Chapter 694: Forcing the Relationship
Chapter 694: Forcing the Relationship
"Hehe, Iron Fist Peng..."
Hu Ma followed behind, silently taking note of this person in his heart.
He understood Second Master's hardship and even more so remembered the old tears that flowed when he had told Second Master about the Longevity Technique's acupoint.
Indeed, Second Master couldn't say anything now. In the jianghu, the master had the authority to decide whether to teach the true skills to his disciples. Moreover, having learned a few martial art styles from the master, Second Master had to address him as Master, no matter how resentful he felt inside.
But Second Master was Second Master, and Hu Ma, deep down, despised this whole situation. An idea had already taken root in his mind.
With their appearance, the atmosphere in the room naturally changed, especially for those who cared about Second Master. They vaguely sensed that something was amiss. However, in the village, they still followed the rules and invited the guest in, offering him tea.
"Oh, Master, what just happened...?"
Iron Fist Peng's disciple also sensed the awkward atmosphere and, taking advantage of no one being nearby, quickly asked.
"This is truly bad luck, a major setback..."
The white-bearded old man, Iron Fist Peng, also wore a sullen expression, with a hint of regret in his eyes. He spoke in a low voice, "That foolish young man from Zhang Hui's village."
"When I was younger, I saw that he had great strength, abundant Yang energy, and was a virgin. I could use his Yang energy to suppress evil spirits, so I took him along as I traveled the jianghu. But after teaching him a few martial art styles, I didn't initiate him into the Dao."
"To enter the Dao, one has to spend money to buy a life lamp. Where would I find the silver to specifically cater to him?"
"Later, seeing that he was getting older and his foundation was set, I sent him back to the village. I haven't seen him for so many years, who would've thought we'd meet here?"
"..."
"Ah?"
Upon hearing this, the disciples understood the situation. There were plenty of masters who didn't teach their true skills.
But such an embarrassing situation was rare.
Some of them also realized what was going on and quickly said, "If he didn't learn the true skills, how did he teach his disciples?"
"Could it be that they are also just following General Guardian of Supplies to earn a living?"
"..."
"Use your brains!"
Iron Fist Peng let out a cold snort and said, "General Guardian of Supplies' position was earned through real battles. Do you know the major battles he fought when he first rose to power? It's not a position one can get without real skills."
"I can't say, but this cheap disciple must have some secrets that we can't guess."
"..."
Hearing this, the disciples became worried. One of them said, "Master, should we leave now? We haven't even secured a position under General Guardian of Supplies, and we've already offended him."
"You've already offended him. Do you think leaving will solve everything?"
Iron Fist Peng sighed and said, "If I had known he was here, I wouldn't have come. But now that I'm here, I've already revealed myself, registered my name, and can't back out. I have to force myself to go through with it."
"Now that I've seen this disciple, if I calculate it, the people under General Guardian of Supplies are not of the same generation as you."
"Now they should call you Uncle and me, Grand Uncle."
"Generation is generation, regardless of anything else. They have to acknowledge it."
"..."
The disciple beside them grew concerned, "Will this make us lose face?"
"This is not a matter of looking good or bad..."
Iron Fist Peng said, "If we're recognized now and don't acknowledge the generation, we'll suffer a great loss instead."
"That Zhou followed me for seven or eight years but didn't learn true skills. Do you think he doesn't resent me? If his disciples are angry on his behalf and come to cause trouble for us later, what then?"
"Not to mention our status, it's uncertain if we can even stay in the Mingzhou jianghu."
"Instead, we have to bite the bullet and insist on this relationship. Even if they have grievances, they have to swallow them!"
"..."
Hearing this, the disciples understood, but their hearts were filled with apprehension.
The group adjusted their demeanor and, when it was time to eat, they walked over in a swaggering manner.
Due to the recent influx of guests, Dazhong Village had set up a banquet, with the two tables at the top. Second Master was in charge of receiving the jianghu guests, while the Elder Patriarch was responsible for the officials and wealthy gentry from various places. Naturally, Iron Fist Peng, seeing that the banquet was about to start, took the main seat.
Beside him was Xu Wensheng, the Xu Administrator, who, although now considered an official, was originally from the Red Lantern Lady Society and was also acquainted with Second Master.
He was supposed to sit in the main seat, but Iron Fist Peng had taken it, leaving him puzzled. He turned to the bald old man beside him and asked, "Who is that old fellow who took my seat?"
"I thought that before General Guardian of Supplies arrived, that seat was always mine..."
"..."
The bald old man had been chatting with Second Master and coldly humphed, whispering, "He's from the Mingzhou Longevity Technique, surnamed Peng, and is known as Iron Fist Peng in the jianghu."
"Before, in Mingzhou City, he specialized in escorting red goods for the wealthy in Meihua Lane, earning silver. Who would've thought he was Second Master Zhou's master?"
"I hate this jianghu generation stuff the most!"
