Northern Lands Saber, Tong Guan's Backhand (Still One Hundred Monthly Passes Short-Asking for Monthly Passes)

"Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang!? What was he doing in Wei River?"

Fan Zhengheng stood by the windowsill, listening to his trusted aide's report below, a thoughtful look on his face.

Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang had always been active around Azure North. Why had he come all the way to Wei River, and even named Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an as the one he wished to challenge? The reason behind it was worth pondering deeply.

"Has Lord Chen ever offended him?" Fan Zhengheng turned and asked.

"My lord, likely not. According to the intelligence currently available, Lord Chen has never had any contact with Northern Lands Saber. There is even less chance of any enmity between them." The trusted aide who had followed Fan Zhengheng for many years lowered his head respectfully.

"Then this is rather strange! Challenging Chen Ping'an for no reason at all—was Guan Dongxiang not afraid people would accuse him of bullying the young with his seniority?" Fan Zhengheng withdrew his gaze from the distance and spoke in a deep voice.

Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang had been famous for decades. Before Chen Ping'an, he truly belonged to the older generation's older generation. He and Chen Ping'an had neither a life-and-death grudge nor a contest between peers. Challenging him without cause would indeed invite criticism.

"Could the Xue Family be behind this?" Fan Zhengheng's eyes flickered as he pondered in secret.

Since no reason could be found in Guan Dongxiang himself, the answer could only lie behind him. Guan Dongxiang was ranked on the Dragon and Tiger Rankings and renowned far and wide. Ordinary people did not possess the influence needed to make him act. Considering the current circumstances from every angle, only the Xue Family had the standing to do so.

"Using the official letter inviting Chen Ping'an to Xue Mingde's promotion ceremony to push him onto the crest of the waves, then having Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang challenge him and force Chen Ping'an into a dilemma! The Xue Family has truly played a fine hand!"

Guan Dongxiang's challenge had caused an enormous stir, turning the city into a stormy city. Everyone was watching Chen Ping'an's reaction and waiting for his answer.

As an old generation expert, Guan Dongxiang's challenge was one Chen Ping'an could reasonably avoid without responding to. Yet reason was one thing, reputation another. If Chen Ping'an avoided the fight, it would conflict with the image and stance he had maintained until now, likely stirring up no small storm of public opinion. Under the hype of those with ulterior motives, he might even be branded as someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Before the weak, he used iron-blooded methods and struck with force; before the strong, he became timid and avoided battle!

Moreover, Chen Ping'an was a rising prodigy. Ever since he had emerged, the winds had filled his sails, and surging ambition had always filled his chest. With everything going his way, he had long cultivated a sharp, decisive temperament and an indomitable spirit. If Chen Ping'an weighed gains and losses this time and avoided battle, it would inevitably inflict grave harm upon his Martial Dao Heart. The temperament and spirit he had nurtured for years might even crumble like earth and collapse like mountains, leaving behind a lingering shadow over his future days.

But if Chen Ping'an accepted the challenge, the situation he faced would not be much better. Though Chen Ping'an possessed extraordinary combat strength, nearly that of the Dragon and Tiger Rankings, Guan Dongxiang was an expert on those rankings. His saber techniques were sharp and tyrannical, far beyond what Chen Ping'an could withstand.

The Xue Family's move was an overt scheme with no solution. Whether Chen Ping'an fought or refused to fight, he would ultimately meet a bleak end.

And all the Xue Family had paid for it was Guan Dongxiang's reputation. They had lost nothing else.

What was lost was Guan Dongxiang's name, yet what would be destroyed was Chen Ping'an's Martial Dao Heart! There could be no more profitable bargain than this!

"First Xue Mingde, then Guan Dongxiang—one link locked around another, killing the man and condemning the heart. The Xue Family's moves are truly swift and ruthless." Fan Zhengheng shook his head and sighed.

The wisdom of a prominent family that had endured for thousands of years truly could not be underestimated! They killed without spilling blood, and with one careless step, they could force a person into a dead end.

Fan Zhengheng asked himself honestly: if their positions were exchanged and he faced such a situation, he would have no good means of breaking the impasse either. He too would only fall into a position where advancing and retreating were both difficult.

"My lord, should the Town Pacification Office involve itself in this matter and reduce its impact?" the trusted aide at his side asked cautiously.

"Watch and wait." Fan Zhengheng replied calmly.

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's gratitude was valuable, but the Xue Family's blade was no less sharp! Since this concerned a great family, how could he involve himself rashly?

Though he was the Brigade Commander of the Wei River Town Pacification Office, before a top prominent family like the Xue Family, he was still not enough to be taken seriously!

The Pseudo-Grandmaster Realm?

Before a colossal existence like the Xue Family, even Grandmasters had to bow low and humble themselves!

Of course, under normal circumstances, the Xue Family also treated Grandmasters with courtesy and would not rashly make enemies of them.

"Chen Ping'an, everything depends on your own fate!" Fan Zhengheng's gaze was deep as he looked into the distance.

"Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang?"

