Chapter 093: Rising Winds and Gathering Clouds

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At that moment, Cao Peng was immersed in a most extraordinary world.

He had little awareness of what was happening around him. Every movement arose purely from instinct—and precisely because it was instinctive, his fists and feet showed no mercy.

Caught completely off guard, Zhu Zan took Cao Peng’s punch squarely. He was sent flying and crashed against the wall with a heavy thud before sliding to the floor.

A mouthful of blood spurted out, and a wrenching pain seized his chest and abdomen.

That single punch had broken two of Zhu Zan’s ribs. He cried out in agony.

Xu Yi had seen the whole thing clearly. The distance over which Cao Peng had thrown his punch was extremely short; by any ordinary understanding, it should not have possessed much force. Yet in the instant he shifted and drove forward, an immense explosive power had erupted. The punch had looked almost effortless, but when it landed, it was as though a great hammer had smashed into him.

This technique was truly terrifying...

While Xu Yi stood stunned, Cao Zhen and the others all awoke.

“Old Zhu! Old Zhu... What happened to you? Who hit you?”

Cao Zun and Zhu Zan had grown up together, so Cao Zun was especially concerned. He sat up in bed and rushed to Zhu Zan’s side.

“Afú’s gone berserk!”

Zhu Zan coughed violently, a trace of bright-red blood staining the corner of his mouth.

“Second Brother, what happened?” Cao Zhen demanded loudly, though his eyes remained fixed on Cao Peng, who was advancing and retreating within the tiny space before the bed, repeating the same movement again and again.

Cao Peng had no idea what was happening outside. He continued to drive his force through the half-step crushing fist, urging it through the three sections and aligning the three stars. His vital energy and blood grew stronger without cease, while his joints became increasingly free and fluid.

He remained utterly unaware of what had occurred and simply practiced the same movement over and over. Every punch produced a violent crack of compressed air. Within that tiny space, his fist unleashed astonishing power, rubbing against the air with a sound like bellows being pumped.

“None of you come any closer!”

Xu Yi hurriedly shouted, stopping Cao Zhen, who had been about to approach and wake Cao Peng.

“He’s practicing martial arts... What happened to Old Zhu was probably unintentional. At this moment, he likely doesn’t even know what he has done.”

“What in blazes is this technique?”

Xu Yi and Dian Man exchanged a glance, then shook their heads in unison.

“I don’t know.”

“It doesn’t look like Eight Extremes, and it isn’t Tai Chi either,” Wang Mai suddenly said.

“Afú once said that Tai Chi could pacify the realm, while Eight Extremes could stabilize the universe. He usually practices Tai Chi, while the technique he taught us was Eight Extremes... But I’ve never seen this form of boxing before, nor have I ever seen him use it. In the past, Afú’s movements were always soft and yielding. Why has he become so fierce today? None of you should go near him. He probably has no awareness at all right now. Whoever approaches him will be the one to suffer.”

The moment he finished speaking, Cao Zhen and the others retreated in a flurry.

“Jailer!”

Supporting Zhu Zan, Cao Zun shouted at the top of his voice.

The prison official, who had already fallen asleep outside, heard the call and inwardly groaned. What were these young masters up to now? Had they still not caused enough trouble?

But when he hurried over and saw what had happened, he was startled as well.

Zhu Zan lay there with a deathly pale face, looking as though he had suffered a grievous injury. Could an assassin have gotten in? This was a serious matter indeed.

“What are you standing there for?” Cao Zhen cursed. “Have you gone blind? Hurry and find a physician!”

“Ah...”

The jailer groaned inwardly. It was the middle of the night, and every medical hall had long since closed. Where was he supposed to find a physician? But Cao Zhen had spoken, and he dared not disobey. He could only call for his men and order them to search for a doctor.

He was still baffled. What had happened? They had all been perfectly fine just moments ago, yet in the blink of an eye they had turned against one another. Truly, they were a group of young masters. Their talk of sworn brotherhood was nothing more than a game.

The cracks of compressed air grew denser and more rapid, while Cao Peng’s face became increasingly flushed and healthy-looking.

