A hundred li away, in Guangji City.
At noon, there was a great commotion near Hualiu Street on the west side of the city. Idle men rushed around in restaurants and brothels, spreading the news that had been passed on overnight:
"Master Cheng, the great leader of Tiefo Ridge, has been killed..."
"Who has the guts to do such a thing..."
...
In a small inn where martial artists stayed, Wang Chengjing, known as the Mountain-Crushing Tiger, was looking at the situation on the street by the window; Wang Er, who was short and stout, was sorting out items for sneak attacks like throwing knives and lime powder beside the table.
Hearing the noisy voices outside, Wang Er was a bit puzzled:
"Is this Ye Silang out of his mind? Instead of dealing with Baoyuanmen, he went to another sect to kill someone. Once the news spreads, Baoyuanmen will definitely admit their cowardice publicly. If Ye Silang sees that the Li fellow is sensible, he won't come..."
Wang Chengjing came into the room and sat down, picking up a teacup:
"Li Hunyuan won't admit defeat directly. I inquired just now. Li Hunyuan is very concerned about his reputation. Last year, seeing that Honghua Tower was declining, he took over all the land transportation business in Guangji and directly drove out the incense master of Honghua Tower. This year, when he saw that the situation was not right, he quickly apologized and gave back what he had taken. How can he still stay in the martial arts world in the future? Anyway, he will have a fight to find a way out. "
Wang Er nodded: "Ye Silang killed someone yesterday. Either he won't come, or he will arrive in the next day or two. Should we go and wait at the Li family now?"
Wang Chengjing put down the teacup and picked up the weapon on the table:
"According to the rumors outside, Cheng Shilu was stabbed more than a dozen times and finally fell off the cliff and died. I estimate that Ye Silang's martial arts are only half a notch better than Cheng Shilu's and are on a par with Li Hunyuan's. After the two of them fight, Ye Silang will most likely be injured and flee far away. The opportunity is fleeting. Let's go."
...
——
In the afternoon.
As the sun was about to set, two black horses galloped on the official road outside Guangji City.
"Giddy up—"
Clip-clop, clip-clop...
Ye Jingtang was wearing a black gentleman's robe. His long spear was wrapped in cloth and hung on the side of the horse. He whipped the horse, held the bird in his arms, and galloped across the wilderness.
Beside Ye Jingtang, galloping neck and neck, was a fierce horse with pure black fur. A long weapon was also hung on the side of this horse.
Pei Xiangjun was dressed in a valiant black martial arts outfit. Holding the reins in her hand, she looked ahead at the road, with an air of a heroic female knight wandering the martial arts world.
And Miss Luo, who was originally a female knight, was sitting behind Pei Xiangjun, hugging the beauty's waist with her hands. Her cold and beautiful face faced the breeze as she looked at the surrounding scenery.
After finding a place to eat in the morning, Ye Jingtang ran back to Tiefo Ridge and retrieved the horses hidden in the forest; then he went to a well-known old traditional Chinese medicine doctor, had his body checked, and told the doctor about his feelings from last night.
The result was that his body was all normal. He had recently taken tonics for enriching blood and promoting essence, so his qi and blood were vigorous, and there was no need to worry.
The doctor's diagnosis was consistent with his guess, so Ye Jingtang put his mind at ease and rushed towards Baoyuanmen.
Since he was okay, Miss Luo and Third Lady had become very strange. They didn't talk to each other during meals or on the road; and they didn't take the initiative to talk to him either. Only the bird in his arms was lively. After waking up, it kept chirping "Jiji ji..." and he didn't know what it was chatting about.
Seeing that they were about to reach Guangji, Pei Xiangjun slightly slowed down the horse and asked:
"Li Hunyuan's martial arts are not bad. It's estimated that it will be very difficult to fight him. Don't push yourself too hard either. Your talent is obvious. Even if he can win, he doesn't dare to. Since he still hasn't admitted defeat now, he probably just wants a way out. Have a fight and then settle the matter in the martial arts world as it should be."
