Chapter 197

"What did you say?" Xuanyuan Sanguang, who was as addicted to gambling as he was to his own life, nearly jumped up upon hearing Yu Liancheng's method of betting.

Yu Liancheng asked curiously, "Oh, could it be that this betting method isn't stimulating or tense enough? I can guarantee that there is absolutely no gamble in this world more stimulating or tense than this."

Xuanyuan Sanguang widened his single eye and looked at Yu Liancheng: "Are you a madman, kid? If you weren't a madman, how could you come up with such a betting method?"

"I am certainly not a madman, only because I am confident in this gamble; I am bound to win without a doubt," Yu Liancheng said with a smile.

"Bound to win without a doubt?" Xuanyuan Sanguang frowned and said, "Damn it, in front of me, the 'Evil Gambler', there is actually someone who claims they are bound to win without a doubt."

"If you don't believe it, I don't mind letting you go first," Yu Liancheng tossed the Sword to Xuanyuan Sanguang.

Xuanyuan Sanguang caught the Sword and asked in surprise, "Kid, are you really letting me strike first?"

Yu Liancheng nodded, imitating Xuanyuan Sanguang's tone as he laughed, "Damn it, your word as the Evil Gambler counts, so is my word as the Heavenly Soldier Master just a fart?"

"Fine." Xuanyuan Sanguang's gaze sharpened, and he said, "In a gambling den, there are no fathers and sons, let alone us, who have just met by chance. Since you, stinking brat, want to die, I can only fulfill your wish."

His middle finger flicked the body of the Sword, and the long Sword immediately emitted a "humming" vibration, with the light of the Sword flowing across it.

The swordsmanship of that "Southern Heaven Swordsman" might not have been particularly brilliant, but this was a Sword worth more than a thousand gold pieces.

"Please."

Yu Liancheng's expression remained unchanged, looking indescribably calm and composed.

"Be careful." The Sword in Xuanyuan Sanguang's palm was already thrust out, instantly carving out a brilliant and chilling light of the Sword.

This Evil Gambler did not become famous for his swordsmanship, and this strike did not have much flair, but it was fast and swift; even a long-renowned swordsman would change color upon seeing such a strike.

This strike was originally aimed directly at the vital point on Yu Liancheng's chest.

Seeing that Yu Liancheng's expression did not change at all and his body did not move, the Evil Gambler could not help but secretly frown, pressing the light of the Sword down by two points. Although it would not be fatal, if struck, one would still be left severely wounded and unable to rise.

Clang!

The long Sword pierced through the clothing, followed by a crisp sound, and could not advance even an inch further.

The Evil Gambler could not help but change color, pouring his entire True Qi into it, and exerted force with his wrist again, attempting to pierce into the skin.

But the body of the Sword was already bent, while the tip of the Sword felt as if it had stabbed into the hardest Vajra stone wall.

"You've struck one blow, now it's my turn." Yu Liancheng flicked his arm, and the Evil Gambler only felt his tiger's mouth tremble as a surging, immense force was transmitted, and the Sword in his palm was already snatched away.

Swish!

Immediately following, a flash of lightning suddenly exploded.

What exploded was, of course, not lightning.

—The light of the Sword.

This streak of the light of the Sword was truly too fast, and a deep, howling wind sound emerged in the air.

It was as if what the youth held in his palm was not a long Sword, but a great halberd or a heavy hammer.

Such a Sword, even if it were an Iron man tempered a thousand times, would be pierced with a hole, let alone a body of flesh and blood.

The Evil Gambler was drenched in cold sweat; apart from waiting for death, he was unable to do anything else.

But the light of the Sword stopped one inch in front of Xuanyuan Sanguang's chest.

Although the Sword had not pierced through, the sharp Sword Qi had already sliced through his clothing and flesh, and fresh blood had already stained his chest a bright red.

"I... lost." Xuanyuan Sanguang was stunned, shook his head, and paid no mind to the injury on his chest.

"I said, I have the certainty of winning," Yu Liancheng smiled, "Because even if you, you turtle-son, stab me ten times or a hundred times, at most you will only pierce my clothing. But if I truly stab you once, you will surely die without a doubt."

Xuanyuan Sanguang suddenly looked up and laughed wildly: "I, the 'Evil Gambler', have gambled big and small no less than ten thousand times, but this is the time I have lost most willingly, and the time I have had the least chance of a comeback."