Feng Chengxiu, who was at the Universe Control Division garrison outside Wei River County City, received the news at the first possible moment as well. Temporarily overseeing the Universe Control Division Wei River Branch, he possessed a meticulous intelligence network and naturally had many judgments about the matter.

But regardless of those judgments, the most important point to him was that Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an was about to suffer a great calamity.

"Those who commit many injustices will bring about their own destruction!" Feng Chengxiu sneered. "Chen Ping'an, Chen Ping'an, I would like to see how you deal with this."

Guan Dongxiang was renowned far and wide. Even Feng Chengxiu would need to expend considerable effort to deal with him, much less Chen Ping'an.

"Lord Feng, I think we will not need to act at all. Chen Ping'an is about to vanish into the masses for good!"

Wu Dazhen stood to one side, grinning with schadenfreude.

"Chen Ping'an only left Wei River not long ago, so there should still be some time before he returns. Take advantage of this time to find more people and blow this matter up. Stir the waters for me, and spread it—the farther, the better! The greater the commotion and the more people who know, the more Chen Ping'an will be riding a tiger and unable to dismount when he returns, and the greater the backlash he will suffer afterward!"

Coldness appeared on Feng Chengxiu's face, while ruthlessness glinted in his hawk-like eyes.

He had harbored ill intent toward Chen Ping'an for a long time. Since such an opportunity had presented itself, he naturally intended to add fuel to the flames.

"Yes, Lord Feng," Wu Dazhen answered. He was also delighted to see this happen.

"I truly want to see the sight of a rising prodigy falling!"

Wu Dazhen wore a sinister expression, and a trace of ferocity flashed through his eyes.

The matter of Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang challenging Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an spread among Wei River's major powers, and every household reacted differently.

"Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang? An expert on the Dragon and Tiger Rankings? Challenging Lord Chen?"

"Guan Dongxiang challenged Chen Ping'an? Where did he get the nerve?"

"Bullying the young with his seniority! Was he not ashamed?"

"Just at a time like this! Did someone see that Chen Ping'an's momentum was too great and want to suppress him a little?"

"Suppress him? I say it is a vicious overt scheme!"

"Guan Dongxiang is so famous. Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an will not accept the challenge, will he?"

"How could he not? Chen Ping'an is fierce by nature and reckless in his actions. If Guan Dongxiang came to challenge him, how could he endure such humiliation?"

"That may be so, but it is Guan Dongxiang after all! Northern Lands Saber, famous for his saber arts! Reckless Saber may be strong, but against him, there is only one path—crushing defeat!"

"Yes, Reckless Saber may be strong, but he is still young! Give him another ten years—no, he would not even need ten. At most five years, and he would surely surpass Guan Dongxiang. But not now!"

"Does Guan Dongxiang have a grudge against Reckless Saber? He came from thousands of miles away just to challenge him at his door!"

"Who knows whether there is any grudge! But this matter is strange. Perhaps behind it..."

"Shh, watch your words!"

"..."

"Ping'an."

Within a quiet courtyard, Mu Wanjun clasped her hands together, worry written across her face. She was filled with concern and care for Chen Ping'an.

Over the past few days, she had nearly worn through the pages in the Dragon and Tiger Rankings that recorded Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang. Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang was exceptionally skilled with the saber. His techniques contained neither flashy flourishes nor needless complexity; every move and every form struck directly at vital parts, sharp to the extreme. Ordinary Peak Realm experts could not withstand even three of his saber strikes!

Based on what she knew of Chen Ping'an, he would certainly accept Guan Dongxiang's challenge at his door. Not only would he accept it, he would meet it head-on without yielding an inch.

And this—

Was precisely what worried her the most.

Guan Dongxiang's saber techniques were sharp, and though Chen Ping'an's combat strength was formidable, he was likely no match for Guan Dongxiang. If these two faced each other, Ping'an...

His prospects were grim!

At the thought, an indescribable anxiety rose in Mu Wanjun's heart. She closed her eyes, pressed her palms together, and prayed with complete sincerity.

"I hope Ping'an... do not be impulsive. Good people are blessed by Heaven. May Heaven protect him and let him pass through this matter safely and smoothly..."

Inside a spacious, brightly lit guest room, Guan Dongxiang sat cross-legged like a motionless stone statue, a saber case placed at his side.

Buzz~

Guan Dongxiang's eyes were tightly shut. Profound Light flickered between his brows, while the True Qi all over his body trembled faintly.

After an unknown length of time, Guan Dongxiang slowly opened his eyes.

"Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an!"

Guan Dongxiang recalled the intelligence he had gathered over the past several days.

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an was fierce by nature, reckless in his actions, and heedless of consequences. In White Stone City, he had destroyed gangs and Lineages; at the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison, he had killed to establish his might.

In Five Peaks Mountain City, he had seized sole authority, One Person Guards a City. He had killed a Disciple of Seven Absolute Old Man and hung the head over the city to deter petty villains. At Red Maple Mountain, he had confronted Cao Yingxiong head-on.

Transferred to Wei River, he had rushed to reinforce Fallen Blossom Ridge, killed Peak Realm experts, and shone brilliantly in the Ten Thousand Demons Siege at Three Forks Mountain.