"I know."
"Also, your whereabouts are clear. Finish the battle quickly and don't give those with ulterior motives a chance to take advantage..."
Luo Ning, who was hugging Third Lady's waist, blinked her eyes and asked implicitly:
"Little rascal, do you need to adjust your body first?"
Ye Jingtang turned his head: "It's just a fight with fists and kicks. It's hard to kill people. Let's talk about it after the matter is done."
Pei Xiangjun's eyes moved. She guessed the meaning of the Madam Leader, but it was not easy to respond, so she didn't say anything more.
Clip-clop, clip-clop...
Soon, the two horses entered Guangji City. Pei Xiangjun led the way and they came to a small street.
Before coming here the day before yesterday, he had sent a message to Lady Huangzhu and agreed on a meeting place.
Lady Huangzhu was rather talkative. When Pei Xiangjun went there, she would inevitably have a lot of polite words. It was also not easy to explain Luo Ning's identity, so the two of them waited quietly on the side of the street.
Ye Jingtang dismounted the horse and came alone to a... brothel outside the designated meeting place?
Ye Jingtang paused, feeling that the situation was not right.
Lady Huangzhu had been looking around anxiously in the carriage at the door since she received the news yesterday. Hearing the sound of horse hooves on the street, she quickly ran over:
"Young Master, you've finally come. Come on in, please..."
Ye Jingtang didn't enter the brothel and asked:
"Aunt Huang, where is Li Hunyuan today?"
Lady Huangzhu understood the ways of the world. If the young master of the main sect came to solve her troubles and she didn't even offer a cup of tea but just used him like an ox, she might be transferred to graze sheep at the border next month.
Lady Huangzhu was very enthusiastic and pushed Ye Jingtang inside:
"Don't be in a hurry. This is the best brothel in Guangji..."
Ye Jingtang was afraid that Aunt Huang would be transferred to graze sheep at the border by Third Lady, so he didn't dare to go in. He raised his hand and said:
"No, no. Aunt Huang, let's talk about the main matter?"
Seeing this, Lady Huangzhu had to give up and instead said:
"Why did you kill Cheng Shilu yesterday, Young Master?"
"He jumped off the cliff by himself. But it's also related to me. It was an accident. Did Li Hunyuan chicken out after hearing this news?"
Lady Huangzhu shook her head: "Li Hunyuan thinks highly of himself, believing that he has high moral standing and profound martial arts skills. He won't learn his lesson until he's beaten. However, after the news of Cheng Shilu's death spread, Li Hunyuan still had some reaction. He held a banquet at home this morning and invited all the well-known martial artists in Guangji."
Ye Jingtang frowned slightly: "Hiring them as bodyguards?"
Lady Huangzhu shook her head: "Ordinary martial artists wouldn't dare to interfere in the affairs of Honghua Tower. Li Hunyuan's move, on the surface, is to show his stance and wait for the Young Master to come and ask for an explanation. But I estimate that he's afraid that the Young Master will secretly come to his door and directly kill him. That's why he stays in public, forcing the Young Master to consider martial ethics and his reputation in the martial arts world and follow the rules."
Ye Jingtang suddenly understood and led the horse towards the outside of the city:
"Where does Li Hunyuan live?"
"Baoyuan Villa outside the city. Should I go with you?"
"Aunt Huang, hide well these days. Don't show up until the matter is settled, in case Baoyuanmen takes revenge privately."
"Okay. Then be careful, Young Master. Li Hunyuan is not as sturdy as Cheng Shilu, but his movement techniques and boxing skills are highly proficient. He's not that easy to deal with."
"I know."
After sending Aunt Huang away, Ye Jingtang came to the two women:
"Let's go. Finish the fight and leave early. Since I killed Cheng Shilu, Prince Jing will probably come to question me again."
