Chapter 45: Jianghu

Dang-li-ge-dang! Li-ge-li-dang!

"Hey! The Jianghu winds and clouds rise, the three religions and nine schools come to the stage. Martial artists compare fists and feet, scholars discuss principles, sorcerers show their powers, each showing their abilities without yielding……"

Dang-li-ge-dang! Li-ge-li-dang!

"Look here, Red Fist experts strike fast, Xingyi is domineering, Bagua is dark, the three religions and nine schools gather like dragons and snakes, the Jianghu is sinister, be careful, the clappers sound in all directions, singing of the good scenery of the world…"

At the entrance of Pailou Street, the noise was deafening, and the clappers of the fast-book artist were flying.

The so-called dragons, snakes, rats, and ants each have their own way.

A life-and-death arena duel involves the life and death of both sides, and there are various interest disputes behind it, but for ordinary people and Jianghu people, it is a grand event.

The people of the Divine Land love to watch the fun, which has been the case since ancient times.

Even for beheading criminals in the vegetable market, there are many onlookers, and peddlers selling food run around everywhere, let alone things like martial arts duels.

That is even more lively than watching a big play at a temple fair!

Ordinary people are fine. Hearing that the duel time is in the Shen hour, they ran over early after lunch to occupy a position, so as not to be unable to squeeze in later.

But for ordinary Jianghu guests, it is a good opportunity.

The so-called "meeting and talking about hardship must be a Jianghu person," those who stir up trouble are in the minority, and more are those who toil and run around for some scattered silver.

Before dawn, a group of people ran over to "draw the pot."

What is "drawing the pot"? It is when Jianghu artists perform on the ground, they use some white sand to draw a circle on the ground. One is to occupy the territory, and the other is to circle the performance space, letting the audience step back and have a space to perform.

But this group of people is obviously not here to perform.

They are people from the local Changchun Association in Xianyang.

Every temple fair or various grand celebrations, there is no lack of Jianghu artists and vendors, but everything has rules. If it is not agreed in advance, they will have to fight for the territory.

The Changchun Association is an organization specifically responsible for this matter.

They are usually composed of virtuous and respected Jianghu artists, responsible for planning the territory in advance and maintaining order on the scene.

Of course, they have to offer tribute to the local gangs, and they will also draw water from small vendors and artists performing on the ground, earning the price difference.

Just past noon, the intersection was already crowded.

Here are those playing clappers, called "short things," there are those playing erhu, called "long things" by insiders, and those Fengyang flower drum artists with their families……

Sellers of various snacks go without saying, and people from the Leather Sect also come to join the fun.

Those who set up stalls and use iron files to grind fake rhinoceros horns are called "setting up four flats."

Those who are bare-chested and use iron bars to whip themselves, selling trauma medicine, are called "side-men." Even more ruthless, those who use small knives to cut their arms to sell knife-wound medicine are called "green picture"……

In the distance, there is also a group of porters from the carriage and horse firms.

Unlike marginal figures like Du Daya of Li Family Fort, these porters are all strong and muscular, with knotted muscles. Even in the cold weather, their trouser legs are rolled up, revealing sturdy bones and calves. They are all heroes who have practiced poking feet…

In short, this duel caused waves in the Jianghu of Xianyang City, which was originally calm.

…………

"Why haven't they come yet?"

"Are they still fighting?"

"What's the rush? It's not Shen hour yet…"

Seeing more and more people gathering, many idlers were obviously a bit irritable.

The entire Pailou Street intersection was already crowded with people, and fortunately, the wooden arena was built three zhang high, so no matter which corner, one could see it by looking up.

The wine taverns and tea houses along the street were undoubtedly the best positions.

As long as you get an elegant room on the second floor and open the window, you can see the arena, and then brew a pot or two of tea, inviting three or five friends to come, that is called having a brand.

Of course, ordinary people can't book it even if they spend money.

