A Different World - Chapter 17: Grand Gathering

The first day of May, an auspicious date. The heavens bless the reign, and all matters proceed smoothly. Heroes gather here to partake in the grand martial arts assembly.

The streets of Yanzhou City bustled with travelers, the taverns were overcrowded, and the ceaseless clamor irritated many.

Over the past half month, Zheyue Tower had received countless invitation cards but had not met with any sect.

Some grumbled, saying Zheyue Tower was keeping itself “aloof” from the martial world. If that were the case, why participate in the martial arts assembly?

Today was the first day of the assembly, beginning with a ceremony to worship the heavens, followed by the first match. Each participating sect was required to select someone to offer incense and pay respects to the heavens.

Regardless of when Zheyue Tower chose to compete, they would undoubtedly appear during the ceremony. Thus, many who wanted to watch the spectacle arrived early at Lian Mountain to secure good seats.

“A sect that sneaks around, gathering information on others but never showing its face—isn’t it laughable that so many are curious about them?” sneered the leader of the Tianlang Gang.

The hall master of Wujitang chimed in, “Indeed. They must know their shady dealings are shameful, which is why they hide like rats and foxes.”

Their remarks caught the attention of others, some of whom quietly disagreed:

“Why don’t they mention how Zheyue Tower has saved people from disasters? A few years ago, when the government was focused on naval warfare, bandits wreaked havoc across Jian and Yue provinces. It was Zheyue Tower who subdued them one by one. Thanks to their presence, the southeast of Daqi became the most peaceful region.”

“Exactly. I don’t see anything wrong with buying information. Without Zheyue Tower’s help alerting our leader to a secret plot to attack our mountain, our Hualian Sect would have suffered a devastating blow. We wouldn’t have what we do today.”

“Our Ganfeng Hall hears many rumors while escorting caravans and has dealt with Zheyue Tower before. They charge fair prices and are trustworthy business partners.”

Someone in the crowd pointed to the high platform. “It’s starting!”

The mountain, steep and towering like a scythe, was named Lian Mountain. The cold wind howled, making the banners flap fiercely. The drumbeats were deafening. Six horns sounded together as archers lined the mountain’s edge, drawing their bows. Arrows were loosed in unison—eighty-one in total.

The crowd looked around the mountaintop but saw no flag bearing Zheyue Tower’s emblem. They were puzzled—were the rumors false? Was Zheyue Tower not actually participating?

At the foot of the mountain, beside a carriage, Ye Yin patiently adjusted the collar of the person standing before him. “Chang’an, you’ve grown taller.”

Ye Chang’an slightly bent down to make it easier for Ye Yin to tidy him up. He knew Ye Yin’s presence here would draw attention, but he still asked quietly, “Master, are you really not coming with us?”

Wearing a bamboo hat, Ye Yin could still feel Chang’an’s intense gaze. He avoided his eyes and shook his head. “Whether I’m there or not, I believe Chang’an can showcase his skills well.”

“Mm!” Ye Chang’an nodded earnestly, then asked, “In your plan, what rank do I need to achieve?”

Hearing the cautious tone in Chang’an’s voice, Ye Yin froze. A strange, bittersweet emotion surged in his chest.

Was it pity he felt? Or guilt?

Ye Yin’s hand, which had been smoothing Chang’an’s collar, lifted slightly. Just as it was about to brush against Chang’an’s face, he suddenly realized he might be crossing a boundary. Hastily, he withdrew his hand and said in a low voice, “Today, you represent Zheyue Tower. Do your best.”

Chang’an looked at Ye Yin, sensing something was off. He asked, “Master?”

“Enough. Let’s head up the mountain! The ceremony has already begun,” Jiang Yunxiu interjected, glancing up before dismounting from his horse.

If he let the two of them continue talking, they might not make it up the mountain before nightfall.

Ye Yin smiled at Chang’an and said, “Go on.”

The ceremony and the first match would be crowded and chaotic; Ye Yin saw no need to reveal himself.

By having Zheyue Tower participate in this martial arts assembly, Ye Yin intended for Chang’an to shine before the world. But just in case, their men had already taken positions on the mountain. If Chang’an faced any danger, Jiang Ziyun was prepared to have him swiftly removed.

On the flat mountaintop, at the competition platform—

This martial arts assembly was hosted by the Xuntian Sect of Yanzhou, with its vice sect leader, Bai Xiu, presiding over the grand event. Bai Xiu stood on the high platform, reading the list of participating sects. When he reached Zheyue Tower, there was no response.

