Chapter 8

In the morning, Bai Xiaosheng was engrossed in studying what he had obtained. Around noon, the Liu residence became bustling with nearly five to six hundred guests streaming in. Among them were the deputy leader of the Beggar Gang, Zhang Jin'ao; the old martial artist from Zhengzhou's Six Harmonies Gate, Xia Lao, who brought his three sons-in-law; the old master of the Three Gorges' Fairy Peak in Sichuan and Hubei, Tie Lao; the leader of the Sea Sand Gang from the East Sea, Pan Hou; the Divine Saber Bai Ke from Qujiang; and the Divine Pen Lu Xisi, among others, who arrived one after another. Some of them were familiar with each other, while others had only heard of each other and had never met. For a moment, the main hall was filled with greetings and introductions, and the noise was deafening.

In the backyard, Bai Xiaosheng also came out with people from the Huashan, Hengshan, and Taishan sects.

Among the Five Mountains Sword Sect, Zuo Lengshan held the highest position and had the greatest reputation. Next in line was the Gentleman of the Sword, Yue Buqun. His reputation in the martial world was extremely high, and he was more revered than Tianmen and Dingyi.

Amidst the crowd from the Huashan Sect, Bai Xiaosheng felt the gazes directed at Yue Buqun. They were all amazed, and many said, "With Mr. Yue participating in the celebration, Liu Zhengfeng has indeed saved face."

As everyone was chatting animatedly, Liu Zhengfeng came out from outside. He clasped his hands in greeting and then stepped aside, bowing and making a gesture of invitation, appearing quite respectful.

Everyone was surprised for a moment. Who had such great face to make Liu Zhengfeng act this way?

Soon, an official in formal attire walked in, and everyone was even more surprised. They wondered, "Is this person a martial arts expert?" Upon closer inspection, they found that although he was dressed grandly, his eyes were dull, and his face was flushed from alcohol and debauchery, clearly not a martial artist.

Considering Liu Zhengfeng's status and wealth, it was not unusual for him to have connections with officials, but his overly respectful demeanor still puzzled many.

Just as everyone was speculating, the official stood in the middle, and the constables behind him knelt on one knee, raising their hands over their heads to present a tray covered with yellow silk. On the tray was a scroll. The official bowed, took the scroll, and raised it high, announcing, "Imperial edict arrives, Liu Zhengfeng, listen to the edict!"

Everyone was shocked. "Liu Zhengfeng's retirement from the martial world is a matter of the martial world. What does it have to do with the imperial court? Why did the emperor's edict come down?"

"Your servant, Liu Zhengfeng, listens to the edict. Long live the emperor, long live, long live for ten thousand years!" Liu Zhengfeng's words silenced everyone, who stared at him with wide eyes, stunned.

"The emperor, by the grace of Heaven, decrees: According to the report of the governor of Hunan Province, the commoner Liu Zhengfeng of Hengshan County has been diligent in public service and has contributed to his hometown. He is skilled in archery and horsemanship and is capable of great use. He is hereby appointed as a general. He is to serve the court faithfully and not disappoint the emperor's expectations. So decreed."

Liu Zhengfeng kowtowed and said, "Your servant, Liu Zhengfeng, thanks the emperor. Long live the emperor, long live, long live for ten thousand years."

Seeing this, everyone was in an uproar. Initially, they thought Liu Zhengfeng had offended the court, but it turned out he had joined the government. His actions clearly showed that he had bought an official position.

Thinking about this, everyone felt awkward and bewildered. People in the martial world generally avoided dealing with officials because, as martial artists, they were destined to break the law. If they did not interact with officials, everyone could live in peace. If they did, what would that mean?

If a minor figure joined the government, it would be one thing, but who was Liu Zhengfeng? A respected elder of the Hengshan Sect, he managed the entire sect's affairs and held more power than Mo Da. If his retirement from the martial world was forced by Mo Da, could his joining the government also be forced by Mo Da?

For a moment, everyone was in a state of confusion, unsure of what to do.

