The training ground of the Six Gates in Zhou Prefecture was built on rammed earth, with four high platforms surrounding it for military inspection.
The northern platform was reserved for the Six Gates, the Wang Clan of Zhou Prefecture, the Huanhua Sword Sect, and the Huang Family of Yedu. The remaining three platforms were crowded with excited martial artists from all over the jianghu, filled with anticipation.
Although many young martial artists possessed strength worthy of the Renbang (Human List), some had not yet emerged from seclusion, some lacked opportunities, and others were content with a quiet life, thus failing to make the list. Only fifty true elites had genuine qualifications to be on the Renbang. With both the Bei Zhou and Jin Dynasties present, the entire realm consisted of twenty-three provinces, not to mention the grasslands and western regions. Some provinces didn’t even have a single representative on the Renbang, making the mere thought of competing for a place on it seem impossible.
Huan Prefecture, the premier province of the southwest, was home to both the Huanhua Sword Sect and the Wang Clan of Zhou Prefecture, and thus had three representatives on the Renbang. However, “Young Master Azure Lotus” Liu Su gained fame earlier than “Guardian Sword” Wang Zai and “Gentleman Sword” Meng Qi. By the time Wang Zai’s reputation began to rise, Liu Su had already embarked on a journey across the land, devoting himself to dueling while drinking a thousand cups of wine, once ranking within the top ten of the Renbang before being overtaken by Jiang Zhiwei. When Wang Zai finally set out to hone his skills and earned his own renown to join the Renbang, Liu Su had already traveled to Bei Zhou, continuing his joyous journey of dueling and drinking. Thus, the two never managed to meet.
Originally, “Gentleman Sword” Meng Qi had survived an ambush by the treasure-armed four experts with nine-orifice abilities, securing his position on the Renbang and reigniting the hopes of martial artists in Huan Prefecture for a fierce battle among the elites of the Renbang. However, he unexpectedly returned to Xiliang for revenge, his whereabouts becoming shrouded in mystery, once again missing the chance to cross paths with Wang Zai.
This led martial artists in Huan Prefecture to sigh in disappointment. Could it be that only in the most prosperous regions like Jiangdong in Shen Du, where the greatest number of young martial experts gathered, or the Chang Le Plains, could one witness a true Renbang battle?
Out of the previous thirty Renbang duels, only seven occurred outside these two regions. The closest to Huan Prefecture were the battle of the Luo Demoness from the Three Mountains and Four Rivers slaying seven Celestial Maidens, and the incident at the Wan Hua Pavilion in Yedu where the Luo Demoness “snatched” the heir of the Xuan Nu in front of Wang Zai. Unfortunately, none of these were witnessed by the crowd.
Now, the “Thunder Saber’s Mad Monk” openly challenged the “Guardian Sword,” fulfilling their deepest wish—how could they not be thrilled and exhilarated?
“Master Jin, since you’ve accepted the challenge from the Thunder Saber Mad Monk and have sparred with Prince Wang several times, who do you favor?” asked the master of another martial arts academy, addressing Jin Jinxian of the Chiyang Martial Academy.
Jin Jinxian stroked his beard thoughtfully and replied, “An old man like me lacks talent and insight, finding it hard to judge. I feel they might end in a draw.”
“I disagree. Prince Wang Zai has mastered ‘Unyielding Valor’ from the ‘Majestic Qi,’ growing stronger when facing formidable opponents. Even against someone ranked within the top ten of the Renbang, he can elevate his prowess to their level, ensuring a balanced duel. How much more so when confronting the Thunder Saber Mad Monk?” argued Luo Youfeng, master of the Breaking Star Martial Academy, still resentful over his defeat at the hands of Meng Qi.
Another martial arts academy master shook his head. “Unyielding Valor merely ensures one doesn’t fall below the opponent’s level, mainly enhancing true qi, strength, and speed, without improving cultivation level or technique. Su Meng, the Mad Monk of the Thunder Saber, only has six or seven apertures unlocked; his true qi, strength, and other attributes all fall short of Prince Wang’s. His strength comes entirely from his superb saber techniques and mastery of their essence. ‘Unyielding Valor’ offers him no advantage.”
The Wang Clan’s “Majestic Qi” is renowned, and martial artists from Yedu generally understand its nature, knowing that during cultivation, “Unyielding Valor” does not benefit one’s cultivation level or techniques.
