Yuan Xiuxiu feigned indifference: “Me and Shen-daozhang were just chatting, and I spoke a bit more, what dragging out are you talking about?”
Shen Qiao didn’t want to say more to her, turned around intending to head back up the mountain, but Yuan Xiuxiu in a flash blocked his path again.
“Shen-daozhang are you not happy to see me, how come you run away after only a few sentences, if you don’t want to be in my close circle, friends would be fine!”
Yuan Xiuxiu smiled gently, like a thousand blooms, all colours returning to spring, if it were anyone else, even if their hearts didn’t waver, they would have to pause, who knew that Shen Qiao didn’t slow down even half a step, continued forward, did not spare a single minute for beauty, this degree of steadfastness could be termed half-extraterrestrial, except for Yan Wushi that anomaly, how often would Yuan Xiuxiu meet this kind of person?
Shen Qiao saw her preparing to make her move, said blandly: “I am a Daoist and do not kill indiscriminately, but that does not mean I will not kill a person, that day you saw Huo Xijing die by my hand, Yuan-zongzhu have you decided, what price you will pay to block my path.”
Yuan Xiuxiu laughed: “Shen-lang no need to get so worked up, I have no intent in making you my enemy, out of an abundance of caution, I still have to keep you a little, in case you ruin the bigger picture, but even if you go back now, I’m afraid you probably won’t be able to change much. Seeing as we got along so well, I offer you this sincere advice, you are not from Chunyangguan, to make a stand in this situation, Yi Bichen should be first, why would Shen-lang get caught up in these muddled waters?”
Her words were carefully considered, tender and ensnaring, but as the esteemed Hehuan Sect zongzhu, would she speak her heart and soul only because the other was easy on the eyes?
Shen Qiao was kind, and didn’t want to needlessly cause conflict, but was not stupid or easy to fool, half-hearing these words, directed himself up the mountain.
Yuan Xiuxiu originally wanted to stop him, but Shen Qiao used “tiankuohongying” to its upper limit, not waiting for her to catch up, had transformed into a shiver of shadow, leaving the other far behind.
For a commoner to make an ascent of the mountain, it would require at least half a day, but for jianghu masters, half a shichen was enough, for Shen Qiao’s calibre of qinggong, the time to burn an incense stick was sufficient.
When Yuan Xiuxiu had said “even if you go back now, I’m afraid you probably won’t be able to change much”, it clearly indicated something big was happening on the mountain.
The disciples that had been guarding Chunyangguan’s gates had long been beaten by Hehuan Sect earlier, this time going up the mountain Shen Qiao had a straight trajectory with no obstacles.
Heaviness grew in his heart, as he finally crested the mountain peak to return to Chunyangguan’s main square, he caught sight of Yi Bichen, under the gaze of the crowd, exchange a move with someone, the other did not move, but Yi Bichen was forced to take 3 steps back.
Looking closer at everyone’s faces, they all seemed to be frozen at a moment of shock and disbelief.
The one that had exchanged a move with Yi Bichen was unfamiliar, Shen Qiao did not recognize him, his style of dress was from another region, and now standing still, expressionless, he looked like someone who was used to not saying much, but in his silence, he carried a powerful, domineering aura, so much that no one dared make a sound.
Shen Qiao paused, even without asking for his name, he knew who he was.
Tujue’s number one master Hulugu!
Even if he was mentally prepared, seeing this person, an ineffable feeling rose in his heart.
It turned out to be him.
How could it be him?
He really wasn’t dead?
The previously brazen Sang Jingxing was standing respectfully behind this new group of arrivals, seeing that with one palm strike he had managed to beat back Yi Bichen, he stepped forward, smiling: “This Chunyangguan Sect Leader Yi Bichen, considered among the best in the world, and a leader among the Daoist sects, doesn’t seem to be a match at all for qianbei, what a farce is the world’s top ten, not to be trusted, qianbei’s wugong can hardly be rivalled by others, and truly deserves to be called number one in the world.”
