Eternal Saber-Chapter 400 - 7: The Dangers of Jianghu

"It’s all small matters, just a little misunderstanding."

The tea house owner got up, came around to smooth things over, and said with a smile, "We are all out and about in the Jianghu, seeking safety, so why make it so tense?"

"Hehe."

The standoff between the two parties lasted for a moment, and then Jiao Zhan suddenly laughed and turned to leave, waving his hand, "Let’s go."

There were many people around, and the tea house owner clearly stood on Mei Zhenyu’s side; if they started a fight here, the four of them wouldn’t gain any advantage.

Luo Shixian watched Jiao Zhan and his crew leave, and snorted lightly, saying, "Those four were just sarcastically mocking, I thought it was for some reason, but it turned out they were just lackeys of that treacherous Shen Guobao!"

Wei Kai chimed in, "Cursing their master naturally makes the dogs bar their teeth at us."

The four hadn’t gone far and clearly heard these words.

Jiao Zhan paused briefly, didn’t say a word, just turned his head to give a deep look this way, and then turned back to leave.

Seeing that the other party didn’t continue to entangle, Chen Tang felt relieved.

If Mei Zhenyu hadn’t intervened just now, who knows what might have happened.

Ah Li was already prepared to take action and kill, just waiting for Chen Tang’s order or a signal.

For such bullies, it would be no loss to kill them.

However, killing four people from the Garrison Army, including a Captain, in front of so many witnesses, would certainly cause quite a stir.

Chen Tang didn’t fear Jiao Zhan.

But, if he had just landed in Nanxia and not yet established his footing, being wanted by the Court would force him back into hiding, which would be troublesome.

"Thank you, Young Hero Mei, for your help."

Chen Tang cupped his hands in thanks.

Mei Zhenyu smiled slightly and said, "It was nothing."

"Young Hero Mei, I’ve heard of you before!"

Luo Shixian said a bit excitedly, "Three years ago, before you cultivated Inner Qi and were just a Postnatal Martial Artist, you chased that ’Flower Thief’ Feng Mi for seven days and nights, finally catching and slaying him."

"It is said Feng Mi had already cultivated Inner Qi, but was exhausted by you, Young Hero Mei, until he ran out and was defeated by a weaker force. After that battle, you were ranked on the Wind and Cloud Ranking."

Mei Zhenyu said, "It was thanks to the Sect’s ’Tracing Plum Blossoms’ body technique that I was able to follow his trail and catch up with him."

He had no deep enmity with Feng Mi.

But later, he saw with his own eyes some young and married women abused by Feng Mi, who committed suicide unable to bear the shame and public criticism.

Some families even ended up broken and ruined because of it, losing everything.

This led Mei Zhenyu to decide to eliminate this villain!

The charming young girl beside him gave him a sideways glance, looking at Mei Zhenyu with admiration in her eyes.

Mei Zhenyu said, "It was Brother Luo back then, defending Huiji County, fighting to the last breath even when the town fell, protecting the country and the people. That is what I truly admire."

"The past, let’s not bring it up."

Luo Shixian gave a self-deprecating smile and said, "Nowadays, I’m easily handled with just a few punches."

"How should I address this brother and sister?"

Mei Zhenyu switched topics, looking at Chen Tang and Ah Li, cupping his hands, "I saw you two facing Jiao Zhan’s provocations just now without fear, neither arrogant nor humble, truly rare."

Mei Zhenyu’s words were indeed agreeable, giving everyone a bit of praise.

"I am Chen Tang, and this is my younger sister Ah Li; she’s not good at speaking."

Chen Tang simply introduced.

"Do you have any nicknames or titles?"

The girl in green blinked and asked.

"No, I don’t."

Chen Tang smiled slightly.

He did have a few names in Beiqian.

Some sounded too silly.

Others sounded quite intimidating, more so than even ’Blazing Flame Frenzy Saber.’

Arriving in Nanxia, Chen Tang planned not to use those Beiqian names to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The girl in green laughed, "I’m called Zhu Lingxue, just starting to wander the Jianghu, so I don’t have a nickname either."

