11: Jiangnan water towns, here I come!

As the horses' hooves trotted over the bluestone path, they splashed up fine droplets of water. The morning mist of Jiangnan had not yet dispersed, wrapping the black-awning boats on both banks like a thin veil. The creaking of the oars mingled with the fragrance of Longjing tea drifting from the teahouse by the shore. Compared to the vast and desolate grasslands, it was truly another world.

Xie Hui reined in his horse and looked at his reflection in the water—his Mongol robes looked exceptionally conspicuous in this alley of white walls and black tiles, causing the passing Jiangnan women to cover their mouths and giggle, their eyes full of curiosity.

"Listen up, brothers," Xie Hui tugged at his robe and said with a smile to the Mongol cavalrymen behind him, "Our attire is just like the 'Mongol barbarians' on the local stages here. If we keep walking like this, I'm afraid we'll be treated as circus performers and mobbed by onlookers!"

Cavalry Captain Baturu scratched his head with an honest expression: "Then what should we do? We only have these clothes; we can't just walk around shirtless, right?" This remark made everyone burst into laughter. Even the middle-aged woman selling breakfast nearby couldn't help but chime in: "If you gentlemen don't mind, there's a cloth shop ahead that can make well-fitting long gowns. They're cheap and durable!"

Xie Hui's eyes lit up, and he immediately dismounted: "Let's go! Let's follow the local customs and change into the attire of 'Jiangnan scholars'!"

The group followed the woman's directions and found the cloth shop. The owner was an old man with a goat-beard. Seeing them wearing Mongol robes, he was stunned for a moment before piling on a smile: "Are you gentlemen looking to have long gowns made? We have Hangzhou silk, Suzhou satin, and also coarse cloth. Which kind would you like?"

Xie Hui touched the silver in his pocket and said generously: "Get everyone a gown made of Hangzhou silk in a plain color. I'll take one in cyan—I've heard that Jiangnan scholars love wearing cyan gowns, so I'll join in the fun!"

The owner smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits and hurriedly called his assistant to take measurements. While the assistant was busy, Xie Hui stepped out of the shop to look at the surroundings. Just as he turned the street corner, he heard the sound of a gong and someone shouting loudly: "Don't miss out! Miss Mu is holding a martial arts competition to find a husband. If you win, you can marry the beautiful Miss Mu!"

Xie Hui's heart stirred—Mu Nianci! This was one of the female protagonists he intended to recruit! He immediately ran toward the sound and saw a large crowd gathered in the open space ahead. In the middle, a simple martial arts platform had been set up. A young woman dressed in plain clothes was standing on the platform, holding a long sword. Her features were delicate, yet she carried an unyielding tenacity. It was indeed Mu Nianci.

"This girl is truly pretty! It's a pity she's holding a martial arts competition to find a husband. If I were twenty years younger, I would definitely go up and try!" an old man in the crowd exclaimed in admiration. The woman next to him curled her lips: "What's the use of being pretty? I heard she's entangled with that Young Master named Yang Kang. Who knows, maybe she's only holding this competition because no one else wants her!"

Just as she finished speaking, a burly man with a fleshy face jumped onto the platform, holding a mace in his hand, and grinned at Mu Nianci: "Little lady, don't waste your energy. Just come down and follow me; I guarantee you'll have plenty to eat and drink!"

Mu Nianci's face darkened, and her grip on the sword tightened: "This martial arts competition requires fair play. If you win, I will naturally go with you; if you lose, stop spouting nonsense here!"

The burly man snorted with disdain and swung the mace at Mu Nianci. The mace whistled through the air, and just as it was about to strike Mu Nianci's shoulder, the crowd couldn't help but gasp. Xie Hui's heart tightened. Just as he was about to intervene, he saw Mu Nianci lower her body, nimbly dodging the attack, while simultaneously drawing her sword and striking at the burly man's wrist with a 'swish'.

The burly man cried out in pain, and the mace fell to the ground with a 'clatter'. Mu Nianci took the opportunity to kick his knee, and the burly man fell to his knees with a 'thud', grimacing in pain. "You lost!" Mu Nianci sheathed her sword, her voice cold and aloof.

The burly man scrambled up and shouted indignantly: "You're just using cheap tricks! If you have guts, compete with me in strength, don't just dodge around!" As he spoke, he reached out to grab Mu Nianci's arm. Mu Nianci couldn't dodge in time and was about to be grabbed when suddenly a small pebble flew from the crowd and hit the burly man's hand with a 'snap'.

The burly man retracted his hand in pain and glared at the crowd: "Who? Who threw that pebble? Come out if you have guts!"

Xie Hui walked out from the crowd and jumped onto the platform with a smile: "I threw it, so what? A martial arts competition is about ability. You can't beat the young lady, yet you want to use dirty tactics—what kind of man are you?"

When the burly man saw Xie Hui wearing a brand-new cyan gown and looking fair and clean, not like someone who knew martial arts, he became arrogant again: "You pretty boy, you dare to meddle in other people's business? Do you believe I'll knock your teeth out?"

Xie Hui deliberately sighed and flexed his wrists: "I didn't want to fight you, but since you're asking for a beating, I'll have to oblige. But I must warn you, I don't know my own strength. If I make you cry, don't go running to your mother to complain!"

This remark made the onlookers burst into laughter. The burly man turned bright red with rage and swung his fist at Xie Hui. Xie Hui was prepared; he dodged to the side and simultaneously extended his foot to trip the burly man at the knee. The burly man lost his balance and fell onto the platform with a 'thud', his face landing right next to the fallen mace, splattering him with dust.

"Oh my, I'm sorry," Xie Hui pretended to help him up, "You're too heavy, I couldn't hold you. You have to be more careful next time."

