Chapter 33: Casual Talk in the Jianghu [Seeking Follow-up Reading]

In Sanhua Town, many passers-by rest at the Rongshukou hot tea stall on the Tongjing Post Road. Throughout the ages, this kind of "idle" livelihood has always been full of lofty conversations. Even outdoors in the cold winter, a sip of hot, old tea cannot stop these idlers from showing off their knowledge.

"Take Dongfang Mingqi for example. When he was eight years old, he was taken into the palace by the Regent. There have always been rumors that he was trained to be a court hawk dog. Now it seems to be true."

"Just a few days ago, Dongfang Mingqi was finally released from the palace and given an important position. As soon as he took office in the West Palace, he showed his devilish nature. He punched his superiors, massacred the four ministers, and even beat the famous Zhen Jingxi to death."

"What's even more bizarre is that I heard that the evil people of Chaotian Palace, who were rumored two years ago, are also here this time. Oh, let's not talk about it. The court is encouraging their abuses. I think the world will be in turmoil again. We won't have a good life for a few years."

At the stall, the peddler who had just returned to the town after touring the villages picked up a cup of tea to relieve his dry mouth while also slowing down the pace of his story. It would be best if he could arouse one or two greedy people and ask for it and then pay for it.

Unfortunately, the people under the emperor's feet are always well-informed. Not only did no one buy his "outdated" rumors, but some even mocked him:

"Aren't they just the remnants of Ma Guan Dao and Yu Wang Lance? Look how scared you are. Don't worry, these people can't make any waves. Even Dongfang Mingqi, I don't think he will be able to jump for long."

The peddler looked up when he heard this, and when he saw the man dressed like a gangster, he stopped talking, but his tone was still agitated:
"My dear brother, Zhen Jingxi is a real master figure, and even if you look at the whole world, he is considered third-rate. But how old is Zhen Jingxi? How old is Dongfang Mingqi? Not to mention that he now has the support of the imperial court. How can he not make any waves?"

Although there is no detailed division of martial arts in the secular world, there is a consensus in the world as to which character is at which level. There are generally two more popular opinions about these so-called levels.

One is the ten realms of martial arts.

One is the nine classes of people in the underworld.

The so-called lower three realms and lower third rate include both the farm hands and the thugs at the bottom of the gang.

Only those in the middle third realm can be considered as the real people who can make a living by martial arts. Even if such people have no followers, the martial arts they know are probably worth talking about.

From the escort masters and the head escorts in the escort agencies, the skilled knights in the martial arts world, to the high-ranking officials in the government, they are all at this level. Otherwise, it will be difficult for them to gain a foothold and maintain their reputation.

If the above are the main groups that make up the Jianghu, then the third-rate and fourth-level people above them are the real "power holders", the masters who lead the waves of the Jianghu.

There are seven realms in martial arts. Those who are third-rate in the martial arts world can be considered as the masters. The leaders of some local gangs and famous escort agencies are basically at this level. The top ones among them can be ranked at the bottom of the martial arts list, and they have good prospects whether they go to local areas or enter the public sector.

There is no need to mention the masters above them. Song Chaozhen, 'Zhen Jingxi', is a famous figure among them. No matter where he goes, he will be tried hard to win over. When he returns to his hometown, he can revive his family studies and build up a martial arts force. In today's world, he is like a local emperor who is semi-separatist.

The former Yuwang Spear and Maguandao were representatives of this level of martial arts.

If the best among the Grandmasters can further comprehend the "meaning" of their own martial arts, they will be considered to have reached the top level. If they can lead the "soldiers" they use to fight in the eighteen forms, then they will have the title of "top".

Even if the 'Kui' level has touched the ceiling of the secular world, regardless of whether it has its own power or not, it can be regarded as a giant. Those who are alone do not even take the so-called imperial court seriously, and they can truly break the law with force.

Those above 'Kui' are not considered among the nine classes.

They are amazing talents in the ten realms of martial arts. Most of them are obsessed with martial arts and have detached themselves from the secular world. They are proficient in both internal and external skills, and are well-versed in all kinds of military tactics. Only in this way can they be considered martial arts immortals.

Wei Mingqi was certainly still far from this level, but considering that he had not yet reached the age of 'tying up his hair', the fact that he was able to tie with or even kill 'Zhen Jingxi' when he was only in his teens had caused a huge shock to the martial arts world.

how to say,

Even the 'he' in the prophecy wasn't that far off.

"If you ask me, you are just an ignorant farmer. If the court continues to hide him in the palace for another ten years, maybe he can become something powerful. But now his martial arts skills are mediocre and he acts so arrogantly. How many people want him dead?"

"..."

The peddler also thought this made sense, but he couldn't keep his face, so he could only straighten his neck and continue to look for footnotes for his inference:

"So what? He has the imperial court behind him! With the regent protecting him, who can do anything to him? This is under the feet of the emperor!"

"What about the emperor's feet?" The Jianghu sneered and said disdainfully:
"The Regent has too many people to protect, including the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Who is Wei Mingqi? The other day, Cang Liangye took action, but the Regent still didn't keep him?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, the people around were all shocked. Even the peddler didn't care about his face and asked:

"Cang Liangye? Gong Kui? Has he entered the capital?"

"Not only did they come to Beijing, they actually took action."

The man gestured with his hands: "At that time, 'She Tianjiao' was still as brave as ever. He shot arrows at Longcheng in front of Wanrenshan and almost shot Wei Mingqi through the head! Wanrenshan was furious and wanted to keep him, but since 'She Tianjiao' dared to come, he must have his own skills. Wanrenshan didn't keep him and watched him escape with serious injuries from the palace city."

This picture contained so much information that it seemed as if the man from the martial arts world was standing on the Chengtian Palace and watching all this. However, because it was too exaggerated, it caused the peddler to subconsciously doubt.

"You are a thin-skinned person, aren't you?"

"Don't people say that Wanrenshan could have been promoted to seclusion long ago, but he didn't leave because he vowed to protect the country? Cang Liangye may be arrogant, but is he likely to fight Wu Xian'er?"

These words caused others to nod in agreement, and the peddler couldn't help but feel that he had regained his face.

Unexpectedly, the man from Jianghu sneered again.

"A farmer is a farmer."

"You are a man who can't win the argument, so why do you keep insulting me?"

"Is it wrong to say that you are ignorant?"

Seeing the peddler getting angry, the man raised his head and snorted, "One Gong Kui is not enough, but a Gong Kui carrying the Dragon Di of the Seven Stars of the Azure Dragon is enough?"

"..."

There was silence all around. After a while, the peddler said with a trembling voice, "Dragon Yuan? Cang Liangye has it? I haven't heard of it. I really haven't heard of it!"

"You should know if you think about it."

The people in the martial arts world acted like the prophet Kong Ming: "It is said that Cang Liangye can shoot an arrow a hundred miles away and chase souls and take lives. The dead do not hear his voice, see his arrow, or see his person. The people in the martial arts world call it the three invisibles. If it weren't for Long Yuan, how could he have such great arm strength?"

What he said is well-founded.

Soon, the crowd at the tea stall dispersed.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the people nearby had eaten the melon, so the trip was worth it.

The peddler lost face but he had something to talk about in the future, so it wasn't a loss.

The people in the martial arts world can drink tea and rest while completing tasks, which makes them earn a lot of money.

It seems to be a happy situation for everyone——

"Master."

After the guests left, the young man packed up the teacups and returned to the stall with the bucket. He asked the skinny old man in confusion:
"Did you go to Beijing last time?"

(End of this chapter)