SFS Chapter 8 The Wind Fills Qingyang
Chapter 8 The Wind Fills Qingyang
As the morning light pierced the thin mist, Qingyang City awoke.
But today's awakening is different from the past. A strange commotion permeates the streets and alleys, like cold water splashed into boiling oil, making a crackling sound.
North of the city, outside the main hall of the Seven Killings Society.
As dawn broke, porters and vegetable vendors who were up early to make a living passed by. Then they saw it—the heavy iron-clad wooden door was leaning and half-collapsed there!
A clear palm print dented the door panel, its edges jagged with splintered wood. Inside the courtyard, a scene of utter devastation was vaguely visible, but strangely, there was little smell of blood, only a deathly stillness.
A few of the bolder ones peered through the crack in the door, then gasped in horror and scrambled away.
"It's empty! It's completely empty inside!"
"They're all lying on the ground! They're all silent! Isn't that Wen Song? His eyes are still open..."
"Is it...is it those big shots from the Seven Killings Society?"
"Who else could it be but them! My God, is this divine retribution?"
Soon, more onlookers gathered around, pointing and whispering.
As time goes by, news of the Seven Killers Society will spread like a hurricane throughout the city.
"Have you heard? The notorious Seven Killers will be wiped out in one fell swoop!"
"My God...who's so generous?"
"According to members of the Seven Killings Society who escaped last night, it was that young master of the Chen family, Chen Xuan, who did it!"
"Chen Xuan? Isn't he a..."
"A sickly weakling? Ha! Haven't you heard? The other day, even Master Liu of the Black Wind Sect died at his hands! I heard it didn't even take more than a few moves."
"This... how profound must that be?"
"This Qingyang City... is about to change..."
Teahouses, taverns, breakfast stalls—such discussions were everywhere. Surprise, shock, fear, excitement… a mix of emotions mingled in the air.
For the first time, many people truly realized that the Chen family, which had been dormant for many years, seemed to have produced a remarkable hidden talent.
...
The private room on the third floor of the Happy Forest Casino.
The sandalwood scent still lingered, but it couldn't suppress the murderous intent that had almost solidified in the room.
Lei Bao, the "Mountain Pioneer," stood at the lower end of the table, his forehead dripping with cold sweat, which he dared not wipe away. Before him sat side-by-side a tall, thin man in a blue robe and a short, stout old man.
Lei Bao is the head of the Black Wind Sect under the leadership of "Black Heart Old Man," in charge of core businesses such as gambling dens and pawnshops in the west of the city. His powerful palm strikes can shatter rocks and split monuments, giving him a high status within the Black Wind Sect.
"Well done... Chen Xuan is truly remarkable!"
The iron gall bladder in the tall, thin man's blue robe had long since stopped spinning; it was gripped tightly in his palm, the knuckles making a slight cracking sound. His face was a chilling pale white.
"What a brilliant 'shock and awe' tactic! That old dog Wen Song has truly become a dagger plunged into our hearts!"
The short, stout old man sat opposite him, his usual warm smile vanished, replaced by a venomous chill. The cup of Biluochun tea in front of him was completely cold, the surface of the water utterly still.
He looked up at Lei Bao, who was kneeling on the ground, trembling like a leaf:
"Manager Lei, the Seven Killings Society is affiliated with your Black Wind Sect. Tell me, isn't the whole of Qingyang City probably laughing at your Black Wind Sect right now?"
Lei Bao pressed his forehead firmly against the cold floor tiles, his back soaked with cold sweat, and hissed:
"Your Excellency, tonight—no, right now—I will gather my men, raze the Chen residence to the ground, tear that brat to pieces! And drag that old dog Wen Song back to be burned as a torch!"
"Tonight?" The man in blue raised his eyelids slightly.
Are you confident?
"I..." Lei Bao was speechless. A single palm strike shattered the table, a night of peace... Chen Xuan's displayed strength far exceeded his expectations.
Although he still has nearly a hundred skilled fighters under his command, numbers may not be useful against experts of this caliber.
"It seems I'm not confident," the man in blue said calmly.
"The sect leader and Elder Snake will arrive by noon tomorrow at the latest. To ensure everything goes smoothly, in the meantime, what your Black Wind Sect needs to do is not to go and die, but to keep a close watch on them and tighten the net."
"The master will arrive tomorrow." The short, stout old man picked up the cup of cold tea again, his fingertips slowly tracing the rim, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
"What the Lord wants to see is not the Black Wind Sect, which is being watched by the whole city and has become a rat crossing the street, nor is it Chen Xuan, who is full of momentum and being hailed as a hero. What the Lord wants is what's in the Chen family."
He paused, put down his teacup, and looked at Lei Bao:
"Don't you still have a few loyal, ruthless dogs? Go, take the 'Netherworld Bone-Corroding Powder' bestowed by Elder Snake. We can't touch the Chen family for now, so let's target... those who are close to the Chen family."
Lei Bao suddenly looked up, a fierce glint in his eyes: "The envoy means..."
"Jishetang, the Su family. That old man Su is an old friend of Chen Zhan. He has good medical skills and is even more resilient. He has never given face to the Black Wind Sect."
