Chapter 14: Scions of Prestigious Families

Compared to the swift and fierce slash that had just split the air, this was incomparably rapid and violent. The sword, which had extended in a straight line, trembled at its tip and split into three directions. No matter how Songhua moved, the sword was ready to adapt and follow.

Songhua leaned back, letting the sword slide over her chest. The sword responded, pulling back and immediately slashing downward. At the critical moment, Songhua's body, still leaning back, spun around.

Using her right foot as the pivot, she spun three times, escaping the sword's reach, and then stood up.

'Not bad.'

Hou Gong nodded with his arms crossed.

He had expected Songhua to be skilled due to her extraordinary aura, but she was better than he had anticipated. The four bodyguards, who had taken a passive stance, seemed to trust her.

The sword master was flustered.

He had not expected his opponent to evade his attack so easily, and his face turned red. Trying to hide his panic, he immediately launched another sword strike.

Songhua's reaction was different this time.

Instead of dodging, she moved forward, thrusting herself into the sword strike.

It seemed reckless, as if she had no choice but to die with her opponent.

The sword pierced through Songhua's heart.

That's what the sword master thought.

But he realized his mistake in an instant. There was no sensation of the blade cutting through flesh. Songhua had twisted her body to the side, letting the sword slide through her armpit, and simultaneously grabbed the sword master's pulse point with her right hand.

"Ugh!"

In the blink of an eye, the sword master's pulse was seized, and his energy drained, making it impossible to use his qi. He groaned in pain.

Songhua made the sword drop and, without mercy, twisted the sword master's wrist outward. The arm bent inward. It had to. If it bent outward, it would be a problem. And it was. With a crack, the sword master's bone broke.

"AAAAAAH~~~."

A blood-curdling scream echoed through the inn.

The sword master, with his shoulder drooping and his arm swinging at an odd angle, said with bloodshot eyes,

"You... I won't let you off. Do you know who I am? You... have... messed with the wrong person. You will soon..."

"Be gone."

Songhua kicked out. The sword master, struck in the abdomen, flew through the window.

"AAAAAAH!"

Before the scream ended, Songhua spun around.

Then, with a smile, she approached Hou Gong.

"Master, did you get a fright?"

"I thought my heart would stop."

"Hehe..."

"Let's go."

Hou Gong brushed off his sleeve and descended the stairs first.

Songhua told the innkeeper that the ten silver coins on the table would cover the damage and hurriedly followed.

"Master, Master, we should go together."

Songhua followed, but then paused.

The four bodyguards, who had also followed, were equally puzzled.

The Young Master was standing in front of the inn, saying, "Hmm?"

The situation was clear.

A dozen sword masters had formed a semicircle, blocking the entrance to the inn.

The problem was that among them was the sword master who had just been defeated by Songhua and flown through the window, now being supported by the group.

The sword master had been waiting for this gang by the window.

Naturally, people's attention was drawn to the commotion.

With a scream, a person had fallen from this floor, followed by a dozen sword masters standing menacingly. Passersby stopped, and people from other inns and taverns gathered to see what was happening. After all, the best spectacle was a fight.

Among the onlookers were four young men and women from the opposite floor.

Seeing the fight might escalate, they had come down. Zhang Ye of Yanhua Pavilion, who had been watching, was puzzled.

"Hey... that person looks familiar..."

"Zhang Brother, who are you talking about?"

Ximen Xian, the third son of the Ximen family, responded.

Then Zhang Ye's eyes widened as if he had just realized something.

"Good heavens. Could it be Fan Xiong from Tianhua Library?"

"Fan Xiong? The Young Master of Tianhua Library?"

"Ximen Brother, take a good look at the young master standing there."

"Wow, how...?"

Ximen Xian finally recognized him and was amazed.

The two women, who had been listening, also widened their eyes.

"Is that him?"

"If he's the Young Master of Tianhua Library, then he's the genius among geniuses, right?"

The tragedy of Tianhua Library was an open secret in the region, and the ominous rumors about the Young Master, who had not been active for years, were often mentioned alongside his genius, evoking sympathy.

But the Young Master they saw now had a radiant face and a handsome appearance, with a confident gaze that was completely different from the rumors.

"Yes, it's definitely him. It's hard to believe even when I see it. He is definitely the Young Master of Tianhua Library."

"What could have triggered this change?"

Meanwhile, a middle-aged man among the sword masters stepped forward and glared at Hou Gong.

He was a one-eyed man with a black eye patch.

His only right eye gleamed like a well-honed blade.

The one-eyed man sneered at Hou Gong.

"Was this your doing?"

Hou Gong calmly replied.

"No."

Then he pointed to Songhua behind him.

Songhua, surprised by the unexpected accusation, was momentarily stunned but quickly regained her composure and stepped forward.

Hou Gong took the opportunity to step back three paces.

He had already seen Songhua's martial arts and knew that with the four bodyguards, there was no need for him to intervene.

Songhua scolded the one-eyed man.

"Watch your words. Do you know who this person is, to speak so rashly! And the incident just now was because he provoked first and was rude to the Young Master. You should know this and back off."

Despite being outnumbered, Songhua's words were bold and decisive, almost like a threat.

The one-eyed man chuckled.

"I like your spirit, girl. But unfortunately, since you've done this to my subordinate, I must take one of your arms."

