【Under the Great Tomorrow】(19-20)

Author: hui329
Published: 2016/8/23 First published
Word count: 18435
Chapter Nineteen: The Stormy Meeting in Central China
If you want to know about the rise and fall of dynasties throughout history, just look at Luoyang.
Luoyang is located in the center of the world, guarded by the Xiao and Mian rivers, and at the throat of Qin and Long
. Since ancient times, whoever controls the Central Plains controls the world, making it a place that all sides must contend for. Whenever there is war in the world, Luoyang is always the first to be attacked. Li Yi'an's father, Li Gefei, once said: "
The rise and fall of Luoyang is a sign of the order and chaos of the world."
From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, it has been passed down through thirteen dynasties. Although it is no longer the capital, it is still
the seat of Henan Prefecture. The area is crisscrossed by mountains and rivers. It is backed by the Qinling Mountains to the west, bordered by the Songyue Mountains to the east, backed by the Taihang Mountains to the north, and looked towards the Funiu Mountains to the south
. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, with six rivers flowing through it, eight passes and a thoroughfare connecting ten provinces, it is truly a first-class prosperous place in the Ming Dynasty.
Meanwhile, in a private room at the Huixianlou Restaurant in Luoyang, Ding Shou was vying with a table
full of Luoyang Water Banquet dishes. The Luoyang Water Banquet consisted of eight main courses, four center courses, eight main dishes, and four finishing courses, totaling twenty-four dishes. The innkeeper was quite surprised; it was the first time
he'd seen two people order so many dishes. These two spendthrifts—no, these money-grubbers—had strange tempers. They didn't follow
the usual serving order; instead, they brought out all the dishes at once. Anyway, they'd been paid well, so he figured he
'd just have to serve them well.
Bai Shaochuan only ate a few bites before stopping, frowning and saying, "Why so many
dishes for just the two of us?"
Ding Shou couldn't eat much either, just counting the plates for fun. "It's nothing, it's just that food looks good .
Brother Bai, you've never been hungry, you don't know what it's like to be starving." This guy had suffered terribly during his three years of cave dwelling and
couldn't stand the sight of delicious food.
With a swish, Bai Shaochuan snapped his folding fan shut, glanced at him, and without refuting his words, poured himself a cup 　　of
wine. Watching the ripples in the liquid, a scene from years ago 　　, which he thought he 　　had 　　long forgotten, 　　flashed before his 　　eyes .
**************** ... 　　The moon hung high in the sky. In a drafty thatched hut, a little beggar wiped the 　　blood from his mouth, which had seeped out from his beating. Mustering his strength, he shouted, feigning joy, "Mother, I'm back! A kind person gave me half 　　a steamed bun today. Try it, it's made of white flour!" 　　"Mother—" the little beggar cried out in anguish. Inside the hut lay a woman, thin as skin and bones 　　, her body cold; she had been dead for some time. 　　The fire raged, spreading rapidly. Screams and cries mingled together. Watching the tavern where he had been beaten earlier that day 　　turn into a sea of flames, tears streamed down the little beggar's face. 　　＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊　　"Brother Bai, Brother Bai, what's wrong?" Ding Shou rarely saw Bai Shaochuan so lost in thought. 　　"It's nothing, I'm just feeling a bit unwell, I'll head back to the inn first." Bai Shaochuan said, getting up and walking out of the restaurant. 　　He saw a little beggar huddled in a corner of the steps, shivering. Bai Shaochuan paused briefly, then strode away. 　　The little beggar was dizzy with hunger, and the aroma of food wafting from the restaurant only intensified his hunger. He had no choice but to 　　tighten the tattered rope around his waist. Suddenly, a piece of silver rolled out of his pocket. He looked around guiltily; 　　no one was watching. He picked it up and bit it. It was real! Heaven had intervened! He knelt and kowtowed to the heavens, "Thank you 　　, God! Thank you, God!" 　　Ding Shou, who had witnessed this scene from the window, laughed. This Bai Shaochuan was becoming increasingly unfathomable. 　　The members of the Changfeng Escort Agency were equally perplexed. As soon as they entered the city, two men wearing six-sided hats and 　　grey robes greeted them. "Our master cordially invites Young Master Guo of the Changfeng Escort Agency to grace us with his presence at the Luoyang 　　Flower Festival in three days." 　　Guo Xu, bewildered, took the invitation . 　　It was made of gold 　　foil , and unfolded 　　to reveal sixteen characters: "March 14th, Luoyang Flower Festival, Peony Garden. We cordially welcome your arrival." Signed: Jin Buyi 　　. 　　********** ... 　　"Since Emperor Taizong moved the capital north, the daily necessities of the imperial court, the salaries of officials, and the military pay for the nine border regions all relied on the 　　Grand Canal to transport goods from south to north. This required a huge amount of manpower, thus creating the canal porters who made a living from the canal transport. Jin Buyi was the leader of the canal porter's gang, 　　with hundreds of thousands of members. The gang was large and 　　powerful. In addition to transporting grain, they also siphoned water from other goods in the canal. In terms of power, they were no weaker than the Beggars' Gang, and in terms of wealth, they were no less than Deng Ren. The title of God of Wealth was truly well-deserved," Bai Shaochuan explained softly. " 　　Then why didn't this Jin Buyi stay in Jianghuai and manage his disciples and followers? What was he doing in Luoyang?" 　　Ding Shou wondered. The canal transport started from Suzhou and Hangzhou, passed through Jianghuai, went through Linqing, and reached Tongzhou. It had nothing 　　to do with Luoyang. 　　Bai Shaochuan smiled meaningfully, "Every year at this time, Jin Buyi rushes to Luoyang, rain or shine, 　　just to hold the 'Luoyang Flower Festival.'" 　　"The Luoyang Flower Festival?" 　　"That's right. There's a peony garden five miles outside the city, planted with all kinds of peonies. It's a property of the Canal Gang. In addition, Jin Buyi 　　offers a huge reward for rare peony varieties. Anyone who can surpass the varieties in his garden will be bought with a fortune, no matter the cost." 　　"Ha, I didn't expect this God of Wealth to be such a refined person, loving flowers like his own life." Ding Shou laughed. 　　"He loves flowers, but these are not the same flowers. Jin Buyi is deeply infatuated with Lady Peony, the mistress of Hundred Flowers Valley, Hua 　　Wuqi. Alas, his love is unrequited. This flower festival is entirely set up by Jin Buyi for Hua Wuqi alone, just so he can catch 　　a glimpse of her smile on that day." Bai Shaochuan seemed to remember something, his expression turning somber. 　　"Changfeng Escort Agency is in a bad situation now. Will they still go to this damned flower festival?" Ding Shou 　　asked, as if he had just remembered something. 　　************

"We absolutely must go," Caiyu said firmly to Guo Xu and the others. "Jin Buyi is a local hero, usually very concerned with his reputation
, but not very magnanimous. Anyone who carries this invitation will have all their expenses in Luoyang charged to the Canal Gang's accounts. The daily
cost is unimaginable. If we deliberately offend him, I'm afraid our escort agency's business will be in trouble in the future." 　　Guo 　　Xu
