Chapter 405: Who Dares Speak of Being High? (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 405 Who Dares Speak High? (Please Vote for the Monthly Ticket)

Tao Junhe, Gu Hanjin, Zhao Xihue, and others were descendants of prestigious martial arts schools, young and accomplished. Wherever they went, they basked in the glow of renown.

At this moment, Chen Ye pushed them aside with a single stroke, naturally drawing some ire.

Yet those wandering warriors felt a lingering sense of unease.

They had come merely to witness the spectacle, never imagining they’d be ensnared by the might of a cultivator.

What separated them from the fish on the chopping board but the presence of so many masters here?

If not for Liu Wu’s restraint, they’d be no different from those helpless fish.

A hush fell over the once-boisterous gathering of martial artists.

The ragged beggar, dressed in tattered hemp robes, gazed at the retreating figures of Chen Ye, Liuo Lang, and Yuan Liu’er, murmuring softly:

“Dragon and tiger… Liu Wu…”

Beside him, a young swordsman recalled the scene from Puyin Temple, nodding slightly:

“He’s grown stronger since the last time he slew Du Cang.”

“Compared to his duel with Liu Wu at Fengyu Tower, it’s the same.”

The beggar suppressed his breath, wiping mud from his sleeve, and shook his head:

“Strength pales in importance beside the aura he’s just displayed.”

“To dare stand unbowed before the world—that’s dominion!”

“Know this: today is the day the White Immortal and the Snow Sword Master clash. Who among those present dares defy them?”

“Even the ‘East Sea Sword Master’ and the ‘Knife Maniac’ only dared face each other with words, not blades.”

The young swordsman’s gaze settled on the East Sea Sword Master, Tao Junhe, his palm trembling slightly, his inner turmoil uncontained.

Yet he dared not act, even in thought.

Understanding this, the youth felt a flicker of disappointment: *We are no different.*

The beggar flicked the mud from his hand, smiling:

“Even between these two, there are degrees.”

“Their talents, cultivation, and techniques aside, the paths they’ve walked shape their futures.”

“Some chase invincibility, others the Way, some retreat into seclusion, others embrace ruthlessness…”

“Which path will lead to greater achievement?”

The young swordsman pondered: “The invincible path.”

“No.”

“It’s not about who’s higher, but who remains unbroken until the end.”

“Take the invincible path, for instance. Today, who in the world dares claim supremacy while the White Immortal stays hidden?”

The beggar tilted his head skyward, his yellowed teeth gleaming:

“Even in the heavens, one stands atop the invincible path’s end.”

“To defeat him, one cannot stir the tides.”

“Indeed…”

After a long pause, the murmurs resumed, their voices growing louder.

Through the rain, their words mingled, a tangled din.

“Damn it, ‘Dragon and Tiger’ acts without fear. Why don’t the East Sea Sword Masters and the Baihua Sect disciples band together to kill him?”

“Kill him?”

“They fear drawing the ire of the White Immortal and the Snow Sword Master. Daring to act here would bring calamity.”

“What’s more…”

Their eyes drifted to where Chen Ye, with Liuo Lang and Yuan Liu’er, had ascended a painted boat.

They fell into stunned silence.

“Is that the same boat the General Xiao and the Water Master from Fengyu Tower took earlier?”

“Are they in cahoots?”

“Perhaps not.”

“Or maybe General Xiao intervened to stop ‘Dragon and Tiger,’ seeking forgiveness afterward.”

A few laughed.

“With someone like ‘Dragon and Tiger,’ would he even apologize?”

“The White Immortal and the Snow Sword Master aren’t here. No one here can subdue him.”

“That’s true…”

Though the martial artists chattered and debated, none envied Chen Ye.

Years of wandering the world had taught them to endure situations beyond their strength.

A little pressure, a slight humiliation, often spurred them to chase their ambitions.

Yet aboard the painted boat on the Liushui River, the young lords and ladies cursed and hissed.

Cheng Yunfan among them ranted the loudest.

First, he feared Chen Ye might retaliate.

Second, he couldn’t help but feel a spark of envy.

Not for any other reason.

The sight of Chen Ye hovering above the martial heroes, crushing them with his might, was what he’d yearned for in his dreams.

Yet it remained unattainable.

It was no wonder he seethed.

Beside him, Cui Qingwu rubbed his shoulders, his gaze fixed on Chen Ye’s boat, displeased:

“This Liu Wu truly has the audacity.”

“Does he fear drawing the ire of those two elders?”

“What’s there to fear?”

“He doesn’t fear at all.”

“He even—”

Cheng Yunfan choked back his words, thinking bitterly: *If Ershi even ignores my advice as an elder brother, how could he fear others?*

“Wait. One day, I’ll make him understand what true strength is.”

