Eternal Saber

Chapter 414 - 20: Pavilion Master of Langya Pavilion

Outside, the sky was dim, but the lights on either side of the main hall made it quite bright.

Chen Tang casually found a place to sit, appearing calm and composed as he closed his eyes to rest.

Ah Li was still holding a box, standing by the side.

Whenever she arrived in a strange place, even if there might not be any danger, she was unaccustomed to sitting.

It was inconvenient for killing.

Mei Zhenyu felt a bit uneasy and couldn’t figure out what just happened, no matter how he racked his brain.

After pacing back and forth in the hall for a moment, he finally couldn’t help but ask, "Brother Chen, what method did you use to deal with the guards at Langya Pavilion just now?"

He thought and thought, figuring that the guards at Langya Pavilion wouldn’t be easily bribed with silver taels. There must be another way.

Chen Tang smiled slightly and said, "It’s nothing, just delivering a letter entrusted by someone."

He had just taken out the letter that Shen Che asked him to deliver, showed the mark on it to the guard of Langya Pavilion, who recognized it, and then they were allowed inside.

Mei Zhenyu nodded, knowing where to draw the line, and did not continue to ask.

Before long, a middle-aged man in a plain white robe came in from outside. He was tall and slender, with a clear demeanor and a calm and dignified air between his brows. The robe was embroidered with elegant Langya patterns, and a jade pendant symbolizing his identity hung at his waist.

"This is..."

Upon seeing this, Mei Zhenyu’s complexion changed slightly.

This jade pendant seemed to be the emblem of the Pavilion Master of Langya Pavilion!

"I am Shen Yuanlin."

The newcomer’s gaze swept over the four people in the hall and finally landed on Chen Tang, asking, "You must be Chen Tang, correct?"

"Greetings, Pavilion Master Shen."

Chen Tang stood up and cupped his hands in salute.

This reaction from Shen Yuanlin must mean that Shen Che had mentioned him in the letter.

Before leaving, Shen Che had hinted to Chen Tang that with the situation in Nanxia being volatile and the Jianghu as deep as the sea, staying with the Shen Family wouldn’t bury his talents.

Sure enough, Shen Yuanlin motioned for Chen Tang to sit down and said, "In his letter, he spoke highly of you. Langya Pavilion has been quite busy lately and is short-handed. If you wish to stay, I can arrange for you to work here as soon as possible. What do you think?"

Chen Tang pondered for a moment and said, "There’s something I must first mention to the Pavilion Master."

He recounted their experiences at the Sword Casting Manor.

Shen Yuanlin frowned slightly, a bit troubled.

This man is young and full of vigor, daring and reckless enough to act brazenly, even daring to kill at the Sword Casting Manor.

And causing such a big scandal shortly after arriving in Great Xia!

Shen Che’s letter highly praised this man, but it must have been an exaggeration.

If this person truly had extraordinary talent and potential worth nurturing, Shen Che would have kept him in Celestial Cauldron Continent to work by his side, wouldn’t he?

Though Shen Yuanlin said nothing, his impression of Chen Tang diminished somewhat.

Shen Yuanlin said, "The Sword Casting Manor has a centennial heritage with a reputable name. How could it be that they would covet a few flying swords and attempt to imprison you?"

"This matter is absolutely true."

Zhu Lingxue hurriedly said.

"Hmm?"

Shen Yuanlin’s gaze shifted to Mei Zhenyu and the others.

Mei Zhenyu quickly saluted and said, "I am Mei Zhenyu of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect, and this is my junior sister Zhu Lingxue. What Brother Chen said is true—we were present at the time. While we don’t understand the exact circumstances, I suspect there might be some misunderstanding here."

"Knowing it was a misunderstanding, yet you still resorted to killing?"

Shen Yuanlin retorted.

Mei Zhenyu was momentarily speechless.

"I did not."

Zhu Lingxue said softly.