Yu Liancheng said indifferently, "But I see that although you say you are willing, you may not truly be."

Xuanyuan Sanguang raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh? How come I don't know that?"

"The most important thing in a gamble is fairness, or at least it must appear fair."

Yu Liancheng said indifferently, "Although our betting method is fair, in your eyes, the stakes may not be. That Sword of mine is ordinary and plain. But Xuanyuan Sanguang is the world-renowned 'Evil Gambler'; of course, you wouldn't be truly willing."

"But I have already lost, so whatever you ask me to do, I must still agree to it for you."

Yu Liancheng suddenly changed the subject: "How about we bet again? If you lose this bet, I won't ask you to do anything else, just finish the task I entrust to you. If you win, all previous stakes are wiped clean."

"Fine, how do you want to bet this time?"

"Let's bet on this Sword." Yu Liancheng held up the Duoqing Sword and smiled, "I will stick this Sword in the middle of the road. I bet that the people passing by later will all bow to the Sword, bowing respectfully."

"Bow to this Sword?" Xuanyuan Sanguang's eyes widened, as if he could not believe it.

"Correct."

"Hahaha, this is the most interesting thing I have heard all year." Xuanyuan Sanguang laughed loudly, then his expression turned solemn: "Seeing your confident appearance, I know this matter likely has a trick, but I still want to bet with you, because I really want to see if what you said is true."

Soon, the Duoqing Sword was stuck in the middle of a main road.

This road was wide and large, enough to accommodate several riders side-by-side, so it would not hinder passage.

Suddenly, the sound of "da-da" hoofbeats rang out, and two people were already riding side-by-side from ahead, wearing long sabers at their waists, with full, bushy beards, looking burly and rough.

Such heroic figures of the Edo were always unruly and unyielding, bowing to no one; even if a saber were held to their necks, they might not be willing to lower their heads to anyone, let alone a Sword.

Xuanyuan Sanguang stared fixedly at these three, not even blinking.

Although the other party was confident, he could not help but harbor a glimmer of hope.

Who would have thought that these two heroic figures, upon seeing Yu Liancheng and the Duoqing Sword stuck in the middle, would actually have their expressions change.

The two hurriedly tightened their reins, leaped off their horses, walked up close, bowed to the Duoqing Sword, and then made a gesture of respect toward Yu Liancheng.

After Yu Liancheng waved his hand, the two then departed, walking for a distance before remounting their horses and galloping away.

Watching this scene, Xuanyuan Sanguang nearly dropped his jaw.

"Damn it, you..."

Yu Liancheng smiled, "These few might just be a fluke; it wouldn't hurt for us to wait a while longer."

Xuanyuan Sanguang crossed his arms over his chest and let out a cold laugh.

Following this, several more people passed by, all of them heroic travelers who roamed the Edo.

Yet every one of them bowed to the long Sword, respectful and reverent.

It was as if that were not a Sword, but some highly respected senior elder.

Even the extremely arrogant Emei Disciples, when passing by this place, did not dare to be the least bit presumptuous.

This was naturally within Yu Liancheng's expectations.

Emei is a vital location in the martial arts world, and unlike Shaolin Temple, it is not open to welcoming pilgrims.

Apart from the residents at the foot of the mountain and the Emei Disciples, not many people usually come and go. But recently, because of the Treasure Map affair, those entering and exiting have all been martial arts heroes.

These heroes also almost all know about the forbidden area in the Back Mountain of Emei, and seeing Yu Liancheng sitting to the side, they naturally dared not be presumptuous.

Of course, if an accident were to truly occur, Yu Liancheng's "Formless Tribulation Finger" is not just for show; a single tap to the knee would suffice.

Xuanyuan Sanguang, however, was astonished to the extreme: "This... what on earth is going on?"

Yu Liancheng smiled and said: "Have you admitted defeat?"

Xuanyuan Sanguang shouted: "Fine, I admit defeat! I admit defeat!"

"The reason they are like this is simply because they have all heard one sentence."

"What sentence?"

Yu Liancheng stood up, retrieved the Duoqing Sword, and raised it high; the long Sword seemed to block out the sunlight: "Supreme in the martial arts world, the Duoqing Sword. When it commands the world, none dare disobey."