Hulugu paid no mind to his flattery, maintained a blank face, with no discernible expression: “I came to challenge Yi Bichen, personal business, not related to Hehuan Sect in any way, I didn’t require your help with the preamble.”
Sang Jingxing wasn’t phased, still smiling he said: “Qianbei speaks seriously, we just heard about shijiandahui, and came to check it out, we didn’t know that when we arrived, qianbei would be arriving shortly thereafter.”
If he had heard this conversation out of context, maybe Shen Qiao would have believed that they were here by coincidence to wreck havoc, but what Yuan Xiuxiu said earlier was a reminder, then he realized: Hehuan Sect definitely knew Hulugu was going to show up, so arrived before him, one reason was to tire out Yi Bichen’s attack potential, and increase the chances of Hulugu’s victory, two was to take advantage of the situation.
As to why Hehuan Sect would help Hulugu, that was easy to explain, that day Yuwen Yun was able to ascend the throne, Yuwen Yong’s empress Ashina must have played a part, although she was not Yuwen Yun’s biological mother, but in all things Yuwen Yun liked to oppose his old dad, where the previous emperor respected but kept his distance from Tujue, he would purposefully hold them close. In that case, if Hehuan Sect, receiving support from Yuwen Yun, formed an alliance with Tujue, it would not be unusual.
Yi Bichen showed no great emotion, retreating three steps was already very impressive. Hulugu was no ordinary master, it was someone who had crossed paths with Qi Fengge more than twenty years ago, and in these twenty years, everyone assumed he was dead, even Duan Wenyang wandering the central plains had repeated the false rumour of his master’s death, who knew that one day the wind would part the clouds, a legendary figure would return from death, how could one not be shocked?
Many people in the crowd, still had yet to figure out Hulugu’s identity, and those that had guessed thought they were seeing a ghost in broad daylight.
Shen Qiao observed Yi Bichen for a while, he saw that the other had flushed momentarily, a sign that he had internal injuries, and was not as unfazed as his appearance might suggest.
If he could see it, Hulugu had no reason not to.
His gaze fell on Yi Bichen, Hulugu said coldly: “I heard that Chunyangguan is considered a leader among the Daoist sects, but your wugong can’t even match the Qi Fengge of the past.”
Under this kind of enormous pressure, it was no small feat that Yi Bichen could maintain his composure: “Chunyangguan never considered ourselves leader of the Daoist sects, and this poor one has never compared myself to Qi-daozun, your wugong is strong, I admire it, but the reason you came today, was it to attend shijiandahui or was it for Chunyangguan?”
The former would be to have a typical martial exchange, the latter to seek revenge and destruction.
Hulugu said blandly: “Shijiandahui, is but fishing for fame, if you have true potential, why would you rush to attend this round, I originally thought since Chunyangguan and Yi Bichen’s reputation was so resounding, there ought to be something stellar, but now as I see it, it’s merely so-so.”
He was on other people’s grounds, but spoke condescendingly, even if Yi Bichen could tolerate it, the Chunyangguan disciples standing behind him could not swallow this insult, someone shouted: “You are so strong, but that year weren’t you beaten by Qi Fengge and reduced to a shrivelling turtle and forced to wander the outskirts for twenty plus years, now that Qi Fengge is dead, you jump out to seek the misfortune of the central plains wulin, how is this considered virtuous and …”
His last word “brave”, was subject to Hulugu’s cold gaze, the person speaking was terrified into silence, bit back the word in his throat, his face flushing red.
Hulugu did not speak, the one who replied was Duan Wenyang standing behind him: “Your central plains wulin, after twenty plus years has yet to emerge an opponent that can stand on equal footing with my master, yet you still have the face to speak so brazenly, if I were you, I would have already smashed my head in out of shame, what leader of the Daoist sects, as I see it, the central plains wulin of today, if Qi Fengge were still alive, only he would be worthy of being my master’s opponent, what a bother that my shizun considered the talent in the central plains verdant and flourishing, upon hearing that shijiandahui was to be held here, excitedly hurried over to attend, tsk tsk, it really did not live up to expectations!”
