Chapter 181 The Famous Ghost Swordsman

Chapter 181: The Ghost Swordsman's Fame Spreads Throughout the World

Great Yan border.

The vast and boundless sandstorms, with their rugged, unrestrained, and magnificent charm, were shocking, but also brought an endless sense of weariness.

This place was far from the hustle and bustle; even birds wouldn't linger here. Heavy time pressed upon this vast land, making it impossible to grasp a single moment of glorious years. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow seemed to be frozen together.

Only drought-resistant oleaster trees and poplars grew, occasionally accompanied by clusters of half-zhang tall cogongrass, all silently guarding this land in solitude.

This feeling surpassed that of the sea and high mountains, truly allowing one to understand what emptiness and vastness meant.

An Jing held the Town Evil Sword, looking in the direction from which he had come.

His mind seemed to be replaying the lingering power of that palm, or perhaps he was simply admiring the vast expanse of the distant land.

“Whoosh!” “Whoosh!”

At the same time, countless Jianghu experts swarmed from the distance.

These people wore various kinds of clothing, but the anxious expressions on their faces were all the same. They all wanted to know what had happened to the Ghost Swordsman's pursuit of Qi Shu.

“That’s the Ghost Swordsman!”

One person saw An Jing standing in front and quickly shouted.

Everyone stopped in their tracks and looked over.

In front, yellow sand swirled, and the wind howled. The black-robed man’s clothes fluttered in the strong wind, his body standing as straight as a spear.

The surrounding ground was a mess, with faint traces of blood visible.

The Black Flood Dragon was circling in mid-air, quietly waiting for something.

“What’s going on?”

“Where is Qi Shu?”

Everyone was filled with doubt.

From the crowd, a woman slowly walked out and spoke clearly, “Your Excellency, may I ask where the villain Qi Shu is now?”

The woman’s face had a few wrinkles, but her features were beautiful and captivating, with a hint of allure in her eyes.

Unrivaled Sword, Wang Ningshui.

An expert from the Five Lakes Four Seas Hall.

“A mysterious expert from the Great Snow Mountain rescued him.”

An Jing calmly retracted his gaze and said lightly.

Hearing An Jing’s words, everyone present expressed regret, but then their hearts trembled.

“That brat Qi Shu was pursued for over three hundred li. This time, he really suffered a great setback.”

“If it weren't for someone from Later Jin intervening, Qi Shu would have undoubtedly died.”

“Such a despicable and shameless scoundrel actually managed to escape.”

“Is the Great Snow Mountain secretly colluding with the Black Ice Terrace?”

“How dare the barbarians of Later Jin invade our ancestral land?”

Although everyone felt some regret.

Three hundred li!

The Ghost Swordsman pursued Qi Shu for a full three hundred li.

One must know that Qi Shu was also a top expert in the Zhao State, and his reputation when he first emerged was no less than Xiao Qianqiu’s, even slightly surpassing his.

It was only later that Qi Shu gradually became overshadowed by Xiao Qianqiu.

Xiao Qianqiu was known as the number one prodigy of his generation, the expert with the most hope of becoming a Great Grandmaster. Being suppressed by him was not a shameful thing. With Qi Shu’s Aptitude, in a barren era, he might have been able to support the entire world.

And the Zhao State also regarded Qi Shu as the next Qi Wushuang. Qi Shu did not disappoint others’ expectations, already reaching the Two-Qi Grandmaster Realm in his early fifties.

Now, he suffered such humiliation and fled for three hundred li in disarray. If it weren't for the Later Jin expert’s intervention, he might have died within the Great Yan borders, under the Ghost Swordsman’s sword.

Looking at that figure, everyone felt a sense of awe.

An Jing gently exhaled, deep in thought.

He was already a Half-Step Grandmaster now. How could he truly achieve “Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak” and reach the Grandmaster Realm?

If he relied solely on his own Cultivation, it would take decades of arduous Cultivation to reach it, but he couldn't wait that long now. He needed to find a way to quickly advance to the Grandmaster Realm.

“There are still two months, I need to reach the Grandmaster Realm within two months.”

An Jing ignored the crowd. He leaped onto the back of the flood dragon.

“Roar!”

The Black Flood Dragon let out a low roar, its mighty voice shaking the sky and echoing in all directions.

Everyone watched the scene before them, the Peerless Swordsman bathed in the orange sunlight, exuding an indescribable freedom in his every movement.

Awe filled everyone’s eyes as they all moved aside.

