Tianxiang Valley, Yuhua Palace, was an indescribably wondrous place.
For so many years, this place that intoxicated the heart and enraptured the soul had been endlessly discussed in the jianghu.
It was said that in Tianxiang Valley, beautiful women were as numerous as clouds, a dazzling array of colors. Not only was every single one of them exquisite, gentle, and affectionate, but what commanded even greater admiration was that each possessed a unique and extraordinary mastery of martial arts.
Fairy Yuhua was the most outstanding talent among them.
Rumors in the jianghu had it that Fairy Yuhua possessed a miraculous ancient prescription to cleanse the marrow and purge impurities. Combined with various acupuncture techniques, it could allow one's martial arts to quickly reach great completion, enabling even an ordinary person to become a first-class expert in a short period of time.
But where on earth was this Tianxiang Valley? Had anyone ever been there?
In the past, there was no one, but today, there seemed to be one. This person was originally a fair-faced scholar, a wooden-headed bookworm through and through, and his name was Liu Er'ngu.
Tonight was the Lantern Festival.
Jinling, the capital of six dynasties, was brilliant with festive lanterns. On the Qinhuai River, flower boats crowded together like woven silk, and the sound of singing and music filled the air everywhere.
Baiyu Tower was the largest tavern in the area, boasting fine wine as well as beautiful women.
These beauties, of course, were all famous courtesans of Qinhuai.
Though legendary figures of the past like Li Xiangjun, Dong Xiaowan, Bian Yujing, Liu Rushi, and Gu Hengbo had already turned to yellow dust, the romance of Qinhuai would never grow quiet; every generation of this garden of flowers produced new and wondrous blossoms.
Where there were famous flowers, there was naturally no shortage of gallant protectors.
In Jinling, the most famous among them were the Four Young Masters.
These Four Young Masters were Xia Shaozhang, Sun Yi, Peng Xiaofeng, and Xiao Hongju. Birds of a feather flocking together, they spent their days riding through the pleasure districts, elegant and carefree.
Naturally, those they associated with were also first-class courtesans.
In truth, these four were neither useless dandies nor men of empty reputation; each possessed a wealth of learning. They had merely inherited the romantic nature of scholars of past generations, unable to resist the sweet intimacy and tender affection between talented scholars and beautiful ladies.
Tonight, for the grand Lantern Festival gathering, the Four Young Masters naturally crossed paths at Baiyu Tower without prior agreement.
Baiyu Tower was famous far and wide, and very few patrons came just to drink and chat idly; especially on a night of flowers and moonlight like this, they were bound to seek out fine songs and beautiful women.
The Four Young Masters had also invited several of their intimate female companions.
Xia Shaozhang had always been devoted to Shen Xiaodie of Yihong Courtyard. Sun Yi's long-time favorite was Xue Panpan of Cuijin Pavilion. Peng Xiaofeng and Xiao Hongju, meanwhile, had chosen Qingfeng and Zifeng of Wufengchun, respectively.
The famous courtesans of Qinhuai were never ordinary. Not only were they well-versed in music, the pipa, and the flute, but they also excelled at reciting poetry and drinking games. Shen Xiaodie and Xue Panpan in particular were renowned as talented female scholars along the Qinhuai River.
By this time, the wine and food had been served. The four young masters sat beside their beauties, in high spirits.
Sun Yi's gaze swept around the room, when he suddenly noticed something unusual and let out an "Oh," saying:
"Well, this is rare!"
"What is it?"
"Take a look over there, who is that?"
Over there was a youth in blue robes, occupying a corner table all by himself, with four side dishes and a pot of fine wine, quietly pouring and drinking by himself.
"So it's Liu Er'ngu."
Xia Shaozhang was also surprised:
"How did he end up at Baiyu Tower too?"
By this logic, it seemed Liu Er'dai had no business coming to Baiyu Tower.
What pleasure could a blockhead who knew nothing of romance find in coming to this place of wind and willows, drinking all by himself beneath the lamplight?
"How amusing!"
Sun Yi sighed with emotion and recited a line of poetry:
"Suddenly turning back,
There he stands where the lights are dim."