Chunyangguan’s people were mortified by his words, the jianghu people present also, had nothing to offer in reply.
Yi Bichen’s wugong they had all seen clearly, in the match with Sang Jingxing, stunning and exceptional, Yi Bichen no doubt exceeded Hehuan Sect by an interval, they hadn’t yet had a moment to rejoice, when Hulugu arrived.
With him here, no matter Yi Bichen, or Sang Jingxing, they all had to bow their heads.
Yi and Sang, already existed beyond what commoners could attain, now there was Hulugu, like the September moon, high and unreachable, rendering ambition into hopelessness.
Some thought of the fight twenty plus years ago, sighed that they had been too young to see it in person, the Qi Fengge that could defeat Hulugu, he would have been beyond imagination!
However not everyone present fawned the other’s airs, smothered their own pride, there was one who couldn’t stand Duan Wenyang’s words, directly stepped out from the crowd, shouted loudly: “You’ve only been to Chunyangguan, and dare to speak your bold words, saying that there’s no one worthy in the central plains, you should know that there are plenty of masters in the world, there’s the Buddhist sects in the north, the Ru sects in the south, unless you’ve already challenged them all? Liuligong’s rank-list just now of the world’s masters, didn’t include Hulugu, you two master-disciple speak and sing amongst yourselves, it’s really unrefreshing, only adds to laugh material for others!”
Hulugu’s face was impassive, but Duan Wenyang narrowed his eyes: “What is your name, what sect do you belong to?”
That person’s heart shook, but with the crowd watching he couldn’t retreat, eventually loudly announced: “Kuaiji Wang, Wang Zhuo!”
The Wang family did not rely on Hehuan Sect or Tujue to live, why should he be afraid, Wang San-lang’s courage worked itself up several notches.
Duan Wenyang raised an eyebrow, his voice rose slightly in pitch: “Oh, Kuaiji Wang?”
Saying this, his arm had extended, like lightening his whip descended from the sky, lashed directly at Wang San-lang!
Wang San-lang watched the other make their move, but had no time to draw his sword, could only retreat, his speed was no match for the other, he hadn’t gotten very far, the whip had curled onto his wrist, inflicting immense pain, shattering bone!
“Aah!” He couldn’t help yelling out, the sword is his hand falling out.
“San-lang!” Wang Er-lang eyes bulging, flew to support him.
But someone was faster than him, the other drew their sword and with one cut in the air, sword qi swelled forth, in an instant had surrounded Duan Wenyang, Duan Wenyang made a sound of surprise, as if he didn’t expect the other’s wugong to be not too shabby, he was forced to pull back his whip, and face the other head-on, then he realized the other was a beautiful young woman.
All of the wugong in the world, only speed left no openings, from Duan Wenyang’s whip one lash fell after the other, giving the other no room to breathe, under this kind of pressure, the woman actually did well, her sword edge advancing, not falling behind, it could be seen that she likely came from a renowned sect, was taught by a master, with more time, she could become quite accomplished.
But Duan Wenyang was listed among the world’s top ten, even if ranked last, it was not an exaggeration, although this young woman’s wugong was high, she was naive, and lacked real fighting experience, after three moves, Duan Wenyang saw an opening, aimed at it, his whip headed for the other’s weakness.
The young woman had no love for this fight, her intent had been to help Wang San-lang out, and having achieved this, retreated entirely, drifted to the ground, not willing to meet Duan Wenyang’s brute force.
“My thanks to Gu-niangzi for saving me!” Wang San-lang was quite moved, he had been struck by her beauty at first glance, meeting her severe words, he didn’t expect that when he fell into danger, that it would be this beauty who would extend a hand.
“No need for thanks.” Gu Hengbo said blandly.
Although Wang San-lang’s behaviour was a bit rash, he wasn’t in the wrong, everyone lowered their voices in the face of Hulugu, only Wang San-lang dared make a sound, that alone required courage, if she could save but she didn’t, it would only encourage this kind of atmosphere.
