Chapter 166: The Demon-Elimination Alliance Leader

Shen Family Manor is on the banks of Daming Lake, leaning against the mountains and facing the water.

Ordinary people only need to see the two ancient stone lions at their gate to imagine the long history and glory of this family.

Ever since the manor master, Shen Jinfeng, and his wife went on an expedition against roving bandits and both died in battle at the Jiayuguan pass, the Shen family has truly seen a decline in descendants in recent years, with only Shen Taijun left to support the household alone.

Yet, the status of Shen Family Manor in the martial arts world remains very high, not only because of the reverence for the heroic deeds of Shen Jinfeng and his wife, but also because Shen Old Matriarch indeed possesses many qualities that command respect.

What's more, the Shen family also produced the number one beauty of the martial arts world, Miss Shen Bijun.

In reality, she should not be called Miss Shen; she should be called Lady Lian.

And Lady Lian's husband is the master of Wuxia Shanzhuang, Young Master Lianchengbi.

The Gusu Wuxia Shanzhuang is the number one noble family in Jiangnan. Young Master Lian not only has an extraordinary family background and remarkable martial arts, but his character is also outstanding, and he is listed as one of the Wulin Six Gentlemen.

These two are truly a talented man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match.

As for why this "Demon-Elimination Assembly" is being held at the Shen residence, it is said that it was also proposed by Young Master Lian; clearly, this Young Master Lian also has a heart for eliminating demons and is determined to eradicate the "Heavenly Father" Yu Liancheng.

……

Because the Shen family itself has few descendants, the ones receiving guests are Lianchengbi and the nephew of Shen Taijun's maiden family, the "Xiangyang Swordsman" Wan Zhongshan.

Wan Zhongshan is an old hand in the martial arts world, and his knowledge and experience are extraordinary.

Therefore, the moment he saw Invincible Mad Blade Hao Ren and Madam Hao, he recognized them.

This Invincible Mad Blade is dressed in green and has a lean build, yet he gives people a daunting feeling; his sharp edge is fully exposed, as if he himself is a blade—a divine blade.

Conversely, the blade in his hand looks very ordinary and common, the kind you could buy for two taels of silver. But held in this man's hand, it also seems to have turned into a Peerless Divine Weapon.

And after just one glance at Invincible Mad Blade, Wan Zhongshan already knew why the word "mad" was in this man's title.

It is only because this man's gaze is arrogant, as if looking down from a high place, looking down on everyone. Although there is always a smile on the corners of his mouth, this smile also carries a mocking tone. No matter who sees him, they always feel that the other party is mocking them.

On the contrary, Madam Hao looks much easier to get along with than her husband. And although her appearance is not stunningly beautiful, she is truly full of charm, and her every movement is extremely beautiful.

Many martial arts heroes have already arrived in the hall.

But the most eye-catching one is undoubtedly a man of about thirty years old. This person's appearance is not very remarkable, with a square face and a square mouth. He looks proper and upright; no matter what happens, one can rest assured handing it over to him.

Yet this person is one of the Six Gentlemen, Yang Kaitai.

The so-called Six Gentlemen naturally consist of six people.

They are Lianchengbi, Liu Seqing, Yang Kaitai, Zhu Baishui, Xu Qingteng, and Li Gang.

Among the righteous figures in the martial arts world over the past ten years, if one speaks of fame and high martial arts, it is truly difficult to find anyone stronger than these six.

These six are not old; the oldest, Li Gang, is only in his forties.

But they are not only upright in character and do things beautifully, but they are also all disciples of noble families and descendants of famous clans.

For example, Yang Kaitai.

He is not only the young master of the "Yuanji" firm, which is as wealthy as a nation, but also the only disciple of the Shaolin Master Tieshan. It is said that his "Shaolin Divine Fist" has already reached ninety percent proficiency, and the martial arts world has already recognized him as the number one Lay Disciple of Shaolin.

Feng Siniang, who was disguised as Madam Hao, could not help but let her gaze flicker, subconsciously hiding behind Yu Liancheng, but she soon realized she had disguised her appearance.

