A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 91 Dominating the World
"Lord Divine Marquis, they have left safely."

"Hmm," Zhu Wushi said, his hands behind his back, looking up at the throne on the steps.

"How's it going with Yidao?"

"A few days ago, he went to the No. 1 Manor in the world and paid Zhang Jinjiu a large sum of money to investigate the secret of his father's death. He is currently in his hometown."

"Pass on my order to have him return as soon as possible. The Dragon Guard Manor cannot afford to lack combat power."

"Yes," the subordinate replied and immediately left. Zhu Wushi, with a deep gaze, sat on the throne, activated a mechanism, and released a slip of paper. Soon after, news arrived.

"So the mysterious person was named Gu Xu. The name sounds like a Taoist name. Could he be a member of a hidden sect? But with this clue and the portrait, the investigation will be much easier."

Since his crushing defeat at the hands of Gu Xu, Zhu Wushi has doubled his training. He no longer dared to seek out experts from the eight major sects, so he could only target death row inmates in the Heavenly Prison. He absorbed the power of dozens of people, and now he feels that the power in his body has reached more than two hundred years.

"The next time I encounter you, even if I have to use all my strength to force my way through, I will still crush you."

Gu Xu, who was being thought of by the Divine Marquis, was on his way when he met an interesting person, the richest man in the world, Wan Sanqian.

“Daoist Master, the Sihai Inn is just ahead. Why don’t we stay there for the night?” Wan Sanqian said to Gu Xu.

After helping Zhu Wushi establish the number one manor in the world, Wan Sanqian brought a large sum of money to Xiangxi, intending to hire the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi as his bodyguards. At that time, the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi had not yet mastered the Phantom Shadow Divine Skill, so of course they would not easily come out of the mountains.

However, Wan Sanqian was incredibly resilient. For ten years, he sent the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi gifts worth no less than a thousand taels of gold every year. No matter what, the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi could not remain indifferent. Having recently mastered their divine skills, they naturally agreed to Wan Sanqian's request to be his bodyguards for ten years.

The moment the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi emerged from the mountains, they intimidated many with ill intentions, and even personally killed the Seven Fiends of Lingnan, a master of the underworld.

With them around, Wan Sanqian no longer needed to make a big fuss about sightseeing. As a result, he happened to meet Gu Xu on the road. As soon as Gu Xu appeared, the four ghosts of Xiangxi all looked solemn.

"Master, this person's skill is unfathomable, you must not offend him."

Upon hearing this, Wan Sanqian immediately became interested. There were few people in the martial arts world who could command the respect of the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi. Today, he had met one, so why not befriend him now?

By spending money along the way and treating people with 13,000 yuan, Gu Xu became familiar with him. Although he knew that he had ulterior motives, Gu Xu did not feel disgusted.

"Sihai Inn, could this also be a branch of Brother Wan's?" Gu Xu joked.

"It's nothing to mention. This is my most worthless branch. It's barely passable. Daoist, please."

Seeing that Gu Xu did not refuse, Wan Sanqian extended a warm invitation.

After the two entered the inn, the innkeeper was extremely excited to see Wan Sanqian take out a token. He personally led them upstairs and opened the two reserved rooms.

"Alright, I'll give you more instructions if needed. Go now," Wan Sanqian waved his hand. The shopkeeper trembled slightly, respectfully said yes, and hurriedly retreated. When he got downstairs, his legs went weak, but luckily the waiter helped him up.

"To have met my master in this life is enough to make my journey in this world worthwhile."

Seeing the innkeeper's face turn red, the waiter was puzzled and helped the innkeeper sit down. The innkeeper called everyone over and repeatedly instructed, "Two rooms in the top tier. Use the best food for me and serve them carefully. If you mess this up, you'll be in big trouble, understand?"

Everyone agreed, and only then was the shopkeeper satisfied, and he dismissed them.

At this moment, Wan Sanqian was pouring tea for Gu Xu in his room, and his smooth and flowing tea ceremony was very comfortable.

