Chapter 89: The Load and the Bodhisattva

Changhae Martial Hall is one of the minor martial arts sects in Luoyang.

After their trade with Baishangfang was cut off last year, the number of disciples plummeted, leaving only about ten. Just as relations with Baishangfang were improving, a problem arose.

Changhae Martial Hall was completely taken over by the Iron Blood Sect.

More precisely, the ownership of Changhae Martial Hall was transferred without the knowledge of its head, Zheng Xiaotian, the Dragon Sword.

It was all a plot by the chief, Zheng Yunfeng, and the Iron Blood Sect.

Originally, Zheng Yunfeng and Zheng Xiaotian were cousins, and the two had run Changhae Martial Hall together.

When their relationship with Baishangfang soured and their fortunes declined, the Iron Blood Sect approached Zheng Yunfeng.

Falling for their tricks, Zheng Yunfeng got Zheng Xiaotian drunk and made him sign a contract transferring the martial hall, the disciples, and all business partners to the Iron Blood Sect.

Zheng Xiaotian only realized later that it was all a scheme by Zheng Yunfeng and Zuo Yangxian of the Evil Dao Sect, but it was too late to reverse.

The martial arts sects in Luoyang, fearing the Famous Teachings Sect, refused to help.

Zheng Xiaotian placed his last hope in Qingfeng Hall, his family's stronghold.

His father, Zheng Haiyou, enjoyed making friends, and among them were many renowned martial artists.

So, he secretly sent his first-generation disciples, Zheng Wujin and Zheng Yanzhi, and his second-generation disciple, Lin Xiao.

However, the three could not reach Jiulong Mountain, where Qingfeng Hall was located.

Iron Blood Sect members had set up ambushes at every pass, somehow knowing their route.

After being chased for a whole day, they were so hungry that they stopped at a teahouse, which became the root of their troubles.

Zheng Wujin stood there, dazed, watching the young boy and the old man eat.

Once they finished and left, it would be the end for them.

Iron Blood Sect members they had encountered on the road had attacked them without hesitation, knowing they were the head's kin and aiming to cut the grass and roots.

Zheng Yanzhi gently touched Zheng Wujin's arm.

Startled, Zheng Wujin turned his head, and Zheng Yanzhi whispered, "Those two don't seem like wandering knights, do they?"

Zheng Wujin nodded.

The way they ate greedily, with their hands and mouths greasy, left no room for doubt.

"Then let's hire them to take us to Qingfeng Hall."

"..."

Zheng Wujin's eyes lit up.

If these two were wandering knights who even the Iron Blood Sect feared, it would be a miraculous solution.

After organizing his thoughts, Zheng Wujin approached the old man.

"Excuse me, Senior, perhaps..."

Qianliao, the old man, glanced at him.

Seeing the old man's narrow eyes, Zheng Wujin felt a chill. He seemed even more dangerous than the Iron Blood Sect.

"What is it?"

Swallowing the food in his mouth, Sim Tong asked indifferently.

Hesitating, Zheng Wujin was interrupted by Zheng Yanzhi.

"If you take us to Qingfeng Hall, we'll pay you a thousand taels as a reward."

For a moment, a glint appeared in Sim Tong's eyes.

He had recently fought for ten taels a day.

A thousand taels just for escorting them was a tempting offer.

"Master, what do you think?"

Lian Jieha asked indifferently.

"Do you know where Qingfeng Hall is?"

"I don't. Boy, where is Qingfeng Hall?"

Zheng Yanzhi, though suspicious of the relationship between the old man and the boy, answered quickly.

"It's not far. It's in Lanchuan County, about a day's journey from here."

Sim Tong frowned slightly.

Lanchuan County was already behind them.

To go there, they would have to backtrack, which made no sense for him and Lian Jieha.

Unless they were out of money?

Why would they go through such trouble with more than enough?

Sure enough, Lian Jieha shook his head.

"No. A man doesn't go back."

Sim Tong immediately said to the boy, "Did you hear that? We've already passed that way. We won't go to Lanchuan County. Find someone else."

Disappointed, Zheng Yanzhi asked again, "What about Changhae Martial Hall in Luoyang?"

Sim Tong looked at Lian Jieha.

"Master, it's Luoyang. What do you think?"

"Good. Very good. These days, money just rolls in. It wasn't like this before."

"Hehe. That's true. The world seems to have become a better place during our years in the mountains."

Smirking, Sim Tong said to Zheng Yanzhi, "You're lucky. Master has agreed. I'll take you there."

Relieved, Zheng Wujin and Zheng Yanzhi sighed.

In contrast, Death Sword Li Tieyuan's face twisted in anger.

It was like spilling water on a cooked meal, understandable given the situation.

Li Tieyuan quickly whispered to one of his subordinates, using the secret technique of transmitting sound through inner energy.

-We'll follow them. Go ahead and inform the leader.

The subordinate, lacking the inner energy for secret transmission, nodded and left.

After finishing their meal, Lian Jieha and Sim Tong, at Zheng Wujin's invitation, got into the carriage.

The carriage was spacious enough for two more people.

Feeling secure with their new protectors, Lin Xiao drove the carriage calmly.

Inside the swaying carriage, Zheng Yanzhi recounted their story.

"...That's how the Iron Blood Sect forcibly took over our Changhae Martial Hall."

Zheng Yanzhi's long story ended.

However, Lian Jieha and Sim Tong's expressions remained unchanged.

Feeling frustrated, Zheng Yanzhi asked, "Isn't this an act that would enrage the heavens?"

Lian Jieha turned his gaze to the window without a word.

