Wandering Swordsman |

In an instant, the world seemed to stand still.

On the city wall, countless disciples stared in disbelief, as if an invisible hand had gripped their throats, and even their breaths were frozen.

Some people dropped their longbows, which clattered against the blue bricks with a dull thud; others instinctively took a half step back, their backs hitting the cold arrow shoals, only then realizing that their clothes were soaked with sweat. The image of that light touch of a finger and the heavy sword hovering in mid-air was etched into everyone's minds like a brand—human martial arts could actually reach such a level.

Below the city walls, the overseas martial artists erupted in deafening laughter, the roars like waves crashing against the walls, as if the entire city of Nanjing trembled with their laughter. They raised their swords high, howling like beasts, their eyes filled with contempt and fanaticism—the martial arts world of the Central Plains was nothing more than this!

Mr. Wang, the director of the Elite Academy, stood in a corner of the city gate tower, his plain robe fluttering in the wind, but his brows were covered with a layer of frost.

His pupils contracted sharply, his heart churning with shock and disbelief: "A finger can block a thousand pounds? This is beyond human capability! Could it be... that he has already entered the realm of 'Returning to Simplicity'?"

His gaze was fixed on Jianzhen's youthful, almost childlike face, his mind filled with doubt: "If he has truly reached this level, then his real age is not that of a young man in his early twenties, but rather that of an old man who has 'returned to simplicity'."

Situ Dengfeng, the martial arts alliance leader who founded the martial arts alliance and defeated the demonic sect, swayed slightly at this moment, like a lone peak about to collapse.

He had always been proud of his unparalleled martial arts skills, but today, he witnessed a foreign youth who, with just a single finger, fixed his hurled sword in mid-air—that was not skill, but a crushing defeat of skill; not victory, but the collapse of dignity.

His eyes held both shock and sorrow. Was the backbone of the Central Plains martial arts world truly about to crumble beneath the walls of Nanjing?

Just then, Jianzhen slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the city wall like an icy blade.

Seeing his own troops' morale soaring, a sinister smile crept onto his lips. His voice rang out again, clear and melodious like a bell, yet each word sharp and menacing:

"Since Alliance Leader Situ is unwilling to agree to the marriage alliance, then to avoid bloodshed, are you willing to settle the matter by force?"

Upon hearing this, the entire city fell silent.

Situ Dengfeng's heart sank—he was in a bind!

The power of that single finger strike had already severely demoralized the martial arts alliance. To refuse now would be a sign of weakness, and their morale would surely crumble; but if they accepted the challenge, given Jianzhen's demonstrated abilities, even Guiguzi might not be able to defeat him!

He was caught in a dilemma when he suddenly heard a whisper behind him:

"Alliance Leader, you might as well agree."

Situ Dengfeng turned around and saw the elder of the Huangfu family slowly approaching, his face showing concern for the country and its people, but his eyes concealed a subtle calculation. He lowered his voice, his tone gentle yet highly suggestive:

"The enemy is currently at its strongest. If we refuse to fight, we risk being ridiculed as cowards by the world, and the Nine Factions will surely harbor resentment. It would be better to temporarily agree to their agreement and stabilize the situation first. Our side has many experts, so we may not be without a chance of victory. Even if... even if we suffer some losses, it will buy time for reinforcements from all over the country to come to Nanjing."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Situ Meng's pale face, and added, "Moreover, if we don't fight back, it will inevitably result in innocent sacrifices."

Situ Dengfeng's eyes flickered, and after a long silence, he finally asked in a deep voice, "How will the outcome be determined by martial arts?"

Upon hearing this, Jianzhen smiled slightly and said loudly:

"My three subordinates—Toyotomi, Tokugawa, and Oda—will each fight one match against three masters sent by the Martial Alliance. It will be a three-way battle, with no regard for life or death, only victory or defeat!"

