https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-207-The-Hero-of-the-Yangtze-River-Shi-Yangtian/12536247/
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Chapter 208: Adventures on the Road
Chapter 208: Adventures on the Road
And so, Jiang Feng boarded the grand ship of the Changjiang Alliance and began his journey upstream against the current of the mighty river.
Shiyantian, along with several other skilled members of the Changjiang Alliance, resided on the ship as well. They fished for fresh catch along the river and purchased vegetables, meat, and wine from the riverbanks to host a grand feast for Jiang Feng.
"In all the world, you are renowned as the kind and righteous Jade Lord, Jiang Feng, with unparalleled good looks, and a sworn brother to Yan Nantian. But who would have thought that your martial arts prowess would also be unmatched, surpassing even the most famous masters?" Shiyantian praised.
"You flatter me. After all, my elder brother is known as the Divine Sword, the best in the world. I cannot disgrace him during my travels," Jiang Feng replied with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Shiyantian laughed and glanced at his son out of the corner of his eye. He, the so-called Great Hero of the Changjiang, had cultivated formidable martial arts skills at a young age. By uniting dozens of guilds and docks along the middle and upper reaches of the Changjiang River to form the Changjiang Alliance, he had established a powerful influence. Although his influence had not yet reached the downstream Jiangnan region, the heroes along the Changjiang River paid respect to him. Among the heroes and elites of the thirty-six waterways, he was undoubtedly second to none.
However, his son was simply not cut out for martial arts. Despite Shiyantian's meticulous teaching from a young age, his son's martial arts skills were, at best, mediocre. During the ambush by the Wushan Six Devils, he had nearly lost his life due to his clumsy responses.
Fortunately, Shiminting seemed oblivious to the subtle implications in Jiang Feng's words. He continued to drink merrily with the other men, doting on his wife and playing with his daughter.
"Oh well, he's still filial and sensible. It won't be bad for him to be a wealthy merchant in the future..." Shiyantian thought to himself, and when he turned back to look at Jiang Feng, he had a newfound appreciation for him. He raised his cup once more and said, "My son is truly fortunate to have encountered you, Jiang Xiaoyou. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable. Please allow me to offer you another cup!"
"You're too kind, Shixian. Your son is upright and admirable, and I respect him greatly," Jiang Feng replied with a smile.
...
With the backing of Yan Nantian, the Divine Sword, and Shiyantian's foreknowledge of events twenty years later from the original novel, both parties felt at ease and enjoyed each other's company. If not for Shiyantian's concern for face, he would have loved for his son and Jiang Feng to become sworn brothers.
However, Jiang Feng was perceptive and gave Shiyue a jade pendant, which she happily accepted. This gesture further strengthened the bond between the two families.
By the time the ship arrived in Chongqing, the two families had become quite close. From then on, whenever Jiang's cargo ships traveled along the middle and upper reaches of the Changjiang River, the Changjiang Alliance would provide full protection along the river, ensuring a smooth and unhindered journey.
As they parted ways in Chongqing, Jiang Feng firmly declined Shiyantian and his son's offer to see him off. However, the Changjiang Alliance arranged for a fast ship to escort him all the way to Shunqing, which was near Nanchong in later years.
He paid a visit to the head of the Wu family and drank with their eldest son, maintaining the good relationship between the two families. Then, as the Wu family's eldest son looked on with a mixture of envy and admiration, Jiang Feng bade them farewell.
There was no helping it; the eldest son of the Wu family was already considered a talented and refined young master in Shunqing. However, when compared to Jiang Feng, he seemed like a sidekick, and while it could be overlooked once or twice, it would become inappropriate if it happened too often.
Thus, Jiang Feng used the pretext of wandering around Shu to continue his journey westward instead of returning the way he came. He set off toward Chengdu by carriage, thanks to the timely delivery of the batch of red goods to the Wu family, who not only avoided losses but also made a substantial profit. As a result, the Wu family not only provided him with a generous amount of gold and silver but also made sure he was well-prepared for the journey ahead.
His martial arts prowess was certainly not weak; his internal energy and swordsmanship had few rivals under the heavens. However, he was somewhat specialized, and his skill in fist, palm, and leg techniques could only be described as mediocre.
Yan Nantian had praised the Five Extremes Divine Skill as "the crystallization of the heart and soul of countless martial arts predecessors, with each move being the essence of martial arts," but he had not commented on its internal energy cultivation.
The Five Extremes Divine Skill did indeed cultivate internal energy, and it was through this that Xiao Yu'er had greatly improved his own. However, Jiang Feng surmised that the method of internal energy cultivation, while decent, was surely not as remarkable as the Divine Skill of the Wedding Gown, as the Five Extremes would undoubtedly fall short of Yan Nantian's prowess.
Based on his speculation, their skill level was probably comparable to that of Shi Yangtian in The Proud Twins or Guo Songyang in The Sentimental Swordsman.
Nonetheless, it would help Jiang Feng make up for his current shortcomings, and that was a welcome prospect.
The Ancient Dragon and Golden Plunder worlds differed in that internal energy did not play as significant a role. For instance, Yao Yue and Yan Nantian's internal energy were undoubtedly superior to Li Xunhuan's, but it was questionable if they could withstand a single strike from him.
"The only problem is that the location is hard to find," Jiang Feng mused. In the original story, the temple where Xiao Yu'er and Jiang Yulang had emerged was never clearly described, whether it was in the front or back mountains, or on the east or west side.
However, it shouldn't be too far from Emei Sect's base, as Xuan Yuan Sanguang had forced several previously introduced martial arts masters to gamble, and the Emei Sect leader, Shen Xi Daoist, had also appeared afterward.
"At the bottom of a secluded valley, several hundred steps leading up, and a local rich landlord..." Jiang Feng stroked his chin in thought. "It should be on the front side of Mount Emei, but in a secluded temple off the main path."
There were countless temples and shrines on Mount Emei, so narrowing down the search area was crucial, or else Jiang Feng, disguised as Jiang Yulang, would attract suspicion if he lingered on the mountain for too long.
However, before anyone else could notice anything amiss about him, Jiang Feng himself became aware of something unusual.
Someone had climbed underneath his carriage.
Their aura was subtle, and their movements were quiet, indicating that they were a skilled martial artist, perhaps even stronger than the Black-faced Lord of the Twelve Constellation Guards.
Who was this? And were they after him?
Jiang Feng's eyes flickered with curiosity, and then he heard three or four sounds of clothing rustling in the wind, gradually drawing closer.
In the next moment, a dark figure leaped into the carriage from behind. Jiang Feng turned to see a tall, thin man holding a sword.
However, this intruder had not noticed the long sword that Jiang Feng had concealed under the blanket at the edge of the carriage. Mistaking Jiang Feng for a weak and scholarly young master, the man smiled sinisterly and used the blanket to conceal himself, hiding behind a small cabinet in the carriage.
At the same time, a sword tip protruded from beneath the blanket, inching closer to Jiang Feng.
"Kid, don't make a sound, or this old man will kill you first!"
Throughout, Jiang Feng maintained an innocent expression, causing the man to believe that he had been successfully intimidated.
"Act normal, or else if you expose this old man, you will die too!"
Just as the man finished speaking, the sound of fluttering clothing landed on the carriage frame.
"Don't be afraid. It's just the Tang Clan looking for someone."
As the words fell, the carriage curtain in front of Jiang Feng was lifted, and a man in blue poked his head in to take a look. Seeing that there was only Jiang Feng inside, he shook his head.
However, before he could turn away, Jiang Feng winked at him.
(End of Chapter)
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