The next big tomorrow 1920

Chapter Nineteen, The Storms of Central China If you ask 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. Historically, whoever controlled the Central Plains controlled the world; it was a strategically vital location fought over by all sides. Whenever there was war, Luoyang was always the first to be attacked. Li Qingzhao's father, Li Gefei, once said, "The rise and fall of Luoyang is a sign of the order or chaos of the world."
From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors onwards, it has witnessed the rise and fall of thirteen dynasties. Although it is no longer the capital, it remains the seat of Henan Prefecture. Its territory is crisscrossed by mountains and rivers, bordered by the Qinling Mountains to the west, the Songyue Mountains to the east, the Taihang Mountains to the north, and 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 was truly a first-class prosperous city of 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; they just brought out all the dishes at once. Anyway, they'd paid enough, so he figured he'd 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 just makes the food look 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 replying, 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 restaurant where he had been beaten during the day turn into a sea of flames, tears streamed down the little beggar's face. ********** ... "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. The aroma of food wafting from the restaurant only intensified his hunger. He could only tighten the tattered rope around his waist. Suddenly, a piece of silver rolled out of his pocket. He looked around nervously; no one was watching. He picked it up and bit it. It was real! Heaven had intervened! He knelt and kowtowed to the sky, "Thank you, God! Thank you, God!" Ding Shou, who had witnessed this scene from the window, laughed. This Bai Shaochuan was becoming increasingly unfathomable. Equally perplexed were the members of the Changfeng Escort Agency. Upon entering 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 unfolding it revealed sixteen characters: "March 14th, Luoyang Flower Festival, Peony Garden, respectfully welcoming 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 their living from the transport. Jin Buyi was the leader of the canal porter's gang, with hundreds of thousands of followers. The gang was large and powerful; besides transporting grain, they also siphoned water from other goods on the canal. In terms of power, they were no weaker than the Beggars' Gang; 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 isn't this Jin Buyi stationed in Jianghuai, managing his followers and followers? What is he doing in Luoyang?" Ding Shou wondered. The canal transport started in 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 travels to Luoyang, rain or shine, just to hold the ‘Luoyang Flower Festival.’” “The Luoyang Flower Festival” ? “Indeed, there’s a peony garden five miles outside the city, planted with all kinds of peonies. It’s a specialty of the Canal Gang. Furthermore, Jin Buyi offers a hefty reward for rare peony varieties. Anyone who can surpass the ones 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 for Hua Wuqi, just so he can catch a glimpse of her smile.” Bai Shaochuan seemed to recall something, his expression turning somber. "Changfeng Escort Agency is in a bad situation now, would they still go to this ridiculous flower fair?" Ding Shou asked , as if he had just remembered something . **************** ... The peony garden is now a riot of color, teeming with visitors. Aside from the distinguished guests invited by Jin Buyi, for ten days starting March 14th, anyone who loves and appreciates flowers is welcome. In recent years, it has become a major event in Luoyang. Ding Shou and Bai Shaochuan, having learned that the Changfeng Escort Agency had arrived at the peony garden, secretly slipped in early in the morning. They found the garden indeed filled with peonies of all kinds, each vying for attention. A high platform had been erected in an open area, shaded by curtains, with several rows of chairs 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 from the ushers, an old monk with a flowing white beard ascended the platform. "The abbot of Baima Temple is rumored to be not only highly proficient in Buddhism, but also a martial arts master." Bai Shaochuan, hidden among the tourists, whispered to Ding Shou. " Master Huikong of the Shaolin Sutra Repository has arrived—" Guo Xu and Cheng Caiyu, already seated on the platform, exchanged a smile. Since someone from Shaolin had come, there shouldn't be any trouble.

"Master Qiu of Baodu Manor has arrived." A burly man with dark skin stepped forward.
"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 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 recall these two places.
Bai Shaochuan gestured for silence. "It's just Baiyun Mountain and Baoduzhai. These guys are from the Green Forest Road; they're just using them as a cover."
Hearing that these people were notorious bandits, Ding Shou frowned and whispered to Bai Shaochuan with some surprise, "Even Green Forest Road people are participating in 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, Jin Buyi is involved; he has a close relationship with the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, Earl of Pingjiang, Chen Xiong," Bai Shaochuan replied in a low voice.
"Chief Escort Yang of the Longmen Escort Agency has arrived."
"Chief Escort Guan of the Huwei Escort Agency has arrived."
"Elder Gongsun of the Kongtong Sect has arrived."
