SF 3

Ling Xun said nothing after the man finished speaking. He simply studied him in silence, his expression solemn. And yet, with those seductive peach-blossom eyes of his, even a dead rat would seem to carry deep romantic significance under his gaze. Sitting there in the unlit alley, his fair skin set off by his bright blue satin robe, he looked more like a fox spirit sent to steal souls.

“Master Feng, do you not believe me?” the official asked carefully, gauging his silence. “Do you think I’m trying to deceive you?”

Ling Xun raised an eyebrow slightly and decided to play along. “That’s right. Words are wind. Everyone knows how the court treats formation masters. Who could believe it’s safe?”

“That’s easy to solve.” The man reached to his waist and produced a token, showing it to Ling Xun. With one glance, Ling Xun saw from the markings that it was a command token from a Longshi official with a rank of a thousand dan of grain.

Worried that the token alone might not be convincing, the man also produced an official seal and a confidential order bearing the imperial stamp.

“Look here, Master Feng. I myself am a formation master and yet I hold an official post. In recent years, the court’s stance has shifted. They treat true talent like precious feathers. If you are willing to serve, the court will not treat you unfairly.”

Ling Xun examined the document as if inspecting a banknote for forgery, then took his time scrutinizing the seal. After a long pause, it was as if his country bumpkin nerves had been suddenly overwhelmed. He collapsed to the ground, shoulders trembling like a sieve, as if he could not wait to write the words ‘trembling with fear’ across his face.

“So it’s the esteemed senior official! This humble commoner has no eyes and has deeply offended you!”

The senior official finally felt vindicated. His unremarkable square chin lifted slightly, as though he had begun to shine with righteous authority. Still, he remained courteous, pulling Ling Xun up and saying warmly, “No need to be so formal! Though I serve at court, among formation masters, we recognize only peers, not rank. If you don’t mind, just call me senior brother.”

Ling Xun did not even blink. A sweetly drawn-out “Senior Brother” spilled from his lips like honey.

The official’s smile grew even more pleased. He felt the matter was nearly settled.

Formation masters were nearly impossible to find these days. The Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court had sent them to recruit from among the common folk. Good or bad, it didn’t matter. Rewards were given by headcount. Truthfully, he had seen this silk merchant’s tracking spell earlier and found it mediocre at best. Enough to fool commoners, but among real practitioners it wouldn’t stand up. If the man joined the court, he’d probably end up cannon fodder. But that had nothing to do with him. As long as he brought someone back to the capital and collected the reward, his job was done.

Ling Xun’s pretty face, when not trying to impress, could be quite charming. He was young, keenly observant, and good at reading a room. People let their guard down around him with ease. Within a few sentences, the two were talking like old friends planning the future. Ling Xun even slung an arm around the official’s neck as they walked out of the alley, insisting on inviting him home for a drink.

“Let me call out those little brats who scared you earlier. I’ll make them line up and kowtow to you in apology.”

The mention of alcohol tempted the official, but he managed to resist. “Better not. Time is short. Delays could bring complications. You should come with me to the capital and report in.”

Ling Xun blinked, feigning confusion. “Report in? Report for what?”

The official frowned. “To report to Chief Qin at court. You agreed to return to the capital with me, didn’t you?”

“Hm? I never agreed.”

The official’s smile faded. “Master Feng… are you toying with me?”

“Not at all. I simply never agreed.” Ling Xun looked completely blank and innocent as he offered a deep bow. “Please trouble Senior Brother to inform Chief Qin that I’m just a humble fabric seller. I dare not shoulder the burden of state. There are plenty of formation masters in the world. Surely no one will miss a lowly figure like me. Don’t you agree? And since Senior Brother won’t be staying for a drink, let’s save it for another day.”

As they reached the next intersection, Ling Xun took advantage of the senior official’s momentary distraction. He cast a blinding charm and slipped into the maze of side alleys, using his familiarity with the terrain to escape without a trace.

The senior official’s face turned cold. He did not rush to chase after him. Instead, he stepped into a formation stance, flicked a few pebbles off the ground in different directions, and stood there with his hands behind his back, waiting.

Meanwhile, Ling Xun was fleeing at top speed, thinking about how to send word to his people to withdraw from Jincheng. As he ran, he remained alert for any pursuit from the court’s hound. But while glancing back, he failed to watch the road ahead and collided head-on with someone. Seeing who it was, he nearly lost his soul in fright.

