Volume 1, Chapter 6: Paying Respects to Third Master Tiger!
Three thousand years ago, the world was ruled by a single kingdom: Shang.
But no empire lasts forever. Dynasties rise and fall as a matter of course. The great Shang plunged into chaos, and the world became unstable.
Five hundred years ago, various human factions rose to power. Many heroes emerged, fracturing the once-mighty Shang. In the north, the Great Zhou was established; along the eastern coast, the Great Qi rose to form its own nation. Numerous frontier lands, such as the northern deserts and western borderlands, seized this opportunity to declare independence.
Yet the descendants of Shang were not all weak. This era’s mighty lord, Shang Ying, fought valiantly to restore the shattered Shang dynasty in the southern lands of Shen Zhou. In the end, he expelled both the Great Qi and the Golden Khan of the western border from the southern territories.
From then on, the nation reclaimed its name: Great Shang.
People found it cumbersome to refer to the empire by its full title, so they began naming it by region: Northern Zhou, Eastern Qi, and Southern Shang.
Within the Shang dynasty itself, those who considered themselves the true heirs called their realm the Ancient Southern Shang, encompassing the entire southern Shen Zhou.
This realm was divided into three regions and fifty-eight bureaus: the Shang Court domain, where the capital was located; the Western Watch domain to the west; and the final domain, the Vast Sky region, mainly controlled by the River and Sea faction.
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At dawn, Chang Le Street.
Su Ming stood before the mansion, gazing at the sprawling courtyard that stretched a thousand feet deep. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
Compared to Zhan Hua Street, a place known only for its debauchery and revelry, Chang Le Street was leagues above—like night and day.
This area was under the jurisdiction of one of the thirteen faction leaders, the formidable Tiger Third Lord, and the wealth flowing through here was immense.
“Go, knock on the door.”
Liu Lecheng immediately stepped forward, slipping some silver coins into the hands of the two guards at the gate. “Please inform them that Su Ming requests an audience with Tiger Third Lord.”
The guard weighed the silver, then looked at Su Ming. “You must be Su Ming—the one who killed Tiger Third’s sworn son? Interesting. You may enter. Tiger Third Lord is waiting inside.”
Liu Lecheng felt a chill run down his spine. Though prepared, standing before this mansion still unsettled him.
A name carries a shadow.
The title Tiger Third Lord alone was enough to make any petty criminal think twice.
Su Ming nodded in thanks and strode into the courtyard, escorted to the main hall.
It was late, and the hall was dimly lit by two half-burnt candles flickering weakly, barely illuminating the corner they occupied. The silence was almost oppressive; the crackling of the flames sounded like ominous knocks on their hearts.
In the faint glow, Su Ming saw a broad-shouldered figure holding three incense sticks, trembling as he bowed deeply before a memorial plaque inscribed: “Sworn Son Shilin’s Tomb.”
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Though his features were obscured, the oppressive aura suffocated the room, stifling any breath of ease.
Liu Lecheng hesitated before stepping forward and respectfully addressing, “Tiger Third Lord...”
Before he could finish, two figures suddenly emerged from the shadows, flanking him. Sharp long blades pressed against his neck.
“Such boldness—to kill my sworn son and still come to see me! Do you think I’m some living Buddha?” The broad-shouldered figure slowly turned.
Su Ming finally saw his face: a commanding visage that demanded respect without uttering a word. Around fifty years old, his face was etched with wrinkles like coiling dragons, bearing the unmistakable mark of a seasoned ruler.
Outside, rustling sounds signaled the arrival of at least a dozen people.
In an instant, Su Ming judged that Tiger Third Lord must be a first-rank master—the overwhelming presence and aura leaving no doubt.
The two men restraining Liu Lecheng were also first-rank warriors. If a fight broke out here, none would likely walk away alive.
This situation could not be forced, certainly not openly.
“Today, I won’t cheat you. One life for one life. Whose life will it be—yours or his? The choice is yours.”
Liu Lecheng’s heart sank. To him, this was no real choice. No one would willingly trade their own life.
It was a naked ploy.
If Liu Lecheng died, his reputation would be ruined, and his career in the underworld ended. As for Su Ming, he never considered sacrificing himself.
“Tsk, tsk,” Su Ming said coolly. He found a chair, poured himself some tea, and replied, “I choose neither.”
“I don’t believe Tiger Third Lord has gathered such a grand show merely to claim my life.”
—Bang.
The chair beneath Tiger Third Lord shattered instantly. Rising with a cold sneer, he barked, “Your death would be too merciful. You deserve to be torn apart by five horses and tortured to the extreme.”
“Sounds fitting. If my son were killed, I’d do the same.” Su Ming nodded calmly, setting down his teacup. “But rather than that, I have a better proposal.”
“Before that, perhaps Tiger Third Lord should thank me.”
“What a joke! You killed my son and expect thanks? Have you explained all the rules of the world now?” Tiger Third Lord narrowed his eyes at the ever-calm young man.
Su Ming shook his head. “Shilin, under your name, has been secretly collecting protection fees and even extorting money from other faction leaders’ territories. Don’t tell me you’re unaware of this.”
Tiger Third Lord sneered, “So what? He’s my sworn son. If something happens, I’ll bear the blame.”
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“Bear? I’m afraid you can’t.”
Su Ming scoffed, unsheathing his sword and striking it on the table with a sharp clang.
“Besides the faction leader and three hall masters, you leaders are the most powerful. But Shilin has offended so many leaders over the years you can’t even count them on two hands. He simply hid behindI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.