nodded in agreement. "In that 　　case , 　　it's just the two of us going. Tieyi and Sixth Master will stay at the inn to protect Chuchu." ********** ... 　　Upon learning that the Changfeng Escort Agency had arrived at the Peony Garden, Ding Shou and Bai Shaochuan secretly slipped into the garden early in the morning. They found the garden 　　indeed ablaze with various peonies in full bloom. A high platform had been erected in an open area, shaded by curtains, and 　　several rows of chairs had been arranged. Several people were already seated, attended by servants in blue robes and beautiful maids. This must be 　　where Jin Buyi's invited guests would be appreciating the flowers. 　　"Abbot Lingxiang of Baima Temple has arrived—" With the announcement of the ceremonial attendants, an old monk with a flowing white beard ascended the platform 　　. 　　"The abbot of Baima Temple, it's rumored he's not only highly proficient in Buddhism, but also a martial arts master," 　　Bai Shaochuan whispered to Ding Shou, hidden among the visitors. 　　"Master Huikong of the Shaolin Temple's Sutra Repository has arrived—" Guo Xu and Cheng Caiyu, already seated on the platform, exchanged a smile. Since 　　someone from Shaolin had arrived, there shouldn't be any trouble. 　　"Master Qiu of Baodu Manor has arrived." A burly man with dark skin walked up. 　　"Master Guo of Baiyun Manor has arrived with three young ladies." Three beautiful women with similar appearances escorted an 　　elderly man with gray hair onto the high platform. 　　"Brother Bai, what are the origins of Baiyun Manor and Baodu Manor?" Ding Shou rubbed his temples. 　　He had glanced at the intelligence from the Eastern Depot regarding Henan Prefecture and didn't remember these two places. 　　Bai Shaochuan made a shushing gesture. "They're Baiyun Mountain and Baodu Village. These people are from the Green Forest Road, 　　just using them as a cover." 　　Hearing that these people were notorious bandits, Ding Shou frowned and whispered to Bai Shaochuan with some curiosity, " 　　Even people from the Green Forest Road are attending this flower festival. Isn't Jin Buyi afraid of attracting the attention of the authorities?" 　　"As long as they don't commit crimes locally, the local officials usually turn a blind eye to these江湖人士 (jianghu figures). Besides, this 　　is because of Jin Buyi's influence. Jin Buyi has a close relationship with Chen Xiong, the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner and Earl of Pingjiang." Bai Shaochuan 　　replied in a low voice. 　　"Chief Escort Yang of Longmen Escort Agency has arrived." 　　"Chief Escort Guan of Huwei Escort Agency has arrived." 　　"Elder Gongsun of Kongtong Sect has arrived." 　　With each announcement, renowned martial arts figures and local heroes arrived one after another. Ding Shou secretly clicked his 　　tongue in amazement. Jin Buyi's influence was indeed immense. If he were merely a powerful outlaw, one could say he had extensive connections. But for 　　elders from sects like Shaolin and Kongtong, which had existed for centuries, to come and offer their congratulations was beyond the explanation of mere wealth and power. 　　"Young Master Li of Mingjian Manor has arrived with his wife." Upon hearing this, everyone on the stage was moved, and several 　　less experienced martial arts figures rose from their seats. 　　Ding Shou, unaware of the origins of the Famous Sword Manor, looked at Bai Shaochuan, whose expression was grave. "The Famous Sword Manor 　　has also come. Something's strange." 　　Servants in the garden ushered out an elderly man of about fifty, with a ruddy complexion, wearing a purple satin robe with gold thread embroidery, 　　a jade ring on his hand, and a ruby the size of a pigeon's egg set in his jade belt. His attire was extremely opulent, 　　yet it exuded a vulgar air. As soon as 　　the old man appeared, the assembled heroes stood up and bowed, addressing him as "Chief Jin," presumably Jin Buyi, the leader of the Canal Gang. 　　Jin Buyi exchanged greetings with everyone, and then a young couple was led in. The man was nearly thirty, 　　with handsome features, while the woman was slightly younger, with a beautiful face and captivating eyes. A beauty mark at the corner of her mouth added to her allure 　　. 　　Jin Buyi stepped forward and laughed heartily, "I, Jin, have long been detached from worldly affairs at the Famous Sword Manor and dared not trouble you with 　　my invitation. I never expected that you, my esteemed wife, would take the time to visit me. This truly brings honor to my humble abode. Please allow me to introduce the young master." 　　He then turned to the assembled heroes, "Gentlemen, these two are the renowned young master of Famous Sword Manor, Hanxing Sword Li Qingming, and 　　his wife, Lengyue Sword Pan Ru." 　　The heroes all came forward to greet him. The beautiful woman smiled and returned the greeting, but the young master Li was arrogant. He was only 　　slightly polite to his master, Jin Buyi, and Shaolin Huikong, and he showed no courtesy to anyone else. Although the heroes were dissatisfied, they still forced polite conversation. 　　However, when the introductions to the Changfeng Escort Agency came up, he lingered with Guo Xu for a few words, which angered the chief escorts of their rival escort agencies, Longmen and Huwei 　　, so much so that they snapped off several of their beards. 　　"This kid is so arrogant, is he tough?" Ding Shou was quite dissatisfied with Li Qingming's arrogant demeanor. 　　"I don't know, I don't think I've heard of anyone fighting him." Bai Shaochuan replied, and seeing Ding Shou's puzzled look, 　　he continued, "Firstly, Mingjian Manor avoids trouble in the martial world; secondly, the manor lord, Li Yunxiao, is unparalleled in sword-making, and 　　many people in the martial world seek his help; most importantly, the old manor lord of Mingjian Manor is Qingping Swordsman Li Mingyang." 　　"Qingping Swordsman Li Mingyang, who is he?" Ding Shou frowned. If avoiding trouble in the martial world means no one will provoke you, then what 　　is the martial world? As for Li Yunxiao's skill in sword-making, the saying goes, "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime," which is even more of 　　a reason for others to come and cause trouble. He intuitively felt that this old man Li Mingyang was the kid on stage who was so arrogant. 　　"One of the 'Six Saints' of the martial arts world back then, the 'Peerless Sword Demon' of the Demonic Sect, died by his sword. After 　　the battle at Blackwood Cliff, he announced his retirement, passing the position of manor lord to Li Yunxiao." 　　Ding Shou counted on his fingers, "That was over thirty years ago. How old is the old man now? He wouldn't have 　　passed away long ago, leaving his son to use his influence for his own purposes, would he?" 　　"You're not the only one who doubts this. Ten years ago, Li Yunxiao accidentally obtained a piece of extraterrestrial iron and spent three years forging it 　　into a Dragon-Slaying Dagger. The Three Demons from beyond the Great Wall, who had been roaming the underworld for many years, coveted the treasure and broke into the Famous Sword Manor at night..." 　　"How about it?" Ding Shou asked curiously. 　　Bai Shaochuan smiled slightly: "These three have been wiped out of the martial arts world since then. Anyone else who wants to take over the Famous Sword Manor 　　will have to think twice."

The two chatted enthusiastically while several peonies, selected from the preliminary rounds, were displayed on the stage. Red, yellow, purple, green, blue, white, black
, and pink peonies of various colors vied for attention. Jin Buyi invited everyone to appreciate them. "Amitabha, 　　" said Zen Master Lingxiang of Baima Temple, a man
of both literary and martial talents , who 　　greatly admired the yellow peony from the residence of Yao Chong, a famous prime minister of the Tang Dynasty. Huikong of Shaolin Temple, a close friend of Lingxiang, often gathered to discuss poetry and Buddhism, and he also agreed 　　. 　　"I have a humble opinion," said Pan Ruren, her gentle voice eliciting a smile before she spoke, drawing agreement from those around her. "This 'Wei Zi' peony, from the family of Wei Renbo of Luoyang during the Five Dynasties period, has full blooms 　　and truly embodies the peony's connotation of wealth and nobility, deserving the title 'Queen of Flowers.'" Her soft voice, like a gentle spring breeze, 　　drew a chorus of agreement from those around her. 　　"I've long heard that Miss Caiyu is known as a female Zhuge Liang; would you please offer your opinion?" Jin Buyi turned to Cheng Caiyu and asked 　　. 　　"Caiyu wouldn't dare," Cheng Caiyu replied with a smile, standing beside Guo Xu 　　. "Everyone knows that the champion of the annual flower festival is presented to Lady Peony of Southern Xinjiang. How could Caiyu presume to comment or speculate on her 　　heart's desire?" 　　Jin Buyi stroked his beard and smiled, "Miss Caiyu is too kind. Lady Peony sent word that 　　she is preoccupied with many matters this year and cannot come in person. I will take charge of selecting the flower seeds and sending them to Southern Xinjiang." His words revealed a hint of boasting and 　　pride. Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood. 　　