Gu Xiaosang seemed oblivious to the wary look from Meng Qi. She reached out to brush her hair back with a graceful posture, exuding utmost beauty: “Legend has it that the Absolute Blade of the Overlord has remained dormant for generations. Throughout history, no disciples of the Cinnabar Maiden Sect have managed to comprehend the peerless martial arts techniques ‘Overlord’s Six Severances’ and the Thunder God’s inheritance ‘Divine Descent’s Nine Oblivions,’ perhaps because these techniques conflict with their own martial arts heritage.”
“The fundamental martial arts techniques of the Cinnabar Maiden Sect are the ‘Cinnabar Maiden Sutra’ and the ‘Heavenly Book of the Radiant Girls,’ which are said to enable one to condense the ‘Dharma Body of the Supreme Goddess’ and the ‘Golden Body of the Joyous Bodhisattva,’ respectively. The former follows a path of immortality through the harmonious union of yin and yang, while the latter is a joyous path of Buddhism, both of which indeed conflict with the Absolute Blade of the Overlord.” Meng Qi nodded thoughtfully.
In the opinion of the Master of the Six Dao Samsara, the Absolute Blade of the Overlord was “the most powerful of all,” vastly different from the yin-yang harmonious approach of the Cinnabar Maiden Sect.
Gu Xiaosang spat lightly and said with a half-smile: “Those little sluts love nothing more than to seduce other people’s husbands and drain them dry. My lord, you must never get involved with them; if you meet them, just cut them down.”
At this, she giggled: “I’m still waiting for you to grow up so we can get married. Don’t lose your virginity before then…”
Her original demeanor was ethereal, but now her eyes sparkled with a coquettish charm and indescribable allure.
Madwoman, pervert! Meng Qi inwardly cursed. However, he also knew that Gu Xiaosang’s words were unreliable—out of ten sentences, not one could be taken seriously. Once she achieved her goals, she would definitely turn on him without hesitation.
Gu Xiaosang’s expression changed instantly. Just moments ago, her gaze was seductive and hard to control, but now she appeared pure and saintly, like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley: “However, in the previous generation of the Cinnabar Maiden Sect, there was a male disciple who was originally a discarded medicinal vessel. He claimed to have comprehended a sword technique from the Absolute Blade of the Overlord that reached the peak of the Outer Manifestation Realm, becoming one of the rare male core disciples of the Cinnabar Maiden Sect. He is now an Outer Manifestation expert and should not be underestimated.”
“He comprehended a sword technique from the Absolute Blade of the Overlord?” Meng Qi was slightly astonished. Previously, it had been said that the Absolute Blade of the Overlord had remained dormant all along?
Gu Xiaosang gently nodded: “It wasn’t ‘Overlord’s Six Severances’ or ‘Divine Descent’s Nine Oblivions.’ He called it the ‘Seven Strikes of the Purple Lightning.'”
She said it casually, as if it were nothing unusual. However, upon hearing it, Meng Qi was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, unsure whether he should be surprised or burst into laughter. Could this guy also be a reincarnator? He actually learned the ‘Seven Strikes of the Purple Lightning,’ which Meng Qi had always wanted to obtain!
Judging from the fact that he had originally been a discarded medicinal vessel, Meng Qi felt that this guess had a seventy to eighty percent chance of being correct.
This ‘Seven Strikes of the Purple Lightning’ was an ultimate martial art from a comic Meng Qi had once read, a divine and demonic technique.
After discussing the Absolute Blade of the Overlord, Gu Xiaosang didn’t mention her own intentions. Tilting her head slightly, she looked at Meng Qi with a smile in her eyes, exuding a playful charm like a girl next door: “My lord, when you emerged in a boat just now, standing at the bow and step by step shattering my subordinate’s mind, cutting him down with a single sword strike, you truly displayed extraordinary grace, the demeanor of a true expert. Watching you made my heart race and my face flush, and I longed to nestle against your chest.”
Meng Qi kept his sword in his left hand and his saber in his right, still in a posture ready for full combat, showing no sign of relaxation.
Gu Xiaosang’s eyes grew misty: “To be refined and elegant, carefree and unrestrained is indeed admirable, yet to stand tall and act with heroic generosity is also the hallmark of a true man. Should my lord tread upon a mountain of bleached bones, with a crimson sea surging before him—if wicked demons barred his way, he would strike them down with a single slash; if misguided virtue clouded his heart, he would sever it with one stroke; should heaven and earth defy him, who could withstand that single, decisive cut? To rule the world with supreme power, I would willingly cast aside all adornments and, with my own hands, prepare a nourishing broth for my lord.”
