Chapter 007: The Iron Chain Cold Bridge

Are you foolish? The son of Wang Dazhanggui will definitely be able to enter the Tianying Sect, at the very least as an outer disciple. If his son sees you entering the Tianying Sect as well, won't he bully you mercilessly? Do you still have a future in the Tianying Sect? There are several major factions in Wujun, and we are not necessarily bound to enter the Tianying Sect.

However, those who are unqualified are turned away at the door; it is not a matter of simply wanting to seek refuge. Cultivating martial skills requires youth and a certain level of innate talent and aptitude

Su Chen found it strange to see the awkward expression on Zhang the Butcher's face. He then glanced at the nearby Yaowang Mountain Villa and suddenly realized. Although Zhang the Butcher told Manager Wang that he wanted to return home to visit his family, he actually intended to bring his son to join the Yaowang Gang.

Wang Dazhanggui's current position as the master of the Tianying Inn is entirely due to his later status as an outer disciple of the Tianying Sect, which gradually led to his success; otherwise, he would have lived his life as a mere assistant.

The Medicine King Gang has strict rules for recruiting disciples, only accepting a group of promising youths aged between 8 and 13 during the twelfth month of the lunar calendar each year, for meticulous training to become capable disciples of the gang

He, butcher Zhang, also wants his son Zhang Tieniu to become a disciple of the Wu County gang, to rise above others, and to have the opportunity to show off in the future

Outside Yaowang Mountain Villa, there is a stream that encircles the mountain, and the only way to cross it is via a cold iron chain bridge that spans more than twenty zhang

However, crossing the cold iron chain bridge is not an easy task

Su Chen couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of Yaowang Mountain Villa, which was almost comparable to a small part of Zhouzhuang, truly deserving of its reputation as one of the five major sects in Wu County's martial arts world

Upon hearing the sound of a donkey cart approaching from behind, Su Chen quickly stepped aside and turned around, only to see Zhang the butcher and his chubby son driving the donkey cart on their way, which left him astonished

... ...

Zhang Tieniu is a local from the county town, and he often bullies A Chou at the inn, while also looking down on Su Chen, the small fisherman from Zhouzhuang.

Zhang Tieniu, upon hearing that there was pig's trotter to eat, immediately drooled with desire and excitedly nodded vigorously

... ...

Originally, he did not wish to pay much attention to Su Chen, this small fisherman. However, considering that his son and this small fisherman might both join the Medicine King Gang and become fellow disciples, perhaps they could look out for each other, he engaged in a bit more conversation.

Hmph, if you lack the courage for such minor risks, what is there to discuss about joining the Medicine King Gang? Our disciples of the Medicine King Gang venture into the world with our lives hanging by a thread, which is far more dangerous than this iron chain bridge. Those who fear death need not come to the Medicine King Gang. Moreover, if one were to fall into the stream below, there are fishermen who will come to rescue; at worst, one might get a bit cold, but death is certainly not an option.

Oh dear, be careful

The water under the bridge is not deep, yet it is exceptionally icy and bone-chilling

This is a natural barrier of Yaowang Mountain Villa

The Iron Chain Cold Bridge of Yaowang Mountain Villa is not something that can be crossed casually. One must be agile and flexible, possess strong limbs and physical strength, and have a resilient will capable of enduring the suffering of the cold in order to have even a slight chance of passing the test

Su Chen looked at the iron chain bridge hanging with icicles and exuding a chill, feeling a shiver run through his heart. He dared not venture onto it recklessly and wanted to observe how other children crossed it in order to learn some experience.

Uncle Zhang, weren't you supposed to return to Zhouzhuang for a family visit? How did you end up here

Indeed, it is still the father who has thought it through comprehensively

Only then did Su Chen understand that in order to become an outer disciple of the Medicine King Sect, one must pass the test of crossing the Iron Chain Cold Bridge; otherwise, entry to the mountain gate would be impossible

Father has long understood that the Medicine King Gang is no less than the Sky Eagle Sect. In the county town, the medicine shops, the estates and farmlands outside the city, which of these is less than what the Sky Eagle Sect has? If you can become an outer disciple of the Medicine King Gang and endure for several decades, who knows, you might even become the head manager of a medicine shop, overseeing dozens of people! You won't have to live like your father, as a lowly butcher, being bossed around by others. Although I am a butcher, my son can still become a person of stature.

The donkey cart is racing swiftly along the official road outside the southern part of the city

On the cold iron chain bridge, a single man can hold the pass and guard the mountain gate

Zhang Tieniu held a steaming large meat bun in both hands, taking big bites and getting grease all over his mouth. It was only after leaving the city gate that he finally realized something was amiss, feeling somewhat dazed and unable to make sense of it.