The people around couldn’t help but have a little more affection for the candidness displayed by Chen Tang and the girl.

Wei Kai comforted, "Both of you are still young, and this young lady comes from a reputable family. Just spend a few years in the Jianghu, and you’re sure to earn a famous nickname."

"Thank you, Brother Wei."

The girl in green, with a sweet voice, said thanks.

Luo Shixian looked around, cupped his hand saying, "The mood was spoiled by those dogs, so we won’t have tea here. Cyan Mountain doesn’t change, green waters flow forever, until we meet again."

"I’m leaving too."

Wei Kai then stood up and left with Luo Shixian side by side.

In the tea house, after such a scene, quite a few people left.

Mei Zhenyu and Zhu Lingxue got up, also preparing to leave.

Mei Zhenyu glanced at Chen Tang, then pondered for a moment, and approached them, saying, "You two have lost your passage documents, what’s your plan now? If it’s on the way, why not travel with us?"

Zhu Lingxue added, "It could mean less trouble."

"What do you mean by that?"

Chen Tang asked.

Mei Zhenyu replied, "Although Great Xia has regulations on passage documents, no one cares anymore. We don’t have them on us either, yet no one troubles us. Jiao Zhan and his people just now were picking a fight for another reason."

"Oh?"

Chen Tang was a bit curious.

He really didn’t know why Jiao Zhan and his group suddenly targeted him.

Mei Zhenyu explained, "Over the years, Profound Celestial Bandits have grown stronger, causing trouble everywhere, in conflict with the Court."

"But those Profound Celestial Demon Masters are adept at extremely dangerous demon techniques; with the slightest carelessness, heads can roll. Some soldiers are afraid to provoke the Profound Celestial Bandits directly, so they simply go and kill indiscriminately in remote places. Some uninvolved Jianghu guests are even captured and framed as Profound Celestial Bandits, taken back for rewards and promotions."

Chen Tang narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold feeling in his heart.

No wonder that soldier just now accused him of being associated with the Profound Celestial Bandits.

It wasn’t an offhand remark, but a deliberate framing!

If it had been someone else, and not meeting Mei Zhenyu, they might have been imprisoned and killed by Jiao Zhan’s group as Profound Celestial Bandits!

Committing murder and arson for the sake of ranks and offices, harming innocent people, such vile acts are no different from those of the Profound Celestial Bandits.

The perils of the Jianghu are evident!

Mei Zhenyu said, "When they backed off just now, it wasn’t because they feared my sword. It was because I am a disciple of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect, which gives me some status, and in front of so many people, they still have some scruples, needing to be restrained."

Chen Tang said, "I am new to the Jianghu and not familiar with the major sects, but from Jiao Zhan’s group’s behavior, it seems they are quite wary of your sect."

Mei Zhenyu had a complex expression, sighed lightly.

"In fact, the Plum Blossom Sword Sect was originally in the northern part of the Divine Land, within today’s Pingzhou of Qian Country."

Mei Zhenyu said, "Later, Emperor Wu of the Wu Dynasty besieged the Jianghu multiple sects, so the founding patriarch of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect led disciples to migrate south with the Great Xia Court and army, settling in Wu State."

"Back in the day, the Plum Blossom Sword Sect was indeed a top-tier sect, but over the years, it has somewhat declined."

Chen Tang pondered.

Perhaps Mei Nianzhi’s skill was passed down from the former Plum Blossom Sword Sect.

Mei Zhenyu said, "Brother Chen, if you’re not opposed, I could introduce you; having a sect as a backing in the Jianghu indeed reduces some troubles."

Chen Tang said, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Mei, but due to my unique situation, I cannot cultivate Inner Qi, thus it wouldn’t be suitable for me to apprentice and train."

In reality, he was accustomed to his free and easy lifestyle and was reluctant to join any sect or faction that would restrict him.

"What a pity."

Mei Zhenyu’s face showed disappointment upon hearing this, but he did not insist.