Chapter 123 Raising the Banner, Righteous Faction’s Lin Xiu

Xu Guang remained silent. He simply shifted his gaze back to Yue Liuchuan and said softly, "Since that’s the case, is Master Yue the only one here to challenge our Martial Arts Hall?"

His tone carried a hint of regret.

Yue Liuchuan’s face instantly contorted in anger. "Arrogant!"

Xu Guang’s expression was cold. Seeing the azure Power gathering on Yue Liuchuan’s fists, he muttered, "One punch!"

It was a feather-light punch, swaying gently like a weeping willow in the wind, completely unhindered. Yet, at the same time, it felt like an immovable mountain—irresistible and impossible to deflect.

Yue Liuchuan’s expression drastically changed.

BANG!

The one sent flying was Yue Liuchuan.

The surrounding spectators all paled. The might of a single punch was actually this terrifying! The name Xu Yixuan would now be renowned throughout Yuan City.

Xu Guang stood calmly in place, smiling at Yue Liuchuan. "My apologies. I didn’t expect you to be so weak. I used a bit too much force."

He paused, glancing at his brother-in-law, Wang Ming, before adding softly, "It seems you were just taking advantage of his exhaustion earlier."

The implication was clear: Yue Liuchuan’s previous victory had been dishonorable. After all, everyone knew Xu Guang’s group had traveled a long way from out of town, and the exhausting journey had left the Martial Artist injured beforehand.

Touched, Wang Ming knew Xu Guang was helping him save face.

Yu Qian’s pupils constricted slightly, but he quickly put on a smiling face. "Hall Master Xu has truly opened our eyes today. Congratulations on opening your hall."

The crowd echoed his sentiments in a roaring wave, "Congratulations on opening your hall, Hall Master Xu!"

Xu Guang placed one hand behind his back and extended the other forward, palm up. "If any other fellow martial artists wish to challenge the hall, you are more than welcome to try."

His voice slowly echoed across the courtyard.

However, with Yue Liuchuan serving as a cautionary tale, no one dared to step forward. Many of the resident masters from other halls were not even a match for Yue Liuchuan, let alone this man. To send Yue Liuchuan flying several meters and coughing up blood with just a single punch—such strength was surely on par with the masters of top-tier Martial Arts Halls.

Yu Qian glanced at the crowd and smiled. "Don’t misunderstand, Hall Master Xu. We simply heard that the Yixuan Martial Arts Hall was opening its Mountain Gate today, so we came to pay our respects."

His words offered an easy out. The representatives from the surrounding Martial Arts Halls quickly chimed in.

"That’s right! We came today not only to pay our respects but also to invite Hall Master Xu to join our Yuan City Martial Association."

Xu Guang smiled, ushering the Martial Artists—who had originally come to cause trouble but were now acting as mere spectators—into Yixuan Manor.

He naturally left everything outside for Song Tao to handle.

***

The Yuan City Martial Association was an alliance formed by the Martial Arts Halls within a three-hundred-mile radius of the city. They shared resources, supported one another, and in crucial moments, assisted the City Guard’s Mansion in fighting off the Northern Barbarians’ nomadic cavalry.

Xu Guang had no desire to get involved in any of this; he only wanted a stable life and to focus on his Cultivation. However, to properly integrate into Yuan City, he decided to join the association after some thought.

His assigned responsibility was merely to maintain the security of Xiaohe Village and two neighboring towns. Once he accepted disciples, they would naturally handle these duties for him, so Xu Guang didn’t pay it much mind.

The next day, the Yixuan Martial Arts Hall opened its Mountain Gate to recruit disciples.

Xu Guang selected over a hundred people. When taking in disciples, he didn’t care about natural talent; he only valued character and wealth. Out of these hundred, he planned to keep only about a dozen in the end.

Leaving the evaluation process entirely to Song Tao, Xu Guang immersed himself in Cultivation once more.

Spring passed and autumn arrived. A golden hue blanketed Yuan City, and caravans loaded with harvested wheat and various grains could be seen everywhere.

A carriage rolled slowly through the gates of Yuan City. Inside, Xu Guang sat across from Ji Xiaolu, who was cradling their nearly one-year-old son, Xu Zhan, in her arms.

Ji Xiaolu’s eyes were somewhat dazed as she gazed through the sheer fabric of the carriage curtains at the bustling streets outside. "Husband," she murmured softly, "I feel like our life right now is a dream. It’s so wonderful."

Xu Guang smiled gently. "It will only get better from here."

"Back in Feiyun City, I already felt like I had fallen into a honeypot, but I can hardly believe our life now," Ji Xiaolu said with a mischievous smile.

The deep affection in her eyes warmed Xu Guang’s heart. To him, the true satisfaction in life was ensuring the happiness of those around him.

She continued, "I wonder how Osmanthus Tower makes their Osmanthus Cake. I could never get tired of eating it."

"We’ll have your older sister steal their recipe later. Everything she makes is delicious," Xu Guang chuckled.

The couple exchanged knowing smiles, looking like a pair of sly foxes.

Beside them, little Xu Zhan babbled, sensing something slightly wicked in his parents’ expressions. "Bad, Mommy and Daddy bad!"

"You little rascal, you’re the one who eats the most every time!"

Outside, voices bubbled in a lively din. People carrying Weapons could be seen everywhere, yet brawls were surprisingly rare. The folk of Yuan City were fierce and rugged; situated on the border and suffering perennial raids from the Northern Barbarians, the city did not strictly ban Weapons.

Xu Guang was deeply satisfied with his current life. He spent his days focusing on his Cultivation, taking care of his wife, and watching his son grow. Yuan City remained untouched by the civil unrest in the Central Plains, sparing them from senseless disasters. Aside from the occasional bandits found just about anywhere, everything was perfect.

"Brother Xu, over here!"

Just as the carriage arrived at a restaurant, someone called out.

It was Yue Liuchuan.

Yue Liuchuan was a martial arts fanatic. Ever since his defeat at Xu Guang’s hands, he had visited Yixuan Manor several times. As a result, the two had struck up a fairly solid friendship.

Xu Guang furrowed his brows and lifted the carriage curtain. "Were you waiting for me, Brother Yue?"

Completely oblivious to the confusion in Xu Guang’s tone, Yue Liuchuan replied, "I heard from the junior disciples that you have a habit of bringing your wife and son into the city to eat, so I came to Osmanthus Tower specifically to wait for you."

Xu Guang signaled for Ji Xiaolu to put on her bamboo hat before they stepped out. He scooped up Xu Zhan and followed Yue Liuchuan upstairs.

"May I ask what urgent matter you have to discuss with me, Brother Yue?"

At these words, Yue Liuchuan’s expression darkened slightly. He lowered his voice and said, "Brother Xu, since you hail from the Central Plains, I wonder if you’ve ever heard of the Yellow Heaven Sect?"

Xu Guang’s heart stirred, but he maintained a calm facade. "I’ve heard of them. Why? Has something happened?"