Shooting the Eagle: Starting from Iron Palm Peak

When Zhao Tieshan went up the mountain, he brought back news that Lin Qi had been waiting for.

"Boss, the Northern Hubei faction has made a move."

Lin Qi was practicing his palm techniques in the courtyard. After finishing, he took the towel Mu Nianci handed him, wiped his hands, and gestured for Zhao Tieshan to sit down and talk.

Zhao Tieshan sat down on the stone bench, picked up the tea Mu Nianci had poured, took a sip, wiped his mouth, and lowered his voice: "Lu Ziyue sent his junior brother Liu Zhenshan to the Jin Kingdom. He brought three large carts of things, saying they were medicine and silk, but my men saw weapons in the carts."

Lin Qi didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

Lin Qi already knew about the Northern Hubei School that Zhao Tieshan mentioned. This was the largest vassal force of the Iron Palm Clan in the south. Its founder, Lü Chengzong, was a fierce general in the anti-Jin rebel army in the north. After the rebel army was defeated, he led the remnants south and established the school in Luoxia Mountain, Ezhou. Lü Chengzong and Qiu Qianren had a close personal relationship, and their families had been allied for more than 30 years. The Northern Hubei School was able to gain a foothold in Hubei and Hunan entirely because of the support of the Iron Palm Clan; the Northern Hubei School also contributed significantly to the expansion of the Iron Palm Clan's influence in the northern Hubei region.

After Lü Chengzong's death, the position of sect leader was passed on to his son, Lü Ziyue. Lü Ziyue's martial arts skills were not as good as his father's, but he was adept at social maneuvering and managed the Ebei Sect to a great extent. He had more than two hundred disciples and was quite influential in the Ezhou and Xiangyang areas.

But this man had a flaw—greed. Greed for fame, greed for profit, greed for money. The more benefits the Jin Dynasty offered, the more he aligned himself with them. While Qiu Qianren was alive, although he didn't openly ally with the Jin Dynasty, he tacitly approved the dealings between the Northern Hubei faction and the Jin. Many of the Iron Palm Clan's businesses operated through the Jin Dynasty, with the Northern Hubei faction, as the local power brokers, taking the lion's share.

After Lin Qi took over as leader, he strictly forbade the Iron Palm Clan from associating with the Jin people, and Qian Sihai of the Foreign Affairs Department immediately severed all ties with Jin merchants. This decisive move directly hit the Hubei Northern Faction's financial backers. Lu Ziyue didn't say anything, but he was already dissatisfied. He sent someone to Iron Palm Peak to test the waters, and Lin Qi clearly told him that the Iron Palm Clan would no longer associate with the Jin people. Lu Ziyue didn't retaliate outwardly, but after returning, he secretly tightened his ties with the Jin.

"Chief, not only does Lü Ziyue associate with the Jin people himself, but he also uses the Iron Palm Clan's name to do things for them." Zhao Tieshan put down his teacup and lowered his voice even further. "A batch of medicinal herbs that the Foreign Affairs Department transported back from Xiangyang was robbed in Ezhou. The thieves were masked, but Qian Sihai's men recognized the swordsmanship—it was the 'Broken Door Saber' of the Northern Hubei School."

Lin Qi picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and slowly took a sip. He put down the teacup and asked, "Have the people sent from the Jin Kingdom found out anything?"

Zhao Tieshan nodded: "It's been found out. His surname is Tang, and his name is Tang Zude. He is an advisor under Wanyan Honglie. He used to run errands for Wanyan Honglie when he was in Zhongdu and had dealings with the Iron Palm Gang. This time, he is staying at the Tongfu Inn in Ezhou City. Lü Ziyue's men have been bringing him food every day for several days."

Lin Qi neither got angry nor made a decision immediately. He told Zhao Tieshan to go back first and continue keeping an eye on things, without alerting the enemy.

After Zhao Tieshan left, Mu Nianci came out of the house and sat down next to Lin Qi. Seeing that Lin Qi remained silent, she softly asked, "Is this Northern Hubei faction very troublesome?"

Lin Qi shook his head: "It's not troublesome. But we need to choose a good time."

"At what time?"

"Let him jump a little higher." Lin Qi looked at the moss on the courtyard wall. "If we go now to teach him a lesson, he'll still have a way out. If we wait until he's gone too far, then I'll take action. He'll have nothing to say, and no one else will be able to find fault with him."

Mu Nianci didn't ask any more questions. She poured Lin Qi another cup of tea, then got up and went to water the flowers in the corner of the yard. The gardenias were in full bloom, their white petals layered upon each other, their fragrance filling the yard.

Three days later, Zhao Tieshan came again. This time he didn't announce himself, but went straight into the side courtyard, his face even more unpleasant than before.

"Chief, Lü Ziyue brought that Jin Dynasty advisor surnamed Tang from Tongfu Inn to the Ebei Sect Mountain. He even prepared a guest room for him in his own courtyard." Zhao Tieshan paused, "This shows they don't take the Iron Palm Clan seriously."

