Chapter 72

On that evening, everyone gathered for dinner, but Muhxiang dined separately in the annex where he was staying, as he preferred to eat alone. This was somewhat impolite for a guest, but due to his antisocial attitude earlier in the day, no one dared to welcome him with open arms, and they tacitly accepted his slightly impolite behavior with gratitude.

Everyone took their seats at the table, and deliciously prepared dishes were brought in from the kitchen. At that moment, Zhao Lian, who was sipping tea, gently opened her mouth.

"There seems to be another guest. Why isn't he here?"

Bai Shang, a little flustered, responded. His wife, Zhao Lian, was the only woman he feared and valued the most in the world. She was a gentle and warm wife, a loving mother, and a strict yet kind mistress of the household, managing it with a single silk whip.

"Oh, he said he would dine separately."

"That doesn't seem right, considering he's staying in the annex. It's quite rude."

Bai Shang, looking awkward, tried to justify it.

"Well, the guest has a rather eccentric personality and requested to dine alone. Please don't worry about it, my lady."

"What do you mean by eccentric? I met him earlier, and he seemed very kind and gentle... It's strange for you to judge him so quickly today."

"Hem, my lady... He is a person of the Devil Sect. As a member of the Devil Sect..."

"It's rude to generalize people like that, especially with children around... How many people in the righteous sects have hearts of stone? Conversely, there must be good people in the Devil Sect as well. You often say that one shouldn't make judgments without getting to know someone deeply. It's inconsistent of you to do so now..."

"Hem, my lady, please stop. We have a guest..."

"Oh, I almost forgot about Chao Liubin. So, how is your family?"

"Yes, everyone is well."

"Is your mother, Cizhang, still in good health?"

Chao Liubin's expression seemed to twist slightly, but he quickly replied.

"Yes..."

Chao Liubin's mother, Du Shou Lang Lang Wang Yunhe, was a woman known for her fierce and eccentric personality. She had forcibly married Chao Liubin's father, Yu Mian Yi Lang Chao Fengtian, who was famous for his handsome face, almost by force. As a result, Chao Fengtian often met guests with a bruised face, and the rumor spread widely. Even after nearly 40 years of marriage, it was still surprising that the husband, who was two years younger, was still being beaten by his wife.

About ten years ago, Chao Fengtian, seeing his children grow up and assuming they would be busy with their own lives and thus less skilled in martial arts, attempted a final rebellion. After failing miserably, he no longer dared to resist.

However, now that she was 73 years old, Zhao Lian wondered if her behavior had improved, and she asked indirectly as a good hostess. But seeing Chao Liubin's awkward expression, it seemed that Du Shou Lang Lang's personality had not changed at all. As the saying goes, "Three-year habits last until eighty," so perhaps it would take seven more years to see any change.

"How long do we have to stay here?"

On the seventh day of staying at the Bai family estate, Muhxiang asked Chao Liubin. During this time, Muhxiang and Chao Liubin had been living as guests in the annex. Chao Liubin had wandered around, but Muhxiang had not left the annex since he arrived, so he had no idea what was happening outside. However, Muhxiang, who was an enemy of the righteous sects, had spent a week meditating without any questions, showing that he was not an ordinary person.

Chao Liubin, with a look that suggested he was surprised Muhxiang was asking now, replied.

"Someone from the Xumen family, one of the Five Great Families, is expected to arrive today or tomorrow. Since the Xumen family obtained the map to the tomb of Gou Hui first, they have the right of first refusal. After they arrive, Bai Shang will consult with them and then take action. You'll have to wait until then."

"Why wait? That shouldn't be a problem..."

"But isn't it risky to stay here during a rebellion?"

"Don't worry. If it's urgent, we'll get a message. I have a few trusted people, so it won't fall apart suddenly. If it does, we can start over. What's there to worry about? Time is on our side..."

Chao Liubin looked at Muhxiang, who was sitting cross-legged on a mat in the garden, and thought.

'From his appearance, he seems to have plenty of time. He looks like he could live another 60 years. But how old is he really? And what is the depth of his true martial arts?'

At that moment, a servant approached and said politely.

"Madam asks you to come for a moment."

"I'll be back shortly."

Muhxiang had closed his eyes and was meditating, so Chao Liubin decided to go without disturbing him. He followed the servant to a luxurious living room, where Bai Yunyu and four other people were seated. One of them stood up and greeted him first.

"Oh, it's been a while. It's really good to see you... I heard you left, but you look well."

Chao Liubin smiled bitterly and greeted him.

"It's been a while, brother."

Feitian Jian Helian Yun was a disciple of the Huanglong Sect, a small, unknown sect. However, he had a stroke of luck and obtained the Qingyue Sword Technique from a senior named Neng Bi Ying. After years of practice, he mastered it to the tenth level. He then broadened his horizons by meeting a terrifying expert from the Wudang Sect, and his sword skills improved even further. Now, he was recognized as the strongest among the younger generation. He was 43 years old and had formed a brotherhood with Chao Liubin, who was a year younger. Though he was a bit rough in speech, he was the best person among the Seven Dragons and was currently the deputy leader of the Huanglong Sect.

"It's been a while, Liubin."

Next, a woman who looked to be in her early twenties, with a stunning beauty that could make one's eyes pop out, greeted him. Her name was Mei Yingren, and though she did not have a nickname in the martial world, she was one of the Four Peaks. She was the granddaughter of Yu Hua Wu Di Mai Xiangyu, the only woman among the Five Emperors, and was 31 years old. Based on her grandmother's martial arts level, it was speculated that she was also extremely powerful.

