Chapter 107: Zhongyu Sect
‘My two masters and martial uncle, both over fifty years old, don’t give me any peace of mind at all. They knew I might come looking for them, yet they didn’t leave any mark or anything, making me labor in vain for a whole night…’
The next morning, Hong Yuan moved away the powder arms and jade legs entwined around his body, sniffing the enchanting scent in the air.
Although he hadn’t found Yang Jinbao and the other, at least he had verified that the former’s words were true; the beauties of Xingqing were indeed sufficiently enchanting and alluring.
‘But what did I come to Xingqing Prefecture for again?’
‘Oh! It seems I agreed to a deal with Lao Song to come here and deal with Zhongyu Sect.’
‘Sigh! Wine and women lead one astray. From today onward, no more alcohol!’
This was naturally just a jest.
Hong Yuan had not forgotten his purpose.
The deal with Song Yinglong was secondary; what truly moved him was the true skill foundation that Zhongyu Sect might possess.
And it was well known that brothels were often places where news circulated, so Hong Yuan had come to this land of powder and paint merely to inquire about information on Zhongyu Sect.
As for those improper matters, he hadn’t dared to touch them at all, remaining a pure and upright gentleman.
Half a hour later.
After bathing, Hong Yuan changed into clean clothes and walked refreshed down the main street.
His night of hard work had not been in vain; various pieces of information about Zhongyu Sect surfaced in his mind.
Zhongyu Sect had once been one of the three great sects of Mingzhou decades ago, but after a drastic change within the sect, its forces declined, and it was defeated by Flower Stream Sword Sect at the Qionghua Gathering.
Zhongyu Sect had been silent ever since, for nearly twenty years.
Only in the past decade, under the leadership of the new sect master Wei Qingfeng, had Zhongyu Sect’s atmosphere invigorated, showing signs of revival.
It had over a thousand outer disciples, all tempered in martial arts, fierce and robust; dozens of true disciples, all masters; and quite a few Entering Force Martial Artists.
In Zhongyu Sect, below Sect Master Wei Qingfeng, the four elders held the highest positions.
This time, with Xingqing Prefecture under attack by Dragon Steed Army, the great families had persuaded Zhongyu Sect to act; Wei Qingfeng left two elders to guard the sect, while he himself led the second elder, over a dozen true disciples, and hundreds of outer disciples to the prefecture city.
With another Qionghua Martial Gathering approaching, Wei Qingfeng’s grand display led those with insight to speculate that he was using Dragon Steed Army as a stepping stone to build momentum for revenge against Flower Stream Sword Sect in March of the coming year.
And Wei Qingfeng did not disappoint expectations; in less than half a month, he struck three times, the first two merely ambushes and assassinations.
But on the third, under the protection of numerous masters at Crouching Tiger Manor, he boldly charged into the enemy camp, brazenly killing several Dragon Steed Army generals before drifting away.
After this battle, Wei Qingfeng’s prestige soared, making him a figure like the protector god of Xingqing Prefecture.
As Hong Yuan moved through the crowd, he heard Wei Qingfeng’s name from time to time; not only did Jianghu guests with sabers or swords speak of him with admiration, even peddlers and porters regarded him with awe.
‘That Wei Qingfeng, Sect Master Wei, is said to still be at the front lines, while Zhongyu Sect’s two elders and true disciples are at…’
A quarter of an hour later, Hong Yuan stood outside a vast manor, shaking a wine pot.
He looked up to see the gilded plaque reading ‘Fulong Manor’.
This manor was located in the prosperous eastern district of Xingqing Prefecture city, specially cleared by the prefecture city’s great families to attract Jianghu masters—a luxurious garden.
Even the name ‘Fulong Manor’ was newly chosen in recent days, its intent obvious: to subdue the evil dragon that was Dragon Steed Army.
Now, the manor housed numerous martial artists.
Hong Yuan had only stood at the gate for a moment when several cold, stern gazes shot toward him, followed by several tall, sturdy men coming out to greet him; one shouted loudly, “What do you want?”
Hong Yuan smiled. “I heard the great families in the city are recruiting Jianghu guests. I know a bit of fist and foot work myself and have come to earn a bowl of rice.”
Hearing this, the men’s vigilance eased slightly, but they chuckled. “Earn a bowl of rice? This bowl isn’t easy to hold. Do you have the skill?”
A black-faced man with his chest bared looked Hong Yuan up and down several times and said, “Whether you can eat or not depends on passing the test first. Come with us inside to check your quality.”
Hong Yuan shook his head, exerting a slight force underfoot; with a crisp ‘crack’, he lifted his foot, leaving a complete footprint sunken into the solid green stone slab.
“Does this pass?”
Hong Yuan smiled.
