Starting with the divine power of the Great Vajra, he traversed the heavens.

Chapter 277 Inside Jinling City
Inside the Demon Master's Palace.

Pang Ban stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the pine tree in the pavilion, motionless.

He had been watching for three days and three nights, maintaining the same posture from morning till night, and no one dared to disturb him.

Fang Yeyu, who should have been in Jinling, is now in the courtyard.

The two servants, one in black and one in white, who had been waiting for a long time, stepped forward and said, "Master is still deep in thought, young master, please wait a moment."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yeyu had no choice but to retreat and wait.

At this moment, Pang Ban's voice came, slightly deep, yet with an indescribable magic: "Ye Yu, come in."

Fang Yeyu nodded to the two servants, one in black and one in white, then walked into the courtyard and respectfully said, "Master."

Pang Ban replied without turning his head, "Hmm, your heart is still relatively calm."

Fang Yeyu said with a wry smile, "There's no other way but to find joy in hardship."

“That’s a good thing.” Pang Ban turned around, one eye smiling into a crescent moon. “Faced with an invincible enemy, being able to adjust oneself will eventually lead to an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.”

Fang Yeyu smiled and said, "You are absolutely right." He glanced at the pine tree and then asked, "What has Master been thinking about these past few days?"

Pang Ban smiled and said, "I'm reminiscing."

"remember?"

Pang Ban said, "That's right. Recalling every battle over the past sixty years, I realize how moving the memories are, and how powerful I was in those memories."

"At that moment, I wondered what it would be like if Pang Ban fought against the Pang Ban from my memories?"

Fang Yeyu was surprised and after thinking for a long time, he could only say, "I really can't figure it out. I guess only heaven knows."

"That's a good answer."

Pang Ban smiled, but didn't mention that in his memories, he couldn't help but project his original self onto Ren Shaoyang.

The three days of mental battles had been so enjoyable that they brought him a long-lost sense of joy.

The reason they didn't tell was because they were afraid Fang Yeyu would break down after hearing it.

After all, someone who had a deep-seated grudge against him had now become the greatest enemy and fellow Daoist of his most respected master.

No one could accept that.

Fang Yeyu, oblivious to the situation, continued, "The Red Sun Dharma King discovered that the Living Buddha Yingyuan is in the capital."

Pang Ban said happily, "It seems I must set off for Jinling to meet Chuan Ying's son."

Fang Yeyu hesitated and asked, "Master, what about your injuries?"

Pang Ban laughed and said, "I'm fine now." He paused and then said, "Just like Ren Jianshen has recovered."

"What?!" Fang Yeyu's eyes widened. "Didn't his injuries worsen after his battle with Sect Master Nian? How did he recover so quickly?"

Pang Ban said, "I sensed that the demonic seed I left in his body has disappeared, clearly indicating that he has reached a new realm." He then glanced at Fang Yeyu, "Are you worried that your master and I will face off prematurely?"

Fang Yeyu nodded: "Yes, this person is ruthless, vicious, cunning, and I'm afraid he might plot against you again."

Pang Ban waved his hand and said, "After my battle with Ren Jianshen and Lang Fanyun, I will inevitably follow the path taken by Chuan Ying and Ling Donglai. Therefore, we will definitely not meet before the Mid-Autumn Festival next year."

Fang Yeyu breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Pang Ban didn't fight Ren Shaoyang and the other two, he wouldn't get injured again.

His anti-Ming cause had a reliable backer; as long as Pang Ban was in charge, he was absolutely safe.
It cannot be said to be absolute.

Fang Yeyu knew very well that those three bumpkins from the Northern Frontier would kill him without hesitation if they caught him.

First time.

A wave of regret washed over Fang Yeyu.
Jinling City.

The Yangtze River flows swiftly, connecting with the Qinhuai River, winding its way around the foot of the capital. At this moment, a misty rain falls on the emerald green river surface, forming circles and circles.

A vendor carrying osmanthus-flavored fermented rice on his shoulder, wearing a straw hat, stood under the eaves of a house on the street, watching the water flow in lines from the eaves, while pedestrians hurried along with their paper umbrellas.

Here, under the emperor's feet, lies a place of strategic importance, possessing both the grandeur of a dragon coiled and a tiger crouching, and holding a crucial position in water and land transportation.

From the time when King Xiong Shang of Chu built Jinling City in Shitoucheng, to the time when Sun Wu of the Three Kingdoms established his capital here, and later the Eastern Jin, Southern Dynasties of Song, Qi, Liang and Chen all established their capitals here.

Therefore, Nanjing is known as the "ancient capital of six dynasties".

