Starting from Tianlong, Wudu Tianxia

It is located fifteen li outside the capital city.

At Qujiang Pool, a group of heavily armed men came from the east.

A young man in his early twenties stood in front of the stone tablet at Qujiang Pool and said:

"Qujiang Pool was dredged during the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty. There is a spring there that is popularly known as the Hanwu Spring. Water from the Yellow Canal was also diverted to swell the pool, and it got its name from the meandering flow of the water."

however.

His quotations and allusions did not elicit any response.

Only... the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the reeds.

Awkward……

He frowned and glanced back at the disciples in the manor, only to see that everyone looked somewhat bewildered.

It wasn't that they didn't want to support Sanlang, but they were all rough men, and the Third Young Master's words were unclear.

They couldn't connect with the story at all, and giving a random response would only make them look bad, so it was better to pretend they didn't hear it.

Since Sanlang met the widow of the Wang family last year, he has become a completely different person.

In the words of the eldest son.

We're江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry), not scholars who nitpick over words. Speak like a human being!

"Forget it, talking to you is like casting pearls before swine."

The young man shook his head, then suddenly revealed a deeply affectionate expression.

"Only Miss Li understands."

Everyone felt a chill and silently protested his use of the term "widow girl."

Looking at the words "winding water" carved on the stone tablet, the young man suddenly became interested.

He slightly bent his fingertips, his thumb and forefinger gently pinching as if picking spring petals, his fingertips hovering lightly over the stone tablet.

With a sudden burst of force, like a spring breeze brushing against a window, a soft "hiss" was heard, and stone chips from the monument slid off like fine sand.

When he withdrew his fingers, his fingertips were not stained with any stone powder; he simply dusted off his sleeves.

"Hahaha, Sanlang, what a beautiful finger-picking technique!"

"Upon arriving in Xuzhou, Sanlang will surely spread the fame of Nianhua Villa!"

The young man smiled with satisfaction.

He was using the "Finger-Picking Finger," one of the 72 Shaolin Arts.

The art of "Nianhua" (拈花) originates from the story of Buddha's smile while holding up a flower. It emphasizes the effortless and subtle application of finger strength.

If it weren't for my father's immense contributions to Shaolin and Master Xuandu's approval, I would never have lightly passed it on to his family.

Although the complete version has not been transmitted.

But with just the three styles of First Bloom, Thousand Calyxes, and Withering and Flourishing, his family has made a name for themselves in the martial arts world.

Thinking of this, he was filled with pride and ambition.

"It is said that the capital city is full of outstanding talents, with countless young geniuses."

"Let's see if it's true. We'll fight our way from Jingzhao to Yunnan. I'd like to see if the Duan family's One-Finger Divine Skill is more ferocious or if our Flower-Picking Finger Divine Skill is stronger."

One sentence revealed his true nature as a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry), and the young man immediately stopped laughing.

Damn it, it's more comfortable to speak frankly.

But... Miss Li prefers the style of Confucian scholars.

"Hahaha, Sanlang is right, let's fucking get him!" The burly men on the side all burst into laughter.

They glanced sideways at the stone tablet.

The inscription on it originally read "The water flows meanderingly".

What follows is the young man's latest engraving.

"With a finger, the universe is at hand; at Nianhua Manor."

……

When will the sun shine brightly, so that nothing will obscure the flat plain?

The sky was clear and the distant mountains seemed to have unveiled their true forms.

Cui Poyun and his party from Nianhua Villa arrived at the gate of Jingzhao Prefecture under the warm autumn sun.

"Yu~!"

He reined in his horse and stopped it; the sound of its hooves hitting the ground attracted the attention of many people.

After a moment, the passersby looked away again.

Jingzhao was the political, economic, and cultural center of the northwest of the Song Dynasty, attracting a constant stream of merchants from both the north and south.

A group of martial arts practitioners arriving here is nothing special.

Cui Poyun looked into the distance and saw that the bluestone road stretched out into the distance and seemed to have no end. The signs of the taverns on both sides were decorated with colorful ribbons, and the shouts of the waiters were mixed with the neighing of mules and horses. There were bandits carrying guns and clubs everywhere.

Originally, I thought that this important town in the Northwest was full of solemn military activity, but I never expected that it would be so lively under the sunlight.

"Jingzhao Prefecture is far more bustling and prosperous than Chizhou."

Beside Cui Poyun, a knowledgeable disciple offered an explanation.

