Kong—Kong, Kong!

A bare-footed man with head wrappings picked up a spear off the ground and shook his head at another man. The man was sitting by a tallow lantern with his face unclear from view. When he saw the man losing from the spar, he turned to another in the shadow.

“Practice with him again.”

The person bearing white robes and shoulder-length raven hair was indeed Qu Fongning. Hearing the order, he obediently lowered his head.

“Yes, Master.”

The bare-footed man held tight to the spear, staring straight into Qu Fongning, and his entire body tensed up, not letting himself any bit of slack.

His spear had already been snatched away three times, this time he must hold it in his hands!

Qu Fongning stood with ease, his back not quite straight and kneecaps swung lightly, and was even stroking the flower on his hair.

The bare-footed man couldn’t hold his spirit in the face of multiple defeats. With a great roar, he struck the spear towards the opponent’s chest. Qu Fongning slighted swiftly and avoided him. The bare-footed man followed with a flip of the spear. Qu Fongning curved his waist backwards, the point of the spear missing less than a cun from his throat. Shouts erupted from the bare-footed man, the spear poked and pierced, bringing the wind hushing. Within the brief moment, he had already made thirty-forty strikes. However, no matter how the spearhead blossomed in its attempts, it could never touch the edge of Qu Fongning’s clothes.

After the flurry of attacks, drops of sweat flooded down his forehead, the head wrap linen had already been soaked wet. Qu Fongning danced easily on his feet, his expression relaxed, and his breathing in perfect order.

The bare-footed man’s fear grew with the length of the battle. Pulling back the spear body, he made one final ‘phoenix three-point nod’ towards the opponent’s belly. Qu Fongning smirked, raising his white muslin covered arm, his right hand five fingers got on the spear trunk. The bare-footed man felt a spiderweb-like adherence coming from the body of the spear. In his terror, his hand hooked tight around the weapon, his foot tried to make a foul move, kicking towards the opponent’s lower body. Who knew Qu Fongning was faster, the moment his hand got on the spear, his lower body already curved and made a round kick, and the bare-footed man had to duck instead. That hand on the spear made a slap and a grab, and the spear trunk almost left his hand. The bare-footed man readied his entire might, attempting to resist the robbery, yet Qu Fongning’s hand slid down the spear trunk and made a light flick at his wrist. His entire arm instantly numbed and could no longer hold on, and the spear flew out of his hand.

Qu Fongning’s expression remained unfluctuating. He held the spear and stood quietly.

Qu Lyn, watching attentively by the lantern, suddenly opened his lips, “Not right.”

He looked at the spear in Qu Fongning’s hand, objecting, “This move of yours, if you encounter an edged weapon, it will be useless.”

“The same.” Qu Fongning shook his head.

Qu Lyn’s gaze moved to his face, pulling out a short sword from his waist. “Let me try,” he announced.

He stood up. The flickering lamplight could not disguise the excited bloodlust in his eyes.

He pointed the short sword at Qu Fongning. The hilt was wrapped in gold marked leather, the body reflected light like the water, releasing mists of frost.

“Master, please.” Qu Fongning bowed.

The crisp chime of bells sang on the windless ground.

All at once, a fleeting gleam of frost, Qu Lyn had already moved.

So fast!

The bare-footed man was dumbstruck. The little Lord Prince, who usually carries a lazy attitude, and complains even in walks, was striking his sword with incomparable agility.

The short sword slashed towards Qu Fongning’s left cheek. The latter lowered his head to dodge, although he escaped, the chilling edge sliced off the flower on his hair.

Qu Lyn missed his first strike. He changed his technique and swung towards Qu Fongning’s left chest instead. Qu Fongning made a clean back flip and evaded this heart slashing move.

Qu Lyn narrowed his brow, caught up a step, held the sword with both hands, and thrusted towards his heart.

Red filled the little Lord Prince’s eyes, his face contorted with malignance. This strike was fast and furious, enough to impale through Qu Fongning entirely.

But Qu Fongning did not alter his composure.

“Master, please look,” he said clearly.