No wonder they hadn't seen anyone from Hundred Flowers Valley; it turned out that Jin Buyi was personally delivering them. 　　This old man was quite the ladies' man. 　　Caiyu gave a soft "oh," and said, "I've long heard that Hundred Flowers Valley is a forbidden place for men. For Lady Peony to ask Chief Jin to travel a thousand miles to protect her, 　　it shows her extraordinary trust in you. I, Caiyu, dare not presume to take credit for her beauty; please, Chief Jin, decide for yourself." 　　This remark struck a chord with Jin Buyi, who laughed heartily, "Then I won't stand on ceremony." He then 　　began to gather his qi towards the various flower varieties. This old man was adept at making money and dealing with officials, but 　　asking him to appreciate flowers was as difficult as asking him to embroider. In his own opinion, the bigger the flower, the better. Why? Of 　　course, he'd spent so much silver to acquire it; a larger flower wouldn't be a loss. 　　An old man in hemp clothing emerged from the back hall. This man was Tang Jun, Jin Buyi's sworn brother and the leader of the Yangzhou branch of the Canal Gang 　　, known as "Iron Powder." He slowly walked to Jin Buyi, whispered a few words, and Jin Buyi nodded repeatedly, thinking to himself that the man was indeed 　　not someone he had hired for nothing. 　　"Ahem, I think Master Lingxiang and Lady Pan are both right. However, I feel this peony has 　　something special about it. Please look, the pistil is green in the center, and the dark purple petals are clustered in multiple layers, elegant and unique. 　　What do you all think?" 　　Lingxiang and Huikong nodded in agreement. Those rough and boorish martial arts figures were just there for the fun of it, so they naturally agreed when their host said it was good. 　　After examining it carefully, Li Qingming said, "I didn't expect to see a new variety at today's peony festival. Please, Chief Jin, name it." 　　Jin Buyi rejected his beloved wife's suggestion, so he decided to embarrass her. What kind of elegant name could this good-for-nothing come up with? 　　Jin Buyi was confident. "This flower resembles a green dragon coiled in the center of an ink pool 　　. How about calling it 'Green Dragon Lying in the Ink Pool'?" 　　Lingxiang clapped his hands and praised, "What a fitting name, 'Green Dragon Lying in the Ink Pool'!" 　　Pan Ru sensed her husband's dissatisfaction and also pulled Li Qingming to praise it. Li Qingming awkwardly echoed her. 　　Jin Buyi, though illiterate, was no fool. He sensed Li Qingming's ill intentions earlier, but out of respect for 　　the prestige of Mingjian Manor, he smiled and complied without revealing his true feelings. 　　Suddenly, a chorus of exclamations erupted from the crowd in the garden. 　　"Snakes! So many snakes!" 　　"There are some here too! Run !" 　　Screams and cries of agony mingled together as tourists and ordinary people surged towards the exit of the peony garden. In the crush 　　, countless people were injured, and thousands of peonies were reduced to mud. 　　"Stop!" A thunderous roar echoed throughout the garden, making everyone's ears ring. Some tourists 　　felt dizzy and even began to vomit. Jin Buyi, with his profound skill, though his voice shook the entire area, did not consider that ordinary people could not 　　withstand such a heavy blow. 　　"Namo Amitabha Buddha." The voice, like a morning bell and evening drum, was thought-provoking, yet inexplicably soothing and 　　comforting. Shaolin monk Huikong clasped his hands together. "Esteemed benefactors, please listen to the master of this place." 　　Jin Buyi gave Huikong a deep look, nodded in praise, and said, "Master, what a masterful lion's roar!" He then shouted loudly , 　　"Now that you are in the garden, please follow my instructions. Gather below the platform first, and then your servants will guide you out 　　to avoid unnecessary injuries." 　　The crowd had been flustered earlier, but after two reprimands, they had regained their composure and gathered at the platform as instructed. 　　The Cao Gang disciples also maintained order. Peeking through the open space, they discovered more than ten snakes coiled in the garden, but they were just ordinary grass 　　snakes, non-venomous. 　　Jin Buyi frowned, wondering who had come to cause trouble on his territory. 　　Suddenly, the sound of bamboo poles striking the ground came from outside the peony garden, initially slow but then quickening, growing louder 　　and more rhythmic. 　　With the rhythmic beat of the bamboo poles, shouts echoed into the garden: "You come too, I come too! Chief Jin, you've struck it rich! 　　I'm here to share in your fortune, passing by and begging to pay my respects. First bow to the king, second bow to the subject, third bow to the magnanimous chief. 　　You're so generous, so magnanimous, you put on airs, stand on the platform and show off your power, give me a few coins 　　to take home and cure my hunger." 　　Tang Jun strode over, "It's the Beggars' Sect, about several hundred of them, blocking the gate." 　　Jin Buyi was furious, "Is that Tu the Drunkard? Stop hiding, get out here!" 　　"Chief Jin, why are you so angry? Elder Tu isn't here, I'm in charge here." Dozens of beggars surged in 　　, surrounding a dark-skinned, burly man in the middle, dressed strangely, his clothes, though clearly fine brocade, were 　　patchwork of different colors. 　　"Amitabha, so it's Elder Lan, the enforcer of the Beggars' Sect. Since you're here, why not speak your mind? It's too late to harm innocent people 　　and create karmic entanglements." The compassionate spirit spoke first. " 　　We are no match for you gentlemen; we are just a bunch of poor fools. We fear being unwelcome if we rashly come to ask for a reward. 　　Chief Jin has quite a few henchmen." 　　"It's rare to see the Poisonous Beggar Lan Tingrui in his finest robes asking for a reward. Our Cao Gang is never stingy with our friends in the martial world 　　. Name your price," Tang Jun interjected.

"Not much, a mere million taels. The Canal Gang is rich and powerful; it's just a drop in the ocean for them," Lan Tingrui
chuckled, looking up at the sky.
The crowd's expressions changed. A million taels of silver? Were these beggars crazy? Qiu Dahai of Baoduzhai
and Guo Ziyu of Baiyun Mountain both trembled. They hadn't accumulated that much silver in all
their years as bandits. Had they chosen the wrong profession? Should they have joined the Beggar Gang
? Jin Buyi laughed angrily, "Elder Lan, do you think the Canal Gang is the Ministry of Revenue's treasury, where you can
take mountains of gold and seas of silver at will?"
"If Chief Jin is short of funds, he can use something as collateral. Ordinary items won't be worth much silver
, so how about the twelve jade dolls from the Changfeng Escort Agency?" Lan Tingrui said casually.
The crowd on the stage exchanged glances. Sure enough, their real intention wasn't the jade dolls; the Beggar Gang's large force surrounding the Peony Garden was ultimately
aimed at the jade dolls.
"Young Master Guo is not a member of our Canal Gang, and we dare not be generous with other people's money," Tang Jun replied.
"It doesn't matter. Anyway, you're all in the same boat now. I'll give you time to think it over. By then,
what I release won't be grass snakes anymore." After saying that, Lan Tingrui led his men out of the garden.
A hush fell over the stage. Guan Changhong, the chief镖头 (bodyguard) of the Tiger Might Escort Agency, coughed and said, "I believe a wise man doesn't suffer
a loss in the present. Let's temporarily give him the Jade Doll and settle accounts with these beggars later."
Before Guo Xu and the others could speak, Jin Buyi refused first, "No, Young Master Guo and the others are guests I invited
. Today, we've risked our lives, and the Canal Gang will never betray our friends."
Ling Xiang looked at the crowd of tourists below the stage and said, "Whatever the outcome today, please prioritize the safety of innocent lives."
"This old monk has something to say," Hui Kong said sincerely to Guo Xu, "Although we haven't met before, Young Master Guo, I've heard of your great name from my senior brother, the abbot. I know that
Young Master Guo values his promises above all else and will never relinquish the Jade Doll. Why don't I keep it for you? With the thousand-year-old reputation of Shaolin Temple , Lan Tingrui will certainly not dare to make things difficult for me 　　.
