Guangling was initially established in ancient times. Its broken bricks and beams seemed like old men recounting tales of history filled with both sorrow and admiration. Scholars often remarked that one could fully appreciate the essence of Jiangdong’s people and landscapes simply by visiting this place.
Numerous tributaries fragmented Guangling into scattered pieces. Horizontal streams became streets, and vertical ones formed roads. Small bridges and flowing water concealed subtle charm. Weeping willows and white walls, bronze rings and wooden doors—time appeared frozen here.
The Jiashui River, connecting Guangling and linking the great river with Xiaonan Lake, flowed gently, passing by the Taiping Pavilion. Houseboats and decorated vessels drifted through it, while green willows and spring breezes adorned both banks.
Within the Taiping Pavilion, many martial artists savored delicacies while discussing the state of the world and debating the rankings of the Heaven, Earth, and Human Lists.
As they spoke animatedly, they occasionally glanced outside, admiring the refreshing scenery. Under the willows, a group of children wielded wooden swords and knives, dividing into factions and playing joyfully.
The leading child with a topknot, wielding a wooden sword, solemnly stared at his well-dressed peer adorned with jade: “You neither fight nor retreat. Why is that?”
“I, Su Wuming, have never been fond of idle talk,” the jade-adorned child proudly replied.
The topknot boy immediately pointed at him: “You’re cheating! You lost last time, so it’s your turn to play the villain.”
The jade-wearing child looked close to tears but finally pouted: “Fine, fine. Which villain should I play?”
“Haha, Old Crier, you’re about to die yet still so arrogant!” The children laughed together, hands on their waists, their arrogance evident.
The jade-wearing child clenched his hands into claws, his expression dark: “Just wait for my ‘Eighteen Slaps of the Vengeful Ghost’!”
The topknot boy brandished his sword sideways, coldly saying: “You’re already dead.”
“I, ‘Mad Saber’ Su Meng, have said I need only one slash to kill you.”
The martial artists watching nearby couldn’t help but chuckle. Seeing dark clouds gathering and drizzle imminent, one shouted: “Aren’t you kids going home to avoid the rain? Be careful Master Lu whips your bottoms!”
The topknot boy pressed his thumb against his dimple, stuck out his tongue, made a face, and screeched: “Stop chattering! My ‘Zhan Yin Guo’ is eager to leap forth. Who in the world can withstand a single slash?”
“Haha, these kids must’ve listened to too many tales from the storyteller and gone mad…” a martial artist shook his head and laughed.
A raindrop slid down, seemingly heralding the impending drizzle. Dark clouds covered the sky, and the daylight dimmed.
The children were about to pack away their wooden swords and knives and return home when suddenly they felt an inexplicable pull. They turned their heads toward the Jiashui River’s entrance to the city. The martial artists also felt an inexplicable force drawing them, all glancing over.
A large houseboat slowly approached. With each advance, the dark clouds dissipated slightly. Standing proudly at the bow was a man in black martial attire, wearing a heroic headscarf. His right hand gripped a uniquely shaped long saber resembling a wound. His entire presence exuded heroic masculinity, yet carried a hint of ease. As he approached, it felt as though an entire world had converged, dispersing the clouds and stealing the sunlight.
“‘Mad Saber’ Su Meng!” A martial artist who had once seen Meng Qi tell stories at the Taiping Pavilion blurted out.
The “Mad Saber” Su Meng, who had recently slain the Old Crier in one slash and captured the leader of the Golden Tent Warriors amidst numerous powerful foes, had actually arrived in Guangling!
The children grew flushed with excitement, rushing to the riverbank to catch a glimpse of the “Mad Saber” and reminisce about his heroic deeds.
He had already become a master and entered the top thirty of the Earth List before reaching his older brothers’ age. The saying “heroes emerge young” indeed applied to him!
The houseboat slowly passed by. Meng Qi struck a pose, aiming to ensure every citizen of Guangling noticed his arrival, hoping it would reach Duan Rui’s ears.
His previous attempt to betray Wang Siyuan had failed, and he must have felt resentful. When the Devil Sect Master entered Anan’s Pure Land and the righteous sects were at a loss, he might have reconsidered and sought Meng Qi again.
The Jiashui River stretched wide, flowing toward the great river. Meng Qi disembarked at the most prosperous street of Guangling and headed toward the Taiping Pavilion.
Suddenly, the sound of a qin playing drifted over—vast like distant mountains, clear like flowing water.
In his perception, by the willow-lined shore, dawn breeze and lingering waves, Wang Siyuan in white robes lit incense and played an ancient qin, with a maid behind him holding the Sansi Sword.
Meng Qi smiled and casually walked over, sitting opposite Wang Siyuan. He patted the tree beside him and roared: “The great river flows east…”
The elegant atmosphere created by the qin music was instantly ruined. Wang Siyuan stopped playing, waiting for Meng Qi to finish his coarse singing.
The familiar maid curled her lips, thinking the “Mad Saber” was growing increasingly uncouth.
“There’s no reason for you to visit without purpose. Speak,” Wang Siyuan calmly said, gazing at Meng Qi with interest.
Meng Qi chuckled: “I’ve come for the martial world, for the prosperity of humanity…”
Wang Siyuan listened silently, occasionally coughing.