As he spoke, his right hand already ascended the blade.

As if it wasn’t an edge cutting , gold carving, jade slicing sword, but a thread of light mist, or a strand of soft muslin.

That terrifying adherence again!

Qu Lyn’s techniques changed one by one; pierce, flick, poke, slash, slice, stab, the blade edge gleamed, and the frosty chill pressed; it seemed like it could cut off Qu Fongning’s four fingers any moment.

However, Qu Fongning’s fingers remained glued to the blade, not letting go of that sliver of misty muslin.

Silvery light flickered in the yurt, and one cannot make out any stances clearly. The watching bare-footed man only felt a dizzying vertigo, as shock consumed his heart; the little Lord Prince’s techniques are fascinating, but Qu Fongning, the one who is dissolving them one by one, is far more terrifying.

Qu Fongning moved.

His five fingers extended slightly, slid down along the blade’s edge, as if touching the flowing waters of spring, until he reached Qu Lyn’s wrist, and lightly flicked on his pulse.

Qu Lyn had seen him move hundreds of times and had practiced hard for over two years. He figured he had already learned his techniques and was only missing practical combat experiences.

But he had no capacity to counter this move. Not just in defense, he didn’t even see his fingers move clearly.

It’s too fast.

This ghost-like hand, is it really the capability of a human?

In his shock, his hand numbed, and the short sword fell.

Qu Fongning made a step forward, catching the hilt. Holding it flat with two hands, he knelt and presented it to him.

Qu Lyn did not take it. “This move is enough for me to think through for two, three months. When you get back, try with me again,” he drawled.

“Yes.” Qu Fongning’s eyes sparkled. “I thought Master does not care about Little General’s Khilan venture. Why did you change your mind today?”

Qu Lyn made a laugh and turned towards the entrances on his head, his face relaxing back into a lazy smirk.

“I still don’t care, but there is a little secret that I need my eyes to confirm.”

Qu Fongning saw him leave. “Master, this sword?” he rushed.

“Take it to keep yourself cool for a few days. Khilan is full of wet swamps with mosquitoes everywhere. I would be begrudged if they damaged my little slave.” Qu Lyn waved away.

Qu Fongning wanted to open his lips again, but the little Lord Prince pointed at the floor and disappeared into the darkness.

Under the candlelit luminance, the snow-white suze flower was covered in mud, its scattered petals laid quietly on the ground.

~

Night, Konan State.

The forty slaves had passed into their deathly sleep after a hard day’s labor. The yurt was filled by various sour stinks and thunderous snores. Qu Fongning carefully slipped through the curtain drapes and searched his way towards their four-man space. The moment he touched the straw mat, Gerrgu noticed and raised his hand dozily. “Just returned?”

“Hmm, they wanted to see me wrestle,” Qu Fongning answered, holding his hand.

Gerrgu wasn’t fully awake. “Tire, tiring you out. Next time, don’t do it.” He sobered a little, and asked again, “this evening, Rodent Cher said, you and Hanr… What were you two doing?”

“I was just playing with him,” Qu Fongning answered in a low voice.

“You, don’t, don’t bully him too much…” Gerrgu mumbled with his eyes closed, turned, and fell back asleep.

Cher Bien on the other side had his two hands at his chest, holding on tight, and was giggling in his dreams.

Just as he was about to lie down, someone guided his back. It was Uncle Hwei, showing to him that there was water by the pallet.

He lowered towards the earthen pot to wash his face. When he was about to stand up, his knees gave out and dropped to the ground. Uncle Hwei immediately got up, lifted his body, and went out of the yurt.

The half-naked overseer with an updo was patrolling on the Lord Prince’s territory with his long whip. Hearing water splashing on the east end, he came over to check and saw the little Lord Prince’s favorite, the one he keeps by his side every day. He was laying all fours on the ground, looking passed out from fatigue.

He couldn’t say much, so pretended he didn’t see anything and surreptitiously walked off.

Uncle Hwei twisted dry a towel and passed it over. Qu Fongning took it and slapped it on his face instead.

