Chapter 246: A Tangled Mess, Meeting a Gentleman
After a great battle, rest and recuperation are needed—this is common sense. Since the imperial army no longer posed a threat, and with Song Fengshan holding down the mountain villa, Song Yushao was in no hurry to rush back. He only wanted to wait for Chu Hao's next awakening to question him about certain matters.
A pure martial artist who had reached the threshold of mastery, as long as their physical foundation and spiritual essence were not damaged, could return to their peak after a period of rest and recovery. The time required varied from person to person. Song Yushao had originally thought of the so-called "Martial God realm" as Chen Ping'an described it—the three realms of Golden Body, Feather Transformation, and Mountain Summit. Legend had it that the conversion between old and new true qi could be completed in an instant, preventing outsiders from ever understanding the truth and thus leaving no openings. The Green Bamboo Sword Immortal's ambush on the battlefield earlier would never have been possible. Hence, a saying had long circulated in the central martial arts world of Vase Prefecture, full of domineering spirit: "Before a Martial God dies in battle, they are always at their peak." However, Song Yushao had only heard this through hearsay, and Chen Ping'an only knew the division of realms; the scenery at the peak of the Refining Spirit's three realms of martial arts remained shrouded in mist for him.
Song Yushao noticed that Chen Ping'an's complexion wasn't good. This was unusual. Logically, after a martial artist left the battlefield, their aura should tend toward stability. Instead, Chen Ping'an showed signs of fatigue. He stopped walking and couldn't help asking, "What's wrong? Did you suffer hidden injuries?"
Chen Ping'an first examined Chu Hao. His breathing was slow and steady, and there seemed to be no sign of waking up anytime soon. But without another word, as if he were a youth wandering the mountains with Liu Xianyang, grabbing a mountain snake and shaking its body to loosen its bones and sinews, he gave a flick of his wrist and completely stunned the Shui Shui Nation's Grand General into unconsciousness.
In his heart, Chu Hao, who had thought his disguise was perfect, let out a silent wail. His vision went black, and he lost all awareness. To be stuck with such an unscrupulous so-called sword immortal who didn't follow the laws of the martial world—this time, he truly had no way out.
Only then did Chen Ping'an explain to Song Yushao: "Because I'm not a sword cultivator from the mountains, controlling two flying swords requires a significant expenditure of mental energy. Although they can kill enemies on their own after leaving the Sword-Nurturing Gourd, I still need to allocate some of my divine intent to the flying swords, like their sheaths. Otherwise, they won't linger outside my qi residence or the Sword-Nurturing Gourd for too long. Also, I used too many Measurement Talismans, plus the two quick changes of breath were a bit rushed. It's a bit uncomfortable now, but it's fine. As long as there's no major battle soon, I can slowly recover through breathing and exhalation."
Song Yushao was relieved. Walking through the forest, with shade and sunlight complementing each other, the old man felt carefree. Partly because a knot in his heart had been untied, but more so because he had met a young friend to whom he could entrust his life, rekindling a glimmer of hope for the martial world. Even if people's hearts were not what they used to be, the martial world still existed.
The old man suddenly laughed. "Chen Ping'an, although you have a Sword-Nurturing Gourd, so you don't have to expend a certain amount of heavenly materials and earthly treasures to repair and mend the flaws in your life-bound flying sword after each strike like other sword immortals, that's one thing. But Chu Hao actually invited that Songxi Nation's Green Bamboo Sword Immortal to back him up. If you hadn't helped this time, I would have definitely fallen into the army's encirclement. So when we return to the mountain villa, I'll give you all my small snow coins as a gift. The amount isn't much—I've only saved up less than two thousand coins over all these years. Song Fengshan used half of them to buy 'Cang Shui' at the immortal ferry crossing, so I can only give you about eight or nine hundred small snow coins."
Speaking of this, the old man felt a bit embarrassed and said self-deprecatingly, "I never thought the life of Song Yushao, the Sword Saint of Shui Shui Nation, would be worth less than a thousand small snow coins."
