Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Thunder Dragon Debut
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Luoyang was every bit as grand a city as the rumors claimed. Even from a mile outside the city gates, the skyline loomed large over the hills, and the walls towered dozens of zhang high. In my days as an escort warrior, I'd never had occasion to escort cargo all the way here, so this was my first time.
'As expected of the greatest city in the world... the Emperor's capital...'
I marveled inwardly as I passed the guard post. In other cities, a single inspection sufficed, but Luoyang was unique: one check at the outer walls, another a hundred zhang further in. And they checked yet again upon entering the inner city, hinting at the city's immense scale.
The guard rifled through my baggage and remarked,
"What is this? Are you a diviner?"
I'd already sewn the scrolls into a hidden compartment in my pack, out of sight. The only thing that might raise eyebrows was the map of the imperial palace, but something like the Qimen Dunjia Manual wouldn't draw suspicion. I flashed a grin and replied,
"I'm still in training."
"Huh... Head to Zhu String Street. Plenty of folks like you there."
The guard clucked his tongue and offered some unexpected advice.
'Zhu String Street must be where diviners and fortune-tellers gather to tell fates.'
I could make a living finding my own marks, but in a massive city like Luoyang, they clustered together to draw crowds and compete. It was something I'd never seen in other towns, so it intrigued me.
As I entered the city streets, my jaw dropped slightly.
"......!!"
It was enormous!
The avenues and shops dwarfed anything I'd seen before in splendor and size. Most buildings I'd known topped out at three stories, but here five- and six-story structures and pavilions abounded. The roads were wide enough for four carriages abreast, which astonished me, but what truly shocked me was how those vast streets brimmed with people.
"Whoa, whoa, make way~"
Clop-clop, clop-clop.
A carriage barreled past. It belonged to some high official, it seemed, but the crowds were accustomed to such things, parting to clear a path in advance. Deeper in, the din of haggling and chatter filled the air.
Street vendors hawked all sorts of foods, many exotic dishes I'd never laid eyes on. Professional eateries dotted the scene. Especially impressive were the inns towering eight stories high—I had to crane my neck to take them in. The sizzle of frying dumplings and fish mingled with mouthwatering aromas from somewhere nearby.
In a typical town, a handful of inns made choosing easy, but not in Luoyang. They clustered by the dozens on single streets, and with multiple such districts in the city, keeping track of them all seemed impossible.
'Incredible...!!'
I'd once heard an escort agency veteran gripe that if he had the money, he'd live in Luoyang forever. I'd dismissed it, figuring people were much the same everywhere. But now I saw the reason behind his words.
Dazed, I ducked into the nearest inn. It was early evening; I'd grab a bite and a room.
"Welcome."
Big cities meant big inns. As I stepped into the ground floor, attendants in crisp uniforms bowed in unison. A typical inn had maybe three; this one boasted at least ten on the first floor alone. It spoke to the place's booming business.
An attendant led me to a table and, to my surprise, presented a wooden board.
"What's this?"
"Pick what you like and call it out!"
"......!!"
I was stunned. At normal inns, the menu was basic: dumplings, noodles, chicken, maybe one or two side dishes. You'd pick from whatever the attendant rattled off. But this board listed over twenty dishes and drinks. With a shaky voice, I asked,
"Surely your chef can't handle all these?"
"Hahaha! Our head chef is a Red Heaven Master. No doubts about his skill."
"Hmm..."
Red Heaven Master!
I'd heard of them. Chefs were ranked in four tiers—Blue, Red, Black, White—with Blue Heaven Masters certified at imperial banquets before the Emperor himself. Red Heaven Masters ranked below but were master artisans recognized across a whole city. In my home region of Guanzhong, only nobles could afford one.
The prices matched the prestige.
'Whoa, damn...'
Even two or three dishes cost a full tael of silver. The pricier ones ran three or four taels each.
"One serving of dumplings."
"Yes, sir..."
Prices here were several times those elsewhere. I wanted to bolt, but with eyes on me, I stuck to dumplings.
'Damn... room and board will drain me fast. Guess I'll need to work here too?'
Mangnyang had fronted me forty taels as operating funds. It was more than enough to scout and execute the plan elsewhere. In most places, it'd last three months of leisure, but in Luoyang, it'd vanish in under a month. Prices were outrageously high, especially for inns and entertainment.
I had no intention of storming the palace right away. I'd hole up in Luoyang, refine my martial arts, and plan meticulously. Capture meant death at minimum, execution for nine generations of kin. No room for rashness.
Time was on my side. I'd stay long-term, pick up odd jobs to scrape by. Local intel would prove invaluable for infiltration.
