This person was named Lu Yuan.
He had boarded the ship yesterday when it docked at Fengnian County for supplies.
Just like Shen Xiuhan, he was heading to Bixia Villa to participate in the disciple recruitment ceremony.
Lu Yuan was outgoing and well-informed.
Though he had only been on board for a day, he had already made friends with several fellow travelers, all youths from various counties traveling to Bixia Villa to learn martial arts.
Last night before going to bed, he had made a special effort to go around the cabins, knocking on everyone's doors to organize a gathering today so they could have a good chat.
He spoke frankly, saying that meeting each other was a stroke of fate, and if they truly entered Bixia Villa in the future, they could stick together for mutual support.
Shen Xiuhan understood the subtext of Lu Yuan's words.
This man wanted to use the time on the ship to draw everyone together into a small circle, ensuring they would look out for one another after joining the sect.
Such intentions were not unusual. Most youths from the various counties traveled alone, and they would inevitably find themselves weak and isolated upon entering a major sect. Having someone take the initiative to lead was actually quite convenient.
Shen Xiuhan did not refuse either.
Changyun County was too small. Although he had heard rumors about the overall situation in Nanxiang Prefecture, he was still an outsider and his knowledge was superficial.
It was the perfect opportunity to use these well-informed people to get a clear picture of the intricate web of forces in the prefecture capital.
Shen Xiuhan nodded to Lu Yuan and walked toward the ship's cabin.
The second-floor cabin was not large.
Five or six people, all young men around twenty years old, were squeezed along both sides of a long wooden table.
“Everyone is here.”
Lu Yuan stood at the head of the table. Clearing his throat, he put on no airs and got straight to the point:
“Brothers, we are all heading to Bixia Villa. The prefecture capital isn't like our home counties. The waters there run deep, and it's a mixed bag of dragons and fish. Knowing a bit more means a bit more safety.”
“Since we still have a day of sailing ahead of us, I'll explain the situation in Nanxiang Prefecture to everyone.”
Lu Yuan picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a bowl, and got right down to business, his voice resonant and steady:
“In this region of Nanxiang Prefecture, there are many factions, but when it comes to the top tier, there are only a few.”
“The first is Bixia Villa, where we are headed. It is one of the Four Great Sects, possessing a deep heritage and numerous disciples.”
Lu Yuan paused, scanned the crowd, and smiled.
“Let me ask you all first: do you know that Bixia Villa is divided into two lineages?”
Someone replied, “The Qi Lineage and the Sword Lineage.”
“Correct!”
Lu Yuan nodded, tracing his finger on the tabletop.
“Bixia Villa is divided into the Qi and Sword Lineages, and the relationship between these two is not as harmonious as outsiders think.”
He lowered his voice slightly and said solemnly:
“Although these two lineages share the same origin, their philosophies are diametrically opposed.”
“The Sword Lineage focuses on slaughter, emphasizing 'controlling qi with the sword.' They believe that sword-qi and sword-intent can shatter all techniques with a single strike, and their members are mostly fierce and arrogant.”
“On the other hand, the Qi Lineage focuses on the foundation, emphasizing 'guiding the sword with qi.' They believe that internal true qi is the fundamental root of the Martial Dao. Once true qi is achieved, even flying flowers and falling leaves can serve as swords. Their members place great importance on stance work and breathing exercises.”
“To vie for the orthodox leadership of the villa and cultivation resources, the two lineages have engaged in open and covert struggles for over a century.”
“While they don't fight to the death in the open, when disciples of the two lineages clash during the annual inner court tournament, the hostility is—tsk-tsk—no less intense than gangs fighting over territory!”
Saying this, he set down his tea bowl, scanned the crowd, and his tone grew a bit more serious:
“So, if we brothers pass the ceremony and enter the sect, we must be extremely cautious about which side we align with.”
“Once chosen, it will be a lifelong stance.”
As these words fell, the cabin went quiet for a moment.
Everyone's expressions varied.
Lu Yuan had spoken with hidden meaning, but everyone understood.
