Chapter 74: The Duel

PS: Go to the plaza to grab the red envelopes for monthly votes!

A sword was taken out from a hidden compartment.

The style and form of the sword revealed a sense of ancient elegance; the connection between the blade and the hilt was seamless, and the blade itself was a deep, ghostly green, exuding a chill. On the ridge of the blade near the hilt, seven gemstones were inlaid to form the pattern of the Big Dipper.

This was—the Seven Star Sword.

The Seven Star Sword was not only a divine weapon, but also the personal sword of the Wudang Sect Leader, symbolizing honor and power.

At the same time, the sword also hid some extremely significant secrets; any single one of them could stir up a monstrous storm in the martial arts world.

For example, the record of Mu Daoren secretly marrying and having children in violation of the rules.

"Stop looking. This is a fake sword I had the master craftsman Zhu Ting forge; it does not contain the secrets you want," Yu Liancheng said indifferently.

Mu Daoren's expression tightened, his gaze fixed sharply on Yu Liancheng, as keen as a blade.

The secrets hidden by the Seven Star Sword were known only to the successive Sect Leaders of Wudang.

Yet he...

"I captured the Embroidered Bandit, and Sikong Zhaixing owes me a favor. Furthermore, as far as I know, Shi Yan has contracted an incurable illness and has at most half a year to live."

Yu Liancheng said calmly: "With my help, you could sit firmly in the position of Wudang Sect Leader. Conversely, if I were to oppose you, let alone the position of Sect Leader, even the reputation you, Mu Daoren, have accumulated over many years would be left in ruins. Do you still think there is any need for us to cooperate?"

Mu Daoren was silent for a long while before saying: "What... exactly do you want..."

He had to admit that what Yu Liancheng said was not false at all.

If he had Yu Liancheng's help, the position of Sect Leader would be as good as in his pocket. Conversely, he could end up disgraced.

As for killing Yu Liancheng to bury the secret, after their previous clash of palms, Mu Daoren clearly realized that while his own martial arts might surpass this "Jade-Faced Divine Sword," if the other party were determined to escape, it would be difficult to succeed, and the future consequences would be endless.

Yu Liancheng showed a thoughtful expression and said slowly: "To tell the truth, whether it is you or the Ghost Villa, it is merely something I am doing in passing. So far, apart from the martial arts manuals you have collected, nothing else holds much temptation for me."

Mu Daoren fell into silence again, his eyes flickering, not knowing what he was thinking.

"I know you are not willing to be subordinate to others, and I also know your martial arts are very high—even higher than Lu Xiaofeng anticipated."

Yu Liancheng flicked his sleeve, and the Duoqing Sword flew into his palm. He turned and walked toward the door: "Therefore, to ensure you do not do anything foolish and can better recognize yourself, it seems very, very necessary for us to have a match and determine the winner. If you defeat me, I will let you dispose of me."

Once his words fell, he unfolded his movement technique, his figure like a flying immortal, already darting into the distance.

"Good, I would like to see just how powerful the number one divine sword of the Edo really is." Mu Daoren pondered for a moment, raised his eyebrows, and revealed a cold smile.

From the moment he met Yu Liancheng, he had been led by the nose, having almost no initiative at all.

As a hero of his generation, he had never felt this way before, which made him feel stifled and frustrated.

Yet, although Mu Daoren was an extremely intelligent person, Yu Liancheng knew almost all his secrets; every secret made public would be enough to ruin him.

He, however, knew little about Yu Liancheng, so he was naturally at a disadvantage in their conversation.

But if it came to martial arts, Mu Daoren considered himself inferior to no expert in the world.

Ximen Chuixue, Ye Gucheng, Lu Xiaofeng... he had the confidence to defeat all these top experts of the world.

—Absolute confidence.

And absolute confidence often stems from absolute strength.

Mu Daoren had already darted out, as fast as lightning, not a bit inferior to Yu Liancheng.

"It's Old Knife Handle! Both Old Knife Handles have appeared!!"

The Ghost Villa was full of experts, and since the two did not hide their figures, they were quickly discovered.

Clang!

While everyone was looking at each other in dismay, a sudden dragon-like roar erupted. A beam of sword light flew down from beyond the heavens, like the Milky Way pouring backward, or perhaps a falling star, dazzling and filled with a sense of power.

"They've started, they've started."

"These two are both the top experts of the current age; I wonder who will prevail."

"Such a brilliant duel, I fear it even surpasses the battle between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng at the Forbidden City. How could one miss it?"

"Too much nonsense, hurry up and go."

They were already well aware of the martial arts of both generations of Old Knife Handle, so they naturally knew this battle would be extremely brilliant. If they missed it, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

Moreover, the outcome of these two was also related to the Ghost Villa and to every one of them.

Immediately, the group of martial arts experts unfolded their light-body techniques and rushed toward the place where the sword light had risen.

Clang, clang, clang!!

It seemed that in just an instant, there were hundreds of collisions; Sword Qi vented in all directions, and the mist was scattered.

Their light-body techniques were all quite good.

They had also arrived quite quickly.

But it was already a bit late.

Because this battle was already nearing its end.

It was not because one side had shown signs of defeat, but because Yu Liancheng had already thrust his sword out at an angle.

When this sword was thrust, everyone knew that they were about to determine the winner.

This sword was neither as pure as the high mountain snow of Ximen Chuixue, nor as ethereal as the clouds in the sky of Ye Gucheng. It simply revealed a heavy and solemn quality in its momentum, as if it were a meteor from beyond the heavens.

And as his sword momentum changed, the meteor transformed into a dangerous, towering mountain, vast and boundless, covering all directions. Its massive presence filled the field of vision; the mere aura was enough to make one's heart tremble with fear.

And with such a sword thrust out, how could anyone in this world resist it?

Mu Daoren had no retreat, facing the most terrifying sword since he began practicing martial arts. He gave a sudden shout, stomped his left foot on the ground, and his figure rose sharply into the air. He thrust his sword out in mid-air, and the Sword Qi surged and scattered.

He was actually going to meet it head-on.

At this moment, the cultivation he had refined for decades was all poured into this sword; the blade hummed and vibrated, as if it were also excited. The Sword Qi soared into the sky—it was likewise an irresistible sword.

Clang!!

A huge roar erupted, as if a giant were beating a war drum made of the firmament, causing muffled thunder to roll. Within a radius of ten zhang, the clouds and mist churned and blasted outward in all directions.

"Retreat quickly!"

Someone shouted in alarm, but it was already too late; a master who had been injured previously immediately clutched his chest and staggered backward, fainting with a muffled groan.

Even while unconscious on the ground, his head tilted involuntarily toward the place where Yu Liancheng and Mu Daoren had fought, as if wanting to know which of these two masters had won or lost.

The Ghosts who had retreated in time and remained conscious also looked toward the same direction.

Yu Liancheng was seen with a slightly pale complexion, drifting down slowly, his Duoqing Sword already sheathed.

Mu Daoren's face was deathly pale as he plummeted from mid-air; although he finally managed to steady himself and stand on the ground, he staggered two steps before falling backward, unable to help himself, his life or death unknown.

"Lost, lost, Old Knife Handle has lost."

After a deathly silence, no one knew who let out a soft sigh.