Chapter 8

5×0=0.

Can the people of the Central Plains really understand this concept?

Zhuge Yun's face was blank with disbelief.

"How can the number five and emptiness (空) be multiplied?"

In Zhuge Yun's mind, five sticks floated in an empty space.

This scene was only perceived as such, and he could not approach it mathematically.

Zhao Hui answered nonchalantly.

"Have you never thought that emptiness (空) can also be a number (數)?"

"…What do you mean?"

Emptiness (空) as a number?

What kind of absurd logic is this?

"Numbers are based on existence (存在). How can emptiness, which is nothing, be a number?"

"…."

That's right. Sigh.

To modern people who have accepted this concept from birth, zero is naturally a number, but to the people of the Central Plains, the concept of zero still sounds metaphysical.

"No, it's fine."

"Ah, no, wait! Please explain! How can the number five and emptiness (空) be multiplied?"

Zhao Hui answered nonchalantly.

"Since it cannot be multiplied, it remains emptiness (空)."

"Huh? What…?"

Zhuge Yun's blank face.

Sticks can be measured by numbers, but emptiness cannot.

Since they cannot be multiplied, the sticks naturally remain.

"Since emptiness (空) cannot be multiplied by numbers, the number five naturally remains! What kind of absurd logic is this!"

Zhao Hui's low murmur, almost involuntarily.

"Sigh… Idiot…"

"Idiot… What did you say?"

"No, no."

At the moment when Xiao Zhuge, the most talented disciple of the renowned Zhuge family, was about to become an idiot, a mocking voice from Nangong Zhanghuo was heard.

"If you cannot explain it with your own knowledge, it means you are ignoring the intelligence of everyone else. That is the true nature of the arrogant Zhuge people. Renowned Zhuge? Haha!"

No… Sir?

Just a moment ago, he was radiating the aura of a righteous sect, but suddenly?

Zhao Hui, who was still unfamiliar with the relationship between the Nangong and Zhuge families, was dumbfounded.

"There are also groups of madmen who believe that only the sword is everything and belittle all other studies. What?"

Nangong Zhanghuo snorted.

"I would rather bite my tongue and die than live as a scholar with only superficial skills. A life dedicated to the sword is truly the path of a true seeker."

"Sigh… That's why you only hear jokes about the Anhui Peng family. I don't want my brain to turn into muscle."

"What? I can't hear you. Are you writing with a brush?"

"Ah! That's childish! Stop it!"

At Xiao Xiao's sharp voice, Nangong Zhanghuo and Zhuge Yun turned away from each other as if they had made a pact.

"Haha! Since Xiao Jianzhu and Xiao Zhuge are here, this Taoist cannot be absent! Brother, can I sit down too?"

Hua Ximing tried to sit down casually.

His gaze, however, was fixed on Nangong Xiao Xiao.

For a moment, Zhao Hui's eyes sparkled.

'…This guy?'

No doubt.

Though he was far away, he had definitely seen this guy when he went to the Hua family sword school with his father.

The guy who took two thousand taels of silver from his father in exchange for a promise to give Fang Bujue a leg.

Not only his father, but many others had been harmed by this guy.

Taking money from commoners was just a daily routine for him.

The detailed rumors about him circulating in Hefei were simply astonishing.

Of course, Hua Ximing did not recognize Zhao Hui.

While Hua Ximing could not remember the faces of all the guests who visited his family for favors, Zhao Hui had only seen him from a distance once.

Zhao Hui pretended to recognize him.

"Nice to meet you. I am Zhao Hui from the Zhao Jietie Fang."

Although the Zhao Jietie Fang had been renamed Anhui Jietie Fang a long time ago, Zhao Hui deliberately used the old name.

"Ah, is that so?"

Hua Ximing gave a casual nod and then smiled at Nangong Xiao Xiao.

Seeing the Cangtian Jianpai, he would have been more respectful if he had not had it.

'Sigh…'

It's certain.

He had swallowed two thousand taels of silver and now the Zhao Jietie Fang was already forgotten in this bastard's memory.

"I still can't forget the performance you gave last Mid-Autumn Festival! When can I hear your performance again?"

Nangong Xiao Xiao smiled brightly at Zhao Hui, as if something had just come to her mind.

"Oh, I didn't have the chance to properly greet you before. I'm sorry. I was very grateful for your teaching."

Nangong Xiao Xiao, who had already risen from her seat, made a graceful bow like a crane.

Zhao Hui was startled and quickly rose to return the bow.

"That's too much. Please don't."

Nangong Zhanghuo showed interest.

"Did you also discuss swordsmanship with Xiao Xia?"

Nangong Xiao Xiao looked at her brother with disdain.

"Is there nothing in your head but martial arts?"

"…Then what did you learn?"

Nangong Xiao Xiao's eyes became dreamy.

"It was a completely different level of musical art. It was like a melody that didn't belong to this world."

"Musical art? Melody?"

