Chapter 211: New Jianghu

The Fish Dragon Gang was considered only a third-rate minor association in Beiliang. Yet, Old Gang Leader Liu was quite renowned, being a master of both internal and external boxing. Legend had it that in his youth, he encountered a high-ranking Taoist priest from Wudang Mountain, who imparted a top-tier internal cultivation technique. Combined with thirty years of his own diligent practice of the family heirloom Mountain-Splitting Cannon Fist, many martial artists met their end under his fists. Unfortunately, Old Gang Leader Liu was stubborn by nature. At the height of his influence, he refused to humble himself and deal with government officials, causing him to suffer numerous difficulties. Though not yet old at the time, the gang leader could rely on his fists and a few brothers to carve out their territory, allowing them to navigate the gang-ridden Beiliang with relative ease. However, as the old brothers earned enough silver, they successively washed their hands of the martial world, retired, and enjoyed their twilight years doting on their grandchildren. Left to shoulder the burden alone, Old Gang Leader Liu gradually found himself financially stretched. By then, attempting to curry favor with officials and familiarize himself with them, hoping to secure some of the highly profitable illicit ventures, was futile—it was like trying to enter a temple with a pig's head (an offering so meager it wouldn't be accepted). Fifteen or twenty years prior, groups like the Red Tiger Sect and Willow Sword Sect, which had been mere juniors in the Fish Dragon Gang's presence, rose to prominence because they offered generous bribes and were willing to perform many unsavory tasks for the authorities. Most of them were now rolling in money; not only gang leaders and sect masters, but even their guest elders were rich and powerful, owning private residences in valuable cities like Liangzhou and Lingzhou. The Fish Dragon Gang finally realized its folly, tightened its belt, and humbly begged others to accept their tribute money, only then seeing a slight improvement in some of their business channels that had been almost completely eroded.

The destination for this journey was Liuxia City in Jiannan Commandery, near the border of Beimang. They were helping the son of a fourth-rank military general from Lingzhou City transport scarce goods such as silk and rouge purchased from the Jiangnan region of the Empire for resale in Beimang. The profit margin was considerable. However, this kind of business was not for the faint of heart. The Empire and the Beimang Dynasty left hundreds of lives on their shared border every day, and ordinary official travel permits might not guarantee safe passage through the checkpoints. Yet, since the young noble had a powerful general as a father, there was no need to worry about excessive difficulties at the checkpoints along the way in Beiliang. The only concern was the roaming bandits and horse thieves on the Beimang side. The Fish Dragon Gang clenched their teeth and accepted this job. Though they were doing something akin to licking blood from a knife's edge, their cut was a paltry one-tenth of the profit. Still, even a mosquito's leg is meat, and more importantly, establishing a connection with that young master was far more crucial than earning actual silver. Last year, a personal disciple of the Fish Dragon Gang’s Second Gang Leader, witnessing the Azure Dragon Gang’s young master committing misdeeds, angrily intervened. As a result, his limbs were crippled by the other gang's superior numbers, and the Fish Dragon Gang itself was nearly shut down by the authorities. This illustrated the difference between having a patron and having none. During that period, the Azure Dragon Gang's young master would constantly show up at the Fish Dragon Gang's headquarters, fanning himself leisurely and persistently harassing the Old Gang Leader's granddaughter, leaving everyone in the gang seething with resentment.

For this mission for the official's son, the Fish Dragon Gang dared not be negligent in the slightest. Old Gang Leader Liu had to stay behind to deter petty opportunists who sought to encroach on the gang's few remaining lucrative ventures. Xiao Qiang, the Second Gang Leader, a master of twin sabers, had originally planned to retire in mid-month but postponed it, missing an auspicious date. Even Gongsun Yang, the Grand Guest Elder, who had long stayed out of the martial world, re-emerged with his ox-horn bow, joining Xiao Qiang to assist Liu Nirong, who was set to inherit the gang leadership.

