Wuxia: Starting Off With 60 Years of Inner Strength

"So I invited him back to the Water Stronghold, helped him recover his memories, and begged him... begged him to take me as his disciple."

Once these words were spoken, the discussions in the courtyard died down.

A moment ago, they could have claimed Jiang Ran was threatening him. But now, with such a detailed and plausible story, it was clearly not that simple.

Moreover, many people present knew that Zuo Mingqiu had indeed left the stronghold a few months ago.

He had been very secretive upon his return... which lined up perfectly with his story.

The man who had just spoken was stunned into silence.

After a long moment, he finally gritted his teeth and stomped his foot.

"Stronghold Master... you, you’re a fool!!"

"A fool?"

Zuo Mingqiu looked up at the man and laughed heartily.

"How am I a fool?"

"Fang Yinuo and his Three Rivers Gang are too powerful. Once the Three Rivers Water Token is issued, the three gangs and six strongholds must bow their heads and obey!"

"On what grounds?"

"Just because he’s a few days older?"

"The so-called Three Rivers Water Assembly seems fair... but is it really fair?"

"It’s nothing more than Fang Yinuo’s one-man show!"

"You say his martial arts are superior, that he surpasses all heroes and is fit to wield the Three Rivers Water Token... But tonight, when I fought him, he didn’t even dare to meet my palm strike! Do you still submit to such a gutless coward?"

"Everything I’ve done has been for you, for our Black Water Stronghold!"

"I want our Black Water Stronghold disciples to never again have to bow and scrape to anyone."

"I want you all to be proud of our Water Stronghold, to become the masters of this Three Rivers waterway!!"

As he spoke, his face twisted into a ferocious snarl, veins bulging on his forehead.

Just as his impassioned speech reached its peak, there was a loud SMACK.

Jiang Ran had slapped him on the back of the head from behind, cutting his grand declaration short.

Zuo Mingqiu was stunned for a long moment. When he turned to look at Jiang Ran, a flicker of fear appeared in his eyes.

Jiang Ran grinned.

"You can dress it up with fancy words, but it’s just naked ambition."

"I don’t know anything about your Black Water Stronghold’s affairs, and I have no interest in the feuds and entanglements of your Three Rivers waterway."

"At this point, I just want you to hand over this Three Waters Demon Lord. He and I may have some business to discuss."

Ruan Yuqing’s eyes lit up with understanding, and she nodded.

"If you’re talking about an Assassin’s bounty... the Three Waters Demon Lord does have a price on his head."

"But it’s been twenty years. Even if you took him to the Government Office now, I’m afraid no one would recognize him."

"Don’t worry, I have my ways."

Jiang Ran said this furtively, as if afraid someone might overhear.

Ruan Yuqing grew tense just listening to him.

"What ways? Do you have someone on the inside?"

"Something like that."

"..."

Fang Li felt that there was something strange about their conversation.

’And why am I also speaking so cautiously, just like him? Who am I worried will overhear?’

Fang Li perked up his one remaining ear and listened for a long while before it dawned on him.

’So Brother Jiang has connections in the imperial court.’

The situation seemed to have reached a stalemate.

No one knew what kind of business Jiang Ran could possibly have with the Three Waters Demon Lord.

Besides, Zuo Mingqiu was the one who brought him back. Who knew where he was now?

Just as everyone was looking at each other in confusion, Jiang Ran suddenly looked up at the eaves of a nearby roof.

An old man was strolling along the top of the roof, one hand behind his back. He silently watched the scene unfold below, sighing softly, his eyes filled with the disappointment of seeing something utterly hopeless.

Jiang Ran pondered for a moment before asking,

"Hey, you on the roof striking a pose. Are you the Three Waters Demon Lord?"

At his words, everyone in the courtyard looked up.

The man who had questioned Zuo Mingqiu earlier turned deathly pale.

"The Three Waters Demon Lord... it really is the Three Waters Demon Lord!"

"He... he’s really still alive!!"

The next moment, he suddenly raised his arm and shouted,

"Disciples of the Black Water Stronghold, hear my command! Light the signal flares! Inform all members of the three gangs and six strongholds to come to our Black Water Stronghold and eliminate this demon!!"

Having said this, he looked back at the old man on the roof.

"Three Waters Demon Lord... we failed to kill you twenty years ago, but the three gangs and six strongholds of today are far stronger than they were! Get down here and meet your death!"

"Mm..."

The old man on the roof lowered his gaze, looked at him quietly for a moment, and said softly,

"If this old one is not mistaken, you seem to be called... Zhuo Fei?"

Zhuo Fei froze for a second, then sneered.

"Zuo Mingqiu said you had amnesia. It seems his treatment worked quite well."

"You can even remember a nobody like me so clearly."

"Mm, you kneeling at my feet to lick my shoes left quite an impression on this old one."

"Speaking of which, I believe this old one also had the pleasure of enjoying your sister..."

"Twenty years have passed. She was quite a looker back then, but now she must be old and faded."

"Did she get married?"

A smile touched the corners of the Three Waters Demon Lord’s mouth.

"She had some fine skills. This old one was very fond of her."

"You shut your mouth!!"

Zhuo Fei’s face was ashen with rage. With a CLANG, he drew his longsword and charged forward to attack.

But the Three Waters Demon Lord just chuckled, extending his hand and making a grasping motion with his fingers hooked like claws.

Zhuo Fei’s body suddenly accelerated, but his controlled posture instantly collapsed.

Like a young swallow flying into the woods, his entire body shot toward the Three Waters Demon Lord’s hand, which clamped around his neck.

"Twenty years ago, your martial arts were pathetic."

"Twenty years later, you’re still not worth mentioning..."

"It’s truly laughable."

"Stronger than you were? This old one wanted to be impressed, but you people still don’t have what it takes."

After saying this, he didn’t kill Zhuo Fei immediately. Instead, he looked out at the crowd.