Wuxia: Become the 100-Victory Sword King at the Beginning

Chapter 213. The Beggars' Sect Secretly Aids the Traitor Gan, and the Lu Family Martial Arts School Suffers Misfortune.

In early spring in the Central Plains, the chill was still biting, as if the lingering power of winter was still stubbornly holding on, refusing to easily recede.

The cold wind, sharp as a knife, howled through the streets and alleys of Luoyang, making the trees along the roadside tremble. The bare branches collided with each other in the wind, making creaking sounds, as if playing a mournful song for this desolate atmosphere.

The sky was so overcast it resembled a heavy lead plate, hanging low over the city as if it might collapse at any moment. The snow on the streets had not completely melted, scattered in patches, and under the dim sky, it exuded a chilling aura that made one shiver.

After Gan Jinliang fled the Gan family compound like a stray dog ​​amidst the chaos, he shrewdly sought refuge at the "Bright Moon Pavilion," run by the Martial Alliance of the World. This "Bright Moon Pavilion" was quite famous in Luoyang, bustling with people from all walks of life, a veritable melting pot, making it an ideal hiding place for Gan Jinliang.

Relying on the support of the Imperial Guards, he felt fearless and acted recklessly in the "Bright Moon Pavilion," like a spoiled and vicious dog that wanted to bite anyone it saw.

Every day, he sent his men out like hunting dogs to inquire about news, but for several days in a row, there was no sign of Xiong Ying. This undoubtedly fueled his arrogance and made him even more domineering.

That day, Gan Jinliang sat in the private room of "Mingyue Tower". Although there was a charcoal fire burning in the room, it still could not dispel the chill that seeped into his bones.

The windows of the private room were tightly closed, but the cold wind still managed to squeeze in through the cracks, causing the candlelight on the table to flicker and casting long and short shadows on the wall, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Standing beside Gan Jinliang was his cunning advisor, who was thin and always wore a half-smile on his face. His eyes were like those of a night owl, always gleaming with slyness.

Opposite him were several martial arts masters who usually worked for him. These masters were all burly and had fierce faces, clearly ruthless.

Gan Jinliang picked up his wine glass, the wine inside glowing a dark red under the candlelight, like congealed blood.

He gulped down a mouthful of wine, the liquid dripping from his lips and soaking his shirt. Then, he slammed the glass down on the table with a dull thud, and said viciously, "That Lu family martial arts school is like a piece of juicy meat, gleaming in front of me. How can I not be tempted? Advisor, give me some advice on how to get my hands on that school!"

As he spoke, a greedy glint flashed in his eyes, like a starving wolf spotting its prey.

The advisor squinted, a cunning glint flashing in his eyes like a will-o'-the-wisp flickering in the dark.

He leaned slightly forward, close to Gan Jinliang's ear, and whispered, "Master, in my humble opinion, Lu Hongye of the Lu Family Martial Arts School is as beautiful as a flower, like a celestial being descended to earth. If we could take her as a concubine, wouldn't the Lu Family Martial Arts School be a piece of cake? Furthermore, I've heard that the Lu family has a family heirloom called the 'Broken Army Spear Technique,' which is incredibly powerful. If you could obtain this spear technique, you would be invincible in Luoyang City, and you would enjoy endless wealth and glory in the future."

As the advisor spoke, he rubbed his hands together, a fawning smile on his face.

Upon hearing this, Gan Jinliang's face revealed a sinister smile, a smile as terrifying as a demon's. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Great idea! Great idea! Let's do it this way. You guys keep a close eye on the Lu Family Martial Arts School. Find an opportunity to capture Lu Hongye for me." Several martial arts instructors nodded hurriedly in agreement, their eyes gleaming with greed, as if they could already see the hefty reward they would receive after Lu Hongye was captured.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room. Gan Jinliang frowned and impatiently called out, "Come in!"

The door to the private room creaked slowly, as if struggling to squeeze a crack through the cold air.

Behind the door, a tall man with a strange and sleazy air slowly appeared. This man was Zhong Renwang, the leader of the Beggars' Clan. He was about fifty years old, with messy hair tied back, a few strands of white hair flying wildly among them, adding to his dejected appearance.

