vstars Chapter 35 Jiang Ba
Chapter 35 Jiang Ba
Chapter 35 Jiang Ba
In the south of Xiangyang, a magnificent mansion stands at the end of a long street. The vermilion gate is over ten feet high, and two lifelike stone lions stand guard in front of it with their eyes wide open in anger.
Two rows of burly men stood at the entrance, each with broad shoulders and thick waists, sharp eyes like eagles, and scabbards hanging from their waists. Though they stood motionless, they exuded a chilling aura. Ordinary people passing by would lower their heads and hurry along, not daring to glance at them.
"Young Master Ouyang, we've arrived."
The driver jumped off the carriage shaft first and respectfully lifted the curtain.
Ouyang Ke, leaning on his crutches, slowly rose to his feet. A firebird poked its head out from his shoulder, curiously surveying the magnificent mansion before it.
His gaze swept over the two rows of burly men in front of the door. Just by sensing their breathing, he knew that these men had already reached a high level of internal strength, and would be considered quite skilled in the martial arts world.
They were only qualified to stand guard outside, which clearly showed that the power of the Great River Alliance was even stronger than he had expected. Although it could not compare to the behemoths like the Four Great Clans, the Demonic Sect, and the Cihang Jingzhai, it was probably no less powerful than the Eight Gangs and Ten Societies.
The man said respectfully, "Young Master Ouyang, please. The chief is already waiting for you inside the mansion."
Ouyang Ke nodded slightly, tapping his crutches lightly under his armpits.
This seemingly ordinary movement resulted in him floating more than ten feet away, his clothes making not a sound. The slight disdain in the eyes of the two rows of burly men guarding the door vanished instantly, replaced by seriousness. They then realized that the white-robed young man with the disability in his legs was no ordinary person.
A man who looked like a manager quickly came forward and led Ouyang Ke through the gate.
Upon entering the mansion, one is greeted by a long corridor, its pillars adorned with intricate carvings and gilded details, with silk lanterns hanging on either side, casting a soft glow on the night. Passing through the corridor, the view suddenly opens up before one's eyes.
A rockery stretches across the courtyard, its craggy rocks exquisitely crafted. At its foot lies a clear spring, its waters gurgling gently, with several koi swimming leisurely in its depths. Beyond the rockery, a profusion of flowers blooms; though it is an autumn night, many flowers still vie for attention, their subtle fragrance wafting through the air.
Ouyang Ke nodded inwardly. The magnificence of this mansion surpassed even that of Wanyan Honglie, the sixth prince of the Jin Dynasty. The fact that the Great River Alliance was able to establish this base on the Yangtze River was no accident.
After passing through another moon gate, a large hall appeared before them. The hall was brightly lit, the mahogany furniture gleaming with a warm luster. A splashed-ink landscape painting hung in the center, flanked by couplets written with vigorous strokes. The steward stopped outside the hall, cupped his hands, and said, "The head steward is already waiting inside. Please, young master."
Ouyang Ke nodded, lightly tapped his crutches, and gracefully entered the hall.
There weren't many people in the hall. A man and a woman sat in the main seats in the center. The man was burly, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. He looked to be in his early forties, with dark, rough skin, clearly a man who made his living on the water year-round. He wore a black brocade robe, but although it was made of silk, it always seemed borrowed, unlike his comfortable water jacket.
The woman beside him was entirely different. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, and she wore a white dress, her figure perfectly proportioned and her bearing graceful. The candlelight in the hall illuminated her face, revealing her long, slender eyebrows, her jade-like skin, and her exquisite features. She held a jade-bone fan in her hand, partially obscuring her face, but her phoenix eyes smiled at Ouyang Ke, making it impossible to discern what lay beneath that smile.
Seeing Ouyang Ke with a crutch under his arm, the burly man wasn't surprised, clearly someone had already informed him. He sized Ouyang Ke up and down, his gaze filled with scrutiny and curiosity, then laughed loudly, "This must be Young Master Ouyang! Jia Si said your martial arts are superb, and now that I see you, you truly are a heroic young man!"
His voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the hall, and had a touch of rugged, untamed spirit.
Ouyang Ke bowed slightly: "Ouyang Ke greets the Chief."
