The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 288 - 191: The Pugilistic World Is Vast and the People Remain the Same_2

Chapter 288: Chapter 191: The Pugilistic World Is Vast and the People Remain the Same_2

Li Yan burst into laughter, "Without wine, what kind of farewell would this be!"

"Wait for me!"

No sooner had he spoken than he mounted a swift horse and rode out, galloped to a nearby town to buy a jar of wine, and hurried back, pouring a bowl for each of his companions.

At this moment, Yan Jiuling also felt a surge of heroism and, lifting his bowl, smiled and said, "Brother Li, after we part today, who knows when we’ll meet again."

"But I believe, your great name will surely be heard throughout the pugilistic world!"

Li Yan too, holding his bowl solemnly, said, "In the pugilistic world, next year I will certainly hear news of Brother Yan’s name gracing the golden list."

The Great Xuan Dynasty held imperial examinations once every three years. Yan Jiuling had become a scholar and was preparing to head to the Capital this year.

The exams would likely take place around February or March next year. Going early was essentially to make arrangements and to pay respects to various mentors.

Such was the prevailing custom: without doing so, one without connections or backing would either not be relegated to failure, but might still end up assigned to some remote place to serve as an official.

"May your words bring fortune, Brother Li!"

All raised their bowls and drank heartily, then smashed the bowls to the ground.

Zhu Mo, next to them, was moved and spoke up, "Hero Li, Uncle Sha, and Master Wang, please be careful on your journey."

"This Guanzhong region is really not peaceful; with the army daring to deploy without orders, and bandits running rampant. I heard that on the night of Yuanxiao Festival, someone even twisted off a person’s head in the middle of the street. It’s terrifying..."

The faces of Li Yan and the others turned to a peculiar expression.

Sha Lifei jokingly said, "Yes, indeed, we are all good, law-abiding citizens; we dare not come face to face with such bandits."

Yan Jiuling naturally knew what had transpired and smiled gracefully, solemnly clasping his hands and saying, "Gentlemen, until we meet again!"

"Until we meet again!"

Li Yan and the others also clasped their hands in response.

In the drizzling rain, both parties bade farewell over muddy wine.

One headed north, stepping into the official world.

Another journeyed south, toward the pugilistic world...

...

Inside the Huawei Building in Chang’an City.

Ye Kuilang had been through cycles of drunkenness and sobriety. The ten thousand taels of silver he had recently acquired were being spent at an astonishing rate.

With a beauty in his arms and liquor jars clinking underfoot.

Looking at the note sent over by Manager Wan, Ye Kuilang shook his head slightly and then, with a flick of his finger, turned the note to ashes.

"Gone? Good that they’re gone..."

"The journey must be taken one step at a time."

He fiercely swigged another mouthful of wine and, bare-chested, moved to the window ledge. As he looked out at the prosperity of Chang’an, his gaze was blurry, as if recalling the time when he first arrived...

Elsewhere, in Qingyuan Building, Zhao Wanfang also crumpled the note in her hand, then rose to move to the adjacent elegant pavilion.

"Pavilion Master, I’m ready. I will be leaving for the Capital..."

...

Within the Prince Mansion of Prince Chang’an, Li Kongqing sighed softly while looking at the note that had just been delivered, gazing into the distance.

Beside him, the Princely Heir was perusing official documents. Sensing something, he turned his head and said, "Kong Qing, what’s the matter?"

"It’s nothing. My mother’s disciple left and couldn’t even say goodbye; mother will probably be heartbroken."

"Princely Heir, I would like to go home tonight to have dinner with my mother."

"One should always honor filial duties; of course you may." Prince Chang’an nodded thoughtfully, "Is it about the murder in the streets on Yuanxiao night?"

"Yes."

"Such pugilistic magicians are better avoided. Also, has Yue Fazhong left?"

"He just left the Prince Mansion."

"Hmph, that man is extremely selfish; although he is doing it for the inheritance of his Magic Veins, thinking he could drag the Prince Mansion into the mud is beyond his station. As for Luo Faqing, he is somewhat interesting. Pay more attention to him in the future."

"Yes, Princely Heir."

Outside the Prince Mansion on Shengye Square, Yue Fazhong, clad in a white Daoist robe and holding a child’s hand, slowly made his way.

"Master!"

The child suddenly looked up, his expression showing a tiger’s fierceness and a hint of confusion, "Why didn’t you avenge my father?"

Yue Fazhong glanced at him indifferently, "He brought this upon himself. I had warned him not to come to Chang’an, yet he persisted. It was his destiny to face this calamity."

"And you, with your father dead, the Qiao family will surely decline. If you wish to seek vengeance, rely on your own capabilities. If you are not able, be content with sweeping the mountain floors."

"Yes, Master."

The child nodded vigorously, determination gleaming in his eyes.

Yue Fazhong offered a faint smile, then turned to look at the Prince Mansion he had left behind. Without a trace of attachment, he strode forward.

Once outside the gates of Chang’an, his gaze suddenly intensified as he looked ahead.

The keen child by his side followed suit, raising his eyes to see a Daoist in a black robe also leading a child away.

"Master, who is that?"

"A Daoist from the Law Enforcement Hall named Gu Chenzi."

Thinking of something, Yue Fazhong sighed lightly and said, "Remember, that belongs to the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, the leading sect of the Mystical Sect."

"Taking revenge is trivial; if you truly have the ability, make our sect from Shang Mountain the Proper Xuan Sect and then no one will dare to bully you."

"Yes, Master."

As for Gu Chenzi in the distance, he too was instructing the child while leading him by the hand, "Although your uncle Luo Mingzi has established himself in the Capital, that place is not easy; there are many with greater talent than you, so make sure not to cause trouble for your Master."

"Mhm."

The child nodded timidly.

This was the son of Zheng Xian, whom Li Yan and his group had rescued.

...

Outside Xianyang City, at the entrance to Shangyi Village.

Manager Wan glared at Zhao Lvzi, his patience wearing thin.

"You stubborn thing, do you really plan to spend your whole life hiding in Guanzhong? Your father was afraid of you causing trouble, but with your character, how could you attract any?"

Zhao Lvzi grinned, scratching his head.

Manager Wan shook his head in disbelief, "When Brother Yan left, he said, if anything happens, we must find a way to inform him. No matter where he is, he will come back."

"Although he’s known for his ruthless methods, he is a man of his word. Friends who abide by their word are hard to come by in one’s lifetime—it’s not easy."

"Mhm."

Zhao Lvzi nodded earnestly.

"Truly a blockhead."