Chapter Thirty-Eight: Xiao Junyi

"Yah—"
Just as dawn broke, Liu Ji, Liu Heng, and their companions spurred their blazing red horses and galloped away from Yongfu Village. Behind them, the shrill crowing of roosters echoed brightly in the morning air.
Yet, the village itself would never know life again…

On the main road, the horses’ hooves kicked up thick clouds of dust.
Watching Xiaoya’s numb expression, Liu Ji sighed. He could only feel regret for her fate. The attack by vengeful spirits against humans had caught everyone by surprise. It broke the millennia-old pattern that such spirits never assaulted the living, and cast a shadow upon the hearts of Liu Ji, Liu Heng, and the others—a shadow that, like a seed, had begun to take root and grow.

By noon, the group caught sight of a black-walled city sprawled across the plains in the distance. Behind it rose the impassable Zhongnan Mountains, and beyond those peaks, legend spoke of the southernmost land of calamity—the realm of the Nan Yi people.

They had arrived at Nan King City.

Along the avenue leading to the city, caravans and travelers moved to and fro. The city’s guards were more numerous and vigilant than before, their inspections stricter—after all, the martial arts tournament was fast approaching, and not even the smallest oversight could be tolerated.

As the city’s lords, the arrival of Liu Heng, Liu Ji, and their retinue naturally drew many eyes. Most gazes, however, were filled with awe and reverence for Liu Heng.

For this man was none other than the King of the South!

As for Liu Ji, the heir of the Southern King’s household, he was the subject of whispered discussions—comments like, “So that’s the useless heir,” “He’s rather handsome,” or “I heard he’s a wastrel…” and other such disparaging remarks. Liu Ji’s reputation throughout the Empire was notorious; even those who had never seen his face had heard his name.

Over the years, the tales spun by gossips had grown ever more fantastic, until he was spoken of as a peerless little devil—ruthless, arrogant, and despotic!

However, when Yan Ye’s cold gaze swept over them, those whispering immediately fell silent, hanging their heads and daring not utter another word.

As the masters of Nan King City, Liu Heng, Liu Ji, and their company did not have to wait in line. They rode their horses at a leisurely pace through the city gates.

Suddenly, a shout rang out behind them.
"Nan Yi scum? Get out of here, white-skinned pig! Do you think you belong in Nan King City?!"

Liu Ji turned to see a muscular, pale-skinned man being driven away by a guard. The man was shouting something unintelligible, his anger unmistakable.

Liu Ji looked away, unwilling to get involved.

Returning to the Southern King’s Residence, Liu Ji noticed several opulently decorated carriages parked outside. He was still wondering who the visitors might be when a joyful voice called from within.

"Old Liu, where did you disappear to yesterday? I’ve been waiting at your residence for ages! Don’t tell me you heard I was coming and hid on purpose?"

Looking toward the sound, Liu Ji saw a portly middle-aged man beaming as he came forward. The man wore a tall, ornate hat set with twenty-four moonstone jades; his clothes were sumptuous, his shoes embroidered with gold thread, and a silk sash cinched his waist. At his side walked a young woman, about eighteen or nineteen, her hair tied in a ponytail, her attire sharp and practical. She was tall and slender, her long legs especially striking.

At the sight, Liu Heng was momentarily stunned, then broke into a broad smile and strode over to greet the rotund man.

"It’s been a while, Old Xiao, and you’ve grown fatter again! If you keep this up, I fear your wife won’t be pleased."

The fat man snorted. "What business is it of hers? I eat as I please, and the fat is mine to carry—why should she care?"

The girl behind him sneered, "You talk big, but at home, you’d never dare say that to Mother!"

The man glared at her. "Grown-ups are talking—why are you butting in, little brat? Go cool off somewhere else!"

She retorted, "You dare scold me? Just wait till I tell Mother! We’ll see if you’re still so bold then!"

"All right, all right, you win, little lady," the man capitulated.

Liu Heng laughed. "Old Xiao, what brings you to my humble region? Isn’t your post as governor comfortable enough?"

Old Xiao waved him off. "Don’t tease me. You know how I came by that position. If I hadn’t been so handsome in my youth—a rare beauty—would that girl have ever looked at me?"

"Shameless!" the girl scoffed.

"Hey, you little minx…" Old Xiao turned as if to smack her but, seeing her pretty face, couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he tousled her hair until it was a nest, then said, "Besides, my post as governor is nothing compared to your title, my lord. In fact, you’re my superior!"

The governor was the head of a province, overseeing all civil affairs, though he held no military power—the army being commanded by the provincial marshal. Still, the governorship was a significant office. Yet Liu Heng, as a royal duke enfeoffed by the Emperor, held lands encompassing several provinces, making him greater than any ordinary governor.

Liu Heng chuckled softly.
"Come now, I’m probably the most powerless duke in the whole Empire. Have you ever seen a royal lord confined to a single city?"
Though he bore the title of duke, he was the most constrained of them all—his rank a hollow honor, stripped of real authority, and now forced to guard the southern borders for the Empire.

Old Xiao sighed. He knew Liu Heng’s difficulties and felt the injustice of it, but what could be done? One could only swallow humiliation for survival.

Thus, the two old friends fell into conversation.

"Uncle Yan, who is that?" Liu Ji asked, puzzled.

"His name is Xiao Junyi, your father’s close friend. He was lucky when young, and, being quite handsome, married the daughter of a noble family—the beloved daughter of the previous governor. When the old governor retired, Xiao Junyi naturally took over the post. But he has no talent for administration; it’s all his wife pulling the strings," Yan Ye explained.

Liu Ji’s expression was odd. This man now looked every bit the greasy, overweight uncle, with not a trace of youthful charm. Still, he had to admit, the man was lucky—rising from obscurity to rule over thousands, a dream for any layabout.

Just then, Xiao Junyi looked over at him.

"Well, well! I haven’t seen my nephew in years, and he’s grown even more handsome—almost as good-looking as I was in my prime! If he were in a brothel, he’d be the prize duck, sure to steal every lady’s heart!"

…