Chapter 29: The Challenge at Dachong Teahouse

An Jing sneered coldly and asked, "You went to take the imperial examinations just to ransom a songstress?"

While others sought to climb the social ladder, gain wealth, and secure a bright future, Zhou Xianming actually went to take the exams for a songstress?

"What's wrong with that?"

A glimmer of hope shone in Zhou Xianming's eyes. "You don't understand Li Yue's pure heart at all. The other day when I went to the pleasure boat, she told me not to come next time. Surely, my constant presence has made her feel uneasy and guilty..."

"She thinks you're a poor wretch."

An Jing didn't mince words, "She can't get any profit from you, and you pester her like a fly every day..."

"Husband, how can you say that."

Zhao Qingmei pulled An Jing back.

"You're just a vulgar person"

Zhou Xianmin gave An Jing a disdainful look, then turned to Zhao Qingmei and smiled apologetically, "Madam An, I've decided to take the exams with all my heart. I swear to win the top prize this autumn. Could you lend me some silver? I'll repay it tenfold, a hundredfold in the future."

An Jing is a cunning and despicable trickster, but the gentle, virtuous, and kind Madam An is much easier to deal with.

"Since Mr. Zhou is determined to pursue the imperial examinations, I fully support it."

Zhao Qingmei took out a purse and handed it to Zhou Xianming, "Here are ten taels of silver. If it's not enough, you can ask me for more."

Ten taels of silver!

Zhou Xianming's eyes sparkled at the sight of the silver, unable to contain his excitement.

"Madam, that's ten taels of silver."

An Jing licked his lips, almost forgetting that his wife came from a scholarly family, seemingly wealthier than himself.

"It doesn't matter, consider it a charitable deed."

Zhao Qingmei smiled.

"Thank you, Madam An. I will never forget this great act of kindness. I will surely repay Madam An's favor in the future," Zhou Xianming gratefully accepted the silver.

"Old Zhou, my wife and I are one. If you repay her, it's the same as repaying me."

An Jing patted Zhou Xianming's shoulder with a smile.

Zhou Xianming glanced at An Jing, silently removed his hand, and brushed off the dust on his shoulder with an air of disdain.

"Clang! Clang!"

"Clang! Clang!"

At that moment, footsteps rang outside the door.

"Who's there?! Don't you know..."

Someone turned toward the sound and immediately fell silent upon seeing the newcomers.

A dozen rough-looking men in hemp clothing entered, each with a burly frame and fierce demeanor. Leading them was an old man in a blue robe.

Only members of the Cao Gang wore hemp clothing, and among their experts, those who didn't wore hemp were even more fearsome in status and power.

The old man had a calm and serene expression, his skin ruddy and his eyes sharp.

This wasn't just any old man; he was Tieyun Mountain.

A master!

Seeing the newcomer, An Jing wore a calm face but felt alarmed inside.

This man's imposing aura felt as if a mountain was looming, indicating his inner strength had reached the Upper Three Grades.

Zhao Qingmei also frowned slightly, subtly gripping An Jing's arm, ready to shield him at any sign of danger.

"Don't worry, I'm here."

An Jing, thinking Zhao Qingmei was frightened, patted her small hand to reassure her.

"Master...."

The shopkeeper hurried down and bowed to Tieyun Mountain.

"Are you the shopkeeper?"

One of the Cao Gang experts next to Tieyun Mountain stepped forward and asked sternly.

This man was called Zhu Hou, the newly appointed Sect Leader of Yu State City.

"Yes, I am." The shopkeeper smiled apologetically.

"Where's the storyteller? A tea house can't be without a storyteller, right?"

"Over there, but Zhou Xianming isn't telling stories today."

"Not telling stories?"

Zhu Hou's lips curled into a cold smile as he scanned the surroundings, seemingly searching for the storyteller named 'Zhou Xianming.'

"I'll tell the story."

Seeing this, Zhou Xianming's legs wobbled, and he quickly spoke up.

