Chapter 2437: Chapter 81: Scarlet Talisman (for Grand Alliance Yan Shaofei +78/78)_2

However, Xiang Qian was oppressed by Sikong Jingxiao, hanging here in such humiliation.

He is determined to regain face for Xiang Qian.

What is a true friend?

Back then, Xiang Qian hadn’t even reached the Inner Mansion Realm, yet accompanied him to ambush Hai Zongming of the External Building Environment.

This fellow, who was accustomed to idleness and even too lazy to lift his eyelids too high, went to Qing Country to challenge, was defeated by Qin Zhizhen and fell into the Wei River. He still didn’t forget to build momentum for him, allowing him to gain the upper hand against Qin Zhizhen at the Yellow River Gathering, earning the title of Absolute Sword Leader.

This is a true friend.

Jiang Wang’s banter with Xiang Qian doesn’t mean he truly doesn’t care.

When he mocks Xiang Qian, his heart aches!

He understands Sikong Jingxiao’s intentions and is no longer inclined to save any face for Sword Pavilion.

At this moment, Jiang Wang almost pointed at Sikong Jingxiao’s forehead to challenge him, his attitude domineering and arrogant. Numerous Sword Pavilion disciples were drawn in, glaring at him angrily.

Ning Shuangrong stepped forward.

Sikong Jingxiao raised his hand to stop, "No need to say more, Junior Sister Ning!"

Jiang Wang took the initiative to challenge, his purpose already achieved, he absolutely would not give Jiang Wang another opportunity to avoid the battle.

"I mean to say," Ning Shuangrong remarked, "sparring and challenging swords is common, there’s no need to harm the harmony. Why don’t the two of you go to the Heaven and Earth Sword Box to fight? It’s more expansive, and with the Sword Master overseeing, there are no worries."

"No need!" Sikong Jingxiao replied, "I won’t kill him, but let’s do it here. Let the junior disciples see what the Absolute Sword Technique is and understand why our Sword Pavilion has stood for thirty thousand years!"

Ning Shuangrong, acknowledged as the most talented among her generation at Sword Pavilion, just achieved the God Arrives status, and at this moment, had the absolute right to speak.

But both Jiang Wang and Sikong Jingxiao were very firm in their attitudes, and she couldn’t possibly stop the fight. So, she stopped speaking and silently merged into the group of Sword Pavilion disciples.

Chu Yao, although fond of this fairy-like sister, also took a few steps back, pulling Bai Niu, standing resolutely behind his master.

At this moment, near the archway of the Sword Leader Plaza.

Jiang Wang, Marquis Wu’an of Qi Country, faced Sikong Jingxiao, the contemporary leading disciple of Sword Pavilion.

Behind Sikong Jingxiao were the Sword Pavilion disciples continuously arriving from the mountain platform.

Behind Jiang Wang were Chu Yao, Bai Niu, Xiang Qian, Bai Yuxia... with the small being small, the useless still useless, the most capable one being a cow.

If both sides were to clash without regard for rules, Jiang Wang and his group might just have to run.

The support disparity was evident; Sikong Jingxiao was older, had been cultivating longer, and achieved God Arrival years before Jiang Wang. Still, Chu Yao, Bai Niu, and Xiang Qian were full of confidence.

Only Bai Yuxia was somewhat worried; being a perfectionist, though he had relaxed a lot under Xiang Qian’s influence, he still had significant expectations of himself. Jiang Wang’s intense attitude today, though mainly for Xiang Qian, was also partly related to him. If this led to Jiang Wang’s humiliation, he would feel very uneasy.

Xiang Qian was different; he had the leisure to chat with Chu Yao. "Kid, who are you?"

Chu Yao, nervously watching the two confronting each other, replied, "I’m my master’s disciple. The second disciple! The surname Chu, given name Yao!"

"So young and already taking in disciples, even reaching a second disciple? Truly not afraid of troubles..." Xiang Qian murmured, lazily beckoning, "Come, help your martial uncle a bit, let’s move aside to make room for that one with the surname Sikong to kneel later."

Chu Yao heard this person was his martial uncle, so he didn’t dare to disobey.

He quickly came over to support him, thoughtfully pulling Bai Niu over: "Brother Niu, let my martial uncle sit for a bit, he’s injured."

Bai Niu mooed, swinging its tail to roll Xiang Qian onto its back.

"Ha! Not bad!" Xiang Qian laughed contentedly.

Not caring how his comrade Bai Yuxia felt, he laid leisurely on Bai Niu’s broad back, using his hands as a pillow beneath the cow’s rump, casually crossing his legs, well-prepared to watch the fight.

He intended to ask for wine, but knowing it would be a futile question, decided to forget it.

...

Sikong Jingxiao completely dismissed Xiang Qian’s words. At this moment, looking at Jiang Wang, he merely said, "Marquis Wu’an insists on sparring with me. Despite being older and ashamed to bully the young, I must accept. After all, failing to respond to such a renowned sword master invitation from Sword Pavilion is unreasonable. Just remember, if you lose today, please return to where you came from and don’t meddle in future affairs."

"Agreed." Jiang Wang calmly glanced at him, "If I don’t make you kneel today, consider it my loss."

He has always respected his opponents and never demeaned them with crude words like a common thug before a duel, but today he genuinely felt anger, thus speaking in line with Xiang Qian’s words.

"Then we’ll see if you have the skills!" Sikong Jingxiao casually gestured, and scarlet runes appeared out of nowhere, rapidly weaving into a crimson longsword, its dark light flowing subtly.

This sword is named ’Scarlet Rune’, a world-famous sword kept in the Sword Pavilion, reportedly worn by Emperor Liang Min at the end of the previous dynasty.

This incompetent emperor, poisoned by the Xia people, was said to wield excellent swordsmanship. Unfortunately, he was incapable of governance, not fit for kingship. His death and the fall of his country merely became a joke.

How the sword ended up in Sword Pavilion later remains unknown.

When Sikong Jingxiao chose a sword in his youth, he immediately fell for the Scarlet Rune. The elders of the sect admonished him that it was inauspicious and suggested he choose another. Sikong Jingxiao replied, "There are ill-omened people throughout history, but I have never heard of ill-omened objects. If they are so, I shall take the burden."