Martial Arts: After ten years of sword-drawing, the Sword God must bow his head when he sees me

Chapter 200 A sure-profit business

After agreeing, Dugu Qiubai said, "I had a pleasant exchange with you just now, and it has given me some insights. Since it is already late, I would like to leave you alone. I will ask you for guidance again in a few days after I have digested what I have learned."

Shen Ping'an nodded and said, "I look forward to exchanging ideas with you in a few days."

Looking at Shen Ping'an, who was neither humble nor arrogant, with a calm expression like a spring breeze, without the slightest hint of impetuosity or arrogance, Dugu Qiubai couldn't help but secretly praise him.

After nodding to Zhang San Niang and the others, he said to Gongzi Yu, "I'll head back now!"

Gongzi Yu replied, "A carriage is already prepared outside the door, and will escort you to your lodgings."

"it is good!"

Dugu Qiubai turned and walked away, his steps seemingly casual like an ordinary old man taking a stroll, but with each step he appeared instantly at the courtyard entrance three zhang away, as if shrinking the earth to an inch.

After a few steps, it disappeared from their sight.

Ximen Chuixue, who was standing to the side, also stood up and bowed respectfully to Shen Ping'an.

This bow was to thank Shen Ping'an for allowing him to understand a higher realm of swordsmanship today.

This was also to thank Shen Ping'an for allowing him to observe his sparring match with Dugu Qiubai.

In response, Shen Ping'an said calmly, "The road ahead is long and arduous, and the path of the sword is boundless. I hope that today's events can also serve as your motivation, and I wish you the same in the future as you reach even higher realms of the sword."

"Will!"

After uttering those three words earnestly and firmly, Ximen Chuixue also turned and left.

After the two left, Shen Ping'an's gaze fell on Gongzi Yu.

"I was wondering before why Ximen Chuixue would suddenly challenge Ye Gucheng out of the blue. So you were using me as bait."

Gongzi Yu showed no embarrassment at being exposed. Instead, he generously said, "For sword fanatics like Senior Sword Demon, Ximen Chuixue, and Ye Gucheng, who are obsessed with swords, the only things in the world that can move their hearts are the way of the sword and you, the number one swordsman in the Great Ming Kingdom today."

Shen Ping'an asked, "So, when Ximen Chuixue took the initiative to challenge me last time, it was also you who instigated him behind the scenes?"

Gongzi Yu shook his head and said, "Brother Shen has wronged me. Ximen Chuixue wanted to challenge you before entirely because of his own reasons."

After a pause, Gongzi Yu smiled and said, "However, it was Ximen Chuixue's challenge to Brother Shen last time that suddenly gave me an opportunity to deal with the imperial court, which led to this decisive battle in the Forbidden City."

Shen Ping'an sighed, "With a master like Senior Dugu, who is at the ninth level of the Celestial Realm, in charge, it's no wonder you have such strong confidence in being able to resolve the imperial court's problems."

Then Shen Ping'an changed the subject and asked, "But I'm curious how you persuaded Senior Dugu to travel all the way to the Ming Dynasty to help you?"

Gongzi Yu replied, "It was not I who persuaded Senior Dugu, but someone else."

Shen Ping'an raised an eyebrow slightly.

After a quick thought, he asked, "Master Zhang?"

Gongzi Yu clapped his hands and said, "Indeed, Brother Shen's quick thinking has never disappointed me. That's right, it is Zhang Zhenren."

Having received confirmation from Gongzi Yu, Shen Ping'an immediately understood.

After a moment, Qu Feiyan asked in confusion, "Isn't there an agreement that experts at the Celestial Realm level from other countries cannot act arbitrarily in other countries?"

In response to Qu Feiyan's question, Lianxing said softly, "That's right. For hundreds of years, it has been agreed among the countries that if a Celestial Realm expert from another country were to use force within their own country, the country's court would immediately announce it to the world and join forces with other countries to hunt him down."

"However, this rule is based on the premise that someone investigates it."

Gongzi Yu said with admiration, "Palace Mistress Lianxing is very clever and insightful. I admire her."

Lianxing nodded politely in response.

With Lianxing's reminder, Qu Feiyan and Shen Qingshan, who were also previously unaware, also realized what was going on.

This battle for the Forbidden City was originally planned by the Azure Dragon Society in order to seize control of the Ming Dynasty court.

In other words, if this matter succeeds, the Ming Dynasty's court will be controlled by the Azure Dragon Society.

Let alone holding Dugu Qiubai accountable, the news that Dugu Qiubai appeared in the palace afterwards probably wouldn't even be known to outsiders, so how could there be any trouble?