With each announcement, renowned martial arts figures and local heroes arrived in succession. Ding Shou was secretly astonished; Jin Buyi's influence was indeed immense. If he were merely a powerful outlaw, one could attribute it to his extensive network, but for elders from sects like Shaolin and Kongtong, which had existed for centuries, to come and offer their congratulations was beyond mere wealth and power.
"Young Master Li of the Mingjian Manor has arrived with his wife." Upon hearing this, everyone on the stage was moved, and several less experienced martial artists 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 trim, a jade ring on his hand, and a ruby the size of a pigeon's egg inlaid on his jade belt. His attire was extremely opulent, yet it exuded a vulgarity. 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 the crowd, 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 a pair of captivating eyes. A beauty mark at the corner of her mouth added to her allure.
Jin Buyi stepped forward, laughing heartily, "I, Jin, from the renowned Sword Manor, have long been detached from worldly affairs and dared not trouble you with this invitation. I never expected you, esteemed couple, to grace my humble abode with your presence. Please allow me to introduce the young master." He then turned to the assembled heroes, "Gentlemen, these two are the illustrious young master of the renowned Sword Manor, Li Qingming, the Cold Star Sword, and his wife, Pan Ru, the Cold Moon Sword."
The heroes rushed forward to greet him. The beautiful woman returned the greeting with a smile, but the young master Li remained arrogant. He was only slightly polite to his master, Jin Buyi, and Shaolin Huikong; he showed no courtesy to anyone else. Although the heroes were displeased, they forced polite conversation. However, when the Changfeng Escort Agency was introduced, he lingered with Guo Xu for a few words, causing the chief escorts of their rival escort agencies, Longmen and Huwei, to glare angrily, even breaking off several of their beards in the process.
"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. 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 meant no one would provoke them, what kind of martial world would it be? As for Li Yunxiao's skill in sword-making, the saying "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime" only gave others a reason to come and cause trouble. He intuitively felt that this old man, Li Mingyang, was the kid on the 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 that old guy? He probably passed away long ago, leaving his son to use his influence for his own purposes."
"You're not the only one who suspects this. Ten years ago, Li Yunxiao accidentally obtained a piece of celestial iron and spent three years forging it into a Dragon-Slaying Dagger. The Three Demons from Beyond the Pass, 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 animatedly while several peonies, selected from the initial selection, were displayed on the stage. Red, yellow, purple, green, blue, white, black, and pink peonies of various colors vied for attention, and
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 agreed.
"I have a humble opinion," said Pan Ruren, her gentle smile preceding her words, her soft voice eliciting agreement from those around her. "This 'Wei Zi' peony from the residence of Wei Renbo of Luoyang during the Five Dynasties period has fuller blooms and truly embodies the peony's connotation of wealth and nobility, deserving the title of 'Queen of Flowers.'"
"I've long heard that Miss Caiyu is known as a female Zhuge Liang; would you please offer your opinion?" Jin Buyi asked, turning to Cheng Caiyu.
"Caiyu wouldn't dare," Cheng Caiyu replied with a smile, standing beside Guo Xu, having remained mostly silent until Jin Buyi spoke. "As everyone knows, the annual Flower Festival champion is presented to the Peony Lady of Southern Xinjiang. How could Caiyu presume to offer her opinion or speculate on the lady's heart?"
Jin Buyi stroked his beard and chuckled, "Miss Caiyu, you're too kind. The Peony Lady sent word that she's 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." A hint of boasting and smugness lingered in his words.
The crowd suddenly understood. No wonder they hadn't seen anyone from Hundred Flowers Valley; it turned out Jin Buyi was personally delivering them. This old man was certainly lucky with women.
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, would never dare to steal your beauty; please, Chief Jin, decide for yourself."
This remark struck a nerve 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 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 Pulp." He slowly walked up 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 believe Master Lingxiang and Lady Pan are both right. However, I think 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 with their host. Li Qingming examined it carefully and said, "I didn't expect to see a new variety at today's peony festival. Please, Chief Jin, bestow a name upon 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'?"
Ling Xiang clapped his hands and praised, "What a fitting
description of a green dragon lying in an ink pool!" Pan Ru, sensing her husband's displeasure, also pulled Li Qingming along, praising it repeatedly. Li Qingming
awkwardly echoed her. Jin Buyi, though illiterate, was not stupid. He sensed Li Qingming's ill intentions earlier, but out of respect for the prestige of Mingjian Manor, he smiled and agreed without revealing his true feelings.
