Chapter 77
The roots of different rivers may be different, but they all gather in the sea to form a great ocean.
The energies of the Heavenly Demon Heart Art and the Nine Gates True Scripture, which were intertwined and rotating, also formed a taiji in his dantian, so this also had to be seen as a single heart art now.
As Jiang Ziya named his divine art 'Six Arts Three Strategies', the size of his blocked mental state expanded by another layer.
As Jiang Ziya seemed to be thinking about something without a word for a moment, Yang Jian quietly stood by Agong's side.
Yang Jian, who had already achieved the state of a supreme master, was accurately seeing through Jiang Ziya's current state.
Yang Jian had reached the state of a peak master at the age of twenty-four and had stepped into the beginning of a supreme master at thirty-three, so it seemed that Jiang Ziya was showing an achievement that was at least four or five years faster than him.
If Jiang Ziya were to continue to strive without wavering, the martial world might witness an all-weather figure who would step into the state of a supreme master before the age of thirty.
Jiang Ziya, as if he had sorted out all his thoughts, soon let out a light exhale.
And then, realizing that Yang Jian was silently watching him, he scratched his forehead as if he were at a loss.
"I'm sorry. I was thinking about something else in front of you, my older brother..."
"Haha, what are you sorry about? In the first place, enlightenment is not something that comes with a warning. As an older brother, it is a joyous thing to feel that my younger brother's study is deepening."
Yang Jian laughed heartily and poured wine into his cup again.
"Then, to commemorate such a good day, we must drink another cup."
Jiang Ziya, who saw Yang Jian empty his cup in one go, sat opposite him awkwardly.
"Although I don't know the martial art called 'Six Arts Three Strategies' because my knowledge is still lacking, since the world is so wide, how can I know all the strange people and the ultimate divine arts of the world?"
Yang Jian smiled brightly and answered Jiang Ziya's worries.
"But your divine art is surely a supreme martial art, and those who have taught it to you must also be extraordinary masters. If you strive without being arrogant, you will surely be able to achieve a great study."
"Is that so?"
Although it was surely a good word, it was not a very welcome answer for Jiang Ziya.
He didn't know when or how he would meet the group of Sheng Wang who had disappeared, and the same went for the few masters of the Sea Isle Sect who had disappeared with him.
If he were not fully prepared when he met them, the price would surely not be small.
"But is that fishing rod over there your thing?"
"It's called Tonglin."
Yang Jian looked at the fishing rod that Jiang Ziya was always keeping close to him with a curious gaze.
Although it had a splendid appearance, since it was a fishing rod without a doubt, when Jiang Ziya had first appeared carrying it, he had thought that he was a scholar who enjoyed fishing.
But seeing him use the fishing rod as a weapon or change it into a bow, he had thought that he was a rare and unique weapon with no equal in the world.
"I've never heard of a fishing rod with a line made of heavenly silkworm silk. You are truly a person who seems to have suddenly fallen from the sky."
"How do you know this is heavenly silkworm silk?"
Although Jiang Ziya said it in a surprised voice, he proudly lifted Tonglin and showed it to Yang Jian.
"The fishing line has a blue edge, and when you handle internal energy, it becomes as sharp as a sword, so what is this if not heavenly silkworm silk? But I have only heard that the Heavenly Demon, who was one of the Twelve Honored Ones, handled heavenly silkworm silk, and this is the first time I have seen it in person."
"Is that so..."
"Ah, and the reason I came to see you is."
Thump!
Yang Jian took out a palm-sized plaque from his pocket and placed it on the table. It was a plaque with the character 'Thunder' written in the center in gold, and the engravings and decorations carved around the plaque were unique, so it did not look like an ordinary object.
"By any chance, if you have a chance to meet a person from the Thunderclap Sect or my sworn brother, the One-Eyed Dragon, show them this and reveal that you are my sworn brother."
"I can't receive something like this."