Fine beads of sweat trickled down his cheeks from his forehead. His thin clothes were already soaked through.

Cao Zhen and the others hid to one side, watching Cao Peng throw punch after punch like a madman.

“Why does he throw his punches only within that tiny space?” Zhu Zan asked curiously after finally catching his breath.

Wang Mai shook his head. “I’m not entirely sure. When Afú practiced Tai Chi before, he also kept his movements within a fairly limited area. In fact, most of the techniques he taught us are confined to a fixed space. I can’t explain what mystery lies within them, but I do feel that after practicing them, one’s footwork, hands, and eyes all become more capable. Third Brother should understand this best. He passed through the sand formation at the fortified village.”

Several pairs of eyes instantly turned toward Dian Man.

Dian Man rubbed his nose. “That did happen, but I don’t really understand it myself.”

“What sand formation?” Xu Yi asked, suddenly interested.

Dian Man shook his head. “Afú once said the thing was called the Heavenly Dipper Primordial Unity Stake. In a space no larger than this, thirty-six sandbags are set up. One must weave and dash among them while striking the bags, repeating the exercise continuously. It can improve agility and reflexes. Big-headed Xu, you should try it sometime. At first, I refused to believe it was anything special. In the end, my face was swollen and bruised, and I nearly couldn’t get out.”

“Then I absolutely have to try it.”

The cracks of compressed air suddenly grew frantic, bursting without pause like popping corn.

All at once, Cao Peng stopped and threw back his head with a long howl.

A feeling of fullness surged through the vital energy and blood in every part of his body. It was as smooth and exhilarating as jade beads rolling across a plate.

He clasped his hands before his chest and lifted his head upward. Then he stepped forward with his left leg, slowly separating his hands. His left hand pushed forward while his right hand drew back, as though tearing apart a sheet of silk. His movements were unhurried, yet they possessed a strange, flowing grace, like clouds drifting and water running.

“Hm? What happened to all of you?”

Cao Peng completed his practice in the three-body stance, only to find a group of men huddled in the corner, staring at him with exceedingly strange expressions.

“Fourth Brother, what happened to you? Who hit you?”

His eyes fell upon Zhu Zan, and Cao Peng was immediately startled. He hurried forward to examine Zhu Zan’s injuries.

But the instant he took a step, Cao Zhen roared, “Afú, stop!”

“What is it?”

“You... You’re finished practicing?”

Cao Peng gave an awkward smile and nodded. “I’m sorry for disturbing all of you, Brothers.”

“You’re not going berserk anymore?”

“Going berserk? When did I ever go berserk?”

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“You bastard! You scared us into hiding over here, afraid to move. Brothers, seize him! He dared to strike even his elder brother. If we don’t teach him a proper lesson, where will we find the face to show ourselves in the future?”

Without another word, the group of young men charged over to punish Cao Peng.

Dian Man and Xu Yi seized Cao Peng from either side. Cao Peng paused, then instinctively shifted his footing and twisted his hips. His arms trembled, his shoulders swung, and force rippled through his body as he tried to break free.

“Hm? He’s become quite a bit stronger!”

Xu Yi shouted and hurriedly tightened his grip, attempting to hold Cao Peng down. But Cao Peng stepped into the space between his feet with a yin-yang step. His shoulder and elbow shot out together, his arm bending at an odd angle. After slipping free of Xu Yi’s grasp, he slammed into Xu Yi’s body with a heavy thud.

Xu Yi staggered and nearly fell squarely onto his backside.

It was not that Cao Peng had intended to do this. He had only just guided his energy into his bones and entered the stage of bone transformation. His body still could not control the vigorous force and abundant vitality surging through his bones, so instinct had produced the counterattack.

Fortunately, he had not applied any deliberate force.

Cao Zhen hurried forward and caught Cao Peng.

“What are you doing?”

Cao Peng could see that the others meant him no real harm, so he shouted loudly.

“What are we doing? You even dared to strike your elder brothers. You’ve become utterly lawless! Heh heh—we’re going to give you a good lesson.”

Seeing Zhu Zan’s pale face and recalling the strange expressions on everyone’s faces, Cao Peng understood at once and stopped resisting.