Chen Ping'an thought for a moment and nodded. "Senior Song, I only need three or four hundred small snow coins. You don't have to give me all of them. Song Fengshan will still need them in the future."
Although inside the flying sword Fifteen, a measurement object, he had a pile of snow coin money that the Azure-clad Child had used to buy ordinary snake gallstones, plus eight more precious minor summer coins—not a small amount—Chen Ping'an had witnessed the scene of the Burden Wrappers at Oxhorn Mountain under Wei Bo's introduction. He was worried that once he reached that immortal ferry crossing, if he encountered mountain items he fancied, he would regret not having enough coins.
As for Senior Song and Sword Water Mountain Villa, Chen Ping'an believed the old man's words: "The green hills remain; the clear waters flow forever."
Chen Ping'an chose to accept the money but not all of it. This was unexpected to Song Yushao. The old man couldn't help but laugh. "You're polite... and yet not polite! Do you know what the old-timers in the martial world would say? They'd thump their chests and say, 'Between brothers, talking about money hurts feelings. If you consider me a brother, don't bring this up again, or we won't be brothers anymore!'"
Chen Ping'an shook his head. "Owing a favor is more uncomfortable than owing money. At least that's how I feel."
Song Yushao deeply understood this and nodded. "Indeed."
The old man added one last sentence, "And it should be so."
In the forest, the mountain wind blew, green leaves rustled, and the shade was cool.
Considering Chen Ping'an's physical state, Song Yushao walked slowly. With no worries weighing on his mind, the old man simply took in the scenery along the way. He only reminded Chen Ping'an that the next time Chu Hao woke up, he shouldn't knock him out; he had questions to ask. Chen Ping'an naturally had no objection. Having determined Chu Hao's approximate martial arts cultivation level, Chen Ping'an, cautious by nature, was also relieved. He didn't want to carry Chu Hao through the mountains, but dragging him by the neck wasn't ideal either. After thinking it over, Chen Ping'an simply grabbed Chu Hao by one leg and dragged him along, like a mountain king patrolling his territory, using a broom to "sweep" the fallen branches and leaves from his own courtyard.
——
The Green Bamboo Sword Immortal was not afraid of Song Yushao and the youth chasing after him. He leisurely returned to the prefectural city along the official road. Suddenly, he turned to look at a forest by the roadside in the distance. He stopped, reached out, and grasped the section of green bamboo hanging from his waist. A familiar figure slowly emerged from the forest—an acquaintance of the Green Bamboo Sword Immortal. He was around seventy years old, with sharply defined features that clearly marked him as no easygoing member of the martial world. A sword hung from his waist, its scabbard wrapped in green silk thread of unknown material, far longer than an ordinary swordsman's blade, very conspicuous.
The Green Bamboo Sword Immortal stepped off the official road and walked toward the Gu Yu Nation swordsman, whom he had met a few times before. They both stopped of their own accord, twenty paces apart.
The old swordsman smiled. "Su Lang, it's been five or six years since our last meeting by the river, hasn't it?"
The Green Bamboo Sword Immortal said indifferently, "Lin Gushan, what do you want from me? Speak directly. I'm in a bad mood right now."
Unfazed by the arrogance of this younger martial artist, the old swordsman indeed got straight to the point. "I was entrusted by the National Preceptor to intercept and kill Chen Ping'an. We crossed paths earlier. A royal-commissioned qi refiner and the Scorpion Lady both died at Chen Ping'an's hands. Now only I and the Master of the Mai Du Lou remain, unwilling to give up. Earlier, I witnessed an excellent show of immortals breaking formations in the mountains, and I thought I might join forces with you to pursue and kill Chen Ping'an and Song Yushao. Once successful, regardless of whether they're dead or alive, Song Yushao is yours to deal with, and Chen Ping'an will be taken back to Gu Yu Nation by us."
Su Lang glanced at the dense forest in the mountains and asked two questions, "Can we make it in time? Do we have a chance of winning?"
