Liu Zhengfeng knew Zhang Weihua and Shangguan Haitang’s background; if they said it was fake, then it must be fake.

Especially Shangguan Haitang, who is the adopted son of Zhu Wushi, the Iron-Blooded Marquis. He is a member of the imperial court and the head of intelligence monitoring the martial arts world.

Many people were dissatisfied with his retirement banquet today and were unwilling to come and get close to the Huashan Sect, which was actually related to Shangguan Haitang sitting on the Huashan Sect’s side.

The martial arts world and the imperial court are two distinct worlds, and it is most taboo to entangle them. Black is black, and white is white. Even if there is a gray area, you cannot do it openly in public.

“Young Master Zhang, are you telling the truth?” Liu Zhengfeng, who had already knelt down and was about to kowtow to express his gratitude, suddenly became somewhat angry.

If it’s fake, the financial loss is a minor matter, and the embarrassment and even death are not a big deal. But if the truth comes out later, that will be a real life-threatening matter.

“The rank of General is not fixed. General is an official title. At the beginning of our Great Ming Dynasty, the military officers who guarded the border areas were General and Deputy General, with no fixed number of personnel. The title of General was originally a dispatched title without rank. When there was a war, the General would wear the general’s seal to fight and return it after the war. Later, it gradually became a permanent military officer.”

From this dynasty onwards, no one could serve as a general without holding the rank of second grade. Even the ten most famous generals who guarded the empire for the emperor were all generals. A deputy general was considered a second-grade officer, while a deputy commander-in-chief was below the general, equivalent to a third-grade military officer. Do you think you can buy that position with money?

Zhang Weihao was truly speechless. Only a fool like Liu Zhengfeng would believe such a scam. This guy’s brain… well, how many people in the underworld have a good brain? Even the likes of Yue Buqun and Zuo Lengchan can become major villains and schemers. Ordinary extras probably only have this much intelligence.

Liu Zhengfeng realized he had been tricked, but he wasn’t completely clueless. He had asked the local prefect, with whom he had a close personal relationship, to get in touch with the governor—a legitimate official connection—which is why he believed it without question. Clearly, this wasn’t just a simple case of being swindled out of money.

“Speaking of which, should we continue with this ‘washing our hands of the trade’ thing today? Zuo Lengchan is Cao Zhengchun’s man,” Zhang Weihao muttered under his breath, offering a friendly reminder.

The movie version of Swordsman has this kind of setting, and Zhang Weihao incorporated both the TV series and the movie.

After all, there are many beautiful women in the movie. There’s Xue Qianxun, and Rosamund Kwan’s version of Ren Yingying. Even Lan Fenghuang was played by Fennie Yuen. The junior sister was first played by Cecilia Yip and then by Michelle Reis. The master’s wife didn’t appear. In the end, Liu Tao and Dilraba Dilmurat were given the role. It doesn’t seem like a bad choice. It’s better than Cecilia Yip.

That’s how it’s set up in the movie. Zhang Weihao came to participate in the famous scene of washing his hands of his criminal activities to confirm it, and unexpectedly, it turned out to be true.

Upon hearing that it was a fake imperial edict, Zhang Weihao was certain that it was a trap set by Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan Sect.

“Guards, seize them all. After I finish having dinner with my friends and attend the ceremony to ‘wash my hands of the criminal business,’ I will send them directly to the yamen for severe punishment.”

Upon hearing this, the faces of the group of officials and constables changed drastically. Just as they were about to flaunt their power, Zhang Weihai pulled out a gold token and said, “See this? This is the gold token of the Dragon Guard Manor. If you dare to continue impersonating a government official and deceiving people, your entire family will be wiped out, and no one related to you will be spared. This is to make an example of you!”

Upon seeing the familiar gold medal, Shangguan Haitang’s large, bright eyes widened in disbelief as she exclaimed, “This is my gold medal! When did it end up in your hands?”

“I don’t need yours, I’ll just borrow it for a moment.”

“I’m asking how it got into your hands!”

“Have you heard of the Five Ghosts Moving Technique?” Zhang Weihao said, then handed the gold medal back to Shangguan Haitang. There really was a gold medal? Doesn’t a death-exemption gold medal grant immunity from death?

