When Fang Zheng arrived in Linzi, the capital of the State of Qi, it happened to be the day of Jixia Academy's annual Sword Gathering. Five hundred Jixia Swordsmen performed the opening sword ceremony in the academy square, and it looked rather impressive. Besides Linzi's nobles and high ministers, several thousand warriors and commoners had come to watch the excitement. Clearly, the human instinct to enjoy a spectacle had remained unchanged from ancient times to the present.
After the "ceremonial sword" opening ended, the Prince of Qi came out to deliver a speech on behalf of the King of Qi—well, that too had apparently been passed down from ancient times without interruption.
After that came the assessments of the Jixia Swordsmen. Fang Zheng had no interest in any of it. After silently watching for a few moments, he stepped out of the crowd and headed toward the center of the square.
Everyone soon noticed this strange figure who seemed so out of place. Someone quickly tried to stop him, but Fang Zheng did not even move. Those people immediately stepped aside on their own. Only when Fang Zheng reached the center of Jixia Academy's square did he stop. By then, almost everyone had noticed what was happening. Cheers ceased one after another as they turned to look his way.
Soon, a man arrived before Fang Zheng with several swordsmen in tow, glaring at him.
"Who are you? Why have you trespassed into our Jixia Sword Gathering?"
"I am Fang Zheng of Carefree Palace."
Facing the man's challenge, Fang Zheng smiled faintly.
"I have long heard of Sword Saint Cao Qiudao and have come specifically to call upon him. I hear that Cao Qiudao's Sword Skill is extraordinary, so I wish to see whether he is worthy of my making a