Infinite Puzzle City

Chapter 679 Sword Review of the Third Scholar

Wancheng, Ruzhou.

Inside the Gao family mansion, servants hurried about, busy with their own tasks.

Although they were servants, everyone was very content.

At least you can see a smile on his face from time to time, and a few maids occasionally sit aside and whisper to each other when they have a spare moment.

A maidservant, her eyes red from crying, choked out to her sisters, "Yesterday, I went to the rouge shop with the madam and happened to run into someone from my hometown. After asking around, I learned that my hometown no longer exists..."

Upon hearing this, the sisters also offered words of comfort, saying that although they were servants, in the Gao family they were well-fed and clothed, had no worries or fears, and had a place to live. This was already the limit that ordinary people could achieve in chaotic times.

Thinking of her fellow villager from yesterday, who was still doing the lowest-level odd jobs in the rouge shop, living a life of hunger and irregular meals, the maid suddenly felt less sad.

Yes, indeed, people can always find some comfort by comparing themselves to those below them.

The maids were unaware that their conversation had been overheard by Gao Yuting, who was some distance away.

Hearing about the tragic situation outside Ruzhou, Gao Yuting felt helpless. She leaned against the railing of the pavilion, staring ahead, lost in thought.

"What, are you wondering when your stray cat will come back?"

At that moment, a pair of slender hands rested on Gao Yuting's shoulders; it was Gao Yuting's older sister, Gao Lan.

Hearing her sister's teasing, Gao Yuting immediately pretended to be angry and said, "Who misses him? That rascal, he's been gone for so long, my little niece is almost old enough to run errands, and he hasn't brought back a single letter."

Gao Lan twirled her sister's hair that fell over her shoulder with her fingertips and chuckled softly: "You're all that cursing, but who was it that sneaked into the ancestral hall in the middle of the night the other day to offer an everlasting lamp for that bastard?"

"That, that's for the caravan's good fortune!" Gao Yuting's ears burned, and she straightened up abruptly, the double fish pendant at her waist jingling against the railing.

"Besides, doesn't my sister often stare at the map of the northern frontier in a daze? The other day, when my brother-in-law returned from training, you were clutching that red tassel on his armor."

"Oh dear, you shameless brat, you even dare to tease me!"

The two sisters played and joked in the pavilion until an autumn breeze swept through the corridor. Only then did Gao Lan gradually stop laughing and gently pull her younger sister's slightly cool hand into her sleeve.

"News is coming in that a grand gathering for the Imperial Seal is being held in Chang'an, the capital of the underworld. Whoever wins the grand gathering will receive the Imperial Seal of the State. Your brother-in-law is probably going too."

"What kind of grand event is this? I bet it's Huang Chao's doing!"

When Huang Chao was mentioned, Gao Yuting's eyes sharpened.

Although Gao Lan was blind, she could sense the murderous aura emanating from her younger sister, which only made her more worried.

Although she is not involved in the martial arts world, the Gu sisters visited her not long ago when the Shuimo Manor moved to Ruzhou.

Gao Lan sat to the side listening, and she knew the name Huang Chao, who had now become a nightmare for everyone.

After the sword evaluation, the emperor died and the world fell into chaos. Huang Chao also took advantage of this to fulfill his destiny and become the second celestial being in a hundred years.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she is invincible nowadays. Although her husband always says that Huang Chao can't get into Ruzhou, Gao Lan always has a particularly strong worry in her heart.

This wasn't her being overly anxious; rather, she had been seeing some vague things lately.

Although she cannot see, she can see lines of destiny in the darkness. Whenever she looks in the direction of Chang'an, she can always see some dark purple lines slowly extending towards her.

Although there are very few of these lines, their number is increasing every day, which makes Gao Lan very uneasy.

"Sister, don't worry. Although Huang Chao is very strong, he can't do anything to your brother-in-law."

When Gao Yuting saw that her sister Gao Lan was not speaking, she thought that her sister Gao Lan was worried about her brother-in-law, so she immediately comforted her, "Brother-in-law is no ordinary person. Even if Huang Chao is a celestial being, he will definitely not gain any advantage in front of brother-in-law."

Gao Yuting's words were not empty boasting. She had already entered the Dao and even touched the threshold of the Celestial Being. However, compared with Huang Chao, Gao Yuting could only stop at this threshold and could not take another step forward.

This is simply because the world in such a state of collapse is not yet the right time for her to attain enlightenment.

Aside from Huang Chao, there are only a handful of people in the martial arts world who can rival her.

However, even I feel a strange pressure when I'm with my brother-in-law.

Especially that day, when my sister and I went to the military camp to bring him food.

From afar, she could see her brother-in-law sitting in the tent reading a book. The firelight was dim, and the shadow behind him was like a god sitting there. The suffocating sense of oppression made Gao Yuting dare not approach easily.

"Yes, I'm relieved to hear that."

Gao Lan patted Gao Yuting's hand, but ultimately swallowed back the words she was about to say. After all, she herself hadn't been able to truly see where those black lines of fate were extending to.

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

Xiao Ran and her group have arrived in Linquan.

"It's finally here."

The crowd looked at the distant city with relaxed expressions on their faces.

