Chapter Twenty-Two: The Rules

The martial arts world changed in the blink of an eye. The Money Gang seemed to have emerged suddenly from the very shadows of the underworld. They acted with extreme arrogance and enforced a code of their own, throwing the world of martial arts into chaos.

Yet, no matter how chaotic the world became, it could not reach the taverns and inns. On the contrary, because of the recent turmoil, these establishments became gathering places for those in the martial arts, growing livelier than ever.

In a remote corner of the world, the Fulai Inn sat by a main road connecting north and south. Because it saw many travelers from the martial arts circles, its business was quite prosperous.

In the dining hall of the inn, there was a small platform. An old man in a blue cloth gown was smoking a long-stemmed pipe while speaking in a booming voice: "Do you all know the most sensational news from the martial arts world? Do you know the great event that has recently occurred?"

Beside him stood a young girl with two thick braids. Her eyes were dark and bright; with a mere flicker of her gaze, it seemed as if she could steal a man’s soul. She asked, "Could the biggest event in the world be anything other than the Money Gang?"

As soon as the "Money Gang" was mentioned, the crowded dining hall fell silent. Every eye was fixed on the old man. People in the martial arts world would turn pale at the mere mention of the Money Gang. For an old man wandering the world to dare discuss them—was he tired of living?

Though the old man was thin and withered, his eyes were piercing. As he scanned the room, everyone felt as if he were staring directly at them.

"Hong'er," the old man said, puffing on his pipe. "The Money Gang is one thing, but there is another matter: the Plum Blossom Bandit!"

The braided girl said, "The Plum Blossom Bandit? I don't believe I've heard of him."

The old man smiled. "Then you are poorly informed. The Plum Blossom Bandit has appeared only twice in decades, yet the crimes committed by all the heroes of the greenwood across the two rivers combined do not equal what he has done!"

"Robbing wealth, violating women, plundering and looting—there is no evil he has not committed!"

The braided girl asked, "That severe? He must be a vicious, heinous villain, then?"

The old man sighed. "Not exactly."

"What is wrong with that?" she asked.

The old man replied, "The Plum Blossom Bandit is a woman."

A wave of murmurs erupted throughout the dining hall. The old man continued slowly, "Or rather, it is not just one woman, but a woman who has colluded with the dregs of the martial arts world. You could say the Plum Blossom Bandit is a group, led by a woman!"

"And she is the greatest beauty in the world, Lin Xian'er!"

The braided girl was shocked. "Ah? A woman, and she is that vicious?"

The old man added, "And the one who caught this woman and exposed her was none other than the Money Gang!"

The braided girl said, "So the Money Gang are the good guys? They actually catch criminals!"

The old man shook his head again. "The Money Gang did not capture the Plum Blossom Bandit for the sake of justice, but because the bandit violated their... rules!"

At the word "rules," the noisy hall fell silent instantly. The Money Gang and their rules seemed to possess a magical power that forced everyone to hold their tongues.

The old man tapped his pipe against a small booklet on the table beside him. On the cover were only two characters: *The Rules*. Every person in the martial arts world would change color at the sight of these two words. For the first character represented the Money of the Money Gang, and the second represented their Rules.

"The Money Gang has many rules," the old man said, "so many that they are almost tedious!"

Most of the martial arts practitioners in the hall nodded. The Money Gang’s rules were numerous and strictly enforced, not only on outsiders but on their own members as well. Obeying the rules brought the protection and rewards of the Money Gang. But if one failed to comply... once the money fell, heads would roll!

They were used to living freely, and now, the Money Gang’s rules were more numerous than those of the imperial government. How could they stand it? Yet they had no choice, for the Money Gang was simply too powerful.

Some in the martial arts world loathed the Money Gang’s rules, but even more disillusioned people flocked to join them. In the Money Gang, these individuals gained power, influence, and wealth; the only price they paid was obedience to the rules.

The martial arts world was thus torn; some welcomed the Money Gang, while others despised them. But whether welcomed or loathed, the Money Gang remained.

The braided girl said, "Grandfather, these are rules for the martial arts world to follow. What does that have to do with us?"

The old man suddenly laughed. "Hong'er, you are right. We are not people of the martial arts world!"

If they were not of that world, they naturally had no reason to worry about the Money Gang’s rules.

The braided girl continued, "Grandfather, everyone already knows what you've said. Stop exaggerating the Money Gang! They haven't given you any money!"

The old man chuckled. "If I only said what everyone already knew, you wouldn't be here listening to me!"

"Then what are you going to tell us?" she asked.

The old man said, "I am going to speak of the two leaders of the Money Gang: Li Xunhuan and Shangguan Jinhong!"

The two leaders of the Money Gang instantly captured everyone's attention. But suddenly, the old man stopped speaking.

The braided girl seemed anxious. "Why have you stopped, old man?"

The old man took a puff of his pipe and blew the smoke slowly from his nostrils.

The braided girl’s eyes flickered, and she clapped her hands. "I know! You want a drink!"

Not only did she understand, but the people in the dining hall understood as well. They began reaching into their pockets for silver, eager to hear the rumors about the two leaders of the Money Gang. The braided girl pulled out a tray from somewhere and began collecting the coins. It wasn't much—just bits of silver and copper.

Suddenly, a flash of gold flew from the second floor and landed on the girl's tray. It was a ten-tael gold ingot. Along with the gold came a clear, pleasant voice: "Well performed! A reward!"

The braided girl looked up to the second floor and saw two men drinking. The one in the brocade robe was the one who had thrown the gold.

"Many thanks, young master!" the girl called out.

The man in the brocade robe merely looked back and smiled at her. There was something bewitchingly evil in his smile that left the girl stunned. She had never seen a smile so strange.

The old man’s expression shifted when he saw the men on the second floor. He hadn't noticed them there before. He cleared his throat and continued: "The leader of the Money Gang is 'Little Li, the Third Rank Scholar,' Li Xunhuan."

"If there is a Little Li," the girl asked, "is there a Big Li?"

The old man nodded. "Indeed! Li Xunhuan comes from a family of high-ranking officials. Their lineage was illustrious, having produced seven successful candidates for the imperial examination over three generations, though unfortunately, none ever achieved the top rank of *Zhuangyuan*."

"By the time of the Li family's generation, the two young masters were exceptionally gifted and talented."

"The elder Li placed all his hopes on his two sons, wishing only for one of them to become a *Zhuangyuan* to make up for his own shortcomings."

"Alas... the elder brother took the exam and placed third—a *Tanhua*. Everyone was dispirited, hoping the younger brother would succeed. But fate is cruel; he took the exam and also placed third."

"Disappointed, the elder Li passed away within two years. Then, the elder brother fell ill with an incurable disease. Now, only..."