Hearing Xu Laifeng’s words, Scholar Xue threw his head back and laughed, “Island Master Xu, this world’s martial arts assembly is selected through layer upon layer of competition. The rules and judgments cannot be changed by a single person. Without the Martial Alliance’s permission, even if you wish to join Eastern Xia, it cannot be counted.”
“Who says I don’t have the Martial Alliance’s permission?” Xu Laifeng drew a rolled document from his sleeve and tossed it onto the Martial Alliance’s table. Master Huiguang and the others picked it up to examine it. “This is…”
“Last night the Martial Alliance clearly issued new directives, saying that today any sects with willing members could form a faction. After I heard this news, I took the initiative to seek out Alliance Leader Mo. This is Alliance Leader Mo Daoyun’s personal letter of recommendation, and it bears the Martial Alliance’s seal.” Xu Laifeng said calmly, “This matter also received the approval of Marquis He from the Qingcheng Academy. I assumed you all knew about it.”
Master Huiguang gave a slight nod and said, “Most likely because Alliance Leader Mo was attacked, he didn’t have time to inform us of this matter.”
Scholar Xue’s face paled. He hadn’t yet thought of a rebuttal when Lu Yazi spoke, “Since Island Master Xu has already joined Eastern Xia, why didn’t you make this clear during the drawing of lots, and instead competed against Taixu Sect under the identity of the Eastern Sea?”
Xu Laifeng replied, “At the time of drawing lots… didn’t Eastern Xia draw a bye? I assumed the Martial Alliance was worried that the remaining three groups couldn’t be properly matched, so they had my Eastern Sea fill in. It’s just a matter of competing in a few more matches—I don’t mind.”
Lu Yazi sneered coldly, “If we calculate it this way, doesn’t that mean your earlier match with Taixu Sect also cannot be counted?”
Xu Laifeng shrugged, “If it doesn’t count, then it doesn’t count.”
Lu Yazi was stunned.
He had brought up Taixu Sect hoping to make Xu Laifeng back down from this difficulty, but who knew this fellow wasn’t afraid of trouble? Right in front of all these people, he readily agreed. In this case, Yang Xuzi was naturally the first to vote in favor, “That’s right. Since Xu Laifeng has entered the Qingcheng Academy, the earlier match with our humble sect cannot be counted.”
Xu Laifeng shrugged without any concerns, secretly sighing to himself: This young Marquis truly has divine foresight.
Early this morning before dawn, when Ye Qi handed him that letter from Mo Daoyun, he had been puzzled, feeling that the path of competing first then changing sides was extremely dubious. He couldn’t help but wonder aloud, “Since you want me as an ally, why not just form an alliance directly? Why take such a roundabout route?”
“If people learned from the start that Eastern Xia and the Eastern Sea had formed an alliance, they would naturally band together against us. Once Taixu Sect or Western Xia is eliminated by the Eastern Sea, the situation becomes completely different,” Ye Qi had said. “Especially Taixu Sect—they would instead stand up and oppose Xiaoyao Sect head-on. That’s the result I want.”
Scholar Xue could not stop it despite his efforts, and Lu Yazi also calmly accepted the challenge.
Two dark horses emerging from nowhere—this match could be said to have pushed the atmosphere of this martial arts assembly to its highest point.
Who would prove superior? They wouldn’t know without fighting.
“The Myriad Flowers Manual, is it?” Lu Yazi saw Xu Laifeng’s fearless appearance and smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth. “I wonder which level Island Master Xu has cultivated to?”
Xu Laifeng was startled—how did this fellow know about the multiple levels of the Myriad Flowers Manual’s cultivation techniques?
Dark clouds covered the sky and blocked out the sun.
Lu Yazi swept his blade across his neck and suddenly leaped up, striking first.
With this flash of movement, cries of surprise erupted all around—because Lu Yazi simply vanished from everyone’s sight. His movement was so fast, like a streak of light, that even the direction of his afterimage’s movement was difficult to discern.
