The elderly man continued,"Lately, the five great river-transport guilds north of the Yangtze have been fighting bitterly, each aligning with either the Yan rebels or the Tang loyalists. Word on the road is that Dock Gang Chief Zhang Cheng and Xingwu Gang Chief Yang Linzhong have pledged support to the Yan forces, while Phoenix Gang Chief Qiu Feng and Xuzhou Gang Chief Xu Li are backing the Tang. As for Salt Gang Chief Zeng Yong, he has kept silent, never revealing his allegiance.
These past few days, Phoenix Gang's Qiu Feng and Xuzhou Gang's Xu Li have headed south, escorting supplies for the loyalist army to Suiyang. Meanwhile, Zhang Cheng of the Dock Gang and Yang Linzhong of the Xingwu Gang are preparing to visit the Salt Gang, hoping to persuade Zeng Yong to side with the Yan."
The lean old man sneered,"Zeng Yong is an old fox—cunning and shrewd. Do you think he'll choose sides so easily? He's biding his time, waiting to profit from both sides. If the others fight themselves to ruin, he'll be the one to reap the reward. But mark my words—between the Dock, Xingwu, and Salt Gangs, blood will surely be spilled before this is done."
Another old man stroked his beard and mused,"We've nothing better to do. Why not head down to the Salt Gang's docks and see for ourselves? The winds of the martial world are shifting. Who knows? Perhaps we might gain a little from it."
The thin one laughed aloud."Agreed! Let's finish our meal and join the excitement!"
The three exchanged knowing smiles, hastened through their food, and soon departed.
At a nearby table, Li Qian had heard everything. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she whispered to Wu Tong,"Brother Tong, let's follow them and see what's happening!"
Wu Tong glanced at the half-eaten dishes before him and smiled faintly."You all finish your meal. When Xian'er's done eating, I'll take her ahead to scout the situation."
Liu Yun pouted playfully."Brother Tong, why take only Xian'er and not me?"
Wu Tong froze for an instant, unsure how to reply, but Liu Yun only laughed softly and waved a hand."Oh, I'm teasing you! Sister Rou, Sister Qian, and I are going to stroll the market and look at some ladies' things. Just take care of Xian'er—don't let her be frightened, hmm?"
Wu Tong chuckled helplessly and nodded. Turning to Xian'er, he said,"Let's go."
Xian'er smiled gently, and together they left the inn, following the three wandering Jianghu men at a discreet distance. They threaded through the busy streets, walking three or four li before arriving at the grand compound of the Salt Gang.
The Salt Gang mansion was imposing indeed—crimson gates, high walls, and twin stone lions glaring with fierce dignity. Yet the scene before it was tumultuous: martial artists came and went in crowds, blades flashed, and the air was thick with killing intent.
Wu Tong studied the scene and murmured to Xian'er,"As expected—something momentous is happening here."
Xian'er nodded slightly, her gaze falling upon two hulking guards at the entrance, both with swords at their waists and eyes like hawks. They were clearly Salt Gang disciples, checking each visitor's credentials.
Just as Wu Tong pondered how to slip inside, a shout arose:"Chief Zhang of the Dock Gang and Chief Yang of the Xingwu Gang have arrived!"
The great doors swung open. Two middle-aged men of commanding presence strode in side by side—one tall and broad-shouldered with a stern face, the Dock Gang's Zhang Cheng; the other lean and sharp-eyed, none other than Xingwu Gang's Yang Linzhong.
Wu Tong thought to himself,"With these two arriving in person, Zeng Yong of the Salt Gang won't be able to dodge the issue today. A fierce confrontation is inevitable."
Xian'er whispered,"Brother Tong, let's find a way to slip inside and watch."
Wu Tong nodded, his eyes scanning for a hidden entryway…
Then came a booming voice from within:"Chief Zeng, we've come today hoping you'll face the reality before us. The Great Yan Emperor prepares to march south, and every guild along the river has chosen a side. Yet you've remained silent for over half a year! Why is that?"
The speaker was Zhang Cheng of the Dock Gang.
Zeng Yong, the Salt Gang chief, replied in a deep voice,"Chief Zhang, Chief Yang—on the thirtieth of last August, when the river guilds of the North convened, my Salt Gang declared neutrality. We will neither aid the Yan nor the Tang. We mind our own trade in salt—has that ever interfered with your docks or your martial ventures?"
Yang Linzhong of the Xingwu Gang barked back,"Chief Zeng, spare us your cunning words! Your so-called neutrality clearly sides with Phoenix Gang's Qiu Feng and Xuzhou Gang's Xu Li, who support the Tang! Don't think we can't see through your ploy!"
Zeng Yong's face darkened, fury flickering in his eyes though he kept his composure."Chief Yang, and how exactly am I helping Phoenix and Xuzhou? Go ahead, enlighten me!"
Yang Linzhong sneered,"By refusing to join us! That alone gives Qiu Feng and Xu Li the confidence to keep aiding the Tang army's supply lines to the south!"
Zeng Yong, now truly angered, slammed his palm on the table."Chief Zhang, Chief Yang—we've always kept to our lane! Why come here today to stir trouble?"
A righteous voice rang out from the side:"Outrageous! So you've all become An Lushan's lapdogs—must you drag the Salt Gang down with you as traitors too?"
The speaker was a man in his forties, medium-built and full of vigor.
Zhang Cheng's face twisted in rage."And who might you be, to speak out of turn?"
"I am Zeng Qiang, deputy chief of the Salt Gang!" came the reply.
Zeng Qiang was Zeng Yong's own son. Zeng Yong's face hardened; he said coldly,"Chief Zhang, Chief Yang—my gang has treated you with courtesy and patience. Do not force the tiger into a corner."
Yang Linzhong's eyes glinted coldly."If you refuse to join our cause today, we'll destroy your Salt Gang before sunset!"
Zeng Qiang snorted."You go too far! With your pitiful skill, you're not even worth my time!"
Yang Linzhong's expression changed instantly."Then come and prove it!"
Zeng Qiang leapt forward, landing in the middle of the courtyard."Very well—show me what you've got!"
Yang Linzhong could not back down."Fine! Let's see how strong your Salt Gang really is!"
With a loud shout, he vaulted into the air, his palms surging with inner force. Zeng Qiang sidestepped deftly, countering with a swift lock and a turn of the wrist—"shift the form, borrow the strength." Yang Linzhong staggered back, blocking left and changing right. The two exchanged a flurry of blows, palm shadows crossing like lightning.
They struck together once more—bang!—and both were driven back five or six paces, neither gaining the upper hand.
Zeng Qiang said coldly,"So this is the skill you bring to my gates? Pathetic."
Yang Linzhong's fury boiled over."You think that was my best? Watch closely!"
He drew a deep breath and let out a cry:"Crane's Cry Pierces the Marsh!"
It was his famed technique, the Crying Crane Palm—a move that "does not cry often, but when it does, it startles the heavens." His palms took the shape of a crane's wings, cutting through the air with a sharp whistling sound.
Zeng Qiang, though facing the move for the first time, did not panic. He stepped back, matching each strike with his own, responding blow for blow. Suddenly he countered with "Blossoms on Falling Grass," a defensive technique that turned the enemy's strength against him. Their palms met again and again, echoing like thunder through the courtyard as the crowd held its breath.
The two men—each a master in his own right—fought with ferocity and precision, attack meeting defense, technique meeting technique. Dust and gravel whirled beneath their feet as the courtyard trembled from the force of their inner power…