"Indeed... You've become even more beautiful since I last saw you."

"Thank you."

Her confident and shameless response, without any change in her expression, suggested that she was well aware of her beauty...

"Have you been well?"

This time, Yu Mian Gongzi Ling Shaotian, who was sitting next to Mei Yingren, greeted him formally. He was a lay disciple of the Wudang Sect, with an exceptionally handsome appearance but a somewhat melancholic aura. He was a master of the Taiji Sword Technique and had great martial arts skills. He was also talented in playing the flute and the zither and had a deep understanding of sound techniques.

"Hello, it's been a while. There's someone here who can match your flute skills. You should meet them later."

"Yes, it would be an honor."

"Who is this?"

Ling Shaotian then introduced the young, handsome man standing next to him.

"Introduce yourself. This is Chao Liubin."

"Nice to meet you. I am Xumen Ji."

"Oh, I've heard of a young talent from the Xumen family, but I didn't know you were so young. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Chao Liubin looked around and said.

"It's an honor to meet four of the Seven Dragons and Four Peaks. But why are you here?"

"This guy... If you hadn't left your sect, you would still be one of the Seven Dragons. I got in because you left. Still, to be one of the Seven Dragons at this age..."

"By the way, when are you getting married? You should consider your age."

"You should think about it too. I have no plans to marry."

"Why not?"

"If I slack off in my martial arts training for even a day, I have nightmares about the time I fought a strange person from the Wudang Sect. His sword grazed my stomach, and it was terrifying. You don't understand how scary it was."

Chao Liubin smiled, and the others listened quietly, as if hearing this for the first time.

"Come on, that was a long time ago."

"Would you forget it? The legendary sword technique passed just an inch from my skin... The feeling of the sword energy grazing my stomach... I still break out in a cold sweat when I think about it. If his sword had been a bit longer, I would have died."

"Still, thanks to that, your sword skills are unmatched, right?"

"Thanks to that... I just want to sleep soundly for a day. I don't think I can ever sleep peacefully after that experience."

"Still, you should get married soon. There are several outstanding young talents waiting to join the Seven Dragons because of you. At 43, it's quite unusual to still be one of the Seven Dragons. It's probably because you're a stubborn old man..."

At this, Helian Yun quickly looked at the two women and blushed, shouting.

"Do you want to die? Why don't you get married? You're 42..."

"But why are you all here?"

"Of course, it's because of Gou Hui's tomb. We have a few things to discuss. After consulting with Bai Shang, we'll go to the Martial World Alliance. By the way, I heard from Bai Shao that you came with someone. Why didn't you bring them?"

"Yes, there are some circumstances. I'll introduce them later."

"Did you become their subordinate? What do they do? Bai Shao said you should tell us..."

"I'll tell you later. What do you need to discuss? Is there any new information?"

"Bai Shang will be here soon. We'll talk about it then."

Bai Shang had not arrived yet, so the conversation continued. At this point, Mei Yingren, who had been listening to the conversation between Chao Liubin and Helian Yun, suddenly asked Helian Yun.

"Helian, you said it was a sword technique, right?"

"Yes."

"What did the person look like?"

"He was a man in his mid-twenties, dressed in black. He probably had a rejuvenated appearance, so I don't know his real age. He wasn't exceptionally handsome, but he wasn't ugly either. He had a decent face. He used a short, black sword. Thanks to that, I survived. When I drew my sword, he ignored me, but when I used the Qingyue Sword Technique, he finally drew his sword, as if acknowledging that I was worthy. I should have backed down when I realized his skill, but I didn't. I had just mastered the Qingyue Sword Technique to the tenth level, so I was overconfident. His sword suddenly glowed with a fierce blue light. In one strike, my sword and protective energy were shattered. It was terrifying. But because his sword was short, it only grazed my stomach. The aftereffects of his sword technique were so strong that my skin was deeply cut. I thought I was going to die..."

Helian Yun gestured as he described the sword technique in detail.

"Could it be... him?"

"What? Do you know who this strange person is? Since you're from the Wu Ying Sect, you probably know more than you don't. Who is he?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know much about the deeper affairs of the sect. I just remember something from a conversation between my grandmother and the chief supervisor."

"What is it?"

"If someone uses a sword technique so recklessly, they must be a Xianjing-level expert."

"That's what I think."

"I heard that after Gou Hui, there was another Xianjing-level expert."

"What?"

"There was one in the Devil Sect. Surprisingly, he was a master of Tamo. Since Tamo is equivalent to Xianjing, he must be a Xianjing-level expert."

"That's true. But I've never heard of a Devil Sect expert achieving such incredible martial arts skills."

"That's because he had a problematic personality and was removed from the Devil Sect about ten years ago. Given the time he was active, it's highly likely that the strange person you met is him."

Helian Yun, looking disbelieving, asked.

"Removed?"

"Yes, I heard he lost his memory and wandered around. He was severely injured when he escaped from the Devil Sect and had forgotten all his martial arts. He was then recruited by the imperial palace. Surprisingly, he mastered imperial palace martial arts in a short time and regained Xianjing-level skills. I overheard my grandmother and the chief supervisor discussing how to deal with him."

"Anything else?"

"That's all. I only overheard the part about Tamo."

Helian Yun, still looking skeptical, nodded.