Chapter 73: Chapter 73= Offthe Cuff
Huangtong Mansion City’s government office.
Wu Zongshan’s brows were deeply furrowed as he looked at the constable Meng Xing in front of him and said, “So, that person has just been standing in front of Longxing Martial Arts Hall all this time?
“Yes, my lord,” Meng Xing nodded helplessly, “Chen Song has been sitting there since this morning, not moving an inch. If any of the hall’s apprentices or trainers try to drive him away, they end up being knocked down by him.” “This is targeted at Zhou Heng.” Wu Zongshan also felt somewhat helpless; as the head of Huangtong Mansion, it wasn’t suitable for him to intervene in such matters.
Today was the second day since Zhou Heng had left Huangtong Mansion City forYuyang County.
Early in the morning, a young swordsman in his twenties stood at the entrance
of Longxing Martial Arts Hall.
His name was Chen Song, and he had effectively blocked the entrance to Longxing Martial Arts Hall.
No one was allowed in or out.
He declared that unless Zhou Heng came out to spar with him and was defeated, he would not leave.
The apprentices and trainers of Longxing Martial Arts Hall naturally refused, leading to a conflict where both parties came to blows.
However, Chen Song was immensely powerful, seemingly of Eighth Rank, and not a single trainer was his match.
“Indeed, this is targeted at Zhou Heng,” Meng Xing said solemnly. “I’ve just checked this Chen Song’s background. He is a True Disciple of the Chang Xing Sect, twenty-four years old, at the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path, and a close friend of Kong Chengshun.”
“As I thought, they have come after all.” Wu Zongshan suddenly understood. The moment the warrior rankings were announced, he knew that Chang Xing Sect would surely pursue the matter with Zhou Heng.
After all, it was written clearly in black and white that Zhou Heng had risen in rank by stepping over Kong Chengshun.
Moreover, in Chang Xing Sect’s eyes, it was even more egregious that Zhou Heng had defeated Kong Chengshun to climb the rankings during a Chang Xing Sect assessment competition.
This was tantamount to a slap in the face to the entire Chang Xing Sect.
Even though Kong Chengshun’s subsequent death was due to You Ziheng, the higher-ups of Chang Xing Sect probably wouldn’t blame Zhou Heng. But those hot-blooded young disciples certainly wouldn’t see it that way.
They were likely to consider Zhou Heng as the primary culprit behind Kong Chengshun’s death, and would even believe Zhou Heng could only win over Kong Chengshun by resorting to sneak attacks.
Otherwise, how could a mere youngster, newly ranked as Ninth Grade, defeat
Kong Chengshun, a renowned figure on the warrior rankings?
“My lord, what should we do now?” Meng Xing inquired. “Zhou Heng has gone to Yuyang County, and it will be hard for him to return shortly. We can’t just let Chen Song keep causing a ruckus there.”
“Rivalries in the martial world should be settled by the martial world, it has always been the rule in our Da Qi; we should not interfere,” Wu Zongshan said, shaking his head. “Isn’t Lei Xiuyan ranked as Seventh Rank? Hasn’t he made a move?”
“No ” Meng Xing replied, shaking his head. “This morning, the hall master encountered a challenge from a young lady and got his arm slashed by a sword. He went home to recuperate. I suspect that lady might be Chen Song’s sister.” “Sister?” Wu Zongshan frowned. “Chen Song is a True Disciple of Chang Xing Sect, is his sister also one?”
“No.” Meng Xing took a deep breath and continued, “His sister, Chen Feihong, is a disciple of Shocking Thunder Manor, a personal disciple of the Fifth Rank Sect Master Wei Zhentian.
“Twenty-six years old, at the peak of Eighth Rank in Martial Path, ranked eighty-eighth on the warrior rankings, known in the martial world as ‘Thunder Sword’, she has the achievement of overpowering someone of the Seventh Rank.”
“A warrior rankings expert?” Wu Zongshan paused, then asked in confusion, “Strange indeed; our Da Qi has only a hundred names on the warrior rankings for all thirty-three states. How come two or three of them turn up in Huangtong Mansion every few days?”
“My lord, this might be related to a recent rumor,” Meng Xing said. “Speaking of which, it’s quite a coincidence as this rumor is about Yuyang County, the very place Zhou Heng has gone to.
“Supposedly, there’s a mysterious treasure there which possesses the power to enable a Seventh Rank expert to step into the Sixth Rank and seize a great opportunity that could make them renowned throughout the martial world.” “I’ve heard of that rumor. It was circulating about half a year ago, but such claims are often forgeries, so I didn’t take it seriously,” Wu Zongshan nodded. “Could it possibly be true?”
“It’s not impossible.” Meng Xing pondered for a moment before saying, “Zhou Heng went to Yuyang County to investigate Wang Tong, so he should know some clues about this rumor. When he returns, my lord can inquire with him.” 11 But investigating Wang Tong’s whereabouts is no easy task; it would be good if Zhou Heng could return within half a month,” Wu Zongshan worried. “We cannot let Chen Song block the door indefinitely.