"Jingzhao Prefecture is a vital transportation hub between the Central Plains and the Northwest. Both official post stations and trade routes converge here, making it an important hub for the flow of goods from the Northwest to the Central Plains."

Cui Poyun watched a group of soldiers leave from his horse.

During the long-term confrontation between the Northern Song Dynasty and the Western Xia Dynasty, the Jingzhao Prefecture was responsible for the assembly of troops from various northwestern routes, the transportation of provisions, and the transmission of military intelligence.

"It's normal for this place to be prosperous."

"No wonder Ma Wude opened a teahouse here; he probably also took on a lot of the government's tea business."

Cui Poyun had no interest in Ma Wude's business; he didn't even care about his own, let alone Old Ma's tea business. He said arrogantly:

"We'll go find Ma Wude later. Let's go to Wenjian Sect first, then Tianyi Gang. I'd like to experience Qingfeng Sword Technique and Liefeng Fist firsthand."

The disciples who followed immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

The help from Wenjianmen and Tianyi is not much, as long as Sanlang doesn't go to the Beggars' Sect branch to cause trouble.

otherwise……

The Beggars' Sect wouldn't give face to Nianhua Manor.

"Sanchuan, you're familiar with Jingzhao, lead the way!"

Cui Poyun couldn't wait to pull the reins; he was itching to fight.

No matter how much he tries to act like a scholar, he can't shake off the martial spirit that's ingrained in him.

As long as they're not in front of the Wang family widow, they can do whatever makes them comfortable.

He had been invincible among his peers in Chizhou for far too long.

only……

In a moment of exhilaration, he suddenly thought of the boy who had beaten him so badly last year that he was bedridden.

Then, I felt agitated again.

No, he's not from Chizhou.

The title of "the best among my peers in Chizhou" is none of his business, humph!

"Let's go into town!"

A young swordsman from Chizhou, he climbed a building at night to gaze at Mount Taibai.

Cui Poyun may be a bit reckless, but his martial arts talent is truly extraordinary, and his work efficiency is top-notch.

Before dusk, the martial arts world of Jingzhao Prefecture learned of the deeds of the young master of Nianhua Manor, Wenquan Wenjian Sect, and Tianyi Gang.

The storyteller's topics quickly shifted from baseless martial arts gossip to himself: the senior disciple of the Sword-Seeking Sect was locked in a close battle with the Flower-Picking Finger technique, and the deputy leader of the Heavenly Righteous Gang narrowly lost to Cui Poyun.

As soon as the topic came up, the martial arts practitioners in the major restaurants and entertainment venues of the capital city couldn't sit still.

"The leader of the Sword Inquiry Sect will not participate, and the leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Gang will not accept the challenge, leaving the juniors to fight."

The onlookers were unaware of the inside story, but the seasoned veterans had already seen through it all and were all cursing the Wenjian Sect and the Tianyi Gang.

The Sword-Seeking Sect still has some sense of shame; a draw is nothing to complain about. Everyone knows the intricacies of the Heavenly Righteous Gang's narrow defeat.

Ever since Cui Donglai helped Tianyi open up the trade route to Chizhou, the two families have been exchanging glances.

Last year, the young leader of the Tianyi Gang went to Chizhou and attacked all the gangs, big and small, but he "ignored" Nianhua Manor.

At this time, Nianhua Villa was "blind" and pretended not to see him stirring up trouble in Chizhou.

As long as they don't act recklessly, everyone will make way for the younger generation to gain fame, and everyone will simply carry the sedan chair.

"In their eyes, the reputation of the martial arts world of Jingzhao is not even as important as the favor done to Cui Donglai?"

"This is the most ridiculous thing in the world."

Everyone was seething with anger, and when a hot-blooded young swordsman wanted to take the lead and deflate his arrogance, everyone cheered.

Firstly, Cui Poyun's martial arts skills are indeed quite good, and secondly... those who can defeat him will give face to his father and will not actively seek to create enmity.

After several battles, many young swordsmen in Jingzhao Prefecture were defeated by Cui Poyun, which only boosted his prestige.

At dinner time.

Gao Yuan ate his food and drinks, and felt inexplicably relaxed as everyone's conversation finally shifted away from him and Penglai.

Cui Sanshao is very adept at using the "hedge effect" in public opinion studies.

Cui Jiasanlang did him a huge favor as soon as he arrived. What a good guy...

Tears are starting to well up in my eyes!