Chapter 1096

"Vertical Sword Art?"

Hearing Gai Nie could not help but frown, staring intently at that noble Young Master.

It turned out that the noble Young Master had just now, using chopsticks in place of a sword, actually performed the "Opening and Closing, Number One" of the Guigu Sect's Vertical Sword Art.

The Vertical Sword Art was inherently a defensive art that carried offense within it, an explosive sword technique that gathered its attacking power into a single point.

That was why that horizontally-trained martial artist, together with the Zhu family, had been sent flying.

But just who was this person?

Why did he know the Vertical Sword Art?

One must know that each generation of the Guigu Sect only ever had two disciples.

One studied the Vertical Sword Art, the other studied the Horizontal Sword Art.

The two would contend, and the victor could inherit the title of Guiguzi, become the Paizhang Sect of the Guigu Sect, and master both the Vertical and Horizontal Sword Arts.

Gai Nie's junior brother was precisely the master of Liusha, Wei Zhuang, and what he practiced was precisely the Horizontal Sword Art.

Moreover, the two men's Master, Guiguzi, had long since died in the battle at Mount Wudang.

Therefore, in this world, there should logically be no second person who knew the Vertical Sword Art, right?

Then why did this noble Young Master know the Vertical Sword Art?

"How was my use of this move 'Opening and Closing, Number One'? I ask the 'Sword Saint of Great Qin' for guidance?"

Only now did that noble Young Master leisurely cup his fists toward Hearing Gai Nie.

The four words "Sword Saint of Great Qin" were brimming with mockery.

Only at this moment did the martial artists in the great hall, as well as the people of the Farmer family who had followed the Zhu family, finally react.

This fair-skinned, pretty-boy-looking person actually possessed such strength?

"'Opening and Closing, Number One' is the ultimate technique of the Vertical Sword Art of our Guigu Sect.

To 'open' is to spread, to speak, to be yang.

To 'close' is to shut, to be silent, to be yin.

When yin and yang are in harmony, the meaning of beginning and end is complete.

Therefore, when using this move, yin and yang must aid each other; one must hold back some strength, to prepare for the enemy's change of technique.

What you performed paid no heed whatsoever to the essence of this move, and was simply an unvaried exertion of force.

It looks as though, although you drove back Hall Master Zhu, in truth you merely took advantage of Hall Master Zhu's kind-heartedness and struck him with a sudden surprise attack."

Along with this noble Young Master's question, Hearing Gai Nie actually spoke with easy generosity, not only laying out the subtleties of this move,

but even pointing out the flaws in the noble Young Master's execution of it.

"Ha ha! Hero Gai's bearing is truly extraordinary; this old man is not wrong to call you the Sword Saint of Great Qin."

At this moment, at the entrance of the Kezhan Sect, the Zhu family appeared once more.

Although there was still some dust on his body, the theatrical mask on his face showed a joyful expression.

"Hmph! Words are empty proof; then let us have a contest."

The noble Young Master's face had been flushed red by Hearing Gai Nie's words.

He immediately slammed the table and rose, drew out a green-edged precious sword, and challenged Hearing Gai Nie to a fight.

"Young Master..."

Just as the noble Young Master was beside himself with rage, four figures stepped out from behind him.

Each of these four possessed no mean cultivation.

The lowest among them was already at the World-Shaking level, and the highest was at the Earthly Immortal Realm!

The leader spoke, saying,

"Young Master, we have come this time with truly important matters to attend to; it is not fitting to invite unnecessary complications. I ask Young Master to take careful note."

Hearing these words, the noble Young Master's anger gradually subsided.

He turned his head to look at the speaker,

"You slave, you still dare to lecture this Young Master?"

"This subordinate would not dare."

That man was startled, and immediately cupped his fists and bowed to beg forgiveness.

"Young Master, Elder Deng did not mean it that way; the great matter takes priority, the great matter takes priority!"

A man of about thirty, slightly plump in build, also stepped forward to counsel.

"Hmph! So be it!"

Only then did the noble Young Master let it be; he returned his sword to its sheath, and said to Hearing Gai Nie,

"Hearing Gai Nie, this Young Master has matters to attend to today and has no time to squabble with you.

If you have the guts, then wait for this Young Master for three days.

Once this Young Master comes out of the Manghuang Mountain, I will have a proper contest with you.

When the time comes, I shall let the people of the world see just who truly knows the Vertical Sword Art."

Hearing Gai Nie would never lower himself to argue with this noble Young Master; he merely listened to the meaning behind his words.

This group of master and servants, five in all, had actually also come for the treasure of the Great Zhou left behind in Manghuang Mountain.

It seemed the news of the Great Zhou's treasure had finally spread, drawing more and more experts.

"What? Are you afraid?"

Seeing that Hearing Gai Nie did not reply, the noble Young Master asked again.

"Young Master Gusu Murong, if you delay any longer, I'm afraid that on the night of the full moon,

when the Baozangzhi Sect opens wide, someone else will snatch your treasure!"

Seeing that Hearing Gai Nie had no intention of responding to this noble Young Master's provocation, Zhu Jia stepped forward and said.

Zhu Jia addressed him as Young Master Gusu Murong, yet had no idea which prestigious family in the jianghu he belonged to!

"Hmph? Hearing Gai Nie, Zhu Jia, just you wait."

Clearly, Zhu Jia's words had struck this Young Master Gusu Murong right where it hurt.

He flung down a harsh remark, and left in haste with those four family generals.

"Hero Gai, might you invite me for a drink!"

After Young Master Gusu Murong had gone, Zhu Jia leaped up and landed beside Hearing Gai Nie.

"Good!"

Hearing Gai Nie promptly invited Zhu Jia along, and the two of them withdrew back to his cluttered storeroom.

Looking at this utterly messy room, Zhu Jia could not help but knit his brows and said,

"Hero Gai is truly different from ordinary men — to be able to take such a dwelling in stride."

Hearing Gai Nie found a pot of wine and two wine cups.

After filling them, he handed one to Zhu Jia, drained his own in one gulp, and said,

"Life in this world is nothing but fleeting years.

These worldly possessions — what do they matter?"

"Good!"

Zhu Jia took the wine and likewise drained it in one gulp.

Hearing Hearing Gai Nie's words, he immediately raised a thumbs-up and praised,

"Truly worthy of being Hero Gai — you have won my admiration."

"Hall Master Zhu, you needn't keep calling me 'Hero Gai' this and 'Hero Gai' that. If you don't mind, just call me Hearing Gai Nie."

Hearing Gai Nie was a free and easy man, and did not care for others addressing him as 'great hero.'

He and Zhu Jia were old acquaintances, and having just seen Zhu Jia step forward righteously, he truly found him to his liking.

Therefore he spoke up and asked Zhu Jia to address him by name directly.

Hearing this, Zhu Jia's face once more broke into a pleased look,

"Ha ha! Then I, Zhu, have been discourteous!

You needn't keep calling me 'Hall Master Zhu' this and 'Hall Master Zhu' that either — calling me Zhu Jia will do."

"Good! Brother Zhu, your inviting Hearing Gai Nie for a drink is not simply about drinking, is it?"

Hearing Gai Nie did not address him by name directly, but used the respectful address of 'brother.'

"Indeed!"