Love and Crown

The weather was fine, the sky was blue, the clouds were white, and the flowers and grass were fragrant. Even the oriole perched on the branch was singing a melodious tune.

Yet, the mood of Chang Yixiong, the chief of Black Water Stronghold, was far from pleasant.

"All of you, lift your heads! What’s with this gloomy look?"

A bold roar echoed through the main hall of Black Water Stronghold. Outside the window, the oriole that had been singing cheerfully let out a startled "chirp" and flew away in fright.

Chang Yixiong sighed helplessly, his head drooping even lower.

"Big Chang! I’m talking to you! Lift your head!" Almost immediately, the voice rang out again.

Hastily straightening his head and widening his already bulging eyes, Chang Yide finally managed to look somewhat spirited—so much so that he resembled the statue of Zhong Kui in the City God Temple.

Seeing this, the person seated imposingly on the tiger-skin chair at the head of the hall nodded in satisfaction, sweeping a gaze over the assembled leaders of the stronghold—each of them puffing out their chests no less impressively than Zhong Kui himself.

"Now that’s more like the men I lead!" The speaker’s tone suddenly grew excited. "Good! With this energy, tonight we’ll raid that shipment of Government Silver!"

Government Silver! Hearing those words again, Chang Yixiong sucked in a sharp breath, nearly choking himself in the process...

The person on the tiger-skin chair remained enthusiastic, standing up and planting one foot on the seat. "Brothers, if we’re going to do this, we’re going all out! ‘Through countless battles in yellow sands, our armor wears thin, yet our loyal hearts shine bright in history!’"

The entire hall fell deathly silent. The man who had been standing with his hands clasped behind his back beside the tiger-skin chair coughed lightly.

Chang Yixiong could only force a bitter smile—because the one currently standing with one foot on the chief’s chair, brimming with fervor to raid the Government Silver, was a young girl.

Yes, a girl who looked every bit like a young lady who had refused to stay quietly at home, sneaked out to travel the world, and had absolutely no sense of the dangers around her.

Yet, it was precisely this seemingly harmless girl—the kind even bandits would hesitate to target—who, with just one companion, had fought her way from the stronghold’s gates to the main hall in less than half an hour, subdued all the leaders of Black Water Stronghold, and incidentally knocked out over half of the underlings...

Now Chang Yixiong truly understood the meaning of "utter disaster"...

"Cang Cang, you can let the leaders prepare for tonight’s attack," the man finally spoke. The moment he did, half the people in the hall quietly exhaled in relief.

Cang Cang, who had been passionately envisioning her first grand raid—no, grand robbery—with a full band of outlaws, snapped out of her reverie and turned to the speaker. "Oh, right! Should I assign them their tasks?"

Before Chang Yixiong’s expression could fully collapse, he heard the man reply, "We’re not yet familiar with the stronghold’s operations. It would be better to let Chief Chang handle the assignments." He turned to Chang Yixiong with a smile. "Chief Chang, would you mind assigning tasks to your men as you normally would?" His tone was gentle, his smile sincere—it was a surprisingly polite request.

"Of course!" Chang Yixiong was momentarily taken aback, then instinctively responded with equal courtesy, clasping his fists. "We’ll follow your instructions, young master."He was truly afraid of that young lady taking charge. Although Black Water Stronghold wasn't a particularly powerful faction, only he, as the chief, truly understood the character and abilities of everyone in the stronghold. Tonight's operation was already risky enough—if someone unfamiliar with the situation started making blind arrangements, it would only make matters worse.

But was there really any chance of success tonight?

That morning, these two had suddenly appeared at the mountain gate of Black Water Stronghold and effortlessly subdued everyone in the stronghold. Just as Chang Yixiong despairingly assumed they must be government experts sent to exterminate bandits, they called a truce and made their demand: they wanted Black Water Stronghold to help them seize a shipment of Government Silver.

Chang Yixiong had risen from a petty bandit to become the chief of this stronghold, but he had never once considered targeting Government Silver. These were peaceful times—local officials might turn a blind eye to bandits robbing passing merchants, but if they grew bold enough to dare plunder silver escorted by government troops... that would truly be a death sentence.

Yet with blades pressed against their necks, how could Chang Yixiong refuse?

At this point, they could only take one step at a time. After cupping his hands in salute, Chang Yixiong forced a bitter smile and turned to leave when suddenly a hand rested on his shoulder. The gentle, scholarly-looking young man patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Chief Chang, there's no need to worry. I guarantee this matter won't leave any lingering trouble for Black Water Stronghold." He smiled again. "Nor will we lose a single brother from your stronghold."

