Chapter 304: Qingxuan

In an instant, the two women launched a thrilling exchange.

Because it was Wang Tong's birthday banquet and guests were gathered, neither woman wanted to disturb others, so they used small, exquisite techniques, intending to decide the victor within a square inch.

Wanwan's cloud sleeves swept open, and a jade hand reached out; her techniques were swift and exquisite, her slender, beautiful fingers changing into countless profound and obscure movements under the lamplight, full of aesthetic beauty.

Dan Wanjing thrust out both jade hands, her techniques equally exquisite and swift; among the younger generation, she could already be considered an expert.

But she was facing a successor of the Yin Gui Sect, a disciple meticulously trained by the Yin Empress Zhu Yuyan, and she soon fell into a disadvantage.

"Hee hee, Wanwan thought Sister Jing's skin was very thick, otherwise why would she be able to say such big words? It turns out it's so thin."

Wanwan gave a sweet smile, her plain hand having already broken through Dan Wanjing's defense, and she lightly pinched the other's smooth cheek.

"You..." Dan Wanjing's willow eyebrows stood erect, her beautiful eyes containing killing intent.

She spread her slender hands and launched another round of swift, frantic attacks.

But the more she did so, the more flaws appeared in her techniques, and the more she was played in the palm of Wanwan's hand.

"Oh, I haven't seen you in a few years, Sister Jing; not only are you getting prettier, your skin is as smooth as a baby's, and even your figure is getting better. Do you have any secrets to pass on to your sister?"

Wanwan calmly dodged Dan Wanjing's attacks, her stunning face carrying a trace of a charming smile, becoming even more soul-stirring.

Her tone was frivolous, and from time to time she reached out to stroke Dan Wanjing's skin, her hands wandering all over, causing a blush to rise on the other's jade cheeks.

The three female protectors who had come with Dan Wanjing had strange expressions, but seeing Yu Liancheng watching the excitement on the side with great interest, they did not step forward to stop them.

They merely stood in a row, trying their best to block outside gazes so as not to let people see their own Dongming Princess in such an awkward state.

"Oh my, Sister Jing's cherry mouth, teeth like pearls, and breath like orchids—this sister is truly envious." Wanwan teased Dan Wanjing, nearly sticking her jade finger into the other's cherry lips to stir them.

Dan Wanjing was both ashamed and annoyed, her beautiful eyes misting over, as if tears might fall at any moment.

Just as Wanwan became increasingly presumptuous, a trace of imperceptible killing intent flashed through Dan Wanjing's beautiful eyes.

Wanwan's heart skipped a beat, a warning sign of misfortune arising, and she retreated rapidly.

At this very instant, the Sword in Dan Wanjing's palm left its scabbard, turning into a bolt of lightning that suddenly thrust toward Wanwan.

This sword strike was like a gale whipped up on flat ground, ethereal and unpredictable, leaving no trace to follow. It was as if it blew in from all directions, leaving one with no room to dodge; it was a supreme sword technique of the world.

Wanwan's moth-like eyebrows slightly furrowed as she circulated the Heavenly Demon Force while flying backward.

Within a radius of one zhang, a feeling of spatial depression immediately emerged, and even the lamps on both sides suddenly tilted and flickered before immediately extinguishing.

Not to mention Dan Wanjing, who was trapped within the Heavenly Demon Force Field, even the three protectors of the Dongming Sect felt an extremely uncomfortable sensation, with nowhere to exert their strength.

Chi!

Although Dan Wanjing's sword edge was deflected, that ethereal and unpredictable Sword Qi still pierced Wanwan's shoulder. Her clothing tore instantly, and a shallow wound split open on her snow-white skin, with blood flowing out.

"So Sister Jing still had such a brilliant sword technique; Wanwan was blind. Since that is the case, then Wanwan will not be polite."

A strange, demonic light flickered in Wanwan's beautiful eyes, and she frantically drove the Heavenly Demon Force, making the light seem distorted and dim.

Dan Wanjing's breathing hitched, and she immediately performed a sword flourish, revealing a cold sneer: "Hmph, just bring it on."

"Alright, Wanwan, you lost." Yu Liancheng suddenly stepped forward, appearing like a sun suspended in the air, his massive presence pressing down on the two women and causing the Qi they were using to clash to collapse instantly.

Wanwan sneered and said, "Uncle Yu, I only lost one move, and you say I've lost? Wanwan thinks you are deliberately favoring Sister Jing."

"You lost to underestimating your enemy." Yu Liancheng put down his wine pot and stood with his hands behind his back: "In terms of strength, Wanjing is indeed not your match. If you had been fully on guard, you might not have failed to dodge that previous sword strike. But Wanjing understands strategy, showing weakness step by step, only thrusting that sword when you were at your most careless."

Wanwan's gaze shifted, her beautiful eyes like bottomless dark pools, and she smiled: "But even so, that sword would at most have only given Wanwan a superficial wound; it is of no consequence."

