Chapter 010: The Bloodshed at the Cangfu

Jia Zigan was furious, "You dare to insult me? Take this!" With that, she swung her short knife at me.

I left Cangfu with the Persian Mingjiao and returned to the inn. The Persian Mingjiao informed me that this woman is the third young lady of the Jia family, one of the eight great families. She ranks among the top six on the list of young talents in the martial world and is also one of the four great beauties of the martial world

Cang Jingkong brought her disciple and said, "Young lady, this matter concerns the lives of the common people across the world. I hope you will act with chivalry and destroy that piece of paper.

The Persian Ming Sect is looking at me, and it is not appropriate for me to intervene in this matter; my brotherly love cannot provide assistance. However, Mr. Jia, I express my strong condemnation and protest regarding your actions last night, and I deeply regret your act of robbing the convoy.

I would say this woman is indeed beautiful, but she is not quite at the level of the Four Great Beauties. The Persian Mingjiao says I am a country bumpkin; in this day and age, to make it into the top 10 or the list of stunning beauties, one must have substantial strength and background. The Jianghu Baixiaosheng who compiles this ranking earns at least 35,000 to 50,000 taels a year; without financial backing, do you think one can make the list just by being beautiful or having high martial arts skills?

Yang Jiaoxi has not yet returned from visiting friends, and Liu Qingfeng speculated that he might have an old flame here. He is tightly controlled by his wife at home, and he took the opportunity of running an errand to come see her, likely not returning tonight. Heihei Mountain said that this cannot be the case. Why? This afternoon, I saw Yang Jiaoxi emptying the money from his pouch, and it was only about one hundred to one hundred eighty wen, not even enough to afford a meal and drinks.

On the second day, we arrived in the city of Cangzhou. The Central Plains Escort Agency does not have a branch in Cangzhou, so all incoming goods are delivered in pairs. I was in a group with the Persian Mingjiao, while the Black Wind Stronghold and Liu Qingfeng formed another group, with Instructor Yang coordinating in the middle

What about the Persian Mingjiao?

The woman in black said, "Young man, that piece of paper is too heavy; with your martial arts, holding it will crush you. Don't you think so, Teacher Cang?"

Yes, yes, yes, let's stop here. How about I treat you to lunch? I said with a bold face. Hmph, who would want your stinky food? Murong, I will spare this kid's life for your sake.

Third Uncle, take that piece of paper and go to the study with Teacher Cang. Several disciples immediately became alert, but the old man said, it is fine, today I will not take action, and saying this, he took Cang Jing into the study.

Is it an old man and a girl in black? Exactly! I said it seems these two are haunting us. Just then, the old man and the girl in black appeared in the mansion again. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear; you two have come at just the right time, as I need to settle last night's score with you. I pulled some strings with the Persian Ming Sect to help me teach her a lesson.

The Persian Ming Sect states that we are the bodyguards of the Central Plains Escort Agency, entrusted by the Zhonghua Book Company to deliver two hundred sets of the Four Books and Five Classics. Please have the person in charge of your household come out to sign for the delivery

Hold on, I was just saying that, no need to go all out. For one book, when I return to the capital, I will buy you a set, no, ten sets. I said this while dodging, "If the Persian Ming Sect doesn't help me, this girl will chop me into pieces. Do you want to have hot pot tonight?"

Don't knock anymore, there is no one at home. Then who are you? I am not a person. Hurry up, open the door, and receive the package

The Persian Ming Sect jumped into the battlefield, helping me to fend off the assault, allowing me to emerge. This is what a good brother is for. This woman, only you can teach her a lesson. Jia Zigan was furious, saying, "I will kill you." The Persian Ming Sect separated her, saying, "Enough of this, it ends here."

Did you not say there were thirteen mouths? Liu Qingfeng smacked his lips, and there are also four dogs, two cows, and five chickens, adding up to more than twenty lives. It is unclear what kind of enemies were provoked, and it is said that they all died by a single knife stroke. The Six Doors have already intervened. Do you want to go take a look?

For a moment, I opened a small hole in the side door and glanced outside to confirm that no one was there before opening the door. My two brothers, please understand that in the past two days, our enemies have come to our door, and we have had to be cautious

After Teacher Yang left, he said to the three of us, "Look at what has happened, we earned a little money, and it hasn't even warmed up in our pockets before it all disappeared." I replied, "Teacher Yang borrowing money from you is to cultivate you; I estimate that by the end of the year, during the evaluation, you will be able to be promoted to assistant courier."

Two hundred sets of the Four Books and Five Classics, according to the entrusted delivery address, belong to a scholar with the surname Cang in Cangzhou City. According to Liu Qingfeng, this person is a remarkable figure in the area. It is said that when he was born, all the well water in Cangzhou City ran dry, so his father named him Cang Jingkong.

