"What a fine dagger!"
A young man with fair skin, wrapped in a black headscarf, wearing a yellow robe, rode a small donkey along a narrow mountain path.
He looked handso and dressed simply, exuding an elegant scholarly aura, much like an itinerant hermit before losing his way.
"Really nice! Absolutely nice! From the mont I laid eyes on it, I felt it was destined for !"
The scholar in yellow was fiddling with a jade-refined short dagger, becoming more satisfied the more he looked at it.
The dagger was extrely thin and single-edged, about a foot long.
In broad daylight, sunlight shimred over it, revealing its extraordinary quality!
"Master, we're probably never coming back to Fulong Mountain. You tricked the Black Viper Monarch out of this jade-refined dagger and ruined his three-thousand-year-old birthday banquet. You'll be cursed every ti you're seen from now on; how embarrassing!"
The black donkey, with mottled fur and as skinny as kindling, surprisingly spoke, in a low and steady tone.
"That's quite unpleasant to hear. It's a mutual agreent, not sothing to be called 'tricking.'
Your master treads on dragon aspect terrain, and is renowned in the industry, outstandingly exceptional.
For its three-thousand-year-old birthday banquet, I kindly gave it a fortune-telling, saying its brow was covered with dark clouds, foreboding disaster.
Wasn't that with good intentions? It asked
how to resolve it, and I told it the jade-refined dagger was destined for
and could serve as the divination fee.
The Black Viper Monarch reluctantly agreed and promised, how can it be called 'tricking'?"
The scholar in yellow put away the fine dagger, recalling his expanded collection and showing a hint of joy.
"Master, the resolution you provided was for it to prepare a fine casket at ho, lie inside, and wait for death... Who wouldn't be angry and feel utterly deceived?"
The black donkey leisurely trotted towards the direction of Yihai Prefecture.
"That fool, it just didn't understand the aning.
For so unknown reason, it's destined for a deadly fate, evil qi covering its brow like clouds, with its end truly imminent.
We Feng Shui Daoists have a saying, 'Nine deaths, one survival.'
Rather than fleeing, it's better to bury oneself in a casket, letting the evil and gloomy qi clash, thus enabling survival.
Of course, regular people can't perceive the master's brilliance."
The scholar in yellow claid to be a Daoist, speaking arrogantly and proudly, with his nose in the air:
"Yesterday, I counted on my fingers and discovered Fulong Mountain won't be peaceful soon, so we better hurry back to Yihai Prefecture, ditate and retreat, to avoid trouble."
The black donkey was greatly surprised:
"What kind of disaster is making you anxious, Master, and prompting you to hurry away?
In a few days, the Tongjiao Monarch plans to hold a spiritual brewing banquet, and you wanted to sneak a cup of wine."
The scholar in yellow scratched his head, glancing sideways in a particular direction:
"It's hard to say, and one can't reveal secrets lightly; even for , it's challenging to grasp.
In any case, staying away from Fulong Mountain is wise. Previously, that millennial Great Python Demon humbly offered a treasure armor for guidance to discover its dragon fate.
Hmm, I originally didn't want to associate with demons, but the treasure armor's quality was hard to resist.
Such kindness from , I imdiately saw that it was also an unlucky fellow, devoid of fortune.
Thus, I advised it to leave Fulong Mountain early; who knows if it listened."
The scholar in yellow rode the donkey, swaying as he went along, chanting aloud:
"Across the vast sea of bitterness, like the boundless, bottomless East Ocean, everyone competes like fish playing in the waves.
Huge waves rise and fall, erging and vanishing with the surging tide, desires enthralling, like intoxication. Lost and adrift without end, few can transcend as a great bird.
Only on the day of Chongyang, clear-minded, with aspirations soaring! After years of study and realization, breaking free from worldly constraints.
After ten years, the elixir succeeds instantly, shedding the shell and transforming as a cicada molts... Ninghai Zen, that crude martial artist, can never match your master's refined literary talent!"
The black donkey quietly reminded:
"Last ti, Master, you recited poetry in front of him; your eyes ended up bruised."
The scholar in yellow's smile faltered, his deanor weakened by three degrees, humming softly:
"A gentleman speaks, not fights. Just wait until I ascend to beco a Ghost Immortal; he'll see then!"
The conversation between a man and a donkey carried on as they quickly walked out of the majestic and grand Fulong Mountain.
...
...
In Black River County, the Dragon King Temple is spacious and grand, with structures like mountain gates, front halls, and archways.
According to Feng Shui layout, the mountain gate is the dragon's mouth, and the two wells on the east and west sides represent the dragon's eyes.
Common villagers must bow at the entrance first, then spend money on the temple priest's "blessing slip," a wooden token engraved with prayers, dropped into the wells with both hands.
After completing these, they can finally enter the front hall's gate and see the golden statue of the Dragon King.
Today, there was a table set with alcohol and seven chairs.
The temple priest nad Wang slightly bent, standing at the temple gate, saying to the first to arrive, the Master of Chai Market, Song Lin:
"After suffering the disaster brought by the Red Eyebrow Bandits, Black River County is truly weakened, and it won't recover without a year or two of recuperation.
Now is the ti when all the Masters and Hall Masters need to step up and lead."
Torches blazed as a dozen skilled individuals, ard with bows and arrows and holding staves, surrounded the Dragon King Temple, carefully patrolling.
After all, bandits are lurking and could appear at any corner.
