Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

After the young official in front of him finished speaking, Xia Qifei’s head was about to explode. The long suppressed humiliation made his hands start shaking. After all, he was the head boss of the Jiangnan water bandits, a famous figure of the underworld, when had he even been pushed around like this?

But he was a clever man. Although he wasn’t sure yet, he already had a good idea as to the other party’s identity. If his guess was right, then this young official was very much not ordinary, and the child beside him was...

Endure! Must endure it!

Xia Qifei repeatedly told himself this in his heart. He knew, given the power of the other party, they would only have to lift their little finger and they could completely wipe out the wealth he had accumulated these few years, and there would be more need to think about his revenge. The thousands of brothers he had under his command, who had families to feed and children to raise, would probably lose their heads. More importantly, the respect and fear the Qing people gave the royal family chained his spirit and did not allow him even a moment of rebellious thought.

Thus he could only endure. Although all men on the jianghu were always a bit bloodthirsty, and even rogues had their ruthlessness, for the lives of the brothers under his command and his dream of a lifetime, Xia Qifei suppressed the anger in his chest. With a trace of arrogance in his respectful tone, he said, “I didn’t know sir was arriving today. Do you have any orders?”

Fan Xian glanced at him. “I’ll trouble Master Xia to first deal with the matter I ordered earlier.”

Although he used the title “Master Xia,” his tone remained light and effortless, without a trace of the usual respect seen from jianghu.

Xia Qifei didn’t know what the other party was planning. He turned, his expression depressed, and went out to of the room to give the quivering advisor some orders.

Fan Xian sat in the hall drinking tea and did not seem to be in a rush.

The conversation started again.

“I am here today to ask Master Xia about a matter.” Fan Xian put down his tea cup and looked at Xia Qifei warmly. “A few days ago, at night at the Yingzhou pier, a few guests came aboard my ship and I kept them there. I wonder how Master Xia is prepared to explain this matter?”

Xia Qifei’s expression became serious and he did not answer this question. Instead he took the initiative to ask, “Sir, I will speak frankly. I don’t have to admit to anything, but as a man of the jianghu, I can’t not consider my brothers. You’re right; the people that accidentally boarded your ship that night were all my brothers...You came south incognito. I have eyes but did not see and offended you. I beg your forgiveness, and I will shoulder all the punishment. Please release my subordinates.”

The Third Prince was tired of listening. He banged his tea cup down hard on the table, and the child said coldly, “Can you...afford to take all the punishments?”

He purposely dragged out the sentence, but it was still in a clear, childish voice. It did not seem enigmatic but rather carried a strange chill.

A chill ran down Xia Qifei’s back. He knew that if this crime were taken to the extreme, then it was attempted murder of a prince. Thousands of lives might not be enough to fill in that grave. However, as someone who had managed to survive the attempted killings of the Ming clan at a young age and had successfully carved out a place in the underworld to become an important figure among the Jiangnan martial artists, naturally his spirit was steady and his thoughts were meticulously thorough. He noticed that these nobility had not ordered soldiers to wipe them out. Rather, they charged right into the branch despite the “great danger.” There was deep meaning behind this move.

Thus, he was not truly afraid; he just didn’t know exactly what these nobility from Jingdou wanted.

Xia Qifei gritted his teeth and actually let go of what jianghu people most valued: his backbone. He took a knee in front of Fan Xian and said sincerely, “I know I cannot shoulder this crime, but considering your good fortune that absolutely no harm was taken, I beg you to forgive my rash and ignorant brothers and sentence me instead to death by a thousand cuts.”

This was his superficial effort after finding some confidence, but Fan Xian did not know and couldn’t tell. He was very pleased with the other party’s quick thinking. He nodded approvingly and said, “Master Xia is indeed a hero who loves and values his subordinates.”