Suddenly, a chorus of screams 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 fell and were trampled, injuring many, and thousands of peonies were reduced to dust.
"Stop!" A thunderous roar echoed throughout the garden, making everyone's ears ring. Some tourists felt dizzy and even began to vomit. Jin Buyi's skill was profound; although his voice shook the entire area, he did not consider that ordinary people could not withstand such a heavy blow.
"Namo Amitabha Buddha." The voice, like the 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 and panicked earlier, but after two resounding rebukes, 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 up 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 hitting the ground came from outside the peony garden. It started slowly but then quickened, growing louder and louder, and even had a rhythmic quality.
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, roll him out!"
"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 dressed strangely; his clothes, though made of fine brocade, were patchwork of five 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 merely a bunch of poor fools. We fear being unwelcome to come here asking 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 stepped forward and interjected.
"Not much, just a mere one million taels. The Cao Gang is wealthy and powerful; it's just a small matter." Lan Tingrui laughed heartily, looking up at the sky.
The crowd paled. A million taels of silver? Were these beggars out of their minds? Even Qiu Dahai of Baoduzhai and Guo Ziyu of Baiyun Mountain trembled. In all their years of ruling their mountain strongholds, they hadn't accumulated that much silver. Had they chosen the wrong path? Should they have joined the Beggars' Sect
? Jin Buyi, enraged, laughed coldly. "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, you 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. Indeed, their true intention wasn't the jade dolls; the Beggars' Sect's encirclement of 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 so 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 consider. When I release him, it won't be a grass snake anymore." With 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 fight a losing battle. Let's give him the jade doll for now, 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 Cao Gang will never betray our friends."
Ling Xiang looked at the crowd of tourists below the stage and said, "Whatever the solution today, please prioritize the safety of innocent people."
"This old monk has something to say. Although we haven't met, Young Master Guo, I've heard of your great name from my senior brother, the abbot. I know that Young Master Guo values his word above all else, and he will never relinquish the jade doll. Why don't I keep it for him? 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," Hui Kong said sincerely to Guo Xu.
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 often gone back on their word later. Guo Xu had a past with Abbot Huiyuan, but he knew very little about this Master Huikong.
A hint of anger flashed across Huikong's face. "Miss Cheng, are you perhaps worried that I will seize the Jade Doll? You should know that the Jade Doll is originally the property of Shaolin. It is perfectly justified for me to take it."
Kongtong Elder Gongsun Ke replied, "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, below, scoffed. This was shameless. Shaolin was the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism; what did it have to do with Tantric Buddhism? On the contrary, Wutai Baoxiang Temple, which had always been at odds with Shaolin, had accepted some Tantric Buddhist teachings. This Shaolin monk seemed to be preparing to sow discord.
Guo Xu blocked Caiyu's path, saying, "Master, please don't be angry. Caiyu doesn't mean any harm; she's just considering my friendship with Master Huiyuan and doesn't want your temple to get into trouble." This was to save face for Huikong while subtly mentioning his relationship with the Shaolin abbot.
"My senior brother, the abbot, went into seclusion to
cultivate Buddhism several months ago. This humble monk has been managing the temple affairs on his behalf. As the Buddha said, 'If I don't go to hell, who will?' This humble monk is willing to take on this responsibility." Seeing the situation about to escalate, a figure darted from the tourists near the platform, landing in front of Cheng Caiyu. He grabbed her throat and chuckled, "The bald Shaolin monks are forcing people to do things they don't want. Why don't I play the villain? Young Master Guo, the jade doll will redeem you. 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, quickly 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 gave a whistle.
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 onto the stage unnoticed by everyone." Yan Benshu said smugly.
Guo Xu and Jin Buyi were hesitant to act, and were at a loss. Seeing the critical situation, Guo Xu was about to agree to the terms to exchange people when suddenly the Beggars' Sect members surrounding the perimeter parted from the outside in, and four or five old beggars walked in. The one in the lead had messy hair and a bulbous nose, and a huge wine gourd hanging from his waist. He was the old friend 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 flicker of panic crossed Lan Tingrui's face, but he forced a smile and said, "So it's Brother Tu. I know you're busy, and I haven't had a chance 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. How can you face being a Beggars' Sect's enforcement elder? I will bring you to justice!" Tu Dayong's voice was stern.
