Plum blossoms bloomed like fire, and snowflakes drifted like clouds. The Taoist wandered freely, complementing the scene beautifully. Yet in Wen Hengshui’s eyes, there was nothing but inexplicable disgust. How dare this fellow come to disrupt Master’s wedding!
Just as he was about to order his two guardian masters and other martial experts to swarm forward and beat this audacious man to death, Meng Qi continued with a calm and gentle smile: “This Taoist has no intention of stopping the wedding.”
“Huh…?” Everyone, including Madame Hongxian, was stunned.
Taking advantage of their shock, Meng Qi continued leisurely, “The world is vast, and wedding customs vary. Though the general framework remains unchanged, there are always minor differences. For example, in some regions, to test the groom’s sincerity, the bride’s family may create obstacles during the wedding procession, observing his responses. Some demand poetry or painting, while others require drinking and arrow-throwing contests.”
“Jushen Manor is a martial arts sect, so naturally, martial skills must be tested. If you can defeat this Taoist, I shall immediately withdraw, allowing you to proceed straight into the manor and meet the bride.”
Meng Qi knew that the Moon Township had not directly abducted the bride but instead sent a formal wedding procession, making every effort to maintain the appearance of a proper ceremony. He understood they still wished to preserve appearances, to avoid unsavory rumors later.
Even if Master Xi Yue had the power to suppress the clans and sects allied with Huangfu Tao, what would happen after his passing? Therefore, while opportunistic exploitation was one thing, appearances still had to be maintained, rules had to be followed, and face had to be given to others. Otherwise, if accused of behaving like a sinister sect, Moon Township might collapse without even facing a direct challenge.
Based on this, Meng Qi believed that as long as he didn’t push too hard and used the rules and procedures to contain them, the Moon Township’s experts would not gang up on him, allowing him to forcibly take away Huangfu Fei.
After the contest, if he could win every match, his momentum would peak while the enemy’s confidence would plummet. Only then would he have the chance to escape safely with Huangfu Fei and Madame Huangfu.
Wen Hengshui’s anger eased slightly. If winning a fight meant passage, that wasn’t unreasonable.
He had heard of such wedding customs before. For a martial arts family, this approach didn’t seem unusual. At least the Taoist wasn’t outright forbidding the wedding. This marriage was, after all, opportunistic…
If they had simply abducted the bride… Wen Hengshui glanced at the watching guests. He imagined his father’s humiliation, and worse, his own inevitable punishment.
Looking at Qingxue Dragon King and Chimei Saber King on either side, Wen Hengshui’s heart steadied. How strong could this young Taoist be? With two powerful guardians present, one even at the Semi-External Scenery threshold, how could they possibly lose?
He raised his hand, halting the other eager experts, and chuckled, “Esteemed Daoist, may I ask your name? From what I know, if the bride’s family sets challenges, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the groom himself. Anyone from the groom’s procession suffices.”
“Indeed. This humble one is Qingyuan, a close friend of Master Huangfu despite the age difference. Today, I represent Miss Huangfu in testing the groom.” Meng Qi did not refute Wen Hengshui. Otherwise, he would immediately face an onslaught from a Semi-External Scenery expert and a Heaven-Connected cultivator, plus several Nine-Orifice and Eight-Orifice experts. Even if he could escape, he wouldn’t be able to stop Huangfu Fei from being taken.
Just as Wen Hengshui was about to nod, Zhong Ning suddenly shouted, “Master Wen, don’t be deceived! We’ve never seen this rogue Taoist before. Just because he claims to be Master’s old friend doesn’t make it true. Who gave him the right to test the groom?”
The fear and humiliation from having seven hairs sliced off in seven strokes, combined with the sudden arrival of numerous experts, finally erupted.
Wen Hengshui’s eyes lit up. If there was an easy solution, who would want unnecessary trouble?
At that moment, many disciples of Jushen Manor arrived, including Second Disciple Qi Shaochong and Fourth Disciple Xia Yanyun. They had only just learned about today’s wedding procession. Previously, they had been kept in the dark by the traitorous disciples like Zhong Ning.
