The Jianghu is Full of Vests (GL) - Chapter 3

Xingyang City was one of the larger and more prosperous cities in the northwest region. It bustled with endless merchant caravans, where Hu and Han people coexisted in harmony, creating a thriving and prosperous atmosphere.

Fu Peibai had been traveling for over half a month, enduring days and nights without rest as she followed the hoofprints of a white-clad woman’s caravan to Xingyang City. This was the first time she had ventured so far from home—before, the farthest she’d ever traveled was a county town a hundred miles away.

The dazzling scene of Xingyang City left her feeling overwhelmed, standing in the middle of the road, unsure of where to go.

A wealthy merchant bumped into her and scolded, “Get out of the way, little beggar! What are you doing blocking the road?” After saying this, he tossed a copper coin, which hit Fu Peibai’s arm and fell to the ground.

At that moment, she realized how much she resembled a beggar. Her coarse cloth clothes had become filthy and worn from the journey, and her shoes were so worn down that the soles had holes, exposing her darkened toes. Most striking was her face—once full of life and smiles, now it appeared hollow and lifeless. Her hair was a messy tangle, and while she had washed the bl00d off her face, the dark smudges made her features indistinguishable.

Fu Peibai stared at the copper coin lying on the ground for a long while before she bent down, picked it up, and straightened her back. Her spine, through her thin clothes, was clearly visible.

After dusting off the coin, she tucked it into her sleeve and walked forward with heavy steps, aimlessly heading down the street.

As she walked, the sky gradually darkened, but Xingyang City became even livelier. The streets were decorated with lanterns, and she found herself distracted by a vendor selling sugar-coated hawthorn. Without realizing it, her feet carried her toward him.

The vendor, seeing the little beggar staring intently at his skewers of sugar-coated hawthorn, quickly moved them behind his back and warily said, “What do you want, little beggar?”

Fu Peibai’s eyes fixed on the glistening red hawthorns, and her voice came out hoarsely as she replied, “I’ll buy a skewer.”

The vendor, thinking he must have heard wrong, gasped, “A beggar buying sugar-coated hawthorn? That’s unheard of! This costs ten coins a skewer. Do you even have money?”

Fu Peibai’s gaze dimmed, and she shook her head, moving to one side. Exhausted from the long journey, her body was worn out, and she sat down against a wall to rest for a moment. She was just closing her eyes when she heard a gruff voice from nearby.

“Hey, what’s a little beggar like you doing sitting here begging? No begging allowed here! Go somewhere else, quickly!”

Fu Peibai opened her eyes and looked up at a broad-shouldered man standing before her. She didn’t move, and the man, seeing that this was just a child, didn’t dare push her away but reached into his clothes and tossed a few copper coins at her. One of them hit Fu Peibai on the eye, but fortunately, she had closed her eye in time. It didn’t injure her eye, but her eyelid burned with pain.

“Damned beggar, take the money and get out of here. Don’t dirty my doorstep.”

Fu Peibai finally moved. She bent down to pick up the scattered coins and stuffed them into her clothes, then dragged her weary body into a narrow alley on the side.

The alley was dark and eerie, with not a soul in sight. Fu Peibai sat down with her back against the wall, hoping she could rest without being disturbed. Just as she closed her eyes, a voice called out abruptly.

“Hey, you!”

Fu Peibai’s eyelid twitched. She opened her eyes and saw that the alley was so dark she hadn’t noticed there was already another beggar lying there.

She had no intention of getting involved in any unnecessary conflict, so she got up, intending to leave. But the beggar called out to her.

“Hey, wait!”

Fu Peibai stopped and turned, her expression indifferent as she looked at him.

The beggar shook off his ragged blanket, stood up, and, sizing her up, scratched his chin. “Where’d you come from? I’ve never seen you around before.”

Fu Peibai didn’t want to engage, but as she turned to leave, the beggar blocked her path. She could see his face clearly now—he was a young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, fairly handsome. However, a large, dark scar on the right side of his face marred his features.

“You’re new here, huh? The beggars here have already claimed their spots. If you talk to me, I’ll let you sleep here for the night.”

Fu Peibai gazed into his bright eyes and, after a moment’s hesitation, relaxed her guard and sat back down to rest.

“Come on, where are you from?”

“Huailiu Village,” Fu Peibai muttered after a brief pause.

The beggar leaned back against the wall, habitually rubbing his chin. “Never heard of it. Is it to the west?”

“Yeah.”