"Please rise!" Jiang Ba waved his hand dismissively, his smile hearty. "No need for formalities here. Someone, escort Young Master Ouyang to a seat!"
A maidservant stepped forward and led Ouyang Ke to a seat in the guest section.
A man in his forties, with a square face, short beard, and a restrained yet subtly shrewd gaze, was already seated opposite him, clearly possessing considerable cultivation. Upon seeing Ouyang Ke take his seat, the man merely glanced at him indifferently before arrogantly turning his head away.
Ouyang Ke didn't take it to heart and remained calm.
Jiang Ba laughed and said, "My name is Jiang Ba, and this is my wife, Zheng Shuming. The reason why our Great Jiang Alliance is where it is today is largely thanks to my wife's planning and strategies behind the scenes."
Ouyang Ke bowed slightly: "Greetings, Chief Jiang, and Madam Zheng."
His decision to join the Great River Alliance was well-considered. Having just entered the world of the Tang Dynasty, he was unfamiliar with everything and needed to find a place to stay temporarily.
Although the Great River Alliance is not as famous as the Eight Gangs and Ten Societies, it is still a force to be reckoned with on the Yangtze River waterway.
From Jiangling to Jiujiang, all the large and small water fortresses and shipping guilds obeyed his orders, with hundreds of ships and thousands of men under his command.
It also has a coalition of forces including the Qingjiang Faction, Cangwu Faction, Jiangnan Society, Mingyang Gang, and Tiandong Faction, and its strength on the Yangtze River is no less than that of the Haisha Gang and the Jukun Gang.
Upon hearing the title "Madam Zheng," a hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Ba's eyes, before he chuckled and said, "That's a rather novel way to address you."
Zheng Shuming glanced sideways; this was the first time someone had addressed her like that. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she nodded to Ouyang Ke without saying anything more. She gently waved her round fan, obscuring half of her face.
The man opposite him snorted coldly, clearly disdainful of Ouyang Ke's attempt to "curry favor".
Seeing this, Jiang Ba introduced with a smile, "Young Master Ouyang, this is Chief Chen of the Badong Sect."
Ouyang Ke glanced sideways at them and said indifferently, "So it's Chief Chen. May I ask what your opinion is of me?"
The head of the household, Chen, frowned and was about to lash out when he subconsciously glanced at Jiang Ba and Zheng Shuming in the main seats. Suppressing his anger, he coldly said, "Young Master Ouyang—"
"As far as I know," Ouyang Ke interrupted him calmly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, "Madam Zheng is quick-witted and a renowned strategist of the Great River Alliance. She is not one of those women who, in the eyes of the world, can only depend on men for survival. Perhaps Master Chen thinks I am wrong?"
These words, though seemingly casual, were like a pebble dropped into the center of a lake.
Chief Chen's face turned ashen, and he was momentarily speechless. He opened his mouth, first bowing to Jiang Ba and Zheng Shuming, saying, "Chief, Madam, I had absolutely no such intention—" Before he could finish speaking, he became enraged and abruptly turned to Ouyang Ke, "The moment you joined my Great Jiang Alliance, you began to sow discord. What are your intentions?"
"Intentions?" Ouyang Ke smiled calmly, took a sip of his drink, and stroked the feathers of the firebird on his shoulder. He said slowly, "It's simple. Just as Master Chen doesn't like me, I'm also a little annoyed by you."
These words shocked everyone in the room.
Chief Chen abruptly stood up, his face flushed red, and roared, "How dare you! Chief, please allow me to fight this man and determine who is superior!"
Jiang Ba and Zheng Shuming exchanged a glance. Zheng Shuming nodded slightly, and Jiang Ba said, "Alright. However, this competition is just a friendly spar; let's stop when we've reached our goal and not let it spoil the harmony."
Master Chen strode into the hall, staring coldly at Ouyang Ke: "Where is your weapon?"
Seeing that Ouyang Ke had difficulty walking and was young, he was proud of his status and unwilling to take advantage of him.
Ouyang Ke looked up at him, a slight smile playing on his lips: "I advise you to make your move first. Otherwise, once I do, you might not have a chance."
"Arrogant!"
With a furious roar, Master Chen kicked out with his right foot, sending the small table in front of him flying like a cannonball, hurtling straight at Ouyang Ke's face.
