The Legend of Su Kuang By Piao Deng - Chapter 06
Chapter 6: « Prequel: Breaking the Formation – Dragon’s Roar » (6)
Six. A Promise Worth a Thousand Gold
Fifth. The Roar
An Oath Priceless as Gold
Ancient Crossings
Lake of Serenity
Wild Goose Traces
Echoes Through the Ages
The mountain stronghold was in ruins, with Long Qingsong lying amidst a scene of utter devastation, blood flowing everywhere. Corpses lay strewn about haphazardly, and strangely, the surviving bandits seemed to be in a deep slumber.
She gently placed the unconscious Su Kuang on the ground, then slowly walked to the half-collapsed crystal table. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned to tend to Feng Xi’s injuries.
Su Kuang raised his eyebrows and said with a smirk, « Miss Long, must you really kill them all? There’s always room for negotiation. »
Long Qing’s hands trembled slightly as she stopped, seeing Feng Xi’s broken ribs. She bandaged the wound on his neck and then turned to the injury on his abdomen. The sword had pierced extremely deep, likely damaging internal organs. The situation was dire, and she hesitated for a moment before looking at Su Kuang.
Su Kuang remained composed and said to Long Qing with a faint smile, « The Golden Cave’s poison isn’t something trivial like the Five Lords’ injuries. It seems mere acupuncture won’t suffice. Miss Long, your skills are extraordinary—perhaps you have a better solution? »
Long Qing’s expression remained calm, showing no trace of emotion. She simply replied, « Fine. »
Su Kuang spoke slowly, « The Five Lords and his men fought against a total of 106 bandits. In the end, they retreated to the southern grasslands. »
Long Qing’s injuries had barely healed when Feng Xi suddenly said, « Enough, let’s go. » Clutching the wound on her abdomen, she slowly sat down on the ground, turning to reveal blood gushing out. « Su Kuang, you are the bargaining chip. If you have the strength, before dawn, reinforcements will arrive within a radius of five hundred miles. If you dare to cut open your belly to treat the wound, you might just collapse before then. »
The usually cheeky Su Kuang was actually stunned. « Are you insane? You want to cut open your belly to treat the wound? »
Feng Xi stared at the wound on her abdomen, her voice cold and ruthless: « I’ve always hated being threatened by others. »
Long Qing’s face darkened. She was familiar with this tone—five years ago, Feng Xi had been just as fierce, just as indifferent to life and death. « Qing’er, if you want to leave now, I won’t stop you. But don’t you dare use your life to threaten me—I’ve always hated being threatened by others— » In that moment, Feng Xi’s pride was evident. She would never negotiate terms, no matter the circumstances… Never.
Su Kuang repeatedly said: « Yes, yes, vulgar matters are not worth mentioning, let’s not talk about money. Miss Long, Fifth Master enjoys discussing this matter, shall we talk about it? »
Long Qing was stunned, « Ah, are you withdrawing from Monan? »
Su Kuang’s eyes flickered with a sly and ambiguous expression, « There’s no need… actually, it’s not that urgent. Actually, I just wanted to get a little closer to the lady’s grace, hehe, hehe… »
« What did you say? » Long Qing jumped up in shock.
Su Kuang half-squinted his eyes, still lost in his drunken stupor. « Fifth Master… Fifth Master is noble… Please, miss… attend to me for the night. »
Slap!—A sharp, resounding smack landed on Su Kuang’s face. Su Kuang was stunned for a moment, then immediately regained his composure and issued a cold threat. « Miss Long, I came here to discuss a matter with you. If you’re willing, we can settle this peacefully. But if you refuse, don’t blame me for resorting to… less pleasant methods. »
Long Qing hovered motionless in midair.
Feng Xi roared in fury, « Long Qing, how dare you! »
Long Qing retracted her energy with a graceful flick of her hair, then sneered sharply, « Since when do you decide matters for this young lady? »
Su Kuang asked, « Huh? What’s going on? »
Long Qing’s eyes sparkled with mischief, « This is a fool’s bargain, you silly girl. »
Deal. » Su Kuang nodded, « I’ll take you to the cave and save you.
Long Qing hesitated, « What if you go back on your word? »
Su Kuang laughed heartily, « Feng Xihe, you—you’re you, and she’s just a girl. Why are you so suspicious— » Feng Xihe’s face darkened, his anger ten times sharper than Long Qing’s cunning. Even the usually composed town seemed to tremble under Su Kuang’s assault. « Long Qing, you… how dare you! »
« Miss Long, your swordplay is gentle yet lethal, isn’t it? » Su Kuang’s eyes sparkled with mischief. « Just now, when you struck from behind Danfeng’s back, your moves were swift and precise, yet you deliberately avoided hitting my vital points. When I pretended to be careless, you stubbornly refused to strike my pressure points… You must be Feng Xiyu in disguise, aren’t you? Why dress up as a bandit? » Suddenly, he clapped his hands and stood up straight.