All those who can occupy good positions are figures with faces and prestige in the Jianghu of Xianyang City, and they are clearly divided from each other.

……

On the east tavern, sitting are the people of Zhou Pan's faction of the Divine Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui. Except for a few old seniors of the boxing hall, the Eight Great Vajras are all present.

And Zhou Bai is also among them.

He looked at the arena outside, eager to try, and said, "How about I go up first, can't let the scene get cold."

After all, it is a youth's temperament. Although he often spars with others, this is the first time he has fought in the arena in front of so many people. Saying he is not excited is purely a lie.

"What scene is cold!"

A middle-aged man with black hair, white temples, and a handlebar mustache scolded coldly, "Do you think it's a juggling performance? Sit honestly for me, condense your spirit and calm your qi to nurture your fighting intent!"

The one speaking is Zhou Peide, the head of the Eight Great Vajras.

He is the oldest and is pedantic. His kung fu is only average among the eight, but he is Zhou Pan's cousin and Zhou Bai's father.

With this relationship, he ranks first.

Hearing this, Zhou Bai shrank his neck and didn't dare to speak again, but his eyes were full of dissatisfaction.

Yuan Qu saw this and smiled immediately, "Zhou Bai, don't be anxious. This is not a matter of first come, first served. That brat sent a visiting card, wanting to go up first, and you go up later, only then will it show your noble status."

"Oh, so that's how it is."

Zhou Bai understood immediately.

Seeing this, Zhou Peide's brows furrowed.

To be honest, he really looks down on Zheng Heibei and Yuan Qu, these two rascals who often do evil in the name of the Zhou family outside.

Unfortunately, Zhou Pan wants to stabilize the Divine Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui and walk the relationship to Changan, and money is needed everywhere, so he can only pinch his nose and recognize these two people.

It seems that after the matter is over, he must warn Zhou Bai to have less contact with this person……

……

On the west tavern, the atmosphere is much colder.

Relatively speaking, it is much colder here.

Finally, someone couldn't help but ask, "Zhang Lao, you personally organized this time, and you have completely turned against that old monkey. It's not worth it."

Zhang Yuanshang didn't change his expression, calmly loaded his water pipe, lit it, and took a few puffs, "A family, a sect, the old guys are the bottom of the box, but the truly important ones are the young people." "If the children in the family are promising, even if the family is poor, they will be looked up to. If the descendants are not successful, even a high-door mansion will inevitably fall……"

"In this generation of the Zhou family, only Zhou Bai came out. The rest are either wine bags and rice sacks, or greedy and lustful people."

"Don't look at the Zhou family now in full swing, but the old monkey is old after all. This life stops at the transformation energy. If Zhou Bai is defeated, some people will naturally have calculations in their hearts……"

Everyone nodded, deeply agreeing.

Although the Jianghu pays attention to hard fists, it is ultimately driven by interests. Especially their Divine Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui, which still survives under the rules of the Great Xuan Dynasty and cannot kill and grab territory everywhere like bandits.

Even bandits, if their virtue does not match their position, will inevitably suffer disaster.

Zhou Pan has done too much in these ten years.

In Xianyang City, there are many people waiting to push the wall.

"Is there a chance to win?"

"Two or three percent."

!.

Zhang Yuanshang took a few puffs of his water pipe and said indifferently, "I'm old. Trading this old face for a two or three percent chance is not a loss!"

"Father, people are here!"

Just at this moment, Zhang Shitong, who was watching from the window, reminded in a low voice.

Everyone looked out. They saw a commotion at the street corner in the northwest, and then under the scolding of some Zhang Family Martial Arts Hall boxers, the crowd split into a crack.

On the street, a youth walked over with wide strides.

Black coarse cloth martial arts suit, also wearing leggings, a country-style dress, but because his figure was tall and straight, his skin was fair, and he had a pair of dragon eyes and phoenix pupils, even if he was dressed in a rustic way, he was very conspicuous in the crowd.

