Thriller Paradise Chapter 205: Cangling Debate of Swords (13) - Novel Cool

Chapter 205: Cangling Debate of Swords (13)

Chapter 205: Cangling Debate of Swords (13)

Xiao Tan wasn’t without a nickname—he simply hesitated to use his. After all, a title like “Tense Fencer” sounded utterly unfitting for a true martial artist.

Among the five present, only Feng Bu Jue’s moniker, “Unpredictable Maniac,” carried weight. Titles like Si Yu’s “Spirit Swordswoman,” Bei Ling’s “Cunning Gunner,” and Jibu Shao Ye’s “High-Profile Assault” were meaningless or baffling to the martial world crowd.

“Li Ruoyu.”
“Gu Xiaoling.”

Since this wasn’t a Pili universe, names like “Si Yu Ruoli” or “Bei Ling Xiaogu” wouldn’t pass as real identities. Si Yu and Bei Ling thus opted for their true names instead.

Jibu Shao Ye hesitated for two seconds. “Jin… Fugui.”

At those three syllables, even Feng Bu Jue nearly choked on his laughter. Si Yu bit her lip to suppress a grin. Xiao Tan and Bei Ling, however, erupted into hysterics, pounding Jibu Shao Ye’s shoulders as tears welled up. Their outburst left the four Npcs utterly bewildered.

“Oh, these three companions of mine… they’re always joking around,” Feng Bu Jue smoothly explained to the Npcs, his expression utterly relaxed. “It’s some inside joke between them. Please don’t take offense at their antics.”

The explanation was flimsy, but Lin Chang and the others chose not to pry. To them, it seemed Jin Fugui had simply lied about his name, prompting mockery from his peers.

In reality, however, Jin Fugui had spoken the truth…

To be born in a mid-21st-century metropolis and carry such a name—its burdens were indescribable.

“Teahouse Master Feng, you flatter us,” Lin Chang said, his tone measured. As eldest among the Huaying Six Swords, he gestured toward a large table in the room. “Please, sit. Let’s talk.”

Seizing the shift in conversation, Feng Bu Jue leaned forward. “By the way, what urgent matter brings you esteemed heroes to summon us here?”

“Hardly a matter of ‘instruction,’” Ye Muhan interjected with a smile. “Judging by Teahouse Master Feng’s display downstairs, it’s more likely we would learn from you.”

“Nonsense, nonsense,” Feng Bu Jue replied, his false humility dripping. Oh great… she’s not planning to test my skills herself, is she? That’d be… unpleasant.

“Teahouse Master Feng, no need for modesty,” Lin Chang chimed in. “Even Master Ye himself admires your martial prowess. Among your generation in the martial world, I doubt you’d find equals, let alone rivals.”

“Not so,” Feng Bu Jue countered, raising his right hand to point at Si Yu. “Right here, one of our companions surpasses me.”

The four Npcs exchanged glances, their expressions shifting rapidly. Feng Bu Jue’s words—truth or jest? If true, this “Li Lady” before them rivaled even her husband, placing her on par with the Huaying Six Swords. If false, it was merely a jest, revealing nothing but Feng Bu Jue’s subjugation to his wife.

Even Lin Chang, the group’s sharpest mind, felt unease. Years of navigating the martial world had taught him one truth: the most dangerous opponents were those who masked calculation behind chaos. Such people spoke truths through laughter and lies with solemnity, their intentions as fluid as water.

Feng Bu Jue pressed on. “By the way, this ‘Master Ye’ you mentioned… was he the elder I crossed paths with on the secret trails outside town?”

“Precisely,” Lin Chang confirmed.

Testing the waters, Feng Bu Jue asked, “And what connection do you all share with this elder?”

Feng Bu Jue’s knowledge was limited—last night, Meng Jiu had shared basic details about the town and revealed the old man’s identity as Ye Hai, steward of Ye Mansion. Yet the Huaying Six Swords remained a mystery to him. Even their name was overheard in the inn’s lobby earlier.

Thus, his question was carefully vague. He avoided naming Ye Hai, instead probing Lin Chang for details.

Meanwhile, the Npcs assumed Feng Bu Jue knew only of the Huaying Six Swords’ reputation, not Ye Hai’s identity. Lin Chang responded, “Master Ye is Ye Mansion’s steward. Naturally, we know him. But he rarely involves himself in martial affairs, so it’s no surprise you don’t recognize him.”

So the Huaying Six Swords serve Ye Mansion… Feng Bu Jue mused. They invited us up here because Ye Hai must’ve tipped them off… But why wait until we entered the inn? Ye Muhan’s words suggest they were watching the first floor long before. Conclusion? They wanted to gauge our strength before engaging.

