Chapter 160: The Heavenly King Old Man Post

The Deer-Carving Saber entered the pass, stirring up a storm in the Edo.

There was no telling how many martial arts experts coveted this precious saber, but with the four great experts—Sikong Shu, Tu Xiaotian, Zhao Wuji, and Hai Lingzi—guarding the pass, those who truly dared to make a move were few and far between.

Yet, to everyone's surprise, the moment the Deer-Carving Saber entered the pass, it was snatched away.

Of the four experts guarding the saber, Sikong Shu, Zhao Wuji, and Hai Lingzi were killed, leaving only the old man Tu Xiaotian to escape with his wounds.

According to Old Man Tu, the one who snatched the saber was a young man who called himself "Heavenly Old Man," accompanied by the "wind enchantress" Feng Siniang, who had been away from the pass for many years.

That "Heavenly Old Man" was not only extremely skilled in martial arts but also proficient in the art of poisons and gu-insects, being incomparably sinister, which caused those old Edo veterans to fall into his trap, leading to the loss of the Deer-Carving Saber.

It was only thanks to Old Man Tu's alertness that he managed to escape with his life; otherwise, he would not have escaped the poisonous hand.

Originally, everyone thought that the "Heavenly Old Man" Yu Liancheng would leave the pass with Feng Siniang and wait for the heat to die down before returning to the Central Plains.

But no one expected that this "Heavenly Old Man" would not flee, but instead appear in the Edo with great fanfare, and even issue the "Heavenly King Old Man Post" to famous experts in the Edo.

……

Mudan Lou.

Yet the peonies had long since withered.

Inside the railings outside the building, dozens of pots of chrysanthemums were displayed.

The chrysanthemums were in full bloom, and the crabs were plump.

Eating crab and admiring chrysanthemums, drinking wine while facing the flowers—this was not only elegant but also practical, a pleasure that appealed to both the refined and the popular.

The dozens of tables upstairs and downstairs were almost all occupied.

And these guests were almost all martial artists carrying sabers and swords, sitting in groups of three or five, eating crab and drinking wine, discussing the major events happening in the Edo.

"The 'Twin Heroes of the Ouyang Clan' have arrived, and they have invited all the experts of the Ouyang Clan, even the 'Sea-Heaven Divine Sword' who has lived in seclusion for years. Yu Liancheng is in for big trouble now."

"Heh, don't speak too soon. Once the 'Heavenly King Old Man Post' is issued, neither gods nor ghosts can save you. 'Life-Taking Scholar' Shi Qiushan, 'Pale Ape' Hou Yiyuan, 'Ten Thousand Victories Golden Saber' Peng Pengfei... these are either great heroes who shake their regions or sect leaders and elders of famous schools. After receiving the 'Heavenly King Old Man Post', which one of them didn't die at the hands of Yu Liancheng?"

"If the King of Hell tells you to die at the third watch, who dares to keep you until the fifth? I don't think it should be called the 'Heavenly King Old Man Post'; it might as well be called the 'King of Hell Post'."

"If Yu Liancheng sent me a post, I wouldn't have the guts to accept it; I'd just give him my martial arts manual. Maybe I could even get his guidance and improve my martial arts."

"Heh heh, with your third-rate skills, even if you gave them to him, he probably wouldn't even look at them."

"You're not much better than me."

"I'm different from you. I came to Mudan Lou this time to see just how beautiful and charming the legendary wind enchantress is, that Yu Liancheng would even give the Deer-Carving Saber to her."

"Heavenly King Old Man Post"—these five words already possessed the power to make the winds and clouds lose their color in the Edo.

This post was issued by the "Heavenly Old Man" Yu Liancheng to martial arts experts, stating in the post that he wished to pay a visit or invite someone to meet at a certain time and place.

And those who accepted the "Heavenly King Old Man Post" had to bring the manual of their most prized martial art to be evaluated by the "Heavenly Old Man" Yu Liancheng.

If Yu Liancheng saw that the person's martial arts had merit, then obediently handing over the manual would result in no harm.

If the other party was in an excellent mood, he might even offer a few pointers, allowing their martial arts to reach a higher level.