Xiao Hongju chimed in:
"Or one could say, 'The capital is filled with high hats and carriages, yet he alone is haggard and worn.'"
"He is not haggard."
Chen Xiaodie of Yihong Courtyard suddenly spoke up.
"How do you know?"
Xia Shaozhang turned his head.
"Can you gentlemen not see it?"
Chen Xiaodie said:
"His spirit is bright and his mind is clear, perfectly at ease. Where is he haggard?"
"Right, right, right! Not haggard at all!"
Xiao Hongju readily conceded:
"It should be said:
Among the flowers, a jug of wine,
I drink alone, with no companion.
I raise my cup and invite the bright moon,
And with my shadow, we become three."
"No, that's not right!"
Sun Yi immediately corrected him:
"This is clearly Baiyu Tower. Where are the flowers? Where is the garden?"
This man was truly pedantic. As long as the sentiment fit, why take it so literally?
"Alright, alright! Let's not argue over such things!"
Xia Shaozhang laughed and said:
"Why don't we invite him over to enjoy the night with us?"
"Why?"
"Who in Jinling doesn't know that Liu Er'dai is completely unpredictable? When he's in high spirits, he'll leap up, gesticulating wildly, laughing and talking. He can speak of a ruined temple with such vivid eloquence, spanning from the reign of Emperor Yao down to the Five Dynasties, talking endlessly. But once he loses his temper, it is terrifying—his eyes roll back, showing only the whites, and he ignores everyone."
Everyone burst into laughter.
"That's not entirely true. Sometimes he does look upon people with favor."
Xue Panpan nudged Sun Yi with her shoulder:
"And he can be quite elegant and polite."
"How would you know?"
"I do know!"
Xue Panpan said:
"At least, there is one person here who can invite him."
"Who?"
Every eye in the room instantly turned, except for Chen Xiaodie of Yihong Courtyard, who remained silent.
"I dare not say."
Xue Panpan said, looking slightly embarrassed.
"You speak as if you know!"
Chen Xiaodie asked:
"It's me, isn't it?"
"Sister Chen, this..."
This was truly bizarre, even more so than Liu Er'dai's sudden appearance at Baiyu Tower. That the most famous courtesan along the Qinhuai River would have a friendship with a bookworm of Jinling was unheard of.
"Panpan!"
Chen Xiaodie turned to Xia Shaozhang and smiled:
"Fortunately, Young Master Xia has not yet decided to marry me, otherwise wouldn't you have ruined my chances?"
Xue Panpan's face turned even redder.
"Haha! It's nothing, it's nothing!"
Xia Shaozhang laughed heartily:
"I, Xia, am not one to buy a pipa with ten bushels of pearls."
He possessed the demeanor of a refined scholar and a generous heart; indeed, he did not mind.
Still, he could not help but feel a touch of perplexity. How did Chen Xiaodie know Liu Er'dai? Had this bookworm actually visited Yihong Courtyard before?
Naturally, he was not the only perplexed one. From the looks in the eyes of Sun Yi, Peng Xiaofeng, and Xiao Hongju, it was clear that each of them longed to know this secret, yet none had the courage to ask.
Chen Xiaodie, however, volunteered the answer herself.
"Young Master Liu has never been to Yihong Courtyard. We have only run into each other occasionally—once at Wende Bridge, and once at the Confucius Temple."
She added:
"Panpan was also there during the meeting at Wende Bridge."
Xue Panpan nodded.
– "How did the two of you recognize each other?"
Sun Yi was quite intrigued.
– "Because neither of us is a nobody."
Shen Xiaodie smiled and said:
– "In Jinling City, there is a Liu Er'sha; by the Qinhuai River, there is a Shen Xiaodie. He knows of me, and I know of him. That is enough."
– "Is that all?"
Sun Yi asked, his curiosity still unsatisfied.
– "What? Does Young Master Sun feel it's not enough?"
Shen Xiaodie laughed and said:
– "If you want to interrogate someone properly, the one you should be questioning is Young Master Xia."
– "Well, this..."