Gu Yu Nation's Sword Venerable Lin Gushan nodded. "The Master of Mai Du Lou is best at assassination. He will act first to harass them, enough to delay both of them. As for the chances of winning, I can only say it depends on human effort. Even if the three of us join forces, I cannot guarantee how many will survive in the end."
Su Lang smiled. "If Senior Lin had said the chances were extremely high, I wouldn't have agreed to this."
Lin Gushan asked, "Does that mean you agree?"
Su Lang nodded. "You go ahead and support the Master of Mai Du Lou. I'll return the way I came to find the deputy general of the Chu clan's elite cavalry and the two Shui Shui Nation royal qi refiners. If you two can stop Song Yushao and Chen Ping'an, I can make our chances even better."
Lin Gushan hesitated.
Su Lang smiled. "This hurried alliance is based on mutual benefit. If there's profit, we gather; if not, we disperse. It's normal for you not to trust me, Su Lang. But at least believe in how great the temptation is for a Songxi Nation sword immortal to personally cut off the head of an old sword saint of Shui Shui Nation."
Lin Gushan sneered. "And then conveniently take the head of the Gu Yu Nation Sword Venerable as well? At that point, with the martial worlds of over a dozen nations, only you, the sword immortal, would reign supreme over the way of the sword—wouldn't that be even better!"
Su Lang pinched a strand of hair hanging at his temple with one hand, while the other hand curled a finger and lightly tapped the section of green bamboo, appearing extremely casual and carefree. "Your sword, Lin Gushan, has never caught my eye."
Lin Gushan, who had a notoriously bad reputation in the martial world, squinted and smiled without sincerity. "Big talk."
Su Lang's expression was calm. "The truth is never pleasant to hear."
Lin Gushan snorted coldly. "Regardless, today, Song and Chen are our major enemies. The Master of Mai Du Lou and I will await good news! If you're late, I won't say whether that vengeful Master of Mai Du Lou will retaliate against you, but I, Lin Gushan, will certainly demand justice from you and the Songxi Nation royal family."
Su Lang extended a hand, signaling Lin Gushan to go ahead.
The Sword Venerable vanished in a flash.
Su Lang also turned and dashed toward the official road.
But halfway, Su Lang suddenly stopped. He saw an innocent and charming young girl, dressed in a goose-yellow pink skirt, spotless and standing in the middle of the road.
Su Lang walked forward slowly.
The girl pulled a secret letter from her sleeve. It had a vermilion wax seal, meant to prevent the messenger from opening it privately. She smiled and said, "Song Fengshan asked me to give this to you. He said once you open and read it, you'll understand. That guy also said that if you agree, just nod in front of me, and that's enough. Song Fengshan promises that for the next sixty years in the martial worlds of over a dozen nations, you, Su Lang, will firmly hold half the territory as a sword immortal."
Su Lang thought for a moment, took a pair of gloves sewn with white silk thread from his sleeve, put them on, and beckoned, "Throw it over."
The girl was one of the Four Evils of Shui Shui Nation from the ancient temple "Mama." She had left Sword Water Mountain Villa not only to keep an eye on Song Yushao in case of unforeseen events but, more importantly, to deliver this secret letter. She was to find an opportunity to hand it personally to Su Lang. This renowned Green Bamboo Sword Immortal of the martial world was actually a relative of the Songxi Nation royal family, albeit of impure bloodline, having long lost any chance of inheriting the throne.
Su Lang carefully removed the wax seal, opened the envelope, quickly scanned the contents of the secret letter, curled the corners of his mouth, then flicked his wrist to shatter the letter. He removed his gloves and put them back in his sleeve. Nodding, he said, "You can go report back to Song Fengshan. Since Sword Water Mountain Villa is so sincere, I, Su Lang, will return the favor. Tell Song Fengshan that soon there will be a reasonably good piece of news related to the old sword saint. As for the matter in the letter, I hope Song Fengshan will keep his word."
