Volume One, Chapter 54: Deliberate Obstacles

The commotion at First-Line Ridge spread across the prefectures along the route like a winged messenger, traveling dozens of times faster than the grain transport convoy.

Crown Prince Li Xuan. In the minds of the common folk and officials living along the official highway, this name had become almost synonymous with gods and demons.

According to rumors, a single roar from him could cause mountains to collapse, he scaled sheer cliffs with his bare hands as if walking on flat ground, and he could slaughter a hundred assassins entirely unarmed.

These descriptions were continuously exaggerated and mythified as they spread, so that by the time Li Xuan’s procession reached the next city, they were met with countless gazes filled with awe and even terror.

This, however, saved them a great deal of trouble.

The officials along the route no longer dared to show the slightest negligence; all of them respectfully came out of the city to welcome him. Provisions, supplies, and courier stations were arranged impeccably, for fear that this fierce deity might become displeased and strip them of their official caps.

The procession headed north all the way, without encountering any further meaningful obstructions.

On this day, the convoy reached a scenic spot blessed with lush mountains and clear waters, and Li Xuan ordered a half-day halt to rest in place.

Having survived the bloody battle at First-Line Ridge, the soldiers were exhausted in both body and mind and needed time to recover. As for Li Xuan and Xiao Ningshuang, they were more than happy to enjoy this moment of tranquility.

The two of them sat side by side on a large boulder by a stream, watching the clear water flow past their feet.

"That day... just how did you manage it?" Xiao Ningshuang finally voiced the question that had been lingering in her heart.

"Which day?" Li Xuan asked, feigning ignorance.

"The day at First-Line Ridge. Your roar... and your martial prowess..." Xiao Ningshuang searched for the right words; she simply could not explain everything she had witnessed using conventional reasoning.

"Oh, that," Li Xuan said with an easygoing expression. "Didn't I tell you before? I fell gravely ill previously. After recovering, a lot of strange things appeared in my mind, as if I had dreamed a very, very long dream. That roar is called the 'Thunderous Roar of the Tiger and Leopard.' It was taught to me in the dream by an old man with a white beard, who said it could strengthen the body and could also be used as a lion's roar at critical moments."

He had used this excuse many times already. Although absurd, it was currently the only explanation.

Xiao Ningshuang looked at him with a mixture of doubt and belief, her clear eyes seemingly trying to see right through him.

Feeling somewhat guilty under her gaze, Li Xuan quickly changed the subject. "Look, isn't this technique more useful than your swordsmanship? Let out a single shout, and the enemies all drop to the ground. It saves both time and effort."

Amused by his remark, Xiao Ningshuang cast a gentle, sideways glance at him. "Such specious logic."

Although she still found it utterly baffling, she did not pursue the matter further.

Everyone had their own secrets; since he was unwilling to speak of it, she would not press. She only needed to know that this man stood on her side, and that was enough.

"Hey, what is that over there?" Li Xuan suddenly pointed toward a grove of trees not far away.

They saw Tieniu squatting by the edge of the woods, his cheeks puffed out and the veins on his neck bulging one by one, as if he were exerting every ounce of his strength.

"Roar... moo...?"

A muffled, bizarre sound—more resembling the groan of an old ox suffering from constipation—squeezed out of his throat. Although not very loud, it managed to frighten a bird perched in a tree, causing it to tumble down.

Tieniu scratched his head, looking at the bird on the ground with a bewildered expression.

A few soldiers not far away witnessed this scene; wanting to laugh yet daring not to, their faces turned beet red as they held it in.

"What is he doing?" Xiao Ningshuang could not help but smile.

"What else? Trying to copy me," Li Xuan said, looking both amused and exasperated. "This big oaf saw me use the Thunderous Roar of the Tiger and Leopard once and thought anyone could learn it. This cultivation technique relies on the vibration of internal breath and requires extremely high control. If he keeps howling blindly like that, his voice will be completely ruined in three days."

With that, he picked up a pebble and flicked it with his finger.

The stone cut through the air and struck Tieniu precisely on the back of his head.

"Ouch!" Tieniu winced in pain, clutching his head as he turned around. Spotting Li Xuan, he immediately ran over with a foolish grin. "Your Highness, how did I do? Am I anywhere near three-tenths of your mastery?"

"Three-tenths?" Li Xuan looked him up and down. "I think you're trying to turn yourself into a mute ahead of schedule. Get back and brush the horses! If you dare practice blindly again, I'll hang you up to use as a punching bag!"

"Oh..." Tieniu responded with a aggrieved expression and slunk away dejectedly.

Watching his robust physique paired with such a wronged expression, Xiao Ningshuang finally failed to hold back and burst into laughter.

That smile was like melting ice and thawing snow in early spring, leaving Li Xuan momentarily dazed.

He realized that he seemed to increasingly enjoy watching her smile.

Relaxed times are always short-lived.

By evening, the procession arrived at the last major commandery before entering the northern frontier—Fengxiang Commandery.

Unexpectedly, however, when the convoy reached the city gates, they were not greeted by smiling officials, but rather by tightly shut gates and defensive garrisons on the ramparts acting as if facing a formidable enemy.

A city defense captain stood upon the gate tower and shouted loudly, "Who goes there? Why are you approaching the city with a heavy military force?"

With his fiery temper, Tieniu immediately spurred his horse forward and shouted angrily, "Are your dog eyes blind? Can't you see the Crown Prince's banner? Open the city gates at once to welcome His Highness!"