As it turns out, this Yang Kaitai and Feng Siniang had once met at the birthday banquet of Wang Laofuren, and from then on, Yang Kaitai fell in love with her at first sight and pursued her persistently.

But how could this woman who is like the wind ever like a guy as honest and stingy as Yang Kaitai?

Soon, another eye-catching man walked in.

It is one of the Six Gentlemen, Li Gang.

This person is famous throughout the world for his "Sanshiliu Lu Dakabei Shou." Not only are his eyes like a blade, but his whole person is even more like a blade.

And the moment Li Gang walked in, he could not help but look at Yu Liancheng.

Because when others see him, except for the highly respected seniors of the martial arts world, almost everyone calls out "Hero Li" or "Brother Li," and their attitudes are very respectful.

But Yu Liancheng and Feng Siniang did not; they just chatted and laughed to themselves on the side, as if he did not exist.

Li Gang is known as the "True Gentleman Who Does Not Lose His Composure at the Sight of Beauty," so of course he cannot stare at a woman.

What's more, Yu Liancheng also looks like a blade now, and coupled with that arrogant gaze and the faint, mocking smile, it also makes Li Gang feel displeased.

He has already walked over and said bluntly, "May I ask the honorable names of you two?"

Yu Liancheng ignores him.

Feng Siniang glances at him sideways and also ignores him.

Wan Zhongshan has already walked over with a smile: "This is Hero Hao Ren, the 'Invincible Mad Blade,' and this is Madam Hao."

"'Invincible Mad Blade'? Such a big mouth, but are you really surnamed 'Hao'? There is not a single famous blade-user in the martial arts world surnamed Hao. Who exactly is your master? What is your name?"

Li Gang snorted coldly: "I, Li, hate nothing more than those who hide their heads and show their tails. If I see one, I will never let them go."

Wan Zhongshan hurriedly tried to smooth things over: "Everyone knows that Hero Li is upright in character."

Yu Liancheng still ignored him, only saying to Feng Siniang: "Is this person mentally ill? What someone is named is none of his business."

Feng Siniang chuckled: "Perhaps his head was caught in a door. Husband, do not pay him any mind; just treat it as a dog barking."

Yu Liancheng nodded: "Good, I will listen to my wife. I only hope this mad dog just barks; if he wants to bite, I will have no choice but to kill him and stew him for soup."

As these two talked as if no one else was around, Wan Zhongshan and the crowd of martial arts figures turned pale.

To hell with the Invincible Mad Blade.

This is no longer a question of whether he is mad or not; he has simply gone insane.

Li Gang was shaking with anger. He is one of the Wulin Six Gentlemen and is respected by others. When had he ever been pointed at and scolded like this? He immediately shouted like thunder: "You are courting death!!"

He leaped out like a tiger, his right palm blasting out with the force of a thunderbolt and lightning; it was precisely the Great Stele-Splitting Hand he was famous for.

Yu Liancheng snorted coldly, sitting on his stool, and struck out with a palm.

Bang!

The palms collided, and only a muffled sound was heard.

Li Gang's figure retreated two steps, the floor beneath his feet cracking apart.

Yu Liancheng's expression remained unchanged, but the stool beneath his buttocks had already cracked and shattered.

Feng Siniang glanced at Yu Liancheng and could not help but let out a delicate laugh.

This fellow's ability to put on an act was truly quite impressive.

The expressions of the crowd, however, shifted once more.

Hao Ren's stool shattered, and Li Gang was forced to retreat two steps; the two appeared evenly matched.

But Li Gang was famous for his Great Stele-Splitting Hand, and his palm force was peerlessly powerful.

At this moment, in his fit of rage, even if he had not used his full strength, it was likely not far off.

Yet Hao Ren was famous for his blade technique; if his palm technique was already this overbearing and fierce, how much more so would his blade technique be?

Li Gang's expression darkened, his internal energy surging, and just as he was about to strike again, Wan Zhongshan hurriedly blocked the space between the two and said with a forced smile, "Today is the Chu-mo Alliance meeting, and both of you are heroes of the Edo; why start killing each other? If the Demon Yu Liancheng were to find out, wouldn't he be quite pleased?"