Sun Yi rubbed his nose.
– "Xiaodie, look at that clever mouth of yours!"
Xia Shaozhang laughed and said:
– "I don't need to question you, but I must punish you first."
– "Punish? Punish me with what?"
– "Punish you by having you invite Liu Er'sha over."
– "I cannot invite him,"
Shen Xiaodie said:
– "I was only wondering whether I should go over there and offer him a toast."
– "Very well, go ahead!"
– "Really?"
Shen Xiaodie smiled faintly:
– "A true gentleman is broad-minded. Young Master Xia's greatest virtue is that he doesn't get jealous."
Xia Shaozhang raised his cup and laughed heartily.
Shen Xiaodie filled her cup and was about to stand up when she suddenly heard a sharp, somber voice ring out:
– "Wait!"
Xia Shaozhang and the others at the table were all taken aback.
Three people suddenly appeared at the banquet.
Leading them was a middle-aged scholar wearing a brocade robe with a flowered overcoat draped over it.
Although his clothes were extremely exquisite, his appearance was wretchedly vulgar. He had an aquiline nose, a pointed chin, and beneath a pair of sparse eyebrows were small, narrow, yellowish eyes that darted about restlessly.
Despite his ugly appearance, his formidable presence was highly apparent.
Even stranger, despite the chilly spring weather, he held a gold-leafed folding fan in his hand.
– "May I ask who you are..."
Xia Shaozhang was momentarily bewildered.
– "Grand Villa Master Qi of Bailu Island is hosting guests in the eastern hall."
The middle-aged scholar did not even spare Xia Shaozhang a glance. His eyes swept across the room, lingering one by one on Shen Xiaodie, Xue Panpan, Qing Feng, and Zi Feng, before he said:
– "He has specifically sent me to invite you ladies to come and liven up the banquet."
It turned out he had been ordered to invite these four famous Qinhuai courtesans to accompany them for drinks.
– "What did you say?"
Sun Yi was the first to lose his patience.
– "Grand Villa Master Qi is illustriously famous, the Alliance Leader of Jiangnan, as wealthy as a nation, spends money like water, and rewards handsomely."
The middle-aged scholar ignored Sun Yi even more, continuing:
– "Ladies, please depart..."
– "Depart for what?"
Sun Yi demanded loudly.
– "Hmph! Ridiculous, you don't even understand what 'depart' means?"
The middle-aged scholar said disdainfully:
– "It means you are coming with me."
– "Go with you?"
Sun Yi abruptly stood up.
– "What?"
The scholar's eyes swept over him:
– "Are you not satisfied?"
– "I say no!"
Sun Yi shouted, his face flushed with anger:
– "Where on earth does such a thing happen..."
– "It does! Today, it does."
The middle-aged scholar sneered.
– "Do you dare to throw your weight around here?"
– "Exactly so."
With a sharp *snap*, the gold-leafed fan spread open like a peacock displaying its feathers. With a flick of the fan, a gust of powerful inner force swept straight forward.
Sun Yi suddenly found it hard to open his eyes. A heavy blow struck his chest, sending him crashing onto the chair beside him.
With a loud *crack*, the chair shattered.
Xia Shaozhang and the others were startled, their faces turning pale with shock.
In Jinling City, relying on their reputation as the Four Young Masters of Nanjing, although they were not high-ranking officials or noblemen, they had at least never been bullied by anyone. They never expected to encounter such a bizarre outrage today.
It was like a scholar facing a blade.
– Haha!
The middle-aged scholar sneered and said:
– Yours truly also spent ten years of bitter study, pouring over poetry and classics, only to finally realize that we have all been deceived by the ancients. Where in books is there a house of gold? Where in books is there a face like jade? Humph! You rotten, pedantic fools…
He fluttered the folding fan in his hand:
– It is all just for show.
As it turned out, he was also a scholar. It was just that his literary talents were cursed by fate, and fame had eluded him, making him feel that none of it compared to the swift and decisive mastery of martial arts.
But he had forgotten what he himself looked like right now.