It takes two to tango. Xia Qifei’s referral to himself had shifted from “I” to “yours truly,” and from “yours truly” to “commoner.” His status had become lower and lower. Yet, Fan Xian had started with calling him by his name, using “Master Xia.” Until now he was using “Head of family Xia,” each title higher than the next. He was confirming that the other party had the status to speak.

Fan Xian had only said one sentence before stopping. The Third Prince felt a chill in his heart. He knew that his teacher did not like how he had cut in earlier and wanted him to act as the evil person. However, as a prince, of course he was not afraid of the so-called vengeance of a rash jianghu man. Using a clear voice he said, “Master Xia’s words have come too late. That night, the thieves were all killed by the guards and thrown into the river.”

“Ah?” Xia Qifei was stunned. Who would have thought that these officials from Jingdou would be more ruthless than bandits? To not leave even one life...

He seemed to see the bodies of Guan Wumei and those brothers floating in the river. His heart ached and his rage soared. However, all that could be seen on his face was sorrow and not vengeance. He was truly a first-class actor.

historical

Fan Xian said evenly, “Officials have different rules for doing things. Since those people drew their weapons on the ship, naturally, no one could be spared. If I had been soft-hearted and let them go, news would have gotten back to Jingdou. The court would become angry, and I’m afraid their ends would have been worse. And it would have involved their families.”

Xia Qifei was silent. A moment later he repeated what he had first asked. “Do you have any orders for your visit today?”

The other party had already made it clear that the robbery had temporarily been washed clean by the blood of those dozen brothers. As this matter was put aside and no longer discussed, there must have been another matter to discuss.

Fan Xian waved his hand. The subordinates accepted the order and left the outer hall. The Third Prince jumped down from the chair and prepared to leave when he was unexpectedly held back.

There were only three people left in the room. Who knew what battles and whispers were going on inside Xia Qifei’s mind? For a person of the underworld like him, to be able to meet two “princes” at the same time was a “blessing.”

“I am Fan Xian.”

Fan Xian’s expression was soft as he publicly announced his identity.

Although Xia Qifei had guessed the other party’s background, to receive definite confirmation made his heart stutter and legs weaken.

The story of this young man had long become a sort of legend among the Qing Kingdom people. Not yet 20, he already held the most powerful position in the nation: commissioner of the Overwatch Council. He composed poetry before the Emperor, killed people on the streets, uncovered cheating on the spring examinations, went to Northern Qi to battle Haitang, collected books, and bullied the princes back home. In two short years, this originally no-name poet and illegitimate son had become one of the most famous people in the world. Whether it was in literature, martial arts, or power, he was already at the peak.

In who knew how many back country and rural conversations, Fan Xian had become the goal many young men aspired to with golden lights in their eyes. Xia Qifei was no exception. Particularly because of his past, Xia Qifei felt an extra admiration for the commissioner he had never met. Only, he had now offended the commissioner—Xia Qifei was very clear on the kind of ending awaiting those that offended Fan Xian.

Roughly calculating, the people who had fallen at Fan Xian’s hands included the previous Director of the Board of Rites Guo You, Minister of Justice Han Zhiwei, and the Imperial Censor of the Left Guo Zheng. Because of this young man, the Imperial Censorate suffered two floggings, the Second Prince was under house arrest in his manor, and the Eldest Princess was forced to give up the palace treasury with both hands.

Fan Xian’s identity had become increasingly strange with these events. The son-in-law of the Prime Minister? The Emperor’s illegitimate child? For the people who lived in the wilds of Qing Kingdom, any person or matter from Jingdou already had an aura of mysteriousness. With someone like Fan Xian, whose name was even embroidered with a border of gold, people dared not to watch intently.

Regardless of what Xia Qifei was thinking, his face showed unbelievable shock. They saw him cleanly spread out the front of his coat and kowtow to the ground, giving Fan Xian a formal salute.

“Commoner Xia Qifei greets the commissioner.”

...

...

After a long silence, Fan Xian still did not let him rise. He looked at him with amusement before gently speaking. “Seventh Ming, I truly hope you will be more sincere in the future. At least when you are saluting, it is best to use your real name.”

