Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 66 Here to Celebrate Your Birthday
"Haha! Today is my humble birthday, and I am deeply honored by the presence of all my relatives, friends, heroes and valiant individuals. It is truly a great honor to have you here!"

In the main hall of the Luo family mansion, golden lanterns hung high, and Luo Shijun, dressed in a brocade robe, sat regally in the main seat.

He had an extremely large frame with sharp features and thick, fleshy cheeks that narrowed into an arrogant curve under his chin, giving his fierce appearance a touch of majesty.

At this moment, his words seemed humble, but in reality, his voice was loud and his posture was assertive, carrying an air of unquestionable authority.

Then that roguish, street-smart air came out: "Wine, all you can eat; music, have your fill—if you're even slightly unhappy, you'll be slapping this old man in the face!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a clear and melodious sound of string and bamboo instruments drifted from outside the hall.

Twelve dancers dressed in light gauze gracefully entered, their arms adorned with golden bells and their feet bound with silver chains. With each step they took, it felt as if they were stepping on the very tip of one's heart.

The woman at the head of the group had her face covered by a thin veil, revealing only a pair of captivating eyes—it was none other than Liu Susu, the top courtesan of the Luo family.

As she swayed her waist and her gauze dress fluttered, many men in the room were already mesmerized, their wine glasses tilting without them even realizing it.

"I've long heard that the 'Twelve Heavenly Fragrance Beauties' of the Luo family are famous throughout Bianliang. Seeing them today, I can confirm that their reputation is well-deserved!"

At this moment, the hall was indeed filled with guests and dignitaries.

On the left side, court officials, dressed in plain clothes with jade belts around their waists, exchanged pleasantries while their eyes darted around, their smiles forced and insincere.

People from the two prefectures, three departments, and six ministries all came.

Their arrival was naturally due to the young master's influence.

Although there were rumors that the upright and honest Pang Ji and his rough-and-tumble brother-in-law did not get along.

However, with this kinship, if Madam Luo could whisper sweet nothings in their ear, it would be a huge benefit to their careers.

If you want to make progress, you naturally have to know how to scheme and plot.

At this moment, one can better appreciate the dancer's enchanting beauty.

Several civil officials, in particular, who usually criticize sumo wrestling as immoral, were now watching with their eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.

In contrast, the江湖豪客 (jianghu heroes) on the right side of the table were much more unrestrained.

"Mr. Sun specially prepared a 'Blood Jade Coral' to celebrate Master Luo's birthday!"

Sun Tao, the leader of the Five Lakes Sect, nicknamed "Overturning River Dragon," had a rugged face. He raised his wine glass and spoke in a booming voice.

Before he finished speaking, two disciples behind him carried up a three-foot-tall crimson coral, which gleamed with a bloody light under the candlelight.

The guests all turned their heads to look, and even the officials who were looking at the beautiful woman turned their gazes towards her.

This item is very famous. It is said to be the treasure of a prime minister of a previous dynasty, and it is priceless. I never expected that the other party would be willing to part with it.

Sun Tao, quite pleased with himself under the gazes of all sides, swept his eyes over the crowd and finally landed on Ma Xingyun, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of the Flying Horse Escort Agency, with a grin: "Chief镖头 Ma, how much silver do you think it would cost to escort such a treasure by land?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Xingyun said, "Sect Leader Sun is joking. There are tricks to water routes and ways to land routes. Just like last year's shipment from your sect, if it had gone through my escort agency, why would the Six Doors have seized most of it?"

Before Sun Tao could even react, the man raised his hand and a bodyguard behind him presented a sandalwood box.

The moment the box was opened, a pure white jade carving of a galloping horse appeared before one's eyes. The horse's mane flew as if it were real, and its four hooves trod on wisps of cloud patterns: "It is made of Hetian jade from the Western Regions and is carved as 'Eight Horses Treading on Clouds.' It is just a small token of my appreciation, nothing to boast about. I hope you will accept it, Master Luo!"

Luo Shijun raised his hands and laughed heartily, "Good! All good!"

The couple's gifts undoubtedly overshadowed everyone else's, but they were indeed very valuable, leaving the guests amazed.

It wasn't until the head of the Golden Saber Wang family, Wang Qingshan, known as "Broken Mountain Saber," stepped forward.

This man, with his white hair and deep wrinkles, still walked with the steady gait of a bell. After taking his seat, he did not rush to present gifts on the spot, but slowly took out a black iron token from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

The three characters "Golden Knife Token" engraved on the token were as sharp and menacing as blades.

“My Wang family has no gold or silver jewels, we only recognize this – seeing the token is like seeing the person. Anyone who enters my Wang family with a golden knife token will be met by three hundred Golden Knife Guards, ready to go through fire and water without hesitation!”

The room fell silent.

The issuance of the "Golden Knife Order" signifies that the three hundred elite disciples trained by the Wang family are willing to lend a hand to the Luo family.

No matter how perilous the conditions, even if there is the risk of annihilation, we will never back down.

"OK!!"

Luo Shijun was finally moved. He laughed heartily, stood up himself, and welcomed Wang Qingshan, the "Broken Mountain Blade," to the seat of honor, where he began to talk to him warmly.