The Wang Clan member who previously defeated a half-step external scene opponent using “Unyielding Valor” was actually Wang Ce and Wang Zai’s grandfather, the former head of the Wang Clan. At the time, he had not actually improved his cultivation level. The reason he could transcend his level to kill a half-step external scene opponent was because the “Majestic Qi” itself carried the characteristics of a half-step external scene. Cultivating one’s own righteous majesty and connecting with the majesty filling the heavens and earth, every move symbolized the righteous path of heaven and earth.
Wang Zai’s several displays of power made Meng Qi understand this point clearly.
“You’ve already stated that Prince Wang’s cultivation surpasses that of the Mad Monk of the Thunder Saber, and his true qi and strength are also superior. So what difference does it make whether ‘Unyielding Valor’ is effective or not? If the Mad Monk of the Thunder Saber has mastered the essence of saber techniques, hasn’t Prince Wang also grasped the essence of one of the ‘Nine Swords of the Sage’?” Luo Youfeng retorted loudly.
The master snorted. “I didn’t say I don’t favor Prince Wang; I just think it won’t be easy for him to defeat Su Meng.”
Various platforms were discussing the outcome of the match. Relatively speaking, more people favored Wang Zai, partly because he was a hero from Yedu, and partly due to his reputation and higher ranking on the Renbang compared to the Mad Monk of the Thunder Saber.
“I’m not sure either. Su Meng hasn’t displayed his A-nan Breaking Precepts Saber Technique or Golden Bell Cover yet. His last full-power move was at the beginning of last summer. Who knows how much he’s improved since then?” Kong Yu, a senior officer with a green sash, smiled as he spoke to Du Shaobai, an external steward of the Huanhua Sword Sect. “However, I favor a draw. After all, Prince Wang has mastered ‘Unyielding Valor.’ Even if Su Meng has improved significantly, Prince Wang can still match him evenly.”
Du Shaobai nodded slightly. Looking at Meng Qi standing quietly on the training ground with a saber and sword on his back, Qi Zhengyan beside him felt a surge of excitement.
In recent times, he had often sparred with Meng Qi, deepening his mastery of the “Hun Tian Treasure Mirror” and understanding the gap between his own abilities and Meng Qi’s. Therefore, Meng Qi’s challenge against the Renbang expert Wang Zai gave him the illusion of challenging himself, allowing him to gauge his own strength.
As they were speaking, the Wang Clan arrived. Leading them was a man in his forties, wearing ancient headgear and a wide robe, with an impressive appearance and small eyes slightly narrowed.
Kong Yu raised his eyebrows slightly and approached with a smile. “Count of Yeyang, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
This man was named Wang Nayen, the Sima (Governor) of Huan Prefecture, a representative of the Wang Clan in Huan Prefecture’s civil administration system, a top-tier martial artist, and the fifth uncle of Wang Ce and Wang Zai. He had been titled the Count of Yeyang—the Wang Clan’s patriarch inherited the title of Marquis of Huan.
Although the Wang Clan had many external scene experts, they also needed to protect valuable mines, medicinal mountains, distant territories, and important cities, requiring external scene experts to take turns guarding these places. More than fifteen were always stationed outside, and with some entering the Shen Du central government, the clan itself often had only about ten external scene experts—for example, Wang Ce’s uncle, Wang Zai’s father, the youngest patriarch of the Wang Clan, currently serving as Minister of Revenue and controlling the financial resources of the Jin Dynasty.
Therefore, within the civil administration systems of Huan Prefecture and Zhou Prefecture, they did not deploy overly strong experts. Wang Nayen was a rare exception among external scene experts. After all, as long as the main branch of the Wang Clan remained strong, they did not fear any rebellion from these regions.
Wang Nayen was skilled in political maneuvering. After becoming the Sima of Huan Prefecture, he quickly became the external affairs representative of the Wang Clan in Huan Prefecture.
No one expected him to come in person today. Kong Yu, Du Shaobai, and others felt puzzled. Even if it was to ensure Wang Zai’s safety and prevent this generation’s most talented member from dying in a duel, sending an external scene elder or a half-step external scene guest would have sufficed. Why did Wang Nayen himself need to come?
However, the two quickly understood. This was the Wang Clan’s effort to win over a concubine-born son.