We can return it after the crisis is resolved." 　　Before Guo Xu could answer, Cheng Caiyu interjected, "We at Changfeng Escort Agency are grateful for your kind intentions, Master, but we absolutely 　　cannot allow Shaolin Temple to create another powerful enemy for us." Words are two-faced; they may speak eloquently now, but 　　they've a history of denying their promises later. Guo Xu had a past with Abbot Huiyuan, but he knew very little about this Master Huikong. 　　Huikong's face flushed with anger. "Miss Cheng, are you worried that I will take the Jade Doll? You should know that the Jade 　　Doll is originally the property of Shaolin. It is only right for me to take it." 　　Kongtong Elder Gongsun Ke said, "Forgive my ignorance, I have never heard of such a thing." 　　Huikong glanced at this tactless fellow. "The Jade Doll's martial arts 　　were created a hundred years ago by the Central Plains hero Dugu Sheng and a high-ranking Tantric monk. That Tantric monk was from Shaolin Temple." 　　Ding Shou curled his lip below. This was shameless. Shaolin is the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism. What does it have to do with Tantric Buddhism? 　　On the contrary, Wutai Baoxiang Temple, which has always been at odds with Shaolin, has accepted some Tantric Buddhist teachings. It seems that this Shaolin monk 　　is going to try to argue his way out of this mess. 　　Guo Xu blocked Caiyu's path, saying, "Master, please don't be angry. Caiyu didn't mean any harm; she just 　　didn't want your temple to get into trouble because of my friendship with Master Huiyuan." This was to save face for Huikong and subtly point out his relationship with the Shaolin abbot 　　. 　　"My senior brother the abbot went into seclusion to cultivate Buddhism several months ago, and I've been managing the temple affairs on his behalf. As the Buddha said, 'If I don't go to hell, who will? ' 　　I'm willing to take on this trouble." 　　Seeing that the two sides were about to reach a stalemate, a figure darted out from among the tourists near the platform, landing in front of Cheng Caiyu. He 　　grabbed her throat with one hand and chuckled, "The Shaolin bald monks are forcing people to do things they don't want. Why don't I play the villain? Young Master Guo, use 　　the jade doll to redeem her. 　　It's a clean break, no credit." Jin Buyi glared at the man, "Yan Benshu, the Ghost Old Man of Mangshan, you're asking for death!" The Cao Gang disciples, 　　led by Tang Jun, had already surrounded the man. 　　Yan Benshu, in his fifties, tall and thin like a bamboo pole, chuckled, "Though my life is lowly and 　　cannot compare to yours, I do not wish to die in vain." He then whistled. 　　Hundreds of beggars, led by Lan Tingrui, rushed in a second time. Lan Tingrui laughed heartily, "Brother Yan, you've worked hard." 　　"Thanks to Brother Lan's brilliant plan, otherwise, it would have been extremely difficult to sneak up to the front without alerting you all 　　," Yan Benshu said smugly. 　　Guo Xu and Jin Buyi, hesitant and helpless, saw the critical situation and was about to agree to the terms for 　　a replacement when suddenly the beggars surrounding them parted from the outside in, and four or five old beggars entered. The 　　first one, with disheveled hair and a bulbous nose, had a large gourd of wine hanging from his waist—it was the old acquaintance Ding Shou 　　had seen in Xuanfu. 　　Tu Dayong stepped into the arena and shouted, "Lan Tingrui, you stole the treasure and injured people, harming innocents 　　. How can you live up to the name of the Beggars' Sect's chivalry?" 　　A hint of panic flashed across Lan Tingrui's face, but he forced a smile and said, "So it's Brother Tu. I know you're 　　busy, so I didn't have time to discuss this matter with Elder Tu. I'll host a banquet afterwards." 　　"The jade doll didn't belong to the Beggars' Sect. Stealing it was already wrong, but you also used a trick to take people hostage, violating the principles of chivalry and 　　righteousness. How can you have the face to be a law enforcement elder of the Beggars' Sect? I will bring you to justice." Tu Dayong's voice was stern. 　　"Enough!" Tu Dayong continued to berate him. Lan Tingrui was furious and ashamed. "I, Lan, am a law enforcement officer of the Beggars' Sect because I have accumulated 　　countless merits over the past ten years and was elected by the brothers of the sect. Now you dare to provoke internal strife. I will 　　enforce the sect rules. Guards, seize Tu Dayong!" 　　"Who dares!" With a loud shout, the beggars, intimidated by Tu Dayong's imposing presence, remained motionless. Tu Dayong surveyed the entire 　　crowd and said, "The Beggars' Clan was founded at the end of the Tang Dynasty and has continued to this day, boasting hundreds of thousands of members. Successive leaders 　　have taken it upon themselves to eliminate evil and uphold justice. Our friends in the martial world affectionately call us the 'Number One Clan Under Heaven,' not out of fear of our numbers, but 　　out of respect for the word 'chivalry.' Unfortunately, the last three leaders have died tragically. Former Leader Xiao 　　sacrificed himself for righteousness in the Battle of Yinshan, the former Leader Bai shed his blood on Dongting Lake, and Leader Wang and the four elders perished on the beach in the Battle of Blackwood Cliff. 　　The spirits of our predecessors are not far away, their righteous spirit lives on. I, Tu, am incompetent and powerless to restore the clan's former glory, but the banner of 'chivalry' that has been upheld for centuries 　　must not fall in our hands. In recent years, the clan's rules have been poorly enforced, and its members are a mixed bag, drawing 　　ridicule from our fellow martial artists. How can we face our ancestors in the Beggars' Clan?!"

The cries of pain echoed through the air, and nearly a thousand beggars fell silent, each with a look of shame on their faces. When Ding Shou first met Tu Dayong, he only thought this old beggar
was greedy and lazy, and he looked down on him somewhat. Now, seeing his righteous indignation and awe-inspiring presence, he could
n't help but feel more respect for him. Tu Dayong pointed his halberd at Lan Tingrui, "Everyone remembers the merits you have rendered to the Beggars' Clan, but your crime of tarnishing the Beggars' Clan's reputation is
unforgivable..."
Several old beggars who had come with Tu Dayong were elders of the Beggars' Clan, and at this moment, they shouted in unison, "Beggars' Clan disciples, heed
my command!"
"Yes, sir!" the nearly a thousand beggars responded.
"The Dog-Beating Formation, capture the thief!" Tu Dayong said through gritted teeth.
Immediately, more than a hundred Beggars' Clan disciples surged out, forming groups of thirty-six, and advanced towards Lan
Tingrui in circles.
The situation reversed dramatically. Yan Benshu looked panicked. Guo Xu and his men were no pushovers. Guo Xu drew his Heartbreak Sword,
aiming it directly at Yan Benshu's throat. Yan Benshu grabbed Cheng Caiyu and tried to turn and dodge, but Jin Buyi silently struck out with his palm,
blocking all his escape routes. Yan Benshu raised his hand and pushed Cheng Caiyu towards Guo Xu's sword.
Guo Xu withdrew his sword and caught Cheng Caiyu. Yan Benshu used the momentum to fall backward. "Brother Lan, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood
. Let's go."
Lan Tingrui gritted his teeth and said, "Old ghost Tu, I admit defeat today. I will open a shrine to settle this score with you in the future."
After saying this, he retreated with Yan Benshu.
The Beggar Clan and the Canal Gang disciples surrounded him, but he threw out a group of poisonous snakes, forcing them to scramble for cover.
Several were bitten by the snakes, their faces turning black instantly, and they died before they could be treated.
The assembled heroes were filled with lingering fear. Had Lan Tingrui thrown such a venomous snake into the crowd from the beginning, the Peony
Garden would have been a scene of carnage.
Li Qingming let out a long roar, drew his longsword, and unleashed a move called "Spring Clouds Unfold," targeting Lan Tingrui.
Tang Jun, having already drawn his renowned Iron Powder, blocked Yan Benshu. His weapon was Iron Powder,
but he wielded the Thirty-Six Styles of Splashing Water Staff Technique, creating a dense web of shadows that trapped Yan Benshu, preventing him from escaping.
Forced back by Li Qingming's sword, Lan Tingrui turned and encountered Tu Dayong. The old drunkard immediately
unleashed a palm strike, his already flushed face turning as if it were about to bleed.
Blocked in front and pursued behind, Lan Tingrui also lost his temper, raising his hand to meet the attack with a palm strike. The palm strike carried the faint
sounds of wind and thunder. With a bang, Lan Tingrui staggered back three steps, each step heavier than the last, until the bluestone slabs on the ground
were crushed to pieces.
Blood trickled from the corner of Lan Tingrui's mouth. He wiped it away and chuckled darkly, "Good, good, good,
good Hun Tian Palm! Old Tu, you've got some skill."
Tu Dayong remained silent, his hand hidden in his sleeve trembling slightly. He had also suffered
a loss from that palm strike.
The two didn't exchange words. Meanwhile, Li Qingming couldn't wait any longer. His father was very strict, rarely allowing him to roam the martial
world. Although he was always treated with respect when he did venture out, his words always expressed admiration for his father and grandfather. Now, with heroes
gathered, it was Li Qingming's time to make a name for himself. What Beggar Clan's Enforcement Elder? He was nothing more than a mere figurehead, forced back by his family's Qingping Sword Technique
.
Thinking this, he swung his sword forward, unleashing the three forms of the Qingping Sword Technique—"Jiangcheng Flying Flowers," "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon," and "Rain and Wind"—in
quick succession, dazzling the onlookers.
Lan Tingrui waved his sleeve, "Get out of the way, you little brat." His long sleeve had already wrapped around Li Qingming's sword.
Li Qingming was overjoyed. His sword, the Cold Moon Sword forged by his father, was icy cold and sharp enough to cut a hair in
two. He immediately twisted it, and sure enough, Lan Tingrui's brocade robes were torn into pieces, scattering like butterflies through flowers
.
Unexpectedly, Li Qingming, who should have pressed his advantage, suddenly roared, threw down his sword, and fell to the ground, frantically tearing at his clothes,
screaming in agony. The crowd was stunned.
Meanwhile, the outcome of Yan Benshu's battle was also decided. Yan Benshu, who had been struggling, suddenly reached out and grabbed through the swirling
staff shadows. Tang Jun let out a muffled groan and staggered backward, a blackened claw mark appearing on his chest.
Jin Buyi cried out, "Second Brother!" and leaped into the air, throwing a punch at Yan Benshu. Yan Benshu turned to defend himself,
but was struck by the punch and coughed up blood, exclaiming, "Po Xie Yuan Kong Shou! You, you are…!"
Jin Buyi strode forward and simply threw another punch. Yan Benshu dared not take the hit, and with a flurry of swings, more than a dozen
emerald green pellets flew out.
Huikong on the platform shouted, "Azure Phosphorus Poison Fire Bombs! Retreat immediately!"
Jin Buyi's advance halted abruptly, and with a swift movement, he retreated.
Boom, boom, boom! With each explosion, plumes of emerald green smoke filled the garden, and cries of agony echoed across the ground . Lan Tingrui and
Yan Benshu were nowhere to be seen.
**********************
Lan Tingrui and Yan Benshu fled, running for a full twenty miles before stopping to rest.