The beggar thought for a moment, then nodded as if he had already figured out her situation. He patted her shoulder and said, “Don’t worry. The demonic sects won’t dare enter Xingyang City. Recently, many of the righteous sects have gathered here to deal with them. You’re safe here in the city.”

Fu Peibai’s eyes brightened. She turned to him and asked, “You said many martial artists have come? Where are they staying?”

“They’re probably in the East District. That area’s where the rich people live, and there are several grand inns. They’re probably staying there.”

Fu Peibai’s eyes gleamed with determination. She grabbed his arm with surprising strength, making him wince in pain. “Take me there.”

The beggar, caught off guard by her unexpected strength, yelped, “Hey! Let go! It hurts, it hurts! Let go!”

Fu Peibai loosened her grip, her eyes burning with intensity. “Take me there.”

The beggar rubbed his sore arm and muttered, “It’s not easy to get into the East District. That’s where the rich live. The government has issued an order that beggars aren’t allowed in. If they catch you, they’ll beat you up.”

Fu Peibai didn’t want to force him, so she asked, “Then just tell me how to get in. I’ll go myself.”

The beggar hesitated. “With your appearance, you’ll never get in. As soon as you get close, they’ll chase you away.”

“Is there another way?”

The beggar was curious now. “Well, there is, but why do you want to go in there? There’s no begging allowed, and the guards are everywhere. You won’t be able to steal anything. Why risk it?”

Fu Peibai didn’t answer, choosing to remain silent.

The beggar clicked his tongue. He wasn’t sure if it was her intense, genuine gaze or something else, but he softened and said, “Fine. Since we’re acquainted, I’ll show you. But once you’re inside, you’re on your own. If the guards catch you, don’t tell them I helped you. Just say you found a way in by accident. Got it?”

Fu Peibai nodded earnestly.

Later, under the cover of night, the two figures sneaked toward the East District, past a gatehouse where the guards were dozing off.

“This is the main road into the East District,” the beggar said, his tone full of envy. “I’ve heard it’s golden and dazzling. The stone pavement is made of the finest materials.” He led Fu Peibai around to the other side, where a low wall had been built. It wasn’t much higher than the two of them, and with a little boost, one could climb over.

“There, that’s the way in. Once you’re in, don’t wander around in the streets. Stay out of sight of the guards. When you’re done, get out quickly. The government doesn’t joke around when it comes to punishment.” He shuddered at the thought, clearly familiar with the consequences.

“Thank you,” Fu Peibai said sincerely. Without waiting for him to offer assistance, she climbed up the wall, using her feet to push against the stone, and within moments, she had disappeared into the shadows.

The beggar, slightly stunned by her sudden departure, scratched his nose and called after her. “Hey, I didn’t even catch your name.”

A faint voice came from the other side of the wall. “Fu Peibai.”

“I’m Ding Yi. Remember that.”

There was no reply, and Fu Peibai had already vanished into the night. Ding Yi chuckled, whistled, and disappeared into the darkness.

…

In the East District of Xingyang City, Fu Peibai crept along the walls, sticking to the shadows, hoping not to be seen. The city was nearly deserted at this hour, with only the occasional sound of patrolling soldiers’ footsteps breaking the silence.

She gathered her courage and, after taking a deep breath, sprinted across to the other side of the street. Once there, she hid in the shadows, waiting until she was sure the area was clear. Only then did she let out a breath of relief. Looking up, she found herself near an inn. The lights inside were already out.

She remembered the horses she had seen earlier—sleek, black steeds, all top-quality. Without hesitation, she climbed into the inn’s stable, carefully checking each horse. Unfortunately, none of them were the ones she sought. She climbed out and headed to the next inn. Fortunately, the East District wasn’t that large, and the inns were clustered together. By the time she reached the fifth inn, she spotted the large black horses.

Their glossy black coats gleamed, and she couldn’t resist running her hand over one of them. But to her surprise, the horse seemed to recognize her as a stranger and became agitated. It snorted loudly, pawing the ground in distress, and tugging at the reins.

Fu Peibai froze, unsure how to calm the horse, and soon, the rest of the horses joined in, creating a ruckus. The peaceful stable suddenly erupted into noise. Lights flickered on in the inn, and voices could be heard approaching the stable.

“What’s going on with these horses?” someone shouted.

Fu Peibai had nowhere to hide. She found herself face to face with a young servant, who, seeing her appearance, immediately cried out, “Thief! Thief! We’ve been robbed!”

