After a long day of intense training, Wei Tao walked briskly along the dimly lit street under the silver moonlight. The departure of numerous Honorary Disciples from the Martial Arts Hall weighed heavily on his heart. Despite their months of diligent practice, they had failed to meet the strict entry requirements of the prestigious Red Line Fist technique, leaving them with limited options for making a living.
Surviving in this world and finding stable employment was no easy feat. One could either be condemned to a life of destitution at the bottom of society or join a dangerous gang, living on the edge and never knowing when they might vanish without a trace.
Though Wei Tao didn't personally know these departing Honorary Disciples and rarely exchanged words with them, their departures still added immense pressure to his own aspirations. If he couldn't meet the entry requirements, he would never become an Official Disciple. And even if he did manage to become one, failing to improve steadily would relegate him to the role of a mere housekeeper, assisting the thugs.
Time was running out for Wei Tao, with only half a month remaining until the three-month deadline approached. Despite his efforts, he found himself just one step away from meeting the entry standard. It felt like a small hurdle that he could easily overcome, yet it seemed insurmountable, no matter how hard he tried.
The shops lining both sides of the Long Street had long closed for the night, leaving only the illuminated restaurants and casinos bustling with noise in the distance. In the grand scheme of Cangyuan City, the inner city stood as a haven for the affluent and powerful, rarely accessible to ordinary people.
Even in the outer cities, there were distinct class divisions. The areas closer to the inner city thrived with prosperity and safety, akin to an upscale neighborhood inhabited by the middle class. However, as one moved further outward, the surroundings grew dilapidated and chaotic, eventually descending into the impoverished quagmire of the slums.
The Red Line Martial Hall, located near the inner city, became a convergence point for various gangs. Even the night patrols conducted by the officers and troops ensured a relative sense of safety and order in this vicinity, in stark contrast to the outer zones where Wei Tao resided.
Living on the outskirts of the inner city required a certain level of strength or close ties to those within. A seemingly ordinary shopkeeper in a pawnshop could be the clandestine ally of a noble from the inner city. Provoking such individuals would lead to swift and merciless retribution.
During a recent meal at the Martial Arts Hall, Wei Tao overheard a story of the Wuyi Gang's leader being chased down and brutally killed in the mountains for offending a powerful figure near the inner city. The body had yet to be discovered, adding an air of mystery and danger to the already tense atmosphere.
As a cool night breeze brushed against his skin, Wei Tao gathered his thoughts and silently gripped the short blade concealed in his sleeve, his senses sharpening. Moving forward would lead him into the chaotic slums, where hidden dangers lurked under the cover of darkness.
4 / 4
On a dark and gusty night, when rain fell from the cloudy sky with a menacing intent, Wei Tao found himself passing by a dim alley near the raucous casino. In the distance, he faintly heard the chilling sound of blades piercing flesh, accompanied by the faint scent of blood carried on the wind.
Voices echoed through the air, filled with arrogance and menace. They spoke of someone daring enough to interfere with the affairs of the Seventh Uncle and even daring to touch Young Master Huang's money. It seemed that their actions had invoked the wrath of Young Master Huang, and the consequence would be severe.
Wei Tao paid little attention to the commotion and hastened his pace, ignoring the unfolding confrontation. His purpose was to reach the martial arts hall inner courtyard to seek guidance from his senior brother. He had heard of the renowned Seventh Uncle, a figure with many stories surrounding his name, including a famous incident where he single-handedly repelled four divisions of the Hidden Blade Society and fought the deputy knife master to a draw, solidifying his position in the outer city.
As for Young Master Huang, Wei Tao only knew him as the young scion of the Huang Family residing in the inner city. Young Master Huang had a penchant for indulging in the vices of gambling and prostitution within the outer city, and he seemed unaffected by the exorbitant sums of money he spent. Those who sought their livelihood in the outer city existed in a completely different world.
