Jianghu Qimen Lu

Chapter 4 The Four Major Families

Just as Zhang Kuang had predicted, Huoshaoyun was indeed not in the Hangzhou prison! According to the prison warden, no one had sent any Huoshaoyun at all! Bai Shandian returned to the General's Mansion with a heavy heart.

Hongchen took off his battle robes and was about to sit down to eat when he saw him come in. He quickly invited him to sit as an honored guest and set up a high-class banquet. He also ordered someone to find Governor Zhang. The three of them ate and chatted, discussing important plans together.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Bai Shandian said worriedly, "The two constables who used to follow me have been missing ever since they escorted Huoshaoyun to prison today. Their fate is unknown. Huoshaoyun seems to have vanished into thin air." Zhang Kuang, his face solemn, said deeply, "I've said it before, the Beggars' Clan is the largest gang in China today, and Huoshaoyun is especially troublesome!"

Hongchen's small eyes narrowed into slits as he chuckled, "Lord Zhang, you seem to know quite a bit about the bandit leader, Huoshaoyun. Tell me about him." Seeing Bai Shandian also peering at him with an inquiring gaze, Zhang Kuang could only reply, "I wouldn't say I know him. Back in the day, I roamed the martial world for a time, unlike you two, born into royalty, destined for wealth and comfort. To make a living, I once worked as a bodyguard at the Qilu Escort Agency in Shandong. Once, while escorting goods to Cangzhou in Hebei, I encountered a band of petty thieves. They tried to steal my silver, and I used my Green Dragon Crescent Blade to deliver it in a single, powerful strike, but accidentally killed their leader, a man called 'Shadowless Blade.' Turns out, this kid is no ordinary person; he's actually a disciple of Wanlipiao, a renowned Bagua Blade master from Cangzhou!"

Although Bai Shandian came from an official family, he had long heard of Wan Li Piao's Bagua Saber. He exclaimed, "There's a saying in the martial arts world: 'Swords reign supreme in the martial arts world, Southern Fist, Northern Leg, and Bagua in the center. Sword energy seals the throat, leg pierces the heart, Bagua's bewitching fist kills with fragrance!' You mean Wan Li Piao, one of the four great families of the martial arts world?" Zhang Kuang nodded and smiled, "Oh, right! The Xiang Quan family, the wife of the Imperial Envoy, is also one of the four great families of the martial arts world—the Xiang family of Jiangnan, Southern Fist! I've heard that your wife is the head of the Southern Fist sect of the Xiang family of Jiangnan, right? It's conceivable that your wife's kung fu is quite formidable!" Bai Shandian smiled slightly and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, let's not talk about her anymore, let's tell the story instead."

"Yes, Wanlipiao is known as the Bewitching Eight Trigrams Blade, but he has never used a blade in his life. It turns out that he practiced the Eight Trigrams Continuous Palm technique diligently from a young age, training hard in the coldest and hottest winters. After more than ten years of unremitting effort, he gradually comprehended the inner method of transforming his palms into sharp blades. His two palms became so powerful that they seemed to whistle and fly up and down, just like a steel blade, breaking trees and cutting through rocks, incredibly sharp and extremely hard!" Zhang Kuang said, his eyes revealing an expression of utter worship. Hongchen said with a somewhat mocking tone, "This time, Lord Zhang is in big trouble. What happened next?"

Zhang Kuang coldly said, "As you wished, soon Wan Li Piao, the Eight Trigrams Blade, found me and stopped the caravan. He turned out to be an extremely short old man from the countryside, somewhat like a dwarf, but his tone was truly infuriating. He demanded that I immediately commit seppuku to atone for my sins, an eye for an eye. I argued righteously and logically, saying that his disciple was at fault first, and that I had made a mistake on impulse. I hoped that this senior martial arts master would be magnanimous and forgive me this time. Unexpectedly, Wan Li Piao attacked without saying a word. Although I was only in my early twenties at the time, and young and fearless, my skills were limited. In less than a few rounds, he knocked my Green Dragon Crescent Blade away with a single palm strike, and then his palm flashed, aiming for my head!" Everyone listened intently, holding their breath, as if a gleaming steel blade was truly coming down on their heads...

