Chapter 19: Leading Trouble Eastward

Later that evening, Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan, as representatives of the Mount Hua Sect, naturally became the stars of the banquet arranged by the Lin family.

As they were about to depart, Wang Jingyuan noticed Lin Zhennan wearing a broad smile, his words and gestures full of closeness and flattery. Wang Jingyuan smiled faintly and leaned toward Lin Zhennan’s ear: "Have you been to the old residence on Xiangyang Alley?"

Lin Zhennan’s smile faltered momentarily, but Wang Jingyuan continued, "If I were you, I’d copy the entire sword manual, make several copies, and then burn the original. Oh, and remember—not to copy the opening line."

Lin Zhennan immediately called over Lin Pingzhi: "Pingzhi, you lead your senior brothers and sisters to the restaurant first. Your father has some matters to attend to but will join shortly. You should get closer with your brothers."

Though Lin Pingzhi did not know what urgent matters his father had, he had always been taught to be respectful and obedient. So, he saluted his father and politely led Wang Jingyuan and Yue Lingshan forward.

Wang Jingyuan stepped a few paces ahead and draped an arm over Lin Pingzhi’s shoulder. "Young Lin, have you ever studied?"

Lin Pingzhi answered honestly, "Our family once hired a tutor who taught me the Hundred Family Surnames and the Thousand Character Classic."

"Did you continue studying afterward?"

"No. Since I have no interest in the imperial examinations, I stopped after learning to recognize characters."

Wang Jingyuan grinned widely. "What a pity. Maybe Mount Hua can make up for the regrets of your childhood."

Lin Pingzhi was puzzled—he loved martial arts, not books. What regrets? But as the newly accepted junior disciple, he dared not contradict his senior brother and merely nodded.

They had not gone far before arriving at the location. The Fuwei Escort Agency was situated in a bustling area of Fuzhou City. A few dozen steps to the right from the exit stood the city’s largest restaurant.

Wang Jingyuan briefly wondered how, according to the original story, the Fuwei Escort Agency could have been wiped out. Even sitting on the restaurant’s second floor, drinking tea, one might witness a live broadcast of the agency’s massacre.

If entertained enough, one could even throw silver coins to reward the on-site "fighters."

Because Lin Zhennan had extensive social connections, the restaurant could not accommodate all the guests. So the banquet was arranged outdoors along the street, extending all the way to the gates of the Fuwei Escort Agency.

Under the vermilion eaves of the restaurant hung countless lanterns, illuminating the cobblestone street as bright as daylight. In front of the Fuwei Escort Agency’s golden nanmu wood plaque hung dozens of banquet tables lined up along the street. The rich aroma of fine Liqueur Spring wine mingled with the scent of various delicacies, intoxicating the entire street.

Those with status and background naturally drank inside, while those without had to dine under the open sky. If Wang Jingyuan had a choice, he would have preferred the outdoor seats, as the sunset over Fuzhou City was quite splendid.

But strength did not permit such a luxury—what a pity.

Still, Wang Jingyuan hadn’t forgotten the true purpose of this meal. He stopped at the restaurant’s entrance, not rushing inside. Gathering his inner energy, he loudly announced, "Everyone, pay attention! Everyone, pay attention! I have an announcement."

Passersby turned toward the voice and saw a handsome young man. Lin Pingzhi, the young master of the Fuwei Escort Agency, stood cautiously beside him.

Those with sharper wits quickly understood. They had heard that disciples from the Mount Hua Sect were coming to the Fuwei Escort Agency to receive a disciple on behalf of their master. This man was likely a senior disciple of Mount Hua.

Now, seeing Wang Jingyuan calling everyone, all stood respectfully. After all, one must respect the envoy of the noble swordsman, Master Yue.

Seeing he had captured everyone’s attention, Wang Jingyuan continued, "A few days ago, the chief escort of the Fuwei Escort Agency, Lin, presented his family’s ‘Evil-Repelling Sword Technique’ as a token of goodwill to Mount Hua. My master, deeply moved by his sincerity, specially ordered my senior sister and me to come here to accept a disciple on his behalf.

"Heroes and gentlemen, if your family possesses any renowned martial arts, our Mount Hua Sect warmly welcomes capable disciples to come and learn."

Yue Lingshan turned swiftly, looking at Wang Jingyuan in disbelief. She knew this was yet another unilateral decision by him, but the situation had already been set in motion. If she spoke up now, things could only get worse.

Though she did not know Wang Jingyuan’s true identity, she guessed that her father would not let him off easily after this. Perhaps she should advise him to flee as soon as they returned to Mount Hua.

Lin Pingzhi was somewhat dazed. So that was the reason. At first, he wondered why the Mount Hua Sect had come all the way to Fuzhou City to accept him as a disciple.

He hadn’t expected it was because his father had exchanged their family’s martial arts for it. At this moment, Lin Pingzhi felt as if his family had sold everything to secure his future. Brother, our family is rich now.jpg

For the other onlookers, Wang Jingyuan’s words stunned everyone. They had wondered why the distant Mount Hua Sect would suddenly come here to accept a disciple. Now, they understood the hidden reason.

Yet soon, many frowned slightly. Mount Hua Sect was a prestigious orthodox school. Was it not somewhat shameless to accept disciples in this manner?

Wang Jingyuan paid no mind to their thoughts. He dragged Lin Pingzhi inside the restaurant and boldly led Lin Pingzhi and Yue Lingshan to the main seats on the second floor.

As previously mentioned, the restaurant was very close to the Fuwei Escort Agency. Lin Zhennan, arriving late, naturally knew what had happened and felt numb all over.

Along the way, he endured the meaningful glances of the guests and forced a smile. Upon entering the restaurant, he saw Wang Jingyuan beckoning him over. With no choice, he braced himself and took his seat.

What should have been a joyful banquet turned dull and tasteless due to Wang Jingyuan’s disruption. Neither host nor guests enjoyed their food properly. They merely went through the motions of toasting and exchanging polite words, their minds elsewhere.

Some wondered what intentions Wang Jingyuan had to boldly reveal this matter in public. Others pondered whether their own family’s martial arts were famed enough to be worthy of joining Mount Hua.

The banquet, which should have lasted all night, ended abruptly and poorly. Once back at the Fuwei Escort Agency, Lin Zhennan urgently invited Wang Jingyuan to the study for a private conversation.

In the study, Lin Zhennan dismissed his attendants and remained silent, quietly watching Wang Jingyuan. Understanding his thoughts, Wang Jingyuan spoke directly: "I told you, I’m here to save you. Those coming after you are all after the ‘Evil-Repelling Sword Manual.’ What I did was to redirect their attention to Mount Hua.

"As for the ‘Evil-Repelling Sword Technique,’ you can gift it to Mount Hua afterward or not. You know well what it truly is—Mount Hua has something better.

"To be honest, we accepted Lin Pingzhi because we have plans. We are interested in the mature team of your Fuwei Escort Agency."

"Mature? Team?" Lin Zhennan looked confused.

Wang Jingyuan pulled a book from his bosom and handed it to Lin Zhennan. He took it and murmured, "A business proposal for financing between Mount Hua Sect and Fuwei Escort Agency?"

Then he flipped open the cover: "Today, Mount Hua Sect wields its sword to establish prestige, while Fuwei Escort Agency conducts commerce with trust. Together, their combined sword energy will pierce the skies, and the escort banners will stabilize the nine provinces. This alliance aims to open twelve land and water escort routes from the Qinling Mountains to Quanzhou, reshaping the logistics order of the martial world..."