She couldn't help but think deeply, and the more she pondered, the more fearful and confused she became. She couldn't afford to fall in love with Tang Lici—that would be a path to certain doom.
Tang Lici briefly discussed the current state of the martial world with the gathered company. Liu Yan had now vanished from sight, and the antidote for the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill seemed imminent. Those poisoned among the various sects were no longer as terrified as they had been the previous year. Although the Dissolute Shop still held the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill, after suffering several consecutive defeats, its influence was far from the shocking impact it had when the White-Clad Servants first emerged in the martial world. However, the Dissolute Shop harbored hidden talents, and the number of skilled fighters it had recruited through the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill was beyond count. To eradicate the Dissolute Shop, they needed to uncover more of its secrets and understand its inner workings. For this tea gathering, Tang Lici had sent messengers from the Central Plains Sword Association to deliver invitations to Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect, inviting Abbot Puzhu and Daoist Qingjing to attend. However, Puzhu politely declined, citing his seclusion for cultivation, while Daoist Qingjing replied that he was too busy with affairs and unable to spare the time.
Several years earlier, the former head of Wudang Sect had gone missing during the Blood Sacrifice Society's siege on Mount Wudang, and Daoist Qingjing had taken over as acting leader. However, Daoist Qingjing had a senior uncle, a Wudang master known as Qingxuzi. Qingxuzi had been in seclusion in Wudang's back mountains for ten years. By the time he emerged, Daoist Qingjing had already been acting leader for over two years. Daoist Qingjing wished to yield the leadership to Qingxuzi, but the sect's disciples, unfamiliar with Qingxuzi, voiced strong opposition, and the matter was shelved. Then, Qingxuzi—who had spent years in seclusion and was scarcely known even within Wudang—suddenly disappeared. Daoist Qingjing spent over a year investigating before faintly uncovering a clue: Qingxuzi had been recruited by the Dissolute Shop. Now, the entire Wudang lineage was searching for Qingxuzi's whereabouts. If it was confirmed that he had indeed joined the Dissolute Shop, Wudang would undoubtedly purge its ranks. Given this background, Daoist Qingjing naturally had no time to spare for tea at Good Cloud Mountain.
"So, the Dissolute Shop has a branch led by Gui Mudan. As the leader of the Seven Cloud Traveling Guests, Gui Mudan has slain the City-Slaying Eccentric and mastered Fish Leaps Eagle Flies. He manipulates Plum Blossom Numerology and Raging Orchid No Trace, establishing the Dissolute Shop with the ambition to dominate the martial world and run rampant across the land—utterly despicable!" Among the seated guests, one man in a blue robe with a sword, his face long like a horse's, was the renowned northern blade master Huo Xuanfeng, newly joined to the Central Plains Sword Association. Beside him sat a man in scholarly robes with wide sleeves, his face powdered like a courtesan—the famous Jiangnan swordsman known as "Jade Lord" Qi Xing.
During the period when Tang Lici had disappeared, the Central Plains Sword Association had recruited many new members, most of whom were not renowned swordsmen. Some joined for the spectacle, others for fame, and still others pursued the beauty of "Xifang Tao." Now that Xifang Tao had vanished, everyone felt somewhat disappointed.
Veterans of the Sword Association like Cheng Yunpao and Dong Hubi regarded these so-called rising stars of the martial world with cold detachment. The newcomers were a mixed bag—since arriving at Good Cloud Mountain, some had done nothing but eat, drink, and relieve themselves, while others had caused drunken disturbances. None had fought a single hard battle, yet they boasted endlessly, their words flowing ceaselessly.
