CH 3

A nation established through the ways of martial arts? Nan Feng found this to be a favorable occurrence, as he himself trains in martial arts, and it was his greatest fortitude.

“Can you tell me more about my mother’s situation?” Nan Feng queried as he gazed upon Mu Mu.

“Your mother’s?” Mu Mu looked at Nan Feng with strange eyes.

Your mother’s… Nan Feng felt like lashing out, but he knew that in this world, people shouldn’t be using the word “your mother” to curse at someone.

(TN: in Chinese, “your mother” means the curse word “damn you.”))

Taking a deep breath, Nan Feng patted Mu Mu on the shoulder and said, “Tell me about my mother and father, as well as the situation in the Tang Manor and the Bauhinia Kingdom.”

“Do you want the truth?” Mu Mu asked in a low voice.

Nan Feng nodded affirmatively. He was convinced that there had been a hidden occurrence, with differing accounts likely at play. Were this not the case, Mu Mu would not have posed the inquiry in such a manner.

Right afterwards, Mu Mu related the specifics known to him.

The circumstances surrounding Nan Feng’s father remain shrouded in mystery, with nobody having any knowledge of him. He was a person that Nan Feng’s mother encountered outside and eventually wed, yet she only brought back Nan Feng and not her husband. Hence, the mother and son pair were not held in high regard at the Tang marquisate.

Later, Nan Feng’s mother was invited by the kingdom’s alchemists’ workshop, while Nan Feng was left behind at the Tang Manor. Though his days were once filled with strife, with his mother, Tang Yun, success in the alchemists’ workshop, and the kingdom’s gracious bestowal of a noble title, Nan Feng’s life saw some improvement. However, other problems arose, such as the struggle for the noble title.

“Truly a story-like outcome,” Nan Feng shook his head and sighed.

Mu Mu also recounted that it was the dead Nan Feng’s original plan to venture forth from the Tang Manor and seek training at the martial arts academy, free from the constraints of the Tang marquisate. Yet, Tang Liang, the head of the Tang Manor, did not give his consent.

Tang Liang was the eldest son of Lord Tang and held the title of an earl, a privilege inherited from the previous generation rather than being passed down from generation to generation. The true power wielder in the Tang Manor, however, was none other than Lord Tang himself, holding the rank of Marquis, second only to the Duke.

The nobility system within the Bauhinia Kingdom followed a declining pattern. If a father holds the prestigious title of Duke but his offspring is unable to make a name for himself, the son will inherit the rank of Marquis. While the grandson would inherit the title of Earl in turn, and so on and so forth, gradually lowering in rank.

Yet there was one type of nobility that held great power—the hereditary Iron Title. Its rank would be passed down without decline, and as long as the kingdom stands, so shall the title.  The kingdom is committed to providing ongoing support and protection for families of this standing.

Tang Yun was bestowed the title of Earl by the kingdom’s king himself, due to her exceptional achievements in the field of alchemy. Although the title might seem minor, it was a significant honor and was also considered a hereditary Iron Title.

This was quite a feat, but with it came other problems. Tang Yun’s absence and her son’s lack of a father have caused the Tang Manor to keep a close eye on this hereditary Iron Title. This was especially true for Tang Xin, Nan Feng’s young aunt, who strongly advocated for this position.

“How could my aunt act like this?” Nan Feng shook his head helplessly, feeling that this family, although big, lacked familial compassion.

“She…” Mu Mu hesitated to speak, for in a grand clan like theirs, a servant’s position is low, and certain words should not be spoken carelessly.

“Speak, there’s only us two here. Is there anything that cannot be voiced?” Nan Feng was aware that Mu Mu knew many things that he did not.

Subsequently, Mu Mu informed Nan Feng that it was Tang Xin who had stripped him of his cultivation eligibility because of his inadequate talent, rendering him useless and reducing the likelihood of him inheriting the noble title.

“How greedy!” Nan Feng was incensed to the point of his lungs bursting.

“Young Master, you should go to the martial arts academy to cultivate first. I’ll go to the capital to find the young lady and explain the situation, then let her make arrangements as she sees fit.” Mu Mu gave Nan Feng a suggestion.

