Chapter 229: Face-to-Face

If one’s strength surpasses the opponent’s, winning the battle is not difficult. The real challenge lies in preserving the opponent’s dignity. Even more difficult is using one’s own techniques to stimulate the opponent’s potential, enabling him to demonstrate his martial arts skills to their fullest, only to eventually lose due to old age and physical exhaustion.

To achieve this, one must possess vision, martial prowess, and a broad mind. Mastery of techniques must be exceptional, with every slash executed with unimaginable precision. Indeed, it surpasses the slash that defeated Luo Youfeng!

Although that slash captured the essence of saber techniques, swift as thunder, and cleverly set traps between movement and stillness to lure the opponent in, it was truly an upper-tier saber technique. Yet, how could it compare to those previous twenty-eight slashes that left people in awe?

The martial artists present began reflecting on Meng Qi’s earlier battle with Jin Jinxian. The more they pondered, the more marvelous it seemed, as if it had been a grand feast of sword and saber techniques.

They did not look down upon Jin Jinxian. Although he appeared vastly inferior to the Thunder Saber Mad Monk, his formidable internal strength and martial aura were clearly evident. His loss was graceful, undeniably due to his old age and physical decline. He had indeed launched twenty-eight attacks, and no one could predict how many slashes Jin Jinxian could withstand if the Thunder Saber Mad Monk had not held back.

Since no one could guess the answer, they all praised Jin Jinxian generously. After all, Master Jin was a respected figure in Ye Capital.

As for the former Thunder Saber Mad Monk, now known as Su Meng the Saber-Mad, he had become unfathomable in the eyes of others.

He hadn’t even used a single move that fully embodied the true essence of external techniques!

A master on the Renbang truly lives up to his reputation—there are no unworthy names among the renowned!

Just then, Meng Qi clasped his hands and bowed to Wang Zai in gratitude for his fair and objective explanation. Then, he loudly addressed the private room where the Huang family was seated: “I have long admired the reputation of Ye Capital’s ‘Falling Blossom Young Master,’ and I deeply respect him. I humbly request the honor of a match tomorrow at this time.”

Huang Zishi, the “Falling Blossom Young Master,” had grasped the true essence of the Huang family’s “Flying Rosy Clouds and Falling Petals Skill” and mastered an external palm technique. His “Flying Rosy Clouds and Falling Petals Skill” was nearly perfected, earning him recognition as one of the three most promising newcomers in Huan Province who might ascend the Renbang. Meng Qi’s challenge to him was seen as entirely appropriate, and everyone eagerly anticipated the match, curious about the gap between a contender for the Renbang and a true Renbang master—or perhaps Huang Zishi already possessed Renbang-level strength, merely lacking the opportunity…

Inside the private room, after hearing Wang Zai’s explanation, the elderly Huang family member’s face turned quite grim. As an external affairs steward, he had only reached the Nine Orifices level through years of cultivation, and his understanding of advanced saber and sword techniques was inevitably lacking. Now, Wang Zai had publicly exposed his weakness, causing him to lose face in front of his younger family members.

When Meng Qi openly challenged Huang Zishi, his face turned completely dark. According to Wang Zai’s explanation, the Thunder Saber Mad Monk’s strength was undoubtedly superior to his nephew’s. This was no shortcut or opportunity for his nephew to rise on the Renbang!

Huang Zishi’s expression shifted slightly. He unfolded his folding fan and smiled lightly: “It would be my utmost pleasure to battle the Saber-Mad. I shall certainly keep the appointment tomorrow at this time.”

Though shocked by Meng Qi’s strength, a martial artist of Huang Zishi’s caliber still held confidence in himself. Meng Qi had the Ananda Breaking the Precepts Saber, while he had his “Falling Blossoms and Flowing Water.” Meng Qi’s saber techniques were indeed exceptional, but his own “Flying Rosy Clouds and Falling Petals Skill” was no idle practice. As long as Meng Qi didn’t summon thunder, he was certainly capable of a fight.

