Chasing after her husband? Is it even possible to win him back?

Chu Xunfeng, who was in charge, casually remarked, "Lord Lian, please don't joke around. You are only at the Earth Profound Realm, yet you're competing with two juniors at the Third Realm for a fifth-grade sword. Aren't you ashamed?"

"There are also sixth and seventh grade swords behind this. Don't be impatient. There are weapons that are worthy of your level."

The room fell silent for a moment, then a sneer came from somewhere.

Then, a wave of laughter erupted.

Chapter 47, Giving in

Why laugh? Why dare to laugh?

Lord Gou, sitting in the audience, squinted his eyes.

It must be said that Chu Xunfeng's indifferent and detached expression and attitude, even when he used the word 'playing around' to try and cover it up, still conveyed a sense of sarcasm that was only superficial and not at all disguised.

But upon first meeting him, he seemed to be the kind of person who was indifferent and straightforward.

The strange atmosphere, accompanied by laughter, felt like arrows were shooting from all directions, making Lord Gou uneasy.

And the source of all this seems to be...

Chu Xunfeng.

Standing on the stage, he seemed to attract everyone's attention and gaze, but in a way, he also easily controlled the atmosphere of the entire venue with his presence.

The two previous noisy disturbances, as well as the sudden silence, were all effects of Chu Xunfeng's gaze.

Lord Gou glanced at Lord Lian on stage, who maintained a smile and gave the opportunity to the four from Lie Dao Manor, then looked around again...

He finally understood the reason for the feeling of sitting on pins and needles that he had been experiencing, the strange sensation and atmosphere that had been enveloping him.

Chu Xunfeng, by leveraging the sense of identification among cultivators and stirring up the emotions and suspicions of ordinary people, gradually shifted the imperial court and the bronze beast to the opposite side of this venue.

On a small scale, this is making the entire venue target their group.

To put it bluntly, he was doing something extremely dangerous; he was drawing a line between the imperial court and the cultivation world.

He has already done it in this venue.

Why do these people laugh, starting with the first sound, and then gradually spread?

Because... the law does not punish the masses!

Damn it, Lord Gou's arm trembled slightly. He picked up the wine cup on the table, took a small sip of the sweet wine, and let out a long breath.

He felt that he probably needed to take action. He had to complete the task entrusted to him by His Majesty, and... he had to find a way to correct his stance and not let Chu Xunfeng continue like this.

It's not that I don't trust Lord Lian's abilities, it's entirely because...

The confrontation at this moment is not what everyone thought at all.

From the very beginning, Chu Xunfeng used a series of rhetoric to imply that the imperial court and the cultivation world had already drifted apart, and Lord Lian's actions at this moment were undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire, further widening the gap between them.

After all, the more they confront Chu Xunfeng, the more they confirm the suspicions held by people in the cultivation world.

The laughter was a sign of rebellion and betrayal from the cultivators who had become convinced of their suspicions. If this continued, and the hundreds of people present confirmed their suspicions, once the seed was planted, it would grow wildly and would be beyond the control of the imperial court.

Public opinion cannot be silenced, just as a mighty river cannot be stopped.

This is an absolutely undeniable fact.

"Lord Lian, we have finished examining this sword. It's a pity that neither of my two disciples are quite suited to this weapon, which perhaps should be classified as a 'strange' weapon. It's too light and thin, unsuitable for slashing, and incompatible with the sword techniques passed down in my sect. We would like to ask Lord Lian to examine the sword further." Li Yulin, the White-Maned Jade Sword Master, not only spoke very smoothly, but before leaving the stage, he also made sure to support the Longquan Sword Manor by asking Chu Xunfeng for a copy of the forging method for strange weapons.

Meanwhile, below the stage, upon hearing Bai Zongyu Dao's comments on the Cicada Wing Blade, a few people were moved and decided to stand up.

At that very moment, Lord Gou, having found his opportunity, put down his wine cup, picked up Pan Ge's plaque, and raised it high. "Although I am not a member of the cultivation world, I have heard your words just now and would like to observe this extraordinary weapon. I wonder if Venerable Chu would grant me a chance?"

His voice wasn't loud, and he had no special skills, so many people who were far away didn't hear what he said. However, they all understood the meaning behind the official in the python robe raising his sign and getting up.

"Guests are always welcome, and we will treat everyone equally. Your Excellency, please."

"Hehehe, you're too kind, Master Chu. My surname is Gou, and I'll just say Gou for now." With a wrinkled face and graying temples, Lord Gou walked around the stage. As he passed by Lian Cai, Lord Gou lowered his voice to a whisper, "Humble yourself and avoid confrontation."

