The Affairs of the Martial World - Vol 5: Chapter 3
After traveling in haste and dust for days, Zhu Que finally arrived at the Le family estate. One look at the grand residence, and it was clear that this was no ordinary household.
The Le Manor covered over a hundred acres. Lush trees and flowers adorned the entrance, revealing the refined taste of its master. High walls and spacious courtyards spoke of authority and wealth. The vermilion gates, each reinforced with twenty-four large bronze studs arranged in neat rows, were guarded by a pair of stone lions, fangs bared and lifelike, as if ready to leap down and strike.
Above the gate hung a plaque bearing the three bold characters “Le Family Manor.” In the corner, smaller characters spelled out “Eight Trigrams Sect,” and beneath it was set a bronze emblem shaped like the Eight Trigrams.
The gates stood open, with two household guards posted on either side. Zhu Que reported his name and asked to be announced, but the servant only rolled his eyes and grudgingly went inside. He had likely mistaken Zhu Que for some down-and-out wanderer looking for free food or a loan. Zhu Que sighed inwardly, it was his own fault. In his haste, he had forgotten that a first visit should always be accompanied by a small gift. Instead, he arrived empty-handed, his travel-worn clothes dusty from the road, giving him the look of a drifter fallen on hard times.
But since Le Yishan had earned the reputation of Le Mengchang, how could his household employ such shallow, judgmental servants? Doubt crept into Zhu Que’s heart, thinking had he made the wrong decision coming here?
Yet Le Yishan was a man seasoned by decades in the martial world; surely he knew what kind of person Zhu Que was. As expected, the moment he heard Zhu Que had arrived, he rushed out in person to greet him, so hastily that his robe still bore a fresh tea stain. Grasping Zhu Que’s hands warmly, he spoke words of admiration and respect.
Zhu Que thought to himself, “Yes—this is indeed the manner befitting Le Mengchang.” He offered a few modest replies, which only delighted Le Yishan further. Then, with great enthusiasm, Le Yishan ushered him into the manor and into the main hall.
Inside the hall sat two men. Le Yishan introduced them. On the left was an older man, Qin Fanyu of the Eagle Claw Sect. Zhu Que had heard about his Eagle Claw technique and light-footed skill were renowned, his fame stretching back decades. Though strands of white now streaked his temples, his vigor remained undiminished, still carrying the boldness of his youth.
Zhu Que clasped his hands and bowed slightly. “I’ve long admired your name.”
Qin Fanyu rose, nodded curtly, and resumed his seat.
On the right sat a young man of about twenty, refined in appearance. Before Le Yishan could introduce him, he stood up and said, “I am Liu Mingdeng. I’m a novice, not worth mentioning.”
Zhu Que thought the youth didn’t look like a martial artist at all, uncertain of his background. Still, he returned the courtesy with a polite bow.
Le Yishan then introduced Zhu Que to the two guests. Upon hearing his name, Qin Fanyu was visibly taken aback. He had already sat back down, but now rose again in surprise. Clearly, he had not expected the famed Zhu Que to be such a young man.
Indeed, Qin Fanyu said, “To bear such a reputation at such a young age, handsome and spirited as well, it’s truly remarkable.”
Zhu Que replied, “Brother Qin, you flatter me. Who in Jiangnan has not heard of Eagle Claw Technique?”
Le Yishan laughed. “No need for such formality between the two of you. In my humble home, all are friends. Please, be seated and let us converse at ease.”
Once they had all sat down, a servant brought tea for Zhu Que. Le Yishan then asked, “I wonder, what guidance brings Young Hero Zhu to my estate?”
Since others were present, Zhu Que felt it was inconvenient to state his true purpose. So instead, he said, “I was passing through Changzhou on some affairs. Having heard of the great reputation of the “Mengchang of the Eighth Trigrams Sect,” how could I not come and pay my respects?”
Le Yishan’s face lit up with delight at these words, though he spoke with modesty, “Friends exaggerate too much. It is true, however, that I take joy in making new friends. If Young Hero Zhu has come purely for friendship’s sake, then I am truly honored.”
Zhu Que quickly responded with humility, “Not at all, not at all. Master Le, please don’t overpraise me.”
After these polite exchanges, the three glanced at one another. Suddenly, the atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.
Zhu Que noticed that Qin Fanyu looked as if he wanted to speak but held back, so he asked, “Did I come too rashly, disturbing your discussion?”
Le Yishan said, “Not at all. Brother Qin, since you came to me with this matter, why not tell Young Hero Zhu as well? If we can gain his help, what problem could remain unsolved?”
Zhu Que couldn’t help but feel both amused and helpless. He had come to ask for help himself, yet before he could even bring it up, he was being asked to help someone else. Still, since things had gone this far, it would be awkward to refuse outright.
Qin Fanyu’s reputation in the Jiangnan martial world was fairly good. Lifting a hand to help him wouldn’t be much of a burden. So Zhu Que said, “I don’t know what difficulty Brother Qin is facing. Please tell me. As long as it is within my ability, and not against the principles of honor and justice, I will do my utmost to assist.”
Qin Fanyu looked at Zhu Que, and as if making a sudden decision, said, “I trust in Young Hero Zhu Que’s ability. Let me tell you, and I hope you can offer some advice.”
Zhu Que nodded. “Please, go ahead.”
Qin Fanyu said, “This matter must be told from the beginning……”
The Eagle Claw martial art was created during the Northern Song dynasty by a Shaolin monk who had returned to lay life. It evolved from Shaolin’s famed “Dragon Grasping Hand,” one of the seventy-two ultimate techniques. Because the founder himself possessed extraordinary martial skill, Eagle Claw quickly gained renown by defeating numerous famous masters. It became celebrated throughout the martial world and was ranked alongside Iron Sand Palm and Vajra Fist as one of the three supreme striking arts. Students flocked in, and the Eagle Claw Sect grew into a major school. But after the founder’s death, no disciple could practice the Eagle Claw to the same level. Over time, each generation fell short of the last, and the sect gradually declined.
It was not until the Yuan dynasty, amid times of war and chaos, that two brothers from the sect arose, both with exceptional martial skills: Qin Baili and Duan Hongying.
Although they were fellow disciples, the turmoil of war kept them apart. Each trained on his own, and their approaches to the Eagle Claw naturally diverged.
Qin Baili emphasized finger strength. He believed that if finger power was cultivated to the utmost, one’s attacks would crush everything before them, splintering wood and shattering stone, let alone mere flesh and bone. Duan Hongying, however, focused on technique. In his view, without proper forms and movements to break through an opponent’s guard, raw finger strength, no matter how great, was useless.
This difference led to an irreconcilable split. Unable to convince one another, they each founded separate branches: the Qin-style Eagle Claw and the Duan-style Eagle Claw. From then on, the two families ceased contact.
By now, Zhu Que could discern the outlines of the story. Qin Fanyu was clearly a descendant of Qin Baili’s branch, the Qin-style Eagle Claw, which was now the only recognized line in the martial world. The Duan-style Eagle Claw had seemingly vanished, and the reason for this remained unknown.
He knew there must be hidden reasons behind this, and that was likely why Qin Fanyu sought his help. So he continued listening quietly.
And indeed, Qin Fanyu revealed a secret of his sect that outsiders had never been told.
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