His face was thin, with slightly protruding cheekbones, and his eyes were narrow and slit-like, yet they occasionally flashed with a cunning and sinister light, like a vicious wolf lurking in the dark, always watching its prey's every move.

As Zhong Renwang stepped into the private room, the already chilly air seemed to become even more turbid due to the unique aura emanating from him.

His face instantly lit up with a smile, but the smile was extremely obsequious, like an evil flower blooming in a dark corner.

He clasped his hands together, raised them high, and bowed respectfully to Gan Jinliang. His voice was high-pitched but deliberately lowered, as if afraid of being overheard: "Master Gan, it's been a long time. I've heard that you've been having some troubles lately?"

As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly forward, but his eyes secretly observed Gan Jinliang's expression, not missing any subtle changes.

Gan Jinliang sat in the chair, his brows, which had been furrowed with worry, slightly furrowed. He snorted coldly, his tone carrying a hint of disdain: "Hmph, Chief Zhong, you're well-informed. That's right, I'm just worrying about how to take over the Lu Family Martial Arts School. That Lu Family Martial Arts School is like a piece of fat meat, right in front of me but I can't eat it. It's really infuriating."

After saying that, he picked up his wine glass and took a big gulp of wine. The wine flowed down his lips and soaked his shirt, but he didn't notice.

Zhong Renwang chuckled, his laughter sounding like the cry of an owl, carrying an indescribable eeriness.

He took two steps forward, his straw sandals making a clattering sound on the ground, and leaned close to Gan Jinliang, lowering his voice to say, "Master Gan, you don't know this, but the Lu family martial arts school always thinks they're superior and looks down on our Beggars' Clan. I've been holding back my anger for a long time, just looking for an opportunity to teach them a lesson. As long as you give the order, Master Gan, our brothers will go through fire and water to help you."

As he spoke, he rubbed his hands together. His hands were rough, cracked, and covered with calluses, but they trembled slightly with excitement.

A hint of surprise flashed in Gan Jinliang's eyes, and his originally dim eyes instantly lit up, as if a hungry wolf had spotted its prey.

He slammed his hand on the table, making the wine glasses rattle and make a crisp sound: "Oh? Chief Zhong, are you serious? If this works out, you'll get your share. We'll split the Lu family martial arts school's assets fifty-fifty, how about that?"

Zhong Renwang nodded hurriedly, his head bobbing like a pestle, his smile growing brighter, but a hint of barely perceptible ruthlessness flashed across his face: "Don't worry, Master Gan, I will certainly serve you faithfully. Although my Beggar Clan brothers are dressed in rags, they are all loyal and devoted. Dealing with the Lu Family Martial Arts School is a piece of cake for us."

In fact, ever since Zhong Renwang joined forces with Xie Luojia, the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, to challenge Shi Feiyang, only to be utterly defeated by Shi Feiyang, and Xie Luojia even committed suicide out of shame, Zhong Renwang harbored a deep hatred for Shi Feiyang and the Xiong Ying Society.

This hatred, like a seed, took root and sprouted in his heart, growing stronger and stronger.

After that, he tried to assassinate Shi Feiyang several times, but failed each time. Instead, he caused heavy losses to the Beggars' Sect and lost many of his capable lieutenants.

At this moment, he was plotting with Gan Jinliang on how to seize the Lu family martial arts school. On the surface, he was respectful to Gan Jinliang, like a loyal servant, but in his heart he had other plans.

He thought that once Gan Jinliang seized the Lu family martial arts school, it would be severely weakened. At that time, he would join forces with other martial arts gangs, under the pretext of eliminating evil in the martial arts world, to kill Gan Jinliang, seize all the wealth of the Lu family martial arts school, and incidentally strengthen the Beggars' Gang's power.

Thinking of this, the cunning glint in Zhong Renwang's eyes intensified, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible sneer.

So the group sat together, heads close together, and began to plot in hushed tones.

Their voices, like the buzzing of mosquitoes, echoed in the cold private room.

The flickering candlelight cast their shadows on the wall, indistinct and elusive, like a pack of wolves plotting how to divide their prey. The air thick with the scent of conspiracy, like a black fog, permeated the small space, growing ever stronger.

