e-booksonline Chapter 23 Lifting the Siege
Chapter 23 Lifting the Siege
It's important to know that this title isn't given casually.
Mo Zheng was merely a disciple of the Shangyin Martial Arts School, delivering a letter on behalf of Zhao, which is why he and Zhao Xiuxiu could address each other as senior and junior brothers.
However, what is the status of the disciples of the Jinqing Prefecture Martial Arts Hall?
After graduation, none of them failed to become martial artists; they all went down to become officials. Some even had the talent to become martial artists at the Bone and Tendon Realm or even higher levels.
Conversely, a martial arts school in a county town might only produce two or three students each year who pass the entrance exam for the prefectural martial arts hall. The vast majority of the students end up as ordinary people, and many even end up in gangs, dying mysteriously in battles for territory.
The two are worlds apart in status; the disciples of the prefectural martial arts hall naturally look down on those from the county town martial arts schools.
So why would Lu Yanran address Mo Zheng, the junior brother from the county martial arts school, with such a kind expression?
It should be noted that Lu Yanran comes from a prominent family and is not worthy of the attention of ordinary people. She has never been to a small place like Shangyin County before, so how could she know Mo Zheng?
That wasn't all. The people who came with Lu Yanran all rushed forward to greet her with clasped hands, their attitudes extremely friendly.
He Feiyang was a little confused; this kid's identity seemed to be more than just ordinary.
"Fellow senior brothers and sisters, we are quite destined to meet," Mo Zheng said with a smile in return.
"It's a pity that after today, it will be difficult to see Junior Brother Mo again."
Lu Yanran sighed softly. She was petite and delicate, but her figure was curvaceous and her features were exquisite and pretty. There was a touch of mischievous cuteness in her eyes.
She looked at He Feiyang and Mo Zheng curiously and asked, "Is Junior Brother Mo acquainted with my cousin?"
"Like my senior sister, we just met today," Mo Zheng replied with a smile.
"I see. I assumed you two knew each other before."
Lu Yanran looked at He Feiyang and said, "Cousin, don't you love making friends with talented young people? This Junior Brother Mo is even more talented than Ghost Shadow Sword, the best talent in our Martial Arts Hall. He's only fourteen this year, but he's already been admitted to the Liangzhou Martial Arts Hall ahead of schedule and is on his way there to train!"
"If it weren't for the fact that Master Ding and the Golden Seal Constable who escorted Junior Brother Mo were old acquaintances, we would never have had the chance to meet such a genius."
Fourteen years old! Liangzhou Martial Arts Academy! Golden Seal Constable!
Like Ding Kaishan and the others, He Feiyang was completely dumbfounded upon hearing these three words.
While others were shocked, he felt a sense of foreboding.
What kind of place is the Liangzhou Martial Arts Academy?
That is the cradle for cultivating geniuses throughout the Great Yan, a place to compete with other states and even the Capital Martial Arts Academy.
Entering this place is extremely difficult; in a single prefecture, only one or two people might be admitted each year, or even none at all. No matter how powerful their backing or how much money or resources they're willing to spend, those who don't meet the requirements simply cannot get in!
Once you enter, you'll emerge as a powerful expert at least at the Bone and Tendon Realm, and thanks to the training at the Martial Arts Hall, your combat strength will even surpass that of other martial artists of the same level.
Among these people, there are many who have broken through to become higher-level martial artists, and there have even been martial saints in history!
Every disciple of the Liangzhou Martial Arts Hall is an absolute genius with a very high status. Even their fathers treat them as equals and even try to win them over beforehand, for fear of offending them.
These people are not only strong and promising in their own right, but they also have powerful connections with their masters and fellow disciples in the martial arts academy. They are the highest-ranking people in the entire Great Yan!
Aside from those with a life-or-death feud, who would want to offend such a genius?
He Feiyang was offended.
They came to us on their own initiative.
Unlike Liu Jiang's martial arts contest, this was a blatant use of power and status to oppress.
At that moment, He Feiyang felt like dying.
His father was a martial artist at the Bone and Tendon Realm, and Mo Zheng was only fourteen years old. Even in the state-level martial arts hall where geniuses abound, he was extremely promising. The Bone and Tendon Realm was definitely not the end.
Faced with such a person, he didn't even think of befriending him; instead, he offended him terribly!
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
He Feiyang is a smart man, and precisely because he is smart, he is even more aware of the consequences.
He was just a disciple at a martial arts school in a small county town, but suddenly he transformed into a genius martial artist...
"Why aren't you saying anything, cousin? You must be stunned! We were just as surprised when we first heard about it. Junior Brother Mo entering the Liangzhou Martial Arts Hall at such a young age is truly genius!"
