Chapter 78: Retiring from the Trade

“Retiring from the trade isn’t that simple!”

Inside the teahouse, an old man in a sheepskin jacket lifted his large tobacco pipe, drew several puffs, and shook his head slowly amid clouds of smoke: “This ‘golden basin retirement’ originally referred to the ceremony performed by rivermen who delivered grain to the Han-era Chang’an palace—after landing at the Wei River ferry, they held this ritual to signify their service to the authorities was complete.”

“The golden basin wasn’t real gold—it was copper. Later, the practice spread to every trade, and everyone adopted the custom.”

The speaker was Old Donkey Head, a lifetime cart driver who had traveled far and wide, and now spent his old age loitering in Xianyang’s teahouses.

A circle of onlookers had already gathered; many knew nothing of the ways of the martial world and laughed: “Old Donkey Head, haven’t you retired from this life years ago?”

“Ah~”

Old Donkey Head quickly waved his hands. “I’m just too old to keep working—I still teach the young brats, but that’s not retiring. True retirement means completely leaving the trade.”

“Retiring from the trade is simple: you publicly declare you’re done with this line of work, and usually invite fellow practitioners to witness it. Since rivals are gone, they’re happy—and often give a small gift to celebrate.”

“Only local big shots have the status to retire like this. We’re nobodies—wouldn’t this just be a joke?”

“Hahaha, true enough.”

The crowd burst into laughter.

One young nobleman, curious, asked: “But in the martial world, isn’t retiring from the trade something entirely different?”

“Naturally.”

Old Donkey Head sighed. “Where there are people, there is the martial world; where there is the martial world, there are grudges. If you’re a bandit lord who’s taken countless lives, can those karmic debts simply vanish like that?”

“Even if the victims forgive you, the authorities won’t!”

“The same goes for martial arts masters: you may retire, but certain debts must be settled—if anyone refuses to let it go, it doesn’t count.”

“How do they refuse?”

“In the martial world, when words fail, fists speak. All grudges must be settled—that’s what retirement means.”

“Once you pass this test, anyone who seeks revenge breaks the rules—but if you rejoin the martial world, you break your vow.”

The onlookers suddenly understood.

“So that’s how it is!”

“No wonder it’s causing such a stir.”

“Zhou Monkey wants to retire—he won’t make it.”

“Why not? Can anyone beat him?”

“They’ll just hire reinforcements…”

The crowd murmured among themselves, but the young nobleman shook his head: “This rule is ridiculous. If you have a grudge, settle it—can a vow really stop it?”

Old Donkey Head drew several puffs from his pipe and said with deep meaning: “The rules of the martial world endure for a reason.”

“The martial world grows old—everyone, eventually, reaches a point where they can no longer fight…”

…………

“Zhou can’t refuse to retire now.”

Inside the Zhang Family Martial Arts Hall, after the disciples brought tea and left, Master Zhang Tong smiled broadly and whispered: “Bad luck has struck—Zhou Monkey, even with three heads and six arms, can only accept his fate.”

Li Yan sipped his tea. “Has Chang’an reached a decision?”

The sudden turn of events could only stem from a root cause.

“Correct.”

Master Zhang Tong grinned. “Li, you’re blessed by fortune—Li family’s fleet accomplished a great deed. The Emperor himself issued an edict promoting them, and they may even enter the imperial court.”

“Lu Kang, the Left Assistant Minister, is finished. He used underhanded tactics to protect himself, and now must resign and return to his hometown.”

“Men scheme a hundred ways—but fate always wins.”

Li Yan had no interest in the petty intrigues of officials. He spoke gravely: “Zhou Pan wants to retire. What’s your stance?”

Master Zhang Tong shook his head. “You yourself suffered greatly, but out of magnanimity, you didn’t pursue it—even petitioned the court to erect a memorial arch for Lu’s family. We can’t act too harshly.”

“The River Guild and Taixing Carting Company profit heavily—if the Zhou family quietly exits Xianyang and cedes them territory, they won’t object…”

“The senior martial artists fear Zhou’s rise would bring oppression. Now that the clouds have cleared, they’re too lazy to stir up grudges…”

“Only Senior Luo Shihai insists the Zhou family hand over the killer from back then.”

Li Yan glanced at him. “What about your Zhang family?”

Master Zhang Tong chuckled. “My father’s been elected next chairman of the Xianyang Divine Fist Association—how could we kick a man when he’s down? We’ll show mercy.”

“Tsk tsk.”

Sha Li Fei, seeing his smugness, bristled and sneered: “You get the benefits, so you’re generous—but when the Zhou family destroyed other families, did they ever think of mercy?”

“What about the victims? Didn’t anyone come to demand justice?”

Master Zhang Tong wasn’t angered. He fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. “You’re of the martial world—how could you say such a thing?”

“Zhou Pan’s retirement is about securing peace among Xianyang’s powers. The victims coming forward? He can settle his grudges himself—why fear them?”

“In the martial world, only the strongest have the right to speak…”

Sha Li Fei was silenced, muttered curses under his breath, and fell quiet.

Li Yan spoke calmly: “Since you’ve already decided, why summon me?” Master Zhang Tong replied: “You crippled Zhou Bai—and even his father, Zhou Peide, is in prison. My father wants to settle this openly now, to avoid future trouble.”

“My father wants you to join the Divine Fist Association, train for a few years, then open a martial arts school or start a escort agency—build a foundation for the Li family, and honor the old generation’s bond.”

Li Yan was surprised, but after a pause, he shook his head. “Thank you for your kindness, Master Zhang, but I cannot accept.”

Master Zhang Tong froze. “Why?”

Li Yan sipped his tea, his expression calm.

“My fists may be small—but I’m one of the victims too.”

…………

The sixth day of the ninth month: auspicious for meeting kin and sealing alliances; inauspicious for burial.

“Hurry up—hang the lanterns!”

“Why hasn’t the fish arrived yet?”

“The boat captain says the Wei River’s been strange these past two days—fish are scarce. They’ve gone to other rivers to fish—they’ll make it in time.”

!.

“Make sure they don’t use dead fish to cheat us.”

“Where’s Uncle Wang Yao?”

“Says the clinic’s too busy—he can’t leave.”

“Bullshit—don’t you know what day this is? He’s clearly…”

“Ah, forget it. Just tell the Master.”

Outside the Zhou family martial arts hall, disciples bustled about.

Everyone knew what day this was.

Everyone hurried, yet their eyes held a flicker of confusion.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter—so too with the Zhou family.

These past days, nearly half the disciples had left. The few who remained were loyal, yet anxious, unsure of their future.

The last time the Zhou family was this lively was during Mid-Autumn, when the Eight Golden Warriors gathered, and every martial arts school, escort agency, and even government clerks came to offer gifts.

Back then, the opera troupe had been brought from Chang’an.

Bright moonlight, full halls of guests, joyous celebration.

Who could have imagined it would come to this so quickly?

Of the Eight Golden Warriors: Zheng Xian’s entire family was dead; Zhou Peide was imprisoned, sentenced to execution after autumn; Yuan Qu and Zheng Hei Bei fled, rumored to have allied with demons and died, their property confiscated.

Wang Yao from the clinic and Liu Jincheng from the escort agency both claimed they couldn’t come—clearly distancing themselves from Zhou Pan, since they still needed to survive in Xianyang.

Today, only two of the Eight Golden Warriors showed up—and both were Zhou family members.

The collapse came so fast, none had time to react.

Many already plotted: after Zhou Pan retires, he’ll likely take his family away from Xianyang and settle back in their hometown.

These people, who once abused Zhou’s power to bully others, had made many enemies. After today, they couldn’t stay in Xianyang.

Outside the Zhou home, even more onlookers had gathered.

They pointed and whispered, their faces gleeful with malice.

The disciples saw this and burned with anger.

In the past, these people wouldn’t dare approach Zhou’s door—now they dared act like this.

Yet no one stepped forward to confront them.

After today, with the Zhou family fallen, they’d be floating weeds—no one would defend them if they clashed with others.

Fewer troubles, the better.

Soon, the auspicious hour arrived. Firecrackers cracked. Guests arrived as promised.

A disciple shouted at the gate:

“Master Liu of Qingquan Martial Arts Hall arrives!”

“Escort Captain Li of Changsheng Escort Agency arrives!”

“Section Chief Qin of Taixing Carting Company arrives!”

“Chief Han of the River Guild arrives!”

“Grandmaster Zhang of the Zhang Family Martial Arts Hall arrives!”

“Captain Guan of the Yamen arrives!”

The onlookers at the gate weren’t surprised.

Zhou Pan’s retirement drew only the most prominent figures of Xianyang.

Of course, even those with no deep ties and no grudges would, out of face, present a modest gift—this is called "people not present, gift arrives."

What they were watching for was whether anyone would cause trouble today!

(End of Chapter)