Lian Cai naturally heard Lord Gou's words. His expression did not change at all, but his eyes changed quite a bit. His eyes flickered for a moment, and his gaze became misty for a instant.

Although he had always held a high degree of influence within the imperial envoy's team, there was no doubt that in officialdom, a higher rank could crush a lower one, and his cultivation would not prevent this situation. The reason why Lian Cai was able to maintain control of the overall situation was entirely because Lord Gou delegated power to him, allowing him to act as he pleased.

At this moment, Lord Gou raised his sign and went on stage, giving himself a special reminder... Over sixty years old and holding the rank of second grade official, Lord Gou must have sensed something, so... regardless of his own mood, Lian Cai clearly understood what to do.

"What does Lord Gou think of this knife?" Chu Xunfeng asked softly, looking at the old man in the python robe who was examining the cicada-wing knife in Lian Cai's hand.

"Well... if I speak here, could you please ask Master Chu to help me relay the message?" Lord Gou replied with a smile.

"Of course." Chu Xunfeng nodded slightly, his spiritual energy surging forth. A gentle breeze swept by, and he withdrew his gaze, nodding to Lord Gou.

"I have no cultivation in my official career, and I am just trying to get a feel for it. How could I possibly understand much about it? I just feel that this Cicada Wing Blade is indeed as its name suggests. The blade is thin and the forging patterns are gorgeous. However, the name Cicada Wing does not match the overall style of the blade. It is not beautiful." Lord Gou smiled. "However, although I do not understand, I do have some common sense in the cultivation world."

"The Fierce Blade Manor has praised the Cicada Wing Blade highly, and the Moon Sleep Sword was just chosen by White Emperor City. The Dragon Spring Sword Manor truly lives up to its reputation." Lord Gou smiled, raised his gaze, met Chu Xunfeng's calm expression for a moment, and then looked away.

“Previously, Chu Gongfeng said that Longquan Sword Manor had failed His Majesty’s trust… This is not appropriate.” Lord Gou said, then sighed slightly. “There is a saying: ‘It is not wrong to do one’s best but fail to achieve one’s goal.’ Longquan Sword Manor has failed to fulfill His Majesty’s entrustment, but now it is actively sharing His Majesty’s worries and doing its best to help. This is a merit.”

"There is no fault, but there is merit. As the imperial envoy, I will certainly report this matter to His Majesty truthfully. Although I cannot represent the boundless imperial grace, I will do my best to speak a few good words for Longquan Sword Manor."

"In that case, thank you very much, Your Excellency." Chu Xunfeng nodded slightly.

"Lord Chu, my earlier joke was a bit too much. I apologize to Longquan Sword Manor, Lie Dao Manor, and all my fellow practitioners." Lian Cai was quite capable of taking things in stride. Since Lord Gou had spoken like that, he couldn't maintain his previous attitude.

"It's alright. I just realized that Lord Lian was just joking. There are still several fine knives to come. If Lord Lian doesn't mind, please come and examine the weapons then."

"nature."

Chapter 48, Attack

After a verbal exchange, the imperial envoy retreated, and the beast showed weakness. After this series of changes, those who understood the shifts in the situation quickly realized what was happening. However, even though they had been manipulated, the wise ones remained silent.

As for those who couldn't understand, they could still sense the change in atmosphere. As more and more weapons were brought onto the stage, more and more cultivators who were interested in the weapons brought up by Longquan Sword Manor also raised their placards and went on stage to participate in the sword tasting.

The sword-tasting competition gradually shed its initial strange atmosphere and got back on track.

Meanwhile, in the workshop, Ning Qiuning, who had failed to persuade Zuo Zhishuang, stepped slowly from the passageway into the hall with a somewhat helpless feeling. As soon as she looked up, she saw an ordinary-looking sword servant staring at her in front of the display case in the workshop hall, which was said to be the origin of all Longquan swords.

"Ladies, why did you come from deep within the workshop...?"

"Miss Zuo Zhishuang invited us to visit the sword-forging workshop," Ning Qiuning replied softly. "Is there a problem?"

"So you are the young lady's guests..." The unfamiliar swordsman smiled slightly. "May I ask where the young lady is? The young master has something to discuss with her."

"It's inside. Just walk straight in and turn right into the fourth workroom."

"Thank you, but I have urgent business to attend to and must take my leave first." The unfamiliar swordsman bowed to Ning Qiu Ning and the maid before heading into the passageway leading into the depths of the workshop.

