Chapter 11

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Cheering on by beating drums

“Work a little faster!” The head disciple yelled.

“It stinks to death and is all sticky…” The disciples whispered to each other as they lifted the corpses onto the wooden wagon. The torrential rain had been coming down for a whole day, yet there seemed to be no signs of stopping. Someone spat: “I can’t even wash my hands. This odor is stinking Laozi [1] to death!”

Night had fallen and the wild animals lurked in the darkness. The Extraordinary Palace’s disciples hurried about, cleaning up the carcasses around them. Someone stood on the platform, using their hands to signal for the others to come. They flocked over and gathered at that ravine. The blood had been diluted, leaving a large puddle of bloody water in that gorge.

“When Cloud Cleaving Swordplay is used, don’t even think about having an intact corpse,” someone said.

After muttering to each other for a while, they dispersed once again to continue on their task. Carts after carts of corpses were sent to the rear mountains, turning the large pothole there into a mass burial mound. The disciples returned to the Extraordinary Palace, each emitting a fishy stench. The bobcat hiding under the eaves from the rain hissed madly at them and scurried away.

“That little beast thinks we’re smelly.” A disciple mocked, “That day, it still seemed quite unfettered with that bird from the Nameless Abode in its mouth.”

The entirety of Mount Lengsang had been made into the bobcat’s territory, not to mention the Extraordinary Palace. It dared go anywhere, with the sole exception of the Nameless Abode. Once, there was a milky white pigeon cooing on the milky white gravel. That cat had bared its fangs wanting to pounce. Rong Luoyun had seen it through the window. He took the pit of a candied fruit and sent it flying with the tips of his fingers.

The bobcat was hit and was sent rolling to the ground before it could make a move. It whined and whimpered afterward for half an incense’s time. The carrier pigeon was returned to its cage. Rong Luoyun casually strolled out of the house and reached out to touch the cat’s nape. He skillfully sent his internal energy through his fingers that held the bobcat and sent it bolting off in a panic.

Carrier pigeons were often used to send information. After that incident, they would always fly to the Nameless Abode to take refuge.

At this moment, the Nameless Abode was blanketed in darkness. The moment Rong Luoyun arrived, the magpies waiting on the beam started chirping nonstop. He thought, noisy little things, but went under the eaves to play with the birds.

He took off his drenched socks and shoes and stepped on the ground barefoot, leaving a trail of water as he entered the inner hall. He only lit a small lamp. When he pulled the screen over, everything turned dark and murky. He took off his clothes to bathe. The blood on his face, his neck, and any other places were all washed away along with the killing intent still left on him.

The move he used today looked impressive on the outside, but in reality, it was actually quite draining…

The room was so quiet it can make people uncomfortable. He leaned his back on the tub and played with the water to create some noise. Before the water turned cold, he got out and put on his trousers and inner robes. He grabbed a brocade blanket and silk pillow before coming to the couch next to the window to sleep.

The couch was small and narrow, perfectly big enough for him to curl up into a ball.

When he was getting a little groggy, he heard the wet gravel outside let out a few squeaks as if someone was walking on it, following with a “Second Brother” in a voice that sounded young and immature. Diao Yuliang closed his umbrella and came running in. He took off his shoes and pounced onto the couch.

Thump! Rong Luoyun kicked that half-grown child far away and sat up with the blanket wrapped around himself. Diao Yuliang crawled back and pounced on him again: “Second Brother, let me warm up!” With little space on the couch, the two squeezed together. He pulled out his hand as if showing a treasure, “Look, the sacred scriptures to honor and riches.”

He held out a small booklet. Its cover did not have a title. Inside was listed the names of various Palace disciples. There were even numbers of silver taels written next to the names. Rong Luoyun seized it and took a closer look. It turns out that the others were gambling and they were betting on who the victor would be for the martial arts competition.

Diao Yuliang flipped through the pages: “Big Brother also betted. Three hundred taels on Zou Lin.”

Rong Luoyun was slightly surprised. He never thought that Duan Huaike would be the type who would fool around with the others. Diao Yuliang said: “Third Brother initially lost two thousand taels, then paid one thousand for the prize money. And then he had to pay the banquet fees. He had bet with his teeth clenched. Probably gonna lose.”

Rong Luoyun found Lu Zhun. He had betted on Ruan Ni, three thousand taels. No wonder all the Palace disciples decided to participate. If Lu Zhun was to lose, then that three thousand taels would be theirs to take. “Second Brother,” Diao Yuliang shook him, “I’ve been trying to decide for a long time, would you help me bet?”

Tomorrow would be the day that the three victors would be decided. They would then go through the four trials in the Palace to decide who would become the Great Disciple. This was what everyone was betting on. Rong Luoyun read the words “place your bets” and that person surfaced in his mind, that faint figure separated by the curtain of hazy rain.

His origins were unknown, his level of martial arts was too. He only knew of that whiff of arrogance. The smell of pomelo leaves seemed to be lingering in the air again. Just for that handkerchief, Rong Luoyun thought like this. Just for picking up his handkerchief.

“Fourth Bro, bet on…” Rong Luoyun stopped, “I still don’t know his name. Ask tomorrow.”

