Chapter 143: Viewing the Sea Pavilion

As Ye Hua stood lost in inmost thought, he shook his head inwardly, knowing full well that this fellow disciple Ye could not possibly remain here for long. Junior Sister Liu acting as she did now would likely bring nothing upon herself but needless vexation! After a long while of idle chatter among the group, Senior Brother Zhang spoke up: "Brother Ye, since your injuries are not yet fully healed, you should hurry back and rest. Should there be any developments, I shall come and inform you!"

Ye Hua nodded and said, "Then I must trouble Senior Brother Zhang!"

Zhang smiled and replied, "Brother Ye is too polite. Let Junior Sister Liu tend to you these next few days. If anything remains lacking, you must be sure to let me know!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Hua could not help casting a subtle glance at Liu Ruoming. Seeing her cheeks flushed with a faint, shy timidity, he hurriedly bowed and said, "Many thanks for Senior Brother Zhang's kind intentions, but..."

Zhang waved his hand with a smile and said, "Very well, Junior Sister Liu, escort Junior Brother Ye to Springwater Court at once!" After a momentary display of coyness, Liu Ruoming replied, "Very well, Junior Brother Ye, let us go!"

Seeing this, Ye Hua gave a soft, involuntary sigh. Having no other choice, he bowed his head in farewell to the rest and turned to leave in the company of Liu Ruoming.

After some time had passed, Zhang turned to the remaining group and said, "Fellow junior brothers, Senior Brother Zhou is currently in secluded cultivation within the Thunder Roc Pavilion, and unless an urgent matter arises, he must on no account be disturbed! Brother Ye is recuperating quietly in Springwater Court, and I trust you all will pay him extra mind and care over the coming days!"

Understanding his intent in their hearts, the group burst into hearty laughter and chorused, "Senior Brother Zhang, just how would you have us pay him this extra mind and care?"

One of the young men chimed in, "Ah—if Senior Brother Zhang possessed such wits, wouldn't Junior Sister Zhao Jiao have been won over long ago? It just goes to show he has the head of a stone lion—completely blocked in all seven apertures!"

Zhang shook his head with a sigh and said, "Junior Brother Shaohua, could it be that in your eyes I am merely a block of stubborn wood!? Heh heh, as it happens, I have just come up with a brilliant idea!"

Curiosity piqued, the others eagerly urged, "Out with it quickly!"

Zhang smiled and said, "The method is quite simple. Ancient times had the hero saving the beauty; now, why don't we stage a beauty saving the hero?"

The group was momentarily stunned, then began clapping their hands in loud laughter, chiming in one after another: "Splendid, splendid! When a hero saves a beauty, the maiden's heart is stirred with longing, leading eventually to a happy marriage and a legendary romance. Surely a beauty saving a hero works much the same way! Since Junior Brother Ye's constitution is yet unrecovered, Junior Sister Liu will have ample room to display her prowess! Ah,哈哈哈!"

"The last time, Junior Brother Ye rescued Junior Sister Liu by the shores of Nine Dragons Lake; this time, it is only fitting that the tables are turned! Ha ha!"

Zhang said, "We must plan this matter thoroughly! However, news of such an undertaking must not leak out under any circumstances. If Junior Sister Liu were to find out, sigh, we... heh heh!"

The group chuckled knowingly and said, "Rest assured, rest assured! Everyone knows the formidable temper of the eldest Miss Liu! Ha ha!"

After a while more of playful banter, Zhang finally said, "Junior Brother Shaohua, Junior Brother Guangchen, in a few days the two of you shall accompany me outside to scout the winds and see what news there is of the Six Northern Xi Tribes, so that we may know both ourselves and the enemy and be properly prepared in advance!"

"Very well, Senior Brother Zhang. In my opinion, we should head straight for the Three-Fork Junction of the Nine-River Estuary. The Sea-Gazing Tower is a mandatory stopping point for cultivators from all corners of the realm arriving at Jin, bustling with prosperity and noise, and a mere mile away from the Great Persuasion Emporium. No place has faster or more reliable intelligence," said a tall, thin youth.

