Xue Shisan was quite famous, renowned far and wide. Anyone who had a bit of knowledge about the younger generation in Jianghu knew that this peculiar yet remarkably morable na was the first that ca to mind. The old master of the Liu Family was also fond of fa, a fact well-known to the people of Wangxian County.
This old man had enough money to spend, had his fill of won, and even changed his na to Liu Wuqiu, which symbolizes having no other desires, yet the allure of fa was sothing he couldn’t let go of.
A person fond of a good reputation, upon seeing such a dashing figure of Jianghu, was like the Oiran Xue Tao sending a handcrafted letter to the number-one lascivious man in the Tower upon Towers.
Within seven days, a new loft sprang up next to the residence of the old master of the Liu Family, constructed because Xue Shisan hailed from Jiangnan Road. Although this place had already entered the north with its rough architectural style, the loft gently mimicked the delicate and graceful style of Jiangnan Road.
Overnight, the small courtyard was transford by the transplantation of blooming flowers, exuding charm and grace.
Xue Shisan led Wang Anfeng into the lofty abode that left the youth gawking, directed him to a side room, and brought out a set of clothing. He smiled and said, "I haven’t worn this set yet. Change into it first, I’ll wait for you outside. Leave your changed clothes here, and you can fetch them when we leave later."
Wang Anfeng received the clothes, which turned out to be a complete set of vigorous attire, including belt, leg bindings, and wrist guards, missing not a single piece. He felt the fabric—soft yet firm—believing that even a punch thrown on it could have so of its force absorbed.
Over this was a robe that did not close flush at the front; wearing it added a touch of genteel scholarliness to his martial valor.
The inner vigorous attire was a light, pale blue like the distant sky, while the outer robe was ink blue, both colors to Wang Anfeng’s liking. He wondered how Xue Shisan could have possibly guessed his preference but, knowing that several others were waiting for him, he briskly changed into the outfit.
He neatly folded the blue short coat, wrapped it with the rest, and placed it on the table before stepping out.
But before he could leave, he overheard an elderly voice sighing,
"My family’s old master wasn’t like this back in the day. I still rember when he was young, he enjoyed the reputation of Tiger of Wangxian in Jianghu..."
"If it weren’t for Miss Su..."
Right as Wang Anfeng was pushing the door open to leave, the voice ca to an abrupt halt, ending with a sigh. On the outside, Xue Shisan was conversing with a grey-clothed elderly man. They both turned their heads at the sound and caught sight of Wang Anfeng stepping out. Xue Shisan’s eyes sparkled, and he gently tapped his folding fan against his palm, smiling as he said,
"Stones pile up to reveal jade, rows of pines resemble lush eralds, a dragon’s grandeur, a phoenix’s grace, of nature’s finest quality."
"Anfeng, you now possess a bit of the young hero’s charm."
The elderly man’s eyes also lit up slightly as he took a good look up and down, his mouth spreading into a grin that revealed yellowed teeth. He gave a thumbs-up and chuckled,
"Such a handso young lord, this old man is thrice fortunate, witnessing the young master of the Xue Family, and now another young hero. Seeing all you young folks from the newer generation really brightens my eyes."
Wang Anfeng’s face flushed, unsure of what to say. The old man, having lived for decades, had mastered the art of reading people and chuckled again, saying,
"Young heroes, it’s about ti to go. Why not head to the martial arts field? The opportunity for the Young Phoenix Feast only cos once every five years, no need to chat with an old man like who’s almost in the coffin."
Xue Shisan smiled slightly and gave a fist-and-palm salute, saying,
"Then we two shall take our leave, old sir."
"Go on, go on."
Wang Anfeng also saluted the old man with a fist-and-palm salute, then joined Xue Shisan in seeking out Xiahou and Huangfu. Naturally, those two were also surprised by Wang Anfeng’s appearance at the mont. Judging by looks and temperant alone, Xue Shisan was calm, Xiahou scholarly, and Huangfu carefree—all possessing top-notch grace and charm in the world.
According to Xiahou Xuan, these were the types who could stir long-lost passions in the matrons of brothels and lt the hearts of iron ladies.
Wang Anfeng, of course, was not quite like them, but he had a clean scholarly aura that the other three didn’t, with calm and pure features. Previously dressed in ordinary clothing without embellishnt, he had naturally suppressed this clean air about him. Now, having changed, he truly seed like a refreshing breeze that brought comfort to the onlooker’s heart.
