The teahouse had about ten tables, all of which were now filled with customers. Even the narrow spaces between the tables were occupied by tea drinkers, cups in hand, standing on tiptoe, eagerly awaiting the storyteller. The scene was as lively as a temple fair or a village opera.
For the monotonous lives of common folk, listening to the storyteller recite the news had become one of the few sources of joy. It was at least more affordable than drinking cheap wine, and coming here every few days was manageable. Moreover, returning home with tales to tell brought warm welcomes from neighbors, allowing them to share vivid stories of the martial world and exotic tales from distant places like Yuexi—stories that added a touch of color to their otherwise pale lives.
This was the scene Qian Ping’an saw as he stepped into the teahouse, but he seemed somewhat dazed, his thoughts drifting far away, barely noticing what was happening around him.
“Earlier, the shop owner mentioned that the four major rice merchants in the capital were joining forces to block grain from entering the city from outside. They had hired assassins, recruited martial experts, and colluded with government officials to restore rice prices to normal levels. It was said that more than a dozen lives had already been lost, including many grain merchants…”
And the day before yesterday, the *Martial World Express* published a letter from Tan Hai, the head of the grain merchants’ association in the five southern provinces, stating that he would travel to the capital together with Lin Zutong, the “Nanhai Divine Sword,” to pay a visit to the Left Chancellor…
“For decades, there had been no Grand Masters in the martial world. Nanhai Divine Sword and the Heartbroken Divine Palm were among the few closest to that level. According to the *Martial World Express*, this grain merchants’ dispute might not end peacefully…”
“The Cao Gang (Canal Gang) has been particularly aggressive lately. A few words often lead to fights. Chen Xiusheng from the alley said they might even rebel and demand food…”
These were the thoughts swirling in Qian Ping’an’s mind. His daze came from a sudden urge to get involved. It seemed the world was changing rapidly. The *Martial World Express* always described this era as one of gathering storms and heroes, evoking a sense of springtime wonder.
His employer’s rice shop was getting harder to manage. As a mere shop assistant, he didn’t expect to last much longer. Should he continue working at another shop, slowly climbing the ranks to become a manager, living a life where he could only see the sky through the narrow space between four walls? Or should he venture out and seize this opportunity of a “gathering of storms and heroes”?
If he left the city, he had no martial arts skills and little money. What could he do?
Well, goods from the north and south were getting cheaper in the capital, while his hometown hadn’t seen such items yet. Of course, teleportation arrays only existed in major cities. Maybe he could buy or borrow some southern goods and sell them back home?
*Pah!*
A wooden clapper struck the table, echoing through the hall. Qian Ping’an shivered involuntarily, snapping out of his thoughts.
Looking up, he saw the storyteller holding up the *Martial World Express*.
“As the old saying goes, ‘A long sword has no feelings, but people do.’ Even the Divine Sword that shocks gods cannot escape the ways of love. Today, let me tell you about his romantic tales,” the storyteller said, stroking his beard dramatically.
The crowd’s spirits lifted instantly. To them, romantic tales were far more intriguing than martial world anecdotes.
“The first chapter: Trapped in an illusion, he falls for the Lake Fairy, and through the union of Yin and Yang, the sword is forged.”
…
“The second chapter: Passing through the Hua Mansion at night, the sword shines brightly. Under the moonlight, they elope to the embroidery tower.”
…
“The third chapter: The flower courtesan helps Xiao Meng with affection, red candles burn without tears as the bed sheets ripple.”
…
This edition of the *Martial World Express* contained three chapters, each one stirring the crowd with excitement. They wished it would continue longer, but the story ended too soon. They resented how the writing was so vivid yet skimmed over the most crucial moments, leaving them with rising passion and no outlet—like entering a brothel, choosing a courtesan, and undressing, only to find dawn has already broken and the dream is over.
But could such an article really appear in a newspaper? Could it be considered suitable for refined company?
The crowd felt momentarily confused. The current social climate was still quite conservative. Only explicit pictures like spring palace scrolls and vulgar songs from brothels were common. Such detailed and captivating romantic narratives were rare.
After leaving the teahouse, the story lingered in Qian Ping’an’s mind. He tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, constantly imagining how the story would continue and picturing the images of each fairy-like beauty. He wished the sun would rise faster and the *Martial World Express* would publish the next chapter sooner.
The unprecedented excitement ignited the crowd’s enthusiasm. Coupled with Shang Jiuming’s firm persistence, all the voices condemning the decline of social morals and the loss of traditional values were forcefully silenced.
“The twelfth chapter: Xiao Meng meets the Demon Queen for the first time while exploring the embassy, and she removes her white silk to demonstrate the Heavenly Demon Art.”
…
“The fourteenth chapter: Ambushed by hidden arrows, they fall into the forbidden palace. The Divine Sword heroically rescues the beauty.”
…
And again, just at the crucial moment, it ended… Qian Ping’an felt a surge of frustration. He wished he could drag the author out and force him to write dozens more chapters. Based on his trust in the *Martial World Express*, he envied Xiao Meng, the Divine Sword, immensely. His sword techniques were extraordinary, and he moved between beauties of unique charm, winning their hearts one after another. He was truly a winner in life.
If only I were the Divine Sword… Qian Ping’an sighed with regret as he walked out of the teahouse.
Just then, a figure emerged from a dark corner nearby, silently approaching and whispering, “Want the continuation?”
“What continuation?” Qian Ping’an asked blankly.
“The continuation of the Divine Sword and the Demon Queen practicing the *Thirty-Six Postures of the Su Nu Art*, uncensored. Only five copper coins!” The man glanced around nervously before answering.