After Zhu Yuanzhang gained control of the country and established his capital in Nanjing, he expanded the city walls to a circumference of seventy li, making it a renowned and magnificent city, even surpassing the former Yuan capital, Dadu.

Even now, despite the continuous rain and mist, the area still presents a picture of prosperity and grandeur.

There were young women carrying painted paper umbrellas, their skirts tucked in; scholars holding plain white paper umbrellas strolled leisurely; and many more, people wearing straw raincoats and hats hurried along.

Of course, there were also high-ranking officials and nobles traveling in sedan chairs in a hurry, and there were also江湖子 (jianghu zi, meaning江湖江湖子 ...

"Yu Yu Yu~!"

Several sounds of reining in horses rang out in front of the restaurant, and a number of tall, burly men carrying swords and knives entered the restaurant.

The vendor selling fermented rice wine was very envious, thinking that these people were real men and heroes.

Looking at myself, I couldn't help but sigh. It's raining today, so no one will buy fermented rice. I'm afraid my wife will nag me all night when I get home.

Just as he was sighing, a clear voice suddenly rang out: "Boss, three jugs of fermented rice wine, pour them into our gourd!"

The vendor was taken aback, and then he saw a donkey cart that had stopped in front of him at some point. The curtain of the cart was lifted in the small side window, revealing a fair and pretty face that could be both charming and sad.

A girl with a bun hairstyle stretched out her hands and handed three gourds to the vendor.

Seeing the three enormous gourds, the vendor thought to himself, "I've got a job!" He hurriedly took them, filled them with fermented rice wine, and handed them to her.

"Thanks!" The girl handed him some copper coins, her two small, white hands gripping the three gourds, which were bigger than a human head, as if they were suction cups, before retreating back into the carriage.

Then the donkey cart slowly started moving, and the sounds of laughter and cheerful conversation could be faintly heard inside.

"cheers!"

Watching the donkey cart drive away, the peddler couldn't help but be infected by their joy. He looked down at the copper coins in his hand, thinking that he might as well go to Sun Erniang's shop around the corner to change the hairpin for his tigress at home.

The donkey cart traveled for a while and then stopped in front of the restaurant.

Then a tall, black-clad young man carrying a sword jumped off the car, followed by a girl in red with a curved sword at her waist, and finally a young man in a white robe.

The three of them, without umbrellas and wearing only bird's nest-like straw hats, scurried into the restaurant. The restaurant was bustling with noise, filled with江湖人士 (jianghu figures) carrying bundles and displaying swords and knives on the tables.

When Ren Shaoyang and his two companions entered, it was like a drop of water merging into the ocean, having no impact on anyone at all.

They strolled upstairs and found a seat by the window.

Experience tells us that the best place to eat is by the window or a railing, or at the very least, by a wall. This is a lesson learned from the painful lessons of many predecessors.

The people of Nanjing have a different kind of spirit; the restaurant waiter asked them what they wanted to eat with a very calm expression.

Indeed, this is the capital of the Ming Dynasty. No matter where these powerful figures from the martial arts world come from, they have to restrain themselves to some extent, no matter how fierce they are.

Hongxiu sipped her fermented rice wine and chuckled, "Steamed shad, red fermented shad, stir-fried walnut meat with scallions and sea cucumber, crispy pork belly, mutton sausage, and slippery loach."

She ordered the dishes one by one, and the waiter's mouth gradually widened as he listened.

During this period, thanks to Zhu Yuanzhang's vigorous promotion, restaurants sprang up all over Nanjing, whether private or government-run, and were bustling with activity. With the emergence of stir-fried dishes and the abundance of ingredients, all kinds of delicious food were created in great variety.

Therefore, the waiter at the Jinling City restaurant was arrogant and looked down on the three unsavory outsiders in front of him.

Yeah, it's Master Hu!

Little did he know that the dishes the young girl ordered—seasonal fish and lamb, meticulously prepared—would pose the greatest challenge to the chef!

She has such a big appetite!
Seeing that this person was a seasoned and worldly-wise individual, the waiter immediately became respectful: "Gentlemen, is there anything else you'd like?"

Hongxiu blinked her big eyes and said with a grin, "Three more salted ducks and a pot of Biluochun tea, please!"

"Alright, please wait a moment."

The waiter turned around and went to fetch hot water.

"Ha, if we don't scare him a little, who knows what he'll say about us!" Hongxiu said proudly, arms crossed, as soon as the person left.

Ren Shaoyang laughed and said, "Nanjing is the most virtuous place in the world, so it's normal for people to be arrogant."