The men looked at the footprint and drew in a breath of cold air, their gazes turning to Hong Yuan with evident respect. “May I ask Young Hero’s name?”
“My surname is Hong.” Hong Yuan took a sip of wine. With his disguise, they wouldn’t link a mere surname to the Town Sea Alliance Leader.
“Young Hero Hong, please come in.”
The men all cupped their hands in salute and ushered him into the manor, while another hurried away, clearly to notify the stewards of the great families stationed here.
As Hong Yuan followed the men inside, he smiled and asked, “I heard people from Zhongyu Sect are staying here; is that true?”
The black-faced man felt a sense of pride upon hearing this and grinned. “Young Hero was indeed drawn here by Zhongyu Sect, but unfortunately… Zhongyu Sect doesn’t accept those who bring their own arts to join as disciples; even if admitted, they must first temper in the outer sect.”
“But Young Hero need not be disappointed. Though you can’t join Zhongyu Sect directly, lately there are many Zhongyu Sect true disciples in the manor. Some are hard to approach, but there are a few who, if you say the right words to please them, might offer a pointer or two.”
“These days, many martial artists in the manor have received guidance from Zhongyu Sect’s eminent disciples, greatly advancing their martial arts…”
Hong Yuan said, “I heard there are also two Zhongyu Sect elders in the manor?”
Another man said, “That’s Elder Qingyu and Elder Baiyu. But such masters won’t bother with the likes of us. Only one youthful talent caught Elder Qingyu’s eye and received a few pointers…”
As this man spoke, his face was full of envy.
Soon they reached a vast training ground, where deafening roars and the clash of weapons rang out one after another.
Hong Yuan glanced over; there were probably two or three hundred people in the field, some practicing fist, foot, or weapons alone, others sparring.
The black-faced man said, “Young Master, please wait a moment; the steward will be here soon…”
His words paused as his face lit up with joy, looking toward the corridor where several poised young men and women in brocade robes walked unhurriedly toward the field.
When these men and women appeared, the noise on the training ground gradually died down; a group of martial artists gathered forward, chatting and joking with the brocade-robed group, making them laugh heartily.
Soon they dispersed to the side, leaving three facing off against one brocade-robed youth.
“Young Hero Hong is truly fortunate; you arrive and immediately encounter Zhongyu Sect eminent disciples instructing martial arts…” the black-faced man said with a smile.
“Indeed good luck.”
Hong Yuan smiled, took a sip of wine, savoring its rich flavor as his gaze turned.
On a three-story pavilion on the west side of the training ground.
Two figures, one in green and one in white, stood by the window, both appearing middle-aged, looking leisurely down at the activity in the field, occasionally exchanging words.
Dang dang dang!
The four in the field had already clashed; that Zhongyu Sect true disciple drew his sword, meeting the three with one, sword light flashing, steps nimble, handling it with relative ease.
As weapons clashed, sparks flew.
After several breaths, the Zhongyu Sect true disciple flicked his sword, sending one man’s long saber flying from his hand, then slashed, like a gale sweeping through, forcing the other two to retreat repeatedly.
“Many thanks for the instruction, Young Hero Zhao!”
“Young Hero’s sword technique is exquisite; we are convinced!”
The defeated three praised loudly; the Zhao-surnamed disciple who wielded the sword wore a reserved smile, though arrogance showed uncontrollably on his face.
The other Zhongyu Sect true disciples, men and women alike, also carried an air of pride.
On the three-story pavilion, the two middle-aged saw this and smiled.
Pa! Pa pa!
Amid the flattery, an untimely loud applause rang out; many martial artists on the field turned their gazes in one direction.
In the black-faced man’s astonishment, Hong Yuan stepped forward toward the several Zhongyu Sect true disciples, smiling. “Zhongyu Sect’s sword technique does have some unique aspects. I would like to experience it myself.”
“Hm?”
The Zhongyu Sect true disciples’ expressions changed; these words didn’t sound like praise.
But some rough martial artists shouted, “Kid, do you understand first come, first served?”
As they spoke, two or three cursed and strode forward, reaching out to shove.
Bang!
In the next instant, no one knew what happened, but these men flew back, rolling several times on the ground; though not seriously injured, their faces were scraped raw.
This move stunned the crowd; the Zhao youth’s gaze darkened as he said coldly, “Who are you?”
Hong Yuan smiled. “Who I am isn’t important. What’s important is I want to see if Zhongyu Sect’s martial arts live up to its name.”
The Zhao youth flicked his long sword with a ‘whoosh’, twirling a beautiful sword flower, and sneered. “Since you dare not give your name, never mind. I won’t take advantage; go get a weapon, and I’ll let you know—you’re not worthy to point fingers at Zhongyu Sect’s martial arts…”
“You’re not enough alone…” Hong Yuan shook his head, pointing at the men behind the Zhao youth, then suddenly turning to point at the west-side pavilion.
