Chapter 361 - 180: Star River Sword Array
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On Celestial Martial Peak, within the same great hall.
However, a few people were missing. Sun Buping was no longer in the master’s seat, but a man in white had taken his place.
Furthermore, the ’Saint Sect’s Mad Scholar’ Li Juedai and the ’Beimang Sword Song’ Xiao Qingyu were also not present.
Only the ’Master of the Heart of Literature’ Luo Shuning, ’Elder Bu Kuang’ Fan Wusheng, and ’Chess as Sword’ Tong Jingchun remained.
Tong Jingchun sat in the seat of honor just below the master’s, his gaze occasionally drifting to the man in white.
The man appeared to be in his forties, with a broad, square face. A cold glint shone from his eyes, as if two swords were hidden within them.
Every time he blinked, a sword light seemed to flash.
He glanced at the others in the hall and saw them looking nervously between him and the entrance, appearing rather restless.
He let out a soft chuckle.
"Everyone, do you think that Fang Shuwen can break the Star River Sword Array?"
The others were taken aback. Tong Jingchun was the first to speak.
"Of course not!"
Hearing this, the corners of the white-robed man’s mouth curled into a slight smile.
"And why is that?"
"Who doesn’t know how profound and mysterious the Sword God Palace’s Star River Sword Array is?"
"Consider that Fang Shuwen—a junior from the Eastern Domain who’s learned a bit of Martial Arts and already doesn’t know his place. Even if he’s had some fortuitous encounters that led to his early success, how could he possibly break a supreme technique of the Sword God Palace?"
Tong Jingchun spoke with eloquence and absolute confidence.
Luo Shuning’s brow furrowed slightly. ’This old man sounds as if he himself were a member of the Sword God Palace.’
He found this kind of bootlicking despicable.
The man in white, however, nodded lightly.
"You’re not wrong. The Star River Sword Array is indeed..."
Just as he said this, a flurry of footsteps was heard from outside. The white-robed man’s brow tightened, a look of displeasure on his face.
Tong Jingchun quickly rose, intending to check on the situation.
Just then, a man from the Jianghu burst through the doorway.
"This is bad! Fang Shuwen has shattered the Star River Sword Array! All of the Sword God Palace’s Divine Swordsmen have been killed in battle!!"
CRACK!
With a sharp snap, the teacup in the white-robed man’s hand was crushed to powder.
His expression was particularly ugly, as dark as the bottom of a pot.
Tong Jingchun’s face was also filled with embarrassment. Just moments ago, he had been boasting about how incredible the Star River Sword Array was. Now, reality had dealt him a harsh slap across the face.
He couldn’t help but glance at the man in white, wondering what he could say to help the man save face.
But then, the white-robed man let out a sneer.
"He does have some skill, no wonder he’s caused such a stir in my Northern Domain."
"But no matter how skilled he is, now that he has come to Celestial Martial Peak, he will not be leaving."
"Exactly."
Tong Jingchun immediately nodded.
"With Sword Master Geng here, Fang Shuwen is nothing but a buffoon."
Hearing this, the man in white chuckled softly and gave a slight nod.
’Elder Bu Kuang’ Fan Wusheng smiled faintly.
"This old man will go take a look around as well."
"Wait."
Tong Jingchun stood up and bowed to Sword Master Geng.
"Sword Master Geng, this battle concerns our entire Northern Domain Martial World. As the saying goes, even a hero needs help. That Fang Shuwen is vicious. Although your Swordsmanship is supreme, Sword Master, with the unfortunate deaths of over a hundred Divine Swordsmen, you are inevitably short a few helping hands..."
Sword Master Geng was no fool. He heard this and asked directly:
"Do you have men to offer?"
"Precisely."
Tong Jingchun said with a smile:
"The Cyan Sheep Sect originally intended to hand over everyone who participated in the massacre of the Long Clan to Fang Shuwen for judgment during this Celestial Martial Grand Assembly."
"So before that, they planned to capture Manor Master Ouyang Ming of Celestial Lake Manor, Valley Master Jiang Wushu of Residual Wind Valley, and the others... However, Sun Buping discussed this matter with me. Although I agreed on the surface, I secretly passed this information on to those very people."
"Before the Celestial Martial Grand Assembly began, I hid them here on Celestial Martial Peak."
"Now, Sword Master Geng is in need of men..."
Hearing this, Sword Master Geng immediately smiled.
"I see. Good. Have them come over."
"If they are willing to lend me their aid, then after Fang Shuwen is dead, everyone will be handsomely rewarded."
"Thank you, Sword Master Geng!!"
Tong Jingchun was overjoyed at these words and hastily bowed again.
Luo Shuning’s expression changed, however.
"Tong Jingchun, what is the meaning of this?"
"The Long Clan did no wrong. These people annihilated their entire clan for their own selfish gain. Their actions are appalling."
"And you would associate with them?"
Tong Jingchun was unconcerned. While sending someone to pass on the message, he said:
"Today’s matter isn’t about you or me; it’s a major event concerning the entire Northern Domain Martial World."
"As people of our Northern Domain Martial World, they should naturally take part."
"As for this talk of ’associating’ with them... it’s rather ridiculous."
"As long as we can achieve our goal, who cares what kind of people they are?"
Luo Shuning sighed and stood up.
"Tong Jingchun, I originally thought your actions were for the sake of justice and righteousness in the Jianghu. But now I see you’re only acting out of self-interest."
"If you want to be a dog for the Sword God Palace, then go be one yourself."
"I, Luo Shuning, will not accompany you. Farewell!"
Tong Jingchun’s expression changed. Just as he was about to say something, Sword Master Geng waved his hand.
"Let him go."
Luo Shuning snorted, turned, and started to walk away. But just as he passed Fan Wusheng, he heard a rush of wind.
His face changed. Before he could even turn back, he felt a massive force strike him from behind, sending him flying out of the hall. He was dead before he even hit the ground.
Fan Wusheng slowly withdrew his purplish-black palm. The color of his hand quickly returned to normal as he spoke nonchalantly:
"If he is not one of us, what use is there in keeping him alive?"
Tong Jingchun looked at Fan Wusheng, somewhat stunned, then slowly nodded.
"You have a point."
The moment he finished speaking, a series of footsteps rang out. Everyone looked up to see a group of people filing into the hall.
The group consisted of both men and women; it was Ouyang Ming, Jiang Wushu, and their party.
Tong Jingchun introduced them to Sword Master Geng and explained the plan to join forces. The newcomers exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
"With Sword Master Geng here, Fang Shuwen is as good as dead... It’s just that Glazed Saint Body."
Sword Master Geng smiled faintly.
"We can discuss that matter after the battle."
"Everyone, why don’t you follow me down the mountain to meet this Demon Evil God!?"
Just as the group was about to agree, a voice came from outside the door:
"No need to trouble yourselves with coming down. I have already arrived."