At this moment, Sun Yi lay sprawled on the ground, groaning incessantly. The remaining three—Xia Shaozhang, Peng Xiaofeng, and Xiao Hongju—looked at one another, their faces pale with fright.
– You have also studied the classics?
Shen Xiaodie, however, remained very calm.
– Indeed, a wasted ten years.
The middle-aged scholar replied:
– That is why I realized scholars are a useless breed, so I changed professions to learn the sword…
– And yet, you don't seem to have made much of a name for yourself either?
The corner of Shen Xiaodie's mouth curled up.
– This…
The middle-aged scholar was taken aback, but then his eyes darted around:
– Are you the Qinhuai courtesan, Shen Xiaodie?
– That is correct! I am Shen Xiaodie, but I am no courtesan.
– Right, right! One should say a beauty capable of toppling cities and empires!
The middle-aged scholar grinned, revealing a row of dingy yellow teeth:
– This humble one is Shen Buyu, a nobody from Nanhai…
He had indeed read books; his speech was quite refined.
– Since you are an educated man, you should be reasonable.
– Reasonable? Haha!
Shen Buyu said:
– What is there to be reasonable about at a time like this? In Baiyu Tower, we only talk of wind and moon.
He stared intently at Shen Xiaodie, a wicked grin on his face.
– Hmph!
– Don't throw a tantrum, let's go quickly!
Shen Buyu said:
– I'm afraid Grand Villa Master Qi won't be kept waiting.
Shen Xiaodie ignored him completely.
– What if she doesn't go?
Suddenly, someone stepped forward.
It was Liu Ersha.
Although he was a scholar, he had never entered the examination halls, and naturally, his name had never graced the golden roll. Yet, in Jinling City, there was no one who did not know of his reputation as a fool.
– Who are you?
Shen Buyu was slightly startled.
– I am also a rotten, pedantic fool.
Liu Ersha grinned:
– You failed at studying, so you learned the sword. You failed at the sword, so you learned to be a running dog. And yet, you actually have the nerve to come to Baiyu Tower to put on airs.
These did not sound like the words of a fool. Could it be that genius and folly were truly not so different?
Was he truly a fool, or only playing one?
Seeing Sun Yi, one of the Four Young Masters, sprawled on the ground, while the other three were so frightened out of their wits that they dared not even breathe heavily, for an entirely unrelated person like him to step forward and interfere—could this possibly be considered smart?
– You are also a rotten, pedantic fool?
– Indeed, even more rotten than them.
Liu Ersha said:
– My writing is rotten, and I am quite rotten myself.
– Are you mocking yourself?
– Because I am very foolish.
– Foolish?
Shen Buyu's eyes suddenly lit up:
– Are you Liu Ersha?
This was unexpected. Even he knew that there was a Liu Ersha in Jinling City; the name Liu Ersha was truly famous!
– That's right, it is I.
– As the saying goes, the deaf do not fear thunder. Naturally, a fool like you doesn't know what danger is.
Shen Buyu said:
– Fine! Lord Shen will spare you this once. Get lost, don't get in the way here! If you happen to provoke Lord Shen's anger…
– It would be best if you left.
– Me, leave?
"Exactly! If you turn back now and stop bothering the Four Young Masters of Nanjing, I might just spare you this once."
Liu Er'e said coldly:
"What did you say?"
Shen Buyu thought he had misheard.
"I told you to leave!"
Liu Er'e said in a low voice, "Or you can scram."
"Haha! This is truly hilarious."
Shen Buyu sneered. "I thought you were just a fool, but it turns out you're a madman as well."
"That is true,"
Liu Er'e admitted. "Madness and foolishness are not much different anyway."
"Don't worry,"
Shen Buyu said, his face darkening. "Master Shen will cure your madness for you."
Suddenly, his fan snapped open, unleashing a surge of inner force that struck straight at Liu Er'e's chest.
Though he claimed to study the sword, his weapon of choice was actually this gold-plated folding fan.
Furthermore, he had clearly trained extensively with it; each swing generated a powerful gust of wind, carrying formidable force.