Zhang Weihao instantly recalled many jokes he had seen in his previous life.

Liu Zhengfeng has quite a few disciples, most of whom are at the seventh or eighth rank. Although they are only third-rate in the martial arts world, they are definitely very effective against ordinary people. In some relatively barren places, they are enough to be mountain kings.

This scene was completely unexpected by the assembled heroes. Everyone looked at each other, speechless, their faces a mixture of embarrassment and astonishment.

Although the guests who came to Liu’s mansion were neither gangsters nor rebellious individuals, they were all renowned figures in the martial arts world and held themselves in high esteem. They had always looked down on the government. Now, seeing Liu Zhengfeng currying favor with the emperor and being grateful to be granted the title of “military officer,” only to be cheated out of a lot of money by a group of swindlers, their joy was in vain, and they even lost face in front of these heroes of the martial arts world. Some of them couldn’t help but show their contempt.

However, some older, seasoned veterans saw through the deception and thought to themselves, “Judging from this situation, he must have bought his official hat with gold and silver. I wonder how much gold and silver he spent to get the governor’s recommendation, or at least to get the prefect’s favor. And he still got cheated. The water behind this is probably very deep. I’m afraid today’s banquet will not be a pleasant one.”

Liu Zhengfeng walked up to the group of heroes, looking embarrassed, but still bowed to them with great poise, inviting them to take their seats.

But no one was willing to sit in the chief seat, so the central armchair remained empty.

On the left is Master Xia, the oldest martial arts master from the Liuhe Sect, and on the right is Zhang Jin’ao, the vice leader of the Beggars’ Sect.

Although Zhang Jin’ao himself did not possess any remarkable skills, the Beggars’ Clan was the largest gang in the martial arts world, and its leader, Shi Huolong, was highly skilled in martial arts and had a great reputation, so everyone respected him.

The heroes took their seats, and servants came up to serve dishes and pour wine.

Mi Weiyi brought out a tea table covered with brocade.

Xiang Danian held a golden basin, which was a foot and a half in diameter, in both hands and placed it on the coffee table. The basin was filled with water. Three gunshots were heard outside the door, followed by eight firecrackers.

The younger generation who were seated in the back hall and flower hall all rushed to the main hall to watch the excitement, including Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan.

Zhang Weihou and Shangguan Haitang are special cases, enjoying the treatment of renowned martial arts masters and sect leaders. Like Ning Zhongze, they sit in the main seat of the main hall, which is naturally different from disciples like Yue Lingshan.

As for the useless Aji, a coachman, he naturally stayed with a group of servants and didn’t even have the right to enter the back hall. He could only stay outside the door, eating some fruits and snacks and watching the excitement. If people knew his true identity, it would definitely scare the so-called senior experts in the main hall half to death.

Having adjusted his mindset, Liu Zhengfeng walked into the hall with a smile, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply. All the heroes stood up and returned the greeting.

Liu Zhengfeng said loudly, “Distinguished seniors and heroes, dear friends and young friends, I am deeply honored and grateful for your presence. Today, I will retire from the martial world and no longer concern myself with its affairs.”

Although some unexpected events have just occurred, Liu’s intention to leave the martial world remains unchanged. From now on, Liu Zhengfeng is leaving the martial world. If any of my disciples wish to join another sect, they may do so as they see fit.

“I, Liu, have invited you all here to be my good friends and to bear witness to this. In the future, when you come to Hengshan City, you will naturally remain my good friends. However, I will refrain from interfering in the various grudges and disputes of the martial arts world.” He then bowed again.

Seeing this, the assembled heroes each had their own thoughts, and for a moment, the hall fell silent.

In this situation, everyone should have congratulated Liu Zhengfeng and flattered him with phrases like “May he live a long and healthy life,” “May he retire gracefully,” and “May he be wise and courageous.” However, with more than a thousand people gathered together, no one spoke.

Liu Zhengfeng turned to face away and said loudly, “Disciple Liu Zhengfeng was accepted into the sect by my master and taught martial arts, but I have failed to bring honor to the Hengshan Sect, for which I am deeply ashamed. Fortunately, our sect has Senior Brother Mo in charge. I am mediocre, and my presence or absence makes little difference. From this day forward, I, Liu, will retire from the martial world. As for grudges and disputes among sects, I will never concern myself with them. If I break this vow, may this sword be my witness.”

