Chapter 18: Down to Earth

On the high platform in the county academy, both sides of the debate spoke eloquently.

Facing south with their backs to the north, the affirmative side sat at three seats, with the magistrate from the prefecture occupying the center. Magistrate Liu, seated to the left, stroked his beard and smiled, while beside him, Liao Yicheng from the neighboring county bit his lip in frustration, his face full of resentment.

In the seats behind, several young gentlemen lounged leisurely. Among them, a nobleman in splendid attire tapped his folding fan and shook his head with admiration. “Master Fang’s disciple is indeed extraordinary,” he murmured.

“I heard he only came under Master Fang’s tutelage two months ago.”

“It’s not so easy to die. There are many escape routes leading to the underground fortress. We received a rescue order, so they should still be alive,” Lin Zixian replied calmly. He leaned against the window and glanced at the twisted, deformed main building. He had been here before, yet he never expected the interior structure to be made of metal.

A masked man wielding a monk’s staff spun and swept, causing the air itself to ripple. He struck fiercely at the approaching sword-wielding mage. The mage was startled, unable to dodge in time, and raised his sword with both palms to block.

This seemingly insignificant change revealed much. Yet both sides deliberately glossed over these details, unwilling to expose the mysteries within.

“Damn, Hammer, you’re finally back. The brothers have something to report to you.” Xingxiu turned from the table, looking at Wang Iron Hammer.

Most likely, they were members of the Tang family, waiting here for Tang Qian to return. Liu Tian now had two guesses: either Tang Qian was still on the road—which would be convenient, as he could deal with the Tang family himself—or she had already arrived.

Since they had drunk the wine, it meant the matter was settled, and their words hadn’t been wasted. Forcing someone to accept further would be unreasonable.

Though it hadn’t taken much effort, the result was the same: the teacup shattered into pieces with a loud crack.

Seeing the terror on her sisters’ faces, Li Xin’s heart sank suddenly. Her expression grew more grave, her delicate brows knitted, and her eyes brimmed with worry.

Love, at its beginning, is beautiful, and both hearts are joyful. When parting comes, one should not let the other see their sorrow—let the separation be peaceful.

The second step: local naval forces set sail to clear the Ryukyu navy. At this stage, Song Dynasty ships and crews could not match Zhang San’s forces. Thus, in the second phase, Zhang San would hold absolute advantage.

The three men surrounded the young man, raining punches and kicks. He curled up, protecting his head, motionless as they beat him. After a while, seeing he did not move, the three feared they might have killed him, spat on the ground and cursed before leaving.

Afterward, he led Zhang San around a corner to a shelter, where a few tables and benches stood. Twenty or thirty people in long robes were drinking water and chatting.

A strange laugh, like the call of a night owl, echoed, sending shivers across Zhou You’s skin.

Father Chen could hold his liquor well, but rarely drank except at weddings or funerals. Now, who knows what he had imbibed—his face was flushed, a big Panda cigarette dangling from his lips, eyes narrowed in enjoyment as he puffed clouds of smoke.

As new and old forces shifted, a fight was the simplest solution. Even police dogs, when fighting, would not truly lose their tempers—once a victor emerged, the matter ended. Whoever lost would have to bow their head from then on.

Pig Third and his group then asked Su Zheng about his experiences in the wilderness. Su Zheng recounted his encounters and grudges with Crocodile Dragon and others, finally mentioning how he survived the beast’s tribulation.

Liao Daheng ordered Zhao Ronggui’s chair to be moved from his command tent and placed at the head of the floating bridge. Wearing a black gauze cap and official robes, he sat upright, flanked by a squadron of vigilant cavalry guards. Liao Daheng was like a gate bolt, blocking the soldiers’ escape across the river.

Though the fight now was less lively than earlier, the spectators were still enthralled. As long as there was fighting, there would be excitement to watch, and everyone watched with rapt attention.