Chapter 252: Wuchen Gongzi, Discussing the World's Experts

This is a mountain villa far removed from the smoke and fire of the human world, surrounded by flowers and trees.

The villa is built with exquisite craftsmanship and elegant taste, with flying eaves and bracket sets, showing ingenuity in every detail.

In front of the villa hangs a plaque inscribed with four large characters: Taohua Shanzhuang.

These four characters are elegant and handsome, carrying an air of refined grace; in the flowing strokes, one can almost envision a peerless figure, white as snow and untouched by worldly dust.

Since it is called Taohua Shanzhuang, there is naturally no shortage of peach blossoms.

The entire garden is filled with peach blossoms.

In clusters, in individual blooms. The red is like fire, the pink like rosy clouds, and the white like jade. Set against the lush, dripping green leaves, they appear even more vivid and moving. There are also many small buds, waiting to bloom; upon closer inspection, they possess a unique charm of their own.

A small path paved with colorful stones winds from the residence, leading straight to a detached courtyard.

In the detached courtyard.

A pot of tea, two teacups.

A stone table, two stone stools.

A chessboard, two people playing chess.

The one holding the black pieces is a young man in black; not only is his appearance handsome and flawless, but his entire being exudes an indescribable, peculiar charm that makes it difficult for one to look away.

The one holding the white pieces is a man in white; his face is as if carved from white jade, his bearing is dashing and handsome, and a pair of long, narrow phoenix eyes flicker with a profound and gentle light. His white robes are unstained by a speck of dust, just like someone from the heavens.

The young man in black placed a piece and said indifferently, "Wuchen, I intend to leave."

The man in white raised his slender eyebrows slightly: "Oh, why not stay a few more days? Could it be that you blame me for not hosting you well?"

"Your Taohua Shanzhuang is truly too boring. Aside from playing chess, reading, admiring flowers, and sparring, one can hardly find anything interesting to do. And since I am a worldly person, if I stay any longer, I might get so bored that I burn your Taohua Shanzhuang to the ground." The young man in black yawned and said, listlessly.

The man in white smiled slightly: "Since you are a friend of mine, Liu Wuhen, if burning it makes you happy, what is a mere Taohua Shanzhuang worth?"

The young man in black rolled his eyes, placed a black piece, and said crossly, "If I really burned your flowers and plants, it would be strange if you didn't hold a grudge against me for the rest of your life."

The young man in black was naturally Yu Liancheng.

On that day, after his battle with Xiao Laotou Wu Ming, he stepped into the Stone Gate and arrived in this world.

The crossing of the Stone Gate was random, and he happened to arrive at this Taohua Shanzhuang.

The master of the villa was the man in white before him, also a peerless expert who had sensed Yu Liancheng, this uninvited guest, and had struck out to test him.

After the two exchanged blows, they became mutually impressed; it was a case of not knowing each other without a fight, and they became close friends.

At the man in white's earnest invitation, Yu Liancheng stayed at the villa for half a month.

At the same time, he not only learned that this world was "World's Number One," but also learned that the white-clad master was the Wuchen Gongzi, who had stirred up the winds and clouds in the Edo years ago and was a dragon whose head and tail were rarely seen; in terms of reputation, he was second only to the "Invincible Playful Child" Gu Santong and the "Tyrant Blade."

His skill, "Rain of Flowers Across the Sky" with golden coins, was a stunt that shook the Edo.

And Wuchen Gongzi was not only peerless in martial arts and light-body techniques, but also understood astronomy above and geography below. He knew everything about Yin/Yang and the Five Elements, the Taiji Eight Trigrams, the mysterious arts of Mystical Gates and Hidden Stems, and the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting; there was nothing he did not know or understand. Even matters like agricultural irrigation, economic strategy, medicine, divination, astrology, and the current state of the world were things he was well-versed and proficient in.

The breadth of his learning and the scope of his interests were truly unparalleled in the martial arts world.

On this point, even Yu Liancheng could not compare to him by a long shot.

During these days, Yu Liancheng had been learning all sorts of miscellaneous things from Wuchen Gongzi to pass the time, which might perhaps be useful in the future.

Wuchen Gongzi placed a chess piece and said in a gentle voice, "Are you truly leaving?"

Yu Liancheng nodded: "Indeed. I am but a worldly person, suited for the bustling, colorful world. Although this place is wonderful, it lacks a bit of human warmth and is quite cold and lonely."

"Since that is the case, I shall not press you to stay." Wuchen Gongzi sighed softly: "It is just that although your martial arts are high, you know too little about Edo affairs. Before you leave, you might as well listen to Wuchen analyze the current experts and the Edo situation for you, to ensure everything is foolproof."

"I would be delighted; I am all ears." Yu Liancheng smiled slightly.

Wuchen Gongzi said solemnly: "Among the current experts, there is one you must be extremely vigilant against."

"Oh?"

"This person is the world-renowned 'Divine Marquis of Iron Gall' Zhu Wushi."

"Zhu Wushi?"