Lin Qi stood up, dusted off his robes, and said, "Prepare the horses."

Zhao Tieshan was taken aback: "Chief, you're going to Ezhou? How many men are you taking?"

"Alone." Lin Qi took out a short knife from the house and tucked it into his waistband, then glanced back at Mu Nianci.

Mu Nianci was watering the flowers, holding a watering can in her hand. She met Lin Qi's gaze, but didn't say "be careful" or "come back soon," she just nodded slightly.

Lin Qi strode out of the side courtyard. Zhao Tieshan followed behind, wanting to persuade him further, but seeing Lin Qi's retreating figure, he swallowed his words and quickly went to fetch the horse.

Ezhou is located northeast of Iron Palm Peak, a day's journey by fast horse. Lin Qi rode alone, setting off at dawn and arriving at the city of Ezhou by evening. He did not enter the city but rode directly to Luoxia Mountain.

Luoxia Mountain is not high, but its terrain is precipitous, with only one mountain path leading to the headquarters of the Ebei Sect at the summit. Two disciples stood at the mountain gate, holding knives in their hands. Seeing someone riding up, they were about to question him when Lin Qi dismounted and strode up to them.

"Lin Qi, the leader of the Iron Palm Clan, is here to see Sect Leader Lü."

The two disciples' expressions changed drastically. The Iron Palm Clan was the top sect of the Northern Hubei School, and they dared not neglect their leader's presence. One rushed in to report, while the other respectfully ushered Lin Qi inside.

Lin Qi followed the disciple through the training ground and up a long stone staircase. Weapon racks lined both sides of the staircase, displaying a full array of swords, spears, and halberds. A dozen or so disciples were practicing their swordsmanship in the training ground; upon seeing Lin Qi pass by, they all stopped and began whispering among themselves.

At the entrance of the council hall, Lü Ziyue had already come out to greet them. He was burly, with a ruddy complexion, wearing a dark blue brocade robe and a belt inlaid with jade pieces around his waist. He didn't look like a江湖人 (jianghu person, someone who travels the martial arts world) but rather like a wealthy merchant. Behind him were seven or eight people, all leaders of the Ebei faction. His junior brother, Liu Zhenshan, stood at the front, his face gloomy and his gaze unfriendly.

"Chief Lin, your presence is an honor. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner." Lu Ziyue greeted him with a smile and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

Lin Qi did not return the greeting. He stood at the entrance of the council hall, his gaze sweeping from Lü Ziyue's face to the faces of the people behind him, looking at them one by one. Some of those he looked at lowered their heads, some turned their faces away, only Liu Zhenshan stiffened his neck and stared at him.

"Sect Leader Lü, I've come today to ask you a few questions in person." Lin Qi's voice wasn't loud, but everyone present could hear it clearly.

Lu Ziyue's smile remained unchanged: "Please speak, Chief."

"First, a batch of medicinal herbs that the Foreign Affairs Department transported back from Xiangyang was robbed in Ezhou. The perpetrators used the swordsmanship of the Northern Hubei School."

Lu Ziyue's expression changed slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Chief, this is a misunderstanding. I've heard about that batch of medicinal herbs; it was definitely the work of bandits. The similar swordsmanship doesn't necessarily mean—"

Lin Qi raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Secondly, your junior brother Liu Zhenshan went to the Jin Kingdom three times within half a month. Each time he went, he brought back several cartloads of goods. When he returned, the carts were loaded with silver and silk from the Jin Kingdom."

Lu Ziyue's smile froze. The people behind him began to exchange uneasy glances.

"Third," Lin Qi's voice was still not loud, but every word was clear, "Tang Zude, an advisor under Wanyan Honglie of the Jin Kingdom, is now living on your Ebei Sect Mountain. Right in your own courtyard, Master Lü."

The entrance to the council chamber was so quiet you could hear pine needles falling. Lü Ziyue's face flushed red and then paled, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Liu Zhenshan couldn't hold back any longer. He took a step forward, pointed at Lin Qi, and shouted, "Lin, don't push your luck! Our sect leader only has a few business dealings with the Jin people; we haven't done anything shameful. Your Iron Palm Clan is a bunch of big shots, but who are you to tell us who we, the Northern Hubei Sect, do business with?"

Lin Qi glanced at him. Pressed by his gaze, Liu Zhenshan couldn't finish his sentence. His mouth hung open, like a fish being pulled from the water.

Lu Ziyue took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Chief, Junior Brother Liu has a bad temper and his words are sometimes unpleasant to hear, please don't take it to heart." He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, "Regarding the Jin Kingdom, I do have some business dealings. But these existed when Chief Qiu was still around, it wasn't something I, Lu Ziyue, did on my own initiative. The old chief didn't say it was forbidden back then—"

"Chief Qiu has already passed the leadership to me," Lin Qi interrupted him. "I set the rules for the Iron Palm Clan. The rule I set is that the Iron Palm Clan and all forces associated with it are forbidden from having any further dealings with the Jurchens. Have you heard of this rule?"

