Volume One: The Wild Child Chapter Thirteen: Yu Baili's Conquest Plan

Everyone gazed at the boundless snowy expanse with the same dazed expression as Kui Sheng, staring blankly at the words engraved on the monument, momentarily at a loss for words. Yu Baili, however, seemed to take great pleasure in the wintry landscape, strolling alone toward the inscription, as if a wandering dragon returning to the sea. He studied the text on the stone, undeterred by the cold, even resting his head against the monument as he murmured softly, “Ah, this is truly beautiful.”

Yu Baili appeared to merge with the stone itself, as though he alone was the sole embodiment of earthly happiness amid this “vicious” wilderness. After some time, he seemed to remember the younger companions he had brought along and glanced back. Five pairs of wide, startled eyes stared at him, not daring to blink, as if afraid he would become one with the monument forever. Yu Baili gave a sheepish smile and coughed into the sky a couple of times. “We’ve arrived in the Northern Territory now, but as for a place to settle… that will come in due time!”

Everyone: ???

Lin Changtian timidly asked, “So, you mean we don’t have one right now?”

“That’s right.”

“Then… where are we staying tonight?”

“As for that, there will certainly be a place in the future!” For a moment, Lin Changtian felt that Yu Baili bore an uncanny resemblance to some ancient beast—only, one whose intelligence awakened in the cold, while Yu Baili’s aloof persona and sharp wit seemed to have collapsed together in this northern land.

“No need to worry,” Yu Baili replied with studied nonchalance. “Although we have no foothold here, others do—especially those bandit lairs. Some are as luxurious as heaven on earth.”

He rambled on at length, but his meaning was simple: bread would come in the future, milk as well, but for now, there was always a pancake to be had.

The group exchanged glances. Hadn’t they come north to join the regular army? How had they so quickly become outlaws?

…

The Yi Mountain bandit camp, relying on the natural defense of the mountains, had managed to carve out a place in the north with just a few dozen men. In recent years, as the world changed, their numbers swelled, and they now threatened to dominate the southern part of the Northern Territory.

“Boss,” said a burly man with a bushy beard, who claimed the second-in-command’s seat. “I heard a few tough outsiders came through recently and wiped out our Green Hill bandit outpost. Didn’t show us any respect at all. Just say the word and I’ll take care of them.”

Seated in the center, a middle-aged man with a hawk-like nose and a shadowed face glowered at his lieutenant. “We’re about to fight a major battle with those Si Mountain brats. At this critical moment, no one is to stir up trouble. If Green Hill was wiped out, so be it. Once we’ve dealt with Si Mountain, we’ll settle accounts with those outsiders.”

“Understood, boss.”

“And you, come here.” The bearded man hurried over, eager. “What is it, boss?” The hawk-nosed man seized a certain sensitive part of his beard and snarled, “You’d better learn to read and figure out when it’s appropriate to call yourself ‘boss’ and when to call me ‘chief’!”

…

At Green Hill, Lin Changtian lounged atop the watchtower, watching the others below with lazy interest.

Chen Ziliang and Kui Sheng were busy “educating” the captive bandits from Green Hill—using both muscle and intimidation. Chen Ziliang, reverting to his old ways, hefted a truck and did squats, each time pretending to lose his grip and letting the vehicle sway toward the terrified bandits, whose faces turned deathly pale, rendering them speechless in their pleas for mercy.

Kui Sheng, playing the good cop, scolded Chen Ziliang’s antics while speaking kindly to the captives. At the climax, he even instructed Lin Xiaoxi to give the bandits a better lunch.

Yu Baili and Xu Yong sat quietly, each watching the other in silence. Time passed. Just as Lin Changtian’s eyelids began to droop, Yu Baili suddenly gripped the long blade at his waist and called to Xu Yong, “Ready? I’m coming at you!”

“Bring it on!” Xu Yong’s face lit with fighting spirit.

“A child’s mother wanted him to attend remedial classes, but he refused to sign up no matter what. Why?”

“How so?”

“Because it wasn’t that he wouldn’t sign up, but that the time hadn’t come.”

“Despicable! Listen up! What festival is best for climbing the ranks?”

“The Mid-Autumn Festival—because of reunions, it’s easy to team up.”

“No, it’s the Qingming Festival.”

“Why is that???”

“Because… it’s the best day for ‘visiting graves’!” [A pun on ‘climbing ranks’ and ‘visiting graves’ in Chinese.]

With that, Xu Yong spat out a mouthful of white blood and conceded defeat.