"Once we uncover the true lair of the Dissolute Shop, we'll muster our strength and work together to eradicate it, restoring peace to the martial world," interjected Zheng Yue, known as the "Jade Lord," who was equally famous as Qi Xing. The two were collectively called the "Twin Jade Lords," renowned as handsome youths in Jiangnan. But while Qi Xing maintained his composure in Tang Lici's presence, Zheng Yue's gaze flickered repeatedly over Tang Lici's face, brimming with resentment.Tang Lici smiled faintly, his presence like a luminous pearl amidst the gathering of martial artists, exuding an elegance that seemed transcendent. "If Young Master Zheng is interested, why not take charge of investigating the lair of the Dissolute Shop?" Zheng Yue was taken aback. "By myself?" Tang Lici replied gently, "Young Master Zheng is intelligent, skilled in swordsmanship, and well-connected. You may mobilize any personnel from the Sword Association as you see fit. Could you provide me with an answer within a month?" Despite the harsh winter, cold sweat formed on Zheng Yue's forehead. "This matter... requires careful consideration..." Tang Lici continued, "Once the true lair of the Dissolute Shop is uncovered, we will unite to eradicate it in one swift strike, restoring peace to the martial world. I wholeheartedly agree with Young Master Zheng's bold words."
His tone was measured and sincere, leaving Zheng Yue speechless and drenched in sweat. The onlookers were both astonished and amused. Zheng Yue dared not speak further, and even Huo Xuanfeng kept his mouth tightly shut. Tang Lici took another sip of hot tea, exhaling slowly, his cheeks flushing even more. "While the investigation of the Dissolute Shop's lair is entrusted to Young Master Zheng, there is another important matter I wish to assign to Young Master Qi."
Though Qi Xing was of equal repute to Zheng Yue, he lacked the latter's frivolous demeanor. He clasped his hands and asked, "What are your instructions, Young Master Tang?" Tang Lici set down his teacup, his fingers resting on it. The dark glaze of the cup accentuated the fairness and elegance of his fingers. "The Ten Thousand Apertures House will provide the Central Plains Sword Association with forty-five thousand taels of gold. Currently, the association has two hundred eighty-five members. If distributed now, each person, regardless of martial prowess or status, would receive one hundred fifty-eight taels. From today onward, for every additional member, the Ten Thousand Apertures House will pay an extra one hundred fifty taels of silver—note, silver, not gold. For every member lost, the House will reclaim one hundred fifty-eight taels of gold, not a tael more or less."
One hundred fifty-eight taels of gold was no small fortune—enough to sustain an ordinary family for generations. Qi Xing was startled. "Forty-five thousand taels?" Tang Lici slightly raised his lashes, a hint of justifiable pride in the lift of his eyes. "Many senior members of the martial world are indifferent to wealth, but having toiled for years, I will prepare additional gold and silk for their unforeseen needs." He did not specify the amount. "As for the forty-five thousand taels of gold, they will not be distributed now but held under the Sword Association's name. From today, all expenses related to combating the Dissolute Shop will be drawn from this sum. Spread the word to every member: starting today, any expenditure on food, drink, gambling, or compensation for drunken brawls will be deducted from this gold. The more spent, the less profit each will gain after the Dissolute Shop's downfall. I care not how much each ultimately receives—it is none of my concern." Tang Lici delivered these words with a smile, his tone exceedingly gentle.The crowd exchanged glances. Since the establishment of martial sects, no one had ever managed disciples in such a manner—yet it might prove highly effective. The virtuous would naturally remain pure, unswayed by gold and unwilling to act recklessly, while those greedy for wealth would inevitably restrain their words and deeds for the sake of profit, even monitoring each other, lest a single extra coin be spent. Tang Lici, whose wealth rivaled that of a nation, considered the expenditure of forty-five thousand taels of gold to buy the obedience of the entire Central Plains Sword Association a bargain.
"Young Master Qi, do you know why I entrusted you with overseeing this matter?" Tang Lici emptied the "White Dew" from the table, replacing it with a loose-leaf tea. The previous black jade teacup was also removed, substituted with a delicate white porcelain cup. Emerald-green tea leaves floated in the clear water, releasing a different kind of fragrance.
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