Chapter 197: Newcomer Leads Donkey into the City, Veteran Rides Sword into the Sea

Ready for an epic chapter?A legendary saga sweeps through the land, a grand drama igniting the martial world.

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The martial arts world is truly immense. Even if an immortal were to drop Mount Tai into it, creating a colossal splash, the ripples would vanish after a decade or a century. Thus, most martial artists are rather forgetful. A human life rarely exceeds a century, and seventy years was once considered rare. Li Chungang became famous too early, dominating the scene at a young age and becoming almost invincible by thirty. Looking around, who could contend with him? This former Sword God rose to fame early and faded early. After being defeated by his contemporary, Wang Xianzhi, and his legendary sword, Wooden Ox, was snapped, rumors about him rarely circulated in the martial world. Over time, as his confidantes and loves turned to dust, even the aged veterans in the contemporary martial world had only vague impressions of Li Chungang, let alone the younger generation.

For these people, setting aside the old yet resilient Wang Xianzhi, when it comes to swordsmanship in the world, Qi Xianxia of Longhu Mountain and Wang Xiaoping of Wudang shine brightly within the Taoist sects. However, they are still considerably outshone by Deng Tai'a, who possesses an almost otherworldly aura. As the martial world changes, one constant remains: swordsmen are always the most numerous, like countless carp crossing a river. Deng Tai'a is undoubtedly the only Sword God in the eyes of the current martial world, yet this Sword God surprisingly dislikes carrying a sword, which is quite an oddity.

If a swordsman loses to someone using a saber or spear, they could boldly declare, "So what if I lost? Among all you blade and spear users, name your top master. Who can defeat Sword God Deng, who doesn't even use a sword?" Rumors in the martial world say that Sword God Deng is broad-shouldered and strong, capable of manifesting three heads and six arms. In his bag, he carries a small yellow pear wood sword box containing over ten miniature swords. These swords, nurtured by the secret techniques of the Wu Family Sword Tomb, are as spiritual as living beings, feeding on flesh when hungry and drinking blood when thirsty, truly mysterious. Once unsheathed, they require no inner energy manipulation and can automatically sever heads. Alas, such a divine sword immortal's technique has only been witnessed by the Lord of Martial Emperor City. There's no helping it; no matter how vast the martial world, Sword God Deng truly has the right to look down on everyone else.

Nearly two thousand swords unsheathed in Martial Emperor City, forming a shocking sword curtain suspended in the air.

Outside the city gates, a weary old donkey slowly trod its way into the city. A boy, dressed as a page, rode backwards on the donkey. A scabbard hung from his waist, but his sword was gone. With a face full of annoyance and regret, he lowered his head and said to a middle-aged man leading the donkey, "Master, I saved up copper coins and silver bits to buy this sword with great difficulty! That Li Chungang said he was borrowing swords from the city, so why did he take mine too? We haven't even reached Martial Emperor City yet! And you, Master, you just stood there watching my sword fly out of its scabbard, not even helping me stop it. How embarrassing will that be if word gets out? Where will your reputation be then, Master?"

The middle-aged man had an ordinary appearance, but his habitual upturned lips made him look as if he was always smiling, which softened and mellowed his otherwise unremarkable face. He held a peach blossom branch, plucked from who knew where, twirling it gently with his fingers. He looked up at the boy’s crestfallen face and playfully quipped, "Isn't your reputation right there on your face?"

The boy, who served as a page, certainly had no small airs. Not only did he ride the donkey while his master walked and led it, but he also made his master carry his travel bag and book box. Hearing his master's teasing, he first glared, then deflated, and asked worriedly, "Li Chungang said he was borrowing the swords, but he won't just take them and not return them, will he?"

The man chuckled, "If Senior Li doesn't actually fight and is just putting on a show, I still think you're in trouble. Think about it: nearly two thousand swords, without any control, will clatter down from the sky and scatter everywhere. Will you even recognize yours then? Even if you do, so many heroes and swordsmen will be frantically snatching them up, not to mention those who take advantage of the chaos to steal. With your small build, could you snatch it back? You'd have to pray hard to get it back! And that's the good scenario. If he really fights Old Man Wang, then one thousand nine hundred swords will be mostly gone. Your sword is just ordinary; it can't withstand a casual wave from Old Man Wang. But actually, I think Senior Li's borrowing of swords this time is a good thing. It saves you from losing interest in doing chores for me once you buy a sword. Honestly, have you put even half the effort into cooking and preparing meals these days as you used to?"

