Chapter 155: The Landscape of the Martial World
If we're talking about the places in Bianjing City with the best information about the martial arts world, it would be the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion and the Six and a Half Hall. But if we're talking about the most chaotic information, it's definitely not these two places.
In the bustling city of Bianjing, with its many people and complex social circles, and given that not every chivalrous hero or talented individual can rise to prominence, and that many are simply carefree wanderers who prefer to remain hidden in the dust, they naturally don't hear many up-to-date stories. And how many of these people don't even have their own sources of information? For them, there's no better place than a teahouse or tavern, where they can rest their weary feet, order a couple of bowls of meat noodles, and slowly sip them while listening to the storyteller's tales.
The storyteller could make anything he said sound like true, and with the listeners whispering among themselves, a different rumor would emerge every day in Bianjing.
Back at the Forget-Worry Pavilion. The past year had been the best year for Sai Baixiao's storytelling business. Unlike before, he didn't have to rely on the romantic escapades of Lu Xiaofeng and Chu Liuxiang; the real big stories just came knocking on his door. He finished telling the tales of the "Bat Prince" and Wuzheng Manor, and then the assassination attempt on Little Li Tanhua came along. This year was a bit more difficult, so he had to revisit old stories. Only now did he see the hall full of listeners again, hands clasped and shoulders touching.
Anyone else would feel nervous standing on stage with so many eyes focused on them, so many pairs of eyes staring intently at them. But Sai Baixiao was only full of energy. If there was one moment when he was most proud after being a storyteller for so many years, it was this moment. It allowed him to put on airs, stroke his fine beard, and calmly serve tea in front of everyone.
One of the burly men couldn't sit still any longer. He was impatient and used to the carefree life of the martial world, so he pulled out a handful of loose silver and tossed it onto the stage. This handful of loose silver was quite heavy, and it was several small pieces, but after he threw it, it obediently hit Sai Baixiao's legs, jumped around a few times, and then calmed down.
"Stop drinking your tea and hurry up and tell us about the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion!" the burly man shouted.
The restaurant was already noisy, and with the weather so hot, everyone was sweating profusely while waiting for Sai Baixiao. The big man started it up, making it even more chaotic, turning it into a bustling marketplace.
Sai Baixiao chuckled. To say he didn't love money was an understatement; sometimes, he just had to put on airs. Only after the roof seemed to tremble did he bend down to pick up the silver, take a bite, and, realizing it was real, finally spoke: "Alright, esteemed readers, this old man will now tell you a story!"
With a thud, the gavel struck the newly painted tabletop. The hall was filled with heat, or rather, the smell of sweat that reached the tip of one's nose. Some people cursed Sai Baixiao for keeping them in suspense, saying it wasn't a very pleasant thing to say, but after the gavel struck, they all shut their mouths. Anyone who dared to speak out at this moment would get a punch from the person next to them.
Sai Baixiao was satisfied. He spread his hand and said, "Although I am old, I know why you all came. So let me tell you about the newly appointed Deputy Master Bai of Jinfeng Xiyu Tower. He is also the most popular person in Bianjing City who crippled the arm of the Fifth Master of the Six and a Half Halls."
He picked out what people wanted to hear and said, "You've all heard about the other things in this matter, so I won't go into them. Let's get straight to the people. This Vice Master Bai came here mysteriously. There's no one in the martial arts world who knows him, yet he became the Vice Master of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion right away. I have absolutely no information about how Master Su met him or who he is. All I've heard is a bit of a joke."
Boos rose from below, but Sai Baixiao just laughed and didn't care at all.
He withdrew his hand and stroked his beloved beard again: "Just for fun, everyone can just listen and have a laugh. It's all fake, so I won't tell you all. Let's get straight to the point. Just three days ago, this Deputy Pavilion Master Bai suddenly stormed into the territory of the Six and a Half Hall—what she went there for, I can't find out, and of course I shouldn't, I value my life too—in short, the result was that she crippled the right arm of Lei Gun, the Fifth Hall Master of the Six and a Half Hall, and then left triumphantly."
A swordsman wearing a bamboo hat sighed and said, "To be able to cripple the arm of the Fifth Hall Master of the Six and a Half Hall and escape unscathed, this Deputy Hall Master Bai must be a highly skilled martial artist."
His words sparked a lot of discussion, with everyone having their own opinions, and the debate almost went on forever.
“Not bad.” Sai Baixiao raised the bar a bit, gesturing for the listeners to be quiet again. “To be able to do something like this, it’s clear that Vice Master Bai is truly worthy of being the Vice Master of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion. However, these big shots in the martial arts world all plan ten steps ahead for every step they take. The Vice Master of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion attacking the Fifth Master of the Six and a Half Halls certainly can’t be someone we just spar with because we don’t like each other.”