Seeing Shen Yuanlin’s attitude, Chen Tang understood and said, "I take responsibility for my actions. I killed those people, and it has nothing to do with Brother Mei and the others. If the Sword Casting Manor comes looking, please explain on my behalf so that Brother Mei and the others aren’t implicated."

Mei Zhenyu felt a bit ashamed upon seeing Chen Tang’s straightforwardness.

No matter how you look at it, he was the one who brought Chen Tang to the Sword Casting Manor.

"And what about you?"

Shen Yuanlin asked, looking at Chen Tang.

"No need to trouble the Pavilion Master."

Chen Tang replied calmly, "The world is vast; there’s always a place for me."

That’s his nature—if not welcomed here and misunderstood, he wouldn’t stay longer.

He planned to meet with Zhiwei and then leave the place.

"He has some spirit."

Shen Yuanlin thought to himself. After contemplating for a moment, he said, "After all, it involves a dozen lives, including the Manor Master of the Sword Casting Manor. This matter is too significant to resolve quickly."

"Here’s what we’ll do: you’ll stay at Langya Pavilion for now and not leave this place to avoid being recognized. I will first deal with the pursuing forces from the Sword Casting Manor."

"Once I find time amid this busy period, I will address your issue."

As he said this, Shen Yuanlin subconsciously rubbed his temples, his brows revealing fatigue.

He was not only the Pavilion Master of Langya Pavilion but also the Minister of Great Xia.

Within and beyond the Imperial Court, power was almost entirely in the hands of Xia Daozi and Shen Guobao, working in collusion and monopolizing state affairs. He, as a Minister, had almost become a figurehead.

Now, Langya Pavilion was at odds with the Prime Minister’s Mansion, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted.

With Xia Daozi’s status as part of the Imperial Family, he had earned the Emperor’s trust and, in recent years, had gained immense power, reigning supreme.

Given his disposition, he really didn’t want to butt heads with the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Later, Madam Su stepped in to manage the situation, and he could only follow the arrangements, striving to handle affairs with Xia Daozi at the Imperial Court, bearing unimaginable pressure.

Hearing about Chen Tang’s issue earlier made him somewhat irritable.

He really didn’t have the heart to handle it.

But since Chen Tang was recommended by Shen Che and had come to deliver a letter, it wouldn’t be courteous to turn him away before he even warmed his seat.

For now, he could only keep Chen Tang at Langya Pavilion, waiting for them to overcome this crisis before dealing with the rest.

The upcoming duel with the Prime Minister’s Mansion was already the focus of all attention.

Not just the Imperial Court, but the entire Jianghu was watching the matter. If not handled well, Langya Pavilion’s reputation would suffer, possibly leading to its decline and fall.

"Thank you, Pavilion Master."

Mei Zhenyu quickly thanked him, afraid Chen Tang might say something impulsive.

Chen Tang wasn’t concerned, as he hadn’t planned to stay at Langya Pavilion in the first place. Staying a few more days would be fine, just to lay low and watch the drama unfold.

Chen Tang asked, "Pavilion Master, can you craft weapons here?"

Since there was no rush to leave, he could use the opportunity at Langya Pavilion to solve the issue with the Flying Swords.

Shen Yuanlin said, "Whatever weapon you require, choose one that suits you from the Armory."

"I need to melt these seven flying swords and forge them into a new weapon."

Chen Tang took the box and opened the lid.

Shen Yuanlin glanced inside.

He didn’t understand martial arts, so he couldn’t judge the quality of flying swords.

Shen Yuanlin gestured, and a guard at the door swiftly entered.

"This is Cheng Lie, my personal attendant."

Shen Yuanlin said, "Tomorrow, Cheng Lie will take you to see Uncle Qi to forge a weapon. He will arrange all matters during your time at Langya Pavilion."

Cheng Lie was a man about thirty years old, looking very capable, and nodded towards Chen Tang and the others.

After a few words of instruction, Shen Yuanlin hurriedly departed.