Under the gentle caress of the warm spring sun, the markets of Luoyang unfold like a magnificent and colorful scroll painting of everyday life.

The streets and alleys were teeming with people, bustling and noisy.

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, cheerful laughter, and the occasional neighing of livestock intertwined, creating a vibrant and lively symphony.

The stalls were arranged densely like fish scales, filled with a dazzling array of goods. Sunlight poured down without reservation, reflecting a bustling and vibrant scene of prosperity.

However, Gan Jinliang was like a ferocious demon suddenly crawling out of the dark abyss, leading a group of fierce and ruthless henchmen, like a black whirlwind of terror, and barged into this peaceful market.

His body was so fat that it resembled a towering small mountain. With each step he took, the ground seemed to tremble slightly, emitting a dull sound.

The hideous scar on his face, under the merciless sunlight, appeared even more terrifying, like a sinful mark cruelly etched by time, telling of his past brutality and ferocity.

His eyes were as sinister as a hungry wolf, radiating a chilling light as he greedily scanned his surroundings. Wherever he went, the people scattered in fear like startled rabbits. The once noisy and lively atmosphere was instantly shrouded in a cloud of fear, just as a clear sky was suddenly covered by dark clouds.

Gan Jinliang's greedy gaze was firmly drawn to a stall selling calligraphy and paintings.

The stall owner was a frail old man with hair as white as thick frost in winter, each strand seemingly bearing the weight of years. His face was etched with wrinkles like a long-dried riverbed, crisscrossed with ravines, recording the vicissitudes and hardships of a long life.

He was full of anticipation, his voice slightly hoarse but brimming with enthusiasm for life, as he earnestly introduced his calligraphy and paintings to passersby: "Esteemed guests, take a look at my calligraphy and paintings. Although they are not works by famous artists, they are all painted with my heart and soul, each piece imbued with my painstaking efforts..."

Gan Jinliang strode forward, without warning or hesitation, and kicked the stall hard.

The kick was powerful and heavy, and the stall was instantly kicked to pieces, with scrolls and papers scattering all over the ground like snowflakes.

The old man stared in astonishment, his eyes filled with fear and deep confusion. His body trembled uncontrollably, like a leaf falling in the autumn wind. His voice trembled with sobs as he asked, "Grandpa, why are you doing this? I've been doing business honestly and have never offended you..." Gan Jinliang seemed not to hear him. He squatted down, his fat fingers like thick tree roots, wantonly fiddling with the calligraphy and paintings on the ground.

Suddenly, he picked up a painting, squinted, and examined it with feigned profundity. Then, he yelled at the top of his lungs like a mad dog, "Hmph, stop pretending! I heard you've got some genuine works by a famous artist from the previous dynasty. Stop dawdling and hand them over right now! Don't think you can fool my eyes!"

The old man waved his hands frantically, his voice trembling violently, almost pleading: "Sir, I really don't have any! I don't have anything so valuable. These are just my own paintings, they're worthless. Please have mercy..."

Gan Jinliang refused to believe it. He suddenly stood up, his thick, strong hands grabbing the old man's collar like iron clamps. With a little force, he lifted the old man up. The old man's feet left the ground, swaying helplessly in the air, his hands instinctively grabbing at anything, trying to grasp at a straw.

Gan Jinliang said viciously, "Old man, don't be so stubborn! If you don't hand over the original today, you won't have a place in this market! I want to see that painting at your residence before sunrise tomorrow, otherwise, I'll make you wish you were dead!"

After saying that, he waved his hand, and his men immediately surrounded the old man like vicious dogs, shoving and pushing him. The old man stumbled and almost fell to the ground, and could only look at the group of thugs in terror, his eyes filled with despair.

At this moment, a young man, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward.

He was agile, like a nimble cheetah, and his eyes shone with a firm and righteous light, like a torch in the darkness. He shouted, "How can you be so unreasonable? What kind of skill is it to bully an old man who can't even kill a chicken!"

Gan Jinliang turned to look at the young man, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes like a cold lightning bolt. He released the old man and slowly walked towards the young man.

He circled the young man, sizing him up, his gaze seemingly able to see right through him. Then he sneered, "Oh, where did this greenhorn come from, daring to mess with my plans? You're tired of living!"

