Clean and decisive

At midday, wind and rain swept the riverbank.

Several empty boats lay moored in the harbor. Few people wandered the wharf market, and occasional cries drifted from the pleasure houses and taverns:

"Come have a drink..."

"Big, big, big... ah-"

Most of the market buildings were old, but on the adjoining riverbank stood a secluded estate, nestled between hills and water and hidden among the trees. From the wharf, only its sweeping eaves and green roof tiles were visible.

The estate was called Green Lotus Manor, a private residence belonging to a powerful figure in the Capital City. Its owner only came for a few days during the sweltering summer heat. The rest of the time, "guards" maintained it and watched over the wharf's business. The Green Lotus Gang had taken its name from the manor.

Despite being called the Green Lotus Gang, it had nothing to do with the gangs of the martial world. Only its leader, Yang Guan, could be considered a martial artist. The others were a collection of local thugs and idle layabouts, numbering a little over a hundred.

Yang Guan had trained in Three-Perfection Valley in Wu Prefecture since childhood and possessed considerable skill. After establishing himself in the Capital City, he had used his connections to subdue the local snakes at the wharf in just a few months, gaining sole control over Jiangan Wharf. Recently, he had even reached into the Capital City itself, hoping to expand his business.

Most families able to do business in the Capital City had powerful backers and were either wealthy or influential. Even the streets without such connections already had their own local snakes entrenched there.

After scouting for a long time, Yang Guan had discovered that the Skywater Bridge area was remarkably clean!

The merchants led by the Pei Family had money, but no relatives serving as officials. Nor were there any other local snakes nearby competing for territory.

With such a fat sheep sitting there, the territory was practically being handed to him. Naturally, Yang Guan would not stand on ceremony. He had spent the entire month "communicating" with the merchants, trying to gain a foothold at Skywater Bridge.

Yang Guan's ambitions were undoubtedly lofty, but the consequences were equally swift.

At midday, inside Green Lotus Manor, Yang Guan sat in the reception hall in a wealthy gentleman's robe, speaking with easy confidence:

"Third Lady Pei of Skywater Bridge really refuses to give me any face. I sent her two invitations, and she wouldn't honor either one. It's only a matter of sitting down for tea and a few words. It's not as though I'm lusting after her beauty..."

"Ah, Third Lady Pei has a stubborn temper, and she has some connections with the authorities. The nearby merchants all follow her lead. Master Yang, your wish to send men to help drive off troublemaking layabouts is a good thing. But with Mistress Pei refusing, the rest of us really can't make that decision..."

The proprietors were all wealthy merchants from around Skywater Bridge. Merchant families dared not offend a local snake like Yang Guan, so they merely fenced with him politely, pushing the matter onto the absent Pei Family. If even the Pei Family could not withstand him, then they would indeed have to pay this "fee for his trouble."

Yang Guan could not understand why the Pei Family, headed by a woman, spoke so firmly. He was still planning to combine kindness with intimidation and have the proprietors relay his message when shouts suddenly came from outside:

"Gang leader! Gang leader!"

The gentlemen in the reception hall fell silent and looked toward the door.

Yang Guan, dressed in his gentleman's robe, slapped his teacup onto the table.

"How many times have I told you? Call me proprietor."

A saber-wearing man ran into the reception hall, panting:

"Proprietor, a guest has arrived. Chief Escort Chen from Skywater Bridge drove the carriage. He says it's the Pei Family's young master..."

"Hm?"

The gentlemen were taken aback.

Pei Luo, the Pei Family's young master, was quite well known. As the family's only son, he had been thoroughly indulged since childhood. He spent his days drinking and carousing rather than doing anything useful, and was a notorious wastrel in the neighborhood.

Yang Guan had evidently heard of Young Master Pei's reputation as well. Surprise flickered in his eyes.

"Instead of coming herself, Third Lady Pei sends a wastrel like that? Is she trying to fob me off? Let him in."

The gentlemen seized the opportunity to rise.

"Then we'll take our leave. Master Yang, please take your time speaking with Young Master Pei. Once you've reached an agreement, simply send someone to inform us."

Yang Guan lifted his teacup to see his guests off, then sat beneath the central hall display to wait.

Tap, tap, tap-

Soon, a flurry of footsteps sounded along the passage outside the courtyard.

As a servant raised a hand to show the way, a young man in black strode in. He was tall, with a stern face and an imposing presence.

Chief Escort Chen, who enjoyed some renown around Skywater Bridge, trotted beside him holding an umbrella, his manner decidedly fawning.

Five more escorts followed, the elderly man at their head carrying a long saber in a black scabbard.

Yang Guan raised his eyebrows. This visitor did not look like an idle wastrel, and he set down his teacup.

The wealthy merchants who had just stepped outside had heard something of yesterday's events at the Far-Reaching Escort Agency. Guessing that this unfamiliar young man was the ruthless fellow who had arrived yesterday, they stopped and greeted him with cupped hands:

"You look unfamiliar, young master. Are you the Pei Family's young master?"

Ye Jingtang did not answer. He strode up the steps, took his saber from Yang Chao, and went straight through the doorway.

Clack-

The door shut, leaving everyone outside staring in bewilderment.

Chen Biao nearly smashed his nose against it. He was about to ask what the young proprietor was doing when a sound came from inside:

Shing-

A blade being drawn!

Inside, Yang Guan, seated in the place of honor, sensed that something was wrong and immediately reached for the broad-backed saber beneath the central hall display.

At that same instant, Ye Jingtang surged forward. His long saber left its scabbard mid-stride, and he brought it crashing down toward Yang Guan's head with the force to cleave Mount Hua.