With nothing weighing on her now, the girl put her hands behind her back, interlacing her fingers, and smiled charmingly. "Song Fengshan may not understand romance, but he is very steady in his actions—more seasoned than us old demons who have lived for a hundred or several hundred years. So you can rest assured, Su Lang. In the future, you will be the monarch of the martial world across the territories of over a dozen nations, more like sitting on a dragon throne than actually sitting on one."
Su Lang smiled. "Let's hope your words come true."
"Great Sword Immortal Su, if you ever need a bedfellow, just let me know. I'll come at your call!" The girl cast a flirtatious glance at the handsome man, let out a string of silvery laughter, then her form wavered and dispersed, turning into a rolling plume of green smoke that rose into the air and quickly vanished.
Su Lang continued walking alone, beginning to weigh the pros and cons.
Should he be opportunistic, securing the benefits early?
Or should he join forces with Song Fengshan and let him push Su Lang to that lofty position of martial world monarch?
Suddenly, Su Lang laughed silently. There was a proposal in the letter that was quite interesting. Song Fengshan promised that between them, roughly every ten years, there would be a grandiose spectacle for the martial world: the two of them would fight an ultimate battle. At that time, Song Fengshan would inherit the title of Sword Saint of Sword Water Mountain Villa. As the Sword Saint, he would fight a so-called life-or-death battle with Su Lang, who held the title of Sword Immortal—but it was merely a show for the martial world. In the letter, Song Fengshan had even picked three locations for their duels. The first would be Song Fengshan challenging Su Lang, the venue chosen at the top of the main hall of Songxi Nation's imperial palace, with Su Lang winning by a landslide. The second would be at the top of the waterfall at Sword Water Mountain Villa, with Song Fengshan slightly superior. The third would be at the mass grave in Yan Zhi Commandery of Cai Yi Nation, with Su Lang winning.
Su Lang found it quite amusing.
So he decided to take the heads of the Gu Yu Nation Sword Venerable and the Master of Mai Du Lou as a reciprocal gift.
Su Lang soon spotted the figures of the Shui Shui Nation imperial army. His mind still occupied with Song Fengshan's interlocking schemes, he murmured, "So this is how the martial world can be played?"
In the end, the Songxi Nation sword immortal did not head straight into the army. Instead, he abruptly changed direction and dashed alone into the forest.
It was still three against two, but this time, the three were Song Yushao, Chen Ping'an, and himself, Su Lang.
Together, they would deal with Lin Gushan and the Master of Mai Du Lou.
Entering the mountain path in the forest, Su Lang deliberately slowed his pace and said with a smile, "The martial world is treacherous."
——
Within the prefectural city, in an inconspicuous secluded residence, a distinguished guest from the capital was lodging. Although the residence was not luxurious or ostentatious, it was exceptionally clean and tidy, its decorations exuding the elegant atmosphere of a scholarly family. Moreover, its location was peaceful amidst the bustle, clearly indicating that considerable thought had gone into it.
A well-cared-for woman stood in the courtyard. Though not young, she was well-preserved and still retained her charm. If one didn't look closely at the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, she could pass for a woman in her thirties. She was bending over, tossing food into a large vat to feed the fish. Inside the vat were over a dozen dainty goldfish and several verdant water lilies, the gold and green colors complementing each other beautifully.
Apart from this elegant woman from the capital, there was only a robust maidservant with a saber in the courtyard, no one else.
But the alleys and streets around the residence were full of hidden tricks. Not only were there elite soldiers guarding, but also several martial arts masters concealed among the common folk. Some sharp old constables from the governor's mansion had long since arrived to secretly enforce security. Clearly, this visitor from the capital was no ordinary person.
Yet, amidst this heavy protection, the burly maidservant, who was more robust than most men, collapsed without warning. Behind the maidservant appeared a handsome young dandy holding a folding fan. The fan stirred a gentle breeze, causing the strands of hair at his temples to drift slightly. He smiled as he watched the woman, who was still bending over to feed the fish. Her plump figure was fully displayed, the scene filled with charm. The young dandy felt that this sight was utterly beautiful and worth the trip.
The woman straightened up, turned around, and silently looked at the young man.
