Chapter 205 - 205: Two Hundred and One: Deep
Chapter 205 - 205: Two Hundred and One: Deep
“Do you understand the significance of this challenge arena?” Ignoring the combative spirit in his younger son’s eyes, the elder felt a twinge of disappointment.
From a martial artist’s perspective, a fearlessness against strong opponents, and maintaining one’s fight spirit even against the other’s strengths, is something commendable. But as a clan leader, it is not enough to be just a warrior. One must have a higher view, a broad mind and foresight.
Because a martial artist can only see the cultivation and unique arts of the Xu Clan’s son. But a qualified clan leader needs to see everything he does and the implications behind it.
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Xiao Qi paused. In his view, this should be an obvious matter, but judging from the elder’s question, it seems that apart from reputation, this young swordsman had other hidden intentions. So, after pondering for a while, Xiao Qi replied: “Apart from fame, I can’t think of any other reasons for this challenge arena.”
Insight is a skill, but it is not one that everyone possesses, thus the truth often lies in the hands of few.
The elder knew that his second son was not a man of wisdom, so he didn’t bother with riddles and explained, “This challenge arena represents the dissatisfaction of the Xu Clan’s son towards our Longzhou. And the dissatisfaction of a Mortal Realm martial artist can slaughter more than a hundred of our Xiling martial artists of the same realm in two days. Have you ever thought, what if the dissatisfied son of saints were in the Fierce Realm or the King Realm?”
The Martial Arts Realm is like a circle.
Within the circle, you possess techniques, martial skills, and secret arts. Outside the circle, there lies the unknown world of martial arts.
The less you understand about martial arts, the smaller your circle will be, and you’ll think that there are few things you don’t know.
On the contrary, the more you understand, the larger your circle will be, and the more ignorant you will feel.
This means that the more sophisticated a person’s cultivation, the more they will realize their inadequacies, thus, their character will be more humble. However, the most ignorant people will be full of self-confidence and often regard others as stupid fools.
There are many people who feel invincible after obtaining a secret method or breaking through a realm, their confidence grows because their world is small.
Perceiving fear is a skill, and most of the time, people are unable to sense danger mainly because of ignorance.
Everyone thinks that the Xu Clan’s son is challenging Xiling, but few have thought that Xiling is just a county in Longzhou, and doesn’t have the qualifications to be remembered by a noble family. This challenge is simply due to dissatisfaction.
The pattern of family ruling is the result of the Holy Land’s dissatisfaction with the imperial mainland, overthrowing one dynasty after another, and returning power to the people. What if they are now dissatisfied with the noble families?
There’s no need for an entire clan to feel this way, just look at the capabilities exhibited by Xu Lao Ying, as long as a few strong people from noble families think this way, it will stir up the turmoil of a state.
Tianxiang Building
Every night, Xu Lao Ying would hire eight ladies to accompany him at the Tianxiang Building, partying until dawn. He is one of the most popular customers in the Tianxiang Building.
But when Xu Lao Ying stepped in again, he found that everyone was looking at him strangely, even the cheerful music had stopped. The patrons, who were normally enjoying themselves, looked grim-faced after seeing him, angrily setting down their wine glasses, glaring at him.
Without thinking, he knew that news of his challenge to Xiling had spread here.
Xu Lao Ying felt helpless. The challenge arena was one thing, entertainment was another. Why were these people being so unreasonable?
The madam came to Xu Lao Ying with a flattering smile, but it was particularly stiff. In fact, the best place to hear gossip was definitely the brothel.
Over the past two days, news of the arrogant challenger to Yuanzhou has spread to all the entertainment venues in Xiling. Many puffed-up patrons often shared this information while holding girls in their arms.
Hearing it repeatedly, the girls began to piece together what the son looked like, and the more they heard, the more they thought that he resembled the young man who required eight girls to accompany him every night at the Tianxiang Building.
After all, those peach blossom eyes were unmatched, but the girls didn’t want to believe it, considering that the young man came to Tianxiang Building every night and left only in the early morning. But now, observing the attitudes of the patrons in the hall, how could they not understand that the challenger and the young man were the same person?
In the face of such a violent man who killed Mortal Realms like grass, how could the madam not stiffen her smile?
That’s how most people are. Rumors always veil individuals, even if they are familiar friends. If their fame is celebrated, you’ll feel they’re extraordinary, let alone such notoriety.
“Don’t be afraid.” Xu Lao Ying shrugged and comforted: “It’s not the first time you’ve seen me.”
The madam revealed a smile even uglier than a cry, and replied: “Your concubine is not afraid.”
If this isn’t fear, what is? Xu Lao Ying said with a mix of exasperation and amusement: “Arrange for eight new girls and send them to my room.”
After instructing the madam, Xu Lao Ying walked towards the upstairs directly. When he passed through the hall, the patrons either looked at the stage or lowered their heads into their food and drinks, no one dared to make eye contact with him.
Only when Xu Lao Ying’s figure disappeared around the corner of the second floor, did these patrons regain their composure. Some even spat in the direction where Xu Lao Ying disappeared, showing their contempt.
“He’s challenging tomorrow and still here for prostitutes tonight. Let’s see how soft and sore you’ll be tomorrow when facing the challenge!” someone maliciously thought.
Ruined Courtyard on Fengqing Alley
Like a cautious mouse, Yang Fan looked back three times for every step he took, making sure no one was following him, then he darted into the ruined courtyard.
He saw Mi Bai sitting in the courtyard, writing. Bai looked up and smiled warmly at him: “You’re back.”
“Hmm.” Yang Fan rubbed the back of his head and replied, looking rather embarrassed.
Mi Bai waved him over and motioned for him to take a look at the characters on the table, saying, “Take advantage of the daylight and learn these characters.”
“Okay, Brother Bai.” Yang Fan hung his head, looking at the characters deconstructed into strokes, feeling ashamed.
He hadn’t been with Mi Bai for two days, disappearing all day long. Yet, Mi Bai didn’t ask about it and instead waited for him in the courtyard every day to teach him to recognize characters before sunset.
He wanted to tell Mi Bai about his whereabouts during the past two days. As soon as he looked up, he saw those gentle but determined eyes.
Mi Bai pointed to the table, “It’s not too late to talk about it later, let’s start with recognizing characters.”
Who in the world has the biggest guts? It’s those who have nothing.
Because they have nothing to lose, they can act without considering the consequences, in simple terms, the barefoot are not afraid to wear shoes.
After the collapse of the higher ranks of the Righteous Gang, some ambitious wandering martial artists and some small gang leaders of the Righteous Gang started plotting. They began to nurture their own followers, establishing gangs and plotting to replace the Righteous Gang and dominate the West City streets.
But no one anticipated that Gong Zheng, the supposedly dead leader of the Righteous Gang, would return. After swiftly dealing with the remnants of the Righteous Gang and suppressing smaller gangs on the streets, he recruited three wandering martial artists from the Mortal Realm.
The Righteous Gang once again dominated the streets, with unparalleled prestige in their time.
As expected, the suppression from Mi Hou didn’t occur..