Chapter 70: Ying Long
Xu Jinming was adept at socializing, versatile and charming. Along the way, he chatted and laughed, leading Wu Duxiong toward the interior of Crouching Tiger Manor.
This manor certainly had many masters, but martial artists at the ‘Freely Control’ level were not common cabbages after all; even in the manor, they were experts who could be counted on one hand.
Therefore, when Wu Duxiong brought Yang Lie, under the banner of befriending fellow Jianghu members and improving martial arts, to join Crouching Tiger Manor, they had initially met that Song Yinglong once.
The two sides exchanged polite pleasantries, Song Yinglong expressed welcome and set a lavish feast of alcohol and dishes to entertain them, after which he no longer appeared.
According to people in the manor, that Manor Lord Song usually handled various affairs or secluded himself to cultivate martial arts, making him quite a busy man.
This time he made time to summon them, and Wu Duxiong had some guesses in his heart.
He was in Crouching Tiger Manor, not isolated from the world, and almost everyone he dealt with in the manor were martial world people—how could he not know the most sensational figure in Linjiang Prefecture right now?
At this thought, Wu Duxiong could not help but marvel inwardly.
‘It’s only been this short time, and my martial nephew Hong has done such a tremendous deed!’
Even though he had long known Hong Yuan was no mere pond fish, he had let him join Tiger Subduing Sect without testing him and practice the sect’s secret transmission.
Not only did Yang Erhu agree, but Wu Duxiong also nodded his approval.
Wu Duxiong had great confidence in Hong Yuan, feeling that with his exceptional talent, it would not take years for him to rank among the great masters.
But this was too fast!
From the time he left Yang Family Martial Arts School until now, it had been just over a month, less than two months, and his own martial nephew had not only slain Wei Zhenzhu, the young master of Hua Family, the commander of Golden Soup Camp, the head of Grain Transport Gang…
Then, under the wanted notice of the vast net, he went against the tide, piercing through the entire Linjiang Prefecture martial world alone with his spear, crushing all opposition with unstoppable force.
His prestige was at its peak, his reputation resounding; he was already the most dazzling figure in Linjiang Prefecture in the past decade.
This was more than a great master—he had already transformed into a dragon.
One battle record after another spread, leaving even Wu Duxiong, his martial uncle, dumbfounded and speechless with shock.
As for Yang Lie, he was deeply shaken; the complacency from just entering force immediately vanished, and lately he had been practicing kung fu without rest or sleep.
When Wu Duxiong and Yang Lie entered the manor, they did not hide their identities; with the vast forces under Song Yinglong’s command, it was impossible they had not investigated them thoroughly.
The purpose of summoning him now was obvious.
Wu Duxiong’s mind raced as he bantered idly with Xu Jinming, and in no time they arrived in front of a main house.
Before the servants could announce them, a powerful, resonant voice like clashing metal came from inside the room: “Has Brother Wu arrived? Come in quickly!”
At the same time, steady footsteps sounded at the door, and a burly middle-aged man with a flowing beard under his chin and an imposing aura stepped out to greet them.
Wu Duxiong quickly sized him up, his eyebrow twitching.
Even though he had met him once before, seeing him again now, Wu Duxiong still could not help but feel astonished.
This Song Yinglong’s face glowed with vitality, faintly showing a metallic sheen.
Even with a smile on his face, the sword-like sharpness in his eyes made Wu Duxiong involuntarily narrow his own, feeling almost unable to look directly at him.
‘A master! An absolute master! What kung fu has this Manor Lord Song practiced?’
Wu Duxiong felt wary inwardly, gathered his spirit, but laughed heartily on the surface as he cupped his fists in salute: “Manor Lord Song is too polite. Wu is just a rough man—how dare I trouble the manor lord to greet me personally?”
“Brother Wu is bold and heroic, a true hero of the Jianghu. It’s a pity that Song has been so busy with affairs that he only entertained you once—truly neglectful.”
Song Yinglong smiled too, though even his laughter rang out like colliding metal and stone.
“I’ve been in this manor for nearly a month, eating the manor lord’s food and drinking the manor lord’s wine every day. If that’s neglect, then Wu would be too ungrateful.”
Wu Duxiong chuckled: “Besides, who in this manor isn’t a hero? Manor Lord Song is an even greater hero and valiant warrior…”
Xu Jinming beamed with joy, smiling warmly as he interjected: “The manor lord and Brother Wu are both great heroes. Only I am a poor, useless scholar. So, may the two great heroes allow me to enter and beg a cup of wine?”
“Haha! Mister Xu is also a hero. The feast is already prepared—let’s go!”
As he spoke, Song Yinglong reached out with both hands, one grabbing Xu Jinming and the other Wu Duxiong, and warmly led them into the room.
This main house, though at the center of the manor, was furnished extremely simply. Apart from a few essential pieces of furniture, it was quite spacious.
Late autumn had passed, and winter had arrived.
On the table nearby were not only lavish dishes but also a pot of fine wine warming, with a rich aroma wafting out.
The three sat as guest and host, and Wu Duxiong looked around before smiling: “Manor lord has prepared such fine wine and dishes—what instructions do you have?”
“Brother Wu is quite impatient, but we can discuss that later. Come, while the alcohol and dishes are still hot, eat meat and drink wine first!”
Song Yinglong waved his hand.
Xu Jinming at his side picked up the wine pot and poured a full bowl for each of the three.
After tasting the five flavors of dishes and three rounds of wine, Song Yinglong wiped his mouth and looked at Wu Duxiong: “How has Brother Wu been faring in my manor these days?”
‘Here it comes!’
Wu Duxiong thought the main topic was finally arriving, raised his guard, but kept a calm face as a voice with a hint of drunkenness rose: “Every day with wine and meat, and so many Jianghu heroes as friends—truly comfortable.”