Thoughts raced through his mind, each dissected with cold precision. Yet Feng Bu Jue’s face remained an unchanging mask—every muscle, every nerve, a chameleon’s perfect disguise. His ambiguous smile, equal parts amusement and severity, was a gift honed by nature itself.

“Ah, I see,” he said, feigning enlightenment.

Lin Chang continued, “Master Ye requested we accommodate you here. This Suite A-03 was originally his room, but he’s never set foot in it since arriving in town. Out of respect, he offers it to you. Please stay as our guests for a couple days.”

“Graciously kind,” Feng Bu Jue bowed, though his thoughts drifted. That old fox… surviving on mist and meditation alone. Must be one of those legendary cultivators who replaces sleep with cultivation and sustains himself on dew.

“Not at all,” Lin Chang said. “For a youth hero like you, Ye Mansion is honored to build ties.”

Having exchanged pleasantries and secured accommodations, Ye Muhan interjected coolly, “Teahouse Master Feng… there’s another matter we must discuss.”

Her tone was even, yet sharp. Lin Chang hurried to soften the moment. “Teahouse Master Feng, we do have a… request.”

Feng Bu Jue’s instincts flared—a task flag. “Speak freely.”

Lin Chang leaned forward. “Master Ye mentioned you possess… Innate Pure Yang Inner Energy?”

Feng Bu Jue recalled the fire-element techniques he’d unleashed against Ye Hai. Ah. They mistook a simple technique for Pure Yang Energy. Classic case of ‘ruling qi externally, manifesting the void’—utter nonsense based on flawed assumptions.

“Isn't it obvious?” Feng Bu Jue shot back with a rhetorical question.

His answer was as good as no answer at all. Obvious what? Obvious yes? Obvious no?

“Senior Brother, allow me to explain myself,” Su Shang suddenly interjected, shifting her gaze to Feng Bu Jue. “To be honest, Teahouse Master Feng, I’m here seeking your help.” She paused before continuing, “A month ago, I reached the peak of the seventh layer of my cultivation manual, the Mingyou Manual. However, due to limitations in my inner energy, I cannot breakthrough the spiritual barrier on my own.” Her face tightened with difficulty. “Since I possess innate pure yin inner energy, forcefully breaking through the energy gate would require someone with inner energy of utmost yang and vigor to assist me with their pure yang energy during my cultivation breakthrough…”

Su Shang had no choice but to seek help. Cultivators’ growth was tied to innate talent and physical foundations. If she relied solely on conventional methods, she wouldn’t reach the eighth realm of the Mingyou Manual until after age thirty at the earliest.

“Mmm…” Feng Bu Jue interrupted, scanning the room with a strange gaze. “Miss Su, what about these two senior and junior disciples of yours…”

Lin Chang cut in, “Teahouse Master Feng, you must understand that suppressing my junior sister’s innate pure yin inner energy isn’t something ordinary people can handle. The person must be someone who cultivated as a virgin and has practiced yang-hard martial arts for over twenty years.”

“My inner energy leans toward yin-soft,” Miao Shaoqing added. “And Senior Brother already married—unqualified.”

“I’m married too…” Feng Bu Jue immediately chimed in.

“That’s not an issue,” Su Shang countered. “Because Teahouse Master Feng possesses the Innate Pure Yang Inner Energy, which differs from ordinary constitutions.”

“Er…” Feng Bu Jue scrambled for excuses. “Right, since you’re the ‘Six Shadows’ Sword Sect’s disciples, shouldn’t there still be two swords left among the six?”

“Oh, our sixth junior sister, Lu Qingning, is also a woman,” Miao Shaoqing replied. “Second Senior Brother, ‘Shadowless Sword’ Shang Fei, cultivates a balanced yin-yang internal martial art.”

“Ah… Hehehe… Speaking of which, the Azure Spirit Inn currently gathers countless heroes and martial artists,” Feng Bu Jue chuckled awkwardly, hoping to dodge the topic.

Of course, he knew this matter would be troublesome…

Though Jianghu was vast, most masters had already gathered here. If there had been another suitable candidate in the inn, the Ye Mansion would’ve secured them through threats or bribes long ago. The fact they came to Feng Bu Jue meant there was absolutely no one else qualified.

For martial cultivators, realm advancement was paramount. If Su Shang had to wait until thirty to break through the eighth layer of her manual, she’d have no choice but to switch to auxiliary martial arts for the next few years. Continuing the Mingyou Manual would yield little progress, wasting precious time. To put it bluntly, this delay could impact the peak realm she’d ever attain.

The Six Shadows were like siblings. Su Shang’s predicament troubled them all. If her root had been ordinary, any of the Six Shadows could’ve guarded her breakthrough. But her innate pure yin inner energy made it impossible.

