Chapter 40: Crouching Tiger Manor, Dean Chen
The voice was gentle and unhurried.
To Hong Yuan, the tone was incredibly familiar; it was none other than his former role model, the former Dean of Qingxu Academy who had fled with his wife, two concubines, and sister-in-law, Chen Huanshan!
Hong Yuan truly hadn’t expected that a whim would lead him to encounter an old acquaintance here.
From the conversation in the room, it seemed that after Dean Chen absconded, he had joined some forces, serving a certain Manor Lord.
Originally, Hong Yuan had come at night to spar with Yue Feng, observe his martial arts, and absorb his essence.
Now, he wasn’t in a hurry and decided to listen to what the two were discussing.
Hong Yuan’s eyes flickered.
Then, Yue Feng’s voice sounded from the room: “It’s difficult! I came with Jianghu methods to challenge the dojo, forcing Zuo Lie and Shi Meng to accept the challenge. If I were to forcibly subdue the two, they would have to gather their disciples and apprentices to attack me en masse.”
“Moreover, these two have been rooted in Wushan County for many years, and among their disciples and followers are many from Great Families. Even if I were to force them to submit for a time, I would still have to guard against them colluding with the Great Families and betraying me, which would be even more troublesome.”
Chen Huanshan also sighed: “Although there are many Masters in the Manor, there are even more things to be done. The Manor Lord’s plans are not just for the sake of a mere Wushan County…”
He paused, as if pondering for a moment, and continued: “I will send a letter back to the Manor later, hoping the Manor Lord can dispatch three to five more Masters.”
“Then thank you, Mr. Chen.” Yue Feng’s joy was evident.
“We are all working for the Manor Lord, why the thanks?”
Chen Huanshan smiled: “Ultimately, it’s you, Young Yue, who is working hard. I’m just opening my mouth. Fortunately, the situation in Wushan County has already opened up.”
“Yue Feng is just a rough fellow who knows some fist and foot kung fu. Without Mr. Chen planning for me, how could I have gathered forces so quickly? I’d probably still be overwhelmed and have no idea where to start!”
The two in the room burst into laughter.
Hong Yuan also smiled.
Although Yue Feng and Chen Huanshan did not mention the true names of the ‘Manor’ or ‘Manor Lord,’ he had some suspicions.
The world was not peaceful, and Great Families often established Manors and fortified them to protect their kin, thus titles like Manor Lord were quite prevalent.
Huang Guiling was one such example.
Those who could be called numerous Masters and had such strong Jianghu tendencies were truly obvious.
Even in the Yang Family Martial Arts School in Yangquan County, Hong Yuan often heard apprentices mention a great hero in Linjiang Prefecture named Song Yinglong.
It was said that this man was righteous and generous, always fond of associating with Jianghu heroes, and had spent heavily to establish a Manor called ‘Crouching Tiger Manor,’ where any hero who visited would be treated to alcohol and meat.
For more than a decade, Crouching Tiger Manor’s reputation had grown, and it was said that the number of its residents had reached a thousand, each of them skilled in martial arts and formidable.
Hong Yuan did not disbelieve that there were righteous individuals in this world.
He just didn’t believe that someone who could call thousands of people his brothers would be a truly righteous person. Feeding so many martial artists with alcohol and meat would be an astronomical sum every day, let alone other expenses.
Where did the wealth come from?
When Hong Yuan heard the martial arts apprentices mention Song Yinglong, he became interested and noted down the man’s name.
It wasn’t for any particular reason, he just felt that this person was likely his peer.
To open the Great Year Blessed Land, one had to climb to the peak of power.
With Song Yinglong’s extravagant spending, it couldn’t possibly be solely for charity, right?
Next, Yue Feng and Chen Huanshan discussed how to defeat the remaining gangs in Wushan County, how to either kill or subdue their leaders, and how to absorb their gang industries and personnel.
And also, how to deal with the backlash from the Great Families.