The burly man scrambled up and wanted to rush forward again, but was stopped by Mu Nianci: "This Young Master, thank you for your help. He has already lost, so let him go."

The burly man glared at Xie Hui, then looked at Mu Nianci, and said unwillingly: "Today is my bad luck! I'll settle the score with you next time!" After saying this, he slunk out of the crowd and left.

The onlookers crowded around and gave Xie Hui a thumbs-up: "This Young Master has great skills!" "Miss Mu, this Young Master is handsome and can fight, why don't you choose him!"

Mu Nianci's cheeks flushed, and she bowed to Xie Hui: "Thank you, Young Master, for your help. I am Mu Nianci. May I ask your name, Young Master?"

"My name is Xie Hui," Xie Hui said with a smile, "I just arrived from the grasslands. I didn't expect to encounter such an exciting martial arts competition upon arriving in Jiangnan. I'm truly lucky."

Just then, a commotion broke out in the crowd, and someone shouted loudly: "Young Master Yang Kang is here! Young Master Yang Kang is here!"

Xie Hui's heart gave a jolt—Yang Kang! He looked up and saw a young man dressed in brocade robes, walking over surrounded by a group of servants. He had delicate features but carried an air of arrogance. It was indeed Yang Kang.

Yang Kang walked onto the platform and grabbed Mu Nianci's hand, his tone filled with dissatisfaction: "Nianci, didn't I tell you? Don't play these games of martial arts competitions for marriage. Isn't it embarrassing? Come back with me!"

Mu Nianci forcefully shook off his hand, her eyes full of disappointment: "Yang Kang, what exactly do you want? If you are sincere about me, leave here with me and live a stable life; if you just want to play with me, don't come looking for me again!"

"Play with you?" Yang Kang sneered, "My father is the Prince of Zhao, and I am a junior prince. Being with you is your good fortune! Don't be ungrateful!"

Xie Hui watched this scene and sighed inwardly—in the original plot, Mu Nianci was too obsessed with Yang Kang, which led to her tragic end. He stepped forward, shielding Mu Nianci, and said with a smile to Yang Kang: "Young Master Yang Kang, Miss Mu doesn't want to go with you, why must you force her? Besides, the martial arts competition is Miss Mu's affair; what does it have to do with you?"

Yang Kang looked Xie Hui up and down. Seeing him wearing a cyan gown and not looking like any person of power, he said with disdain: "Who are you? You dare to meddle in my business? Do you believe I can have my father arrest you and throw you into prison?"

"Oh? Your father is the Prince of Zhao?" Xie Hui deliberately drew out his tone, "I thought you were someone important; it turns out you're just a Puppet prince of the Jin Kingdom! No wonder you have no confidence when you speak and can only rely on your father for support!"

This remark struck a nerve with Yang Kang. He was so angry that his face turned blue. He drew his sword from his waist and pointed it at Xie Hui: "You dare to insult my father? I will kill you today!"

As he spoke, Yang Kang swung his sword and thrust it at Xie Hui. Xie Hui was prepared; he dodged to the side and simultaneously pulled something from his bosom—it was a wooden slingshot. He had bought it at the entrance of the cloth shop, originally intending it as a gift for Hua Zheng, but he hadn't expected it to come in handy now.

Xie Hui pulled the slingshot to its full extent and 'snapped' a shot at Yang Kang's wrist. Yang Kang cried out in pain, and his sword fell to the ground with a 'clatter'. Xie Hui took the opportunity to kick his knee, and Yang Kang fell to his knees with a 'thud', grimacing in pain.

"Young Master Yang Kang," Xie Hui said with a smile, "I advise you to leave quickly and not make a fool of yourself here. If you pester Miss Mu again, I won't be so polite!"

Yang Kang scrambled up, glared fiercely at Xie Hui, and then looked at the mocking eyes of the surrounding people. He could only grit his teeth and leave with his servants in a dejected manner.

The onlookers crowded around and praised Xie Hui endlessly. Mu Nianci walked to Xie Hui's side and said gratefully: "Young Master Xie, thank you so much for today. If it weren't for you, I don't know how much longer I would have been pestered by Yang Kang."

"No need to thank me," Xie Hui said with a smile, "It's only right to help when one sees injustice. By the way, Miss Mu, what do you plan to do next? Will you continue the martial arts competition?"

Mu Nianci sighed and shook her head: "No, after today's events, I've realized that a martial arts competition cannot find someone who is truly sincere to me. I plan to leave here and go look elsewhere."

Xie Hui's heart stirred—this was a good opportunity to build a connection with Mu Nianci! He hurriedly said: "I happen to be traveling around Jiangnan as well. Why don't we travel together? It would be good to have some support on the road."

Mu Nianci was stunned for a moment, looked at Xie Hui's sincere eyes, and nodded: "Okay, then thank you very much, Young Master."

Just then, Baturu's voice came from behind: "Warrior Xie, the clothes are ready, it's time for us to go!"

Xie Hui looked back and saw that the Mongol cavalrymen had all changed into cyan long gowns. Although they were burly, they now had a bit more of a refined air, attracting frequent glances from the surrounding women.

Xie Hui smiled and said to Mu Nianci: "Miss Mu, these are my brothers. Let's go together. I heard there are delicious xiaolongbao in the town ahead. Shall we go and try them?"

Mu Nianci nodded and followed Xie Hui down the platform. The group walked towards the outside of the town. The morning mist gradually dispersed, and the sunlight spilled onto the stone-paved roads of Jiangnan, casting long shadows. Xie Hui knew that his first step in Jiangnan had been taken steadily. Next, it was time to find Huang Rong and start a new chapter of the story.