Chapter 72

At these words, the crowd turned their deathly gazes upon him all at once.

Ye Ye Mengse was startled.

This place was filled with experts, each radiating a powerful aura; there were likely no fewer than ten capable of matching Duan Duan Yanqing. If they all focused their attacks on her, where would be any path to survival?

She immediately stepped forward, grabbed the Sea Turtle God of the Southern Seas, and said, "Third Brother, stop talking nonsense! Playing chess is not fighting with martial arts; why brandish weapons?"

The Sea Turtle God of the Southern Seas shook her off and stubbornly argued, "You are the one talking nonsense! If it's not fighting with martial arts, why did Big Brother rush all the way here?"

Just as Ye Ye Mengse was about to speak, Duan Duan Yanqing's voice rang out: "Silence!"

Upon meeting Duan Duan Yanqing's cold, sharp gaze, the Sea Turtle God of the Southern Seas immediately deflated, lowering his head in embarrassment and daring not to speak.

Duan Duan Yanqing paid him no heed and turned his attention back to the chess game.

The crowd also realized that the Sea Turtle God of the Southern Seas seemed a bit slow-witted, hence his disjointed and inappropriate speech, so they did not bother to argue with him.

Duan Duan Yanqing concentrated deeply in thought for a very long time before extending the iron staff in his left hand into the chess bowl; with a single tap, the tip of the staff seemed to possess suction, drawing up a white piece numbered 263 and placing it upon the board.

Suxinghe immediately made his move in response.

Unlike the original story, although the real Xu Zhu was still simple and dull, he had not reached the extent depicted in the book, so he did not rashly interrupt Duan Duan Yanqing.

Similarly, because Ding Chunqiu faced two great enemies in Jiang Sishui and Suxinghe, he was unwilling to invite further trouble; thus, when Duan Duan Yanqing fell into a difficult position in the chess game, Ding Chunqiu did not take the opportunity to strike him down.

Therefore, although the chess game had stirred up Duan Duan Yanqing's inner demons, he forcibly suppressed them with his profound internal energy and unyielding willpower.

Since pulling one hair moves the whole body, the incident where Xu Zhu, in an attempt to save someone, accidentally placed the crucial piece that broke the deadlock naturally did not occur.

"It seems no one will be able to solve it today," Jiang Sishui thought.

In the original story, Xu Zhu randomly placed a piece, causing all the experts present, including Kumara, South South Murong Fu, and Duan Yu, to burst into laughter.

This shows that in the eyes of those who understand chess, that move was extremely ridiculous, and no one would ever think to play there.

This is precisely the difficulty of the "Zhenlong Chess Formation."

Now that the factor of coincidence was absent, the chess formation simply could not be broken.

"So be it; this saves us a lot of trouble."

As expected, Duan Duan Yanqing remained in a dilemma for some time before finally admitting defeat with no other option.

He let out a long sigh and directly conceded.

Suxinghe stood up and asked, "Which other hero is willing to offer instruction?"

The crowd looked at one another.

Seeing that so many powerful figures had returned in defeat, no one else dared to step forward and try.

So next...

Suxinghe turned to look at Ding Chunqiu and was about to speak when South South Murong Fu stepped forward first, addressing Jiang Sishui politely: "May I ask how you are addressed?"

Jiang Sishui, sensing South South Murong Fu's hostility through his "Cicada Awareness," replied indifferently: "Jiang Sishui."

South South Murong Fu smiled, humble and courteous: "I am South South Murong Fu; greetings to Brother Jiang."

Jiang Sishui, however, offered no pleasantries and got straight to the point: "If you have something to say, just say it directly."

South South Murong Fu smiled slightly: "Since childhood, I have been obsessed with martial arts, especially the Way of the Sword. Just now, I witnessed Brother Jiang's sword technique, which was so divine that you easily neutralized Venerable Kumara's 'Formless Kalpa Finger.' I am deeply impressed."

Jiang Sishui caught the hidden meaning and scoffed: "So you want to fight me?"

"I hope Brother Jiang will not hesitate to instruct me," South South Murong Fu said, his expression turning slightly serious.

In fact, after seeing Jiang Sishui casually neutralize the finger attack launched by Kumara in a surprise assault, South South Murong Fu knew he was no match for Jiang Sishui.

After all, though both were Grandmasters, South South Murong Fu was only in the early stage, while the other had already reached the late stage.

Yet he had reasons that compelled him to act.

First, out of jealousy.

South South Murong Fu was hailed as "South South Murong of the South," equal in fame to "Helmsman Qiao Feng of the North," and regarded as the foremost talent among the younger generation in Suzhou.

However, at some point, he began to notice that outstanding peers were becoming increasingly numerous.

The pressure grew greater, the sense of crisis heavier, and coupled with his inherently narrow-minded nature, he wanted to challenge every one of these people he encountered.

