Chapter 55. Fighting to Save the World

East of Luoyang, Yanshi.

Walong Hall.

Dusk (7 PM)

As the beautiful sunset dyed the world, Walong Hall was thrown into chaos.

"What? What happened to Xuezhu? What do you mean? Bring that child to me immediately!"

Bai Meizhu's voice echoed loudly through the main hall.

Her eldest son, Lian Wubai, stood before her with a perplexed look and said,

"Mother, from the letter she left, it seems she intends to travel through the Jianghu..."

"So? Are you saying you won't do anything because your younger sister left home? You're just a flea that needs to be kicked. Search Luoyang all night if you have to, and bring her back!"

"If she said she was going on a Jianghu journey, she probably isn't in Luoyang."

"Is that so? If she's not in Luoyang, what can she possibly do on her own?"

Lian Xuezhu was only twenty-one this year, but in Bai Meizhu's eyes, she was still a child.

"That is, she might not be alone."

"What do you mean? If she's not alone, who did Xuezhu go with?"

In the end, Lian Wubai had to reveal the story about the Five Heroes of Luoyang.

"Xuezhu always said she wanted to travel with the Five Heroes of Luoyang. She must be with them now."

"Madness!"

A harsh word immediately flew out of Bai Meizhu's mouth.

To think her well-raised daughter would imitate a female hero and run away!

"You're her older brother! How could you let your younger sister wander around Luoyang like this? Are you even a brother? You should have paid half as much attention to your sister as you do to your disciples!"

In her anger, she even started cursing Lian Wubai, the eldest son.

She took the opportunity to vent the grievances she had harbored against Lian Wubai.

Lian Wubai did not defend himself and simply bowed his head deeply.

He never thought Lian Xuezhu would actually leave home. What she called a Jianghu journey was just a runaway in the eyes of the family, making the shock even greater.

"Find Xuezhu immediately! If the Sanzhen Merchant Guild finds out, she'll be in danger! What are you waiting for? Go now!"

Under Bai Meizhu's scolding, Lian Wubai led the disciples of Shangsheng Hall and rushed to Luoyang.

The chaos that night was not limited to Walong Hall.

Paxian Sect, Dalian Sect, Qiyang Sect, and Yitian Sect were all in turmoil. Yitian Sect's leader, Li Yanji, immediately dispatched his disciples to search every inn and abandoned house in Luoyang.

However, they found no trace of the Five Heroes of Luoyang.

As soon as it was light, representatives from the four families rushed to Yitian Sect. They claimed it was to discuss follow-up measures, but in reality, they were there to gauge the reaction of Yitian Sect's leader, Li Yanji.

***

Ruzhou.

Around noon, five young men and women entered the city.

Judging by their silk clothes and shiny weapons, they seemed to be from prestigious families.

Indeed, they were the Five Heroes of Luoyang, who had set out on a Jianghu journey despite their families' opposition.

Li Xiaomin pointed to a restaurant across the street and said,

"Shall we eat something there first? Merchants might stop by on their way too."

"Let's do that."

"That sounds good."

Judging by their lack of objections, they were all quite hungry.

The Five Heroes of Luoyang entered the restaurant, found a spot, and ordered food.

Soon, the dishes they ordered started arriving.

Just as the Five Heroes of Luoyang were about to start eating, about twenty customers rushed in. From their backpacks and conversations, they were clearly merchants.

Huang Dongye, after eating a bit, subtly got up from his seat.

He headed towards the merchants' table.

Huang Dongye approached what seemed to be the leader of the merchants and said,

"Hello. You seem to be from a merchant guild. Is that correct?"

Zheng Yunquan, the head of Huayang Merchant Guild, quickly stood up.

The other party was clearly a young martial arts expert.

He had been watching closely, wondering what business he had.

"Yes, I am Zheng Yunquan, the head of Huayang Merchant Guild, based in Xinyang County."

"Ah, so you're Head Zheng. I am Huang Dongye, the eldest of the Five Heroes of Luoyang and the top disciple of Paxian Sect."

At the mention of Paxian Sect, Zheng Yunquan's face lit up.

There was no merchant traveling between Luoyang who didn't know about Paxian Sect. Moreover, as a top disciple, he was directly under the sect leader, so it was natural to treat him well.