Wang Ningshui watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but shout.

“Your Excellency, when will you become The World's Number One Swordsman?”

An Jing did not speak again. The Black Flood Dragon was extremely fast, disappearing from everyone’s sight in the blink of an eye.

Xu Wang Mountain, Earth God Temple.

At this moment, the Earth God Temple was in ruins, a scene of devastation as far as the eye could see.

Zhao Xuening could no longer hear any sounds from outside, so she cautiously poked her head out.

“Phew.”

Seeing that no one was around, she couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh, then struggled to climb out.

Now that no one was here, if she stayed in this place, she didn't know if Qi Shu would come back to kill her.

“Princess?! Why are you here?”

Just then, a sharp voice rang out.

Zhao Xuening looked up and saw a man standing outside the dilapidated temple.

The man was incredibly handsome, his features possessing a feminine beauty that seemed to rival Zhao Xuening’s.

“Little Zhuozi?”

Zhao Xuening’s eyes lit up when she saw the newcomer.

This person was Zhuo Yuchang. After using some connections to get out of prison, he planned to go to Dongluo Pass to pick flowers. He never expected to feel a tremor of Qi when passing by Xu Wang Mountain, so he stealthily snuck up the mountainside to investigate.

Zhuo Yuchang’s mouth twitched, and he said, “This humble one is no longer an eunuch in the palace, Princess can just call me by my name.”

Zhao Xuening quickly called out, “Little Zhuozi, quickly come and help me, let's go.”

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Yuchang helped Zhao Xuening walk out of the temple while asking, “Princess, what exactly happened?”

Now, the Jianghu south of Pingle Ridge was in complete chaos. Everyone was frantically searching for Qi Shu’s whereabouts.

Various true and false messages were intertwined, confusing many Jianghu figures. In short, the entire Imperial Court and Jianghu were in a state of disarray.

Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and said, “The villain Qi Shu was preparing to go north and hand me over to Later Jin. Unexpectedly, he encountered the Ghost Swordsman here, and then the two fought. Now, both have disappeared.”

“Ghost Swordsman!?”

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Yuchang couldn't help but recall the ‘extra-large’ belly band in his mind, and an unpleasant memory surged forth.

If it weren't for that ‘extra-large’ belly band, he wouldn't have been sent to prison.

Zhao Xuening saw the expression on Zhuo Yuchang’s face and asked, “What, you know this person?”

“No, I don’t.”

Zhuo Yuchang quickly shook his head, “That Ghost Swordsman’s identity is extremely mysterious in the Jianghu. How could I possibly know him? But I know who does know him?”

“Who?”

“Qiu Lun, the son of the Marquis of Pingyang, knows him.”

“Qiu Lun!?”

Zhao Xuening’s expression also became strange. Her impression of Qiu Lun was extremely deep.

Originally, Zuo Linglong had wanted to arrange a marriage between herself and Qiu Lun.

When Zhao Xuening first saw that large, fat man, like a water vat, a feeling of repulsion naturally arose in her heart. This was clearly not a person, but a large ball of meat!

Unexpectedly, before Zhao Xuening could speak, Qiu Lun directly refused.

Which prince, noble, general, or scion of a powerful clan didn't shower her with attention and try every means to please her? Only that Qiu Lun avoided her like a snake, as if he had seen a ghost.

He even repeatedly called her an ugly monster.

Moreover, she always felt that there was something wrong with this person’s way of thinking.

According to the saying that birds of a feather flock together, the Ghost Swordsman’s mind also seemed abnormal, because normal people and abnormal people don't mix.

However, she still had to thank the Ghost Swordsman for escaping this danger.

“Never mind, let’s go quickly.”

Zhao Xuening no longer thought about it and urged Zhuo Yuchang to walk into the distance.

The two hurried down Xu Wang Mountain and rushed in the direction of Yujing City.

“Someone!?”

As soon as they reached the foot of the mountain, Zhuo Yuchang felt a familiar Qi rapidly approaching from ahead.

“Princess, I still have something to do. I will take my leave today.”

Saying this, Zhuo Yuchang put down Zhao Xuening and tried to escape into the distance.

“Grandson, where are you going?”

Just as Zhuo Yuchang took a step, a withered hand rested on his shoulder.

“Gr-Grandpa, why are you here?”

Zhuo Yuchang turned his head, looking at the white-browed elder behind him, as if he had lost his parents.

The white-browed old eunuch ignored Zhuo Yuchang and turned to look at Zhao Xuening, bowing and saying, “This old servant arrived late to rescue Your Highness and caused the Princess to be startled.”

