Chapter Seven: The Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness

Shen Chang’an didn’t give the matter any further thought. On his journey so far, the number of bandits he had slain already exceeded a hundred, and those whom he had merely given a taste of warning were even more numerous—too many to count. After settling his bill for drinks, he planned to leave Lin’an City and head straight for Fang City.

However, to enter Fang City, he needed to join a merchant caravan and have someone from the caravan take him along. Otherwise, even if he managed to reach the city, getting inside would prove difficult. With his skills, forcing his way in wouldn’t be too hard, but since he needed to track down the whereabouts of the demon, a rash intrusion could easily alert the creature and complicate matters.

There was no shortage of merchant caravans in Lin’an, all of them drawn from various regions, eager to strike it rich in Fang City. After making a few casual inquiries, Shen Chang’an quickly located several caravan lodgings and prepared to pay them a visit.

The first two caravans refused him outright. Shen Chang’an didn’t press the matter; he simply got up and left.

The third was located in a more remote suburb. As Shen Chang’an crossed the outskirts and was about to approach this third caravan, an elderly man of tall and thin stature suddenly appeared before him. The old man sported a pair of drooping moustaches and narrowed eyes, his appearance exuding cunning and treachery, immediately putting Shen Chang’an on guard.

“Greetings, Master Lingxiao.”

The old man first bowed, causing Shen Chang’an to halt his steps.

“You know me?”

The old man chuckled. “Though few in Youzhou know of Master Lingxiao’s name, the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness naturally has its own ways.”

Shen Chang’an’s brow arched slightly, and a smile flickered across his lips. “You’re from the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness?”

The old man nodded, the smile fading from his face as his tone turned cold. “Master Lingxiao, your sense of righteousness and your skill is admirable, but what you did today was excessive.”

Shen Chang’an replied indifferently, “In what way was I excessive?”

“That man was urgently trying to deliver crucial information to our Hall, which is why he acted recklessly. Yet you crippled his hand and struck his face… I must ask, Master—are you trying to insult our Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness?”

Shen Chang’an asked leisurely, “So that scoundrel represents your Hall’s honor?”

The old man’s face darkened as he snorted, “All disciples of our Hall are part of our honor.”

Shen Chang’an nodded slightly. “And in order to deliver intelligence, he can run down children in the street?”

“He was reckless, yes, but the matter was urgent. Had the message failed to get through, many of our brothers in the Hall might have died. There was nothing improper in his actions.”

A smile appeared on Shen Chang’an’s face as he chuckled, “According to your logic, I should have killed him today. Perhaps you don’t know, but I heard there was a rat problem in Fang City, so I hurried along that road, only to be blocked by one of your disciples.”

“For the sake of all those people in Fang City, I should have slain that beast. Would you not agree, sir?”

“You!” The old man could no longer contain himself and snarled, “You wound our people and dare to twist the truth?”

Shen Chang’an burst into derisive laughter. “There it is. You bandit rabble want to stand atop reason and righteousness? Disgusting. You’re just a pack of sewer rats—do the dirty work you’re suited for and nothing more.”

“All your bluster boils down to this: you can’t stand that one of your men was beaten, so you want to test your strength against me. Well then, bring it on. I’ll kill one if one comes, and kill two if two come.”

“How bold!”

Insulted again and again, the old man’s anger finally erupted. With a flick of his palm, a flurry of needles shot toward Shen Chang’an, aiming for his eyes, heart, throat—every vital spot.

But Shen Chang’an only sneered, didn’t even bother to dodge. Drawing in a deep breath, he suddenly exhaled; a violent gust scattered the flying needles.

“With such pitiful skill, you dare show your face in public?”

With one powerful step, Shen Chang’an unleashed his technique, hurtling forward like a cannonball straight for the old man.

The old man hadn’t expected his needles to fail so miserably. Seeing Shen Chang’an charging at him, he immediately tried to change positions and put distance between them.

His entire martial prowess lay in hidden weapons; in a direct clash, he would be doomed in one move. The Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness had learned that Shen Chang’an was Master Lingxiao, and they knew his methods: those who fought him rarely left a whole corpse, often split in two or smashed to bits, with even the strongest left with gaping wounds.

The old man had thought that such a forceful martial artist would be helpless against his subtle art of hidden weapons. He never imagined Shen Chang’an was not only powerful, but could channel that force into his movements—each charge like a cannonball. If the old man didn’t dodge, death awaited.

Yet Shen Chang’an’s speed, while immense, lacked agility. The old man could leverage his own footwork to dodge, or he’d already be dead. Still, he knew that at this rate, his death was only a matter of time. Shen Chang’an’s ability to go without food or rest meant he could keep this up all day, never tiring, while the old man, already aged and with failing vigor, would be drained within five minutes.

After that, a single strike from Shen Chang’an would shatter his old bones.

Shen Chang’an saw this too. He no longer hurried, but began toying with the old man like a cat with a mouse. Whenever the old man slowed, Shen Chang’an would rush forward, forcing him to keep up a frantic pace. In less than a minute, Shen Chang’an would have him.

As the chase continued, a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air. Shen Chang’an paused for a split second—and an arrow shot past his chest.

“So, there’s backup?” he murmured, brow lifting slightly.

