Catching Monsters

Chapter 676 Long Qixing

On the bustling streets of Beijing, Xu Xiaogang, dressed in casual clothes, looked somewhat like the playboy he used to be. The only difference was that his eyes were completely different now.

"General, His Majesty said he would hold a grand welcome banquet for you. Isn't it inappropriate for you to secretly take me back to the capital?"

Beside him, a lieutenant muttered something under his breath.

"There's no need for a welcome feast. I'll just go home to see my mother first, and then go directly to the palace to pay my respects to His Majesty," Xu Xiaogang said casually.

As he spoke, he glanced at the trinkets on the nearby stalls, preparing to bring some gifts back for his mother.

Just as Xu Xiaogang and his deputy were strolling down the street, a commotion suddenly broke out ahead.

"What's going on?" Xu Xiaogang frowned and quickly stepped forward with his deputy.

Unexpectedly, he turned out to be an oddball.

The man was dressed in shabby clothes, his hair was disheveled and draped over his shoulders, and you could smell a stench from afar.

Most strangely, he was carrying a huge black coffin and slowly walking through the bustling streets of the capital.

The sound of the coffin rubbing against the ground produced a harsh, grating noise.

"Who is this guy?" Xu Xiaogang frowned and asked his deputy in a low voice.

The lieutenant replied, "Even the general doesn't know who this person is, so how would I know?"

This strange scene sparked much discussion among the people of the capital, and of course, few of them had anything pleasant to say.

After all, what normal person would drag a coffin down the street for no reason?

Look in the direction the strange man went.

"If I remember correctly, this direction should be the Eastern Garrison Command, right?" Xu Xiaogang frowned and said, "Let's go up and join in the fun."

"My lord, my lord, wait a minute."

This strange man's behavior didn't just attract Xu Xiaogang to follow him; there were quite a few idle people in the capital, many rich young men who would wander around aimlessly with a birdcage in their hands.

Seeing this novel event, everyone followed along out of curiosity.

Soon, the strange man indeed dragged the coffin and slowly arrived outside the gate of the East Garrison Command.

This action also attracted the attention of the Imperial Guards guarding the gate.

"What are you doing?" The guard stepped forward, glanced at the coffin, and asked, "Who are you?"

"My name is Long Qixing." The strange man, who looked to be in his early forties and was muscular, slowly raised his head: "I've heard that Qu Wushang is still alive?"

"I want to fight him." Long Qixing's voice was hoarse. "Please go in and inform him."

"This..." Upon hearing this, the Imperial Guard's expression changed slightly: "Are you the Sword God Long Qixing?"

Those around them, including Xu Xiaogang who had come to watch the spectacle, were also shocked. They never expected that the strange man in front of them was actually Long Qixing, one of the Four Great Sword Gods.

To be honest, these four sword gods each have their own unique characteristics.

For example, Qi Xinyi, the Snow Mountain Sword God, spends most of his time in the Northern Hu territory, serving the Northern Hu royal court as his master.

Although his swordsmanship was extraordinary, he was a lackey of the Northern Hu royal court.

And the Sword God Xie Yifeng, in turn, helped the rebels...

Qi Xinyi and Xie Yifeng had many worldly concerns.

Although his swordsmanship was superb, he was not regarded as the strongest among the sword gods.

Of the other two sword gods, Long Qixing is a person who is obsessed with swords.

This man was quite obsessed with practicing swordsmanship. Twelve years ago, after Long Qixing mastered the swordsmanship, he sought out sword masters all over the world to duel with.

Xie Yifeng had certainly done something similar before.

However, unlike Xie Yifeng, he is different.

Long Qixing is ruthless; only one of you can survive a fight against him.

Therefore, he often carried a coffin while traveling around the world.

If the opponent is defeated, then give them an expensive coffin.

If one is killed by the other party, one should be buried in this coffin.

In one year, Long Qixing killed hundreds of sword masters. Later, many swordsmen fled when they heard of Long Qixing's reputation.

Long Qixing then sought out the Sword God Xie Yifeng for a decisive battle.

As a result, during the battle between Long Qixing and Xie Yifeng, Long Qixing actually managed to injure Xie Yifeng.

From that day on, Long Qixing earned the title of Sword God.

For reasons unknown, Long Qixing suddenly disappeared from the martial arts world.

There are also rumors that although Long Qixing appeared to have won, he actually suffered serious internal injuries in his battle with Xie Yifeng, and in order to avoid his enemies seeking revenge.

That's when they went into hiding, changing their names and disappearing without a trace.