"Brother Lan, what should we do?" Yan Benshu asked. Today was an unlucky day. He had originally planned to
blackmail Jin Buyi, forcing him to hesitate and not retaliate. Unexpectedly, Tu Dayong appeared out of nowhere, and two of the Four Eccentrics of the Jianghu were present. If it weren't for
the entanglements of those wandering gang members, escape would have been difficult.
"My foundation is still not as strong as Tu Dayong's, who joined the gang at a young age. I originally intended to act cautiously, gathering local gang
members to maintain appearances, but I didn't expect that Tu Dayong's few words would cause these beggars to turn against me. Brother Yan,
I have some influence in the Southwest over the years. How about you come south with me to build a business together?" Lan Tingrui earnestly advised
.
"Alright, then I'll follow you, Brother Lan." Having offended both the Beggars' Gang and the Canal Gang,
there weren't many places left for Yan Benshu to go. What else could he do?
"Leave the antidote, and we'll go wherever you two go." A voice sounded behind them.
The two men turned sharply to see a young man in blue leaning against a large tree, watching them with a half-smile.
They exchanged a glance, their killing intent rising.
Yan Benshu stretched out his hands, his ten-inch-long fingernails gleaming with a dark light. Lan Tingrui unleashed a seemingly ordinary palm strike,
yet it covered five vital points on Yan's body.
Ding Shou remained calm, taking a light breath and moving his body along the tree like a nimble snake, escaping the encirclement with a push from the trunk
. The two men turned and attacked again, the three locked in a fierce battle.
Lan and Yan were not weak fighters, but both were injured today, their skills greatly diminished. Facing
a prodigy like Ding Shou, whose meridians were unblocked, they were helpless.
Ding Shou wasn't having an easy time either. He had initially thought that Jin Buyi and Tu Dayong had easily defeated them, implying their martial arts weren't that high .
However, he was surprised to find that these two were highly skilled, with tricky moves and unique techniques. If it weren't for the clueless Weng Taibei
, their skill level was the highest he had ever seen since he started practicing. He was secretly shocked by the martial arts of the "Four Eccentrics" (a group known for their love of wine, women, wealth, and anger).
In fact, Ding Shou was overthinking it. Although Jin Buyi and Tu Dayong were highly skilled, their victories were not easy.
Both of them used their most powerful techniques, and their lack of pursuit after winning was partly due to their injured disciples and partly due to their apprehension
.
Ding Shou, unsure how long the injured people in the peony garden could hold on, gritted his teeth and unleashed the Heavenly
Demon Hand, a martial art recorded in the Heavenly Demon Strategy, seeking a swift victory. With a swift sweep of his left hand, he deflected Lan Tingrui's thunderous attack, while
his right hand, employing sweeping, intercepting, chopping, and striking techniques, forced Yan Benshu into a chaotic frenzy. The two men, struggling to defend themselves for seven or eight moves, retreated repeatedly,
their eyes filled with horror. Having been renowned for years and boasting extensive experience, they had never encountered such a young master in the martial world,
whose martial arts were not only diverse but whose techniques were unheard of.
Suddenly, Ding Shou roared, and the two men coughed up blood from their chests, only stopping when they were stopped by a tree.
Their faces were ashen, clearly suffering from severe internal injuries.
"Give me the antidote," Ding Shou demanded, taking a step forward.
With each step Ding Shou took, the two men shuddered. Yan Benshu, extremely unwilling, pulled a porcelain bottle from his robes and
threw it at Ding Shou.
Just as Ding Shou was about to reach out and take the porcelain bottle to kill the two men and prevent future trouble, a sudden gust of wind blew behind him. He dodged to the side, and
the bottle fell to the ground, bursting into a cloud of green mist. Then, the wild grass on the ground rapidly burst into flames, the firelight a strangely vibrant pale
green.
Ding Shou retreated quickly. The green fire burned extremely fast, accompanied by a large amount of white smoke, until it
burned away everything nearby before extinguishing itself. When he looked again, the two men had vanished.
Ding Shou, seething with anger, suddenly remembered something and asked, "Which friend has come to my aid?"
An aged voice rang out, "Whose disciple are you? Why do you use the Heavenly Demon Hand?" A
sense of foreboding washed over him; his martial arts style had been discovered. Ding Shou forced a smile and said, "Judging from your voice, you are a senior.
As for the Heavenly Demon Hand, this junior doesn't understand. Could you please show yourself?"
With a cold snort, a figure with long, gray-white hair appeared. Ding Shou was startled upon seeing the person; if
it weren't broad daylight, he would have thought he'd seen a ghost. The person's face was deathly pale, devoid of any color, and his expression was stiff, devoid of any
emotion.
"You have no choice but to speak," the person said rudely, striking Ding Shou with
a palm strike. Ding Shou dared not be careless, his body leaping to the side, turning and striking the person's ribs with his own palm.
The person, without turning, was already facing Ding Shou, his left hand reaching for Ding Shou's pulse point. Ding Shou shrugged and flipped his palm,
blocking all of the person's attacks.
"The Sealing Technique, well done." The man praised lightly, his sleeves billowing out, unleashing a powerful force like a mountain or a sea towards Ding
Shou.
Ding Shou remained silent, his hands forming an arc, pushing and deflecting left and right, instantly dissipating the internal force. Today,
he had encountered several masters, and this young man, unlike before, did not underestimate the heroes of the world. He immediately displayed his true skill, unleashing a series of Heavenly Demonic Steps techniques
: the Chopping Technique, the Grabbing Technique, the Breaking Technique, and the Hooking Technique, like a storm, unleashing the thirty-six forms of the Heavenly Demonic Hand in succession.
"Eh?!" The man was astonished, realizing he had underestimated the young man. The Heavenly Demonic Hand of their sect was profound and difficult
to learn, but the most difficult part was that the thirty-six forms each had different methods of circulating energy, requiring the entire body's energy to
change accordingly with each move. This young man, at such a young age, had unleashed a series of moves in one breath without pause. Which fellow disciple could have taught
such a master?
This moment of distraction gave Ding Shou the opportunity. He used the "Grab" technique to break through the man's center. When the man noticed the rapid changes in his footing,
Ding Shou pressed his advantage, using the "Heavenly Demon Hand Entangling" technique relentlessly. With a tearing sound, the man finally escaped the circle, but
a large piece of his robe's collar was ripped off.
Ding Shou, clutching the tattered cloth, showed no smugness. He exclaimed in surprise, "Heavenly Demon Illusionary Steps!
Who are you?"
The man laughed heartily, wiping his face to reveal an old man with silver hair and a kind face. He smugly
said, "Little brat, you don't even bow to your elders? Tell me, who is your master? I'll make him pay for your clothes."
Ding Shou realized, "Bowing? Very well." He pulled a token from his inner pocket. The token was only
the size of a palm, dark and unremarkable. A lifelike image of the Heavenly Demon was engraved on the back, while the front had no extra words,
only a single character, "令" (command).
This seemingly ordinary token caused the old man, who had been chatting and laughing just moments before, to display
a range of expressions—surprise, joy, resentment, and sorrow—as if he were not a peerless martial arts master, but an ordinary old man who had 　　seen something
he longed to see but no longer believed he could.
"Disciple of the Demonic Sect, Mei Liangqi, greets his lord." The old man knelt on the ground, two streams of tears falling . 　　" The 　　Holy Hand and Demonic Physician
, Mei Liangqi? I've heard Master mention you." Ding Shou 　　stepped forward and helped Mei Liangqi up, 　　secretly thinking that the thing his old man had left him was truly useful. ********** ... 　　Li Qingming had been pulled aside by Pan Ru. At this moment, the young master Li had lost all his former airs of a noble scion, wailing and tearing at 　　himself. His brocade robe was ripped to shreds, yet aside from the bloody scratches on his body, he had no other wounds. 　　Pan Ru was heartbroken, tears welling in her eyes. The onlookers frowned, unsure what to do. 　　Ling Xiang and Hui Kong led men to tend to the wounded. Bai Shaochuan revealed his identity to Jin Buyi, examined Tang Jun's injuries 　　, applied an antidote, and ordered the remaining wounded to be quickly rinsed with plenty of water. 　　He secretly worried about Ding Shou's prolonged pursuit of the two. 　　Guo Xu apologized to Jin Buyi, as today's events were ultimately aimed at him, and he felt guilty for implicating innocent people 　　. Cheng Caiyu tugged at his sleeve, and Guo Xu followed her gaze, seeing Ding Shou leading an old man into the garden. 　　The old man didn't greet anyone, just looked around at the injuries. Jin Buyi stepped forward to question him, but the old man ignored him. 　　Jin Buyi had had enough trouble today; he couldn't tolerate anyone adding to the chaos. He was about to lose his temper when Guo Xu and the other man quickly came over.

