The pinnacle of the martial arts world

Chapter 3

He paused here, holding someone's arm in his hand; the owner of that arm was none other than Yue Tong, who had a beaming smile on his face.

"It's you?" Tang Qiefang's voice was filled with unspeakable disappointment. She looked around. "Was anyone here just now?"

“It’s just me, no one else,” Yue Tong said with a smile. “Because the second gatekeeper said the banquet is about to begin, I came here specifically to inform Seventh Uncle.”

Tang Qiefang chuckled, "I think you're worried about your precious daughter, aren't you? Don't worry, she's lighting lanterns in the yard. What can I do to my great-granddaughter? Call her out, and let's all take our seats together."

Chapter Six

Tang Congrong took over the Tang Clan at the age of sixteen, and his mind and methods were unlike those of ordinary people. In the martial arts world, he and Yang Luoxue from the Medicine King Valley were known as the "Twin Eccentrics," referring to their eccentric temperaments. However, most people only knew the extent of their eccentricity from rumors.

Today is his birthday, and as the birthday celebrant, he still hasn't shown up even as the banquet is about to begin. Yue Shenhong and her father waited expectantly among the many famous figures in the martial arts world—it is said that Tang Congrong has already returned to the mansion and is currently changing clothes inside.

Tang Qiefang, growing impatient, paced back and forth in the hall. Each turn was a large movement, the pearl tassels on his clothes and headdress swaying gently, producing a clear, delicate sound. Suddenly, he stopped and shouted at a Tang Clan disciple, "Fool! It's so cold, why aren't you adding more charcoal!"

The heroes looked at each other in bewilderment. Not to mention that it was early spring, even in the coldest time of the year, the people in the hall all possessed internal strength, so why would they need to use charcoal braziers for warmth like ordinary people?

Tang Qiefang then instructed the younger generation to close the doors and windows. In a short while, the hall became warm and cozy, as if it were late spring. Several people were sweating profusely. Finally, footsteps sounded outside the door, and the door was pushed open. A young man walked in, surrounded by the leaders of the various branches of the Tang Clan.

Is this Tang Congrong?

Looking at the scene, Yue Shenhong was somewhat surprised.

He was dressed in so many layers that he looked almost like a fur bear. Yet, despite all that, he didn't appear bulky at all. His face possessed a gentle, almost feminine quality, and the snow-white fox fur draped over his face made him appear even more delicate. By all accounts, he looked like a pampered, frail young master—hardly the esteemed master of the century-old Tang Clan.

Everyone in the hall clasped their hands in greeting, and he nodded to each of them with a faint smile. The guests and hosts then took their seats. Tang Congrong naturally sat at the head of the table, with Tang Qiefang to his left and Tang Yuchang, the head of the Tang Clan's criminal justice department and Tang Congrong's uncle, to his right.

After Tang Congrong entered, the main hall door closed again. A disciple of the Kun generation stepped forward to help Tang Congrong remove her fox fur coat, revealing a lotus-blue flowing robe underneath, tied with a jade-green silk sash, exuding a refined and elegant air, like a newly sprouted lotus.

He seemed to be in poor spirits, and didn't eat much from beginning to end. When someone offered a toast, Tang Qiefang drank it on his behalf, and when someone wished him a happy birthday, Tang Yuchang returned the greeting on his behalf. He just sat there, occasionally smiling faintly, holding a small purple-gold hand warmer in his hands, drawing warmth from it.

Her hands were extremely long, fair, and translucent, with each finger seemingly carved from ice crystals, gleaming with a pure and flawless luster under the light.

Even women's hands are rarely this beautiful.

The legendary Tang Clan's supreme hidden weapon, "Flower Rain Needle," is incredibly powerful. I wonder what it would look like if it were unleashed from these hands?

After a few rounds of drinks, the opera troupe outside the hall came on stage to perform. To watch the show, the door naturally had to be opened. As soon as the door opened, a gust of wind rushed in, instantly cooling the people who had been baking in the warmth of the charcoal brazier all day.

Tang Congrong put her fox fur coat back on, sat for a while longer, then said she was tired and left the table.

Tang Qiefang left with him.

The air outside was cold. Tang Congrong tightened her fox fur coat. The Tang Clan was very lively tonight. Not far away was the banquet for the Tang Clan's inner family members. Tang Qiefang suddenly heard a child crying and was stunned. "It's Xiaozhu'er."

Chapter Seven

Sure enough, a nanny carried a two-year-old girl out of the table. Apparently, the child's crying had displeased the adults. Upon seeing the two, the nanny quickly bowed. Little Zhu'er continued to cry, and Tang Qiefang took her in, asking, "What's wrong with her?"

"The young mistress fed her a meatball with chili peppers inside."