"Ah! You're from Paxian Sect. It's an honor to meet you. What brings you here?"

"The group over there are my sworn brothers. Like me, they are the top disciples of Dalian Sect, Qiyang Sect, Yitian Sect, and Walong Hall."

Zheng Yunquan's eyes widened.

While Dalian Sect and Qiyang Sect were on par with Paxian Sect, Yitian Sect and Walong Hall were of a different caliber.

Especially Yitian Sect, one of the Seven Major Sects, the current masters of the martial world. There's even a saying that 'having a friend in the Seven Major Sects means no one will dare to touch you.'

Zheng Yunquan bowed even lower.

Although the name of the Five Heroes of Luoyang was unfamiliar, he understood the value of their connections.

Huang Dongye continued,

"In fact, we have set out on a Jianghu journey. We plan to eliminate bandits on our way to Tapha. As you know, bandits tend to hide when they hear about a Jianghu journey."

"Ah!"

The experienced merchant Zheng Yunquan quickly understood the other party's intention.

A Jianghu journey is a kind of rite of passage for disciples of the Seven Major Sects every year. The Seven Major Sects grant freedom to enter and leave the sect to those who successfully complete a Jianghu journey.

A Jianghu journey is about demonstrating the principle of 'defeating evil and upholding justice.' Naturally, the targets are the evildoers of the Jianghu. However, encountering evildoers on the streets is not easy.

Therefore, heroes on a Jianghu journey often target small bandit factions. There's even a saying that 'if you want to meet evildoers, go to the mountains.'

However, small bandit factions are quite uncooperative with the Jianghu journey. It's not easy to deal with the new experts from the Seven Major Sects, and if there are any casualties, they will surely face retaliation.

Naturally, when rumors of a Jianghu journey spread, weaker bandit factions avoid external activities. Provoking the new experts of the Seven Major Sects is like poking a hornet's nest.

Of course, there are exceptions, such as the massive mountain and water factions that even the Seven Major Sects are hesitant to deal with. These factions do not fear the Seven Major Sects, and the new experts also avoid them.

'The Five Heroes of Luoyang are targeting Jifeng Manor and Wufeng Mountain Manor!'

This was good news for Huayang Merchant Guild.

Just by dealing with these two factions, they could save a significant amount on toll fees.

"Are you suggesting we travel together?"

At Zheng Yunquan's question, Huang Dongye nodded.

"Yes. Is that okay?"

"Of course! It would be an honor! I will ensure you are well taken care of during our journey together."

Immediately, the Five Heroes of Luoyang's joining Huayang Merchant Guild was decided.

Zheng Yunquan then called over Yang Wuji, the leader of Xin Yi Team, and introduced him to the Five Heroes of Luoyang.

Yang Wuji, also a disciple of Wujiguan, one of the Seven Major Sects, did not feel uncomfortable with the Five Heroes of Luoyang. He was delighted to have this opportunity to firmly suppress Jifeng Manor and Wufeng Mountain Manor.

Yang Wuji, in his late thirties, and the Five Heroes of Luoyang, in their early to mid-twenties, quickly became friends.

Two days later.

Yang Wuji pointed to a low mountain in the distance and said,

"That mountain is where Jifeng Manor is located. Yan Ladao is the leader. He's greedy, but his martial arts are not as good as his reputation."

Yang Wuji's eyes gleamed.

Until now, the previous leader of the escort team had agreed to pay eighty taels of silver, and they had been traveling this way. However, with his juniors, he decided to change the game this time.

After Huayang Merchant Guild entered Pingdingshan, about a quarter of an hour passed.

Suddenly, about forty bandits appeared.

Yao Fan, the deputy leader of Jifeng Manor, approached playfully swinging his saber.

"Hey, Yang Leader! Where are you in such a hurry? You should settle the bill first."

Yang Wuji said calmly,

"I was waiting for the heroes of Jifeng Manor. We've been paying eighty taels of silver as agreed, but now I want to settle the bill accurately."

Yao Fan's eyes narrowed.

Though he spoke politely, it was a challenge.

A curse flew out of the mouth of Zhang Hanwei, the leader of Jifeng Manor, who was standing behind.

