The Madman Emerged from Seclusion

"Since you heroes have come to the northern lands, I imagine you're here to witness the Madman's extraordinary story. Rather than have everyone speculate, why don't we ask Old Bai, the renowned All-Knowing One of our day, to set us straight? For my sake and for all the gentlemen here, please don't hold back, Old Bai."

The white-robed elder set down his own jade chopsticks, smiled faintly, and cupped his fists. "Brother Song, you're too kind, too kind. This old man merely has a modest business and a fondness for making friends with fellow martial artists. It's thanks to my brothers in the jianghu that I've earned a little fame. I'm hardly worthy of the title All-Knowing One. Still, I have heard a thing or two about the Madman's origins."

"Old Bai, get on with it! If you tell it straight, Howling Wolf will owe you a favor."

A burly man in tiger skin shouted.

"Quit dawdling. It's downright exasperating! Old man, do you know seven or eight tenths of the story, or only two or three, with the other seven or eight made up as you go? If it's the former, I, Chen, will owe you a favor. If it's the latter, don't blame me for not giving you face."

A bald elder sat at the table, exuding confidence.

With those two leading the way, the place was soon on the verge of erupting into a clamor.

The truth was, everyone present was a freewheeling hero of the jianghu, unaccustomed to restraint and used to talking at the top of their lungs. They'd been eagerly "discussing the Way" when they heard that one man alone knew a secret, robbing them of their chance to spin their own tales.

And yet this fellow, who seemed to have some explosive secret