On this point, Gu Hengbo grew up with Shen Qiao, and held a similar viewpoint to her zhangjiao-shixiong.
With Gu Hengbo’s intervention, Wang San-lang didn’t suffer any major injuries, but seeing the master-disciple pair before them with such high wugong, nevermind fighting the shifu, they couldn’t even beat the disciple, the feeling of being left in the dust welled up in people’s hearts.
To some degree, Chunyangguan’s plan to form an alliance against Hehuan Sect and the Buddhist sects, had already failed.
Li Qingyu’s hand was already on his sword, but a hand reached out, and held his arm down firmly.
This was Yi Bichen’s hand.
Over there, Hulugu watched Gu Hengbo, abruptly asked: “Who was Qi Fengge to you?”
Gu Hengbo had long noticed Shen Qiao who was standing in the corner of the stone platform, couldn’t help but shoot him a glance, she said: “That is my master.”
Hearing her relationship to Qi Fengge, Hulugu’s countenance changed slightlly, even while he was fighting Yi Bichen he hadn’t regarded the other properly, and now he was examining Gu Hengbo carefully, then resumed his impassive expression.
The one who knows his master is the disciple, Duan Wenyang smiled: “Shizun has no need to feel regret, if this disciple is not wrong, this woman is Gu Hengbo, she should be the only female disciple under Qi Fengge, although her power isn’t great, but she has several shixiong, one of them has inherited Xuandushan’s zhangjiao position, and killed shidi with his sword, what a coincidence, he’s also here today.”
Saying this, he looked in Shen Qiao’s direction: “Shen-daozhang, long time to see, you’re doing well?”
In this moment, everyone’s attention fell on Shen Qiao.
Shen Qiao had been standing off to the side, half-shadow, in this moment he naturally couldn’t continue as a bystander, so holding his sword he slowly walked forward, until he reached a place that was not far from the other, he stopped.
“Thank you for your thoughts, luckily no great difficulties.” His tone was very even, and was not affected by Hulugu’s appearance.
“You are Shen Qiao.” Hulugu’s gaze moved from his face to the shanhetongbei sword in his hand, on Hulugu’s face passed a sliver of reminiscence.
“Correct, this poor one Shen Qiao, today to be able to see qianbei in person, is truly fortunate, it is a shame that my master has passed, otherwise if he knew qianbei was still in the land of the living, he would have been very happy.”
Duan Wenyang suspected that these words targeted his shifu’s fake death and subsequent hiding in Tujue for twenty some years, only daring to emerge until after Qi Fengge’s death, but looking at the other’s peaceful expression and kind appearance, maybe it didn’t have that kind of meaning.
“Your calibre is very high, but as of now you are still no match for me, if we were to wait another three, five years, maybe we could have a good match, but you killed Kunye, since I met you today, I cannot let you leave this mountain alive.”
Hulugu’s face was calm, his words meaning: he held Shen Qiao’s life in his hands.
Shen Qiao smiled, replied with only one word: “Really?”
This kind of situation, verbal sparring was of no use, although he appeared calm, his mind might not be, bystanders were just here for the show, only if you were personally involved, could you sense the threat emanating from Hulugu’s body, that kind of extreme pressure.
When Yi Bichen and the other fought, he must have also suffered through this kind of torment.
The other’s strength, had already reached a nameless, indescribable state.
The heavens held ten thousand permutations, mystery within mysteries, could only depend on intuition, not explanation.
Could he win?
Shen Qiao watched the person before him, had reduced his breathing to near nothing.
This will be his most difficult match since he entered the jianghu.
In terms of danger, it was not less than his match against Sang Jingxing.
He was Qi Fengge’s disciple, from the moment he accepted the mantle from his shizun’s hands, it was determined, this match, could not be avoided.
The author would like to say:
Shen Qiao: Look here, the director wants you to stay in the bathroom for one more episode.
Lao Yan: Oh, no problem, the debt owed will eventually be repaid one day with **.
Shen Qiao: ???