Chapter 345: The Prince of Wu Estate (2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yellow Springs Town…
In the old wine shop, the lady boss, who was still charming, was tidying up the tables and chairs. From time to time, saber users passed by in twos and threes on the street outside the door, heading toward the ferries going to Cloud Dream Swamp and chatting about the Jianghu of the four seas along the way.
“I heard that the Prince of Wu was captured…”
“The situation in Wu Province has changed significantly. In the past, there was already no one to speak for the province. Now that Guan Yujia is dead, and a few of the wealthy forces have fallen, they will probably be ranked last among the twelve provinces in the future…”
“This is a good thing. Now that Wu Province is leaderless, if we go there to develop…”
“Forget it. You might not even be able to enter the top three in Yellow Springs Town, yet you’re even thinking about fighting for hegemony in Wu Province…”
“You’re looking down on me. I’ve practiced the saber for ten years. I don’t dare to say that I can compare to the Three Heroes of Cloud Lake, but Yellow Springs Town only has a population of eight hundred. If 1 can’t rank in the top three here, all my saber practice will be in vain…”
Under the eaves of the wine shop, Xuanyuan Tiangang was sitting on the steps. There was a large basin in front of him, and he was scaling fish with a small knife.
Qiu Tianhe was sitting beside Xuanyuan Tiangang and helping him skillfully cut open the stomach of the fish. Hearing the young people chatting, he smiled and said, “This kid’s skeleton is not bad. In Yellow Springs Town, it shouldn’t be a problem for him to rank in the top three.”
Xuanyuan Tiangang lowered his head and said calmly, “Old Ke from the wonton stall in front had an argument with Liu Qiansheng decades ago and injured his left shoulder… The old lady from the cloth shop at the entrance of the town used to be nicknamed ‘Red Embroidered Saber’ in Jianghu. When she was young, she was quite famous…”
Qiu Tianhe looked up at the old man cooking wontons with a cigarette in his mouth in the distance and then at the small town. He frowned and said, “There are so many seniors living in seclusion here?”
“Going out of the dock is Cloud Dream Swamp. When the saber users of Jianghu make their debut full of ambition, their first stop is usually here. After ups and downs, they end their big dream of Jianghu. If those who are still alive in the end don’t return to their hometown, they will naturally live in seclusion at the place where the dream began. This is called beginning and end. Do you think the name ‘Yellow Springs Town’ was casually given?”
Qiu Tianhe nodded thoughtfully and asked after some thought, “Then, what can I rank in the town?”
“In terms of martial arts skills, it’s not a problem to enter the top three. In terms of seniority in Jianghu, you can just call anyone older than you uncle and aunt. Perhaps they’ll be in a good mood and give you some pointers on the saber.”
Qiu Tianhe wasn’t convinced by these words. “In the capital, 1 was beaten to the ground by Cao Qiansui with twelve consecutive strikes. I can beat everyone below the Eight Chiefs. 1 also have some status in Jianghu. Why do you make me sound like a wild kid who has just entered Jianghu?”
“You’re still roaming Jianghu, but you’re still a fool who hasn’t seen through the mortal world. When you see through it one day and feel that practicing the saber isn’t as interesting as flirting with women, you can seriously consider yourself an elder. When your mental state is good, your martial arts understanding will naturally improve to a higher level.”
“I’ve always felt that it’s more interesting to flirt with women than practice the saber. Do you know that Sister Meng who used to chase after me and slash me? She used to be the flower of the Six Gates, but now she calls me Tianhe. We’re very close…”
“Oh?”
The lady boss of the wine shop saw that their conversation was getting more and more ridiculous. Perhaps she was afraid that the frivolous Qiu Tianhe would lead her husband astray, so she coughed lightly in reminder. “Ahem! Ahem!”
When Qiu Tianhe heard this, his smiling expression disappeared. He sat up straight and regained his mature and serious look. He looked at the lake in the distance. “Sigh… This is indeed a good place to retire. If 1 can win this time at Jun Mountain Terrace, I will fulfill my dream of Jianghu. If 1 can’t, I’m afraid 1 won’t have another turn to fight for the title of Saber Chief. After the battle, I will come here to live in seclusion and see if 1 can take in a good disciple…”
Xuanyuan Tiangang stopped scraping the fish scales and reminded, “Generally, people who say that they will retire after fighting won’t come back alive.”
Qiu Tianhe threw the fish down in his hands and wiped his hands. He stood up and hung his saber at his waist. “Can’t you say something auspicious?”
“I can’t say that I wish you victory and kill my father on the stage. If you want auspicious words, you should find someone else.”
Qiu Tianhe opened his mouth, but he felt that this made sense. After cupping his hands and bidding farewell, he led his horse alone toward the dock. Not long after, he stopped the young people who had just passed. “Brothers, are you going to Jun Mountain Terrace too?”
“Yes. You are…”
“Let’s go watch the show together. This brother’s skeleton is not bad. His saber skills must be extraordinary. May 1 know which senior you learned from?”
“Senior, you flatter me. I’m just casually practicing my family’s saber technique. Senior, you also use a saber?”
“I just practice casually. What do you think Qiu Tianhe’s chances of winning against Old Man Xuanyuan are?”
“Chances of winning? What chances of winning? Aren’t we all betting on how
many strikes Hero Qiu can withstand…”
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