Someone exclaimed, "Isn't this just slapping Six and a Half Hall in the face? Shouldn't Chief Hall Master Lei slap him back?"
Immediately someone else replied: "How should we slap him? Should we cripple Vice Master Bai's hand? Master Su wouldn't agree to that, would she?"
Some people couldn't help but chime in, thinking they had a clear understanding: "You're making it sound like a street fight. They can't play like that. They've already said they'll take one step at a time. In my opinion, Chief Lei will definitely find another way to settle things."
Sai Baixiao's eyes lit up, quite pleased with this opportunity, and he laughed, "What this reader said is true. Master Lei will definitely find a way to get revenge. He not only thought about it, but he has already done it. Just last night, he sent people to burn down several of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion's betting booths. Fortunately, it was saved in time, otherwise Master Su would probably not be able to sleep at all."
“But like this…” someone else spoke up.
This man had a scholarly air about him and seemed to be quite intelligent and experienced. He said, "In the eyes of these big shots, there's no such thing as 'stopping here' or 'revenge is enough.' If this back-and-forth goes on and on, won't it eventually lead to a fight?"
The once bustling restaurant fell silent instantly. The mere mention of a fight silenced everyone, and everyone held their breath.
After a few seconds, in the tense atmosphere, someone forced a smile: "How could a fight really break out? If they were going to fight, they would have done it already. Things like this have happened before, and they never lasted long."
The young scholar retorted, "But in the past, when have any powerful figures from one side ever gone to cripple another powerful figure from the other? Wouldn't that be a desperate act?"
No one responded; everyone remained silent, trembling with fear.
Sai Baixiao slammed his gavel down with a thunderous sound, finally reviving the atmosphere and drawing everyone's attention back. He didn't reprimand the young scholar, maintaining a profound and enigmatic demeanor, and said in a deep voice, "That's a matter for the big shots to decide. Ultimately, although we're all in the same boat as these big shots, whether they fight or not is none of our business. What good is worrying ourselves sick over now?"
He called out, "Bring this young man a cup of tea and put it on my tab. You just focus on drinking your tea, and I'll tell everyone more about what I've got to say."
However, how many people in the audience could still concentrate? Their souls had probably already flown away and drifted outside Bianjing.
There are very few people in the martial arts world who can roam the world like Lu Xiaofeng. Most people spend their whole lives going around in circles, only they are much more free than ordinary people. As for how to deal with themselves at this moment, they have no idea at all. They can only pray that Su Mengzhen and Lei Sun will not act rashly and will not start a fire.
But the most useless thing is prayer; when a person tries to suppress something in their heart, they will see it the next day—
Seeing the main street completely blocked by disciples of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion and the Six and a Half Hall, so densely packed that not even a fly could get through, the crossbows, swords, and spears stood in stark contrast, all gleaming coldly, exuding an aura of deadly intent. It was as if mountains of corpses and seas of blood had already formed, and today was destined for a death battle. The street was deserted, and they remained motionless, staring intently at their enemies. Even the bravest bystanders would be terrified upon witnessing this scene.
If one is bold enough, some people will dare to look from afar and wait for more than an hour before seeing carriages slowly approaching from the two roads in front of and behind the main street.
The raised banners, embroidered with the emblem of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion in gold thread, fluttered in the chaotic wind, etching every stroke and line—enough to make the city famous throughout the land—into the sky above Bianjing. And with these banners as the starting point, every inch of land tightened its grip, welcoming a simple, unadorned carriage that would then take control of half of the martial world.
It may be simple and unadorned, but no one would say that. Powerful people can imbue something with entirely new meaning, and endless heroic spirit is attributed to it. The disciples guarding both sides lowered their heads and entered, not daring to look up, afraid to see the person in the carriage. As the seasons turned, even the bright sun could no longer shine. No matter how much heat it cast, it was gradually crushed by the wheels of the carriage.
On the other side, there were also banners of the Six and a Half Hall. The towers and pagodas that once loomed over Bianjing from afar have finally come to this day after many years. With each passing minute, the sun also grew later. In the silence, hundreds of rounds have passed.
People will shed tears when pushed to the limit, and Bianjing, seeing the omen, will also remain silent.
Wuqing sat atop the high building, watching the carriage of Jinfeng Xiyu Tower about to pass below.
He knew who was in the carriage today, and he foresaw the outcome. He had already seen the clash of swords and the bloodshed, and he was prepared for the Bian River to be stained with blood and for hatred to flow eastward. At that time, it might be difficult to distinguish between dawn and dusk, and a new road would be paved with countless tears and blood. There was nothing to guess; this has always been the case throughout history.
When the sky is about to blaze, events are about to stir; when people want stillness, the sun is about to set. Life is about to end, death is about to come; when the sword wants to stop, the blood wants to warm.
This is the world of martial arts.
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