As Madame Hongxian heard Zhong Ning’s words and was about to turn around to ask Madame Huangfu for permission for Qingyuan Daoist to conduct the test, she suddenly heard a chorus of “Master!” echoing from all directions.
One voice after another, filled with shock and disbelief.
She turned her head without thinking. There stood Qingyuan Daoist, left hand extended, five slender fingers holding a jade pendant. Its color was a deep green, engraved with several lightning scars and six inscriptions. As Meng Qi displayed it front and back, she clearly saw the six characters:
“Jushen Manor, Huangfu Tao.”
This was the jade pendant Huangfu Tao had thrown to Meng Qi after briefly breaking free from control. Meng Qi had originally planned to convince Huangfu Fei first before revealing the jade to solidify trust, laying the foundation for his plans regarding the Xuanwu Pendant, Five Thunder True Formula, and Divine Thunder Spear Technique. Revealing it too soon might have triggered suspicion.
Qi Shaochong, Xia Yanyun, and others were both shocked and delighted, their thoughts in chaos. This jade pendant had vanished when their master had gone mad and left the manor. Could it be that Qingyuan Daoist had met their mad master and received the pendant as a gift? Or had he seen only a corpse and taken the jade? Or perhaps their master had dropped it while fleeing in madness, and Qingyuan Daoist had picked it up…
There were many guesses, but they all instinctively hoped their master was still alive, still lucid.
Zhong Ning and the other traitorous disciples, however, were filled with terror. If their master, the strongest Tianyuan Emperor of past generations, had returned, even hiding in the Moon Township wouldn’t save them!
“Who… who knows how you got that?” His voice trembled clearly.
Meng Qi didn’t even glance at him, smiling faintly as he turned to Wen Hengshui: “Master Wen, this is Master Huangfu’s token. I also received orders from Madame Huangfu. Please send someone forward to challenge me.”
His voice was calm, yet carried an unshakable confidence.
“Could it be that Daoist has seen Master Huangfu?” Wen Hengshui’s pupils slightly constricted.
The watching guests inhaled sharply, though upon reflection, the possibility of having merely found it seemed more plausible.
Meng Qi smiled silently, turning his head slightly to gaze at the crimson plum blossoms.
This only deepened Wen Hengshui’s suspicions. Thinking for a moment, he turned to Xu Suwen, one of the Eight Generals, intending to order her to fight first and test this rogue Taoist’s strength.
Suddenly, someone patted his shoulder, and a voice entered his ear:
“Master, this Taoist is unfathomable. Let me handle it.”
Unfathomable? Wen Hengshui turned his head, seeing a weathered face with slightly reddish eyebrows and sharp eyes that gleamed like sunlit weapons.
“Chimei Saber King!”
Well then, better safe than sorry. Wen Hengshui nodded, turning to Meng Qi: “I’ll believe you for now. This match shall be led by Elder Brother Chimei on my behalf.”
Whoosh! Chimei Saber King? Master Wen truly respects Qingyuan Daoist! The watching crowd exhaled in astonishment, expecting Wen Hengshui to send only one of the Eight Generals, yet he had summoned Chimei Saber King, one of the Four Guardians!
The world is vast, and countless martial artists exist, yet few have opened their Third Eye. Even including reclusive old masters with no confirmed deaths, the number does not exceed thirty. Those who have reached the threshold of Internal and External Unity are even fewer, less than a handful.
Excluding these rare few, the mainstream martial artists are those who have opened their meridians. Among them, Chimei Saber King ranks steadily within the top five. Having reached Heaven-Connected at under thirty, his calm, unhurried progress suggested the potential to reach External Scenery and fathom the mysteries of Heaven and Man.
And now, he was personally stepping into the ring! The young Taoist didn’t even have protective qi surrounding him!
“Chimei Saber King?” Madame Hongxian and Saiwai Shentuo’s eyes sharpened. This was a renowned expert indeed!
“Haha, Taoist ox, with Chimei Saber King stepping in, let’s see how you can stop us!” Zhong Ning and the other disciples who had defected to the Moon Township were more excited than the groom himself. Besides, they still harbored resentment from the earlier seven cuts.
