[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-cursed-blade-s-walk":3,"chapter-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-78":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Cursed Blade's Walk",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2262383,4415,"Chapter 78: Retiring from the Trade","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-78",78,"\u003Cp>“Retiring from the trade isn’t that simple!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The golden basin wasn’t real gold—it was copper. Later, the practice spread to every trade, and everyone adopted the custom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only local big shots have the status to retire like this. We’re nobodies—wouldn’t this just be a joke?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, true enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One young nobleman, curious, asked: “But in the martial world, isn’t retiring from the trade something entirely different?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if the victims forgive you, the authorities won’t!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do they refuse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the martial world, when words fail, fists speak. All grudges must be settled—that’s what retirement means.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once you pass this test, anyone who seeks revenge breaks the rules—but if you rejoin the martial world, you break your vow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s how it is!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder it’s causing such a stir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Monkey wants to retire—he won’t make it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not? Can anyone beat him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ll just hire reinforcements…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Donkey Head drew several puffs from his pipe and said with deep meaning: “The rules of the martial world endure for a reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The martial world grows old—everyone, eventually, reaches a point where they can no longer fight…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou can’t refuse to retire now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan sipped his tea. “Has Chang’an reached a decision?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden turn of events could only stem from a root cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Kang, the Left Assistant Minister, is finished. He used underhanded tactics to protect himself, and now must resign and return to his hometown.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Men scheme a hundred ways—but fate always wins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan had no interest in the petty intrigues of officials. He spoke gravely: “Zhou Pan wants to retire. What’s your stance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The River Guild and Taixing Carting Company profit heavily—if the Zhou family quietly exits Xianyang and cedes them territory, they won’t object…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only Senior Luo Shihai insists the Zhou family hand over the killer from back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan glanced at him. “What about your Zhang family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk tsk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the victims? Didn’t anyone come to demand justice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the martial world, only the strongest have the right to speak…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sha Li Fei was silenced, muttered curses under his breath, and fell quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan was surprised, but after a pause, he shook his head. “Thank you for your kindness, Master Zhang, but I cannot accept.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang Tong froze. “Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan sipped his tea, his expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My fists may be small—but I’m one of the victims too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sixth day of the ninth month: auspicious for meeting kin and sealing alliances; inauspicious for burial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry up—hang the lanterns!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why hasn’t the fish arrived yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make sure they don’t use dead fish to cheat us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s Uncle Wang Yao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Says the clinic’s too busy—he can’t leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bullshit—don’t you know what day this is? He’s clearly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, forget it. Just tell the Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the Zhou family martial arts hall, disciples bustled about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew what day this was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone hurried, yet their eyes held a flicker of confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter—so too with the Zhou family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past days, nearly half the disciples had left. The few who remained were loyal, yet anxious, unsure of their future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, the opera troupe had been brought from Chang’an.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bright moonlight, full halls of guests, joyous celebration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have imagined it would come to this so quickly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, only two of the Eight Golden Warriors showed up—and both were Zhou family members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collapse came so fast, none had time to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many already plotted: after Zhou Pan retires, he’ll likely take his family away from Xianyang and settle back in their hometown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people, who once abused Zhou’s power to bully others, had made many enemies. After today, they couldn’t stay in Xianyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the Zhou home, even more onlookers had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pointed and whispered, their faces gleeful with malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples saw this and burned with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, these people wouldn’t dare approach Zhou’s door—now they dared act like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one stepped forward to confront them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After today, with the Zhou family fallen, they’d be floating weeds—no one would defend them if they clashed with others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fewer troubles, the better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the auspicious hour arrived. Firecrackers cracked. Guests arrived as promised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A disciple shouted at the gate:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Liu of Qingquan Martial Arts Hall arrives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Escort Captain Li of Changsheng Escort Agency arrives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Section Chief Qin of Taixing Carting Company arrives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Han of the River Guild arrives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandmaster Zhang of the Zhang Family Martial Arts Hall arrives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Guan of the Yamen  arrives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers at the gate weren’t surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Pan’s retirement drew only the most prominent figures of Xianyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What they were watching for was whether anyone would cause trouble today!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1545,"2026-06-19T18:28:32.159Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0a14fd141c005cc5da2d6623fca77ab5b5b581c715602d1e59003d42685ee840","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-79","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-77",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]