Stranger Danger

Chapter 412: Yonghe Lake

The third group included Lin Yuhuai, Chu Nianjiu, and Gao Ningan. Chu Nianjiu was unfortunate enough to be matched up against Zhao Lu and defeated, but Lin Yuhuai and Gao Ningan both won their matches by a hairs breadth.

During the fourth groups matches, Qi Xuanyun fought Wealth of Wine, Sex, Wealth and Popularity. Wealth was a stout man who was as wealthy as his name might suggest. Literally every piece of clothing on his body was a Strange Artifact. Even his shoes were Strange Artifacts. In a sense, he was covered from head to toe in money.

Unfortunately, he was only an early-stage Spirit Purifier, and Qi Xuanyun was quite powerful. Even so, he managed to last dozens of exchanges before losing.

Wealth didnt get angry despite losing. Instead, he saluted Qi Xuanyun smilingly before taking his leave.

Fu Chaogangs opponent was a woman in her twenties named Henshui (Hating Water). It sounded like a mans name, but Zhuo Henshui was definitely a woman.

Fu Chaogang practiced a do-or-die fist art where all of his power was invested into his fists. It was why his first strike was usually his strongest, and why the best way to defeat him was to avoid his first punch and stall him out.

However, Zhuo Henshui chose to meet him at his strongest. Not only that, she threw a punch just like he did.

Fu Chaogang lost. Zhuo Henshuis first punch broke his arm, her second punch collapsed half of his chest, and her third punch shattered his head.

As a result, Fu Chaogang became the first casualty of the Hidden Dragon Meet. He wasnt a nobody either.

Who is this Zhuo Henshui, Jianglong? Why is she so ruthless?

Inside his kiosk, the Harmony King was watching Zhuo Henshui with a deep frown on his face. Hong Jianglong answered, According to our intel, Zhuo Henshui hails from the Zhuo Clan from the capital.

The Zhuo Clan? The Harmony King furrowed his brows in thought. Do we have a Zhuo Clan? Im pretty sure I havent heard of it before.

Hong Jianglong clarified, Its a small clan. One of their ancestors was an Attendant Gentleman[1].

Oh, theyre just a small clan? The Harmony King remarked before asking, So, whats up with this Zhuo Henshui?

Hong Jianglong shook his head. Im not sure, but it was said that Zhuo Henshui was trained under an unknown master. But whoever they are, they must be quite powerful to have raised such a student.

You dont say? The Harmony King rolled his eyes. He returned his attention to the platforms since Hong Jianglong wasnt able to provide a satisfactory answer.

Wei Bulao and Flower Butterfly also successfully advanced into the next match. After all thirty two matches were over, Hong Jianglong gave everyone a four-hour rest. After that, the participants drew lots again to find out who their opponents were.

As there was still an odd number of participants, one person was allowed to advance to the next match without fighting again. This time, it was Lin Yuhuai who got dogshit lucky and qualified for the Top 16 without needing to lift a finger.

Ye Qing had to fight, of course. In fact, his next opponent was much stronger than Han Zhou. It was Zhao Lu of the Ragged Villa.

The Ragged Villa was a strange place where only people wearing rags were allowed to enter. If your clothes were a little too tidy or intact, then you would be barred from entry. As a result, everyone in the Ragged Villa looked like beggars.

It was said that the founder of the Ragged Villa was, in fact, a beggar. He was also extremely hostile toward well-dressed people who looked down on those who were poor or poorly dressed. That was how the strange rule came to be.

The two Zhao brothers were the disciples of the current head of Ragged Villa. As the founder served under the Beggars Gang before he left to create his own gang, their martial arts were also rather similar. The Ragged Villa boasted two signature martial arts, and they were the Eight Directions Art of Begging and the Dog Beating Stick Technique[2].

The Eight Directions Art of Begging was a powerful cultivation art that honed all three major components of the body, the qi, essence and spirit. A beggar must survive not just a cruel environment and horrible living conditions, but also the harassment of their own kind. Hence, they must possess a strong body that could withstand both nature and violence.

On top of that, a beggar must endure pain that most could not, and hardships that would break most men. Hence, they must possess an iron will and determination as well.

This was why the Eight Directions Art of Begging honed the qi, essence and spirit. Those who grasped it not only possessed a tough body that could withstand most beating, but also gained the Eight Directions Begging Astral Qi, an astral qi that was exceptionally good at recovery. Besides that, they also attained a powerful spirit that could be combined with Lotus Fall to hamper an opponents mind.

As for the Dog Beating Stick Technique, it was an exquisite martial art that didnt deserve its cheap-sounding name. It thrived on striking, misleading, tripping and binding ones foe, and every technique targeted a vital spot on the human body. In addition, successful strikes could scatter the vitality in that part of the body, which was why it was such a powerful martial art.