“Yes.” Ding’an craned his neck to look downstairs. “There are far more ordinary merchants and martial artists than in any other city I’ve ever been to. Look, even the horses on the street can’t go fast, and I can even hear Western Region accents. It’s truly a prosperous place.”

Just then, the sound of conversation coming from a table in the distance came over.

"Hey, have you heard about it?"

"What?"

"The three villains have arrived in Jinling!"

One person unloaded his bag, talking as he wrung out his rain-soaked trouser legs.

The others at the table were stunned and quickly asked, "They got the Eagle Knife, and instead of finding a place to hide and study it, they dared to come to Jinling?"

These people were guards who accompanied the caravan and were the most well-informed about news in the martial arts world. They were extremely surprised to hear about the Three Fiends and Eagle Blade.

"Hey, lately there's been a lot of talk about the battle between good and evil in the Dual Cultivation Sect, with the Three Fiends facing off against the Three Grandmasters from beyond the realm. Didn't you know?"

"Wow, the three grandmasters! They're amazing!" Someone said, taking a sip of their drink and grinning.

"Hmph, what kind of bullshit Grandmasters are they? If they encountered the Three Fiends, wouldn't two be injured and one dead?"

"What?"

"Who died?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room realized that this was no small matter, and they all perked up their ears and stared intently at the table.

The man straightened his chest and said loudly, "You don't know! I was in the Misty Valley at the time and saw it all clearly."

"Who are the three grandmasters from beyond the realm? Their names have been renowned throughout the world for over sixty years! Every time they make a move, it stirs up a bloodbath."

"For the past sixty years, everyone in the world has acknowledged that they are the strongest after Pang Ban! Even a magic master would have to avoid their sharp edge if the three of them joined forces!"

The man then said:

"However, in the Misty Valley that day, Ren Hongxiu slashed the Red Sun Dharma King's throat with a single blow, and Li Daohuang, carrying heavenly fire, cleaved Li Chimei away!"

The man's expression was serious, his wide eyes twitching slightly, and he said solemnly, "The most powerful one is still Sword God Ren!"

"He alone with his sword, his sword energy traversing the realms of Yin and Yang. In this battle, he challenged 'Flower Fairy' Nian Liandan, 'Sword Demon' Shi Zhongtian, 'Spear and Shovel Double Flight' Zhan Yu, and 'Wandering Alone for Ten Thousand Miles' Qiang Wangsheng."

"These top experts were all killed with a single sword strike, and each of them clutched his throat."

"Nian Liandan was cleaved in two and could no longer speak. So he used ventriloquism to utter his last words: 'The wonder of your swordsmanship has made my death quick and painless!'"

"It is clear that he died under the Sword God's divine sword, Dragon Capture, without the slightest regret!"

As they talked on and on, their statements became increasingly outrageous.

Ren Shaoyang was completely bewildered: "When will my sword energy be able to cross the Yin and Yang realms? And Nian Liandan was shattered, how can he speak using ventriloquism?"

Turning around, I saw the little beggar and Ding'an eating and drinking heartily, and I listened with a big smile.

"Ah! The three villains are so ferocious! But they came to Jinling with eagle blades, I wonder how much bloodshed they will cause?"

Some people have remarked on this.

"Hmph! No one dares to take the Divine Sword Dragon Capture from the Sword God, but someone dares to snatch the Eagle Blade from the Sword Emperor Li?"

"Hey! You know what, there really is one!"

"What's the matter?"

Everyone was stunned by the news, but at the same time, a thought also crossed their minds. If someone dared to take such a risk, perhaps I could give it a try too.
"On the Yangtze River, Ren Jianshen traversed both banks alone, slaying a total of fifty-five masters. Later, he advanced by water, and Lianming Village, Yifeng Hall, Wushuang Manor, and Baidu Sect all openly and secretly tried to seize the Eagle Blade, resorting to all sorts of extreme measures, from sinking large ships to poisoning and assassinating. But they were all killed by Ren Jianshen with a single sword strike!"

"They have killed hundreds of experts along the way, silencing all the gangs outside the gates along the Yangtze River. How many people in the world can achieve such a feat?"

Everyone was shocked when they heard this.

The ambitions I had in my heart immediately vanished.

Just then, amidst the wind and rain, a group of men carrying umbrellas whirlwind into the restaurant.

The leader was a tall, burly man who strode up the stairs and walked away quickly.

The man looked respectful, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, and said, "Jian Zhengming of the Xining Sect is one of the four generals under the command of Commander Yin Feng Lengyan. I am here on the orders of Commander Lengyan to pay my respects to the Three Fiends!"

(End of this chapter)