Zhang nodded and said, "Junior Brother Guangchen, that is precisely my intention! Then let us set out the day after tomorrow." The two disciples nodded in agreement.

A few days later, Zhang, together with the two young disciples, stepped out of the Hall of Enlightenment and headed toward the Three-Fork Junction. As the name implied, the Three-Fork Junction was the place where two great rivers converged and branched out into three major waterways. Since ancient times, merchant vessels traveling from north to south had gathered and dispersed here, creating a perpetual vista of bustling commerce, forests of masts, and a thousand sails unfurled in a race! With such a multitude of wealthy merchants and traders, every conceivable trade and craft flourished, earning the area a reputation as a region of lush prosperity and colorful wealth.

Flanking these three-way river channels were dozens of large and small lakes and pools, presenting scenes of icy expanses in winter, lotus ripples in summer, snowy reeds in autumn, and misty willows in spring. Across the lake surfaces, kites soared and fish leaped, lotus flowers filled the pools, painted barges waded through the water, and oars dipped rhythmically, making one feel as though wandering through a realm of fragrance! Coupled with the dense, emerald willows and brocade-like blooms along both banks, and the ubiquitous shops, teahouses, and pleasure quarters, the scenic fame spread far and wide, drawing throngs of tourists. Seated within a painted dragon boat, gazing at the mirrored reflections in the water as picturesque as a painting, listening to the gentle splash of oars like music, and enjoying green beans and yellow wine while discussing the past and present—truly, this was one of life's greatest pleasures!

The Hall of Enlightenment was not far from the Three-Fork Junction. Walking at a brisk pace, Zhang and his two companions arrived in half an hour to find the streets already packed with a ceaseless flow of carriages and horses, pedestrians brushing shoulders. Zhang lowered his voice and said, "We need only drink a few cups of tea at the Sea-Gazing Tower and stay for a small half of the day to overhear the well-informed cultivators coming and going."

Shaohua and Guangchen nodded in agreement. Passing through several more streets, the three finally caught sight from afar of a towering edifice soaring a hundred zhang into the clouds, featuring nine tiers of flying eaves, a pyramidal roof, and golden glazed roof tiles standing in majestic and imposing relief!

Without slowing their pace, the three headed straight for the building's entrance. Upon reaching the rosewood doors, they saw carvings of vermilion phoenixes facing the sun and singing amid feathers flanking the portal, while the central plaque bore three bold, cursive characters reading "Sea-Gazing Tower." The couplets on either side read:

*Amid boundless mists and waves, a single tower swallows the breath of the sea.*
*With a majestic and grand expanse, a hundred feet rise to pierce the cloudy heavens.*

The outer couplet further proclaimed:

*East, west, south, and north, rivers and seas behold ten thousand acres of billows, making one realize oneself as but a single grain of millet.*
*Left and right, peach, plum, and willow listen to a thousand years of historical epics, moving one to praise these three great families.*

Glancing only briefly at the inscriptions, the three climbed directly up the tower. Reaching the ninth tier, they surveyed the surroundings and found a window seat to sit down. A server hurried over with a smile and asked, "What would the three esteemed patrons care to order?"

Zhang said, "Bring a pot of silver-needle white-tip tea first." The server nodded and departed, whereupon Zhang once again surveyed his surroundings. He observed that this ninth floor was exceptionally spacious, furnished with dozens of Eight Immortals tables capable of seating hundreds of people. At present, a group of dozens of young men clad in black robes were seated nearby, partaking in tea.

Zhang and his companions turned their heads to gaze out of the window into the distance. Their vision stretched boundlessly across clearing clouds and a vast sky; the emerald peaks of the Western Mountains, the flying clouds of the Southern Bank, the long bridge lying across the waves, and the spring winds and autumn moons were all gathered within a single panoramic view. Looking downward, the streets wound in intricate and harmonious patterns, while the nearby Jin River surged magnificently like a painting. Just as the three were feeling refreshed and relaxed in spirit, they heard one of the dozens of black-robed youths sighing:

"Why has the young master come to Nine-River City in such great haste?! What could be the purpose?"
"The young master's actions have always been unpredictable! How could that be something for the likes of us to know? Whatever instructions my lord gives, we simply carry them out!"