Xia Qifei’s eyes tightened, and he raised his head in shock. He stared straight into Fan Xian’s seemingly warm but actually aggressive eyes. His right hand had unconsciously lowered and was ready to release an attack at any moment.

Seventh Ming!

These long unheard words burrowed into his ears like poisonous snakes that tore into his brain. In his shock, he suddenly felt hatred in his heart. How could the other party know of this past? If this news got out, how could those large families with hundreds of years of deep roots in Jiangnan let him go? Even though he had the Jiangnan water bandits, he had no chance of victory.

“No need to reach for the dagger in your boot.” Fan Xian didn’t know how many twists and turns were going on in the other person’s head, he was only watching his movements. He couldn’t help laughing. “Of course as Master Xia knows, this kind of thing is what I am best at.”

Fan Xian then gestured with his hands. Xia Qifei quickly straightened, but his entire person remained in a state of high alert. His ears were listening for sounds outside of the room; he didn’t know if the advisor had completed his orders. Given the current situation, although he guessed that Commissioner Fan might threaten him, he was still prepared for the worst. He was ready to fight to the bitter end.

It was like the Third Prince couldn’t sense any danger and looked on with great interest at the conversation.

“Back then, your mother was flogged to death by the current old matriarch of the Ming family.” Fan Xian was making sense of the reports from the Council.

Xia Qifei saw red, and it appeared that he would rush forward at any moment to kill Fan Xian. But as the head boss of the water bandits, he knew who he was facing. The strong, ninth-level Commissioner Fan was someone who stood shoulder to shoulder with Haitang of Northern Qi. Even if he threw in his life, he wouldn’t be able to kill him here.

“You’ve been mistreated since your childhood by your older brother.” Fan Xian looked at him and furrowed his brows, “Don’t take offense Master Xia. I don’t mean to bring up your sore points. I just want one thing to be clear. I want to make a deal with you, and this deal must be built on your hatred for the Ming family. If you didn’t hate the Ming family enough, then I wouldn’t have come to find you.”

Xia Qifei’s tension immediately relaxed. He closed his eyes, calmed himself, and then asked in a serious voice, “What kind of business is sir thinking of?”

“The thing you want to do; I can help you.” Getting to the topic of business, Fan Xian’s words became much more direct. “I know Master Xia recently has a need for silver, and I have silver.”

Of course Fan Xian had silver. With the Danbo Bookstore, Baoyue Brothel, Six Ministries yamen, and gold and silver people in the palace such as Old Dai who used the excuse of rectifying incorrect workstyles netted, added all together already reached a shocking amount. To compare with those large families in the wealthy Jiangnan region, there was still a ways to go. However, everyone knew that Commissioner Fan had a father who was the God of Wealth at home. His family controlled the national treasury and palace treasury. If someone said the Fan Manor didn’t have money, not even someone like the aunt would believe them.

Xia Qifei guessed that the other party would threaten him, but did not expect them to actually be prepared to help him. He couldn’t wrap his mind around it for a moment and asked in a startled voice, “Sir...are you talking about the opening of the palace treasury in March?”

“You and I are both practical people, so let’s be more direct.” Fan Xian spoke calmly. “In March, the palace treasury bids will be determined. If it were like the previous years, it would certainly be in the pockets of the Cui and Ming families, however, this year the Cui family has fallen and naturally there will be big changes. If Master Xia would like to have a hand in it, there is only this one opportunity. Coincidentally, I am organising the matter this year. I will give you the privilege to enter, enough silver, and the portion needed to take over.”

In reality, Fan Xian had a cache of silver in his hands that no one knew about. This was where his ample confidence came from.

Xia Qifei’s brows furrowed tightly. After a moment he replied, “The commissioner is generous.”

He didn’t immediately accept because he knew how scary an organisation the Overwatch Council was. Often the people involved with the Overwatch Council could only pay their lives and the lives of their family into it in the end. If Fan Xian had known of the thoughts in his heart, he would have gifted him a suitable phrase—making a deal with the devil.

