Chapter 31: The Bone-Scraping Blade

Wang Jingyuan and Lin Pingzhi were chatting idly on the second floor of the Return of the Wild Geese Restaurant, the largest eatery in Hengyang City. Wang Jingyuan was there to stake out a target, while Lin Pingzhi, still suffering from bullying by his fellow disciples, could only tag along with Wang, the only person he considered a familiar face.

As for why he avoided Yue Lingshan, it was because he noticed that the more he interacted with her, the more alienated he became from the others, especially his Sixth Senior Brother, Lu Dayou.

Although it was a restaurant, they also served tea. Wang Jingyuan had experimented before and discovered that excessive drinking only added a "Drunken" debuff, which provided no positive benefits beyond blurring his vision and hindering his sense of balance. Thus, he had sworn off alcohol and drank only tea, even in a restaurant. As for Lin Pingzhi, being from Fujian, he was a tea enthusiast by nature.

The first floor was a gathering place for the martial arts community, but the second floor was much quieter, occupied mostly by members of prominent, righteous sects. It seemed that the vast majority of low-level martial artists, lacking steady income and living hand-to-mouth, could not afford the second floor. Wang Jingyuan had realized that the world of the pugilists was much like the society of his past life: the bottom tier were hot-headed youths, the middle were thugs, and the top tier had already become benevolent-looking figures who had long since "washed their hands" of their dark pasts.

Wang Jingyuan was waiting for his Senior Brother, Linghu Chong. Knowing Linghu Chong’s character, he wouldn't go to meet their master upon arriving in Hengyang; he would surely come here to drink first. If the original plot held, Linghu Chong would definitely pass through this restaurant.

He didn’t have to wait long. Within the time it took to finish a pot of tea, a lecherous-looking man arrived on the second floor, holding a young nun hostage. Wang Jingyuan ignored the man, focusing instead on the nun. She was delicate and refined, with a beauty that seemed to illuminate the room. Only sixteen or seventeen, she had a graceful figure that even the loose, plain robes could not conceal.

It was Tian Boguang and Yilin. Since they were here, could Linghu Chong be far behind?

Wang Jingyuan couldn't help but marvel, "Tsk tsk tsk, delicate limbs bearing heavy fruit. In a word: exquisite!"

The man heard this and his eyes lit up, as if meeting a kindred spirit. He walked over and said, "Little brother, you have a keen eye."

Wang Jingyuan ignored him completely. The man frowned, "Did you not hear me speaking to you?"

Wang Jingyuan replied flatly, "Don't talk to me. Our sect rules forbid associating with those of evil paths."

Tian Boguang realized his identity had been exposed and placed a hand on his sword hilt. "Then, young hero, do you intend to act for heaven and enforce justice?"

Wang Jingyuan spread his hands and pressed down on Lin Pingzhi, who was about to stand up. "My martial arts are mediocre. I can handle a mountain bandit, but fighting you would be suicide."

This answer caught Tian Boguang off guard. He asked, "Then what will you do?"

Wang Jingyuan picked up his teacup. "Starting a fight I can't win is the act of an idiot. I'll just keep drinking my tea."

Tian Boguang, despite being a rapist and rogue, despised cowardice. He dragged Yilin to another table, stopped paying attention to Wang Jingyuan, and ordered food and wine for himself.

Just as Tian Boguang's order arrived, a pale, blood-stained man appeared on the second floor—it was the man Wang Jingyuan had been waiting for: Linghu Chong.

Linghu Chong spotted Tian Boguang and Yilin immediately, then noticed Wang Jingyuan. Wang waved at him, "Oi, Senior Brother, sneaking out for a drink again?"

Linghu Chong was surprised to see him but prioritized saving the nun. He nodded to Wang, walked to Tian Boguang’s table, sat down, and poured himself a bowl of wine, draining it in one go. Tian Boguang found this amusing and began to chat with him.

During their conversation, Linghu Chong mentioned Tian Boguang’s name. A disciple from the Mount Tai Sect nearby jumped up, drew his sword, and lunged at Tian Boguang, shouting, "So you are Tian Boguang?"

Tian Boguang replied, "And what if I am?"

The youth retorted, "Then I must kill you, you lecherous thief! The martial arts world wants your head, and you dare to speak so boldly here—are you tired of living?"

Tian Boguang flicked his wrist, unleashing a flash of his blade. There was a sound of clashing metal. The Mount Tai disciple felt a tightness at his throat, as if someone were dragging him back by his collar.

Tian Boguang’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Wang Jingyuan, who was pulling the disciple away. "This young hero has impressive skills; you don't look like someone with 'mediocre' martial arts."

Wang Jingyuan sheathed his sword. "I can only use that move three times, and there's a cooldown. It’s my ultimate move, and it barely managed to parry your basic attack. If I actually fought you, I’d be dead for sure."