"Enough!" Tu Dayong continued his rebuke, and Lan Tingrui, enraged, said, "I, Lan, am an enforcement officer for the Beggars' Sect because of my numerous merits over the past ten years. I was elected by the brothers in the sect. Now you dare to incite internal strife. I must enforce the sect rules. Guards, seize Tu Dayong!
" "Who dares!" A loud shout startled the beggars, who remained motionless, intimidated by Tu Dayong's imposing presence. Tu Dayong surveyed the crowd and declared, "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 met untimely deaths. 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 Black Cliff. The spirits of these 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 carried on the Beggars' Clan for hundreds of years 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, and nearly a thousand beggars fell silent, each with a look of shame on their faces. When Ding Shou first met Tu Dayong
, he had only thought the old beggar was greedy and lazy, and had somewhat looked down on him. Now, seeing his righteous indignation and awe-inspiring presence, he couldn't help but feel more respect. Tu Dayong pointed his halberd at Lan Tingrui, "Everyone remembers the merits you have rendered to the Beggars' Clan, but your tarnishing of the Beggars' Clan's reputation is unforgivable..."
Several old beggars who had come with Tu Dayong were elders of the Beggars' Clan. They shouted in unison, "Beggars' Clan disciples, heed my command!"
"Yes, sir!" 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 forward, forming groups of thirty-six, and advanced towards Lan Tingrui in concentric circles.
The situation suddenly reversed. Yan Benshu looked panicked. Guo Xu and his men were no pushovers. Guo Xu drew his Heartbreak Sword, aiming it straight 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. Forget it.
" Lan Tingrui gritted his teeth and said, "Old devil Tu, I admit defeat today. I'll hold a memorial service to seek justice from you another day." After saying that, he retreated with Yan Benshu.
The Beggars' Sect and the Canal Gang disciples rushed forward, only to be scrambled by a swarm of venomous snakes he threw at them. Several were bitten, their faces turning black instantly, and they died before they could receive treatment.
The assembled heroes were filled with lingering fear; if Lan Tingrui had thrown such venomous snakes into the crowd earlier, the Peony Garden would have become a scene of carnage.
Li Qingming let out a long roar, drew his longsword, and unleashed a move called "Spring Clouds Unfold" towards Lan Tingrui.
Tang Jun, at this moment, had taken out his renowned Iron Powder, blocking Yan Benshu. His weapon was Iron Powder, but he wielded the Thirty-Six Styles of Splashing Water Staff Technique, creating a dense mass of black 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 from excessive drinking suddenly swelling as if it were about to bleed.
Blocked in front and pursued from behind, Lan Tingrui, enraged, raised his hand to meet the attack with a palm strike. The palm strike carried the faint sound 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 sinisterly, "Good, good, good, good Hun Tian Palm! Old Ghost Tu, quite the skill!"
Tu Dayong remained silent, his hand hidden in his sleeve trembling slightly. He too had suffered a loss from that palm strike.
The two remained silent. Meanwhile, Li Qingming couldn't wait any longer. His father was very strict, rarely allowing him to venture into the martial world. Although he was always treated with respect when he did come 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 merely a figurehead, forced back by a single move of his family's Qingping Sword Technique.
Thinking this, he swung his sword forward, unleashing the three forms of the Qingping Sword Technique—"Flying Flowers of Jiangcheng," "Chasing the Moon with Colorful Clouds," and "Rain and Wind"—in quick succession, dazzling the onlookers.
Lan Tingrui waved his sleeve, "You little brat, get out of the way!" His long sleeve had already wrapped around Li Qingming's sword.
Li Qingming, however, was overjoyed. The sword in his hand was the Cold Moon Sword forged by his father, its blade icy cold and sharp enough to cut a hair in two. He immediately twisted it forcefully, and sure enough, Lan Tingrui's brocade robe was torn into pieces, scattering in the air like butterflies flitting among flowers.
Unexpectedly, Li Qingming, who should have pressed his advantage, suddenly roared, threw down his sword, and collapsed to the ground, desperately tearing at his clothes, screaming in agony. The assembled heroes were stunned.
Over there, the outcome of Yan Benshu's battle was also decided. Yan Benshu, who had been struggling to defend himself, suddenly reached out and grabbed Tang Jun, who staggered back with a muffled groan, a blackened claw mark now visible 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, but was struck by the punch, coughing up blood and exclaiming, "The Evil-Breaking Yuan Empty Hand! You, you are…!"
Jin Buyi strode forward and simply threw another punch. Yan Benshu dared not meet it, and with a flurry of movements, launched over a dozen emerald green projectiles.
