Chapter 2435: Chapter 80: Overbearing and Unyielding (Part 2)

Sikong Jingxiao again took on the duty of explanation: "If we compare Tianmu Mountain to a giant staircase, the Sword Pavilion actually only has three steps. We are currently on the first step, as you can see, the ’Gate of All Beings Sword’. The sword of every being enters this gate. The Sword Pavilion welcomes all swordsmen from the world to come here to pay their respects."

The name exudes grandeur.

Jiang Wang casually asked, "I wonder which step the Heaven and Earth Sword Box is on?"

Sikong Jingxiao laughed: "It’s on the next step. However, it’s not easily open to outsiders."

Jiang Wang didn’t ask what counts as not easily, he simply said, "Above that must be where the true hall of the Sword Pavilion is located, right?"

"Yes, it’s called ’Sword Pavilion of Ages’." Sikong Jingxiao’s every word carried a special tone, with a sense of ’pride and honor’.

The Sword Pavilion indeed deserves the pride of its disciples.

But after thirty thousand years of continuation, who is the true protagonist in the world today?

Or to be more specific, even within the Jin’an Fu of South Xia, whose voice holds more weight?

Ning Shuangrong asked at this moment, "What is Brother Jiang thinking?"

Jiang Wang sighed: "The foundation of Major Sects is mesmerizing. ’Gate of All Beings Sword’, ’Heaven and Earth Sword Box’, ’Sword Pavilion of Ages’, there’s true meaning within them, I am rendered speechless!"

Sikong Jingxiao laughed heartily: "Marquis Wu’an naturally has top-tier qualifications in the world, with extraordinary Spirit Perception. When you shed this mortal constraint, come to Tianmu Mountain with a pure heart to seek Dao, perhaps you may become a Sword Leader of this era!"

These words were truly somewhat nonsensical.

Perhaps it was Jiang Wang’s gentle attitude that gave him the wrong impression.

What status does Sikong Jingxiao hold, that he could represent the Sword Pavilion in recruiting a Marquis of Qi Country?

Ning Shuangrong took two steps forward: "Brother Jiang, come this way!"

Jiang Wang did not give a definitive answer, he simply followed her on foot, stepping past the arch of the Gate of All Beings Sword.

Sikong Jingxiao continued walking and talking: "Speaking of, did you know there was once a man named Liu Shentong from your Qi Country?"

Jiang Wang’s steps slowed down.

Beyond the arch at this mountain platform, not far away, you can see the first building here—a welcoming pavilion. Next to this pavilion, unexpectedly hangs a crossbar with two people hanging upside down.

"Liu Shentong... what happened?" Jiang Wang looked at one of the upside-down figures, speaking: "I’ve only heard of his name."

Sikong Jingxiao, unaware of Jiang Wang’s thoughts, continued: "He was also a top-tier genius from Qi Country. Back then, we had met overseas and together killed some Sea Clan members. He greatly admired me, even said he wanted to learn swordsmanship from me. Unfortunately..."

This statement of regret, which was actually self-boasting, didn’t elicit any reaction from Jiang Wang.

How could Liu Shentong, a direct descendant of a famous family from Daqi, possibly ask Sikong Jingxiao to learn swordsmanship? When Liu Shentong was alive, the Fufeng Liu Family hadn’t completely declined, and he himself was highly talented. How could he not find a True Man master? Surely, even if they had indeed interacted back then, Liu Shentong was at most just being polite, saying things like he’d be happy to learn whenever free.

This Sikong Jingxiao was completely exploiting Liu Shentong’s years of inability to speak from the dead to boast here. Perhaps his intention was to overshadow Qi Country.

But to show off this prestige, he still had to carefully choose a deceased person, not daring to mention Tian Anping or Chen Zeqing, Ji Zhaonan.

Even if this talk from Sikong Jingxiao were believable, even if it truly happened.

Jiang Wang, undoubtedly the first of his age group in Qi Country, comparable to the likes of Tian Anping during Liu Shentong’s era. What could Sikong Jingxiao have achieved, even if he was stronger than Liu Shentong back then?

The chief disciple of a Major Sects of this era, yet exhibiting a petty demeanor everywhere!

Seeing Jiang Wang’s indifferent reaction, Sikong Jingxiao continued: "Is the Marquis Wu’an unfamiliar with Liu Shentong? That’s understandable, since he was already gone when you arrived in Qi Country. In his time, Liu of Fufeng was indeed..."

"Excuse me." By this time, Jiang Wang had already arrived at the pavilion, raised a hand to interrupt him: "Why are these men hanging here?"

Sikong Jingxiao’s mood was interrupted, slightly displeased, he replied tersely: "I hung them, these two thieves were extremely rude."

