"Indeed, it doesn’t affect much, but Zhao just doesn’t like being used as a pawn, to be played and then not even know who he’s been counting money for," Zhao Changhe paused, then added, "Besides, it’s not entirely unrelated to me. On my way to the feast, I was targeted by an archer—the same person likely responsible for killing the Magistrate, intending to pin the crime on the barbarians. How many knew of Zhao’s attendance at the feast? There can only be a few who could ambush me on my route."
Wan Dongliu laughed, "That would be unjustly accused. How could Wan be in two places at once when entertaining guests at that time?"
"Someone a bit slow told me that all of you had left the room to relieve yourselves at some point—a pot of tea’s time, and with Brother Wan’s Qinggong, that might be enough time."
"The assailant is accustomed to using bows and arrows, which seems to easily point the finger at the grassland barbarians. Few people think that the Cao Gang is accustomed to operating on water, and during naval battles, what is used more often?" Zhao Changhe smiled, "Having fought in naval battles myself, the best thing to use is, of course, a bow."
Wan Dongliu finally began to look serious, but still waved his hand and said with a smile, "Too much speculation."
Zhao Changhe suddenly shifted the topic and asked a question that seemed completely unrelated, "Brother Wan, when we first met, was that thief Ji Chengkong still around?"
Wan Dongliu replied, "Still locked up in my private prison... Brother Zhao, you’ve shown interest in this man twice now. If you truly wish to plead his case, then I’ll release him—what’s the big deal?"
"I’m afraid Brother Wan might not be so willing to release him, as this man has glimpsed your secrets, which might be somewhat serious," Zhao Changhe laughed, "Ji Chengkong had no parcel on him that day, so whatever he stole must be a small object, right? Something that can be easily tucked away inside one’s clothes?"
Wan Dongliu slightly narrowed his eyes, saying lightly, "Indeed."
Zhao Changhe lowered his voice so that even Xuan Chong and Tang Buqi upstairs could no longer hear him, "For instance... a mask with a somewhat special significance?"
Though the voice was low, it rang like a massive bell in Wan Dongliu’s ears, causing his heart to leap wildly, and his expression finally changed drastically.
"There seems to be a reason after all for Brother Wan to frame the barbarians and choose me as his target, even if it may be a bit of a misunderstanding... But Zhao can’t stand this affront," said Zhao Changhe as he laughed heartily, drawing the Dragon Sparrow from its sheath in a furious slash, "It’s only right to reciprocate what has been given, take this from me!"
"Clang!" Wan Dongliu, well-prepared, drew his sword to block.
Their sabers clashed, whirlwinds of sand and stone rose, banners flew about, and the bursting of Qi Force made the surrounding doors creak and groan.
The onlookers were all moved, was this really a fight from the ranks after seventieth or eightieth on the Hidden Dragon List?
Wan Dongliu’s expression was very stern, "You’ve reached the Mystical Gate Five Layer." Chapters first released on novel~fire~net
"Likewise," Zhao Changhe grinned, "Haven’t you quietly reached the Sixth Layer, Brother Wan?"
Tang Buqi silently took out a copy of the Hidden Dragon List from his pocket and tore it to shreds.
What’s the point of this list if not to mislead? With your levels, you should be in the top fifty, even the top forty. What fun is there hiding in ranks seventieth or eightieth?
Next to him, Xuan Chong, with a grave expression, suddenly murmured, "Such a fast saber!"
Tang Buqi leaned in to look; what he saw was a dazzling streak of saber light slashing out from Wan Dongliu’s hand, as though the afterimage of the saber light lingered in the original place, but the blade had already reached Zhao Changhe.
"..." Tang Buqi knew if it had been him, his head would be gone.
Too fast, too strong... It seemed as if even a river flowing eastward would be cut off by this strike, as if the towering waves would be split back!
Cao Gang’s Canglan Saber Technique, Wave Breaking Ten Slashes!
The blow Tang Buqi thought was impossible to resist was simply parried away by Zhao Changhe with one hand—the Dragon Sparrow casually pressed the Canglan Blade to one side as if a terrifying wave surged forward only to discover an even larger wave here, promptly covering it back.
Then, as the two waves met, a series of crisp sounds like pearls dropping on a jade plate began to explode in succession, as if the raging waves continuously clashed, making it almost impossible for bystanders to discern the movements of their sabers!
Stunned, Tang Buqi stood up, "How can he be so fast, too?"
Xuan Chong muttered to himself, "Why do I sense the flavor of the Red Spirit Fox Saber Technique?"
They looked at each other, shocked. It seemed not to be an illusion; truly, there was a hint of the Red Spirit Fox flavor...
Red Spirit Fox used a curved saber; its draw was circular, the endpoint was the same as the starting point—it looked like it was going straightforward, but how did Zhao Changhe accomplish this with such a large instrument?
This speedy and intricate exchange was not what Zhao Changhe was known for... whether it was cultivation technique or saber, yet he showed it to you anyway. In his match against Wan Dongliu, he wasn’t falling behind. In fact... it seemed like he even had a slight advantage?
"No, it’s not just the intention of the Red Spirit Fox; it’s mine as well," Yue Hongling said somewhat entranced as she watched the fight, whispering, "Mine is more noticeable; it’s not just my sword intent, but my... my cultivation technique."
The blush on her face flashed and vanished in an instant, like the dawn sky’s early rising rosy clouds.
Because it indeed contained her cultivation technique’s intent, just perfected through dual cultivation at dawn, not merely imitated.
"He’s truly a genius," Xuan Chong said softly, "To understand this level of sword intent, even if someone broke it down and taught it, a normal person couldn’t grasp the essence of it in just ten days and a half month. And he... how long has he been doing this? Moreover, he’s still testing himself in battle, using Brother Wan to hone his skills. The more he fights, the more integrated he becomes."
Tang Buqi, too, realized that Zhao Changhe was getting smoother and more adept as the fight went on, while Wan Dongliu was feeling increasingly stiff.
And this guy definitely possessed Spring Water Sword Intent; it became more evident as the battle progressed!
Zhao Changhe was indeed sharpening his skills, getting smoother with each strike, while Wan Dongliu’s performance had no other explanation but for Zhao Changhe’s last whispered words, which had a significant impact on him. As the momentum shifted from one to the other, how could he not be defeated?