“I’m glad Brother Wu is satisfied. In that case, I’ll be direct…”
Song Yinglong changed the subject: “Brother Wu’s nephew, Young Nephew Yang Lie should not have joined your Tiger Subduing Sect yet. To be honest, I find Young Nephew Yang Lie’s temperament very similar to mine when I was young, and I like him very much. Thus, I have a presumptuous request…”
“Song wishes to take him as my disciple. Does Brother Wu agree?”
“This…” Wu Duxiong showed a hint of hesitation, immediately feeling a sting on his face. His heart jumped, and he looked up.
He saw Song Yinglong’s eyes gleaming, with a faint reddish-golden light flowing in them, chillingly sharp like knives or swords, stirring massive waves in his heart.
Just a glance, yet it felt substantial and hurtful—what level of master was this?
Wu Duxiong knew this so-called ‘presumptuous request’ allowed no refusal, or else he and Yang Lie might not leave Crouching Tiger Manor easily.
At this moment, he felt bitter inside; having been in the military too long, he had truly underestimated the people of the world.
But on his face, he showed drunken exuberance, laughing as he spread his hands: “Is that all? My good-for-nothing nephew being favored by the manor lord is his fortune—you’re too distant, manor lord.”
“Good! Congratulations to the manor lord on gaining an excellent disciple, and congratulations to Brother Wu—now you and the manor lord are family. How can we not drink to celebrate such a joyous occasion?”
Xu Jinming smiled and rose to pour more wine.
After sitting back down, Xu Jinming spoke again: “Manor lord, I suddenly remember there’s something I haven’t reported to you yet…”
Song Yinglong frowned: “I’m drinking happily with Brother Wu—whatever it is, it can wait.”
Xu Jinming shook his head: “Manor lord, I’m afraid that won’t do, because this matter concerns Brother Wu as well.”
He spoke unhurriedly, then looked at Wu Duxiong with a hint of marvel in his tone: “Brother Wu may not have received the news yet. Yesterday in Yan Quan County, at Dingsheng Tower, your martial nephew ‘Peerless Startling Swan’ Hong Yuan struck with one spear thrust, challenging numerous masters, including Chen Jiulang, the top youth of Grain Transport Gang…”
“Then, Young Hero Hong nailed Chen Jiulang to death with one spear on the great plaque of Dingsheng Tower, hanging the corpse as a challenge to ‘Surging Waves Hand’ Lei Meng of Grain Transport Gang…”
“The time is set for three days later—oh, now it should be two days later!”
“What?” Wu Duxiong was also shocked, exclaiming involuntarily.
Xu Jinming ignored his astonishment and continued adding details. After a while, Song Yinglong slapped the wine table and stood: “Truly a hero emerges from the youth. Compared to Young Hero Hong, we are all mediocre and worthless, ashamed to show our faces!”
He sighed, then spoke gravely: “Surging Waves Hand is a martial arts grandmaster famous for many years—not to be underestimated. With numerous masters in Grain Transport Gang, and noble clans like Guo Family and Hua Family possibly intervening, Young Hero Hong’s trip is extremely perilous!”
“Young Hero Hong is Brother Wu’s martial nephew, and my manor should offer some help. How about this: Brother Wu leads the team, and I send dozens of masters to go with you to Twin Dragon Gorge. If Young Hero Hong retreats safely, we’ll just watch the fight; if anything changes, we can provide aid at any time…”
“Brother Wu, what do you think?”
Song Yinglong stared fixedly at Wu Duxiong, who suppressed his shocked mind and cupped his fists: “How can I not appreciate the manor lord’s good intentions?”
As for Yang Lie, Wu Duxiong did not even mention him; he had realized Song Yinglong’s true target was Hong Yuan.
Yang Lie had become a hostage.
After the meal, Wu Duxiong took his leave, and Song Yinglong waved for Xu Jinming to see him off.
The room fell silent for a moment, then a gentle breeze passed, and a white figure appeared beside Song Yinglong.
The newcomer was a woman in a trailing white skirt, graceful in figure, with undulating peaks at her chest; the swaying of her skirt accentuated her breathtakingly full curves.
Her face was veiled in black gauze, revealing only a pair of alluring eyes. She smiled lightly: “Heavenly King, are you planning to subdue that Hong Yuan?”
Song Yinglong neither confirmed nor denied, slowly rising and walking to the front of the room, gazing at the yellow leaves falling in the courtyard, and said faintly: “Have you seen that young man in action? What boundary has his martial arts reached?”
The white-skirted woman’s eyes also showed gravity as she spoke softly: “Hard to gauge. It’s not just his martial arts—of course, his martial arts alone are already astounding. But what’s most baffling is his progress speed. At first, he was just an ordinary person, yet in less than two short months, he has advanced to this point—this rate is already inhuman.”
“In my view, either avoid his edge or go all out to kill him…” Her eyes shimmered as she said leisurely: “Perhaps we can even uncover the secret of his rapid progress!”
“We’re in the same Linjiang Prefecture—where to avoid? Besides, does Song Yinglong need to dodge his edge?” As the flat words fell, Song Yinglong’s face suddenly underwent a strange change, glowing with heat like burning metal.
“Inhuman? Who isn’t?”
Seeing this, the white-skirted woman’s eyes shook; she even retreated two or three steps in fright, staring at Song Yinglong in shock: “Heavenly King has actually cultivated such supernatural power? I am truly impressed!”
“Cultivated? Not quite—only partially achieved. Only when inner and outer unite can it truly be invincible under heaven!”
Song Yinglong spoke indifferently, hands behind his back: “But dominating one region is enough. Originally, I planned to act during the Qionghua Gathering, but with that young man disrupting the situation, I can move ahead of schedule!”
