The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
The Giant Whale Gang in Hangzhou unveiled its sign and welcomed guests, with well-wishers arriving in droves.
Dong Ping, the former right guardian of Chain Wharf, known as the "Eight-Armed Vajra," wore a festive gold-and-red robe that day. His face glowing, he threaded through the banquet tables in the central courtyard, greeting heroes from every corner of the martial world.
He had a long, horse-like face and stood over seven feet tall, his knotted muscles looking as though they had been cast from molten iron. Most striking of all were his long arms, which reached past his knees. When he walked, he resembled a silverback gorilla!
As the feast reached full swing, the usher's ringing, lilting announcement suddenly came from outside.
"Yang Yinghao, right guardian of the Bright Cult, accompanied by his eldest son, Yang Tiansheng, offers congratulations on the auspicious founding of the Giant Whale Gang!"
The bustling banquet fell silent at once. Every guest turned toward the gate.
The rosy-faced Dong Ping frowned too, but a moment later, he plastered a smile across his face and hurried out to greet them.
A group of Bright Cult members in fitted brown martial attire carried several tin-plated chests decorated with large red rosettes through the gate.
Behind them, Yang Yinghao and Yang Tiansheng, dressed in fitted gold and silver outfits and carrying nothing else, crossed the Giant Whale Gang's threshold one after the other.
From a distance, Dong Ping cupped his fists and laughed heartily. "Brother Yang, your personal attendance brings splendor to our humble Giant Whale Gang!"
Yang Yinghao smiled and returned the salute. "You're too kind, Brother Dong. We all drink from the same river. How could I fail to attend such an important occasion?"
Once the two had exchanged