Chapter 5, Gathering in Shanghai

Although Shi Yao heard Wang Longsheng say this, he still felt somewhat aggrieved and asked, "Why don't you explain what skills he possesses? He has the Eighteen Techniques of Thievery, while I have the Thirty-Six Strategies of the Three Schools of Thievery. During the Qing Dynasty, the master of the Thief's Guild, Li Hongwen, could break a hundred strategies in one move. At that time, the Southern and Northern factions had not yet unified, and weren't both sides completely defeated by Li Hongwen?"

Oh? I see, you little rascal anticipated that the thief would have this trick and have already set a trap in the room

Wang Longsheng gave a bitter smile and turned to look at Gao Yang. Gao Yang immediately understood Wang Longsheng's meaning and said, "You only know part of the story. Although the leader of Hongwen Sect won against all the prominent figures of the Southern Thieves and Northern Bandits, the leaders of the Southern Thieves and Northern Bandits were not present at that time. Later, when the leader of Hongwen Sect's brother, Li Hongzhang, encountered difficulties, it was thanks to the Southern Thieves' leader, Zhu Cong, who came to the rescue. In this matter, we, the people of Penglai Mountain, owe them a debt of gratitude."

Ah? Hualiang appeared especially angry: "Drive the car straight to the helm of the Shanghai Pirates. Damn it, these bastards really won't listen unless they are beaten! If those two little thieves dare to touch my 'snow pressure', they can wait to be expelled from the helm of the Shanghai Pirates!"

That evening, Wang Longsheng brought news that the tuna had agreed to the request for a meeting, with the location arranged near a steel factory in the suburbs. There were no restrictions on the number of people from their side, but they would have to undergo metal detector checks before the meeting. This was the other party's territory, and some of their requirements were not unreasonable, so Gao Yang agreed. Even if the other side had excessive demands, Gao Yang would still comply; he simply could not afford to delay any longer

Gao Yang also nodded and said: "Just by looking at this name, one can tell how arrogant they are. Ding Ba, Ding Ba, this clearly implies a status on par with the Seven Young Masters of the Republic of China!"

Wang Longsheng was certainly well aware of these matters, but he did not dare to confront Shi Yao directly. This young girl, within the entire Yanweizi and even throughout the entire Jianghu, was someone whom no one would take seriously except for Gao Yang. Therefore, Wang Longsheng signaled to Gao Yang to step forward and speak.

Zhang Lei, hearing this, asked with a bewildered expression: "What is so terrifying about being in prison?"

Wang Longsheng said with a bitter smile: "This is enough to write a web fantasy novel. To put it simply, Ding Ba has treated countless prominent figures from both the underworld and the legitimate world while in prison, and these figures are now the kind who can cause the ground to collapse just by stomping their feet."

The earliest mechanical techniques appeared during the Spring and Autumn period. The first wooden ox and flowing horse created by Lu Ban belongs to the category of advanced mechanisms, but it is only briefly summarized in eight characters in "Lunheng." It was not until the Three Kingdoms period, when Zhuge Liang fortuitously obtained manufacturing diagrams, that this miraculous, natural, pollution-free transportation tool reappeared in the world. However, neither of these individuals can be considered the founding masters of the mechanical arts. The true originator of the art of mechanical devices is Zu Chongzhi. Therefore, it can be said that there were no mechanical traps in ancient tombs before the Eastern Jin dynasty. Nowadays, novels often depict tombs from before the Common Era as containing quicksand traps and crossbows, without considering who would have been able to create such devices at that time.

On the afternoon of the second day, Wang Longsheng drove to pick them up. The five of them traveled light to the meeting, heading straight to a villa complex located beside a steel mill in the western suburbs of Shanghai

Gao Yang replied in the same tone while gazing at the scenery rushing by: "Four years ago, there was an encounter; that time, I went to Tibet with Lao Hua to search for someone, and we met along the way"

Shi Yao coldly snorted and said: "Is Ding Ba really that impressive? When I roamed the rivers and lakes alone, I was the one robbing the thieves' trade, yet I never saw him do anything to this young lady!"