“I’ll explain what I need you to do.” Fan Xian didn’t care about the other party’s hesitation. He smiled warmly and laid out his price. “The water bandits are yours. If things go well in the future, the Ming family will also be yours. Furthermore, I will not seek out related profits.”

Xia Qifei’s brows drew tight. Such a kind of Overwatch Council officer didn’t exist.

As expected, after Fan Xian took a sip of the cold tea, he said, “What should be yours will all be yours, however you must be the Overwatch Council’s.”

After Fan Xian finished speaking, he took out a seemingly simple looking token and laid it gently on the surface of the smooth, black wood table. “The Overwatch Council, Fourth Bureau, Inspector of the Inspection Division stationed at Jiangnan Road. The ranking is not high. Don’t be offended.”

Offended? For a jianghu bandit to turn around and become an official of the court, an inspector that held the power to inspect governance, offended? Only an idiot would be offended.

Xia Qifei was stunned by the price offered by Fan Xian. Although he knew once he entered the Overwatch Council, whether he controlled the Ming family or Jiangnan water bandits, he would never be able to leave the organization. In the future, the division of the massive profits from the palace treasury and other related sources would on the word of the Overwatch Council...no, perhaps it would be down to a private word from Commissioner Fan.

To gain a large amount of funds, have a secret government identity and the consent of master of the palace treasury, and to be involved in the fighting gave Xia Qifei confidence for the first time that he could defeat that rust-spotted family clan. He knew he would never have such a good opportunity in his life again, but he still hesitated. First, it would be difficult to be free. He would have to be a loyal dog under Fan Xian. For someone who was used to doing as he wished on the jianghu, he felt unsatisfied, furthermore, he didn’t completely trust Fan Xian. Second, the reputation of the Overwatch Council was terrible. If news of him secretly accepting the position got out, even if he held more power in the future, his reputation would be destroyed.

Perhaps he wanted to preserve that thread of independence at the bottom of his heart, so he made one last struggle. He stared at Fan Xian a bit rudely and said, “Sir, I don’t know why I should accept this trade.”

“Oh?” Fan Xian asked curiously. “Perhaps Master Xia does not want to win back the Ming clan? The clan that originally belonged to you. As far as I know, in the will of old Master Ming back then, the first name on the list was Ming Qingcheng.”

Ming Qingcheng was Xia Qifei’s original name. He paused and gritted his teeth. “It is not that I don’t understand the current situation, but there are many ways to get revenge. Since I have the honor of being the head boss of the Jiangnan water bandits, I have many ways to defeat the Ming family. As for the matter of the palace treasury, perhaps I am mistaken, but the Ming family is wealthy and powerful, how could I openly defeat them?”

Fan Xian laughed and narrowed his eyes. “Killing people when the nights are dark and the wind is high? I believe you have this power and decisiveness. Only these years have proven that you are not such a crazy person. To run the risk of completely destroying the Jiangnan bandits to burn the Ming family home...nevermind whether or not you have this power, even if you could do it, how will you convince yourself? Your bandit brothers will be on the wanted lists, and their orphans and widows would be left to wander this world. Is this what you want to see? Or do you think that after this ending, after you’ve had your revenge and died, that you will still have the face to see the old bandit chief you owe everything to, who saved you and helped you to your place?”

He spoke methodically. His manner was not imposing, but these words struck where Xia Qifei was the weakest. The powerful persuasion accompanied this analysis and slowly began to sink into Xia Qifei’s thoughts. It caused him to be gloomy again.

Without waiting for Xia Qifei to recover himself, Fan Xian continued warmly, “What you want isn’t just revenge, but also to take back the Ming family and stand proudly in front of your older brother who is over half a century old. If killing people would solve the problem, then I wouldn’t have waited all these years. What’s more, using brute strength to accomplish this will end in the destruction of the Jiangnan bandits. Even if you managed to kill everyone in the Ming family, then where is the Ming family? Will the thing you stole back still exist?”