"Chief Jin, this is the legendary physician Mei Tuizhi from Mei Family Manor. Uncle Mei, I, Guo Xu, pay my respects .
"
Ling Xiang Hui Kong and the others also came over to greet him. Pan Ru, still hoping, kept asking for help.
Mei Tuizhi nodded and smiled at Guo Cheng and the other two, but ignored the others, talking to himself: "Yan Benshu
's Phosphorus Poison Fireballs were made by the Thunderbolt Hall. The fireworks contain deadly poison. Hmm, the water rinse was done
well. These medicines will neutralize the poison. This is the Five Ghosts Soul-Searching Claw. It's alright, it's alright.
This antidote is the right one. Take this pill and you'll recover faster."
He looked at everyone, but ignored Li Qingming, whose voice had become hoarse from shouting. Pan Ru pleaded repeatedly
with tears in her eyes, but Mei Tuizhi pretended not to see her. It was only when Ding Shou stepped forward and gestured that Mei Tuizhi turned to look at this
young master Li.
"Golden Silkworm Gu Poison." Mei Tuizhi uttered these four words softly after examining the artifact. The people who had been surrounding him immediately
retreated. The Golden Silkworm Gu originated from the Five Poisons Sect of Miao territory. During the Dragon Boat Festival, the Miao people would collect hundreds of insects and place them in earthenware jars
to kill each other. A year later, when the jars were opened, only a golden, silkworm-like creature remained. If fed with golden leaves for several months, it would turn into
a pile of golden dung. This dung was the Golden Silkworm Gu poison. Its poison was invisible and colorless; those poisoned felt as if thousands of insects
were biting their bodies, causing unbearable pain, a state of being unable to live or die.
Everyone had heard of its terrifying reputation and paled at the mere mention of it. Their gazes towards the Beggars' Sect were hostile. The Central Plains martial arts world already regarded
the mysterious witchcraft of Miao territory as evil magic and kept their distance. Furthermore, the Miao people had caused several disturbances during the Chenghua and Hongzhi reigns, and the Five Poisons
Sect, as the sacred sect of the Miao people, was strictly prohibited by the government and acted in secrecy. Could it be that the Beggars' Sect was colluding with the Five Poisons Sect?
Tu Dayong's face turned pale. "When I get back, I will definitely investigate thoroughly. If Lan Tingrui is indeed from the Five Poisons
Cult, I will give you all an explanation." After saying this, he led the Beggars' Clan members to take their leave.
Whether it was due to his anger or not, the old beggar seemed not to recognize Ding Shou. Seeing him leave with his men, Ding Shou
had no time for pleasantries. After Bai Shaochuan explained the power of the Golden Silkworm Gu in his ear, he asked, "Since the Golden Silkworm Gu is so
potent, why didn't Lan Tingrui use it when he fought Elder Tu and me?"
"Hehe, although the Golden Silkworm Gu is poisonous, one must be careful when releasing it. If the opponent notices, those with profound internal energy can force the poison
powder back, causing harm instead. The old beggar's Hun Tian Gong is renowned in the martial world, and you just stunned him with your attack. Not
knowing its strength, he didn't use it easily. As for this Young Master Li, hehe..." Mei Tuizhi didn't say much, but
everyone sensed a hint of schadenfreude in his words, though they didn't know what grudge existed between Mingjian Manor and Mei Family Manor
.
Pan Ru's face was grim. She knew that her husband's lack of internal strength had been exposed during his fight with Lan Tingrui,
leading him to recklessly unleash the poison. But given the situation, any delay could cost him his life. She pleaded repeatedly.
"He's lucky," Mei Tuizhi said. "I once went to Miao territory to gather herbs and happened to obtain the antidote for this Golden Silkworm Gu."
He then pulled a red, foul-smelling pill from his robes and stuffed it into Li Qingming's mouth.
Li Qingming's cries of pain subsided, and soon he began vomiting violently. Everyone saw faint golden sand mixed in with his vomit
. Mei Tuizhi clapped his hands; the poison was gone.
Tang Jun, having received treatment, was out of danger and came over to thank Mei, Bai, and the others. Someone nearby reported a few
words, then his expression changed, and he said, "There's another matter I need to trouble Doctor Mei with. Someone has suddenly fallen ill and needs your
skillful treatment."
Mei Tuizhi didn't refuse. He followed the person to the back hall and saw a haggard-looking middle-aged scholar with his eyes closed,
unconscious. Mei Tuizhi stepped forward and took his pulse. "It's nothing serious, just a bit weak. He was frightened and temporarily lost
consciousness."
He then took out a gold needle and pricked the scholar's "Hegu" acupoint. The scholar slowly
woke up with a soft "hmm." Tang Jun was overjoyed. "Thank you, Divine Physician Mei! This man is a talented scholar from Jiangnan..." "If anything were to happen to me , I,
Tang, would have no face to face the elders of Jiangdong."
The middle-aged scholar, having regained consciousness and understood the situation, gave a half-bow on the bed and said, "This student, Tang Yin, thanks you for saving
my life."
Mei Tuizhi was not very interested and said indifferently, "Excessive indulgence in wine and women, if you want to live a few more years, you'd better take care of your
health." As he packed up his golden needles and prepared to leave, Ding Shou, who had followed him in, suddenly realized, "Tang Yin, you are Tang
Bohu, the number one romantic talent in Jiangnan! Where is Qiu Xiang? I haven't seen her."
Tang Bohu looked astonished, "I am indeed Tang Yin, courtesy name Bohu. The claim of being the number one romantic talent in Jiangnan is merely
self-deprecation, I dare not accept such praise. As for who Qiu Xiang is, I have never met her."
"He ranked first in the provincial examination of Yingtian Prefecture in the eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign, but was dismissed from his post as an official due to his involvement in the imperial examination scandal in the twelfth year .
He was ashamed and refused to take up the post, indulging in the pleasures of nature," Bai Shaochuan recited Tang Yin's resume in one breath, and cupped his hands, saying, "
I greatly admire Tang Jieyuan's integrity. I never expected to meet you today. It is my great honor."
Tang Bohu, who had been composed, blushed. In the eyes of the Jianghu people, the Canal
Gang was powerful, but in the eyes of these scholars, the Canal Gang was nothing more than a bunch of rough laborers. He had already lost face
by agreeing to the Canal Gang's invitation to be a behind-the-scenes guest to select famous peony varieties in order to raise money for the construction of the Peach Blossom Hermitage. He had even fallen out with his friend Wen Zhengming.
Now that someone was praising his integrity, he was truly ashamed to accept.
Seeing that Tang Bohu had something difficult to say, Bai Shaochuan didn't press the matter further. Jin Buyi had also taken care of the aftermath for those injured or killed in the garden ,
and no one wanted to cause any more trouble, so they all took their leave. Tang Bohu presented Mei Tuizhi with a folding fan, saying, "Sir
, I have no way to thank you for saving my life. This fan is just a doodle by me, hardly worthy of an expert's eye. Please accept it as a plaything
."
Mei Tuizhi wasn't very interested and declined. Tang Bohu repeatedly refused, but Ding Shou, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it and took it
, saying, "I'll accept it on your behalf." He was joking, this was Tang Bohu, one of the Four Masters of the Ming Dynasty. In later generations, even a casual piece of his calligraphy or
painting would be worth hundreds of millions. They were actually passing it around like this, weren't they afraid of damaging it? What a sin!
Li Qingming also approached, his face grim. He had completely humiliated Mingjian Manor today, and the way
others looked at him seemed full of mockery. He didn't want to stay a moment longer, but his pride wouldn't
allow him to leave. He pulled a dagger from his robes, about seven inches long, with a sharkskin sheath, simple and unadorned. "Many thanks to Mr. Mei for saving me this time
. I won't thank you enough. This Dragon-Slaying Dagger..."
"Alright, I'll take it." Mei Tuizhi reached out and took it, then turned and left.
The couple were left standing there, Li Qingming's heart bleeding. That Dragon-Slaying Dagger had taken three years to forge;
countless people in the martial world coveted it. His father had left it to him for self-defense. Today, he had truly humiliated himself and wanted to use this dagger to regain some face, but Mei Tuizhi
took it without even asking. What kind of martial arts senior was this?
Ding Shou chuckled inwardly. Mei Tuizhi might be kind to others, but Mingjian Manor had a two-generation feud with the Heavenly Demon Palace
; politeness would be a miracle.
Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, Mei Tuizhi shoved the dagger into Ding Shou's hands. "Young Master, what are your next plans?"
"Wait and see. The thirteenth jade doll you mentioned should be in the hands of Changfeng Escort Agency.
They didn't find it at the inn last time. You might as well use your family's connections to find out the situation and try to cure your illness first."
Ding Shou took the dagger and stuffed it into his pocket.