Songhua shook her head and sighed deeply.

"Hmm... If you insist on punishment, I have no choice."

"Shut up. Kids, attack!"

The one-eyed man raised his hand and gave the classic command. The sword masters drew their swords and charged.

Songhua and the four bodyguards immediately met them.

A chaotic battle ensued.

Hou Gong stepped back further to observe the situation.

With the eyes of the greatest in the world, he could gauge the outcome from just a brief clash.

'It's only a matter of time.'

Despite being outnumbered, Songhua's martial arts were more outstanding than expected, and with the help of the four bodyguards, they would resolve the situation without injury.

Hou Gong turned and walked toward the four young men and women among the onlookers.

"Zhang Brother and Ximen Brother, do you recognize me?"

He greeted them with a bow.

Zhang Ye and Ximen Xian laughed.

"Of course, we recognize you. We're not blind enough to miss the unparalleled genius of Tianhua Library."

"How could we not recognize Fan Brother? It's been so long."

Hou Gong smiled back.

"Ha ha ha, I've been negligent. I haven't been well recently. I've gained some weight and am feeling better, so I came out for the first time in a long time. Seeing such familiar faces is a great pleasure. Why don't we go up to the inn and have a calm conversation? If it's not inconvenient for the two young ladies, would you join us?"

The two women, surprised by the invitation, nodded hesitantly. Zhang Ye and Ximen Xian, caught off guard by the unexpected offer, were momentarily stunned but eventually agreed.

A conversation with the Young Master of Tianhua Library was something they had secretly hoped for. Tianhua Library, known as the fortress of the heavens, was one of the three great libraries in the world.

Interacting with the Young Master, who had been a genius from a young age, would benefit their families and was a matter of curiosity for young talents.

However, they had never imagined that the protagonist of the tragedy that had plunged Tianhua Library into darkness would boldly invite them to a meeting.

Before moving, Zhang Ye spoke urgently.

"Fan Brother, wait a moment. I'll go ahead and resolve this disturbance first."

His expression conveyed genuine goodwill, not just a show of kindness.

He intended to use his own martial prowess or the reputation of Yanhua Pavilion to settle the matter.

'He's grown well. His gaze is good.'

Hou Gong shook his head.

"Zhang Brother, I appreciate your offer. But in the martial world, it's best for the parties involved to resolve their disputes. My bodyguards will handle it, so don't worry. Let's go."

There are times to accept goodwill and times to politely decline, and now was the former.

As he finished speaking, everyone's expressions were stunned.

The Young Master of Tianhua Library, known to be a gloomy cripple, was now displaying confidence, which was natural.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Even the two women exchanged telepathic messages in their surprise.

- What is this composure? Didn't they say he was living on borrowed time?

- Exactly. He seems to have a good personality.

Hou Gong smiled at them.

"Ha ha, why are you all just staring? Let's go up."

They didn't need to find a distant place. They chose a seat at a window on the same floor of the inn, where the view was clear and the fighting scene could be seen well.

Hou Gong also exchanged brief greetings with the two women.

They were Ban Jiaoyin, the daughter of the Qingyue Sect's leader, and Miao Jialing, the daughter of the Baihua Sect's leader, from a well-known sect and family in northern Anhui.

As they chatted about their recent lives, the atmosphere became warm. In the relaxed mood, Hou Gong casually inquired about the current state of the martial world.

Ximen Xian and Zhang Ye mainly answered, while the two women occasionally added comments. Hou Gong understood the general situation.

'There's nothing special.'

There were no major disturbances yet. Small incidents were happening here and there, but nothing that would shake the martial world. Unless it was the Black Sect, Guiyun Sect, or the Jiyantower of Xizang, there were no significant issues. Black path conflicts and regional disputes were always ongoing.

"The disturbances are frequent, but strangely, they're not overt. There's a cautious atmosphere. Despite the announcement of the leader's death, there's a sense of disbelief. It might help to understand if you think that people feel like Hou Gong could appear at any moment from somewhere."

Ximen Xian's words were followed by Zhang Ye.

"I also don't believe in Hou Gong's death. Fan Brother might not know much about the leader, but Hou Gong, despite being fat and often misunderstood, is said to have abilities that reach the heavens. In the martial world, some mention the Black Sect or Guiyun Sect as potential rivals to Hou Gong, but I find that hard to believe. The only flaw in Hou Gong is his weight, but many find it charming. I'm one of them."

"Ahem, Zhang Brother has high standards."

Hou Gong smiled, pleased with Zhang Ye.

"Ha ha, you flatter me."

'The atmosphere of disbelief...'

Hou Gong agreed.

For those who knew him even a little, it was a matter of jest. Suicide? The leader is probably traveling the world right now. That's what they would say.

This was enough to understand the current state of the martial world, so it was time to conclude the meeting.

Outside, the situation was also wrapping up. The one-eyed man's group was all over the ground, and Songhua was lecturing the fallen one-eyed man.

Just as he was about to say goodbye,

"Rumors can't be trusted, but seeing Fan Gong today, I understand. You have a broad-minded personality, and I didn't expect you to be curious about the state of the martial world."

It was Ban Jiaoyin, the daughter of the Qingyue Sect's leader.

She was a beautiful woman with a petite figure, well-suited to her red silk dress.