FAN YUN STOOD and watched. He made no move to stop them.
He'd known Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao were each unwilling to submit to the other. If they could be lured in with promised rewards, both would be of great use to the pavilion leader. But it wouldn't do for them to be too friendly. As long as they were at odds, their leader could use one to check the other, and managing them would be much simpler. Thus he was pleased to no end to see Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu turn on each other.
He watched the situation simmer, waiting until the moment before it boiled over to speak. "All right," he said, "From now on, we're a family. Buqu has been my disciple for a long time, even if he is rather willful…"
"Who's his family?" Feng Xiao said, lip curling. He released Cui Buqu's chin and casually wiped his hand on Cui Buqu's clothes, as if merely touching his skin had been a great humiliation to him. "Fan-xiansheng. When you came to recruit me, you did not say you'd be recruiting Cui Buqu as well. Our pavilion leader and Yuan Sansi are both top-tier martial artists with skills not inferior to my own. And you joined long before I did, so you have more experience; I can accept that. But this man…"
The glance he threw at Cui Buqu was full of contempt and ridicule. "How exactly is this man qualified to be deputy leader instantly upon joining? To have a rank equal to myself?"
Fan Yun smiled. "You jest. Buqu is the chief of the Zuoyue Bureau. You are from the Jiejian Bureau—was he not always your equal?"
"That was only because he had Empress Dugu to give him a leg up," said Feng Xiao coolly. "Her favor won him his current position. And to be honest, I have yet to see this leader of yours. If I spoke some nonsense claiming to be loyal to the Thirteen Floors for its own sake, I'm sure you wouldn't believe me, Fan-xiansheng."
"You speak sincerely. I believe you," Fan Yun replied smoothly.
"I joined the Thirteen Floors for three reasons. First, to obtain the Refining Jade technique. Second, your promise that I could attain rank and authority far beyond what I could achieve in Sui. Third, so I wouldn't need to spend every day bickering with this Cui bastard. But now you're telling me not only must I see him regularly, we must serve as officials together after we bring about the new dynasty? I've sold him out; I can't take it back. But he's sure to hold a grudge against me. If you insist on welcoming him like this, is it any different from putting a blade to my back?"
Fan Yun remained unbothered. "Then what does Feng-gongzi propose?"
"Either me or him. There can only be one." Feng Xiao narrowed his eyes and raised his chin. He oozed arrogance; the lines of his body were sharp as a blade, his eyes ablaze. Now this was the Feng Xiao Cui Buqu knew, and it was the image Deputy Chief Feng left in most people's minds. Wayward and unbridled, playful and teasing—it was like this Feng Xiao whiled away his time. Yet hidden beneath that veneer was someone proud and unrestrained, a man blessed by the heavens from birth.
Though Fan Yun was happy to see conflict between the two, it would bring him no benefit if their enmity impaired the Thirteen Floors' plans. He couldn't ignore Feng Xiao's declaration. He considered a moment and said, "All right, I will speak to our leader. After Buqu finishes his task, he will fake this death and head south. He can start over there."
Feng Xiao's handsome face was cold and impassive, but he voiced no objections. Only belatedly did Fan Yun remember to ask, "What do you think, Buqu?"
Cui Buqu started to chuckle. As he laughed, he began to cough, and the harder he coughed the more he laughed, until he was gasping for breath. "It seems you've already decided everything for me. Does it matter whether I agree or not?"
Fan Yun's expression was mild as he watched Cui Buqu laugh like a madman, as if his pupil was no more than a willful child throwing a tantrum. "Considering your situation, I was certain you wouldn't refuse."
Cui Buqu laughed for nearly a quarter of an hour before he slowly lapsed into silence. "Xiansheng, you're getting old," he said at last.
Fan Yun raised a brow. "Oh?"