Facing the towering Chimei Saber King, Meng Qi lightly touched his sword hilt and smiled: “To claim the title of Saber King, you must first ask my Tianhen Sword here.”
What arrogance! Everyone on both sides thought similarly. How dare this unknown Taoist speak so boldly!
“Every person who has said that has fallen beneath my blade.” The imposing aura of the Chimei Saber King was no less formidable, his voice resonating like a mighty bell. His entire presence resembled a colossal saber splitting the heavens, rendering it impossible to gaze upon him directly.
When masters meet, their energies resonate. He displayed not the slightest hint of contempt.
“Good, good, good!” Meng Qi exclaimed thrice, stepping forward three times. With each step, he seemed taller in the eyes of the onlookers. By the third step, he appeared to merge with the heavens and earth, vast and boundless, overlooking the mortal world!
What terrifying momentum! Even with a strong heart and vast experience, facing the fusion of Tianren Jidi’s Grand Art and saber intent, the Chimei Saber King couldn’t help but shudder inwardly. His blade hesitated to strike!
At the third “good,” Meng Qi drew his sword.
The long saber descended, heavy as a mountain, thunder roaring like divine punishment. Around him, purple lightning crackled wildly.
This strike emphasized weight, collapsing the air before him, forming a vortex that drew Chimei Saber King in.
Magnified by his imposing aura, it truly felt as if the heavens were collapsing and thunder was pouring down!
Yet Chimei Saber King was no easy opponent. Even with his imposing aura suppressed, he still reacted swiftly. His saber gleam flickered like a chilling gust, its origin and destination elusive. It wove through the heavy, thunderous saber momentum, never truly subdued—as if no force could ever suppress the wind itself.
At the peak of their momentum, their blades finally crossed, yet the sound was surprisingly muted.
Chimei’s saber flashed, crisscrossing and swirling like a blizzard. Every shift and killing intent resembled a snowflake, concealed within the blinding storm, engulfing the sky and earth.
Meng Qi gently traced a circle, manifesting the heavens, embracing the blizzard, purple lightning dancing, revealing the terrifying void.
Attack and defense, defense and attack. In mere breaths, they exchanged multiple saber strikes. Each aimed directly at the opponent’s weakness, yet either fell into a trap or was blocked.
Chimei Saber King felt this Taoist was the strongest saber-wielder he had ever encountered. Despite his utmost efforts, summoning dark clouds and real snowflakes, he couldn’t create an opening to use his ultimate move.
Moreover, his judgment of the enemy’s true qi flow under the Heaven-Connected sensation was always slightly delayed, preventing preemptive countermeasures. This made him even more cautious, focusing entirely on the Taoist in his water-robe, and especially on the saber in his hand.
Clang! Their sabers clashed again. The Tianzhi injury rebounded, but midway it trembled eight times, like eight high-speed phantom cuts.
Boom!
The scattered purple lightning suddenly flared, coalescing into thunderous dragons, surging forth with a mighty and fierce momentum, striking toward Chimei Saber King.
Disaster! He had fallen into a trap! From the very first strike, he had been setting one up!
Meng Qi used the same strategy against Chimei Saber King as he had against Qingyu of the Five Emperors Saber School, naturally achieving success!
Clenching his teeth, the Chimei Saber King had no choice but to launch a desperate attack, even though the timing was unfavorable and his momentum was suppressed.
Suddenly, the surroundings grew dark. The paused blizzard resumed, its coldness piercing through, making nearby people shiver involuntarily.
Snowflakes swirled in the air. Chimei’s saber transformed into a torrent of white light—roaring and surging, vast and mighty—like a collapsing mountain, burying everything in its path as it surged toward the purple thunder dragon!
Avalanche versus Thunder Wrath!
Boom!
Lightning flashed brilliantly, many people’s eyes filled with dazzling purple. The crisp sound of clashing sabers echoed far away.
When the light faded and the snow settled, Chimei Saber King staggered back five steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his hand gripping the saber trembling uncontrollably.
Meng Qi stood unmoved, his clean Taoist robe untouched by a single snowflake.
Clang! He sheathed his saber, smiling calmly:
“Next.”
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