Elder Quan said: "Hmm, that seems to be the case."
Han Miaozhen frowned slightly and followed: "Hmm, fight it is then. I never thought it would be easy to take Huangzhou Prefecture, especially with the Turtle and Crane Thieves here."
Elder Quan said: "Yes, what the Dharma King says is very true. However, Dharma King, this purge is also an opportunity for us. Although many died, some members of the Four Dragons and Eight Tigers have escaped from Huangzhou Prefecture. Do you think we should try to recruit some to strengthen the power of our Holy Sect!"
Upon hearing these words, Han Miaozhen said: "Hmm, this is indeed an opportunity. The Wolf Smoke Realm is considered decent combat power. Hmm, we can consider recruitment if the price is right."
"I will leave this matter to you, Elder Quan."
Elder Quan immediately responded: "Yes, I will send people to make contact right away..."
...
In a certain mountain forest, a person was moving swiftly through the woods as if walking on flat ground, clearly a master of Qinggong.
As this person was on his way, suddenly someone appeared in front and said: "Brother Sun!"
The person paused, stopping in his tracks, and saw the former Zhong Guang of the Hongjian Sect standing there, smiling at him. The person paused and said: "Master Zhong!"
Zhong Guang smiled at this moment and said: "Itās me. Brother Sun, you seem to be in quite a rush, where are you going?"
The person who was abruptly stopped was none other than Mountain Climbing Vine Sun Wang, one of the Four Dragons and Eight Tigers.
Sun Wang looked at Zhong Guang and said: "Master Zhong is blocking my path here. Is there something you need?"
Zhong Guang said: "I heard that the major Jianghu Sects in the city were purged by the court. I told you before, Brother Sun, the court is unreliable. Youāve always been cautious, but even so, the enemy wonāt let you go. Can you swallow this anger, Brother Sun?"
Sun Wang smiled upon hearing this: "Master Zhong, your words are intentionally provocative and seem ill-intentioned. Although I donāt know what purpose you have for seeking me, I do know that it is certainly not a good thing. In that case, Iāll share my thoughts, and you, Master Zhong, can judge for yourself."
"I, Sun, am a lone ranger, always used to being free and unrestrained, not bound by others, nor do I want to be an enemy to anyone. Since Huangzhou Prefecture doesnāt allow me to stay, Iāll leave Huangzhou Prefecture. The world is vast; thereās no place I canāt go."
"So I do not intend to oppose the court. Master Zhong, if you intend to recruit me, I fear I cannot consent!"
Sun Wang was straightforward, making it clear that if thereās any rebel business, donāt count him in because heās not interested.
Zhong Guang frowned upon hearing this. This Sun Wang is like mud that canāt stick to a wall; relying on him is hopeless.
Thinking this way, Zhong Guang took out a bag and tossed it to Sun Wang, saying: "Brother Sun, you misunderstood. I did not come to recruit you."
"We are friends, seeing you have to leave your hometown, I couldnāt bear it. I brought some travel money for Brother Sunās use. Itās twenty taels of gold. Brother Sun, have a safe journey, and if we meet again in Jianghu in the future, weāll definitely have a grand drinking party."
Sun Wang caught the bag thrown by Zhong Guang and, cupping his fists, said: "Thank you. The Jianghu is wide, and we shall meet again someday."
After saying this, he turned and left. As Sun Wang departed, several disciples emerged from the bushes and said: "Master Zhong, this man fails to appreciate kindness. Why send him such generous gifts?"
Zhong Guang laughed at their words and said: "Haha, thatās the way of Jianghuāit may not be useful today, but it doesnāt mean it wonāt be tomorrow."
"Maintaining a connection is always a good thing."
Hearing this, the people nodded, somewhat understanding, somewhat not. Zhong Guang said: "Letās go to the next stop."
...
Amidst tall trees, beside a small stream.
A middle-aged man was leisurely grilling fish, looking quite calm and enjoying himself.
However, the young man beside him was very anxious.
"Dad, are we just leaving like this? The foundation of the Fishing Guild in Huangzhou Prefecture, weāve been building it for over a hundred years, and just for Chen Jiusi, weāll abandon it?"
Hearing this, the middle-aged man said: "Haha, itās just a foundation. If itās gone, we can rebuild it. Its destruction just means no more burdens, and Iām free. Come, Yuāer, try this grilled fish."
"Iām not eating. Dad, if you want to leave, you leave. Iām definitely not going. I must see whoās stronger with that Chen Jiusi. He thinks that by siding with the court, he can do whatever he wants. I insist on showing him that meeting me is his fateās disaster!"
The young man was quite indignant. He was the Young Master of the Huangzhou Prefecture Fishing Guild, and Chen Jiusi was just a guild leader of a small county in Mianshui, supposedly just a little squad leader under him.
Yet, he failed to kill him several times, and now heās being chased out of Huangzhou Prefecture like a dog by him. Such great humiliation is unbearable.
Thinking this way, the young man gritted his teeth with anger.
He was determined to have a showdown with Chen Jie, to decide a winner.
However, the middle-aged man said: "Yuāer, your desire to win is too strong. The guilds in Huangzhou Prefecture are both aids and constraints to us. Their current situation might actually be a good thing."
"As for Chen Jiusi, letās talk about him in the future."
The middle-aged man waved his hand, showing a relaxed demeanor.
The young man was instantly angry upon hearing this: "Dad, when did you become so defeatist? You werenāt like this before. You were the renowned River Barrier Tiger of Huangzhou Prefecture!"
"Haha, what River Barrier Tiger, just an empty title. These days, staying alive is what truly matters."
The middle-aged man didnāt care at all about what River Barrier Tiger, Jianghuās false fame, was not worth mentioning.
"Dad, youāre too disappointing to me!"
The young man looked at the middle-aged man and said fiercely. The middle-aged man was indifferent, but just then, a voice came over saying: "Brother Zhou, I think the kid is right!"