Uncle Hwei thought he was being naughty. He lifted it and saw, under the pale moonshine, Qu Fongning’s face had already convulsed and terribly shrunken; his eyelids twitched, his teeth clenched, and his entire body was spasming uncontrollably. The pair of hands that were as dexterous as flying birds just earlier were now as stiff as death.

Uncle Hwei extended his remaining fingers and searched on his hand. He sensed a flush of fever, then a flush of ice, and there may also have been faint sounds of bursting at the joints.

The colors of regret flooded from his ancient face. He was going to make hand gestures, then reconsidered, and opened his lips:

“Does it hurt?”

The voice was like a diamond symphony with a looming harmony of strings, due to long years of disuse, also contained some husky discord.

“It hurts.” Qu Fongning answered quickly.

“It hurts like my head is empty. It hurts like I don’t want to live anymore.”

“It’s an incomplete technique. It is meant for this incomplete man. Fate is implacable. I didn’t believe fate, but I ruined you,” Uncle Hwei signed.

“No.”

Qu Fongning removed the towel, as if taking off a gray mask.

“I begged you myself. You taught me. I am ever so grateful.”

Under the moonlight, his eyes were spiritless from the pain, but he held a smile on his lips.

“I don’t regret it at all.”

Uncle Hwei was silent for length, then grinned. “If I knew you can endure so much pain, I should’ve taught you earlier.”

“Please be more attentive from now on, then we are even.” Qu Fongning said snickering.

Uncle Hwei threw the towel back on his sweaty forehead and made a long yawn. As he rose to return, he quietly bid him:

“Yujien Tianhung is as clear as a hawk. Anything you try must be completely natural. It must not contain any hint of deception… You little tricks will not get past him one bit.”

Qu Fongning’s cheeky face fell flat.

He sat back up and, with a voice only himself can hear, answered in full respect:

“Yes, Mister Xie.”

~

Khilan’s summers are different from elsewhere.

The four northern rivers, Mei, Lii, Shee, Wong waters, due to their diverse climate and geology, all have their own unique landscapes. The Lii waters is the most beautiful branch, with its crisscrossing waterways, sprawling wetlands, flying falcons, jumping fishes, and abundant feed in all four seasons.

The nomads rely on water and grass, just like the flora rely on the sun. Since time immemorial, such has been the cause for the flames of war in the north. Khilan adjoins Chienye to the south and neighbors Bi’ro to the east, without mountains or valleys at the peripheral, it is akin to a fat lamb grazing within a wolf pack.

Yet Khilan has stood firm in the northwest for hundreds of years, not saying it never lost any bits of land, but it could be said that it has largely maintained its independent sovereignty through the ages.

This incomprehensible phenomenon is due to Khilan’s natural barrier — the Merak Phecda State¹.

The Merak Phecda state is divided into two with varying dimensions. The larger Merak State is swamped by black soil and covered with reeds. The smaller Phecda state is flooded with a multiplex of wild waterways with intersecting passages, to no less than ten thousand in count. Not only the foreigners find confusion in this vista, the natives of this land often also find themselves lost.

And the above are not the most intimidating aspects of this land.

—the Merak Phecda states can shift.

Not abrupt changes in the elements, nor firestorms showering for the heavens; Not the deluge of mud marshes, nor the cracking of the earth to the abyss.

Only those who attempted Khilan in conquest understand the terrors of the shift.

A perfectly straight path was going east to southwest in the morning, but by the time you make the stoves at dusk, the sun somehow moved in front of you.

When you retired in the evening, your feet were pointing to true north, but when you woke up at midnight, you saw the Northern Dubhe star on your left side.

So on and so forth for seven and eight shifts, no matter how you redraft your maps and plans, you will never find your way back.

In these situations, the crafty ones would raise high their white flag in capitulation. Khilan would not only permit passage; they would send out envoys to guide these lost soldiers and send them soundly out of the Lii waters.

Those who refused to admit defeat, or attempted to try their luck in forcing the customs, all perished without exception in these morass marshlands, with their cadavers filling the bellies of flies.

