Devouring Evil Martial Arts, Eliminating Demons from All Heavens

Chapter 385 Let's see the swordsmanship, the honor guard arrives

"You mean the monks are going to give me gifts?"

After a night's rest, Chu Tianshu sat in Pengcheng Tavern, looking at the beautiful scenery of the rising sun and the dawn light on the horizon, his expression somewhat languid.

"What about etiquette?"

The old scholar said, "The gifts are still on their way, but the news has already spread."

Chu Tianshu clicked his tongue: "The news really travels fast."

The old scholar nodded and said, "There is nothing in this world that can be faster than sending a message."

After all, there was magic to transmit the message, and it was such a sensational piece of news, plus the added hype from those with ulterior motives.

The news that three highly skilled masters had been defeated at Denglai Mountain was already astonishing enough.

Countless people are waiting to see the reactions of Qingsheng Temple and the Xiao and Hou families.

The fact that Qingsheng Temple is now releasing this information—clearly indicating its willingness to back down and even offer gifts—is truly astonishing.

Countless people's first reaction was that they had heard fake news. After repeatedly verifying it, they were speechless and then, as if they were possessed, they spread and shared this information everywhere.

That's amazing!

From the evil sect in the north in the past to the number one sect in the world today, Qingsheng Temple has not yielded for a hundred years, has it?

After the initial shock and disbelief subsided, many people began to reflect.

If this new enlightened one can make Qingsheng Temple submit, it's probably a foregone conclusion that he will take over Denglaishan Village.

With this in mind, many people are already considering befriending this new tycoon.

“Qingsheng Temple’s gift-giving will definitely encourage many others to follow suit.”

The old scholar chuckled and said, "I just don't know what excuse they'll use to celebrate. They can't really be celebrating that you killed three great Daoists in one fell swoop, can they?"

Thinking back to yesterday when I secretly watched and saw the result of that battle.

A look of shock reappeared on the old scholar's face. "One against three, a complete victory and a total kill. If someone were to use this to congratulate you, it would actually be quite reasonable."

Chu Tianshu shook his head.

Even if Qingsheng Temple outwardly backs down, the Xiao and Chen families have suffered considerable losses, and ordinary forces still dare not easily offend them.

If you really want to give a gift, it will probably just be polite words like congratulating someone on moving to a new house or congratulating someone on meeting a wise ruler at Mount Lai.

Furthermore, there are likely some discerning individuals who will see the deeper meaning behind Qingsheng Temple's actions and will not get involved.

"This is a case of flattery to kill."

Chu Tianshu tilted his head, his fingers fidgeting as he twirled a strand of hair at his temple. "Originally, killing those three would have served as a sufficient deterrent, but it would have also weakened them in the long run."

“Those who have a grudge against me dare not retaliate easily. As for others, they may be hoping to get away with it. They might as well give me this place, which is less risky than facing me directly.”

"But if I were portrayed as someone with the greatest martial prowess and the greatest ambition in the world."

“Those people felt that they would have to confront me sooner or later, so their fighting spirit might outweigh their ambition, and they might have a chance to unite.”

The old scholar praised, "It's rare to see someone your age so insightful."

"I've read quite a lot of stories."

Chu Tianshu thought for a moment and then smiled, "Since they're being so polite, why not accept it?"

He has already killed the nine evil spirits of the large group of monks he captured earlier.

The rest were also marked with a palm print on their chests, with the intention of swindling a sum of supplies when the time was right, and also to further provoke Qingsheng Temple.

It seems the other side is trying to portray us as a public enemy, adding fuel to the fire. This situation isn't suitable for playing those tricks anymore, so let's just resolve it directly.

A bunch of villains, living any longer would be a waste of rice.

"Praise to death is indeed a difficult problem."

The old scholar reminded him, "But there's another problem: when everyone comes to celebrate and give gifts, where do you plan to receive them?"

Chu Tianshu either wanders around or mysteriously disappears; his only relatively fixed place of appearance is the Pengcheng Tavern.

Given his current reputation, he can't possibly be expected to work in a tavern under the command of the Marquis of Pengcheng and accept gifts.

“Shen Minglai’s estate was pretty good, wasn’t it? I only demolished one building back then.”

"Oh, it wasn't me who aborted it; Shen Minglai destroyed it himself."

Chu Tianshu said, "Spread the word that over there will be my place of residence."

He wasn't ready to reveal Green Pine Valley yet.

"Come, come, sit here, brother. The gifts are moving slowly, let's talk about something else first."

Chu Tianshu pulled the old scholar down to sit and changed the subject.

"I would like to meet with your lord. Could you please send a message to inquire whether he is available recently?"

Among the token materials, there are currently nine evil monk spirits, as well as two powerful evil spirits, Song Zixian and Fa Wendao.

The "True Scripture of the Mountain Man Boiling the Sun" emphasizes self-cultivation. Chu Tianshu now wants to develop a set of advanced martial arts techniques for combat, and he will use these materials to deduce and optimize them.

Xiao Liang is known as the number one swordsman in the world.

It is also one of the few places in Chu Tianshu's homeland where the relationship is not bad, and it is the most likely way for him to obtain advanced combat martial arts.

"The Marquis is most likely free."

The old scholar stared at Chu Tianshu, as if he had seen through something. "You wouldn't be thinking of exchanging cultivation techniques with the Marquis, would you?"

Chu Tianshu was a little surprised: "How did you guess that?"