The movement was so fast and urgent that the cups and saucers on the table did not move an inch, indicating that the force was used extremely skillfully.
Ouyang Ke remained calm and pressed down gently with one hand. The flying small table came to a steady stop in mid-air, as if supported by an invisible hand, and the wine in the cup did not even ripple.
In that instant, Master Chen had already pounced on him.
Using the flying table as cover, he gathered all his strength in his right palm and struck Ouyang Ke's chest. The timing was perfect, showing he was a seasoned veteran.
Without turning his head, Ouyang Ke's left hand shot out like a snake, striking first and wrapping around Chen's right wrist. This move was extremely strange; his arm seemed to have grown out of thin air, and with a flick of his fingers and palm, he had completely neutralized Chen's palm force.
Chief Chen was startled, but remained calm. He transformed his left hand into a claw, its five fingers like hooks, aiming straight for Ouyang Ke's shoulder. This claw was fierce and ruthless; if it landed, it would naturally leave five holes.
Ouyang Ke's shoulders trembled slightly.
The tremor was extremely slight, yet Chen Dangjia's left claw felt as if it had been struck by lightning. A powerful and unparalleled internal force surged from his fingertips into his arm, instantly making his entire arm numb and powerless, causing him to involuntarily recoil. He was terrified and tried to pull away, but his right hand was firmly entangled by Ouyang Ke, rendering him unable to move.
Just then, Ouyang Ke's left hand, which was wrapped around him, suddenly moved like a snake spitting its tongue, sliding up his arm and landing with a soft "smack" on his chest.
This palm strike seemed light and airy, yet its force penetrated deep into his body. Master Chen felt a tightness in his chest, his blood surging, and he involuntarily staggered back several steps, his footsteps echoing loudly on the stone slabs of the hall, until he crashed into a pillar behind him and barely managed to regain his footing.
His face was flushed, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. Looking down, his clothes were intact, without even a wrinkle. There was only a warm current flowing slowly through his meridians, which not only did not harm him, but also relieved some of the stagnation of qi and blood that he had caused when he exerted too much force earlier.
Master Chen was both shocked and ashamed. He naturally understood that if Ouyang Ke hadn't held back with that palm strike, he would probably be dead on the spot.
"Impressive martial arts skills!"
Jiang Ba, sitting in the main seat, couldn't help but blurt it out. He and Zheng Shuming exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Although Chen Dangjia's martial arts skills weren't the best in the Great Jiang Alliance, they were still among the top. Even if Jiang Ba himself took action, he might not be able to defeat him so easily.
The young man in white possessed unfathomable martial arts skills.
Master Chen's face alternated between pale and flushed, and after a long while, he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your mercy, sir."
"You flatter me." Ouyang Ke remained seated, his expression indifferent, as if the exchange just now was nothing more than a trivial matter. The firebird perched on his shoulder, tilted its head, looked at Chief Chen, then at Ouyang Ke, and let out a "coo," seemingly surprised by the man's utter weakness.
Ouyang Ke was well aware that the martial arts prowess of the Tang Dynasty's martial arts world far surpassed that of The Eagle Shooting Heroes.
The Demonic Sect, the Buddhist and Taoist sects, and those seasoned veterans of the martial arts world who have been famous for decades are naturally not people he can afford to offend right now. But how could the leader of the Badong Sect compare to him?
After all, Ouyang Ke had previously been able to fight Qiu Qianren, a master of the Five Greats level, for several moves without being at a disadvantage.
Not to mention that the "Spirit Snake Fist" he just used was created by his own uncle. Even Hong Qigong, who was also one of the Five Greats, had to think hard for three months after witnessing his fight with Guo Jing in Baoying County before he could come up with a countermeasure.
What merit or ability does Chen have to compare with Old Master Hong?
Zheng Shuming suddenly spoke, her voice gentle yet tinged with concern: "How is Master Chen's injury?"
Master Chen blushed and said in a low voice, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. It's nothing serious."
Zheng Shuming turned to look at Jiang Ba and said softly, "Husband, didn't you just buy a batch of old ginseng from a wealthy merchant in Liaodong a while ago?"
Jiang Ba was taken aback, then suddenly realized, and slammed his hand on the table, saying, "Exactly! Someone, fetch three thirty-year-old ginseng roots from the storeroom and present them to Master Chen for his healing!"