Mei Tuizhi nodded, then shouted at Guo Xu and the other man, "Why didn't you tell
me about all this trouble you've gotten yourself into? Did you think our families' relationship had become so distant?"
Guo Xu smiled nonchalantly, about to say something in response, when Ding Shou saw Chang Jiu, who was in charge of monitoring the escort team, rushing over. He exchanged
a glance with Bai Shaochuan; something had happened.
Chapter Twenty: Playing with the Jade Fox Under the Moon
Mei Family Village, on the outskirts of Xiangyang City, night.
Ding Shou tossed and turned on his bed, unable to fall asleep.
That day, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had launched a large-scale attack while Guo Xu was away. The Canal Gang disciples who were originally looking after the escort team dared not provoke the Embroidered Uniform
Guard, and the escort agency was outnumbered and suffered heavy casualties.
Cheng Tieyi desperately protected Chu Chu, while Hou Kun, wounded seventeen times, died from exhaustion. Shang Liu,
filled with remorse for being blackmailed and plotted against the escort agency, used every possible suicidal move against Ding Yanshan. Although he ultimately killed Ding Yanshan with his hidden weapon, the Golden Abacus,
he himself was severely injured by Ding Yanshan's double hooks. Had Mei Tuizhi not arrived in time, he would have perished.
After these series of misfortunes, Guo Xu and the others, escorted by Mei Tuizhi, arrived at Mei Family Manor to recuperate. Ding Shou, under the pretext of following them,
received a report secretly forwarded by Bai Shaochuan during the day: In May, the Tatar prince launched a major invasion of Xuanfu, General Zhang Jun was
defeated, and his subordinate Zhang Xiong and others were killed in battle. The war was fierce and dangerous. Although he had learned that the court had appointed the Imperial Horse Eunuch Miao Kui to supervise military affairs and that
the Duke of Baoguo, Zhu Hui, had been appointed General of the Expedition to lead the troops in resistance, Ding Shou still secretly worried about the women of Xuanfu.
Unable to fall asleep, Ding Shou secretly circulated the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra to regulate his internal energy. Just as his mind was clear and his energy was flowing smoothly
, he suddenly opened his eyes.
"Someone is on the roof."
Although the voice was extremely faint, Ding Shou's senses were now incredibly sharp, so he immediately rushed out of the room and flew onto the roof.
Upon being discovered, the person walking on the rooftop turned and leaped away. Ding Shou immediately gave chase. The person's lightness skill was not weak,
but neither their movement nor their internal strength could match Ding Shou's. The distance between them grew closer and closer, and seeing that they could not shake each other off, the person turned
around. "I'm not running anymore, I can't escape anyway."
The voice was clear and crisp, the face was beautiful, and the figure was curvaceous. It was a beautiful woman of twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Ding
Shou's lustful desires resurfaced, and he smiled maliciously, "Breaking into a private residence at night, you must be either a criminal or a thief. I should take you to the authorities."
The woman smiled seductively, "Could you please give me a way out, young master? I will definitely satisfy you."
It was undeniable that the woman before him was beautiful. Sweat from the long journey had soaked through her black outfit, and the fabric
clung tightly to her body, making her appear slender, firm, and round. What was rare was her pair of alluring eyes,
which shone with a captivating light.
Gently unbuttoning her collar, she swayed slightly, revealing her alluring, snow-white shoulders. Her hands continued to
pull down her clothes as she slowly approached Ding Shou. Ding Shou could already see the cleavage, barely an inch deep, hidden beneath her bright red bodice. He
swallowed hard; they were now less than a foot apart, within arm's reach.
The woman's charming smile remained, but a glint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes. She lowered her head, and a burst of silver light shot from her hair
, aiming straight for his face. It was no easy feat for a woman to survive in the martial world; without some means of self-preservation, she would
have been reduced to ashes long ago. This silver needle technique was one of her signature moves, and countless lives had been lost to it.
Unfortunately for her, this time she faced Ding Shou. Ding Shou possessed abundant Heavenly Demon True Qi, his eight extraordinary meridians unobstructed;
he was undoubtedly a first-rate master. He held his breath and exhaled a burst of qi, instantly scattering the silver needles into pieces
, some even striking the woman's shoulder instead.
With a muffled groan, the woman collapsed to the ground, her face filled with horror as she reached into her robes. Ding Shou then
sealed seven major acupoints on her body, leaving her weak and unable to move. "The...the antidote, please...please...hurry!"
"Where?"
Following the woman's direction, Ding Shou pulled a porcelain bottle from her robes, uncorked it, and sniffed it lightly. He didn't rush
to feed it to her, but instead tore open her clothes, revealing her snow-white shoulders. He saw several needle marks swollen and
, with a slight effort, drew out the silver needles. He slowly asked, "Who are you? What is
your purpose in sneaking into Mei Family Village at night?"
The woman, unable to bear the poisoning any longer, stammered, "I...I am...Du...Pianpian, here for...for the jade...
jade doll."
"Jade Fox?!" Ding Shou was taken aback. Jade Fox, Du Pianpian, was also a case file member of the Eastern Depot. In recent years,
seven notorious thieves had emerged in the underworld, possessing extraordinary skills and committing numerous crimes across the country. The seven were
ranked as Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Snake, Eagle, Wolf, and Fox, and were known as the Seven Fiends of the Universe. Du Pianpian was the youngest of the Seven Fiends.
Du Pianpian was stunned. These seven rarely left their names when traveling the world, so she had revealed
her real name without much thought. She hadn't expected the young man before her to know her background; she feared things wouldn't end well today.
Ding Shou smiled. Since he had already released that lecherous thief Cui Wanshan, he didn't necessarily need to capture this fox.
He fed her the antidote and then began to undress her. In a short while, she was completely naked. Du Pianpian's body was voluptuous, with full
breasts, round shoulders, wide hips, and a slender waist. Her dark pubic hair was incredibly alluring. He released her pressure points, but sealed
her internal energy, and said, "Turn around and let me see you."
Du Pianpian, having taken the antidote, was now terribly embarrassed by his words. However, having lost her internal energy, she could only lower her head and turn
around, exposing her white, plump buttocks and the narrow slit between her thighs, allowing Ding Shou to see her to his heart's content.
Ding Shou could no longer restrain himself. He quickly tore off his own clothes, stepped forward, and embraced her naked body from behind.
One hand roughly kneaded her breasts, while the other pressed against her mons pubis, touching her pubic hair and vulva. Meanwhile, his one-eyed python was...
He rubbed his plump buttocks against her, thoroughly arousing her.
Du Pianpian was panting heavily from his touch, unable to speak, and some lustful fluid flowed from her honeyed orifice, staining Ding Shou's hand.
Seeing this, Ding Shou flipped her over, laid her on the ground, and then knelt between her legs, holding her two slender
thighs. He aimed his penis at her vagina and thrust in. Although it was a little tight, it wasn't difficult. After three or five thrusts, it was fully inside her,
and he didn't care anymore, thrusting and pounding with all his might.
At first, Du Pianpian was in pain, crying out in pain, but after five or six hundred thrusts, she could
n't help but feel waves of pleasure, moaning continuously. Ding Shou's penis was as hard as iron, and he continued to thrust over a thousand more times. Du Pianpian was already powerless, her vagina feeling as if it were being shattered. Ding
Shou, aroused, disregarded her life or death, pulling his penis out to the glans and then thrusting it in again with all his might. After more than a hundred thrusts, Du Pianpian
was no longer human, having climaxed twice, her naked white flesh lying on the ground, panting.
Ding Shou straightened up, lifted her two white legs, and quickened his thrusting, pumping her seven or eight hundred times without stopping. Du Pianpian was
already exhausted from being raped, and now, being vigorously fucked, she cried out loudly.
"I can't take it anymore, I... I really... can't take it anymore, please spare me."
As his pleasure subsided, Ding Shou straddled her head and shoved his penis into her mouth. Although Yu Hu was not a virgin,
she wasn't promiscuous either. Opening her eyes, she saw the giant python before her, sticky with semen, white and greasy. She refused to let it enter her mouth,
her lips tightly closed, desperately shaking her head.
Ding Shou grabbed Du Pianpian's cheek, forcing her mouth open, and then shoved his penis in,
saying, "You won't do a good job, you insist on drinking the penalty wine. If you don't please me, I'll cripple your skills and sell you to a brothel
."
Du Pianpian had no choice but to gently move her lips and suckle for him. Ding Shou, feeling refreshed, then used Du Pianpian's mouth and throat
as if they were her vagina, inserting himself to the hilt.
She felt a lump in her throat, gagging and retching, but unable to vomit. Reaching his peak, Ding Shou thrust rapidly dozens of times,
pressing against Du Pianpian's throat, and ejaculated.
Du Pianpian had no way to dodge, swallowing a mouthful of his semen, nearly choking to death. The semen was already swallowed, and
unable to push away, she could only sob and groan.
