28: Chapter 28 The Grand Gathering Continues, Making Friends with Heroes

The morning sun spilled across the bluestone slabs of the capital's main street, making the gold-lacquered plaque above the palace gate gleam.

The fervor from yesterday's contest had yet to dissipate, and today the grand assembly opened once more, drawing the crowds back in waves.

Chen Xuan stood at the front of the throng, his white robe embroidered with silver cloud patterns particularly eye-catching. His jade belt was neatly fastened, and his black boots were polished to a shine.

He hadn't left his inn room after returning last night, keeping the flatbread tucked inside his robe for warmth all night. This morning, he finished the last crumbs and casually folded the paper wrapper into a small boat, tossing it into the drainage ditch.

Now, with his hands tucked into his sleeves and a faint smile on his lips, he watched the bustling scene before him. Yet in his heart, he was clear: since people were inquiring about him, there was no point hiding. Better to step forward openly and make an appearance.

'Well, if it isn't the 'Gentleman of Hidden Bluntness' from yesterday!' a rough voice called out from the side.

Chen Xuan turned to see a saber-wielding Martial Artist in brown tight-fitting clothes, a face full of bushy beard, carrying a broad-backed saber over his shoulder, grinning at him. A few others followed behind him—a spear user, a fist practitioner—all familiar faces from yesterday's arena.

'I dare not accept such a title,' Chen Xuan said with a cupped-hand salute. 'Winning one match by luck hardly makes me a 'gentleman.''

'Don't be so modest!'

The saber-wielding Martial Artist clapped him on the shoulder. 'I'm Lu Shan, from the north. Yesterday, when you crossed hands with that Iron Palm Gang lad, you spent the first three moves probing the flaws in his footwork. The fourth move, you deliberately left an opening to lure him into attacking. The fifth move, you used his own force against him to flip him out. If that's called 'hiding bluntness,' then what does that make us fools who were genuinely fighting for our lives?'

Chen Xuan grinned. 'You observed too closely. I was just fighting randomly and got lucky.'

'Oh, come on!' the young spear user beside him interjected. 'If winning by random fighting is possible, then after ten years of spear practice, should I go sell tofu instead?'

The group erupted in laughter, the atmosphere instantly warming up. Zhao Hongling squeezed her way over from behind, planting her hands on her hips. 'Hey, why are you all crowding around him? He's not some big shot.'

'Oh ho, if it isn't the Fire Phoenix Young Lady!' Lu Shan chuckled, taking half a step back. 'We were just praising your Young Master here for being a hero who doesn't show his true colors, and you come to his defense already?'

'Who's defending him?' Zhao Hongling pouted. 'I'm just afraid you'll disturb others.'

Leng Shuang walked silently to Chen Xuan's left, crossing her arms. Her gaze swept the circle, a faint chill emanating.

Liu Ruyan fanned herself lightly with a round fan, smiling. 'Since you heroes are in such high spirits for conversation, why not find a place to sit down and talk at leisure? Standing here sunbathing is so tiring.'

'Well said!' Lu Shan slapped his thigh. 'There's a tea stall up ahead. My treat! Perfect chance for this brother to explain how he trained that clever technique of his.'

The group headed towards the tea stall. Dugu Xue walked at the very back, one hand resting on her sword hilt, her eyes discreetly scanning their surroundings.

She said quietly to Chen Xuan, 'These people seem casual, but in reality, they're all probing your background.'

'I know,'

Chen Xuan rubbed the tip of his nose. 'That's why I'm playing along with the act. Look, they're inviting me for tea today. Tomorrow we might drink together. The day after, they might be willing to tell me something real.'

The tea stall was set up east of the competition grounds. Several wooden tables pushed together made for a fairly spacious area.

Everyone took their seats. Lu Shan personally picked up the pot to pour tea, saying, 'We Jianghu folks admire two kinds of people most: genuine masters, and honest folks who speak the truth. If you can answer one question for me, I'll count you as a friend.'

'Ask away,' Chen Xuan said, lifting his tea bowl and blowing on it.

'You claim to have no School, no master,' Lu Shan stared at him. 'But that throw of yours clearly carried the shadow of Wudang's 'Borrowing Momentum Art.' Who did you really learn it from?'

Chen Xuan set down his tea bowl, answering frankly, 'I've never formally apprenticed under a master, nor have I joined any major School.

But once on the road, I met an old Daoist priest. I watched him teach his disciple martial arts, squatting by a wall corner for three days, memorizing a few moves. Later, I tinkered with them on my own, adapting them into a style that suits me.'

'That's it?' the young spear user asked, unconvinced.

'What else?' Chen Xuan spread his hands. 'You think everyone has a famous master guiding them from childhood like you all? When I could barely afford a meal, I was still learning reactions by watching street fights.'

Silence fell over the table for a moment at these words. Lu Shan suddenly nodded. 'Alright. Honest enough.'

'I have a question too,' Chen Xuan said, looking around. 'You've all traveled far and wide, seen much of the world. I'd like to know, among the various factions in the capital now, which one is the most troublesome to provoke?'

'Ha!' Lu Shan laughed. 'Trying to avoid pitfalls?'