At this moment, Shen Ping'an asked, "When did you and Master Zhang make this agreement?"

Gongzi Yu did not hide anything and said frankly, "It was right after I parted ways with Brother Shen at the Wudang Sect."

Shen Ping'an thought for a moment and nodded: "The timing does match. If it weren't for being so far in advance, how could we have taken Zhang Zhenren's handwritten letter to the Great Song Dynasty to invite Senior Dugu from so far away?"

Seeing that Shen Ping'an picked up his teacup and took a sip, showing no intention of continuing the question, Gongzi Yu seemed intrigued and said, "Brother Shen, don't you want to ask more?" Shen Ping'an replied calmly, "Ask what? Ask why Master Zhang agreed to join forces with your Azure Dragon Society?"

“Brother Shen understands me best,” Gongzi Yu replied.

Shen Ping'an said calmly, "Everyone in the world knows that Wudang is currently facing a generational gap. Apart from Master Zhang, it is difficult for anyone in the Wudang sect to take on the mantle. This is also the reason why Master Zhang has been trapped in the Wudang sect for the past few decades."

"It can be said that Master Zhang's biggest concern now is undoubtedly what will happen to the Wudang Sect's century-old foundation after his passing."

"Furthermore, the Wudang Sect did not participate in the suppression of the Azure Dragon Society thirty years ago and has no enmity with the Azure Dragon Society."

"Furthermore, since Master Zhang is acquainted with Bai Xiaosheng, at this time, if a force capable of sweeping across the entire martial arts world of the Ming Dynasty were willing to offer to protect Wudang for a hundred years, it would be a great opportunity."

"As for the price, it was nothing more than a letter and a moment of inaction."

"Even if the Azure Dragon Society's plan fails afterward, the Wudang Sect will not be implicated."

"If I were in Zhang Zhenren's shoes, I wouldn't refuse such a business that's almost risk-free."

Listening to Shen Ping'an's analysis, Gongzi Yu nodded unconsciously.

Finally, they couldn't help but raise their hands and applaud again.

"Brother Shen's insight into things is indeed profound, and his analysis is absolutely correct. Given how much Master Zhang values ​​the Wudang Sect, it is indeed difficult for him to refuse such a sure-fire deal."

"However, despite all my careful planning, I still overlooked one thing."

Shen Ping'an slightly raised his eyes.

"You mean this unexpected thing happened to me?"

Gongzi Yu smiled and nodded, saying, "That's right! I never expected that a sword prodigy like Brother Shen would suddenly appear out of nowhere, nor did I expect that Brother Shen's sword cultivation would actually surpass that of a sword master as amazing as Senior Sword Demon Dugu."

"If I had known earlier that Brother Shen possessed such terrifying strength, perhaps my plans could have been brought forward."

As he spoke, Gongzi Yu's face was full of admiration and praise.

Shen Ping'an said calmly, "Given the current situation, what difference does it make whether we bring it up or not?"

Gongzi Yu was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and replied, "That's right, I forgot. With Brother Shen here, I don't need to worry about my premature aging anymore. Whether it happens early or not, it really makes no difference."

Looking up at the bright moon that was almost directly overhead, Gongzi Yu suddenly spoke.

"come in!"

The sound wasn't loud, but under the transmission of Gongzi Yu's true energy, it was enough to reach every corner of the house.

Then, Gongzi Yu said to Qu Feiyan, "Please trouble Miss Qu to tidy up the table."

In response to what Gongzi Yu said, Qu Feiyan did not take action immediately, but instead looked at Shen Ping'an first.

After Shen Ping'an nodded in acknowledgment, Qu Feiyan began to work with Shen Qingshan to collect the teacups on the table and move them aside.

Half an hour later, the member of the Azure Dragon Society wearing the blood-patterned mask slowly walked into the courtyard from outside.

He was also holding three long, narrow boxes stacked on top of each other in his hands.

After the man wearing the blood-patterned mask laid the three boxes flat on the table, he opened them himself.

"buzzing"

In an instant, the sound of swords clashing echoed throughout the courtyard.

The group looked down and saw that inside the three boxes were three swords with completely different designs and patterns.

It was a sword with a warm, white hue, its blade subtly displaying ice-crack patterns, and shimmering with a faint glow under the moonlight.

The blade is two fingers wide, and the black iron forging pattern resembles dried bloodstains. Seven barbed silver stars are embedded in the hilt.

The last one is the Qingfeng Sword, which is as thin as a willow leaf, with spiral grooves carved on its spine.

Under the moonlight, the blades of the three swords exuded a chilling aura.

The powerful sword energy emanating from the three swords revealed their extraordinary nature.

(End of this chapter)