novelraw Chapter 319 - 103: Establishing Authority (Ten-Thousand-Word - )
Chapter 319 - 103: Establishing Authority (Ten-Thousand-Word - )
"Master."
He looked ashamed and knelt on one knee:
"I am incompetent and have shamed you, Master!"
"Losing to a Great Zhou Celestial Martial Artist is only natural. If you had won, that would have been unexpected." Fang Zheng waved his hand nonchalantly and continued:
"Elder Xiang truly has remarkable skills, I am impressed!"
"Please, take the seat of honor."
Xiang Xiu looked at Fang Zheng, his eyes flickering, cupped his hands, and took a seat.
"I am pleased to meet Elder Xiang today."
Fang Zheng clapped his hands:
"Serve the wine!"
"Everyone take a seat. The Fang Mansion depends on your protection, we shall drink together today."
"Thank you, Master!"
Xue Yang and the others cupped their hands in unison.
...
The sky was darkening.
Xiang Xiu pulled the young Yuan Zhongdao into the carriage.
The wheels rumbled as they headed towards a nearby tavern.
"Master."
Yuan Zhongdao lifted the curtain to look curiously towards Fang Mansion and asked:
"Doesn’t Young Master Fang intend to keep us?"
"We have an unknown background and no introducer, going to Fang Mansion rashly would inevitably arouse suspicion. It’s only right to be left waiting." Xiang Xiu closed his eyes and said slowly:
"But don’t worry, he will need me."
"Indeed." Yuan Zhongdao laughed:
"Master, with your remarkable skills and power, willing to retire in a small place like Fang Mansion is Young Master Fang’s good fortune."
"Hmm." Xiang Xiu grunted softly, and his face showed a hint of doubt:
"Though, that young master Fang is not simple either. It’s no wonder he could become a tyrant in Gu’an County in just a few years."
"Really?" Yuan Zhongdao turned his head:
"I didn’t see anything impressive about him, but he is certainly rich."
Xiang Xiu gently shook his head.
During the martial exchange with Xue Yang, he intended to make a fierce move to establish his might, but he was unexpectedly interrupted by a sharp Sword Intent.
That Sword Intent...
Was powerful!
’It seems this Young Master Fang has hidden some tricks; no wonder he dares to buy Golden Carp in large quantities, knowing a Great Zhou Celestial Martial Artist is coming without fear.’
’However, he is ultimately just a local landlord who hasn’t witnessed the methods of the Exclusion Sect, only after suffering a big loss will he wake up.’
"Master."
Yuan Zhongdao was quiet for a moment, then asked:
"Do we really have to obtain that Nine Heavens Divine Skill? Besides Fang Mansion, is there no other place we can get it?"
"It’s the Crane Cry Nine Heavens Divine Skill!"
Xiang Xiu’s voice turned solemn, and he continued:
"There are four places where the Crane Cry Nine Heavens Divine Skill is in hand. The two families in Santai County have complex backgrounds, and acquiring it from them would require a great deal of effort."
"Linghu An of the Ling Family is highly skilled, even surpassing me..."
"Only with Fang Zheng is there an opportunity."
"Judging by his words and actions today, he must have already obtained the Crane Cry Nine Heavens Divine Skill. This skill was originally a tradition from Tian’an Temple, which was later breached by a group of Water Bandits, and somehow fell into the hands of Grandmaster Wang. This skill is in the same lineage as what I have learned."
He opened his eyes, revealing a frenzy:
"Even the Wang Family might not know, the Crane Cry Nine Heavens Divine Skill seems ordinary at first, but it grows stronger as it progresses, not only allowing one to attain the Leakless True Body, but if one can break through the thirteenth level..."
"One can even attain Martial Arts Grandmaster!"
Martial Arts Grandmasters and Masters of Daoist Arts possess unfathomable skills, each one a top figure of the times.
At this point, Xiang Xiu shook his head and sighed lightly.
Even though Yuan Zhongdao is highly talented, achieving the Leakless True Body would already satisfy him, becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster is just wishful thinking.
"Crane Cry Nine Heavens Divine Skill?"
"Martial Arts Grandmaster!"
The young Yuan Zhongdao’s eyes brightened, muttering under his breath, a seed already planted in his heart.
*
*
*
Night.
The moon was hidden behind dark clouds, and the starlight was dim.
A figure silently left the Fang Mansion, hidden in the shadows, avoiding the patrolling soldiers and governmental officials, heading towards South City.
Before long.
In a certain place in South City.
"Knock knock..."
The figure knocked on the courtyard door.
"Who is it?"
A cold voice asked from inside, followed by the sound of swords being drawn.
"It’s me." The figure said softly:
"Zhao Zunyi."
"Brother Zhao." The door opened, revealing a delighted person:
"You’re here, please come in, the two elders have just arrived as well."
"I came because I received the elders’ message." Zhao Zunyi nodded, stepping towards the inner hall.
Upon reaching the inner hall, two people were already sitting opposite each other, discussing something.
Seeing them, he promptly cupped his hands in salute:
"Zhao Zunyi, at your service, two elders."
"No need for formalities." One of them, with crane hair and a child’s face, lifted a hand gently, an invisible Powerful Qi lightly lifted Zhang Zunyi:
"Zhao, your loyalty is appreciated."
"I dare not take credit." Zhao Zunyi’s face showed excitement:
"It is my honor to serve the elders."
"Elder Mi, today a Great Zhou Celestial Martial Artist named Xiang Xiu came to Fang Mansion, claiming to join them in resisting us."
"Xiang Xiu?" Elder Mi frowned and looked at the other person:
"Brother Yang, do you know of this person?"
A Great Zhou Celestial Martial Artist is a skilled individual with a certain reputation, but with the vastness of the world, he couldn’t possibly know them all.
"Hmm..." Brother Yang pondered, stroking his chin:
"A few years ago, in Changtu Prefecture, there was indeed a Great Zhou Celestial Martial Artist named Xiang Xiu. It was said that he had to flee due to offending a certain powerful family."
"Brother Zhao, could you describe today’s events?"
"Yes."
Zhao Zunyi responded.
He immediately recounted the events that took place at Fang Mansion today, focusing on describing Xiang Xiu’s appearance and his opinions on Fang Zheng.
"It’s likely him, indeed."
Brother Yang nodded:
"Xiang Xiu of the Qianyuan Palm, his Palm Technique is quite formidable, if we become enemies with him... Elder Mi may not be able to guarantee victory."
"If he truly joins Fang Mansion, it will indeed be a headache."
"Humph!" Elder Mi snorted coldly: