In early August, the rankings for the heroes of Jianghu were updated.
"Manifest Sage" Yang Erlang, under the moniker "Han Xiong," topped the List of Braves. With the poise of a nearly peerless Grandmaster, he surpassed "Qin Xiong" Li Qing, who had been known across the world for over a decade, becoming the first among the warriors of the land beneath the Four Elders, the leading figure in the martial world since Emperor Taizu’s reign, acclaimed and unmatched in fame!
Compared to the beginning of the year when Yang Erlang first joined the List of Braves under the honorific "Saber Expert," this time the detailed annotations of Lou Wai Lou for Yang Erlang were even more meticulous. Not only had they neatly laid out a detailed timeline of significant events under various aliases such as "Zhang Mazi," "Ding Xiu," "Zhang Muzhi," and others, but also put down in black on white their speculations about Yang Erlang’s unique innate constitution.
Even the paramount battle on the Huai’an Bian River was not left vague by Lou Wai Lou; they not only explained in detail why the court wanted to issue a warrant for Yang Erlang, why Yang Erlang decided to ruthlessly attack the Eastern Factory, but also clearly annotated the identity, background, and martial arts level of the Five Elders of the Imperial Horse Supervisor, Tong Ying.
As one at the True Essence Peak, unleashing a forty-meter saber Qi to sever a once peerless Grandmaster under the heavens, Yang Erlang’s ascension to the top of the List of Braves silenced all heroes, winning both their admiration and their submission!
Yet the debate over whether Yang Erlang was stronger than Li Qing was ceaseless among the warriors of Shenzhou, even igniting mutual hostility between the northern and southern martial arts worlds...
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It’s worth mentioning that Yang Erlang and Li Qing were completely different individuals, both reaching the pinnacle within their respective realms and possessing great personal charm.
Yang Erlang’s strength was the kind that demanded attention, brilliant from the moment he first made his mark under the name "Zhang Mazi," up to the climactic battle on the Huai’an Bian River, always exuding the indomitableness of ’I am stronger than you,’ and ’You dare to tempt fate, I dare to send you to your death,’ showing an unyielding and fearless heroic spirit.
Li Qing’s strength, on the other hand, was subtle and understated. As he traveled the Jianghu, he treated everyone, strong or weak, good or evil, with courtesy and won people over with virtue. No matter whom he sparred or exchanged blows with, he would win by a slim margin, just a move or a half. Back when he had not yet topped the heroes’ rankings, there was even a jest in the Jianghu saying that even if a three-year-old child brandished a wooden stick to spar with Li Qing, he would only narrowly win by a move and a half... It’s even more inconceivable that in over twenty years since entering the martial world, not a single person has died under his sword.
If one were to do a character sketch of the two men in the Jianghu...
Then Yang Erlang would be likened to the invincible conqueror Xiang Yu of Western Chu.
And Li Qing would be compared to the Sword Immortal Li Bai, who, with a whisper, could manifest half of the great Tang Dynasty.
The two had distinctly different images, so naturally, they attracted completely different followers.
Yang Erlang’s supporters thought Li Qing was wasting time, accomplishing nothing.
Li Qing’s supporters felt that Yang Erlang was too arrogant, too bloodthirsty.
Because one wielded a sword, the other a saber, one mainly active in the north, the other in the south, one a senior who had topped the List of Braves for over a decade, the other a newcomer rising from behind...
When the dispute arose, the two, who had never even met each other and had no previous grudges, suddenly became natural enemies.
Their supporters’ arguments escalated from a matter-of-fact debate to a full-blown mudslinging match between the northern and southern regions.
"If your ’Quanzhen Sword Immortal’ is so amazing, having topped the List of Braves for so many years, why hasn’t he defeated a peerless Grandmaster?"
"Our ’Quanzhen Sword Immortal’ has just not fought a peerless Grandmaster, how do you know for sure he can’t defeat one?"
"If your ’Manifest Sage’ is so mighty, why doesn’t he dare to take a trip around the northern martial arts world? We in the northern martial arts community warmly welcome him to come and plant his flag!"
"If our ’Manifest Sage’ really went to plant his flag in the north, would you dare to utter a word in his presence? Are your necks harder than those of the Ning King and the peerless Grandmasters?"
"Don’t talk big, if you’re a real man, come to our northern martial arts world and try your luck!"
"Who are you trying to scare? If you’re so tough, why don’t you come to our southern martial arts world?"
"Son of a bitch!"
"Screw you..."
The dispute grew fiercer, and although the two individuals involved had not uttered a word, the veteran warriors from the northern and southern martial arts worlds were on the verge of rolling up their sleeves to settle the matter.
It seemed as if the two had to have a fight to resolve this dispute.
Moreover, with Yang Erlang’s ascension to the rankings, the disclosure of key information such as the "Imperial Horse Supervisor" and the "fall of the Five Elders Tong Ying" by Lou Wai Lou all seemed insignificant...
But was it truly insignificant?
...
"What exactly do these sneaky bastards want to do!"
Wei Heng slammed his hand on the table, his spit flying as he angrily shouted at Shen Fa, who was drinking tea across from him, "What the hell is the Embroidered Guard doing? Just watching these bastards stir trouble?"
Shen Fa, holding his teacup, turned his back to dodge the spittle and said helplessly, "Please remember you’re the head of the Western Factory. Can’t you speak properly? Don’t behave like some old hag getting easily startled."
"Speak properly?"
Wei Heng slammed his palm on the table again, this time unintentionally shaking the delicately carved purple sandalwood table, leaving it covered with fine cracks: "So it wasn’t the Embroidered Guard who suffered disgrace before His Majesty, huh? Well, I’m not afraid to tell you, if the Western Factory is thwarted, the Embroidered Guard won’t have an easy time either!"
Shen Fa looked at the cluster of cracks on his own table, expressionlessly pointed at it and said, "This is the pan-dragon purple sandalwood table bestowed by Emperor Taizu when the Embroidered Guard first established its offices... Five thousand taels as a silencing fee, or else I will immediately report to His Majesty, accusing you of disrespecting Emperor Taizu and damaging the imperial gift, a capital offense!"