Chapter 180

On the main street.

Wherever the eye could reach.

It was full of martial artists, in twos and threes, traveling in groups.

Every inn, teahouse, and wine house.

Not a single seat was empty.

Those who had come to watch the battle.

Although the vast majority were wandering cultivators of the jianghu.

The Gedamen Sect of the Nine Provinces had also sent quite a few.

Only, compared to the wandering martial artists.

Each faction had basically sent only one or two elders or the sect master himself to lead the group.

With a crowd of disciples following behind.

Without a doubt.

This was meant to broaden their horizons and, incidentally, give them some tempering.

A small courtyard with a bamboo fence.

Ximen Chuixue, in a robe of white, sat quietly on a stone bench.

A handkerchief in hand, he gently wiped at the Black-Sheathed Sword.

On the stone table beside him.

Besides a set of tea things, there was also an incense burner.

Three sticks of sandalwood incense, freshly lit not long ago, were placed in the burner.

Wisps of pale smoke drifted up softly.

As the Sword God famed throughout the jianghu.

When it came to drawing his sword, he had always held a heart of reverence, sanctity, solemnity, and respect.

Every time before he struck to kill.

He would bathe and burn incense.

The strength of his opponent decided how long the bathing and incense-burning would take.

And this time.

Perhaps because the time was too rushed.

He did not have much time to prepare these things.

But no matter what.

In his heart, Ye Gucheng was the opponent he had always most wished to challenge!

An opponent worthy of such respect.

He did not wish to give up bathing and burning incense merely because time was pressing.

If he did.

Then his state of mind would not be perfect!

And the duel between experts, especially between expert swordsmen.

Often differed by a hair's breadth and missed by a thousand miles!

Therefore.

Only after bathing did he come to the courtyard to burn incense.

Even if there was not enough time.

So long as the intention was there, it was enough!

He did not wish to duel with a state of mind that was not yet complete!

Because that would be a desecration, both to himself and to Ye Gucheng!

Proud as he was, he would not allow such a thing to happen!

"Sigh~~"

Just at this moment.

A sigh suddenly rose in the silent courtyard.

Hearing this familiar sound.

The hand Ximen Chuixue was using to wipe his sword paused for an instant.

Then it returned to normal.

He did not so much as lift an eyelid.

As if he had long known who the newcomer was.

"Boring, truly too boring."

"I really don't know how you, you block of ice, manage to be so sparing with words!"

Taking his reaction in.

The newcomer shook his head and muttered a complaint.

He pressed lightly with his feet.

His whole person drifted down and sat on the stone bench opposite Ximen Chuixue.

Only his face looked somewhat unusual.

Other people had two eyebrows.

Yet he, quite deliberately, had trimmed his beard to be as neat and pretty as eyebrows.

At first glance, he looked as if he had four eyebrows.

That's right!

The one who came was none other than—

Lu Xiaofeng, the Four-Eyebrowed man who enjoyed a great reputation in the Great Ming jianghu!

Only at this moment, his expression looked somewhat melancholy.

He didn't stand on ceremony at all.

Casually picking up the teapot on the table, he poured himself a cup of tea.

He opened his mouth.

Several times, he started to speak but stopped.

"You've come to talk me out of it?"

As if he had guessed what was on his mind.

Ximen Chuixue spoke without even lifting his head.

His voice was cool and clear, his tone utterly without ripple.

"That's right."

Seeing that he had seen through his purpose in coming.

Lu Xiaofeng didn't hide it either.

He nodded and said with a bitter smile.

"You two are both my best friends."

"No matter who wins, for me it will mean losing one confidant."

"So I wanted to come and try to talk you out of it."

Even though he knew.

For a swordsman.

The greatest glory of a lifetime was to die for the sword.

But he truly could not bring himself to do it.

To just stand by and watch the two of them slaughter each other.

Even if the hope of successfully persuading him was very slim.

Still, he wanted to give it a try!

"You don't understand."

"Some people, the moment they are born, their entire life is already set."