Ahead lies Linquan City. Once past Linquan, you'll reach Yuzhou, and from there, the journey to Chang'an will only take about ten days.

The journey was relatively smooth. Perhaps it was due to the ghost locust tree, but this area of ​​northern Anhui was free from both plague and large-scale evil spirits. Upon reaching towns, we even saw caravans and ordinary people, making it one of the few peaceful places we could find.

Xiao Ran and her group also attracted a lot of attention.

Especially the tiger demon under the golden toad's buttocks. This tiger was three meters long and more than one meter tall. Its fur was shiny and glossy. It walked with its head shaking and tail wagging, looking very majestic.

It turned out that ever since it became the Golden Toad's mount, Wu Man would prepare a special meal for it every time it ate, and the tiger demon would eat until its mouth was greasy.

It's fair to say that since joining the team, Tiger Demon has never felt so happy.

Even if the golden toad tries to drive it away now, it probably won't want to leave.

After all, compared to those poor, unappetizing common people, none of them can compare to the delicious food Chef Wu makes.

As the saying goes, freedom is precious, but delicious food is even more valuable.

However, as soon as they entered the city, Xiao Ran felt several pairs of eyes fixed on her.

Xiao Ran immediately scanned the group with her spiritual power, locking onto them and scrutinizing them thoroughly.

"It seems we're being watched."

The old demon Qinghai lowered his head, not only not nervous, but also somewhat expectant.

"There's one in the teahouse on the left, two at the alley entrance on the right, and three squatting over there. They don't belong to any of the same factions. One of them seems to be from the Qiankun Alliance. It looks like they're all headed for Chang'an."

Xiao Ran was not surprised by this.

Now, the regional princes have established their own independent powers.

Whoever possesses the Imperial Seal of the State is the rightful heir to the throne.

Moreover, nowadays anything stamped with the Imperial Seal of the State can produce magical effects. For this reason alone, no one would give up the opportunity to seize the Imperial Seal of the State.

"A few guests please come in."

Upon entering the inn, Xiao Ran casually took out a piece of silver and handed it to the waiter: "Arrange three superior rooms."

The waiter looked at the silver in Xiao Ran's hand with disdain, but said with a smile, "Gentlemen, all the best rooms in our establishment are full. Now... the only place we can arrange is... the large dormitory behind the stables."

Xiao Ran didn't make a fuss about it. A dormitory room was fine with her. But then the waiter changed the subject: "If you gentlemen don't mind, you can temporarily share a room with some other merchants for the night. However, this tiger... will have to be kept in a cage."

"What?!" Upon hearing this, Jin Chanzi instantly became displeased, jumped off the tiger, grabbed the waiter by the collar, and said, "Are you kidding us? If you think the money is too little, just say so. What kind of nonsense are you spouting to your Taoist master here!"

Upon hearing this, the waiter's smile vanished, and he sneered, "Who accepts cash these days? Gentlemen, go and take a look. Even if you're just buying a pancake, you need to have real money. We only accept cash because you gentlemen look travel-worn. Otherwise... humph!"

The waiter shoved Jin Chanzi's hand away, saying, "I'm not serving you anymore."

Just as the guy said he was about to leave.

With a whoosh, a gust of cool wind swept by, and a piece of ghost money, like a dart, pierced through the waiter's hat and stuck firmly to the doorpost behind him.

"Hey buddy, get them a good room and prepare a top-class banquet."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and heard footsteps on the stairs on the second floor. The newcomer was wearing gold-embroidered red brocade boots and a blue brocade robe with dragon patterns. Two walnut-sized rubies on the jade belt at his waist were very eye-catching.

"Wow!"

The jade fan was unfurled, revealing the face of the person who had entered.

"Gu Xin Tang!"

Many people in the inn's lobby gasped in surprise.

"The Iron Chain General, the King of Swords, and Gu Xintang, the third-ranked swordsman. He's actually here!"

In recent years, Gu Xintang has rarely been involved in the martial arts world, instead focusing on helping the Qiankun Alliance develop. In the last two years, they have been completely out of the public eye.

Rumors suggest he is in seclusion.

I never expected to run into you here.

While everyone was taking a huge surprise, Gu Xintang's next words caused an even greater upheaval in their hearts.

Gu Xintang first closed his jade fan, clasped his hands in a fist and said to Xiao Ran, "It's been a long time. Brother Xiao, your style is as good as ever. It's a pity that there are no more sword reviews now, otherwise the title of Group C Thirty-Six should be changed."

"Group C, number thirty-six! It's Xiao Xingbang! My God, all these years, I thought he was dead, I never imagined he was still alive!"

Everyone stared wide-eyed, their ears ringing with this name, even more so than those on the Sword Ranking.

"Heh, I didn't expect to run into you here. What a coincidence." Xiao Ran cupped her hands in greeting, clearly displeased with Gu Xintang's direct revelation of her identity.

But Gu Xintang didn't care about Xiao Ran's teasing at all. His gaze swept over Wu Man, who was hiding behind him, and his eyes gradually became hot.

He cupped his hands again, and said with a hint of resentment, "The 'Swallowing Smoke and Capturing Dragon Hand' is ever-changing and transforms into an earth dragon. You took the top spot on the sword ranking list back then without leaving your name. How dashing!"

(End of this chapter)