As Tian Boguang began to mock him, another man rushed in—Daoist Tiansong of the Mount Tai Sect. Seeing his nephew nearly killed, he attacked Tian Boguang with a flurry of strikes. Tian Boguang remained seated, parrying every blow with his blade.

Wang Jingyuan didn't seize the chance to sneak attack. Instead, he patted the Mount Tai disciple on the shoulder and pointed at Daoist Tiansong, who was being toyed with by Tian Boguang. "See that?"

The disciple, still dazed, muttered, "Yes."

"If I hadn't saved you just now, would you be dead?"

"Yes."

"What's your name?"

"Chi Baicheng."

Wang Jingyuan pulled out a small notebook and scribbled in it with a charcoal pencil, "Chi Baicheng of the Mount Tai Sect, owes me one life-saving favor."

"Huh?" Chi Baicheng finally regained his senses.

Wang Jingyuan looked at him. "What? Thinking of welching on it?"

Chi Baicheng shook his head. "No. Wait here, I must go help my senior uncle!"

He moved to rush forward, but Wang Jingyuan stopped him and shoved a bottle of medicine into his hand. "Specialized golden sore medicine. Remember to use it on your uncle later."

Chi Baicheng was confused. "What?"

Soon, Daoist Tiansong was defeated, a gash on his chest. Only because of his deep internal energy and Yilin’s intercession did he survive. Linghu Chong, who had helped Tiansong, saw his own wounds reopen from forcing the 'Three Peaks of Mount Tai' technique. Yet, Tiansong remained ungrateful, cursing Linghu Chong for colluding with a lecherous thief. Even Wang Jingyuan was hated by Tiansong for his earlier refusal to fight, and Tiansong refused the medicine.

"Worthy of being Mount Tai disciples? One is a coward, the other a lecherous wretch, I... Ah!" While Tiansong was injured and immobile, Wang Jingyuan quickly sprinkled the medicine onto his wound.

"Daoist, I suggest you say less. You're already looking pale. If you keep going, I might not be able to stop myself from killing you. I’ve put a lot of work into the Huashan storyline, and I really don't want to abandon it."

Tiansong was trembling with rage. "You! You!"

Even Chi Baicheng glared at Wang Jingyuan, but remembering his debt, he said nothing and helped Tiansong away.

Wang Jingyuan sat down at Linghu Chong and Tian Boguang’s table. Linghu Chong was proposing a "sitting duel." Wang Jingyuan interrupted, "The wine is finished. Whatever you want to do, wait a moment; I'll get more."

Lin Pingzhi, seeing Wang enter the fray, stood up, gritted his teeth, and walked over.

Wang Jingyuan stopped him. "A table only seats four. There's no room for you. Go to the Qunyu Brothel next door, book a private room, and order a table of food and wine, including some vegetarian dishes."

Lin Pingzhi glanced at Tian Boguang and started to leave, but Wang called him back. "Little Lin, do exactly as I say. No discounts, no extra actions. If I can't get a meal when I go there later, I'll kick your butt with my boots."

Lin Pingzhi ignored Linghu Chong’s signaling and nodded firmly, heading downstairs. Tian Boguang was curious about Wang’s orders; he’d seen many martial artists, but never one like this. However, remembering Wang's earlier performance, he felt disdain and only refrained from attacking because Wang was Linghu Chong's junior brother. He scoffed, "Kid, you aren't worthy of drinking with me."

Wang ignored him and shouted to the waiter in the corner, "Waiter, bring a jar of your best wine!"

Linghu Chong, who had been signaling Wang to go get reinforcements, forgot to signal and swallowed hard. "Junior Brother, do you know how expensive the wine in this restaurant is?"

Wang Jingyuan pulled a stack of banknotes from his pocket. "Master told me not to mistreat myself."

Linghu Chong was stunned; he doubted Yue Buqun had ever given him that much money in his entire life. Even Tian Boguang couldn't help but stare. "Kid, you're quite wealthy, aren't you?"

Wang handed a note to the waiter and fanned the rest in the air. "This stuff is often more useful than a sword."

Tian Boguang laughed scornfully. "In the pugilistic world, martial arts are what matter most."

Wang said nothing, placed the wine jar on the table, and broke the seal. A rich aroma wafted out. Linghu Chong reached for a bowl, but Wang stopped him, pulling out a packet of powder and dumping it into the wine. The aroma instantly took on a medicinal scent.

Linghu Chong panicked. "Junior Brother, what are you doing? You've ruined the wine!"

Wang Jingyuan glared at him. "What do you know? This 'tonic' is worth far more than this jar of wine."

Tian Boguang’s eyes widened as he sniffed the air. "Cistanche, Cynomorium, Epimedium, Dodder seed, Deer antler, Deer penis... and a few others I can't identify."

Wang Jingyuan raised an eyebrow. "Oh, an expert."

Tian Boguang stood his ground. "I just recognize them, I don't use them often. But you're a clever kid. Fine, I'll let you drink with us."

