Chapter 628 - 351: The Wind is Rising!
Chapter 628: Chapter 351: The Wind is Rising!
Shui Hetong naturally had the qualifications to say this.
Because of Immortal Bai, both he and the Wind and Rain Tower to which he belonged held a transcendent status in the Jianghu. Even though the strengths of the people within the Wind and Rain Tower varied greatly, they were still highly respected when traveling through the Jianghu. In earlier years, it would not have been an exaggeration to call the Wind and Rain Tower the current Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
Although the concept of a Martial Arts Alliance Leader no longer existed, those who hailed from the Wind and Rain Tower were mostly Zhong Zheng, loyal, and clear in their distinction between love and hate. Perhaps this had something to do with Immortal Bai, or perhaps it was due to the teachings and personal examples set by the several Tower Lords of the Wind and Rain Tower. In short—whenever they saw injustice on the road, they would draw their blades to help.
As one of the Tower Lords, Shui Hetong was naturally no exception.
Hearing Song Jinjian disappear around the northbound street corner with his exceptional hearing, he withdrew his heart spirit and took a sip of wine from his small cup.
"Song Jinjian was born into a Noble Family that had fallen into decline. He studied from a young age, determined to pass the imperial examinations and achieve fame.
"However, when he was ten years old, his father was framed. The family wealth accumulated over three generations was lost overnight, leaving them with a massive debt.
"After that, his father fell gravely ill and never recovered. His mother, unable to bear the humiliation of debt collectors coming to their door, threw herself into a river.
"In less than two years, Song Jinjian experienced the death of his mother, the death of his father, and the alienation of his relatives one after another.
"If it were an ordinary person facing a debt that could never be repaid in a lifetime, they might have already hanged themselves.
"But Song Jinjian did not—he first abandoned literature for Martial Arts, joining a local Martial Arts Hall. He worked tirelessly during the day and devoted his nights to Cultivation.
"His Martial Arts talent was quite good. He began practicing at thirteen, cultivated to the Seventh Grade Realm at fifteen, entered the Fifth Grade at twenty, and broke through to the Third Grade Realm at thirty, successfully entering the Upper Three Grades...
"Unfortunately, his childhood experiences made him detest evil. Once he achieved success in Martial Arts, he first slaughtered those who caused his parents’ deaths, and then traveled in all directions, determined to eradicate all evil.
"This continued until one day when he was besieged by the Evil Demonic Dao. Although he narrowly escaped, he was heavily injured. Unable to sustain himself, he collapsed in the freezing snow.
"Fortunately, heaven did not seal his fate. He was ultimately saved by someone—who happened to be one of the current Nine Ministers, Celestial Minister Cui Mao..."
Thinking of Song Jinjian, a slightly complex expression crossed Shui Hetong’s unparalleled, handsome face. This complexity was directed partly at Song Jinjian, and partly at the helplessness of the Dao’s consistent mockery of mankind.
"The Cui Family...
"It is truly a colossal behemoth..."
The Jianghu had the rules of the Jianghu, and the Imperial Court had the rules of the Imperial Court. In the same world, they walked their respective paths.
The thoughts and desires of the Royal Family, Noble Families, the Lower Class, and the common people were entirely different from those of people from all walks of life, Rangers, and Sect inheritors. The common people worked at sunrise and rested at sunset, relying on the heavens to survive. When the harvest was good, a whole family could barely scrounge enough for food and clothing. When the harvest was poor, they could only sigh at the sky with helpless expressions, largely numb and resigned to their fate.
The Holy Emperor and the Noble Families seemed to hold the world in their hearts, but in reality, their world was mostly built upon the backs of the common people. Many ordinary citizens did not even count as insignificant pawns, let alone qualify to become playing pieces in the hands of the chess masters.
In the eyes of the Imperial Court and the Noble Families, the Jianghu People were exactly the same. They were either useful people, or useless people.
Just like Song Jinjian.
Dressed in a blue robe with a plain, unadorned face, Song Jinjian’s expression remained as usual. However, in his mind, he was constantly concentrating on the movements behind him. Although he had heard before arriving in Shu State that Immortal Bai had left the Wind and Rain Tower and headed south to Shu State, running into Shui Hetong in the Prefecture City today still surprised him slightly.
He had arrived far too early.
According to Song Jinjian’s original estimates, he could act as he saw fit in Shu State until the fifth day of the next month. Dealing with Liu Hong was his first priority; sorting out the Ji State Trading Company was his second; and protecting Cui Qingwu’s safety was his third. There was also...
Song Jinjian pondered his subsequent arrangements while keeping an eye on Shui Hetong’s movements. It wasn’t until he arrived outside the Yingchun Building that he retracted his heart spirit.
Liu Zhaoxue was standing guard outside the door. Seeing him approach, she bowed and said in a cold tone, "My lord, they are already waiting upstairs."
Song Jinjian gave a slight nod. As he walked upstairs, he said in a low voice, "The plan is canceled. Take a good rest for the next few days."
Liu Zhaoxue paused, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes beneath the veil of her hat, and Shui Hetong’s figure inevitably surfaced in her mind. "Is it because of him?"
Song Jinjian glanced at her from the corner of his eye and said in a nearly imperceptible voice, "Immortal Bai’s disciple, Shui Hetong."
Liu Zhaoxue suddenly understood; no wonder he was so handsome. She had naturally heard of Shui Hetong’s name. Aside from his mastery in the Fist Dao, Shui Hetong was also jokingly referred to by Jianghu People as the "number one handsome man." Coupled with his relationship with Immortal Bai, very few people could fail to remember his name.
"Then, the people you invited today..."
Song Jinjian straightened his clothes, his expression faintly aloof, and strode toward the private room. "Proceed as usual."
Liu Zhaoxue watched him enter the private room. Only after the door closed did she give a slight bow and silently stand guard outside.
Ever since Liu Taoyao was delivered into Feng Erbao’s hands by Song Jinjian, she had stayed by Song Jinjian’s side. Although nominally a Maid, in reality, she was more like Song Jinjian’s deputy, helping him handle various matters. This included tasks like organizing documents and secretly contacting certain Noble Families or officials within the Prefecture City. Aside from a few secret letters that were occasionally delivered, she had access to almost everything regarding Song Jinjian.
But even so, Liu Zhaoxue still could not see through Song Jinjian—neither the man himself, nor the things he intended to do in Shu State.
Just as today, when Song Jinjian ordered her to host a banquet for several Thousand Households of the Shu State Imprisonment Department in the name of the Qinghe Cui Family. She simply could not understand his intentions and felt a lingering sense of apprehension.
Meanwhile, in the private room behind her.
Song Jinjian, however, ignored everything outside. Shedding his usual peaceful demeanor, he sat in the seat of honor with a cold expression.
Several Thousand Households of the Shu State Imprisonment Department—Huang Zhuo, Han Ruixuan, and Fang Hongxiu—sat around the table.