Volume One, Chapter 13: Brother, Please Wait
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At Divine Sword Manor, located at the northernmost part of the Great Qian Dynasty, surrounded by vast deserts, the other side faced the Northern Wilds Kingdom. It was a place easy to defend but difficult to attack.
Within a city near Divine Sword Manor, Gu Changfeng and his two companions had just entered when they caught sight of the towering peak piercing the clouds, shrouded in mist and mystery.
There had long been rumors of a divine sword descending from the heavens, embedding itself deep within the valley, forming what was now known as Divine Sword Peak.
Many legends surrounded it, but Gu Changfeng was skeptical. Having reached the rank of Grandmaster himself, yet still unable to transmute stone into gold, he regarded such stories as nothing more than hype.
The sky had already darkened. Inside the city, swordsmen came and went endlessly. Within moments of arrival, Gu Changfeng had already encountered several experts ranked above the seventh level.
However, he had changed into a plain black robe; wearing a prince’s garment would draw too much attention. Yet his white hair and the unique aura of a grandmaster still attracted many glances, especially from young women on the streets who lingered long in their gaze.
“Miss Lingyao, are you familiar with Divine Sword Manor?” Gu Changfeng asked, looking toward the peak, tempted to ascend it directly and sign in on the spot. The poetic sword meeting had yet to formally begin, which was somewhat disappointing.
Lingyao replied softly, “I know it fairly well. This city is an affiliated settlement of Divine Sword Manor, with little connection to Great Qian. Even the guards here belong to the manor.”
“Sir, shall we head straight to Divine Sword Manor, or stay here for a night?” She sought Gu Changfeng’s opinion, knowing that as a prince, Divine Sword Manor would surely extend courtesy.
“No need. Let’s find an inn to stay for the night,” Gu Changfeng shook his head. He had no invitation, so no formal visit.
“Then please follow me, Your Highness.” Lingyao led the way, and the three settled in the best inn the city had to offer.
Night soon fell, and Divine Sword Manor began to sparkle with lanterns and decorations, lively and festive.
At the rear mountain, the manor’s head, clad in a black-and-white brocade robe, practiced swordplay atop the peak. Suddenly, a homing pigeon flew in, and a sword shadow flashed, causing the pigeon to fall off the cliff.
The letter it carried fell into the manor head’s hand. Tossing aside the paper tube, he revealed a golden silk letter.
After a brief glance, the letter disintegrated into fragments, drifting away on the breeze.
“Assassinating a prince without martial prowess requires inviting me? What a joke. Without an invitation, he wouldn’t even make it past the manor’s gate trial, let alone attempt assassination.”
The manor head murmured disdainfully, resuming his sword practice without a hint of concern for the letter’s contents.
Inside the inn, Gu Changfeng stood by the window, feeling the breeze. With the support of thirty thousand Snow Dragon Cavalry, if planned properly, the game could be restarted, and he could single-handedly clear the Liangyang Commandery dungeon of Great Qian.
The night passed quickly. The next day, the stone steps of Divine Sword Peak were crowded with people, all swordsmen drawn by the fame of the place.
“Have you heard? The champion of this poetic sword meeting may choose any famed sword from Divine Sword Manor’s armory.”
“Really? That’s extraordinary. Who knows how many will end up bloodied and bruised, and whether another famous poem will be born.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Five years ago, a poetry immortal appeared. I wonder if he will come again.”
Gu Changfeng paused at the mountain’s base, overhearing the murmurs of passing crowds filled with complaints and speculation.
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“Sir, we should ascend now. If we’re late, we won’t find a good spot,” Lingyao whispered beside him.
She hadn’t expected Gu Changfeng to lack an invitation, meaning he intended to storm the manor gate; even if he got through, he’d have to compete for a place.
“We won’t take this path,” Gu Changfeng said, turning his gaze to another stone staircase where only a few people stood. Why squeeze with the crowd here?
I just broke through to Grandmaster—must I endure this atmosphere?
“Sir, over there are honored guests of Divine Sword Manor. Without a VIP invitation, even as a prince, you—” Lingyao began to warn, but before she could finish, Gu Changfeng seized the collar of her robe and leapt upward with a swift motion.
Zhao Yi followed closely behind.
Their speed was astonishing. The guards at the archway hadn’t reacted before the three had already soared overhead.
“Who dares to be so reckless? Show your invitations!” ten guards drew their swords, while the leading elder lunged with a sword strike.
To him, those who stormed the gate without an invitation were usually expelled by force.
“Who is that? So young and powerful—it must be the son of some faction!” someone exclaimed.
“Excellent agility; this will be interesting.”
The sword-wielding crowd climbing the steps turned to watch.
Before the elder could rise more than a few meters, Gu Changfeng didn’t even glance back. He casually tossed out a token.
A whistling sound cut through the air, the token arcing gracefully.
The elder’s pupils contracted sharply as he hurriedly raised his sword to block.
The token clashed against the blade with a clear metallic ring. The powerful impact numbed the elder’s arm. His body halted midair and was knocked backward.
Bang!
The token embedded itself in the ground.
A dozen disciples rushed forward to catch the flying elder.
The elder steadied himself, suppressing the surging internal energy.
Upon closer inspection, the token bore the distinct emblem of the Prince of Liangyang.
He was stunned. This prince was not well known—what was going on?
“This is the invitation. If you have objections, have your manor head meet me!” Gu Changfeng’s voice echoed through the mountains, commanding and formidable.
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The elder dared not speak further. A grandmaster of his caliber was struck down in one blow.
He should be grateful Gu Changfeng hadn’t used even one layer of true energy; otherwise, he would have become a pile of flesh.
“Report to the manor head immediately!” The mountain guardian ordered, fear overtaking him as he watched Gu Changfeng’s departing figure.
Elsewhere, sword masters climbing the peak erupted into a clamor. Sharp-eyed experts spotted the Prince of Liangyang’s token on the ground and committed it to memory.
“Undoubtedly, before long, Great Qian will produce another unparalleled master,” a seventh-rank expert marveled.
“Well spotted, brother. I didn’t even see how he struck,” an eighth-rank swordsman echoed.
These two were well-known figures in the circles, and their praise was terrifying.
“Not just that; this man may stand alongside Third Young Master and Yan Thirteen,” a voice suddenly declared.
The crowd turned, eager to see the speaker.
A figure swiftly moved toward another mountain path, tossing a golden invitation to the manor’s disciples.
“No way! Someone from Snow Moon City!”
“Oh my, Snow Moon City’s here!”
“Ninth-rank swordsman Zhao Huai’an—the third-ranked figure on the Jianghu Liangyu List—he’s arrived!”
Recognition sparked amazement among the crowd.
Snow Moon City’s attire was distinctive: sword hilts etched with snowflakes, clothing predominantly white with snowflake patterns.
The Liangyu List was a ranking for prodigious martial talents under twenty years old, all at least sixth rank, an astonishing measure.
“Zhao Huai’an says so, does that mean the top of the list will be reshuffled?”
“Who knows? He looks young. How do you know he hasn’t yet turned twenty?”
“Ha! You’re joking. A ninth-rank warrior under twenty? If such a person exists, I’ll eat your family’s outhouse dry!”
...
On another mountain path, the three walked calmly. Zhao Huai’an leapt several bounds to catch up.
Gu Changfeng had long noticed him but chose to ignore the pursuit.
“Brother, please wait!”