Chapter 64, The Bustling Gusu

Translator: StarReader

 

Ah Chou flipped over like a fish, rising from the messy ground.

 

Having long since grown accustomed to being knocked down by Su Chen, he was unflustered, and even joked for a moment. He was a bit weary from cultivating martial arts and rested on the steps of the City God Temple.

 

“Confident enough to reach my level?” Su Chen chuckled.

 

“Of course. I am but mid first-rate, while you, Brother Chen, are at late first-rate, though the gap feels way bigger. However, reaching peak first-rate in this life is more or less our limit.

 

“The hope of becoming a Grandmaster is too slim. As long as you, Brother Chen, cannot reach the Upper Dantian and become a Grandmaster, I will eventually reach peak first-rate myself, matching your strength!”

 

Ah Chou confidently declared and pounded his chest.

 

Su Chen couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

Over the past four or five years, Ah Chou’s foundation had been solidified, and his martial arts skills were already polished.

 

If he were not a Grandmaster already, then by relentlessly training for another five to ten years, he could very well catch up to Su Chen. After all, if they were both at peak first-rate, the disparity would be merely quantitative—not qualitative.

 

Only when there was a disparity in realms did it become insurmountable.

 

Just as a second-rate practitioner, possessing True Qi, could easily crush a third-rate practitioner, a first-rate expert, relying on his abundant True Qi, could defeat a second-rate practitioner with weak True Qi.

 

A peak first-rate expert only appeared powerless when facing a Grandmaster.

 

The two chatted for a while in front of the dilapidated City God Temple.

 

Su Chen thought of the immortal cultivation method he had been cultivating over the past few years and couldn’t help but sigh, “Ah Chou, do you think there are any immortals in this world who surpass Grandmasters?”

 

He had a feeling that he had vaguely touched upon the immortal world, a circle far more magical and mysterious than the martial world.

 

But when he wanted to take another step forward, it seemed so far away.

 

Su Chen had never seen an immortal in his life. Legend had it that immortals could move mountains and seas and had the ability to ascend to heaven in broad daylight, which inspired endless fascination.

 

However, despite possessing the immortal art Wanderer’s Journey: The Mayfly Chapter, for some reason, cultivating it for three full years yielded no results, and he didn’t know what went wrong.

 

On the contrary, the eight ordinary jade slip talismans yielded some results. After three years, he had produced several copies of the Golden Warrior Talisman, which convinced him that the immortal book was indeed genuine.

 

Su Chen suspected that the only person in Wu County who came closest to reaching the immortal realm was Daoist Han Shan.

 

The people of Wu County said that Daoist Han Shan possessed immense power, as elusive as a dragon, and was considered the preeminent hermit in Wu County.

 

But everyone in the martial arts world knew that this hermit simply referred to the foremost Grandmaster, not an immortal.

 

Daoist Han Shan might know more about immortals. But Su Chen had taken a scroll of Wanderer’s Journey from Daoist Qinghe’s room and dared not go near Daoist Han Shan.

 

Ah Chou thought carefully for a moment before scratching his head in confusion, asking, “Is there really such a thing as an immortal? The storytellers in tea houses love to talk about immortals. They say immortals can live forever, wield talismans, and ride flying swords with boundless power.

 

“But no one has ever actually seen an immortal flying overhead! We martial artists believe in what we see. We focus on refining our energy and cultivating True Qi, which are tangible things. Unlike those storytellers and Daoists, who like to make things mysterious, boasting the powers of immortals to fool the common folk!”

 

It was clear that Ah Chou did not believe in the existence of real immortals. Perhaps they existed, but they were far removed from the mundane world.

 

[As for talismans, I have two or three. But I’m no immortal, and I still have a long way to go before achieving that.]

 

Su Chen thought, unable to voice them aloud.

 

He stood up and said, “Never mind. Let’s not talk about such vague matters. I’ve been cooped up at the estate for so many days it feels like I haven’t seen the city in ages. Come on, let’s go out for a walk. Tomorrow is the Laba Festival, so today’s city must be bustling with vendors selling snacks and cakes. Let’s buy some treats.”