Naturally, he did not think much of the bookworm standing before him. He knew all too well that scholars always carried a touch of arrogance; the more books they read, the more they loved to put on airs, some even daring to look down on princes and nobles.
Only when they suffered did they begin to flatter and grovel.
Thus, as he swung his folding fan, he used the exact same move he had deployed against Sun Yi, only secretly channeling twenty percent more of his inner energy.
He felt that since this bookworm dared to speak so insolently, he deserved a slightly harsher punishment.
But the moment he unleashed the move, his wrist suddenly went numb, as if clamped by a band of solid steel.
His wrist pulse was seized like the seven-inch mark of a snake, causing the inner force throughout his body to instantly vanish.
He gasped in sheer terror.
He heard Liu Er'e say coldly, "No need to be so eager to please. It isn't the heat of midsummer, so who asked you to fan me?"
Unbeknownst to him, the scholar had already gripped Shen Buyu's wrist in an iron vice, and was still tightening his hold.
"Ah... ah... you..."
Shen Buyu's forehead broke out in a cold sweat as he shrieked, "Ah! My bones... they're breaking!"
"No, not yet."
A sharp, crisp crack rang out, and only then did the bones truly shatter. Shen Buyu let out a wretched scream, thrashing as he collapsed to the ground.
The world is full of bizarre and unimaginable wonders, and today, one unfolded right before their eyes. No one could have expected that this famous bookworm of Jinling could subdue a seasoned Jianghu expert with such effortless ease.
Aside from Sun Yi, who lay groaning on the ground, the rest of the Four Young Masters of Nanjing stood frozen, their mouths agape in utter disbelief.
It felt like a dream; they simply could not believe this was reality.
Yet the festive lanterns hanging high above illuminated everything with crystal clarity. Everyone had dreamed before, and dreams were always hazy and chaotic—how could one be this vivid?
This was indeed reality.
As for Xue Panpan of the Cuiyun Pavilion, along with Qing Feng and Zi Feng of the Wufeng Spring, their eyes were opened to a whole new world, and they were filled with profound astonishment.
Only Shen Xiaodie remained perfectly composed, as though she had foreseen this outcome all along.
If a person already knew the inevitable outcome before the event even began, what was there to be surprised about?
However, Shen Buyu had only come on orders; the matter was far from over.
The two burly, green-robed men who had accompanied him saw that the tide had turned and had already slipped away.
They had not fled far, of course, having only retreated to the eastern parlor.
"Hmph! Where did this brat crawl out from?"
A booming voice suddenly echoed through the air.
Following the sound, a diverse crowd of people, tall and short, emerged from behind a landscape screen, surrounding a figure clad in purple.
This man walked with a majestic, powerful stride, like a dragon or a tiger, his demeanor solemn and formidable.
The east and west halls were located within the same grand building; one only had to round a landscape screen to reach the banquet mats.
"Useless trash!"
The purple-robed man's eyes flashed as he cast a sidelong glance at Shen Buyu on the ground. "Are you not ashamed to be lying there like that?"
His voice was low, authoritative, and powerful.
Shen Buyu gritted his teeth and scrambled up in trepidation, his face pale as ash, shrinking back in fear as he retreated to the side.
His wrist bone was broken, but he did not dare to utter another groan.
"I hear you are called Liu Er'sha."
The purple-robed man widened his tiger-like eyes. "A bookworm from Jinling City, is that right?"
"That is correct."
Liu Er'sha coldly retorted, "And I hear you are called Qi Tianpeng, a local tyrant of Bailuzhou, is that right?"
Unyielding, tit-for-tat—it was a brilliant retort.
But his audacity was a bit too great.
The purple-robed man raised his thick eyebrows, his face darkening as a murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
His name was indeed Qi Tianpeng, but even he had forgotten those three characters, for over the past twenty years, no one had ever dared to call him that to his face.
All he ever heard were pleasing titles like "Grand Villa Master Qi," "Master Qi," or even "Great Hero Qi."
He had never been an official, so he merely tacitly accepted the title of "Master." The words "Great Hero" were naturally pleasant to the ear, but in his heart, he felt a twinge of shame. The title he loved to hear most was still "Grand Villa Master Qi."