At this mont of widespread paranoia, being cautious is certainly wise.
"I, Song Mou, am far less capable than the Martial Arts Masters; if not for them gathering disciples to resist the Red Eyebrow Bandits, it wouldn't be easy to calm the chaos in the Inner City."
Song Lin looked serious with his second son, Song Qiying, beside him.
The Charcoal Workshop was set ablaze to ashes.
The shopkeepers, stewards, accountants trained through schools and private tutors were all buried beneath scorched earth.
It was as if a deep cut was made on Song Lin, causing this Master of Chai Market to lose his previous vigor and spirit.
"Brother Hu, you've finally arrived."
In the vast night, a galloping horse arrived in an instant, and a large man dismounted swiftly.
With thick eyebrows and large eyes, his body exuded a majestic aura.
This person was the tributor of Chai Market, sworn brother of Song Lin, Hu Zhenshan of the Bear, Eagle, Tiger, Leopard Quartet.
He was known throughout Black River County for his powerful Monunt-Breaking Stone-Splitting palm strength. In terms of pure strength, he was evenly matched with Mu Chun of the Broken Blade Sect.
"With Hall Master Han's invitation, how could I not co?"
Hu Zhenshan's voice was resonant and strong, yet Song Lin heard the struggle beneath his facade, and sighed inwardly:
"Brother Hu had a fierce battle with the Blood Vajra, injuring his insides due to their hard training, still unhealed.
At this banquet, it's hard for the backbone of Chai Market to stand tall."
Crowds arrived one after another.
Torches blazed, dispersing the night wind.
Han Yang from the Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall arrived with his son, Han Li.
Mu Chun from the Broken Blade Sect ca with his capable disciple, Deng Yong.
Zhu Wan of the Divine Hand Sect accompanied Bao Daqing, representing the Fire Kiln.
As for Lei Xiong, after relinquishing his position as Fishery Steward, he did not participate.
He Wenbing was supported by several household slaves as he disembarked from the ox cart.
This usually called "Great Samaritan" Fishery Owner looked even more sickly with a sallow face.
In just one night, his hair had gone mostly white, his posture stooped, as if he had aged twenty years.
To others' eyes, it was quite sigh-inducing.
Host Han Yang stood at the temple entrance, in the center.
On the steps were Mu Chun, Song Lin, Hu Zhenshan, Zhu Wan, Bao Daqing, and others.
Either having the status of Master, or the title of Hall Host.
The open space below the steps was for the juniors like Han Li, Deng Yong, and Song Qiying.
He Wenbing walked shakily, relying on a cane, thus moving slowly.
Various expressions were cast on this Fishery Owner, like steel needles piercing the heart.
He gripped the cane tightly, gritting his teeth to maintain his last shred of dignity, shrugging off the support of his slaves, inching towards the Dragon King Temple gate.
"Brother Han, Brother Song..."
Reaching the temple entrance, He Wenbing forced a smile to greet them, only to see Han Yang walking down the steps as if to welco him.
This Fishery Owner straightened slightly, seeming to regain so of his previous dignity, but then, the thunderous sound of hooves disrupted his thoughts.
He Wenbing turned dumbfounded, seeing a tall figure charging through the ink-black night.
The newcor reined in the horse, sat steadily, surveyed with sharp eyes before deftly dismounting.
He patted the Wind Chasing Horse's neck, and a quick-witted servant soon led the horse away.
"What a dashing young man in bright attire and strong horse!"
Passing by Han Yang and He Wenbing, Bai Qi was led forward:
"Brother Bai, you are indeed impressive, co, co, let's be seated."
Bai Qi nodded slightly, wearing a blue water cloud patterned tight-sleeved outfit today, with a brocade belt, his long black hair tied up, his broad shoulders and sturdy fra fitting the description of dashing elegance.
His gaze swept over the stunned He Wenbing, his steps unpausing, following Han Yang into the Dragon King Temple.
Without the qualifications to enter the venue were Han Li, Deng Yong, Song Qiying, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Truly a teoric rise!"
Deng Yong stroked his chin, having personally witnessed Yang ng's death, deeply impressed by the elaborate treatnt Bai Qi received.
He didn't think Bai Qi reached this point rely by having a good teacher and luck.
Hard practice alone is never simple!
Once the body is trained, strength increases imnsely, the punches beco incredibly powerful.
Sparing is difficult, let alone fighting to the death and erging victorious.
"We should call him Master Bai after this."
Han Li's tone was sowhat sour; he was renowned in Black River County as a martial prodigy, with even Young Masters like He Tai and Song Qiying unable to show any airs before him.
Who would have thought, just months ago, Fisherman Bai Ahqi could rise overnight to stand as equals with his father, even becoming sworn brothers.
How does one address him now?
Each by na?
"So feast, while so suffer, two groups at one table. Young as Bai Qilang is, he's already seated, truly enviable and admirable."
Song Qiying glanced at the closed temple door, wondering if he should hint to his father, and perhaps give away grandfather's Golden Python Bow.
At least it would earn a favor, preventing estrangent in the future.
...
...
Inside the Dragon King Temple, on the Rain Praying Platform, a large table was set with food and drink, lavishly prepared.
Eyeing the delicacies and the accompanying Hall Masters and Master Hosts, Bai Qi thought to himself:
"So this is what it ans to rise above others."
Not long ago, would these powerful figures who wielded influence in Black River County even notice a re fisherman?
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