Fan Xian calmly met his eyes. “Standing in my position, I urge you not to choose that option. To have the goal you’ve been fighting for so many years disappear completely in front of you is not a good feeling. To preserve the Ming family was probably also in old Master Ming’s will. Although the Ming family has treated you terribly, your father never did anything to hurt you and your mother.”

Xia Qifei stood in silence and didn’t move. He seemed to be digesting Fan Xian’s words. This man who was long used to living on the edge suddenly thought of something. They young man in front of him had similar experiences to himself, perhaps he also was looking to get back what once belonged to him? For example, the palace treasury was originally the Ye family business. Did he want to take it back?

Fan Xian did not feel angry at his earlier refusal, instead he waited with great patience for the results of the other party’s thoughts. He had confidence in his words and, more importantly, confidence in Seventh Ming. Their similar pasts allowed Fan Xian to understand, as clearly as was possible, the other’s true thoughts.

“Master Xia, what you want is the Ming family business, not hundreds of heads.”

After a long moment of thought, Xia Qifei threw out a last question. “Sir, there is one thing I don’t understand.”

“Please, go on.”

“This trip was in preparation of taking over the palace treasury. The Cui and Ming families have long controlled the external channels and are too deeply connected to that side. Naturally, you will have to defeat them.” Xia Qifei forced back the three words “the Eldest Princess,” and his face turned slightly red from the effort. “But how come you think so highly of me? Given your power and position, you easily crushed the Cui family. It would not be difficult to get rid of the Ming family. You are completely capable of doing this on your own and don’t need my help.”

Fan Xian shook his head. “Ah, the Cui family is quite a different situation than the Ming family. As to why I don’t appear personally. It is inconvenient for me to do so.”

“Inconvenient” was a truth of officialdom. He was already the Overwatch Council commissioner and now managed the palace treasury. The regulations of the court were strict. The palace treasury was only responsible for production; all exports must be conducted by public merchants who had to write in for them. Whether it was Council or personal business, Fan Xian could not come forward for either of them. Thus, he needed someone trustworthy and convenient to use as a spokesperson.

For Fan Xian, the situation between the Cui family and Ming family was very different. When he was dealing with the Cui family, he had prepared well and for a long time. After a period of silence and sham politeness, he had Yan Bingyun lead the strike. Everything went smoothly. But, the Ming family had learned a lesson from their predecessors and made sufficient preparations. It would be a difficult matter to use the shipping channels and accounts to catch those profiteers.

Of course, the biggest difference was that Fan Xian had a powerful person as an aide. That person held the greatest power outside of the Qing royal family—the young Emperor of Northern Qi.

Similar figures connected to the Ming family were in Dongyi or overseas. Fan Xian had once killed two of Sigu Sword’s female grand-disciples. The Qing court, including him, also had forced Dongyi to be the scapegoat countless times. The hatred was too deep between them. If Fan Xian wanted to work with Dongyi to topple the Ming family, he didn’t think he had that ability.

Fan Xian rose and used his finger to lightly tap the token a few times. “I’ll leave this token here for now. Give me a reply before tonight. Of course, you know what you need to prepare if you agree.”

Xia Qifei respectfully turned and moved to the side. He didn’t directly reply, instead he said, “Your arrival today is like the descent of a god. Although you don’t like to disturb the people, given your reputation, it might be difficult to hide.”

It was difficult to tell whether these words were sycophantic or if they hid another meaning. Fan Xian glanced at him and said, “At the moment, you are still someone who accidentally bit off more than they could chew. As for my movements, why do I need to hide them? There is a ship on the Yangtze River. I will have to trouble you to have your subordinates escort it downstream. I have a chest of silver with me and hope it doesn’t catch the attention of thieves again.”

Xia Qifei lowered his head. “Thank you for sparing our lives.”