After all, no Great Family was willing to see gang forces consolidated into one entity, and many gangs were themselves fostered by Great Families to act as their black gloves for dirty work.
Suddenly, the heated discussion in the room abruptly stopped.
“Oh! They’ve noticed? They’re a bit slow.”
The two guards in the courtyard walked back and forth. While they wouldn’t make much noise, if the two inside looked out even once, they would notice something was amiss.
It could only be said that these two were engrossed in their discussion and felt safe under the protection of numerous thugs, thus losing their caution.
At this moment, the two inside suddenly spoke loudly again.
Hong Yuan chuckled, uninterested in their pretense, and lightly tapped his finger on the window lattice.
*Knock, knock, knock!*
“Greetings, I have come late at night, and I apologize for the intrusion. I hope you will forgive me!”
Hong Yuan said with a smile.
As soon as his voice fell, the lights in the room were suddenly extinguished. With a slight ‘shick,’ like the buzzing of a summer cicada, a chilling sharpness pierced through the window, incredibly fast, and stabbed towards Hong Yuan’s chest.
For an ordinary Entering Force Martial Artist, in the sudden darkness, with visual discomfort, and encountering such a nearly silent and swift stab, it would be difficult to survive.
However, as this strike came, Hong Yuan had already moved his feet, retreated, and landed in the center of the courtyard.
*Whoosh!*
The sharp energy missed its mark and rapidly swirled, tearing through the doors and windows in front of it. Amidst the commotion, a tall, ordinary-looking young man emerged, holding a long sword.
Chen Huanshan shielded Yue Feng, stared at Hong Yuan, and said in a deep voice: “Who are you? When did you arrive?”
Chen Huanshan, having had interactions with Hong Yuan as an outstanding former student of Qingxu Academy, did not recognize him at this moment.
Firstly, it was late at night, and although there were torches around, the courtyard was quite dim. Secondly, Hong Yuan was still wearing a mask.
Even if he had removed the mask, with his increased height and vastly changed physique and demeanor, Chen Huanshan might not have recognized him.
This did not matter.
Hong Yuan was not here for a reunion.
“Just arrived, just arrived…”
Hong Yuan waved his hand and chuckled, “I heard there’s a young talent in Wushan County recently, so I came to seek guidance. Don’t worry, I didn’t hear a word about your ‘Crouching Tiger Manor’…”
He tested them with his words and glanced, immediately seeing the grim expressions on Yue Feng and Chen Huanshan.
Especially in Yue Feng’s eyes, a cold gleam flashed. He saw that the courtyard was already in an uproar due to the broken window, and the sound of footsteps indicated numerous thugs rushing over.
“Seize him!”
Yue Feng let out a fierce shout and lunged forward first. He brandished his long sword, the blade moving like light and shadow in the dark night, its changes unpredictable. It seemed to aim for Hong Yuan’s face, yet also his chest, making its trajectory impossible to discern.
Dozens of thugs also shouted and charged forward, the first ten or so entering the large courtyard, drawing their weapons and surrounding them.
Hong Yuan flicked his toes, and the corpse of a guard he had previously killed was sent flying towards Yue Feng’s attacking long sword.
The two were already very close. Yue Feng had no choice but to dodge, retracting his sword stance, and kicking the corpse away as he sidestepped.
However, he felt a powerful force surge towards him, forcing him to retreat several steps.
Hong Yuan, meanwhile, charged towards two approaching thugs. He lowered his head, evaded their swinging long sabers, and with a reverse grip, grabbed their throats.
With a forceful squeeze, he yanked the two thugs into the air as if he were tossing a basketball, then slammed their heads heavily onto the green bricks on the ground, killing them instantly.
Hong Yuan snatched a long saber and with a twist of his right hand, it whirled like a whirlwind.
With constant sharp whistling sounds, the long saber in his hand was like a gust of wind passing through gaps. It did not collide with the weapons in the hands of the other thugs, yet piercing screams suddenly erupted.
Seven or eight thugs had their heads severed, their wrists cut off, or their legs amputated, collapsing to the ground and wailing.