Long Qing’s expression darkened, her face icy cold.
Su Kuang turned to Feng Xiyu with a smile, casually tapping his own pressure points while meeting his gaze. « Fifth Master Feng, you truly are an extraordinary hero. It’s just a pity that haste makes waste. If Miss Long hadn’t blocked your path in the northern frontier, who knows how you would have dealt with me. »
With that, he turned the tables effortlessly.
Long Qing was forbidden to move, taking half a step back, her right hand gripping the Wu Hook Sword.
Su Kuang extended his hand with a smile, « We just agreed on a deal, Miss Long. Shall we shake on it? »
Long Qing bit her lip, extended her hand, and gave a firm shake. She felt the dry, steady warmth of Su Kuang’s palm, exuding calm confidence. She forced a faint smile and said, « Deal. »
Feng Xi’s room was filled with an array of medicinal supplies. Long Qing skillfully rummaged through bottles and jars, while Su Kuang watched with admiration, « You must have rolled through blades and fire. Aside from sword wounds, you can treat anything. » His words were muffled as he busily prepared the instruments, then turned to Feng Xi, « Any anesthetic? If not, just blink your eyes. »
Feng Xi’s eyes were already sore from staring, yet he stubbornly kept them wide open.
« Tough talk from a duck’s beak—oh, I almost forgot, Fifth Master Feng is a hero among heroes now, just moments away from becoming a corpse. » Su Kuang chuckled as he casually drew his blade across Feng’s belly.
Feng Xi still stared with wide eyes, as if she wanted to devour Su Kuang, as if she wanted to swallow his pain whole. Her gaze fixed on Long Qing, her eyes almost bleeding with intensity. Long Qing seemed to hear a scream from the depths of her soul—Don’t you dare! Long Qing! Don’t you dare! Long Qing!
Long Qing suddenly felt a chill on her cheeks, realizing tears were streaming uncontrollably down her face. She choked back a sob, « Su Kuang, does it hurt? Does it hurt you? »
Hurt? Fifth Master? What pain? » Su Kuang flicked the thin blade in his hand, poking and prodding, pointing to his fingertip, then to his forehead, « Here? Or here?
Feng Xi trembled all over, her gaze fixed on Long Qing with a vicious, domineering intensity. Where was the pain? There was none left to see.
Tsk tsk, Qing’er, how could you betray me by sneaking out to meet someone else while serving me? » Su Kuang mimicked the voice of « Qing’er » perfectly. Though his words were teasing, his hands moved with crude efficiency, stitching up the torn intestines. « You were sending secret signals with those delicate eyebrows, weren’t you? No wonder someone got jealous, no wonder you’re trembling… Look how busy you’ve made me, sweating all over. Here, let me wipe it for you.
Long Qing slowly came to her senses and gently wiped the sweat from Su Kuang’s forehead. Suddenly, she whispered pleadingly, « I beg you, I beg you to stop, Su Kuang. You’ve won, I’ll do whatever you say, whatever you want. » Her eyes then turned toward Feng Xiyu, pointing at her chest. « Feng Xiyu, she’s just stubborn with her words. She’s soft-hearted, and she’s in pain. »
Feng Xiyu’s lips were stained with blood.
Su Kuang finally lowered his head, his expression softening as he finished stitching Feng Xiyu’s wound and applied a pain-relieving ointment. He sighed and said, « You fool, why must you be like this? Long Qing, just now her blood was nearly stagnant, and the veins near the wound were forcibly sealed by your energy. If she had relied solely on her anger, she might have already ascended to the heavens. »
Su Kuai curled his lips and glanced at Feng Xi: « Fifth Master, you should rest quietly and regulate your breathing with your inner energy. Don’t move recklessly. » As he spoke, he casually slapped a few acupoints, thumped his own waist, and sprawled lazily on the ground.
Long Qing and Feng Xi remained silent, neither daring to make a sound.
Feng Xi struggled to sit up straight, saying, « Qing, I… »
Long Qing hurried over and pressed him down, asking, « What are you trying to do? »
Feng Xiyan wiped the tears from her face and said, « Qing’er, I was wrong, I’m sorry. »
Five years ago… When Feng Xiyan first met Long Qing, she was overjoyed, her face flushed with excitement. Back then, Feng Xiyan was a notorious bandit leader, almost every other day sending her subordinates to deliver severed heads, indulging in revelry night after day, utterly unrestrained.
Long Qing, being a gentle soul, couldn’t bear such behavior. Her face turned pale with anger. But Feng Xiyan’s actions grew increasingly excessive—her gang of bandits, filled with scoundrels and villains, became more and more unbearable, forcing Long Qing to endure what she could no longer tolerate.
