Chapter 22

On this day, the city of Chang'an welcomed two young martial artists. One of them was slightly older, with a long, square face, arched eyebrows, and thin lips, exuding a casual and lazy aura. The other was tall and handsome, carrying a broad, dark sword on his back. Though he was more composed and steady than his companion, his youthful features revealed that he was still a young man.

These two were Linghu Chong and Yue Fangxing. After leaving the Zhongnan Mountains, they roamed the area for a few days before finally arriving in Chang'an.

Yue Fangxing had been in this world for sixteen years and had never seen an ancient metropolis before. Chang'an, as a city of a thousand years, was indeed magnificent, far surpassing the small county towns near Huashan. However, after the Tang Dynasty, Guanzhong had fallen into ruin. Although Chang'an was still a famous city, it was not as prosperous as the major cities in the Central Plains. To Yue Fangxing, it was at best comparable to some county towns of the future, and even less bustling.

Yue Fangxing looked at the somewhat dilapidated streets and said to Linghu Chong, "I've heard that Chang'an is a famous city in the world. The city walls indeed live up to the reputation, but I didn't expect the inside to be so dilapidated!"

Linghu Chong replied, "Junior Brother, why do we, as people of the martial world, talk about these things? Let's go to the Zhexian Tower and have a jar of wine first."

The Zhexian Tower was the legendary wine shop where Li Bai often got drunk, renowned throughout Guanzhong. It was said that the best Fen wine was not in Shanxi but in Chang'an, and among the wines of Chang'an, the Zhexian Tower was the best. Therefore, upon arriving in Chang'an, Linghu Chong naturally wanted to visit the Zhexian Tower.

Yue Fangxing felt somewhat helpless upon hearing this. His senior brother was good in every way, but he was too fond of alcohol, and once he thought of drinking, he would forget everything else. However, he did not want to argue with Linghu Chong over this, so he accompanied him. With him around, he thought Linghu Chong would not really get drunk and ruin their important mission.

When they arrived at the Zhexian Tower, it was mealtime, and the place was bustling with people. They found a seat and sat down. This time, Linghu Chong only ordered a jar of wine, showing that he still knew the gravity of their situation and the important mission they carried.

Yue Fangxing and Linghu Chong casually ordered some dishes and started eating. Suddenly, a voice came from nearby.

"In recent years, the Qingcheng Sect has flourished. The 'Four Heroes of Qingcheng' are truly a famous name in the martial world. In comparison, the younger generation of Huashan is far inferior." The speaker was a yellow-faced man, not very tall, with a Sichuan accent, looking like a martial artist. His words seemed to be a sigh, but his face was full of ridicule, clearly mocking the Huashan Sect.

Since the Quanzhen Sect withdrew from the martial world, Huashan had always been the leading sect in Guanzhong for hundreds of years. Although it had declined somewhat in recent years, it had regained some of its former glory and still had a good reputation in Chang'an. Someone nearby immediately objected, "How can the Huashan Sect be inferior to the Qingcheng Sect? The eldest disciple, Linghu Xiaoye, has been a famous figure in the martial world for several years. Compared to him, the Four Heroes of Qingcheng are nothing!"

Another person chimed in, "I've heard that Linghu Xiaoye has a junior brother, the son of 'Gentleman Sword' Yue Dangjia, who is also well-known in the Huashan area. He must be quite capable, and I've heard he has recently started traveling in the martial world."

The yellow-faced man snorted, "Linghu Chong is just a young upstart. His sword skills are passable, but his martial arts are nothing to speak of. As for the son of 'Gentleman Sword' Yue Dangjia, he's just relying on his father's name. What can a little kid do? It's all just boasting. Besides, even if these two have some skills, can they match the Four Heroes of Qingcheng? Hahaha!"

Although the people around were indignant at his arrogance, they had no way to refute him. After all, the decline of the Huashan Sect in recent years was well-known, and the younger generation lacked notable experts. After a major change over twenty years ago, Huashan had fallen to its lowest point almost overnight. Although it had improved somewhat in recent years, it was far from its former glory. The only standout in the younger generation was Linghu Chong. As for Yue Fangxing, he was only known because he was Yue Dangjia's son, and no one really thought he was that capable. Even if his martial arts were good, he could not compare to the Four Heroes of Qingcheng, who had gained fame in recent years.

However, for hundreds of years, Huashan had been the leading sect in Guanzhong, a matter of pride. Now, to be bullied by the Qingcheng Sect from another province, the people naturally felt indignant. Although they had no words to counter the yellow-faced man, they were unwilling to agree with him, and the scene became quiet.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, "I wonder which gentleman just said I was boasting. I am Yue Fangxing, and this is my senior brother, Linghu Chong. Although we are not very talented, we still want to challenge this friend to show that the Huashan Sect is not to be spoken of lightly."

