Chapter 29: Zhu Xian Town, Wang Zi Peng Fights Against the Golden Kingdom's Official

  The master and apprentice crossed the Yellow River, giving medicine to save people along the way. One day they arrived at a small town called Zhuxian Town. There were more than 100 households in the town, each with a small flag hanging at the door, embroidered with a flying dragon.

  "Master, why do the people here hang a small flag embroidered with a dragon at their doorsteps? Are they subjects of the Great Song or people of the Jin State?" Wang Ziyu asked in puzzlement.

  "This is not the flag of Great Song, it's that of the Khitan people. It seems this town has been occupied by the Khitan. Zǐ Péng, we've entered the territory of the Khitan people, we must be cautious and absolutely cannot act rashly." Zhì Shàn Dà Shī reminded.

  They arrived at a teahouse, and the master and apprentice walked in. The owner of the teahouse came over enthusiastically to greet them: "Two guests, what tea would you like to drink? We have famous teas from Jiangnan such as Longjing, Yunwu, and Tieguanyin. You can choose whatever tea you'd like, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

  "Benefactor, may I ask if you have Bi Luo Chun here? As a monk traveling the world, I am most fond of Bi Luo Chun." said Master Zhi Shan.

  "Right away, right away, I'll get the tea ready for you gentlemen." The boss said repeatedly and then went to brew the tea.

  The tea house business was not booming, with only two or three customers sitting on one side sipping their tea and chatting.

  "The Great Song is almost finished, Yelü General led the army to station outside Bianjing City, preparing to attack Bianjing." A middle-aged Han man dressed as a Jin official said.

  "The Great Song Dynasty has been without a master like the Four Golden Guardians of our Great Jin State since the Yang family was defeated. The destruction of the Great Song is imminent." Another young officer said.

  "Zhou Tong is dead, and the Song Dynasty has no more capable people. The marshal wants us to immediately report this news back to the capital and inform Emperor Taizong, so that he can issue an edict to attack Bianjing." said the middle-aged official.

  "The current young emperor of the Great Song Dynasty is incompetent, and those around him are all sycophants. It's a wonder if the country doesn't perish. Unlike our own ruler who is diligent in governance and has great ambitions." The young official said proudly.

  "In my opinion, the Song Dynasty may not necessarily perish. You guys haven't thought about it, the Song Dynasty has a vast territory and abundant resources, with a large population, surely there are talented people available? It's just that they temporarily live in seclusion in the countryside and haven't been valued by the imperial court. Once we attack the Song Dynasty, ***, food and grass will not be sufficient, but under the heavy reward of the Song Dynasty, there must be brave men, when the time comes, they will make a concerted effort with momentum like a tiger, then we will be at a disadvantage. The only thing that worries General Yelü is Zhou Tong, he thinks that once Zhou Tong dies, there will be no more worries. But Zhou Tong's disciples are not weaklings, haven't you guys heard the Four Great Golden Arhats mention the words Zhou Tong said when they fought against him? He said his disciples were all excellent and would definitely defeat us in the future." The elderly official who had been silent on the side finally spoke up.

  "Hey, what's wrong with you today? You're talking big and hurting your own prestige. Have you received some benefits from the Song people?" asked the middle-aged official.

  "You've only just benefited from the Song people, haven't you? Yesterday at the ferry crossing, wasn't that little girl from the Song Dynasty nearly scared to death by you? You still have the face to say I?" The older official sneered.

  Wang Zipeng listened to the conversation of several Jin officials, and he was so angry that his teeth itched. His face turned iron-green, his fists clenched, and he almost walked up and beat them up severely.

  Master Zishan saw the expression on Wang Zipeng's face and knew he was uncomfortable. To avoid a direct confrontation, Master Zishan reached out and grabbed Wang Zipeng, hinting that he should endure if he could.

  Wang Zi Peng understood the master's intention and had no choice but to give up. He sipped his tea while gazing at the three Jin officials seated across from him.

  It just so happened that the young officer was also looking in the direction of Wang Ziyang.

  In an instant, their eyes met, and sparks of hatred flew out.

  "Sungou, are you eavesdropping on our conversation?" the young official asked.

  "You're the dogs. We are the mighty Tian Chao, how can we let you evaluate us here? Get out of Great Song quickly." Wang Ziyu said, unwilling to show weakness.