Fu Peibai raised her hand to explain, “I’m not—” but her voice was quickly drowned out by the loud shouts of the servant.

Moments later, two burly men emerged from the inn, followed by a middle-aged man with a large belly.

Fu Peibai was grabbed by the arm and forced to kneel, her head pressed down so forcefully that she couldn’t raise it.

The servant, fawning, stood by the middle-aged man and said, “Big Boss, this little thief must have snuck in and startled the horses, disturbing people’s peaceful sleep. Look at this, how should we deal with this?”

The innkeeper, still half-asleep, glared at the little beggar, clearly annoyed. He stepped forward and yanked Fu Peibai’s hair to lift her head, “I want to see which blind fool dares to steal from me.”

Fu Peibai’s dark eyes locked onto the man’s, completely unflustered despite being captured. This only made the man angrier. He swung his hand across her face with a slap, sending her head to the side. The jade ring on his finger scraped against her skin, cutting a small gash near her eye.

A tiny bead of bl00d formed at the corner of her eye, and her right eye swelled up so badly that she couldn’t open it. Yet, she remained silent, neither begging nor explaining, enduring without a sound.

The innkeeper, feeling as though he had struck cotton, was unsatisfied and rolled up his sleeves, preparing to give this “thief” a proper beating. But just then, a disinterested female voice rang out, “What’s going on here?”

The man turned to see a woman in black descending from the third-floor VIP area. He quickly put on a grin and began explaining, “The horses were restless for no reason. The servant came to check and found it was a thief who sneaked in. I’m just interrogating this thief now. Did we disturb the young lady?”

The woman nodded. She had been sent by the peak master to investigate what had happened. The master had awoken the moment there was a disturbance.

“Take him to the authorities. No need to cause more of a fuss,” she said, then turned to leave.

Fu Peibai gritted her teeth. She knew that if she didn’t speak up now, she’d miss her chance. So, she cried out loudly, “Wait, Miss!”

The woman stopped and turned, her gaze narrowing as she examined Fu Peibai’s vaguely familiar face in the dim light. After a moment, she walked closer and recognized her as the surviving youth from Huai Liu Village.

“It’s you?”

Fu Peibai sighed with relief, panting slightly. “Yes, it’s me. I’ve been following your tracks all the way here.”

The woman was slightly surprised. Though their caravan’s pace wasn’t fast, it was still a journey of several hundred kilometers. Had this person really walked all that way on foot? She was both impressed by Fu Peibai’s determination and a bit helpless as she said, “That day, one of my comrades spoke harshly, but what he said was the truth. Don’t hold onto this. I know you want to learn martial arts for revenge, but don’t worry. Tianji Sect will destroy the Shadowfall Sect and avenge the innocent lives lost.”

Fu Peibai’s eyes suddenly reddened. She shook her head, her determination unwavering. “I know, I know what you’re saying, but please, can you give me a chance? I want to learn martial arts. I want to avenge my family. No matter how hard it gets, I won’t give up. Please, give me a chance. Please!”

The woman’s eyes flickered with hesitation, undeniably moved by Fu Peibai’s persistence. But she was not in a position to grant such a request. Only the peak master could make such a decision. The master had made her stance clear last month in the village, and once the master had made up her mind, no one could sway it.

Seeing the woman’s hesitation, Fu Peibai knew she still had hope. Without thinking, she wrenched her arm free, the joint making a loud snap, and the arm hung limply at her side. But she acted as if she felt no pain, dropping to her knees and repeatedly kowtowing, crying out, “Please, give me a chance! Please, please!”

Each strike of her forehead against the stone made a resounding thud in the quiet night, and the scene stunned everyone present.

The woman was at a loss for what to do. She hesitated, unsure if she should intervene and speak on the young beggar’s behalf. Just then, a cold voice came from behind, “Ah Fu?”

The woman immediately turned and saluted, “Peak Master.”

The woman in white walked towards the stable, stopping at the threshold, looking down at the boy who was tirelessly knocking his head on the ground.

“Stop.”

At her command, Fu Peibai stopped, looking up to see the woman in white. Her eyes were dazed, but she still mumbled, “Please, give me a chance.”

The woman in white’s expression was cold, her voice distant, “Why should I?”

The question caught Fu Peibai off guard, and she froze. Before she could answer, the woman continued, “Should I give you a chance because your family was destroyed, and you seek revenge? Or is it because you miraculously survived, a fate that seems too strong to break? Or perhaps it’s because you’ve traveled barefoot to find us, showing your sincerity?”

