Chapter 82: Finally, Some Drama Unfolds
Chapter 82: Finally, Some Drama Unfolds
And so, Tian Qi brought You Longsheng, Ding Chengfeng, Ding Baiyun, and Guo Sungyang along with him to the Xiao family's flower-viewing gathering, using his invitation to bring these four celebrities along.
Being able to tag along with such renowned figures made Tian Qi feel like he was walking on air. If it weren't for the fact that it would be inconvenient to talk about it, he could brag about this for the rest of his life.
You Longsheng and the others also learned of Guo Sungyang's reason for coming to Luoyang—to accept a challenge!
The current leader of the Diancang Sect, Xie Tianling, known as the number one swordsman in the southern heavens, had twice been defeated by Guo Sungyang. Once when Guo Sungyang challenged him at Diancang, and once when Xie Tianling traveled to Mount Sung for a rematch.
This time, Xie Tianling had sent an invitation to the Sungyang Guo family, inviting Guo Sungyang to meet him in Luoyang and proposing a rematch at the Longmen Grottoes.
Guo Sungyang had invited You Longsheng, Ding Chengfeng, and Ding Baiyun to witness this event.
The three of them readily agreed.
Tian Qi also wanted to go, but since Guo Sungyang had invited the other three in front of him without extending the same invitation to him, he dared not speak up.
...
After flashing their invitations and their faces at the entrance, Tian Qi led the four of them into the Peony Garden.
Located west of Luoyang City, the Peony Garden spanned hundreds of acres. It boasted pavilions, corridors, bridges, flowing streams, and, of course, a dazzling display of peonies in full bloom during spring, making it one of Luoyang's most renowned scenic spots. Countless literati, beauties, and famous courtesans had left their mark here.
Even in the past five years, during the golden autumn season, this place continued to attract celebrities and scholars who indulged in wine and flower appreciation.
"I think I just saw Yunetian and Ding Qiu."
"All four of the remaining Central Plains' Eight Masters are here."
"Even the monk Hongyi from Baima Temple is here. He and the second young master of the Xiao family are quite close despite their age difference."
"There's also Hongqiang from the Hundred Flowers Court, Ruyi from the Cuiyuan Tower, Tingfang from the Moon Fragrance House, and Yunxiu from the Youlan Pavilion."
"The Xiao family has invited at least eight of the most famous opera troupes from a hundred miles around."
"And the most renowned chefs, too! That Beijing roast duck I just tasted must have been prepared by Master Li from the Linfeng Building in Henan Prefecture."
"The Peony Garden has been open for nine days, and now we have a gathering of ten perfect beauties. How poetic!"
Even someone like You Longsheng, who had traveled from the future, had to admit that the Xiao family had organized an exceptional event. The Peony Garden offered everything from exquisite food and wine to soft and fragrant beauties, musicians, and dancing girls.
Add to that the out-of-season peonies, and anyone would agree that the reputation of the Luoyang Xiao family was well-deserved.
"Do you think the Xiao family will pay for our visit to the brothels?" You Longsheng's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"No, they won't," Tian Qi replied with a bitter smile. "Everything here is free except for the brothels and gambling houses."
"And those are the two most expensive things," Ding Chengfeng added with a smile.
You Longsheng glanced at a building not far away where some commotion was taking place. "Do conflicts ever break out here?"
"Of course," Tian Qi said.
Soon enough, a group of Xiao family disciples appeared at the entrance and quickly calmed the situation, leading each of the involved parties away separately.
"But everyone will give the Xiao family face and not cause too much trouble," Tian Qi continued.
"Has anyone ever dared to defy the Xiao family?" Ding Baiyun asked, his tone laced with malicious intent.
"Not that I've heard of, at least not until now," Tian Qi replied, shaking his head.
"But I think this year might be different," Guo Sungyang said calmly.
"What do you mean?" Everyone turned to look at Guo Sungyang, curious if he had some inside information.
"The 'Three Ghosts of Mang Mountain' are actually four people," Guo Sungyang revealed.
