Misty Rain of the Old Times

The sun was high in the sky, and the island square was bustling with people. Martial arts practitioners gathered together, their manners unrestrained and carefree. Many of these wanderers were unsightly, often sleeping outdoors in the heat of midday, especially after the start of summer. Many men were shirtless and exposed, creating a cacophony of smells. Laughter, shouts, and curses filled the air. Some martial arts practitioners were particular about their individuality, afraid of being unrecognized. Together, they created a vibrant and diverse community.

These are a group of righteous people. If it were a bunch of evil people, it would probably be described as a meeting of demons and monsters.

If a rigid, old-fashioned scholar were to witness such an occasion, he would surely look up to the heavens and lament the collapse of morality and social order...

There are as many as twenty innate masters who have come here to participate in the martial arts tournament. Almost one-tenth of the innate masters in the entire Jing Kingdom have come. You can imagine how influential this martial arts tournament is.

Moreover, these innate masters openly reveal their identities; there are definitely other masters like them who are discreetly hiding among the crowd.

With tens of thousands of martial arts practitioners gathered together, along with so many experts, it's no exaggeration to say that they were capable of overwhelming any martial arts sect without a grandmaster in charge.

It's impossible to say that there weren't any spies from the imperial court among these people. How could they not worry about these idle江湖 (jianghu) people causing trouble? They probably already had the nearby garrison ready to go.

Moreover, many people in the martial arts world actually hold secret positions in the imperial court; it's just that everyone keeps quiet about it.

Almost everyone who was supposed to come has arrived. As for the very few who haven't arrived yet, unless they are important figures, who would care?

When the time was almost up, amidst the clamor of the crowd, a deep bell rang out, echoing in all directions. It rang three times in a row, and soon the people gradually quieted down.

Then, an elderly man with gray hair and wearing a purple long gown with a front opening, who had only one arm, walked onto the makeshift wooden platform. He looked around, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and laughed loudly: "Fellow martial arts practitioners, today we gather together to discuss this important event. Regardless of age or gender, since we are all gathered here, we are all brothers under the four seas..."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I am but a humble old man, and it is only through the recommendation of many who have quietly contributed to this conference that I have the honor of speaking on stage as an opening remark. I hope you will not find it offensive and will be lenient with me."

"The purpose of this gathering is already clear to everyone, so I will not waste any more words. Now, let's talk about something that everyone is interested in. First of all, on behalf of the countless donors and the countless suffering people in the thirty-two counties of the four continents of the Southern Territory, I thank you for coming."

"Secondly, everyone participating in the follow-up actions of this conference will receive a generous allowance. As the saying goes, swords have no eyes, and casualties are inevitable during the operation. However, there is no need to worry. The deceased will receive generous compensation, and the wounded will receive full medical treatment. To ensure the smooth progress of this conference and its follow-up actions, as far as I know, one million taels of silver have been raised for expenses, along with countless medicines and pills. Dozens of renowned doctors have also been invited to be on standby. Since we are all gathering for the first time, many details have not yet been discussed and finalized. But please rest assured that the one million taels of silver raised will be distributed to everyone afterward, leaving not a single copper coin. One hundred thousand taels of silver will be set aside separately for the three best performers: 50,000 taels for the first, 30,000 taels for the second, and 20,000 taels for the third. This is a fair and just operation, with everyone witnessing the results, and there will be no deception whatsoever!"

The one-armed old man stopped there, smiling as he looked around, giving everyone a moment to process what he had said.

That's really straightforward; they came right off the bat with some serious stuff, without any fluff.

Upon hearing his words, the assembled martial arts practitioners erupted in uproar. Many thought they were hallucinating and had misheard. What? A full million taels of operating funds? Really?

A million taels of silver is a lot of money. If you pile it up, it would be a small mountain. Although it's impossible to get all of it, getting a hundred or two hundred taels shouldn't be a problem.

It should be known that people in the martial arts world are not as glamorous as they imagine. Most of them are out in the wind and rain, and going hungry and eating cold steamed buns is commonplace. The generous situation of casually spending tens of taels of silver mostly only appears in plays. Many people are willing to risk their lives for ten taels of silver. Liang Ren back then is the best example.

