Jianghu Qimen Lu

Chapter 69 If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.

"Father, how can you speak of him like that! Have you forgotten who saved your daughter? It was someone who risked their life to take drugs and pulled your daughter back from the brink of death! They saved our lives! A gentleman repays a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude. Such a life-saving grace is so great that even in our next life, my daughter would be willing to serve them like a slave! Lord Bai was unconscious while taking drugs to treat my injuries, so it's only right that I serve him at his bedside. What's wrong with that? We haven't broken any laws. What are we afraid of what outsiders will say?" The general's wife chimed in, "What kind of character do you have, that you..." "Isn't your old senility clear? Why are you slandering your own daughter's innocence like this?" Hongchen Furan said unhappily, "You're just a woman with long hair and short brains, what do you know! It's not that I'm saying anything, but those doctors, servants, and soldiers outside are all gathered together, gossiping and making people feel uncomfortable!" Bai Shandian hurriedly bowed and said, "Lord Hong, Madam Hong, and Miss Hong, I really did act inappropriately, and it's inevitable that outsiders will say something! I will definitely pay attention to my words and actions in the future, please rest assured. I'll take my leave now!" After saying that, he left without looking back.

"Lord Bai! You..." Hong Yueliang wanted to chase after him, but Hongchen stopped her with a hand and whispered, "Good daughter, you mustn't fall for him! Think about how he's now separated from his wife and children, his family is ruined, and the Emperor has even become suspicious of him. Judging from Father's years of understanding of the political situation, his official career is coming to an end! We should be avoiding him as much as possible, why are you throwing yourself at him, my silly girl!" Hong Yueliang never expected her father to be such a petty and wicked person, and her face flushed red as she angrily said, "Your daughter isn't as complicated as you think. She only knows how to repay kindness with kindness and revenge with revenge. She doesn't want to be that kind of ungrateful person!" "Hongchen, enraged, shouted, "You...you've gone too far! How dare you call your own father a villain! Calm down and think about it! Your father is doing all this for you, daughter! Think about Bai Shandian, his marriage to Xiangquan was a complete failure—a marriage of convenience! Such a person has no sense of family, always thinking only of his own interests. You won't be happy marrying him! Besides, his wife Xiangquan is such a fierce person, the leader of the Jiangnan martial arts world, the head of the Southern Fist Sect. One person's command is followed by the whole world! If you mess with her, how can you expect anything good? Do you think she'll willingly let you into the Bai family?" The general's wife was stunned. After a long while, she said, "Child, your father is right! You mustn't be foolish! The Southern Fist Sect is not to be trifled with!" Hongyue smiled sadly, thinking, "How could I not know all this? But I can't control my heart! It's already bewitched by Bai Shandian..."

Bai Shandian rode his magnificent steed, strolling leisurely down the street. Hongchen's petty demeanor had truly infuriated him! His talk of the world going to the dogs and public opinion being a threat was clearly just vanity on his part, and now he looked down on him! Yes, as an imperial envoy second only to the emperor, I had suffered the loss of my family, my wife and children scattered – a truly lamentable situation! The emperor was autocratic; no matter how loyal you were, if you touched his interests even slightly, he would turn on you faster than flipping a book, flying into a rage! He would then cast you into an abyss of no return! Therefore, it was often said in officialdom, "Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger!" Although he possessed the *Complete Guide to the Martial World*, if he handed it to the emperor, would he be able to hold back his fists? Certainly not! Because the *Complete Guide to the Martial World* was divided into two volumes; this was the second volume, which indeed constrained the first – the descendants of the Xiang family had written it following this premise! They regretted that their ancestors had respectfully presented the first volume of the *Complete Works of Jianghu* to the Manchu Emperor Shunzhi, plunging the people into misery. Out of remorse and to atone for their sins, they rewrote the second volume of *The Complete Works of Jianghu*! If you open the second volume, you'll find that both the military formations and hidden weapon techniques written by Xiang Quan's ancestors and the martial arts secrets of various schools written by Xiang Quan himself are the nemesis of the first volume! For example, the first volume of *The Complete Works of Jianghu* describes the power of Guiguzi's Five Elements Seven Star Formation, while the second volume describes Zhuge Liang's Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation as a countermeasure and method to break it. Such a treasonous book is clearly an attempt to incite rebellion against the Qing regime! If it falls into the hands of an anti-Qing, Ming restoration organization, the consequences would be unimaginable! However, if I were to hand it over to the current Emperor Qianlong, not only would it not grant me an official title or rank, but it would also cause panic in the court. In his thunderous rage, he would dare to kill all the followers of the Fragrant Fist and Stinky Feet School and exterminate their nine generations, bringing disaster upon me!