That was why Ye Qings fight against Zhao Lu was a battle of endurance. No matter how many times Ye Qing crushed the warriors arms or broke his ribs, he was always able to recover in a very short time. Not only that, Zhao Lu was constantly singing the Lotus Fall to hamper his mind while attacking him with the Dog Beating Stick Technique.

Of course, Ye Qing hadnt gone all out either. For starters, he wasnt using the Boundless Mara Buddha, the Heavenly Demon Captures The Soul, the Hellfire Red Lotus Saber Art, or the Saber of Spring Wind and Fine Rain. He was fighting Zhao Lu purely with his body and his fists. That was what most people thought he was good at.

This wasnt the finals after all, so it was very important to hold his cards close to his chest. Besides, Ye Qing seriously didnt want to stand out anymore than was necessary.

When almost everyone had finished their matches, Ye Qing unleashed his full seven dragon elephant strength and destroyed half of Zhao Lus body with one punch. The injury was severe enough that there was no way Zhao Lu could repair the wound fast enough to fend off Ye Qings final attack.

However, Ye Qing misjudged Zhao Lus desire to win the battle. The warrior actually activated a secret art and detonated his Hatred-class Strange Artifact, the Dog Beating Stick. The explosion of a Hatred-class Strange Artifact was equal to the full-powered attack of a peak Spirit Purifier, so Ye Qings whole body was covered in blood when he walked out of the explosion.

Furious, Ye Qing punched Zhao Lu again and knocked him out on the platform. If he wanted to, he absolutely couldve killed the bastard.

After he left the platform, he saw Zhao Lan holding Zhao Lu close and shooting Ye Qing a cold look. The man then left with his young brother.

Xu Rulin was matched up against Fuck of Eat, Drink, Fuck and Gamble. Obviously, he won.

Luo Zhans opponent was Chen Shaoyu, and both men suffered serious injuries from their duel. In the end, Luo Zhan proved himself superior and defeated Chen Shaoyu.

Chu Qingge ran into Popularity of Wine, Sex, Wealth and Popularity. She too won her fight dominantly and decisively.

Yang Zhao also trounced Gamble with little effort.

Gao Ningan was unfortunately matched up against Wen Xiaonuan, and the outcome surprised absolutely no one. He would later tell his friends that it was one of the most confounding losses of his life.

Wine expended too much strength trying to defeat Eat and was unable to recover completely before his next fight. As a result, he was disqualified as well.

Zhang Tiancheng, Chu Renhe and Jian Wusheng all successfully won their fights.

And so the Top 16 were born, and they were Ye Qing, Luo Zhan, Chu Qingge, Yang Zhao, Xu Rulin, Wen Xiaonuan, Jian Wusheng, Chu Renhe, Chen Shaoyu, Zhao Lan, Zhao Buer, Zhang Tiancheng, Zhuo Henshui, Wei Bulao, Flower Butterfly, Qi Xuanyun, and Lin Yuhuai, the dogshit lucky bastard this time to qualify without fighting. Only seventeen people were left now[3].

Now that the fight to enter the Top 16 was over, the pace of the Hidden Dragon Meet was finally slowing down. After all, even the strongest warriors needed some time to rest and recuperate. Therefore, the fight to enter the quarter finals would be held the day after tomorrow so that everyone would have a full day to rest.

Since Chu Nianjiu and Gao Ningan had lost their fights, they felt no qualms cutting themselves loose. The next day, they were gone doing heavens-knows-what at the crack of dawn.

It was evening when someone suddenly messaged Ye Qing claiming that he was a waiter working at the Wine Are Songs Boat. Apparently, Gao Ningan and Chu Nianjiu had booked a fish head banquet at Yonghe Lake and were inviting Ye Qing to join them.

The fish head banquet was a famous dish in Tian Yong, and the Wine Are Songs Boat was the only establishment who could make them. Everyone wanted to taste it, but the Wine Are Songs Boat only served them once a month. Rarity begets desire, and the fish head banquet became ridiculously famous.

In addition, Wine Are Songs Boat was also a pleasure boat where songs and dances were performed, it was highly recommended by the gentlemen of letters and elegant taste of Tian Yong. Who wouldnt want to eat delicious food, drink fine wine, listen to melodious songs, and enjoy gorgeous dances every once in a while?

Ye Qing had heard of the fish head banquet, but he had never tried it before. Naturally, his interest was piqued. Yesterdays matches didnt really tax him anyway, so he didnt hesitate to accept the invitation.

He should be resting right now, but whoever said one couldnt rest in the company of delicious food, beautiful music, and fine women?

