Chapter 44

Shengdan (2)

The distribution of martial artists in the Jianghu was like the Yangtze River, meaning that the hierarchy never changed.

No matter how strong one's martial arts were, it did not mean one could stand above one's master, senior, or junior.

Rihuangcheng was different. It was known as the sword of the Great Ming Empire.

The term "Shengdan" was unusual. The word itself revealed the unique aspect of Rihuangcheng.

It highly valued the quality of a sword that could be sharpened. Therefore, it prohibited the relationship between master and disciple and introduced the Shengdan system.

"It's the same as the Rihuangshi. It consists of two tests."

The middle-aged man was thin with sunken eyes. His black robe was wide.

His thin body was even more prominent, but no one laughed. He was called the leader of the Extermination Team.

His martial arts were said to be as powerful as those of Maguangyi.

After the Rihuangcheng Lord announced the start of the examination, he closed his eyes again. The Extermination Team Leader was in charge of the exam.

"Insight and martial power. Other items are replaced by records of merit. I will present the questions."

Those seated in a long line received blank sheets of paper. Zheng Yanshen was in the middle, stretching out his paper.

The brush and ink beside him were unfamiliar. Perhaps it had been a long time since he had used them after the destruction of the Zheng family.

Suddenly, Qing Ming's words came to mind.

"He said it wasn't much."

That wasn't the case. Various stone slabs, rocks, or pieces of tree bark were lifted up.

The white warriors had to look at the marks on the objects and guess which school and which supreme technique had left them.

The more famous the martial arts, the more distinct the characteristics, making this a test of insight and experience.

Senior warriors with higher levels of insight were watching, leaving no room for distraction.

Zheng Yanshen, who had limited experience in the Jianghu, answered three questions correctly.

The Thirty-Six Heavenly Swords of the Zhongnan School, the Taiyi Sword, and the Plum Blossom Sword of the Huashan School.

His time spent interacting with experts at the Zhongnan School had greatly contributed to this.

'The Blood Flame Sect too.'

Sometimes, even if one knew the school, one didn't know the name of the supreme technique.

After finishing the first test, he briefly returned to Maguangyi's group.

Qing Ming shot a smile, saying that getting only three out of twenty questions right was a failing grade.

If he didn't score close to full marks in the second test, that would be the case.

"There's nothing I can do."

"It takes at least a dozen years to broaden one's horizons before reaching the blue level."

"In the case of Zheng Yanshen, there's no precedent."

Senior Maguangyi patted Zheng Yanshen's shoulder, offering comfort. Maguangyi and his group were different from the others.

There was no trace of worry on their faces as they chatted casually. Even if others asked, they would just smile and say nothing.

"Go ahead. I'll follow soon."

Xian Yuanchang said, his expression resolute.

His mind was hard to fathom, and Zheng Yanshen often thought it was just the way he was.

He had seen Xian Yuanchang handle the killing sword many times, but he still couldn't figure out what his true nature was.

Zheng Yanshen smiled slightly.

"We'll probably be on the same mission next."

"Hmm? How did you know, young hero?"

"It just feels that way."

He brushed it off. As the guild grew, he sometimes had a certain premonition.

Most of the time, it was accurate, from trivial matters to inspirations about martial arts.

It wasn't a good feeling. It seemed like the heavens were giving him a hint of an early death.

"Your opponent is decided. A guy named Hongzhujian from the Extermination Team. He's not a good one."

A junior brought the news. She was a girl with bright, expressive eyes, the same age as Zheng Yanshen.

Indeed, he had gained juniors during the few missions he had undertaken.

Rumors spread that she was a world-class talent, the successor to Zheng Yanshen. She didn't rely on her family's power.

She had just passed the Rihuangshi and joined.

'Shen Zhaobin, right?'

He was the younger brother of the successor of the Rihuangcheng Shen family. Zheng Yanshen had seen the successor before.

At the previous ceremony, he had withstood the Rihuangcheng Lord's aura alongside Zheng Yanshen and Ma Sein.

He thought the successor had a similar handsome face and prominent nose.

"Hongzhujian? I've never heard of him."

"Of course, seniors like you wouldn't. He's quite famous among those who live in the capital like me."