"Daoist Master, please," Gu Xu picked up a cup and savored it carefully. The tea didn't have a noticeable flavor when it was brewed, but after swallowing it, it had a refreshing and invigorating feeling, and the fiery sensation disappeared, which was quite peculiar.

"Brother Wan, this tea must have an extraordinary origin," Gu Xu said with a smile, looking at Wan Sanqian.

"This tea is called 'Frosty Dew,' and it is extremely rare. The only tea tree in existence grows on a high cliff and a dangerous peak, producing no more than one pound a year. Apart from the half pound sent to the imperial palace, the rest is all grown here."

Seeing Gu Xu's thoughtful expression, Wan Sanqian picked up the teacup and said, "Daoist, please look at the cup." Upon hearing this, Gu Xu looked closely and found a thin layer of frost on the cup.

"This is"

"Brewing tea requires heat, but heat is ultimately toxic, and long-term accumulation is harmful to the body. This tea is made by condensing fire into frost, which dispels the toxicity and cleanses the body of impurities. It can be considered a rare and wonderful product."

Listening to Wan Sanqian speak eloquently, Gu Xu nodded slightly, "Brother Wan is indeed extraordinary in his lifestyle. I am truly fortunate to have the opportunity to drink with you today."

"If you don't mind, Master, I'll give you these four ounces of tea. It would be a waste for someone as materialistic as me to have it."

With a wave of his hand, Wan Sanqian had a servant bring out an exquisite jade box, which he placed on the table and pushed towards Gu Xu.

"Then I would be impolite to refuse. Brother Wan, if you need anything in the future, you can come to Shaolin Temple to find me."

Since you've already taken something from someone else, you might as well do him a favor. It'll fulfill his wish, and you'll inevitably have to deal with him in the future anyway, so this is a good way to lay the groundwork in advance.

Wan Sanqian was overjoyed upon hearing this, but he remained calm on the surface, picked up his teacup, and toasted Gu Xu.

The two then discussed the past and present, ranging from astronomy and geography to local customs and traditions, from court politics to the martial arts world.

Before he knew it, the moon was high in the sky. After having dinner served, Wan Sanqian ate and then returned to his room.

The next day, while Wan Sanqian and Gu Xu were discussing things in their room, they suddenly heard a noise downstairs.

"Go and see what happened," Wan Sanqian ordered a servant. The servant immediately went down and returned after a while.

"Master, they were just a group of martial arts practitioners who got drunk and acted out, but they said some things that I truly don't understand."

What did you say?

"They talked about dominating the world and being tempered in the sea," the servant blurted out everything he had overheard.

"The Overlord Sword Technique," the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi said in a deep voice. Gu Xu was also taken aback when he heard this, not expecting to hear this name here.

"What's so special about this sword technique?" Although Wan Sanqian didn't understand martial arts, he could tell from the solemn expressions of the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi that it was no ordinary martial art.

"Master, eighteen years ago, Guihai Bailian defeated the current Badao with his Xiongba Tianxia technique and won the title of the number one swordsman in the world. However, a year later, he died mysteriously in Bixie Manor, which is very puzzling and has become a major mystery in the martial arts world. The Xiongba Tianxia sword technique was lost. The current number one swordsman in Hulong Manor, Guihai Yidao, is his son."

After listening, Wan Sanqian understood somewhat. "It seems that these martial arts practitioners must have learned some news about Xiong Ba Tianxia, ​​which is why they have gathered here."

For those who practice swordsmanship, dominating the world is their lifelong pursuit. Now that it has come true, why wouldn't they fight for it? As for the fact that this is the unique martial art of the Guihai family, no one cares.

"Brother Wan, I have some personal business to attend to, so let's take our leave for now."

"Please go ahead, Taoist priest," Wan Sanqian wisely said, without asking what business he needed.

After Gu Xu left, Wan Sanqian looked at the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi and asked, "Could the matter the Taoist priest handled be related to Guihai Yidao?" "Possibly."

