Life and Death Duel

Tang Qizheng's words immediately silenced the hall.

A burly hall master with a face full of rough flesh stood up and barked, "Chief! This cannot be let go! Lately, those bastards from the Grain Transport Gang have been stirring up trouble at the docks, grabbing our turf. The brothers are all simmering with anger. If word gets out that one of our men was beaten by a lowly Pearl Diver and we didn't even squeak, how will the brothers ever hold their heads up on the docks again? The gang's morale will take a huge hit!"

"Exactly! It's always been us, the Sea Shark Gang, who deal with those mud-legged peasants—skinning them, breaking their bones, whatever we please! When did it ever become their turn, these lowborns, to bite back?" Another leader slammed the table, his face twisted with malice.

"If we let this slide, will every stray cat and dog dare to tug on the Sea Shark Gang's whiskers from now on?"

"That brat must pay! And Iron Mountain Hall better give us an explanation too!"

The crowd below seethed with fury, voices overlapping, spittle flying, each one burning with righteous indignation.

The Sea Shark Gang had lorded over Hepu for years—when had they ever suffered such a disgrace? Especially when the offender was a Pearl Diver, someone they regarded as no better than a pig or dog! This was a bitter pill they could never swallow.

Tang Qizheng slowly raised his right hand, his five fingers pressing down in the air.

The clamor in the hall cut off instantly. Everyone held their breath, fixing their eyes on the chief.

Tang Qizheng's narrow eyes narrowed further as he swept his gaze over his men. His voice returned to its earlier calm, but carried an unyielding, cold decisiveness:

"If Zhou Jingfeng wants to protect him, fine. The Sea Shark Gang isn't unreasonable. Give him two choices—"

Tang Qizheng raised one finger: "First, let that Pearl Diver come to the Sea Shark Gang's main hall in person, kneel three times and kowtow nine times before the brothers, offer tea in apology, and break his own arm. Then this matter can be dropped."

He paused, then raised a second finger, his tone turning even more frigid: "Second, if Zhou Jingfeng can't swallow his pride... then we follow the jianghu rules—set a life-or-death match! The location and time are his to choose. The Sea Shark Gang will send a man to the platform to fight that Pearl Diver! The loser stays on the platform forever—one and done!"

As Tang Qizheng's words fell, a burst of fervent approval erupted.

"The chief is wise!"

"Right! A life-or-death match! Beat him to death on the spot!"

"If he dares touch our Sea Shark Gang, his life pays for it!"

A Pearl Diver's life, in their eyes, was no different from an ant's. Perfect for making an example, to cow every restless soul.

Inside the main hall of Iron Mountain Hall, sandalwood incense curled upward.

Zhou Jingfeng sat at the head. Chen Yue stood at attention on one side below, while Father Chen and Mother Chen were seated in chairs off to the side, but they only perched on the edges, their expressions uneasy.

Zhou Jingfeng's gaze swept over Chen Yue's family. After a moment of deliberation, he spoke slowly: "Since Chen Yue has entered my tutelage, some matters need careful planning. Ordinarily, with my connections in the county, a bit of silver to grease the wheels could soon have your family's Pearl Diver registry erased and changed to commoner status. But now, it's better not to rush this."

Father Chen and Mother Chen's faces, which had just lit with a glimmer of hope, turned blank and confused. Shedding the lowly Pearl Diver status that had weighed on their ancestors for generations was something they'd never even dared to dream of—so why couldn't it be done now?

"Master, why is that? Since the junior apprentice has already passed the County Examination and has a bright future ahead, wouldn't shedding the lowly status sooner make things more legitimate and benefit his prospects?" Ma Jun, standing by, read the room. Seeing his master inclined to explain and the Chens' bewildered faces, he spoke up at the right moment.

Zhou Jingfeng smiled at this: "Precisely because Chen Yue's future is promising, we must be more cautious. Given the strength and talent he showed today, passing the Academic Examination to earn the rank of martial scholar is almost a sure thing. Even winning the rank of martial provincial graduate in the prefectural Martial Examination down the line is highly likely."

Zhou Jingfeng paused, his tone turning grave: "By then, he'll truly bear an official title from the court. If, before earning that title, someone uncovers that he used bribes to illegally alter his household registry... that would become a handle for attack, even grounds to strip him of his rank. So taking shortcuts now would invite disaster—more loss than gain."

Chen Yue listened intently, his mind suddenly clearing. He'd only thought about shaking off this yoke as fast as possible, never considering the hidden pitfalls.

Father Chen and Mother Chen listened on the side, catching only half of the words about violations and attacks, but the term "provincial graduate" struck them like a thunderclap.

A provincial graduate lord!

That was someone they'd have to kneel and look up to in the past. And now, Hall Master Zhou was saying their own son, Yue, might become that kind of person?

A complex surge of overwhelming shock and disbelief flooded their hearts, leaving their mouths dry and hearts pounding.

Father Chen instinctively rubbed his hands together and looked at Zhou Jingfeng: "Master Zhou, you know best! We'll do whatever you say! Whatever you decide for Yue's matters, that's what we'll do!"

Mother Chen nodded vigorously beside him.

Zhou Jingfeng smiled at this: "I'm glad you understand. Don't worry, this Pearl Diver status won't be a problem for now. Until Chen Yue passes the Academic Examination and earns his official rank, you can settle in the county town safely. No need to return to Pearl Village."

Zhou Jingfeng thought for a moment and continued: "Here's the plan: in a couple of days, I'll arrange for you to stay temporarily at the Su Family estate. The Su Family is a prominent clan in the city, and I have some ties with them. You can take on some light work in the household—first, it gives you a stable place, and second, it makes it easier to look after you. After Chen Yue's Academic Examination, we'll make long-term plans."

"The Su Family?" Yu Kan and Ma Jun exchanged glances, both looking at Chen Yue.

The Su Family had deep roots, wielding considerable influence in Hepu and even the prefecture. For an ordinary person, entering the Su Family was already excellent shelter.

Hearing this, the last heavy stone in Chen Yue's heart finally settled.

His greatest worry had been his parents' safety. Now, his master not only promised protection but had also found them a secure refuge like the Su Family, lifting that burden from his shoulders.

He stepped back and bowed deeply to Zhou Jingfeng once more: "Disciple Chen Yue thanks Master for your thorough care! My parents' affairs have troubled you greatly!"

"Haha, since we're master and disciple, we're family—no need for such formality!"

Zhou Jingfeng laughed heartily, clearly in high spirits. He made a gesture of support and then grew serious: "From our sparring just now, I already know your foundation. You've mastered the essence of the three basic skills: Iron Mountain Fist, Iron Mountain Saber, and Roaming Mountains and Rivers. It's time to teach you a more advanced technique."

"Yes, disciple will follow Master's arrangements." Chen Yue replied respectfully.

But Zhou Jingfeng waved his hand and smiled: "No need to follow everything I say. In the path of cultivation, the master shows the door, but practice is up to the individual. Often, you need to adjust based on your own feelings and insights. Blindly following the beaten path might just stifle your spirit."