There was something strangely compelling about this young man—when he smiled, it made people instinctively want to trust him. Chang Yixiong nodded. "Thank you, young master."

After Chang Yixiong left, Cang Cang quietly sidled up and whispered, "Brother Xiao, are we really going to rob that Government Silver?"

Earlier, when everyone was present, she had been the loudest in her enthusiasm. Now that they were alone, she was having doubts.

Xiao Huan, who had been standing beside her all along, smiled. "Time is urgent. The disaster victims can't wait any longer. We have no choice."

"Oh," Cang Cang said, tilting her head thoughtfully. "But what kind of emperor would rob his own government's silver?"

Xiao Huan hadn't expected her to suddenly bring up his identity at this moment and found it both amusing and exasperating. "It has nothing to do with whether it's my government's silver or not."

"I know, you're robbing the silver from those corrupt officials..." Cang Cang chuckled, crossing her arms. "But those corrupt officials were raised by you too."

Feeling a slight headache coming on, Xiao Huan found himself thinking for the first time that explaining certain things was rather troublesome. He could only smile. "Which is why I had to come personally to rob the silver back from those corrupt officials..."

Cang Cang suddenly burst into laughter, then unexpectedly stood on tiptoe and planted a loud kiss on Xiao Huan's cheek. "Brother Xiao, I like you." With that, she turned and ran off, still laughing.

Xiao Huan stood frozen for a moment before raising his hand to touch the spot on his cheek where she'd kissed him. He lowered his head slightly, letting out a soft sigh—and at the same time, a faint smile.The reason they wanted to hijack the government silver was actually quite simple. This summer, Luzhou Prefecture suffered a locust plague. The disaster victims were struggling to survive, but a large portion of the government funds allocated to purchase surplus grain from wealthy households in Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions for relief had been embezzled by Luzhou officials. These relief funds were also being secretly transported elsewhere.

Xiao Huan and Cang Cang were traveling leisurely through Jiangsu and Zhejiang when they accidentally encountered the personal guards escorting these ill-gotten gains on the road. Xiao Huan immediately realized this wasn't the route for transporting relief funds and sensed something amiss. After some discreet investigation, they uncovered the truth.

Xiao Huan summoned members of the Venom Battalion and instructed them to report the matter to the Dali Temple. However, the Dali Temple's investigation would take considerable time, while tens of thousands of disaster victims in Luzhou couldn't wait that long. So Xiao Huan decided to first seize the relief funds to purchase rice and grain, then slowly investigate the corrupt officials.

Thus began this journey to Black Water Stronghold.

The orange-red sunset finally sank wearily below the horizon, and almost instantly, the light abruptly dimmed.

Chang Yixiong crouched hidden behind a bush by the official road, watching the curve not far ahead, his heartbeat quickening slightly.

Was it time to act? The bandit leader who had always lived by the sword couldn't help but swallow hard.

Within his line of sight, he saw his second-in-command lying in ambush with men on the earthen slope beside the curve, while on both sides of the curve, very close to the road, four figures lay prone.

These were the four brothers in the entire stronghold with the sharpest eyes and most agile movements.

Earlier that day, following routine, he had assigned these four brothers to lookout and signal duties, while the brave second-in-command would lead the charge, and the steady third-in-command would provide backup.

After arranging everything, he went to report to that young master, who made slight adjustments to his arrangements, resulting in the current deployment.

Only then did he realize that when that person left the troop assignments to him, it wasn't truly entrusting him with full authority, but rather using his arrangements to quickly grasp the situation of all the stronghold's forces in the shortest time possible.

Thinking of that exaggerated young lady and that always silent, smiling elegant young man, Chang Yixiong still felt a twinge of unease in his heart.

Could tonight really go as smoothly as that person claimed, without losing a single soldier and withdrawing completely unharmed?

There was no time left for hesitation when suddenly a gentle voice came from behind: "Chief Chang, the silver convoy is approaching."

Indeed, the convoy escorted by three hundred soldiers was nearing. The creaking of cart wheels, the neighing of horses, the glow of torches, and faint shouts could be heard.

His body instinctively tensed, and at the moment the enemy appeared, all fear and doubt suddenly vanished from Chang Yixiong's mind as fierce bloodlust surged through him. He tightly gripped the broadsword in his hand.

Out of the corner of his eye, Chang Yixiong saw that slender hand beside him slowly lower.

The commander responsible for escorting the government silver, Seventh-rank Cavalry Lieutenant Shang Yousheng, considered himself quite unlucky these days—not only losing at gambling repeatedly but also being assigned this arduous silver escort duty, enduring hardships day and night while remaining constantly vigilant.