"Since the eleventh year of the Jin dynasty's Taiyuan era, the northern dynasties have seen the three Weis, Northern Qi, and Northern Zhou—five dynasties across more than two centuries. They met with every kind of turmoil: the foreigners of the north storming south, the flames of war, the rise of powerful clans, the collapse of dynasties, the struggle for power between Buddhists and Daoists. This continued until the reign of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, who quelled the chaos and rebuilt everything anew. Despite the mediocre emperors who succeeded him, the long-separated nations of the Central Plains are fated to become one once more. This will always be the case. Yang Jian may not be a match for the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, but he is an enlightened ruler, the first such after Emperor Wu, Yuwen Yong."
Fan Yun smiled. "To think you have such a high opinion of Yang Jian."
Cui Buqu coughed several times and continued, "No emperor before him—including those of the Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen dynasties in the south—has turned his authority on the aristocrats. Yang Jian alone dared to overturn the status quo: He issued an edict promoting officials based on the criteria of meticulousness, prudence, efficiency, and honesty. Even the poor have a path through which they may elevate themselves. Perhaps it is a narrow path now, but in years to come, it will broaden. Eventually, the notion of determining rank by dint of one's birth will be replaced entirely, and a new principle upon which the world turns will be born. Taking only this as an example, I must ask: Who else would risk drawing the ire of the world's most powerful clans to execute such a mighty, radical idea? I fear that Xiansheng's chosen master lacks the resolve."
"Elevating talent wherever it is found is of course a good thing," Fan Yun countered, "but Yang Jian is too reckless in his methods. He'll eventually be too buried in criticism to make any headway. Even the emperor can't ignore all the dissenting opinions around him. I've already said being an emperor was always his destiny—but unfortunately, he's an emperor doomed to fall. Dazzling as he may be now, his reign will be short-lived. A ruler must understand when to push and when to relent; they must understand that it's the narrow river that flows the farthest. Only then will they achieve a lasting legacy."
"Let me guess. Xiansheng's chosen master is certainly not the emperor of Southern Chen. If one wishes to conquer the land, they have two choices. The first is to follow in the footsteps of Yang Jian and wrest power from those who hold it via blood ties. But this took Yang Jian decades, far too long for your lord. He can't wait, so he's left with the second option. He must take an immense risk and walk the less-trodden road: craft and execute an enormous conspiracy. But have you truly thought this through? The lands have been divided for a long time; what the people want is crystal clear. Even if your lord succeeds in seizing the throne, if he doesn't govern with a hand at least as firm as Yang Jian's, his attempts will be in vain."
Cui Buqu watched Fan Yun's face, which was growing darker and darker. He held nothing back as he spoke, quiet and steady, every word keen as a knife. "Perhaps I wasn't clear. Did you really believe you had the power to convince me? You've woefully overestimated yourselves. Your Thirteen Floors are no more than flies and dogs that should huddle in the dark sewers where you belong rather than showing your faces and making fools of yourselves."
Upon hearing these words, Yuan Sansi frowned. His hand twitched, but he only looked at Fan Yun.
Feng Xiao's lashes were lowered; he wasn't looking at Cui Buqu or anyone else. It was as if he'd detached himself from this place entirely, his thoughts inscrutable.
Cui Buqu had bluntly sawn open their ambitions and ideals, bit by ragged bit, exposing the bloody guts for all to see. Fan Yun's smile finally vanished completely. When smiling, his face was kindly and amiable. But now, with his lips drawn into a thin line, there was a palpable chill about him. "Buqu, I didn't teach you just for you to try to prove you know better than me."
"That's why I said you're getting old, Xiansheng. As people grow old, they grow arrogant. They believe their experience alone will allow them to surmount any challenge. It's a pity even Xiansheng is not exempt from this failing." Cui Buqu was in enemy territory, facing off against three experts who could crush him with a finger, yet his tongue remained as poisonous as ever, giving no quarter to his opponents.
"I take it you're refusing to join?" asked Fan Yun. "Even if the Jade of Heaven Lake can save your life?"
