Golden Bell Tower

The autumn rain drizzled down rustlingly, and half the patrons in the teahouse had already scattered. Chiefly, it was the caravan's contingent who had ducked far out of harm's way when the disciples of the Cangwu Sword Sect clashed with Qi Wuwang. Though they hadn't left entirely, they watched from a safe distance. Fang Shuwen picked up his teacup and took a sip. Glancing at the waiter behind the counter, he turned his gaze back and chuckled. "After all that fuss, it turns out this involves us too? "You two, just who on earth are you? Why are so many people looking for trouble with you?" The final question was addressed to the master and servant who had been under their protection the entire way. The two still said not a word... It had been like this all along the journey. They never said much to the people of the Lu'an Escort Agency, and remained tight-lipped about their ties to Feixue City. No matter what kind of trouble found them, neither ever showed the slightest panic. To tell the truth, this last part was peculiar. Although the Lu'an Escort Agency had a bit of a reputation, it was nothing compared to major gangs like the Fierce Tiger Gang. Yet these two showed not a hint of fear. How could that not breed suspicion? Fortunately, they were very obedient. Whatever they were told to do, they complied dutifully, without the slightest resistance. Moreover, regardless of any secrets in their identities or their ties to Feixue City, Lu Guiyan had already accepted the contract. Second-guessing it now would achieve nothing. Fang Shuwen hadn't expected them to answer anyway. Having spoken his piece, he moved to rise. Lu Guiyan, however, gently pressed down on his wrist and looked toward Qi Wuwang. "Between you and our Lu'an Escort Agency, there has been no past grievance and no recent feud. Why bring bad luck upon us?" Fang Shuwen knew she meant to probe his background, so he was more than happy to take it easy. Lifting the teapot, he poured himself another cup. Qi Wuwang let out a soft laugh. "Taking someone's coin to solve their trouble, that's all. Someone wishes to invite these two for a trip. If the Young Chief Escort is willing to look the other way, then out of respect for Chief Escort Lu, I might just leave you all a way out. Otherwise... Young Chief Escort Lu strikes me as a rare beauty. I have yet to sample a woman like you." Lu Guiyan completely ignored the vulgar remark, merely furrowing her brow slightly. "Who wants to see them?" "That, I cannot disclose." "Then where do you intend to take them?" At that point, Qi Wuwang smiled. "It seems the Young Chief Escort isn't willing to let things slide. In that case, further talk is useless..." The moment the words left his mouth, just as he was about to make his move, he felt a sudden gust of wind sweep through the rain, surging toward him with overwhelming force. His heart leaped, and he jerked his head up—to see none other than Fang Shuwen! Their conversation had reached an end; there was nothing left to say. How could Fang Shuwen let this old bastard seize the initiative? Seeing that the man was about to strike, Fang Shuwen leaped into the air, executing Ascending the Blue Clouds—the lightness technique recorded in the Blue Cloud Steps manual gifted to him by Elder Shixian. With a single step, he was already airborne, unleashing a palm strike from above: Vajra Throws the Pagoda! The curtain of rain whipped wildly; before the palm even landed, raindrops pelted down ahead of it. Qi Wuwang, whose face had been full of murderous arrogance just a moment ago, experienced an instant change of expression. With no time to think, as Fang Shuwen's palm was already bearing down on him, he could only let out a furious roar and raise both hands to meet the strike head-on. Yet to his shock, the moment palms met, boundless immense force crashed down like thunder, coursing through his entire body in an instant. With a sharp squelch, the muddy water soaked by the autumn rain parted beneath his feet, and he was driven deep into the ground, leaving only his upper half exposed. Fang Shuwen flipped around and landed lightly, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. Could this palm strike of his really be met so easily? Blood seeped from Qi Wuwang's seven facial orifices. Left in such a state, his mind was utterly dazed. What happened? Oh, I've been pounded into the ground... Who is this guy? Why did he hit me? The instant the questions arose, an all-consuming agony tore through every meridian in his body. That single strike from Fang Shuwen had shattered all his meridians. Shock and fury gripped him, followed by an uncontrollable wave of dread that flooded his heart. Fang Shuwen glanced back at Lu Guiyan. "You can keep questioning him now." Lu Guiyan clicked her tongue. Though this wasn't the first time she had seen Fang Shuwen fight, it was still breathtaking. Not far off, the merchants and guards couldn't help but gasp in astonishment. Truly, there is always a master above masters, a mountain higher than mountains! Qi Wuwang had broken the Cangwu Sword Sect's Eight Directions Wind and Rain Sword Formation with effortless ease, demonstrating formidable martial arts. Yet who would have thought he couldn't even withstand a single palm strike from this young man, who had planted him straight into the dirt? Many stole glances at Fang Shuwen, trying to etch his features into their memory. Lu Guiyan walked out of the teahouse and came before Qi Wuwang. "Who is it that ordered you to take them?" Qi Wuwang looked at Lu Guiyan standing right before him, knowing he was completely finished this time. Having committed wicked deeds in the jianghu for years, he had long anticipated this day would come sooner or later. Hearing her question, he had no intention of stubbornly resisting. "I don't know specifically who it was. The commission came through the Golden Bell Tower." "The Golden Bell Tower..." Lu Guiyan sighed softly. Fang Shuwen blinked. "What's the Golden Bell Tower?" Lu Guiyan was taken aback before realizing: Fang Shuwen was Mo Beidou's sixteenth junior brother, a youth hailing from the Four Seas Martial Hall, so naturally he wouldn't possess such worldly knowledge. Seeing his profound martial arts, she had forgotten his background. She immediately explained to him, "In the jianghu of our Eastern Domain, aside from the Seven Great Sects, there are also some hidden organizations. Most of these organizations are unknown to the general public, yet among a select few, they hold immense renown. The Golden Bell Tower is one such entity. They are an exceedingly delicate broker organization that takes on all sorts of commissions and delegates them to suitable individuals, merely pocketing a share of the commission fee. However, they accept any business, spanning both the underworld and the upright path, and their roots run deep. There is a saying that describes them: 'When the golden bell rings, turmoil shakes the nine directions.' This organization stays deeply concealed and relies on strictly one-way, single-line contacts. Tracking them down would be far from easy." Besides, Lu Guiyan was not particularly keen on seeking them out. A single Fierce Tiger Gang was already enough of a headache; if the Golden Bell Tower were added to the mix, what strength did the Lu'an Escort Agency possess to contend with them? Fang Shuwen might have the ability to make the Golden Bell Tower wary... but why should he be dragged into opposition against such a power over a matter like this? Just because she had promised him that so-called generous reward? Lu Guiyan was clear-headed. The only reason they had made it this far was Fang Shuwen. Without him, every single person in the Lu'an Escort Agency would already be dead. Before repaying that debt of gratitude, dragging Fang Shuwen into peril instead would be biting the hand that fed her. Lu Guiyan could never bring herself to do such a thing. Moreover, even if they did track them down, it likely wouldn't help. The Golden Bell Tower had very probably received the commission from someone else, and through who knew how many hands it had passed before landing on Qi Wuwang. Investigating it would be anything but simple. And so, reaching this point, she had no desire to question him further. Instead, Fang Shuwen spoke up: "Then where did you originally plan to take them?" Qi Wuwang looked up at Fang Shuwen and uttered three words: "Autumn Moon Nunnery!"