"Oh." Jiang Wang nodded, walked a few steps, then asked: "In what manner were they rude?"

"I’ve forgotten, probably just shouting at the Mountain Gate or something." Sikong Jingxiao waved his hand: "Don’t mind these trifles, Marquis Wu’an, come this way. I’ve arranged the sword duel for today. Many junior brothers and sisters in the Pavilion have been curious about Marquis Wu’an’s swordsmanship for some time."

Jiang Wang didn’t budge: "How long do you plan to keep them hanging?"

"Perhaps three months, perhaps five." Sikong Jingxiao finally caught on: "Do you know them?"

The two individuals hanging upside down on the crossbar were now extremely weak, their eyelids drooping. They didn’t react when others approached. Letting the discussion unfold around them.

One of them, despite his disheveled state, could hardly hide his handsome countenance that was as pure as white jade; a true fine fellow, pleasing to the eye even under any circumstances.

The other, however... seemed to fit this disheveled state remarkably well, perhaps even embodying it. His disheveled hair, stubbly beard, the person exuding weakness, achieving a bizarre harmony with this humiliating posture of hanging upside down.

Though they were in a sorry state, they weren’t in immediate danger of losing their lives. But if kept hanging for three to five months as Sikong Jingxiao said, it would indeed become challenging.

Jiang Wang stepped forward, squatting halfway down with interest, facing the face of the man with a stubble.

"Hu~"

He gently blew a breath.

This was a breeze imitating the Eastern Ming Shu Wind with the Eight Winds and Dragons, simple Dao Technique wind, not a Divine Skill, but more than sufficient for such a scenario. As soon as the wind brushed against them, the two hanging individuals both woke up, simultaneously opening their eyes.

Upon seeing Jiang Wang, they both displayed surprised delight.

However, their reactions differed.

The handsome one, after the initial delight, felt quite ashamed, wishing to hide but having nowhere to hide, his body slightly curled up, exuding a vivid sense of humiliation.

The scruffy one, after the initial delight, closed his eyes lazily once more, as if thinking he was dreaming. But quickly opened them again, with the previously dull fish-like eyes now bursting with intense spirit!

"Yo!" Jiang Wang observed the familiar fish-like face hanging upside down, his tone cheeky: "It’s been a while, the legendary Three Swords Summit of Feijian, abandoned like this?"

Then he turned his head to the handsome one beside him: "Brother Bai is here too, hanging beside this scoundrel?"

He naturally knew both of them.

One was Bai Yuxia from Yue Country whom he had seen before at Guanhe Platform, a person of pure ambition and proud character he greatly admired.

The other was his long-unseen friend, the sole contemporary heir of Myriad Sword Dao, who preferred lying to sitting, Xiang Qian.

Bai Yuxia suppressed his weakness and sense of shame, forced himself to speak: "This state of affairs, to meet an old friend in shame. I kindly request Brother Jiang to inform the Bai Family of Yue, and Bai will undoubtedly reward you richly in the future."

Xiang Qian, however, impatiently retorted: "Enough with the nonsense! Quickly get me down here, these bastards, when beaten, bring out the big guns. Say a few words to them and they string you up, nearly killing me here!"

Jiang Wang continued to laugh, amiably undoing the ropes while speaking to Xiang Qian: "Do you recall the last farewell? The impressive words you uttered? ’The Eastern Sword slashes the Gate of Life and Death’... Tsk tsk, now reunited, a hanging fool!"

"Marquis Wu’an, hold on!" Sikong Jingxiao intercepted at this moment: "We should follow logic in our actions. You’ve come to pay respects to the mountain, simply pay respects. How these trifles are dealt with is our Sword Pavilion’s business, outsiders stepping in may be inappropriate. You’re now casually releasing them, where does that leave our Sword Pavilion’s standards?"

"Sikong Jingxiao!" Jiang Wang suddenly stood up, casually dragging Xiang Qian to his rear, then faced Sikong Jingxiao directly, his eyes erupting like sword light: "I’ve tolerated you long enough! Now you shut your mouth, no more arranging duel with others, just you!"

His finger almost poked Sikong Jingxiao’s face: "You heard correctly, you!"

Sikong Jingxiao still presented a calm demeanor as if mountains crumbled before him, merely narrowing his eyes: "Does Marquis Wu’an think he can act this tyrannically?"

Clang!

Longing had already unsheathed, the explosive Sword Qi carved a deep chasm into the ground.

Jiang Wang held the shining edge, his murderous aura towering skyward: "Now! Immediately! I demand a duel with you! If you don’t choose the location, then here it is! Today I must show you what true tyranny is!"