Cui Qingwu smirked at his words: “Yunfan, I believe in you.”

Chen Yunfan remained unmoved, murmuring softly, "Wait a bit..."

His voice was low.

Yet it was heard clearly by those who kept watch over this place.

On Xiao Liang Mountain,

Jiang Xing bowed his head slightly: "My lord, that one is none other than Liu Wu, the so-called 'Dragon-Tiger.' Though I serve, I have yet to win him over to our cause."

Chen Xuanji gazed at the floating pavilion where Chen Yi stood, his voice tinged with a sigh: "Indeed, he is a true dragon and phoenix among men."

Jiang Xing smiled upon hearing this: "His talent is high, but his character is rather domineering."

"Take his letter to me, for instance, where he spoke of the Cai family's arrangements in Shzhou, his words revealing his intent plainly."

Chen Xuanji chuckled, "Under heaven, most people avoid the White Tiger Guard, lest they become entangled in its affairs."

"Rarely does one dare to inscribe the word 'use' upon our heads so boldly."

Jiang Xing looked up at him, carefully choosing his words: "My lord, I must ask—does my inquiry seem improper?"

"Speak."

"When you first noticed him, did you understand his identity?"

"My lord need not blame me; I merely... merely..."

Chen Xuanji raised a hand, smiling: "I know him, though he may not know me."

Jiang Xing ventured cautiously: "Then why..."

"Why did you let me recruit him?"

"I noticed him, not because he aided the Xiao family, but because he has the right to do so."

Chen Xuanji's gaze shifted to where Chen Yunfan stood, his eyes slightly satisfied.

Yunfan's cultivation had advanced, his techniques refined—some growth, to be sure.

Yet compared to Chen Yi, he was still far behind.

The thought of "this journey was not in vain" surged within Chen Xuanji, a faint smile tugging at his lips beneath his mask.

He lifted his gaze to the darkened sky, where clouds loomed, as though he saw through layers of obstruction, discerning two figures.

"I suppose you two, like me, hold Liu Wu in high regard?"

Jiang Xing paused at the words, then followed Chen Xuanji's gaze. A thin sheen of sweat formed on his brow.

There, among the clouds, stood Bei Zhaobai and Ye Guanyin side by side, gazing down at them.

"The Guardian Lord of the White Tiger Guard—long time no see."

Chen Xuanji remained composed, hands clasped behind him: "Two old friends, yet you both seem unharmed. Your ages have turned quite gray."

Ye Guanyin, standing atop his long sword, surveyed Xiao Liang Mountain with a cold gaze: "It has been a long time, yet you still act so transparently."

Bei Zhaobai chuckled, "One thing—he learned that lesson well from his son."

Chen Xuanji allowed himself a slight smile at their banter: "In the court, I am but a mere man compared to your freedom."

Though separated by dozens of miles, their words reached them unamplified, settling upon their ears.

Bei Zhaobai said nothing, "You came this time—merely to observe?"

"Just to observe."

"Not for any other reason?"

"Like you, I too wish to see what wonders this world might produce."

"Then stand by and watch, old friend. I do not wish your sparring with Ye Xiaoyou to be disturbed by outsiders."

Chen Xuanji smiled: "As it should be."

Ye Guanyin nodded to him: "Come, there are matters to discuss."

"Very well..."

Jiang Xing listened to their conversation, head bowed, daring not so much as a twitch. He wished to seal his senses, lest the storm within his heart tear him apart.

—The Guardian Lord had known these two earthly immortals even in his earlier years. From their words, they seemed to have met as equals.

Equals...

Could the Guardian Lord also be an earthly immortal?

No, it could not be.

Yet outsiders did not know. But Jiang Xing, a golden banner officer of the White Tiger Guard, would certainly be aware of the Guardian Lord's standing.

His cultivation, his techniques—barely surpassed the first grade.

This much could be glimpsed from his few interventions.

But now...

Jiang Xing, though slow-witted, understood clearly that a first-grade cultivator would not be treated as an equal by two earthly immortals.

Not even the Guardian Lord himself.

To speak plainly, before Bei Zhaobai and Ye Xiaoyou, the Guardian Lord would not even receive such treatment from the Heavenly Emperor himself.

Regardless of what Jiang Xing thought, he dared not show it, standing as still as a statue.

Chen Xuanji seemed to sense his turmoil, his voice soft: "Wait here. I shall return shortly."

"Yes..."

Before a reply could come, Jiang Xing had already vanished from sight.

After a long while, he brushed away the sweat from his brow, exhaling silently.

"The Guardian Lord... truly... terrifying..."

Men naturally revere the mysterious.

In Jiang Xing's heart, the Guardian Lord's place rose yet another notch.