In truth, Cao Zhen and the others had never intended to truly punish him. They merely wanted to vent the anger left behind by the fright he had given them.

Xu Yi climbed to his feet, reached out with his broad, fanlike hand, and mussed Cao Peng’s hair until it was completely disheveled. Dian Man, meanwhile, continued lightly rapping his fists against Cao Peng’s head.

“Fourth Brother, are you all right?” Cao Zun asked softly.

Zhu Zan could not help laughing. “What could be wrong? I was careless myself. I didn’t understand what was happening, so Afú injured me. You can’t blame him. All right, all right, stop fooling around. Afú has been practicing for half the night and must be tired. Let him rest for a while.”

Of the eight men, Cao Zhen was the eldest.

Yet most of the time, Zhu Zan gave off a steadier and more composed impression.

“Let’s spare you this time, boy.”

Cao Zhen released Cao Peng.

Poor little Cao Peng had none of his earlier carefree elegance left. His hair hung loose, his clothes were disordered, and he looked the very picture of a bullied child.

Zhu Zan laughed heartily, but the laughter tugged at his injuries, and he immediately grimaced in pain.

His ribs were broken.

Cao Peng walked over to examine Zhu Zan’s injuries.

His brows drew together slightly. “Fourth Brother, I’ll set the bones for you. I accidentally injured them just now. If they aren’t put back into place quickly, you may be left with lasting trouble. It will hurt a little, but I believe Fourth Brother is a tough man. You’ll be fine, won’t you?”

This boy was far too cunning.

Zhu Zan cursed him inwardly.

You’ve put it that way—now even if it kills me, I can’t make a sound. Otherwise, everyone will look down on me.

“Go ahead.”

Zhu Zan wore an expression that said, “I trust you,” but inwardly he had not the slightest confidence. Though they had sworn brotherhood and shared the same oath, he could not honestly say that he knew Cao Peng very well. Still, since Cao Peng had volunteered, Zhu Zan could only accept his fate and resign himself to whatever happened.

After having Zhu Zan lie flat, Cao Peng located the broken ribs. Then he smiled and said to Cao Zhen, “Fourth Brother’s constitution is quite strong. Once the bones are set properly and he rests for a few days, he’ll be as vigorous as a dragon and tiger again. By the way, I heard a few days ago that Big Brother found himself a woman outside?”

“Who’s spreading such nonsense?” Cao Zhen froze.

Zhu Zan immediately became interested. “Big Brother, you’ve found another woman?”

“What do you mean, another? I haven’t—”

Before Cao Zhen could finish, Zhu Zan let out a sudden, ear-splitting howl like a slaughtered pig.

While Zhu Zan and Cao Zhen had been speaking, Cao Peng had abruptly exerted his strength and snapped the broken bones back into alignment. The sudden agony had caught Zhu Zan completely unprepared.

That cry... There were no words for how miserable it sounded.

Fortunately, Dian Man and Xu Yi had received Cao Peng’s warning and were holding Zhu Zan down with all their strength, preventing him from moving. Even so, Zhu Zan was drenched in cold sweat. He stared at Cao Peng and rolled his eyes repeatedly.

————————————————————

About two hours later, the jailer entered the cell with a young man.

The jailer had truly been placed in a difficult position. Finding a doctor in the middle of the night was no easy matter.

Xiao Kun, the gynecology specialist at Returning Spring Hall, had been exceptionally busy that day. After dealing with a mountain of trouble from morning onward, he had been exhausted and intended to retire early. Unfortunately, a guest had arrived at his home, and Xiao Kun could only summon the energy to entertain him.

The guest was named Dong Xiao, the last disciple of Zhang Ji, the former governor of Changsha. In his younger days, Xiao Kun had studied under Zhang Bozu, Zhang Ji’s uncle, and was therefore an old acquaintance of Zhang Ji. Since the younger man had called upon him, Xiao Kun naturally had to host him properly.

Their drinking had continued until now.

The two had originally planned to return home and sleep, but then the jailer came knocking.