"Since I have received a great help in coming this far, how can this Yang Jian just pass by? If you refuse, it is also an insult to me, so please accept it."
"Then I will... cherish this and use it only when necessary."
If the man called the One-Eyed Dragon was one of the Twelve Honored Ones, it was clear that he would be of great help to Jiang Ziya.
Moreover, although it was said that they had suffered damage close to the destruction of their sect now, since the Thunderclap Sect was also a huge sect, if he were to receive their help, he would be very reassured.
Jiang Ziya stored the plaque that Yang Jian had given him in his pocket.
"It will probably be helpful when avoiding disputes with those who are not hostile to me."
"Thank you."
It was as if he had received a great gift. Although Yang Jian had many enemies as much as his great fame, he also had many friends.
And that also meant that if he were to show the plaque to hostile people, a dispute might arise.
"There's nothing to be thankful for. I'm just sorry that I can only do this much. If there is anything else you need, feel free to tell me."
"Then by any chance... have you heard any strange news in the martial world recently?"
"Strange news?"
"Like the appearance of masters of unknown identity... or the sudden appearance of mysterious people from the western regions who use strange magic."
"Hmm... since I've been through a big incident recently, I haven't had time to hear such stories. But since the Tang Clan will have a lot of information, let's find out the information you want there."
"Alright."
It was clear that Yang Jian also had no particular information.
Although he had tried to gather information through the lower-class sects and the like so far, Jiang Ziya, who knew that they did not easily show themselves, was not greatly disappointed.
"Since we will arrive at the Tang Clan soon, let's rest for now and prepare to leave early in the morning."
"Yes."
"Oh, and."
Yang Jian, who had raised his body, stopped his steps for a moment before leaving Jiang Ziya's room.
As he was about to say the words he had kept in his heart, his steps did not move.
"Don't get too close to that young lady, Xi Xichang."
"Why do you say that?"
"Although I don't have a great insight in that area, no matter how I look at her, she has a character that will die young. Since she is like a storm that swallows the surroundings, if you get close, it is clear that you will be drenched in rain."
Xi Xichang was a fairly famous woman, to the extent that her name had been heard even by his ears, which had been stuck in the Thunderclap Sect.
Not only did she have skills that were considered to be at the top among the rising stars of the righteous path, but she also had excellent political skills, to the extent that she had made a great contribution to the creation of the Sichuan Alliance.
But since he had met her, Yang Jian had been quite confident in his judgment of Xi Xichang.
"That's an excessive statement."
Although Jiang Ziya answered in a voice that was no different from usual, he could not hide the small anger that was buried in his heart.
Yang Jian, seeing Jiang Ziya's sharp reaction to his warning, which he had given out of concern, had the thought that the bond between the two might not be so short.
"Then rest. I'll be going now."
Jiang Ziya gave a silent bow without a word. He looked at the door that Yang Jian had left for a while even after he had left.
* * *
While Jiang Ziya's party was staying at the tavern and resting a little more, there were people who had knocked on the door of the Tang Clan one step ahead of them.
"Master, is there a reason for us to hurry like this?"
Dao Weibu, who had thought that he would go back to the Wudang Sect, his own sect, if he were to just deal with the Two Strange Men of the Unshaven, could not hide his uncomfortable expression.
The Wise Sword, Wu Guang, unlike his first disciple, looked at Shen Naye, who was quietly following him, and clicked his tongue lightly inwardly.
Although both of them were new to the martial world, since their mindsets were so different, although Dao Weibu's martial prowess was ahead for now, it was clear that Shen Naye would surpass Dao Weibu soon.
It was just a pity that since the rules of the Wudang Sect were strict, he could not properly teach the true ultimate art of Wudang to the female Shen Naye.
"Did you see the people who were with the Twin Swords of Guankou?"
"Are you talking about that master of unknown identity?"
"Are you perhaps talking about the young lady who was with them?"
As Shen Naye opened her mouth, Wu Guang nodded his head lightly.