Feng Xi was extremely embarrassed. She had long decided to end things with Long Qing, but now she had to slowly arrange the offerings for the ceremony with him. When the brothers announced the end of the engagement, the discussion turned to their faces. Though inwardly furious, Feng Xi suppressed her anger. How could she, the dignified Feng Xi, tolerate being touched by someone like Long Qing, let alone leave behind a trace of jealousy in this house? Long Qing remained cold, his heart already filled with disgust—how could he possibly care? Though Feng Xi was seething with rage, she softened her tone—she would leave this place with her dignity intact, and under no circumstances would she let him lay a finger on her again. Long Qing ignored her coldly, unwilling to waste words. How dare he accept the offerings? If he dared, he would no longer be a Feng but a Long!
Feng Xi deliberately provoked him with threats, but her anger only made him more determined to cut ties. Did Long Qing have a fiery temper? He left that very night, not bothering to argue further.
Feng Xi had always been proud and stubborn, her temper flaring easily. How could she endure Long Qing’s dominance for long? She stormed into the Mandala Palace and, in a fit of rage, even kidnapped one of his attendants to serve her.
Thus, the two became estranged, their relationship reduced to a five-year bet…
Five years ago, Feng Xi was wild and unrestrained, while Long Qing was the dignified heir of a noble sect. The grievances and resentments between them seemed to grow with each passing day.
Qing… » Feng Xi’s voice finally cracked with tears, « I was wrong…
Five years was not enough for mutual understanding. Feng Xi had once teased Long Qing about serving in the bedchamber, while Long Qing had sworn on his blades before the crowd to abduct Feng Xi as his own. And yet… had it not been for today’s circumstances, who could say which of them would have prevailed?
Were you wrong in the end? » Watching Feng Xi’s desperate attempt to flee, Long Qing clung stubbornly to the pride of their past. « You shameless scoundrel, how dare you show your face again!
With a sudden motion, Long Qing was yanked back, staggering as she nearly fell. Her eyes darted around frantically, scanning the surroundings, until Feng Xi finally trembled and cried out, « Here, Qing’er! »
In that instant, the world seemed to collapse into chaos.
Long Qing lowered her head, her soul nearly fleeing in terror: « Su Kuang, Su Kuang! You’re hurt and bleeding! »
Relax, my brother’s poison has been neutralized. Jingjing, that little girl, is already bouncing around— » Su Kuang clapped his hands together. « See? The wound’s already scabbing over. Long Qing, look at mine… » He grinned mischievously, glancing at Feng Xi’s furious expression, then reached out to show his injury. « This scratch? It’s nothing, just a flesh wound—what’s there to worry about?
Feng Xi snapped the reins coldly: « You’re coming with me. »
Su Kuang tilted his head: « Why should I? »
Feng Xi said solemnly: « You’re coming with me to surrender. Otherwise, my brothers will intercept you. »
Su Kuang suppressed his anger: « I’d rather die than surrender. Will you retreat south of the desert? »
Feng Xi smiled faintly: « Brother, you’ve traveled all the way from the desert north. Aren’t you thirsty for some northern wine? Su Kuang, come sit with us and greet Granny properly. »
Su Kuang hesitated, glancing at Feng Xi’s face. Crossing thousands of miles of grassland to return to the capital seemed almost delusional, yet every word Feng Xi spoke carried undeniable weight.
Su Kuang extended a single palm: « Are you serious? Do you know what crime you’re committing? »
Long Qing tightly grasped Feng Xi’s hands: « You’re mad! »
Feng Xi struggled violently, « Qing, are you really going to kill me? » The empty strike rang out, crisp and clear.
The game is set.
« Fifth Master, why bother with such formalities? » Feng Xi raised her head, her expression calm.
Su Kuang sighed: « Since you’ve already said so much, why not just kill me outright? Let’s get it over with… Ah, Fifth Master, let’s have a drink together. I’m afraid this might be my last chance before facing execution in the capital. »
He seemed to have lost interest in playing along. After stopping Feng Xi’s bleeding with a gesture, he sighed deeply and quickly left.
Long Qing gazed obsessively at Feng Xi, her heart shattered like glass. Suddenly, she asked, « Where is he? I’ll go to Jiangnan with you, search every corner—I must find him! »
Feng Xi gently placed a hand on Long Qing’s shoulder and slowly guided her to the window. He pushed it open, revealing the vast, desolate world outside.