The dozens of thugs who were surging forward immediately halted upon seeing this scene, fear and panic appearing on their faces.
These men had only been subdued by Yue Feng for a few days; where was their loyalty?
If Hong Yuan had killed more elegantly, for instance, by slitting throats with a long saber, leaving only a trace of blood, perhaps they wouldn’t have been so terrified.
But with heads being severed and legs amputated, just watching filled them with dread, and they had no intention of fighting further.
Yue Feng had promised higher monthly stipends when they joined the new gang, but for a few coins, why risk their lives?
Some, their courage shattered, let out a cry and fled in disarray. The smarter ones quietly fell to the back, hiding their bodies in the shadows.
“A rabble!”
Chen Huanshan’s eyes twitched, and he shook his head in disbelief.
Yue Feng steadied himself and saw that within a few breaths, dozens of his subordinates were about to scatter, though in reality, only a dozen or so had died. He was incredibly enraged.
Just as he was about to shout in anger, he felt a chill on his face and heard a cold shout: “Sweeping the Army!”
Yue Feng instinctively lowered his long sword. Suddenly, a chilling saber light shot upwards, accompanied by a whistling wind, and chopped down from above.
“Despicable!”
Where was the promised “Sweeping the Army”?
Yue Feng roared in anger and quickly met the saber with his long sword to block. However, in his haste, he couldn’t exert much strength. After just one block, the long saber, like a heavy hammer, struck down. The long sword creaked, as if it couldn’t withstand the force and was about to shatter.
Yue Feng’s body trembled violently, his legs went weak, and with a ‘thump,’ he was directly forced to his knees, his knees hitting the green bricks heavily.
Yue Feng felt a sharp pain in his knees, as if his bones were cracking.
Even more painful was the humiliation of being forced to his knees by a saber strike.
The long saber pressed down with a roar, forcing the long sword to the crown of Yue Feng’s head.
*Bang!*
Hong Yuan’s saber light suddenly retracted. He kicked Yue Feng in the chest, sending him tumbling several times and dislodging his long sword.
Despicable? You, a low-class gang leader, dare to speak of despicable? Do you understand the value of the Nie family’s use of the ‘Seven Slashes of Bolang’?
Chen Huanshan’s face changed drastically.
Yue Feng was considered an outstanding among the many Masters of Crouching Tiger Manor, yet he was so incompetent against this man in black. He subtly retreated into the shadows, already planning to slip away.
Unfortunately, Hong Yuan wouldn’t forget anyone, especially his fugitive acquaintance!
He flipped through the air, landed beside Chen Huanshan, and pressed his hand on his shoulder, holding his long saber to his neck. Chen Huanshan’s knees buckled, and he knelt down.
“Mercy, valiant warrior!”
Hong Yuan was somewhat speechless. Memories of discussing classics with Chen Huanshan flooded his mind. At the time, he thought this man had integrity.
“Mr. Chen, you look somewhat familiar. Aren’t you the former Dean of Qingxu County’s Academy?”
Chen Huanshan’s face turned even paler. It wasn’t just fear, but also a sense of shame. However, with the saber still flashing menacingly before his eyes, despite his embarrassment, he dared not stand up.
“Yes… it is I. May I ask the valiant warrior’s name, and how you recognize me?”
Hong Yuan’s voice turned to one of pleasant surprise: “So it really is Dean Chen! You should have said so earlier!”
He grabbed Chen Huanshan and used the back of his saber to pat the dust off his clothes. Chen Huanshan’s body stiffened even more from fright, but Hong Yuan seemed very friendly: “Dean Chen, you left Qingxu so suddenly, it took me a long time to find you. To be honest, I met your sister-in-law once, and I was instantly smitten and greatly admired her… Dean Chen, you wouldn’t have taken advantage of your sister-in-law, would you?”
Chen Huanshan became enraged: “Nonsense! I am, after all, a scholar. How could I do such a shameless thing?”