Thus, Feng Bu Jue, due to a series of coincidences, became the only option.

If last night he’d randomly selected a different skill—any attribute other than fire—this wouldn’t have happened. For example, ice attribute… Perhaps Ye Muhan would’ve mistaken him for a disciple of the Xuanming Divine Palm.

The problem was, he’d already been mistaken for someone with the Innate Pure Yang Inner Energy. Could he now admit he had no inner energy at all and knew no martial arts? Such a revelation would get him killed the moment he stepped outside.

Seeing Feng Bu Jue’s hesitation, Ye Muhan slammed the table, “Kid! We’re begging you sincerely, and you’re dodging the issue! What’s your problem? It’s just channeling true qi to help her breakthrough! No danger to your core cultivation! At worst, our Ye Mansion will gift you a few Great Rebirth Pills afterward as compensation!”

Ye Muhan’s arrogance stemmed from her bold personality—sharp-tongued but fundamentally kind-hearted. As Jianghu’s top female swordsman and Ye Cheng’s younger sister, such pride was expected.

“He isn’t refusing,” Si Yu suddenly interjected. “He’s genuinely unable.”

“What do you mean?” Ye Muhan turned to Si Yu.

“Our sect’s martial arts differ entirely from any current school. You’ve probably noticed how our inner energy and techniques are completely undetectable on the surface,” Si Yu began weaving her lie.

“Indeed… Your martial arts leave no trace at all,” Lin Chang nodded.

“He…” Si Yu glanced at Feng Bu Jue. “Feng Bu Jue does possess the Innate Pure Yang Inner Energy with extraordinary talent, creating his own school. But he cultivates self-developed techniques. He lacks even the most basic knowledge of other martial arts, including how to channel true qi or perform protective techniques.” She sighed lightly. “Feng Bu Jue isn’t unwilling—he simply can’t fulfill your request.”

“Haha! When push comes to shove, you’re the reliable one!” Feng Bu Jue mentally cheered.

Since Si Yu had covered for him, Feng Bu Jue adopted an air of aloofness, “Exactly… My martial arts exist to kill, not to—”

“Ah, I see,” Lin Chang interrupted with a smile. “No problem then. If you don’t mind, allow me to teach you a foundational internal technique. Half a day at most, and Feng Brother will master energy transfer methods.”

Feng Bu Jue thought, Oh no! Backed into a corner now! I’ve no choice but to help!

“Since that’s the case, I naturally accept the responsibility. Rest assured, I’ll do everything to help Miss Su advance her martial arts,” Feng Bu Jue feigned enthusiasm. As the four across the table relaxed, he added, “However… If I learn your technique, I’ll technically study the Ye Mansion’s martial arts. I wonder if Young Master Ye would mind…”

“Young Master Feng, rest assured,” Lin Chang replied. “What I’ll teach is merely an introductory technique for Ye Mansion disciples, nothing secret. Our Young Master won’t object.”

“Besides, with our Young Master’s imminent battle, consulting him via messenger bird about such a trivial matter seems unnecessary,” Ye Muhan interjected bluntly. “Teahouse Master Feng, if you fear people might claim you received Azure Sky Sword’s guidance, just teach my senior brother some basic skills in return.”

“Hehe… Miss Ye jokes,” Feng Bu Jue politely replied. “What skills could I possibly teach Lin Senior Brother…”

He knew this might be a task to learn new skills, but he couldn’t accept immediately. Lin Chang said half a day would suffice—but that meant his lack of inner energy would be exposed by then.

Thus, Feng Bu Jue planned to delay. He’d stall until he found an escape, hence his earlier mention of consulting Ye Cheng, who hadn’t arrived in town yet. But Lin Chang refused to wait, forcing Feng Bu Jue to think of another excuse.

“Senior Brother Lin, would it be possible to wait until tomorrow to learn the technique?” Si Yu interjected.

“Oh? Why the delay?”

“Our sect’s techniques have unique characteristics,” Si Yu explained calmly, her fabrication seamless. “Everyone saw Feng Bu Jue’s actions downstairs earlier. Though powerful, there are consequences. The specifics… I’ll refrain from elaborating, but today, he probably…”

“Exactly! That’s it!” Feng Bu Jue suddenly interrupted, winking exaggeratedly at Si Yu—part of their performance.

The four across the table immediately believed. Feng Bu Jue’s expression resembled someone desperate to hide a weakness in the Broken Sword Teahouse’s secret technique.

“Oh, hehe… If today’s inconvenient, waiting a day won’t hurt,” Lin Chang said. “Fourth Miss won’t mind waiting an extra day, right?”

“Of course,” Su Shang replied, bowing to Feng Bu Jue. “Su Shang thanks Teahouse Master Feng in advance.”

(End of Chapter)

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