The goods were not too numerous, just enough to fill one carriage. If they weren't being transported to the savage lands of Beimang, it would be an overkill. Nearing the border, thanks to the Empire's well-developed postal roads, the Fish Dragon Gang's journey had been relatively smooth so far. At the head of the procession rode a woman in narrow-sleeved, tight-fitting clothes, a long sword in a green scabbard at her waist. Her beauty was clearly bewitching and captivating, yet she possessed an untouchable heroic spirit, perhaps due to the cool indifference in her limpid eyes. Half a horse-length behind her, Xiao Qiang rode ahead. Though a master of twin sabers, the Second Gang Leader did not carry a sword on each hip; instead, his unique scabbard housed two blades. Xiao Qiang's swordplay was, as expected, unconventional and vicious. He had claimed the lives of no fewer than seventy or eighty opponents; indeed, what martial arts master did not rise by trampling on the lives and reputations of others? Many old-school martial artists valued their reputation more than their lives, adhering to the principle that a feud could be avenged even after ten generations. Over the years, the number of enemies seeking out Xiao Qiang at the Fish Dragon Gang's doorstep had steadily increased, indicating the gang's severe decline. This expedition to Beimang, crucial for the Fish Dragon Gang's strategic planning in the coming years, might very well be an opportune moment for cunning enemies to strike. The spirited woman raised a hand to shield her face from the oncoming sand and dust, glancing towards the city wall of the pass. "Looks close but is still quite a distance away," she murmured, "Master, once we pass this checkpoint, we'll be in Beimang."

Though Xiao Qiang's swordplay was exceptional and fierce, he was known throughout the Fish Dragon Gang for his affable demeanor and good temper. Moreover, the woman beside him was his last personal disciple. A knowing smile appeared on his face as he spoke in a strong Longxi accent: "This old master has only been to Beimang once in his life, and looking back, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about the experience. It's that old reserved fellow, Gongsun Yang, whose reputation was truly forged out there."

The deeply intelligent woman was clearly Liu Nirong, Old Gang Leader Liu's granddaughter. She asked in surprise, "Isn't Guest Elder Gongsun from the former Xishu?"

Xiao Qiang touched his sword scabbard and sighed softly, "Every family has its share of troubles. That old reserved fellow simply doesn't wish to speak of it."

Liu Nirong turned to glance at the carriage. Gongsun Yang, who had always lived in seclusion within the gang, sat alone inside. Turning back, she lowered her voice and asked, "Master, what do you think is the cost of the goods in this carriage?"

Xiao Qiang chuckled, "As for the goods themselves, even in the extremely wealthy Jiangnan region, they aren't cheap. They likely cost six or seven thousand taels. Add to that the round trip from Beiliang to Jiangnan and all the payments to various dubious characters along the way, it's impossible to do it for less than ten thousand taels of silver. But if they reach Liuxia City in Beimang, they can sell for thirty-five thousand taels of silver. After all expenses are deducted, that official's son will certainly profit by sixteen or seventeen thousand. Money, you see, is like a snowball—it always rolls larger and larger. As long as you have capital, connections, and background, why worry about lacking silver? These descendants of military and aristocratic families, while their fathers are busy squeezing the people dry, are not idle themselves. Frankly, these young masters aren't all fools. When it comes to cultivating connections, ten hotheaded brutes like me, your master, can't compare to a single one of them."

Liu Nirong sighed, "The Fish Dragon Gang missed its best opportunity. If we had been determined to scheme and maneuver twenty years ago, we might be the largest gang in Lingzhou today."

Xiao Qiang looked helpless. "So, Nirong, don't blame the Old Gang Leader. His tireless efforts to introduce you to the young master of the prominent Lu family from Yuliang weren't just for their family status to boost the Fish Dragon Gang. You're his only granddaughter; how could he bear to push you into a terrible situation? I've seen that young man from the Lu family myself. He's a bit arrogant, but his character is not bad. After all, he has passed the imperial examinations. Let alone our Fish Dragon Gang, even the daughter of the Dragon Gate Sect, Beiliang's foremost martial arts school, might not catch his eye. What I say may be harsh, but it's the truth."

