Chapter 35: Chapter 35: The Past

“Is this true?”

Lord Wang asked excitedly.

“I wouldn’t dare deceive you two Lords.”

Wang Chao declared with conviction.

“How certain is your master?”

Lord Li asked.

“That… I am not sure, but my master has always been cautious. He never does anything he isn’t confident about. So please, my Lords, trust my master.”

Wang Chao replied.

“Good,” Lord Wang said, overjoyed. “If your master can save the Government Mansion Young Master, he will be a benefactor to both myself and Lord Li.”

“Indeed. As long as the Government Mansion Young Master is safe, I, Li, will definitely repay this favor to Master Guo in the future.”

Lord Li added in agreement.

The Government Mansion Young Master’s identity was not simple. A direct assault on the mountain could easily provoke Big Saber Hong. If anything happened to the young master, neither of them would be able to answer for it.

“My master will certainly not disappoint you, my Lords.”

Wang Chao’s expression brightened. ’If Guo Wei can save the Government Mansion Young Master, then I, his disciple, can also bask in some of that glory.’

“What if your master messes things up?”

Tie Zhennan retorted inopportunely.

’I was just about to show what I’m made of, use this opportunity to make a name for myself in both counties, expand my Martial Arts Hall to Baiyang County, and get in good with that Government Mansion Young Master. Who knew Guo Wei might beat me to it?’

’Once Guo Wei handles this, rescuing the Government Mansion Young Master without any bloodshed, his reputation will overshadow mine. Lord Wang and Lord Li will also value him more, and they might favor Guo Wei’s disciples in the future Daoist Examination.’

“Master Tie, there’s no need to worry. My master already said that if he can’t rescue the Government Mansion Young Master by 3:45 PM, then we’ll proceed as planned.”

Wang Chao turned, mounted his horse, and looked directly at Tie Zhennan as he spoke.

“I’m just saying, what if—”

“Does Master Tie have a better plan?”

Wang Chao cut in.

He had to be deferential when facing the two County Magistrates, Lord Wang and Lord Li. But when facing Tie Zhennan, even if the man was stronger than him, Wang Chao couldn’t possibly back down. If word got out, not only would Guo Wei’s reputation suffer, but Wang Chao himself would have no future in Baiyang County.

“Then you’d better pray your master can actually get it done.”

Tie Zhennan snorted coldly.

On a small path at the back of Cyan Cloud Mountain, Chu Lingguang said worriedly, “Master, we didn’t bring anything. What if Big Saber Hong is unreasonable?”

Chu Lingguang was still a little nervous about willingly walking into a bandit’s lair.

“Do you really think I came here to save that Government Mansion Young Master?”

Guo Wei asked while clinging to the cliff face.

This so-called path was a trail forged by Medicine Gatherers, leading up along the cliff face. The two of them had left their horses below and were now climbing up, hugging the rock wall.

“Aren’t you?”

Chu Lingguang asked in return.

“I have no connection to the Government Mansion Young Master, so why would I save him? The one I came to save is Big Saber Hong.”

Guo Wei explained.

“Ah… Master, I think I understand now.”

Chu Lingguang froze for a moment, then spoke with sudden realization.

“Big Saber Hong and I go way back. We met on the road to the Provincial Examination. His skill was slightly better than mine, but unfortunately, he was too hot-headed.”

“Back then, a powerful noble tried to bribe him with a large sum of money to not aim for the top rank. He ignored them and won by a hair’s breadth in the final moments.”

“Unfortunately, the other party was too powerful, and he lost his chance at the top rank. Enraged, he drew his saber and wounded two corrupt Military Officers, and he almost killed that noble with a single strike. From then on, he was a fugitive. It wasn’t until a few years ago that the Court, for some unknown reason, suddenly launched a full investigation into that old case of corruption. They executed many Military Officers, and that noble was thrown in jail. Only then did Big Saber Hong reappear, making himself king of this Cyan Cloud Mountain.”

Guo Wei explained as they climbed.