"Indeed, it is he. His martial arts are extraordinary and refined; his internal energy and techniques have reached the pinnacle of the world. Years ago, he defeated the 'Invincible Playful Child' Gu Santong at the peak of Tianshan, possessing the strength of the world's number one expert. Not only are his martial arts extraordinary, but he also commands two major organizations, the Dragon Protection Villa and the World's Number One Manor, as well as the Heaven, Earth, and Profound secret agents, balancing against the Eastern Depot's Grand Overseer Cao Zhengchun."

Yu Liancheng raised an eyebrow and said: "I have heard you mention the Divine Marquis of Iron Gall; he is your friend, and you even spent great effort training a disciple for him named Shangguan Haitang, who is the 'Profound Number One' secret agent."

"That is true." Wuchen Gongzi nodded: "I roamed the Edo in my early years and became close with this man, considering him a lifelong confidant. Not only did I take Haitang as a disciple and impart all my learning to her, but I also gifted Zhu Tiedan the 'Ten Thousand Poison-Avoiding Pill,' which can eliminate the world's most exotic poisons. However..."

Yu Liancheng raised an eyebrow: "However?"

"Over these years, through various clues, I have discovered that this friend of mine is truly not simple. The battle at Taihu twenty years ago... and the Energy-Absorbing Skill he possesses... as well as the omen of the poisonous flood dragon swallowing the dragon... in short, if you meet him, be extremely careful."

Wuchen Gongzi shook his head and sighed softly: "Although my disciple Shangguan Haitang is as clever as ice and snow and has received my true teachings, she is merely a chess piece. Under the pressure of the struggle between Zhu Wushi, Cao Zhengchun, and the current Emperor, this piece is very likely to be ground into dust, which is truly worrying."

Yu Liancheng waved his hand and said: "Rest assured, Haitang is your disciple. Once I enter the Edo, I will naturally protect her safety."

Wuchen Gongzi exhaled lightly: "With your words, I can rest much easier."

Yu Liancheng placed a chess piece and smiled: "Continue."

"Very well." Wuchen Gongzi nodded and said: "As for two others you must be wary of, one is the Eastern Depot Grand Overseer Cao Zhengchun, and the other is the world's richest man, Wan Sanqian."

"Cao Zhengchun controls the Eastern Depot and the Brocade Guard; he is a favorite in the eyes of the current Emperor, wielding power over the court and enjoying great fame. He practices the 'Tiangang Childish Skill' and has at least fifty years of cultivation. If we speak of martial arts, I fear that apart from my old friend, there are few in the world who can defeat him."

"As for Wan Sanqian, although he does not know martial arts, as the world's number one rich man, his wealth is immense, comparable to Shi Chong. He is also generous with his money, and countless people in the Edo have received his favors."

"According to my knowledge, in recent years, the Xiangxi Siguai, who are the only ones to have mastered the 'Meiying Shenggong,' have become his bodyguards. Moreover, he is the big boss of the World's Number One Manor; no matter who wants to deal with him, it is extremely difficult. This person is essentially a merchant—and there is no merchant who is not treacherous—he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. If you develop a grudge with him, you must kill him in one strike, otherwise, there will be endless trouble."

Among these three, Wuchen Gongzi introduced Cao Zhengchun the least.

In his view, Cao Zhengchun's reputation is notorious in both the Edo and the Imperial Court, hated by all; anyone with a brain knows to be wary of him.

As for the other two, they are both hidden behind masks; ordinary people can only see their masks of loyalty and generosity, but cannot see the true faces beneath, hence the long-winded warnings.

"Zhu Tiedan and Cao Zhengchun are both experts of the Imperial Court, and Wan Sanqian is a merchant. Since you are entering the Edo this time, you may not necessarily deal with them. Next, I will tell you about the Edo experts and the situation."

"Back then, the 'Invincible Playful Child' Gu Santong and the experts of the Eight Great Sects agreed to a battle at the edge of Taihu. After this battle, over a hundred elite experts of the Eight Great Sects were lost, almost causing a generational gap, and the Edo was left in a state of depression. Twenty years have passed; although the Eight Great Sects have recovered their vitality, in terms of influence, they still cannot compare to the past."

"Shaolin is the exception. Shaolin Temple has produced three high monks: Liaokong, Liaojie, and Liaofan. Not only is their Buddhist knowledge profound, but their martial arts are also unfathomable, and they have a tendency to lead the martial arts world."

"Besides the Eight Great Sects, there are many other experts in the Edo, such as Qilinzi of Qilin Shanzhuang, the World's Number One Swordsman Jian Jingfeng..."

Although Wuchen Gongzi has lived in seclusion, he knows the world's experts like the back of his hand. He even knows about the experts of Dongying, and he listed them one by one.

Mian Kuangsilang, the number one master of Dongying Sword Technique, was famous throughout the world for his "Phantom Sword," which was mysterious, unpredictable, and could kill without a trace. However, Mian Kuangsilang had been dead for many years, having passed his "Phantom Sword" ultimate technique to Duan Tianya, the Tianzi Diyihao secret agent of the Dragon-Protecting Villa. The "Phantom Sword" was originally created by a master from the Central Plains, and now that it has been passed back to the Central Plains, every drink and every peck is determined by fate.

