A Wager of Skill

The two men chatted amiably as they entered the martial arts hall’s main chamber.

Trailing behind them, Xu Niantang followed, silently grinding her teeth.

Stepping over the threshold, the first thing that caught their eye was the hall’s signboard. A grand character for “Martial Arts,” written in fluid semi-cursive script, hung behind the head seat, exuding an air of elegance and freedom.

Before an altar stood a painted statue of Guan Yu, flanked by a formidable, gleaming sabre.

Intricately carved red pine chairs were arranged neatly along both sides of the hall, with rows of wooden dummies for practice positioned behind them.

Crimson banners, embroidered with white tigers, hung from all four walls, fluttering wildly with every passing breeze.

Ye Di glanced at the sabre.

The sharp-eyed Lei Ling noticed his gaze and immediately began to brag.

“My young friend, have you seen my ‘Nine-Ringed Sabre of Fury’?” Lei Ling puffed out his chest. “I’m not exaggerating, but back when I first ventured into the martial world, I relied solely on this very sabre to cut through fifteen bands of petty thieves from the East Gate…”

Ye Di merely nodded along.

After wiping the spittle from his face with his sleeve, Ye Di gestured, indicating it was time to discuss proper business.

“Master Lei,” he began, “my younger sister wishes to learn a few moves here. May I inquire about the fees?”

Martial arts halls in Quzhou often categorized their apprentices in several ways.

One type paid tuition fees and received direct instruction in martial arts from the master.

Another type comprised children from impoverished families who, unable to support extra mouths, were sent to the martial arts hall.

Masters, of course, received no tuition from these apprentices. Consequently, these children often served as both students and general laborers within the hall.

Their status was akin to indentured servants.

Upon hearing this, Lei Ling immediately waved a large hand.

“Talking about money is vulgar, my young friend!” he boomed. “Considering the affinity between us, I, Old Lei, will offer you a ‘high mountains and flowing water, kindred spirit’ price—ten taels of silver, not a single penny more!”

‘Ten taels of silver? Why don’t you just rob us?’

The young lady behind Ye Di, Xu Niantang, immediately panicked upon hearing this. She opened her small mouth, but before she could utter a sound, Ye Di clapped a hand over it, muffling her protests into whimpers.

Had Ye Di allowed this young woman to ruin his negotiation?

He maintained his composure, still smiling faintly. “Master Lei, I come from a farming family. My sister and I have relied on each other since childhood, and we possess no excess wealth…”

Lei Ling heard his opening and immediately thought, ‘Oh no, he’s going to bargain!’

He had initially observed the young girl’s attire—embroidered silks, fine satins, and jade hairpins—and assumed she was a young master bringing his sister to experience the hardships of common folk.

He had planned to charge them handsomely, believing it would be a fitting tribute to their ‘earnest intentions.’

Who would have thought that they were merely gilded exteriors, outwardly splendid but inwardly lacking substance?

Lei Ling’s expression hardened.

He turned to his newly acquired “kindred spirit” and said, “My young friend, you must understand, running this martial arts hall in Quzhou incurs considerable expenses for food, clothing, and other necessities. I also have many disciples within the hall to support…”

Ye Di interjected, “I understand, Master Lei. I was wondering if it would be possible to defer the payment. I assure you, I will settle the full amount later, without any delay.”

Lei Ling immediately shook his head vigorously.

“No, that simply won’t do!” he declared. “This martial arts hall has dozens of mouths to feed. If every apprentice were to accrue debt, would I just lead them all to starve?”

The negotiation reached a stalemate, leaving Ye Di in a difficult position.

He glanced back at the young lady.

Xu Niantang’s apricot-shaped eyes sparkled brightly, and her small mouth curved upwards in an irrepressible grin, as if she had secretly tasted honey.

Ye Di pulled her aside.

“Hey, don’t you want to learn martial arts?”

Xu Niantang blinked, then replied, “Of course, I do.”

“Then why do you look so gleeful?” Ye Di asked.

“I’m not!” Xu Niantang retorted. “I’m just happy because I’m saving you money.”

Ye Di quickly waved his hand.

“Please don’t be,” he said with a wry smile. “My dear lady, you should hope I pay off your debt as soon as possible. This ‘temple’ is too small to house a ‘great Buddha’ like you.”

Hearing this, Xu Niantang was so incensed that she nearly choked, dissolving into a teary-eyed fit of coughs.

At that moment, Ye Di’s gaze fell upon the sabre lying across the altar.

He suddenly spoke. “Master Lei, how about this? I understand the martial world’s customs regarding your hall. Silver is secondary; a profound martial arts style is truly priceless and hard to come by.”

Lei Ling eyed him askance, unsure of Ye Di’s true intentions.

Nevertheless, he replied, “Indeed. For my Lei Clan Martial Arts Hall, the ‘Nine-Ringed Sabre of Fury’ is our prized possession, along with the ‘Nine Heavens Overlord Sabre Art’ that originated from it.”

