Ten Thousand Sword Masters

Amidst the fierce fighting, the clash of swords and the thunder of horses, the Nine-Horned Golden Ram was drenched in sweat, but he had no time to wipe it away; sweat dripped down, soaking his entire body.

Zhong Yang remained unmoved, his attention focused on the chessboard regardless of the Nine-Horned Golden Ram's sarcastic remarks and teasing. At the same time, he kept a watchful eye on the Nine-Horned Golden Ram, in case it suddenly launched an attack.

Snapped!

Zhongyang Hengche, facing the taxi flying on the same line as the Nine-Horned Golden Sheep.

The nine-horned golden ram lifted the general, beads of sweat dripping down its face. All around was silent, except for the sound of the nine-horned golden ram's sweat dripping down.

Finally, the Nine-Horned Golden Ram dejectedly threw down the chess piece, shook its head, and then took out an embroidered handkerchief to wipe away its sweat.

Zhong Yang watched the nine-horned golden sheep quietly, preparing for the golden sheep to turn on him.

"I was outmatched, I lost."

After wiping away the sweat, the Nine-Horned Golden Sheep said.

Zhong Yang did not respond, waiting for the Nine-Horned Golden Sheep to continue.

Staring at Zhong Yang, the Nine-Horned Golden Ram smiled. "You are the first human to play chess with me. You have shown me the wisdom of humankind. I look forward to playing chess with you again next time."

After the Nine-Horned Golden Ram finished speaking, it floated into the air, raised its hand and waved, and the chessboard transformed back into a short flute, returning to its hand.

He gestured for Zhong Yang to move forward, then began to play his short flute.

Zhong Yang advanced cautiously, tilting his head to see behind him in case of a sudden attack from the Nine-Horned Golden Sheep.

After navigating several bends and confirming that the Nine-Horned Golden Sheep hadn't followed, Zhong Yang breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, a voice came.

"You've finally arrived."

Zhong Yang hurriedly looked up and saw a monster hanging upside down on the wall, holding a pot of wine in its hand, with the wine flowing into its mouth.

After finishing the wine, the monster flipped over and landed on the ground.

"Having drunk three thousand cups of wine, I will not return until I am drunk, and I will sing a song."

The monster staggered over, and Zhong Yang immediately assumed an attack stance. He still hadn't recognized what kind of monster it was.

"Boy, you came from Jiujiao, so you should know our attitude. That brat thinks he can order me around just because he has me under his control. How can I let him have his way?"

Upon hearing the monster's words, Zhong Yang's eyes lit up. If they could get through without fighting, that would be wonderful.

"Back then, when I first gained this fortune and could walk upright, I met a kind man who gave me a pair of straw sandals, saving me from the pain of wandering. Grateful for his great kindness, I wove straw sandals for him for thirty years until his death." The monster said, throwing down the wine pot.

"Today you shall compete with me in weaving straw sandals. If you can weave more than me within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, I will let you pass." As the monster spoke, it raised its hand and waved, and countless straws flew out from its sleeve.

Zhong Yang was overjoyed. He was an orphan who had once made a living by weaving straw sandals. He and Ma Gaitian met through straw sandals.

When Ma Gaitian first arrived in Pei County, he was practically naked, without even a pair of shoes. Seeing Zhong Yang, who was about the same age, weaving and selling straw sandals, he went over and, taking advantage of Zhong Yang's inattention, grabbed a pair and ran. Zhong Yang, of course, gave chase and soon caught up with Ma Gaitian.

He had intended to give Ma Gaitian a good beating, but seeing how pitiful Ma Gaitian looked, he softened and gave him a pair of suitable shoes.

Zhong Yang and the demon beast began weaving straw sandals. The demon beast was quite surprised to see Zhong Yang's hands flying across the board, showing great skill. He had originally thought that Zhong Yang didn't know how to weave at all.

There's a fundamental difference between demonic beasts and humans; demonic beasts are far less skillful and dexterous than humans. If Zhong Yang couldn't weave straw sandals, he would likely lose to a demonic beast. But, coincidentally, Zhong Yang does know how, so how could a demonic beast possibly match Zhong Yang's speed?

The incense had burned for only a short time when the demon beast threw away the straw in its hand. "I'm not competing anymore, it's bad luck." With that, it strode away.

Zhong Yang was overjoyed. He threw away the straw sandals he was half-weaving, shook his hand, and walked forward.

According to the Heavenly Mirror Fox, the demonic cultivator had a total of ten demonic beasts under his command. Six of them were killed, one was bound, and now that he has passed two more, only one demonic beast remains.

If only this last demonic beast could also be defeated through a contest, it would be good to save some energy before encountering the demonic cultivator.

After turning a corner, an iron gate appeared ahead.

Zhong Yang was dumbfounded. "How could there be a door?"

Upon reaching the door, I saw three handles, each carved with three animal heads: a sheep's head, a monkey's head, and a horse's head. Judging from their outlines, it seemed that the door could only be opened by rotating these three animal heads.

Boom boom boom!

Zhong Yang turned the three handles, and all three had the sheep's heads facing upwards.

shhhhhh!

Long spears suddenly shot out from the left and right walls.

Fortunately, Zhong Yang reacted quickly and dodged the attack with a few rolls.

Looking at the three leaders, Zhong Yang was speechless. Three leaders, three beast heads, that meant all sorts of combinations. Trying out one combination after another, he might accidentally get shot to death by a spear.

He turned around, intending to go back and ask the Heavenly Mirror Fox, but stopped after a few steps. First, if he went back, the Heavenly Mirror Fox might not even know what the arrangement was. Second, if he came back again, who knew if the two demonic beasts he had encountered earlier would let him pass so easily?

Gritting his teeth, Zhong Yang made a tough decision and decided to try them one group at a time.

shhhhhh!

shhhhhh!

After several attempts, still without success, Zhong Yang wiped his sweat, rested for a moment, and roared, "Again!"

Boom!

Monkey head, horse head, sheep head!

With a click, the door opened.

As soon as the door opened, a blinding light shone through, making the surroundings incredibly bright.

"I came into this world in darkness, and I leave in the light. Young man, thank fate for bringing us together."

Looking up, Zhong Yang saw a centaur holding a whisk, its movements ethereal and otherworldly.

Zhong Yang felt a surge of respect and said gently, "Senior, I need to see that demonic cultivator and bring out a body. I hope you will make an exception."

"Eh~"

The centaur sighed, "Once a slave, always a horse. If you wish to pass through me, you must defeat me."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yang focused his attention, pointed with his left hand, and held the bronze sword horizontally with his right hand.

Just then, the centaur waved his duster, and a box appeared.

"Before I gained wisdom, a young girl raised me. I still remember her laughing and jumping as she gathered herbs in the mountains. At that time, I had no wisdom, but I could feel the joy from my heart. This is the medicine box she used." The centaur said, sniffing the medicine box with reminiscence.

For some reason, Zhong Yang suddenly asked, "What happened to that girl later?"

"And then?" The centaur looked up, his eyes somewhat vacant. "Later, her house caught fire, and I carried her and ran. All her relatives died, and she blamed me for only saving her and drove me away. Later, I passed by her house, but she had already married and moved far away, and the pharmacy had been transferred to someone else, so I bought this medicine box."

As he spoke, the centaur shook his head. "When people get old, they always like to reminisce about things that don't really matter. Alright, there are a hundred kinds of medicines in here. If you can successfully find the three medicines, Shan Zhuo, Hu Dun, and Yao Yu, I will allow you to come along. Remember, you only have one chance."

I like the Ten Thousand Swords Master.