Unmoved, the captain continued to shout loudly, "We only know our duty to guard the city; we do not recognize banners. His Highness the Crown Prince is of noble status, and who knows if there are spies mixed within your procession? Lord Liu, the Prefect of Fengxiang Commandery, has issued an order: to ensure the safety of the citizens within the city, the army is not permitted to enter! We ask His Highness the Crown Prince to pitch camp outside the city walls of his own accord!"

These words sounded high-sounding and righteous, but in reality, they were filled with obstruction and hostility.

Barring the army from entering the city was understandable, but attempting to block the Crown Prince himself and his accompanying Eastern Palace guards outside as well was a blatant disregard for Li Xuan.

"Outrageous!" Xiao Ningshuang's phoenix eyes also flashed with frost.

Li Xuan raised a hand, stopping the commotion among the soldiers behind him. He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the brazen face up on the gate tower.

He knew the real trouble had arrived.

The previous officials were either neutral or fence-sitters, scared out of their wits by his thunderous methods at First-Line Ridge, and naturally dared not act presumptuously.

However, Liu Chang, the Prefect of Fengxiang Commandery—whose background Li Xuan had reviewed before setting out—was a protégé of the Second Prince, Li Zhan, and a staunch member of the "Second Prince Faction."

It seemed that Li Zhan, who had been sitting on the mountain watching the tigers fight, could finally no longer resist making a move.

If he was going to make a move, he chose the most nauseating way possible.

Fight? You could not fight. If you fought, it would prove you were overbearing and oppressive toward local officials, playing right into the opponent's hands.

Do not fight? Then you could only sleep in the open wilderness outside the city. For a dignified Crown Prince to be locked out by a mere prefect—what face would remain if word got out? Moreover, provisions and supplies would also become a problem.

This was like a fly; it could not kill you, but it could disgust you to death.

"Your Highness, this general is willing to lead a troop and smash open the city gates!" Tieniu requested.

"Nonsense," Li Xuan reprimaned. "They hold the high ground of 'reason.' If we launch a forceful attack, we become the unreasonable party. Wouldn't that fulfill their wishes?"

Xiao Ningshuang also calmed down and analyzed, "Husband, it seems the Second Prince intends to use this method to delay our journey, wear down our vigor, and ruin your reputation all at once."

"Exactly," Li Xuan nodded, though not a trace of anger showed on his face; instead, a playful smile appeared. "He wants to trap me in a dilemma, but little does he know that my greatest specialty is turning such a dilemma into a delivered feast."

He spurred his horse forward and said in a clear voice, "Since Prefect Liu has such concerns, I can understand them. It is fine if the main army does not enter the city. However, we have traveled far and are weary. I ask Prefect Liu to show some courtesy, open the city gates, and allow myself, the Crown Princess, and the attendants of the Eastern Palace to enter the city to rest. I guarantee that the number of people entering will not exceed one hundred."

This was advancing by retreating, turning the tables on his opponent.

Were you not afraid of the army? Very well, the army will not enter, and I will only take my personal guards inside—surely that is acceptable? To refuse even this would be a blatant display of hostility toward the Crown Prince and open defiance of an imperial decree.

Silence hung over the gate tower for a moment.

Soon, the plump figure of Prefect Liu Chang appeared atop the wall. With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he cupped his fists. "So His Highness the Crown Prince has graced us with his presence. I failed to welcome you from afar; my crime, my crime."

He then changed the subject, "His Highness is considerate of subordinates, for which I am deeply grateful. However... the post station in the city has long fallen into disrepair and is truly unworthy of receiving an esteemed guest like Your Highness. Moreover, a temple fair is currently taking place in the city, mingling all sorts of people from various walks of life, and I fear startling Your Highness and the Crown Princess. In my humble opinion, the air outside the city is fresher and better suited for recuperation. I have already ordered people to prepare clean tents and ample wine and meat, which I shall have sent to Your Highness right away!"

What a Liu Chang!

Impenetrable and impervious to reason!

While his words sounded courteous, he had completely blocked off every possible route.

Not only did he refuse to let you enter the city, but he also turned it around to "thoughtfully" send provisions to you, leaving you without even an excuse to throw a tantrum.

The soldiers behind him turned ashen with anger.

Li Xuan sneered inwardly; the person trained by Li Zhan truly possessed a few strokes of his master's style—slippery as an eel.

"In that case," Li Xuan's smile remained unchanged, "I thank Prefect Liu for his kind intentions. I shall wait outside the city. However, there is one matter I must remind Prefect Liu of."

"Please speak, Your Highness."

Li Xuan's voice suddenly turned cold. "I am escorting grain provisions northward by order of His Majesty, a matter of utmost national urgency concerning state survival. If being delayed here outside Fengxiang Commandery for a single day causes a mishap with the military provisions in the northern frontier, I wonder whether this crime of delaying military operations will be borne by you, Prefect Liu, or by me?"

The flesh on Liu Chang's face trembled, and a flicker of panic crossed his eyes.

Yet, having clearly received strict orders, he stubbornly hardened his lips and said, "Your Highness jests. A mere day—how can that be considered delaying military operations? This official is merely doing this out of concern for Your Highness's safety!"

"Such profound 'concern for me.'" Li Xuan nodded, wasting no more breath on him. He turned his horse around and ordered, "Tell the whole army to pitch camp in place!"

He glanced at the tightly shut city gates and murmured softly to Xiao Ningshuang beside him, "It seems there is a good show to watch tonight."

Looking into his profound eyes, Xiao Ningshuang knew he had thought of a countermeasure.

For some reason, rather than feeling worried, she felt a sense of anticipation.

She greatly desired to see what method her husband would use to crack this seemingly unbreakable deadlock.