"I was just guessing," the old scholar said. "Because back then, the Huangshan Patriarch also considered exchanging cultivation techniques with the Marquis."

“None of you are from prominent families or major sects, and you are unwilling to submit to them. You are also not as ruthless as the demonic sects, who recklessly use people to test their skills. If you want to avoid falling behind, you should be more magnanimous.”

Chu Tianshu chuckled and said, "So, your Marquis won't refuse such a thing?"

Although the same technique can have different effects on a thousand people, it mainly depends on each person's understanding and application.

However, unique skills and techniques can indeed be more private than self-cultivation techniques in some situations.

Because self-cultivation skills rely on a solid foundation. Once you have a strong foundation, you can use any move with ease. Even if you have a particular style, you won't have any fixed weaknesses.

However, those cultivators with ordinary foundations who rely mainly on skillful techniques may be targeted by enemies if their techniques are discovered and thoroughly studied.

From the very beginning, Chu Tianshu focused more on the internal foundation of the "Gluttonous Tongbei Fist," emphasizing the importance of the ability to eat gluttonously over the routines and techniques of Tongbei Fist in combat.

Later, although he learned many moves, he became more adept at using them. His level of mastering the Myriad Evils Refinement Technique continued to evolve. Even with several special and powerful moves, he could adjust the signs and timing of their use at will, without any fixed pattern.

Learning new powerful techniques is like taking a bite of a new, vast question bank for him.

This will give him more options to consider when choosing a battle strategy.

However, he couldn't guarantee that everyone else followed his approach.

"Given your deeds, the Marquis might be willing to make an exchange, but..."

The old scholar was a little embarrassed. "Back then, when the Huangshan Patriarch met with Lord Hou, they were unable to exchange their unique skills as they had hoped."

"Because the Marquis's unique skill cannot be explained by himself; even if he demonstrates it, others cannot learn it."

"At most, he can only offer the treasure-refining techniques he learned in his early years, along with his own innovations, in exchange."

"The Huangshan Patriarch knew about this beforehand, but he not only shared his treasure-refining experience, but also left a copy of his spear technique at the Marquis's residence."

The old scholar sighed, "Therefore, in recent years, the Marquis has often felt uneasy and sent wine to Huangshan to visit his old friend."

Chu Tianshu listened, but he was not disappointed; on the contrary, he was quite pleased.

Let's meet first and then talk.

If we really can't figure out Xiao Liang's swordsmanship.

So, given how generous the Huangshan Patriarch was, exchanging his spear technique for it shouldn't be a problem.

Yesterday, Chu Tianshu had already heard the old scholar identify the three people and recount their past.

That Fawen Dao mastered all the famous Buddhist sword techniques and also had demonic skills as a foundation.

I heard that when he was being hunted down by the Huangshan Patriarch, his swordsmanship was still completely suppressed, and he has not sought revenge for so many years.

That marksmanship is really something.

Seeing that Chu Tianshu insisted on this, the old scholar went to find a way to send a message.

Xiao Liang replied succinctly, saying he would come soon, but two days passed and he still hadn't arrived.

On the contrary, the gift sent by Qingsheng Temple arrived at Denglaishan Market first that morning.

There were thirty carriages, all divine steeds refined with medicinal herbs. Each carriage had three drivers, and true energy was circulating through the meridians of the horses.

The carriage frame and curtains, adorned with gold-painted dragons, and the flag of Qingsheng Temple flying on one corner of the roof, could not conceal the weariness of the journey.

A seasoned traveler would immediately recognize that the drivers rotate every four hours, indicating a practice of traveling day and night to expedite the journey.

If one did not know the background, just looking at the carriages and horses used to deliver these gifts, it would be an act of unparalleled sincerity.

The first carriage had no driver; its pale purple curtain hung down, motionless.

The two chestnut horses pulling the carts ran on their own, leading the entire caravan with remarkable steadiness.

The convoy made a brief stop in front of Pengcheng Tavern.

The curtain of the first car was lifted, and an old woman about five feet tall jumped out.

This person wore a brocade purple robe, but the cuffs were slightly narrow. He had silver hair and a gold hairpin, a straight back, and a vigorous spirit.

"Where is the shopkeeper?!"

When the old man moved, his steps were firm and his voice was booming.

Countless people on the street were watching the procession, both openly and secretly, and couldn't help but secretly admire it.

That old lady has a really loud voice!
"I'd like a bowl of rough wine to quench my thirst, and also to ask for directions."

The old woman took out two five-zhu coins and handed them to the counter next to her.

The old scholar was rushing over from the north room when he saw the scene and his expression changed.

"It must have been Old Madam Gao in person."

He hurriedly cupped his hands and said with a smile, "When Madam Gao comes to taste wine, there's no need to spend money. Bring me a pot of the finest wine."

Old Madam Gao smiled and put the five-zhu coin back into her sleeve: "If you want to treat us, then this old lady won't stand on ceremony."

Seeing her action, the old scholar couldn't help but cough softly.

How could Qingsheng Temple dare to allow this person to deliver gifts?

Aren't you afraid that half the gold will be lost along the way, and 80% of the silver will be gone, because someone is stealing from the guards?
But then I thought about it again.

Among those from the Northern Dynasty who had the power and influence to deliver gifts, it seemed that Old Lady Gao truly had the best reputation.

The old scholar remained calm and glanced at the carriage again.

There seemed to be another person in the carriage at the very front, and their aura didn't seem to belong to the Gao family.

(End of this chapter)