The young man did not back down. He stood tall and proud, his chest held high like a majestic mountain, and said firmly, "When injustice is seen on the road, someone will naturally step in! A bully like you deserves to be dealt with!"

Gan Jinliang struck instantly, his fist, as big as a clay pot, whistling through the air like a boulder, hurtling towards the young man's face. The young man reacted swiftly, like a nimble monkey, dodging the fatal blow with a sidestep.

Upon seeing this, Gan Jinliang was enraged, his face turning as red as a cooked pig's liver, almost purple.

He roared at his men, "Beat him hard! Beat him to death! If we don't cripple this kid today, I'm not a Gan!"

His men swarmed forward like a pack of hungry wolves attacking their prey, punching and kicking.

Although the young man had some martial arts skills, he was no match for the crowd attacking him and gradually became overwhelmed. Soon, he was knocked to the ground, his body covered in bruises and wounds, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, yet he still stubbornly stared at Gan Jinliang, his eyes showing no fear whatsoever.

Gan Jinliang walked to the young man's side, stomped heavily on his chest, and the young man let out a painful groan.

Gan Jinliang said smugly, "Dare to go against me? This is what happens! Remember this: in Luoyang, I am the king!"

Then he looked at the old man, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, and threatened, "Old man, if the genuine article isn't delivered to my residence by tomorrow, you and this kid will both die!"

After saying this, he swaggered away with his men, humming an off-key tune, leaving behind only a mess of stalls, injured young men and old men. The people dared not speak out in anger, shaking their heads in dismay. The lively atmosphere of the market was completely destroyed and forever shrouded in a thick gloom.

On West Street in Luoyang, there was a famous gambling den called "Jucaifang". It was bustling with people all day long, with gamblers coming and going, all harboring dreams of getting rich overnight. The noise and shouts were constant.

The room was filled with smoke, and the sounds of dice rolling and chips clinking were all seducing people's minds.

That evening, Gan Jinliang swaggered into the casino, wearing a gorgeous but tacky brocade robe embroidered with exaggerated gold patterns that rippled like waves as he walked.

A large jade pendant hung from his waist, and with each step he took, the pendant struck his round belly with a dull thud.

On his oily, shiny face, a pair of small eyes darted around, greed and ferocity flashing within them, like a hungry vulture searching for its prey.

Casino owner Sun Fu saw Gan Jinliang enter from afar and immediately put on a fawning smile, jogging forward to greet him: "Oh, Uncle Gan, what brings you here? Please come in, please come in!"

Gan Jinliang snorted coldly, pushed Sun Fu aside forcefully, and walked straight to the gambling table.

He casually pulled over a chair and sat down with a thud. The chair, unable to bear the weight, creaked and groaned.

Gan Jinliang glanced around and spotted a group of gamblers playing Pai Gow.

One of the young men, named Li Er, had just won a few rounds and was excitedly counting his chips.

Gan Jinliang pointed his greasy finger at Li Er's chips and said viciously, "Kid, hand over all the money you've won!"

Li Er turned pale with fright and stammered, "Uncle Gan... this is what I won with all my hard work, why... why are you doing this?"

Gan Jinliang slammed his fist on the table, making the dice and chips jump. He roared, "Enough nonsense! If you win money on my turf, you have to pay me tribute, or you'll regret it!"

Although Li Er was filled with anger and resentment, he dared not resist Gan Jinliang's tyranny.

He gripped the chips tightly, his hands trembling slightly.

Seeing that he refused to comply, Gan Jinliang stood up, grabbed Li Er by the collar, and lifted him up. Li Er struggled wildly in the air as his feet left the ground.

Gan Jinliang leaned close to Li Er's face and said viciously, "I'm in a good mood today and don't want to fight. If you know what's good for you, hand over the money now, or I'll make sure you can't stay in Luoyang City!"

Helpless, Li Er could only hand over the chips in his hand to Gan Jinliang with tears in his eyes.

Gan Jinliang took the chips, laughed triumphantly, and turned to set his sights on another table.

At this moment, a middle-aged gambler with a strong sense of justice in the casino couldn't stand it any longer and stood up, saying, "Gan Jinliang, don't go too far! This casino is all about winning and losing based on skill. How can you rob us by force!"