 

He had a few silver taels in his pocket, enough to spend without hesitation.

 

“Great! There’s a new shop by the roadside that sells an amazing jellied tofu!”

 

Ah Chou was overjoyed, jumping to his feet and patting his butt as he followed Su Chen towards Gusu County City.

 

He didn’t have much money himself; over the years, his earnings from odd jobs had mostly gone into buying herbs for body tempering and cultivating to boost his strength. He rarely indulged in sweets. This was a perfect chance to follow Su Chen and enjoy some treats at his expense, satisfying his cravings for months.

 

…

 

They entered Gusu County City through the eastern gate.

 

Su Chen noticed that the streets of Gusu County City were unusually bustling, with vendors and runners from neighboring towns setting up stalls everywhere—an uncommon sight in itself.

 

What surprised him was the presence of numerous martial artists from other counties. Each carried a weapon, rode a high-spirited horse, and exuded confidence with every glance.

 

Most bore striking markings of groups, with some being prominent figures from major groups like Heaven Falcon Group, Iron Sword Group, and Caravan Guards, including elders, protectors, and even some leaders, all peak first-rate experts.

 

There were also many disciples from smaller factions, third- and second-rate disciples, carrying a bag or weapons.

 

It appeared they were all hurrying towards Gusu City.

 

Su Chen couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

 

In previous years, he had visited Gusu County City during the Laba Festival, staying for a day without encountering such a large number of martial artists. The current scene was at least seven or eight times more crowded.

 

Ah Chou noticed Su Chen’s confused expression and chuckled, “Brother Chen, you’ve been at the Medicine King Estate for months without coming out—have you not heard about recent major events in the martial world?”

 

“Oh, did something serious occur in the martial world?” Su Chen asked curiously.

 

He had been confined to the estate for these past few months and busied himself with cultivating, knowing nothing of the world outside. Over the last three years, he had been occupied with gathering spiritual materials in the Wu Region, so his inquiries into matters of martial affairs were minimal.

 

The only major martial incident he had personally experienced was the theft of the precious book from Han Mountain Daoist Temple, an event that involved every significant group across the region. Beyond that, what he knew amounted to minor disturbances like Ding Shisan’s robbing of local merchants and fishermen.

 

Ah Chou promptly recounted the latest and most sensational martial incident in the Wu Region. A little over a decade ago, the Five Major Groups within the Wu Region were evenly matched, standing on equal footing.

 

However, in recent years, following the influx of displaced refugees, Whale Gang had aggressively recruited them to bolster their strength, surpassing all other groups in power.

 

“Several months ago, Whale Gang deployed thousands of elite pirates to plunder dozens of large grain ships bound for the north, murdering the guards. The entire Wu Region was left in shock by this audacious move.

 

“Previously, Whale Gang’s pirates only engaged in minor acts of piracy against local merchants and fishermen, avoiding direct confrontation with officials. Hence, their threat to the court was minimal, classified as a mere nuisance. However, their recent robberies of substantial government grain supplies amounted to open rebellion—a grave challenge akin to treason, differing little from overt revolt.

 

“Southern regions are major granaries supplying the north, including the capital city. By seizing these grain shipments destined for the capital, Whale Gang directly endangered the safety of the Grand Canal and even the capital itself.

 

“The court was furious. The governor of Wu Region swiftly led thousands of elite soldiers to besiege Whale Gang’s stronghold on Vastest Lake. However, underestimating their foes, they suffered heavy losses in both troops and command. As a result, the governor was removed, and numerous officials within the regional administration fell from power.

 

“Rumors had it that the court dispatched a new governor to the Wu Region. Yet, as of now, the newly appointed governor has yet to take office, leaving the region in turmoil. The thirteen county constables under the Wu Region’s jurisdiction are weak in combat capabilities and unable to confront the Whale Gang. Consequently, they have retreated to their respective county cities and fortified positions, daring not to venture outside for fear of being ambushed by Whale Gang’s pirates.

