letting the attack miss as he rolled away, not giving his opponent a chance to pursue.

As Ye Pei landed steadily and Yang Tianrui was regaining his footing, Ye Pei twisted and launched a side kick straight at him. Just having found his balance, Yang Tianrui had no time to change moves and could only raise his right fist, meeting Ye Pei’s foot head-on.

There was a muffled "thud." Taking advantage of the momentum, Ye Pei’s leg recoiled, sending him flying backward. He tumbled several times before barely regaining his footing. In contrast, Yang Tianrui, forced to parry, was merely pushed back a single step by his own returning fist.

Though this exchange seemed lengthy, it had taken only three to five seconds. The way both instantly responded to each other’s moves was truly exquisite.

After a brief glance, they charged at each other again.

The spectators' expressions varied. Feng Chu, who knew Ye Pei’s skill, was nonetheless shocked that he was only slightly at a disadvantage against Yang Tianrui. While her expression was calm, her astonished eyes betrayed her inner thoughts.

Yang Qin had expected as much; though the outcome exceeded his expectations, he was not overly surprised.

Ai Qi marveled inwardly at Young Hero Ye’s prowess, realizing now how restrained he had been in their match.

Ziqingrong’s cheeks glowed red, her heart full of excitement and pride. Though she could not fully grasp what had just happened, her keen perception caught the reactions of those around her. The stronger Ye Pei appeared, the happier she felt.

In the arena, another loud crash sounded—Ye Pei had now unleashed his inner force, clashing palm-to-palm with Yang Tianrui. The two separated again.

“Young Hero Ye’s reputation is well-deserved,” Yang Tianrui laughed. “The subtlety of your techniques is unmatched in my lifetime!”

Ye Pei also smiled. “General Yang, your strength alone is astonishing. To achieve such power with the body alone—I am truly impressed!”

From the first round, Ye Pei had realized his opponent’s strength was beyond his expectations. Even with a spinning kick against a straight punch, he had been sent flying.

---

Thereafter, Ye Pei had no choice but to use his inner force, barely closing the gap between them, though victory was still out of reach. It was only thanks to his recent focus on controlling his inner strength that he managed; otherwise, his lack of finesse would have led to immediate defeat.

Yang Tianrui waved his hand with a laugh. “Young Hero Ye flatters me. I’ve simply been strong since childhood—it’s nothing remarkable.”

From Yang Tianrui, Ye Pei sensed not so much the iron-blooded aura of a general, but more the air of a seasoned martial artist of the jianghu. If it had been Ye Linhui standing there, he would have exuded the presence of a true commander at the head of an army, but Yang Tianrui felt more like a leader of outlaws.

Yet as the saying goes, nothing forges a bond like a bout. After this, Yang Tianrui’s appreciation for Ye Pei soared, and he immediately ordered a grand banquet in Ye Pei’s honor.

“Brother, let me be frank—with your skills, if you act with forethought, you have a good chance of killing Lin Hezhi. His level is considerably below mine, about the same as Feng Tanyang.”

That word “brother” startled everyone at the table, and a chorus of coughing ensued.

“Um, Father,” Yang Qin steadied himself with a sip of tea, “we’ve always called each other brothers...”

“Yes,” Feng Chu added, “Are you really going to make a young man under twenty call us, who are in our forties, his elder brother and sister-in-law?”

Yang Tianrui’s cup paused in midair, a flush passing over his face before he forced a reply, “So what? Each to their own! What do you say, Brother Ye?”

Ye Pei gave an awkward smile. “I think... it might not be quite appropriate…”

“Not quite appropriate, right? Good, from now on, call me Big Brother Yang, and my wife your sister-in-law. It’s settled!”

Ye Pei blinked. He’d always thought his slow speech was a virtue—it let his mind weigh every word. He hadn’t expected it would land him in such an awkward spot, and now he could only think, “I actually meant it’s improper…”

But Yang Tianrui had already raised his cup to him. Ye Pei had no choice but to clink glasses. “Yang... Big Brother Yang.”

Yang Tianrui laughed heartily, clapping Ye Pei on the shoulder. “That’s more like it—cheers!” With that, he drained his cup in one gulp.

“Cheers…” Ye Pei drank, his expression complicated. He rarely found himself in such an embarrassing situation.

...

“Brother Ye…” After the meal, Yang Qin ignored his father, who was dead drunk, and sidled up to Ye Pei.

Ye Pei was already half-drunk himself, having tried to keep his wits, yet was no longer fully rational.

“What do you mean, Brother Ye? You should call me Uncle!”

Yang Qin nearly bit his own tongue. With no other recourse, he turned to Ziqingrong, “Sister-in-law, what do you think…”

But Ziqingrong only smiled radiantly, “What sister-in-law? Call me Aunt!”