If the White Rock Labyrinth of Za’yii is akin to an anthill or a scorpion nest, like a capricious woman with a hundred thoughts, making men mad with palpitations; then the Merak Phecda states are akin to a pair of twins with its own life and soul, gently swaddling the people of Khilan in their native habit for day and night.

~

When Little Ting’yu followed General Dardum into the territory, this was the scene he saw.

A string of huts and shacks lining pell-mell for ten li along the banks of Lii waters. People’s voices clamoring like boiling water. Caravans of bulls and horses pulling carts of flour across fishmongers, grocers, dry goods sellers, jewelers, and snack vendors peddling sales with shoulder poles. Fully covered western merchants strolling across the market with their camels, making songs of ding ding dong dong. And a girl holding bushels of flowers with her dress and soliciting at the passersby, “Flowers for sale, fresh-cut flowers, with dew still wet!”

Little Ting’yu had only heard of this sort of bustling wonders from other’s lips, but never witnessed it himself. In that moment, he only felt this is pretty, that is also pretty, and how you couldn’t possibly look at everything at once.

Dardum was used to all this. Noting his curious gazes, he couldn’t help a laugh.

“Old Ting locking in you all day must’ve been suffocating. Young people should get out more often. Staying home all day makes your heart all small.”

Little Ting’yu was so busy staring at a camel eating someone’s vegetables, his ears neglected every word General Dardum said, and only mumbled “Umm, umm” in response. “So much for being a young man at sixteen-seventeen. Look at those guards. They certainly know how to enjoy themselves.” Dardum shook his head.

On a weathered stone staircase, a couple Khilan soldiers in cowhide military boots were chattering excitedly with a group of gaudily dressed pretty girls. A young soldier with oiled hair said something funny, and the youngest girl flung herself into his embrace and started jabbing on his chest in her shrill laugh.

Little Ting’yu observed them. Apart from the military uniform, he really couldn’t tell how these people were soldiers. Even Princes Allonby and Qu Lyn’s lot did not have this laid-back easy air.

Dardum squinted at that group of women from afar, and patted Little Ting’yu’s head. “Why don’t you go off on your own! Uncle Dum is going to find some adult fun,” he said enigmatically.

He didn’t even bother to go to the embassy, and was about to leave with a pat on his rear.

“Uncle Dum, the Khilan ambassadors are waiting!” Little Ting’yu called anxiously.

“No big deal, I’ll leave that to you!” Dardum waved behind him.

Then deciding he was really not looking proper, he turned around to perform the words of a decent elderly figure, “Your father wants you to hone yourself out here. I do not want to disappoint your old man’s well meaning…”

So Little Ting’yu had to toughen his head all by himself to the embassy and meet with the Khilan wedding facilitation ambassador. Fortunately, the ambassador did not seem surprised, but proud instead, saying that no one arriving at Oghuz market would not stop to have some fun or have a look. Then he pointed out the areas with the most entertainments, markets, and dancers congregating. And how although Chienye may have plenty of tough land and strong soldiers, there may not be such rich and delightful places like this.

“The spirit of Chienye is General Yujien. He spends his years in solitude, never taking off his ghost mask, people don’t even know what he looks like, and they raise in terror whenever people bring up his name; he really is not much fun. And even affecting the Chienye around him to be not much fun,” brooded Little Ting’yu.

However, Tigerhead Twine upset his stomach from eating on the day previous, and was still lying flat on the other side of the Lii waters. The two new bodyguards were dense in their heads. He was still having troubles communicating to them, and couldn’t possibly consider taking them along to play.

Suddenly, someone’s figure loomed into his head.

“If he is here…”

He who knows his heart more than any, he who always pays full attention to him no matter what he says, if only he is here.

From the day he escaped from his bedstead, he hasn’t seen him since. In this duration he went to see Qu Lyn twice, but he didn’t see him a single time. The people at the ger only said that he went practicing archery.

Archery practice was obviously an excuse; it was probably General Guo’s discipline the other day that made him upset.

