Having studied for a hundred years, why do you call me the Martial Saint?

"The martial world isn't just about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships and social interactions," Old Feng said slowly.

Gu Shuxian frowned:

"We can't just let this go on, can we? If we let them fight and kill on our sect's territory and we don't even dare to utter a sound, wouldn't that be a disgrace to our Suishan Sword Sect?"

"Oh?" Old Feng raised his eyelids, glanced at him, and said, "So what do you think should be done?"

Gu Shuxian was waiting for these words.

Most of the people he knew were from the outer sect or the miscellaneous service quarters, and they had no say in important sect matters.

This Elder Feng is very likely from the inner sect. If he knows some people in the inner sect, he can pass on some of his ideas to them.

In the past few months, I have often talked with Elder Feng about things like sect expansion and system reform, so it's not surprising that I brought this up.

Gu Shuxian replied without hesitation:

"It's better to guide than to block."

"These江湖 (jianghu) figures have grudges? They want a fight? Then let them fight, let them fight to their hearts' content!"

"I suggest we set up a few platforms outside the main gate or somewhere else, with the Suishan Sword Sect as the host, and establish the rules!"

"Want to spar? Sure, come to the ring."

"Want a death match? Sure, sign a waiver, step into the ring, and your fate is in the hands of destiny."

"Anyone who doesn't participate in the ring will be considered to be fighting privately and will be driven down the mountain, regardless of which sect or faction they belong to!"

Gu Shuxian pressed his advantage, saying:

"Elder Feng, do you have anyone in the inner sect who can speak on this matter and see if this method will work?"

"Look, this way, these martial arts practitioners have a place to fight if they want to, and a place to watch if they want to watch. We can also take this opportunity to showcase the strength and grandeur of our sect!"

Of course, the most important thing is to keep these hotheads from running around the mountain and adding unnecessary workload to their chores!

After listening, Feng Lao remained silent for a moment.

"That's a good suggestion."

He spoke slowly, closing the booklet in his hand:

"I do have some connections within the inner sect. I'll mention it another day and see if anyone will listen."

Gu Shuxian cupped his hands and said, "Then thank you very much, Elder Feng."

He said that, but in his heart he sighed.

It was a last resort for me.

Feng Lao was able to be relegated to this remote place with a sinecure, just like Huang Ziyi. He must be a marginal figure. I wonder if his connections are any good.

Well, seven parts depend on hard work, and the remaining three parts depend on fate.

……

three days later.

As Gu Shuxian carried his load past the outer training ground, he actually noticed a change.

The once empty training ground now has three arenas.

The arena was surrounded by people, including their own disciples, disciples from other sects, and wandering martial artists.

On the stage, two men were fighting, exchanging punches and kicks with great force.

Beside the arena stood a wooden sign with several large characters written on it in a flamboyant style:

"We make friends through martial arts; we bear the consequences of our actions; those who engage in private fights will be expelled!"

They've actually set it up for a fight?!

Gu Shuxian was extremely surprised.

Sure, Mr. Feng!

They actually have influence within the sect!

But this efficiency is too fast, isn't it?

He requested it three days ago, and the arena is already set up today?

This is the entire sect's protocol for entertaining guests. It shouldn't be discussed in a meeting, and then everyone disagrees. Nobody wants to take the blame. Is it going to be something like saying that the ancestral laws cannot be changed, and then everyone just happily dawdle along?

This unscientific!

This doesn't align with his understanding of the efficiency of large organizations!

Who is Old Feng? Why does his word carry so much weight?

Of course, it's also possible that I'm being cynical and judging others by my own standards. After all, they're a reputable sect, and who knows, maybe the higher-ups are all selfless, noble, and dedicated heroes.

However, regardless of whether they were selfless or not, this tournament system did indeed produce immediate results.

Now, almost all the martial arts practitioners who used to roam the mountains are now gathered around the arena.

"Damn it, a few days ago I broke a table at a dry restaurant, and the people from Suishan chased me halfway up the mountain. I almost got chased down the mountain," a burly man with a thick beard said sullenly.

"It's so much more spacious here; we can fight however we want!"

His companion scoffed, "You're just a restless person; you have to smash something to feel better."

"Bullshit! Didn't you hear that guy surnamed Liu speak like a human being? How could I tolerate that?"

"Alright, alright, if you want to fight, go fight on stage, stop making a fuss here." Another martial arts practitioner waved his hand impatiently. "Since Suishan has drawn up the rules, we have to follow them, lest people say we don't know manners."

"Indeed, we should follow their rules."

"It should have been done a long time ago! Those bullies who use numbers to pick fights and resort to underhanded tactics are incredibly annoying. With this arena, grudges can be settled openly, so that victory is honorable and defeat is accepted!"

Aside from the martial arts enthusiasts who wanted to fight, quite a few stalls were set up, selling tea, liniments, and more...

"Place your bets! The next match is Hu Zhaoheng of the Cangwu Sect versus Cheng Yuzhao of the Iron Sword Sect. Place your bets now!"

There are even gambling operations running here!

Gu Shuxian listened to these idle gossips without stopping.

Does this indirectly promote economic development?

Gu Shuxian smiled.

Forget it, never mind.

As long as these idiots don't run around and add to their workload, it's fine.

He left with light steps.

……

Five more days passed.

Inside room number 9, Jia.

Qian Le sat on his bunk, muttering to himself:

"...That apothecary owner is as black-hearted as a rock! He only offered three qian of silver per jin for the five-leaf clover we dug up earlier! Bah! He could have made at least five times that price selling it to those wandering swordsmen!"

"These past few days I've met a few independent traders, one of whom specializes in medicinal herbs. He's incredibly generous; he asked for one tael and two mace for those five-leaf clover!"

"There's also a sect from the south that specializes in collecting poisonous herbs; they'll take as many as you have..."

Qian Le talked non-stop; his ability to be charming and tactful was truly remarkable. In just a short time, he had become a familiar face to almost everyone.

Gu Shuxian sat to the side, looking at a miscellaneous book, and casually responded.

These days, the number of troubles caused by people from the martial arts world has decreased significantly, greatly reducing the workload of these menial workers. Finally, after completing their own duties, they still have plenty of time to do other things.

Gu Shuxian was finally able to calm down and read.

However, after listening to Qian Le's adventures these past few days, he wondered if he should make friends with the various martial arts figures. They must have rich experiences and might have unique recommendations regarding the extraordinary book.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.

Zheng Da rushed in, his face flushed and his expression excited:

"Hurry to the outer training grounds! A fight has broken out! A fight has broken out!"

Qian Le rolled his eyes: "Don't those江湖人 (jianghu people) fight every day? What's so strange about that?"

"This time it's different!" Zheng Da gasped for breath. "It's an outside sect, spouting nonsense, saying they'll use their swordsmanship to defeat all the younger generation of our Suishan Sword Sect!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room erupted in commotion.

"Is that so?!"

"Which fool dares to challenge our Suishan Sword Sect's swordsmanship?"

"Let's go! Let's go take a look!"

The crowd was excited and hurried out. Although they were menial workers, they had great respect for the sect's swordsmanship!

They are from the Suishan Sword Sect!

Their names all contain the character for "sword"!

An outsider provoking the sect's swordsmanship? This is a slap in the face to the entire sect!

Can you bear it?

Swordsmanship...

Gu Shuxian slowly closed the book and stood up.

Anyway, I can read books on the way, so I might as well go and take a look.