Chapter 6: The Martial Contest for Marriage

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One of the four great heirs of the martial world, Hao Jingming, was holding a martial contest to find a husband for his daughter. Any man who was unmarried, physically fit, without a criminal record, and aged between twenty and thirty-five could participate.

This news instantly set the entire martial world ablaze. Life in the martial world was full of hardship, all striving for fame and fortune. Many eligible young men rushed over upon hearing the announcement. To amplify the event’s grandeur, martial contests for matchmaking were held across various prefectures, each setting up their own arenas for preliminary selections. Talented youths from all the regions eagerly signed up, hoping to win the hand of a beautiful lady.

Years later, Hu Yu would comment on this martial matchmaking, calling the rich heir’s daughter a femme fatale who turned the finest young talents into feral beasts in heat, tearing each other apart and unleashing a bloody storm across the martial world.

Because there were too many bachelors in the martial world, brimming with youthful arrogance and wielding ruthless blades, casualties arose even before anyone stepped onto the arena.

It began with a quarrel sparked by someone cutting in line. Zhang San, a slight young man, was standing at the front of the queue when Zhao Si, tall and corpulent, brazenly pushed him aside to cut in. Zhang San immediately lost his temper. “You bastard! Cutting in line is one thing, but stepping on my shoe? I don’t think you’re here for the contest; you’re here to die.”

If Zhao Si had apologized, Zhang San might have let him off. Instead, Zhao Si retorted loudly, “So what if I stepped on your shoe? If you keep making trouble, I’ll step on your foot next.”

“You’re asking for death!” Zhang San shouted, raising his fist to strike.

“Get lost!” Zhao Si’s eyes blazed with fury as he swung a mighty punch, sending Zhang San flying.

Zhang San crashed into the opposite tavern, striking the head of the sixty-year-old owner, Liu the Innkeeper. Liu had been daydreaming about taking a concubine for his birthday, his thoughts filled with his beloved daughter, Little Cabbage. But fate dealt him a cruel hand—he was struck down by a living man and died inside his own tavern, crossing over to the beyond.

The tavern’s patrons immediately surrounded Zhang San, who gasped, “It was Zhao Si who threw me in here!” Before he could say more, he spat blood and fainted.

Soon, Liu’s family and Zhang San’s kin formed a vengeful alliance, wielding weapons as they confronted Zhao Si.

“You caused my father’s untimely death. Either compensate us, or don’t expect to leave alive.”

“You injured Zhang San. Debts must be repaid. Murder demands blood. Pay with your life.”

“I have no money, only my life,” Zhao Si replied, broke and desperate. He could only fight with his fists—and he had two loyal friends, Wang Wu and Jia Liu. The three were soon enmeshed in the violent feud. The outcome was grim: Wang Wu severely wounded, Jia Liu fled, and Zhao Si met a brutal end—pierced through the mouth by a spear, slashed thrice on his back, and a hole hammered into his skull by a purple-gold war hammer.

On this warm, sunny morning, three lives were lost.

The ruckus outside the inn woke Xiao Bugui, who was peacefully asleep in his warm bed.

A new day had begun. Xiao Bugui felt refreshed, free from fatigue and filled with renewed strength. He emptied his chamber pot, then took the teapot on the table, drinking the cold tea in one gulp.

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At that moment, the door opened and Ma Zengsan entered. Seeing Xiao Bugui, he said, “Three people died outside. Do you know why?”

Xiao Bugui replied, “Was it a vendetta killing in the martial world?”

“No,” Ma Zengsan said. “It was over women and money. Come on, follow me downstairs. I’ll take you to eat.”

“Alright.” Hearing there was food, Xiao Bugui agreed immediately. But upon descending, Ma Zengsan pulled him into the crowded throng lining up to register for the martial matchmaking contest.

Xiao Bugui was puzzled. “Why are we here?”

Ma Zengsan replied, “You’re here to collect the martial world tokens, right?”

“Yeah,” Xiao Bugui nodded.

Ma Zengsan continued, “Collecting seventy-two martial tokens while traveling the land—don’t you need money for travel? For meals? For inns?”

“Yes,” Xiao Bugui nodded again.

“You may be skilled in transformation, but I know your changes only last an hour and drain your strength. Traveling and fighting in contests—you won’t manage it without proper support,” Ma Zengsan explained. “If you win the contest, we’ll have money. Then I’ll buy two swift horses and we’ll roam the martial world together, collecting the tokens.”

“Good.” Xiao Bugui nodded.

“Wait here. I’ll get you some meat buns,” Ma Zengsan said, then left his foolish apprentice behind and sneaked off into the tavern to drink and feast.

Meanwhile, Hao Meili stood atop the Star-Plucking Tower, gazing at the bustling crowd below. Her father had confined her to her room. Eight statues of the Vajra Guardians stood guard outside like formidable door gods. She said to her maid Qian’er, “Qian’er, put on my clothes, and I’ll wear yours. You pretend to be me lying in bed, and I’ll sneak out to see the excitement.”

Qian’er immediately refused. “Miss, the master said that if I let you escape without reporting it again, I’ll lose a year’s wages.”

Hao Meili bargained, “Hurry up and take off your clothes. We’ll swap. Your year’s wages are twenty taels of silver—I’ll pay you forty.”

Qian’er haggled back, “Sixty taels.”

Hao Meili shot back, “Fine. If you’re extorting your mistress, I’ll have my father sell you to some old, ugly bachelor.”

Frightened, Qian’er began unbuttoning her blouse. “Alright, I won’t dare. Miss, remember to come back before dark.”

“Qian’er, get me my embroidered shoes.” Qian’er lay down on the bed and called out. Hao Meili, dressed in Qian’er’s clothes, covered her face and slipped out.

On the street, Hao Meili immediately spotted the proclamation announcing Hao Jingming’s martial matchmaking contest for his daughter. Amid the crowd’s watchful eyes, she tore down the notice. Ignoring their scolding, she marched to the registration desk run by Manager Dong, snatched the list of contestants, and ripped it apart.

Manager Dong sipped his tea, trying to calm her. “Miss, don’t be angry. The master only wants what’s best for your future.”

“Everyone clear out! I’d rather die than marry!” Hao Meili shouted in fury, attempting to disperse the queue. Then she saw Xiao Bugui in the crowd.

Xiao Bugui naturally noticed Hao Meili too and smiled, waving at her.

Hao Meili approached him. “Xiao Bugui, why aren’t you at the Chang Le Palace competition? What are you doing here causing trouble?”

Xiao Bugui explained, “I’m here to earn travel money, food money, and lodging money.”

Hao Meili scoffed, “This is a martial matchmaking contest, not a charity for money. Don’t play dumb with me.”

Xiao Bugui asked, “What is a martial matchmaking contest?”

Hao Meili said, “Are you really that foolish? Are you going to the Chang Le Palace contest or not?”

“I will,” Xiao Bugui answered promptly.

“Good. Then follow me,” Hao Meili said.

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