Chapter 66: The First Appearance of the Gold and Silver Guild
Chapter 66: The First Appearance of the Gold and Silver Guild
"He has a request for us?" Ding Baiyun asked.
"It seems like a spur-of-the-moment decision," You Longsheng nodded.
"Looks like Yang Dahuzhu is in some trouble," Ding Chengfeng mused.
"If it's something that even Yang Dahuzhu finds troublesome, it's definitely not going to be easy. We shouldn't get involved just because of a few flattering words from him." You Longsheng said, "Besides, he's not exactly a saint either."
Anyone who could secure their position in this industry was certainly no saint. While the seventy-two water and land docks in Jiangnan had been relatively stable over the past thirty years, there had still been changes in ownership from time to time.
You Longsheng smiled, "Let's just be spectators and enjoy the show. That's what we should do."
The phrase 'enjoying the show' had already become familiar to Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun, and they understood it to mean 'joining in the fun'.
"But he still has the leisure to dine and drink with his women and subordinates, so he doesn't seem to be too worried," Ding Baiyun said.
You Longsheng nodded, "That makes sense."
But Ding Chengfeng had a different opinion, "Or maybe he's just putting on a show for others."
As they spoke, the three of them arrived at Lianhong Tower.
Ding Baiyun glanced at the plaque in front of the tower and then looked back at the other two, a chill passing through her eyes, "Are you two really going in?"
However, Ding Chengfeng suddenly said, "I know what trouble Yang Dahuzhu has run into."
You Longsheng spotted two men in yellow robes walking out of Lianhong Tower, and his eyes narrowed, "The Gold and Silver Guild?"
They had encountered members of the Gold and Silver Guild along the Grand Canal in the Shandong region, and now he recognized them immediately.
"The Gold and Silver Guild is expanding pretty fast. They've reached Yangzhou so soon," You Longsheng stroked his chin, "Could they be eyeing Yang Dahuzhu's territory?"
"There are huge profits to be made in the seventy-two water and land docks," Ding Chengfeng chuckled, "While Yang Dahuzhu's influence is vast, his foundation is shallow and his power scattered. He's exactly the kind of target the Gold and Silver Guild would love to go after."
You Longsheng nodded, "Shangguan Jinhong truly deserves his reputation as a generation's hero."
In the original story, the Gold and Silver Guild had placed a 'life-taking gold and silver' on someone's head, and that person hadn't dared to move at all, showing how formidable and domineering their actions were. It also indicated how ruthless their methods must have been during their short expansion period.
It was said that in just over two years, the Gold and Silver Guild had extended its reach to seventy-three provinces in the south and six in the north, shocking the entire martial arts world and monopolizing the rivers and lakes.
However, there was one thing in the original story that didn't quite make sense. How could the Gold and Silver Guild have expanded to such an extent without any top-tier sects or influential martial arts families stepping forward to stop them?
In the stories of 'Border Town Wanderer' and 'Eagle Flying in September', the Ding family, the Nangong family, and others were still considered influential martial arts families, while Shaolin, Wudang, Kunlun, and Diancang remained powerful and prestigious sects.
It was only after You Longsheng came to this world that he understood the intricacies of the situation.
The Gold and Silver Guild was very good at choosing their opponents! Shaolin, Wudang, the Nangong family, and the Ding family were all well-known and powerful forces with their own land and profitable businesses. However, they were ultimately upright sects and families who wouldn't engage in any unscrupulous money-making schemes.
On the other hand, the Gold and Silver Guild targeted smaller families and sects that operated in the gray areas of the law, carefully avoiding any actions that would infringe on the core interests of the major sects and families.
Moreover, Shangguan Jinhong was indeed a martial arts genius, and he had not only cultivated Ji Wuming, whose left-handed sword technique was unmatched, but he had also recruited many wandering martial arts experts listed in the 'Weapon Spectrum', ensuring that his own strength was not inferior.
