Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Bountiful Harvest

The man in black offered praise, but his hands never paused, slashing at Chu Lingguang one strike after another. Chu Lingguang remained on the defensive, refusing to let his guard down over a few compliments.

In fact, despite being able to wield the saber with a single hand, he switched to a two-handed grip after feeling the man’s power. At the same time, he searched for an opening, hoping to force his opponent back.

Unfortunately, the man in black’s Saber Technique was seamless, one move flowing into the next. Chu Lingguang, just like Liu Quan, could only fall back. But unlike Liu Quan, he was composed and steady, not at all flustered. He even managed to launch the occasional surprise attack, disrupting the man’s form.

After falling back seven steps, Chu Lingguang executed a Little Ghost Scout, slicing through the man’s low guard. The man in black was finally forced to halt his advance, and Chu Lingguang seized the opportunity to counterattack.

After more than a year of bitter training, although he had yet to produce a Sword Sound, his Iron Mountain Saber Technique had long ago reached the level of Minor Achievement. Plus, having used this very Saber Technique to kill Cai Touli, Chu Lingguang felt as if he had returned to that night, a seamless sequence of techniques flowing from him.

CLANG!

The man in black, who had been pressing the attack, could not withstand the ferocity of his Saber Technique and was forced back by a single strike. Chu Lingguang felt Qi Power gather in his arms, and an inexpressible sense of exhilaration washed over him. He couldn’t help but press his attack.

And so the crowd watched as Chu Lingguang, who had been retreating moments before, suddenly turned the tables, forcing the powerful man in black to fall back step by step.

Liu Quan’s expression turned exceedingly sour as he watched this unfold.

Chu Lingguang was notoriously untalented. Even though he had started training earlier, Liu Quan had never considered him a threat. He never imagined he’d see the day when Chu Lingguang’s Saber Technique surpassed his own, allowing him to fight on even footing with the man in black.

The senior brother at his side, the one with the Long Spear who had earlier forced the man in black to retreat, also frowned. He watched as Chu Lingguang’s Iron Mountain Saber Technique, both fierce and fast, reached the level of Minor Achievement. It was incredible. He couldn’t help but compare Liu Quan and Chu Lingguang in his mind. ’Liu Quan is impulsive and lacks courage,’ he thought. ’He’s nowhere near as impressive as Chu Lingguang.’

SHREEE!

Forced back repeatedly by Chu Lingguang, the man in black grew angry and unleashed a full-power slash. In that instant, a Sword Sound echoed across the street, a noise that made one’s scalp tingle. Chu Lingguang was startled. With no room to retreat, he had no choice but to channel all his Qi Blood Power, swinging his saber to meet the man’s strike.

CLANG!

A piercing clash of steel rang out.

Chu Lingguang felt the saber almost torn from his grasp, and he staggered back involuntarily. Fortunately, he managed to tighten his grip and regain his footing, putting five meters between himself and the man in black.

“Exhilarating!”

the man in black exclaimed.

Having forced Chu Lingguang back four or five meters with one blow, he seemed satisfied and did not press the attack.

“What exactly do you want?”

Chu Lingguang asked warily.

“I heard you were practicing your Spear Technique on Wine Street all last night. I didn’t expect your Saber Technique to be so refined. You truly are worthy of being Master Guo’s disciple.”

The man in black said, cupping one fist in his other hand.

Chu Lingguang’s brow furrowed. He recalled Master Hei visiting the Martial Arts Hall that morning and realized the man in black had mistaken him for Hei Hu. He tossed the saber back to the man. Just as he was about to cup his fist and explain, Chu Lingguang suddenly felt dozens of desperate eyes upon him.

They belonged to the shopkeepers of Wine Street.

Their faces were filled with longing, desperate for him to stand up for them.

’The man in black speaks of Master Guo with such respect. And Liu Quan and his brothers are only here to throw their weight around. If I can convince this man to get the Big Saber Gang to stop hassling the Wine Street bosses, I could earn a heap of Favor Points, make Liu Quan’s group leave in disgrace, and even build up some prestige for Guo Wei.’

