Why do I have so many masters?

Xiahou Xuan and Huangfu Xiong had met each other at the age of seven, had seen him clench his fists to beat someone, and had heard him curse people while drunk, but he had never seen this guy, who was clearly talking down about others, still make it sound so pleasant. He slightly raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised as he looked at his friend before him.

Like a young tiger at the foot of the mountain, sharpening its teeth and honing its fangs, to be ready to kill mercilessly at any moment?

Broken down, this means that although you are a fierce tiger, you are not yet fully grown; your teeth aren't sharp, and your claws aren't lethal; you have yet to taste blood.

In the jargon of the Jianghu, it means, kid, you're still too green. When you say such things, you should raise the corners of your eyes, coupled with a disdainful and arrogant look, and click your tongue twice for added flavor. Speaking so elegantly like this lacks any banditry spirit of the Jianghu.

Wang Anfeng, who was by his side, didn't understand what Xiahou Xuan was thinking but could feel the goodwill from both Huangfu Xiong and himself.

He smiled and replied, "Indeed, some experiences have enlightened me somewhat, but that's all." Xue Shisan was about to respond with a slight smile when he suddenly heard the chime of a bell ringing abruptly, continuously and lingeringly reverberating within Liuxu Villa, which made him stop the words he was about to say and instead say:

"It seems the Hour has arrived, the arena must have been set up by now, gentlemen, let us talk more as we walk along."

Xiahou Xuan slightly nodded his head but then glanced at Wang Anfeng. He snapped the folding fan shut and tapped it on his forehead, a slight headache apparent as he smiled and said, "But before that, we need to change this young fellow's outfit." Xue Shisan looked at Wang Anfeng's attire and also sighed lightly with a nod.

Wang Anfeng was slightly startled and looked down at his somewhat dirty and disheveled clothes, his face showing a slight flush as he scratched his head and explained:

"This... I ran into some trouble on the way, and got a bit dusty."

Xiahou Xuan pursed his lips, and with a snap of the folding fan in his hand, he gently tapped Wang Anfeng's forehead without any courtesy, saying:

"Even if it's clean, it won't do."

Wang Anfeng slightly frowned and asked, "Why not?"

Xiahou Xuan only curled the corner of his mouth and looked away, not offering an answer and just waiting for him to plead for an explanation. But just then, Huangfu Xiong chuckled lightly and opened his mouth to explain:

"There's no high or low among men, but Anfeng, you seem to have forgotten where this place is."

As he spoke, he paused briefly and pointed down the mountain. From here, one could see the bustling counties in the distance, bustling as if one was in the clouds, which naturally broadened one's horizons. Wang Anfeng appeared thoughtful. Only then did Huangfu Xiong slightly smile and say:

"This is the Fledgling Phoenix Banquet, a platform for martial artists under fifteen from Wangxian County to showcase themselves, which they detest with all their might. Martial artists necessarily consume meat and take elixirs, yet a slightly decent set of clothes is not worth a day's elixir.

Every young martial artist in the expanse of Wangxian County has used their full strength for this day, which can be called devout. If you show up in casual clothes instead of vigorous attire, isn't it somewhat flippant?"

"And what about those devout martial artists who, by no chance, came here today? Perhaps you do not think this way, but they do not know your heart. Ask yourself, if you had invested yourself entirely in something you love, only to be treated lightly by others, how would you feel?"

Wang Anfeng opened his mouth, feeling that he had indeed overlooked this point. Faced with a series of events, he had almost forgotten the teachings of his father and nearly became one of those arrogant individuals. He sighed inwardly and said:

"A true gentleman behaves with caution when alone, indeed."

Yet before he could speak further, Huangfu Xiong slowly said:

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Appearing like this, you offended seventy to eighty percent of the martial artists below before even speaking. Your chances of losing just increased by a lot. Unwise, unwise."

Wang Anfeng was slightly startled and looked at Huangfu Xiong in surprise. By his side, Xiahou Xuan had already coldly scoffed:

"Fool, only able to focus on winning or losing."

"Given his appearance, today must surely be his first time stepping into the Jianghu. He should seize the chance to make a striking entrance here in Wangxian among his peers, and must be solemn about it."

"Besides, the world is full of fools who judge by appearances. It wouldn't hurt to change into a set of clothes just to shut their mouths. Why not do it?"

Again Wang Anfeng was startled, and nearby, Xue Shisan paused and, with a smile, said:

"Please wait here, you two. I brought some clothes with me to Wangxian, including a few I've never worn that I can give to little brother Wang. Anfeng, come along with me."

"...Hmm, thank you, Brother Xue."

Wang Anfeng paused for a moment, and now he could only clasp his hands and mutter his thanks, then followed Xue Shisan away. After the two figures disappeared from view, Xiahou Xuan had already turned around to size up Huangfu Xiong and scoffed:n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Forget about others, your demeanor, tipsy before the battle, is truly frivolous. Where exactly do you place those martial youths of Wangxian County?"

Huangfu Xiong stamped his foot on the mountain stone and responded with a hint of drunkenness:

"Where do I place them? Hahaha, I'm on top of the mountain now, naturally they are beneath my feet."

Xiahou Xuan heard the underlying implication and said:

"Indeed arrogant!"

Xiahou Xuan tilted his head, his demeanor casual, and said:

"So what if I'm arrogant? What about it?"

"Well! Then may I ask why such an arrogant Huangfu is so concerned about someone he's meeting for the first time?"

With a sharp shout, Huangfu Xiong's body shuddered, the drunkenness vanished in an instant, his mind still hadn't caught up, and Xiahou Xuan, already sneering, pressed him:

"Tell me, what exactly got crossed in your mind? The typically reticent Huangfu, who outside of alcohol and fists is sparing with words, when did he actually start explaining for others repeatedly?"

You're still exposing me!

"Uh... well, after all, he's a person recognized by Xue Shisan... I, I hold him in high regard."

"Bullshit, you didn't even bother with his brother before you left home, much less with Wang Anfeng."

Huangfu Xiong opened his mouth, unable to explain, glanced at Xiahou Xuan's sneering face, sighed, and admitted defeat:

"Is it that obvious?"

"Clear as day."

Realizing the troble, Huangfu Xiong sighed again and explained with a troubled look:

"Look, didn't Xue Shisan say Wang Anfeng has a pot of good wine? If I share some with him, can't I spar with him from morning till night?"

"I just wanted to see if I could get some for myself."

Xiahou Xuan paused slightly, looking at his friend and slowly nodded:

"Indeed... The chance to spar with Xue Shisan is rare. He's fully skilled, yet he's not unreachable like the predecessors. Sparring with him would really reflect one's own skills. If you could fight him for one Hour, your martial arts would surely improve significantly, and if you managed three Hours, your cultivation would certainly break through."

"That would actually surpass your elder brother's achievements from those years. Not bad at all."

Huangfu Xiong rolled his eyes, looking at Xiahou Xuan as if he were looking at an idiot, and said:

"To hell with fighting him. I, of course, will drink that good wine myself… In front of that kid Xue Shisan, I'll let him watch me drink."

"I can't beat him, but I'll make him envious to death!"