He let out a satisfied sigh and handed a clean pair of chopsticks to Yang Tiansheng, "Come and try, it’s rare to find beef."
Yang Tiansheng scoffed dismissively as he took the chopsticks, "Look at you acting like you’ve never seen the world. It’s just beef. Whenever this young master wants it, I just make a face and there’s a bull dying in the field!"
Yang Ge rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Do you hear yourself talking such vicious words? It’s illegal to kill cows, you know!"
Yang Tiansheng, chewing on the beef, mumbled his response, "You’re the official, not me..."
Before he could finish, his eyes lit up and he pushed Yang Ge aside, grabbed the plate, and ran outside.
Yang Ge erupted, "You scoundrel, didn’t you say you wouldn’t eat?"
Yang Tiansheng was even angrier, "You bastard, why didn’t you reveal this skill earlier, making me eat swill all this time!"
Yang Ge retorted, "Didn’t you just criticize my cooking? If you’re so tough, don’t eat then!"
Yang Tiansheng replied, "Didn’t you also say that nothing should be in the way of our eating!"
Yang Ge said, "Son, be good, don’t fuss, come over and let’s eat together. If it’s not enough, Daddy will fry more..."
Yang Tiansheng scoffed, "Nay, you rogue, this is too much... This portion is mine; if you want some, cook your own!"
Yang Ge, furious, flipped him the middle finger as he watched his retreating figure.
Soon after, Yang Ge emerged from the kitchen with a sea bowl as big as his face.
Seeing this, Yang Tiansheng excitedly waved his chopsticks and came over.
Yang Ge glanced at him, then spat into the sea bowl.
Yang Tiansheng erupted, "Unfilial!"
Yang Ge snapped back, "Rebound!"
Yang Tiansheng, undeterred, took his chopsticks and went into the kitchen. Shortly after, he came out beaming, holding a sea bowl as big as Yang Ge’s.
The two pulled up stools and sat outside the kitchen, heartily enjoying their meal.
"What was that rumor you mentioned earlier?"
Yang Ge, wolfing down his food, asked as he ate.
Yang Tiansheng, cheeks bulging with food, mumbled, "When eating, don’t talk; when sleeping, don’t speak."
Yang Ge said in surprise, "You folks from Jianghuai abide by that too?"
Yang Tiansheng, "It’s my family’s rule."
Yang Ge clicked his tongue strangely, "Ah, the big families… I’ve still got things to do later, spit it out if you have something to say!"
Yang Tiansheng, stretching his neck to swallow the food in his mouth, said, "The word in Jianghuai is that you officials are eliminating dissenters and framing us Jianghuai people."
Yang Ge thought for a moment, "You mean the Changfeng Gang?"
Yang Tiansheng nodded.
Yang Ge laughed sarcastically, "What kind of dealings does the Changfeng Gang have, don’t those of you who mix in Jianghu have any idea?"
Yang Tiansheng curled his lips, "Some know, some don’t, and others pretend to be confused while being fully aware..."
Yang Ge scooped up a big mouthful of rice and nodded thoughtfully, "That’s true... If we don’t occupy the moral high ground, the enemy will."
Yang Tiansheng mumbled, "To resolve this matter isn’t difficult, we just need to reveal your identity as Zhang Mazi, and the rumors will naturally collapse."
Yang Ge slowly furrowed his brows, "That matter, unless absolutely necessary, it’s better not to mention..."
Zhang Mazi’s persona had become inextricably linked to that fire at Lu Ting.
If he now came out and exposed himself, wouldn’t that be openly slapping the face of the court and the Emperor?
Of course, if it really came to a dead end...
Then he would just blow his cover!
His life was nearly gone, did he still care about anyone’s damn face?
This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.
"Then that’s troublesome!"
Yang Tiansheng answered, "We who mix in Jianghu naturally keep our distance from the authorities. Your statement, if released, will confuse those not familiar with the situation in Yangzhou, making it all the more mysteriously incomprehensible. I fear not many good folk would be willing to step into these muddy waters."
Yang Ge, "What about the bad guys? Do you know which scoundrels have come to Yangzhou?"
Yang Tiansheng thought for a moment and replied, "It’s said... the mark of Lou Wai Lou was spotted around the Jianghuai area."
Yang Ge, "Lou Wai Lou? What are they up to?"
Yang Tiansheng answered concisely, "The most secretive assassin society in Jianghu, the initiators of the triennial martial arts rankings. A bunch of ruthless characters who recognize money but not faces... Rumored to be remnants left over from the former Imperial City Division, in a way, they’re colleagues of yours."
"The martial arts rankings?"
Yang Ge put down his rice bowl and pondered, "Is it the one with the ’Four Elders, Seven Heroes, and Twelve Braves’ rankings?"
Yang Tiansheng nodded, "Yes, but apart from the Heroic Rankings, there are also the Fish-Dragon Rankings, Divine Weapon Rankings, and Hundred Flowers Rankings."
"If I remember correctly, the changing of old and new rankings is due by the end of this year. With your age and martial arts skills, you are sure to make it into the top ten of the Fish-Dragon Rankings, and if luck is on your side, you might even have a shot at the Heroic Rankings."
"Of course, if I have good luck, I might also make an appearance in the Fish-Dragon Rankings, though I have no hope for the Heroic Rankings just yet, maybe I’ll have to wait for another six years."
Yang Ge exclaimed in surprise, "You martial folk play it this fancy?"
Yang Tiansheng glanced at him disdainfully, "You find it odd? The martial arts rankings originated from the former dynasty’s golden and silver literary examinations. In those times, when the country was strong and martial arts thrived, practitioners took pride in being listed on both those exam rankings. After the former dynasty fell, it was renamed to the Heroic Rankings and Fish-Dragon Rankings to avoid the taboo of the court, and the Divine Weapon Rankings and Hundred Flowers Rankings were additionally introduced!"
Talking about these old matters from Jianghu, he recited them like a family treasure.
"Pretty rigorous!"
Yang Ge teased with a smile, and then asked, "What do you mean by ’if luck is good’?"
Yang Tiansheng, "If you happen to have made great progress in martial arts, and also happen to come upon a spot vacated by a senior on the old list, squeezing into the Heroic Rankings, wouldn’t that just mean good fortune?"