Everyone looked and saw a young man with a black sword on his back standing up, his face flushed with anger. Beside him was a slightly older young man, one hand on the long sword on the table, the other gripping a wine cup, his face also showing anger. The words were spoken by the young man.

Everyone was stunned for a moment before reacting. The yellow-faced man's face turned red with embarrassment, not expecting to encounter the very people he had been criticizing. The surrounding people laughed, finding the situation awkward.

Then Yue Fangxing said, "Please, friend, draw your line, and I will take it on."

The crowd erupted in laughter, realizing that this was a challenge. They all looked at the man, eager to see the spectacle.

The yellow-faced man's face turned red, but he still tried to hold his ground, "What do you want to challenge me about? If you have the skills, go challenge the Four Heroes of Qingcheng."

Yue Fangxing was about to continue, but Linghu Chong stood up, grabbed his long sword, and said, "Junior Brother, why bother with such a person? It would be a waste of our dignity. This wine can't be enjoyed now. Waiter, settle the bill!"

The waiter quickly responded, clearly afraid that a fight would break out and affect the business of the wine shop, which would be even more troublesome if there were injuries.

Yue Fangxing, still angry, said, "Senior Brother is right, but we should also give this person a lesson so that he doesn't speak recklessly in the future, and others won't think that Huashan is afraid of Qingcheng!"

He then grabbed a pair of chopsticks and threw them at the yellow-faced man's face, the momentum was fierce.

The yellow-faced man's face turned pale, and he fell off his stool, rolling on the ground in a very embarrassing manner, but he managed to avoid the chopsticks.

As he got up, the crowd burst into laughter. The chopsticks, though thrown with great force, fell to the ground beside the yellow-faced man, clearly showing that Yue Fangxing was just trying to scare him, not to hurt him. However, some people noticed that Yue Fangxing's eyesight and strength were quite remarkable, even though it seemed like a playful gesture.

Linghu Chong, seeing this, also laughed heartily. He naturally recognized that this was a technique Yue Fangxing had recently learned from the "Nine Yin Manual." He could use it too, but due to his insufficient power, he could not control it as freely. He didn't expect his junior brother to use it here.

Yue Fangxing also found it amusing. He had only intended to test the man, but didn't expect such a strong reaction. He then bowed to the surrounding people and left with Linghu Chong.

After this incident, the two had no interest in sightseeing in Chang'an and left the city.

Outside Chang'an, seeing no one around, Linghu Chong said, "Junior Brother, that move you just used was quite impressive. If it were to spread, you would be famous in the martial world. However, it was a bit rash, given our important mission. We must not cause unnecessary trouble."

Yue Fangxing smiled, "Senior Brother, you're thinking too much. I didn't use it to show off my skills."

Linghu Chong was surprised, "Do you have another purpose? You are usually very steady, but you seemed quite agitated this time. Is there something else going on?"

Yue Fangxing said, "Senior Brother, think carefully about how the yellow-faced man fell."

Linghu Chong thought for a moment and suddenly realized, "He fell on his own when you made your move. I felt something was off!" He then slapped his forehead, clearly regretting not noticing it sooner.

Yue Fangxing said, "Exactly, Senior Brother. I was testing if he had any skills. It turns out he did. I think he knew our identities and deliberately provoked us. Otherwise, why would he criticize the Huashan Sect for no reason?"

Linghu Chong said, "You mean he might have discovered something we have? Which sect's spy could he be? From his accent, could he be from the Qingcheng Sect? They have been probing Guanzhong for years, quite aggressively!"

Yue Fangxing said, "Not necessarily. He could be a spy from another sect who just happened to test us. However, if we had remained silent, they might have suspected us. Think about it, who could tolerate their sect being insulted to their face, especially a young, ambitious martial artist just starting out? So I showed a bit of skill to intimidate him and show that we are confident."

Linghu Chong, hearing this, finally understood and was greatly impressed by Yue Fangxing. To think of all this and respond appropriately in such a short time was not something a newcomer to the martial world could do. He himself had been in the martial world for years and didn't have such insight. He praised, "Junior Brother, you have great insight. I can't match you. However, what he said does harm the reputation of Huashan. If we encounter the Four Heroes of Qingcheng next time, we must teach them a lesson!"

In the following days, the two were cautious and did not notice anything unusual. It seemed that the man had just been testing them, or had already achieved his purpose and did not suspect that they were carrying any secrets. However, Yue Fangxing and Linghu Chong remained vigilant, traveling quickly until they reached the foot of Huashan, and then they headed straight up the mountain without stopping.