In the martial world, who would immediately lose confidence when facing a significant gap in strength?

Heh heh, after the two matches, people finally started taking his current nickname seriously… Meng Qi’s thoughts were completely beyond common understanding. If Huang Zishi had known, he would probably have been furious—Huang had built up his momentum and accepted the challenge with dignified words, yet Meng Qi had only focused on the title “Saber-Mad” and felt smug about it!

Meng Qi chuckled inwardly. He lightly stepped with his right foot and flew directly into his room. The technique he used was similar to the one he had used when jumping down, but to the martial artists present, it now seemed entirely different. Previously, his movements had resembled a mighty roc, imposing and powerful; now, they concealed profound mysteries and displayed extraordinary footwork.

Gu Xiaosang stood by the window, her hands cupping her cheeks, her face slightly flushed, her eyes sparkling as she said, “Master, you truly looked like a grandmaster just now!”

Knock knock knock. Someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Meng Qi returned to his seat and asked solemnly.

In his spiritual perception and senses, the figure outside was blurred and distorted.

“Kong Yu, the green-robed chief constable of Ye Capital, along with Prince Zhou’s Wang Ce and Wang Zai, and Du Shaobai and Qi Zhengyan from the Huanhua Sword Sect, have come to visit Young Master Su.” A deep voice sounded from outside the door.

This was expected… Meng Qi nodded slightly and signaled Gu Xiaosang to open the door.

Before the challenge, it was inappropriate for others to interrupt; now that the match was over, as the host, they naturally had to greet the visiting “dragon from afar.”

Gu Xiaosang walked lightly, smiling like a dutiful maid, and opened the door with a respectful bow.

Kong Yu was a middle-aged man resembling a clean-cut scholar, wearing the dark red brocade robe of the Six Doors Bureau, with a light green official seal hanging from a green silk sash around his waist.

His demeanor was sharp, exuding a calm and reserved aura. Beside him were Wang Ce, Wang Zai, Qi Zhengyan, Shan Xiumei, an elderly servant from the Wang family, and others Meng Qi recognized. The only unfamiliar face was Du Shaobai, the external affairs steward of the Huanhua Sword Sect. Du was around thirty, dressed in a black robe with wide sleeves, sporting a long beard divided into five strands, his hair tied in a bun with a hairpin, exuding a refined and elegant presence.

Kong Yu nodded politely at Gu Xiaosang, then subtly turned his gaze toward Meng Qi:

“Your arrival in Huan Province, Young Master Su, is truly a great honor for Ye Capital.”

The group was small. Besides members of the Six Doors Bureau, they were representatives of the Zhou Clan and the Huanhua Sword Sect—two major powers. Each of them surpassed the Six Doors Bureau’s influence in Huan Province. However, sects and clans had their own silent rivalries, and the clans did not wish to embarrass the imperial court, as the court partially represented their interests, serving as a golden brand. Additionally, the Six Doors Bureau itself was a formidable force, thus maintaining a relatively neutral status.

Meng Qi greeted each guest with a bow and invited them to sit. Gu Xiaosang bustled about, calling servants to bring tea and refreshments.

Shan Xiumei met Gu Xiaosang face-to-face but failed to recognize her as the notorious “Great Luo Demon Girl” she had chased for a thousand miles. Meng Qi inwardly marveled at this, muttering in amazement. Honestly speaking, if he hadn’t personally witnessed Gu Xiaosang changing her demeanor, replacing disguise with makeup and costume, and had not interacted with her multiple times, he might not have recognized her either upon a direct encounter!

Wang Ce was the legitimate heir of the Wang family, representing the clan in such gatherings. He picked up his teacup and took a sip: “Young Master Su’s sudden arrival in Huan Province—could it be solely to challenge martial experts and hone your saber techniques?”

He preferred calling Meng Qi “Master Su” rather than “young hero.”

After finishing her duties, Gu Xiaosang obediently stood behind Meng Qi, eyes lowered, hands still, completely unnoticed by Wang Ce and the others.