Zhang Kuang continued, "At this critical moment, suddenly, with a loud 'smack,' something white struck Wan Li Piao's face like lightning. He felt a burning pain, and his entire right cheek immediately swelled up! He quickly stopped attacking me and jumped aside as if stung by a scorpion. He peeled off the object from his face and saw that it was a note with a limerick written on it: 'Reputation is worth a thousand pieces of gold, why hurt your self-esteem? A wicked disciple is guilty, better to be a good person!' It was signed: 'Respectfully presented by Huoshaoyun of the Beggar Clan.' Wan Li Piao looked around. He was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a vast expanse of green with nowhere to hide. He could only hear the wind blowing silently through the grass and the low chirping of birds in a few trees. There was no one in sight. He was so frightened that his face turned ashen. With a swift movement, he had already leaped several feet away and disappeared into the vast wilderness in a few bounds."

Bai Shandian couldn't help but interject, "A true master! Leaving aside Huoshaoyun's uncanny ability to appear and disappear, his skill in tossing a piece of paper with one hand alone is enough to astound everyone! Just imagine how light a small piece of paper is; even someone with internal energy capable of penetrating the back of the paper couldn't do that easily. Moreover, we don't even know how far he is from Wanlipiao! No wonder that renowned martial arts master, Wanlipiao, was so frightened that he fled in panic!"

Zhang Kuang took a sip of wine, picked up a piece of food, and said, "Since then, Wanli Piao has never bothered me again!" Hongchen laughed, "He's scared out of his wits, how could he dare to go? He probably mistook you for a member of the Beggars' Sect! Heh..." Zhang Kuang glared at him but didn't say anything. Bai Shandian picked up his wine, smiled slightly, and said, "Let's drink this cup together!" "Alright!" The three clinked their cups together and drank it all in one gulp. A maidservant hurriedly picked up a wine pot and filled everyone's cups.

White Lightning said seriously, "It seems this Fiery Cloud is elusive and difficult to deal with!" Zhang Kuang said, "According to our friends in the martial arts world, he's a morally ambiguous character. I don't think he'd resort to underhanded tactics to ambush us!" Red Dust sneered, "That's hard to say. You can know a person's face but not their heart. Besides, the Beggars' Clan has suffered a great humiliation today! When he's heartbroken and insane, what wouldn't he do!"

Bai Shandian felt a pang of fear, immediately remembering his wife and son's tragic deaths. He sighed and said, "We'll be more careful from now on! Oh, by the way, I'd like to bury my wife and son's remains the day after tomorrow. Would you two gentlemen help me with the arrangements?"

Hongchen stood up first and said respectfully, "This is what I should do, it's only right and proper. I will do my best!" Ever since the Green Standard Army saved his life, he had no intention of repaying Zhang Kuang's kindness. Instead, he regarded Bai Shandian as his savior. Because he knew that if it weren't for Bai Shandian's strenuous efforts, Zhang Kuang would not have saved him, absolutely not! Therefore, he had some ideas in his mind, wanting to do his best to cut off Bai Shandian's path to high office and wealth, so as to help him remove Zhang Kuang as a stumbling block and eliminate future troubles!

Similarly, Zhang Kuang felt the same way about him and also wanted to win over Bai Shandian. He humbly said, "Lord Bai, I will start preparing tomorrow! Oh, by the way, Lord Bai, I will also have my subordinates donate some money to rebuild the Bai Mansion for you!" Zhang Kuang's words made Bai Shandian feel excited and warm, and his eyes became a little moist.

Seeing this, Hongchen cursed inwardly, "You arrogant bastard! Taking advantage of your ability to make money throughout Zhejiang province, your pockets have gotten bulging. Now you're trying to outdo me in wealth! I come from a prestigious family, I'm not afraid of you! A trip to the capital alone cost me more borrowed money than your donations!" He then flattered Bai Shandian, saying, "I'll also use my own money to help Lord Bai build his mansion, and try to build an exact replica!"

Bai Shandian said, "I've been busy with official duties these past few days and haven't had a chance to visit my parents-in-law yet. I must go tomorrow!" Hongchen quickly chimed in, "Your father-in-law, the Xiang family, is the most prestigious and renowned family in Jiangnan. After the great tragedy that befell your family, Mr. Bai, Mr. Xiang rushed to our residence immediately to request the return of your wife's and son's ashes. The Xiang family is currently shrouded in sorrow. The mourning hall is already prepared, everything is ready, and we are just waiting for your arrival so we can begin the funeral arrangements for your wife and son!"

Bai Shandian lowered his head in shame and sighed, "My father-in-law is so thoughtful! I've been so eager for revenge these past few days that I completely forgot about the important matter!" Hongchen laughed, "Lord Bai and your wife are such a loving couple. Just for that reason alone, I'll prepare your congratulatory gift for tomorrow!" Seeing his flattery, Zhang Kuang gritted his teeth in anger. Bai Shandian laughed, "Thank you!" Then the three of them parted ways.