129: Warrior Guild

Chapter 128: Martial Artists Guild

White Jade Capital.

White Long Eagle, the head of the renowned White Crane Martial Hall in the capital, felt a bit awkward sitting on the stool at this moment.

Next to him was his wife, Liang Lu.

Decked out in gold and silver, radiating overwhelming wealth, her figure was also quite plump, exuding a gentle beauty.

Back in the day, Liang Lu was also someone who feared neither heaven nor earth, wandering Jianghu alone when she met him.

The two of them wandered together as companions, and their affection grew day by day.

However, during a conflict eventually, White Long Eagle was almost killed, which forced him to withdraw from Jianghu and come to the capital to open a martial hall.

Liang Lu also transformed from a martial heroine walking Jianghu into the manager of the White Crane Martial Hall, managing a large number of Disciples and family members.

Twenty years ago, their daughter Bai Feihe was born. She was carved from jade and extremely lovable, and her talent was also quite good, inheriting White Long Eagle's ancestral Eagle Claw Skill and Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique.

The progress of her Internal Skill cultivation was not the least bit weaker than that of her two older brothers.

But what he didn't expect was that three years ago, during the emperor's selection, his daughter was chosen as an imperial concubine candidate, entered the imperial city overnight, became the Son of Heaven's woman, and was even bestowed the title of Noble Lady by imperial decree.

This was truly smoke rising from the ancestral graves!

On the other side sat White Long Eagle's two sons, White Flying Tiger and Bai Feixiong.

Both of them inherited White Long Eagle's build and facial features, being burly and resolute, sitting there like two beasts.

In recent years, because of their daughter Bai Feihe, and having escaped the great disaster of Prime Minister Yang's treason, the White Crane Martial Hall developed rapidly, and was almost universally recognized as the number one martial hall in the capital!

Three months ago, for some unknown reason, White Long Eagle, who was approaching fifty, fortuitously achieved a Breakthrough into the Grandmaster Realm!

For the entire Martial Artist circle of the capital, this was enough to be called a major event.

A Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist had the ability to establish a sect and create a school.

Meanwhile, White Long Eagle relied on a mastery-level Eagle Claw Skill to open a martial hall in the capital, which instantly attracted quite a few apprentices to come and learn.

Especially among the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, many people racked their brains trying to squeeze into the White Crane Martial Hall.

Was it to learn martial arts, or to cozy up to certain people?

As for White Flying Tiger and Bai Feixiong, they had also stepped into the First Grade Realm, making them quite renowned within the capital's Martial Artist circle.

Next to them sat the masters of several other martial halls in the capital.

Their martial arts cultivation was only a step away from the Grandmaster Realm.

Vajra Martial Hall.

Master Xiong Pi was rumored to have originated from a martial monk of a large temple in the south, born with Divine Power and the strength to uproot a weeping willow. Comparing pure strength alone, even White Long Eagle was not his match.

Red Snake Martial Hall.

Master Xu Bo excelled at the Golden Snake Coiling Silk Hand and Shadow Snake Legs. His Moves and Cultivation Techniques were soft, treacherous, and sinister, and he was also adept at poison techniques. His personality was vindictive, and he had offended who knows how many people.

Hong Quan Martial Hall.

Master Hong Zhennan excelled at Hong Quan and close-combat fighting. Those who pledged allegiance under his sect were all peddlers, pawns, and Gang members. He was seasoned, good at reading the wind and turning with the rudder, and possessed an extremely steady Heart-Nature.

Double Saber Martial Hall.

Master Yu Shuangdao excelled at wielding willow-leaf double sabers, and his saber technique was extremely brilliant. Two years ago, he single-handedly entered Bin Province with double sabers to intercept Wu Country's cavalry, killing thirty-nine of Wu Country's cavalrymen while managing to retreat completely unscathed. One could imagine how high his saber technique was.

There were several other people, all renowned martial hall masters in the capital, and their martial arts cultivation was also above the First Grade Realm.

For some reason a few days ago, all the prominent martial hall masters in the capital received invitations asking them to gather here on October 1st.

When they saw the scheduled location, all the martial hall masters were startled.

The imperial palace, White Jade Capital!

This was... an invitation issued to them by the current emperor!

It caused a sensation at the time; the emperor inviting Martial Artists to dinner was the very first time in over three hundred years since the founding of Great Yu!

Who knew how much of a sensation it caused, with countless people secretly guessing the current emperor's intention for today.

Many people even ran to the White Crane Martial Hall every day, asking what on earth had happened.

White Long Eagle was also dumbfounded.