"Brother Li, this is, after all, the Shen Family Manor, not a martial arts arena," Yang Kaitai also advised.

Li Gang let out a cold snort, exhaling roughly through his nose, but was finally persuaded to stand down. Yet his blade-like gaze continued to look at Yu Liancheng again and again.

And to Feng Siniang's surprise, Yu Liancheng did not seize the opportunity to stir up trouble, but instead took another stool and sat down, his face wearing the same mocking smile as always, as if nothing had happened at all.

Soon after, Liu Seqing and Xu Qingteng of the Six Gentlemen also arrived.

Aside from Lianchengbi, who had not yet arrived as he was receiving guests, only Zhu Baishui remained of the Six Gentlemen.

But it was said that Zhu Baishui had already realized the truth of the impermanence of the world and had entered the monastic life; it was unlikely he would come to attend this grand martial arts event.

As time passed, the number of martial arts practitioners at the Chu-mo Alliance meeting grew ever larger.

The various experts present were busy flattering one another, making for a lively scene.

"With so many of us at this Chu-mo Alliance meeting, if we don't elect an Alliance Leader, wouldn't we just be a scattered mess?"

"Indeed, that is only right."

"Among our group, if we speak of the highest martial arts and the greatest reputation, none can compare to the 'Six Gentlemen'."

"But the 'Six Gentlemen' has six members, while there is only one Alliance Leader."

It was unclear who had proposed electing an Alliance Leader, but it received unanimous agreement from everyone, and all believed that only the "Six Gentlemen" could shoulder such a heavy responsibility.

"Young Master Xu Qingteng inherits the title of General of Hangzhou and is busy with military affairs; it is already no small feat that he could attend this Chu-mo Alliance meeting, let alone lead the heroes to eliminate demons and defend the Dao."

"Young Master Yang Kaitai is the young master of 'Yuanji', and with such a vast family business, I fear he cannot spare the time."

The crowd of heroes discussed the matter heatedly.

Of course, those who could truly influence public opinion were the few senior figures of the martial arts world.

Their martial arts might not be as good as the "Six Gentlemen," but their seniority was very high, their words carried great weight, and their arguments were very reasonable, such that even the Six Gentlemen could not easily refute them.

"Hehehehe!!"

Just at this moment, a series of cold laughs rang out.

This sound did not seem very heavy or loud, yet it rang out clearly in everyone's ears.

What deep internal force.

The crowd was startled, the entire hall suddenly fell silent, and they all looked toward the person who had let out the cold laugh.

— "Invincible Mad Blade" Hao Ren.

Feng Siniang looked at Hao Ren with her long, narrow, beautiful eyes and asked in a puzzled tone, "Husband, what are you laughing at?"

Yu Liancheng smiled and said, "Wife, are these people electing a Chu-mo Alliance Leader?"

Feng Siniang said, "That is correct."

Yu Liancheng said, "What do you think is the most important thing for an Alliance Leader?"

Feng Siniang rolled her eyes and said crisply, "Could it be martial arts?"

"Correct, it is precisely martial arts," Yu Liancheng said with a resonant voice. "Schemes are fine, and reputation is fine, but this is the Edo; if one's martial arts are insufficient, everything else is useless. Even if one manages to sit in the position of Alliance Leader, one can only be manipulated by others."

"But the 'Wulin Six Gentlemen' not only have good character and family backgrounds, their martial arts are also very high."

Feng Siniang said, "Take Hero Liu Seqing for example. He is the mantle-inheriting disciple of Gudao Ren of Bashan; his sword technique is lofty, light, and agile, and he has fully mastered the 'Forty-Nine Returning Wind Dancing Willow Sword' of Gudao Ren, and even surpassed his master."

Liu Seqing was a middle-aged man of great presence, with a black-sheathed sword tied at his waist; his eyes were bright and piercing, and his gaze carried an implicit air of authority.

Hearing Feng Siniang's words, he could not help but reveal a smile and puff out his chest.