"Sigh, Black Panther Head, aren't you familiar with Daoist Friend Wu within the estate? Didn't he leak even a hint?" asked a dark-faced youth with a sinister chuckle.

"I did hear a rumor that coming to Jin seems to be on account of some rare treasure?! As to what kind of rare treasure it actually is, why don't you go and ask the young master yourself?" retorted a short-bearded fellow with a roll of his eyes.

The dark-faced youth muttered softly, "A rare treasure?! Given the young master's family background and discerning eye, what rare treasure hasn't he seen? How could ordinary objects catch his eye? Coming to Jin in such a fiery hurry—could that rare treasure be something of earth-shattering importance?"

Realizing that the conversation did not concern them, Zhang and his companions turned back and conversed quietly among themselves. Before long, heavy footsteps sounded from the stairs as several more people ascended. The leader was clad in brocade, with a fair and handsome complexion, appearing to be in his early twenties. His gaze darted slightly around, inexplicably exuding an air of uncanny evil!

He was closely followed by two eccentric-looking wandering monks, a Daoist priest, and a delicate, beautiful woman. The group promptly found a table and seated themselves. Seeing this, the cluster of black-robed youths all lowered their voices, their narrow eyes sizing up the newcomers.

"Heh heh, that little maiden is quite a beauty! She'd make a fine wife to bring home, hahaha!" someone among the black-robed youths laughed softly.

"With your looks, Lü Xiaofeng? If she were to deal with you, how could that scrawny frame of yours possibly withstand it... Ah, ha ha! I reckon I'd be much better suited than you!" another giggled.

The woman appeared not to have heard, merely knitting her delicate brows slightly, whereas the Daoist priest beside her let out an angry snort and rose to his feet. The brocade-clad youth gently patted the Daoist on the shoulder; the Daoist glared angrily at the group of black-robed youths before heavily reseating himself.

Seeing this, the black-robed youths burst into loud laughter. There were twenty or thirty of them, while the opposing party numbered a mere five—evidently, the latter knew when to yield! Their boldness thus inflated, their voices grew even louder: "Pity, pity, such a dainty beauty!!"

Someone nearby curiously asked, "What is a pity?"

"Ha ha, just think: a Daoist, a monk, and a young maiden mixed together, ah ha ha! What good could possibly come of that?"

Another laughed, "Of course something good can come of it—producing a fat baby! Wouldn't that be the best thing of all?" Before this person's words had even faded, a streak of silvery light suddenly burst forth like thunder and lightning, hurtling straight toward him. Thoroughly terrified, the man was too slow to deploy his magic treasure; instead, his body instinctively leaped backward in a desperate retreat. Just halfway through the motion, the silver light flashed obliquely from the side, accompanied by a resounding crash! The two clusters of silver radiance had already locked in violent combat!

From afar, Zhang and his companions experienced a jolt of shock. Having just heard those black-robed youths utter provocative remarks, they had not expected the other party to lose patience and strike without warning. Upon closer inspection, amidst a clattering rumble of rolling objects, the black-robed youth who had just retreated in panic had crashed into another dining table, scattering vegetable juices and soup everywhere in a most comical and disheveled spectacle. The two clusters of silver radiance in mid-air had now revealed their true forms: one was a crystal-clear, three-fingered dragon-whisker hook, while the other was a wish-granting golden ring radiating five-colored halos.

The group of black-robed youths surged to their feet in a flurry, shouting with a mix of shock and anger: "Thieving wench, how dare you launch a stealth attack on your grandfather! Don't you see who we are?!" With that, they scattered and completely surrounded the opposing five.

The beautiful woman on the opposing side merely let out a cold snort. With a flick of her hand and a summons, the dragon-whisker hook in mid-air streaked back and vanished from sight. She sneered, "A pack of shameless wretches—what makes you think you deserve to bear a name!"

A tall, thin man among the black-robed youths stepped forward and pointed. The five-colored wish-granting golden ring spinning in mid-air likewise vanished; clearly, it was he who had used it in the nick of time to parry the fierce and venomous strike of the woman's dragon-whisker hook.