 

“Fortunately, our Wu Region still has the Four Major Groups—Heaven Falcon Group, Iron Sword Group, Caravan Guards, and Medicine King Group—whose combined strength rivals that of Whale Gang. The main forces of these groups are stationed in various county cities or their vicinity, maintaining a tense standoff with the criminal Whale Gang.

 

“Whale Gang’s pirates didn’t touch any cities due to the four groups’ formidable power. As per what I heard from a senior brother in the Heaven Falcon Group, the current major threat to the court does not lie in the south region but rather in the north, particularly in the Western Area. With sparse military presence in the south, it has always been a region with limited defense capabilities.

 

Now, martial experts in the Wu Region are all saying that the court is weak and unable to govern the thirteen counties of the Wu Region. From now on, the Wu Region will be under the control of the Five Major Groups.”

 

Ah Chou added more details, speaking rapidly with enthusiasm.

 

Su Chen finally understood what was going on. It turned out to be such a major case.

 

The Whale Gang was really bold, daring to raid official grain transports. This incident was even more impactful than the theft at Han Mountain Daoist Temple.

 

“Besides the Whale Gang raiding official grain, another significant event is about to take place. Daoist Han Shan has already returned to Han Mountain Daoist Temple and, together with Magistrate Wang, will host the first martial competition in Gusu County. They invited representatives from all groups to discuss how to stabilize this chaotic martial situation. Every group, big or small, within the Wu Region will participate in this martial competition. The event is scheduled for the evening of the Laba Festival. That’s why you can see a large number of groups, both big and small, from the thirteen counties of the Wu Region arriving in Gusu County.”

 

Ah Chou continued his explanation, spittle spraying further and faster as he did.

 

Su Chen expressed some surprise: “Laba Festival night? Isn’t that tomorrow? Will the pirates from Whale Gang also participate in this martial arts competition?”

 

“The prestige of Daoist Han Shan is high; he will personally oversee martial competition. Anyone would attend such a grand event. Among the Five Major Groups in the Wu Region, only the criminal Whale Gang pirates were not invited. The leaders of the other four groups—Heaven Falcon Group, Iron Sword Group, Caravan Guards, and Medicine King Group—are all attending.

 

I estimate that this martial competition is intended to define territories for each group to prevent disputes. With so many small groups in the thirteen counties of the Wu Region, they naturally wouldn’t want to miss out. Almost all of them will come to Gusu City for the gathering. This is the first major assembly of martial groups in the Wu Region in over a century—a rare opportunity in one’s lifetime!”

 

Ah Chou was somewhat excited as he spoke.

 

“Oh, I see.”

 

Su Chen nodded.

 

It was obvious the Whale Gang pirates, who were wanted by officials and did not get along with the lawful groups, wouldn’t be invited to the martial competition.

 

This at least indicated that the martial world’s black and white factions remained as incompatible as water and fire. If pirates were to openly appear at a martial competition, there would be a drastic power shift in the Wu Region.

 

Su Chen carefully contemplated how these two major martial events might impact his situation.

 

He couldn’t help but notice how much he himself had changed in the last three years. The vibrant martial affairs no longer interested him; his heart simply didn’t stir at all.

 

Perhaps everything truly had changed.

 

For Su Chen, the magical realm of cultivation described in the immortal book captivated him entirely. He sought to gather every bit of spiritual material, unraveling the mysteries behind each talisman with great enthusiasm.

 

The wondrous world within the immortal book was far more fascinating than the martial one could ever be.

 

Su Chen was on the verge of becoming immortal, with the immortal mountain lying just ahead in the distance, shrouded in mist. He was but a cloud away from revealing its true form.

 

As for the Wu Region’s martial disputes and the desire to attain fame and fortune—such pursuits had grown bland to him. Without even noticing, he found them increasingly uninspiring.