Zhao Xuening let out a heavy sigh of relief and said, “It’s alright, it was my own carelessness that allowed that Qi Shu to exploit a loophole, causing so much trouble and worrying you all.”

With this person here, she knew she was safe.

The white-browed old eunuch said, “Princess, let’s quickly return to the palace. The Empress is currently burning with anxiety.”

Zhao Xuening frowned slightly and said, “Alright, let’s go back quickly.”

Zhuo Yuchang’s face sank to the side, and he thought of something, “Grandpa, I remember now, I borrowed some things from someone yesterday, and I have to return them today. How can one be untrustworthy? As a man, I, Zhuo Yuchang, always stick to my word. Please allow me to fulfill my promise.”

The white-browed old eunuch said indifferently, “You borrowed that woman’s belly band, didn’t you? In my opinion, it’s fine not to return it. Besides, you are not a man, just an eunuch. The most important thing for an eunuch is to know his place.”

“Grandson, still, come back with me, Grandpa.”

Zhuo Yuchang’s face turned crimson, then he let out a heavy sigh, as if resigned to his fate.

Three days later, Yujing City, White Jade Palace.

The woman at the head wore a fiery red dress, with golden auspicious cloud patterns embroidered on the hem. Her pair of sharp, charming Phoenix eyes held a smile, and a bright pearl was held in the mouth of the Phoenix bird at the center of her soaring bun, making her appear magnificent and captivating.

This person was none other than the current Empress of Great Yan, Zuo Linglong.

Below her was Zhao Mengtai, who had just arrived.

Zuo Linglong said with lingering fear, “This time was truly dangerous. If it weren't for the Ghost Swordsman fighting Qi Shu, that Qi Shu’s scheme would have almost succeeded.”

At this moment, Zhao Xuening had already returned to the imperial palace, and the news that the Ghost Swordsman had pursued Qi Shu for over three hundred li, finally reaching the Great Yan border before being rescued by a Later Jin expert, had spread throughout the world.

This invisibly elevated the Ghost Swordsman’s reputation to a new height. Many young knights eagerly imitated the Ghost Swordsman’s attire, and even some flower-picking thieves wore black robes, lingering in private boudoirs, and their success rate in picking flowers even greatly increased.

Because no one in the Jianghu knew what the Ghost Swordsman’s face looked like, whether he was male or female, or his age.

And some wealthy widows and brave, spirited female knights even posted tens of thousands in rewards, wanting to catch a glimpse of the Ghost Swordsman’s true face. This matter quickly became a major topic of conversation in the Jianghu.

Not only women, but even some men were curious about who the Ghost Swordsman truly was.

Many young people also sought the whereabouts of the Ghost Swordsman, hoping to become his disciples and learn his profound and unpredictable swordsmanship.

For a time, the name Ghost Swordsman became widely known in Jianghu, truly spreading throughout the world and gaining countless supporters.

Zuo Biwen even disregarded the Zhenyi Sect's wanted order, stating directly that if the Ghost Swordsman came to Youfeng Valley, he would be an honored guest of Youfeng Valley.

Zhao Mengtai said in a deep voice, “The Ghost Swordsman’s strength shouldn't be that strong; it should be the Black Flood Dragon under him.”

He was constantly paying attention to the Ghost Swordsman’s strength. Although he had killed a One Qi Grandmaster expert like Old Man Qingfeng, he was still far from possessing the strength to pursue Two-Qi Grandmaster experts.

“No matter what, this is a favor.”

Zuo Linglong took a deep breath and said, “I heard that this Ghost Swordsman is on the Zhenyi Sect’s wanted list. I wonder if it’s true.”

Zhao Mengtai nodded and said, “It’s true.”

Zuo Linglong tentatively asked, “Then is there any chance to reconcile?”

“Probably not possible.”

Zhao Mengtai shook his head.

Zuo Linglong didn't care much about affairs in Jianghu, only vaguely knowing that the Ghost Swordsman seemed to have been involved in the battle between Xiao Qianqiu and Lou Xiangzhen at Yuan Lake some time ago.

The Zhenyi Sect would absolutely not give up the Jade Emperor Scripture. If the Ghost Swordsman were to voluntarily hand over the Jade Emperor Scripture, it would undoubtedly break a swordsman’s spirit.

Zuo Linglong pondered for a moment, then thought of something and asked, “What did Old Lu say?”

“Old Lu agreed.”

Zhao Mengtai smiled, “With Xuening’s beauty and status, there should be very few men in this world who can refuse her. Now it just depends on whether Xuening is satisfied.”

Zuo Linglong nodded slightly and said, “Although he is Old Lu’s student, we still need to examine his character.”

“Empress, rest assured, I will handle this matter.”

Zhao Mengtai stood up, preparing to take his leave: “Since Xuening is resting, I will visit her next time.”

“Empress, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”

Just then, a beautiful palace maid walked in.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mengtai’s tone faltered, and his brows instinctively furrowed.

Zuo Linglong nodded and said, “Let him in.”

“Yes.”

The palace maid said and then withdrew.

Zhao Mengtai smiled and said, “Perfect, I haven’t seen my elder brother in a long time either.”

Zuo Linglong naturally saw through this facade of 'brotherly affection.' At this moment, the two brothers were already fiercely contending in the Imperial Court, an irreconcilable struggle. However, she also understood that this was the helplessness of an Emperor’s family.

If Zhao Xuening were a boy, would she still be so close to Zhao Mengtai?

Before long, a kind-faced, graceful man walked in.

It was the Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin.

“Your son pays his respects to the Empress.” Zhao Chongyin bowed to Zuo Linglong above.

“No need for formalities.”

Zuo Linglong smiled sweetly and said, “You also came to see Xuening today, didn’t you? But she just went to rest.”

Zhao Chongyin smiled, “That’s truly a pity. However, I have been away for a long time and haven’t paid my respects to the Empress, so coming today is only right. Moreover, I can see my second brother, whom I haven’t seen in a long time. I also have important matters to discuss with him.”

Saying that, Zhao Chongyin glanced at Zhao Mengtai.

Zuo Linglong said, “Crown Prince, please sit first.”

“Thank you, Empress.”

Zhao Chongyin adjusted his robes, then sat down. His demeanor was extraordinary, and a smile always graced his face, making people feel a sense of goodwill towards him.

Zhao Mengtai, on the other hand, had an extremely stern expression, even carrying a hint of mockery, and said, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince, seeing me here today, you’re not here to show off to me, are you?”

Tianji Pavilion was the result of his decades of effort, and now it had not only suffered heavy losses but was also forced underground, which meant Zhao Mengtai had lost a major arm.

Zhao Chongyin glanced at Zhao Mengtai and smiled, “Of course not. I came this time to discuss the matter of Qi Shu.”

Zhao Mengtai lightly tapped his fingers on the table, his expression indifferent, “Your Highness, please speak.”

Zhao Chongyin said, “Second brother, I presume you also know that Qi Shu was able to escape this time entirely because of the Later Jin’s top expert. Only a handful of experts can repel a Peerless Swordsman like the Ghost Swordsman without entering Great Yan territory.”

“Later Jin and Zhao State, one is a jackal, the other a fierce tiger. Now it seems they are treating our Great Yan as a fat sheep.”

Zhao Mengtai did not speak, and the trace of gloom in his eyes completely receded.

Although there had always been rumors that Later Jin would move south, this rumor had existed for three years, and now that several years had passed, it had somewhat made people relax.

But today, from Qi Shu, a clue could be glimpsed.

Later Jin and Zhao State clearly had some kind of consensus, their intentions as clear as day. The only thing that worried Later Jin and Zhao State now was whether the Great Yan Emperor had truly reached the Great Grandmaster Realm.

Others might not know, but Zhao Mengtai was very clear that the Emperor had not reached the Great Grandmaster Realm; instead, he had suffered a backlash injury. As for the specific internal injuries, they might be even more severe than he had anticipated.

This was also why he had been feeling somewhat anxious lately.

Great Yan was surrounded by powerful enemies at this time, already in a precarious situation.

Zuo Linglong also frowned, her heart filled with worry.

The collapse of a nation and the ruin of a family—these were merely four characters, yet the weight they carried in her heart was heavier than a mountain, especially since she was the current Empress of Great Yan, and her own fate and her daughter's fate were tied to the nation's destiny.

Zhao Chongyin continued, “The Later Jin envoy delegation will soon arrive in Great Yan. Their original intention seems to be to form a marriage alliance, but their true purpose is probably to gather intelligence.”

“Regardless of the intelligence, both Later Jin and Zhao State are likely to send troops. The only difference is how and when they will send troops.”

Zhao Mengtai nodded involuntarily. The Holy Master of Later Jin had truly mastered the art of war from his ancestral land, never fighting a battle he wasn't sure of winning.

“This is what I wanted to say.”

Zhao Chongyin took a deep breath, then stood up and said, “Empress, I shall take my leave now.”

With that, Zhao Chongyin slowly walked out of the White Jade Palace.

Zuo Linglong watched Zhao Chongyin’s retreating figure, then looked at the silent Zhao Mengtai.

“Mengtai.”

“Empress, rest assured, I am not someone who is ignorant of the bigger picture.”

Zhao Mengtai smiled, but his heart grew colder.

Zhao Chongyin’s open scheme was truly vicious.

Now that Great Yan was surrounded by powerful enemies, if he continued to contend with him, it would be equivalent to putting Great Yan in dire straits. Furthermore, the words he spoke today in the White Jade Palace were partly to advise himself and partly for Zuo Linglong to hear.

But if he didn't act, then by the time the Crown Prince truly won over the hearts of the people and consolidated his position, would he really still have a chance?

Dongluo Pass, beneath the Demon Sealing Well.

“You mean, this world is divided into three, and it’s no longer the era unified by the Qin Dynasty?”

Nan Weiping lay on the ground, asking casually.

During this time, when she had nothing to do, she would ask about the outside world, and from that, she learned about the current state of the world.

“Yes.”

Zhao Qingmei said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Nan Weiping couldn't help but sigh, “This era is no longer suitable for me. Perhaps staying here is my best destiny.”

Such a long time had long smoothed away the ambitions and aspirations in her heart, leading her to utter such a sentence.

Zhao Qingmei glanced at Nan Weiping and said, “Then Senior still desperately wants to leave the Demon Sealing Well?”

Nan Weiping was silent for a moment and then said, “I want to see the sunrise and sunset.”

Who would have thought that this expert, who once cultivated to the Great Grandmaster Realm, now only wished to see the sunrise and sunset?

This seemingly ordinary thing was impossible for her because of the Nine Heavens Dark Iron on her body.

Zhao Qingmei did not speak but closed the diary in front of her.

Nan Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei and said, “Little girl, how about you comb my hair for me?”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll harm you?”

Zhao Qingmei raised an eyebrow.

“No fear.”

Nan Weiping shook her head, leaning her back against Zhao Qingmei and said, “You need this old woman to get out of this Demon Sealing Well, so you won’t kill me.”

Zhao Qingmei looked at Nan Weiping’s serious expression and tone, then actually smiled and nodded, “Alright.”

Then Zhao Qingmei took out a comb and walked behind Nan Weiping.

The comb ran through her messy, black and white hair, bringing out clumps of silver strands.

Nan Weiping said, “If it weren’t for the special nature of this stone cave, my hair would probably have had lice long ago.”

Zhao Qingmei casually said, “Why was Senior trapped here?”

Nan Weiping waved her hand and said, “The past is past; let’s not talk about it.”

Zhao Qingmei did not speak again but carefully combed her hair, then coiled it into a bun, and finally took out a hairpin she carried with her and inserted it.

Nan Weiping touched her temples and the bun on her head, saying, “Let me see your bronze mirror?”

Zhao Qingmei walked to a nearby stone platform and handed over her bronze mirror.

Through the bronze mirror, Zhao Qingmei also saw Nan Weiping’s face.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her skin like dry bark, her cheekbones sunken. Her appearance had long lost its youthful vigor with the passage of time.

It was hard to imagine what kind of person she was when she was young.

“Hahahahaha.”

Seeing herself in the bronze mirror, Nan Weiping laughed, then looked at Zhao Qingmei, “Little girl, what do you think if I said I want you to stay here with me forever?”

Zhao Qingmei’s eyes narrowed into slits and she said, “Impossible.”

Nan Weiping’s smile faded, and she murmured softly to herself, “Yes, you are so beautiful, so captivating. Wouldn’t it be a waste of your prime years to be trapped in this Demon Sealing Well?”

Neither of them spoke again, and the stone cave seemed to fall silent.

“I’ll go get tonight’s dinner.”

Zhao Qingmei turned to leave the stone cave.

Suddenly, Nan Weiping looked up at the top of the stone cave and said, “The door is right above you.”

“The door!?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei quickly looked up at the top of the stone cave.

She saw only symbols above, nothing else. Where was the trace of a door?

“The door, that is a Dao Heart door.”

Nan Weiping said faintly.

PS: I'm not sick, nor do I have anything to do, I'm just a bit tired. That's all for today.