Chapter 39
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Chapter 39 – Discussion
As Situ Liang entered the hall, the three people inside were whispering to each other, while Hall Master Zhao remained silent in his original seat, sipping his tea. It seemed that he hadn’t moved since Situ Liang had left.
The sound of Situ Liang’s footsteps abruptly halted the conversation among the three. They exchanged glances. The elderly man with graying hair remained seated, while the other two stood up. One was a medium-built, sharp-looking man, and the other was a slightly taller, fair-faced, somewhat portly middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. They walked to the center of the hall to greet Situ Liang.
After exchanging courtesies, Situ Liang asked: “Hall Master Zhang, Hall Master Xing, did you have a good New Year at home?”
The portly middle-aged man said: “It was fine. Spending New Year with family is always enjoyable. Compared to Hall Master Situ staying in the gang alone, this Xing feels a bit uneasy.”
Situ Liang waved his hand and said: “I’m a solitary person, isn’t it the same wherever I go? Should I have asked Brother Zhang, with your many wives and concubines, to keep me company? I heard you recently took a young concubine before the New Year.”
The sharp-looking man blushed slightly and hurriedly said: “Hall Master Situ, you wrong me. This Zhang is but a mere mortal, unable to sever the seven emotions and six desires, unlike you, Hall Master Situ, who has obtained the true teachings of the immortals, severed all mortal karma, and jumped out of the mortal world.”
Situ Liang’s expression turned strange as he said: “Brother Zhang, do you think I’m a monk? I still plan to find someone to carry on my family lineage.”
Both men responded: “That’s wonderful, we all look forward to that day.”
As the three men chatted, Elder Chu grew impatient and lightly coughed. Situ Liang quickly walked over and bowed. Elder Chu, frowning, nodded and gestured for Situ Liang to sit.
Situ Liang then sat down in the chair opposite Elder Chu. Before he could settle in, Elder Chu eagerly asked: “Little Liang, is there any news of Ping’er?”
Elder Chu was a long-time member of the gang, having essentially watched both Situ Ping and Situ Liang grow up. Normally, in the hall, he addressed each other formally as Gang Leader and Hall Master. The sudden use of their childhood names indicated his deep concern for Situ Ping.
Feeling a warmth in his heart, Situ Liang quickly replied: “Elder Chu, my cousin is fine. She just can’t return to the gang for the time being.”
Hall Master Xing also asked: “What’s going on? Gang Leader has always acted steadily. Something must have happened this time. I asked Old Zhao earlier, but he wouldn’t say a word and insisted on waiting for you. So, stop keeping us in suspense and just tell us.”
Situ Liang nodded, took the letter from his pocket, and stood up to hand it to Elder Chu.
Elder Chu pulled out the letter inside and read it carefully, his frown deepening. Afterward, Hall Master Xing and Hall Master Zhang also read the letter carefully.
When everyone had finished reading, the hall fell into a dead silence.
Elder Chu was the first to speak: “Little Liang, this letter is genuine, isn’t it?”
Situ Liang nodded and said: “Yes, it’s indeed my cousin’s handwriting, and the timing matches up. There shouldn’t be any doubt.”
Hall Master Zhang interjected: “But this is strange. Why would Ten Thousand Swords Peak want to take our gang leader as a disciple? The gang leader is well past the prime age for martial arts training. How can she excel now by joining Ten Thousand Sword Peak?”
Hall Master Xing added: “Isn’t it even more suspicious is that the gang leader has let Ten Thousand Swords Peak’s disciples temporarily manage our gang’s affairs during her absence? What does this mean?”
Situ Liang added: “If our gang leader joins Ten Thousand Swords Peak, we would naturally become an affiliate of Ten Thousand Swords Peak. This would be a blessing for our Evil Tiger Gang, something we’ve never even dared to hope for. However, the fact that the gang leader can’t return immediately, could it be that she needs to train in some advanced martial arts?”
Elder Chu, still frowning, said: “For Ten Thousand Swords Peak, our small influence is like the insignificant meat on a fly. Why would they take an interest in us and even send a few disciples to take over? It’s too much attention for them to give us.”
Hall Master Zhao remained silent for a long time before speaking up: “There are too many doubts about this matter. We must insist on the gang leader returning to explain everything thoroughly. Just handing over our hard-earned territory with a few people and a letter, wouldn’t that make us a joke?”
Situ Liang sighed and said: “Then what should we do? Can we just endure this?” The word ‘endure’ seemed to be pronounced very clearly.
The rest remained silent. Indeed, what else could they do? In the face of absolute martial strength, any scheming, any resistance, would be futile.
But…
Seeing everyone quiet down, Elder Chu asked: “What about the disciples of the Ten Thousand Swords Peak?”
Situ Liang replied: “They’ve all been arranged to rest. They should have finished dinner by now.”
Elder Chu said: “Then let them come over and meet everyone, and let’s have a detailed discussion.”
Situ Liang nodded and sent someone to invite Qu Xiangfeng and the others.
Before long, the seven disciples of the Ten Thousand Swords Peak arrived at the hall together.
The members of the Evil Tiger Gang greeted them and exchanged pleasantries before taking their seats.
Elder Chu spoke gently: “Young Hero Qu, we’re in a remote mountainous area so resources are somewhat scarce. I wonder if you and your companions can adapt?”
Qu Xiangfeng quickly responded: “Elder Chu is too polite. We wander the Jianghu, so roughing it out in the open is nothing new to us. There’s nothing we can’t adapt to in your esteemed gang.”
Elder Chu stroked his beard and said: “That’s excellent to hear.”
Then he asked again: “Young Hero Qu, could you please provide more details about the situation of our Gang Leader Situ?”