Luo Ning mounted the horse. After thinking for a while, she asked:
"Why did we meet at a brothel? Is it owned by Honghua Tower?"
"Honghua Tower engages in legitimate business. How could it run such a place?"
After Third Lady explained, she asked again:
"Jingtang, if we didn't follow, would you have gone in?"
"Are you kidding? Let's go. Giddy up."
The two women had different expressions and urged their horses to follow...
——
At night.
Outside the city, Baoyuanmen.
Baoyuanmen was built against the mountain and hidden among the green forests.
A white stone road extended from the official road into the depths of the green forest. On the way, there was an ancient memorial archway. Many carriages and horses were parked on the side of the road, and there were servants taking care of them.
At the end of the white stone road was a large mansion with white walls and green tiles. Two stone lions were placed at the door. Although it was not as large as Shuiyun Sword Lake, it was much more imposing than new emerging sects like Tiefo Ridge. Ten disciples in martial arts uniforms were standing outside the door, receiving and seeing off the guests.
Inside the gate of the mansion, the lights were bright. A banquet was set up outdoors. About thirty square tables were arranged in rows, and a temporary arena was set up in the middle.
More than a hundred martial artists were sitting at the square tables. They were all prominent figures around Guangji. However, in the martial arts world, they could all be classified as "small fries", at the same level as Yang Guan.
Under the central eaves, there was a large chair. Two disciples stood behind with their hands behind their backs. An old man in a brocade robe sat on the chair, with eagle-like eyes staring at the memorial archway outside the door.
The table was filled with wine and meat. As it should be, there should be a lively scene of drinking and chatting. But among the more than a hundred martial artists sitting at the tables, not a single one spoke. They just glanced sideways at the arena in the middle.
Everyone knew who the arena was prepared for, and they all guessed that Master Li Hunyuan was a bit feeling guilty.
Li Hunyuan was not as one-sided in his skills as Cheng Shilu. As a master of internal boxing with strong hard power, he could easily defeat Cheng Shilu just with his movement techniques. In the eyes of everyone, the strength of this Ye Silang should be on a par with Li Hunyuan's.
The two sides were of similar strength. If they fought privately, it would be unpredictable whether they would live or die, and they might lose their lives and reputation together.
However, in an arena fight, killing someone means having extremely poor martial ethics and not being able to control the fight well. In any case, one should leave the opponent alive.
If Li Hunyuan lost, according to the rules, he would give back what he had taken, and the matter would be over. It was better than surrendering without a fight.
If he won, Li Hunyuan could let the other side win slightly to make it a draw, so that both sides could save face, and he could really get the property.
This idea was reasonable, but since Cheng Shilu had just died yesterday, there was still some risk.
Li Hunyuan's eldest disciple stood behind the grand master's chair and whispered:
"Ye Silang seems to be a hothead and doesn't know how to control his strength. If he doesn't care about his reputation in the martial arts world and directly goes for the kill..."
Li Hunyuan had no expression on his face, and he was also worried about this in his heart. After all, it was difficult for him to kill an opponent of the same level with a single punch; and the Overlord Spear, if not used carefully, could pierce the heart. As long as they fought, there was a risk of losing his life.
Li Hunyuan was silent for a moment and then replied:
"Do you mean to let your master surrender without a fight at the first sign of trouble?"
The eldest disciple knew that his master cared about his reputation in the martial arts world and wanted to persuade him again. But in the silent courtyard, there was a commotion:
"Ah?"
"What's that?"
Li Hunyuan and the martial artists at the tables all raised their eyes and looked. They saw a fierce horse appear outside the memorial archway on the white stone road.
Clip-clop, clip-clop...
The fierce horse walked slowly along the white stone road towards the gate.
On the horse was a man in a black robe wearing a hat. A long weapon was hung on the side of the horse. Although his identity was unknown, his aloof aura, as if he was going to the meeting alone, made everyone guess who he was.
"He really came..."
