My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Entering the Grandmaster Level at Eight Feet Platform

The wedding banquet of the Pingyang Marquis was the talk of the town, stirring up a storm of gossip, but there was another piece of news that caused an equally sensational uproar.

This was none other than the challenge issued by the leader of the Demon Sect’s Human Sect, Li Fuzhou, to the Xuanyi Guard Governor Tang Taiyuan on the Eight Feet Platform.

In the blink of an eye, discussions about this battle could be heard everywhere in the streets and alleys.

Who was Tang Taiyuan?

In the martial world, there was no one who didn’t know of him, the great Governor of the Xuanyi Guard, and the confidant of the current Human Emperor.

...

The swordsmen of Great Yan reverently worshipped him as a divine figure. Although Tang Taiyuan was an official of the Great Yan Court and had never mingled in the martial fraternity, the world equated him with the Mo Luo Dharma King of Houjin, Tianpeng Ancestor, and the proud frost blade of the Black Ice Platform, collectively naming them the four great swordsmen of the world.

That proud frost blade was the older martial brother of Qi Shu. The Mo Luo Dharma King and Tianpeng Ancestor—one a Dharma King of the Great Snow Mountain and the other a rootless weed wandering the world—while Tang Taiyuan inadvertently became the myth of the Great Yan Martial World’s swordsmen.

The leader of the Demon Sect’s Human Sect, Li Fuzhou, was also a famous figure. Originally a distinguished scholar who grew resentful and left the Lv Sect to join the jianghu, his cultivation of martial arts barely exceeded thirty years, but he had become one of the renowned experts known throughout the world, having combined the Demon Sect’s cultivation techniques with his own vast scholarly righteousness.

But no one had expected that today Li Fuzhou would come to Yujing City to challenge Tang Taiyuan.

Many experts in the world of jianghu regarded Li Fuzhou as a rare talent of his time, and exactly how rare his ‘rare’ talents were, made people eager to uncover.

Everyone was looking forward to this duel between the two of them.

In the Lv Mansion, within a quiet courtyard.

Zhou Xianming yawned and after a quick wash, stepped outside, only to see a hurried Lv Jingchun, “Jingchun, why are you in such a rush so early in the morning?”

The plump young man glanced at Zhou Xianming with annoyance, “Early? The sun’s already high in the sky.”

He could not understand why everyone thought Zhou Xianming had potential yet saw him as nothing but a fool, despite getting up earlier than Zhou Xianming and spending more time reading. Was there no reason in this world?

Zhou Xianming swung his head and replied, “I stayed up late last night reading and practicing my calligraphy, which is why I slept late.”

Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun immediately rebuked him, “You liar, your room was dark last night. You weren’t reading or writing; weren’t you off to the brothels to listen to music again?”

Zhou Xianming’s favorite pastime was indeed sitting in the brothels, listening to the coarse songs of the young women. While others might not know, Lv Jingchun was well aware of his habits.

Zhou Xianming walked over to Lv Jingchun and slung an arm around his shoulder, “Why be so angry? Next time, I’ll bring you along.”

Lv Jingchun shrugged off Zhou Xianming’s hand and huffed, “Vulgar. I won’t go to such a place again. I plan to practice martial arts seriously and train diligently from now on.”

Uncle Ghost used to say that cultivating martial arts was all about preserving yang and locking essence.

Zhou Xianming, ever smiling, took no offense and then noticed the clothes in Lv Jingchun’s hands, asking, “What’s that you’re holding?”

Lv Jingchun, suddenly prideful, shook the black robe in his hands, “See? Uncle Ghost’s clothes.”

Zhou Xianming paused, wondering if Lv Jingchun had gone and stolen the clothes of the Ghost Swordsman. But that was impossible; how could he, with his skills, steal the clothes of the Ghost Swordsman?

Lv Jingchun quickly donned the black robe with agile movements, cockily raising an eyebrow at Zhou Xianming, “How about that? Do I not carry the same chivalrous air, the same overwhelming aura of charging into battle and slaying amidst the mortal world?”

His tone was filled with a strange excitement and fervor.

Given Lv Jingchun’s naturally shorter stature and plump figure, the black robe was filled out completely, and his belly even protruded prominently, displaying a picture of affluent rotundity.

He looked out of place compared to the slim figure of the Ghost Swordsman.

At the same time, Lv Jingchun also stepped onto a chair, assuming a ‘king of all I survey’ pose as he looked down at Zhou Xianming.

Zhou Xianming spoke melancholically, “Where did you get this garment?”