The top three can receive tens of thousands of taels of silver as a reward. If they get it, as long as they don't spend it recklessly, they can live a life of comfort and ease even in a place like the capital. Why do people practice martial arts? Apart from a few who are naturally thrill-seeking, do you really think that so many people love fighting and killing? Isn't it all for the sake of prestige and glory? Who would willingly risk their life for no reason?

Furthermore, the safety of this operation was fully guaranteed, with various elixirs and medicines available, along with renowned doctors. Judging from the tone, these were additional expenses not included in the million taels of operational funds. There would also be generous compensation after death, so there were no worries about the future.

In short, everyone was on a roll. Apart from a few prestigious sects, few could maintain their composure. There was no way around it; life in the martial world was tough. Killing someone might only take one strike, but traveling could really wear you out. Most of the people present were actually not doing well, let alone living a respectable and glamorous life. Some of them had even traveled a long way just to freeload. Ultimately, only a minority could afford to drink and eat heartily every day. Sometimes, a single bite of wine and meat could make someone's mouth water.

Of course, not everyone gathered here will participate in the fighting that follows. Some of them are paying their own way to broaden their horizons, like Zhang Ao, who finds everything fascinating. There are quite a few of these people. Others, some want to make a name for themselves, and some genuinely want to do good deeds and uphold justice.

As the crowd erupted in uproar, the identity of the one-armed old man on the stage was also revealed. He was once a renowned figure in the martial arts world, having achieved the highest level of skill and established a formidable reputation. However, he suffered a serious injury in an accident, resulting in disability and a decline in his cultivation. He had retired from the martial arts world for more than ten years, but unexpectedly, he was invited to host this conference, proving that he was indeed qualified.

Actually, I'm not really hosting anymore; I'm just setting an example and giving an opening speech. I won't be involved in any subsequent actions, otherwise it would be considered a comeback.

All talk and no action is meaningless; only real money can move people's hearts. People's enthusiasm has been piqued, and they're itching to grab a knife and start slashing people.

After everyone had a moment to process what was happening, another bell rang, and the scene gradually calmed down. The one-armed old man on the stage then continued, “Because the upcoming operation is of paramount importance and cannot afford the slightest mistake, as it concerns countless persecuted people and, more importantly, the lives of everyone present, reasonable mobilization is necessary. Therefore, we need to have a general understanding and assessment of everyone’s cultivation level and strength. Good steel should be used where it is most needed. Of course, this assessment is entirely voluntary, and I hope you all understand. Furthermore, participation in the upcoming operation is not mandatory. If you feel there is any risk involved, you are free to leave. We may meet again in the martial world someday, and we can still be friends.”

People had no objection to this; on the contrary, they all nodded in agreement, since a disorganized group can't accomplish anything.

Then the one-armed old man continued, “Everyone understands the principle that a group without a leader is ultimately just a mob. As for who will coordinate and direct the next action, this most important question will be addressed by asking for everyone’s opinions during the upcoming statistics. Everyone can suggest the five people that you think are suitable, and then we will discuss and decide on the final candidates. What do you all think?”

This is equivalent to electing a martial arts leader for half of the Jianghu in Jing Kingdom. This method is quite reasonable and flawless. After all, coordinating and mobilizing so many people to carry out actions reasonably relies not on force but on intellect. Moreover, it is a temporary alliance. After the matter is over, everyone will go back to their own homes. Therefore, few people disagree. No one wants to entrust their life and fortune to a brute.

Seeing that the vast majority of people had no objections, the one-armed old man secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was just afraid that no one would be willing to submit to anyone else, which would be a real headache. Could it be that they really had to hold a martial arts competition to select someone to take charge of the overall situation? That kind of situation would not be in line with the original intention.

Actually, he was under a lot of pressure standing on the stage. It was like he was forced into the role of emcee, since he had long since retired from the entertainment industry. However, the person who invited him to come out of retirement offered him too much.