Qian Ping’an’s heart stirred. Without hesitation, he said, “I’ll take it!”
He quickly took out five copper coins and bought a thin booklet.
“Remember, other continuations are fake. Only Gao Jushi’s is truly brilliant, vivid, and colorful,” the man said, took the coins, and hurried off to find his next customer.
Qian Ping’an’s heart raced with excitement. He tightly gripped the booklet, walking home as if floating on clouds. Once inside, he locked the door, lit a candle, and opened the pages.
“Damn it! I can’t even read! What the hell did I buy this for!” Qian Ping’an let out a furious roar.
This was the tragedy of being illiterate…
…
Inside a certain tavern.
“I refuse to believe the Divine Sword is like that,” Gao Fuchen said, gripping his sword hilt tightly, as if ready to confront the *Martial World Express* headquarters.
His companion laughed heartily, “How could a supreme martial expert like the Divine Sword avoid entanglements with women? These romantic tales are trivial. Who cares?”
To men of that era, romantic escapades didn’t tarnish one’s image; instead, they proved one’s charm.
Frowning, Gao Fuchen replied, “The Divine Sword should be a swordsman devoted solely to the path of the sword!”
“No, think about it. When he escorted Lu Guan to the capital, he was already accompanied by a peerless beauty. Everyone knows about his cooperation with the Demon Queen. When he reappeared the second time, he sought her out first. If you say there was no affair between them, I won’t believe it.”
“However…” Gao Fuchen was momentarily at a loss for words.
His companion shook his head and smiled, “Only a great hero can be genuine, and only a true gentleman can be charming. The Divine Sword has not lost his integrity and even shattered the void. These romantic tales are just trivial details.”
“I suppose…” Gao Fuchen sighed. Although the reasoning made sense, the image of the Divine Sword in his mind seemed to be crumbling.
…
Within various sects of the Evil Path, numerous villains and heretics were filled with grief and indignation.
They were not mourning the Demon Queen’s relationship with the Divine Sword—after all, that was over a hundred years ago, and not a big deal. What truly angered them was how the secret history portrayed their sects as utterly incompetent.
But without a voice of their own, they couldn’t even find a way to protest!
Should they support a puppet and start a new newspaper, or send assassins to attack the *Martial World Express*?
…
In a secret chamber, an ordinary-looking man picked up a letter placed inside:
“Assassinate Shang Jiuming of the *Martial World Express*.”
The man tore the letter into pieces and swallowed it. In his hand now appeared a long sword gleaming with a cold, green light.
He was a world-renowned assassin. He had no name passed down through history, nor had he ever left his own name behind. He was simply called the “Faceless God of Death” because of the countless lives he had taken.
But he saw himself as a sword—a Yuchang Sword, hidden in a fish’s belly or within a map, concealing its brilliance until the moment it was drawn. Then, its light would shine so brightly that it would illuminate the heavens, moving even himself.
Shang Jiuming was already a dead man!
…
These romantic tales were harmless, yet the image of the Divine Sword was slowly changing.
Over these past few months, Meng Qi had been using the Divine Sword puppet to deeply understand the feedback and the subtle shifts in connections.
“Just a little more…” Suddenly, he understood the direction he needed to adjust!
He was the choice of the Demon Buddha A-nan to escape his imprisonment. Before breaking free, A-nan would certainly strive to enhance his own strength. That meant that while he was still under A-nan’s control, his “legendary image” would gradually approach “his other self,” allowing A-nan to regain his legendary traits and grow stronger. With this internal and external cooperation, breaking the seal would become easier.
…
Qian Ping’an stepped into the teahouse once again, full of energy and with bright eyes, as if he had found his path.
Yes, he had come here to say goodbye to the teahouse. He was about to follow the Free and Easy King on a voyage overseas!
With teleportation arrays now available, exploring overseas territories no longer meant fearing the loss of goods to storms. As long as they established arrays there, they could send their findings back. Thus, many martial experts had turned their eyes overseas, organizing fleets. After collaborating with the *Martial World Express*, the Free and Easy King made a grand announcement to the world:
The Age of Great Navigation has begun!
This filled Qian Ping’an with excitement, as if a brand new life was unfolding before him.
“Today’s top headline: Master Zhen Ding reveals the true identity of the Divine Sword,” the storyteller’s voice sounded unusually solemn.
“What true identity?” Qian Ping’an was stunned.
“Master Zhen Ding is a conscientious scholar of martial world legends. He believes the Divine Sword is actually the reincarnation of the Demon Lord using secret techniques! Otherwise, how could his martial arts seem to come to him as if granted by heaven, allowing him to shatter the void in just a few years? And how else could the Demon Queen favor him so deeply, falling in love at first sight? More importantly, the Demon Lord suddenly left at the peak of his power, becoming a monk and leaving behind the cryptic words, ‘As it was.’ This is too strange to be normal. If we consider that he secretly prepared for reincarnation and rebirth to break the seal, everything becomes clear!” The storyteller inhaled sharply. This theory was truly shocking.
But it was also true that the Divine Sword had absorbed a large portion of the Demon Lord’s essence!
Inside a certain tavern, Gao Fuchen suddenly stood up, his voice cold. “I will kill this Master Zhen Ding and show him that one can eat carelessly, but not speak recklessly.”
…
Months later, Master Zhen Ding vanished without a trace.
But this article, which sparked heated debates among many, gained high recognition from various sects of the Evil Path. The image of the Divine Sword began to fracture, and this split part made Meng Qi feel an unusually strong projection feature. The subtle connection was virtual yet already taking shape!
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