Yu Liancheng glanced at Liu Seqing indifferently and chuckled, "For this person to have his current reputation, his sword technique must be quite good. But looking at his arrogant face, with his eyes almost growing onto his forehead, one knows that he must underestimate his opponents when fighting, and after a hundred moves, he will gradually lose his composure."

Liu Seqing's expression darkened, and he let out a cold snort.

Feng Siniang's eyes darted: "Then what about Young Hero Xu Qingteng? He is the most beloved disciple of the Wudang Sect Leader, peerless in both fist and sword, and his light-body technique is also excellent; it is said that when he performs his sword technique, it is completely devoid of any worldly aura."

"It is just a pity..." Yu Liancheng shook his head.

"A pity for what?" Feng Siniang asked in pursuit.

Yu Liancheng said, "It is just a pity that he is the hereditary General of Hangzhou, living in luxury and comfort; when a person lives so comfortably, it is difficult for their martial arts to improve, and their sword technique will inevitably have some worldly aura."

Feng Siniang said again, "The young master of 'Yuanji', Young Hero Yang Kaitai, is the number one lay disciple of Shaolin, and his Shaolin Divine Fist is powerful and steady; this is something everyone knows."

Yu Liancheng chuckled and said, "I have heard of this young master's way of conducting himself; he is overly cautious. From this, one can deduce that if he fights someone, he always seeks not to achieve merit, but only to avoid mistakes. It is not easy for others to defeat him, but it is also difficult for him to defeat others."

The two conversed as if no one else were around, and the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became tense; apart from the voices of Yu Liancheng and Feng Siniang, there was no other sound.

And among the three people evaluated by Yu Liancheng, their expressions were all different.

Yet these three did not refute him.

This was because these three could all be considered upright gentlemen, and what Yu Liancheng said was the truth, which they themselves understood very well in their hearts.

Feng Siniang's beautiful eyes turned, and she looked at Li Gang: "Husband, then what about that Hero Li from just now? It is said that his Great Stele-Splitting Hand is very seasoned."

Yu Liancheng took a sip of tea and said indifferently, "The Great Stele-Splitting Hand is inherently a clumsy skill, lacking in variation and quite rigid. The 'Light Smoke Palm' I taught you is ethereal and agile, enough to deal with this person."

Li Gang slammed the table with a "bang" and sneered, "Anyone can talk big; I don't believe you can break my Great Stele-Splitting Hand."

The two ignored him entirely, and Feng Siniang continued, "Zhu Baishui has already become a monk, so that leaves only Lianchengbi. It is said that this person was hailed as a 'child prodigy' at the age of six, his sword technique was already accomplished by ten, and at eleven, he was able to fight the 'One-Blade Style' sect leader Taixuan Xinjie, who had crossed the sea from Dongying, for three hundred moves without being defeated. Since then, even the three islands of Fuso have known that a child prodigy had emerged in the Central Plains Martial Arts World."

Yu Liancheng shook his head: "This person has few opportunities to strike, so I cannot find any flaws. But if we are electing a Chu-mo Alliance Leader, he is the first one I would exclude."

Feng Siniang asked in confusion, "Oh, why is that?"

Yu Liancheng said, "We are holding a Demon-extermination assembly today; who is it that we are to exterminate?"

Feng Siniang said, "Naturally, it is the 'Heavenly Father' Yu Liancheng; this is something everyone knows."

"Correct, this is the reason why I first excluded Lianchengbi from being the Alliance Leader."

A faint, elusive mocking smile played on the corners of Yu Liancheng's mouth: "Yu Liancheng, Lianchengbi, a jade disc forming a city. The names of these two people are truly very similar; if one were to say they have no connection, I would not be willing to believe it. Perhaps the two of them are even accomplices."

The crowd of martial arts practitioners in the venue were speechless.

This can also count as a reason?

Isn't that a bit too far-fetched?

Feng Siniang said, "Since the Six Gentlemen are not suitable candidates, then husband, who do you have in mind?"

Yu Liancheng sneered, rose to his full height, and exuded an arrogant air of 'who else but me' that spanned the entire world: "As for this position of Alliance Leader, besides my righteous and awe-inspiring, loyal and devoted 'Invincible Mad Blade' Hao Ren, who else could it be?"