“I had the servants make it overnight, how about that?”

“The material is quite nice; I think it’s better than what the elder wears. You might as well gift him a set of what you’re wearing, so he doesn’t look so destitute.”

“Right, you’re absolutely correct. How did I not think of that?”

Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun’s eyes sparkled.

Uncle Ghost wasn’t willing to let him join, but he could corrode that resolve with money. Eventually, Uncle Ghost might agree and even teach him the unrivaled swordsmanship.

Lv Guoyong’s status and position naturally precluded any overt displays of greed or corruption, but his family’s wealth was surely beyond compare to that of ordinary people.

Zhou Xianming shook his head, filled with silent reflection.

Lv Jingchun fluffed the fabric of his robe and boasted, “Old Zhou, how do I look in this robe compared to Uncle Ghost?”

Zhou Xianming shook his head, stating, “You are worlds apart.”

“You don’t understand a damn thing! The valiant and heroic spirit of those in Jianghu is not something a poor wretch like you could comprehend.”

Lv Jingchun glanced at Zhou Xianming, their feelings for each other could hardly resonate.

Zhou Xianming raised an eyebrow and said, “You rushed over early in the morning just to show me this?”

“Almost forgot about the real business.”

Lv Jingchun slapped his forehead and then hurried off towards An Jing’s residence.

Zhou Xianming watched Lv Jingchun’s retreating figure and said in a low voice, “You don’t resemble a Ghost Swordsman but rather a fat swordsman.”

Lv Jingchun, however, did not hear Zhou Xianming’s muttering and quickly made his way to An Jing’s doorstep.

“Thump, thump!”

“Uncle Ghost! Are you awake?”

An Jing was sitting cross-legged on his bed, experiencing the profound mystery of body and mind unity, and opened his eyes upon hearing this sound.

“Come in.”

Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun outside carefully pushed the door open, “Uncle Ghost, there’s an eunuch looking for you outside.”

An Jing frowned and said, “An eunuch!?”

Lv Jingchun replied, “It’s the Chief Eunuch Ping De from Kunning Palace.”

Kunning Palace!? An Jing nodded slightly. Imperial Concubine Rong was the master of this Kunning Palace—could this eunuch be seeking him out with a hidden agenda?

Lv Jingchun said with a sycophantic smile, “That old eunuch is currently waiting in the side hall; if you don’t want to meet him, Uncle Ghost, I’ll send him away right now.”

An Jing said indifferently, “Take me to meet him.”

…….

In the side hall of the Lv Mansion.

An old eunuch slightly bowed, almost curling into a ball, with a very young and handsome little eunuch standing beside him.

This old eunuch was none other than Eunuch Ping De, and the young eunuch at his side was the famous flower thief from Jianghu, Zhuo Yuchang.

Zhuo Yuchang advised, “On this visit, adopted grandpa said that he hopes to calm things down, turning conflict into alliance, and we must remember not to cause any troubles.”

Eunuch Ping De nodded and said, “This old servant understands.”

By now, it was well-known that behind the Ghost Swordsman was not only the world’s number one swordsman, Lou Xiangzhen, but also a mysterious and extremely powerful grandmaster expert.

Even the Great Yan Royal Family had to carefully consider whether to woo him or to make an enemy of him.

The visit of Eunuch Ping De and Zhuo Yuchang today was intended to ease the atmosphere between the Royal Family and the Ghost Swordsman.

They at least did not want the Ghost Swordsman to align with the Royal Family but also did not wish to become adversaries.

Not long after, footsteps were heard from outside.

Following the sound, a man in a black robe was seen walking into the hall; he wore black boots, with a tall and sturdy figure, his pace steady and unhurried.

Lv Jingchun followed behind, puffing out his chest with a somewhat triumphant expression.

Eunuch Ping De hurriedly said, “This old servant Ping De offers his respects.”

“There’s no need for such formalities, Eunuch,” An Jing responded, then looked curiously at Zhuo Yuchang standing behind Ping De.

“We meet again.”

When Zhuo Yuchang saw An Jing, his face got awash with embarrassment, wishing he could find a crevice to crawl into whenever he thought of that oversized bellyband.

An Jing said with a playful smile, “To come and go as you please, it seems your adopted grandpa must be no ordinary person.”

It was known that Zhuo Yuchang was a renowned flower thief within Jianghu, albeit with a rather unique method of picking flowers.

Zhuo Yuchang let out an awkward laugh and said, “The adopted grandpa you met yesterday is indeed the one who sent me here today.”