He repeated, “Zheyue Tower. Is anyone from Zheyue Tower present?”

After waiting a moment, Bai Xiu glanced toward the mountain gate. Although he seemed hopeful, he couldn’t afford to delay with so many watching. He prepared to move on to the next name.

Just as he was about to speak, his disciple whispered, “Isn’t that Zheyue Tower’s emblem?”

Startled, Bai Xiu looked toward the mountain gate again.

A young man clad in black, his hair tied high, held a staff bearing Zheyue Tower’s emblem. Leading a group of people, he strode through the crowd, stopping at the forefront.

He declared loudly, “Zheyue Tower is here.”

Due to Zheyue Tower rarely appearing openly in the martial world, Bai Xiu was unsure if these people truly represented Zheyue Tower. However, seeing a figure wearing a gray-green ghost mask behind the young man, he presumed it must be the steward of Zheyue Tower, Mr. Jiang, and became more convinced.

The crowd expected that Steward Jiang would represent Zheyue Tower in offering incense. Unexpectedly, it was the young man in the lead who stepped onto the platform to offer incense and libations to the heavens.

“Why would Zheyue Tower send a young man to compete?”

“Who knows? Haven’t they always been peculiar?”

Amid the crowd’s doubts, one person stood out, visibly astonished when he saw the figure on the platform.

Min Chengzhe silently thought to himself, So he’s from Zheyue Tower?

“At least they showed up. Next…”

Bai Xiu continued reading the list of participants. Once all the sects had been announced, he declared, “This assembly will feature four rounds of competition. The goal is to demonstrate one’s skill and subdue the opponent without causing serious harm. The ultimate victor will be crowned the martial arts alliance leader. For today’s first round, the arena will be—”

As Bai Xiu spoke, he gestured for everyone to look at the opposite mountain peak. Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, eight staggered platforms could be seen, surrounded only by iron chains. A single misstep would lead to a fatal plunge into the abyss below. The sight alone was enough to make one shudder.

“What does Xuntian Sect mean by this? We’re here to compete, not to risk our lives!” a member of one sect shouted, stirring an uproar among the crowd.

Bai Xiu’s face remained harmlessly innocent as he smiled and said, “As I mentioned earlier, this is an exchange of skills. The goal is to spar without causing harm. However, if someone were to act excessively, it would simply mean they misunderstood my words.”

Xuntian Sect was determined to claim the title of alliance leader at this assembly. The safety of others meant little to them.

With a smile, Bai Xiu addressed the crowd, “If any of you are too afraid, you may leave the mountain now. But if you cannot even face this challenge, how could you aspire to lead the martial world?”

“You!” The leader of Tianlang Gang glared fiercely at Bai Xiu, the smiling fox. Turning to look at the platforms on the opposite peak and then at his brothers, he gritted his teeth and made his decision. “Tianlang Gang accepts the challenge!”

“Wujitang accepts the challenge!”

“Hualian Sect will not retreat!”

“Our Shuanghu Association is in as well!”

“Brothers, let’s go!”

Seeing the others beginning to cross the iron chains toward the opposite peak, Ye Chang’an turned and handed the flagpole in his hand to Jiang Yunxiu.

Jiang Yunxiu called out to Ye Chang’an, reminding him, “Chang’an, be careful.”

Ye Chang’an nodded, then looked toward the iron chain connecting the two mountains. Taking a few quick steps, he leaped gracefully onto the chain. His movements were like those of a soaring dragon, light and swift, each step creating a breeze. In mere moments, he reached the opposite side.

On the platform, one of the martial artists, impressed by his elegant landing, asked, “Who are you?”

Standing tall against the wind, his three-foot-long sword in hand, Ye Chang’an responded loudly, “Having learned the way, I delight in chivalry. My long sword bids farewell to the Three Rivers. I am Ye Cichuan of Zheyue Tower.”

Years ago, Ye Yin had told him to choose his own courtesy name when the time was right. On his eighteenth birthday, he gave himself the name Cichuan.

With the sword in his hand, he vowed to sweep clean the Three Rivers and protect Ye Yin for a lifetime.

Author’s Note:

[1] “Tianyuan” is an ancient term for an auspicious day. It refers to a favorable time associated with the moon’s deity, suitable for opening businesses, seeking wealth, traveling, marriage, and blessings.

[2] “Having learned the way, I delight in chivalry. My long sword bids farewell to the Three Rivers” is derived from Li Lü’s Reading the Collected Works of Li Bai from the Song Dynasty.

Thank you for reading!