In truth, he did indeed own a magnificent and imposing grand villa in Bailuzhou, a place where dragons and tigers gathered from across half of the southeast. He was their dragon head.
Being the dragon head was akin to being the Wulin Alliance Leader of the seven southeastern provinces.
Let alone this Jinling City with its circumference of over ten miles, his sphere of influence stretched from Wuyue in the east to Bashu in the west, spanning from the rivers to the sea.
Yet today, he had actually run into this impoverished bookworm who dared to show him such disrespect.
"Do not be insolent in the presence of Grand Villa Master Qi!"
A sword-wielding man barked in anger, stepping out from the crowd behind him.
Liu Er'sha spared him a glance, then completely ignored him. Though he did not utter a word, his silence was more devastating than a contemptuous snort.
The sword-wielding man was not yet thirty, agile and robust, with a fierce and combative build. Such men could not tolerate being looked down upon; seeing Liu Er'sha's cold, contemptuous demeanor, his anger instantly flared.
Gripping his longsword, the tip of his blade trembled.
"Ding Neng!"
Grand Villa Master Qi shifted his gaze and said, "Do you wish to show off your skills?"
Originally, he had wanted to take action himself, but felt that dealing with an obscure bookworm would demean his status. Just as he was wondering how to save face, Ding Neng stepped in to resolve his dilemma, which suited his wishes perfectly.
"Please give the order, Grand Villa Master!"
"Remember, do not underestimate him!"
Grand Villa Master Qi was indeed no ordinary man; he did not look down on even a poor scholar.
"This humble one only wishes to ask the Grand Villa Master one question."
"What is it?"
"Can one kill people in the Baiyu Tower?"
"Haha! A fine question!"
Grand Villa Master Qi laughed heartily. "Except for the Forbidden City, one can kill anywhere. It only depends on whether your sword is sharp enough."
Not only did he speak with grand bravado, but his decisiveness was also immense.
Though Jinling was not the Forbidden City, it had once been an imperial capital.
"This humble one understands."
The moment Ding Neng finished speaking, he drew his sword.
The sword was incredibly fast; under the illumination of the festive lanterns, a flash of green light shot forth with a sharp hiss.
He kept the Grand Villa Master's warning well in mind, not daring to underestimate this bookworm in the slightest.
Yet, no matter how he sized him up, this fool simply did not seem worth his attention. The youth stood there like a block of wood, and empty-handed to boot.
Why waste fancy moves on such an idiot?
Thus, his body followed his blade as he thrust straight at Liu Ersha's chest, intending to end it in a single strike.
It was a sure-fire strike.
Grand Villa Master Qi was not one to give praise easily, yet he had deemed Ding Neng a top-tier expert.
Thus, he too was entirely confident, merely waiting for the blade to strike and the blood to spill.
To kill, one naturally had to aim for a vital spot. The center of the chest and abdomen was undoubtedly one of the most vulnerable areas of the human body. Whether the blade pierced the chest or ran through the belly, it would be a fatal blow—clean, swift, and requiring no second strike.
Unfortunately, the block of wood standing opposite him did not remain a block of wood forever.
Still as a mountain, swift as lightning—just as the sword-qi surged toward his brow and the tip of the blade was less than a foot away, his figure suddenly blurred.
No one could see what had happened. They only heard Ding Neng let out a sharp cry as his body was sent flying backward.
He had lunged forward quickly, but he flew back even faster. With a loud crash, he smashed into a landscape screen over two zhang away, knocking it to the ground.
What was even stranger was that his sword was now in Liu Ersha's hand.
In the blink of an eye, what should have been a bloodbath inside the White Jade Tower resulted in not a single drop of blood being spilled. Only a landscape screen had fallen, and Ding Neng now lay silently on the floor.
Yet, Grand Villa Master Qi's expression shifted, his face turning the color of raw pig's liver.
Everyone present, especially the men standing behind Grand Villa Master Qi, froze like wooden chickens. The room fell into a dead silence, so profound that one could almost hear the faint sound of dust settling on the floor.