The woman stepped over the threshold, her white dress dragging across the muddy ground as she approached Fu Peibai, standing over her like a towering figure, her eyes cold and unrelenting.

“Everyone has their desires. Those who come to me seek fame or martial arts mastery, or, like you, to avenge their families. There are countless others like you. Tell me, why should I treat you any differently? Why should I give you this chance? If you can give me a reasonable answer, I will make an exception and admit you to our sect.”

Fu Peibai looked up, gazing at the woman with a divine presence, her mind blank.

As she stayed silent, the woman spoke again, “Even if I make an exception and give you a chance today, can you be sure that you’ll seize it?”

Fu Peibai’s throat tightened, words stuck in her chest. She couldn’t speak.

“Opportunities are often not what they seem,” the woman said softly. “Perhaps what’s placed before you is not an opportunity at all, but another trick of fate. Whether it’s an opportunity or a trap depends on how you choose to act.”

A flash of realization struck Fu Peibai’s mind. That’s right. Her heart’s desire—she didn’t need to ask for help. She bowed deeply, her forehead hitting the cold stone with a sharp sound, and she spoke with unshakable determination, “I want to join Tianji Sect by my own merit. Please show me the way!”

With a soft “ding,” something fell to the ground. Fu Peibai looked up and saw a crystal-clear jade pendant, its quality exquisite.

She didn’t know its meaning and didn’t dare to touch it.

Ah Fu quickly called out, “Peak Master, this…”

The woman in white raised her hand, signaling her to be quiet. She then turned and walked out of the stable, her voice as indifferent as ever, “On June 15th, you can use this token to register for the Tianji Sect’s entrance exam in Jinyun Mountain, Jiangnan.”

With that, she and Ah Fu left.

In the staircase, Ah Fu still didn’t understand, “Peak Master, that jade pendant is so precious, why give it to him so easily? Let him attend the entrance exam? He has no martial arts skills—after just over a month, he won’t even be able to perform the most basic moves. He won’t even pass the first round.”

The woman in white didn’t answer her, simply saying softly, “I’m tired.”

Ah Fu could only close her mouth.

Meanwhile, Fu Peibai carefully picked up the jade pendant, wiping away the dirt, and then used the cleaner part of her sleeve to polish it until it gleamed. She then carefully tucked it into her clothing.

The innkeeper, having seen everything, understood it was no longer worth dealing with the young beggar. He darkened his face and ordered the servant to throw her out of the inn.

Soon, Fu Peibai was lifted high and unceremoniously thrown onto the stone pavement outside. She was dazed, her vision swimming, but a rare sense of relaxation appeared on her face.

She looked up at the clear night sky, lying there for a while before managing to prop herself up with one arm.

At that moment, pain flared through her arm, and she grimaced before limping back to the makeshift shelter under the fence. It was still difficult to climb over the wall with just one arm, so she found an empty barrel from a nearby junk pile to help her get over.

As she landed, she heard a voice.

“Hey, back already so soon?”

The voice belonged to Ding Yi.

Fu Peibai froze, staring at him in confusion. “Didn’t you leave?”

“I did, but turned back halfway. I was worried about you. For some reason, I feel like we really click. How about we team up and beg for food together? If I have something to eat, you’ll have some too. How about it?”

Fu Peibai shook her head and replied, “My goal isn’t this. I have more important things to do.”

Ding Yi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “More important things, huh? That’s quite the big talk. What exactly are you planning to do?”

Fu Peibai paused for a moment, then said seriously, “I want to join Tianji Sect and learn martial arts.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ding Yi burst out laughing, as if she had told him the funniest joke in the world.

Fu Peibai didn’t mind. She dragged her exhausted body forward.

When she stepped out of the shadows, Ding Yi finally noticed her injured arm and stopped laughing. He asked, “Hey, what happened to your arm? Did those officials break it?”

“It’s nothing. Just dislocated, not broken.”

Ding Yi winced in sympathy, rubbing his own arm, before his gaze shifted back to Fu Peibai’s battered face, and he sighed deeply, “You’re still saying it’s nothing? Your face looks like it got hit by a horse! They really laid into you, huh?”

Fu Peibai was too tired to argue. She just bent her back and shuffled toward the alley, ready for a good rest. After a month of rushing around day and night, she had been afraid to sleep, thinking she might miss her chance, but now, with her goal in sight, she could finally rest.