Chapter 15: Da Xiyang

  Zhang Xian's death not only caused a huge stir in the Wu Tong Temple, but also became a big gossip in the entire Luojiang County, no less than a thunderbolt exploding in the dull sky of Luojiang County.

  "Hey, buddy, have you heard? At the Wudong Institute, a poor martial arts student killed one of the prestigious Zhang family's martial arts students." said passerby A.

  "This thing, whoever has two ears would have heard of it, right? I'm asking if you know the details inside?" said passerby B.

  "This is really unheard of, have you heard?" asked passerby A humbly.

  "This is a long story, you have to buy me a drink and I'll tell it to you slowly." Pedestrian B put on an air.

  "Alright, let's have a drink, Little Xie Xuan."

  ……

  There are numerous similar street rumors, but the general direction is the same, all of which portray Qin Wushuang as a diligent and determined young martial artist who seeks to avenge his family's honor by practicing his skills and waiting for an opportunity to clear his name, embodying the unyielding spirit of a young man from a humble background.

  Compared to the street gossip, the Zhang family's attitude as a "direct victim" was vastly different. They firmly claimed that Zhang Xianzhi's death was not due to insufficient strength, but rather because he was ambushed.

  The descendants of the Yu Daqi family testified, and they did not dare to overthrow the statement "duel", so the phrase "secretly calculated" was ambiguous, which could be secretly calculated during a duel or privately fought and secretly calculated.

  Zhang Maorui was heartbroken over his son's death. To put it bluntly, the one who had been plotting to take over the Qin family's vast assets all along was the wealthy and influential Xushi family. The Zhang family, to which he belonged, was merely a pawn in their game.

  But he had a belly full of anger and no way to vent it on the wealthy Xi family, so he could only resent the poor Qin family.

  Xu's family wasn't completely heartless and sent an elder to the Zhang residence to offer condolences, carefully examining the injuries on Zhang Xian's body.

  Qin Wushuang was very clever when he took action, and had been holding back from the beginning. At first, a palm pushed Zhang Xian into the air, borrowing force to strike, without using his own inner strength. The dozen or so fatal punches he used were "Da Jin Gang Fist", and the force was suppressed to only two or three tenths.

  This makes Zhang Xian's death look like it was just done by a martial arts apprentice.

  "Master Ma, these dozen or so punches landed on the head, that's what caused the fatal injury. The Qin family's people are ruthless, it's clear they wanted to take Lord Lang's life. One or two punches wouldn't have been enough, looking at this wound, there must have been at least thirteen or fourteen punches!"

  Xu's family sent out Yue Zhanglao, after checking the injury, sighed.

  Zhang Maorui shook his head painfully: "This Qin family child, the duel a few months ago, was far inferior to my son in strength. In just a few months, it's impossible to make such rapid progress and leave Xian'er completely helpless."

  "I also asked Xu Ting about this, according to his account, there was no one else helping at the scene at that time. He mentioned the Qin family's martial arts skills, which seemed to have improved a lot compared to before. Trade leader, this is unexpected. My family head asked me to pass on a message: don't let this matter ruin the friendship between our Xu and Zhang families."

  Zhang Maorui heard what Yue Zhang said, and could only swallow his anger, saying bitterly: "This is all the fault of the Qin family of Handan. Maorui understands this in his heart. This account will eventually be settled with them."

  Elder Yue nodded expressionlessly and said, "What the head of our family means is that the situation with this matter is still a bit complicated at present, so we can put off the revenge for now."

  "Why?" Zhang Maorui looked puzzled.

  "Because the young masters of the Da Xishan family have come out to testify!" Elder Yue's facial muscles twitched slightly, and he said cautiously, "No one knows whether the Qin family has won over the Da Xishan family, so before taking action, we must investigate this matter clearly."

  Zhang Maorui was disheartened and discontented, letting out a soft "oh" sound, feeling indignant and resentful in his heart, gritting his teeth.

  Elder Yue reminded: "The head of the Mu Rui tribe, it's only been a little over three years since that family was evaluated. As long as we make arrangements, when the time comes, it will be easy to squeeze out the Qin family's humble seat and make the entire Qin family fall apart."

  Three years... If it's like this, at least we still have to wait three more years!

  Zhang Maorui was very displeased, letting the Qin family live for another day, and his heart wasn't feeling great either! However, the face of the Da Yu Shi family was not something that even the powerful Xushi family dared to ignore, let alone the esteemed Zhang family.

  ……

  In the castle of the Daqi family, Daqiyang was also called by his father, Daqiheng, and asked about the situation at that time.

  Daxi Yang recounted in detail what he had seen, and Daxi Heng, the head of the family, thought for a moment before sighing: "This Qin family is not simple. They have been hiding their strength for so long, just waiting for this opportunity to counterattack. Now, those who wanted to take advantage of the Qin family will be in trouble."

  "What's the big deal? The Qin family of a humble origin has limited power, and Qin Wushuang killing Zhang Xian is just a small squabble among martial arts practitioners, which doesn't contribute to the overall situation at all." Da Xiyang is still young after all, so his grasp of the overall situation naturally can't compare to that of his father.

  "Hmm, if you don't come forward to testify, they won't have any trouble. But once you do, the situation will take a turn for the worse!" Da Xuheng sighed.