Like today, the sun had already set, yet they still hadn't reached the post station where they could rest.

At this thought, Shang Yousheng grew inexplicably irritable and shouted loudly at the soldiers beside him: "Move faster! Front team speed up, rear team keep up!"The silver-escorting soldiers were already exhausted, and upon hearing their commander's outburst, they only managed to pick up their pace slightly, responding weakly, "Yes..."

Shang Yousheng was both furious and anxious. He had been patrolling the convoy on horseback, now positioned in the middle of the procession. Watching as nearly half of the vanguard soldiers disappeared around a sharp bend ahead, he gritted his teeth but couldn't hold back any longer. Brandishing his finely crafted steel spear, he roared, "Louder, all of you—"

A deafening explosion drowned out his voice, shaking the very earth beneath them. Immediately after, crumbling rocks and dirt came tumbling down the hillside.

At the same moment, countless hissing, smoking fireballs were hurled from the dense forests surrounding them. Explosions erupted one after another, and thick yellow smoke spread across the sky, the pungent fumes triggering screams and violent coughs.

They were under attack! Shang Yousheng, frantic with rage, bellowed, "Hold your positions!" Amid the chaos, some soldiers heard his command, and the clamor momentarily subsided—only for agonized cries to suddenly pierce through the smoke.

The enemy had begun their assault!

Clenching his jaw, Shang Yousheng spurred his horse toward higher ground, ignoring the screams of his subordinates nearby.

As his horse moved, a flash of cold steel sliced through the smoke, swift as lightning, aimed straight at him.

His steel spear barely managed to block the heavy blade. The weapons clashed briefly, and from within the smoke came a hearty laugh.

His arms aching, Shang Yousheng tightened his grip on the spear and thrust without hesitation. Blade and spear met again, neither gaining the upper hand.

Shang Yousheng prided himself on his unmatched strength—few in the camp could withstand a direct strike from his spear. Yet today, after just two exchanges, the force of his opponent's blows had left his palms numb. Blood boiling, he roared and lunged forward once more.

His adversary didn’t evade, instead urging his horse forward to meet the attack. Both fighters wielded overwhelming power, their weapons clashing repeatedly in quick succession, the force of their blows even dispersing some of the surrounding smoke.

"Impressive swordsmanship," came a calm remark. On a small mound beside the official road stood two figures, side by side, observing the chaotic battle between the bandits and the soldiers.

"Indeed. I didn’t expect Little Chang to be so skilled. I definitely couldn’t block that spear thrust," said the young girl, her voice tinged with excitement. "Brother Xiao, could you?"

"Not a chance," came the blunt reply.

The girl was visibly disappointed. "I thought you were supposed to be amazing—you even stole the sword of the world's greatest swordsman! And yet you can’t beat that officer?"

The man beside her chuckled and glanced her way. "Don’t underestimate mounted combat. No matter how agile or clever martial arts in the Martial World may be, on the battlefield, they might not fare so well against seasoned warriors."

The girl wasn’t interested in his reasoning and continued to grumble, "If you can’t even beat a brute, then that delicate, pretty face of yours really is unreliable. Guess I’ll have to protect you instead!"

Even as she spoke, she grabbed the man’s hand and nestled closer into his embrace. Night had fallen, and she was dressed too lightly, feeling the chill. Strangely enough, though his hands were always slightly cool—as if his body temperature was naturally lower than others—when the weather turned cold, they didn’t grow any colder. So holding them now brought a faint warmth. And the embrace behind her wrapped around her snugly, warm and comforting.Warmed up, Cang Cang grew even more excited: "Brother Xiao... those soldiers are completely disorganized now, we're going to win!"

With a light laugh in response, Xiao Huan paused slightly: "Cang Cang, when did you change how you address me?"

Almost unconsciously, Cang Cang's way of referring to Xiao Huan had shifted from "hey" and "that guy" to "Brother Xiao."

For once, Cang Cang felt a rare twinge of embarrassment: "What's wrong? Didn't you tell me to call you 'Brother Xiao'?" She turned away awkwardly, only to meet a pair of dark eyes brimming with amusement.

She was being teased! Cang Cang immediately realized and, with practiced ease, stepped on his toes: "Starting tomorrow, I'll call you 'Stinky Egg' instead!"

The laughter in those bright eyes deepened. Afraid he might say something further, Cang Cang felt a hand gently encircle her waist as Xiao Huan chuckled: "Time to retreat."