Choosing between the Qi and Sword Lineages was not just a choice of cultivation techniques; it was also a decision on whose side to take in the villa from then on.
Seeing that the atmosphere was somewhat heavy, Lu Yuan waved his hand and laughed heartily to change the subject:
“Let's leave Bixia Villa at that for now. Let me tell you about the other forces in the prefecture capital.”
“Besides Bixia Villa, there are the Star-Plucking Sect, the Zhenhai Marquis Mansion, and the Qingyuan Sword Pavilion.”
“These four great forces are collectively known as the Four Sects of Nanxiang. They control half of the tax revenues of Nanxiang Prefecture's eighty-one counties, and are also responsible for suppressing local tyrants and demonic factions. They are considered the most powerful forces in the prefecture capital.”
“Additionally, there are two centuries-old hereditary families in Nanxiang Prefecture: the He family and the Huo clan.”
“These two families have been deeply entrenched in the prefecture capital for hundreds of years. They are guarded by Gangjin Rank experts, and their direct descendants have also joined the four great forces. They have wide networks and immense strength. In terms of foundation, they can be called local tyrants, with a status second only to the Four Great Sects.”
“As for the remaining martial arts halls, gangs, escort agencies, and martial academies, they can only survive and multiply under the shadow of these six major forces.”
Having finished in one breath, Lu Yuan picked up his tea bowl, drained it, wiped his mouth, and said:
“I've rambled on quite a bit, just to give everyone a general idea. It won't be too late to figure out the other details once we actually join.”
Upon hearing this, everyone expressed their gratitude.
Some leaned forward to refill Lu Yuan's tea, while others lowered their heads to whisper with those beside them, each lost in their own calculations.
Shen Xiuhan listened for a bit, then stood up and walked out of the cabin.
The river wind whipped across the deck, causing his robes to flutter wildly.
He held onto the railing and gazed into the distance.
On the distant horizon, the silhouette of a towering, continuous mountain range had faintly appeared.
The mountain range stretched between the water and the sky like a crouching ancient beast, silent and majestic.
Mount Bixia!
...
About an hour later.
The ship docked, and Shen Xiuhan's group stepped off the gangway, entering Bixia Town.
This place was the premier town at the foot of Mount Bixia.
Built along the contours of the mountain, a vast expanse of blue bricks and black tiles spread upward in overlapping layers like scales.
The upturned eaves were half-hidden among the lush ancient trees, with clouds and mist swirling around them, exuding the solemn and grand air of a major martial sect.
The streets were wide, all paved with blue flagstones.
By the roadside, taverns flaunted their banners and eateries stood in forest-like density, with traveling merchants bustling to and fro.
From time to time, groups of three to five young men and women with swords hanging at their waits could be seen passing by.
They were all dressed in the white outer court livery of Bixia Villa, their steps vigorous, their brows filled with the pride of disciples from a prestigious sect.
When the pedestrians on the street saw them, they stepped aside to make way, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and envy.
Shen Xiuhan, along with Lu Yuan and several other youths from various counties, walked through the market toward the sub-branch at the foot of the mountain responsible for receiving newcomers.
He did not notice...
On the side of the long street, from a towering restaurant with carved beams and painted rafters, a wooden window on the second floor was pushed open.
A slender figure dressed in a plain white silk dress, her face covered with a light veil, stood quietly before the window frame.
The beautiful eyes revealed above the veil held not a trace of warmth, coldly locking onto Shen Xiuhan's straight back.
“Miss, the braised beef and scallion tofu are all ready. Please pick up your chopsticks quickly so we can return to the mountain to rest early after eating!”
Inside the private room, Ding Qing's crisp urging could be heard.
Luo Tangyin's eyes flickered. Gazing at the young man in green robes walking further and further away, she said in a low voice:
“You eat first. I suddenly remembered an urgent matter that needs to be dealt with immediately. Do not follow me. Wait until I return!”
Before her voice could fade, Luo Tangyin suddenly turned around.
Her white dress brushing past the threshold, she quickly bypassed the bustling main street, her figure moving like a wisp of white smoke as she leaped swiftly toward the main mountain path.
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