Now that he reflected, he was really stupid. He didn’t see in two attempts. Why couldn’t he go a third time? If he didn’t see in three attempts, why couldn’t he go a fourth, a fifth time?

Even if they don’t speak, at least he could look at him. If Qu Lyn dared to punish him, he could go tell on Uncle Qu Sharraugh.

Thus, he secretly decided, when he returns to Chienye, the first thing he does would be finding Qu Fongning. To listen to him joyously calling “Little General,” running over lightly and gracefully, with eyes sparkling bright like the stars, and the bells on his feet ringing dingling, dingling…

With these muses, it was as if those crystal-clear rings were really resonating in his ears.

So, these imaginative sounds can be so vivid, almost as if they were real…

The wind stopped.

Little Ting’yu opened his eyes in disbelief. A white figure, standing stout ten steps away, was watching him with irises like the cosmos, and full of smiles.

“—Little General, I am here to see you.”

Little Ting’yu watched him in a daze, put his finger on his lips, bit into it, and finally enquired in an unbelievably extraordinary tone:

“Fongning…why did you come?”

Qu Fongning came up and leaned on his chair, smiling.

“Coming to be your guard! To make sure you don’t eat your finger when no one is around to look after you.”

Only now, Little Ting’yu felt his embarrassment and put down his hand. The bite marks on the tip of his fingers send a sting of pain through his nerves.

“Did you eat yet?” Qu Fongning asked.

Now that he mentioned it, Little Ting’yu finally realized he had been so distracted for the whole day, he hadn’t taken any food, and his tummy was entirely empty.

So off they went, one pushing and one sitting, towards the embassy.

To demonstrate their hospitality as the host, the Khilan ambassador was preparing an extravagant and sophisticated fest, the forks on the roast lamb were pure silver, the bowls containing fish were Southern porcelain, the dairy soup was as white as pearl, and girls with meticulously brushed hair were prostrated on the floor waiting to serve, with their hands raising perfectly leveled to their brows, not deviating by a single bit.

Despite all this, the hanging browed ambassador held his forehead tightly creased, loudly snapping at the bustling entourage, apparently dissatisfied with all such welcoming arrangements, and believing the Chienye guests must be seeing this ruckus as a joke.

Little Ting’yu observed the ongoing spectacle through the open threshold. His heart drummed, he didn’t want to enter the steaming grand ger, even his stomach wasn’t hungry anymore.

The person pushing the wheelchair also had his motions becoming slower and slower, as if he couldn’t push anymore either.

Just before the doorway, he stopped altogether.

Little Ting’yu’s heart started pounding. He was a little scared, but also a little hopeful.

Then Qu Fongning really spined his vehicle around, and giggled next to his ears:

“It’s no fun here, Little General. Let’s run away!”

Little Ting’yu originally had a sliver of hesitation. Seeing those bright eyes, he suddenly felt nothing mattered; what Chienye’s manners and father’s discipline, for they were all thrown aside.

Thus, the two boys sneakily absconded from the embassy and fled into the Oghuz market.

~

The market under twilight was another sight altogether.

The fishmongers and grocer didn’t want to keep the perishables overnight, and all started cutting their prices. The prices beat lower and lowers, in the end, they were out giving things for free.

The caravan merchants were more in a rush, because the horses don’t walk at night as well and they must find a place to stay.

Only the western merchants with camels strode about idly.

Little Ting’yu pointed at the camel and talked about the things he saw during the morning.

“… The man in front had a flat bamboo basket on his head. The vegetables inside were all being eaten up by the camel, and he was still haggling…”

Qu Fongning heard him finish the story, swiftly understanding something, suddenly looped around his waist, and gently lifted him onto the camel’s back.

Little Ting’yu left the earth without warning, his heart terribly anxious, and ahhed out loud.

Qu Fongning circled him in his arms and let him sit perfectly upright on the camel.

Gold thread trimmed, scarlet Persian rugs thickly lined the camel hump, and hence it wasn’t bumpy at all.

Qu Fongning took some long pickle leaves from the nearby straw hut, and dangled it in front of the animal.