Zheng Yanzhi then looked at Sim Tong.

With a dubious expression, Sim Tong said, "There are dozens of righteous martial halls in Luoyang. Why didn't you seek their help?"

"We tried, but they were all afraid of the Iron Blood Sect."

"Did you go to Yitian Sect?"

"Yi Alliance is known for not getting involved in matters related to the Famous Teachings Sect."

The mention of the Famous Teachings Sect caught Lian Jieha's attention.

"Is the Iron Blood Sect part of the Famous Teachings Sect?"

"Yes. The new leader of the Evil Dao Sect, who became the head last year, is part of the Famous Teachings Sect. They call him the Ten Demon Horsemen."

"Ten Demon Horsemen?"

"Yes, it means ten demons as loyal soldiers. They are incredibly skilled. They were once known as the Henan Fiends, but now they are called the Henan Evil. They are far superior to the Nine Secrets Sword, and they call themselves the Henan Hero."

Sim Tong's eyebrows twitched.

"Hmph! I don't know, but the Nine Secrets Sword must be stronger."

"No, it's not. It's not the same as before. He received the grace of the Famous Teachings Sect and became a world-class martial artist. They say the Ten Demon Horsemen are even on par with the leaders of the Seven Major Sects."

"Even if he received the grace, his own martial arts must be inferior to the Nine Secrets Sword."

Sim Tong emphasized "own martial arts."

As long as they maintained their human form, he was confident he could win.

He had killed a demon with great power before, even if it was Lian Jieha who dealt with the resurrected monster.

"No..."

Zheng Yanzhi hesitated, not wanting to provoke the old man who seemed to disregard even the Iron Blood Sect.

"By the way, what is your senior's nickname?"

"Qianliao."

Zheng Yanzhi tilted her head.

Qianliao sounded impressive, but "old sword" was just a simple term. It was hard to judge if he was great or not just from the nickname.

"Do you have a nickname, young hero?"

"No."

Lian Jieha scratched his head.

The Five Peaks Ten Heroes referred to ten sworn brothers, so it wasn't his personal nickname.

"Oh, I see."

Zheng Yanzhi didn't press further.

Objectively, the boy was too young for a nickname. She had asked out of curiosity, seeing how the old man treated him like a servant.

Her attention soon returned to the old man.

Could Qianliao save Changhae Martial Hall?

They had planned to seek help from Qingfeng Hall. As the saying goes, a chicken is better than no pheasant. They were willing to grasp at any straw.

"By the way, I haven't even learned your honorable names."

Though she addressed both, her eyes remained on the old man.

"My name is Sim Tong."

"I am Lian..."

"Ah! Senior Sim. If I may ask, which sect are you from?"

Interrupted by the eager Zheng Yanzhi, Lian Jieha's answer was lost.

Sim Tong, suppressing a smile, answered kindly.

"I learned from the fourth son of Walong Hall."

Including half-brothers, Lian Jieha was the fourth, so he could be called the fourth son.

Feeling left out, Lian Jieha pouted and turned his head to the window.

"Are you talking about Walong Hall in Luoyang?"

"Yes."

"Oh! I didn't know you were a disciple of Walong Hall."

Zheng Yanzhi's face brightened.

Walong Hall was a righteous martial arts sect.

After its destruction, its disciples wandered the land. To meet one here was a stroke of luck!

'The heavens are helping. Walong Hall and the Famous Teachings Sect are enemies, so they might help Changhae Martial Hall...'

Filled with hope, Zheng Yanzhi enthusiastically told Sim Tong about the Iron Blood Sect's atrocities.

The next day.

As the carriage approached the city gate of Luoyang, about three hundred paces away, over twenty martial artists emerged from both sides of the road, blocking the carriage.

Startled, Lin Xiao pulled the reins, and the horses reared up and stopped.

Neighing loudly, the two horses twisted their heads in displeasure.

Soon, the three men and one woman emerged from the carriage.

Zheng Wujin and Zheng Yanzhi, recognizing the martial artists, quietly stepped back.

Worried about the Ten Demon Horsemen's powers, Lian Jieha asked Sim Tong, "Is the leader here?"

"No. It seems he only sent his subordinates."

"I see."

Standing listlessly, Lian Jieha moved to a nearby shade. If the Ten Demon Horsemen were here, he might help, but otherwise, there was no need to assist Sim Tong.

Zheng Wujin, Zheng Yanzhi, and Lin Xiao hesitantly gathered around Lian Jieha.

Lian Jieha tilted his head.

Zheng Wujin's group seemed to be watching the scene like it was someone else's problem.

Did they think they had hired a bodyguard for a thousand taels?

"Indeed, this is what it means to sell one's sword. Money can do anything. Eat, sleep, and even fight..."

Frankly, he didn't expect them to completely step back. But in a way, that was the power of a thousand taels.

Thinking this, he felt oddly relieved.

Zheng Wujin's group showed that people could be controlled by money, not by loyalty or righteousness.

It meant they would only act according to the money they received.

Lian Jieha chose a spot with a clear view and sat down.

Zheng Yanzhi crouched beside him and asked, "Young hero, do you need to help Senior Sim?"

Lian Jieha didn't answer but leaned against a tree.

He muttered to himself, "These three are just a delivery."

"Old man Sim! Don't waste time. Finish it quickly. It feels like it's going to rain."

Feeling ignored, Zheng Yanzhi stood up and moved to Lin Xiao.

The young boy's comment about the weather left her speechless.

'Serving such a person with utmost respect, Senior Sim must be a bodhisattva.'