Qu Xiangfeng smiled and said: “Senior Sister Situ is quite fortunate. By chance, she caught the eye of Elder Yun Feng from our Ten Thousand Swords Peak and was accepted as his disciple. She is currently in seclusion, training at Ten Thousand Swords Peak. Elder Yun is one of the renowned masters of our sect, so I’m confident that Senior Sister Situ’s martial skills will improve significantly, allowing her to join the ranks of top martial artists in the Jianghu. As for the specific details, I am not entirely clear. We will have to wait for Senior Sister Situ to return to the gang for a more thorough inquiry.”
Qu Xiangfeng’s words were flawless, and no one could discern any hidden details.
Seeing that no one else spoke, Qu Xiangfeng smiled and said: “I am here on my master’s orders to temporarily take over the affairs of your esteemed gang. I wonder what your thoughts are on this matter?”
Although he addressed everyone, Qu Xiangfeng’s gaze was fixed on Elder Chu, who sat at the head of the table.
Just as Elder Chu was about to speak, someone else spoke up first.
“Young Hero Qu, you expect us to follow your orders based solely on a letter, how can we be convinced?”
Qu Xiangfeng turned to look and saw that it was Hall Master Xing.
Qu Xiangfeng asked: “Then, Hall Master Xing, what do you propose we do?”
Hall Master Xing replied: “At the very least, you should first pass my test. Let me experience the swordsmanship of Ten Thousand Swords Peak.”
Elder Chu quickly intervened: “Hall Master Xing, do not be so rude.”
Qu Xiangfeng said: “No problem. It is indeed unreasonable to expect your esteemed gang to follow our orders so easily. I will spar with Hall Master Xing and exchange a few moves so that he will be convinced.”
Situ Liang quickly interjected: “Young Hero Qu, Hall Master Xing, we are all on the same side. There’s no need to go to the training ground. How about sparring here in the hall, just to the point of demonstration, without causing any harm to our harmony?”
Both of them nodded in agreement.
Hall Master Xing called out: “Bring me my weapon!”
Soon, someone came in from outside carrying a one-point-eight zhang fine iron spear, which was Hall Master Xing’s famous weapon.
[TL_Note:1.8 zhang * 3.33 meters/zhang = 5.994 meters or roughly 6 meters]
Hall Master Xing caught the spear single-handedly and gave it a powerful shake. The spearhead traced several arcs in the air, producing a ‘whoosh’ sound. The members of the Evil Tiger Gang couldn’t help but think: “Though Hall Master Xing has grown more portly, his martial skills have not diminished. In fact, he seems to have improved even further since we last saw him.”
In contrast, the disciples of Ten Thousand Swords Peak seemed indifferent, their expressions unreadable.
Qu Xiangfeng drew the large sword from his back with one hand and walked to the center of the hall.
Hall Master Xing looked at Qu Xiangfeng and began to ponder. There were countless sword-wielders in the Jianghu, but it was rare to see someone using such a broad sword. Moreover, the sword appeared quite heavy, yet Qu Xiangfeng held it effortlessly with one hand, indicating considerable arm strength.
Just then, Qu Xiangfeng spoke up: “Hall Master Xing, please.”
Hall Master Xing replied without hesitation: “Good, Young Hero Qu, watch my spear.”
After speaking, Hall Master Xing held the spear in both hands and leaped forward, thrusting the spearhead toward Qu Xiangfeng’s chest. Qu Xiangfeng remained calm, as the spearhead drew close, he took two steps back, twisted his waist, and still holding the sword with one hand, lifted it to intercept the spearhead. Hall Master Xing felt a tremendous force coming from the sword at the point of contact, causing his body to veer to the side. With a stomp of his foot, he steadied himself using his lightness technique. Just as he was about to regain his stance and exert force again, he saw Qu Xiangfeng, leveraging the momentum from the upward stroke of his sword, leaping into the air.
At the apex of his jump, Qu Xiangfeng gripped the sword with both hands and brought it down with force toward Hall Master Xing. Hall Master Xing was taken aback. Accustomed to thrusting and slashing with the sword, he hadn’t expected someone to wield it like a saber and chop it down. As Qu Xiangfeng’s strike descended, Hall Master Xing instinctively grasped the head and tail of the spear and executed the ‘Heavenly Fire Engulfs the Sky’ technique to meet the blow head-on.
In the blink of an eye, the sword clashed with the spear, resulting in a loud ‘clang’ sound. Qu Xiangfeng’s broadsword rebounded off the shaft of the iron spear, while Hall Master Xing staggered back three steps. Just as he regained his footing, Qu Xiangfeng swung the broadsword again, capitalizing on the rebounding momentum. Hall Master Xing grimaced, unable to change his technique in time, and could only once again execute the ‘Heavenly Fire Engulfs the Sky’ technique to meet the blow head-on. Another ‘clang’ echoed as the broadsword rebounded again, but this time Qu Xiangfeng didn’t press the attack further.
Instead, he stood calmly with the sword pointed towards the ground, facing forward. Hall Master Xing retreated hastily, taking four steps back this time. He struggled to regain his balance and collapsed to the ground, unable to hold onto the iron spear any longer. When Hall Master Xing finally stood up, he realized that the web between the thumb and forefinger of his hands had already cracked. He couldn’t help but feel a wave of fear, thinking: “That thin body hides such strength. Truly, it’s divine strength. Fortunately, this was just a friendly match. Otherwise, if he had struck again, I might not have survived.”
Watching the pallor on Hall Master Xing’s face, Qu Xiangfeng clasped his fists and said: “You let me win.”
Hall Master Xing returned the gesture, saying: “Admirable, truly admirable.”