Diao Yuliang felt a little worried. A nobody whose name he didn’t even know? But, he shouldn’t directly oppose his decision: “Second Brother, I only have thirty taels. Please consider carefully.”

Rong Luoyun replied: “If we win, the money is yours. If we lose, I pay up.” He got off the small couch and took out a hundred seventy taels from a low cabinet for Diao Yuliang. Diao Yuliang took the money. With no more objections, he left in great spirits.

The rain finally ceased at the hour of shi [2], but the wind blew for the whole night.

The next day, the bloody red color on Mount Lengsang had mostly washed away.

Thirty people had been promoted to the next round. In this round, there would only be three victors. It was a majestic crowd to behold. Huo Linfeng had come late. The layers of his umber black robes with narrow sleeves rolled in the wind. With his Jueming Sword on his waist, he seemed more distinguished in the crowd.

As he dismounted, someone had ascended the platform. It was a robust man who was eight chi [3] tall. The hair at his temples was trimmed angularly, sharp like a blade. His wide, black robes flew in the wind, and in his hand, he tightly held a whip. A distinct tattoo of a snake coiled from his finger to the back of his hand.

Huo Linfeng led his horse by its reins, planning to tie it up. When he reached under the tree, someone unexpectedly leaped onto the horse in a way not too different from a monkey. He was startled greatly. When he saw that it was Diao Yuliang, he was even more surprised. Diao Yuliang stroked the horse’s mane. “What’s your name?”

A surname and a name. Huo Linfeng’s given name [4] is “Zhong”, Huo Zhong. Thus, he fabricated: “This lowly one is called Du Zhong.” Seeing that the other was observing him attentively, he felt curious, “What’s the matter, Palace Lord?”

Diao Yuliang asked: “How good are your martial arts compared to Zou Lin’s?”

Huo Linfeng asked: “… Who’s Zou Lin?”

“The one on the stage!” Diao Yuliang was feeling quite anxious. Ignoring the fact that he was a nameless nobody, he was also this ill-informed. He inched closer and pointed towards the competition platform: “The east has Ruan Ni, the west has Zou Lin. Have you seen the snake on the back of his hand yet? His whip techniques are even swifter than a viper.”

Huo Linfeng was a little confused. He didn’t know what the other’s purpose was, but his curiosity was roused: “Seeking knowledge from the Palace Lord, what about north and south?”

Diao Yuliang glanced at the Drumming Platform: “Well, there are two experts in the south: one who only knows how to drink and one who plays with jade linked rings all day.” On the Drumming Platform, Duan Huaike was drinking from his flask while Rong Luoyun was focused on salvaging that shattered jade. He continued: “As for the north, with Huo Zhao the Marquis of Dingbei there, who dares to challenge him?”

Huo Linfeng pursed his lips as he nodded. He had originally thought the imperial court and Jianghu were poles apart, but who knew that his Huo Clan played a role here too. Although Diao Yuliang was young, he was quite bold. After chatting for a while, Diao Yuliang even patted him on the shoulder before leaving.

He looked up again, and perfectly, the fighting on the stage came to an end. Zou Lin had defeated eight people and was putting away his whip.

Immediately after, an elegant young master wearing snow white clothes stepped onto the platform. He held a silver hook in each hand. The moment he got on stage, the crowd began to cheer. Lu Zhun stood up like he was seeing his precious darling and eagerly called out “Ruan Ni.”

Rong Luoyun had been sitting with his head lowered all this time. When he heard this, he lifted his head with laughter in his eyes. It seems like those three thousand taels Lu Zhun had betted on Ruan Ni wasn’t as important as this precious darling. At this moment, Diao Yuliang appeared and handed over the booklet: “Second Brother, that person is called Du Zhong.”

Rong Luoyun repeated the name in his head, Du Zhong… a sweet and gentle name. He wonders if the person was just like his name.

He took out a rabbit fur brush and helped Diao Yuliang write down the two words “Du Zhong.” After putting away his brush, he spotted that Du Zhong cooling off under the shade of a tree. On the platform, Ruan Ni had continuously won against four people. The silver hooks flew out as he retreated and advanced. In a blink of an eye, they could gouge someone’s throat out.

Lu Zhun was fixated on him as if he was looking at a mountain of gold that could fight. He would occasionally clap his hands and cheer or loudly call out “Ruan Ni.” With that, Ruan Ni showed one of his special moves, “Silver Hook Shattering Lives.” Lu Zhun rushed over to personally beat the drum to show his support.

In the end, Ruan Ni won consecutively against seven people. He turned towards Lu Zhun and cupped his hands in thanks. Lu Zhun praised: “Ruan-lang’s silver hooks are incomparably ruthless, as expected. When the day comes for us to fight, make sure not to beat me up too badly.”

Ruan Ni said: “Third Palace Lord is being too modest. When the time comes, I’ll have to request Third Palace Lord to show me mercy.”

After a few warmhearted sentences, Lu Zhun tossed the mallet away and went back to his seat to continue watching the battle. There were still thirteen contestants left. An umber black figure descended from the sky. After the figure landed, it can be seen that it was the handsome newcomer with outstanding skills.

