“Who are you talking about?”
Kongcang liked the wrinkles that formed between Ming Feizhen’s brows.
“If this old one isn’t wrong, he must be referring to the general whose family was exterminated fifteen years ago – Flying General,” proposed Zhuo Fengru. “It’s a name rarely mentioned these days. In this old one’s younger days, in contrast, everyone recognised his name. He saved the nation when it was in peril, subdued Beijiang and Nanjiang, as well as drove back Youtu’s massive army. At the time, this old one was still just a student, but Flying General’s stories inspired him to one day enlist. In those days, Ran Feikong was synonymous with invincibility in battle.”
“Is he right?” Ming Feizhen discerned Zhuo Fengru wasn’t lying based on Kongcang’s expression that screamed tacit agreement. “Why are you claiming he’s related to me?” Wait and wait, Kongcang showed no intention of answering; Ming Feizhen turned back to Zhuo Fengru, “Where is Flying General now?”
“He passed away. He was an accomplished man and the idol of many. Unfortunately, his intervention in the contention for the throne resulted in him being accused of treason, culminating in his eventual death. To this day, how he died remains a mystery. We only know his severed corpse was hung from the city doors for three days. It’s strange. You would think the imperial court couldn’t have afforded to execute him given his skills, character and network, yet no news of the details ever got out. There’s no convincing anybody that somebody didn’t purposely censor information.”
Ming Feizhen felt a jumbled splash of emotions that he hadn’t ever felt until then. Nobody brought up his family background on Mount Daluo. As far as he could remember, he was living with his shifu; he always believed he was an orphan. “Does family any survive him?”
“It’s said that his family was exterminated, but there are no mentions of his wife and son’s ending. This old one isn’t privy to the details; however, it’s unlikely his wife just rolled over and died because she was said to be a sublime martial artist in her own right. Following his execution, Ran Feikong became taboo words for all levels of the nation. It seems the majority believe the accusations were unjust. This old one never met him, so he cannot separate fact from fiction. Whatever the case, there’s unquestionably foul play.”
“Foul play? Strange?” In a stifled voice, Kongcang grumbled, “He loved being conspicuous. Conquering the north and south makes you great now? Reclaiming lost land and conquering lands? Big deal. The fool didn’t even realise he was surpassing his master with his accomplishments, and he decided to be a busybody, interfering with the imperial family’s affairs. He deserved to die! Strange, my foot! As for Tianfeng Yu, she deserved to suffer, too. Her fault for choosing that moron.”
Ming Feizhen couldn’t determine how to react to the influx of information he was hearing for the first time.
“Flying General was framed!” Kongkong’er exclaimed. “Listen, shiny head: I admit I’m a fool for believing you were a good man, but I won’t stand for you insulting a hero. Say one more word, and I’ll let you find out what wine I drank last night!”
Kongcang actually shut up.
“Elder, you know him?” Ming Feizhen questioned.
“This old one once had the fortune of meeting him. He’s an upright man. The imperial court’s claims that he committed treason are horse feathers. I don’t believe there’s anyone who wants war to end more than him,” replied Kongkong’er.
“Pfft, one meeting is enough to be reliable now?” ribbed Kongcang.
“I was in the city when Youtu’s forces conquered Yanjing. Had it not been for Flying General, I wouldn’t be here today. This old one has been wrong more times than he’s been right, but if this isn’t true, he’ll be struck down by lightning right now!”
Kongcang’s jabs at Flying General had evoked dispute plenty of times in his lifetime. Whenever he bad mouthed his junior, practically nobody would take his side. Even ten years after his death, people would still argue until they were red in the face to defend Flying General whenever Kongcang tried to have a go. “Even in death, you still defeat me,” Kongcang would lament over the years.
“You say your shifu isn’t some nobody… Since he hid your background from you, that means your identity is valuable to him. What an idiot you are, living in the dark all this time and doing someone’s bidding,” Kongcang mocked. “I’m not telling you anything! Worry, regret and panic! No matter how strong you become, you’ll still only be a pitiful worm, y-, mm!”
Subsequent to kicking Kongcang in the face, Ming Feizhen stated, “I don’t believe a word out of your mouth. That’s the worst attempt at sowing discord I’ve seen yet. I know who I am. I have a shifu. If I have questions, I’ll consult him. Hero Zhuo, seeing as you plan to depart, how about leaving him in my care?”
Aware that Ming Feizhen wanted to pry more information out of Kongcang, Zhuo Fengru assented.
Under the suggestion of Zhuo Fengru, they left the restaurant to return to Zhuo Estate, intending to plan their next move later since night had fallen. Xin Buyi and his subordinates were already on standby outside as Ming Feizhen and Zhuo Fengru alerted their informants with their fight. Plus, knowing Shen Wuzheng and Ming Feizhen were acquainted, it was a safe bet that Ming Feizhen’s real intent was to capture Zhuo Fengru for Liu Shan Men. Alas, betting was a game of probability.
Upon seeing Zhuo Fengru and Ming Feizhen all buddy-buddy, even patting him on the shoulder as they greeted him while passing by, Xin Buyi confidently concluded Ming Feizhen was putting on a front. Zhuo Fengru was cunning, so they needed to be more cunning and patient! To support Ming Feizhen even further, he stationed Liu Shan Men’s forces in Zhuo Estate’s vicinity so that they could take Zhuo Fengru into custody as soon as Ming Feizhen gave the signal.
Zhuo Fengru wished to take shelter elsewhere with his family, while Ming Feizhen’s clique wanted to have a word with Lord Miguo at Shennong and clear Hua Qing’s name. As such, Zhuo Fengru offered to sponsor their travels, but he didn’t come back after a long, long time. Right when Ming Feizhen and Hua Qing started debating if Zhuo Fengru fled with his money, Zhuo Fengru came rushing out of his estate, eyes red.
Ming Feizhen: “Old Bugg-, I mean, Hero Zhuo. Let’s be clear that I never disparaged you. Now, why were you running?”
“Th-this one found everyone in the manor knocked out. Yupin and this old one’s wife are missing!”
“Say what?!”
“Heh.”
Ming Feizhen and Zhuo Fengru looked over in the direction of the snicker to see a man attired in black on the wall.
“Didn’t see this coming, did you, idiots? While you were celebrat-”
“Get them!”
Subsequent to hearing Xin Buyi’s orders, Liu Shan Men’s constables pumped the smug man full of iron arrows before he could finish his speech.