The figure in pale blue swept down the hillside like a solitary crane spreading its wings, cutting through the thick smoke to land precisely on a panicked, riderless horse.

"Captain Shang, go back and tell Zheng Keqin of the Shizhou Garrison to report to the capital and answer for his crimes!" A calm yet clear voice carried through the smoke as the sound of hoofbeats faded into the distance.

Shang Yousheng stood frozen, gripping his spear. When that figure had descended from above, his sharp instincts told him this was the leader. Abandoning his engaged opponent, he swung his spear in a sweeping strike, fully expecting to knock the man off his horse.

His spear didn't miss—he distinctly felt his weapon make contact with something. Yet in the next instant, the force behind his spear simply vanished. Yes, vanished completely, as if striking empty air before dissipating into nothingness.

"Go back and tell Zheng Keqin of the Shizhou Garrison to report to the capital and answer for his crimes!" That low, indifferent voice still echoed in his ears. Shang Yousheng shuddered violently: he was indeed under the Shizhou Garrison's command... and Zheng Keqin, Commandant of the Third Rank Martial Valor, was precisely the commander of the Great Wu's Shizhou Garrison...

By the time Shang Yousheng snapped out of his daze, most of the smoke had cleared. By the light of torches on the ground, he spotted a pitch-black iron plaque lying before his horse.

Unremarkable in appearance, yet engraved with the flaming vermilion bird emblem symbolizing imperial authority.

The Dark Iron Secret Decree of the Imperial Bodyguard's two battalions—its arrival carried the weight of an imperial edict.

Surveying the scattered carts, horses, and dust-covered soldiers, Shang Yousheng wiped his face with a hand: perhaps this time... he wouldn't lose his head.

Riding through the dense forest, Cang Cang remained in high spirits, clutching Xiao Huan's lapel: "You lied to me saying you couldn't catch it, but then what was that flick of your finger deflecting that huge spear just now? And if you had that token, why not just order those soldiers to turn around and deliver disaster relief? Why go through all the trouble of leading a group to steal silver?"

Once again plagued by her questions, Xiao Huan offered a brief explanation: "Deflecting something isn't the same as catching it... That was a token for summoning personnel, not a military tiger tally..."

If it could truly be as effortless as Cang Cang suggested, why would he have gone to such lengths to reclaim these mountain bandits?In the Great Wu Empire, military deployments required either the Tiger Tally for troop movement or orders passed down level by level. Without superior commands, no official could mobilize even a single soldier—not even the Imperial Bodyguards, whose warrants carried the weight of imperial decrees. While they could summon a general to the capital, they couldn’t redirect an entire troop.

Cang Cang, whether she understood or not, giggled relentlessly, refusing to let it go. "Liar! Cheat! Acting all mysterious!"

His headache worsening, Xiao Huan was both exasperated and amused. He simply ignored her and urged his horse forward.

These bandits were seasoned looters. Those on horseback carried the spoils, while others shouldered or hauled the goods. Over a hundred men managed to transfer more than fifty thousand taels of Government Silver from the carts into their own hands before scattering into the dense forest, leaving barely a trace behind.

Before long, the entire group had regrouped at a prearranged clearing, setting down their stolen silver and panting heavily.

Using explosives and smoke bombs, they had caught the soldiers off guard, swiftly seizing the silver and fleeing. Aside from a few minor injuries among their ranks, not a single man had been lost.

After a rough headcount, the stronghold leader, Chang Yixiong, suddenly swept aside his robe and knelt on one knee before the young man in blue beside him. "I, Chang Yixiong, along with the 108 brothers of Black Water Stronghold, pledge our loyalty to you, young master. We will brave blades and flames, storm the deepest abyss or the Yellow Dragon’s lair—without a shred of hesitation!"

Witnessing how effortlessly this young man had orchestrated a feat they’d never dared imagine, as if plucking a ripe fruit, something primal within Chang Yixiong stirred. For the first time, he felt with startling clarity that beyond his own horizons lay another realm he had never glimpsed.

He didn’t know the young man’s origins, but the sheer exhilaration of triumphing over the enemy with such ease had won his admiration.

Xiao Huan, momentarily taken aback, hadn’t yet spoken when Cang Cang burst into laughter. "Little Chang, why follow him? Do you want to crown him as your mountain king?" She doubled over, slapping Xiao Huan’s shoulder. "Actually, that’s not bad! Maybe you should forget about returning to the capital. Stay here, become a great stronghold leader—raise an army, carve out your own territory. Very impressive..."