Su Chen held a copper coin in his palm and walked near the South City Gate, passing by a breakfast stall close to the city gate. He originally intended to keep this coin as a memento and not spend it

Ordinary people from the martial world, small sects and minor factions, dare not act recklessly in front of the disciples of the Medicine King Gang

Butcher Zhang, worried that his son might fall into the river, squeezed to the front of the crowd, nodded and bowed to the aloof young swordsman, and asked in a flattering manner.

Alright, Father

Butcher Zhang also saw Su Chen, and could not help but slow down the reins to catch up with that slender figure

Moreover, there is not much time left; this is the final day

After butchering a pig, Zhang the butcher requested a day off from Wang, the innkeeper, stating that he needed to take his wife and son back to his hometown of Niangzhou Village to visit their relatives

Many adults and children among the common people arrived early in the morning, blocked from entering Yaowang Mountain Villa, and were clearly quite anxious

Drive, get it ~ ! ''

He is reluctant to eat it immediately, keeping it warm in his bosom, and will wait until he is truly hungry before consuming it

Beside this iron chain bridge, local gentry and wealthy landowners from nearby towns, farmers and tenants carrying hoes, as well as a few eager constables, gathered anxiously. They all wished for their children to join the Medicine King Gang, but were stopped by the cold iron chain bridge, unable to cross, and were filled with desperation.

The fate of many young people here in the latter half of their lives ultimately hinges on whether they become the envied disciples of the Medicine King Gang in the county town or are eliminated and return to live as ordinary citizens in the county. Everything depends on whether they can cross this iron chain bridge.

Rushing in the driver's seat of the donkey cart was none other than Zhang the butcher, while sitting on the wooden cart behind him was his chubby son, Zhang Tieniu

Butcher Zhang gritted his teeth and turned to urge his chubby son to climb that iron chain.

Su Chen thought for a moment, picked up a sharp hard stone from the roadside, and carved a crooked character "ugly" onto that bronze coin.

The iron suspension bridge was originally covered with hundreds of large wooden planks, unremarkable and easily traversable

The Medicine King Gang is one of the few powerful forces in the thirteen counties of Wu County, naturally incomparable to ordinary small gangs or minor forces. Even the gatekeepers of their mountain villa possess an unspoken superiority.

However, now those wooden planks have been removed, leaving only a few smooth iron chains spanning dozens of zhang, connecting both banks. It has suddenly become perilous, as the iron chains freeze into ice at night, becoming exceedingly smooth

Su Chen hurriedly squeezed into the crowd, wanting to see what the adults were discussing

"Not good! He has fallen, quickly save him!"

Indeed! If adults do not dare to cross this iron chain bridge, how can children!

These iron chains are smooth and icy, offering no points of grip, and extend a full distance of 20 zhang, which is extremely exhausting to traverse

It seems that among the common people in Gusu County, there are many who aspire to join underworld gangs in order to make a name for themselves, and he is certainly not the only one.

The residences of those gentry and landlords in Zhouzhuang are far inferior to this manor. Joining such a large faction will undoubtedly lead to a bright future

Soon, encouraged by numerous parents, more than a dozen children aged between eight and eleven began to emerge. With a hint of trepidation, they mustered their courage to climb this iron rope bridge

Su Chen exited the city gate of Gusu County and traveled along the official road

This gentleman! On such a cold day, the iron chains are frozen, making it impossible to gain a foothold. A child of just over ten years old is weak and cannot hold on; if they accidentally slip and fall into the river, even if they do not freeze to death, they will certainly fall ill. This is far too dangerous; is there no other way to test for admission into the gang

The gathered crowd of common people listened, their expressions clearly becoming agitated, bustling about, eagerly hoping that their own children could cross the iron chain bridge

Butcher Zhang laughed heartily, concealing his embarrassment

Su Chen could vaguely see that at the foot of the villa, there seemed to be hundreds of noisy people gathered around

The official road is quite busy, with chivalrous heroes riding tall steeds, wealthy families driving various luxurious carriages, as well as farmers with ox carts and woodcutters hurrying to the market, all coming and going in an endless stream

At the halfway up the mountain, a stretch of blue brick walls extends, isolating the villa from the outside world. On the mountain, the pavilions and courtyards with blue bricks and gray tiles overlap one another, occupying nearly half of the mountain ridge

Could it be that everyone has come early in the morning to join the Medicine King Gang, hoping to become apprentices of the gang? With so many people here, it is uncertain how many apprentices the Medicine King Gang intends to recruit