The matter has gotten off to a good start, and the one-armed old man has little to do next. He has done most of what he was supposed to do, and the rest is up to the group of people in the martial arts world.

Then, changing the subject, he said in a relaxed tone, "You have all come from afar and must be tired from your journey. Countless people who have silently funded this conference have prepared a sumptuous feast to welcome you. Please eat and drink to your heart's content. I wish you all a successful start and a bright future. I will not disturb you any longer."

After finishing his speech, the one-armed old man ignored the jeers from some people who wanted him to stay and say a few more words. He bowed with one arm and stepped down from the stage again, feeling quite pleased with himself. Just by going up on stage and saying a few words, he had earned several thousand taels of silver without having to risk any violence. It was like picking it up for free. Unfortunately, such good things were rare. He couldn't believe how hard he had worked, fighting to the death. It was all tears when he thought about it.

After the one-armed old man stepped down from the stage, crowds of people who had been waiting in all directions filed in from all directions of the square. Tables were set up in long lines, and truckloads of drinks were brought in as if they were endless. Various dishes were laid out as if they were free. Whole chickens, ducks, and geese were just appetizers. There were also whole roasted pigs, whole roasted lambs, whole roasted cows, and even roasted camels and tigers and leopards. As for fish and shrimp, there was as much as you wanted!

The once noisy venue was suddenly filled with the aroma of wine and meat, and when the wind blew, people couldn't help but think of the fragrance that travels for miles.

Good heavens! Many down-on-their-luck江湖人 (jianghu people) had never seen such a scene before. They kept swallowing their saliva, completely bewildered by the aroma.

Didn't you hear what the one-armed old man said? This is a welcome feast for everyone, and there's plenty to go around. So what are we waiting for? Let's dig in! We won't even look at the pastries and fruits; meat is the only thing that tastes good.

Good heavens, it's like a buffet! Well, it is. Many people have suddenly turned into starving ghosts, forgetting about helping the weak and punishing the wicked, they just want to eat first.

Some low-level gangsters almost cried. "Damn it, this time we finally made the right choice!" Thinking back to their miserable past, compared to the sumptuous feasts they were enjoying now, they felt it would be worth dying for.

Little did they know that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Indeed, the following actions are not mandatory, but after you're feasting, you'll have to put in some effort afterwards, right? Otherwise, how could you be so shameless?

Putting aside everything else, even Zhang Ao, an outsider to the martial arts world, who originally just came to join in the fun, was provoked by the bold words of the people around him. In a fit of rage, he rode his big black dog and started wielding a knife to join everyone in the fight.

The food and drink for more than 10,000 people, especially a group of big-bellied martial arts practitioners, was a considerable expense. Not to mention the million taels of silver for the event, as well as various medicines and doctors. It was something that ordinary people couldn't manage. The key was that Zheng Wanqian, who was behind the scenes promoting this conference, not only did not lose money, but also made a huge profit.

There was more to the event than just food and drinks. After the one-armed old man left the stage, there were entertainment performances. A scantily clad courtesan, who had been invited from somewhere, came on stage, swaying her hips, shaking her chest, and occasionally showing off her thighs, leaving most of the martial arts enthusiasts, who had never tasted anything fancy, completely bewildered.

Good heavens, if this happens a few more times, we could turn half of them into suicide squads. They're all yelling, "I'm going to chop people down! Wherever there are bandits, I'll cut them down until not a blade of grass remains!"
Meanwhile, some people dressed in uniform were also moving through the crowd, taking stock of who would participate in the upcoming cleanup operation, their cultivation levels, and special skills. They needed to find out all of this, and then they asked people about their nominations for the 'Alliance Leader'...

From his loft, Chen Xuan took in the entire scene, thinking to himself, "This is the martial arts tournament? It's a whole different story from what I imagined."

Feelings aren't about seniority, showing off your fighting skills, making grand pronouncements, and then starting to fight. Instead, it turned into a team-building buffet with song and dance performances—it was clearly just a club gathering.

Turning back, Chen Xuan said speechlessly, "So this is a martial arts tournament? Everyone just eats and drinks and gets things settled in a cheerful atmosphere, right?"