Nangong Zhanghuo frowned deeply.

This time, Zhuge Yun showed interest.

"Did you… have expertise in musical art?"

It was astonishing enough that his non-martial achievements could even humble the pride of the great Nangong Zhanghuo.

Now, he was a master of mathematics, known as Xiao Zhuge, and now… musical art?

"I am just a merchant running a small iron shop. Your excessive attention is embarrassing."

Moreover, his main profession is a merchant?

What is this guy?

Can a person's achievements really span so many different fields? And at such a young age?

It's impossible even for a genius like me. There is truly a great hidden dragon in this Hefei land.

Meeting this young man might be the greatest gain I have obtained in Hefei.

Soon, Zhuge Yun took out a fan with a phoenix drawn on it from his sleeve.

It was a luxurious fan adorned entirely with gold.

"This is the Phoenix Gold Fan of our family. I would like to invite you as a guest of our family. Please visit whenever it is convenient for you. If you show this, you will be treated as if you were me."

Nangong Zhanghuo frowned.

The Zhuge family did not have a system like the Cangtian Jianpai, which represented the family's reputation and honor to guests.

However, the Phoenix Gold Fan has a similar power.

Possessing the Phoenix Gold Fan means being a close friend of the Zhuge family.

Right now, this guy is trying to pull a stunt with the owner of the Cangtian Jianpai.

"…Get lost?"

Zhuge Yun only calmly met Nangong Zhanghuo's fierce gaze.

"Why? Why should I?"

Nangong Zhanghuo's eyes darkened even more.

"Xiao Xiaozhao is the owner of the Jianpai. He is not an outsider to our family. He is not someone you can manipulate."

"Really? Is there a rule that prevents inviting a martial artist from another sect as a guest? What kind of martial code is that? At this very moment, various sects in the martial world are exchanging with each other. Why should a sincere admiration for inviting someone as a guest be considered a trick?"

"Then what about this guy?"

Nangong Zhanghuo stood up as if to draw his sword.

The young disciples of the Nangong family quickly gathered around him.

"Restrain yourself!"

"Xiao Jianzhu! No, you can't!"

Who should restrain themselves, logically?

Unfortunately, there were too many Zhuge people who could control Anhui with just a stroke of the brush.

Those bastards have taken over all the key positions in the Martial Alliance.

That's why I hate them even more.

The Martial Alliance is full of cunning, scheming people who are good at politics, not martial artists.

Zhao Hui, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke.

"I appreciate the offer, but I cannot accept it."

Zhao Hui's business stage is in Anhui.

There is no businessman in Anhui who can survive by offending the Nangong family.

There is no need to force a close relationship with the Zhuge family when Nangong Zhanghuo is already making a fuss.

Of course, the Zhuge family is a great family among the Five Great Families.

However, what I need is not wisdom but power. Wisdom is sufficient with the experience of a modern person.

Moreover, there is the presence of the great scholar Wan Xiangzhao.

"…What a pity."

A deep sense of regret appeared on Zhuge Yun's face.

His lips were tightly clenched, almost like a woman. His tone and build could easily be mistaken for a woman in disguise.

Nangong Zhanghuo, who had been watching the scene with a refreshed look as if a decade-old indigestion had been cleared, suddenly gave a formal bow to Zhao Hui.

"The mood was ruined by the crowd of guests. I will treat you to drinks another time."

After finishing his greeting, Nangong Zhanghuo stood up and looked at the young disciples of the Nangong family.

"Let's leave if you've had enough to eat."

He then glanced at Zhuge Yun and moved his steps.

It was not to his liking, but he had no choice because of the family's order.

"Follow or do as you please."

Hua Ximing, who had been lumped together with Zhuge Yun as a guest (?), frowned once and then followed Nangong Zhanghuo.

"Brother! Let's go together!"

Suddenly, Zhao Hui looked at Nangong Xiao Xiao.

"Do you have any urgent business?"

Zhuge Yun answered.

"We are going to the Xiaolong Grand Gathering on Huashan in a month."

"The Xiaolong Grand Gathering?"

Zhao Hui had heard of it by reputation.

It is a grand festival for the young disciples of the martial world, held every three years.

The main events include martial arts performances and competitions, and other activities such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, brushwork, and musical art, where various fields are exchanged.

Except for the competition, there is no strict formality.

If you have talent, you can compete, discuss, and evaluate each other.

The greatest hope for young disciples of various sects is to gain a nickname at the Xiaolong Grand Gathering.

Both Xiao Jianzhu and Xiao Zhuge received their nicknames at the Xiaolong Grand Gathering three years ago.

'Wait… Huashan?'

A thought suddenly came to Zhao Hui's mind.

Huashan is in Shaanxi Province.

The location of the Sword Tomb mentioned by the Elder Jianxin is at Ganquan, on the border between Shaanxi and Gansu, which is very close to Huashan.

Zhao Hui's mind suddenly sparkled.

