Chapter 75: Eve of the Decisive Battle

On the night of the full moon, at the peak of the Forbidden City, a sword comes from the west, a Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens.

The two most renowned swordsmen of the past three hundred years in the martial arts world will fight a decisive battle at the peak of the Forbidden City on the fifteenth of the ninth lunar month.

Ever since news of this spread, wave after wave of martial arts practitioners have flocked here. In just over half a month, four or five hundred martial arts heroes have already arrived in the Capital.

And before the fifteenth of the ninth month, at least three or four hundred more famous martial arts figures will arrive, including at least five sect leaders, ten Gang Leaders, and twenty or thirty chief escort leaders.

Even Mu Daoren of Wudang and the Dharma-protecting masters of Shaolin will arrive.

As long as they can get away, who would be willing to miss this battle that is destined to shock the world?

In reality, this battle is no longer just a matter between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng; it is closely tied to many people in this world. Once the outcome is decided, many are destined to lose their entire fortunes.

Because many martial arts practitioners love to gamble—to gamble heavily.

Many in the pugilistic world have already turned this battle into a gambling match; some have already bet their family assets, their wives and children, and even their own lives.

It is said that news has already spread that Ye Gucheng has been poisoned by the Tang Sect of Shu and his life is hanging by a thread.

This has panicked many who bet their entire fortunes on Ye Gucheng, leading some to resort to desperate measures, attempting to harm their opponents or the bookmakers.

As long as the opponent or the bookmaker is dead, the gambling contract naturally becomes void.

Setting this matter aside for now, another figure of great renown entered the Capital today.

—"Jade-Faced Divine Sword" Yu Liancheng.

The speed of this man's rise is like that of a comet, beyond imagination. Some have already honored him as the World's Number One Swordsman and the number one expert under heaven.

But precisely because of this, many martial arts experts now wish to find him to test their skills against his.

Stepping on the shoulders of an expert is undoubtedly the fastest path to fame.

In the past, Yu Liancheng also fought across thousands of miles, defeating all the famous masters of the pugilistic world, only then gaining the reputation he has today.

In the past, he used others to gain fame; now, others use him to gain fame.

Every action and reaction has its destined cycle.

……

…………

The prosperity of the Capital is the best under heaven.

Shops, restaurants, gambling dens, and inns are distributed along both sides of the long streets, with crowds coming and going, bustling with activity. Of course, as it is the time of a martial arts grand gathering, martial arts practitioners wearing sabers and carrying swords are visible everywhere.

And as martial arts practitioners swarm in, this vital region of the Capital has become chaotic; a single disagreement leads to drawing blades against one another, resulting in many bloody incidents.

The Imperial Court has dispatched heavy troops to patrol, but as long as no major trouble is caused and innocents are not harmed, they naturally ignore the fighting between martial arts experts—the more who die, the better.

"Half-master, where have you been these past few days?" Shangguan Xueer hopped and skipped, looking as cute and mischievous as ever.

Yu Liancheng said indifferently: "As a disciple, you are now managing your master?"

Shangguan Xueer said aggrievedly: "I was just worried about you."

Yu Liancheng said: "Ever since we met, you girl have been restless. Did those women from Red Shoes give you some benefit?"

Shangguan Xueer waved her hands repeatedly: "No, no, I was really just worried about you."

"If you were really worried about me, you would practice your martial arts well, graduate early, and not lose face for my 'Jade-Faced Divine Sword' title." Yu Liancheng tapped her head.

"Ouch." Shangguan Xueer held her head and said with dissatisfaction: "How long have I even been your disciple, and you're already thinking of driving me away."

"Who told you to be so mischievous and up to no good all day long." Yu Liancheng said with annoyance.

Shangguan Xueer suddenly looked left and right, leaned in, and whispered: "Master, I discovered someone is following us."

Yu Liancheng said indifferently: "For a person like your master to travel, it is inevitable that a few bugs will follow."

Suddenly, his sleeve rolled up, as if a dark cloud were wrapping around dozens of cold stars.

These dozens of cold stars were thrown by a peddler who had just passed by the two of them, as swift as a gale and continuous. But upon being rolled by this cloud-like sleeve, all the hidden weapons were reflected back in an instant.

"No!!"

The peddler widened his eyes, a look of extreme terror appearing on his face, his body retreating explosively.

But after those dozens of cold stars were energized by Yu Liancheng's True Qi, their speed and power were incomparable to before, and in the blink of an eye, they were upon him.

The peddler waved his sleeves, his hands moving like lightning, trying to fend off the hidden weapons. But soon a shrill roar rang out, and in the blink of an eye, he was shot into a sieve.

He fell backward to the ground, his eyes wide open, dying with his eyes unclosed.

"It's 'Thousand-Faced Shadowless Hand' Situ Bian."

"I never thought this man would end up dying by his own hidden weapons."

Based on the hidden weapon technique just used, some had already recognized the peddler's identity.

This man was called "Thousand-Faced Shadowless Hand," a famous figure in the underworld, with superb disguise skills and equally peerless hidden weapon techniques.

Although his martial arts could not compare to a true First-class Expert, with the aid of his disguises and hidden weapons, quite a few experts had died at his hands.

Moreover, this man's lightness skill was quite good; even if he were exposed, he could escape calmly.

Yet, he met the 'Jade-Faced Divine Sword' and lost his life in the wave of a sleeve, as if he were merely brushing off a speck of dust.

"I am not an overbearing person, but you flies are a bit too annoying." Yu Liancheng stood with his hands behind his back, his clear, bright voice carrying far away.

"I will count to ten. After ten counts, if you all still refuse to leave, do not blame me for being heartless. One, two, three..."

All around, a commotion seemed to arise.

No one could ignore the words of a supreme expert; some had already moved away from this place of trouble, as life was of the utmost importance.

Of course, there were also those who thought they were well-hidden, or who prided themselves on their superior lightness skills, and could afford to wait a little longer to see the situation.

"Eight, nine, ten..." After counting to ten, Yu Liancheng's expression remained very calm, but his gaze sank, and he sighed and shook his head: "Fifty-two people, eleven left. Is it that there are more people in the pugilistic world who don't value their lives? Or do you really think my temper is very good?"

Suddenly, his figure flashed, appearing before another peddler like a fleeting shadow; he raised his palm, and amidst a scream, the person was thrown away.

Immediately after, his figure flashed again, appearing before a child. The child was looking at him with curious eyes. Yu Liancheng sneered and struck down with his palm...

Soon, screams, sounds of clashing, and pleas for mercy were endless.

But once Yu Liancheng made a move, he would show no mercy.

This was meant to be a warning to some self-righteous fellows.

Before long, Yu Liancheng drifted back to the side of Shangguan Xueer; he still looked elegant and handsome, but a faint, lingering scent of blood now clung to his body.

"Let's go, I'm a bit hungry," Yu Liancheng said.

Shangguan Xueer clapped her hands and laughed, "Let's go to Chunhua Lou; I know several signature dishes there."

"Fine."

The people had already walked far away, leaving behind only terrified commoners and some forty corpses. The government soldiers arrived quickly, and without a word, they simply cleared the scene until no traces of any slaughter could be seen.