Sun Tao, the leader of the Five Lakes Sect, and Ma Xingyun, the chief镖头 (bodyguard) of the Flying Horse Escort Agency, who had previously been vying for power, both looked somewhat sullen.

They exchanged a glance, both quite surprised. The Five Lakes Sect and the Flying Horse Escort Agency had extremely close ties with the Luo family; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were begging for food under Luo Shijun's command.

The gifts they gave were certainly expensive, but they were meant to show their support for the boss; the money ultimately came from the customers.

The Golden Saber Sect is different. Although this sect has some dealings with Luo Shijun, a local tyrant in the capital, the relationship is not very close. Why would they send such an expensive gift this time?

What's wrong with Old Wang?

"What good news has Sect Leader Wang had recently? Would you be willing to share it with me?"

Luo Shijun also probed indirectly, but Wang Qingshan did not hide anything and said directly, "I heard that the Six Doors' Divine Constable will come to your residence to protect Brother Luo's safety?"

Luo Shijun's eyes flickered, and he immediately understood. He stroked his beard and smiled, "That's right!"

"That's it!"

Wang Qingshan said calmly, "To be honest, Brother Luo, ever since my son was executed in the autumn, I have not thought of revenge for the past three years. Today, I present the 'Golden Knife Token' specifically to the Six Doors!"

'really! ’

Luo Shijun also thought of that matter.

This most beloved youngest son committed a heinous crime three years ago—

To hone his killing technique of sacrificing blood for his blade, he first impersonated a bandit and killed caravans. Later, he became unsatisfied and began massacring villages. After slaughtering two villages, his crimes were exposed.

After the Six Doors took him, various parties made requests, believing that this young man was exceptionally talented and had the potential to become a grandmaster, and that it would be a pity to kill him.

The Six Doors ignored the matter and reported it to the imperial court, which sentenced him to death.

In the autumn executions of that year, Wang Qingshan's son, whose collarbone was pierced, was escorted to the execution ground. The broadsword was raised, and his head fell to the ground.

It is said that the Golden Saber Sect was furious and threatened to storm the execution ground, while the constables of Zhenyue Hall were on high alert.

In the end, Wang Qingshan endured it, went to the execution ground to collect his son's body, and returned to his sect to seclude himself in seclusion.

But clearly he hadn't swallowed his anger: "For the past three years, every night when I close my eyes, I see Teng'er standing before me. He is so talented and gifted, surpassing his master at such a young age! In the future, he will surely master the Golden Saber Sect's saber techniques to an unprecedented level and become a martial arts grandmaster! Such a prodigy, yet... yet he was betrayed by the Six Doors... Ahhh!"

At this point, Wang Qingshan burst into tears: "It's because I'm powerless, I couldn't save him! I couldn't save him!"

"I see."

Sun Tao and Ma Xingyun listened intently, and a sense of shared hatred for the enemy arose within them.

At the beginning of the dynasty, people in the martial arts world acted freely and without restraint. What did it matter if they killed a few ordinary people?
But ever since the Four Great Constables became famous throughout the martial arts world and the Six Doors gained a great reputation, the lives of these small sects and factions suddenly became difficult, and they began to act with restraint.

Once caught with evidence of a crime, they might even be taken to the execution ground and beheaded like ordinary people. One can imagine the fear and resentment they would feel.

Luo Shijun was already entangled with the Six Doors. The enemy of my enemy is my ally, especially since they had even offered him the Golden Knife Token. He asked directly, "Brother, who do you intend to take revenge on?"

"Zhao Wujiu!! Pei Handeng!!"

Wang Qingshan gritted his teeth: "If it weren't for Zhao Wujiu's arrest, my son would have already entered the Valley of Villains, waiting until his swordsmanship was perfected before leaving. I don't believe the imperial court would kill a martial arts grandmaster! If Pei Handeng hadn't been such a stubborn rock, insisting on personally escorting him without giving him any chance, someone would definitely have shown leniency! I hate them the most!"

'Let's leave Zhao Wujiu aside; he's the Eighth Prince's adopted son...'

Luo Shijun's eyes darted around: "Don't worry, Elder Wang, I will definitely designate Pei Handeng to protect you and humiliate that old man severely, so you can vent your anger!"

"Could you please..."

Wang Qingshan made a gesture with a ferocious expression.

“Pei Handeng’s prestige within the Six Doors is too high. If we kill this old man, the entire Six Doors will go crazy, but…”

Luo Shijun lowered his voice, adopting a sincere attitude: "We can use the Zhong Kui case to ruin his reputation and make him wish he were dead!"

"Good! Good!"

Wang Qingshan nodded repeatedly: "Brother Luo, if you accomplish this task, the Golden Saber Sect will be at your disposal!"

Just then, the fat steward who had previously followed Pang around the mansion strode out of the hall with an arrogant air. After entering the hall, he became a little more restrained and said with a beaming smile, "Congratulations, Master! Congratulations, Master! The Six Doors have come to offer their birthday wishes. There are many people here!"

"Hahaha! I bet they won't dare to disobey!"

Luo Shijun waved his hand and said, "Send it!"

(End of this chapter)