Lu Ziyue gritted his teeth and nodded: "I've heard about it."

"I heard about it, and you still did it."

Lu Ziyue's face darkened completely. He stopped smiling.

"Chief Lin, you're so young, and you've only been in charge for a few months, yet you've already ruined the Iron Palm Clan's decades-long legacy. The business in the Jin Kingdom isn't just being done by the Northern Hubei faction; the Iron Palm Clan itself has been doing it for over a decade. Now you're just saying you're quitting? Have you even thought about what the brothers under your command will eat?"

Lin Qi looked into his eyes and said, word by word, "The disciples of the Iron Palm Clan do not rely on the gold for food."

Lu Ziyue's face was ashen. The people behind him began to whisper among themselves; some cursed under their breath, while others put their hands on the hilts of their knives. Liu Zhenshan was even more furious, his chest heaving like a bellows.

Lin Qi ignored those people. He looked at Lü Ziyue, extended his right palm, palm up, and spoke in a calm tone as if he were saying that the weather was nice today.

"Sect Leader Lü, you're talking about money in front of the Iron Palm Clan, which shows you don't respect them. I'm not here to discuss this with you, but to inform you. Hand over the Jin people and return the medicinal herbs you stole. From today onwards, the Ebei Sect will sever all ties with the Jin. Then this matter will be considered closed."

Lu Ziyue stared at Lin Qi's palm, the veins on his forehead throbbing. He remained silent for a long time, until the disciples behind him began to shift their feet uneasily. Liu Zhenshan tried to speak several times, but Lu Ziyue stopped him each time with a gesture.

"What if I don't pay?" Lu Ziyue finally spoke, his voice low but each word laced with ruthlessness.

Lynch did not answer. He withdrew his right palm, turned around, and walked to the open space at the entrance of the council hall. The ground was paved with smooth, polished bluestone slabs, with moss growing in the cracks. He squatted down and gently placed his right palm on one of the bluestone slabs.

No sound.

There was no palm wind.

There was no movement.

Lin Qi stood up, clapped his hands, and turned to walk down the mountain. He walked a dozen steps, out of the open space in front of the council hall, and as he reached the stone steps, a muffled thud suddenly came from behind him.

The bluestone slab he had pressed down on split open in the middle, the cracks spreading outwards like a spider web, and then the entire slab shattered into dozens of pieces, the fragments scattered all over the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

The dust at the entrance to the council chamber slowly settled. Lü Ziyue stood in the dust, his face deathly pale. The faces of those behind him also paled. Liu Zhenshan's mouth hung open, unable to utter a single word.

Lin Qi didn't turn around, nor did he stop. His voice came from the mountain path, not loud, but clearly heard by everyone present.

"I'll come to pick him up in three days."

As dusk deepened over Luoxia Mountain, Lin Qi rode his horse slowly down the mountain path. A mountain breeze blew from behind, carrying the scent of pine needles and earth. He didn't turn around; he knew he didn't need to.

Three days later, Lü Ziyue personally escorted Tang Zude to Iron Palm Peak. He didn't go into the side courtyard; he handed Tang over to Zhao Tieshan and then turned and left. The batch of medicinal herbs was also returned untouched. Zhao Tieshan checked them and found nothing missing.

The news spread, and within just over ten days, everyone in the Iron Palm Clan knew about Lin Qi's feat of single-handedly confronting the Northern Hubei Sect and suppressing Lü Ziyue with a single palm strike.

The Foreign Affairs Department's undercover agents embellished the story and spread it throughout the martial arts world, resulting in various versions of the tale. Some said that Lin Qi smashed the bluestone slab of Luoxia Mountain into dust with a single palm strike; others said that he injured Lü Ziyue without even touching him, and still others said that he didn't even strike with his palm, but merely glanced at the stone slab, and it cracked.

Opinions vary, but one thing is universally acknowledged: the new leader of the Iron Palm Clan is no less skilled in martial arts than Qiu Qianren was back then.

First Qiu Qianren annihilated Hengshan, now Lin Qi governs northern Hubei. The Iron Palm Clan's reputation has not declined under Lin Qi's leadership; on the contrary, it has grown even stronger.

Zhou Mingyuan smiled, a rare sight indeed, in the council hall. Qian Sihai handed Lin Qi the list of New Year's gifts newly sent by the Ebei faction, saying with a smile, "The leader is wise." Mei Ruolan didn't say anything, but her gaze towards Lin Qi already held a hint of awe.

Zhao Tieshan drank heavily at Jinghu Altar, and in his drunken state, he said to his men, "I told you all, the gang leader isn't an ordinary person. You didn't believe me. Now you do, right?"

Mu Nianci was still planting flowers in the side courtyard. The gardenias were in full bloom, their white petals layered upon each other, their fragrance filling the entire courtyard. Lin Qi could smell them every day while practicing his martial arts; sometimes he would stop practicing and stand by the flowers, lost in thought for a while.

He didn't know how long the rumors in the martial arts world would last, nor did he know whether the Northern Hubei faction would harbor any disloyal intentions again.