Liu Nirong remained silent, pressing her lips tightly together. Xiao Qiang knew his disciple's aloof nature; once she gets an idea in her head, ten horses can't pull her back. He decided not to press the matter further. After all, this was a private family affair of the Liu clan, and as an old man about to leave the martial world to enjoy a peaceful retirement, knowing when to stop was doing his part. Yet, Xiao Qiang knew perfectly well that his future comfort and security were directly linked to the Fish Dragon Gang's power. He naturally harbored a selfish hope that Liu Nirong would marry into a good family. Twenty years ago, the Lu family of Yuliang was merely a humble clan. Though wealthy, they were looked down upon by even minor gentry families, let alone the high-ranking noble clans. However, they seized an opportunity to forge a good relationship with a powerful figure in the Beiliang army, rising to prominence amid the chaos of the Spring and Autumn period. The Beiliang army was a towering, deeply rooted tree, and the Lu family had gained some renown. Of course, compared to the top ten most distinguished families, there was still a vast difference. But how could Liu Nirong, a woman from the martial world, possibly hope to marry into those unspeakably powerful and influential noble families?

Liu Nirong remembered something, exhaled deeply, and said with a look of longing, "Master, I heard that the new Wudang Sect leader is an immortal reincarnate who once rode a crane down to Jiangnan. And Old Sword God Li battled Wang Xianzhe to a draw on the East Sea by Wudi City, and later on the Guangling River, he single-handedly slaughtered two thousand six hundred cavalrymen with just one sword! Then there's Peach Blossom Sword God Deng Tai'a, who single-handedly climbed Longhu Mountain and fought his way to the Celestial Master's Residence before stopping, only turning back down the mountain when he was blocked by Little Patriarch Lu Qi Xianxia and a descendant of the Celestial Master's Residence. Are these stories true?"

Xiao Qiang, upon hearing this, also showed a look of awe and reverence. He chuckled, "These immortal figures, I haven't seen a single one in my life, so how would I know the truth or falsehood? As for flying swords, though I've practiced swordplay for thirty years, I haven't even grasped the basics of sword control, so it's all a mystery to me. However, I'd rather believe that both Sword Gods are earthly immortals who can control swords from a thousand miles away to take heads. At least it gives us unskilled successors, who also wield swords, a beautiful hope. It's like how we can't afford the delicacies from the Beiliang King's estate, but just thinking about them is enough to make our mouths water."

Xiao Qiang burst into laughter, and Liu Nirong's eyes sparkled.

From the corner of her eye, Liu Nirong caught sight of a young man beside them, and she subconsciously frowned. This young man, wearing what could only be described as a clean but plain outfit, had an ancient-looking single-edged saber at his waist. Liu Nirong only knew that he had been dispatched by the son of the military noble and hadn't revealed his detailed identity. His role was to supervise the goods, likely to monitor them, fearing that these unworldly bumpkins from the Fish Dragon Gang might see wealth and get ideas, stealthily pilfering inconspicuous but expensive small items from the piles of goods. How could the haughty and proud Liu Nirong find him agreeable? However, the young man with the saber had extraordinary looks and demeanor. The dozens of robust members of the Fish Dragon Gang were not so undiscerning as to mistake him for a mere servant from a fourth-rank general's residence. After all, he was accompanying the Fish Dragon Gang all the way to Beimang. Along the way, there had been many speculations: some said he was the son of a steward from the formidable general's residence, enjoying reflected glory. Others claimed he was a distant relative of the general, being groomed, and this trip was for his training. But most people bitterly thought that this "embroidered pillow" – someone with good looks but no substance – whose appearance was so good it inspired envy, was the general's son's lover. *Heh*, who could say what went on in those rich and powerful families? Were there ever too few dirty secrets and scandals?

Liu Nirong, pure in heart, naturally didn't understand why the gang members looked at the young man with such amused glances. In any case, for the past ten days, things had been peaceful enough. Since he wasn't causing trouble, she certainly wouldn't seek him out for trouble. She had privately asked her master, Xiao Qiang, about the stranger's martial skill, and Xiao Qiang had simply said he couldn't tell. She felt relieved, assuming he was probably a boring person who used that saber as mere decoration. After all, pampered sons from noble families were fond of such displays—though they were often debilitated by wine and women, weaker than scholars, they still liked to wear sabers and swords, which was utterly vulgar!

The man with the single saber consistently maintained a clear distance from the Fish Dragon Gang.

Seeing Liu Nirong's peeking glance, he offered a slight smile in return.

Liu Nirong turned away with a cold expression.