Gan Jinliang turned his head, a fierce glint in his eyes, and walked towards the middle-aged gambler. As he walked, he cracked his thick wrists and sneered, "Oh, where did this busybody come from? If I don't teach you a lesson today, you won't know how powerful I am!"

The middle-aged gamblers were not to be outdone and got into position to fight back.

Gan Jinliang suddenly threw a punch, which whistled through the air, and smashed it toward the middle-aged gambler's face.

The middle-aged gambler dodged the punch by sidestepping.

Enraged by this, Gan Jinliang ordered his men to attack the middle-aged gambler.

Although the middle-aged gambler fought back fiercely, he was outnumbered and was quickly knocked to the ground, his face bruised and blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

Gan Jinliang stepped forward, stomped on the back of a middle-aged gambler, and said smugly, "Dare to go against me? This is what happens! You better watch your step from now on!" After saying that, he walked around the casino again, plundering a lot of money from the gamblers, before leaving with his men, satisfied.

The casino was deathly silent, like a cursed ghost town.

The gamblers hung their heads, their eyes burning with anger, yet bound tightly by fear, their lips pressed together, daring to be angry but not daring to speak.

They could only watch helplessly as Gan Jinliang swaggered away, his obese figure like a heavy shadow weighing on everyone's hearts. The once bustling and vibrant casino was now shrouded in a thick, inky gloom; its previous vitality had vanished without a trace, leaving only a suffocating atmosphere of oppression.

A sharp slap rang out abruptly at the casino entrance, shattering the oppressive silence.

Gan Jinliang had just stepped out of the casino when his head suddenly tilted to the side, and a bright red handprint instantly appeared on his face. He was completely stunned, clearly not expecting such a turn of events.

Upon seeing this, a group of fierce-looking thugs immediately surrounded them like vicious dogs.

When they saw who was standing in the middle, they were all stunned. It turned out to be a beautiful young girl dressed in white.

The cold wind of the night howled past, making her white clothes flutter, like a white plum blossom blooming in the cold wind, pure and elegant, yet with a touch of unruliness.

This woman is Yang Xue'er, the daughter of Su Yao, the master of Qingfeng Pavilion in Liaodong. She is engaged to Shi Feiyang and has even given him the Heavenly Frost Blade.

Yang Xueer's personality is completely different from Yi Li's arrogance, Gong Simeng's cautiousness, Qi Meizhen's heroic spirit, Bai Zhi's murderous aura, and Lin Wanqing's gentleness. She is quirky and mischievous, with a playful and naughty air in every gesture.

Previously, she had promised to go to Bozhou to help Shi Feiyang quell the rebellion.

However, Su Yao, the mother, was unfortunately injured by Bai Baifeng and Bai Feifeng, two despicable flower-destroying thieves. Her injuries were severe and recovery would be extremely difficult.

Out of filial piety, Yang Xue'er had no choice but to stay in Qingfeng Pavilion in Liaodong and take good care of her mother.

Now that Su Yao has fully recovered from her injuries, Yang Xue'er's restless heart is starting to stir again. Hearing that "Iron Palm" Wu Zhong has run into trouble and that the Xiong Ying Society has stirred up a storm in Luoyang, she is worried about her beloved Shi Feiyang and thinks that she must bring him a gift on her trip.

Thinking that casinos are always excellent places to gather information, he managed to sneak into a casino.

He happened to witness Gan Jinliang bullying people in the casino, and his anger flared up immediately. He decided to go out and teach this bully a lesson.

Seeing more than a dozen burly men surrounding her, Yang Xue'er showed no fear. Instead, a playful smile appeared on her lips.

With a gentle flick of her sleeve, her movements were light and graceful, like a willow branch dancing in the wind.

In an instant, a multitude of fine needles shot out like countless stars. Immediately, a series of "bang" sounds rang out.

These dozen or so burly men were not weak in martial arts, but they never expected that this beautiful young girl would suddenly use such a strange move. Unable to dodge in time, they were all pierced by the "Qingfeng Needle".

Their bodies stiffened, then they fell backward, crashing onto the cold, hard ground, their heads bleeding profusely, emitting screams and wails that sounded particularly mournful in the cold night.