"Good sword! Good sword!"
Liu Ersha gently patted the flat of the blade, putting on an appreciative air:
"I wonder if this is 'Qing Shuang' or 'Zi Dian'?"
Qingshuang and Zidian were legendary swords of antiquity. How could someone like Ding Neng possibly possess such rare, divine weapons that could not be found even in a thousand years?
Had Liu Ersha mistaken it?
Shen Xiaodie observed him, a look of deep understanding in her eyes as she smiled and said:
"Or perhaps it is 'Gan Jiang', or maybe 'Mo Ye'..."
"Really?"
Liu Ersha looked at her.
Though their exchange was laden with hidden meaning, Liu Ersha understood her perfectly.
To a true master of the sword, there was no need for Zidian, Qingshuang, Gan Jiang, or Mo Ye. Even a withered branch or a sliver of bamboo could be used to crush anything in their path like dry twigs.
"Hmph! Foolish boy!"
Qi Tianpeng suddenly barked:
"I didn't expect you to actually have some weight to you."
"Weight?"
Liu Ersha said:
"That's right! That's right! The New Year has just passed, and now it's the Lantern Festival. With all the constant feasting on meat and wine lately, I've naturally put on a few pounds."
"Stop playing garlic!"
"Garlic?"
Liu Ersha gaped:
"Is it a garlic bulb or a garlic sprout?"
He was playing even dumber.
"It's dog shit!"
Qi Tianpeng lost his temper, spitting out a vulgarity.
"Good stuff! Good stuff!"
Liu Ersha nodded and said:
"Grand Villa Master Qi is a wealthy
This was a nine-ring golden broadsword. Its spine was thick, adorned with nine steel rings, and its tip was broad, flashing with a cold light beneath the festive lanterns.
It was indeed a massive blade; by the look of it, if it didn't weigh eighty catties, it was at least fifty.
A blade like this would not only whip up a gust of wind when brandished, but just looking at it as it slashed down was enough to make anyone tremble with fear.
Yet, the blade weighed several dozen catties at most. A single strong man would have been more than enough to bring it out, so having two men carry it over seemed a bit overly dramatic and showy.
Perhaps this was his style—the style of Grand Manor Lord Qi.
Even if it was just for show, he could not be underestimated. Anyone who could wield fifty catties of weight with such ease possessed no ordinary cultivation.
Liu Ersha's expression had grown solemn.
Three of the Four Young Masters of Nanjing had helped Sun Yi up. Along with Xue Panpan of Cuiyun Pavilion, and Qingfeng and Zifeng of Wufeng Spring, they retreated to a safe distance. Only Shen Xiaodie of Yihong Courtyard did not leave.
However, her expression had also begun to change, showing signs of tension and concern.
This was by no means an easy situation. Qi Tianpeng's faction had strength in numbers, and the outcome was naturally difficult to predict.
Yet, the consequence for Liu Ersha was certain: if he did not win, he would die.
Why must blood stain the Baiyu Tower?
Was this bookworm of Jinling City ultimately venting anger on behalf of the Four Young Masters of Nanjing, or was he doing it to protect Shen Xiaodie?
Or was he simply drawing his sword to help upon seeing an injustice?
But why did he come to Baiyu Tower today to instigate this life-and-death battle? Could it really be mere coincidence?
Only he himself knew the answer.
Qi Tianpeng swung his arm, instantly gripping the broadsword in his hand. With a gentle shake, the nine rings clashed together.
Then, he sank into a horse stance, staring intently at Liu Ersha.
He looked as though he wanted to scrutinize every inch of Liu Ersha's muscle and every segment of his bone, studying where to strike with his blade.
For someone of his noble status as Grand Manor Lord Qi to deal with an unknown bookworm in the martial world, he was unexpectedly cautious.
Clearly, he regarded this battle as extremely important.
Or rather, he dared less and less to underestimate Liu Ersha.
The followers behind him were also infected by this tense atmosphere, each of them breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Qi Tianpeng!"
On the contrary, Liu Ersha was quite relaxed:
"You seem to think highly of me?"