The young man smiled. "Madam, we've met before in the capital."
The woman remained calm, her tone sarcastic. "Since when do the descendants of the Xiao Zhong Shan Han clan have the guts to wrestle with a Grand General?"
The young man closed his folding fan, covered his face with both hands, slowly wiped downward, and finally revealed a face that the woman found extremely familiar. He spoke in a voice equally familiar to her, "And now, my good madam?"
Before the woman could scream in surprise, Han Yuanshan, a descendant of the Xiao Zhong Shan Han clan, raised a finger to his lips and gently shushed her. "Don't worry, madam. I, Han Yuanshan, only like to steal hearts. I never steal or snatch a woman's body. But I believe that one day, you will willingly offer yourself to me, and we will..."
At this point, Han Yuanshan, now showing Chu Hao's face, pointed at the fish vat, paused briefly, then continued, "...be like fish in water, enjoying the pleasures of the fish and water."
——
At Yan Zhi Commandery in Cai Yi Nation, an elderly Confucian scholar with a jade pendant at his waist stood on the city wall, his expression solemn.
In Cai Yi Nation's capital, within the imperial study of the palace, there was another elderly Confucian scholar with his hands behind his back, also wearing a jade pendant at his waist. The old man stood by the window, silent. The Cai Yi Nation emperor stood nervously beside him, not daring to sit.
In Gu Yu Nation, there was yet another Confucian scholar in his thirties, dressed in a blue robe, also wearing a jade pendant of similar style. He sat inside a crude hired carriage. The sturdy young coachman, who had been complaining about everything along the way, was terrified when they were twenty li from Gu Yu Nation. With sharp eyes, he saw a thousand strong elite cavalry assembling there, numerous high-ranking officials in yellow and purple robes standing, and a man in a yellow robe standing by the post road, hands at his sides, as if waiting for someone.
The scholar inside the carriage put down the book in his hand and said to the coachman, "Stop at the post station. Don't worry, they're waiting for me. Besides the deposit I paid earlier, the secret reward the Gu Yu Nation court will give you can be considered payment for all my remaining expenses."
After saying this, the middle-aged scholar packed his book box and smiled. "It was hard to get out this time. Don't anger our academy head again when we get to Shui Shui Nation."
Meanwhile, at Sword Water Mountain Villa, the Martial Alliance Leader Grand Ceremony was about to be held. In the main hall, some faces that had appeared at the earlier banquet were missing, but many new famous figures of the martial world had arrived, from both the righteous and unorthodox paths. Most of the martial heroes of Shui Shui Nation were gathered here.
Song Fengshan sat high in the main seat, looking at these influential figures without much emotional fluctuation.
Among them were those who had come to pledge allegiance or seek opportunity, those with hidden malicious intentions, those who were sizing up the situation before placing their bets, and those from the court who thought they would see a huge joke.
Not far from Song Fengshan sat his wife, dressed in elaborate attire, her dignified bearing arguably not inferior to the palace consorts.
Song Fengshan was naturally confident, and some below also thought they had the situation well in hand.
But neither side expected that the arrival of an unexpected guest would shatter the painstaking plans they had nurtured for years.
Without any gatekeeper announcing him, and with no Sword Water Mountain Villa disciple attempting to stop him, upon hearing the visitor announce his name, almost everyone instinctively bowed in greeting, treating him with the etiquette accorded to Confucian scholars.
The young man, wearing a Confucian robe and a scholar's headcloth, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, entered the main hall where the martial world's elite had gathered. He walked with an indescribable pace and rhythm, neither hurried nor slow. After crossing the threshold, he looked around and announced his identity again, "Guan Hu Academy, Worthy Zhou Ju."
Almost everyone in the hall rose in a rustle and bowed to him.
The young man returned the bow, then took two or three steps forward, looking at the young master of Sword Water Mountain Villa on the main seat.
Song Fengshan's face darkened. The young woman sitting nearby gestured to him with her eyes, signaling him not to act rashly.
The young Worthy from Guan Hu Academy said in a calm tone, "Is Han Yuanshan of the Xiao Zhong Shan Han clan here at the mountain villa?"
