On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
In Hangzhou, the Jujing Gang is unveiling its signboard to welcome guests, with celebrants like clouds.
Former Right Protector of Lianhuan Fort, the "Eight-Armed King Kong" Dong Ping, was donning a festive golden red robe today, with a ruddy glow on his face as he moved between the tables in the courtyard, exchanging greetings with all sorts of heroes from the martial world.
This man had a horse-like face, over seven feet tall, with muscles coiled like cast iron, and especially noteworthy were his long arms that extended past his knees, making him look like a silver-backed gorilla as he walked!
At the height of the banquet, the rhythmic and exaggerated calls of the doorkeeper suddenly emerged from outside.
"Right Protector Yang Yinghao from the Ming Sect, accompanied by the eldest son Yang Tiansheng, respectfully congratulates the Jujing Gang on its auspicious establishment!"
The lively banquet quieted at once, as all the celebrants simultaneously turned their heads towards the entrance.
The ruddy-faced Dong Ping frowned but the very next second, his face was piled with smiles as he stepped quickly forward to welcome them.
They saw a troop of Ming Sect disciples, dressed in brown uniforms, carrying in several large red-flowered iron chests.
In the rear, Yang Yinghao and Yang Tiansheng, father and son clad in gold and silver uniforms and without any encumbrances, stepped through the Jujing Gang’s main gate one after the other.
From a distance, Dong Ping laughed heartily and cupped his fist in greeting, "Brother Yang graces us with his presence, adding splendor to our humble Jujing Gang!"
Yang Yinghao also smiled and returned the gesture, "Brother Dong is too kind. As we all drink from the same river, how could I not be part of such a grand occasion!"
After the exchange of courtesies, Dong Ping turned to Yang Tiansheng with a smile, "Is this your young master? Indeed, a hero emerges in his youth!"
Yang Tiansheng managed a perfunctory smile and bowed with clasped hands, "The junior, Yang Tiansheng, wishes Gang Leader Dong prosperity and great success in his endeavors!"
Dong Ping returned the gesture with a laugh, "Hahaha, you flatter me, Young Master Yang. Our generation of martial brethren is getting old; I simply seek a peaceful retirement. The martial world will look to your generation!"
Yang Tiansheng replied, "Gang Leader Dong speaks too modestly. Though you may be advanced in years, you still have the heart of the young. I fear I must rely on Gang Leader Dong to take care of us in the Jiangzhe region in the future!"
Dong Ping squinted his eyes, laughing once more, "Young Master Yang is so eloquent... Please, take your seats of honor. The wine and dishes are simple; I hope you won’t look down upon them."
Yang Yinghao smiled and replied to Dong, "Brother Dong is too humble. I’ve heard that you have invited the master chefs from the eight best restaurants in Hangzhou today."
Dong Ping dismissed it with, "It’s nothing, nothing at all!"
As the group entered the courtyard for the banquet, a large group of people suddenly stood up and cleared a significant space as if avoiding the plague.
Dong Ping pretended not to notice and cheerfully led the Yang Family father and son to a table, directing the servers to the untouched dishes, "Come, hurry and remove these leftovers and bring out my treasured abalone..."
The Yang Family duo was accustomed to this, and Yang Tiansheng even waved his hand with a wicked grin at the other guests who wanted to look but dared not.
Yang Yinghao smiled and gestured respectfully toward Dong Ping, "Brother Dong, you have many distinguished guests to attend to today. Please, go about your duties; there’s no need to wait upon us, father and son."
Dong Ping returned the gesture with a smile, "Then forgive me for any lack of attention, any lack of attention!"
Having said so, the two of them exchanged perfunctory bows, and Dong Ping turned and left quickly to attend to other guests.
After they’d left, Yang Tiansheng gestured for his followers to sit down, and then he turned his head to whisper to his old father, "Dad, something’s not right. It’s already this late, and Li hasn’t shown up yet!"
With a smile on his face, Yang Yinghao nodded to those onlookers from the martial world who were secretly sizing up him and his son, murmuring quietly, "Stay calm, just enjoy the show!"
Yang Tiansheng curled his lip, thinking to himself, ’Says the one who only knows how to enjoy a good spectacle...and I learned it all from you...’
As if Yang Yinghao knew exactly what his foolish son was mumbling in his mind, he glanced sideways at him and said in a low voice, "Don’t make me slap you in front of everyone!"
"Pfft!"
Yang Tiansheng retracted his head and wrapped his arms around himself, glancing boredly at the unknown faces present, "Boring... Ah, I wonder what Yang Ge is up to, his place must be much more lively than here!"
Yang Yinghao scolded, "What is he doing? He’s taking care of serious business!"
Shortly afterward, the Jujing Gang’s men came in with trays of steaming dishes filled with large portions of meat and fish.
Just as Yang Tiansheng was about to pick up some food with his chopsticks, he heard the announcer outside exclaim, "Master Liu Changfeng of Yunmeng Villa, accompanied by young master Liu Wuji, sends his congratulations on the Jujing Gang’s prosperous founding!"
"’Startling Goose Sword’ Liu Changfeng?"
Immediately, a playful smile spread across Yang Tiansheng’s face, "Isn’t this guy always at odds with Lianhuan Fort? Well, well, enemies flocking together, if this isn’t a sign of treachery, then I’ll write my surname ’Yang’ backwards!"
"Things are finally getting interesting!"
Yang Yinghao squinted his eyes thoughtfully for a moment and interestedly put down his chopsticks, "Now that’s more like it!"
Hearing this, Yang Tiansheng immediately leaned in, "Putting those two together, do they stand a chance?"
"Whether they have a chance, your father doesn’t know."
Yang Yinghao smiled leisurely, "But what your father does know... is that this is a trap!"
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Yang Tiansheng made an "Mmm" sound, quickly scooted his chair closer to his dad, "Dad, do tell."
Yang Yinghao looked towards the door, whispering, "To my knowledge, Yunmeng Villa has been secretly involved with Ninghai for some years now..."
"Ninghai?"
Yang Tiansheng was taken aback and blurted out, "Prince Ning?"
Then he questioned further, "Isn’t Prince Ning involved in overseas smuggling? What’s he got to do with the canal? Oh... The Canal Transportation?"
Yang Yinghao: "That’s what your father would like to know."
Yang Tiansheng scratched his temple, "This guy is pushing it this far; a rebellion can’t be far off, can it?"
After a long moment of contemplation, Yang Yinghao shook his head slightly, "The waters are too muddy in the court; even your father can’t see through them."