"Hiss, General, in my opinion, Long Qixing came to find Qu Wushang with a coffin because he's determined that someone has to die," the adjutant whispered.

Xu Xiaogang nodded, his brows furrowing. He was well aware that Qu Wushang and Jiang Yun had a close relationship.

They also knew that Qu Wushang had lost all his magical powers.

Now that such a top-tier expert has come knocking on our door, things are unlikely to end well.

Among the crowd, there were some who did not know Long Qixing's name, but upon hearing that he was one of the Four Great Sword Gods, many people immediately became interested.

The current Sword God challenges Qu Wushang, the Sword God of twenty years ago.

Regardless of who wins or loses, this event will surely cause a sensation throughout the entire Zhou Kingdom.

If you can see it with your own eyes, you can have something to talk about later.

The Imperial Guards guarding the gate were naturally unable to make a decision on this matter, so they quickly turned around and sent someone to fetch Lord Jiang.

Long Qixing casually sat on the coffin, lay down on it, and basked in the sun.

Jiang Yun, dressed in official robes, entered the East Garrison through the back gate, accompanied by Dong Qiaofeng.

"No, why would Long Qixing challenge Senior Qu for no reason?" Jiang Yun frowned deeply.

He was originally teaching Li Chengdao at the Sanqing Temple when he heard about the incident at the Eastern Garrison Command, so he rushed over to handle it.

Dong Qiaofeng, who was standing next to him, said, "Sir, this Long Qixing is a typical martial arts practitioner. He likes to spar with experts. Twelve years ago, countless experts died at his hands."

On the way, Dong Qiaofeng quickly introduced the other party's background to Jiang Yun.

After listening, Jiang Yun frowned: "If that's the case, then just refuse their challenge, what's the big deal?"

“That guy is a madman.” Dong Qiaofeng shook his head and said in a low voice, “Twelve years ago, many of the experts who died at his hands refused to fight him.”

"But this guy killed them all with a single sword strike. He even said that people who don't even dare to draw their swords don't deserve to live in this world, let alone practice swordsmanship."

Jiang Yun suddenly felt a headache coming on. Soon, he arrived at Qu Wushang's courtyard.

Qu Wushang was sitting in a recliner, flipping through a book in his hand.

Seeing Jiang Yun and Dong Qiaofeng rushing over, he asked, "Why has Lord Jiang come again today?"

Jiang Yun glanced at Dong Qiaofeng. Dong Qiaofeng understood and quickly said, "Senior Qu, something has happened. A madman has come to the gate of our East Garrison Command and insists on challenging you to a duel."

"As Lord Jiang wishes, you should go to the Northern Garrison Command first and take temporary refuge. Lord Jiang will handle things here."

Jiang Yun, fearing that Qu Wushang would feel embarrassed, added, "Of course, everyone knows Senior Qu's strength; it's not worth arguing with such a petty person."

"Who came?" Qu Wushang asked curiously.

Jiang Yun thought for a moment and then said, "Long Qixing."

“Long Qixing?” Qu Wushang slowly stood up, frowned, and sighed, “I’ve heard of this person’s name before. Why would he come to bother this old man like me for no reason?”

"I'll go through the back door. Lord Jiang, you must be careful; this man is quite powerful."

"I understand." Jiang Yun breathed a sigh of relief. He was worried that Qu Wushang might care about his reputation and force himself to accept the challenge.

After watching Dong Qiaofeng leave towards the back gate of the East Garrison Command, he straightened his official robes and led Dong Qiaofeng out the door.

Nowadays, the streets outside the East Garrison are packed with people who have come to watch the spectacle.

Long Qixing lay down on the coffin to rest.

Upon hearing the door open, Long Qixing sat up and looked towards the door. When he saw a young man in official robes emerge, his expression darkened.

"I have long admired the name of the Sword God Long Qixing." Jiang Yun smiled and slowly stepped forward: "I am Jiang Yun, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Long Qixing glanced coldly at Jiang Yun and said indifferently, "I'm not here to see you. I want to see Qu Wushang."

"Oh dear, what bad timing. I just sent Qu Wushang out of town on official business, and he probably won't be back for at least a month or two." Jiang Yun slapped his forehead. "If I had known that the Dragon Sword God was coming to see him, I would have..."

Long Qixing interrupted Jiang Yun directly: "Before I came here, I had already found out that Qu Wushang is currently in the Eastern Garrison Command, but he is in charge of the archives. What official business does he need to carry out?"

After Long Qixing finished speaking, he slowly stood on the coffin and loudly proclaimed inside, "Sword God Qu Wushang! Twelve years ago, I fought against all the sword masters in the world, and none of them could rival me."