Shen Zhaobin chattered boldly. She seemed to have grown up with the love of everyone in a prestigious family.

She was almost a living embodiment of the phrase "precious daughter."

"He's been a white warrior for twenty years. He's very venomous. They say he can skillfully use all kinds of tricks, even making a technique like Lazily Rolling Donkey his specialty. You should be careful, senior."

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

Zheng Yanshen replied calmly.

Using Lazily Rolling Donkey as a specialty technique? He could understand the nature of the expert named Hongzhujian.

It meant he was willing to endure humiliation and roll on the ground. It implied he didn't care about face.

The story might be exaggerated, but it was enough.

'Rihuangcheng has all kinds of martial artists.'

He would face all sorts of situations on future missions.

This Shengdan might be a good experience.

Zheng Yanshen nodded slightly to Shen Zhaobin, expressing his gratitude.

Her face became strange.

"Senior, are you on guard? You should also be prepared to catch hidden weapons. The worse the opponent, the less Jianghu experience you have."

"I'm always on guard."

"Yes, of course. Senior has a reputation. You'll surely handle it well."

The other seniors seemed to watch the conversation between the two juniors with a strange satisfaction.

Zheng Yanshen moved without hesitation. The Extermination Team Leader was already calling Zheng Yanshen's name.

"Zheng Xiaoye! I bet you're thinking about the celebration!"

Xian Yuanchang's shout came from behind, along with Bai Meili's gentle reprimand not to put pressure on him.

* * *

"Zheng Yanshen and Hongzhujian. The intention behind the match is clear."

"A clash between the newcomer's brilliant talent and the seasoned combat skills."

"What are the odds?"

"Judging by the records of merit, Zheng Yanshen is the clear favorite. However, the years of experience Hongzhujian has accumulated are substantial. He might become a blue warrior this year."

The people surrounding the area and the stern-eyed judges.

Zheng Yanshen felt a sense of déjà vu. It was the same when he took the Rihuangshi.

Not long ago.

Less than half a year had passed since he was in this position again.

At that time, the reputation of his opponent, Bai Qilin, didn't resonate with him.

'There were many unfamiliar things.'

He had knocked on the door with the intention of living and seeing. It was no different now.

The numerous gazes and auras didn't penetrate his mind at all.

Only an unfamiliar middle-aged warrior was in his field of vision.

The color of the martial robes in Rihuangcheng was quite standardized, unlike the ambiguous distinctions in the Jianghu.

An unknown white warrior. This was an opportunity to gauge his current standing.

"Zheng Yanshen."

Hongzhujian's aura was different from what he had expected. When he heard Shen Zhaobin's story, he thought of a cunning black path martial artist.

But that wasn't the case. It was like the aura of a veteran who had seen countless battles in the Northern Army.

He felt like a black path martial artist who had learned proper martial arts.

The warrior, who had scars all over his body, spoke solemnly.

"I've heard of your reputation. Even if the rumors about you in the Jianghu are not entirely true, Rihuangcheng is different. We accurately assess your skills and merits. Everyone is like that. We are pleased to see the emergence of an outstanding junior."

"I have also heard of Senior Hongzhujian's name."

"Thank you."

He smiled wryly and then changed his expression.

"That's why I will unleash all my martial arts' true essence. You may have many things you haven't experienced yet. You might be bewildered, even angry. Can you endure it?"

"It seems we should now share our swords."

Zheng Yanshen replied. He wasn't used to such formal words.

His hand was already on the sword hilt, ready for the duel. At the same time, a wave of aura exploded from Hongzhujian's body.

"Good!"

The moment the Extermination Team Leader stepped back.

Hongzhujian took the initiative. Two daggers flew out from his sleeves like lightning.

Zheng Yanshen didn't expect him to start with throwing daggers. He immediately stepped forward and drew his sword.

Ching!

He deflected both daggers with a single strike. The sound was due to the perfect execution of the Maguangjie sword technique along with the draw.

The realm of a master. The feeling of power rising through his grip was light. Zheng Yanshen immediately stepped into the true stance.

The training ground echoed with a thud. The dust kicked up by his step scattered with the tip of his rising sword.

There was sunlight piercing through from the ground.

