Chapter 403: White Feather Three Swords

White Feather Sword Manor.

It could be considered a major local power; at least before Black Heaven Divine Palace absorbed Qingyun Stronghold, Qingyun Stronghold still greatly feared White Feather Sword Manor, often worrying whether White Feather Sword Manor would send people to farm reputation.

After all, the distance between them was not too great.

But after joining Black Heaven Divine Palace, Qingyun Stronghold swelled.

With a young hero from White Feather Sword Manor showing up at their door, they didn't even say a word before ambushing and capturing him, having a great time—several times over.

As bandits, they couldn't always press down on disciples of these great sects and clans.

Especially several bandits who were particularly crude and indiscriminate, treating men and women the same.

Of course, the people of Qingyun Stronghold never imagined that they would not be found by White Feather Sword Manor in the end, but instead be wiped out by a true Fighting Victory Buddha passing through.

These past few days, White Feather Sword Manor has been quite lively.

The expansion of Black Heaven Divine Palace has brought considerable pressure to surrounding martial forces.

White Feather Sword Manor is no exception.

As a rather tough nut to crack, Black Heaven Divine Palace did not rashly act against White Feather Sword Manor, but observant people could see that Black Heaven Divine Palace would eventually come for White Feather Sword Manor.

When that time comes, how will White Feather Sword Manor respond? Will it repel Black Heaven Divine Palace, or simply relocate, or perhaps, like some shameless sects and factions, seek refuge with them?

The last possibility is the smallest.

White Feather Sword Manor has always considered itself a proper orthodox sect, and its conduct is relatively upright.

Once they take refuge with Black Heaven Divine Palace, years of accumulated reputation would be ruined.

The current manor lord, Zhou Yu, is someone who treasures his reputation greatly; relying on his solid cultivation, immune to cold and heat, he wears a full set of white feather robes even in the height of summer.

His image burden is heavy; he would not do such a thing.

A greater possibility is to fight Black Heaven Divine Palace, then leave their sphere of influence.

To display prowess without deadlocking with them—that is the best strategy.

Fighting is definitely necessary, given Black Heaven Divine Palace's ruthless nature, often leaving no chickens or dogs alive in their methods.

Many people are not optimistic about White Feather Sword Manor, and even some newly initiated disciples have fled.

For a time, there was a sense of the gate growing cold and deserted.

But today is different.

A few days ago, White Feather Sword Manor sent out news that three of its disciples, each with a sword, had gone out and exterminated Qingyun Stronghold.

Qingyun Stronghold had been a scourge to the region, infamous far and wide.

However, the place they were in lacked much profit, and the stronghold lay deep in the old forest, easy to defend but hard to attack.

Those who could win were unwilling to expend the effort—it wasn't worth the loss.

Those who could not win would definitely not win.

White Feather Sword Manor belonged to those who could win; if its experts were dispatched, though not necessarily exterminating Qingyun Stronghold completely, they could at least inflict heavy damage, slaying until trees fell and monkeys scattered.

But the gains would be small; White Feather Sword Manor looked down on the little wealth Qingyun Stronghold had from banditry.

Such bandits could not hide much money.

There was also a chance of loss for themselves, being in a situation where they could truly kill, yet had no need to.

However, if the disciples of the sect could destroy Qingyun Stronghold, it would be different—this would be a very prestigious matter.

Many martial people could not deal with such bandits, but White Feather Sword Manor sent out three disciples and easily resolved the matter.

I just ask you all: aren't they handsome? Aren't they formidable?

White Feather Sword Manor certainly needs to promote this well, to stabilize morale.

This move is also quite effective; the veteran martial artists in the sect signify strength, while the new disciples signify potential.

Qingyun Stronghold is not some true wild chicken stronghold; the fact that three disciples of White Feather Sword Manor could destroy it undoubtedly proves White Feather Sword Manor's full potential.

Someone has already gone to investigate; the entire Qingyun Stronghold was reduced to ashes.