Xu Laifeng let out a soft “oh” of surprise. The last time he had encountered such incredibly swift lightness skill was with the assassin in Jinling that night. Could it be… that it was him?
As soon as the thought arose, his folding fan unfurled, stirring up a hurricane that struck precisely at one corner of the platform.
A resonant “buzz” sounded as the fan collided with Lu Yazi’s blade. The force was so shocking that he could barely maintain his grip. Seeing that Xu Laifeng had easily seen through his position, Lu Yazi’s blade energy surged powerfully, and with a “whoosh,” it actually caused the returning fan to catch fire.
Seeing the fan ignite so unexpectedly, Xu Laifeng hastily withdrew his hand and retreated. In that moment of distraction, blade light fierce as a ghost suddenly flashed toward him. Xu Laifeng immediately turned his head to avoid it. After this exchange, when both men stood firm again, Xu Laifeng’s outer robe had been slashed open in several bloody gashes.
The crowd was even more shocked—this was probably the first time this man surnamed Xu had been injured in competition!
Seeing his opponent gaining the upper hand while he had already lost his weapon, Xu Laifeng didn’t fear but instead laughed. Accompanied by the gentle roar of lake water, he flew into the air. Together with a water dragon, he threw a heavy punch with unstoppable momentum straight at Lu Yazi!
This blow shook heaven and earth. What they were comparing now was no longer technique, but the purity and depth of internal energy. Lu Yazi was momentarily stunned in place. By the time he recovered his senses, the fist had already struck his abdomen. A strange dull sound rang out as the clothing at Lu Yazi’s waist tore apart, revealing copper-gold colored skin. Xu Laifeng froze—what the hell… am I punching flesh or an iron plate?
The next moment, Lu Yazi grabbed hold of Xu Laifeng’s wrist in return. At this moment, as if leaping from the air itself, an invisible scorching sensation dispersed the surrounding water vapor in an instant. Xu Laifeng was truly shocked this time, even forgetting that he was in the martial arena, and asked aloud, “Yours is also… the Myriad Flowers Manual?”
Lu Yazi raised his eyes and smiled, “Island Master Xu has good eyesight.”
Those who cultivate martial arts, when they reach the highest levels, can often comprehend the source of martial arts from a single aura—in that fleeting moment just now, Xu Laifeng distinctly felt an energy field extremely similar to the Myriad Flowers Manual, which is why he blurted this out. Unexpectedly, the other party directly admitted it. Only then did Xu Laifeng come to his senses, “But what you control is not water, but fire…”
Lu Yazi took the opportunity to retreat two steps. Although that punch hadn’t broken his skin, it had nearly shattered his bones. He quickly adjusted his belt to cover his exposed skin, saying without moving his lips, “Since the Myriad Flowers Manual encompasses the five elements, who says one can only control water?”
Only then did Xu Laifeng remember that back at Yanling Mountain, Marquis He’s master had indeed said something similar. It was just that when Jiagu was researching the mental cultivation method himself, he lived by the water, so he started with controlling water. He hadn’t expected that within Xiaoyao Valley there would emerge someone who used fire. How could this not make Xu Laifeng’s heart burn with curiosity? He couldn’t help but ask again, “How did you learn the Myriad Flowers Manual…”
Lu Yazi was about to answer when suddenly a sharp pain struck his chest—Xu Laifeng had attacked again!
“…”
Could this fellow follow the script for once? What did it mean to suddenly attack when the question wasn’t even finished!?
This time Xu Laifeng’s offensive was like rapid flowing currents. Sometimes he used palms, sometimes fists. Within his fists and palms was his naturally formed internal breath. At the same time, the lake water rising on the platform coiled like flying dragons, repeatedly surging forward each time it was dispersed. When he had forced Lu Yazi back to the edge of the martial platform, he suddenly let out a long howl, instantly exploding into thousands of waves that completely submerged the entire martial platform.
