Chapter Twenty-Eight: The River Duel

Chen Zhuo’an laughed when he heard this and said, “It seems I was being unnecessarily inquisitive.” With that, he stepped into the cabin and sat down at the square table.

The girl in white reached for a jade teapot on the table. Chen Zhuo’an thought she meant to pour him tea, so he quickly picked up a cup with both hands, saying, “Miss, you are too kind…”

To his surprise, the girl didn’t even look up, simply filled her own cup, and put the teapot back in its place, showing clearly she had never intended to pour tea for him.

Chen Zhuo’an remained holding the cup awkwardly in mid-air, a trace of embarrassment flashing across his face. Realizing he had misread the situation, he set the cup down awkwardly.

The girl cradled her teacup in both hands, delicately sipped from it, her lips barely touching the rim, her eyes narrowing in visible enjoyment. “Excellent tea!” she exclaimed in praise.

Setting down her cup, she seemed to notice him at last and said curiously, “Since you’re here, why not try my Misty Cloud Tea? Or do you find my hospitality lacking?”

Chen Zhuo’an thought to himself, “Did you ever offer me hospitality in the first place?” Of course, he couldn’t say that aloud, so he replied, “I’m a rough fellow, not much of a tea connoisseur.”

The girl nodded in sudden understanding. “That explains it. You do look rather coarse—the stubble on your chin is almost like pig bristles. I have no experience with rough types, so don’t take it to heart.”

Hearing this, Chen Zhuo’an was momentarily speechless. “I called myself rough out of modesty, and this girl just takes it at face value and runs with it,” he thought.

He glanced at her again. “She’s certainly attractive, and looks like the daughter of a wealthy family—how is she so lacking in manners?”

Growing irritated, he said gloomily, “May I ask why you invited me aboard, Miss? If there’s nothing urgent, I’ll take my leave.”

The girl seemed to recall something and nodded rapidly, like a pecking chick. “Oh, there is! I do have something important I need your help with!”

“Oh?” Chen Zhuo’an raised an eyebrow. “I’d be grateful if you’d explain.”

The girl pointed her delicate hand at the sword-bearing youth beside her. “It’s all because of him!”

The boy was caught off-guard by her sudden gesture, looking confused. The girl continued, “My little servant here is terribly lazy—he sleeps away most of the day, and no matter how I call, he never wakes. I’m left to handle everything myself, big or small—can you imagine how frustrating that is?”

She turned to Chen Zhuo’an with a smile. “Earlier, I heard your bamboo flute—so haunting, so unearthly, I’ve never heard the like! Please play it often for my page—he’ll never sleep soundly again, and your ghostly tune will haunt his dreams.”

Chen Zhuo’an immediately understood. “So she’s annoyed my flute interrupted her music, and invited me aboard just to mock me.”

But years on the road had given him a certain rough gallantry; rather than being angered, he found her antics amusing. “She looks like someone from a scholarly or prosperous family, yet she disregards etiquette and is full of mischief—a remarkable girl indeed!” Then, as if recalling something, he thought, “Hmph, all the rules and proprieties of the world are made by those in power. If it weren’t for those wretched conventions, how would Xiu’er have…”

His eyes dimmed at the memory, a look of desolation sweeping over him.

The girl, noticing his sudden distress, thought perhaps she had gone too far. “Hey, you’re a grown man—can’t you take a joke? Never mind, I’ll admit I was in the wrong. Please, you may go.”

Chen Zhuo’an recovered himself and smiled faintly. “It’s not your fault, Miss—it’s my own poor playing that spoiled the mood. I won’t dare play again after this.” He began to rise to leave.

Just then, a cough sounded from behind the girl. She frowned and raised a hand to stop him. “Wait, sir!”

“Yes, Miss?” Chen Zhuo’an asked.

The girl hesitated, “Well… I…”

“My mistress has not yet learned your esteemed name,” said the boy holding the sword behind her.

“That’s right!” The girl clapped her hands and grinned. “As the saying goes, a chance encounter is fate. May I ask your name, sir?”

Chen Zhuo’an clasped his hands in greeting. “I am Chen Zhuo’an, from Taizhou in the Zhao Kingdom. May I ask your name, Miss?”

The girl mimicked his gesture. “I am Tang Diexian, and this is my servant, Liang Yan.”

“So it is Lady Tang and young Liang—an honor to meet you both.”

At this, the young man in grey said, “Brother Chen, are you from Yongle Town in Taizhou?”

Chen Zhuo’an was surprised. “Indeed, how did you know?”

“That’s simple,” the youth smiled. “Your bamboo flute has ‘Blessings from Yongle’ engraved on it.”

Chen Zhuo’an laughed heartily. “Young Liang, you have sharp eyes! Yes, I am on my way back to Yongle Town to visit family.”

The youth’s expression changed. “What a coincidence—my mistress is also heading…”

He hadn’t finished when a thunderous crash sounded outside, and the boat began to shake violently. Then a raspy voice shouted, “Everyone on board, listen up! If you value your lives, gather your gold and valuables and bring them out for us. Try anything clever and we’ll kill you without a second thought!”

Chen Zhuo’an frowned slightly and said to Tang Diexian and Liang Yan, “There’s no need to panic—stay here in the cabin. I’ll go deal with them.”

With that, he strode out. Across from their boat was a large vessel crowded with over thirty men.

“What a formidable gang!” Chen Zhuo’an thought, though his face showed no fear.