Munching dumplings, I asked the attendant,
"Excuse me. Any ways for a martial artist to make a living in Luoyang?"
The place wasn't crowded yet, and my attendant seemed senior. He glanced around, smiled, and answered kindly.
"You must be from the jianghu. Some try smashing dojos, but it rarely ends well. If you're serious, becoming a guest elder for a major sect is more realistic."
"Rarely ends well? Heard anything specific?"
"Hahaha..."
He just laughed. I caught the hint and slipped him twenty coppers from my pouch. He didn't budge, looking disappointed, so I added thirty more. Only then did he speak.
"From your accent, you're from Anhui Province. Unlike there, Luoyang's dominated by the Nine Great Sects' Zhongnan Sect and Huashan Sect, but even they lack pull here. The city hosts masters rivaling them who run their own dojos."
"Rivaling the Nine Great Sects?"
I was shocked. Even Yellow Mountain Sect, the weakest of the Nine, boasted at least four peak experts. Their arts blended Daoist classics with battle-honed techniques—unmatched power. Rivals on that level were hard to fathom.
The attendant nodded.
"Luoyang's top powers are called the Twin Gates Four Families. Two massive sects and four renowned clans."
"Hmm... Tell me more."
I slid him another tael casually. Pricey, but effective. He pocketed it eagerly and spilled the details like an orator.
"These six factions handle imperial army recruitment, Embroidered Uniform Guard positions, and military exam passes every year. Out-of-towners rarely beat their graduates without exceptional skill. It's not bribes— their disciples are renowned for superior martial arts.
The Twin Gates are Iron Blood Sect and Great Sword Sect. The Four Families: Jang Clan, Seo Clan, Lee Clan, Han Clan.
Locals shorten it to Iron Blood Great Sword, Jang-Seo-Lee-Han."
Twin Gates Four Families!
Iron Blood Great Sword, Jang-Seo-Lee-Han!
Factions I'd need to memorize for any activity in Luoyang. I murmured the names, then pressed,
"So all those jianghu challengers lost to the Twin Gates Four Families?"
"Even a Huashan elder fell to Great Sword Sect's master in under a hundred exchanges. They sought to expand here via challenge matches... disaster."
"......"
I let out a low groan, realizing their prowess exceeded expectations.
Great Sword Sect's master was sect leader level, the Huashan elder subordinate—but it wasn't that simple. A Huashan elder was a peak expert roaming the Central Plains, a decades-honed sword master. Defeating one in a hundred exchanges was no small feat, even as sect leader.
The attendant looked wary.
"Oh, don't spread this around. Everyone knows, but Huashan lay disciples might take offense."
"Got it. More details."
My eyes gleamed coldly.
"Where are these Twin Gates Four Families located?"
"Uh, well..."
I ordered a vegetable dish while he enthusiastically explained. As I committed the info to memory, I thought,
'Perfect. Just the opponents I need.'
The past three years of study had stalled my internal energy cultivation. But it hadn't regressed. Thunder Essence Scripture had sharpened my focus and vitality; with the right spark, my skills would surge—I felt it.
What I needed now: Integrate my vast internal energy into practical martial arts.
Real combat experience.
Since gaining the Millennium Snow Ginseng's power, no worthy foes had appeared. This martial pilgrimage would be a boon.
After eating, I booked a room here. Two or three weeks of room and board would exhaust my funds, but I might see results sooner.
My plan: dojo smashing!
Challenge Luoyang's giants—the Twin Gates Four Families—like a thunderbolt, sparring their first-class experts. Officially duels, but pride would make them go all-out—life-or-death in truth.
Gauging their strengths would calibrate the palace's elite guards, imperial troops, Embroidered Uniform Guard. Mangnyang had said,
[The Embroidered Uniform Guard? Hmm... Ten in formation could slay even a major sect elder. The inner palace crawls with at least thirty. Never face them head-on.]
"......"
I steeled myself inwardly.
Unless I swept the Twin Gates Four Families undefeated, no palace raid. If lacking, I'd hide and train for years. Death or crippling at their hands was possible too.
But I wasn't afraid.
Thanks to Heavenly Dark Secret Book, death held no terror—only thrill.
Uncertain of its nature, stealing the Anonymous Sacrificial Record was essential. Dodging risks long-term would backfire.
'Advance cautiously.'
Avoid death if possible, maximize growth.
Start the plan once ready.
I resolved to rot in Luoyang for a decade if needed.
============================ Author's Note ============================
Fixed some minor errors ㅠㅠ I'll write diligently.