As expected of an establishment as famous as the Wine Are Songs Boat, the quality of their service awed even Ye Qing. They had prepared a luxurious carriage with a silk carpet on the floor and a fragrant incense that soothed the nerves to transport him to the venue. On top of that, they had prepared some snacks and hot tea as well. If this didnt count as first class service, he didnt know what was.

You guys sure know how to pamper your customers! Ye Qing remarked.

The waiter, Ah Fu, answered smilingly, As long as youre happy, Lord Ye.

Oh right, do you know how Gao Ningan and Chu Nianjiu managed to book a table? Its famously difficult to book a table for the fish head banquet. I know that there are many wealthy and influential people who tried repeatedly to book a table to no avail, Ye Qing asked curiously.

Ah Fu smiled. Its because Lord Gao and our steward are friends. Half a month ago, he already booked a table saying that he would like to hold a welcoming ceremony for his friend.

I see! No wonder, Ye Qing exclaimed in realization. No wonder Gao Ningan told him that he had a pleasant surprise for him before he left this morning, but refused to say what it was when he asked him about it. It was the fish head banquet.

I heard that you use over a hundred types of fish to create the fish head banquet. Is it true? Ye Qing asked another question. This was the reason why the Wine Are Songs Boat could only hold the fish head banquet once per month. The amount of time and effort necessary to catch the fishes alone, much less create enough dishes to serve thousands of customers, all of them different, must be mind-boggling.

You truly are erudite and well-informed, Lord Ye. That is correct. Ah Fu explained smilingly, The reason this is possible is because we occupy the Yonghe Lake. The Yonghe Lake is Tian Yongs biggest lake, and its waters are rich enough to host at least hundreds of kinds of fish, most of them as edible as they are tasty. That is why we are able to come up with the fish head banquet. Otherwise, it wouldve remained an impossible dream.

It wasnt long before the duo arrived at Yonghe Lake. At first glance, wisps of white vapor could be seen floating whimsically across the mirror-like waters. This was just the edge, and already they were treated to a great sight. This was why Yonghe Lake was also a famous scenic spot of Tian Yong.

Wheres your boat? I dont see it, Ye Qing voiced his confusion after looking around and finding nothing.

Ah Fu explained, Thats because its parked at the center of the lake. Please, follow me.

Ah Fu led Ye Qing to a black-topped boat. Then, he pushed off the shore and slowly rowed to the center of the lake.

It bore repeating that the Yonghe Lake was a famous scenic spot in Tian Yong. It was crowded even during the quietest times, much less the middle of the Hidden Dragon Meet. Therefore, countless people could be seen sitting on their own pleasure boats or rowing small boats on the lake, all enjoying the beauty the lake offered them to their hearts content.

Ye Qing was having a great time as well. He sipped his wine while leisurely taking in the sights around him. Now this, was life.

Hmm? Why did it get misty all of a sudden?

Suddenly, Ye Qing noticed that the lake had turned misty before he knew it. At the bow, Ah Fu launched into another explanation, Its a normal phenomenon. Yonghe Lake is warm and humid, so it tends to mist up every once in a while. Its also one of the reasons Yonghe Lake is as famous as it is.

The great poet Wang Zengse once made a poem that went something like this: O beautiful lake, your mist reminds me of faint sorrow, like a white veil masking an otherworldly beauty. And is it not true that our lake is beautiful in a different way when peered through a white curtain?

Youre right. Ye Qing nodded smilingly. As Ah Fu said, the people, the boats, and the lake itself looked different in the mist, but not in a bad way.

As the boat sailed deeper and deeper toward the center of the lake, the mist thickened until it became near impossible to peer through. Puzzled, Ye Qing looked at Ah Fu and asked, Why is the mist getting thicker?

His heart skipped a beat then. There was no one on the bow. Ah Fu was just chatting with him a moment ago, and suddenly, the man was gone like he was never there. He never felt the man leaving even with his spirit. He didnt know if he existed in the first place.

Ah Fu wasnt the only one who had gone missing. The boats around him had vanished without a trace as well.

The entire lake was as silent as death itself.

[4]

1. Based on The Dictionary by Harvard University, Attendant Gentleman, in Han the 2nd highest of 3 categories in which Court Gentlemen were divided, with status below Inner Gentlemen but above Gentlemen of the Interior; rank=400 bushels.

2. Im not even going to comment on the first martial art, but the second one is literally just changing Staff to Stick. Im surprised this sect is still standing after all the plagiarism they committed lol.

3. Dont ask me why there can be seventeen people in the Top 16. Im sure there are real life examples out there but I cant be arsed to search for it LOL.

4. So, how many of you saw this coming?

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