He had neither background nor resources. To reach this day step by step, he had relied not only on the saber in his hand, but also on his mind.

No matter what opponent he faced, he would meet them with the utmost caution and seriousness. As the saying went, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

Since he had challenged Chen Ping'an, whether the other man accepted or not, he would not neglect a single bit of preparation.

From the information he currently possessed, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an counted as a not bad opponent! But that was all!

In an ordinary battle, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an should be able to receive several dozen of his saber strikes. But in a life-and-death fight, Chen Ping'an would surely die beneath his saber in fewer than ten strikes!

This judgment was not born of arrogance, but from the saber momentum he had nurtured over many years between life and death. It gave him his confidence.

As a swordsman, one had to believe in the saber in one's hand—believe without reservation! Before facing an enemy, one could judge carefully. But once one acted, one had to possess confidence, absolute confidence!

"He truly is an unmatched prodigy!" Guan Dongxiang's eyes sharpened as the thoughts in his mind gradually settled.

Based on what he knew of Chen Ping'an's past deeds, Chen Ping'an was undoubtedly a prodigy! He had advanced all the way with overwhelming force, long since nurturing an indomitable Martial Dao Heart.

If such a prodigy had someone to protect his path, his future would surely be a broad, level road. It was only a pity...

Guan Dongxiang gently shook his head.

"You offended Lord Tong!"

This challenge, whether Chen Ping'an accepted or not, was bound to bring him an unfavorable ending.

Chen Ping'an was exceptionally gifted and breathtakingly talented; there was no doubt about that. His continual display of a sharp edge had not only made his steps steady and his official career smooth, but had also made him the focus of everyone's attention. Yet it was precisely because of this that he had developed that excessively reckless personality, acting without regard for consequences.

Such a personality was like a double-edged sword. It could be the force driving him ever onward, but it could also become the root of his entrapment. In favorable circumstances, using this temperament meant being sharp, decisive, and indomitable. But once he entered adversity, the other side of that double-edged sword would reveal itself completely. As the saying went, what is too rigid is easily broken. Chen Ping'an's recklessness and impulsiveness often left him lacking sufficient calm and reason when facing hardships and setbacks. Once frustrated, setback would pile upon setback, even affecting his Martial Dao Heart.

And this challenge of his would surely push Chen Ping'an into adversity. This meant that before the battle had even begun, Chen Ping'an had already fallen into a losing position.

Unless...

Guan Dongxiang smiled and did not continue thinking.

"By sacrificing only a negligible bit of false fame, I can obtain the chance to repay Lord Tong's favor. This bargain is worth it!"

Guan Dongxiang recalled the letter Tong Guan had sent from distant Azure Dragon Province City several days ago. The letter contained only a few scant lines, yet it had made him immediately set aside everything at hand, travel thousands of miles to Wei River County City, and challenge Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an.

Many years ago, he had owed Tong Guan his life.

At that time, he had not yet entered the Peak Realm. He had reached the Azure Dragon Province New Talent Rankings with the Martial Path Realm of the Inner Energy Third Stage, becoming a prodigy on the New Talent Rankings. Though his ranking had not been particularly high, for someone like him with no background or connections, it was already an extremely not bad achievement.

Just when he was full of high spirits, he encountered a demonic-path bandit's ambush in the wilderness. The bandit was powerful, and he was nowhere near a match for him. Just as he was about to die, Tong Guan, who happened to be passing by, saved his life.

Tong Guan had not deliberately intended to save him. He had merely rescued him in passing for the merit of killing the demonic-path bandit. Yet Guan Dongxiang had remained grateful for this matter for a long time and never forgotten Tong Guan's kindness.

Over the years that followed, he had secretly done many shady things for Tong Guan. No one knew that he was working for Tong Guan. Over several decades, he had experienced countless brushes with life and death. Along with his continuously growing combat strength, he had also continuously repaid the favor he owed. Decades of day-after-day living had left him rather weary.

Years of repayment had also transformed that kindness into a debt of obligation. Only the final little bit remained before he could regain his freedom and live for himself.

And Tong Guan's letter had contained something very simple: only one matter. As long as he came forward to challenge Chen Ping'an, regardless of the outcome, all the favors he had owed until then would be written off in one stroke!

Compared to the things he had done for Tong Guan before, this matter was simply too easy. So easy that he could scarcely believe that merely sacrificing a tiny bit of false fame, regardless of the outcome, would allow him to repay his final debt!

Yet after pondering it carefully over these past days, he had discovered Tong Guan's ruthlessness.

Borrowing the Xue Family's influence to carry out ruthless deeds!

A simple challenge had forced Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an into a position where advancing and retreating were both difficult. If Chen Ping'an fought, he would end in crushing defeat. If Chen Ping'an retreated, his Dao Heart would become unstable.

"If Chen Ping'an fights, I will cut him down with one saber strike! If he does not fight, I will leave at once!"

"After this matter, the favor will be gone, I will regain my freedom, and live my days in peace!" Guan Dongxiang slowly closed his eyes and ceased thinking.

What had bound his freedom all these years was not some external shackle, but the righteousness in his heart!