She spoke with surprising sincerity, yet Meng Qi didn’t believe a single word. He knew she was still trying to seduce him into helping her obtain the Absolute Blade of the Overlord.
Gu Xiaosang once again took out her jade flute and raised it to her lips. The melody was melodious and melancholic, brimming with lingering emotions.
Meanwhile, her small boat glided across the waves, slowly entering the darkness on the opposite riverbank. The flute’s tune drifted away, lingering endlessly.
She came like a mirage, yet with an air of elegance, making Meng Qi envious. How wonderful it must be to master a musical instrument, enhancing one’s aura! Unfortunately, he didn’t have the time to learn one…
If Gu Xiaosang had known that Meng Qi was only concerned about this, who knows what her reaction would have been.
…
On the way, Meng Qi switched to a large boat. Within two days, he had floated downstream and arrived at Xuwu City. The headquarters of the Zhenwu Sect lay twenty miles north of this city. In the martial arts world, Xuwu City was known as the gateway to the Zhenwu Sect, a secluded place that did not readily accept imperial commands.
As soon as he disembarked, Meng Qi felt a different kind of prosperity unlike the “Three Mountains and Four Rivers.” At the dock, people bustled back and forth—some in wide robes and long sleeves, some in brocade garments and jade sashes, some in tight-fitting clothes with headscarves, and others in short tunics with straw sandals. The rich and the poor, the strong and the weak, all mingled together, their voices creating a cacophony of various accents.
Meng Qi took a deep breath, filtering out the various smells of sweat, stench, and perfume, and caught the scent of roasted chicken, the most famous stinky tofu of Xuwu City, and the aroma of cooked river fish. His stomach rumbled with hunger, and he wanted to find a restaurant to indulge in a hearty meal.
However, he did not act impulsively. He planned to find Zhang Yuanshan first, for only a local could guide him to truly authentic local delicacies.
He still concealed his three weapons within a large bundle, his left hand resting on the Ice Gate Sword, dressed as a swordsman in a green robe. With his right hand, he tightened the ribbon of his cap to prevent his wig from falling off, which would be extremely embarrassing.
Walking along the wide stone-paved road, Meng Qi entered the city, finding it even more prosperous, lively, and crowded.
He inquired about the way to the Zhang family’s mansion and strolled leisurely, glancing left and right like a rustic scholar newly arrived in a grand city. This drew many covetous glances from would-be thieves aiming to steal his money. However, all the thieves left empty-handed, each receiving a slap on the palm when attempting to steal, leaving their hands red and swollen, much like how a schoolteacher would strike a student’s hand with a ruler.
The thieves realized they had misjudged their target. He was not as “simple” as he appeared but rather a cunning young man with exceptional martial arts skills.
Amused by his prank on the thieves, Meng Qi turned into a relatively less crowded street. Nearby were grand mansions with imposing gates. Soon, he reached the Zhang family’s estate by the Xuan River. Its buildings stretched endlessly, covering a vast area, exuding the air of a powerful aristocratic family.
Meng Qi was aware that Zhang Yuanshan was at the Zhenwu Sect’s headquarters, and even the core members of the Zhang family resided on the subsidiary peak of Zhenwu Mountain. If he were still the legitimate disciple of Shaolin, he would naturally proceed directly to the sect’s main gate to present his visiting card and await the Zhenwu Sect’s administrative officer to notify Zhang Yuanshan. However, given his current sensitive status, it would be more appropriate to visit the Zhang family estate and request them to summon Zhang Yuanshan back to the clan or arrange for his ascent up the mountain.
On both sides outside the Zhang estate’s gate stood numerous hitching posts. Most of them were now tied with ropes, with fine horses snorting nearby.
“So many guests…” Meng Qi felt puzzled. Under normal circumstances, where would so many visitors come from?
He suspected that perhaps there was a birthday celebration or wedding happening.
“True… little monk?” Suddenly, a familiar female voice came from the alley’s entrance, filled with vague uncertainty.
Meng Qi was startled, his left hand gripping the sword hilt tightly to prevent his identity from being exposed and causing trouble.
He turned his head and saw a girl with an oval face hiding at the corner where two alleys met. She had a gentle and sweet appearance, her face showing excitement at encountering an old friend in a foreign land, as if she had just exhaled in relief from fear.