On the platform, Huikong shouted, "Azure Phosphorus Poison Fire Bullets! Retreat immediately
!" Jin Buyi's advance halted abruptly, his arms outstretched, and he swiftly retreated.
Boom, boom, boom! With each explosion, plumes of emerald smoke billowed through the garden, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation. Lan Tingrui and Yan Benshu were nowhere to be seen.
********************
Lan Tingrui and Yan Benshu fled, running for a full twenty li before finally stopping to rest.
"Brother Lan, what should we do?" Yan Benshu asked. Today was an unlucky day. He had originally planned to use Jin Buyi to blackmail him into not daring to retaliate, but Tu Dayong had suddenly appeared, along with two of the Four Eccentrics of the Jianghu. If it weren't for the entourage of travelers, 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 and gather 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 will follow Brother Lan." Having offended both the Beggar 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 come with us." A voice sounded behind the two.
The two turned around abruptly. A young man in blue robes leaned against a large tree, looking at them with a half-smile.
The two exchanged a glance, their killing intent already rising.
Yan Benshu stretched out his hands, his ten-inch-long fingernails gleaming with a dark light. Lan Tingrui's seemingly ordinary palm strike struck, yet it covered five vital points on Yan's body.
Ding Shou remained calm, gently inhaling and sliding upwards along the tree like a nimble snake. He pushed off the tree trunk, escaping the encirclement. The two 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 particularly high. However, he hadn't expected the two to be so skilled, with tricky and unique moves. If it weren't for the clueless Weng Taibei, their skill was the highest he had ever seen since he started practicing. He was secretly horrified by the martial arts of the "Four Eccentrics" (a group known for their love of wine, women, wealth, and
anger). Actually, Ding Shou was overthinking it. While Jin Buyi and Tu Dayong were indeed skilled, their victories weren't easy. Both used their most powerful techniques, and their lack of pursuit after the initial attack 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 knowledge, 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.
As Ding Shou took a step forward, the two men shuddered. Yan Benshu, extremely unwilling, pulled a porcelain bottle from his robes and threw it at Ding Shou.
Ding Shou was about to catch it and kill the two to prevent future trouble when suddenly a strong wind blew behind him. He dodged to the side, and the porcelain bottle landed, 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 anything 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. What Heavenly Demon Hand? This junior doesn't understand. Could you please show yourself
?" A cold snort rang out, and a figure with long, gray-white hair appeared. Ding Shou was startled upon seeing the person; if it weren't for the bright 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 bluntly, striking Ding Shou with a palm strike. Ding Shou dared not be careless; he leaped to the side, turning and striking the person's ribs with his own palm.
Without the man turning around, he 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 man's moves.
"Sealing Technique, well done," the man praised lightly, his sleeves billowing out, unleashing a powerful force like a mountain and a sea towards Ding Shou.
Ding Shou remained silent, his hands forming an arc, pushing and deflecting the force in an instant. Today, he had encountered several masters, and this young man was no longer the one who underestimated heroes. He immediately showed his true skill, unleashing a series of Heavenly Demonic Steps techniques: the Crack Technique, the Grab Technique, the Break Technique, and the Hook Technique, like a storm, the thirty-six forms of the Heavenly Demonic Hand unleashed in rapid succession.
"Huh!" The man was astonished. It seemed he had underestimated this kid. The Heavenly Demon Hand technique of their sect was profound and difficult to learn, but the most difficult part was that each of the thirty-six forms had a different method of
circulating energy. Each change of move required the entire body's energy to change accordingly. This young man, at such a young age, had used them in succession without any pause. Which fellow disciple could have taught such a high-level student? This moment of distraction allowed Ding Shou to seize the opportunity. The Grasp Technique went straight for the central palace. By the time the man noticed the rapid changes in his footing, Ding Shou was relentless. The Heavenly Demon Hand Entangling Technique followed like a shadow. With a tearing sound, the man finally escaped outside the circle, but a large piece of his robe collar had been torn off.
Ding Shou clutched the tattered cloth, but showed no smugness. He exclaimed in surprise, "Heavenly Demonic Steps! Who are you
?" The man laughed heartily, wiping his face to reveal an aged man with silver hair, kind eyes, and a smug grin. "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 snapped out of his daze. "Good, bowing is fine." He pulled a token from his inner pocket. The token was only palm-sized, dark and unremarkable. A lifelike image of the Heavenly Demon was engraved on the back, while the front had no other text, only the single character "令" (command).