Yagyu Tajima no Kami, the Grandmaster of the Xinyin Sect, possessed superb blade techniques; not to mention in Dongying, he could occupy a place even in the Central Plains Martial Arts World, where masters were as numerous as trees. His ultimate techniques, "God-Slaying Blade Slash" and "Snow Drifting in the Human World," were existences that made countless Dongying martial arts masters tremble with fear.

Besides these, Sato Kichinosuke, the head of the three great high-level ninjas of Dongying, and Iga Musashi, the sect leader of the Iga School, were also rare masters in Dongying. However, Wuchen Gongzi glossed over these with a single stroke, because as long as Yu Liancheng did not go to Dongying, he would not have much interaction with these people.

The two talked while continuously placing chess pieces.

"It is a pity that the two people who competed with me in the same generation are no longer in the Edo." Wuchen Gongzi sighed softly.

Yu Liancheng said: "Invincible Playful Child and Blade Master?"

"Yes." Wuchen Gongzi nodded: "Invincible Playful Child was locked in Tianlao; this person can be considered the number one master in the world, and I admire him very much. Blade Master is hidden in the bustling city, seemingly studying an unprecedented blade technique; once the blade is drawn, it will shock the world."

"In reality, with your martial arts, the number of people in the world who can be your opponent can be counted on one's fingers; just listen to these words, there is no need to take them to heart." Wuchen Gongzi picked up a cup of tea and took a slow sip to moisten his throat.

Yu Liancheng's brows twitched and he said: "Since you want me to protect your disciple Shangguan Haitang, she is dressed in men's clothing, has a beautiful appearance, and wears white robes. Apart from her feet not touching the dust, she looks exactly like you."

Wuchen Gongzi said in surprise: "How did you know?"

Yu Liancheng pointed behind Wuchen Gongzi: "Look behind you, is that your disciple?"

"Haitang is back?" Wuchen Gongzi's face lit up with joy, and he turned his head to look.

At the very moment Wuchen Gongzi turned his head, one of Yu Liancheng's hands struck like lightning; no one could describe the speed of his strike, and amidst the flickering afterimages, he had already stolen a white piece from the Chessboard.

"Haitang hasn't returned at all, you really love to joke..." Wuchen Gongzi turned his head back in disappointment, looked down at the Chessboard, and suddenly frowned: "Yu Liancheng, did you steal my chess piece?"

In the chess battle, the white side had already occupied an absolute advantage, pressing forward step by step with murderous intent at every turn, and it looked like the black side's main dragon was about to be slaughtered. But Yu Liancheng stole one of the white pieces; the overall situation seemed unchanged, but in reality, it had undergone a subtle, fatal change.

Yu Liancheng took a sip of tea and said with a calm expression: "Stop talking nonsense; for someone like me, is it worth stealing a chess piece? When I usually can't beat others, I just flip the Chessboard over."

Wuchen Gongzi smiled bitterly: "The day before yesterday you flipped the Chessboard, yesterday you used Internal Force to shatter the table, and today you started stealing chess pieces. It's just losing a game of chess; your desire to win is truly too strong."

Yu Liancheng said without changing his expression: "Stop slandering people; with my chess skills as a grand master, there is no need for such methods. However, playing chess is indeed meaningless. I am about to enter the Edo; I wonder if you are interested in making a bet with me."

"Oh, what are we betting on?"

Yu Liancheng did not answer but asked instead: "How did you fare when you were in the Edo?"

The corners of Wuchen Gongzi's mouth curled into a slight smile, and his eyes revealed a look of reminiscence: "I consider myself to have talent second to none in the world, but it is a pity that what I learned was too complex; I am proficient in everything and understand everything. But apart from the 'Rain of Flowers Across the Sky and Scattering Golden Coins,' there is nothing that can dominate the world and be the best of the generation. Regardless of martial arts or reputation, I was below Blade Master and Gu Santong; I suppose I was the Third in the World."

"Good, you are the Third in the World; this time when I enter the Edo, I will go and take the number one spot back." Yu Liancheng patted the table and said: "Not only number one in martial arts and number one in power, but also number one in prestige. If I fail to achieve even one, I lose. If I achieve them, then naturally you lose."

Wuchen Gongzi smiled and said: "That sounds interesting; what is the stake?"

Yu Liancheng stroked his chin and said: "If I win, every time we meet, you must cup your hands and shout three times, 'Young Master Yu is peerless in the world.' If you win, whatever you want me to do, I can do it for you."

Wuchen Gongzi smiled and said: "These three number ones are not easy to achieve; it seems you have a lot of confidence in yourself."

Yu Liancheng shrugged and said: "I have always had a lot of confidence in myself."

Wuchen Gongzi pondered for a moment and smiled: "Good, I agree. If you lose, I only want you to call me Master twice every time we play chess."

"Stop talking nonsense."

"Then what is the first thing you plan to do when you enter the Edo?"

"First, go to the Demon Sect, then find a beautiful woman to relieve my boredom."

"... That really suits your character."