  Those three Jin officials saw that Wang Peng was young and spoke with a full air, and they felt extremely puzzled in their hearts.

  "Little kid, where are you from? Where do you want to go? This is the land of our Golden Country, and you're running around on our land. You should be humble and behave yourself. How dare you speak so insolently? Are you someone with abilities?" The older official walked forward and asked curiously.

  "This young master, this is my grandson, he's still young and inexperienced, his words were rash and offended everyone, please forgive him." said Master Zishan with a face full of apologetic smiles.

  "You, old monk, are quite reasonable. I'll spare your grandson this time, but he must kneel down and apologize to us." The senior official said.

  "No way! He's been mouthing off and insulting us, I'd like to see what he's capable of." The young officer said, drawing his sword and walking forward.

  Wang Zi Peng saw that he had made a mess of things and could only face it calmly.

  "Sir, you're holding a precious sword to deal with me, an unarmed child. If word gets out, wouldn't it be laughable? How about this: let's make a bet. Within ten moves, if you win, I'll kneel down and apologize; but if I emerge unscathed within ten moves, then the matter between us is settled. What do you say?" Wang Ziyu asked.

  The young officer, armed with a weapon in his hand, readily agreed to Wang Zipeng's request.

  "Sir, the space inside is too small, why don't we go outside and try?" Wang Zipeng said as he walked out of the teahouse.

  The young official followed him out.

  The Master of Perfect Goodness and two other officials also came out to watch.

  The young officer wielded the sword in his hand, slashing left and right, chopping up and down. Prince Peng's figure was agile, suddenly advancing and retreating, dodging the opponent's fierce attack.

  The Great Master saw Wang Ziyu's agile figure and nodded frequently.

  The young officer was busy for a while without gaining any advantage. He was exhausted and panting, but Wang Zipeng remained calm and composed.

  After ten moves, Wang Ziyu stopped and said: "Officer, a gentleman's word is like a swift horse whip, do you want to go back on your words?"

  The young officer saw that Wang Zongpeng was agile and knew that continuing to fight would not gain any advantage, and might even lead to defeat. In that case, it's better to stop while ahead.

  "Looks like you still have a couple of tricks up your sleeve, kid. Since I've agreed, I won't pursue it further. As for those two, I don't dare guarantee whether they'll agree or not." The young officer said with a sly smile.

  The older official nodded in agreement, but the middle-aged official refused to say anything.

  "You little demon, if you can fight me for ten more rounds without a scratch, I'll let bygones be bygones." The middle-aged officer charged forward with his sword, his momentum fierce.

  Wang Zongpeng saw that the middle-aged officer's swordsmanship was fierce and took advantage of his own small stature and quick turns to dodge and weave around him.

  The middle-aged official's kung fu was much better than the young official's, and after Wang Zipeng parried three or five moves, he felt powerless.

  Master Zishan saw Wang Zongpeng at a disadvantage and was very worried.

  What to do? Zi Peng didn't have any real experience and just dodging and evading wouldn't solve the problem.

  "Three above, four below, six in the middle, heaven nine, earth eight, and man five. The sun, moon, stars, and constellations hang high, and the nine provinces and all things are bathed in dew." Master Zishan recited the secret of pounding medicinal herbs, and Wang Zipeng suddenly understood his master's intention.

  Wang Ziyu followed Master Zhishan to pound medicinal herbs, and the master told him the secret while reciting it and demonstrating it. The posture of using both hands and feet was already engraved in Wang Ziyu's heart.

  "Sir, if you have any skills, bring them out. Remember, you only have five chances." Wang Zipeng said with a smile to the middle-aged officer.

  The middle-aged official was shocked, never expecting that this doll would suddenly change its shape and become spirited. Could it be that the old monk had just given him a hint? It seemed that this old monk was not an ordinary person, but a master of the martial arts world.

  "Alright, kid, I think you're a talented person and I don't want to hurt you. Let's just forget about this and call it quits. Ah Le, Ah Peng, let's go." The middle-aged man said as he left the teahouse with the other two officials.

  "Sir, your tea money..." The teahouse owner walked out and shouted.

  "Remember, pay together next time." The three officials waved their hands and left.