An Jing nodded slightly; Qiu Lun had mentioned that Zhuo Yuchang’s adopted grandpa was the Chamberlain with white eyebrows.

As one of the three great eunuchs serving the Human Emperor, though the Chamberlain might not hold as much power as the Eunuch Zhao Tianyi, his status was even higher than Zhao’s.

The current Human Emperor even addressed this white-eyebrowed eunuch as a respected father, which reflected his position within the Royal Family.

An Jing asked, “What did he send you to do?”

Zhuo Yuchang didn’t speak, but Chamberlain Ping De said, “The honorable officer heard that you have been searching for the burial site of Jiang Sanjia. When Officer Jiang died, it was this old servant who personally buried him, right in the northern sector of Yujing City, inside Wangjing Mountain. We have come today especially to guide you there.”

An Jing had only asked Lv Fang about the whereabouts of Jiang Sanjia’s remains; he hadn’t expected the white-browed eunuch to act so quickly. It seemed they were trying to ease the tension from the previous day’s disagreement.

An Jing fell silent for a while, then let out a long sigh and said, “Let’s go.”

“Please.”

Chamberlain Ping De gestured with his palm.

The party then left the Lv Mansion, and without making a sound, Lv Jingchun followed An Jing as they headed toward Wangjing Mountain.

Along the way, An Jing inquired about some specific details of the celestial divinations conducted on the Qintian Platform that day.

Chamberlain Ping De recounted everything without missing a word, speaking in great detail.

An Jing asked, “So you’re saying it was the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai, who initiated the petition? And Imperial Concubine requested that Jiang Sanjia perform the divination?”

“Yes.”

The Chamberlain said softly.

An Jing nodded, then fell silent again.

In his letter, Jiang Sanjia had already mentioned that upon his return to Yujing City, it was very likely that the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai would inquire about his true identity.

But An Jing was somewhat puzzled in his heart. Jiang Sanjia had loved Mu Xiaowan deeply, yet why would Mu Xiaowan force the death of someone who loved her?

He remembered that Lou Xiangzhen had once vaguely mentioned that Mu Xiaowan had connections with the Zhenyi Sect. Could it be that the mastermind behind this was the Zhenyi Sect?

Could it be that the Zhenyi Sect had obtained the “Ghost Valley Heart Method” from Jiang Sanjia long ago?

All these matters were unknown to An Jing, but he was aware that things were not as simple as they seemed on the surface.

“Hold on a second.”

As they passed a tavern, An Jing paused and looked over at it.

“Uncle Ghost, what’s wrong? Could it be assassins?”

Lv Jingchun was startled and quickly scanned the surroundings, his heart instantly rising to his throat.

Chamberlain Ping De and Zhuo Yuchang also became somewhat nervous after hearing this.

In Yujing City, who would be so blind as to attack them?

The man by their side was the unparalleled Sword Immortal, not to mention the grandson of the foremost scholar of the day, Lv Jingchun.

An Jing slapped Lv Jingchun on the back of his head and said, “What assassin? Go and buy me two jars of wine.”

“Ah… So you just wanted to buy wine.”

Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun’s eyes revealed a hint of disappointment, and then he scurried toward the tavern. Shortly after, he returned carrying two jars of fine wine.

“Let’s go.”

An Jing took the jars of wine and said.

Beyond Yujing City to the north lay Wangjing Mountain.

Verdant peaks solemn for a thousand years, green foliage dripping jade, boulders resting among the waves.

Chamberlain Ping De led the way, and before long they arrived at a dense forest.

Slanting sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the forest floor with a mottled pattern of shade.

Chamberlain Ping De pointed to a grave mound in the distance and said, “That is Officer Jiang’s grave.”

Upon hearing this, An Jing walked slowly toward it.

The grave mound was just a pile of earth, without even a gravestone or wooden marker for identification. If not for Chamberlain Ping De’s guidance, no one would have guessed it was the resting place of the divine fortune teller of the Ghost Valley Sect from Jianghu.

“Sanjia, I have come a bit late.”

An Jing sat down directly on the ground facing the grave mound, then opened the seal of the wine jar he was holding.

They say in shallow engagement, speak deeply, and avoid speaking of the profound.

Strangely enough, Jiang Sanjia had not been like that with him.

Jiang Sanjia was still in Fuyang Village when An Jing would often visit him, mainly to join him for a drink or watch him sit by the river and fish.

Perhaps it was due to An Jing’s rescue from the dungeon that Jiang Sanjia harbored gratitude, or perhaps it was the ancient jade he accepted from Mu Xiaoyun and the fact that he stole Xue Chen’s corpse from the Three Temples Mountain Faxi Temple, which earned him some respect.