Feng Xi pointed into the distance and said, « Qing’er, look—those are just weeds. Weeds are lowly, worthless things. Su Kuang was once willing to follow me through fire and water, but now he’s turned his back on loyalty. I doubt he’d even spare a glance for such things… Hey, hey, don’t cry! You had the nerve to impersonate the Fifth Young Master of the bandits, yet you can’t handle a little heartbreak? If you keep this up, you might as well follow me straight to the executioner’s block! »
Long Qing whispered, « If he dares to pretend, I’ll burn his deceit to ashes. I’ll go with you. »
Feng Xi gently stroked her hair and sighed, « Silly girl, do you really think you can handle this? Just look at the situation—how could someone like Fifth Master possibly be toying with you? Not to mention, you’re the disciple of Xiao Ming, and Tie Ao’s men are already watching closely. Listen to me, I’ll take care of your sisters… You should return to Jiangnan. It’s too cold here, too desolate, and definitely not a place you should stay. »
But in the end, it turned out to be an incident born of reckless arrogance, something she could never have accounted for in her calculations. By the time she realized, it was too late—the stage was already set, and the trap had been sprung.
Long Qing had once sought fleeting pleasures, but at this moment, the slightest touch of tenderness pierced her heart like a knife.
Sister— » A deafening scream filled Long Qing’s ears, buzzing incessantly as a small figure threw itself into her embrace. Jingjing wept so bitterly it seemed her heart would break, crying out, « Sister—
« Jingjing, who bullied you? Are you hurt? » Like sticky candy being pulled apart, Long Qing carefully examined Jingjing’s limbs.
« No, no… It was Dan Feng who tried to chop off my hand, but Su Kuang saved me… Sister, is Su Kuang still here? » The little girl sobbed, taking advantage of Long Qing’s momentary daze to bury herself deeper into her sister’s arms.
Feng Xi answered for Long Qing: « Not too bad, I suppose. »
Jing Jing stared blankly at Feng Xi, stunned, « F-fifth… Fifth Master? »
With tears in her eyes, Long Qing said, « Call me sister, Jing Jing. »
Jingjing couldn’t contain her radiant smile as she shook Fengxi’s shoulders: « Sister—are you awake now? »
Fengxi’s face was deathly pale, and all her wounds had reopened.
Jingjing was startled. Longqing stepped forward and took out a small bamboo token from her sleeve: « Jingjing, don’t be afraid. Your sister has something important to entrust to you. »
Jingjing froze.
Long Qing held the jade pendant in her hand, her voice soft and hesitant. « This matter is troublesome and arduous. Are you… really willing? If you are, my sister and I will head south of the Yangtze. We’ll search for Xiao Ming by the lakes and bamboo groves. There, we’ll find the kind-hearted Uncle Bai, who will surely take care of you both. With this jade pendant, you’ll have a token of trust, and no one will dare to mistreat you… »
Jing Jing finally couldn’t hold back any longer. Sensing Long Jiejie’s roundabout way of speaking, she bit her lip, struggling to suppress her urge to interrupt. « Jiejie… what do you mean? »
Long Qing sighed, glancing at Feng Xi with a knowing look. « Jiejie is of marriageable age now. It’s time for her to wed. »
Seeing Jing Jing’s eyes well up with tears, Long Qing froze for a long moment before finally patting her shoulder with a gentle smile. « Silly girl, you’re still young. There’s no need to worry about such things. I’ll always take care of you. »
Long Qing suppressed her sobs and rushed forward— »You all, with your limited martial skills, have traveled such a long way. Aren’t you afraid of suffering hardships? »
Jingjing smiled faintly and tugged at Long Qing’s sleeve: « Sister, why don’t you come with us? Without you, sister, I’ll be so lonely. You can tease me and make me happy. Besides, sister, you’re so righteous and heroic. It would be wonderful to have you with us. »
For five years, she had taken care of this group of youngsters, and they all adored her dearly. Finally, Long Qing gave a faint smile, gently stroking their heads one by one. After a moment of silence, she sighed softly. Five years had passed, and these children had grown beyond the age of needing her protection. It was time for her to seek her own path.
« Then it’s settled, sister! We’ll send you to Jiangnan together, and you must come with us! » Jingjing cheered, bouncing with joy, though she had no idea how far « Jiangnan » actually was.
Feng Xi turned to Long Qing and said, « I’ll arrange for some of our brothers to escort you along the way for protection. »
Long Qing’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke, « Ah, those bandits have truly gone too far this time. We must hurry and drive them away— » Her words caught in her throat, and she suddenly choked up with emotion.
Long Qing! » Feng Xi swiftly turned to look at her, his expression shifting. Just then, the groaning brothers began to stir awake, struggling to sit up and perform a hasty salute. Feng Xi then casually gestured toward Su Kuang, who was seated nearby sipping tea, and remarked, « Qing seems quite distressed today. If she continues like this, she might—
Su Kuang made a respectful gesture with his hands: « If Fifth Master Feng insists on turning his back on righteousness, then this debt must be settled. »
Feng Xi let out a laugh, one tinged with desolation.
He clasped his fists in farewell, then turned and walked toward the distant, azure horizon.
Su Kuang, Long Qing… where are you?
Dahu Lake, where wild geese fly across the vast expanse.