Behind him followed a Daoist and a big bald head with a thick beard, exactly Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan.

"This is Li Hu's son?"

In the tea house, an old man was a bit surprised, "Li Hu had the appearance of a bear, how did he give birth to such a handsome child? He is a good seedling for singing Dan…"

Others laughed dumbly and shook their heads slightly.

This is Luo Shihai, an old senior of the Bagua Palm in Xianyang City, and also the troupe leader of the Longsheng Opera Troupe, a true opera fanatic.

If it weren't for a promising female disciple being defiled by a descendant of the Zhou family and committing suicide by hanging, leaving a grudge, he wouldn't have participated in the Jianghu disputes and stood with them.

Not mentioning the different thoughts of the crowd, Li Yan came to the center of the cross street, ignoring the eyes of the surrounding crowd, and put all his attention on the arena.

Seeing the arena, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Sha Lifei on the side sneered, "The Zhou family is indeed this kind of character, only knowing how to play small tricks."

It was that the arena was built a bit strangely.

Ordinary arenas, even if there are no plum blossom piles used for going up to the arena, have round wooden frames stacked layer by layer for people to climb.

And this arena of the Zhou family was all wooden boards on all sides, with no point of force, and even emitted a moist luster in the sun, obviously painted with tung oil.

This is a show of force.

With so many people watching, if he couldn't even get on the arena, he probably wouldn't have the face to continue staying here before the other party appeared.

"No matter, just a small trick…"

Li Yan scanned lightly and looked around.

He saw that around the arena, there were also sections of hemp rope as thick as an arm, used to pull and fix the center pillar of the arena, tied to iron rods driven into the ground, stretched straight.

Li Yan didn't say a word, came to the hemp rope.

The common people and Jianghu crowd watching saw this and widened their eyes.

Although this hemp rope is thick, the angle of inclination is not small, and it only reaches half of the arena. Could it be that he wants to climb up along the rope?

Although it is not difficult for a practitioner, it is not very aesthetic.

From the momentum, it is a few points weaker.

Who knew, Li Yan didn't use his hands, but stepped on the hemp rope, alternating left and right feet, steadily walking up step by step…

"Good!"

The watching common people immediately clapped and cheered.

"What is this?!"

There were also many "Wake Guazi" from the Iron Saber Gang and White Ape Gang in the crowd. Seeing this, they mocked, "Isn't this just the rope-walking of the Flower-Color Sect? Was this brat a performer before?"

"What do you know?"

An old man in the crowd heard this and snorted coldly, "Rope-walking walks on soft ropes and has exertion techniques. This youth is clearly solid in his lower body kung fu, walking up hard."

"If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense here."

Several "Wake Guazi" were angered by the scolding and cursed, wanting to go up and beat him, "You old immortal…"

But before the words fell, their heads tilted and they fainted.

It turned out that there were still many young people in the crowd who directly used dark hands, knocked all these people unconscious, and kicked their ribs hard a few times.

These rascals were also unlucky, encountering a senior of the Flower-Color Sect.

There was another commotion below, but Li Yan didn't change his expression. He walked to the middle of the hemp rope, paused his feet, borrowed the rebound force of the hemp rope, soared into the air, and grabbed the edge of the arena with his right hand.

Then, with a harrier flip, he landed steadily on the arena.

Cheers rang out below again.

Li Yan cupped his hands to the surroundings, and by the way, glanced at the surroundings of the arena, calculating the area to see if there were any smooth or uneven areas.

Swish!

Zhou Bai on the opposite side couldn't hold back anymore. Seeing Li Yan on the arena, he jumped down directly from the window of the second-floor tavern.

He rolled forward to unload the force and came to the edge of the arena. Facing the smooth wooden wall, he just stretched out his claws and hooked, his five fingers embedded directly into it, like a gecko swimming on a wall, and climbed onto the arena with a scratch…

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 46 =====