Chapter 3

In the vast universe, there are infinite realms and heavens.

In the Jiangnan region, where grass grows and orioles fly in the third month, whether in the bustling marketplaces or the verdant fields, life thrives with particular vigor.

On the official road, hooves thundered, and clouds of dust rose as a row of fine horses galloped past, drawing the attention of passersby.

It is worth noting that in the south, where the river network is dense, the people have few habits of riding horses. Even when the wealthy travel, they either take boats or ride in sedan chairs.

Those who travel on horseback are either military officials of the court or martial arts masters.

The seven riders on these tall, fine horses were a group of young disciples from various martial arts families in the Jiangnan region. When they gathered, it was either for sightseeing or to meet fellow practitioners and "exchange skills through martial arts."

This time, they had come to pay respects to the Tianqing Mountain Villa, the top-ranking martial arts family in the Jiangnan region and the only Tian-numbered martial arts family.

The origins of martial arts in the world are numerous, like the stars in the sky, and there are countless families with martial arts traditions. However, the title of "martial arts family" is not something that can be easily claimed.

In families that have passed down martial arts, a contemporary top-tier expert, recognized by peers as a renowned martial artist, must have emerged to qualify the family to enter the ranks of martial arts families.

These families, based on the depth of their martial arts achievements, have three different titles.

If a martial arts master can establish a unique style and promote it, they are called a "Ren-numbered" family.

If a martial arts grandmaster can innovate and gain fame in a region, they are called a "Di-numbered" family.

If a great master, who has made groundbreaking contributions to martial arts, is called a "Tian-numbered" family.

It was just past midday when the seven riders arrived at the foot of Liuhexian Mountain. In front of them stood a three-story-high archway with the four large characters "Head Held High Under the Blue Sky."

This was the grandeur of a Tian-numbered family, and the inscription on the archway in front of the gate must include the character "Tian."

The group stopped their horses in front of the archway. One of them said, "I heard that after the old master of Tianqing Mountain Villa passed away, the young master spends his days cockfighting and indulging in pleasures, associating with third-rate people from the江湖 (jianghu). He is constantly flattered as a rising star and future grandmaster, but his martial arts skills are deteriorating. It's truly laughable and lamentable."

Immediately, someone chimed in, "This is a typical spoiled son, tarnishing the reputation of our Jiangnan martial arts families."

Another person snorted coldly, "How can such an incompetent person represent the rising stars of the south? Today, we will tear off his mask."

Everyone agreed, except for one person who hesitated, "I heard the young master is only fifteen or sixteen years old. Are we being too harsh on him?"

A person beside him laughed and shook his head, "Brother, you're mistaken. By giving him a lesson, we can make him realize his shame and become brave, and he might turn over a new leaf. So, in a way, we are doing a good deed today."

This person's face showed a look of enlightenment but still had doubts, "The Ji family is said to have three thousand retainers, most of whom are freeloaders, but there are also a few with genuine skills. We are only seven people. Can we fight our way to the young master?"

The person on the right replied, "This visit to the young master is led by Brother Yuan. We will follow his lead."

The leader, a young man around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, was the successor of the Di-numbered family, Wangxin Mountain Villa. He smiled and said, "Brothers, you have not yet taken over your families, so according to the rules of the jianghu, the young master of the Ji family can send his retainers to deal with you. But I have already inherited Wangxin Mountain Villa and am now the head of a family. If I challenge him directly, I believe he cannot refuse."

Everyone was delighted, "Exactly, exactly. Brother Yuan, as the head of a family, if you challenge him, how can he refuse?"

Yuan, the head of the family, nodded and pointed to the archway with the inscription "Head Held High Under the Blue Sky," "If he avoids the challenge, the Tian-numbered sign should be taken down."

...

In the spring of 1839, the fourteenth year of the Shengqing era of the Great Ming Dynasty, the successor of the Tian-numbered Tianqing Mountain Villa and the successor of the Di-numbered Wangxin Mountain Villa met to exchange skills. The young master of the Ji family was critically injured by the Heart-Crushing Palm of the head of the Yuan family.