The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 78: Washing Hands in a Golden Basin

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Washing Hands in a Golden Basin

"Retiring from the pugilistic world is not such a simple affair!"

Inside the tea house, an old man clad in a sheepskin coat, took a few puffs from his long-stemmed pipe, blowing smoke rings and shaking his head as he said, "This ’ceremony of washing hands in a golden basin’ originally referred to a ritual that boatmen, who delivered grain to the Chang’an palace of the Han dynasty, performed at the shore of the Wei River after going ashore, signifying the completion of their tasks for the official family."

"The basin isn’t actually made of gold but copper. Over time, the practice spread to various trades, and everyone adopted the custom."

The speaker was Old Donkey Head, a lifelong driver who had traveled far and wide and seen much. In his older years, he spent most of his time amongst the regulars of the Xianyang Tea House.

A crowd of idlers had already gathered around, many of whom knew nothing of the rules of the pugilistic world. Smiling, they said, "Old Donkey Head, you’ve ’washed your hands in the golden basin’ for many years now, haven’t you?"

"Ah~"

Old Donkey Head hurriedly waved his hands, "I’m just old and can’t do the work anymore, and I still have to teach the youngsters on a daily basis. That isn’t the same as washing my hands in a golden basin. To completely retire from the trade, that’s what it means to wash your hands in a golden basin."

"This ’washing hands in a golden basin’ seems simple: it’s just publicly announcing that you won’t be involved in that business anymore, and the custom usually involves inviting peers to witness the event. The peers, having one less competitor, are naturally happy and may even present a small gift to congratulate you."

"Those who are qualified to retire in this fashion are all local industry big shots. As for nobodies like us cowards, playing out this act wouldn’t it be a joke?"

"Hahaha, too true."

The onlookers burst into hearty laughter.

One of the young gentlemen present was curious, "The ritual of retiring from the pugilistic world must be another matter, right?"

"Of course," Old Donkey Head sighed, "Where there are people, there’s the pugilistic world, and where there’s the pugilistic world, there will be grudges. If you’re a green forest outlaw who has killed countless people, can such karma be easily washed away?"

"Even if the aggrieved parties agree, the government will not!"

"The same goes for those who run martial arts schools; they can go through the retirement ceremony, but they must clear their debts, and as long as someone objects, it doesn’t count."

"What do you mean by ’it doesn’t count’?"

"Among those in the pugilistic world, when words fail, fists speak. In short, all debts and grudges must be cleared, only then can one truly retire."

"If you get through that obstacle, and someone seeks vengeance afterward, they’re breaking the rules, but if you still meddle in affairs of the pugilistic world, you likewise break your oath."

The crowd suddenly realized the implication.

"So, that’s how it is!"

"No wonder it’s causing such an uproar."

"Zhou Monkey wanting to retire, afraid he won’t get past it."

"Why won’t he get past it? Is there someone who can beat him?"

"Well, people could get help from others..."

There was a buzz of speculation among the crowd, but the young gentleman shook his head and said, "Such rules are laughable. If you want revenge, just take it; could a mere oath really stop anyone?"

Old Donkey Head took a few drags from his pipe, speaking with a meaningful tone, "The rules of the pugilistic world have been handed down for good reason."

"The pugilistic world ages, and everyone reaches a point when they can’t hold on anymore..."

...

"Mr. Zhou will have no choice but to retire."

Inside the Zhang Family’s martial arts school, after a disciple had served tea and left, Instructor Zhang spoke with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes, "When luck turns sour, even if Zhou Monkey had the strength of three and the arms of six, he could only accept his misfortune."

Li Yan took a sip of his tea, "Has Chang’an come to a decision?"

It was so sudden that the root of the problem must have been significant.

"Yes."

Instructor Zhang chuckled, "Mr. Li, your good fortune shines brightly. It seems the Li family’s fleet has rendered great service, and the emperor himself has issued an edict to promote them, and they may even enter the court in the future."

"That Left Administrator, Mr. Lu Kang, has completely lost hope, and moreover, he previously resorted to tricks. In an effort to protect himself, he had to resign and retire to his hometown."

"People plan and scheme in all kinds of ways, but in the end, they cannot defy fate!"

Li Yan had no interest in these official schemings and said somberly, "Zhou Pan wants to retire; what’s your stance?"

Instructor Zhang shook his head, "Previously, Mr. Li, you too suffered losses, but in showing magnanimity, you did not pursue them and even petitioned to the court, securing a memorial archway for Mr. Lu’s family. On our end, naturally, we can’t be too extreme."

"The Cao Gang and Taixing Carriage Shop care about profits; as long as the Zhou Family exits Xianyang honestly and allows them to take over some turf, they won’t make a sound..."

"The predecessors of the Martial Arts community are mainly worried about being oppressed by the rising Zhou Family and now that things are clearing up, they’d rather not provoke further grudges..."

"Only Senior Luo Shihai insists that the Zhou Family hand over the perpetrator from back then."

Li Yan glanced at him, "What about the Zhang Family?"

Instructor Zhang smirked, "My father has been elected the next president of the Xianyang Divine Fist Association. How could we kick someone when they are down? We should certainly be lenient where we can."