"It's Ye Silang..."
"Master, what should we do..."
In the courtyard, dozens of disciples of Baoyuanmen were on high alert. Some people wanted to go and ask, but were held back by others.
Li Hunyuan, who was sitting on the grand master's chair, twitched his eyelids slightly, took a deep breath, stood up with his hands behind his back, and said from a distance:
"Are you Ye Silang?"
Ye Jingtang rode the horse and came to the front of the Li family's gate. Ignoring the many martial artists and disciples who looked at him with fear, he looked at the old man with an imposing manner at the deepest part:
"I'm short on time. Master Li, you've already set up the arena. How about we fight first and then talk?"
"..."
The more than a hundred martial artists sitting at the square tables thought that the young master of Honghua Tower was really straightforward and very likable.
Li Hunyuan also knew that talking was useless in the communication among martial artists. Now, with his hands behind his back, he tapped his toes lightly, and his whole body rose into the air. His figure was as light as a leaf, and there was no sound at all during the process.
However, after he landed on the arena three zhang away, the arena built with hard wood let out a "creak" sound, as if a bronze and iron statue weighing a thousand jun had been placed on it.
"Buzz..."
Many martial artists present were surprised when they saw this scene. They understood that Li Hunyuan was showing Ye Silang outside the door the depth of his skills.
Li Hunyuan stood on the arena with his hands behind his back, his face showing neither joy nor sorrow:
"Master Ye, please."
Everyone turned to look outside the door.
Ye Jingtang was riding the horse. Seeing this, he didn't say much. He stepped on the stirrups with his feet and exerted a little force.
"Si~~~——"
The strong horse under him suddenly received the force, raised its head, and let out a long neigh.
Shua—
More than a hundred martial artists all looked up. They saw Ye Silang outside the door soar into the air directly. His body was like an eagle striking the sky, until it coincided with the silver moon, and then he fell down fiercely.
Hong long—
The figure in the black robe landed heavily on the towering roof. The whole roof trembled under the heavy pressure, and a few black tiles fell off, smashing the vase in the main hall.
Hua la~
More than a hundred martial artists were shocked when they saw such a spectacular scene, and of course, they were also a bit confused.
"..."
The whole place was silent.
Li Hunyuan turned around on the arena and looked back at the figure in the black robe standing on the roof of the main hall with his back to the courtyard, hesitating to speak.
If he praised the good martial arts, the horse was almost trampled on, and there was a lot of noise along the way. None of the people present had such rough movement techniques.
If he said it was lousy, flying from the door to the main hall and making the ground shake when landing, the profoundness of this skill was a bit exaggerated.
Li Hunyuan hesitated for a moment, put on the posture of an elder, and said calmly:
"Master Ye is said to have learned the Yanshan Cloud-Cutting Leap. Judging from the current situation, this lightness skill needs more practice. Also, please Master Ye come to the arena. What's the intention of Master Ye going up to the roof?"
The martial artists present were also very confused about this.
Ye Jingtang stood on the roof with one hand behind his back, and his eyes also showed a bit of strangeness. He felt that there was something wrong with his body, and it seemed that he couldn't control his strength well.
But having too much strength was better than being weak. Since he had already "entered the arena", he still had to smooth things over.
Ye Jingtang turned around and looked up at the moonlight:
"The scenery of your villa is nice. Master Li, why don't you come up and fight?"
"..."
Hearing this, more than a hundred martial artists suddenly understood.
A duel "on the night of the full moon, at the top of the Forbidden City" was indeed sought after by martial arts heroes, but few people dared to do it in actual combat.
Because the two layers of the roof were slanted, only the ridge could be stood on firmly to exert force. Falling on the slanted roof tiles, it was easy to be suppressed by the opponent and pushed off the roof, which was equivalent to a one-on-one fight on a single-plank bridge.
Ye Silang's daring to pose in such a way really showed that he didn't care much about Li Hun