In that instant, not only Lu Yazi, but spectators close to the platform were left blank-minded by this roar. Many people hastily covered their ears. When the raised water curtain came splashing down, the crowd actually witnessed with their own eyes that the giant martial platform had shifted several zhang to the right!
Yet Lu Yazi stood on the flagpole that had originally marked the edge of the martial platform.
Zhou Qin said numbly, “Am I… am I seeing things?”
“You’re not seeing things,” Fu Yanyang unconsciously rubbed his eyes. “In order to force Lu Yazi off the platform, this Eastern Sea fellow actually moved the entire martial platform…”
Blood dripped from the corner of Xu Laifeng’s mouth. That howl had caused his own chest to boil, but when he saw Lu Yazi several zhang away casting a murderous look at him, he instead breathed a sigh of relief, laughing as he wiped the corner of his mouth, “What I wanted to say in the second half of that sentence was, ‘it has nothing to do with me.'”
Lu Yazi floated back down to the martial platform. Hearing the judges declare Xu Laifeng the winner, he merely sneered coldly, “If you hadn’t joined the Eastern Xia faction, you might still have been able to compete again in the name of first place. But now, even if you’ve won, you have no more chances to fight.”
Xu Laifeng raised his eyebrows nonchalantly, “You’re not the person I’m looking for. Fighting once is enough.”
Lu Yazi was startled, not understanding what this meant.
The judges announced preparations for the fourth match to begin. Lu Yazi remained on the platform, clearly intending to continue competing. But Xu Laifeng didn’t immediately leave the stage. Instead, he turned to face the Martial Alliance’s seating area and said, “Seniors and elders of the Martial Alliance, I believe there’s something strange about this Young Hero Lu from Xiaoyao Sect. The competition should not continue.”
As soon as these words came out, the entire hall was shocked.
Scholar Xue flew into a rage, “You surnamed Xu, how dare you speak such wild words!”
Xu Laifeng completely ignored Scholar Xue. He pointed at Lu Yazi and said loudly, “Brother Lu has skin like copper and gold that’s impervious to blades and spears. If I’m not mistaken, this should be the Golden Bell Shield divine protection technique. Aside from Shaolin’s Eighteen Bronze Men, no one in this world has mastered it. I dare ask Brother Lu, as a distinguished disciple of Xiaoyao Sect, where did you learn Shaolin martial arts?”
Master Huiguang was shocked upon hearing this and immediately looked toward Lu Yazi, asking, “Is this true?”
Lu Yazi glanced at Xu Laifeng and said, “What I practice is indeed the Golden Bell Shield.”
“And in the previous two matches, Xiaoyao Sect’s Yan Xingzi and You Hongzi—their martial arts techniques were clearly ordinary, yet their strength was shockingly great. I have reason to suspect they’ve also practiced some sinister techniques, or perhaps consumed some sinister medicines…” Xu Laifeng said, “Why not pause to investigate this thoroughly, lest we fight to the end only to have someone who truly deserves to be Alliance Leader fall out of selection?”
These words of his could be said to be baseless accusations, randomly throwing dirty water. Forget about others taking them to heart—even Master Huiguang and the others couldn’t help but frown. Instead, Scholar Xue was so angry his beard bristled and his eyes bulged. In his agitation, he nearly overturned his table and charged onto the platform. Yang Xuzi immediately intervened to stop him, saying, “Sect Leader Xue, do not be angry. If there’s nothing to it, no matter what others say, it naturally cannot shake the results… Xu Laifeng, do you know that malicious slander is a great taboo in the martial world? Without evidence, cease this nonsense!”
Yang Xuzi was ostensibly helping Scholar Xue save face, but was actually hinting that one couldn’t make baseless accusations. Xu Laifeng laughed agreeably, “That’s right, that’s right. I’m merely suspicious, which is why I proposed pausing the competition. If in the end I’ve wrongly accused good people, at worst my Eastern Sea can send a few jars of good wine to Xiaoyao Sect as an apology another day. What do you say, Sect Leader Xue?”