Once Little Ting’yu sat firm, he couldn’t help imitating him, and also teased the camel’s nose with a long hispidulous grass, but he couldn’t lean overly forward, else he would fall.

The camel curled its tongue and licked at the pickled leaf, and seeming to enjoy the taste, it gnawed and chewed its bronze ringed lips.

The merchant hauling the camel turned around and didn’t seem bothered, and continued his unhurried stroll.

The two rode for a while. Then, feeling their hunger, they bid farewell to the camel, purchased sticks of lamb skewers from the roadside stalls, and started eating one stick after another.

The mutton really wasn’t all that tender. They weren’t sure why it tasted especially delicious, to which the pair couldn’t stop eating. The auntie selling the roast mutton saw them gorging, and complimented the meal with a bowl of thick milk tea, making it exceptionally scrumptious.

In the end, they were so stuffed they couldn’t even move, so they rested on the stone terrace for a while.

Before long, a skinny tall boy and his friends started playing and pushing a sliding game with Little Ting’yu’s wheelchair. And slow and fast, they came around forth.

The lead boy stopped by the terrace, with one hand holding the chair and the other spread out, made several swirls, and his company swelled in ovation.

Little Ting’yu hurriedly got up to conduct his thanks, but the boys already went off, arm in arm, and onto their next game.

A little girl selling flowers from her dress held her hands high, ran over to the terrace in a small trot, and lifted her face in call: “Big brother, buy some flowers!”

Little Ting’yu felt his pocket and apologized. “Sorry, we used up our money.”

But Qu Fongning pointed to his wheelchair. Smiling at the little girl, he said, “That chair is his money purse. Do you like pearls? If you can pick it off, take as much as you can!”

The girl looked at the wheelchair, then at Qu Fongning, and started giggling. Then suddenly, she pressed a kiss on his face, spun and ran off.

“You are much cuter than pearls!”

With these tittering words, also came five or six cuts of beautiful fresh flowers.

Little Ting’yu couldn’t help laughing on the side. Qu Fongning was taken aback, touched his face, and smiled from embarrassment.

By then, dusk had sunk completely. The light golden silhouette of the market started fading into the darkness, and only the tallow lamp by the straw huts illuminated the dark red radiance of the burning charcoal.

The pair sat quietly on the terrace, listening to waves slapping the banks of the Lii waters, the wind taking away the heat from the stones, and women’s voluptuous laughter from the huts by the waters.

Something turned over and two Khilan soldiers came out of the shacks, pulling on their trousers with curses. And finding the peace, they bent and slipped back inside.

~

By the time the two of them returned, night had fallen gloam.

Qu Fongning took over Tigerhead Twine’s work with deft efficiency; not only in cleaning and washing, changing clothes and making the bed, he also unabatingly massaged his shoulders, flank, and legs.

Little Ting’yu felt his chilly hands on his body with the utmost comfort. Thinking back, reminiscing about the time on the camel, he also found the coolness behind him wonderfully refreshing.

Then he recalled a legend and whispered, “Snow witch…”

Qu Fongning didn’t hear clearly. “Little General, are you calling me?” he lowered and asked.

Little Ting’yu hid his face in the freshly cleaned pillow and tried to stifle his laugh.

Just before falling asleep, he remembered.

“Fongning, can I have your flower?” he asked.

The flower from the little girl was no longer fresh, the leaves had dried, and the petals shriveled, but Little Ting’yu kept it with cherishing devotion.

Qu Fongning made a pallet by the threshold, laid down quietly, his breathing even, and appeared to have fallen asleep.

Little Ting’yu laid with his eyes wide open, he spoke gently towards the doorway:

“Fongning, see you tomorrow.”

And a voice came back from the doorway:

“Little General, see you tomorrow.”

Little Ting’yu finally closed his lids, hearing the bells chiming every or so often in the wind, and slowly slipped into slumber.

~

The Khilan palace stands on the Phecda State, within the crisscrossing waterways and overflowing reeds. It is already especially well hidden. After several recent rains and drizzles, the looming white mist from the water surface created a domain of mirage, and further masked away the original landscape.