“This round of cold jokes goes to you. Truly worthy of the Northern Territory’s bitter cold—your reputation is well-earned!” Yu Baili threw his head back and laughed, then stood with his hands behind his back, gazing skyward—right into the exasperated face of Lin Changtian. He beckoned, “Lin Changtian, come down. I have something serious to discuss.”

Lin Changtian slowly made his way down, wary that Yu Baili might challenge him to a battle of cold jokes at any moment.

Yu Baili gave him a quick once-over, did his best to restore his air of a master, and said, “Have you thought about which weapon you want to train with, as I asked?”

Lin Changtian pondered for a moment. “I want to practice with the sword.”

“Excellent. The sword is the king of all weapons—versatile, yet fundamentally simple. However…”

“What’s the matter?” Lin Changtian asked curiously.

Yu Baili cleared his throat. “I don’t know how.”

Lin Changtian was speechless and glared at him. “Then… the spear?”

“Also good. The spear is the king of long weapons, unmatched on the battlefield—whether charging into enemy ranks or defending a pass single-handedly. But…”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t know that either.” Lin Changtian’s hopeful face gave way to a look of despair, and after a long silence he quietly asked, “So what can you teach?”

“How can you be so slow-witted? The blade, of course! Haven’t you seen me wear one every day?”

Lin Changtian looked even more aggrieved. “Then why did you make me think so hard about it?”

“Did I?” Yu Baili replied with an innocent expression.

Seeing Lin Changtian’s face darken further, Yu Baili hurriedly said, “All right, enough joking. Here’s the real issue: the bandits have confessed. This Green Hill outpost has backing from the Yi Mountain bandits. I’ve heard their power is substantial—they’re said to be the greatest bandit stronghold in the southern part of the Northern Territory. But word is, they’re about to clash with the Si Mountain bandits. I think this is an opportunity.”

Lin Changtian glanced at Yu Baili, perplexed. “With a few swings of your blade, those bandits would be no trouble. Why bother waiting for a chance?”

“Eliminating them is easy. The important thing is to win them over. We’re desperately short-handed, and these bandits are fierce fighters—exactly what we need.”

“So… what do you want me to do?” he asked, looking rather clueless.

Yu Baili sighed and turned his back, taking a long time before he spoke. “When heaven is about to entrust someone with a great task, it first tries them by hardship. You always say I underestimate your abilities. After careful thought, the others are either tied up or lacking in some way. Only you, Lin Changtian—quick-witted and brave—are the perfect candidate.”

Lin Changtian’s hair stood on end. He waved his hands frantically. “No, I’m not cut out for this. It’ll never work.”

“Trust me, you can do it,” Yu Baili said gently.

“Really, I can’t.”

“You can.”

Yu Baili couldn’t help but feel that this fellow—no, this talent—was well worth using, while Lin Changtian simply failed to recognize his own worth. Thus, the two engaged in a “cordial and friendly discussion.”

The outcome was satisfactory. Yu Baili swung his arms contentedly and hummed a little tune.

Lin Changtian clutched his stomach, sweating in pain, but from the depths of his heart he finally agreed to the task Yu Baili had assigned him. Forcing a smile, he asked, “So, how do I infiltrate them?”

Yu Baili nodded with satisfaction. A true prodigy—already considering the details.

“No need to worry. Just take on the identity of a fugitive from Green Hill. I’ll give you some extra training, and all will be well.”

Lin Changtian thought for a moment. “Then could you teach me some advanced techniques or secret arts?”

“What sort do you want?”

“Best if it has ‘dragon,’ ‘dominator,’ ‘heaven,’ or ‘proud’ in the name—something that sounds powerful and fierce.”

Yu Baili’s eye twitched. “According to our current cultivation methods, your natural talent will allow your energy to circulate with your breath, completing its cycles within your body. There’s no need for all those fancy names. But over the next few days I’ll teach you some life-saving sword techniques. With your aptitude, you should master them quickly.”

Lin Changtian nodded and quietly added, “But if I, a genius of my caliber, just up and go like this, wouldn’t that make me seem lacking in integrity? At least let me take my leave of everyone with a grand farewell, and settle my affairs.”

…

A month later, the group bid Lin Changtian farewell, watching him until his figure disappeared into the distance. Xu Yong, curious, asked Yu Baili, “What job did you give Changtian, anyway? Why did he look so nervous?”

“Oh, I just sent him to have a lively exchange with a thousand or so friendly fellows. You must have been mistaken—maybe he’s just homesick, off on a trip,” Yu Baili replied with a wave.