“Utterly absurd!” Scholar Xue said, “Who doesn’t know that our Xiaoyao Sect doesn’t concern itself with jianghu affairs and has always cultivated in seclusion? This time, at the Martial Alliance’s invitation, we built houses and erected platforms, inviting heroes from across the land to participate in the martial arts assembly. This was done with the intention of helping select a new leader for Central Plains martial arts. If today we allow others to slander us and halt the competition, wouldn’t that damage the reputation of our Xiaoyao Sect?”
“Sect Leader Xue, since your Xiaoyao Sect has never liked to concern itself with jianghu matters, I think you’re not very suitable to be Martial Alliance Leader either.” Xu Laifeng said, “Who doesn’t know that the Martial Alliance Leader must have extensive connections, work day and night, and may face various traps at any time—just like Alliance Leader Mo… Yes, he was the one who said it: ‘The position of Alliance Leader is extraordinary. Besides exceptional martial arts and courage, one must also have the ability to command the martial world.’ In any case, having fought to this point, the martial arts of the remaining three factions are all evenly matched. Since that’s the case, why doesn’t Xiaoyao Sect voluntarily withdraw and yield this position to someone with greater prestige… well, such as Taixu Sect or Eastern Xia faction?”
Scholar Xue glared furiously, “Xu Laifeng, you—”
Having said this much, Xu Laifeng noticed that the crowd of spectating heroes below seemed somewhat swayed—in truth, Xiaoyao Sect had ignored worldly affairs for many years and had little friendship with most people. Among those present, more or less everyone had taken sides and had their preferences, with the majority favoring the Eastern Xia court, Western Xia court, as well as Taixu Sect and Kunlun Sect. Up until yesterday, many people had still been wary of this outsider from the Eastern Sea interfering with the Central Plains Alliance Leader position. But at this moment, Xu Laifeng’s few words were like a gentle breeze—seemingly groundless, yet already imperceptibly swaying more than half the people’s hearts.
Without waiting for the Martial Alliance elders to speak, Xu Laifeng immediately waved his hand and said, “How about this—those who agree that Taixu Sect should be Martial Alliance Leader raise your left hand, those who agree with Eastern Xia raise your right hand. I’ll go first—I agree that Eastern Xia should be Alliance Leader!”
“I also agree!” Fu Yanyang was the first to grasp Xu Laifeng’s intention and shouted in cooperation, “Eastern Xia! Eastern Xia!”
Instantly, the Eastern Xia martial students raised their hands and shouted. The sound spread, provoking the Taixu Sect camp until they couldn’t sit still either. A large group of people called out “Taixu.” For a time, the crowd below went back and forth, like two armies facing each other to see whose formation was larger. With shouting and arguing, plus onlookers joining the commotion, everyone blowing their lips and singing out, it was quite lively.
Instantly, the Eastern Xia martial students raised their hands and shouted. The echoing voices spread, provoking the Taixu Sect camp until they couldn’t sit still either. A large group of people called out “Taixu.” For a time, the crowd below went back and forth, like two armies facing each other comparing whose formation was larger. Adding the spectators stirring up trouble, everyone blowing their lips and roaring out, it was quite lively indeed.
Scholar Xue strained his voice for several rounds but couldn’t get this wave to stop.
Lu Yazi’s gaze swept coldly around the circle. Suddenly he waved his blade, cutting down the “World Martial Arts Assembly” banner with one stroke.
He stepped forward and said, “Island Master Xu has repeatedly and deliberately disrupted proceedings. Lu truly doesn’t know whose orders you’re following, but… the two faction candidates Island Master Xu proposed today, whether Eastern Xia or Taixu, neither has the qualifications to be Martial Alliance Leader.”
As soon as these words came out, the full arena’s clamor stopped as if a gate had been closed, abruptly ceasing.
Now, forget about the Eastern Xia martial students—Yang Xuzi’s expression was the first to turn cold, “What does Worthy Nephew Lu mean by this?”