"Huh?" Everyone was puzzled by this statement.
"Their youngest disciple is exceptionally talented. Ten years ago, he was accepted as a disciple by the leader of the Knife Sect, the Lone West Heaven King."
"The one known as the Heavenly King's Horse-Slaying Blade on the battlefield," Guo Sungyang explained, "and in the martial arts world, it's also called the Heavenly King's Ghost-Slaying Blade."
"The Heavenly King's Ghost-Slaying Blade!"
Ding Baiyun couldn't help but laugh. "The youngest disciple of the Three Ghosts of Mang Mountain practices a sword art meant to slay ghosts?"
"But that sword is fearsome," Ding Chengfeng frowned and said, "The Lone West Heaven King's sword lineage has been passed down since the Tang Dynasty. Although they rarely venture into the Central Plains, their strength cannot be underestimated."
You Longsheng indicated his agreement.
The Heavenly King's Ghost-Slaying Blade was also well-known in the world of Heavenly Horizon, Bright Moon, Sabre. Back then, the leader was known as the Millet King, and he was one of the few experts who posed a threat to Fu Hongxue.
Unbeknownst to them, forty years later, a colleague working under Gongzi Yu had a grudge that dated back forty years.
Speaking of which...
"Are we in for some drama?" You Longsheng asked excitedly.
Guo Sungyang didn't understand. "Drama?"
Ding Baiyun explained, "It means there's going to be an interesting spectacle."
Guo Sungyang still didn't quite get the connection between watching drama and eating melons, but he understood their implication. "Finding Xiao Ao will lead us to the action."
Xiao Ao was easy to find.
When they located him, they saw that while his companions were agitated, Xiao Ao himself was nonchalant.
He waved the challenge letter in his hand and scoffed, "I never expected that the Three Ghosts of Mang Mountain had a younger brother. But a sword duel?"
Xiao Ao raised his eyebrows and laughed aloud, "Today, I'll send him to join his three brothers!"
Then, he tore the challenge letter to pieces. Xiao Ao laughed loudly, "Spread the word! I won't wait for three days. At sunset today, I want to see his sword!"
"Good!"
A sharp cry interrupted, but it didn't come from Xiao Ao's entourage. Instead, it came from a musician playing an instrument nearby.
Everyone turned to see the musician standing next to a set of chimes, his eyes fixed on Xiao Ao. "You killed my three brothers in broad daylight, and I shall kill you in broad daylight as well!"
As his words landed, the seemingly tall and thin musician overturned the entire set of chimes.
In the next moment, he drew out a sword from the chimes' frame.
The sword was straight, with a hilt measuring one foot and three inches, and a scabbard measuring seven feet and nine inches. Although the sword was slender and long, it stood taller than a man!
Everyone's expressions changed, and even Xiao Ao's pupils constricted. "The Heavenly King's Ghost-Slaying Blade! Are you a disciple of the Lone West Heaven King's lineage?"
"Indeed!"
The musician coldly smiled and strode towards Xiao Ao, his sword in hand. "My sword is here. Where's yours?"
Xiao Ao's sword was, of course, also at hand, held by one of the Xiao disciples behind him.
Xiao Ao straightened his posture and extended his left hand. A long sword appeared in his palm.
The next moment, everyone around them scattered, their eyes fixed tensely on the center of the action.
"It seems we've arrived at an opportune moment." Guo Sungyang smiled faintly and turned to the others.
He saw that You Longsheng had already taken a seat on a log next to the pavilion, holding a bag of melon seeds and ready to enjoy the show.
Ding Baiyun and Ding Chengfeng sat on either side, taking melon seeds from You Longsheng's hand as they asked, "Who do you think will win?"
Ding Chengfeng said, "I bet ten taels of silver on the Heavenly King's sword."
You Longsheng said, "Then I'll bet on Xiao Ao."
Ding Baiyun nodded, "I'll be the bookie. Place your bets!"
Guo Sungyang: ???
(End of Chapter)
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