Fan Xian turned around and led the Third Prince from the chair. It was only at this moment that Xia Qifei realized that he might have ignored this little nobleman and felt a bit uncomfortable in his heart. It was too late to make up for it. His brain whirred. He heistantly said, “Sir, if I set up against the Ming family in the March opening, they will certainly become suspicious at that time.”

“You stand on my side, and naturally I stand on your side.” Fan Xian slightly smiled. Holding the Third Prince’s hand, he headed outside making one last comment. “Master Xia decides quickly; I like that very much.”

...

...

There was absolute silence at the Shazhou branch of the Jiangnan water bandits, a deathly, still silence. The head boss had sent out the most severe order for silence. Although he didn’t say it explicitly, all the brothers knew that something big had happened. They only dared to guess and not spread it around.

Xia Qifei sat in astill warm chair. His face was cloudy, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

The advisor entered and leaned near his ear to whisper, “The sailors have sealed their camps. I don’t know what happened.”

Xia Qifei’s expression became serious. He spoke in a low voice. “No matter. As long as this matter is settled, Old Sheng shouldn’t have any problems.”

The advisor slowly said, “They’ve already captured many of our ships. As per your orders, we haven’t clashed with them. But after those people from Jingdou left, they also released our ships.”

Xia Qifei lowered his head. “This is them showing their power.” He laughed coldly. “In their eyes, we are nothing more than ants.”

“Boss, everything is prepared. Gong Feng is cleaning his sword in the back room and waiting on your orders.”

Xia Qifei still didn’t give the order. His brow furrowed deeply. A moment later he asked, “Advisor Qian, do you think this should be done?” His hand slowly stroked that Overwatch Council token. The token was very smooth. Who knows how long ago it was made?

The advisor replied in a shaky voice, “It’s all up to your orders, I...dare not interfere.”

Xia Qifei closed his eyes. “The person from Jingdou seems used to doing things in this manner. He thinks too highly of his abilities. Even if he does have a few seven- and eight-level master guards, if we attacked with all our power, we still have a chance.”

The advisor cursed him in his heart. You already know that’s not possible, yet you still say this kind of thing; you just don’t want to carry that notoriety and want me to try and persuade you. Out loud he said, “The head of the guards has reached the peak. If he were in the martial wilderness of Jiangnan, he’s completely able to build a temple and start a school. Please consider this well.”

“The most important is that man himself.” Xia Qifei opened his eyes. In reality, the terms Fan Xian had given him were enough to sway him. As a powerful master, it was difficult to accept the thought of being someone else’s subordinate, particularly since there was little chance of ever rising up again. Earlier, he had been speaking humbly with Fan Xian but also, through his advisor, preparing to kill all. The most skilled water bandit, Hong Feng, happened to be at the Shazhou branch, so the Jiangnan water bandits were not completely without the power to retaliate.

He knew in his heart that the so-called “kill all” was self-comfort to prevent him from losing too much face.

Xia Qifei sighed and felt a strange sadness. He knew that the Jiangnan water bandits would turn into lackeys for the court by his hands. This kind of feeling was embarrassing and uncomfortable. He rose and, looking at his advisor who seemed like he was going to cry, knew that he was afraid of him making a stupid choice. Unconsciously, he patted the other person’s back, wanting to comfort him.

His hand came into contact with a patch of something wet and cold. Xia Qifei paused and then realized the advisor had, in the middle of winter, been scared into a cold sweat by the people from Jingdou. He couldn’t help but laugh mockingly at himself—the might of the royalty and the Overwatch Council clearly was not something common leaders like him could stand against.

Finally making his decision, he said with a serious expression, “Immediately disperse all the men. On the surface, keep the ship under surveillance, but ensure the safety of the ship in secret. We must ensure that Jingdou ship reaches Suzhou safely!”

“What about on land? Beside that man?”

“He has many masters around him; he doesn’t need us to interfere.”

“Yes.” The advisor nodded his head, t-->>

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