Countless sages have attempted to unify the Eight External Sects, yet regardless of how grand the process may have been, all have ended in failure. Now, Gao Yang is treading this path, a road with almost no chance of success. To revive the Thousand Gates and unify the Eight External Sects! He has no confidence at all, not even a glimmer of hope, but recalling the gaze of his mentor in his final moments and the whispered words of his father as he patted his shoulder before embarking on the journey into the martial world, he is resolute. No matter the outcome, he must take action. He has no confidence at all, not even a glimmer of hope, but recalling the gaze of his mentor in his final moments and the whispered words of his father as he patted his shoulder before embarking on the journey into the martial world, he is resolute. No matter the outcome, he must take action

Wang Longsheng thought to himself: "That is just Ding Ba not being on the same level as you." However, such words could never be spoken aloud, so he could only smile and say: "Of course, which demon girl is afraid? I was merely saying that Ding Ba has some skills, that's all!"

Wang Longsheng continued to inquire: "Have you engaged in combat?"

Drive first, meet the tuna, and discuss other matters later

Wang Longsheng exclaimed dramatically: "What is there to be afraid of? Let me tell you, it is precisely because of these thirteen years of imprisonment that Ding Ba has achieved what he has today. After the Southern and Northern factions of the Thieves' Sect split during the Ming Dynasty, nearly a thousand years have passed. Ding Ba has managed to reunite the Southern and Northern thieves, who have been separated for a millennium. This remarkable feat alone is enough to secure his place in the annals of the famous figures of the Eight External Sects!"

The most bewildering moment came when Zhang Lei... He was stunned for quite a while before saying: "What does Sister Yao mean by this? Don't tell me it's about the scenic act of offering incense on Mount Penglai; even if it's a treacherous path of knives and flames, if I, Zhang Lei, were to..." The more Zhang Lei spoke, the more agitated he became, his voice overpowering the sound system in the car.

Wang Longsheng, seeing that there were no vehicles ahead, released his grip on the steering wheel, turned around, and gave Zhang Lei a light slap on the head, saying: "What's wrong? Are you scared?"

"Leizi, I ask you, have you ever regretted running around the world with Yang Ge?" Shi Yao suddenly asked this question calmly, leaving everyone in the car momentarily stunned

"Lao Gao! Do you know who the current leader of the thieves' guild is?" Wang Longsheng asked in a heavy voice.

Zhang Lei forced a smile and said, "Sister Yao, Ji Tuo hasn't offended you. If I don't handle this well, you can take it out on me. Why go through all this trouble..." Just as he was about to continue, he suddenly noticed Shi Yao staring at him with wide eyes, and he quickly swallowed the rest of his words, firmly patting his chest to assure her that he would definitely handle it beautifully.

Before Gaoyang could respond, Hualiang interjected, "What a joke! If it were a real fight, would he still be alive and kicking now?"

On that night, all the gates were opened as Zhang Lei arrived in Shanghai

Zhang Lei was engrossed in reviewing the materials when he was startled by a sudden knock. He then heard Wang Longsheng say, not without displeasure: "Afraid? That's a joke. Although I may not have the extensive experience you all have, I am certainly not someone who has never faced challenges or weathered storms. I was merely expressing a sentiment!"

The entrance of the mechanical gate into the Outer Eight Lines occurred in the early Ming Dynasty, when maritime routes had already been established. The Western Eight Treasures and the heart screw were introduced to China. The predecessors of the mechanical gate integrated this technology, ultimately enhancing the mechanical gate. After the change of the earth and wood, the Wokou army besieged the capital. The mechanical gates responded to the invitation of the Outer Eight Lines and joined the Ming army's Divine Machine Camp, where they made significant contributions and gained fame in a single battle

The five generals of the Seven Gates and Eight Generals have gathered at Shanghai Bund!

Upon hearing this, everyone smiled faintly. Wang Longsheng, after laughing, immediately adopted a serious expression and said: "As for Guan Xiao, it is nothing much. The main reason he could sit in the position of the leader of the thieves' guild is that he has a good master. However, as for his master, after the Republic of China, there is probably no one in the martial world who can match his reputation!"