The power of the Zheng family's technique and the Shijijing stirred simultaneously, and the hazy light of the Guanghuajian technique burst forth.

Kwaak!

Zheng Yanshen's step, which accompanied his sword strike, transcended the realm of martial arts. An overwhelming genius.

He had covered the distance where Hongzhujian couldn't fully exert his power when drawing his sword.

Zheng Yanshen went all out from the first move. He didn't drag it into a fundamental power contest.

He had already pushed the upper and lower functions of the Shangduanzhan to their limits and completed the calculation.

Seeing the speed and position of Hongzhujian's hands and feet when he threw the daggers was enough.

Ching!

It was over with one strike. The sword power that surpassed white level sent Hongzhujian's dagger flying.

"What...?"

He couldn't handle the Guanghuajian technique with his hastily drawn sword.

Hongzhujian's eyes widened when he saw the sword at his throat.

The Extermination Team Leader, who was watching closely, was similarly shocked.

"It's not martial arts. Is it a natural talent for the sword?"

The Extermination Team Leader's eyes flashed with a colorless light. He seemed to be a supreme expert completely obsessed with martial arts.

"An equal martial artist can never handle Zheng Yanshen. Is he Rihuangcheng's good fortune? I envy him for the first time. Well... "

Their eyes met.

"You win. Zheng Yanshen."

"Thank you."

"There will be no next match for you. This Shengdan exam is a perfect score. Hongzhujian, prepare for the second match."

"Yes, Team Leader."

Hongzhujian nodded, his gaze returning to Zheng Yanshen.

He seemed to feel ashamed of his earlier talk about the true essence of martial arts, but Zheng Yanshen didn't mind and bowed.

Hongzhujian eventually smiled.

"Work hard for the people. You have the talent to reach the heavens."

Zheng Yanshen silently returned a bow.

The path back to where Maguangyi and the others were was relatively quiet. Only a murmur of whispers could be heard.

It was a rare gathering of martial artists with low insight. The seniors from other forces seemed to be newly amazed.

Even the white-robed seniors who had tried to intimidate him were now silent.

Zheng Yanshen recalled the moment when his sword broke under Nangong Huashen's strike. He felt a sense of time passing.

"How did you do that? What stepping technique is it?"

Shen Zhaobin, who had run up to Zheng Yanshen, asked, stomping her feet.

"Also, what's the sword technique that emits light? I've never seen any of these martial arts before. Where is your family from? Ah! Congratulations on winning!"

"..."

Zheng Yanshen gently pushed the frantic junior away.

Her bold approach, despite being unfamiliar, made him feel uneasy.

He turned his gaze. Qing Ming and Bai Meili, along with several other seniors, were smiling. Xian Yuanchang was the same.

"You've made up for it."

"Indeed. The youngest and the fastest to reach this level!"

The seniors, including Maguangyi, welcomed him.

The new sword team, the Seventeenth Team, was always short of hands.

Each blue warrior was said to be as elite as the best of the Nine Schools, a formidable force.

'There are many rumors.'

They were scattered across the empire on missions, a routine he was familiar with.

Now he was also a part of it. He was fully recognized.

"This way."

The secretary of the General Affairs Department, Dou Youyuan, guided him. He was still in a daze.

He was suddenly asked to verify all the etiquette he had learned since joining Rihuangcheng.

Hardly had he put on his formal attire when he was directed to another place.

He was with others who had also passed the Shengdan, but the place they arrived at was unfamiliar.

It was a secluded area within Rihuangcheng that he hadn't known existed.

It was a very ornate pavilion.

The expressions of the blue warriors who had been informed of the final schedule were not good.

Their faces were noticeably stiff. Only Zheng Yanshen maintained a calm demeanor.

"He is a man of great changes. Please be fully prepared in your attitude."

Dou Youyuan said.

They were going to meet the imperial prince, who was practicing martial arts in Rihuangcheng.

He had heard a rumor. The prince's mood was not good.

It was because the Rihuangcheng Lord, who was also the emperor of the Great Ming Empire, had shown interest in Zheng Yanshen.

'What am I supposed to do?'

Zheng Yanshen was already thinking like a true martial artist. He was inwardly surprised by his unintentional thoughts.