Before that, those three disciples had left White Feather Sword Manor to inquire about Qingyun Stronghold's situation, and some people have brought it up again.

The three had considerable knowledge of Qingyun Stronghold's various conditions, knowing the details thoroughly—this was not fabricated.

The three were already quite valued disciples in White Feather Sword Manor, among the top, and instantly became known as the "Qilin Children."

Of course, the three also humbly stated that they had received help from others along the way; otherwise, they could not have completed the battle.

This humble behavior earned them widespread praise from the martial world.

White Feather Three Swords: the Proper Sword Qin Xu'ao, the Strange Sword Wen Leng, and the Elegant Sword Wen Xiuyue— their names spread without delay.

However, at this time, the faces of the three rising new stars were not looking good.

Especially Qin Xu'ao, who had become very dignified, balanced and harmonious, his complexion was dark and uncertain, revealing a terrifying ferocity.

"Are you really sure that's that white-haired monk?" he said, looking at the Wen Leng siblings before him.

"Yes." Wen Leng nodded, "I saw him this morning; he's in the city. Senior brother, I said, we should have..."

"Shut up, idiot!" Qin Xu'ao snapped lowly, "Speak the truth? Say we were captured alive by Qingyun Stronghold's people, your sister was taken advantage of by dozens of bandits, and we two also escaped via the dry path?"

"Then what would they call us, the Chivalrous Heroes of the Ancient Road?"

Qin Xu'ao's face twisted.

That day, he recovered relatively quickly, and it was he who spoke with Tang Luo.

Not long after Tang Luo and the others left, the three also supported each other out of the prison, only to see corpses scattered across Qingyun Stronghold's ground.

After venting, the three set fire and burned the entire Qingyun Stronghold.

Hiding to rest for a few days, they returned to White Feather Mountain Villa, and using the Spring and Autumn Annals style of speaking, they claimed they had encountered another martial artist, and together they exterminated Qingyun Stronghold.

The main point was to highlight the theme of "taking me as the master, using it for me."

As a result, White Feather Sword Manor surpassed them in Spring and Autumn Annals style, directly erasing that person.

Directly, the three with their three swords exterminated Qingyun Stronghold.

Or perhaps they deliberately leaked the news, which is why some unknown extra from the jianghu also got involved in the "Destruction of Azure Cloud Stronghold" farce.

No one cared about that extra who only appeared for one second.

With the White Feather Sword Manor fanning the flames and everyone carrying the flower sedan chair for each other, all were praising the "White Feather Three Swords."

Originally this was quite normal.

But Wen Leng saw that white-haired person from before appear in the city this morning.

The situation instantly became delicate.

The White Feather Three Swords, renowned far and wide, at the height of their limelight.

What if that person suddenly jumped out and said they were actually captives, imprisoned, and subjected to all sorts of unspeakable things?

I'm the one who saved people, who destroyed Azure Cloud Stronghold.

How would things end then?

What is called "social death in the jianghu"? This is it.

Infinitely more severe than being a meddling busybody; once the truth really came out, the Three Swords might as well slit their own throats and commit suicide — that would be cleaner.

The Three Swords certainly wouldn't necessarily slit their throats and commit suicide, so they gathered together to discuss what to do.

Incidentally, all three were standing.

Their injuries hadn't healed yet; sitting down would hurt too much.

Hearing Qin Xuao's rude words, the Wen siblings' faces also turned cold in an instant.

"Simply..." Wen Xiumei made a hand gesture.

"Stupid." Qin Xuao wasn't polite to his junior sister either, "What will you kill him with? Kill him while in bed? But can that thing of yours even work anymore?"

"..." Killing intent surged between Wen Xiumei's brows; she nearly drew her sword.

Since returning from Azure Cloud Stronghold, Qin Xuao had become increasingly twisted; however upright and steady he appeared on the surface, that was how venomous and twisted he was in private.

Clearly all three were in the same miserable boat, yet he constantly picked at the Wen siblings' scars.