As the appointed hour had arrived, the four young n quickened their pace, heading straight for the martial arts field at the heart of the villa estate, the focus of everyone’s attention at the mont.
The old master Liu seed ready to release the frustrations he had suffered in his youth now that he was old. The martial arts field was vast enough to accommodate a lee involving ten people. Young knights and noble daughters surrounded the area, their eyes bright with excitent as they watched the two combatants on the field.
One was a young man with tied-up hair, dressed in a long robe, clear-eyed, and of extraordinary bearing, wielding a wooden sword.
His opponent was a tall youth of the sa age, with bold facial features and vigorous punches. Indifferent to the sword’s threat to all parts except the eyes and nose, he let his opponent strike him, and, indeed, the wooden sword’s strikes seed as trifling as an itch. In contrast, he aid for vital spots, delivering punches in return.
After a short while, the sword-wielding youth’s situation deteriorated until his opponent caught him off guard, stepped forward with a roar like a black bear against a tree, and shouldered him out of the fight.
"Excellent! What marvelous boxing skills! Impressive external cultivation!"
"Amazing!"
Below the arena, a wave of admiration suddenly erupted, with a few delicate sighs interspersed among them. Xiahou Xuan glanced over and sneered softly:
"The boxing is diocre at best, thick-skinned and fleshy is all."
Huangfu Xiong, however, had quite a bit of praise for the person, saying:
"Using his own strengths against the enemy, straightforward and upright, it’s also quite remarkable."
Wang Anfeng looked at the tall and proud young man on the stage, his eyes sparkled, and beside him, Xue Shisan saw this and chuckled:
"If Anfeng is inclined, why not go up and show your skill? If you win a match on this stage, you should be able to get an eighth-rank weapon. If you’re feeling bold, taking a cultivation technique is also normal."
"This..."
Wang Anfeng was sowhat tempted, but then he turned to the three young n around him and said, "Aren’t you guys going up?"
Huangfu Xiong was slightly startled and then burst into hearty laughter, pointing at Xiahou Xuan and Xue Shisan in turn, teasing:
"Who would have thought, who would have thought, Xue Shisan, Xiahou, that we would end up being the ones worried about? How interesting, how interesting..."
Wang Anfeng was montarily taken aback and hurriedly explained:
"No... I didn’t an that..."
Huangfu Xiong waved his hand dismissively and laughed: "Of course I know, but with the lure of profit and the attention of the masses, even the delicate young ladies watching by your side, you still think of letting others go first. You’re being too honest, haha, really, it’s unprecedented in my life, which is why I find it so amusing. Anfeng, don’t mind , don’t mind , hahaha..."
While saying don’t mind, he couldn’t help but laugh heartily. Xiahou Xuan tapped his forehead lightly with his fan; there were many young won watching him, thus his deanor and attitude were exceedingly refined and he explained gently:
"The spirit of the young phoenix has yet to soar and dance. This stage is ant for newcors who have not yet made a na for themselves in the Jianghu. We three are neither from Wangxian County, nor would it be proper for us to participate."
Wang Anfeng was taken aback for a mont before understanding. A fierce combat will then arose in his eyes, looking at the burly young man on stage, he gently knocked his fists together and said:
"In that case, I’ll take this one on."
But just at that mont, a surge of heat flowed from beneath the sleeve where the Buddha beads were, causing his expression to halt followed by an object falling down directly — it was a small brocade pouch. Wang Anfeng was still confused when Huangfu Xiong spread his fingers and a current surged, drawing the object from the ground into his hand. He looked it over and wondered aloud:
"What is this? Anfeng?"
Wang Anfeng touched the Buddha beads on his wrist and said, "It seems... it seems to be from my Master?" His voice was tinged with uncertainty. Hearing this, Huangfu Xiong curbed his curiosity imdiately, handed it over and said:
"Since it’s sothing from your school, it should be properly kept."
But as it touched Wang Anfeng’s palm, the brocade pouch silently turned to dust, leaving the three noble clan youths slightly stunned, while a piece of paper remained intact, gently landing in Wang Anfeng’s hand. The paper carried a calming fragrance suggesting tranquillity, and Xiahou Xuan, with a subtle shift in his eyes, read out the line of ink characters in a soft voice:
"Mount the stage and fight continuously until no one dares to challenge, else, your Dantian inner strength will be sealed, and you will break a hundred wooden swords of the eighth rank barehanded and carry water weighing ten thousand jins."
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