As a result, a balance had formed between the two sides. The Gold and Silver Guild didn't infringe on the interests of the major sects, and the sects turned a blind eye to the Gold and Silver Guild's expansion in the gray areas, creating the appearance of the guild dominating the martial arts world.
Shangguan Jinhong's desire for power as the top figure in the martial arts world was satisfied, and the major sects weren't worried because they knew that the Gold and Silver Guild lacked a deep foundation, operated in the gray areas, and would fall apart once Shangguan Jinhong died. His son, Shangguan Fei, would not be able to hold the guild together.
This explanation made much more sense!
In 'Eagle Flying in September', Shangguan Xiaoxian had claimed that the Gold and Silver Guild had once again reached its peak under her leadership. However, this only meant that they had infiltrated Shaolin, Wudang, Kunlun, and Diancang, not that they had subdued these major sects.
With this understanding, it was understandable that the attendees at the ceremony where Shangguan Jinhong and Long Xiaoyun became sworn brothers were mostly from small sects and wandering martial artists, cowed by Shangguan Jinhong's formidable aura.
Therefore, Ding Chengfeng wasn't afraid of the Gold and Silver Guild, and You Longsheng breathed a sigh of relief.
Of course, not being afraid didn't mean they would go looking for trouble. The two sides were essentially minding their own business, and if anyone deliberately provoked the Gold and Silver Guild, Shangguan Jinhong wouldn't let them off easily.
Shangguan Jinhong wasn't afraid of Shaolin Temple or Wudang Mountain, and he believed that the major sects wouldn't go to war with the Gold and Silver Guild over a reckless disciple.
You Longsheng didn't know if there were such reckless people in the original story, but he and Ding Chengfeng were certainly not among them.
Ding Baiyun also came to her senses and said with dissatisfaction, "Yang Dahuzhu must be out of his mind to try and drag us into a confrontation with the Gold and Silver Guild."
Although Ding Baiyun was confident in her abilities, she knew that the top-ranked individuals in the 'Weapon Spectrum' were not to be trifled with. If Yu Xiaodao hadn't been careless and allowed her to take advantage, she wouldn't have been able to defeat him even if the three of them joined forces.
Moreover, the Gold and Silver Guild was even more formidable. It was said that Shangguan Jinhong had personally invited Zhuge Gang, ranked eighth in the 'Weapon Spectrum' and known as the 'Thousand Army Sweeper', to come out of seclusion and assist the guild. In less than a year, the guild's prestige had soared.
No matter how ruthless the Gold and Silver Guild's methods were, they only targeted those who operated in the gray areas of the martial arts world, and Ding Baiyun didn't feel a sense of righteous indignation toward them.
Ding Chengfeng shook his head, "Yang Dahuzhu underestimates the Gold and Silver Guild. Shangguan Jinhong's methods are not the same as those of ordinary guilds, and I'm afraid his late reputation will suffer because of this."
You Longsheng was intrigued, "But Yang Dahuzhu is no weakling either. I wonder who the Gold and Silver Guild has sent this time?"
Ding Chengfeng's eyes lit up, "Could it be Ji Wuming?"
Along with the rise of the Gold and Silver Guild, Ji Wuming had also become famous as Shangguan Jinhong's shadow. No one had expected that after lying low for ten years, Shangguan Jinhong would not only establish the Gold and Silver Guild but also cultivate such an exceptional swordsman.
"Is Yang Dahuzhu important enough for Shangguan Jinhong to make a move himself?" You Longsheng asked.
"Not enough!" Ding Chengfeng shook his head.
"Then Ji Wuming won't show up. He's like Shangguan Jinhong's shadow," You Longsheng looked at the Lianhong Tower before them, "Where else can we find information faster and more accurately than in a brothel? Let's go in and find out who's leading the Gold and Silver Guild's expedition to the south this time."
Ding Chengfeng nodded in agreement, "Good!"
And so, Ding Baiyun followed the two men into the famous brothel of Yangzhou.
(End of Chapter)
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