Although his identity was the current Your Majesty's father-in-law, it was only something his own people addressed him as when drinking privately. Was he stupid enough to go around shouting that he was Your Majesty's father-in-law?

Was his neck itching?

Besides, his daughter was only a Noble Lady in the palace, and in three years she had only returned home twice, while Your Majesty had only summoned and favored her three or four times.

In the imperial palace, she was also depressed and melancholic.

As a father-in-law of the state, his life was truly rather stifled.

During this period of time, Your Majesty suddenly wanted to host a banquet for the capital's martial hall masters, making his White Crane Martial Hall's threshold almost flattened by people.

There were even more people coming than when he broke through to become a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist!

The key was... he didn't know what on earth was going on either!

And today was the day of Your Majesty's banquet.

Moreover, apart from him being able to bring family members, the rest of the martial hall masters could only come alone, which was utterly miserable.

"Master Bai, Big Uncle Bai, it's already come to this time, you should talk!"

Hong Zhennan, with his rosy face and plump figure, walked over holding a wine cup and whispered, "While Your Majesty hasn't come yet, you must at least give the brothers a heads-up."

"When Your Majesty hosts us to a banquet today, what major matter is there really?"

White Long Eagle smiled bitterly, "Master Hong, I really don't know!"

"Just like you all, this is also my first time receiving Your Majesty's invitation."

"Heh, it seems Master Bai doesn't regard us as brothers."

Xu Bo said sarcastically, "That's right, he's now the Lord Father-in-law of the state, how could he look down on us small folk?"

Hong Zhennan frowned and said, "Master Xu, what nonsense are you spouting? We are all peers, and we all received Your Majesty's invitation. Is it appropriate for you to say that?"

Xiong Pi, who was at the side drinking fine wine in big gulps, muttered, "Old Venomous Snake, stop yelping around here!"

"This is the imperial palace, not your Red Snake Martial Hall! If you offend Your Majesty later, we will all have to suffer the consequences because of you~!"

Yu Shuangdao's double sabers had been confiscated. How could he possibly be allowed to bring sabers to see the emperor?

Without his double sabers, Yu Shuangdao, feeling utterly uncomfortable all over, could only cross his arms and say, "Old Xiong makes sense, Master Xu, don't speak later."

"Today Your Majesty is hosting a banquet, and I happen to think it's related to the rumors circulating among the court ministers a few days ago."

"You mean the... Ban on Martial Arts proposed by Great General Xu?"

"Mm."

"How could that be possible!"

"There are so many Martial Artists in the capital, does the imperial court really intend to drive everyone out?"

"I just feel there is such a possibility, I don't know the specifics."

"Haven't you seen that the General's Estate has had no movement these past few days? Perhaps the resistance encountered was too great, and it was forced to terminate..."

"Unclear. If the Ban on Martial Arts is truly promulgated, the business of martial halls like ours will plummet!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? My Double Saber Martial Hall's business will definitely plummet, but how could the business of you guys practicing fists, palms, and legs drop? Just secretly be happy..."

"Hehehe..."

Xu Bo's mouth twitched. Unexpectedly, no one was paying attention to him now, so in his helplessness, he could only pick up the fine wine in front of him and gulp it down in large mouthfuls.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Who would have thought that this fine wine in the imperial palace was strong white liquor specially brewed by the Ministry of Works at Zheng Yi's command. This single mouthful choked Xu Bo into continuous coughing, turning his face completely red.

Just as the many Martial Artists were still discussing, a sharp voice quickly traveled from afar to near.

"His Majesty has arrived~!!!"

Several people hurriedly stood up, and before long, they saw a group of people walk out from the pavilion.

The leading youth strode with the vigor of a dragon and tiger, wore a dragon robe, had bright eyes, and an overwhelming Aura. Wasn't that none other than the current emperor, Emperor Zhengyong!

By his side followed a beauty in palace attire, with a tall figure and a heroic, dashing bearing.

More than ten people hurriedly lined up into the open space and paid homage in unison.

"We commoners pay our respects to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years!"

Zheng Yi arrived at the main seat, raised his hand slightly, and said, "Righteous warriors, please rise, be seated."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

More than ten people stood up, and many subconsciously looked forward, wanting to see Your Majesty's appearance clearly.

They forgot the etiquette Liu Chengen taught them when entering the palace entirely.

"He'er!"

Suddenly, Liang Lu by White Long Eagle's side exclaimed in shock, and Noble Lady He by Zheng Yi's side also hurriedly stood up.

"Mother~!"

"Younger sister!"

White Flying Tiger and Bai Feixiong also discovered that the familiar-looking beauty in palace attire was actually their younger sister!

