Chapter 284 Jiangzhou Turbulence (I)

It is bordered by the Yangtze River in the north and Poyang Lake in the south. The misty land of Jiangnan is haunted by the dreams of Wu and Chu.

Jiangzhou has been a prosperous place in the south of the Yangtze River since ancient times. It is across the lake from the prosperous Longxing Prefecture and still retains a strong ancient city charm.

Compared with Suzhou, Hangzhou, Yangzhou, Liuzhou and other places in the south of the Yangtze River, Jiangzhou City is small and sparsely populated, and has a rare kind of tranquility and peace.

On August 27, Liu Xunyi, Tang Cong and Pan Yuyin arrived in Jiangzhou.

After a drizzle last night, Jiangzhou had clear skies and a gentle breeze this morning, and even the air seemed fresh.

In Jiangzhou city, Liu Xunyi and two other people were walking on a busy but not crowded street. Their feet were stepping on the bluestone bricks which were still a little wet and greasy, and they were breathing in the fragrance of the earth after the rain. They felt refreshed and comfortable all over.

Looking around, people are walking in groups of two or three, stopping at the street stalls lined up one after another. Young talents are accompanying beautiful ladies, lingering over rouge and powder, windmills and kites, flirting with each other from time to time, and stirring up the rain and clouds. They are all talented men and beautiful women, full of vitality, which is really the envy of others.

In the restaurants and teahouses on both sides of the street, another group of older people gathered in groups of three or five, drinking tea and playing chess, joking around, telling stories and humming songs, or taking naps alone. It was another scene of the leisurely and comfortable life in the south of the Yangtze River.

Although these ordinary people have no lofty ambitions, they have a heart that is content with whatever happens and enjoys life while it lasts. In the turbulent and chaotic times, they can still live a unique life of freedom and ease.

"Seeing off guests at night at the Xunyang River, maple leaves and reeds are rustling in the autumn. Brother Liu, look!"

Suddenly, Pan Yuyin pointed to a three-story building not far away and said with a smile, "That is the famous Xunyang Tower."

"It is said that Xunyang Tower has the best wine in the world." Tang Cong's eyes sparkled and he said jokingly, "Since we are here, we should make the best of it. Sect Master, why don't we go in and have a few drinks?"

Hearing this, Liu Xunyi looked out at Xunyang Tower from afar, and saw that the tower was crowded with people, and there must be talented people from the south of the Yangtze River writing and reciting poems. This scene made Liu Xunyi feel envious, but when he thought about his own situation, he felt sad, his chest was blocked, and he was so depressed that he didn't know when he could be free.

Thinking of this, Liu Xunyi couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "How can we delay the important task? We should go to Jueqing Valley as soon as possible, ask the Lord of Jueqing Valley for everything, and resolve the grudge between the two families, so as to avoid repeating the same mistake. As for the best wine in the world in Xunyang Tower... let's taste it next time!"

Having said that, Pan Yuyin and Tang Cong could still detect a hint of loss in Liu Xunyi's tone.

Mentioning Granny Peach Blossom, Pan Yuyin couldn't help but look worried, and hesitantly asked, "Brother Liu, will Uncle Luo embarrass Master?"

"Absolutely not!" Liu Xunyi replied, "Miss Pan, don't worry. The Palace Master only wants to resolve the misunderstanding with Jueqing Valley and will never embarrass anyone."

After that, Liu Xunyi changed the subject and asked, "Miss Pan, now that we have entered Jiangzhou, how far are we from the Jueqing Valley?"

"Not far away! We are heading to Xunyang Wharf now and will reach Jueqing Valley before noon."

"The dock?" Tang Cong asked in surprise, "We are going to Jueqing Valley by boat? Isn't Jueqing Valley in the mountains?"

"This 'valley' is not that 'valley'!" Pan Yuyin chuckled, "Jueqing Valley is not a valley, but a river valley."

"River Valley?"