“The previous dynasty’s ruler was incompetent and incapable. For these past several decades, the world has been in turmoil, and Central Plains martial arts declined even more miserably… It wasn’t until over ten years ago that someone emerged from nowhere, repelling foreign invaders from the Central Plains, annihilating traitors and destroying the demon cult, and saving the common people from fire and water. Only then did Central Plains martial arts gain a turning point and reach today’s prosperity.” Lu Yazi said, “All you heroes and warriors present have mostly wandered the jianghu for many years. This junior dares to ask, does anyone know whom I’m referring to?”
As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately responded, “Could Young Hero Lu be speaking of Young Master Yue Changsheng of the Jiangdong Yue Family from over ten years ago?”
When Yang Xuzi heard “Yue Changsheng,” his expression stiffened. Another person chimed in, “Besides Young Master Yue, who else could it be? Fifteen years ago, the Yue Family used a miraculous force to rescue the trapped ten major sects of the Central Plains. The Martial Alliance was also established after that. My master and martial uncles still frequently speak of his great kindness.”
“And Second Young Master Yue! With his power alone he battled the Yan Army’s fierce warriors and challenged the eight major sects, winning every match. Truly a master the likes of whom won’t appear again in a hundred years. Alas, if these two young masters were still alive, they would command universal support, and everyone would willingly follow them.”
The three words “Yue Changsheng” were like a stone stirring up a thousand waves. People from all over spoke one after another, as if in this moment they all set aside sectarian views, hearts yearning for the legend that once shone brightly.
Little did they know, in this sea of people stood a woman in an ink-blue robe, quietly standing among them. Listening as the many heroes around her still remembered those bygone days, her eyes shone like a starry sea.
She had thought the rivers and mountains had changed, that half a lifetime’s bonds of gratitude had ended. Yet those who once pledged their loyal courage for the sake of gratitude—some had not forgotten.
Her fingertips trembled slightly. At this moment, a broad hand grasped hers and smiled at her.
Lu Yazi hadn’t expected that a mere mention would achieve such an effect. Seeing the crowd’s emotions surging, he stepped forward to strike while the iron was hot, “That’s right. The greatest of heroes serves country and people. It was precisely Second Young Master Yue Changsheng and Young Master Yue Changling’s actions to relieve the Central Plains from hardship that we have today’s peaceful and prosperous era… Who doesn’t know that the current Emperor of Eastern Xia and the Protector General of Western Xia were both once members of the Yue Family Army? Yet who knows by what means, stepping over how many corpses, under what pretense, and through what underhanded methods the Eastern Xia imperial throne was obtained!”
Before he finished speaking, the expressions of several sect leaders on good terms with Taixu Sect also changed. Yang Xuzi could no longer contain himself. He leaped onto the martial platform, angrily pointing his sword at Lu Yazi, “Lu Yazi, you dare speak such traitorous words in broad daylight before everyone!”
As he spoke, he had already swung his sword. Lu Yazi blocked with his long blade, deflecting the sword energy and scattering it, then retreated several steps. “My words are not yet finished. For Sect Leader Yang to approach with raised sword—could it be you have a guilty conscience?”
“You…” Yang Xuzi was about to strike again when Xu Laifeng raised his hand to stop him, standing between the two men. “Sect Leader Yang, what Brother Lu says is indeed shocking, but since Sect Leader Xue shows no signs of stopping him, this is clearly not something Brother Lu said on a whim. Whether good or bad, what harm is there in hearing him out?”
Yang Xuzi glared at him, “Xu Laifeng, whose side are you on exactly?”
Xu Laifeng smiled without speaking, but thought to himself: I’m just following someone’s instructions. With things developing to this point, heaven knows what medicine he’s selling in his gourd.
At this moment, Feiying Sect’s Chi Zishan couldn’t help but ask, “Lu Yazi, what do you mean by ‘underhanded methods’? Speak clearly!”