Lu Yanran laughed and looked at Mo Zheng, saying, "Junior Brother Mo, it's better to meet by chance than by invitation. Why don't we make the most of our hospitality and stroll around the Martial Arts Hall, exchanging some martial arts tips? My cousin may not be good at martial arts, but he's very wealthy and has prepared some good weapons. Why don't you take a look and see if there's anything you like?"
After saying that, she winked playfully at He Feiyang.
She was intentionally helping He Feiyang befriend Mo Zheng. The son of the prefect was wealthy and powerful, something they couldn't compare to. Of course, it was also for their own sake to befriend Mo Zheng.
Nothing attracts a martial artist more than weapons.
Jinqing Prefecture might not produce a genius martial artist like this even once a year. Who wouldn't want to build a good relationship with him beforehand?
If the other party becomes a big shot in the future, perhaps this little bit of friendship today can change their fate.
The life or death of an ordinary person can be decided by a single word from a powerful martial artist.
The weather was freezing cold in the dead of winter, with a biting wind howling.
He Feiyang didn't feel cold; his face was flushed and hot, and a fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Bad luck!
What a shame!
As the son of a prefect, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, He Feiyang had always considered himself extremely lucky. But today's scene made him realize that luck is fair to everyone.
There might only be one genius in Jinqing Prefecture each year who could meet the admission requirements of the Liangzhou Martial Arts Academy, and he just happened to be one of them, and then he even threatened them...
I didn't check the almanac before going out today, and now I'm cursed by an inauspicious star!
Because of his background as the prefect of Jinqing Prefecture, He Feiyang knew more about Liangzhou Martial Arts Academy than anyone else present. It was not just a martial arts academy that cultivated geniuses, but also had a terrifying force supporting the Great Yan Dynasty behind it.
Let alone the prefect of Jinqing Prefecture, even the governor of Liangzhou could be crushed to pieces by a single breath from that terrifying force.
The thought of that colossal behemoth sent shivers down He Feiyang's spine.
He wasn't sure if the boy in front of him would be chosen, but he knew he couldn't take that risk.
The prefect of Jinqing Prefecture had several sons.
If someone really has to die, then so be it.
All he could rely on was his father's power, but power is merely a byproduct of martial arts.
This is a martial arts world where extraordinary power is concentrated within oneself.
"Even if my father loves me dearly, if he knew that I had offended a genius from the Liangzhou Martial Arts Academy, he probably wouldn't protect me. Instead, he would probably take me to his door to apologize."
He Feiyang could guess what his father was doing and would never protect him.
Losing face and getting injured for one's son in exchange for reconciliation with a future martial arts master is an extremely worthwhile deal.
Otherwise, this little grudge may seem insignificant today, but what about ten or twenty years from now?
Who can guarantee that this young man will forget about this incident, instead of seeking revenge later when he has the ability to do so?
At that time, the entire Ho family might have to pay a huge price!
"Cousin, what's wrong?"
Seeing He Feiyang standing there dumbfounded, his expression not showing surprise, Lu Yanran sensed something was wrong.
"No...it's nothing..."
He Feiyang gave a bitter laugh, stepped forward, and slapped himself twice across the face.
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, he knelt on one knee, bowed his head, and clasped his hands, saying in a hoarse voice, "Junior Brother Mo Zheng, I was blind and arrogant, and offended you. I hope you will forgive me!"
Slap in the face, kneel down, apologize?
What does that mean?
Lu Yanran was confused, and so were the others.
Only the members of the He family knelt down alongside He Feiyang.
Like He Feiyang, Uncle Liu raised his hand and slapped himself twice, drawing blood from the corner of his mouth. He apologized, saying, "Young Master Mo, please forgive our ignorance. My master is just too fond of Miss Xiuxiu."
Xiuxiu? Zhao Xiuxiu?
Are they jealous of each other?
Now Lu Yanran and the others understood. Even though they hadn't witnessed what happened, they could probably guess what had happened.
"Ignorance is no excuse, Junior Brother Mo, could you please forgive my cousin this time?" Lu Yanran asked cautiously.
She and He Feiyang have known each other since childhood and have a good relationship.
Seeing everyone's appearance, Mo Zheng once again felt the power of the Liangzhou Martial Arts Hall.
Fang Daquan, the magistrate of Shangyin County, ruthlessly wiped out the Black Sand Gang because of these five words, and even personally beheaded the gang leader, Han.
These same five words were enough to make He Feiyang, the son of a prefect, kneel and beg for mercy, and even make Liu Bo, a martial artist stronger than the notorious bandit Yu Yang, slap himself in the face.
Power is worthless in the face of martial arts.
"It's a misunderstanding, please don't be like this. Please rise."
Mo Zheng reached out to help He Feiyang up.
Upon hearing this, He Feiyang and the others all relaxed.
This statement means that he will not hold a grudge.