The old man uttered a few words, calm and unmoved:
"I heard that old man Su went to the Chen residence yesterday to have his pulse checked? And his daughter even personally prepared the medicine? Since he's involved with the Chen family, he should be prepared to accept that."
"Go, smash up Jishetang, and 'invite' Old Man Su back. If his daughter is here too, 'invite' her as well."
"Furthermore, Old Snake is also somewhat interested in Old Su's ability to concoct medicines and detoxify. If he can't use it for me... then he'll be completely ruined."
A cruel smile curled at the corner of his lips:
"Let the whole city see what happens when they get involved with the Chen family. Once the Chen family and Chen Xuan lose their composure and reveal their weaknesses... that will be the time for Master and Elder Snake to close the net."
Lei Bao's face showed a mixture of realization and ruthlessness as he kowtowed heavily:
"Understood! I'll get on it right away! I'll definitely 'invite' that Su family father and daughter here!"
...
next day
The study in the inner courtyard of the Chen residence.
A young girl was pouring tea with her head down, her movements gentle and steady.
She wore a slightly worn, plain-colored dress. Her features were delicate, not stunningly beautiful at first glance, but her eyes were gentle and her skin was fair. In particular, her eyes were calm and serene, as if they were isolated from all the disturbances of the outside world when she was focused.
She gently placed the tea she had poured beside Chen Xuan, then quietly retreated into the shadows. If it weren't for the faint medicinal fragrance lingering in the air, one would almost forget her presence.
She is Su Wan, the only daughter of Physician Su of "Jishetang". Her father and Chen Zhan have been acquaintances for many years. His medical skills are well-known in Qingyang City. For many years, Chen Zhan's health has been maintained by Physician Su.
The air was filled with the aroma of medicine. Su Wan knelt on a futon beside the small stove, holding a palm-leaf fan, quietly watching the medicinal liquid bubbling on the fire.
Her temples were perfectly straight, and her profile appeared somewhat hazy in the rising medicinal vapors, but her eyes remained calm and focused.
Chen Xuan sat on a chair by the window, holding a yellowed book in his hand, but he didn't read more than a few lines.
His gaze occasionally swept over Su Wan's calm profile, and over her steady, gentle wrist as she controlled the heat.
Chen Zhan leaned back on the recliner in the inner room, closing his eyes to rest, but his slightly furrowed brows revealed his inner turmoil.
The news that Qi Sha would be destroyed had already been relayed back by Zhao Fu. He was well aware of the risks and benefits of this move, but since things had come to this point, he could only trust his grandson's judgment.
"Miss Su," Chen Xuan suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the room.
"My grandfather was frightened these past few days, and his pulse was slightly unstable. It is thanks to your father's skillful treatment and the calming soup that the young lady carefully prepared."
Su Wan paused slightly in her hand, raised her eyes to meet Chen Xuan's gaze, then lowered them again, and said softly:
"Young Master Chen, you flatter me. My father often said that it is a doctor's duty to heal the sick and save lives. It is the Su family's good fortune to be able to do our part. Old Master Chen is just worrying too much, and his blood and qi are slightly out of balance. With regular medication and proper care, he will be well again soon."
Her voice was gentle and calm, carrying a power that could soothe the mind.
"Miss Su is so kind." Chen Zhan sighed to Chen Xuan, watching Su Wan's profile as she prepared the medicine.
"You were in poor health a few years ago and often fell ill. Fortunately, Dr. Su from Jishetang pharmacy saved your life with medicine. Dr. Su took great care of you, and Miss Su often came along to bring you medicine and water. She was very attentive. She is a good girl."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan's gaze once again fell upon that composed figure.
The vague, warm fragments of his memories from his illness, imbued with the scent of medicine, vaguely surfaced, giving him a sense of natural familiarity and gentleness towards the woman before him, stemming from the past.
Chen Xuan nodded, about to speak again.
At this moment, Zhao Fu rushed in again, this time with a more serious expression and even a hint of urgency.
"Young Master, Master," Zhao Fu said in a low voice, "something has happened at Jishetang."
The palm-leaf fan in Su Wan's hand silently stopped in mid-air.
"Just now, an apprentice from Jishetang risked his life to bring this news," Zhao Fu said, his speech quickening.
"Just as dawn broke, a group of masked men stormed into Jishetang, smashing everything in sight and looting all of Mr. Su's treasured medicinal herbs and notes. When Mr. Su tried to stop them, he was severely beaten!"
"Father!" Su Wan's face turned pale instantly. She stood up abruptly, not even noticing the palm-leaf fan in her hand fall to the ground. Her eyes instantly filled with tears and panic. She swayed, but managed to stand up and rushed towards the door.
"Miss Su, please wait a moment, I'll go with you."
Chen Xuan's voice rang out. He stood up, walked to Su Wan, looked at her pale face as she struggled to hold back her tears, and said in a deep voice, "Ms. Su is treating my grandfather. This matter is probably related to the Chen family. It is both morally and logically my duty to accompany her to see him."
Chen Zhan nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with worry and determination:
"Xuan'er, be careful! Their actions are intended to provoke you; there might be an ambush! You need to take more men with you."
"Grandpa, you don't need to worry, your grandson is fine on his own." Chen Xuan shook his head and straightened his cuffs.
Accompanying Su Wan, he stepped outside, his blue robes brushing against the threshold in the morning light.