The crowd still did not know of this person’s name. Huo Linfeng introduced himself: “This lowly one is Du Zhong, asking for advice [5].”

An opponent stepped up. He wielded his sword and executed a set of his swordplay techniques. Within ten effortless moves, he won. Everyone remembered yesterday’s battles. They, too, were all finished within ten moves. Another person came to challenge. It was still ten moves. Even if he didn’t win in ten moves, he would still use the same ten moves over and over until the other was defeated.

The jade ring had been mostly reassembled. Rong Luoyun continued to carefully study the ring, but he moved his ears to listen for the movements on the stage. The sound of the sword could be heard, the sound of the crowd wildly cheering could also be heard. Duan Huaike suddenly spoke up: “This Du Zhong only uses ten moves. Is he guarding against us from figuring out which technique he uses or does he think he’s too superior to show any more?”

Rong Luoyun finally looked up. He watched calmly for a while and was enticed by that swordplay. It was merely ten moves used repeatedly, yet no one was able to beat him. It was truly an outstanding set of moves. His gaze moved up the lightly moving blade to the hands, to that sturdy waist, and finally on to the face. He observed the other’s temperament.

Technique, strength, internal energy. These were all things that could be falsified. But how one carried oneself cannot be. Huo Linfeng’s eyebrows were smoothed out. His movements were overflowing with ease and confidence. Rong Luoyun knows this person would not lose.

For him to only show ten moves of this exquisite swordplay, it was agonizing for the spectating crowd. Rong Luoyun called out a “Fourth Bro” and signaled with his eyes. Diao Yuliang understood and shouted: “Du Zhong, do you only know ten moves or what?”

The Huo Clan’s swordplay has forty nine forms in total. The further down the list, the more difficult they were to master. Huo Linfeng’s striking sword slowed down a little. He answered Diao Yuliang, but his eyes fell on Rong Luoyun. “Young Hero Ruan Ni had received support from the Palace Lord, this lowly one is envious.” He continued, “If the Second Palace Lord is willing to beat the drum for me, I would show a few more moves.”

If it was under normal circumstances, Diao Yuliang would have showered him with a rain of vulgar curses. But, this was the person who he had bet his precious silver on, so he could only turn his head to Rong Luoyun beseechingly. Everyone held their breaths, trying to guess what Rong Luoyun would do if he blew up. Who would have known that Rong Luoyun would lightly put down his jade ring and make his way to the drum? He picked up the mallet and a string of drumbeats rose.

He twisted his face slightly: “If you don’t show some good moves, then this drumstick would be beating something else.”

One stood above with his head lowered and one stood below with head lifted. The sword danced while the drum beated in a synchronized manner. As the drumbeats got louder, Rong Luoyun’s sleeves slipped down, showing his pale slender arms. His body rocked to and fro as the drums emitted intense waves of power.

Huo Linfeng felt satisfied when he heard the sound. His swordplay then became much more vigorous. The fiercer he fought, the louder the drumbeats. The two coordinated so seamlessly it was astonishing.

Abruptly, the drumbeats became so deafening they could shake the skies. Rong Luoyun had actually used his qi to beat the drums, amplifying the noise so that it could travel numerous li. Huo Linfeng was pleased: “All of you, come up.” As he said this, those who felt irritated all flocked over to attack. Jueming Sword’s chilling light flashed, sending those in every direction to utter defeat.

Amid the urgent waves of sound, Rong Luoyun knitted his eyebrows and shouted: “Not enough!”

Huo Linfeng glanced out of the corner of his eye and stuck out with a technique he had been hiding all this time. Golden light as bright as stars filled the sky. The four pillars snapped and the tiger statues split open. Everyone was blasted far far away as the smoke billowed.

Rong Luoyun was so shocked he stopped his movements. After the smoke cleared, he saw the lone figure of Huo Linfeng standing on the stage. He was looking at him as he wielded his sword with his ponytail rocking freely in the wind. On the platform, there was another deep gorge that intersected with the one he himself had created the other day. It looked like a blossoming flower on a stem.

Diao Yuliang was ecstatic: “—Du Zhong wins! Du Zhong wins!”

In merely two days, after many casualties, they have finally determined the three victors. Duan Huaike declared: “Tomorrow, at the hour of mao [6], I invite the three Young Heroes Du Zhong, Zou Lin, and Ruan Ni to the Extraordinary Palace to be welcomed by the Palace’s disciples.”

Now that the dust has settled, the tide of people slowly trickled away, causing quite the racket. Huo Linfeng sheathed his sword and strolled closer to the edge of the Drumming Platform. He lifted his face: “Thanks to the Palace Lord for showing me support.”

Rong Luoyun lowered his head to look at him and faintly said: “No problem.”

With nothing more to say, one got off the competition stage to return to the inn and one got off the Drumming Platform to return to the Palace. They each mounted their horses. One headed north while the other south. They gently brushed shoulders as they went past each other.

Behind Rong Luoyun was the clear day fused in gold. His expression was like when one departs after a fated encounter.

Huo Linfeng did not look back either. He only silently thought — the future holds boundless opportunities.

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Notes

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