But Qin Xuao was the White Feather Sword Manor's senior disciple, and now the chief senior disciple; Manor Lord Zhou Yu had no offspring, and there were already rumors that the next manor lord would most likely be Qin Xuao.

Although that next term was at least ten years away, perhaps even twenty.

But it didn't hinder Qin Xuao's rising status.

Despite their discontent, the Wen siblings had to endure it; the three were grasshoppers on the same rope.

The reason Qin Xuao was even more twisted than the Wen siblings actually had a cause.

Because he discovered that besides being a meddling busybody, his front was also ruined; the rear injuries would definitely heal.

But what about the front? Martial artists usually know some medicine; Qin Xuao couldn't treat it, but could at least judge, and the result nearly drove him mad.

"Then what do you say we do?" Suppressing her anger, Wen Xiumei asked.

Wen Leng also looked at Qin Xuao.

"Invite him to the White Feather Sword Manor." Qin Xuao already had a plan.

"What?"

"Invite him to the White Feather Sword Manor." Qin Xuao repeated, "We'll talk with him, share the credit for Azure Cloud Stronghold, build momentum for him, and promise some benefits."

The Wen siblings frowned, then felt this method was feasible.

What matters most when wandering the jianghu? Face!

"But what if he refuses?" Wen Xiumei said.

"He won't be allowed to refuse." Qin Xuao said coldly, "Once he enters the White Feather Sword Manor, everything is up to us; we have the White Feather Sword Manor behind us."

If possible, Qin Xuao and the others would certainly prefer to resolve this within the four of them.

But if the other party refuses a toast only to drink a forfeit, don't blame them for being impolite.

They can't afford to lose this face, and the White Feather Sword Manor equally can't afford to lose this face.

At that time, it won't be being enemies with just the three of them, but with the entire White Feather Sword Manor — a completely different situation.

"Fine, I'll go find someone right away..."

"You go personally; it shows more sincerity, courtesy before force." Qin Xuao said.

"Okay." Wen Leng nodded.

————

In the restaurant, Wen Leng's brows furrowed slightly, then smoothed out; sure enough, the other party wasn't one person, but a group.

What he saw this morning was correct; he also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

A group destroying Azure Cloud Stronghold is far easier to accept than a single person destroying it.

He bowed slightly, respectfully stated his purpose, hoping to invite Tang Luo and the others to the White Feather Sword Manor to properly express gratitude.

Incidentally explain the Azure Cloud Stronghold matter.

Tang Luo's expression was indifferent; he did not refuse.

The reason they stayed here was, on one hand, to rest and reorganize a bit; on the other, to thoroughly figure out the Dark Heaven Divine Palace's location.

Why would you put the headquarters inside a mountain for no reason?

Can't find it even if you search.

The White Feather Sword Manor was obviously a good place to gather intelligence; there was no need to refuse.

As for the other party taking credit, Tang Luo didn't care.

He didn't care for empty fame; fame was to let evildoers know him, come knocking voluntarily to be guided across, earning merit.

Just icing on the cake.

Even Nan Taisheng and the others didn't care, even feeling a bit of secret delight.

Why? Don't forget, this is a survival mission; they don't want fame, they want "tangible benefits" — extremely pragmatic.

Best if they, these gods and demons walking the world, reap the profit, and leave the empty fame to others.

Either way, it's three months' time; they won't stay in this world to put down roots.

We take the benefits, you bear the blame.

People of the jianghu, good people indeed!

Both sides had their needs; it was a perfect match. They finished eating quickly and headed toward the White Feather Sword Manor.

Along the way, one could still see quite a few jianghu people carrying weapons greeting Wen Leng, their smiles warm and amiable.

Wen Leng merely responded coolly.

His persona was precisely this type — cold and aloof, striking with unexpected sword moves.

Being willing to respond at all was already giving them plenty of face.

Thanks to Wen Leng's persona, although quite a few people were curious who Tang Luo and the others were, no one came over to ask.

If it were Qin Xuao, it wouldn't necessarily be the case.