When Xiao Kun heard that it concerned the same people from earlier that day, he immediately felt a headache coming on. Besides, as a gynecologist, he truly knew little about treating external injuries.

Fortunately, Dong Xiao stepped forward and offered to make the house call in his place.

After examining Zhu Zan’s injuries, Dong Xiao was astonished. He treated him, immobilized the wounded area, and prescribed a medicinal formula.

Cao Zhen hurried forward to thank him, but Dong Xiao instead turned toward Cao Peng and bowed.

“My name is Dong Xiao. At my master’s command, I have come to deliver a letter to Young Master Cao.”

Cao Peng paused. “Your master is...?”

“My master is Zhang Ji of Nieyang.”

“Ah, are you a disciple of Master Zhongjing?”

Cao Peng promptly rose and returned the bow.

Dong Xiao took a letter from the pouch he carried and handed it to Cao Peng. “I was wondering how I might make contact with you, Young Master. I never expected to meet you here.”

Cao Peng accepted the letter but did not open it at once.

“Where are you staying at present, Doctor Dong?”

“Oh, I have not yet decided. I will probably stay at Returning Spring Hall for a while, and then make further arrangements.”

“In that case, why not stay temporarily at the Dian family’s fortified village? I expect to be here for some time myself. Once this matter is settled, I hope we may have the pleasure of speaking at leisure.”

Although he did not know what the letter contained, Cao Peng had a vague idea of Zhang Ji’s intentions.

A clan such as the Zhang family of Nieyang would certainly make preparations against every possibility. Cao Cao might have suffered defeat at Wancheng, but there was no telling when he might march against it again. If the Zhang family of Nieyang had no powerful patron by then, it would soon decline.

Zhang Ji certainly could not step forward openly and declare his allegiance to anyone. But he could send one of his students. Like the great aristocratic clans, Zhang Ji would never place all his eggs in a single basket.

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Dong Xiao was Zhang Ji’s tentative probe into Xudu.

The reason Dong Xiao had sought out Cao Peng was that he had no other connections—or rather, Zhang Ji did not wish for him to rely upon his master’s name.

Thus, after arriving in Xudu, Dong Xiao had no choice but to seek out Cao Peng. Zhang Ji had once taken in Wang Mai and Deng Ji, after all, and could be considered to have some connection with Cao Peng. Through Cao Peng, Dong Xiao could establish ties with Dian Wei. In this way, he would naturally have a chance to gain a foothold in Xudu.

None of these old men was a fool.

As far as Cao Peng was concerned, there was no harm in having Dong Xiao stay at the Dian family’s fortified village.

In later generations, which prominent household did not employ a family doctor? Besides, his mother, Lady Zhang, had only recently suffered a fright, while his elder sister was pregnant. Having a physician nearby to look after them would provide considerable peace of mind.

Thus Cao Peng extended the invitation without the slightest hesitation.

Dong Xiao smiled and accepted.

After stabilizing Zhu Zan’s injuries, Dong Xiao explained a few precautions, then took the Dian family’s token that Cao Peng had given him and departed.

With such a major disturbance breaking out in Xudu, the city was naturally under heavy guard that night.

Without Dian Wei’s token, it would have been difficult for Dong Xiao to move about the streets alone.

After seeing Dong Xiao off, Cao Peng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Sixth Brother, let’s switch places. You sleep inside, and I’ll sleep beside Fourth Brother. I know something about injuries to the muscles and bones, so if Fourth Brother feels unwell, I can look after him. We’ve been at this all day. Everyone should turn in early. Heh heh—tomorrow, perhaps there will be something good for us to enjoy.”

Cao Peng discussed the arrangement with Cao Zun.

Cao Zun thought it over. Though he was somewhat uneasy, he eventually agreed.

“Afú, what good thing is it?” Xu Yi asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.

“Heh heh. When it arrives, I’ll tell you.”

Xu Yi was unwilling to let the matter go, but his body was truly exhausted. After all, they had spent the entire day being tossed about, and Cao Peng had frightened them badly just moments earlier. By now, his eyelids were drooping.