“Young Master Chen, you don’t understand the martial world. In most cases, it’s like this. It’s rare for a fight to cause discord. Of course, it’s also rare for Sister Wanqian to lead this gathering. It’s one of a kind. After all, where would you usually find so much good food and drink to entertain people? Many small gatherings of like-minded people in the martial world even involve bringing their own food,” Zhang Yu nodded and said from the side.

This is the world of martial arts, where does all that carefree romance come from? Look at those who are eating with their hands while eyeing the table, they're clearly reincarnated starving ghosts.

Zheng Wanxi smiled and said, "I'm just a weak woman and don't understand these things very well, but I do understand the principle that an emperor won't starve his soldiers. If I want to use them to eliminate bandits, I certainly won't treat them unfairly."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan was both amused and exasperated. He thought to himself, "You've secretly raised the bar to this level. How are future people supposed to participate? After all, not everyone is as rich as you. If you hold an event like this once, you'd probably go bankrupt."

At this point, Zheng Wanxi had accomplished half of her goal. Now, she only needed to secretly arrange for people to take care of the logistics. The specific actions were beyond her control, and the outcome would depend on the performance of these people in the martial arts world.

Time passed slowly as people ate and drank heartily, and half an hour later, the statistics were basically completed.

Next, the list of members to participate in the bandit suppression operation will be finalized, and their cultivation skills and specialties will be compiled and organized. Naturally, this information will not be released directly.

As a bell rang, the list of candidates for the "leader" in people's minds was announced, but only the five most convincing and respected figures were revealed.

They are Master Xuanqing of Tai Xuan Sect, Qin Yun of Fei Yu Sect, Xie Ting of Maple Leaf Manor, Zhu Hong, leader of the Beggars' Sect, and Hu Feng, a renowned wandering swordsman.

This list did not cause much controversy, and most people felt it was a matter of course.

Among them, Master Xuanqing of Tai Xuan Sect is the most popular. In addition to his own cultivation and reputation, the reputation of Tai Xuan Sect also plays a significant role.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the position of 'Alliance Leader' will be chosen from among these individuals.

At the same time, someone also rushed to send Chen Xuan and his team a thick stack of statistical data, but they hadn't had time to organize it yet.

Regardless, this martial arts tournament was initiated by Zheng Wanxi, and she was entitled to know the list of participants, but she had no interest in it at all, nor did she have the time to look through it carefully.

Chen Xuan browsed through them with great interest, and with a gentle wave of his hand, a stack of documents scattered in the air for easier viewing.

Presumably, the little princess was also gathering material for writing stories in the future, and she even started reading along with them, asking Chen Xuan to bring the ones that were far away closer.

You know what, you wouldn't believe it until you see it. Everyone in the martial arts world is incredibly talented. Almost everyone who comes here has some kind of special skill. Some are good at light footwork, some are good at hidden weapons, some are good at disguise, some are good at healing and detoxification, some are good at stealing jade and fragrance, some are good at deciphering puzzles, and some are good at controlling animals. As for those who are good at fists, kicks, and weapons, they seem rather ordinary...

As Chen Xuan examined the documents, surprisingly, the leader of this martial arts tournament was not among the five candidates announced.

It's not that they lack the qualifications. Master Xuanqing goes without saying; he is an elder of the Tai Xuan Sect and is the one everyone wants. Zhu Hong, the leader of the Beggar Clan, is also a renowned figure in the martial arts world who has been famous for many years. Especially recently, with natural disasters and man-made calamities, the Beggar Clan has grown stronger. Even the wandering swordsman Hu Feng is highly respected. He not only participated in the Guo Jinglong and Liu Zhenwei martial arts competition and contributed a lot of effort, but he is also one of the top figures in the southern part of the Jing Kingdom's martial arts world.

The reason why the leader of the alliance was not chosen from among them was because the five of them jointly recommended a person named Zhou An to take the position. With the approval of the five of them, people were caught off guard and had no right to object.
After the five of them gave their approval, Zhou An's life story was made public, and people were immediately convinced and could not utter a single word of rebuttal.