Lu Yazi’s eyes narrowed as he continued, “Eleven years ago, the two young masters of the Yue Family died in battle at Taixing City. That same month, the current Emperor, who was then Alliance Leader Shen, assumed command of the Yue Family Army under the pretext of the eldest young master’s dying command, rallied heroes from across the land in the name of revenge and sweeping away foreign powers to crush the Yan Army. Alliance Leader Shen also rose to great fame through this single campaign, ultimately occupying half of the Central Plains… However, has it never occurred to all of you that the two young masters of the Yue Family had never known defeat—how could they be killed by the Yan Army in a single night? And if the Yan Army was so formidable, how were they so easily annihilated within a few days? Even the Yan Kingdom’s eldest prince lost his life because of this… Is there not even the slightest suspicious point in all this?”
In truth, what Lu Yazi spoke of was a doubt that had been planted in many people’s hearts for years, only they dared not think deeply about it as times changed. Hearing him bring it up so suddenly now, everyone’s hearts couldn’t help but tremble—could it be… that there truly is another hidden truth to this matter?
Lu Yazi looked toward Wei Shaoxuan in the Western Xia camp and said, “Young General Wei, all these years the Emperor of Eastern Xia has insisted that General Wei betrayed the Yue Family back then. But as for the true facts, others may not know—surely the Wei Family knows?”
“My father never betrayed the Yue Family. We have stated this many times, but someone will stop at nothing, while those who know the truth close their eyes and ears…” Wei Shaoxuan stood up and said coldly, “Lu Yazi, if you know something, you might as well speak plainly. As long as what you say is true, even if Eastern Xia cannot tolerate you, the gates of Western Xia are always open to Xiaoyao Valley.”
“Excellent!” Lu Yazi had been waiting for exactly these words. He declared loudly, “The truth from eleven years ago is precisely this… The current Emperor of Eastern Xia, Shen Yao, colluded with the Yan Kingdom back then to harm the Yue Family, then covered up the truth. Using Yue Changsheng’s token as proof, he gathered the Yue Family’s great army under his command and pursued General Wei Xingyun’s forces all the way. Later, to prevent the Yan Kingdom from leaking word, he joined hands with the Yan Kingdom’s second prince, Mingyue Sheng, to surround and annihilate the Yan Army stationed in the southern border to silence them… Heh heh, truly an excellent scheme to seize power in one move, killing two birds with one stone.”
Hearing this statement, Mingyue Zhou’s entire body shook, and he couldn’t help but take several urgent steps forward.
“And back then, the former Sect Leader of Canghai Sect, Huo Zhen, the former Sect Leader of Zhenwu Sect, Ping Shang, and the former Sect Leader of Danxia Sect, Luo Fei, with Sect Leader Yang of Taixu Sect as their head…” Lu Yazi pointed his index finger at Yang Xuzi. “They followed Alliance Leader Shen as accomplices to tyranny, murdering the loyal and virtuous. From then on they rose steadily, becoming first-rate sects in the martial world… I dare ask, do such a Taixu Sect and Eastern Xia court have the qualifications to lead the masses and serve as the current martial world’s Alliance Leader?”
Yang Xuzi’s heart pounded like a drum. He truly hadn’t expected that this seemingly young disciple of Xiaoyao Sect would so brazenly expose the secret they had hidden for so many years right in front of heroes from across the land—if this crime were confirmed, forget whether his Taixu Sect could still establish itself in the jianghu, even whether they could leave Xiaoyao Sect today in one piece was an unknown.
“Slanderous nonsense! Lu Yazi, eleven years ago when we were crossing the jianghu, you were probably still rolling in the mud! If you think that with just these few words of yours, baseless speculation, you can make heroes from across the land believe you and seize this Alliance Leader position, that’s the greatest joke of all!”
“If I had no evidence…” Lu Yazi said slowly, “How would I… how would I dare stand here?”
Yang Xuzi froze.
Lu Yazi turned his head toward Scholar Xue and said, “Sect Leader, since matters have reached this point, please present the evidence for the Martial Alliance elders to examine, so that all under heaven may know… whether what I just said is baseless speculation or established fact?”