Chapter 99: Raising Havoc at the Yanchun Pavilion

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The main hall of the Spring Banquet Pavilion was filled with over a hundred people. Except for Li Dong and Fei Qingnu, no one else knew that the two had previously clashed in the rear garden of Zhang Xutuo’s mansion, where Li Dong had emerged decisively victorious. Fei Qingnu had wanted to continue the contest, but was stopped by General Lai Huer, who was present. Fei Qingnu had promised that if given another chance, they would settle the score and determine superiority.

Now, with a fully armed garrison under his command controlling the entire scene, Fei Qingnu shockingly ordered the soldiers to seize Li Dong and his companions as well. Though his words sounded ceremonious, it was clear there was a personal vendetta at play.

When the garrison troops stormed forward to bind them, Dou Jiande and Liu Heita were eager to fight back against the soldiers. Li Dong seized them firmly and hissed, “Brothers, hold your hands! Hear my words!”

“This man commands heavy troops and holds a high rank. Under no circumstances should we engage them. Let them bind us; do not resist. Leave the rest to me. I guarantee everyone’s safety, not a single hair will be harmed!”

Seeing Li Dong’s grave expression, so unlike his usual self, and the urgency in his eyes, Dou and Liu quickly responded, “We trust your ability. But if we are like fish on the chopping block, are we to simply wait to be slaughtered?”

“Relax. I know this man. He is only a deputy general, without final authority. The main commander is still behind. Do not use force!” Li Dong gestured and exchanged urgent glances while lowly urging them.

“Know him? Deputy general?” Dou and Liu were puzzled but, trusting Li Dong’s word, ceased any attempt at resistance and allowed the garrison soldiers to bind them. They suspected this was a ruse, a show for the common folk. After all, Li Dong claimed familiarity.

As the soldiers bound Li Dong, Dou Jiande, and Liu Heita tightly together, Li Dong stood tall and unmoving, letting them tie him firmly.

Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin, seeing this, reddened with anger and clenched their fists, rushing forward to drive off the troops and rescue their friends.

“Gentlemen, do not act rashly! Do not disrupt my plan! Surrender quietly and let them bind us!” Li Dong, though bound, spoke urgently to stop Qin and Luo.

Qin and Luo, willing to heed Li Dong’s counsel, halted and allowed themselves to be bound as well.

Each of these four men was formidable; had they not followed Li Dong’s advice and fought Fei Qingnu’s soldiers then and there, they would have cut down the garrison troops like a storm, leaving a trail of corpses.

But the grave question was what would follow? Could even the five of them withstand tens of thousands of garrison soldiers from Qi County and the mighty army of Lai Huer marching eastward to Liaodong? Even five thousand would be futile!

Moreover, Li Dong already knew Dou Jiande would soon offend the Sui garrison troops, leading to the slaughter of his entire family. Now that Fei Qingnu had barged in, Li Dong immediately realized the root of the problem was here. Any defiance or confrontation would bring disastrous consequences, so he urged everyone to surrender.

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As long as any one of Zhang Xutuo, Ye Shanji, or Lai Huer knew the truth, the matter would be resolved and Fei Qingnu would be ordered to release everyone. The three were well aware that Li Dong was favored by the current emperor Yang Guang and would never risk offending him.

A broad-shouldered man wielding a sword, surprised to see Li Dong and the others willingly bound, drew his long sword from his waist with a clang, raised it high, and shouted, “I am Zhang Jincheng! I do not accept this! My feud with him is none of your business! Dogs chasing mice—minding others’ affairs! Release them at once, or my sword will not consent!”

“Hmph! And who is Zhang Jincheng to us? Arrest him too!” Fei Qingnu sneered disdainfully and ordered his soldiers to seize him.

Bound together, Li Dong and the others exchanged glances upon hearing Zhang Jincheng’s name.

Li Dong thought, This man is indeed the Zhang Jincheng recorded in the annals. Known for his chivalrous nature, though he competed with Dou Jiande for favor, he would not allow them to be taken away by others, spoiling the contest and his interest.

Yet he was also a tragic hero—his ambitions unfulfilled, defeated and killed. A pity to lose such a brave soul! I must find a way to save him.

“Brother Zhang Jincheng, please hear my words—do not fight them!” Li Dong shouted urgently.

“Heh, thanks! But I don’t know you, nor will I be as foolish as they are to heed you and let others bind me! Excuse me!” Zhang Jincheng said, brandishing his sword as if slicing vegetables. With fluid motions, he felled and wounded several soldiers, clearing the way before leaping toward Fei Qingnu.

Zhang’s followers hastily drew their weapons, clashing fiercely with the garrison troops.

Once a place of pleasure and indulgence, the Spring Banquet Pavilion was transformed in moments into a blood-soaked battlefield strewn with corpses. Those watching from afar fled in terror, scattering in all directions. Soon, the hall was deserted, leaving only Yan Ruyu on the stage and the trembling madam behind.

The garrison soldiers were locked in brutal combat with Zhang Jincheng’s men, leaving no one to watch over the bound Li Dong and company. Dou Jiande approached Yan Ruyu and comforted her, “Ruyu, do not be afraid. I have broken free from danger and will come for you soon.”

Yan Ruyu’s face was pale, tears carving clear tracks down her cheeks. She nodded, choking back sobs, “Yes, I will trust you.”

“Rest assured, Ruyu. Next time I come, I will redeem you from the Spring Banquet Pavilion and restore your freedom,” Dou Jiande vowed. The fierce battle raged on, time slipping away quickly, but he seized the moment to declare his feelings and give her hope.

“I serve others, never free in my life. If you redeem me from slavery, I will serve you with all my heart and repay your great kindness!” Yan Ruyu lifted her delicate face, tear-streaked and sorrowful, moving all who saw her.

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The two exchanged heartfelt confessions amid the blooming spring, their love blossoming in spite of the surrounding carnage and the murderous atmosphere thick with hostility.

Zhang Jincheng leapt forward with his sword. Fei Qingnu advanced instead of retreating, snatching a long spear from a soldier, parrying sword strikes, and then sweeping low to strike Zhang’s lower body.

Zhang sprang upward on his toes, evading the sweeping spear. In midair, he did not relent—his wrist flicked sharply, thrusting a sword directly at Fei Qingnu’s eyes.

Fei Qingnu quickly retracted the spear, pressing down from above against the sword tip.

Zhang twisted his waist and spun his body, executing an inverted hook kick, aiming his legs at Fei Qingnu’s head.

The spear suddenly stiffened, its tip lunging toward Zhang’s legs.

If Zhang failed to pull back in time, he would miss Fei Qingnu but be impaled through the legs, bleeding and wounded. His body hovered in midair and could not stop its descent, about to be pierced.

His sword struck the ground, gaining leverage. Instantly, his legs parted, evading the spear tip, then squeezed together in a move called “Twin Winds Piercing the Ears,” aiming at Fei Qingnu’s neck.

The maneuver was swift and unexpected. Fei Qingnu was caught off guard, trapped between Zhang’s legs. He gripped the legs tightly and slid his body, forcefully throwing Zhang to the ground.

The two wrestled fiercely, rolling over and over. Sometimes one mounted the other, then vice versa, locked in a struggle neither could easily win, the outcome unclear.

Li Dong’s heart ached with anxiety—how could he separate them now?