Chapter 82: Qingyi Tower

In Chizhou, as the contest between the two heavenly maidens drew near, the city was bustling and splendid, with many people smiling and dressed well, few even bearing patches.

As for beggars and the like, Jiang Ding had seen none since entering the city.

It was utterly unimaginable that just dozens of li away, crowds of starving refugees fled with their families, struggling desperately for a single mouthful of food.

Jiang Ding walked the main street, sword at his side, gazing at the surroundings, his thoughts drifting.

“The Marquis of Zhendong has rebelled!”

“Yesterday I saw masked black-clad men posting proclamations of ‘Clearing the Court of Corrupt Ministers’—I dared only glance once, Buganduokan , and now constables are hunting them everywhere!”

Even the duel of the two maidens could not obscure this earth-shattering news; many whispered in hushed, secretive tones, their faces heavy with worry.

“I lost.”

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“Do the top twenty on the Dragon Phoenix List wield elemental powers?”

When Jiang Ding arrived, the place was packed with people, thronging and lively, mostly young martial artists, both male and female.

Killing intent permeated the air, yet the scene was as beautiful as a painting.

“So you’re the Dragon Miss of the Four Seas Merchant Guild, who rose to power through the patronage of the founding emperor, no more than a servant,” Chen Xi said coolly. “What virtue do I possess to merit your mercy?”

Long Xiuyun bit her lip lightly, pitifully lovely, then took her leave.

Jiang Ding arrived too late and could only watch from far outside the crowd, but fortunately his true qi enhanced his vision, allowing him to see clearly.

“Yes, Miss Caiyu should be more cautious.”

To Jiang Ding’s surprise, the “Ice Glass Immortal” Long Xiuyun showed none of the cunning of a merchant’s daughter; she did not hold back in the fight, instead using sheer tenacity to slowly turn the tide and suppress Chen Xi.

The Hundred Flowers Young Master Wan You gave Jiang Ding a terrible impression: “Anyone who calls himself Sword Demon can’t be good.”

Jiang Ding glanced at Gong Caiyu.

“N-no… not…,” Gong Caiyu’s face flushed crimson instantly, stammering: “He’s not my… my… that.”

Jiang Ding walked on silently.

Gong Caiyu shook her head, saying nothing more.

Chen Xi and the circle of women around her smiled.

Of course, even if he had arrived early, it would have been useless—among that sea of young elites, this disheveled swordsmen in his forties had no place among them.

Under the gaze of the crowd, the two heavenly maidens ascended the stage, both wielding swords; Long Xiuyun’s blade stirred mist that condensed into droplets, dissolving every attack layer by layer.

This was another path for martial artists, demanding high spiritual strength and profound comprehension of spells, granting immense advantage in melee combat.

“Ah, Miss Gong will understand after experiencing more.”

Below the stage, many young young masters watched intently, some with looks of sudden insight.

If Chizhou’s situation was not an exception, Marquis Tang Wang might have a chance to sweep the land and establish a new dynasty.

“Young Master Wan, I am tired.”

All specializations of the “Young Eagle Soaring Scripture” were devoted to improving the efficiency of nurturing the body and meridians—beyond purity and immunity to elemental suppression, it had no other effects.

Gong Caiyu kept rising, tiptoeing, jumping to scan the crowd, then sinking back down in disappointment.

Still, fourth on the Dragon Phoenix List was among the strongest below the Primordial Realm.

Chen Xi’s style was different: her swordplay resembled a blue phoenix from the heavens, swift beyond compare; as her silk skirt fluttered, she unleashed eighteen consecutive strikes, faint wind whistling, slicing through layer upon layer of mist, droplets splashing onto the ground and carving deep pits.

Several well-bred ladies who admired Wan You chimed in; having formed a first impression, they also held no fondness for this stranger.

Water is the softest force, not renowned for explosive power.

Yet thinking of Princess Qinghe’s appearance, lineage, and strength, he could not help but feel disheartened.

Among the fluttering maidens, articulate young martial artists moved through the crowd, each displaying every trick, occasionally making girls giggle uncontrollably, the air thick with hormones.

“I would never blame Qinghe—only, only…”

Excluding family background, to many he was already among the top choices for a spouse.

As one of the Four Great Beauties of the Jianghu, she was naturally beautiful—not with the oppressive aura of Chen Xi, but like a neighbor’s little sister, a flower bathed in spring sunlight, drawing one to approach and lowering one’s guard.