With this in mind, Chu Lingguang gave it a try. “My master often comes to Wine Street to drink. He’s on friendly terms with many of the owners and shopkeepers. The Big Saber Gang setting up shop here has nothing to do with my master, of course. But I’ve heard many shopkeepers complain that if they have to pay the monthly stipend you’re demanding, they can’t possibly stay in business. Many are planning to close down and return to their hometowns. As his disciple, I would hate to see my master come to Wine Street for a drink, only to be disappointed because he can’t find a single tavern open.”

His words were sincere and heartfelt, framed as a disciple questioning the Big Saber Gang’s actions purely out of a desire to prevent his master’s disappointment.

There was no trace of aggression or of him trying to throw his weight around.

Even if the Big Saber Gang refused, everyone would remember Chu Lingguang’s devotion to his master.

“Haha! Master Guo’s disciple is not only a master of Martial Arts but also eloquent. Don’t worry, the Big Saber Gang knows the rules. We can disrespect others, but we must show respect to Master Guo. From this day forward, the monthly stipend for all shops on Wine Street is reduced from seventy percent to twenty percent!”

the man in black said with a laugh.

“Thank you!”

Chu Lingguang was overjoyed. He hadn’t expected such a huge concession.

“Everyone, you can continue to make a living on Wine Street!”

He announced to the crowd with a smile.

“Thank you, Chu!”

Tears welled in Butcher Hu’s eyes. Seventy percent down to twenty—that was a fifty percent difference! His butcher shop could stay open.

“Thank you, Young Master Chu!”

“Master Guo certainly found himself a fine disciple!”

“Thank you, Young Master Chu! And thank Master Guo for us!”

A crowd of shopkeepers surrounded Chu Lingguang, thanking him profusely.

“Young Master Chu, the Niu Clan makes baked flatbreads. Please take these boxes back with you. Have some for yourself, and let Master Guo try them too.”

“My family are brewers. Here’s a large jug of our yellow millet wine for you to try.”

“I sell tofu and pickled vegetables. If you wouldn’t mind, please take these three pounds of tofu and two pounds of pickles to cook at home.”

“Chu, I have a pig’s head left in the shop. Take it home and braise it.”

Many of the grateful shopkeepers rushed back into their stores, returning to press all sorts of things into Chu Lingguang’s arms.

(Helped Boss Niu reduce his monthly stipend payment. Gained 18 Favor Points.)

(Helped Shopkeeper Ma reduce his monthly stipend payment. Gained 12 Favor Points.)

(Helped Butcher Hu reduce his monthly stipend payment. Gained 39 Favor Points.)

(Helped Wang Fugui reduce his monthly stipend payment. Gained 6 Favor Points.)

…

As Chu Lingguang accepted the gifts, lines of text appeared one after another before his eyes.

There were dozens of family shops on Wine Street, and a dozen or so of the owners had rushed over to thank him.

The amount of Favor Points awarded varied, depending mainly on the depth of their gratitude.

When his arms were finally piled high with all sorts of goods, another line of text appeared.

(Received the simultaneous gratitude of over a dozen Wine Street shopkeepers. Obtained one medium-grade Martial Art: Heaven and Earth!)

“A Martial Art!”

Chu Lingguang’s eyes widened.

A Kung Fu that qualified as a Martial Art was on a completely different level from something like the Iron Mountain Saber Technique or Iron Mountain Fist. And the name, ’Heaven and Earth,’ sounded incredibly majestic and powerful.

“We’re heading back.”

Seeing Chu Lingguang surrounded by the adoring shopkeepers of Wine Street, the man in black gave a slight smile and led his men away. But as he passed the isolated Liu Quan, he couldn’t resist a sneer. “Tie Zhennan’s disciples are a far cry from Master Guo’s.”

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