Seeing this, Gan Jinliang flew into a rage, his fat face trembling. He glared at Yang Xue'er with wide eyes, letting out a beast-like roar, and suddenly unleashed his "Blood Fiend Hand," lunging towards her.

With his movements, a strong, pungent stench wafted over, like the smell of rotting flesh, making one want to vomit.

The clever and mischievous Yang Xue'er wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brows, secretly thinking that something was wrong.

She reacted extremely quickly, drawing her sword instantly. A flash of cold light appeared, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky.

She unleashed the "Gentle Breeze Sword Technique," her swordplay agile and graceful, the sword blossoms fluttering like willow catkins in spring or a babbling brook in the mountains, shielding her within the shadows of her sword. As she wielded her longsword, she didn't forget to make faces at Gan Jinliang, her playful demeanor seemingly out of place in the tense atmosphere, yet somehow endearing.

The two exchanged blows and fought each other.

The cold wind howled through the night, sending fallen leaves and dust swirling in the air, adding a chilling atmosphere to the fierce battle.

Gan Jinliang's "Blood Fiend Hand" was ruthless, each strike creating a whistling sound as he tried to kill Yang Xue'er; while Yang Xue'er's "Gentle Breeze Sword Technique" was known for its agility and elegance, skillfully dodging Gan Jinliang's attacks and occasionally seizing opportunities to counterattack, making it impossible for Gan Jinliang to defend against her.

After fighting for a while, Yang Xue'er secretly pondered that although Gan Jinliang's martial arts skills were not excellent, he had many subordinates. If this entanglement continued, she would probably not be able to escape. Thinking of this, her eyes lit up and a plan came to her mind.

Taking advantage of Gan Jinliang's opening, she feinted with her sword, then lightly touched the ground with her toes and leaped into the air like a graceful swallow, speeding away into the distance.

Seeing this, Gan Jinliang wanted to give chase, but due to his obese figure, he was slow to move and could only watch helplessly as Yang Xue'er's figure disappeared into the darkness of the cold night, leaving him standing there furious and cursing.

Yang Xue'er hadn't gone far from the casino when she floated down as lightly as a willow catkin. The moment she landed, her bright eyes widened instantly, and her face, which had been slightly pale from tension and escape, shone with a dazzling brilliance.

Before her eyes, that familiar figure was like a warm ray of light, striking straight into her heart.

Overjoyed, her legs seemed to move on their own, and she ran towards the man like a swallow returning to its nest. She leaped forward, wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, and cried out, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement and joy, "Brother Shi, it really is you! What are you doing here? I've missed you so much!"

Her cheeks flushed with excitement, and her eyes sparkled like the brightest star in the night sky.

After shouting, she lowered her head slightly, her gaze urgently falling on the Frost Blade at Shi Feiyang's waist.

When Yang Xue'er saw the precious sword securely worn at Shi Feiyang's waist, she was overwhelmed with excitement, her joy surging like a flood bursting its banks.

After all, this precious sword was a gift from her mother, Su Yao, to Shi Feiyang. It carried the deep affection between her and Shi Feiyang, served as their token of love, and witnessed their romance.

Seeing the Frost Blade intact at this moment is like seeing the unbreakable bond between them.

Her lips unconsciously turned up, blossoming into an incredibly radiant smile.

Shi Xiong, standing behind Shi Feiyang, witnessed this scene and couldn't help but smile, his eyes full of amusement. He quietly turned his face away, giving the long-separated lovers some space.

Afterwards, Shi Feiyang gently took Yang Xueer's hand, and the two walked side by side toward the "Morning Star" Inn.

Throughout the journey, Yang Xueer clung tightly to Shi Feiyang's side, as if afraid he would suddenly disappear.

Back at the inn, as they entered the room, Yang Xue'er pulled Shi Feiyang to sit on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on him, unwilling to look away for a moment. She whispered, "Brother Shi, ever since you left Liaodong, I've thought about you every single day—while eating, while sleeping. Countless times, I've met you in my dreams, only to wake up and find it was all in vain. Now that I've actually seen you, it feels like a dream."

Her voice was soft and affectionate, carrying a hint of longing.

(End of this chapter)