Ding Shou, fearing another death, slightly aroused, sat naked on her, roughly kneading her breasts with one hand
, and asked, "What brings you to the Mei Family Manor at night? Tell the truth and I'll release you."
Du Pianpian, having finally caught her breath, hesitated for a moment, then cried out in pain as Ding Shou pinched
one of her pink nipples. "You'd better tell the truth, or you'll get yourself into trouble,"
he said coldly. Startled, Du Pianpian dared not hide anything and spilled the beans.
It turned out that one of the Seven Fiends, Flying Leopard Qu Buping, had been captured and imprisoned. This man was Yu Hu's lover, and Du Pianpian wanted to steal
the jade doll to exchange for it with Weng Taibei. Therefore, she had gone to the manor at night, only to be met with this calamity.
Ding Shou pondered upon hearing this. This matter had nothing to do with him; he had just enjoyed a blissful encounter and truly could
n't bear to send this woman to the authorities. He released her pressure points and said, "You can go now."
Du Pianpian seemed somewhat disbelieving. "You really want to let me go?"
"What, if you can't bear it, we can do it again."
Seeing his manhood quickly harden again, Du Pianpian felt a surge of fear. "No, no, I can't take it anymore
… let me go."
Seeing her terrified expression, Ding Shou was both amused and annoyed. He waved her away, and Du Pianpian, as if afraid he would change his mind, grabbed her
clothes and hurriedly ran off without even putting them on.
Ding Shou watched her snow-white buttocks sway a few times and disappear into the darkness; her lightness skill was indeed impressive.
It
was dawn when they returned to Mei Family Village. A refined-looking middle-aged man came out to greet them; it was Mei Tuizhi's eldest
son, Mei Jinshu. Mei Tuizhi originally had two sons. His younger son, Mei Yushu, had accompanied Yun, Guo, and Cheng back to Yun Family Village years ago.
On the way, Mei Tuizhi disguised himself and ambushed Yun Tengjiao and his companions. Mei Yushu was so frightened that he lost his mind. Mei Tuizhi felt
guilty and loved his younger son even more. At the same time, he passed on all his medical skills to his eldest son, Mei Jinshu. Now, Mei Jinshu's medical skills
are superb, and the name "Master Mei" is renowned in the medical field.
Ding Shou lied, saying he was taking a morning walk, and went inside to see Mei Tuizhi. These past few days, Mei Tuizhi
had been treating the wounded members of the escort agency and, under the guise of gathering herbs, gathering information. According to him, many martial arts figures had appeared in the vicinity recently,
including Chang Chunzi of Qingcheng, who would likely visit soon. Furthermore, the escort agency members' injuries were no longer serious, and Guo Xu and the others
had already come to say goodbye.
"It would be a real pity if the Mei family's foundation were destroyed because of this. Let's use this opportunity to shift the blame and let the Yun family
deal with these troubles," Ding Shou said after a moment's thought. 　　Seeing the caravan leave Mei Family Village, Weng Taibei, hidden on a hilltop, snorted coldly. Qu Xingwu, standing beside him, bowed 　　and said, "Commander, I will immediately lead men to wipe out the Changfeng Escort Agency."
Weng 　　Taibei glanced at him and said, "Are you a match for Guo Xu and the others?" Ignoring the embarrassed Qu 　　Xingwu, he continued, "Mei Tuizhi has some reputation in the martial world, and it's rumored he's a master. There's no need to make another 　　powerful enemy. Ding Yanshan alerted them and 　　lost his life. If we don't act now, we must strike decisively to avoid any unforeseen complications." 　　Qu Xingwu flattered, "Commander, your strategy is brilliant. I was presumptuous." 　　"Don't be idle during this time. Lead men to clean up those evil spirits. In today's martial world, 　　anyone dares to covet the Embroidered Uniform Guard," Weng Taibei said with a grim expression. 　　The caravan traveled for several more days, gradually entering the territory of De'an Prefecture. From there, they would head south to Wuchang, and then down the river to 　　Yun Family Manor in Jiujiang. This would mark the completion of their mission. However, Guo Xu frowned, deep in thought. 　　" 　　Caiyu, have you noticed that the number of people following behind has decreased recently?" He finally couldn't help but 　　ask Cheng Caiyu beside him. 　　"There are fewer people, and those who remain are even more difficult to deal with." Cheng Caiyu frowned slightly, 　　also worried about the current situation of the caravan. 　　As the two were talking, a cloud of dust rose in the distance, and a troop of cavalry was galloping towards them. 　　Guo Xu and the others secretly prepared themselves, ordering their men to clear the road. However, the cavalry did not stop; instead, they reined in their horses in front of the caravan. 　　A burly military officer glanced at the Changfeng Caravan banner and asked, "Are you gentlemen from the Changfeng Caravan?"

"Is Young Master Guo Xu here? Please come out and answer me."
Guo Xu was secretly puzzled, as he had no dealings with anyone in the military, but he still stepped forward. "I am Guo
Xu. May I ask what brings you here, General?" Upon hearing 　　this, the man dismounted and stepped forward, bowing 　　. "
I am Lu Song, the Commander of the Imperial Guard of the Xing Prince's Mansion. 　　I am here on 　　the orders 　　of the Prince 　　to welcome Young Master Guo." ********** ... 　　The door creaked open, followed by light footsteps. Lu Song approached, bent down, and whispered, 　　"The person has been escorted onto the ship and is safe." 　　The man smiled slightly upon hearing this, "Then Thirteenth Brother should be relieved." 　　This man was Zhu Youyuan, the Prince of Xing, the fourth brother of the Hongzhi Emperor. He was enfeoffed in Anlu in the seventh year of the Hongzhi reign. He was always of a quiet and unassuming nature, 　　disliked pleasure, loved literature and poetry, and was obsessed with the Huang-Lao philosophy. It was rare for him to send his guards out of the Prince of Rong's residence for a letter. It should be noted that 　　the Yongle Emperor seized power through the uprising of princes, and the mobilization of troops by princes was considered a major taboo. If a narrow-minded and extreme 　　emperor was in power, he would directly charge them with treason, leaving no place to reason with them. Just like Zhu Yujian, the Prince of Tang in later generations, this man 　　was one of the few members of the Ming imperial family who raised an army to support the emperor with his own provisions. However, he was dealt with by the Chongzhen Emperor, who directly deposed him as a commoner 　　and imprisoned him in Fengyang. Fortunately, Prince Xing was always unassuming, the recently deceased Hongzhi Emperor was mild-mannered, and the newly 　　enthroned young emperor was even more capricious. Neither father nor son would make things difficult for the imperial family over such a trivial matter. 　　Although their conversation was light, it affected the old Taoist priest opposite them, whose hair and beard were as white as silver. The old Taoist opened his eyes: " 　　When refining elixirs, one must concentrate one's mind and calm one's spirit, not be distracted by external things. Your Highness, be careful." 　　The old Taoist's name was Shao Yuanjie. He cultivated Taoism at the Shangqing Palace on Longhu Mountain. For a thousand years, the Longhu Mountain lineage had always been 　　led by the descendants of Zhang Daoling, and the leader of the Celestial Masters sect also called himself Celestial Master. When the Mongol Yuan Dynasty entered the Central Plains, the 　　title of Celestial Master was bestowed upon Longhu Mountain by the court. When that commoner from Huaiyou ascended the throne, the good days of the Celestial Masters sect came to an end. The Hongwu 　　Emperor said: "How presumptuous! Does Heaven have a teacher? Change the title to True Man." This was the first time the title had been elevated to a higher level. From then on, 　　the leaders of various sects called themselves True Man. 　　Although he could no longer be called a Celestial Master, Longhu Mountain still possessed a thousand-year-old legacy of the Celestial Masters sect. Many of the enlightened masters at Shangqing Palace 　　were members of the Zhang family. Shao Yuanjie's Taoist skills were profound, and he was known as a True Person within the sect, making him somewhat of an anomaly. Prince Xing, already thirty 　　years old, had lost his son five years prior, who died less than seven days later. Now, still childless, he was understandably anxious. Hearing of 　　True Person Shao's exceptional alchemy skills at Longhu Mountain, he invited him at great expense to preach, teach, and practice alchemy at his palace. Upon hearing this, 　　Prince Xing immediately smiled and said, "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Master Shao." He then dismissed Lu Song and 　　began meditating. 　　Meanwhile, while everyone thought the Changfeng Escort Agency had a smooth journey, they were unaware that Guo Xu and his group were facing their greatest crisis since their mission began 　　.

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/146088.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=146088&aspx=1

Previous Page : 【Under the Great Tomorrow】(Chapter 1-3)

Next Page : 【Under the Great Tomorrow】(34)

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

【Under the Great Tomorrow】(19-20)

comment Open a new window to view comments