Ten Thousand Sword Masters

We found a restaurant not far from the county bureau and asked for a private room.

"It's a bit wasteful for just the two of us to eat in a private room," Yang Changping joked.

"There are some things I'd like to ask the Pavilion Master," Zhang Jianyun said.

"Don't call me Pavilion Master. We're already at the same level. Calling me that makes it seem too formal. I'm older than you. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Yang," Yang Changping said.

"Okay, Brother Yang, what exactly does the princess's travels around the world that was mentioned at today's meeting mean? I'm completely confused," Zhang Jianyun said.

Yang Changping was taken aback: "You've never heard of the princess's travels?"

Seeing Yang Changping's stunned expression, Zhang Jianyun had a bad feeling. This was probably something that everyone already knew.

"When I was little, I was a bit withdrawn and didn't like talking to people much, so I don't understand many things," Zhang Jianyun explained.

Yang Changping looked at Zhang Jianyun with some doubt and said, "Since the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty, all princesses who have turned 18 have traveled the world. One reason is to show the imperial power and win the hearts of the people, another is to make friends with heroes from all over the world and select talents for the dynasty, and yet another is to undergo tribulation."

"Tribulation?"

"The princesses of the dynasty all grew up in the deep palace, never coming into contact with any men, and were unaware of the realities of life. After they came of age, they needed to travel the world and experience the realities of life," Yang Changping said.

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Jianyun said, "Are all these princesses of dynasties born with divine bodies?"

"Those who can travel the world must possess innate divine bodies, so they must be isolated from the mortal realm from a young age within the deep palace until their divine bodies stabilize after adulthood," Yang Changping said with a smile. "How come you seem to know absolutely nothing about the royal family?"

"I'm ignorant, I'm ignorant," Zhang Jianyun chuckled.

"Won't the princess's travels attract powerful demons and monsters?" Zhang Jianyun asked.

"It's not just demons and monsters; even those powerful humans, which one wouldn't want to capture a princess to use as a furnace? This kind of thing has happened before."

"We can only pray that the Third Princess doesn't come to Kaiyang City."

Hearing this, Zhang Jianyun finally realized the impact that the Third Princess's choice to travel to Lingzhou would have.

After chatting with Yang Changping about the local customs and people of Kaiyang City, Zhang Jianyun returned to Cangxi Town after the meal.

Upon returning to Cangxi Pavilion, Zhang Jianyun immediately convened a meeting to discuss matters concerning the upcoming trip of the Third Princess to Lingzhou.

After the meeting ended, Zhu Yiwen stayed behind.

"Counselor Zhu, is there something you need?" Zhang Jianyun asked.

"Master, what are your thoughts on the future?" Zhu Yiwen asked calmly.

Upon hearing this question, Zhang Jianyun looked at Zhu Yiwen with some surprise, then chuckled and said, "Why do you ask that?"

"Sect Master, the Third Princess's travels around the world are both a crisis and an opportunity, especially for a talented person like you," Zhu Yiwen said firmly.

"Why does Zhu say that when he's handling things?" Zhang Jianyun asked, puzzled.

"Master, princesses of the dynasty who are able to travel the world after turning 18 must have innate divine bodies. They need to find a suitable husband to entrust their divine hearts to and nurture their divine status. Therefore, almost every princess finds her partner during her travels."

"Sect Master, you are already a Venerable of the History Sea Realm at such a young age, and you are so handsome and dashing!"

"There's no need for further discussion, Counselor Zhu. I had no such intention," Zhang Jianyun interrupted Zhu Yiwen, then stood up. "I still have some case files to process. Excuse me."

Watching Zhang Jianyun's departing figure, assassin Zhu Yiwen shook his head: "The sect leader is still young."

Heima Town, Yuelai Inn.

Upon receiving Qi Tian's invitation from Wang Chaoyang, Tang Guanshan seemed lost in thought.

"Is this duel a test or a trap? Should I go?"

"Why didn't Qi Tian mention the Fish-Dragon Gang? Was it his Ten Thousand Beasts Gang that challenged my White Tiger Gang to a duel?"

"This invitation should have been delivered to the White Tiger Gang yesterday, and it was also yesterday that two assassins attempted to kill Lord Zhang. Is Qi Tian absolutely certain that those two assassins were capable of killing Lord Zhang?"

Thinking of this, Tang Guanshan decided to attend the meeting, because Zhang Jianyun was not dead. Not only was he alive, but he also killed two assassins unharmed. He believed that Qi Tian's fighting spirit would collapse after learning about this.

The headquarters of the Beast Gang, the council hall.

"Master, the dueling arena has been set up. Would you like to go take a look?" Leader Li Yong asked Qi Tian.

Qi Tian shook his head: "No need, just set it up."

"Boss, do we need to prepare manpower to ambush Tang Guanshan?" Li Yong asked.

"There's no need. Tomorrow I'll destroy Tang Guanshan's fighting spirit in person. I'll crush his will. That way, it'll be good for us if he lives," Qi Tian said.

Li Yong frowned and looked at Qi Tian. He felt that Qi Tian was being somewhat presumptuous. Did he really think that two assassins at the Shi Hai Realm could assassinate Zhang Jianyun?

"Master, I'll go check the dueling arena again," Li Yong said, then took his leave.

As Li Yong stepped out of the council hall, he glanced back at Qi Tian inside, sighed inwardly, and headed towards the dueling platform.

He was not optimistic about tomorrow's sword duel.

The next morning, all the elders and leaders of the Ten Thousand Beasts Gang were waiting in the council hall.

"The news of Zhang Jianyun's death will arrive soon."

"With Zhang Jianyun dead, the White Tiger Gang will surely collapse."

"Without Zhang Jianyun, we can even join forces with the Fish Dragon Gang to launch a counterattack against the White Tiger Gang."

The elders and leaders of the Beast Gang were discussing among themselves, each one beaming with pride and self-satisfaction.

At this moment, far away in Cangxi Town, Zhang Jianyun, who had just harvested 2000 hostility points at the slaughterhouse, received a series of system notifications.

"You have received hostility points from an elder of the Beast Gang."

"You have received hostility points from an elder of the Beast Gang."

···

"You have received hostility points from the leader of the Beast Gang."

"You have received hostility points from the leader of the Beast Gang."

···

"You have received hostility points from the leader of the Beast Gang."

Zhang Jianyun was overjoyed to receive a series of system notifications.

Fish and Dragon Gang's headquarters.

Xie Xiancheng held Qi Tian's invitation and pondered repeatedly whether or not to attend.

"Chief, I don't think Qi Tian has any good intentions. He's probably just trying to embarrass you by organizing this event. Let's not go," said a leader of the Fish-Dragon Gang.

"No, Chief, while Qi Tian may not have good intentions, we can't not go. If we go, we can still fight back. If we don't go, Qi Tian will win, and he can then spread the word that our Fish Dragon Gang is afraid of him. This will be detrimental to our recruitment efforts," another branch leader said.

For a moment, the several leaders in front of Xie Xiancheng started arguing.

"Alright, stop arguing and get the horses ready," Xie Xiancheng said angrily.

"Chief, I'll go with you." An elder of the Fish-Dragon Gang stood up.

Xie Xiancheng looked at the elder who was speaking: "With Elder Zhou with me, I feel much more at ease."

"Don't worry, Chief. His Qi Tian swordsmanship isn't that heaven-defying. You're not without a chance of winning," said Zhou Tao, an elder of the Fish Dragon Gang.

Xie Xiancheng nodded upon hearing this: "I still have confidence."

I like the Ten Thousand Swords Master.