"What a bunch of dogs! Settle the bill accurately? We cut the price to eighty taels after much negotiation, and now you want to renegotiate? Listen up! From now on, the toll for these brats is one hundred taels!"

"Ha ha ha! Yes!"

"Understood!"

The bandits of Jifeng Manor laughed loudly and swung their weapons above their heads, demonstrating their strength from the start.

Yang Wuji raised his hand lightly.

Fifteen members of Xin Yi Team lined up on either side of Yang Wuji, forming a formation like a crane's wings.

However, Zhang Hanwei snorted.

"Hmph! Are you really challenging us? These brats must have been too long without seeing blood! Boys!"

Just as he was about to say 'attack!'

Five young martial artists stepped forward.

They were the Five Heroes of Luoyang.

Huang Dongye, the eldest, slowly drew his sword and said,

"You are Yan Ladao of Jifeng Manor. Today, the Five Heroes of Luoyang have come to take your head. Your days of murder and robbery end here!"

'What the hell!'

Zhang Hanwei's face twisted.

Judging by their youthful faces and words, they were new experts on a Jianghu journey.

'Winning is meaningless, losing is a disgrace, and if I seriously injure them, the consequences will be endless.'

"Five Heroes of Luoyang? Who are your masters?"

Even if Zhang Hanwei had a bad temper, he knew when to back down. He needed to adjust the intensity of his attack based on the opponent, so verifying their identities was essential.

"I am Huang Dongye, the top disciple of Paxian Sect!"

"I am Wu Zhongshan, the top disciple of Dalian Sect."

"Sun Shangji of Qiyang Sect."

"Hmph! I am Li Xiaomin, the top disciple of Yitian Sect! I have come to punish your crimes on behalf of heaven!"

"I am Lian Xuezhu, the top disciple of Walong Hall!"

Zhang Hanwei's face, and even Yao Fan's, twisted grotesquely.

Paxian Sect, Dalian Sect, Qiyang Sect, and Walong Hall were one thing, but what about Yitian Sect?

Zhang Hanwei asked Li Xiaomin, hoping for a different answer.

"Li Xiaomin? What is your father's name?"

"Yan and Yi."

Li Xiaomin, new to the Jianghu, answered straightforwardly.

In other circumstances, this could have led to trouble, but now it was the opposite.

"Could it be you are the daughter of Yitian Sect's leader, Li Yanji?"

"Yes."

Li Xiaomin lifted her chin proudly.

Zhang Hanwei and Yao Fan's faces turned deathly pale.

Li Yanji, the leader of Yitian Sect, was already terrifying, but his father, the Grandmaster of Yitian Sect, Li Yizheng, was a living nightmare. One of the Ten Greatest Martial Artists, he was known as the King of Hell in the bandit world. If Li Xiaomin were to get even a scratch, Jifeng Manor would be annihilated.

'What the hell! What the hell! Why! Why!'

Zhang Hanwei, despite his fierce appearance, looked like he might cry.

Without witnesses, he wouldn't be afraid, but there were too many now.

If he couldn't kill everyone and eliminate the evidence, the best option was to flee.

Just as Zhang Hanwei was hesitating, Huang Dongye shouted,

"Brothers! No more talk! Fight to save the world! Attack!"

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

The Five Heroes of Luoyang answered in unison and charged forward.

Before Zhang Hanwei could formulate a proper plan, the battle began.

Huang Dongye's sword was the first to strike at Zhang Hanwei.

Zhang Hanwei swung his axe to block the sword in a daze.

Clang.

The clear sound brought him back to his senses.

Turning his head, he saw Li Xiaomin and Yao Fan locked in combat.

Even in a fair fight, Yao Fan couldn't match Li Xiaomin.

Especially now, when he couldn't afford to injure her, poor Yao Fan's upper body was quickly drenched in blood.

"Run!"

Zhang Hanwei threw his axe at Huang Dongye and retreated.

At that moment, Yao Fan's saber broke.

Seeing his chance, Yao Fan also fled into the nearby forest.

Following their lead, the Xin Yi Team warriors charged forward with a loud cry.

The bandits of Jifeng Manor were scattered like leaves in a typhoon, fleeing in all directions.