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"Isn’t that stating the obvious? When has Master Li ever not been ’a notch above the rest’? Has he ever claimed with certainty that he would win against someone?"
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"Erlang has always been amiable to others, hasn’t he? He even gave us a fist salute earlier. If it were any other hero, who would spare us a second glance?"
"Erlang and Master Li are still different. After all, Master Li is an outsider of the martial world who, despite his fame, has never tainted his treasured sword with blood, whereas Erlang..."
"What the hell are you trying to say? You only see Erlang killing people, but ignore the kind of people he kills, right? If one doesn’t learn martial arts to help the weak and uphold justice, how is that any different from being an official?"
"Are you an official?"
"I am not."
"Then can officials be good people?"
"How many good people can become officials?"
"Despicable (in unison)!"
"We’ve strayed off topic... What I’m saying is, how exactly do you think Erlang and the others practice their martial arts? I always thought I was quite diligent, so why do I still remain at the level of the Qi Sea after all this practice?"
"Heh, not only has Erlang mastered martial arts to an unparalleled level, but he has also done so many deeds that benefit the country and the people... Thinking about it, doesn’t it make you want to draw your sword and slit your own throat?"
"Is this the world of a genius?"
"Incomparable, incomparable..."
"Look, is there a chance that it’s precisely because Erlang has done so many deeds that benefit the country and the people that he has been able to train his martial arts to such a level?"
"Now that’s an interesting thought!"
"My mentor once said, ’To cultivate martial arts, one must first cultivate character. A person should stand upright between heaven and earth, with a clear conscience, then martial arts can be practiced openly and without hindrance to the heart. Consider the great deeds Erlang has done. We’re both at the level of the Qi Sea, yet we’re still scrabbling for bits of silver, while Erlang has been fighting for the lives of people in several provinces. First, he went to Jiangnan to slay corrupt officials, then he went to Jiangnan again to resist Japanese pirates and maintain coastal peace... Every single deed, facing difficulties head-on, isn’t each one an act of standing upright between heaven and earth? Even for us, if we had such aspirations and spirit, wouldn’t our martial arts not be far behind?"
"Well spoken, what’s your honorable surname? Which sect do you hail from?"
"I am Zhuo Ying of the Vast Righteousness Alliance, a disciple of ’Mountain-Chasing Whip’ Cheng Dingjiang."
"Ah, you’re the disciple of Alliance Leader Cheng, truly a case of a great master teaching a great student!"
"You flatter me."
"Since fate has brought us together again today, why not head into the city for a hearty drink at a tavern, what do you say?"
"Say we’re going, and we’re off!"
"I’ll join, I’ll join..."
The crowd formed groups, bustling towards Qiantang County.
Xiang Wudi, who was far away instructing his attendants to call for a stonemason to survey and repair the river embankment, glanced back at the dispersing spectators and muttered thoughtfully, "To cultivate martial arts, first cultivate character..."
At this moment, he felt a profound connection to this seemingly novel yet time-worn adage.
The way Yang Erlang surpassed him was neither in technique nor in power.
It was in emotion, courage, and vision...
Particularly with that last cut from Yang Erlang, he vividly saw certain scenes from the Battle of Nansha Bay.
As someone who also experienced the Battle of Nansha Bay, Yang Erlang managed to comprehend such an important and magnificent cut.
While he was still privately jubilant over the renown of the Five Heroes of Zhoushan...
Suddenly, he understood many things and sighed sincerely, "That fellow, he really has a sensitive yet resilient heart!"
...
"Cheers!"
Three jars of wine clinked together, spilling their sparkling contents.
The three brothers slumped haphazardly under the boat’s canopy, chugging down wine with big gulps.
"To this battle!"
Yang Tiansheng, exuding the smell of alcohol, laughed heartily, "Your Lianhuan Fort can now rest easy!"
Li Jincheng lifted his wine vessel to Yang Ge, tilting back his head for another deep swig... He indeed didn’t say the word ’thank you’.
Yang Ge also lifted his wine jug for a drink, then said with a breath smelling of alcohol, "This only resolves Lianhuan Fort’s immediate troubles. If you really want long-term peace, you’ll have to work hard yourselves."
Li Jincheng pondered for a moment, then nodded decisively, "After returning to the fort, I will immediately enter seclusion to break through to the True Essence realm. If I can’t cultivate the True Qi, I won’t leave seclusion!"
Yang Ge furrowed his brows, "Your father’s condition... is there truly no hope for recovery?"
Li Jincheng sighed deeply, his hands supporting his forehead as he spoke lowly, "I won’t hide it from you guys, my father said his path ahead is cut off, and he has also injured himself. Even if he stops fighting, at most he has only four to five years of life left..."
Yang Tiansheng sighed as well, patting Li Jincheng’s shoulder while sharing a drink with him.
Yang Ge, looking at the two of them, sighed and slowly said, "Merely reaching True Essence... won’t be enough to protect such a large enterprise as Lianhuan Fort!"
Li Jincheng wiped the wine from his lips and forced a smile, "We can only take it one step at a time... It’s my own fault for being short-sighted, merely thinking of indulging myself under my father’s protection, and never considering what would happen to Lianhuan Fort and the Li Family if one day this big tree fell."
As he spoke, his eyes grew noticeably dimmer.
Yang Ge was silent for a moment, then tapped his wine vessel against Li Jincheng’s, saying softly, "Speak if you have any concerns."
Li Jincheng waved his hand, "You’ve already helped Lianhuan Fort enough, it wouldn’t be right to keep troubling you. And such a large place as Lianhuan Fort can’t always rely on you. If I truly can’t keep this enterprise, then let it disperse. Forcing it to continue would only be a burden!"
Yang Tiansheng slapped his shoulder again with his usual nonchalance, "Don’t be so disheartened. If you really can’t find a way, come to the Ming Sect. I’ll smooth things out, and we’ll make Lianhuan Fort an independent branch under our Sect’s management. You’ll still manage things, and other than a share of the aquatic profits that you’ll have to submit to the main hall, it won’t be much different from your current situation."
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