The boy, who was actually a sword-page, huffed, "Master, you talk the most! You start, and you never stop; my ears are getting calloused!"

The middle-aged man, dressed in coarse linen, was indeed someone whose temper was so good it was almost non-existent. He chuckled, "Alright, alright, I'll shut up."

The boy, who was called a sword-page but had never actually carried his master's sword, sighed, "Master, can I tell you something?"

Leading the donkey into the city, the man stood on the main road, gazing at the inner city wall. He smiled and said, "Senior Li and Old Man Wang are about to have a fight among gods. Aren't you putting me in a difficult position?"

The sword-page settled for a compromise, chuckling, "How about, Master, you pick up seventeen or eighteen swords for me during the chaos? After all, you'd just be picking them up, not stealing or robbing, so what's the harm!"

The man smiled knowingly, "Look at you! Just now you were asking where my reputation would go. Would I have any reputation if I ran through the streets with a dozen swords slung over my shoulders?"

The sword-page felt utterly defeated, his face a mournful mask. "I've spent over six hundred miserable days toiling like an ox and a horse by your side, and I finally saved up seventeen taels of silver scraps, all spent on buying a sword! If I had known, I'd have died before coming to this damned Martial Emperor City, it's utter rubbish!"

Seeing the boy on the verge of tears, the man said with a headache, "Alright, alright. I'll help you pick up a good sword when no one's around."

The boy's expression instantly brightened, and he grinned, "Master, are you tired? I'll carry your book box for you then!"

The man laughed exasperatedly, "What a character. If you carried the book box, it would still be the donkey that's tired, not you. I'd rather just carry it myself."

The sword-page grimaced, then looked up at the somber sword curtain hanging over the city. His expression was dazed as he softly asked, "Master, if this fight really breaks out, who do you think has a better chance of winning?"

The man smiled, saying casually, "Unless they fight to the death, Old Man Wang still has a much greater chance of winning this fight."

The sword-page pouted and rolled his eyes, "That Li Chungang is too useless. All he does is create these intimidating displays. Isn't he just a flashy display with no substance?"

The man revealed a rare solemn expression and said gravely, "Sanlu, you must not disrespect Senior Li!"

Seeing his master angered, the boy finally dared not speak so carelessly and obediently mumbled, "Oh." But then, with a resentful look, he grumbled, "That Old Man Wang is just like a dog lording over its own small, insignificant territory. If you, Master, went all out, you'd surely beat him until his own parents wouldn't recognize him!"

The man gave a wry laugh and shook his head, "That's not something to expect in this lifetime."

The sword-page, who had never bothered with formalities when interacting with his master, seemed angry at his master's lack of ambition, and huffed stubbornly.

The man paid it no mind, and with a slightly lost look, said, "You children naturally don't understand the saying, 'If the heavens had not given birth to Li Chungang, the Way of the Sword would have remained as eternal night.' Over the past five hundred years, countless talented swordsmen have emerged, yet only this senior's sword cultivation approaches that of Patriarch Lu. As for me, I might be fortunate enough to be slightly stronger than Senior Li in killing, but when it comes to sword cultivation, I am far behind."

The sword-page only heard what he wanted to hear, and grinning, said, "Isn't practicing swordsmanship just for fighting and killing?"

The man chuckled, "You certainly see things clearly."

The young sword-page, riding on the donkey, exuded an air of importance.

The man stopped twirling the peach blossom branch, let out a surprised 'Oh!', and chuckled, "Here they come! You're in luck, boy; this fight is actually happening, not just a lot of talk with little action."

From a pavilion in the inner city came a voice like a great bell: "I invite Li Chungang to come out of the city and fight me in the sea!"

Innumerable people in Martial Emperor City looked up in unison. A majestic white figure, like a comet, shot from the top of the pavilion towards the surface of the East Sea.

One thousand nine hundred swords instantly pointed towards the East Sea. A lone figure leaped onto the foremost sword, riding it towards the East Sea.

The strongest battle of this era!