Green Mountain
Chapter 409 - 324, Jianghu is not worth it

Chapter 409: 324, Jianghu is not worth it

Zhu Guan stared at Qian Ping for a long time: "Since someone has adhered to the rules, then let bygones be bygones."

Qigong said to the man, "Bring the ancestral portrait."

The man went into a hall room, fetched a scroll, and unfurled it before everyone. On it was a figure with a full face of curly beard, glaring fiercely.

Qigong clasped his hands behind his back: "Since both of you want to take a blood oath of alliance, let the ugly truths be said upfront."

The fat man, Wang Huan, grinned fawningly: "You speak."

"Firstly, the ’Ban Private Fighting Order.’ From today onwards, Heji and Furui Xiang are forbidden from private fighting. If anyone initiates a provocation, they shall lose a finger and be expelled from the Imperial Capital."

"Secondly, ’Compensate First, Then Divide.’ If there are any spoils, thirty percent goes to the families of those who died in battle, and the remaining seventy percent is split evenly."

Wang Huan said helplessly, "There’s nothing worth seizing from that group."

Qigong glanced at him, "The rules are laid out first. Whether there’s anything or not is not my concern. Thirdly, ’Three True, One False.’ When exchanging information, each side can hide one key piece of information, but the other three must be truthful."

"Fourthly, ’The One Year Pact.’ After external enemies are eliminated, a year must pass before any private grudges can be pursued. Within the year, both parties must coexist peacefully."

After speaking, Qigong solemnly asked, "Can you do it?"

Zhu Guan and Wang Huan answered together, "We can."

Qigong waved his hand: "Additionally, each of you will send a Hall Master to the other’s side as a hostage. If anyone breaks the agreement, the hostage will be executed first."

Zhu Guan responded, "Our Furui Xiang’s Wang Bizhi can go to Heji as a hostage tomorrow."

Wang Huan pondered for a moment, then looked at Qian Ping, "Qian Ping, you go to Furui Xiang as a hostage."

Qian Ping was slightly taken aback but eventually said, "Alright."

Even Qigong was a bit surprised and only dispassionately waved his hand after Wang Huan urged, "Make the vow."

Zhu Guan vowed, "The past grudges were as deep as the sea, today the blood is thicker than water. If I violate this oath, let me be pierced by ten thousand arrows, and my ancestral halls crumble."

Wang Huan said, "Through storms and waves we bear together, right and wrong in the qiankun severed the same. If I betray the alliance, let you dig up my grave and slaughter my corpse, forever to sink into the endless abyss of hell."

The man brought a bowl of wine before the two. They gritted their teeth, cut open their palms, and let the blood drip in, then drank it off.

Qigong glanced sideways at the two and chuckled coldly, "Remember, do not go back on your word. If there’s even a grain of selfishness in this blood-wine, it will become the century’s joke in the Imperial Capital’s Jianghu... Go now."

Zhu Guan and Wang Huan departed, but Qian Ping was called back by Qigong.

When White Jade Garden fell silent, Qigong looked at Qian Ping and said softly, "Qian family boy, this Jianghu isn’t worth it."

Qian Ping tore a piece of cloth from his garment to wrap the wound on his left hand, "Qigong, what is Jianghu?"

Qigong replied sidestepping the question, "Twenty years ago, I asked you at the front door of White Jade Garden why you wanted to join the Three Mountains Association. You said you wanted to be a man of honor in Three Mountains Association."

Qian Ping sighed, "It’s hard for Qigong to remember."

Qigong placed the fish feed jar beside him, "You squatted outside my yard for fifteen days; how could I not remember? But after you went over to Heji, you did nothing but dirty deeds for Wang Huan. In the Jianghu, when people mention you, it’s all curses, saying you’re Wang Huan’s number one lackey. How do you sleep at night hearing such words?"

Qian Ping looked at the fish pond and said quietly, "Qigong, you speak too easily. After the battle at Chongli Pass, I returned home with a salary docked by seventy percent, only to find my family’s land had been entirely seized by the powerful, leaving no fields to till. I went to turn to my childhood friend, who schemed against me for that little salary, setting up a gambling trap during the New Year’s Eve. I killed two people in desperation and fled, changing my name."

"By the time I reached the Imperial Capital, I was penniless and could only buss tables at Desheng Building. The owner agreed to pay 600 cents a month, but after half a year, it wasn’t given. When I pressed repeatedly, the owner called government officials to arrest me."

"The year I squatted at White Jade Garden for fifteen days, you wouldn’t take me in. It was Wang Huan who gave me a path to survival and food to eat. No matter what others say, I’ve already sold my life to him. I served my country loyally at Chongli Pass, and now I serve Wang Huan loyally, my conscience is clear. Qigong, this is my Jianghu."

This time it was Qigong’s turn to be silent. After a long time, he weakly waved his hand, "Get lost."

Qian Ping clasped his fists once more, "Thank you, Qigong."

Qigong watched Qian Ping walk further away. The man beside him said in a low voice, "Qigong, you shouldn’t have been this mediator. Neither Wang Huan nor Zhu Guan are good people. If things go awry, our Three Mountains Association’s reputation will be dragged down with it."

Qigong shook his head, "Don’t mind them. Tomorrow, go to Li Shamao Alley and clear a room. I want to personally see their Array and check if they can bring out Furui Xiang’s backers."

The man acknowledged and limped his way out.

Halfway there, he suddenly remembered something and turned back, "Oh, by the way, Qigong, Third Elder is back. He sent word that he brought back a batch of ginseng and needs to find a way to get it into the city."

"Got it."