Chapter Eighty-One: Negotiating Peace
Song Yuanqiao, Yuan Chengzhi and the five people of Tianhong were overjoyed on the day they moved to their new home. Several people competed to accept disciples, and in the heavenly realm, they passed down the legacy of Shaolin, Wudang and Huashan schools, which was a joyful event.
That day, Zhao Ji also advised Ding Dian to accept two apprentices, but was politely declined. At that time, Ding Dian said he would put most of his energy into the village school.
Upon second thought, this isn't bad either. Song Yuanqiao, Yuan Chengzhi and Tian Hong, although nominally teachers of the school, after taking in disciples, their hearts would likely be fully devoted to their own students.
One person manages the school, and everything is a bit cumbersome. With Ding Dian's help, he can be more relaxed and have more time to do other things.
Before he knew it, several days had passed and Zhao Ji was practicing the Peony Golden Needle in his home when the courtyard gate was knocked loudly.
"Come in."
While slowly and carefully retrieving the golden needles he had shot out, Zhao Ji replied with a sentence.
When the time came to ascend to heaven, Zhao Ji's backpack contained a box of embroidered needles, exactly one hundred in total. These were specially made needles that were not only fine and long but also quite tough, making them excellent hidden weapons.
The gate was pushed open and Zeng Hu ran in, came to Zhao Ji's face, very respectfully saluted and asked: "Hello, sir."
"Is that Zeng Hu? What brings you running over here?"
Zhao Ji casually asked.
"Sir, that merchant group who came to our village last time has arrived again. Father asked me to inform you and go out to welcome the guests."
Zeng Hu's words were clear and logical, neither too fast nor too slow.
Entering the school, learning literature and martial arts, like Zeng Hu and others who originally only knew how to play with mud and fight, gradually became much more stable, having a small adult-like appearance.
"Lu's merchant group has arrived, I wonder if Lu Qiushui is with them?"
Muttering to himself in his heart, Zhao Ji called out to Zeng Hu: "Since we have guests arriving, let's go and welcome them."
It's been less than half a month since Luo's merchant caravan came over last time, and now they're here again. This kind of efficiency and speed really caught Zhao Ji off guard.
Out of the door and gone, arrived at the center of the village, where the shadow of the children playing in the village was no longer seen, a horse-drawn carriage loaded with goods stood quietly.
It seems that this time, the goods brought by Luo's merchant group are much more than last time. Zhao Ji came out when the villagers were trading with the merchants.
His gaze swept through the members of the merchant group, and Zhao Ji indeed saw Luo Qiushui's figure. He patted Zeng Hu's head, letting him go play on the side, then walked straight towards Luo Qiushui.
"Luò girl, you're leading the team yourself again."
Zhao Ji smiled and greeted Luo Qiushui as he approached her.
"Yes, it just so happens that our caravan is coming over, so I'll come along too. Besides, there's something important I need to tell Big Brother Zhao."
Lu Qiu smiled lightly, her eyebrows and eyes like a painting, pretending to be nonchalant.
"Oh, something important, I wonder what it is?"
Zhao Ji's eyebrows rose in surprise as he said.
"More than a month ago, Luo's merchant group was ambushed by the Wind Chasers, but thanks to Zhao's timely assistance, they were able to turn danger into safety."
Lu Qiu Shui's face was tinged with a hint of nostalgia as she whispered to the cold and elegant CEO who had been pestering her.
"Hey, didn't I tell you earlier not to mention this again?"
Zhao Jihu's face sank.
Lu Qiushui gave Zhao Ji a cold glance and said, "Don't interrupt me, listen to what I have to say. What I'm going to say next has something to do with that day's matter."
So Zhao Ji didn't say much more and listened carefully, only then did he learn that the Wind Chaser thief case had undergone many changes afterwards.
In the city of Sifang, the Luo family is also a relatively influential family, with business ranking in the top three in the city. On the Divine Turtle Island on the edge of the Wu State, having money allows one to build private forces.
The actions of the Wind Chasers have enraged Luo Zhongshan, who has united with the forces in Sifang City to strike back at them. For a month now, both sides have been openly and secretly fighting each other, their conflicts never-ending.
As the largest bandit force within a hundred miles, the Pursuing Wind Thief's strength is not weak, but compared to the five major families in Sifang City, it is still much weaker.
Inside Sifang City, there are five major families: the Luo family, the Lu family, the Guan family, the Gu family, and the Lü family. It can be said that these five families control the entire Sifang City.
Among the five families, the Gu family has always held the position of city master, officially known as the prefectural master. The Lu family occupied a deputy city master position, equivalent to vice-city master. These two families are the official powers.
The other three families, Luo's family, Guan's family and Lü's family, were founded on commerce, their power was not necessarily smaller than that of the Gao and Lu families.
Wind Chaser's strength is not weak, within the jurisdiction of Four Sides City, they have been committing crimes and evil deeds for over a decade, and the reason they haven't been eradicated yet, aside from their extreme strength, is also related to the fact that they haven't touched the interests of the five major families.
A month ago, the Wind Chaser thieves suddenly went mad and dared to intercept the Luo family's merchant caravan, which provoked the wrath of Luo Zhongshan, causing the five major families to strike at the Wind Chaser thieves, with a momentum that was overwhelming.
After a month of confrontation between the two major forces, the five families generally had the upper hand, causing no small loss to the Wind Chasers. However, it was not too possible to completely annihilate the Wind Chasers.
As a bandit who has survived for many years, the Wind Chasers have not been annihilated, they must have their own clever ways. They come and go like the wind, and even if the five major families control one side, it is very difficult to eradicate them.
You come and go, fighting for a month, the Wind Thieves can't hold on first, and news comes out that they want to make peace with the five major families. The five major families, although they have the upper hand, also suffer significant losses and find it difficult to continue, so both sides reach a reconciliation agreement.
Three days later, both sides will meet at Moluo Yuan for a peace talk. Luo Qiushui has come here on behalf of Luo Chongshan to invite Zhao Ji to attend this peace talk.
"I see."
The scene between the Five Great Families and the Wind Chasers was like a magnificent martial arts story, which broadened Zhao Ji's horizons. However, regarding Luo Zhongshan's invitation for him to go to Mo Li Yuan to attend the peace talks, he had many doubts and concerns.
"This time's truce is between your five families and the Wind Chasers. What reason is there for me to be involved?"
Zhao Ji hesitated for a moment and asked with furrowed brows.
"Brother Zhao, I heard my father say that this time's peace talks are the largest martial arts event in the Four Sides City's sphere of influence in nearly thirty years. It's an opportunity not to be missed. Your martial skills are exceptional, and in the future, you'll inevitably have to travel the jianghu (martial world). It would be beneficial for you to broaden your horizons and learn about various people's and factions' martial arts."
Luo Qiushui explained and invited Zhao Ji enthusiastically.
After listening to Luo Qiushui's words, Zhao Ji felt that they made a lot of sense. He thought about it for a moment, weighed the pros and cons, and finally nodded: "Alright then, I've decided to go to this meeting."
