Chapter 27

Dang Muho felt a powerful aura that made his skin tingle, and he was startled.

Until just a moment ago, he was merely a merchant skilled in superficial social tactics.

It was hard to believe that a person's aura could change so drastically.

Intense gaze.

Firmly planted feet on the ground.

The aura of a strong warrior emanating from Zhao Hui, the Feng Gong of the Nangong family, was that intense.

He was right.

Shaolin, Wudang, Huashan, Kunlun, Ami, Gongtong, Zhongnan, Qingcheng, and Xingshan.

All the sects that formed the Nine Schools (九派) were Buddhist or Taoist sects with a long history and tradition.

Their veneration of Taoism, their history and tradition, and the sense of homogeneity and solidarity were so deep and solid that they could not be compared to the Five Great Families.

Yiqi Huasansheng (一氣化三淸) is the root of all Taoist sects.

How could the veneration and service to the Supreme Deity of the Great Luo Heaven (大羅天) be different?

Clearly, Zhao Hui's logic was clear and unbiased.

If the Kunlun of Qinghai were trampled by the Heavenly Demon Sect, the Wu Lin Alliance, led by the Nine Schools, would unite and rise up.

On the other hand, what about the position of the Tang Family of Sichuan?

A righteous sect that uses poison and hidden weapons!

Although they feared the Tang Family's reputation and could not speak directly, Dang Muho knew they gossiped behind his back.

Moreover, the Five Great Families were much more secular and had a strong desire for honor.

The psychology of competing for the title of the First Family under Heaven (天下第一家) was greater than the strong sense of solidarity.

The Nangong family was the de facto First Family under Heaven as long as the Sima family did not lift their seclusion.

But now, this Feng Gong of the Nangong family, Zhao Hui, was proposing an alliance with the Tang Family.

Let's destroy the Heavenly Demon Sect's Sichuan branch together!

However, it was suspicious.

The Tang Family had never received any favor from the Five Great Families.

"Are you willing to shed blood with us just for the trade of iron ore? Do you expect me to believe that now? Of course, the fact that you claim to be the Feng Gong of the Nangong family is also questionable."

The position of Feng Gong in a family sometimes surpasses the authority of the elders.

But to appoint such a young man as Feng Gong?

Looking at him, his martial arts level seems quite high.

However, it's not just about having strong martial arts to be appointed as the Feng Gong of a high-ranking family like the Nangong.

The main requirements for a Feng Gong are popularity, virtue, and most importantly, reputation.

The Nangong family is not full of fools. How could they appoint someone they've never even heard of as Feng Gong?

"Why do you only believe in me as the Feng Gong of the Nangong family? I really am the Feng Gong, you know?"

"Can you provide any proof?"

"Proof?"

Zhao Hui looked bewildered.

To show proof of being a Feng Gong?

Do I have to carry a business card around?

If he had brought Nangong Zhanghuo or Zhang Yilong, the matter would have been resolved immediately, but without his comrades, he couldn't think of any proof to show.

‘Ah?’

Suddenly, Zhao Hui took out the Changtian Sword Token from his robe and handed it to Dang Muho.

"This is the Nangong Changtian Sword Token."

Dang Muho shook his head.

"The Changtian Sword Token is merely a symbol of goodwill and friendship; it cannot serve as proof of the position of Feng Gong."

"Huh..."

Only then did Zhao Hui realize the fundamental problem with all this.

In the martial arts novels he read in the modern era, extras would be amazed and guess the protagonist's nickname just by looking at their appearance.

Reputation.

In other words, the lack of reputation.

He didn't want to attract the attention of the Wu Lin Alliance and the Black Heaven League.

Therefore, he had almost never revealed his true strength.

A protruding rock invites the axe, so causing trouble by showing off would surely lead to annoying situations.

However, he realized that the lack of reputation could sometimes be inconvenient.

Thus, Zhao Hui decided that it was necessary to reveal himself appropriately.

Whether in the modern era or in the martial world, the weight of a person's words depends on who they are.

"So, how can I prove it?"

Zhao Hui's intense gaze.

Dang Muho met his gaze calmly and said,

"If you show me the Sword of the Emperor, things would be different."

In this way, Zhao Hui was fully realizing the nature of the martial world.

A martial artist proves themselves only by their personal strength.

"Alright. Are you willing to engage in a martial contest?"

Dang Muho's gaze also became intense.

"There is no such thing as a practice with the Tang Family's secret techniques. Can you dare to withstand the fatal techniques of the Tang Family?"

The pride on his face.

Looking at such a Dang Muho, Zhao Hui inwardly smiled.

Indeed, those who use poison and hidden weapons wouldn't engage in a friendly match.

At that moment, Dang Renxiang smiled and said to Dang Muho,

"Head of the family, you should bring out the Tang Family's Three Divine Techniques."

"The Three Divine Techniques?"

The Soul-Extinguishing Poison (滅魂毒).

The Flame-Explosion Bucket (炎火天爆桶).

The Dark Sky Qi-Controlled Flying Blade Technique (暗天馭氣飛刀術).

Those who can freely wield these three techniques of the Tang Family are called the Dark King (暗王).

It is the dignity and power that only the head of the Tang Family can wield.

A Dark King who has earned the title of 'Absolute Poison Master' is revered.

Dang Renxiang examined Dang Muho's eyes.

"Indeed... You have been so engrossed in the Dark Sky that you have not reached the realm of poison. Then the Soul-Extinguishing Poison will not be perfect, so I will allow the other two divine techniques."

Throughout the history of the Tang Family, there have been very few who have excelled in both poison and hidden weapons.

This is because the Dark Sky Qi-Controlled Flying Blade Technique, which is passed down in the family's secret chamber, is notoriously difficult to master, even if one dedicates their entire life to it.

‘Is this young man that good?’

His uncle wouldn't speak lightly.

If his uncle mentioned the two divine techniques, it means this young man has the necessary skills.

Dang Muho then took out a black dragon-entwined explosive bucket from his robe and attached it to his forearm.

The Flame-Explosion Bucket, which only the head of the family and their successor can possess.

Seeing this, all the Tang Family members could not help but tremble.

This bucket is the culmination of the Tang Family's dark techniques.

Seeing the actual Flame-Explosion Bucket is a matter of honor and awe for the young poison masters of the Tang Family.

This bucket, which can turn even a high-level Flame Realm expert into a puddle of blood, is an incredible artifact that has established the current reputation of the Tang Family.

Dang Muho opened the mechanism of the Flame-Explosion Bucket.

Five ring-shaped iron hooks then popped out.

Dang Muho silently put one iron hook on each finger and said,

"You might die."

With the discerning eyes of a modern person, Zhao Hui instantly understood the operating principle of the Flame-Explosion Bucket.

"Just dodge the five shots, right?"

"Huh..."

Has this person never heard of the Tang Family's reputation in the martial world?

Even high-level Flame Realm experts are tense in front of the Flame-Explosion Bucket.

Just dodging one shot can turn you into a puddle of blood, and he says just dodging five shots is fine.

With a look of humiliation, Dang Muho slowly increased the distance.

He then turned halfway and let his arms hang loosely, hiding his hands in his sleeves.

A unique stance of the Tang Family.

"I am ready."

Zhao Hui took a few steps back and raised his sword straight into the air.

The sword, covering his forehead.

A bright white light flashed across the sword and Zhao Hui's eyes.

"Come on."

Dang Muho's face, twisted with anger.

As soon as he finished speaking, six flying daggers shot out from his sleeves simultaneously.

Swoosh!

The flying daggers, filled with killing intent, were launched at an incredible speed.

Clang! Clang!

Zhao Hui's sword deflected two of the flying daggers in a flash.

Then, his figure vanished!

The lightning-fast movement technique, Lightning Wind.

His three consecutive sword strikes attacked Dang Muho.

Dang Muho, not daring to underestimate, retreated hurriedly using the Dark Sky movement technique.

But the moment he felt safe after increasing the distance, a dazzling light burst from Zhao Hui's three sword strikes.

A bright white light, like stars.

The dense will of the sword master flowed through the sword.

The surge of the sword's aura, the dazzling light, made Dang Muho realize immediately.

Sword Qi to Sword Gang (劍氣成罡)!

In the face of this clear symbol of the Flame Realm, Dang Muho gasped and spun like a windmill.

Pfft!

Whoosh!

Extreme pain from his back!

His back was split open like a melon due to the sudden manifestation of the sword gang.

Dang Muho bit his lip until it bled and used his inner strength to stop the bleeding.

Immediately, his figure soared into the air.

Dark Sky Qi-Controlled Flying Blade Technique (暗天驭气飞刀术).

The second move (后一式).

Heavenly Qi Control Illusion (天开驭气幻).

Instantly, Zhao Hui felt his vision split.

Through the split vision, an overwhelming number of illusory flying daggers were pouring out.

Instinctively, he felt that it could not be blocked without an absolute level of will.

Zhao Hui looked at the illusory flying daggers with his white pupils.

Thus, he invoked the Sword Heaven Omnipotent Body.

Examining the endless physical information flooding his mind, Zhao Hui could only marvel.

Surprisingly, these illusions were not illusions but each one was a real flying dagger.

‘So each of these is a controlled flying dagger?’

Is that even possible?

The amount of will required to manifest a controlled flying dagger with a single sword is enormous. How could he control dozens or hundreds of flying daggers with controlled flying daggers?

It was definitely a controlled flying dagger.

If it weren't, they wouldn't follow him like a tracker.

‘What a scam!’

Whoosh!

Dazzling flashes of light poured endlessly from the split gap.

It was like rain.

There was no way to block it with the sword techniques of the Nangong family.

For the first time since leaving the Sword Tomb, Zhao Hui increased his inner strength to over 70%.

The Eighth Move of the Heavenly Sword Style (天剑流第八式).

The Way of Emptiness (天下空空道).

Currently, the strongest sword technique he could wield.

Zhao Hui used the dual mind technique to simultaneously perform two moves.

Two