Chapter 56: The Kunwu Blade, Part 5

Min Fengpao listened to this and disagreed, saying, "Last night, he didn't know the Kunwu Blade was on me, nor did he know what the Kunwu Blade was. Finding it inconvenient to search for it at the time, he pretended to save us to get close, clearly harboring ulterior motives. This man’s background is unknown; it would be best not to trust him too much."

Zhu Weiyuan shook his head and said, "My judgment of people rarely fails. Master Jian is like a great benefactor of our Heba League; he possesses unfathomable skill in chess and is certainly not a treacherous person. Master Min, you should not doubt him." Min Fengpao remained stubborn: "Regardless, this man’s skills are somewhat strange and he is far too mysterious. How could it be such a coincidence that he appeared at the Suizhou inn and Snake Mountain at the same time? He was clearly following us. This man is unsettling. We can be polite to him in the future, but we must remain secretly vigilant." Hearing this, Zhu Weiyuan shook his head and said nothing more.

Now, Jian Liang found Min Fengshan, bowed, and said, "Second Master Min, I have a favor to ask." Min Fengshan laughed and said, "Master Jian, just say what you need; why use the word 'favor'? Anything within my power, I will do my utmost." Jian Liang said gratefully, "Thank you, then. I am a stranger here and unfamiliar with the area, so I need you to help me arrange things. Do you know the owner of the tavern at the Yellow Crane Tower? I wish to lease a space there."

Min Fengshan heard this and asked in surprise, "Master Jian, you enjoy visiting the Yellow Crane Tower; you can just go there to drink and admire the view in your leisure time. Why occupy a fixed spot? Is there another purpose?" Jian Liang replied, "Indeed. I intend to set up a chess board at the Yellow Crane Tower, place a wager, and challenge the masters of the world."

Min Fengshan was astonished: "So Master Jian is also skilled in the way of chess." He then realized, "It was my oversight; I did not know you were short on funds. I will send fifty taels of silver to your room later. There is no need to gamble for money and endure such hardship."

Jian Liang shook his head: "Second Master, you misunderstand. My setting up the board at the Yellow Crane Tower has another purpose—to draw someone out through chess. It is difficult to explain the details right now, but you will understand in time." "Oh!" Min Fengshan said blankly, "If this is the reason you came to the Yellow Crane Tower, you must be a master living apart from the world, and your actions must have their own logic. I will simply follow your wishes."

Min Fengshan continued, "The Yellow Crane Tower is a famous site, managed by the Wuchang Prefecture government and leased to a wealthy merchant to operate a restaurant. The owner is an acquaintance of mine. I will speak to him tomorrow; we can just borrow a spot, no need to lease it. If you become famous for your chess, you will attract many customers, and the restaurant’s business will surely flourish. The owner will be more than happy to have you."

Jian Liang was delighted: "That would be perfect. I leave everything to you, Second Master." Min Fengshan said, "A mere trifle, I can handle it. Tomorrow, I will have someone bring one hundred taels of silver as a stake. Whoever has the skill can come and win it. We must make a grand display; since I am doing this for a friend, it must be done with flair."

Jian Liang laughed: "You have thought of everything. I thank you, but please rest assured, no one in this world will be able to take that hundred taels from my board." Min Fengshan was startled, exclaiming, "So Master Jian is not only a marvel of the martial arts world but also a top-tier master of chess! Truly admirable!" Jian Liang smiled: "I dare not claim to be a martial arts marvel, but I can play a few moves."

Min Fengshan, still surprised, said, "Since you have such a penchant for chess, I will have everything ready by tomorrow. You may sit at the board and play against others."

Jian Liang said happily, "Excellent! I hope you will be there to oversee the scene." Min Fengshan laughed, "Naturally." Suddenly recalling something, he added, "Oh, speaking of setting up a board at the Yellow Crane Tower, I almost forgot—someone is already playing chess there." Jian Liang was taken aback: "Who is it? Why have I not seen them these past few days?"

Min Fengshan said, "There is a man named Xie Guyan who specializes in setting up a chess stall at the Yellow Crane Tower during the first ten days of every month. Tomorrow is the first, so you will see him." Jian Liang asked in surprise, "I didn't expect someone to have beaten me to it. How does he set up his games?"

Min Fengshan explained, "Xie Guyan always uses thirty taels as a stake, and challengers can bet five or ten taels. If they lose, they walk away; if they win, they double their money. Xie Guyan has some skill and rarely loses, playing one or two games a day. He is clever; those who are truly masters of chess look down on fighting him for a mere few dozen taels. Only those who have learned a few tricks and think themselves skilled, greedy for the prize money, come to play and end up losing their silver to him. He goes to the tower rain or shine; it has become a routine. He attracts many chess enthusiasts from nearby counties and always wins some silver. He is an old hand at this." Jian Liang laughed: "He supports his family through chess—not a bad way to earn an income. Since the precedent is set, it will be much smoother."