'Don't want to step on any landmines,' Chen Xuan smiled. 'Can't afford to be used as someone's pawn without knowing it.'

'Then you should listen to me,'

a tall, lean man spoke up—a fist master from Miaojiang. 'Among the Six Ministries, Minister Wang of the Ministry of War, Minister Li of the Ministry of Works, and Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Rites have formed a faction, calling themselves the 'Three Pillar Cabinet.' They have the widest network in the court.

The three commanders of the Imperial Guards each lead a battalion, none subordinate to the others. But the Right Battalion Commander, Zhou Meng, has covert dealings with several Jianghu Gangs. Be careful not to fall into his hands.'

'And also,' the young spear user added, 'the 'Iron Dragon Gate' in the west city has been aggressively recruiting lately. They say it's to prepare a guard team for the Empress's selection of talents, but they're actually poaching young Martial Artists. Many who go find themselves bound hand and foot, unable to break free.'

Chen Xuan silently committed this to memory, nodding. 'Thank you all for the warnings.'

'Don't just listen to the bad stuff,' Lu Shan patted the table. 'Though we lot aren't much to speak of, we value loyalty and follow the rules. If you sincerely want to be friends, we'll acknowledge you as a brother. Come, drink!'

Everyone raised their bowls in a toast, laughter rising. Zhao Hongling snorted, 'Seems you have some discernment after all.'

Leng Shuang still didn't speak, but the tension in her shoulders eased slightly. Liu Ruyan gently tapped her fan ribs, smiling. 'It seems our Young Master has truly made some friends today.'

As they spoke, drums sounded from the arena again, signaling the start of a new round of sparring. A burly man leaped onto the stage, holding a pair of maces, loudly issuing a challenge. Lu Shan's eyes lit up. 'That kid's my Junior Brother! Come on, let's go watch the excitement!'

The group got up and squeezed towards the edge of the arena. Chen Xuan walked in the middle, surrounded by friends from all corners of the land, with sweat-drenched contests ahead. He looked up at the sky. The sun was just right, the breeze not too harsh.

'This is only the beginning,' he thought to himself.

On the stage, the mace-wielding man executed a sweeping move, 'Sweeping Away a Thousand Armies,' his Aura astonishing. Below, some gasped in surprise, others cheered.

Chen Xuan squinted, watching. Suddenly, he heard Lu Shan whisper beside him, 'See that? His left foot always lands half a beat slow. That's an old injury.'

'Mm,' Chen Xuan nodded. 'If he meets a master later, that's the opening they'll exploit.'

'You know your stuff!' Lu Shan glanced at him sideways.

'Watch enough, and you naturally understand,' Chen Xuan smiled.

At that moment, Zhao Hongling suddenly poked his arm. 'Hey, that guy in gray over there has been watching you three times already.'

Chen Xuan followed her gaze. In a corner stood a middle-aged man with a longsword strapped to his back, his expression calm, watching them thoughtfully.

'Ignore him,' Lu Shan sneered. 'That's an 'Iron Dragon Gate' man, specializes in poaching. If you don't go join them, you'll need to watch out for trouble later.'

'Trouble?' Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow. 'I'm afraid no one will come looking for trouble? Having no one come would be lonely.'

'Well said!' Lu Shan laughed heartily. 'I like that!'

Liu Ruyan gently fanned herself. 'You... you could live a low-key life, but you insist on charging headlong into things.'

'When life is peaceful, then you have the mind to hide,' Chen Xuan said, gazing at the stage. 'But in this world, if you don't bump into others, others will bump into you. Rather than wait to get hit, better let people know first—I'm not to be trifled with.'

Dugu Xue listened quietly, then suddenly spoke, 'You already have a plan.'

'A little,' Chen Xuan rubbed his chin. 'First, pave the way. With more friends, information flows better, and you don't act alone. As for the future... take one step at a time.'

On the stage, a new opponent wielding a serpent spear engaged the twin maces in a fierce clash. The clang of weapons was deafening, dust flying. The crowd roared with approval, the atmosphere growing increasingly heated.

Lu Shan suddenly turned and extended a hand towards Chen Xuan. 'Since you can spot flaws and listen to advice, let me say this formally: starting today, my circle of friends includes one more name—yours.'

Chen Xuan looked at that calloused hand and, without hesitation, reached out and gripped it firmly. 'Chen Xuan, from Wuding County. No School, no faction. Loves to eat, hates to be shortchanged.'

'Hahaha!' The group burst into uproarious laughter.

Leng Shuang stood at the back of the crowd, watching this scene from afar, finally giving a slight, almost imperceptible nod.

The sun climbed to its zenith. Inside and outside the competition grounds, the clamor of voices surged. Chen Xuan stood amidst the crowd, no longer alone. He now had voices around him, trust, and heroes he could stand shoulder to shoulder with.

He looked into the distance, where more faces awaited acquaintance, more stories awaited unfolding.

In a corner of the tea stall, a draft of an unfinished roster was blown down by the wind. On it, scrawled hastily in charcoal, were a few words: Chen Xuan. Key focus. Network forming.

The page flipped over, covering the writing.