On the other side, Liu Zhengfeng saw off the official, walked to the front of the crowd, and said with a smile, "Honored seniors, heroes, good friends, and young friends. Your presence here is a great honor to Liu Zhengfeng, and I am deeply grateful. Today, I am retiring from the martial world and will no longer be involved in its affairs. You all know the reason. I have received the emperor's favor and will serve as a minor official. As the saying goes, 'Serve the ruler faithfully when you receive his salary.' In the martial world, we value righteousness, but in the affairs of the state, we must follow the law and repay the ruler's favor. If there is a conflict, it would be difficult for Liu Zhengfeng. From now on, Liu Zhengfeng will withdraw from the martial world. If my disciples wish to join other sects, they are free to do so. I have invited you all here to witness this. In the future, when you visit Hengshan City, you will still be my good friends, but I will not be involved in the martial world's disputes."

This statement did not surprise the crowd, but they found Liu Zhengfeng's actions despicable, thinking he was only interested in wealth and power and did not deserve the title of a 'martial hero.' Of course, some praised him, saying things like "blessed and long-lived" and "retiring at the right time." This was nonsense, as in the story, his entire family would die here, so how could he be blessed and long-lived?

In the Huashan Sect, Bai Xiaosheng's gaze passed over Yue Buqun and looked outside. Just as Liu Zhengfeng was about to retire, a loud voice came from outside: "Hold it!"

Liu Zhengfeng was startled and looked up to see four men in yellow robes entering the gate. They split to stand on both sides, and a tall man in a yellow robe walked in confidently. He held a five-colored banner adorned with precious gems and pearls, which sparkled as it moved. Many recognized the banner and were startled: "The banner of the Five Mountains Sword Sect's leader has arrived!"

The man walked to Liu Zhengfeng and said, "Uncle Liu, by the order of the Five Mountains Sect's leader, Zuo Lengshan, your retirement is temporarily postponed."

Liu Zhengfeng thought it was bad and recalled the mysterious message from the previous day. He remained calm and bowed, saying, "I wonder what the leader's intention is?"

The man replied, "I am following orders and do not know the leader's intention. Please forgive me, Uncle Liu."

"No need to be polite!" Liu Zhengfeng smiled and suddenly said, "Are you Qianzhang Song Shi Dengda?"

Shi Dengda was slightly taken aback but then smiled. He was pleased that Liu Zhengfeng knew his name and nickname and said, "Disciple Shi Dengda greets Uncle Liu!" He stepped forward and greeted Tianmen Daoist, Yue Buqun, and Dingeri Shitai, among others. The other four Shaoshan Sect disciples also bowed, saying, "Disciples of Shaoshan Sect greet our senior and junior masters."

In the story, the Shaoshan Sect blocked Liu Zhengfeng and even killed his entire family, leaving only a small child, making his fate tragic. Now, with the secret message from Bai Xiaosheng, Liu Zhengfeng had already moved his family to safety. He stayed to give everyone an explanation. Now that the Shaoshan Sect had arrived, Liu Zhengfeng was worried but not afraid.

"Years ago, when the Five Mountains Sword Sect formed an alliance, we agreed to support each other and uphold justice in the martial world. When matters concern the five sects, we must follow the leader's orders. This five-colored banner is a symbol of the five sects, and seeing it is like seeing the leader. However, my retirement today is a personal matter. It does not violate the martial world's code of conduct and is not related to the Five Mountains Sword Sect, so it is not bound by the leader's orders. Please tell your master that I will not follow the order and ask Brother Zuo to forgive me."

Liu Zhengfeng spoke righteously and walked towards the basin to wash his hands and retire. Behind him, Shi Dengda moved to intercept him, but Liu Zhengfeng, knowing their plan, would not let them succeed. He turned his body, causing Shi Dengda to collide with his back and be thrown to the ground, landing on his buttocks, and the five-colored banner was flung away.

This sudden turn of events stunned the crowd. When they looked at Liu Zhengfeng again, his hand was already at the edge of the basin. However, they were not concerned about whether he washed his hands or not; they were more interested in why the Shaoshan Sect was blocking Liu Zhengfeng's retirement.

Just as everyone was still processing this, a group of Shaoshan Sect disciples suddenly appeared behind them. Seeing them, the crowd was even more surprised. This seemed like a forceful move! Some clever people suddenly realized that these people had come from the back of the Liu residence. What were they doing?

Only Liu Zhengfeng remained calm. His hand still reached down, but suddenly, a silver light flashed, and a small projectile flew towards him. In the story, this projectile knocked over the basin, but now, Liu Zhengfeng dodged it by moving his body and pulling the basin to the side, completing the retirement ceremony.

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