But if the martial arts were too poor, or if they refused to hand over the manual, there was only death.

And those who received Yu Liancheng's post were all big names in the Edo.

Such people mostly valued their reputation more than their lives, so how could they willingly hand over their manuals? The result, without exception, was death at the hands of Yu Liancheng.

Some tried to pass off fake manuals by changing some of the text, but they were seen through by Yu Liancheng, and their ends were even more miserable.

To date, eight sect leaders, six evil-path experts, and sixteen Edo heroes have died at his hands.

Of course, there were a few who saw the situation was not right and obediently handed over their manuals, escaping with their lives.

There were also two who were extremely lucky, receiving guidance from Yu Liancheng and increasing their strength significantly.

Therefore, in the eyes of many, that "Heavenly King Old Man Post" was simply a King of Hell Post, leaving people with no place to be buried.

By the way, also appearing with the "Heavenly Old Man" Yu Liancheng was the wind enchantress who had been away from the pass for many years.

Perhaps the wind enchantress's appearance could not be called world-toppling, but she had a charm that made one unable to forget her.

Although the crowd of martial arts heroes at Mudan Lou were talking, their gazes were directed toward a certain direction on the second floor.

Six people were sitting there.

Two of them were the "Twin Heroes" who had accepted the King of Hell Post: the brothers Ouyang Wenbo and Ouyang Wenzhong.

To be noticed by the "Heavenly Old Man" Yu Liancheng, these two were naturally very famous figures in the Edo.

Anyone who walked the Edo, even if they didn't know these two, should at least have heard their names.

The Ouyang Clan was originally one of the three great clans in the Edo known for their wealth, and these two not only came from a famous family but had also done a few things in the Edo that were sensational and heart-warming.

Especially the second hero, Ouyang Wenzhong, whose pair of "Mother-Child Soul-Departing Rings" in his palms were long-lost external weapons.

Besides these two, there were three top experts from the Ouyang family, as well as the white-haired and white-bearded "Sea-Heaven Divine Sword" Ouyang Wuqing, who had long lived in seclusion.

With these six joining forces, some small sects would likely be wiped out.

Today, Mudan Lou was going to be lively.

And as time passed, the atmosphere in the restaurant became increasingly stifling.

Everyone was waiting anxiously, waiting for the appearance of that Yu Liancheng who dared to call himself "Heavenly Old Man."

Everyone wanted to see the shocking martial arts of the "Heavenly Old Man" Yu Liancheng, and also wanted to see how soul-stirring and beautiful the legendary wind enchantress was.

Just then.

A brand-new black-lacquered carriage pulled by eight fine horses came from afar and stopped outside the door.

Everyone's spirits were lifted!

—The "Heavenly Old Man" Yu Liancheng had arrived.

Yu Liancheng, of course, did not come alone; he also brought Feng Siniang, and eight beautiful young girls with black hair draped over their shoulders and white clothes like snow. The girls held baskets full of fresh flowers, scattering them all the way from downstairs, laying a beautiful carpet of flowers on the stairs.

The sound of everyone's heartbeats quickened, pulsing along with the footsteps coming from the stairs, and their gazes naturally followed.

Soon, everyone saw Yu Liancheng and Feng Siniang.

Feng Siniang was, of course, very beautiful, with a graceful figure and charming demeanor. Her age might no longer be young, but no one cared about her age; time had instead added a unique charm to her. Such a beauty had an unimaginable attraction to any man, especially to young men who had just stepped into the world.

And at her slender waist, a blade hung diagonally.

A very inconspicuous blade, only about two feet long.

But everyone knew that this was the most expensive ornament on Feng Siniang, worth ten thousand gold pieces.

——Deer-Cutter Blade.

The Deer-Cutter Blade, famous throughout the world.

Whether it was Feng Siniang or the Deer-Cutter Blade, both were already soul-stirring.

But Yu Liancheng's bearing, even with Feng Siniang and the Deer-Cutter Blade added together, was not the least bit inferior.

His black hair was like a waterfall, his handsomeness unparalleled, his eyes like lightning, and between his brows he carried the arrogance of "who else but me" in this vast world. His demeanor was even more extraordinary, as if he were a Heavenly Human descended from the clouds of the nine heavens, unlike the common folk.

