Chapter 1779: Rivers and Lakes Joys and Grievances

The Great Qin Dynasty, Central Plains.

The Black Wind Mountain Range stretches for a hundred thousand *li* along the border between Zhe State and Tai State, characterized by towering peaks and dense forests. Due to its strategic location, many merchants and travelers passed through here each year, and consequently, many robberies occurred. On this particular day, on a secluded path, a group of bandits was engaged in a fierce battle with the merchant caravan's guards. More than a dozen guards lay on the ground, arrows protruding from their bodies.

A burly, dark-faced man with a terrifying scar on his head wielded a pair of black axes, felling two guards. A pot-bellied middle-aged man trembled, his face ashen. A yellow liquid pooled around his feet; he had wet himself from fright. "Please spare my life, good sirs! Take all the money, just let me live!" the middle-aged man quickly pleaded for mercy, his voice trembling. The dark-faced man sneered, raising his axes to strike the middle-aged man. Just as the middle-aged man was about to be cut in two, a whooshing sound pierced the air. Several blue lotus darts descended from above, accurately striking the dark-faced man's hands. In excruciating pain, he dropped his black great axes, his face contorted with rage.

A tall young man in a blue robe and a beautiful young woman in a blue dress appeared. The young man held a long blue saber, and the young woman held a long blue sword. They were Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. This time, they had immersed themselves in the secular world of *jianghu*, acting as chivalrous heroes who sought to redress wrongs and uphold justice wherever they went.

"The Azure Lotus Duo, it's you! How dare you meddle with Black Wind Stronghold's business? You're asking for death!" the dark-faced man roared. No sooner had he spoken than a volley of arrows erupted from the bushes on both sides of the path, flying directly towards them. Wang Changsheng flicked his wrist, and a misty blue saber energy swept out, blocking the arrows from the left. Wang Ruyan, with a shake of her right hand, sent a wave of sharp sword energy flying forth, deflecting the arrows from the right.

With a muffled clang, the blue saber and blue sword met, crossing paths before striking towards the dark-faced man. As the other bandits attempted to intervene, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan simultaneously raised one hand each, sending a barrage of lotus darts flying, piercing through the bandits' bodies. A series of shrill screams followed as the dark-faced man's head rolled off and landed on the ground. His headless body collapsed, blood staining the earth. The middle-aged man was so terrified he collapsed onto the ground, his face pale green.

"Another merchant caravan is heading this way. You'd best look after yourself." Wang Changsheng picked up the dark-faced man's head, and together with Wang Ruyan, they departed from the scene.

E City was the capital of Zhe State, a bustling commercial hub frequented by numerous merchants and travelers. At the city gate entrance, more than a dozen wanted posters were displayed, all featuring notorious highwaymen sought by the authorities. The highest bounty, ten thousand taels of silver, was for the leader of Black Wind Stronghold.

Chen Dalong was a distant relative of the Prefect. Leveraging this connection, he served as a minor official responsible for opening and closing the city gates. On this particular day, just like any other, he was at the city gate enjoying a drink and some snacks. As citizens queued to enter the city, he "plucked feathers from passing geese," accumulating a considerable amount of confiscated goods—chickens, ducks, fish, and meat—over the course of the morning.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan approached him. Wang Changsheng produced a simple wooden box and said, "The head of the Black Wind Stronghold leader, for ten thousand taels of silver." Chen Dalong quickly stood up, his face full of obsequious flattery. He said, "Great Hero Wang is truly impressive! The Prefect has been waiting for you for a long time and wishes to speak with you personally." "Lead the way!" Wang Changsheng instructed. They were now chivalrous heroes, traveling around to eliminate highwaymen and distributing the bounty money to the poor.

A short while later, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Chen Dalong entered the county office and arrived at a secluded courtyard. Soon after, a middle-aged man with a dignified demeanor entered. "Alright, you're no longer needed here. You may leave," the middle-aged man instructed Chen Dalong, who repeatedly assented and then quickly departed. "Great Hero Wang, Madam Wang, your martial arts skills are truly exceptional. In less than half a year, you have consecutively eliminated twenty-seven highwaymen wanted by the authorities. Are you interested in serving in an official capacity?" The middle-aged man's tone was gentle. "Thank you for your kind offer, Prefect. My wife and I are accustomed to a life of leisure and are not suited for official service." Wang Changsheng politely declined. They simply wished to experience the life of a chivalrous hero, redressing wrongs and upholding justice.

The middle-aged man frowned and said, "How about this then? You could take a nominal position. That way, if you encounter any trouble in the future, it would be easier for this official to offer assistance." "No need. Our decision is final. Thank you for your kindness, Prefect." Wang Changsheng remained unmoved. A flicker of annoyance crossed the middle-aged man's eyes. He took out a silver note from his sleeve, threw it to Wang Changsheng, and said, "The bounty has changed. The head of the Black Wind Stronghold leader is only worth a thousand taels now. You may leave." Wang Changsheng showed no anger, accepted the silver note, and departed with Wang Ruyan. "Hmph, ungrateful fools. You'll get what's coming to you," the middle-aged man sneered, his face filled with disdain.

A year later, in a dilapidated mountain temple, dozens of ragged beggars had gathered. Their bodies were covered in grime, and a foul stench emanated from them. The temple doors pushed open, and Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan walked in. "The Azure Lotus Duo! Great Hero Wang, Madam Wang, you've finally arrived!" An elderly beggar, past fifty, stood up and quickly approached Wang Changsheng, his expression excited. Wang Changsheng took out several dozen taels of silver and handed them to the old beggar, saying, "Take this money to buy some food. Winter is approaching, so get some warm clothes as well." After saying this, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were about to leave. For years, they had specialized in hunting down highwaymen wanted by the authorities, exchanging them for bounties which they then distributed among the poor to improve their lives.

"Wait, Great Hero Wang, we don't want the money." The old beggar called out to Wang Changsheng. Wang Changsheng turned around and asked, "What do you want?" The old beggar suddenly scattered a cloud of blue powder towards Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan did not dodge and inhaled the blue powder.

"We want your lives, rebels! You've been poisoned with the Meridian-Dissolving Powder; surrender at once!" the old beggar cackled wildly. More than a dozen beggars drew their weapons and surrounded Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. "Rebels? Don't you dare slander us!" Wang Ruyan said coldly, her face stern. "Hmph, we recently apprehended a group of rebels, and they confessed that you are their leaders. We are acting under orders to bring you to justice. Prepare to die!" the old beggar sneered.

"Foolish! You accuse us of being rebels simply because we killed highwaymen who amassed wealth for the Sixth Prince? Ridiculous, haha, utterly ridiculous!" Wang Changsheng scoffed, his face full of disdain. A powerful spiritual pressure erupted from his body, sending the old beggar and the others flying backward, though without fatal injury. "The *jianghu* is no different after all, much like the world of cultivation." Wang Ruyan sighed. They had done many good deeds, only to be branded as rebels by the powerful, merely because they had eliminated the henchmen who gathered wealth for those in authority. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan transformed into specks of blue light and vanished, as if they had never been there. The old beggar and the others stood dumbfounded, speechless for a long time.