"Back then, there were rumors in the martial arts world that you were dead, and I regretted it for a long time."

"I never expected you to still be alive!"

"I challenge you to a duel to prove who is the true Sword God of today!"

Although his voice seemed soft, it spread outwards with a strange magical power.

Jiang Yun took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Dragon Sword God, although you are quite strong, this is the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters, not a place where you can act recklessly..."

Before he could finish speaking, Long Qixing suddenly slapped the coffin behind him.

The coffin lid flew off instantly, revealing a huge longsword lying inside.

In an instant, an unparalleled and domineering sword aura erupted from Long Qixing's body.

He grabbed the hilt of the sword and instantly pressed it against Jiang Yun's neck.

His speed was incredibly fast, and the blade was almost touching Jiang Yun's neck.

This clearly demonstrates that his control over this enormous longsword has reached an almost perfect level.

Jiang Yun didn't dare to move at all. At this moment, he was intimidated by the murderous aura emanating from Long Qixing.

Clearly, his status as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had no deterrent effect on him.

Jiang Yun swallowed hard and slowly said, "Dragon Sword God, calm down, you..."

"What is your relationship with Qu Wushang?" Long Qixing asked coldly. "If I kill you, will he avenge you?"

madman……

This guy is definitely a madman.

They really went to great lengths to get Qu Wushang to fight them.

Jiang Yun took a deep breath and forced a bitter smile: "In fact, my relationship with Qu Wushang isn't that great..."

After saying that, Jiang Yun slowly reached into his pocket and gripped a talisman tightly in his hand.

At this moment, Jiang Yun was also a little nervous, because there was a clear hint of madness in the other person's eyes.

He was genuinely unsure if the other party would suddenly attack him.

If I were to suddenly die in this godforsaken place, wouldn't I have died unjustly...?

Jiang Yun's heart was pounding wildly at this moment.

Dong Qiaofeng, who was behind Jiang Yun, and the Imperial Guards who followed him, saw that this madman dared to draw his sword at Jiang Yun, and they all quickly drew their weapons as well.

"Calm down, everyone calm down!" Jiang Yun was genuinely worried about Dong Qiaofeng behind him, in case he made a move.

Long Qixing then stabbed himself...

The oppressive aura emanating from Long Qixing put immense pressure on Jiang Yun.

The two sides were on the verge of a fight, seemingly ready to come to blows at the slightest provocation.

"Dragon Sword God, what do you have to offer me, this old codger, to challenge?"

Just then, Qu Wushang's voice suddenly rang out from behind the gate of the Eastern Garrison Command.

Everyone's eyes instantly turned towards the gate.

The burning intensity in Long Qixing's eyes intensified, and he said in a deep voice, "Qu Wushang, it really is you, you're really not dead!"

After saying this, his eyes were filled with murderous intent as he looked at Jiang Yun: "If this corrupt official hadn't been threatened by me with my sword, I'm afraid you wouldn't have shown yourself so easily, right?"

Qu Wushang frowned slightly and said, "Long Qixing is a third-rank official in the imperial court, and also my superior..."

"I don't care about any of this bullshit imperial court stuff," Long Qixing sneered. "If I kill him, will you avenge him and fight me to the death?"

Just as Long Qixing finished speaking, Jiang Yun instantly retreated.

As expected, Jiang Yun anticipated Long Qixing's move.

The moment he stepped back, Long Qixing's sword swept across him.

If he had retreated even a fraction of a second slower, his head would probably have already been chopped off by Long Qixing's sword.

Seeing this, Dong Qiaofeng really wanted to shout and take down the two madmen who were attacking Lord Jiang...

But reason prevailed and calmed him down.

The opponent's strength is far greater than imagined.

Long Qixing frowned as he looked at the elderly Qu Wushang, even doubting whether this thin old man was really Qu Wushang, who once dominated the martial arts world and was hailed as the number one person below the Saint Realm.

"Because of my training, my meridians are damaged and I can no longer use my magic. There is no point in fighting you. If you like the title of Sword God, you can have it."

"Qu Wushang is already dead."

Long Qixing sneered, "Qu Wushang, either you lie in the coffin behind me, or I will."

"If you don't accept my challenge, I'll stay in the capital and kill a few Imperial Guards every day for fun."

The other party's arrogant attitude showed that they didn't take the Embroidered Uniform Guard seriously at all.

Qu Wushang fell silent, knowing that if he didn't give in, the other party would probably not let it go.

"Three days from now at noon, at the Imperial Guards' drill ground in the north of the city, I'll be waiting for you."

(End of this chapter)