Chapter 6
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Making Friends from Nothing
(Thanks to Grand Alliance Leader Fushi Yanhuo Man!)
On the table in the longevity hall, the ceremonial candle glowed brightly, its flame like a golden serpent.
“Internal true qi?” Cao Chengyun gazed at the candlelight, a hint of greater curiosity in his voice. “Senior Brother Yue, you are broadly knowledgeable; do you know which branch of Taiping Dao martial arts this is?”
That Senior Brother Yue shook his head. “I know very little about the Taiping Dao. I’ve only heard that there’s a martial art in the Yangtong Subi region called the Blazing Wood Finger Art, which is very similar to this person’s martial arts.”
“Yangtong…” Cao Chengyun mumbled. “So it’s martial arts from the Western Qiang region.”
His thoughts were interrupted by a clear voice.
“Old Master is blessed by Heaven; he was destined for a disaster, but now that the Lord of the Natal Star is here, the calamity has already been averted and turned into fortune in advance.”
Zhou Yi spoke to Cao Ruinian but turned his head to look in a certain direction within the hall. This naturally drew the old man’s gaze as well.
There was no wind or rain today, and the longevity hall was surrounded by high walls and a large courtyard. If no one was causing trouble, why would the ceremonial candle extinguish?
Cao Ruinian subtly glanced in that direction. The Xihe Hunyuan Sect’s Wu Guanlan.
Old and shrewd, he looked at Zhou Yi again, and his mind became as clear as a mirror. The Cao family was caught in the middle; it was difficult to offend either side.
Cao Ruinian waved his hand, and Steward Sun immediately brought a larger warm jade tray. “This old man’s late years have been ill-fated. Today, thanks to the Heavenly Master’s help, I may live a few more years. This humble gift is merely a small token of my respect.”
Xia Shu didn’t know whether to accept it, but she clearly understood it would be inappropriate to ask in this situation. She secretly glanced at her Senior Brother’s face and immediately understood, stepping forward to take the heavier tray.
The Hunyuan Sect was a local power in the Yongqiu area. The Cao family, with its vast wealth and influence, was not afraid of them, but Cao Ruinian was not a hot-headed youth. He chose to resolve the matter amicably.
“Everyone, please take your seats!” Steward Sun, having received Cao Ruinian’s instruction, called out with a smile.
Firecrackers sounded again, and the lively atmosphere returned, as if the earlier incident had never happened. Because of his little display of “Taiping’s Miraculous Art,” many people’s eyes were still focused on Zhou Yi.
Never mind that, let’s eat first.
Wine and meat passed through intestines; he was not picky about meat or vegetables. Sitting at the same table were Cao Ruinian’s nephews and nieces, and nearby sat two familiar faces from Gaoyang Gathering in Yongqiu, both big merchants. There were also several of the Cao family’s cousins from Kao City and Chuqiu. Among them was a martial arts instructor named Ji Jing’an, who brought his daughter, Ji Niantao. This father and daughter were the most attentive to Zhou Yi, constantly discussing spear and staff techniques during the banquet. It seemed they were very interested in the Taiping Daochang’s martial arts.
Unfortunately, even though Zhou Yi was familiar with the secret manuals collected in the training room, most of it was common knowledge, making it difficult to impress these two seasoned practitioners of spear and staff.
Towards the end of the banquet, seeing the Cao family escorting Zhou Yi out, Ji Jing’an and his daughter Ji Niantao also left their seats.
“Father, why do I feel that this Heavenly Master Zhou’s martial arts attainment isn’t all that profound?”
Ji Jing’an thought for a moment. “As the saying goes, ‘every profession has its specialists.’ Our paths are different. Perhaps he knows nothing about spear and staff. If so, and he can still converse with us over wine, doesn’t that just show his extraordinary nature?”
“Father always overestimates and boosts others’ morale.”
His daughter was a little displeased, looking suspiciously at the ceremonial candle in the longevity hall. “I feel that his displayed skill doesn’t match his insights. Martial arts tricks are common in the martial arts world. Not long ago, didn’t even the Emperor in Luoyang get deceived by a Daoist sorcerer?”
Ji Jing’an chuckled, “It’s excellent to have such vigilance.” Then he became serious: “But Father must warn you, the martial arts world is perilous. Do not underestimate those you don’t understand, or one misstep could cost you your life.”
Ji Niantao was about to argue. Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance of the large courtyard outside the longevity hall.
“Let’s go take a look.”
The two rushed out and saw someone blocking the path in the second courtyard. The person being blocked was precisely the young Heavenly Master of the Taiping Dao. Ji Niantao’s eyes lit up; she wasn’t angry that someone was causing trouble at her relative’s house; instead, she felt there was a good show to watch. So she pulled her father a few steps closer.
