During the Northern Zhou Dynasty, in the small city of Le Li located in Juyuan Prefecture, accents from all over the country filled the air due to its proximity to the borders of the Jin and Zhou states. Many martial artists carrying swords and knives came and went, and the most prosperous businesses in the city were taverns, inns, and stores selling goods from the north and south.
Inside a tavern, a man with a Lulong accent was speaking animatedly, spitting as he talked: “Damn it, the people from Southern Jin always look down on our great Zhou heroes on their Human Rankings. Why is it that only Cao Xiangu from the Cao family made it into the top ten? What about Tiance from the Pure Yang Sect? What about Wen Ren’an from the Sword Pavilion? What about the direct disciples from the Huamei Villa?”
The Northern Zhou also had its Six Gates, but due to the dominance of martial sects over aristocratic families and the government, its presence was weak. Not only did it not have its own Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings, in some regions where martial sects were powerful, the Six Gates could only stay confined to their own small jurisdictions, dealing with minor tasks like maintaining local order and deterring petty criminals. When it came to disputes involving martial sects, they often avoided them altogether.
Under such circumstances, the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings of the Southern Jin’s Six Gates became the sole authority. Though the heroes of the Northern Zhou disliked this, they had to grudgingly acknowledge it, often complaining about its unfairness and feigning indifference.
“Exactly!” Another man seated beside him slapped his thigh in agreement. “How many spies can Southern Jin possibly plant in our Northern Zhou? How much intelligence about the martial world can they actually gather? Aside from the Externals, who are all assigned to specific posts, the names of martial artists are widely recognized. At most, they might only know about the most prominent Open-Aperture experts. They’ve undoubtedly overlooked many skilled masters whose strength was formidable but whose feats weren’t sensational enough to shake the entire realm.”
The man with the Lulong accent took a big gulp of wine and said, “Let’s not even mention those they overlooked. Just look—why is Cao Xiangu, who has defeated all the Open窍 masters in Northern Zhou, only ranked third? And Tiance from the Pure Yang Sect, rumored to have achieved unity with heaven and earth, is merely ranked twelfth.”
You mentioned that he’s slightly weaker than that fierce monster from the Shangguan family, and we all agree. But Shangguan Heng, who possesses half-step External strength, is ranked eleventh. How come the Five Emperors’ Saber and the Shouzheng Sword, both being Nine-Aperture techniques, are ranked above him?
“Isn’t this an insult to us?”
He indignantly voiced his complaints on behalf of the martial heroes of the Northern Zhou, although the person he was addressing definitely didn’t know him.
In the past six months, Xuan Zhen, known as the “Buddha Palm,” had steadily advanced to a perfect half-step External, unaffected by He Jiu and Wang Siyuan’s sudden rise to fame. Therefore, the top five rankings were: Wolf King Tie Sheng, Mad Saber Su Meng, Wu Wang Di Xian Cao E, Sword Qi Chang He Yan Chong, and Joyful Monk Xing Yi.
At a nearby table sat three people, two men and one woman, dressed as traveling merchants. The leader stroked his beard, stared at the wine cup in front of him, and spoke as if addressing the air: “The Southern Jin Human Rankings value achievements. Boasting won’t help. Shangguan Heng is said to have the strength of a half-step External, but has he ever driven back a half-step opponent? Has he ever engaged in a one-on-one battle with an expert of that level? Does he have achievements matching his strength?”
“Tiance’s rumored attainment of unity with heaven and earth has not been demonstrated publicly. How can people believe it?”
This man was a thin middle-aged man, and from his manner of speaking, it was clear he was from the Southern Jin.
“Pah! Even though Shangguan Heng and Tiance lack corresponding achievements, what about the Purple Pole Sword, the Five Emperors’ Saber, and the Shouzheng Sword ranked above them? They’re only ranked high because they sparred with each other, all giving good reviews. That’s how they got to the top. Hmph! Our Northern Zhou doesn’t do such fake stuff. We want real life-or-death battles!” The man with the Lulong accent was furious.