Wang Jingyuan said, "Wait, I heard you want to gamble. Since we have this jar, let's change the rules."

"How?" Tian Boguang frowned.

"Whoever drinks half this jar will get drunk. Since my Senior Brother is a heavy drinker but has already had plenty, this is fair. We take turns setting a challenge. If someone can't do it, they drink a bowl. Whoever stays sober at the end gets the nun."

Tian Boguang chuckled evilly. "I saw your eyes glued to the little nun earlier. You won't admit you're one of us?"

Wang Jingyuan rolled his eyes. If there weren't "harmony filters" in place, the things he could do would far exceed Tian Boguang’s limited imagination. He didn't answer, simply saying, "If I win, neither of you loses. If my Senior Brother loses, he gets wine. If you lose, you get my precious medicine."

"And if you lose?" Tian Boguang asked.

"I wouldn't bet if I thought I could lose," Wang replied.

Tian Boguang laughed. "You're a funny guy. Fine, I’ll bet. Who goes first?"

Wang raised his hand. "I’m the weakest, I’ll go first."

Wang looked at a pork knuckle on the table. He grabbed the bone, gave it a sharp tap, and the meat fell away, leaving only the bone in his hand. He placed his palm on the table, put the bone on it, and pulled out his sword, hacking at his own hand with a ferocious expression.

Linghu Chong gasped, but Tian Boguang held him back. They watched as the sword cut the bone into pieces, but when Wang lifted his hand, there wasn't even a scratch on his palm.

Tian Boguang swung his blade at Wang's palm. A thin line of blood appeared, which Wang wiped away, stopping it instantly.

Tian Boguang was amazed. "I can see your martial arts aren't high. But that sword skill is something I’ve rarely seen. I concede this round."

Wang poured wine for the others. Tian Boguang drank, as did Linghu Chong. The warm, strange medicinal flow hit their limbs.

Linghu Chong then set the second challenge, as per the original plot, involving a sitting duel. Wang Jingyuan immediately jumped back, conceding the match to save himself. Linghu Chong won the duel with his wits. Tian Boguang lost again.

If Wang hadn't intervened, Linghu Chong would have won and saved Yilin. Now, Linghu Chong’s narrow victory only earned Tian Boguang another bowl of wine.

Wang poured another bowl for Tian Boguang. The medicine from the first bowl hadn't faded, and this second dose acted like a fuse, igniting a pure, intense lust that surged downward. Tian Boguang’s eyes turned blood-red, his breathing ragged. He stared at Yilin with a heat that seemed to pierce her clothes.

"No, I can't take it anymore!" Tian Boguang roared and lunged. Yilin screamed as she retreated, and Wang Jingyuan blocked the path.

"Brother Tian, you're breaking the rules!"

"I really can't take it!"

Wang Jingyuan said quickly, "Brother Tian, you’re just full of vigor and the medicine is hitting you hard. My junior brother set up a room at the Qunyu Brothel. I’ll take you there to blow off some steam. I hear the girls there are fantastic."

Tian Boguang felt something was off, but when the "little head" controls the "big head," instinct takes over. He grabbed Yilin and followed Wang Jingyuan.

When they reached the brothel, Tian Boguang, using his legendary movement technique, dragged Wang inside. Linghu Chong followed, worried.

As soon as they entered, Wang Jingyuan threw a stack of banknotes at the madam and pointed at Tian Boguang. "I'm booking every available girl. This gentleman wants to challenge his limits today."

The madam’s eyes lit up at the money. "Girls, come out and receive the guest!"

A swarm of women surrounded Tian Boguang. Wang Jingyuan snatched Yilin away. Tian Boguang was already lost in a sea of indulgence, unable to care about anything else.

Wang Jingyuan whistled for Lin Pingzhi, who was beckoning from the second floor, and led Linghu Chong up. The food was ready. Wang sat down with Yilin and began to eat.

Linghu Chong asked in surprise, "Junior Brother, was this all your plan?"

Wang pointed at Lin Pingzhi. "He’s the junior brother now. Yes, this is exactly my plan."

Linghu Chong urged, "Then what are we waiting for? Let’s take Yilin and go!"

Wang shook his head. "I’ve been busy all day, and I haven't had my main course yet. Why would I leave?"

He explained to Linghu Chong, "When I poured the powder, I didn't stir it; most of it floated on top. Tian Boguang got the bulk of it in his first bowl. Your bowl had very little. The second time, I added more using a trick—the taste didn't change, so he didn't suspect anything. But after drinking all that, and the duel, the medicine has hit him with full force. He’s a rapist; his desires are bottomless. There are thirty women down there. Tian Boguang is in for a rough night."

Wang fanned himself with more banknotes. "Even if he’s 'gifted' enough to handle them all, I can always hire more from other brothels in Hengyang. I told you, this stuff is often more useful than a sword."