Gazing at Meng Qi’s chilling and lethal silhouette, then shifting their eyes to Tang Shu’s collapsed form inside the Guanlan Hall, the several Nine Orifices Elders standing outside the door gulped involuntarily, their hearts racing with a mix of terror and dread.
The conversation between Meng Qi and others had not been deliberately hidden from them. Thus, they could hear Tang Er Ye’s plea, Tang Shu’s admission of guilt, and Meng Qi’s sharp questions. Although they had anticipated a severe punishment, they never imagined that Meng Qi would kill Tang Shu outright, disregarding the fact that losing a Nine Orifices expert would severely weaken the Tang Clan’s strength. They also didn’t expect that Meng Qi, with merely Six or Seven Orifices cultivation, could defeat Tang Shu.
Likewise, they never imagined that the Nine Orifices Elder Tang Shu couldn’t even last a single breath, giving them no chance to rescue him, and was slain by Tang Xiao’er’s blade in just a couple of moves!
Moreover, Tang Xiao’er appeared as calm as a leisurely stroll, seemingly not even using his full strength!
His confidence, fully in control, and his terrifying aura left a vivid impression on the elders, just like his previous powerful and fierce slash.
Tang Er Ye and Tang Qi Ye stood on either side of Tang Shu’s corpse, their faces grim, hands slightly trembling, their eyes filled with both anger and fear, unable to utter a word.
Tang Xiao’er actually had the resolve to kill!
Tang Xiao’er actually possessed the strength to do so!
The might of a Nine Orifices expert was deeply ingrained in the minds of these Six and Seven Orifices martial artists. Yet now, with just a single slash, Tang Shu had fallen to Meng Qi, how could they not be shaken? How could they not be terrified?
Moreover, Meng Qi’s displayed coldness made them shudder even more. If it were themselves, if it were someone of higher status than an elder, if it were someone closer by blood relation, would he still strike without hesitation?
The more they thought, the more their hearts trembled. They exchanged glances and saw the fear and ruthlessness in each other’s eyes, instantly reaching an unspoken agreement.
They must act quickly! They couldn’t delay any longer!
Tang Mingyue stood there in a daze, unable to believe her eyes. Although her second elder brother had indeed said he would kill Elder Shu, she had always assumed he would do so with the help of Elder Ren. Who knew that a Nine Orifices expert would fall so easily under his blade like a helpless lamb!
Over these past few years, how much hardship had her second elder brother endured to attain such strength?
Instantly, feelings of sympathy, affection, and admiration arose in her heart.
Tang Ren held the “Canglan Blade,” gazing at Tang Shu’s body on the ground, sighing with emotion. They were both Nine Orifices experts, and Tang Shu’s almost powerless defeat had touched his heart.
Although he understood that Meng Qi had deliberately built up his momentum, using pressure to force Tang Shu into revealing a mental flaw, thus making the victory seem effortless, the ability to manipulate momentum and engage in spiritual combat was itself a mark of a true expert, an essential part of their strength!
Putting aside his sigh, he smiled with satisfaction: “To have truly mastered the River-Sundering Blade Technique within ten years of practice—this young one is indeed worthy of teaching!”
Meng Qi, portraying Tang Jing, had been practicing the blade since the age of ten, and now it had been fifteen or sixteen years. However, Tang Ren felt that for the first ten years, he had merely been wasting time, coasting through without even grasping the basic variations of the River-Sundering Blade Technique. Thus, those ten years were worth no more than five or six, making his total practice time only about a decade.
He chuckled softly, murmuring to himself, “It took me thirty years to truly master the River-Sundering Blade Technique, forty to reach a minor level of mastery and attain its essence. Xiao’er might yet break through the生死玄关.”
(Note: “生死玄关” is a Daoist/Buddhist concept referring to the critical barrier between life and death, often used in martial arts contexts. Since there’s no direct English equivalent, it could be translated as “the生死玄关” with explanation, or adapted as “the生死玄关 (生死玄关 – the profound barrier between life and death)” depending on the desired style.)
Alternative fully translated version:
“He chuckled softly, murmuring to himself, ‘It took me thirty years to truly master the River-Sundering Blade Technique, forty to reach a minor level of mastery and grasp its essence. Xiao’er might yet break through the生死玄关 (the生死玄关 – the profound barrier between life and death).'”
Would you prefer to keep the term in pinyin (Sheng-Xuan Guan) with explanation, or use the partially translated version above?
He too had started practicing the blade at the age of ten, yet he lacked Meng Qi’s numerous fortuitous encounters—genuine transmissions of top-tier external techniques, real combat experiences to temper his blade skills, and the wisdom to delve into the profound principles of swordsmanship. He had merely trained diligently on his own. By forty, he had mastered only two fundamental principles and barely stepped into the realm of mastery. By fifty, his River-Sundering Blade Technique had reached minor mastery, and he had comprehended the blade’s intent, but it was already too late to pursue the path of a half-step External Scenery cultivator. By sixty, his physical body had begun to decline, his vitality waning, and his hopes were ultimately extinguished.
Startled by Tang Ren’s sigh, Tang Mingyue gasped softly, covering her mouth as if recalling something, and hurriedly chased after Meng Qi.
After chasing through two courtyards, she suddenly saw her second elder brother sitting inside a stone pavilion, gazing up at the starry sky, exuding an otherworldly aura.
“Second elder brother, what are you doing?” Tang Mingyue asked in confusion.
Meng Qi gazed at the starry night, his expression serene and pure: “Looking at this vast and profound sky, so magnificent and radiant, yet so tranquil, embracing all unrest. After every kill, I always take a moment to gaze at the stars, calming my heart.”