The old man was also puzzled. He’d come from the Hall alone; there shouldn’t be anyone to assist him. Yet now, with help arriving, he saw a glimmer of hope.

But as he saw who it was, his face fell in despair. “Y-young master, why are you here?”

Shen Chang’an looked closely. The newcomer was smartly dressed, with the bearing of a dashing youth. Yet Shen Chang’an, having secretly used his Jade Talisman to check for ambushes earlier and still catching the lingering scent of perfume, knew this was a woman in disguise.

“If I hadn’t come, how would I know you were making such a fool of yourself?”

The cross-dressing young lady strolled over, gave Shen Chang’an a polite bow, and said, “Master Lingxiao, my subordinate was ignorant of proper conduct. I apologize for the trouble he caused.”

Shen Chang’an raised a brow and said softly, “Ignorant of rules? Is it your Hall’s custom to greet people with an arrow?”

She paused, then smiled, “The arrow I fired was a whistling arrow—its sound alone was the warning. Even if you were distracted, it had no sharp tip and could not have harmed you.”

Glancing at the arrow, Shen Chang’an saw she spoke the truth—it was blunt. Even if it struck a commoner, it would only sting.

“So the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness does have some reasonable folk. Very well, for this lady’s sake, I’ll let him go.”

Shen Chang’an waved his hand dismissively. Though he was ruthless in battle, he was not bloodthirsty. If he wasn’t truly angered, he disliked killing without cause.

“One moment, Master Lingxiao, I have a request.”

She seemed momentarily embarrassed that her disguise was seen through, but quickly composed herself and called out to stop Shen Chang’an.

“Oh?” he asked, “What would you have of me?”

“I heard you intend to go to Fang City. I can help you with this, but I ask that you take me with you.”

Shen Chang’an looked at her curiously. “If you want to go, can’t you do so on your own? Why go with me?”

She snorted, “I have my reasons. All I need is your answer. But know this: if you refuse, not a single merchant in Lin’an will take you to Fang City.”

Shen Chang’an gave a low laugh. “Your Hall really is used to getting its way. Fine, I’ll pay a visit and see what makes you so overbearing.”

He started toward the Hall, not out of recklessness, but because he had drawn several powerful talismans earlier and felt confident. The Hall’s self-righteousness had already begun to irk him.

Brandishing the banner of righteousness, yet behaving like petty scoundrels—truly contemptible.

“Wait!”

The young lady hastened to stop him, but Shen Chang’an was not so easily blocked. Without even looking at her, he strode forward, relying on his brute strength to brush past, startling her into yielding.

But just then, another voice rang out. “No need to come—I’ve come in person.”

Shen Chang’an paused, and out strode a burly man with a thick beard and fierce tiger eyes. His steps were slow, but each one seemed to thump in time with the heartbeat, stifling all around him.

Shen Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat. “A true master!”

Since his second arrival in this world, it was the first time he had sensed such power. Not even that sorceress he had fought earlier had given him this feeling, but this bearded giant radiated formidable strength.

“Master Lingxiao, forgive me for this farce,” the man said, bowing slightly.

Shen Chang’an did not return the salute, but gripped his staff and asked, “And you are?”

The man laughed heartily. “I am none other than Zheng Huyi, master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness!”

Shen Chang’an nodded lightly. “So it is the master of the Hall himself. In that case, I must ask you—where is your Hall’s loyalty and righteousness?”

With those words, he gave his staff a shake, ready to attack.

But Zheng Huyi waved him off. “I haven’t come to fight, Master. I’ve come to offer an apology.”

“An apology?” Shen Chang’an stopped short, surprised.

“Yes. I have failed in discipline; my men offended the people, and some even defended the wrongdoer. This is the Hall’s fault, and I must apologize.”

Shen Chang’an shook his head. “There’s no need to apologize to me. If you wish to atone, apologize to that little girl instead.”

Zheng Huyi was taken aback, then chuckled. “Very well, I’ll do as you say. But now that this is settled, I too have a request.”

Shen Chang’an was inwardly surprised by the man’s deftness, but since he had been treated with courtesy, he did not refuse. “Speak, Master Zheng.”

Zheng Huyi glanced at his daughter before saying, “My daughter is eager to see the world. I have tried to dissuade her, but she is determined. I worry about her traveling alone, but if she were to see the world at your side, I’d be at ease.”

Shen Chang’an was taken aback, then laughed. “So you want me to play nursemaid? I hardly think—”

Before he could finish, the young lady snapped, “Who needs you to play nursemaid?”

Shen Chang’an only shrugged, saying nothing more.

But the young lady declared, “Father, you say I’m not ready for the world, but Master Lingxiao travels alone. If I defeat him, does that mean I can set out alone as well?”

Shen Chang’an raised an eyebrow. Zheng Huyi quickly interjected, “Master Lingxiao’s skills far surpass yours. How could you hope to win?”

His daughter retorted, “If I win, you can’t stop me!”

Zheng Huyi hesitated, then looked to Shen Chang’an for his opinion.

Shen Chang’an pondered. To reach Fang City, he’d need the help of a merchant caravan, and he clearly couldn’t arrange this himself. With the Hall’s help, things would go much more smoothly. Zheng Huyi seemed a decent sort, and helping him would not be a burden.

With that in mind, he nodded. “Very well, I shall spar with Miss Zheng—a friendly match, nothing more.”