He pressed Cao Peng for an answer a little longer, but Cao Peng stubbornly refused to reveal anything. Xu Yi could only give up.

Cao Peng lay on the bed between Zhu Zan and Deng Fan. By the light spilling from the corridor outside the cell, he opened the letter.

Hm? This was not a letter from Zhang Zhongjing.

The handwriting was delicate and graceful, written in neat clerical script of the Han period, making it somewhat difficult to decipher.

The letter had been written by Huang Yueying near the end of the previous year. She explained that her mother’s health was poor, so she had returned home to visit her, lest her mother worry. She also invited Cao Peng to visit her in Whitewater if he had the opportunity. When he came, they could continue discussing the matters they had previously failed to resolve.

Whitewater was present-day Xiantao City in Hubei Province.

It lay within Jiangxia Commandery and was the old seat of the Huang family.

Still, Cao Peng would probably be unable to make the journey anytime soon.

There were no romantic declarations in the letter, nothing concerning the love between a man and a woman. Its tone was plain, just like Huang Yueying herself, and every line carried a sense of serenity.

Though Cao Peng had lived two lifetimes, he was a complete novice when it came to matters of the heart.

The letter stirred waves in his heart.

What was this supposed to mean? Was it a love letter? Yet it contained not a single sentence that touched upon romance. Cao Peng had no idea what position he held in Huang Yueying’s heart.

Lying on the bed, he found himself wavering, anxious one moment and hopeful the next, utterly unable to decide what he should do.

Could it be that he truly had to wait until he rode into Jiangxia before they could speak plainly?

That night, Cao Peng could not sleep.

——————————————————————————————

The Imperial City, Palace of Eternal Joy.

Leng Fei and Liu Guang stood quietly beneath the jade steps, their hands hanging at their sides as they waited solemnly.

Upon the vermilion steps, Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, stood with his hands behind his back. His already pale face was dark with anger.

“So, in the end, Xun Wenruo still refused to release him?”

Leng Fei replied, “The Chamberlain refused, saying that no decision could be made until Minister Cao returned to the capital. However, he did allow an imperial physician into the prison to treat Fu Jun’s injuries. According to the physician, Fu Jun’s leg... cannot be saved. But he was not mistreated in prison.”

“Outrageous! His leg is broken, and you still say he was not mistreated?”

Liu Xie’s furious growl was low but fierce. Beneath his imperial robes, his slender body trembled faintly.

He was not tall, and his features were fine and delicate. Yet his lips were thin, with unusually long corners, giving his face an unsettling appearance.

“Your Majesty.”

“Ziyu, speak.”

Liu Guang stepped forward and said softly, “Your Majesty has only just arrived in Xudu, and your foundation is still unstable.

“Throughout the court, nearly everyone was appointed by the Minister of State. Those who came from Chang’an cannot truly be relied upon. As for men like Kong Wenju, their moral learning and literary accomplishments may be admirable, but they possess too much of a scholar’s pride and are unlikely to shoulder great responsibilities.

“Your Majesty must not allow a rift to form with the Minister of State. You should proceed gradually, recruiting men you can trust. The realm is now torn by war on every side. It is precisely in such an age that heroes emerge. Your Majesty should not confine your gaze to Xudu. You must look upon the realm as a whole.”

“You mean...”

“Great clans and eminent families are not reliable supports. They are men who serve Qin in the morning and Chu by evening, and they are difficult to trust. Besides, these powerful clans possess no military authority. Men like Kong Wenju can only sit at banquets, engaging in refined conversation and lofty discourse.

“If Your Majesty wishes to reclaim power, you must seek out men who possess real strength and are loyal to Your Majesty.”

“But where can such men be found?”

“Your Majesty, this is something that cannot be rushed. When the time is right, they will appear of their own accord.”

Liu Xie sank dejectedly into his seat. After a long silence, he asked in a low voice, “Ziyu, are you saying that we should simply let this matter go?”

Liu Guang smiled. “Why should Your Majesty worry? This incident is an excellent opportunity to test the Minister of State’s intentions.”

“Test what?”

“To see whether he is Huo Guang—or Wang Mang.”

Liu Xie nodded slowly.

..