Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 173: Chapter 133: Attributes Increase Again

”We haven’t interacted much before, Brother Tan. Is there... something you need my help with?”

Tan Xiao’s face flushed red, his intentions laid bare.

He scratched his head.

Finally, as if throwing caution to the wind, he placed his cup on the table and said, ”Junior Brother Wan, I heard... that you were the one who helped facilitate the partnership between the martial arts school and Tie Shizhe?”

Wan Ze raised an eyebrow but didn’t deny it.

Seeing his silence, Tan Xiao took it as a tacit agreement, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. ”Master told me about it this morning. He said the school’s involvement in the old district’s redevelopment in the west was all thanks to you. He also said... said you’re bold yet meticulous, and that if it were anyone else, they either wouldn’t dare to dream of it or wouldn’t be able to pull it off even if they did.”

Wan Ze silently drank his water, not saying a word.

Tan Xiao continued, ”My master said it’s a shame to tear down that old district, but leaving it all rundown is miserable for the people living there. This redevelopment opportunity can both generate income for the school and properly resettle the local residents. It’s a really good deed... So I was thinking... I’d like to treat you to a casual meal, and maybe you could bring me along? I really want to do something meaningful.”

Wan Ze looked at the earnest man before him and more or less understood.

’So that’s what this is about.’

’It’s not like I have anything for him to do, though.’

He could see Tan Xiao’s social awkwardness.

After a moment of deliberation, Wan Ze finally spoke. ”About that... I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The final decision came down to Master and the Elders...”

”Junior Brother Wan...” Tan Xiao cut in anxiously, standing up with his teacup in both hands. ”I’m not just being polite. Ah Jia... I mean, Zhai Jia, I know him and his brother well. I almost became a disciple under the old school master back in the day. We’re all on the same team here... so let me in on the action!”

Wan Ze felt a headache coming on and could only agree with a wry smile.

”Then it’s settled!” Tan Xiao said, jumping to his feet.

”Okay, okay. If something comes up, I’ll definitely find you.”

After finally seeing the man out, Wan Ze didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

After a short rest, he took out his communicator and replied to messages from both Sun Fan and Zhou Xianchuan. He then saw a message from Miss Ling saying she had begun her Cultivation at the school. After sending a word of encouragement, he resumed his sword practice.

One strike, two strikes, three strikes...

...

[Illustrated Guide 2: Thirteen Life-taking Swords] (High Level Mastered)

[New Effects: Agility +0.01; Coordination +0.01]

[Skill Special Level Requirement: 30,000 sword strikes]

...

Wan Ze was drenched in sweat, panting slightly.

’Ten thousand sword swings wasn’t that difficult.’

’My Attributes are steadily approaching the two-point mark.’

...

The sky cleared up in the afternoon. By evening, the afterglow of the sunset slanted in through the window lattice, casting a layer of light across the floor.

Wan Ze had just finished his fist practice when Situ Bai sent someone to summon him.

Situ Bai sat in a rattan chair, a letter in his hand. When Wan Ze entered, he handed it over with a broad smile. ”There’s a task I’d like to give you. Do you dare to accept?”

Wan Ze took the letter and scanned it in a flash, a slight arch to his brow. ”Master, what is this Ming Family Manor?”

Situ Bai picked up his teacup and took a sip. ”Ah, the Ming Family Manor... They’re in the next city over, less than two hundred li from here. They have a legacy of over a hundred years. Their ancestors were formidable people. Back in the day, they were a family so influential in these parts that a single stomp of their foot could make the earth tremble.”

”It’s a pity, though. They’ve declined with each generation... Now, the manor can’t even produce a single expert to hold their own. The family has fallen into decline, their home is deserted. All those people who used to bring gifts for the New Year and other festivals have long since disappeared.”

Wan Ze listened without interrupting.

Situ Bai looked at him, his gaze full of meaning. ”The old master of the Ming Family Manor and I have some history. We ventured out into the world together when we were young, helped each other out a few times. We eventually went our separate ways, and the contact faded. But the favor remains. He’s written asking for aid, and I can’t just ignore it.”

Wan Ze looked down at the letter in his hand.

The letter wasn’t long and was politely worded, but a sense of desperation bled through from between the lines.

The gist was that the manor had encountered trouble and was hoping Situ Bai could lend a hand.

”What kind of trouble?” Wan Ze asked.

Situ Bai mulled it over for a moment. ”It’s quite simple, actually... An old enemy has come calling. Back when the Ming Family Manor was at its peak, they made enemies of another family, the Shengs. The letter doesn’t detail what happened, but it’s the usual martial world drama... fighting over territory, competing for business, or someone from one generation injuring a member of the other. Over the decades, the grudge only deepened, until the two families became like fire and water.”

”Later, the Sheng Family produced a ruthless figure who completely suppressed the Ming Family. The Ming family’s old master had no choice but to bow his head, admit fault, pay compensation, and cut off all ties to finally put the matter to rest. They thought that was the end of it... but who would have thought, the Sheng Family is digging it all up again.”

Wan Ze was taken aback. ”They’re raking up the past?”

”Correct.” Situ Bai nodded. ”I hear a young man from the Ming Family got into a conflict with someone a few days ago. As fate would have it, the person was a distant relative of the Sheng Family. It was just a small squabble, but the Sheng Family seized the opportunity and won’t let it go. They’re insisting the Ming Family has gone too far and are demanding satisfaction. But seeking ’satisfaction’ is just a pretext. The real goal is to blow things out of proportion. The Sheng Family has also fallen on hard times these past few years, so they’re probably looking to use this as an excuse to extort the Ming Family.”

Wan Ze folded the letter, placed it back on the table, and looked up at Situ Bai, asking with some uncertainty, ”Master, you mean... you want me to go and mediate?”

Situ Bai leaned back in the old rattan chair, looking at him with a grin. ”That’s right. Do you dare?”

Wan Ze froze for a moment, then chuckled. ”Master, at my age, if I just show up, they probably won’t even give me the time of day, will they?”

His words amused Situ Bai, who chided with a laugh, ”You little brat. At least you’re self-aware.”

Then, his smile vanished, and his expression turned serious. ”This feud between the Ming and Sheng families has dragged on for decades; it needs a resolution. The two families have agreed to settle this according to the rules of the martial world... a fight to decide the victor.”

Wan Ze raised an eyebrow. ”Then my role there is to...”

”To arbitrate,” Situ Bai said with a nod. ”You’ll be there representing Dragon Eagle, just sitting and watching. You don’t get to decide who wins or loses, but if anyone dares to pull any tricks outside the rules, your word is final. You’ll have to use your own discretion. Don’t be afraid of stirring up trouble. No matter how much of a fuss the Sheng Family makes, they’re nothing to worry about.”

Wan Ze was silent for a moment.

’I understand what Master means.’

’Martial world business is settled by martial world means.’

’The rules are in place, and no one will openly violate them.’

’But outside the rules, there will always be those who try to bend them.’

’And I represent the rules of Dragon Eagle.’

”I understand. When do I leave?” Wan Ze said with a nod.

”You leave tomorrow morning.” Situ Bai took a train ticket from a drawer and handed it over. ”It’s already booked for you. Make it a quick trip. Someone from the Ming Family will meet you at the station.”

Wan Ze took the ticket and tucked it into his pocket.

’An arbitrator?’

’Now that’s an interesting role.’