Tieyun Mountain nodded slightly and scanned the surroundings before walking slowly toward An Jing and Zhao Qingmei.

"You blind fools! Move aside!"

Zhu Hou frowned and scolded harshly.

"Husband, let's go."

Zhao Qingmei glanced at Zhu Hou, then pulled An Jing's hand, leading him aside.

An Jing didn't speak but memorized Zhu Hou's face.

"The young girl's quite pretty," Tieyun Mountain murmured, watching Zhao Qingmei's retreating figure.

"Elder, that..."

Zhu Hou's mouth twisted into a grin, his eyes slightly narrowed.

The Cao Gang, being a Jianghu faction, conducted legitimate business on the surface but engaged in usury and human trafficking in secret. Kidnapping women was routine for them.

Using a cane, Tieyun Mountain said indifferently, "I want to hear a story. Tell us about the history of the Nine Kingdoms."

"You heard him, the history of the Nine Kingdoms."

Zhu Hou called out to Zhou Xianming, who stood nearby.

"Yes, yes."

Zhou Xianming swallowed hard and headed to the high platform, gathering his thoughts before beginning to speak.

"After the Zhou Dynasty fell apart, the Nine Kingdoms plunged into chaos...."

The so-called history of the Nine Kingdoms refers to the era before the Yan Dynasty. After the Zhou Dynasty's collapse, nine powerful feudal states divided the land, with Yan being one of them. During that time, Zhao Country experienced severe turmoil and couldn't muster the strength to unify the realm.

The world was in chaos, with warlords rising and battling incessantly. Mountains of corpses and seas of blood marked the land, and the people suffered greatly. It was a terrifyingly chaotic period.

The Grand Ancestor of Great Yan fought his way out of the Nine Kingdoms and eventually established a unified Yan Dynasty, which continues to this day.

Many in the Jianghu cherish the history of the Nine Kingdoms. The Jianghu of that time was even more tumultuous and dangerous than it is now, making it easier to achieve fame.

Riding horses and waving spears, they roamed the world.

With his eyes half-closed, Tieyun Mountain seemed to fall into a slumber, his mind wandering into the chaotic era of the Nine Kingdoms.

Zhou Xianming's voice trembled, full of fear.

In the presence of Tieyun Mountain, no one dared to leave.

Even An Jing found the history of the Nine Kingdoms quite interesting and gradually got engrossed in it.

Zhao Qingmei glanced at the motionless An Jing, her heart growing colder. What a mighty Cao Gang, scaring my husband stiff.

After who knew how long, Tieyun Mountain slowly opened his eyes, "That's enough for today."

Upon hearing Tieyun Mountain's words, the shopkeeper and Zhou Xianming both heaved a sigh of relief.

As he walked out, Tieyun Mountain paused, using his cane. "I've heard that this Datong Teahouse is the fastest place for news in Yu State City. Can you spread the word for me? Tell them Tieyun Mountain is guarding the headquarters in Yu State, inviting the swordsman who rescued Jiang Sanjia to come find me."

"I want to see whether his sword is faster, or my knife is faster."

With that, Tieyun Mountain slowly walked out of the teahouse.

Wow!

A stone thrown into a quiet lake caused ripples of excitement!

Everyone exchanged glances, realizing that Tieyun Mountain had come to the teahouse to challenge that legendary swordsman.

Soon, the news of Tieyun Mountain's challenge spread throughout Yu State City and even further into Jiangnan Dao.

Everyone was talking about whether the legendary swordsman would accept the challenge and who would win this duel of sword and knife.

"Tieyun Mountain's provocation is too childish."

"That swordsman might not be a match for Tieyun Mountain. After all, Tieyun Mountain has countless battle victories, whereas the swordsman only broke open a dungeon."

"The key lies in the Yu State Headquarters. Who dares to go there?"

"With thousands of gang members gathered, even an Upper Three Grades expert would find it hard to leave unscathed."

.......