He stepped onto the river, skimming across the waves, then leaped into the air and landed atop the enemy ship. With a metallic ring, he drew his longsword.

Knowing the importance of striking at the leader, he said nothing, but charged directly at the bald, bare-chested giant at the center, who hefted a spiked mace and sneered, swinging it as he met Chen’s attack.

Chen Zhuo’an, though outnumbered, did not falter—his Dragon Sword danced in an impenetrable web, and none could best him. He resolved to bide his time, seeking the chance to take down the gang’s leader.

As the fight raged, a dozen men in black suddenly burst from the cabin. Clearly well-trained, they made straight for Chen Zhuo’an, their strikes ruthless and aimed at his vitals.

“You—!” Chen Zhuo’an parried one attacker and leapt back, feeling his breath churn within him—he was clearly in trouble.

“You’re not river bandits—you’re here for me!”

One of the black-clad men laughed. “Chen Zhuo’an, you’re like a worm trying to shake a tree—how delusional! You’ll die here today, and you have only yourself to blame!” With that, they closed in, forming a tight ring around him.

Chen Zhuo’an gave a bitter laugh and raised his sword. These men were far more formidable than the bandits. Alone and beset from all sides, his wounds mounted quickly. He forced himself on by sheer will, but to the attackers, he was already spent. They formed a circle, slowly wearing him down, waiting for the killing blow.

In the midst of this peril, Chen Zhuo’an caught a glimpse of white from the corner of his eye as a figure soared from the small boat and landed lightly on the enemy ship.

It was Tang Diexian, clad in white, her posture proud, her long hair streaming in the wind—she looked every inch a valiant heroine.

She called out, “Sword, come!”

All eyes turned, but the river was empty—nothing happened.

Annoyed, Tang Diexian shot a glare at the small boat and stamped her foot. She shouted again, “Sword, come!”

From within the boat, Liang Yan rolled his eyes as if only just hearing her, and lazily pushed the sword from its scabbard. The Hundred Blossom Sword leaped skyward with a clear ring, flying straight into Tang Diexian’s hand.

She caught the blade, her eyes flashing with excitement, and charged into the fray. The killers, seeing her imposing entrance, split their forces to face her.

But Tang Diexian was a practitioner of inner cultivation, while her foes were no more than skilled fighters—how could they hope to match her? Though Liang Yan had warned her not to reveal her true abilities, and she used only ordinary martial arts, her power was overwhelming. Her plain strikes still cut down the black-clad men like wheat, felling more than half in moments.

With her support, Chen Zhuo’an rallied and pressed the attack. In the space of a few breaths, the bandits and assassins lay dead or wounded, the survivors leaping into the river to escape.

Liang Yan now skimmed across the water to join them on the ship.

Chen Zhuo’an approached Tang Diexian, clasped his fists, and said with a wry smile, “I was blind before, Miss. If not for you today, I’d surely have lost my life here.”

Tang Diexian pursed her lips. “Of course—you see now what I’m capable of!” she said proudly.

Chen Zhuo’an nodded. “Your inner strength is profound, Miss, yet I have never heard of you in the martial world. May I ask who your master is?”

Tang Diexian was startled and glanced instinctively at Liang Yan, who coughed and said, “We come from a reclusive family of martial artists, long hidden from the world. My mistress was sent out to gain experience.”

Tang Diexian quickly nodded. “That’s right, my skills are all taught by my father.”

Chen Zhuo’an smiled. “So it’s family tradition—my apologies for not recognizing it!”

Liang Yan said, “Now perhaps you can tell us your real reason for going to Yongle Town?”

Chen Zhuo’an hesitated, then sighed. “Young Liang, nothing escapes your keen eyes. Yes, I am returning to Yongle Town because I expect a deadly confrontation.”

“Oh? Please tell us more!”

“In the old days, my wife and I did some work righting wrongs in the martial world, and made a number of enemies. Later we wished to retire, so we settled in Yongle Town, running an inn for a quieter life. Recently, while visiting an old friend, I learned that some of our past enemies have tracked us down and are heading to Yongle for revenge. I’m worried for my wife’s safety, so I’m hurrying home to face them together.”

Hearing this, Liang Yan’s heart leapt. “Just what I needed—a way to enter Yongle Town incognito for my sect’s mission, and here’s a perfect opportunity.”

He exchanged a glance with Tang Diexian, who caught his meaning and said, “In that case, I’ll accompany you to Yongle Town and lend you and your wife a hand.”

Chen Zhuo’an waved his hands. “That won’t do—this is a dangerous affair, Miss. There’s no need for you to risk yourself for our sake.”

Tang Diexian glared. “Why not? Fate has brought us together, and I never turn away from injustice. Are you refusing my help because you look down on me?”

With her pressing, Chen Zhuo’an could hardly refuse. Embarrassed, he said, “If that’s how it is, then I thank you for your great kindness.”

Only then did Tang Diexian nod in satisfaction. Suddenly, she thought of something and said, “But you are going to see your wife, and as a young woman, it might not be proper for me to tag along… How about you introduce me as your distant cousin?”

Though she was speaking to Chen Zhuo’an, her eyes flicked to Liang Yan. Seeing him nod, she continued, “Yes—say I’m your distant cousin! That way, there will be no misunderstandings.”

“Well… very well, as you wish, Miss.”

Chen Zhuo’an, a veteran of the martial world, was not fooled by the silent exchange between the two. Though he said nothing, he mused privately, “What an odd pair of master and servant—Miss Tang is nominally in charge, but it seems young Liang is the one making the decisions.”