The tall, thin man gave a cold chuckle and said, "Miss, your dragon-whisker hook is truly vicious! Yet in all this vast world, the only ones known for roaming abroad with a three-fingered dragon-whisker hook are the Divine Wood Stronghold of the Sunken Sand Sea in Yun Province. Even if the Divine Wood Stronghold is an extraordinary giant of a faction, compared to our Prince Luo's Mansion—heh heh, you had better weigh things carefully!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang and his companions exchanged a low glance of shock in their eyes. They had not imagined that these dozens of black-robed youths hailed from the politically towering Prince Luo's Mansion. The "young master" they constantly spoke of must surely be the hereditary Defender of the State, Master Pu Xing, the Fifth Master of the Red Bean Pavilion—none other than one of the Four Young Masters of the Capital!

The woman's party was likewise momentarily stunned, whereupon the Daoist beside her stood up and sneered, "What bloody Prince Luo's Mansion, what nonsense! This lord has never heard of it! What, do you want to cross blows with us? This lord isn't afraid!"

Hearing this, the flock of black-robed youths flared into fury, shouting in unison as luminous mists rose in their hands, each brandishing their magic treasures and preparing to attack. Suddenly, a booming voice shouted: "Stop!"

Turning toward the sound, the crowd saw several figures appearing at the doorway. The leader was an old acquaintance of Zhang and the others—none other than the young master of the Duan family, the Tiger of the Northern Xi, accompanied on his flank by the second young master of the Yuan family, Yuan Hanyun, whom they had met days before.

Master Duan gave a hearty laugh and said, "A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!" With that, he looked toward the brocade-clad youth and smiled gently, "I had no idea Brother Jian would arrive in Nine-River so swiftly! Ah, ha ha! Please forgive me for failing to greet you properly!"

The brocade-clad youth seated at the table furrowed his brows slightly and said, "Acting under the orders of the Six Northern Xi Tribes, I came to this Sea-Gazing Tower to meet with you. Yet I know not what these people mean by acting thus, nor what intentions you and Brother Yuan hold!" He gestured slightly toward the group of black-robed youths.

Master Duan laughed heartily and said, "Brother Jian, pray excuse this and bear no grudge!" Turning his head toward the black-robed youths, he added, "Since you are all men of Prince Luo's Mansion, you surely know the rules of the Prince's Mansion. If your master were to find out, you would undoubtedly incur some heavy punishment! Ha ha, in my view, you gentlemen had best refrain from making trouble."

Before the black-robed youths could reply, the brocade-clad youth at the side chuckled coldly: "These dogs couldn't spit out ivory; are we to let my junior sister suffer humiliation in vain? If I do not demand justice, how is Jian Lei supposed to..."

"Ha ha, a bunch of demonic clowns—what are you doing here, dogs biting dogs?! Truly a rare sight indeed!" laughed a robust voice. Hearing this, everyone felt a surge of anger in their hearts, thinking inwardly: *Who is this person running his mouth so disrespectfully and daring to be so audacious?*

Turning their heads in unison, they saw two strapping men walking in from afar. Their entire bodies seemed shrouded in a thin layer of mist, obscuring their features. As they drew closer, the mist dispersed slightly, revealing that both men were around thirty years of age, with piercing glares in their eyes and fierce, imposing expressions!

Both men were bare-chested, with knotted muscles and thick, bristling black hair sprouting from their chests. They wore leather trousers, had their queues coiled atop their heads, and their entire bodies were greasy and glistening with a bright, crystalline sheen, as though they had been smeared from head to toe with grease. Their arms were corded with bulging muscles, and when they extended their hands, their palms were huge and their fingers thick. Though none present recognized these two or knew their origins, everyone felt a surge of anger at their brash pronouncements.

Master Duan said in a deep voice, "May I ask your esteemed names? Since when are you worthy of meddling in the affairs of the Six Northern Xi Tribes?"

The two strapping men merely burst into laughter, and one of them spoke in a muffled, rumbling voice: "Are the Six Northern Xi Tribes a name that a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you can shoulder?! Utterly laughable! We are men of the Yin Province branch of the Sun-Moon Divine Alliance! Our name is not particularly resounding, and even if we told it to you, you might not know it!"