Qu Qingcheng added.
Upon hearing this, the doubt in Master Ge’s eyes faded. ’No wonder he looks so familiar,’ he thought. ’He’s the top candidate from South City.’ As a renowned figure in South City, Master Ge had been invited to observe the Daoist Examination that day. He had taken note of Chu Lingguang at Qiao Pass and again during the final stage.
He rembered Chu Lingguang vividly.
But in the past year, Chu Lingguang had changed dramatically. Not only had his strength undergone a monuntal transformation, but he had also consud Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid, causing his very constitution to evolve. He was no longer the naive, greenhorn youth of before, but a young hero capable of holding his own.
That’s why Master Ge hadn’t recognized him at first.
However, speaking of Guo Wei, he couldn’t help but ask, "Since he’s participating in the Provincial Martial Arts Examination in two months, what is he doing here?"
"I wish to lend Master Qu a hand."
Chu Lingguang replied, cupping his fists.
"Hmph. Even Master Qu was injured at the hands of the Turkic people. Do you actually believe you’re stronger than him?"
Master Ge snorted coldly.
"That... I only wish to do my part."
Chu Lingguang froze, not understanding why Master Ge was targeting him. But the man was a renowned senior and Master Qu’s honored guest, so he had no choice but to rein in his aura.
"If Guo Wei himself had co, he might have been of so use. A pity your master is a coward, sending his youngest disciple over to make a token effort."
Master Ge sneered.
"You speak presumptuously, senior. My master slew dozens of Turkic marauders on the national border—who under heaven doesn’t know of his heroic might? These days, all he wants is for his family to be together. What do the Shuiyu Gang’s affairs have to do with him? Besides, this is not a matter that requires his personal attention."
Chu Lingguang stood ramrod straight and said in a low, firm voice.
Guo Wei was the master who had taught him everything, a figure like a parent to him. Though he didn’t know what enmity existed between Master Ge and Guo Wei, he couldn’t simply ignore the insult. If he did, not only would he himself be despised, but it would also damage Guo Wei’s reputation if word spread.
Especially since Master Ge had called Guo Wei a coward.
"You’ve got so nerve, kid. Not even your master would dare speak to that way."
Master Ge was furious.
His Qi Sea roared, and the rings on the Nine-Ring Saber at his side vibrated with a loud HUM.
"You disparaged my master, senior. How could I possibly ignore it?"
Chu Lingguang t Master Ge’s gaze. The advice from Li Dayao and Liu Wan ca to mind, and he consciously reined in his aura. He had to avoid a direct clash of their Qi Sea Power, which would only escalate things and leave Guo Wei to clean up the ss.
Still, he had to maintain his stance.
If Master Ge continued to be aggressive, he would have no choice but to fight back. He remained on high alert.
"Master Ge, please calm down. Our priority right now is dealing with those Turkic fiends."
Seeing things were about to get out of hand, Qu Qingcheng quickly stepped between them.
Ge Jinxiong was the expert he had invited, his trump card against the Turkic people. Chu Lingguang, on the other hand, was a sworn brother to the four from Mo Shan, as well as Guo Wei’s disciple. He had even co alone to offer aid. Qu Qingcheng couldn’t afford to offend either man.
"Hmph. I won’t lower myself to the level of a snot-nosed brat like you."
Master Ge snorted coldly.
He didn’t want to put Qu Qingcheng in a difficult position. Besides, as a senior, he’d have no justification for attacking Chu Lingguang.
"Master Ge, this way, please."
Qu Qingcheng quickly guided Ge Jinxiong onto a boat. To prevent any further conflict, he had another man escort Chu Lingguang to a separate vessel. At the sa ti, he sent one of his n to explain the situation to Chu Lingguang.
It turned out that Ge Jinxiong, much like Nie Maocheng of Fishing Town, had a disciple who had been knocked out of the running by Yang Shaorong. Nie Maocheng’s disciple had been eliminated from the Provincial Examination by Yang Shaorong, while Ge Jinxiong’s disciple had been ousted from the Imperial Examination by him.
Furthermore, Guo Wei was a latecor who had surpassed Ge Jinxiong in fa. Ge Jinxiong had once challenged Guo Wei to a duel, but Guo Wei refused. Claiming the status of a junior, Guo Wei had proactively conceded defeat. Ge Jinxiong took this as cowardice and had been mocking him as a coward for years.
Learning the full story, Chu Lingguang was left speechless.
’It’s natural for martial artists to want to make a na for themselves and vie for the top spot,’ Chu Lingguang thought. ’So it’s understandable that Ge Jinxiong, having been surpassed in fa by Guo Wei, would want to defeat him to secure his own reputation.’
’But it was going too far for him to refuse to let it go, especially after Master Guo had willingly deferred to him.’
’If I were Master Guo, I’d beat that old codger until he was spitting teeth.’ But then he mused, recalling that the man had once rendered ritorious service, charging into Turkic territory alongside the Court’s army. At that thought, Chu Lingguang could only manage a wry smile.
Perhaps Master Guo had realized this as well, which was why he was able to endure Ge Jinxiong’s slander and refused to stoop to his level.
「The boats departed the docks and soon entered the Canal, heading straight for the rendezvous point with the Turkic people.」
On the boat, Chu Lingguang once again circulated his Wind and Wave Power to fortify his Dantian Qi Sea. ’I’ll play it by ear,’ he decided. ’If Ge Jinxiong can intimidate the Turkic people and make them behave, then I’ll just stay back and watch. No need to make any rash moves.’
’But if even he can’t handle them, and I have an opportunity to step in, then I’ll lend my strength for Master Qu and for the rchant ships on this Canal.’
Of course, a part of him hoped Ge Jinxiong could resolve everything himself. If he had to step in and couldn’t tie up all the loose ends, getting Master Guo involved would be far from ideal.
The boats traveled upriver against the current.
Nearly every mber of the Shuiyu Gang had been mobilized. rchant vessels on the Canal moved aside to let them pass, and many people cheered them on. It seed everyone knew that today, the Shuiyu Gang would face the Turkic people in a decisive battle to determine who controlled these waters.
Compared to the Turkic people, everyone hoped the Shuiyu Gang would retain control. This wasn’t just a matter of national sentint; the Shuiyu Gang also treated people more favorably. The gang’s primary inco ca from selling ships built in their shipyard, not from shaking down everyone for protection fees.
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