Feng Siniang's fair hand was still intimately linked to Yu Liancheng's arm.

Walking in public like this was undoubtedly a bit too intimate.

But Feng Siniang did not care; her beautiful face was like a flower, and she smiled very sweetly.

In reality, sometimes she also felt that she smiled a bit too much, to the point that the corners of her mouth felt a little sore.

But she still kept smiling, because she felt that she looked better when she smiled than when she didn't. Whenever others were captivated by her smile, she always felt as happy as a child stealing candy.

Now Feng Siniang was smiling even more happily, because she knew that the splendor of this Mudan Lou had been completely stolen by them.

As they walked upstairs, it was as if an emperor were accompanying his empress into the palace.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Yu Liancheng had walked up to the Bozhong Brothers and smiled, "Hello to you both."

Ouyang Wenzhong sneered, "We are doing very well, but you are about to be doing very poorly."

"I have fresh flowers and a beauty, how could I be doing poorly?" Yu Liancheng smiled lightly: "But since you are people of the Edo and have accepted the 'Heavenly King Old Man Post', you should follow the rules."

Ouyang Wenbo said, "What rules?"

"Death!"

Yu Liancheng's voice was very faint, and it seemed to carry a smile.

But once the word was spoken, the entire small building seemed to be filled with a terrifying killing intent, making it almost impossible for people to catch their breath, though his words continued: "Or hand over your secret manuals; of course, if they catch my eye."

"How bold!" The white-bearded Hainan Tian, the Divine Sword, shouted angrily and slammed the table: "Arrogant junior, I, the old man, have walked the Edo for many years and have never seen such an arrogant and insolent person. Now that I, 'Hainan Tian the Divine Sword', am here, I will never allow you to commit such acts."

Feng Siniang covered her mouth and chuckled, "He says you are arrogant."

"I am indeed a bit arrogant; as a junior in the Edo, I really shouldn't be like this."

So Yu Liancheng bowed to the Bozhong Brothers, his voice gentle, and said: "Hello to you both, may I ask if you can give me your secret manuals, or shall I send you to your deaths? Hmm, Fourth Sister, do you think I am much more polite now?"

Feng Siniang giggled and patted his chest with her small hand: "You are wicked to the core."

Hainan Tian the Divine Sword was trembling with rage: "Junior, you are courting death!"

"Senior, don't!" Ouyang Wenzhong shouted hurriedly.

But Hainan Tian the Divine Sword had already struck; his entire body radiated astonishing Sword Intent, he let out a sharp cry, his long sword left its sheath, and with a flash of sword light, it reached Yu Liancheng's throat like lightning.

What a fast sword.

What a fast strike.

Under the reflection of the sword light, everyone's complexion seemed to turn pale.

Yet Yu Liancheng's expression remained unchanged; he merely raised his arm and flicked his finger. It looked understated and devoid of any smoke or fire, yet with a "Clang," he struck the blade, causing it to vibrate incessantly.

Hainan Tian the Divine Sword's expression changed; he hurriedly flicked his wrist to dissipate the immense force on the sword, and then the long sword transformed into a swirling, brilliant curtain of light.

This curtain of light expanded, and Yu Liancheng and Feng Siniang were instantly swallowed by the sword light, as if it intended to hack them into a thousand pieces.

Before the Bozhong Brothers and the others could step in to help, in another instant, the sky-filling sword light and Sword Energy dissipated into nothingness.

Feng Siniang was still snuggled against Yu Liancheng's chest, the picture of affection.

And Hainan Tian the Divine Sword's arm had dropped, his face expressionless, and all the muscles in his body had stiffened in that very moment. He looked at Yu Liancheng, then at his own chest, before slowly spitting out three words: "Good palm technique."

After saying these three words, his whole body collapsed softly, and the bones in his chest were already shattered.

Ouyang Wenbo reached out to check, then remained silent for a long while: "Senior... Senior has been killed by this Demon."

"What a ruthless villain."

"Senior's sword technique was unparalleled, how could he..."