Meng Qi felt a pang of disappointment in secret. If it had been Senior Qi, he would surely have played along by saying, “Cut to the chase.” Losing his playful mood, Meng Qi turned serious: “There’s a hidden demon lurking in Shaolin, disguised as a servant monk. Even during the thorough purge of the Devil Sect Master’s remnants, no one noticed. I once encountered a demon disguised as a human in Jiangdong, and there wasn’t the slightest flaw. Therefore, Master Lu and the Shaolin monks suspect that the demon race possesses a secret transformation technique—one so flawless that even a Dharmakaya master would need to exert full effort to detect it.”
“Your family has a long heritage. Do you know anything about this?”
This was one of the reasons Meng Qi came to Guangling, a good excuse to conceal his other purpose.
“There’s a legend that the ancient demon emperor once attempted to obliterate the distinction between humans and the demon race,” Wang Siyuan said succinctly.
“I see,” Meng Qi slightly nodded. “Several experts plan to inform the sects and noble families, urging strict inspections and increased communication to find a way to counter this transformation technique. Would the Wang family be willing to help?”
“It’s our duty,” Wang Siyuan’s face remained pale as he covered his mouth and coughed a few times. “Now tell me your real purpose.”
Meng Qi clicked his tongue: “I’ve already become a master. Do I qualify to negotiate with the Su Nu Sect?”
This was also one of his purposes.
Wang Siyuan glanced at Meng Qi and suddenly smiled: “Of course. You probably want to request a dual cultivation with a Su Nu Sect disciple, likely one of the Xuan Nu incarnations. Once entangled, future cooperation will be easier.”
Meng Qi’s face stiffened. This was exactly what he least wanted. Entangled with the Su Nu Sect, who knew what consequences might arise, especially with a Xuan Nu incarnation. The “Flat Heaven Crown” on his older brother’s head might turn green. This was absolutely unacceptable!
“Other than dual cultivation, anything else can be discussed,” Meng Qi solemnly said. “Your family has a long heritage and has interacted with the Su Nu Sect many times. Please convey my request, Brother Siyuan.”
After the previous incident, Meng Qi believed the Lihua Island base had already been abandoned.
“When did I become ‘Brother Siyuan’?” Wang Siyuan raised his eyebrows, his right hand forming a fist against his mouth.
Meng Qi feigned humility: “Now that my cultivation has surpassed yours, there’s no need for rivalry or spiritual clashes.”
Wang Siyuan didn’t hide deliberately. Meng Qi could tell he had just entered the sixth realm.
Facing this lazy and shameless fellow, Wang Siyuan didn’t get angry but smiled calmly: “Unfortunately, Duan Rui can’t be found.”
Meng Qi’s heart skipped a beat but kept his expression unchanged: “Duan Rui? He practiced the Yi Jin Jing inversely, becoming a heretic. I’ve wanted to eliminate him long ago.”
“Anan’s Pure Land,” Wang Siyuan flatly said.
Meng Qi’s mind raced. He shamelessly replied: “Brother Siyuan, how may I seek your guidance?”
“Previously, Duan Rui gave you a note, saying I entered the Stone Gate. Cough, cough. Now that the Heaven List says the Devil Sect Master sneaked into Anan’s Pure Land, how could I not predict you’d come looking for Duan Rui?” Wang Siyuan still wore his hidden-madness expression. “However, a few days ago, someone abducted him. It’s suspected to be the Devil Sect Master.”
“What exactly did you go to Anan’s Pure Land for?” Meng Qi slightly disappointed, directly asked the person involved.
Wang Siyuan plucked a qin string: “My ancestor’s death cause—the Zhonggu Shusheng. He left instructions to seek Anan’s Pure Land, after which he never returned. I know you understand, which is why I’m waiting for you here.”
“You know?” Meng Qi was surprised.
Almost no one knew this!
Wang Siyuan’s pale face showed a faint smile: “I originally didn’t know who, but after you killed the Old Crier with Zhan Yin Guo, I understood. The one who destroyed the Anan wooden carving back then could be no one else. The real ‘Zhan Yin Guo’ must have been perfected at that time.”
As if he had witnessed it himself… Meng Qi pondered for a moment and said: “Your ancestor was killed by Anan’s ‘Zhan Yin Guo’.”
“I see, I see…” Wang Siyuan’s expression suddenly became manic, as if he had come to understand many things.
“What?” Meng Qi couldn’t help his curiosity about Anan’s matters.
Like all annoying mystics, Wang Siyuan’s smile vanished. He slowly stood up: “You’ll know in the future.”
“As for the Stone Gate seal, although Duan Rui was abducted, I’ve secretly found a death-row prisoner to practice the Yi Jin Jing he left behind. In another one or two years, it’ll be useful.”
“I’ll deliver your message to the Su Nu Sect.”
With that, he turned and left.
Meng Qi clenched his fists, wanting to punch him but restrained. Wang Siyuan’s father had already died, and he had inherited the family head position, wielding the peerless divine weapon, Luo Shu.
…
A ray of sunlight pierced a dim room, blending the woman’s sweet fragrance and the man’s sweat into an indescribable scent.
A figure lay beneath the window, calmly watching the sunrise. Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his ear: “Temporary mission: Prevent ‘Mad Saber’ Su Meng from comprehending the Overlord’s Ultimate Saber. Success rewards one Cycle Talisman. Failure deducts three items from your possession.”
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