Or maybe it was because both practiced the Daluo Heart Method and belonged to the Mystical Sect at their core, or perhaps Jiang Sanjia’s bleak twilight years, neglected by all, stirred a complex sentiment for the past in him.

It could also have been because of An Jing’s words, “What? If the Daoist Master does it, can I not do it?”

All in all, it’s probably impossible for anyone to clarify.

The depth of friendship is not necessarily tied to the length of acquaintance.

“Sanjia,”

An Jing poured the wine from the jar onto the ground, “I haven’t forgotten what I said. The day I set foot on Zhenyi Mountain, I’ll definitely bring good wine and a roasted chicken.”

The wine spilled onto the earth, then seeped into the soil.

“If it weren’t for you, I might have actually died at Jiang Shang’s hands. By the way, I also met Old Lou. He has become the world’s number one swordsman, stepping into the Sixth Realm. It’s a pity he didn’t come today.”

“These past several months of separation felt like years. Before, I was not keen on entering the jianghu, but unconsciously, I’ve already stepped into it.”

“Maybe, from the moment I married my wife, I unknowingly entered the jianghu, or perhaps it was from the moment I rescued you.”

“Life is but a dream in drunken stupor, return to find the person the same, only to lament that time flies too quickly.”

Saying this, An Jing took a big gulp of wine from the jar.

In the distance, Chief Eunuch Ping De, upon seeing this scene, sighed, “The disciples of the Ghost Valley Sect have never had a good ending since ancient times.”

Zhuo Yuchang spoke slowly, “The Dao cannot be fully predicted, the world is ever-changing, those who vainly attempt to divine the heavens are freaks by nature.”

Lv Jingchun appeared perplexed while watching An Jing sitting by the grave, speaking intermittently.

What he saw in the jianghu was mostly chivalry and carefree spirit, but today, facing the tomb, he was jolted back to reality; the jianghu not only boasted heroic loyalty but also deception and helplessness, with corpses piled one upon another.

“The jianghu, it truly is a dangerous place,”

Lv Jingchun sighed endlessly.

The three stood under the tree for a long time, until the sky began to dim, when An Jing finally stood up slowly.

On the other side, may it also be as splendid as this mortal world.

On the way back, when Zhuo Yuchang wasn’t paying attention, Chief Eunuch Ping De slipped An Jing a waist badge, saying, “My lord, this is the waist badge of Kunning Palace. The Empress said you are welcome to visit anytime.”

Having said that, Chief Eunuch Ping De nonchalantly left with Zhuo Yuchang.

An Jing gripped the waist badge in his hand, a faint cold light flashing in his profound eyes.

……

Dongluo Pass, Dongluo Tower.

The room was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood, and the delicate sunlight streamed through the intricate carvings of the latticed windows, shining upon the center where there lay a soft wooden bed with exquisite carvings, a guqin placed in the corner; a bronze mirror sat on a wooden dressing table, beside which were some rouge pots.

Jiang Renyi stood beside the table, casually flipping through a confidential letter, finding it so uninteresting that he put it down again.

Sitting below him was the pale Yu Qiurong, whose spirit seemed diminished, fragile as a willow in the wind, ready to fall at any moment.

Jiang Renyi looked at the delicate beauty before him and said, “Yu Qiurong, I have given you three days already. How have you considered it?”

Yu Qiurong replied indifferently, “Impossible, just give up on that notion.”

Jiang Renyi chuckled softly, walked over to Qiurong, and gently traced her smooth, fair cheek with his finger.

Qiurong gave Jiang Renyi a cold glance, then retreated further back.

Jiang Renyi sighed and said, “All you need to do is persuade Qin Bin to lay down his military power. Not only would I release you, but I would also drop food into the Sealing Demon Well to ensure my junior sister does not die. Why wouldn’t you take such a favorable deal? Do you really think she can make it out?”

As head of the Xuanwu Sect, Qin Bin controlled Dongluo Pass’s only elite forces, with all his subordinates being confidants. Hastily killing him would likely incite mutiny among the soldiers, so naturally, Jiang Renyi hoped to take control of a complete Black Armor Iron Guard.

Qiurong faced Jiang Renyi and said, “According to my Demon Sect’s rules, one can only elect a new Sect Hierarch if the current one has been missing for more than two years. Do you think you’re worthy of the title now?”