Feng Siniang sighed softly: "I originally thought you were a great hero and champion who would save the martial arts world; I didn't expect that in the hearts of these people, you were just a villain and a Demon."

Yu Liancheng did not mind at all: "Great heroes are always misunderstood by people in various ways; in the distant West, there are many such heroes. Fortunately, my martial arts are high enough, and I am not at all pedantic; whoever dares to misunderstand me, I will kill them."

Feng Siniang's eyes turned: "So they are dead for sure today?"

"Correct." Yu Liancheng suddenly unfastened the Deer-Cutter Blade from Feng Siniang's body and walked forward leisurely: "Alright, enough nonsense. You few might as well attack together. This Deer-Cutter Blade hasn't been used for a long time, but it is already a Divine Sword of the world. If I don't finish you off in one strike..."

Ouyang Wenzhong immediately interjected: "Then what?"

Yu Liancheng said faintly: "Then I will finish myself off with one strike."

Ouyang Wenbo sneered: "Good, good spirit, good arrogance, what a 'Heavenly King Old Man'."

Yu Liancheng said: "So no need for nonsense, bring out your weapons."

The entire small building was overflowing with killing intent; the guests had all retreated far away, and while no one was willing to get close to Yu Liancheng and the Ouyang brothers, no one could bear to leave either.

Could Yu Liancheng really finish off the world-renowned "Bozhong Brothers" and the other four experts in a single strike?

Or would he only be able to finish off himself?

As long as they had eyes, no one wanted to miss this battle.

The Ouyang brothers had already taken out their weapons.

With a "jingle" sound, Ouyang Wenzhong's world-deterring Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Rings were already in his hands, flashing under the lamps; they looked like nothing more than two gleaming Iron rings.

Ouyang Wenbo's refined Iron Mandarin Duck Crutches were pitch-black, pitch-black and heavy; the right-hand crutch was long, and the left-hand crutch was short, said to weigh sixty-three catties. Without astonishing arm strength, even lifting them would be a nuisance.

The other three top experts of the Ouyang family also drew their own weapons.

Three gleaming Swords.

Yu Liancheng carefully examined the Ouyang brothers' weapons twice, a look of nostalgia appearing in his eyes, especially regarding the Mother-and-Son Soul-Separating Rings.

They were truly very familiar.

It was just a pity that the opponents were far too weak.

"The Deer-Carving Saber is a sharp weapon of the world; you must be careful."

Yu Liancheng finally drew his saber slowly.

The Deer-Carving Saber, famous throughout the world.

His movements were very slow; the saber was pale cyan, without any dazzling radiance.

Yet the moment the saber left its sheath, it was as if an indescribable killing intent pressed against one's eyelashes.

The saber was finally fully drawn.

"May your journey on the Yellow Springs road be easy!"

The next moment, Yu Liancheng raised the saber, a dragon's roar rang out, and the pale cyan saber light flew up like a cyan rainbow; his figure also seemed to merge into one with the saber light.

This unremarkable cyan light instantly became an indescribable radiance, unique in all of heaven and earth.

Yet it was so beautiful, beautiful enough to intoxicate, beautiful enough to strike fear into the heart.

Like faint moonlight, like a pool of autumn water, like Peach Blossom in full bloom.

Yet its saber momentum was so swift and fierce, like thunder, unstoppable.

Clang.

Suddenly, the world returned to brightness, simply because the saber had returned to its sheath.

"Ning Shui, go and give the shopkeeper two banknotes; after all, it is not easy to clean up after people have died."

Yu Liancheng hung the saber back onto Feng Siniang's slender yet powerful waist and waved his hand.

"Yes." A beautiful maidservant holding a flower basket stepped out and placed two full-value banknotes on the counter to the side.

"Let's go; there is nothing worth looking at with dead people."

Feng Siniang glanced at the motionless Bozhong Twin Heroes and the others, then followed Yu Liancheng downstairs.

And the moment they went downstairs, the Bozhong Twin Heroes and the other three people suddenly fell over stiffly, while a head rolled gurgling from a neck, fresh blood stained the floor red, and screams rang out from the restaurant.

Indeed, it was only one move.

One move was enough to finish off the Bozhong Twin Heroes and three First-class Swordsmen.