“Your Highness is of imperial blood; Xiuyun is honored just to withstand one of your moves.”

Chen Xi’s phoenix eyes grew colder. “More than that—I heard from a merchant caravan that all of Dongzhou has fallen; neighboring Yanzhou, Wuzhou, and Qinzhou are in chaos as Wolf God Cult heretics rise, declaring allegiance to the Marquis of Zhendong, calling to ‘purge the corrupt ministers, cleanse the court, and save the people!’”

If the timing were right and imperial power still strong, merely these words would cripple the Four Seas Merchant Guild; the perpetrators would be imprisoned and executed on the marketplace.

The duel on stage grew fiercer.

Chen Xi swept her sleeve, pushing him back several steps, coldly saying, then walking off without looking back; her retinue hurried after her.

Other noble ladies and Dragon Phoenix List maidens felt a pang of envy.

Aside from the broad central arena, the other two focal points were naturally the Ice Glass Pavilion and Qinghe Tower, where Long Xiuyun and Chen Xi resided.

Without a Primordial Realm elder at home, they dared not speak harshly or offend anyone.

“Hehe.”

Hei Jin was like this, so was the Hundred Flowers Young Master Wan You, and so were these two above.

His pity turned to rage; he slammed a palm forward, roaring: “What are you doing?!”

“Ice Glass Immortal” Chen Xi’s face was grim: “After this, I will never set foot in Chizhou again.”

The Immortal Gate, of course, needed none of this—utterly useless.

A water-colored longsword rested against her swan-like neck.

Wan You, heart aching, rushed forward to soothe her gently.

Wan You, looking dazed, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest; he looked down to see a jet-black iron needle embedded in his torso, Buzhiheshicharu .

At the city’s arena.

“Qinghe, you needn’t take it so hard…”

Amid playful banter, a girl surrounded by the crowd arrived before them. “Your Highness, please show mercy,” smiled the “Ice Glass Immortal” Long Xiuyun.

Her words carried barbs.

Jiang Ding thought.

Chen Xi seized openings repeatedly, nearly killing Long Xiuyun, forcing her back over ten steps, slicing through wave after wave of watery sword qi—but in the end, she could not prevail, overwhelmed by Long Xiuyun’s accumulating river-and-ocean sword momentum and forced to retreat.

Yet once a tidal wave builds gradually, destroying cities and nations becomes effortless.

Women on the Dragon Phoenix List were fewer than men, and many disliked such crowds; together, the Ice Glass Pavilion and Qinghe Tower held only a dozen or so women on the list.

“No.”

“Sss~—Wolf God Cult? The entire south may be falling into chaos!”

With that, she descended the stage gracefully and walked away without looking back.

“Miss Gong is too naive—don’t be deceived by his deliberate approach.”

The Nineteenth on the Dragon Phoenix List ultimately fell to the Eighteenth! Below the stage, many sighed in regret, others cheered joyfully, unafraid of the imperial house.

She stood near Princess Qinghe Chen Xi, seemingly accorded considerable attention, yet she was ill at ease in such social settings, her face tense, stammering whenever young masters spoke to her.

“Miss Caiyu, are you looking to see if your sweetheart has arrived?” Chen Xi teased.

The Hundred Flowers Young Master Wan You, ranked eleventh on the Dragon Phoenix List, had a Primordial Realm mother from the Purple Star Sword Sect; crucially, he was exceptionally handsome and devoted, with no scandalous reputation in the Jianghu—he was practically the ideal husband.

Amid murmurs, a squad of constables patrolled past; the crowd fell silent instantly.

This was a disastrous outcome for him—he might have to flee Yue Kingdom.

!.

Wan You sighed, stopped urging, and turned his gaze back to Chen Xi; his eyes softened into thick honey, lingering without parting.

Naturally, well-trained female attendants, wearing expressions of guilt, repeatedly apologized on their mistress’s behalf: “Young Master Wan, Her Highness is merely momentarily angered—please don’t take it to heart.”

Thud! The servant, unaware her chest had been shattered, stared blankly: “Qingyi bears others’ calamities—guiding you into reincarnation!”

With that, she expired.

All around fell silent.

Chen Xi’s face twisted in shock and fury; she rushed back, only to see Wan You’s handsome face now blackened, lifeless.

(End of Chapter)