His words were slightly hasty, but then he remembered the ferocity of the person before him and quickly tried to salvage the situation: “Since the valiant warrior is fond of my sister-in-law, perhaps I can act as a matchmaker and help you achieve your happiness.”
“Then thank you, Dean Chen!” Hong Yuan smiled, then suddenly changed the subject: “I’m also quite fond of your two darlings, Dean Chen.”
“You! You! Preposterous! My eldest daughter is only twelve, and the younger one is only eight. You… you villain, kill me!” Chen Huanshan puffed out his chest, summoning his courage, and rebuked loudly.
“Just playing with you, Dean Chen.”
Hong Yuan chuckled. Chen Huanshan did indeed have two daughters. When Hong Yuan was at the academy, he often liked to linger near him. The elder daughter was older and understood some things about boys and girls, and was a bit reserved. The younger daughter, however, was eager to cling to him.
She often shared the Chen family’s best pastries and meals with him, which even made Chen Huanshan widen his eyes and feel quite jealous.
Hong Yuan then turned his gaze to Yue Feng, who had gotten up in the courtyard, and said: “Are you rested? If so, pick up your sword and let’s continue fighting.”
Yue Feng’s expression was wary: “What exactly is your purpose?”
“Purpose? Didn’t I already say? I came specifically to spar.”
Yue Feng didn’t know if it was true or not, but at this point, he couldn’t advance or retreat. He took a deep breath, picked up his long sword, breathed evenly, and said coldly: “Come on!”
Half an hour later, Yue Feng was covered in injuries, his face bruised and swollen, his legs trembling as if he would fall over in the slightest breeze.
This Yue Feng came from Crouching Tiger Manor and had sparred with many manor residents for years. His overall combat skills were far superior to Zuo Lie and Shi Meng.
Hong Yuan sparred with him using weapons, then fist and foot kung fu, and then weapons again, grinding him down repeatedly, nearly exhausting him. He was now very satisfied.
“If one Yue Feng is like this, then what about Crouching Tiger Manor?!”
Hong Yuan’s heart was filled with anticipation.
“How many people at Crouching Tiger Manor are as skilled as you?” Hong Yuan asked.
Yue Feng panted, his throat hoarse, but he glared: “Heh heh! Crouching Tiger Manor is full of hidden talents. There are countless people like me, and many who have reached the second level of Force Transformation, ‘Freely Control.’ There are even those at the Microscopic Level… Since you like to spar so much, do you dare to visit the Manor? I guarantee you will be satisfied.”
Hong Yuan naturally knew he was exaggerating, but judging by his expression, there was likely some truth to it. He changed the subject: “Your Crouching Tiger Manor has grand ambitions and must be familiar with all the Masters in Linjiang Prefecture. Tell me about them…”
After a long while, Hong Yuan leaped onto the roof and flew away into the distance.
Chen Huanshan and Yue Feng, who had recovered some of his strength, exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of awkwardness and a strange sense of “mutual appreciation.”
Both of them had knelt!
One was beaten to his knees, the other was scared to his knees.
After a moment of silence, Yue Feng spoke: “Mr. Chen, considering his arrival, what do you think his motive was?”
Chen Huanshan gave a wry smile: “I’m afraid it was truly as he said, he just came to spar with you.”
Yue Feng nodded slightly, then suddenly remembered something and asked: “Mr. Chen, he recognized you at a glance and knew about your family matters. Have you thought of anything? Perhaps this person is an acquaintance of yours?”
Chen Huanshan’s face darkened. After a moment of silence, he shook his head and retorted: “Young Yue, I don’t understand martial arts. In your opinion, what level has this person’s martial arts reached?”
Yue Feng also stiffened, sighed, and said: “To defeat me so easily, he must be at least at the ‘Freely Control’ level. And the Masters at the Manor at this level are probably not his match. Only someone at the Microscopic Level might be able to defeat him…”
The two chatted for a few more minutes, finding the night’s events quite absurd, and soon lost interest. One went to rest, and the other went to clean up the mess of the thugs.