Wang Zai’s father was a concubine-born son. Thus, even though he was once among the top ten of the Renbang and the youngest patriarch of the Wang Clan, he could not inherit the family leadership. Wang Zai was also a concubine-born son, seemingly destined for a bright future like his father. Therefore, to maintain their status, the main branch needed to win over and show respect to talented concubine-born sons, granting them sufficient respect. Just like Wang Zai’s father, even though not the clan head, became the Wang Clan’s representative in the imperial court.
Wang Nayen’s personal presence was a sign of respect for Wang Zai, a gesture of goodwill towards both Wang Zai and his father.
After all, this was a world that revered martial cultivation; sufficient strength could earn one due status and respect!
“Officer Kong Qing Shou, we just met yesterday, and now you’re asking again. How chatty you are,” Wang Nayen laughed warmly, showing no disdain towards Kong Yu merely being an officer with a green sash.
Behind him followed Wang Ce, Wang Zai, and several other members of the Wang Clan.
Compared to a few days ago, Wang Ce had returned to normal, though he seemed more subdued and quiet. The old servant behind him remained unchanged. Wang Zai wore the Guardian Sword at his waist, his expression firm, neither arrogant nor fearful, neither excited nor delighted, as if victory or defeat held no sway over his heart.
Du Shaobai smiled and said, “Minister Wang, you stayed overnight at the Golden Pavilion last night. Shouldn’t we be worried about your health?”
After exchanging a few light-hearted words, Wang Nayen turned his head toward Wang Zai and smiled slightly, saying, “Go ahead. Don’t keep Xiao Su waiting.”
Wang Zai nodded gently, leaped forward, and landed three zhang in front of Meng Qi in a simple, unremarkable manner—neither graceful nor mysterious.
Upon his appearance, everyone on the high platforms stopped talking, holding their breath in anticipation of the battle.
Wang Zai performed a bow: “My younger brother Su, I’ve kept you waiting.”
Since Meng Qi had addressed him as “Brother Zai,” he naturally called him “Younger Brother Su.”
Meng Qi opened his half-closed eyes, his expression calm: “Waiting for a good opponent is always a pleasure, no matter how long it takes.”
A smile appeared on Wang Zai’s face, calm and humble: “Why have you replaced your sword with a wooden one?”
The sword in the sheath on Meng Qi’s back was not the Midnight or Noon sword, but a wooden sword of the same length.
“My saber can be controlled, but my sword cannot. If I were to fight, I might accidentally injure someone,” Meng Qi replied, his expression unchanged.
As he spoke, his right hand extended slowly behind him, reaching for the hilt of his saber. The movement was plain and unremarkable, yet to Wang Nayen, Kong Yu, and others, it was extraordinary.
His movements were extremely precise. During the slow motion, the preceding actions seemed like a replica of the following ones. The posture of his fingers and the spacing between them remained unchanged, not a single bit different. Though slow, it gave the impression of “afterimages.”
When his right hand touched the hilt, his entire aura surged to its peak. Wang Zai felt as if the person before him had become a long saber—sharp and mighty, yet balanced between firmness and flexibility.
Under the pull of this aura, Wang Zai’s right hand also reached for his sword hilt. His movement was equally plain and unremarkable, yet it exuded a sense of righteousness and centrality.
It seemed as if he should draw his sword this way! As if he must draw his sword this way!
Clang!
Simultaneously, the saber and sword were drawn.
The long saber cut an elegant arc toward Wang Zai. The saber qi adhered entirely to the blade, without the slightest leakage, and without a sound of turbulence. Only a whisper, like a gentle murmur, disturbed the ears.
The long sword slashed diagonally, seemingly clumsy and unchanging, ancient and straightforward. Yet, in Meng Qi’s perception through the Undying Seal Art, Wang Zai’s sword stroke was balanced in its distribution of force and energy, without any weak or strong points, nor any distinction of thickness or weight. It left Meng Qi’s “Qi-breaking” technique without an opening. Moreover, the technique seemed to change without truly changing, the vulnerabilities of the move flowing with the momentum, making them difficult to grasp!
One of the “Nine Swords of the Sage”—”Utmost Fairness and Impartiality”!
Clash!
“Whisper” and “Guardian” collided straightforwardly without any flourish.
Challenger: Su Meng.
Nicknames: Saber Crazy, Thunder Saber Mad Monk, Fierce Vajra.
Strength: Ranked 33rd on the Human List.
Challenged: Wang Zai.
Nickname: Guardian Sword.
Strength: Ranked 23rd on the Human List.
Prediction: Unknown.
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