Song Fengshan suppressed the anger rising in his heart, twitched the corner of his mouth, and said slowly, "Unfortunately, Han Yuanshan was here yesterday, but he's already gone today. He said he had a whim to travel and see the great landscapes. May I ask why this Academy Master is looking for him? If it's not urgent, I can pass along a message to Han Yuanshan."
The young Worthy smiled. "Han Yuanshan, as a Presented Scholar of Shui Shui Nation, is already a student of our Confucian school. Yet he practices demonic techniques with ulterior motives, endangering the nation's foundation. I am to take him back to Guan Hu Academy for punishment. How he will be dealt with will be decided at the academy. Song Fengshan, I am not speaking to you as a Worthy of the academy, but I, Zhou Ju, would advise you: It's not too late to rein in at the brink of the precipice, and it's not too late to mend the fold after the sheep are lost."
Song Fengshan rested his elbow on the armrest of his chair, propped his cheek on his hand, tilted his head, and smiled as he observed this Worthy from Guan Hu Academy, leisurely sizing him up.
It was said that these esteemed masters, whenever they left the academy on official business, would hang a jade pendant bestowed by the academy's sage at their waist. This pendant could record their experiences and self-cultivation along the way, demonstrating their words and deeds were upright and aboveboard. The style of the jade pendant was the simplest and most elegant peace plaque, but different Worthies and Gentlemen had different inscriptions carved on them. Without exception, these inscriptions carried profound meaning, often containing the academy sage's expectations and guidance for that person.
Song Fengshan was exceedingly impolite, showing no intention of responding. The young woman naturally had to smooth things over. She stood up, bowed to the academy Worthy, and said with a smile, "If Han Yuanshan is truly like that, Sword Water Mountain Villa will naturally act impartially. Standing on the side of righteousness, we will do our utmost to help the academy capture this man."
Zhou Ju looked at the woman and said sternly, "If you hadn't severed your Longevity Bridge early, you wouldn't be standing here speaking nonsense. Your fate would be no better than Han Yuanshan's. Demonic cultivators stirring up trouble in the martial world will be dealt with by chivalrous warriors who eliminate evil and uphold the Dao. But if they dare to disturb a nation's foundation, our academy will never forgive them!"
Song Fengshan sat up straight, glaring at Zhou Ju. "When speaking to my wife, you'd better be more polite."
"Fengshan!"
The young woman turned her head and called softly. Seeing the anxious look in her eyes, Song Fengshan sighed inwardly, leaned back in his chair, and said no more.
At this moment, Dou Yang, the self-proclaimed leader of the Demon Cult, took a gulp of wine, slammed his cup heavily on the table, and let out a cold laugh.
The young Worthy turned to look at this qi refiner and said, "After I finish the academy's official business, I will remove the jade pendant from my waist. I hope you, Dou Yang, can still laugh then."
Dou Yang squinted at the academy master, who seemed to be under thirty, and snorted, "Other people might be scared to death of Guan Hu Academy's reputation. I, Dou Yang, am also afraid, but because I know your academy's rules, I'm not trembling in fear. I know exactly what the threshold of a Confucian Worthy is, what the bottlenecks are, and roughly how big the gap is between a Worthy and a Gentleman. So you, Zhou Ju, don't need to intimidate me with words. To put it bluntly, even if you remove your jade tablet, I'll still be wary of your academy and won't dare to fight you with full force. But if you, Zhou Ju, have the skill to also remove your Confucian robe and scholar's headcloth and act like a martial artist, then if I, Dou Yang, don't beat the crap out of you, I'll take your surname!"
Dou Yang the demon's words were domineering and satisfying. Even some righteous path leaders felt that although this man had committed many evils and caused bloody storms in the martial world, being able to speak like that in front of a Worthy from Guan Hu Academy was truly worthy of the term "martial world"! Could it be that Shui Shui Nation, having such a demonic giant, had also surpassed the martial worlds of Cai Yi Nation and Gu Yu Nation?
