Chapter 56

Huang Bao Clan (4)

The armor of the Ruxuan City martial guards has rough yellow silk threads on both shoulders and the center of the back.

Those looking from the front found it hard to recognize. Only those with considerable discernment could tell.

"Is this the magistrate of Pingyin County?"

Zheng Yanxin asked quietly.

He said it was an old operation. He had heard a lot about it.

Ruxuan City had gathered as much information as possible and dispatched the martial forces under the Divine Sword Corps.

The main branch of the Huang Bao Clan, as well as the members and martial arts characteristics of the branch families, were all targets of the collection.

"Can't you see? I am someone who is somewhat well-known."

The noble man answered with a smile.

He was a strikingly handsome man, his official robes making him look even more distinguished.

Even while looking at the unfamiliar warriors, he was receiving the attentions of women, and the grace in his hand as he held the cup was evident.

Though he was merely a leisurely official wearing a hat, his demeanor was different.

The gaze of the noble man, Mingzu Zhiyan, swept past Zheng Yanxin and Bai Miyue, landing on Qingming.

"There is someone of the same clan here. Could it be that you are enjoying the play of knights together? It would be better if you didn't. I advise you in advance."

"......"

Qingming had a strange expression and did not answer.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was unusual.

The air was filled with the smell of alcohol, and everyone who walked around looked at Zhiyan with a respectful expression.

Some of them also gave Qingming similar looks.

'There are many Han people who admire the Mingzu, but...'

Zheng Yanxin thought. Was this what debauchery looked like? It was a style he had never encountered in the Zheng family.

He slowly stepped forward and spoke.

"I know that the head of the Huang Bao branch family in Pingyin is your first wife. Bring her here."

"You are impolite. Have you never been exposed to Confucian teachings? Did your parents teach you this way?"

The noble man, Zhiyan, replied with a relaxed smile.

"Zhiyan has colluded with the martial families. How can you expect respect for such ungentlemanly behavior?"

Zheng Yanxin's calm response made the woman massaging Zhiyan's arm stand up. She was about thirty.

Her drooping eyes were striking, and she slowly revealed a presence that matched her red robe.

"I am the principal wife of Jinlang. If you are a Shandong martial person, you must have heard of me. I am Huang Bao Meimei, the wielder of the Deep Chui Sword."

Zhiyan's surname is Jin. Lang is a term for husband.

The Mingzu gained prominence with the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

Many women held high positions in the government and various martial sects.

It was said to be completely different from the Yuan Dynasty.

But that didn't matter now.

"As the head of the Pingyin Huang Bao family, I order you to refrain from impolite words and actions. No, it's already too late. What was supposed to end with an arm will now end with your head."

The woman's aura grew stronger, and several warriors from the various pavilions walked out.

There were more than twenty. They seemed to underestimate him with words, but they did not underestimate the palm technique that broke the gate.

It was a branch of a prestigious family.

Five of the warriors from the Pingyin Huang Bao family began to approach.

They appeared suddenly, but their firm auras were evident. They had a sense of refinement, like iron that had been tempered.

Even as a branch family, they seemed to be rooted in one of the eight great families.

Zheng Yanxin did not look at them. He stared at the Deep Chui Sword and slowly spoke.

"Do you know Huang Bao Minglin?"

"What?"

"Your words about arms and heads are the same."

"It seems you have heard of him. He is an outstanding child, worthy of the Dragon Phoenix Assembly. However—"

A red smile formed on the lips of Huang Bao Meimei, the wielder of the Deep Chui Sword. It looked as if she had applied rouge. She continued.

"Did you think I would let you off just because you mentioned a direct relative? That's impossible."

'This is the end of an era. Martial people should focus on cultivation.'

Zheng Yanxin inadvertently recalled the words of the elders of various sects.

Naturally, the image of the Ruxuan City Lord came to mind. She, who had reached the absolute realm, was beautiful without any additional adornment.

For a martial person, high martial arts were what made them beautiful.

He spoke again.

"I have seen the market. It's true that you have privately mobilized the people for labor. You have used your power in the martial world to affect the lives of the people. Isn't that shameful for a martial person?"

During this time, Qingming and Bai Miyue had stepped back.

He said he would broaden the young man's horizons in the martial world.

They had agreed that they would not intervene unless the situation became extremely dangerous, but he couldn't figure out how to repay the kindness of the senior Ma Guangyi.

At that moment, everyone in the courtyard laughed at Zheng Yanxin's words.

Zhiyan and the Deep Chui Sword laughed loudly without covering their mouths.

"Child, you have heard many martial world tales. Power is just power. How can you distinguish between the martial world and the people's lives? How can a person do that?"

The Deep Chui Sword said with a smile. Zhiyan added.

"The martial families are different from the gentry. Enjoying the appropriate luxuries in the place where they have established themselves, how can that be wrong?"

"The Mingzu is defying the laws of the imperial court. Your first wife's head will fly today."

Zheng Yanxin's response only caused more laughter.

This time, even the warriors who were slowly approaching burst into laughter.

"You don't understand elegance. Even those who call themselves knights don't. Look."

Zhiyan lightly clapped his hands.

"Yes, Lord Zhiyan!"

Musicians appeared from all directions and took their places.

They held various instruments, including the qin and yu, and string and wind instruments.

It was a scene like a performance of a traditional opera.

At Zhiyan's gesture, the music began.

At the same time, the warriors of the Huang Bao branch family drew their swords and approached. It seemed they treated even the swordplay of martial people as entertainment.

'Amazing.'

Zheng Yanxin stood still.

He recalled stories he had heard in Ruxuan City, where all kinds of events converged.

They were anecdotes about some high-ranking officials who had experienced many pleasures. It was said that their ultimate form of entertainment was to watch killings.

The scene before him was the same.

He knew immediately that this was not a one-time occurrence.

"A young swordsman who can break the gate of the courtyard. You are quite a talented one."

"Isn't that enough entertainment?"

The Deep Chui Sword, who had returned to her seat, laughed with Zhiyan. They even shared a drink.

'So different.'

Zheng Yanxin recalled when they first entered the village.

The sound of leaves rustling as they greeted the group was simple and pleasant. This place was different. It felt suffocating.

"I can't listen to this."

He muttered to himself.

The melody that began to flow through the courtyard, as Zhiyan said, had elegance.

Even Zheng Yanxin, who knew nothing about music, could feel it. That's why it was even more unpleasant.

Shandong was a vast place. Jinan was said to be the center of Shandong.

There must be many local martial people, and among them, there must be those who called themselves knights.

"Go in peace."

One of them said, raising his drawn sword.

He seemed to feel a bit of guilt, but the distance between him and Zheng Yanxin had already shortened to about ten paces.

"You look familiar. I need to rethink the eight great families. Are they not just a bunch of bandits?"

Zheng Yanxin spoke while gripping the sword technique of the Northern Ming Sword.

There must have been many righteous knights who came to investigate the forced labor of the people and were furious.

They all seemed to have been killed. The music now naturally flowing into his ears, the martial people stepping in rhythm as if to match the melody.

He decided to take the initiative.

Boom! Whoosh!

He planted his slightly raised foot. The wind of the concentric circles blew in all directions.

The internal energy he had cultivated was deeper than before.

He had been constantly practicing the Moon Age Harmony Technique while developing new cultivation methods.

The accumulation of the world-class skill was indeed different. He could already feel some noticeable changes.

With one step, everyone's expressions changed. At the same time, Zheng Yanxin's body leaned