A sinister look crossed Jiang Renyi’s eyes, “My junior sister is trapped in the Sealing Demon Well, never to come out. Should I waste another two years just to wait? Besides, many Demon Sect masters have already agreed that I should take over the position.”

“Since you are so stubborn, I will tell you a harsh truth. Yesterday, I sent someone to the Sealing Demon Well to relay a message to my junior sister, saying that if she hands over the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,’ I would spare your life. But she killed the messenger instead. This shows how much less important you are to her compared to the ‘Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.’ Why be so blindly loyal to her?”

Unaffected by Jiang Renyi’s words, Qiurong mocked, “The Sect Hierarch is right not to give it to you.”

Licking his lips, Jiang Renyi said, “You truly are a fiercely loyal dog. Do you really think I have no way of dealing with you?”

With the old Demon Sect masters like Duanmu Xinghua still around, and having just become the Sect Hierarch, he couldn’t kill Qiurong outright, but it didn’t mean he had no means of subduing her.

“Jiang Renyi, last time the Sect Hierarch spared your dog’s life, have you truly forgotten?”

Yu Qiurong stared straight at Jiang Renyi and said, “I advise you to control yourself, for when the Sect Hierarch comes out, your death won’t be too ugly.”

“Hahahaha.”

Upon hearing Yu Qiurong’s words, Jiang Renyi burst into laughter.

His voice was loud, tinged with unabashed defiance.

Yu Qiurong looked at the somewhat crazed Jiang Renyi, her eyebrows tightly furrowed.

After a while, Jiang Renyi, perhaps tired from laughing, took out a porcelain bottle, “Do you know what this is?”

“Red Beauty Drunk!?”

When Yu Qiurong saw the porcelain bottle, her eyes immediately widened.

This was the latest poison pill refined by the Poison King, and naturally she was aware of it; moreover, some time ago, Yu Qiurong had delivered this poison pill to Zhao Qingmei.

“Correct.”

Jiang Renyi nodded slightly, and a cold glint surfaced in his eyes, “This is a wonderful thing. It’s said that Red Beauty Drunk can silently seep into the organs and bowels of a person, and when the poison acts, it’s like countless venomous insects gnawing on the organs, making life worse than death. This agony lasts for several days before it ends…”

Yu Qiurong looked at the Red Beauty Drunk, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead, her feet unconsciously retreating backward.

“Aren’t you supposed to be fearless?”

Jiang Renyi’s mouth curved upward slightly, wearing a hint of a cold smile.

The next moment, his figure appeared in front of Yu Qiurong, and he seized her chin, pouring the Red Beauty Drunk from his hand into her mouth.

“Mmm mmm… mmm… cough cough cough…”

Yu Qiurong felt the powder entering her mouth and with a surge through her throat, it moved into her abdomen.

“Swallow it,”

Jiang Renyi pushed Yu Qiurong away and said, “From today onward, if you don’t agree to me, I will feed you some of this Red Beauty Drunk every day. At present, the dosage isn’t large, and it won’t act, but there will come a day when it will burst forth. Whether you want a swift death or prefer something quick and clean, the choice is yours.”

“Cough cough cough…”

Yu Qiurong lay on the ground, coughing continuously, without speaking.

“Sect Hierarch, a new secret letter has arrived.”

Just at this moment, a voice came from outside the door.

Jiang Renyi took a deep breath and said, “Come in.”

“Yes.”

Geng Tianchou pushed the door and walked in, holding a secret letter from the Human Sect.

Jiang Renyi immediately took the secret letter, opened it, and his eyebrows knitted tightly together, “This Ghost Swordsman actually has a master behind him?”

The information on this secret letter was about the situation in Yujing City of the Great Yan.

Geng Tianchou spoke solemnly, “Sect Hierarch, what should we do now? Lin Tianhai and Luo Zixiang, among others, are still on Capital Road, and Sect Hierarch Zhao wants the Ghost Swordsman captured alive, but I fear that will be difficult…”

Not to mention that the Ghost Swordsman himself is one of the top Sword Immortals in the land, but he also has such a powerful master behind him. It is not wise for the Demon Sect to be his enemy.

“Have them come back immediately.”

Jiang Renyi said coldly, “Do they no longer care for their lives?”

Geng Tianchou hurriedly responded, “Yes, I’ll send the order to Chief Lin right now.”

After speaking, Geng Tianchou rushed out.

Jiang Renyi took a deep breath and muttered to himself, “My junior sister really loves to stir up trouble, insisting on provoking someone like the Ghost Swordsman. Let Black Ice Platform, the Zhenyi Sect, and Houjin worry about how to deal with this person.”