Yet this unremarkable token caused the previously composed old man's face to display a mixture of astonishment, joy, resentment, and sorrow. It was as if this wasn't 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, pays respects to my lord." The old man knelt on the ground, two streams of tears falling.
"The Divine Healer Mei Liangqi, I've heard my master mention you." Ding Shou stepped forward and helped Mei Liangqi up, secretly thinking that the things the old man left him were really 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 was secretly worried about Ding Shou's prolonged pursuit of the two. Guo Xu apologized to Jin Buyi, as today's events were ultimately directed 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, looking around at the injuries. Jin Buyi stepped forward to question him, but the old man ignored him. He'd had enough trouble today; he wouldn't tolerate anyone adding to the chaos. Jin Buyi was about to explode in anger when Guo Xu and the other man quickly came over: "Chief Jin, this is the legendary physician Mei Tuizhi from Mei Family Village. Uncle Mei, this humble one, Guo Xu, greets you." Ling Xianghui and the others also came over to pay their respects. Pan Ru, still clinging to hope, kept asking for help. Mei Tuizhi nodded and smiled at Guo Cheng and the other two, but ignored the others, speaking to himself, "Yan Benshu's Phosphorus Poison Fireballs were made by the Thunderbolt Hall. The fireworks themselves contain potent poison. Hmm, the timely rinsing with water shows proper handling. These medicines will neutralize the poison. This is the Five Ghosts Soul-Searching Claw. It's alright, it's alright. This antidote is effective. Taking this pill will help you 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 the artifact 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. After being fed with golden leaves for several months, it would turn into a pile of golden dung. This dung was the Golden Silkworm Gu Poison, 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 turned pale at the mere mention of it. Their gazes towards the Beggars' Sect were now 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. 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, Elder Tu, and I use it when we fought
?" "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 first move. Not knowing his 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, so 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 we beg you to use your skillful hands to save him."
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. He's just a little weak and has temporarily lost his breath from the shock."
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 had happened to him, I would have no face to face my elders in Jiangdong."
The middle-aged scholar, having regained consciousness, understood the situation and gave a half-bow on the bed, saying, "This student, Tang Yin, thanks you for saving my life."
Mei Tuizhi wasn't very interested, saying indifferently, "Excessive indulgence in wine and women; if you want to live a few more years, you'd better take care of your health." He packed up his golden needles, preparing to leave, when Ding Shou, who had followed him in, suddenly realized, "Tang Yin, you're Tang Bohu, the number one romantic scholar of Jiangnan! Where's Qiu Xiang? I have n't seen
her." Tang Bohu looked astonished, "I am indeed Tang Yin, my courtesy name is Bohu. The title of 'number one romantic scholar of Jiangnan' is merely self-deprecation; I dare not accept such praise. As for Qiu Xiang, I have never met her."
"In the eleventh year of the Hongzhi reign, he ranked first in the provincial examination in Yingtian Prefecture. In the twelfth year, he was implicated in the imperial examination scandal in the capital and dismissed from his post. Ashamed, he refused to take up the post and indulged in the pleasures of nature," Bai Shaochuan recited Tang Yin's resume in one breath, cupping his hands and 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 looking quite composed, now 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 disgraced himself 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 his Peach Blossom Hermitage. He had even fallen out with his friend Wen Zhengming. Now that he was being praised for his integrity, he truly had no face to agree.
Seeing that Tang Bohu seemed reluctant to speak, Bai Shaochuan said no more. 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, "I have no way to thank you for saving my life, sir. 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 insisted, and Ding Shou, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore 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 the Famous Sword Manor today, and the mocking looks from the others filled him with a sense of awe. He didn't want to stay a moment longer, but his pride wouldn't allow him to simply walk away. 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 took it and turned to leave.
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 been utterly humiliated 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. Old Mei might be amiable 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 of inattention, Mei Tuizhi shoved a dagger into Ding Shou's hand. "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 tucked it into his pocket.
Mei Tuizhi nodded, then shouted at Guo Xu and the other man, "Why didn't you tell me you were in so much trouble? Did you think our families' relationship had become so distant?"
Guo Xu smiled nonchalantly, about to offer a few words of agreement, 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 sleep.