Chief Chen's face flushed red, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "Chief, how can this be—"
Jiang Ba waved his hand dismissively, leaving no room for refusal, "We're all brothers, why be so polite?"
Chen, unable to refuse, had no choice but to accept. Feeling embarrassed, he excused himself, saying he was injured, and hurriedly took his leave. Jiang Ba did not try to stop him, but told him to rest well.
After Chen left, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became much more relaxed.
A maidservant stepped forward to pour wine for Ouyang Ke. The firebird had already smelled the aroma of the wine, and before Ouyang Ke could even touch it, it hopped onto the rim of the cup and began to peck at it. Its posture was calm and elegant, displaying a touch of the refined taste of a scholar enjoying wine.
Zheng Shuming found it amusing and chuckled softly, covering her mouth. Jiang Ba couldn't help but take a second look, clicking his tongue in amazement: "In all my years, this is the first time I've ever seen birds drinking alcohol."
Ouyang Ke smiled and stroked the firebird's feathers, saying, "This little fellow can't live without wine; I'm sorry to have made the chief and his wife laugh."
Zheng Shuming gently waved her round fan and suddenly asked, "May I ask which school Young Master Ouyang is from? I couldn't discern the style of that martial art you were just performing."
Her tone was casual, but her gaze turned serious. In those brief exchanges, Ouyang Ke had revealed something that was enough to startle even a seasoned strategist like herself, who was used to seeing martial arts masters.
Chen Dangjia was completely defeated in both internal strength and technique, while Ouyang Ke remained seated motionless, as if he had merely brushed aside a bothersome insect. His attacks were particularly unpredictable, yet he controlled them with perfect ease. She prided herself on her exceptional knowledge, but she had never seen such bizarre martial arts before.
Jiang Ba listened intently, his eyes filled with curiosity.
Ouyang Ke said calmly, "My martial arts were all taught to me by my uncle. The set of fist techniques I just saw was created by him when he observed a swarm of snakes hunting; it's called the Spirit Snake Fist."
"Snake Fist—" Zheng Shuming murmured repeatedly, recalling the serpentine and unpredictable moves Ouyang Ke had made earlier, and nodded in agreement, "Truly living up to its name."
Jiang Ba's brow twitched slightly, and he pressed on, "May I ask how your uncle is addressed?"
Ouyang Ke said, "My uncle, Ouyang Feng, also known as the Western Poison, is more than ten times more skilled than me. However, he has lived in the Western Regions for a long time and rarely sets foot in the Central Plains. My purpose in coming here is twofold: first, to see the sights and sounds of the Central Plains, and second, to seek medical treatment for my leg, which is why I have traveled south."
Jiang Ba was filled with respect and cupped his hands, saying, "So Young Master Ouyang is from a renowned family."
Although he had never heard of the "Western Poison"'s reputation, the fact that he could create such an exquisite martial art as the "Spirit Snake Fist" meant that Ouyang Feng's martial arts skills must be unfathomable.
It should be understood that no matter how simple a martial art may seem, every move and technique tests the creator's martial arts foundation and vision.
Those who can create a martial art are invariably top masters or renowned figures in the martial arts world!
Zheng Shuming and Jiang Ba exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of understanding in each other's eyes. This Ouyang Ke not only possessed exceptional martial arts skills, but also had elders protecting him. If the Great River Alliance could befriend him, it would be tantamount to gaining a powerful ally out of nowhere.
Jiang Ba laughed and said, "Young Master Ouyang need not worry about finding a doctor. I will give orders to the entire Jiang Alliance to keep an eye out for renowned doctors for you. If there is any news, we will inform you immediately."
Ouyang Ke bowed slightly: "Thank you, Chief."
Firebird finished its drink, tilted its head to look at Ouyang Ke, then at Jiang Ba, and gulped down the wine in its cup.
Zheng Shuming smiled again as she looked at the firebird's endearing clumsiness. She gently waved her fan, her gaze lingering on Ouyang Ke for a moment, lost in thought.
Outside the hall, night was deepening. Inside the mansion, the lights shone brightly, illuminating the magnificent headquarters of the Great River Alliance.
PS: 10,000 chapters achieved.
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