"That's right." Pan Yuyin explained, "Going down the river, you'll find narrow bends. You'll make thousands of turns, pass through reefs and pass through forests. The winding path leads to Jueqing. Jueqing Valley is a paradise on earth. It's difficult for outsiders to find it because there are many rivers around it, the water flows fast and slow, and there are hidden reefs. If you go there rashly, you'll most likely get lost in the thousands of ravines and gullies. If you encounter unexpected events, you may even be in danger of death."

"I see."

"Back then, Granny Taohua lived in seclusion in Jueqing Valley. More and more people came to seek medical treatment and medicine, and the shipping business was booming. Therefore, many local boatmen and fishermen did not hesitate to take risks and tried. Over time, they explored a relatively safe waterway for convenient travel." Pan Yuyin added, "Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. Later, Granny Taohua and Senior Ye both left. As a result, fewer people went there to seek medical treatment, and the shipping business was not as good as before. Therefore, fewer and fewer boatmen were willing to go to Jueqing Valley."

Liu Xunyi continued thoughtfully, "Not long after, the heretical martial arts cult 'Jueqing Valley' quietly rose up, making ordinary people dare not approach it easily."

"Not only do they not dare to approach, they simply cannot return." Tang Cong said with a wry smile, "As far as I know, no one who has entered the Jueqing Valley without permission can come back alive. Rumor has it that the master of the Jueqing Valley has laid countless hidden weapons and traps in the river. Without the guidance of the disciples in the valley, outsiders may not even have a chance to get ashore. Otherwise, how can decent people sit idly by and watch this heresy grow bigger and bigger in the heart of the Central Plains?"

Liu Xunyi pondered and said, "Twenty years have passed. Even if the boatman who was familiar with the river is still here, he must be very old. Even if he is strong enough to steer the boat, I'm afraid he doesn't have the courage..."

At this point, Liu Xunyi couldn't help but look bitter, and hesitantly asked: "Miss Pan, are you... familiar with the river?"

"Brother Liu, I don't even know how to steer a boat. Once I got on the boat, I felt that there was water all around me. I couldn't tell east from west, south from north, and how could I be familiar with the river?"

"In that case... wouldn't we have made this trip in vain?" Tang Cong said in surprise.

Pan Yuyin smiled slightly and shook her head, saying, "There is a pair of Qian brothers at Xunyang Wharf. They are the only ones who can sail into the Jueqing Valley."

"The Qian brothers?"

"That's right." Pan Yuyin nodded and said, "The last time Brother Tang took us into the valley, it was also the Qian brothers who steered the boat. On weekdays, the Qian brothers are no different from other boatmen. They will only steer the boat into the valley when they meet disciples of the Jueqing Valley. Therefore, outsiders don't know their relationship with the Jueqing Valley."

"That's great." Liu Xunyi was overjoyed and said hurriedly, "Let's go to the dock quickly..."

"Brother Liu, wait a minute." Pan Yuyin hesitated, "Although I know the Qian brothers, but... they may not know me."

"how do I say this?"

"Brother Tang said that the Qian brothers don't recognize any relatives except the disciples of Jueqing Valley. I was a guest on the boat last time, so..." Pan Yuyin looked embarrassed and stammered, "So they may not be willing to help us this time. If we want to be absolutely safe, unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless we can find a disciple in the valley to recommend us...ah!"

Before he finished speaking, a short and thin man suddenly rushed out from the street and brushed past Pan Yuyin who was caught off guard. If Liu Xunyi hadn't helped her in time, the frail Pan Yuyin would have been knocked down by the man. The man was in a hurry and his steps were swift. Even though he bumped into someone, he didn't hesitate at all. Amid Tang Cong's curses, he walked away without looking back and quickly disappeared behind the crowd.

"Miss Pan, are you okay?" Liu Xunyi looked at the man's back suspiciously and asked without turning his head, "Are you injured?"

Pan Yuyin sighed "bad luck" and gently rubbed his left arm with his hand. Just as he was about to answer, his eyes suddenly froze, and then he hurriedly reached out to touch his waist, his face instantly turning ugly.

"Miss Pan, what are you doing..."

"Brother Liu, my purse is missing!"