This time, Meng Qi appeared as himself, not pretending to be cold or aloof. He smiled naturally and replied, “I was expelled from the monastery and became a wandering martial artist. Without guidance, without scriptures or resources, I’ve had to rely entirely on myself. With the martial examinations of various provinces approaching at the end of spring and beginning of summer, I wish to earn a title and a clear path forward.”

“Huan Province is filled with outstanding martial talents, especially in Ye Capital. I cannot afford to slack in practical combat training, hence challenging various experts to prepare for the end of spring.”

“I see,” said Kong Yu, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He warmly welcomed any Renbang master who sought a righteous path and had loyalty to the imperial court.

The royal family itself was an immensely powerful force. Although other major clans had conflicts and rivalries with the Zhao family of Shen Du, they all worked to preserve the imperial court as a tool, since it was the foundation for uniting against sects. Therefore, the court had abundant resources and martial secrets, making it highly attractive to wandering martial artists and sect outcasts. Additionally, the court could grant land and mines, bestow the title of legitimacy upon a family of a new external technique master, and the Six Doors Bureau wielded immense power as the ruler of a prefecture, nearly dictating the fate of smaller factions and lesser clans. Who wouldn’t want to join?

If not for the clans and sects unwilling to see the Six Doors Bureau grow into a monstrous force, the Bureau’s scale would not be limited to what it was today.

Hearing that Meng Qi’s goal was the martial examination, Wang Ce nodded slightly: “Master Su’s talent is extraordinary. In the future, you will surely become a grandmaster of saber techniques, and breaking through to the external realm is only a matter of time. Why insist on the martial examination path, like performing for others? My Wang family may not be the greatest, but we have sufficient scriptures and resources for your cultivation.”

He openly tried to recruit Meng Qi in front of Kong Yu, demonstrating the boldness of a great clan or sect.

Du Shaobai of the Huanhua Sword Sect remained silent. If he said he had no interest in recruiting a Renbang master, it would be a lie. However, the Thunder Saber Mad Monk was a Shaolin outcast. If the sect invited him as an honored guest and offered him new teachings, wouldn’t that insult Shaolin? Since their relationship was still amicable, there was no need to provoke unnecessary conflict.

Qi Zhengyan kept his eyes forward and sipped his tea. He had traveled with Xiao Zi before and had met Gu Xiaosang. Since Meng Qi had previously informed him about the Disciple of the Dark Lady, even if he couldn’t fully recognize her, he could still guess that the maid behind Meng Qi was none other than the famous Great Luo Demon Girl.

Meng Qi sighed: “Thank you, Master Wang, for your kind words, but my decision is firm.”

This matter was difficult to explain, so he chose not to.

Wang Ce nodded lightly and said no more. After some casual conversation, he took his leave. Outside the door, he asked Wang Zai, “Fourth Brother, are you also participating in the martial examination at the end of spring?”

“Yes,” Wang Zai replied firmly.

The sons of great clans participated in the civil and martial examinations to strengthen their family’s influence in the imperial court.

“Do you have confidence in defeating Su Meng?” Wang Ce asked solemnly, exuding an air of leadership.

Although thirty spots were available for the Huan Province martial examination, and both Wang Zai and Meng Qi could easily qualify, with the Wang family’s power, arranging a preliminary duel between the two would be simple.

Wang Zai thought for a moment: “We’ll know only after the match.”

“Su Meng will definitely challenge you, Fourth Brother. Would you like to retreat for some cultivation to prepare for the challenge?” Wang Ce asked.

Wang Zai shook his head, a confident smile appearing on his face: “I want to watch him win. Every victory he achieves will fuel my fighting spirit. A rival of equal strength is rare!”

This was his method of building momentum.

…

After closing the door, Gu Xiaosang muttered, “She’s really cautious, making you come along with Wang Ce for something like this.”

She gazed longingly at Meng Qi: “After defeating Huang Zishi, Master, you should challenge a Wang family disciple next, then Wang Zai. I don’t believe Wang Ce, as the legitimate heir, won’t get involved somehow.”