６１

  Actually, since the last martial arts competition, everyone thought that the world was about to fall into chaos. In fact, whether there is chaos or not, ordinary people can't see it, as long as the imperial court is not in chaos. The chaos is caused by those who day and night think of the world falling into great disorder and themselves becoming heroes. They pretend to roam the world, putting on an air that they don't plan to return alive today when they go out, but they still come back alive every day, which is truly unfortunate for society.

  Ten years ago, Chang'an banned ordinary people from carrying knives and swords. Those who violated the rule would be immediately sent to the authorities and generally imprisoned for five years. As a result, almost no one carried large knives and swords anymore. Only those who traveled the world could carry small ones, but they were really not satisfying and couldn't show off their heroic spirit at all. Every time they went out, they didn't have the feeling of being ready to die, and they always felt like they were going out to peel apples. So everyone had a big opinion about this.

  Five years ago, someone from the Jinniupai sect felt suffocated and thought that he couldn't carry an apple knife on the street anymore. If he continued like this, he would become the Apple Sect. He wanted to overthrow this law. Originally, they planned to rush into the imperial palace, capture the emperor, and change the national title. But after looking at his followers, who were only a few hundred people, he realized that if they rushed out with big knives, they would definitely be arrested before reaching the palace.

  After researching for half a day, he thought that it was better to endure small difficulties rather than ruin the whole plan. The national title could be changed temporarily, but carrying big knives on the street was a must. This way, he could satisfy himself and also gain face among other sects. A group of foolish people thought for half a day and finally came up with a clever plan - to create chaos and let ordinary people call for being allowed to carry knives and swords on the street, otherwise it would be unsafe. If there were many voices from the people, perhaps the imperial court would consider it.

  The Jīn Niú Pài gang committed many crimes, including robbery, murder, kidnapping, rape, and assault. However, most of them were arrested and charged with crimes other than carrying private knives. Ten were executed, and the others received prison sentences of at least 15 years.

  After the big fight between Wudang and Shaolin, everyone thought that the world was going to be in chaos. First of all, Wudang actually won against Shaolin, making them the leader of the Jianghu, but in the end, Liu Yun was surrounded and killed, which didn't make sense. Moreover, the two families had a lot of grudges between them. The common people went to burn incense and worship Buddha at Shaolin Temple, so they all thought that Shaolin were good people. Additionally, Shaolin seemed more refined than Wudang's Golden Bull, as if they had read a few years' worth of books. Wudang's leader always thought that their social image was good, having done many good deeds and helped build this and that, but everyone still felt that these Taoist priests were not good, yet couldn't quite put their finger on what exactly was wrong with them, which made the people from Wudang feel stifled.

  As the imperial court, although it has always been very supportive of Shaolin, it also does not want Shaolin to become too powerful. Although a group of monks who chant scriptures all day really do not appear to have the spirit to start a rebellion, however, no matter what, any group's dominance is not good. Therefore, secretly, they also helped Wudang a lot, just like when I was young and there was that great famine, Jinyu Sect originally had more than 200 people, but as a result of the famine, almost half of them starved to death. Yet not one person in Quanzhen died of starvation, it must have been the imperial court secretly sending grain.

  Although that's the case, everyone can't be complacent. Especially Wudang. Wudang openly or secretly provoking others is nothing, as long as there are no substantial actions. But after Liu Yun died in that martial arts competition, Wudang has not made any moves at all, not even provoking others, which makes Shaolin very worried. They sent many undercover agents but couldn't find out anything, the abbot thought they were stupid, and from small things, you can't see big things, not even a clue was found. He hated that he couldn't go undercover himself, unfortunately, he's too old, and his appearance is just like an abbot, it's really hard to imagine him doing anything else.

  This time I heard what the old man said, and I'm afraid the thing I was worried about has finally happened.