He really didn’t understand why his junior sister would want to capture the Ghost Swordsman alive. If there was a grudge, wouldn’t it be better to just kill him? Could it be that there were secrets on the Ghost Swordsman’s person?

But regardless of the secrets, now was not the time to make an enemy of such a person.

……

May 17th, in Yujing City, at the Lv Mansion.

In a garden with fields.

The fields were planted with seasonal vegetables and fruits, like cucumbers, radishes, watermelons… The green branches and leaves were lush beyond compare, carrying the breath of life.

At this moment, Lv Guoyong, his body stooped, held a ladle in his hands, continuously scooping and sprinkling water onto the fields.

“Father.”

Lv Fang walked over at a gentle pace.

Lv Guoyong paused his motion, saying, “What is it?”

Lv Fang spoke in a low voice, “Li Fuzhou has left.”

“He left?”

Lv Guoyong continued watering, his expression showing little change, “Did Tan Yun also leave?”

Lv Fang nodded, saying, “Yes, he followed behind Li Fuzhou to Eight Feet Platform.”

Lv Guoyong fell silent for a while, not speaking further.

“Father…..”

Lv Fang looked somewhat hesitant.

Lv Guoyong scooped another ladleful of water, saying, “Just speak up if you have something to say.”

Lv Fang said, “Tang Taiyuan is a peak Second Qi cultivator, and also the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard. With the battle taking place at Eight Feet Platform in Yujing City, he naturally stands on invincible ground. Li Fuzhou’s journey there is likely fraught with danger.”

Not many people knew how ruthless and ferocious Tang Taiyuan could be, but if they knew what he had done, they would surely be shocked.

Lv Fang inhaled deeply, continuing, “Li Fuzhou is not only doing this for himself but also for elder sister. Decades ago, our Lv family has already yielded enough. Father, you have taken step after step backwards, allowing Zhao Tianyi to castrate himself and become a eunuch, Li Fuzhou was compelled to leave the Lv Sect, and elder sister also…” @@novelbin@@

Speaking thus, Lv Fang paused and didn’t continue.

Lv Guoyong remained silent for a long time, finally saying, “Let Jing Chun go then. It can be a gesture.”

Upon hearing this, Lv Fang’s spirits lifted, “I understand, Father.”

After speaking, he hurriedly left.

Lv Guoyong watched Lv Fang’s retreating figure, staying silent for a long while before once more continuing to scoop and water.

…….

Yujing City, Eight Feet Platform.

Eight Feet Platform was famous in Jianghu, as it was where the Yujing City Xuanyi Guard’s yamen resided.

On ordinary days, Eight Feet Platform was the place where the heads of Jianghu’s outlaws were severed, hence this place was extremely heavy with the scent of blood, faintly exuding a sense of murderous aura. In the surrounding area, there were no other buildings or residential houses to be seen, not to mention people passing by.

But today, compared to the usual quietness, it seemed somewhat bustling.

Many masters from Jianghu were gathered on both sides of Eight Feet Platform, their eyes filled with a grave seriousness.

This included Lin Yiyang from Yu Heng Sword Sect, Zuo Biwen from Youfeng Valley, the Five Poison Young Master from Five Poison Sect, Ling Yuanjing from Zhenyi Sect, He Chen, and many other great masters of Jianghu.

There were also numerous experts from smaller sects, each top desperados of Jianghu, all formidable masters in their own right.

A great battle might unfold today.

Not far from Eight Feet Platform, on the spectator’s stand, a tent had now been pitched.

On the left side, a man dressed in a golden python robe—it was Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin; on the right side was Zongzheng Yuan, the seventh son of the Houjin Holy Master.

Zongzheng Yuan looked at Eight Feet Platform in front of him and smiled, “I never expected that on this mission to Great Yan, I would have the honor to witness a battle between the top masters of the world.”

Zhao Chongyin responded with a faint smile, “Whether they are true top masters remains to be seen.”

At that moment, however, Zhao Chongyin’s heart was filled with worry. He could not comprehend why Tang Taiyuan had agreed to Li Fuzhou’s request for a duel. Wouldn’t it be better to have dispatched a master to slay him directly?

If Tang Taiyuan won today’s battle, everyone would simply think it was as expected. But if Li Fuzhou won, the Xuanyi Guard’s reputation, built up over hundreds of years, would be instantly ruined.

Although the chances of Tang Taiyuan losing were very low, Zhao Chongyin felt this duel should never have occurred from the beginning.