"That's right. That young lady is surely Xi Xichang of the Qingcheng Sect."
"Are you talking about Xi Xichang of the Sichuan Alliance?"
The dense information network of Wudang and the Martial Arts Alliance had not missed even the fact that Xi Xichang was secretly moving to the Tang Clan in the Sichuan Alliance.
But what was unexpected was the fact that she was accompanying a man of unknown identity and the Twin Swords of Guankou.
As soon as he heard the words 'Xi Xichang of the Sichuan Alliance', Dao Weibu's body quickly heated up.
A sense of rivalry arose at the fact that she, who was considered to be a promising rising star like himself, was so close.
Among the rising stars like him, there were quite a few who were wary of and jealous of Xi Xichang's excessively large fame.
Moreover, since she was the fiancé of the Plum Blossom Swordsman, Wen Changyu, of the Mount Hua Sect, whom Dao Weibu hated the most, he could not help but to be more annoyed.
"Why are they traveling together?"
"Perhaps the Twin Swords of Guankou is trying to join the Sichuan Alliance after the collapse of the Thunderclap Sect. In any case, since they are heading to the Tang Clan, it will be an important thing for us to stop by the Tang Clan first and to find out their intentions."
The Martial Arts Alliance did not welcome the growth of the power of the Sichuan Alliance.
Although they were a righteous path alliance on the surface, since the Martial Arts Alliance, which claimed to be the leader of the righteous path martial world of the world, was getting a competitor, it could not be welcome.
Moreover, the Sichuan Alliance was an alliance solely for Sichuan.
If they were to strengthen their ties further, a mishap where the power of the righteous path martial world would be split might occur when a serious situation like the appearance of the demonic cult occurred.
And another thing...
The Martial Arts Alliance, which had been monitoring the Tang Clan for a long time, was concerned about the poison man, which the Tang Clan was aiming for as its lifelong goal.
While the Tang Clan was not taking a clear attitude between the righteous path and the Black Contemplation Fortress, if they were to hold the great power of the poison man and even to side with the Black Contemplation Fortress, it could become a great disaster for the martial world of the world.
If they had completed the poison man and had not informed the Martial Arts Alliance, a measure was needed immediately. That was why it was more important than anything to examine the truth.
Moreover, at a time like this, the intention of Xi Xichang, who was secretly heading to the Tang Clan, was also very suspicious.
She was a person who had a record of finding the Sword Immortal at a young age and of bringing him into the Sichuan Alliance.
Perhaps she was trying to persuade the Tang Clan by using that specialty again and to make the poison man the power of the Sichuan Alliance.
'There is a ghost of unknown identity around the Tang Clan.'
As he got closer to the Tang Clan, strange rumors were being heard from the nearby villages of the Tang Clan.
A story about a ghost of unknown identity that appeared every night.
Wu Guang was increasingly getting the conviction that the poison man, which he had thought was a fantasy, might really exist in the Tang Clan.
"If you enter the Tang Clan, you must never act rashly."
Wu Guang said in a low voice, but he put strength into each and every word.
Although it was a statement aimed at Dao Weibu rather than Shen Naye, in any case, the huge manor of the Sichuan Tang Clan began to enter their eyes.
"Phew."
Dao Weibu, at the majesty of the Tang Clan, which could be seen even from a distance, whistled lightly and did not hide his surprise.
The Sichuan Tang Clan, a traditional martial family and a prestigious family that had continued for hundreds of years, had a scale that was not lacking at all, and was even larger and more magnificent than the Wudang Sect of the main mountain.
"Immeasurable Buddha... please announce that the Wise Sword of the Wudang Sect has arrived."
Wu Guang, who had arrived at the outer gate of the Tang Clan, announced his arrival to the Tang Clan with a firm expression.
'Tang Yizheng...'
Although Wu Guang had never met him, he had heard well about his strict and secretive personality.
But no matter what secret he was hiding, he would not be able to deceive him.
(End of Chapter)