“Meng Xing, do this-contact the Five Elements Sect’s associated martial halls to see if they are willing to help persuade Chen Song to leave.
“Zhou Heng seems to have a good relationship with Liu Changsheng; perhaps these halls would be willing to assist.”
“Yes, my lord!” Meng Xing bowed and retreated.
Wu Zongshan pinched his temples; it was indeed tiring to be head of the prefectural government, with never-ending issues to deal with, so much so that even his martial arts cultivation had fallen behind.
But apart from dedicating oneself to the role, what else could be done? Born into an ordinary family, if one doesn’t join a Sect or a noble family, to acquire higher-grade martial arts and live a better life, there is only one path: serve as an official and get promoted, waiting for the Imperial Court to grant it.
There is no other way.
“I don’t know how Zhou Heng’s investigation in Yuyang County is going, the ghost that possessed Wang Tong should be in a weakened state, giving us an opportunity. If we miss this period, I’m afraid that ghost will bring disaster to the region.”
Wu Zongshan looked in the direction of Yuyang County, his expression complex.
“My lord.” Meng Xing had just left not long ago and had actually come back, trailing someone behind him.
“Meng Xing, what’s… ” Wu Zongshan was originally puzzled by how quickly Meng Xing had returned, but upon seeing the person behind him, he was suddenly astonished, “Zhou Heng, you’re back? And what you’re holding in your hand is… Wang Tong??”
Wang Tong had been captured by Zhou Heng?
So quickly?
Zhou Heng has been extremely swift!
Incredible.
Is it that easy to capture someone possessed by a ghost?
“I had good luck, caught him the same night I went there.” Zhou Heng casually threw the unconscious Wang Tong onto the ground and smiled, “Heave him to you, Mansion Lord. I just stopped Meng Xing to say I have something to address at Longxing. Can I go there first?
“Go ahead, I will take care of Wang Tong,” Wu Zongshan’s mood immediately brightened, the two major problems that had been bothering him were now solved at once, making him see Zhou Heng in an even better light, “Meng Xing, see Zhou Heng off.”
“Yes, lord.” Meng Xing nodded.
The entrance of Longxing Martial Arts Hall.
A man in his twenties, dressed in a white brocade robe, long saber at his waist, tall and well-built, with handsome features, stood there, glaring angrily at everyone who passed by.
It scared quite a few people into keeping their distance. Nevertheless, a crowd still gathered, standing across the street from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall, watching from a distance.
After all, it’s human nature to watch the excitement.
It was already approaching dusk, and Chen Song had been standing there since morning, having fought several bouts with the people from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall, each time emerging victorious with overwhelming superiority.
Chen Song glanced at the gradually westward setting sun and looked towards the people inside, scoffing, “How could such a trash martial hall foster a ranking expert? You’ve really made a fool out of me.” At this time, many trainers and apprentices of Longxing Martial Arts Hall gathered at the entrance, clenching their teeth in fury at Chen Song, but they were completely powerless.
They had resisted, but all were defeated, utterly humiliated.
Lin Cang, a Ninth Grade trainer, couldn’t even withstand a single move and was instantly defeated with a broken arm.
The other trainers fared roughly the same.
Even apprentices like Yu He went up, but Chen Song simply slapped him away with a casual backhand, knocking out a tooth in the process.
Now, hearing Chen Song mocking Longxing like this, their anger was uncontainable.
“Chen Song, don’t act all high and mighty. Once Zhou Heng comes back, you’re finished!” Yu He, covering his swollen, purplish face, spoke furiously, You only dare to cause trouble when Zhou Heng is not around!” “Oh?” Chen Song feigned looking around in search, finally letting his gaze fall on Yu He. He lifted his chin slightly and laughed lightly, “What a weak little bug you are, even your voice when you curse is so low I almost didn’t hear you, haha.”
“You!!” Yu He was so angry he was nearly spitting blood.
“What’s the use of spouting off with your mouth?” Chen Song said with a face full of mockery, “No matter how much you resent me, can’t you still not defeat me?
“As for the Martial Hall that developed ‘Bone-breaking Sage’ Zhou Heng, it must be too poor if I say that Zhou Heng resorted to a sneak attack to defeat my brother Kong. Maybe his true strength is indeed not worth a blow!”
“It was Kong Chengshun who used a sneak attack!” Lin Cang tried to suppress his pain and forced out the words, his eyes focused on Chen Song, “It was Kong Chengshun who resorted to a sneak attack, and Zhou Heng, in a fury, defeated him!”
“You’re talking nonsense! How could my brother Kong need to resort to dirty tricks against someone as spineless as Zhou Heng?” Chen Song spat back, saying, “Yes, that’s right, Zhou Heng is spineless! Otherwise, why would he leave Huangtong Mansion City? He must have heard the winds of my approach and been scared into running away!
“Spineless? Who are you calling spineless?” Just then, a voice full of mockery rang out.
“Who?!” Chen Song turned to see who was speaking and upon recognizing the newcomer as identical to Zhou Heng in the portraits, his rage surged, and he shouted fiercely, “I’m calling you spineless!”