Upon hearing this, Wan Sanqian shook his head. Since the goal had already been achieved, there was no need to pry. He should take advantage of the good time to enjoy the famous scenic spots.

After questioning the waiter and the shopkeeper, Gu Xu chased after the martial arts figures in the direction they had left.

"It seems that the confrontation between Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi has progressed to this point. However, I would like to see what you would do if Guihai Yidao had not fallen into demonic possession."

Walking slowly, after a while, Gu Xu saw a pile of corpses in a valley. Each person had been killed with a single blow, and a violent aura lingered.

"It seems that Guihai Yidao's swordsmanship has reached a level of perfection, but he could fall into demonic possession in an instant. If he were to cultivate the most evil Avici Hell Three Blades..."

Following the trail, Gu Xu searched deeper into the valley. He heard the sounds of fighting, and it seemed that four people were attacking one person. After a scream, only three people remained to attack.

Approaching and concealing his aura, Gu Xu saw Gui Haiyidao on a platform, covered in blood, his eyes bloodshot. With each swing of his sword, he exuded murderous intent. The three attackers, all wounded, stared at him in horror.

"Brother Li, Guihai Yidao has become possessed by demons. Let's retreat."

The middle-aged man in the green robe gripped his spear tightly and whispered to the leader, "More than thirty people have surrounded us, and now only three remain. His courage has truly been extinguished."

"We can't retreat. Guihai Yidao is already exhausted. If we don't take this opportunity to fight, how will we obtain the Sword Manual of Hegemony?"

Li Yue gripped the broadsword tightly, his eyes fixed on the crazed Guihai Yidao. The information he had finally obtained, which had attracted so many people, was all for the sword manual.

The middle-aged man in the green robe looked at the other man and asked, "Brother Wang, what do you say?"

The black-faced king remained silent, only pointing his weapon at Guihai Yidao, his purpose self-evident.

Li Yue roared and charged forward with his sword, followed closely by his brother Wang. The middle-aged man in the green robe had no choice but to shake his spear and meet the attack once more.

The four clashed, their blades slashing and the winds sweeping across the land, shattering giant rocks and trees. The more Guihai used his domineering blade, the more ferocious it became. With a roar, three fierce blade energies attacked Li Yue and his two companions. The three tried their best to defend themselves, but were forced to retreat step by step. Before they could catch their breath, six blood-red blade energies swept across the land like crimson ribbons, pulverizing everything in their path.

"Not good!" Li Yue shouted, hurriedly trying to dodge, but the six blade energies had already blocked their retreat. Li Yue's eyes hardened, and he grabbed Wang Xing and the middle-aged man in the green robe beside him, throwing them away in their astonishment. The blade energies struck them, and Wang Xing and the other man were shattered on the spot without even making a sound. Blood rained down, staining the ground several feet deep red.

Li Yue seized the opportunity to escape, but before he could get far, an ice arrow shot from the sky and struck his calf, causing him to stagger and fall to the ground. In the short time that followed, six blades of energy, still powerful, slashed past him.

With a soft thud, Li Yue's body was torn to pieces, his face filled with terror and his eyes wide open.

Gui Haiyi, holding a long sword and leaning on the ground, was panting heavily. His scarlet eyes stared at Gu Xu as he approached. Just as he was about to swing his sword, a chanting sound suddenly came to his ears. The sound was like sweet spring water nourishing the parched earth, and his originally frantic state gradually calmed down.

After a moment, Gu Xu stopped chanting the calming mantra and looked at Gui Hai Yi Dao, who was sitting cross-legged. Soon after, Gui Hai Yi Dao opened his eyes, saw Gu Xu, and immediately stood up and clasped his hands in a salute.

"Thank you for your help, Daoist Master. Guihai Yidao is deeply grateful." Guihai Yidao knew that he had just gone mad with his cultivation, but he felt as if he was trapped in darkness. His inner demons had taken over his body and were killing indiscriminately. If it weren't for Gu Xu's chanting, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Master Yidao, although you have mastered this martial art that dominates the world, your cultivation is not enough. The malevolent energy in your blade has already backfired on its master. If you do not resolve it in time, you will easily suffer from qi deviation, which will be bad for both you and others."