Sensing the awkwardness, the straightforward Chang Yixiong quickly stood. "I’m a rough man, acting on impulse. I didn’t consider whether you’d even want this. My apologies for putting you on the spot!"

Xiao Huan smiled. "You flatter me, Chief Chang." He paused before continuing, "Since things have come to this, I’ll be frank. We serve the imperial court. The silver your brothers seized tonight was originally allocated by the court for disaster relief in Luzhou Prefecture, but corrupt officials embezzled it for personal gain. If you’re willing, I’d like your help transporting this silver to the disaster zone. Once there, I can arrange for your men to enlist as soldiers, securing military status for generations to come." His gaze swept over the group. "Of course, if this isn’t to your liking, I apologize in advance and ask for your understanding."The forest fell silent for a moment before Chang Yixiong burst into laughter. "Do you think our brothers at the stronghold don't want to find honest work? That we were born to love this life of banditry?" He clasped his fists toward Xiao Huan. "To speak plainly, ever since I was driven here by famine at thirteen and took to the greenwood, I've never expected the government to give me shelter or a full belly. Seeing someone like you in the imperial court today makes me believe the sky over Great Wu hasn't completely darkened."

He turned and roared to his men, "Brothers! Those corrupt officials committed their dirty deeds, and we're the ones who cleaned up their mess! Tell me, does that feel good or what?"

The entire stronghold erupted in shouts: "Damn right!" punctuated by laughter and curses.

Chang Yixiong raised his arm and bellowed, "Let's deliver this silver to Luzhou and show those damned officials the might of us Black Water Stronghold brothers!"

"Whoo!" came the impassioned cheer, with even Cang Cang waving her arms and shouting along.

On a certain day in the eighth month of the seventh year of Virtuous Blessing, the commander escorting the disaster relief Government Silver reported to his superior that the shipment had vanished without a trace.

Just over ten days later, over a hundred men claiming to be militia suddenly appeared in the famine-stricken city of Luzhou, escorting a shipment of one hundred thousand taels of silver.

These men assisted the Luzhou prefect in purchasing grain from local wealthy households hoarding surplus stocks, using the disaster relief silver to quickly alleviate the crisis.

Though Luzhou was filled with refugees, teahouses and restaurants continued operating as usual.

A sturdy man covered in sweat came running down the street. Spotting Cang Cang's face in the window, he raised his hand in greeting.

Cang Cang recognized him as a brother from Black Water Stronghold. After delivering the government silver here with them, they had all stayed to help with relief efforts due to Luzhou's severe manpower shortage. The Black Water Stronghold brothers, with their great strength, contributed significantly by transporting grain and maintaining order. Xiao Huan and she assisted the prefectural physicians in treating sick refugees. With numerous patients, while she handled miscellaneous tasks and could occasionally steal naps, Xiao Huan was so busy he went days without sleep.

Cang Cang waved back at the Black Water Stronghold man, who grinned before running off.

These rough-mannered men had unwittingly become indispensable relief workers. Cang Cang often saw them, after completing tasks, cursing and joking while punching each other's shoulders, their weary faces unable to conceal satisfaction and joy.

Who had entrusted them with escorting the government silver without hesitation? Who had never counted the silver along the way, never doubting these greedy bandits might embezzle it? Who, upon reaching Luzhou, assigned them grain procurement duties despite the prefect's skepticism, even entrusting them with accounting? Who had effortlessly changed something before anyone else even noticed?

The streets remained bustling, with some refugees still huddled in corners, but compared to the heavy despair when they first arrived, Luzhou was gradually regaining vitality.

Having finally dragged Xiao Huan out to rest, Cang Cang turned from the window and bared her pearl-white teeth fiercely: "Let's keep going like this forever!"

Xiao Huan looked at her with mild surprise, his gentle smile intact: "Cang Cang, what did you say?"

"I said, let's keep going like this forever." Ignoring the stares from other teahouse patrons at her loud proclamation, Cang Cang jumped up and hugged him, laughing: "Brother Xiao, I want to stay with you forever!"

His perpetually calm face suddenly flushed slightly. Patting her shoulder gently, he smiled: "Cang Cang, there are many people here."

Showing no intention of letting go, Cang Cang looked up triumphantly.

To stay together forever.

Just like this—holding hands, laughing and playing, crossing treacherous mountains and rivers as if traversing eternal spring gardens. Just like this—holding those gently warm hands as if grasping endless sunlight, walking forward together forever.

Golden sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Cang Cang's unreserved smile.

The crisp autumn wind blew gently over the city, through the lush wild grasses and tinted forests beyond the walls. This season was called the golden autumn.