Beside Zheng Yi was none other than White Long Eagle's daughter Bai Feihe, who came today to accompany them under Zheng Yi's order.

Never did she expect that what she saw were actually her parents and two older brothers.

"Your Majesty~"

Bai Feihe's clear and pretty face was filled with entreaty. Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Go on, catch up properly with your mother."

"Understood~!"

Bai Feihe immediately rose like a flying bird, came to Liang Lu's side, and subconsciously grasped the other party's hands.

"Mother~"

"He'er~"

"Mother, come with me. He'er will take you to properly appreciate this White Jade Capital~"

"Alright."

The two women quietly walked into the White Jade Capital, leaving behind only a group of men.

"Play the music, start the dance~!"

At Liu Chengen's command, teams of dancing girls glided out from both sides of the White Jade Capital, performing a dance specially trained by the Directorate of Music.

Over thirty seductive dancing girls fluttered about like colorful butterflies and circled like flying phoenixes, making the eyes of the dozen or so big men stare straight.

Seeing this situation, Zheng Yi smiled slightly.

When the song ended, he immediately picked up the wine cup in front of him and said,

"Righteous warriors, I also yearn for the Martial Dao. Hosting you all to a banquet today is truly a fortunate event."

"Please drain this cup, everyone."

Having said that, he drained it in a single gulp.

The dozen or so Martial Artists also hurriedly raised their wine cups and drank it down.

These wines were strong liquors specially selected by Zheng Yi, and their alcohol content was naturally high.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the banquet was finally whipped up.

Especially after a few more dances, the atmosphere became even more enthusiastic, and some Martial Artists even shouted that they wanted to offer a dance themselves, only to be pulled down by others.

Noble Lady He and her mother had also returned long ago, accompanying them at the side.

At this moment, Zheng Yi raised his wine cup again and said, "Righteous warriors, today I am hosting a banquet for you all because there is still a major matter to discuss."

The dozen or so hall masters' minds immediately grew solemn. Knowing that the real business had arrived, they hurriedly urged their Internal Energy to suppress the alcohol strength in their bodies.

Zheng Yi said, "Our Great Yu has been established for over three hundred years. Although our national power is flourishing, externally there are foreign tribes knocking at the gates, and internally treacherous ministers are in power. Though I am untalented, under the assistance of many righteous warriors, we have repelled the foreign tribes, internally suppressed rebel bandits, and restored a bright and clear sky to Great Yu."

"However... to this day, our Great Yu is still plagued by turmoil, Death Qi, natural disasters, and man-made calamities."

"Even at the feet of the Son of Heaven, within the capital, incidents of sudden murders and brawls frequently occur."

As Zheng Yi spoke, the expressions of the dozen or so hall masters also turned slightly ugly.

It made them guess, could it really be... the Ban on Martial Arts?

"Therefore!"

Zheng Yi immediately said, "I plan to promulgate the Ban on Martial Arts next month, strictly forbidding rebellious martial ways in the capital!"

"At today's banquet, I hope to receive the assistance of you righteous warriors to jointly maintain peace and stability in the capital!"

As soon as his voice fell, the dozen or so hall masters remained silently speechless, not knowing what they were thinking.

"Lord Father-in-law."

Zheng Yi suddenly spoke, "You are my father-in-law. I have not kept any secrets from you; speak up and share your thoughts."

"This..."

Under the gaze of more than ten pairs of eyes, White Long Eagle had to stand up and say, "Your Majesty, Martial Artists wearing sabers and swords is simply their nature. Completely eradicating it is fundamentally impossible."

"Moreover, once this Ban on Martial Arts is promulgated, it is very likely to cause turmoil among quite a few Martial Artists..."

Zheng Yi said, "I have also considered this matter, so the 'Ban on Martial Arts' I am promulgating is not a complete ban, but a selective ban!"

"Furthermore, once the Ban on Martial Arts is promulgated, it will also be beneficial to martial halls like yours!"

"Your Majesty?"

"Upon the promulgation of the Ban on Martial Arts, any Martial Artists who want to establish a martial hall must go to the Shangwu Division for registration and evaluation."

Zheng Yi concisely said, "I also intend to establish a 'Martial Artists Guild' to govern martial arts with martial arts. And you all will be the first batch of executives of the Martial Artists Guild, able to obtain corresponding rights!"

"The Shangwu Division, the Martial Artists Guild, and Martial Artists will form a tripod stance, reasonably, legally, and compliantly managing the Jianghu Martial Artists, slowly guiding Martial Artists to serve our Great Yu instead of purely striving for bravery and fighting fiercely, wasting their prime years in vain, or even losing their lives!"

"What do you all think?"