He looked at the pavilion where "Liu Wu" stood, shaking his head: "Even with such talent, he could not foresee the path he missed."

"When one is proud, one misses such chances..."

Whether proud or not, Chen Yi clearly did not care.

His earlier conduct, aside from keeping watch over the Red River region where Song Jin had hidden, also carried a deliberate edge.

After all, the Xiao family's patriarch and others were present here—he could not afford to be as usual.

After considering it, he chose to act with arrogance, making his presence known.

As he had acted in his previous encounters before.

As for the results—well, they were quite satisfactory.

Chen Yi arrived at the boat where Prince Qian and Master Xiao were staying, and sent Liu Lang to take Yuan Liusi outside to wait.

Not that there was any other reason, merely that he feared these two might say something improper.

Chen Yi stood on the deck, glancing at the men stationed outside the cabin, their faces on guard—then spoke coolly:

"Liu Wu, I have come to pay respects to Lord Xiao and General Xiao."

Before Xiao Jing could go to fetch an audience, the old master Xiao's laughter floated over: "The young friend may enter directly."

Hearing this, Xiao Jing made way: "Please."

Chen Yi walked past him into the cabin, surveyed the room, and bowed respectfully toward the old master and Prince Qian:

"Lord Xiao, Prince Qian, I, Chen Yi, was startled by my intrusion—please forgive the disturbance."

The old master Xiao waved a hand: "Sit down and speak."

Chen Yi bowed slightly and took a seat beside Shu He:

"Met you again, He Shu brother."

Shu He nodded, meeting the eyes of the old master and Prince Qian, and turned to Xiao Hong:

"Brother Xia, you once challenged me to a match before—your strength was equal to mine."

It seemed like an introduction, yet it was in fact a reminder to Xiao Hong.

Xiao Hong understood fully, nodded toward Chen Yi—acknowledging him with a salute.

The old master Xiao glanced at the others and smiled: "The young friend has just tested his skills—my heart is greatly pleased."

"Pleased, and the world has produced a fine young man."

Prince Qian, however, expressed dissatisfaction: "A fine fellow, but not quite appropriate."

After a pause, he added: "Yet... if this young brother is willing to accompany me to Guangyue Prefecture, I would not hold his earlier transgression against him."

Before Chen Yi could respond, the old master Xiao laughed and scolded: "Old rabble! This one is an old friend of the Xiao family—how could I send him to Guangyue Prefecture?"

Once he had dismissed the connection between Chen Yi and "Chen Yu," he was even more satisfied with "Chen Yu."

The ideas he had set aside earlier surged to the forefront of his mind.

He turned his gaze to Xiao Hong and smiled: "Xiao Hong, you once said you wished to meet him—now that you've seen him, what are your thoughts?"

Xiao Hong sat upright, his gaze settling on Chen Yi's face, hidden behind the black iron mask.

"Thank you for saving my sister earlier."

Chen Yi straightened his back, slightly bowed his head—his response.

Xiao Hong blinked, took in his appearance, and said no more.

The old master Xiao watched the two with their indifferent demeanor, and shook his head silently, speaking aloud:

"All of you are young talents from Shu Zhou—do more to get acquainted in the days to come."

Xiao Hong nodded: "I will remember this."

Chen Yi glanced at her and also nodded in agreement.

He did wish to spend more time with the lady, though her heart was tied to the Xiao family and Shu Zhou, and she had little time to remain at home.

Though he too harbored some small secrets, it was all he could do.

As for the matters from before:

If Xiao Hong remained in the manor, who among Du Cang, Lü Jiu Nan, Liu Hong dared to act so presumptuously?

The situation might have been better than it was now.

The old master Xiao saw that both were reluctant to speak, and offered no further persuasion, turning to Zhang Xuan to recount the day's events.

Shu He had no intention of speaking either.

Well, perhaps.

He had been scrutinizing Chen Yi and Xiao Hong from head to toe, all the while smiling.

He nearly used every ounce of strength to keep from laughing out loud.

If these two were to learn they were each other's opponents...

Hmph. Master, master, in matters of scheming, you're still the cleverest old fox.

Just then:

A brilliant, dazzling light suddenly split the dark, rain-soaked night.

From the western Qinghai Mountains it rose, making the surrounding hundred li blaze bright as day.

In its wake came the voice of the White Sage: "To all of you who have waited so long—this is the beginning."

Ye Gongxian spoke sparingly, yet said something fitting.

Before anyone could react, that very light instantly enveloped all of them.

Even Chen Yi and the others inside the boat were no exception.

In the next moment:

Chen Yi felt his vision swirl—his sight shifted to a new scene.

Before him lay a vast, bright martial arts arena.

Yet this arena was enormous, making him feel utterly small.

"This is..."

(Chapter Complete)