Yu Liancheng said indifferently: "Can you not perceive that Wanjing held back earlier? Otherwise, although that sword strike would not have been fatal, you, Niece Wan, would not have been able to keep this arm."

"Alright, Wanwan lost, Wanwan admits defeat, is that enough?" Wanwan giggled, decisively admitting defeat, her beautiful eyes darting between Yu Liancheng and Dan Wanjing.

"If I am not mistaken, this sword technique should have been taught to Sister Jing by Uncle Yu. What exactly is the relationship between Sister Jing and Uncle Yu? To actually have Uncle Yu personally teach a supreme art. Oh my, could Sister Jing be my aunt? Wanwan actually attacked her aunt, which is truly extremely rude; I hope Aunt Dan will forgive me."

Two blushes drifted across Dan Wanjing's pretty face, and she scolded sharply: "Stop spouting nonsense, watch me pierce your mouth with a sword." She thrust her long sword toward Wanwan again.

Wanwan twisted her delicate body, dodging lightly, and giggled: "Sister Jing, Wanwan was just joking with you; could it be that I poked at your secret thoughts, and you are angry from embarrassment?"

Dan Wanjing bit her cherry lips, her long sword moving, the sword light flowing and dancing until it was airtight.

The place where the two women fought was narrow, and Wanwan found it increasingly difficult to dodge, nearly being struck several times; she suddenly let out a silver-bell-like giggle.

"Alright, since Sister Jing dislikes me so much, I will leave. Uncle Yu, Wanwan is going back to the inn to wash up until I'm all fragrant, and I'll be waiting for you on the bed."

She tapped her toes and drifted away like a flying celestial.

"This demoness..." Yu Liancheng shook his head. He was not worried that Wanwan would escape; after witnessing the power of the Life and Death Talisman, there was absolutely no one who could not fear that feeling of life being worse than death.

"Young Master, what is the relationship between that demoness and you?" Dan Wanjing sheathed her sword, a trace of crimson still lingering on her fair face.

"She counts as my captive." Yu Liancheng shrugged and said bluntly: "A few days ago, Wanwan and Bian Bufu tried to ambush me, but they ended up losing more than they gained."

"Bian Bufu!?" As soon as Dan Wanjing heard this name, deep hatred shot from her beautiful eyes, and she asked urgently: "Young Master, what did you do to this person?"

"I did not take his life, but I struck him with a Life and Death Talisman that will make him wish he were dead."

Just as Dan Wanjing was about to continue questioning, a clamor suddenly came from outside the main gate.

Once the banquet began, the atmosphere inside and outside the Wang Mansion became even more heated, with cups clinking and the sound of laughter everywhere.

Amidst the din of voices, two short, miserable screams were suddenly heard, followed by two figures falling backward through the air and crashing into the mansion, overturning several banquet tables and scattering wine and food all over the floor.

"What happened?"

"Someone actually dares to cause trouble at Old Master Wang's birthday banquet? Do they not want to live?"

The guests pushed away like a tide, clearing a large open space at the entrance.

Looking at the two gatekeepers struggling on the ground, everyone looked at each other in dismay; they really could not imagine who would be so bold as to break in here and cause trouble.

At the same time, a man and a woman had already leisurely appeared at the entrance.

The man was tall and heroic, with well-defined features, perfect like a marble statue. Especially his eyes, sharp as an eagle's, and every move he made carried a domineering and forceful charm.

There was no lack of big figures present who had traveled far and wide and seen the world, and they had already recognized from his high nose and deep-set eyes that if this person was not a foreigner, he must have foreign blood.

The woman's appearance and attire also did not look like someone from the Central Plains; she seemed to be from Goguryeo. But regardless of her figure, appearance, eyebrows, or skin, she was beautiful enough to make one's heart beat faster, only her expression was as cold as frost.

These two were none other than Ba Fenghan and Fu Junyu, who were traveling together and had defeated countless martial arts experts along the way after setting foot in the Central Plains.

The two of them had also come on this trip to challenge the experts present, letting these long-renowned figures of the Central Plains serve as stepping stones on their Martial Dao.

Because of Wang Tong's birthday banquet, Imperial Court officials and Edo experts were gathered here; in such a large residence, there were countless martial arts masters, so naturally, they could not let the two succeed.

But everyone could also see that Ba Fenghan and Fu Junyu's martial arts were extremely brilliant, and only a few people in the venue, such as Wang Tong, Wang Shichong, and Ouyang Xiyi, were confident they could defeat them.

As the birthday celebrant today, it was naturally not appropriate for Wang Tong to make a move.

Wang Shichong was a high-ranking official of the current Imperial Court, holding a position of power, and he was sinister and cunning by nature; if he did not have absolute certainty of victory, he would never easily enter the arena, lest he lose face.

The last to test Ba Fenghan's martial arts was Ouyang Xiyi, known as the "Recluse of Mount Huang," a master who had been famous for forty years and was of the same generation as the "Scatter-man" Ning Daoqi.

After a verbal exchange, the two drew their swords and blades, fighting into a tangle.