Liu Zhengfeng flipped his right hand and drew a long sword from under his robe. With a snap of his hands, he broke the sword in two. He then let the two broken pieces fall to the ground with two soft hissing sounds as they embedded themselves in the blue bricks.

Upon seeing this, all the heroes were astonished. Judging from the sound of the two broken swords piercing the blue bricks, the sword was clearly a weapon capable of cutting through gold and jade. Breaking an ordinary steel sword with hand strength was not surprising for someone like Liu Zhengfeng, but to break a precious sword so easily and effortlessly demonstrated the skill of a first-rate martial arts master.

Mr. Wen sighed and said, “What a pity, what a pity!” It was unclear whether he was regretting the precious sword or the fact that a master like Liu Zhengfeng had retired from the martial world and stopped caring about worldly affairs.

Liu Zhengfeng smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and stretched out his hands to put the contents of the golden basin in, when suddenly someone outside the door shouted sternly, “Stop!”

Liu Zhengfeng was slightly startled and looked up to see four men in yellow shirts walking in through the gate.

As soon as the four men entered, they stood on either side, and then a very tall man in a yellow shirt walked in from between them.

The man held aloft a five-colored brocade banner, adorned with pearls and gemstones, which emitted a brilliant light when unfurled.

Many people recognized the flag and felt a chill run down their spines: “The command flag of the Five Mountains Sword Alliance Leader has arrived!”

The man walked up to Liu Zhengfeng, raised his flag and said, “Uncle Liu, by order of the Left Alliance Leader of the Five Mountains Sword Sect: Uncle Liu’s important matter of retiring from the martial arts world should be postponed for the time being.”

Liu Zhengfeng bowed and said, “But I wonder what the Alliance Leader’s intention is in issuing this order?”

The man said, “This disciple was acting under orders and was unaware of the alliance leader’s intentions. Please forgive me, Uncle Liu.”

Liu Zhengfeng smiled and said, “No need to be so polite. Nephew, you must be Nephew Qianzhangsong Shi?”

Although he smiled, his voice trembled slightly, clearly indicating that the matter had come very suddenly. Even though he had vaguely guessed something, he was still greatly shocked, despite being a man who had experienced so many battles.

The man was none other than Shi Dengda, a disciple of the Songshan Sect. Hearing that Liu Zhengfeng knew his name and nickname, he couldn’t help but feel proud. He bowed slightly and said, “Disciple Shi Dengda greets Uncle Liu.”

He stepped forward and bowed to Tianmen Daoist, Ning Zhongze, Master Dingyi, and others, saying, “Disciple of Songshan Sect greets all senior uncles and grand-uncles.”

The other four men in yellow simultaneously bowed in salute.

Master Dingyi was very pleased. She bowed and returned the letter, saying, “It’s all the better that your master came out to stop this. I always say that we martial artists value chivalry and righteousness. We can live freely in the martial world, so why must we leave it? But I see that Brother Liu has made all the arrangements and will not listen to the old nun’s advice, so I’ll save myself the trouble of saying more.”

Liu Zhengfeng’s expression turned solemn. He had already determined that all of this was a scheme by the Songshan Sect. He immediately flashed to the golden basin filled with water, put his hands in front of it, and said: “Back then, our Five Mountains Sword Sect formed an alliance, agreeing to help each other in offense and defense, and to maintain the righteousness in the martial arts world. When it comes to matters related to the five sects, everyone must obey the orders of the alliance leader.”

This five-colored command flag was jointly made by our five sects. Seeing the flag is equivalent to seeing the leader of the alliance, which is indeed true. However, my retirement from the martial arts world today is a private matter for me, Liu. It has neither violated the code of conduct of the martial arts world nor has it been related to the Five Mountains Sword Sects. Therefore, I am not bound by the leader’s command flag. Please convey to my esteemed master, Nephew Shi, that I, Liu, will not obey the command flag. Please forgive me, Senior Brother Zuo.”