Zongzheng Yuan whispered, “Li Fuzhou couldn’t possibly be challenging Tang Taiyuan with just Half-step Master Cultivation. He must have some other methods, right?”

His words seemed like a question to himself, as well as a question directed at Zhao Chongyin.

After all, challenging Tang Taiyuan with just Half-step Master Cultivation was undoubtedly suicidal.

Zhao Chongyin’s gaze was piercing, “Regardless of what Li Fuzhou does, I am confident that Commander Tang will certainly be victorious.”

“Then let’s wait and see,” Zongzheng Yuan said.

Zongzheng Yuan smiled and said nothing more.

At that moment, An Jing, clad in a black robe, stood with his arms crossed over his chest. He gazed at the surging crowd ahead of him, his heart also filled with curiosity about what skills Li Fuzhou possessed to challenge the Second Qi Grandmaster.

Beside him stood Zhou Xianming and Lv Jingchun.

Zhou Xianming’s face revealed nothing, but his heart was heavy, because he knew very well the predicament Li Fuzhou faced today. The chances of winning were slim, and even if he won, he would likely be targeted.

Lv Jingchun chuckled and asked, “Uncle Ghost, how does the fabric of this new clothing feel?”

“Not bad.”

An Jing replied indifferently, “You’ve been very thoughtful.”

Although Lv Jingchun seemed to be simple-minded, when he gave An Jing his robe, he presented him with two sets, one to wear and the other to change into whenever needed.

“Uncle Ghost, I’m glad you like it.”

Lv Jingchun smiled. Then, he noticed that the clothes on his body were somewhat different from those he had given, and just as he was about to ask, something strange happened on the Eight Feet Platform ahead.

“Place your bets, place your bets, the more you bet, the more you win!”

A man with a figure like a mountain of flesh weaved through the crowd, shouting as he moved.

This was none other than Qiu Lun, the son of the Pingyang Marquis.

Seeing that person, Lv Jingchun’s excitement soared as he shouted, “Brother Lun!”

“Jing Chun.” Qiu Lun turned his head, then joy appeared on his face when he saw An Jing. “Eh, Big Brother, you’re here too!”

Zhou Xianming was stunned by the man’s mountainous physique. Could there really be someone so corpulent in the world?

An Jing nodded slightly, “Mm, I came to watch a duel of the experts today.”

Qiu Lun wasn’t surprised since the Ghost Swordsman was present when Li Fuzhou and Tang Taiyuan had agreed to their match. It was only natural for him to come to see their duel today.

Suddenly, Qiu Lun remembered something, and with a grave face, he turned to Lv Jingchun and said, “Jing Chun, that’s rather underhanded of you, not attending your brother’s wedding.”

“I truly couldn’t make it.”

Lv Jingchun sighed deeply, “I fell that day, and I’ve only just recovered. Moreover…”

An Jing coughed twice, interrupting, “People are coming. No more talking.”

“Wooosh!” “Wooosh!”

Dozens of Xuanwu Arrest Officers clad in black robes emerged from the back hall, followed by several more wearing large black capes at the Great Heavenly Gang Level.

The last to emerge were Xi Yuanjun, the Deputy Governor of the Xuanwu Guard, and the Great Commander, Tang Taiyuan.

“Look, Governor Tang has arrived!”

“Why hasn’t that Demon Sect’s Li Fuzhou shown up yet?”

“Maybe he’s not coming?”

“I don’t think so; Li Fuzhou issued the challenge himself, how could he not show up?”

……

With the appearance of Tang Taiyuan, the surroundings of the Eight Feet Platform instantly erupted with clamor.

Tang Taiyuan, dressed in a black robe, seemed not to hear the discussions around him as he slowly walked onto the Eight Feet Platform.

His black robe fluttered without wind, making a rustling sound.

Tang Taiyuan, definitely one of the top experts in the Great Yan Dynasty.

In the entire Great Yan, there were definitely no more than five people who could defeat him openly.

One of the four great swordsmen legends of the Great Yan martial world, and a swordsman myth.

It was just like the words he had said to Qi Shu of Zhao Country, bright as the scorching sun—indeed, very few people could survive a battle with him.

Tang Taiyuan’s expression was calm as he stood silently on the Eight Feet Platform, not saying a word.

Suddenly, his eyes opened, and a spark of light surged within them.

“Li Fuzhou has arrived!” “Make way!”

A clear shout arose, and everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

The crowd parted like a tide, creating a path through the middle.

Li Fuzhou walked over slowly, dressed in a white robe today that was without a speck of dust, his hair neatly combed.