Whoosh-

Steel flashed through the reception hall.

Yang Guan was no slouch. In the blink of an eye, he had raised his saber horizontally before him. But the difference in their explosive strength was too great. Barely had he lifted his arms when the heavy strike slammed the back of his own blade into his chest, crushing the grand armchair beneath him.

Crash-

"You-"

Yang Guan fell to the floor and tried to shout in fury, only to realize that this young fellow who had suddenly appeared at his door had come straight for the kill. In another instant, a second thrust shot toward his heart.

Yang Guan's hair stood on end. The skills he had learned since childhood were pushed to their limit. He kicked hard against the floor, forcibly opening a gap between himself and the blade while raising his saber to counterattack.

Clang-

Their blades collided again.

Yang Guan's slash failed to harm his opponent in the slightest. Instead, his blade was driven back by the other man's immense strength. The lacquered wooden display against his back shattered on impact, and he tumbled through the passage door behind him.

"Cough-"

Yang Guan fell into the rain in the rear courtyard with a muffled cough. Before he could even look ahead, he threw himself into a roll to the side.

Just as he had expected, a saber struck the spot where he had landed a moment later, biting deep into the stone.

"You bastard..."

Yang Guan scrambled to his feet, his face furious, and lifted his saber to speak. But the expressionless young man simply pulled his blade free and approached again, neither hurried nor slow. He even rolled his neck. There was no savagery in his eyes, only the calm of long familiarity.

Terror rose in Yang Guan's heart. Whatever else he could not discern, he could tell that this young fellow had certainly killed before.

He gripped his saber with both hands and roared, looking as though he meant to charge. His feet, however, edged toward the rear of the residence. After opening a few paces of distance, he ran toward the back courtyard with his saber, shouting:

"Someone get here! Are you all fucking dead..."

Clang-

The words had barely left his mouth when an icy wind swept toward his back.

Yang Guan's skill was indeed considerable. A backhand slash blocked the incoming blade with perfect accuracy, but his body could not withstand the tremendous force. The blow sent him sprawling forward, and his saber was jolted from his hand.

Clatter-

Yang Guan had no time to retrieve his saber. He scrambled up and tried to run toward the rear rooms, but this time he had no chance left. Just as he rose, a weight struck the back of his head. A boot pressed his face flat against the wet bluestone paving, and a cold gleam dropped before his eyes.

Shhk-

"Wait, young hero! Spare me! Spare me!"

A heart-rending cry rang out through the elegant, rain-swept courtyard.

Ye Jingtang stood motionless in the rain, his boot on Yang Guan's left cheek and his blade planted before the man's eyes. Looking down at him, he finally showed a trace of expression:

"You sent the Pei Family invitations, asking us to come discuss business? What business? Go on."

Yang Guan's face was contorted, but not a trace of anger remained. He merely stared fixedly at the blade before his eyes.

"A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Lard clouded my heart. I didn't know you were also one of the Pei Family, young hero. This is the Capital City. A death would be difficult to explain. Please don't act rashly..."

"I heard you're a disciple of the Three-Perfection Immortal Elder. Your skills don't look the part."

?

Yang Guan had not expected this young fellow to know who his master was. But he dared not swagger now and hastily explained:

"A disciple in name only. My family has some ties with my master. I went to study under him for a few years, but never received his true teachings. I've made a fool of myself before you, hero..."

"For the sake of your master's reputation, I'll let you live."

"Thank you for your great mercy, young hero... Aah-"

Before Yang Guan could finish, he let out a scream.

The blade was pulled free and driven down again, piercing straight through his right arm and pinning it to the bluestone.

Yang Guan's face twisted instantly. He looked at Ye Jingtang with terrified eyes, unable to utter a word.

"That stab was in case you thought I wouldn't dare strike. I might not be able to kill your master, but killing you would take no effort at all. Farewell."

Shhk-

Ye Jingtang pulled out his saber, wiped the bloodied blade on Yang Guan's clothes, sheathed it, and turned toward the reception hall.

Clenching his teeth, Yang Guan covered his profusely bleeding right arm and struggled to his feet. He did not dare cry out in pain as he watched Ye Jingtang leave.

Creak-

The reception hall doors opened.

Dozens of thugs carrying iron weapons had gathered in the courtyard outside. Yang Chao, Chen Biao, and the other escorts stood guarding the door with sabers in hand, braced as though facing a formidable enemy.

The wealthy merchants stood by the courtyard entrance, their faces filled with shock and uncertainty.

Ye Jingtang pulled the door shut behind him, tossed the saber to Yang Chao, and took the umbrella, holding it over his head.

"We're done talking. Let's go."

"That was quick..."

Chen Biao muttered under his breath, but did not ask how it had been handled. Everyone outside had heard the crashes and agonized screams from within. Even a fool knew how that discussion had gone.

When the hired thugs in the courtyard saw that their "gang leader" had not even appeared, none dared block the way. They hurriedly parted in the rain.

The wealthy merchants did not know whether this young man of the Pei Family had simply hacked Yang Guan to death, and they dared not speak to him either.

Rustle, rustle...

The vast estate was silent as a flock of crows with their beaks shut. Only a black umbrella drifted unhurriedly out along the passage between white walls and green-tiled roofs.

Only after the carriage had departed through the main gates did noise return to the courtyard:

"Gang leader? Gang leader, are you all right? That brazen scoundrel actually dared... Quick, report this to the authorities..."

"Get lost! A pack of useless fools... Report it to the authorities, my ass..."