Ouyang Xiyi unleashed the world-renowned "Shensha Sword Technique," which focused entirely on momentum, seeking life through death, with victory or defeat decided within a few moves.

One could only see the ancient sword in his hand transform into sword shadows like surging waves, pouring toward Ba Fenghan like a great river in flood. The martial artists present all cheered at the sight.

Ba Fenghan's expression remained cold and motionless, as if nothing could move him.

With strange footwork, he swung his long blade rapidly, dissolving Ouyang Xiyi's sword technique one by one, and even managed to expand his blade momentum to launch an attack on Ouyang Xiyi.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Blade and sword clashed, sparks flying everywhere.

For a moment, blade light shot in all directions and Sword Qi filled the air.

The blade momentum and sword light shrouded an area within a radius of three zhang. Every onlooker felt a sense of heart-pounding awe, feeling that this battle was truly magnificent and beyond description.

The Central Plains experts could not help but be secretly shocked; Ouyang Xiyi was a master of contemporary sword techniques and had seventy years of deep Internal Force as support, yet he could not take down this young junior named Ba Fenghan for a moment.

Once this person matured, he might become the second "Martial Venerable" Bi Xuan.

Just as the battle grew increasingly intense, a sound of a flute suddenly arose.

The flute sound appeared and disappeared in the gaps between the clashing blades and swords, suddenly high and generous, then suddenly mournful and whispering, like a song from heaven.

The flute sound shifted, filled with an ethereal and clear quality, making people's hearts calm and peaceful, dispelling all killing intent, and in an instant, it transformed this place of life-and-death slaughter into a realm of empty mountains and a paradise on earth.

After Ouyang Xiyi and Ba Fenghan exchanged a feint, they each retreated, focusing their attention to listen to the beautiful and moving flute sound.

The flute sound lingered incessantly, and everyone in the manor heard it clearly. It seemed to be played right beside their ears, yet also seemed to come from the distant horizon. The flute sound became increasingly low and gentle, like a lover's slender fingers soothing the weak spots of the soul.

The flute sound stopped.

Everyone remained immersed in that graceful and moving flute sound.

Wang Tong was the first to wake up, but his killing intent had completely vanished, and he looked up and said, "After hearing this piece from Miss Shi, it will be hard for any other fine music to enter my ears; Wang Tong is humbled."

This great Confucian scholar was also proficient in musical instruments, and the fact that he could say the words "humbled" showed how moving the flute sound was.

Ouyang Xiyi's eyes also revealed a gentle look, and he said loudly, "Since the fairy Qingxuan has arrived, why not come in and meet us, so that this uncle can see how much you look like Xiuxin."

Ba Fenghan said loudly, "If I could see Miss Shi's face, I, Ba Fenghan, would die without regrets."

Then a sweet, clear female voice, like mountain spring water, reached the hall: "Meeting is not as good as not meeting; Qingxuan, following my mother's last wish, has come specifically to play a piece for the two uncles. Now that this matter is finished, Qingxuan is leaving."

As the last four words fell, the voice had already drifted away, as if it had reached a very distant place.

"Qingxuan, wait a moment, I, Yu Liancheng, have something to discuss." A black figure drifted up from the hall and headed straight for the main gate.

"Since niece Qingxuan wants to leave, why must you block her?"

"This brother should stay behind, lest you disturb Miss Shi's presence."

Ouyang Xiyi and Ba Fenghan had previously been at loggerheads, wishing to fight to the death. But after the flute song, they were both won over by Shi Qingxuan. At this moment, they even drew their blades and swords together, unwilling to let anyone disturb this fairy.

"Hmph!" A cold snort sounded, like a muffled thunderclap exploding. Even experts as high-level as Ouyang Xiyi and Ba Fenghan could not help but feel their Qi and Blood surge.

Immediately following this, a massive, overwhelming force struck, like a volcanic eruption, like a river bursting its banks, like the sea overturning.

The two had no power to resist and were instantly sent flying to the side, like two rag Wawa, crashing heavily into two stone walls.

Rubble and dust flew, and in an instant, half of their bodies were buried.

As for that black figure, there was already no trace of him left.

Everyone present looked at each other in dismay, but everyone could clearly hear their companions' hurried gasps of shock.

"Quick! Quickly save them!"

After a moment, Wang Tong's voice sounded, and everyone busied themselves again, helping Ouyang Xiyi and Ba Fenghan, who were buried under the wall, out.

At the same time, bursts of discussion arose, all deliberately lowering their voices, as if afraid the man in black would hear.

"Who exactly was that person just now? Ba Fenghan and Senior Ouyang are both world-class experts, yet they didn't even last a single exchange."

"Didn't you hear? That person called himself Yu Liancheng."

"Hiss, the 'Supreme Radiance' Yu Liancheng, he has come to Dongping Commandery."

"I originally thought this person was just a man of empty reputation, but I didn't expect that there are heavens beyond heavens and people beyond people; this person's reputation as 'Supreme Radiance' is definitely not a lie."

"Heh, I'm afraid that even if Ning Daoqi came in person, he might not be able to defeat these two in one move."