The slender man’s left side was a stunning young woman with phoenix eyes. She couldn’t help but chuckle: “Young Master Qinglian hasn’t just traveled through Northern Zhou. Apart from Wu Wang Di Xian barely defeating him, where are the other Open窍 experts of Northern Zhou? The Five Emperors’ Saber and Shouzheng Sword even fought him to a standstill!”
These two battles were indeed special. They were all friendly sparring matches. Qinglian Gongzi Liu Su had not fought seriously. After barely enduring Qing Yuyan’s killing move, “The Heavenly Emperor Treads the Light and Shadow,” he did not counterattack and the match ended in a draw. As for Wang Zai’s “Unyielding in Majesty,” it was always stronger when facing a powerful opponent. If the opponent did not pay a price, the result could only be a draw.
With Qinglian Gongzi as a benchmark, the man with the Lulong accent and his companion were at a loss for words.
After stammering for a long time, he stubbornly said: “That was then, and this is now. Qinglian Gongzi has stagnated for a long time, while Tiance, Shangguan Heng, and the direct disciples of various sects have all made rapid progress. Perhaps they can now defeat him?”
“Not having fought, it’s ultimately impossible to say for sure,” the thin middle-aged man said dismissively.
Sensing his attitude, the man with the Lulong accent flew into a rage: “What do you mean by ‘never fought’? Forget about the top-ranked Wolf King—a legend for years who’s hunted countless masters. Even the second-ranked ‘Mad Saber’ hasn’t had a real showdown with the top ten on the rankings. Either his opponents fled in panic, or the duels ended with just a touch. Barely over nineteen, perhaps having just unlocked the nine apertures, yet elevated to such status. Do they truly believe the world’s heroes are nothing but chickens and dogs?”
“You can be ranked second on the Human Rankings only if you can take on three opponents at once, kill a left-handed martial artist of the half-step External level, or fight the Wolf King to a draw,” the phoenix-eyed girl scoffed.
Regarding Meng Qi’s battle with the Wolf King, those who supported him believed it was an even match, while those who disliked him thought he barely escaped in disarray.
“What half-step External left-handed martial artist? They were clearly a bunch of old, weak, sick, and disabled people working together…” another man also angrily retorted.
“Alright, enough arguing,” a calm and unremarkable voice suddenly interrupted. From a corner, a young man in brocade robes and a jade belt stood up. What made him most memorable were his thick, messy eyebrows and his sharp eyes, which carried a hint of hidden cruelty.
Despite the tavern’s noise, his voice clearly reached everyone’s ears. Immediately, the talking stopped, and an eerie silence fell over the place.
The young man walked to the table where the phoenix-eyed girl and others were sitting and nodded slightly: “You’re right. Arguing is useless. It all depends on the outcome of the fight.”
After speaking, he clasped his hands behind his back and slowly walked out of the hall.
“He…” the thin middle-aged man had previously sensed something thrilling, as if the young man before him was a ferocious beast in human form.
The man with the Lulong accent stammered: “Sh-Shangguan Heng! Shangguan Heng!”
Everyone was stunned, never expecting the youngest legitimate son of the Shangguan family—the infamous fierce deity—to appear in Le Li.
It was perfectly normal for someone from the Shangguan family of Juyuan to appear in Juyuan Prefecture, but Le Li was a border town between the two countries, known for its chaos. A gentleman would not stand under a collapsing roof!
“Shangguan Heng…” the thin middle-aged man murmured to himself. “From his words, it seems he wants to go south and fight against the top ten on the Human Rankings…”
The people in the tavern looked at each other, unsure of how to react.
With Shangguan Heng’s interruption, the noisy atmosphere couldn’t recover immediately, and only the buzzing of whispered conversations filled the air.
At that moment, a young man walked through the door. He had handsome features, was dressed in a flowing green robe with an air of effortless grace, and his warm smile made him instantly approachable.
But a strange long saber hung at his waist. Even though it was sheathed, it looked like a huge wound.