That day, taking advantage of Guo Xu's absence, the Imperial Guards launched a massive attack. The Canal Gang disciples who were originally looking after the escort team dared not provoke the Imperial Guards, and
the escort agency was outnumbered and suffered heavy casualties. Cheng Tieyi desperately protected Chu Chu, Hou Kun was wounded seventeen times and died from exhaustion, and Shang Liu, filled with remorse for having been blackmailed and schemed against, used every move to kill Ding Yanshan. Although he ultimately killed Ding Yanshan with the hidden weapon, the Golden Abacus, he himself was severely injured by Ding Yanshan's double hooks. If Mei Tuizhi hadn't arrived in time, his life would have been in danger.
After a series of misfortunes, Guo Xu and his companions, escorted by Mei Tuizhi, arrived at Mei Family Village 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 general 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 eunuch Miao Kui to supervise military affairs and that Duke Zhu Hui of Baoguo had been appointed General of the Expeditionary Army to lead the troops in resistance, Ding Shou still secretly worried about the women of Xuanfu.
Unable to sleep, Ding Shou secretly circulated the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra to regulate his internal energy. Just as his mind became clear and his energy flowed smoothly, he suddenly opened his eyes.
“Someone’s on the roof.”
Although the sound was extremely faint, Ding Shou’s senses were now incredibly sharp, and he immediately rushed out of the room and leaped onto the roof.
The rooftop stalker, realizing he'd been spotted, turned and leaped away. Ding Shou immediately gave chase. The man's lightness skill was considerable, but neither his agility nor his internal strength matched Ding Shou's. The distance between them grew ever closer, and seeing no way to shake him off, the man turned around. "I'm not running anymore, I can't escape anyway."
His voice was clear and melodious, his face beautiful, and his figure curvaceous. He was a stunning woman of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Ding Shou's lustful nature flared up again, and he smiled maliciously, "Breaking into a private residence at night, you're either a criminal or a thief. I should take you to the authorities."
The woman smiled alluringly, "Could you please spare my life, sir? I will surely satisfy you."
Undeniably, the woman before him was beautiful. Sweat from her long journey had soaked through her black outfit, the fabric clinging tightly to her body, highlighting her slender, firm, and rounded features. Most striking were her captivating eyes, their light shimmering, utterly mesmerizing.
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, heading 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, this time she was facing Ding Shou, whose Heavenly Demon True Qi was abundant and whose Eight Extraordinary Meridians were unobstructed. He was definitely a first-rate expert. He held his breath and exhaled a burst of Qi, which immediately blew the silver needles into pieces. Some of them even hit 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, only to have Ding Shou immediately seal 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 pulled open her clothes, revealing her snow-white shoulders. Seeing several swollen needle marks, he placed his palm on them and, with a slight effort, sucked out several silver needles. He slowly and deliberately asked, "Who are you? What are your intentions in infiltrating Mei Family Village at night
?" The woman, unable to bear the poisoning, stammered, "I...I am...Du...Pianpian, here for...for the jade...jade doll.
" "Jade Fox!" Ding Shou was taken aback upon hearing this. 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. This 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. There was a patch of pubic hair in the dark area between her legs, which was very alluring. He raised his hand and released her pressure points, but sealed her power. He said, "Turn around and let me see you."
Du Pianpian had just taken the antidote and her limbs had regained their strength. Hearing this, she was extremely embarrassed. However, she had lost her power, so 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 hastily tore off his clothes, stepped forward, and grabbed her naked body from behind, kneading her plump breasts with one hand and pressing the other against her mons pubis, touching her pubic hair and vulva. His one-eyed python rubbed against Du Pianpian's plump buttocks, thoroughly arousing him.
Du Pianpian was panting heavily from the touch, unable to speak, and some lustful fluid flowed from her vulva, 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 vulva and thrust it in. Although it was a little tight, it wasn't difficult. After three or five thrusts, it was fully inside him. He then continued to thrust and pound relentlessly.
At first, Du Pianpian cried out in pain, but after five or six hundred thrusts, she couldn't help but feel waves of pleasure, moaning continuously. Ding Shou's rod was as hard as iron. He continued thrusting over a thousand times without stopping, until Du Pianpian was completely powerless, her vagina aching as if it had been shattered. Ding Shou, aroused, disregarded her life, pulling his penis out to the glans and then thrusting it back in with all his might. He repeated this over a hundred times, until 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 increased the speed of his thrusting, continuing to thrust seven or eight hundred times without stopping. Du Pianpian, already exhausted from being raped, was now being violently violated, crying out loudly.
"I can't...I really...can't take it anymore, please spare me."