He wanted to prove that the title "South South Murong of the South" was not undeserved.

Therefore, upon meeting Xu Zhu, he had proactively challenged him to a contest of lightness skill.

When he met Tang Tang Tang Bohu, although South South Murong Fu felt displeased in his heart, he believed he could still defeat him.

As for Shen Lang, he simply felt a sense of frustration and temporarily did not wish to compete with him.

Now that an even stronger Jiang Sishui had appeared, he naturally hoped to see Jiang Sishui meet with misfortune, preferably dying soon.

Second, out of anger.

Sister Sister Abi was a maid of the South South Murong family, raised from childhood, yet after he had shown hostility toward Jiang Sishui, she actually stepped forward to bow in greeting.

Afterward, she even stood with the Xiaoyao Sect faction!

This act of filial piety by Sister Sister Abi instantly struck South South Murong Fu's sensitive nerves.

He would not allow someone he considered his private property to side with the opposing party.

Third, out of helplessness.

Previously, he had spoken in support of Kumara, attempting to make Jiang Sishui the target of everyone's hostility; he did not believe Jiang Sishui failed to notice this.

Thus, a grudge had already been formed between the two.

At this moment, he had two strategies.

One was to stubbornly oppose Jiang Sishui; the other was to actively show goodwill and, through Sister Sister Abi's connection, turn hostility into friendship.

Ultimately, driven by jealousy and anger, he chose the former.

Of course, South South Murong Fu knowing he was no match yet still stepping forward was not merely to humiliate himself.

Rather, he had his own calculations.

Especially since he was the first to issue a challenge, there was much strategy involved.

He had already made up his mind: if he waited for Jiang Sishui to engage someone in combat before joining in to attack together, he would inevitably be accused of "striking when the opponent is vulnerable."

This would damage his reputation.

Therefore, he decided to make the first move!

South South Murong Fu was certain that once he acted, Ding Chunqiu and Jiumozhi would inevitably intervene.

One of these two was a member of the unorthodox sects, while the other had an extremely thick skin; neither carried the burden of reputation nor feared the pointing fingers of others.

Furthermore, Jiang Sishui's cultivation at the late stage of Grandmaster was sufficient to make them wary, so as long as they desired victory, they would not let slip such a splendid opportunity to attack en masse.

Even those who had witnessed Jiang Sishui entering the formation last night might, upon seeing the hunt, feel excited and join in to kick him while he was down.

After all, "when a wall collapses, everyone pushes" is human nature.

In this way, South South Murong Fu could join forces with others without inviting criticism; was this not the perfect solution?

South South Murong Fu's calculations were extremely shrewd, but his four great retainers and the three women, including Wang Wang Wang Yuyan, knew nothing of this.

Seeing South South Murong Fu "without cause" create an enemy, the seven of them felt not only bewildered but also increasingly anxious.

"Young Master, you..." Deng Deng Baichuan stepped forward, intending to dissuade him.

South South Murong Fu, however, waved his sleeve to cut off his words, drew his sword from its scabbard, and performed the sword salute: "Please!"

Since matters had reached this point, how could Jiang Sishui possibly retreat?

With swords held in hand, the atmosphere on the scene instantly grew tense.

South South Murong Fu leaped into the air, moving swift as a flying swallow; his cold, chilling long sword reflected a grim blade-light under the sun, enveloping Jiang Sishui like a violent storm.

Just as in the original story, in order to maintain the reputation of "using their own way to return it to them," South South Murong Fu had studied the martial arts of a hundred schools since childhood.

When fighting others, his habitual tactic was to employ techniques from multiple sects within a single move, making him a true master of "showing off skills."

At this moment, Jiang Sishui's internal energy was profound, far surpassing South South Murong Fu's; with a single glance at the opponent's sword strike, he discerned dozens of variations and immediately realized the youngster was showing off his skills again.

He did not recognize what kind of sword art the opponent was using, nor from which sect or school it originated, but none of that mattered.

As long as it was not a divine art transcending the ordinary, it would be constrained by the "Sword-Breaking Stance"!

He thrust his sword out diagonally; the motion seemed slow but was actually fast, not only interrupting the subsequent variations of South South Murong Fu's sword art but also exploiting the flaws within his opponent's moves.

South South Murong Fu frowned; if he insisted on completing this slashing motion, he would be pierced first.

Immediately daring not to advance rashly, he withdrew his sword and swept it horizontally, attempting to parry Jiang Sishui's strike.

Jiang Sishui's long sword, however, did not collide with it; he withdrew to dodge, then immediately thrust out again. Because his hand speed was so great, to the eyes of ordinary people, it appeared as though he had never dodged at all.

Yet the two swords had genuinely crossed paths.

South South Murong Fu's parrying strike missed its mark; facing Jiang Sishui's second thrust, it was as if he had voluntarily offered his own chest to the tip of the opponent's blade.

South South Murong Fu started in sudden alarm!