"Can I join you? As an unexpected guest, I will bear more of the travel expenses."

He had no knowledge of the area around Shaanxi and Gansu, and the journey to the Sword Tomb had been a concern.

But the journey with them would be different.

The young disciples of prestigious martial families.

There could be no better travel companions.

And he wanted to see Huashan.

The Nine Great Sects.

Their symbolism is completely different from the Five Great Families.

The Five Great Families are more approachable because they actively engage in secular affairs, pursue profits, and expand their influence.

The Nine Great Sects are different.

Of course, they also need money to maintain their sects, so they are not completely detached from the secular world.

However, they run inns and escort services through lay families.

The main temples only receive donations from pilgrims and never take the lead.

Shaolin, Emei, Wudang, Huashan, Zhongnan, Kunlun...

Fundamentally, they are monks and Taoists who value non-desire and non-action as their highest values.

Therefore, it is a rare sight for ordinary people to see the experts of the Nine Great Sects.

That's why they have a legendary feel.

Damo of Shaolin, Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang, Feng Yangzhen of Huashan, Miaojue of Emei...

Most of the legendary figures in a thousand years of martial history are from the Nine Great Sects.

Moreover, isn't Huashan the number one in the world today?

At Zhao Hui's request, Nangong Xiao Xiao and Zhuge Yun both showed a bright expression.

"We would be delighted to travel with you, Xiao Xia."

"Hehe! Don't worry about the travel expenses!"

The Sword Tomb.

Zhao Hui's heart began to race.

* * *

In the creaking carriage.

While Nangong Zhanghuo was meditating with his eyes closed and Zhuge Yun was engrossed in reading a book, Hua Ximing's mouth was chattering non-stop.

"Well, it's hard to say, but our Hua family sword school's business is truly vast. It's probably beyond what you can imagine."

A proud face. A smug smile.

Still, his occasional glances at Nangong Xiao Xiao clearly showed his awareness of a woman he liked.

"That's true. I also know about the famous Minghua Textile Mill in Hefei."

The Minghua Textile Mill is the largest business entity among those managed by the Hua family sword school.

Zhao Hui was aware of this much.

Hua Ximing became even more smug.

"Hehe! It's not just the Minghua Textile Mill! There's also Kaiyang Escort Service, Baiyi Inn, Tianxiang Silk Shop, and a few small inns."

Zhao Hui pretended to be surprised.

"Amazing! Isn't Kaiyang Escort Service one of the top escort services in Anhui? And I've heard that the view from the top of Baiyi Inn is so charming that people never stop coming!"

"Hehehe! You know well! Your insight is not ordinary!"

Hua Ximing's face was filled with satisfaction.

At first, he was not pleased to receive the attention of the distinguished young disciples of the family.

He was also annoyed by Nangong Xiao Xiao's apparent closeness to them.

But as the conversation continued, he found that this guy was not so bad.

"Surely, even those small inns must be impressive places..."

Hua Ximing's cheeks puffed up even more.

"Hehe! Why are you making me blush? I'm just telling the truth. Actually, if it's Hongli Inn or Wanshui Inn..."

He was spilling everything with a little encouragement.

Zhao Hui carefully noted down in his mind all the business locations of the Hua family sword school that he mentioned.

Hua Ximing, oblivious to Zhao Hui's suddenly cold expression, continued to boast non-stop.

At that moment, the window frame connected to the driver's seat creaked open.

"Little Master. There's a problem."

Nangong Zhanghuo's closed eyes slowly opened.

"What is it?"

"There's a flag."

"…What?"

We hung the flags of the Nangong and Zhuge families on the lead carriage. Who would dare to raise a flag to rob us?

Are the bandits out of their minds to do such a foolish thing?

"Where are we?"

"At Dahu Fort."

"Dahu Fort?"

Dahu Fort was one of the weakest among the seventy-two forts of the Green Forest.

Would the people of Dahu Fort, who could be wiped out by just one unit of the Nangong family, have lost their minds?

Nangong Zhanghuo gripped the Cangtian Sword, which was leaning against the corner of the carriage, and then boldly opened the door and stepped out.

"Are these bastards drunk in the middle of the day!"

Nangong Zhanghuo emitted a formidable aura.

As he crouched, ready to charge at the ridge ahead, Zhuge Yun, who was still in the carriage, clicked his tongue.

"Tsk tsk, look at him. What, is he an animal? He just charges in without thinking? People have brains to think, you know?"

"What?"

"No, think about it. Are there only fools in Dahu Fort? They are people too, don't they value their lives? Don't you think raising a fort flag in the presence of our family's banner means something?"

Zhao Hui nodded in agreement.

"Whether it's strategy or force, it means they have something worth trying compared to our side."

"That's right. The martial world is not that easy, Anhui Peng family."

This guy?

Why does he keep treating me like one of those muscle-bound Peng family guys from Hebei!

"Because there are always these scholars in the Martial Alliance who