He glanced around the tavern and walked directly to the man with the Lulong accent. Smiling, he said: “I’ve heard that you two are quite familiar with the affairs of this city. I’d like to inquire about the residence of a certain family.”
As he spoke, he took out a piece of silver and politely placed it on the table, appearing like a refined nobleman.
Seeing him, the thin middle-aged man slightly furrowed his brows. Such a face, such a saber—had he heard of this person somewhere before?
“Which family would that be?” The man with the Lulong accent, who had connections everywhere, also had a bit of discerning eye. Seeing the young man’s unusual aura, he restrained his voice and didn’t utter a single coarse word.
“The Si family, who should have moved to Le Li about five years ago.” The young nobleman spoke gently.
The man with the Lulong accent laughed heartily, grabbed the silver, and tucked it into his robe: “Others might not know, but I do. I handled their household registration and land matters myself. They bought a mansion at the intersection of Yangguang Street and Pear Blossom Alley.”
He paused, lowering his voice: “Is it because the man from the Si family committed a crime and offended you, sir? He has a shifty-eyed look, clearly not a good person. He stays in Le Li for no more than half a year each year.”
“No, I’m just visiting a friend,” the young nobleman smiled and calmly walked out of the tavern.
The man with the Lulong accent turned his head, intending to continue arguing with the Southern Jin people at the other table, but saw the thin middle-aged man’s face filled with shock, unable to conceal it.
“K-Kuang Dao Su Meng!” he blurted out, full of astonishment.
“What?” Both the man with the Lulong accent and his companion were stunned.
…
The Si family was actually a pseudonym for the Sikong family. Who would have thought that Sikong Tu, the “King of Thieves” who roamed the Jiangdong region, would have settled his family in a small border town of the Northern Zhou.
This place was a den of dragons and snakes, making it convenient to hide one’s past. With the presence of the Juyuan Shangguan family and nearby sects maintaining order, it wasn’t a lawless place beyond the emperor’s reach. It was an ideal choice for retired pirates and thieves seeking a peaceful life in their later years.
Meng Qi did not head directly north but took a detour to the northeast to settle his karmic debts and obtain secret techniques as soon as possible.
Dong, dong, dong. Meng Qi lifted the door knocker and knocked on the gate.
The Sikong family’s residence was vast, with two stone lions standing at the entrance, clearly indicating a wealthy household.
Creak, after a short while, someone opened the small door and peeked out, asking in confusion: “Young master, what brings you to visit the Sikong residence?”
“I am an old friend of Master Si De and have been entrusted by him to deliver a message,” Meng Qi replied with a gentle smile.
Si De was actually the alias of Sikong Tu.
Hearing news of his master, the gatekeeper quickly asked Meng Qi to wait while he went inside to inform the lady of the house.
Shortly after, he hurried out and respectfully said: “Young master, please come in. The lady is waiting for you in the study.”
Meng Qi nodded and followed him into the mansion. After passing through two courtyards, he saw a boy of about six or seven years old holding a small wooden sword, striking poses in the open space, swinging it around with a “he-he-ha-ha” sound. Although his moves were unrefined, he was fully immersed in the game, sweat dripping from his forehead without feeling the slightest fatigue.
“You scoundrel of a pirate, don’t try to escape! Take this sword strike from this great hero!” the little boy shouted at the servant playing with him.
Suddenly, Meng Qi felt a slight sadness. This kind of familial happiness was probably what Sikong Tu had longed for. But now, he had died far from home, and there would be no reunion.
Composing himself, Meng Qi followed the gatekeeper across the courtyard and corridor to the study.
“Come in,” a soft and beautiful female voice came from inside.
The gatekeeper respectfully took his leave. Meng Qi pushed the door and stepped inside.
Standing in the study was a woman dressed in plain clothes, her hair tied in a bun, giving off an air of delicate beauty mixed with a chill.
As Meng Qi casually closed the door behind him, she revealed a faint, sorrowful smile:
“He hasn’t returned in ten months. I suppose he won’t be coming back.”
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