Upon thinking of this, Bai Shandian broke out in a cold sweat! He thought to himself, "I absolutely cannot hand over the 'Complete Book of Jianghu' to Emperor Qianlong! This man is stubborn, cold-hearted, and ruthless; he won't show me any mercy! Now that the three days are up, how should I answer him? If all else fails, I'll say that the extraordinary book was destroyed in a fire by people in the Jianghu! Then there will be no way to prove it!" Having made up his mind, he saw that Yue Fei Temple was just ahead, so he rode over, stopped at the gate, handed the horse over to the gatekeeper monk, and went into the temple.

The four large characters "壮怀烈烈" (meaning "roaring with fierce spirit") are striking and immediately bring to mind the heroic deeds of Yue Fei. Throughout his life, he fought bravely against the Jin invaders, repeatedly achieving great military exploits. The Jin general Jin Wuzhu once exclaimed, "It's easier to shake Mount Tai than to shake Yue Fei's army!" Yet, this loyal and patriotic general was ultimately framed by treacherous officials and executed by the court at Fengbo Pavilion! What was the charge? Fabricated charges! Is this the final fate of all loyal ministers and generals with illustrious military achievements and a lifetime of merit? Looking at the turbulent officialdom and commenting on classical history, every dynasty seems trapped in this vicious cycle: from Emperor Gaozu of Han beheading King Han Xin of Chu to Emperor Taizu of Ming exterminating the entire family of Prime Minister Li Shanchang… each bloody lesson sends chills down my spine.

Passing through the courtyard, flanked by ancient trees, a bluestone path leads directly to the Shrine of Loyalty and Martyrs. In the center of the main hall stands a 4.5-meter-tall, colorful statue of Yue Fei, dressed in a purple python robe with golden armor showing through his arms, displaying the heroic spirit of this renowned general. Actually, according to Song Dynasty official custom, Yue Fei was not entitled to wear a python robe during his lifetime; he only wore it after being posthumously granted the title of Prince of E. On the west wall of the hall are the four large characters "尽忠报国" (Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty), written by Hong Zhu, a native of Putian during the Ming Dynasty. Above the statue hangs a horizontal plaque inscribed "还我河山" (Return My Rivers and Mountains), Yue Fei's own handwriting.

As dawn broke, the temple was still quiet and deserted. Bai Shandian glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then with a swift movement, leaped onto the wall. He took out the "Complete Guide to the Martial World" from his robes and gently placed it on the back of the horizontal plaque inscribed with "Return My Rivers and Mountains." With another somersault, he gracefully landed on the ground. He quickly left, reached the temple gate, mounted his magnificent steed, and sped away.

Arriving at the snack street, he tied his horse to a hitching post and entered a breakfast shop called Ke Lai Xi. The shop was crowded, mostly with merchants and travelers. Because of his ordinary attire, Bai Shandian didn't attract much attention. He chose a table near the window and sat down. A waiter approached and asked, "Sir, what would you like to eat?" Bai Shandian looked around and said, "A bowl of West Lake lotus root starch, and a basket of shrimp dumplings, that's fine." The waiter agreed and went to get the food, which was brought back shortly. Bai Shandian scooped some with a silver spoon and put it in his mouth. He found the lotus root starch translucent and its flavor pure and refreshing, instantly invigorating him. He then picked up a small dumpling with his chopsticks and took a bite. His mouth was immediately filled with oil and fragrance, further enhancing his mood. Before long, he had finished more than half of the basket of dumplings.

Just then, a commotion erupted at the shop entrance, and several strangely dressed people entered. Leading them was a middle-aged Taoist nun in a green robe. Though thin, her eyes were piercing and astonishing, clearly indicating she possessed formidable martial arts skills! Bai Shandian recognized her immediately—it was the infamous Thousand-Hand Guanyin, the third leader of the Mo Qing Society, who had caused a sensation throughout the court! Behind her were thirteen others, including Heartbroken Blade, Split in Two, Tornado, and Shadowless Flute of Penglai! It seemed the Red Flower Society had mobilized its entire force again! These were the Twelve Hall Masters and the First Incense Master. Their simultaneous appearance in Hangzhou—were they planning another prison break to rescue their leader, Stinky Feet? Bai Shandian quickly lowered his head, afraid of being seen, and held his breath, listening intently to their conversation.