His voice suddenly rose, booming like thunder:

"If we are defeated, we will immediately retreat and never invade the Central Plains again! If we are victorious—the Martial Alliance will fall under our command!"

Before he finished speaking, his gaze, sharp as lightning, pierced Situ Dengfeng's eyes, each word deliberate and resounding throughout the surrounding area:

"I wonder—in this vast Central Plains martial arts world, would anyone dare to fight?!"

The wind whips up the remaining clouds, and the battle flags flutter in the wind.

On the city wall, countless eyes were focused on Situ Dengfeng—the pillar of the Central Plains martial arts world, who now had to make a decision.

Meanwhile, Elder Huangfu quietly stepped back, a faint smile appearing on his face.

......

Situ Dengfeng stood on the city tower, his black robes fluttering like a battle flag that was about to topple but had not yet fallen.

He knew that by agreeing, he would be gambling with the dignity of the Central Plains martial arts world; but if he refused, morale would crumble and the world would collapse without a fight.

His gaze was like iron, his voice deep and resonant, echoing throughout the city walls: "Very well! Three duels, life and death in the hands of fate, victory and defeat by skill—the Martial Alliance accepts!"

As soon as the words were spoken, an uproar erupted on the city wall. Some people looked grief-stricken, some clenched their fists in secret, and some quietly breathed a sigh of relief—at least, in a situation where the situation was one-sided, the Martial Alliance still had a chance to turn the tide.

Jianzhen's lips curled into a slight smile, a cold glint of triumph flashing in his eyes. He then declared loudly, "Excellent! In that case, let the duel take place here!"

He raised his hand and waved, and the overseas martial artists behind him retreated a hundred paces like a tide. Their iron boots trod through the snow, their movements were perfectly synchronized, and in an instant, they cleared a clearing of three hundred feet in diameter. It was as if a torn declaration of war had been quietly laid out beneath the walls of Nanjing.

Situ Dengfeng turned around, his piercing gaze sweeping over the faces behind him, some young, some old. He saw the suppressed fear in his disciples' eyes, and also the stoic hope they were clinging to. He knew that morale was as fragile as thin ice, and the slightest misstep would cause it to crumble completely.

He took a deep breath, his chest heaving like an iron drum, and his voice was steady and firm: "To boost morale, the first battle is crucial—I'll go!"

Before he could finish speaking, the crowd erupted in uproar.

"The alliance leader himself is getting involved?!"

"With our leader in charge, victory is assured!"

"Alliance Leader Situ can decide the fate of the world with a single sword strike!"

Countless eyes instantly focused on him, as if a bright lamp had been lit in the darkness. Even Situ Meng couldn't help but grip the hilt of her sword, tears welling in her eyes, as she whispered, "Father... you must return safely..."

Situ Dengfeng then turned to Mr. Wang, the director of the Elite Academy, and said solemnly, "Mr. Wang, after I leave the stage, you will take charge of the overall situation and select the next two."

Mr. Wang nodded solemnly, "Rest assured, Alliance Leader, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

As soon as he finished speaking, Situ Dengfeng lightly touched the arrow emplacement on the city wall with his toes, and his figure soared through the air like an eagle. With his clothes fluttering, he landed steadily in the center of the arena.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his black robes fluttering in the wind, his long hair flying. At that moment, he was no longer the leader of the martial arts alliance, but the last backbone of the Central Plains martial arts world, an invincible legend in the hearts of countless people.

On and around the city walls, everyone held their breath.

Just then, a dark figure slowly emerged from the overseas formation.

"Your Majesty, for the first battle, I volunteer."

Oda removed his armor mask, revealing his cold, chiseled face.

Jianzhen nodded slightly: "Go ahead."

Oda clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around and walked to the center of the arena, standing ten feet away from Situ Dengfeng.

The wind suddenly stopped.

Situ Dengfeng slowly drew his long sword from his waist. As the sword was drawn, it faintly emitted a sword sound.

"Please." Situ Dengfeng's voice was deep, yet thunderous.