"My apologies." Cui Buqu pursed his thin lips. "I've never deigned to work with fools. If someone like Feng-er can become a deputy leader, this is already a sinking ship. Now, if you're willing to surrender yourself to the court and turn over your master, I might consider putting in a word for you before the emperor."
Fan Yun's attempt had failed utterly; he laughed in anger. "We've known each other for years. We are master and disciple, as close as father and son. In light of this, I'll ask you one last thing: Do you understand the consequences of refusing?"
"Us, as close as father and son?" Cui Buqu asked in surprise. "So is it your family tradition for fathers to set up their sons to be betrayed, or for sons to push their fathers into evil? Such a unique family you have, Xiansheng!"
Fan Yun looked at Cui Buqu as if he were regarding a corpse.
At this moment, one of the stone walls slid open, and a man walked in. The man's face had a delicate youthfulness that lent an androgynous air to his features. He was beautiful—if one ignored the eyepatch covering one eye. That single flaw gave his face a sinister cast.
His gaze fell first upon Feng Xiao. "Between the two of you, I was sure Cui Buqu would be the one to join, while you would refuse to submit even on pain of death. A shame; I was hoping to avenge this lost eye of mine."
Feng Xiao shrugged. "We each served our own masters then. Blades care not whom they cut: If I hadn't fought you with my full strength, I fear I would have lost my life."
Fan Yun stepped between them. "Er-xiansheng. Feng-gongzi didn't do it out of malice. Right now, we're all on the same side. We must let go of our grievances. Let us shake hands and make peace; our leader has already agreed to compensate you properly."
Yuxiu bared his teeth in a chilling smile. "Of course. I can't hold a grudge against one of our own. Cui Buqu, this is why you shouldn't be so quick to make enemies—a day will always come when you will meet again. But fear not, out of respect for you foiling my plans time and again, I'll make sure your death isn't a painless one."
Without warning he leapt forward, his leg lashing out in a kick aimed for Cui Buqu's chest. He'd held nothing back; if that kick connected, Cui Buqu's ribs would shatter, their fragments puncturing his lungs in an instant.
Yuan Sansi was closest. He had only to reach out and he could stop the kick, yet he had no intention of doing so. But there was still Fan Yun. Though he was beneath Yuxiu as the third-rank San-xiansheng, Yuxiu was wary of him, a clear sign that, of the two, the pavilion leader valued Fan Yun more. Yet Fan Yun said nothing either. He watched coolly from the side, as if resolved to see Cui Buqu suffer.
It was impossible for Cui Buqu to avoid the kick. He closed his eyes and waited for agony to lance through him.
Yet someone else was faster than any of them had imagined: He swept in front of Yuxiu and deftly deflected the attack. The two exchanged several swift blows before springing apart.
Yuxiu's face was a mask of fury. "Feng Xiao, you said you would join us. So it was a lie!"
Fan Yun and Yuan Sansi both glared fiercely at Feng Xiao. No matter how excellent a martial artist Feng Xiao was, three opponents of this caliber were too much for him. He sneered and looked at Yuxiu like he was a fool. "I've found Cui Buqu distasteful for a long time. If you get first shot at him, will there be anything left for me? Look at the state of him."
Yuxiu narrowed his eyes. "And you plan to leave him alive for me? What are you going to do? Give him a few dainty slaps across the face like a woman?"
Feng Xiao laughed derisively and extended a hand toward Fan Yun. "Fan-xiansheng, perhaps you'd be kind enough to lend me your dagger."
Fan Yun untied the dagger at his waist and handed it over. He watched Feng Xiao carefully, as if testing whether Feng Xiao really had sworn himself to their cause.
Feng Xiao looked down at the dagger in his hand. It was a rare and precious weapon, razor sharp and glinting with cold light. If a blade this sharp was drawn lightly over one's skin, blood would instantly well up in its wake.
He gripped the dagger and walked step by step toward Cui Buqu, who remained sitting, perfectly calm. They were a mere arm's length from each other, yet separated by a yawning chasm, a distance as vast as mountains and oceans between them.