"Don't you even know your own daughter can't handle spicy food?" Tang Qiefang shook her head. "You go ahead, leave Xiaozhu to me." With that, she picked up Xiaozhu and spun her around, the tassels of her crown gently clinking together, making a soft, melodious sound. The sound and the shimmering tassels attracted Xiaozhu, and she gradually stopped crying. She reached out her little hand to grab Tang Qiefang's crown, but Tang Qiefang smiled and dodged. After grabbing for a while without success, Xiaozhu pouted, and it looked like she was about to cry. Tang Qiefang quickly took off the crown and handed it to her.

His long, jet-black hair cascaded down, making him even more dashing and handsome than when he wore his hair up. A smile played on his lips and brows, like a gentle east wind stirring the flowers and trees, and his eyes gleamed with a pearly light. He put Little Pearl down, letting her hold one of his fingers and wobbling along. Suddenly, he ran in front of her, squatted down, opened his arms, and laughed, "Come, come, come here!"

Little Pearl, as expected, giggled and stumbled into his arms.

He scooped up Xiao Zhu'er in his arms, lifted her high, and twirled her a few times in the air, her long black hair spinning. Xiao Zhu'er wasn't afraid of heights or dizziness, and shouted happily. Tang Qiefang nodded and said, "This girl is good; her lightness skill will definitely be amazing in the future. She'll definitely surpass you then! Hehe! What's so great about a ten-zhang lake? If you're going to practice, practice twenty zhang!"

Tang Congrong's residence, Tingshui Pavilion, was built in the middle of the lake. Unless a small boat was sent from the pavilion, the only way to get there was to hone one's lightness skill to the point of leaping ten zhang in one bound. However, how many people in the martial world possessed such skill? Tang Qiefang was no exception, which is why he could not freely enter and leave Tingshui Pavilion, much to his dissatisfaction.

Tang Congrong said calmly, "If you like children so much, why don't you have one yourself?"

Tang Qiefang sighed, "Do you think I don't want to? But you know, it's already difficult enough to find a wife for the head of the Tang Clan, let alone the great-grandmother of the head of the Tang Clan? That would be even more difficult. I guess I'll be a bachelor for the rest of my life."

The marriage of the Tang Clan patriarch is of paramount importance, closely related to the rise and fall of the Tang Clan, and is therefore always taken very seriously. Tang Qiefang, however, is of such high seniority that no one can match her, so she remains unmarried even at the age of twenty-one.

As they spoke, they arrived at the Water Pavilion.

The lake, ten zhang wide, was now empty of lotus blossoms, with only withered lotus leaves remaining. The bright red light of the lanterns cast a red glow on the withered lotus leaves, making it appear as if a pond of red lotuses had bloomed.

Tang Congrong's face was also flushed by the light, and she smiled slightly.

No need to count, six thousand. The fractional ones hang in the Dawn Pavilion, the whole numbers hang in the Water Listening Pavilion.

Tang Qiefang stood by the lake and whistled a long whistle, his unique way of calling out to Lanzhou. After whistling, he smiled at Tang Congrong and said, "Hehe, today is a special case. Come with me on the boat."

A magnolia boat quickly emerged from the depths of the withered lotus leaves. An old woman rowed the boat, which parted the lotus leaves and sailed to the Listening to the Water Pavilion in the blink of an eye. Tang Qiefang took the lead, carrying Xiaozhu'er up the steps. She blew on two tinderboxes, handing one to Tang Congrong. The two lit their fuses, and with two "crackling" sounds, two beams of light shot into the sky, exploding in mid-air. The twinkling lights were like stars falling overhead.

Chapter Eight

For eleven years, these brilliant fireworks have been set off on the same day each year at Tingshui Pavilion. Every early spring night, the air is still cold, but the world is warmed by them.

The afterimage of the fireworks was reflected on the water. Tang Congrong watched it fall like a shooting star and closed her eyes slightly.

Tonight, the Listening to the Water Pavilion is as beautiful as a dream.

By the time the five large boxes of fireworks were finished, it was already 1:45 PM. Most of the guests had left, and the entire Tang Clan gradually quieted down. Little Pearl, who had been so excited watching the fireworks, had fallen asleep from exhaustion. Tang Qiefang ordered someone to take her back.

Tang Congrong walked in the cold wind for a while, and then set off fireworks outside. His face was pale. Tang Qiefang knew he was very cold, so she picked up a cup of hot tea and brought it to his lips. He took a sip from Tang Qiefang's hand, and some color slowly returned to his face.

Tang Qiefang said, "There's no one to take care of you on Xuyu Mountain. You didn't freeze, did you?"

Tang Congrong sat down by the stove, clutching the purple-gold hand warmer tightly in her hands. "With Luo Xue here, how could anything happen?"

"Tch." Tang Qiefang said dismissively, "That quack doctor has been treating your deficiency-cold syndrome for so many years, but it hasn't improved."

"Is a deficiency of qi and cold really a serious illness?" Tang Congrong chuckled slightly. "Just be careful in your daily life."