Shortly after Su Chen and A Chou left the backyard of the Tianying Inn, another donkey cart hurriedly emerged from the backyard and headed south towards the city

Upon witnessing this, the four young swordsmen merely shook their heads indifferently and chose not to intervene

Su Chen, eager to leave, hurried for three or four miles and saw a large mountain in the distance, with streams and a large lake surrounding the villa at the foot of the mountain

A young swordsman, noticing that some newcomers were still unclear about how to pass the assessment, called out to the crowd: "Esteemed elders and fellow villagers, this iron chain bridge is the assessment test for recruiting outer disciples of our Medicine King Gang. To become an outer disciple of the Medicine King Gang, one must cross this iron chain cold bridge unassisted in order to join the gang! Adults are not allowed to cross the bridge; only children under the age of thirteen may climb this iron chain bridge. As long as you successfully cross this iron chain bridge, you will be considered an outer disciple of our gang." Adults are not allowed to cross the bridge; only children under the age of thirteen may climb this iron chain bridge. As long as you successfully cross this iron chain bridge, you will be considered an outer disciple of our gang.

These iron chains, thicker than arms, stand bare and unstable, coated with icicles, cold and smooth. One can only use both hands and feet to climb across.

Father, how did we leave the city? Aren't we going to the Sky Eagle Gate?

The crowd of onlookers suddenly erupted in exclamations of surprise

The remaining distance was not far, and Su Chen, along with Zhang the butcher and the chubby boy, chatted leisurely, soon arriving outside the Yaowang Villa.

This should be the Medicine King Villa that A Chou mentioned

"Tie Niu, climb over! When you turn back, your father will cook you a big pig's trotter to eat"

A child of over nine years old climbed halfway up, seemingly with his hands frozen stiff. Suddenly, he lost his grip on the cold iron chain and let out a startled cry as he fell into the several zhang deep valley below

This also means that children who are too young and physically weak will certainly not be able to pass. Moreover, the upper age limit is set at thirteen years, which excludes older and stronger children as well

Oh, father! Who is that person... Is it the little fisherman from the countryside? How did this kid come to the southern part of the city!

Ah, Chen, my friend! Ha, what a coincidence! The weather is quite nice today, and I was just planning to take a trip back to Zhouzhuang. I heard from Old Li that the Medicine King Gang is recruiting, so I thought I would come by and see the excitement. Hehe! It seems you also want to become an apprentice at the Medicine King Gang, what a coincidence!

He has actually known Zhang the butcher for a long time, as Zhang's wife is from Zhouzhuang, and they are all from the same hometown, often encountering each other in Zhouzhuang

This is what A Chou taught him. Although the children of the common people in the county town cannot read, many still know their own names. Moreover, the character for 'ugly' is simple and easy to write; A Chou mentioned it once, and Su Chen remembered it.

However, one thought that if the Medicine King Sect were to recruit disciples and conduct assessments, it would not do to be weak from hunger and lack energy

The young swordsman surveyed the crowd, arms crossed, with a disdainful sneer: "Enough! Stop wasting time milling around here. Our guild is recruiting new apprentices this December, and it is limited to three days. Today is already the last day. If you cannot make it to the village by evening, you will have to come back next year. Those who are afraid to cross the bridge should go home; do not gather here just to make a fuss!"

Butcher Zhang thought of the way Manager Wang had been barking orders at him, and he felt indignant, spitting out a mouthful of saliva in anger

Su Chen used a copper coin to purchase three substantial coarse grain steamed buns from the breakfast vendor

On weekdays, the arrogant officials in the county town must respectfully address these guardians of the Medicine King Gang as 'Sir' in front of the knife-wielding protectors, and they do not dare to act with the airs of authority.

Every year, the number of newcomers wishing to join the Medicine King Gang is as numerous as the fish crossing the river

The common people exclaimed excitedly.

Zhang Tieniu finished eating a large meat-filled bun and suddenly saw the figure of a young boy dressed in a hemp robe and straw sandals ahead on the road, exclaiming in surprise

In those years, Wang Dazhanggui was merely a small clerk at the Tianying Inn, not much higher in status than Zhang the butcher, so what was there to be proud of

Su Chen felt a sense of urgency in his heart and hurriedly quickened his pace to go over

The four green-clad guards of the Medicine King Gang stood arrogantly at the entrance of the iron chain bridge, their arms crossed over their chests, gazing at the numerous common folk gathered outside the villa in lively chatter

Failing to meet these conditions will only result in suffering the bitter cold of falling into the creek, making it impossible to become an outer disciple of the Medicine King Gang