Chapter 232: All Sides Stirred
In a certain small town near the Great Qing capital.
Inside a restaurant, several young gentlemen of distinguished bearing sat drinking together.
Among them were none other than Lu Xiaofeng, Hua Manlou, Fu Hongxue, and Ye Kai.
Besides them, there were three others, all equally extraordinary in bearing.
The man beside Lu Xiaofeng wore white robes. With thick brows and large eyes, he exuded rugged masculine charm, yet his clear eyes were remarkably refined. An air of effortless, unrestrained grace surrounded him.
He was Chu Liuxiang, the renowned "Bandit Marshal" of the Great Qing Jianghu, famed throughout the Jianghu for his lightness skills and chivalry.
Beside him sat a man in hemp robes, his head uncrowned, his face round as the full moon and bearing a warm smile.
His name was Zhu Zao, and he was said to be the son of the Night Emperor of the Laoshan Night Emperor Palace, who ranked first in the Blue Sky Ranking.
Beside Zhu Zao sat a burly, barefoot man of exceptional martial bearing.
His background was extraordinary as well. He was the standard-bearer of the Northwest Iron-Blooded Banner Sect, nicknamed "Uncle Yao," but had since left the Banner Sect. He was Zhu Zao's friend as well as his attendant, accompanying him on his travels across the land.
Perhaps outstanding men cherished one another, or perhaps fate had ordained it. These young men, among the finest talents in the Jianghu of Ming and Qing, had finally come together and agreed to travel the Jianghu as a group.
Now, having heard that the Wulin sects were heading west to reinforce the Gold Palace against the Sword Sect, they too intended to join the excitement.
"Brother Lu, I hear that Ye Gucheng, the Sword Sect's master, came from Ming. You're