While she was lost in thought, Bai Lu suddenly nudged her with her elbow:
"Look!"
Flowers bloom and the sun rises high on the Double Ninth Festival.
"Next match: Young Hero Li Ruoke of Yumen Tower versus Qing Ling, the Third Protector of Yanzu Valley!"
A young man in his early twenties and a charming woman whose age was impossible to discern walked onto the stage. Bai Lu craned her neck to watch for a long time, then nudged Hua Chongyang with her elbow:
"Which one is Li Ruoke, and which one is Qing Ling?"
"The man is Li Ruoke, the chief disciple of Yumenlou; the woman is from Yanzu Valley."
Hua Chongyang narrowed his eyes.
Yumenlou is a small sect that has only recently gained some prominence in the martial arts world, and is famous for its swordsmanship.
This was the first time Yanzu Valley had appeared at the martial arts tournament. Before the two even began fighting, Hua Chongyang lowered his voice:
"Aru, get ready. You'll go up there and test Qingling's skills later."
Bai Lu retorted somewhat defiantly:
"How do you know that flirtatious woman will definitely win? Judging from her appearance, her martial arts skills aren't that high."
"You'll see when you see it."
The martial arts competition begins.
In less than thirty moves, Li Ruoke was kicked off the stage by Qing Ling.
Bai Lu was stunned. Hua Chongyang glanced at her:
Do you know how many people from Yanzu Valley are participating in this martial arts tournament?
"How many?"
"Four Dharma protectors and a dozen or so disciples."
"So many people?! Are they planning a rebellion?"
"You understand now. They're trying to make a name for themselves, using the same tactic as Lan Ying Palace's appearance at the martial arts tournament last year." Hua Chongyang finished speaking and handed Bai Lu a sword. "Remember my words: when you go up there, only use feints to stall her. I need to observe her moves."
Once we find out where the martial arts of Yanzu Valley originated, we can follow the clues to find out who their mastermind is.
"knew."
Bai Lu took the sword and jumped onto the stage.
Hua Chongyang leaned back in his chair, took the tea from Ye Laoqi, took a sip, and then heard Ye Laoqi suddenly sigh:
"OP."
"how?"
"...I think," Ye Laoqi said with a hint of satisfaction, "that you're becoming more and more like your eldest sister in your speech and actions."
Ye Qinghua was the fourth oldest in the brothel, but because she had personally rescued Ye Laoqi, their bond was somewhat special, and Ye Laoqi always addressed Ye Qinghua as "elder sister." Hua Chongyang glanced at her, smiled, and seemingly casually asked:
"Is that so?"
"You're becoming more and more experienced and thorough in your work. Also, to be honest," Ye Laoqi hesitated, "I've always opposed your comeback, actually because I was afraid—"
Hua Chongyang chuckled and replied, "Are you afraid I'll get back together with Lan Wuxie?"
"Yes," Ye Laoqi sighed, "Before my eldest sister died, she once told me in private that she was afraid you would never be able to let go of him in your life. But now it seems you can let go easily, just like your eldest sister."
Hua Chongyang did not answer for a long time before smiling and saying:
"Being able to take things on and let them go—that's not what my mother is talking about. If I truly could do that, then I'd be like Yan Zhao."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a report came from the dueling platform:
"Next match: Yanzu Gu Qingling versus Bai Lu, a courtesan!"
Qingling was already standing on the stage when Bailu, carrying a sword, smiled and strolled leisurely onto the stage. A chorus of chatter erupted from the audience.
Hua Chongyang sighed from below the stage.
Bai Lu walked straight up to Qing Ling, smiled, and carefully looked her over before bowing her head slightly.
"Miss Qingling, please show mercy later."
Qingling was taken aback, probably not expecting Bailu to be so affectionate on the dueling stage. She smiled sweetly and was about to bow in return, her hand on her skirt as she lowered her face to speak—
Bai Lu, with her left hand holding the sheath and her right hand drawing the sword, was already thrusting at her; Qing Ling suddenly turned to the side, but it was too late, and half of the purple gauze sleeve on her right arm was cut off.
"Bai Lu, you—you dare to cheat!"
"Cheating? Sister Qingling, where did I cheat?" Bailu retorted while brandishing her sword. "The duel begins when the gong sounds. It's already started; I just didn't want to waste any more time on formalities!"
The two had been exchanging blows and insults for ten moves. On the third move, Hua Chongyang suddenly widened his eyes and stared at Qing Ling's movements.
The moves Qingling used were surprisingly similar to Bailu's!
After another ten moves, Ye Laoqi also frowned.
Even Ji Chong, who was sitting in the front row, turned around to look at Hua Chongyang, separated by a row of seats:
"Chongyang, what move did Qingling use—"
That move was seven-tenths similar to the Flower Sword Technique!