“Master, he’s so impulsive. I’m afraid he’ll get us involved in his mess.”

Hearing that Big Saber Hong had wounded two Military Officers and nearly killed a noble, Chu Lingguang felt a surge of excitement, but at the same time, he grew even more nervous.

“He owes me a favor, and he owes you his life. With the two of us persuading him together, he won’t refuse to listen.”

Guo Wei said with a smile.

“Why does he owe you a favor?”

Chu Lingguang recalled how, on that day he’d said he wanted to take four leopard legs for his master, Big Saber Hong had asked who his master was. The moment he mentioned Guo Wei, Big Saber Hong had tossed the four legs straight to him.

“The world is unjust. Back then, I spoke out for him in the name of justice. After he wounded the Military Officers, I was implicated, which led to me being stripped of my title.”

Guo Wei said with a sigh.

“What?”

Chu Lingguang was completely taken aback. It all clicked into place. “So your reputation as ’half a Martial Arts Scholar’ didn’t come from Eldest Brother, but because you were implicated by Big Saber Hong.”

“Hmph. My reputation has never needed to rely on any of my disciples.”

Guo Wei rebuked him angrily.

“Master, please calm down. I spoke without thinking.”

Chu Lingguang hurriedly admitted his mistake.

“Sigh. After I was stripped of my title, I returned to Baiyang County in a fit of rage and founded my Martial Arts Hall. Over the years, three of my disciples have become Martial Arts Scholars. After the corruption case was overturned, the Court wanted to restore my title, but by then, I no longer needed it.”

Guo Wei said, filled with emotion.

“With your current status and prestige, Master, you truly don’t need that title anymore.”

Chu Lingguang chimed in agreeably.

“Smooth-talker. Hurry up.”

Guo Wei snorted coldly.

Time was short.

The two of them didn’t dare to delay.

「1:15 PM」

Having finally followed the cliff path, the two arrived at the gate of Big Saber Hong’s mountain fortress.

“Enemy attack!”

“Someone’s climbed up from the back of the mountain!”

The moment the two appeared at the fortress gate, they alerted the bandits’ lookouts.

“I am Guo Wei, and I wish to see your Village Chief!”

Guo Wei projected his voice with his internal energy, making it carry deep into the fortress. At the same time, he pulled Chu Lingguang behind a large boulder to protect them from any sneak attacks by the bandits.

“The Village Chief is not seeing guests. Master Guo, please leave!”

A headman, who was once a farmer from Baiyang County and had heard of Guo Wei’s fame, spoke with a measure of politeness.

“Master Guo is a friend of mine. Let him in!”

But just as his voice fell, Big Saber Hong’s voice came from behind him.

“Yes, sir!”

“The Village Chief has invited them! Open the gate!”

Startled, the headman hurried to open the fortress gate.

Guo Wei immediately led Chu Lingguang inside. Everyone in the fortress stared at them. Their gazes were no different from ordinary people’s, but being stared at by so many at once made Chu Lingguang feel a little unnerved.

“Brother Gu—… Master Guo, you’ve taken on a fine disciple.”

Big Saber Hong came out to greet them. Seeing Chu Lingguang behind Guo Wei, he changed his tone and said with a laugh.

When Chu Lingguang saw him, he confirmed it was the same rugged man from the other day. He breathed a small sigh of relief. ’I was afraid I had the wrong person and we wouldn’t be able to leave this place.’

“It’s been many years, brother, but you’re as imposing as ever. Thank you for saving my disciple’s life that day.”

Guo Wei said this, but he understood in his heart that if Chu Lingguang hadn’t cooperated with Big Saber Hong that day, it’s possible neither of them would have survived.

“Master Guo, you took a shortcut up the back mountain. You clearly didn’t come here just to exchange pleasantries. I wronged you back then, so I hope you’ll stay out of this mess. Take your disciple and go back down the mountain.

Besides, the Government Mansion Young Master is already dead, killed by my own saber.”

Big Saber Hong knew why Guo Wei had come and spoke bluntly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep