Cangwu Commandery, located at the strategic junction of three provinces, is rich in natural resources.
More importantly, its territory is not only twice as large as Xingwu Commandery, but it also contains two large gold mines!
All these factors have led to a chaotic situation in Cangwu Commandery, where all sorts of people mix and numerous factions exist, quite unlike Xingwu Commandery, where the Sanyang Sect holds absolute dominance.
The Lin Clan, Heihu Band, and Jiaolong Association are all major powers in Cangwu Commandery.
Of course, after the Lin Clan’s decline in strength, Yu Wenlong, a martial expert from the Heihu Band ranked 67th on the Earth Yuan List, known as Yunlong the Cloud Dragon, directly attacked the Lin Clan for coveting the “Ten-Thousand-Mile Landscape Scroll.” Only Lin Xinlan narrowly escaped with her life.
After the carriage entered the territory of Cangwu Commandery, Lin Xinlan naturally informed Wu Ming of these details in full.
“This place is indeed chaotic…”
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Wu Ming sighed, sending a stream of water flying out suddenly, forming a white line that twisted through the air, easily ending the lives of the bandit horsemen.
“The target is tough!”
“Retreat quickly!”
…
Seeing this, the remaining bandit horsemen panicked and fled in all directions.
“This is already the seventh attack, right?”
He lifted the carriage curtain and said with some exasperation, “Why do they keep coming to die?”
“These are just small-time bandits with poor information. The major factions with backgrounds among the horse bandits have already avoided us. Didn’t you notice not a single soul on the Lianyun Mountain’s Eighteen Forts when you passed through earlier?”
Lin Xinlan smiled sweetly: “I’m afraid soon, your name will resound throughout Cangwu Commandery!”
“Heh…”
Wu Ming sneered: “What do I care for worldly reputation? Let’s get to the Heihu Band as soon as possible! Since this place is a hub for all directions, the intelligence sources should be rich, perhaps yielding some gains…”
“As you command!”
Seeing this, Lin Xinlan remained silent.
After spending these days together, she deeply understood that this young master, although unfathomable, exuded a sense of detachment, like a celestial immortal, completely indifferent to all worldly matters.
Such an ethereal, otherworldly figure who acted with ruthless ferocity—what could be his reason for suddenly appearing in the mortal world?
Clippity-clop!
Clippity-clop!
Suddenly, the previously fleeing horse bandits returned, as if chased by some fierce beast.
The ground trembled as a line of black figures charged forward like a tidal wave.
As they drew closer, one could see that the black line was actually cavalry, all mounted on dark gray steeds, clad in black armor, their expressions stern. Most importantly, they moved in perfect unison, disciplined and orderly, rivaling the elite cavalry of the Zhou Dynasty!
“Heihu Band’s Heihu Cavalry?”
As soon as Lin Xinlan saw the black tiger insignia, her teeth clenched in hatred.
“Ahhh!”
Cries of agony rang out as the Heihu cavalry began to hunt down the previous bandits. These ordinary martial artists were no match for the martial artists dispatched by a major faction and were slaughtered one after another without a single escapee.
“I am Qin Danshu, the Jade Sword Scholar of the Heihu Band, and this is the Guardian Lady Miaoyu. We come to pay respects to the Wudao Gentleman!”
A young swordsman stepped forward, his face exuding an indescribable heroism. He unsheathed the long sword on his back, unleashing a dazzling sword light like a dragon’s roar from the heavens. Sword qi flew across the air, beheading the last two fleeing bandit leaders, sending their heads rolling before the carriage: “As an esteemed guest graces our land, how could the Heihu Band, as hosts, allow such riffraff to disturb your journey? We offer these humble gifts as a token of respect!”
He clapped his hands, and immediately the cavalry behind brought forth several large chests. When opened, they revealed golden bricks gleaming with blinding brilliance.
At this moment, Lady Miaoyu also dismounted and solemnly bowed: “My master sends his regards. If there has been any offense, he humbly asks for your forgiveness. As the saying goes, it’s better to resolve enmity than to nurture it. Should you ever have any need, with but a single command, the Heihu Band’s thirty thousand brothers will obey without hesitation!”
Needless to say, these two had performed their courtesies to perfection, showing both softness and firmness—an impressive display of talent.
“Wudao Gentleman?”
However, Wu Ming’s attention was elsewhere: “When did I get this title?”
“You don’t know, Senior?”
Lady Miaoyu giggled, her charm exuding a mature allure surpassing Lin Xinlan’s: “Ever since your debut shook the heavens, defeating the Sanyang Sect in Xingwu Commandery, the latest Earth Yuan List has temporarily ranked you at 75th place. Being a Daoist cultivator with divine martial prowess, you’ve earned the title ‘Wudao Gentleman’…”
She cast a smiling glance at Lin Xinlan and continued slowly: “Unfortunately, the rumors are too bizarre and exaggerated. If you truly unleash Heaven Manifestation-level power, you might even compete for a spot on the Heaven Manifestation List!”
Inside, she was filled with anxiety: “Even if this person isn’t at the Heaven Manifestation level, he must be among the top ranks of the Earth Yuan List… If we can’t appease him, great calamity awaits the Heihu Band… That Lin girl truly deserved her fate. How could we have let her escape back then without finishing the job?”
“Senior…”
At this moment, the Jade Sword Scholar also interjected: “If Senior would agree to forgive past grievances, our entire Heihu Band would swear to keep a respectful distance from this Lin girl…”
“And we’ll also present eighteen handmaidens, each beauty rivaling this Lin girl!”
Lady Miaoyu added, her eyes filled with hope.
Hearing this, Lin Xinlan couldn’t help but clench her fists tightly.
A major faction rivaling the Sanyang Sect, along with generous sums of money and women… The offer was indeed generous, clearly showing sincerity.
But her own leverage had long vanished, leaving only her master’s integrity as her sole support.
Even though she had full confidence in Wu Ming, she still felt anxious and uneasy.
“The offer is indeed tempting… Unfortunately…”
Wu Ming smiled lightly: “I’ve already promised Miss Lin. I can only apologize… Return and inform Yu Wenlong to ready his neck and wait. Don’t bother with futile resistance…”
As these words fell, the faces of the Jade Sword Scholar and Lady Miaoyu turned deathly pale: “No possibility of reconciliation at all?”
“Reconciliation?”
Lin Xinlan shouted fiercely: “Did you show any mercy when you exterminated my entire Lin Clan?”
“We’re leaving!”
The Jade Sword Scholar glanced at his hundred-odd elite riders and then at the two people in the carriage opposite. Surprisingly, he dared not attack and left in anger.
Clippity-clop!
The sound of hooves quickly faded, like dark clouds rapidly retreating.
“Master! The Heihu Band has many eyes and ears throughout Cangwu Commandery. Now that they’ve noticed us, should we accelerate our plans?”
Lin Xinlan gazed at Wu Ming with gratitude.
“No need! Proceed slowly. Give them time to prepare…”
Wu Ming’s calm voice carried an unparalleled confidence, causing Lin Xinlan’s face to flush.
…
Heihu Mountain.
This was the headquarters of the Heihu Band, a perilous fortress guarded by thirty thousand members, making it impregnable. With such advantages, the Heihu Band’s foundation was solid, dominating Cangwu Commandery with unmatched authority.
Yet at this moment, eighteen layers of locks were successively dropped. Every three steps, a guard post; every five steps, a watchtower. Numerous disciples patrolled vigilantly, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was even more solemn.
Yu Wenlong, the Heihu Band’s leader, appeared middle-aged with a sinister expression. Sitting on a chair covered with black tiger hide, he bowed to the two seated before him: “I’m truly grateful for your kind assistance!”
As a renowned martial artist on the Earth Yuan List, his associates naturally belonged to the same tier.
“Hmph… If not for your promise, why would I come?”
On the right sat an energetic old man puffing on a pipe slowly: “Let me make this clear beforehand—if the opponent proves unbeatable, I’ll leave immediately, and the conditions you promised won’t be withdrawn!”
“Of course!”
Yu Wenlong smiled without the slightest hint of offense, for this elder was none other than She Laoren (Snake Elder), the top martial artist in Cangwu Commandery, ranked 36th on the Earth Yuan List!
“Snake Elder’s words make sense. Although I owe Master Yu a favor, I won’t risk my life against a possible Heaven Manifestation-level martial artist. That would be like an egg striking a stone…”
A noblewoman in palace attire similarly spoke from the left seat.
Dressed in a robe adorned with various flowers, she exuded a perpetual fragrance, intoxicating and captivating, like a pluckable peony. However, Yu Wenlong dared not harbor any inappropriate thoughts.
For this woman was known as the Hundred Flowers Lady, ranked 81st on the Earth Yuan List. Although her martial arts were slightly inferior to his, her toxic techniques were formidable, capable of killing silently. Once, an entire city’s guards and the governor’s household were wiped out in one night after angering her, leaving the martial world speechless!
“You two rest assured. Even if this Wudao Gentleman ranks high, our Heihu Band’s thirty thousand warriors are no mere decoration!”
Yu Wenlong spoke casually, trying to boost the confidence of those below him: “Moreover… with the three of us working together, surely we can handle him?”
“But…”
The Hundred Flowers Lady spoke slowly: “I’ve heard that this person not only defeated Dian Jiao, the Flame Hand, in a single move but also incapacitated two thousand martial artists with a mere gesture… If that’s truly the case, perhaps…”
“Haha… Dian Jiao is only ranked 79th on the Earth Yuan List. What does that amount to?”
Yu Wenlong waved dismissively: “Furthermore… this person has since tried to ingratiate himself with the Wudao Gentleman, so these accounts might be exaggerated flattery…”
“As for the Wudao Gentleman himself? Without displaying large-scale Heaven Manifestation abilities, how can we confirm he’s a Heaven Manifestation-level martial artist?”
“Rumors often exaggerate and contain many errors!”
“As for incapacitating a thousand people? That might also be an overstatement… Even if true, martial artists ranked among the top ten of the Earth Yuan List, although unable to summon Heaven Manifestation powers, still possess various secret techniques capable of achieving such feats!”
At this moment, Snake Elder also nodded: “Correct… Whether through poison, innate psychic abilities, or combined with secret techniques, such effects can be achieved…”
“Who rivals Snake Elder in psychic abilities? And in terms of poison, we have the Hundred Flowers Lady here—an expert in her field—who dares to challenge us?”
Yu Wenlong clapped his hands joyfully: “The Earth Yuan List ranks this person at 75th place, doesn’t that already say everything?”
“This ranking is jointly evaluated by the Eight Holy Sects, striving for accuracy without fabrication…”
After hearing this, Snake Elder stroked his beard thoughtfully.
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