His Nine-Ringed Sabre of Fury was forged entirely from refined iron, rendering it exceptionally sharp.

Nine small iron rings were threaded through the base of its blade. When the sabre was swung, these rings would chime melodiously in the wind.

According to the Mo Shu Pavilion, renowned as the foremost authority on mechanisms, springs, and Qimen Dunjia techniques, this Nine-Ringed Sabre of Fury was unequivocally classified as a ‘Masterpiece.’

One man, one sabre, one unique sabre art.

This was Lei Ling’s foundation for establishing his martial arts hall in the bustling city of Quzhou for so many years.

In fact, a short while earlier, Ye Di had discerned from their conversation that Lei Ling cherished his precious sabre immensely.

He immediately decided to go with the flow, approaching the altar and exclaiming in admiration, “What a magnificent sabre, Master Lei! This ‘Nine-Ringed Sabre of Fury’ is truly the finest weapon I have ever witnessed in my life.”

Only a day prior, he had seen Xu Niantang carrying her personal spring-loaded sword, which had also been rated as a ‘Masterpiece’ by the Mo Shu Pavilion.

Yet, at this moment, without a blush or a racing heart, he brazenly praised the sabre.

Squatting in the corner of the main hall, Xu Niantang pursed her lips. She pulled down her eyelid and stuck out her tongue at him, clearly conveying her opinion that he was shameless.

Lei Ling burst into hearty laughter.

“My young friend, do you think a couple of flattering words will persuade me to waive the tuition fees?” he chuckled. “A sabre is a fine sabre, and silver is fine silver; the two cannot be conflated.”

Ye Di also smiled. “Not at all, I harbor no such intentions. It’s just that Master Lei possesses an excellent sabre, but I wonder if there is a profound sabre art truly worthy of it.”

Lei Ling paused, startled. “My young friend, are you implying…?”

Ye Di elaborated, “As the saying goes, ‘a fine horse deserves a good saddle.’ If the sabre art is inadequate, how can one unleash the full power of a precious sabre?”

“Are you suggesting, then,” Lei Ling’s voice grew colder, “that you look down upon my ‘Nine Heavens Overlord Sabre Art’?”

Ye Di spread his hands, shaking his head with a faint smile.

“I didn’t mean that. If Master Lei intends to spend the rest of his days teaching disciples and enjoying a peaceful retirement here at the Lei Clan Martial Arts Hall, then the ‘Nine Heavens Overlord Sabre Art’ is more than sufficient.”

Lei Ling let out a sharp “Hmph!” His tiger-like eyes widened, and his whiskers bristled with his sudden intake of breath.

“My young friend, those words are truly unpleasant to hear! My ‘Nine Heavens Overlord Sabre Art’ was forged through actual bloodshed and countless battles in the martial world. How can it be compared to mere parlor tricks taught to children?”

Ye Di merely smiled, offering no reply.

Lei Ling, being a man of impatient temperament, could hardly tolerate such provocation from Ye Di.

He immediately retrieved the great sabre, gripping it firmly in his palm.

“My young friend,” Lei Ling declared to Ye Di, “do you know that by the customs of the martial world, your words just now amount to a direct challenge to shatter my hall’s reputation?”

Having navigated the martial world for so many years, how could Ye Di be unaware?

His sole purpose was to provoke Lei Ling into action.

Initially, Ye Di had worried that Lei Ling might truly be a ‘toothless tiger,’ content to settle down in this small corner, teaching students, basking in the sun, occasionally limbering up, and performing a few sabre movements to garner the ignorant admiration of his disciples.

However, observing him now, Ye Di realized Lei Ling still possessed a fiery spirit.

It was likely that, in his prime, Lei Ling had been a formidable figure, dominating the martial world.

Ye Di nodded. “I mean no offense. However, since Master Lei bases his reputation on the ‘Sabre of Fury,’ naturally, his sabre intent should also be wild and unbridled.”

Lei Ling pointed the great sabre directly at Ye Di, his voice cold.

“Youngster, speak plainly. Don’t beat around the bush, lest I waste my breath on useless pleasantries.”

“Very well.”

Ye Di narrowed his eyes, gazing at the chilling, slightly trembling blade before him.

“Though I am unworthy, I would like to request a demonstration of Master Lei’s sabre art. If, afterwards, I offer some humble insights regarding the sabre art, and Master Lei finds them acceptable, I shall ask for no reward. Consider it payment for the tuition, how does that sound?”

Lei Ling, infuriated but amused, laughed instead.

“Heh heh, youngster, your ambition is certainly not small! Very well! If you can point out any flaws in my sabre art, you needn’t even improve upon them. As long as I find your reasoning sound, I will humbly accept it. And your sister’s tuition fees? I won’t charge a single penny!”

This was precisely the statement Ye Di had been waiting for.

He immediately shook out his sleeves, clasped his fists in a respectful salute, and said, “Excellent! Then I shall await Master Lei’s instruction.”