Eternal Saber

Chapter 458 - 64: I Am Chen Tang!

Peng Shiquan glanced around, seeing the looks in the eyes of some disciples of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect. His initially flustered demeanor suddenly calmed, and he laughed heartily: "Old Mei, I’m doing this for the disciples of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect, for its future!"

"Nonsense!"

Mei Zhenyu scolded.

Peng Shiquan continued: "Since the Plum Blossom Sword Sect migrated south under your leadership, it has been declining day by day. The disciples number only a few hundred, and usually, they rely on meager income from recruiting apprentices or selling plum blossoms soaked in wine. Everyone knows how poor these days are."

"Since I’ve been at the helm, the disciples have had wine and meat, eating and drinking well, living a life like the immortals."

"Even if you escape from prison, you should ask the disciples of the sect if any of them are willing to follow you!"

These words were quite powerful.

Since taking charge of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect, Peng Shiquan has already won over many hearts through coercion and temptation.

What’s more, some people have taken Peng Shiquan’s silver and can only be at his beck and call.

Some have already aided him in his evildoings, becoming accomplices, making it difficult to turn back.

Mei Zhenyu heard this and sneered: "Our past days were indeed poor, but every penny was spent with a clear conscience!"

Mei Zhenyu’s words did not touch on the core issue and struggled to sway the disciples of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect.

Chen Tang suddenly spoke: "Peng Shiquan, you are lying."

"What did you say!"

Peng Shiquan snorted coldly.

Chen Tang said: "You claim you are doing it for the Plum Blossom Sword Sect and its disciples. Yet, you kill, threaten, and imprison those disciples who oppose you! Everything you do is for your ambition."

"Today, you can kill those people, and tomorrow, you can sacrifice others too!"

When Peng Shiquan heard this, his expression changed.

Among those present, old hands of the Jianghu, like Master Qingfeng and Master Xiaoyao, also secretly sighed in admiration.

These words truly hit Peng Shiquan’s sore spot!

Hearing this, some of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect disciples looked at Peng Shiquan with changed expressions, visibly shaken.

Peng Shiquan steadied his mind and quickly explained: "For the Plum Blossom Sword Sect to have a better future, sacrifices must be made, which are unavoidable!"

"Indeed."

Chen Tang smiled, glanced at the hesitant disciples of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect, and said leisurely: "These sacrifices could be you, you, or any of you, but they will never be Peng Shiquan."

Peng Shiquan’s face changed again.

Chen Tang continued: "Peng Shiquan made a grave mistake in the past, and Elder Mei showed mercy by merely expelling him from the sect. Following Elder Mei may lead to poorer days, but at least you won’t become a sacrifice."

"And you have all witnessed Peng Shiquan’s ruthless and unscrupulous ways. Ask yourselves, who can guarantee they won’t be the next sacrifice?"

Among the disciples of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect, there was a commotion.

Some exchanged glances, others whispered among themselves.

Mei Qingyuan praised silently in his heart: "Zhenyu’s friend here is even sharper with words than with his sword by threefold!"

Peng Shiquan grew somewhat panicked and instinctively looked towards Master Xiaoyao, revealing a hint of pleading in his eyes.

"Sharp-tongued and making wild statements, merely baseless conjecture intended to assassinate the character."

Master Xiaoyao suddenly spoke, staring steadily at Chen Tang: "You haven’t answered my earlier question. Who exactly are you, why do you impersonate a member of the Book and Sword Hall, and why do you have a Langya Pavilion invitation!"

Master Xiaoyao resorted to his old tricks.

Unable to refute Chen Tang’s words, he tried to cast doubt on Chen Tang’s identity!

If Chen Tang’s identity is questionable, then what he says is naturally untrustworthy.

"This person comes from an unknown background, mingling here. I suspect he harbors ulterior motives!"

"Indeed! This person impersonates a disciple of the Book and Sword Hall and also possesses a Langya Pavilion invitation, suggesting that the envoy originally carrying the invitation from Langya Pavilion might have met with misfortune!"

"Could this person be a Profound Celestial Bandit?"

Many people started chiming in, adding fuel to the fire, immediately diverting everyone’s attention.

Even Master Qingfeng from Songtao Temple spoke in a deep voice: "Young benefactor, what is your background? Please disclose honestly."

"Indeed!"

Shan Qian from the Water Moon Blade Sect said calmly: "If you can’t give a satisfactory explanation today, you won’t leave here alive!"

"Hahaha!"

Chen Tang suddenly laughed heartily, saying repeatedly, "Good, good, good! You are right; I am not a disciple of the Book and Sword Hall, nor am I named Shen Tang."

After a brief pause, Chen Tang surveyed the surroundings and slowly said, "I am... Chen Tang!"

"Who is Chen Tang?"

"This name sounds somewhat familiar."

"Seems related to Langya Pavilion, the Prime Minister’s Mansion battle..."

"Ah, it’s him!"

Initially, there were some murmurs among the crowd.

Soon, everyone realized, and the scene quieted instantly!

Although none had seen Chen Tang, his name was known far and wide.

On the day of the Langya Pavilion and Prime Minister’s Mansion duel, he appeared out of nowhere, overwhelmingly defeating Xia Yuanxian of the Black Tortoise Cultivators in an astonishing display, gaining instant fame.

Not just that, later that night, he was involved in the Sword Casting Manor’s murder case, sparking overt and covert struggles among the various forces in Great Xia.

Great figures renowned in both the court and martial world appeared because of him, gathering at Langya Pavilion.

Rumor has it that the Imperial Guard and Northern Expedition Army surrounded Langya Pavilion outside the Capital City!

The entire Langya Pavilion was in danger of being wiped out.

But in the end, he emerged unscathed. The four Manor Masters of Sword Casting Manor all perished, and Sword Casting Manor was erased from the Jianghu, taken over by the Northern Expedition Army!

Various rumors about that night’s events circulated widely.

It’s said that Marshal Xuan confronted thousands of Imperial Guards for him, terrifying Shen Guobao into silence.

Others say that ultimately, the Commander of the Northern Expedition Army, Uncle Wang, intervened to protect him, turning the situation around.

The news of that night brought even more shock to everyone than the battle during the day!

A young man not yet twenty, succeeding with the consideration and protection of two monumental figures in both Jianghu and the court, Marshal Xuan and Uncle Wang, seems to have limitless potential!

Countless dignitaries and martial experts in the Capital City wish to invite him there, but none have had the opportunity.

The Capital City’s top courtesan, Liu Mengzhen, was reportedly turned away by him.

Among those present, some Jianghu forces had sent invitations to Chen Tang; the Drunken Immortal Tower was among them, with the invitation signed by Master Xiaoyao.

The words "I am Chen Tang" instantly dispelled all doubts, and the scene became utterly silent!

Everyone knew Chen Tang’s connection to Langya Pavilion.

His possession of a Langya Pavilion invitation was not unusual at all.

More importantly, the name Chen Tang carried significant weight!

Those who previously harbored hostility or wanted to test Chen Tang were now reconsidering.

This is Wu State.

The Northern Expedition Army is stationed in Jingkou.

Langya Pavilion is only a few days’ journey from here.

Whether Ye Xuan has left Wu State is still unknown.

Who dares to provoke him?