Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

"Is that... Saber Intent?"

Hearing Du Jian’s words, the few young men who had entered the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm exchanged a look of shock.

Something like Saber Intent could only be grasped after one’s comprehension of saber arts reached a certain level.

Although their realms were not low, their practice of cultivation techniques was nowhere near the point of touching upon Saber or Sword Intent.

Xie Yuan remained noncommittal. His Rushing Wolf Saber Skill had reached major completion, and every move he made carried a direct, powerful charm. Even a Grandmaster like Lu the Third had been impressed, so it was natural that these young men couldn’t comprehend it.

The attending guests all came from families with deep martial traditions. Steeped in such knowledge from a young age, they had discerning eyes.

Now, hearing Du Jian’s speculation and looking at Xie Yuan, the way they saw him instantly changed. All traces of disdain vanished.

"Make way, make way! What are you all doing, just standing around in a circle?"

A charming voice suddenly rang out from the edge of the crowd. It was Situ Qin, arriving with a group of female guests.

She was not very tall, and only after parting the crowd did her small, jade-like face become visible. Her brows were slightly furrowed with a hint of worry.

However, when she glanced at the center of the room and saw Xie Yuan standing tall and poised while Peng Wei sat on the floor, pale-faced and without a weapon in sight, her heart settled.

"Oh, so it’s already over... Looks like I was delayed."

Situ Qin smiled faintly, murmuring to herself.

A few of the noble ladies behind her exchanged glances and pursed their lips.

’We walked, then we sped up, and in the end, we nearly broke into a run to get to the banquet hall. What delay is she talking about?’

One of the young ladies whispered:

"Sister Qin, your friend’s cultivation is only at the Third Training, but his strength is quite impressive."

Situ Qin let out a soft laugh. She smoothed her hair, lifted her chin, and replied without lowering her voice:

"Third Training? Master Xie only set foot on the Martial Dao a mere six months ago."

What? Six months?

The Third Training in six months?

For a moment, the banquet hall fell silent once more.

The disciples in attendance who practiced martial arts all had decent cultivation, but they had all been training since they were children. They began with stance training at seven and fist techniques at ten, all under the guidance of famous masters and with a steady diet of restorative foods. Only after their bodies had fully developed did they begin their formal training, and now, around the age of twenty, they were finally seeing some small success.

But this Darts Master had gone from a commoner to a Third Training Martial Artist in just six months?

They were utterly shocked, even suspecting that Situ Qin was boasting, though they felt she had no reason to.

When they looked at this Third Training Martial Artist, Xie Yuan, again, their gazes shifted once more, now filled with utter disbelief.

’So he isn’t just getting by on his looks...’

Seeing the reactions of those around her, Situ Qin pressed her lips into a small smile, feeling her objective had been achieved.

It had even exceeded her expectations; it seemed to have brought her some glory as well.

Situ Qin gazed at Xie Yuan in the center of the room, her beautiful eyes sparkling.

Nearby, the host of the event, Crown Prince Xue Yanwen, stood quietly to the side, taking everything in. He looked from Xie Yuan to Situ Qin, and his gaze gradually deepened.

Xie Yuan paid no mind to the stares. With a reverse grip, he sheathed his saber, then helped Peng Wei up and dusted off his clothes.

"Young Master Peng, thank you for the match. Your saber techniques are exquisite. I had no choice but to use my ultimate move and was lucky to win. If that one strike had failed to defeat you, I would have been the one to lose."

Hearing Xie Yuan’s words, Peng Wei’s expression softened considerably. He snorted lightly and said:

"Then consider yourself lucky."

The surrounding guests were speechless, but they felt that even though Xie Yuan wasn’t one of them, his words and actions were far more likable than Peng Wei’s.

"Hehe, Young Master Peng, about what you said earlier... a word in private?"

Xie Yuan pulled Peng Wei over to a corner.

"Young Master Peng, about the County Captain of our Yunzhao... Hmm, what day did you say he came to visit?"

Peng Wei was a man who could admit defeat. He stiffened his neck and said stubbornly:

"It was seven or eight days ago. He wanted to see my father, but my father wasn’t here."

Seven or eight days ago?

That was around the time after Xie Yuan had killed Xiang Zhuo and brought his head to the county yamen to report it.

"Then, Young Master Peng, did you happen to hear what his business was?"