Ning Qiu Ning and her maid walked together toward the workshop gate. Just before leaving the workshop, the maid leaned close to Ning Qiu Ning and whispered something to her, causing Ning Qiu Ning to pause.

She turned to look at the passageway leading into the depths of the workshop, and suddenly called out to the young swordsman who was about to enter the passageway, "By the way, I want to ask you a question."

The swordsman paused for a few moments before turning back to look at Ning Qiu Ning. "Is there anything else, Miss?"

"Are you an inner disciple of the Sword Manor?"

“Of course, if one is not an inner disciple, how could one relay messages for the young master and enter and leave the workshop?” the unfamiliar sword attendant replied with a smile.

"An inner disciple, huh? No wonder..." Ning Qiu Ning nodded slightly. "The Sword Appraisal Tournament must have already started, right? Could you point me in the right direction?"

The sword attendant, with a smile on his face, nodded. "Miss, once you leave the workshop, head east. The main venue is located to the east of the Sword Manor. There are sword attendants along the way. If you still can't find it after leaving the workshop, just ask one of the sword attendants."

"Thank you." Ning Qiu Ning nodded slightly, clasped her hands in a salute to the young sword attendant, and then watched the sword attendant, who had withdrawn his gaze, go deeper into the passageway.

Ning Qiu Ning withdrew her gaze and hurriedly ran out of the workshop. Her eyes searched left and right at the workshop entrance before she quickly found the familiar sword attendant who had led her and her maid into the workshop earlier.

"Miss?" The sword attendant smiled as he saw Ning Qiu Ning rushing towards him. "The competition has already begun; I need to guide you..."

"Someone has infiltrated the workshop. They're wearing a sword attendant's robe with copper patterns and claim to be an inner disciple. They seem to be heading towards your young lady. Quickly gather your men." Ning Qiu Ning greeted the familiar sword attendant and, in a few words, poured out the events that had just transpired in the workshop's main hall.

As soon as Ning Qiuning finished speaking, before the sword servant could even process what she had just said, a muffled thud came from deep within the workshop. This sudden sound made the sword servant, who was still somewhat stunned, instantly understand the situation before him.

The young swordsman raised his Longquan sword high in his right hand, shouting, "Young Miss is in trouble! Quickly come to her aid!"

The other disciples of Longquan Sword Manor, who were still confused about what was happening in the workshop, immediately understood after hearing the young swordsman's shout. They quickly drew their swords and rushed into the workshop.

Meanwhile, inside the workshop.

The exploding furnace destroyed nearly a third of the workshop area, and molten metal was spilled throughout the workshop. Xu Bailing and Yao Jiangshu stood side by side with their swords drawn, ready to face the attack. Zuo Zhishuang, the instigator of the furnace explosion, cowered behind the two of them, cautiously watching the figure that had been blasted out of the workshop by the explosion.

The molten iron ignited the copper-patterned sword robe worn by the attacker, but the nearly 1,000-degree Celsius molten iron did not burn the uninvited guest's body.

He is a physical cultivator, and his realm is above the Earth Profound level, possibly even the Heaven Profound level.

Xu Bailing and Yao Jiangshu exchanged a glance. Although they did not communicate, they understood each other's thoughts at a glance.

For now, we'll stall for time. If Zuo Zhishuang's identity is true, neither Chu Xunfeng nor Longquan Sword Manor would entrust her safety to the two of us.

"White Emperor City?" A hoarse voice came from the figure with bowed head and shrugged shoulders. "Why do I encounter two sword cultivators from White Emperor City when I come to find the young lady of Longquan Sword Manor?"

"Who are you, and what is your purpose in attacking Zuo Zhishuang?" Xu Bailing squinted and shouted angrily.

"Hahaha, how laughable! People from White Emperor City actually standing in front of the Dragon Spring Sword Manor!" The inexplicable attacker sneered, looking up at the two women blocking Zuo Zhishuang's path, "Especially since they're blocking her way..."

Zuo Zhishuang's expression darkened slightly, and she pursed her lips without speaking. However, the two women holding swords in front of her exchanged a glance and both saw the knowing look in each other's eyes.

Xunfeng/Junior Brother was right.

At the same time, in the venue of the Sword Appraisal Tournament, a sword servant quietly passed through the back door set up behind the stage and found Zuo Feichen, who was sitting behind the stage. "Master, the young lady has been attacked by unknown people."

"Go and inform Chu Gongfeng, but do not make a fuss about it."