Jian Liang then worried, "However, this will inevitably look like I am competing with him for his livelihood, which may not be appropriate." Min Fengshan nodded: "Master Jian, you are right."

After a moment of thought, Min Fengshan said, "It doesn't matter. Tomorrow, I will have someone send him one hundred taels, and tell him not to come for the time being." Jian Liang shook his head: "That wouldn't be good either." He then nodded: "Let’s do this: he sets up his board to make a living, which is different from my purpose. Whatever I win at chess, I will give to him. Once my business is concluded, I will return the spot to him. I am only taking it over temporarily; I won't let him suffer a loss."

Min Fengshan nodded: "That is also acceptable. As long as you defeat him on the board and offer these generous conditions, Xie Guyan will have no complaints." Yet, he wondered inwardly why Jian Liang was doing such a strange thing.

That night, Jian Liang slept soundly in his room, knowing that Zhu Weiyuan would handle any common thieves, and the five Red-robed Lamas had promised to find another way to seize the Kunwu Blade and would no longer hurt people easily. Jian Liang had also promised not to intervene, so he slept peacefully. The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, the group was having tea in the hall. Min Fengpao breathed a sigh of relief: "After a safe night, it seems no one dares to come for the Kunwu Blade anymore. Those thieves have learned their lesson." Min Fengzhong added, "I don't know what method Master Jian used to drive those Red Sect Lamas away, but they seem frightened and have likely returned to the Western Regions." Min Fengpao looked happy: "There shouldn't be any more trouble."

Zhu Weiyuan said anxiously, "Although it was quiet last night, we are not safe yet. The five 'Subduing Dragon Venerables' of the Red Sect will not give up easily." Min Fengpao heard this and panicked slightly: "Are these Western sorcerers really that persistent? I... I would rather sacrifice my own life than hand over the Kunwu Blade to them for nothing." Jian Liang frowned and shook his head, drinking his tea in silence.

After tea, Min Fengshan stood up: "Today, I am going to the Yellow Crane Tower with Master Jian to handle some business. We will be going ahead." Zhu Weiyuan cautioned, "You two should return early and watch out for those lamas on the way." Jian Liang and Min Fengshan acknowledged this and left Lotus Pavilion for the Yellow Crane Tower.

On the way, Jian Liang said to Min Fengshan, "Your brother is too stubborn. Why cling so tightly to the Kunwu Blade? Not to mention others, even he cannot sleep soundly at night. I hope you will persuade him to give the blade to the lamas; he wouldn't be losing anything. Those lamas are unpredictable. I can block them the first time, but I cannot guarantee the second."

Min Fengshan sighed, "Since my brother obtained the Kunwu Blade, Lotus Pavilion has known no peace. I tried to persuade him privately yesterday, but he is too attached to the object. I have no choice; I will let him be."

Jian Liang said, "If it were an ownerless object, keeping it would be one thing, but those lamas have clear claims. They are determined to have it, and they won't be easily dismissed." Min Fengshan replied, "My brother and I have lived half our lives; we don't expect to achieve great things with the Kunwu Blade. We only seek a peaceful life!"

Jian Liang remarked, "If only your brother thought like you, there wouldn't be so much trouble." Min Fengshan shook his head: "If it is a blessing, it is not a disaster; if it is a disaster, it cannot be avoided. Let it be." Jian Liang sighed inwardly.

Jian Liang and Min Fengshan arrived at the Yellow Crane Tower. Upon entering, they met a waiter whom Min Fengshan recognized and asked, "Wu Gui, has Xie Guyan come to set up his board again?"

Wu Gui replied busily, "Ah, Second Master Min! Are you here to watch the game? Master Xie is currently playing against Wu Ke, a master from Hankou. Please, go up quickly." Min Fengshan was delighted and led Jian Liang upstairs. They saw a crowd gathered, with sounds of admiration. Standing at the edge of the crowd, they looked in to see a middle-aged man in a square cap and green robes playing against a fat-faced, large-eared man. Min Fengshan whispered to Jian Liang, "The one in green is Xie Guyan." Jian Liang saw the man playing with focus and composure, and nodded.

At this time, the game between Xie Guyan and Wu Ke had reached the middle stage. Xie Guyan looked calm and quite confident, while Wu Ke already showed signs of anxiety.

After a few more moves, it was clear that Wu Ke had lost. He swept the board and sighed, "Last time, I lost ten taels to you by a single move. I went home and studied chess manuals for a month, and my skill improved. Who knew that this time I would lose twenty taels? If I had known, I would have kept the money for wine instead of handing it over to you for nothing. What bad luck!" Having said this, Wu Ke flicked his sleeves, pushed through the crowd, and left.