The Worthy Zhou Ju smiled slightly.
He lowered his head and whispered to the jade plaque, "Master, did you hear that? Can I still tolerate this? I could barely hold back from hitting those academy Worthies, but now, thousands of miles away from the academy, do I still have to tolerate a demonic qi refiner? Fine, you'll probably say to endure and endure, and eventually I can become a Gentleman again. But... I really can't endure it anymore... What, Master, what did you say... Hey hey hey, can you hear me? Oh dear, what's wrong with the jade plaque? Master, when you get back, you must properly manage those people in the academy's manufacturing bureau... Anyway, let's stop here. I won't chat anymore. When I return to the academy, Master, please help me exchange this jade pendant for a new one..."
In the end, everyone watched as the young academy master, babbling nonsense, reached out and firmly grasped the jade plaque, which seemed to be trembling on its own, shaking it vigorously. Finally, he made a hand seal with two fingers, gently rotated it, and a clear breeze swirled around the jade plaque, wrapping it like a silkworm cocoon. The young Worthy smiled, removed the jade pendant, and put it into his sleeve.
The young woman took the opportunity to walk over to Song Fengshan's side, unnoticed, and whispered with a bitter smile, "Fengshan, I remember now. This man is one of the direct disciples of that sage from Guan Hu Academy. Among the disciples, he is the youngest, the most hot-tempered, and though his skill may not be the highest, it's certainly second. He obtained the status of Gentleman at the age of twenty, which caused a huge sensation. He was hailed as the best candidate for another 'Righteous Man' Gentleman after Cui Minghuang, and it's very likely that the academy sage will personally examine and test him. That's why Guan Hu Academy has protected him very well. Our intelligence records always listed him as Zhou Juran, not Zhou Ju."
Dou Yang sat frozen in place, swallowing saliva.
Although he didn't know that Zhou Ju was Zhou Juran, he had caught the implications of "beating a Worthy" and "returning to being a Gentleman."
So Dou Yang stood up, intending to apologize and admit his mistake.
Apologizing and conceding to a Confucian Gentleman was by no means disgraceful.
But Zhou Ju, who had temporarily left the academy as a Worthy, extended a hand, pointing two fingers at the demon Dou Yang, who had been unrivaled in Shui Shui Nation. He smiled and said, "Our Confucian predecessors once wrote a magnificent poem, asking future generations: 'Do you not see, a stream of boulders as big as a bushel, tumbling with the wind, scattering everywhere?' I, Zhou Ju of later generations, answer here: 'I have seen!'"
At the burly Dou Yang's location, within a one-zhang radius, a fierce gale swept up, forming a land tornado that madly swirled around this demonic giant.
Dou Yang's fate was truly a reduction of his form and depletion of his bones.
The gale dissipated, and a skeleton fell to the ground.
The young Worthy didn't even glance at the remaining white bones. He tilted his head slightly, looked up at Song Fengshan, and asked, "Now do you realize that when I spoke to your wife earlier, I was already being very polite?"
Song Fengshan was so angry that the veins on the back of his hands bulged, but the young woman standing beside him quickly reached out and firmly pressed his hand. She smiled and said, "We, as a couple, naturally understand the goodwill shown by Master Zhou."
Zhou Ju smiled. "Since Han Yuanshan is not present, I won't disturb your Martial Alliance Leader Grand Ceremony any further. I'll go find him. You can continue."
The academy Worthy turned around gracefully and headed toward the door. Just then, an old man and a youth returned to Sword Water Mountain Villa from outside. They walked side by side toward the main hall, as if they had just been through a series of dangerous battles, with bloodstains on their clothes.
Neither party stopped, nor did they speak. As they crossed the threshold, they passed each other.
The young Worthy kept his eyes fixed on the youth who carried a sword on his back. The latter found it strange and looked back at him, their eyes meeting.
Even after the youth had entered the main hall and was no longer looking at him, the young Worthy, who had once been a Gentleman of Guan Hu Academy, continued to turn his head and gaze at the youth.