Qi Tianpeng did not speak, his eyes not even blinking.
"That's right! You must be cautious!"
Liu Ersha said:
"If you cut me down with one strike, it is merely the death of a bookworm in Jinling City. But for you, Grand Manor Lord Qi, it is different. Let alone dying, even if you just lose, you will never be able to hold your head up again."
Qi Tianpeng still did not answer.
"Tonight, if you lose by even half a move..."
Liu Ersha continued:
"...you will fall from the high clouds."
Qi Tianpeng's eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage.
Indeed, he could not afford to lose. If he truly capsized in such a shallow ditch, he would have no face left to roam the Jianghu.
He might even be permanently erased from the martial world.
"Let you build a high tower, let you stand atop it."
Liu Ersha then let out a cold laugh:
"The cycle of heaven's law has always been thus..."
Qi Tianpeng shuddered slightly.
"In truth, twenty years of glory is already enough for you."
Liu Ersha said, almost pityingly:
– Boundless sins can never be undone; looking across the jianghu, it only ends in death!
– Shut up!
Qi Tianpeng suddenly barked in anger.
– What? Can't bear to hear it?
Liu Er'ngu shrugged:
– Whether you listen or not is up to you, but whether I speak or not is up to me.
– This old man will shut your mouth.
– You may, as long as you are able.
Liu Er'ngu said:
– I find it strange, why haven't you made a move yet?
– Hmph! A wet-behind-the-ears brat. Is it not permitted to let you live a little longer?
– To me, dying sooner or later makes no difference. Since I dared to stroke the tiger's whiskers of the great Manor Lord Qi, I no longer care about life or death.
Liu Er'ngu smiled faintly:
– You aren't making a move, which means you have other intentions.
– Nonsense! What intentions?
– You are scheming and cautious, wanting to observe more, and perhaps even pry some information out of my mouth.
Liu Er'ngu said:
– For instance, the appearance of this Liu is a very rare occurrence.
– This old man has seen plenty of strange and bizarre things. What is so rare about you?
Though his mouth was stubborn, it was exactly as Liu Er'ngu predicted. At the very least, he wanted to know where the martial arts of this bookworm, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, came from. What was his style?
Just now, he had seen with his own eyes how, with a single move of the "Da Ning Hand," Liu Er'ngu had thrown Ding Neng more than two zhang away and even snatched Ding Neng's sword. At this moment, the sword was still in Liu Er'ngu's hand.
Was this not "seizing a sharp blade barehanded"?
Since he had seized the sword, he must naturally have some expertise in swordplay as well.
– Then what are you waiting for?
Liu Er'ngu smiled coldly:
– Why not try a few moves first!
– This old man does not wish to try.
– You don't want to try?
Liu Er'ngu nodded:
– Fine! Very well! I won't force you either. Both sides have injured people, so let's call it a draw...
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[1] The sheng, an ancient wind instrument made of a gourd with thirteen holes, containing bronze reeds that produce a melodious sound when blown.
[2] From The Tale of Kieu:
"Remembering the vows of three lifetimes,
Far away, who knows if anyone cares?
Upon returning, ask the Willow of Zhangtai,
Has the spring branch already been plucked by another's hand?"
Here, it refers to gentlemen who often ride horses to visit famous courtesans.
[3] "Eyebrow-painting talent" (Sao mei cai zi): A term referring to Xue Tao (courtesy name Hongdu, 768–832), a talented female poet. Later, this phrase was used to refer to any woman gifted in poetry.
[4] "Suddenly turning back,
That person is there, where the lantern light is dim."
From the poem "Qing Yu An" (The Lantern Festival) by Xin Qiji.
[5] "Official carriages and caps fill the capital, yet this man alone is haggard."
From "Dreaming of Li Bai" (Part 2) by Du Fu.
[6] The poem "Yue Xia Du Zhuo" (Drinking Alone Under the Moon) by Li Bai.
[7] Wu: The region of southern Jiangsu and northern Zhejiang. Yue: The eastern part of Zhejiang province.
[8] The original text is "zhuang suan" (playing dumb). "Suan" also means garlic.