“Heavenly Master Zhou, please wait,” the person blocking the way was none other than Wu Guanlan, an elder of the Xihe Hunyuan Sect.
Zhou Yi looked at the square-faced man before him. This situation was bound to happen eventually. He had anticipated it and directly met him: “Elder Wu, what can I do for you?”
Wu Guanlan immediately took the offensive: “A disciple of our sect disappeared near Fuzi Mountain. Heavenly Master Zhou, you must give an explanation!”
“Is that so?” Zhou Yi didn’t look at Wu Guanlan, instead asking the two young Daoist acolytes. Yan Qiu shook his head: “Senior Brother, we haven’t seen anyone from the Hunyuan Sect, but a few days ago, two thieves stealthily came up the mountain. One was driven away by the Daochang’s nominal disciples, and the other fell from the cliff behind the mountain. We later found out they had poisoned the water source.”
Xia Shu blinked her eyes, looking innocent as she asked Wu Guanlan: “Elder Wu, was the person who fell off the cliff a disciple of the Hunyuan Sect?”
The onlookers each understood something, but Elder Wu’s face turned ashen.
Zhou Yi spoke at the right moment: “Elder Wu, today both our sects are guests of the Cao family. If there’s a misunderstanding, you can come to the Daochang to find me. Causing trouble here is certainly not in line with proper etiquette.”
Upon hearing this, everyone from the Cao family looked at Wu Guanlan, many suppressing their anger. The young and impetuous Cao Chengyun was about to step forward, but Senior Brother Yue pulled him back.
Wu Guanlan glared at Zhou Yi, knowing he was in the wrong. However, the short, lean man beside him reacted quickly: “Hahaha, Heavenly Master Zhou certainly knows how to joke.”
“We common martial artists are accustomed to being rough and careless. The Cao mansion, with its grand gates and deep courtyards, is home to many scholars. How could they stoop to our level?”
“Oh?” Zhou Yi lightly flicked his sleeve, having already noticed this person. “Your face is quite unfamiliar. And which hero might you be?”
The short, lean man, with a hint of malice, spoke in a low voice: “Lai Changming, Dongyang Deacon of the Baling Gang.”
Upon hearing this name, some people within the Cao residence frowned.
The Baling Gang lingered around Dongting Lake. It was one of the Eight Gangs and Ten Associations of the world, with vast influence, operating numerous gambling houses and brothels. They possessed extensive intelligence and dealt with both legitimate and illicit affairs. However, these people had a terrible reputation, trafficking good women, which made them despised. They survived to this day purely on their power. Now, with the world in chaos, even fewer people were willing to undertake the thankless task of dealing with them.
Everyone looked to see Zhou Yi’s reaction.
They saw him frown, his disdain undisguised, his voice rising: “I thought it was some martial arts hero, but it’s just a filthy rat who specializes in trafficking women, making a fool of himself here. Deacon Lai, this is not Baling. Do not even think of harming any woman here. Otherwise, setting aside other martial arts comrades, even my Taiping Dao will not spare you!”
The surrounding people, hearing his rebuke, all showed various expressions.
“Father, this person is truly hateful of evil,” Ji Niantao whispered. Ji Jing’an shook his head, signaling her to remain silent.
“You—!”
The short, lean man exploded like he’d eaten gunpowder. He never expected this Taiping “demonic Daoist” to disregard the rules of the martial arts world. This was the Baling Gang’s first encounter with the Taiping Dao, and the other party immediately exposed their darkest secrets, leaving no room for maneuver. Were they trying to forge a mortal enmity?
However…
While gritting his teeth, Lai Changming quickly exchanged glances with Elder Wu. This Taiping “demonic Daoist” was fearless. What was he relying on? Could Jue Wuzi be nearby?
Calm down, must be calm!
Wu and Lai didn’t immediately react. Elder Wu pretended to restrain Lai Changming, giving him an out, then turned with a hidden smile: “Heavenly Master Zhou, do not speak rashly. Deacon Lai came to Yongqiu to pay respects to Heavenly Master Jue Wuzi.”
“No need,” Zhou Yi flatly refused. “My Master is out visiting friends and is not on the mountain.”
“Which friends is he visiting, and when will he return?” Elder Wu asked, seemingly casually.
Zhou Yi secretly chuckled, knowing what they were trying to find out. At that moment, his mind suddenly recalled Jue Wuzi’s words before he left: ‘In the martial arts world, your identity is what you make it.’
He met Wu Guanlan’s eyes, his expression calm as he said: “My Master has gone north to find Hermit Ning. As for when he will return, I cannot say.”
Elder Wu paused slightly upon hearing this, not reacting immediately. “Hermit Ning?” he even mumbled. Then, as if coming to his senses, his entire face instantly changed color…
– Mochinuna.