Pan Yuyin grabbed Liu Xunyi's arm in panic, her voice trembling slightly, even with a hint of tears: "There is a jade pendant that my grandfather left for me in my purse. It must have been stolen by that person just now..."

"You bastard! When I was a thief, he was still a baby! How dare you, a mere thief, to tamper with the emperor's house?" Tang Cong said in a fierce voice, "Miss Pan, please be patient. I will go and get the purse back from you right away."

Before he finished speaking, Tang Cong had already flashed out. As light as a swallow and as ghostly as a ghost, he disappeared at the end of the street in the blink of an eye.

"People are good and bad, and things have their pros and cons. Jiangzhou is prosperous and the people are wealthy, but it is inevitable that bandits are rampant and harm the countryside." Liu Xunyi was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and could only comfort them with kind words.

"Catch the thief!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, causing a commotion on the street.

People passing by checked their wallets and purses, and only breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that it had nothing to do with them.

Some curious people even rushed out of teahouses and taverns and squeezed forward to watch the fun.

When Liu Xunyi and Pan Yuyin followed the crowd of onlookers and rushed forward, they saw Tang Cong surrounded by seven or eight ferocious-looking men.

They were holding sticks and daggers, and each of them had a fierce look on their faces, as if they were resentful of Tang Cong for meddling in their affairs.

Among these men, Liu Xunyi immediately recognized the short and thin man who had just stolen the purse. At this moment, the man was staring at Tang Cong with a pair of rat eyes, looking up and down with ill intentions.

On the other hand, Tang Cong, holding Pan Yuyin's purse in his hand, looked around with disdain on his face.

"When I was a thief, I always kept to myself." Tang Cong sneered, "Nowadays, the weasels are catching rats one after another. Even thieves have to form gangs. Birds of a feather flock together. "

The short and thin man shouted, "Nonsense! You dare to ruin my good deeds? I will make you pay for it today!"

Tang Cong snorted and laughed, "My stomach is growling with hunger. I'm afraid that with just a few of you leftovers, I won't even be enough to fill my teeth."

"on!"

The short and thin man shouted loudly, and several men rushed forward. The crowd watching the excitement around them retreated and dodged for fear of hurting innocent people.

When two of the thieves passed by Liu Xunyi, Liu Xunyi kicked them one by one, and they lost their balance and fell to the ground one after another. They fell face down on the bluestone bricks, their faces were covered with blood and they looked miserable, which made the people around them laugh.

"He has helpers..."

Seeing this, one of the thieves shouted in panic. Unfortunately, before he could finish his words, Tang Cong punched him in the face. In an instant, his eyebrow bone was broken, his nose was shattered, and he fell to the ground, wailing in pain and rolling over.

Tang Cong fought against many enemies alone, and with a little help from Liu Xunyi, he knocked all the bandits to the ground in the blink of an eye.

"Damn it!" the short and thin man yelled, "Brothers, the stubble is too hard, quickly disperse!"

"Don't think I can't understand your jargon. Where are you going?"

Tang Cong's eyes turned fierce, he flew up, flipped in the air, and landed steadily in front of the short and thin man who was about to get into the crowd. He kicked him in the abdomen and knocked him to the ground, causing him to curl up into a ball.

Tang Cong first returned the purse to Pan Yuyin, then slowly squatted beside the short and thin man, picked up the dagger, gently pressed it against his temple, and asked with a half-smile, "Who is going to be in trouble now?"

The short and thin man was trembling with fear, whimpering in his throat for a long time but unable to utter a single word.

"Master, how do we deal with these thieves?" Tang Cong sneered, "Cut off one ear of each? Or tattoo the word 'thief' on their faces?"

"Business is more important." Liu Xunyi said calmly, "Hand them over to the government for disposal."

"That's fine..."

"Hand it over to the government? Don't you know that these thieves and the government are in cahoots with each other and are birds of the same feather?"

Suddenly, a cold shout was heard from midair, and then a man in white flew over.

With a cry of surprise, the man in white swung his sword in the air, sweeping in all directions without any hesitation. In a flash, several thieves were killed by his sword, and not a single one was spared.

……

(End of this chapter)