“Junior brother, where are you off to?” The senior official gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and seized Ling Xun’s arm in a firm grip.

Damn. He had fallen into a trap. What sort of technique had this man used? It was like running in circles inside a ghost wall.

Formation masters might be born with their talent, but not all were equal. Ling Xun knew he was no prodigy. He had never received formal training and had never seen true formation techniques before. Judging by what he had just witnessed, he was no match for a properly trained practitioner.

Ling Xun had always been cautious, never showing his abilities in public. The most he had done was embed rudimentary formation principles into the brocade patterns at Jinxiu Pavilion, making the fabric warm in winter and cool in summer, soft yet durable. That was why his fabric sold so well.

“Good senior brother, I really don’t want to go. Please don’t force me…”

But the senior official was done humoring him. He gave a cold laugh. “You’re going whether you want to or not. This isn’t up to you.”

“Fine, then let me go. I’ll walk on my own.”

“Behave yourself. Don’t try any more tricks. I’m not falling for it again.”

The senior official lifted Ling Xun effortlessly. Somehow, he summoned a wind beneath their feet. The scenery blurred around them, retreating at a speed faster than even the finest steed.

At this rate, they would soon leave Yizhou behind. Panic finally took hold of Ling Xun. He began to struggle. “Let go! Let go of me! If you don’t, I’m going to scream!”

The senior official was startled. He hadn’t expected this painted-skin beauty to change his face so suddenly. Before he could make sense of what Ling Xun meant by ‘scream,’ the man in his grip opened his mouth and wailed at full volume.

“Help! Molestation! Rape! He pulled down his pants and showed his junk!”

The senior official lost control of his breath. He nearly suffered backlash from the movement array under his feet. Blood rushed to his throat. He fought it back and swiftly drew a formation across Ling Xun’s chest with a few sharp gestures.

Ling Xun went silent at once. His limbs froze, and he could no longer move freely.

The senior official was growing weary. Until now, everyone he had approached fell into line as soon as he revealed his official identity and painted a rosy future with his silver tongue. As formation masters, most people had nowhere to safely establish themselves. They scurried around in the shadows like rats, just trying to survive. Now that the court was ready to legalize them, who wouldn’t accept with gratitude?

But this foul-mouthed brat still wet behind the ears had no sense of honor.

Then again, perhaps it was understandable. Feng Wuge had his own business and didn’t need to risk his life for royal grain. Not only was he thriving, he was also good at keeping a low profile. If it weren’t for a confidential tip about something strange in the fabric patterns of Jinxiu Pavilion, the senior official would never have noticed him. And even after all that, to lure this sly fox out, he had to let a bunch of lowlifes beat him up just for show.

In just a few breaths, Ling Xun had already been carried out of Jincheng. He strained against the stiffness in his arms and finally managed to reach the signal flare tucked inside his robes.

If he lit it, someone would come. But who could stand against this formation master? The only capable men were still out escorting shipments. All that was left at home were a few hotheaded kids. If they found out something had happened to him, they would surely panic. He might not escape, and those boys could be dragged down with him.

He let his hand drop again and allowed the senior official to carry him into the night.

The man’s speed was astonishing. Once outside the city, he hired a carriage and pressed on even faster.

They were taking the dry road. But at the same time, a boat had just departed north from the docks, heading toward the capital by water.

“Sir.”

Outside the top-tier cabin on the boat, a pageboy respectfully called out.

The sound of a guqin came to a gentle halt, though its lingering tones still hung in the air.

“Was the message delivered?” a man’s voice asked from inside. It was soft and calm, pleasant to the ear.

“It was. It’s already in the senior official’s hands. No one saw.”

“Good,” the man replied, offering a quiet word of praise.

The pageboy, clearly proud of completing his task, could not help but ask, “Sir, do you have a grudge against Boss Feng from Jinxiu Pavilion? Why did you expose his identity?”

“You talk too much,” the man chided gently, without true anger. “You’ve done well. Go rest. No need to wait on me further.”

“Yes, sir.” The pageboy bowed through the door and quietly withdrew.

Inside the room, the guqin began again. The melody was unhurried and smooth. It carried no sound of iron and warhorses, no grandeur of rivers and mountains. Listening closely, it was like a painting in sound, with petals brushing flowing water and a breeze stirring through bamboo groves.

Yet upon the vast river mist with no road ahead in sight, that gentle music carried a hint of distant, boundless space, like standing at the edge of heaven and earth.