Nan Feng nodded. He couldn’t go back to the Tang marquisate. Even if Tang Xin was not present, Tang Yuan and Tang Qiqi could still dispose of him. At the Tang manor, they were of noble birth, while he was an outsider.

After resting for a full night in the forest outside of Qingtang City, Nan Feng and Mu Mu hit the road. Their destination was Tieshan County town, as each County town held a martial arts academy.

The Tieshan County town remained highly regarded in the Bauhinia Kingdom. The lord of the castle, the Duke of Tieshan, held a prestigious first-class noble title and was a formidable warrior in the kingdom.

“Mu Mu, can you enlighten me about the situation with the Princess of Bauhinia?” Nan Feng was more interested in the Princess of Bauhinia that Mu Mu had been previously talking about.

“She is a warrior with a noble title, and in our kingdom, several dukes admire her fighting skills very much. She is the commander of the Bauhinia Legion. In addition to her position as a princess, she is also a first-class duchess, which means that her son, aside from his princely status, will also be a marquis in the future.” Mu Mu spoke up

“In other words, if one were to marry her, their offspring would be guaranteed a secure future,” Nan Feng pondered, asking with a stroke of his chin.

“Yes, young master, But you should not think… Um, let us concentrate on ensuring our survival first.” Mu Mu cast a disdainful glance at Nan Feng, regarding him to be just like a toad wishing to eat swan meat.

In reality, the county town closest to Qingtang City was Lanjiang County, but Nan Feng and Mu Mu dared not go there.

Several young masters of the Tang marquisate were practicing martial arts in Lanjiang County Academy. Later on, Tang Yuan and Tang Qiqi will be going there, so Nan Feng could only choose the slightly further Tieshan County.

Money wasn’t a problem for Nan Feng. Aside from his own petty amount of coins, he scavenged quite a bit from Tang Yuan and Tang Qiqi. The saying goes that a poor household could grow to be rich, and while their household may not be rich, their path to wealth was certainly possible. The two of them went to the ferry outside of Qingtang City and boarded a boat, sailing downstream along the river.

Qingtang City was part of Lanjiang County, and the Lanjiang River runs through the whole county. By taking a ferry, one can reach the Lanjiang County town, and continue on feet to reach the Tieshan county town.

After washing up, tying up his long hair, and changing into a new robe, Nan Feng regained the feeling of being a schoolboy.

“Mu Mu, from now on, just follow me. Let me show you what it means to ‘get by’ and what it means to have ability. Those second and third generations of the Tang family are nothing.” Nan Freng, now with his regained confidence, was full of gusto, and his personality was to take things as they came.

“I believe in the young master.” Mu Mu nodded his head. He felt that the young master had changed. In the past, his young master was timid and spoke in a low and soft voice, but now he has become bold, and even the chief martial artist of the Tang marquisate couldn’t compare.

“In the future, I’ll find two wives for you, one to massage your feet and the other to rub your shoulders. How does that sound?” Nan Feng said with a smile as he looked at Mu Mu.

“It would be nice if we had a room first.” Mu Mu spoke in a low voice

“You’re hopeless. It’s not about ability; it’s about having ambitions and ideas. That’s what’s important in life,” Nan Feng said to Mu Mu.

“This young master is right, one must always have some ideas and ambition in life.” the boatman above the ferry spoke up.

The boatman was nice and very talkative; through his words, Nan Feng gained insights into the matters of Lanjiang County. And during mealtime, the boatman even extended an invitation to both Nan Feng and Mu Mu to dine together.

After three days, the ferry arrived at the dock of Lanjiang County. The atmosphere at the dock was lively with red lanterns and flowing wine, surrounded by decorative boats and overflowing with opulent extravagance.

However, since they were just passing through, Nan Feng and Mu Mu only purchased some daily necessities before continuing their journey on the ferry.

As he listened to the flute music from the boats at the dock, Nan Feng cleared his throat and spontaneously sang a song about “the rolling waters of the Yangtze River flowing eastward”, filled with emotion.

“The waves wash away heroes, but you, young man, are full of heroism.” Hearing Nan Feng’s singing, the boatman was very moved.

“Young master, there’s a boat chasing after us,” Mu Mu suddenly voiced out before pointing behind the ferry.

****

“滚滚长江东逝水” translated to “the rolling waters of the Yangtze River flowing eastward” is the title of a popular song in China.