  Da Xiyang pursed his lips and thought for a moment, then understood, and couldn't help but burst out laughing: "So to speak, I stood up and spoke the truth, but ended up lending momentum to the Qin family instead?"

  "Not bad, now the Xus are probably suspecting that the Qins might have a connection with our Da family." Da Xuheng chuckled.

  "Oh? Then what should we do? Do you want to clear this up?" Daxi Yang's original intention was just to show his face and testify, he only told the truth.

  Daxi Heng shook his head and said calmly, "What's the point of clearing things up? If we clear things up, our Daxi family will become just like them. Let's just pretend nothing happened and we don't need to make a statement to those kinds of nobles like Zhang Shi."

  Upper-class nobles don't need to clarify their attitude towards lower-class nobles. It's completely unnecessary and would only lower their own status.

  Da Xiyang nodded thoughtfully: "Alright, let's just say we're building a good relationship with the Qin family. I think that Qin kid has changed a lot in these few months, and it's possible that the Qin family will prosper under his leadership. I've heard that the Qin family has a good reputation in Donglin Town and is well-supported by the common people."

  "It's precisely because they have a good reputation that each generation is worse than the last. In Baoyue country, it's impossible to be self-sufficient. The only way to survive is to keep a clear head and judgment while going with the flow! Yang Er, you must remember this." Da Xuheng spoke with emphasis and sincerity.

  Daxi Yang has always idolized his father and naturally accepted his teachings with humility.

  "Alright, you can go now. The Wudong Institute is a matter of right and wrong, don't interfere, maintain your high posture." Just like the Da family in Lujiang County, to be transcendent, looking down on other existences.

  "Uh-huh." Da Xiyang nodded and then asked again, "Father, has there been any news from big brother recently?"

  Da Yu Heng shook his head: "Your older brother... he can't accept that matter for the time being. Alright, don't worry about him, your older brother has a mature personality, sooner or later he will come around."

  "Big brother......" Da Xiyang whispered softly and walked out.

  ……

  The sun sets in the west, outside Luojiang County. Qin Wushuang has already run five big laps. Just arriving at the city gate, he sees a blue-shirted martial youth standing under the gate, with his hands clasped in front of his chest, looking calm and smiling as he gazes at Qin Wushuang.

  "I heard you're leaving Wudongyuan?" Da Xiyang spoke up first.

  "It's just a temporary leave."

  "Can't you just leave?" Da Xiyang asked again.

  "Why?" Qin Wushuang was taken aback.

  "It's been a long time since Luojing County Wutongyuan has produced an interesting person. Rarely do we see someone like you, and now that you're leaving, won't life be even more dull?" Da Xiyang sighed leisurely.

  "Hmm? I didn't think anyone in the Martial Arts Academy would find me, Qin Wushuang, interesting. It's rare to hear that from you, Da Qiuyang, it makes me feel delighted."

  "Must go?"

  "It's rare for me to be detained by Brother Daqu, three years later, I will come back. I only hope that at that time, I can still have an unreserved conversation with Brother Daqu like this."

  Da Xiyang sighed and knew that Qin Wushuang's decision was made. He muttered: "You hid deeply enough, and my eyesight is also clumsy enough. After being together for so many years, I only recently found out that there were hidden dragons and sleeping tigers by my side. So to speak, the last time you had a decisive battle with Zhang Xian, it was an intentional painful plan?"

  Qin Wushuang was so angry that he couldn't help but laugh, "You're really something with your trick of pretending to be pitiful. Is there anyone who would actually use such a tactic? Having one's brain opened up like this, how is this different from suicide?"

  "Bitter smile in his heart, but his mouth responded with a perfunctory tone: 'The world is treacherous, one can't help but do as they must.'"

  "En, then, there will be a next time." Da Xiyang revealed a bright and cheerful smile, and suddenly said, "Perhaps, one day, you and I might appear on an even broader stage at the same time?"

  "Perhaps." Qin Wusuo responded lightly, suddenly thought of something and added another sentence, "Thank you."

  "What's there to thank? I just don't want people to think that our Luojiang County Wudang Institute doesn't have a single person who takes responsibility."

  Qin Wushuang smiled and said: "I'm not thanking you for being a witness for me, but rather for not exposing me that night."

  "Huh? That night, you knew I was in?" Da Xi Yang was stunned, and asked hesitantly, "Then why were you standing outside the door saying I wasn't there at all?"

  "I just don't want to make things difficult for you. You won't expose me, and I also can't drag you into this."

  Da Xiyang thought of that night's situation and also burst out laughing: "Your counterattack speed and means are really sharp! Thinking of Xu Ting's ghostly expression, I couldn't help but want to laugh in the room."

  "It's a good thing you didn't laugh, otherwise Xu Ting and the others would have thought it was you who did it."

  Da Xiyang waved his hand and said with a nonchalant expression: "Actually, they've already suspected this, but didn't dare say it out loud."

  This demeanor, this temperament, this manner, is what it means to be a high-class aristocrat! Not caring about the reaction of the wealthy and influential Xu family at all!

  What is meant by "the strong are revered, the high-ranking are revered" was vividly taught to Qin Wusuo by Da Xiyang!