However, compared to Bai Lu, Qing Ling's moves were much cruder, and included some techniques from other schools. On stage, Bai Lu deliberately provoked Qing Ling with words, infuriating her and prompting her to launch a barrage of attacks, while Qing Ling herself only defended. After exchanging over a hundred moves, Hua Chongyang could only shake his head in frustration.
"That's strange. The Flower Sword Technique makes up half of it; the rest is a mix of different styles from various schools, making it impossible to tell which school it's from."
Ye Laoqi asked anxiously, "Does it include the martial arts of Nan Chu Manor?"
Hua Chongyang frowned:
"That's the tricky part. It would be fine if there were no moves from the Southern Chu Manor at all; but just now, during the eighty-something moves, Qing Ling used a move from the Southern Chu Manor, so it's impossible to tell whether she's one of them or not."
Ye Laoqi was stunned for a moment:
"So... are we just going to let it go like this?"
"Of course not." Hua Chongyang stared at the dueling platform. "She's not alone. Let's wait until the few people from Yanzu Valley are left before we see. It's just pointless for Bailu to keep fighting her like this."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Bai Lu, as if on the same wavelength, swung her sword and launched a sudden attack, unleashing thirty consecutive slashes, thrusts, and parries with the sword whistling through the air. By the thirty-fifth move, the tip of her sword was aimed directly at Qing Ling's throat.
"That's enough!" Qingling shouted. "Bailu, don't do anything reckless!"
"What could I possibly do wrong?" Bai Lu giggled. "Sister Qing, what do you think I could possibly do wrong?"
A wicked smile flashed in her eyes.
Hua Chongyang couldn't help but rub his forehead and lower his eyes:
"I wish I didn't know her."
...Just by looking at her eyes, you could tell that Bai Lu was definitely going to do something reckless this time.
Sure enough, Bai Lu's sword tip remained still, but she drew closer and closer to Qing Ling. When they were only a foot apart, she swiftly drew a sword flourish, then sheathed her sword and turned around.
"Sister Qing, I won."
She walked to the edge of the arena, her outer robe fluttering to the ground, revealing a corner of her undergarment. She covered her chest with her hand and began to hurl insults at Bai Lu's retreating figure:
"Bai Lu, you shameless little dog!"
Bai Lu, who was standing at the corner of the arena, turned and smiled at Qing Ling's retreating figure as she rushed off the stage. A calm voice rose from below the stage:
"Wait."
Her smile remained unchanged as she slowly turned to the person who had spoken.
A cold-faced man in his early thirties, dressed in black, stepped out from the crowd, slowly walked onto the dueling platform, and bowed to Bai Lu after standing still.
"I am Cheng Sheng, the Great Protector of Yanzu Valley."
Bai Lu turned around, not returning the greeting, but only pursing her lips and raising her eyebrows with a slight smile:
"Taking advantage of victory? I think Protector should change his name to 'Taking advantage of defeat.' You came up to me as soon as Qingling lost; isn't that 'pursuing the defeat'?"
Cheng Sheng smiled slightly, said nothing, stared at Bai Lu, drew his sword, and assumed a fighting stance:
Please enlighten me.
Bai Lu smiled gently and drew her sword.
With a whoosh, the sword was drawn from its sheath.
Upon seeing this, Hua Chongyang sighed softly to Ye Laoqi from below the stage:
"Aru is going to lose this match."
"Alu's internal strength has been cultivated to a very high level—"
"No matter how deep her internal energy is, she still can't control Cheng Sheng's movements. How can she use her internal energy if she can't even pinpoint her target?" Hua Chongyang sighed. "This is also why Lan Wuxie can dominate the martial arts world. His internal energy is unmatched, and his techniques are effective in defeating enemies, which is why he is invincible."
As she expected, Bai Lu was already struggling to hold on after less than fifty moves with Cheng Sheng. She was eager to attack, but Cheng Sheng only defended, restraining her with every move.
Hua Chongyang sighed:
"Seventh Brother, take my sword."
"OP, you—I think I'll go find Liu Da and the others—"
"Even if they arrive, it will be too late. At my worst, I'm still better off than Aru. After all, she's already fought Qingling."
Before Bai Lu could retreat, Hua Chongyang flipped and leaped onto the stage, his sword still sheathed, blocking Cheng Sheng's all-out slash.
"Bai Lu, you should admit defeat!"
Cheng Sheng's sword tip landed on Hua Chongyang's sword sheath, and as he exerted force, he sneered at Bai Lu:
"A man relies on a woman; Young Master Bai, you have such great spirit!"
Seeing that Bai Lu was about to lash out, Hua Chongyang blocked her with his left hand, raised his sword with his right, and smiled at Cheng Sheng:
"Wasn't that strike from Protector Cheng just now just brute force bullying a child?"
Cheng Sheng was taken aback.
Hua Chongyang raised an eyebrow, turned around, shoved Bailu, and then rolled a few steps forward, his sword tip already thrusting straight at Cheng Sheng:
"Thank you for your guidance!"