Wuxia: Starting Off With 60 Years of Inner Strength

This is the "Joy of First Sight."

The fried fish is removed and set aside. Fresh oil is added to the wok, along with a medley of seasonings to create a flavorful base, before the fish is returned to the pan.

The wok once again erupts with a SIZZLE.

This is the "Joy of Reunion."

Next, broth is added, and the fish is left to stew, allowing its aroma to seep into the liquid.

Once the broth boils, the fish meat becomes tender and succulent. Yet, having been fried, it holds its shape without falling apart.

Now, both the fish and the broth are transferred to a large serving bowl, topped with dried seasonings like chili flakes, and brought to the table.

For the final touch, a ladle of hot oil is poured over the dried seasonings right in front of the customer.

This produces another flurry of CRACKLES and POPS.

And this is called the "Joyful Encounter"!

The resulting dish had a broth rich with the essence of fish, and the meat was delicate and tender. After soaking in the broth, the skin was no longer crispy, but had become soft, springy, and delightfully chewy. The combination of savory and spicy flavors was exquisite, leaving a lingering, unforgettable taste.

Of course, one dish wasn’t enough.

They followed it with an order of Steamed Silver Shuttle Fish, along with a variety of the Golden Goblet Tower’s other signature dishes.

They had the waiter bring over several jars of fine wine, then waved him away.

They had chosen a good table, right by the window, which offered a view of the scene over Three Rivers Bend.

The river’s surface rippled as boats passed back and forth. The pier bustled with activity, and gazing into the distance was a refreshing sight.

After dismissing the waiter, they were admiring the scenery when they heard a sharp CRACK.

It was the sound of a storyteller’s gavel.

The sound drew the attention of Jiang Ran and his two companions. They turned to see a storyteller sitting ramrod straight not far from them on the second floor. After rapping his gavel to quiet the room, he began his tale in a slow, deliberate voice:

"Last time, we told of how Jiang Ran, with a single fluid motion of his blade, cut down two masters of the Feiyun Stronghold!

"The pitiable Sixth Master, Guan Miaomiao, who adored the Seventh Master, Hua Wushang, lost all composure upon seeing him fall. In her rage, Jiang Ran seized her and snapped her neck.

"The remaining masters were overcome with rage... Jiang Ran had killed their dearest friends and sworn brothers! How could they allow him to continue his brutal slaughter?

"With a furious roar, they..."

Jiang Ran listened, rendered speechless for a moment. It was that story of the Cangzhou Heroic Assembly again.

All along their journey, they had occasionally heard Chapters from the Cangzhou Heroic Assembly, which had been "revised and polished" by the grandmasters of storytelling.

On the whole, the tales didn’t actually deviate much from the facts.

It was just that the telling was wildly exaggerated.

Things like, "When Jiang Ran brandished his saber, the very wind and clouds changed color," and "as his blade fell, it called down a clap of thunder from the heavens—how could any mortal possibly withstand such power?"

The crowd listened with rapt attention, but Jiang Ran just thought to himself, ’The sky was perfectly clear that day. Where was I supposed to get thunder from?’

’Besides, if I really had that kind of power, I’d just light a few Seven-Star Lamps and change my own destiny. Why would I be running all over the place hunting people down?’

’Failing that, I could just find a drought-stricken region, perform a rain-making ceremony, and live a comfortable life.’

’After all, if my blade-work can make the clouds gather and the skies pour, isn’t that much more efficient than sacrificing some poor children?’

But every time he heard these stories, Jiang Ran couldn’t help but think of Ye Jingshuang and Mingyue.

Back then, those two were always begging to go listen to the tales of the Cangzhou Heroic Assembly.

But he had parted ways with both of them before ever actually getting the chance to take them to a storytelling session...

The kitchen was quick, and it wasn’t long before the waiter returned with their food.

Jiang Ran turned over a wine bowl and began to pour.

As soon as Li Tianxin saw the wine bowl, he shot Jiang Ran a look.

"You’re drinking again?"

Luo Qingyi also shook his head again and again.

The last time they had gone drinking, Luo Qingyi had gotten completely plastered. He’d spent the evening throwing up in a ditch outside the inn, and after he was finished, he simply passed out and slept there for the night.

To his dismay, neither Jiang Ran nor Li Tianxin had bothered to help him...

Fortunately, the weather was mild enough that sleeping outside wasn’t a death sentence.

Besides, with his level of Inner Energy, he was in no real danger.

Still, waking up next to a stinking gutter was not what he would call a pleasant memory.

"Come on, now. Don’t be a spoilsport."

Jiang Ran grinned. "Good wine with good food. It’s one of the great pleasures in life."

"...Your pleasure, you mean."

Li Tianxin rolled his eyes, then shot a look at Luo Qingyi.

"Just ignore him. Let him drink by himself... He could drink all of this and still not get drunk."

Luo Qingyi nodded emphatically in agreement.

’He just couldn’t understand it. They were both human, so how could Jiang Ran’s stomach hold what seemed like an entire river? How could he drink so much and never get drunk?’

’Whenever he had a hangover, his head would be pounding the next day.’

’But Jiang Ran would be full of energy...’

’It just wasn’t fair.’

Jiang Ran paid them no mind and raised his bowl.

"I’ll start us off."

He tipped his head back and, GLUG GLUG GLUG, downed the whole bowl. Jiang Ran smacked his lips.

"This wine’s got a kick... Li Tianxin, you’re not going to have any?"

"Not interested."

Li Tianxin picked up his bowl and ladled some of the fish soup into it, making sure to get some meat and skin. He brought it to his lips to taste.

The savory, spicy flavor was an excellent appetizer.

Just as his appetite was stirred, he suddenly heard a loud BANG.

A man’s furious voice roared out:

"That’s absolute nonsense!

"I met that Li Feiyun years ago! His skills are extraordinary; he’s no common martial artist.

"How could some young punk like Jiang Ran possibly be his match?"

They followed the sound and saw a burly man glaring daggers at the storyteller.

The storyteller, clearly a veteran of such confrontations, was incredibly experienced. The moment the man spoke up, he deftly ducked under his table. Peeking his head out, he said:

"Now, now, my good man, don’t be angry.

"Everything I’ve recounted is taken from the grandmaster’s own text on the Cangzhou Heroic Assembly.

"If you have a problem with it, you can take it up with the grandmaster himself!"

"Preposterous!"

The man raged, "If I could beat him, what would I need you for?"

"???"

For a moment, the storyteller’s eyes went blank with confusion.

Just then, the man took a single, powerful step. There was a loud CRASH as the storyteller’s table flew through the air, smashing into a nearby pillar and shattering into splinters.