“All of you come at once!”
His voice was flat but carried on the wind across the training ground; even the green- and white-robed middle-aged by the pavilion window heard it, their expressions sinking slightly.
They had also seen Hong Yuan point toward them; unclear if it was intentional or if he had noticed their observation.
“Arrogant!”
Anger surged in the Zhao youth; heedless of whether the other had a weapon, he thrust his sword swiftly like the wind, straight at Hong Yuan’s chest.
Sword light flashed, coming fiercely.
Facing this poisonous snake-like fierce sword, Hong Yuan stood unmoving, feet planted; just as it seemed he would be pierced through the chest, he suddenly raised two fingers.
Chi!
The sword light halted abruptly, lightly caught between his two fingers, like a poisonous snake pinched at its vital spot, all force dissipating.
“How is that possible?”
Shock showed on the Zhao youth’s face; he was an Entering Force Martial Artist, not yet at ‘freely control’ but at the ‘Nine Heavens’ level of nine forces.
Moreover, Zhongyu Sect’s martial arts were extraordinary; with a sword in hand, most ‘freely control’ masters in Jianghu might not defeat him.
Yet this thrust, in his rage with full force exerted, was caught by two fingers!
The Zhao youth could hardly believe it; with a fierce roar, he twisted his wrist to slash back and sever the fingers.
But the sword edge seemed nailed in place, unmoving.
“I told you you’re no match!”
Hong Yuan suddenly released; the Zhao youth, caught off guard, staggered backward, but a female true disciple rushed forward to steady him.
“All together!”
Amid the Zhongyu Sect true disciples’ stern shouts, they drew swords in unison, steps shifting rapidly, forms interweaving—it was a combined attack method.
In an instant, several long swords thrust out, lights and shadows flashing, ‘chi chi’ sounds of breaking wind continuous, like dozens of swords launched, enveloping Hong Yuan’s vital points.
“Have some wine!”
Hong Yuan flung his hand, splashing from the wine pot with a ‘splash’; amid the splashing liquid, he urged it with Six Void Force.
Large drops of wine instantly carried spiraling force, shooting out like sharp arrows; then came continuous crisp ‘dang dang dang’ as the thrusting long swords were all struck flying.
The Zhongyu Sect true disciples were also hit by the wine, stumbling back one after another, eyes full of horror.
The two or three hundred martial artists on the training ground were all shocked; how could they not see that the youth in the field was here to stir trouble.
To casually splash wine and rout several Zhongyu Sect eminent disciples—such martial arts seemed utterly inconceivable.
For a moment, all were stunned, unsure what to do.
Hong Yuan sighed. “Zhongyu Sect has such a great reputation, but its martial arts are just so-so.”
“Insolent!”
A thunderous roar exploded like a bolt from a clear sky; the green and white figures on the pavilion burst through the window, flashing toward the training ground.
This thunderous shout roused the martial artists on the field, who looked up.
“Zhongyu Sect’s Elder Qingyu and Elder Baiyu are making their move.”
In a breath, the two figures arrived with fierce wind, kicking up sand and stone on the training ground; Elder Baiyu drew from their waist.
Whoosh whoosh!
A soft sword twisted like a flood dragon, nimble and changing; in an instant, it unfolded interwoven nets before Hong Yuan, as if to cut him into countless fragments.
“Arrogant fool, take this ‘just so-so’ of mine!”
Elder Qingyu did not draw a weapon, cold gleam surging in their eyes as they spread both palms.
Whoosh whoosh!
Fierce, matchless palm winds covered a zhang-square area; in moments, sand and dust rose, enveloping Hong Yuan, with faint thunderous winds resounding.
‘One at ‘freely control’, the other at ‘microscopic level’?’
Hong Yuan felt the incoming force, unfolding ‘net of other forces’ to swiftly analyze its mysteries, immediately discerning the two’s force levels.
‘And though Elder Baiyu is only at ‘freely control’, with this soft sword technique, even ordinary ‘microscopic level’ aren’t impossible to fight.’
‘Once one of Mingzhou’s three great sects; even in decline, it still has some foundation.’
Seeing the power of their joint attack, Hong Yuan felt no panic, but rather joy.
If these two elders had such strength, then Sect Master Wei Qingfeng was surely worth his effort—this trip wasn’t in vain.
Whoosh!
In that thought, he flicked a finger; the wine pot shot out, clashing with the pervasive sword light.
At the same time, he made a grasping motion; instantly, air howled, a faint vortex forming to draw in the incoming force.
