Dispute Between Lame People
As the confrontation dragged on, threats of physical confrontations reduced, but the shouting increased. By this point, Tang Ye realised that nobody was planning to actually fight despite the magnitude of their forces.
When it came to settling grudges in the pugilistic world, it was “it’s either you or me today”. Assassins might have even been hired, so it was nothing close to the scene at the door. Put simply, nobody serious about fighting would make an agreement to fight, show up with a battalion and then just stand around shouting and acting toughing. The louder they were and more antics displayed, the less likely they were to fight.
Had it not been for Ming Feizhen’s bizarre behaviours, Tang Ye would have seen through the two groups’ ruses instantly.
In a matter of time, the two groups spread apart respectively to create a path each. A youth subsequently emerged from each respective group and marched towards the other.
The swordsman from the bigger group gave the impression of being some extraordinary swordsman since he had a group of warriors around him. While his mannerisms showed grace that nobody could nitpick, the condescending way he looked at people made him unlikeable.
On the other side, the youth attired in black was armed with a spear, slammed his spear into the ground, amateurs in the internal energy department saw the world spin. The warriors on horseback exchanged eye contact with each other and prompted their horses to neigh, impressed and convinced their general’s son was going to win today.
“Coming here with a horde of people when you know I’m visiting Yanluo, are you trying to pick a fight?” questioned the rectangular-faced spear wielder, staring intently.
“Are you still asleep? I arrived several minutes ahead of you. I’d be reciting poetry with her by now if she wasn’t busy. Li Shoulin, I’m not scared of your old man’s cavalry; I’m not going to back down,” Lu Jianqiu, the swordsman, replied.
“You got here first?” Li Shoulin grabbed his spear again and strode forwards. “The whole city knows I have a date with Yanluo today. You’re the one who is trying to cut the line.”
Hardly anyone knew about Yan Buer having a daughter, so everybody disregarded Li Shoulin’s declaration, but Lu Jianqiu knew about her. As soon as Li Shoulin caught wind of Lu Jianqiu’s attempt to cut in line, he rushed over, too.
Song Yanluo was right – they were a lame group of people.
“The Yanluo they refer to… would that be you, Miss?” queried Tang Ye.
Song Yanluo shrugged as she tossed aside a petal before heading back inside.
Tang Ye asked He Xiang, “Miss He Xiang, is she…”
He Xiang wrinkled her nose. “She doesn’t care about them. Those two insisted on coming over to help her, yet they’re fighting instead of helping. Argh!”
While He Xiang followed Song Yanluo back inside, Tang Ye stood frozen in place as he tried to make sense of the plethora of nonsensical information. The only person with the Yanluo name in his database was the daughter of Patriarch Song. He had met Ling Jialan, whom was considered Song Yanluo’s equal, and could not see himself beating her at present. Therefore, it was reasonable to assume she could manipulate his internal energy.
Lu Jianqiu, young master of Baling’s Lu Horn Manor, was rumoured to have been extensively trained in his clan’s swordplay. The esteemed clan was one of the Ten Supreme Saints and, while not as influential as big clans and sects, had the underworld “Eight Hundred Chambers” group backing them.
Li Shoulin’s father, Li Shi, was Emperor Yuansheng’s cousin, the general of Chang’an and had a cavalry numbering eight thousand. Li Shi inherited Li Clan’s martial arts disciplines and gave up the luxury of aristocratic life to serve in the army.
The two youths ranked on Seventeen Wyrms hailed from prominent families in the northern and southern regions. Interestingly, no matter how the rankings changed, the two of them were always shoulder to shoulder in the rankings. As if it was the curse of destiny, the two of them also fell for the same girl.
“I got to know her first,” snapped Li Shoulin.
“Love is first come first serve? True love is being able to be together until does us apart at first sight. You barely know her. What does you knowing her first even count for?”
Raised as a soldier since young, Li Shoulin was not a wordsmith. He was an expert at solving problems with violence.
“I’m not good with words. Being wishy washy gets you nowhere. I only have one question for you: are you going to give way or not?” Li Shoulin kicked his spear up to catch and assumed “Dragon Emerges from the Ocean” stance.
Lu Jianqiu set his hand onto his sword hilt. “Sure, I’ll give… you a few more drinks at our wedding.”
Glossary
Baling – The traditional name for Qiuyang in Hunan province.
Chang’an – The traditional name of Xi’an
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