On his slightly aged face were those eyes as calm as the abyssal sea.

Following behind him, other than Tan Yun, was a woman in her fifties.

“Liu Huiyun?”

Seeing the woman’s appearance, Qiu Lun couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

An Jing asked in a low voice, “The name sounds somewhat familiar.”

Qiu Lun explained quietly beside him, “Liu Huiyun is the only bloodline of the Liu family. The Liu family was once a military marquis family of the Great Yan Dynasty. The entire family perished on the border in battle with Zhao Country. Her elder brother Liu Zixing and younger brother Liu Zhaoyu died on the frontier, and her father, Marquis Xin Tian, was assassinated by a master of the Black Ice Platform. They were a family of loyal martyrs. Back then, my father was just a thousand-man captain under Marquis Xin Tian; it was Marquis Xin Tian’s promotion that brought him to his current status. Marquis Xin Tian was almost Li Fuzhou’s father-in-law…”

Upon hearing this, An Jing nodded, thinking to himself: The Liu family all died on the battlefield; they must have received great imperial grace. Could it be that Li Fuzhou brought Liu Huiyun here to protect Tan Yun?

Tang Taiyuan frowned slightly when he saw Liu Huiyun, “You should not have come.”

Liu Huiyun met Tang Taiyuan’s gaze and said indifferently, “Yet I have come.”

Li Fuzhou stepped onto the Eight Feet Platform, his white robe fluttering in the wind.

At that moment, the howling grew louder, carrying with it a faint scent of blood stirring the air.

Li Fuzhou opened his mouth and said, “Li Fuzhou has arrived as promised.”

The volume of his voice was moderate, yet it rang out like thunder in everyone’s ears.

“Very well.”

Tang Taiyuan looked at Li Fuzhou standing before him, feeling quite emotional.

He reminisced about the first time he saw Li Fuzhou, then a young man in his prime, and now, in less than thirty years, he had reached the threshold of the Grandmaster Realm and appeared ready to break through to Grandmaster at any moment. It must be said that he truly was a prodigy.

If he had continued devotedly practicing martial arts, his achievements might not have been inferior to Xiao Qianqiu.

Unfortunately, the prime of life has passed, and one cannot start over again in life.

Tang Taiyuan lifted his arm slightly, saying indifferently, “Li Fuzhou, I admire your courage. You are the first in the Demon Sect to come to Yujing City to face death, doing something Jiang Shang wanted to do but did not dare to.”

Jiang Shang, a name infamous in the Great Yan, a name that brought the Demon Sect to its zenith, an electrifying name.

What he dared not do, Li Fuzhou has now done.

The old scholar in a white robe, with sleeves fluttering, said aloud, “Tang Taiyuan, today’s Great Yan is too corrupt, it needs a cleansing to bring back the clear skies. Since others won’t do it, won’t speak of it, then today let me be the one to speak, the one to act.”

Tang Taiyuan burst out laughing, “Do you think you are a Saint?”

His laughter had a clear ring to it.

It has been so many years since a Saint appeared from the scholarly faction, as if the last one belonged to the distant past.

Li Fuzhou shook his head as if filled with regret, “Li Fuzhou is ignorant; after studying the sages’ teachings for over twenty years, I couldn’t bring forth a Saint, failing my father, my teacher, and my former self.”

Decades have passed in the blink of an eye, his life divided into two parts, and also two calamities.

Tang Taiyuan unsheathed his long sword, stating flatly, “By not focusing on either martial arts or literature, you ultimately wasted your prime, ending up as an ephemeral mayfly, fading into obscurity.”

As the long sword appeared, a cold sheen illuminated between heaven and earth, sending a chill down everyone’s spine, as if suddenly transitioning from the sweltering heat of summer to the piercing cold of winter.

Tang Taiyuan continued to ask, “Facing life and death, do you have any regrets?”

“Born at dawn, I gaze upon the sunlight; born at night, I accompany the sun and moon, I have no regrets.”

“A mayfly will always be a mayfly, unable to glimpse the great Dao.”

“Then today, let this mayfly shake the great tree!”

After Li Fuzhou spoke, he took a step forward.

Instantly, the bloodthirsty Qi of the Eight Feet Platform radiated outward in all directions, and a breaking-Qi mechanism, like rivers and seas surging, sent a tremble through everyone’s heart.

Three Flowers shone brightly, emerging behind him and then converging above Li Fuzhou’s head.

In almost the blink of an eye, Three Flowers Gathering at the Top was complete.

At that moment, Li Fuzhou entered the Grandmaster Realm.