King Shrunle had sent the Grand Minister and ten elders to the embassy to welcome the Chienye ambassadors. What came was not a wheelhouse, but ten turtle-backed, crane-necked boats with gold lacquers and floral cravings. The boat sailed the water as steady as walking on earth. When riding through shallow waters, a hundred strong slaves pulled the crafts across.

Dardum rode with a few of the elders, drinking, laughing, and commenting on the dancing western beauties on deck. Although this was only the first day they met, they were already arm in arm as if dearest old friends.

Little Ting’yu sat with an old Grand Minister and had nothing to say. After finally understanding a few of his greetings, he politely answered, but didn’t hear any response for a long while. Taking a look, the gaffer had fallen asleep.

He sat in boredom, swiveled his head and searched around. Not seeing Qu Fongning, he couldn’t help calling out.

Qu Fongning flipped up from the starboard with his hand holding a little wet red flower. Today he wore an inky black guard uniform, his hair tied into a ponytail, coming to stand on the bow, his body appeared exceptionally tall and straight.

“What does the Little General need?” he asked, wiping away the water droplets on his brow.

Little Ting’yu watched him unblinkingly, not saying a word.

Qu Fongning thought he was being naughty. He chortled and flipped over the port, going to dip for more flowers.

A moment later, the boats landed at the palace. Calling it a palace was not quite accurate. It was actually a collection of buildings on a landed area in the water; stilted architecture with floating structures, running corridors, and flying eaves. On the landscape, reeds grew like snow petals. As the wind blew, balls of white puffs drifted over like flowing clouds and fluttering willows.

King Shrunle and his queen hosted the reception in honor of their arrival in person. For entertainment, the King called forth a hundred muscular men to spar amongst themselves. Two rows of soldiers on the sides beat drums with a clear rhythm, livening up the atmosphere.

King Shrunle was no older than fifty, but his hair had already turned gray, and his features appeared immensely aged. He didn’t look very much like the sovereign of a kingdom, but resembled more of an affable old man.

He pointed towards the sparing men in the hall and smiled towards Dardum:

“This is the most outstanding wrestler of the tribe. What does our honored guest think?”

Dardum observed with squinted eyes.

“Braver than a tiger leopard, sharper than a flying eagle, a true warrior!” he praised.

Little Ting’yu humphed instead, and whispered in a voice only two could hear, “Really way off!”

King Shrunle beamed brightly and reminiscent about the past:

“Ten or so years ago, I met, for the first time, with King Andai of thy honored country on the largest wrestling ring on the Chining grassland². My eyes brightened the moment I saw him, and I thought, ‘What an indomitable man!’ And so, I immediately developed a deep sense of admiration towards him right as we played against each other.”

The queen sitting on one side had a snow-white fox on her lap, and was lightly stroking her temples and the lines between her brows creasing.

“What’s wrong?” King Shrunle enquired attentively.

The queen leaned weakly into her arm, shaking her head. “When I hear the drums, I… my head hurts.”

Dardum instantly raised to bow. “Pardon me, I have yet to inquire on the well-being of Her Majesty Queen Lan.”

Normally, he never had a serious word coming out of his lips, however, this greeting was full of deference.

“I am very well,” Queen Lan said and nodded.

Her brows creased tightly. Any clear-sighted person could tell that she was speaking feebly. What kind of wellness is this?

Dardum dared not to ask more, he bowed deeply, and lowered back into his seat,

“Since the queen is displeased, take it off,” King Shrunle spoke to the hall.

A moment later, the warriors, drums, and drummers cleared completely. Before long, hundreds of resplendently dressed women came in with qins and pipas, walking forward in petite, delicate steps, and arranged themselves into a fan. They were the current fashion of the grassland aristocracy—southern dancers.

Queen Lan opened her beautiful eyes, took a glance, and watched no longer. King Shrunle waved his hand, and they dispersed as well.

Little Ting’yu was privately astonished. “This Queen has such sway! How could a wife meddle like this in front of the husband?”