"Tsk tsk."

Sha Lifei, seeing his smug expression, became irritated and couldn’t help but retort, "You are generous because you are benefitting. When the Zhou Family ruined others, destroying homes and lives, they never thought about being lenient."

"What about those victims? Hasn’t anyone come knocking for revenge?"

Instructor Zhang wasn’t annoyed; he paused for a moment and shook his head, "You are also a man of the pugilistic world; how can you say such a thing?"

"Zhou Pan wants a stable retirement; it’s merely the major forces of Xianyang he has to appease. If those victims come knocking, it gives him a perfect opportunity to settle the scores. What’s there to fear?"

"In this pugilistic world, it ultimately comes down to who has the biggest fist and the right to speak..."

Sha Lifei was taken aback, muttered a few curses, and fell silent.

Li Yan spoke calmly, "Since you have all made a decision, why did you seek me out?"

Zhang Shitong began, "Didn’t you cripple Zhou Bai? And even his father, Zhou Peide, has been imprisoned. My father thinks this is an opportunity to clear the air, so as to avoid any trouble in the future."

"My father wishes for you to join the Divine Fist Association. After several years of experience, either open a martial arts school or start an escort agency, to earn a foundation for the Li family. This would also honor the old generation’s friendship."

Li Yan listened and seemed surprised, but after a moment of silence, he shook his head and said, "Thank you for the kind offer Senior Zhang, but I’m afraid I cannot comply."

Zhang Shitong was stunned, "Why not?"

Li Yan sipped his tea, his expression calm as he replied, "My fist might not be that big, but I am also a victim here!"

...

On the sixth of September, it is auspicious to meet relatives and make alliances, avoid funerals.

"Hurry up, hang the lanterns!"

"Why hasn’t the fish arrived?"

"The boatman said that the Wei River has been strange these past few days; the fish are scarce. They’ve gone to other rivers to catch them. They should be able to make it in time."

"Remember to check. Don’t let them fool us with dead fish."

"Where is Uncle Wang Yao?"

"He says the clinic is too busy, and he can’t leave."

"Bullshit, doesn’t he know what day it is today? He’s clearly..."

"Well, let it be, tell the master."

Outside the Zhou Family’s martial arts school, the disciples were bustling around.

Everyone knew what day it was.

They were all busy moving to and fro, yet in their eyes, there was a hint of confusion.

When a tree falls, the monkeys scatter; the same happened with the Zhou Family.

These days, nearly half of the martial arts school’s disciples had said their goodbyes and left. Those who remained were indeed loyal, but couldn’t help feeling anxious, unsure of what the future would hold.

The last time the Zhou Family was this busy was during the Mid-Autumn Festival when all eight strongmen were present. The city’s martial arts schools and escort agencies, even government officials, all came bringing gifts.

Back then, the performers were brought in from Chang’an.

The bright moon illuminated, the guests were numerous, and all was merry.

Who could have thought that in such a short time, things would come to this?

Among the eight strongmen, Zheng Xianhuai’s entire family had died, Zhou Peide was imprisoned and scheduled for execution after autumn, Yuan Qu and Zheng Hebei had fled, supposedly conspiring with a demon and were already dead, with all their property confiscated.

The clinic’s Wang Yao and the escort agency’s Liu Jincheng both claimed they were too busy to come, clearly wanting to distance themselves from Zhou Pan. After all, they still had to get by in Xianyang City.

Today, from the eight strongmen, only two showed up, and both were from the Zhou Family.

The collapse of the great house had come too quickly for them to react.

Many had already made their calculations; after Zhou Pan’s retirement ceremony, he’d most likely take the Zhou Family back to their ancestral home.

Backed by the power of the Zhou Family, they used to throw their weight around, making many enemies. It seemed after today, Xianyang City would no longer welcome them.

At the gates of the Zhou house, many idle onlookers gathered for the spectacle.

They pointed and commented, their faces filled with schadenfreude.

Seeing this, the disciples of the martial arts school were irate.

In the past, these same people wouldn’t even dare to come close because of the Zhou Family’s influence, and now they dared to mock.

Yet, no one stepped forward to argue.

After today, with the fall of the Zhou Family, they too would become drifters with no backing, unable to confront others, for no one would stand up for them.

Better to do less than more.

Soon, the auspicious hour arrived, the sound of firecrackers filled the air, and the guests of honor arrived as expected.

A disciple announced loudly at the gate:

"Master Liu from Qingquan Martial Arts School has arrived!"

"Head Escort Li from the Prosperous Escort Agency has arrived!"

"Head Driver Qin from Taixing Carriage has arrived!"

"Gang Leader Han from the Cao Gang has arrived!"

"Grand Master Zhang from the Zhang Martial Arts School has arrived!"

"Arrest officer Guan from the government office has arrived!"

The onlookers at the gate were not surprised.

With Zhou Pan retiring, all notable figures from Xianyang Road were present.

Of course, those who were not close or had no personal disputes would also send gifts out of courtesy, in a manner of ’person absent, gift present.’

What they really wanted to see was if anyone would cause trouble today!