Among the Eight Outer Lines, the most astonishing is the mechanism door, also known as the pin door

Yet now the streets are filled with people, but very few can discern where the world of rivers and lakes lies! It is a world composed of various industries, but whether in ancient times or in modernity, the legitimate industries are constrained by the authorities. Therefore, it is only the external industries that truly showcase the excitement of this world.

"Why are you sitting so far away from me? Are you afraid of me?" Shi Yao looked up at the ceiling of the car and asked in a chilling tone

"What exactly happened during the thirteen years at the Northwest Prison?" Zhang Lei inquired

Gao Yang's expression was very calm, as if he knew that the Thieves' Guild would send someone over. Hua Liang was not surprised by Gao Yang's actions; as the leader of the Qianmen, if one did not possess the mental fortitude to remain unperturbed in the face of a mountain collapsing before them, how could they lead the Qianmen? However, the fact that the usually hot-tempered Shi Yao was also able to maintain such composure today made Hua Liang feel suspicious.

"Brother Sheng, has this tuna also planned escape routes for key figures of the Al-Qaeda organization?" Zhang Lei asked while flipping through the information on Li Yating, the tuna in his hand.

Alright! You are just throwing a tantrum, my dear sister! Don't take it to heart. Gao Yang reached out and patted Zhang Lei's shoulder as he spoke

Wang Longsheng said with a heavy expression: "Ding Ba, whose original name was Ding Bucheng, was a close disciple of Master Zhu Cong in his later years. He holds a very high status in the martial world, not only excelling in thievery but also having mastered various arts, both internal and external. He is truly a talented individual. However, what is most terrifying is that during the Cultural Revolution, he spent thirteen years in prison in the Northwest."

Zhang Lei immediately understood upon hearing this. During the Cultural Revolution, the prison housed all kinds of people, from national studies professors to local ruffians. At that time, the medical care in prisons was inadequate. It seems that Ding Ba relied on his own means to save many individuals, and those people have now become quite impressive.

Hualiang sat in the front passenger seat drinking alcohol. In the back seat, Gaoyang was sitting on the left, while Shiyao leaned against Gaoyang's shoulder, her beautiful eyes fixed on the car ceiling, seemingly lost in thought. Zhang Lei sat right next to the door on the right, separated by a considerable distance from Tushu and Shiyao. After Zhang Lei finished speaking, Shiyao turned her head to glance at him and said, "Today's negotiation is a test for you. If you lose face for Qianmen, just wait and see if I won't shave off all the hair on that little pony of yours!"

Hearing Gao Yang say this, Shi Yao still wore a look of indifference, but no longer argued with Wang Longsheng. Seeing this, Wang Longsheng continued, "These old matters are not worth discussing. Just looking at the strength of that old man Ding Ba, one can tell that the Thieves' Sect indeed has the capital to be arrogant"

***

The so-called external sects refer to certain trades that are often misunderstood or even despised by the world. The eight external trades of the Jianghu have been passed down for thousands of years, and the conflicts among these eight trades have also persisted for millennia. Everyone aspires to claim the title of the foremost among the external sects, yet for a thousand years, the outcomes of these contests have never favored a single party.

A famous person once said, "Wherever there are people, there is a world of rivers and lakes." This is a truth.

At that moment, Wang Longsheng suddenly stopped the car and smiled as he looked ahead

Gao Yang did not deny it and mysteriously smiled, saying: "Rest assured, your wine is definitely still there!"

Wang Longsheng did not turn the car around, but instead stopped by the roadside. He turned his head to look at Gao Yang with a questioning gaze. He was well aware of Hua Liang's fiery temper; if he were to heed his advice and drive the car to the entrance of the thieves' den, a bloody battle would be inevitable

While everyone was chatting and laughing, Wang Longsheng suddenly tightened his expression and said seriously: "Damn it! The theft is far from over. Just now, a pigeon delivered a message saying that shortly after we left, a 'flying eaves' entered the hotel to search our room."

"No! How kind you are! To be honest, I am not afraid of the other brothers getting angry. Among us, I feel that you, Sister Yao, are the most easygoing." Zhang Lei could only speak against his conscience in resignation.

--- ( Brief Introduction of External Eight Lines )