Observing Queen Lan again, beneath her extravagant outfit, she carried a fragility that could induce any observer with a desire of compassion. She was young, no more than thirty. And to speak plainly, she does not appear at all well-matched with the gray-haired King Shrunle. Rather than husband and wife, they appeared too deviated even to be father and daughter.

Just then, loud snapping sounds rose by the horizon. An ebony steel boat was sailing swiftly across the water, advancing towards the islands. A woman holding a bulky iron peddle was spinning it into a black cloud, and unleashing continuous shouts from her lips, like the rolling thunder.

“Uli is here!” King Shrunle said with a laugh.

The officers and envoys rushed out to greet. Little Ting’yu had never seen this legendary princess. He was very curious, and also squeezed forward a few steps.

Dardum crossed his fingers into a roll and raised them to his lips.

“It’s been a few years, and the princess is still as gallant as ever. This alone is much to celebrate.”

Princess Uli raised the peddle high and called, laughing, “Old Dum, you also look well!” As she spoke, the steel craft approached the shore, making splashes that alerted teals into flight.

“What old Dum? Not even calling me uncle anymore!” Dardum spoke crossly, but extended his hand to help her up.

“How much older than me are you? What uncle rubbish!” The princess guffawed, holding on to his arm, she leaped and landed on the ground.

Little Ting’yu observed she was in full military fatigues, clicking leather boats, tanned skin, and carried an air of conquest on her face. This had to be a mighty general, not a princess!

He exchanged a look with Qu Fongning, both seeing shock and amusement in each other’s eyes.

Dardum walked with her and searched around, then moaned and groaned, as if looking for something.

“Old Dum, quit looking! He is not here.” Princess Uli laughed.

“Yabghu Herr³ haven’t returned?” King Shrunle attentively enquired.

“It was to be today, however, your daughter didn’t catch him at the state border earlier, he must have gone the long way.” Princess Uli answered, and King Shrunle nodded.

“Is it that the ‘God Warrior’ Herr Gen?” Dardum exclaimed.

“Exactly.” King Shrunle smiled.

“I’ve long heard about this Yabghu Herr’s valiance in combat, of standing firm with his lance amongst thousands of troops and beheading thirteen enemy leaders. His name had spread wide and loud in Chienye. I’ve only hated not being able to meet him. I can’t believe he is to be the King’s son-in-law!” Dardum commended.

“Bullocks!” Princess Uli cursed, laughing, “Chienye has Yujien sitting in the fortress. What is Herr Gen’s little name worth? You guys probably gossiped in private hundreds of times about how I couldn’t marry Yujien, so I had to find someone inferior.”

“The true lord may contest. I said no such things.” Dardum instantly surrendered his arms high.

Uli chortled. “I am not wasting my words with you! Herr Gen is great, you’ll know when you see!” Dragging him back to the seat, she cheered on their drinks.

Queen Lan seemed not to have noticed all that went on. She kept her head down, and gently caressed the fur on her white fox.

A moment later, the Grand Shaman of Khilan came forth with a look of apprehension, bowing as he addressed: The recent rains had dampened the astrological lanterns, and the ‘Star Shift’ ritual may not be able to conduct as scheduled.

Queen Lan signed. “Leave us, have we not embarrassed ourselves enough.”

Little Ting’yu felt something strange in her tone, but wasn’t sure what it was.

The banquet resumed, King Shrunle once again called forth the music. This time it was a gray clad singer with a morin khuur⁴.

The morin khuur rang vast and stark, and with this drawn-out string harmony, the singer sang an ancient song:

“The waterways in the homeland, long and long,

The stallions by the banks, dragging their rein.

Beautiful girl, Norynjiya,

Marrying to afar.

The yurt houses in the homeland, wide and bright,

The flowers blooming, like the snow.

Coming to this distant land,

The flower will never blossom again.”⁵

…

All of a sudden, Qu Fongning bumped imperceptibly into him from behind.

Little Ting’yu raised his head and saw Queen Lan’s one hand still gently embracing that white fox.

However, her other hand on the throne rounded pale, and her five cuspidate fingernails dug deeply into the smooth surface of the felt weave.

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