Can I say I got lost…?
Earlier, for dramatic effect, he had sheathed his blade and left the Guanlan Hall after killing Tang Shu. But after walking a bit, he suddenly remembered that there was no need for him to leave!
Since he had wandered aimlessly before, only knowing the more important locations of the Tang Clan from the Huanhua Sword Sect’s records, he had shamefully gotten lost.
Just as he was planning to be a quiet young master Tang for a while, waiting for a servant to pass by so he could use the Indestructible Seal Art to control their mind and ask for directions, Tang Mingyue had chased after him.
“Oh,” Tang Mingyue replied, a bit flustered. When had her second elder brother become so poetic and sentimental?
Seeing her confusion, Meng Qi quickly softened his expression and smiled: “I was just joking. I was waiting for what comes next.”
“What comes next?” Tang Mingyue was indeed distracted, her large, clear eyes filled with curiosity.
Meng Qi nodded gently: “This situation is strange. Therefore, I acted swiftly and decisively, using dazzling moves to break the previous stalemate and gain initial control of the clan. Whether or not Ershu and Qiyu are backed by the Wang family, they now only have two choices: either to ally with me or to kill me, and they must act soon, either tonight or tomorrow.”
As for the bloodline identification, since they still did not know he was an impostor, if they wanted to prove him false, they would need to bribe both the Six Gates officials in charge of the matter and three noble families acting as witnesses. If he had not taken control of the clan, they could easily manipulate the process, directly choosing the Ye, Wan, and Ling families as the witnesses. However, now that he had unexpectedly seized control with sheer force, becoming more powerful than the clan head himself, they could no longer interfere with the selection of the witness families. Therefore, their only options were physical elimination or attempts at persuasion and seduction.
Given the combat prowess and dominance he had displayed, neither Tang Er Ye nor Tang Qi Ye were capable of either killing or swaying him. It was time for the true puppeteers behind the scenes to step forward!
If they were confident enough to believe that he was an impostor and certain of the bloodline identification, Meng Qi would be more than happy to play along, maintaining control of the Tang Clan for three days and waiting calmly for the arrival of the Huanhua Sword Sect’s external expert.
“Second elder brother, you must stay close to Elder Ren!” Tang Mingyue urged anxiously, her face pale with worry.
“I understand,” Meng Qi replied confidently.
Tang Mingyue exhaled: “But what if they don’t act?”
“Then tomorrow, I’ll go find Ye San,” Meng Qi slowly rose, “Jiuniang, why did you chase after me?”
Tang Mingyue pouted slightly, a bit embarrassed: “I forgot to tell you earlier. Your original residence, the ‘Jade and Gold Pavilion,’ was only cleaned today and still smells stuffy. Would you like to stay in the guest quarters for now?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Meng Qi said indifferently.
As the two arrived at the guest quarters, a servant came with a message, saying that Young Master Ye San had prepared a banquet at the Shangshui Cottage to welcome Young Master Tang Er.
“The inevitable has finally come,” Meng Qi said, stroking his blade hilt as he turned to Tang Mingyue, “Jiuniang, go fetch Elder Ren and have him bring the Canglan Blade.”
Tang Mingyue nodded solemnly.
…
The Shangshui Cottage was also by the Shangshui River, but instead of a small pavilion, it consisted of a series of courtyards, each with its own independent entrance, resembling private banquet rooms. Banquets held here gave a sense of intimacy and privacy, allowing even the most unrestrained indulgence without fear of being seen, hence it was favored by young nobles like Ye San.
Upon reaching the Shangshui Cottage, the servant led Meng Qi and Tang Ren through a side alley and pushed open the door to a secluded courtyard.
“Third Young Master is waiting inside,” said a tall man standing at the entrance. His hair was naturally curly, jet-black as if dyed with charcoal. His hands were smooth as jade, yet the skin was dark gray, with clearly defined knuckles.
His hand techniques must be formidable, likely surpassing even the “Iron-Handed Demon Man” from that day… Meng Qi, not one to underestimate opponents, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Tang Ren fixed his gaze forward, firmly grasping the “Azure Wave Blade.” Even in the face of a half-step External Realm expert, he felt no fear. If he couldn’t emerge victorious, could he not at least protect Xiao’er while making his escape?
Moreover, when confronted with a life-threatening attack from a half-step External Scene expert, the “Azure Wave Blade” could potentially activate autonomously, unleashing its full might!
The courtyard was small, with no grand hall. Entering the side room, Meng Qi saw Ye San, Young Master Ye Xiaojie, seated within. Behind him stood two delicate and charming maids, while beside him sat a graceful and beautiful young matron, her features exquisite and alluring.
All three women exuded an innate seductiveness, yet there were subtle differences. Though Meng Qi was not particularly experienced in such matters, he vaguely felt that the matron carried more of a worldly charm.
No Wang Zai… Meng Qi confirmed his suspicion, speaking indifferently: “Ye San, no introductions?”
Ye San’s lips curled into a smile, the hatred from the afternoon no longer in his eyes. He pointed to the matron: “This is my concubine, Lady An, who has deep ties to the Wang family.”
“These two are my maids, Ruyi and Chenxiang.”
Meng Qi first invited Tang Ren to sit, then seated himself without ceremony: “What kind of ties?”
“A secret,” Ye San replied with a half-smile, “In any case, whatever she promises, the Wang family will honor.”
After a pause, he added, “Wang Zai cannot appear directly, so we are here to negotiate with you. Once we reach an agreement, you can personally confirm it with Young Master Wang tomorrow.”
“And what exactly are we negotiating?” Meng Qi cut straight to the point, eager to see what trickery they were planning.
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