His arousal nearly exhausted, Ding Shou straddled her head and shoved his penis into her mouth. Although the jade fox was not a virgin, she was not promiscuous either. Opening her eyes, she saw the giant python before her, sticky with vaginal fluid, 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 shoved his penis into her mouth, saying, "You won't do anything nice, you insist on being punished. If you don't please me, I'll cripple your skills and sell you to a brothel."
Du Pianpian had no choice but to move her lips slightly, sucking on his penis. Ding Shou felt pleasure and treated Du Pianpian's mouth and throat like a vagina, inserting it to the hilt.
She felt a lump in her throat, gagging and retching, but couldn't vomit. Ding Shou, reaching his climax, 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, almost choking to death. The semen in her throat was already swallowed, and 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 were you doing sneaking into Mei Family Manor at night? Tell the truth and I'll release you."
Du Pianpian, finally catching her breath, hesitated slightly upon hearing this, 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."
His voice was cold and stern, frightening Du Pianpian into revealing everything without hesitation.
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, hence her nighttime incursion into the manor, which led to this calamity.
Ding Shou pondered upon hearing this. This matter had nothing to do with him; he had just enjoyed a blissful encounter and was truly reluctant to send this woman to the authorities. He released her pressure points and said, "You can go now."
Du Pianpian was somewhat incredulous. "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, but 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 quite 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 doted on his youngest son even more, while also passing on all his medical skills to his eldest son, Mei Jinshu. Mei Jinshu's medical skills were now superb, and the name "Master Mei" was renowned in the medical world.
Ding Shou lied and said he was going for a morning walk, then went inside to see Mei Tuizhi. In the past few days, besides treating the wounded members of the escort agency, Mei Tuizhi had been using the excuse of gathering herbs to gather information. According to him, many martial arts figures had appeared in the vicinity recently, including Changchunzi of Qingcheng, who would likely visit soon. In addition, the injuries of the escort agency members 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 take 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 Wei, 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 is rumored to be a master. There's no need to make another powerful enemy. Ding Yanshan alerted them, risking his own life. Now, if we don't act, all is well; if we do, we must strike decisively to avoid any unforeseen complications." Qu Xingwu flattered, "Commander Wei's strategy is unparalleled. I was presumptuous. " "Don't be idle during this time. Take some men and clean up those evil spirits. In today's martial world, anyone dares to plot against the Embroidered Uniform Guard," Weng Taibei said with a deep, unwavering 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 the Yun Family Manor in Jiujiang. This journey would then be considered a complete success. At this moment, Guo Xu frowned, deep in thought. "Caiyu, have you noticed that the number of tails following behind has decreased recently?" Finally, unable to contain himself, he asked Cheng Caiyu beside him. "There are fewer people, but those who remain are even more difficult to deal with," Cheng Caiyu said, her brows furrowed, 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 his men were on guard, ordering their men to clear the road. However, the cavalry didn't proceed; instead, they reined in their horses in front of the caravan. A burly military officer glanced at the Changfeng Escort Agency's banner and said, "Are you all Guo Xu, the young master of the Changfeng Escort Agency? Please come out and answer my questions." Guo Xu was puzzled, as he had no dealings with military figures, but he still stepped forward casually. "I am Guo Xu. What brings you here, General ?" The man dismounted and bowed, saying, "I am Lu Song, the Commander of the Imperial Guard of the Xing Prince's Mansion. I am here on the Prince's orders to welcome Young Master Guo." ********** ... The room was filled with the smoke of incense. A Bagua alchemy furnace stood in the center of the room, with two futons on either side, each with a person sitting opposite each other. One of the people was about thirty years old, with a clear face, a slight mustache, and wearing a crane cloak. He was meditating and chanting scriptures. 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 on the throne, 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. Their conversation, though light, affected the elderly Taoist priest opposite them, whose hair and beard were as white as silver. The old priest opened his eyes: "When refining elixirs, one must concentrate the mind and calm the 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, they bestowed the title of Celestial Master upon Longhu Mountain. When that commoner from Huaiyou ascended the throne, the good days of the Celestial Masters sect came to an end. The Hongwu Emperor's words, "How absurd! Does Heaven have a teacher? Why change the title to True Man?" effectively elevated the title 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 ago, 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 lecture on scriptures, Taoist practices, and alchemy for health and longevity at his palace. Upon hearing this, Prince Xing immediately smiled and said, "This humble prince understands, thank you for your guidance, Master Shao." He then dismissed Lu Song and settled into meditation. Meanwhile, while everyone at Changfeng Escort Agency thought their journey was smooth, they were unaware that Guo Xu and his group were facing their greatest crisis since their mission began.

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