I said, "What are you standing there for, Persian Ming? Hurry up and help with the escort!" The woman in black replied, "Murong, do you dare? According to the Fangshan Agreement signed by our eight great families, you are not allowed to interfere in this matter"

The next morning, Liu Qingfeng rushed in from outside, exclaiming loudly, "There has been an incident. Last night, the entire family of thirteen in Cangjing, Cangzhou Prefecture, was exterminated. Oh dear, more than twenty lives lost

According to the regulations of the Central Plains Escort Agency, we must stay in Cangzhou for a full three days. During these three days, we will receive some goods to be escorted back to the capital in Cangzhou Prefecture. After the three days are completed, regardless of the amount of goods, we will return to the capital as scheduled

The Persian Ming Sect states that what I do is my freedom, but you robbed our escort yesterday, so you must give an explanation. It's just a broken book, I will return it to you. After saying this, I threw it back. When I received it, I took a look and realized it was not right; one page was missing.

Instructor Yang stated that when we embark on our journey, we must first avoid disputes, and no one is allowed to go. Let us pack our belongings and return to Beijing at noon

Liu Qingfeng said, this is not a big deal, Yang instructor, who are we to each other, how much, what, five taels, can it be a little less? Are you trying to redeem someone? Be sure to remember to repay it

The Persian Ming Sect glanced at the short dagger in the hands of the woman in black, realizing it was you two. I should have recognized you yesterday. The woman in black said, "Oh, I really didn't expect that the Murong family members would actually go out to do some dirty work."

What are you all gossiping about? Yang Jiaoxi entered with his hands behind his back, and Liu Qingfeng quickly said, We were just discussing whether to invite Yang Jiaoxi for a drink tonight

I will explain how your martial arts compare to hers. The Persian Ming Sect is proud, and if I were to use my full strength, she would not last more than ten moves under my hand. Then why are you not on the ranking list? The Ming Sect scoffed, saying that this ranking list is merely a joke for the martial arts world to look at. Not to mention the Talent Ranking, even the list of top martial artists in the Jianghu, with Guo Xiaotian ranked first, we have more than enough capable fighters in our family to make him eat dirt, and we can't even count them on two hands.

Instructor Yang said that we are escorting the goods, have you forgotten the three major disciplines and eight points of attention? It is absolutely forbidden to drink alcohol. Dinner is canceled, as I have other matters to attend to. Qingfeng, recently your sister-in-law has been quite strict, and I am a bit short on funds. I heard that you made a profit from a side venture this time, could you lend me some money? I will repay you when I return to the capital

Stop with the pretense. Yesterday it was checking the water meter, today it's delivering packages. Teacher Cang has been beaten up like this by you all, and you still linger on like ghosts?

After a stick of incense's worth of time, two individuals emerged. The space between them was as desolate as a dead gray sky. The elder staggered, his expression extremely flustered, holding a letter and a piece of paper in his hand. I inquired about what had happened, but then... I saw two arrows pierce through his chest, and a shadow flashed by, snatching the letter and paper away. Looking again at the elder, he had already drawn his last breath.

The one who opened the door was a Confucian scholar of eighteen or nineteen years of age, who invited us to the reception room for tea. The Persian Mingjiao sect stated that, by all accounts, we were being overly inquisitive; however, we were unaware of the formidable individuals you have offended, to the extent that you have been driven to this state.

I sneered, and after the character for grass was simplified to "艹" in the Ming Dictionary, I no longer dared to use the phrase "莞尔一笑" carelessly.

Liu Qingfeng returned in high spirits, tossing me two taels of silver, telling me that selling books had brought in a small profit. The Persian Mingjiao said that this kind of money is also something you can earn, and there is no fear of retribution. The well-fed do not understand the hunger of the starving; upon returning, I must pay the rent for the next season. You, who are not short of money, naturally do not know the value of money

I arrived at Cangfu with the Persian Mingjiao, only to find the main gate tightly closed. I approached and knocked on the door. Bang! Bang bang! Bang bang bang!

I said that Bosiming was too impulsive, and he replied that I hadn't noticed Liu Qingfeng's annoying demeanor. Just seeing him irritates me, and I just want to hit him

Two individuals, one old and one young, came to our residence yesterday. Without uttering a word, they went to the study to rummage through books. After a long while, in a bewildering manner, they assaulted our teacher, Master Cang, and several students. They took advantage of their superior martial skills and acted with excessive arrogance

The Persian Ming Sect, although skilled in martial arts, has a rather foul temper. Oh, you see, I am just speaking my mind; it really is not worth discussing. A gentleman uses words rather than fists, ha. Let’s not mention it anymore; at the end of the year, I will have the escort master handle it, and I certainly will not compete with you. Liu Qingfeng ran out and shouted, "It would be strange if I didn’t compete with you!"

Liu Qingfeng thought it made sense; it wasn't just a brotherly boast. Among the four of us, if anyone were to suggest the position of assistant to the escort master, it would definitely be me. I asked why. Think about it, the Black Wind Stronghold is too honest, your martial arts skills are on par with mine, but my education and background are superior.

Who is this young lady, I asked the Persian Ming Sect. She is the third young lady of the Jia family, named Jia Ziwang. Jia from Jia Baoyu, Zi from Wan Ziliang, and Wan from Wan'er smiles.