"What the Taoist priest said makes sense, but Yidao has his own reasons. Once Yidao has settled his personal matters, he will definitely devote himself to cultivation."

"Master Yidao, are you searching for the murderer who killed your father, Guihai Bailian?"

"Does the Taoist priest know the inside story?" Guihai Yidao asked urgently.

Although he asked Zhang Jinjiu to investigate, eighteen years had passed, and some traces had long since disappeared. He didn't have much hope, but he saw hope in the Taoist priest's words.

"I can only offer you a word of advice: this matter concerns your mother."

"What? Impossible!" Guihai Yidao immediately denied it, shaking his head repeatedly. His mother and father had always been very loving, so how could it be related to his father's death? He wanted to explain himself, but the Taoist priest spoke so confidently that he was unsettled and found it difficult to make a decision.

"Meeting is fate. Dominating the world is too tyrannical. I'll give you this calming mantra." Gu Xu tossed a piece of yellow paper covered with writing to Gui Hai Yidao, who hurriedly took it.

"Master Yidao, take care of yourself," Gu Xu said, then turned and left, his figure disappearing into the valley in an instant.

Guihai Yidao stared blankly in the direction Gu Xu had left, put away his cultivation manual, went to a waterfall, washed off the blood on his body, and then left the valley, heading towards the Shuiyue Nunnery where his mother lived in seclusion.

Recalling what the Taoist priest had just said, Guihai Yidao felt more and more uneasy. Suddenly, a terrifying thought popped into his mind, and he quickly shook his head to dismiss it.

No, no.

But the more I try not to think about it, the clearer my thoughts become. By integrating all the clues I know and adding some deductions, this conjecture might actually be true.

He ran wildly, avoiding trouble along the way, and dodged those who came to steal the sword manual. Two days later, he arrived at a temple.

This temple was built by Guihai Yidao with the money he earned after joining the Dragon Guardian Manor. At this moment, the air was filled with the fragrance of incense, and the temple gate was tightly closed. Guihai Yidao calmed his mind and pushed open the temple gate.

Arriving at the main hall with practiced ease, Gui Haiyidao found Lu Huanong beginning her daily morning prayers. The sound of the wooden fish accompanied the chanting of sutras, mingled with the fragrance of incense. Gui Haiyidao's mind gradually emptied, and her thoughts drifted away.

After a moment, Lu Huanong put down the Buddhist scripture in her hand, looked at Guihai Yidao, and showed surprise on her face.

"Yidao, what brings you here? Have you had breakfast yet?"

"Haven't eaten yet."

"Perfect timing," Lu Huanong instructed the young nun to prepare a vegetarian meal for the two of them, and soon the young nun brought the food over.

The mother and son ate and talked. Lu Huanong hadn't seen her son for a long time and had so much to say, but this heartwarming scene was broken by Gui Haiyi's sudden question.

"Mother, how exactly did my father die?" Guihai Yidao asked in a deep voice.

With a "clatter," Lu Huanong's chopsticks, which were holding food in her hand, fell onto the table.

"Old tales, grudges of the martial world—why ask about them now? One strike, and you're letting go of hatred, and freeing yourself too."

Lu Huanong looked at him lovingly and said, "For the past ten years or so, I have always hoped that you could move on and not let this matter trap you for the rest of your life."

"I am my father's son. How can I not avenge the murder of my father? Mother, tell me, who killed my father?"

Gui Haiyi pressed her for answers, and Lu Huanong gave a bitter smile. She picked up the prayer beads, closed her eyes, and gently turned them, one after another. After a while, Lu Huanong finally stopped, opened her eyes, looked at Gui Haiyi's resolute face, and said something with difficulty.

"it is good"

(End of this chapter)