“Zhenzhen?” Meng Qi raised his eyebrows and quickly walked over. This girl was indeed one of his companions, Fu Zhenzhen, a disciple of the Yinghua Nunnery from the Northern Zhou Dynasty and an expert in medicine and poisons.
She had traveled thousands of miles to come south to Xuwu, searching for her lover!
Who would have thought that Fu Zhenzhen, who appeared gentle on the outside, would be so proactive… Meng Qi inwardly praised, smirking slightly as he asked: “Zhenzhen, are you here to see Senior Brother Zhang?”
“I’ve been here for a few days but haven’t dared to knock on the door.” Fu Zhenzhen lowered her head, tugging at her clothes, clearly feeling like an ugly bride nervous about meeting her in-laws.
Meng Qi suppressed a smile, refraining from teasing her. Fu Zhenzhen was rather shy and couldn’t handle such jokes easily. Besides, she was an expert in medicine and poison, not someone to be lightly offended: “Coincidentally, I also need to see Senior Brother Zhang. Let’s go together. Oh, and now you can just call me Meng Qi.”
Fu Zhenzhen’s cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink as she whispered her consent in a soft voice. Having glimpsed the Human List, she caught herself just before uttering the name Zhen Ding.
Due to Fu Zhenzhen’s shyness and anxiety, she did not speak again until they reached the Zhang family’s grand entrance.
Smiling, Meng Qi stepped forward onto the platform and addressed the gatekeeper: “This humble one is Meng Qi, here with Lady Fu Zhenzhen to visit Senior Brother Zhang Yuanshan. You need only inform Senior Brother Zhang of our names, and he will come to meet us himself.”
He spoke in a tone implying familiarity with Zhang Yuanshan to avoid any difficulties from the gatekeeper.
Without even lifting his eyelids, the gatekeeper, accustomed to such situations, replied indifferently: “Two guests, please wait. Someone will soon guide today’s visitors up the mountain. Just follow them.”
“Today’s visitors”? Meng Qi felt increasingly that something was odd. Just as he was about to ask further questions, a servant from the Zhang family emerged, followed by a large group of martial artists. They included monks, Taoists, and laypeople, as well as young gentlemen and beggars.
The gatekeeper whispered a few words to the Zhang family’s servant, explaining Meng Qi and Fu Zhenzhen’s identities. The servant nodded and, with a relatively respectful bow, invited the two to follow.
The group did not ride horses but instead crossed the city on foot, heading toward Zhenwu Mountain.
“Back when I saw your name on the Human榜, Meng Qi, I was almost stunned,” Fu Zhenzhen said. Being older than Meng Qi and having a relationship that was neither too close nor too distant, she chose to address him by his full name.
Hearing her use the secret technique of transmitting voice directly into his ear, Meng Qi felt both happy and sad. Naturally, it was a joy to have his name displayed on the Human List, yet his nickname was utterly mortifying!
“Zhenzhen, did you directly head south during your travels outside the sect?” The Yinghua Nunnery had experts at the Outer Manifestation level but wasn’t considered a major sect. Once disciples had stabilized their Qi openings, they were allowed to travel outside the sect, so Meng Qi asked this question.
Fu Zhenzhen’s cheeks flushed red as she looked down at her feet: “I thought there was nothing else to do during my travels, so I headed south. Also, I’ve exchanged for the first part of the ‘Sutra of Saving Lives,’ and staying near the sect might make it easier for others to notice.”
What a deep and devoted sentiment, truly admirable… Meng Qi sighed in admiration, then casually chatted with her while overhearing conversations among the surrounding martial artists.
“The Zhang and Song families are forming an alliance through marriage. Perhaps the balance within the Zhenwu Sect will undergo significant changes.”
“They’re merely trying to protect themselves. Over these past few decades, the Yao family has grown increasingly powerful. It seems the three major secular families will soon become one…”
The more Meng Qi listened, the stranger he felt the situation was. Unable to resist, he asked a nearby Taoist priest: “Master Taoist, is today the wedding banquet for the Zhang and Song families?”
The Taoist looked at him strangely, as if to say, “If you don’t know this, why are you here?”
After a pause, he replied: “Yes, today is the engagement banquet between Zhang Yuanshan of the Zhang family and Song Mingxi of the Song family.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Qi was greatly shocked. Instinctively, he turned to look at Fu Zhenzhen. Her face turned deathly pale, her body swaying slightly, as if she were about to faint.
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