Perhaps Zhou An wasn't the most skilled in martial arts or the smartest among those present, but if you combined the two, no one could compare to him, and that was universally acknowledged.

This man named Zhou An was in his fifties, with a refined and gentle appearance. He always gave off an air of unfathomable wisdom and intelligence. However, his innate cultivation was not characterized by martial prowess, but rather by strategic thinking.

Born into a family of farmers and scholars, he passed the imperial examination at the age of thirty, but instead of entering the imperial court, he petitioned Emperor Shangxuan and was granted permission to join the army. He had nearly twenty years of military career, and was a master of marching, fighting and troop deployment. He had experienced hundreds of battles, large and small, and had commanded large-scale wars involving more than 100,000 people more than once, with 80% of them being victories.

Logically speaking, such a person should have become one of the pillars of the country. However, it is a pity that he served under Jiang Yuan for nearly 20 years in the army. As a result, he was implicated in Jiang Yuan's risky coup and the coup led by Jiang Wang last year. He was guarding the border at the time and did not participate in the coup. He was even unaware of the matter. Therefore, in consideration of his many years of hard work and merits, he was given leniency and allowed to retire to his hometown.

Given his past, the imperial court certainly wouldn't tolerate him, so he started roaming the martial arts world. His skills were developed after he joined the army, and although it's been a short time, he may not be well-known in the martial arts world, but at certain levels, he is a household name and no one can underestimate him.

With his life story revealed, the position of leader of this martial arts tournament is no longer in doubt, and everyone is convinced of his superiority.

In terms of command and mobilization, who among those present could compare to him? He could command thousands of troops in battle with ease, so organizing a group of chivalrous heroes to suppress bandits was a piece of cake for him; it was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

After hearing about Zhou An's past, the little princess couldn't help but sigh, "Many people say that General Zhou has the talent to stabilize the country and bring peace to the nation, but I never thought he would fall to such a state. It is truly pitiful and lamentable. Some time ago, when my brother the emperor granted a general amnesty, he didn't even think of restoring him to his original position. It is a loss for our Jing Kingdom... I'm sorry, I was just expressing my feelings and did not intend to make irresponsible remarks about politics."

The little princess's identity is very sensitive, and there are some things that are taboo to say.

Chen Xuan chuckled and brushed it off, saying, "It's not that the court has forgotten him, but rather that they dare not use him. After all, he once served under Jiang Yuan. If he were to regain power, who could guarantee that he wouldn't seek revenge for Jiang Yuan? However, to be fair, his leadership in this campaign to suppress bandits was merely a small test. Those lawless elements who roam the mountains should pray for their own good fortune."

In short, with Zhou An, such a brilliant strategist, around, Xuan Qing and the others had no choice but to cooperate willingly.

Zhou An was the one everyone expected to be the commander-in-chief. After that, he should say a few polite words, and then they would discuss how to direct and coordinate the specific actions.

However, before he could even take the stage, as if he had been preparing to cause trouble at this crucial moment and catch everyone off guard, an arrogant voice rang out, laughing loudly: "This place is quite lively. Don't mind if I join in? Oh, damn it, are we having a feast?"

The sound was like thunder, making countless people's heads buzz and causing them to clutch their heads and wail in pain. Even the trees on the island trembled and their leaves fell.

"Who is it? Show yourself!"

"You dare cause trouble here? You've got a death wish. Do you think we're made of clay?"

Shouts of rebuke and curses rang out, but few could find their target.

The voice was elusive, seemingly coming from all directions, and sneered, "Your so-called martial arts tournament is nothing but a ploy to target me, isn't it? I'm here, what can you do to me? Today, this place will be your burial ground, and I'll let you taste what it means to die before you even begin!"

Chen Xuan, who had expected this, wasn't surprised at all. He thought to himself, what's the point of a martial arts tournament if it's just a bunch of people having a team-building event with eating and drinking? If you want to mess with me, I'll mess with you first—that's what the martial arts world is all about... (End of Chapter)