Chapter 8

The world of the Jianghu is a hell for the weak and a paradise for the strong.

The Jianghu is not a beautiful place; on the contrary, it is ugly. Perhaps there is passion and fervor, but after the splendor, only desolation remains.

But even so, every day countless people of the Jianghu travel across the land, some to rise to prominence, others to avenge or repay debts, each with their own thoughts, forming streams of people that support the entire Jianghu.

Perhaps it is precisely because of this that the Jianghu is so fascinating.

The Jianghu belongs to the strong, but the weak are also indispensable foundations. Without them, the Jianghu would not be the Jianghu.

As the weak, they lack formidable strength and can only find their own entertainment.

Taverns and wine shops are places that provide entertainment for the people of the Jianghu.

This is a unique characteristic, or perhaps a style, of the Jianghu.

Yanbo Tower, a somewhat famous wine shop in the Suzhou area.

Where there are wine shops, there will never be a lack of people of the Jianghu.

And now, many people of the Jianghu were already seated in the wine shop. Some were short and sturdy, others broad-shouldered and muscular, some with gruesome scars, and others with cold, calculating eyes. They were all different, some loudly competing in drinking, others quietly conversing.

These people were the lowest of the low in the Jianghu, lacking the grand lives of heroes and valiant figures. They could only satisfy their desires by talking and exchanging information.

"Speaking of the most prominent hero in the Jianghu in recent months, it must be the great hero Ding, who has slain countless bandits. He passed through the Yin Feng Ridge at night, cut down Chen Zhong with three strikes, and swept through the Sipan Mountain. Every deed he has done is upright and just. Wherever he goes, evil spirits and demons all vanish, far surpassing those who are merely famous in name!"

In the wine shop, someone loudly recounted the latest news he had obtained, with a look of pride.

Listening to his eloquent speech, the people around him spoke various flattering words, making him feel elated and even more talkative about the heroic deeds of this 'Ding the Hero.'

In a corner of the wine shop, a man in black with white hair was drinking alone while listening intently. This man was none other than Ding Chunqiu, who had come to Suzhou to plot the acquisition of the 'Xiao Wu Xiang Gong.'

Suzhou was not a small place like the 'Wuliang Sword Sect.' Here, there was the powerful 'Suzhou Murong Clan.' Ding Chunqiu naturally had to gather information to formulate a specific plan, to avoid alarming the snake and causing unnecessary trouble.

And where better to gather information than in a wine shop?

...

After a long while, the man seemed to have had his fill of food and drink and satisfied his desire to talk. He picked up his sword and prepared to leave.

"Brother, would you like to join me for a drink?"

The man in black with white hair suddenly spoke, stopping the man.

The man was taken aback and looked at Ding Chunqiu warily, asking, "Who are you, and why do you want to invite me for a drink?"

Ding Chunqiu smiled and said, "All under the four seas are brothers. Do you need a reason to invite someone for a drink? If you must know, it's because I was captivated by the story of the great hero you mentioned earlier, and I wish to make your acquaintance!"

Ding Chunqiu's words were straightforward and without any ulterior motives. The man, hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief. As people of the Jianghu, who doesn't like to hear such stories? He no longer suspected and said, "If that's the case, I won't be so formal!"

Seeing that Ding Chunqiu was well-dressed and spoke eloquently, the man also had the intention to make his acquaintance. Invited by Ding Chunqiu, he joined the table.

Ding Chunqiu did not rush to inquire about the Murong Clan, to avoid arousing suspicion.

After the man was seated, under Ding Chunqiu's guidance, they enjoyed a pleasant conversation. The man spoke freely about the curiosities and interesting stories of the Jianghu, broadening Ding Chunqiu's horizons.

Although he had the identity of Ding Chunqiu, he had only been in the Tianlong world for a short time and was not very familiar with the Jianghu. Today, this man had helped fill in his knowledge gaps.

"Brother, you know the Jianghu well. Today, I have truly broadened my horizons. Please, let's drink!" Ding Chunqiu raised his cup and drank it in one go.

Seeing how generous and talkative Ding Chunqiu was, the man felt very pleased and said, "I see that you are well-spoken and must come from a prestigious family. Meeting you today is truly a great pleasure. I am a local, and if you need any help in the future, don't hesitate to ask. My martial arts are not high, but in terms of information about the Jianghu, I am one of the top three in the Jiangnan region. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask!"

Hearing this, Ding Chunqiu said calmly, "Brother, you are too kind. But I do have a question that has been bothering me. Could you help me with it?"

"Please, go ahead!"

"I once heard that there is a martial arts family in the Suzhou area, with many skilled experts, called the 'Suzhou Murong Clan.' I came here out of admiration, but I have not been able to gather any information. I wonder why?"

"Brother, be careful what you say!" The man's face changed abruptly when he heard this.

Seeing Ding Chunqiu's confusion, the man looked around and said, "Brother, you may not know, but the Murong Clan does exist in the Suzhou area, and they do have many skilled experts. However, they live on Taihu Lake, which is a place of death. How could ordinary people know about the Murong Clan?"

Seeing the man's frightened expression, Ding Chunqiu asked in confusion, "Taihu Lake is a place of death? Why is that?"

The man, having started to speak, no longer held back and said, "Taihu Lake was not always a place of death; it was the source of livelihood for the local people. But over ten years ago, a group of ruthless women appeared. They are all highly skilled in martial arts. Anyone who dares to venture deep into Taihu Lake will be killed or captured and turned into fertilizer. Over time, the locals only dare to fish at the edge of Taihu Lake, and no one dares to venture deep into it. How could anyone know about the Murong Clan?"

Ding Chunqiu was startled. He thought to himself that these women must be the evil servants of the Man Tuo Manor. When he watched the TV series, he always thought the Man Tuo Manor was a den of bandits. Now it seems that it is indeed so. Fortunately, he had gathered information in advance; otherwise, rashly going to the Man Tuo Manor would have been a big problem.

Seeing Ding Chunqiu frowning in thought, the man thought he did not believe him and said, "Brother, you must believe me. Do not rashly go to Taihu Lake. Those evil women are numerous and powerful. If they discover you, it will be a dead end!"

"Brother, you misunderstand. I was just thinking of something else and got distracted!" Ding Chunqiu smiled and said, but his gaze turned to the entrance of the wine shop.

He saw a group of elegantly dressed women, each holding a weapon, and was startled. Could it be so coincidental?

The man followed Ding Chunqiu's gaze and his face changed. He quickly lowered his head and said, "Brother, don't look. Quickly lower your head. If they spot you, it will be trouble!"

Seeing the man's frightened expression, Ding Chunqiu asked, "Brother, do you know who they are?"