Changlong Merchant Association

Wulin Qixia Zhuan was a single-player wuxia game developed by the company "Zilaishui," touted as an open-world sandbox where players could immerse themselves in a breathing world of martial arts.

The game was set in the final years of the Sheng Dynasty in a fictional world.

The imperial court was plagued by endless internal strife, while enemies watched hungrily from beyond its borders. The martial arts world, too, had fallen into unprecedented turmoil.

Beyond the pass, powerful foreign forces harbored ill intentions toward the Central Plains; within it, rebel armies rose one after another, seeking a chance to change their fates.

Its rich storyline encompassed the entire Great Sheng Dynasty, with maps including the Central Plains Martial Arts World, Misty Rain Jiangnan, Beyond the Great Wall, Desolate North, the Mysterious Western Regions, and the Eastern Sea Islands, offering players a vast, boundless world to explore and a chance to write their own legendary tales.

Just as Meng Shan searched his mind for useful information, a sudden commotion outside ruthlessly interrupted his thoughts.

"Debts must be repaid. That is an eternal truth..."

A loud, arrogant voice rang through the air. "If you gentlemen cannot produce the silver today, then use this courtyard as payment instead. Though it is old and dilapidated, it should still be worth several hundred taels of silver."

Then another voice grew increasingly forceful, brimming with menace. "It was written clearly in black and white: lost escort goods must be compensated at full value.

Previously, your agency's old escort chief personally appraised the goods and determined them to be worth five thousand taels of silver. If you insist on refusing payment today, then do not blame the Changlong Merchant Association for disregarding our past friendship!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Shan forced himself upright despite his severe injuries.

That movement immediately set the wounds across his body ablaze with pain. His head spun, and he nearly fainted.

Yet Meng Shan still gritted his teeth, threw on a robe, and staggered out of the room.

The entire Changfeng Escort Agency had expanded outward from the Training Ground at its center.

Meng Shan lived in the main room of the rear courtyard. Following the voices, he passed through a corridor that felt both unfamiliar and familiar before finally reaching the inner courtyard passageway, where he immediately spotted the broad open space.

The open space was paved with neat blue bricks, each side measuring a hundred feet, solemn and spacious.

Ahead stood a high platform built of solid wood. On the wall behind it was a red circle, within which the character for "martial" had been written in bold, sweeping strokes.

This was the Changfeng Escort Agency's Training Ground, the place where he had practiced martial arts and tempered his Physique every day in his memories!

At that moment, besides six or seven Apprentices dressed in Changfeng Escort Agency uniforms, several uninvited guests stood on the Training Ground, confronting one another.

With Meng Qingshan's memories, he recognized the leader at once—Old Master Zhuang, the head of the Changlong Merchant Association.

Though Old Master Zhuang looked plump and approachable, with a kindly smile on his face, he was no decent man.

In his youth, Old Master Zhuang had been a bandit. After years of robbery and a sizable accumulation of wealth, he had wanted to settle down.

Thus, the ruthless outlaw who killed without batting an eye had transformed himself into a genial, wealthy gentleman.

Several brawny thugs followed behind him, each holding a club and looking vicious, as though ready to strike at any moment.

The Changfeng Escort Agency's Apprentices, however, were still young. Even the oldest was barely past childhood. Having never faced such a scene, fear showed on their faces as they retreated again and again.

Meng Shan gave a light cough, instantly drawing everyone's attention. Then he called out, "What is Old Master Zhuang doing here?"

Though his voice was weak, it was steady and strong, carrying an imposing presence that could not be underestimated.

Old Master Zhuang turned, and his gaze met Meng Shan's unexpectedly. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly turning into a warm smile.

He spoke with a smile, his voice full of affection and relief. "Oh, so it is Nephew Meng. It is wonderful to see that you are safe and sound.

Look at the mess this has become. My men lacked restraint. I hope Nephew Meng will forgive them."

At the same time, the Changfeng Escort Agency's disciples hurried over and tightly surrounded Meng Shan, all asking after him in concern:

"Senior Brother..."

"Senior Disciple Brother, your injuries have healed!"

Meng Shan did not respond to Old Master Zhuang immediately. Instead, he answered the children before him one by one, all familiar from his memories.

After a long while, Meng Shan finally raised his head. "Old Master Zhuang, we are all sensible people, so I will not beat around the bush. For this escort job, the Changfeng Escort Agency admits defeat.

I will compensate you for the escort payment, but five thousand taels of silver is no small sum. Even if I mortgaged this courtyard, I am afraid I could not gather it all in such a short time!"

Old Master Zhuang's expression tightened as he stared fixedly at Meng Shan.

Then he slowly nodded, a trace of mockery in his voice. "Nephew Meng must be joking. Given the friendship between this old man and your escort agency, allowing you a little extra time is naturally no trouble at all."