Suddenly, the clash of blades, the clash of swords, and the muffled groans merged together, emanating from the alley behind Wei Tao.
"A brawl has erupted," he thought to himself. "It seems that the thieves who dared to interfere with the money have encountered the enforcers, and the thugs guarding the scene have likely suffered losses, possibly even fatalities."
Realizing the danger of his current location, Wei Tao knew he had to distance himself immediately to avoid becoming embroiled in the conflict. He swiftly ran along the long street, putting some distance between himself and the tumult, before swiftly ducking into a dark alley on the side of the road. Without pausing, he ran towards home with unwavering determination.
Crack!
Accidentally stepping on a dead branch under his foot, Wei Tao abruptly stopped in front of a haphazardly constructed shack. The sporadic sound of heavy breathing and the faint scent of blood lingered in the air, alerting him to the presence of something amiss.
Although he had already crossed the alley and turned a corner, taking the path back to his home, Wei Tao didn't hesitate. He leaped over the dilapidated wall into a rundown yard. Moments later, the sound of footsteps grew louder, approaching from afar. The shack was their destination, closing in swiftly. The occasional whimpering of hounds could be heard in between.
"There is a smell of blood, people should be hiding here."
"Be careful, capture them."
"Young Master Huang has ordered that whoever catches them and brings them back will be rewarded with ten taels of silver!"
Wei Tao remained motionless, his mouth and nose covered, as he hid within a haystack against the wall, attentively listening to the movements outside.
Amidst the sound of drawn blades, a faint chant of silk and bamboo could be heard in the dark night.
Silhouettes dressed in white cloth emerged on both sides of the alley, encircling the thugs associated with the Seventh Uncle.
"The gods and Buddhas are born, and the king of Ming is born."
"The saintess arrives, and golden light radiates."
"Water heals all that is evil."
"The world is one family, and peace prevails."
"Disparity exists everywhere, no one should be left cold."
"Elysium is eternal, and all people rise."
The chanting voice lingered, capturing the breath and enchanting the listener, transcending the bounds of time.
Wei Tao furrowed his brow, struggling to maintain clarity of mind. But deep within his heart, a storm brewed.
The first three verses of the chant were familiar, commonly heard in the current chaotic world as ordinary expressions of reverence and preaching.
However, the last three verses he had just heard were different—undeniable slogans of rebellion.
In prosperous or troubled times, as long as imperial power remained, such sentiments would be violently suppressed if discovered.
And now, the situation had escalated.
From a simple money dispute and fights in the martial world, they had abruptly advanced to secret societies and plots of rebellion.
"Dressed as gods, playing the role of devils!"
"Kill them all! Report back to the Seventh Uncle and Young Master Huang that we've annihilated this blasphemous Red Lantern Society!"
The leader of the thugs growled in a low voice, taking the initiative and charging forward with his blade.
The two sides clashed fiercely, initiating a bloody and brutal battle within an instant.
A figure soared high, crashing into the nearby wall, causing a shower of earth and rubble to rain down, landing amidst the grass stack, creating a chaotic scene.
The intense battle lasted only a few breaths before it concluded. Only the sound of dragging corpses and cleaning up remained. Wei Tao, hidden within the haystack, dared not make a sound or move, even as the fading footsteps signaled the thugs' departure.
After another quarter of an hour, a woman's voice sounded outside the wall. "These people should no longer pose a threat. Thoroughly inspect the surroundings and then we can retreat."
"Lord Xiang, what should we do with these two individuals?" a man inquired.
"Bring them back. We must ascertain whether this gang's appearance tonight is connected to our secret gathering."
"Understood."
Poof!
A figure leaped into the courtyard.
Wei Tao held his breath, tightly gripping his short blade.
Fortunately, the man did not carefully inspect the grass pile, hidden beneath the mound of earth and rubble, nor did he suspect that a living person was concealed within.
After some time had passed, Wei Tao cautiously emerged from the haystack, surveying his surroundings before swiftly disappearing into the dark night.