"I only hope that Young Master He will remember what happened today. If it hadn't been me who encountered him, things might not have been left like this."
The saying "Martial arts can change one's destiny" is not just an empty phrase in this world.
Let alone the son of a prefect, even a king or general, if he offends a more powerful martial artist, his head will roll in an instant.
The founding emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty was once just an ordinary village boy, but after learning martial arts, he rose to prominence and established the Great Yan Dynasty's enduring legacy for a thousand years.
Mo Zheng looked at Lu Yanran and the others and smiled, "I must thank you all for your help tonight. If you hadn't come to my rescue, there might have been a fight. If you ever go to Liangzhou in the future, be sure to come to the Martial Arts Hall to have a drink with me. Farewell."
Lu Yanran and the others were quite pleasantly surprised to hear this, as it meant they were willing to befriend them.
The group bid each other farewell, and Mo Zheng strode towards the door, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.
At this moment, Lu Yanran said, "Cousin, you've really bitten off more than you can chew this time. You should be careful in the future. Not every martial artist is as easy to talk to as Junior Brother Mo."
"Hey, this time we've really embarrassed ourselves."
He Feiyang smiled wryly and said, "I have to thank my cousin and all my fellow disciples. If you hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid I would have caused a great disaster."
His original plan was that if Mo Zheng's attitude was bad and he was young and impetuous, he would have Uncle Liu teach him a lesson in secret. He wouldn't kill him, but breaking his arms and legs would be a must.
Looking back now, I'm truly terrified.
Even if he succeeds in a conflict, Mo Zheng will still have a Golden Seal Constable by his side.
I'm afraid the entire Jinqing Prefecture will be turned upside down immediately. Once it's found out, he'll definitely die, and his father will surely be implicated as well.
Fortunately, Lu Yanran and the others arrived in time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
……
On the way back to the inn, although it was late at night, there were still shops and vendors doing business along the roadside.
Looking at the lights everywhere and the constables patrolling with knives, Mo Zheng couldn't help but sigh, "The prefectural city is indeed the prefectural city, much more prosperous than Shangyin County."
In Shangyin County, all the shops closed a little later, and the constables went home to rest early.
He was reflecting on what had happened that day.
Liu Jiang, He Feiyang.
The former was defeated by his sword, so he had to leave; the latter feared his status, so he knelt down.
The root cause is still martial arts.
Because of his talent, Zhao Feng was willing to nurture him. If he had been like he was when he was first reborn, without any spiritual power, he would probably still be unknown.
In this world, martial arts prowess represents everything.
This is written in the laws of Great Yan.
Mo Zheng didn't know this before, but with Zhou Xian's explanations along the way, Mo Zheng has gained a clearer understanding of the status of martial artists.
According to the laws of the Great Yan Dynasty, all officials of the imperial court must be martial artists who have entered the region. Those of the fifth rank and above must be martial artists of the Bone and Tendon Realm; those of the third rank and above must be martial artists of the Internal Organ Realm.
A third-rank official is already a governor of a prefecture and an important minister of the imperial court.
As for the Martial Saint, even the Emperor of Great Yan had to respect and revere him.
This is how different levels of strength lead to different levels of access.
A martial artist at the Skin and Flesh Realm can dominate a county, a martial artist at the Tendon and Bone Realm can rule a prefecture, a martial artist at the Internal Organs Realm can rule a state, and a Martial Saint can make a country bow down.
Will I become a martial saint?
This thought popped into Mo Zheng's mind.
If he were a Martial Saint, today's matter would not be resolved by He Feiyang kneeling down; I'm afraid his father would have to bring the entire family to apologize!
However, that was a long way off for Mo Zheng.
His immediate priority is to achieve perfect Qi and Blood, and then break through to become a fully-fledged martial artist.
Then came the task of making money to help Mo Xiaotian awaken his bloodline. He couldn't let his third brother be deprived of martial arts like his eldest brother.
What exactly is a Martial Saint?
Mo Zheng's heart is filled with boundless imagination.
Back at the inn, I practiced standing meditation and meditated.
Mo Zheng did not neglect his cultivation despite being on the road.
The nine-story platform rises from the soil.
In martial arts, the worst thing is to work hard for a day and then stop for ten. What's needed is to persevere and work consistently over a long period.
A good night's sleep.
The next morning, as Mo Zheng and Zhou Xian were having breakfast together, Zhou Xian suddenly looked up at the door and asked Mo Zheng, "Did you cause any trouble yesterday?"
Mo Zheng was taken aback and asked, "How did you know?"
"Even experts at the Bone and Tendon Realm have come knocking on my door. I was drinking last night. Who else could have caused trouble if not you?" Zhou Xian laughed.
He had barely finished speaking when a loud voice came from outside:
"Prefect He Zhaohui of Jinqing Prefecture has come to request an audience with Lord Zhou."
……