"I'm of the same generation as Hu Boss, and we even exchanged secret techniques. When it comes to Second Master Zhou, we are the younger generation."
"But this Peng fellow, he was of the same generation as my late father-in-law. By that count, isn't he a generation older than me?"
"..."
Xu Administrator immediately sensed the issue and whispered, "How could someone like Hu Boss come from their family?"
Bald Old Zhang lowered his voice, "He didn't come from them, he's just here to claim a connection."
"I reckon he doesn't even know that Second Uncle Zhou is here. This old fellow was originally planning to ask General Guardian of Supplies for an official position, but he's hit a brick wall!"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Administrator let out a cold laugh, "The reputation of the General Guardian of Supplies is something we earned through countless battles against hungry ghosts."
"And now this fellow wants to claim the credit?"
"..."
Although they understood the unspoken rules of the world, they couldn't openly say anything, but they also didn't want to sit at that table.
Just as the eight cold dishes were served, the host of the village began inviting everyone to take their seats. Despite his reluctance, Second Master had no choice but to attend to Iron Fist Peng due to the circumstances.
At that moment, they suddenly saw someone rushing into the village, excited and agitated, "The General is here! The General Guardian of Supplies has arrived!"
"Oh my..."
Hearing this, everyone in the hall was startled.
For a moment, they didn't react, "Which General?"
When they realized that it was the legendary General Guardian of Supplies from Mingzhou Prefecture, the entire village erupted in a buzz. Everyone, including the villagers and the wealthy gentry and martial artists who had come to witness the ceremony, scrambled to their feet in a flurry.
They rushed to the village entrance to welcome the General Guardian of Supplies, but their faces showed a hint of disbelief.
"The General Guardian of Supplies is here?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Peng was also startled, "The General Guardian of Supplies is no ordinary person. He has already risen to power, and he has numerous capable and extraordinary followers. Even if he doesn't become a king, he's destined for a seat in the imperial court."
"A person of such caliber, and now even the family of the two commanders under his command is holding a mountain sacrifice, and they want to come and take a look?"
"..."
A large group of people arrived at the village entrance, and indeed, they saw a team of soldiers escorting a sedan chair and several large carriages. In front was a man riding a horse, clad in iron armor, with a large sword at his waist and a crimson cape draped over his shoulders. It could only be Yang Gong.
"We pay our respects to the General Guardian of Supplies, and we kowtow to you..."
The wealthy gentry were the quickest to react, and they immediately knelt down.
Seeing this, the villagers also hurriedly followed suit, including Xu Administrator, Zhou Liang, Zhao Zhu, and others, who all performed a half-kneeling bow.
Second Master, standing next to Hu Ma, was already in a state of shock. He wanted to kneel, but Hu Ma held him back.
Second Master anxiously said, "Quickly kneel and kowtow. It's the General Guardian of Supplies. You..."
"Second Master, just stand steady."
Hu Ma firmly supported Second Master and whispered, "Your seniority is higher, and according to reason, he should be the one kowtowing to you."
Second Master didn't understand what Hu Ma was saying, but he couldn't kneel even if he wanted to because Hu Ma's strength was greater. Just as he was feeling anxious, the soldiers arrived, and the General Guardian of Supplies dismounted. The sedan chair beside him was lowered.
A woman in dark red brocade and a face veil, exuding an aura of nobility, stepped out. The two of them walked side by side and approached Hu Ma and Second Master.
Seeing the panic on the faces of those around them, Yang Gong felt a sense of pride and raised his eyebrows at Hu Ma, thinking himself clever.
"Alright, alright, everyone stand up. We don't do that here."
As he spoke, he burst into laughter and casually reached out to hug Hu Ma.
But the veiled woman by his side grabbed his arm and signaled him to stop. She then gracefully approached Hu Ma, squatted down, and performed a bow to Hu Ma and Second Master, saying softly, "My respects, Brother Hu."
Hu Ma reached out to support her, smiling, "We don't do that here either. Sister-in-law, please stand up."
Due to the taboo against physical contact between men and women, Hu Ma could only offer a symbolic gesture.
However, the woman insisted on performing the bow and then said sincerely, "It's only right that I pay my respects to Brother Hu."
"My husband, Yang Gong, calls you brother because you didn't take advantage of his gratitude and valued him. But considering that you saved his life and taught him so much, my simple-minded husband should actually call you teacher."
"..."
Seeing the woman's clear and logical speech, Hu Ma looked at her with newfound respect and smiled, "You're being too polite. Yang Gong and I are sworn brothers, and we never bother with such formalities."
"Don't just stand there, please come inside and sit down."
"..."
Yang Gong, standing beside her, waved his hand and laughed, "Let my wife go in and rest first. We'll wait a bit longer."
"I just met a few old friends on the road who were also coming to see you. But since we're in Mingzhou, they gave me face and let me come ahead."
"..."
As he spoke, he turned to look, and in the distance, they could already hear the sound of horses' hooves. Two more groups were approaching in a grand manner.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
